Elections...

Elections usually elicit a feeling of neutral boredom among young adults. If you analyze the voters in any modern day elections, we usually notice that the majority are baby-boomers, mostly male (especially in the developing countries)..In the US, President Obama's election campaign was characterized by an organized focus on reaching out to minorities, women and young adults..As they approach the mid-term elections, all the public surveys are focused on what the public thinks and feels about specific issues that will cause the voting results to 'turn'..however, in all the humdrum we forget the basics..the right to vote..why is it important for any citizen in any country to exercise that right?

I was waiting at my optometrist's office the other day and ended up reading an article about the women who fought for the right to vote..these women suffered, they were tortured and beaten because they demanded the right to vote..this suffering did not occur in an obscure third world country..they occurred right here at home in the US and it occurred only about a 100 years ago..their struggle and beliefs formed the foundation for every American woman's right to vote. On Aug. 26, 1920, the Susan B. Anthony Amendment became law, and 20 million American women won the right to vote. Almost 90 years to the exact date, I wonder how many young American women even recognize the importance of this right.

I do not mean to imply by any means that only American women are faced with this challenge. Citizens of all countries across this world take their rights for granted. We celebrate our independence days with gusto, we watch the national and local elections keenly, yet rarely if ever do we go and vote - exercise our right and duty to select our leaders. Granted in some countries, voting is such a miserable process that you may feel disheartened to even consider going to vote. Yet, isn't the mere action of non-voting similar to illegal voting practices?

My first reaction when I read the article about the Iron-Jawed Angels was anger on their behalf, and pride in their strength. Yet, I couldn't hide from the fact that I have never voted in any local or national elections. As I spout my indignation at women for not appreciating their freedom to vote, I recognize that I have been a party to that same mistake.

The story of these iron jawed angels has pushed me towards the first step of fulfilling my rights as a citizen - exercising my right to vote. This right and story is not meant to motivate only other women to vote, all the men and women need to recognize the challenges their predecessors faced to build a country where you have the freedom and the right to vote.

Inspiration

Ever wonder what it feels like to be hungry, tired, cold, beaten down by life and lose the hope to live life? I find it amazing that sometimes people who are victims of societal brutality and personal tragedies are the strongest people we encounter. Their will to rise beyond their circumstances, their belief in humanity at large and their hope for a better tomorrow are awe-inspiring.

I am not rambling about generalities. I, like millions of others, watched CNN's Night for Heroes on Thursday night in total silence. It seemed impossible for anyone to adopt 48 children, spend their evening preparing food for those going hungry, or act as support for other women who are as battered as you were as a child. Inspiration comes in many ways and forms, and your circumstances shape you to be who you are!

Go Obama!

A perfect ending to my rather hectic day :D

Scotland

Dreams are so important to people. It lets you escape your daily worries and find a calmer, happier frame of mind. It's our touchstone. Here's mine:

Beautiful Picture!

This is a beautiful picture...I love the contrast between the statue's mystic and the artist's labor. Apparently, this is in preparation for the upcoming Diwali celebrations...

Street children..butterflies or businesspeople?

I wonder, if we ever think about those children we see on the streets - whether it's in India, Nigeria or here in Canada. When I was growing up in India, I've seen kids barely older than me, with tattered clothing and dirty faces along the streets or begging in traffic. In Lagos, I've seen babies begging in heavy traffic or selling water in the go-slow. Even in Toronto, I've seen homeless teenagers on the streets downtown.


As a child in India, my reaction was typically to ignore them and see through them. In Lagos, I use to notice them only in passing, I was too busy with my life. Now in Toronto, I look at them and I wonder what could have brought them to such a situation. In all those scenarios, I have felt guilty about not helping them. With the huge hue and cry today's celebrities have raised about third-world children and charities, the world seems to be overflowing with NGOs and Christian missionaries hell bent on working with the poor. I've always been quite sceptical about this - maybe it comes from growing up in middle-class India, where you're taught to doubt people's motives, especially when they tell you they are trying to help you purely out of the goodness of their heart.


But today I read about an organization, the Butterflies, who were responsible for creating and supporting this, a bank run by children, streetchildren to be very specific. The bank is called Children's Development Bank, and operates only after 6pm in the night, when these children can get away from their menial day jobs as rag-pickers, utensil cleaners and other odd-end tasks. To me the best thing about this initiative was the independence and confidence, it would give these kids. I had parents, family and friends who loved me, supported me and believed in. These children probably did not have too many supporters or believers, until they came into this project. For that, I am grateful to the organization and to the initiative.

I'm sure there are many obscure groups and similar intiatives, but being ignorant about those other groups, does not necessitate or provide justification, if I ignored this wonderful initiative.


Excellent work!