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Indian CAGNEW DELHI: Political strategists will blink in disbelief and professional marketers reach for their Ipads. In less than two months, a self-professed youth platform has reached over 700 colleges and put up a show in the national capital that made the political class sit up.
There is an "activist" tone to Indian citizens of accountable governance that brought BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi and TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu on the same stage after some 16,000 students signed up for the event.
The high-sounding description is intended to be neutral, but CAG organizers, who include IIT and IIM alumni, don't shed much light about themselves and, unlike most start-ups, almost chronically publicity shy despite their blue kurtas.
CAG's success in attracting students and, more importantly drumming up finance, has put the spotlight on the group's aim to "connect politicians and youth" over development agendas relevant for India.
Reaching across 200 cities the CAG, an organizer, speaking anonymously, said "The youth want to be part of governance. This is a platform for youth to tell politicians their idea of development as they are yearning for change."
As Modi sat through the "Manthan" event organized by CAG on Wednesday intently following 14 presentations made by students, the platform is also under scrutiny over whether it "tilts" towards the saffron brigade and its neutrality is somewhat contrived.
The caginess of CAG organizers doesn't help lift the mist, but the youth platform may well herald increasing instances of "citizen activists" either individually or in groups influencing public debate, and perhaps voting preferences.
CAG can be seen as a natural progression of the Anna Hazare movement, with influential groups seeking to impact politics in a manner not previously seen in India. In some ways, citizen activists are reminiscent of Barack Obama's army of volunteers who campaigned fiercely for the rookie Senator as US President in 2008.
Little wonder that Modi took time off to be among the youthful crowd with whom he seemed to strike a good rapport. In combining a social media presence with on-the-ground organization, groups like CAG are of huge interest to political parties.
The power of even small, but vocal, well-funded groups has been seen before Obama too as when Democratic candidate John Kerry's bid to challenge George Bush in 2004 suffered grievously after Vietnam veterans successfully questioned his war record.
The CAG-type platforms are a perfect opportunity to leaders, particularly those like Modi and Rahul Gandhi who are vying for the youth vote, to showcase themselves. CAG organizers said they sought Rahul's participation, but did not get a positive response.
Analyzing Modi's speech, IIM-Kozhikode student Umakant Sahu said, "He is trying to change his image from a hardcore Hinduwadi to a development-oriented politician. And he seems to be successful in doing it."
Organizers said they invited politicians from all major political parties but many either turned down their plea or cited busy schedules.
The multiplier effect of such conferences is also being felt. Students who couldn't come to Delhi watched the event live on internet. "Through this convention, politicians who spoke reached out to so many students. It is a good public relation exercise," said a student from IIT-Madras.
I'm not able to view this image...
An old picture of Narendra Modi visiting an injured soldier in the hospital
Modi with Fauji ...
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Can you please post it once more....