The volcanic movement of today...

Like many others, my attention towards Anna Hazare started in a feeling of curiosity. This whole episode of “Anna Hazare” movement definitely commenced on a low key, took a break and has come back as a huge tide splashing across the country. When one follows a daily or a news channel (more of a habit…), it’s hard to be missing updates about Anna in the recent months ->
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Hazare

But, throwing an enlarged question mark – how many of us know what exactly is he talking about or the crucial reason for his activities? With Google, things can be easy as pie and I got too much of information about the whole story, people behind and the movement. But still thought, providing the link would make better sense here..

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/what-is-the-jan-lokpal-bill-why-its-important-96600

 

Err…sure that am not equipped with enough experience and knowledge to comment, form an opinion or provide any sort of (good/bad) criticism about the spark of revolution that has emerged. Saying that, I didn’t want to sit at home either…and that made me do something fruitful on a usual cloudy lazy cozy Sunday.  I always take a fleeting look of this place named “Freedom Park” (Seshadri Road, Bangalore) when I drive by that way. The big road is surrounded by huge trees, clean pavement and the greenery filled park, almost empty.

And now, the place looked so festooned with bunches of people plus the popcorn…peanuts and magazine (what not!) sellers. The noticeable fact was the self motivated huge crowd all over the arena located inside the park. On the other hand, the widespread area outside was occupied by a long array of vehicles coming from different parts of the city(from various small supporting groups). A few protesters were singing rhymes and songs on “Anna” but  rest all were for the country. Slogans against corruption & politicians were on a high pitch and no one knew each other there and still managed to maintain harmony in all ways. All I felt was that if people can have so much energy and unity, why were we lacking bravery till now?! Where was all this fire till today?

 

 Well, the scenes appeared much like a modern day freedom struggle(with cameras, CCTV's, rally of bikes etc) due to the fact that every single person there was out with a common objective and most of the faces expressed the depth of irritation, pain and suffering undergone. "We just want it done.." was the attitude.

Obviously, we have scarcity of good leaders and the amount of sensitivity among people showed that with a few meaningful leaders out there, things could really change around us. Or at least…they could be attempted to change! There is been enough of news on the television on this lokpal bill story but watching the spirit in person was an entire inexplicable thing. There was a common cause – some know well, some don’t have any idea, some just want to be there and support, some drive it but there was lot of effort portrayed. 

 A few admirable things:

1. There was superb discipline among the crowd of 1000(or more…) people. No one pushed each other; people took proper queues and left way for the elderly.
2. There was no age bar : kids, school students, college boys and girls, techies(our colloquial word), families with children and the pensioners – they all exhibited same level of enthusiasm in showcasing their support.
3. People had really worked a lot making posters, paintings, pictures, slogan prints from their own creativity and the time they took for that…mattered a lot.
4. Made me wonder (really :-o) how much of cohesiveness we have and at the same time, fail to utilize it rightly – hopefully this doesn’t end with just one lokpal bill issue but continues for all the good.

A noticeable moment : Mobile numbers of all the State level Ministers were provided on the spot(through the mic..) and people were told to dial in - none of the phones were reachable or answered, a few numbers didn't even exist ! It just spread laughter amongst the crowd !

 And a few (somewhat) disturbing facts:

1. The "shouting slogans mania" was appreciative but just being too loud wouldn’t help – Anna would also prefer people knowing about the bill in detail when we showcase support to this extent.

2. Some of them were also interested in clicking pictures of themselves...in different poses and that looked a bit out of place - mobiles and cameras flashing on themselves.

3. A tiny fear that we have the tendency of blindly supporting something that a hundred people are already doing…shouldn’t become the case here. Hopefully it’s won't proceed in that way..

It wasn't a day of just photographs for me and I truly enjoyed the utmost fact that people can be so united, can behave with excellent co-ordination and wish to fight and ask for their basic rights. We do aspire to have better rules and procedures in the country but should also remember that each of us play a strict role in forming the society.  It's as simple as "Keep your house clean first, then the street...then help your locality to be clean and it automatically diverges forward" - this should be in all aspects from cleanliness to literacy to economy to social responsibility. I know it sounds good and sophisticated but no magic wand to transform things overnight, we do need a lot of people to drive and lots & lots of people to practice - least I can write  this night ,since we are still granted our "Freedom of Speech" :)