Source:https://citizenmatters.in/dehradun-citizens-forum-mayoral-dialogue-local-governance/, 2025 After spending the first few weeks of the fellowship immersed in legal frameworks and state-level policies, I found myself at a crossroads. The gap between policy and practice was clear, as I’d concluded in the earlier blog, but I didn’t want this to become yet another story of how things don’t work. I […]

The decentralisation of urban governance was envisioned in the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) of 1993, marking a significant step toward citizen participation. One of its key priorities, Article 243S, called for the formation of Ward Committees (WCs) in all municipalities with a population of 3,00,000 or more.. These committees were intended to act as […]

Area Sabha meeting at Ward 183 in Palavakkam, Chennai Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/area-sabhas-the-ground-that-remains-to-be-covered/article69443930.ece As my study on Participatory Governance progressed, one thing became increasingly evident that participation cannot thrive in isolation. It needs structure, support, and a systemic foundation. In our effort to understand what makes participation truly effective, the first category that emerged in our framework was […]

I grew up in Jammu, a small city nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Like many others, I left for bigger cities in search of better opportunities. But after years of studying and working across India’s metros, I felt a strong pull to return. That urge brought me back to Jammu, where I began […]