Our Democracy....who funds them and upto what sacle...!

Hmm..it has been quite long since i logged in here...cant help it...everything depends on mood....feel like writing something right now....so the socio-political developments continuing with its usual pace in the country...just wanted to share some observations on the indian democracy which have of course been shaped by the recent developments...How democratic is our democracy...? we have often taken pride in our democracy when we notice the failure of several countries to establish democratic institutions and hold free and fair periodic elections.. I think these are the two aspects in which we have excelled....thanks to our leaders at the time of independence, we have institutional set up to take care of the functional aspect of the democracy...elections are held periodically and to a large extent they are free and fair....of course , some limitations persist but they are insignificant to a large extent...now focus on the various other aspects of indian democracy....it would be interesting to present the socio economic profile of all the members of legislature who have represented people both at the central and the state level...and also even at the levels of local self governments...i am sure the findings will confirm that politics at the level of decision making is not the cup of tea of ordinary people...people from simple background and not having much resources cant imagine to contest and win election at any level, however noble their agenda might be......the affiliation of whole election process with  political parties is baffling...even at the level of local self governments, candidates have connections with the political parties..they adhere to the agendas of their political masters (after winning elections) rather than implementing their own vision for the betterment of their people and area...no wonder we have lack of suitable politicians in our country....again the major stakeholders of the indian democracy...the political parties are the most undemocratic lots in themselves....majority of them are organised around the personality cult of a few people....there by the whole political processes and decision making is hold ransom to these elite few politicians....Presidential election which is to take place now is its best example...the most critical aspect which is hurting the indian polity and society in a significant manner  is the lack of debating culture at all levels... the most pressing issues of the country remain unaddressed  because no rational debate takes place at any level....the parliament where the debates are supposed to take place has become a seat of disruption, disturbance and furtherance of the agendas of various political parties which are most irrational....no informative debate regarding the pros and cons of the fdi in  multi brand retail has taken place in the country....the political parties have already preconceived their stand on several such issues and hence do not allow any debate to take place at any level...when such issues are raised in parliament , disruptions and other strange happenings take place....i wonder how many people have expertise in the parliament to take stand against such critical issues...thats why a debate enumerating the pros and cons quite clearly and in detailed manner becomes imperative.....decision making should be based on debates and discussions , not on the stands taken by party high commands....let a full scale debate take place with the involvement of experts, politicians, common people and whoever is willing to say something...and a referendum be sought on critical issues....this will ensure the participation of common people who must be informed about the advantages as well as disadvantages of  implementing any proposal...once the awareness is created (by debate and discussion), let people have a say....its high time our democracy evolves to next stage and becomes more participatory...common people should have as much say on issues impacting their lives as much as the elite politicians...further debate and discussion should be encouraged at all levels right from the village panchayats to the the parliament....electoral reforms needs to be pursued vigorously....and policymaking needs to be taken to the domain of the common people......and by the way political parties needs to be more democratic.....inner party democracy needs to be made mandatory....and also the fundraising by these parties should be made transparent....i feel like knowing who funds them and upto what sacle...! 

Book Review of Curfewed Night

Curfewed Night is a book written by Kashmiri journalist Basharat Peer. It is an insider's account of the conflict of Kashmir, dealing with how common people are caught in the crossfire between the armed personnel and the militants. It talks about the insurgency or the resistance movement going on in the valley for more than twenty years now, against the Indian state. Author has tried to give a voice to the people who have suffered all these years through forced migration , rapes, killings, assassinations, protests, curfews, torture, crackdown, massacres as well as humiliation and disappearances of the loved ones. The role played by different stakeholders in the conflict such as the Indian state and the army, separatist leaders of the valley,the religious fundamentalist groups, cross border as well as Kashmiri militants, the common people as well as  those who have benefited from this conflict have been depicted by the author in a very unbiased fashion. However the unhappiness with the Indian state as well as its response to the whole issue of the Kashmir dispute can be easily noticed while going through the book. The book is also an excellent narration of how the youths of Kashmir had to forgo their aspirations and dreams and were forced to take up arms against much powerful Indian state. It gives a good idea of how the kashmiris continue to  feel alienated from the Indian state.
Mere saying that kashmir is an integral part of india is not enough.We need to observe and feel the pain which common people have suffered in these brutal twenty years.Their suffering cannot be compensated by any means.The most beautiful place on earth has become the most dangerous place on earth.We need to understand the processes which made this transition possible.Its really very brutal and deeply hurtful.The author has rightly said that the conflict and pain might disappear from the streets (which doesn't seem a reality as of now)but they would never vanish from their souls.

Open Forum

Open Forum is a plate form created by me to share my ideas and opinion on various issues associated with our lives  and day to day happenings around us.This is also a way to reach out to other people and seek  their point of view on the issues  being discussed.So everybody is welcome to share their views and express them-self...

Prabhat