Year that went by

2011 - What an year it was ... 

Firstly, Wish you all a very happy new year - 2012. 

Coming to 2011, it was no doubt one of the most eventful years for the world. We have witnessed some of the unprecedented events unfolding this year. Both for the world and India, it is eligible to be called "year of events".

For the world as a whole I would call it the year of protests. The leaky year 2010 ( courtesy: Wikileaks) , directly or indirectly paved way for the protests of 2011. 2010 ended with protests in Tunisian , which culminated in 2011. From then on the domino effect started, spreading the protest throughout the Arab world. Civil resistance become louder and louder and could topple some of the most powerful dictators. It was nothing less than a shock to the entire world, where foreign policies of powerful countries were put to test. Toppling of dictators did not come easy. What started as democratic protests in Tunisia and Egypt, when spread to other countries have become violent. Dictators refused to react the way Ben Ali and Mubarak reacted. Unfortunately, many lives were lost in Yemen, Syria and now even in Egypt. So what can the year 2012 will get for that part of the world - I think its very hard to make a guess. Will the protests of 2011 reach a climax in 2012 and assure some sort of stability there? I am afraid it is not so easy given the sensitivity of the issue. Moreover, the so called super powers are always there to play the geopolitical games there. 

The way world reacted to Somalian crisis is the best example of how powerful countries are interested only in politics. As the NATO forces are bombing Libya ( spending millions of dollars), a humanitarian crisis was unfolding in Somalia. There was not even an effort to improve the security situation and reach the starving millions of Somalian people. It was only UN that cried for help and aid , but in vain. 

The Arab world hardly had any kind of Democracy. Those countries witnessing unrest and protests can be largely attributed to the dictatorships under which people lead their tough lives. But, what about the protests in democratic and semi democratic countries? What can explain the Occupy Wall Street of the United States, Riots in London, people movement against Corruption in India, protests in Russia etc? Leaving Russia, The US, UK and India are thriving democracies, but still the governments ( elected by people) faced people's anger on a large scale. Democracy gives its people right to choose its rulers. The governments in India and UK were elected in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Did these Governments lost their representative character so early? 

Economic situation in the US and Eurozone show that there is something wrong with the policies. The global fora like G8 and G20 have tried to come out of global recession of 2008, but things have only worsened with increasing public debts in these countries and consequent spending cuts by the Governments. 

I wish 2012 becomes and year of correction and there is a common effort by these Governments to evade further crisis and also do serious policy corrections.

When it comes to India, It was the year of public anger towards corruption in Governments, protests against land acquisitions, nuclear power etc. 

Indian people are refusing to live with cancer of corruption. "Compromising", "Fatalistic" Indians are becoming assertive and demanding. This is high time that our elected rulers understand the change wave that has set in Indian Society. Seeing the recent debate in Parliament over the Lokpal bill, I would understand that there is definitely a genuine realization and effort on the part of the politicians. I guess, they are getting to understand that they cannot close the lid on simmering anger of people unless they assure clean politics and governance. 

However, there are still a section of politicians who seem to play politics and are relying on their "ability to win elections". They seem to believe that the present agitation is an urban phenomena and large number of Indian voters are in rural areas and so on... Yes, the Indian common man/woman may not understand 2G spectrum scam though he/she uses a mobile phone. But, they do understand that something is not going on right with them. Startling disparities among people will speak volumes about where the money is going. Then the present "no changers" will also face the music. Informed and connected citizenry, vibrant media will further hasten the process of information empowerment even in remote corners of India.

I hope 2012 will get the much needed change in Governance. I hope there is new energy in Indian people, which gives them the guts to question and get things done. 

Once again, Wish you a happy leap year....