It gives us pleasure to introduce our second guest writer, Utkarsh Joshi. Utkarsh is an IT professional and a budding entrepreneur. He belongs to Dehradoon, Uttaranchal and has an Engineering degree from the Vellore institute of Technology and an MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. Having studied, worked and stayed in a number of places across India and having interacted with people from across the country, Utkarsh is a strong believer in the diversity and opportunities that India has on offer. Through this platform he is looking to create more believers in the experiment called India. His interests lie in Music and Writing.

In his first article for The Better India, Utkarsh explores the new trends that can be seen in the ongoing elections and the greater emphasis on youth.

Youth and ‘e’lections 2009 by Utkarsh Joshi

From April to May 2009, more than 700 million eligible voters will cast their vote in India’s 15th general elections. But elections 2009 are different from the other elections we have had so far, and how! A majority of voters this time around belong in the age group of 18-35 years with many voters casting their vote for the first time. And this has forced a change in the way these elections have been approached by all the stakeholders. An unprecedented number of online ventures are augmenting the campaigning, informational and voter registration activities – making this election move away from the traditional methods employed so far.

Not only has election campaigning has been happening online – keeping in mind the media preferences of the youth; a number of online initiatives are aiding these voters – first time or otherwise, to go out and vote.

This segment is large enough to swing the votes for any political party. Thus for obvious reasons, political parties have ensured that the major theme of their campaign focuses on the youth. Election campaigning has been happening online in a big way – keeping in mind the media preferences of the youth. Online blogs and social networking sites like facebook and orkut are abuzz with political parties and candidates forming profiles and reaching out to voters. These initiatives are ensuring that these voters are being reached and their opinions heard – not only by the political parties but by other voters as well.

A number of ventures have ensured that first time voters know more about the general elections and that they go out and register for voting. With a first of its kind partnership between and NGO and a corporate house – “jaagore.com” has tried to simplify the voting registration process while at the same time educating the youth. Online advertising and the usage of youtube support the dissemination of information online to create further voter awareness. For instance: Google has tied up with a national daily to provide comprehensive election based information for voters at this address.

With the youth being better informed and more vocal about their needs and with stakeholders going online to reach the youth – this general election should change the way Indian citizens participate in the election process. With an increased awareness of election processes and facts and just by sheer numbers – this segment is already necessitating change. Already young faces in political circles are coming to the fore – ahead of their older and more experienced peers – in order to cater to this segment of voters.

‘e’lections 2009 has heralded a change. Being a young nation, this definitely augurs well for the biggest democracy in the world.

Reference: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/battle-royale-for-votes-in-cyberspace/444131/3

Image courtesy: www.yqworld.com

A Citizen (and IT employee) celebrates the move:

They say that the road for Indian IT is gloomy and haze-filled. That’s not true, at least not literally, since the ban on smoking in public spaces came into effect on Oct 2. There was a time not long ago (prior to Oct 2, actually) when the “gully” leading into the IT company building that I work in looked awfully like the path into the pearly gates of heaven. What with all the employees who step outside the gates to puff a cigarette, or two, into the already charged ITmosphere.

It’s not to say that the situation outside my office was a case of smoke without fire. After all, today’s Indian IT company is as large a congregation as a large congregation can get. Add to that all the stress and the really cold air-conditioning; you have somebody or the other lighting up to try and calm-down/warm-up/ be-cool.

 

 

Well, not anymore. All of us passive smokers can start to breathe easy:  It’s now against the law to smoke in public places, be it at the workplace or in theatres or restaurants.

Hurrah to P-O-L-I-C-Y!!

Now, let’s hope IT just stays this way.

Written By: Karthik Jayashanhar

See also: The courage of one woman stubbed out smoking in an entire nation!

Times of India’s Teach India initiative had the following text on their website when they closed registrations to their Teach India initiative on September 5, 2008:

“Thank you Bangalore! We are overwhelmed by your desire to give back to society. 
With over 15700 volunteer applications received by us all our current teaching slots 
are filled up. 5000 volunteers have already been offered to teach. We are currently 
in the process of placing the balance volunteers who have applied.“

I know someone who’s actually sad she could not make it into the list.

