Bus Karo!

 

Bus Karo

The present attitude in society and governance echelons regarding private modes of mass transport – like buses - is harmful, quite like the negative overtones attached to the title. I am trying to argue that there could be another perspective. 

When it comes to using buses as a citizen, the general feeling is that it is not for the non-cattle class. Only those who can’t afford any other means of transport are to use buses- especially in cities. When it comes to taxation, the size of the bus reigns supreme in creating an impression, and so also does the bus owner, who is invariably a wealthy person (especially so, given the unease of doing business). So buses are taxed –monetarily and physically (by controlling their access much more than light motor vehicles). If one views it dispassionately, an occupied bus is closest to the greenest manner in which mobility can be achieved for people- especially the lowest segment of society. A government and society which values equality (of the right to mobility) and the environment should be exerting to incentivize this collectively in finding a mobility solution. 

Instead, we tax. We tax it and ensure that the viable mode of transport for the common man is not as affordable as it can be. The taxes are in the form of road tax for the vehicles and all of the other taxes we enjoy ourselves imposing on the “big” bus owner. That the bus owner passes on the tax to the hapless customer citizen is conveniently forgotten. A high import duty ensures that comfortable buses are not easily available in the country. This helps in keeping the label of cattle class on buses as they are actually not more than converted lorries!

The tax is not just financial. It is physical. Whenever there is a traffic restriction, the private luxury car moves ahead in royal splendor. The proletarian bus passenger is asked to take a diversion or to stop at a distance from the scene of action. This gives good exercise to those who need it lesser than the ones moving in private car’s luxury. The luxury of the car is not just inside it. It exists outside, in the priority given for access. For temples, churches, and other congregation locations, invariably, buses are stopped at a long distance, and cars are allowed to go close. Making privileged access public is not usually explored.

In this context, the diversion of public bulk transport in the interest of private light motor vehicles must be re-examined. It would be divine to remove the tax and physical hurdles from ecologically and economically friendly bus transport. They could be given privileged access. Mother Earth would be happier to see this egalitarian solution.       

There is a need to explore technological solutions to make these eco-friendly modes of transport seamless. There is a need to use a global positioning system on the buses and make the data available through real-time systems to trusted applications so that solutions integrating buses with last-mile connectivity can be easier to operate. This last mile connectivity can be achieved through multiple modes ranging from skateboards to bicycles to taxis. 

Taxation can also be used with imagination to incentivize the suitable mode of transport.  

Along with incentivizing bus travel, efforts should be afoot to make it more convenient.  This would be required for a greater proportion of the middle class to migrate to it from cars.  

This could be done by making GPS facilities available in buses and having their routes pre-fed into an online database.  If the seat reservation system could be made online, the next generation would be happy to do on-the-spot reservations of bus seats depending upon which is the closest convenient transport.

We could also think of giving out these as services to portals who can build services on to them.  Once this data is made public, very imaginative services can be built by private initiative, and this would help the usage of buses to be much better.  This could prevent overcrowding of buses and make them a more convenient mode of transport.  At the same time, it would also ensure that buses are not having to ply without an adequate number of passengers.

Let us face it, the American model of every family owning a car is not sustainable for a nation like India.  This sort of conspicuous consumption should not be fuelled.  We need to develop our own sustainable development model, and we need to develop a culture where conspicuous consumption is looked down upon.   We have this in our genes.   Somehow, we seem to be buying into the Western growth story.  I am not arguing that the poor should remain poor for the sake of the rich.  My point is that we should be conscious about facilitating the lives of all by providing mobility and other necessities.  But we are a nation where our incentivization of consumerism will have immediate and drastic effects.  We should not be shy of taxing such behavior and deriding such behaviour as this is the only way such a  huge collectivity can remain on track and together.  

The road tax on cars is a point to be considered in this regard.  Today we have the same road tax irrespective of the location where the vehicle is plying.  What if the vehicle doubles up as an ambulance providing critical mobility in a rural area or ferries well-fed dogs in a posh colony?  The tax is the same.  Today we have the wherewithal to have a differential tax regime based on the location in which a vehicle is plying.  The odd-even scheme of the Delhi Government is a welcome step in this perspective.  But this must be backed up by making mass transport cheaper and more convenient.

