Participatory Universal Social Security System for all: When and How?
Rao V.B.J. Chelikani For much of history, many Indians, like populations elsewhere, lived under conditions of material precariousness, fear, uncertainty, and insecurity about life and wellbeing, though these preoccupations varied across regions and periods and included phases of prosperity and social stability. This has led them to believe in a philosophy of life, which we can call a Povertarian philosophy, adopting a twisted version of the Karma theory to justify fatalism that accepts whatever happens to them or to others in society as a pred…
Human Rights Education
Rao V.B.J. Chelikani Human Rights are not limited to protection against violations by the State; above all, they encompass the rights of others that each individual is morally and socially obligated to promote and respect of all human beings, both near and far. Effective promotion of Human Rights, therefore, requires continuous self-education as well as the education of others in the society. In the whole globalised world, not merely in individual nations, the human beings are currently experiencing profound social turbulence, political viol…
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…
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…
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