August 15,2019
In an effort to raise the level of awareness of the Indian constitution, and how it is practically applied in our daily lives,
1. Awareness sessions were held for Students, where they were educated on the functional framework and the implementation of the constitution.
Highlights: We discussed the constitutional values including liberty, justice and equality and the debates of the constituent assembly. Students were impressed to understand how the first elections took place with the implementation of universal adult franchise.
2. Students were then divided into different groups and asked to role-play Key Stakeholders to resolve important Civic Issues at a Panchayat and Municipality level.
Example: Case studies to promote and deliberate collective action was given. 2 villages had share water from a water tank and the capacity of water tank had come down from 100L to 50L. 12 students were assigned as different participants in the village ranging from a rich farmer, poor labourer and an Anganwadi worker. They deliberated how they would share the water among two villages. They proposed they would make the two villages as one and the richest man who consumes the most in the village would employ the labourers in his farm and how he would share his share of water with them and for the days when they don’t have work villagers demanded that he consumes less.
Another interesting discussion was around the use of loudspeakers in the morning by both temples and mosques. Here they discussed why their personal liberty and liberty to practice their religion clashed.
3. The session ended with an In-Person interaction with Ex-Municipal Chairman, Mr Su.Pa. Thamizhalaghan explaining to the students the Roles & Responsibilities, the Structure/Framework and Support Teams that are involved in the Execution of the Responsibilities of the Chairman, Key Problems faced and how they are overcome. In addition to this, there was knowledge shared with students on how Political Institutions are involved at the Village, Town/City and State levels, and also about the critical role that students could play in shaping the future.
He also shared his journey on how he joined politics and his reasons for joining DMK. He said it’s essential that students are political and aware of politics even if they aren’t keen on party politics. He explained how much tax is collected at a municipal level like Rs.75 for underground drainage and Rs.50 for water facilities and how this money along with funds are utilized.
Students enquired on how to join politics and how and when can they start their own parties. It was really interesting to listen to his own difficulties faced as a chairman. TN hasn’t been having local elections for the last 3 years and students shared their concern after hearing how it affects the municipal work and he explained how Gramasabhas don’t happen in municipalities and students wondered how local politicians can be then held responsible for their work. He remarked, “You become a Politician the minute you vote for the first time” and said how essential it for students to know about politics and we need to have town hall meetings. Other issues including how we need to collectively work against corruption, how we need to know our rights and demand it from officials and politician, what is the relationship between businessmen and politician were discussed.
This is just a beginning our constitution series. Kids were most excited in drafting our own parliament and it’s rules. We started with it today and hopefully it should take shape.
Thinnai 