Magic.

You sit in front of the desktop, type in a few words and pause to consider what you’ve just written. It’s nowhere near your best. So you backspace it all. You sit there staring at the blank document, and with a sense of disbelief, wonder what has gone wrong. You struggle to come up with something. And you think about the time long gone where words once flew freely.  You close your eyes, and go through the myriad thoughts spinning a web around your mind. So many ideas! So many stories to tell!

But nothing to write.

And all of a sudden your mind goes back to that one memory that will forever remain etched there. That day which reaffirmed something you’ve known for quite a while. ‘I don’t think you have it in you anymore’ the words are still fresh. The wounds still raw and they still hurt.

But what’s the point to deny the obvious? Delay the inevitable. So with a sense of nostalgia, you open Blogspot and go through all your entries.

You go through your own work and feel like it was another person who created it. You go through it with a strange sense of indifference- like a person who had once wielded unrestricted power and is now powerless to even lift a finger. Like a magician who had once mesmerised people but knows that the spark is gone and the magic has waned.

‘You might just be the next best thing, not quite like me’

You have prided yourself on your way with words. And now that way appears to have closed its doors to you. It’s like losing your identity. And there’s nothing worse than that. The only thing you can do is live in denial, for accepting the truth is the hardest thing in the world.

You have dreamed a dream. For five years you have dreamt of the day your own book will be out in the market- lauded by one and all. You have lived for it. And when that day draws close, there’s nothing but a sense of despair that hangs heavy over you.

Writing has been your love. And now, there’s nothing but a blank parchment and a pen. The words have dried up. The flair is gone.

So you hum and old Rajesh Khanna favourite, go through your previous works with a sense of great pride, and resign yourself to your fate.  For as they say, not everyone in this world has the fate to experience the fullest form of love. Some are born, just to experience the abbreviation of it.

Perhaps the least you can do is write what you feel, in howsoever rudimentary a fashion, and try and feel that familiar joy once again.

Magic. Believe in it! 

A Dark Day.

Damini, Amanath, Nirbhaya... different people christened her her differently. In the end, she stood for one and only one thing- The urge, the will, to overcome the worst and be hopeful for a better life. How many people are out there who believe nothing could good can ever happen with them. Who feel there's nothing worth living for in their life. One failed relationship. One bad exam. And you feel as if your life has ended. As if there's no better thing in the world. Learn from this girl. In her last few days, in a way she became a symbol of hope. She taught everyone, what is it to live. She wanted to live. She had dreams of a better future.

And to honor that dream, to honor the brave soul, the least we can do is make sure this moment doesn't die down. Not in a long time have In a city like Delhi, infamous for being rude and cold and what not, have I seen such solidarity for anyone. This is a movement for change. For Hope. For a better society. And for humanity.

It's time we change the mentality of those who believe they can violate a person so brutally  and still get away . Capital punishment, newer stringent laws are nothing but a psychological safe-guard. It's indeed sad that in the midst of all the protests and lathi-charge, tear gas, unprecedented crowd, we hear of girls being raped in Kalkaji, in Patiala, the latter victim being driven to commit suicide because of the attitude of the police. It's sad to hear that on Saturday, 80% of calls to Police about molestation came from India Gate. Is this how things will change. Women are not safe for the leering eyes of these detestable men even in a such a protest.

Indian society is a many headed monster. You sever one head, and the rest shall continue to live. The outlook of the society is what is needed to be changed. There's no one solution. The male dominated patriarchal character of society, where sons are brought up to believe they are superior, the mass-illiteracy. The lack of sense of duty among the police personnel. And the general insensitivity of the people, everything contributes to this chaos and anarchy.

That girl and her friend were lying naked on the ground for close to 2 hours before they were shifted to Safdurjang. Where was this sense of solidarity then? Oh yes, 200 people did assemble to see the drama unfold. Of course!

