Most young
Indians get repelled by the deafening noise, lack of substance, callousness,
double standards and above all corruption of the current day politics. They
have an indifferent attitude towards all things political. Most of us are
politically illiterate. We don’t know why BJP is right wing, why CPI is leftist
and why Congress is centrist. It’s all so corrupt – we simply don’t care to
know any of it.
Many don't
realise that such Political illiteracy amongst the young educated Indians is a
big threat to India's future. Amongst India’s middle classes & white
collars, any discussion on politics is not encouraged. Nor does it find interested young
participants. It’s as if we have called a pseudo non cooperation movement
against all things political.
By doing so we
are rejecting the very tools our forefathers left for us to uplift our nation.
The power vested in the publicly elected political institutions was supposed to
ensure glory for our great nation. Our forefathers fought hard for our independence
and debated hard for the kind of system we want. They could not have imagined a
situation so early-on, where their future generation would simply be not
interested in the political system they bled for.
Sadly, this
reference to context of how the power is to be implemented by the citizens for
the citizens is completely lost & forgotten by the young India. How many of
us know that the electorate mandate to be given in coming Lok Sabha elections
is worth a cool Rs 100 Trillion. (in FY 14 alone the Union public spending was
at Rs 16.5 lac crores OR Rs 16.5 Trillions).
That’s approximately Rs 5 lacs for a family of 5– and that’s your tax
money we are talking about. Double that and you will get the expenditure made by
your state and municipality.
But today’s
youth wants none of it –and instead finds solace in some NGO activism that
soothes their mind. Very much like our weak prime minister whose personal
ethical hygiene is useless to reform the cabinet of thugs that he leads. We
fail to see that the very future of our country lies in our own hands.
We can begin by
investing at least one hour a week in debating politics – which can set the
ball rolling. Let’s pledge to eliminate
the political illiteracy that resides amongst many of us. Let us begin by
respecting our politicians – at least the good ones; for they are gallantly
carrying out the nation building responsibilities that most of us are shirking.
We will have to know them, their policies, views, debates, background &
reasons. We need to get involved, spend time, get influenced and influence
others. We must form political opinions, jump from the proverbial fence and
take sides… actions if needed. That process by itself will revolutionalise
everything else.