Anupam- The Dreamer

When I was in college, one day I was discussing with my good friend about the future career prospects. The moment I told him that I wanted to join Civil Services, he snapped at me saying that he could never work under the uneducated and dumb politicians, so Civil Services is out of the question for him! At that time, I did not resent his opinion much as it is an individual’s choice what career he/she wants to choose and there is whole world out there for the fresh graduates from the IITs. But, what bothered me was his sense of apathy and sort of untouchability to see politics as something to be miles away from him.

Even if we turn a deaf ear towards the politics of the locality, nation or the world at large, it does not in any way reduce the huge, wide and deep influence of the politics on our day-to-day life. When you wake up in the morning and open your tap, the quality of water that you get is determined by politics. Then, you turn on the lights and use various sorts of electrical equipments, you recall that electricity availability is also dependent on the politics and policies framed by the leaders. Then, you eat your breakfast (and lunch, dinner later) and you realize that the prices of food are rising day by day (the poor realize it more). Then, you go to the work and use roads/metro/public transport and you remember that the quality of roads etc. is good or bad, that is because of politics. Again, the pollution level in water, air, soil etc. is also impacted a lot by the policies and the involvement of the stakeholders. Then, you use public services like getting a public document like passport, Aadhar, getting approvals for your startup company, and you find a maze of laws and rules to traverse. If there is some law and order situation in the society, you call up police who also work under the supervision of the political leaders. So, in a nutshell, the quality of politics determines to a large extent the quality your life from the cradle to the grave.

Despite its all-pervading influence on our life, if we continue to think or believe that- “I don’t have any interest in politics”, then you are living in a fool’s errand. Because it doesn’t matter whether or not you have an active interest in politics, your life is going to be affected by it a lot! And if you think that I will settle outside India to avoid all this discussion, then do you really think that politics will stop impacting you in the “land of the brave, and home of the free” i.e. the USA? I don’t think so! As an Indian, your life there depends upon the type of visa, cost of living, the fees of education, the job prospects there, your political ideologies which can get you deported also, the peace and security in that country, which are heavily dependent or influenced by the policies of the government of the day. This proves my point that wherever you go in the world, the politics will not leave you untouched, even till the last breath of your life.

So, when you realize that you cannot politics, howsoever hard you want, then why not become some sort of active participants in the political discourse of your nation and the world? A little knowledge about the political leaders, their vision, their policies, its impact on your life, how it interplays with the other stakeholders like the corporates, media, civil society, the NGOs etc. will help you understand their intricacies. It can help you share a better opinion about the major issues concerning yourself, your society and your nation. One may say that he/she doesn’t depend on the government as he/she is self-sufficient, independent and doesn’t need government freebies. I think there cannot be a more flawed argument than this on the earth! Can a rich billionaire build his own roads, electricity grids, water purification plants, peace and security of his land/empire, approvals from the government, and each and every goods and service that he/she needs? Obviously not! The false sense of non-dependency on the government cannot obviate the fact that sometimes the rich people need the government more than the common person!

Its time to end this political untouchability, like other evils from our society. We need more “active citizens” for this nation and for the world, who actively debate, discuss and decide about the policies that shape their lives. And exert influence over the politicians through participation in the electoral process, shaping the discourse, giving feedback on the policies and holding the politicians accountable. It was once remarked by the legendary Greek philosopher Plato-

“The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is to live under the government of worse men.”

Earlier we understand that, the better it will be for all of us!

Till next time….