Victory to Democracy... Thanks to Anna Hazare

I am delighted. Our Country's democratic process has won. The parliament bows down to the wishes of the People. Anna Hazare has shown the way... a peaceful method, listening to the people and a selfless motive can work wonders. When Shilpa and I walked from Bandra to Juhu last Sunday, I was proud to see the huge number of people that had turned out. It was heartening to note that we as the people have peacefully expressed our disenchantment at the way the elected members have been functioning and have forced them to accept our wishes. It is important that We now conduct ourselves in a manner that is representative of the Jan Lok Pal. That we ourselves are beyond corruption and do not get tempted. This day will be a great day ... atleast in my memory.

Azad Maidan and Anna Hazare

I watched various TV channels over the last couple of days covering the Government's bungled up strategy and debates on Anna Hazare and the movement. The debates ranged from calling this a middle class movement (as if corruption does not affect the upper class and lower class - i wonder who coined this) and to the ridiculous -( on reputed channel had invited a so called thinker who considered this to be a upper class movement without thinking about the Dalits. Really, how we all like to argue and debate besides the core point. Whilst I appreciate the media for the coverage of this movement, some times it can really be ridiculous). So it was a relief when we (my wife, a cousin and a close friend) all decided to make a trip to Azad Maidan to express solidarity to the movement against corruption. It was exhilarating to see so many people, young and old alike coming to the ground to show their support. Mayank Gandhi explained what the Jan Lokpal Bill is all about and how it is different from the Bill passed by the Government. It was extremely informative and we realised that it is a movement that requires all the support that everyone can give. It is an opportunity to prove to any Government that they cannot take the People for granted. I dont know if there is any way to convey our thanks to Anna and his team and to all people who are fighting for a Corruption free India.

I have always wondered the reason or purpose behind my existence on earth. Why have I come to this world? As human beings, with the most complicated machine (body) and soul (I believe it exists and is different from the brain/mind ), I thought or still think, that we did not just "happen to be alive" or "get evolved from micro-organisms" according to the Big Bang. I will not debate on Darwin's theory, atleast for now. When I was a kid, I used to think that life is all about being successful. What according to me was success was simple....I had to be famous and loved by all. The way I loved to see Dennis Lillee, Pascoe, Bob Willis and Imran khan bowling in their prime. I was fired by Kapil as India's first genuine all rounder. I was taken in by Sunil Gavaskar's batting and thought he was the greatest cricketer. I thought the Big B was such a superb actor and loved to watch each one of his movies. I thought Pele was the greatest footballer on the surface of the earth. I thought Indira Gandhi was the most powerful person in the country. I thought Kishore Kumar was such a fabulous entertainer. I thought Mr Bhattacharjee, our physics teacher was the most knowledgeable person. Everytime I saw each one of them, I wanted to be as famous as they were. What I wanted to do in life, however changed everytime I found a new idol, whether a cricketer, a footballer, an actor/singer or a politician. Things changed as I grew up and started working. I worked hard in all my jobs and thought some of my bosses were perfect and knowledgeable. I wanted to know everything which they knew and more. I thought success was being knowledgeable or all knowing and being a leader. So I tried to be involved in everything. I became a leader and a boss. But strangely I did not feel successful. I had a wonderful team everytime and they helped me do better. But I realised over a period, that I was not exactly a great leader. I continously endeavour to improve but have a long way to go to be perfect and strong as leaders as supposed to be. At the right side of forty, I am still not sure if I am successful as my definition of success changed. I have realised that you dont run after success, you do your job well and leave it at that. Then, Maybe you will be successful, maybe you will not (does that remind you of the lyrics of Sunscreen by Baz Luhrmann?). Maybe what Lord Krishna in Mahabharata said is after all true. You have the right to work and not to its fruits. Which brings me back to the original question. Why are we here on the earth? To Work? For what? To survive? I read numerous Books...each has its theory. I liked for instance Neale Donald Walsch's "Conversations with God", which conveys that you need to enjoy each day as it brings with it an experience. That is the purpose... to Experience. Because you dont need anything. You are here to experience. Is it true? So is successful living all about experiencing the best of everything that you do and that comes to you? I am still mulling over it.