While the world’s attention was held by scenes of violence in Libya and elsewhere, it completely missed one of the most significant movements in a Democratic governance any where in the world. An experiment, if it works will be a model for the rest of the world to follow. An experiment in which Civil Society has an active say over governance above the Parliament not just once every 5 years, but continuously over the term of a government in power.
It may be an experiment that is just too complex to handle given the bureaucratic tangles of the Indian Political and Administrative system. Or it may just work. The Jan Lokpal Bill as it is called has still to be passed by Parliament. Has a Parliament anywhere in the world voted for strong strictures on it’s own functioning?
It might just. Why ?
Because the Bill, or at least a more lenient version of it has been outstanding for over 40 years with no Government in power actually havig the gumption to push it through. But right now there is a chance of it being pushed through not because the Indian Politicians have had a sudden change of heart. But because one 74 year old activist took up a revered method of protest in India and galvanized large populations all over India in protest s that spilled over into the streets.
He went on a hunger strike for 12 days. And while the Government thought they would solve the problem by throwing him and his core team into prison, all they were effective in doing was galvanizing even more popular support for him. For 12 days it was a ‘see who blinks first’ contest between the Government and 74 year old Anna Hazare. And fearing large scale violence in the event of Anna Hazare’s death the Government blinked first. And the people rejoiced.
And while hunger strikes are not an uncommon method of protest in India, ( ‘Iron’ Sharmila Chanu has been on one for 11 years, being force fed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irom_Chanu_Sharmila ) , Anna Hazare’s tool was a simple, effective and hit the depths of almost every Indian’s consciousness. Like Gandhi’s simple message to the British of ‘Quit India’, Anna Hazare’s message was an ‘anti corruption movement’.
Corruption has been at the heart of Indian Political, Administrative, Police and Judicial system, certainly since Independence 65 years ago, maybe before. The presence of which has been resented by those that are victims of it (almost 90% of India) , and celebrated by those that manage to benefit from it. But its the sheer size of it that has suddenly brought it into focus, with amounts moving into Billions of Dollars and arising from a vast network of Political/ Business alliances.
Some say it is a cultural trait. I have different reasons.
The Indian Constitution was written for a population at that time of 350 million people. For a largely middle aged, and mostly rural demographic. In a world which did not change much over the five year tenure that a Government had. It was also written at a time where the general perception was of a populations resistant to change, that lacked mobility, and one where the Founding Fathers assumed would need to be led and nudged into modernity.
If some one had told the Founding Fathers that time that India would head towards a population of 1.3 Billion with 65% under the age of 25, aspiring to modernize, urbanize and partake of a world that was constantly changing on a dime, perhaps they would have thought differently.
Though it was not the principles laid down in India’s constitution that were wrong. In fact it is reputed to be one of the fairest, most just and precise Constitutional document’s in any Democracy. The problem lay in the Political, Administrative and Judicial systems that were set up to support that constitution. Systems that were reflective of the Inertia of those times. An Inertia that over time has come into increasing conflict with modern India. Overloaded, unresponsive and uwilling to change, the people responded with the only way they had to overcome the wall of Inertia they faced in their every day lives. Bribing their way to either survive, to get justice , or to gain vast favors for themselves.
We must wait to see if Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal Bill manages to control corrupt practices or just adds another layer to a large inert bureaucratic machine. But even of the bill does not go through Parliament, Anna Hazare’s movement has achieved huge success. It has brought notice to the Members of the Parliament that their decisions are not just unto themselves. That however effective or ineffective the final Bill maybe it has put all members of the Political Class on notice. But more…
The movement has raised the people of India from their slumber. Not just the disenfranchised, the poor and the hungry, the hopeless. But the vast middle classes of India who took to the streets. The educated, the students, the ones with jobs to lose, the ones with hope in their future. Who walked together with their domestic help, with the people they would normally bypass without a glance
And that woke the vast Indian Political system from it’s slumber. Because the urban and semi urban middle classes of India that usually are the bulwark of stability in any Democracy, were screaming on the streets asking almost to overthrow the political system. No Government, current or the future, could be safe if that happened. Howls of protest from within the walls of the parliament shouted hoarse that to strike at the Parliament meant a strike at Democracy. That Anna Hazare’s movement was undemocratic. They were wrong.
The Parliament is a political system designed to serve the principles of Democracy laid down in the Indian Constitution. It is not Democracy in itself. And the Founding Fathers got this one completely right. The first words in the Indian Constitution are ‘ We the People of India’, and the rest followed. Anna Hazare’s movement had used protest as a tool to make the largest Democracy in the world far far more vibrant,
And the World did not notice that this was done with not shot fired, not an ounce of violence. India’s second coming was completely peaceful.
for each and every indian…..
Make ur own movement….
No expection frm corupt ministers.
How can we expect GOI to protect delhi blast, while Mr. Kasab is still alive in india despite of clear footage.
