Disclaimer: Before coming to the heading of this blog let me start with some background...Sorry for sounding out of subject in starting.
From the same history I learnt that we should never undermine the power of common man. Most importantly (and with alert) never undermine their power to fulfill their basic survival needs. If a common man with no scientific innovation (some 1.5 million years ago) can cross thousands of mile in ocean and reach Indian coast from Africa believe me he can easily cross man made barriers to reach any king or administrator or state institution to get his share for survival.
Now let's link it to the heading " bread, salt and soap". Although these are among the cheapest item required by a household but these three have formed the basis for outbreak of world's major revolutions - Russian Revolution (1917), Civil Disobedience movement (1930) and Disintegration of USSR(1991). I think now we are on the topic and you can get what I am trying to relate.
We may agree or disagree on exact real causes behind these movements and revolutions but what we will have to agree is that these were people driven triggered by such not-so-expensive daily use items. Russians were opposing world war (I) participation of Russia, rude monarchy, feudal privileges etc since long, but what tipped them off was the unavailability of bread. Britishers thought making fistful salt will attract no attention of masses but this very act of Gandhiji shocked them to their cores. Disintegration of USSR was evident in 1980's but hardly anyone contemplated that its strongest spark will be given by non-availability of soap to factor labors. The point is people can bring any regime or state on its knees if its survival demands are not met and history itself is the living example of it.
We may agree or disagree on exact real causes behind these movements and revolutions but what we will have to agree is that these were people driven triggered by such not-so-expensive daily use items. Russians were opposing world war (I) participation of Russia, rude monarchy, feudal privileges etc since long, but what tipped them off was the unavailability of bread. Britishers thought making fistful salt will attract no attention of masses but this very act of Gandhiji shocked them to their cores. Disintegration of USSR was evident in 1980's but hardly anyone contemplated that its strongest spark will be given by non-availability of soap to factor labors. The point is people can bring any regime or state on its knees if its survival demands are not met and history itself is the living example of it.
(Now little bit more diversion from the heading. Sorry again but promise to relate this also)
Ever since the state came into existence someone or other have tried to control people by snatching more and more power from them. This created artificial power imbalance. To justify it ancient and medieval rulers used concept of "divine monarchy". Modern rulers, in face of stiff opposition by democracy lovers have evolved much complicated system to hide the imbalance. It includes lobbying , contacts, money power, muscle flexing etc . This is the reason that even in 21st century, in most advanced democracies we can count on fingers the number of families that have held the state power. Be it America or India dynastic rule have not ended in real sense. What is worse is that smokescreen of democracy and elections have made people passive to question the imbalance and get back their due share of power.
In no way I am opposed to democracy or elections (I am an ardent democrat). Also I show my utmost respect to all people's movement and pain they are going to alter the power balance but my point is we are lacking far away from what we deserve. But what do we deserve ? We deserve equality. We are created equally by Almighty and no force on earth should undermine that. We deserve dignity and respect. Being born as human being we deserve to live a dignified human life. No force on earth should force a man to search food from the same garbage that a dog do.
But the sad part is that power imbalance have left many unequal and without any dignity. Gap between rulers and ruled might have got reduced in democracy to some extent but as stated above its far from what we deserve. Insensitivity and glaze of power have deprived many of their basic survival needs. Cutting trees have deprived forest dwellers of their bread, turning agricultural lands into industries have deprived farmers of their salt and haphazard mad-rush for city development have deprived its dwellers of soap.
So I am back to my topic and want to emphasize that power imbalance making those in power oblivious to the survival needs of common people must learn from revolutions started on basic items. We must not alienate people and believe in their capacities. Any administration or state must exist for people and those in power should act as trustee of people's power.
In the end just want to say that history do teaches us but if not learnt it repeats itself.
Jai Hind
