The biggest ‘festival’ of our democracy is right around the corner. Only weeks from now, people will vote to choose the government, that will govern the nation for the next five years. All political parties are working day and night, leaving no stone unturned to ensure their victory, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The citizens of India are also keeping a very close eye, and are setting a ground on which they will elect the new leader of our country.
But, in all this pandemonium, we as a nation have lost track of the real issues. All political parties have, more or less, declared their manifestos, but every manifesto is missing the most important issues which are often bare basic necessities. The quality of life which we live, in India, is degrading by the day and the worst part is, we just don’t care. No politician, or political party, is interested in raising these questions and we, as common citizens, have completely lost track of what is necessary and what is a luxury.
18% of the world’s population which resides in India has access to only 4% of usable water sources. Many studies have suggested that the tech-capital of India, Bengaluru, will run out of water in the upcoming decade! How many news channels have cared to report that? The food that we eat is full of harmful chemicals and inorganic substances. Using pesticides to increase production, and mixing urea in milk which leads to kidney failure is a common practice, but no one seems to be bothered by it.
Healthcare crisis is at an all-time high. Private hospitals are too costly to afford, and government hospitals have no doctors. Women deliver their babies on the road after hospitals refuse to admit them. More than 60 children died in Gorakhpur, UP, because of encephalitis, and lack of oxygen. Population and pollution are getting higher by the minute (just look at our capital city) and resources are becoming scarce.
Along with these, there are hundreds of problems which probably cannot be listed in one article. Some issues like education, infrastructure, job developments are major issues, but how do we focus on those, without the bare minimum like water and food? Issues like this are and will always prevail in a developing country like India, but quality drinking water, nutritious food, and medicines are the most basic needs for our survival.
It’s time we ask our politicians what they plan to do to remove malnutrition for our children, who are our future, and what their steps are to clean our polluted rivers and cities. When will we get quality facilities in government hospitals? If we still stay quiet, then remember, no matter how many mosques or temples you build, none can or will come to your rescue when your air continues to be polluted, and the water, dirty. So, I beg you to wake up and realise the reality!