Sartorial politics!

The last few days have been interesting for me. I have had a rare chance to view our election process from rather close quarters. And, one aspect that caught my fancy was the fashion statement that politics and politicians make as they espouse their ideology and proclaim their affiliations.

Older men (as in, those over 50) from across party lines are known to wear dhotis or veshtis that sport their party colours. So, the AIADMK folks have a red, white and black border on their dhoti borders. Likewise, the DMK functionary can be identified by the red and black border. The seniority of the person in the party's hierarchy may be guessed from the angavastram (roughly translated as the shawl!) that they sport which again carry the party colours - more prominently than on the dhoti. And, likewise, the many parties in Tamil Nadu have their cadres draped in white dhotis with the party colours adorning the dhoti borders. Never broad borders - just wide enough to show off their affiliation. It is surprising that I have never caught a Congressman in a tricolour bordered dhoti - but then I have seen very few Congressmen on the campaign trail. The younger lot care little about their dress, perhaps believing in actions speaking louder than clothes. My friend, an independent candidate, wore the non descript jeans and a bush shirt on all occasions. But his campaign team sported caps that bore his campaign colours and his party symbol, the road roller.

But what was an eye opener (indeed!) were the sarees. Two leaves, the party symbol of the AIADMK, strung together like a garland, find prominence as the saree borders of the party candidate in one of the constituencies. Glad that the rising sun was not featured on the opposition candidate's six yards! It may have looked ghastly. I did notice a few lady voters dressed in party colours on the voting day, mostly combinations of red, black and white. I wonder if they planned it deliberately to be that way, or a ploy to mislead......The women generally seemed less inclined than men to carry their political affiliations in their dressing style but don't we all know that many of the women candidates are normally mere proxies, candidates only on paper. Though the party symbols included a top and a mango, there was little evidence of these being put to use in their campaign clothing.

Many men also carried pens with a photographs of their party leader on the pen clip, shown off in their shirt pockets. Good way to beat the campaigning embargo that came into effect two days prior to the voting date! I even saw a politico with a ring which had his party colours and a rising sun (also in the same combination!).  And, golden chains with lockets hung from their necks featuring the photograph of their beloved party leaders were hard to miss.

So, there's a lot more to elections than votes and posts. And, election fashion may provide the extra edge!

Humbled, by democracy!

Today is Election Day in Tamil Nadu. Voters across the state will cast their votes to elect their local governments - at the Panchayat, Municipality and Corporation levels. As a citizen of the world's biggest democracy, I learnt a few things about democracy which left me humbled. Here they are:

1) Election Day is a Festival Day: When I walked near a polling booth early this morning, the ambience was that of a festival. There was an air of celebration and a buzz about the process. Voters came well turned out as if dressed for a festival. It was a celebration of our fundamental right, an empowered citizen. It was a festival of no particular religion - Hindus, Muslims, Christians all joined the celebrations. The fact that it was an official holiday lent to the festive atmosphere. Elections are the festivals of democracy. Let's celebrate them!

2) Right to Contest: There are 32 candidates standing for the post of the Mayor of Chennai and there are as many symbols allotted to them to choose from. As a citizen, I can recognise three candidates. But that does not prevent the remaining 29 from trying their hand at being a candidate. Often I have heard the argument that non-serious/ casual candidates vitiate the democratic process. I guess that is democracy's way of dealing with itself - if the candidates are seen as good, their numbers will be taken care automatically. Democracy means I can be the government!

3) Voter Identity: Voters came with their identity cards wrapped carefully. Many guard it more carefully (in plastic covers, in envelops, etc) than themselves. It gives them their identity as citizens of this country. It is a mere piece of laminated paper that gives them unprecedented power - a power that could not be touched or taken away. They know how to safeguard it and protect it. And, as a voter, use it to make a difference!

4) An Exercise Non Pareil: I have often read that conducting elections in India was an exercise involving mammoth logistics. I realised it too soon. The voters were ready for casting their ballots when the booths opened but some of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) developed snags. Soon, in the most efficient fashion, we saw jeeps carrying alternate machines reach the venue of polling and voting get back on track. So, things work in this country when we set our minds to it. And, elections are something no one - politicians, bureaucrats, policemen, citizens - messes around with. Hope their sanctity remains forever!

5) A Great Leveller: Elections do not distinguish the educated from the uneducated, the weak from the strong, the idealist from a pessimist, the haves from the have nots. As they exercise their franchise, all voters are the same. They come to the same voting station, stand in the same queue, follow the same process and live with the same results. Elections don't discriminate......makes us feel one amongst equals!

All these years, I have remained a passive citizen. This election has been different. I can say, it has changed me.......I have been humbled by my experience of our democracy. I realise the real worth of our democracy.