Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar believes that politics is the most "misunderstood and under-rated " profession. "But politics decides every thing—from the way our birth is registered to the way our death certificate is issued. People are dependent on policies and decisions taken by politicians. Therefore, good people should join politics," the minister reasoned.
Javadekar speaking during the launch of a one-year Post Graduate programme in leadership, politics and governance by the Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership, an initiative of the Mumbai-based Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini. One of the major outcomes of the programme is to give society trained and competent political and social leaders.
According to the minister, while good and capable people shy away from taking up politics as a career, the law of physics necessitates that there is never any vacuum, resulting in wrong people entering the field.
However, today, lots of bright young people want to have a say in shaping policies because their lives depend on decisions taken by the policy making establishment. People also want clean politics and good governance. "The reason Mr Narendra Modi caught the imagination of the country is his credibility, vision and decisiveness. To be a good politician, one needs good training." he said, pointing out that in his times they learnt from others, from experience and from life itself.
The PGP on leadership, politics and governance is being claimed to be the first of its kind in the country. Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, vice president of the BJP, and vice chairman of the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, said that as a well known institution, its programme will be recognised the world over. In due course, there could be tie ups with universities, he explained.
Dr S.Y. Quraishi, former chief election commissioner, said the time had come to train people formally, for a career in politics, leadership and governance. More over, India is the world capital in terms of democracy.
