Kid Power

This picture by Indian director Ramchandra PN shows that India is probably the largest democracy in the world despite all its deficiencies. At least judging by a unique project, which was initiated by schoolchildren from several villages in the Kundatur region in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. They are troubled by the fact that they don't have suitable classrooms, they want to have a school garden to grow their own vegetables and fruit, as well as clean water for washing and a children's playground. In order to ensure that they agree on their requirements, they organise elections in the school. Each candidate tries to convince his fellow pupils that he is the best person to defend their interests. Everything proceeds without the slightest trace of rancour, which is something that these Indian schoolchildren could teach many of the world's politicians. In the end, thanks to their well–run elections, the children succeed in setting up an autonomous body, which can legitimately put pressure on the political representatives of the Kundatur region.