Republic Day
Happy Republic Day to all Indians, wherever they are in this world.
In its 60th year of the Indian republic, we are still a fledgling. There are corporations even in our own country that have been in existence for longer. We are young, dynamic and vibrant. A nation built on values of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit.
And it is precisely this apathy that we need to change. As JK Rowling puts it best in her stirring Harvard Commencement address (please don't miss the video..)
a. Not Vote - Continue with our Apathy
b. Protest Vote - Section 49-0 (of no consequence but popular)
C. Vote
A. Not Vote
There is this campaign going on..NOT VOTING. I haven't heard of a more ridiculous idea. It is a propaganda which is completely misaligned to larger interests while being fashionable over lunch conversations that people like me who can afford daily basic luxuries can afford to have . It is lethargy and apathy and nothing more. Election day is more of a long weekend vs. a day when we exercise our fundamental right i.e. to vote. To make our voices heard.
The section that talks about not voting consists mainly of people who can afford private water tankers, security guards and own personal vehicles may not need government for major developmental issues. The majority of this country still needs government for roti kapda makaan bijli. So they will still come out in droves and vote, just like the Kashmir polls turnout ( which was a vote for development ). Imagine if the entire middle class votes, demanding better amenities, you think the political class won't listen? And with the constituencies redrawn and more urban votes, our votes can really make a difference.
Of course, the standard FAQs are thrown about, all politicians are corrupt and no one choice is better than the other. But that is because of our apathy so far. We did not vote. and we paid lip service to accountability. If candidates are bad, let us get together, put up a candidate of our choice, fund his election and demand accountability. Like the municipal elections in Bombay recently where local societies put up their candidates who infact won the election.
B. Protest Vote - Section 49-O.
Section 49-O has been labeled as a 'protest vote'. This is completely false. I would guide you to Mr. Uday Singh's article which does a brilliant job of dispelling the myth.
Briefly, the system in India is designed towards number of votes for a candidate vs. number against or absenteeism. For. e.g. in a constituency of 1000 voters, even if 999 decide to opt for sectio 49-O and one person votes for candidate A then candidate A wins. We do not have a minimum percentage any such criteria. So by exercising 49-O we are infact not utilising our vote properly. And not just that. As it is our voting percentage is 60% and today the winner gets at maximum 15-20% of the total votes of the constituency he is representing. If you do not vote, he or she is likely to get at maximum 5-10% of votes and still represent us. And if a candidate with 5-10% of votes wins then he is more likely than not have predilection towards a community or caste as he would have got their backing.
C. Let us VOTE!
So let us all understand the importance of our vote and cast our vote in this coming election. Lets take our voting percentage upto 70%. And once we have exercised our vote and elected our leaders, let us be active citizens and demand accountability. Let us use RTI act, let us monitor funds usage, track and measure progress in our constituency. Let us get involved and seek answers.
I would like to leave you with this thought. Its time to stand up and be counted.
In its 60th year of the Indian republic, we are still a fledgling. There are corporations even in our own country that have been in existence for longer. We are young, dynamic and vibrant. A nation built on values of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit.
It is an advantage to all narrow wisdom and narrow morals that their maxims have a plausible air; and, on a cursory view, appear equal to first principles. They are light and portable. They are as current as copper coin; and about as valuable. They serve equally the first capacities and the lowest; and they are, at least, as useful to the worst men as to the best. Of this stamp is the cant of not man, but measures; a sort of charm by which many people get loose from every honourable engagement.Edmund Burke argues that political maxims are often used as a substitute to truths and the two are often confused with each another. This is then used advance self interest, compromising on values. How true! An observation made over century ago, still holds good. Such little has the political class changed :) And I guess the apathy towards the political class has been institutionalised in our collective memory.
- Edmund Burke
And it is precisely this apathy that we need to change. As JK Rowling puts it best in her stirring Harvard Commencement address (please don't miss the video..)
What is more, those who choose not to empathise may enable real monsters. For without ever committing an act of outright evil ourselves, we collude with it, through our own apathy.In this 60th year of We need to shred our political apathy and become active citizens in the political process And especially when it comes to voting. we have 3 choices
a. Not Vote - Continue with our Apathy
b. Protest Vote - Section 49-0 (of no consequence but popular)
C. Vote
A. Not Vote
There is this campaign going on..NOT VOTING. I haven't heard of a more ridiculous idea. It is a propaganda which is completely misaligned to larger interests while being fashionable over lunch conversations that people like me who can afford daily basic luxuries can afford to have . It is lethargy and apathy and nothing more. Election day is more of a long weekend vs. a day when we exercise our fundamental right i.e. to vote. To make our voices heard.
The section that talks about not voting consists mainly of people who can afford private water tankers, security guards and own personal vehicles may not need government for major developmental issues. The majority of this country still needs government for roti kapda makaan bijli. So they will still come out in droves and vote, just like the Kashmir polls turnout ( which was a vote for development ). Imagine if the entire middle class votes, demanding better amenities, you think the political class won't listen? And with the constituencies redrawn and more urban votes, our votes can really make a difference.
Of course, the standard FAQs are thrown about, all politicians are corrupt and no one choice is better than the other. But that is because of our apathy so far. We did not vote. and we paid lip service to accountability. If candidates are bad, let us get together, put up a candidate of our choice, fund his election and demand accountability. Like the municipal elections in Bombay recently where local societies put up their candidates who infact won the election.
B. Protest Vote - Section 49-O.
Section 49-O has been labeled as a 'protest vote'. This is completely false. I would guide you to Mr. Uday Singh's article which does a brilliant job of dispelling the myth.
Briefly, the system in India is designed towards number of votes for a candidate vs. number against or absenteeism. For. e.g. in a constituency of 1000 voters, even if 999 decide to opt for sectio 49-O and one person votes for candidate A then candidate A wins. We do not have a minimum percentage any such criteria. So by exercising 49-O we are infact not utilising our vote properly. And not just that. As it is our voting percentage is 60% and today the winner gets at maximum 15-20% of the total votes of the constituency he is representing. If you do not vote, he or she is likely to get at maximum 5-10% of votes and still represent us. And if a candidate with 5-10% of votes wins then he is more likely than not have predilection towards a community or caste as he would have got their backing.
C. Let us VOTE!
So let us all understand the importance of our vote and cast our vote in this coming election. Lets take our voting percentage upto 70%. And once we have exercised our vote and elected our leaders, let us be active citizens and demand accountability. Let us use RTI act, let us monitor funds usage, track and measure progress in our constituency. Let us get involved and seek answers.
I would like to leave you with this thought. Its time to stand up and be counted.
The Republic was not established by cowards;Linked from Pragmatic
and cowards will not preserve it …
This will remain the land of the free
only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis
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