India Poised for Revolution??? It's High Time ...

I was flying back to Delhi on 25^th evening and was looking out of window as the aircraft was on its descent. The approaching land of Delhi looked beautiful. It was a great relief from the feeling of suffocation I was experiencing as a result of having to sit in a ‘window’ seat sandwiched between the aircraft body on one side and a human’s body on the other side (in the middle seat)!

(It was the second time in a row that I couldn’t manage an aisle seat on my way back to the city. I can’t even remember the last time I had flown sitting at a window. I have to remember to Net check-in from next time onwards…)

My mind was engrossed in numerous thoughts which were taking me far and wide: from earth to moon and back to earth! I imagined myself as an alien about to touch down on the planet earth! And also about Neil Armstrong’s landing on the Moon! Humanity at large also crossed my mind. And the feeling I got was similar to what I get whenever I see a cute little child: what kind of a human he/she will grow to be? (Why do people behave the way they do???) Simultaneously I was trying to make out the popular landmarks on Delhi’s beautifully lit landmass. Suddenly I remembered and wondered how spectacular the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium would have looked from up above the sky so high on the day of the inauguration and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games. And then all those unearthed scams and scamsters came flooding to my mind! The city which looked so tranquil from thousands of miles in the sky suddenly seemed ugly. And I became aware of the presence of corrupt and cruel people – politicians and bureaucrats and police and mafias and criminals – walking the earth below.

I thought about India and the Indians. And also about the Republic Day the next day and the Padma awards and if Arnab Goswami had made to the final list (I had no time to abreast myself with the News throughout the day in Bombay). I was also very keen to know if Dr. Binayak Sen had been granted bail. Then my thoughts took me thousands of miles away to Tunisia. From Arnab to Media to Tunisia and back to India, my mind was racing fast! India’s struggle for independence and its leaders and freedom fighters came flashing. And then a thought solidified – being there on my mind since a few days, since the Tunisian revolution – that why is India not witnessing any revolution anymore? Because the prevailing state of affairs in India is immensely ugly and brutal for majority and which can be corrected only by a revolution. How long can India act deaf and dumb?

A “slap” saw Tunisia get into a revolutionary mode, ousting its dictator with sheer show of public anger and power. Tunisia’s uprising inspired similar protests in neighboring African and Middle-Eastern states. It could turn out to be a watershed moment – movement – when the world looks at it a few years from now.

India has a lot to learn from Tunisia. In spite of the so-called story about India being “poised”, our country needs major reforms in all walks of life. Democracy is often the most confused position; democracy is abused by many to manipulate systems to suit personal gains. In India, ordinary citizens – famously called as aam-aadmi - are put under illusory state of being powerful and free whereas the reality is mostly opposite. The “ballot power” is the most exaggerated form of public power.

2010 saw the Indian Media emerge as a strong crusader with its relentless and impactful activism. The Indian establishment, which is otherwise immune to public pressure or public anger, was forced to act in many cases relentlessly pursued by the Indian Media. India saw its Media acting as the “fourth” pillar in the real sense of the term. A Media in its “Change Agent” avatar could have easily started a mutiny if same level of reportage had happened in any other country. But not in India.

India kept its “poise” even in an environment intense with exposes about utter levels of corruption and blatant use of office and power - and public money! We did not see even a single protest by Indian public against the exposed scams and scamsters. Indians seemed to be least affected by billions of country’s money being looted by corrupt politicians and bureaucrats and officials. Rather we found many advocating against the Media for bringing to light monumental corruption in many areas. This was especially witnessed just before the start of the Common Wealth Games. “Corruption is nothing new; let the Games carry on!” was how majority reacted initially. Instead of feeling let down by the sheer scale of scam, Indians targeted the Media. It was crazy!

CWG scam led to strings of bigger scams but India kept sleeping. How long are we going to behave like ostriches and believe that “all is well”? Till the sting of corruption hurts us directly and individually? When will we come together and protest against the gross and grotesque manipulations by the Indian establishment – government and everybody else in power? When are we Indians going to start a revolt and free India from the corrupt tentacles of its hugely tainted politicians and bureaucrats and police? We see people – public – coming out in streets protesting trivial issues – again politically motivated suiting narrow gains – but never ever do we witness Indians coming out together and demonstrating for the right to a manipulation & corruption free life.

India is an incredible country – no doubt. But it has an equally incredible legacy of remaining under “foreign” rule for several centuries. If Mahatma Gandhi hadn’t happened to India, we would probably have remained under British rule for many more decades.

Today, India is supposed to be “poised” - for bigger things on the global stage. It is an emerging economy and has created wealth for many. There is a sense of overall prosperity all around – but restricted to cities only. In addition, as more than 70% of Indians are under the age of 35, thus, India can claim to be a “young nation”. But where is exuberance and enthusiasm of a typical youth? Where is confidence and rebellion so characteristic of youth? Why our youths do not revolt against wrongs and injustices and discriminations witnessed so often in our country and which have the potential to wreck havoc with life? Why is our youth comfortable with corruption gnawing at the country’s foundation? Why do Indians – fortunate ones in cities – have this “I-don’t-care-as-long-as-it-doesn’t-affect-me-directly”??? … Or, is our youth busy enjoying bliss by playing with amazing “apps” available on a cell phone?

