Swaraj

DETAILS: 

• Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
  
• Author : Arvind Kejriwal
  
• Language: English
  
• Pages: 174 (14 B/W Illustrations)
  
• Cover: Paperback
  
• Weight 140 gm
  
• Edition: 2012
  
• ISBN: 9789350295441

ABOUT THE BOOK

The last one-and-a half years have been defined by the anti-graft agitation led by Anna Hazare. His key lieutenant, Arvind Kejriwal, has played a central role in the movement.

In 2012, as it became clear that the political establishment was not going to accede to the main demand of the movement –to pass the Lokpal bill-Team Anna demanded the setting up of a Special Investigation Team to probe corrupt politicians. On 25 July 2012, Kejriwal, along with two of his colleagues and Anna, sat on a fast to press this demand. However, with the government not responding, the movement made a difficult decision to try and provide a political alternative to the country.

This book, which serves as a manifesto for the movement going forward, gives practical suggestions as to what the ordinary citizen, the opinion makers and the political establishment in India can do to provide a political alternative, or to achieve true swaraj (self-rule).

The author’s central point is that power must shift from New Delhi and the state capitals to the gram and mohalla sabhas, so that people can be directly empowered to take decisions about their own lives. A must-read for anyone with a dream to leave behind a better India for the next generation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arvind Kejriwal is a social activist fighting to change the political system by bringing in transparency and people’s participation. He is the main architect of the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption agitation that shook the nation in 2011-12 After graduating in mechanical engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1989, Kejriwal joined Tata Steel. In 1992, he joined the India Revenue Service (IRS), and was joint commissioner in the income tax department. He took long leave from the government in 2000 to set up an NGO, Parivartan. Through this he worked for many years to change the lives of Delhi’s slum dwellers, and was also active in the campaign for Right to Information (RTI). In 2006, he resigned from government service.

He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006 for his work on RTI.