1. What is FDRI?
2. What are the goals of FDRI?
3. Why Governance Reforms are important
for India?
4. What kind of governance reforms does
FDRI envision?
5. Does FDRI support any political parties
in US or India?
6. Why should we NRIs care about Governance
Reforms in India?
7. How is FDRI different from other organizations
doing charitable work in India?
8. What is the strategy of FDRI?
9. Who does FDRI work with in India?
10. What can we NRIs do to help the movement
for Governance Reforms?
11. What is the structure of FDRI?
12. How is FDRI funded?
13. What is the tax status of FDRI?
14. How to contact FDRI?
15. How to make contributions to FDRI?
Founding Premise
It is often said that the United
States is the oldest and most prosperous democracy in the world whereas India
is the world’s most populous democracy. Given that both countries are
committed to the democratic ideal, profess respect for the individual and
a constitutional process and share many institutional similarities, one is
left with several basic questions. Why after fifty-six years of freedom
is prosperity and social justice still elusive for so many in India?
Why despite a multitude of development programs and hundreds of billions
of dollars spent has progress been so fragmented and uneven? Why is
it that a child born in India with innate ability will likely have a life
of diminished opportunity?
We at FDRI believe that much of the
answers to these questions lie in the quality of governance. Good
governance in the United States allows us to seize opportunity and contribute
meaningfully to society, whereas poor governance in India leads to a wasting
of opportunity, human potential and public resources. Perhaps more than
anyone, we as non-resident Indians (NRIs) can appreciate the value of good
governance. India can grow much faster with good governance.
We at FDRI do not believe that a
simplistic replication of the American or some other successful experience
abroad is a viable solution to India’s challenges. Culture and history do
influence the perceptions and practices of democracy. Rather, we assert that
the fundamental rights and principles of democracy and good governance are
universal, and that progress in India is predicated on putting those principles
into practice in ways that are consistent with local circumstances, strengths,
needs, and sensitivities.
1. What is FDRI?
Foundation for Democratic Reforms
in India is a US based non-profit organization formed in 1998 to promote
electoral, democratic, and governance reforms in India. If India is
to emerge as a prosperous country where all its citizens have the opportunity
to develop to their full potential, FDRI believes that such reforms are essential.
Back to FAQ
2. What are the goals of FDRI?
- To study the democratic and constitutional institutions
of India, and the formulation and promotion of needed reforms in governance.
- To find, evaluate, and promote mature, registered,
non-profit organizations in India that are working towards governance reforms.
In this context, FDRI is inspired by, and has chosen to support and collaborate
with Foundation for Democratic Reforms (FDR)/Lok Satta.
- To build bridges between the democratic traditions
of the US and India and to promote friendship between the two nations and
their peoples.
Back to FAQ
3. Why are governance reforms so important for India?
India is home to a billion people
and is the world’s largest experiment in democracy. Despite its commitment
to democracy as a political ideal, India consistently fares low in most
indicators of citizen well being. Its institutions seem to be weak, with
tremendous public disenchantment and despair. Such lack of positive attitude
and feelings of helplessness, if left un-checked, can do permanent damage
and leave India further behind in the global context. Reversing the cycle
of compromised institutions and public disaffection begins with governance
reforms.
India’s problems lie not in fundamental
flaws of its people or their innate potential. Nor are India’s problems
due to a lack of opportunity. Over the years, India has been saddled with
a governance system that is fundamentally flawed. Even the most well-intentioned
public servant is quite restricted in his ability to do public good. Conversely,
the ability to obstruct public good is almost unchecked. Often, ethical
public service is neglected or punished while corrupt, unethical behavior
reaps ample rewards with minimal risk.
The current governance structure,
in effect, dilutes the abilities of capable people, elected or appointed,
to discharge their mandated duties efficiently whereas it allows people of
unacceptably low caliber to gain public office. As a result, the effectiveness
of the legislature, the bureaucracy, local governments and the legal system
has been severely eroded. The result has been increasingly little accountability
for public officials.
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4. What kind of governance reforms does FDRI envision?
In a well functioning democracy with
good governance, the nexus between the vote and the conduct of elected officials
is quite clear. Politicians and officials are held accountable for their
actions and results. This promotes good governance that in turn creates opportunities
to solve national problems in a constructive and timely manner.
FDRI’s model for governance reform includes the following.