Naare lagane se kuch nahi hota boss. Untill you want the change to come. People have been a part of this protest just to get even with the Police personnel. Girls have been molested in the crowd. The setup for Republic Day has been disturbed. Police and media vans stoned. People have been hurt. A cop has died.

Violence is not the answer to anything,

The horror she lived through is unimaginable. The brutality of it. You shudder even at the thought of it. I hope no one ever has to live through it again. Ever again. In a sense, it's good she didn't make it. Her life would have been scared forever. I hope she's gone to a better world. I hope, no one has the same fate as her, ever again.

RIP Brave Girl. A symbol of hope.

Retrospection.

Dark clouds were gathered outside. Inside, the mood was gloomy. It was obvious something was on his mind. That something was bothering him. The usual spring in the step was missing, the confidence gone. He had sat silently for most part of the day in the class. Not looking at anyone, keeping to himself. On the few occasions his friends had tried to engage him, he had merely shrugged. ‘Better be left alone.’ One of them had commented.
He knew he was distracted. He knew he was bothered. He wanted to vent it all out. But he knew no one would understand. He would be typecast as the ‘bad guy.’ How long would it last? How long would he be able to cope up with the feeling of helplessness and frustration before bursting out? He had been trying to focus on what the Professors were saying ever since the morning, trying harder than he had ever in his life. But every time, he would get swept away by a gloomy brooding train of thoughts. Trying hard to figure what had gone wrong. Trying to pinpoint exactly where things fell apart.
But was it the right thing to do? Was he over-reacting? Why did he feel as if he was losing control over his life? Why was he feeling lost and confused? So many questions… He looked around himself, as if hoping answers would magically appear. And then he saw her. Chirpy, bumbling, excited… as usual. Smiling. Smiling…. She noticed him looking at her, and then quickly turned away. What was she thinking? Once again, he lost all sense of time.

*****On the first day, he saw her.
And was smitten instantly. There was something about her that made her stand out of the crowd. Was it her dressing- black jean, yellow razor back and a black jacket? Or the innocence in her kohl-lined eyes? Perhaps it was her inconspicuous smile. It had to be the smile, the one she always wore. But he was never able to figure it out. He would never be, for something’s cannot be explained. For something’s can only be felt. For him, it was one of those things. And it was surprising, considering he had just come off a stormy relationship. Just when he had started to believe he would never feel it again, here was a girl who had threatened to turn his world upside down, inside out. 
He had just settled down-on the back benches- with his new friends, promises of an exciting year ahead. The white-washed air conditioned room was brimming with people. Freshers, every one of them, were milling about. Random talks flew thick and fast in the air. Rapports were being formed, groups being created. The guys were checking out the chicks. Apprehensions of being subjected to ragging. In short, it was the regular first day of college.
Engrossed in the discussions, recounting incidences from school life, he noticed her walking into the class for the first time. For a while, she was the only one he could see. And then, she turned, and settled down. He felt something stir inside him. He felt the strange urge to go up to her and talk. Talk about anything. Talk about random stuff. Just talk. But he did not move******

The hour changed, the professor came. Students settled in their seats nosily. It was a full five minutes before order was restored. He eyed her. She was thinking about where to sit. Undecided. Contemplating. The chair beside him was unoccupied. ‘Would she come and sit here?’ he thought, fervently hoping she would. He looked at her intently, as if willing her to listen to his thoughts. She seemed to make a move for where he was sitting, then changed her mind and went and sat in the opposite direction. Silence ensued as everyone waited for the professor to say something. He opened the register, turned to a fresh page, and waited for her to dictate the notes. Playing lightly with the pen he held, he turned slightly to look over to where she was sitting. She was talking to the guy sitting next to her. The teacher began speaking. His hands moved to jot down the first few words, and then…

