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| Source: istockphoto.com |
Ok
shoot me, but if there’s something that bores me more than watching cricket on
TV then it’s following politics and the power game. It’s not that I’m
completely ignorant about the current political scenario in our country. Thanks
to my husband whose primary interests in life are cricket and politics (the 2
things that I really hate, so you know our compatibility ratio), I have a fair
understanding of which political party is up surging the others in the
elections. But given a choice, I would, without a doubt, tune in to catch a
rerun of ‘Friends’ or ‘The Big Bang Theory’ instead of watching the mind
numbing debates and mudslinging between the political parties.
After
a gap of 3-4 years I voted during the local elections last year and that’s
because my husband literally forced me to cast my vote. I know you are shooting
‘You-should-be-ashamed-of-yourself’ glances at my direction but I had
lost confidence in our political system. What I sincerely felt is that irrespective
of which party comes to power, it wouldn’t change the situation for an ‘aam
aadmi’. It does sound clichéd, but that’s what happens, no? Politicians promise
the sun and moon before elections and once they come to power they’ll conveniently
suffer from short term memory loss. Yes, the same malaise that Aamir Khan
suffered in Ghajini, but with a difference that our politicians suffer from
well controlled dissociative disorder.
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| Source: istockphoto.com |
When
I cast my vote in the last assembly elections for our ward, I knew about some
of the people who were contesting. One was an independent candidate who was also
an engineer. I was impressed by the fact that a graduate who was working in a
reputed IT company was contesting and I had my hopes pinned on him. I voted for
him obviously, but a BJP candidate, Satish Reddy (who was winning consistently
in the last few years), became the MLA. A few months later I realized that our
local MLA was not bad (for a change!). He was on top of things, always listened
to people’s grievances and usually provided solutions in an efficient manner.
In the next elections, I decided, I would definitely vote for him.
But
most of the times, when people vote they are not informed about the candidates
profile. We know so much about the profile of a person contesting for the PM’s
chair or the president’s position but we are not aware about our own local ward
MLA. I believe change needs to be initiated at the grass root level. So an app
that has the full bio of the local candidates including any criminal charges,
education, and previous work, if any, would be helpful when I go for voting.
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| Source: istockphoto.com |
A
part of the reason why I was disillusioned about our political system was
because I always feel that our leaders don’t hold themselves accountable. When
things go awry in our parliament, all political parties raise their finger at
each other, playing the blame game that they are famous for. For past several
years social media apps has taken over an important role of communication and providing information in the life of a common
man. So I believe that social media apps like WeChat can help in awakening and creating
awareness among the youth. An app where public can interact with their
politicians and bring forward their grievances or any concern would help in
restoring people’s belief in the system. The focus of the app would be to hold
the politician accountable for their portfolio. We do not expect great miracles
from our leaders but if they cannot hold good on their promises or if they
cannot ensure hassle free living for the common man, then they don’t have any
right to be in their position. The message is simple- Deliver the goods or else
be prepared to be kicked out. All or nothing!
Also,
what I would like to see is more transparency in running the government. Why
not encourage the youth to participate and voice their opinion? For example
when a decision has to be made for a bill to be passed why not take public’s
opinion through an e-application poll that will actually encourage the youth to
participate. Encourage by engage! And maybe the app can also automatically
increase the weightage of the person’s opinion in the e-poll, based on the fact
if the person has voted in the last election.
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| Source: istockphoto.com |
I
wouldn’t want to force the youth to vote by dangling a carrot in front of them
or by making false promises. I would encourage the youth to vote by restoring
their faith in the system, by instilling confidence in the ability of Indian
politicians and by proving their skepticism wrong and unfounded.
I
believe that change does not happen overnight. Change is slow and gradual and
happens only when every person moves a step ahead. After I voted, I felt great,
I felt awesome. I felt that I had contributed towards making a positive change.
Sitting in the comfortable confines of my home and grumbling about the pathetic
situation of our country and hoping for a change will not bring about betterment
in the current scenario. If I need a
change then I have to be part of that change, I need to instigate the change. I
hereby promise to make my vote count, to exercise my right to vote in every
election! Do you?
So true!! we cannot simply sit and mock when we are not being a part, however minute is making and falling of the government.
ReplyDeletehope u win!