There are
various social, political, economic and environmental issues that pop up in public
discourse now and then. Discussion and debates are healthy for a culture to
thrive and prosper and become vibrant. People do not have the required
knowledge or information regarding most matters, which they are assumed to have
for understanding the content of public discussions. The discussions,
therefore, does not satisfactorily address the purpose of enlightening the
public on matters that need actual public participation. The discussions happen
in a way as if the panelists are representative of the general public opinion,
which is true to some sense but not quite. The general public, lacking the
basic knowledge of the basis of problems, are not able to actively engage in
discourse but remains a passive consumer of handful of people. Lack of awareness
paralyses the thinking capabilities and dis-empowers the general public to build
their own perspectives on a matter of public concern. This is not a very
healthy habit in a democratic setup. People should be more actively
participating in discussions worth actual public participation and concern.
This Column aims to educate and empower people to
become more competent to analyze the issues on their own. That way, there will
be diverse perspectives on an issue of public concern. It makes people more
actively involved in public discourse and democracy more people-centric, which
is central to making the society a happier place to live.
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