Political literacy is the ability of an individual to make political choice and to give opinion, to be aware of his/her rights and to have an understanding of state governance and regulations. Political literacy has a significant role in a democratic nation and is acquired through political education. Citizens may become ignorant of democracy if they don't have the knowledge of political activities and political issues. In a country with democratic system, general election serves as a medium for the public to express their political expectations. Democracy and election are fundamentally related to each other because it is the elections that shape the democracy.
India is celebrating the festival of democracy - General Elections 2024. The polls are being held across seven phases and the results will be out on 4 June 2024. The last phase of voting is to be held on 1 June 2024. BW Education reached out to various stakeholders of the sector to understand their voting experience, the deciding factor in their vote, their expectations from the new government and the sentiment about elections on their campus.
"Main factors to consider for voting is how well does the government utilise the existing resources of the country to produce targeted output and ensure fair distribution of the output; the government that provides satisfactory macroeconomic indicators like inflation, current account deficit, GDP growth rate and employment etc," states Dr VP Singh, Programme Director - PGDM, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon.
Mayank Kumar, Co-founder and MD, upGrad said, “India's progress in the last few years reflects GOI's ambition to build an economic superpower. My expectation from the new government is to prioritise education and skill development, helping India transform from an outsourcing economy to a globally recognised knowledge economy and innovation hub further exemplified by initiatives like INDIAai.
As we look to the new budget, it's essential to lay a strong emphasis on education and skill enhancement, building on the success of Skill India. Inclusivity and educational empowerment should be at the forefront, supporting advancements in digital, health and green sectors. Prioritising increased women's participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields can drive India towards becoming a talent superpower. With wider opportunities, innovative approaches and stronger government in India (GOI) support in 2024, our tech-savvy youth will be better positioned to drive innovation and growth. Additionally, revisiting Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) taxation policies could further incentivise talent retention and growth in the tech industry. These measures would set a positive tone for realising the nation's potential and achieving new heights with 'Viksit Bharat'.”
While Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO, TeamLease Edtech, considers the past track record of the parties, their manifesto promises and their vision for the country's future. For him, key factors included the ease of doing business, reducing barriers to entry for new enterprises and supporting the growth of manufacturing within India. He believes in the importance of investing in education and creating frameworks that promote employability. Rooj highlights, “It's crucial to build an ecosystem where the youth can find meaningful employment, supported by a robust credit framework not only in education but also in the corporate sector. Furthermore, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through favourable policies and infrastructure development is essential for sustained growth.”
"In voting, I considered candidates' integrity, their commitment to public service and their ability to address key issues such as economic development, social justice and environmental sustainability," expresses Rahul Pratap Singh Kaurav, Associate Professor - Marketing, FORE School of Management.
Kaurav also evaluated past performance and candidates' vision for the future to ensure his vote would contribute to progressive and inclusive governance.
"Voting is a civic duty of the citizens of our country and we are fortunate to have this right. It is the recognition of our preferences and opinions. The candidate representing us should strive for development, addressing people concerns, be progressive and foster a sense of community," states Vinod Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer & Business Head, Edunation Services.
Sharma takes pride in the efficiency and scale of our voting mechanisms, leveraging technology to ensure a smooth and inclusive electoral process."
On the expectations from the upcoming government, Singh shares, "I hope the new government is able to provide a quantum jump in its skilling abilities. More skilled the labour, higher is employability; more is the output, higher is the efficiency and higher becomes exports, higher is the GDP growth. This sets a virtuous cycle in the economy.
Rooj anticipates a strong commitment to fostering economic growth and creating a business-friendly environment that includes further reforms to ease doing business and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. He looks forward to policies that promote innovation, particularly in the technology and renewable energy sectors and ensure robust infrastructure development. For him, it is essential that the government also focusses on upskilling the workforce and aligning education with industry needs, creating a seamless bridge between education and employability. Rooj believes that by investing in these areas, the government can build a resilient economy that offers meaningful opportunities for all citizens.
Kaurav expects the upcoming government to prioritise transparency, accountability and good governance. His key anticipations include implementing robust policies for economic growth, improving healthcare & education, enhancing infrastructure and promoting social welfare. He hopes for increased efforts in combating corruption and ensuring the rule of law to build a more equitable society.
