While on the threshold of constituting the 17th Lok Sabha, India is currently engaged in a flurry of activities before it will announce her ruling dispensation to the world, on the 23rd of May!!
The ensuing election will bring into its fold an addition of over 14 million voters to the existing 900 million strength of the electorate. That makes it the highest voting body of the world. This election will assume a lot of significance world-wide in this context!!
The generational change could translate into a shift in the behavioural pattern of our first-time voters. In this rapidly changing milieu that is in the process of continuous evolvement, where news and data are available aplenty and effortlessly, where technology is keeping pace with the times and easily available to the youth, it is imperative that they be kept abreast of developments that could have an impact on their growth.
We are faced with an ambitious generation of men and women whose dreams and hopes needs to meet with a progressive bent of mind. Leaders who perceive a higher growth trajectory and work in tandem with it, can only hope to win the accolades of the new incumbent voters. A superficial approach that dwells on symbolism may be counterproductive in the long run!!
Besides, the political honchos need to channelize the energies of the youngsters into productive work rather than indulgence in wayward ways and extremism!! Indulgence in religious and casteist ventures are a consequence of unemployment resulting in a state of quiescence!!
Curtailing a fast-changing value system that tends to push fiscal gains ahead, irrespective of the methodology or fair play, essentially forms an important component of the journey ahead!!
The contemporary voter would hence demand for greater representation of his kind in the government in the form of legislatures. The oldies will have to make way for the young blood.
At the crossroads of uncertainty, the country looks forward to an able leadership for guidance and direction!!
In the 2014 polls the women voter turnout was 65.63% as compared to 67.09% of men. 2019 proposes a greater women turnout ratio in terms of the voters. However, the female representation both in Parliament in 2014 and candidature in the 2019 election leaves a lot to be desired!!
A woman finds solidarity and camaraderie across the political spectrum when subjected to inhuman crimes like molestation and rape provided there exists a sizeable group of women amongst the legislatures. Gender imbalance tends to weigh down the impact of such heinous crimes!!
Legislation leading to grave penalization for crimes against women may see the light of the day only when there is a greater presence of women as legislatures. Gender discrimination in several areas could be overcome with a stronger female presence!!
The issue of female interception in the now famous Sabarimala shrine row could have been dealt with holistically had there been proportionate representation. It is indeed iniquitous for a male dominated Dewasom board to express disapproval of the SC judgement without appropriate consensus from the womenfolk.
More power to women should prevail and their votes are certain to bring about a transition to an era of severe gender bias!!
The cultural diversity in the nation is immense and deeply rooted. The regional parties, hence stands to gain at the grass root levels. It is extremely important for the national parties to contest in a coalition in the states like UP, Bihar, TN, Andhra, Delhi and Maharashtra in order to maintain a power balance in the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha elections.
While a higher rate of immigration may help to break the cultural barriers and bridge the divide, as long as religious communities live in pockets, politicians would gain from the oft repeated policy of polarization to attract votes. However, living in a majoritarian environment would provide them with the much-needed asylum against sinister designs from unscrupulous sector!!
Safe havens may give them security but would be bereft of growth potential and development opportunities. Leaders should refrain from aiming at the low-lying fruits and focus on the path of unending glory and prosperity!!
As a nation we essentially tread the path of a bandwagon culture. We hold our leaders in awe and tend to toe their line even if it is not in alignment with our own. Leaders are mere service providers and our approach towards them should reflect the liaison we share. We should learn to scorn at a lousy service provided and appreciate when the same meets our expectations.
As citizens of this nation we hold equal rights and responsibilities and have the freedom to question any infringement of the same in any court of law, in order to protect our rights or the rights of fellow citizens!!
In the same breath let us also vow not to infringe on the rights of others or indulge in activities that violates the law of the land!!
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