Democracy by Design: Media, Politics, and People by Geeth Roman

Adam S, Jadetimes Contributor

Adam is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Amazon.com

In today’s interconnected world, politics, media, and technology are inseparable forces shaping the fate of nations. The newly released book, Democracy by Design: Media, Politics, and People by Geeth L. Roman, offers a timely and thought-provoking exploration of how communication, leadership, and public engagement influence democracy in the digital age.

Rethinking Democracy in a Media Age

In Democracy by Design: Media, Politics, and People, Geeth L. Roman examines the mechanics and philosophy of democracy through the lens of communication. The book highlights how journalism serves as the Fourth Estate, safeguarding accountability and truth, while strategic narratives and narrative warfare increasingly shape global diplomacy. From the rise of populism to the dominance of digital platforms, this work unpacks the forces driving public opinion and national stability.

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Leadership in Times of Crisis

A distinctive feature of Democracy by Design: Media, Politics, and People by Geeth L. Roman is its focus on leaders who redefined their nations with resilience and vision:

• Narendra Modi is profiled for his decisive leadership against terrorism and the economic reforms that strengthened India’s global standing.

• Donald J. Trump is examined for policies that prioritized U.S. interests through tax reforms, trade negotiations, and a nationalist economic agenda.

• Ranil Wickremesinghe is highlighted as the steady hand who stabilized Sri Lanka during its unprecedented economic crisis, showing how pragmatic reforms and courageous leadership can restore stability when few others dared to act.

  
  

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A Global Perspective

Geeth L. Roman broadens the scope of Democracy by Design: Media, Politics, and People by emphasizing the interplay between governance and media across South Asia, Europe, and the United States. The book provides readers with practical tools to recognize propaganda, evaluate leadership strategies, and understand how narratives influence domestic politics and international relations.

Author’s Perspective

Speaking to journalists about the book, Geeth Roman shared: "This book is the result of years of observing how media and leadership shape the destiny of nations. I wanted to capture how communication is not just a tool of politics, but the very architecture of democracy in the 21st century. Covering leaders like Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, and Ranil Wickremesinghe came with its own challenges, from navigating political sensitivities to ensuring academic balance, but I believed it was essential to show how their decisions in moments of crisis reshaped the course of their nations. The greatest challenge was presenting these narratives in a way that is both critical and constructive, so readers can see not only where democracy is tested, but also how it can be redesigned to meet the future."

Geeth Roman is a dynamic leader, creative strategist, and media innovator whose work seamlessly bridges journalism, design, and storytelling. He is a PhD Scholar in Journalism and Mass Communication at Lovely Professional University, India, and is in the final stage of his doctoral research. Geeth is the Founder of Special Group of Corporations Inc., USA, a diversified enterprise comprising Special Graphics, Special Stocks, Special Printers, Special Publishers, and Special Brands. He also serves as CEO and Creative Director of Jadetimes Media LLC, USA, a global journalism company covering more than 25 categories of news from around the world.

Contributors of Distinction

The depth of the book is enriched by contributions from distinguished scholars and experts: Prof. Rabbi Victor Gross, Prof. Ceasar Dubor, Dr. Jaime Geronimo Vela, Prof. Simranjit Singh, Prof. Kirandeep Singh, Dr. Amresh Kumar Gauda, Dr. Sugandha Shekhar, Dr. Keith Nester A. Lavin, and Dr. Sumit Kumar Pandey. Their insights ensure that Democracy by Design: Media, Politics, and People is not just one author’s vision but a collaborative and global exploration of democracy’s evolving design.

Why This Book Matters

Democracy by Design: Media, Politics, and People by Geeth L. Roman is a vital resource for students, researchers, journalists, and policymakers. As nations grapple with economic crises, terrorism, disinformation, and global challenges, this book provides a framework for revitalizing democracy to meet the demands of the 21st century.

Book Amazon Link : https://a.co/d/9JBARSI

World’s First Ladies: Only Four Have PhD Level, Doctorates

Jatinder Singh, Jadetimes Contributor

J. Singh is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Michael Conroy/AP

In nearly 200 nations across the globe, First Ladies are known for their influence, diplomacy, and public service. Yet only a select four have reached the pinnacle of academia by holding a PhD-level doctorate. This makes them unique figures who embody both scholarly achievement and the symbolic role of First Lady.

Dr. Jill Biden – United States

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Degree: Doctor of Education (EdD), University of Delaware (2007)

America’s First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, has broken multiple precedents. She is the first U.S. First Lady to continue working in a full-time, salaried job—teaching English at Northern Virginia Community College—even while serving at the White House. Her doctoral research focused on student retention in community colleges, reinforcing her lifelong advocacy for education access.

