Anna Hazare's Fast Became More of a Televised Spectacle than a Social Issue

The greatly viewed Anna Hazare protest was much talked about, widely appreciated and supported, while it lasted. But its culmination led to the rise of many questions, about our government, the people, the judiciary, the validity of such extra-constitutional protests and most of all, about the role of the media in our great democracy. Even the otherwise righteous judiciary   put it in very un-judicial language, saying, “What the hell is going on???”

So at a recent debate, on the topic - 'Anna Hazare’s Fast Became More of a Televised Spectacle than a Social Issue’, I expressed my opinion supporting the statement. Here it is-

My 5-yr old cousin knows who Anna Hazare is. He knows exactly what he did in April to fight for his demands. He just missed out on a small detail. WHAT did Anna want. Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. I, Vibhor Mathur, stand here today to sincerely support the notion put up by the House, ‘

What we are debating here today might hurt a sensitive nerve with all the ideological fundamentalists in the room. And hence I want to clarify before I begin, that I’m not against Anna Hazare or against his cause. I do not doubt his credibility, his intentions nor am defaming his fight. I am only against the sensationalisation of news by the media, diluting the very substance in the issue.

My first point, is the fact that the media's portrayal of the movement was hyperbolic yet, ignored important aspects related to the protest, such as what was really happening about the Jan Lokpal Bill. For example, on the 7^th of April, Dainik Jagran ran a huge report about all the film stars who reached Jantar Mantar to support Anna Hazare. They all talked about how important this cause was to them. The newspaper had absolutely no mention of the developments of the bill in the Government. India TV repeatedly broadcast images of Anna Hazare lying down, exhausted by his fast, in order to generate sympathy from the viewers. With due respect to the crusader, I find it highly exaggerated on the part of the media to run these clips or articles in an overdrive. The media compromised its professional values by bringing in their biases in this ambitious war of TRPs.  For the record, he was far from ill at that time. He had lain down just to get the routine medical check-up done on him! The man deserves all the credit for what he did. But all that the newspapers talked about was the people who came, or what Anna’s Blood Pressure was, how he was the Modern Mahatma Gandhi etc. I just want to ask my worthy opponents one question, how is that in any way helping in our fight against corruption?

Secondly, like I said in the beginning, what matters is what he demanded. How he fought for it, though inspiring, is not as significant as what he fought for. People’s failure to understand this nullified the intensity of the impact of the protest, by giving it a garb of frivolousness.

Thirdly, I feel that most of the support provided was hollow and not substantial.  We all wore T-shirts with slogans, wrote fancy Facebook statuses, had animated discussions, all in support of his protest. But how many of us are even aware of the demands made by him for the Jan Lokpal Bill? Do we realize that the Lokpal we are fighting for so blindly, would actually have immense power and control, making him a potential candidate for corruption and despotism!

My main cause of dissent from the whole ordeal, ladies and gentlemen is the fact, that despite all the hype and mobilization the media created, what people supported was the Bill. Not the fight against corruption. While people went to Jantar Mantar to shout slogans in support of Anna Hazare, they would’ve bribed the policeman when they jumped the Yusuf Sarai Red Light. The problem is that most people didn’t really take a pledge to combat corruption throughout their lives. Most of them supported the bill as it was the latest social fad. The widespread support that the campaign got was the result of being a part of the very trendy anti-establishment attitude.

I know that when I go back, people would accuse me of discrediting Anna Hazare’s sacrifice. I, on the contrary, cast the same aspersions on the media, for having defeated the cause Anna and his followers represented. 

Thank You.

What the World Cup Means.

The Team: For Team India, touted by experts worldwide as probably the best team in the world, this is the best opportunity to win the Cup. This team, with its own set of imperfections, as a unit has played some of the most spectacular cricket we have seen. It’s India’s most talented team till date, and has the best chances of winning the Cup. Time and again, it has been criticized (not without sufficient proof) of not performing in the biggest and the toughest of situations. This World Cup is a great opportunity for them to prove their mettle, and show what they are capable of. It is a title that will remove all the unnecessary criticism off their backs.

For the Captain: It’s the moment to actually introspect into where he has drawn flak from the experts. People would argue that it’s too late to do that now, as nothing gets bigger than the World Cup. I, on the other hand, feel that the World Cup, though the most important tournament in the game, is far from being the end of the world. The Captain needs to realize what the team lacks while playing at such an international platform and work on that immediately.

For the youth in the team: This is probably India’s youngest team ever. It is also the first opportunity for many of them to play international cricket at the highest level. What better experience can a 22-year old get than playing in the World Cup, that too on home soil? It’s the best opportunity for their potential to be fully tapped as nothing can be less intimidating than playing at home.

For Sachin Tendulkar: Ted Corbett said, “To represent the stature and the greatness of a man like Sachin Tendulkar, even the biggest statue, made in the most precious metals won’t be enough. Because only Sachin Tendulkar is Sachin Tendulkar.” This is most probably his last World Cup, (unless he plays till he is 42, which is far from impossible!!) and also his best prospect to be a part of an Indian World Cup-winning team. Easily the best batsman in the world, he deserves this honour and desperately wants it this time. Despite the fact that his valiant efforts went in vain in the 2003 World Cup, he is determined to prove a point this time. And, it might also give him his hundredth international hundred.

