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Democracy Express

राजनीति से लोकनीति

Democracy Express is a 9-day immersive learning journey with 30 young future leaders. Participants are exposed to inspiring political leadership and engage with progressive and unsung heroes within the political landscape across all levels.

The goal is to build a positive narrative around politics, reclaim it as an important avenue of public service, introduce youth to different pathways to politics and build a community of future principled leaders.

Democracy Express 2020 (South-India edition) has unfortunately been postponed due to COVID-19. We will resume the program again soon, with adequate provisions for the health and safety of our travellers. Stay tuned for updates.

Why get on this Democracy Express?

The word politics has become stained in today's world - we want to change that.

There is limited access to the inner dynamics of an electoral system, minimal interaction between youth and political leaders and few accessible role models in Indian Politics for the youth today.

After the journey, you will...

Understand different pathways to politics

Reclaim politics as an avenue of public service

Build a community of principled leaders

Design and visualize your own political journey

Receive personal mentoring support

Highlights of

Democracy Express 2019

Our first ever Democracy Express successfully completed its first journey on 29th December 2019! We went to states of New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

We received 150+ applications to be part of our first ever cohort, within weeks of launching it. Applications came from all over the country and across multiple professional spectrums. We found our first cohort of 30 participants, who came from 18 different states of India.

Our participants travelled to four states, met and interacted with over 14 political leaders across multiple parties and 9 non-political speakers, thinkers and practitioners. The speakers had candid conversations about their journey and pathways into politics, ethics, challenges and the potential of politics as a vehicle for public service in India.

Participants left with an action plan for their political journey, a strong community of peers from multiple political parties, priceless memories and a shared vision for an inclusive India.

Program Highlights

Knowledge

Learn about the history of the constitution and the essence of the values embedded in the Indian constitution
Understand the systems of governance across levels in a state or village

Interaction

Engage with progressive leaders and unsung heroes within the political landscape, across cities and villages
Build a diverse network of aspiring future leaders

Immersion

Immerse within the grassroots to understand challenges in socio-political spaces of each region
Experience processes like padyatra, shramdaan, community work with a focus on inner transformation

Who is it for?

30 participants | Age 18 - 50 years

Aspiring politicians, changemakers, political workers, university students and development professionals across the country, who are committed to making a difference in our society through politics.

We aim to curate a diverse cohort from across the political spectrum in the country, with equitable representation from all genders and backgrounds.