Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Election Commission of India and National Voters Day.

 

On this significant day, January 25, 2025, we mark two important milestones: The 75th anniversary of the founding of the Election Commission of India (ECI), which was founded on 25 January 1950 and the 14^th National Voters Day, declared o 25 January 2011, to commemorate the diamond jubilee of the founding of Election of India. These commemorations not only celebrate the rich legacy of the ECI but also highlight the enduring spirit of democracy of India, where every citizen is empowered with the right to vote.

The elections in India, more particularly the parliamentary elections, are considered as the greatest of global spectacle that herald the extraordinary democratic traditions of independent India. Last year 18^th Parliamentary elections were successfully completed by the Election Commission of India which uses technology and faceless hundreds of thousands of foot soldiers of the Election Commission of India who work tirelessly towards making the Himalayan task of conducting elections in India grand success time after time and election after elections. Democracy in India has gained from strength to strength, ever since the foundation of the Election Commission of India, and has made much progress over the decades. When we attained independence and declared ourselves Republic on 26 January 1950, our erstwhile rulers the British and the rest of the world were highly cynical about our survival, let alone our democracy. From the first elections in 1951-52 to the recent 18th parliamentary election in 2024, India has come a long way and our democracy has grown from strength and the world now treats Indian democracy as a triumphant role model. As we cherish the much lauded Indian Democracy, which we cherish so dearly, today is a special day for us to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Election Commission of India, which helps us in conducting free and fair elections in India. 

The Founding of the Election Commission

The Election Commission of India was established on January 25, 1950, a day before India formally became a Republic – 26 January 1950). This autonomous constitutional authority was tasked with overseeing free and fair elections, a cornerstone of democracy. As the guardian of the electoral process, the ECI has upheld the principle of universal adult suffrage, ensuring that every eligible Indian, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, or economic status, has a voice in shaping the nation’s future.

Central to the beauty and vibrancy of the Indian democracy are the Indian electorates - the rich and mighty, the powerful and powerless, the poor and the insignificant, the lettered and unlettered, sheltered and unsheltered, the males, females and the transgender’s, the believers and non-believers, Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, religious and non-religious, young, middle aged, old and the very old - all standing as equals, each rubbing shoulders with one another, in the true spirit of equality and humanity first, who make our democracy thrive by using the universal adult suffrage, which we enjoy by virtue of our Constitution.

 The first Chief Election Commissioner of India, Sukumar Sen, was a visionary who played a pivotal role in conducting India’s first general election in 1951-52. This was a Herculean task, given the scale, diversity, and logistical challenges that ECI faced. With over 173 million voters, of whom a significant majority were illiterate, the first election was a testament to the ECI’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation.

One can appreciate the magnitude of the challenge that the Election Commission of India and the founder Chief Election Commissioner, Mr Sukumar Sen, faced when they had to undertake this mission in a country which was left behind in dire straits - as articulated by Shashi Tharoor in his book, Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India –  after centuries of colonial rule and exploitation by the British. Therefore, it was no wonder that there was no optimism in the future for Indian democracy when we attained independence.   

What the odds were for Election Commission of India for making India succeed as a thriving democracy, when we attained independence, can best be seen when we juxtapose Indian democracy as a start-up company in 1947 and the Election Commission as its CEO. Not even the most adventurous and risk taking venture capitalists would have considered investing in the Indian democracy and the ECI. More so since there were many dooms day predictions made by the British, an evidence of which can be best seen from the last British commander in chief of the Indian Army, Gen. Claude Auchinleck. He wrote “The Sikhs may try to set up a separate regime. I think they probably will and that will be only a start of a general decentralization and break-up of the idea that India is a country, whereas it is a subcontinent as varied as Europe. The Punjabi is as different from a Madrassi as a Scot is from an Italian. The British tried to consolidate it but achieved nothing permanent. No one can make a nation out of a continent of many nations.”

