I was busy reading “Digit” magazine sitting in the balcony of my apartment few hours ago. Suddenly I heard crowd shouting some slogans from a distance. Assuming it must be some event in another building I continued my reading. The voices seemed approaching near and I could hardly concentrate. I finally gave up on my attempt to focus on the article after I was shook by thundering sounds of crackers. In no time my building was surrounded with smoke clouds and the smell of cracker bursts started irritating me. The crackers continued to burst and for a moment I felt it was diwali time. The voice of the crowd had somehow drowned in the cracker thunders and I couldn’t make out anything that was happening.
I couldn’t help looking over the balcony edge to find out what was the mega event. It was an election campaign procession for some candidate in my locality. Yes it was election time indeed and rarely seen candidate and the supporters were vividly visible all of a sudden. The crowd continued shouting, the flags were being swayed, and the candidate waved to all the people (possibly like me, curious to know the reason for fireworks) who had popped out from their balconies and windows. The crackers kept bursting to irritate me all the more. And I can still hear some, may be they are in the other lane.
More than all this being irritating, it was upsetting me. Apart from the noise pollution that the cracker bursts had created, I could see the leftovers of the crackers that had spoiled the area and the smoke cloud had polluted the atmosphere. Just then a thought crossed my mind would it be wise enough to vote such a candidate. I do not hold any personal differences with the candidate. However, would it be appropriate to ask such a person to take care of my locality who does not understand (or is unaware of) something as basic as cleanliness. The crowd fired crackers dirtied the place and walked away. It would have been nice if crackers were not burnt in first place. However, let us assume that it was to attract people and pull crowd. And I know it’s of no use expecting that candidate to get the place cleaned – that surely could have won him some goodwill. Many youngsters in that crowd were shouting “hum tumhare saath hai” (we are with you). I doubt if they know the purpose of the election or the role of the corporator or if they have ever studied civics in their high school. For what were they shouting we are with you? Next I saw some elderly ladies performing “aarti” to that candidate. “What nonsense!”, I said. Aarti for someone who has just got a ticket to contest elections! I would appreciate such kind of respect for a person who has done something good and significant to the colony, to the people of the colony or something that is really notable.
I sound like an extremist, may be I am one in this case. The pompous event has certainly upset me. I am not even saying that you shouldn’t vote. You must vote and if for some reason such candidates win, be bold to remind them of what had happened prior to the elections and what your expectation was then. If they have not learnt we can teach them and I mean educate them. Difficult or impossible it seems. However, it is not. Citizens like you and me can empower each other and people around to play the power game. After all, it is democracy and it’s better to be united than to be exploited.
Together we can!
I couldn’t help looking over the balcony edge to find out what was the mega event. It was an election campaign procession for some candidate in my locality. Yes it was election time indeed and rarely seen candidate and the supporters were vividly visible all of a sudden. The crowd continued shouting, the flags were being swayed, and the candidate waved to all the people (possibly like me, curious to know the reason for fireworks) who had popped out from their balconies and windows. The crackers kept bursting to irritate me all the more. And I can still hear some, may be they are in the other lane.
More than all this being irritating, it was upsetting me. Apart from the noise pollution that the cracker bursts had created, I could see the leftovers of the crackers that had spoiled the area and the smoke cloud had polluted the atmosphere. Just then a thought crossed my mind would it be wise enough to vote such a candidate. I do not hold any personal differences with the candidate. However, would it be appropriate to ask such a person to take care of my locality who does not understand (or is unaware of) something as basic as cleanliness. The crowd fired crackers dirtied the place and walked away. It would have been nice if crackers were not burnt in first place. However, let us assume that it was to attract people and pull crowd. And I know it’s of no use expecting that candidate to get the place cleaned – that surely could have won him some goodwill. Many youngsters in that crowd were shouting “hum tumhare saath hai” (we are with you). I doubt if they know the purpose of the election or the role of the corporator or if they have ever studied civics in their high school. For what were they shouting we are with you? Next I saw some elderly ladies performing “aarti” to that candidate. “What nonsense!”, I said. Aarti for someone who has just got a ticket to contest elections! I would appreciate such kind of respect for a person who has done something good and significant to the colony, to the people of the colony or something that is really notable.
I sound like an extremist, may be I am one in this case. The pompous event has certainly upset me. I am not even saying that you shouldn’t vote. You must vote and if for some reason such candidates win, be bold to remind them of what had happened prior to the elections and what your expectation was then. If they have not learnt we can teach them and I mean educate them. Difficult or impossible it seems. However, it is not. Citizens like you and me can empower each other and people around to play the power game. After all, it is democracy and it’s better to be united than to be exploited.
Together we can!
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