While the most of us turn around in our slumber, some only from those nightmarish 56 hrs of Mumbai carnage. Our hearts swell with undescribeable emotions, as we share that the first hand to be a part of this initiative is up. A lady, from a leading, global IT firm wrote to us expressing her desire to be a part of this initiative. We salute her spirit and welcome her with open arms.
Having said that, first and foremost, we would like to thank all of you for having contributed through your comments, thoughts and initiation in spreading the message in whichever way you could. Not to forget, going through this post, as well.
Here are some of our thoughts. Hope these answer some of the questions and few comments here.
To begin with, we thought we had an idea in the interest of the nation. Holding it back to ourselves seemed like a crime. And next we knew, it was up in the public domain. Right from the word go, we were aware that we could and would give it our best. And, that the realization of this idea was in our fellow Indians’, your hands. We had a strong belief that it was now or never.
The idea is in the public domain now, staring at some of you. Maybe, asking a few more questions. Maybe getting lost in the rhythm of your stride.
The idea would evolve on its own in the coming days. So, would the vision, objectives and the works. And, you and your participation alone would determine that. What we have put up can be considered a start. The core problem and the solution to it that we have discussed can be considered the epicenter.
Our initiative is to think constructively and work towards solutions. As mentioned in our first post, we would reiterate again, that we do not endorse boycotting polls or taxes. A repoll eventually ends up emptying the taxpayers’ pocket, not to say that the option should not be debated or simply ruled out. To us, that is not a solution. We are here to look for solutions, not makeshift options. If today we blame our politicians, we need to look within. We sure are to find we deserve them. Don’t we need to face this? They are from amongst us. One of us. Let’s not point fingers at each other. Let us take one step forward and be aware that, till we stand up for ourselves, all we can do is turn in our sleep.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Stand up for yourself. Be counted.
Enough is enough
Mumbai carnage seems to have woken a few of us. ‘Enough is enough’, is abuzz on news channels to the street corners. But what next?
We are angry. We are blaming Pakistan, our politicians, our political system, establishment, the corruption in it, rather in every walk of life. The lack of transparency & accountability et all.
So, what next? Where & what is the solution to all this? Who knows? How much is enough?
Let us look at the whole issue dispassionately
Let us discuss some of the anger & frustration coming out
Let us get to the root of all this
Why are we angry?
Are we angry because of the Mumbai Mayhem
Are we angry because we do not feel safe any more
Are we angry because we lost our heroes, honest officers & innocent people
Are we angry because we saw a UNESCO heritage site up in flames
Are we angry because 10 people made the nation dance to their tune
Are we angry because the entire establishment machinery was caught napping
Are we angry because the politicians even after the carnage were lackadaisical in their attitude
Are we angry because our police were fighting with 303s as against their AK47s
Are we angry because it took NSG 10 hrs to reach
Are we angry because NSG didn’t have night/x ray vision
Are we angry because 200 crores are spent on our politicians’ security/status, while our ordinary citizen does not know if he/she would come back alive once out on the streets
Are we angry because we don’t have a disaster management & counter terrorism plan
Are we angry because our politicians let us down
OR
Are we angry that we let ourselves down by electing the wrong people at the helm of affairs
What are the issues?
Is terrorism the issue
Is security the issue
Is corruption the issue
Is lack of transparency the issue
Is accountability the issue
Is incompetence the issue
Is vote bank politics the issue
Is religion the issue
Is Pakistan the issue
Yes,
all of these and many more...
How do we address these issues?
Will politician bashing solve this
Will boycotting polls solve this
Will anger bytes on tv solve this
Will protest marches solve this
Will anger placards & banners solve this
Will candle lit vigils solve this
Will international lobbying stop this
Will sacking a few stop this
Will Pakistan bashing solve this
Will not paying taxes solve this
Would our leaders/politicians solve this
Will the media solve this
Will the NSG, STF or police solve this
NO!
We have to solve this
But how do we solve this?
Where do we look for solutions?
Where do we start?
What is the core problem?
OUR CURRENT SYSTEM OF VOTING
Why???
Do you know that you are not being represented properly?
Do you know a huge percentage of our votes go waste?
Do you know on ground our politicians represent only a minority?
What is our current voting system?
The plurality voting system (first past the post): Here we vote for only one candidate, and the candidate who wins the most votes is elected, whether or not he/she wins majority of votes cast. There is no requirement that the winner gain an absolute majority of votes.
What are the bottlenecks of our current system?
By this system we elect, mostly, the people who have the support of a minority of the people voting.