Gen. Claude Auchinleck was not the sole voice to make such dooms day prediction for Indian democracy. Dooms day predictions for India and Indian democracy were dime a dozen in the early years of independence. India could not survive as a single nation, was one common observations by most western observers, let alone becoming a successful democracy. One of the former British official, who witnessed the first general elections in India in 1952 wrote “a future and more enlightened age will view with astonishment the absurd farce of recording the votes of millions of illiterate people.” From such negativity and dooms day predictions, Indian democracy has passed through periods of trials and tribulations to emerge triumphant and today when India is commemorating the Platinum Jubilee of the Election Commission of India and the fifteenth National Voters Day, while commending the ECI and patting us – the electorates - on our back, we must resolve to place on records our profound appreciation to the ECI, and all the former Election Commissioners and innumerable other stakeholders who have helped in the thriving of our democracy. We must also spread the message of the importance of voting in a democracy and each of us must go out to exercise our democratic rights without fear or favour.

The First General Election: A Monumental Feat.

India's first general election was held in an era devoid of modern technology and infrastructure. Voter education was critical, as millions of Indians were not only uneducated but were unfamiliar with the democratic process. Symbols were introduced to represent political parties, making it easier for illiterate voters to identify their preferred candidates. The election was conducted in phases, ensuring every Indian had the opportunity to participate. More importantly Godrej company was selected to manufacture special ballot boxes, which had to be safe and secure. The process of manufacturing such huge number of ballet boxes was in itself a herculean task and the Indian industry – Godrej – lived up to its expectations and they worked full steam 24x7 converting their entire facilities in Vikhroli to manufacture the required ballot boxes. Every aspect of the fist election in 1951-52 was heralded as some kind of a miracle made possible by innumerable stakeholders led by the Election Commission of India.  

The success of the first general election, with innumerable handicaps, laid the foundation for a robust electoral framework, inspiring confidence in India's democratic institutions, particularly the ECI.

 Seventy-Five Years of Electoral Excellence

Over the past seven decades, the Election Commission has conducted 18 Lok Sabha elections, innumerable State Legislative Assemblies – which also includes the forthcoming Delhi elections -  and elections for the office of the President and Vice President, among others. ECI has introduced technological advancements like Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), ensuring transparency and efficiency. Despite occasional allegations and challenges posed by political parties, the ECI has remained steadfast in its impartiality and integrity. It has successfully upheld the democratic fabric of the nation, conducting elections in the world's largest democracy with precision and fairness. Notwithstanding several vituperative attacks from political parties and others making countless allegations against the ECI and its heads, the ECI and the heads of ECI (Election Commissioners) have all done a remarkable job of making the Indian democracy thrive and be an exemplar to the world. 

Although there have been several unheralded heads of the ECI – The CEC and Election Commissioners – one of the names stand out besides the founder Election Commissioner, Mr Sukumar Das and that is TN Seshan.

Transformative Leadership of T.N. Seshan

One of the most transformative chapters in the history of the ECI was under the leadership of T.N. Seshan. Appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner in 1990, Seshan revolutionized the electoral process, emphasizing the need for free and fair elections. He introduced strict measures to curb malpractices, enforced the Model Code of Conduct rigorously, and empowered the ECI to act decisively against electoral corruption.

Seshan’s legacy continues to inspire confidence in the ECI’s commitment to democracy. You can read more about his impact on my blog post tribute which I had paid to T.N. Seshan

https://khened.blogspot.com/2020/11/remembering-t-n-seshan-on-his-first.html 

National Voters Day: A Celebration of Democracy

The Government of India declared January 25 as National Voters Day in 2011 to commemorate the ECI’s foundation and encourage greater voter participation. The day serves as a reminder of the power of the ballot and the responsibility of every citizen to exercise their franchise. It is a celebration of the inclusivity that defines Indian democracy, where the principle of “one person, one vote” empowers over 900 million plus voters today.

India’s Unique Electoral System

India's democratic process is unparalleled, given its size, diversity, and complexity. The ECI ensures that every eligible citizen, from the remotest villages to bustling metropolises, has an equal say in shaping the country’s destiny. It is a testament to the resilience of Indian democracy that elections are conducted peacefully, even in challenging circumstances, reaffirming faith in the electoral process.

 Conclusion

As we celebrate 75 years of the Election Commission of India, let us reflect on the journey of this institution, which has steadfastly upheld the democratic ideals of the Constitution. The ECI’s commitment to impartiality, innovation, and inclusivity has ensured that the voice of every Indian is heard.

