My G-G-G-Generation

The only image which is vivid in my mind of my life before I was five is the self-immolation of an 18-year old. Agneepath released during that time and Amitabh Bachchan was the last man on fire I saw. To me at that time, the two incidents didn't have any meaning. I couldn't differentiate or relate the reel from the real. But that was the period and specifically those incidents which marked the transition from the old to the new, the end of a decade and a half of political, social and economic unrest in the country-the Emergency, the fall of Indira Gandhi, the first non-Congress Government and subsequent economic depression which lasted like for ages, Operation Bluestar, the rise of a young Prime Minister and the first khichdi government.


Rajeev Goswami's act forced V.P. Singh to resign and pull back his proposed implementation of Mandal Commission's recommendations. The chain of events led to the formation of the new Congress Government and marked the beginning of 'My Generation' comprising the urban youth born in the 80s. The last 15 years have more or less been smooth for India. We have witnessed tremendous economic growth. Had grand celebrations to mark 50 years of Independence. We will turn 60 next year. The world has taken note of us for things other than being a land of mysticism and poverty. Life has been straight out of a mushy hindi movie. Nothing except girls to struggle or fight for. We have had everything served on a platter. The age of instant gratification. Patriotism to us means going for a popcorn flick on Republic Day (read: Rang de Basanti).

Of course, there have been insurgenices in the North and the North-East. People have had to leave their homes in spite of living in a free country. There were the Bombay Blasts. The Gujarat Riots. And the occasional molestation of a woman.
But these are the events that affect only the other-primarily the poor and the weak. We could never be affected by any of these. Arjun Singh's declaration then, to increase the reservation comes as a shocker and suddenly we find newspapers carrying headlines that students will flee the country and online petitions being signed. It's all so fashionable. "Lookie Lookie, I signed an online petition". Give me a break. Does anyone really believe that an online petition will cause a ruffle? No one has come out in the open to oppose this decision except the press of course, but that's because they have to hunt for new stories to make more money.
No, the Arjun Singhs and the political parties are not to be blamed. If there is anyone to be blamed, it's us. We have been careless enough never ever to raise our voice. No one goes to cast their votes. Everyone's running after money.
Those who can't move out of the country are still hoping for that someone else to come and save them. I do not ask people to put themselves on fire. This is a wake-up call. We have to realize our responsibilities and act accordingly, else I am sure there is more coming up.

P.S. Goswami died an anonymous death in February 2004.