Neha Lalchandani
In 1972, Kishore Sharma came to Jhansi to set up a rolling mill plant. Soon after, his brothers Dilip and Rajiv followed from Prayagraj. The close knit family now has a thriving business, an active social life and they have been witness to the growth of Jhansi into its present day avatar.
The family strongly believes that the issues of ‘roti, kapda aur makaan’ are foremost issues for any govt to fulfil.Therefore, says 75-year-old Dilip, “the party that works for national interest will win our votes.” There was a time when the family voted for candidates, based on their personal equations and the work done by them. Their vote continues to be for one person, though that person is not a candidate here. The vote is for Narendra Modi.
His sister-in-law Vidrum highlights the need for a strong govt that can address law and order issues. Jhansi, she says, was a place where women could not step out alone after a point of time. Lawlessness was out of control some years back, and even today, people shudder at the mention of ‘gundagardi’. Vidrum’s husband Rajiv recalled a recent incident from his own factory, where a disgruntled employee ended up calling the police helpline after he was ticked off at work and the police reached within minutes. “At that point we were annoyed with the worker but also impressed with the police for reacting so quickly. Jhansi has changed drastically,” he said.
The family is united in its opposition to freebies by govt, but believes that if a welfare programme reaches genuine beneficiaries, it will be welcome. Similarly, there is a strong opposition to reservations. Vidrum’s and Rajiv’s 28-year-old daughter Vatsala, who is preparing for judicial exams, says that the young generation would vote for any party which ends reservations.
“There is no good Opposition at present, unless the alliance changes its image. Unlike older generations who have seen several govts, we have nothing to compare the present govt with. This is all we have seen through our youth. The youth will support a govt which ends reservations and ensures jobs,” she said.
While extremely happy with the current govt for having provided welfare schemes, increasing India’s prestige and implementing development, the three brothers are unhappy with corruption persisting at the lower levels of govt. Dilip and Rajiv relate how while the govt could be clean at the higher levels, officials at the lower levels are continuing to demand bribes. “Many processes have been moved online, but corruption at the lower levels continues to remain an issue,” says Rajiv.
The eldest brother Kishore, who holds immense respect for former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, says that he was the equivalent of Lord Ram, the Maryada Purshottam who could do no wrong. He said: “On the other hand, Modi is like Krishna. He will do whatever is needed to ensure the best for the people. It is because of this end goal of his that he commands such massive support.”
During a discussion on the Ram temple and its use in the current election narrative, Vatsala says that this should not be an election agenda. Hindus are happy with its construction, she says, but the election should focus on development, economy and national defence. “Such matters are best ignored,” she said. Affiliation to a political party too, she believes, is linked to where one is coming from. In discussions among classmates and friends, one’s political leanings or appreciation for a political party throw light on the state one belongs to. A person from Delhi, she says, is likely to be impacted by the Aam Aadmi Party while BJP is the preferred choice among most people who belong to UP and Bihar.
Vidrum’s father, 87-year-old Dr Manohar Abhay, now lives with his daughter in Jhansi, along with his wife Premlata. Abhay retired as chairperson of the Family Planning Association of India in Mumbai and was deeply associated with the Jana Sangh. Speaking on the changing political situations in India since the 1940s, he said: “A person should have the freedom to speak, unlike how it was during the Emergency. There is a need to end all divisions. A person should not be tied down to an ideology or he or she will have no future. We finally have a new leadership which is working not for a person but for the entire country. Govt should work for development,” he said.
The family strongly believes that the issues of ‘roti, kapda aur makaan’ are foremost issues for any govt to fulfil.Therefore, says 75-year-old Dilip, “the party that works for national interest will win our votes.” There was a time when the family voted for candidates, based on their personal equations and the work done by them. Their vote continues to be for one person, though that person is not a candidate here. The vote is for Narendra Modi.
His sister-in-law Vidrum highlights the need for a strong govt that can address law and order issues. Jhansi, she says, was a place where women could not step out alone after a point of time. Lawlessness was out of control some years back, and even today, people shudder at the mention of ‘gundagardi’. Vidrum’s husband Rajiv recalled a recent incident from his own factory, where a disgruntled employee ended up calling the police helpline after he was ticked off at work and the police reached within minutes. “At that point we were annoyed with the worker but also impressed with the police for reacting so quickly. Jhansi has changed drastically,” he said.
The family is united in its opposition to freebies by govt, but believes that if a welfare programme reaches genuine beneficiaries, it will be welcome. Similarly, there is a strong opposition to reservations. Vidrum’s and Rajiv’s 28-year-old daughter Vatsala, who is preparing for judicial exams, says that the young generation would vote for any party which ends reservations.
“There is no good Opposition at present, unless the alliance changes its image. Unlike older generations who have seen several govts, we have nothing to compare the present govt with. This is all we have seen through our youth. The youth will support a govt which ends reservations and ensures jobs,” she said.
While extremely happy with the current govt for having provided welfare schemes, increasing India’s prestige and implementing development, the three brothers are unhappy with corruption persisting at the lower levels of govt. Dilip and Rajiv relate how while the govt could be clean at the higher levels, officials at the lower levels are continuing to demand bribes. “Many processes have been moved online, but corruption at the lower levels continues to remain an issue,” says Rajiv.
The eldest brother Kishore, who holds immense respect for former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, says that he was the equivalent of Lord Ram, the Maryada Purshottam who could do no wrong. He said: “On the other hand, Modi is like Krishna. He will do whatever is needed to ensure the best for the people. It is because of this end goal of his that he commands such massive support.”
During a discussion on the Ram temple and its use in the current election narrative, Vatsala says that this should not be an election agenda. Hindus are happy with its construction, she says, but the election should focus on development, economy and national defence. “Such matters are best ignored,” she said. Affiliation to a political party too, she believes, is linked to where one is coming from. In discussions among classmates and friends, one’s political leanings or appreciation for a political party throw light on the state one belongs to. A person from Delhi, she says, is likely to be impacted by the Aam Aadmi Party while BJP is the preferred choice among most people who belong to UP and Bihar.
Vidrum’s father, 87-year-old Dr Manohar Abhay, now lives with his daughter in Jhansi, along with his wife Premlata. Abhay retired as chairperson of the Family Planning Association of India in Mumbai and was deeply associated with the Jana Sangh. Speaking on the changing political situations in India since the 1940s, he said: “A person should have the freedom to speak, unlike how it was during the Emergency. There is a need to end all divisions. A person should not be tied down to an ideology or he or she will have no future. We finally have a new leadership which is working not for a person but for the entire country. Govt should work for development,” he said.