*****He was in the metro, going back home. His friends stood around him.
‘So, we’re Facebook friends now.’ Said one of them. He was tall, skinny and had a strange elegance about him.
‘Ah huh? Koi ni, I’ll send her a request abhi.’ He said, took out his phone, and with five taps, reached her profile. ‘Friend Request sent.’ He said with a grin.
‘It remains to be seen if she’ll accept your request.’ Retorted one of them. ‘I doubt she even knows you.’
He thought for a minute, and then said with a swagger, ‘I won’t give her a choice.’*****

His friend tapped at him. ‘Why are you not writing? She’s been staring at you for some time now,’ he leaned in and whispered, referring to the professor. He nodded at his friend in a disconcerting manner, and tried to pick what the teacher was saying. She was talking about the Class Division according to ancient Brahmanical texts. He knew about the topic. He remembered having read something sometime. He tried concentrating for a few minutes before realising it was futile and gave up. He shifted in his seat a little so that the person in front shielded him from the glaring stares of the professor, and once again let himself to be drifted away by his thoughts.

*****So I see you have not accepted my friend request, he inboxed her a full two weeks after he had first sent her the friend request. She hadn't accepted it all this time even when she had been coming online and talking to his other friends.
It took the girl another 3 hours to reply. 'Um, sorry I didn't see your friend request.' The next second, she accepted his friend request, and they started talking. The boy prided himself on his ability with words. 'There's just no one quite like me,' he always used to say.
They talked about random stuff at first. School. Colony. Interests. Then he asked her, 'So, how d'you travel to college?'
'Umm, I take the metro.'
'So how about metro-ing together?' he asked.
'Yeah sure. While coming back, we could metro together. It'd be difficult in the morning to coordinate.'
'There's a solution to everything.' he replied.
'Okay, give me your number.' ****

There was a commotion in the class as he came back to reality. Someone had entered into the room. He shifted to get a clear view. It was one of his friends. Evidently the teacher was furious because he had walked in late, though she had let him sit. The friend walked up to where he was sitting, and dropped heavily into the adjacent chair. 'Kya baat hai? Aaj akele betha hai?' what's the matter? Sitting all by your own? He asked him.
'Aise he,' he replied. Just like that.

*****'Why d'you always sit at the front? Don't you get bored?' he whatsapped her. They had been whatsapping for a few days now, but for some funny reason, barely acknowledged each other in college. The plan to metro together had proved to be futile. In the class, while he sat with his group at the back, she would always sit at the front, and hardly ever talk.
'You have no idea how boring it is.'
'Then why d'you sit at the front? Sit at the back. Trust me; you're missing out on a lot of fun.'
The next day, he got late for college. The first lecture was already halfway through when he entered with his friends. The classroom was full and thus they had to go stand at the back. The lecture was one he particularly detested so he began searching for her. He scanned the first two rows, but did not see her. His heart sunk. Dejectedly, he began looking for his other friends... Once the class got over, he would grab an empty chair and sit with them. Then his heart skipped a beat. There she was! Sitting right next to where he was planning to sit...*****

'Why are you distracted?' asked the professor, as he snapped out of his waking dreams. 'You should be writing.'
He nodded stupidly and looked at the open register in front of him. He didn't realise he had started scribbling random stuff along the margins. He looked at the time. Only thirty minutes had passed. He frowned. The time did not seem to pass at all. A far cry from the day when she used to sit with him and the entire day would pass before you'd even know.
She had started sitting with him since the day he had walked in late and spotted her sitting with his group. Since that day, slowly but surely, they had started coming close. By an unspoken consent, they had started waiting for each other at the metro station in the morning, sitting together and hanging out together, and leaving college together. In other words, they had come a long way. Everything had been going good and great before it all just fell apart.
His phone vibrated. He looked at the screen. 1 New message. It was from her.
'Are you pissed?'
'No'
'Yes I can see that. Tell me?'
'Nothing to say.'
'Tell me.'
'I don't want to go over the same thing again and again'


To be continued… !

Respect.

It took a powerful catharsis of emotions to get out of the self-imposed writing exile and get myself back to do what I’m best at- writing. In this instance, it’s the much awaited Century of Centuries by the God of cricket- Sachin Tendulkar.

