“The king, the king has arrived”…the maharajas in world’s largest democratic country
The most frequent question am being asked is “why [the hell] educated, smart and well-placed Indian youth are not interested in politics! Why they are so selfish to think about themselves only…where are those sons of the soil who used to devote their whole life (and soul+blood +sweat+wealth and so on…) to the good of country and its people…the khadis are no longer luring the young Indians…” “is desh ka kea hoga” (what will happen to this country in future…) the grey hairs will cry…
The only answer I can give is “unless the kings (read ‘politicians’) being stripped of their autocracies and corruption to become real democratic leaders and politics no longer remains a ‘profession’ for a lucky few who’s corrupted to the core…the wonderful Young Indians will not be interested to idolize, contribute and serve this land ‘politically’ (if not in the other ways)”
Confused? Let me ask you a question then: How can you call a neta (political leader) the desh bandhu (friend of this country) or the father/ brother/ sister of this nation when he or she is being surrounded by 100s of commandos (in fear of being assassinated! Or simply to show off his / her power / status)…the crowded roads being “cleaned” / “sanitized “ with proper police barricades whenever he / she “takes a tour” which creates massive traffic jam for rest of the day…the utopia being created before he or she visits a place…overnight the roads will be made (temporarily) , bijli (power supply) will be “arranged”, anti social elements (unless they r the member of same party) will be captured (again, temporarily)…the hard earned money of public which is submitted as tax to the government is spent to make the marble statues of political leaders (who’s still alive!...it reminds me Mr. Saddam Hussain…) and amusement parks! In India, the “system” remains as “British” till date (the dreadlocks of feudal system to “extract” the wealth from the poor) where as the “dream” remains “romantically democratic”…the fatal dose of fantasy and faith in toxic combination of custom, cast and religion being fed to aam admi everyday by the politicians to earn money, power and legacy. Still India remains as just a “theme” which somehow glues people around it at certain occasions and sentiments and politicians very well utilizes this fact to their own benefits.
Let us see how “ Indian” and “son of the soil” our leaders were in past who’s being followed by their heir at present. As Nandan Nilekani describes in his book Imagining India, page 13- “ He (Mr. Nehru) had described himself as ‘the last Englishman to rule India” – he had grown up under the eye of a Westernized father, a successful lawyer and a late convert to the cause of India’s independence from the British. Motilal Nehru insisted on knives and forks at the dining table, spoke in English at home (although his wife did not know the language) and employed British tutors for his children. Nehru was sent to England when he was a teenager, to study in Harrow, then Cambridge and the Inns of Court…Nehru was thus very much a child of the Western Enlightment…he (Nehru) also disagreed with his (Gandhi’s) more traditional beliefs, once writing, ‘Ideologically, he [is] sometimes amazingly backward’….during a visit to Uttar Pradesh, the local Congress leader Kalka Prasad introduced Nehru as the ‘new king’, and the peasants gathered echoed, ‘The king, the king has arrived’…” if you have noticed, Nehru presented himself as the “ruler” of India, though he was supped to “represent” the people!!! This legacy was continued by his daughter. “she was almost smug in her assumption of how the people regarded her, apparently telling the author and journalist Bruce Chatwin, ‘you have no idea how tiring it is to be a goddess.’ ( Imagining India- Page 16)…
As Pravat K Varma wrote in his book, Being Indian, page 18- “In the Indian tradition the powerful are not expected to be reticent or modest in the projection of their power. In the eighteenth century Lord Wellesly told the East India Company in London that to rule ‘natives’ it was essential to build palaces to awe them into submission. The Company was persuaded to accept his logic, and the massive Residence for the Governor came into being in Calcutta. More than fifty years after the British left, the imposing palace fulfills more or less the same purpose. The governor of West Bengal lives in isolated splendor in the sprawling estate, maintained by 168 underlings. The departure of British effected a transfer of power. A transfer of the paraphernalia of power accompanied the transfer of power. This was not an uncommon occurrence. Colonized elites all over the world emulate the pomp and ceremony of their oppressors, once rid of them. But the Indian elite could have been different. The man who got them independence, and whom they chose to call the Father of the Nation, shunned the trappings of power. He did not live in government palaces. He traveled in the lowest class in trains. He celebrated his austerity, wearing little more than a loincloth. He wanted the massive Viceregal Palace in New Delhi to be converted into a hospital. He exhorted the members of the New Indian government to live, and rule, with humanity. Undoubtedly, his example was very difficult to follow. Even those who believed in him could hardly be expected to be as austere, or as utopian, or as self-denying as him… The first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, was a committed and prominent devotee of Gandhi. Yet, soon after the Union Jack went down and Indian Tricolor fluttered proudly in the breeze in August 1947, Nehru moved into the Flagstaff House, the palatial residence of the British Commander-in-Chief. The residence of the Viceroy, arguably the world’s largest palace, became the home of President Prasad.”
Nilekani argues(page 16, 17) that “India’s fragmentation has grown only more complicated with economic reforms. The new policies transferred economic power from the centre to the states, giving more strength to regional parties. Since then we have seen our divisions came into high relief…The leaders of these smaller parties have a very different political and social vision from that of India’s founders, and align themselves to the interests of not just the state they represent but also of particular caste and religious communities within it. India’s first leaders had wanted to put an end to categorizing, separating, classifying, enumerating and granting of special concessions’. But with the rise of powerful community-based parties, such concessions have become central. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has brought specific benefits to voters from her caste, the state’s oppressed Dalit communities, in government appointments and jobs. In Bihar, some complained that ‘the department heads and heads of electricity and water boards Laloo Prasad Yadav appointed were all Yadavs’. In India, vote is not to improve the country or countrymen but a tool of trade (of certain immediate benefits and rewards…ie. The free color TV for all BPL population in the state as promised by Mr. Karunanidhi, CM of Tamil Nadu…)
The politicians’ saves the back of each other in this “game” and the bureaucrats are there to develop a system to hide the dirt. Nilekani states (page 26) “ The bureaucrats I encountered had learned that protecting their turf and not recoking the boat were key to thriving in government. I have seen enough enterprising bureaucrats in Karnataka who, when they tried to implement bold reforms in areas such as infrastructure or government transparency, found themselves transferred overnight to minor departments as punishment.”
