India is also beset with many problems – one-fourth of the population is poor, health and education is not universal, stagnating agriculture, while service industry has made impressive progress manufacturing industry is lagging, economic reform agenda is floundering, Naxalite and Jehadi violence is increasing, unemployment is still a problem, corruption has seeped every sphere of life and poor governance due to lack of accountability and transperancy among the politicians and the bureaucrats.
India still lives in the villages though almost one-third of our population is in the cities and towns. Sixty percent of our population still depends on agriculture though its contribution to GDP is only 20 percent. Any economic development which does not touch their lives cannot be called economic development. The irrigation dams built during the First Year Plan, and later, techonological changes (hybrid seed, fertilizers, extension services etc.) made during the Green Revolution, have transformed the lives of many farmers in various parts of the country. However, it has not made any difference to the vast majority of the farmers who have small farms and no irrigation facilities. Dairy farming has not covered many areas in the country. Horticulture, which has a vast potential, has yet to take-off. Dr.M.S.Swaminathan, one of the founders of the Green Revolution, has been advocating Special Agricultural Zones to promote agriculture. In a recent inter-view he said that certain areas such as kuttanad in Kerala or Indira Gandhi Canal Area can be provided with common facilities for cultivation to help farmers to grow more. He has suggested mobile soil-testing vans, rain-water harvesting, credit & insurance, technological inputs and remunerative markets to make farmers prosperous. The food processing industry should be harnessed for this purpose. Aim should be to make small farms profitable. When farmers prosper, industry prospers.
(b) Industry & Infrastructure :
Manufacturing industry and services industry do not require much assistance from the government except moderate taxation and progressive policies. The real issue before the country now is the infrastructure – electricity, roadways, railways, airways and ports - which has become a constraint on India's economic growth. Here the public-private partnership is the way forward. Infrastructure is labour-intensive and it can generate employment. Housing is another industry which has a multiplier effect – it not only generates employment but also boosts many other industries. All these sectors require proper enabling legal structure and fiscal incentives.
Electricity is one of the most important infrastructure which has become drag on India 's economic growth. There is a perpetual shortage of power supply in parts of the country. The politicians have used it to cultivate vote-banks with tariff lower than generating costs for some sections of our population – farmers, handlooms. The lower PLF (plant load factor) and coal of high ash content have increased the generating cost. High transmission and distribution cost plus rampant theft of electricity have compounded the problem. Though the government has given up the monopoly of generation, it has still kept the monopoly of distribution. This has prevented many private sector companies from investing in this industry. The only solution to the shortage of power is to allow both private and public sector companies generate and distribute power. A statutory authority headed by a retired high court judge to determine cost and price of electricity for the public is also imperative. If any state wants to give subsidy, the same should come from the budget of the state, not from the power company. Subsidy should always be for a short period.
The state should promote non-conventional energy – solar, wind, wave, bio-gas - in every possible way. Every new construction – housing, commercial, industrial – should use non-conventional energy to the maximum extent. The construction law should prescribe the necessary guidelines.
Another major decision which any liberal government has to take is with regard to PSUs – public sector undertakings. Most of them have become a burden on the exchequer. Now the time has come to take a bold decision to exit from all business enterprises by the government and use the proceeds for the primary task of any government – universal primary education and primary medical facilities in every village.
Part II Social and Political vision.
The social and political vision should focus on a consensus on major issues – reservation, smaller states, internal & external security. Sixty years of Independence has not brought all castes, communities and states together. There is no realisation that we are all in the same boat, and we have to sink and swim together. A new vision should give hope and scope for progress to everyone in our country irrespective of caste, creed or community.
( a ) Reservation :
Reservation has become a millstone round the neck of India. Reservation, as envisaged our constitution, was meant for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, who were neglected or even condemned to marginal existence for ages. Now that it is being extended to OBCs, it has lost its focus and relevance. Even the well-off castes want to get in this 'backward' list. As the Supreme Court observed there is a competition to be a 'backward' class or community. The only way this challenge could be turned into an opportunity is by extending primary, secondary, vocational and college education in every nook and corner of our country without any discrimination. Since majority of our people depend on agriculture, free agricultural education – soil-testing, rain-water harvesting,selection of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, grading, marketing, credit/insurance etc - should be made available. Education should be employment-oriented, and here the government should seek the co-operation of the organised industry. Entrepreneurship should be encouraged. Every young and eduacted person should be able to access credit at a low rate and even get a subsidy. Banks should be equipped to guide and monitor young entrepreneurs.
