Come, let's build this great nation!

My dear friends,

I know most of you who read this note are in the age group 18-35 years. Nevertheless all Indians can read this. Friends, we have a herculean task in hand - building this great nation. So come, let's build this great nation!

How long should we keep lamenting the poor performances of successive governments? Why don't we take greater interest in throwing away a bad government by casting our votes without fail? Don't we wait patiently to buy tickets for a movie? Don't we wait patiently for food that we order in the restaurants? Then why not wait patiently in a queue to vote for a suitable candidate? Come, let's build this great nation!

Now, don't say all politicians are unfit to be elected, and so there is no use casting vote. There are people and there are governments which have performed well, more so in the recent past. Surprising right? It is true. Now, Ill not get into details about people and governments who have done well, for I fear that would divert the course of the discussion intended. So come, let's build this great nation!

Though we have a not-so-good political culture, (which I am sure would improve in the years to come) we have one of the best electoral processes and civil liberties when compared to other countries. India is one of the few countries which gave voting rights to all its citizens. So why not use it effectively? So come, let's build this great nation!

The earth's population was about 7.046 billion in 2012. With growth rate of 1.5%, India alone contributes 17% of world's population. It is predicted that by the year 2030, India would surpass China's population and we would be the most populous country in the world. With so many skilled, industrious labors why should India have problems on various fronts? This also means, if population is not managed effectively, it would turn be a big liability. So isn't our duty to be a part of India's growth story? So come, let's build this great nation!

Now let’s talk about our GDP growth. GDP growth in 2012 was estimated to be just 3.2%. Why are we still not able to cross a double digit growth rate? We need more economic reforms and a boost to infrastructure development to accelerate growth. So come, let's build this great nation!

As per the World Bank reports, 32.7% of Indian population still suffer from poverty. Why have we not been able to bring down this figure to a single digit even after 66 years of independence? This in turn needs an elaborate discussion on economic and political policies. So, shouldn't we need to send the right Netas to the Vidhan Sabhas and Sansad? So come, let's build this great nation!

60 years is a long time in a human's life and that's why people retire at this age. But for a nation, that's too complex like India, 60 years time of parliamentary democracy is too less. She has a very long way to travel, and that requires the co-operation of all her citizens. So come, let's build this great nation!

Friends, this note on facebook is not written for earning likes. This was written by a concerned citizen of a great nation, to tell you all that elections are round the corner; we all must get ready to discharge our duties as responsible citizens. SO PLEASE DO VOTE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. If you do not possess a voter's ID, please do apply for it and ensure you obtain one. Do not blame the process for not giving one; it is your duty to get one. Come, let's build this great nation!

Voting in elections is not just your right; it is your duty as well!

Let me throw out a question to all of you out here. How many of you are promising me that you would definitely vote in the upcoming election and in the years to come?

Please spread the news if possible!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!!

Thanks,
Srikrishnan S

Our prayers to Bharat Matha

Our Motherland Bharat, India, the ‘United States of India’ (as I would love to call it) celebrates her 65^th Independence Day tomorrow. Who am I, to write about India on the eve of the Independence Day? The President? Certainly not! Just a concerned citizen! But here in India, every concerned citizen is a President on his own. It is just that we people are not aware of our strengths.

India is a developing nation, that’s right. But for how long have we been carrying the same label? For the past 65 years! We are definitely on the track of progress and development, but we need to ask ourselves this question- "How steady is our growth?". What is hindering the growth in our country? The reasons seem to be many.

Corruption is undoubtedly a major cause. Anti-corruption movements have gained momentum, only because the citizens are fed up with all pervasive corruption. It was the JP movement in 1975 and the Anna Movement now. Such movements are a sign of health democracy; but they cannot go to the extent of running a parallel government. There is a section of people, who are against corruption and support these movements, yet another group against both corruption and these movements. The corrupt group obviously is not against corruption, but the problem is with the section of people who are against it, but divided on the issue. It has therefore become very difficult to reach a consensus, and it is due to this reason that the Jan Lok Pal bill has never been passed by the parliament though it has been tabled 9 times. (In the years 1968, 1974, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2011)

I personally feel that such a bill is not required, if only we choose the right candidates during the elections. When the top order is corrupt, the lowest order is also corrupt; it follows the waterfall model. People who accept cash during the election time for voting for a candidature do not have moral rights to speak on corruption. The argument that it is only the tax payers’ money that is being given back to us in the form of bribe is absolutely invalid. Never accept bribe for voting! Never abstain from voting!

They say India was the richest nation once. I would say it is still the richest nation; just that so much of money is stashed abroad illegally. Perhaps, they don’t realize the fact that black money wouldn’t accompany them to the grave. It is wrong to blame the politicians alone. Our favourite film stars also do that, and we continue to admire them extremely stupidly. Remember, you can admire any artist for his immense talents, but we never know how pious they are in public life.

The members of the principle opposition party in the Parliament have given in writing, a declaration to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, that they do not possess any illegal accounts outside India. It’s a welcome step; I just hope every word in that declaration is true, or else it’s nothing short of an ‘unkindest’ cut.

The national mood today is that of anger and frustration. I hope things change soon, but it is impossible without our contribution as citizens. On this day, let us take few resolutions. Let us improve our political wisdom, rightly choose the candidates in the elections, and vote without fail. Let us strive hard to see a superpower India.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

भारत माता की जय!! 

Inspiring Indians

“Inspiring Indians” – this should have been the title of my first blog! Anyways, even now it is not late.

Being an Indian is something really great! Indians have reached great heights in almost all fields and it feels very nice to type that here. A democratic and a secular country, one of the fastest growing economies, and above all, the country with so many people to encourage and inspire the present generation!

Here, I would just like to mention about a few people who have inspired me in many ways. So, here we go….

1. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Simplicity, humble in thought and noble in action! I am very particular on listening to his speeches, especially to the student community. “Rameshwaram to Rashtrapathi Bhavan” – a must read biography! Who would forget his words – “Dream dream and dream and make your dreams come true!” Salutes!

2. Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar

An Indian then a poet or a poet then an Indian? Ask this to him. Even he would not know the correct answer. (And this has become the topic for most of the Tamil debates…) “I know what I do is right, it is all for mother India”, his typical words. Even after 88 years of his death, he lives in everyone’s heart. Salutes!

3. Mr. Narendra Modi

Longest serving chief minister of Gujarat, Mr. Modi is also the best chief minister among all CMs of India. Indeed a role model for other politicians. His views on compulsory voting in elections, non-free electricity for farmers etc. are fantastic. I love the way he addresses his opponents. Salutes!

4. Dr. R.D.Sharma

Most of the engineering students forget his name after stepping into college. But for sure, they would have used his unmatched books on Mathematics in school life. I have not even seen his face on a photo, but I can tell you, this maths genius’ way of presenting different concepts on different topics is too good. I just loved the problems from his text book. It would be incomplete, if I do not mention his qualification for you to know – B.Sc. (Honors) (Gold Medalist), M.Sc. (Gold Medalist), Ph.D.!!!! Salutes!

5. Bagavath Ramanujar

A great philosopher, teacher, scholar, therapist and what not! For winning over the previous vedantha philosophies namely the Dwaita and the Adwaita to produce the third one with special qualities of both and removing the errors from them and composing the Bhashyam for “Visishta” Advaitham! The best role model for any man on this earth! Salutes!

P.S. :- Though the personalities have been listen from 1 to 5, I give equal respect and seek inspiration from everyone to the same extent !

Wishing all a very happy new year! Wishing to see India in great heights this year! Jai Hind!

- ∫.∫rikrishnan