Election 2014 – A Political Revolution

It was half past 11 in the cold night, few days back, when one of my friends called me up from the Netherlands  and said  sorry for calling very late and told that “Yaar, I am coming back to India this March, I want to know, how can I get a voter ID for me and my wife? What is the procedure? How long it takes to get the delivery? Will I be able to vote in this election?”

I said “wait, wait, wait…” rubbing my eyes, “What happened all of a sudden to you Shree? You never bothered to think about upliftment of this country and you had a list of complaints starting from individual to the system. “

Shree picked the speed “No, man I want to cast my vote this time without fail. Yes, I was hopeless about the system earlier but now, I could see possibilities of change in the paradigm.” “I know for sure that Narendra Modi will do something for this country as he developed the Gujarat”. “You just tell me what I have to do to get the voter ID.” Taking a sigh he said, “You know? Three of my colleagues here in NL are taking a month vacation during the general elections and coming to India and render their service to increase the voter turn during election”.

I said “Good!”, “Yes, you can get the voter ID. First, you come to India and give me a call. I will guide you. It is late here buddy, we will talk sometime later. Bye!”

I could not get sleep for a while. I was thinking about Shree. I was surprise that such a reluctant person like him is talking about the elections and importance of voting! But it is quite evident that the coming general elections in India has touched everyone’s conscience and shaken their depressive mindset about politics here. They started realizing the potential laying there in waiting, for someone to take lead.

Coming 2014 general election is relatively different in more than one way, compared to all other elections happened till date in Indian Republic. This election is not a usual procedure of democracy rather it has picked the momentum and has turned into a mass political revolution, which is going to happen on democratic terms.

Revolution need not be violent; it can be in democratic and peaceful. It is the message only Indian can give and Indians will Pioneer it once again in 21^st century world.

We have seen the revolutionary movements in the Middle East countries in the recent past. like in Egypt, Syria, etc. All of them were the revolutions of blood and Iron. They could not achieve more out of it than the bloodshed.

Even in India several apolitical movements (small and big) took place, considering rapid corruption in to account in the past 2-3 years. All of these movements were peaceful. They tried to mobilize the youth and convert their anger and anguish into a mass movement. However, they did not yield the anticipated results. People tried to make the Gate of India a Taharir Square of India. But, the government has dismissed such efforts. The leaders of these movements have taken different paths leaving the hope and objectives of many people in the mid way.

One group took decision to form a political party and get into politics to clean it. But, was it necessary to form a new political party one among the several already existing? Especially when the opinions are forming against ruling party (into one side), was there a necessity to have another party to divide the people again. It is not the matter of justification rather a matter of relevance and collective fight. Just think, what is an achievement out of this move? It is just an example of waywardness.

One of the good things happened out of recent social movements is that they formed a social mood and made people and rulers accountable in their respective constitutional role and responsibility. However they failed to provide a logical end to it.

The failure of social movements put people into confusion and left with a question “what’s next?”  on one hand, where as made political parties to think over cleaning their image and allow more and more public participation into their decision making on the other hand. 

There are several other important points contributed to political purification, such as rampant corruption cases against the ruling party government, social demoralization, mass loot of wealth and natural resources, increasing land mafia and cultivated land encroachment by government, uncontrolled inflation, lack of social security, corruption, unemployment, foreign infiltration, etc… 

The people, especially the youth started thinking that, how we are going to survive as dignified self-sustained country for a long run? Slowly they realized that it is they who have to do something about it to correct it.  But, did not get clear idea that what to do? where to start? whom to give the responsibility to lead? in such a critical situation, where another single wrong step would lead to anything like anarchy or dictatorship or losing everything we own as a nation. Naturally, the leadership cannot be in the inexperienced and one side thinkers, like bollywood movie lead actors and even cannot be in the hands of shameless looters and their durbaris (supporters/allies).

We always blamed our youth for being lazy and not taking charge of correcting things around in society in small and in system in large. We believed that nothing in this country is going to change. But, now the youth got the beat of the heart of the system. They got to know that only by cleaning the Parliament we can make some impact. To clean the parliament we need to send the right candidates there. They comprehended that they cannot influence the candidate selection in any party. Then only way out is, look at the top leadership of the party and their track record and delivery of their promises.

After national brainstorming for a year or so, a name came that is of Gujarat chief minister, Shree Narendra Modi.

Initially, the name has been suggested by the Yoga Guru Swamy Ramdevji, a crusader of black money and system reform movement. Modi has been blessed by more than thousand sant-sanyasis in a big ceremony. Later after several days discussion even the Bharatiy Janata Party (BJP) also consented his name. Since then the national mood has changed. People started considering 2014 election as the last battle of their Life, they are going to fight for good governance.

There were only three topics of any youth talks across India, one used to be cricket then bollywood and general things (like boy-girl). Now, the topic of 2014 election and especially about Modi have sidelined all other lose talks. Take it from the Gangubai to Gnyaneshwar everybody talks of Modi and Gujarat development. The huge crowd at Modi's public addresses witness tip of the iceberg.

It’s not only the urban even the villages are not left untouched with NaMo mantra. The road side holdings, posters are witnessing this.  The public gatherings and ceremonies conducted by apolitical groups in spreading Modi mantra attracting huge masses. In a unique development, lot of seminars, debates, discussions happening across India on several topics from bad governance to good governance, economics to taxation, agriculture to land encroachment, fighting poverty to development model. These groups of volunteers are spreading the accrued knowledge to the common man. The national days, the birth days of freedom fighters and national heroes are being converted as the tools to infuse the nationalism and national pride. At the end they do not forget to emphasize on how their single vote could change the fate of India.

