Mumbai - A week of transformation!

Mumbai. What a transformation within a week! From a passive, helpless city TO an active, WE-CAN-attitude city. The leader-less, organization-less, promotion-less pure-citizen-based initiative of yesterday - mobilization of thousands of people near the Gate way of India - with people expressing their views - It was simply electrifying to be part of the crowd.

Like most others, I also felt it was just an emotional pouring or a spam, when I first got a random SMS from a friend last Sunday. But it was totally IN-ACTION yesterday. People shouting to their core - "Bharat Maatha Ki.. Jai", "Vande... Mataram..", "We want... Action" etc. The environment of huge mobs carrying posters ranging from "Enough is enough", "A'chut'han", "Vote for 49'o", "We want justice", "No Security, No Tax" etc. Flaunting the tri-color flags was scintillating. I wrote and carried a A3 poster with my favorite phrase "ONE India". We didn't forget to sing our national anthem with atmost sincerity. I could imagine how the freedom fighters would have felt!

Till yesterday, I used to wonder whether people protesting like this could make any REAL difference - Yes, people make their point - it also looks good to say to your friends that you have participated in it - that's it - everyone would go back to normalcy after a week. BUT yesterday definitely gave a different HOPE. The rage people showed on politicians - the way they are becoming aware of things happening around them - the way they call others for action - the way they get into action - all are really promising. If not great leaders emerging out of it, they are getting prudent enough to chuck ch**** out of the system. The politicians can't take it for granted that people are dolls who will just dance to regionalism / ideologies OR dogs which will run for the bone they throw. People want Justice, they want Change, they want their Tax to be used properly, they want Security, they want a Justification of the official post. And most importantly, they didn't just stop at asking what the politicians can do for the country, they discussed what they can do for the country. That is REAL difference.

The other day, my friend referred this long but thoughtful article on why poor countries are poor. In line with that article, no doubt our politicians have a played a major role in keeping this country in a pitiful state irrespective of its great resources. Hello... Our dear politicians, please Jaago Re. We have woken up - You can't keep cheating us! If we make a mistake in electing a wrong person - we shall throw him out and find a new person. In a country of 1.2 billion people, we are not short of leaders! Hey Joker, if you can't truly deliver what you promised, make way for others! These thoughts were reflected in the entire crowd.

Before I conclude this post, I just wanted some concrete ideas for a cause. It was great to sing the national anthem together in a group - Reminds us of our nation and our patriotic feelings - Reassures that we are ONE India! Mumbai does a great deal by having the national anthem played (in screen) in theaters before a movie - ensuring that we think of the nation at least for 0.8% of time we spend on the movie. In fact, I was so happy looking at the level of respect Mumbaikars give when it's being played - standing still, either singing or remaining silent. It's definitely a great deal. Now, the question is: How can it be done nationally?

Yes, I was told, it used to be played in theaters earlier, but was stopped after the reasoning that people are not respecting it properly - Seems like they reasoned it "Better to not have it than disrespecting it". Yes, point taken. But that's not a solution - it's like "When people don't follow the traffic rules, I will remove all traffic signals" - My comparison may sound extreme - But the point is simple: For anything and everything, there will be some dissidents. Why care about them? Think of the positive impact it could have. Even if it's one person, it's worth it. I also presume people's attention would go up with the latest inspiring visuals in big screens (yes, thanks Bharatbala).

Ok, let me come to the action part. It can be made possible in 2 ways - make it mandatory (through Government) OR inspire the theater owners to take action. Yes, the second solution may not be very sustainable in long term. But in any case, to make it happen, we need the buy-in of all the stake-holders: Government - State & Central, Theater owners and People. Few quick top-of-the-mind ideas. If you have any ideas / suggestions to make it happen, please comment.

• Theater owners: Target cities first - the multiplexes are more organized - Few owners to target - Through the top management or its board of directors, try to influence companies like INOX, Adlabs and PVR. Even if one makes its mandatory in ALL its screens in ALL cities (Yes, it will get a good PR for the Co. for doing it), others will follow it. Pretty soon, I believe, small theaters would follow - Not doing it would be not just a lack of respect for the nation, but the fact of being left out of the big league.
• People: Media can play a huge role in it. Some NGOs and volunteers can chip-in to create awareness.
• Government: Yes, Government Ji, if you implement it, i'm sure you can put it in your "List of achievements". But how can we influence you to do it? But.. Please don't tell us we need to BRIBE you!

Will post an update when I make that difference.