DISCLAIMER: - This is purely my viewpoint and does not in any way represent the opinion of certain class of people. I also don't subscribe to individual character slandering so I would abstain from taking a direct mention of any individual in this writing.
Every election time, there is a campaign run through various media channels (print, TV) asking people to vote. Symbol of index finger with a mark on it is shown as a very powerful medium urging people to go and use their fundamental right. But every time the election results show a dismal performance of poor turnout. And as expected, it is the urban society which bears the brunt of not having a substantial turnout. What plagues them? Additionally, I have been seeing the growing disenchantment of our youth towards this democratic exercise. Well, being part of both the strata (urban youth), I will try to analyse it from my view point.
I will pose some problems plaguing our current system. But I will try to propose resolutions for some things,(and just not crib) for which I have an answer for and for some things I don't, as they are more of ideological issues and not practically feasible options. Bringing revolutionary change (dismantling the current form of election system, or having a dual party presidential form of government) will be out of question but yes taking the best out of the current scheme of things is plausible.
As an urban educated Indian on the move, I believe, following things, if addressed, could bring me a step closer for me to cast my vote.
1) A Voting system flawed by the mechanism of Voter's list.
I am an Indian on the move. My name appears on the voter list of the place for which I was registered. so If I am at a different place , I need to undergo this administrative hassle of re-registering my name. People experienced in dealing with government machinery know what a hassle it can be. and indeed acts as detrimental to my motivation of taking out time and going to vote which turns out to be SUBSTANTIAL time and not only time. System can be changed if I have a single national identity (passport, PAN card, newly introduced UID scheme) using which I can vote anywhere. Let's use technology to its best to remove as much of human interference as possible bringing more authenticity into the system. Use of EVM was a step forward. Up linking the EVM results directly via satellite communication to central repository could be next. So no need to transport EVMs to a place where it needs to be stored involving further complications. Advent of broadband and DTH systems will help in removing these human interventions.
2) Whom to vote -- nobody is worthy?
I find a college of representatives present in the field. May be I am selfish, and I think which politician will represent my goals. Well who is not? Being urban educated does not mean that I will not have my hidden interests when I decide to vote. off course, rural India goes by the concept of buying vote. Its only urban places, (who form not more than 25% of Indian populace) try to use brains to find something useful coming out of the grand scheme of things.
Well as in corporate environment, there should be a gradation system in place for the current government. What is the Political manifesto of the party who is currently ruling and how much has it performed in its last rule as compared to its political manifesto.
This might work good from a party perspective but what about individuals whom I am going to vote.
2 ways of gradation.
what did politician do for his/her constituency
what did politician contribute in the national scheme of things.
Since, as of now, there is no provision for politicians having criminal cases against them to not to contest elections, there should be a central repository from where I can check the criminal records and then make my decision whether to cast my vote for a particular candidate.
If I know my constituency, I will study my representatives in detail and then will make a judgment. In the end, If I am not able to find a representative, I will have 2 choices who represent the kind of ideology I subscribe too. Either, I will join this bandwagon, or I won't vote. Later seems to be an easy way out.
3) Involvement of youth in Politics
and in the decision making system and not 60+ granddad. When I say youth, it is in the realm of political governance where even 40+ people qualify for this definition. Old people are less susceptible to change and will certainly like to keep things the way they are. One way :- not voluntary but mandatory retirement from active politics (or contesting elections to be more specific) after the age of 60. Election commission needs to take a call. youth will bring about a change and not oldies. Note that change can be for good or bad, which is difficult to say and will depend on the education system of our country. Ours is young country then why is it ruled by oldies? If someone says youth is not interested in running this system, then I would say to remove the grand dads and create a environment where there are opportunities for others to come in. And then the youth will respond.
4) Right of Not to vote.
