Kochi: Another general election is round the corner and while the elders go in campaign mode, the generation next doesn’t hide their opinions. They say candidates who don't fulfill their promises once elected are a blot to democracy. DC catches up with the school students to get their take on the grand exercise.
According to Shirin Joylal, a Class X student of Sivagiri Sree Narayana Senior Secondary School, Varkala, measures should be taken avoid long queues in election in scorching summer. The secrecy kept in voting is good. We have the right to vote and we must exercise it. One of the critical questions to be deabted in the elections is road accidents. One may think that it is a simple issue but hundreds of people are dying everyday in them. Another issue is safety of women. It is to be noted that corruption thrives in democracy. Rigging in election should also be dealt with.
According to Akshaya Ganesh, Class XII student of the same school, election is a great leveller enabling all to vote. Democracy also ensures a transparent form of governance. The ugly face of it rears when the candidate elected dumps his promises. However, it must be noted that there are a handful who are true and keep promises. Since they are limited in number, corruption and moneypower thrives. Issues of public interest should be debated in the election.
Class X student Nikitha of the school said that an election time can be easily identified with sudden maintenance of the roads, laying of pipelines and new policies announced. One can see politicians’ newfound sympathy and empathy for victims of various kinds. “In my opinion the climate change and the reasons for it should come up as a topic for debate in the election. In fact the damage-mitigation in the wake of the 2018 floods too should be debated. In my opinion most of the leaders have not got the idea what democracy is,” said Nikitha.
Shees Muhammed, Class XI student of the school, said the value of democrary is felt when we think of the atrocities perpetuated by tyrants in the past. Of course not all candidates are able to fulfill all their promises since their party may not get majority in the legislature. Development and fight against corruption should become main poll planks. Once corruption is controlled, development can be achieved. The recent appointment of Lokpal is right step. The arrival of social media has enabled exposing corruption, misuse of power.
Amal Saji, second year agriculture student off GVHSS Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, said a democratic system has to ensure social development while upholding democratic values, social security, welfare and status of people. Candidates who don't keep their promises are a curse to the country. In a democracy a person's belief is as important as the person's life, so such issues be debated in polls. Even after the arrival of social media, money power is reflected in democracy.
“Elections are held to ensure that ‘rule by people’ happens in democracy,” says Niranjan MV, second year agriculture student of the same school. “Unemployment is a major issue in the country where corporates are happy. Democracy is a system of processing conflicts in which outcomes depend on what participants do, but no single force controls,” he said.
Rhael Maria George, Class XII student of Christ Nagar Higher Secondary School, Kowdiar, Thiruvananth-apuram, said in democracy people are seen doing anything to get their positions. “Barring a few, most of the candidates fail to keep their promises. Let us hope this time it changes. It is not about who runs the country but how. The values of democracy have been overpowered by money power and corruption. I like the fact that our country is a democracy. The power is in the hands of people, but only one day, the day of election!! But people should be wise enough to choose their leaders,” she said.
Class XII student Aditi Pillai of Christ Nagar School said Indian elections are a confused medley of cheating, scandals, crime and frustration. “Due to largescale corruption in governance, elections are not an answer to ills facing India. We need a strong authority at the top, a single leader who can deliver justice,” she said. “Our democracy that came after British rule was a relief. However India has used the word liberty in the worst possible ways. Water scarcity, poverty, pollution and the influnece of black market should be debated in the election. The leaders disguise their incompetency with a veil of empty promises. Power and corruption have become synonymous with our system.”
Malavika K, Class XII student, said that in Kerala this election stands out for the green protocol enforced. “Patriotic candidates will strive to keep their promises. A section of bureaucracy threatens our much valued democracy by accepting bribes,” she said.
Devananda V S, Class XI student of Bharatheeya Vidyapeedom Central School, Parassala, said that in the largest democracy, once elected, leaders pursue their interests. “They do anything to get elected. Their promises of safety for women, better public transport and free health coverage are never fulfilled. Majority looks for their own profit and people end up losing faith in democracy.”
Deepika S S, Class IX student of the same school, says though democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor, he ends up losing this, facing the vain promises of candidates. Political leader do not bat for upholding values of democracy. “Democracy is not a magical solution for all problems. It has not ended poverty. People should take their own decisions to solve problems and government should facilitate it. Then the present situation would change,” she said.
According to R D Sruthi, Class IX student of the school, democracy is all about powerplay. However, the system ensures that the elections are held in a free and fair manner. “Though people choose candidates in the elections, they can’t exercise that power on rulers afterwards. Political leaders are propelled by the desire to advance their careers. So we must identify that we are the citizens and we should build Bharath,” she said.
