The 5 year vigil begins now

Highest ever voter turnout of 66.4%, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) attaining simple majority and the prospect of a stable govt for 5 years. All reasons why the world's largest democracy should feel like a job well done. Time to sit back and relax. But wait - is the job really done?

Not quite. The 5 year vigil begins now. Jaagte raho, even if you have full faith in the newly elected leaders. I'm not doubting the abilities and integrity of the NDA government-in-waiting or its chances of performing. On the contrary, the question is how are WE going to perform as the electors and the ruled. 

As per the Democracy Index 2012 published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, India is considered a "flawed democracy" and ranked only 38 on that index! Much of this low ranking is because of us (the common man), not because of our leaders. We are not a "full democracy" yet like the Top 25 ranking countries with score of 8.0 or above. India is not far behind at 7.5 and with better political awareness and culture and an unbiased media, we can surely climb up that ranking in 2014-15. 

About 551 million Indians spoke their minds on voting day this time. We hope that they will continue to Speak Up every day for 5 more years. 

Stop the culprits, not the business

My favorite commentator hitting the nail right on the head.

Well-intentioned laws, courts cripple growth

http://swaminomics.org/well-intentioned-laws-courts-cripple-growth/

Actor-Neta Chiranjeevi tastes the Power of the Common Man

Applause as NRI stops Chiranjeevi from jumping voters' queue

http://www.ndtv.com/elections/video/player/news/applause-as-nri-stops-chiranjeevi-from-jumping-voters-queue/319283

Jaisi Praja, waisa Raja. Use it or lose it.

Take 3 minutes to read this inspiring success story from a small village near Rajkot, Gujarat that has made voting compulsory!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Voting-is-compulsory-in-this-Rajkot-village/articleshow/34127219.cms
Two other interesting things about Raj Samadhiyala in democratic India: the move to prevent bogus voting and the unique way of allowing only small meetings with candidates, barring candidates from using large hoardings, banners and leaflets.

Possible in a small village. Also possible in a large country! Anything is possible. If authoritarian rule is possible over 1.35 Bio Chinese by single Communist Party then why not this? Compulsory right to exercise one's freedom to elect a government. Compulsory Freedom?! Sounds like a paradox?

I recommend: Withdraw the names of habitual non-voters from the electoral list. Why just Right to Recall the elected representative? First reform the people. Jaisi Praja waisa Raja. People of India, stop whining. The Satyamey Jayate show on elections in India is a must watch for all those who missed it and who feel that we need better leaders. Watch this and you will change your mind:

http://www.satyamevjayate.in/Criminalization-Of-Politics/EPISODE-5Watchvideo.aspx?uid=E5-EV-V1&lang=hindi

Speak up. Most of us end up wasting our most precious rights as citizens of Democratic India. As a first step, we must be prepared to Lose it if we don't Use it.

Jaagte Raho! - Aall is not well

Our duties as citizens are not over with the vote and the over-hyped black mark selfie. Jaagte Raho, all is not well....

We can't expect any push for the much needed electoral and judicial reforms from the leading opposition party in the 16th Lok Sabha, most likely Congress. Soon the election fever will cool off. The media's priorities may change. TV viewers are likely to go back to their daily soap, as a cure to election fatigue. Restaurants, marketers and radio channels will look for greener pastures. Till such time as another andolan by Anna & Co. is launched and attracts any sizeable TRPs, the 810 Mio voters have to continue exercising their right - the right to question. Speak up. That's called Democracy.

As per one survey, http://www.slideshare.net/iibea/digital-statistics-2014-india
while there are 200 Mio internet users in India in 2013, there were 73 Mio who browsed the net and 33 Mio Indians who searched blogs. A large portion (86%) of internet users used social media in 2013. These seem like small numbers compared to the 814 Mio eligible voters in 2014 but consider the growing influence of social media on the mainstream media and even on Indian politics! Speak up. That's called Democracy.

I want strong Institutions - not just Growth

I believe in Modi but at the national level he may have to make many compromises. National Politics - thy middle name is Compromise. I wonder how he will perform with regional parties and alliance partners like Shiv Sena and will he finally succeed in decriminalizing politics. I don't want neck-breaking growth for 5 yrs followed by deep slumber or goondaism again. I want deep systemic cleansing - ayurveda style. In a country as large as India nothing can be done in 5 yrs. If our system is cleaned from within and stays like this for 20 yrs then we will automatically excel.

Indians, by design of our DNA can't handle democracy. We need benevolent rulers - if there are any left. Rewind 300-2000 yrs in Indian history. The Pandavas laying aside all personal comforts and interests for re-installing Dharma. I don’t expect those types anymore nor does anyone expect a Krishna avataar. So we need leaders who may give us slow growth - ok, but rapidly and permanently strengthen our institutions such that no new leader can screw our naive public. India's core is good. Lost souls from world over come to India seeking direction. Once we have strong institutions like a TRUE democracy, transparent bureaucracy, justice system, educational system and healthcare system India will be truly shining.

I expect nothing in 5 years except ruthless reforms. AAP paid its price for impatience asking for Jan Lokpal in 49 days in Delhi. The NDA govt expected in June at the Center should neither give up too soon nor give excuses for this most important deliverable to the people of this great nation.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee advised the Gujarat CM in 2002 – “Remember your Rajdharma”. Let only these words ring forever in the ears of India’s new PM hopeful, effectively drowning the cacophony of the alliance partners or from within BJP. Good luck Mr. Modi, you have an extremely tough road ahead, whatever be the final numbers. 

Modi's most important promise

I was disappointed to note that both BJP and AAP have a high percentage of candidates with criminal charges. Also a survey has concluded that criminals have a high chance of being elected to parliament than non-criminals. Hence there is a very high chance that the new Lok Sabha will also be full of criminals. While Modi's plan of setting up special fast track courts to conclude such cases within 1 year sounds great, I wonder how easy it is going to be to execute this plan. Lets not forget this most important promise of this government after they come to power. 

http://m.ibnlive.com/news/modi-promises-jail-for-criminal-candidates-bjp-has-32-pc-of-them/466627-81.html