A Constructive Democracy
The issues of absence of basic utilities like clean water, public toilets, electricity, issues of pollution, unemployment, of land grabs, of education, of sports, of health care, of culture, of law and order, of housing that really impact our lives each day need real, practical, innovative solutions.
Despite the painfully obvious need for change and inspite of availability of resources as well as human capital from civil society, change has been absent or slow in coming.
We believe that it is because society at large is disengaged from the democratic process of governance. Lokmantra focuses on bringing about greater constructive participation at all levels in the democratic process at all times and all levels so that real and innovative solutions can be implemented without delay when need is great and urgent.
We believe that all of our problems can be solved through democratic participation. We believe democracy is more than a vote. It is a daily process and it needs nurturing, participating, active rearing. Truly participatory democratic institutions that can bring together politicians and administration on one hand, civil society and general public on the other in a regular constructive dialogue and partnership is the greatest need of the hour. At any given time dozens of initiatives – government, private, NGO driven are underway in Chandigarh. Their impact can be multiplied manifold if the motivations, experiences, lessons, successes and failures of these initiatives are shared regularly.
At LokMantra we will try to involve as many people as possible in a positive, respectful, constructive democratic exercise. We will not criticise anyone and refrain from negativity. We will take the ideas, suggestions, policies and vision of many, through LokMantra to the elected representatives and help define an agenda for change.
