There are a millions of
problems in a developing country like ours. Apart from the population, unemployment,
poverty there is host of problems like total lack of transparency, rupee slide,
accountability, steep rise of prices, human safety and security especially for
women, communal politics, corruption and other problems.
To put the country on
the path to success and build our nation, we need to elect good leaders who can take the
country forward. For this to happen, as a common man, we need to exercise our franchise and give a
democratic shake up.
In the recently held
Delhi polls, many 18 and 19 year olds have not enrolled to vote and nearly 65%
of youngistan did’nt bother to visit
the polling booth to vote says another headline.
They seem to be
disillusioned by the political system and seems to have lost faith in our
democratic system. Otherwise, how else
would you explain the same brigade which fights for Nirbhaya and holds fire torches for "anna uprising' or august kranti turn
cold feet when they have to vote. The
same brigade seems to be very active and patriotic when they have to voice protests over
social media apps.
On the flip side, when
it comes to voting, we hear them say “ I see no hope for the country”. “All politicians are the same”(in a negative
tone), “ I don’t see any change, all of them are corrupt” , “ we are
finished”,” kuch nahin hone wala” “ sab ke sab bekaar” etc.,.
Not just youngsters we even hear many elders being cynical and pessimistic.
We need to inspire these
youngsters with successful stories.
Perhaps I feel here is where Indian history is
of value. The sepoy mutiny, the Dandi march, the quit india movement,the
vellore sepoy mutiny, the rationalist acts of many like Lal, bal, pal and INA of Subhash Bose would not have helped us free from colonial rule if the "aam aadmi" did
not support the leaders then. Also, marketing and advertising the
rich glorious cultural past of our country will instill pride in them. I think no other country
can match us in terms of rich ancestral culture, a 10,000 year old history and modern technological innovations.
Apart from my own
country, which won freedom from the hands of The British through non-violent
methods, another country whose human spirit inspires me is Japan.
The country which has seen the worst catastrophes during world
war and is periodically destructed by nature has risen like a phoenix each time
their enemies strike them, even nature does’nt spare this island nation . The
numerous earthquakes and natural disasters crush the country into a debris but
not the Japanese spirit. Had they said “ We are finished”, we would’nt see
Japan as one of World’s super power today. Every citizen seems to have taken it
upon himself to build his nation.
Anybody who knows Japanese history will know that the riches of a nation
are not just natural and material resources but human resources.
And, when it
comes to human intelligence , there is no disputing that we Indians are second.
Our intelligence infact is best utilized by the developed nations
especially through brain drain. We need to work on our nationalism, responsibilities and
discipline to put our country on the path to success and emerge as a super power.
So, apart from arm chair criticizing and being cynical,
Youngistan, take up the responsibility
of building our nation. And as a first step to this, exercise your franchise. Project the proud
spirit of an Indian and build the destiny of the nation. Whom you vote, how you live can make a
difference not just for you but for the coming generations as well. Pessimism
does creep in and sometimes the negative incidents around us makes us wonder that If anything is going to change;
but fortunately optimism being the stronger of the two reasons that “Rome was
not built in a day”
Those would be my
inspiring words for the youngistan to vote in the Indian general elections of
2014. And the best way to mobilize them or reach them is through Social mobile apps like Wechat . Almost most
youth have cell phones today and have internet access. So,it would be easy to reach to the
urban youth to vote while the remaining illiterate rural youth have to be reached through
TV and other media.
This post exclusively written for Indiblogger's "Indian General Elections 2014 With Social Mobile Apps"
Yes, the conventional wisdom is that the right to vote is a sacred right, won after a long freedom struggle and must be cherished. I am however increasingly of the view that the right to vote is a much oversold right. It is important, but voting once in five years does not absolve anybody of a citizens contact with democracy.
ReplyDeleteDemocracy is an overall package. There are some rights and there are some responsibilities. Other rights include the right to equality, the right to free speech, right to pursue whatever economic paths one chooses to, etc etc. These rights are in graver danger than the right to vote. Equally, responsibilities include the responsibility to obey the law, the responsibility to pay your taxes, the responsibility not to infringe on others' rights etc. I would rather the youth of today exercise their responsibilities before exercising their rights. So yes, vote by all means, but I wouldn't make a big deal of it.
Completely agree with what you say about Democracy being a package. like the slogan of democracy goes" of the people, by the people, for the people". The youngters responsibility does not end with voting alone but i believe it is the beginning. Perhaps if the delhi young electorate had voted there would'nt be a coalition and there would be no opportunistic politics.
ReplyDeleteI think people will vote if Indians abolish parliamentary style and introduce presidential style government. In a presidential style government, the party headquarters DOES NOT give tickets to people for contesting.. The people will select who will contest the election (through primary).
ReplyDeleteAt present, each party headquarters select their relatives, friends, and people who give money to contest the elections.
True, what you say about the selection of contestants. Thank you, SG.
DeleteAsha this is a very inspiring post. You are right, that the youth today does not take any interest in voting.Youth power is very strong.If they unite as in the case of some social issues, they can very well change the politics. Even this Aam Admi party is showing its real face after they have won the vote of confidence. The chief had announced before the election that he would continue to stay in the flat, he was staying. On the very first f day he has opted to stay in a huge five bedroom bunglow. All the ministers have been provided with luxury cars. Where has the Aam Admi spirit gone?
ReplyDeleteYes, ma'am. Youth power is too strong. Hope they get educated and inspired to serve the nation.
DeleteVery inspiring posts. Love the way you have presented the facts and the appeal to the youngistan to come forward and take charge and lead our country towards the much needed change.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for the contest, Asha :)
Thank you, shilpa for the nice words:) My little contribution from my limited knowlege.
DeleteYou are right well written
ReplyDeletebut there are also hiccups regarding getting an electoral card here. Only if things are easy where one need not wait for donkeys years to get it.these factors also discourage people. In my life I have voted only once in my life and even today i don't have a voter's ID card. It is difficult to get them when one keeps moving and the older cards are not accepted in new constituencies. One must be able to exercise their franchise with a single ID card. things must be made easier.
Thank you, chitra:)
DeleteRegarding voters card, Majority of the population is floating today. so it is with my housing community. There is the online system of registering called e-voters list. we have the CEOandhra.nic.in on our community group to help them. I am sure there must be something like that in each state. Hope you get to cast your vote:)
Good luck for the contest Asha!
ReplyDeleteThank you:)
Delete