It’s been quite long since I have logged into my blog account. Just got few thoughts in my mind and I spared some time to pen them down.
Off late we have been watching many advertisements on TV about voting. All these political parties have composed their music and videos and they play them on Televisions. I think it’s the first time that they are advertising it so aggressively. These parties have employed advertising agencies to do their brand-building. Thousands of SMSes are being circulated as another means of advertising. In fact, many of the parties have their political songs as the caller tunes. And the money flow in to it must be so high that we cannot even fathom it. The meaning of a ‘political campaign’ is completely changed.
I see so many celebrities getting into politics is another marketing tool for the parties. They are only using the faces to fetch the votes. In the name of democracy all these guys have fun on roads or while shooting for a television advertisement and charge a huge sum.
And we cannot even imagine the amount of money flowing out for such activities. This money can easily get a hygienic life for so many villages in our country.
I wonder if such activities make a difference in the minds of common public to affect their choices to vote or party to vote for. Or are they simply stunned as to what is happening to the country?
Perhaps for some of us it does. When we see our most favorite celebrity being a part of a campaign we get biased or influenced. But is it the right way?
I dont feel this is the right way to ask for votes. You tell us your policies and beliefs and leave it on to us to choose you...
5 comments:
If political parties would actually tell their policies and beliefs, then no one would vote for them. One party is spreading communalism and others has no good leaders with decision making capabilies. We need bring "YOUTH of India" in power if we want India and Indians to grow. No party songs or celebrity influnces my vote....and I believe that it would not affect even other's vote.
I am with you.
Well celebrities and politics is nothing new in India right from the days of Sunit Dutt. Parties use the public image.
The celebrities also gain some much needed positive publicity as you see most stars recently engaged in the campaigns have had some marred past that requires some cleaning.
As for the common people, I suppose a judgemental and an educated approach is required as to whom to vote. India's majority of political problems can be solved if people are educated enough and channelize this in the right direction..
Look at it this way, every election is an opportunity to make a sale happen. The political parties are trying to sell their agenda and the celebrities are trying to make hay while the sun shines. This is the beauty of the largest democracy on earth. I read we all expect the parties to express their policies, speak about agendas. Would you listen them? Elections is the biggest brand management exercise that can happen. I donot vote congress because Mr.M.K. Gandhi led it, or BJP because they fought for Hindu cause in Ayodhya. I vote because I have a very very short memory when it comes to bad experiences. All these celebrities help to reduce the time to forget those memories. People flock to see them. Imagine a scene where Mulayam Singh in one Pundol and Katrina inanother. Where will be the crowd be? Sit back. Democracy does not need any drivers. It drives by its very base of existence. Otherwise, where on earth can you stand up and start a satyagraha against a government official accepting bribe? The question is do we?
Great thought for a democratic nation, however I feel there are far more important factors that we would need to consider while drawing up a conclusion. Leave everything aside i.e. the marketing, the brand the political parties want to create, the impact it has on the common junta; if you just take into account the amount of spending this activity involves it can definitely take care of India as a nation for at least 1-2 years of their expenses. Also, when we talk a bout impact; I really dont think it has had an impact on the educated crowd in the nation. Every person whether it is you or me has a choice and has an opinion about the way things are supposed to be done. In a similar way if you or I as an individual think based on our analysis of the trend/data/leadership of the party, that the country has prospered, we will definitely vote for the same party. Informed choice is what any person would like to make, what these parties attempt is to change the pattern of behavioral choice
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