FOPL -2

 Dear Friend,

It is only with concern that we can note that our society is not giving public health the required attention. The instrument of the society that is best placed to respond with sagacity in this regard is the Government. However, given the realities of popular politics, it would require more of us to express our concern to convince the Government into early action in the interest of public health without being wavered by the commercial considerations of a few in the food industry.


The burden of diabetes is increasing. What is worse, the risk factors are available in families who do not have the wherewithal to fight the disease. The number of people who are affected by Non-Communicable Diseases like Cardiovascular Diseases, Chronic Kidney Diseases, and cancer is on the rise. This is primarily due to the packaged food industry, which is pedaling Ultra Processed Foods high in Sugar, Salt, and Saturated Fat. 


There is a recommendation from the WHO that packaged foods should be mandated to carry a warning label on the front of the package so that individuals and families can make an informed choice regarding choosing to consume such products. This would also mean that there would be some restrictions on the advertisements that can be aired during prime time and on channels that are exclusively catering to children.


This Front of Package Labelling (FOPL) is something that you are still waiting to see in India as the industry is resisting the same for considerations that are commercial. It is upon us now to be alive to this challenge and raise our voice regarding FOPL so that Government, through its FSSAI, makes the regulations and gives a chance to public health.

It is proposed that we form a collective to this end. Like-minded organizations and individuals could join forces to get this regulation in place. We could together chalk out action plans on what could be done to get this regulation from the Authority (FSSAI).

Your input in this regard will be most helpful. Please let us know if you would be able to associate with this effort. We could create a world in which we need not lose our near and dear ones early to a preventable non-communicable disease or disability. We count on you.


Warm regards,

Team 3S

13.8.2023

3SandOurHealth@gmail.com


#FOPL3S- 2

Front of Package Labeling

 Title: Urgent Need for Front-of-Package Warning Labels: Supporting FSSAI's Proposed Regulations in Line with WHO Recommendations

Introduction

In an effort to combat the escalating epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed the importance of adopting front-of-package warning labels on food products. In this regard, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a significant step forward by proposing the implementation of regulations for such warning labels. These labels would play a crucial role in promoting informed consumer choices, raising awareness about the harmful effects of certain food products, and ultimately, safeguarding public health.

Growing Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer, have reached alarming levels worldwide. In India, these health issues pose a significant burden on individuals, society, and the healthcare system. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a staggering 62 million people in India suffer from diabetes, a condition greatly influenced by unhealthy dietary patterns.

The Role of Front-of-Package Warning Labels

Front-of-package warning labels offer a vital tool for promoting healthier food choices and combating the adverse health effects of consuming excessively processed and unhealthy food products. These labels provide easily recognizable information about the nutritional value, ingredients, and potential health risks associated with a particular product.

Key Benefits of Implementing Warning Labels

1. Enhancing Consumer Awareness: Warning labels prominently display key nutritional information, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about their food choices. This transparency empowers individuals to opt for healthier alternatives and reduce their risk of developing NCDs.

2. Encouraging Product Reformulation: The inclusion of warning labels pressures food manufacturers to reformulate their products to reduce harmful ingredients. This can drive the development of healthier alternatives and help establish industry-wide standards for improved nutrition.

3. Protecting Vulnerable Groups: Warning labels are particularly beneficial for vulnerable populations, including children, adolescents, and individuals with limited health literacy. The graphic presentation of risks simplifies the decision-making process and steers consumers away from potentially harmful food products.

4. Aligning with International Best Practices: By adopting front-of-package warning labels, India would align with international standards set by the WHO. This convergence would facilitate global harmonization of food regulations and enhance consumer protection on a global scale.

Supporting FSSAI's Initiative

The proposal made by FSSAI to introduce front-of-package warning labels embodies a proactive approach towards safeguarding public health. Embracing international practices and aligning with WHO recommendations, this initiative demonstrates FSSAI's commitment to fostering healthier dietary habits among Indian consumers.