Tunisia started the fire which has spread to its neighbouring countries and where the mantle of revolution has been taken up by their youths. Indian youth needs to wake up to shake up the corrupt Indian establishment and bring about radical political and social upheaval and reclaim our India of yesteryears when it was hailed as “Sone ki Chidiya” and where Ram-Rajya prevailed! …

Are we too waiting to be “slapped” out of our slumber??? … It is high time India saw a revolution … Remember, we have a fundamental right to revolt!

……………………………….

The aircraft landed with a slight jerk and I landed in my real India. …

Happy Republic Day J , belatedly!

SCAMS NOW

Lest I get sued by Times Now over the use of this “phonetically similar” – rhymes well! - title for my blog, I apologize at the beginning itself but use it nevertheless as nothing could describe 2010 better than “Scams Now”!

We are at the cusp: of an ending – of 2010 – and of a beginning – of 2011. The year nearing its end got defined by corruption and crusades: Corruption by politicians and Crusades by Media. If Indian politicians and bureaucrats hogged the limelight for indulging into corruption of unprecedented proportions then the Indian Media maintained its courageous posture of activism and exposes throughout, again, not seen before.

It all started with Times Now exposing the gory face behind that mocking smile of the molester DGP Rathore. India saw the power of relentless media activism and the criminal being booked thereafter, finally. Through movement against corruption mediated by the Media “investigative journalism” acquired a new dimension altogether. Arnab Goswami was dead direct in his questions - battling “jingoistic” tag all along from his detractors - which the unholy nexus of politicians-bureaucrats-police could not evade; judiciary had to act. (Though monster Rathore is yet to be given adequate punishment but with unrelenting media pressure the judges will find it extremely difficult to not punish him and will have to deliver justice to Ruchika.)

Before the dust could settle on Ruchika molestation case, there came the self-destructive tweet of Lalit Modi! IPLgate couldn’t have been opened for public if the Indian Media had not taken it up squarely. The dazzling world of IPL came crashing down and what emerged was deep rooted corruption in its formation and functioning. The government was forced to sack Shashi Tharoor who got embroiled because of his “close friend’s” – now wife - sweat equity in the newly formed Kochi franchise. But IPL’s major architect – Lalit Modi – also had to relinquish his power and position because of Media’s constant vigil and the BCCI thus getting serious about cleansing its systems. (The saga is yet to come to a conclusion, thanks to the former IPL czar’s absence from the investigative scene due to a dubious death threat excuse.)

In between, India also saw Media – though much belatedly – taking up the case of long forgotten Bhopal Gas Tragedy post courts verdict. Once again because of Media’s pressure – giving full support to the Opposition’s campaign - the Indian government was forced to revisit its “non-binding” clause in the civil nuclear energy treaty with the US. (The gas victims are still awaiting sufficient compensation.)

Hardly any time had lapsed after IPLgate controversy that India got yet another shocker by exposes of dubious dealings being indulged into by the Commonwealth Boss Suresh Kalmadi and his coteries, again thanks to Times Now. And with each passing day the scam got murkier. The extent of corruption was so extreme that the CWG became a Shame-Game for India. Lalit Bhanot’s ‘hygiene standards’ comment was the final blow to India’s prestige on the world stage. Somehow the Games could be hosted properly but what is appalling is that in spite of intense media interest, the Indian establishment has been very reluctant to act against Suresh Kalmadi. (The recent CBI raids are just eyewash. And I doubt if India will get back its billions of dollars gobbled up by the CWG Chief & Co.)

Soon the scene of corruption shifted to Bombay where the Adarsh Society scam - “Kargil-for-profit” scam – erupted and shook the entire nation with blatant abuse of political power to illegally allocate flats to ‘near-and-dear’ ones of the privileged & powerful which were otherwise meant for Kargil war widows. Army’s top echelons’ embarrassing involvement in the scam succeeded in tarnishing the so-far not-so-ugly image of the Indian Defense Services. If Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan had to quit, it was only due to Media’s enduring follow-up of the scam. (India is yet to see any real action being taken against the tainted army generals.)

India was yet to get over the previous big scandals that Media broke the story of the biggest scam ever of 2G spectrum allocation by bringing the CAG report in public domain. The sheer scale of scam involving Rs. 1.76 lakh crore sum was staggering by any standards! Corporate-politicians cozy equation kept oiled by unethical lobbying (the government’s logic on ‘legitimate/illegitimate lobbying’ is akin to ‘good/bad Taliban’!) - which unfortunately also brought into light the involvement of a couple of respected journalists causing a major setback to Media’s credibility and legitimacy of Media activism - could remain the “lead story” again due to Media’s persistence with the emerging story. (Again, CBI raids and A. Raja’s questionings are only a deflective strategy by the GOI to weather the current storm.)

