The ubiquitous red beacon (lal batti), the oppressive symbol of the paternalistic Indian state (mai-baap sarkar if you will), will be history in a few days time on the streets of the nation's capital.  The Prime Minister should have done this a lot sooner.  But better late than never and for doing this at all, he needs to be complimented.  Now the respective state governments should follow suit.  At the same time, it should also be kept in mind that this is at best a symbolic act in the direction of a more democratic and egalitarian political culture.  The real change will come about only when people are able to erase the mindset which breeds this feudal and ugly culture of privilege and an arrogant sense of entitlement.