The FSSAI's proposed regulations strike a balance between ensuring consumer protection and maintaining a favorable business environment. The mandatory labeling of food products with easily comprehensible warning symbols would educate consumers and empower them to make healthier choices, while also encouraging industry-wide reformulation of food products.

Conclusion

To address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and promote healthier food choices, the adoption of front-of-package warning labels is both necessary and timely. Following WHO's recommendations, FSSAI's proposal for mandatory warning labels represents a pivotal step towards prioritizing public health and fostering informed consumer decisions. By embracing these regulations, India can potentially transform its food landscape into a healthier and more sustainable one.

Organisations like SHOHM and 3S and Our Health Society should come forward to make a concerted effort to help the implementation of warning labels against more than recommended dietary allowance of Sugar Salt and Saturated Fat in the interest of public health. 

MR Rajendran Nair

3SandOurHealth@gmail.com

10.8.2023

#FOPL3S -1

AROH (Action for Results in Overall Health)

 Concept Note: Action for Results in Overall Health (AROH)

1. Background:

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer have become a significant global health concern. These diseases are often influenced by unhealthy lifestyle choices, leading to a steady rise in morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. To combat this growing health crisis, it is essential to implement effective preventive strategies that encourage individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles.

2. Objective:

The primary objective of Action for Results in Overall Health (AROH) is to establish a committee of employees within an organization, which will convene regular meetings to identify, implement, and review nudges aimed at promoting health through lifestyle changes. By leveraging the collective intelligence and motivation of employees, AROH seeks to inspire positive habits and prevent non-communicable diseases along with promoting health and well being.

3. Approach:

a) Committee Formation: A multidisciplinary committee comprising representatives from various departments shall be formed. This committee will ensure diversity in perspectives, skills, and insights required to address health promotion effectively.

b) Regular Meetings: The committee will hold frequent meetings to discuss and brainstorm potential nudges that can be introduced within the organization. This will enable the committee to generate innovative approaches and establish a comprehensive framework for promoting healthier lifestyles.

c) Nudge Identification: The committee will identify specific areas where nudges can be implemented to catalyze positive behavior change among employees. Examples of potential nudges could include initiatives that inspire physical exercise, healthy eating, stress management, and smoking cessation.

d) Nudge Implementation: Once potential nudges are identified, the committee will collaborate with relevant departments, such as human resources, health and safety, and workplace wellness, to execute these initiatives. The implementation process will involve extensive planning, resource allocation, and effective communication strategies tailored to the organization.

e) Regular Review and Evaluation: AROH will emphasize the importance of monitoring the effectiveness of implemented nudges. Regular review meetings will be held to assess the impact of these initiatives on employee health, productivity, and overall wellbeing. Adjustments or modifications to the nudges will be made based on the review outcomes, ensuring continuous improvement.

4. Expected Outcomes:

a) Improved Employee Health: By promoting healthier lifestyle choices, AROH aims to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases among employees. This will lead to improved health outcomes, decreased absenteeism, and enhanced overall productivity within the organization.

b) Enhanced Organizational Culture: The integration of health promotion strategies will foster a culture that cares for and supports employee wellbeing. This will create a positive work environment, boosting employee morale and job satisfaction.

c) Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: AROH will facilitate the exchange of ideas, best practices, and experiences related to health promotion. This collaborative platform will enhance awareness and knowledge among employees, empowering them to become advocates for healthier lifestyles both inside and outside the workplace.

5. Funding and Sustainability:

AROH can seek funding through various channels, such as corporate social responsibility initiatives, health-focused grants, or partnerships with external organizations committed to health promotion. To ensure sustainability, the committee will drive engagement and participation among employees, establishing a self-propelling cycle of health promotion initiatives.

6. Conclusion:

The Action for Results in Overall Health (AROH) concept aims to establish a committee of employees within an organization to drive health promotion through regular meetings for identifying, implementing, and reviewing nudges. By empowering employees to make positive lifestyle changes, AROH seeks to prevent non-communicable diseases, improve overall health and wellbeing, and foster a culture of employee wellness within the organization.