The congress president and so called ” youth icon” could not even hang the killers of their Husband and Father respectively.
good article
Well written.However, it is important to realise that we are all corrupt being part of a corrupt system. Why confine corruption to govt. employees only. When a shopkeeper does not give a bill for a purchase that is also corruption. Therefore to curb corruption it is necessary to replace the corrupt system with a sound system. This is the demand of citizenship which every individual in a democracy should be ready to fulfill. ‘We, the people’ must fight our own ignorance – and learn to institute a ‘good government’ that can fulfill the dreams of the freedom fighters who laid their lives for ‘independence’ and also the aspirations of the people. Only then can we redeem our democracy.
@zanil7
u tend to judge people by their profession, not by what they think, i can see as much. but that’s my opinion about u, and just like yours about Shekhar Kapoor, beyond the discussion. what i wish to know instead is exactly what point were you trying to make by asking questions about the US constitution?
its true that Anna hazare’s anti–corruption movement has woked up each & every indiividual of the people of india,supporting the jan lokpal bill,but its also important that we should start curbing corruption which take place in our life on day to day basis.Then only we can give justice to the jan lokpal bill & to Anna hazare’s movement.
Fine observation and aptly put together. Would like to support it by saying that our finding father knew that they can be austere, that’s why they provided the provision to change/update the constitution and and make it adopt with time.
The judicial and administrative system are definitely faulty and that’s why to establish people’s supremacy we have our representative (politicians) who were given a upper hand over the rest. But the problem starts when these representatives start using their power not for the people and country but for their own betterment. You can see SC giving directives to the Delhi Police and CBI to do their work properly when investigating high profile politicians.
Along with a strong anti graft law we need practices to clean up our political class by strong electoral reforms to over come the austerity set by the founder of our constitution.
Democracy and ‘We the People of India’:
76 crore electors. 60% go to polling booths ie 45.6 crore. 6/7 candidates contest in each constituency of House of People. About 20-30 %voters in each constituency can decide the winning candidate. Largest party had 206 winners in last election obtaining appx 6.18 crore winning votes. With only 6.18 crore supporters ruling 120 crore people. Democracy? Rulers should wash the feet of people and take ‘charnamrit’ for this obligation of generous people.
During the 15 odd days of the fast, it was a pleasure to see you tweeting regularly, like a crusader. Your unbiased views, resonating with the people’s views and at times your pointers to pieces of constitution were educational. In one way we felt you are a teacher, but also, one of us.
We all need to collectively own this and take forward, without depending on Team Anna. Because its for our own good and we owe it to the next generation to hand over a country in better shape. In our own ways, we need to take it forward. External systems need to change. Our internal system too & our value systems must be restored.
India is restless. For the good.
Its time to comfort the disturbed (masses) and disturb the comfortable (ruling class).
The Demand & Supply mismatch has vaccumised the nation’s morality. Be it Education,Heath,Food, natural resources produce, life support system like clean water etc. The deficit has increased exponentially with increase in demand as a result of a mere single digit growth in the last decade.
The governance with the inbuilt inertia to meet the socio-economic changes could not devise appropriate synergie & character, instead got into the easy convenience to encash the opportunity. Sadly, the Governance is not poised to elevate itself to meet the challenge except in a few states like Gujarat & Bihar. In most of the nation the role of our leaders is nothing beyond win elections & process Governance so as to enriche their Kitty for future Elections /Empowerment.
‘Ref Sharda Bhargav’ Why not make it Mandatory for all regd voters to cast their VOTE with an appropriate clause inserted to reject all candidates if the voter so desires ?
A very good article & I also agree with S Jaya’s comment that we can’t just sit around& blame just the politicians for everything.Its time we take the responsibility ourselves & pledge not to become a part of this corrupt system,afterall we elect our representatives.If nothing else during elections,instead of sitting at home lets try & help the uneducated to decide who is the right candidate& try & mobilize more & more people to go out & vote.Instead of criticising,lets aleast see what contribution we can make to cleanse politics.
It is rightly said that the movement was very big in itself and was very important. I would further say that it was also very very clean and innocent like an infant. I dont know if the people of this country still will be able to get a good Lokpal Act but yet I feel the movement has done a lot of good to the nation already. Till about 6 months back I was of the openion that corruption, malpractices etc are in the blood of we Indians, its in our DNA. I was used to think that perheps there are very few who are honest. What I have noticed that the human attitude change generally at the time of crises or need. One must have noticed that the people recat much positively at the time of major accidents , natural calamities or at the time of war. During this movement the behavior of general people was quite like as the nation is in some kind of war and everybody wanted to win. I noticed that the same people who used to be corrupt came up to support this movement tooth and nail. The moot question is, will the immotion sustain? I pray for it. This movement has given me “The Hope” and I beleive it would have given the same feeling to many people. Yes India is restless and this time it is good.
2 b frank hamam me sab nange lagu hota un logo ko (kitne beimman hey thakur) sirf 545..aur hum 120 crore hindustani. bahut na insanfi hey..itne logo ka bhagya itne kam logo ke haath ? jisab hoga.. barobar… ane do agle chunav ko. chunav kab hey.. kab hey chunav…????
