The first phase of the 17th Lok Sabha elections have kick started and it is said that this election could either make or mar our democracy!
Hence the excitement as a first time voter. I didn’t care about politics earlier as I would often associate myself as being apolitical. But that’s not how it works. We all are political in our pursuits as we are the largest democracy in the world. India’s concept of secularism is different from the western concept of secularism which is essentially separation of church from the state. We have and always believed in the concept of ‘unity in diversity’ and let’s ensure it doesn’t break down. Let’s make rooms for improvement. It is very simple- hate begets hate. All we need is love and respect as it creates the very foundation of development.
My favourite prime time journalist Ravish Kumar (and I just cannot give a favoritism of language here, but I am unabashedly an ardent follower of his reporting as once upon time even I dreamt of being one), once said- “humara democracy koi gift nahi hain. Isko bahot mehnat ke baad, bahot sangharsh karne ke baad haasil kiya hain! Kripa karke iss cheez ko samjhiye aur TV mat dekhiye! Aur rahi baat nationalism ki, nationalism ka concept lag bhag 200 saal he purana hain”. (Ours is an earned democracy, we didn’t receive it as a gift. We earned our democracy after lots of trials and tribulations and many sacrifices. It’s a request that you understand this and stop watching TV! When it comes to nationalism, it is relatively a newer concept which is only about 200 years old). Couldn’t agree more!
As an individual we have different identities. Zeba Ahsan is a female, Assamese, dusky, Muslim, a post graduate. So, do you see how many identities I can have? But above all I am an Indian. Please please please go out and vote because every vote matters!
For all those who haven’t checked out, have a look at Hamro Sikkim’s manifesto. It brought a smile to my face and Baichung Bhutia is leading it!
Even being down with chicken pox couldn’t stop me. So go and vote!
I tweeted about my experience as a first time voter and one of the journalists from BBC World was kind enough to reach out to me and ask as to what I expect from these elections. The link to the radio podcast is given below. You can play at 43.59 minutes and hear me speak for a couple of minutes! Thank you BBC World for reaching out!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172wrvg9g7svnn
Jai Hind.