For the people of India: I don’t even want to start out on what cricket means to this nation. In a country where people forgo medicines to buy TV sets to watch matches, where people demand national holidays on days of important matches, where people are more bothered about celebrating a victory than their own birthday, where absolute strangers can talk like best friends about cricket, where Tendulkar’s injury is more important than their own dying of cancer, where every child stands up atleast once in his lifetime to announce, “I want to grow up and be a cricketer”!  Cricket isn’t a religion. It’s water. Absolutely imperative for their survival. If India wins the World Cup, lives of people will be changed forever. People will forget their miseries, and stand up as brothers celebrating the moment. Of course, the fact that it is being played in our own country is just the cherry on the cake!

For the Poor in India: This event, as contrasted with the CWG (*hint hint*) has a majority of its ownership with the private sector and has certified poverty upliftment initiatives, like the ‘Reliance Rs50,000 per Six per School Programme’. This is an event which can rightfully claim to be an international event with effective implications for the poor in our country. This competition is also going to contribute lakhs of rupees to the Rural Sports Development Fund of India, which according to me, comes under a Ministry under the dynamic leadership of Mr Ajay Maken.

I write this on the eve of the most awaited match, between India and Pakistan. The outcome of this match can’t be predicted and India’s fate in unknown. Yet, we stand here, with our fingers crossed, faith in Dhoni and his men and hearts praying that India wins and the glory comes home. 

Wealth for the Commons.......

Turn of the millennium...... 65% of India’s population still dependent on agriculture, but contributing to less than 30% of the GDP...... More than 5 lakh farmers committing suicide, every year...... Farmers, holding on to dear life, under the gruesome tyranny of the landowners and moneylenders....... More than 42% of our population below the poverty line........ More than 45% of the population illiterate, and less than 15% reaching high school........ But our very worthy ministers prefer to spend Rs 4318 on a ‘toilet roll’. Welcome to India, 2010.

Today, the Commonwealth Games are in full swing, and our sportspersons are winning numerous laurels. My chest swells an extra two inches, hearing about the pouring in of medals, and India rising in that tally. Yet, my head hangs in shame at how we have failed to tackle so many other fundamental problems in our country, of MUCH greater importance than the Games.

Our Government is more interested in showing off to the world its rising global superiority through an event that seems inconsequential in comparison to all these monstrosities. Say, the Commonwealth Games are a success…. so what? Four years later they’d be hosted in some other country. But agriculture? Education? Poverty? These issues are not 11-day events. They are here to stay!

Let me clarify my stand.... I was only against hosting the games, But, I told and tell everybody, that now that they are happening, its no point in opposing them. I just wanted to bring forward the first part of my statement through this article. I am not criticising the Games. I am not criticising sport. I am just saying that first things first, guys! Now that the Games are finally happening, I agree that I should not be sitting and cribbing about them, but celebrating in the joy of the sport. Trust me, I AM! I do a little jig every time Sania Mirza hits that ace, every time Vijender Singh delivers that brutal punch! My cellphone ringtone is the “O Yaaron....Yeh India, Bula Liya....” anthem, and my PC wallpaper is the CWG logo. And this in no way is "fake" or "hollow" support. It is heartfelt. I am CELEBRATING EVERY MOMENT OF THESE GAMES! But I still can’t stop pitying the lack of maturity on the part of our ministers. Simply, because our country has a lot more to do, before it can start concentrating on hosting international sporting events.

I am not against the development of sports in our country! Not at all! I am only against Rs.35 thousand crore being spent on projects that do not benefit most people! I would be one of the happiest people if our athletes got worldwide recognition and fame. I personally am against the common taxpayer’s money being used for something that doesn’t work for the benefit of every individual in our country, especially when contrasted to something as fundamental as, say, agriculture.

Also, the measures being taken for beautification of the city are shocking!  Outstation students were evicted from their hostels, to house Games officials. Every single hostel, barring three, is EMPTY.  The Delhi Government is clearing off all the slums, to present a beautiful picture of the city to the tourists. So, the new rule for our Government is "If you can’t tackle poverty, hide it." “Garibi Hatao” is being interpreted as “Garib Hatao”.  Those who go back impressed with our city, will be impressed by a body, which has been excessively dabbed with make-up, to hide its physical flaws. Sure, Beijing did the same, but that is a semi-despotic Communist state...last I checked, we were living in a Democracy.

I agree that it is like a golden opportunity for any country, but what I’m saying is that India as a country doesn’t need something like the Commonwealth Games in the situation it is in. We need to prioritize. Maybe 20 years later, when most problems of the agricultural sector have been tackled, then I will be the strongest supporter of the Commonwealth Games!

Being an avid debater, I totally expect that my views would be diametrically contrasting to yours. Yet, I wanted to take this platform to express them. I also apologise to those who think that it was in bad taste to post this article at this stage; I just wanted to take this semi-private platform to showcase my views.

Organised Religion....

