Round Table Conference on Parliamentary Affairs - Dr.JP's day out.

To start with a disclaimer is a benign way to start rendering an apology - the only appropriate way to misuse media for a propaganda catering my own selfish desire. No, its not myself that I am going to start plugging in this post not it is going to be Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan whose speech at the last RTC on Parliamentary affairs is the sole inspiration behind this post. I had come to watch the video recently, a month back, and since it has been around in the wide world for over 6 months, I had imagined it would have been watched by a good many number of people. But a recent post in Facebook that attracted comments stating this particular speech as mind-blowing (which it is!) attracted my attention towards the fact of this particular speech not having attracted as much attention. And hence my post.

People who have known Dr.JP would probably need no introduction, and people who do not yet, it's time you do some reading about this personality. Adhering to spirit with which I started this post, I am not publicizing this speech of his because he is a visionary, pragmatist, an amazing orator and a person whom I respect for his abilities (though all of the above is true). I am doing it for my own, selfish reason to have a better India in the future- not for you, not for the sake of people, only for me.  Though I am intending to add a few extracts from his speech, I would highly recommend that you listen to the speech first hand, there's a good chance that you could come up with a better perspective.

Dr.JP has shared his thoughts starting with optimism, not because things in our country are painting a rosy picture, but because there is a possibility for us to paint that picture in future. And he brings out sound reasons why he entertains these optimistic feelings - Indian political system he says has
- Competitive elections.
- Political Freedom.
- Winners do not punish losers just because they are losers.
- Elected Government is truly in power.

Given that, I shall now probably surmise what I felt were the four key take aways from the speech:

Lack of faith and utter contempt of the Political faction has triggered in the non-democratic organs gaining popularity in our country,which is a very dangerous feeling that is currently developing in the country.

Systemic issues with the political parties and election systems. Entry barrier for decent elements into politics who have no chances of winning or contesting an election through legitimate means. As he rightly put it, "buying" of votes through money and freebies (including the Rs.2/Kg rice, bicycles, television, liquor) has become absolutely a necessary, but not sufficient condition to win an election. Also, politicians have resorted to these means possibly because they have to win and not merely because they want to be dishonest.

The importance of marginal votes and the lack of a proportional, representative system of election at the centre. This is the only plausible way that each individual's vote would translate into the centre- something that wouldn't happen with our current first past the post system.

Empowerment of the MP's in the parliament- which is essential for the best material to come to the fore. No party member would now go against the party views even if they are not in agreement with a policy. An MP has now become a mere number, ballast, in our current system.

I just loved the way he closed his speech "there is a real chance that something can be done, and this is the window of opportunity". What struck me about his speech is the fact that he propels not mere allegations and poking of the wounds that our political system has, but provides workable solutions (some of them which he feels implementable are still a black box for me). But there was enough sense in what he said, to make me understand that, there is a distinct and possibility for the change to happen - not for the nation, not for the people but for the political fraternity itself.

Though a long shot, I have one further reason to be more optimistic than Dr.JP, it is a young India now with the median age of the population being 25.1 years. There is huge window of opportunity for our generation to make a mark and there are quite a few people who have already embarked on this task!