It’s been a while since I’ve stopped following the fortunes of the men in blue. Ever since the debacle that was India’s tour of England in the summer of 2011, I haven’t quiet been the cricket fanatic I was. The disbelief at the appalling condition the team had landed itself into- shuttling from one low to another, was, is, and will ever be, hard to digest. 

Even then, when India landed down under three months ago, there was hope still.  That maybe this will be where the team will script a stunning turnaround.  And in fact, for the first two days, I entertained the thoughts that perhaps this would be the time Aussies will finally lose a Boxing Day test.  But then, the writing was on the wall as soon as Indian batting went in an all-too-familiar slumber.

Why I’m I writing all this? Because some way or the other, going over all this again and again I realised that maybe this is why Sachin didn’t celebrate the remarkable, mind-boggling achievement like a mad-man.  Why he simply raised his bat and looked towards the heaven, in the old Sachin fashion.  Maybe it was relief, relief at getting the elusive centuries, relief at finally getting the monkey off his back. But more than anything else, relief at the fact that he had silenced all those who had started questioning his place in the side.  For the better part of last three months, he had been under attack from all corners of the cricket-crazy Indian nation.  From legends like Kapil Dev to the road-side stall owner, all had proclaimed he should have called it a day, especially in the limited over format, after the world cup. After all, he had every record a batsman could hope to have against his name- more centuries, more runs, more matches, than anyone else and of course, the World Cup.  

It was suggested it was selfish of him to continue playing, not giving the youngsters a chance to prove their mettle.  I think this is what hurt the great batsman the most.  Questioning of his integrity, and commitment to the game he has overshadowed in a stellar carrier.

And now that he has reached the milestone where I doubt someone will ever stand again, these very people will suddenly sing a completely new tune. A nation of ‘thali ke bangan’.

I personally didn’t think Sachin would get the special ton, but more because of the constant comparison with Sir Don Bradman then because he was getting old, his footwork wasn’t as good as it was and his reflexes were delayed.  I thought perfect it was fitting for Sachin to walk into the sunset with a 99 against his name, much like the illustrious Don Bradman. As I said- some records are better left incomplete.

Perhaps that’s the reason the celebrations were sedated. Perhaps that’s why he’s such a giant of the game, and perhaps that’s why Sachin will always overshadow the game that turned him from a simple human to a legend, and recast him as our God.

We are a very privileged generation indeed to have the honour of being a witness to the class of Sachin Tendulkar.

                                  I was alive when Sachin scored century of centuries.

Can Love Happen Twice.

The first book was an instant best-seller- the heart wrenching real life story of a guy who lost his girl in a cruel twist of fate days before their engagement.  It was a fairy-tale that begun in the most unexpected of fashions and ended in the most unexpected of ways.  The book was written simply.  Ravinder Singh never had great writing skills.  But perhaps it was the simplicity with which he had penned the book- the fact that as readers we felt each and every moment and could relate to almost everything- that made it special. 

When word got he was releasing a second book, I admit I was most excited.  When I finally got my hands on it, I was apprehensive, wondering what was in store now.  The back-cover claims it’s an emotional roller-coaster.  I must say, they could never have been more wrong.  From the word go, the book is a disappointment.  As big a disappointment as the first one was extraordinary.  Extremely low writing skills, a narrative lacking the mesmerising element that was the characteristic of the first one, loose characterisation, predictable plot to the T- everything that could go wrong has gone. 

From the story point of view, there isn’t anything new.  Ravinder Singh is more or less trying to capitalise on the fan-following he gathered after the success of his first book.  The book follows the same plot- boy meets girl, they fall in love, and everything’s going good before the expected plunge in relationship.  Everything goes downhill, except this time, the girl only leaves him (break-up).  The only difference, this time, the ending has a happy note to it.

