Sir,
It was a routine phone call made to know the well being of people back home at Jammu wherin I learnt of this massive power cut,yet again. How miserable can it really get in these hot and sultry conditions- sans power, water and other basic necessities? You really feel shattered inside when you hear about these long power cuts and imagine what your dearest ones have to go through, day in and day out. It surely is the existence of the worst kind.
It has virtually been a life-time of struggle: to be able to cope with the innumerable hassles and hurdles of everyday life with no bijli, no paani, no hospitals, no school admissions, no transport and, no visible end to the scourge of corruption. It is as if we are all caught in some kind of a time warp with no hope of a change for better. Still, we have to keep this feeling ‘of being alive’ going, as long as we breathe.
“Subh Se Shaam Tak Bojh Dhotaa Hua, Apni Hi Laash Ka Khud Mazaar Aadmi !”
Sixty-seven years after independence, it seems too much to take. Are we under some curse to live this kind of life, year after year, with much of our time & investment being taken away by this daily grind & all-consuming struggle to, somehow, keep ourselves simply on board? There actually is no room for despondency. World around has changed beyond recognition and we are already left with much catching up to do. Let us resolve that we will no longer live in this ignominy and disgrace.
An opportunity knocks us at the door. In a few months time, we will be face to face with another election. Let us wake up and make it count. At least this time, let us actually put a premium on our vote and insist on accountability and delivery of the very basics that go on to make a decent, honourable life. Our desire for a better life is surely not far-fetched, unattainable or constrained by any resource crunch. We only need honest hands to deliver. And our involvement does not end on the day we have voted. We have tech-savvy kids in all our households who we can ask for help and learn from as to how to take it up issues on the all-powerful social media against those who are spreading the muck. Question essentially remains one of initiative and intent. It is time we showed both.
Yours etc …
Vinod Kak,
A-183, Lajpat Nagar-1,
New Delhi
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