151.  Arvind Kejriwal launches book ' Swaraj  '

on Team Anna's

Mail Today Bureau   |   Mail Today  |   New Delhi, July 30, 2012 | UPDATED 14:23 IST

Arvind Kejriwal, key aide of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, launched his book Swaraj at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.

The book, he said, highlights the shortcomings of the current model of centralised governance and explains how "the real rule of the people can be brought about".

Hazare launched the book in front of a big crowd which had assembled at the venue to express solidarity with his team's agitation for a probe against 15 UPA ministers allegedly involved in corrupt deals. He said the book was a manifesto of their agitation and their vision.

HarperCollins Publisher India Limited has brought out the 175-page book, which costs Rs.99. It is, however, available for only Rs.40 at Jantar Mantar.

Kejriwal said he would not be earning any royalty from its sale as he wants it to reach to as many people as possible.

Senior journalist Vinod Mehta and social scientist Yogendra Yadav later spoke about the book and praised Kejriwal's commitment to the cause.

Yadav pointed out that the book was written in simple language and its substance and style reminded him of a book written by Mahatma Gandhi on local governance.

"In today's government, all powers are vested with the top of the pyramid while the people below are without power," he said, advocating that the public should be empowered.

"Most decisions should be taken at the district and village level and Kejriwal's book outlines how it can be achieved," Yadav added.

According to Kejriwal, the centralisation of power had resulted in massive corruption. He wondered if MPs could be working for the interests of business houses and even foreign governments as they had been caught asking questions for money.

"There are schools with one teacher for 600 students. There are localities in Delhi where residents don't have water but ministers inaugurate fountains because they make a lot of money from it. There is a huge disconnect between the rulers and the people and I have said it all in my book, and how it can be changed," Kejriwal, a former income tax officer who has been working for public causes since 2000, said.

He won the Magsaysay Award for his efforts to bring about the Right to Information legislation.

Swaraj talks about the ways ahead for a movement which brought the UPA government to its knees but whose goals remain far from achieved as Team Anna's key demand that Parliament pass its version of the Lokpal Bill has not found much support among legislators.

Kejriwal said people in villages must be entrusted with decision-making powers and the state or central government should not be taking every decision impacting their lives.

Hazare's agitation that began last year finds a mention in the book and narrates how it has moved on since then. If the Gandhian is the most visible and popular figure of the crusade, Kejriwal is said to be the key architect behind the policies shaping the stir. Of late, he has emerged as the second in command after Hazare.

After the release of his book, Kejriwal said: "We appeal to all students to take leave from college for a week and come to the streets. We are not asking them to sacrifice their lives, but to join the movement for a week."