Isn’t the article a little too idealistic. Admittedly there are sparks all over the country but what are the chances they will become a fireball in our lifetime? Like you write in 2 States we are Bengali/Punjabi/Maharashtrian/Tamil, etc etc first before we are Indians. The question I ask myself (whenever this mood hits me, and it sems to hit me pretty frequently these days) is that is this a manifestation of our search for uniqueness in this vast ocean of people called India for security and belongingness’ stake (ref the Australian incidents) or an inherent human nature to find ways to be ‘different’. Either ways, we are going to a) need a visionary thread (read ‘leader’) to bind this bundle of sticks together or b) find an event common to all of us to make us forget our first identity (i.e., regional ones). In my two cents of an opinion, its very very idealistic to think that the people of this blessed nation will see one common cause without either of the above two happening.
Absolutely true Chetan…. I am sure even after reading this article there will 10 million people out of those 20M who will still not go for voting saying “my vote ” doesnt matter…There has to be awakening in the country that every vote count……and i truly believe that it is very much possible if young india unites and start working for such causes because i feel every young indian at the back of the mind would want that ‘excel’ to be a fact…
Article stands out but still “not voting” is a virus that kills the nations growth accepted but i really doubt if that fireball stuff happens in our lifetime.
Most struggling to meet their ends and perspective of fun is no where in many of our calendars. Expecting to have this spirit is too idealistic.
A person is raised from young age to this by the parents of last decade and what will u expect that guy would have been thought.
I personally believe if any radical change in thought process should happen, everyone should have freedom to think decide his life’s fate not his society.
Society has too much influence in one’s thinking and his decision. Freedom of thinking and more meetings @ college level on this thought process would definitely bring upon the fireball everyone like to experience in their lifetime.
thanks for wonderful post for trying to kindle spirit now and then.
I have just finished reading your article, though, I think you could have written well, the former part gives detailed critical analysis, the latter part becomes statistical and loses all explanatory ideas.. all in all it should have been more descriptive – it felt like just reading a repor.. you should try to involve more literature – like Shoba De did on the same page – in order beautify your write.. well, any way good thoughts, though.
I am an NRI, and I am happy to note that NRIs will be able to cast their votes by the time the country holds its next general elections, as our PM said recently.
I am sure that all like-minded Indians would be willing to join hands to design Pearl India. The challenge is to get the right nidus around which we could start that work. Could you be our nidus? Aamir Khan is trying to reawaken us too on this issue. Could both of you join hands to lead us? We need the right intellectual leaders to unify the voters to vote for the right political leaders.
A thought provoking article indeed. The statitical output makes us think about the ” not voting” issue seriously. It is our utmost duty to elect the most appropriate politician as our leader who would bother to full fill the deficiencies you pointed out artfully in your article.The electorate should excercise their right to the full extent ad then only the get to question the goverment on their faults.
I would like to read your views on how to overcome these deficiencies in some other article of yours. Till then i can only say your books and articles appeals a lot to us…(Youngistan)…Keep showering on us your formulated thoughts…I am sure there are more than 20million people who would want the “Excel spreadsheet” to excel…
hello sir, i had read all ur nowels and i m big admirer of ur, i just want to say that ” i have seen 3 idiots, the movie is completey the book of urs ” five pont someone”, people who say that the moive is 5% based are a bullshit, the moive is 100% five point someone. I m happy that the movies which is based on ur book have done very well and it have added to ur pride, but i am bit dissappointed that they have not publiclised credit for the film to u, and also in the movie they had not mention ur name in the begining. Each and every person who had read ur book, finds 3 idiots same as ur book. and bloody produces are denying this fact publically, i think u should sue them with a billion dollar law suit… the story of 3 idiots belong to you not abhijat singha… ok,,
u should not feel dissapointdd ad the people who have read ur book and saw the movie know that 3 idiots is ur storyu not someone else, appearing of credit dont matter to ur fans and reader of ur booka as they know 3 idots is based on ur book,,,
That’s all i want to say..
please give me reply …. ablut my thoughts///
A good article which makes everyone think, but this is yet another one which creates a hype for sometime and vanishes… It should not be the same.. As on of the NRI friend had said, we need good leaders to guide us in proper way… to give them the right knowledge etc…You then need to build a good network…Am happy to join the club… to be one among the 20 million..
