It is Friday evening here in NJ. Manhattan skyline etches out a familiar silhouette in the darkness. A steady trail of Indian working professionals come streaming out of the trains and buses from the city. i am another one of them trudging the "road most traveled". The Indian(Desi) manhattan 'macrocosm' is a lively group - charged, smart, highly educated and current with all the things going on in India.
What happens in India goes well with the somasas and hot desi tea. It reminds me of the nukkad conversations we used to have in my college days. For the most part, i am representative of this fraternity. In most of our 'samosa-chai' conversations we often talked about the issues India faces, relating it to bad political leaders, corruption, population etc. The after taste of our intelligent observations, samosas and chai stays till dinner. We sleep and another day follows.
The struggle for Lokpal bill has brought a lot of us out of this classic 'samosa' mould. We have to do something significant and align our efforts with the struggle in India. This is the biggest event for me so far.
However, as i speak to people around me about this. i get very different viewpoints. These viewpoints are sometimes disguised in a lot of bold, flowery and patriotic talk. i wanted to write down my feelings about these viewpoints.
1. We are our way to citizenship here, why do we care about happens in India?
This question is usually disguised in a lot of talk, it does not necessarily mean he/she does not care about the country. This is not a time to start a debate about who is more patriotic. Wherever we live our bond with India does not change. Our families are still in India, we have some property or other in India, we spend a lot of time teaching India art and culture to our children. You still travel to India. You still own some property or other. If the business environment in India is clean maybe you could invest more. Every aspect of the life in India has got corrupted. Corruption has to go. Lokpal bill is one way to achieve it.
2. I usually do not get involved in politics.
We need to clearly understand what they mean. IAC is not associated with any political party. This is a people's movement. Yes, it is about political rights of any citizen. So, in that sense it is politics. Struggling for your rights is politics. If No corruption means good life for you and your children, then that is a good thing. If it requires a little of your time and effort, then it is your decision - How much you do, what you can/want to do and how you do it. And if you do not want to get involved, it is ok.
3. There is no use. In the end, nothing is going to happen.
Oh. yes. This is usually the conclusion of a well phrased, intellectual harangue. It has all the dates, names and historical details in it. And then you almost get a feeling that all that IAC is doing is useless.
That is not so. "India Against Corruption" is a struggle to remove corruption. It will go on. Making sure Jan Lokpal goes through is the way. This is not a sprint, it is a marathon.
Analysts and pundits had a lot to say about situation in South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt and were proven wrong.
4. We have learnt to live with corruption. Actually, i can get my work done easier when things can get done through contacts.
Sure. contacts work. But then you are the slave of that system. If the ruling political structure changes, you are on the receiving end.
There is another systemic issue with this. Corruption breeds inefficiency. This affects everything you depend on. Ask yourself,
Why is it that, when there was a terrorist attack at Taj, Mumbai, fire brigade that went to extinguish the fire was out of water? Why is it that it took ages for the NSG commandos to come to Mumbai ?
Can you be sure that you are safe on the Indian roads? Can you be sure that the traffic cops who are supposed to check regulations, drunken behavior, unsafe driving are doing their jobs?
Every aspect of your life depends on govt infrastructure and those are the most corrupt institutions in the country. We need accountability and efficient systems. There are exceptionally smart people at different levels in government but there are times i can't help feel that i can do things better. The issue here is not with people it is with the corrupt system.
5. Lokpal is also going to another corrupt organization.
Lokpal is the current means of removing/reducing the corruption. If that does not work, we have to do something else. But for now, we have to make sure that the law gets written in a way that it remains effective way to reduce corruption - outside the influence of corrupt politicians. There are some very good clauses in the draft Jan Lokpal bill.
6. Stop nagging me. Send me the link i will read about it.
This viewpoint is also very subtly expressed. Don't want to come out as a pushy guy. If i feel strongly about it then it does not mean that everybody should feel the same. i think it is ok for it to remain a teatime conversation. Slow and steady.
7. I dont have time for all this.
True and understandable. First, do you believe that the cause is important enough. If yes, then we have to come together and see what can be done. Activism is not all about shouting slogans on the street. There are things that can be done that can fit your schedule.
8. Tell me what you are planning and i will see.
Most of the people have this view. it is great. If you are in tristate area. Lets try to come together, have some samosas and tea And then get going.
Please note that all these are my opinions. Please also see
http://www.indiaagainstcorruption.org/index.html
And please send me an email at lok.partha@gmail.com if you are in tristate area.
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