Our Vision
- To strengthen the third tier of democracy in every possible way, for sustainable development and nation progress. To bring their governance at the centre stage of national polity, accelerate progress and achieve SDGs before 2030.
Our Mission
- To help local democracy achieve its status, authority, and dignity as aspired by Constitution of India.
- To bring local governance and their elections to the center-stage of national polity and development.
Our Goals
- Regular and timely Elections.
- Empowerment of women, backward communities.
- Capacity building of Elected representative
- Enhanced civic engagement.
- Improved governance.
- Inclusive development.
- Strengthen 3rd-tier of democracy.
- Achieving UN SGGs before 2030.
Our Goals
- Regular and timely Elections.
- Empowerment and capacity building of elected representatives.
- Enhanced civic engagement.
- Improved governance.
- Inclusive development.
- Strengthened 3rd-tier of democracy.
- Achieving UN SDGs before 2030.
To create and disseminate knowledge
through research, creation of databases workshops, webinars, and providing a database for existing/new literature/research on local governance.
To provide a platform for
like minded people and institutions for advocacy, empowerment of elected representatives, and taking up issues with judiciary, legislature, and government.
Multidimensional Linkages as elected representatives
through enrolment, associations, conferences, training, capacity building etc.
To create a forum
of local bodies for raising their issues at the appropriate level.
About Chairman, ISHAD
J.S. Saharia joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1978 (Maharashtra) after completing his M.Sc. (Physics) from Allahabad University and Master of Business Administration (Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad) and a two-year stint in the private sector. He has worked passionately & innovatively for about 36 years in various departments of Government of Maharashtra & Government of India. He completed his Bachelor of Legislative Law and second Master of Business Administration (in Public Sector Management) during his service. Mr. Saharia was appointed as Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University in 1999. J.S. Saharia was appointed as Chief Secretary in 2013 till superannuation in 2014, following which he was appointed as the State Election Commissioner, Maharashtra, for five years from September, 2014. During his entire career, he has been highly innovative, accessible to people and full of empathy. Mr Saharia adopted people-centric policies with problem solving attitude and has been highly vigilant towards women and weaker/marginalised groups of society. His contributions are still remembered fondly and quoted widely especially as Vice Chancellor, Nagpur University; Secretary in various departments of Government of Maharashtra, especially Higher & Technical Education and School Education; Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra and State Election Commissioner, Maharashtra.
As State Election Commissioner, Maharashtra, he introduced several electoral reforms towards making elections free, fair and transparent. These include (i) digital filing of nomination papers & affidavits by candidates (ii) setting up of Institute of Democracy & Elections for Good Governance (IDEGG), (iii) re-election in case of NOTA getting higher votes, (iv) public display of criminal & financial details of candidates outside polling stations & main crossings, (v) observance of Democracy Fortnight every year throughout Maharashtra (vi) Regional, National and International conferences for bringing Local Bodies & their elections to the centre stage of National Polity, etc.
J.S. Saharia continues his work in the area of local governance and development through the International Society for Human Awakening & Development (ISHAD), a society committed to make democracy at the grassroots level healthier & more vibrant.
– About GDP (introduction; objectives; activities)
Grassroots Democracy Platform, is a flagship program of ISHAD, formulated in 2019. GDP is primarily supported by four organisations:
ISHAD, Association for Democratic Reforms, Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Resource and Support Centre for Development. The Platform is created with the motivation of bringing like-minded stakeholders working in the area of local democracy and their elections together.
Meet our Core Members
About ISHAD
The International Society for Human Awakening and Development is an organisation working towards inclusive and sustainable development as well as strengthening the local governance and democracy in India through partnerships, collaborations and initiatives. In India, Local Self Governments (LSGs), i.e., PRIs & ULBs, and their elections have not been able to achieve the desired status, role & dignity in terms of the 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, 1992, despite several efforts at various levels during the last 25 years, due to a variety of reasons. ISHAD is spearheaded by the J.S. Saharia, I.A.S. (Retd.), ex-Chief Secretary to Govt. of Maharashtra & former State Election Commissioner, Maharashtra (2014-2019). You can read more about ISHAD and its leadership, here (redirect to About section).
J.S. Saharia (IAS, Retd.)
Chairman, ISHAD
