re-imagining teacher education
Extract
from the article:
The article from The Hindu Business Line, while primarily focused on
re-imagining teacher education, indirectly sheds light on the more profound and
often overlooked dynamics that shape political nominations and policymaking in
India. It emphasizes the urgent need for systemic reforms in education but also
highlights the inertia and entrenched interests that stall progressive change.
This inertia is not just a characteristic of educational institutions but
resonates broadly in political nomination processes where vested interests,
lack of transparency, and traditionalism impede the emergence of fresh,
visionary leaders.
Intriguingly, the article advocates for a fresh
paradigm—encouraging dialogue between policymakers, educators, and the public
to co-create solutions that are sustainable and equitably beneficial. Such
inclusive, participatory frameworks contrast starkly with the opaque mechanisms
traditionally dominating political nominations, which are often influenced more
by internal party hierarchies than the true aspirations of the populace. The
underlying message calls for democratizing decision-making at every level,
underlining the political nomination dynamics as a microcosm of broader
governance challenges.
My
Take:
A. #FakeNews
? An Obsolete Concept ?
"Last few days , media ( online + offline ) is full of debate surrounding
some govt circular on fake news and its subsequent withdrawal. Todays Economic
Times carries following news : I&B Ministry looks at regulating Online News
... The set of regulations has to come out first, after which the code of
conduct for online news portals can be worked out."
Looking back at what I wrote several years ago about
regulation of news media, particularly online platforms, I realize how
prescient those observations were in the context of political nomination
dynamics today. The nexus between media narratives and political fortunes has
become ever more entwined, with “fake news,” misinformation, and partisan
reporting molding public opinion in ways that directly affect who gets
nominated and who doesn’t. The lack of a robust regulatory framework in digital
news ecosystems makes political nomination battles less about merit and more
about influence, spotlight time, and perception engineering. Today, as the call
for more transparent and accountable nomination processes grows louder, it
becomes evident that media regulation and political democratization share an
intricate, mutual dependency.
The challenge I highlighted about crafting suitable
regulation without stifling freedom also mirrors the balancing act needed in
political reforms. If nominations are to embody genuine democratic choices
rather than hierarchical impositions, the transparency and fairness in
communication channels, including regulated and unbiased media, become
indispensable. The political sphere cannot remain insulated while the media’s
power to shape narratives goes unchecked. This interplay is a crucial
consideration for anyone seeking to understand or influence nomination dynamics
in contemporary India.
B. Peoples
Pulse ? Peoples Confusion ?
"PM Modi uses app to pick poll nominees, making netas worry … the survey
is quite wide ranging , and without any focus! ...Why did I feel this way? To
get a feel, take a look at the format..."
Reflecting on my earlier blog that covered the "Peoples
Pulse" app initiative by PM Modi to democratize political engagement, I
had then sensed both promise and pitfalls. The idea of digitizing public
opinion for nomination decisions was revolutionary—implying a break from
closed-door deals to wider citizen participation. However, my critique on the
app’s lack of focus and overly broad questioning remains relevant today. While
digital tools have proliferated, the core challenge persists: How do you ensure
that the selection process is not just participative in form but deep and
discerning in content?
In the realm of political nominations, there is often a gap
between tokenistic public consultation and meaningful public mandate. The “wide
ranging” but “unfocused” nature of surveys mirrors the broader democratic
quandary of capturing nuanced voter preferences rather than simplistic
popularity contests. If nominations are to truly represent the electorate’s
pulse, the mechanisms must be refined to harness clarity, priority, and
actionable insight rather than volume and vagueness. My past reflections signal
the road ahead—technology can be an enabler but not a panacea for democratic
deficits in political nominations.
Call to
Action:
To the political parties and election commission authorities: It is time to
transcend entrenched nomination norms steeped in favoritism, opacity, and
inertia. Adopt transparent, data-driven, and participatory approaches that
integrate technology wisely—amplifying genuine public voice without reducing
the process to a popularity contest. Embrace regulatory frameworks that address
media’s role in shaping nomination narratives, ensuring fair and factual
dissemination. Most importantly, engage educators, civil society, and citizen
platforms to collaboratively reimagine nomination dynamics, forging a more
inclusive democratic fabric that reflects the true aspirations of the people.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
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