Changes 101

A rally like never before, with unprecendented numbers of people took place at the Gateway of India. A peace march; a prayer meet; a show of solidarity; an angry city coming together to demand answers from the government. Other cities too had people coming together at the same time - to show the spirit of unity still holds strong. Promises that we'll continue to keep asking for security against terror till we feel safe again. A nation risen.

While we wait for actions from the government, for new equipment to reach our armed forces and our policemen, and for new reforms in our intelligence agencies - lets talk about our local police - the men and women that come to work everyday to protect the law and order of our city.

Over the course of the 60 hours, we mocked them like never before. We were aghast when they ran away from terrorists shooting at them with AK-47s. We blamed them for the lack of security we felt and for allowing terrorists to run amock in the city. We chastised them for not being able to shoot and kill the bad guys. And once again, we called them useless.

Then we realised that it wasnt fair - to expect a man who is not equipped, neither physically, mentallly or with proper machineary to come to the forefront and take the sureshot bullet coming his way in a vest and hat meant for riots. So now, we decided that he needs better equipment, and he needs to be better trained. We filed a PIL. But will the new shiny gun change the way we look at the pot bellied pandu who stands at the signal?

This is where the change needs to start. In our perspective. As a people, we dont respect our police force, neither do we respect the basic law and order in our land. We bribe them, taking advantage of their poverty, with a meagre twenty rupees to save a ticket fine. Even when we knowingly break signals, enter one way streets in the wrong direction, park in no parking zones and do all the other things that we know are wrong, that cause public hindrance but are so convinient at that moment. We ignore requests to register our domestic workers, we continue to employ children below the legal working age. We prefer daily wage workers at our factories, they save cost to company. Therein lies our complete selfishness. That has to be Change 101.

Respect for the law and the people who are meant to protect it has to start at home with each one of us. The smallest bribe, the smallest misdemeanour are still offences. Lets take responsibility for our actions and follow procedures & precautions, and when necessary accept fines & punishments as deemed. Only then will that pandu rise above the cliche and become a policeman. One that will not only take care of the petty complaints and passport verifications, but one that will out of duty and regard for a society that respects and shows its forces gratitude, risk his life to save ours.

"You must become the change you want to be" - Gandhiji