A Jubilant Jai Ho!

As India waited with bated breath for the poll results yesterday, Congress made a clean sweep and headway! The people of India once again invested the reigns and empowered Congress to rule India.

I’m delighted and elated too, like everybody who voted for congress. A double vote catapulted into a double win. I’m glad the party emerged a clear winner at the centre and the state. From scathing attacks, to scandals, to controversies and attempts to tarnish the image of the party; congress has survived it all! A contended Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh peep out of the FrontPage photograph of every newspaper across the length and breadth of India. A picture of poise and composure, they did not indulge in any negative comments about any party. Even Rahul Gandhi had kind words for L.K Advani. ‘Respect’ for Advani pervaded his views on how he (Advani) has fared in the elections. This boils down to us and our friends too. We also feel a polarization of views, opinions and perceptions with acquaintances. However, it’s all about respect. Each of us has freedom to our own opinion. Therefore, I strongly believe that though we agree to disagree with other person, we must hold respect to their opinion.

Congress has come up with some brilliant manifesto. I enclosed the manifesto below. Please read through and let’s hope and pray that the government delivers on its promises:

1. Enactment of a National Food Security Act; 25 kilos of wheat or rice for Rs 3 a month to those below poverty line.

2. Maximum possible security to each and every citizen.

3. Highest level of defence preparedness and further steps for the welfare of the defence forces and their families.

4. Accelerated process of police reforms.

5. Increase in the daily wage paid under the NREGA from Rs 80 to Rs 100.

6. Health security for all.

7. Comprehensive social security to those at special risk.

8. Quality education affordable to everyone.

9. Nationwide skill development programme.

10. Expansion of schemes for improving the well-being of farmers.

11. Democratic and professional functioning of cooperatives.

12. Greater impetus to empowerment of weaker sections of society.

13. Control of communalism and caste atrocities.

14. Sharp focus on the special needs of children, especially the girl child.

15. Making elected panchayat institutions financially strong.

16. Connecting all villages to a broadband network in three years.

17. Special focus to small entrepreneurs and to small and medium enterprises.

18. Maintenance of high growth with fiscal prudence and low inflation.

19. Introduction of goods and services tax from April 1, 2010.

20. A completely new look to urban governance.

21. A new deal to our youth to participate in governance.

22. Protection of India's natural environment and steps to rejuvenate it.

23. Massive renewal of science and technology infrastructure.

24. Judicial reforms to cut delays in courts.

25. To continue to be sensitive to regional aspirations.

26. Energy security for the country.

27. Steps to preserve and promote our heritage.

28. To continue independent, pro-India foreign policy.

29. To intensify the involvement of overseas Indians in development.

PS: It’s been 13 days since I joined the driving school and now I’m driving it on my own. It’s not as hard as I envisaged it to be! Yet, I need to practice and turn confident and get habituated to the nuances of the roads :-) Its fun though!