JBS Haldane, Eminent British Biologist of 20th Century, who settled in India and later become Citizen of India towards end of his life, when asked by an American Journalist about what makes him proud to be an India, he said, “I happen to be proud of being a citizen of India, which is a lot more diverse than Europe, let alone the U.S.A, the U.S.S.R or China, and thus a better model for a possible world organisation. It may of course break up, but it is a wonderful experiment. So, I want to be labelled as a citizen of India”.
What is that wonderful experiment that Haldane is taking about? At the eve of Independence, India was not only a free Country, but also chaotic country. Historian Ramachandra Guha said, “If India was to be a start-up venture on August 15, 1947, nobody will come forward to invest in it”. India is a diverse country, at the same time, with all kinds of disruptive and reactionary forces (religious, linguistic and caste). They are tremendously strong and we had to constantly battle against them to keep the nation together and take it forward.
To achieve this objective, A democratic system was put into place, ensured with free and fair elections. India’s success lies in the success of Democratic institutions and the successful working of those Democratic institutions depends ultimately on the moral qualities of the mass of the citizens; in particular it depends on the willingness of a sufficient number to undertake the duties of active citizen.
What should be a chief duty of active citizen? To be a nuisance to the government of his state. Being a Nuisance means being continuously vigilant and voicing the opinion on State. JP Narayana once said, “If citizens don’t voice their opinion, then democracy will become a sordid party game”.
How can we voice our opinion?
Through our Vote. Voting is very crucial for a democracy and if citizens no longer wish to take part in its most important procedure by going to the polling station or let their voting decision get influenced by personal prejudices, Democracy will be pulled down by a Bermuda Triangle.
Bermuda triangle which I am taking about is not the one that is in North Atlantic Ocean, but which formed by nexus of Politics, Media and Business as its three sides.
Politicians will play foul games with money and muscle to score again and again in elections, Media gives podium to those dissuaders and Businesses work in favour of those forces for their illicit gains. Democracy should raise above this Nexus.
So, for keeping ourselves together and democratic as a nation, every citizen should become a nuisance for the government with continuous vigilance and voicing our opinions freely, fiercely and fearlessly with our vote.
rishvanth.com 
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