Making Maharashtrians & India proud

I know, people know and even Mr. Raj Thackeray knows that whatever he is saying is simply a political propaganda and nothing else. Its a way to garner votes, but it is different from how how it used to be done in the yester years. Earlier, votes were driven on religious parameters, today it is driven on regionalism.

Anyways, so here is Mr. Raj Thackeray who is suddenly taking key interest in maharashtrians. The concept is good. The state is Maharashtra and the people who hail from this state are maharashtrians and technically the sons of the soil. It is very similar to India which is the country of all Indians who are people from different states constituting India.

But I guess the means of execution is absolutely incorrect. You cannot get abusive and start riots because that tantamounts to nothing but a form of terrorism! What is happenning as a result of these means of Mr. Thackeray is that while a lot of maharashtrians are game for the concept, only the goons, illiterate, vagabonds and those who have nothing better to do are forming a part of his maharashtrian support. Again, if this is simply a hogwash to gain votes (at the moment it seems so), then Mr. Thackeray is doing precisely what anyother political goon does. Get elected and then forget about their own mandate.

On the other hand if his stance and means are more democratic, logical, intelligent and "really wanting to make a difference to maharashtrians", then as a proud maharashtrian I can suggest a few things, that I am sure will be noticed and agreed by those literate and affluent maharashtrians as well.

*  It can be as basic as ensuring that all maharashtrians and non maharashtrians in this state follow traffic rules! If Mr. Thackeray's command can get a million people to do riots, then I am sure his request to everybody and support to the government (police) can do wonders.

*  Ensuring that the cities in maharashtra maintain hygiene. His support and a directive to the municipal corporations to ensure cleanliness can do wonders

*  His requests to the maharashtrian community if not others to keep their state clean can do wonders

*  Thinking of ways to ensure that education in maharashtra is not only made available but compulsary to all children till graduation. Thus ensuring that maharashtra becomes the most literate state in India.

*  Ensuring that current governments and other future governments (if in power then his government) fulfills the promises made during election time with will and perfection.

*  Ensuring all infrastructure and development projects in maharashtra are completed, completed on time and are corruption free. In fact I am sure even if Mr. Thackeray does a riot for this cause all maharashtrians and non maharashtrians will back him!

*  Ensuring that the government service people (like police, municipality, etc) get competitive salaries so that even the thought of corruption does not come to their mind.

*  Ensuring that the maharashtrian community drops their lazy and lackadiasical attitude and become competitive.

Well I can go on and on...

If this is what he can do, I am sure he will be proud of himself and people too would want to have someone like him in power. And he will have support from not only the vagabonds but also educated ones! At least he can count one vote in ( if at all he thinks that one vote is important for him) and that is mine.

I know I am drawing a parallel with a party that is rival of MNS, but then who says 2 political people/ parties who are willing to do something genuinely good for the people cant learn from each other? The person I am talking about is Mrs. Sheila Dixit - CM of Delhi. Look at the pace and the amount of development that has happenned in Delhi! She took some hard stands, initially people were against her, but today I am sure all sane and literate populace as well as illiterate populace hails for what she has done!

Well lets hope someone does make a difference to this state and this country. I believe that if Mr. Thackeray broadens his means and is genuinely concerned about this state and its people, then he can be that someone who can make a difference.



Jaydeep Deshpande