Youth Power: The Youngest MLAs of India's Youngest Assembly

NEW DELHI: "Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation", is what Henry. A. Kissinger said once. But people all across the world have facts to substantiate their dislike for the politicians. India, a country with more than 50 percent of the population under the age of 25, is a dynamic nation. The majority here is at its most healthy and industrious phase of life. Gone are the times when 'being young' could be safely labeled as inexperienced and therefore 'incapable'. India can't afford those inhibitions anymore. And perhaps we should really give those 10 percent of Kissinger's politicians a real chance. Perhaps, we'll find them in our youth. Perhaps, they are already here in Delhi.

With the conclusion of elections in Delhi and the landslide mandate of the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP), the capital got its youngest assembly ever. What are going to be its consequences, if any, is a matter that will be analyzed over a period of time. For now, who are these young people who made it to the chair and became Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)?

The youngest MLA in this Assembly, Prakash Jarwal, is only 27 years old and the youngest woman MLA is Sarita Singh, 28. Prakash also won the elections with the highest margin of votes. Neither of them come from political backgrounds. They come from among the people. They have been a part of Delhi culture. They believe that they are typical of Delhi’s youth. The Citizen tracked them down for a quick conversation. Excerpts:

How has your life changed after becoming an MLA: Prakash gives a single word response, “Drastic.” And goes on to add, “We were on the other side of the counter then, now we are behind the counter and the responsibility is manifold." He explains how earlier his role was limited to that of a common man who would always keep complaining and suffering. But now that he along with the others have the power to change things, life is no more the same. "People have expectations and we can't fail them. It was not so earlier".

He shares an anecdote of how someone advised him earlier to run for the then municipal elections. Without a second thought he carelessly replied, "Why counselor? I will become an MLA someday." He laughs as he narrates this saying, " Who would have thought then that it could really happen".

Sarita also feels that, “responsibility is profound now. We can't be the complainers any more. We are the change makers. And we can't give excuses.”

Sarita who has done a double post-graduation in political science and sociology, hails from Allahabad. She came to Delhi in 2004 to pursue higher education. Brought up in a joint family, her demeanor is stern and authoritative. And joining politics was not a luck-by-chance moment for her. She says politics was always around-the-corner in her life and the inspiration that she needed came with the 'Anna (Hazare) Andolan'. Sarita Singh was preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams and had already been selected for the Provincial Civil Service(PCS), Bihar, when she left it all and decided to join the crusade with AAP.

"I always wanted to work for society. But with the ‘'Anna Andolan' and Kejriwal sir, I now knew that I've another option than the civil services. I joined the movement without any doubts in my heart. The life that I am living now, is far more better than before. I am exactly where I wanted to be", Sarita says .

But they did live a life which was not so obligatory after all. "College life was no doubt fun and carefree. I have never been an introvert and was always among friends. Participating in 'Nukkad Nataks' and going around the city was always fun. Our favorite hang out used to be 'Dilli Haat', I've always loved that place", says Sarita.

Prakash loved watching Bollywood films. "Travelling was always the priority whenever I could squeeze some time out." But with a nervous laugh he says, "All those movies and trips seem far-off now. I've absolutely no free time to afford a hobby anymore. Life has really changed a lot." For somebody who likes travelling, there has to be a dream destination: "Europe. I want to see it all", says Prakash.

For Prakash becoming a politician was not a miracle. He had always been into social service. His constituency Deoli, is one with scarce water supply areas. "Electricity problems, water problems etc were always there and I have always been involved in these issues that people living in my area suffered together. I also used to tutor financially backward school kids. So, joining politics was not a surprise. It was the obvious move with the coming of AAP. We had problems and we knew by now that it is only us who can resolve them", he says. He holds a masters' degree in Commerce and was working in a multinational corporation, earning a comfortable Rs 45,000 salary, when he dumped it all.

For these young MLAs, life was fine if not luxurious. Still they took the leap of faith and dropped their conventional careers to become politicians. Hadn't they ever hear that politics was a dirty game? "That is why we decided to join it. We need that dirt to go away, that is how we can bring the change", replies Prakash. "The kind of politics we do is revolutionary. We are not in this profession of public service for selfish motives", explains Sarita. But what about their families, weren't they apprehensive? "Yes, family said no first", is common to both of them. "But eventually they realized that, this was it, I was not going to do anything else. It took them some time but they could see that I had the ability", explains Sarita.

Contrary to the usual,'We hate our Bosses jargon Prakash and Sarita not only love their profession but gives all the credit to their boss. "I can be corrupt. But Kejriwal ji? No, never", exclaims Prakash. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is an inspiration to both of them. "He showed us the way, he guided us. It was he who made us realize that we have a choice. We can bring the change we crave for", says Prakash dismissing any doubts. "Kejriwal ji is systematic, organized and a believer. He is the most optimistic person I've come across", Sarita adds.

So, is there no part of their job that they dislike? "The biggest satisfaction I get is when people are content with our work. When I can see that their complaints have been duly checked. But when you listen to a rumor that a Member of Parliament got the work done, when actually it was really we who did it, that has to be the worst part, to see somebody else take the credit away, ruining our satisfaction," Prakash says. For Sarita, her temper is an issue. "I have come a long way and with maturity I have learned to handle my anger. But yes, this is one thing I would like to improve more and not let it mess with my work."

So, what are the future plans of our young MLAs? They have a career they love, a boss they truly believe in, their families support them, they are popular and young, what about personal goals for their lives? "None", remarks Sarita. "Like I said before, I've always been a public person. There is nothing personal about me. My work is my life".

And for Prakash? "My personal goal can only be to make our combined goals come true. The goals that AAP is striving to achieve and make our capital a better place for its citizens. That is the only thing on my mind right now."

But what about getting married? "No. Wedding is far far away right now", says Prakash. "I've no plans to get married anytime soon", replies Sarita. None of them seems shy or reluctant in answering this question, and clearly marriage is not in their immediate plans.

Becoming an MLA at a young age is going to provide tons of experience in the coming years, but due to their non-political family background, have they ever feel that their rawness is a drawback ? Prakash says, "When I had no experience and not even a political party in power who would support me and listen to me, I still got 30% of our work done in our area. Experience matters. But not having scores of it, doesn't mean you can't achieve. You have to try".

What about the challenges that Sarita faces as a young woman trying to establish herself? " Honestly, being a woman has always worked in favor for me. I am the only girl child in my family. My parents never let me feel that I was less capable in anything. Being a woman has only made me stronger. It has never been a drawback."

Running out of time and getting late for their day ahead, one final question to our legislators: how do you understand the term 'Politics' now after winning the elections?

"Kejriwal ji always says this which I have strongly come to believe in that as long as you have an intention to do something good, money can never be a roadblock to you. He is right. To do something good, you only need good intentions. Politics won't be dirty that way", says Sarita. Prakash finds the role of youth in politics significant. " I think times are changing and politics have always been challenging. Because I am young I can run to different people and places and get my people's work done. How do you expect an ageing person to do that? I strongly believe that the youth must get involved. This is not just for Delhi but for the whole nation. Youth today is going to define the politics of tomorrow."

With this the conversation comes to end. Sarita has already left and Prakash was heading over to his office. Do they comprise Kissingers 10 per cent? Or are they, going to prove him wrong and ensure a change and complete reversal in the equation.