ROAD TO DEMOCRACY

ROAD TO DEMOCRACY

You do not have to be an expert to read the process or movement of Democracy. If one merely observes the streets and the roads of India the progress, the conflict , the competition is visible. The BEST buses bully  and represent the physical power , it also shows the rise of the subalterns , as most drivers perhaps would be from rural area making it Big in Mumbai and therefore manifest the depravation, lack of opportunity, exploitation they and their family members would have faced . In the Drivers’ seat they experience the seat of power and they assert it by pushing and bulldozing the lighter vehicles and cyclists. We see in South Mumbai , the rush of two wheelers; full family loaded with baby precariously balanced in one hand oblivious of the potential danger and maybe tragedy. But the upwardly mobile family would like to abandon that bicycle and bus and move with equal speed with the rest. Then as the evening arrives the high speed bikes accelerating furiously ,race with each other moving zig- zag between the traffic questioning the might of the rich and powerful. This demonstration is not merely for joy but also a challenge that we have arrived .Most of these mud-guard -less bikes emerge from the slum areas , speed so high that most of us are gaping in wonderment and shock whilst they vanish into nothing!!

 Despite the influx of Ola and UBER the ‘Kaali-Peeli’ rule the streets of  Mumbai. Therefore the masses still count. But the masses are now smart; for the have more or less discarded, setaside, dumped the good old Fiat and now the modern machines –Maruti, Santro and others are on the increase. This technological change is visible on the road. But the flux of motors has crushed the pedestrian; the original inhabitant of the street; to one corner. This much harassed category not only keeps moving from the main road to the  fast vanishing foot paths, but is also the most unwanted on the street as most on wheels  mock, shout , curse and  pity him. His fate is similar to the fate of so many farmers , landless labourers whose land has been taken by the builders .

 Therefore our streets are the reflection of the quality of our democracy there is much to marvel but much to feel sad, as we  await when the roads would be broader  and without potholes. When the pedestrian would have the first right on the road , when cyclists will have their exclusive lane, when we will respect the small and weak . Then it would be true Ram Rajya!