FAST UNTO DEATH - A POLITICAL WEAPON?

The recent People Against Corruption movement started by Anna Hazare has managed to gain mass support especially from the middle class. The movement brought ‘civil society’, the middle class  in particular, to protest on the streets. They have never done so earlier. Then Baba Ramdev stole the show from Anna Hazare with his drama at the Ram Lila grounds. Fasting unto death has in today’s world become a fashion statement that attracts everyone. We need to look deeper as to what it means to use this tool as a political weapon.

Though it may be justified that it is the Gandhian way of dealing with issues, the context in which a fast is held should be examined. Gandhi protested against the British when we did not have a constitution of our own. Fasting in protest seemed to be best way to grab the attention of the British Government and to force them to meet our demands immediately. Taking this as a model to apply in independent India is not appropriate because our constitution guarantees us rights as citizens of this country and we are entitled to claim them whenever they are denied by anybody. 

Saying that everyone gets his or her rights ensured in independent India does not necessarily paint a rosy picture of India. We have to admit that there are serious issues of concern such as corruption and terrorism.  However, fasting cannot be the tool used to challenge these issues. If, fasting is the only powerful weapon to get things done, then Anna Hazare can solve many of the serious problems in India including the Kashmir issue. Fasting whether ignored or paid attention to does not offer solutions.  If a person manages to gain some popularity, the opponent does not have a choice but to succumb to the demands because the very life of the person is at stake. Instead of putting an end to the problem , only temporary remedies are given, in fear of having to bear the blame of killing a person by not listening to him. On the other hand, if your plea is not heard or if it is ignored completely, you eventually lose your life and go unnoticed. Another danger is that anybody who can attract media attention can go on fasting. This is precarious especially in a heterogeneous country like ours where we have varied interests among the people. Therefore, this weapon can be misused by anybody for self-centered needs.

Fasting unto death is at best a heroic adventure. Depending on the popularity and influence of the person, the government decides whether to ignore the fast or not. Therefore, it all boils down to one man who seems to have the power to change the rules of the game. The above argument does not imply that pressure in any form should not be exerted on the government.  What we need are mass protests, where people become the heroes. The cause becomes more important when the masses are involved and such protests can promise long-term or permanent solutions.

GOVT GIRLS HOSTEL IN ROYAPURAM, CHENNAI

The Government Girls in Royapuram, Chennai is squeezed with 500. While the government has announced that Rs. 76,33,46,000 has been allocated for 1059 AdiDravidar Hostels across the state, girls are wondering if their conditions will ever become better. 20 girls stay in a room with one light, one fan and no cots. Students say that their life in hostel is a great struggle. There are 10 bathrooms out of which only 2 are usable. Therefore, the girls get up early in the morning when it is dark and take bath in the open. The quality of food provided is very poor and most of the times they go to college without food, because it is not prepared on time. No hostel staff stays beyond 6pm in the evening leaving the girls at their own risk. This is how almost every other government hostel is.It's high time that the government take concrete steps to end these problems.
http://soundcloud.com/sara-viji/govt-hostel-royapuram 

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DO WHAT YOU LIKE

If I were to ever write a book on personality enrichment or tips for a successful life, I would name my book "Do What You Like". Now, a question may arise in many of the minds, "Do all the people who do what they like become successful in life?". Let me answer this with a question. " Is there any successful person who is doing what he does not like and still manage to succeed?" The answer is obviously NO, for the simple reason that you cannot enjoy doing what you don't like.

A person who is interested in journalism can definitely not become a successful engineer, though he or she all the eligibilities to pursue an engineering course. Similarly, for someone who is interested in singing, journalism will be the worst thing to do which hardly gives you a respite to listen to music. Therfore, the rule of the game is find out what are you are interested in, just keep doing that, you will achieve great heights.

If earning money was the only meaning of being successful according to you, then what my suggestion might not work. Success to me is, to be honest in what you are doing, and feel satisfied that it will help the society in large in one way or the other. And this satisfaction can be attained only when you do what you like.