S Jaya says, “we are all corrupt being part of a corrupt system.” I think the proper analysis should be, ” we are corrupt and therefore whatever system we might have ends up being corrupted sooner than later.’ Everyone wants quotas, so that in TN 95 plus percent of the population qualify for the reserved seats; our Dalit woman Leader erects statues to herself all over the state and gets literally decked with high value currency notes as a kind of “offering.” So, besides laws, we need better and more moral people; unless our people change, we as a country have no hope and the exploding population about which no one is talking would only hasten the day of reckoning. With fully 65% of the population in the below 25 age group, can we imagine how many children these people are about to deliver?
Are we sure the promised Jan Lok Pal Bill would ever become the law of the land in the form we all desire? I have serious misgivings and let us not count our chickens yet. There a huge lobby of interested and corrupt politicians working hard at spreading lies about the bill and Anna and these politicians have again taken to playing the caste card as they seek Reservation in the Lok Pal set up based on caste and religion, So let us wait and see before we start patting one another’s back at a job well done – it is no where close to being signed, sealed and delivered.
in my opinion indian costitution is very good,in that time , while most of population are illetrate,their mind set up believe in one man ruling or kingship,then you can’t be expected about small or unwritten constitution,today we have not problem from constitution,problems are coming from ruling party and government,specially from congress and its aliance.from independence, excluding few years, congress has been ruling over india,if you analys its policy you wil find how we are being threw in weak status, one current example is delhi high court bomb attack,inspite of this tragedy this govt. is not going to take any strict action .due to vote bank policy they are thinking to excuse AFJAL GURU and others.at this stage i would like to say that we are,the people of india are responsible for it.we are literate,we know what is good or bad for our society, then why we elect such type of person and govt. who are not fit for this post,i blame specially on educated society who are competent for make this transformation
One reason why it was important for every intellectual to ‘Appreciate’ the common man’s interest in the ‘Anna’ Movement is – because after a long time Urban Masses came out of their Isolation. Every person associated with the movement seemed concerned about the Politics, seemed Involved with the Politics. If we will not appreciate this progressive interest of common man in politics, we will never see any improvement in our Politics.
This movement is what we, the people,the ‘silent majority’ have been waiting for , for too many years. So many of us who wanted ‘to do something’ for our beloved country but didn’t know what/how. the movement is not at all anti-democracy: i think we Indians are very proud of our democracy. It is this democracy which entitles to our freedom of expression. Is it the democratic right of the elected representatives to stall Parliament, throw shoes at each other, shout and scream in the well of the House? Have they been abiding by the Constitution in word and spirit? Their antics are embarrassing. I want someone to help formulate a system whereby I can present my MP/MLA/Councillor with a questionnaire which they must respond to , so that I know how many days he/she (in the case of an MP) was present in Parliament, what questions they asked (relevant to the needs of their constituents), what they did with their allocated funds, etc. One of the biggest problems for civil society is not knowing what to do.
I have learnt not to call ‘American Diamonds’ as ‘Real Diamonds’ and so I don’t call ‘Pseudo Democracy’ as a ‘True Democracy. In the past we had East vs West but now when we encounter East vs East, it is a great challenge. Great challenge in the form of their leadership, their vote banks. When Anna Hazare moves out we don’t see the entire country emerging out with him or in words of Arundhati Ray ‘it is the elite clas’. Anna movement is a movement that develops an ideology, an ideology that certainly goes against Congress because media exposed all their scams, the PM remained silent, Rahul Gandhi remained silent, there were wrong decision that were taken – lathicharging Baba Ramdev or arrest of Anna. So, an ideology starts developing that clearly points out that this Govt. must go to bring relief to the common man, the word spreads. The common man is much troubled as when Dr. Manmohan Singh is on silent mode, the other senior leaders of Congress are hybernating. There is no connect between the Govt. and the common man but people like Swami Ramdev and Anna are able to make a connect. If I raise a question, how many of us were aware of Anna Hazare before this movement.. the answer will be just a handful of us. But his qualities, his values, his determination makes him shine out. If India be a democracy no one would have the guts to charge lathis on Ramdev and his followers. In my opinion it is pseudo democracy as Om Puri was sent a notice for breach of privilege, I am sure he would not have known about this before he was served a notice. I somewhere also feel that the policy of ‘Gherao’ is not a right policy as Anna Hazare ji may be a man of values but how much trust can we put in the people of India. Also, when the nation wanted to hear from the mouth of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi both were absent while their relative Varun Gandhi was actively participating in the Anna movement.
I would like to end my comment by saying that all wrong is happening due to the ‘Planetary Movements’ and I would suggest the Government to get a havan done for their ‘mann ki shanti’ and who can be a better priest than our beloved Baba Ramdev ji.
Brilliant piece of article, thanks for sharing
Peeyush Malhotra
Old generation of leaders failed to anticipate degradation
In a democratic manner all the corrupt people can be eliminated out of the system. Using the constitutional provision of election only bad people can be removed. Keep the fire burning till the next election. Annajee and his team must lay down rules for a new political outfit and certify and support all the clean citizens’ candidates for all the upcoming elections.
We all were waiting for such thing ..it transformed me a lot i was a simple person busy with my own life ..thought ” Ab kuch nahin ho sakta” but today i filed first RTI in my life ..and all set to bring change .. i am helping simple people how to do paper work so that they can’t get harassed by officials ..
i don’t know how i got transformed and just don’t bother to know that …
MAY BE ANNA EFFECT..! CHAIN REACTION..
