Fellow country men & women,

This is not the time to blame who went wrong or who went right, this is a time to think what can be done, how can things be changed.

Because the fact is simple, this is do or die, perhaps more desperate than our struggle with the British Empire.

This is now coming down the question of our very existence and our way of life be it civilized, crowded, happy, sad, poor or middle class, we as a people will no longer have the right or means to live our lives unless we take some action, RIGHT NOW!

Things that we can force the government into doing

1. Setup a Homeland Security Department, run by a Armed forces general or higher ranking officer, with no political bias.

2. Setup a central database, of people, of companies, of floor plans, etc etc, to be used for data mining and gatherting of intel, to be kept under strict supervision of the Armed forces.

3. A Strict coast-border survillence system, satellites, people, whatever is needed.

4. Ask for help from USA. UK, they wil help us in gathering intel, as well as setup of such agencies, especaclly now that USA has new president who is eager to show that he cares for the entire democratic world.

Every civilised nation has these basic systems to fight terror, and other violent uprisings

I know that seting up a central database will take away some civil libeties, but what are we doing with those liberties anyways?
we are freely dying off for our nation while the politicans count and gather votes.

We must never sacrifice our values, not in the face of terror, or injustice or corruption, no compromise.

It is just the night before we vote for our State Govt. Obviously I shall vote and we will vote with our conscience. But there are matters which throw  questions to our minds and hearts…

1.We all are aware what is happening in Mumbai. And our leaders are responding like you know what. They are politicising the terrorism. Hell! Shouldn’t they just stand on a platform and say that we are Indians and we are One.There is no color, no religion, no nationality of terror. They have no body, what they have is a evil-atma. We should suck out that and we should do it collectively and strongly. Our political leaders shoud wake up now and shake their soul. Or when..?

2.Now when we discuss why the youths tend to incline to the illegal or unethical deeds. I just want to ask or make you think one thing. What will the traffic police do if they caught you or me on the road on a bike riding without a helmet? They will fine us simply… Now I ask all why the processions, of each and every party, of candidates seeking our votes are not just stopped by the very prompt Delhi Traffic Police? They have some 50 to 150 bikes carrying 2 or 3 persons without a single helmet. So why should not we break the rules as such, the law… And if I am a law abiding people of India, why should I vote these law breaking candidates…

These are really soul-burning matters and so the youngs don’t care to care about the rules and regulations of our Nation…

I am sorry but hope we will change this situation…

Let’s remember India is our Nation more than of some while kurta clad Leaders.
We make them leader, they don’t make us Voters.

Let’s remember that a terrorist is a terrorist is a damn terrorist…

First, we will not forget this incidents and all the past incidents.
We will seek from every party and every person who ask for our votes a
plan to fight terrorism and to sanitise whole nation of this menace…
Second, we will ask for a strict and stringent law which punish the
guilty actually…

And please vote!

Please vote for our nation which is I-N-D-I-A with all capital letters…

1.I feel that the young and middle-class people should participate in elections. And I think that the young candidates of various parties are ideally overpowered by the veterans of their parties. But I believe that we should be more suportive to them, vote them as a-lot-promising independent candidate would lose the race due to limited sources and unawareness of Indian voters. I expect a lot from young Leaders of various parties.
2.I never thought that our seniors are burden for our persent, or for the future. What I want to say that the Young Leaders or MPs and MLAs of various Political Parties had their own ideas, values and aspirations; but in the presence of the seniors they could not be able to publish and flourish their true selves.
One example I can present— Why political leaders in India should don Khadi, Kurtas, Bandh-galas etc., when general public never hesitate to wear western attire even during marriage or puja ceremonies. This is, in my view, due to too much effect of stereotype political ethics burdened by senior leaders. This is, perhaps, the first lesson of politics that the leader should look like the aam janta, this is the very first wrong step he takes.

In short, I think a leader should look what he is– a farmer should look like a farmer, a businessman should look like a businessman etc.–and should serve as politicians.

Mumbai has seen and stood in resilience against all sorts of terrors. Mumbaikars have seen explosions in cinema halls, petrol pumps, corporate offices. They have seen, trains, taxis, busses, rickshaws and for that matter even cycles being blown out to pieces. The entire nation feels the pinge when the families of such victims cannot do anything beyond mourning. The recent attacks on the two most prestigious and luxury hotels on Mumbai, brought out a new face of terror. The so called Fidayeens are no longer here to fear their death. A scary chill does run down our spine when such murderers come out with the power to sacrifice in the name of religion. Let us talk to Mr. so-called-Jihadi, in the typical Mumbai style. ” Boss, we are not terrorized.

Now for a moment let us turn our heads from the west (both, west to India and India’s west) to the center. The question is, what were the government officials doing with the red alert report submitted by the RAW? Were they busy playing “Malegaon arrest politics ” with the opposition? And the opposition gracefully spent their resources featuring the accused and the casses as their election mascot. Why arent our leaders not sensible enough to understand that terrorism is an issue sensitive enough to be not used for petty politics?

