WHY SIT ON A FAST! DO ANNA DAANA INSTEAD

India lies in poverty even when its middle class youth seem to be celebrating its economic success in the global arena.  Half of its children are malnourished, most of the working sector is unorganized and the lower castes and classes have no access to even primary education in many villages.   Farmers in many villages are still committing suicides due to abject poverty.  There are villages, where people have not seen electricity till date or are faced by serious electricity cuts.  The reservations and quotas help only those who have access to resources but not those who are deprived of any resources.   The mothers of children from these classes do not even know when, where and how the next food for their children is going to come.  The Government schools exist only in paper in many areas, while healthcare is almost Nil in the deprived areas.  They are left to their fate and become susceptible to superstitions to overcome their difficulties.  Isn’t it ironical that suddenly some Messiahs have chosen to fast for the well-being of the country while they are compelled to fast? 

An ordinary farmer gets a pittance for the produce while the same is being sold for a bumper profit by the middlemen and by the time it reaches the customers, it burns a serious hole in their pockets.  This inflation is generated mainly due to the distribution network deliberately created to help the middlemen and vested interests who pocket the profits while the real Anna Daatas languish in mediocrity.  The children of the unorganized sector are forced to work as they do not have the luxury to pursue education.  Many of them do menial jobs at daily rate of wages.  A candidate has to pay hefty bribe to become a Police Constable or a peon in municipal service.  The condition of police quarters housing many constables is in such a dilapidated condition, that one look at them will bring tears in the eyes of many.  You cannot live like a Harischandra in such depressed conditions.  They take bribes, yet they are overworked, especially during religious festivals which happen round the clock in India.  The vacancies in the Police force never get filled and the existing constable has to bear additional burden while discharging his duty.  Today, the CBI needs autonomy and independence to register against officials of Joint Secretary and above without prior permission of the Government.  The same is asked by some self appointed civil society groups but via a body called the Lok Pal.  They could have fought for strengthening the CBI and reforming the Police and Judicial System, but the Lok Pal is needed to enhance their personal goals. 

The lure of Power, Fame and Money corrupts everybody.  India is in need of serious Electoral reforms and a transparent and liberal tax structure.  Contesting elections should not be the preserve of the rich and famous alone.  Leave elections, parents cannot get admission for their children without paying donations to schools.  A citizen has to battle for the basic needs like better roads, public transport, electricity, water etc.  There is simply no accountability in Public Service.  Five-day fight against corruption cannot solve these problems.  What will you do, if the government servant won’t take any bribe but sit on the file doing nothing for long as his position in the government is secure.  Unless they are made accountable, they won’t render any satisfactory services.  The Right to Service Act which can stipulate the deadlines by which some essential services has to be completed can help in a long way to bring accountability among the government staff and rein in corruption.  Corruption has become like a way of life.  Few fasts and change in laws won’t make any difference to the affected lot.  Basically, even if the Lok Pal is formed, the investigation has to be done by the Police and CBI only.  But no one has cared to think what ails the Police and CBI and how to motivate them and make them accountable. 

Various reforms have been suggested by various expert committees formed from time to time. Why no follow up is made by the so called civil society and the media to ensure they are implemented.  The complainants are scared to come out in open to lodge complaints while some professional complainants blackmail those in power and encash themselves at the cost of many.  Mere change of governments will only change the beneficiaries but the system remains the same.  It happens in many cases, that even Ministers have to vacate their offices due to electoral reverses, but the bureaucrats remain the same and make hay as the sun shines at them all the time.  Any one who fights for the rights and against the lacunae in the system should understand that Constitution is supreme and he is not above it.  Anna Hazare’s claim that he will continue fast if the Lok Pal Bill is not tabled by August 15 is childish and makes it appear that Anna Hazare is above Parliament.  You have to make your opinions heard through sustained campaign in a democracy.  It is a long winding road with no shortcuts.  The Chief Fasting Officer and Ayurvedic Specialist taking allopathic treatment in Dehradun dispensary must have realized that taking up causes just to stay in limelight can lead to adverse consequences also.  I would like these super rich NGOs to do a favor to this country.  If they have run out of ideas, please do not indulge in yet another fast.  Organize Anna Daanas in various parts of the country.  Those deprived will be happy to have their stomachs full for a day, atleast.