‘We want jobs, religious tolerance, good roads...’

All that Indian expats in the UAE want is a better India, where infrastructure is not a challenge, education is made availabe to every citizen, the youth are empowered with opportunities and jobs, health care is looked at with a keen eye and access to goo

All that expatriates in the UAE want is a better India

Create more jobs

Sundaram Padmanabhan, 16, Head of Wealth Management and Liabilities National for an Oman-based bank.

India still has challenges to be met, despite the nation having done well. The education system for one needs to be re-looked. Create more jobs for youths in India so they don’t have to look elsewhere. Foster and improve religious tolerance which is at an all-time low in the country right now. Create a conducive environment for non-resident-Indians (NRIs) to come back home so they can contribute to the growth of the economy. NRIs should be given the confidence to invest in India.

Improve education Venkat Sarma, risk management professional

My vision for India — a corruption-free, pluralistic, vibrant democracy which focuses on equitable growth across cities and villages and across different strata of people. Some imperatives for the government should be clean air, primary and secondary education and elimination of illiteracy and guaranteed quality medical treatment for all citizens. Urban public transport infrastructure of a good standard needs to be set up in at least the top 25 cities in the country. On a final note, the government should consider making the rupee fully convertible.

Cities need facelifts

Anoop Bhargava, Finance professional based in Dubai

Improve infrastructure, which is creaking under the weight of rapid urbanisation. We need to invest in modernisation of cities towns and industrial hubs to attract investment and talent. Address pollution wherein our particulate matter (PM) 2.5 count is the highest in the world and four Indian cities have been listed in top ten most polluted places in the world. Women’s security is a key issue in India. We need to immediately create a safe and secure environment for women in our country and I propose a capital punishment for rape. Water management is a big issue.

Tackle corruption

Sethu Ramaswamy, 52, regional head of process and governance

Elections in

India are a great opportunity for people to express their hopes and aspirations for the country and themselves. India needs a stable and non-corrupt government. I hope people keep that in mind as they vote, so as not to be swayed by local considerations, as this is a national election.

Personally, I hope the new government will have a lasersharp focus on equitable economic growth. Both “equitable” and “growth” are important for India today.

Economy or bust

Dr Sameer H. Shaikh, orthodontist

Shallow politicians with hollow promises have ruled the roost for too long. Our next elected government must deliver or be held culpable. Economic growth, social change, infrastructure upgradation, access to education for every citizen, having secular tolerance are some dreams I have for my country. I also want the new government to have a focus on a neutral foreign policy. Accountability and transparency are the urgently required in the entire governance. These have to be delivered without compromise. Give more teeth to the Right to Information Act.

Break glass ceiling Sadaf Khurshid, Lecturer at a university

Foremost, I want the government to help in providing employment and job opportunities to the many unemployed in my country. I expect things to get better in femaleto male-work ratio. I hope there will be stronger laws to fast-track court proceedings for people who commit heinous crimes like rape. It is my dream to see more number of schools so a seat is promised to every child who wants to study.

Better pay for all

Kevin D’souza, sales manager

The growth rate of India’s economy has slowed considerably, let this trend be reversed. The new government should focus on economic development and appeasement of low income workers and farmers. We have recently seen politicians use this as a bait to lure the poor to blindly vote for them by making false promises such as loan wavers etc. This definitely does more harm than good. It encourage the poor to take loans on the assumption the government will take care of the interest.

Vote wisely

Ajay Shukla, independent education entrepreneur based in Dubai

Time and again the Indian electorate has voted for development, social justice, equitable opportunities for citizens and they tend to forget this when they come to power. So let this be a reminder to any political party that comes to power that there are core issues on which they will be judged not only in this but in every other election. They must live up to their promises.

I urge voters to vote for a party or a manifesto that promises social justice, jobs and opportunities for youth and upliftment of women.

More tolerance

Arun Kumar, general manager at a private company in Dubai

I would like to see some of the extreme views that have suddenly become more prevalent in India die down so the normal Indian can live in peace and prosperity. The negativity around, you are either with us or against us to build walls is something that was always prevalent in India.

As an Indian, I would like to see the following segments given special attention to especially the farmers, women, the girl child, the illiterate, and the homeless. They have all been a marginalised lot for too long.

Health reform key Dr Sana Khurshid, anaesthesiologist

There is an urgent need to look at the health sector in India. Stringent rules must be set to ensure every government and private hospital offers better facilities in both government and private hospitals. More seats should be allocated for students doing post-graduation in medicine. There is a lot of load on resident doctors which has to be decreased if more doctors are recruited. This will benefit both patients and doctors. Also more funds should be invested for equipment in hospitals.