What is stopping you from joining active politics?
Some of you would remember NDTV’s “Big Fight” from a few weeks back where the topic was “Younger politicians - time to take over“.
I had taken some notes while watching the programme and what struck me was that none of the participants (mainly leaders from mainstream political parties) identified what I felt were the *real* reasons why you dont see more “young politicians”…
While I was discussing this with a friend last week, he suggested taking a straw poll on my blog to find out why youngsters (or anyone else for that matter) do not consider politics as a conscious (or a realistic) career choice.
But before that, some quotes from the “Big Fight”:
Abhishek Singhvi: “(we)…need to change the system so that people with alternative talents can get into politics…we have to make politics somewhat of a meritocracy”
Rajiv Pratap Rudy: “…politics has become discredited…No one wants their son or daughter to become a politician today…
Shahid Sidiqui: “…stop demonising politics and politicians; media only shows (the) negative face…that is not true…there are good things in poliics…”
Tavleen Singh: “…we must have younger politicans…but young people who are interested in politics…in doing something for the country…we don’t have that yet…
I have maintained for a very long time that you will not see more people into politics unless you make it pay and it becomes less *risky* (in a real, physical danger sense of the word).
So one of the first challenges is to redefine the way “politics” is currently understood and practised in India…
To check that I am not living on another planet - and following my friend’s advice, here is a quick straw poll:
UPDATE: You can still participate in the poll by clicking this link:
http://www.polldaddy.com/p/969643/
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Poll continued on sidebar…It will remain open for a few more weeks (I have got about 80 responses already)
Please indicate your votes on the sidebar widget.
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I will keep this open for a few weeks and then publish the results. Please actively participate and forward this link to your friends. Thanks.
Related Posts:
Fixing the “system” - getting down to the nuts and bolts
Lets come together to build a *new* and proud India
Politics & Corruption: Here’s how to fix the “system”
Do we deserve the politicians we get?
and my inferences are based on...
All: Thanks a lot for participating in this…I already have close to 40 responses…(in just over 12 hours!)
Please forward this link to your friends and others who may be interested in this…I am sure the results will be valuable.
Comment by B Shantanu | October 4, 2008
There should be also a choice- Would you like to join politics?
Also, other important options is missing- a)Lack of resources- money b)Unfavorable System of elections based on money and muscle power
If I want to fight elections, how am I going to fight them? Who is going to support me. Many will come forward if there is a debate among all the candidates from one common platform.
Comment by LK Kandpal | October 5, 2008
To be active in politics today means
1.one has to take lot of time off from legitimate family responsibilities if one has a family to look after.
2.To be effective in public life one requires lot of money.Who will provide that without strings attached to it.
3.Once a free market economy comes in to play and there is effective decentralization and federalism money power will get reduced.
Comment by Prof.Babu Joseph | October 5, 2008
Dear Sh Kandpal and Prof Joseph: Thanks for sharing your thoughts…
Both of you mentioned lack of resources…I actually had this as a separate choice…I decided to replace it with inability to raise funds for campaigning (which as Preof Joseph has pointed out - is a problem - if we want it without any strings attached…)
Sh Kandpal: I am still working on the idea about getting many people on one platform…
More on this later.
Comment by B Shantanu | October 5, 2008
Intersting..
From my personal oint of view,i am reluctant from entering politics,though i’ld like to chnage things they way they are..bcoz…
1.the current system is too rigid..
2.Maybe there are more chances opened up,once people of similar thoughts can join hands and work collectively .But as of today,I don’t have such a scope ..
3.Of course family responsibilities and conservative views about being a woman.
4.lack of resources..Not exactly funds as such,but resources of other types as manpower,land etc etc,and of course money too..
Err..I hope my rant made some sense
Comment by Nimmy | October 7, 2008
Dear Nimmy,
Let me assure you as a woman you can make a lot of difference. Women like Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Rani Laxmibai, Indira Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi have been the persons who have made a difference in each of their countries.
I totally believe in the saying, “Behind every successful man there is a Woman”.
If a pwerson has a difficult life at home the man will find it extrwemely difficult to succeed in life of any sort, business, or otherwise.
That is one of the major reasons that our forefathers in their wisdom gave the best of places to married woman and the role they play in a family.
A woman makes or breaks a family.
Indira Nooyi has made it in the political arena of the business world.
You can do it, if you have the mental resources.
Wish you all the best.
May be if we have more women legislators, we may have a more homily Bharat!
Regards,
vck
Comment by v.c. krishnan | October 7, 2008
Nimmy: Thanks for leaving the comment….Like vck, I too would strongly encourage you not to get dis-heartened and get involved in at least some way or the other (discussing various issues on this blog can be a good starting point!)
On a more serious note, pl. do have a look at this post and please consider joining one or more of these groups:
Lets come together to build a *new* and proud India
Comment by B Shantanu | October 7, 2008
That was great words from Krishnan and Shantanu..Thanks..Atleast I hope to make some difference to people around.
As said,there is a high need for rewriting the whole ‘politics package’..
Comment by Nimmy | October 8, 2008
Test Comment. Pl. Ignore.
Comment by B Shantanu | October 8, 2008