I am an NRI but given a chance I would have defenitely voted. But as a whole we don’t have time to think the most important issue that concerns our nation, do we?
I was really shocked to see a news item about the apparent lack of interest by the so called ’’BPO kids’’ towards democracy. (It’s available at https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/642420.cms). What the hell?? I thought aloud. These guys are enjoying the current wave of economic boom and do they think it’s irreversible?? Did you know only 30-40% of India’s affluent votes?? So what does this point to? A lack of interest towards the development and stability of the country.
Every vote counts and if the educated wouldn’t vote and if the illiterate vote for whatever is on offer on the poll day, where are we going with all this? Every responsible citizen of India should make it a point to vote and if you don’t like the system, still you can go to the polling booth and come out without voting. This atleast prevents someone else voting in your name.
Even after 57 years of democracy, we don’t have laws governing who can represent us.
1) Why can’t we ban thugs and criminals from contesting polls?
2) Why can’t we have a retirement age for Ministers?
3) Why can’t we ban people for more than a certain number of children from contesting polls?
4) Why can’t we have a minimum educational qualification to contest in polls?
5) Why can’t we have a system where all would we candidates are put through a test to analyze their knowledge of our country’s culture and our constitution?
6) Why can’t we amend the constitution radically?
7) Where do these politicians get the courage to come before us with unfulfilled promises?
8) Why is that even Presidents like Venkataraman, KR Narayanan and AJP Abdul Kalam fail to bring about radical changes in the way our country is governed?
9) Better still why can’t we have a Presidential system?
10) Why don’t we have a people of the caliber of the Ambanis, Subbrato, Narayana Murti, Premji etc don’t try and participate in the process openly?
Where is all this taking us? How can we prevent our grandchildren discussing the same topic 50 yrs since?
Everyone should remember that when you point one finger at someone three are pointed towards you.