Hence, until India, as a country, innovates its own system which will ensure transparency, break the network of corrupted political leaders and the dreadlock of “unnecessary protocols of bureaucracy” this young political aspirants will be sucked in the dirt to become a part of it (ie. Raj Thakarey and Varun Gandhi’s regional and religious motives respectively) or will be defeated unless they are “blue blooded”….and as the history exhibits, the legacy of dirty personal ambition will flow in families / parties…
Part-II
So, what’s the changing scenario in contribution of youth in contemporary politics? Any change is happening or it’s the same black hole as earlier? Will it be the same assembly where the grey hairs will break chairs and dance over the bench? will it remain the place where illiterates will fight to ban computers in their own state?
Fortunately traits of change are seen. The editorial of India Today, June 1st, 2009 issue states “ Not only did the decisive mandate of election 2009 come as a pleasant surprise but the profile of the 15th Lok Sabha is also quite refreshing. It will have the largest-ever number of MPs below 40 years of age, 82 to be precise, which is twice as many in the last Lok Sabha….education levels have gone up to; the entire Lok Sabha has only one MP who is illiterate” Among these, Mr. Hamdhullah Sayeed (26yrs) is the youngest MP, Ms. Mausam Noor (28 yrs) is a law graduate, Mr. Jayant Chaudhary (30) is LSE graduate, Ms. Shruti Choudhry (33yrs) is a lawyer, Mr. P.K. Bijju (34yrs) is a research scholar in polymer chemistry and the list goes on…the list sounds very promising but will all of these MPs succeed in their agenda (and oath) of doing “good” to the country and countrymen unless the “system” enables them to do so? My personal experience is that most of the youth power is being used to show the “muscles” during the election and grass-root movements. I was the three times winning candidate [in the college election] of SFI , the Student’s Federation of India, an youth wing of CPI(M) and the Local committee member in Chandannagore, West Bengal during my college days and understood that the power of “change” remains in the hand of grey hairs and the youth are actually being utilized[read misutilized] as puppets…my father was a hardcore communist at his youth and active in the “revolution” against the congress autocracies during 1972,(in West Bengal at the dreaded industrial belt of Asansol, Ranigunj, Chittaranjan) when the gun battle was “normal”…he suffered a bullet injury in his right leg (and was proud of it!)…after coming to the power the CPI(M) leaders became almost the same autocrats as of their “enemies” and after 33 years of dirt and stagnation, today, exactly the same “revolution” is happening against the communist party, with the youth in forefront!
Is there any hope alive where a sate is running towards growth and the youth are groomed to become the future leaders? Let us take the example from India Today’s June 1st 2009 issue again (page 34), where Mr. Abhijit Dasgupta reports Sikkim’s CM Pawan Kumar Chamling’s success story and his faith that his party will stay for another 15 years. The has not come “words” (as of many other states of India) but by works. During his period Sikkim got the Per Capita GSDP Rs. 23,786 which is above the national average, the Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000) is 30 against an All India figure of 60, in Sikkim the Teacher-Pupil Ratio is 1:18 against 1:34 of All India, in 15 years, the Government has invested over Rs. 30,000 crore in core sectors like tourism, agriculture, horticulture and floriculture, the state revenue as of now is Rs. 600 crore (when his party took over in 1994, the state revenue was only Rs.44 crore); and above all, he is encouraging the youth to be groomed to become future leaders. India today states that “A school drop out, Chamling is clearly not lacking in vision and means business. For most people in the state, there could not have been a better ray of hope and they have reposed faith in Chamling again giving him victory in all the 32 Assembly seats of the state as well as the lone Lok Sabha constituency… significantly, Chamling’s new 12 member cabinet has eight first-time ministers who have been MLAs earlier and three are first timers, including two women… Incidentally, Chamling dropped 22 sitting MLAs this time, set them up as chairmen of local party committees and asked them to groom the youth as future leaders. ‘you have done enough from the assembly and I can see the rust. Please go out and work with people. Teach them how to get involved in politics and groom the youth. That should be your job now.’ He told a full house party meeting six months back. Waiting with a red carpet to greet what it thought would be a procession of disgruntled MLAs, the BJP got the rudest shock of all when none of the SDF legislators left Chamling. The BJP was left high and dry.” H’s popularity can be measured when the report states that despite the visit of big shots of congress (including the prince charming Mr. Rahul Gandhi) and BJP Mr. Chamling not only won both of his seats but 10 of his rivals lost their deposits…where as his opposition leader ex-CM Bhandari lost both of his seats by 1,268 and 2,100 votes respectively, a significant margin in a thinly-populated state. Other than these, Chamling has brought 15 pharma units and 19 hydroelectricity projects to the state. He said “ Till now, I have survived because I have worked for the people. The day they feel I am failing, they will not think twice before throwing me out. That is why I keep on trying. I would hate to loose the confidence of people…”
How many so called 'netas' can promise [and deliver] and give space to the young (other than their brothers /sons /daughters)…?