There is a wastage of votes of the people who have not voted for the winner.
Division of votes becomes a major factor hence politics of exclusion and vote bank politics gains ground.
The Winner in effect represents a minority of the constituency which means he cannot possibly truly represent the constituency.
What is the solution?
Preferential voting (or preference voting)/ alternative vote… is a type of ballot structure used in several electoral systems in which voters rank a list or group of candidates in order of preference. For example, the voter may write a '1' beside their first choice, a '2' beside their second preference, and so on. And counting of votes accordingly is done in a different manner. (Watch the space for a detailed explanation of this system and its advantages)
How is Preferential voting advantageous?
Since this system requires a candidate to win a majority of votes in the constituency, it can be seen as real representation of the constituency.
The system requires the politics to be inclusive.
None of the votes cast are a waste..
Would this solve rest of our problems?
It’s just one step.
In a democracy it makes every vote count.
We get a chance to elect true representative of the constituency.
As we have a parliamentary system this electoral system gives us the opportunity to have a government which is made of real representatives
A representative elected by the majority of constituency is a better chance for the majority to be heard…
And, this surely would be the CHANGE we are looking for
What we propose…
Channelise your anger. Don’t let it go waste.
Stand up for yourself. Be counted.
Come, let’s be a part of the system to change it.
Vision
To work towards becoming a transparent, corruption free & better Nation
Objective
To channelise the anger of our countrymen in establishing a COLLECTIVE, which stands as the voice of the ‘aam admi’; bridges the gap between the establishment & electorate
To be the change by becoming a part of the system and infuse transparency & accountability in it.
To try and look at all issues & policies both objectively & subjectively through a fusion of ideas from political science & management practices and make sure people at large are kept informed at all times
Structure & functioning
To be based on corporate fundamentals, practices & functioning
Roadmap
(Watch out for this space. Roadmap to follow soon)
Why this idea
Need of the hour. Help the commoner gain access to the system, its bearings and have a say in the change they call for. And, in the process call for more responsibility & accountability for tax payers’ money
Who are we seeking?
# Anyone who thinks it is time for change & is willing to stand up for himself/herself.
# Self motivated people who think they can be the change.
# Active support from INDUSTRY & INDUSTRY LEADERS, OPINION MAKERS & SEEKERS & the educated YOUTH
# PROFESSIONALS, CORPORATES, ENTREPRENEURS & MANAGEMENT GRADUATES who believe they can add to this movement
What possible roadblocks do we foresee?
History has been the greatest testimony to the fact that, any change faces resistance. But, according to Victor Hugo, ‘NOBODY CAN STOP AN IDEA WHO’S TIME HAS COME’ !
NOW, IF YOU THINK YOU CAN AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE MAIL US IN DETAIL AT OUR EMAIL ID: standupnbecounted@gmail.com
&
IF YOU THINK YOU CAN NOT CONTRIBUTE, BUT THIS MAKES SENSE TO YOU & WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THIS MOVEMENT, THEN PLEASE FORWARD THIS LINK TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.
AND, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS. YOUR COMMENTS ARE MOST PRECIOUS AND COULD BE OUR INTROSPECTION, DIRECTION & MANY MORE.
Mumbai carnage seems to have woken a few of us. ‘Enough is enough’, is abuzz on news channels to the street corners. But what next?
We are angry. We are blaming Pakistan, our politicians, our political system, establishment, the corruption in it, rather in every walk of life. The lack of transparency & accountability et all.
So, what next? Where & what is the solution to all this? Who knows? How much is enough?
Let us look at the whole issue dispassionately
Let us discuss some of the anger & frustration coming out
Let us get to the root of all this
Why are we angry?
Are we angry because of the Mumbai Mayhem
Are we angry because we do not feel safe any more
Are we angry because we lost our heroes, honest officers & innocent people
Are we angry because we saw a UNESCO heritage site up in flames
Are we angry because 10 people made the nation dance to their tune
Are we angry because the entire establishment machinery was caught napping
Are we angry because the politicians even after the carnage were lackadaisical in their attitude
Are we angry because our police were fighting with 303s as against their AK47s
Are we angry because it took NSG 10 hrs to reach
Are we angry because NSG didn’t have night/x ray vision
Are we angry because 200 crores are spent on our politicians’ security/status, while our ordinary citizen does not know if he/she would come back alive once out on the streets
Are we angry because we don’t have a disaster management & counter terrorism plan
Are we angry because our politicians let us down
OR
Are we angry that we let ourselves down by electing the wrong people at the helm of affairs
What are the issues?
