We Are The Change

India has been through a tumultuous time in the recent past, marred with instances of violence, apathy, intolerance, political dissonance and assaults on democracy. This post, very briefly, tries to capture everything that’s wrong with the nation and very humbly tries to urge fellow citizens, to ‘be the change, they want to see’.

“This country will never change”, they say.

Right-wing politics and the numbers game,

This party, that party, they’re all the same,

Corruption and populist practices are to blame,

The men in white kurtas, subjecting us to shame.

We’re powerless, our hands are tied,

We cast our vote, so you know we tried.

You see, that’s the beauty of democracy,

We don’t have to be tied up in aristocracy,

Question, protest, demand and satisfy your curiosity,

Obliterate condemnation and let go of hypocrisy.

 

“This country will never change”, they say.

Women are victimized, day in and day out,

Meted out with insolence and irreverence, no doubt,

Ogled, hounded and tormented by a savage rout,

Overpowered and accosted by men who’re stout.

Burdened with societal norms and spurious morals,

Wings shackled and battered in domestic quarrels,

Dreams muffled, fated to lead lives of unequal mortals,

She’s left without an identity; how’s she to pursue laurels?

You see, that’s the beauty of rich heritage,

We’ve  plenty to draw from, placing us at vantage,

Reflect, introspect, understand and let’s shed the baggage,

Couch debates won’t help; it’s time for our rite of passage.

 

“This country will never change”, they say.

We’re a nation besieged by jingoism and prejudices,

Intolerance runs in our veins, discriminating based on choices,

Steered by predispositions, drowning out all the rational noises,            

We hunt in packs, inflicting pain and render our victims voiceless.

Crimes against humanity, integrity and sovereignty are galore,

The world is watching us, so is our youth, and us they deplore,

Chart new horizons, break free from ignorance and explore,

No room for shadow boxing in kid gloves; it’s time we soar.

You see, that’s the beauty of diversity and a secular foundation,

We’re not defined by boundaries, caste, color or sexual orientation,

We don’t need a higher authority to instill fear of eternal damnation,

Let’s fight for what’s rightfully ours and stop seeking divine salvation.

 

“This country will never change”, they say,

Be the change you want to see, starting today.