Opinion P V Sindhu writes: This year’s election, charged by ‘yuva shakti’

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken measures to mobilise young and first-time voters for the Lok Sabha Elections. It has called upon the youth to cast their ballots in record numbers and be part of the Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye campaign. This initiative aims to instill a sense of civic duty and national pride among first-time voters, estimated to be nearly two crore.

This campaign builds upon the need to invest in civic education and create platforms for meaningful participation of the youth in political processes. This has transformed the young voters campaign into a jan andolan.

A campaign becomes a people’s movement when it builds upon its goals and objectives, and resonates deeply across all segments of society, leading to widespread participation. Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye gained momentum as more and more credible voices joined the call to action. In his 110th Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the country’s youth to actively participate in the democratic process. Others, including cricketers, cine artistes and social media influencers, have followed in his footsteps. I am privileged to be a part of this campaign, realising the power of the collective, not just as a citizen, but also as a woman.

A stirring anthem encapsulating the essence of the Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye campaign was released recently. Enthusiastic youngsters are sharing videos of the anthem being sung at iconic locations and World Heritage Sites across the country, with some Padma awardees releasing renditions of the anthem in multiple languages.

The digital age has revolutionised the way information is disseminated and opinions are formed. Social media platforms, online forums and digital campaigns have emerged as powerful tools for mobilising support, particularly among the youth. In recognition of this, the MyGov portal is hosting creative competitions for reel
making, blog writing, quizzes and an online voters pledge.

The youth and first-time voters are also being mobilised in colleges and higher learning institutions across the country. Students are coming together in celebratory fests where they are taking voter pledges and participating in rallies, seminars, and creative competitions such as debates.

Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye has taken the form of a crowd-sourced movement – it has become a collective effort that inspires widespread participation and seeks to drive meaningful change on a large scale. The cascading effect of growing participation builds upon a familiar feature of several recent campaigns and initiatives, including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat and Covid-19 awareness. It builds on the momentum of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.

When people get connected to a cause, widespread dividends accrue for the whole nation. The ‘Give It Up’ movement, launched in 2015, wherein the Prime Minister appealed to people to come forward and give up their LPG subsidy, saw almost a crore households voluntarily give up subsidy in the first year itself. Similarly, empowering the youth to engage in politics will foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the democratic process, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and representative society.

The participation of the youth in the voting process for Election 2024 is not just desirable but imperative for the health of democracy. By empowering the youth to exercise their democratic rights, we can ensure a more inclusive, representative, and responsive political system. As we embark on this democratic journey, let us recognise the immense potential of the yuva shakti to shape the destiny of our nation and forge a brighter future for generations to come.

The writer is an ace Indian badminton player. Views expressed are personal