The story starts with the three friends (Ramji, M.P and Happy) getting together at Chandigarh Airport.  They are to attend a special late-night show at a prominent f.m station along with Ravin.  But Ravin doesn’t turn up.  The three friends start reading from Ravin’s incomplete second book, and thus we get a second peek into Ravin’s life.  Ravin (as Ravinder Singh calls himself) has an irritating obsession with himself, and sometimes I feel he has been trying extra hard to develop a hero image for himself.  From calling his first book a masterpiece to calling himself Chandigarh’s favourite author (or something like that), he has done it all.  Perhaps the only reason Penguin decided to publish this one was because I too had a love story had been such a big hit.  Otherwise, for an author with such unattractive writing skills, I don’t see him getting to see the light of day.  On read-o-meter, I would give this book a 1.5/10.  Read it only if you don’t have anything else to read.  Avoid if you can.  It somewhat takes the sheen off I Too Had A Love Story.      

The Anna Phenomenon: India Against Corruption.

I thought it was the stuff of novels.  Mob frenzy, popular revolution, the rulers cornered.  Then it happened in the Arab World, with some high profile casualties.  And now, it’s knocking on our door-steps.  Well, now that is interesting.  Anna Hazare has managed to do what no Indian managed after Mahatma Gandhi- galvanise an entire nation.  But the question’s there: Was it really required?  Was the situation so grave that deliberation and discussion, debate and following the normal course of law could not have served the purpose?  Most frenzied people gripped with Anna Phenomenon would answer with an affirmative.  But I believe otherwise.  And with this, I want to make a point here.  I am NOT AGAINST LOKPAL or JAN LOKPAL.  No.  I am merely amused by this Anna Phenomenon, how people have reacted to it, and my own view of the issue.

But before I embark upon a passionate blog, for the convenience of all those who have apparently lost their ability to think and are repeating and believing only what they see on news channels, read in newspapers, a quick over-view of both the versions of Lokpal so that we can once again ask ourselves- Is it really needed? (Skip if you’re not interested, cause it’s not really in a nutshell, though not as detailed as I would have liked.  I believe being a Political Science student has given me a certain edge.  Anyway, for a better understanding of the issue at hand, do go through it.  The rest, as they say, is up to you)

Some important features of the proposed bill are:

1.    To establish a central government anti-corruption institution called Lokpal, supported by Lokayukta at the state level.

2.    As in the case of the Supreme Court and Cabinet Secretariat, the Lokpal will be supervised by the Cabinet Secretary and the Election Commission. As a result, it will be completely independent of the government and free from ministerial influence in its investigations.

3.    Members will be appointed by judges, Indian Administrative Service officers with a clean record, private citizens and constitutional authorities through a transparent and participatory process.

4.    A selection committee will invite shortlisted candidates for interviews, videorecordings of which will thereafter be made public.

5.    Every month on its website, the Lokayukta will publish a list of cases dealt with, brief details of each, their outcome and any action taken or proposed. It will also publish lists of all cases received by the Lokayukta during the previous month, cases dealt with and those which are pending.

6.    Investigations of each case must be completed in one year. Any resulting trials should be concluded in the following year, giving a total maximum process time of two years.

7.    Losses caused to the government by a corrupt individual will be recovered at the time of conviction.

8.    Government officework required by a citizen that is not completed within a prescribed time period will result in Lokpal imposing financial penalties on those responsible, which will then be given as compensation to the complainant.

9.    Complaints against any officer of Lokpal will be investigated and completed within a month and, if found to be substantive, will result in the officer being dismissed within two months.

10. The existing anti-corruption agencies (CVC, departmental vigilance and the anti-corruption branch of the CBI) will be merged into Lokpal which will have complete power and authority to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.