For more details email at 3SandOurHealth@gmail.com

YOGA: ANCIENT, BUT SCIENTIFIC AND PROVEN

 DNA 10.7.16

YOGA: ANCIENT, BUT SCIENTIFIC AND PROVEN

The International Day of Yoga has come and gone. On the 21st of June you have done your annual share of stretching, twisting, relaxing, breathing, etc. and therefafter relegated your learning and experience to the once-per-annum-retrievable corner of your memory. This in my view is a crisis situation and deserves a scientifically oriented counselling from the best self-proclaimed expert in all matters of logic and reasoning, such as your columnist. 

I belong to the place which famously figured, a few years back, in the TV serial “Mungeri Lal Kay HaseenSapnay”. Other than the said character, Munger in Bihar is better known as the place where the International School of Yoga is located. Influenced by the school, I have grown up playing games that revolved around competing in who-contorts-the-body-the-most, not knowing why exactly we were doing what we were doing. Age brings unforeseen, often unfathomed maturity, hence what I have to say now might strangely be of interest to you. 

Though the main purpose of Yoga is to unleash spiritual and mental powers of an individual, it has been the subject of intense global research for its inherent capacity to fight stress and anxiety. With the intention of ensuring that it acquires a permanent place in your head and life, let me take you through the scientific basis of yoga in a stepwise manner:

1. Cortisol, a steroid hormone, is made in our adrenal glands and then released into the blood. 

2. Almost each and every cell in our body has cortisol receptors.

3. Depending upon the type of cell it is acting upon, cortisol is responsible for controlling the body’s blood sugar level, regulating metabolism, acting as an anti-inflammatory, influencing memory formation, balancing blood pressure/salt/water, and also in aiding fertility. 

4. The levels of cortisol in the blood show dramatic changes in the course of a day. Extra cortisol is released each time in response to any form of stress (even those we consider insignificant), such as working late night, emotional conflicts, physical hard work, etc. 

5. With the help of cortisol, the body responds to stress by completely shutting down certain other functions (such as the immune and reproductionsystems) so that the energies of the body can be redirected towards dealing with the stress. 

6. Over a prolonged period of time, too much stress leads to too much cortisol being released, which in turn lowers metabolism and immune functions, leading to rapid weight gain, susceptibility of body to pathogens, osteoporosis, blood pressure imbalance, muscle weakness, etc. 

7. It is proven that long term stress also has links to insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, thyroid disorders, etc. 

8. The best way to manage cortisol levels is to manage stress and take anti-inflammatory diet. 

Now for the good news. Modern research accepts yoga (I am focusing on Asanas, Pranayama and meditation here) as one of the best methods for moderating the production of cortisol, thereby managing the stress response of the body. By reducing cortisol levels, yoga therefore raises the immunity levels of the body. Secondly, when we hold our body in a yoga posture for a few breaths/counts, our parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated, which in turn lowers our BP to enable a better post-stress response. Thirdly, no amount of exercise in the gym or outdoors, massages our internal organs, which are nothing but muscles performing a particular function. Yoga keeps these muscles exercised and active. Fourthly, yoga is able to enhance the body’s natural defense mechanism against free radicals. 

John Denninger of the Harvard Medical School has recently published his work after 5 years of sustained research, showing that Yoga and meditation can actually “switch on and off some genes linked to stress and immune function.” Another study published by the Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn from UCLA, found that just eight weeks of daily yoga meditation for 12 minutes each, substantially reduced stress-induced aging. Therenow! You have heard it from the horse’s (read scientists’) mouth! Need I add anything more?

Baboo Samjho Ishaarey, Yoga Pukarey!

