Change

CHANGE

-THE PLAGUE OF SOCIAL INERTIA

SYMPTOMS: Widespread Terrorism, Corruption, disparate wealth distribution and poverty, sore lack of developmental work, communal disharmony, illiteracy and insufficient education

Around 2100, Wednesday, 26/11/2008: The start of an absolute catharsis of ‘the system’.

I say catharsis; even though it might not suit the mood, because incidents like this have been happening so frequently that all the usual adjectives used to describe the ghastly dread no longer seep into readers.

This may be the 'new cliché' but tomorrow, Mumbai will get back on its feet and people will tout the resilience of the city - but this, more than resilience - is just an acceptance and the abandon of hope of things getting better. Civic power is a utopian concept for most of the Indian population, and as long as it stays that way, the siesta facilitating climate of the subcontinent, and well fed, pot bellied government officials - underpaid with respect to their abilities, frustrated in terms of bureaucratic tangles, tantalized by numerous opportunities to fulfil personal needs while still having assured pensions; are never going to be effectors of a change in any powerful policy. The lower legislature such as MLAs - who are all in this for only a term; exploit their power, showing little care for the people or development. Knowing that their charisma will always be drowned by their national / party leaders, and that integrity will never be a clincher in a materialistic election - perpetuate exactly that sad trend. This, as a matter of fact is the root of corruption - the “babu-dom” just serves as the hitman of this godfather and becomes a convenient, headless, powerless scapegoat.

No, relying on the quagmire entrenched, yet morally and reasonably practically sound 'system' - is not going to rid us of these irrational elements of humanity. What we need to do is to change ourselves. We need to rise to a level where we don't need a government to set tough policy and intimidating laws (sans loopholes) to deter the actions of these madmen. We need to be that change ourselves.

But there, I've already succumbed to what happens to the rationally stable and intellectually unfazed just after incidents like these that rouse conflagrational urges to express, lambast, lead and change - misdirecting this energy. I've gone through about 300 words without actually addressing implementable suggestions. All this needs to change.

What do we do? Simple. Unite, Assume Responsibility, Express, Reach out.

It's a proven concept at every level - from broom sticks to chemical kinetics – the latter which portrays this situation surprisingly accurately. If you're united, you stand, divided you fall. Divided, you’re easy to break. Divided, you offer lots more surface area for volatile, corrosive substances to act. And as they act, they speed up the speed of action of future agents such as themselves.

Every time this happens, fingers point, accusations are fired, and sweeping generalisations made - communally inciteful ones at that. 60 years of independence? Hah, that's only on paper. We're still slaves, straitjacketed by the disease that our wily conquerors introduced in our minds. There might be overwhelming evidence to prove that one or more communities are involved in such activities, but that doesn't change the relationship that you would have with someone you know who professes that faith... If it doesn't, then why backstab that person? Why violate his trust in your friendship by subscribing to what is only a very easy way, to pin the blame on a known entity rather than the true unknown enemy? This is why: it makes you feel better that you think you know what you're fighting - but if that was the case, we would have rid ourselves of this menace a long time ago.

Getting back to the problem of the roots of corruption: the fault of mis-representational democracy might be inherent to the system of a federal government; but that is no roof to take shelter under. Democracy, by its inherent practice still, thankfully, remains as described by that great leader Abraham Lincoln – it still is ‘for the people, by the people, and of the people’. Is it not us who gullibly fall for the short term subversive material and preferential incentives offered to us 3 months before an election? Is it not us who approach ‘our men’ in the legislature to get things done, or disputes favourably resolved? Is it not us, who pay for the traffic constables’ easy dinner and then complain about accidents caused by drunken drivers? We hurt ourselves. I’m not saying that we’re to be blamed for everything. But, reflecting another physical principle, it is “easier to stretch two springs by an inch each, than one spring by two”. In other, less quotable (forgive my esoteric literary mood) words, it is easier for all of us to exercise a little bit more restraint than for an MLA to repeatedly turn down 100x80 sites beside a new highway or job offers to his relatives.

W-E have to make integrity and true service based politics the need of the hour, rather than pinning our hopes on a leader with the same core values establishing himself amongst the flock. WE’VE also got to start believing that development is overall, and not for any one particular community. WE have to come across an electorate that ‘votes preferentially, and not in elimination; for a candidate and not his promises’. WE have to highlight measurable developmental, infrastructural and educational needs, and ensure that they stay as top priorities.

Now, as ideal and Gandhian as it may seem (Why should ‘Gandhian’ synonymise ideal?), a call to arms to our youth, and our educated population. WE need to spread these ideas among the larger populace, and convince them of their importance. Let me retract that – we need to allow them to realise for themselves – their power and their responsibilities. WE have to ensure that we’re not lulled into scholastic, detached political debates about various ‘fundamental issues’ when inquiring into and demanding answers to various questions, and the government’s response to various issues. WE need to eradicate civic apathy – the kind that makes you throw an ice cream wrapper onto the street; the kind that is ingrained into the laid back demeanour brought about by living in the most luxurious of climes in the world. WE need to share our knowledge and most importantly, “WE NEED TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE THE EFFECTORS OF CHANGE. PLEASE. IF NOTHING ELSE, LET’S ATLEAST BELIEVE IN THIS.”

14:56, Thursday, November 27, 2008