Efforts to groom ‘netas’ in leadership skills have started gaining momentum at an institute near Mumbai, which is now planning to launch its third academic session to train political greenhorns in governance and public affairs.
Located at Uttan in Thane district, the Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership (IIDL), started by BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, has been offering a one-year postgraduate diploma course for the last two academic sessions.
The course, recognised by Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, includes training in aspects like leadership, politics, democracy, governance, and public policy, Ravindra Sathe, director general of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini that promotes IIDL, said.
“The aim is to provide knowledge, understanding and information to political enthusiasts. The curriculum is designed to gain skills for a career in politics, public affairs, NGOs, and allied fields,” he said, adding the institute had enrolled around 51 students in the last two years.
For the new academic session beginning in August, the institute has so far received 200 entries but the aim is to enrol only 25 students, Mr. Sathe said. The course is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree, and aspiring politicians, civil servants, and journalists.
“The programme is designed to produce trained, ethical and responsible leaders,” Mr. Sahasrabuddhe said.
Aditya Chapra, who was from the first batch, described IIDL as the “IIT of sociology and politics”. “The institute gave me an opportunity to understand political ideologies and social issues,” he said.