Do you really make a Choice ?
These days, i am thinking about elections, voting and all that. Not that i have not thought about it anytime before but the rigidity of my idea of "not to vote" because no one really makes any difference, did not drive me to any constructive thoughts.
But we have seen how the youth has been constantly motivated in the past year and the results have been been impressive if not outstanding.
The time the Mumbai shoot outs happened and all the time the country had been in the middle of crisis, i have found myself being aggressively digging news and having ideas to counter the problem but in the process, i have only been critical of our leaders (not openly but i have been angry). Initially, i was put off by all the communal debates that would obviously surface every time anything goes wrong in the nation but specially in the case of Mumbai, i was driven to see the complete lapse of security measures in the country.
But these security breaches are not about what/how the government behaves only. This is about the sheer definition of knowing what we are as a country. We don't protect ourselves anywhere from any kind of exploitation as an Indian. Because we don't know what threatens us as an Indian.
We could broadly categorise the mindset of people in this country:
What is my country?
- You may be confused as to what you really feel for the country
- You may be not bothered because your personal success has taken you beyond all these LITTLE issues (i actually met some senior people in a company laughing & gossiping in this taste)
- You may favor a particular religion and uphold the country as a representation of your community rather than humanity
- You may be one of those laid back people who can see everything, know everything yet can't take a step to make anything happen (most of the educated youth falls in this category)
- You may actually know a lot, be concerned(the thinking class of scientists & researches) but unfortunately, you think someone else will have to take care of these things
In a democracy, with so many distinct perspectives in even defining ourselves, how do we even know whether we are "thinking right?" and how do we know whether the choices we make for our representative are made in the right direction?.
Well, most of us "conclude" on what seems right to ourselves. Very few of us "think" and arrive at a point where we know what would change the situation very clearly. And majority of these few shy away from putting thoughts into actions and there words,views and discussions are confined to their entourage.
I personally think that we need smart, inspiring and wise individuals governing us who are pro-active and can turn things around. But how do i make a move to see if that can happen?
I can't myself stand there probably but i can consider a small plan. I can make a beginning by making a choice from the ones i have. I can follow the process of elimination.
I can remove the ones who are farthest from my idea of my country. I can pick the one who can be pushed up there carefully. I would also decide that once he is chosen, what "I" would be doing as an individual to bring a change. The benefit of such a plan would be that i would somewhere start thinking and discussing. Whoever i choose, would be atleast not a random idea but a responsible choice. I would come out for discussions and would know everyone else's opinion. Evaluate my decision before i make the final call and would believe in what i do.
There might be a situation when the person is not chosen. I would be disappointed yet i would be aware of the strengths of the one who goes up and would research on why this person went up there. Also, when i was making my choice, i also had thought about what i would do if the person does not get selected. In this situation, i would implement that plan. I would be careful and sincere about exercising my rights & duties. Once, that is in line, i would align my personal decisions in accordance.
In this discussion the "I" is not me but everyone who is educated and has the ability to think and take firm decisions. Even if your thoughts are not 'ideal', a sincere decision would only pave way to hope to reach the idealistic set up. If you have the ability to think and are compassionate towards those looking for a direction, it would only mark the beginning of the creation of a stronger nation.
I would be honest here. I have been one of those who always thought that not voting is a symbol of "knowing what would be better" and discarding everyone who is not inline with what you think. Basically, being a non-voter was being cool for me. It's only dawned on me in the past years that i can keep complaining and never have a change around me. I had no right to even comment on anyone who was chosen either cos i did not do anything to give a better option ever.
But yes, now i WILL make a choice. I still do not know which one though.