Pune-based social activist Neeraj Jain, the promoter-trustee of Lokayat, a reformist NGO engaged in causes such as citizen empowerment, cultural expression and democratic governance, believes in youth power as a potent force for change in Indian society. An electrical engineering graduate of IIT-Roorke, Jain chose the path of social activism, shunning the idea of becoming a cog in a corporate wheel. “I qualified as an engineer and am known for my expertise in economics, but the greater challenge for me is throwing off the yoke of India’s democracy-led dictatorship. This commitment has kept me going all these years,” says Jain.
Elaborating on “democracy-led dictatorship,” he says: “We are living in a cosmetic democracy where all we do is elect leaders and become their slaves. In a true democracy people are vibrant, voice their opinions and participate in every aspect of social, political and economic decision-making. Therefore we need to transform — with the help of young people — India into a true democracy.”
For several decades Jain was in the forefront of agitations against nuclear weapons, free software, judicial unaccountability, the quit India campaigns against Coke and Pepsi etc, until he promoted Lokayat in 2005 to provide an institutional framework for his activities. Since then, Jain has drawn the support of several thousand students across India for his social crusades. “Lokayat is a non-formal organisation and anyone is free to become a member,” he says.
Jain’s USP is to attract young people to Lokayat through strong cultural platforms. Early last year he staged a five-day Democracy Festival in Pune, with performances by renowned artistes such as dancer Mallika Sarabhai, the country’s leading alternative theatre director Parnab Mukherjee, violinist Ustad Sajjad Hussain Khan and Jaysi, a kathak dancer from the US.
“Music, theatre and films are powerful media to spark debate about larger social issues,” says Jain, who started Aaghaz, a film club which screens 24 documentaries every year to “drive people to take action to correct the various wrongs in our society”.
A passionate and fiery advocate for real democracy, Jain laments that “unfortunately in our society, democracy has been diminished to the right of the people to elect members of Parliament.”
Nevertheless he’s not one to be disheartened and is dedicated to his ideal of transforming India into a genuine democracy. “Today, we are witnessing the emergence of a generation of young people who are not willing to follow the herd. Younger politicians are coming to the forefront to take charge and invigorate our democracy. This change has to be encouraged and fuelled. It offers the promise of a new dawn,” predicts Jain.
Wind beneath your wings!
Huned Contractor (Pune)