One Day Seminar on “Anxieties of Indian Democracy” On February 15, 2013

Organised by

Department of Political Science

Government Brennen College

Venue

Hindi Seminar Hall

8.30. a .m

Registration

9. a. m

Pre-inaugural Session-I

Chair

Manoj Kumar M B, Assistant Professor in Political Science,Government Brennen College

Theme papers

1. Indian Democracy, Ambedkarism and Marginalized Sections: A Retrospection

Satheesh Kumar P.K, Asst. Professor. In Political Science, Govt. College, Mokeri, Kozhikode

2. Negative Symptoms of Indian Democracy

Pramesh A, Assistant Professor in Political Science, Government Brennen College

10.30 .a .m

Inaugural Session II

Welcome                    : Biju P R,Assistant Professor in Political Science, GBC.

Presidential Address             : Prof M Sarojini, Principal, GBC.  

Inaugural Address     : Dr.Musafar Asadi,

Professor, Department of Political Science, Mysore University.

Keynote Speech           : Dr.Rajaram Tholpadi,

Associate Professor, Department of Political Science,Mangalore University.

Felicitations                : K Balan, Associate Professor and HoD, Department of Malayalam, GBC.

                                    : Prashobith. K. P., HoD, Department of Physical Education, GBC.

: College Union Representative

Vote of Thanks          : Manoj Kumar, Assistant Professor in Political Science, GBC

12.45 -1.30.p m

Lunch Break

1.30 .p.m

Afternoon Session III

Chair

Dr.M. Ramakrishnan, Associate Professor, Dept. of Philiosophy. Government Brennen College

Theme papers

1. Democratization, Local Governments and Economic Development in Neo-Liberal Era: Issues and Challenges

Bishnu Prasad Mohapatra, Visiting Fellow, Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad.

2. The Perspective and Analysis of Indian Politics and Corruption

Dr.Suresh Kumar T V,Maghesh Rajan M  and Jasimudeen S, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam .

3. Study on Irreconciliation between The Negotiation of People and State with Democracy in India, While Both Engage with Transnational Issues.

Muhmmed Sihabudheen K,Department of Political Science,University of Hyderabad

4. Antecedence of Democracy in Ancient India; defying the defiance of the west

Ajmal M A, Assistant Professor in History,M.A.M.O. College,Calicut

5. Where there is illiteracy the conditions for the success of a democratic set-up do not exist.

Dr. Jisha D Nair,Department of History,Payyannur College

4. p.m

Valedictory Function

Vote of Thanks

Seminar Concept Note

National Seminar

State of Indian Democracy: Critical Concerns

21, January 2012

The national seminar on ‘State of Indian Democracy: Critical Concerns’ addresses crucial questions about the functioning of Indian democracy and the seemingly intractable problems facing it. The survival of Indian democracy for well over half a century is in many ways a remarkable achievement. However, no one can deny that the country's contemporary socio-economic and political problems are complex. There are a number of serious challenges that needs to be met in the years ahead.

The twentieth century has witnessed a tremendous reinforcement of the concept of democracy. In a period of about one hundred years, the virtues of democracy have been greatly extolled and the world has witnessed a process of democratisation. In the sixty six years since its inception, Indian democracy too has developed indigenous roots and is emerging as a unique example of parliamentary democracy. The important question today is not the survival of Indian democracy, but the nature of India's democratic politics. The present seminar is an attempt to understand the development of democratic polity in India. It covers a wide range of issues, theoretical concepts, political institutions, federalism, electoral process, individual and group rights and mass media drawing attention to the significant broadening of Indian democracy.

Critical issues to be examined include the persistence of elitism in contrast to the ideals of constitutional democracy, the severe decline of probity in public life, the gulf between the rulers and the ruled, the paradox between public faith in the political process of democracy and the failure of institutions, the dangers of judicial governance, the relationship between democracy and education, and the adverse consequences of unbridled economic liberalisation and globalisation, the development process and the rights of indigenous peoples, caste oppression, patriarchy and gender discrimination, the centralised structure of political parties and enduring dynasticisation, mounting corruption, underdevelopment, inequality, and comprehensive security.

Indeed, a question comes on most lips is: Are we facing breakdown or is this an enormously difficult transition from the ‘basic democracy’ phase to a functioning democratic one? Are we capable of preserving democracy? Are we deepening and broadening it by moving to a more inclusive brand of politics? If our Political participation has widened? Whether Electoral alternation has intensified? If civil society strengthened?

Despite greater journey in more than six decades, there seem many lapses and bottom cracks. The benefits of political democracy are yet to reach the masses, political institutions are dominated by the elite, civil society has been politicised and the interventionist state has become an arm of the elite. The solution to these problems lies in further democratisation of democracy and the political process.

Contact

Convener

 Biju P R,

Assistant Professor,

Department of Political Science,

Government Brennen College, Thalassery,

Kannur, Kerala. 670 106,

Mobile: 9847477116,

Email:bijugayu@gmail.com

How to Reach the College

The college is situated on the NH 17; 5 KM away from Thalassery Railway Station; roughly 60 KM away from Calicut Airport and 167 KM away from Mangalore Airport.