Ancient Indians – Satya Samhita

I am very happy that Annaji has promised to break his fast tomorrow.

It was in a rather disturbed mood that I went to Freedom Park today. I did not want to hear the parliamentary debate on tv. I wanted to be in the park with like minded people and draw on their strength and optimism.

When we registered, a small boy gave me a “0 Rs” anti-corruption note. It was delightful.

We landed up as Santosh Hegde was speaking. I was very happy and managed to get a glimpse of him through the crowds. His speech was brilliant and laced with the droll Kannada Humour where what is unsaid is far more important than that which is said. The joke is in what is implied. I have some pictures which I shall have to upload later.

Then suddenly they announced that Upendra was going to speak next! I am a huge fan and never in my life did I think I would get to see him or hear his speech. The speech was classic Upendra, and we all were roaring with laughter at what was said, what was unsaid and what was implied and referred to. What an unexpected bonus! With my son’s help I jumped up to see him but could not. But later when I got a place to sit, he came back to introduce some 8 handicapped people who wheel-chaired their way from Bagalkot!!!

So I did get to see this superstar who is in fact far more handsome in person than he is on screen!

We listened to the speech made by the leader of the wheel chair team. We sang the lokpal song, vandemataram (ananda math), and other songs.

Some girls from St. Josephs college behind us called out “Bolo Bharat Mata Ki” and the whole hall resounded with “Jai”!

After that wonderful time, in which were made to take a solemn pledge against corruption and after going round the freedom park (once more).. we had to go home.

We resolved that we would walk the entire distance if necessary but would not pay “excess fare on extortion.”

Since the “outside” world is still following its own ways, we had to ask many auto drivers and finally found one who was willing to drop us off for meter-fare , 1.5 km away from home.

After coming home, I just checked the headlines and switched off the tv again. I could not bear the idea of watching insensitive people trudge out their views on a matter that is so close to my heart. I don’t know how Arnab Goswami does it. More strength to him!

Finally, I heard the speech where Annaji said he would stop fasting at 10 am tomorrow. Music to my ears. And saw some news highlights.

Annaji has given us all a tough lesson in coming together, putting aside our differences and selfishness and egos and cowardice and apathy, and given us all a course correction as a nation. Of course some people did not opt for this lesson and sat it out. But for those of us who did “take his class” it was a tremendous and valuable life changing exercise and opportunity.

The leaders of this second freedom struggle have shown me that my voice can count, my voice can make a difference and have given me a feeling that there are good, strong people in this country who will stand for what is right and I know who they are. This gives me a sense of well being.

I know Annaji’s path is not easy at all. It is physically easier to stay out of everything.

But when people were asked how long would they support Annaji, many said it was as long as he asked them to. In my case, it will be as long as I live. Because his cause is our cause. And because it needs a lot of people to work hard and contribute.

And perhaps I won’t be second guessing my own ability, thinking of my self as a squirrel. I sense I can do more than I have done in my life up to now.

Jai Guru Anna Hazaare! Bharat Mata ki Jai!!

(AustereSeeker : I did yoga And went for a walk today! So you should be happy!)

Satya

Other posts on Current Affairs

• Current Affairs : Is India letting Anna die?
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption : Thoughts : The Coming Together of Civil Society
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption : Team Anna : Prashanth Bhushan
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption : What is Zero Hour? Resolution? Rule 193? 388? Short Duration Discussion?
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption : Anna Hazaare : Tapas, Dharma : Conversations with my Veda Guru
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption : Lokpal Bill : Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice
• Current Affairs : Anti-corruption Movement : Ms.Aruna Roy, Member NAC
• Current Affairs : Thoughts on Corruption and on the Anti-Corruption cum People Empowerment Movement
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption Movement : A pilgrimage to Freedom Park (Central Jail), Bangalore
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption : International Organisations
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption Movement : Manish Sisodia : People’s Empowerment through transparent, accountable, governance (PRCF)
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption Movement : Arnab Goswami : Times Now : Coverage
• Current Affairs : Freedom Park, Bangalore – A Sakthi Peetham : Anti-Corruption Movement : Anna Hazaare
• Current Affairs : Anti-Corruption Movement : Anna Hazaare : Freedom Park, Bangalore : Photographs
• Current Affairs : Squirrel’s Support : Chanting Gita to express support for Anna
• Current Affairs : Squirrel Support : Locations where you can walk/meet to express support for Anna. (Map Link) :
• Current Affairs : Rajeev Chandrasekhar : To Table Jan Lokbal Bill in Rajya Sabha
• Current Affairs : Stand up and be counted : I remember… : Kavana Sarma
• Subhashita : Bhartruhari : Svartha, Parartha : For the Self, For Others : Ete Satpurushah
• Current Affairs : Discredit, Divide and Rule policy
• Current Affairs : The power of unselfishness : Nihswartha : Anna Hazaare
• Current Affairs : Jai Kiran Bedi!

• Current Affairs : Happy Belated Independence Day!
• Current Affairs : Give a Call : India Against Corruption : Indian Self-Empowerment
• Current Affairs : Arvind Kejriwal : A Hero of our times.
• Current Affairs : The gun-less classes : unarmed people, armed state machinery
• Current Affairs : The Victims of Corruption Fight Back!
• Current Affairs : Praying for Anna Hazare