Importance of Panchayat

“True democracy cannot be worked by twenty men sitting in the centre. It has to be worked from below by the people of every village”

Whatever the context in which Mahatma Gandhi wrote the above words, they capture the essence of democracy, which has to start at the grassroots to attain vibrancy. The words were as true for the nationalist temperament of Gandhi’s times as they are for our globalised times. One may begin to wonder why it is so. Is not  globalisation macro and panchayat micro? Why must we give time to the small and “petty” when we have larger global and national concerns?

My humble answer is that the more globalised we get, the more we must involve ourselves in the life and matters of our villages and towns. “Think global, act local” must be our motto. Act local in ways that are consistent with the physical, social and cultural fabric of the place. Otherwise, we may end up with the monster of uniformity swallowing our rich diversity. Each village and town has its unique features and way of life. Only the people of the locality can understand the nuances that are particular to their place of living. Others may study and appreciate them, and want to settle down in the places they admire, and even point out the richness to the inhabitants whose familiarity with the place may have blinded them to its riches. This is in fact happening in Goa. Foreigners and people from outside the state are enamoured by our villages, but some villagers only yearn to migrate to the West for good and sell their ancestral properties. We must appreciate our natural endowments  and work together to build better facilities for our common peace, prosperity and happiness. Our panchayat body is the right forum for this exercise.

Unfortunately the panchayat has become the first school of corruption in many villages. Those with education, character and vision have become victims of cynicism. Indifferent. Those with vested interests and political opportunism have taken the upper hand. Observe for yourself how political affiliations change with the change in government. Those who were hobnobbing with ministers and MLA’s of a defeated party are now hand in glove with the new ruling party. This, they say, is necessary for development. An assumption that needs to be demolished. Only men and women of character can withstand this expected way of behaving. Only those with character and courage can stand on their own feet against the might of the powers that be. Therefore, only those with character, courage of conviction, honesty and vision deserve to be elected. The only affiliation they should have is to the people of their wards and locality. If forward looking citizens network among themselves to support such candidates then change is possible. It is being tried in some places and is likely to succeed.

In some progressive villages a people’s manifesto is being attempted. People have risen against the manipulation in the delimitation and reservation of wards. In most cases people will have to bear with the injustice for the time being and participate in the elections in spite of it. Boycotting is not the answer. People must give a strong message that they can win in spite of odds. But for this to happen, the electorate must have the same qualities that are sought in candidates, specially vision, courage and character. It is very true that people get the government they deserve, specially at the local self government level. 

Once elections are over and results declared, the work of not only  the winning candidates but of all citizens will begin. To keep a watch. To attend the gram sabha. It is a paradox to see the people fighting against their representatives in every gram sabha. This happens because the elected representatives cease to listen to the people’s voice. Instead of carrying the people with them, the elected panch members end up turning the electorate into an opposition body. When this stops, there  could be harmonious development of the locality and community.

We can only hope that the panchayat election on 16^th May will be a turning point at least in some wards, some villages. It could be a beginning which will have good repercussions in the evolution of local self government.

Published in The Navhind Times, Panorama 13.05.2012