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This face may be unfamiliar, but the ideals and patriotism stand out in the murals and slogans on 14th Main, Kukkarahalli.
N. Nanjundaswamy may just be another name, but the nickname Badal is referred to with some of the biggest names. A Bachelor in Fine Arts and a Gold medalist from CAVA (Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts), Badal is currently employed with O & M advertising agency in Bangalore, a legend in the field of advertising.
Son of Narasamma and late Nanjaiah, Badal comes from a very poor family but is rich in his thoughts and acts. He did his schooling in Kukkarahalli Government School before being a pride to CAVA and Mysore city.
When every political party is out buying votes to ensure their places in the political system and fill their bank accounts, here is a youth who thinks it is his duty to make our country a better place to live. Badal is contesting the Mysore City Corporation polls as an independent candidate.
In a country, which has youth by the millions, here is a brave soul who is out to change the political system and give a communist and honest government. Is Badal is a second Subhash Chandra Bose or Swami Vivekananda in the making is to be seen? An inspiration for the youth, it is the duty of every citizen to give Badal an opportunity to give us a young, energetic and capable government.
Star of Mysore spoke to Badal and here are the excerpts:
From which area and Ward are you contesting elections to the Corporation?
I am contesting from Saraswathipuram Ward No. 20.
You are a wonderful artist, a Gold medalist from CAVA and working with a prestigious ad agency. If you win the elections, would you give up your love for art?
My paintings are the reason for the image that I have today and the person that I am is because of CAVA. Art is my lifeline and I will never let it suffer even if I win the elections. I will certainly make time for my art no matter how busy I get.
What inspired you to enter politics?
The primary reason that I am contesting elections is because our area has been neglected and there are a lot of problems in the area. I have always been a big follower of Swami Vivekananda. I was also greatly inspired by the recent movies Rang De Basanti, Lagaan and Bhagat Singh. I want to enter politics to show people what a true leader is and to ward off corruption. Politicians today have become synonymous with meetings and functions.
Youngsters have sat back saying it is not our cup of tea and even the educated are not ready to enter politics. Even the educated do not want to take responsibility to change the system. When leaders like Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh fought with outsiders, why cannot we fight even our internal system? I will prove to people what a clean hand in government is.
Have you studied the problems in your area?
Yes, I have. I myself come from a very poor family. Our area has been largely ignored and the Corporation has provided no facilities in the area. There are a lot of talents in the area, including very good volley - ball players, but they have no recognition or opportunities. Many youth are just whiling away time drinking and smoking due to lack of avenues for betterment.
My friends and I were running a small library in one of our buildings with books we collected. We gave several applications to the Corporation requesting to revive and make it a permanent public library. But the Corporation took no action. We have repeatedly given applications for various problems and facilities towards which the Corporation has made no efforts.
Who are your pillars of support in this big step?
My friends are the biggest support. To file the nominations I needed Rs. 3000, which I did not have. My friends helped me file the nominations by collecting money from the public. I am very touched by this.
How has the response from the public been?
I have got very good response from people, although some wonder how I am entering politics being an artist. I am an artist and how can I be a good artist if I don't have humanity? I have to live up to the expectations of people. I have told people that my success is in their hands and I have a lot of mercy votes. My success or failure is not important. I am only protesting against corruption by contesting. I am fighting for the country.
Tell us about your Art Zone.
Art Zone is a small wall space and office that my friends and I have been managing for the past year. I bought a small beedi shop and converted this into the art space, starting with sign boards and banners.
This is a space for us to showcase and put out our thoughts to the public. We depict socially relevant issues by way of murals, slogans and articles in this space on 14th main, Kukkarahalli. We put up one article every week and it has been a success. People have noticed it and appreciated our work. We do this purely as a way of service to society and not for any financial gain.
How is your election campaign?
My campaign is simple. The posters do not even have my name on them. They purely have socially relevant slogans, my picture and a “Tree”, my symbol. Slogans are simple but thought - provoking like “Buddha, Basava, Ambedkar”, “Think twice and vote” etc.
How are you managing the election expenses?
I do not have any expenses for the election because I am not there to buy votes. I do not need to spend money to make people vote for me. It is the people who want a good government. They get what they choose. So I am confident that if people know my potential to give them a better society, they will vote for me.
What is the reaction of the other parties to your contesting?
I have a lot of pressure from other parties to back out. Earlier they were buying votes, and they are now ready to pay lakhs to push me out of this. But I will not yield to any of this as I am here to help people and not for power or money.
Are you a communist?
Yes, I am. I believe all public property belongs to each and every citizen and people should get whatever has been rightfully allotted to them. That is what I fight for.
One message to the public…
I only request all the people from my ward to vote for me, it is time for change.
Ashwini Nagaraja
Courtesy: Star of Mysore
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