Mango People’s Man brings a glimmer of hope!

From the Editor's Desk
By Meena Yeggina

I remember the days when I was preparing for IAS exams. With prelims and main done, a few of us are getting trained for the Interview.  We were students of Dr. Rao’s IAS, a very popular IAS coaching center in Delhi and Hyderabad a quarter of a century ago. Those were some of the most memorable days of my life.  Surrounded with possible future IAS selectees, our preparations were filled with heated arguments, torrid debates and idealistic discussions. I loved being part of it.

My arguments were always idealistic in nature.  Young and full of ferocity, I dreamt of a corruption and caste free India with real and equal rights for women.  My friends used to laugh at me and often argue that I should be more realistic.  They would assert that it wasn’t possible for India to be free of corruption and castes. 

However, then and now, I believe that change always starts with a dream.

Years have gone by and conditions in India turned worse.  Corruption has become vicious and a way of life, casteism and regionism play a dominant part in several areas of daily living and crimes against women have turned extremely violent (we are more aware now though).  Many educated and intellectuals in India have turned away from politics and are busy building their careers abroad.  A lot are depressed with the system and have turned a blind eye.  

At this juncture comes IIT Khargapur’s graduate Arvind Kejriwal, a former IFS officer who had resigned from his prestigious IFS job in protest against corruption.  Imagine the bribes he could have submitted to as an IFS officer instead!  With sheer grit and honesty and a dream that corruption should end in India, Kejriwal began his mission.  Slowly and steadily he proved that if a politician does what he is supposed to be doing –– serve the people and not himself, things could and will fall in place for the better.

A year ago nobody would have believed that he would become a unique and unconventional chief minister of Delhi out to set a new benchmark in governance.  What a miracle! 

AAP has altered public opinion about issues and won people into its trust. Arvind Kejriwal’s background and his actions propelled aam aadmi, (common man) who is until now rooted in pessimism and hopelessness as far as Indian future is concerned is suddenly jolted to wakefulness.  Kejriwal is not about ideology or about promises.  His agenda is to bring power to people and end corruption and to bring in a better way of life. If any doubts remained, his thunderous sweep of Delhi elections wiped them out with his broom, which became a perfect symbol - dignity of labor, cleanup politics and sweeping results as well!!

A huge awakening amongst Indians all across the globe is calmly taking place under the umbrella of Aam Aadmi Party.  As Kejriwal proved his credibility in Delhi elections, he became the symbol of not just honesty and idealism but also of credible and reliable force that can maybe change the future of otherwise such a powerful and viable force as India, which so far is patiently carrying the burden of selfish, old, idiotic, rusted and corrupted politicians.  Indians who have fled the country and have settled all over the globe are promising to come back and support AAM in any way they can.

If some allies regarded Mr. Kejriwal as a committed activist and brilliant tactician, others saw him as an idealist.  With his involving political participation he however, emerged as Beppe Grillo of Indian politics. Like Kejriwal, Grillo positioned himself as a disruptive force in his country’s politics and immediately appealed to a public disenchanted with organized politics and created history. Arvind Kejriwal showed us what it is to serve with passion, conviction, and above all with endearing humility. His Gandhi cap and blue jacket have become fashion symbols amongst youth in Delhi to begin with and now all over India.

What a way for the subcontinent to begin a new year!  Hopefully Kejriwal will live up to the mango man’s expectations.  Like millions of Indians in India and abroad, can’t wait for his clean slate of success!