We have come long way in being
part of political and electoral process in just 10 years.
In 2009 when campaigning and
asking people to vote (including statement – any one is ok, but please vote!!), many asked what the use is?!! They had lost
hope,cynical and felt politics is not for educated, youngsters.I still
remember spending my 100 SMS package promoting election and in that exhausting
many messages,convincing people why they should vote!! Nevertheless,the interest
level among them didn’t increase and rather I got advice to stay away from it.
Then came the silver lining in
2014 when large number of youths started attending political rallies,volunteers meet etc. especially for BJP,might be due to series of scams we had
witnessed by than ruling government , fear of national security etc. promoted
this change. In one of the meet in
Bengaluru,first time I saw houseful attendance in a large convention hall.People from all background had come to register as volunteers.
2019 took things to different
level.Same contacts who were not even interested to discuss in 2009 were
promoting NAMO in a big way.Followed them and others in various social media
and felt there is greater participation and interest this time by people.Many conclaves
were conducted, in neighborhoods, addressing specific issues which would cater
different sets of people.Tools like WatsApp and Facebook played bigger role in
communicating the message.
Most of the volunteers I met were
professionals, businessmen who were not member of any political party but
joined together at their individual level & friends circle. No matter whom
they supported, this kind of participation itself is great positive impact on
our society.
Today, when the mandate was
getting delivered,many called/sent messages wishing and congratulating the victory!!
Felt like there is some festival and people are celebrating. Yes, indeed,it is "festival of democracy”, which many countries dream of
having.I also came across people distributing sweets in neighborhood and some
households preparing it for dinner. And yes, they were not part of any party politics
but for sheer respect for a leader.
With this, it ends the first part,
to vote and select. Next, let’s no matter whom we preferred,voted and will be ruling
( as the majority will get the power as per democratic process), it’s time to
get involved in the governance, in whichever form and forum we get opportunity
to participate... To make a stronger and secured India.
Before I conclude, we always
heard- Yatha Raaja, Thatha Prajaa (rough translation: like king, citizens
behave)
Is it just coincidence, unlike
past, citizens are also showing great interest in issues pertaining to country,
being nationalist and saying “India first”??!! food for thought...
Jai Hind…!!