If Bangladesh has accepted it as a norm in their voting system, why can't we? This might have it's repercussions, so it needs to be studied with different democracies of the world. 49-O(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49-O#Present_Implications_of_Rule_49-O) or the option of not voting does indeed violate secret ballot in principle as of now. But once "effectively" in place, it will act as a major driving force to bring about a change in the present context of things. Through secret ballot, I can express my displeasure on the way my constituency has been run. I will not choose the best amongst worst.
5) Corporate Governance
And its principles to be applied while running a government too. We need educated technocrats and bureaucrats to drive the certain ministries and not politicians. Why do we need to have aviation minister who is indeed a politician taking call on how to run Air India or what is the need of ministry of railways again an elected representative at all? Telecom minister may not know the difference between 2G and 3G networks, but are very efficient in getting money out of it. Off course, department of home , defence and finance needs a ministry of elected officials who need to make policies which is good for the country. This means shedding that extra flab (moving government control out of areas which it is not supposed to do). Or Government coming out of unnecessary areas. How this will influence my voting patterns? This will bring more transparency in the auditing and businesses will then run with profit and loss motive. Railways and Airlines were not created for mass employment and they don’t serve any social purpose. Governments role should be to enable businesses that will give employment and make sure that they serve the good of all the entities involved.
6) Well this is more of ideological issue apart from being a pertinent question. Do priests in temples, mosques, churches make money more than it is required when they are in position? They are serving god. Well some say, things have changed now and even the godmen are making money. I cannot argue on the same as this will drive my discussion in a different direction. You cannot make more money than required when you are politics. You serve for the good of mankind and for the good of society. Well, nobody can enforce this upon the people. Want to make money, get into corporate world. This is an open question and may not have any concrete solution. But this will certainly influence my voting pattern. I don’t want people getting elected and squandering my hard earned money which I give as income tax in scams. Greed no more my friend.
All said and done, system needs to adapt to the changing patterns. Off course there will be resistance and mostly from the one's whose position will be endangered when the common person is more empowered and in a better position to take decisions. What THEY want is a delusional state of existence and make their way out. What WE want is being part of a revolution.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Last year and Last decade
This one comes after a very long hiatus. So what better to write then for me to recollect my last year and in perspective , last decade too.
Thoughts about myself - Phew! not a remarkable year but a tremendous decade coming to an end. Coming times will bring with it , something know as "Mid life crisis". Get buckled up.
1) Started my engg. career with a relatively new university. 2000 Decision to take engrr as my career option changes the way where I am.
2) Started my professional life. Green paper. Money Honey 2004. First salary completely spent on home.
3) Fell in love and Got Married - 2009.
One way to recollect my memory of last year was through my facebook/twitter account. Social media does play its part in a lot of things around. well, Recency factor -- dont remember the things happened in the beginning of the year, will play its part.
All I can think of are some important things that happened with me in last year and will try to classify them in a monthly manner.
December
Decided to remember my year through FB and twitter status
Very active in Cityville
On a full running spree - health conscious
Had good time with friends in christmas . Got drunk with JD and sang some old songs . Pretty ususal me.
Finally visited lalbagh gardens which I planned from last 6 yrs. though not in flower show time. will try to take out time for the same may be in another 6 yrs.
disagreed with Times on the person of the year and agreed with FT for choosing steve jobs.
Tweeted an interesting quote
"kripya yahan dhumrapaan na karien, aapki zindagi ki koi keemat ho na ho, petrol ki keemat bahut hai."
Confused between IPTV and DTH
Did a movie marathon with biwi finally and did not sleep the whole night.
17th december - sneaked into SAP Labs annual party. Though not being part of that company but a sister company. and had a ball of a time. attended a music show after a
long time.Euphoria and man that rocked. Daaru and rock show good amalgamation.
How can I forget studying and making notes after 6 yrs I left the college. cleared certification exam. SAP Certified. Feels great,
did something unique , tried getting all my communication addresses changed to one address. Oh what a relief. 90% achieved.
