“War on Mumbai”, “Taj in flames” and the most recent “Mumbai Fights Back” headlines are dominating the media. Amidst the horrific tragedy coverage, they managed to give unnecessary footage to the outrageously trivial issues like Achuthanandan’s dog remark, the lipstick-candle march retort and of course RGV’s visit costing our honorable chief minister his post! Oh did I forget the famous rather the infamous “bade bade sheheron mein aisi choto choti batein tho hoti hi rehti hain!” remark.
Have you ever wondered why our politicians are insensitive and irresponsible? Why is our bureaucracy so vulnerable? Why are our security forces so insouciant? It’s we who are solely responsible. It’s time to stop the blame game and spend some time in retrospection. It’s a cliché but democracy is a government made of the people, by the people and for the people. Here it’s definitely made of the people but I am very doubtful if it is for the people and by the people.
It is a system of governance which allows extensive representation and inclusiveness of as many people and views as possible to feed into the functioning of a fair and just society. But do we to vote? Even if we did, do we bother to check the credibility of the candidate we vote for? Are we justified in blaming the politicians? We are the ones who placed such huge responsibilities on unsuitable shoulders. It’s we who were asleep and are angry at being woken up so catastrophically.
But where are the suitable candidates? None of the suitable candidates are in politics, whom do we vote for? Do you know iff a voter has dislike to all of the candidates competing there, then he can show his dislike to all of them by registering for 49'O.According to Rule 49-O of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, if an elector whose roll number has been entered in the register of electoral rolls in Form 17A, decides not to vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry by the Presiding Officer and the signature and thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.Now, if the number of 49'O count is larger than that of the winning candidates total vote count, then a re-election is called there. The political parties would be forced to select a suitable candidate. Now if winning election becomes a challenge, suitable candidates would automatically get attracted to politics. Slowly and steadily the entire political system would get revamped and would no longer be ‘dirty’ politics. But this is possible only if we decide to change.
Instead of organizing candle marches and anti-politician discussions, it’s time to spread awareness and take ownership of the mistakes we knowingly committed. Let us not let democracy crumble under the pressure of terrorism. Our freedom fighters fought valiantly for the freedom we enjoy today. The same kind of feverish patriotism is the need of the day.
Six months from now, we have elections, let’s elect a suitable candidate and make sure our democracy wins! Let’s not limit ourselves to candle marches and signature campaigns. Friends, let’s rise above the situation and make this happen!!!
Have you ever wondered why our politicians are insensitive and irresponsible? Why is our bureaucracy so vulnerable? Why are our security forces so insouciant? It’s we who are solely responsible. It’s time to stop the blame game and spend some time in retrospection. It’s a cliché but democracy is a government made of the people, by the people and for the people. Here it’s definitely made of the people but I am very doubtful if it is for the people and by the people.
It is a system of governance which allows extensive representation and inclusiveness of as many people and views as possible to feed into the functioning of a fair and just society. But do we to vote? Even if we did, do we bother to check the credibility of the candidate we vote for? Are we justified in blaming the politicians? We are the ones who placed such huge responsibilities on unsuitable shoulders. It’s we who were asleep and are angry at being woken up so catastrophically.
But where are the suitable candidates? None of the suitable candidates are in politics, whom do we vote for? Do you know iff a voter has dislike to all of the candidates competing there, then he can show his dislike to all of them by registering for 49'O.According to Rule 49-O of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, if an elector whose roll number has been entered in the register of electoral rolls in Form 17A, decides not to vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry by the Presiding Officer and the signature and thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.Now, if the number of 49'O count is larger than that of the winning candidates total vote count, then a re-election is called there. The political parties would be forced to select a suitable candidate. Now if winning election becomes a challenge, suitable candidates would automatically get attracted to politics. Slowly and steadily the entire political system would get revamped and would no longer be ‘dirty’ politics. But this is possible only if we decide to change.
Instead of organizing candle marches and anti-politician discussions, it’s time to spread awareness and take ownership of the mistakes we knowingly committed. Let us not let democracy crumble under the pressure of terrorism. Our freedom fighters fought valiantly for the freedom we enjoy today. The same kind of feverish patriotism is the need of the day.
Six months from now, we have elections, let’s elect a suitable candidate and make sure our democracy wins! Let’s not limit ourselves to candle marches and signature campaigns. Friends, let’s rise above the situation and make this happen!!!
9 comments:
Good one Aneesha, though I believe it is easier said than done...
For the same reason, I dont condemn these ralies and marches, as they are one of those very rare gestures of patriotism n unity that we get to witness in this present corporate driven, shrewd world. PreIndependence magnetic aura of unity is long lost.
What I believe is, such awakenings, though catastrophically sprouted, should be molded, nurtured n carried a step forward transforming it into a nation wide Reform...instead of-
letting this energy to escape out through easy luring vents- like the petty issues about the politcians/media/et cetra- or... letting it die down under the lid, by audaciously sparking negative and pessimistic remarks...
Awesomely well written. I had to read it twice :)
The issue that you raised is very relevant but I agree with Ricochet Rabbit - This is something that is easier said than done. However,I do believe we need to find a method to make 49O actually happen
@ Devarshi: I completely agree with you, but my concern is -- What if these marches and protest dampen the anguish...I would like the angst to take the form of concrete actions,no matter how small; Like voting or refusing to pay bribe!
@Arunabh: It's indeed easier said than done! Couple of us deciding to vote or refusing to pay bribe would certainly be a drop in the ocean...but drop by drop we can fill the ocean :) Keep visiting!
Great piece of information... i was unaware... your remarks make perfect sense... thanks :)
@Sai: :D Keep Visiting!
good so see the earnest effort at bringing abt a change :)
honest post, credible points!
I dont want to sound cynical..but how many of us have been registered on the voters list and incase we have been, when was the last time we voted? The candle light vigils and rallies are signs of impotent rage which last for a few days and go away later..check out on the news channels, we are on the brink of war with pakistan but surprisingly Salmans breakup with katrina is breaking news..hehe..great post though
Awesomely well written. I had to read it twice :) The issue that you raised is very relevant but I agree with Ricochet Rabbit - This is something that is easier said than done. However,I do believe we need to find a method to make 49O actually happen
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