And all this applying to do what? To go out of one’s way and give one’s valuable time to teach.

Think about it. This program is actually oversubscribed? And it is not competition driven or a monetarily lucrative venture? Young adults, shouldering all kinds of responsibilities, familial and professional, consciously want to make time for one more thing worthy of doing -teaching.

To all the teachers in India, here is a heartfelt message sent with love. This one event could find no better day than September the 5th – Teacher’s day, to express the underlying intent and latent capacity of the children you have once taught.

To all the cynics, both young and old, afraid of the new India, afraid of the myriad changes, seeing and seeking the negative in events, behold this one light among a myriad lights.

There is no doubt that we have a long way to go, and uncountable hurdles will be flung our way. But we can sleep well with one guarantee – that the youth of this resurgent India will find a way to better what already is. 

This puts in perspective the power of the news media to engage. The urban reach of mainstream media is clearly wide and deep. If the media were to engage even occasionally into meaningful projects, the outcome can far outweigh the efforts for the same.

Kudos to the Times of India group for their efforts in creating this avenue to channel the energies and minds of our people. Even the smallest avenues can overflow with goodwill and sincerity to contribute, as they have with this initiative.

Written By: Uday Arya

On: September 5, 2008

As per the recent article,we have very less police recruits and deployed as compared to
no of citizens in our states,let alone KARNATAKA, but through out our country,.

What is stopping people from joining police dept,and why are we lacking a top class
security arrangment,why people are still avoiding going to police station for lodging an
complaint.why no body wants to even join the army/police dept.this are the questions
our politicians should ask,we may have won the game N-DEAL,big deal!!!!!!.ok that is as
much required to boost our economic from all round field of devlopment.but are we ready enough?
to safe gaurd our people our fellow citizen from all unwanted anti social elements and why
cant a country which is on road of becoming one of the super power in world can also boast of
having large no army/police men to improve our security.,reason is we simply dont have
enough of them and very few join them now, as per static and cences goes and I suppose we
all agree we do have larg population.recruitment graph tells us how new generation are opting
for new challanges in different field;IT,MEDICAL,ENG,AERONAUTIC,SPACE,ete you name it,
and you will find young INDIA doing a splendid job and serving and devloping the international
business.Why not an POLICE MEN.?

In fact we have so many educational institute to fine tune you in your own field,you can now
join and enjoy any field of your interest and at the same time you cherish the job which will
benefit in more materialistic and saticfaction,but in the end that is what counts.however I will not
drag this too much,coming to point of helping our own POLICE DEPT,let us put our joint ideas
in making people join the dept/acadamy,? is how,here is an answer or say an thought which may
be or may not be of great help,but what the heck! its just an idea and movement of inetiative.to
make people of our country aware of joining dept.

To make more no of citizen join the POLICE DEPT the govt should come out openly and make a mark of its own in being very strict and straight in what they want.

When an militant organistation can recruit young people,why cant our own dept ?

The govt should start inetiative of recruiting young people with good background and qualification in lower catagory,people with minimum education should be given training
from the day one for atleast 6 month .but this should not hold them from enjoying an good
perks like others with good qualification.

The Dept should announce a good pay scale to all catagory.
(just stroll in to our IT sector,you will find what kind of pay scale can company give)
now bring this plann into the dept ,just an 50% of pay what they give in IT if you give it
in police dpt,you will find the changes and improve in service.ultimaty its the money that
counts to run an family,this will also stop the dirty work of corruption.

Make the work more stylish and good aproach will always make the difference.

Stop showing police people in negative roll in bollywood flicks,instead promote the good
work they do .

Make the dept more friendly rewamp the stations to look more like an corporate and let people
feel the ambience and think they are in safe hands.

Let all MPs and other what so called babus stop unwanted luxury and put the same amount
in dept to uplift the social status of police men, its our money going from govt exchequer.

Encourage more no of women in joining the dept.

I jotting down some more points and bright ideas
keep watching this space,oh by the way who ever reads this,kindl put down your
name and contact if you are in favour of the issue.

Written by Mr. Jayprakash, Bangalore
1st August 2008