Every person, irrespective of age and position he or she holds, can play a constructive role in creating a vibrant civil society that can help in safeguarding the rights and interests of the poor and disadvantaged sections of society. Empowering them is as important as keeping a constant vigil over the acts of omission and commission of those occupying seats of power and authority, said E.A.S. Sarma, former bureaucrat and founder convener of Forum for Better Visakha, here on Wednesday.
Panel discussion
Speaking at the panel discussion on ‘Elections and Civic Responsibility’, jointly organised by the Centre for Policy Studies and the Visakhapatnam Public Library, Mr. Sarma commended such a discussion in view of the forthcoming GVMC elections as timely and essential.
S. Vijayakumar, president of Visakhapatnam Public Library, presided. A. Prasanna Kumar of Centre for Policy Studies spoke
KC Reddy, former Chairman of APSCHE, emphasised the importance of economic equality and social development in strengthening democracy in India.
V.Balamohan Das, former Vice-Chancellor, Acharya Nagarjuna University pointed out how more than one-fourth of the elected representatives face criminal charges.
K. Ravi, former Andhra University Professor, narrated how politicians have corrupted not only the system they run but also the larger civil society.
The unanimous opinion of the participants was that election is only a process and a method of choosing representatives but not an end in itself and the sinews of democracy are strengthened only by public participation and civic responsibility.
Ramesh Ramanadham of GITAM Deemed to be University proposed a vote of thanks.