 

ANITA KARWAL

Dealing with Plastic Men

 Dealing with Plastic Men

Suppose! ‘There is a person called ‘Plastic Man’ who starts to live in the district where you are the District Magistrate’.   I put this question to my class in the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.  I elaborated and said that the person has the strange habit of buying plastic sheets from the neighbouring district!  Then he cuts it into small unusable bits! He then carries this bag of small bits of plastic and randomly litters in urban and rural areas of the district!!  Predictably, after a class of acting against public nuisance in which the famed Ratlam Municipality case of the Krishna Iyer era was discussed, all of them responded that the person would be proceeded against under Section 133 of Cr.PC.  There was one officer trainee who had a different idea!

​She was of the view that the person is evidently mentally deranged and needs medical help.  I was, perhaps, prepared for this and I asked them to respond to another scenario. I asked them if the Plastic Man was doing this not just as a freak enterprise but as a commercial activity in which by administering something unhealthy to people and in this coursemaking them do the littering, what would they do.  I added that Plastic Man was actually making money and quite a lot of it! This time the class was more convinced that this was indeed a deleterious public nuisance and that action could be contemplated against Plastic Man under other legal provisions as well.  

      I followed up with a question as to why we (they) are not acting against a popular brand of chocolate for following a trade in which it gets plastic thrown all around and in the process contributes quite a bit of negativity to the health of the society as well.  I left the question unanswered as I do not have an answer myself!  An officer trainee tried to suggest that once the chocolate has been bought, it becomes the property of the buyer and that it becomes the responsibility of the buyer not to litter.  I agree that there is a responsibility for each of us to the greater collectivity of our society not to litter.  But I feel that we should not miss out on the chance to fix more responsibility on the corporations to put in a solution for the mess they are helping to create. 

​The key issue is that we are trained to think that the chocolate company is selling chocolate and that the noodles company is selling noodles.   I would argue that they are also selling the convenience of having it in a plastic cover and the convenience of making it available at distant locations and the convenience of the cover being amenable to be carried to even distant locations- the many trek routes around Mussoorie bears witness to this plastic with mark of reputed companies lying around in the solitude of the mountains.  This is an externality and it needs to have a solution which is the responsibility of the corporation. “When you sell the convenience of a pouch, be responsible to get it back”.

​How do we do this?  Do I ask the CEO of that favouritebrand of my daughter (she loves chocolates) to trek up to the mountains and pick up his stuff or does he go into each and every village to pick up the garbage that is a bye product of his business. I want to!  But then that won’t be practical.   

​What I suggest is this : Each of these companies who are into the business of selling plastic bits should be asked by the society to set up a ‘bring back mechanism’ for the covers that they use.  Each of their products should be uniquely identified and there should be a monitoring mechanism to ensure that all of their covers come back to them or to a responsible location where it will be disposed off (recycled) in a responsible manner.  For this they could put a premium on their product and pay back their customer or the good samaritan who brings back the plastic cover to a responsible location. So the bottle of water which is today available for 15 Rupees would be priced at 65 Rupees and when the bottle is returned to the company (which took the Rs. 65) would be forced to pay Rs. 50/- to whoever isbringing it back to the company or an authorized location set up by the local bodies.  Since there is a buy back promised by the company or the consortium of all ‘plastic men’ there would be an incentive to pick up the litter and give it back to the one who brought the plastic into the society by doing a business in it.

​This is no new idea.  In my childhood, I remember an old lady who used to come to my house every month to collect the packets of ‘Milma milk’.  She would pay some money to the maid at home who was careful to store all the plastic packets in which milk came into one house.  Presumably, the lady would have been getting something from Milma or someone for the covers which was more than what she was paying the maid.  The regulation needs to set up a market mechanism by mandating the Polluter Pay principle.

​This would have the impact of reducing the sale of the unhealthy food as there is now a price hike in that.  That is not a bad bargain either.  This would be one reason why this might not get done immediately as there is a difference between 15 and 65 minus 50.  It is for the society to decide as to how we set up systems in which we do not come up our streets with plastic.  There is a lot of vested interest that we will have to negotiate with!  No wonder the wrapper of the chocolate is not as sweet as the chocolate!

  

 

 Would UTTARA be the answer?

