What it takes to stand up and fight – Part II
Continued from Part I: What it takes to stand up and fight …Yesterday you read how Prahlad decided against spending the night with his relatives in Jabalpur…
I had a couple of relatives in Jabalpur but I wanted to see to what extent a common man has to suffer to get justice.
11:30 pm, Railway Police Station Jabalpur
I decided to spend the night on the dusty bench at the railway police station because I wanted to put myself in the shoes of a poor man who wants to fight against the system. I wanted to see how difficult it could be for 400 million Indians who earn less than a dollar per day and could not afford a lodge not to talk of Hotel. I had my relatives in Jabalpur also. I also wanted to seethe empathic behavior of police. And most importantly, I had promised myself not to move from the police station, not to drink water and not to have food until the culprits are arrested. I was also determined, if needed, to sit on hunger strike for indefinite time. I spent the night with lot of experiences. I witnessed how police-men beat accused in custody. It terrified me a little. Spending a night on the bench at a police station was really a good experience.
Read on what happened the next morning (emphasis is mine)…
*** Practicing Karma Yoga – Part II by Prahlad Kumar Pandey ***
November 3, 7:00 am, Railway Police Station Jabalpur
In the morning at seven, the team of police-men was ready. I was asked to identify the people who had threatened and abused me yesterday. I changed my clothes so that the accused could not recognize me and run away.
I had already called a couple of news channels to cover the story. But nobody turned up. I went to the platform. My eyes started searching for the man who had stopped me and the lady to board in the coach. The one who had stopped me was again standing in the gate as yesterday. I immediately identified him. The other one was also there. I pointed at them. The police promptly arrested them. All the passengers were shocked to see at what was happening. Some of them also recognized me. Perhaps they never guessed this may happen.
The police-men took them to police station. I finally had water after 34 hours. Sangeeta, Guddu and I had dinner at 9 pm on November 1 while travelling in the Indore-Jabalpur train. Since that time I had neither water nor food. I desired to have break fast. A policeman was sent with me. I got fresh and had breakfast. Since the court opens at 11 am, I had to wait for identifying the accused in the presence of Magistrate. I had filed the FIR against two anonymous persons. On reaching the court I witnessed the problems of the common man. I now know why we are suggested to keep away from court-kachahri, police and government hospitals.
It was interesting to see how policemen were pleading people to just stand there for few minutes. In the court, seven or eight dummy accused were presented before me and I was asked to identify the ones against whom the FIR was filed. I identified the ones who had threatened and abused me. The police-men told me there was no further need for me to stay.
1 pm
From the police station, I went straight to the Railways Zonal Office to know if there were any reserved coaches in the train. I asked the information through RTI. After submitting the RTI application, I returned to Railway station. On the way to railway station, there is court. I saw one of the accused in the court. Perhaps they were released on bail.
I took a train to Satna at 3 pm. I reached home at 8 PM with a sense of satisfaction and relief.
I received information from Zonal Railway Office on December 10 which confirmed that there was no reserved coach in the train on November 2. It also furnished the details of all the coached of the train and emphasized that the train does not have any reserved coach.
I do not know if passengers are still stopped from boarding unreserved coaches.
As a student of economics, I decided to do a rough cost-benefit analysis of the entire episode. Here is what I discovered:
Costs
Explicit Costs – The return train ticket to Satna and back home (Rs 100), telephone calls (Rs 80)
Implicit Costs – 30 hours, Public insult on the railway platform, hunger, a sleepless night, frustration and anger
Opportunity Cost – Precious moments and lost hours with my family and friends which I was looking forward to being on vacation.
Benefits
1.   The affirmation that where there is a will, there is a way
2.   A deeper understanding (and real insight into) the functioning of police, judiciary, health department and railways.
3.   I am again reminded of the three types of people in India. First, the ones who have a volcano within but often believe that they alone cannot bring change (Dining Table Activists). Second, the ones who have the guts to fight against the irregularities single handedly (Manjunath type). Third, the others who do not have time and energy to stand tall against the corrupt system, are frustrated and want to join the rally when it has already brought change (Most of the Indians).
4.   Practice of Karmayoga
5.   A sense of accomplishment
I was a hero for my wife for some days. Otherwise, I am a poor husband. A nine days wonder.
*** The End ***
Prahlad: You are a hero in our eyes too!
As some of you may know, Prahlad Kumar Pandey is an Assistant Professor at a leading management institute in Indore. He is also a fellow member of the Freedom Team of India. His efforts are an inspiration to all of us who are trying in our own different ways to reform the system and “Reclaim India”. Prahlad, we are proud of you! Please share Prahlad’s story with your friends and family…There is still hope. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
Related: What it takes to stand up and fight – Part 1
Prahlad’s story reminded me of this image of the “Tank Man” (Image courtesy: Wikipedia)
No words to praise the courage and determination of Prahlad ji. Simply, HATS OFF!
One Word: Inspired!
And everybody will agree upon that word for a few moments, few days and may be a few weeks..and then it will be all the same as it is.
The ones who have the courage can and must take charge and come in front, question, initiate, hang on and bring about the change as Mr.Prahlad!
