Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night...

I am a bystander in my nation's march towards hatred. And I am not innocent.

I am representative of a generation that is known to arise from its slumber only if the event is sensationaland involves a few exciting sound-bytes on national television. I have drawing room conversations about theOrissa Cyclone, the lack of secularism in India, the rape of Gujarat...and I spend more time choosing my nextcar than I do on choosing the politicians to lead my country and her people.

I am to blame because by choosing my own warped version of the Gandhian philosophy of tolerance, I havebecome accepting of the mediocrity around me.

Growing up I remember my parents' generation often reminiscing about a bygone India. A country with idealismand zeal and leaders one could look up to. When they spoke, the people listened and united in a common cause -freedom.

But I am 27 and my memories are a jigsaw puzzle of hatred with moments of glory thrown in. I remember the1984 riots, I remember the pain and horror that I as a Sikh felt...and I remember the sense of betrayal atpeople that had turned against their own. But I also remember my landlord who refused to be bullied and coweddown by a group of local goons who wanted to know if a sardar lived in his building.

I remember the Orissa Cyclone and more recently the Gujarat Cyclone where the spirit of the nation refused togive in, where the collective conscience of her people showed that this was indeed the same India that had thespirit to fight all adversity and make an effort to regain her pride.

But Godhra has shaken the central belief that I had in my fellowmen. I do not recognise this as my India. Iremember a nation that for all her quirks was gracious and human. A lot has been said about Godhra and thecarnage that shattered the fragile illusion of civility that we thought we possessed as a nation. And yet notenough!

The horror of Gujarat today is undeniable and unchangeable, but the shame of it is the reactions andinaction of the leaders of the state and nation - and that can be changed.

I am tired of people saying that we have no idols to look up to and that our leaders are a bunch ofincompetent men in khaki shorts. If we don't have leaders it's because we do not demand high standards fromthe men and women who sit in the echelons of power in our country.

I refuse to believe that as the youth of this nation we do not have the fire in our bellies that would makeus rise out of our complacency and move towards a system that is more responsive to the needs of the peoplewho live within it.

I want to be proud of my country but I also want to be the one to proudly to tell my grandchildren thatours was the generation that refused to give up and gave India a new lease of life.

Because I will not go gentle into that good night!

(Sharika Bhasin, 27, is a Delhi based manager)