The Citizen’s Alliance was formed with the aim of addressing the critical issues that affect the citizens of this country — malnutrition, poverty reduction, education, universal healthcare, social uplift and welfare of the poor, amongst other objectives. For its success three determining factors were necessary: the identification of issues of national and social importance; the ability to mobilise resources and enable change; and a set of like-minded individuals from political parties, the government, the arts and sciences and NGOs who would act as mentors to propagate the message of the alliance. The alliance had to be broad based, and representative of the various economic and social strata of society, and the demographic uniqueness of India. Today’s representatives of this alliance, I believe, bring experience and knowledge to build a framework that will make a difference to the people of India.

This committee comprises MPs from the NCP, the Congress, the BJP, the BJD and other parties, theatre artists and other individuals — all of us working together to try and frame policy to address issues that plague India. Our aim is not one-upmanship or competition, but rather solving problems and using our collective wisdom to make a difference. Our political beliefs or ideologies have not come in our way of working together, because we have the same objective. We have learnt to talk, rationalise, delegate and be held accountable for the roles given to us in this project. Our success, hence, will be determined by our working together as a team and delivering on our goals. Any personal agenda will not help any of us, and will create more problems than solutions. We work as a dedicated team of MPs to achieve a greater objective.

... contd.