All Talk and No Action

It's Election year ! Needless to say, I am glad...

I remember, when I turned 18, I was the happiest not because I could drive or do "things" majors do, but that I could Vote.

This is an important duty that every citizen should perform. I call it a duty and not a "Right" because it is now, more than ever, that Indians should participate in this electoral Juggernaut. It is high time we arose and made ourselves heard.

It is no more your right which you can forego under the guise of "cynicism"… "Kuch nahi badlega…kya hoga…yeh sab neta aise hi hain…"

It is the need of the hour that we take our responsibility towards India and ourselves seriously. We owe this to the nation.

Talking about elections, I have come up with a list of my expectations from the Next Government…

Here is my wish list –

• Education

According to official sources, India spends about 4.2% of its GDP on Education. In a young nation, this is appalling.

We have to start looking at education with fresh ideas. Old ideas and complete dependence on public schooling system shall work no more. The passing of the Right to Education Bill is definitely in the right direction and shall bring respite to millions of youth. Now, no longer will kids be denied education on the basis of their castes or economic status.

Yet, the government needs to be more transparent regarding it's efforts to increase and improve literacy rates. For starters, I would want to know what's being done with the 2% cess that I pay – it's uses, the number of schools built, support for teaching staff, etc. A small place like Tuticorin collected 3 crores by way of cess in the fiscal 2004-05. Any guess at the amount utilized? A mere 1 lakh ! I can't imagine the numbers in the highest tax paying city of the nation !

Also, it would be nice if the government tied up with NGOs and provided monetary assistance. Yes, I know – the word NGO means there should be no government involvement. Yet, if big NGOs like Pratham and Akanksha, which are professionally run get financial backing from the Central Govt., it wouldn't take long to ensure 100% literacy in the country. Look at what "Teach India" has done. It's a people's movement – one that shall have far reaching effects in the years to come. Now couple that with billions in aid – it would have a colossal impact.

Also, free food vouchers should be given to families in rural areas to encourage them to send their kids to schools.

From my limited experience at Pankhudi – I have seen the sort of loopholes that plague our system. We teach KG level English to 8/9 grade students ! India has a lonnng way to go in terms of education and only if it can ensure this basic right to one and all, will this Asian Elephant start to dance.

• Infrastructure

In 5 years of governance, the government has failed to complete even ONE of the 47 Highways on their agenda in 2004. If this is the status of the pet project, I can't start talking about other issues !

I would want more number of planned cities in the country. Look at New Mumbai and Chandigarh. Well planned and bustling with activity. It's a tad too late to wish this for Mumbai. Yet, if small problems like traffic congestion were resolved in bits & pieces it would change the face of the city.

In a city like Mumbai which is assaulted by evergrowing population - why has water transportation been given a chance? Water transportation is cheap and can solve the Mahin and New Mumbai traffic torture.

The government needn't go far to look for help. A lot of research is done in the form of projects at esteemed institutions like the IITs. A friend was working on a Traffic Control project and how to solve the situation at a crowded place like Saki Naka. Now, this might just be a thesis. Yet, studies like these form a warehouse of ideas and can be easily implemented IF the government is wiling.

• IT Benefits and Budget

• International Relations