India’s justice delivery system is in the throes of an unprecedented crisis, with many insiders, advocates, and analysts calling it a “bleak landscape” for the country’s citizens. Amidst this backdrop, Aditi Phadnis reviewed Poonam Agarwal’s book, “India Inked: Elections in the World’s Largest Democracy,” which examines the evolution of India’s elections while highlighting critical issues within the democratic framework.
Agarwal’s book represents a monumental effort to shine light on an insidious mechanism – conceived to shield political donors from political parties. These bonds are not good for transparency. Rather, they signal another alarming connection between funders and political power, pointing to a latest step that undermines the purity of our democracy. An author’s insights from this experience only go to further highlight why it is critical to understand how such mechanisms erode the integrity of democratic processes in India.
Beyond electoral issues, Phadnis emphasizes that press freedom in India is under threat, largely due to the conflicting interests of media owners. This perfect storm would pose existential threats to independent journalism. Support the kind of independent, fact-based journalism that keeps power accountable.
India’s regulatory landscape is getting ready for stirring reforms. Changes in practice are not yet realized, as no operational licenses have been granted to date. This standstill hurts our entire commercial ecosystem of early stage entrepreneurs whose DNA is built on innovation, hyper growth and burn rate. Startups are uniquely susceptible to challenges stemming from villains in their midst. Therefore, proactive and diligent actions by independent directors, robust boards, and active auditors are needed to protect these ventures.
Vinayak Chatterjee provides a glass half-full perspective. He argues that major regulatory reform is necessary to reimagine our cities with the infrastructure and laws needed to accommodate our needs in the future. He’s particularly excited about the promise of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles to revolutionize people’s moving around. This disruptive technology requires an unprecedented transdisciplinary approach. That success will largely rest on incorporating urban planning, energy management, vertiport development, and regulatory expertise into the mix.
The need for regulatory reform is underscored by three core principles: foundational thinking, identification of clear functions, and establishment of checks and balances. These principles are important for creating a smart innovative growth-friendly environment.
Furthermore, Phadnis notes that middle India, which is a hub for entrepreneurship and employment, requires better treatment from the government. Meeting the unique needs of this demographic will help foster economic opportunity and increase prosperity across the nation.