when i left india some 14 yeas ago, i had no hope from totality. of course at that time, i was young and had a little know-how of the world. while growing up, i used to hear election speeches, big promises that never got fulfilled. but india progressed; somehow. call it capitalism or simply honor the great indian 'fate', india did rise. some say its' a by product of political and entrepreneurial handshake, some blame scandalous corruption.
all these years, i have been seeing politicians playing blame games while very cleverly shying away from real issues. (God bless emotional indian mentality) as we always tend to drift away from reality. politicians had same agenda, when they were in power or opposition. that became election manifesto with a few words here and there added.
today, while following these elections, i don't hear anything new.
same agenda same fight, just more ferocious, cleverly crafted words, personal attacks; anything to get back in power.
confusing people, so they end up voting in same dimension; the never ending hope. to be honest, i still don't know what i would do when i go back. as some got lucky with intelligence and or money backup, most of us are still struggling for daily bread. i get scared to imagine myself in the position of 'have not's'.
they say "we vouch for the common man". i doubt if there exists a common man. there is a job less man, a rich man, a poverty stuck one or a least who can be described as always struggling; but nothing like a common man. common man cannot go through all these hardships in life and if he does, he is a slave.
i believe we are still slaves and i am not putting it metaphorically. british ruled us as 'have-not's' nd they made sure we always stayed that way (a common relation of a master and a slave). aren't we still the same. do we really have what it takes to be free, a real freedom in true sense. aren't we ensured we stay at the end of line with pitiful eyes and hands folded.
so why do we celebrate independence every year when all we do is slavery of a 'brown' man. i don't know what dreams did the freedom fighters had but certainly not such nightmares.
today we vote again; helplessly hopeful, imagining the seventh heaven of 'our basic necessities' to come true for once. as someday, we will realize and endeavor the knowledge of holding these 'public servants' accountable for their five year 'joy ride'
Jai Hind
