First World People and Third world politics.

I have always believed in the ability of Indians to succeed wherever they are placed, whatever their circumstances maybe. Since the 90’s tales of Indians blossoming abroad or in India itself despite the various social, political and economic odds they are challenged with have become increasingly common. These successes are largely due to our compatriots ability to endure and adapt, coupled with their capacity to strike the right balance between our civilizational ethos and progressive social outlook.

While admiring their zeal and capabilities which are on par with people across the developed world, we all perceive the possibilities that can further open for all Indians in the coming years. But this is accompanied by doubts and concerns, as I acknowledge how far behind Indian politics is lagging when compared to the required ways of a modern democracy based on rule of law and fostering competence.

This paper, one very close to my heart, is the outcome of ruminations about the change needed in the very nature and culture of politics in the nation, so that governments and politicians are able to keep up with the dynamic people of India. Don’t our world class citizens deserve better than third world politics?

A little about me

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan is a physician by training, a public servant by choice, and a democrat by conviction. He joined the IAS in 1980. During his 16 years of public service in various capacities, he had many accomplishments to his credit. He is still remembered fondly by the people of the districts he once worked for. Some of his achievements include

• 
  Rehabilitation of 8000 youth from displaced families of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
  
• Designing the reconstruction of drainage and irrigation network in Krishna and Godavari deltas.
  
• Strengthening the credit cooperatives and making them independent of government control.
  

Dr JP was involved in formulating major policy initiatives such as developing an Info‑City in Hyderabad to facilitate the growth of the software industry. Hi‑Tec City, as we all have witnessed, has grown into one of the most prominent IT hubs of India.

In spite of an impressive personal achievement, Dr. JP’s experience in government convinced him that faulty governance process is the biggest hurdle in India’s path of progress.

In order to translate his vision into practical reality, he resigned from the IAS in 1996, and with like-minded citizens formed Lok Satta Movement in 1997. Lok Satta has now emerged as India’s leading civil society initiative for political and governance reforms with wide popular base in Andhra Pradesh.

Over the last decade, Lok Satta has significantly influenced India’s democratic evolution. Some of the milestones include:

• Mandatory disclosure of criminal and financial antecedents of all candidates contesting for electoral office
• Political Funding Reform
• Size of Council of Ministers – 91st Amendment
• Anti-defection provisions
• Efforts aimed at making voter registration simple
• Lok Satta’s advocacy resulted in the National Health Mission, whose objective is creating universal access to healthcare over the next decade
• Right to Information (RTI) Act adopted by the parliament following Lok Satta's nation-wide civil society movement
• Citizen's Charters across all municipalities of Andhra Pradesh
  

Dr. JP had also served on the following panels.

• 1. The National Advisory Council (NAC) for the implementation of the National Common Minimum Programme
• 2. Vigilance Advisory Council
• 3. Second Administrative Reforms Commission constituted by the Government of India
  

Most of the critical governance and political reforms must be driven by political parties and not civil society alone. Lok Satta Party with Dr. JP as national coordinator was initiated as a citizens’ response to this challenge, to usher in a New Political Culture.

Please visit the website of Lok Satta Party to know more about the party

www.loksatta.org

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