Since few months, I became suddenly more aware, kept myself abreast with all the possible 'general' knowledge. I had to make sure that whatever I talk, I make sense of it.
This kind of pressure usually develops when, either the people you're interacting with are less knowledgeable (though subjective still we can keep G.K as base) or they look upon you.
If you understand what kind of responsibility and weight it carries, you surely know what I am talking about!
We use to giggle, bitch, laugh, discuss, pull each other legs, but seldom we do use to get into some serious discussions. She was around a decade old to me. A major difference between us, I would take serious things seriously and my blood would boil, but she would keep calm and talk about things. Another one, I would know things 'not so sure' but theoretically correct and whatever she knew was just so practical and bang on!
One random day, while I was trying to swot up the dosa maav recipe in her two room rented shack, she asked, "Whom did you vote last time?". I, being from "educated" background where we are usually told do's and dont's which includes not asking the dicey questions, but never told how to answer, if one's thrown at you, felt uncomfortable answering. I tried dodging the question and dragged podi ingredients contents to my escape, which I succeeded with, for now. Thinking that it's my personal choice, why should I discuss my political orientation but somewhere down I was aware that I am afraid of being tagged. Yeah! It was unusual being in someone else's 'personal territory' or somebody's on yours... including your thoughts & orientations!
Another day, another chit chat and me spreading "gyan" since I was the one who was double degree & govt. job holder..Ah! An Uptown girl as they say! I used to share the experiences I had, little science to the beliefs they had, little physics to what they do, a little chemistry, never maths (they were bloody good with the numbers & I wasn't). I would share whatever I know and she would tell about her experiences followed by the questions popping out 'of real life' & curiosity which I would attend to the extent I could.
Elections are just around the corner she said. I acknowledged knowing what's the next question and how wrong was I.
She said-"So, how much you get paid?"
Quite confused I asked- "Paid for what akka? The job? The fellowship? It's between 10-30k generally"
Akka- "No! Not the jobs and all. How much are you paid for casting the vote?"
Me- "Who is paid to cast the vote ka? I casted vote for free. It's my duty which I must do."
She- "Really?! Pavam! We get cash and kind here to cast vote. Last time we were given 500bucks and a saree for every vote. We made 2000bucks last time. See...see.. this is what I got last time. I think they'll raise it this time."
Me-"How (in the world- inner expressions said that) could people sell votes and then talk about it. You know it's not legal. You're doing the wrong thing, choosing wrong person who's representing you. Give the vote to person who is worth representing you. It doesn't happen where I cast vote. Do you realize your vote is worth 100times of what you mentioned. You can make or break a reign."
Elections are just around the corner she said. I acknowledged knowing what's the next question and how wrong was I.She said-"So, how much you get paid?"
Quite confused I asked- "Paid for what akka? The job? The fellowship? It's between 10-30k generally"
Akka- "No! Not the jobs and all. How much are you paid for casting the vote?"
Me- "Who is paid to cast the vote ka? I casted vote for free. It's my duty which I must do."
She- "Really?! Pavam! We get cash and kind here to cast vote. Last time we were given 500bucks and a saree for every vote. We made 2000bucks last time. See...see.. this is what I got last time. I think they'll raise it this time."
Me-"How (in the world- inner expressions said that) could people sell votes and then talk about it. You know it's not legal. You're doing the wrong thing, choosing wrong person who's representing you. Give the vote to person who is worth representing you. It doesn't happen where I cast vote. Do you realize your vote is worth 100times of what you mentioned. You can make or break a reign."
She looked at me, her eyes having a tinge of little laugh, lips curved to one side, hands doing programmed job with sil-batta finally said - "You don't get paid for it! What a loser! This time I think we'll get at-least 1000bucks, a saree and few utensils. Men get alcohol too. That's what I have heard."
Trying to make sense and make her understand I talked how these paid votes is just money game and then next 5 years you are doomed, such kind of people who so called represent you, doesn't care for you. They spend now on you and later make sure that get back 10 times in return and from you only.
She stopped for a while thinking something and then finally said-"You came all the way just to work for us, our awareness, our development. You tell there are few more like you who have gone to various other villages around the country, to work just like you.
You have earned a lot of respect in this village and around, even though you're a foreigner to this place. If you stand here for the Gram Panchayat elections you would win."
There was a pause, she looked up and said- "People who understand, they want secure jobs and the leftover becomes leaders mostly! You could be a leader but you chose to work under them."
I was speechless and somewhat ashamed. With a sigh she asked, "You tell what to chose between few bucks that would make my family survive and honest vote to dishonest leaders?"
She stopped for a while thinking something and then finally said-"You came all the way just to work for us, our awareness, our development. You tell there are few more like you who have gone to various other villages around the country, to work just like you.
You have earned a lot of respect in this village and around, even though you're a foreigner to this place. If you stand here for the Gram Panchayat elections you would win."
There was a pause, she looked up and said- "People who understand, they want secure jobs and the leftover becomes leaders mostly! You could be a leader but you chose to work under them."
I was speechless and somewhat ashamed. With a sigh she asked, "You tell what to chose between few bucks that would make my family survive and honest vote to dishonest leaders?"
That's a little sad part of the biggest democracy in the world. People who chose to sell their votes are equally responsible if they do it willingly. Such a shame. There are people who are given money to not cast vote and indelible ink is put to them without going to booth. Good you shared this account. Brings out an ugly part of our democracy or should I say a joke for people who coined democracy.
ReplyDeleteI think it happens that it happens all around the world irrespective of right or wrong but what needs more thought was perhaps what's if it's wrong why is it so? Is it the politicians who feed money OR the people to whom voting is as significant as a groom who might bring a good dowry OR the people who know they can make the change but choose to stay quite, comfortable...
DeleteI would rather urge you to take her words seriously and stand for it axita, when you have gained trust from people, when they respect you, when they are asking your hand to pull them out from that swamp... otherwise we all, will always be left with listening to this filth time n again, n these people left with their most justified question, which no one has courage to answer... n donno y, i somehow feel u can do this... i soooo wish to, but this ”never justified reason” of so called “busy life” has never let me do anything for society, when i feel i can... share the same feeling of ashamed, rather more than u...
ReplyDeleteReality hits you the most from the end you least expect it to I guess. I guess may be little experience, some exposure,good deeds, lot of knowledge and humanity guess that's what gathered slowly, perhaps will make us ready someday! :)
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