An Indian Obama - Still Some Decades to Go...

Assent of Barak Obama to US presidency has not only impacted USA, ripples are felt in politics of other countries as well. UK chooses a young and dynamic David Cameron as its Prime Minister, while opposition Labour choose to be led by Ed Miliband. And then there are Sarkozys of France and Merkels of Germany. How can India remain untouched? In largest democracy of world, largest political party of the world, Congress went back to Gandhi clan, and this time it was Rahul Gandhi. Opposition BJP tried to match it with L. K Advani’s overwhelming presence in cyber world, new generation’s hangout, and not to forget his visit to a Gym during election campaigning of 2009.

When Barak Obama riding on the back of fierce speeches, youthful energy, no-nonsense attitude and well choreographed moves swamped USA, an urge to follow the trend is overwhelming in India. If you can’t find a leader like him, atleast present the current leader in his mould. India has large no. of its young generation working in software industry where majority of work comes from USA. This generation is understood to be attracted towards US and the urge to present something in US colours is understandable. This could only be a short term solution, however, when would India find an Obama like young, dynamic leader with no family name, I should rather call it when will India accept such leader? An Indian Obama who would give us a new dream, a new India. An Indian Obama who would sweep India from twitter and facebook platform. Obama might be fighting his own battles in USA as its President; still he is the most inspiring leader of the world of current generation.

“Politics in India is a very complex canvas with multiple divides—urban and rural, rich and poor, and educated and not so educated. I don’t think I am competent to handle such a complex canvas,” the Economic Times newspaper quoted Mr. N. R. Narayan Murthy, Infosys Chairman-Emeritus, as saying. This statement of NRN clearly explains how tough the political space is in India, no doubt Congress keeps going back towards Gandhi family, readily accepting their next generation, rather than accepting someone new, someone with vision, and someone with modest upbringing. It maybe because the means to reach India is still not easy, as was the case with Obama. He has a country with good internet connectivity, mobile concentration and strong media. It was easier for an Obama to win the case with his argument in front of a learned audience. Literacy figures in India, though, are growing, still a large chunk of its population is ignorant. When you are surrounded with so much uncertainty, it is quite natural to bank on tried and known name of ‘Gandhi’. Alternative to congress party, some regional parties, lack pan India acceptability. Most of them are family owned private enterprises. This brings huge responsibility on BJP’s shoulder to bring fort a young leader of Vajpayee/Advani mould. But first BJP should accept him, rather indulging in infighting, and then India will accept him.

So the question still remains, when will India have its own Obama? It seems we need to wait for some more decades........hope and pray it’t not forever.

एक मेरा दिल है!

एक मेरा दिल है!
किधर बैठा है मेरे अन्दर, मुझे मालुम नहीं,
उसे देखा नहीं कभी, पर उसके होने का अहसास है!
उसे किसी से मुहब्बत नहीं, ना शायद किसी चीज की चाह है!
अँधेरे में भटकना उसका शौक,
और अथाह को अपना बनाने की चाह है शायद!
वह कभी मदद, तो कभी आंशु बन बहना चाहता है,
तो कभी दूसरों को गले लगा उन्हें सुनना चाहता है!
कभी मेरे क़दमों को सहसा रोक देता है,
तो कभी मुझे बहता छोर देता है !
जब कभी पूछता हूँ, क्युं करता है तु ऐसा...
तो डाल मुझे मजधार में,
खुद कुछ दूर खरा होता है, मुझे आगे बुलाता है,
बढने का हौसला दिलाता है!
यह मेरा दिल है.....
मेरे काबू में नहीं,
मुझे से अनगिनत सवाल करता हैं
पर यह वही तो है...
जो मेरे होने का एहसास दिलाता है!!!

-मुकुल प्रियदर्शी