I mentioned earlier about changing the system in our sweet little way, and how we should try and eradicate corruption completely from the system.
I’ve been thinking about this lately; infact even tried to practice it, but in no vain. Its far too difficult to live without corruption, without breaking any rules, and live a normal life in this city.
Just yesterday, was driving in the by lanes of bandra and was stuck on a red light. There was no movement on the road, and all 4 signals were red; probably the pedestrian signal was green, but who the f**k cares about the pedestrian signal in Mumbai eh? Everyone around me jumped the red light, while I was just waiting for it to turn green. People in their cars behind me couldn’t wait up, and started honking. Me, being me, finally gave in and jumped the signal too.
Lesson learnt: NOTHING! I was adamant that I wouldn’t break any rules, but I did, but then who cares? With just me following all the rules; will this city be a better place to live in?
I was out for Lunch on Saturday afternoon catching up with a friend. Had sizzlers, had beer! So again, I broke the rule of driving after consuming alcohol. As long as I didn’t get caught, its okay. But then again, I was adamant I wouldn’t break any rule last week – so what happened? YES! I’m asking myself.
I look around myself, and everyone is back to their routine life. I received a storm of 49-O emails last week, but will the common man remember this section when he actually goes to vote?
Everyone spoke about the gateway peace walk, but eventually what happened? Its been, what about 10 days since terror struck, what have we done? We don’t even know if there still are terrorists in around Mumbai, waiting again to strike.
There were groups on facebook warning members to join only if they would actually remove time from their lives and take action. They didn’t want members who just spoke and did nothing, but what have they done today? I was wondering whether I should join the group or no, coz I, for one was sure nothing can be done about this. No matter how much we talk, eventually we do return to our routine lives, which most of us have already done, unless we were directly affected.
So where does all this take us? What next huh?
December 10th, 2008 at 9:21 am
you know, one of the things I always tell people when they ask me whats better India or the US and I always get into this reflective mode of well….each has its pros and cons and I always come up with “Over here you can live your life peacefully without ever being corrupt, in India – you can never do that.”
thats just the way we are. the entire system is like that. We all think, well everyones doing it, why should I do it. When I visit India my cousins look at me crazy when I leave my trash in my pockets until I find a trash can, or when I smile at strange people.
It sounds poetic and all but Mahatma gandhi did say “be the change you want to see” it takes ages though, for an entire system to get better….ages and ages
December 10th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Yeah kaush, I guess the reason why nobody wants to do it, coz it takes ages and ages for an entire system to change. I’m tellin ya I really waited at the red light, but when no one else was bothered, I was like screw it, and even I jumped it.
Well, its easier to keep the trash in your pockets till you find a trash can, coz you know sooner or later you will find the trash can, but here, it takes a while to find one
But I guess, we cant get away with such excuses, and all of us have to contribute a little. Let me see the next time if I can wait at the red light while others jump it