India's political theories need indigenous cultural perspectives

Rajaram Tolpadi, a former political science professor, spoke at a national conference at the Central University of Karnataka. He discussed how India’s social and political theories have been shaped by Western influences. He believes that these theories often lack authenticity because they are rooted in a colonial past. Tolpadi emphasized the need to revisit and understand India’s own traditions and history. He argued that the Western education system has created a gap between Indian experiences and theories. He suggested that India should explore its indigenous practices to improve its political system. He referred to the Gandhi-Lohia model, which promotes decentralization of power. R.R. Biradar, the university's registrar, also spoke at the conference. He mentioned that social-choice theory is important for improving communication between the government and the public. He highlighted the connection between good governance and inclusive indigenous practices. Meera Alur, a government official, focused on the importance of planning in administration. She praised the Right to Information Act and the digitalization of government services. She pointed out that the family system in India is an effective example of indigenous administration, with parents managing finances and resources together.