PRIORITY MATTERS…

Currently, due to some incidents, people from all walks of life are coming together for or against any issue. But my question is – Do these things really matter? Do we discuss the issues of unemployment, environment, etc. How many of us read newspaper reports, research findings, watch quality panel discussions? Basically, what are our priorities?

The working of the Government is merely a reflection of our actions. If we are not conscious of our surroundings then how can we expect that Government should be? Government is a body of elected people like you and me. Do we all vote at the time of Elections? What is our criterion while voting? Which of the following things do we consider – Candidate, Party, Religion, Caste, Manifesto, Ideology or Cash? The criteria applied by us define the results we are going to receive from the Government.

Let us assume that we want our government and expect it to frame policies, laws on real issues. For example, we want the Government to address the Environmental crisis. The Government declined to extend the date for rolling out new vehicles and fuel which are BS-6 compliant and are more environmentally friendly. Both the industry and the people opposed this. Some industrialists came forward to say that they are ready to comply with the law. This triggered the sale of BS-3, BS-4 vehicles at huge discounted rates like a clearance sale. The effect was that the objective behind the rule was dishonoured. But who were the buyers? Again, you and Me. It is very natural to buy goods under offers.  Some people might say that we were not the buyers. But we cannot deny that directly or indirectly through our relatives, family, friends we are all part of it. 

Even if the Government tries to implement some sound policies they are either criticized or the purpose fails. Then how can we expect that the Government must bring sound policies in the future? Democratic Governments run on the will of the people. Politicians and Parties know the price they will have to pay for going against people’s will.

Now, what is our opinion or will? How do we form it? Are they on the basis of unverified messages forwarded on social media (Whatsapp University Students) and Youtube videos? Do we form them by reading extremely biased newspapers and magazines? Or from the social media handle of a particular ideology? Do you think really think that the information feeded to people now-a-days is totally trustworthy?

People following a particular media are not ready to see the other side or perspective of the issue. Are we ready to see beyond our set of thoughts and beliefs? Knowledge and opinion of one side of the issue doesn’t make full sense. We need to go further and understand other side of the issue. This not only improves our insight but also has a positive impact on the Government. If we are fully aware about our surroundings then we engage our Government to act upon real issues. When Government knows that people are asking questions about Rights, Economy, Agriculture, Development which are the issues affecting our lives directly, it is left with no choice but to deliver.

Unless we give priority to these issues, the government will not. We need to go beyond Mandir-Masjid, Hindu-Muslim, Right-Left. While we fight on this, whichever party is in power will keep on inventing non-issues to fool us.

Acknowledgement:-

Editing & Proofreading- Anay Pethe

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