“We Indians, Arjun, are so good at respecting outward forms while ignoring the substance. We took the forms of parliamentary democracy, preserved them, put them on pedestal and paid them due obeisance. But we ignored the basic fact that parliamentary democracy can only work if those who run it are constantly responsive to needs of the people and if parliamentarians are qualified enough to legislate. Neither condition was fulfilled in India for long. Today most people are simply aware of their own irrelevance to the process. They see themselves standing helplessly on the margins while professional politicians and unprofessional politicians combine to run the country to the ground.”

— Shashi Tharoor , book The Great Indian Novel

The Great Indian Novel (1989)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Shashi Tharoor 43

Indian politician, diplomat, author 1956

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