Here comes the second post. But before that a few answers regarding the first one. The Dainik Bhaskar example expectedly drew a mixed reaction. As my friend Tushar pointed out, the advertisement was just to enhance the business interest of the Bhaskar group. But my senior Vikash said the advertisement made him think and he did give it more than a cosmetic glance. This can again be argued that it was just a good work of art and nothing else. An advertisement well made. But the fact remains, even if the motive is purely commercial, the incidental effect of giving the people a push towards doing that “Zid” , according to me, is worth an applause. Again the opinions can differ and hence is this space.
One of the comments that I received was from Soumallo. He asked for my opinion on the “apolitical parties”? These “apolitical parties” (as referred by him) are the smaller parties started out in an unconventional manner. There is one started out by Shiv Khera. He even contested the election from Pune. There are a several other smaller parties or groups stared out by the IT professionals, doctors, lawyers or students. They brand themselves differently from the conventional political parties.
They allow this tag of “apolitical” being attached to them because politics unfortunately has become a dirty word and the word “politicians” have become synonym for criminal. This mass stereotype has forced them into assuming this “apolitical role”. But parliament is not the only mark of politics. Politics is everywhere. According to its dictionary definition it may be defined as “Social relation involving authority or power”. There is nothing in this society that cannot be called apolitical. These small organizations too want to bring about change or at least claim to do so. If Shiv Khera is trying to be a part of the legislature then he has to be political in nature. Hence let us remove the notion that anything good is not political.
These parties however haven’t made their presence felt in the power structure of the country. One of the things they lack, is a mass base. One cannot bring about a change until and unless he has the numbers by his side. In politics, there is a wonderful art, called ‘cadre building’ and that has to be brought into play. Someone may have the noblest of the intention but if he cannot mobilize the mass to achieve it, he cannot be a great leader. These political parties lack the dedicated cadre building mechanism that is essential to develop a party.
Another aspect of these parties, is that they represent only one social spectrum, the urban middle class. Most of these parties are not connected with the grassroots. No party can come of age without seeking the support of the vast hinterland. Though they may be carefully tucked away from our TV screens, they too live in the same planet. And since election is about numbers, thankfully they at least have the majority there.
This middle class support base can also be seen as the hamartia of these political parties, at least for the time being. The great Indian middle class has a penchant dislike for voting. The IT crowd has achieved the greatest notoriety in this field. This is the group, which just doesn’t realize that to make an omelet, you will have to break the egg first.
But for that stronger heterogeneous India, we the middle class have to get out of our beauty nap and realize that the time has come when we can call for the change. And the quantum of change that is possible is really baffling. It is us who are the teachers, the lawyers, the civil servants and the police. It is also us who are in the business of media, medicine and the engineering. In short we build the nation. If we join hands and strengthen the arm of the democracy…may be through the parties, which Saumallo is taking about or may be form a new initiative. We can ensure that we change things for better. And for that we don’t really have to overthrow the system but have to just use it to the right effect.
Think just what all of us as individuals can do. All of us make a little difference at our work places and stick to our sense of right…voila we would feel the change in the air.
So as I end this blog… keep the comments going. Let’s evolve this revolution through the comments. We will have something concrete very soon.!
Cheers
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2 comments:
Your idea that the Middle Class has to wake up and grab the oppertunity to change is noble...but I believe there are some parameters that simply cannot be overlooked.
The Middle class is educated, empowered and aware...what it lacks is a crucial element of time. No one has time to do anything but his/her job on a weekday...what's left comes to the family.
Where has the hero from the Lead India gone??? Was he genuinely elected or like we know...selected??? If I were to stand up for an election and pledge basic aminities of Food, water, shelter, clothing, power, education and meritocracy... do I as an individual stand a chance????
Talk of politics and the whole attitude of the so called "educated" Indians is negative. But a recent survey has conclusively proved that they are the ones who do not exercise their franchisee and thus how can they deride the whole thing. Observing PMC from very close angles I have seen how the so called "activists" ridicule the elected representatives. What really infuriates me is that how can you point your fingers when you do not even vote? The last elections saw abt 50-60 per cent of polling. But when you see the whole social diaspora of voting the middle class hardly had voted. yet they consititue around 45-50 per cent of the population. If they voted then things would be different.
The smaller or non political parties (such a ridiculous name if you ask me) try to target it. But in my opinion it is really a very bad show they are putting out. They hardly know how to appeal to them and even if they appeal how are they going to ensure that this class votes? The recent drive to register new voters drew absymal results in Pune in and arund localities like Vimannagar, Kalyaninagar and the so called 'ELITE Area" If they do not agree to be voters can be expect any action from them?
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