Grassroots Democracy – Part 1 Governance
Rules are necessary to maintain order and harmony when a large number of people live together in communities. Without rules, society would not be able to function properly.
Governance is the process of taking decisions, organizing society's life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that they are followed effectively.
A government is the group of individuals or the system that makes the rules and ensures that they are followed within a society.
Some of the more important rules in a society are called laws. Citizens have a say in the laws and rules governing society, allowing for their modification.
The legislature is the organ of government that makes new laws, updates existing ones, or removes outdated laws. It consists of an assembly of representatives of the people.
The executive is the organ that implements or executes the laws made by the legislature. It includes the head of state, ministers, and agencies responsible for enforcing law and order.
The judiciary is the system of courts that decides whether someone has broken the law and determines the course of action, including punishment if necessary. It also examines the fairness of laws and executive decisions.
In a good system of governance, the three organs of government, legislature, executive, and judiciary, must be kept separate. This separation provides checks and balances, ensuring no single organ oversteps its role.
In India, the government functions at three levels or tiers: local, state or regional, and national (Central or Union). Each level addresses different matters and responsibilities.
The Government of India's motto is 'Satyameva Jayate', which means 'Truth alone triumphs'. This motto is inspired by the wisdom of ancient Indian texts.
The Supreme Court's motto is 'Yato Dharmastato Jayah', meaning 'Where there is dharma, there is victory'. This also reflects wisdom from ancient texts.
The word 'democracy' comes from two Greek words: 'dēmos' meaning 'people', and 'kratos' meaning 'rule' or 'power'. Therefore, democracy literally means 'the rule of the people'.
India is a representative democracy where citizens vote for representatives, such as Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs), to discuss and make laws. India is the world's largest democracy.
Direct democracy is a system where every citizen's opinion is directly considered to finalize a decision, often through direct voting on specific issues.
Grassroots democracy refers to a system that enables and encourages the participation of ordinary citizens in decisions that affect them, emphasizing involvement at the foundational level.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, was a renowned scientist who inspired millions. He showed that even a nominal position like President can have a significant impact on countless lives through dedication and vision.