The UPA has a social charter, it also needs a democratic charter In the early 1990s, when the economy was new but our mindsets were old, your humble columnist, then newly-returned from Oxford was astounded at the old-fashioned world of Indian journalism. In those days, it was believed that the fate of the nation, rested on the Home ministry, Defence ministry, Ministry of External Affairs and Finance Ministry. These ministries were covered by senior male journalists, snarling patriarchs who guarded their domains with the fierce territoriality of lions. Rural development, education and health---which all over the world were seen as vital to a nation's progress--- were relegated firmly to second place. These "social sectors" were covered by women, conscientious ladies who were repeatedly reminded that infant mortality, epidemics, primary education, affordable housing, didn't really matter as much as high diplomacy or heavy-duty weaponry. Now, more than a decade later the government has at last caught up with the rest of the world in...

Elections 2009 produced a national mandate, above caste and region The most "issue-less" election has thrown up the most magnificent result. It was a grueling marathon five week campaign: political vocabulary touched its lowest depths, shoes were flung, political murders were carried out, Naxals killed 29 security staff and election officers and even hijacked a train, the Election Commission sent notices almost every day on money being handed out at holi milans and campaign meetings. Every reporter came back from dusty dirt tracks complaining about the dreary lack of a "wave" of any kind this time. But unknown to most, in this most dull, degraded and exhausting campaign, somewhere in a nation's heart, an invisible yet powerful act of collective will was getting ready to be born. Voters across India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari moved in almost spiritual unison to vote for hope over fear, for stability over instability. If anyone still has doubts about India's viability as a united nation-state, they only...

In politics, as in business, there's no place for monopolies anymore Covering the election campaign in 2004, your humble columnist had spotted a funny little creature, and had written about it too. Who is this creature who even in 2009 skips and hides in riverbeds and slums? This little creature is an elf. And his (or her) name is the elf of Self Respect. "The soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance', roared Jawaharlal when freedom dawned in 1947. But freedom remained a flickering oil lamp for millions who struggled under a brutally elitist society where industry, education and government remained the monopoly of the few. The elf had nothing except the one instrument handed to him by the great dreamers of 1947. He had the vote. And he voted, voted repeatedly, sometimes wrongly, sometimes rightly, always with one secret aim: give me my self respect. Mandates will always be fractured until every politician listens to the elf...

The EC may be jeopardizing electioneering
Is the world's largest democracy undertaking the magnificent ritual of electing its rulers? The prevailing atmosphere is funereal and deathly quiet. The only hulla gulla is seen on television, where cameras are zooming in, like thirsty pilgrims at an oasis, to some signs of life, some sign of open enthusiasm, at party offices or the rallies. Meanwhile the role of cash in elections only seems to be growing. Bagfuls of notes, indeed suitcases full of notes are emerging. Every day there is one more notice from the Election Commission for violating the Model Code of Conduct. The Model Code looms like a dictatorial manual, converting what was once the world's most colourful rumbustious election process into an eerily quiet dictator's dream. Silent underground tactics have replaced the overground riotous bargaining of our desi democracy. Is the undoubtedly well-intentioned Election Commission paradoxically striking at the very roots of our democracy? Surely, corruption in the electoral process is far...