India is at cross-roads. We have seen tremendous economic progress over the past 10 years. We are world leaders in industries like IT and BPO, and many Indian companies are now recognized as global benchmarks. We have also seen growing self-belief in the country best exemplified by the confidence and exuberance of our youth. However, many contradictions and disappointments remain. Corruption has reached a dangerous scale over the past 5 years. Large parts of our population still live in abject poverty. Healthcare, education and physical infrastructure remain endemic problems. There are serious concerns that the India growth story is over even before it hit full stride. We remain at serious risk of missing out on our destiny as a nation once again.
Poor governance is the root cause of many of the problems afflicting our country. There is serious rot in our political system that results in wrong action, slow action or simply inaction. All major political parties are to blame. The twin cancers of corruption and narrow self-interest have destroyed them. They have forgotten their duty towards people and the country. They have become so diseased over time that it is futile to expect anything positive from them. They have failed the country.
Solution – professionals to step up as political leaders
So, is our country doomed? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! There are enough people who do not want our country to slip once again. There is widespread frustration and anger with the current generation of political leaders. The country-wide support Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement got last year well illustrates the pent up feelings of people. Time is right for a new generation of leaders to emerge and lead the country to a bright future. Good news is that we have many successful leaders across business, education, entertainment and many other professional fields. They have proven track records of management, people leadership and driving change. It is time for such professionals to step up to provide the new, positive political leadership that our country needs so badly. Not only should they step up individually but they should come together and join hands to form a new, independent political front. By coming together they can become more potent agents of change. Individual intent combined will lead to the whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.
There are two strong forces developing that offer much hope for such a new, independent political front becoming a reality. First is the youth of the country and the second is the growing educated middle-class.
50% of our population is below the age of 25. They are the biggest asset for our country. Centuries of foreign subjugation and past decades of limited economic means have sucked out the self-belief and spirit from our national character. Thankfully, the young India is different. They have tremendous self-belief and are fearless. They are not conditioned by history and past failures. They want to progress and are seeking inspiring leaders who can lead them to a more positive future.
The last 10-15 years of economic progress has brought great benefits to the educated middle-class in Urban India. They have gained in affluence and have seen dramatic improvements in their standard of living. I believe it is now time for this segment to give back to the country. Their concerns around fulfilling basic needs that was earlier holding them back are now significantly addressed. They are perhaps best placed to make a broader difference because education gives them the awareness and relative prosperity gives them security to take risks. Moreover, they have perhaps most to lose if the current deficit of political leadership results in the country not progressing to its full potential.
I believe the twin forces of youth and the educated middle class are reaching a tipping point where they are ready to be the drivers of great, positive change in the country. A new generation of political leaders emerging from professionals could help catalyze these forces of change and unlock the tremendous potential of our country.
Forging common purpose and shared values
Now, the challenge is how to get together like-minded individuals across the country and forge them into a common political front. This is not easy in a country as diverse and society as argumentative as ours. For this new political front to happen and to sustain, it is necessary that there is sharply defined common purpose and shared values. That is the glue that can hold people together. In absence of common purpose and shared values, even if a new political front comes together it will be difficult to sustain it over a period of time. Now, it needs much thought and discussion to come to a consensus on purpose and values. I would like share some initial thoughts below as a discussion starter:
Common purpose: Create a NAVBHARAT, a socially and economically progressive nation, through clean and effective governance
- Accelerate development – especially in education, healthcare and infrastructure
- Root out corruption at all levels
- Re-energize public institutions so they are efficient and responsive to common man’s concerns
- Raise India’s standing amongst nations and build pride and self-confidence
Shared values:
- Patriotism – pride and commitment towards the country
- Modern 21st century approach
- Inclusiveness – all castes, religions, regions, socio-economic strata
- Integrity – zero tolerance for corruption
- Commitment to development
Developing a winning strategy
We face a Dharmayuddha against the entrenched political class. We have to defeat and dislodge them through the electoral process to liberate the country from their clutches. This is a war and we cannot afford to lose this war. We have to demonstrate that this new political front can win and it is not there just to make noise. Only by winning elections can we gain confidence of people. This can set in motion a virtuous cycle where people start believing that a new, positive political leadership is possible and start aligning behind it in ever increasing numbers.
So, how do we craft a winning electoral strategy? I believe at least the following seven elements are necessary:
- Create an inclusive platform that brings together like-minded people. There are many individuals and organizations that have similar intent of national service. We have to create a common platform where they can come together. Only by combining forces can we reach critical mass. This cause is bigger than any one of us. We have to go beyond self and suspend individual egos. These let us down time and again. We absolutely have to rise above self-interest and combine forces for the greater good
- Energize the youth and educated middle class. As mentioned earlier, these two segments are the core engines of this new movement. Change will happen when these two powerful segments get energized and activated behind the movement. We have to focus on educating and involving them through all our actions – from choice of candidates to communication approaches.
- Use scientific election management approaches. Elections are more science than art. We need to understand and apply proven election management approaches – from candidate selection to fund raising, targeting segments, messaging and campaign management. These can make a big difference
- Start with select urban centers. We need to focus our energies in select areas where we can demonstrate success. The initial successes are necessary for turbo-charging the movement. Urban centers are our best bet. They have large educated middle class and also floating/new population who have few entrenched loyalties. Focus on Bangalore assembly elections is a great start. We need to quickly figure out the next 2-3 focus areas
- Focus on voter registration. Many eligible voters are today not registered to vote. This is because of combination of voter apathy and cumbersome processes of the Election Commission. Large proportions of these non-registered voters are also likely to be sympathetic to a new, independent political front. There needs to be a concerted campaign to maximize the voter registration
- Leverage the power of media. Both electronic and social media now exercise massive influence. Social media was an important catalyst in the people’s revolutions seen last year in Egypt and Tunisia. Closer home, electronic media played a key role in the success of the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement last August. Clearly, both these media have to be leveraged intensively for raising awareness. Social media can also help connect and expand the volunteer base behind the movement
- Co-opt national icons to strengthen visibility. We have some outstanding national icons like APJ Kalam, Anna Hazare and Narayan Murthy who have a great reputation for both independence and integrity. We should figure out how we can co-opt their support for this new, independent political front. That will act as a force multiplier lending legitimacy to the movement and strengthening its visibility
Timing is right to launch a new political movement in India. Current generation of political leaders has failed us and we can not let them sabotage our nation’s destiny any more. We need to take personal responsibility and step up as leaders. Our collective efforts can help drive great progress in our country and help it rise beyond the mediocrity that we have been chained to for decades. It is time for the sleeping elephant to awake from its long slumber and take its rightful place as a leading nation in the world. Let us drop cynicism, doubt and inaction and come together to create a new, wonderful India – a NAVBHARAT!!
Jai Hind!!
