Vigilance v/s Awareness: What changes v/s what stays

As I was flipping through the news paper the other day I came across a not very flashy ad about the “Vigilance awareness week”, that said, “Never Exchange a penny or dime, Corruption is a crime, Come forward to report incidents of corruption that come to your notice”. The bygone era has seen many experts and amateurs lecturing and chiding of extirpation of the malady. Now, there are large-scale fronts about it. Coming to the latter part of the ad, I couldn’t help but drift off to a regional movie scene, where the overtly genuine and sincere lead actor is guffawed at, by the bystanders, with no hint of ignominy what so ever, as he complains on the shoddy train facilities, though his complaints in the movie go in vain, we realise that this paradigm of not complaining against authority, without being made fun of, starts really early.




Speaking of movies, a complaint against the black ticket market goes unnoticed with a powerful influence. Bribing might not be the only way out always. Inter alia, a puny little girl in her fifth class, writing a test along with her seniors, complains audible to the whole class ‘Teacher that senior is copying!’, the teacher did warn the senior, who, glares at the little girl, who is left with building trepidation only to know that seniority puts on its gloves shortly, ok that was my classmate in the fifth standard, who later had a rich course of instruction from the seniors on respect. Graduation mein, it is just the one guy who quetches about a ‘friendly ragging’ who lands with minimal friends at the end of the 4
years, other naming him ‘the spoil sport’ and ‘sincere samurai’ of the batch. Everyone who bribes to get benefits has a cooler image of getting things done, and the one that remains sincere to the rules is made fun at. You are sincere and you stick to your guns only means you are not being ‘practical’. My brother japed me when I asked him to hold on to the plastic bottle till he finds a bin to throw it, something similar happens if you ask your mom not take a plastic bag. Trust me! Well no one heeds to the little we can do to help the nation, albeit sans crime, everything that can be done is but ignored. Everybody knows, umpteen such incidents arouse the natural human tendency of turning a blind eye to vigilance over others. Thence, slowly lose to ascribe self vigil also.




Almost always when the traffic rules are violated, it is just a matter of two phone calls and the ‘influential’ person is out of the (not very) tough spot, it is the same story everywhere, the railways where not once did I travel without a person ‘managing’ a berth without reservation in lieu of bribe. The same is true with child labour. Apart from these modest next door exemplars, many loud and firm issues lack vigilance by the responsible authorities, who was to ask when Canada was to oppugning to Sri Lanka (in the case of LTTE) but not so vigilant about USA, when it did the same. Coming home to India, who has a vigil on all the schisms? And, the Manipur blockade is a source of sufferance
to the citizens. However, there is no vigil on the black market that flourishes! But then, democracy isn't a state of perfection. It has to be improved, and that means constant vigilance. The end of the week in the news was marked by the 99th day of Manipur blockade. With or without vigilance, awareness helps and stays enlightens on what is and what is not.


Once a year, one week of anamnesis about vigilance awareness might not suffice and address the pressing need of the hour. Scandals might not come to light but then, at the least a couple of bribers who obtrude upon your train berth will be kept at bay. A few traffic outlaws will be ticketed, and
learn to walk the line. As we grow up to be accountable to the society, vigilance always takes the first call to development. I realize, when at school, I did not know what vigilance meant, I was not aware. I was among those who laughed at the girl who complained. Hope the seventh
billion will know to study and learn to be vigilant. They will then be aware, conscious and empowered. Then, the need to have a week for awareness about vigilance will only sound queer, till eternity. After all, Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.