(b) Smaller states :
Smaller states may not be politically stable, but they have shown economic progress, whether it is Punjab, Haryana or Goa. In view of this, forming smaller states should be pursued – not merely in Telangana and Vidharba, but elsewhere as well. The smaller states bring government and governance to everybody's doorsteps. To ensure political stability, all defections should be banned and all defectors should be disqualified for five years immediately. There should not be any mid-term elections, but the President's rule till the five-year term is over.
( c ) Naxalism & Jehadi problems :
Naxalite menace and jehadi terrorism has weakened Indian state. Both require two-pronged attack – disarming/eliminating the groups that indulge in violence and to solve the social/political causes that give raise to them. State has to be firm in punishing perpetrators of crime against innocent people everywhere. It should equip police with adequate legal and material support. The socio-economic issues that give raise to these actions by the misguided people have to be tackled with tact and sympathy. Land distribution, empowerment of people through education and employment would give a stake to the people who feel left-out of the economic progress of the country.
(d) Kashmir :
Kashmir problem has allowed many powers ( USA,UK,USSR,China,Pakistan) to meddle and muddle in India's internal affairs. This should be stopped. Everybody knows that Jammu and Ladakh have no problem in completely merging with India. It is just the Kashmir valley. Let the valley be a state with maximum autonomy. Ladakh can be given the status of Union Territory, and Jammu can be merged with Himachal Pradesh. All this should be done only after consulting the people. Kashmir problem should be solved once and for all.
(e) Secularism :
Secularism is the most misunderstood concept and most misused word by the politicians in India. India's constitution assures equality,liberty and fraternity to every citizen. It envisages a secular ( separation of the state and religion) state. Hinduism, which not merely accepts but respects other faiths, is inclusive and secular. No Hindu king has imposed his religion on others. Hindu scriptures proclaim that God is one but wise call him different names, just as all rivers flow to the sea, all faiths lead to the same goal – God. Look at all the countries of the world and count how many are secular. See how many countries have minorities in the top positions. India is secular because Hindus are secular.
(i) Equal freedom to all educational institutions : However, many legislative measures taken by the successive governments have widened the gap between the followers of various religions by creating special dispensations. Religious and linguistic minorities have been given special privileges which make even Hindu institutions like the Ramakrishna Mission to claim minority status. The legislation which debars state intervention from minority educational institutions should be extended to all private educational institutions.
(ii) Freedom from state interference : In the name of administration of temples state has been interfering in the religious affairs of Hindus. Secular state has taken over the administration of temples and politicians have used temple trust funds for their private educational institutions. ( The misuse of Sidhi Vinayak Trust funds by politicians is in the Bombay High Court). Andhra Pradesh and Karnatak governments have used the temple funds to renovate churches and masjids when Christian Missionaries and Muslims are trying to convert Hindus. Hindu temples should be administered by a committee elected by the devotees of each temple or a group of temples belonging to the same deity or the same sampradaya ( faith). Shiromani Gurudwar Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) is a good model for this purpose. Hindu temple funds be should be used for the upkeep of temples and the promotion of Hindu religion and culture – through books, promotion of classical music and dance. Surplus funds could also be used for the promotion of education and hospitals for all people. Temples should be liberated from politicians and the secular state. The secular state should be truly secular.
(iii) Promote better understanding of faiths : Secularism has been well-defined by our former President Dr.S.Radhakrishnan as " sarva dharma sama bhava " - equal respect to all faiths. The secular fundamentalists have turned the Indian state into anti-religious state – nay anti-Hindu state by giving special status to the minorities. This is the root of all religious strife in India today. If India has to become great country, it has to inculcate respect for all faiths among its citizens. This can be done only by educating our children ( and others) on the fundamentals of all religions and their contribution to the Indian civilization. Our children and their parents have to be told about basic values promoted by religions – brotherhood of man fatherhood of God, love, truth, charity, restraint, non-violence etc. When people realise that religions stand for some basic values of humanity inspite of expressing the same in different languages and idioms through different religious rituals, they would shun quarrels on petty issues and ' live and let live' becomes the norm.
Part III A vision for International Relations .
(a ) United Nations :
The United Nations Organisation(UNO) was created to save succeeding generations from the scourge of wars such as the first and second world wars of the 20 th century. It has been successful in preventing another world war and has doused many smaller conflagrations. However, unilateral action, especially by USA, dented its reputation and has reduced its effectiveness in the world. Another factor which has affected its effectiveness is the unrepresentative character of the Security Council. Expansion of the Security Council to include countries such as India, Japan, Germany, South Africa and Brazil would enhance its decision-making process. The Security Council should take a lead in making the world safe for environment, ensure energy security and abolish poverty. India should take its rightful place in the UNO and strive for a world free from war and want. As Mahatma Gandhi said long ago, there is enough in this world for everybody's need, not everybody's greed.
