Democracy...What is it???

And so it is here. Today marks the beginning of another extensive electoral exercise in our country. Millions will turn out to elect our next set of representatives in Parliament, and in a few weeks' time we'll know which dispensation will soon be running the affairs of this country. Elections in India are a supersized affair, often compared to a giant travelling circus, full of colour and thrills. It is all that, and more. It showcases the democratic principle that holds up the system of governance we chose for ourselves at the time of our independence. Sure, there are many critics at home and overseas who never tire of holding forth on how India's democracy is a sham. At best, they argue, it is just an electoral democracy. 

Democracies everywhere are flawed in some measure and India's is no different. There is much more to do, so many wrongs to set right, and we must not be lulled into complacency. But to put things in perspective, India's democracy is just a touch over 60 years old. Unlike in the developed world where democracy has been in vogue for much longer. Add to that the fact that no political entity in this world has such a diverse ethnic, linguistic and religious profile. Managing the contesting claims and ideas of a billion-plus constituents is bound to be chaotic, often disappointing and, at times, violent. 

America comes close in terms of size, but the diversity of identity and interests that is part of its narrative is not as complex as that of India. Smaller, multi-ethnic, developing democracies have often split up. And then there are cases like Pakistan. A homogeneous idea of nationhood on which that state was ostensibly conceived in 1947 has not taken our neighbour very far. 

For all its problems, our democracy still works. We have a free press, an independent judiciary and a military that takes its orders from a civilian government. And people here have booted out governments they did not think measured up time and again. And over the past few years, regional outfits have influenced politics in New Delhi more. This took some time coming but is a reflection of reality: India is more than just the Hindi heartland. Instead of constantly running India down, critics especially the home-grown variety could perhaps be more constructive and offer workable solutions to the problems that need redress. 

That said, the onus on making this system work better for more of us lies, in the last instance, on us, the electorate. And this process begins with some understanding of exactly what we should expect from our various officials and elected representatives, a comprehension that goes beyond civic textbook primers. Very often, we look for the right answers in the wrong places. For instance, why do we expect our local MP to fix the roads or order a new tubewell? That is not the job profile of MPs. 

Our members of Parliament should be debating and formulating policy on health, education, foreign affairs, and defence for instance. They are not really the executors of civic projects. There is a whole tier of officials and representatives starting with municipal councillors and panchayat officials tasked with that job and they are the ones we must hold accountable. However, there are any number of opinion surveys that speak of voters even the urban, educated, and aware voter wishing for MPs who would fix their bijli-paani problems. Understandably, the first pothole we encounter or frequent power cuts are our first interface with governance. But surely a national election is about more than just this? 

What we need to ask of our parliamentary candidates is where they stand on issues of national importance, not present them with a list of petty grievances. We need to put in place a larger blueprint for governance, which focuses on bringing about long-overdue changes in our federal system for instance, empowering our city government more. 

Where are those debates about foreign policy or the direction our economic reform process must take? Why aren't we talking that much about health and education? These are areas that need sustained attention if we are to realise our collective potential and great power aspirations. We, at least in the metros, get all hot and bothered about the health minister's zealous anti-smoking drive. Do we ask him about his record on tasks entrusted to him by his office? Robust debates which include all points of view, including those that we are against help fine-tune the national policy agenda, which only helps improve the quality of governance. 

US president Barack Obama is the flavour of the season and there are any number of people here who ask when we will get our own Obama. The question to ask is this: Do we put our prime ministerial candidates through the grill over their vision for this country? Do we assess their record or do we instinctively vote on the basis of our immediate concerns or kinship affiliations instead? It is pointless to complain that politicians today are indulging in the worst form of personality battles and offer little by way of substance if we continue to lap up what they dish out. We must hold them accountable and demand more. That power lies in your vote.

This was an article from The Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Editorial/TOP-ARTICLE--Its-Showtime-Folks/articleshow/4406321.cms

After reading this I have started thinking that DO WE REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH POWER WE HAVE TO PUT CERTAIN PEOPLE IN POWER ?????

I would still request everyone in India please go and Vote!!!

Believe me or not.. One vote can change everything!!!

Democracy of India is the ultimate saviour for all!!! So believe in it and support it!!

- Karan