Good people must enter politics for better governance: Kovind

Lucknow: Former President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday urged young people to play an active part in politics, governance and public life, and sought to dispel the belief that there was no place for decent people in politics. Speaking at an event to launch the Hindi edition of his autobiography “Bharatiya Ganarajya Ki Vijay Gatha: Mera Jeevan, Mera Sangharsh” (Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles), Kovind said young people should not limit their participation in democracy to voting but should also actively contribute to governance.

“Many people often believe that there is no place for decent people in politics, particularly in today’s politics. But I believe this perception is completely wrong. If we want good governance, decent people must actively participate in politics,” he said.

Quoting ancient Greek philosopher Plato, Kovind said the price paid by good people for remaining indifferent to public affairs was having to live under the rule of those less capable than themselves. “If good people do not contest elections, who will people vote for? They can only choose from among those who contest,” he said.

Kovind said every young Indian had the ability and potential to attain the highest positions in their chosen fields, whether as teachers, scientists, doctors, lawyers or even ministers, chief ministers, prime ministers and presidents.

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The Hans India