U-CAN Newsletter — April 2024

Editor's Note

April 2024 The Indian Civil Liberties Union (ICLU) is relaunching its #WeAreWatching project to raise awareness about election rules, following a series of violations reported during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The ICLU is a network of lawyers, students, and activists dedicated to defending constitutional rights and providing legal aid.

BluSmart, electric vehicle service has launched the #SmartCitizen campaign to promote voting in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Bengaluru. Offering discounted rides on polling dates, BluSmart aims to facilitate convenient and timely voting, including first-time voters.

Citizens in Philadelphia are called upon each budget season to offer their input on funding priorities.

Innovative programs like South Bend's "Build the Budget" initiative have emerged to demystify the process and increase public participation. By leveraging existing communication channels, such as dedicated voicemail inboxes, cities like South Bend have successfully garnered feedback from residents.

In the Classroom: Students Receive Real-World Civic Engagement Experience in Internship Class

Apr 1, 2024

Do share your feedback and suggestions to us at ucanorgindia@gmail.com Kindly circulate in your networks for wider reach Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Nayonika Bose interviews Milind Mhaske, CEO of Praja Foundation, to explore the civic concerns influencing voters. Mhaske highlights issues like stalled infrastructure projects and housing struggles, stressing the need for empowered local governance. While air pollution is significant, mobility and housing outweigh it for most Mumbaikars. The absence of local governance due to delayed civic polls underscores the importance of voters advocating for stronger governance, with Mhaske also emphasizing the need for enhanced civic education and youth engagement.