Fasting today
in support of 'Jan Lokpal' Bill but also because its kinda fun :)
I don't believe Lokpal bill will solve our corruption problem. Heck, it might even make it worst. The truth of the matter is that in such complex social problems there are no fool-proof actions. We in the computer world are so used to having close to accurate predictions that we are scared to do anything without them. Sorry mate, doesn't work like that in real world.
So i read the Jan Lokpal Bill (section 8 is nice). Then i read the Lokpal Bill (proposed by the government). I recommend you set aside 15 mins and go through both. And i though to myself, if one of them is going to be the law, i damn well want it to be the first one. Because it is written with intent and purpose and with enough clarity for a layman like me to understand. I liked the emphasis on what the Lokpal _can_ do (instead of what he/she _cannot_ do in the government's version), the requirement that appointments to Lokpal to be put up on website and public feedback considered, and that all sessions be video recorded and all documents made available to public. or maybe i am just biased. :)
So how do i decide?
Have i analyzed it enough to make sure that i am being reasonable? Check.
Is the thing non-violent? Check.
Is not infringing upon anyone's freedom of speech or any other legitimate right/freedom? Check.
Is it fun? Check.
Now that i have taken sides (damn, thats rare), what do i do about it? Nothing really. Yes i am fasting, but that is mostly to check if i can survive without food for 24 hours. And perhaps in taking sides i have done my part for now. I have realized its importance and given it my time. Action will follow. Hopefully :P
I hope a lot more people join this movement. Because as someone said, democracy won't work just by voting once in five years. We need to develop a culture of active participation by common people, responsible people like you and me in governance. For that i wish Anna Hazare and his followers well (personally, i like following ideas better than following people. but whatever..).
more stuff here: http://indiaagainstcorruption.org/
I don't believe Lokpal bill will solve our corruption problem. Heck, it might even make it worst. The truth of the matter is that in such complex social problems there are no fool-proof actions. We in the computer world are so used to having close to accurate predictions that we are scared to do anything without them. Sorry mate, doesn't work like that in real world.
So i read the Jan Lokpal Bill (section 8 is nice). Then i read the Lokpal Bill (proposed by the government). I recommend you set aside 15 mins and go through both. And i though to myself, if one of them is going to be the law, i damn well want it to be the first one. Because it is written with intent and purpose and with enough clarity for a layman like me to understand. I liked the emphasis on what the Lokpal _can_ do (instead of what he/she _cannot_ do in the government's version), the requirement that appointments to Lokpal to be put up on website and public feedback considered, and that all sessions be video recorded and all documents made available to public. or maybe i am just biased. :)
So how do i decide?
Have i analyzed it enough to make sure that i am being reasonable? Check.
Is the thing non-violent? Check.
Is not infringing upon anyone's freedom of speech or any other legitimate right/freedom? Check.
Is it fun? Check.
Now that i have taken sides (damn, thats rare), what do i do about it? Nothing really. Yes i am fasting, but that is mostly to check if i can survive without food for 24 hours. And perhaps in taking sides i have done my part for now. I have realized its importance and given it my time. Action will follow. Hopefully :P
I hope a lot more people join this movement. Because as someone said, democracy won't work just by voting once in five years. We need to develop a culture of active participation by common people, responsible people like you and me in governance. For that i wish Anna Hazare and his followers well (personally, i like following ideas better than following people. but whatever..).
more stuff here: http://indiaagainstcorruption.org/
posted by siddhya at April 07, 2011
4 Comments:
First of all congrats on your fast, something which happens very rarely on ur part :P
But on a serious note I am not sure as to how efficiently this bill is going to get any change in the corruption scenario of the society...The constitution of the selection committee for the lokpal members is only at doubt...how many of the people in this selection committee can be said to be "non-corrupt". Also it says that a prior "politician" can become a member of the lokpal provided he quits his office....I am sure there would be plenty who would be ready to plunge in if need be to save the "corruption"..
Although agreed that last time Anna Hazare had gone on a fast we had seen many corrupt officers "going hungry"...so here's truly hoping to see some beneficial and long term outcome coming out of this :) As for me fasting...no comments :P
@Shirin
I think , apart from the desired changes to the bill, this activity is going to encourage a different culture of governance. A culture where people are influencing what the elected do. Today, after voting, people lend all the control to the elected few. This needs to be changed. I think this agitation is a going to help changing that. The jan lokpal bill might have loopholes but if government accepts it (or the 50% participation); it is desired change to begin with. Some bright legal minds can then take care of the loopholes.
I think government is in soup here. If they do not accept the amendments, the rage will increase. If they accept it, it will encourage more such fights. I think (and hope) this will trigger a process that changes our democracy.
I personally don't think Jan-Lokpal will effectively improve our system.We already have huge system in place to maintain good governance. RTI,Anti Corruption Burue, Bureucrats,politicians. I would rather voice for Baba Ramdev's campaign. He is doing it in more organised way,consistent, reaching out people all across, in cities or in rural areas.
The only thing we need at this stage is 'ichha-shakti' of common man!
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