Anna’s “Aabra-Ka-Daabra Effect”
Giving more power to the people
At a phase in life when most of the septuagenarians hang their boots to celebrate retirement, Anna Hazare is selflessly working for the people and still going strong since the last 30yrs. The entire nation supported this gutsy guy who not only demanded the introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill) but also humbly fasted until the civilian demands were met. I couldn’t fast like Annaji, but also couldn’t resist being a part of the “I am Anna” campaign against corruption. Thousands and thousands of people like you and me came out showing their solidarity all through the 4 days of the movement...and then...can the government of the largest democracies of the world even think of giving a deaf year to the people’s humble demands....I don’t really think so!
Well finally, the Jan Lokpal Bill which is an effective anti-corruption and grievance redressal system against corruption will be drafted and then passed by the government accepting all civilian demands for making it a 100% accountable and transparent document. Indeed, cheers to this not so young man who sacrificed for the progress of a young India.
India is not an Egypt
It was pretty heartbreaking when the Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement was drawing comparisons with that of the uprising in Egypt. It is like unintentionally belittling or undermining the fight put forward by our freedom fighters to give us our democracy way back in 1947. The anti-corruption movement in India is simply a rightfully honest demand that the people are putting forward to the established legislative, and then using the means of rallies to communicate our needs...vis-a-vis Egypt’s uprising for actual democracy.
Power of wired networks
The captain of the Pakistan cricket team must have criticised Indian media for its negativity, but look at what media has done to make this movement a big success. Undoubtedly, media traversed across the nation to churn out stories of the masses. Evenmore, tactfully pressurised the government to act now or loose people’s confidence in the system forever. Besides media, social networking and micro-blogging created a flurry of opinions, bringing together the unity of thoughts towards the greatest non-violent people’s movement after the Independence Day movement fathered by Mahatma Gandhi.
Joining hands with the UN Convention
It is indeed time for India to be a part of the UN convention against corruption which crimilizes not only basic corruption such as bribery and embezzlement of public funds, but also trading the proceeds of corruption. The Convention which came into force way back in Year 2005 saw the approval and participation of 140 countries across the globe...except India which raised its hands rather than shaking its hands in partnership with this first legally binding international anti-corruption instrument.
Finally we got to walk the talk
So more power to the people, more power to India incorporation, more power for economic growth, more power to foreign direct investments, more power to spending on health and infrastructure, better and transparent utilisation of taxpayers money...but all this made possible only if we as individuals abstain from accepting or giving bribery, sifarish (reference), or anything that will chain the very purpose of this movement.
It’s really-really tough, but I will try. How about you?
Thanks for visiting my blog. Do write to me with your reactions, opinions or critical comments at simplymearl@live.com or leave your inputs in the comments tab below.
Comments
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Regards,
Mudit
Blog: www.muditagarwal.com
Email: agarwal.mudit@hotmail.com
Cell: 9699368622
Concise article where in u hv sketched Anna’s crusade. India cannot b compared to Egypt’s upraising very true. I fully endorse that V need to walk the talk and demonstrate what V speaks.
I can call it an ANNA’s “Ant affect”. This movement has stirred our country, the unprecedented support fm various sections of the society cutting across Cities, Regions, Economic background & profession. This protest has caught GoI on it knees and it had to submissively accept the demands to set up a joint committee paving way for the bill. Successive Govt’s since Independence have successfully managed to elude/deprive our citizen of their rights for their vested interest….hoping to c new beginning.
It is not that V Indians have just woken up fm deep slumber, but I feel the timing cud not hv come at a better time, v r already witnessing Scams after Scams which has tarnished our image back home n abroad thus putting a setback in future investment.
We have Scams after every Noun’s out of our dictionary. Be it A -Arms, B – Bofors, C –CWG, Fodder, 2G, Stamp Paper, Cash for Votes etc etc and worst even the Coffin Scam….wherein even the dead or not spared, wish Corruption also had a quick burial.