Kaustav SenGupta
INgene
Showing posts with label politics and youth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics and youth. Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Youth Trend in Indian politics
Indian political scenario is slowly changing. Though illiterates & criminals are still thr in large numbers, the young MBA graduates are taking it up as another career option.
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More and more management graduates enter politics
Tue, Apr 14 10:32 AM
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) This is not a decision taken in haste or forced by the current economic recession. More and more management graduates are entering politics, saying this is their way of serving society.
'While being in the corporate world, one can't serve society completely. Politics is an area where you can do a lot for the society,' said Ranjan Kumar, a graduate of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Lucknow.
Contesting from the Mohanlalganj constituency on the outskirts of Lucknow in the Lok Sabha elections beginning Thursday, Kumar told IANS that he hopes to change the country's 'corroded' system.
'Most politicians have not done much for the country. The majority of the people sit outside and criticise the government. But if one wants to change the system, one has to be a part of the system,' said Kumar, who recently left the Congress to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Asked why he switched loyalty, Kumar said: 'I have seen the Congress very closely. When Rahulji (Rahul Gandhi) joined politics, people thought a transformation would take place. But despite the Congress revival plan in Uttar Pradesh formulated in June 2004, nothing has moved.'
The 38-year-old IIM graduate is also an elected vice-chairman of the Mansarovar Cooperative Bank, Lucknow.
Harsh Vardhan Chhaparia, a graduate from IIM-Calcutta, will be interning with the BJP before he switches to his high-profile job.
'I chose politics and especially the BJP because I am impressed with their vision for youth. Moreover, I want to learn how public management works. What better place can I find than in politics,' Chapparia said.
The trend is not new to this industry.
Some five years ago, Sachin Pilot, an MBA from Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, joined politics, winning on the Congress ticket from Dausa in Rajasthan.
'It was a well-thought-out decision and not taken in haste. Whatever I have learnt could be best (given back to society) through politics,' Pilot said on telephone as he campaigned in his new constituency of Ajmer.
Pilot is happy that more and more young people with professional backgrounds are embracing politics.
'It's time the system changes... There needs to be self-regulation. Muscle and money power should be done away with,' Pilot said.
Of all the newcomers in politics from the world of management, the prize catch for the BJP has been its IT cell chief Prodyut Bora. An IIM-Ahmedabad graduate, Bora joined the BJP in 2004.
'Politics can be a platform to do some good work. The political system has failed to attract youngsters in public service,' Bora told IANS. 'The image of a bad, ugly Indian politician needs to change.'
So why did he opt for the BJP? Bora answered: 'Well, I am a nationalist.'
What are his future plans? 'It all depends on my party.'
IIM graduates entering politics can take inspiration from Meera Sanyal, who made a transition from a banker to a politician. Sanyal, the country head of ABN Amro, decided to give up her banking career and contest elections from the Mumbai South constituency as an independent candidate.
It was the Mumbai terror attack that led her to join politics. She is pitted against Milind Deora of the Congress, a business and political science graduate from Boston University.
Another prominent management graduate in politics is Jyotiraditya Scindia, who studied in Harvard and Stanford. He said he chose politics over the corporate world to 're-energise the system and do well for society'.
(Pupul Dutta can be contacted at pupul.d@ians.in)
Pupul Dutta
Source:http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090414/836/tbs-more-and-more-management-graduates-e.html
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Youth can change image of Indian politics: Advani
New Delhi: Underlining the need for changing the image of the "ugly Indian politician", senior BJP leader L K Advani today said one way of making this possible was by encouraging more young people to join politics.
"I tell my fellow politicians, particularly those belonging to my own party, that it is our duty to erase this image of the ugly Indian politician ....it is necessary for the best and the brightest among the youth to join politics and serve the nation," Advani said.
He was speaking at a seminar on "National Values Crisis and its Redressal" organised by the Foundation for Restoration of National Values.
The 81-year-old leader cited Transparency International s annual reports where India ranks high in the corruption index and the United Nations report in which India ranks low in the Human Development Index. He held responsible the lack of professionalism among politicians as the reason for this state of affairs.
"Politics was a noble profession during the freedom Movement... After Independence, the spirit of mission got gradually diluted... Unfortunately, in India today politics is seen neither as a mission nor as a profession, but as pure commerce," Advani lamented.
However, the senior leader pointed out that it was not just in politics that the values had gone down. "The lack of integrity and professional ethics is seen among lawyers, judges, doctors.... And even security personnel. It is seen even in the media," Advani said.
BJP s Prime Ministerial candidate said though the intelligence quotient of an individual could develop lifelong, his emotional, moral and spiritual quotient developed mostly between the age of 15 and 25 years.
"It is necessary for the young to join politics and serve the nation," he said.
Source: http://news.indiainfo.com/article/0811181357_youth_can_change_image_of_indian_politics_advani/243566.html
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Youth And Politics: Divorced Forever?
The Indian youth is experiencing what is called as the depoliticisation process or in simpler terms, a disengagement from the world of politics. There’s growing apathy towards political activities and politicians from the youth these days owing to the domination of politics by crime and corruption. Due to the lack of an efficient political system in the country and its contamination by felonious and iniquitous acts, youngsters prefer veering away from politics.
However, it was a different story altogether in the early days of India’s independence. India has given the world great, young leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi and Bhagat Singh, who all fought with utmost passion and patriotism in the nation’s freedom struggle.Infact, the greatest uprising of our country against the British forces i.e. The Quit India Movement was led valiantly by the Young Turks.