Many youths have taken long leaves or taking breaks only for 2014 elections. It’s not in fascination but, with full conviction. Many of them are travelling the countryside to spread the importance of their voting, who is Narendra Modi and what are his achievements and why to vote him?

Indian youth were never useless rather they are used less or miss used. They got education but, deprived from ancient knowledge and wisdom. That’s one of the root causes of today’s miserable condition of India. They have realized their national responsibility and without setting a proper development oriented government in place, their life of prosperity is an illusion. Salute to all such youth.

There is a saying that there will be 3 stages in correcting any problem, so is in national perspective. It says, if a problem has emerged recently, you can stop it by engaging little energy, money and time. If the problem is existing from several years and still you have any opportunity to correct it with little extra effort, little extra energy and little more time and money (even could be a loss of life of few people), then it means the situation is still under control. But, if the problem is there in the third stage, then there is no guarantee that we could stop, save or resolve it even by giving our entire time, money, effort and national wealth and our life. We are in the second stage, we still have a say and space to set things right. We believers of democracy still posses the power to send out the vested interests in system and make place for right people there. 

Modi’s name was not handpicked through a lottery for the prime ministerial candidature. He rendred his service for more than 30 years for Sangh and Party. He walked the tough roads from 2002 riots to several other cases. He never gave up. These road blocks did not stop him from his commitment to service. 

His contribution to Gujarat state in building the infrastructure, providing 24/7 electricity even to the remote villages, giving enough electricity to the farmers, water conservation efforts, drinking water supply to more than 4,000 more villages of the drought prone areas, converting 35 lakh hector barren land into cultivatable land, joining many small rivers to the Narmada river, construction of 1,20,000 check dams, e-governance, health benefits to the last man though e-mamata and chirajeevi schemes, educational reforms and several other development plans and schemes and their proper implementation and on ground results have made him the man of promises and man of action.

With his delivery on promises made place for him in every common man’s heart. He touched every section of country, every class of society, every age group. My mother, though she doesn’t understand intricacies of politics, keep asking me about 'Modi’s rallies and what he said in his speech? What people are telling about him?' And ask me, 'what I am doing for it?' Today, not only he has fan following from length and breadth of this country, but, he has loving hearts and praying souls.

Modi is the most searched politician on Google in 2013 leaving US president Barak Obama to the second place. It shows Modi is in talks all over the world. It shows that he has fans and supporters even outside India. I was surprised to see (like me many Indians watching the match) during the recent India-New Zealand match, one side of the stadium was fully filled with Modi supporters. They were wearing Modi T-shirts, holding his posters and banners shouting “Modi…Modi…”. With that anyone could understand the popularity of NaMo. If you do things right, what you are supposed to do, (though you are not doing any extra things) definitely people appreciate it and it in turn attracts name and fame. Modi is an example for it.

Modi is a true nationalist. It is being confirmed through his public addresses and subjects he speaks about. He throws light on several un-discussed topics.

Recently he made a statement which drawn everyone’s attention. He said “If a daughter is born, plant five trees along your farm and when she is grown up you can sell the timber to fund her wedding”. What a thought. Only a person like him can think of it. He knows that India is a major importer of timber. It costs more in India than in US. So, it is beneficial both ways to the house hold and to nation.

He is clear about his development strategy. He has a model for growth. His recent "Rainbow of Hope" drew everybody’s attention. It consists Family Culture, Agriculture, Women Empowerment, Natural Resources, Youth Power, Democracy, and Knowledge. He says we have to give importance to these seven points and strengthen them for our prosperity, then we can not only survive but, lead the world.

He talked about 5T strategy to brand Indian development. Technology, Tourism, Talent, Tradition, Trade. He said Terrorism divides where as Tourism unites. We need to take help of talent and technology to improve trade. We have to nurture our tradition for the next generation.

He has his footprint even on social media. He has more than 90 lakh followers on FaceBook and lakhs of followers even on Twitter and other online mediums.

His unique way of involving people across country through a program called "Chay Pe Charcha" has drawn everyone's attention. People are participating with lot of enthusiasm in such these events and suggesting their points".

It is the first election in independent Indian history when a prime ministerial candidate through his party giving a clear picture for growth. It the first time we are talking beyond appeasement assurances. It is the first time we are talking beyond Roti-Kapada-Makan, It is the first time we are talking beyond garibi hatavo!, It is the first time we are talking about the model of national security in public domain, It is the first time we are talking about inclusive prosperity. It is the first time we are talking about development oriented topics. 

But, sad part is other political parties still talk in terms of divisive politics. Good thing is people have realized the fundamental difference between parties and they have made their mind clear which way to go and whom to elect. 

Don’t say if we miss this time..!!??, we cannot afford to miss it.

Again I would like to emphasize on the point that 2014 election is a revolution in more than one way. As every revolution has a lead revolutionary, 2014 political revolution is known for Narendra Modi. 

NaMo is everywhere in talks, hearts and prayers. If we all together succeed in converting our love, compassion and patriotism towards Mother India and Narendra Modi into tangible votes then there is nothing precious gift we could give them both.

Jay Hind!

-          -- K. Kalyan