 

It was a long and drawn-out legal battle, but finally, the court had ruled in favour of the applicant. The respondent government had been ordered to consider the applicant's application and dispose of it within three months!! The applicant, a citizen who had been waiting for months for a response from the government, was relieved and grateful for the court's decision. As the applicant stepped out of the courthouse, she couldn't help but wonder why it had taken so long for the government to respond in the first place. She knew that there were thousands of citizens across the country who were facing similar delays and frustrations.

In today's digital age, there is an increasing need for transparency and accountability in government operations. One way to achieve this is by implementing a unique identification and tracking mechanism for all sorts of communications that citizens make with governments and government servants.

Currently, there is no standardized and universal system for tracking and monitoring communications between citizens and government officials. There are many grievance redress platforms; but when it comes to tracking original applications so that grievances are not generated in the first place, we could aspire for more.  The lack of accountability regarding applications makes it difficult to hold government officials responsible for their actions, and this could lead to corruption and a lack of trust in public institutions.

An identification and tracking mechanism would provide citizens with the ability to track all their communications with government officials, enabling them to ensure that their concerns (and grievances) are being addressed appropriately. With this mechanism in place, citizens would have a record of their interactions with the government, which would facilitate communication and help to eliminate conflicts over misunderstandings or miscommunication.

Additionally, a tracking mechanism would enable governments to monitor the performance of their officials and ensure that they are providing quality services to the public. It would help in identifying any bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the system, which would allow prompt redress of grievances and ensure the efficient and effective delivery of services.


However, the implementation of such a system would be challenging, and it would require significant resources and investment in infrastructure and technology. Moreover, there would need to be strict data privacy regulations in place to protect citizens' information.


In addition to enhancing the transparency and accountability of government operations, implementing a unique identification and tracking mechanism for all citizens' communications with governments and government servants would also operationalize the ‘right to response’ for citizens, which is necessary for ensuring a right to life with dignity.

The right to response is a fundamental aspect of a functioning democracy, in which the people have the right to voice their opinions, concerns, and grievances without fear of reprisal. The implementation of a tracking mechanism would provide citizens with an assurance that their communications are being taken seriously and addressed appropriately, and that their voices are heard and their concerns are responded to in a timely manner.

Furthermore, operationalizing the right to response would empower citizens to hold governments accountable for their actions and decisions. It would provide a platform for citizens to voice their opinions and concerns in a transparent and accountable manner, which would help to build trust between the government and citizens.

Importantly, operationalizing the right to response would also enhance citizens' right to life with dignity. The right to life includes a right to basic needs such as education, healthcare, and basic amenities. Operationalizing the right to response would ensure that citizens' concerns and grievances are addressed by the government. Therefore, implementing a unique identification and tracking mechanism for all citizens' communications with governments and government servants would not only enhance transparency and accountability but would also operationalize the right to response, which is necessary for ensuring a right to life with dignity.

In addition to the lack of a unique identification and tracking mechanism, there is presently a significant monetary barrier to accessing the judicial system in many countries. This barrier can prevent citizens from seeking legal recourse when their concerns and grievances are not appropriately addressed by the government.

A tracking mechanism that mandates a response to a representation could help to overcome this barrier by providing citizens with a means of holding government officials responsible for their actions, without incurring the significant costs associated with accessing the judicial system. This would help to ensure that no citizen is denied access to justice, regardless of their financial status.

Implementing a unique identification and tracking mechanism for citizens' communications with governments and government servants would not only ensure that citizens' concerns and grievances are being addressed but would also help to reduce the workload of the judicial system. This would free up resources for the judicial system to focus on more complex cases, thus ensuring that justice is delivered efficiently and effectively.


Additionally, a unique identification and tracking mechanism would also allow officers at every level of governance to view the kind of pendency that exists at different levels reporting to them. With this information, officers would be able to redeploy administrative resources in a more informed manner, ensuring that citizens' concerns and grievances are addressed more efficiently and effectively.