In the post independence era around the 1980’s, the Indian Youth Congress was founded and its objective was to unite the youth of India, to identify itself with their cause and to work with devotion to build a strong, powerful and self-reliant India. Also, the National Youth Day was declared on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda in the year 1985, who was a young spiritual leader who contributed immensely for the welfare of the society. However, such is the scenario today, that one is hardly aware about the existence of any such day.
With materialism being the by product of liberalization, Indian markets as well as the youth is becoming vested in its interests. Values like patriotism and love for one’s country is on a decline as the youth are turning towards MTV, McDonalds and Money making. Also, the interest of a few motivated souls is disillusioned due to the dismal performance and personalities of the current politicians. As a result, the youth has become cynical and pessimistic in its attitude towards politics. Nobody wants to become a politician nor does any parent want his or her child to venture in this field.
The trust and credibility factor which was the USP of the yesteryear politicians is nowhere to be found today. We then had charismatic leaders and today we have criminals in the guise of politicians. However, this is not reason enough for the youth to be disenchanted from politics. After all, world’s greatest wars and rebellions have been led and fought by the youth. The Fascist programme insisted on tapping the vitality of youth, even Hitler created the ‘Hitler Youth’ and endowed the German youth with a purpose. From Tienmian Square to India’s freedom struggle, youth have carried the baton of their beliefs with unflinching courage.
Even the recent past has witnessed some impetuous movements by the youth like the candle march in the Jessica Lall murder case, protests against reservations in educational institutions by the Government and the popular Pink Chaddi campaign against the tyrannical ways of Promod Muthalik. In fact, the emergence of young promising leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Pilot and Omar Abdullah have instilled some life and dynamism in Indian politics giving youngsters the hope that ‘All is not dark out there. Leaders like Omar Abdullah are believed to bring about a new vivacity in the valley in his regime with attitudinal changes being evident in the voting patterns observed in the recent J&K elections.
However, in order to reinvent the zeal of youngsters in politics, certain measures are imperative. Indian political system does not offer any incentives to the youth to engage in politics. Also, it is shameful that until and unless one belongs to a political dynasty, he/she has to face immense resistance in this field to become a MP. Politics is in any case seen as a very dirty career full of cut-throatism and back stabbing and on top of that there is absolutely no premium placed on community leadership in our country which forms an integral part of US educational curriculum. The existing political exposure at the university level is petty and driven by the selfish interests of national level political parties. Candidatures are selected not on the basis of capability but the closeness the candidate shares with the major political leaders. As a result of which campuses are no better than deserted islands on the polling day which speaks for the dirty muck dominating college and university level politics.
But the only remedy for this disease is exercising our power to vote and discharge the duties of a responsible citizen. One has to traverse the hard way in order to bring about a change for the better. Until and unless we do not put our hands in the muck, it will stay there forever and stagnate even more. Passing the buck won’t help. Almost every field today has its bit of muck, it is just that politics is not as glamorous and convenient an option to opt for.
The media can play a great role in motivating the youth to join politics. Attitudinal changes need to be brought about by reporting of positive changes and developments in politics and not just negative or cynical news stories. By covering events where the youth has helped in shaping the course of important political issues, the media can compel changes in the existing mindsets.
Our youth should be inspired by their American counterparts who have brought about a revolution in American politics by electing Barack Obama, a young Afro-American leader as America’s President. In fact, Internet and technology played a major role in influencing this historical event. Presidential debates were facilitated by means of sites like You Tube where the American youth were given a forum to address their concerns and queries to the Presidential candidates which proved to be a huge success.
Similarly, steps like facilitating voting via text messages or Internet can further help in engaging the youth. A big factor for Obama winning the elections was that his ideas and values gelled with the imagination and hopes of the youth. An organization like Youth Congress should invent ingenious ways to reignite the interest of youngsters and actively involve them in the country’s political process. It is said that ‘In every year of history one law has invariably proved its unchanging truth: youth will always triumph over age.’ This rhetoric can surely be turned into reality if the youth desires.
Akshuna Bakshi
Source: http://theviewspaper.net/youth-and-politics-divorced-forever/
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Why the educated youth must join politics... the hurdles... and why they need to lobby for a better judicial system to make their dream a reality...
Arindam Chaudhuri, Editor-in-chief, The Sunday Indian
In the backdrop of the Mumbai terror attacks, there has been a lot of talk about the need to go and vote... the need to elect the right government... the need for educated youth to come up and join politics and the need for a new political force that can bring about the real change. This topic is something that’s very close to my heart, as ever since I can remember, may be since I was eight years old or so, I remember my father always told me that it is not politics which is dirty, but the people in politics who have made it dirty; and that politics is the biggest service to a nation that one can think of; something that able and educated men with leadership skills should always think of keeping in the forefront of their ambition list. As a response to my workshops on the Great Indian Dream, as well as to my editorials – especially the ones criticising the government, and more especially the last two on the Mumbai blasts – many people have sent me messages: why criticise; why not try to be the change!
