In a complex democracy like India, change is necessary and important. Congress governed the country for over a period of 10 long continuous years and now we have an alternate government. A good number of legislations and policies were born. Some of them were hijacked mid-way because of a coalition Government since there was no other alternative. Right to Information, Right to Education, NREGA and many more have influenced and transformed the lives of millions of Indians beyond measure.
It would be unreasonable to say the Congress did not do anything for the nation, It did much more than ever projected. However, It did suffer from disconnect with the people of the country because of the social marketing it did not venture into. Since the Congress was more pro-middle class and pro-people, it did not win the support of some corporates. We will all agree with the fact that during the early 90s, Congress renewed India and led generations of Indians to find opportunity and define hope at our very doorsteps.
I have seen the growth of the Congress for ten years as an outsider. Now at a time more relevant than ever before, I have joined as a Member, Indian National Congress. To blame Rahul Gandhi for the poor performance is not the right thing to do. Anti-incumbency was a factor more than anything. We have had difficult times, corrupt periods but in a World’s largest democracy that is bound to happen. BJP has elected criminal representatives sitting in parliament, but do we raise our voices? May be its time we did. Yes indeed it would be a lie to say we did not slow down on performance, but deep within we are now discovering and bringing newness in countless number of ways.
Millions of Indians have spoken in the language of freedom and religious peace, but today the image of India stands deranged and helpless. In a hurry to find an alternative for the anti-incumbency, we have been deeply been mislead and sold by dreams of development. In the bargain, intolerance has grown and internal insecurity risen more than ever before.
Since 1947, we have been united and billions of Indians have discovered that they can live peacefully and in harmony amidst their greatest differences and find the greatest of gifts through that. Let us not be misguided by ignorance and carried away by herd chants in praise of temporary sparks which light up occasionally and let us not get dodged by orchestrated public relation gimmicks.
It is my submission that the Congress is committed to reinvent and re-shape its existing threads to stay in tune with the current demands of the day. Ask yourself honestly, what kind of an India you would like to leave behind for your children and your children’s children. Would you like to leave an India where boys and girls are man-handled on Valentine’s Day or would you like them to live in a country where Christmas Day which is a Universal festival gets replaced by cosmetic good Governance.
Think about it, if Ghar wapsi has meaning to you in this 21st Century and would you like to read honest History or distorted version of History. This will provide you with an answer you can yourself discover.
You do not have to agree with what I have to say, but it is my humble appeal, do not go by what you see in the papers or the news only. This reminds me of what Pothan Joseph said many years ago,
“Newspapering was a mission till 1947, it necessarily had to become a profession, but it became an Industry in the worst sense of the terms.”
It’s been over 68 years of Independence and we have come a long way, united by a great civilization, it is the Congress that has sustained the country through a pluralistic democracy fighting fringe elements from time to time, to secure a new future for all.
It has never been easy but we have made it through with the mountain moving faith and affection by the people of India. Let us sustain that and it is my request that now we can create and build on our shared understanding that brings us together. Our values and principles do not alter with changing patterns in the political discourse. And we must not jump to immediate conclusions. New young faces must join the Congress, professionals should. We are more united than what the media projects, we are more tolerant than what propaganda you witness. It is a great moment for us that we see some mischievous characters leaving the party and this inspires a new hope and a new form of energy. To expect magic from only the top leadership will not help, what is important is to see what we can do for the country through the party and not what we will get from it.
With this mindset we will achieve a lot, we will have a more refined outlook and approach for the nation. Democratic rectification has begun, in my interaction with many citizens around, there is that spark of hope saying, yes the Congress is a loyalty to cherish. It needs to return strongly. Perhaps we should be living upto their hopes and dreams. May India win!!
About the author: Dr Edmond Fernandes is Medical Doctor and a Public Health Advocate associated with several International organizations. He is also Member, Indian National Congress. He can be followed on Twitter @edmondfernandes ; Facebook: facebook.com/dredmondfernandes