On this National Voters Day, let us pledge to uphold the spirit of democracy by participating actively in elections and encouraging others to do the same. The legacy of the Election Commission reminds us that democracy thrives not just on the strength of its institutions but also on the active engagement of its citizens.

India’s democracy is vibrant, resilient, and inclusive, and the Election Commission of India stands as its unwavering custodian, let us hold this institution reverentially, and overlook some odd aberration failures of the institution.

Jai Hind

  

Parakram Diwas - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti

Today, 23rd January 2025, marks the 128th birth anniversary of  Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who was born on 23rd January 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa to the illustrious parents - an affluent and successful lawyer Janakinath Bose, and Prabhavati Devi, daughter of Anandamohan Bosu, a prominent businessman in Cuttack. During the 125th birth anniversary, while commemorating the Janma Jayanti of Netaji, Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India

Declared Netaji Jayanti to be commemorated as Parakram Diwas – in recognition of the quintessential Parakram attributes of Netaji and his extraordinary daring pursuits for the freedom of our nation. The PM has also unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the India Gate, which has subsequently been befittingly replaced with a permanent granite massive statue of Netaji, which stands tall today as a symbol of India’s indebtedness to Netaji.

 Interestingly, the giant black granite statue of Netaji installed at the India Gate was sculpted by Arun Yogiraj, the sculptor who has also sculpted the Ram Lalla idol, which was consecrated with the Pran Pratishtha Ceremony, by the honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, at Ayodhya on 22^nd January 2024. Arun Yogi Raj, belongs to a family of five generations of sculptors. He was chosen to sculpt the idol of Ram Lalla, in Ayodhya, primarily because of the highly appreciated sculpting capability that he had demonstrated in sculpting the 30 feet statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose installed in the canopy behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate in New Delhi.

The statue of Netaji, standing majestically tall, commemorates the pivotal role played by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, one of the most iconic and influential leaders, who played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle. Netaji’s role and his militaristic approach in attaining independence for India though were diametrically opposite to the Gandhian way, it must be recognised that this was one of the prime reasons for India gaining independence from British Rule. Netaji’s granite statue at the India Gate will remind us all - fellow Indians – to remember his contributions to the Indian Independence struggle, which will be etched in the annals of Indian history.

It was providential that Arun Yogi Raj who was chosen to sculpt the historic statue of Netaji for commissioning at the India Gate was commissioned to sculpt the Ram Lalla idol. It appears that Yogi Raj, the sculptor hailing from Karnataka, has been gifted with this god-gifted artistic sculpting talent from the legendary sculptor of ancient times, Jakanachari, who hails from Karnataka. The legend of Jakanachari - who is aptly given the epithet “Amara Shilpi” - as a sculptor par excellence is larger than life, which is evidenced in several temples with fine sculptures seen in the temples of the Kalyani Chalukyas and Hoysalas.

The grand statue of Netaji, carved by Yogi Raj stands tall in the Indian Gate Canopy, which has been carved from a monolithic block of granite that weighed around 280 MT. Several craftsmen and artists, under the leadership of Yogi Raj, have worked with passion putting in “26,000-man hours of intense artistic endeavour” in chiselling to produce the statue of Netaji, which weighs around 65 MT. True to the age-old Indian traditions of crafting and sculpting the best of statues by sculptors like Jakanachari, the statue of Netaji has been completely hand-sculpted using traditional techniques with modern tools.

Today as we celebrate the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, we must bow down in reverence to this great son of India who sacrificed what would have been a lucrative ICS career, in service of our motherland. All through his life, Netaji dreamt nothing but freedom for the nation, and in the process, he may have chosen a path, that may not appear to be the right way for some, but then it must be remembered that his aim was solely to get independence for India from the colonial rule of the monster rulers – the British - at any cost and that too for the Akhand Bharat and not the India that we now recognise. It is from this position that we must recognise his path of divergence from Gandhi. It is this path for freedom for India that manifested in the formation of the Azad Hind Force, aligning with Japan to confront the British. Bose's commitment to an unfocused objective of India's freedom demonstrated his unyielding spirit and perhaps it is the fear of this spirit that helped in India get the freedom.

