Need for Revolution

Need For Revolution (Poriborton Chai)

Rijuta Kanjilal

"...there aren't any good brave causes left", felt Jimmy Porter of Osborne's 'Look Back in Anger', as did the youth of the 1950's Britain. As I went through my favourite play, the other day, I somehow felt if that is how the youth of this generation in India feels. In a Postmodern world, where even the nitty gritties of life seems to make news and a smallest of issues triggers a ‘strike’ in the city I live in, will a 'Revolution' be an answer to "change"??

What do we need to change? What are the 'good, brave causes' that would interest the 'aam junta' more than some "chinless wonders" that plague politics in my country? Maybe in that sense we have all become Jimmy Porter of our time. The revolutionary past of our country enthrals and excites us while an uncertain future and stationary present baffles. We no more live in a world where societal causes, injustice, corruption infuriates a youth to the extent of a revolt. In my state we have remained content with "no change" for 34 years, haven't we?? But, as a political party in my state tries to usher change with the slogan "poriborton chai", I question myself whether, the mere change in a governing body will be enough to change the escapist mentality of an entire generation? Will there be another Bapi Sen who gave his life to save a girl from eve-teasers and the biggest irony is that the girl never materialized even to identify the murderer of her saviour. Will the countless Ruchiras get justice when harassed by the powerful but few "Rathores"? Poriborton for me is, when half the country came together in their bid to get the murderers of Jessica Lal punished or the frenzy that followed Anna Hazare's hunger strike over the Lokpal Bill or more recently the fact that we have finally brought in a change in the governing body after being static for 34 years; but wasn't all this too late??

"Fight for yourself" still seems to be the only mantra of my generation as we know that no one and I mean NO ONE will come to our aid even if one of us is murdered publicly, unlike the previous century when society existed in all its glory and people got involved in each other's matters - trials, tribulations and happiness. Despite the "obvious" disadvantages society does have some ‘’obvious’’ advantages as well. But, today one needs to be "connected" to survive.

I remember a news report few years ago about a girl being molested in a CSTC bus while other passengers looked on!!! On the contrary, when a Neta's daughter was eve-teased, a few days later on a railway platform, rampant policing followed resulting in the capture of a few miscreants.

The lesson I took from this incidence that I read is, that since I'm no hobnob in the society, I only have myself to protect "me" and the so-called "ATTIYOTA" my city is famous for, no longer exists, not at least in my generation. We are busy, very busy for all these "WE" and "YOU" stuff; we only have time for "I, ME, MYSELF" --"Nobody thinks, nobody cares, no beliefs, no convictions and no enthusiasm"

The Revolution needed today is a mental revolution - something that would provoke us to come out of our fake 'comfort-zones' to fight for a cause - individual, societal or patriotic. 'Poribortan' in a governing body can't change people, it has to come from within, so that we can nullify Jimmy's --- "I suppose, people of our generation aren't able to die for good causes any longer..."
and sing Celine Dion's ---- "a new day has come".

I HOPE that May 13th has ushered that "new day" for my state, which will initiate a much needed change. Change in social outlook is must, but change in mentality is what I crave for.

Bibliography

1) Look Back in Anger by John Osborne