What should we do?

What is it that we must do?
Too many news reports, too many candle lighting marches, too many coffee table discussions on where we are headed later, a friend of mine and I decided to 'get serious' and see what we can really do? My friend, Subbu, as we fondly call him made a frantic call from the US of A. Much like Rice visited to consult Pranab on what is happening, Subbu's call had a sense of urgency to it. My chat tag, much like most news channels, read 'enough is enough'.. Subbu was curious to know what people like me, or him or you could actually do, instead of simply sitting and (if you may) whining??

Should we join politics?
The first obvious choice that we selected was policits.. Alright.. which party??? Long pause… what does it take to start your own party…. Another long pause… next option.

Become an IAS?
Agreed. Politicians and political parties today are joke. Joining one doesn't appeal me. In fact,
when I give it a thought, I don't know where I should go if I indeed make up my mind to join one of the existing parties? This is perhaps the next level of failure. Not only is politics an ignored option, it is also an inaccessible option of the educated crowd. Obama used the web to reach masses. Our men do not even have a single good site for even the classes. Is change coming?

Anyways, so for the so called educated my types, the option as Subbu pointed out, is to try and enter as an IAS. Agreed, it comes with the challenge of picking up books again and facing strenuous exams and interviews, but the pot at the end of this rainbow is certainly full of gold. For one, you are assured of authority that gives you access to masses and the system at its core. Plausible and possible. So will I do it? Will you do it?

Think. The house rent? The EMIs..? Household expenses? Too many questions.. Am I being a pessimist or am I being honest about my helplessness? In times of recession I need more than a fire in my belly, I need food on my plate. Can I leave my job and concentrate on IAS entrance exams? Don't know.. Do you? This is certainly a possibility though. How deftly you and I will dodge this one, time will tell. But I hope not!

Small change..

Somewhere between contemplating starting a movement of sorts and giving into to the ifs and buts of practical realities, I found refuge in this phrase called 'small change'. The logic goes that if I participate in a small change and inspire others to participate in such small changes, eventually all these small changes would have come together and made a big difference. Possible? Plausible?

May be.. so what small change are we talking about?Does it really address the current situation? Subbu asked me a simple question everytime I threw English at him :P.. how will your small change remotely lead to solving the big problems of today..They wont, I had to agree.

Teaching a few poor children at an NGO, working a few hours at an old age home, helping a blind man cross road are all great acts of noble intent, but what India needs today is something radical. That is grass root and macro at the same time. That is poignant, stirring, and at the same time, genuine!

Pen is mightier

My friend is an optimist. He gives me examples of how one post on one blog lead to a peace rally of thousands at gateway. Blogs, he educates me, empower people like me to communicate and use whatever means to bring change. He tells me that if I can write well to let people know what they can do, they can come together.. I see his point. For one, I am writing this and sending this to you hoping that this will lead to some change somehow.. But.. will this change be enough? The big picture eludes us yet? Let us look at means of empowering one another to do what is definitely plausible and most definitely possible. Take voting for example. I work in an organization where the average age would be 22 to 25.. but I am equally certain that the voting percentage will also lie somewhere there. Can I do something to ensure that this percentage reaches 100? Or even 85 (speaking of being plausible!!) I think I can do that.. I will focus on this one for sure..

Can I use my skills to write to educate (or whatever) the online junta (through my blog) about the political system? What does left and right mean in politics, for example. Again, possible. I accept these as doable tasks. But I wonder still, if it is enough. Who will have the final word? Me? Hopefully no one. For there is no need for a final word.

Yet another dear friend of mine and I often ponder, who will remember us after we die. Even If a few come looking to see my next update for help on how they can help the nation run better, I would have found my answer.