November
November ended on a sweet note of me travelling to goa (mind you for the first time and that too as a married man :P) for my first anniversary. And boy it was a ball of
a time. Loved it and my wife too. :D. Had a taste or rather a bad one of the travel involved in my new job when I came back from philippines and was asked to travel to chennai on a short notice. Even though I had plans for my vacation. any ways, all's well that ends well and managed to sneek from the customer location in due course of time.travelled to philippines as part of my customer project and indeed it was a good time professionally, I would say. Where I got to learn a lot. Customer interaction and handling skills. All classroom trainings go for a toss when you have to get the moneyout of customer's pocket. Its all about being street smart.
Developed some differences in my professional life but yes was new to environment so had a tough time but slowly and steadily it all works.
Tried new brand of beer. San Miguel and boy it was great. also tried very hard to get iPhone4. well try goes on for this year too when I visit china.
Deewali not at home. all alone in bangalore with wifey going to lucknow and me stuck.
October
got my hands on drums after countless years gap and how much i say it felt great.
went with my wifey to watch the test match India vs aussie. in the sweltering and humid atmosphere. managed to get out sane.
got too involved in watching "How I met your mom" though left it after couple of months when the dude is still searching for wife even after 9 seasons.
Sasu maa visited us. did spent some good amount of time watching documentaries. I love them a lot.
10/10/10 10:10:10 happened. will happen 2 more times. watch out for it. 11/11/11 11:11:11 and 12/12/12 12:12:12
wife forced me into something which I am planning to take a revenge on her. Big Boss.
September
Oh how can I forget the amazing blackberry ad.
Urmilesh and shruti stayed with us. and had their house warming ceremony. good time with them.
moved from SAP Labs to SAP India
August.
Got a year older. no. not dosclosed :P. wifey gave a wonderful gift reminding me of the reality of life :P.
Oh how could I forget, 27th august -- Lost my longtime friend. My iPod. Cried , sobbed.
Friday the 13th.
Made a contribution to wikipedia. No financial but added/refined articles.
July
26th complete 6 years of professional experience. 6 years back started my career with Infosys on this day in 2004.eyes filled with promises and hope. down the lane, that
glimmer of hope still remains.
Watched Inception and was not at all disappointed.
oh football world cup. Spaniards were the resilient ones but the finals were not of that great quality.
Paul octopus. poor guy died few months later after all the predictions.
June.
ended with a much awaited vacation in pondicherry. needed it a lot.
Bus travelling to office used to be fun no more. Already changing jobs for good.
May
enjoyed with N97mini courtesy Jatinda
April
IPL finals in sports bar and Chennai made a roll of mumbai.
went to watch mumbai vs bangalore match with a big gang. and it turned out to be a big dud.
March
Watched the movie "No smoking" and boy it was an amazing one.
Feb
Tried my hands on google buzz and ran from it.
My prediction on IPad it might work after all and 11 months down the line, it does. I am the next nostradomaus
Wifey realized my temptation for coffee and got me a coffee maker.
Jan
Got our first car as a couple
Thoughts about myself - Phew! not a remarkable year but a tremendous decade coming to an end. Coming times will bring with it , something know as "Mid life crisis". Get buckled up.
1) Started my engg. career with a relatively new university. 2000 Decision to take engrr as my career option changes the way where I am.
2) Started my professional life. Green paper. Money Honey 2004. First salary completely spent on home.
3) Fell in love and Got Married - 2009.
One way to recollect my memory of last year was through my facebook/twitter account. Social media does play its part in a lot of things around. well, Recency factor -- dont remember the things happened in the beginning of the year, will play its part.
All I can think of are some important things that happened with me in last year and will try to classify them in a monthly manner.
December
Decided to remember my year through FB and twitter status
Very active in Cityville
On a full running spree - health conscious
Had good time with friends in christmas . Got drunk with JD and sang some old songs . Pretty ususal me.