Yes, the truth is, I have personally always believed that politics is where the educated youth should be. Some of my published interviews, which date back to as early as 1997, stand testimony to the fact that I myself had wished to be a part of the political process sometime in my life – my students from the ‘94 batch at IIPM and onwards would vouch that that is the truth, because they have heard me say so time and again. What’s also the biggest truth is that, year after year, when my students come and ask me where should I want to see them fifteen years or so down the line, without an iota of doubt, this has always been my answer – in politics! And parents of our students who have heard me speak at the orientation programme at IIPM or at the convocation programmes at IIPM know that that has always been my advice for their children... for I know one of the biggest strengths at IIPM is our super combination of entrepreneurial and management education, along with sharp and incisive education in economics – some things our politicians have always lacked! Either our leaders have been great managers with no understanding of economics leading to disaster, or our leaders have been great economists with no clue about management and leadership, and, therefore, have spelt disaster. To me, one of the stories that unforgettably describe India’s tragedy is about ‘The mother of India who had two sons.’ One knew how to run (the country, that is) but went to fly and met his end; the other knew how to fly, but went to run and met his end. Symbolically, that has always been India’s problem – misallocation of resources and incapable leaders at the top; and that’s why I have always considered our students to be great resource material as future politicians of this country with the perfect mix of education – for management education doesn’t always mean only focusing on how to maximise private profits. That’s not to say others aren’t capable, but just because I am personally involved with teaching IIPM students, through them, I want to show my faith and passion in my belief in the role of youth in politics.
Well, having said how passionately I believe that the clean and educated youth in India should be a part of politics, I must also say that unfortunately, the government has created a system that is non-conducive for clean people to enter politics. It doesn’t allow the youth with the passion and education to just jump in and start making the change; because if they were to do so, they would only end up being disillusioned; or worse, a part of the corrupt system itself. It’s because elections in this country are neither fought with passions and policies nor with candlelight processions. Elections are fought by motorcycle brigades with guns in hand. The truth is that Indian politics is not fought with ideology, but with muscle power and ruthless rigging in the interiors. Indian politics is a hierarchy of criminals and goons. At the grassroots, a local MLA wins through a bunch of goons. On top of a few such MLAs sits the MP; and on top of such mostly criminal and corrupt MPs sits the Prime Minister. And that a man sitting as the Prime Minster could be a poet, a literary genius, who knows 17 languages or an economist, but the reality is that he sits there because his party has a hierarchy of criminals; and the stronger this criminalisation is at the grassroots level, the tougher it is to defeat them – West Bengal being a case in point. You can be a big leader – say an Uma Bharti – but the moment the system of criminalisation that you sit upon and win elections with is gone, you are reduced to a nonentity. Even a cosmopolitan state like Delhi has no place for educated, clean people. Only those who get key party tickets have won over the years.
Yet, we know – and should believe – that one day, the educated must take over this system... One day, the youth must come forward and make the difference... But before clean and honest youth can come forward, we need to give the youth the environment to fight on the basis of policies and passion and not on the basis of guns. And for that to happen, we need a very very strong and powerful judiciary that is alive and not paralysed... A very strong judicial system that stops criminalisation of daily life and weeds out the criminals from the system, and sees to it that criminals cannot fight elections or win them through rigging... and instills fear in the minds of the criminals through a quick process of justice! But surely, not the way it is today – a process of endless delays and inefficiencies! And these are issues we at TSI have been relentlessly lobbying for since our inception. The other option is, of course, a Constitutional change that brings about a Presidential system in India – again an issue we at TSI have lobbied for in the past – so that like in the USA, the Indian leadership can also be determined on the basis of debates and policies.
Until we can achieve either of the two, the need for educated and clean people to enter politics will unfortunately remain more of a slogan; for the environment is, I repeat, unfortunately not conducive for them to make any dent. Yet, I must say, they must not give up the hope. They must come forward and lobby for the right changes – and a strong judiciary is what should top their list and agenda. And if they keep their focus right, and fight for the correct causes, they will one day make the system conducive for the big change. I have personally always believed, “If you think you can, you are right!”… I am sure the time is not far when one amongst the educated and clean people will be bringing about change in this country... a change that we too can believe in... And at TSI, we will keep lobbying and doing our bit to make that change a reality.
Source: http://www.iipmthinktank.com/asp/editorial.asp?cdis=21/12/2008&pageno=1
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Concern for Varun Gandhi
Indian Youth express legendary figure, Varun Gandhi the youth iconic personality emerging budding star of Indian politics put under stringent calls of NSA by the Mayawati government in UP.His fan writes,”Varun is innocent. He is the youth icon of India. Political parties are unnecessarily spoiling his image and putting charges on him. I am against the NSA charges and other charges which are on Varun. He is the true voice of India. The youth is actually disheartened because of what all is happening to Varun. He should be released now.”
Varun Gandhi popularity can be gauged by the write-up and bloggers coloring unmatched ink for their youth icons and at every nook and corner people are expresing the Varun story expressing sympathy for the son of legendary family puttting him incinerator with vote catchers, few in process of dousing the contentious issue and filter the righteousness.
With youth forming the major
chunk in India’s population and internet in vogue the Varun Gandhi emerge hot spot in General Election 2009.He is scripted in Indian history on subject of emergency 1975 imposed at the nehest of his father by grandmother former premier,Varun is controversy of imposition of the NSA by the state government in election time on Sanjay Gandhi son in year 2009 adds another historical event which couldl change the political scenario in the country with youths coming out to vote for their ideal candidate in turn for their respective party candidates.
Nation likely to go for poll with more than 70 percent voters casting their vote with advertisement by NGO in print and electronic media along with government adds may help to achieve more percent in this year of poll feat appears accomplished for the democracy to have its deep roots.
Source: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/concern-for-varun-gandhi_100175355.html
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More and more management graduates enter politics
Tue, Apr 14 10:32 AM
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) This is not a decision taken in haste or forced by the current economic recession. More and more management graduates are entering politics, saying this is their way of serving society.
'While being in the corporate world, one can't serve society completely. Politics is an area where you can do a lot for the society,' said Ranjan Kumar, a graduate of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Lucknow.
Contesting from the Mohanlalganj constituency on the outskirts of Lucknow in the Lok Sabha elections beginning Thursday, Kumar told IANS that he hopes to change the country's 'corroded' system.
