National Agenda Forum
| Formed on | 29 June 2018 |
|---|---|
| Founding Organisation | Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) |
| Campaign Reach | 57 Lac+ People Participated |
| Official Website | www |
Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) aims to pay a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi[1] on his 150th Birth Anniversary year[2] by resurrecting the conversation around one of his most important pieces of work - Constructive Programme for Poorna Swaraj.
'National Agenda Forum' (NAF)[3] is a pan-India, citizen-centric initiative[4] to reignite the conversation around Gandhiji's 18-point Constructive Programme[5] and use it to re-imagine and co-create India's priorities to formulate an actionable agenda[6] for the General Elections, 2019. In 1945, through his 18-Point Constructive Programme, Gandhiji outlined the key priorities for independent India[7] and urged the citizens to work towards them.
History[edit]
NAF was launched on 29 June 2018[8] by I-PAC, along with more than 25,000 youth volunteers from 1,788 colleges spread over 530 districts to formulate an actionable agenda for contemporary India inspired by Gandhiji’s Constructive Programme.
Idea of NAF[edit]
In the Foreword of his Constructive Programme, Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Readers, whether workers, and volunteers or not, should definitely realize that the constructive program is the truthful and non-violent way of winning Poorna Swaraj. Imagine all the forty crore of people busying themselves with the whole of the constructive programme which is designed to build up the nation from the very bottom upward.” He dreamt of the entire country volunteering to take up his constructive program[9].
Taking this spirit forward, 73 years later, NAF was launched to revisit the Constructive Programme[10] and use it to formulate a people’s manifesto for contemporary India. Key issues, such as sanitation, women empowerment and economic equality, which were raised by Gandhiji in his constructive programmes are still relevant in the modern context.
The aim of NAF is to facilitate people’s participation to create an agenda rooted in Gandhian ideals and choose the leader who they deem fit to execute the agenda. The National Agenda Forum has been launched at the intersection of two key events in India – the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi and the upcoming general elections in 2019.
Gandhiji himself had said, "My list does not pretend to be exhaustive; it is merely illustrative". He mentioned that the readers will see several new and important additions and encouraged them to add what in their opinion should be part of the key priorities of India, which in turn is the core idea of the National Agenda Forum.
About Constructive Programme[edit]
Even as Gandhiji led the freedom struggle, he was also preparing the people for a new and fair social order for Poorna Swaraj in the post-independence era. This meant building up or constructing the nation from its smallest unit (consisting of self-reliant individuals living in independent self-reliant communities) upwards, through nonviolent and truthful means.
It is for this order that he had started to pen down an all inclusive, progressive programme to strengthen the social structure of the society for a more meaningful political independence[11]. Started in 1941 and shared by Mahatma Gandhi last in 1945[12], the 18-point Constructive Programme outlined the key priorities for independent India[13] and is described as one of the branches of satyagraha and non-violence[14].
In 1941, Gandhiji initially came out with a list of 13 points for the overall development of India and his points included:
| Gandhiji’s initial 13 CP Points | ||
|---|---|---|
| Communal Unity | Removal of Untouchability | Prohibition |
| Khadi | Other Village Industries | Village Sanitation |
| New or Basic Education | Adult Education | Women |
| Education in Health and Hygiene | Provincial Languages | National Language |
| Economic Equality | ||
In 1945, Gandhiji added five more points to the already existing 13 points - this Constructive Programme list became his framework for new India for attaining Poorna Swaraj .
| 5 points added later by Gandhiji | ||
|---|---|---|
| Adivasis | Kisans | Labour |
| Lepers | Students | |
About NAF Platform[edit]
As a tribute to Gandhiji, I-PAC together with its associates and volunteers attempts to bring together millions of fellow citizens through the National Agenda Forum to set the nation’s priorities. NAF has 4 key action points[15]:
[edit]
Make the nation aware of Gandhiji’s 18-point constructive programme, by spreading the idea and explaining its relevance for modern India
Set the Agenda[edit]
Choose the top 10 priorities for the nation, from a list of 28 agenda points listed on the NAF platform. Citizens can choose to add their own agenda points in addition to choosing from the existing 28
Choose the Leader[edit]
The citizens can vote for the leader best suited to adopt and execute the selected agenda. Citizens can vote for any leader of their choice, by selecting from the existing list or adding a new name[16]
Campaign for India[edit]
Citizens can choose to become Part Time Associates (PTAs) with I-PAC and help the chosen leader to get elected in the upcoming General Elections in 2019
The following agenda points have been derived from Gandhiji’s Constructive Programme and contextualized to fit in the contemporary context.
