Celebrating Democracy….. in India!!

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…!!