The Farce Called 'Aam Aadmi'

June 2, 2012
 
“For practical purposes Aam Aadmi does not exist. Aam Aadmi is supposed to be the boss for whom the elected representatives need to serve.”

I was one day watching Aamir Khan’s reality show, ‘Satyamev Jayate,’ (SMJ) aired on Star Plus and Doordarshan which has captured the public imagination, portraying the plight of the little known Indians. It has gripped the conscience of many a citizen. The life stories of people are heart-warming, never heard or read of on newspapers and never ever highlighted by news channels. It has woken up several government bodies to issues never attended to. I just sat silent for a while. Isn’t this a show for our politicians to pause over and renew their commitment as servants of our country?

Then the familiar term, ‘Aam Aadmi,’ crossed my mind. Aam aadmi is present everywhere, yet he is left unrecognized on most occasions, by the majority, except during elections. This term has been a hit among people, a creation by the “democratic government” of our nation (not to mention any political party, since none is trustworthy), known to be a weapon of the people, by the people and for the people. But it has never been with the people.

A venture like Janata Darshan (a day for hearing the woes of the public) introduced by various CM’s and governors in the south aimed at showing compassion for aam aadmi and his issues was unheard of several years ago. But is it only on one day of a week that the aam aadmi suffers? Has he been sufficiently listened to and attended to? Have the pleas seen any serious follow up? Has it borne fruit or has it become an eyewash, an advertisement for forthcoming polls? The above dilemma continues to make the aam aadmi impatient. The struggle of the unrecognized aam aadmi of our country still continues. He can never become Aamir (rich).

We have heard of many Yatras. All are aimed to appease the ordinary aam aadmi. Yet they just portray the pomp and glamour giving a jolt to his pockets. Yes, yatras are aimed at wooing the rural men and women, destroying their dreams, aspirations and essence in life.


Who is this Aam Aadmi?

According to G Nandalen, “Aam Aadmi appears in different avatars – farmer, weaver, labourer, coolie, beggar, cobbler, roadside vendor and pavement dweller.” I wish to add sex worker to the above quote. He is known by different names. – Dalit, immigrant, illiterate, unemployed, transgender. He is like the heat around us, though we know of it, yet we despise it when we are comfortable. He suffers and remains unexplored. He lives in huts, footpaths, villages and slums.

He is manipulated and hypnotized on most occasions by giving liquor or cash for votes. He is remembered and given wide prominence and honour on Kisan Day, Ambedkar Jayanti and Assembly polls. All discussions, conferences and seminars are on Aam aadmi. But the same Aam aadmi rolls over his back painfully, when petrol prices are raised, when mining disrupts right to life, policies of development get delayed due to vested interests and so on. Yet Aam aadmi is religious at the core – ready to offer cash, jewels as offering, tonsuring his head in surrender to the deity.

All budgets focus on aam aadmi. But not one comes to complete fulfillment. This implies that for practical purposes aam aadmi does not exist. Aam admi is supposed to be the boss for whom the elected representatives need to serve.

Today news channels are wasting their time in useless discussions with those that are against Aam aadmi. Is Metro project for Aam aadmi? It is to increase the already comfortable affluent of society.

The concept of globalization was to make the world a global village, minimize distance and smoothen accessibility. The new age novelty we see today is mainly focused on – more food, more technology, more chemicals, more pollution. As a result of the individual comfort mechanisms globalization has created people who are more poor.


Globalised culture has led humans to three new evils at the core:

- Aham Aadmi - Individualism (Ego)

Global market has mesmerized all including the common man about ways of being independent. Peace and happiness have been defined in abstract terms to woo the customers. The need for social interdependence has vanished. Altruism has become obsolete for most. People no longer think of others. Thus it has led to the replacement of ‘Aam’ with ‘Aham aadmi.’ Aham has led to increase in corruption.


- Fragmentation - No time to listen to each other

Fragmentation has destroyed ‘we’ feeling. The sacred concept and purpose of family has vanished. Our homes no longer nurture good personalities. There is more division among people on basis of class, caste, creed in spite of advancement in technology and way of life. People have begun to marry outside religion and cultures. Live-in relationships are a common phenomenon. Divorces have increased five times.


- Consumerism

Every industry is thinking of efficiency in terms of better gadgets. More the number of gadgets, less is the level of communication at the societal level. Self-sufficiency has creeped in. “More gadgets, more happiness,” seems to be the slogan of the day.

Materialistic world has de-humanized Homo sapiens. There is no guilt when one commits a crime or robs one’s neigbour. Even children of the age of two are well versed with the use of cell phone and laptop which can hamper their innocence. Humans have qualified in selfishness.


Conclusion

The tagline of the episode ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (SMJ) says, dil pe lagegi, tabhi baat banegi (when it touches our heart, we begin to think and talk about it). The shocking testimonies and interviews of fellow Indians open up the world of aam admi.