We need a concrete solution for the problem. We need some good leaders in place to take the due course of action. Had there been a single casualty on the parliamentary attacks, the scene probably would have been different today. Our leaders would probably have taken terrorism as a serious issue. Let us go out to vote, and vote for the best possible candidate. Let us collectively understand the responsibility of choosing the right leaders for us.

I remember after the mayhem at the Malegaon blasts, the affected Muslim families were brave enough to throw the compensation cheques back on the government’s face demanding for an action on the issue. The nation is in a need to draw up some inspiration from the episode.

Right now, my heart goes out to all of the brave policemen who have died in the counter – attack. Let us all pray for the safety of all the hostages, with a hope that the trauma end as soon as possible.

Recently while in a disscusion with my office collegue, i happen to utter, “Chill Dude! India is shining.” My friend replied bluntly, “I travel for three hours daily to reach my home 10 km away. When i reach home after fighting with the mammoth crowd and the neck breakng pot holes, i face a war with the usual power cuts. My salary goes in feeding my home loans and govt still doesnt mind increasing my taxes. India was never ever shining for me.”

We at vote India started talking on issues like these and realised that its we, the 100 crore people of India who are responsible for this plight of my friend.

How long do we face traffic jams while gleaming at the photos of some nice road in US just clicked by our friend staying abroad?

Well, they do have those nice roads abroad because the people of that country has chosen efficient leaders in past. Non-Corrupt leaders who have a good foresight, planning and a vision to think about their country even ten years hence.

And we will keep getting these disillusions, disinterested, power thirsty politicians unless we, dont act actively into politics. And the first step to do that is to cast your vote.

Your one vote decides who shall come in power at the center. It is this person who decides whether India makes nuclear deal or not. It is this decision that decides whether India becomes abundant with electricity or a slave of the United States of America for all of the years to come. And it is this consequence that determines whether you shall face even longer power cuts, or lose some more jobs in the BPO and the US outsourcing IT sector.

Your vote shall not only affect the current status of your constituency, but also the next 10 years and in turn the next 100 years of your nation and its 100 crore citizens. Thus it is our responsibility to make sure that we choose the candidates who are not just in their sane state of mind, but are also dynamic and strong enough to take such tough decisions.

Vote India is an initiative to ensure that India does go out and vote and thus India does really shine.

Together we all pledge to make sure that not just my friend here, but his son and grandson never face such problems again.

We are not a part of any political party, neither we intend to support or oppose any of them. We are just a bunch of normal college going and office going boys and girls who have a single minded passion of serving the country in a manner to bring out long term solutions. Vote India is a non-profit initiative purely generated out of the feeling of patriotism.

We would surely love to address all of your querries pertaining to India and its voting habits. And most important of all, we are patiently waiting for your feedback on our initiative and the steps taken in the direction.

Let us all pledge to improve the face of India.

-Nimish

Whom do you think should be blamed for your taps running dry? Your building secretary? Or the local corporator for not policing or rather encouraging the water theft? Whom do you think should be punished for the potholes on your roads? The daily increasing traffic or the corrupt ministers at pwd who aim at filling their pocket at the tax-payer’s expese? Who is ultimately responsible for the load-shedding that you and me have to bear for hours? Is it the lack of resources? Lack of funds? or is the existence of few dumb-heads heading our country with no vision in mind aout the nation and its power needs?

We travel in crowded busses, fall off the crowded trains, fall sick during some epidimic, face inflation, settle down to the mediocre  education, fight in riots, feel insecured to travel in  nights, live a terrorized life like there may not be tomorrow.
And we face all of this with a “Chalta-hai” kind of attitude.

We, the people of India have developed a sickening mentality of adjusting to the mercy of few power thirsty people.
Where there is a seat for at most three people, we push ourselves to discomfort to accomodate the fourth or even the fifth person. While appreciating the nice brotherhood feeling, we ultimately eclipse the flaws of the government and their sincere lack of planning in terms of calculating the influx and maintaining a proper infrastructure for the same.

But what is government? it is a set of people whom we give the power to govern us. in that case they are nothing but a set of people arisen from us. Then where do we lack in choosing the right? The main issue is here is that we, the people have forgotten to excercise our moral right to vote.

“What shall happen if and when we decide to vote? I love tackling the potholes.” Nice point. Potholes may not be a problem for you per se, but they put the unborn babies at high risks. Potholes create problems with your neck and spine in long run. In such situations how can we live with the “Chalta-Hai” attitude? It is not just our right, but our duty to voice an opinion against this unjust approach. The constitution of India, world’s biggest democracy has give you the ultimate power to voice your opinion by excercising your right to vote.

