GANDERBAL: Under the aegis of Meri Maati Mera Desh, Department of Politics and Governance in collaboration with the Directorate of Students’ Welfare (DSW) organized a lecture on “Jan Bhagidari movement” by Prof. Gul Mohammad Wani from University of Kashmir, and a plantation drive at Tulmulla campus here on Monday.
Addressing the participants, Prof. Wani spoke about the importance of people’s participation in democracy for social change and highlighted the significance of participatory democracy and the need for the dialogue between different stakeholders. “People must be at the centre of policy making and governance and Jan Bhagidari movement tries to bring the people centrestage in the deliberative and participatory democracy in India.”
Prof. Wani said that Mahatma Gandhi was the only political leader who made the freedom movement a people’s movement. “World’s leading economists have described Gandhi as a People’s economist as he was very close to the living experiences of the people. Gandhi spoke of the importance of harmony, fraternity and trust for nation-building.”
He also spoke of J P Narayan’s political framework for India as an advocate of partyless democracy. “J P Narayan did not want interference of political parties in Panchayats and informed that excessive politicisation will hamper governance at village level.” Prof Wani emphasised that there are elements of voluntarism in Indian people but it has not been harnessed fully. He spoke of Vinoba Bhave and his role in propagating features of Jan Bhagidari movement. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Jan Bhagidari campaign with a belief in cultivating the power of the people at ground level. The imagination of an Atmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliant India or Digital India, these changes are dependent on Jan Bhagidari, as the country is focusing on Vocal for Local.
Dr. Himabindu Mukthipudi, Asst Prof. conducted the session, Tahira Khatoon, Coordinator, DPG welcomed the speaker and Dr Asif Khan, Dy DSW gave the concluding remarks. Dr Muzaffar Ganaie gave the vote of thanks.
The second session comprised plantation drive wherein Prof. Wani along with the students and faculty members planted around 30 saplings at Tulmulla campus. Dr. Mohammad Lateef, Landscape Development Officer, facilitated the plantation drive.