The first step

First day of MBA life. The chief guest is the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. You listen in awe as he delivers an inspiring speech. Everyone gives a standing ovation as he finishes his talk. And then he says, "I am now open to questions". Suddenly there is visible discomfort as people start looking at each other as if asking "Who will be the first to ask"? And finally one person rises up and puts forth his question. There is a visible relief everywhere and then the flood of questions begins ranging from the banal to the really interesting.

Asking a question to a CEO? What's the big deal you might ask. But for a lot of people, myself included, it is significant. It always is about who takes the first step. Even if it is as simple as asking a question, however silly, to a CEO who is already open to questions. But there are so many incidents in life, more serious, more difficult, where we are afraid to take the first step. Like choosing an unconventional career path. Like standing up for values you believe in even when the majority is against you. Like fighting against bias and injustice which may be happening around you in your workplace, college or school.

Why should I do it? Why does not someone else do it? Even if I do this, there is no hope because no one will ever believe that this is right. We are like this only. We won't change. What will others think? They will think I am mad. No one will ever support me. Isn't it too idealistic? I ought to be practical maybe? And hundreds of other related questions.

And that is why the deeds of Anna Hazare are so significant and praise worthy. We were tired of hearing about the never ending scams. We were all tired of the corruption around us. Most of us cursed the corrupt politicians, bureaucrats, police and all and sundry. But yet, most of us did nothing about it. Read about it in the papers, ranted, cursed and carried on with our lives. Apna desh aisa hi hai. Kuch nai kar sakte. 100 mein se ninyanve beimaan, par phir bhi mera bharat mahaan.

It took a small step by Anna Hazare to change our outlook. And channel our frustrations for the right cause. It made us believe that yes, change is possible if you have the courage of conviction and are fearless enough to pursue it till the end, whatever the consequences. It is difficult for most people to take such a bold step when we have thousands of things to worry and care about in our day to day lives. But we are more than happy to support the right person who is bold enough to take the first step.

The fact that the government has given in is a great victory for Anna Hazare and for the all people who supported the cause. A moment to remember and feel inspired about. As a friend put it, perhaps the greatest day in our democracy? Perhaps it is. All I now wish is for is for the implementation to be as effective, fair and transparent as the Jan Lokpal bill promises. But this is no small achievement, and a first step in the right direction

Thank you, Anna Hazare!

Anna Hazare's deeds remind me of a poem by C.P.Cavafy, a Greek poet, even though the poem was written in a different context.

"Just to be on the first step

should make you happy and proud.

To have come this far is no small achievement:

what you have done is a glorious thing.

Even this first step

is a long way above the ordinary world.

To stand on this step

you must be in your own right

a member of the city of ideas.

And it is a hard, unusual thing

to be enrolled as a citizen of that city.

Its councils are full of Legislators

no charlatan can fool.

To have come this far is no small achievement:

what you have done already is a glorious thing."