It has been a treat, following this election so closely. It has been a long drawn process, spanning months, to count conservatively. Allegations, retaliations, personal attacks, new lows of public discourse, some good precedents and a LOT of analysis - we have patiently waded through these. On the other side of that violent river, we find ourselves calmly looking ahead. As we resume our routine lives, possibly with a stronger sense of relief that power has been rested into abler hands, I look back at my key takeaways: 1. Democracy is not an option - I have met people who are equivocal as to whether democracy is indeed always good. There are also some who underestimate its strength. Then there are some who support it in principle but not in actions. We in India have something that takes centuries of bloodshed, revolts, protests and sacrifices to achieve - a strong, no-nonsense Democracy. We CANNOT err towards underestimating its power. It is Democracy which lets us oust dynastic politics, caste based politics and an indifference of such a grand magnitude. Let us place stronger trust in Democracy and related institutions, and it wont let us down. 2. You cannot get away - You can fool some people all the time, or all the people for some time but not all the people all the time. The volume of indifference and incompetence displayed by Congress on all major issues - be it corruption, economic down slide, internal security, women rights etc hasnt gone unnoticed. A correction always comes. Lets take that away for our own lives too - You simply cannot get away. 3. Its our country - Active participation of people in politics and awareness about our leaders and the government goes a long way. Of course, its a two way street and politicians too need to do their part. But this time I saw keen participation by people in the formation of the government, which augurs well for a strong democracy. 4. Change is here - Have we finally moved away from politics of family, caste, religion and sorts? Have we finally accepted that the only way to better lives is through a mean, cold blooded, almost capitalistic road to development? Has the youth finally detached itself from the past in the hope for a golden future? We will slowly know. But ripples of change seem palpable. On a personal note, this has been a dream come true. It has been more than 5 years that I have conceived this dream, and seeing Modi sign at the oath ceremony brought to me metaphorical tears of joy. Let us see where India goes from here. Hope, as they say, is a four letter word!
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 17:22:38 +0000