Election season

So India heads for the Lok Sabha elections. There's a sense of decision in the air - who will come next. Even me with my rudimentary knowledge of politics am anticipating the results like an eager beaver.

While thumbing through the newspaper today, amidst reports of fighting in Sri Lanka and the creeping forward of Taliban forces in Taliban, I came across an article by Thorsten Reuter who is covering the Indian elections.

He said something that has stayed with me all day:
"So many who have nothing are being convinced to vote for someone who has everything."

Gurcharan Das in one of his books once commented that the middle class in India are privileged because they live far better than they can ever dream of - and when comparing themselves to the poor; live like rajas. But did you ever think about all those people who do live like rajas? What are their lives like? And what have the contributed to their society?

I used to think that philanthropy is a no-no in this country. But that is not true. So many people help eachother in this nation; you just have to see it. Sometimes just by being here, shopping for your vegetables; your clothes; making a donation; giving your old clothes away - you make a difference to someone's lives. It's not always possible for all of us to be like Baba Amte or Mother Teresa; but you can help. Even taking a ride on your local cycle rickshaw - you are helping someone else.

Oh God you must be thinking. What is this person saying? They provide a service - and you use it. Nothing is free. True; that is so true. But by opting take the cycle rickshaw instead of driving down to the local market - you've given someone their daily dues.

So I think sometimes, what about all those people like the IAS and other services, our country's politicians, who have the power, the means and the money to build development projects, fix the roads, provide employment.... - wouldn't it be great if everyone puts aside their own personal agendas and gets some work done for the vast majority who haven't been so lucky?