Is terrorism the issue
Is security the issue
Is corruption the issue
Is lack of transparency the issue
Is accountability the issue
Is incompetence the issue
Is vote bank politics the issue
Is religion the issue
Is Pakistan the issue
Yes,
all of these and many more...
How do we address these issues?
Will politician bashing solve this
Will boycotting polls solve this
Will anger bytes on tv solve this
Will protest marches solve this
Will anger placards & banners solve this
Will candle lit vigils solve this
Will international lobbying stop this
Will sacking a few stop this
Will Pakistan bashing solve this
Will not paying taxes solve this
Would our leaders/politicians solve this
Will the media solve this
Will the NSG, STF or police solve this
NO!
We have to solve this
But how do we solve this?
Where do we look for solutions?
Where do we start?
What is the core problem?
OUR CURRENT SYSTEM OF VOTING
Why???
Do you know that you are not being represented properly?
Do you know a huge percentage of our votes go waste?
Do you know on ground our politicians represent only a minority?
What is our current voting system?
The plurality voting system (first past the post): Here we vote for only one candidate, and the candidate who wins the most votes is elected, whether or not he/she wins majority of votes cast. There is no requirement that the winner gain an absolute majority of votes.
What are the bottlenecks of our current system?
By this system we elect, mostly, the people who have the support of a minority of the people voting.
There is a wastage of votes of the people who have not voted for the winner.
Division of votes becomes a major factor hence politics of exclusion and vote bank politics gains ground.
The Winner in effect represents a minority of the constituency which means he cannot possibly truly represent the constituency.
What is the solution?
Preferential voting (or preference voting)/ alternative vote… is a type of ballot structure used in several electoral systems in which voters rank a list or group of candidates in order of preference. For example, the voter may write a '1' beside their first choice, a '2' beside their second preference, and so on. And counting of votes accordingly is done in a different manner. (Watch the space for a detailed explanation of this system and its advantages)
How is Preferential voting advantageous?
Since this system requires a candidate to win a majority of votes in the constituency, it can be seen as real representation of the constituency.
The system requires the politics to be inclusive.
None of the votes cast are a waste..
Would this solve rest of our problems?
It’s just one step.
In a democracy it makes every vote count.
We get a chance to elect true representative of the constituency.
As we have a parliamentary system this electoral system gives us the opportunity to have a government which is made of real representatives
A representative elected by the majority of constituency is a better chance for the majority to be heard…
And, this surely would be the CHANGE we are looking for
What we propose…
Channelise your anger. Don’t let it go waste.
Stand up for yourself. Be counted.
Come, let’s be a part of the system to change it.
Vision
To work towards becoming a transparent, corruption free & better Nation
Objective
To channelise the anger of our countrymen in establishing a COLLECTIVE, which stands as the voice of the ‘aam admi’; bridges the gap between the establishment & electorate
To be the change by becoming a part of the system and infuse transparency & accountability in it.
To try and look at all issues & policies both objectively & subjectively through a fusion of ideas from political science & management practices and make sure people at large are kept informed at all times
Structure & functioning
To be based on corporate fundamentals, practices & functioning
Roadmap
(Watch out for this space. Roadmap to follow soon)
Why this idea
Need of the hour. Help the commoner gain access to the system, its bearings and have a say in the change they call for. And, in the process call for more responsibility & accountability for tax payers’ money
Who are we seeking?
# Anyone who thinks it is time for change & is willing to stand up for himself/herself.
# Self motivated people who think they can be the change.
# Active support from INDUSTRY & INDUSTRY LEADERS, OPINION MAKERS & SEEKERS & the educated YOUTH
# PROFESSIONALS, CORPORATES, ENTREPRENEURS & MANAGEMENT GRADUATES who believe they can add to this movement
What possible roadblocks do we foresee?
History has been the greatest testimony to the fact that, any change faces resistance. But, according to Victor Hugo, ‘NOBODY CAN STOP AN IDEA WHO’S TIME HAS COME’ !
NOW, IF YOU THINK YOU CAN AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE MAIL US IN DETAIL AT OUR EMAIL ID: standupnbecounted@gmail.com
&
IF YOU THINK YOU CAN NOT CONTRIBUTE, BUT THIS MAKES SENSE TO YOU & WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THIS MOVEMENT, THEN PLEASE FORWARD THIS LINK TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.
AND, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS. YOUR COMMENTS ARE MOST PRECIOUS AND COULD BE OUR INTROSPECTION, DIRECTION & MANY MORE.
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