In a democracy, every
five years, a big national exercise of elections happen. It is the
integral part and basis of any democracy. The campaign which various
political parties run are different and based on different points
like poverty alleviation, corruption, growth and last but not the
least religion. We as intellectuals do think of growth and end of
corruption as prime winning factors. But with the advent of media and
religious organizations, the narrative is changed to religion and
opposition bashing.
No time in history, media was so much
consumed by humans as it is now. Media is business and thinks of
profits before it thinks good for the common man. Its not their
fault, its a survival instinct. Its a human nature to inculcate
whatever is being run on media. So what do we do? The real tact is to
get facts and not the interpretation of that topic. Facts also have
to be from authentic and credible sources (statistics department) and
not third parties like whats app.
So, what are the topics we are concerned about.
- Growth- In 2017, India grew at 6.6% GDP growth rate. DO you thinks its good enough. Do you think Modi government has fulfilled its promises. This is the point you decide...
- Unemployment- Labour bureau (2015-2016) shows rate of unemployment at 3.6%. But the devil lies in the detail. Unemployment rate between age of 15 to 29 years in 10.3%. Also people with graduate and post graduate degrees, UR is 13.7% and 12.5%. Has enough jobs been created. You decide …
- Farming distress- India is a agrarian nation. Two successive droughts in 2014 and 2015 have broken backbone of agricultural economy. The agricultural commodity prices have fallen in due course of time. Farmers are committing suicides due to financial non-viability. Farmers had been rescued by temporary fixations like loan waiver. But who will resolve this mess. You decide.
- Health expenditure- In India GDP expenditure on health stood to be 1.02% in 2010-2015 period. USA clocked at 8.5% of GDP in these terms. Ayushmann scheme has been launched. Similar schemes had been launched previously also. Do we need more money in this sector. You decide.
- Education expenditure- This has dropped to 2.4 % in 2015-2016 period from 3.1% in 2012-2013 period. New IITs and IIMs are being announced. But the quality of research is seriously lacking in India. You decide ….
- Infrastructure growth- Infrastructure growth has been lowest in three years at 4.2% in 2017-2018 period. Is Mr Nitin Gadkari doing enough. You decide.
- Institutions of democracy- RBI governor resigns. CBI's top 2 officials sent on compulsory leave on charges of corruption. The media is threatened and intimidated for talking against government. Independence of such institutions is important for the stability of democracy. You decide.
- Demonetization- What are the achievements of it. What were the implications of it. Why has the government not clearly stated has it achieved whatever it intended to achieve, in this painful and arduous exercise.
- GST- Many feared inflation would rise with GST. Fortunately it Inflation was under control. India became one big market with more businesses coming under tax bracket. But GST is still in trouble due to its lack of compliance and cumbersome registration.Mind you, there are many other factors like Rafale deal, crony capitalism and banking NPA mess etc.
But what are the topics we really don't
bother but are thrust upon us-
- False Nationalism- People should say Vande Mataram or else they are certified as Anti-national. JNU students are anti-national because they have questioned the government on its policies. If they have made anti-national slogans in JNU, why has there been no charge sheet put up against them yet ? Does this really matter for the well being of a common man.
- Ram mandir- Babri masjid was demolished on the so called assumption of being a Ram temple beneath. There has been no credible fact about the presence of Ram mandir over there. Why the narrative of Ram mandir has been upheld by all Right wing parties like BJP and shiv sena just before 2019 elections.
- Fake news- Defamation of Gandhi family, Surveillance chip in new notes, Urban Naxal and Love Jihad are all news framed to cover up the main issues like unemployment and corruption.
- Cow vigilantism- All North sates have to ban beef. But BJP ruled Goa and meghalaya can continue to eat beef as before. Gau rakshaks ransack and lynch people on suspicion of cow killings. These double standards and mobocracy. Should we be really worried about cow killings are mob lynchings.
Please understand that we need to stick
to basics. We need to ask the topics which concern us and not the
topics which the media shows we should be concerned with.
So next time a candidate comes to ask
for voting, ask him the following things. Ask him/her weather he has
fulfilled the promises done by him/her. Know your candidate and
question him. Democracy has explained as by the people, and we need
to make it true.
Give vote to whom you think is fit and
capable enough. But don't refrain from asking questions. Stop
accepting the false narrative. Stick to basics.
Thank you
Dr Arvind Vatkar.
