Skip to main content

Freebies curse on people, end menace in elections to strengthen Indian democracy

By Sudhansu R Das 

Freebies in the election have become the single most potential threat to the economy, society, culture, politics and democracy. Freebies help the inefficient persons to rule the educated and the efficient people for decades. Once a leader grabs power with freebies he continues giving freebies to remain in power; it ruins the country beyond repair. When a building cracks it can be repaired; if a road has potholes it can be re-laid. If the human mind gets addicted to freebies it is difficult to repair. The result is a massive idle energy based vote bank which adversely affects people’s creativity, productivity and entrepreneurship. Freebies can weaken the nation from within as the core strength of the nation gets eroded. Ultimately it leads to loss of independence of minds and control over economic assets and natural resources.
Since independence, India has lost many generations of youth due to distribution of freebies. The freebie war has been intensified as the 2024 Lok Sabha election draws nearer. “Ye Dil Mange More”- political parties compete with one another to declare mountains of freebies due to the fear of losing elections. Today, no political party can win an election without promising freebies which becomes a curse on people after the election. The ever illusive freebies precipitate into endless sufferings for people; it drains the state’s exchequer and overburden people with various taxes; price rise in essential things like food, houses, education and health facilities etc torment people.
Today, the list of freebies gets longer which includes everything: house, food, loan waivers, land, pension, subsidies, computer, cycle, fridge, scooters, pilgrim tours, dinner party, cash, loan waivers, electricity and water etc. In fact, the freebies are given in one hand and double the amount of freebies in the form of taxes are collected in the other hand; it is just like money lending business. People are left at the mercy of private hospitals, private educational institutions, builders, greedy traders and middlemen who increase the price of their products and services at will in post election.
Over decades, freebies have created a Frankenstein monster; if the monster is not satisfied, it will devour the political parties within no time. “He has given me a free house, what will you give to me? '', asks the monster to the leader. How to get rid of this frankenstein monster- the Freebie is the biggest challenge before the country.
India desperately needs good educated leaders with courage and political skill; who can work relentlessly on various social and economic issues; who can educate voters what is good for them; who can tell voters the danger of freebie culture. Indian politics provides a huge opportunity to the strong, honest and efficient people to make a career. A vacuum has been created and the majority of people want the emergence of good leaders who will put their courageous step on the political field.
Politics is the only career which gives opportunity to people for giving seva to people; genuine seva gives immense pleasure to leaders who are honest and kind hearted. It is not necessary that the good people will win the election; but the ripple they will create by contesting the election can turn into a wave tomorrow and a storm later. India awaits for a deep churning of the ocean the way it was churned by gods and demons in Indian mythology. Educated, good and bold people stepping into the political field is the only way to save democracy, people, culture and the nation. Indian intellectual mass should act or cast aside their intellectual tag, social status, University degrees and accolades.

Comments

TRENDING

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative  The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani*  India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor*  Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Four J&K MLAs visit Wular lake, pledge support to fisher community, environmental conservation

By Shamim Ahmed*   In a historic meeting that highlighted both environmental and social concerns, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited Wular Lake to meet with the fisherfolk community, signaling a significant step in addressing their longstanding issues. This gathering, organized with the support of dedicated advocates, marks a strengthening of efforts to both safeguard the lake’s ecosystem and support the community’s welfare.

Supreme Court’s dismissal of PIL on Covid vaccine safety is counter to known science and mathematics

By Bhaskaran Raman*  On 14 Oct 2024, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the side-effects of the Covid vaccine. In 2021, the world saw the rollout of various Covid vaccine candidates. In India, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield were rolled out. Covishield was nothing but Oxford’s AstraZeneca relabelled in India. The importance of open-minded and scientific probe of Covid vaccine safety In 2020/2021, all Covid vaccines were authorized for emergency use, which meant that the necessary efficacy and safety follow-up was incomplete at that time. The originally approved trials – called randomised controlled trials (RCT) had a “vaccine” group and a “placebo” group for comparison. Such experimental comparison/control is the cornerstone of the scientific method – which even children learn in photosynthesis experiments in class-1. The vaccine trials were scheduled to conclude in late 2022/early 2023. For instance, Covax...

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad*  On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.