As I write this communication, the election to the Lok Sabha is in full swing. On 16th May, the results will be declared and we will hopefully have a new stable government in place. One wonders whether it will be different from its predecessor governments.
As the news of the voting percentage of the first two phases of election came in, it was disappointing to note that voting percentage had dropped in comparison to last election. Even more disturbing was the fact that voting percentage in urban areas was lower than in rural areas. Therefore, in the educated and elite there is apparent indifference towards the election process. The number of voters would have increased since the last Lok Sabha election, and the literacy levels would have also improved. The apathy of the educated voter seems to be unchanged.
A large number of groups, non-government organisations and the media have all been exhorting the public to vote but the effect seems to be minimal. Despite the fact that election day is a public holiday, the voting booths are at convenient locations in most places, people simply do not seem to be interested. This lack of interest is not unique to the election to the parliament. A Chartered Accountant, who is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is a professional who is highly educated. He ought to be interested about the regulation of the profession to which he belongs. However, in the case of elections to Regional and Central Councils of our Institute, the voting percentage never crosses 50.
There could be a number of reasons for this, but the most important reason appears to be total disconnect between institutions, the leaders that run them, and the people who are or have been members of those institutions, i.e. the stakeholders. The sense of ‘belonging’ is on the decline. We often talk of our political leaders not having national interest at heart. I believe that a ‘nation’ is not an independent concept. It is made up of concentric circles beginning from individuals, their families, neighbours, cities, regions and States.
Readers will pardon me if I sound too philosophical but I think that this sense of belonging comes from the heart and not the head. We have gradually become a little too self-centered. Many of our actions are on the basis of a cost benefit analysis. Consequently, if the institution does not give one any future benefit, the person feels he has neither an obligation nor does he have any attachment towards it. There would of course be, honourable exceptions to this. When I was reflecting on the contents of this communication I tried to recall the extent of my participation in or contribution to the school that I passed out from or the college that I graduated from. Sadly, it is virtually nothing. For this, one can always give a number of reasons, but they will not change the fact. Having said this, one must also accept that institutions also have to take a fair share of the blame. Many of them have lost their focus, are no longer serving the purpose for which they were incorporated.
If democracy has to become more meaningful, institutions that make up the entire system must become responsive, and willing to change. They must become more transparent and inclusive. This change should occur not only in fact but also in perception. Individuals on their part must come forth and give whatever they can to the institution. They must participate in the affairs of the institution. There needs to be installed a mechanism, whereby this participation is facilitated on an ongoing basis. Education must also instil this sense of belonging among the coming generations.
Coming back to Elections 2009, it is heartening to note that some professionals have taken the plunge and are contesting as independent candidates. Irrespective of the result, this participation has to continue. Citizens must continue to be involved in the governance process on a continuous basis. It is only then that accountability that has reached abysmal low level, will improve. We will then fare better in terms of human satisfaction or happiness index that welfare organisations measure.
When one reads the news or watches the various channels, one gets a depressing feeling. However, there is hope. I witnessed the national anthem being played at a small function. The seniors in the audience stood to attention, while a college student was talking on the cell. A child, possibly his younger brother, tugged at his sleeve and asked him to switch off the cell as the anthem was being played. These children with impressionable minds are young Indians and are our future. We owe them a debt. Let us attempt to repay it.
With warm regards,
Anil Sathe
