Business of voting

Indian Inc has raised the bar of corporate social responsibility once more.
Corporates are encouraging their employees to exercise their voting rights. This is being done by creating awareness among people through mailers, informal chats and encouraging discussions among people. During the team meetings, seniors are often seen advising their colleagues on the importance of casting their vote.
With the top brass in management strongly voicing the need for promoting the right attitude, even the employees are feeling charged up about doing their bit. In fact, social and cultural groups within the organisation are promoting the cause even further. Kapil Sahkare, a software professional and president of cultural group, says, ���The corporate sector is sensitive towards bad governance and irrational policies. It was time they extended their role beyond financial concerns and thought in the national interest. And, their efforts have elicited great response from the employees.��� All the employees, says Kapil, were requested to register on website. The forms were downloaded and submitted at the respective electoral offices in the city.
The collective good ensuing from exercising one���s vote is visible like never before. Smita Mahajan, an HR executive, says, ���The drive in our organisation has shaken many employees from their slumber. Employees, especially youngsters, who haven���t voted all these years have also filled in the registration forms and seem to be determined to vote.��� She adds that there are reward points for employees who are actively involved in spreading awareness about this democratic right.
Some corporates have decided to go relaxed on timings on the Election Day. Vijay Verma, a team leader in a BPO, says, ���We will roster the shifts on the election day so that employees can cast their votes. We realise how important it is to vote. I hope the spirit stays through.���
Retired IAS officers and prominent personalities are being invited to speak to the employees. Employees openly discuss the political situation with them. Geeta Menon, an HR executive, says, ���People are quite enraged about the existing state of affairs. But, mere dissatisfaction cannot bring about any reform. Employees need a sense of direction. So, we invited some honest leaders from various walks of life to talk to our employees.��� The initiative has led to some solid measures being taken up by employees themselves. There are special forums created on the company portal for employees to express their opinion, she says.
With corporates playing an active role in changing the ���state��� of affairs, we hope the initiative gathers greater force and paves for citizen-centric governance.