The more things change.....

I just saw a Hindi movie titled Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. Apart from being a fairly well made film, it brought into sharp relief the Emergency period that was brought about by then prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi in 1975. I am always left with a feeling of incredulity, anger, disbelief and horror that this actually occurred in my country, often touted as the world's largest democracy. All the "participative democracy'' mantras I am so excited by were rendered puny and inconsequential with a single stroke. One might take some comfort and believe we have progressed, that our political system & bureaucracy have more checks & balances. But then again, I visited Gujarat only a few months back......