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It is great that Anna is gathering support of NRI's for his anti corruption movement outside India. Leading a parade in New York is also an example in this regard. But the question is how all these efforts will pay dividend in not so far general election which is due next year. It may happen soon also. Anna's movement, if we see correctly, is confined to mostly middle class. And this class has almost minimal role in the democratic process of electing candidates. They always regard Election Day as holiday and confine themselves inside the home or involve in some stupid recreational activities rather than standing in the long queues to cast their valuable votes for a genuine candidate. Their so called aggression is limited to writing on web, liking pages, twitting and lighting candles to support the cause. It is alright to do all these things and nothing wrong in that but, it is also important to do more than that. Till now, middle class’s participation in the electio...

Now India's biggest anti corruption movement for Lokpal is turning itself into a political party. And this is going to raise a lot of questions as well as hope. Today is the new beginning for team Anna who is leaving behind their 16 month long movement and heading towards forming a new political party who will contest 2014 general elections. Team Anna's hopelessness in transporting a change in the system by bringing Lokpal into reality ultimately resulting in fighting with the system by forming a political party. But how much this decision is right only time will tell. Those big words by Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal and other team Anna members are very catchy and impressive for public but in reality it is looking more like a mirage where goal seems always far. It has been said and most of the time it was observed that face saving exercise for team anna forced them to take this decision of forming a political party. It was clear the real croud were not pre...

Once again Anna Hazare and his team is fasting for Lokpal in New Delhi. But the mood is different and the momentum seems lost somewhere this time. Last year when Anna started his fast unto death everybody was enthusiastic about the cause but a lot happened since then. Team Anna has been targeted so many times by different agencies on different grounds. But they kept saying that they will come again strongly and won't bow their heads for fight against corruption and will push strongly for Lokpal. But the biggest letdown happened when a nominal number of public was observed in their fast on Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. This type of movement draws its energy from the public. Last year's fast was historic which noticed great support from all over India in 13 days and compelled UPA government to take step towards anti graft bill. Electronic media also played a significant role in awaring people towards the cause in 2011. Public came from every nook and corner. But surprisingly the...

Its a power game and there is a constant need to always be in the news. There is a need to be always connected with the people who hold the power to cast the vote and elect. We have a population of over one billion and half of them are young. We have a strong work force to reckon with. These dynamic young people are the first ones to embrace new technology and they are very much active on social media. Anna Hazare's anti corruption movement is hugely dependent on the power of social media to pull people on streets. Just take a moment and think how many people knew Anna Hazare one years ago. He was a regional icon not a pan Indian one. There was a strong social media campaign behind him. Many political leaders are admitting this very fact that social media can take them to innumerable people instantly and they can directly interact with them  too. It is a direct and a huge public relation platform and every political leader wants a pie of it.  Shashi ...

Do we live in the era of censorship? No. But communication minister Kapil Sibal's latest offensive to force social networking site facebook to prescreen content denotes just like that. Facebook or other social networking websites like Google plus, Orkut, Twitter etc. gives a great platform to people from all walk of life to express their feelings freely. People connect with each other and share their updates and views on many subjects personal or impersonal. We live in the era of internet revolution where everything is available 24 hours within a click of mouse. Anybody can access anything from anywhere. Content which were hidden is no longer veiled now. It is being shared freely and social networking sites are playing a major role in spreading awareness to the people. It seems Kapil Sibal represents a broader feudal mentality of political class which only wants to hear pleasing things and not comfortable with creative criticism.  We are in the middle of winter session of th...