Here are some reasons why:
1. (primary) We really need a change – Frankly, our political system is rotten and anyone else from the system is going to repeat what we have seen in the past. A new person will do mistakes BUT will have fresh ideas and we will have better chance to create disruption required for a positive change. Almost all next generation young politicians have conveniently chosen the stereo type path of their predecessors. A new face from outside the current political system is required.
2. Arvind or someone like him can’t screw up more than what already is. It’s amazing to see the relationship of politician and public in India. Politicians make public promises before every election - both parties know that the politician is not going to keep it but the politician who makes more fake promises will have better chance to win.
3. “Right intent” (neeyat) is the ONLY missing element in our system. As a country we have all ingredients required to make a great, successful country. It’s the “right intent” which is missing. It’s easy for everyone to bash the politicians but they also come from the same society! You can see one example every second on roads (traffic), government offices, local communities, or practically any place with group of people.
Issues with team Anna:
1. Inexperience – but I think this will be a blessing. They are bunch of intelligent people, well educated, leaders in their respective fields and fighting with the system for a long time. Also, they don’t have to execute everything on their own. They will have full force of government teams to execute
2. No political organization – setting up a viable national organization can take 10-15 years to setup. I guess best chance they have for 2014 is by getting credible faces like Ratan tata, Narayan Murthy, etc. and clean faces from other political parties together
2. No political experience – I'm sure you don't want them to be like other politicians. These are intelligent people and assuming that they will be able to attract right people to join - they can for sure figure out a future path
The new political environment in India:
Many may not agree with team Anna’s approach and ideas but we have to give them the credit for bringing corruption and system problems at center stage of politics. They have been able to get people out of their homes.
I’m afraid that Congress will now work aggressively to get the “Lokpal bill” passed (before next election) from both houses in any shape to get rid of team Anna. Theoretically, if lokpal bill is passed, fundamental reason for team Anna to form a political party is gone. But I believe team Anna will still go ahead and form a political party now (or at minimum get more involved in active politics).
What we can do:
1. “Do something!” – we debate a lot and have suggestions to make no less than the prime minister but when was the last time you did something for the society? Something you did cautiously that does not affect you in anyway?
2. Contribute to build togetherness and not divide: an example: I have seen Indians migrating to foreign countries and once again making local communities per their cast and “the Indian state” they come from. This looks funny to me. Imagine Indian migrating to Australia, holding Australian passport and once again form local groups based on cast. Not an Indian group but groups based on cast or the Indian state they come from.
We have to first admit the problems we have in our local societies. It starts from our homes and neighbourhood followed by local communities. I have failed to understand when people make statements like “Be proud to be a Marathi”, “Be proud to be a Bihari”, “Be proud to be an Indian”, … Why do we need to tell this to public!! Is this a sign of insecurity?
India’s reality:
• 37% still under international poverty line
• Honor killing is still accepted in many societies
• Divided by cast, state, language, etc.
• Only few pockets of developing areas
• 3rd world country deficient in fundamental infrastructure like electricity, food, water, medicine
• There is a big list and unfortunately many living in cities won’t be able to relate to many of these factors.
P.S. – I’m aware that every point in this post can have a counter argument. But sorry, I don’t understand arguments like “our culture is the greatest/best”, “0 was invented in India”, “we are only 65 years old country”, “see what has happened with countries that got independence at same time”, etc.