At 68, start up for the tryst with destiny

68 going on 69 and hopefully counting. We recently celebrated the holiday. Message boxes on smartphones are filled with patriotic messages and old songs. India celebrates freedom. This is a freedom whose hidden price tag of responsibility we have refused to acknowledge. There is no denying that the Parliament is one of the most expensive institutions maintained from the monies of the people.

Perceived from a very simplistic angle the people of India have delegated over 500 people to go and take care of our interests. All of these 500 odd agents/servants of the people fought an election where among various persons willing to work for us and safeguard our interests, we chose these and resultantly instead of all Indians turning up at Parliament these representative do our job.

Now see what they have been doing!! No, I am not blaming the Rahul brigade. I am not supporting the BJP for its stance either. I am only pointing out to the paradox that we the masters are left with no option of helplessly watching our delegates behave in a manner which is irresponsible and we helpless. Full circle.

Another disturbing factor: the Governor on behalf of the State celebrates the Independence Day and one of the platforms of such celebrations is when he invites the who’s who of the state for a High Tea. This is not about the samosas and the biscuits on the table. It is about the constitutional head of state inviting to share precious moments in celebration of the event. The family that eats together lives together.

Every public functionary now holding office is because we are independent India. The genesis of our socio political power flows from our independence. Is it not therefore disturbing if not outright crass when the two chief ministers refuse to join the celebration? Were they too busy to acknowledge the aura of our freedom? Were they ignorant of the event and its importance when they fixed other appointments? Did the office of the Governor fall short of the aura that is required for their august presence? If it were a protest, were they protesting against the celebration of India’s freedom? Or if the protest was a statement of disagreement and a visibility gaining exercise, is not only a matter of degree of difference from the act of a terrorist? Why, why have we gone so so wrong? Why have the political bigwigs so oblivious to the nicer facets of societal existence and constitutional niceties? Is power that ambrosia that intoxicates against accountability and sensitivity? It is so difficult to isolate or be critical of a political party or an individual.

It seems to be an constant endemic in the political wards across parties tiers and persona. Why are we for decades searching for a single person who would put decency on the forefront and fight battles in line with the rules of the game without having to bend the rules or flex muscle.

How do we account to our children to whom we constantly preach the opposite? How do we account to history and the opportunity that history has offered us? We crack jokes at Nehru, are critical of Gandhi, build statues for Patel and Ambedkar, forget Vajpayee and idolise Bose.

Task done? Indian leadership faces a crisis of character because we Indians face a crisis of character. We get to the task of rebuilding it or go down the road. This is where we need to “Start up, Stand up” Otherwise we do every day what our eleven did at Galle on the afternoon of Saturday. It is for us to choose Nehru’s Tryst with destiny or Ashok Mehta’s Date with disaster.

By L Ravichander