Article #17: Politics

The title itself may give a negative feel to most of us because the activities associated with it are in such a way and the consequences result in a member with some special powers. This is the default way in which we consider politics, but the same term is used in various contexts on day to day basis. Here I would like to present this article with a glimpse of politics in various areas, its impact, advantages and disadvantages including my thoughts everywhere.

Some people have the perception that heaven or hell exist in the earth itself. Gone are the days when one care about the other truly because these days, for most of the people, their heaven lies only with themselves or limited members surrounding them. To create such heaven on earth, some of them are ready to go to any extent that can be even a crime. In order to control such things, every country has something called the “Law & Order” so that people get abided by some rules and restrictions. Politics play a major role in enforcing this law and order because in a democratic country like India, people select their leader with the help of politics. But, are the polls happening in the right way? Does people end up getting the leader that they really wish? To what extent, the opinion of everyone is considered? Lot many answers for these questions.

Polls may not happen accurately everywhere because the nature of people varies, for some it is important to have a leader for the welfare of the country and for some, it is important that they get their daily needs meet or there lies the welfare of their family with something called “bribe” that happens in most of the places during polls. No issues with the former one, but what about the latter? Why does some people crave for their daily needs temporarily instead of trusting a leader who can resolve their issue permanently? Is it that they are not educated enough to understand the importance of a leader? Or is it that they do not have that confidence on any of the politicians? Or is it that they prioritize their family in place of their country?

Yes, Education is a considerable factor. When one doesn’t know the powers of a Prime Minister or Chief Minister, they do not even go with the voting or even if they go, they would end up voting for that leader whose party attract them in their own means. The next question here, why is that everyone is not educated? It can be because they are not aware of the value of education or they are too poor to afford it or they are rich enough that they don’t mind getting a degree for themselves or they feel that they do not have the inner strength or talent in them. It is good to see that these days, some of the youth is heading towards the villages of India to provide basic education to children in their free time and that too free of cost. Whether people learn everything or not, that is a secondary aspect. But, it would be enough at least if they get to know the importance of education as that will pave the path for the next things to happen. Irrespective of their occupation, I believe basic education is required for each and everyone in the country. The next reason is poverty. Why is India still a developing country? Why are we able to find poor people here and there? As per 2012 analysis, 22% of population in India is below its official poverty limit. India is not a poor country because of its huge population, the overall wealth is up to the mark. But what happens here is the wealth is not distributed properly. Whoever is wealthier, stays wealthier and whoever is poor remains poor over the decades. Needless to say, we can find most of the corrupt politicians in the wealthy people of the country. But who is making them rich? We, the people who vote for them. Rarely, we can find politicians like PM, Narendra Modi, who takes some drastic steps like demonetization to fight against the corruption. Again, politics played a vital role here, because people trusted him and voted for him, he was able to do something better for the country. Only for the sake of poor people, we have government schools in the country that provide education for free of cost or with that of minimum cost. But is there anyone to monitor the quality of education the schools offer to their students? Even after they come out of their school by getting a degree of 10^th standard, there are students who are not able to speak the Basic English. This system needs to be developed because only when people get education, then they will be able to realize the value of polling and only then they can elect a strong leader, thereby make a better nation. Nothing to say about people who are lazy enough to get the education although they know its importance. For the last category of members who doesn’t believe in themselves being educated, I say, give a try and then it is okay even if you fail. But, do not stop trying.

Confidence also plays major role in selecting a leader because it’s just that experience matters. Who are going to select the same leader who makes ‘n’ number of promises during the last polls, but don’t stand on them after he becomes a leader? Trust happens only once on anyone. There are chances that people don’t vote because they don’t have trust on any of the leaders standing in the elections or they are not aware of the leaders and their accomplishments earlier. And for the leaders who stand on elections for the first time with the right intentions, it is equally important for them to attract people in the right way. Not everyone look for only one aspect like fighting corruption in the country, but a leader should have broader sense of the nation. For some people, it is important to have the minimum facilities like drinking water in their areas. For some, education is an important aspect wherein they expect the related facilities like schools and colleges. For some, construction of roads and other things like establishing a library for elders or a small park for children is something that matters. For some, especially those in cities, employment is the criteria. For some, it is important that their leader should have good international dealings with other countries for the import and export, thereby the development of the country. For some, their religion matters and they expect their leaders to construct temples or mosques in their areas. An example here is from the history, wherein Peshwa Bhaji Rao became famous in Bithoor after constructing many Ram temples there. In fact, that is not something incorrect because we Indians believe in God irrespective of religions and when people of same religion stay in an area, they would be happy to see a temple of their respective God in the place. Although it is not easy for a leader to live up to the expectations of everyone, it would be good at least if he can meet maximum of their criteria.

Selfishness is the next aspect that really matters because some people just get sold out by money or drinks at the time of elections. They think only at their level or their family, but not at the level of their country. However, they need to understand that each and every vote counts. The reason why India went into the hands of British was just because of this selfishness in people. In every state, there were some or the other who supported British to attain power in their own kingdom and cheated on their existing kings, but finally what happened? Neither the kings nor these supporters were able to rule the states, instead the entire country was ruled by the British. Voting for the party that gives money would result in poor development of the country and its people.

Unfortunately, with all the above reasons like selfishness, confidence and lack of education, people were not able to get their required leader although most of them vote for the correct one. Thereby the opinion of most is not getting considered because there are people with no opinions.

On the other hand, we refer this term, ‘politics’ in many areas wherein we have a group of people. We say Office politics, Family politics, Union politics, Building politics, etc. When a supervisor promotes his associates in office by expecting something from them instead of their performance at work and the associate(s) is also ready to give whatever his supervisor expects, we call them as ‘Office politics’ and that is in fact a type of corruption. Although, unlike a country, an office is not democratic wherein people vote and elect their higher authorities, we need to have a change in this system. Usually in joint families, we encounter with ‘Family politics’ wherein there could be two or more groups in which one group would be associated more with the higher member of the family whose decision is final. This is not a major issue as ultimately, in these days, we rarely find joint families. Workers in a factory form Unions and there can be one or the other whose interaction with the manager maybe high and based on his words, the manager takes the decisions on the other workers. We call them as ‘Union Politics’ and wherever we find such managers, we don’t see their business running for a long time. Hence, even this kind of things also should not happen. Then, we have ‘Building Politics’ wherein not everyone in a residence stand on a word, there can be groups and there can be people who talks in favor of both the groups when they are with them, even pass on the things here and there. Such things would unnecessarily spoil the environment and needs to be identified and worked on.

The impact of politics is everywhere. Positively, it can make or negatively, it can even break. Only thing one can do is the way they act in the right way.

Advantages of politics are many like its one way to inform people that their opinion really matters, an opportunity for people to select their best leader, the most appropriate way for the development of a nation.

According to me, Disadvantages of politics only arrive when people either are not able to use the politics or take advantage of the politics with wrong intentions.

Finalizing the concept, don’t take the term, ‘politics’ only in negative way. We are not in those days wherein the hereditary son of a king starts ruling the kingdom and their dynasty continues. Instead we have the freedom to select our own leader whom we think is the right one for the welfare of the nation. So, try to make best usage of politics and bring the change in a positive way.