Of all the cases of corruption uncovered in 2010, not a single case can be called as “closed” – as yet. But India wants timely verdicts and timely actions. Going by the past records the possibility of any such happening is remote. Because what is visible to public is only the ‘tip’; corruption tentacles run deep and wide, reaching the ‘top’ almost always. Nevertheless, I am sure that Indian Media will continue its campaigns against corruption till culprits are nailed.

Therefore, what India witnessed in 2010 was that before a case could be uncovered fully and taken to its logical conclusion there came another bigger and deeper scam. And knowing India’s ways of working, 2011 will again be a year of scams and scamsters. And knowing Indian Media, now, 2011 will again be a year of courageous coverage. Because, as is said: News never stops.

Year end thought: To tackle a ‘competitive’ scenario of scams related “breaking news”, my “free” advice to the Indian Media – with right-of-first-refusal to Times Now – is that they could “break” all such scam stories on a show titled “Scams Now”! … India, how do you like my idea? I hear you say: What an Idea, Anju-ji! … Thanks, India J

Another point to ponder: With the GOI so much obsessed with “Scam Management” as a survival strategy, how about instituting a special ministry dedicated to this noble purpose? And, the IIMs being asked to incorporate the subject in the curriculum?

In 2010, the one name which came into the forefront of forceful & impactful – and courageous - journalism was of Arnab Goswami of Times Now who emerged as a genuine Crusader and almost single handedly brought the “revolutionary” environment into news reporting in India. (Most Impactful Person of the Year 2010 should have fairly gone to him; GQ Men award was more to acknowledge the “glamour” factor associated with high adrenaline television news industry. Though he truly deserves a “Padma” award for his work in 2010 especially but honestly I wonder, now, if the GOI will really “recognize” his work after what it had to face repeatedly due to relentless reportage of his!) … Carry on your fantastic work, Arnab! You changed the News in 2010; now, change India in 2011. … India is with you and so is God.

…

Happy 2011 J

The "I" in BCCI stands for???

Certainly not for “India”. By BCCI’s conduct, the “I” could stand for “Individuals” or "INR" (Indian currency) or simply for “I” (can Ego be written as "Igo"?) but certainly not for “India”.

Incredible! (Or, “I” for “Incredible”?!)

Aahh … hey, that’s not me who is tired but this painful expression is from all our “privileged” cricketers & their controllers (the first “C” in BCCI is for “Control”!). After all, they all have just been through playing hard for days and nights (post match parties!) at the recently concluded IPL extravaganza.

Then there are scores of prior commitments to honour than to simply waste their time trying to safeguard India’s honour at the forthcoming Asian Games. So what if the “I” in BCCI stands for “India”, officially? Well, “I” could also strongly stand for “Illusion”.

Moreover. don’t many of us crib – including the cricketers themselves – that India has started suffering from an overdose of cricket? And don’t we know that when cricketers are around, the other games and players get alienated and isolated? To add to the insult, the Indian Media too focuses exclusively on our god-like creatures called cricketers and completely ignores the lesser of the sports mortals.

Also, why do we place our medals burden on cricket alone? Our nation will survive this time too with one less. After all, what is the guarantee that our esteemed cricket team will bring one? Because, while playing they follow the Gita’s philosophy: "simply play; do not worry about results!" This they displayed gallantly at the T20 WC and are continuing with their belief at the ongoing tri-series at Zimbabwe as well.

In addition, so what if the Indian cricket claims to be at the vanguard of the spread of this sport across the country’s boundaries but is somehow not comfortable keeping its date at the Asian Games? There will be other venues and occasions like IPL events to propagate the game to the world.

Now, do you understand the BCCI’s stance? It is actually in solidarity with all other sports and sportsmen & women that the BCCI has taken this grand stand to not send a team to participate at the forthcoming Asian Games.

Wow! We all must salute the stalwarts governing – controlling! – the Cricket in India! And, all their men who today personify “mummies”! (A “mum” cricketer can be called a “mummy”, no?)

Here, I have a sincere appeal to make to our Media: please do not start a “Campaign” (Times Now Campaign: “Money over Medal?”) yet again against BCCI’s incredible gesture. Instead, initiate a “Crusade” (Arnab Goswami, you listening?) to nominate the big-wigs at the BCCI for Padma awards (If Sant Chatwal can get one, the BCCI’s saints too can do with one!).

Because, deep down in my heart, I truly believe that by attempting to bring them to the Asian Games stadia we would be apparently tempting our cricketing Money Monks (sounds similar to TOI’s “God in Gucci”?!) to the worldly pleasures of materialistic possession: an alluring “metallic” medal. It is one sin we all must avoid indulging into :)

Hey, but you still haven't answered me: “I” in BCCI stands for??? ...