HELP RESTORE DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS to the COMMON PEOPLE
The Indian Society is flooded with advertisements to proclaim that "INDIA IS
SHINING" and that there is a "FEEL GOOD" atmosphere around. Crores of Rupees
from public money is spent on this campaign.
The above IS NOT A REALITY for over 26.24 crores people living below the
poverty line. They toil under an oppressing burden to earn for their meager
basic needs for survival - they live in hovels, in filthy slums where vermin
breed in open gutters; the air they breathe is heavily polluted the little
potable water they get is contaminated and even such water for cleanliness
and hygiene, is hardly available; 'one frugal meal a day is not assured;
polluted air, unclean water and malnutrition, make them victims of diseases;
children are a prey: deprived, forced to labour and abused physically
(including sexually), they are psychologically badly affected. These people
have been left to the mercy of their well organized 'bosses', who are
ultimately protected by politicians. These are HUMAN BEINGS -CITIZENS of ,
DEMOCRATIC INDIA. Do they not have the right to live in human dignity? Isn't
the claim 'FEEL GOOD' and "INDIA shining" an affront to their miserable
existence?
The Great Indian Paradox is that India is accepted Internationally as a
rapidly developing Nation. Infrastructure like super-highways, mobile
phones, e-governance invasion by multinational companies (who gobble local
industries), floating casinos, rise in higher level salaries and
availability of a variety of luxurious consumer goods cannot be the only
parameters to claim that "India is Shining". Economic policies and
development cater to the needs of the upper middle class at the cost of the
survival needs of crores of Indians living below the poverty line; crores of
people do not get safe drinking water; crores are denied primary health-care
facilities; crores lack basic sanitation; lakhs of adults are illiterate.
Farmers who are the pride of India, are now forced to commit suicide by
consuming pesticides to escape from the clutches of money-lenders. The
Constitution of Democratic India assures justice, equality, freedom,
(fundamental rights). Social Justice is rare in the Indian Society today.
Aren't we, the democratic citizens also responsible for this situation? We
MUST Reflect... face the STARK REALITY . ACT before it is too late.
In Democratic India, we, the people are 'SOVEREIGN'. We have the right to
freely decide what is 'necessary' and 'good' for our benefit and progress in
the given area, in the larger context of the country. We give the mandate to
the persons we elect as our Representatives, to legislate, govern and
administer on our behalf. These persons are fully accountable to us. This
accountability is realized through TRANSPARENCY, COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY.
'Hence major Proposals, Projects, and Plans that impact the lives of the
people, DESERVE a wide consultation. But as things stand now in Goa,
Projects are being hoisted on the citizens as 'ACTS' and Ordinances or by
simply asking Government Bodies like Goa State Infrastructure Development
Corporation (SSIDC) to begin implementing the Plans. Important Legislations
are passed even without proper debate (e.g Goa Education Corporation Bill,
Municipal Corporation of Panjim City Vill), Even Constituted Authorities
like the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) Councilors and Village
Panchayats are not consulted.
Goa has passed the landmark Goa Right to Information Act 1997. But Social
Action Groups, Volunteer Organisations and individuals are blatantly denied
information under one pretext or another (example details of 'Pre-employment
Training Scheme' and IFFI). For 'whom' are these Schemes and Projects meant?
At whose cost are they financed? How can a Government of the people deny the
people the information which by right they ought to get openly through the
common Media? Why must citizens have'to demand' for it? Why finally is it
made available only on a 'Web Site'? Can the common people in rural Goa
easily avail of it from this source?
The Panchayat, a Village Institution, is a Self-Government. The Gram Sabha
as Village Council, is the root of rural Democracy, but the Gram Sabha have
no powers vested in them. Today Politicians, even MLAs and Ministers, use
their power to manipulate Panchayat Elections and interfere with the affairs
of the Panchayat, denying the Villagers their Participatory Rights.
Why have we, responsible Citizens permitted these violations? Why have we
failed to exercise our 'rights' and fulfill our 'duties'?
Our Society today is today 'Governed' by corruption, crime and terror.
'Politics' has infiltrated into the age old system of Culture and Religion.
As few organizations are encouraged to become aggressive in rhetoric and
militant in methods. Their strategies are directed in building fear in
selected ethnic, cultural and religious groups. Their Plans are to create a
Nation of those ideologically inclined towards them, thereby eliminating the
rich diversity of our Motherland. The scars of the Genocide in Gujarat will
take a long long time to heal, if they ever do! Is 'India Shining' for the
families of the victims of Genocide, for the orphans of the murdered parents
or the parents of massacred children and raped daughters?
'Who exactly 'FEEL GOOD'? 'For whom' is 'INDIA SHINING'?
We, responsible citizens must ACT 'HERE and NOW' to restore DEMOCRACY in its
true MEANING and CHARACTER.
**********
Sub-Committee of Diocesan Service Centre for Social Action
COMMENTS:
Further comments are rendered superfluous.
goasuraj
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