For example, a local officer may see that there is a significant backlog of applications related to revenue records mutation in a particular area. With this information, the officer could work with their team to increase the number of workers dedicated to this task, or to schedule/prioritise activities accordingly. Similarly, an officer at a higher level may see that there is a significant backlog of applications for certain government schemes, allowing them to allocate additional resources to ensure that these applications are processed more quickly.

By providing officers with a clear understanding of the pendency that exists at different levels of governance, this tracking mechanism would enable them to make more informed decisions about resource allocation, leading to a more effective and efficient government system. This would ultimately benefit citizens, as their concerns and grievances would be addressed in a more timely manner, leading to an improvement in their quality of life.


Furthermore, implementing a unique identification and tracking mechanism can help to improve citizen satisfaction by proactively monitoring communication at the initial stage. This would help to address issues before they escalate into complaints or grievances, ultimately increasing citizen delight.

For instance, if a citizen sends a complaint regarding a pothole on a road through the tracking mechanism, the relevant government official would be notified immediately. This would enable the official to take action to fix the pothole before it turns into a larger issue, such as an accident or multiple complaints from citizens. This would help in information gathering regarding points of action which are desired by more number of citizens helping to channelize the resource allocation.

Proactively addressing citizens' concerns would help to build trust between citizens and their governments, as citizens would feel that their grievances are being heard and addressed. This, in turn, would help to reduce the workload of the judicial system, as fewer citizens would need to pursue legal recourse to have their grievances addressed.

Moreover, the tracking mechanism could be used to send automated responses to citizens, acknowledging their communication and providing information on the expected response time. This automated response would increase transparency and enable citizens to track the progress of their grievances in real-time, further increasing citizen satisfaction.


To implement a unique identification and tracking mechanism for citizens' communications with the government, a system like Universal Transparent Tracking of Applications and Responses to Applications (UTTARA) could be used. Similar to Aadhar, UTTARA would provide a unique identification for citizens' communications with the government.

However, unlike Aadhar, which provides a unique identification for individuals, UTTARA would provide a unique identification for each communication. This would help to ensure that all citizens' concerns and grievances are addressed in a timely and efficient manner, regardless of the channel through which they are communicated. Just as the UPI is providing a framework for financial transactions, UTTARA could provide a framework for interactions with the Government for the citizens.

UTTARA could be linked with existing government applications, such as e-governance portals or portals for filing complaints, to provide a seamless user experience for citizens. This would enable citizens to communicate with the government through a variety of channels, including mobile applications and websites, ensuring that they can easily access government services from anywhere, at any time.

Overall, the implementation of a tracking mechanism like UTTARA could significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the government system while providing greater transparency and accountability for citizens.

However, it is important to note that the implementation of a tracking mechanism like UTTARA may not be welcomed by everyone within the government system. Some government officials may be resistant to the idea of transparency and accountability, as they may be accustomed to operating within an asymmetrical system of access and power. They may be resistant to change and may prefer to operate under the radar, away from public scrutiny.

As such, it will be important to build consensus and trust among government officials regarding the value and benefits of such a tracking mechanism. This could involve highlighting the benefits of improved transparency and accountability, including faster and more efficient grievance redressal, reduced workload, and increased citizen satisfaction.

Moreover, implementing such a tracking mechanism would require significant investment in technology, training and education, and administrative resources. This would need to be carefully managed to ensure that resources are deployed effectively and efficiently, without causing undue disruption to existing government operations.

Finally, it is important to ensure that any tracking mechanism is designed in a way that protects citizens' privacy and data security. This would require robust data privacy laws, and strict adherence to cybersecurity protocols, to ensure that citizens' sensitive data is not compromised.

The implementation of a tracking mechanism like UTTARA would require significant commitment and investment from the government, as well as a willingness to change existing systems of power and access. However, the benefits of increased transparency, accountability, and citizen satisfaction are likely to outweigh any initial resistance, making such a mechanism a valuable tool for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the government system.

Implementing a unique identification and tracking mechanism like UTTARA would require significant technological investments on multiple fronts. Some of the key technological investments required for UTTARA may include:

1. A robust database: A central database would need to be created to store all citizens' communications with the government. This database would need to be secure and scalable to handle the high volume of communications that are likely to be received on a daily basis.