Hi Chetan
It is gr8 to know my vote will matter(i’m not 18 yet). The 20 milllion can make a difference but who will lead them? there are no politicians worth voting for right now. We need a new political party. Yes there are parties like lok paritran and bharat punarnirman dal but they are scattered. What we need is a leader like Obama to unite the country.I strongly believe we are going to see a gr8 leader soon.
But this so called enlightened grp(incl me)cares only if they have something at stake. Two yrs ago,when the govt. announced reservationc for OBC , there were protests everywhere (both for and against) by doctors and engineers.When justice is denied to middle class people (like Priyadarshni Mattoo case) there is public support.
but who cares about farmer suicides in Vidharbha?
Who cares if some poor kid dies of malnutrition?
There are schools without teachers in many villages.
i’m not saying all of us are selfish. I jus want to say this 20 million is unaware of the other india.
I feel, you forgot one more important factor, which drives India, Penetration of common Indian into national Politics. For example, you might have heard an American saying, anyone can be a President in America. Will you say the same for a common Indian to be a Indian Prime Minister. I know the answer, it’s a big NO.. Basics of our Polity aren’t in place itself. Did we ever think, Why did British rule almost whole world for more than two centuries. Reason is they had a dream and determination to chase it down. But in our case, we have dream, but no determination.
In my view, We simple can’t chase our dream to be World’s superpower till we have a SUPERSTRONG leader. Which can’t be find until Politics of India is open only for those, who are millionaires or billionaires.
I liked ur article its really impressive and also cud create actions also…i hope atleast all ur readers make it into actions…and m in support of next comment on ur blog dat is v have dreams widout determination…v need a political system open for the all common indians rather than rich men’s system
the article is just a polite of saying ‘my vote doesn’t matter’ ….. much like ” Alok’s family wasn’t rich and affluent which is just a polite way of saying he was poor “
As always i support your thoughts. But not the approach you take.you were saying if 20 million people are focusing on vote it would be sufficient to change the face of india. But as per me,even in ideal situations if 20 million people can change the fate of india, what about the vote value of other people who are casting their vote?? dunn you think by undermining the capabilities of vote of other people you are looking a bit low to them???
My solution to this would be.. start educating the vote of people. introduce a concept called negative voting. which gives privilege to reject a leader if people dont like him. Right now we are forced to choose a idiot from a bunch of idiots. What if we dont like the total bunch of idiots?? cant we say that all of them are gooons and not useful to this society and i want to choose some one else??
It would be good if one such provision is made. Hope the idea sounds good and you would do a detailed analysis on this. And i dunno if our constituion provides this kind of right to people. If there is one such right to reject people, please make sure you bring this before people.
Hi,
Just finished reading TWO STATES.Wow is the word. I admire you as you followed your passion of writing and gave up the lucrative career of banking. I must say your words come from heart.
I too have written a novel but still struggling to get a publisher. anyways….
Your columns in TOI are relaxing to read on a Sunday morning. THE 20 MILLION VOTEBANK. Must say that we must wake up and act. Stop behaving like people of different communities and be just Indian. But the scars of partition are two deep to bridge the gap. Like minded people must come together and make our lives beautiful and not waste time in dirty politics.
farhana
The statistic on how many votes are needed to make a difference is enlightening. A fitting answer to ‘my vote doesn’t matter’.