Well, we are the tax payers. And to whome we are paying tax. To the corrupt leaders who are gonna eat up a major part of our money. The money which we have hard earned. Now thatis that is the time we be protective and try to save our money. Better us using our moneythan the money going to some swiss bank account of someangutha chap corrupt leader.
But if we see these corrupt leaders get punishment and some real hard punishment then. We the regular peoples can feel much better and feel much happier paying our tax. After all this is how our country will grow.
But are the peoples sitting in parliament gonna pass lokpal bill? I guess not
about the moment led by honorable Mr.Anna hazare and all the co leaders i just want to say that what they are fighting for is a nice reason and everyone is having anger regarding it in their hearts. but the way they did it or the way they represented it plus the demands which they put forward in order to root cut the corruption were not good or were not good in a democratic country this a personal opinion of an engineering student i am no wise like all the others who are commenting over here i just want to keep my view in front of you all and specially Mr.Kapur because i respect you a lot sir and love all your tweets..
i also do have an explanation for what i thing.. if you think logically there are three demands in the jan lokpaal bill proposed by Anna which are very dangerous and have gigantic loopholes which can be used by any person in India.. they are as follows.:-
1)PM,judiciary,Mps, can be investigated with permission of seven member Lokpal bench.and if they
are investigated easily we dont have to talk about common man for obvious reasons.
2)Lokpal will have the power to initiate prosecution of anyone found guilty.Lokpal and the
anti corruption wing of the CBI will be one independent body.
3)Punishments will be a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of up to life imprisonment.
so these are the three points which i personally think that are too much what everyone is asking for, on the these points i just want to say that if a single independent body is given power more than the government and the indian constitution then it will be a big problem if the body gets sick due to any reason whatsoever..the rights such as to file case as well as tell the verdict on the case on the most respected people who are elected by janta themselves is just like giving right to file case against anyone and put them into jail. there will be no interfere of the courts in all the process so in this way they have right to file case and do the verdict for any person in india and no1 will be able to stop the lokpaal then..CBI and ANTI CORRUPTION will be merged into lokpaal so we have no control on the most powerful departments in india there is obvious chance that lokpaal members can misuse the departments for personal reasons.
all and all the only point i want to say is there should be body which controls the lokpaal unless we are not having any guarantee or any law in the lokpaal bill that works against the lokpaal itself.. it only says if anyone will files case against the member of lokpaal then the committee will decide the punishment of that person if they are found guilty.
the false cases is also one big loophole suppose in any case a person files a case against a loyal government officer just out of revenge and the officer somehow is found guilty in the case decision then the officer will have to lose his job and suffer imprisonment without any reason.
THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST THE LOKPAAL..
THERE IS NO SATISFACTORY ANSWER TO “WHAT IF LOKPAAL GETS CORRUPT?”
AND ITS ABOUT WHOLE COUNTRY SO WE CANT TAKE CHANCES….WE HAVE TO TAKE SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS…
this is personal opinion so if any feelings are hurt i am sorry intentions were not in that way… 🙂
completely in agreement of your thoughts and appreciate the fact that an IMPORTANT (needless to say intelligent) person like you is not only supporting but highlighting Anna Hazare’s movement and its importance…… धन्यवाद…….
Actually sir ,v have to remove corruption from our roots.v never hesitate to give bribe for admission in MBBS,ENGEENRING,UNAUTHORISED CONSTRUCTION IN HOUSE,at that time giver is more active than taker.Corruption is every where not only in govt.sector but also in private sector.Even small shopkeepers are part of it.REMOVE CORRUPTION FROM ROOTS BE A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN.
Well Said , Shekhar !
However , in your closing sentence you wrote of ” India’s Second Comming “.
Not sure what you mean ?
India’s second comming is not complete unless it re-discovers its Spirituality and Dharma , and adopts it as a way of Governance. Then we might return to a second Golden Age.
Both Baba Ramdev’s “Bharat Swabhiman Andolan” and Anna Hazare’s “India Againt Corruption” talk of two things :
KAALE ANGREJ ( Brown Englishmen) && AAZADI KI DUSRI LADAAI ( Second War of Independence).
You , me , all educated Indians , everyone has to think of these two phrases Deeply. Without saying much , they say a lot , show the state of Indian Reality now , One is the Cause of the problem , the other is the Solution.
Kale Angrez = Brown ENglishmen :
The mindset of Treachery and Ignorance of Natives of their own Culture , Mc Aulean Children ( I call them Mc Aulean Bastards and their mindset , McAulean Bastardism) , Colonial Hangover , Indians who behave worse and more Evil than the British ever could ! Italian and Vatican’s Minstrels ruling India through Antonia Avidge Maino …all this and more.
Aazadi ki Dusri Ladaai = A second war of Independence :
Not just a war of independence against Corruption as a concept , but this is a real War , signifying that India is under Foriegn Rule – Foriegn Intelligence Agencies , Mafia , Cartels have set up a Cabal to Rule India by Proxy. India is under Loot by Europe yet again , Nehru was a British Intelligence implant . A true Kaale Angrej. But all that apart , the Real war of Independence is also Spiritual – India has to fight and win the battle against Religious Expansionism of Militant and Extremeist Christianity , and Demographic Invasion of Islam – this will alter the Country and take it to the brink of a Third partition or a Civil War in the years to come. No use whying away from it.