'Most politicians have not done much for the country. The majority of the people sit outside and criticise the government. But if one wants to change the system, one has to be a part of the system,' said Kumar, who recently left the Congress to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Asked why he switched loyalty, Kumar said: 'I have seen the Congress very closely. When Rahulji (Rahul Gandhi) joined politics, people thought a transformation would take place. But despite the Congress revival plan in Uttar Pradesh formulated in June 2004, nothing has moved.'
The 38-year-old IIM graduate is also an elected vice-chairman of the Mansarovar Cooperative Bank, Lucknow.
Harsh Vardhan Chhaparia, a graduate from IIM-Calcutta, will be interning with the BJP before he switches to his high-profile job.
'I chose politics and especially the BJP because I am impressed with their vision for youth. Moreover, I want to learn how public management works. What better place can I find than in politics,' Chapparia said.
The trend is not new to this industry.
Some five years ago, Sachin Pilot, an MBA from Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, joined politics, winning on the Congress ticket from Dausa in Rajasthan.
'It was a well-thought-out decision and not taken in haste. Whatever I have learnt could be best (given back to society) through politics,' Pilot said on telephone as he campaigned in his new constituency of Ajmer.
Pilot is happy that more and more young people with professional backgrounds are embracing politics.
'It's time the system changes... There needs to be self-regulation. Muscle and money power should be done away with,' Pilot said.
Of all the newcomers in politics from the world of management, the prize catch for the BJP has been its IT cell chief Prodyut Bora. An IIM-Ahmedabad graduate, Bora joined the BJP in 2004.
'Politics can be a platform to do some good work. The political system has failed to attract youngsters in public service,' Bora told IANS. 'The image of a bad, ugly Indian politician needs to change.'
So why did he opt for the BJP? Bora answered: 'Well, I am a nationalist.'
What are his future plans? 'It all depends on my party.'
IIM graduates entering politics can take inspiration from Meera Sanyal, who made a transition from a banker to a politician. Sanyal, the country head of ABN Amro, decided to give up her banking career and contest elections from the Mumbai South constituency as an independent candidate.
It was the Mumbai terror attack that led her to join politics. She is pitted against Milind Deora of the Congress, a business and political science graduate from Boston University.
Another prominent management graduate in politics is Jyotiraditya Scindia, who studied in Harvard and Stanford. He said he chose politics over the corporate world to 're-energise the system and do well for society'.
(Pupul Dutta can be contacted at pupul.d@ians.in)
Pupul Dutta
Source:http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090414/836/tbs-more-and-more-management-graduates-e.html
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Youth can change image of Indian politics: Advani
New Delhi: Underlining the need for changing the image of the "ugly Indian politician", senior BJP leader L K Advani today said one way of making this possible was by encouraging more young people to join politics.
"I tell my fellow politicians, particularly those belonging to my own party, that it is our duty to erase this image of the ugly Indian politician ....it is necessary for the best and the brightest among the youth to join politics and serve the nation," Advani said.
He was speaking at a seminar on "National Values Crisis and its Redressal" organised by the Foundation for Restoration of National Values.
The 81-year-old leader cited Transparency International s annual reports where India ranks high in the corruption index and the United Nations report in which India ranks low in the Human Development Index. He held responsible the lack of professionalism among politicians as the reason for this state of affairs.
"Politics was a noble profession during the freedom Movement... After Independence, the spirit of mission got gradually diluted... Unfortunately, in India today politics is seen neither as a mission nor as a profession, but as pure commerce," Advani lamented.
However, the senior leader pointed out that it was not just in politics that the values had gone down. "The lack of integrity and professional ethics is seen among lawyers, judges, doctors.... And even security personnel. It is seen even in the media," Advani said.
BJP s Prime Ministerial candidate said though the intelligence quotient of an individual could develop lifelong, his emotional, moral and spiritual quotient developed mostly between the age of 15 and 25 years.
"It is necessary for the young to join politics and serve the nation," he said.
Source: http://news.indiainfo.com/article/0811181357_youth_can_change_image_of_indian_politics_advani/243566.html
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Youth And Politics: Divorced Forever?
The Indian youth is experiencing what is called as the depoliticisation process or in simpler terms, a disengagement from the world of politics. There’s growing apathy towards political activities and politicians from the youth these days owing to the domination of politics by crime and corruption. Due to the lack of an efficient political system in the country and its contamination by felonious and iniquitous acts, youngsters prefer veering away from politics.
However, it was a different story altogether in the early days of India’s independence. India has given the world great, young leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi and Bhagat Singh, who all fought with utmost passion and patriotism in the nation’s freedom struggle.Infact, the greatest uprising of our country against the British forces i.e. The Quit India Movement was led valiantly by the Young Turks.
In the post independence era around the 1980’s, the Indian Youth Congress was founded and its objective was to unite the youth of India, to identify itself with their cause and to work with devotion to build a strong, powerful and self-reliant India. Also, the National Youth Day was declared on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda in the year 1985, who was a young spiritual leader who contributed immensely for the welfare of the society. However, such is the scenario today, that one is hardly aware about the existence of any such day.
With materialism being the by product of liberalization, Indian markets as well as the youth is becoming vested in its interests. Values like patriotism and love for one’s country is on a decline as the youth are turning towards MTV, McDonalds and Money making. Also, the interest of a few motivated souls is disillusioned due to the dismal performance and personalities of the current politicians. As a result, the youth has become cynical and pessimistic in its attitude towards politics. Nobody wants to become a politician nor does any parent want his or her child to venture in this field.
