India is, but a nation steeped in a rich history. The historical processes and current imagination has played a pertinent role in shaping the India of today. Read on, as our contributor details what his ideal India would look like.
It will be worth it to start my essay with the quote of sitting Indian National Congress MP Shashi Tharoor:
“India shaped my mind, anchored my identity, influenced my beliefs, and made me who I am. India matters to me and I would like to matter to India.”
The reason I am writing this article is because of the situation I feel we all are going through. Some divisive forces are trying to alter the nation’s integrity and sovereignty. There is awareness, not only in India but in the whole world. People are striving to sustain the democratic setup of our country.
This article is going to articulate the past, present and future of India.
Our Past and The Leaders
When we became independent from the British rule, the important task for the leaders was to give a path of progress to its citizens through the Constitution, and through political, social and economic reforms. It was not a win-win situation for the newly born country as she had to tackle the mass riots of religious fanatics, mass poverty and a war-like situation in Kashmir.
The leaders of our country kept on handling all these tasks bravely, and systematically, without getting diverted by those tough scenarios. It is because of these efforts that our democracy emerged in the 1970’s.
To keep democracy ‘ON’, we should elect leaders who convoke and succeed with integrity. Leaders who will have the guts to accept failures. Leaders who understand the altered global landscape and leaders who know how to harness the energy of creative and innovative youth are required.
It is my belief that we need leaders who will invoke a positive and progressive political culture and will reject the divisive and exploitative politics. Furthermore, leaders who have a clear picture of the nation’s overall aim are essential.
In my opinion, we need a government, be it of any party or coalition, to accept different views and opinions. We want a parliament where the ruling party and opposition functions in cooperation when there are matters of urgent public importance.
The gap between people's aspirations and the government machinery has to be bridged. Leaders should keep their ears close to the Earth to hear the voices of common people. I feel, we require an inclusive parliament where the youth from different sections of the society are adequately represented. Governance which connects people: Digital India is indeed a good step towards good governance, but at the same time, we also have to identify the areas where we are lacking, to expand digitally.
The policymakers are certainly aware of the rapidly changing world. This is the age of acceleration, where if you have to yield results, technological advancement should actively interact with the socio-political systems.
In this decade, our GDP is at a new low in many quarters. The stakeholders should connect with the global economy, to boost India’s economy, and to gain value-added progress. Structural reforms in the government machinery and management systems are the need of the hour.
While spreading our export net in global seas, we also have to concentrate on how to make a strong regional reach, for the beneficial growth of all sections of the society. India cannot remain isolated in the 21st century.
The government has to keep the youth in the loop of development, as they are the foot soldiers of progress. More reforms are needed, such as the one nation – one ration card scheme. The falling water table is a crucial problem in India, and it is going to become more problematic, eventually.
Some other aspects, which need to be focused upon are as given below:
Food Security: For instance, there is a lack of reform in food security to tackle daily life challenges. Our economy is not completely agriculture-based today as compared to the past decades. The farmers are facing challenges due to the lack of accessibility to technology. Those who are using techno-innovations in farming are faring much better than those who don’t.
Therefore, what we need, is to provide maximum technological access, to all the farmers, and to motivate them in their struggle for livelihood.
At the same time, we have to look for alternate options, to tackle food security like looking for agricultural imports, controlling the population, etc.
Energy Security: India is still a fossil fuel-dependent country, in terms of generation of energy. India is a topper among the oil importers in the world. We are an oil-based economy. There should be a multi-pronged approach to deal with energy security. India has to look for cheaper oil imports.
The policymakers should see the viability of electric vehicles and encourage their manufacture and use. The setting up of an International Solar Alliance is a giant step in the energy sector, to turn the growing population of the country towards solar energy. We have to generate social conscience in people to use the resources wisely and properly.
National Security: The government is taking efficient steps in dealing with cross border terrorism like BOLD-QIT (Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique) under CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management system) on the India-Bangladesh border. The implementation of this project is not only helping BSF to curb all types of cross border crimes, but also provides respite to the troops from round the clock human surveillance.
The government is using Space technology for border management. The new government has an opportunity to play a better game. So, building up the Quad and the India-Japan-US trilateral is needed. It has to keep up the opposition to Belt Road and CPEC (China-Pakistan- Economic Corridor). Pakistan should be kept on its toes regarding support to terrorism, both diplomatically, and through the multilateral route, like IMF (International Monetary Fund) and FATF (Financial Action Task Force).
One big security issue is the frequent presence of ISIS in Kerala. So far, the NIA (National Investigation Agency) and other security agencies have succeeded in capturing them but we should be very alert and not give Terror organisations another opportunity to surprise us, like 26/11.
Space Security: Maritime Space, Outer Space and Cyberspace, should be equipped with defensive, as well as offensive capabilities, to tackle the tech-revolution, which is both a boon and curse.
Recently, we have seen the successful test of ASAT (Anti-Satellite) which can destroy spy satellites roaming in space. These satellites pose threats to our security apparatus and development infrastructure. Therefore, ASAT is a useful proposition.
Think Tanks should have a collaborative approach to deal with all the security challenges. Shared perceptions across states should be encouraged, to create a safer and more secure India. There is a lot to be done in the education sector and local administration reforms are needed.
Education: We should focus on primary education more than secondary education. The schools need creative teachers, creative syllabus and creative classrooms. There are many schools in India where we don’t have basic facilities like drinking water, hygienic conditions, etc.
The habit of reading for the overall development of students has to be inculcated. We have to redefine education, energy and health care. Ayushman Bharat, ATAL Tinkering Labs and Atal Innovative Mission are some of the steps taken by the Government to ensure health for all, boosting creativity and innovation respectively.
I want an India where there will be no more child deaths due to lack of facilities, infrastructure and money. It is true that the unemployment rate is at an all-time high in India at present, but the policymakers should also concentrate on the productivity of employed people. I strongly felt there was a lot to be done in reforming the police ecosystem when I saw the brutal handling of civilian protests.
It is true that the way of showing dissent should be non-violent, but at the same time, the government should accept the dissent non-violently.
The role of citizens in nation-building: Modern democracy should deal with deep diversity cautiously, as we have many religions, languages, ethnicities, cultures and traditions. The country should not see diversity as a handicap or a problem. Instead, we have to foreground its diversity.
Sharing of power is very essential to accommodate diversity. The people have to keep the fanatics, divisive, intolerant and extremist people out of power, because the democratic diversity can’t sustain hate and violence.
In my opinion, we should celebrate diversity to sustain India’s culture. The citizens must acquire knowledge of how government machinery functions; they must understand the basic problems of society. An alert, awake, aware and vigilant Indian electorate and fair application of power by those who gain it through the democratic process is required. Remember, India exists due to its diversity.
References:
PIB India, NITI AAYOG, Economic Times, Times Of India.
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