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Politically Aware Children
Are your children politically aware? Do you discuss politics with your children, or do you just change the topic to their school work whenever they question you on the subject?
At times parents prefer not to discuss politics at home, especially if they do not have strong views on the subject. They would rather center dinner time conversation to what happened at school. This is fine, but if your child asks you the meaning of a particular political term, don't wave away the question. Whether or not you discuss politics at the dinner table has a large part to play in the interest your child will develop in this field.
Naturally being interested in politics does not mean that your child will grow up to be a politician, although that too is an option. Your child may become a journalist, a television anchor, a lawyer, or even India's ambassador to France!
On the other hand if you do not discuss politics or current affairs with your child, your child may or may never grow up to be interested in what is going on in the world. There are many adults around the world who do not even read the daily news. And since Indian news is politically dominated, it makes sense for your child to know what is going on if you want your child to grow up to be a well-rounded, intelligent individual.
The news these days is dominated by elections, so it makes sense to explain to your child what the elections are all about, and what it means to vote.
Take your child with you to a polling booth, so he sees the procedure for himself.
Give him the background of the various main political parties and their ideologies.
Who did you vote for? Why? Give your child your views on the matter.
Keep your child apprised of the voting results. Do not think your child will not be interested. Children have a thirst for knowledge, especially when it is knowledge unconnected with school.
There are certain political people your child should be aware of. These include:
The Gandhis
Discuss the debate over Sonia's foreign origin with your child. Include the Gandhi family in your discussion. While Sonia is attached to the Congress Party, Maneka Gandhi has joined forces with the BJP. This year has also witnessed the entrance of Maneka's son, Varun Gandhi, and Sonia's son, Rahul Gandhi - from opposing parties. The Gandhis have been a major political force in this country, and it remains to be seen for how much longer will this family influence Indian politics.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Our present PM has completed six years as leader of the country. He has tried hard to improve relations between India and Pakistan, and turned India into a nuclear nation despite worldwide outrage. He is the moderate face of the Hindutva BJP and his own personal integrity has never been questioned.
Chandrababu Naidu
Chandrababu Naidu, the now ex-Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, strived hard to transform this state into an IT hub. After a decade the Congress is back in power in this state.
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