I am generally one of the biggest advocates of Mumbai as the best place in India to live in.. rather, one of the best places in World to live in... but today, probably for the first time in almost 25 years of my lifetime, I was disappointed with way she behaved.. Today was the third phase of the 13th lok sabha general elections and the voter turnout in almost all the constituencies in Mumbai was abysmal... and being a Gujarati, I am associated with Gujarat too... so it was even more disheartening for me as Gujarat too showed lacklustre voter turnout with only 50% of voters reaching out to election booths...
This election was the most impressive when it comes to use of media and marketing to urge people to participate in this biggest democracy of world... I was of the feeling that Mumbai being high tech with majority of people having access to Television, Internet, Newspapers, etc., would break all the records.. News in morning said 10% voting till 10 AM.. I tried to be positive, and I felt like shouting out loud 'Mumbai, 7 more hours to go. Get out. Get your nails painted blue' .. I waited and waited, but it was in vain... Mumbai didn't respond to my cry..
I did try to make a difference by volunteering for Jaago Re movement (by ever responsible Tata group), and persuading people to VOTE.. This was the first time in last 6 months that I woke up at 7 in the morning.. so that I could vote and then get along with related work! ... I am also happy that my society and areas surrounding had a hefty turnout.. I feel proud to be a member of the society* in which I live :) .. but Mumbai as a whole did let me down big time... especially the youngsters... It really keeps me thinking what should we do to make youngsters vote as youngsters were the ones who did not turn up... I got reason that it was a long weekend (today, 30th... 1st may being a labour day... 2nd and 3rd being weekend), so people went out on a 4 day trip!... Guys, booth starts at 7 AM... you could have easily voted and then gone for the 'still left 4 days' for a trip... then second reason was hot weather.. hmm.. youngsters sweating out in mumbai sun for hardly 30 minutes will dehydrate them, make them fall sick?!!... losers!...
Mumbai was vociferous, out on streets when terrorists attack happened... now when time to do something that really matters... to vote in someone who obviates the need of those candle light morchas.. nothing happened! ... but i think mumbai has no right to do that now... ignorance and short term memory loss at its best..
Well, the biggest rival of Mumbai as a city in India is Delhi, when it comes to argument of best cities... and I want Mumbai to win in all aspects.. but in this case, I really want Delhi to win... Delhi has got its voting day on 7th May,... so Delhi, go out and vote.. you got golden opportunity to beat Mumbai here... you won't get it often! ;) ... and for a change make me proud by doing that...