Dear India,

Give up the “Chalta – hai ” approach.
Ensure that the power goes in the right hands.
And realise that this kind of power is there in your hands.

I have no idea on who said this, but whoever said it made a lot of sense with this witty one-liner. Lets flash our memories back to our reminiscences. Its been 51 yrs of independent India now and yet we cannot vouch confidently that we are indeed independent. During all these years, how many leaders or the so called “political stalwarts” can we think of as a difference maker ?. Someone who has been a showstopper, someone who has strived and thrived in doing that one selfless act, an act that was probably directed towards benefiting the million masses ?. These questions might possibly sound obscure but the harsh reality is that the leaders who have tried doing this have been lost in the oblivion. We always compare ourselves with the United States. We always keep cribbing on how better they are than us and keep yearning on what is the one mantra that we need to inculcate so that we can be as good as them, if not better. Well, being a grad student here and from what I have perceived all this time, the only place where the US stands apart is in their system. There is not one Indian here who would say that US is better than India but for their system. Its the efficiency with which they function. I have always believed and strongly adhere to my notion that a nation’s success is always the culmination of every citizen’s efforts put together and this realization would only arise if we have a strong education system. But for the IITs, IIMs, NITs and the IISCs, Indian education system needs to be shaken from its crust. It is only through this educational awareness, would people realize the importance of voting and elect someone whose vision is not parochial but universal. India definitely is one big pool budding with enormous talent but its only that we need to pick the right leader to groom and nuture it in the right direction.Therefore its our awareness that needs to spread among the masses and make them realize that every vote counts. It is not wrong to have an ambitious dream as long we can find a way to make it come true. So, Vote India !!

-Girish

“Chhodo Kal Kin Baatein, Kal Ki Baat Puraani

Naye Daur Mein Likhengey, Milkar Nayi Kahaani”

Dear Friends,

With the turn of the 20th century, came a wave of fresh awakening of India. A population which had been sleeping slowly started to face the challenges of world domination. Some cynics would always criticise us for being ‘lazy laggards’ (and they would be right to an extent), but the positive side is that we have already begun shedding our ‘chalta hai’ nature and have already started performing.

In the last 3 or 4 years, our success stories have been phenomenal. That’s why we have an economy with double-digit growth rates, that’s why we have the inaugural T20 Cricket World Cup, that’s why we have our first-ever individual Olympic Gold. And the list goes on and on! India is now a force to take notice of!

To take the country from its present status of ‘respected power’ to the state of ‘Superpower’ by 2020, is our responsibility. Each of us, as citizens, must hold a torch to the cause of India. Because it’s only when a mother is strong that the children are truly healthy.

This is where our democratic system shows us the way. Make no mistake, the reason that our progress has been steady, yet unshakeable is our foundation of democracy. So many other nations around the world are advanced and so many have been developing, but their smiles come at the cost of the moans of many others. On the other hand, India is only the country which believes in “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” (the world is 1 family). It is due to our value system that we are the favourites of the world.

From here, we must take the baton forward. Agreed that not all is rosy right now and we are beset with plenty of problems (some age-old, some latest), but The Constitution has given us a potent weapon to combat all of this. This weapon is called Democracy, which puts power in the hands of every citizen. If most of us use it well and wisely, we will soon  destroy our enemies (both old and new). And all of this without any violence whatsoever.

With this aim, we at VoteIndia have set off on a mission – to take democracy from the minds to the hearts of the Great educated class. We want to urge everyone to uphold his/her educational virtues by becoming a part of this system. While most of us (the thinkers) have sympathy about India, very few of us have empathy. Our mission is to spark this flame. More than our strong self-belief, we have immense belief in you. Yes, our fellow Indians, who have also benefitted from our worthy education and who are by-products of Google and The Internet.

Please remember that one person can’t row against a stream, two persons can’t row against a current. But thousands of us can row even against a tide!
-Nirad

We often vent out these feelings whenever India progresses in any domain and emerges successful. And its again we, the same people of India taking lead in rubbishing the nation the moment we witness a slight dip in country’s progress.
*But has any one of us done something to make India Proud?*
We emphasize on our Rights and fight to enjoy the Rights in any condition.
*But do we fulfill our Duties as Responsible Citizens?*

Why can’t we stop complaining and criticizing? Why can’t we take some responsibilities on our shoulders? Can’t we Educated Civilised Citizens carry out one of the most important Duty of Casting a Vote during Elections and choosing the most appropriate Candidate who can efficiently lead our country? We refrain from choosing a leader for our country by not voting and later, we criticize other peoples choice, who at least took the efforts of choosing. Can’t we spare time from our “Busy Lives” to vote, when we realize that each of our vote counts and decides the fate of our nation, state or city?

So my fellow citizens, what is stopping you from taking this small responsibility having a significant effect on our nation’s Functioning, and finally affecting each one of us ?

Let’s resolve to Move Ahead Together…….

-Neeti