Elections in india

Indian election happens once in 5 years and it is due now.  As usual, there is heightened activity to win over the electoral public by guiding or misguiding. People cross over from one party to the other for personal gains or adjustments. It is really sad that we see the same guys who have done nothing or have done very little to even get to the election. But as the old saying goes, the show must go on.

Recently I was in Australia when there was an election. Some interesting facts came to my notice. First and the foremost, people in Australia have a say even in any civic development. For example they follow a voting system before they start any new project like a road widening, as the sufferers and beneficiaries are the same citizens.  Why are we not following it in India. For example, if the foot overbridge needs repairs and BMC turns a blind eye to the issue but gets it painted to showcase a beautiful but weak structure, how is that justified. How and why are we voting such elements to power once again. Similarly the Australian government levies a penalty if one does not vote. This is really fantastic thing as the Government spends a lot of money on a voting system and citizens should par take in such an effort and if you fail to do your part by exercising your vote pay a penalty. I think it is 100 AUD.

Indian Governments spend much more in elections as compared to other nations may be due to huge population and therefore the efforts needed to make this happen has to be elaborate. Should we not look at these new things to make the voting exercise more meaningful.

If we do not put in an accountability mechanism there is no chance for change.

Recent train journey

I happened to travel in a mumbai local train recently. It was early morning train journey but surprisingly the train was fairly empty as I got in and it remained so till the end. People were minding their own business and thanks to head phones and smart phones. I mean to say, they are busy with watching movies or listening to music or playing some game. I was no exception. 

As the train reached a stopping point, you could see a bunch of people getting off loaded and another getting on boarded. This was an interesting sight like old stock getting replenished with new one. 

The train was about to reach the destination and suddenly I heard some heated arguments from behind. The discussion was between an old man and a bunch of youngsters. I could hear that the old man was pleading that he has physical disability and I seriously do not know what triggered the argument. Suddenly one youngster made a very shabby comment that he should have taken the disabled compartment. To that the old man said that he was not a handicap but his condition does not make him move around like a normal man. He went on to say that he suffers from thyroid deficiency and as a result his movements are restricted. It was really sad when he said that his condition does not make him qualify for entering the compartment reserved for handicap and physically challenged. The worst was, after the old man got off the train, those youngsters were still commenting that he should go in the compartment reserved for handicap. 

I seriously could not understand how could we be so inhuman. His problem today can be our problem tomorrow. What makes us think that ones physical inability can be a subject matter of criticism or point of discussion. 

I was very disturbed and with a heavy heart I got off at the destination and walked away.

Welcome

Dear Friends,

Welcome to my blog.

I have been thinking for a while to create my own blog. Through this, I wish to share and communicate with people.