The trust and credibility factor which was the USP of the yesteryear politicians is nowhere to be found today. We then had charismatic leaders and today we have criminals in the guise of politicians. However, this is not reason enough for the youth to be disenchanted from politics. After all, world’s greatest wars and rebellions have been led and fought by the youth. The Fascist programme insisted on tapping the vitality of youth, even Hitler created the ‘Hitler Youth’ and endowed the German youth with a purpose. From Tienmian Square to India’s freedom struggle, youth have carried the baton of their beliefs with unflinching courage.
Even the recent past has witnessed some impetuous movements by the youth like the candle march in the Jessica Lall murder case, protests against reservations in educational institutions by the Government and the popular Pink Chaddi campaign against the tyrannical ways of Promod Muthalik. In fact, the emergence of young promising leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Pilot and Omar Abdullah have instilled some life and dynamism in Indian politics giving youngsters the hope that ‘All is not dark out there. Leaders like Omar Abdullah are believed to bring about a new vivacity in the valley in his regime with attitudinal changes being evident in the voting patterns observed in the recent J&K elections.
However, in order to reinvent the zeal of youngsters in politics, certain measures are imperative. Indian political system does not offer any incentives to the youth to engage in politics. Also, it is shameful that until and unless one belongs to a political dynasty, he/she has to face immense resistance in this field to become a MP. Politics is in any case seen as a very dirty career full of cut-throatism and back stabbing and on top of that there is absolutely no premium placed on community leadership in our country which forms an integral part of US educational curriculum. The existing political exposure at the university level is petty and driven by the selfish interests of national level political parties. Candidatures are selected not on the basis of capability but the closeness the candidate shares with the major political leaders. As a result of which campuses are no better than deserted islands on the polling day which speaks for the dirty muck dominating college and university level politics.
But the only remedy for this disease is exercising our power to vote and discharge the duties of a responsible citizen. One has to traverse the hard way in order to bring about a change for the better. Until and unless we do not put our hands in the muck, it will stay there forever and stagnate even more. Passing the buck won’t help. Almost every field today has its bit of muck, it is just that politics is not as glamorous and convenient an option to opt for.
The media can play a great role in motivating the youth to join politics. Attitudinal changes need to be brought about by reporting of positive changes and developments in politics and not just negative or cynical news stories. By covering events where the youth has helped in shaping the course of important political issues, the media can compel changes in the existing mindsets.
Our youth should be inspired by their American counterparts who have brought about a revolution in American politics by electing Barack Obama, a young Afro-American leader as America’s President. In fact, Internet and technology played a major role in influencing this historical event. Presidential debates were facilitated by means of sites like You Tube where the American youth were given a forum to address their concerns and queries to the Presidential candidates which proved to be a huge success.
Similarly, steps like facilitating voting via text messages or Internet can further help in engaging the youth. A big factor for Obama winning the elections was that his ideas and values gelled with the imagination and hopes of the youth. An organization like Youth Congress should invent ingenious ways to reignite the interest of youngsters and actively involve them in the country’s political process. It is said that ‘In every year of history one law has invariably proved its unchanging truth: youth will always triumph over age.’ This rhetoric can surely be turned into reality if the youth desires.
Akshuna Bakshi
Source: http://theviewspaper.net/youth-and-politics-divorced-forever/
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Why the educated youth must join politics... the hurdles... and why they need to lobby for a better judicial system to make their dream a reality...
Arindam Chaudhuri, Editor-in-chief, The Sunday Indian
In the backdrop of the Mumbai terror attacks, there has been a lot of talk about the need to go and vote... the need to elect the right government... the need for educated youth to come up and join politics and the need for a new political force that can bring about the real change. This topic is something that’s very close to my heart, as ever since I can remember, may be since I was eight years old or so, I remember my father always told me that it is not politics which is dirty, but the people in politics who have made it dirty; and that politics is the biggest service to a nation that one can think of; something that able and educated men with leadership skills should always think of keeping in the forefront of their ambition list. As a response to my workshops on the Great Indian Dream, as well as to my editorials – especially the ones criticising the government, and more especially the last two on the Mumbai blasts – many people have sent me messages: why criticise; why not try to be the change!
Yes, the truth is, I have personally always believed that politics is where the educated youth should be. Some of my published interviews, which date back to as early as 1997, stand testimony to the fact that I myself had wished to be a part of the political process sometime in my life – my students from the ‘94 batch at IIPM and onwards would vouch that that is the truth, because they have heard me say so time and again. What’s also the biggest truth is that, year after year, when my students come and ask me where should I want to see them fifteen years or so down the line, without an iota of doubt, this has always been my answer – in politics! And parents of our students who have heard me speak at the orientation programme at IIPM or at the convocation programmes at IIPM know that that has always been my advice for their children... for I know one of the biggest strengths at IIPM is our super combination of entrepreneurial and management education, along with sharp and incisive education in economics – some things our politicians have always lacked! Either our leaders have been great managers with no understanding of economics leading to disaster, or our leaders have been great economists with no clue about management and leadership, and, therefore, have spelt disaster. To me, one of the stories that unforgettably describe India’s tragedy is about ‘The mother of India who had two sons.’ One knew how to run (the country, that is) but went to fly and met his end; the other knew how to fly, but went to run and met his end. Symbolically, that has always been India’s problem – misallocation of resources and incapable leaders at the top; and that’s why I have always considered our students to be great resource material as future politicians of this country with the perfect mix of education – for management education doesn’t always mean only focusing on how to maximise private profits. That’s not to say others aren’t capable, but just because I am personally involved with teaching IIPM students, through them, I want to show my faith and passion in my belief in the role of youth in politics.
