New Direction
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – Buckminister Fuller
The different path is the one where some people decide that enough is enough, India needs a new direction, and they have to do something about it. It is a group of people who feel they are alone – not knowing where they can find others like them. It is the path few are willing to take because they are not sure of the direction and the pitfalls that lie along the journey. For me, these are the truly patriotic Indians – who are willing to put India first, above any individual. They are Vishnu’s Kalki Avatar.
As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” A determined group of political entrepreneurs can ignite their passion for change, channelise their anger against politicians and their parties, leverage the power of digital technology, and create a movement that can form a government which, for the first time, will put Indians on an irreversible path to freedom and prosperity. This is the revolution India needs.
This revolution needs to have two elements – one which leads to political change, followed by a government that initiates economic change. Political change will not come from replacing one political party with another. We have done that for the past 73 years and failed. What is needed is to elect a Lok Sabha of Independents – people selected through local primaries by unaffiliated Indian voters (who constitute two-thirds of the voters). These non-aligned and non-voters (NANV) have to create a coalition, connect digitally, communicate the ideas to each other and craft the political change. They number 60 crore out of India’s 90 crore voters. Staying undecided till the end or abstaining from voting can no longer be the options. It is in the hands of this ‘silent majority’ that India’s future lies.
Only when the Lok Sabha is freed from the clutches of the political parties can the foundation be laid for economic transformation. The powers of government need to be shrunk and the freedom for individuals and entrepreneurs needs to be enlarged. The anti-prosperity machine must be dismantled. Setting Indians free must be the single point agenda of this new government. I have written about various ideas in the past – the Nayi Disha Manifesto (with Dhan Vapasi at its core) and Mission 10-20-30 are two such essays. A government comprising people focused on change and not continuity in power can complete the revolution.
Tomorrow: Part 17
