Make 2026 year of the citizen

For most of India's citizens, voting is seen as the only manifestation of civic sense. The state is also only too happy to see voting as the only endorsement of democracy being in tiptop condition. The truth, however, is there's more to upholding the citizen-state contract (read: democracy) than going out to cast votes. Whether it's about creating and pursuing an agenda - better maintenance of roads in the area, hygienic conditions in local eateries, or implementation of pollution (noise, air, etc) regulations in the neighbourhood - citizens tend to either ignore their part in the upkeep of their cities, or expect authorities alone to do the needful. This has to change if 'viksit' has to have any meaning beyond sloganeering.

A functioning civil society, the nous of a modern democracy, is a two-way street for its citizenry and institutions of governance. It relies on continuous, informed citizen engagement that does away with the mai-baap governance model of over-dependence. Governance is not merely a service delivered from 'above'. It's a shared duty of demand and delivery, checks on performance, the ultimate PPP.

Let this new year be that of a citizenry that steps up beyond superficial, 'my backyard only' RWA-style engagement. Genuine participation means asking questions about policies, scrutinising budgets and demanding representatives of governance deliver on quality outcomes. It also means engaging in regular citizen audits and AGM-style dialogues with civic bodies. Democracy can't flourish on delegation and outsourcing accountability pegged on hope and promise. Citizens must embrace their role in shaping governance. Water seeks its own level. Blaming 'government' for everything should be called out for the cop-out that it is.