Father and Son

One last time, before mounting his horse, the young Alexander ran a check in his mind. Sword-Tick, Horse-Tick, Ambition-Tick, Determination-Tick. Yes! He was ready to take on the world and conquer it!

He put a foot in the stirrup and was about to swing the other leg over, when a plaintive cry froze him, “Alex!”

Father! His father was calling him. He turned.

The sight that greeted his amazed eyes was, indeed that; amazing. The once towering king had become an old, doddering shadow of his tall and proud self, deserted as he was, by his legion of friends, relatives and courtiers. Who ever has said that fruits of adversity are sweet had surely not met this erstwhile king.

“Would you be with me, I have no body left,” asked the parent. Alexander looked at his awaiting horse and hesitated, but just once. Quietly, he then opened the knot of his girdle and released the sword. Next, he patted the eager horse on its back and sent him on his way. The world would have to wait. Duty was calling.

It was imperative that he took his ailing father away from his lost kingdom. Presently their enemies were too many and too strong. Father and son went away, to a huge and faraway city. It engulfed them and hid them in its bosom. They became anonymous, thus they were saved of the jibes and the barbs that cut deeper than the edge of any blade made of the sharpest of steel.

The days were poor, the nights bare. Every night Alex would wake up several times and stand outside the door of his father, to check if he was snoring. He knew that the old man was dying, slowly, not of any disease, but due to the pain of his exile.

He devoted his life towards making his father feel some happiness. In the past the king had had little time for his son. He was too busy being a king. Now they became friends. For hours Alex would sit with the older man, hearing him plan his way back to glory.

Finally they did it. They won it back. The king became KING again! He sat beaming on his old throne. Once again

Finding him alone, Life came and spoke to Alexander.

“You are no longer a young man,” said Life, “look at you, do you think you still have it in you to conquer the world?
Alexander shook his head and smiled, “I know it is over for me,” he agreed.

“Why did you do it?” asked Life, “You could have been Alexander the Great and instead you have become Alexander the grated, an unknown soldier of a king! No body in history would know you!”

“Because, ” replied Alex, ever so softly, “ That is what sons are for.”

Life was unsparing. It persisted with its questions. “What will you do now?”

“Pave the way for my son to take on the world, in case he wants to,” answered Alexander.

“First father, now son?” Life was incredulous , “Now you would spend the rest of your life for your child. Why?”

“Because,” replied Alex, ever so softly, “That is what fathers are for.”

Anna Beware!

Anna followers, beware! History stands against you. It’s almost impossible to take a movement fuelled, entirely, by well meaning, simple minded, righteous angst, to its logical conclusion, more so if you are fighting against a duly elected democratic government. It is easier to win such battles if you are up against a dictator or a despot.

Democratic governments are huge monoliths with a clear and well defined hierarchical structure and line of command. It’s also a multi headed and many dimensional hydra with a legal mandate to rule. It is a superbly oiled machine run by people who are absolute pros in doing such things.

The reason why your movement stands to fail lies in its very conception

Yours is a loose confederation of idealists, each with his/her vision of what and where India should be. Amateurs without any real experience. Their only strength is their puritanical intent. Take it from me, that it’s an extremely daunting task to keep such a flock together for any length of time.

Already many factors are at work against you.

First on the list is the green brigade. It is also called jealousy in common English. It is assisted by two devastating helpers. One is named, ‘Why him?’ and the other is named ‘Why not me?’ Movements such as yours have no answers to these questions. In essence the are dependent on one or two people.

Number two: The limited attention span of people you lead. Please note that that the electronic media and its icons, the ‘celebrities’ were crucial to your agitation being so widely recognized. A lot of people were there, because faces known to them were there. It was the ‘in’ thing to do and be seen and post on twitter and facebook It had a feel good factor about it.

But then it’s also a populace which is weaned on the power of the remote. They are restless in the search of their next fix of ‘high.’ They need to feel constantly ‘on the go’ and euphoric. Inside, this population, is empty and bitter and are always ready to blame some one else for their woes. This was one of the reasons why the flocked out in such great numbers. It was a chance to hit out at someone and curse them. Ah catharsis!

These are not your usual villager followers. These are the Hi flyers. To keep your TRPs high enough and exciting enough for them to keep hooked to your show will be a major challenge. You know better than me, how many movements have died unsung at Jantar Mantar without them.

At number three, are the most harmful agents. They divide. They ask questions which raise doubts in the minds of all and sundry as to the effectiveness and utility of the movement itself. They are extremely ,extremely powerful and have many a button under their fingers. They use every means to divide movements like yours. Soon the followers are disillusioned and disheartened. And their means and resources are unlimited. Already Mr.Sibal and Co. are on it. Beware!

All the best! I sincerely hope you succeed.