- free, fair, and informed elections
- decriminalization of politics
- rule of law
- judicial and administrative reforms
- self-correcting institutions with checks and balances
- implementation of best governance practices from
around the world
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5. Does FDRI support any political parties in US or India?
FDRI is strictly non-partisan in its approach. FDRI
believes that India’s challenges are systemic and not restricted to specific
individuals, political parties or ideologies. Changing the players
will have little effect if we do not change the rules of the game.
Back to FAQ
6. Why should we NRIs care about governance reforms in India?
A well functioning, prosperous, and stable India is
important for the world. This is especially so for those of Indian
origin. Many of us have deep sentimental attachments to India. While we
may be living abroad, our concerns are both material and spiritual. No matter
how distant we may be, we never stop caring about India. In this regard,
our involvement in India-related causes provides an opportunity for the
second generation Indians to build a bridge with our past and the country
of our ancestors.
Sentiment aside, India’s success reflects on us just as our conduct and
achievements reflect on India. One need only look at popular views
of Japan, China and S. Korea to comprehend the impact on their immigrant
communities living abroad. As NRIs, we are in a unique position to
fulfill our ambitions and serve both the country of our choice and the country
of our origin. In the United States, we enjoy democracy, opportunity and
transparency. We know that such institutional strength tailored to suit Indian
circumstances could go a long way to make India prosperous and just.
Our contribution towards the goal of good governance may well be the single,
most valuable contribution that we can make to the Indian Republic.
Back to FAQ
7. How is FDRI different from other US based organizations doing charitable work in India?
There are several US based organizations doing wonderful
work in several fronts in India in areas like education, healthcare etc.
FDRI fully realizes the importance of such efforts and supports the work
of these organizations. However, FDRI’s mission is fundamentally different
and is crucial to the success of the other organizations. FDRI is not working
for a single cause, but is a movement towards changing the very shape of
the governance structure of India.
Most organizations typically fund numerous social, educational and health-care
projects in India. Perhaps, the best way to guarantee that these contributions
and hard work produce the intended, long lasting results is to ensure good
governance and best practices are implemented. By doing so, we can
help ensure that such efforts are not eroded by apathy, bureaucracy or graft.
In effect, good governance can work as a powerful, long-term multiplier of
our contributions to development programs and charitable institutions.
The satisfaction derived from educating a poor child or providing drinking
water to a parched village is inherently valuable and satisfying and allows
for immediate, measurable change. The success of governance and electoral
reforms while less immediately tangible, will have far reaching implications
beyond a single individual or a community. We believe that the success
of FDRI in achieving governance reforms would multiply several folds the
beneficial impact of the other charitable organizations as well as impart
permanence to the causes they serve.
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8. What is the strategy of FDRI?
FDRI plans to channel the institutional and individual
resources of NRIs in US to vigorously advocate governance reforms in India
through a two-pronged approach.
- In US, FDRI works primarily with institutions and individuals interested
in India to promote awareness of the need for governance
reforms in India. FDRI also forms local chapters where feasible to develop
volunteer base and organize awareness campaigns.
- In India, FDRI works with mature, registered,
non-profit organizations that are working towards governance reforms in
India.
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9. With whomdoes FDRI work within India?
Governance reforms is a national cause and impacts entire
India. FDRI is willing to work with all mature organizations across India
that are focused on governance and democratic reforms.
Currently, FDRI is working closely with Foundation for Democratic Reforms
(FDR), a Hyderabad based non-governmental organization. FDR’s governance
reforms movement, Lok Satta (People Power), did pioneering work in electoral
reforms and decriminalization of politics and is the driving force behind
the highly effective National Campaign for Electoral Reforms. FDR and Lok
Satta were founded by Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, a physician turned highly accomplished
IAS officer, who left the IAS at a young age to start this six year old people’s
movement for far reaching governance reforms. (As Lok Satta is better known,
we will refer to FDR/Lok Satta from hereon as Lok Satta in this document.)
Lok Satta articulates a clear vision supported by careful research and
documentation regarding what types of governance reforms are needed and
how to achieve them. Lok Satta is unique in combining this clearly articulated
national vision from its think tanks with citizen activism at the grassroots
level in dealing with local and national governance issues. Lok Satta’s non-partisan,
non-confrontational, relentless, methodical persuasion of existing constitutionally
empowered institutions, such as the legislative bodies, the Supreme Court
and the Central Election Commission, to enact the necessary reforms has already
yielded significant gains in the past few years. For example, this approach
has resulted in the recent mandate from the Supreme Court and subsequent requirements
from the Election Commission that all candidates for legislative bodies should
declare their educational qualifications, net worth, and criminal history,
if any.
