The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Learning from the largest democracy

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Friday, Mar 09, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Learning from the largest democracy

G. Mahadevan

FEEL OF INDIA: Internees from the National Assembly of Quebec, Canada, in Thiruvananthapuram. - Photo: S. Gopakumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the five-member team of internees from the National Assembly of Quebec, Canada, which was in the city as part of a two-week learning trip to India, it was a whole new experience of the dynamics of democracy.

It was a very hot time for the young internees in the city — in a climatic and a parliamentary sense — as they watched the `people's will' in action in the State Assembly.

Before sitting down to watch the MLAs in action the team from Quebec was given a briefing about the procedures and practices of the Assembly.

Team member Hugo Genest told The Hindu that they witnessed quite a bit of animated discussion in the Assembly. But then the `heat' in the House was nothing compared to what the team felt while watching the proceedings of the Lok Sabha a few days ago.

"We only saw a few moments of action. Then the House was adjourned over the Quattrocchi issue," Mr. Genest recalled. "At least the raised voices in the State Assembly were only in one language. At the Lok Sabha they were shouting in many language," he said. He was also quick to add that the MPs in Quebec shout much more than the MLAs in Kerala.

Mr. Genest and the other team members Jean Philippe Ballaire, Simon Larouche, Marline Cote and Maude Benoit also met Speaker K. Radhakrishnan, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac. "No, the Finance Minister did not tell us any budget secrets," chorused the team members laughingly.

According to Mr. Ballaire, the team was impressed by the concept of the `petition committee' in the State Legislature. The fact that the common man could directly petition the people's representatives and seek justice was a very powerful tool of democracy, Mr. Ballaire pointed out and added that the team in its trip report would highlight this aspect of Indian democracy.

Once the team was through with its official business it was time for stealing glimpses of Kerala culture. Translated, that meant visits to the Sri Chithra Art Gallery at the Napier Museum to marvel at Ravi Varma paintings and wowing their way through the sculptures on display at the SMSM Institute, not to mention savouring the distinctive taste of Kerala fish curry.

"The hospitality given to us, both in Delhi and here in Thiruvananthapuram, was excellent," Mr. Genest added.

The team left for Quebec, via Mumbai, on Thursday afternoon after a four-day stay in the State capital.

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