My Right to Expression
Hypocrisy and double-standards in each and every a form is displeasing. So is ignorance. The latter could even be unacceptable to some. This minority might just include me.
The Times Of India’s special ‘Crest’ edition had printed a rather intriguing article in its Republic Day week issue. One titled or rather questioning the masses – Have We Failed Our Founding Fathers? I wish to take this issue forward. I wish to question the HUGE populace of our democratic secular nation if they have it in them to stand up answer the reporter who wrote that article.
Several years ago, one non-discrete TV channel took a survey in several parts of Mumbai asking people to sing the National Anthem. It was Independence Day and the people were enjoying this public holiday – shopping, eating out, meeting loved ones and so on. As part of the survey, over 80 people of varying age groups were presented with the same question. Shockingly only one 12yr old girl who knew our National Anthem – start to end! I’m glad the TV crew didn’t bother asking people who wrote the anthem, for it would have been a sheer embarrassment. Is it the job of our education system or our homes to inculcate values such as these? With the negligence of these basic virtues, have we not failed our Founding Fathers?
As citizens of the most diverse secular democratic country, we enjoy all the Rights gifted to us by our glorious Constitution. If ever one of these basic Rights were to be suppressed or challenged, our people will be up in arms – the media will blow-up the issue all over the place – our rights to freedoms will be questioned. How many of these people even know the pledge we are to take as citizens of this free country. The Indian National Pledge is supposed to be an oath of allegiance to the Republic of India. Again, have we not failed our Founding Fathers here?
I wish to stay with the discussion centered about the largest Constitution in the world. Two electoral polls took place last year. The very basis and foundation of our democratic country, the Parliamentary Elections is the one opportunity where each and every citizen has a fundamental right and role to play in the governance of their India. This opportunity comes but once every five years. Now, one would think the people would be await this one chance - look forward to this little bit he/she can do for their country. It is a privilege that one would ‘ideally’ take pride in. But the cynicism from the masses with this regard is disgustingly unbelievable. Our people will spend their time and money participating in some nonsense dancing/singing/bull-shitting competition’s voting for the contestants polls, but will not take out 15min every 5 years of their precious lives to participate in Electoral Polls. Cursing the system, the governing bodies and the good-for-nothing bureaucrats our people look forward to staying away from polling stations and would rather enjoy a public holiday. Sadly, it is the educated middle-aged group that constitutes the largest percentage of this population. This shameless indifferent lot even have it in them to justify their not voting. What they fail to realize is that by not voting they encourage all the evils that they have a problem against. The fundamental Right to Vote is a joke for these people.
I question people such as these, who take their freedom for granted, kill the idea of our democracy, encourage all the evil that is in our system today and in turn threaten our own country – do you not realize that you will remain indifferent to the governance and working of our system and nation even when you are old, and that your indifference will flow into the generation to follow you? That it is actually you who is responsible for all the wrong you can see around you? That you are and always will be a part of this cycle, like it or not / accept it or not?
Think of what I have said here. Question yourself over your past, present and what you wish to be your future. Then speak up to that one reporter who believes we have failed our Founding Fathers.
The Times Of India’s special ‘Crest’ edition had printed a rather intriguing article in its Republic Day week issue. One titled or rather questioning the masses – Have We Failed Our Founding Fathers? I wish to take this issue forward. I wish to question the HUGE populace of our democratic secular nation if they have it in them to stand up answer the reporter who wrote that article.
Several years ago, one non-discrete TV channel took a survey in several parts of Mumbai asking people to sing the National Anthem. It was Independence Day and the people were enjoying this public holiday – shopping, eating out, meeting loved ones and so on. As part of the survey, over 80 people of varying age groups were presented with the same question. Shockingly only one 12yr old girl who knew our National Anthem – start to end! I’m glad the TV crew didn’t bother asking people who wrote the anthem, for it would have been a sheer embarrassment. Is it the job of our education system or our homes to inculcate values such as these? With the negligence of these basic virtues, have we not failed our Founding Fathers?
As citizens of the most diverse secular democratic country, we enjoy all the Rights gifted to us by our glorious Constitution. If ever one of these basic Rights were to be suppressed or challenged, our people will be up in arms – the media will blow-up the issue all over the place – our rights to freedoms will be questioned. How many of these people even know the pledge we are to take as citizens of this free country. The Indian National Pledge is supposed to be an oath of allegiance to the Republic of India. Again, have we not failed our Founding Fathers here?
I wish to stay with the discussion centered about the largest Constitution in the world. Two electoral polls took place last year. The very basis and foundation of our democratic country, the Parliamentary Elections is the one opportunity where each and every citizen has a fundamental right and role to play in the governance of their India. This opportunity comes but once every five years. Now, one would think the people would be await this one chance - look forward to this little bit he/she can do for their country. It is a privilege that one would ‘ideally’ take pride in. But the cynicism from the masses with this regard is disgustingly unbelievable. Our people will spend their time and money participating in some nonsense dancing/singing/bull-shitting competition’s voting for the contestants polls, but will not take out 15min every 5 years of their precious lives to participate in Electoral Polls. Cursing the system, the governing bodies and the good-for-nothing bureaucrats our people look forward to staying away from polling stations and would rather enjoy a public holiday. Sadly, it is the educated middle-aged group that constitutes the largest percentage of this population. This shameless indifferent lot even have it in them to justify their not voting. What they fail to realize is that by not voting they encourage all the evils that they have a problem against. The fundamental Right to Vote is a joke for these people.
I question people such as these, who take their freedom for granted, kill the idea of our democracy, encourage all the evil that is in our system today and in turn threaten our own country – do you not realize that you will remain indifferent to the governance and working of our system and nation even when you are old, and that your indifference will flow into the generation to follow you? That it is actually you who is responsible for all the wrong you can see around you? That you are and always will be a part of this cycle, like it or not / accept it or not?
Think of what I have said here. Question yourself over your past, present and what you wish to be your future. Then speak up to that one reporter who believes we have failed our Founding Fathers.
yup i did forget our national pledge..i dont know how many people are even aware there is a national pledge
ReplyDeleteindia is my country...all indians are my brothers and sisters...i kinda forget whats next..
ReplyDeleteBut as for the vote thing... I have a different opinion... Fundamental Rights are supposed to be governed with a 1000 rules and restrictions around them. My family has been trying to get our voting cards done for years now...and everytime there is a new document required... and those officials would never tell then entire list together... With such nonsense..i would rather not.!! Better we have a boycott of EVEN ONE election..every commission and office would then straighten up.
that is what PIL are for.. that is why there is an RTI.. besides.. at the time of the last elections, many of my friends n I got ourselves registered.. it is not as difficult as it may seem.. the list of documents is rather short and is very clearly specified..
ReplyDelete