Newton’s Third Law of Motion: "For every action, thereis an equal and opposite reaction.”

At times I feel this law fails when it comes to Indianpolitics like any other law. Almost no politician can boast of not cheating thepeople even once in his/her political career. The point where the Newton’s lawtakes a beating is that these politicians seems to mostly get away with their treacherousacts almost scot-free!

Almost all of us agree to the statement that Indian politicsis hopeless and we need young leaders to revamp the look-feel-act of the gamebut then why don’t we actually see young leaders come in the political arena?

I would not like to talk about others. I won’t even like to generalize.I would just talk about my case: Why I am not in politics?

Generally talking: Ifeel unsafe being in politics! Unsafe with regards to- personal safety(my own and my family’s life), economic safety and social image.

Personal Safety- IfI do well and muster sizeable support from the masses which can potentiallyconvert to votes then I may get killed in a road accident or even in broaddaylight by some criminal (depending on the size and style of my opponents).This can also happen to my family members.

Economic Safety- Indianpoliticians are generally second or third generation politicians with millionsin declared and undeclared assets and can afford playing the great game ofdemocracy called elections and the cost that comes with it. I person like mewon’t be able to afford such expenses. Now many people would say voters supportmatters and not the propaganda that election campaigns run and I would humblysubmit to such people to be true to themselves. We have seen how campaigns make“issues” look like dwarf in this game of giants! Add to it the nuance of caste-religionand the mixture becomes inconsumable for someone like me!

Social image- Almosteveryone despises of politicians especially the losers! People still talk bad onthe back of the politicians in power while the ones who lose are laughed ateven on face. Moreover whether it’s a mockery on face or behind you whatmatters is that you know how people feel of a politician. So much so that wordslike Neta or Sarkari have themselves become swearwords to many.

Few more reasons:

I think at times- Whowill vote for me?

I have the worst personal profile to be a politician!

·        I am from the Majority- This ruins my chances of being a candidate to lay myclaim to the Holy Grail of Indian politics: The ever elusive “Minority votes”. Thisalso disqualifies me from contesting elections from certain constituencies.

·        I have FamilyValues- So I am not qualified enough to play the game of “mud slinging”; apre-qualification to enter politics. This qualification helps blur the view ofvoters from looking at real issues of Roti-Kapda-Makaan(Food-Clothing-Shelter).

·        Clean PoliceRecords: Another major shortcoming. It means I can’t frighten people tovote me.

I can go on giving reasons but the point is: Am I entitledto crib about “bad politics and politicians”? The answer honestly is NO. My silence and inaction makes me asresponsible as the politicians themselves. My point is not to call out a fewpeople to jump in the field without thinking rationally but to call uponeveryone to think rationally and decide. I am a firm believer of what Chankyasaid: Before you start some work, always askyourself three questions – Why am I doing it, What the results might be andWill I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answersto these questions, go ahead."

Some may feel that too much analysis leads to what we call “analysisparalysis” but then steps taken in haste leave no space for retraction! As ofnow the political situation in the nation is in mess with the party many Indianlooked upon as a hope to counter the anarchy and family gameshow at the centeris arguably in a bad shape. Isn’t this the opportunity when a few (if not many)young, willing and dedicated leaders can be promoted? And here is were I breakout of the story as I am not sure that I can deliver but then there are peopleall around us who are talented and wiling but lack the platform.

So the question to ask is: where can we provide a platformto such people? I would like to again quote Chankya who said: Once you start a working on something, don'tbe afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are thehappiest.

Will India see a revival of politics as a result of theturmoil or would we see more leaders sitting back at our homes and cursingeveryday looking at them on the TV?

Surely I am a coward to give excuses for not doing thingsrather than taking a step and doing something but I look at this as a differentstage. From where I look I feel, this is the first step to be brave:Acknowledging your weakness. Let’s acknowledge our weakness, put it behind usand take a step towards bravery by doing something rather than cribbing as wehave been doing for ages.

||Vande Matram||