Insignificant Indian's

Biggest democracy of the world, largest populated country, most young nation but most of them disinterested in the Nation’s building and in its administration. Neither do the government considers them serious nor do they bother anything about the government, this gives birth to a term - ‘Insignificant Indian’s’. Not a good sign for the future of India and Indian’s. Reason might be anything from being genuinely averse towards Politics and the politicians to being deeply dejected about their helplessness but the result is the same and that’s the suffering. No one is an outcaste for this suffering let he be the richest, or a politician, the working class or the poor.

Irony here is the poor had the insight to realise this decades ago and they have been making and breaking the governments of this Nation. Whereas, the well educated, working class could never realise that even his life is very much dependent on the government as its dependent on his employer. This section of the society who swears on their technological understanding and who vouch on their analytical aspects and rightly believed to be the intelligent class failed miserably to comprehend that though he is employed by his employer, it is the Government that has issued the license to his employer. So, rationally government can make or break his career.  If the educated, rational section of this society doesn’t realise this, who would? One change in the government policy can change the course of their industry and no industry is an alien to it. If opening up of the economy has created so many opportunities for the industry and for the educated class, a good reason to think; what would happen if more conservative government comes into the power? What would happen to the numerous Internet companies if web censorship comes into place? What would happen if government puts in more regulations in terms of FDI in FMCG and what if the government repels the more recent FDI in multi-brand Retail? What would happen if Healthcare were to be nationalized? What would happen if government takes up to state run industries on the lines of China? What if censorship increases on entertainment industry? What if media would no more be free flowing and would be rather regulated? One option they would then left with is to contest these in courts! But do they really want to be in that situation or be more vigil and openly place their opinions on the matters of importance and not merely when it is matter of popular sentiment!

Politicians need to be lauded for their efforts in keeping the more rational, educated society at bay from the politics. They have been successful in portraying their profession to be murky and violent and result they have been able to shoe away everyone with noble intentions. So, now they enjoy the absolute share on the political career and not only theirs but they have secured the careers of their kids and of course the kith and kin.

Though the downtrodden poor of this nation might be illiterate but they are highly cognizant about the happenings in and around him and so aware about the happenings in his state capital and Delhi as well, whereas the present savvy, polished English speaking section of the present society are turning out to be more and more political illiterates, who wakes up now and then only when a popular swing like the recent anti-corruption tirade comes through. Otherwise he is usually happy as long as he receives an alert on his mobile about the salary getting credited and he is able to find some entertainment vending venues and would be highly elated if he finds time to spend with friends and family. But he doesn’t realise how important he could be in structuring the policy of this Nation and in building this country instead he maintains his staunch silence during most of the happenings in the political circle, few of them vent out their anger only when there is popular wave but largely sticks to astute silence in more important policy aspects be it the FDI, balance between the development and welfare issues and many more out there!

When it comes to the other section of society who is more politically aware, vigil and reacts on the policy matters strongly, whenever there is a drop or curb on welfare measures, they are the ones who are strong enough to bend and mend the government. Hence the political parties will obviously care and hear to them, why would they waste their time in heeding to the rational, intelligent, polished English comments on Facebook? When the educated class have got themselves into this position were they no more matter, why would they send out a hue and cry when a popular tide arises, bet they wont be heard!

The educated class has a greater responsibility to drive this nation on the right path and influence the others, educate the less privileged section as well to steer the Nation into the right direction.  It is no less than obvious that they command respect from the others and their words are given value but the problem is they never speak. After having seen the city life and have seen lot more, if they ever try to speak to their own villagers or their family back home, would they not they not be heard? Once the political class realises that this section of society has an influence across the society would politicians not give them the needed importance? Isn’t it a reason enough to introspect?

Isn’t it time to show the ruling classes that they cant ignore the learned section any more? Isn’t it late for the political section to believe in this section of the society that they are powerful enough to break or make their political career? Of course no more time left to shout openly that governments cannot form any more with mere throwing money and freebies around to one section of the society and today is when India needs it well nurtured society to show that they are not insignificant anymore.

So, question still remains, would you want to be an Insignificant Indian?

It’s here again, yes the Ganesh immersion!

Last year during the same time, with an equal anguish I have written an article suggesting and pleading the society to be considerate and little more compassionate towards the environment. When the most famous, well respected individuals and institutions have failed to make people realise what they are up to, how can an insignificant writer who attempts to touch upon only the very serious un-interesting topics can bring about any change?

But here I would like to try once more, once again because I care for my nation and for my society and above all I love Hyderabad! Speaking about Hyderabad, the only misfortune for this city is that it doesn’t have seashore like Mumbai, Chennai and other big cities. The only river it had, the river Musi that once always was up to the brim with serene flowing water is now reduced to no more than a sewage line. It did not take a long time for this, just a few decades! Present young Hyderabadi’s have every right to question the previous generation on this, as no one has the right to spoil the natural resources we are just the custodians who live on these resources and are bound to pass them on to the offsprings. The same is also true in the case of already much neglected Tank Bund, the future generations will have every right to question us!

Not many of us know the origin of having Ganesh pandals during Ganesh Chaturti. It was Shri. Bal Gangadar Tilak, a good enough reason why Ganesh Chaturthi is huge in Maharashtra, he initiated this tradition and he had two reasons to start it. While those who know this story know only one reason i.e., it was a strategic move against the British, a move that helped in social gatherings which was not allowed by the British then. The other reason is Shri. Bal Gangadar Tilak was keen on spreading the brotherhood and bridging the gap between Brahmins and non-Brahmins! Which clearly we know is not happening every community now establish their own Ganesha and don’t really show an inclination towards joining other communities in organising Ganesh Chaturthi.

When it comes to selfishness in the form of customs and traditions nothing matters, even if it means destroying the very place where we live! Having understood this well, now I would like to propose another easy and simple solution to this problem. We have tried educating people to establish the eco-friendly clay Ganesha’s but how many have done so? Abysmally low! So, now the Government can have a system in place where it could collect all the Ganesha’s from Hyderabad and move them to the sea and immerse the Ganesha’s in Bay of Bengal.

The government can make various proposals like the organisers can still have the procession and celebrate with same fervour as they otherwise do the only difference is instead of they immersing the Ganesha in Tank Bund; they would handover the Ganesha to the government institution on Tank Bund itself, as this place is now synonymous with Ganesh festival for decades and as become a sentiment! From there it’s the institution responsibility to move the Ganesha safely to the sea. Various logistics can be considered here, the best would be the train as we Necklace Road railway station from where the Ganesha’s can be loaded onto the tracks. The government if it can also sponsor the travel of one or two organisers per Ganesha, so that the organisers have an assurance that their loveable Ganesha is safe and they would get to see their Ganesha being immersed with great respect and divine ceremony.

It might be an extra cost to the government but it saves the environment and more importantly the most historically important site of Hyderabad, the Tank Bund! At the same time the government would save some cost that it usually incurs on cleaning Tank Bund post the immersion day and the other arrangements that it usually makes on Tank Bund.

The solution might not be full proof but in this world no solution is a wholesome solution. If there is a better solution lets propose and resolve, we need to move quick, we need to decide, and we need to protect our city we just can’t let this happen to great Hyderabad.