Finally visited lalbagh gardens which I planned from last 6 yrs. though not in flower show time. will try to take out time for the same may be in another 6 yrs.
disagreed with Times on the person of the year and agreed with FT for choosing steve jobs.
Tweeted an interesting quote
"kripya yahan dhumrapaan na karien, aapki zindagi ki koi keemat ho na ho, petrol ki keemat bahut hai."
Confused between IPTV and DTH
Did a movie marathon with biwi finally and did not sleep the whole night.
17th december - sneaked into SAP Labs annual party. Though not being part of that company but a sister company. and had a ball of a time. attended a music show after a
long time.Euphoria and man that rocked. Daaru and rock show good amalgamation.
How can I forget studying and making notes after 6 yrs I left the college. cleared certification exam. SAP Certified. Feels great,
did something unique , tried getting all my communication addresses changed to one address. Oh what a relief. 90% achieved.
November
November ended on a sweet note of me travelling to goa (mind you for the first time and that too as a married man :P) for my first anniversary. And boy it was a ball of
a time. Loved it and my wife too. :D. Had a taste or rather a bad one of the travel involved in my new job when I came back from philippines and was asked to travel to chennai on a short notice. Even though I had plans for my vacation. any ways, all's well that ends well and managed to sneek from the customer location in due course of time.travelled to philippines as part of my customer project and indeed it was a good time professionally, I would say. Where I got to learn a lot. Customer interaction and handling skills. All classroom trainings go for a toss when you have to get the moneyout of customer's pocket. Its all about being street smart.
Developed some differences in my professional life but yes was new to environment so had a tough time but slowly and steadily it all works.
Tried new brand of beer. San Miguel and boy it was great. also tried very hard to get iPhone4. well try goes on for this year too when I visit china.
Deewali not at home. all alone in bangalore with wifey going to lucknow and me stuck.
October
got my hands on drums after countless years gap and how much i say it felt great.
went with my wifey to watch the test match India vs aussie. in the sweltering and humid atmosphere. managed to get out sane.
got too involved in watching "How I met your mom" though left it after couple of months when the dude is still searching for wife even after 9 seasons.
Sasu maa visited us. did spent some good amount of time watching documentaries. I love them a lot.
10/10/10 10:10:10 happened. will happen 2 more times. watch out for it. 11/11/11 11:11:11 and 12/12/12 12:12:12
wife forced me into something which I am planning to take a revenge on her. Big Boss.
September
Oh how can I forget the amazing blackberry ad.
Urmilesh and shruti stayed with us. and had their house warming ceremony. good time with them.
moved from SAP Labs to SAP India
August.
Got a year older. no. not dosclosed :P. wifey gave a wonderful gift reminding me of the reality of life :P.
Oh how could I forget, 27th august -- Lost my longtime friend. My iPod. Cried , sobbed.
Friday the 13th.
Made a contribution to wikipedia. No financial but added/refined articles.
July
26th complete 6 years of professional experience. 6 years back started my career with Infosys on this day in 2004.eyes filled with promises and hope. down the lane, that
glimmer of hope still remains.
Watched Inception and was not at all disappointed.
oh football world cup. Spaniards were the resilient ones but the finals were not of that great quality.
Paul octopus. poor guy died few months later after all the predictions.
June.
ended with a much awaited vacation in pondicherry. needed it a lot.
Bus travelling to office used to be fun no more. Already changing jobs for good.
May
enjoyed with N97mini courtesy Jatinda
April
IPL finals in sports bar and Chennai made a roll of mumbai.
went to watch mumbai vs bangalore match with a big gang. and it turned out to be a big dud.
March
Watched the movie "No smoking" and boy it was an amazing one.
Feb
Tried my hands on google buzz and ran from it.
My prediction on IPad it might work after all and 11 months down the line, it does. I am the next nostradomaus
Wifey realized my temptation for coffee and got me a coffee maker.
Jan
Got our first car as a couple
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