On this occasion it is apt to recall that historic speech of Netaji, where he spoke those immemorable words ' Give me your blood, I will give you freedom' and motivated thousands of his fellow countrymen - the Indian National Army. Netaji’s appeal motivated thousands of his fellow countrymen, the Indian National Army, to fight selflessly for Indian freedom, most unfortunately the INA and the people who fought under its banner, get only a footnote mention while speaking of our struggle for independence. History and as a corollary all of us have been unfair to Subhash Chandra Bose and his men, but then fortunately, though late, his statue standing tall on the ramparts of the Kartavya Path has made amends and etched his contributions in the annals of Indian history and ensured that he and his extraordinary unsung heroes - his fellow INA members and the Azad Hind Force - continue to be remembered and revered by this indebted nation, even as Bose's controversial death in an air crash adds intrigue to his legacy. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be a subject of debate and scrutiny. As the narrative evolves, there's a growing acknowledgment of the need to delve deeper into Bose's life, acknowledging both his extraordinary contributions and the mysteries surrounding his demise.

Here are some highlights of contributions by Netaji.

Netaji formed the Forward Bloc, on 3rd May 1939, in Makur, Unnao, after parting ways with the Congress. He resigned from the presidency of the Indian National Congress on 29 April after being outmaneuvered by those who were inimical to the growing stature of Netaji in Congress. His main focus was advocating for a more aggressive approach toward attaining independence. This marked a pivotal moment in his quest for a stronger, united India.

He established the Azad Hind Radio, which he used effectively to broadcast messages of inspiration and motivation to the Indian masses, fostering a sense of unity and determination during the freedom struggle.

He founded the Indian National Army (INA) in 1942. This was one of his most significant contributions and his army contingent comprised of Indian prisoners of war and civilians. INA played a crucial role in challenging British rule, particularly in the context of the Burma Campaign. Unfortunately, due to politics, the contributions of the INA and how it helped expedite India's attaining freedom from the British have been completely overlooked at worst and brushed under the carpet at worst.

Netaji proclaimed the establishment of the Azad Hind Government in Singapore in 1943, reflecting his commitment to providing an alternative administrative structure for a free India. He visited the South Andaman district in 1943. On December 30th, 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the Supreme Commander of the Azad Hind, created a historic moment by hoisting the Indian National Flag for the first time on the soil of Port Blair 

Under Bose's leadership, the INA participated in the Battle of Imphal in 1944, a significant military engagement against the British forces. Though the INA ultimately withdrew, the battle demonstrated the strength and determination of Bose's forces.

Netaji established the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, an all-women combat unit within the INA, challenging traditional gender roles and showcasing his progressive vision for an independent India.

He actively sought international support for India's cause, forging alliances with countries like Germany and Japan. His diplomatic efforts aimed to garner backing for the Indian independence movement on the global stage.

Images: Courtesy Wikipedia

Long live Netaji and his INA compatriots in the hearts and minds of Indians.

 

Real Heroes Versus Reel Heroes: An Introspective Note on the Neglect of Scientists in TV and Media Coverage

This write up is courtesy my good friend Dr. S K Malhotra, a senior retired scientist from DAE, who called me this afternoon and urged me to write on the subject issue. He and I along with some other friends had met and chatted for long time when we went to pay our reverence to Dr Chidambaram who passed away on 4th January in Mumbai.

 All the TV channels and the X and other social media was abuzz with a tragic incident of stabbing of Saif Ali Khan. Early hours of this morning, brought the shocking news of a brutal knife attack on actor Saif  Ali Khan at his Mumbai residence. He was rushed to the Leelavati hospital where he is recuperating from this brutal attack after undergoing surgery. The incident, which occurred  around 2.30 AM this morning is deeply condemnable, and I sincerely wish the actor a speedy recovery. Malhotra ji, had called me to upraise me about how this news is getting played out in every single news channel, non stop. What disturbed him was the fact that there was not a single TV channels or reporters from print and other media who were present during the state funeral of Dr R Chidambaram, which we attended on 4 January evening. He was hurt by the neglect of TV news channels, none of who turned up to pay their respect to Dr Chidambaram during his funeral. 

