Social activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have joined the electoral battle in the last phase in their bid to strengthen democracy in India. Apart from organising voter awareness campaign and exposing candidates with criminal background as well as money and muscle power, these NGOs are also stressing on issues like role of good governance.
Chipko movement leader Sunder Lal Bahuguna and watermill proponent Anil Joshi have appealed to political parties to set the agenda for the development of the vast Himalayan region, which gives fresh water, air and other key natural resources to the country.
“This is a fight for the protection of water, forests and land. We want all the political parties to chalk out a long-term Himalayan policy for the betterment of this region,” said Bahuguna, who was recently awarded the Padma Vibushan.
Supporting the cause, Joshi, who came to prominence by installing hundreds of watermills in the vast Himalayan region, said the standards for measuring the GDP growth in the country should also include the fundamental resources of the hills. “If agriculture and industrial output are the key standards of measuring GDP growth, fundamental resources of the hills should also be included,” Joshi emphasised.
RLEK, a Dehra Dun-based social group, on Wednesday released a citizen’s charter asking political parties to include issues related to the common people into their poll agenda like drinking water, education and electricity. The charter has been prepared by leading citizens of Uttarakhand, which also called for conservation for forests and wildlife.
RLEK has also launched a voter awareness campaign by organising marches with a special focus on students.
“The turnout of voters is decreasing in every election. Through this campaign, we are trying to tell people about the value of voting right,” said Avadhash Kaushal, chairperson of RLEK, which is working for the social cause in the country.
