The mess called Indian democracy

Horse trading will begin in full fervor on May 16. That is only a couple of days away. So what ails Indian democracy? What needs to be done to strengthen it?

Here are a few problems and suggestions for the CEC:

• Encourage participation of voters: Voters are keeping away to exhibit their disgust and/or apathy towards Indian democracy. By all means, this is a terrible thing for the nation. This has to change. Making voting compulsory will not help. Democracy needs to be strengthened at the grass root level. Edicts and mandates to vote do to a democracy make. Sowing seeds of democracy at the grassroot levels will be needed. So how do you do that? A few simple ideas:
  
• Make people aware of issues India faces. Too many Indians think the world starts and ends with India. Jingoistic patriotism gets in the way of objective criticism. This has to change. It has to happen in classrooms around the country. Projects at school level should focus on challenges India faces (there are many and need not be listed here). Aware citizens are caring citizens.
  
• Get citizens involved with democracy. Media is so in your face these days that people develop apathy quickly. Sensationalism replaces performance. Create alliances in the media that help track performance of governments objectively. Create performance trackers for each MP and each union minister. Put pressure on them to perform. Make a game out of it. Media can play a big role here.
  
• Development can be sexy and cool. In fact, it should be. Development oriented leaders should be the superstars, because unlike Bollywood stars, they do not just show dreams on a silver screen, they can actually make those dreams come true. Media again has a role to play.
  
• Parents and teachers have a role to play as well. Passion for democracy is passion for development. Such passion and enthusiasm has to be infused at a young age. Business alone is not enought for a nation's growth. Sound social policies are more important. India is a nation of excesses that remains poor due to lack of public involvement in social policies. Politicians take us for a ride because we don't care and let them. This has to change. For this, education of one's rights is key.

More ideas to follow.