A Call for an Intellectual Renaissance

India is now on the threshold of a social revolution

Give it the backing of an intellectual regeneration

Instead of remaining imprisoned in selfishness and bigotry

Let’s take freedom to think big and cleanse our democracy

Anna Hazare has come out bravely to kindle the flame

It’s time we stood with him boldly to uphold the same

It’s time we raised our voice so high that by its sharpness

All wanton chains that bind our Mother(land) get broken

It’s time we sacrificed our hearts and brains so selflessly

That all those slumbering indifferently will surely be awoken

It’s time all those who work with paper, pen, canvas and mike

For the welfare of our nation, now become more bold and outspoken

It’s time we sought more means, creative and constructive

That will root out corruption and reform the entire nation

It’s time we enlightened the masses, not just rouse them to action

It’s time we strove for conciliation, not confrontation

It’s time for reconstruction, not destruction

It’s time to support Anna Hazare

For the real freedom of our Nation.

A Letter to All My Countrymen on Independence Day 2011

Dear Friends:

As our country celebrates the 64^th Anniversary of its Independence from British Rule, we are on the eve of our second great Freedom struggle. This time we seek freedom from the Rule of Corruption.  But it needs to be well remembered that now our adversaries and our situations are different. So, rightly enough, the tools and means we adopt should also be different.

In Anna Hazare we have a great crusader and leader of the masses, no doubt. He is one person who is capable of mobilizing the masses to get our country on the right tracks. His team is also highly appreciable. But, all my admiration for him and his team not withstanding, I regret to admit that, on a personal ground, I feel Team Anna’s  means and approaches with regard to the Lokpal Bill Issue are too uncalled for at the moment. Although the movement intends to keep itself non-violent, peaceful and democratic, there are high chances of its unintentionally instigating violence and transgressing democracy, in the near future. This needs to be averted. At the same time we need to understand that the Lokpal Bill is not going to be the ultimate solution to the problem of corruption plaguing our country today. So overall there is a need to rethink on the issues, prioritize our goals, sanitize our means and mobilize the masses with a view to achieve the desired ends the most democratically, peacefully and effectively. We want a civilized movement not civil unrest. We want to cleanse our democratic system not have it overthrown completely. We want to safeguard, not imperil, the unity, security and stability of our country.

Although a Movement is commonly defined as a largely informal and unorganized group, a Social Movement can and should, metamorphose itself into a well-organized group, in order to be more democratic and efficient, especially when the task at hand is not an easier one. If the present day anti-corruption crusaders at the national level (including Team Anna) are able to direct the energy and enthusiasm of the masses (especially of our awakening youth) towards a concerted and concrete action, peace and prosperity can be ensured to a large extent in our nation. Our abundant resources can then be beautifully harnessed to earn us a pride of place in the group of developed nations. Real freedom will reign our nation then. A considerable check on corruption at all levels would be possible and poverty and social injustices would then be greatly reduced.   

So to this cancerous problem of corruption at all levels, as a solution, I suggest the formation and implementation of a “Well-Organized, Comprehensive and Constructive Nationwide Movement to Combat Corruption”. A Movement, as suggested, will prove to be and can serve as a new organ of Democracy, no doubt. To think on something new and different is always a bit too difficult. But I have full faith in the people of this country and hope, one day or the other, those who really matter will come to realize the need for such a Movement which will really be based on the principles that not all are corrupt and evil and that not all who are corrupt and evil will remain so for ever. 

Ours is really a great country. Our forefathers (including the Father of our Nation) sacrificed their lives to give us the benefits of freedom. Let us take care to conduct ourselves rightly to safeguard that freedom and add to it constructively to provide worthy benefits to the present generation as well as to posterity. 

Wishing you all a great and meaningful Independence Day Anniversary,

Kannan G

(A humble citizen of India)

‘Seldom Won’ by Shri. Hasmukh Amathalal

Independence, liberty and freedom

Bloodlessly won seldom

Stalwarts and leaders had shown wisdom

This all we now read in class rooms

Who will not want to be in free country?

Where it is classless, non racial and sans misery

What else can be dreamed of to lead it happily?

And country is surging ahead steadily

Foreign occupants are taken as cruel and marauders

Their position is that of land hungry and invaders

They might have plundered the country in process

And brutally murdered for gaining the access

All said and done and now they have packed

No more claims on our land is staked

We are fully independent and sovereign

Free from any yoke as independence is regained

What is scenario there after?

Is country leading towards disaster?

Is the freedom struggle really a boom?

Is there any scope for poor with room?

It has tuned into grim reality

It has proved our incompetence and inability

We have pushed country into Dark Age

We failed to look after people and manage

Farmers are committing suicide

Politicians are asking for free ride

Everybody is on rampage and hands are full of corruption

The loot is clearly seen and going on without any interruption

Yes, death is wealth

To take pride for Poor's health

Where are we today on this freedom day?

Can they take us to peaceful way?

