The one where democracy failed.
As an Indian kid, the first thing we learnt in our schools was to take pride in the “rich” heritage and culture of our country.
We were made to hate the “British Raj” for their 200 year long merciless ruling over our motherland, for not caring about the needs, and the so called “birth rights” of our forefathers, for letting millions of innocent Indians die and suffer, while they had their chests swelling with Indian wealth.
We were made to hate the “British Raj” for their 200 year long merciless ruling over our motherland, for not caring about the needs, and the so called “birth rights” of our forefathers, for letting millions of innocent Indians die and suffer, while they had their chests swelling with Indian wealth.
Then, we were made to cherish all the valiant battles fought by our freedom fighters, many of who laid down their lives, the casting of the constitution, and finally after many long decades of walking on the path of Ahimsa, forming the “biggest” democracy of the world – India!
Mera bharat mahaan
Satyameva jayate!
Of the people, by the people, for the people.
Sigh!
I always wanted to turn 18 quickly, so that I could get to cast my vote and elect my representative who could work in the interest of the people.
I remember reading in my history books, how the Britishers would heartlessly loot and plunder innocent Indians, even worse - mercilessly kill many, and still walk away with any crime they wished to do! The entire judiciary system was a mere puppet in the hands of the few people in power. I always detested such a system, where the common people had no say! I felt pity for the people living in those days, and having faced all of these.
However, there gradually came a change, where the tyranny of the British Raj was ended, and bright Indian leaders took the front, and appealed for a change in the system, where even the common man – the peasants, the working class, the women, the children – everyone had their say! Every policy was drafted in the interest of the common man, he had the right to have his say on important issues, which needed to be addressed, otherwise he had the choice to change who he wanted his representatives to be.
Democracy was the easiest and the most efficient way to lead life in a modern society, and a kid, I took pride in my country for setting the perfect example.
Then, I grew older ...
As I type this page, yet another crime is being committed by a “criminal” , yet another girl is being gang raped by a “rapist” in a moving vehicle, but it goes unnoticed as the police was deployed in some VVIP security- whatever that meant , yet another policeman is turning a blind eye to the obvious crimes being committed , although he unmistakably collects bribe from the innocents, yet another bill gets passed in the parliament, our constitution gets amended , although nobody bothered to ask us – the people , yet another “statue” gets built , another expensive “business trip” gets planned , all paid using the taxpayer’s money, while the nation keeps on coping with inflation, while another peaceful candle light march gets washed out by gallons of water used by force, as another peasant hangs himself and blames lack of water for irrigation in his suicide note, yet the national media keeps on arranging debates during the prime television hours with maligned fingers pointing and blaming each others, as another new political party joins the race to woo the people to vote.
And yet another generation of school kids are taught to take pride in their history, made to learn important dates, made to memorize the fundamental rights in India. Nobody told us we would be lathi-charged and exploded with expired tear gas shells if we dare to ask for rights! Yet another generation is taught the benefits of paying full taxes on time, nobody told us, the tax money wouldn’t be used in my interest, but to fulfill the cheap luxuries of the “people in power”. Yet another generation is coaxed to complete higher studies in a hope to fulfill their wishes, although nobody told us some might end up in ICU’s battling for lives, if we wished to dress in a particular manner, or wished to lead a life as we wanted to.
And yet British Raj sucked, and we live in a democracy!
Whatever that means in India!
PS : Democracy is defined as – “A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them.”
THINK before you elect!
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