Put Vote

(Dhondu the donkey and Jamkatki the crow consultant had crossed paths here. Since then, they had become close friends exchanging thoughts and ideas about everything and nothing in particular.)

Dhondu watched the vehicles on the road growling impatiently. Jamkatki was perched on his shoulder. They were near the western express highway in Mumbai. It was evening and people were eagerly rushing back home.

Dhondu: Sigh!…this seems to be a regular occurrence! Aren’t these people tired of the endless traffic jams?

Jamkatki: I am sure they are, but they deserve it.

D: What? How can you say such a thing? Have some pity on them.

J: Why? They are the ones who are responsible for the mess!

D: (in the best sarcastic tone that he could muster) O exalted one! Please elaborate on your statement!

J: It is like this – Indians claim that India is a democracy. However, their idea of a democracy is flawed. (Dhondu noted that Jamkatki had referred to Indians as “them”, as if he did not want to associate himself with the concept of Indianness). Democracy is a participative form of government, in which everyone is a part of the governing process. In India, people vote for politicians every 5 years, and then spend the time between elections, blaming the politicians for everything.

D: But aren’t they justified in doing so? You know as well as me that these guys haven’t done anything to improve the standard of living of the people.

J: Sigh….Dhondu, you are too naïve! Tell me – you are a washerman’s apprentice. Do you get complaints from your customers ever?

D: Oh yes…there is Mrs Sharma who always feels that the clothes are not as bright as it could have been, and then there’s Mrs D’Souza who insists that the ironing is not enough.

J: So, what do you do about it?

D: Well…Some of the customers started holding back their payments. So, we had to do something about it and started scrubbing and ironing the clothes of these customers harder.

J: (smiling)…and why did you do that?

D: …because these people made life hell for us. You see we cannot afford to ignore them – after all they pay for our daily bread.

J: Exactly…in the same way, the people need to be more demanding from their leaders. And I am not even talking about leaders at the national political scene. I am talking about the local corporators and other community leaders. Hold them responsible, make them accountable, demand periodic reports from them about the status of the various initiatives, measure their performances against their manifestos, do not give them peace until the issues are solved.

D: Hmmm…never thought of it this way…you do have a point.

J: The people here do not bother to spare time to attend local meetings, monitor the progress of the various initiatives, talk to their local leaders. Some of them do not even vote and proud of the fact. Why should the leaders do anything at all, if there is no pressure on them to perform?

D: What else?

J: And if you notice, more than half the time, it is these very people who break the laws or look for the easy way out. Notice the impunity with which they break the traffic rules. How can they blame the government for inefficiency, when they themselves behave in such an idiotic way?

D: I see what you mean…

“Look Ma! That donkey is talking to that crow!!!”, a boy yelled from a passing car. The mother admonished the child for his exaggeration, while secretly approving his imagination.

Jamkatki flew away and Dhondu started walking back home!

People – If you are in Mumbai and find yourself on the electoral rools, please caste your vote in the BMC Elections tomorrow!!!!