Wednesday, January 1, 2014

An Open Letter


Open Letter to Kumar Vishwas


Why am I writing this letter? Well, because I wish you well. Firstly, I congratulate you and your party for changing the conventional way of playing politics. I congratulate you for re-kindling hope – hope for a positive change.

While I appreciate your confidence to stand for elections against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, the tenor of your claim reeks of arrogance.

It is brave. But brazen.

I am no one to tell you that media attention can sometimes create notions of invincibility. You know it. No doubt, you have a realistic chance of winning against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi. Why, even a young Rakhi Birla can win against Priyanka if she decides to contest in the forthcoming elections. Well, maybe.

The timing is right. You and your party have rightfully seized the moment. Disillusioned with the political terra firma, we are willing to give honesty a chance. We are fed up with personalities over-shadowing issues. And for this reason alone, you should be wary of boasting that you can defeat anyone – be it Modi or Rahul.

Please don’t allow personalities to eclipse issues. Else, you sound like the other forever aspirants of power. Yes, you can defeat Rahul. But so can others like Khemka, Durga Shakti Nagpal or Santosh Hegde. Time is fertile for anyone who is perceived to have led an honest life or has taken up cudgels against corruption.

How about learning a thing or two from your own leader Mr. Yogendra Yadav? For me, Mr. Yadav is a speaker par excellence. When he speaks, I can sense the honesty behind purpose. I sincerely hope and wish to see Prof.Yogendra Yadav as the CM of Haryana some day.

You have a tough task ahead - the task of being popular and not populist. Your party has to empower people and not make them dependent. Doles and sops don't work in the interest of the nation or the Aam Aadmi. Empowerment does. It is a tight rope walk.
Moreover, with disgruntled politicians of different hues like Alka Lamba and Mr Kamaal Farooqi wanting to make the most of AAP fortunes, you have an uphill task of assuaging egos and managing ambitions. One way to go about it is by letting your work speak more than your angst.

Did I tell you that it is a pleasure to listen to your chaste Hindi in a world where Hinglish rules?  I first heard your poetry recorded in the mobile phone of an engineering student, way back in 2009. While the rendition was flawless, what amazed me was your connect with  the students. This connect, I believe will strengthen with humility and not with unnecessary bravado. 
I am hoping that the poet in you will not fall prey to the enticement of the microphone. Why allow the media circus to mess with your noble intentions? Because the only thing shorter than public memory is public euphoria. All it takes for the public to swing from adulation to admonition is one comment. Just one silly comment. Remember Anna’s slip of the slap – Ek Hi Thappad Maara?


In the twilight zone before 2014, you and your party need to hold together as a team. Humility has been your party’s hall mark. Let it continue to be so. Of all the people, you should know that humility is not thinking less of yourself - it is thinking of yourself less.

 Good luck.

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44 comments:

  1. Wow Alka didi. Yet another powerful but subtle writing. Perfect definition of humility, "...thinking of yourself less..."! And anything less than public memory is public euphoria...very nice! And yes, the subtle warning to them is very very apt!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Ritu. Wish you and Anuj a very happy new year.

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  2. Beautifully written Alka. Very powerful words... straight from the heart. Your words are an eloquent testimony to the depth of your thoughts. Kudos!

    Dagny

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    Replies
    1. What a lovely way to start my new year. Your presence here makes my day Dagny.

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  3. Very true. The one apprehension that has been on my mind as far as AAP is concerned is this... while the intentions behind this party getting formed are all genuine, the chances of some candidates behaving brazen and getting out of hand are high... hopefully they are not in the majority or it wont be long before another party takes birth to dismantle APP.

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    Replies
    1. True. The biggest challenge will be to stick together as one cohesive team.

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  4. Superb punchline to cap a great post, Alka!

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  5. Wonderful analysis as always!! Loved it, as always :)

    Wish you and yours a brilliant 2014!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the wishes. And thank you for the share.

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  6. Applause at that last sentence - Humility is thinking of your self - LESS

    Wonderful Alka. You should write for newspapers like Hindu and Indian Express.
    I really wish Kejirwal reads this

    Happy new year by the way

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    Replies
    1. It's a quote Afshan. It's not mine. But yes, hope team Kejri is listening. We don't want them to stumble.
      Wish you a happy new year.

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  7. A very powerful piece, Alka. I'm so afraid that they'll get carried away with all bravado and forget what they started out to do!

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    Replies
    1. Absolutely. You said it.
      Thanks for the tweet. :)

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  8. Your post is very motivating.......wish Kejriwal and all others of his party read this. Very powerful article!!

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  9. What a start to 2014 direct sixer, Happy New Year. They need to understand that its much easier to get popularity with hyper-activism and populist approach than to maintain that. One silly mistake can bring down curtains for you and its much difficult to rebuild that image again.

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    Replies
    1. Well said. Btw loved Kejriwals speech in the Assembly.

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  10. You should send this to their office...tell them just a gentle reminder from an Aam Aadmi :)

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    1. I guess someone warned him. I saw Vishwas on Times Now yesterday. He was cogent and humble - just right.

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  11. What a powerful post. "..humility is not thinking less of yourself - it is thinking of yourself less" you said it all in so few words!

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    1. Rajrupa, it is quote. I just used it in this context. Thanks.

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  12. I am loving your thoughts. Brave, honest and open!! Thought provoking indeed!

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  13. Very true, Alka! I hope they don't fall in the same rut that they came to dislodge the other parties from. Sometimes euphoria and success can make one lose perspective. At some level, every Indian wants AAP and their pathbreaking ideals to succeed. It will be interesting to see how their journey goes. Nicely penned, as always!

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    1. Thanks Rachna. Perhaps, someone pointed it out. I heard Vishwas on Times Now yesterday and he was good - cogent yet humble.Love his chaste Hindi.

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  14. Very rightly said Alka. I hope they don't get lost in all this adulation and forget the real purpose. It is easy to lose direction.

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    Replies
    1. True. Hope all is good Jas. Wish you a very happy new year.

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  15. I have publicly said that if Kejriwal ever has problem,it woukd be because of out spoken Dr Vishwa

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    Replies
    1. Last saw him on Times Now. It seems he has learnt the lesson.

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  16. This man needed this! good read for a Saturday end, especially after visiting a national park in Bangalore and looking at animals and their humility even in forced captivity.

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    Replies
    1. Good to see you here Vinaya. Is national park different from Bannerghata park?

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  17. We are all expecting AAP to fail. After all, we are not used to too much of a good thing. We are prone to disillusionment than positivity. I say, let them make mistakes. That's how they'll learn. They need our support, that's the least we can do for them.

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    Replies
    1. Oh no, I want them to succeed. I just want them to bite as much as they can chew. Slow and steady.
      Confidence is good. Over-confidence is not.
      Because if they fail, hope fails.

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  18. this is such a well written piece.. you are right, AAP's intentions are very good but their political immaturity can cause damage to their image.they should debate their stand more tactfully on national television.

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  19. My comment came late but at the opportune time with the Dharna staged by AAP..I feel they are losing track and struggling with the nitty gritty of politics. Hope they become clear what they want and don't just take on anybody like the girls in Uganda.
    Cheerz

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