Let others sleep in their caves as they don’t deserve freedom.
Somebody has said it right, freedom is never free.
Thanks for sharing the story! Your blogism will continue to inspire.
Congratulations and God Bless!
You are my hero too!
An effective application of Karma Yoga. Hope it multiplies manifold!
Most of us tend to give up the fight halfway or convince ourselves that it is simply not worth going through the effort. Prahlad’s tenacity is amazing. Truly inspiring.
Brilliant finish to this story! I’m sorry I forgot in my comment yesterday that Prahlad had joined FTI a few months ago – which is the right thing to do. Prahlad is just the kind of leader FTI is looking for.
A small comment on this issue, at the risk of sounding like a spoil-sport: This effort, which shows that things CAN change, is not, unfortunately, big enough to budge anything substantial in India. Nor is it guaranteed to stay put. There is, for instance, no reason to believe (under the current system) that the problem that was curbed through Prahlad’s outstanding efforts at this particular railway station, has not come back again – if not directly then in some other way. Corrupt systems revert to form. Our system is deeply and hopelessly corrupt. It will ALWAYS find a way to harass the common citizen. The system of governance has to be changed.
In BFN (http://bfn.sabhlokcity.com/) in the section entitled “Big Versus Small” in the preface, I wrote thus:
“after 15 years of doing ‘small’ things on a daily basis, I finally had enough of it. My analysis showed that the problem was clearly systemic. I had to stop wasting my time with individual corrupt officers and Ministers who are found below every stone in India. The corruption was being fuelled by ideology which had led to significant misallocation of resources and systemic misgovernance. This fuel had to be choked off, else the fires of corruption would rage endlessly across the country for ever, no matter how many of them I tried to put out. I hope you’ll agree that there is no point in fighting a fire while someone is pouring petrol all over it from behind. The smart thing is to shut the petrol off, first. A doctor doesn’t waste time on fixing each boil or rash separately, but focuses on analysing just one of them through the microscope to find the cause of all of them. Then he treats the underlying factors and banishes the disease. Killing one mosquito at a time won’t fix the problem of malaria. The swamp has to be drained.”
Even a Gandhi can only get us independence, he can’t ensure our freedoms and dignity. That is an ongoing operation which needs MPs and MLAs of high calibre and integrity. Running India successfully is an ongoing operation, not a one-off event. We need a systematic method to ensure that our BEST people become MPs and MLAs, and then they are held to account for the delivery of the services we expect of them.
It is crucial therefore that we work towards systemic reform – in addition to individual actions. These individual actions build one’s understanding, but the result must be a higher level of reform.
That means that (a) leaders like Prahlad must, in due course, contest elections and become MPs/MLAs and (b) ensure that our leaders know what to do once they get the mandate to govern.
The question arising at this stage therefore is: What SYSTEM must be created to ensure that citizens are respected and not harassed? There is value in excising a boil one at a time, but if the disease hasn’t been cured, the boil will erupt elsewhere. We must diagnose and cure the disease.
Both the diagnosis and cure have been outlined in BFN but it is crucial that highly determined and competent people like Shantanu and Prahlad come together to discuss such systemic issues and agree to a solution that works.
Once that is done, they must systematically work towards forming government on their own. I want to see Shantanu and Prahlad – and other FTI members – become FULLY capable of becoming India’s Prime Minister. That is why FTI exists – to give India its future leaders.
Please step forward if you think you can lead. Together, we can change things – on a sustainable and irreversible basis.
Regards
Sanjeev
I salute you Mr. Prahlad.
Anupam
thanks for posting this issue.
there are hundred thousand people are subjected to similar situation.
our Salute to Mr. Prahlad – for standing up for the rights and setting an example for others.
United we stand – but there is necessity that such people gather togther.
Citizens of many nations are waking up Indians need to wake and it seems to be time.
thanks Mr. Prahlad
Benefit No. 6, is Probably a Good Night’s sleep at the end of doing what you think is right.
Let us therefore resolve that if next time we Prahlad fighting it out alone at the railway station or the police station or wherever else he might have a run in with the status quo, we will not let him feel alone.
N.P. Singh
Sanjeev Ji, thank you for kind words for me.
There are two ways to improve the system and make it function well.
(1) One leader makes the system, monitors, and ensures it functions without corruption.(ii)Citizens are aware, they stand up and fight and ensure leaders are making appropriate systems, monitoring and ensuring good governance.
Even the best leader cannot bring good governance until the citizens are aware and empowered. And, unaware and unconcerned citizens cannot find a good leader. The question if the good leader should come first or aware and concerned citizens should is the same as “Hen came first or Egg”
The answer is that the evolution of good leaders and aware citizens is simultaneous.
I think, India is in such a phase. In the months ( two years ) to come, we will witness the evolution of citizens and leaders.In other words, the evolution of CITIZEN LEADERS.
As for as contesting elections is concerned, I have a very good experience of contesting election. I would seek Shantanu Sir’s permission to write another story on that. I have learnt some leadership lessons while coordinating March Against Corruption in Indore on 30th January.
I have very high regards for Shantanu sir. To demonstrate conviction and dedication and competence of his level is something everyone aspires. Please do not use the same yardstick. I have a very long way to go to be close to Shantanu sir.
