The world seems to be filled about posts on Anna Hazare and Lokpal; maybe the last thing that you need is to read one more armchair analysis. It’s a free world though; so I need a place to write and you might not need to read this. So stop here if you think you’ve heard enough! :)

First of all, I give it to Anna for clamouring this much support. It’s no mean feat to rally around so many people for a cause. Have to appreciate that. But is the cause good though? Giving it a naive glance it would seem so. But things are not so simple in the real world. The real world doesn’t comprise of writing blogs, tweeting tweets and liking posts. The real world is a lot different. The real world is a lot more complicated. And I don’t think Anna’s cause is going to have desired effects. Let me try to explain why.

Indians, you and I, have a culture of corruption inbuilt in our genes. It’s not just the politician who’s corrupt – that bracket includes the common average Indian. A simple example. You are caught at a traffic signal violating the red light. The policeman who catches you red handed gives you two options – pay Rs 100 to him and you walk free or he gives you a ticket that needs to paid in court. What would you choose? I bet 90% of you who are reading this would go for option 1. We are inherently corrupt and are willing to sacrifice our principles to cut some corners. That’s the only practical way we know of dealing with such a situation. I myself remember just 2 instances in my life where I have given a bribe. I did have plenty of oppurtunities where I could have bribed.. when I got my passport, when I got my DL, when I built my house – but I never paid a penny. I feel strongly about that; but then again I believe I was just lucky. I never was challenged enough in such situations. If I would have been; when I think about it; I might have paid. Even with so many ‘set’ principles in my head – I admit I’ll be corrupt if the situation demands it.

There is a general misunderstanding that only the person who accepts a bribe is corrupt. The person who gives the bribe is equally responsible. Corruption in India therefore needs to be solved from the bottom levels before we go into tackling it among the highest authorities. Frankly, I don’t see it making any difference at all. I read posts saying that the day Lokpal is passed; India’s going to be transformed overnight into Singapore. Bullshit. In fact, from the way I see it, it’s just going to be the opposite. An Indian does stuff only if he sees an incentive for himself in it. Very very few people are selfless or are keen to be professional in what they do. Applies to politicians, applies to government servants, applies to you, applies to me. Sadly, I think the whole motivation behind a lot of development activities in India is because the people responsible for it see an opportunity for grabbing something for themselves. If they think they’ll be caught; they’ll not take a bribe; they’ll just not do the project also. That’s where India is going to lose. There I said it! – India has actually benefited from high level political corruption. Sad, but true. Corruption is what drives development in India.

Ok, so that was my rant. What is my solution sitting in an armchair? Forget about the guys at the top level. Eliminate the root causes of corruption at the lower levels. Increase the salary of the policeman, the teacher, the clerk, the secretary and every single government servant. So that they don’t feel the need to be bribed to do their job. Atleast some of us would be converted – I’m sure. This may still be naive; but not as naive as telling me that having an additional bureaucratic engine would solve the problems of corruption in India. That would eventually just become another set of officials that need to be bribed. One more obstacle.

Corruption is not a problem that we can afford to solve at this moment in my humble opinion. We as a nation are not at that stage. There are a lot of other pressing problems like poverty, infrastructure and education to solve. Corruption is too big a challenge and too expensive to monitor and eliminate at this point. We’ll someday reach that stage. But we are nowhere near that now.

And like it or not; India is a democracy. Arm twisting the government isn’t the way to get things done in a democracy. Having no politicians is worse than having bad politicians. Think about it.

Let’s be civil. Let’s think of a practical solution to our problem and not indulge in foolishness.

If you know me well, you would have quite easily made out my love for my home-town and how vocal and emotional I can get when it comes to it. Also I recognize the hoards of problems faced by the city. Despite being the political nerve-centre of the most politically active state of the country we never had leaders that have stood up for us. Now I guess we have a chance to change that.

I was elated even when the rumours spread that Shashi Tharoor is contesting from Trivandrum. I am not a big fan of the Congress/UPA policies, but as a Trivandrum-ite we need someone like Dr. Tharoor to lead us to change. It will not be easy for him to coast to a victory despite the credentials he has. But I do hope he pulls through. Trivandrum needs that chance and I hope all Trivandrum-ites think about it and use their vote intelligently. And I think they will do it. After all we did elect the maverick V.K.Krishna Menon when he stood as an independent candidate way back in the 70s.

One more thing : Whether you are not going to support Tharoor or not, do exercise your power to vote. It is your fundamental duty. If you believe all this is beyond you, you don’t even have the moral right to criticize the “system” as we always do. Do our duty first then think about blaming the netas.

I am a strong supporter of socialism and to an extent leftist ideals. I would call my political stand as liberal-left. And yeah till recently you could say I was a supporter – na, that is too strong a word – rather a mild supporter of the Marxist Party. But seeing how things are going, I have to say that support has dwindled down to an extent that I can’t ever imagine them doing any good to our country anymore. Before I start criticizing, I admire the lot of good work they have done, especially in Kerala. They are in part responsible for making Kerala a comparatively “welfare state”. They have, to a large extent, enabled the strides that the state has made in education, equality, health and general welfare of the people.

But thinking about all the blunders they have made in the past, makes me wonder – Don’t they ever learn from their mistakes? First of all before Independence they made twists-and-turns on the whole world war funda, first calling it an “Imperialistic War” and then abruptly switching their stand point when USSR was attacked by Germany. Secondly during the Chinese aggression in the sixties, terming India as the aggressor and justifying the attack by China! How dare they do that? I cannot believe they placed their weight behind foreign interests against their own homeland! After that they sparked off the whole Naxal movement and by the time they realized it has gone too far, things were gone far beyond their control. Did they learn? No they didn’t. They actually opposed computerization in India, saying people will loose their jobs because of it. Well, do I need to explain any further?

And did they learn even after that? No they didn’t. They have again destabilized the political situation here by blindly opposing the nuclear deal. I admit, it has its loop holes, but was it the reason why it was opposed? They are opposing it just because India is dealing with the US. Let me make it clear, I am no fan of the US. But really, whatever you say, they are the only superpower in the world and we are never getting anywhere without having them on our side. To what cost is a question, but did our comrades even consider discussing this? They have been adamant throughout the whole process, opposing it just for the sake of opposing it.

I seriously think the comrades of CPI(M) need to do a good rethink of their strategies and their policies. They have to keep in mind that they are Indians first and communists second. Don’t try to create Videsi solutions for Desi problems please. This country badly needs development. Opposing development citing centuries old reasoning is not going to help anyone.

I am just stating my opinion. Criticisms are most welcome.