Skip to main content

Freebies curse on people, end menace in elections to strengthen Indian democracy

By Sudhansu R Das 

Freebies in the election have become the single most potential threat to the economy, society, culture, politics and democracy. Freebies help the inefficient persons to rule the educated and the efficient people for decades. Once a leader grabs power with freebies he continues giving freebies to remain in power; it ruins the country beyond repair. When a building cracks it can be repaired; if a road has potholes it can be re-laid. If the human mind gets addicted to freebies it is difficult to repair. The result is a massive idle energy based vote bank which adversely affects people’s creativity, productivity and entrepreneurship. Freebies can weaken the nation from within as the core strength of the nation gets eroded. Ultimately it leads to loss of independence of minds and control over economic assets and natural resources.
Since independence, India has lost many generations of youth due to distribution of freebies. The freebie war has been intensified as the 2024 Lok Sabha election draws nearer. “Ye Dil Mange More”- political parties compete with one another to declare mountains of freebies due to the fear of losing elections. Today, no political party can win an election without promising freebies which becomes a curse on people after the election. The ever illusive freebies precipitate into endless sufferings for people; it drains the state’s exchequer and overburden people with various taxes; price rise in essential things like food, houses, education and health facilities etc torment people.
Today, the list of freebies gets longer which includes everything: house, food, loan waivers, land, pension, subsidies, computer, cycle, fridge, scooters, pilgrim tours, dinner party, cash, loan waivers, electricity and water etc. In fact, the freebies are given in one hand and double the amount of freebies in the form of taxes are collected in the other hand; it is just like money lending business. People are left at the mercy of private hospitals, private educational institutions, builders, greedy traders and middlemen who increase the price of their products and services at will in post election.
Over decades, freebies have created a Frankenstein monster; if the monster is not satisfied, it will devour the political parties within no time. “He has given me a free house, what will you give to me? '', asks the monster to the leader. How to get rid of this frankenstein monster- the Freebie is the biggest challenge before the country.
India desperately needs good educated leaders with courage and political skill; who can work relentlessly on various social and economic issues; who can educate voters what is good for them; who can tell voters the danger of freebie culture. Indian politics provides a huge opportunity to the strong, honest and efficient people to make a career. A vacuum has been created and the majority of people want the emergence of good leaders who will put their courageous step on the political field.
Politics is the only career which gives opportunity to people for giving seva to people; genuine seva gives immense pleasure to leaders who are honest and kind hearted. It is not necessary that the good people will win the election; but the ripple they will create by contesting the election can turn into a wave tomorrow and a storm later. India awaits for a deep churning of the ocean the way it was churned by gods and demons in Indian mythology. Educated, good and bold people stepping into the political field is the only way to save democracy, people, culture and the nation. Indian intellectual mass should act or cast aside their intellectual tag, social status, University degrees and accolades.

Comments

TRENDING

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Where’s the urgency for the 2,000 MW Sharavati PSP in Western Ghats?

By Shankar Sharma*  A recent news article has raised credible concerns about the techno-economic clearance granted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for a large Pumped Storage Project (PSP) located within a protected area in the dense Western Ghats of Karnataka. The article , titled "Where is the hurry for the 2,000 MW Sharavati PSP in Western Ghats?", questions the rationale behind this fast-tracked approval for such a massive project in an ecologically sensitive zone.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad*  The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Structural retrogression? Steady rise in share of self-employment in agriculture 2017-18 to 2023-24

By Ishwar Awasthi, Puneet Kumar Shrivastav*  The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) launched the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April 2017 to provide timely labour force data. The 2023-24 edition, released on 23rd September 2024, is the 7th round of the series and the fastest survey conducted, with data collected between July 2023 and June 2024. Key labour market indicators analysed include the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR), which highlight trends crucial to understanding labour market sustainability and economic growth. 

Venugopal's book 'explores' genesis, evolution of Andhra Naxalism

By Harsh Thakor*  N. Venugopal has been one of the most vocal critics of the neo-fascist forces of Hindutva and Brahmanism, as well as the encroachment of globalization and liberalization over the last few decades. With sharp insight, Venugopal has produced comprehensive writings on social movements, drawing from his experience as a participant in student, literary, and broader social movements. 

Authorities' shrewd caveat? NREGA payment 'subject to funds availability': Barmer women protest

By Bharat Dogra*  India is among very few developing countries to have a rural employment guarantee scheme. Apart from providing employment during the lean farm work season, this scheme can make a big contribution to important needs like water and soil conservation. Workers can get employment within or very near to their village on the kind of work which improves the sustainable development prospects of their village.

'Failing to grasp' his immense pain, would GN Saibaba's death haunt judiciary?

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The death of Prof. G.N. Saibaba in Hyderabad should haunt our judiciary, which failed to grasp the immense pain he endured. A person with 90% disability, yet steadfast in his convictions, he was unjustly labeled as one of India’s most ‘wanted’ individuals by the state, a characterization upheld by the judiciary. In a democracy, diverse opinions should be respected, and as long as we uphold constitutional values and democratic dissent, these differences can strengthen us.

94.1% of households in mineral rich Keonjhar live below poverty line, 58.4% reside in mud houses

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  Keonjhar district in Odisha, rich in mineral resources, plays a significant role in the state's revenue generation. The region boasts extensive reserves of iron ore, chromite, limestone, dolomite, nickel, and granite. According to District Mineral Foundation (DMF) reports, Keonjhar contains an estimated 2,555 million tonnes of iron ore. At the current extraction rate of 55 million tonnes annually, these reserves could last 60 years. However, if the extraction increases to 140 million tonnes per year, they could be depleted within just 23 years.