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Elections are meant to be a suitable recourse in democracies if citizens feel that the government does not represent them. However, the recent protests in Brazil, Turkey and India show that people feel political classes are too far removed from their every day realities to address their grievances
Courtesy: Semilla Luz/ Flickr
Brasilia seems to have responded fairly to the mass protests in the country. However, the issue of corruption is the most resonant of the protester’s grievances and must be addressed. Real political and economic reforms also need to be put in place, especially in the areas of education and health.
The enigmatic former president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (or simply Lula), will visit India to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development. Though India and Brazil share many commonalities, a belief in inclusive growth amidst huge social challenges is perhaps most significant.