What's With That Smirk?

History has an uncanny habit of repeating itself untill it is convinced that everyone has read and understood the fineprint on the wall. Like it did in Egypt refreshing the memories of Anwar Sadat's assasination. It's being said that since he came to power, Hosni Mubarak has remained mostly invisible in his own country, except on television or in parliament. May be he was largely relying on secondary sources for feedback from the displeased Egyptians and apparently failed to foresee this upheaval. It was an epic failure of leadership, such an upheaval wouldn't have been possible without a gross disconnect between the people and the leadership.


So as expected, true to our disposition, we are pointing towards lack of democracy to the plight of Egypt and how the "Indian way" is just what the world, or at least the third world needs. Obviousely it's easy to judge from a distance with the famed smirk firmly in place. Infact it's "we" who need a reality check, and fast.


There appears to be a serious communication gap if not a total disconnect between at least a major section of the people and the establishment. The establishment's "inertia of the status quo" is understandable but even the media that is supposed to act like a watchdog is acting more like a lapdog looking for crumbs. The pretty picture of the robust "Indian way" may be more due to a rosy prism than hard facts.