11. Whistleblowers who alert the agency to potential corruption cases will also be provided with protection by it.

Difference between Government and activist drafts

Highlights

Difference between Draft Lokpal Bill 2010 and Jan Lokpal Bill
Draft Lokpal Bill (2010)	Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill)
Lokpal will have no power to initiate suo motu action or receive complaints of corruption from the general public. It can only probe complaints forwarded by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.	Lokpal will have powers to initiate suo moto action or receive complaints of corruption from the general public.
Lokpal will only be an Advisory Body with a role limited to forwarding reports to a "Competent Authority".	Lokpal will have the power to initiate prosecution of anyone found guilty.
Lokpal will have no police powers and no ability to register an FIR or proceed with criminal investigations.	Lokpal will have police powers as well as the ability to register FIRs.
The CBI and Lokpal will be unconnected.	Lokpal and the anti corruption wing of the CBI will be one independent body.
Punishment for corruption will be a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of up to 7 years.	Punishments will be a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of up to life imprisonment.

Detailed

The following table details differences between the Government and activist backed version

Issue	The Jan Lokpal Bill	Government's Lokpal Bill
Prime Minister	Can be investigated with permission of seven member Lokpal bench	PM cannot be investigate by Lokpal
Judiciary	Can be investigated, though high level members may be investigated only with permission of a seven member Lokpal bench	Judiciary is exempt and will be covered by a separate "judicial accountability bill".[
MPs	Can be investigated with permission of seven member Lokpal bench	Can be investigated, but their conduct within Parliament, such as voting, cannot be investigated
Lower bureaucracy	All public servants would be included.	Only Group A officers will be covered.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)	The CBI will be merged into the Lokpal[	The CBI will remain a separate agency.[
Removal of Lokpal members and Chair	Any person can bring a complaint to the Supreme Court, who can then recommend removal of any member to the President.[	Any "aggrieved party" can raise a complaint to the President, who will refer the matter to the CJI.
Removal of Lokpal staff and officers	Complaints against Lokpal staff will be handled by independent boards set-up in each state, composed of retired bureaucrats, judges, and civil society members.	Lokpal will conduct inquiries into its own behaviour.
Lokayukta	Lokakyukta and other local/state anti-corruption agency would remain in place	All state anti-corruption agencies would be closed and responsibilities taken over by centralized Lokpal
Whistleblower protection	Whistleblowers are protected law	No protection granted to whistleblowers
Punishment for corruption	Lokpal can either directly impose penalties, or refer the matter to the courts. Penalties can include removal from office, imprisonment, and recovery of assets from those who benefited from the corruption	Lokpal can only refer matters to the courts, not take any direct punitive actions. Penalties remain equivalent to those in current law
Investigatory powers	Lokpal can obtain wiretaps, issue rogatory letters, and recruit investigating officers. Cannot issue contempt orders	Lokpal can issue contempt orders, and has the ability to punish those in contempt. No authority to obtain wiretaps, issue rogatory letters, or recruit investigating officers
False, frivolous and vexatious complaints	Lokpal can issue fines for frivolous complaints (including frivolous complaints against Lokpal itself), with a maximum penalty of 1 lakh.	Court system will handle matters of frivolous complaints. Courts can issue fines of Rs25,000 to 2 lakh
Scope	All corruption can be investigated	Only high-level corruption can be investigated[

Source: Wikipedia.

A quick view is enough to conclude that the Jan Lokpal version is the more thorough, and better.  Still, there are certain points which are, at best, riddiculous.   And here is why:

1.       The Lokpal can initiate suo motto action: Now, can it not lead to vested interests?  It may even lead to more corruption.  If Lokpal is meant to police government agencies, then let it act like Police.  Has anyone ever heard of police taking action against anyone without any complaint?  If there’s no complaint, then there should not be any action.  However, I agree than citizens should be allowed to lodge their complaints.  But frivolous complaints should be dealt strictly  with.

2.       Prosecution Power: Well, we already have a system in place to prosecute the guilty.  The Lokpal should only undertake the investigation and forward the charges to ‘competent authority.’

3.       Criminal investigation?  FIR?  Are we looking at an anti-corruption body or an all-powerful extra constitutional mafia here?  Who is there to check Lokpal then?  Who will guarantee that Lokpal’s members will themselves be corruption-free?  And once they are member of Lokpal, they virtually become all-powerful!  It’s blasphemy! Totally unconstitutional!    

