It is the first big victory for citizen empowerment. It is, hopefully, the beginning of a new India that will go through a cleansing of its governance processes. It is the beginning of a common man’s chance to exist with dignity and self-esteem. It is the beginning of a partnership between people and the political fraternity. It is all because of the courage of one small man, our dear Anna!

Neither the worst scams nor the might of muscle power could strip the thick armour that our politicians wore to keep away from the faceless people who vote them to power. A humble Gandhian with a smile, cheer and patience ripped it off. It is like the rays of the sun that make you shed a warm waistcoat. What a stupendous victory for citizen empowerment!

I thought the day of triumph would be yesterday (August 26) when Anna, who had become the face of the fight against corruption, would have forced a resolution on the anti-corruption bill and break his fast. However, Rahul Gandhi, who stormed into the Parliament after 10 days of complete silence, slammed the Jan Lokpal Bill by talking of `elevating’ the issue to a more superior constitutional body, independent of the government. I said to myself, ``it is as though the flood waters have reached his house and he is talking of rainwater harvesting’’ (I have tweeted this).  I slept disappointed, my heart crying for Anna, left hungry for yet another day.

What will Sunday, August 29 have in store? Pranab Mukherjee’s assurance last night that discussion would be held in the Parliament for a resolution on the three crucial issues that Anna was adamant upon – bringing in the lower bureaucracy under the Lokpal, citizen charter and setting up of state lokayuktas, did not emit much confidence in me as the government, since the last three days, was showing the carrot and then sadistically taking it back, time and again. Nervously, I planned an evening of colorful art, music and prayers in Pune on Saturday, that was dedicated to Anna’s indefatigable spirit, not knowing whether Anna’s health would be a matter of concern by then or there was a miracle in store.

Saturday morning (that is today) began with the flash of `breaking news’ that BJP, the main opposition party, would support the Jan Lokpal Bill. The past few days the BJP had not given precise signals of its stand and so I was a bit worried. As the day progressed, I heard that the Congress too was not only supporting the three crucial points that Anna was adamant about but was ready to go even further.

As one Member of Parliament after another began voicing his or her opinion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, my eyes welled in tears. What the government  had said was impossible, had become possible. It has said that that the Lokpal bill would only be discussed in the winter session of the Parliament and certainly not in the Monsoon Session.  Politicians across party lines suddenly seem to have melted in the ocean of peoples’ power. The incessant din of ``Anna Hazare Aage Badho’ and `Mein Bhi Anna, Tu Bhi Anna, Ab To Sara Desh Hei Anna’’ – had caught the political establishment by surprise. They had to climb down from their insistence the only they could frame laws. It was like witnessing a miracle where lakhs and lakhs of faceless citizens rallied around one small-built, humble and selfless Gandhian, Anna Hazare.

Just when things seemed to be heading the right way, I broke into a sweat on hearing Prashant Bhushan say that the government was retracting. Indeed, this real life movie seemed to be have more pulsating moments of ecstasy and agony than fiction. Thank God, it finally ended ``happily’’ enough for Anna to finally break his fast.

Indeed, something we never imagined had happened.  India is witnessing the most historic post independence moment of citizen empowerment and victory. We are witnessing the true spirit and meaning of a vibrant democracy. And a defeat to the twisted notion of ``Parliament supremacy.’’ We are witnessing the beginning of a great partnership between the elected representatives and the people, at large.

The past fortnight has seen citizens stepping out of their indifferent oasis into a pro-active, public arena. An angry middle clase has finally been able to vocalise its anger, but in a peaceful, non-violent way. And we have witnessed the firebrand activism of the youth, which accounts for over 65 per cent of our population.

A whole nation has been awakened to the patriotic slogans that brought us our independence.

It was the feisty fight (without violence or arms) between a Gandhi Topi which modestly lived Gandhiji’s philosophy and the oldest political party which pretended to carry Gandhiji’s legacy. The latter had to finally relent and the motto of our National Emblem ``Satyameva Jayate' (Truth Shall Prevail) is suddenly looking a reality. Thank you Anna for your courage of conviction and supreme sacrifice, My heart can’t stop crying for you, this time, in utter happiness and admiration.