Without understanding the Real Cause and Solution , these two concepts , we will lose the real significance of these budding movemments – India is ripe for a true Cultural Revolution , for some time now and we are witnessing the early signs . Much is yet to come. Swami Vivekananda’s and Sri Aurobindo’s predictions are yet to be fulfilled of a Vedic India, home of Dharma.
Mr Pranav,
I strongly object your views and this is why I will also repeat your last line, will express my views
Quote
this is personal opinion so if any feelings are hurt i am sorry intentions were not in that way…
UnQuote
do we not have CID, anti corruption, CBI, law and parliement, still then how come some indians become MPs, found corrupt and after a huge dram some are in Jail ?
you are saying ..THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST THE LOKPAAL..
is there any definate answer on (forget futurestic possibilities about lokpal) why corruption has spread in private sectors too..forget government and government undertakings..and laws are not able stop them..who is at fault..don’t you not think the political parties has to take the primary responsibility ?
you are saying THERE IS NO SATISFACTORY ANSWER TO “WHAT IF LOKPAAL GETS CORRUPT?”
pl tell me media and civics had asked many times why parties give tickets to corrupt..what politcal parties has done and did any law sofar has stopped them (there can be some expectional cases where law has done their duty, but attempts have made by ruling government to poke nose in between)..this is why if accidently any corrupt person has been given ticket then he/she should be able to stop their..this never happened..
you are saying..AND ITS ABOUT WHOLE COUNTRY SO WE CANT TAKE CHANCES….WE HAVE TO TAKE SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS…
you are shouting like a typical congreji..do not shout..and remember the body of LOKPAL can act as douctor for a douctor..cause douctor himself/herself take the oath that they will never take ‘self medication’
thanks..subodh
very well explaied and this will be the first step for this great nation to move on the right direction that will go hand in hand with our economic development.
Next what is required is an iron hand govt. that will not be soft and jelly like that does nothing but talk talk and talk and no action esp with both our belligerent neighbours the hyena on the west and the berserk dragon on the north east.
Very well written Mr. Shekhar Kapoor… you have earned my respect for this piece of honest article…
A good article, but does not touch the depths of the real solution. All this hoopla about democracy and hunger strikes is fair and good, but these things are mere stepping stones, if at all.
Democracy is a power for the collective to decide the fate of the collective. But when the majority of the collective are deluded, have lost touch with their roots and themselves, and are influenced by ego, materialism and outdated religions, then Democracy becomes a victim of itself and fails critically.
Even if some of these corruption issues are solved, there will not be any laws or bills implemented to solve the deeper moral issues that are infecting the country such as rise of drug/alcohol use, the influx of synthetic diets, unethical pharmaceutical companies, greedy corporations with no regard for the environment, and such things. How will you control the rise of godless materialism?
These issues can be addressed only by a group of strong spiritual leaders with a deep connection to India’s ancient past so as to ‘re-cycle’ India. Think deeper..
Dear Shekhar,
have always looked up to you as one of the the strongest personalities in our country committed to bring positive and revolutionary changes in the society. I would like to present such a revolutionary concept ” Yes we can India…let’s do it NOW! ” which I strongly feel can bring a much needed change in our society. I would like your support and feedback on how to make this idea work. We can launch a nationwide campaign to create a force that would change India forever.
I would like to add that it is through meditation that I have been able to connect to my inner God-self who literally guided me to write this concept. I do realize that I am just a channel of that infinite wisdom flowing through all of us and feel an urgent need to reach out to other enlightened souls for the guidance and support. I would really appreciate if you could spare some time to read the plan.
I have created a blog with the ideas that my divine self has directed through me and I would be really happy if you could check it out and give your valuable suggestions.
Pl check the blog http://yeswecanindia.wordpress.com
Here are some lines from the blog :
Be the change you want to see in the world…..Mahatma Gandhi
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has….Margaret Mead
From revolution to conscious evolution
Yes we can make a difference if united. Yes we can India……let’s do it NOW!
The idea of a free India ….free of corruption, poverty, violence, communalism, terrorism, unemployment, illiteracy is the dream of every Indian and we have the power to make it true …
Team India….an idea whose time has come!
Vow! the current revolution was mind blowing but the question is can we let this glorious opportunity pass as an uni-dimensional revolution or should we take the bull by the horns and get together to come up with multi dimensional approach in form of effective strategies, action and implementation plans to eradicate the monsters of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, unhygienic conditions, poor infrastructure, communalism, unemployment etc eating our country for once and all?
