Journalism of Courage
As the biggest democracy in the world unveils the grand display of its voting rights in the forthcoming Loksabha elections,there are a few silent observers who,though not eligible to participate,stick to their basic right of forming an opinion. As the city gets charged up for the E day,the foreign nationals fraternity in the city has a lot to say.
Keith Kline is an American national who has been settled in India for the past five years. President of Innoverge,a software firm,Kline says,I have been experiencing the political rallies that take place in the city,but since I am not a voter,I am not really keen on knowing what they have to promise. Though their decisions will affect me both- professionally as well as personally,I do not know any of the politicians by name. With the Obama mania occupying the world,it is irresistible for a US national to compare Indian and American elections. What I find surprising in India is the fact that not many people are aware of the date when elections are taking place. Whereas in America,everyone knows everything about the candidates as well as the dates, says he adding that mobilising such a huge population is a challenging task that India is carrying out quite efficiently.
While may prefer to play the role of a silent observer,there are a few who believe that the results of the elections can bring about tremendous changes in their own lives. Sayed Obaigullah an Afghani national whos been in the city for the past three years says,As citizens of Afghanistan,we face a lot of problems such as renting the house,admissions issues and issues related to registrations. Indirectly,these concerns are related to the Indo-Afghan relations and the leaders of nations who are responsible for these relations can certainly change our lives here. I follow every bit of news about elections and find Indian election system to be more citizen-centric that Afghanistan for the simple reason that back home,elections take place with the entire country voting at a time unlike in India,where the sections are divided as per state territories for better governance.
One of the most largely populated communities in the city are also the Iranian nationals and having come from a complex political system of a country like Iran they find elections in India quite simple and people centric. With no hopes that the elections can change their lives,Amir Toor an Iranian student says,In Iran we have only two political parties. This is the first time that I am witnessing elections in a country other than mine,but then,politicians are the same everywhere and the ones in Iran never made a difference in our lives.
