For a better tomorrow....

Here we are...64 years of being a free nation..a democracy..an emerging global economic..industrial superpower!! But suddenly you look back and realize there  is a li’l less enthusiasm and a li’l less ‘feel-good’ factor about  this August the 15^th, than the previous ones.. :|

That’s the kind of mood we are in..right? On any other eve of Independence day you would see patriotic songs being played on the otherwise-idiot box, glimpses of the freedom struggle, replays of ARR’s soulful  Vande Mataram etcetera. But I don’t find that inspiring air on air today !                            
Maybe it is just that I haven’t watched enough Tv tonight or I happen to find more INTUC and DYFI flags than the tricolor in Trivandrum..or I miss the independence day ceremony in school..or I miss chatting with my dad on various National topics while tying up a pole to hoist the Indian Flag the next day.. or I miss buying Indian flags and tying them onto my bicycle.. but yes..I see that I don’t have the right amount of feeling of pride that comes with this day, right now.
I watched News on various 24X7 channels for a while. Learnt that Manoj Kumar happens to be the greatest on-screen patriot, Congress is now accusing Anna Hazare of double standards and calling him corrupt, India’s string of losses is now named the death of Indian cricket and in between all this we have multiple brands drawing your attention with Independence day wishes ! While there are still many positives…It seems all negative..all very depressing..this ain’t the state of affairs we all look for !
 

We don’t want a Govt, where the civil society with unelected representatives has to arm twist the government to get them to act on an issue of national growth..national pride, one of utmost importance. Anna Hazare all of a sudden is the next Gandhi.. the satyagrahi who wants a just government..an uncorrupt one! But do we want a leader who burns copies of a Govt. draft of a bill, on the streets...do we? It really is a sharp double edged sword. He and his panel members are accused of corruption.. and you cant help but doubt it cos almost all of us believe that to stay away from corruption [committing one or pretend to ignore one] is practically impossible in our land. And the congress can bluff such an accusation cos they noe they hardly have a good rival party which could endanger their power of the centre, even if they are to be proven wrong. While the Govt. and UPA are in a mess.. so is the NDA. Not to mention the so called ‘third front’.  In a time of national crisis wouldn’t it be heart-warming to see every party come together and work together to overcome the situation than all the blame games and stalling of the houses of parliament?

The CAG indicts someone or the other comes with a report on mismanagement of money or power every other day..which is good cos you know they are doing their job.But, its worse cos it means someone else isn’t ! Wouldn’t it be good if the CAG also comes out with reports on Govts and Govt offices and highlights a job done well and clean and spread the news so that the common man knows it and feels good?

Indian Team has been losing it like anything over the last one month.. and you have a Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa winning bronze at the World Badminton Championships, claiming that for India in the prestigious event after a gap of 28 years! Did you know?  Wouldn’t it be nice if the 24X7 channels spend at least 7 mins of Showtime on other sports for every 24 on cricket?

Indian Team has been losing it like anything over the last one month and the media coverage is maddening. They call it the death of cricket and talk about overhauling it. you have some so called ex-cricketers who have not even come close to achieving what some of the legends who are still part of this team have, diagnosing the problem with our cricket ! 4 months back they were national heroes, remember? Like they all hit a purple patch together then..they have all just lost it now..unfortunately..all of them, together! Now..surely SRT, Dravid, Dhoni and co. would’n be feeling too great about it too ! Would’n it be nice if the media reiterated that we still have at least 3 legends in that team.. and that der ll be a turn around..sooner or later..and wish them good luck and stand by the in these tough times ?!

Couple of media giants conducted a state of the Nation poll recently.. but then..dont we see that the media itself sets the mood of the nation? Next time, say Sheila Dikshit is indicted by CAG, can we not see the headlines as SHIELA DIKSHIT IS CORRUPT and see it is SHEILA DIKSHIT INDICTED BY CAG, TO BE PROBED. ?? Can we not have misleading news that only helps these giants fetch more TRPs? Can we have more sensible, responsible journalism?

It is not just the media then.. the elected representatives in power..the Govt. officials.. everyone.. can we have good, sincere effort going into ur jobs?  The loss of the Left Front in WB and DMK in TN are clear indictors that if you don’t perform..your govt wouldn be voted for ! If your party is elected to power..would you want to stay there longer? So why don’t you put up some good governance and steer the country’s growth? Then, we would like you to continue doing so !

Then again, can’t WE all do that? In this age of social media..with a hugely large population still young..and many of it on FB and other networks. Cant we play a huge role in uplifting the mood of the nation? Where information travels faster than ever.. can we all  ensure that we, as responsible citizens share good, heartwarming news? News that brings us pride, happiness and joy? While also being responsibly critical of national issues and national matters??

Joy can be diffused..  Enthusiasm is contagious.. Peace is addictive.. A li’l effort can go a long way.. when you see things in positive light..they seem easier to work upon. Hope for a better tomorrow.. good laws..uncorrupt, good governance..better forms of protest..better performances in sports, cinema etc. better business, better infrastructure.. all better.. all good. Then we shall surely have more cheerful, prideful and inspiring Independence days !

Jai Hind !