All educated Indians, somewhere or the other, feel so let down, dejected, irritated with corruption in the country. For the last few months, this reached the pinnacle, where everyday some scam was caught with a total money involved amounting to thousands of crores. So, it was high time that some cleaning needed to be done in this country.
I started earning from June 2010. As a responsible citizen, everyone has to duly pay taxes. I was ready for this. Although my tax for the last fiscal was nil, but the feeling that I will have to pay few thousands to the Government this year is really bothering me. Look at the kind of return they bless us with. My hard-earned money is going to the accounts of these fraudsters. Nothing is proper in India. And the politicians are not the only ones to be blamed. We, as citizens of the country, were doing nothing, until now. And now, when the movement was initiated by Anna Hazare, something remarkable happened.
I first heard about Anna ji through Facebook, in March. A friend of mine had shared a video figuring Anna ji and Kumar Vishwaas. They were requesting the citizens to wake up and support Anna ji for protesting against the Government, asking it to pass a Lokpal Bill, which underlines some strict laws for all the corrupt politicians and public alike. He was to sit on a fast to begin somewhere in April. I appreciated the old man's intentions and initiative, but then moments later, forgot about it thinking that nothing is going to happen. I bet, there would be many like me who would have thought this during that time.
One thing separated India from other countries. We have trends of events here. If someone is going to do something which gives him publicity, it becomes a trend and everyone starts doing the same. And then our media... always hungry for such kind of actions. Anna ji's protest became famous and it made the 74-yr old unknown person a famous personality.
Soon after, yoga-guru Ramdev baba started his own version of fasting. It failed miserably due to mismanagement and various other issues. The difference I can gauge is the intention. While Anna ji really wanted to create a spur, for Ramdev it was a publicity stunt.
Anna ji announced a lot in advance that he was again set to start indefinite fasting from August 16, 2011. This time, everyone was eagerly waiting and excited to bring a difference. Marketing was properly done and the build up to the event made it more popular. Anna ji and team was sent to Tihar Jail because the politicians feared what would happen if the bill was actually passed. It was ironical that Government took years and months to arrest corrupt officials like A. Raja and Kalmadi, but only few minutes to imprison someone who was protesting against the corrupt. It happens only in India.
Anna ji was idolized as second Mahatma Gandhi. His principles were same and he was a Gandhian. Indeed he began his indefinite fast on Aug 16 in the Ramlila Ground, New Delhi. Thousand of supports came in from all over Delhi and infact, India to voice their support. The Government, after various ups and downs, took 12 days to finally concede to Anna ji's request. But these 12 (+1 for celebrations) days saw what India had never seen after Independence in 1947.
I thought that only the World Cup Cricket win or Sachin's 100th 100 can unite the Indians in this way. But the crowd which came to support Anna for this social and noble cause changed my mindset. I started believing that Indians have become frustrated. Although no one really took to initiation, when it began, all came together. I went to Ramlila Ground on Saturday, 27th Aug. I had never seen such a huge crowd and all educated, disciplined lot. It really looked like fellow countrymen and supporting and fighting for each other. Tricolor was waving everywhere. Slogans for Anna ji and India were heard everywhere. Vande Matram had filled in the atmosphere like eternity. It was a very very great experience I felt on Saturday.
The Government agreed to Anna ji's 3 demands and he broke his fast the next day. There were more than 1 lakh people gathered for celebrations. In the evening, similar number of people gathered at India Gate for celebrating the success. Malls, etc were found desolated as every other person was busy supporting the cause.
If things go as planned and wished, we might see a better India in next coming years. Probably, it can change my stance to settle abroad for my lifetime as nothing seemed happen for the betterment of this country.
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