As announcement of the election schedule of country’s fifteenth Parliamentary polls is barely two days away, various political parties have begun their most excruciating exercise of wooing the voters by numerous means. While some have started traditional ways and means of ‘personal contact’ with the voters by physically stepping at the voter’s door step, those who believe in the sophisticated and time saving means have resorted to modern day tactics of sending the text messages (SMS), e-mails, web chatting, etc. .
As India has taken a giant leap in science and technology in the last two decades, country’s internet savvy population has already reached 20 Mn (2 crores) by now, which is very toll order.
The use of internet has become almost like a ritual to many Indians, whether he or she is working person or student, businessman, entrepreneur, etc... It has undoubtedly revolutionized the very concept or mode of communication having reach in any part of the globe, within a fraction of seconds.
Therefore, it would be just and appropriate on the part of any political party to resort to make the use of internet technology to its fullest extent in disseminating its ideology, philosophy, belief, convictions, traditions, thoughts, paths, objectives, desires, goals, etc. across the spectrum of young voters, who glue to the internet for minimum one hour in a day.
The BJP, which is known for resorting to many innovative ways and means in its zest to spread across its message, (thanks to late Pramod Mahajan ji, who was indeed pioneer in these experiments) has now come out with many new ideas, on the backdrop of lot of modernization that has taken place in communication technology in the last five years.
There is no gain in denying the fact, that ‘Friends of BJP’ is an offshoot of those who believe in the ideologies of late Shama Prasad Mukharjee, late Deen Dayal Upadhaya of the older generation and that of Atalji, Adavaniji and to some extent of Mahajanji’s as well.
Though a belated exercise, just when the elections are barely 50 to 60 days away, it would enable the party to reach the wider youth segment all over the country through the medium of internet which is having an ability to get an instantaneous feedback, should the targeted reader develops an urge to write back.
Going by the events that have unfolded ever since Congress (I) led UPA government came into power, the political outfit like the BJP, which takes pride in describing itself as ‘a party with a difference’ has got enormous opportunity to compare the performance of UPA vis-à-vis NDA government for which Net is the best medium to make use of.
Never before in the history of India, has the country looked so fragile in terms of security, then ever before. India’s neighbours are grappling with serious terror related problems like in Pakistan, Sri Lanka on hand and massive poverty, agricultural short fall, malnutrition, etc. on the other in the countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, etc.
Corruption - India’s main enemy
The internal security has gone to the winds, with the police atrocities have become the order of the day. Though the UPA government has taken credit of introducing the ‘Right to Information Act’ after coming into power, this law, has turned out to be non – starter due to various reasons. Sadly, the people in our country, more so even the intellectual / educated class, is least responsive to this legislation, (many don’t know that Govt. is duty to provide any information under the Sun under this law, barring some reasonable exceptions) which if used properly can really result in a responsible governance at all levels, including at Grampanchayat level and it would help in some way to reduce the corruption, which has virtually eaten up our country.
It would not be out of place, if it is said that India faces more danger from the corruption within the system, than terrorism perpetrated from across the border. But for corruption, RDX would not have landed on the shores of Shekhadi (Murud, Alibag District of Maharashtra) which was used in 1993 Mumbai blasts. It is but for this corruption, ten indoctrinated youths not have dared to give land at Cuffe Parade in Mumbai on the evening of 26/11, to cause, the deadliest terror attack to have ever happened on the Indian soil, as our security agencies inspite of advance alerts by the IB and RAW, took them quite routine in the typical casual manner.
Corruption has assumed so gigantic dimension, that words would beggar description. According to a conservative estimate, an estimated figure of Rs. 2,10,68,00,00,000 (US $ 4.68 Bn.) crores is paid to the bureaucrats in India at various levels in the government establishments, as a ‘bribe’ per annum, which shows the enormity of the corruption in our country, which is 1/3 of country’ defence budget. This figure has been released by none other than Berlin (Germany) based ‘Transparency International’ which is regarded as the premier agency in keeping tab on the government administration of UN member countries in the world. Sadly, but truly, India’s corruption index is increasing with every passing year and hence as a result of which, India’s global rating is gradually dropping down.