Isn’t the article a little too idealistic. Admittedly there are sparks all over the country but what are the chances they will become a fireball in our lifetime? Like you write in 2 States we are Bengali/Punjabi/Maharashtrian/Tamil, etc etc first before we are Indians. The question I ask myself (whenever this mood hits me, and it sems to hit me pretty frequently these days) is that is this a manifestation of our search for uniqueness in this vast ocean of people called India for security and belongingness’ stake (ref the Australian incidents) or an inherent human nature to find ways to be ‘different’. Either ways, we are going to a) need a visionary thread (read ‘leader’) to bind this bundle of sticks together or b) find an event common to all of us to make us forget our first identity (i.e., regional ones). In my two cents of an opinion, its very very idealistic to think that the people of this blessed nation will see one common cause without either of the above two happening.
Absolutely true Chetan…. I am sure even after reading this article there will 10 million people out of those 20M who will still not go for voting saying “my vote ” doesnt matter…There has to be awakening in the country that every vote count……and i truly believe that it is very much possible if young india unites and start working for such causes because i feel every young indian at the back of the mind would want that ‘excel’ to be a fact…
Hi Chetan,
Article stands out but still “not voting” is a virus that kills the nations growth accepted but i really doubt if that fireball stuff happens in our lifetime.
Most struggling to meet their ends and perspective of fun is no where in many of our calendars. Expecting to have this spirit is too idealistic.
A person is raised from young age to this by the parents of last decade and what will u expect that guy would have been thought.
I personally believe if any radical change in thought process should happen, everyone should have freedom to think decide his life’s fate not his society.
Society has too much influence in one’s thinking and his decision. Freedom of thinking and more meetings @ college level on this thought process would definitely bring upon the fireball everyone like to experience in their lifetime.
thanks for wonderful post for trying to kindle spirit now and then.
let all our dream come true.
new year greetings to all
Jaagore! 20 million chai pilana hoga!
hello , i had read ur novel two states its really rocks nd pls do write next novel fast ………… waiting for next novel…………..
I have just finished reading your article, though, I think you could have written well, the former part gives detailed critical analysis, the latter part becomes statistical and loses all explanatory ideas.. all in all it should have been more descriptive – it felt like just reading a repor.. you should try to involve more literature – like Shoba De did on the same page – in order beautify your write.. well, any way good thoughts, though.
Dear Chetan
I am an NRI, and I am happy to note that NRIs will be able to cast their votes by the time the country holds its next general elections, as our PM said recently.
I am sure that all like-minded Indians would be willing to join hands to design Pearl India. The challenge is to get the right nidus around which we could start that work. Could you be our nidus? Aamir Khan is trying to reawaken us too on this issue. Could both of you join hands to lead us? We need the right intellectual leaders to unify the voters to vote for the right political leaders.
Regards, Rajendra
Hi Chetan,
I really liked your point.
Raveesh
Hello Chetan,
A thought provoking article indeed. The statitical output makes us think about the ” not voting” issue seriously. It is our utmost duty to elect the most appropriate politician as our leader who would bother to full fill the deficiencies you pointed out artfully in your article.The electorate should excercise their right to the full extent ad then only the get to question the goverment on their faults.
I would like to read your views on how to overcome these deficiencies in some other article of yours. Till then i can only say your books and articles appeals a lot to us…(Youngistan)…Keep showering on us your formulated thoughts…I am sure there are more than 20million people who would want the “Excel spreadsheet” to excel…
Regards
Tithi.
hello sir, i had read all ur nowels and i m big admirer of ur, i just want to say that ” i have seen 3 idiots, the movie is completey the book of urs ” five pont someone”, people who say that the moive is 5% based are a bullshit, the moive is 100% five point someone. I m happy that the movies which is based on ur book have done very well and it have added to ur pride, but i am bit dissappointed that they have not publiclised credit for the film to u, and also in the movie they had not mention ur name in the begining. Each and every person who had read ur book, finds 3 idiots same as ur book. and bloody produces are denying this fact publically, i think u should sue them with a billion dollar law suit… the story of 3 idiots belong to you not abhijat singha… ok,,
u should not feel dissapointdd ad the people who have read ur book and saw the movie know that 3 idiots is ur storyu not someone else, appearing of credit dont matter to ur fans and reader of ur booka as they know 3 idots is based on ur book,,,
That’s all i want to say..
please give me reply …. ablut my thoughts///
Dear Chetan,
A good article which makes everyone think, but this is yet another one which creates a hype for sometime and vanishes… It should not be the same.. As on of the NRI friend had said, we need good leaders to guide us in proper way… to give them the right knowledge etc…You then need to build a good network…Am happy to join the club… to be one among the 20 million..
