Of the people, for the people, by the people..

The Indian constitution celebrates its 56th birthday today, amidst renewed promise and hope that the ideals and rights set out by the constitution will reach far and wide to every citizen of this puzzling, guzzling, free-wheeling, dealing, growing and yet-sometimes-oddly-stumbling, technologically-advancing, agriculturally-self-supporting, diversity-loving, all-embracing melting pot of masses (well, at last check, almost 1 in 6).

Tempered by the recent disturbances in Hyderabad, and of course still recovering from the massive devastation of the killer Tsunamis of Boxing Day 2004, it is nevertheless the day to re-affirm what essentially defines us as a country..

If as they say, changes in the fabric of the society have to begin at the top, then, all things considered, we are getting there..after all, it is a mark of change, even if symbolic at that....the heads of state (the Prez and the PM) are members of the minority communities...something even an advanced nation like the US has yet to see.

But, all symbolism considered, the real measure of progress is how rapidly the population's affluence increases, and I do not mean how easily the rich get richer..I mean about how the poor become less poor.

Baby steps, an unsteady-yet-unwavering gait, and the determination to grow. And for all the crap we get from politicians, and pseudo-nationalists, we get to hear a lot of everyday-joe heroes and people who will help themselves even when faced with the toughest of challenges.

What can we educated folk do? Maybe, just maybe, contribute...if not physically, atleast monetarily, to causes. And, the biggest and...remember...hope springs eternal.

Afterall, we

...are the people...made up of the people, for the people...by the people.