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Indians Abroad
Dr Rao VBJ Chelikani Recently, in Indian Parliament, the Administration disclosed that approximately 10,152 Indian nationals are currently imprisoned abroad, mostly in Gulf countries, as of March 2025. It is important to note that this figure includes only Indian passport holders in a few countries and reflects those cases officially reported to Indian embassies. The actual numbers may be still higher. During a UN assignment in Singapore in the 1990s, I had the opportunity to visit several correctional facilities. My personal impression b…
Claiming Participatory Democracy in India: From Political Capture to Citizen Empowerment
I. Political Capture and the Erosion of Democratic Spirit In a democracy, theoretically, power belongs to the people. But in India, as in many other developing countries, after independence a class of politicians has emerged to capture and usurp political power, dominating the governance of the entire society. Formed into political parties, they are not empowering citizens but, on the contrary, spreading a political culture that distances power relations from human and social relations. As a strategy, they are diverting the attention of citiz…
Rise, Challenges, and Decline of the New Class of Politicians
Origins of a New Class: One need not be a Kautilya or a Marxist to understand that in all human societies, there has always been a class of active members of the community that dominated the other members and enjoyed some privileges, prerogatives and advantages because of their power and wealth. From priestly elites to monarchs, aristocrats and merchants, different classes have directed the affairs of state. The governance activities of the state are called ― politica‖ by the Greeks and the term politician later came to describe those who are…
Celebrating Cleanliness
The Swachh Bharat Mission is set to complete eleven impactful years since its launch on October 2, 2014 , under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi . The mission has significantly raised awareness about cleanliness, hygiene and public health, bringing about a positive behavioural shift across cities and villages in India. The images below reflect growing public pride in community service and active participation in the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign. Cities now eagerly compete for the Swachh Survekshan awards, driving in…
How to Redeem Ourselves from a Curse: Constructive Approach to the Caste Census
I. Caste Consciousness Remains a Curse for the Emerging Open Society Since Gandhiji’s return to India, i.e., for the past 90 years, we have been fighting to liberate India from the clutches of the caste consciousness. Under his leadership, the crusade was largely led at that time by upper-caste Hindus and the elite in other religions. The founders of the Constitution aimed to bring equality in dignity and provide equal opportunities for all residents in their social, economic, and cultural relations. But, they proposed ten years of affirmative…
A Primary Democratic, Secular and Social Community: the RWA
Dr. Rao V.B.J. Chelikani I. In the past, human communities evolved into various forms, including tribal, hierarchical, caste-based, and religious communities. Buddhist literature, however, mentions Republican communities at the time of the Buddha, but provides no details about this noble experiment in human relations. Within the community, kinship has been the common bond with good neighbourly cooperation. As the communities expanded and multiplied themselves, all kinds of human relations were governed by hierarchical powers. Among them, polit…
How to Improve Communication between the Civil Society and Media
Dr Rao VBJ Chelikani How can communication between the media and civil society organisations, including the Resident Welfare Associations be improved? Relations between these two entities is being debated worldwide, but we might say that the situation is worsening in India, since successive governments have been showing incremental authoritarian tendencies. Further journalism as a profession is in crisis. As N. Ram, former Editor-in-Chief, the Hindu said in Kozhikode in his lecture in memory of M.R. Veerendra Kumar, former MD of ‘Mathrubhumi’…
Dos and Don‘ts for Gated Communities in Accordance with Telangana High Court
Dos and Don's for RWAs Gated communities are modern sanctuaries where diverse families come together to share not just walls but aspirations of harmonious living. However, the recent landmark observations of the Hon‘ble Telangana High Court have shed light on systemic lapses within the management of these microcosms of urban life. From the misuse of clubhouses to the lack of financial transparency and accountability, the Court has provided a clarion call for introspection and reform. In response to this judicial directive and as an ear…
RWA Mission Statement
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