While the proposed Lok Pal bill is supposed to cover only Political corruption, I wish the draft committee further increase the scope to include Bureaucrats, Judiciary and Corporate. It wl be naïve to deny that today there is a Strong nexus between Politician – Bureaucrats and the Corporate world. In this world of intense competition, business is not done ethically or contract/tenders are not won by merit. This is when the corruption creeps in between the Business house and the Politician thus defeating the Merit & Transparency; n giving raise to favoritism of Co’s who are able to corrupt the most. Elections is another avenue where corruption is born. Though EC n other agencies are doing the best to contain it. Till v have election funding being done clandestine fm Business house in exchange for future project/clearance, corruption wl continue to thrive.
What should the powers of Lok Pal b???
Though I am not an excerpt, I feel the Lok Pal shud b armed with enough powers to initiate investigations and prosecution against any Politician or Officer suspected to b corrupt within a limited time frame. The bill should just not cover “Corruption” wherein just money is exchanged for a favour……but it should consider all other forms of kickbacks/gifts.This bill shud also give enough protection for whistle blowers to enable them to expose more such misdeeds rampant in our society.
I am afraid this bill does not put our country back to the licensee Raj wherein our bureaucrat wl shun decision making responsibility, for the fear of getting embroiled in the bill. I cud like to c the pendulum come half way at least. Irrespective of all the different laws n bills, can v ensure a “Minimum Corrupt Free India” like Singapore or Norway????
The bill should no way come in the path of growth/development.
The Lokpal should be autonomous like the SC and help anyone file an FIR against the corrupt official.
Let me end with what V most of us have been off late shouting “Enough is Enough”….Hoping 4 de best.
Keep writing TC
Uma
Concise article where in u hv sketched Anna’s crusade. India cannot b compared to Egypt’s upraising very true. I fully endorse that V need to walk the talk and demonstrate what V speaks.
I can call it an ANNA’s “Ant affect”. This movement has stirred our country, the unprecedented support fm various sections of the society cutting across Cities, Regions, Economic background & profession. This protest has caught GoI on it knees and it had to submissively accept the demands to set up a joint committee paving way for the bill. Successive Govt’s since Independence have successfully managed to elude/deprive our citizen of their rights for their vested interest….hoping to c new beginning.
It is not that V Indians have just woken up fm deep slumber, but I feel the timing cud not hv come at a better time, v r already witnessing Scams after Scams which has tarnished our image back home n abroad thus putting a setback in future investment.
We have Scams after every Noun’s out of our dictionary. Be it A -Arms, B – Bofors, C –CWG, Fodder, 2G, Stamp Paper, Cash for Votes etc etc and worst even the Coffin Scam….wherein even the dead or not spared, wish Corruption also had a quick burial.
While the proposed Lok Pal bill is supposed to cover only Political corruption, I wish the draft committee further increase the scope to include Bureaucrats, Judiciary and Corporate. It wl be naïve to deny that today there is a Strong nexus between Politician – Bureaucrats and the Corporate world. In this world of intense competition, business is not done ethically or contract/tenders are not won by merit. This is when the corruption creeps in between the Business house and the Politician thus defeating the Merit & Transparency; n giving raise to favoritism of Co’s who are able to corrupt the most. Elections is another avenue where corruption is born. Though EC n other agencies are doing the best to contain it. Till v have election funding being done clandestine fm Business house in exchange for future project/clearance, corruption wl continue to thrive.
What should the powers of Lok Pal b???
Though I am not an excerpt, I feel the Lok Pal shud b armed with enough powers to initiate investigations and prosecution against any Politician or Officer suspected to b corrupt within a limited time frame. The bill should just not cover “Corruption” wherein just money is exchanged for a favour……but it should consider all other forms of kickbacks/gifts.This bill shud also give enough protection for whistle blowers to enable them to expose more such misdeeds rampant in our society.
I am afraid this bill does not put our country back to the licensee Raj wherein our bureaucrat wl shun decision making responsibility, for the fear of getting embroiled in the bill. I cud like to c the pendulum come half way at least. Irrespective of all the different laws n bills, can v ensure a “Minimum Corrupt Free India” like Singapore or Norway????
The bill should no way come in the path of growth/development.
The Lokpal should be autonomous like the SC and help anyone file an FIR against the corrupt official.
Let me end with what V most of us have been off late shouting “Enough is Enough”….Hoping 4 de best.
Keep writing TC
Uma