In the midst of the various scams, food inflation and corruption in almost each and every department, India is going through an ordeal from where everything seems so dark and hopeless. A condition in which 25% population struggles for food under below poverty line status and crores of money is engulfed in scams. It's adequately clear that we don't lack money, what we lack is clarity of intentions of the incumbents . "Nothing will change" notion has so deep rooted in the minds of the people that they see no way out. It's true that dawn of prosperity and hope is yet to come but no one stops you to light a candle in the middle of the darkness. Youth encompassing 47%of the total population of India can prove to be one of the greatest assets to streamline the corruption menace within the country. Lets talk about light rather than cursing darkness. Lets try to find out how a common youth can intensify anti-corruption movements and bring more transparency in the system.
Constitutional literacy, a much needed and a much ignored part of our education system. Presence of Preamble of Constitution on the very first page of most of the CBSE course books explains its vitality. How many of us really know the first line of the preamble? Constitution for a country is what character means to a person. It forms the ideals the country believes in. How can you believe and implement the ideas which you don't even know? Atleast learning the preamble of the constitution should not be seen as just a protocol rather than a necessity. Constitutional literacy is indispensable to bridge the gap between legal system and the people.
Be the part of the system by entering into the politics. Blaming the politics by calling it dirty will not work now. In spite of the fact that majority of Indian population is under the age of 35, our political parties are flooded with old men & women who look more like pensioners rather than leaders. Active participation of the youth in political system is the need of the hour. Being the part of the system you can put forward your voice more effectively make it heard. You can be the voice of those who don't have voice.
Learn to ask questions. Raise your voices because your silence is weakening the roots of the democracy. Our constitution gives us the right to ask questions through RTI Act and the government is bound to answer us. Remember, nobody gives you a glass of water if you don't ask then how could you expect your government to show accountability without even asking? If you think parliament logjam should be addressed, then ask for it. If you think there should be set accountability for a particular corruption case, then ask. Write letters to the officials and the governing bodies. Recollect the fact that those were merely 2% of total population of India who fought for us and brought us freedom. We need another 2% active participants of present population of India who are dedicated enough to bring out the change for the good of the people. Surely, Government can ignore a single letter but it can't afford to ignore 2Crore letters in the present scenario.
Last but not the least, be conscious while you vote. Don't vote just for the sake of voting. Despite of all political turmoil, make yourself believe that your vote can make a difference. So, use it sensibly. Collect certain information about the people you are going to vote. What's their educational qualification? What is the current status of their personal assets? Do they have any criminal background? When you are equipped with the above information then you can vote for a better candidate and make a difference too by choosing good governance.
If we can't stand for our country who else will be? If we are not vigilant enough, who else will be? We all fathom that absolute transparency in the system is required. It will happen for sure when we make the ruling realize that each of their steps is been scrutinized by the ruled, the people.
Regards
Anubha Shukla
Masters (Mass Com.)
anubhashukla07@gmail.com