(b)United States of America.
USA is the only super power in the world today. India is an emerging great power, thanks to its economic progress, democratic polity and the military might. Both the countries share the same democratic values and economic interests. This has been highlighted in 2001 by Henry Kissinger, the former Secretary of State of USA, in his book, Does America Need a Foreign Policy ?. He is the man who sent the 7th Fleet to the Bay of Bengal when India helped Mukti Bahini of Bangabandhu Mujibur Rehman to liberate East Bengal from the genocide by the Pakistani army. But, he is a realist and votary of 'balance of power'. His Asian policy prescription to USA is very sensible : no domination by any single power ; superior American military establishment to thwart hegemonistic threats; alliance with Japan; constructive dialogue with India; China to be the indispensable component of a constructive Asian policy; preventing or at least limiting nuclear weapons; and promoting human rights. Kissinger also believes that Indian security interests demand Indian naval supremacy from Aden to Singapore. He does not subscribe to the nuclear theology that only five permanent members of the Security Council are entitled to the atomic weapons. He also feels that rolling back of Indian nuclear capability is tilting against the windmills. Apart from what is called ' superior American military establishment', no Indian would have any objection to Kissinger's Asian policy.
India should continue to have good relations with all countries of the world especially Russia, (which has been a friend in need) Germany, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, UK and France.
( c ) Pakistan :
Pakistan came into being from the irrational fear, hatred and the distrust of the Muslim elite to the Hindu majority of India. The Muslim League never fought for freedom. It fought for parity with Hindus which later resulted in partition. It joined US military alliance not to fight the Communism, but to confront India. Now it is with China, again to fight India. All these three powers – UK,USA, China – have not helped Pakistan to be a normal democratic state which looks after the welfare of its citizens but have strengthened its irrational fears. They have used Pakistan to stifle India's economic and political stature. Kashmir is not the real issue of contention between India and Pakistan, but Pakistan's antipathy to India is. Its infrastructure of terror created by the Army and ISI with the support of the Islamic fundamentalists has become a Frankenstein which may devour its creators sooner or later No nation or state has become great being a pawn in the hands of big powers or by instituting a theocracy. Just as Soviet Union realised the futility of military competition with USA without the welfare of its citizens, Pakistan too is in for a similar reality check. We have to wait for a Gorbachev to emerge. Only thing India has to do is to be firm with Pakistan.
( d ) China :
China, with its great past, vast land and natural resources, huge population, is bound to be a great power. The Chinese leaders have shown their will to be a great power – military and economic. The leadership has not bothered about human cost – during the collectivization, the cultural revolution, and now, in its special economic zones. In its frenzied effort to overtake USA, both economically and militarily, it has not cared for environmental impact on its land and people. Though all its neighbours have good trade relations with it, they are not highly appreciative of its political and military activities. It periodically rubs Japan on its imperial past. It has disputes with some of its neighbours about the oil prospecting around their waters. Its 1962 invasion was just to teach a lesson to Pandit Nehru and his policy of non-alignment. It still covets Indian territory. Its political and military moves around India – in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal – looks like a containment policy. India has to wake up to this reality and devise a suitable policy to protect its interests.
( E ) South-Asia :
India should be able to rally all countries of South Asia into a trade bloc with or without Pakistan. Mutually beneficial trade is a great unifier. Economic inter-dependence and prosperity always promote peace in any region. The European Union and ASEAN – Association of South-East Asian Nations - are good examples. India should lower tariff and non-tariff barriers for trade and investment for all its neighbours on a reciprocal basis. It should also share scientific knowledge on energy security, protection of environment, agricultural and medical research with the countries of the region.It should encourage exchange of students, journalists, scholars, politicians and tourists to foster better understanding among the member states.
IV The Vision of India.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru dreamed of a modern India. Wiping tears of the poor was the dream of Mahatma Gandhi. He said, unto the last (antyodaya) - reaching out to the last man. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore dreamed of an India " where the mind is without fear and the head is held high .. where the world has not been broken into fragments by narrow domestic walls". Our ancient sages prayed for all - " sarve jana sukhino bhavantu" ( Let all people be happy). All these dreams have found their expression in the preamble of our Constitution : " We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens : Justice, social, economic and political ; Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship ; Equality of status and of opportunity ; and to promote among them all Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the nation." The preamble envisages an India which secures liberty, equality and fraternity to all irrespective of caste, creed and religion. This is the true vision of India.
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