My heroes: Politics

                       Nobody in my family has ever had any keen interest in politics. However like all educated middle class people , political opinions abound. Therefore in a way it's not surprising that I should have a keen interest or at least a very strong opinion on political developments, philosophies, ideologies and the evolution of politics as I see unfurling before me everyday. My political heroes not surprisingly, and as my close friends and associates know, are the ones who resisted or spearheaded revolutions, to change the status quo and bring about change. Parliamentary form of democracy at least the way it exists in India today, finds no sympathy from me. My heroes are Che and Nelson Mandela.

                       How many of those yuppies wearing that famous Che t shirt know that he was a qualified doctor I do not know,how many actually even know his name I have no idea, but everybody finds his image cool, like a nu metal rock star and a rock star he was. He gave up his career in medicine to serve the cause of a revolution which stands proud even today. He set aside his stethoscope and picked up a gun and forced the imperialist forces to flee. The socialistic dreams were realised. More than anything he showed the world that we need not accept the status quo and that change and revolution is possible within our lifetime. His beret, his unshaven look, his rock star like shoulder length hair, cigar hanging from the corner of his lips have been for ever etched in the mind of millions of people around the world. He inspires revolutionaries and political thinkers worldwide as he looks at us with his piercing eyes from that poster we have hung in our room, workstations, party offices , street walls and in our hearts. "Hasta la Victoria siempre commandante Che Guevara ".

                          We live in an age when there are no heroes, no one to look up to, no one worth emulating. Heroes live in the pages of the history book save perhaps a few. Nelson Mandela, Madeba is one such real life hero of our times. He epitomises resistance and an iron will which will never give up or give in. Jailed for decades he never gave up on his dream of an apartheid free Africa. From his jail cell and through his unimaginable sacrifice he inspired a generation fighting for their right to be treated as equals as human beings. I bear witness to the day when he was released from jail, the day a partied ended (at least officially) in Africa. His clenched fist thrown in the air, his ramrod straight posture, his infectious smile and his larger than life persona will never fail to inspire those who believe in changing the world for the better.