Elections- Indian Democracy's Biggest Festival

It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse & democratic ethos, where 814 million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It's not merely a show, indeed a kind of biggest festival in India.  Citizens from all walks of life participate in this festival -Politicians, Business tycoons, cine industry professionals, sportsperson, government employees, union workers, merchants,  college students, daily wage workers, farmers and many other folks talk politics, talk developments, talk welfare, talk good governance, talk regional issues and talk religious priorities in this festive season.

This 16th Loksabha General elections is being scheduled in 09 phases whereas the last 15th loksabha elections was conducted in 05 phases. Election Commission (EC) of India, the supreme authoritative body created under the constitution  meticulously plan and schedule the electoral process bringing many central and state government employees, teachers, forces together for successful completion of this tedious exercise. EC is the one of the pillars of democracy which has been given enough power to perform its duties boldly and impartially.

Its challenges are immense, ensuring "model code of conduct" are adhered by the political parties, scheduling electoral dates, deploying paramilitary forces for smooth conduct of elections, training the lakhs of electoral polling and returning officers about Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) operations, special training to flying squads to prevent "cash for votes", even sending EVM  and electoral officers where hardly any vehicle reaches. Election Commission of India tried and adopted new policies to lure the voters and ensuring that all citizens exercise the franchise. Systematic Voters Education for Electoral Process (SVEEP) and None of the above (NOTA) option in EVM are some of the policies to be highly appreciated. It is even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of parties, manifestos, languages, all religions & cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving with the success of democracy.

Shyam Saran Negi and his wife who cast the first vote in the 1951 general election in India

Shyam Saran Negi who cast the first vote in the 1951 general election in India — the nation's first election since the end of the British Raj in 1947 (although the majority of the election took place in February 1952, residents of Himachal Pradesh were given the chance to vote five months early because of the probability that heavy snowfall would make it impossible for citizens to reach the polling stations). Negi has voted in every general election since 1951, and is believed to be India's oldest voter as well its first. EC projected him as the ambassador of the SVEEP program to attract more voters to pooling booth to exercise their franchise.

Ballot boxes being carried to remote terrains

The nation: where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism & Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the Dalai Lama & the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians, Syrians & many others have come to live; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister & the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the past President was also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year & is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class already, equal to the entire US population, by 2025;where its optimism & vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth & voting, despite all the incredible challenges & hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world. Where all of this is happening, is India and as greater than 1/10th of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to the entire World.

Electoral Campaign

 I was in this high octane filled election battle field in the newly formed "Telangana" state in support of my dynamic Chairman Shri.S.R.Reddy, contesting for Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Narayenpet Constituency, Mahabubnagar District, Telangana. (Formerly Andhra Pradesh). Two weeks in the electoral campaigning fray, I had chance to visit remotest hamlets of the country where my mobile phones even could not pick up the signals even in this so called mobile network era.

Amazed & Shocked :

Lambadi Tribal women in our campaign

Elections are the time, where you have the liberty to enter each and every house in India. Some people welcome with smile, listen our promises and manifestos. Some don't heed our words, just wait for us to leave their house. Being raised from a political background family back in Tamilnadu, I dint need any tutorials or corporate ice breaking sessions to melt and gel with common people. My pleasant smile and typical Namaste with folded hands was enough for me to be in the campaign fray. I spoke; I lectured; I discussed; I convinced; I argued at times to the citizens about developments and sustained livelihoods. At the end, they rightly guessed me  I'm not from their native place  and a lady even tutored me how to speak grammatical Telugu and corrected my speech.(Learning is always a pleasure for me)

Folk artist conveying the message

Electoral campaign was really amazing - Kids to grand old citizens actively taking part in the campaign, sporting different party symbols. Daily wage workers turned into seasonal party workers, youngsters on roads and streets urging for developments, folk artists dancing and singing in hamlets conveying the party messages, 3D shows screening party president speeches in nights, LED giant screens, contestants prerecorded voice call to the voters mobile phones pledging their promises, helicopters flying to tier - II and tier -III cities only during elections, all these were really fascinating.

Ms. Shreeja Reddy - Future leader in checked shirt and jeans

I literally need to commend the involvement of youngsters in this electoral festival right from New Delhi to small hamlets. The credit to lure young educated voters goes to BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Modi & Aam Aadmi Party at large. I had happened to spend some days with a team of youth volunteers leaded by young and confident small town girl - Miss. Shreeja Reddy in Narayenpet. I find a potential leader in her in the very near future. Raised in a small village, she clearly understood, what her constituency needs the most and explained to each and every voter, and only an educated and visionary like our Chairman can bring the real developments in her constituency. Her clear and conscious speech attracted the crowds.

Dancing to the tunes of TDP music

 It was indeed a festival to many lower and lower middle income people, as they have been brought up by the parties with mind set of getting free lunch, Rs.200/- daily allowance and usually the day ends with serving free alcohol at night till the polling date.

Touring small hamlets, villages, tribal settlements braving the scorching sun with team of youth village volunteers headed by Ms.Shreeja Reddy was an eye opener to me to the real and contrast rural backdrop of socially and economically backward Telangana state. I was flabbergasted on witnessing the helms of their life. Poor civic infrastructure, terrible roads, lack of frequent bus facility – they largely depend on small tempos and autos, appalling living conditions in some hamlets really touched me. Being a public health expert specialized in community health; I even rendered on the spot medical consultation and therapeutic advices to some chronically ill patients. 

My election lesson

Who will bring my pots of prosperity for the next five years?!!

When there a political turmoil of slogans and bizarre sound speakers on streets, I found a calm and composed old women in her 90’s silently spinning the yarn in the famous Gandhi’s spinning wheel in her 100 year old ancestral house. Impressed by her stature, I tried to strike a conversation with her. Her fine wrinkles on her face depicted thousand tales of democracy. She smiled at me and raised her hands and said “ma vottu cycle gorthuke babu” (My vote is for cycle symbol – TDP election symbol) and went back to her work of spinning the wheel. On other day, I found another old lady making earthen pots in her potter wheel. Attracted by the political campaigns, she gracefully turned to her side and watched us. With earthen pots and potter wheels by her side, deep in her mind, she might be thinking of the leader who is going to wheel her country future for the next five years and bring pots of prosperity among them. 

With the general election for 16^th lok sabha coming to an end, I look forward for the policies of real representation, participation and empowerment among the elected politicians to the parliament and assembly.  Finally, one of the biggest challenges for the new government will be to stop the soaring price rise of essential commodities, universal access to quality health, ensuring compulsory education for all children below the age of 14, instill a sense of security among the people and more importantly making our Incredible India a safest place for women to live…

Jai Hind….