Harish Bijoor, brand expert & CEO, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc, tells DNA readers why it is imperative to exercise their right to vote.
Each one of us has a right place in Indian democracy. And it brings with it a responsibility to be an active participant in the decision making structure. Each one of us should play our role in the governance of this country.
Join the system by casting your votes. Excersice your rights to be an active “insider”. Don’t be a passive “outsider” by not doing so. One must vote to be heard and be alive in this democracy.
Do your duty to the nation and choose the right people to the power and use your rights to “vote out” corruption prevailed in Indian politics. The major accusation on the ‘youngistan’ is that they do more talking and less walking the talk. This apathy needs to be changed.
I do believe the adults have a big role to play in this contest. Every senior member of the family should make it a point to talk to the younger members in the family about the importance of voting. Make the election day a family day. Go to the booths with your family. Let it be another celebration like Diwali, Christmas or Eid where the family gets together and does things together. Celebrate the day as a festival of political participation.
The first thing you must do is study the candidates and make sure there is no one with a criminal background in the fray. It is like culling out the weeds from a paddy field.
Then you should study the party. What does it stand for and what have they done in the past? Please read at least the abridged versions of the manifestos.
Keep an eye on the expenses of each candidate. The estimated expenditure is Rs25 lakh. Don’t let money-power sway your “vote-power.” Finally look for an individual with a voice of his own. Someone who will stand up for a cause, even if the party would not support.
Make voting first thing to do in the voting day. Swell up the queues in the morning itself and celebrate later. If you don’t vote, you abdicate your right to complain for the next five years. And you set a wrong example to your siblings and children. It is an apolitical canker.
—As told to Bhargavi Kerur
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