Public participation in decision making has evolved over time from Karl Mannheim's initial emphasis on its importance in the 1940s. Advocacy planning involves long, medium, and short term strategies to influence policy and public opinion. In India, constitutional amendments in the 1990s established three-tier rural and urban local self governments to empower communities and ensure participation in planning and development. Current scenarios involve setting up ward committees, strengthening panchayati raj institutions, and some states enacting community participation laws to involve citizens in decision making. Public participation is an important democratic principle that improves decisions, increases support, and empowers communities.