If India needs to change we need individuals who can forget their Aham (ego) and think of the other. We need more transparent individuals and policies, not governments that suck the blood out of aam aadmi through corrupt practices. Corruption and unlawful activities can find an end only if Aham goes out of us.
 
Do you and I, belong to this category? If yes, then we have the right to speak and fight for justice. If we do not, at least can we think, speak and write on behalf of them?

 

Lancy Fernandes - Archives:  

By Lancy Fernandes
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Comment on this article

  • L Fernandes, Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 06 2012

    Beautifully written. Wish you all the best Lancy

  • Vijay Prabhu, Kundapur/Canada

    Wed, Jun 06 2012

    I think what the political party that coined the word 'Aam Aadmi' really intended to say or mean was 'Damn Aadmi' Hell with all the lowly Indians! Just let us get the votes, rule and become rich overnight!! Damn Aadmi!! ...This true of any party that comes in power, be it the Congress, BJP, Trimool Congress, AIDMK, DMK, ...you can name hundreds of them!!

  • Felita, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 04 2012

    Nice one Brother, Keep writing,,, all the best

  • Ted, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 02 2012

    The aam aadmi can be compared to God.

    He is present everywhere, but invisible to the government.

    He appears in different avatars — farmer, weaver, labourer, coolie, beggar, cobbler, roadside vendor and pavement-dweller.

    He is known by different names — Dalit, immigrant, illiterate and unemployed.

    Temples, churches and other places of worship are the abodes of God, while slums, huts, footpaths and villages are the abodes of the aam aadmi.

    Offerings are made to God by way of cash, jewels, food and tonsure of hair. The aam aadmi is offered rations, spurious liquor, tonsure, body organs (particularly kidneys) and cash for votes.

    Festivals and functions are held in the name of God throughout the year. For the aam aadmi it is Kisan day, Ambedkar Jayanti and elections when the aam aadmi is feted with wild promises.

    Religious discourses extol the virtues of God. Discuss-ions and seminars religio-usly dissect the aam aadmi.

    A flood of humanity congregates for God. Annual floods converge and sweep away the aam aadmi.

    God created Adam and Eve, while the government created the aam aadmi.

    An aam aadmi rolls on his back to appease the almighty God.

    The almighty government rolls back levies and taxes to appease the aam aadmi.

    For all practical purposes, the aam aadmi does not exist for the government.

    So who is greater, powerful and real?

    God or Aam Aadmi?

  • Kurt Waschnig, Oldenburg Germany

    Sat, Jun 02 2012

    Hats off to you Lancy! You have written an excellent article and you describe the social reality of the ordinary Indian in a special way.

    As a foreigner who is not Indian I have no right to criticise India but I am in love with this wonderful country and therefore I would like to comment on your article.

    You are right the poorest of the poor appear in different avatars -farmer, weaver, labourer, coolie, beggar, cobbler, roadside vendor and pavement dweller.

    They try their best to survive in a market driven society without any social welfare system. India is called the “biggest democracy” on earth, but is India a democracy only on paper or are democratic institutions really independent? I regularly read in Indian newspapers how corrupt politicians are and how 700 million Indians live in poverty and in terrible economic conditions.

    India also currently has the largest illiterate population on earth. Uneducated and illiterate Indians attend general elections often without detailed knowledge of the current economical and political developments. Hence, literacy is the key for socio-economic progress. Education is a universal human right.

    Up to now no Indian government has tried to improve the standard of living of the poorest of the poor.

    Globalisation has reached India and has spread to all corners of the country.

    The concept of globalisation was to make the world a global village, minimize distance and smoothen accessibility. One must agree that was a great idea but was brought globalisation for the ordinary Indian?

    Frankly speaking nothing. What is really needed is simple. The Indian government, influential organisations, trade unions, the Indian middle- and upper class class should remember the greatest Indian the FATHER OF THE NATION Gandhi.

    He gave an example by his life, peacefully and determined, the Father of the Nation dreamt of a free India with equal chances for all Indians.

    In his point of view there should not be a caste system, one should see the needy and the poor, one should look after and take care of the poor.

    And Gandhi achieved so much, he fastest for the Indians, for the nation and the Indians listened to him.
    The won the fight against the British Raj and India became an independent nation.

    Lancy you say “If India needs to change we need individuals who can forget their Aham (ego) and think of the other. We need more transparent individuals and policies, not governments that suck the blood out of aam aadmi through corrupt practices. Corruption and unlawful activities can find an end only if Aham goes out of us.”

    It is possible for Indians to fight peacefully that all Indians can live in dignity, with equal opportunities, with respect and tolerance and by applying and implementing Gandhi´s principle human beings will receive a deep and profound meaning of life.

    Then globalisation can be a blessing for all Indians.

  • RP, Mlore

    Sat, Jun 02 2012

    Very well written. Aam Aadmi is another word for "JOKE"


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