After a long time I heard something encouraging from an educated citizen standing against goondaism. It reminded my story against the corrupted railway TC and me, on the issue of reservation, which took in 90’s and took 6 years in court to resolve it. What Mr.Prahalad did is far from the imagination of the current educated citizens. It suggests that there is still a ray of hope and “the middle class” is not entirely dysfunctional yet.
||Namo Bhaartam, Namo Sanskritam||
Thanks Shantanu for bringing the story of Prahlad to the rest of us.
Every time I get annoyed reading about jerks like Rahul Gandhi or media manipulation or corruption, it pays to read that people like Prahlad are still standing up fighting the good fight.
Prahlad,
Kudos to your courage. But, a few critical questions!
Has the situation/system changed now? Did you verify? I think, they must have started it all over again. Is it not ‘back to the square one’? Should we not measure the gain objectively?
LK
Dear Prahlad,
Well done on taking a stand. I do hope that, as a result of your actions, the railway authorities now take a pro-active approach against self-appointed owners of compartments.
Kind Regards,
Chandra
Bhai,
Very nice you are a teacher of economics, and you gave a lesson of KARMA, by suitable CASE. I DON’T HAVE TO WRITE SUCH A WORDS, THESE ARE VERY SMALL AMONG YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO LIFE.
KAPIL
In reply to all who is asking if this made any impact the system?
I hope so but I don’t think it will do.
When I was fighting for the same cause I realized the loop holes in the system and pointed to the Railway ministry.
1. How can they sell more tickets then the available number of seats?
Railways reply: They sell the ticket to board the coach not the entitlement to the eat.
2. If the Railways issue the Passes why they don’t provide a separate coach for pass-holders on a pro-rata basis.
This issue was resolved in Gujarat when the Pass-holders demanded a separate coach. They have it in certain trains.
You can see it is a systemic issue and hard to resolve. The Railways tried to reply this in a hog-wash way. They said that we are increasing the number of trains but is not enough. Thus, Narendra Modi came-up with an ingenious solution in Gujarat. He started bus services for this purpose and building infrastructure to reduce the time. This is what we need for the rest of India.
||NamO Bhaartam, NamO Sanskritam||
There is only one small difference between the person 1.who coming across such problem everyday and remain silent and get habitual 2.Who face the problem willingly to extend and promised to own it will never have again.
When a common man comes across the problem of corruption, injustice, poor system, Atrocity, absolutism, vandalism etc, his/her only effort goes to keep away by getting own profits (Common man-“how quickly I can get away by this mudâ€), let me overcome with the situation once by hook or by crook .But we never think for overcoming with the problem forever. We never look for the permanent solution,
It is very important for every person not to allow any irregularities of system anytime, anywhere, need to think socially and adopt the problems on own shoulder. And it will continue ……to the endless. We have to start practicing it every day, so we can hope for a peaceful and cheerful atmosphere for own and coming generation.
I salute to all such Revolutionist.
Dear Dada,
You are always a hero, a leader and an example of how to withstand against the things to change. You were always a motivator and reformer at home and society.
We love you all
Dear Pralhad,
Well Done. And keep doing it!
We should connect all these DOTS to make a NET which will capture all culprits of the current system and experience FREEDOM.
Jai Hind!
#16 – Scarcity of resources is a problem. Given that and the number of people who must travel, our Railway system (corruption included) does address the problem in its own way, and does very well by any standards. An effort like Pralhad’s keeps the system on its toes, so to say. Everyone does not have time and energy to replicate such a heroic effort, but each one can try and help by identifying the problem. The railway system does keep track and respond.
#17- There is no permanent solution to the problem as it is not a textbook math problem.
That said the dramatisation of the episode almost discourages a common person from taking an initiative. It is a good media story, but a bad example for a common person who wants to play his part in the process.
Dear All,
I apologize for not being able to thank you all individually for your appreciation and kind words. My heartfelt thank to everyone who have commented, read, liked,suggested and shared the story with others. This is your appreciation and support which has given me energy to go ahead with tougher tasks in the future.
I know this is a little task. Much more is to be done. I would need your appreciation and support in the future endeavors.
Dear Prakash Ji,
We are living in a country where no one is going to serve our rights in a silver plate. We have to fight. This is inconvenient truth.
Everyone cannot fight. Even I might not have fought, had i not had enough holidays.
But i am sure if two three such incidents happen and the guilty is punished, there will be FEAR.
Such actions are needed to create FEAR among those who think LAW is their whore.
#21 Prahlad, hats off to you for fighting for a cause. As you have rightly said, everyone cannot fight, therefore, it is important to identify actions that don’t seem like fights, or are not fights in any sense of the term, but are useful. There are many possibilities in that direction. That way, almost every citizen can contribute his bit for the making of a better society.
keep it up prahlad, you are a real hero
Hi Prahlad: Having read your story, I am so glad to have met you last night. Chanakya says, “If you can give confidence to the people that we will win, then they will support the struggle”. Thats the next step we need to do, to see many stones flowing from all directions, which will wipe the mud faster!