Editorial 1: Getting the ‘micropicture’ at the panchayat level

Context

The PAI portal can be a helpful tool for officials in different departments and support local and State governments.

Introduction

Critics point to the delay in the Census and the lack of access to Census data for researchers. They also mention that changes in government surveys and methods make it hard to get time series data, affecting evidence-based decision-making. On the other hand, government officials highlight the large amount of data on various Ministry portals and the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), 2012, which aims to make non-sensitive data open and reusable through platforms like data.gov.in.

• Researchers say that the available data is not in a simple format that the public or elected representatives can easily understand.
• Even citizens and trained researchers often feel overwhelmed by the huge volume of data.
• Data visualisation tools on platforms like data.gov.in and other government portals are still underdeveloped.
• The quality of data analytics is not up to the mark.
• As a result, many decisions are still based on the experience or intuition of Ministers and senior bureaucrats at both the Union and State levels.

Data generation and use

• At the grassroots level — gram panchayats, blocks, and districts — data is mostly collected and entered for use by senior officials at the State and national levels.
• Most portals are built to serve the needs of department heads and secretaries, not the local officials or elected representatives at lower levels.
• This leads to a focus on the ‘mega picture’, while the ‘micro picture’ is often missing.
• Gram panchayat-level data is directly linked to households and families, making it more relevant and harder to ignore—if presented clearly to the local residents.

On the PAI

Aspect	Details
Report Title	Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report 2022–23
Release	Officially launched in April 2025 by Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Index Type	Composite index based on 435 indicators (331 mandatory, 104 optional) and 566 data points
Themes Covered	9 LSDG themes, aligned with the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of MoSPI
Coverage	Validated data from 2.16 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) analyzed
Exclusions	Data from 11,000+ GPs not included due to validation issues
State-Wise Concern	Uttar Pradesh submitted valid data for only 40% GPs (23,207/57,702), raising concerns
Accessibility	Data made user-friendly for sarpanches and ward members to track and act on LSDG progress
Utility	PAI portal (www.pai.gov.in) offers constituency-level reports for MPs/MLAs
Outcome-Oriented Approach	GPs can now identify and address gaps, e.g., in Healthy Panchayat indicators
Stakeholder Involvement	Frontline workers, elected reps, community, CSOs all seen as crucial to success
Recommended Support	4,000+ Unnat Bharat Abhiyan institutes encouraged to guide 5 nearby GPs on PAI understanding
CSR & Funding Use	PAI can guide use of CSR funds, PM’s Mineral Area Fund, MPLADS, MLALAD for achieving SDGs by 2030

 

Need for analysts

• There is an urgent need to deploy trained data analysts at the block and district panchayat levels to prepare and share regular report cards for different stakeholders.
• The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) has greater potential to be a gamechanger for State and local governments than for the Union Government.
• A similar Achievement Index should be developed for urban local governments.
• The baseline PAI report should be followed by regularly published updates, especially once the initial groundwork is complete.

Conclusion

PAI is far more than just a ranking of Gram Panchayats (GPs), Districts, or States; it is a call for action. GPs performing poorly require support. It is essential not only to track where funds are allocated or how they are used (or misused) but also to leverage the latest data visualization tools to help all stakeholders grasp their vital role. This will ensure that the goal of driving India’s development forward becomes a reality

Editorial 2: ​In the wake of crisis, the need for bipartisanshi

Context

As India boosts its commitment to fight terrorism, it is important to make sure that national security is not used for political showmanship.

Introduction

The terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, has deeply shaken our collective conscience, highlighting the fragile peace in a region with a difficult history. As India mourns the loss of innocent lives and renews its fight against terrorism, it is vital to recognize the need for bipartisanship. This unity is essential both for an effective response and to ensure that national security is not used for political posturing.

The Danger of Politicizing National Security Crises

• A troubling pattern appears during crises in India: instead of uniting to defend the nation, political parties often use the situation to score points.
• Grief is sometimes weaponized for electoral advantage instead of building a unified front.
• After the Pulwama attack in 2019, swift retaliation became part of campaign narratives due to upcoming general elections.
• This shift moved the national conversation from security to politics, which weakens the ability to create a strong, long-term security strategy.
• Such politicization risks compromising both our defence and democratic integrity.

