10th March 2019, 5 pm – the Model Code of Conduct came into place with the election 2019 being announced in seven phases of polling by the Election Commission of India.
And today on 11th March I write this to the youth of India.
Dear Youth of India and very specifically first-time voters,
1. It doesn’t take any time and gives very large benefits
The actual time spent on a polling booth to poll (depending on the time of the day you go) – can be as less as 15 minutes and the benefits are large! Benefits include a better life.
2. Sitting in front of the TV and cribbing will not change India – getting out there and voting will
As Indians it’s in our blood to crib about “desh ki vyavastha” – you simply mimic your elders and do the same! That doesn’t bring change. That’s just you being an arm-chair activist/politician with no teeth.
3. Your vote will control how the country shall be governed for the next five years
Yes, you get one vote – but imagine the sheer strength you and additives of one have in each and every constituency!
4. You need to take control of your life into your own hands – and not allow “elders” of the family to control how the next 5 years of your life shall be
You want to rebel against what society says and does – what better way?
5. Your dreams of “being big” by watching TV and movies shall come only with economic change and robustness.
And what can ONLY happen with a good government
6. You need to tell political parties that you are the “chosers” and they have to bring better candidates
Do you realise how large a population you are? Do you realise that your sheer numbers can scare the best of political parties? They will be forced to bring in better people to woo YOU.
7. You will not always remain 18 and 19 – one day you too will be 40 years old and THEN not voting will cost you dearly
Decisions to vote affect the future of India and its people. Its high time you think of that!
8. You need jobs in 5 years if you are 18 yrs today – and not voting today might mean that you don’t have jobs or at least not the dream jobs you want
This is your immediate planning and not long term planning at all…
9. You reap what you sow
How do you expect better things from your elected leaders when you sat at home during elections? So you sow a bad seed of a weed and start expecting a rose… just how will that happen? An old saying goes, “Boya ped babool ka, aam kahan se paaye? (If you plant an acacia tree, how will you get mangoes?)” Think!
10. You feel strongly that the WEST is good. Well, the West built itself with the votes of its youth
If being an NRI excites you and you see that western society is so progressive – then remember that there, the youth contributed to it by making it strong. The youth turn up to vote. And when the youth doesn’t have the numbers then BREXIT happens – where the young didn’t want it and the elder votes made it happen. And there the youth regret it. Here the youth has the sheer strength of population – so we can get up and take a stand.
Take charge of your life, young people. Don’t become a rubber stamp or a piece of statistics which says India is the youngest country.
Yes, we are the youngest country but youth voices will ONLY count when YOU vote!
Take out time, find out about the candidates standing for elections.
And Vote!
PS – Who you vote for is your choice but to actually vote should not be a choice.
Regards,
Malavika Sharma
Someone who knows the value of your vote