The two exciting faces of Indian democracy

While the world is breathlessly watching the race for the White House - which for many is a fight against presidential hopeful Donald Trump - what is more exciting to watch is the battle for democracy that is taking place back home, in India.

India has, since Independence almost 70 years ago, enjoyed what I consider "an uncomfortable democracy", and I believe she is finally coming of age and discovering who she is.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who I call a shining example of the "Indian Dream", has spoken about the new Goods and Services Tax as a "great step towards transformation", Irom Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur, has decided to fight elections. Interesting developments indeed.

Over time, I have noticed a change in the perception of politics in India and in the country itself.

While my grandparents believed that sacrificing the self was required for the greater good, our current generation has moved to holding individual rights and opinions more important.

Also read: How Modi reached out to Dalits without alienating gau rakshaks

As a student of political science, it would be wrong for me not to mention that the ideas of the society and individual are not my own.

But I'm glad to see the theories of great philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke and Aristotle play out in reality.

However, what astonishes me is the rule of the mob that seems to be taking over the country now. At the risk of enraging some well-known elements in our society, I must says that recent reports of "Love Jihad" and the activities of "Gau Rakshaks" have left me stunned.

Now, while this is definitely alarming, it also seems to be a bit of a relief.

We as a country have for a long time spoken of development, "India's fight for freedom", now we are coming out and saying: "This is what I believe in."

Nonetheless, what we believe in scares me as well.

With each day, the demarcation between India and Bharat seems more pronounced. On one end of the spectrum India has become the highest beef exporter in the world, while on the other, there are merciless attacks on those who want to consume the same within the country.

And, this struggle between fighting to emerge as a global power while remaining rooted in "our culture" seems the challenge our democracy must now face.

"Mobocracy", where all rule and none are ruled, will always be an issue. A society where some will openly defy the word of the Prime Minister is also an issue.

But the right to stand for what we believe in and to fight for that right is amazing.

The Iron Lady of Manipur has for the longest time been a symbol of hope for me; but now I'm more thrilled that she is joining the political fray.

Also read: The very lonely and very long battle of Irom Chanu Sharmila

Imagine if more people like here were there to stand up for what they believed in, to voice their opinions and, with help from the social media, find an audience.

While there are pitfalls as well of standing for "your beliefs" and spreading them on social media - for instance spreading vitriol is now easy - the potential for growth is equally great.

The optimist in me sees the potential.

We have a lot we can learn from, a lot that we know we should avoid, and most importantly there is a lot we can achieve.

And with the Indian story seeing dynamic turmoil, I feel that India is on the cusp of building the bridge to greatness, but only if we don't fall off the precarious edge where we are currently poised!