250 and still counting....

When I began to blog I never believed I would sustain it this long. I began it because it appeared such a democratic way of communicating with an audience, and it has proved to be that very space it promised to be where people can mingle with ones ideas and views, disagree or empathise; and not necessarily have to meet up to create this synergy of engagement.

I have over time acquired some faithful readers, and I am often truly surprised when I meet someone for the first time  who informs me that they follow my blog. It isn't that what one shares in this blog is anything very unique or specialized, but what I think becomes a basic criteria of bonding is a transparent honesty and a lack of some hidden agenda which allows others to feel comfortable with plugging in.

At a time where confusion prevails as to what really is right and wrong with the whole Ramdev Baba issue, open platforms of interaction become the only areas of debate that hopefully allow us to find better comprehension into this murky mess.

I cannot say that a police crack down is a correct political/legal procedure within a democracy. However after the demolition of the Babri Masjid on that fateful day of "protests" by kar sevaks I always become jittery over the saffron brigade posturing as the "voice of the people". Maybe Baba Ramdev in his feminine attire appeals to me more (!) but whatever I followed through the media reports of his hunger strike and his inarticulate rhetoric certainly did not inspire confidence in me.

I found the  civil movement that supported Anna Hazare a more truthful space of protest that clearly (even if naively) attempted to separate political hijacking from the issues of addressing the Lokpal bill. Of course there were blunders, of course there were many people who saw this as an opportunity of visibility.....but all in all it held up a space of accountability that each of us could understand and relate to and identify with.

The problem in India is corruption can be stamped upon everyone. In the last twenty-five years the "bakshish" bill has been well "drafted" into Indian society. Whether it is the linesmen of the telephone department, the municipal civic authorities, the postal service etc. etc. etc....., every one "quietly" holds the common person to ransom by "quietly" pinching them where it hurts the most! So cough it up or pay the price of being "quietly" harassed!

Today India is full of virtuous outrage over the mid-night drama of Baba Ramdev's arrest. With the shadows of the past that are yet to be laid to rest I think sometimes actions that quell possible mob hooliganism is unfortunately a wiser option in the long run when a country needs to address serious issues. With the bagpipes of Scotland calling, the snake charmers role is being rewritten by our bearded friend. Maybe Indian designers can merge the kilt and the saffron robe into a new attire for our new self proclaimed saviour of the hour. But for me, I am not amused that a civil movement that had profound dignity and a following of people across the entire spectrum of Indian society, and which was led by a person of  Anna Hazare's credibility has been hijacked and potentially derailed by a saffron adjutant who is clearly only a mouthpiece for someone else! Clear the deck please and let the movement proceed with its original leader to guide it.