Code Swaraj
weren’t part of the solution. Many of them hesitated to talk to me, worried it would look like they were embracing struggle and radical change.
I think you need both inside and outside for government to be effective. I am a huge admirer of the skills of the civil service, both in India and the U.S. Go into any mission-oriented agency, and you will be amazed at the depth of technical knowledge and the commitment to public service.
However, we cannot leave government just to the inside. We own our governments, and if we do not actively take part in how they are run, they will not reach their potential. Transparency as a goal is not enough, we must be more specific. Hence, code swaraj. If it’s a law, it must be public. This is not transparency for transparency’s sake, it is a vital tool for making our legal and technical infrastructures function effectively. That won’t happen just from the inside.
For several years, it looked like inside was the only way to do things. The United Kingdom’s Government Digital Service got universal acclaim throughout the technical world, but it is now an empty shell after the change in government. In the U.S., the U.S. Digital Service and 18F are struggling to keep the attention of policy makers in the legislative and executive branches. They continue to do great work, and I consider the acting administrators of both agencies be personal friends and deeply admire their sense of public service. But, they need our help from the outside. We can’t leave governance just to government. It is our responsibility as citizens.
An Agenda of Knowledge in India
As December comes to a close and 2017 ends, I have spent my days trying to understand what I want to do, and I have come to realize that what I want to do is more work in India. I do so for selfish reasons, I learn so much from this vast and diverse country, one with such a rich history and vibrant people. I also think my work with Sam Pitroda is beginning to make a difference, and through him, I have met so many other people in India who have become what I am sure will be lifelong friends.
I wish to close this book by discussing those, laying out an agenda for future action. I do so to put my own thoughts in order, but also in the hope that others will join with us in this struggle.
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