Next India

Hey Ram: the death of our Gandhi

Vinay — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:03:45 +0000

If you are an Indian, with your mother’s blood, tolerance is fed through your umbilical cord. Our 4500 years old history had witnessed administrative rules of many empires; that figure can outnumber the words written to justify the significance of Jerusalem. In all these years India has been absorbing everything that came in her way, adding every element of art, aggression, color, hatred, science to the culture. We have been like a Womb; embracing every sin and truth with love, large part of which is acceptance that comes with compulsion and duty. With the closed eyes.

To the extent that we have been highly accommodating to the corruption and the wrong deeds of the present democratic system which we like to brag with the sheer volume and not by character. We have accepted corruption like a polymeric limb. We are wholly aware about its jeopardy but we had not opposed it collectively and explicitly with the fear of derailing the system. And that is the reason we have never witnessed any anti-corruption rallies before; the fear of a ‘tougher’ day has always kept us away from the reprisal. And we learn to live with it like the way we are carrying the beliefs of our earlier rulers. The sheer weight of the patience and tolerance the Indians carry among them can put the world to shame and is the only common thing among the thousands of creeds and origins that keeps them together.

Independence might appear as a rebellion, but behind the scenes the India knew she was again impregnated with the remains of kingdom, pain of partition and power plays. The Independence that appears to be the result of the uprising of an Indian might be a power play of few good men. Everything seemed momentary, even the independence. As Nehru finished the ‘tryst with the destiny’, the India was again ready to embrace, the new philosophy, of a new ruler. Since then corruption has become a part of our culture. To an extent that when the Common Wealth Games scam was bigger even by the Indian standards, we accepted it with the fear of derailing the system. We suspend our concise while paying a bribe or taking someone’s share, because it works in our setup, in our era. We give bribe, We don’t vote, We don’t retaliate, We can live with inhuman setups. In a way we have accepted the virtual culture of this democracy. All these years, in spite of the sheer need of amendment in the system and in spite of constant conflict with our conscience for supporting corruption with both hands, we never hired civil disobedience. And one of the prominent reasons why Mahatma Gandhi stroked a cord with us was because of the irrational amounts of this tolerance and self-denial resting under our skin. Whenever he walked for Satyagrah, we followed him with our dark skin. Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagrah was carried by the civil disobedience and self -denial. So, for now Gandhi was left just as self-denial in us.

Anna Hazare, the Gandhian has polarized the country, both views want the same result of transformation of the current set up and not evolution. With the ‘I am Anna’ posters, Indians carry the anger that was entrapped in the self-denial for ages. Anna’s stiff not firm way of protesting might have created 1.2 billion opinions, but every opinion leads to single desire of an outlet; for what they have been holding for ages, to accommodate for their ‘less bitter’ future. The nation stands over the brink of a cliff, where jumping off seems to be the only choice to become free of the guilt and disease. As Indians we have never settled at a threshold, we have seen the bottom to be left with only one option. To come out. To overflow. With self-proclaimed shrewd, stranded government and inexorable, tired Anna, Indians would cross the barriers. Might not with a stick but with the will. The World is yet to see how this revolution transforms India, but Anna, the Gandhian has slayed the remains of Gandhi in us. May be, our self-denial has already said, “Hey Ram!”

Lokpal Bill Resource Page

Alok Mittal — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:30:02 +0000

PRS has put together a resource page on the Lok Pal Bill (pl see http://bit.ly/rpCis2 )

The page contains all previous Lok Pal Bills that were introduced in Parliament, Standing Committee reports on the Bill, state Lok Ayukta Acts, the two current versions of the Bill, and some context, data, and analysis.

You might also find this link http://www.prsindia.org/lokpaltimeline/ on timeline and Lok Pal cost estimates useful.

Courtesy – C V Madhukar

The myth of the astute voter

Alok Mittal — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:39:29 +0000

Business standard has an interesting article co-authored by Praveen around the achilles heel of democracy – an informed voter.

The Myth of the Astute Voter

View more presentations from Alok Mittal.

Gurgaon Councillor Elections – Nisha wins

Alok Mittal — Sat, 21 May 2011 04:24:19 +0000

Nisha has won her election for MCG Ward 30. Congratulations to her, and everyone who supported this dream of an “outsider” making a mark. Time to deliver! (more on http://www.nishasingh.in/)

Nisha’s victory was a revelation to me personally in many senses. The rural turnout of 92% versus urban under 50%; the block voting from rural areas for a single candidate; but against these odds, the ability for a first timer to win reinforced my faith in our institution of democracy. Hopefully, Nisha can help fulfill expectations of both those blocks.

And to other people passionate about making a change, but feeling left outside the system, “Yes, you can!”

Issue Brief on Lokpal bill

Alok Mittal — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:31:02 +0000

Now that the hunger fast is done and over with, it might be useful for some of us to gain a better understanding of what the bill actually is, and what the struggle was for! PRS has put together a concise note on the same, here it is.

Gurgaon Councillor Elections

Alok Mittal — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:18:39 +0000

Councillor Elections have been brewing for some time, finally on the table. If people on this list have suggestions on candidates who can bring integrity to the office, please do share.

