Like the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, isn't our Forest department also a Government agency? Aren't they also related to security? Don't they also have guards and guides who work dedicatedly? So why do we look at their duty and their personalities like those of our house help? Why do we pay them "per safari" or whatever "little" possible when we can afford convoys of 11 cars for each random politician and huge cinema premiers and fashion shows? Where does all the revenue go? The rich get richer, the poor get poorer and die. The rich leave their money to their family which spends it on alcohol, abuse, and law suits. Give the same amount to a Forest Guard and he will be able to live his whole life in that much. When the Government itself doesn't respect an agency that IT set up, how can other common people be expected to respect the FD? And yet, it IS the common people who respect (whatever little percentage of people) such work. And ironically, the middle class is the the largest and strongest sub-species in India. Sadly, this very class is completely unaware of its powers and abilities. Why do we restrict ourselves to The RTI Act? Why can't we muster the courage to seek answers? To improve the country WE live in? Why are we no longer safe in our own homes?
Because, we simply don't respect our fellow people, and our home land. For politicians to come and announce compensations for blast victims is VERY easy. They are not paying out of their own pocket. They're not even INJURED in that blast. They're protected by bullet proof cars and jackets, given top notch security and they come in convoys. We? We roam the streets. Alone. With a backpack that has all our daily necessities. We dont need 13 cars. We don't get bullet proof vests. We have only our hands and legs to defend ourselves. Why? because WE are the common man. WE are the ones affected by the decisions of the people WE elect to the Government. WE slowly end up killing ourselves because we elect fake, promise makers, non-deliverers, and absolutely money hungry excuses of a human being to the seat that has the power and authority to change [make or break] things. Point? Right to Vote. The word "right" is very important. It's a power we have. It's a power we are allowed to use.
Our constitution is nothing short of a comic book. And no, that's not what I think of it. I've grown up around lawyers. I respect it. May be you do too. But does everyone else? We're the only country that functions virtually without ANY law. Coz no one gives a damn about breaking it, or making it, or using it. Our political parties [read Shiv Sena etc] sponsor one way air tickets for Shah Rukh Khan to go "back" to Islamabad. If they put their so called "savings" in the betterment of our security forces, like Policemen, they'd be making someone somewhere less corrupt and prone to accepting bribes. Why are we so lawless even when we HAVE a constitution? Why are we such an insult to our own Constitution? Why can't we accept responsibility, take initiatives, and act? Why do we ALWAYS wait for someone else to do something first? Why are we so scared? WHAT are we so scared of??
This article is called "Open Forum" because I really wish to know what people think about all this stuff. Anyone reading this, and willing enough to answer ANY of the many questions I've put in here, is welcome to please comment. Anyone who has anything at all to say, is most welcome to say it.
Why are we expected to compromise on our Life? Why are we expected to bounce back to normalcy the day after a bomb blast? Why do we have to "accept" terrorism as "part of our lives"? Do we want our children growing up in THIS world? A world where people are just waiting for an excuse to kill each other? And for what? Religion? Caste? State? WHY?? How does that make them different from you or me? So you're a majority! Doesn't that make YOU responsible for the protection of your fellow humans in the minorities? Why MUST we go against something ALL the time? Are surnames and religions really so important!?
The Shiv Sena needs to OPEN its eyes and go back to history. Terrorism started in 1893. Why? NOT because of the Muslims. Yeah. Shocking. It was actually because of some very very selfish, sadistic and self proclaimed leaders called Brahminists. No. Not Brahmins. Not Hindus. But only THOSE of them who thought no end of themselves! Im a Brahmin. But I don't go around the world with that tattooed on my forehead! And quite frankly, I shouldn't. Because my religion, caste, or whatever, does NOT make me who I am. I make myself who I am.
I am a wildlife biologist. Not a Politician. Not an activist. Not a lawyer. I am an individual who is very clear on her goals in life, knows what she wants and 8yrs ago, if I hadn't decided to dedicate myself to conservation, I would have jumped right into Politics. But I wouldn't have lasted a day. Im not corrupt. Im not someone who licks people's asses. Im not someone who will fall to cheap, low levels to get work done. I dont give a shit about money. So if I had the power, I would shoot anyone and everyone I see as a potential threat to the peace and stability of my country, my people. Basically, it's a good thing Im not in authority.
But for those of you who ARE, someday, you no longer will be in authority. So while you have it, use it for the greater good instead of filling your pockets. 10 supportive humans make you wealthier than a bank locker full of currency notes.
2 comments:
Hey Apoorva,
Good questions and asking them is never too late. You've put your finger on the right thing by saying we have the right to vote and it is not a right that is to be thrown away because we dont care. It is the power to change the way we live. Too many people show skepticism when we say voting is the key to our problems. The usual indifference comes with words like, "I cant stand in a queue and vote for politicians who are corrupt" or "I haven't been able to get a Voter's ID" or "All are corrupt. Who should I vote for?" and so on...but let's face it...we have inherited a huge problem in the form of corruption and corrupt politicians...so voting them out and bringing the right kind of people in, will take time. But do we have the willingness to do it? That's what matters. After 26/11, the whole of Mumbai woke up and gathered in thousands with candles shouting slogans. But on the real day when it mattered, did they do the one thing that would have made the politicians sit up and notice? No. A paltry 30% of the people turned up to vote! A politician had even made the audacious remark saying "We don't care about their processions, because these people don't vote, so they don't matter"...and the people proved him right!
Nobody is saying voting will change everything in one term, but with slow and purposeful efforts we will be able to cleanse our country at least when our children start building their lives. For a start, we can decide that in the next election I shall not vote for a politician who is (a) corrupt or (b) not done any commendable or noticeable work in my constituency.I can then question people who come to my door step to campaign about why I should vote for that candidate. Let the campaigner know that I am going to vote based only on the above criteria. Hopefully the message will reach the candidate making him aware that people are beginning to be proactive. Thirdly, ask the campaigners for a copy of their Party's poll agenda and read through it. Vote if you feel their policies make sense and are designed for the general good of the people and not just to please certain communities and sections of the society in order to gain their votes. If they can't provide you with a Party Agenda, tell them you cannot vote for a party that does not have an agenda! Lastly, vote for a party's or candidate's policies and not because of his caste, community and religious affiliations!
Very tiny points but if carried out by all educated people, will make a considerable difference. I say this again, this may take time...but it will take effect slowly but surely....the only question that I have to ask is, do we have it in us to keep our heads steady and show the willingness to act (even if slowly) or just lose our heads every time there is a bomb blast, shout and scream and then get back to our daily chores like nothing happened?
Thanks Gowri. For something that someone REALLY needed to say! I was beginning to get the impression I am the only one who thinks like this! We have media campaigning to vote out corrupt and criminal background politicians. But apart from a publicity stunt, does anyone REALLY care about each vote that goes into those elections? Tried talking to the people at the voting booths. "Why are you voting?" Reply. "Oh I dont know, I just heard about this whole hue and cry to vote, so I didn't want to be left behind. To be honest, I don't even KNOW who's up for elections and what his/her party is or has been doing." THAT's the importance that voting in this country has. KASHMIR turned up to vote but Mumbai and Pune couldnt do it. So if you don't vote, WHAT gives you the right to complain about your country!? Nothing! And as for the change, it is never going to be overnight na. All good change happens gradually over a period of time. But we're merely delaying that period and extending it by not starting now. So when will we begin the ACTUAL process of changing our country to make it what WE want it to be? Why do we always wait for someone else to do something first?!
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