Democracy is a way of life, says city police chief

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, April 29:  “Indian form of democracy is the best. Democracy is not only a form of Government but a way of life. The most auspicious duty of a citizen in a democracy is to exercise his franchise. At the same time, urban apathy towards the democratic process is significantly noticeable,”  said Commissioner of Police, Guwahati Hiren Ch Nath  who was invited as the Chief Guest at the National PR Day celebrations of Public Relations Society of India, Guwahati Chapter held in the city on Saturday. The programme was attended in large number by members of PRSI Guwahati Chapter, PR & Corporate Communication professionals and practitioners, students and academicians  in the field. Nath held the audience spellbound with his diverse perspectives and interesting anecdotes related to the theme of this year’s National PR Day, ‘Indian Democracy : Mantra for Effective Elections’,  on the basis of his rich experience of 22 years as an IPS officer. Nava J Thakuria, journalist and secretary of Guwahati Press Club who was the Guest of Honour, in his powerful oratory, said that India is a participatory democracy and citizens have the responsibility to ensure that the Government voted by them is representative of the majority, which would be possible only if everyone casts his/her vote.  “We should strive to make India the greatest democracy, other than being the largest,” he said.

BD Sharma, joint Chief Electoral Officer, Government of Assam who was invited as a special guest talked about new systems and procedures which have changed the face of Indian elections.

He said that 82% voting in the last elections in Assam is a manifestation of enhanced participation by the electorate. Earlier, PRSI Guwahati Chapter chairperson Madhuchanda Adhikari welcomed the distinguished guests and presented an outline of Public Relations Society of India as the apex body of PR professionals in the country established in the year 1958. She highlighted the programmes conducted by PRSI Guwahati Chapter and explained the relevance of National PR.