Confessions of a patriotic coward

Today is 15th August 2011, India is celebrating her 65th Independence day. 

For most of us its just another holiday leading into the festive season.. a day off from school, college and work. The constant barrage of patriotic songs and movies and the multitudes of 'Jai Hind' and 'Vande Mataram' status updates on Facebook do stir patriotic fervor in a few among us every now and then, but if you tell me that the Bhagat Singhs and Chandrashekhar Azads of yore still walk among us, then... well...you are only kidding yourself. I will be honest with you all... with my exams around the corner I am truly grateful to my nation for giving me some much needed time to study.

Boredom strikes with a speed which is directly proportional to the number of pages in the book you are reading... So like every other guy with a computer and an internet connection I seek adventure online! Check out who else is there and what they are up to... the same usual lame crap. My Facebook page has updates from a page called 'India against Corruption'. I'd subscribed to this page some time ago, I am against corruption.. but then, who isn't! .... anyways.... The update goes like this...

" Anna Hazare and his team have reached Rajghat. They are going on a fast unto death starting tomorrow. They hope their determination and sacrifice will force the government to change the draft of the Jan Lokpal bill to one which will truly be all encompassing and meaningful, not a toothless law which will serve the ones it is meant to punish. Dear Indians, this is our chance... Anna ji is fighting so that you and your children will have a better future. Will you not join us in the fight against corruption?! To show your support please wear black clothes tomorrow and assemble at Rajghat in New Delhi................. "

The post went on to give details of other venues of protest...

The anti-government sentiment in the comments which followed would have completely decimated the British had they not shut shop and bid adeu 65 years ago! Support poured in from everywhere... Varanasi to Cochin.... Hubli to Bikaner... the air was thick with revolt! Slogans of 'Down with Congress!' 'Hum Taiyaar hai' 'Vande Mataram' 'Annaji... Hum aap ke saath hai!' and Inqalab Zindabad rang out across the nation.

The outpouring of support welled me up... I so wish I could join the agitation! I had promised Annaji in one of my letters (online forms where we express support) that I would support him no matter what... if only i didn't have my exams from Wednesday! I would have shown those spineless bastards that Annaji is not alone... But surely.. thousands of others will make up for me and show the government that we have had enough! Annaji.. You are not alone!

At around 3 pm I heard a knock on the door... some MMS juniors were requesting everyone to come out of their rooms. They said it was for something important.

What a nuisance right around nap-time!

The leader of the group apologized for the disturbance and told us that they were planning an awareness campaign in support of Anna Hazare around the college campus and needed some volunteers to coordinate their actions...

Thats just awesome man!! .. We would love to be  a part of it... but we have our exams from Wednesday. So we really wont have the time... why dont you approach MMS seniors... they are free now you know... 


So cant you all at least come for a rally to Vidyavihar station and back... ? 5 to 6 pm.. it will only take an hour...  the disappointment in his tone was obvious.


Ofcourse we will be there! We are right behind you... Keep up the good work dude!  ... 

The guy smiled a little.

Everyone made some donation for the campaign and went back to their rooms...


Chal yaar mera to kaam ho gaya... I overheard a friend as I shut the door...  Exam nahi hota to zaroor chala jaata... 

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Today is 15th August 2011, and I have never been so scared in my life.

Will the thousands of online patriots who have pledged their support be there to represent me and my countrymen or will they also have their own exams to attend? Will Rajghat witness the victory of a billion against the oppression by a few or will it mourn the defeat of an old man who seemed to care a little too much?  Will the brazen government again get away by humiliating Anna Hazare and his team or will they finally face the wrath of Anna Hazare and his country?

I am scared Anna Hazare ji. I do not know how many will keep their promises. These are not the brave men and women who destroyed the might of an empire at the call of a Mahatma... these are cowards like me who have exams to give and salaries to earn.

I do not know whether I will pass or fail my exams in the days to come....  But I hope that my country will not fail Anna Hazare in the exam we face in New Delhi tomorrow.

Annaji, I hope you are not alone.


Prasoon Joshi gives voice to the awakening... a salute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZUcOX5G_kY&feature=related