Lok Satta closely works with other like-minded organizations across India,
providing material support and other resources as necessary. Lok Satta has
emerged as a formidable force successfully championing the causes of electoral
and democratic reforms. More can be learned about Lok Satta from the
web site www.loksatta.org.
People are the strength of Lok Satta. The nearly 100,000 members of Lok
Satta help it implement various programs. Lok Satta operates with relatively
few monetary expenses when compared to its activities. This is possible
because of the large number of volunteers and supporters who contribute
in kind. Most local units of Lok Satta are self-funded.
FDRI‘s support of Lok Satta is limited to education, seminars, awareness
campaigns, research, publications and part of office expenses. FDRI does
not fund, or participate, in any activism in India. Lok Satta raises its own
funds locally for activism. Lok Satta generously supports like-minded
organizations in other regions of India until they mature. Lok Satta works
with about 15 other regional organizations and fuses local models with national
perspective and vision. Lok Satta has shared its expertise and experience
with sister organizations in several states and extended monetary support
to a few organizations in the process. A sizable portion of Lok Satta’s expenditures
goes toward national networking and implementation of activities.
Back to FAQ
10. What can we NRIs do to help the movement for Governance Reforms?
FDRI believes that we can contribute not just monetarily,
but also through the richness of our experiences, ideas, actions and influence.
FDRI initiates and participates in in-depth awareness campaigns. The following
represent some of the ways in which NRIs can support this movement
Institutional support: There are several NRI non-profit organizations that
are interested in India. We should be able to use our contacts within these
institutions to convince them of the need for their active, meaningful participation
in developing a broad coalition working for governance reforms.
Taking the message of governance reforms to our contacts in India, increasing
their awareness and soliciting their support and participation in this movement;
Identifying like-minded individuals and institutions that can contribute
to this movement. We all have contacts that can volunteer their time, ideas,
and other resources to make this movement successful.
Financial support and support-in-kind.
Work with like-minded organizations and organize seminars on relevant
topics to increase our understanding of the issues
Research and analysis: Comparative study, adaptation of best practices,
high quality research and analysis on democratic issues all over the world,
and informed advocacy of best suited models for application in India.
Relentlessly promote positive and exhilarating “can do”, “just do
it” and “let us roll,” type attitude in India to promote self and societal
confidence.
There is an enormous amount of creative and organizational talent that
can use the media effectively to raise awareness of these issues.
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11. What is the structure of FDRI?
A Board of Directors governs FDRI.
Rao Chalasani, a 25-year Wall Street veteran who has recently retired from
being the Chief Investment Strategist at Wachovia Securities (formerly First
Union), to dedicate his full time to FDRI, is serving as the President of
FDRI.
Chowdary Jampala, Professor and Associate Chairman of the Department of
Psychiatry at Finch University of Health Sciences serves as the Secretary/Treasurer.
FDRI also promotes the establishment of local chapters through out US.
Currently, there are active chapters in Chicago, Michigan and Silicon Valley.
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12. How is FDRI funded?
FDRI is supported by donations from people interested
in its objectives. FDRI spends very little on overhead expenses. Most of
the activities of FDRI are taken care of by the time, space, effort and money
donated by volunteers. We spend a small amount (0.02% of general donations
plus interest received on the bank deposits in FY 2002) on the unavoidable
expenses: mailings, accountant fees, taxes and fees etc. In future, we anticipate
that these expenses might increase as we set up a permanent office.
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13. What is the tax status of FDRI?
FDRI is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization (Tax ID
# 311603890) and donations to FDRI are tax-deductible in US.
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14. How to contact FDRI?
Foundation for Democratic Reforms in India (FDRI)
2923 N Southern Hills Dr
Wadsworth, IL 60083
Tel: 847-662-6785
E-mail: fdrimail@yahoo.com
Web site: www.fdri.org
Back to FAQ
15. How to make contributions to FDRI?
Donations can be sent in the name of FDRI to
Foundation for Democratic Reforms in India (FDRI)
2923 N Southern Hills Dr
Wadsworth, IL 60083
A donation form can be found at fdriform.htm