Prof. Maithree Wickremasinghe – Sri Lanka

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Degree: PhD in Feminist Research Methodology, University of London

Prof. Maithree Wickremasinghe served as Sri Lanka’s First Lady from 2022 to 2024. She is a highly respected professor at the University of Kelaniya and founder of the Centre for Gender Studies. Her academic work on gender, equality, and feminist theory stands as a powerful contribution to South Asian scholarship. She remains the first-ever First Lady of Sri Lanka with a doctoral degree.

Dr. Jamileh-Sadat Alamolhoda – Iran

Image Source : tribune.com.pk

Degree: PhD in Philosophy of Education, Tarbiat Modares University (2001)

Dr. Jamileh-Sadat Alamolhoda, spouse of the late President Ebrahim Raisi, served as Iran’s First Lady until 2024. She is an associate professor at Shahid Beheshti University and the founder of the Institute of Fundamental Studies of Science and Technology. Her career reflects a consistent commitment to advancing educational thought and policy in Iran.

Grace Mugabe – Zimbabwe (Controversial)

Image Source : Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters

Degree: PhD in Sociology, University of Zimbabwe (2014)

Grace Mugabe, wife of late President Robert Mugabe, was awarded a PhD in Sociology under highly unusual circumstances. The degree was reportedly granted just two months after enrollment, with her thesis never made publicly available. University staff and academics have described her as a “ghost student,” raising strong doubts about the legitimacy of the qualification. While officially recognized, her doctorate remains deeply controversial.

That only four First Ladies worldwide hold doctoral-level qualifications shows just how unusual this achievement is. Doctoral research requires years of dedication, originality, and intellectual discipline—qualities not often associated with the ceremonial role of a First Lady.

Among these four women, three—Jill Biden, Maithree Wickremasinghe, and Jamileh Alamolhoda—are widely respected academics with undisputed credentials. Grace Mugabe’s case adds complexity, serving as a reminder of how politics and academia can sometimes collide.

As symbols of nations, First Ladies are often remembered for their grace, advocacy, or public service. But in these rare cases, they also stand as scholars and intellectuals who have earned the highest level of academic distinction. Their stories remind the world that the pursuit of knowledge can exist alongside the responsibilities of representing a country at the highest level.

In addition to the widely referenced four, there are three other First Ladies with doctoral qualifications: Sanja Musić Milanović of Croatia, Beatriz Gutiérrez Müller of Mexico, and Elizabeta Gjorgievska of North Macedonia. These remarkable women are not always counted in the global “four” narrative because their academic achievements, while equally valid, were less highlighted in international media. Unlike Jill Biden, Maithree Wickramasinghe, or Jamileh Alamolhoda — whose academic careers received global attention — the others remained more regionally recognized. This explains why most global press often referred to only four, even though the true number stands at seven.

Mitch Daniels Slams Trump’s Redistricting Push: “It’s High Season for Hypocrisy”

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Michael Conroy/AP

Former Indiana Governor and GOP elder statesman Mitch Daniels has come out forcefully against efforts to redraw congressional districts in Indiana ahead of the 2026 midterms, criticizing President Donald Trump’s push for partisan redistricting and warning of further erosion of democratic norms.

Daniels, a respected figure within the Republican Party and former president of Purdue University, told POLITICO in an exclusive interview that he doesn’t “see the point” of redistricting in a state that already overwhelmingly favors Republicans. “It would just be wrong,” Daniels said. “People there have a right to pick the person they want.”

His remarks come amid a broader national fight over redistricting as Trump and Vice President JD Vance urge state legislatures to redraw maps to favor the GOP. Vance recently visited Indiana to encourage lawmakers to create as many as 10 new Republican seats, despite the state already holding seven out of nine seats in favor of the party.

Daniels called out Trump directly, saying the former president “could’ve just kept quiet,” and accused him of turning redistricting into a “partisan wrangle.” But he didn’t spare Democrats, noting their past use of gerrymandering tactics. “It’s high season for hypocrisy,” Daniels added. “Democrats have done this too.”

While Trump’s allies are pressing for immediate action, Indiana Governor Mike Braun has yet to commit to calling a special legislative session for redistricting. Daniels warned such a move would likely be seen as overtly partisan and could require “torturing the lines” to gain an additional seat.

“The ideal ought to be districts which make geographic sense,” Daniels said, adding that maps should “cross as few jurisdictional lines as possible.”

Despite Republican supermajorities in the Indiana Legislature, Daniels noted that forcing further redistricting could backfire politically and damage public trust in fair representation.

Daniels has long positioned himself as a voice of moderation within the Republican Party. In a Washington Post op-ed last year, he cautioned against the dangers of entrenched single party dominance and expressed concerns that modern gerrymandering, combined with ideological clustering, is undermining electoral competition.

“You don’t get the balanced, competitive districts that many of us believe would make for a healthier political system,” he told POLITICO.

As one of the key architects behind the Indiana GOP’s legislative dominance, Daniels’ opposition to redistricting efforts marks a significant internal rebuke of the Trump-led strategy. Whether his call for restraint will resonate within the party remains to be seen.