The Mumbaikar and the Campaign

Too many things have been written in the last few days by various journos, thinkers, analysts et al about Anna’s Anti Corruption Campaign and the Government’s take on it. Some Pro Team- Anna and some, against it now. When the Mumbai fiasco happened everybody wrote that it didn’t work this time around and Team Anna said they would review their strategy. There were lots of debates if Anna is losing the zing or is the Government winning?

I thought of penning down my views as a Mumbaikar. One of the most abused terminologies about Mumbai – The Spirit of the Mumbaikar, I thought of revisiting it. That morning of Mumbai Agitation at MMRDA grounds, I had a quick chat with my colleague. I am no astrologer or a soothsayer. But I predicted that this may not work in Mumbai. How? Why? The first reaction in every Mumbaikar’s mind was - what will happen to the traffic in Mumbai? We already have enough problems. Once again Thanks to MMRDA for digging up the different roads in Mumbai and keeping things pending to add to the Traffic woes. Apart from the traffic – there was nothing that worried me. But then will it work in Mumbai? The Mumbaikar is a different breed altogether. He knows the System in and out. He is still living with the same problems of road digging & traffic day in and day out. He is not able to do anything about it. Will Anna Hazare’s presence or my presence in the Anna Hazare camp help? Will it change anything in this wonderful city? Perhaps not.

Secretly in my mind, I still have the hope that things will change. And saying so, I get out to work like the millions of Mumbaikars and with a hope that Traffic doesn’t get worse.

What else was there in the Mumbaikar’s mind that day?