Session on “Electoral Reforms: Dream or Reality?

Session on “Electoral Reforms: Dream or Reality?”11:30 am to 1:o0 pm: 15 March, 2012Multipurpose Hall, India International Centre,40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi - 110003

Free and fair elections constitute the core foundation of India’s vibrant electoral democracy. The critical importance of elections in the healthy functioning of the Indian State highlights the need to identify the weaknesses in the electoral system, with clarity of purpose, in order to bring about better management of elections. It also illustrates the requirement for greater transparency and accountability. This is especially so given the fact that election funding is regarded as one of the principle causes of corruption. The results of the elections in several states have just been announced, together with analysis of the key factors for victory and defeat. Aspen Institute India now begins a series of discussions on the Indian Election Scenario with a session titled “Electoral Reforms: Dream or Reality?”.  The first programme will be held on 15 March, 2012 with Dr. S Y Quraishi, Chief Election Commissioner, as the key note speaker. Mr. Rahul Bajaj, Trustee, Aspen Institute India and Chairman of Bajaj Group, will chair the session. Participation is restricted and will be by prior registration only.

WHEN Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:30 AM  - 1:00 PM Registration: 11:00 AM Followed by Lunch WHEREMultipurpose Hall, India International Centre40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi - 110003 RSVP Thursday, March 15, 2012 by 08:00 AM

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Dr. S.Y.Quraishi assumed charge as the 17th Chief  Election Commissioner of India on 30th July 2010. Dr. Quraishi earlier held the position of  Election Commissioner since 30th June 2006. He has been already involved, as part of the three member Commission, with control, direction and superintendence of the conduct of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President of India, General Elections to the Lok Sabha  – 2009, besides elections in a large number of states. In the management of elections, Dr. Quraishi has brought a special focus on people’s participation, voters’ education and youth involvement in the electoral process through scientific research and interventions. He has been an ardent proponent for lending strength to the grassroots level election functionaries. Born on 11 June 1947, Dr. S.Y. Quraishi completed his Masters degrees from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi before joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1971. He earned distinction for his study of several languages. Dr. Quraishi received a Ph. D for his thesis on “Role of Communication and Social Marketing in Development of Women and Children”. Dr Quraishi brought to the Election Commission 35 years of distinguished work in the civil service, at both federal and state levels. Prior to his joining the Commission, he was Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India. Dr Quraishi is known for his special contributions in social sector reforms covering health, education, population, drug abuse, and civil society action. He has done extensive work in the fields of Gender, Women & Child Development, HIV/AIDS, Youth and Adolescent issues. UN and other international organizations have availed his expertise in these areas as consultant and resource person on several occasions. Dr. Quraishi held the offices of Special Secretary (Health) & Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) where he brought India’s national AIDS control programme on the world map. He is credited with pulling together a large number of national and international agencies for creating the strategic framework for India’s Phase III AIDS Control Programme.  Dr. Quraishi also pioneered India’s biggest AIDS awareness programme and IEC campaign called ‘Universities Talk AIDS’ (UTA) in 159 Universities, considered as one of the best global practices. As Director General, Doordarshan (National Television Network), Dr. S Y Quraishi brought about a turnaround in the programmes and finances of the organisation through introduction of new methods and approaches. Dr Quraishi also held the office of Director General of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), India’s largest rural youth development agency.  He founded the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development and served as its Director. Dr. Quraishi was the Team Leader in framing India’s National Perspective Plan for Youth- 2020 and mainstreaming gender issues. Dr. S Y Quraishi is also a known name in power sector reforms.  As Secretary of the Department of Power and Non-Conventional Energy, in Haryana, he successfully negotiated a $600 million World Bank loan for reform and privatization of power sector in the State. This initiative was evaluated as one of the ten best in the world by the World Bank Quality Assurance Team. He also served as Secretary, Irrigation in Haryana. As Additional Secretary for Ministries of Renewable Energy and also of Steel in GOI, Dr. Quraishi piloted wide ranging reforms. Dr. Quraishi has a number of books, articles and talks to his credit on issues related to democracy, elections, HIV AIDS and Family Planning, social marketing, women and child development and Youth. His book ‘Social Marketing for Social Change’ has broken new ground in the field of Development Communication. Dr. Quraishi has received several prestigious awards in recognition of his contribution to civil society and human development issues. Among these are, the Nehru Fellow for innovative and outstanding work in child welfare, Secular India Harmony Award for contribution to human understanding, Silver Elephant National Award of Indian Scouts and Guides in recognition of service of most exceptional character to the movement, Shiromani Award for merit, high calibre and commitment to National Progress and Human Welfare.  Mr. Rahul Bajaj is the Chairman of the Bajaj Group of Companies, which ranks among the top 10 business houses in India. The Bajaj Group has diversified interests ranging from automobiles, home appliances, lighting, iron and steel, insurance, travel and finance. Rahul Bajaj is one of India's most distinguished business leaders and internationally respected for his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. Rahul Bajaj is an Honors Graduate in Economics and Law and a Business Graduate from the Harvard Business School. He took over the reins of Bajaj Group in 1965 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 1968. He later took over as head of the Bajaj Group of Companies. Under his leadership, the turnover of the Bajaj Auto, the flagship company, has gone up from INR 72 million to INR 120 billion. Its product portfolio has also expanded and the brand has found a global market. Rahul Bajaj created one of India's best companies in the difficult days of the licence-permit raj. He established factories at Akurdi and Waluj. In 1980s Bajaj Auto was top scooter producer in India and its Chetak brand had a 10-year waiting period. In 2001, with the recession and stock market collapse, Bajaj Auto re-invented itself, establishing  a world-class factory in Chakan and also came up with Bajaj Pulsar Motorcycle. Bajaj Pulsar is currently a leader in its segment. Recently, Rahul Bajaj was elected to Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra.