This nation is being given juicy stories on how corruption is causing loss to
the exchequer and thereby depriving the benefits to the poor. How black money
is stacked up in Swiss Bank accounts and how we will all have a "Prosperous
Bharat" that would be the richest in the world. 'If wishes were horses then
beggars would ride.' For a naive and selfish young India for whom everything
revolves around 'Me' and the Super Mall, for whom reality exists in cyber world
and Face Book and Twitter, swallowing the lies of ambitious and vested forces
is understandable. The prospects of a Lok Pal Bill may be a matter of concern
and time could be found to light a candle at jantar mantar but the agony of
the next door neighbour may never be on their list. For the civil society
entrepreneur the Lok Pal Bill could be a passport to an award and donor
funding. For the politician a richer Bharat would mean more salaries for no
work and life benefits for their kith and kin. But what will all this glamarous
campaign mean for the common man who has to toil and sweat for his/her daily
bread? This is a Bharat of hypocrisy!
As a common man, I ask the question: How will the Lok Pal Bill improve my
condition?
How will it:
1. Provide everyone with basic amenities of sufficient clean water,
uninterrupted electricity, phone, quality foods, clean air, etc.?
2. Create footpaths for people to walk safely and zebra crossings to cross the
road safely?
3. Create space for the poor man's bicycle without having to compete with
monstrous four wheeelers and brash drivers on the roads?
4. Ensure discipline on roads and in every walk of life?
5. Protect comunity lands from squatters in the name of poverty?
6. Gurarantee the minorities a fair share of Government jobs in every State?
7. Protect the Woman and Child from all forms of violence?
8. Prevent the destruction of the environment in the name of economic
development?
9. Guarantee the development of responsible citizens?
10. Tackle the rising garbage dumps and the overflowing sewers in the cities?
11. Ensure jobs and just wages for the employees?
12. Ensure Food security?
For, a crooked minded nation will find ways and means to circumvent the laws.
For as long as Mahatma Gandhi's challenge for building the moral fibe of
society remains unattended corruption will not succumb to laws. For as long as
every citizen does not stop blaming the ministers and looking within himself
/herself for the solution the corruption will never end. For, corruption starts
with the family.
For the BJP, tickling the Congress may be a hobby but can hardly ensure any
solace to the suffering masses. Whether an Anna or a Baba, the agenda is much
beyond than what meets the eye. For those whose stomachs are full, the idea of
a fast could be attractive and the prospects of a Lok Pal Bill could be
entertaining.
-Soter D.
