Was flipping through India Today's special edition on 60 Greatest people in India. Most of our freedom fighters top the list (Bhagat Singh, Subash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel..). Bhagat Singh topped the poll, and the editor intepreted the choice to be that of a Young India, who was more daring today and rooting for nationalism more openly than before. I say: Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe Mahatma Gandhi's actions/sayings/principles have been used/misused/abused to such an extent till today that no one is really sure about what he actually said/did. On the other hand, Bhagat Singh's actions have been clearly chronicled, both in literature and on screen (the script writer of the movie The Legend of Bhagat Singh wrote the article on him).
Another striking point I noticed was the politicans of various hues who all came under the umbrella of the Indian National Congress during Colonial Rule. Though they had differing view points on many issues their goal was the same (a Free and Prosperous India) and so this difference in opinion turned out to be a boon rather than a bane. All these freedom fighters were very accomplished and educated. They chose to give up a cushioned and comfortable life for a greater cause. Sadly, this is not the state of politics in India today. The best minds work for private institutions or go abroad. We have become more and more risk-averse. But what is the solution? Maybe the party the IITians have formed is a start. Maybe banning people with criminal records from standing for elections is another start. I am not as brave as those IITians, but I will try to give back in my own way. Being a responsible citizen is definitely a start.
1 comment:
The last time I heard, that IITian party went bust dear... :)
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