Polls apart: Damage to the system is depressing

We emerge from an election season drenched in cynicism and foreboding. The flaws in the electoral system, which have always been in evidence, seem to be overtaking it. Serious faultlines run through what used to be India’s most efficient regulator — the Election Commission. Can democracy survive such an erosion?

The decline in public life hasn’t come overnight. Corruption and money have been casting a lengthening shadow. It has been increasingly difficult to bring into office representatives who
are ready to address the real needs of the country and have a progressive and efficient vision for India. Now we seem to be touching a new low.

In their columns in this issue, Sanjaya Baru and Kiran Karnik raise concerns that should not be wished away. India can’t hope to prosper as an amoral nation. Over the years, this magazine has highlighted the cracks in the system. As we see them widening, we remember the late Jagdeep Chhokar of Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) whose many columns and interviews here in Civil Society frankly pointed out the impending peril.

It is important to realize that all quarters are to blame and equally so. The record shows that politicians of different hues really have one colour when it comes to power. They take the system where it suits them most. A great disservice has been done by new parties and politicians who have not lived up to their promise to be different. To raise expectations and belie them is costly.

What do ordinary folk do in such a situation? They try to find their own solutions to their problems and those who are brave and resolute among them seek to influence the system.

In this issue we have the story of Uday Krishna Peddireddi who through his Vata Foundation has been identifying old and rare trees across the country. He has a digital map of 150 such trees.  Peddireddi has also found ways of successfully transplanting trees so that they don’t simply get chopped down when they come in the way of infrastructure projects. It is spirited relevant work.

The MS Swaminathan Research Foundation has been reaching out to state governments to register women farmers so that they can access government schemes and other rights. We spoke to its chairperson, Dr Soumya Swaminathan.

Taking low-cost and high-quality healthcare to people is important. It is not happening on an adequate scale. Dr Deepak Singh tells us how the Emmanuel Hospitals do it in underserved areas.

Finally, take a look at our Living section for a fascinating story on redesigning the lungi and veshti. Purushu Arie, the designer, celebrates a garment that gets passed over all too often.