Rajasthan polls: Meet the women....Walk the talk!

Red tapism must end, immediately
If I were at the helm of affairs in the state, the first thing I would do would be to put an end to red tapism in the bureaucracy. The state would be in a much better condition if all the laws were enforced and all the policies were implemented as they should be. I feel very strongly about animal welfare and conserving the environment. The biggest mistake we humans make is to isolate ourselves and think that these issues don’t affect us.

Lead by example
The candidates should not forget that they have been given the opportunity to prove themselves as role models for the youth of our nation. Let them lead by example and inspire the younger generation to do the same.
—Timmie Kumar, hotelier and animal welfare activist

Change perceptions about the leaders
As a CM I’d look for possible solutions to the problems in the state. I’ll try changing the mindset of the people who think all politicians are corrupt. I’ll work to benefit the common man. Being a woman, my priority will be women empowerment. I’d encourage women to come forward and vote.

Focus on women
Candidates should pay attention to the rights of housewives and young girls, as they cover a major percent of the populace.
—Smita Gupta, housewife

Create an atmosphere conducive to growth
As the CM, I would create an atmosphere of hope, confidence and goodwill that would lead to collective action on all critical fronts. Let us debate over issues with honesty and transparency so as to reach a shared understanding of the problems and their solutions. My top concerns would be health, education, safety and well being of the people.

There must be no hidden agendas
Only those candidates should join politics who don’t have any other hidden agenda but to be with the people and serve them. They must focus on a bottom up planning and programming rather than a false top down promise to win elections and then disappear.
—Aparna Sahay, financial advisor  RIICO

Inclusive development
If I were to be made the CM of Rajasthan, my priorities would be to ensure that there is good governance at all levels. This will only happen if there is inclusive development and growth with equality. Efforts must also be made to ensure communal harmony.

Zero tolerance towards crime
There will be time bound action against all crimes, zero tolerance against corruption, even the judiciary. Even petty crimes like chain snatching and eve teasing would be dealt with strict penalty.

These also include any kind of damage to public property.
—Asha Pande, educationist

Clean food, clean state
On becoming CM I would take strict action against food adulteration which is now a menace. I will also organise a cleanliness drive. There is no mechanism to ensure proper waste disposal which leads to health problems.

Act with integrity
Candidates should be cautious about how they are perceived. They should act with integrity.—Tanya Kapoor, student

Global education in state
My priority as CM would be to focus on trying to attract a world class university of the likes of a Stanford or a Harvard to the state. This would help take the level of education offered in the state to a complete high and give Rajasthan a new identity. I would also do my best to conserve heritage and increase tourism in the state by new means of promotion.

Do  more, talk less
There is only one thing to say to the candidates and that is that they must carry out their duties with more honesty. They must be more genuine. We need to see them convert their promises into actions.
—Jaishree Periwal, educationist

Leaders should be accessible & competent
As CM I shall get the work done in a more scientific manner by reducing ‘paper work’. Only those people should be appointed who are qualified. I shall see to it that meeting the CM is not a difficult process for the general public so that I can have a one-on-one interactions with people.

End the blame game
Most candidates focus on pointing out what their opponents don’t do rather than talking about what they can themselves do. Making headlines for news channels and sensationalising
non-issues should not be on the agenda of these leaders.
—Palavi Jaiswal, student

Discipline the youth
If I’m elected as the CM, I’ll make military training compulsory in all schools for both girls and boys. This way the girls can be trained in protecting themselves and the boys can learn to be proper gentlemen. This strategy will not only help in reducing crime in the long run but will also help in disciplining the youth.

Leaders must go that extra mile
I think that all the candidates should realise that they have been given the opportunity to serve and they should ensure that they are ready to do more than what is just asked of them. The legislators should look beyond the regular and see what more can be offered to the state and its citizens.
—Gopi Kansara, student

Make Rajasthan a sporty state
As a CM I’ll make sure there are enough schemes for the unemployed, especially women. I’d also concentrate on forming better policies and coming up with incentives for sportspersons, as there aren’t many known persons from Rajasthan. For this, I’ll make sure the cities have enough grounds for the sportspersons to practice and hone their talents. Also, I’d rope in renown coaches who will help hone our young star’s talents. 

Actions speak louder than words
The candidates should be able to show what they are capable of. The elected representatives should ensure that they are so good that they get re-elected.
—Pragati Bhardwaj,  social worker

Promote the state’s cultural identity
If I became the CM I would undertake a lot of initiatives to specifically promote the state’s culture on a national and international level. I would also like to develop an arts’ centre in Jaipur, which would be the epicentre of all cultural activities, be it plays, performances or exhibitions. If Delhi can have a Kamani and Mumbai a Prithvi, why should we be left behind? The arts need to be more accessible to people.

Fulfil your all duties with sincerity 
I think that even though there might be a lot that’s wrong with the current lot of politicians, there are tangible improvements especially in terms of infrastructure being made around the state. My only message to the candidates is to continue doing what they are doing with more sincerity and dedication.
—Amrita Kak, singer

A corruption-free government
I would do whatever it takes to ensure that the officials in my government are free of corruption of any sort. This would be my priority and would not compromise on it at any cost.

Criminals not allowed
It is high time that the candidates realised that they can’t be leaders if they have a record of corruption or any other sort of criminal charges.
—Anushri Kumar, professor

Women must be empowered
If I were made CM, my focus would be on improving education. I would try to ensure that women empowerment and their security was given top priority. I would encourage and practise sensitisation towards the underprivileged. At the same time I would try to ensure that there is no corruption at all levels. The government should be motivated to perform to its best so that nothing can stop it from becoming a model state.

Serve, with responsibility
The candidates should remember that at the end of the day, they are just office bearers. They might have power, but they have more responsibility. They must treat their duties as the head of a family would.
—Bela Badhalia, chairperson, FLO

Make the most of our resources
Rajasthan has always been a state that was safe for women. As CM, I would do whatever I could to bring it back to its old reputation. Issues such as protection of the girl child would assume priority. There still are villages in the state where there is not a single girl child. Rajasthan is abundant in minerals and also gets a lot of sunlight. I would try to use these to our advantage by developing industries.

Leave a legacy of good work
I would like to advise all candidates to not misuse their power. They must not treat their position as a shortcut to fill their own pockets. If they act out of honesty and sincerity, they will be able to do something by which they can be remembered by.
—Alka Batra, entrepreneur

Tough stand towards corruption
If I am given the power, I would like to eradicate corruption at all levels—top to bottom. This can only be done if those who are found guilty are duly penalised. There should be no leniency at all either towards the person giving the bribe or the person taking it. Notices should be sent to both.

Stay clean or leave
The candidates need to have an impeccable background. If they have a criminal history or some past records of misbehaviour, they should not contest for the elections as they setting a bad example for future leaders as well.
—Sumati Bishnoi, advocate.