From the government, Sharma expects a focus on fiscal prudence, increased capital expenditure in vital sectors like healthcare & education and initiatives to enhance the ease of doing business. He also believes that a significant boost in funding for primary, secondary and skill-based education is imperative for our nation's growth and development.
Regarding the transformations that he wants to be made in the education sector, Singh says, "Implementation of the new education policy needs to be done rapidly. We need best of the brains to find teaching as a choice of profession. Teachers build the character of the nation. I hope the government can induce necessary incentives to make teaching one of the top options for people choosing a career. This one thing can make lot of things fall in place and bring harmonious growth in the economy.
Rooj also echoes similary with Singh's opinion. He states, “In the education sector, faster implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) is vital, along with reduced regulatory barriers. We need to create a collaborative environment where international universities can establish campuses in India, enhancing the quality and diversity of education. Building ways to collaborate with higher education institutes in India can bring out the best in both systems, ultimately benefitting students by providing them with world-class education opportunities. By making students the centre of these initiatives, we ensure they receive the best education possible, preparing them for global challenges.”
In the education sector, Kaurav advocates for increased funding, curriculum modernisation and enhanced teacher training programmes. As per him, emphasising STEM education, vocational training and digital literacy is crucial. He supports equitable access to quality education for all, reducing disparities between urban & rural areas and fostering a culture of critical thinking & innovation among students. As an academician, Kaurav expects that in the next five years, our education spending should increase from 6.6 per cent to 8-9 per cent of GDP and the best will be two digits.
"Our higher education institutions should become less dependent on government grants through innovative financing models like degree apprenticeships and industry partnerships. This will not only ensure financial sustainability but also align educational outcomes with market needs," Rooj adds.
Sharing his experience of voting, Singh underlines, “It was an excellent experience, no hassles at all. The staffs were very cooperative and the system was transparent.”
Kaurav's voting experience was also smooth. He informs that the polling station was well-organised, with efficient staff ensuring a quick and secure voting process.
Bidyunmala Salunke, Principal, Orchids The International School, Newtown branch, Kolkata, also shares that all the arrangements were proper. She shares, “Personally every time I vote, I pay my respects to all the freedom fighters who brought us the opportunity to decide and have power. The voice to choose should not be underestimated. Hence, as a duty we must take voting seriously.”
Singh advises people to read more and make efforts to gather data and discuss the data. He says, “Democracy can’t thrive if the population remains ignorant. These days information can be easily distorted into disinformation. People need to follow news sequentially over a long time. A regularly informed person is likely to be misled by disinformation floating on the social media. People should exercise their right to vote. Low voter turnout out can injure democracy.”
To the citizens of India, Rooj urges to exercise their right to vote thoughtfully. He suggests, "Your vote shapes the future of our nation. Consider the track records, promises and visions of the candidates & parties and choose those who you believe will build a better, more educated and employable India.
Kaurav advises all citizens to exercise their right to vote, as it is the cornerstone of our democracy. He shares, “Voting empowers us to shape our future and hold our leaders accountable. Stay informed about the candidates and their policies and make your choice thoughtfully. Your vote is your voice — use it to build a better, more inclusive India.”
"History has taught us that the blood, sweat and tears which were shed in order to bring us this voice, it must not be ignored or wasted. Each vote counts. A single vote can change the future altogether. I hope all citizens remember this duty and make the best out of this. Let's hope our coming years will be blossoming for our nation as a Global leader and for that we need every single hand to hold together," suggests Salunke.
Meenakshi Bhakuni, Principal of GD Goenka School, Vasant Kunj, has shared her voting experience and expectations: "My voting experience was a spoiler because of the heat waves.
I believe Children should learn about democracy, its processes and its benefits through the systems we have in place, in addition to being encouraged to vote and through talks, role plays, student bodies and morning assemblies, by motivating them to get their voter ID cards and numerous other activities, we promote voter education and participation in the school.
Since our school is secular and upholds the secular principles of our nation, it addresses diversity and inclusion in connection to political representation and participation. Our student body is varied, exposing our pupils to various viewpoints.”
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