EDUCATION AND RETIREMENT MANDATORY FOR POLITICIANS??

In India, in every sector - Govt/Private, the average retirement age is 60years. In old age, when people cannot handle themselves, how can we expect them to handle the country and take right decisions? Why can't there be a common rule for all?

It is seen that youth can perform the role much better than the old. Apart from the age limit there should also be criteria like minimum educational qualification and fluency in language (local language, Hindi and English). One would be surprised to see politicians speaking great English in the parliament these days; some don't even know to speak in Hindi.

I believe that the point to be debated on here is what the minimum education qualification should be for a politician and what should be the retirement age for a politician?

I want to show both the faces of the coin. I do respect old people. Politicians who are old shouldn’t rule the country but the experience, suggestions and ideology should be taken into consideration.

Education is a process that makes people more humane and teaches them a lot about the country, how to express themselves through effective communication and so on. History teaches them the changes the world has undergone, the relations with the rest of the world mistakes made by people in the past and so on. Geography tells them about the landscapes and demographics. Civics keeps them informed on the system of functioning of the government. Economics is important as it helps rationalize market failures and can be used for planning for economic stability. The importance of math and science cannot be underestimated as it is the foundation for rationality in life. The most important of all is the language used for communication to get across the point. All said and done, unless communication is effective, the most brilliant politician cannot get work done effectively. It is true that a good academic background does not guarantee good leadership qualities. But when a leader becomes the head of a nation, or even a minister, a good academic background equips him/her with a better understanding of happenings, and helps take better decisions. Sometimes, a person gets involved in his hobbies so much that his interest over the years makes him an expert in that field.

Today in all and every field whether public or private you should have the minimum educational qualification as per requirement. Even though for a sweeper in Municipal Corporation should have minimum qualification of tenth passed. But one field in India in which there is neither educational qualification nor age limit is required is POLITICS. How an uneducated or less educated man can go to assembly or parliament? Up to tenth we study one subject Civics. In that subject we study about Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad (ZP), Municipal Corporation, Assembly and Parliament. Today many MLA and MP also other politicians do not passed the tenth exam. How they will come to know about these elements of Politics and their functions?

According to me the educational qualification should be as below:-

Gram Panchayat Member- Minimum tenth passed

Corporate- Minimum tenth passed

Panchayat Samiti Member-Graduation

ZP Member-Graduation

MLA and MP- Graduate and fluent in English.

Also there are number of politicians involved in serious crimes such as Murder, Rape, and Extortion. When anyone is selected for IAS examination, there is Police enquiry whether the candidate having criminal background or not. This should happen with politicians before election and politicians those having serious criminal background should not allow for any election.

Most of politicians have very less attendance in Parliament. There should be minimum 80% attendance compulsory for each and every MP. Those failed in attendance should not allow contesting any election for next 5 years.

In India, where there is extraordinary competition for almost anything, the merit requirements (academic qualifications plus relevant experience) bar is set quite high for most jobs. The candidate has to be very well qualified in order to secure a job (assuming the job is secured by honest means alone). It is amazing that in such a country, most politicians secure their jobs as legislators, parliamentarians and ministers with very little relevant qualifications and verifiable competencies such posts require. For them, it is not necessary to have proper educational qualifications or proven experience in management and effective leadership. All that is necessary is an ability to garner votes by hook or crook, and hobnob with other politico-thugs to grab and hold on to power!

I was thinking a few days back about what kind of positive changes would happen in the country, if just one major change was initiated in the political system: It should be made mandatory that anybody who aspires to contest in the elections for a political office should have at least a bachelor’s degree and should have an aggregate academic score of at least 70%. I think such a mandate would make an enormously progressive difference to the country. No good company in India will give me a job if I don’t have similar qualifications. So, why should I not expect that the politicians who govern my country should be equally qualified?

Almost 75 per cent of our billion plus population is below 40 years. Fifty-four per cent has not even crossed the age of 25. Ironical, isn't it then, that most of our top politicians are in their 70s; some are even 80 plus. It's the norm in every society to give younger people — who have the zest, desire and determination — a chance to prove themselves, be it in sports, entertainment, business or media. Why exclude politics? There comes a time when the baton has to be passed, when a certain political space has to be vacated, so that India's present can shape its future.

What are the reasons for people being disenchanted with our politicians? Corruption, criminalization and the perception that the average Indian politician is a grey, unresponsive, timeless entity — entities that will not let go off its position of power.

Let's be honest — an energetic, active, inspirational 75-year-old politician is more the exception than the rule. With no disrespect to those who have contributed immensely to the polity of this country, I feel it's time political parties allowed a younger lot to face electoral battles. That will enable them to understand the needs and aspirations of their electorate. That doesn't mean our older politicians have no role to play. In fact, they can play a constructive role by drawing upon their vast experience and knowledge-base to guide and advice on a variety of issues as I have mentioned above.

It is the political leadership of a country which decides which direction it should take. In order to harness the tremendous potential of young Indians in the political arena, we have to make way for them.

In order to instill a sense of confidence and belonging, we have to make the younger generation stakeholders while chartering the course for India's future. And the only way we can achieve this is when aging politicians retire and retire with grace.

Prabhat