Tough Questions

Waiting in anticipation for the result of the assembly elections which is going to be declared tomorrow .The government that does set foot in the assembly would have the grave responsibility of keeping up to their promises and delivering accordingly. The common voter today is much sharper, bolder, forthright and unbounded by conventions. The gamut of information being doled out by the media ensures that none of the political candidates remain in the dark for too long. The probing media of the recent times, does an exceptional job of keeping the babus on their toes and of cracking the whip when the need arises.

But, the aforementioned smart voter is an endangered species today. The voter turn-out for Mumbai was a shameful 45%. And the appalling part of it all was that the government had to virtually bring the entire city to a standstill to make us exercise our right. The meager numbers are a disappointment. This was the same city a year back, that demanded answers in one voice. It roared in unity and made heads roll in the upper echelons of the government. It took the matter by the scruff of it's neck and made things happen. So, What happened? When did this face change? What made it change? Do we not realize the power of a vote, the power of being a democracy? Are we so egoistic that, if the impending predicaments are not effecting us and the people we care about, then nothing else matters? There are so many 'banana republics' out there even today being ruled over by tyrannical totalitarian governments, we could have easily been one of them. The oppressed people in those countries know the power of a vote, the power of a democracy. This kind of thought process has stemmed from sheer lack of belief in the system. Like how every single citizen is not egoistic, in the same way every politician is not corrupt. The stereotypes glued to politics have to be eradicated if we have the slightest desire to move in the direction of progress. So, next time when you meet someone who aimlessly points a finger at the government for any reason, interrupt & ask that person if he/she has voted or not. If not, then let them know they lose the right to reprimand.

We are, what the politicians are.

"Woh khaate hai, kyon ki ham khilaate hai!"

Cheers!