Yes, indeed revolution is good. Anything that asks for a change – a fundamental change- any adversity that comes to shake our base is an opportunity to rule out what is not working and start all over again with a sound foundation for a sound outcome – it is a call to let go the past and grow a new future…..better, brighter with the experiences, inventions, discoveries, technology advancements our race has acquired. We have the best of means and tools to choose and create the best. Today we are a step away from making the changes for betterment of our entire country.History has witnessed whenever a courageous mind stood up and took cudgel for all that is right and just ,all the universal forces have come to pave the path for him be it M Gandhi, Mandela, Lincon, Anna or anyone with a genuine cause to make the whole world a better place!Frankly, there is nothing that we, the people of India or shall we call it the “team India” can not do. What is that we lack – Resources? Manpower? Ideas? Strategies? Solutions? Action? Means? Tools? No! We just lack a strong will…..a collective will to make things work as we want!! We have the best brains on the whole planet, biggest manpower resources, media, information technology everything that we require to create a country free of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and communalism anything!
The quantum physics’ theory of critical mass and phase transition is a well known phenomenon for example when the number of atoms lining up in phase with each other reaches a certain critical mass, there’s a phase transition and suddenly all of the light becomes coherent. This is what creates laser light—a sudden phase transition in which a few atoms, reaching a certain threshold or critical mass; influence all of the atoms to line up in a coherent, powerful pattern. Similarly “collective transformation” would occur when a “critical mass” of “individuals align to create a change in the society. As individuals change, eventually a critical mass of people will be reached and the whole society will have a new, effective way of doing things or in other words when enough individual people share the objectives and beliefs, a critical mass will be reached which will create a force field of such intensity that everyone in society will share this belief.
“Yes we can” is such a belief which can change our country if applied effectively. We, the people of India share the same vision, the same idea, the same belief of a free India, a prosperous India free of corruption, poverty, violence, communalism, terrorism, unemployment, illiteracy etc. We all dream of a developed India with a booming economy, sound infrastructure, food and social and national security.
To share APJ Kalam’s vision :
1. A Nation where the rural and urban divide has reduced to a thin line.
2. A Nation where there is an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water.
3. A Nation where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony.
4. A Nation where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination.
5. A Nation which is the best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists, and investors.
6. A Nation where the best of health care is available to all.
7. A Nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free.
8. A Nation where poverty has been totally eradicated, illiteracy removed and crimes against women and children are absent and none in the society feels alienated.
9. A Nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of terrorism, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path.
10. A Nation that is one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership through creative and effective leadership in Parliament, State Assemblies and other institutions of the State.
How do we do that?
The question is how can we make our collective dream true?
The answer is quite simple- by reaching a critical mass in other words, creating a team “Team India” with individuals possessing great innovative, progressive ideas to change the destiny of country.
A. Create team India- Create a team “Team India” ,an intellectual pool – a neural network where people with revolutionary ideas ( our think tank) can get together for brainstorming and formulating comprehensive strategies to combat all the prevailing issues I e poverty, unemployment, development, corruption, communalism/ terrorism, unhygienic conditions, illiteracy etc. These strategies can be clubbed with the existing or proposed ones.
In other words create a vision with specific implementation strategies, integrated structures and action plans for transforming India into a developed country. We already have our great thinkers like APJ kalam , Nandan Nilekani , Narayana Murthy and so many presenting revolutionary ideas to change India in their books. There are experienced economist , authors, experienced professional from Govt , private, public sectors and people from all walks with bright ideas who can come together to form such a team.
There are so many institutions, private organizations, Govt bodies, NGOs, corporate houses, individuals who are doing their best to help and eradicate these issues locally and nationally. Convergence is the key! The convergence of all our resources and needs would be the best tool, to create such a force that will change our country. We need to create an umbrella under which all the resources, all needs, all policies can be brought. We have to have all policies under one umbrella – Team India – there are various existing / proposed policies and practices for all issues anti- corruption, anti-global warming policy, anti-terrorism, anti- poverty, anti- illiteracy etc Like we have thousand plans for eradicating poverty- Govt, private, NGOs , corporates, individuals, trusts all are doing their bit. Various resources , various funds. Our think tank can pick the best out of them and come up with a comprehensive plan. Our Task Force can get all of them under one umbrella and work in association with them. We need to create a neural network to utilize our collective and individual creative intelligence to the optimum- the same goes for all our resources- Such a network and force can start a revolution which can not be stopped –a positive force which will convert any negative force in its wake- which will re-build India – an ideal India for each one – by each one, nothing can be big or impossible for such a force- hunger, war, lack or any issue which represents negative energy in our system will be wiped out from our country.
B Create action and implementation teams – Set up specific task forces, volunteer groups, HR team for executing the strategies into action. We can have several specific forces like
Task Force – Anti Poverty
Task Force – Anti Corruption
Task Force – unemployment
Task Force – Anti Terrorism
Task Force – Infrastructure and Development
Task Force – Clean & green India
Task Force – Anti Illiteracy
Task Force – Social issues and so on………
C. Create review and Monitoring – Set up teams to review and monitor the processes and procedures. For exp our team should conduct detailed studies of existing practices and procedures of Govt, public sector organizations and assists them in the effective implementation of the strategies. The team should also provide expeditious consultation services to public sector organizations when new procedures or policies are being formulated. In addition, it should provide free and confidential advice to private sector organizations on request. These should include reviewing Systems and procedures, drawing up codes of conduct and holding seminars.
