What is the first thing that flashes in your mind when you encounter the word “politics”? Politics can be anywhere, in a private firm and even in an interschool competition (some people will agree with me). Here I am emphasising a landmass highlighted with the so-called boundaries.
Did not get it? Politics in a sovereign state. Is there politics in an autocracy, a dictator led state or in a monarch? Obviously, no. Just try to recall the notes of your civics book from class 6–8. The merits and demerits of which form of government we had (pros and cons of the Indian education system is another issue).
Yes, you got it right. Here I would specifically be discussing the politics in the world’s greatest democracy, India. The complexity of the word can be predominantly expressed when you think about the moment when anybody asks you to define it. So, it’s better not to mingle our nose into the geopolitics for the time.
And let us introspect the political games, the political opinions, perspective of people towards politicians and what strives ahead for us to mend the broken system.
The damage is already done. And now is the time to restore it. Do you know how? Because we have the youth power. We need to ensure the purpose of the political system, which should thereby be implemented.
This article isn’t about the system and its rules. But to rip off the root cause of the problems that it had created. Continuously, we keep saying that politics has ruined the country. And we’re already aware of what we actually refer to.
Politics isn’t dirty; politicians are. The morality of our politicians has degraded over the years to such a level that the word “politician” itself is seen as a negative remark, as something unacceptable. And it is the pretext of all the self-declared good people to stay away from dirty politics.
Over the decades, the creed of politicians has multiplied more than the population growth rate. These politicians have not only spoiled the governing process but have percolated into different streams of life. This is the reason why every problem in India can be traced to the political nexus, be it corruption, illegal trade, price rise, social and economic problems, poverty, and thus, the list is unending.
Occasionally, we have heard people calling their leaders underqualified. Have you heard that CM referring to “angrez” ruling over for 200 years as Americans instead of Britishers? Have you heard people saying that politicians are just a face and all the work or the ideas about welfare are given by the chief advisor?
Have you heard people calling their MLA’s once as goons? Have you seen parties giving tickets to actors and actresses without knowing about the three organs of the state to gain votes by their popularity? Have you heard people being criticised over their statement regarding the rape cases that women should be prohibited from using mobile phones to not indulge as victims?
These become tea time gossips or whenever there is mob lynching, this becomes a subject to be discussed for a day or two and then forgotten.
Do you know why? Because we people are resistant to come out of our comfort zone. We expect fortune to be brought up by any readymade leader. Without having any knowledge who would make it readymade.
The blame game is not famous between the political parties. But I think it has created its place in us as well. I am not a saint either. It is the mentality that I grew with the repeated hooliganism.
We fear. We are afraid. We desire to bring change. And we end up playing this game. Since childhood, we had known “Unity is Strength”. But have we really applied it anywhere instead of cheering for your favourite team or even playing for it? The footprint of every step may be small, but with consistent steps forward, we can bring a big change.
So it is high time not only to discuss the futuristic plans or the outcome that they can bring but to be the first in the way to the development.
A lot of motivation. A lot of moral values. So, to be said that it’s better to be done than to be preached. The problems with the politicians and even of us has been discussed. Now, what do I propose? I demand those who preach to be the leaders must be taught the definition of leaders to begin with. It truly has some deep meaning. Morality does create some impact on us.
There are various examinations like GATE, UPSC, CDS, AFCAT, SSC, CGL, IBPS PO, etc.m to become something. And even it requires the eligibility criteria to be fulfilled. So, I demand the minimum qualification for a politician. The one who can run the government, to decide for the country’s welfare, to ensure the well being of its citizens.
So, as to test the person who comes into this field with this expected mindset, if anybody really wants to serve the nation, then an examination should not harm. If the same person is serving as a defence minister and as well a health minister, then think of the compatibility with the areas regarding which they make the decisions.
An examination will assure the citizens of their leaders’ educational background.
I agree, even an IAS officer being a politician cannot guarantee the well-being of a nation. What if he also turns out to be corrupt? Corruption becomes another issue.
So, it is time that moral values are inculcated within a soul and practised too because we are humans first than any other character. It may sound cliché and not applicable in governing the nation, but we assume it is impossible without even trying the available possibilities.
Isn’t it the leader of our dreams who knows what needs to be done and at the same time devoid of materialistic sentiments? It is the people’s varied perspectives that they see in their ideal leader.
We study the subjects in the school, even if we aren’t interested in them. Then, why not a separate subject for this? We may forget what we had studied in class 6 or 8. In my view, this subject will create a deeper impact on the students. For the practicals of some subjects, we require varied instruments, so we remain backwards to gain the practical knowledge till class 10.
This subject can be practised anywhere, anytime and must be practised every time because it is high time for us to create leaders (who fit in the description) rather than followers.
Conclusively, if we aren’t satisfied with the present scenario, the current leaders, then complaining about it isn’t the solution. We need to draft an idea that will be effective in the long run. After drafting it, consultation is part of democracy.
Quoting “Iss desh ka toh kuch nahi ho sakta” may bring you temporary relief, but if you really have that burning sensation in you, then do care about what you do, rather than what you say. Our country demands the ideal leaders by changing the definition of the word “ideal”.