The stabbing incident of Saif Ali Khan was getting played out non stop -  kind of a minute to minute commentary - across all television channels throughout the day. While condemning the cowardly act by the perpetrator who stabbed Saif Ali Khan, what disturbed Malhotra ji, rightly so since I too echoed his sentiments, is the disproportionate importance that media gives to reel and real heroes. This calls for introspection and reflection. The incessant, wall-to-wall coverage of the Saif Ali Khan stabbing unfortunate event, while understandable given the actor's fame, stands in stark contrast to the TV media's absolute apathy toward an equally significant, albeit less glamorous, occurrence two weeks ago—the demise of one of India’s most eminent scientists, Dr. R. Chidambaram.

Dr. Chidambaram, a stalwart of Indian science, played a pivotal role in India’s nuclear advancements, being a key architect of both Pokhran-I and Pokhran-II nuclear tests. These milestones catapulted our nation into the elite club of nuclear-capable nations, bolstering national security while adhering to the principle of nuclear deterrence, a necessity with two nuclear adversaries in our neighbourhood. A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Dr. Chidambaram’s contributions have left an indelible mark on India’s scientific and strategic landscape. Despite his monumental achievements, his passing on 4 January received little to no acknowledgment from the Indian TV news channels and other media. While he was rightfully accorded a state funeral, the somber event saw minimal attendance, bereft of the presence of dignitaries or the fanfare that his legacy truly deserved.

This apathy towards one of India’s greatest minds deeply pained Malhotra ji and yours truly as well. in fact all of us who were at the funeral of Dr Chidambaram we’re sorry to find no presence of any of the TV news channels covering the state funeral accorded to Dr Chidambaram. As a science communicator who had the privilege of knowing Dr. Chidambaram personally, I too was disturbed by the apathy of the Indian media. Having worked for 35 years in science museums, striving to inspire younger generations with the achievements of stalwarts like Dr Chidambaram, I find it disheartening that his death was relegated to a footnote while headlines and endless panel discussions are devoted to a reel hero - I have nothing personal against this end less coverage. 

This disproportionate coverage for real and reel heroes in our Indian society brings us to an inconvenient truth: Indian media seems to prioritize glamour over gravitas, spotlighting reel heroes while real heroes languish in obscurity. The adage "all are equal, but some are more equal" sadly applies to the way media chooses its stories and play them endlessly.

Such glaring imbalances raise critical questions about the role of media in shaping public consciousness. How will the younger generation cultivate reverence for scientists like Dr. Chidambaram or aspire to emulate their selfless service to the nation if the media chooses to overlook their contributions? When reel heroes are idolized while real heroes are ignored, we risk perpetuating a culture that values glamour over grit, superficiality over substance, and fame over foundational contributions.

Our scientists, who labour tirelessly to advance our nation in areas critical to its sovereignty and global standing, deserve more than this neglect. They deserve to be celebrated, remembered, and revered, not only to honour their legacy but also to inspire future generations. The media, as a powerful force in shaping societal narratives, bears a responsibility to ensure balanced coverage that reflects the contributions of all those who build the nation—whether through cinema or science.

This is not a critique of the attention given to the incident involving Saif Ali Khan, but rather a plea for introspection. It is a call to recognize that India’s real strength lies in its real heroes—scientists, educators, soldiers, and countless others who work quietly, often thanklessly, for the betterment of the nation.

Dr. R. Chidambaram's life and work should have been an occasion for the media to educate the public, foster discussions on India’s scientific progress, and encourage young minds to dream of achieving similar feats. Instead, his passing was met with an unsettling silence. As someone who has worked in the field of science communication for 39 years and counting, this disregard hurts me deeply.

Let this post, a motivation by my good  friend Malhotra, serve as a reminder to the media and society at large to reflect on their priorities. We owe it to the likes of Dr. Chidambaram, and to the future of India, to celebrate our real heroes—not just in their lives but also in their passing. Let us ensure that their stories inspire and endure.

I earnestly hope that this post reaches those in positions of influence and prompt them to introspect. And may we, as a society, learn to honor and celebrate the contributions of those who truly build our nation.

Jai Hind Jai Vigyan

Images courtesy: Wikipedia and Google