My two cents!

In 2014 I voted for the first time in India’s national elections. Little did I know that when next time India holds its polls I will be sitting in another country and may not have the bandwidth – economic or otherwise – of going back and casting my vote in one of the most vibrant democracies of the world.

Distance often makes it difficult to see things clearly – but sometimes it may also allow you to see things in different light – and therefore I feel that even without voting, I need to express myself to all the friends, relatives and family members who will be voting in India’s next general election.

·         This election is not about saving India’s soul

Anyone who claims that this election is about saving India’s soul – probably considers India’s soul too weak, fixed and simple. While such an expression may make people feel charged up, there is hardly any credibility to it when we stop and think about it for a couple of minutes. What is India’s soul? I don’t know a certain answer to this but surely it is not a fixed thing that can be stolen or broken – because soul evolves, transforms, grows, subsides and goes through the same cycle again and again. This very nature of soul - and its liveliness makes it difficult to even grasp and control a soul of one person – let alone the entire nation.

·         Need for Chowkidaar

It is a very common political ploy to instigate a sense of fear among people, to make them feel unsafe and therefore look for leaders who can provide a sense of safety. The term Chowkidar – a guard – being currently used to suggest that somehow, we as a nation need someone to protect us. We must not fall for such tactics – and must not let fear overtake our common sense. This technique is very similar to those used by Donald Trump during the US presidential elections. India and all its people are strong enough to take care of themselves and need no one to look after them.

Another reason why this need for a guard seems ludicrous is – somehow it leaks an air of superiority of the ruler over those that are ruled. It is exactly opposite of the concept of “Swaraj” on which India had based its freedom movement.  

Let us remember that we are a country of over a billion people, different ideologies, diverse culture, varied skillsets and wide range of opportunities ahead of us. Let’s vote for the basic issues and concerns that touch our daily lives – when each one of us does that – the national picture will automatically start shaping well.

A famous political leader named Ram Manohar Lohia’s quote is also worth remembering - sarkar tave ki roti jaise hoti hai, usko palat tey raho nahin toh jal ke raakh ho jayegi – the government is like a roti that needs to be flipped on the griddle or it will burn. As a first time voter, I did not do a thorough study but just cast my vote for a different party than the then ruling party - and if I were to get another chance, I would probably do the same this time as well!