Log On, Switch Off, Make a Difference

A new trend of campaigns, courtesy technology, allows the public to take action against politicians and corporations. It signals better times ahead as the real power now seems to vest with the common man.

Pratik Kanjilal, Publisher of The Little Magazine
pratik@littlemag.com

Hindustan Times, Mumbai, January 24, 2009, Page 10


This article encourages people to take up issues and advocate the viewpoints through email and sms campaigns. One does not have to depend exclusively on the print media journalists

Emphasize Representing People

Politician at any level in a democracy is a representative of the opinion of people. Both political party members and elected representatives need to have systems in place to accumulate public opinion within their constituency.

Unfortunately such systems are not visible.

There is more emphasis in media as well as in party and government affairs on the leadership and authority and the role of representing people is almost forgotten.

There is a need to emphasize representing people in democratic systems.

Monarchy Out, Democray In, But Dynasty is Entrenched

Democracies have to take steps to prevent emergence of dynasties.


1. A close family relative should not be allowed to take up a political executive office immediately after resignation, retirement, or death of an existing person in position. A gap of ten years or two general elections gap should be recommended.

2. Two members of a family cannot be in same legislative body simultaneously.