‘Good People’ are entering politics

It was very encouraging to see some ‘Good people’ (as I would like to call) coming into politics. It was telecast in a couple of news channels earlier today about a handful of people in corporates and other walks of life entering politics. They are people who, like most of us, are fed up with criminalization of politics, corruption, manipulative politics, votebank politics, lack of politicians with integrity, incompetent politicians etc. They are also people who are NOT just sitting and cursing them, but have decided to get into the system and correct it.

We all know, its a dirty and messy world out there in politics. But these guys have taken the bold step and have shown what is called as “Be the change that you want to see”. There is a ray of hope for many people that the political landscape in India will change for the better over the next 1 to 2 decades with more and more competent and educated people entering politics.

A day will definitely come when the political system will become a lot more accountable, there will be more visibility into whats happening and better citizen participation. A day will come when candidates are selected based on their past achievements, and a system where there is no place for people with criminal records or intent. That day will definitely come………

Here are those change agents for the 2009 elections as on this day -

Mallika Sarabhai (Well known dancer, Social activist)

Mallika Sarabhai

Shashi Tharoor (former UN Diplomat)

Shashi Tharoor

Meera Sanyal (Head, ABN Amro India)

Meera Sanyal

R.K.Misra (Winner - TOI Lead India)

R.K.Misra

Narayan (Doctor, former IAS officer)

Narayan

Capt. Gopinath(Entrepreneur, Founder of low-cost Airlines Air Deccan)

Gopinath

Dr Thirumalaraya Halemane (is listed in the ‘Who’s Who in Frontiers of Science and Technology’ (1986); ‘Who’s Who in the World’ (1989) and ‘American Men and Women of Science’ (1992))

Dr.Thirumalaraya Halemane

Time will tell how these folks will perform or adapt themselves to the public life and its humongous challenges. But its atleast a step in the right direction and something that will encourage more such people to enter mainstream politics and consider it to be a career option. Jai Ho!

[26th June 2009] A very good update to share:

Nandan Nilekani, co-chairman of Infosys, joins the Government as Cabinet Minister to head the National ID project!

Nandan joins Government, Cabinet Minister

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1. State of Indian politics, Congress is the party for the future
2. Mayawati spends 1000 crores on her statue