Dear Reader,
I'm on my way home from work now. Sitting in a cab moving at 50 kmph, I reflect on the events that are taking place in the country. Rapes - Hate speeches - Power hungry politicians dividing the country in the name of secularism and religion only to fill up their vote banks (not to mention their own bank accounts) - MLA threatening to "show true power" to almost the entire population of India; our family, friends, loved ones, people in our country who to me are my extended family; within 15 minutes without police intervention - Power in the hands of destructive, intolerant and vindictive mindsets like these - The unjust delay in the name of providing justice - The fearless attitude with which the Government continues to shamelessly loot the country and its people...
As I reflect on this, my gaze shifts to the hundreds of people around me - in cars, buses, auto rickshaws, motor bikes, walking - moving on with their daily lives - on their way back home, to work, to coffee shops, to grocery stores, to classes, to parties, to meet their loved ones… and I notice not a smile on anyones face. Each one seems occupied with thoughts, dreams and worries about a better future. Yes, a better future for themselves and their family, but with another concern much deeper. A common concern that binds us all together. Questions that need to be answered. Are our sisters, mother, and friends safe? Are our families, neighbors and loved ones safe? Do our children have a better future? Are WE safe?
Each one of us, is now tired and has reached their saturation point. Our patience has been tested enough. Our tolerance has been misused enough. The "chalta hai" attitude has been used enough. No! We're no longer okay with being divided and ruled in the name of religion. We're no longer okay being fooled by selfish politicians - fooled in to believing in a better future while they continue to rape our present. We're no longer okay looking just after our "own" family and friends because we know that if our countrymen aren't safe, it is only a matter of time that our families won't be.
I am an Indian, a daughter and a citizen of this country, and I'M NOT OKAY. Are You?
Jai Hind!
Jigyasa
