The time is fast approaching for the general elections in India. There will be a new government in this country.

The right to choose the government we want is ours. What do we expect from the rulers of the next government?

All have a dream about their government. The following are the qualities every Indian citizen hopes will be embodied by the rulers:

In the first place, they must remember that this large country is inhabited by people of various religious beliefs, customs and culture. Keralites, Bengalis, Tamilians, Telugus, Kannadigas, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis Northerners and Southerners, are all the children of Mother India. We want a government that considers the country as one entity and can view all her children with impartiality, a government who is responsible for protecting their lives and property, capable of preserving the unity, freedom and the secular nature of the country. At any cost we do not want a government which exists only for the vested interests of a particular state, a linguistic or religious group of people.

Secondly, the chief obstacle to the economic growth of India is not so much the lack of natural resources as the fact that the available products are misappropriated by those in authority, officials and their attendants. When corruption and nepotism are prevalent in the higher circles, the resources for the development of the country go to their pockets. As a result, only those in the higher strata of society prosper while the common people become poorer than before. Is there any Indian who does not pray that we may have a government capable of eradicating the corruption, nepotism and appropriation of common funds that lead to such a state of affairs?

Next, the conveniences and good living conditions that we see in developed countries are available in India also-housing, clothing, food and modern amenities. The relevant question is, who has these conveniences? While a small minority enjoying power and influence, possess them, millions of ordinary Indians are deprived of such conveniences and are obliged to go on living in a primitive style. This is the problem. Indians, by and large, are dreaming of a government that will work for a just distribution of the fruits of development and work with a sense of dedication, giving priority to the development of the poor and the common people.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, it is not enough if those with the power to vote remain at home on the day of the elections. What difference will my single vote make-this line of thinking is suicidal. We must, at any cost, consider the right to vote as the sacred will of God and, with enthusiasm and a firm decision, make our way to the polling booth.

On August 15th 1999, let us resolve to elect candidates who are capable of ensuring the unity and holistic development of our mother land for whose freedom thousands sacrificed their lives.