D Public Relation team – To create public awareness through media, publicity, information technology, creating portals for transparency in all areas, generating public support, forming volunteer group, conducting workshops, raising funds, educating communities about various task force , getting feedback, creating public grievances centers etc
Our team India will work in association with Government through our representative whom we have selected and elected to carry out our vision and ideas into reality. We need to make sure that our plans are successfully implemented and monitored for that, we need to choose and elect our representatives consciously. They have to be given time bound tasks failing to which the team India can dismiss or take action against them and eventually re elect if required. To select or reject – the power lies with us!!
Today when we are talking about global recession and lack of jobs – a million jobs can be created for such task forces who are willing to take up the challenges i e task force anti poverty, task force illiteracy, task force anti terrorism/ communalism, task force unemployment etc …. we need all the help- all our human resources – economists, writers, media persons, artists, celebrities, physicists, scientists, technocrats, educationist, finance professionals, technical, social & civil societies NGOs, students, housewives, labors, workers all to make it happen – to make a brighter, happier and fulfilled future- that’s quite a job- a dream job which not only will make us happy and fulfilled but extremely proud of ourselves.
Let us all come forward- join the momentum and become pillars of our future India…let us all be the heroes of the saga which is to be unfolded- let us all be the change we would like to see in the world. Nothing is impossible for us – the world is for us to create – we are the co-creators of our future- let us all claim our role and responsibility in our country’s evolution. We can not wait for heroes to come and be our saviors – let us all be the heroes and when there is a will – there is a way…. nothing will stop us from creating and actualizing our dreams
To quote Vivekanand:
“Let us all work hard, my brethren; this is no time for sleep.
On our work depends the coming of the India of the future.
She is there ready waiting. She is only sleeping.
Arise and awake and see her seated here on her eternal throne,
rejuvenated, more glorious than she ever was — this motherland of ours.”
Arise…..Awake…..Stop not till the goal is reached.
yes we can India, lets do it now!
yeswecanindia.wordpress.com
Dear Shekhar,
have always looked up to you as one of the the strongest personalities in our country committed to bring positive and revolutionary changes in the society. I would like to present such a revolutionary concept ” Yes we can India…let’s do it NOW! ” which I strongly feel can bring a much needed change in our society. I would like your support and feedback on how to make this idea work. We can launch a nationwide campaign to create a force that would change India forever.
I would like to add that it is through meditation that I have been able to connect to my inner God-self who literally guided me to write this concept. I do realize that I am just a channel of that infinite wisdom flowing through all of us and feel an urgent need to reach out to other enlightened souls for the guidance and support. I would really appreciate if you could spare some time to read the plan.
I have created a blog with the ideas that my divine self has directed through me and I would be really happy if you could check it out and give your valuable suggestions.
Pl check the blog http://yeswecanindia.wordpress.com
Here are some lines from the blog :
Be the change you want to see in the world…..Mahatma Gandhi
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has….Margaret Mead
From revolution to conscious evolution
Yes we can make a difference if united. Yes we can India……let’s do it NOW!
The idea of a free India ….free of corruption, poverty, violence, communalism, terrorism, unemployment, illiteracy is the dream of every Indian and we have the power to make it true …
Team India….an idea whose time has come!
Vow! the current revolution was mind blowing but the question is can we let this glorious opportunity pass as an uni-dimensional revolution or should we take the bull by the horns and get together to come up with multi dimensional approach in form of effective strategies, action and implementation plans to eradicate the monsters of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, unhygienic conditions, poor infrastructure, communalism, unemployment etc eating our country for once and all?
Yes, indeed revolution is good. Anything that asks for a change – a fundamental change- any adversity that comes to shake our base is an opportunity to rule out what is not working and start all over again with a sound foundation for a sound outcome – it is a call to let go the past and grow a new future…..better, brighter with the experiences, inventions, discoveries, technology advancements our race has acquired. We have the best of means and tools to choose and create the best. Today we are a step away from making the changes for betterment of our entire country.History has witnessed whenever a courageous mind stood up and took cudgel for all that is right and just ,all the universal forces have come to pave the path for him be it M Gandhi, Mandela, Lincon, Anna or anyone with a genuine cause to make the whole world a better place!Frankly, there is nothing that we, the people of India or shall we call it the “team India” can not do. What is that we lack – Resources? Manpower? Ideas? Strategies? Solutions? Action? Means? Tools? No! We just lack a strong will…..a collective will to make things work as we want!! We have the best brains on the whole planet, biggest manpower resources, media, information technology everything that we require to create a country free of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and communalism anything!
The quantum physics’ theory of critical mass and phase transition is a well known phenomenon for example when the number of atoms lining up in phase with each other reaches a certain critical mass, there’s a phase transition and suddenly all of the light becomes coherent. This is what creates laser light—a sudden phase transition in which a few atoms, reaching a certain threshold or critical mass; influence all of the atoms to line up in a coherent, powerful pattern. Similarly “collective transformation” would occur when a “critical mass” of “individuals align to create a change in the society. As individuals change, eventually a critical mass of people will be reached and the whole society will have a new, effective way of doing things or in other words when enough individual people share the objectives and beliefs, a critical mass will be reached which will create a force field of such intensity that everyone in society will share this belief.
