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Does
India Really Need A Superman?
By Harsh Sinha
Sept. 21, 2008 |
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I want to
quench my inborn thirst; I want to veil my bare
skin pores; I want a cemented crown above my
head; I want metallic coins for a cup of tea; I
want crispy hard notes to devour circular
chapatti with an onion. Who am I? – An Indian!
Are the metro cities the only concern and Indian
villages of no importance for our government? Is
our love only an ostentatious display of
materialism? Are McDeees and Pizza Huts the only
destination for the empty bellies? Are Cokes and
whiskies the only solutions with no solvent?
Don’t think about the queries.
Now, I come to the point – no – not a point, but
a point circle on which I am revolving since the
day one of my life. This circle is bounded by a
very tenuous arrow mark of democracy. Ravana of
Satyug could not cross the Lakshman Rekha and
thus, abducted Sita. But in Kalyug, the
Democratic Rekha has been traced by fake
Lakshman. Democratic Rekha allows Ravana to
trespass and blocks the exit gate for Sita. And
thus, abduction is easier in the twentyfirst
century. Think… I have seen civilizations
developing into a nation. I have borne the
insolent and indignified treatments under the
British rule. But I also knew the way by which I
hurled the whites – the racists out of my
nation. Sometimes I became Bhagat Singh and
Subhash Chandra Bose and sometimes Mahatma
Gandhi and then an independent Indian citizen.
But, sorry, I am not independent.
Because I am seeking help from the first world
nations to feed my children. Because I need
helping hands while sinking into oblivion in the
fathomable depth of the River Kosi – the Sorrow
of Bihar. Because I am begging for a mole of
bread. I don’t want to put a mask on my face
because I am charming. I want to borrow Western
culture and imbibe its hue on my naked arms and
legs and bleach my face to become white because
I think that whites are considered superior to
the blacks.
Once upon a time... After the Amritsar Massacre
of 13 April, 1919, I, as Tagore, wrote to the
then Viceroy of India, C.F.Andrews:
‘The universal agony of indignation roused in
the hearts of our people has been ignored by our
rulers – possibly congratulating themselves for
imparting what they imagine as salutary
lessons….. I for my part want to stand shorn of
all special distinctions, by the side of those
of my countrymen who for their so called
insignificance are liable to suffer degradation
not fit for human beings.’
Once again in the present scenario…. After the
Delhi Bomb Blasts of 13 September, 2008, I, as,
one of the venerated leaders of the opposition
party said:
‘I must be frank… I am deeply upset by the
tendency exhibited by some to speak out of turn
and even make public statements about
prospective alliances and other aspects of our
election strategy. Does this happen in any other
party? Negative trends that give rise to the
perception of disunity must be firmly curbed. We
should reach out to young first-time voters with
comprehensive agenda for good governance,
development and security.’
SECURITY SECURITY SECURITY - VERY TRUE.
Guess what? – I have changed. My ideologies have
changed with the constant turning of the wheel
of time. There was a time when I used to think
about the wrongdoings in the corridor of power
in my own motherland. But now, there are
divisions, parties, religions, states,
territories and egos.
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is
held high; ….
Where the world has not been broken up into
fragments by narrow domestic walls; … Into that
heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country
awake."
But I am still sleeping in the heaven and need a
Superman for waking me up into the heaven of
FREEDOM.
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