Hi Chetan
It is gr8 to know my vote will matter(i’m not 18 yet). The 20 milllion can make a difference but who will lead them? there are no politicians worth voting for right now. We need a new political party. Yes there are parties like lok paritran and bharat punarnirman dal but they are scattered. What we need is a leader like Obama to unite the country.I strongly believe we are going to see a gr8 leader soon.
But this so called enlightened grp(incl me)cares only if they have something at stake. Two yrs ago,when the govt. announced reservationc for OBC , there were protests everywhere (both for and against) by doctors and engineers.When justice is denied to middle class people (like Priyadarshni Mattoo case) there is public support.
but who cares about farmer suicides in Vidharbha?
Who cares if some poor kid dies of malnutrition?
There are schools without teachers in many villages.
i’m not saying all of us are selfish. I jus want to say this 20 million is unaware of the other india.
Dear Chetan,
I feel, you forgot one more important factor, which drives India, Penetration of common Indian into national Politics. For example, you might have heard an American saying, anyone can be a President in America. Will you say the same for a common Indian to be a Indian Prime Minister. I know the answer, it’s a big NO.. Basics of our Polity aren’t in place itself. Did we ever think, Why did British rule almost whole world for more than two centuries. Reason is they had a dream and determination to chase it down. But in our case, we have dream, but no determination.
In my view, We simple can’t chase our dream to be World’s superpower till we have a SUPERSTRONG leader. Which can’t be find until Politics of India is open only for those, who are millionaires or billionaires.
nyc thought
Hi CB,
I liked ur article its really impressive and also cud create actions also…i hope atleast all ur readers make it into actions…and m in support of next comment on ur blog dat is v have dreams widout determination…v need a political system open for the all common indians rather than rich men’s system
Hi Chetan
Your article provided great food for thought. My detailed analysis on the issue you are discussing.
http://sarathyraghav.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-response-to-chetan-bhagats-article.html
the article is just a polite of saying ‘my vote doesn’t matter’ ….. much like ” Alok’s family wasn’t rich and affluent which is just a polite way of saying he was poor “
hi chetan,
As always i support your thoughts. But not the approach you take.you were saying if 20 million people are focusing on vote it would be sufficient to change the face of india. But as per me,even in ideal situations if 20 million people can change the fate of india, what about the vote value of other people who are casting their vote?? dunn you think by undermining the capabilities of vote of other people you are looking a bit low to them???
My solution to this would be.. start educating the vote of people. introduce a concept called negative voting. which gives privilege to reject a leader if people dont like him. Right now we are forced to choose a idiot from a bunch of idiots. What if we dont like the total bunch of idiots?? cant we say that all of them are gooons and not useful to this society and i want to choose some one else??
It would be good if one such provision is made. Hope the idea sounds good and you would do a detailed analysis on this. And i dunno if our constituion provides this kind of right to people. If there is one such right to reject people, please make sure you bring this before people.
As always your big time fan,
Thanks
Pavan Venkata
Hi,
Just finished reading TWO STATES.Wow is the word. I admire you as you followed your passion of writing and gave up the lucrative career of banking. I must say your words come from heart.
I too have written a novel but still struggling to get a publisher. anyways….
Your columns in TOI are relaxing to read on a Sunday morning. THE 20 MILLION VOTEBANK. Must say that we must wake up and act. Stop behaving like people of different communities and be just Indian. But the scars of partition are two deep to bridge the gap. Like minded people must come together and make our lives beautiful and not waste time in dirty politics.
farhana