“Yes we can” is such a belief which can change our country if applied effectively. We, the people of India share the same vision, the same idea, the same belief of a free India, a prosperous India free of corruption, poverty, violence, communalism, terrorism, unemployment, illiteracy etc. We all dream of a developed India with a booming economy, sound infrastructure, food and social and national security.
Our team India will work in association with Government through our representative whom we have selected and elected to carry out our vision and ideas into reality. We need to make sure that our plans are successfully implemented and monitored for that, we need to choose and elect our representatives consciously. They have to be given time bound tasks failing to which the team India can dismiss or take action against them and eventually re elect if required. To select or reject – the power lies with us!!
Today when we are talking about global recession and lack of jobs – a million jobs can be created for such task forces who are willing to take up the challenges i e task force anti poverty, task force illiteracy, task force anti terrorism/ communalism, task force unemployment etc …. we need all the help- all our human resources – economists, writers, media persons, artists, celebrities, physicists, scientists, technocrats, educationist, finance professionals, technical, social & civil societies NGOs, students, housewives, labors, workers all to make it happen – to make a brighter, happier and fulfilled future- that’s quite a job- a dream job which not only will make us happy and fulfilled but extremely proud of ourselves.
Let us all come forward- join the momentum and become pillars of our future India…let us all be the heroes of the saga which is to be unfolded- let us all be the change we would like to see in the world. Nothing is impossible for us – the world is for us to create – we are the co-creators of our future- let us all claim our role and responsibility in our country’s evolution. We can not wait for heroes to come and be our saviors – let us all be the heroes and when there is a will – there is a way…. nothing will stop us from creating and actualizing our dreams
To quote Vivekanand:
“Let us all work hard, my brethren; this is no time for sleep.
On our work depends the coming of the India of the future.
She is there ready waiting. She is only sleeping.
Arise and awake and see her seated here on her eternal throne,
rejuvenated, more glorious than she ever was — this motherland of ours.”
Arise…..Awake…..Stop not till the goal is reached.
yes we can India, lets do it now!
yeswecanindia.wordpress.com
Agreed Sir, the movement is aptly summed up, but the prediction of long term ramification of the movement is a complex process. The way our egregious politicians responded after they had to give in, by implicating everybody involved in the movement in one way or the other either by carrying out smear campaigns or by serving notices to unnecessarily harass the ones who dared to stand to fight corruption. Ordinary person like us have our own constraints and can lend our verbal support to such movements but for our own compulsions we have to carry on with our lives, as you must have seen after every blast when the people next day come out to earn their livelihood, it is considered or termed as resilience and not constraints and the govt. after issuing condemning statements and assurances to do justice does nothing virtually as it understands the people can do nothing. I am afraid this movement doesn’t die the same death.
Most of the communities in the entire Indian sub-continent(such as Bengali) succumbed in ‘Culture of Poverty'(Oscar Lewis), irrespective of class or economic strata, lives in pavement or apartment. Nobody is genuinely regret ed or ashamed of the deep-rooted corruption, decaying general quality of life, worst Politico-administrative system, bad work place, weak mother language, continuous consumption of common social space (mental as well as physical, both). We are becoming fathers & mothers only by self-procreation, mindlessly & blindfold(supported by some lame excuses). Simply depriving their(the children) fundamental rights of a decent, caring society, fearless & dignified living. Do not ever look for any other positive alternative behaviour(values) to perform human way of parenthood, i.e. deliberately co-parenting children those are born out of ignorance, extreme poverty. It seems that all of us are being driven only by the very animal instinct. If the Bengali people ever be able to bring that genuine freedom (from vicious cycle of ‘poverty’) in their own life/attitude, involve themselves in ‘Production of (social) Space’ (Henri Lefebvre), initiate a movement by heart, an intense attachment with the society at large is very much required – one different pathway has to create, decent & rich Politics will definitely come up. – Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, 16/4, Girish Banerjee Lane, Howrah-711101.
A very succint piece which should remind us that nothing is cast in stone. Our Founding Fathers scripted a very fair and just constitution at the time when we earned our independence as a dis-jointed confederation of diverse cultures, religions and ethnicities. Updating the constitution is an evolutionary process and must keep pace with societal changes. What Anna’s movement has done is to remind us of the need to update our constitution as you very aptly put it, to reflect the size and aspirations of of our now mobile and connected population. We the people have been too apathetic for too long and it is up to us to build good governance all across. The Jan Lokpal Bill is only a therapy but not the cure to our malaise.
Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else. You made me to believe that it’s right. Your writing is interesting one.
I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. That’s why I believe in. Am I now illogical or stupid based on my beliefs? I hope not. I believe in what I believe because I have only found good from it. Others may disagree and they have the right to they’re own opinions.
Well written article.
IAC movement started with a bang and for a moment it appeared that Anna’s fast and the wide support it generated will take over India and change the country for good. Indian parliament seemed to blink on Jan Lokpal. But it seems like a history now.
We are such a divided society that we can hardly come together, on an issue. Only Anna cannot acheive this. We need wide support base and various pioneers in India, to come together for the cause. We need the leaders in different spheres in India (except politicians) to speak their mind in support of this.
Its only when we stand united that we have a chance to get JanLokpal. Politians will support it, only if they have fear of losing their seats.
Alok