Are these promises to keep?

It is rightly said that youth are the future of a country. Published here are some of the letters received on what they expect from the new government. One that is free of corruption, that can provide basic amenities is the common thread that runs through all the letters.

Another election has come and gone. My parents went to vote... to help usher in the new government, which they hope, with increasingly decreasing conviction will keep some of its extravagant promises.

Attribute my opinion to the ever-cynical attitude of youth, but I expect only mud-slinging matches, embezzlement, absence of civic amenities turned luxuries like drinking water, motorable roads... All the earnest promises of providing the moon, which almost make us believe them, vanish as soon as the oath is taken. And after the term is over, yet another campaign with more gimmicks is kicked off.

People have laid down their lives for the right to universal suffrage, but ironically I feel this is a dubious privilege I'd much rather not have. What is the use of voting for leaders, with criminal records and a track record of inefficiency and irresponsibility, voted to power simply by means of charisma, eloquence, or when it doesn't work, thugs?

Yet... who knows, not having expectations, might just work better this time. Hope is the elixir of life.

After all, isn't that the reason people still stand in the sun to vote?

MADHUBANTI BHATTACHARYYA,

XI, New Delhi.

I want a government that can reduce poverty and ensure that drinking water be supplied to all people. The roads should be well maintained. The government should pay more attention to conserving the environment.

KAVITHA PRATAP,

IX, Holy Angels Convent,

Thiruvananthapuram.

I wish the new government would improve the economic condition of the poor. More important a government free of corruption.

Certain leaders get elected only on the of the strength of their partiesthough they have often been proved inefficient and unreliable . Because of the good deeds done by the earlier leaders of those parties, people tend to think that these people also would continue to do good work.

SOWMYA SARATHY,

VIII, D.A.V.S. School,

Chennai.

Hero worship, illiteracy, ignorance, lack of awareness, casteism, fanaticism, parochialism, susceptibility to flattering words, communalism, poverty are the qualities of our electorate. This is the prime reason for inefficient and unreliable leaders getting re- elected. This government should take immediate steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people. Providing drinking water to the public should be top priority. And corruption should be eradicated.

I. AARTHY,

Tuticorin.

The elections are over and a new government has been formed. It is now time for reckoning.

I expect this government to improve primary education, communication, rural development, and law and order. More effort should be put into conservation of environment.

My parents exercised their franchise because for them it was a part of their democratic right as well as their duty.

PRATYUSH KUMAR,

X D, P.Sr. Sec. School,

Chennai.

Yes, the menace of loudspeakers has come to an end. More promises have been made. Many voters have believed this and a new government has taken charge.

We expect

- an improvement in the standard of living.

- a realisation that the role of leaders is to help people.

- eradication of child labour and punishment of those who flout these laws.

G. VIDHYA,

X, Srinivasa Vidhyalaya, Matric H.S.S.

Udumalpet.

Once upon a time, a goat,
Went to cast her precious vote,
When she reached the ballot box,
She saw a red sly fox.
Filled with fear she boarded a bus,
There she made a lot of fuss,
Followed by the red sly fox,
In his stinky pair of socks.
His driving was so rash,
He did end up in a crash.
With the fo fox now out of the scene,
She realised how lucky she had been.
Finally the lucky goat
Managed to cast her precious vote.

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