Why not?

As a child I remember reading an Akbar-Birbal tale in which someone had stolen something from Akbar’s palace, but no one had any idea as to who the culprit could be. There were thus around 25-30 people who were under suspicion.

And as usual Birbal came up with a novel way of catching the thief. He announced to everyone on the palace premises that he had in his possession a magic lotion, which was transparent, but when applied on a thief’s palm would change its color to red. Hearing this, everyone was wondering what next. Now Birbal asked each one of them to go in a room alone and apply the lotion on their palms and come out. After the whole bunch had gone in and applied the lotion, to everyone’s surprise, there was no red palm in the room.

So now who was the thief they asked each other.

That’s when Birbal declared the thief; it was the person who did not have a rose fragrance on his palms. The “Magic” lotion was rose water, and it would not turn a thief’s hands red, but could keep the fragrance away from the person who did not apply the lotion fearing his hands shall turn red!

Today when I see the politicians and the bureaucrats showing their negative attitude towards the Jan Lokpal bill, a similar feeling is creeping inside. Why would they want to pass a law which shall bring a negative impact or spin a web which will strangulate their income?

Whenever a government employee, be it from the banks, railways or ministers themselves, want a pay hike or any of their demands fulfilled, if they feel something is not going as per their plan, declare strikes or bandhs, carry out rallies, disrupt a common man’s life, public and private properties are damaged and sometimes even destroyed; But still no one is taken into custody or remand! Because it’s a politician’s call.

Today, when a common man did the same, the same police force and the ministers call it illegitimate? The system is now trying to illuminate the nation of the laws and protocols that exists for carrying out a peaceful agitation. Is the government trying to educate us about my rights to use my fundamentals rights are also in subject to their conditions?

But all is still not lost. The government still has decency and has not applied section 144 across the nation, it is still letting the media do their work without interference and last but not the least, it had the decency to retract and apologize for some callous remarks made in reference to Anna Hazare.

Anna, the Brother of the nation

Not that many of us would have switched on our TV sets, yesterday morning to watch our flag being hoisted or the false promises we hear our Prime Ministers make each year, as compared to today morning. Today, when Anna Hajare was scheduled to go on protest with the support of millions of other patriotic Indians. We all, people who have been following Anna, were aware that the govenment will definitely do something or the other to crush the movement or at least hamper its proceedings, like how we witnessed during Baba Ramdev's agitation.

But what happened today morning was more shoddier than anyone of us could have expected. This was the worst morning to begin our 65th year of our so-called Independence! 

Even before he could start his protest, a non-violent one, he and his aides we taken into "CUSTODY", upon being inquired on what charges were the police taking them into custody they were told "We don't know, we have got our orders!" A very filmy dialogue, but then as they say, real makes reel.

Who gives orders to their sub-ordinates to harass and humiliate, to cage a 74 year old Indian citizen who is fighting for like a common man for a common man, in a country which is governed by the common man? Who  claims to be the world's biggest democracy? I also saw an old man in a wheel-chair being taken into a police van so as to maintain law and order situation in the country. Does those intelligent politicians out there think the common man is such a big idiot?

Ironically so as to maintain law and order situation in the country, Anna Hajare, today's pillar of non-violence and a image of Mahatma Gandhi, has been kept imprisoned in the same ward as Suresh Kalmadi who is facing charges of corruption. Maybe the change will come from their itself.



For those of you who are blank about what I'm talking about,  here is a list of 10 
things to know about Anna Hazare 'n Jan Lok Pal Bill. 

1. Who is Anna Hazare?

An ex-army man. Fought 1965 Indo-Pak War



2. What's so special about him?

He built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahamad Nagar district, Maharashtra



3. So what?

This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills.

In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village. Now it is one of the richest village in India. It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly & harmonic village.



4. Ok,...?

This guy, Anna Hazare was awarded Padma Bhushan and is a known figure for his social activities.



5. Really, what is he fighting for?

He is supporting a cause, the amendment of a law to curb corruption in India.



6. How that can be possible?

He is advocating for a Bil, The Jan Lokpal Bill (The Citizen Ombudsman Bill), that will form an autonomous authority who will make politicians (ministers), beurocrats (IAS/IPS) accountable for their deeds.



8. It's an entirely new thing right..?

In 1972, the bill was proposed by then Law minister Mr. Shanti Bhushan. Since then it has been neglected by the politicians and some are trying to change the bill to suit thier theft (corruption).



7. Oh.. He is going on a hunger strike for that whole thing of passing a Bill ! How can that be possible in such a short span of time?

The first thing he is asking for is: the government should come forward and announce that the bill is going to be passed.

Next, they make a joint committee to DRAFT the JAN LOKPAL BILL. 50% goverment participation and 50% public participation. Because you cant trust the government entirely for making such a bill which does not suit them.



8. Fine, What will happen when this bill is passed?

A LokPal will be appointed at the centre. He will have an autonomous charge, say like the Election Commission of India. In each and every state, Lokayukta will be appointed. The job is to bring all alleged party to trial in case of corruptions within 1 year. Within 2 years, the guilty will be punished. Not like, Bofors scam or Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, that has been going for last 25 years without any result.



9. Is he alone? Whoelse is there in the fight with Anna Hazare?

Baba Ramdev, Ex. IPS Kiran Bedi, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and many more.

Prominent personalities like Aamir Khan is supporting his cause.



10. Ok, got it. What can I do?

At least we can spread the message. How?

Putting status message, links, video, changing profile pics.



At least we can support Anna Hazare and the cause for uprooting corruption from India.

At least we can hope that his Hunger Strike does not go in vain.
At least we can pray for his good health.

Free Association Writing?

I read about a writing technique called free association, it’s sometimes used by writers, (some non-writers also like me) to help them write their thoughts out; it need not be grammatically correct or intellectually right. Authors or writers are said to use this technique to help them draw out their session plans. Or would it be called chapter plans here?

Well reading about it, I thought why not I try it, cause its been a long time since I wrote anything on my blog, and though there’s sooooo much to write about I just dint know where to start from or rather what to start with. I shall refrain from calling it a writers block, as I don't feel I fall in the writer’s criteria in the first place.

So here’s my 1^st attempt at free style writing. (Later I noticed I’ve always indulged in this style even when I dint know about this technique too.)

Its 9am in the morning, (ever heard of 9am in the evening?) and after reading the newspaper, which has less news and more advertisements, though I’d like to confess here, that advertisements are all that I read in the newspapers here. Actually, at home, we get only Hindi dailies. And these Hindi newspapers advertise mostly in English. Looking at the paper I wanted to grab my husband’s wallet and go more for free association shopping rather then writing, but then as the 1^st option was not practical I opted for the 2^nd one.

But what to write about, the weather? The day and time? I don't know what to start with, again I don't know how to write? I guess this exercise, which seemed very easy on reading about it, requires more patience, more discipline which I certainly lack.

When we want to screen out our thoughts and focus within our core or soul or whatever it is, we somehow cant, I guess that is what they mean when they say it comes from within.

So waiting again for words to come out from within.

Till then am enjoying your write ups my fellow bloggers! (I’d read some where, the more you read the more you will think; and the more you think you shall know and learn; and if I know more I will either talk more or write more!!)

I also am thinking if I’ve got lazy, you know it’s more fun to just read and comment rather than think and write. I don't know maybe it says something about my personality, maybe about me. Does it happen with you too? If it’s a temporary phase I’ll like it but as time flies by I’m even worried, when will I get over it, over my laziness and start writing and putting forth my views again. But then again, is this new post a sign? Does this bring an end to my hibernation from writing?

My fingers are crossed.