Idealism & Ethics in Politics is a must

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Independence of our country from the British Raj is the greatest gift our previous generations have given us. The greatness of freedom can only be realized and felt by the one who is curbed of his / her independence. Let us not take our independence for granted. Let us not forget the struggle and sacrifices by the great souls of India to achieve independence. Our heart always salutes them. But is it not our duty to recognize and respect their sacrifice by adhering to the reason(s) they got our country independent? Do you think the great ones who sacrificed then, for the great cause of our country, would be happy seeing today’s India? Would they feel that their efforts and sacrifices have gone in vain? Put your hand on your heart and give it a serious thought.

By the virtue of my birth in a family where nationalism and patriotism have always been on top priority, the formative years of my life went by, discussing about, understanding, reading about- idealism and ethics which were perceived for an independent India by the great people who contributed to the freedom movement of our country. On my eighth birthday my grandfather late Sh. Devendra Satpathy and my grandmother late Smt. Nandini Satpathy had gifted me a book called the ‘Rebirth of India’ by Sri. Aurobindo Ghosh. I clearly remember that I had taken a lot of help from both of them to understand this book, then. This book along with many other books and the teachings of my legendary grandparents inspire me.

One commits to work for the cause of the people, they trust you to voice their issues, they elect you as their representative - ‘ Politics is an extension of Social work’, this is what I grew up with  and that is what I strongly believe in. Unfortunately this is not what the general belief is, in today’s times. Few days back in a public meeting I happened to have a discussion with a very senior literary of our country and I had asked him if honesty and idealism could exist in today’s political, social & economic scenario? To my surprise I got an ‘impossible’ for an answer. But as ‘I’ read it, Impossible too reads im (I am) possible. All one needs is to believe and work for it, anything is possible if it is initiated with an honest intent. ‘Political will’ is the epicentre of each action of our society. It is not yet completely dark, there are a few good people who believe in idealism & ethics in politics; it is because of them that we have been seeing our country progress, they are the guiding lamp in the dark, and all we need are a few more guiding lamps.

A major portion of the Indian population today is young. Statistics show that among all other countries of the world, India has the largest number of young people. All so young, energetic, ready to go but yet we live in a dilemma? It is time for us to go back to the drawing board; use some  realistic thinking; carry out a few correction on the errors; fine tune the mechanism; use the experience of the elders and work with the body of the young; There is no way that India will not re-achieve the glory and position our country once held in yester years. Other countries have been using our intellect and efforts for their betterment, now it is time for us to get our resources together and rebuild India to be the most flourishing country of the world.

Let’s not find fault in others; let’s find fault within ourselves. Let’s not oppose for the heck of it; let’s understand in detail and oppose if needed that too with reasoning and resolutions. Let’s not just live for today; let’s live for today and a better tomorrow. Let’s not just produce doctors, engineers, teachers, lawyers etc. let’s produce good human beings first. Let’s think progressively. Let’s be more sensitive to the people and the environment around us. My belief is, all of us will eventually depart from this world, all that we leave behind are the deeds we do while we are alive and that is the only thing that stays on, nothing else. Contribute in whatever manner possible to bring about a change for the better. Think about it; connect with the likeminded, join hands, start the move and it will turn into a movement. All it takes is a spark to start a machinary, ignite that spark in you.

This write up of mine has already been published by ‘The New Indian Express’, ‘The Pioneer’ and a few other publications. Jan 26 `2013 is India's  64^th Republic day, thought of sharing this with all of you.         

Jai Hind !!