Lockdown: A Significant Lesson

 For the last almost a year, the whole world has been suffering from the corona pandemic.  Corona and lockdown are synonymous with each other.  Suddenly, the corona pandemic has taken over the whole world as a tragedy or a global disaster.  In its initial phase, this pandemic created an atmosphere of fear and terror all over the world.  There was an atmosphere of chaos and uncertainty.  All offices, schools, colleges and other educational institutions, markets and all public places were closed all over the world.  Its greatest havoc was seen on the working class and low-income people migrating from village to city.  This is perhaps the largest event in the contemporary world affecting ordinary life.  It is a harsh truth that a person sees his home in times of trouble.  This experience will be unforgettable especially for the common man.  This global disaster shook the cries of all the developed countries of the world.  In such a situation, under the able and efficient leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in our country, we adopted an accurate and effective style to deal with this disaster.  In comparison, if we look at the figures, then the death rate in India is much lower than in developed nations.  At the same time, the rate of getting rid of disease is also the highest compared to other countries.

 In today's scenario, the fear and terror of the general public of this global disaster has reduced considerably but still there is an atmosphere of uncertainty in almost the whole world.  The nature of this pandemic is uncertain and the lockdown has proved to be the best and most effective way to deal with it.  This pandemic has given a strong message to all of us and to future generations.  This period of lock down has affected every aspect of our economic, cultural, physical, mental and social life.

 

 A large population of the world appeared to be struggling financially.  At the time of this global disaster, *Mahatma Gandhi's concept of Swaraj seemed relevant, while the call of.... Vocal for Local from the countrymen by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has strengthened that the dream of self-reliant India can never be fulfilled by the bilnd race of urbanization.*

 If India is to become economically self-reliant and stand in the line of developed nations, it is very important that a person who is economically lowest-placed has to be made self-sufficient and this is possible only when the village of India will be self- dependent. For this it is very important that local products must be promoted.  We also have to pay attention to motivate the lower income group and the working class for small savings and investment.  If our village and local environment is prosperous, then only the nation will be on the path of progress and the Indian economy can be brought to its greatest form.

 This period of lock down has created new thinking and understanding in every section of the society.  It has taught tolerance and perseverance in times of trouble and has given every person enough time to churn.

*The time is difficult: but has given significant lesson .  Now it depends on the particular person how he uses the previous experience in building the future.* 

  The pandemic is in its final stage. I hope that the whole world will be free from this terrible pandemic soon. We all will learn from the lock down period and move forward with new vigor and thinking !!!

Laik Ram Sharma

Shimla 

Local Elections: Condition and Direction

India is the largest democracy in the world.  If it is to be tested or seen in its true sense, then it is very important to interview local level politics. The definition given by Abraham Lincoln in the context of democracy *The government of people, by the people and for the people* is also  the best defined by local and rural level elections. 

Recently, panchayat level elections have been held in Himachal Pradesh. I also got an opportunity to see and feel an election so closely after about 20 years.

  I accidentally remembered these words of Professor Laski *Whether you are interested or not in politics but politics is interested in you.*

Panchayat level politics and elections are really going to generate curiosity.  *Universal Adult Franchise* is an essential part in a democracy and under it any citizen of India is empowered to contest elections or exercise vote.  Before the election, interested candidates fill the nominations to contest in different seats.  The voter is motivated to vote in his favor.

 If we talk about the election of rural level, even today, different handicaps are adopted to do the voter in his favor.

  Every effort is made to woo voters in their favor on regionalism, casteism or any other basis.  There has been a wide expansion of education in Himachal Pradesh.  The temptation of money, force or any other item does not prove to be very successful or effective in elections.  It has also been seen that to a large extent, the sheep movement of people has ended.  Today's voter is very aware. Nowadays, bringing the Gods and Goddesses in the elections, which is also known as 'Lun-Lota' system in Himachal Pradesh, has reduced to a great extent.  Surprising results have started coming up in elections and the only reason for this is that the voter of today thinks very differently from the voter of 20 or 25 years ago.  Today the voter can be made in his favor only by giving factual and accurate arguments.  Apart from this, the candidate's pre-election manifesto and the promises made by him have also started to decide the direction of the election.  All these aspects are truly honorable and admirable for a pioneer state in education like Himachal.  However, it cannot be denied that regionalism and casteism continue to play an important role in local level politics even today.  The polarization of voters is still largely determined by the above.

   Keeping all these aspects in mind, the development of any Gram Panchayat or locality depends on its educated and aware voter.  One special thing that was seen in the local elections this time is the promotion through social media.  Where 20-25 years ago, only  candidates would be distributing pamphlets n other materials door-to-door for  publicity, today it has been seen that through social media, the candidate can spread his opinion and agenda to every voter. 

It is the expectation of the people from the elected public representatives that in the next 5 years they will develop all-round and proper development of their region and it is the moral responsibility of each candidate to live up to this expectation of his voters.

*Laik Ram Sharma*