Nikhil Chawla: To Be or Not To Be

We want youthful leaders to run our country but what happens to the youth when it comes to voting. I always knew that they are many more like me who don’t much about Indian politics or the politicians other than a few prominent ones. I got my voter ID card made at the age of 18 but had never exercised my right to vote till now. This time when I had finally made up my mind that come what may(May 7) I’ll vote and also inspire my friends and family to do so. You all would be shocked to hear the kind of excuses that they made,In orange is what they said and in blue is what I replied :

1.Its too hot to step out – Would you say the same if your girlfriend called up and said “I’ll waiting for you in GK M block Market around 2’o Clock for lunch.” I bet you would have made it before time even in scorching heat.

2.How does it matter – If it doesn't matter then why don't you try living in a non-democratic country like China where the government decides what you can search on Google or how many children you can have. We are blessed to have been born in a country where we can choose who are leader should be so why waste such an important right.

3.I’ve heard the queue is long – Oh really! If that's your reason for not voting then I am sure I would never see you waiting outside a Movie Theatre/Discotheque/Concert standing in a queue. Would you use the same excuse if Shakira or Iron Maiden was performing in your city and the queue would have been half a kilometre,I am sure you wont mind that.

4.I am a first time voter so if I skip they are hardly missing me – Till the time you don't start voting you will always remain a first timer and use the same excuse time and time again so get off your bean bag/bed/couch and just go for it.

5.Its not a weekend so I’ll finish off my pending work – Ya right,how could I forget that voting takes merely 5 minutes but that much amount of time can run you into a major business loss.

6.I never considered myself as an Indian,I am born in the UK/USA - I am proud of you my friend as you have lived in this country for 20+ years but just because you were born there and lived a few days of your life there that makes you more proud to be their national and not an Indian then shame on you. Why don’t you just move back to your native land as you are not even proud to be an Indian. I hope you know Our National song/animal or even the name of our first or current president.

7.How will my vote change the system – Nobody can promise it will, but at least it can get better and gradually change or transform into what we always longed for.

8.They all are corrupt and good for nothing – In a way I agree but that's also are fault we bring the wrong people in the power and then let them stay forever even when we know that they were so many scams in their last term.If people of America also thought the same way then trust me then they would have got an inspirational leader like Barack Obama as their President – Lead the Change.

9.Voting is done my Lower Class people not by us – That’s the lamest I have ever heard but unfortunately its true. For the rich and the powerful its too L.S. (Low Society) to stand in the queue as there all low class people there standing like a herd of cattle. My answer to them – GET A LIFE!

10.Polling booth is a bit far off from my place – Yes it maybe but not as far as your Gf/Bf’s place. Polling booth is always in the same locality just a few meters from your place or in extreme cases 1 or 2 kms to the max.

There are so many of them that each one of us would be able to relate to the above mentioned excuses as we would have made them at least once if not this time.

As this was the first time I exercised my right to vote I’ll urge all the nationals of this country to come forward and vote no matter whom you vote for and what the reason maybe but just do it. I know there are never ending problems we have with our country and its system but do answer it yourself which country in this world isn't lacking a good system. Luckily India is still not under the crunch of recession like UK or USA, I have family member living their and they aren't even sure if they would have their jobs the next day or not.

This list of doubts I have in my mind about the political system in India are as follows :

1.Why do we need Film stars for campaigning, aren't the leaders confident enough about themselves?

2.How come people with criminal background are allowed to contest elections?

3.Where on earth an illiterate person is given a chance to be a leader?

4.Leaders who are already under the scanner for frauds and scams are allowed to contest again and become leaders again.

5.How many of them have actually faced shortage of Food(Roti)/Clothes(Kapda)/Housing(Makaan) the three basic amenities for a human being which they keep claiming that they will provide to the needy people.

I know that there are no answers to these questions but still we need a change and we need to bring the change which is only possible by voting and bringing a new set of leaders.

Few personal reasons why I think we all should vote :

1.We have had enough of terrorism so now its time for peace to prevail. Check this out for more info - India Peace Campaign.

2.Corruption has ruined our country like a blood sucking leech.

3.Inflation is on all time high and sky rocketing even higher.

4.Its high time we change the leadership and see whose better.

5.Last but not the least – We need a change – Let’s Lead the change.

Now lets discuss all the frivolous reasons to Vote (All these are applicable after showing the voting ink on your finger):