INDIAN BUREAUCRACY / DEMOCRACY

I remember on how as a school student I used to know "The Preamble" of the Indian constitution by heart and on how as an answer to every question posed about my Country, I would go on to say, India is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic! I remember on how parents and teachers explained with immense joy and pride the meaning of each of these terms so that we grow up falling in love with every aspect of this country. As citizens, we are highly educated about the democracy and secularism of the country and we hold our heads high while telling a friend from an other Nation on how "India" stands out, and on how we are run by the people, for the people and are allowed to follow the religion of our choice and on how republic the country is.

Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, young or old, forward caste or scheduled tribe, male or female, high powered industrialist or one amongst the many in the slums - there is just one commitment from the Nation that has bound all the people of the country who are otherwise divided on a few aspects - Democracy.

If it is this Democracy that gives the citizens a choice to choose their professions, contribute ideas to the society they live in, choose their partners, elect the leaders and design their lives, it is the same Democracy that lets a criminal record holder contest and win an election, let a politician's son rape at ease, project that the power of a densely populated candle march or a silent protest is almost nil, the system of reservation being made a joke or lends no ears to the views of its citizens.

Whilst it is with immense pride that Indians carry the tag of being one of the most diverse and multi-cultural people on the planet, this diversity has in store its set of problems that takes the country backwards. Today, what we see in the country is politics of identity. Politicians are no longer leaders. Communal and regional sentiments are what are being used as a key by the ruthless politicians to run their states. This is creating more rifts between the diverse groups. Racism and castes are surprisingly still prevalent in some societies. People say, the Youth of tomorrow can only redefine the current state in the country. There is a firm belief that Young Guns can gun down the bad and the evil and create a friendly and happiness and knowledge enriched Nation.

Every article cribs about "Youth for Democracy". From the time films like Rang De Basanti released, from the time IIM and IIT Graduates showed their face in Politics, from the time Vihrat Kohli lead Indian U-19 team to a World cup Win, from the time Sania Mirza acclaimed world fame in spite of criticism from her Community for her breach of Muslim Sentiments or from the time she bravely stood up to marry a Pakistani to show the power of love and unity over politics and wars, the citizens have continued saying, "Youth" has the powers of changing India's tomorrow!! Every Youth in the country says, "I need change". From the Anna Hazare Movement, more voices can be heard form the youth. However, sadly, what the youth needs to realize is that, this is no time that will embrace "I need change”, rather this is the time for only those who raise their voice and shout “I will be the change".

So what? if we are set with nasty examples by a bunch of uncouth politicians. We love our Country from the time we knew what Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic meant! What if the people who taught us the meaning of these words have forgotten the meaning themselves? We know it! We can tell our parents and teachers, that we are no longer in a Country where society defines our lives. We can tell them with all the love and belief that we live for ourselves and not for others! This simple yet realistic thought is certainly one trump card that is bound to design the India we dream of!

Rise Up!!! Join Hands! Lets be the Change!!!
Jai Hind!!!


Article By,
Arun Karuppanchetty R M