Now, aam aadmi has many ‘collars’ and millions of expectations

Delhi’s CM-designate Arvind Kejriwal says the mandate is scary. And, so it is.

shishir

Shishir Tripathi | February 13, 2015


#aap   #kejriwal   #aam aadmi party   #delhi   #nelson mandela   #national capital region   #ncr  

In the 2009 biographical sports drama ‘Invictus’, South Africa’s president-elect Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) humbly accepts the reasonability of a question posed to him in a newspaper headline: 'He Can Win an Election but Can He Run a Country?’. The biopic of Mandela – the biggest apartheid hero of 20th century – beautifully portrays the struggle of the leader in fulfilling the aspirations of his people, craving for equality and greatness.

While watching the biopic I could not stop marvelling at the beautiful depiction of Mandela’s ‘unconquerable soul’. But what left me awestruck was the realisation of how people invest all their hopes and aspirations in one man. However, I cannot deny that the fall of such a man – should he fail to rise to the occasion – belies even the biggest of Greek tragedies.

It was sheer coincidence that the movie was followed by a half-an-hour argument with my friend on the future of Delhi, where AAP was elected to power two days back. While we differed on many issues, we agreed on one point—that people across all sections of society supported AAP in the current elections. Hence, the expectations are now from all quarters.

The support that AAP got did not come just from those engaged in blue-collar jobs. It also came from those sitting in plush offices in the national capital region (NCR). Their concerns are different and their expectations are higher than bijli, pani, sadak and corruption. It is about much more than that.

Govind KR who works with a consultancy firm has written a letter to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. Govind says he wrote on behalf of the common man, who because of his crisp branded attire or car is not considered one, but has to, nonetheless, face the same rigours of daily life.

In his letter, Govind wrote, “While your oath on February 14 would address the issues of corruption free Delhi, high water and electricity charges, and relief for small entrepreneurs, etc., I’m sure you’d ensure that all these are fulfilled to make things easier for Delhiites. But, there is one issue that I haven’t heard or seen any national representative even discussing about or being attentive too—that is “WORK PLACE HARASSMENT”. Your above said actions would take care of even that Aam Aadmi who doesn’t have a job or has retired. But what about the 20-45-year-old aam aadmi who works in the corporate offices of Delhi and NCR? Not that people beyond the age of 45 don’t work in corporate, but they, seemingly, become bosses by this age. And, so come to represent the work place harasser.”

Govind is just one among a host of people who have invested their faith in AAP and has been invited to take oath along with it, on February 14. There are many more out there.

Soon after winning the election, chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal said the mandate was “scary”. Indeed, it is scary as the Aam Aadmi now has many collars and millions of expectations. Hope, Kejriwal and his party rise to the occasion.

Comments

 

Other News

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of Pune Metro projects

Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro projects worth around ₹21,800 crore on Tuesday through video conferencing. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the PM extended warm Diwali greetings to the people of Pune and Maharashtra and remarked that f

Wired for good: Building sustainable cities with AI

The First Industrial Revolution in the 18th-19th centuries ushered in a paradigm shift in how cities were imagined. Fueled by railways, factories and grids, and obsessed with speed and scale, it was an ode to efficiency, which spurred unprecedented economic growth. Now, as the Fourth Industrial Revolutio

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter