Disclaimer: I don't know how much of a good citizen I am for I never go to vote till now. The reasons may or may not be justified but this is the fact. However, I have paid my taxes(duly) since the day I started earning two years ago.
I heard of Lokpal(&Jan Lokpal) and read about it much before than most people today. In my humble opinion the bulk of the nation heard of it only after Anna started fasting in April. Much of the country came to know of him only since april; for once, the media did a good job. He stood as an icon and symbol for a nation that is fed up of corruption. His fast was the tipping point. What seemed as impossible seemed so near; Corruption seemed to be beatable atlast.
However, What disturbed me was the news that Team Anna is insisting on only Jan Lokpal bill to be passed. I strongly felt that a middle path must be taken which may not be as weak as the govt's version nor as strong as Jan Lokpal. I am neither an expert nor very knowledgeable on this subject but this is my opinion. I also wish that Lokayuktas and Local Ombudsmen must be strengthened as suggested by Dr JP and Loksatta.
Now finally my loyalities: If I were given order the following and given Dr. Manmohan Singh and Anna Hazare, I will always put Dr.Singh and then Anna Hazare. We have been filled with corrupt politicians so much that it is easy to criticize the government and everything that it does. But if today I take home a salary greater than my father at the end of his career, I owe it PV Narasimharao & Manmohan Singh. This not to undermine what Anna Hazare is doing. I respect him from the bottom of my heart but my role model is more of Singh than of Anna.
But what I am most happy about is that the ice has broken. I am sure the bill that finally comes out will not be Jan Lokpal but it will not be a weak one either. A decent lokpal bill is bound to come out and I hope the country will have less of corruption. I only wish that both sides(govt and Team Anna) don't enter at logger heads and they find an amicable solution in resolving their conflicts
