By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam

In every democracy, the relationship between the state and the citizen is shaped by a delicate balance of power, information, and trust. The state, as the institutional embodiment of collective will, wields authority, resources, and data. The citizen, as the supposed sovereign in a democracy, often stands at the receiving end informed less, heard less, and empowered less.
This asymmetry of power and information remains one of the most enduring challenges of governance in most countries, including India.