Rachna Vinod
“‘Come September’—and those fond of Hollywood movies invariably recall that in the early 1960s, a romantic comedy of the same name was released. Its instrumental theme became a global hit and soon found its way into Bhartiya wedding processions, where brass bands played it to set the celebratory mood for energising baraats. Even today, many wedding bands still play it. Few may know its Hollywood origin, but almost everyone instantly recognises it as a familiar wedding band tune.“For Jammu and Kashmir, however, September came without any tourism related activity, bringing a very different vibrancy last year with the long-awaited Assembly elections—the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Streets filled with campaign slogans, processions, and political rallies. The month carried the sound and spirit of democracy returning to the Union Territory after a long pause. The elections held in September 2024 set the tone for politics in the region today. They revealed voter aspirations, tested the strength of traditional regional parties, and challenged the influence of national parties in a fragile political landscape. In many ways, it was a moment of reckoning, when the sounds of democracy finally rose above years of silent apprehension. “It was a pleasant surprise to experience the calm and disciplined atmosphere in Srinagar during the election campaign and voting. While travelling across the eternally captivating valley, the voters standing in queues, enthusiastic to cast their votes was a usual scene to be seen. Their enthusiasm was touching—marked not by restlessness, but by a patient wait for their turn.“On the last day of the campaign in Ganderbal, along the Kheer Bhavani–Sonamarg road, what seemed like a never-ending procession—on foot as well as on every available means of transport—passed without disrupting traffic, a rare sight in the valley. Same was the case in Srinagar city. What a change it appeared to be! Yet, what struck most was not only the beauty of the season, but the people themselves. In village after village, voters stood in long, patient queues outside polling booths. There was no restless shifting of feet, no hurried glances at watches—only a quiet, determined wait, as if each knew their vote was a private conversation with the future.
The people’s intent to elect their own representatives was unmistakable. It felt as though the land itself was holding its breath, watching its people speak not through protest, but through the ballot. Whether those voices will be answered in the language of governance remains to be seen.“Intention serves as the starting point of all progress. However, the mere presence of intention—no matter how noble or well-meaning—remains insufficient unless it is followed by decisive and strategic implementation. The gap between intention and implementation is where many dreams falter, policies remain unfulfilled, and projects stagnate. Every groundbreaking invention, social reform, and personal transformation begins with an intention. It fuels aspirations, defines purpose, provides direction, and acts as the foundation for goal-setting. Whether it is an entrepreneur envisioning a game-changing product, a policymaker aiming for societal betterment, or an individual resolving to adopt a healthier lifestyle, intention is the crucial first step. However, history is rife with instances where many visionaries had compelling ideas, but due to a lack of execution, their ideas remained confined to documents, discussions, or at best, partial implementation.“Challenges such as resistance to change, resource limitations, and unforeseen obstacles often arise when attempting to put ideas into action. One of the biggest hurdles in implementation is postponement and perfectionism. Many individuals and organizations delay execution, waiting for the ‘perfect’ time or ‘conducive’ conditions, which rarely come.
Then, even the best of intentions leads to failure without a well-thought-out roadmap. “Public expectations from an elected government often evolve based on campaign promises and prevailing socio-economic conditions. Election campaigns set high expectations, and people expect tangible results. People anticipate immediate changes that signal a fresh approach, often looking for quick wins that demonstrate a commitment to reform. New administrations are expected to lead to heightened calls for transparency and accountability. Expectations rise sharply. People want better access with an emphasis on affordability and efficiency. A government’s stance is closely scrutinized, with citizens expecting a fair and just system that safeguards their rights. Any failure to improve leads to frustration and disillusionment. Despite these expectations, governments often face political and economic constraints that make immediate change difficult leading to a gap between promises and reality. Managing public expectations transparently is as crucial as delivering results, as disillusionment can set in quickly if citizens feel their hopes were misplaced. “The success of a government is measured not just by its intention to change, but also by how well implements public aspirations with the practical challenges of governance. The intention and implementation to meet expectations depends on a balance between strong leadership, realistic policies, and effective governance.
Intention to manage expectations transparently is as crucial as implementation in delivering results. Opposition parties play a crucial role in a democracy, shaping governance through their actions, which can be either constructive or obstructive. Their approach influences political stability, policy-making, and public trust in the democratic process.
When functioning positively, they act as a necessary check on government power, ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsible decision-making. A strong yet cooperative opposition engages in constructive criticism, proposing alternative policies and collaborating on national issues rather than opposing for the sake of opposition, thus creating a balanced political environment that serve the public better.
To ensure that intention leads to successful implementation, clear goal-setting is essential. Accountability keeps intentions from fading. The teamwork between intention and implementation is what drives real change. While intention provides the vision, implementation turns that vision into reality. Those who master both aspects leave a lasting impact—whether in personal endeavours, corporate leadership, or social transformation. “That time, in the mellow light of September, choice was cast in the quietest ink imaginable. The ballot was cast not in chaos, but in quiet hope. The intention of the voters to elect their own candidates for governance was so apparent. The intention to choose their own leaders was not just visible, it was alive in their eyes, in the measured steps, in the very air of the valley. Whether that desire has found its echo in the corridors of governance is a truth still unfolding. But for a brief, unforgettable period, people’s voice was heard in the stillness. Well! How far those intentions have found implementation by the elected, is still being imbibed by the people.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
