Thursday, November 16, 2006
Agra Shows How Indian Democracy Is Always Alive
By Brij Khandelwal
Agra (India) 14 November: As the host to the world's best-known memorial to love, the Taj Mahal city was probably best suited to show why- and how- Indian democracy thrives. And Agra did that admirably the other day.
Even as voters in many Western countries appear to be getting tired of the electoral process, Agra answered why the poorest of the poor still do make it to the ballot box religiously during every election in India.
Just as the Diwali and Eid merrymaking seemed to be petering out, folks in Agra got involved in the biggest festival of them all: elections to the Agra Municipal Corporation, the body that comes in for brickbats round the year.
After a week of full-throated propaganda, road shows, processions, blaring loudspeakers, long and short marches and all the acrobatic tricks to draw the attention of the voters, Tuesday proved to be the day of reckoning.
Initially voters came out in trickles, in two's and three's. But as the day progressed, they were out there in full force-- unending queues of anxious decision-makers, many properly dressed for the occasion and in high morale and betraying a feeling that the success of Indian democracy depended on their one single vote.
It was clear that unlike in the West, people here enjoy frequent elections and the attendant activities that go with them.
A round of the city on polling day provided deep insights into the dynamic process of politicization of the masses. Mohallas (small neighborhoods) in the interior like Hospital Road, Mantola, Ghatia, Belanganj and Loha Mandi saw almost everyone out on the streets, cajoling and convincing the people to vote for one or the other candidate.
Men, women in burqas and children too had a jolly good outing. As the bazaars were closed children used the deserted streets to play cricket. The women gossiped and the men folk indulged in heated political discussions.
Posh colonies like Kamla Nagar and Jaipur House were a little sedate in contrast, but the momentum picked up in the afternoon as word went round that the candidates of rival parties were better positioned electoraly.
Civil Lines and Vijay Nagar Colony had almost every resident queuing up to vote. The stray 'halwai' shop that risked opening up or the corner 'panwala' had the frenzied supporters crowding up like vultures on whatever was available as snacks.
Bansi Wala in Kamla Nagar had special kachoris and jalebis to go with the festive mood.
"Don't you think it's all such a waste of time?" I asked a committed worker of a political party.
Surendra Sharma's answer was revealing: "No! So many people stand to gain as money stacked in almirahs gets circulated and everyone makes some money through work or as part-time wages.
"And look at the energy channeled creatively to strengthen the democratic process. Elections serve as a safety valve in our society to let off the pent up stress and anger."
At the polling booths, almost everywhere, party workers shared their packed lunches with the supervisory staff and also with the humble and ill paid Home Guards.
Frayed tempers at some polling booths did threaten to vitiate the atmosphere. But the seniors through their conciliatory efforts helped restore a degree of sanity and order.
Whatever be the results of the just concluded local bodies elections, the amount of interest generated this time will not leave the corporators and the mayor in peace. They have promised the moon to the voters, who wouldn't be satisfied for anything less than the stars.
(Www.mediabharti.com)
Agra (India) 14 November: As the host to the world's best-known memorial to love, the Taj Mahal city was probably best suited to show why- and how- Indian democracy thrives. And Agra did that admirably the other day.
Even as voters in many Western countries appear to be getting tired of the electoral process, Agra answered why the poorest of the poor still do make it to the ballot box religiously during every election in India.
Just as the Diwali and Eid merrymaking seemed to be petering out, folks in Agra got involved in the biggest festival of them all: elections to the Agra Municipal Corporation, the body that comes in for brickbats round the year.
After a week of full-throated propaganda, road shows, processions, blaring loudspeakers, long and short marches and all the acrobatic tricks to draw the attention of the voters, Tuesday proved to be the day of reckoning.
Initially voters came out in trickles, in two's and three's. But as the day progressed, they were out there in full force-- unending queues of anxious decision-makers, many properly dressed for the occasion and in high morale and betraying a feeling that the success of Indian democracy depended on their one single vote.
It was clear that unlike in the West, people here enjoy frequent elections and the attendant activities that go with them.
A round of the city on polling day provided deep insights into the dynamic process of politicization of the masses. Mohallas (small neighborhoods) in the interior like Hospital Road, Mantola, Ghatia, Belanganj and Loha Mandi saw almost everyone out on the streets, cajoling and convincing the people to vote for one or the other candidate.
Men, women in burqas and children too had a jolly good outing. As the bazaars were closed children used the deserted streets to play cricket. The women gossiped and the men folk indulged in heated political discussions.
Posh colonies like Kamla Nagar and Jaipur House were a little sedate in contrast, but the momentum picked up in the afternoon as word went round that the candidates of rival parties were better positioned electoraly.
Civil Lines and Vijay Nagar Colony had almost every resident queuing up to vote. The stray 'halwai' shop that risked opening up or the corner 'panwala' had the frenzied supporters crowding up like vultures on whatever was available as snacks.
Bansi Wala in Kamla Nagar had special kachoris and jalebis to go with the festive mood.
"Don't you think it's all such a waste of time?" I asked a committed worker of a political party.
Surendra Sharma's answer was revealing: "No! So many people stand to gain as money stacked in almirahs gets circulated and everyone makes some money through work or as part-time wages.
"And look at the energy channeled creatively to strengthen the democratic process. Elections serve as a safety valve in our society to let off the pent up stress and anger."
At the polling booths, almost everywhere, party workers shared their packed lunches with the supervisory staff and also with the humble and ill paid Home Guards.
Frayed tempers at some polling booths did threaten to vitiate the atmosphere. But the seniors through their conciliatory efforts helped restore a degree of sanity and order.
Whatever be the results of the just concluded local bodies elections, the amount of interest generated this time will not leave the corporators and the mayor in peace. They have promised the moon to the voters, who wouldn't be satisfied for anything less than the stars.
(Www.mediabharti.com)
# posted by mediabhartiwebsolutions @ 5:49 AM 
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