Ballot Wars

Just a month back, I was totally enthralled by the way political arena in India was shaping up. With campaigns like ‘Lead India’ spreading awareness, lot more young people were willing to exercise their voting rights this year. I have voted many times in the past. But thanks to the media attention this time, the political war turf is really hot. 

Disclaimer: Since this is a democratic country and I am entitled to discreteness when it comes to voting, I am not going to take any names here.

I was initially trying to choose between two parties whose ideologies I approved of. I thought that by voting for a party I can ensure that I back the winning horse. Then the ever vigilant media focused on the misdeeds of the candidates fielded by either parties and questioned the rationale behind their nomination. Then I thought I rather not stick to a party, but probably I should look at the candidates in the constituency that I am entitled to vote. Having gone through the party manifestos, I was further disillusioned about the ‘welfare’ that the party in power would bring to the people in state. When I looked at the candidates, I was more confused. I was not convinced that I want any of them to be my representative in the assembly and I was not totally convinced about their integrity.

Now what do I do? Though I wanted to vote, it has become a case of choosing among the lesser evils. 

Another thought crossed my mind - why should I vote at all? I no longer reside in my home state. It really doesn’t matter who represents my constituency since I am not affected personally. I do not have voting rights in the current location where I stay and hence I do not have a say in the governance that directly affects me. But my inner voice told me that it is my duty to vote, not a choice.

There are many interstate migrants like me. How can they exercise their voting rights? They have to take the trouble of going back to their home state or opt for postal ballet. Many have two voter ids – one for their home state and one for their recent address. 

I wish there was a system where I can influence through my vote in the locality I stay in rather than the locality that I am registered as a voter. Probably we can have a centralized unique social security number for all citizens so that one cannot cast vote twice. I can use my SSN to vote in the place I stay and thus benefit from my decision as a citizen. Possibility or a day dream? 

Well, I am back to watching ‘Ballot wars’ on television hoping to shortlist my candidate to vote for. 

Downturn in Bangalore

A drive around Bangalore will tell you the extent to which the slowdown has hit the city. There are ‘To-Let’ boards all over the city for both residential and commercial places. There wasn’t a single shop available in central business areas or market places. Even if available it came at a high premium. Now shop space in available for rent even in the busiest of commercial areas. Places where there used to be perennial traffic jams now have smooth flowing traffic. This could also be that the timings of quite a few software companies have been extended and hence very few people are returning home around 6.30 pm everyday.

Landlords are unwilling to rise the stipulated 5% in rentals which was the norm earlier. The reason is a sharp drop in rentals across the city. The tenants can just pack their bags and rent another similar space thus saving anywhere between Rs. 1000 to 5000 per month on rental and maintenance. There are quite a few PG accommodations empty thanks to the layoffs. The ex-employees, not having many job choices, are leaving for the city. They hope to cut down on their maintenance expenses this way and return when the tide turns in the job market.

The crowd at the multiplexes and malls is also thinning. Earlier one used to avoid driving on the road in front of a mall in the evenings and weekends for the fear of a traffic jam. The traffic police and the security personnel of the mall used to have a tough time controlling the incoming crowd. Now the traffic police must be happy that only one policeman can man the place.

I was amazed to find availability in trains in the months of April and May. This is the summer vacation time and every year Indian Railways runs extra trains as ‘Summer Specials’ to cater to the vacation crowd. Looks like people do not want to go to vacation for the fear of losing their jobs.

The worst effected are the ones who have EMIs to pay. They fear taking a day off even when they are sick. The rise in interest rates hasn’t helped them in the recent past. They cannot hope to get out as the value of property has fallen and they cannot repay the loan even if they sell the property. Quite a few people are willing to relocate and take up any role as long as it helps them get a monthly cheque to pay the EMIs. These are the very people who earlier were spoilt for choice in office location, designation and pay.

Though the whole scenario is depressing, there is a silver lining. Car pooling and using public transport is also on the rise. People are extra careful nowadays in saving power hoping to cut down on their monthly expenses. Those who used to take the car out even for a short trip to the grocery store are now walking that one kilometer. Hope this prudence continues in future so that Bangalore can be cleaner and greener place.

Conservation - whose job is it?

Many activists cry out loud about citizens being aware of environmental issues and how conservation is everybody's job. In today's newspaper also I saw the mind-boggling numbers about the power wastage by households. I think the push should also be from the side of government and industry.

Many times I've noticed that the street lights are on till 10 am. Water tankers which carry water are filled to the brim and nearly one-third of it is spilled on the streets. Government vehicles and public transport emit more pollution than private run vehicles. Fans, lights and monitors of desktops are not switched off in offices. 

The government can begin by using solar panels for all street lights, signals and government offices. The street lights are to be turned off at sunrise. The bill payment counters can have solar lighting as they are open only for a short time during the day. The government should also look at replacing old fixtures like fans in its offices which use more electricity. 

There should be a common law applicable for all vehicles regarding pollution check. When police can stop and fine private vehicles, why can't they do the same for public buses? Autos and trucks are also ignored as police fear backlash from the drivers. 

What about car pooling for public officials who head towards the same destination? This way they would also be able to pool the security forces which follow them on the way.

With the political parties taking to streets due to the upcoming elections, they should be held responsible for cleaning up all the filth they cause. Has anyone ever seen the place where a rally was held? party flags, pamphlets, etc all scattered around. The poor municipality sweepers work over night to ensure clean roads for the next day. Ditto for the grounds that the politicians use for giving speeches. The litter that is spread is immeasurable.

When the government takes up the responsibility, it sets an example for people to follow. As the saying goes, 'yadha raaja, thatha praja'. (As the king does, so do the citizens)