Can we not dream for two square meals?

Can they not strike a simple deal?

They come once in five years

To feed with oasis waters in deaf ears

No answer may ever be found

Our economy is claimed to be sound

All well but country is in ill health

Entire country is robbed of its wealth

Guest Blogger - 1 ("Root out Corruption" by Shri. Hasmukh Amathalal)

We heaved a little sigh

When Indian tri color rose high

It was free air for us to breathe

Entire world was happy and eager with

We won the independence with great struggle

Even though challenges stayed ahead with troubles

Our forefathers visualized India as great and tolerant giant

A truly democratic, peace loving and non defiant

We were like infant in new world

Committed to peace and no part in cold era

Joining world forums for stable and peaceful atmosphere

Where world can live in harmony and peace without fear

Soon we tested the money power

The power was passed in the hands of fewer

It has become game and now total shameless show

World is strangulated and forced to withdraw

Had those leaders been alive today?

They should have wept and thrown the power away

Was this the dream they wanted to realize?

Scoundrels and murders were meant to oblige

The corruption is at its peak

The politicians have captured it with stick

The money is poured in to realize the power

The constitution is subverted to benefit the fewer

National wealth is pushed outside country

The poor nation is at the mercy of almighty

Not millions but billions are siphoned

Illiterate and mafias have totally cloned

It is new breed and now coming on scene

The murderers and gang rapists are freely seen

Not a single work is done without favor

Whole political system needs one tremor

What do we do then to counter such move?

How can we unite and forcibly remove?

Whether to face the game of ballots or bullets?

How can we simply witness such corruption or forget?

 Years have gone off after becoming republic

Adding more and more sufferings for poor public

No grains and no food for two square meals

How much loss is reported or revealed?

Food grain is rotting in open railway land

Few more places are allowed to become wetland

More damage means more benefit and gain

Does it not pinch our heart and cause the pain?

I shed tears for all those who have nothing

At least this could offer them meals for something

What do they want from us for honorable living?

We are still harping on democracy and deceiving?

Oh, God befall curse on us and lead to the end

Let the life be over with the foes but not friends

What our people are doing on their own brethren?

Why have they no pity or slight concern?

They have become thick skin persons

Enormous wealth has blinded them with selfish reasons

Even seasons do change after some interval

These culprit politicians wait only for cyclone’s arrival

Not a single field is left for corruption

It goes on unabated without any interruption

Some like minded persons should come forward for its disruption

Else this system will kill us all without any questions

Dictators are far better than these hungry wolves

They have to serve only one master but not for all to involve

Power corrupts all but absolute power corrupts absolutely

The powerful struggle must be waged and faced resolutely

Leave everything behind and form one solid group

Choose the people with integrity and stage a coup

Not coup for causing bloody street battles and cause a misery

But a solid signal of public uprising and conveyed to adversary

It is time to strike at its root

If we really want to enjoy the fruit

The system has failed and caused anxiety

The power has slipped into hands of mighty

It was one revolution that took place

We are determined with it to replace

We want no such system that can keep us hungry

Complete population is up in arms and angry

We shall bring down any such misrule

The politicians are having their hands full

They have no time for public concern

It is now their high time and turns

Not all may be corrupt and criminals

But their performance and inactions baffles

Why can’t they raise their concern in open?

Why do we wait for fruits to ripen?

The farmers are committing suicides

They have no place to cry and confide

High debts and government’s policy drive them to corner

The high handedness may be over sooner or later

Let the bad rulers know that their days are numbered

Their each move may be countered and outnumbered

If not hanging in public place then their place is behind bars

In day time public will show them shining stars

What are we called upon to combat such nuisance?

To express strong resolve in everybody’s presence

Not to yield to any pressure for coming to compromise

Until they take pledge and honestly work with promises

Our forefathers may be lamenting about brewing bubbles

How many people might have sacrificed their lives for independence struggle?

Who were they and what was going to benefit to their families?

No one has answer today about the independence and its utilities

If not death then at least public condemnation

Publicly announce their names with notifications

Let whole world know that these are the public enemies

They have snatched the hard earned money and bread from the families

The red fort can be ideal place for murders, hoarders and black marketers

It can pass the red signals for those who are considered big racketeers

Nothing can be spared for all those who involve in anti national activities

The nation has no dearth for such talents and can demonstrate abilities

 Each one from families may have to come forward

With complete resolve to lay down life and not to look back ward

The time has come to strike and get rid of such corrupt regime

We will not relent until they are forced to surrender with “ism’

Rise o, country men and knock the corrupt people out

Make them realize that this is their fate and possible route

Nothing can now save them from public ire and wrath

They will be driven away in open and sometimes face the death

We have one of the best systems in world

Only we need to create a safe and new fold

Where rich and poor, businessmen and farmers

Can exist side by side in spring and summer

(Shri. Hasmukh Amathalal is a prolific poet of our times

well known for his spontaneity and deep social awareness. )