When the dust settles

The long-drawn seven-phase elections are over and the results have come. Needless to say that the elections this time were fought on emotive rather than rational plank. For some observers, though, elections are always based on emotional rather than real issues. But the Indian experience may prove otherwise on many occasions. Nevertheless, there is a need to focus on the core issues which were largely glossed over in the cacophony of noise largely created by motivated media campaigns that were premised on the “heavens will fall doctrine”. So the two sides of the divide were both trumpeting the same sound — if not we, the heavens will fall. But the fact remains that heavens will not fall, because heavens cannot fall. Anyway, it is time to get on to the brass tacks right away. Interestingly, everyone is aware of what needs to be done. But immediate gains become important. So, there is a supplementary question that comes in the way: What is there for me? It is this question that makes all and sundry deviate from the issues as people are driven by the logic that in the long run, everyone is dead. Well, that does make sense for the present generation, but there is a need to think of the generations to come. History is replete with examples that suggest that even monarchs thought of the future and made plans that were strategic and long term in nature. Sher Shah Suri planted trees on both sides of the Grand Trunk Road, though he knew it would take years before they grow full length. The unfortunate part is that people, in their craving for power, occupy themselves with next elections rather than the next generation. There is an urgent need for statesmanship in the political dispensation that can address issues of realpolitik rather than abstractions that charge people for a short while, but do precious little to address the ground realities. As the new Government takes over, there is a need to broach over the basics, the real agenda. As many politics-watchers rightly pointed out, the most serious issue of our times — climate change — hardly found a mention in the electoral debate. The problem is serious and concerns all of us. It is the environment, the ecosystem, which sustains life. In the primary class geography books, we used to read about its critical nature. Unfortunately, no one is bothered about ecology these days. But the rate at which the mean temperatures are rising and pollutants choking the atmosphere, all those investments in technology may be rendered ineffective. Nature’s disapproval of human ways are already loud and clear, only we need to read the writing on the wall. Addressing the sustainability of the ecosystem must then be the topmost item on the agenda of the Government. But it must also be understood that the physical ecosystem is too intricately connected with the social ecosystem. The trees, rivers, land all provide lifeline to the poor also. The plight of the underprivileged class which, despite the statistical jugglery, comprises a large section of the populace and is no less responsible for the damage to the environment than the big industries. It is equally important to think of income generation schemes for the poor and deprived. The rich man’s greed and the poor man’s need are both equally responsible. The physical environment and the socio-economic environment are parts of the same whole.

Wisdom of the masses

The world’s biggest elections are on. India, after all, is the world’s largest democracy and the over 900 million eligible voters spread across 29 States and seven Union Territories are in the process of electing a new Government in a seven stage election. A huge event by any standards. Moreover, this year’s elections may also prove to be the world’s costliest with mindboggling advertising spending to the tune of several billions being invested by different political parties to allure voters through all kinds of media campaigns, propaganda, and gimmicks. Not just the conventional print and electronic media, but the now notorious social media and even the contrived biopics by many filmmakers are going the whole hog to prove their point by trying to suggest to the electorate who is the “fairest of them all”. But amid this deafening cacophony of sound and lights and advertisement blitzkrieg, the Indian voter is to watch out for. Though baffled and beleaguered, angry and confused, the voter is keen to vote. But how will he vote is the billion dollar issue? While the so-called pollsters and psephologists, the soothsayers and the astrologers, and even the data scientists are all throwing their wisdom in the ring, the voter continues to keep the cards close to his chest. Yes, he may be wondering who he should vote for. Nevertheless, his demeanour has also kept the so-called ivory tower think tanks at their wit’s end, wondering what the voter is going to do. Certainly then, the voter is standing tall to prove his point, like in the past: “Catch me if you can”. But this time around, we are witnessing, perhaps, the most unpredictable of the elections, which many have already named as the mother of all elections. Not just because the results are hard to predict, but also because the stakes are high for the world’s largest democracy. However, these issues notwithstanding, there is a need to raise the basic question that matters most for the success as also the survival of a democracy. That crucial question of the wisdom of the voter. The Indian voter, who has been delivering most unplayable of the googlies to even the most formidable of the challengers on even the most placid of the wickets. “Will he, won’t he” is the question this time. Will he defy all those predictions to prove that he has a mind of his own? Or will he prove to be the gullible simpleton some politicians assume? The advertisements, the claims and counter claims of marketers, the blame game, the charlatans and turncoats, who think they are omniscient have all made this election hard to gauge. Naturally, we need to figure out whether the voter can keep his cool and apply his mind. We will have to wait for some more time. But who wins or loses is not the question. The question is whether the voter entity is intact.That is, if there is voter mind that transcends castes and communities and discriminates between issues and non-issues, some kind of a collective unconsciousness that proves the strength of unity in diversity. We certainly would come to know about that in a few days. But there is a popular saying which suggests that Vox Populi, Vox Dei — that is the voice of people — is the voice of God. The onus, of course, is on the Indian voter to prove this Latin proverb right or wrong.