2. Unique identification number: Each communication received from a citizen would be assigned a unique identification number, which would enable the government officials to track and monitor the progress of the communication. The government officials would be able to view the status of the communication anytime by entering the unique identification number.

3. Integration with existing systems: The tracking mechanism would need to be integrated with existing government applications, such as e-governance portals, to ensure a seamless user experience for citizens.

4. Artificial intelligence (AI): Deploying AI technologies could aid in the identification and prioritization of communications based on urgency and potential impact. This would enable government officials to deal with critical issues more quickly, reducing the response time and increasing citizen delight.

5. Mobile application: A mobile application can be developed to enable citizens to communicate with the government using their mobile phones. This would increase accessibility for citizens and enable them to receive updates on the progress of their grievances in real-time.

6. Cybersecurity protocols: Robust cybersecurity protocols would be required to ensure the safety and security of citizens' sensitive data. This would include encryption and authentication mechanisms, as well as regular vulnerability assessments and security audits.


In addition to the aforementioned technological investments, UTTARA could also be built as an open source platform. This would mean that the tracking mechanism would be made available to all government offices for adoption, and any office could choose to onboard themselves onto the platform.

By making UTTARA an open source platform, the government would encourage a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. This would enable government officials to work together to identify and address any issues with the system, and to continually refine and improve its functionality.

Moreover, building UTTARA as an open source platform would help to ensure that the system is tailored to the specific needs and requirements of the different government offices. This would enable government officials to adapt the tracking mechanism to their specific workflows, and to ensure that it integrates seamlessly with their existing systems and processes.

An open source UTTARA platform could also enable a wider community of developers and tech experts to contribute to the project, thereby promoting innovation and increasing the pace of development. This would ultimately result in a more robust and effective tracking mechanism, which would benefit both government officials and citizens.

Overall, building UTTARA as an open source platform would enable greater collaboration, innovation, and customization, and could help to ensure that the tracking mechanism is more widely adopted and more effective in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the government system.

It is possible for a citizen's collective to build the framework for UTTARA. This would involve a group of concerned citizens who have the necessary technical expertise coming together to develop the tracking mechanism and make it available to government offices for adoption.

Building UTTARA through a citizen's collective could have significant benefits. For example, it would enable citizens to take a more active role in shaping the government system and ensuring that it is more transparent and accountable. This would help to build trust between citizens and the government and promote greater civic engagement.

Moreover, building UTTARA through a citizen's collective could help to ensure that the tracking mechanism is developed in a way that prioritizes the needs and concerns of citizens. This would help to ensure that the tracking mechanism is user-friendly and accessible, and that it addresses the specific grievances and complaints that citizens are most concerned about.

While government officials may be wary of an asymmetry of access, building UTTARA through a citizen's collective could help to establish a more collaborative relationship between citizens and the government. This would ultimately benefit both parties, by helping to promote greater efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in the government system.

Overall, building UTTARA through a citizen's collective would be a powerful way to harness the collective expertise and energy of citizens in service of a more accountable, responsive, and effective government system.


With UTTARA in place, there would be no need for the courts to mandate that the ‘respondent government address the applicant's application within three months’. The tracking mechanism would have ensured that the government was taking appropriate action and meeting its obligations to citizens in a timely and efficient manner. If not, it would be there for the world to see and make a decision in the next opportunity.

Overall, the unique identification and tracking mechanism can have a significant impact on improving citizen satisfaction by proactively addressing citizens' concerns and grievances, reducing the workload of the judicial system, and increasing transparency in the grievance redressal process. By improving citizen delight, this mechanism would ultimately help to build a more responsive and effective government system.

If you believe you can contribute value to a citizen’s collective building this framework, you could join the group.....https://chat.whatsapp.com/IRe12JJOWPJHYHHiD2Wyks 

 

(The author acknowledges the use of the artificial intelligence of ChatGPT and his natural stupidity in writing this article)