‘One Nation, One Election will be a game changer for economic development’

The former President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurating the seventh Bharatiya Samskriti Utsav at Beeranahalli in Sedam taluk of Kalaburagi district on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

 

The former President Ram Nath Kovind, who led a high-level committee on “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) has said that the implementation of ONOE system will prove to be a game changer in the economic development of the nation and reshaping India’s electoral framework and governance structure for a long time to come.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of Sri Kottala Basaveshwara Education Society and the seventh Bharatiya Samskriti Utsav at Beeranahalli village in Sedam taluk of Kalaburagi district on Wednesday.

Mr. Kovind said that the committee has already submitted its report containing 18,626 pages to President Droupadi Murmu. The high-level committee has proposed conducting simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and also to hold urban local bodies (ULBs) polls within 100 days of the general elections, he said.

“If implemented, it will minimise disruptions caused in administrative functions and teachers who remain occupied due to frequent elections will be able to focus on academics and give more time to students. The four former Supreme Court Chief Justices whom the committee consulted have responded positively to the idea of ONOE. Further, they have said that the country can witness a historic change in its electoral process with the introduction of ONOE system,” Mr. Kovind said.

Vedas and nature

The former President said that the ancient Vedas attribute divinity to nature. The Rig Veda strongly emphasizes the importance of nature and the environment. Each festival and its unique practices deeply reflect the country’s cultural values, he added.

He said that ancient Indian education symbolizes a highly developed, thoroughly codified system with a vast spectrum of knowledge stream. It starts with the Vedas, the Upanishads and ends with specific texts in Astronomy, Ayurveda, Yoga and Mathematics. And, Yoga, with its origins firmly rooted in India, is widely accepted and practiced in many countries.

Founder-president of Bharat Vikas Sangam K.N. Govindacharya, Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, chairperson of Sharanabasaveshwara Vidya Vardhak Sangha Dakshayini S. Appa, Basavalinga Swami of Jnanayogashrama, Balbir Singh from Gurdwara Guru Nanak Jhira in Bidar, chief coordinator of Bharatiya Samskriti Utsav Basavaraj Patil Sedam and others were present.