Since the founding of the republic, India has been the largest democracy in the world. In many respects it was considered a model democracy owing to its ideals, such as a non-partisan Election Commission and free dialogue and debate. Its abiding features have been non-discriminatory management of diversity, concern for an equitable and equal society, and a profound reverence towards the country’s founding document, the Constitution.
Over the years, the tussle between historical reality and theoretical idealism ensured that at times the social contract was disrupted, with conflicts obstructing a complete achievement of democracy.
Former chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi will discuss his recent book, India’s Experiment With Democracy, which examines key questions that face India today: What foundational principles must be definitive to our ideas of nationhood, citizenship and democracy? How may we enliven our national discourse with a renewed spirit of inquiry and imaginative erudition, and mid-course correction? Ultimately, the underlying thrust of this book is to posit reasoned argumentation, objective enquiry, secularism, civil liberty and compassion as indispensable features of a democracy.
About the speaker:
Dr S. Y. Quraishi served as the 17th Chief Election Commissioner of India from July 30, 2010, to June 10, 2012. A 1971-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service, he has held several key positions in the Government of India. Dr Quraishi was featured in The Indian Express list of the 100 Most Powerful Indians in 2011 and 2012, and in India Today’s High and Mighty Power List in 2012. Before joining the Election Commission, he served as Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and as Special Secretary (Health) and Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization. He pioneered India’s biggest AIDS awareness and IEC campaign, ‘Universities Talk AIDS’. Dr Quraishi has represented India as an international observer over the years in elections held in South Africa, Russia, Azerbaijan, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Kenya. In 2018, he was appointed Global Ambassador of Democracy by International IDEA (Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance), alongside the late Kofi Annan. He has authored numerous books and articles on democracy, elections, HIV/AIDS, family planning, social marketing, women and child development, and youth. His acclaimed book An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election is now in its seventh edition. He is currently Chancellor Emeritus of IILM University, Gurgaon.
