Lead India!

[Note: this post was later published in The Examiner, a weekly magazine]

Its not as if we've never been hurt by terror before. Mumbai, is in fact one of global terrorism's pet projects, right from the 1993 blasts to 21st century attacks on buses (ghatkopar), city landmarks (gateway), markets (zaveri bazaar) and the city's lifeline: trains (7/11). We've been bruised and often battered only to wake up and have to get started afresh the next day, even as that cliched "fabled mumbai spirit" rides of the tongues of our leaders. But this time it was different. Not just a bruise or a battering; no, this city was brought to its knees by 10 men for 3 and a half days!
There is so much anger, protests and calls for change abound in the aftermath. But we wonder if it will last and more importantly, change anything? After all there is so much rot, so much to do, in a state which was left without leadership in the most crucial days after the attack because a political party needed to appease it allies.
There is not an inkling of doubt in my mind that the political class in the country is utterly useless and left in their hands, this country will be doomed to an eternal mediocracy in whatever we do. Whether its our security, development, roads or whatever, we'll always be just that little bit short, whether compared to China or others or in general.
So if we really need change, then just who is going to bring it in? We, the citizenry, educated or otherwise have to stand up and be counted. A mere lip service of "yes we can" won't do, its a dedicated and sustained effort to purge out years of rot that will bring real change.
In fact, one of the principle arguments I have stuck to is that we can't keep saying we are going to demand answers from the powers that be. Its about time that we start scripting those answers. We, especially here in Mumbai need to not just go out and vote but ourselves get involved in the political process. You can clean a place far better when your in it, then forcing it from outside. The real question we must ask ourselves is: how many of us will file our nominations for the 09 General Elections and the 2010 State elections? And believe me, its not impossible. In fact its a great misconception to think that caste and class politics in India will always prevent an honest man from getting elected. Today's India looks at the work you do and the Delhi, MP and Chattisgarh election results bear testimony to that. And if a black man with "Hussain" for a middle name could get elected as America's President, I don't see why a Rising India can't do the same.
I honestly believe that beyond the banners, vigils and compensation doled out to the victims of this attack, the greatest vindication for their sacrifice we can make is to overhaul this existing system, which was the real terrorist that killed them. We need a leadership that will actually build a better tomorrow for all our people, and not just keep promising one at election time. If we channelize these energies and resources that have been galvanized post 26/11 towards such changes, led by the right people, we surely can. If we believe that one rotten apple spoils the lot of good ones, then one good politician can surely spur goodness in the rot around him. It starts with ONE: to take up the mantle and LEAD INDIA !!