P5 – Making Choice

In the commercial capital of world’s largest democracy, the biggest local government’s election witnessed lowest
ever voter turnout of 46%. The day was also declared a public holiday! Does it represent the conscious attempt of
citizens to save their modesty from nuances of dirty politics or provide a cover for a hidden mystery particularly
where the most privileged, educated and outspoken intelligentsia inhabit the place?
We are driving on a road and suddenly we have to apply brakes to save us from an open drain hole in the middle
of the pot holed road! (driving & braking to be demonstrated). We are forced to feed to our kids the milk that may
have been rendered unworthy of drinking! The space meant for our children’s playground may have been given
away to a powerful builder! We see, we grumble, we at times shout! (To be acted) But we do not come out to
vote to express our choice?
Dear toastmasters & guests,
This may sound as if I am making a case for you to vote next time. While vote you must, I am here referring to an
election that is life- yours as well as mine! Elections in democracy come every five years. In life, elections are
omnipresent! Election is an opportunity and voting is exercising your choice to transform the things! Do you
belong to elite to whom elections are a non event or middle class who shouts at every possible inconvenience but
falls much short of its duties when it comes to doing or do you represent the hidden hand of India full of vibrancy,
vitality & versatility - ever ready to act?
The opportunities span your social, educational, professional and personal lives and call for active participation
everywhere! (Following 4 paragraphs elaborate these aspects)
The society, of which you are a member, needs your exercise of choice. You may change the living surroundings,
may provide the finishing touches to various debates and decisions, show a direction to most members and
actively develop a bond of brotherhood with your neighbors. During any exigencies, when you may not be able
to sail yourself in the troubled waters at home due to your pre-occupations elsewhere, you have a sailor to support
you in every neighbor of yours.
The education is the foundation of future. The school is the election field. You can share your thoughts, time and
efforts to make the future of your next generation bright. The onus of making education system imbibe the strong
values, ability to perform, skills to shine with a combination of a strong head, a silent soul and a healthy body lies
on you (to be pointed by gestures). You have a choice to speak out in shaping curriculum, implementing creative
teachings and adding effective evaluation techniques to nurture the talent that can fulfill the dreams of tomorrow.
Professionally, you may be doing very well today but change is constant and current skill sets become obsolete
faster than we think. You need to choose to remain relevant. You need to sharpen the saw. It is about making
choice for preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have i.e. you. Think of actor Rishi Kapoor in
Agneepath who chose for first negative role at such an advanced stage in his life and left us gasping. The crux of
the matter is to choose consciously, clearly and continuously so as to break out of the comfort zone.
In personal life, you have plenty of choices to make. You can choose happiness or sorrow. You can choose
sacrifice or comfort. The choice is important and so is its exercise. You can choose and contribute for a better
hospital, a crime free legislature, a corruption free society or greater equity in justice.
Life is all about choice. You can choose Legislators again after 5 years but in life you do not have that privilege.
Are you ready for this choice-a choice for social emancipation, mental acceleration, professional prudence and
educational excellence, a choice for change, progress and prosperity. (Exhort to audience)
Fight the indifference, apathy and inertia. Don’t be a spectator ever! Be the participant instead, the kingpin, the
referee as you are the play as well as the player.
Over to you, Mr. Toastmaster