Telangana - The Land of Destiny or a Mirage? Part 2

Lessons for the downtrodden people - The power is in their collective hands. Nothing can ever take it away from them. Separate statehood struggle proved it beyond point. The struggle has to move out of books to minds and then into streets. Only then can it be a liberative force from whatever the problem is. Assertion of collective will can bring down monoliths. The challenge is to channelize it positively and wisely. It requires maturity from people and the leadership alike. Struggles need time to mature and vision just like a good wine which needs time for fermentation. The leader has to play the role of a master wine maker - identify the right grapes, right yeast and the right container. If the struggle loses its direction, focus or key people it loses the goal.

The struggle for Telangana was once betrayed by its leaders. The state of Telanagana cannot afford to be shortchanged again. The challenge of holding Telangana political leadership to their promises is one of the biggest challenges in front of people. The agitating leaders who are crying themselves hoarse cannot be pardoned if they fail in delivering tomorrow. They cannot give any more excuses after pushing all out for a separate state as panacea. People should understand this and not allow any further blame game in future on account of any reason - internal or external. If the people fail in ensuring this - they would have waged this long arduous battle in vain. They have to be vigilant all the times. The moment they stop the vigilance, rest assured, they will be short changed. All the tall promises will vanish and given a chance, even the leaders will vanish from the streets.

Lessons for the Prosperous & Dominant sections in a society

Growth can sustain only if it is inclusive. It cannot be the identity of few for long. They need to be generous in spirit and actions. Logic and science dictate that inequality/imbalance cannot remain forever. When the agitation for just demands was going on - the dominant group chose to stay silent - to a large extent that is. Instead of supporting the fighting souls it chose to stay silent. When written agreements and orders were being mutilated beyond recognition in action the enterprising group watched in mirth. It was reduced to a dull daily soap for them. It was not their problem. It was somewhere out there. That out there is right now bursting like a volcano under their feet and threatens to take out everything. The muted black&white hazy characters in the background of the soap opera have finally turned into the main subjects. They now have voice, shape, colour and the best dialogues. The run of events now threatens to destabilise the very base on which their supposedly secure futures did rest for a very long time. Time for introspection perhaps - not just in AP but elsewhere too.

Questions that need to be answered tomorrow ............. next post.