PURPOSE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Kurian Thomas and RamkumarBendapudi in their paper on participatory planning has summarized the purpose of participatory planning as follow:
(1) Identification of the felt needs of the people
(2) Bringing forth consensus
(3) The empowerment of local disadvantaged groups
(4) Integration of local knowledge systems into project design
(5) Two‐way learning process between the project and local people
(6) Political commitment and support
(7) Accountability in local governance  
Public participation serves various purposes in planning and coordination the combined efforts of a number of stakeholders. It plays an important role in increasing awareness and mutual recognition of interests of different stakeholders and reaching at consensus after meetings and deliberations. It further helps in gathering information and enhancing knowledge base of the community and experts. It has been found that increased public participation leads to improvedprovision of goods and services to the community. It stimulates involvement in decision making and in implementation processes of various plans and projects. It leads to enhanced acceptance of policies, plans and operations undertaken by experts and planners. It enhances the transparency and accountability in decision making process which used to be solely in the hand of experts. Participation helps in better identification and management of conflicts and resolution of issues and problems in a fair and equitable manner. Increased participation of the citizens broadens the scope for consideration and verification of planning and project documents thus, ensuring a social auditing of the development projects. Participation of the public serves a noble goal of education public about the development and making them capable to participate general in planning processes and further strengthening the roots of democratic values in the general public. Public participation can ensure legal protection for the experts from the government if it violates some planning provisions and serves the greater interest of the public. The most important purpose that the participation of the public serves is that it ensures greater acceptance of planning projects and ease of their implementation.
The nature and purposes of public participation cannot be wholly disregarded, however, even when thinking more about methodology and mechanics than about its political significance, because the purpose of public participation has a direct influence on its practice (Acland, 2009).

Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Urban Planner

{Courtesy: Sharma, S.N. (2012), Participatory Planning in Plan Preparation: A Case of Delhi, Graduate Thesis, Department of Physical Planning, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi}

BENEFITS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The benefits of public participation are many and it is not easy to categorise them. It is important to note that public participation suggests direct involvement of the public and takes place, preferably, in an open discussion with decision makers. The author has tried to categorise some of the important benefits of public participation under various themes development, management, conflict resolution etc. after studying extensively.In general, a number of benefits can be listed which are given below for easy understandability of the pervasive impact of public participation in the plan making and plan implementation processes. According to an online source on public participation (http://www.biodiversity.ru/coastlearn/pp-eng/benefits.html), the following are the main benefits that public participation can help in achieving if conducted in an effective manner.
Sustainable Development
The Aarhus Convention (under United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) grants the public rights and imposes on Parties and public authorities obligations regarding access to information and public participation and access to justice (http://www.biodiversity.ru/coastlearn/pp-eng/boxes/sustainability.html).
Sustainable development can be achieved only through the involvement of all stakeholders in an effective manner. Ultimately the users have a greater say in the development than a policy framer.
Environmental Protection
Principle 10 of the RIO DECLARATION recommended public participation to handle environmental issues:
“Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, on a relevant level. On a national level, each individual should have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision making processes. States should facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, should be provided” (UNESCO, 1992).
Environmental issues can be addressed when valued by the public. It is important that a party represents the interest of the environment in the public debate.
Conflict Management
Although conflicts cannot be avoided, they are made explicit in the public participation debate and resolved through the process of dialogue and consultation with groups with conflicting interests.The statement of the World Bank Technical Paper 139- Environmental Assessment Sourcebook, are given below:
“The purpose of taking the views of effected people into account is to improve project viability. The Bank has found that where such views have been incorporated in the design, the projects are more likely to be successful. The Bank has not found community participation to be an impediment to project execution. On the contrary, projects in which effected peoples’ views have been excluded, suffers from more frequent delays and poorer quality” (World Bank, 1992).
Project Understanding and Reduction of Public Opposition
The better understanding of the benefits of the project can surely minimize the opposition by the local people. Very often the policy making and planning is done by expert outside the local community which is a source of distrust and to overcome this, there is need for public consultation.
“Public consultation, participation and involvement in the early stages of the project can prevent the dissemination of rumours and the rise of negative perceptions which are very difficult to change once they take root” ((http://www.biodiversity.ru/coastlearn/pp-eng/boxes/sustainability.html).
Social, Environmental and Economic Benefits
If the public is involved in the full decision making process, their concerns may be met early on in the planning process when changes may be easier to make, rather than late in the process when even small changes may cost both time and money. This is possible in a participatory planning making process. Local people need to be made aware of the economic, social and environmental benefits of the project or programme.
Effective Use of the Available Data
According to Budd (1999), public participation and consultation is an opportunity to solicit the “hidden” knowledge of the wider community and their key concerns. This is possible in an environment of public participation and consultation in plan making process. Local people are more aware about the planning and development issues and they might have some form of indigenous problem solving skills which can be better harnessed in a participatory planning process.
Other Benefits
Effective community consultation, early on in the project cycle, creates ownership (shared responsibility, involvement) for the project. It provides the opportunity to accurately convey the implications of a proposal to all interested parties, thus enhancing political credibility. Additionally, it is a mean to ensure full mitigation of significant impacts, including due consideration of possible alternatives (Budd, 1999).
Acceptance of the public as a valued partner in the participatory process can inspire the co-operation between citizens, their government, and industries that is crucial to the success of planning. The benefits of public participation are both for short term and long term planning and development. Skill learnt in one programme or project can be utilized in other developmental works either initiated by the government or themselves.

