In which I’m called an “armchair activist” and an “opportunist”..
..in other words, the hazards of a “political career”!
A close friend recently sent me an email expressing concern about some “opinions” that  he heard about me and asked if I had joined AAP (Aam Aadmi Party).
I am not sure where he got this “news” from – but I assured him it was false. I suspect it may have something to do with my recent meeting with Arvind Kejriwal.
I told my friend that although I had a good meeting w/ Arvind, I have not yet joined AAP – or any other party for that matter. When I do, be sure,  I will mention it on  the blog and be “public” about it.
What is so “secret” or “embarrassing” about joining any political party? For now, though I remain independent – although I maintain good and cordial relations with a range of political activists..and I shall continue to do so.
My friend also mentioned that certain “adjectives” like “opportunist“, “arm-chair activist” and phrases like “detached from reality” were mentioned in my context.
If “opportunism” means taking every opportunity to connect with folks and people working towards political and systemic reform, then yes, perhaps I am an “opportunist”..
As for being an “arm-chair activist” and “detached from reality“, let these small sample of my “activities” from the last few months speak for themselves: An Unusual Outreach, Tirth ’12 and my recent travels in the heartland of Naxal territory..
But I guess some people will believe what they want to believe – truth be damned, no? Sigh.
See also: Here we go again – Part 1!
What are the odds that such people themselves are armchair activists totally detached from reality? 😉
Good one, Divya! Thanks..
1- You are doing awesome work.It’s well though-out&visionary work for the systematic and overall transformation of India.
2-Keep going,Swami Vivekananda is with you and would surely be proud of you.
That phrase ‘Armchair Activist’ is an oxymoron. Anyone using the word Armchair anywhere to describe you must be out of his minds. Similarly, opportunist seems to be an unfair judgement.
That said, I must also add that ‘detached from reality’ isn’t 100% off the mark. I will also add terms ‘reactionary’, intellectually ‘lazy’, perhaps, even ‘dishonest’, and undoubtedly, from the blogposts on this website, displaying a certain intellectual bankruptcy (just consider that ‘Hindu Rate of Growth’ post. It is old hat. Find a way to counter that, ,don’t just react to it every time someone in the media uses it).
You might still end up doing great work merely because of your passion, commitment, and integrity. So, all the best to you!
When you started your movement and your blog in London, I was one of its most avid readers; I participated in intense discussions with participants keen to enquire into the subject of their interests. Even then your editorial control refused to allow exchanges of contact details. It was a deficiency you was not able to remedy as any contact with you was dependent on whether your time committments permitted it. The subject matter control in subsequent years, have become tighter still with the many refinements you made to the website but it has robbed it of the vitality so essential to a blog. It is probably a misnomer to call it a blog, because it is such a well constructed media vehicle. I lost interest when others such as Anna were willing to take the gamble which the FTI has still been awaiting to collesce around an ideology, leadership and organisation which still has to form. The liberal ideology to which FTI is so tightly wedded has had its days, and will prove irrelevant to the next general election a few short years away.
I recently got myself enrolled as a voter and was an enthusiastic supporter of anti-corruption movement. But in spite of democracy and so many elections why have our country remained the same, I used to wonder and got an answer after reading this article. http://thinkerspad.wordpress.com/2013/03/10/think-twice-before-you-vote/