Politics – traditionally stood for the theory and practice of government, especially the activities associated with governing, with obtaining legislative or executive power, or with forming and running organizations connected with government.
This interpretation seems to have metamorphosed into something else, in today’s day and time. Politics in India, today has many facets or parts like greed, dictatorship, corruption, manipulation, race for power etc., which make it a Whole. An ugly regressive phenomenon.
I am currently on an assignment in Cleveland, USA. The other day, someone from India, based here in USA, for many years now, with no plans to return, struck up conversation about the Indian political scene. He reprimanded the Indian youth for not taking active participation in the improvement of the political situation of the country..me included.
At first I felt anger. How can someone born in India, sitting so many miles away from the country, completely wash his hands off any responsibility towards improving the state of politics in India by cleansing it of corruption, and happily blame us youngsters, living in the country of inaction? India is as much a responsibility of the so called NRIs as it is of the youth and children living in India. But that is not the subject of this article.
All this talk about Indian politics got me thinking. India is the biggest democracy in the world..and also one of the most corrupt. The current situation is indeed disturbing. There is not a single political party that I can pin-point for NOT being corrupt. Strategic coalitions are formed and broken every other day. Crores of Rupees have been and are still being wasted every day by adjourning of the parliamentary sessions. There is a constant tug of war between the government and the opposition to get an upper hand, the honorable MPs spending more time in television studios and press conferences instead of the parliament house, even if it means inefficient governance. Misuse of funds, is the norm of the day. In short, India is a very sick and crippled democracy. And WE are the reason for it.
I felt light-headed. Why have we become so myopic in our perspective of life that we cannot even see beyond ourselves? Why is it always MY life, MY family, but OUR Nation? Why has India ceased to be a part of the indian heart and soul? When will I stand up and accept the onus for better governance of MY country?
I am sure there are hundreds and thousands of Indians like me, who are aware of everything I just mentioned, and yet indifferent. But my dear fellow Indians, please realize, that we won’t get better as individuals and as a democratic nation, unless we really do ACT. Come, join hands to truly make this a great nation. After all, we have a billion different opportunities to make this happen!
