FUCK THE SYSTEM

SYSTEM of a DOWN

There are many things that make you Indian. Things that are distinctly desi.

A penchant for spicy food, amazing sense of conversion of any currency into INR when shopping abroad, unparalleled love for cricket and of course a tendency to blame the system for the most mundane of problems.

Problems that we can do nothing about or want to do nothing about are attributed to the system. Engineers and graduates remaining unemployed, it’s the systems fault. The phone’s dead. It’s the systems fault. Your neighbor’s son isn’t admitted into the top of the line medical college and you are told it’s the systems fault. The Indian cricket team loses a test match or Tendulkar is out of form, the matches are thrown, it’s the systems fault. Worse, you jump a red light and unashamedly pay Pandu fifty bucks and as soon as you are within an earshot of him, you crib about corruption and curse the system again.

The inexplicable ability to find fault in the system and look for reason everywhere but within is something all of us are gifted with.

What is this system? Who is this system? Why is it in such bad shape?

No one knows and quite frankly no one even cares anymore. But all take pride in cursing it. Why is it so? Do we find solace only in bringing others down? Are we so frustrated that we have to blame everything on some thing that quite frankly is our own creation?

This “system “has been nurtured by our very own selfish needs. When we weigh what is right n morally correct against what is faster to get over and done with, righteousness and morality get chucked out of the window. This is the case with every one of us who bend the rules to fit their needs and then have the nerve to curse it when it doesn’t work for you.

To roughly answer the questions above, the system is a mythical entity of our own creation. The babudom that is very prevalent in government offices today is also of our very own doing. Quite frankly put, the system is US. We are the system. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, students… all components of this well greased machine.

It has already been made ample clear that it is in shambles. Every office is riddled with dishonesty, every company diseased with corruption. Every palm is greasy and every wallet opens out to grease it even more. At least we have come to realize something is wrong. So the next logical question should be ‘what do we do about it?’

Here is the tough part. Introspection is a skill we need to develop before looking for excuses. Instead of passing the buck, we must stand up and be counted. We need to change our thinking, our attitude, ourselves to change the system.

We need to do what is right and not what is easy. Take the righteous route even if it means taking longer. Refuse the touts who can get your work done but at a price. The next time you are asked a bribe, you look that prick straight in the eye and refuse and urge others to do the same. Pay all taxes on time. Pay all tolls fares. Don’t spare anyone who doesn’t.

It’s about time this generation rises from its slumber and becomes active in the struggle to make India a better place to live in. The way that it was conceptualized as a free nation 50 odd years ago. This generation, our generation believes in ‘here and now…’ so its here and it’s got to be now or never. We can’t shamelessly let the corrupt gang rape the system day after day. The youth must rise in rebellion against to system for its own good. Quite like the modern avatar of the exodus where the present machinery is exhumed only to find a better society rise from the ashes like a dazzling phoenix. Its time to do the needful, to do what it takes to rid the nation of this disease. So the next time you jump a red light ask for a receipt. Better still don’t jump the red light. So if you think we will take everything lying down or think we care a damn. Think again. The generation has awakened. The rebel is here. Here to stay