India's directionless youth
One wonders, whether our today’s youth is aware of what is the life stored before him? What challenges, he will have confront in his life, What is his job security? What is his social security, What is his individual security, so and so forth. If today’s youth is asked as to ‘What is meant by country or nation to him’? he would barely tell the geographical limits from Kashmir to Kanyakumari & from Veraval to Guwahati. Bound that he will have very little idea, as to what is the meaning of the country? How far he /she owe it to Motherland? What vision or things he should aim for? How best can he can attend these objectives, etc?
Even if some of these questions he is able to short list does he see any solution to these problems? Wonder not! Thanks to Western culture, MTV, FTV, Zoom, Colors, Vh1, etc. beauty pageants, idols, etc, which has considerably eroded his mind to think about India’s past, its rich ancient history, glorious traditions, customs, etc., which are still relevant and even useful or beneficial even today.
Suffice to say, that today’s youth is travelling by a ship which has virtually directionless and managed by a sailor who has lost his compass to know in which direction it is drifting.
Significance youth power
Sad, that country could not generate a sensible, matured, committed, determined and visionary political leadership ever since we got independence six decades ago. All that we got are the politicians in thousands, but we have yet to a get statesman from this great Indian land.
Indian democracy is at its cross roads, thanks to the criminalization of politics, which has virtually dominated our political scenario more particularly since last two decades or so, when the likes of Laloo Yadavs, Mulayam Singhs, Mayawatis, etc made forays in the politics. As a result of this, a common man has lost his faith in the entire political system, which includes youths, which is a very vital component of democracy.
Due to this, the young generation is not inclined to cast their votes for the Parliamentary and / or State assembly elections. This has tremendously benefitted the Congress party which has nurtured and ultimately thrived on the ‘criminalization of politics’ notion all over the country.
Today, if the Indian democracy is to survive, then the people should be encouraged to cast their votes, to whichever the party or the person, on whom they want to put their faith. But lower turn out during the polls, would definitely benefit Congress party, which has become the order of the day and the sensible and responsible party like the BJP suffers quite a lot in the process.
Congress – scourge of India.
Though the voting day is still eight to ten weeks away, the BJP can reach India’s youth, which accounts country’s 55 % population can definitely tilt the scales, if it is respected, taken into confidence, assured and felt comfortable with the ideology of the party. At the same time, the Indian youth should also be cautioned and forewarned about the perils of the Congress, which has brought only miseries to the people not in the last five years rule, but over all 45 years, as it has enjoyed the power unabashedly. Thanks to dynastic rule! In fact, Congress has usurped country’s economy, natural resources, neglected, if not destroyed India’s ancient culture in systematic manner and what not?
Does any one who do not belong to Nehru and / or Gandhi family can not have an ability to rule the country? What is so special in these families? Or has they benefitted from illiteracy amongst th Indians, which still hovers around 50% even for six decades after getting independence? Has any one given a serious thought, as to why Uttar Pradesh is still the poorest State in the country, which has produced as many as eight prime ministers?
It is the Congress that has benefitted by keeping the people illiterate, so that they do not derive the power to distinguish between good and bad? One has to give a very serious though to it.
One is not able to pinpoint any isolated thing which has helped the country, due to Congress rule! In fact, it has ruined the country from top to bottom and fairly and squarely.
Indian youth needs to be told, that India’s destiny lies in his hand, only he / she has to decide which path to follow. Things can change, if one has a burning desire to change and also if you are determined to change, then nothing is impossible to the world.
What is required is awakening, that was exactly contemplated by Swami Vivekananda almost 120 years ago. It was not just electoral awakening, but even social awakening as well. The BJP has an onerous task of instilling the patriotic spirit in the younger generation and further encourage it to participate in the democratic process by making it case its invaluable vote.
It also needs to be warned that, its reluctance to exercise the franchise, would ultimately benefit those very forces which are determined to disintegrate, ruin, split, this great nation called Bharat for the sake of power.
Oh Indian youth, come on, it’s high time for you to rise within and be part of the country’s future!!
