Polls: Ours and Theirs
As the enigma surrounding the Presidential elections of the United States fades, I believe it is the right time to introspect and reflect about the way elections are conducted in India and there. To begin with, our Indian elections are very colourful since there are so many layers to the general elections including propaganda. Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, the Presidential candidates are pitted against each other to debate in public viewing facing television cameras.
Most of our Indian politicians often shy away from visiting TV studios. Similarly, the grace with which a debate in the US is conducted is layered with dignity and finesse and is based on mutual respect. While, in India, if we were to have a debate such as theirs, I fear it would be reduced to a mud-slinging match.
Secondly, the speech delivered by the newly elected President Barack Obama talks about the great American dream. The President's inspiring speech reminded us that about the fractured mandate that India is facing today and also highlighted all that's wrong with our slowing down economy. How the road ahead towards realization of the American dream is secondary but then that's ultimately how inspiring their speeches are. Somehow, we seem to have been so used to listening to the rehashed sentences from previously quoted speeches that we have become oblivious to it. Coupled with our politicians who fail to rouse any confidence or inspire any emotion among the Indian masses. Even in defeat, Mitt Romney's speech sounded so graceful. It is hard for me to imagine Indian politicians accepting defeat so gracefully without levelling allegations such as the rigged ballots etc. The speech by Mitt Romney proved that compassion and mutual respect are the two most important core values that are missing from India's political theatre today.
The focus is primarily on the Presidential elections and watching the elections as a viewer is a real delight. The recently concluded US elections have several lessons for countries facing elections. One of them clearly is to be more inclusive and it is a better ticket to win. With 20 million tweets, the Election Day becoming the most tweeted about event in the political history of the United States, it reminded us that the change we need can only arrive if there is an attitudinal change and mindset towards the way elections are perceived.
Most of our Indian politicians often shy away from visiting TV studios. Similarly, the grace with which a debate in the US is conducted is layered with dignity and finesse and is based on mutual respect. While, in India, if we were to have a debate such as theirs, I fear it would be reduced to a mud-slinging match.
Secondly, the speech delivered by the newly elected President Barack Obama talks about the great American dream. The President's inspiring speech reminded us that about the fractured mandate that India is facing today and also highlighted all that's wrong with our slowing down economy. How the road ahead towards realization of the American dream is secondary but then that's ultimately how inspiring their speeches are. Somehow, we seem to have been so used to listening to the rehashed sentences from previously quoted speeches that we have become oblivious to it. Coupled with our politicians who fail to rouse any confidence or inspire any emotion among the Indian masses. Even in defeat, Mitt Romney's speech sounded so graceful. It is hard for me to imagine Indian politicians accepting defeat so gracefully without levelling allegations such as the rigged ballots etc. The speech by Mitt Romney proved that compassion and mutual respect are the two most important core values that are missing from India's political theatre today.
The focus is primarily on the Presidential elections and watching the elections as a viewer is a real delight. The recently concluded US elections have several lessons for countries facing elections. One of them clearly is to be more inclusive and it is a better ticket to win. With 20 million tweets, the Election Day becoming the most tweeted about event in the political history of the United States, it reminded us that the change we need can only arrive if there is an attitudinal change and mindset towards the way elections are perceived.
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