- Wed, 8 Sep, 2010, 12:34 pm -

- P.Vijay Raghavan -
It has been more than 60 years since our independence but unfortunately the British Imperialistic regime hangover still haunts us. It is inevitable to compare the prevailing situation to the one that existed six decades ago. The syndrome of divide and rule prevails even today in the country with certain politicians using it for their selfish motives. We Indians unfortunately are more exploited today than we were under the British rule. The only difference is that the British ruled over us as a country but here we are facing the music of our own ‘choice’!

One remembers the words of Professor G K Gokhale as he spoke to Mahatma Gandhi during the first meeting after the return of latter from South Africa, ‘Bharat ko gauravshali banao’( make India a nation to be proud of). These very words changed the life of Gandhi and he set upon fulfilling it to the‘t’. The Barrister from South Africa transformed his life for the freedom of the nation. He cunningly used his art of stubbornness to good use and achieved his ‘goal’. He became the ‘Mahatma’ of the country with absolutely nothing for himself. He was even assassinated by hard core thinking group, doubting his noble intentions. Gandhi always preached that we should be self sufficient and self dependant if we are to get freedom. The whole nation not only followed him but leaned on him in difficult situation. The ‘Charkha’ became symbolic of Indianism and started a revolution of sorts.

In democracy the politicians and bureaucracy have equal parts to play. If both of them conspire to be hands in glove with corruption then the state of the State and the country is bound to be in shambles, as is the case of a decade old Jharkhand, still struggling to get started! The so called ‘governments’ changing hands faster than a model would change her attire, have only misled the masses with their false announcements and promises while filling their own coffers They were totally apathetic to the needs of a new State and did not bat their eyelashes while stripping the State naked. It is pathetic that the State’s capital is yet to see a sign of development leave aside the fate of entire State. The ‘British’ at least ensured that the entire nation had enough infra-structure to pursue their high-handedness but the politicians and bureaucrats here only exploited the possibilities of improving upon their own revenue with corrupt intentions. Politics has become a commercial venture with view of multiplying the poll investments. It undoubtedly has become a ‘flourishing’ business as could be witnessed by the grand life style of these politicians. They are literally ‘making hay while the sun shines’ caused by political compulsions. They are far worse than the British, who at least had loyalty towards the throne.

- In a State like Jharkhand, mostly infested with rural ill literate populace, the people are easily hoodwinked by the politicians in name of ‘domicile and religion’. However after getting elected, the same leaders are least bothered with any of the suffering or needs of the rural people who brought them to power. On the contrary, these leaders suddenly develop a huge ego and become inaccessible to the common public. The ‘men’ of streets all of a sudden develop threat phobia and surround themselves with high level (Z+) security and travel in luxury cars that they never even would have dreamt of in their wildest dreams!

Come elections and the same politicians change their colors as a chameleon and start the ‘British’ game of divide and rule! Caste- religion- mud slinging, being the common weapons. Riots and demonstrations are manipulated and public property destroyed blatantly, totally forgetting that it was’ theirs’ as Indians. Innocent by-standers, fellow Indians, always bear the brunt of this vandalism. The very motive of independence was lost in this madness for power! ( Mahatma Gandhi would be wincing at the goings-on, wherever he is! May god rest his soul in peace?)

We really need to seriously introspect on the system of democracy! It is time we act as ‘independent’ Indian to select and elect the people who are more Indian in their outlook than being’ British’. The common Indian has the most powerful of all weapons- his ‘vote’. He has to learn to use it judiciously so as the nation as a whole prospers, not just a selfish individual. If our ancestors succeeded in ridding of 100000 British to liberate the country from imperialist rule then getting rid of a handful of selfish politicians should pose no problem! The sooner we identify the ‘British’ amongst us, in our independent nation, the better for Indians and India per se! It’s the right time for the current generation to wake up to the challenges and pave a prosperous way for the coming generations – The Indian way.