FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Tallulah D'Silva
I passed by a bunch of youngsters having a drink by the beach. They were excitedly and loudly speaking about political parties offering money to vote. One named an old party offering Rs 5,000, another said he was offered Rs 3,000 by a popular party and still another admitted he was given Rs 2,000 by a party making a debut this year! Then of course the conversation veered to new parties and others mired in controversies of corruption. This was followed with angry observations of defections, change of parties and more defections. Yes this is not a new conversation or unknown facts. We have heard this for the last several years. And yet the same old politicians and family members are re-elected by us.
Why do we vote? I asked this question to some of my students in the Community Classroom as they had recently witnessed a very avoidable interaction between elected representatives and social workers when they had participated in a protest plantation drive at the Caranzalem beach. They had been shocked to see politicians and local representatives behave in such an uncouth manner. And also learned later that some of these were the most corrupt politicians that were representatives of the Government but also those that were elected by us as citizens. So I repeated, Why do we vote?
Sachin said, ‘It is my right to vote. Now that I am an adult, I can choose who will be my representative in the government who in turn will work for my welfare and that of my collective community irrespective of caste, religion and social status.’ Then Aryan intervened: ‘Every citizen of India as per the constitution must also fulfil certain duties and this applies to our elected representatives.’ Ian quickly added, ‘Did you know that it is every Indian citizen’s duty to uphold and protect unity? Neshma asserted, ‘It is also our duty to promote harmony among the members of our community, ward and village.’ Varun shouted out, ‘It is my fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment’. Mahek asked, ‘Did you know it is also every Indian’s duty to value and conserve its rich heritage?’ Jake added sharply, ‘It is also our duty to renounce practises that are derogatory to the dignity of women.’ Prabin questioned, ‘Did you know that we must also safeguard public property?’ Vikram said, ‘It is also each one’s duty to abjure violence!’ Prem enthusiastically quoted, ‘We must also strive towards excellence and help each other to do the same. We must also help to develop scientific temper and humanism.’ And then finally little Gauri added, ‘As a parent and guardian, he or she must provide opportunities for education to his/her child.’
I was thrilled with the responses from children and youth who were now adults and would be casting their vote for the first time. How many of us are aware of these fundamental duties? And most importantly how many of our elected representatives are aware and practise these? When portfolios are assigned to our Ministers, how many truly do justice to their assigned jobs and fulfil their responsibilities?
In contrast we often find an environment minister doing little to preserve and conserve India’s forests and curb pollution. We often find ministers with criminal records and unjustifiably assigned the portfolio for welfare or health!
So how can we remedy this? How can we vote right?
It is reassuring to see many new faces and individuals taking up politics and serving the community as their objective and goal. Many individuals who have an excellent track record have joined the fray. Those who have been honest, have worked hard and understand the pulse of the people. These are the individuals who can be seen as the ones who are surely aware of their fundamental rights as Indian citizens. They are also leaders who have in the past demonstrated their potential in upholding the duties mentioned in the Constitution. Look around and you will find them. They are not travelling in swanky vehicles, nor are they the ones brandishing expensive watches and sunglasses. They are definitely not the ones you will find shamelessly visiting door to door just a few days before the elections promising the locals the moon, moolah and free paving or road resurfacing in private colonies or gated communities. They are the ones walking the talk.
If the fishermen are in trouble, you will see them on ground helping in sorting the problem and making a representation to bring respite to their woes. If it is hill cutting and dumping of mud and debris in lush green fields, they are there to protest, cry foul and call the flying squad with a complaint lodged immediately to the Collector's office. They are the ones who over the most critical times during the pandemic joined the masses at protest sites to address coal transportation, double tracking of the railway lines across numerous villages in Goa, deforestation of pristine forests because of the transmission lines and National highway widening projects.
They are also the ones who were risking their lives with the villagers of Melauli then opposing the IIT project in their backyard where there was threat of losing their land and livelihood. They are also the ones standing shoulder to shoulder with the Nauxim villagers in opposition to the Marina project in the Bambolim bay. They are also the ones who are camping in hospitals helping patients during the peak of COVID-19. They are also the ones who are stellar in upholding values of sincerity, commitment, accountability and doing good to the community. So watch out, be clear, be sure. Vote.
(Tallulah D’Silva is an architect and silver awardee of the Golden Door Award 2020)
