Srinagar, Nov. 26 -- India's civilisational ethos, cultural depth, and long democratic tradition have often earned it the title "mother of democracy." This is not a modern political slogan but an insight rooted in the country's historical consciousness. From ancient assemblies like the sabhas and samitis, to community-based decision-making structures that survived centuries of upheaval, India has always nurtured participatory governance in ways that predate many contemporary democracies. Yet, despite this proud legacy, a persistent challenge remains: the remnants of a "slavery mentality" that continue to shape public behaviour, political culture, and civic expectations. This mindset-born of centuries of foreign rule-manifests in subtle ye...