I wanted to share Nisha Singh from Ward 30 – have known her for many years, and she has her heart in the right place. Please see http://www.nishasingh.in/

Alok

Constituency level education data

Veena — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 05:30:30 +0000

Politics anywhere is fiercely competitive. As we have seen over these past few days, it appears to be especially so in Karnataka! But the competition in our politics is a raw quest for power. And we all know there is something fundamentally wrong with this.

What if we are able to get politicians to compete on real issues? What if they are forced to refer to facts and figures in specific terms when they reach out to the people for re-election? The work of IndiaGoverns really focuses on this core idea.

As a starting point, we have taken the data from government sources in Karnataka at the local level, and organised it along MLA constituency boundaries. Based on this, we have prepared one page reports on Education Indicators, and have sent it to MLA in the state. (Pl see http://www.indiagoverns.org/summaries/ to access the reports.) We have chosen data for education for a year which is even before this set of MLAs was elected in 2008. Our next report on education will be current, and will show the progress during his tenure.

The real challenge for us is to reach such data to citizens, NGOs, local journalists. And even to politicians in the state who have lost elections. Such data should become useful for all stakeholders to take up progress in the constituency using tangible data. And the MLA should defend his record of progress in various sectors during his tenure as MLA. Of course, the MLA can also use such data to ask for more government allocations if his constituency has a poor track record on any development issue.

We are working on similar reports for health, water, etc.

We invite your suggestions, but also any concrete steps you can take in helping with dissemination of such information widely.

India’s Second Freedom Struggle – Removing Corruption from Politics

Dipinder — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:26:33 +0000

hi,

Here is link to a short presentation supporting my talk at TEDx at Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University in Kakinada (A.P.) (JNTUK). The event was themed Awakening Young India and my talk was titled India’s Second Freedom Struggle – Removing Corruption from Politics

http://www.slideshare.net/dipinder/indias-second-freedom-struggle-removing-corruption-from-politics

Comments welcome!

Job req: Operations Coordinator with Vidya/ Bangalore

Alok Mittal — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:02:53 +0000

BASIC INFORMATION
Title: Operations Coordinator, Bangalore, India
Position Type: Contractor for – 1 year with possibility of extensions
Begins July/August 2010

Location: Bangalore, India

ABOUT VIDYA

Vidya is a not-for-profit foundation established in Chicago, IL to bring educational scholarships to underprivileged children throughout India.

Vidya has three primary areas of focus: Connecting sponsors with students in need of the tuition funding through a web-based exchange portal, Encouraging academic accountability through independent testing of student performance and fostering a competitive environment for school, and helping education entrepreneurs by establishing a funding exchange.

Vidya offers an easily scalable solution that can become self-sustaining and exponentially increase the number of dollars for school funding in India while increasing academic awareness around the country.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Operations Coordinator will be the liaison from India to the US, for Vidya operations in the Karnataka region. The position will span responsibilities in daily administration, coordination of funding provided to appropriate schools, oversight in appropriate use of funding provided, providing information and support to partners in the testing, website development, coordination of marketing division/campaigns, and gathering information and data for a variety of development initiatives. The position reports to the US Operations Director in Chicago, IL.

Job Responsibilities:
Research
• Investigate profiles of public and private schools throughout the region
• Research testing and academic performance systems throughout the region
• Research government policies and precedent in education arena
• Provide recommendations and findings to Operations Director

Administration
• Supply school and student data to communications and website teams
( Bio/Credentials/Pictures)
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity
• Manage budgets and associated reporting
• Disburse and track payments to schools
• Project management – establish, monitor and execute timelines to maintain
progress

School Support and Liasion
• Establish and develop ties with local schools
• Create profiles of public and private schools throughout the region
• Coordinate with testing agency to conduct testing
• Assist with school sign-up process
• Coordinate contractual agreements for school to abide by regulations set forth by Vidya for funding
• Train schools in requirements to be a Vidya partner school
• Visit schools regularly to track requirements
• Serve as the liaison between schools and Vidya US Operations team

Communications
• Work with the schools to develop school and student profiles, and success stories
• Availability to work on different products and programs, as needed
• Provide additional information for marketing and website development teams
• Lead and/or participate on conference calls and projects, as needed
• Provide progress reports as required and on an as-needed basis

Marketing
• Manage interactions and on-site support for Vidya donors and volunteers
• Plan and execute plans to scale Vidya operations

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILL-SET REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
- 10 years work experience in corporate sector
- 3-5 years operations and/or project management experience
- Experience in a start-up organization preferred

Knowledge/Skills
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently
• Flexibility to adapt to fast-paced changing environment and responsibilities
• Professional attitude to represent Vidya in all regions of India
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and local language
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to be innovative, set priorities and make independent decisions
• Ability to set and maintain work schedule, meet deadlines, and multi-task
• Ability to define and take action in ambiguous situations with minimal direction
• Education and / or non-profit industry experience preferred
• Proficient with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint & MS Outlook 2007
• Proficient with internet communication tools, e.g. skype

TO APPLY
Please provide your resume to shwetasharma1@gmail.com

Legislative Assistants for MPs Programme

Madhukar — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:25:40 +0000

PRS is initiating a Legislative Assistants for MPs Programme, providing an opportunity for young people to work directly with MPs. The ten-month programme seeks highly-motivated, bright graduates, who will be trained to provide research inputs to MPs to help them fulfill their parliamentary and legislative duties.

Deadline for applications is Wednesday, June 16.

Click here for details