Shashikant Nishant Sharma
Urban Planner
{Courtesy: Sharma, S.N. (2012), Participatory Planning in Plan Preparation: A Case of Delhi, Graduate Thesis, Department of Physical Planning, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi}

16th Non-Alligned Movement Summit: Tehran Declaration for New World Order


The 16th two-day Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) got concluded on 31st of August 2012 with adoption of Tehran Declaration.
There are few highlights of the Tehran Declaration. Let’s summarise and conclude what they have long term implications for the new world order. Tehran Declaration stressed commitment to the goals and principles of the movement and rejection of the policies of the western hegemony aimed at imposing its will through unilateral coercive measures under the USA.
The solidarity with Syria in its just right to restore its full sovereignty and peace based on the inclusive and participatory process between the Syrian regime and the rebel forces. The NAM leaders also condemned the US unilateral sanctions on Syria, stressing that these sanctions violate the international law and the UN Charter.
The leaders also reiterated support to establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and mass destruction weapons in the Middle East, calling on Israel, the only country in the region which has not joined the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty yet, to join the Treaty without delay and put its nuclear facilities under the Comprehensive Safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The NAM also mandates the peaceful use of nuclear energy by Iran and whoever wishes to do so.
They condemned terrorism in all forms and stressed that terrorist acts are considered a violation of the international law as they affect the countries’ safety, territorial integrity and stability and threaten their regional and national security.
NAM is still relevant if the member states act for creating a new world order opposing the unilateral actions of USA. UN is going is die in coming years due to its age old no entry in Security Council. And unhindered and unilateral action or use of forces by USA and NATO has proved in recent years that United Nations Organization has failed in its endeavour to ensure a safer planet unravaged by the wars, hunger and poverty.
The NAM is capable of being a substitute for UN in case of its silence during the unilateral action of USA. It is fact that NAM lacks economic and military resources to counter anti-socialist forces of the world.
The commendable wisdom shown by Russian and China in opposing the UN Security Council’s move for use of forces in Syrian, has discouraged USA which is planning to make regime change in Syria to suit his neo-imperial policy unnoticed by many brilliant policy analysists of the world. Due to the increasing strength of regional blocs like BRICS and Arab League has somewhat deterred USA in taking unilateral military action by it has already taken economic measures like sanctions to make them come round to the terms of USA policy of being big boss of the planet.
The declaration of Tehran should pave a smooth way for the peaceful use of Nuclear Energy for the benefits of the humanity. India and Pakistan should help Iran acquire nuclear technology in a speedier and time bound manner.
The statehood for the Palestine is also commendable. Israel should admit that for peace and prosperity, good neighbours are needed not the wealthy and healthy realtives staying miles away. Palestine must be accorded statehood and political support to grow.
Let’s hope that by next NAM summit, the world witnesses some of the resolutions of the NAM get fructified.
Shashikant Nishant Sharma
Policy Analyst and Proponent of New World Order

