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New Delhi : The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on December 11, 2020, appealed to the people to elect their representatives and the governments on the basis of their performance. During an online interaction with the members of YPO-Greater India Chapter at Visakhapatnam, Naidu expressed concern over the increasing influence of cast, criminality, community, and cash in politics and asked them to give preference to calibre, conduct, capacity, and character while electing their representatives.

Calling politics ‘a mission to serve the people’, Naidu expressed concern over the increasing tendency to resort to populism instead of long term constructive policies. The Vice President also expressed his concern over the declining standards of the debates in the Parliament and state legislatures. “Level of discourse is going down everywhere,”i Naidu said and added that in the past debates used to be dignified and peppered with wit and humour. In this regard, he urged legislators to discuss, debate and decide and not disrupt the proceedings. He also advised politicians to consider their opponents as rivals not the enemies.

Noting that the constructive contribution by the members in the Parliament was not getting the attention it deserved in the media, the Vice President urged the media to give more attention to the positive work being done by the Parliament. Observing that the credibility of media was declining, he said that ‘newspaper’ has become ‘views-paper’.

On the farmers’ issue, the Vice President said that all doubts can be solved through constructive dialogue. Narrating his own life journey as an example, Naidu said that despite coming from an agricultural family with no political background, he could rise to the second-highest constitutional post in the country only because of his discipline, hard work, dedication and conviction.

The Vice President advised the young industry leaders to work hard, have conviction, and learn from others’ experiences, to excel in life. Reminding the young CEOs about the ancient Indian values like ‘share and care’, Naidu underlined the importance of giving back to society. He remembered Nanaji Deshmukh with gratitude and said that his life inspired him to start Swarna Bharat Trust to serve the society. Describing his friends as his strength, the Vice President said that he has always remained in touch with his friends going back to school days.

Calling the young entrepreneurs as the future of the country, Naidu said there is no lack of talent in India. However, we have to identify the talent and upgrade their skills. Referring to great Indians such as Aryabhatta, Charaka, Sushruta, the Vice President said that there is something special in this land.

Rejecting the notion that one can succeed in life only by studying in English medium, the Vice President cited several examples of eminent personalities like Dr Abdul Kalam who had their schooling in their mother tongues.