Confession of a Whimsical Mind

I am a person of whims. Yes! that would be the best way to describe me, a person who is influenced by anything that gets his blood flowing. Recently, I have managed to get on at another whim and its writing. Yes, writing a very subtle, powerful, emotive and a beautiful art is what I wish to do currently. I started searching on the All Mighty "Google baba" for some tips on how to become a writer. What was said and written sounded not that difficult and perhaps if disciplined and motivated enough I could actually try them all and who knows in an year's time I might just be able to write something great. But as I mentioned earlier I am whimsical, I have a tendency to act according to my heart which might just lead me astray for this recent whim of writing I am on.

I have great respect for writers even if they are of the kind of Chetan Bhagat but still great respect for them. These guys have the ability to move people, fill them with emotions and inspire them with just their words. The old adage of "Pen over Swords" aptly describes their power. I mean look down the path of history and every major part or incident of it has involved someone's words. From the four Vedas that is the philosophical groundwork of one of the world's largest religions to thoughts of Confucius one of humanity's greatest thinkers. From Jean Jacques Rousseau's inspiring words that led to the French Revolution to the Philosophical quest of Sartre and co. all of them used their skill of writing to shape the thoughts and morals of humanity. They sought to make this earth a better a place through putting their thoughts to paper, so that our souls could be moved.

Then let's this piece be a tribute and a token of appreciation to all those people for whom writing was not just a whim but a passion, a life long love and a quest to help us see our world in a better way. These people who sat up all night gobbling cups after cups of coffee, who have inspired generation after generation of writers, who unlike me had the discipline and the courage to reach out to the world they are the real heroes of our world who through their imagination have helped us dream, think, celebrate and realise the meaning of life. Lets not forget here the contribution of the Gutenberg fellow I mean if he weren't there how on Earth could all these beautiful writers ever reach us?  

Why voting once in five years isn't enough?

As the sun will rise over the horizon of this country tomorrow morning electorates in some 91 constituencies will head out of their houses in order to cast the precious vote that was bestowed upon them by the forefathers of our ever so beautiful country. Many will vote with the hope that this time their vote will do what it really should, that is, better their lives while some will be confused till the very last seconds on who to vote if to vote at all yet more will be voting based on their identity first and issues later but they will all go out, in celebration of democracy. In the run up to these elections the country has bombarded with campaigns by diverse interest on how people should vote and do their first most duty as the citizen of India but I ask today does but voting tomorrow I would have fulfilled my responsibilities as a "citizen" of India? Will it ensure that the candidate that I have chosen will perform his duties with the good intentions and faith that I have bestowed unto him?

The candidates though morally obliged to fulfill their promises will seldom do so, instead as we have seen they use it as an opportunity to extract and exploit as much from the system as they can to further their vested business interests and those of their backers. In such a scenario the disincentive of being thrown out of office after five years just doesn't seem enough for them to make them work. As a citizen, in order to have a robust democracy it is necessary then that I have the power to recall or cancel the candidature of the candidate voted by me if he is found to be lacking in his duties after a stipulated time frame, the Right to Recall will help us in better exercising our true duties and responsibilities as a citizen. Such electoral reforms will alter the landscape of politics in India, finally giving the power to the citizens as well as making politicians much more accountable. 

What such a reform will also ensure is that local issues, local development and local needs be given greater importance and emphasis during election and after it. Realistically speaking I don't see such a reform taking place in Indian polity any time soon and till it occurs we have to depend the moral fiber of our candidates to fulfill their responsibilities. Tomorrow, make sure that you vote or not vote (NOTA) at least you give a clear message to your candidate that this country will not entertain short-sightedness in policies, in decision-making and in development no more and that caste, religion etc. have no place in the future or politics of the country. Hope you will vote sensibly and INDEPENDENTLY.