Probably the most speculated upon topic these days..... Organised Religion. With the Ayodhya verdict and the revisiting of the case of the Mumbai riots, there has been a lot of discussion about how much religion has really helped us. I mean if we revisit history, we have abundant examples of heroes that were rejected by religion. Juan d'Arc, Galileo, Wordsworth.... These were some of the GREATEST people alive, yet they died outcasts. God is said to be the answer of the unanswered. Yet so many Gods are only creating conflict in a bid for power. There are INNUMERABLE arguments to easily reject the necessity of religion. 


Yet, I realised, there has to be some good in it. Because had it been so bad, religion would have been rejected long, long ago. Hence at a recent debate, I took this stand and spoke in favour of Organised Religion. Here it goes---


What makes my 90-year old neighbour wake up every morning at 6:30, hail, rain or storm, just to go to the temple?... …………………..It’s her faith, her belief.

I think religion is a fascinating and a beneficial survival tool, and that Organised Religion has done more good than harm in today’s time. It is actually the differences in the interpretation of these religions that might have caused the harm. Because I don't think there is any harm in believing in God or believing in answering to a Higher Power for wrongs that we may have committed. In fact, it makes the faithful people to think twice before they cheat, steal, lie or indulge in any other vice.  

Also, talking about whether organized religion as a whole has done more good than harm is like being asked the same question about science. Which religions? When? Under what circumstances? Is the question.

Most organised religions do not promote unethical practices. Instead, it is those on the "fanatical" side, who tend to commit unethical acts in order to promote their beliefs, or distort what the real intentions of the religion were meant to do.  Every religion generally teaches tolerance, kindness, peace and forgiveness certainly not the self-serving and intolerant agenda that the people associate with it. Also, sadly, it is usually the bad and not the good that makes news, thus the good done by religion is often not heard of or ignored, whereas, the bad is highlighted and dwelt upon and that is all the common man hears about discounting the numerous wonderful  things it has done for him/her.  

As far as the role of religion is seen as being used as an emotional weapon-for garnering votes or popularity- we are grossly underestimating the intellect of the citizens. In developing societies like ours, shouldn’t we aim at educating the masses rather than doing away with religion as a whole? Because organised religion helps in providing a foundation for social cohesion, without the structure of social norms and customs, societies tend to come apart at the seams.

Regarding the discriminatory laws for women in most religions, the modern concerns for human rights, the rights of women, and the protection of the vulnerable, have been driven by Christian concerns and the belief that every single individual, male or female, is created in God’s image. This is a far more substantial basis for human rights than any secular theory. I am not comparing religions. Or publicizing certain tenets of certain religions. What I am doing, is comparing the good and bad done by religion, and stating that the good is far, far outweighing the bad. 

We can't ignore the fact that many religious groups do a lot of philanthropic work for the upliftment of the society, like vocational training workshops, ambulances, free health checkups, blood donation camps, educational campaigns etc. We also cannot disregard the high quality of education provided by convent schools started by Christian missionaries. The otherwise infamous MNS, runs The Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena, an institution, which at affordable prices, gives quality education, both scholastic and moral. 

To add to that, the practice of organised religion is good for a person’s physical, mental and spiritual health as it brings about a sense of order and discipline. As was the case with my neighbour!! Organised religion always professes respect for others. Isn’t that the very basis for secularism? So what harm are we talking about?

In the end, I’d just like to leave you with a thought, isn't it mankind that has harmed religion, and not vice versa?

Soch - A Thought. What is it actually? How does it help us? What do we do about it? Many, many questions... Yet nobody will disagree that it is the fundamental step to any action. Lord Buddha said, “The Ancestor of every Action, is Thought.” This “thought” first caught my attention, while reading William Wordsworth’s Daffodils for a competition. He glorifies the concept of “Sit and Stare” in the lines:


“For oft, when on my couch I lie, in vacant or in pensive mood,


 They flash upon that inward eye, which is the bliss of solitude;

Yet, the power of this statement was not understood then and nor is it till date. In today’s world, we thoughtlessly live a mechanised life, following our mundane routines. We consider any activity that is not directly productive as “useless” or a “Waste of Time”. Yet, a thought has the power to change the world. They say, “What we think, We become”. Since a thought is what sparks an action, it holds the power to start revolutions. Numerous examples from world history bear testimony to this fact.

Thought also provides a lot of peace and calm to the mind.  If, like me, anyone has ‘sat and stared’ at their surroundings, he/she will know that it has been one of the best experiences of my life. The power to take better decisions is directly proportional to the power of a better thought process. It is thus evident, that great mental maturity is the cause and effect of Thought.

Also, a thought is different from a random idea. I thought that today I will start a blog. I wasn’t just an Idea. It was a well-considered Thought. So the basic difference between an Idea and a Thought is that an idea is a half-baked thought. It is the root of a thought. “I have thought about it”, “I will think about it”...We never take decisions based on ideas...but on thoughts.

This blog is nothing but my Thoughts over issues of everyday life. And hence, I welcome all your contributions and contradictions, which would really help me widen my horizons. These Thoughts will be purely personal and might just be far, far away from the Gospel truth. So stand steady, because I earnestly hope to flow in this river of Thoughts with you. 

:D