1. Volunteer. Contribute time. This is relatively new in India but I'm happy to report that I've seen 100s of full time volunteers who took time off from their jobs, schools in some cases, families, to volunteer in various activities surrounding the election. Just walk into any LokSatta office around the state and they will be happy to get you on board.
You can also help remotely but everyone is so busy with whatever they are doing, it is hard to get someone to be on the phone and explain the work items etc at this point of time. Remember, that the election is just one milestone, LokSatta will go on.
2. Donate. I'll write a separate post on How LokSatta spends its money but you should know that running a clean campaign that doesn't involve liquor and giving freebies and outright cash also requires money. Think the TV and Print ads that are running now. Thanks to these ads, LokSatta is able to reach main stream. It is no surprise that many people in the state know what LokSatta is. LokSatta is committed to adhering to spend limits set forth by Election Commission. I read recently that even deposit money (Rs 10,000) for candidates came from public donations! Contrast that to the number of 'dummy' nominations major party candidates file (to avoid errors etc)..
I was told that LokSatta has less money to spend for the entire state than what major parties would spend in just one assembly constituency!
Here's how you can donate: [website]
Pick up the phone +91 040 4040 5050
LokSatta TV ads can be seen [here]
3. Talk to people. Your circle is bigger than you think. Discuss LokSatta with friends and family. If they do not know about it, bring awareness. If they do, ask them what might stop them from voting this time and convince them that every vote counts. Some of the common reactions are 'what difference does my vote make?' 'even if I vote, they won't win' 'I don't think any one can change the system now'
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