We're independent... yet many shackles
As we celebrate the 64th anniversary of our Independence, it is but right to ascertain how independent and free we are as a nation and whether the most sought-after Independence has brought happiness and prosperity to our lives. It is a matter of great pride that we won our Independence from the British through non-violence. But what we obtained was only political freedom. Any nation which calls itself progressive and prosperous should concentrate on economic freedom as well, creating ideal conditions for its people to work and prosper in their chosen field of activity.
One of the first and foremost thing people need for their sustenance is food. In spite of several decades of economic planning and investment of a large sum of money in core areas, hundreds of thousands of our people go without food everyday. It is an irony that while tonnes of foodgrains rot in the open for want of storage facilities, there are people crying for a morsel of food. The per capita income of the average Indian is around Rs.42, 000 or Rs.115 a day. There are people who earn less and they get food only once a day. Thus, it is clear that the governments at the Centre and in the States have failed to provide food to those in need. This is unjust, to say the least.
The next basic thing is provision of employment to all able-bodied men and women. The government should provide employment to not only urban educated but also the semi-literates and illiterates in the semi-urban and rural areas. The record of governments in this aspect has not been satisfactory since their accent has always been on starting large capital-intensive industries in mega cities — Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi, registering an increase in the rate of employment in the metros. There is no gainful employment for the ruralfolks for most of the year and they are left to fend for themselves. Agriculture is dependent on the monsoon and often proves unprofitable for small landholders who have to face the ordeal of dealing with greedy moneylenders. Therefore, agricultural labour is driven to the cities in search of jobs. This migration results in overcrowding of cities, creating slum conditions, the natural corollary being the soaring crime graph.
The third obvious failure of our government is in extending education to all children above six. Though the Right to Education Act has been enacted with much fanfare and publicity, it is likely to remain a pipe-dream in the absence of massive fund allotment and the required political will to see to its implementation by investing in infrastructure.
The fourth is the absence of adequate educational facilities for women so as to compete with men on an equal footing for employment. Thereby, they will become self-reliant. The government has failed to demonstrate its commitment to prevent aggression against women as is evident in the increase in the cases of rape, sexual assault and molestation in workplaces and elsewhere.
Thus, viewed from all angles, only islands of prosperity exist amid a sea of poverty. The average citizen is not concerned with the growth rate of the economy or the gross domestic product. All that he wants is food to survive, wages for the work done and education and health for the children. In the end, it can only be said that except for a minority Independence has failed to bring happiness and prosperity in general and for the poor in particular. But there is hope for the better if our youngsters take up the challenge and work for a prosperous India.
(The writer's email id is mikearchel@googlemail.com)
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