Lokpal Bill

On 9th April, a nation of 1.21 billion people finally found its voice. A voice that had been feebly mumbling for 64 years. A voice that had grown extremely disenchanted with the state of affairs that it decided keep mute on many occasions when it should have spoken up. A voice that has been trampled upon everyday by ill-mannered and subversive bureaucratic class. A voice that had nothing but the final embers of fire left.

Now that the voice has been heard, let us realize its power. The power that has been enshrined and guaranteed in the hallowed constitution of the country. Amitabh Bachchan is no longer the angry young man of India, we all are. What Anna Hazare ( Plus everyone who participated through physical , online medium) had achieved in those 4 days is nothing short of history. Hopefully it will herald a re-awakening of India. A re-awakening that will jolt the politicians and bureaucrats of their slumber, corruption and indifference.

What now? Where do we go from here?

1. There needs to be a fundamental change in the way we treat corruption. Its not between US vs Them. Because the US is them. Politicians are a reflection of our society. Unless we maintain high standards of integrity in our daily lives, we stand lesser chances of getting good politicians. It has to start with us first. Don't give bribes. Don't fake certificates. In simple words - Don't do to others what you wouldn't want them to do to you.

2. While the Government's acceptance of Lokpal bill's conditions is an unqualified success, let us be realistic about its limitations too. Granting sweeping power to a body, with so few individuals, has the potential of creating another unchecked monster. Powers equal to Super-cop need to be granted with utmost care and hence a mad rush to do something immediately might leave us with an ombudsman with a "Big brother" attitude.

3. It is time that honest, educated people seriously consider reforming politics. The only way to do it is to jump into it. Politics unfortunately isn't a spectator sport to be enjoyed from the Gallery.If we want change, let us create it.We need to persist. As Bernard Shaw wrote in his "Man and Superman" - " The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man".

India is a great country and she richly deserves the best from its people. It is time that we live upto her expectations.