Well it's election time next year. There's a lot of talk about inflation and the 'aam aadmi' and the state of the middle class and those below it. There's also a lot of talk about how this government's not good, and how another one should be in place. Then there's those who say, the NDA is bad news and the Congress is the way ahead. Well, this little rant of mine is going to punch holes in all of these thoughts. I present to you, my view of the state of politics in India today.
Lets go in Alphabetical order shall we?
The Bharatiya Janata Party today is ruled and governed by the most communal principles of a doctrine based purely on Hindutva. In a nation that prides itself on religious tolerance and secularism, we have here a party whose ideology is governed by the principle of the Hindu religion being 'right' and the only real path to 'god' (my belief on the existence of god, as tempting as it feels right now, is not the focus here). So, is that who you're going to vote for? A single one dimensional party incapable of true secularism and ruled by a generation which probably should have seen its dusk a decade ago? Would you stand by and let them ink your fingers after voting for a party whose posterboy, and icon, (Narendra Modi) is tainted with the blood of innumerable innocent people? It saddens me to think so.
Ah, the Congress. The uniting force in this country fifty years ago, and a bloch on the face of this great country today. We have today, a single person of foreign origin, who is the President and the Prime Minister without being either one. Why does she command such respect and adulation? Why she is the widow of a former Prime Minister and was, at the time, the perfect banner for the sympathy vote. Why was this former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, such an admired figure? Granted, his abolishment of the Industry cap was one of the factors, but overall, he came to power, because he was the young son of an assassinated Prime Minister. See some kind of strange pattern here? Why, now, was Indira Gandhi thrust to the forefront of Indian politics? Simple. She was the daughter of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Why was he the Prime Minister? Well you don't have to worry, I'm not doubting his credentials here. Oh and who is Rahul Gandhi? Well I wouldnt bet against you if you said he's a future Prime Minister. He is of course, supremely qualified by his magnificent surname.
Yes, what a wonderful, wonderful way of picking your leaders. Is this even a democracy anymore? We have here, a party where you just HAVE to be a Gandhi to get somewhere good. So please, do go ahead and cast your vote for the most autocratic charade in the Indian democratic system.
Oh how could I leave out the most celebrated stick in the mud?!
We shall now take a look at the hospitable, left. The CPM. It seems to me that they've been in charge of the 'grumble no matter what you do' department. Now, you have GOT to admit they're doing a damned good job of it. They're the wet blankets of politics. The equivalent of a Bollywood wannabe. The little child you see at the mall, crying for some sweets and throwing it away in disgust once he/she gets it. The thorn in the foot of virtually anyone who could try doing some good. Why? Well they've got an unattainable utopia in their little narrow minds and seem to believe conforming to nonconformity is the only way to go about doing it. With Octogenarians at their helm, and egotistical, pontificating 'leaders' just below them.. MAN! You can just imagine the recipe for disaster this seems to be.
How then are we still moving forward? How is India growing and becoming so successful with this circus of a political system? How are we shining in these seemingly dire circumstances? How are we, today, part of a country that is touted to be a superpower?
To put it bluntly, we're not.
If moving forward is watching a hundred farmers kill themselves every month, we're headed forward. If success, is watching one end of the population by a formula one team, and the other end starve to death, then we certainly are on the road to success. If a shining India, is one where we can consider drunk driving worthy of a life sentence and still believe a rapist should walk free in a few years, then we certainly are shimmering.
The problem is not in the way we do things. That is a consequence of the way we SEE things. THAT, my friends, is the problem with not just India, but the whole world. Our measure of success is a perversion of the true meaning of that word with reference to humanity as a whole.
It isnt just about politics anymore. It's about you and me. It's our negligence and our disinterest that's responsible for how truly "messed" up (I would like to keep this article clean) this whole world is right now. So come, 2009, what is expected of you?
It's quite simple really. Pick one and hope for the best. It isnt the lesser of two evils anymore. It just seems like two choices to the same path that inevitably leads to the point where we, as humans, must decide what's right.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Friday, November 9, 2007
Awaken
Is this my country anymore?
All around me I can see people ask themselves this very question.
I believe I am a part of the golden generation of youth, deemed to be carrying the hopes of progress and glory of the nation on my shoulders along with those around me. I believe I am as much a part of the promise to my country as everyone around me is. Or am I?
If we are those touted to be proud sons and daughters of this country, to glorify it, and bring it success, then why do I sense a growing wave of cynicism amongst us? Why are so many of us choosing to pursue dreams outside this country? Why are so many of us disillusioned with the hopes of finding justice? Why are so many of us dreaming of embracing the west?
To me, those of us guilty of the above have committed the greatest sin against the hopes placed on our shoulders - Acceptance.
We have shaken our heads and resigned to a state of passive surrender as our ability and our own potential to revolutionize the state of affairs we are so discontent with, ebbs away with our sense of belonging to this truly great nation.
What we require is a burning desire to change what is around us. What we need is the realization that it is indeed US -the youth of the nation, who will decide the fate of this country. What we need, is a strong feeling of renewed patriotism.
But what is patriotism?
Is it embracing the country and shunning all that signifies western culture and its growing stranglehold on our country's youth? Is it patriotic to burn jeans and t-shirts chanting slogans of swadeshi?
To put it simply, no.
Donning a khadi kurta makes me no more Indian as wearing jeans makes me American.
Patriotism as I believe it is, can be found in anyone irrespective of his attire or style statement. I could be as patriotic in a kurta as I could be decked with Levi's and Adidas.
