myDemSoc is rooted in the belief that citizen participation in governance in a democratic process is the key to solving problems of society. Citizens do so by regularly petitioning the government individually and as a community on local issues that deserve attention and action from politicians and administrators. LokMantra is founded on the principal that participation of citizens in their community affairs through petition, suggestion and constructive engagement shall make Indian democracy stronger and political leaders more engaged and accountable.This will in turn bring an overall improvement in governance through raised awareness, constructive communication and problem solving approach.Stronger democracy is precisely such engagement of citizenry in affairs of state for improvement of our common lot.

myDemSoc is a unique experiement with a pilot project launched in Chandigarh in fall 2009. myDemSoc uses mobile phones, SMS text, mobile phone retailers, phone and internet kiosks as well as home internet as the contact and interaction points for ordinary citizens for engagement with government and representatives. Uniqueness of myDemSoc lies in the fact that even the illiterate and poor can take their voice public and make their opinions heard through this network. Through a scheme of incentives for the front line volunteers, merchants and students, myDemSoc shall engage millions whose voice is never heard and give them a strong voice resonant in corridoors of power. This voice, once raised through mydemSoc and LokMantra shall become a matter of record, never to be erased or ignored again. Media, civil society and alert citizens can hold the political class accountable once citizenry starts participating in its own governance through myDemSoc.

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It is unthinkable but true that in the 21st century people can be illiterate as they have no access to basic schooling and education through either public, private or non-government sector. Millions of Indians living below the poverty line are too busy surviving to think about educating their children when some minimal facilities do become available.
The standards of education are a further concern. Indian culture is under a systematic and severe attack from pseudo-secularists. Inner light of knowledge and morality that has burnt inside Indians since eternity is being extinguished by an attack on Indian values and cultural institutions.
Literacy is often confused for education and minimal basic education confused for knowledge. India needs to invest in real education and develop in its children the ability to think, innovate and create rather than just blindly follow western models of science and economics.
This Indian education should be a basic and fundamental right of every Indian citizen.
There is a need to encourage literacy in all age groups for poverty alleviation and creating awareness for improvement of living conditions. Social blights such as female infanticide or foeticide, child marriage, dowry can only be eradicated through education. Economic conditions cannot improve in villages unless they have information and knowledge.Women from remote, underdeveloped areas or from weaker social groups need to be educated to raise awareness at rural levels.
Primary, middle and high school education needs to be free and compulsory. Interference of foreign money and fanatical ideas should be stopped in schools. Children and youth need to take greater pride in their own culture, language and art forms. They need to be taught in non-western ways so the greatness of Indian civilization can find ground to survive and flourish.

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