It was morning as usual in the hustle and bustle of the city.
Only thing a movement had aroused. It is said of the six degree connections and you cannot be away from anything which concerns you.
So I met this Dabbawalla at the Railway Station. He came and asked me If I can pin the Black Ribbon on My shirt in support of the movement. I said only when you have answered some of my queries.
First Question : "Do you understand what are you protesting and contesting for?"
Reply : "Yes. I do. I have been part of this democracy for 47 years but never asked this question to my politicians but I will answer this. 10 years life was simpler and we all agree on that. Today I am delivering the same Dabba, the size is same but I know that weight of some of this Dabbas have reduced. I am sure all of India is not on dieting."
Interrupted by Train honk, Reply continues : "So we asked some of our customers about this. They said its inflation, prices have gone alarmigly up. It is not the same for every set of my customers."
Follow up: "So its only the inflation you are fighting against?"
Reply: "No. We have started increased demand for money and bribe when we are moving and distributing. While it affects economically it also make us ponder what this small - unwarranted tip of passage tip of Rs. 5 and Rs. 10 going to do, at times. So we worked out and we wound, the amount may be small but it aggregates. They harassed one today, another tomorrow and it goes on. I have heard similar thing from my customer. It is getting and spreading everywhere."
Another one and probably the last I could ask, I was already filled up to my guts with the true reply: "What else Kaka?"
Reply: "The situations are bad, even back in villages. Government said NREGA and all. Implementation have failed. What reaches us through NREGA and other schemes is very small token of probably they have carved out in their budget. To ask local administrator about this is like Crime. You are bound to lose that small amount as well. The idea is not that we did not knew this earlier. The problem was there was no one to which this people would listen. We today have Anna leading us. Some people from Parliament have already gone muzzled over what has been put out. I also heard about this lady Kiran Bedi, she had fought with some goondas. Although Iron handed, she is sensitive enough to understand plight of another citizen of her country, a common man and fight for it. If i still do not follow or even support them, its not that I would feel Shameless, but I would continue to live in this state of disgust."
Last words: "Kaka, I do not know what level I would be able to help by wearing this arm band, but I am inspired enough to wear it, You causes are enough!"
He put the ribbon on my shoulder and left. I thought lets see how many even notice. And then I reached Borivli and took a bus from there. From the point I sat to the point I got down at my stop, 21 people had inquired by then."
I reached a little late at office. But that was not the simmering topic there. It was Anna. Over lunch, Meeting and travel back home. Not less but 82 people inquired of that black ribbon.
There have been contention raised regarding Parallel Governments, Another System being put in place, Lokpal might collapse under its own weight and so on. The critics include some of the sought out Parliamentarians, Bureaucrats , Technocrats , Students and Intellectuals and all the more, so called , some common people as people.
1. The idea is not to accept the Jan Lokpal Bill as is; but debate it and then pass it. But to make a start from where Anna and team and followers ar stating.
2. Now why only start from where this people are saying and not Government's point? Because its comprehensive.
3. Comprehensive will waste time : Well it will definitely stop wastage of resources and lives.
4. There already exist CVC, etc , etc : Please go and solve all the plights that exist with all the people and then say they are effective. The Government could have always mentioned of a speedy, transparent mechanism with existing machinery but they did not choose. They waited for eventuality to happen. They are still in a mode of denial.
5. Nobody wants parallel government but we need parallel mechanism. There are no referendums in this country. There are no public reviews of public accounts. Why all the stated targets and objectives of Government are not documented and monitored publicly. While planning commission and other put out good documented information. Some of them are outdated. Some are moving anywhere. Why there is no accountability?
Slippage of power generation by 35% or more in five year plan, loss of exchequer on account of subsidy, [ Mismanagement of supplies, Foods, Logistics, Transportation, Gross Mishandling, Late approval for no reason, Healthcare, and the list goes on. Can government give a 5 year plan to reform all this with immediate actions?
When they had to raise their pay, It took a simple Yea and Nah! in Parliament. How much was it debated? Zilch! Someone brought up Austerity point? It has gone for toss. Private travel on Public money. So many sessions of parliament being overhauled for some tiffing point. I thought people in Parliament can sit and address at some point. They never did. All they do is Qawallis, Poems, Readings and more readings of some Dohas and Preachings. While protest internal to parliament is good , what happens when public take it up?
Its a revolt!! It is said so!!
Even if this movement is able to shake up existing system and bring about the much required reforms, that would be enough for Anna and all the supporters of the idea.
What is asked for is a solution for all the problems of common man and not Another system. All elected representatives are elected for the same reason or are they not? We are just asking for accountability and this time a definitive implementation plan.
Government has answer to neither.
Government includes Ruling party, Opposition, Administration, Judiciary, Civil Services, Elected Representative at State, District and all levels, and last and not the least the common man [ who is clueless of all that is happening to him].
I did not had answer to that Kaka's question and I am asking my government about it. Please answer.
I am sure, we have all fought this system at some point and sometime gave away to their whimsical demands. Someone just told us we need not give it away every time. While even I disagree with some of the points, I am just supporting the idea to see a Change, that might be little but for sure.
One ribbon made a difference to me and 83 others and India expect more!
http://blog.lipikaar.com/prasoon-joshi-poem-against-corruption/
http://dineshbuddies.blogspot.com/2005/12/poemthe-indian-political-system_18.html
http://dineshbuddies.blogspot.com/2011/01/we-people.html
http://dineshbuddies.blogspot.com/2005/10/election-meeting.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6vHXlN9i_A
