Celebrate the republic differently

Another Republic Day has come and gone. Another parade has happened. Those who had to be present as part of their duty attended, but there has ceased to be any real celebration for both the older amongst us and a whole new generation of Indians. Instead of adding to the traditional pomp and ceremony of a military parade, we continue with the the tasteless jhankis going down Raj-path, those cumbersome floats representing the babu view of India. Maybe the time has come to have fun on the streets, in the marketplaces, where musicians from many diverse genres could play live through 24-hours, where foods from across India could be available at open- air jolly kiosks, where people could wander for the day enjoying a grand, real and live happening, a true mela with a haat, to commemorate our becoming a democratic republic. It is time we learned to have fun amidst the daily horrors of life in our broken down cities.

Talking about cities that look and feel decrepit, Mumbai is at the top of the list. It looks like it is finally falling apart. Filthy buildings inhabited by the rich, filthy buildings inhabited by the middle-class, filthy buildings inhabited by the poor. Filth is the unifying factor on the exterior and the huge disparities that typify the metropolis are evident when you go into each of the three types. The streets look as though the municipality has forgotten to wield the broom for weeks. There is no excuse for municipal filth and the government needs to kick-start their employees into action or suspend them for not doing their jobs.

Then there were the annual state honours. Selection is, by definition, based on personal judgement: therefore, it does not merit any comment here. But, within the parameters of a democracy, to give state awards to media people is an anathema. This watchdog called the press is acting on behalf of the people and to receive an award for good work done is a no-no. The government should not give it and the media should not receive it. To the outside, non-privileged world, it smacks of being bought over! Can you give a state honour to a chief minister? The answer is also, no.

Back yet again to the ministry of environment in Delhi. Because the incumbents there are aware they have condoned many a breach of the laws that govern our land, they are evading coming on television for long and serious debates. A very prestigious programme has been requesting the minister of environment to appear and be questioned by a leading anchorman. What has unfolded is a juvenile game of hide and seek that is not acceptable from a senior, supposedly res-ponsible, leader.

It seems clear from what has been happening over the past few months, that the present cabinet and the Prime Minister have been ill-advised by factions with vested interest, some within the ministry and some outside, about the reality of what falls within the purview of the environment; and the laws established by Indira and Rajiv Gandhi when they were on the gaddi. The Prime Minister is in full command of economic policy. Because the vested interest groups in the ministry and elsewhere realise that he is not similarly confident of the reality in the environment sector, they are pushing him into some situations that may turn ugly for this government. Today, it appears as though the Congress-led government is intent on defying and dismantling those very laws that have prevented even greater devastation.

Changes will have to be done very sensitively and scientifically, not by babus, who have already proved they have wronged us as a nation, but by EXPERTS who have dedicated their lives struggling for such issues. It is time to confront these horrors, armed with available facts, and ensure those who have broken the law, and have been motivated by other considerations, be exposed, punished and suspended. We desperately need a clean-up. And our present Prime Minister, who does not carry the traditional political baggage, should be leading the charge and not abdicating to the predictable and entrenched bureaucrat who has destroyed much, playing to changing political needs.

The tsunami should haunt those who played with the laws that govern our environment.