At Cross Roads

Year of big elections for the biggest democracy. Big elections imply Lok Sabha elections. In fact for keralites, there is panchayat elections for next year and assembly elections on ensuing year. Surely the tone of governance in the coming years will be set soon. In a way we always had choices but this time choices as well as issues have sort of multiplied. Aam Admi Party (Common Mans Party) is the new kid on the block. Many especially the learned ones and activists have flocked to this party to make a change. With the Delhi fiasco, the long term action plan / agenda will have to be set. There are actions to resurrect third front. I am not very enthusiastic though. The main coalitions (UPA & NDA) will fight it out for majority. Regional parties which are associates of either of the coalitions might polish some worn out local issues to trump up support. National agenda of sustainable development and having a long term plan as in the past takes a back seat. The optimist in me hopes for prudence to prevail so that all parties stay away from election gimmicks and agree upon certain bare minimum agenda for nation building. We do have talent, resources and capabilities. A political will power is one missing ingredient. May all of my fellow citizen get good choices for the elections and may the best come out of the elections to govern this ancient land of wisdom. On a personal front, I am also at cross roads personally as well as professionally. I guess getting into 'Naughty Forties' comes with this baggage. Peace and stability in the long term are major issues. Responsibilities towards earlier and new generation gets a hold on you. Professional growth is still of concern but i guess that might get dumped into back burner once we progress on the time scale in life beyond the present. Investment decisions especially connected with asset creation seems critical and important. In a decade, kids will move from schools to college. Education has surely become costly! Given the values inculcated into my generation, we as parents will not spare any avenue to impart better education to kids. I am hopeful (merely hopeful) that kids will realise some time or the other that parents did their bit. Alas i can't claim that i had been with them for long. My job had kept me away from most of the time. Initially in New Delhi, then in Vishakhapatnam and presently in Thiruvananthapuram. I am happy and thankful that I managed to come nearer with every move so far. The progress have been good - from visiting family once in a quarter to bi-weekly visits. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu