EVERY REPUBLIC or Independence Day calls for a vigorous introspection on the part of all Indians. On the eve of the 62nd Republic day I have a few questions to ask our leaders, activists, intellectuals and think tanks.

Firstly what has all the crescendo about corruption led us to? How do we eradicate it phase-wise, as the general consensus is that corruption is endemic from the top to the bottom? The brouhaha led by a man who in my opinion plays more often than not the role of a maverick, has got into the blood and bones of the young and the old alike- so much so that children flaunt vests stating, '' I am Anna''. If so what are we doing about it? Is simply passing the Lokpal enough? Aren't we fatuous not to realise that all our politicians don't want the ' draconian' bill, for obvious reasons, and that they are stolidly united on this count?

Secondly, a question to civil society rights mongers? What are we crying hoarse for? If every Indian is sensitive to his/ her surroundings by doing something for the poor, the deprived, and the hungry by contributing his mite, sharing his wealth we will have made a beginning. There is no use to talk about Right to Education if we do not systemically start the process state wise. What are governments, both at state and central levels doing? Recently, the National Human Rights Commission gave a stricture to the Meghalaya government that they are to redress the problem of street children within fourteen days. Is anyone listening? What about the other states?

What is development and what is growth? What will we do with the rampant ' progress' of technology if we cannot use it for growth, cultural, developmental and educational?

Next what are the skills and mission objectives that we are harping on? How do we achieve the purpose of procuring workers for industries? On the one hand there is a plaintive cry against population explosion and on the other hand we proudly announce the fact that the demand for various industries is woefully shorter than the supply?

And please stop this IPL bash. Cricketers are not playing for the country, they are being auctioned for money like goods and commodities. If we can ask corporate houses to show some social responsibility, surely we can tell our hallowed cricketers to do so?

There is no point about platitudinising, if we don't call the shots. Hear o’ hear activists, civil society workers, intellectuals instead of publishing reports in glossy magazines.

And then J& K and the North East. For God's sake don’t treat these two regions in separatist ways. They are asking for attention to solve their woes of alienation and being ' different'. If you enter into a dialogue with them don't play the divide and rule game. That is the British model. Surely we can dismantle it.

Yes India is a great democracy, but without a conscience, as of now!