Well, having said how passionately I believe that the clean and educated youth in India should be a part of politics, I must also say that unfortunately, the government has created a system that is non-conducive for clean people to enter politics. It doesn’t allow the youth with the passion and education to just jump in and start making the change; because if they were to do so, they would only end up being disillusioned; or worse, a part of the corrupt system itself. It’s because elections in this country are neither fought with passions and policies nor with candlelight processions. Elections are fought by motorcycle brigades with guns in hand. The truth is that Indian politics is not fought with ideology, but with muscle power and ruthless rigging in the interiors. Indian politics is a hierarchy of criminals and goons. At the grassroots, a local MLA wins through a bunch of goons. On top of a few such MLAs sits the MP; and on top of such mostly criminal and corrupt MPs sits the Prime Minister. And that a man sitting as the Prime Minster could be a poet, a literary genius, who knows 17 languages or an economist, but the reality is that he sits there because his party has a hierarchy of criminals; and the stronger this criminalisation is at the grassroots level, the tougher it is to defeat them – West Bengal being a case in point. You can be a big leader – say an Uma Bharti – but the moment the system of criminalisation that you sit upon and win elections with is gone, you are reduced to a nonentity. Even a cosmopolitan state like Delhi has no place for educated, clean people. Only those who get key party tickets have won over the years.
Yet, we know – and should believe – that one day, the educated must take over this system... One day, the youth must come forward and make the difference... But before clean and honest youth can come forward, we need to give the youth the environment to fight on the basis of policies and passion and not on the basis of guns. And for that to happen, we need a very very strong and powerful judiciary that is alive and not paralysed... A very strong judicial system that stops criminalisation of daily life and weeds out the criminals from the system, and sees to it that criminals cannot fight elections or win them through rigging... and instills fear in the minds of the criminals through a quick process of justice! But surely, not the way it is today – a process of endless delays and inefficiencies! And these are issues we at TSI have been relentlessly lobbying for since our inception. The other option is, of course, a Constitutional change that brings about a Presidential system in India – again an issue we at TSI have lobbied for in the past – so that like in the USA, the Indian leadership can also be determined on the basis of debates and policies.
Until we can achieve either of the two, the need for educated and clean people to enter politics will unfortunately remain more of a slogan; for the environment is, I repeat, unfortunately not conducive for them to make any dent. Yet, I must say, they must not give up the hope. They must come forward and lobby for the right changes – and a strong judiciary is what should top their list and agenda. And if they keep their focus right, and fight for the correct causes, they will one day make the system conducive for the big change. I have personally always believed, “If you think you can, you are right!”… I am sure the time is not far when one amongst the educated and clean people will be bringing about change in this country... a change that we too can believe in... And at TSI, we will keep lobbying and doing our bit to make that change a reality.
Source: http://www.iipmthinktank.com/asp/editorial.asp?cdis=21/12/2008&pageno=1
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Concern for Varun Gandhi
Indian Youth express legendary figure, Varun Gandhi the youth iconic personality emerging budding star of Indian politics put under stringent calls of NSA by the Mayawati government in UP.His fan writes,”Varun is innocent. He is the youth icon of India. Political parties are unnecessarily spoiling his image and putting charges on him. I am against the NSA charges and other charges which are on Varun. He is the true voice of India. The youth is actually disheartened because of what all is happening to Varun. He should be released now.”
Varun Gandhi popularity can be gauged by the write-up and bloggers coloring unmatched ink for their youth icons and at every nook and corner people are expresing the Varun story expressing sympathy for the son of legendary family puttting him incinerator with vote catchers, few in process of dousing the contentious issue and filter the righteousness.
With youth forming the major
chunk in India’s population and internet in vogue the Varun Gandhi emerge hot spot in General Election 2009.He is scripted in Indian history on subject of emergency 1975 imposed at the nehest of his father by grandmother former premier,Varun is controversy of imposition of the NSA by the state government in election time on Sanjay Gandhi son in year 2009 adds another historical event which couldl change the political scenario in the country with youths coming out to vote for their ideal candidate in turn for their respective party candidates.
Nation likely to go for poll with more than 70 percent voters casting their vote with advertisement by NGO in print and electronic media along with government adds may help to achieve more percent in this year of poll feat appears accomplished for the democracy to have its deep roots.
Source: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/concern-for-varun-gandhi_100175355.html
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
politics and youth
Who's the most hated people in India (Bollywood sadistically makes remakes and re-remakes the movies which portrays this images….)?????ya u guessed it right: the netas (political leaders...99% of them actually) and policewalas (cops)…
But the white clad charismatic mr “cool” Rahul Gandhi is trying to lure youth to accept politics as another carrier opportunity…professional indeed.
He is right; politics is the best career option in a democratic country where the politicians enjoy benefits of autocracy…the king remains king even if the kingdom changes its name or the king becomes the leader of aam janta…only, instead of one king, we have thousands and more…
Check what Rahul said :
Source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMDkvMDEvMzEjQXIwMTIwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
to be clear, this blog dsn't support or hate any political party / movement in particular and intends to present a view what is prevailing among youth in India.
But the white clad charismatic mr “cool” Rahul Gandhi is trying to lure youth to accept politics as another carrier opportunity…professional indeed.
He is right; politics is the best career option in a democratic country where the politicians enjoy benefits of autocracy…the king remains king even if the kingdom changes its name or the king becomes the leader of aam janta…only, instead of one king, we have thousands and more…
Check what Rahul said :
Source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMDkvMDEvMzEjQXIwMTIwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
to be clear, this blog dsn't support or hate any political party / movement in particular and intends to present a view what is prevailing among youth in India.
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