And then a Hero comes along…….with the strength to carry on

Dear Ri,

You are all of 14 months old and cannot understand much ( though at times I suspect you do). However, I feel the need to write this for you. Something very big is happening in our country today. Something wonderful is happening around us, Indians all over the country are uniting against corruption, people are smiling and holding hands and believing that there is a better tomorrow.

Yesterday, your uncle and I were having a spirited conversation about God, community, religious beliefs, the government, people’s perceptions and values. The more we spoke, the more we realized that so many wrong things existed around us. People filled with ignorance, prejudice and hate, melting ice-caps and stressful environments. As a mother I cannot help but sometimes wonder what kind of a world I have brought you into, will your country give you the best that you deserve, that every child deserves ? How long will people in power abuse their positions? When will elections and political agendas stop being a parody?

And then a gentle wise man comes along giving us belief that even the impossible is sometimes possible and that there may be a better India for you tomorrow.

Ri, there are many things about Hazare and his work that are dear to my heart. He is from Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra, close to the town of Shirdi, a town of great significance to me. You’ve been there twice already, even before you turned one.

Hazare’s work in the Ralegan Siddhi village is inspiring, eradicating alcoholism, promoting voluntary labor and reaching out to the less fortunate. His beliefs and his work make you instantly feel a sense of connectedness to him.

A true leader inspires irrespective of religion, race or creed. And, Hazare accomplishes just that through his empathy and compassion for his countrymen.

Right now, things are not looking great for his cause. The Government has rejected his demand to issue an official notification to constitute the draft committee for Lokpal Bill and also rejected the proposal for an outsider to lead the new committee of government and civil society. However, Hazare is not giving up just as yet. He believes that power should be decentralized and promises to fight for it till his last breath.

For my darling Ri, there are some things money can’t buy. Men like Hazare.

When you read this and understand this (hopefully the Internet will still exist at that point in a state where you can retrieve this information), I hope that our country will be in that corruption-free better tomorrow. And, you will also come across true heroes.

Love,

Ri’s Mom

Blog Title: Hero – Mariah Carey