Anna Hazare

[bibzgi]

What's happening in India lately is interesting.

See: "nytimes.com/2011/08/28/world/asia/28india.html" and "hindustantimes.com/Not-a-Gandhi-but-his-protest-good-for-India/Article1-738670.aspx"

My co-Americans love to complain about corruption in government but that's about as far as it goes. We trust in the almighty dollar and we play the two-party shell game.

Anupam, I know that "politics" is a sensitive issue, but is it alright to discuss current affairs under ChitChat? I definitely won't discuss religion or sexuality!

[Anupam]

Hi bibzgi, yes, its fine as long as the discussion does not extend to politics, or religious, or other such objectionable topics.

Thanks for sharing about Anna Hazare. This is certainly not a political issue. Bibzgi, as you said, here too people used to talk about corruption a lot, but they were not able to do anything about it, until now. This movement against corruption is led by Anna Hazare, and we have been witnessing it, here in India. Corruption in India is a major problem, ranging from the lowest to the highest levels, in every field. The people have been troubled with it a lot. This movement gave them all a chance to come forward against corruption. Everyone is troubled by this evil, and therefore, we saw people in every city, in every village, out on streets protesting against corruption, and supporting this anti-corruption movement.

The movement is about constructing an independent body which will look into corruption matters without the interference of politicians, or others. The body wants to cover anyone from Prime Minister, to judiciary, to govt officials, from lower level to higher level. To this, the govt was not agreeing to. And that is why this movement took place.

Anna Hazare joined this movement, and gave it a direction, and got the people involved, and that's how this movement became a success. And needless to say that this movement can only be led by people who themselves are non-corrupt, and have led a clean life. Anna is one such person. He was there in the Indian army, and after that, he has been doing social work. He does not have a home, he lives in a temple, in a 8 by 10 feet room. He has been awarded India's highest awards for his social work. He is strong follower of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals, and this showed in the movement. This movement was all over India, and millions of people were on street, but it was all peaceful, and nowhere there was any report of violence, even when police arrested them. That's why this movement has been remarkable. People protested, and wanted reforms, because they have been sick of corruption since years.

And ultimately, the govt had to give in, and agreed to having a discussion, and a vote in the parliament for bringing forth such a law. The process has started taking shape. This is the starting of a new era, which should lead to a corruption free India.

I hope such movements take place all over world, wherever corruption is a problem.

Thanks for mentioning this here .