Two bit worth on Anna Hazare and his.... whatever

Will this become a movement do you think? Does it have the power to move 1.2 billion and some beyond India's shores to become a full scale movement? Gandhiji managed to get us freedom without candles in marches! But that’s not the point and don’t get me wrong.... most of the hard work begins from symbolic gestures and these protests too are symbolic of our times – youth turning up at public arenas to increase numbers; those in Anna’s village already on hunger strike; people from all hues of life adding to the already unmanageable crowds outside Tihar Jail, Chatrasaal Stadium and wherever else in the country.... fuelled more so by media which of late always is on the lookout for drama - not news. No, there is nothing wrong in what Anna is demanding. For whatever it may be worth – he has my support.

Yet of late, I can’t get some thoughts out of my head. That when I didn’t want to pay bribe to the man/institution/government body manning my inflated and overcharged electricity bill, I was told – but “this is part of the system... don’t even bother refusing.” I did go and get it reduced but that’s not the point and it still doesn’t take away from the fact that to prevent it from being inflated again, I did have to shell out Rs. 2000. No one, but me, batted an eyelid.

I am reminded of the day when my lawyer friend wanted to get her landline telephone fixed she was more than willing to paying the lineman Rs. 50 who would ensure that her phone would continue to work – through rain-water-flood and sunshine – it still does. When I looked upset, she told me, "Itna na socha kar! This is part of life!" I wonder how much she shells out today. Oh, but times change. The other day I heard her complaining about the corruption around us - because she was standing in a line at the bank and did not know any officer who would allow her to jump the queue! "I tell you, nothing gets done, if you don't know someone. Its horrible!" I agree.

I am reminded of the time when I wanted my driving license and wasn’t confident of driving a car, a man sat next to me – helped control the gear and brakes – drove me up and down twice a 100-metre stretch and said, “Go inside. Meet the gentleman concerned and they’ll give you a driving licence” because the Motor Driving School chap had already taken money: "Its part of the fee ma'm" - to pay the officer inside. I was given my license within the next 10 minutes. It took me another five years before I owned my car and then another two before I was confident of being on the roads – completely on my own and as much a threat to the other drivers as they were to me! Today, I am good, confident driver. I jump lanes, shake my fist at others who hamper my way, once in a while jump lights – if I can get away with it. I do, usually.

The other day some tile work needed to be done along the boundary wall of my house. Within half hour of beginning the work, the labourers were asked to stop, by a posse of five policemen stating that they had to be paid Rs. 5000 if work had to continue. The tiles were moved to the back of house and still lie there because my 70-year old uncle refused to pay up. He is what they popularly refer to as a ‘misfit in society’. I don't know where I fit - if at all.

Yesterday, a colleague walked up and asked casually: “How much does one pay to the cops who come home for verification of the address for the passport?” I replied, “Not a penny.” He smiled and left. In the evening, he planned to leave early and reach India Gate with friends to support Anna Hazare and his friends! Am sure he was part of the anti-corruption brigade.

Welcome to the real world.

Back to Anna. Does he believe that he can stem this systemic rot? Does he believe that by bringing everyone including the Prime Minister under the purview of the all pervasive Lokpal Bill – as and when it gets tabled in the Parliament, he will be able to convince the common man to stop corruption of the mind? Yes, the same common man who rallies behind Anna today and has to go back to his work eventually. Will everyone who is out there today suddenly do a U-turn and start living by their conscience? The trouble, someone mentioned, lies in the education system. Values need to be instilled in children and schools have to do it, so will parents please stop paying bribes er.. donations to their schools and still hope that their child will not be discriminated against? Are they hoping against hope that soon separate classes will be held to teach kids how to approach cops and bribe them surreptiously when they are stopped for a challan for traffic violation?

Will everyone out there who is rooting for Anna (me included) suddenly turn around and become the ideal world we all hoped for? If I refuse to pay bribe to those policemen outside my door, will they allow me to tile along the boundary wall, so that the car doesn’t get stuck in the mud and slush caused by this monsoon rain? More importantly, will I be seen with respect amongst peers and neighbours for standing up against corruption or will I still be referred to as a misfit in today’s world? Will I be shamed for being un-corrupt and not have my self-respect eroded as a result thereof?

Will Anna’s ‘movement’ succeed because he is on a hunger strike or because we, who support him, are willing to look within and start living by our conscience – such as it is.