Arvind Kejriwal's utterances about the futility and worthlessness of Republic Day celebrations drew tremendous media attention and criticism from his detractors.Was he utterly wrong, when the media was trying to hound him for sabotaging the Republic Day Celebrations, and he said "Republic Day does not mean people enjoying tableau at Rajpath... it means the rule of people. Or " what is the point of celebrating Republic Day when women are getting raped in Delhi ?
Prima facie nothing unparliamentry,derogatory or disrespectful, especially when the onus to bring about a rapprochement and end the impasse(Dharna) rested with the Central Govt. But then, true to their style, to garner a few brownie points, at whatever the cost to the nation and its homogeneity, the opposition and the media went hammer and tongs to project it as the most blasphemous, sacrilegious and anti national comment made by any Indian.The likes of Prakash Jawadekar,of BJP, in order to influence the most apolitical organisation in the country, the Armed Forces, went on to term it as an insult to them. Did Arvind say anything about the Armed Forces? No, nothing! So shouldn't such derelicts(PJ) be tried for sedition when they try to arouse and inflame the passions of uniformed men against a Chief Minster ? Equally untenable and incoherent were the statements made by almost all the spokespersons of other political parties, displaying intellectual bankruptcy that obtains amongst the political class.
Why as a nation are we so hackneyed, intolerant and apathetic to discuss or question some archaic practices. Shouldn't we change with changing times and environment or continue to be stuck in a time warp?
Let us examine the rationale for the pride that we take in the jamboree that occurs on the Raj Path on 26 January. What is it all about? What are we trying to showcase? Is it our Military Might through military hardware,more than 90% of which is imported, or the impeccable demeanour,discipline and commitment of the Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces marching ever so smartly, in inclement weather, to the patriotic melodies of various bands. Or by parading the few gallant men who have earned the highest gallantry awards over the years. Regrettably both are conveniently forgotten by the evening of 26th and remembered and revered only when a calamity strikes the nation. Or Is it the colourful tableau's of various States, which are getting so predictable and jarring over the years.
So what is the message conveyed and the end state achieved by the mega bucks and time spent to host this event.Wonder if anyone has ever worked out the cost/benefit analysis, not economic but cultural,national unity, national pride etc etc.
Can a nation whose 70% of the population lives below the poverty line,toiling relentlessly for two square meals yet dying an impoverished death afford such extravaganza. How proud are we of the fact that many die on the streets of Delhi for want of a shelter in extreme cold yet our Head of the State lives in a 340 room mansion in a estate sprawling over 330 acres, with a repertoire of almost 2000 staff. Or does his travelling in a cavalcade of 20 vehicles led by an entourage of horse riding military men(a battalion of whom is housed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan) down the Rajpath, an imperial legacy inherited from the Viceroys, on 26 January arouse a sense of pride and nationhood in us.
But then he says Govt is not a charity shop.Wonder who is living on charity?
Is Arvind wrong when he questions the status quo and the living prejudices trained against the common man and wants to set them right ? Do we too need some answers or are we going to continue with the blinkers on, reveling in the dreams that the Media, Movies and self serving Politicians sell us.
Prima facie nothing unparliamentry,derogatory or disrespectful, especially when the onus to bring about a rapprochement and end the impasse(Dharna) rested with the Central Govt. But then, true to their style, to garner a few brownie points, at whatever the cost to the nation and its homogeneity, the opposition and the media went hammer and tongs to project it as the most blasphemous, sacrilegious and anti national comment made by any Indian.The likes of Prakash Jawadekar,of BJP, in order to influence the most apolitical organisation in the country, the Armed Forces, went on to term it as an insult to them. Did Arvind say anything about the Armed Forces? No, nothing! So shouldn't such derelicts(PJ) be tried for sedition when they try to arouse and inflame the passions of uniformed men against a Chief Minster ? Equally untenable and incoherent were the statements made by almost all the spokespersons of other political parties, displaying intellectual bankruptcy that obtains amongst the political class.
Why as a nation are we so hackneyed, intolerant and apathetic to discuss or question some archaic practices. Shouldn't we change with changing times and environment or continue to be stuck in a time warp?
Let us examine the rationale for the pride that we take in the jamboree that occurs on the Raj Path on 26 January. What is it all about? What are we trying to showcase? Is it our Military Might through military hardware,more than 90% of which is imported, or the impeccable demeanour,discipline and commitment of the Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces marching ever so smartly, in inclement weather, to the patriotic melodies of various bands. Or by parading the few gallant men who have earned the highest gallantry awards over the years. Regrettably both are conveniently forgotten by the evening of 26th and remembered and revered only when a calamity strikes the nation. Or Is it the colourful tableau's of various States, which are getting so predictable and jarring over the years.
So what is the message conveyed and the end state achieved by the mega bucks and time spent to host this event.Wonder if anyone has ever worked out the cost/benefit analysis, not economic but cultural,national unity, national pride etc etc.
Can a nation whose 70% of the population lives below the poverty line,toiling relentlessly for two square meals yet dying an impoverished death afford such extravaganza. How proud are we of the fact that many die on the streets of Delhi for want of a shelter in extreme cold yet our Head of the State lives in a 340 room mansion in a estate sprawling over 330 acres, with a repertoire of almost 2000 staff. Or does his travelling in a cavalcade of 20 vehicles led by an entourage of horse riding military men(a battalion of whom is housed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan) down the Rajpath, an imperial legacy inherited from the Viceroys, on 26 January arouse a sense of pride and nationhood in us.
But then he says Govt is not a charity shop.Wonder who is living on charity?
Is Arvind wrong when he questions the status quo and the living prejudices trained against the common man and wants to set them right ? Do we too need some answers or are we going to continue with the blinkers on, reveling in the dreams that the Media, Movies and self serving Politicians sell us.
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