Delhi Diary 9

Very, very strange word – Democracy. After the making of history with Anna Hazare’s call to India to end corruption through the Lokpal bill, I am now utterly confused about this word. Under democracy, we the people are supposed to elect our representatives. (Wish all of us could sit in Parliament. As it is, quite a ruckus is created by the representatives in there.) These representatives are supposed to run the country for our benefit. Well no sign of that. But they keep telling us how much they look out for the aam aadmi. So we have corruption in our country few others could compete with. But the Govt says they are not responsible. The PM knows nothing. The top ministers know nothing; they are pure as snow. But one scam after the other unfolds daily. Media is having field days!!!
Fed up with all this and with this heavily populated country sitting around doing nothing, a 74- year-old decides it’s time for India to decide. So he goes on a fast. He has a number of apolitical members on his side who have been fighting corruption one way or the other. Now what would you say to a hunger strike? Is it illegal? Undemocratic? Underhand? Blackmail? Do you think there was any other way that the government would have capitulated to the Lokpal bill?
The clarion call by Anna brought thousands of Indians across class and creed together demanding an end to corruption. Probably, the ruling party did not see this kind of a response.
So now things are in place – supposedly. Anna ended his 12-day fast and the Lokpal bill will be looked at – these are the first steps to a corruption free India. Difficult to imagine though!! Some people know only this kind of living. They will perish, the poor fellows, or they will fight - too bad.
So how do we proceed now? When a corrupt official asks for a bribe, how do we blow the whistle? Is there a person we contact, a bell we ring, a number we dial? I am waiting for this tiny bit of information which will make my life a lot easier.
Proud to be an INDIAN!