You know that feeling, when someone bigger then you makes
fun of you – bullies you and you feel helpless. When someone humiliates you and you can’t
think of a comeback.
I get this feeling every time I see a politician on the TV
screen or in a newspaper.
I wish there was something I could do – I could work hard
for the IAS exam and get into the system through that route, but I can’t. I
simply can’t risk the time commitment – I have a good job and will eventually
have responsibilities, So I will not take that route.
Another option is to become a celebrity, be it a corporate celeb,
an entertainer or some other sort and gain public support via that route. Become
famous enough to be visible to a large enough constituency and stand for
elections. I’m not a celebrity yet, and the only people who know me are family and
friends – and a few others who have added me on facebook.
Now I’m stuck.. you see I can’t think of any other entry
point into politics or public policy. Can you?
I wish there was another route – maybe a public debating
platform where individuals competed with each other until only one was left
standing. As a prize he would be offered a ticket by a political party to stand
for elections? That would be pretty insane right?
Or how about an online voting system of sorts – imagine individuals
would be able to put in their 400 word applications and a panel of experts
would chose the final 20 per city. There would be public debates held in each
city covered by national channels – and the public would vote. (An Indian Idol
to chose politicians). The winner of each city would get sponsors, air time etc.
and be able to stand for elections for a small city perhaps. Move up from
there.
To be frank with you – I don’t want to be elected because I
believe I will be better than those I see on television, I want to govern just
to test myself and find out if I’m actually capable of being better than them.