Ethnic Violences in India

The recent incidences of the ethnic violence in North-Eastern part of India is a matter of concern and we must think over it and take the urgently needed remedial measures to contain the spread of the violences in other parts of the country. The joint and consolidated efforts of the state and central government is needed to curb the menace of the anti social elements who are using the emails and SMSes for arousing the bad feeling and making the people of North-Eastern India insecure and there is already reports for Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka that lot of people from north east are going back home. The assurance given by our honorable Home Minister has literally no impact on the people and they are still flying back to their home towns and native villages.

The non proactive role of centre is quite clear and this has augmented the situation in South Central states of India. There is no efforts to trace out the anti social elements who are spreading the rumours electronically. Mere verbal assurance would not stop the people from northeast to stay back but a thoughtful and consolidated effort to bring to book the wrongdoers will be a strong message to all the anti national elements getting nourishment cross borders.

The uproar in Parliament should not be a passing instance but an starting point for the proactive role of central government in dealing with such anti national and anti peace activist operation within Indian soil and operating from across the border.
The unity and integrity of nation must be preserved at any cost and no one should be spared who attempts to do so.

Jai Hind…!

Shashikant Nishant Sharma
Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd

Indian Soldier

I want to be a soldier
Serve my nation
Make her braver and stronger
I want to live and die for her
In her feet
I will be ready to lay life
So that the country may rise
Reach new height
And live longer
Among the lions
Who rule
I know it
India is brave like tiger
And has no fear
I want to be a soldier
And see my country as leader
In this old
As she was in Old
Shashikant Nishant Sharma ‘Sahil’

We Love India

We love India
It’s our India
India of great men
Once it was a golden hen
But some selfish men
Slaughtered her
To take out all treasure
For worldly pleasure
But now it is in our hand
We have to understand
Whether we make it fertile soil
Or infertile sand
Will depend on us
On this Independence Day
Let’s resolve to toil
And endeavor for excellence
To make India great
And mould its fate
Shashikant Nishant Sharma ‘Sahil’

Sweet School

In our sweet schools
We turn intelligent from fools
The second form of God is Teacher
He is equal to father and mother
We turn happy from gloom
It is school where kids bloom
And spread the fragrance
Of love and knowledge
Cutting across all ages
In school we learn and play
We hear what our teachers say
We are merry and gay
With our friends
There is fun and fun
Without any end
Awake, stand and run
To reach the school
Where environment is cool
Shashikant Nishant Sharma ‘Sahil’

Defining Love

Love is a flower
Smiling for ever
It blossoms in among thorns
It is brittle like popcorns
And stronger than stone
Love is love
It is unfathomable ocean
Insurmountable Mountain
It is noblest of noble passion
If life is a mission
Then love is its destination
It is a fact not exaltation
Don’t believe me, just feel it
Close your eyes and feel it
Shashikant Nishant Sharma ‘Sahil’

My Wall Clock

Love, love and Love
You are my love
I love your eyes
They are oceans of love
I love your smile
They are symbol of love
I love your cheeks
They are the fruit of love
I love your figure
The valley of love
I love your silky hairs
They are the chains of love
I love you
As you are an idol of love
Shashikant Nishant Sharma ‘Sahil’ 

Expression of Love

I want to express
Express my love
The deep love
That I feel for you
To do this
I plucked a red rose
I want to offer you
But I fear
Really my dear
Fear not that you’ll reject
But I fear
Someone may trample
Crash under foot
The beautiful tender flower
The innocent red rose
Shashikant Nishant Sharma ‘Sahil’