| CP Points | Agenda Items (Based on Gandhiji’s 18 CPs) |
|---|---|
| Communal Unity | Ensure national integration and communal harmony rooted in personal friendship with and respect for persons of other faiths and communities |
| Removal of Untouchability | Make common cause and befriend Dalits to end all forms of social boycott and atrocities against them |
| Prohibition | Stay away from alcoholism and substance abuse for self-purification and a healthy life; and support rehabilitation |
| Khadi | Use and promote khadi in all its form as a symbol of Indian humanity, economic freedom and equality |
| Other Village Industries | Use and promote products and services of cottage industries to strengthen village economy and make villages self sufficient |
| Village Sanitation | Strengthen the sense of sanitation as a virtue to make habitations a “model of cleanliness” and eliminate open defecation |
| New or Basic Education | Make children ‘model citizens’ and help them realize a glorious future with education rooted in Indian culture and its realities |
| Adult Education | Support continuing education with an aim to tackle ignorance, broaden world view and acquire skills to increase employability |
| Women | Ensure social, political and economic empowerment of women realizing that men and women are partners with equal rights |
| Education in Health & Hygiene | Empower citizens with knowledge and practice to ensure access to clean water, food and air for themselves and the community |
| Provincial Languages | Promote the usage of Indian languages to improve capabilities of its citizens to understand and communicate effectively |
| National Language | Build consensus and promote Hindi as a medium to ensure at least one common language for all Indians |
| Economic Equality | To ensure sustainable growth and progress, reduce economic inequality and promote equitable development with a humane approach |
| Kisans | Protect the interests of farmers and help them become self-reliant without exploiting them for political purposes |
| Labour | Promote an effective safety net and social security system for labourers by uniting them without political interference |
| Adivasis | Empower Scheduled Tribes by providing equal opportunities, safeguarding their interests and ending all forms of discrimination |
| Lepers | Develop a comprehensive plan for effective rehabilitation and mainstreaming of the destitute, beggars and lepers in the country |
| Students | Develop an ecosystem for youth to meaningfully participate, engage and make an effective contribution in nation building |
Apart from the 18 points suggested by Gandhiji in his Constructive Programme, 10 more agenda items, which address the major concerns of contemporary India , have been added based on inputs from Gandhian organizations and ordinary citizens.
| Contemporary Popular Choice | |
|---|---|
| Justice | Ensure expeditious and affordable justice to all without any discrimination and prejudice |
| Urban Infrastructure | Develop modern infrastructure to meet the needs of rapid urbanization |
| Democracy | Stop criminalization of politics and reduce the influence of money to strengthen democracy |
| Employment | Generate jobs and meaningful self-employment opportunities for youth |
| Corruption | Strengthen institutions and develop robust systems to improve accountability and transparency in governance to reduce corruption |
| Hunger | Eradicate hunger and ensure adequate calorie intake to achieve appropriate nutritional status for all citizens |
| Regional Imbalance | Reduce regional imbalances to promote equitable growth and integrated development of all parts of the country. |
| Health | Develop world class health infrastructure to ensure quality healthcare services for all citizens |
| Environment | Protect environment and support eco-friendly measures for sustainable growth and development |
| Freedom of Speech | Create a citizen-centric framework to safeguard freedom of speech, foster space for dissent and introduce adequate measures to protect individual privacy |
NAF Results[edit]
Over 57 lakh people from 712 districts paticipated to choose the agenda and the leader who can take agenda of the nation forward.[17]
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ "I-PAC launches National Agenda Forum to set Agenda for 2019 polls". www.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ↑ PNS (16 July 2018). "NAF Website to choose leaders for 2019 polls". www.dailypioneer.com. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
- ↑ "I-PAC offers to set actionable agenda for 2019 polls". www.thehansindia.com. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
- ↑ Tellis, Allwyn (27 July 2005). "Gandhiji's Constructive Programme". www.gandhiashramsevagram.org. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ↑ "I-PAC launches forum to set agenda for 2019 polls". www.thequint.com. The Quint. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "I-PAC launches forum to set agenda for 2019 polls". www.sentinelassam.com. Sentinel Assam. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ↑ "I-PAC launches NAF as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and to set the agenda for Lok Sabha Elections 2019". www.zeenews.india.com. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "PIB, Promoting Volunteerism for Sustainable Development". www.pib.nic.in. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
- ↑ "I-PAC launches NAF inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's 18-point Constructive Programme to set agenda for 2019 Lok Sabha polls". www.indiatvnews.com. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ↑ Nyooz, Pulkit (12 July 2018). "Ipac tributes Mahatma Gandhi by launching NAF for 2019 elections". www.nyooz.com. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ Gandhi Ashram Sevagram (2013). "Constructive Programme of Gandhiji". www.gandhiashramsevagram.org. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
- ↑ Vishnoi, Anubuti (10 July 2018). "Team PK prepares for 2019 polls and Mahatma Gandhi is entry point". economictimes.indiatimes.com org. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
- ↑ Gandhi, M.K (7 December 2013). "Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place". www.gandhiheritageportal.org. Navajivan Publishing House. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ Jana, Jayadev (2018). "An exceptional revolutionary". www.thestatesman.com. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ NPM (14 July 2018). "Indian political action committee launches citizen centric initiative for 2019 lok sabha polls". www.nationalpoliticalmirror.com. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
- ↑ IANS (15 July 2018). "I-PAC launches forum to set agendas for 2019 general elections". www.ibtimes.co.in. International Business Times. Retrieved 20 July 2018. 19. I-PAC (29 June 2018). "National Agenda Forum". www.indianpac.com. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ "PM ahead with 48% votes in online poll: I-PAC survey". www.economictimes.indiatimes.com.
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