“If he gets elected again, I’m sending my son abroad forever,” said my friend very seriously, soon after coming back from casting his Gurugram vote.
“It’s highly unlikely, despite the noisy mainstream media rants. The citizen voice can be heard from independent journalists on social media. He will not get elected again, for sure,” said I.
“I hope, I hope, I hope,” he repeated, and his frown turned to a smile as he held out his crossed fingers.
My friend’s despair was palpable. He did not want his 17-year-old son to grow up in a country with continued politics of bigotry, hatred, division, and religious intolerance, which he and the country had witnessed for the last 10 years.
Yet, he had hope. It’s intriguing why his despondence had this silver lining of hope.
Hope has a process. Hope starts with one strong and staunch believer, even if standing alone. One visible springhead. One lit torch. He keeps the torch flame burning steadfastly, facing torrential rain, amidst turbulent winds, fighting virulent opposing forces. And, the spread of hope matches the intensity of these adverse forces, holding potential to spread and reach millions. If the first hope torchbearer has been treated unjustly, vilified, with much going against him, the hope undercurrent has a tsunami impact: silent but overpowering. Hope is remarkable in that way, as it always possesses a strength that matches the vigor of any opposing force. Its uniqueness lies in how opposition seems to fuel it, growing stronger with every challenge it faces.
Hope is an energy-filled emotion that is at its best when the chips seem completely down – the more despondent the state, the more effective and lubricated hope becomes. Hope fuelled by an underdog torchbearer travels sporadically at first, gradually gaining supporters until it becomes an uncontrollable deluge, eventually holding the potential to carry the force of an entire nation behind it.
The flame of the first torch lights another; these two light two more, then those four each light four more, and so on. It only takes 37 steps to reach a number close to the population of our country. Just 37 steps. While most things dilute as they spread, hope behaves differently. With each iteration, its shared vision grows stronger. After a few dozen iterations of this hope chain, not only does hope spread, but it also multiplies in strength, creating a unified vision among all believers.
A shared vision allows an electorate to connect with each other irrespective of culture, geographies, and generations. It gives citizens a 'reason to believe' and dedicate themselves to the larger vision of India. The citizens' commitment to a clear and believable vision of the country helps keep hope vibrant and growing, ensuring a unified vision of the people's aspirations for their nation.
When I see and hear people across the nation on social media, I see the hope torch ablaze - bright and strong. I see children as young as 12 and geriatrics as old as 90 carrying the invisible torch with pride. I can see the overpowering impact of hope when I see staunch disbelievers turn into believers. This collective spirit of hope binds us together, transcending age and background, and igniting a shared vision for the future.
I too carry the same shared vision, fuelled by the same hope. I envision India as an inclusive and accommodating nation, a guardian to all its citizens, where everyone feels valued, protected, and empowered to achieve their aspirations. A nation that is compassionate and supportive, fair and responsible, nurturing a society built on trust and mutual respect. I want a country that is patient with its people and visionary in its plans, ensuring equality for all.
Knowing that this shared vision rising out of hope will be achieved soon, I know that my friend’s son is going to stay in India for some time to come. And he has the first torchbearer to thank.
