M. Chandrakumar
Writer
We need a strong leader who can make the demands of our society heard at the national level. So many issues go unnoticed by the Centre. The Tamil fishermen’s plight is one. Such issues must be given a strong voice by the next government.
We do not want anymore freebies. The mixies and grinders are gathering dust in the houses of the poor people. Instead, the new Government must ensure that they have the money to buy this equipment. It should work to raise the living standards of the society.
The need of the hour is an urban re-planning programme. The posh flats and villas are eating into our villages and agricultural lands. This has to stop. They should use the fallow land, unfit for agriculture, for all the constructions. Also, water depravation is a major crisis. It can be averted by efficient water conservation during the monsoons.
Padmini Prakash
Television news-reader
The new government must ensure there is three per cent reservation in the job sector for the transgenders in the state. Many of my educated friends are still begging for a living.
No one is ready to give them a job. The Government should set up more counselling centres for parents of the transgenders. It is because they shut us out from their lives that we take to the streets.
This can only be stopped with better awareness.
All of us change our names, once we change our gender. But, it is difficult to convince the officials about it. They ask us to go through long-winded bureaucratic procedures. These rules must be simplified.
Also, all the Government application forms must have three options, instead of two, under the category of gender.
Alagar,
Cobbler
Business was going well till the construction of the Gandhipuram flyover started. Now hardly anyone comes to me. I have two kids in government school. Though most of the expenditure is taken care of by the government there are still day-to-day requirements. My wife is unwell and unable to work. I hope the new government will bring better employment opportunities.
Sudha,
Tailor
Elections come and go with many promises. All I wish is my son gets a good government job. I have three kids. My oldest is studying to become an electrician. My husband broke his leg in a car accident three months back and will not be able to work for a long time. I can’t go for a job because I have to take care of my kids. So, I run my own little business. I pray for more government jobs.
Lakshmi Meera
Head, Centre for Entrepreneurship, KCT Business school
A government should focus on agriculture, free medical facilities and the needs of women and children. It should use technology to check corruption. It should encourage citizen participation in political and social activities. It should be ecologically responsible. It should not just talk about environment protection, it should do something about it.
Chinnayya
Retired government officer
Remember Indira Gandhi’s period? The bureaucracy worked efficiently. Trains ran on time. People came to office on time. That’s how it should be. Politicians should stop misusing their power. Most of them just talk. People, who are ready to dedicate their life for the makkal , should come to power. Only then will our country prosper.
Valarmathy, domestic help
I vote in every election in the hope that leaders will help us. I have been working for the last 30 years. My husband died early and I raised my children alone. The prices of vegetables, rice and other grains are very high. There is extreme water shortage. I hope the next government does something about this.
Mani
Coconut-water seller
People in this city are very nice. I have many friends here. I earn around Rs. 800, everyday. With this, I am able to take care of my family. Voting is our only hope. By voting the eligible candidates, we are helping our city and our country. This election season, I am convincing all my friends and relatives to vote.
Anil Kumar
Mypromovideos.com and Paal
There should be a better ecosystem for start-ups in the city.
There are around 200 start-up groups in Coimbatore. But all of them are scattered. There must be a platform to connect them.
The Government should institute a start-up village in Coimbatore, modelled like the one in Kochi, where youngsters are given a free and creative infrastructure to work.
There should be a better support system for agri-based ventures. We need to be from a farming background in order to avail of schemes for agriculture provided by the Government.
It will be helpful if it could provide us loans. There should be more support for the students of agricultural universities to help them start their own business.
