Citizen-The first link on a google search gives you a link to a website of watches. Just goes to show how materialistic and selfish we have become as a civilization, where individual comfort and well being comes before societal welfare. Contrast it to our wild ancestors where group work was the key to survival. But my mindless rant is not about the society at all-well technically it is but that’s not the point. The point is how I failed my state-the Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic of India as a citizen.
I never voted in my life. Partly because I accepted the fact that the country always goes to the dogs and the elected representatives will do a good job of breaking up the country and sharing the remains among themselves. And partly because I am too lazy to do it. However now that I am abroad, and away, I wonder that if I did go and vote, it might have made a difference. Contrast a literacy rate of 74%-the national average. That means for every vote that can be bought there are 3 votes which can be cast rationally. But for these 3 votes, there is a person like me who is too lazy to do anything, another person who, inspite of his/her education will still cling on to the beliefs of caste, creed, language sex and religion. And finally I assume, there is still that one person who can really make the right choice. Thus the tables are turned and its 2 vs 1. And we still make a hue and cry on why the government doesn’t do anything? Perhaps my vote would have evened out the odds.
A wonderful aspect of our nation is to gather together to criticize any matter of national shame, and disband even spectacularly when the dust has settled. I am joining the bandwagon as well. And I wonder if such fleeting moments of patriotism will actually remain after some time, when coursework and having fun takes the front seat instead of trivial matters of national importance. The clamor about changing the law is good, but I wonder how many of them are actually familiar with the laws? I mean I tried to search for IPC from the comfort of my laptop and I was surprised to see that there wasn’t a single national site where the citizens could actually find out what the laws they are supposed to follow actually are!I mean changing the law is awesome, but what about educating the citizens about the law as well? Shouldn’t we take the initiative to learn more about the laws, the rights and responsibilities, why we can’t use instruments like REFERENDUM and INITIATIVE?
One of the facts I love about America is the law enforcement. It is strict. Punishment is harsh. Troopers are a 911 call and another 10 minutes away. Driving under the influence of alcohol is criminal but so is walking under its influence. Police travel in pairs, where each one is responsible for his partner. But most importantly, everyone is equal. “Tu jaanta nahin main kaun hoon?” or “Pata hai mere baap/mama/distant relative with whom I have no relation whatsoever kaun hai?” won’t work. I can walk much freely in India, knowing that even if I break a couple of laws unknowingly or otherwise, I will not be caught and even if I am, I can plead my way out. But this freedom comes at the cost of security, which just proved too costly for a fellow citizen. Empowering the law enforcement agency will help, but who can guarantee no misuse of power? Better accountability? How if the people who account for are corrupt? Its a vicious cycle, but we have to start somewhere. The question is where? Are we ready to sacrifice this freedom, give some more power to some people so that a fellow citizen can be safe at night?
India is so vast and diverse and we are proud of its diversity and the so called unity in diversity. Bottom line is it is this diversity which is preventing unity. We are North Indians, South Indians, North Easterners, but never really Indians except during such events after which we will divide once again. Its no use being a hypocrite and being proud of being the world’s largest democracy and having diversity of every order when actually the fabric of the nation is being torn. Equality is a myth-some are more equal than others. We criticize reservations, yet jump at the opportunity to grab it. We can never be equal until we can sacrifice the benefits which comes with being special. Why were we ruled for 250 odd years? Because people like me will just sit on their asses, ranting about stuff we could do or should change, while, when it is time to take action, will go under their comforter and go into hibernation.
I have spectacularly failed as a citizen. My country has given me a lot. Yet I needed to go out to realize its importance. I wish I voted. I wish I used the dust bin every time. I wished I respected the law. I wish I hadn’t failed my country.
I never voted in my life. Partly because I accepted the fact that the country always goes to the dogs and the elected representatives will do a good job of breaking up the country and sharing the remains among themselves. And partly because I am too lazy to do it. However now that I am abroad, and away, I wonder that if I did go and vote, it might have made a difference. Contrast a literacy rate of 74%-the national average. That means for every vote that can be bought there are 3 votes which can be cast rationally. But for these 3 votes, there is a person like me who is too lazy to do anything, another person who, inspite of his/her education will still cling on to the beliefs of caste, creed, language sex and religion. And finally I assume, there is still that one person who can really make the right choice. Thus the tables are turned and its 2 vs 1. And we still make a hue and cry on why the government doesn’t do anything? Perhaps my vote would have evened out the odds.
A wonderful aspect of our nation is to gather together to criticize any matter of national shame, and disband even spectacularly when the dust has settled. I am joining the bandwagon as well. And I wonder if such fleeting moments of patriotism will actually remain after some time, when coursework and having fun takes the front seat instead of trivial matters of national importance. The clamor about changing the law is good, but I wonder how many of them are actually familiar with the laws? I mean I tried to search for IPC from the comfort of my laptop and I was surprised to see that there wasn’t a single national site where the citizens could actually find out what the laws they are supposed to follow actually are!I mean changing the law is awesome, but what about educating the citizens about the law as well? Shouldn’t we take the initiative to learn more about the laws, the rights and responsibilities, why we can’t use instruments like REFERENDUM and INITIATIVE?
One of the facts I love about America is the law enforcement. It is strict. Punishment is harsh. Troopers are a 911 call and another 10 minutes away. Driving under the influence of alcohol is criminal but so is walking under its influence. Police travel in pairs, where each one is responsible for his partner. But most importantly, everyone is equal. “Tu jaanta nahin main kaun hoon?” or “Pata hai mere baap/mama/distant relative with whom I have no relation whatsoever kaun hai?” won’t work. I can walk much freely in India, knowing that even if I break a couple of laws unknowingly or otherwise, I will not be caught and even if I am, I can plead my way out. But this freedom comes at the cost of security, which just proved too costly for a fellow citizen. Empowering the law enforcement agency will help, but who can guarantee no misuse of power? Better accountability? How if the people who account for are corrupt? Its a vicious cycle, but we have to start somewhere. The question is where? Are we ready to sacrifice this freedom, give some more power to some people so that a fellow citizen can be safe at night?
India is so vast and diverse and we are proud of its diversity and the so called unity in diversity. Bottom line is it is this diversity which is preventing unity. We are North Indians, South Indians, North Easterners, but never really Indians except during such events after which we will divide once again. Its no use being a hypocrite and being proud of being the world’s largest democracy and having diversity of every order when actually the fabric of the nation is being torn. Equality is a myth-some are more equal than others. We criticize reservations, yet jump at the opportunity to grab it. We can never be equal until we can sacrifice the benefits which comes with being special. Why were we ruled for 250 odd years? Because people like me will just sit on their asses, ranting about stuff we could do or should change, while, when it is time to take action, will go under their comforter and go into hibernation.
I have spectacularly failed as a citizen. My country has given me a lot. Yet I needed to go out to realize its importance. I wish I voted. I wish I used the dust bin every time. I wished I respected the law. I wish I hadn’t failed my country.