It was Lord Tennyson who said: “Forward, forward let us range, let the great world spin forever down the ringing grooves of change.” And as we gear up for our country’s 65th Republic Day on Sunday, MetroPlus asks Bangaloreans from different walks of life what they would like to change in India and in the city this year.
Being a crucial year for Indian politics and democracy, Arpan Peter, co-owner, Overture India, says: “ In 2014 and I’d like to see that no political party uses religion as a means to get votes. It would be nice to see a change from the usual two political parties coming to power. I hope India votes sensibly in these elections.”
In that vein, Lead India finalist and M.D. of Invicus, Vivek Menon opines: “I would surely like to see better infrastructure in India as it affects people’s day to day lives. To that end, I’d like to see people involve themselves more within the community and vote in the upcoming elections as that would be a true celebration of democracy and our Republic.”
Sandalwood actress, Tamanna Pasha, casts her vote in favour of a “corruption-free India. I also want change to come in the form of a better India for women. Women should be able to live without the fear of being raped or molested. As a nation we need a women’s empowerment module combined with education, where from a young age we teach martial arts to girls and teach boys the need to respect women. I’m also hoping for a better India for homosexuals, better roads, and overall, better connectivity. Free Wi-Fi in all cities would be a welcome change. And most importantly, we need an open mind. Apart from Chennai which is open 24 hours, I don’t see why we can’t have the same in all major metropolitan cities. As long as people are responsible, and collectively see the need for change, I believe we can.”
With many of the belief that it is best to ‘think globally, act locally’, blogger Agratha Dinakaran “would like Bangalore to be the cleaner, greener city it used to be. I think people need to be accountable for their actions and should refrain from littering around. When we do so, we also teach the future generations that it’s perfectly acceptable to treat the roads and footpaths as an open garbage bin. Also, could men stop taking leaks in public? I see well dressed men pulling over in their cool cars, just to step out and answer nature’s call. It’s disgusting!”
Also disillusioned by people who litter and don’t think twice about dumping garbage on the road or in their neighbour’s plot, Jeeva George, founder of Jeeva-Glutenfreeliv.in, feels: “It’s about time we started following rules, traffic or otherwise. We must stop living in a bubble and look around, be responsible and generous because patriotism is not an emotion alone; it should be backed up with action!”
Regional manager, Theme Music, Ashwin Prabhakaran says: “Bangalore has been my home for the last 12 years and this city teaches one a lot about inclusiveness. The changes I would like to see as a Bangalorean for India would be a more tolerant and progressive global society while not losing our Indian-ness. Women’s safety, human rights, community waste and sanitation management are areas that immediately come to mind to improve the India of today.”
He adds: “While a utopian society never existed and probably never will, we can all equally participate in sustainable living. The world population has grown by many folds in the last 100 years, but the resources we share have only depleted, so sensible and sustainable living is necessary to continue to co-habit peacefully.”
Life gives every generation a chance to change the world. Like Sir Paul McCartney sang: “This is your time, this is your day”, here’s hoping we collectively contribute to the change we want to see in our Republic!
