Times of turmoil

We live in torrid times. The entire Arab world is in turmoil. Regimes are getting toppled like cardboard decks and protesting crowds are touching record count with each country out running the other. The conspiracy theorists are having a field day by projecting the western world as reason for this downfall. I fail to understand which is the better option. Dictator or unjust monarch, under whom the country has a stable, yet with curbs on freedom Vs so called democratic system where its free fall down the drain. I've nothing against the democratic system. Yet somehow it never seemed to me as a possible form of governance. Any country, which claims itself to be democratic, to me, is probably burying itself under layers of hypocrisy. The three legs of democracy: Of the people - definitely yes, by the people - always a microscopic group which projects its kith and kin, for the people - never exists.

Though people might blame dynastic politics for the second leg's downfall, even at a mindset level, not everyone are ambitious and are leadership material. Democracy offers the option to rule or being ruled. But not everyone goes for the first option. Even at a classroom level, to become a class rep, its either the best student (one who can cope up with his studies along with this extra activity) or in case of election very rarely i've seen more than one person contesting for the post. Not sure of the situation now, but, the point is, majority of people always prefer to be driven and rather than coming to the forefront to lead. They always look out for a messiah to deliver them from their problems. Always looking for the easy way out. And when such a guy or lady do come, they are treated as demi gods and are forgotten as humans. An unfair amount of expectation is thrust on them, which an otherwise ordinary person wouldnt have been possibly be able to adhere to on a long run. They blindly believe whatever the leader does and says, till the time another "messiah" rises in the horizon and batter their sealed eye lids against the misdeeds of the incumbent one.

India has always been the land of paradoxes and people all around the globe always look at it in amazement as to when its going to implode. A nation with a billion plus people, million plus sects, gazillion castes, multiple languages with not a single day passing by without the word violence being used and yet managing to stand on its legs. Is it something to be proud about? I am not sure. The fact that we are still standing as a nation is nothing less than the 8th wonder of the world. But the gruesome fact that the twine might break anytime sooner is always a scary reminder. The cancer of corruption has gone to such an extent that B grade movies are indistinguishable from real life incidents. A state government issues a government notice that none of its states people lost their life in stampede so they need not worry. A central government, that cries out aloud whenever any Indian student gets hit in a foreign country, with the comfortable thought that, it had cried its best, while remaining silent spectator when a rouge island nation's irresponsible idiots,coolly venture into its own maritime waters and butcher its own fishermen. Are these signs of a vibrant democracy or a strong republic which recently celebrated its 62nd birthday? Will you still blame those guys who are losing faith in nationhood and protest in need for a new messiah?
I've no answer to my question.