This post will be of particular interest to readers in the US and Canada, besides India.
It's about an app called Gadfly CitiHub, which is available on iOS as well as Android, developed by a startup based in Delhi called Wabi Tech.
What you can do with with the app
Why this app
Related links
It's about an app called Gadfly CitiHub, which is available on iOS as well as Android, developed by a startup based in Delhi called Wabi Tech.
What you can do with with the app
- When you switch on the app, it automatically detects your location and tells you, who your elected representatives in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of national Parliament), State Assembly and the local city municipal corporation are, along with their details.
- You can change location manually to find out who the representatives are for other places as well.
- You can contact them via phone, SMS, email or any other medium they are on.
- The app gives the social media feed of the elected representatives and also the feed of the news articles in which they figure.
Why this app
- The founder of the company Nikhil Bapna decided to develop this app because he felt in India it is very difficult to not only easily find out who your elected representatives are, but also contact them to convey any information or views regarding governance issues or feedback.
- The app is available in India, the US and Canada. The information regarding elected representatives in the US and Canada are still being updated.
Related links
- I tried out this app and also spoke to Bapna. Read my article here.
- The iOS version of the app.
- The Android version of the app.
Glad this app has come out now. I have myself no idea who our elected Ministers/MLAs are... Now I guess I'll have a better idea.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Thank you, for your comments, Rajesh. Ya, it's a really good app.
DeleteIt is an excellent app. Hope the elected reps in India or their staff respond to the citizens when contacted. It will be helpful in US also. But I can tell from my personal experience. The Senators and Congressmen go out of their way to help their constituents. That is why it is difficult to defeat a sitting senator or a congressman.
ReplyDeleteYes, SG. What you have pointed out is the more important part -- how the elected representatives fulfil the responsibilities vested on them by the people.
DeleteGlad to know that in the US, the governance part is more robust than in India.
Here in India, you would have heard, there is something called the anti-incumbency factor.
This app looks so promising. If it was possible to access this app in India, it would have been really good for all of us. May be in near future, the developers find a way to connect general public with elected representatives. Or may be some elected people will volunteer to cater to queries of common man on one to one basis. Read your article too. Thanks for sharing this knowledge.
ReplyDeleteShesha, this app is of course accessible in India. You can download it, and check out the features.
DeleteYeah, it's hard to know who your elected officials are, especially if you're not paying attention. Although, I think those that care to know already do. Those that don't... Well, they might find they can use the app anyway.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, Liz. This app, just makes the whole job easier. Thank you.
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