In the last chapter, in detail, we understood the loopholes in neoliberalism and privatization, where we learned that superficial changes could not address grass-root level problems. What India needs to become a progressive nation is a new framework. A framework that does not require reinventing the wheel but the one that our freedom fighters and leaders advocated even before independence. In this chapter, let us look at the new framework.   

The failure of Neoliberalism and privatization shows that there is a need for a new policy framework in India; there is also an immediate need for change in politics because our political class, irrespective of political parties, failed our country in many areas of development from 1947 till date. We have always hoped that responsible citizens, young and educated minds, would enter into politics and revolutionize the system. However, that did not happen, and as a society, we adjusted to the existing system and with corrupted politicians. It is now high time to change our thought process, politics, and policy framework as a whole. 

The crisis in India can only be solved by bringing change in our political system and introducing a policy framework that is inherently crafted for the welfare of the people. Many leaders and experts view local governance as one such framework as the best; even our founding members have strongly advocated it before and since independence. So, let us now understand what it means and its implications.

In 1992, through 73rd and 74th amendments to the constitution, local government bodies- Panchayati Raj system (rural governance) and Municipalities (urban governance) were made mandatory to be implemented by every state. Today, in India, we see power division in only two levels: Central and State. While we all know there is local governance, it is only nominal. The state government allocates less to no power to local government bodies. This hinders the decentralization of power needed to solve local problems like sanitation, improper roads, healthcare accessibility, education and electricity issues, etc. In fact, having power at community levels to solve local problems is what makes a grass root-level democracy. 

Even though we have municipalities, municipal corporations, gram panchayats, Mandal and Zilla Parishad entities, they need more resources and  capacities. This is because state governments actively make a choice not to let power, funds, and capabilities decentralize. After more than 30 years of amendments, our state governments have conveniently ignored the effective implementation of local governance; this led to urban flooding, inaccessibility of healthcare in rural areas, lack of employment, unsustainable development, and many more issues. 

As we know, in 2015, the United Nations released 17 sustainable development goals  (SDGs) and set a target for every country to reach these goals by 2030. The UN recently released the 2022- SGDs Index, in which India stands at 121 out of 166 countries. This index shows how we are lagging behind in all the development goals. Still, not very surprisingly, our politicians believe that development is only better roads and infrastructure and conveniently ignore the quality of education, healthcare, employment, quality work, sewage system, and environment. Many social, economic, and political scholars and experts firmly believe that we can achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals through grass root change and community sustainability.

 

To build sustainable communities and make India a progressive nation, it is time for a new policy framework that replaces Neoliberalism, which has led to the current crisis in India. Solving this crisis is possible only through local governance . Decentralization and sustainable communities lead to the country’s development as a whole. Moving from a centrally imposed market system to local markets is necessary. We must create community-based entrepreneurial ecosystems to solve local problems and create jobs. We need to safeguard our people and environment to aspiring for sustainable development. Sustainable community development and local market economy are alternatives to Neoliberalism and centralized Market economy.

Therefore, raising our voices against anti-people laws is necessary to restore and sustain democracy; however, still, the power is with the political class to make or break the country. To fight for progressive policies, there is another pathway in democracy, a road less travelled by the common people that is through contesting in the elections.

Let me tell you I am a citizen of this country, just like you. I genuinely believe in a democracy, of the people, by the people, and for the people. Aiming at grass-root level problem resolution, conserving nature, social harmony, and political & economic equity, we have started the JUSTICE MOVEMENT OF INDIA (JMI).  The JMI envisions making India a progressive nation by making our local communities just, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. That involves educating and encouraging citizens to realise their constitutional rights and fulfill their responsibilities fully. Most importantly, JMI aims to work towards empowering and engaging citizens in establishing sustainable communities where humans, nature, and other species’ rights are protected.

The Founding members and freedom fighters have remarkably noted that India lives in villages, and which are the country’s backbone. This is where we have to start building the nation. Local governance is the long overdue framework that is needed to develop communities. This is only possible through decentralizing power, funds, capabilities, and policy-making to local government bodies to establish grass root level of participatory democracy. Therfore, Samagra Serilingampally is an initiative of the Justice Movement of India to take the first step towards community-level development and attaining sustainability. 

Thanks for reading; till this point. Suppose you are a teacher, doctor, farmer, engineer, lawyer, activist, or responsible citizen. In that case, this is my request to you, now is the time to change our politics which is possible only when we stand united. Today, we are fighting for our welfare in the streets, but we must fight for our future on the ballot box (or EVM machines). We need a justice movement in India to see the development our freedom fighters have dreamed of before independence. Here is my appeal to fellow Indians: wherever you are in India, let us unite and change the politics and policy-making.

 

“Democracy becomes alive from the place where citizens live and breathe. Thus, Local self-governance and community sustainability are the way forward for implementing true democracy.”