The Challenge of Terrorism

• Terrorism is a grave threat requiring decisive and coordinated responses.
• Reactions should not be impulsive or influenced by party politics or ideologies.
• Decisions on:
  • Counter-terror operations
  • Diplomatic negotiations
  • Intelligence reforms must be made collectively, guided by long-term strategic thinking, not short-term political gains.
• National security is paramount and must rise above political divides.

Bipartisanship in India: Kargil Conflict (1999)

• Despite political differences between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Opposition Congress, India united in defending the nation.
• The war effort demonstrated bipartisan cooperation with security policies focused on national interest, not party agendas.
• Congress leader Sonia Gandhi praised the armed forces:
  “The bravery of our soldiers in Kargil has made every Indian proud. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Bipartisanship in India: Surgical Strikes (2016)

• India’s surgical strikes in response to the Uri terror attack were:
  • Executed with clear, measured messaging
  • Demonstrated strength without escalating conflict
• The action received nationwide applause across political parties.

Global Examples of Bipartisan Responses to Terrorism

• United States (Post-9/11): Both parties recognized the need for unity, leading to a swift, coordinated national security response.
• New Zealand (Christchurch Attacks, 2019):
  • Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led bipartisan gun law reforms.
  • Within weeks, legislation banning military-style semi-automatic weapons was passed with support from all major parties.
• Western Europe (Post-Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine):
  • Bipartisan support emerged for military aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
  • Neutral countries like Sweden and Finland joined NATO with broad political consensus.

National Unity in Times of Crisis

• Despite political differences, nations have the ability to unite in crises to prioritize:
  • Security
  • Unity
  • Effective action
• Question posed: Should the situation in Pahalgam and its aftermath be treated differently?

Commitment to a Unified Foreign Policy

• On becoming Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, I declared:

“There is no Congress foreign policy and no BJP foreign policy; only Indian foreign policy and Indian national interests.”

• Historic precedent:
  • In 1994, PM P.V. Narasimha Rao appointed Opposition Leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee to lead India’s delegation at the UN in Geneva on Kashmir.
  • Congress Minister Salman Khurshid served as Vajpayee’s deputy.
  • Vajpayee later recalled how confused Pakistani officials were to see an opposition leader representing India at such a crucial forum.
  • This episode exemplifies India’s “vichitra loktantra” — a democracy both chaotic and miraculous.

Bipartisan Diplomacy in 1994

Aspect	Details
Leadership	Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Opposition Leader)
Deputy	Salman Khurshid (Congress Minister of State for External Affairs)
Event	Presentation on Kashmir at United Nations, Geneva
Reaction of Opponents	Pakistani officials bewildered by opposition-led delegation
Significance	Bipartisan unity in foreign policy at a critical moment

Decline of Bipartisan Spirit

• Over the last three decades, political discourse has become more:
  • Rancorous and bitter
  • Lacking mutual respect between ruling party and opposition
• Democracy’s core assumption:
  • Both parties share commitment to national interest, even if they differ on approach
  • They are adversaries, not enemies
• Reality today:
  • Bitter polarization has replaced constructive engagement
  • Push-and-pull dynamics in democracy intensified by extreme political rhetoric

Role of Social Media and Political Polarization

• The Overton Window (acceptable political discourse) has narrowed, driven by:
  • Resentment
  • Desire to atone past grievances
• Social media has become a tool for:
  • Divisive narratives
  • Political gain from polarization
• Public and private discussions have shifted from nuanced views to stark, polarized black-and-white perspectives.

Consequences for National Security Discourse

• Political debates on security often turn into blame games, avoiding strategic clarity.
• India-Pakistan relations remain complex but require:
  • Clear condemnation of terrorism
  • Avoidance of national security being used as political leverage
• Importance of unity:
  • Division at home emboldens the enemy
  • Inflammatory rhetoric serves no constructive purpose

Path Forward for India

Goal	Key Requirements
Mature Politics	Prioritize national interest over party interests
Aligned Diplomacy & Defense	Ensure diplomacy supports defense preparedness, balancing deterrence with restraint
Balanced Security Approach	Maintain equilibrium between security and stability
Harmonized Democracy	Promote democratic politics that foster national unity

• India must emerge as a responsible power by ensuring that politics, diplomacy, and defense work together with maturity and unity.

Conclusion

True political leadership requires statesmanship instead of populism, and clarity instead of chaos. If our lawmakers accept this truth, they will see that protecting India’s security is not about political parties but a shared responsibility. In times of grief and crisis, let bipartisanship unite us—not just in words, but through real action. The future of a secure, stable, and resilient India depends on it.