What can one person do?

Someone posted to our mailing list, urging us to enroll in the electoral list and vote for Narendra Modi. As expected, many replied with comments like, “What can one person do?” or “I voted last time, but what changed?”

Our media and intellectuals have trapped us in a state of inaction. Daily, we hear that our politicians and government are useless, and there’s no hope. Even when a politician does something good, the media focuses on criticisms instead of praise. This creates apathy among educated people who don’t vote, which means they can’t influence policies. Consequently, decision-making gets hijacked by short-term thinking, harming the country. Those who vote for these policies often lack the education to see that short-term gains can lead to long-term pain.

Occasionally, a politician with a strong, clean track record emerges. He uses technology to improve lives, ensure electricity and good roads, and share a vision based on ideas, not just talk. Yet, we still ask, “What can this guy do?”

Most educated people want quick fixes. They favor revolutionary ideas that excite them rather than steady, reliable improvements. This leads them to support movements like Anna Hazare or Arvind Kejriwal. In contrast, poorer people often hold onto hope for change and improvement, while the wealthy educated classes express skepticism that anything will ever change.

Why is this? Many in today’s yuppie generation have never faced poverty. After college, they land high-paying jobs and enjoy comforts their parents worked hard for years to provide. They’ve never waited for water at public taps at dawn or skipped bus stops to save a few coins. The poor still face these challenges. When a leader with vision appears, they rally behind him, while the wealthy educated remain indifferent, romanticizing poverty from their comfortable lives.

Even if Narendra Modi comes to power—if is key—change won’t come overnight. It’s hard to fix something deeply flawed quickly. But a strong leader’s confidence and effective management can inspire hope. Their energy can motivate young people, making the future look promising.