Mahipaul moved by India’s democracy and level of decentralisation. An experience to remember!

People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Central Executive Member and Member of Parliament Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul recently visited the state of Odisha, India at the invitation of the Government of India as part of the young generation of Indian leaders in the diaspora. Village Voice News sat with him to share his experience of the trip.

Village Voice News (VVN):- What was this trip about, who were the organisers and participants and how long was it?

Mahipaul:- The trip was Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme birthed in 2021 where India invites democracies from around the world to witness the largest and oldest democracy and to understand how that democracy works. The criteria for selection of persons include them being below the age of 35 and in leadership within their respective countries or in business or any other sector of management.

VVN:- What it felt like visiting the country your ancestors came from?

Mahipaul:- It was an experience that I would love to relive. Setting foot in the country gave me a different vibe completely. I must say visiting India was a school daydream of mine and to know that I did it feels good. It was an honour and I must thank the PNCR for the opportunity. Being a member of the PNCR and within the leadership of the PNCR made me aware of the opportunity and subsequent application for consideration.

If I wasn’t in politics and more so not in the PNCR maybe I would not have gotten this opportunity but factual is me being in the PNCR that allowed me the opportunity to be considered so a big thank you to my political party which I love so dearly. Mother India is a beautiful country with hospital people second only to my birth country Guyana.

VVN:- Were you able to identify similarities in cultures (e.g. religion, food and political system)? If so, please name a few.

Mahipaul:- In terms of culture there is great similarity. The Indian dancing and method of worship as Hindus is not much different but the focus on cultural practice in tribal villages is deep. The food is spicy and definitely different. I ate buffalo for the first time and it is a tasty meat. But a lot of people in India are vegetarians.

VVN:- Where persons are interested in tracing their ancestry, did you have the opportunity to do so in India? If so, kindly share.

Mahipaul:- Persons interested in tracing their ancestry can do as I did and visit the Walter Rodney National Archive of Guyana and the hospitable staff there will assist. My ancestors were from Uttar Pradesh, but time did not permit for me to find out if I have relatives there, but I strongly believe I do.

VVN:- As a politician what was an important take away from India you’d like Guyanese to know more of/about? Kindly explain. 

Mahipaul:- As a politician I was moved by the Indian Democracy and the level of decentralisation where states are allowed to freely manage their affairs without federal intervention. It made me realise that democracy is defined differently in different countries. I would love for Guyana to mature itself and respect the wishes of the electorate. For example, the people of Regions 4, 7 and 10 voted for the APNU+AFC and those regions should be allowed to function and govern by the people elected without political interference from the Central Government.

In India I visited the State of Odisha. That state is managed and governed by a political party that did not win the central or federal government but the central or federal government doesn’t hamper the elected officials of Odisha from functioning. That I want to see in Guyana.

India has a strong and healthy hospitality industry and respect for their visitors is something very important to them. I want to personally express my gratitude to the people of India for their hospitality, the High Commissioner of India for the smooth facilitation, the PNCR for the opportunity, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) for the trip and safely returning me to my homeland.

 Special thank you to Shri Aslam Khan, the protocol officer who was patient and tolerant to 8 different countries with over 35 delegates. I built relationships with friends from Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia, Brazil, South Africa, Mongolia, Portugal and of course India. We were the 9th batch of the Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme hosted by India.

VVN:What principal aspect (best practice) from your exposure/ experience you’d like to see replicated in Guyana?

The India model of governance is a federal system of government where power is divided between the central or federal government and the state governments. The central government has jurisdiction over matters that concern the entire nation, while the state governments have jurisdiction over matters that concern their respective states.

Odisha is a state in eastern India that has its own state government. The state government of Odisha is responsible for the administration of the state, including matters such as law and order, education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure development. The state government is headed by a Chief Minister, who is elected by the members of the State Legislative Assembly.

The central or federal government of India is responsible for matters that concern the entire nation, including foreign affairs, defense, and the economy. The federal government of India is headed by the Prime Minister, who is elected by the members of the Parliament.

The relationship between the state government of Odisha and the federal government of India is governed by the Constitution of India. The Constitution provides for a system of cooperative federalism, where the state governments and the federal government work together to achieve common goals.

For example, the central government of India may provide financial assistance to the state government of Odisha for the development of infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and airports. Similarly, the state government of Odisha may work with the central government to implement national policies and programs, such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (Prime Minister’s People’s Wealth Scheme).

Overall, the India model of governance with state government and federal government allows for the effective administration of the country by dividing power and responsibilities between different levels of government.