So what is patriotism?
I believe patriotism today must take a whole new meaning.
In a crude but not inappropriate manner, it would be simplest to define patriotism as an overwhelming sense of restlessness.
Patriotism must stem from discontent. This discontent, ought to be directed at he current state of affairs although no to the point of frustration and a potential apostasy of sorts. To me, patriotism is a longing for change and a desire to be part of that change.
Patriotism must involve a shift of thought and rationale. If you don't intend to do anything about the corruption in the bureaucracy of this nation, why scoff in a show of pointless sarcasm? How is your ranting and raving changing the system? Criticism is by no means a method of solution.
I recently got an email forward which rather passionately told me to exercise my right to 'vote no one' as a sign of discontent with the system. Apparently a voter can cast a valid vote to vote for no one. This is verifiably true.
The email called for an awakening of patriots nation-wide. A noble gesture, but more damaging and ignorantly destructive in consequence.
If people actually followed this, of course the message of dissatisfaction would be loud and clear but the action would send the already delicately poised democracy into a downward spiral. There would be political chaos to an unimaginable extent. I ask you, if no one is elected; if you are so dissatisfied, who will you turn to, to voice this opinion? Who would be in office to really care?
The most dangerous threat posed to the success of this generation is a false or mistaken belief. It is better to be passive than be misled by a false sense of patriotism.
The revolution that this country needs is on far too great a scale to take place in a short span of time. The bureaucracy and its shortcomings can only be changed from within.
Unfortunately, I speak for myself and most of my peers, when I say that I lack the will and motivation to become a part of the system. That, is the biggest problem faced by this generation
It is our duty and our obligation to do all we can to bring about a change in this system that many of us have grown to dislike. However, by not doing anything about it, we are merely compounding our woes.
Ask yourself the question again - Is this my country anymore?
I answer you - Yes, and it is now more than ever.
By,
Nikhil Menon
All around me I can see people ask themselves this very question.
I believe I am a part of the golden generation of youth, deemed to be carrying the hopes of progress and glory of the nation on my shoulders along with those around me. I believe I am as much a part of the promise to my country as everyone around me is. Or am I?
If we are those touted to be proud sons and daughters of this country, to glorify it, and bring it success, then why do I sense a growing wave of cynicism amongst us? Why are so many of us choosing to pursue dreams outside this country? Why are so many of us disillusioned with the hopes of finding justice? Why are so many of us dreaming of embracing the west?
To me, those of us guilty of the above have committed the greatest sin against the hopes placed on our shoulders - Acceptance.
We have shaken our heads and resigned to a state of passive surrender as our ability and our own potential to revolutionize the state of affairs we are so discontent with, ebbs away with our sense of belonging to this truly great nation.
What we require is a burning desire to change what is around us. What we need is the realization that it is indeed US -the youth of the nation, who will decide the fate of this country. What we need, is a strong feeling of renewed patriotism.
But what is patriotism?
Is it embracing the country and shunning all that signifies western culture and its growing stranglehold on our country's youth? Is it patriotic to burn jeans and t-shirts chanting slogans of swadeshi?
To put it simply, no.
Donning a khadi kurta makes me no more Indian as wearing jeans makes me American.
Patriotism as I believe it is, can be found in anyone irrespective of his attire or style statement. I could be as patriotic in a kurta as I could be decked with Levi's and Adidas.
So what is patriotism?
I believe patriotism today must take a whole new meaning.
In a crude but not inappropriate manner, it would be simplest to define patriotism as an overwhelming sense of restlessness.
Patriotism must stem from discontent. This discontent, ought to be directed at he current state of affairs although no to the point of frustration and a potential apostasy of sorts. To me, patriotism is a longing for change and a desire to be part of that change.
Patriotism must involve a shift of thought and rationale. If you don't intend to do anything about the corruption in the bureaucracy of this nation, why scoff in a show of pointless sarcasm? How is your ranting and raving changing the system? Criticism is by no means a method of solution.
I recently got an email forward which rather passionately told me to exercise my right to 'vote no one' as a sign of discontent with the system. Apparently a voter can cast a valid vote to vote for no one. This is verifiably true.
The email called for an awakening of patriots nation-wide. A noble gesture, but more damaging and ignorantly destructive in consequence.
If people actually followed this, of course the message of dissatisfaction would be loud and clear but the action would send the already delicately poised democracy into a downward spiral. There would be political chaos to an unimaginable extent. I ask you, if no one is elected; if you are so dissatisfied, who will you turn to, to voice this opinion? Who would be in office to really care?
The most dangerous threat posed to the success of this generation is a false or mistaken belief. It is better to be passive than be misled by a false sense of patriotism.
The revolution that this country needs is on far too great a scale to take place in a short span of time. The bureaucracy and its shortcomings can only be changed from within.
Unfortunately, I speak for myself and most of my peers, when I say that I lack the will and motivation to become a part of the system. That, is the biggest problem faced by this generation
It is our duty and our obligation to do all we can to bring about a change in this system that many of us have grown to dislike. However, by not doing anything about it, we are merely compounding our woes.
Ask yourself the question again - Is this my country anymore?
I answer you - Yes, and it is now more than ever.
By,
Nikhil Menon
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Welcome!
Okay, i've had some of my poems up http://poeticallypredictable.blogspot.com , and my pointless philosophy up http://rationalbutinsane.blogspot.com , so it's time for more pointless thoughts to come up. This is where I give my take on anythign and everything that I want to. This is my NULL SPACE.
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