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...!
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