4.       PM should be under the purview of Lokpal, but only with certain parameters.  After all, he’s the most powerful functionary in the government; you cannot place someone over his head.  That would undermine the constitution then, with the members of Lokpal eventually getting more powerful.  Maybe not now, but in the years to come definitely.  And also, since MPs enjoy immunity for their actions in the Parliament, they cannot be probed for that.

5.       And last, but not the least, the Lokpal cannot have punitive powers.  There’s a judicial system for that.  Nor can it have powers to obtain wiretaps, issue rogatory letters, or recruit investigating officers  At best, The Jan Lokpal version is an attempt to undermine the constitution, and lord over the government.

So, I am not anti-corruption and anti-lokpal. Anna's cause is for the greater good, but his methods aren't. You say what you see on news channels, what you read in papers, what everyone's saying.  People tell me, it was unconstitutional on the part of Government to arrest him, that his right was violated, that it could happen with anyone of us.   But I am sorry to say, no constitutional right was violated when Anna was arrested. There's something called Preventive Detention (IP  144) where-in the government can arrest anyone who it feels may create a law and order situation, and after the Ramdev incidence, Anna Hazare was asking for it.  And there's nothing in the constitution which says that a person has the constitutional right to hold the government to ransom by taking a fast unto death.

Anna's version is thorough, yes. But it wouldn't go a long way to end corruption. It, as they say, starts at home. So bringing about changes as a macro level doesn’t count much when there's no prior change at the micro level.

 I am told, at home, on facebook, at other places, that it’s not about Anna, it about fighting corruptiom.  No.  It's not about corruption, not entirely. Where was this protestation when Anna called off his fast? And why did it start so suddenly again just because an octogenarian is sitting on a fast unto death? I hear people saying that it has been going on for 60 years; it's high time we take matter in our own hands. Where was this consciousness in the past half a century of independence?

I repeat- I am not against this movement. Obviously, something has to be done to fight corruption. But do you have any idea about how many people would go back to bribe officials to get driving licenses, pull strings to get their children in the nest North Campus colleges, give donations to get their children in the best schools of Delhi? It should start at home, rather than on the streets. No one has given the civil society the right to legislate on such issues. Democracy has some drawbacks, but still, law-making should be left to Parliament. Why isn't Anna willing to appear before the Standing Committee?

The bill is premised on an institutional imagination that is at best naïve; at worst subversive of representative democracy.  It would not be a popularly elected body, like the government, and hence it will have no accountability.  It’s high time people should realise, it is not supposed to be a second STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM.  Gandhiji’s idea of satyagraha was straightforward.  With Mr.  Anna Hazare, it’s tweaking it to own advantage.  Gandhiji fought against a foreign power which oppressed and ruled India without any mandate, without any right.  Mr. Hazare is turning into a dictator now, issuing diktats, telling the government what to do.

Anyway, these are my views.  I may not be correct, legally or otherwise with all of them.  But that wouldn’t matter if I have been able to drive home a point.

And as I say, ‘Main Anna NAHI Hun.’ 

And Thus Ends It All.

Juliet, the loving, cute and affable guinea pig, has departed from this world. Into the waking arms of after-life has she stepped, leaving behind mourning friends. Maybe she'll get to see Romi again. She won't be as lonely as she was in the past couple of days again. Their absence will always be felt. No longer would there be the noise of their wheeking, no longer would the floor be soiled. No more the morning alarm. No more any of the rituals which had come to define our lives in these past few months. Alas it ended so soon. Wish the rendezvous could have continued…

Perhaps in another life time. Such is life. The hard realities. I search for a sign of them whenever I look around the room. My eyes moisten at their slightest thought.

 

R.I.P Juliet.

It was a pleasure knowing you and Romi.

Hope you never forget us, because honestly, we never will. L