In the past twelve years since, I don't really believe I have made any contribution to the motherland. Constant reminders about greener pastures abroad and daily news of classmates striking it rich through Internet startups question the purpose of continuing here. The circus we see in the political arena and the lack of interest in matters of governance among the educated and affluent complete the gloomy picture. Is there really a way out?

Two years ago, we launched IndiaMap, a web portal on India. In May this year, we decided that the Elections would be a good event to focus on, and IndiaMap Elections began. It was then that I began to understand the nuances and complexities of Indian governanceand politics. My respect for the Indian politician also grew.

A group of concerned citizens of Mumbai were working on a forum that would through networking and coordinated action, work with the local government on pressing problems of this city and its residents. Bombay First, Dignity Foundation, Praja, the Small Communities groups and many other organisations joined hands to form AGNI or Action for Good Governance & Networking in India.

When elections were announced, AGNI realised that any form of improvement in our lives could only come with the active support and participation of our elected representatives. I received a call one morning asking if I would put my event management skills to good use by organising the meetings with candidates. Before I knew it, I was launched into a whirlpool of activity and energy. Our small group of 10 were joined by over 50 core coordinators from all over Mumbai. They in turn got together their own groups. The AGNI movement was now working with over 500 activevolunteers.

Fifteen `AGNI Meet Your Candidates' completed successfully, it is now clear that we as citizens have a lot of work ahead. The politician is extremely capable and perceptive. Most have risen after working on local issues and leveraging powers in the government to bring favours and facilities to their communities.

Many lack formal education but are very aware of their authority and how best it can be exploited to get the best for themselves and their circle of family and friends. They are also very sharp and attentive to the needs of their constituents. Many leaders and parties could put the best of customer-focussed companies to shame with their prompt and attentive responses. Where are things going wrong then?

It is politically correct to begin with a decimation of the Indian politician. Since we do this all the time, let's pause and take a different view of things.

Over the past few decades, the educated class has systematically increased the divide between themselves and the government.Our businessmen mastered the art of getting their work done without following the well-laid out rules of the government.

The educated decided to take matters into their own hands and when this worked decided to ignore the government and get on with their lives. We began to teach our children that the government was best left beyond arm's length and there were quicker and more effective ways of getting things done. The divide is now complete. We rarely need to directly contact the government. On the rare occasion when we do, agents and middlemen get everything done for a fee.

Where does this leave us now? See it from the government (and politician's) point of view. There is a side of India that continues to move forward unhindered, solving and gritting through problems. They do not need any support, they continue to prosper and carry an air of superiority.

The result -- they are no longer an active or important part of our nation. For the politicians the nation begins and ends with their voters who aremore often the poor, the slumdwellers, the farmers and the oppressed. For these citizens the politician is the only hope of getting things done. They lobby, cajole and threaten to vote against, and they get their work done.

Since we the educated, the middle-class and the rich do not vote in large numbers, we forfeit our powers to lobby and to request, let alone the power to threaten with negative votes. We have landed ourselves in this sorry state today, with no one but ourselves to blame.

AGNI has begun with an aim to change this and get more of the educated and the disillusioned to go out and cast their vote. The politicians have been very supportive of our meetings and the parties have begun to take note. The enthusiasm from volunteers has been very encouraging and the media has also been very appreciative of our meetings.

The meetings have enabled politicians to meet and feel one with the educated and elite. If we can vote in large numbers, they will start counting us as important constituents. Theywill meet with us, listen, work and probably deliver results on the lines we would like them to do. For this we need to get involved and be proactive.

AGNI has set a trend in this direction. To sustain this movement, more participation is necessary. Post elections, reviews and more detailed discussions with the elected representatives will be needed. The lobbying will need to get more focussed and frequent.

The meetings have demonstrated that there is reason to be optimistic. From a Niyaz Ahmed who thanked me ``for giving an opportunity to interact with the educated class'' to Shirwalkar, Handore and Dangle, the trio contesting the Chembur assembly segment who `concurred to have friendly and hate-free campaigns,' Ashok Dhatrak who volunteered his mobile number, and so many more who signed the AGNI pledge, the direction is clear. We need to bridge the divide. If necessary, we need to educate and build leaders to meet our standards. We need to convince them that we are worthy of their attention.

We mustguide them on issues and help them make better decisions. We must shed our sense of superiority and welcome the politician into our envelope of respectability. It is our duty and absolutely in our interest if we wish to make India a better place for all of us.

Having decided to live here and make a mark from within these shores, I found myself asking myself the other day: ``If it's so important for you to stay back here, then why don't you add that little energy and time to ensure it is a great place to be in?'' These meetings of AGNI have demonstrated that it is indeed a role for all of us to play.

AGNI, or fire, has today ignited as a spark. It is growing steadily into a flame. For it to endure, it has to be fanned and nurtured all the time. Like the Olympic torch, we hope it will find its way all over India.(Nikhil Narayan, a software technologist and management consultant, is editor of IndiaMap Elections, a website on the Indian elections)