The Pioneer 14.05.2013
Young brigade gung-ho about responsibilities in RMC wards
Usually thought of as bastion of elderly, politics is gradually attracting youngsters who have shed the baggage of aversion and braced it with open arms. If the youngsters have fallen in love with politics at grass-root level the newly elected young ward councilors of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) are a case in point.
Beaming with confidence and unperturbed by the expectations of people, youngsters are now craving for greater responsibility in the RMC board. Probably the youngest of all, Ashok Baraik of Ward Number - 28 is eying for the post of Deputy Mayor of RMC and believes that the youth factor would benefit the municipal body in doing better.
“Age is definitely an advantage when it comes to working overtime, as expected from a Deputy Mayor,” said Baraik adding it’s about passion for doing something for the society which again is more prominent in youths than elders.”
Albeit, Baraik is not confident about his chances of making to the post, the deputy mayor aspirant believes 30 rounds of meeting with several councilors has helped in making his presence felt among the councilors.
The new board of the RMC will be constituted today which will feature faces that are in mid to late twenties and early 30s hence considered the flag bearers of change in the grass-root politics.
The young brigades of grass-root politics optimistic about bringing in much needed change in politics which the elderly have stalled so far, they allege. “It is necessary for the youngsters to show interest in politics if they want to bring change in the society and help their country progress,” said Ratnesh Kumar Singh councilor of ward-39.
The lethargy of elderly will be replaced by the exuberance of youth if they are given opportunity to work for the people however they believe it cannot happen without the guidance of the elderly lot of the politics. “We are full of energy and are available all the time but I would seek guidance from the elders in politics,” said Ashok Khalkho, aged 28 and councilor of ward-6.
The resistance to innovative ideas and change has made the aging horses of politics at all level an object of criticism and disgust which can be remedied by giving opportunity to youths. “A youth always brings new ideas and accepts change which diminishes by age,” said Khalkho.
