The Power Of Your Vote

The Power of your Vote - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

India's problems are complex. And unfortunately these are compounded by
vote-bank politics. Instead of uniting the different sections of society, many
politicians divide it to keep their vote banks intact. If people are united,
politicians won't be able to get votes through divisive politics. In such a
situation, the only way for them to win votes would be through good
performance.

As citizens, we must protect our country from those who manipulate issues for
their personal gains and who lead by playing vote-bank politics. Those with
vested interests support insensible decisions and oppose sensible ones. We have
to steer clear of such leaders. We must encourage broad-minded politicians and
leaders to come forward and take charge, and to educate and uplift the society
- spiritually, morally and socially.

We need leaders who are satya-darshi (truthful), sam-darshi (equanimous) ,
priya-darshi (pleasant), paar-darshi (transparent) and door-darshi (visionary).
So, before we elect our leaders, we should examine their qualifications.

We must elect leaders who will do away with policies based on caste, creed,
religion and region; who will ensure that every child gets a multi-cultural,
multi-dimensional education.

We need leadership with a mission and a vision, leadership with a spirit of
sacrifice, compassion and commitment. We must choose leaders who have a
long-term vision and short-term plans to achieve it. They should have great
personal integrity, and place the country before themselves.

Unfortunately, most of our politicians lack a sense of sacrifice and
inclusiveness. Irrespective of the party they belong to, people perceive
politicians as insincere. Today, people are fed up of them. This is when apathy
sets in among people. They dismiss politics as a whole and withdraw from their
basic duty of voting.

Our votes are an important tool to bring about a change in the system; they
give us an opportunity to raise our voice against injustice. But many of us
have developed a chalta hai attitude, because we fail to see the power of our
votes. This attitude is dangerous for the country. By not voting we are
encouraging the status quo.

Each one of us must not only vote but also encourage others around us to vote.
When good, intelligent and well-educated people don't vote, they play into the
hands of politicians, who use money and vote bank politics to seize power.
People should not lose hope. Good politicians exist. And they must be given a
chance to do the best they can for the country, for its people.

We have seen the shortcomings of capitalism, communism and socialism. Now is
the time for humanism and spiritualism. Politics without humanism and
spiritualism is bound to be dirty. Many people believe that spiritualism is not
for this world, that it is not a practical tool to bring about societal
transformation. But that's a misconception. Mahatma Gandhi was spiritual. He
conducted satsangs every day and played an important role in bringing freedom
for our country.

That is why today we need leaders who have a spirit of sacrifice, and who are
spiritual in their outlook, to enter politics.

Jai Gurudev !


Note  : Here is a cool and useful site for online registration of voters,
various election news etc.  - http://jaagore. com/