Storms are brewing over the largest and the longest running democracies of the world.
America’s east cost is facing the wrath of Hurricane Irene. As of this moment, the eye of the storm is 30 miles south of New York City. Some towns near our place have witnessed some flooding’s and are without electricity since last night. Irene will pass over New York/ New Jersey area by this afternoon. Damages to properties have been significant in the coastal areas. This time around states have braced themselves well for category 2 (now, 1) hurricane Irene. I guess lessons have been learned and implemented from the deadly 2005 hurricane Katrina.
Now, coming to the second storm that is facing the world’s largest democracy, India. Hurricane Anna has made the landfall on New Delhi this morning. The Anna’s version of the Jan Lokpal bill (citizens' ombudsman bill) has been approved by the Parliament. The people power has spoken. It indeed has been the victory of the democracy. You know there is something wrong with the system when most of the nation is rooting for a cause and our elected officials are taking the other side. Jan Lokpal bill will be a good add-in to India’s democratic values. The whole nation is rejoicing, it’s as if Diwali has come in August.
But this is again a glass half full. As someone said, ‘With Power comes Responsibilities’. I am not being a party pooper here, but trying to see the whole picture. Since now we have what we wanted, the system should work. Agreed? What Anna Hazare did was nothing short of an achievement. It will definitely go down in the history books, but where does Jan Lokpal bill stands when it comes to the oversight of its functioning? After all that is what is expected of a well running democracy: checks and balances.
As of now, it seems that both the storms have done what they were supposed to do; Irene on her part did create havoc and destruction of properties. Her eastern hemisphere counterpart, Hurrican Anna has brought joy on people’s faces…for now!!
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