Great Expectations

Right from the black and white era, there has always been a satire in our movies in which one character will open up a newspaper and read only death related news and then sigh with exasperation. I used to always think it is an overdose and does not clearly reflect the situation in the country. How I wish I still can think the same way.

After the recent rape incident in bangalore, a part of me is badly ambushed, my self is deeply saddened by the way our society is shaping up. No one is safe, not even a 6 year old kid. What can we expect more. So many of us keep on protesting against such indecent and cheap methods to make one’s point. But how long should we keep protesting and stop acting. To me at times these protest too seems a measure of "vote bank" politics. The only people who have to listen to us refuse to do so, taking shelter in the fact they will lose elections and thereby power if they do the right thing. What is the use of power when you cannot ensure the safety of innocent civilians. What we need in people who are in power is action; not just an analysis of why the same event keeps repeating again. While dealing with the lives of people, how long can we and government blame each other and then do nothing about it. The fear factor that is gripping the country is undoubtedly detrimental in nature.

Recently I was in an auto in one of the bylanes of a metro city. Into one of the narrow lane, (where everyone apparently wants to be first one to move) was a young lady driving a nice red shining Polo from the opposite end. She cruised past the auto without using her dipper nearly surviving the side outer rear view mirror crash. She should have used proper signals before making the move. I agree it was a mistake. But what happened next was shocking and frivolous. The auto driver, a man in his early 50s stepped out, abused the lady and then spitted with rage on her car which had just passed across. The action was so amalgamated with aggression, rage and subtle violence that I could no longer continue in that auto. My morality just didn't allow me. Even if she did not use a dipper before passing across the auto driver's machine, he had no right to spit on her. I immediately left the auto and chose to walk before I get one. But before I left, I just said to him one thing - "Bhaiya, you probably might have a daughter of the lady's age, think before you act"

I often realize, what is it that is stopping us, the police and the politicians from acting tough? To the common man, the solution to this problem looks woefully simple. But to the leaders, it is apparently very complicated. A sense of innovation is clearly missing in coming up with solutions. A sense of courage is clearly missing in dealing with unruly elements. And a sense of compassion is also missing in dealing with the victims. Are we really safe from the whims and fancies of dark element of this not so wise society. Is that the leaders we elect, their only sense of duty stems from the fact that they want power, only power and nothing else.

Alas, we have to understand our fair share too. If you think the only thing you can do is write and protest. Probably not.