Base

Strength of any structure, be it a social, political, industrial or financial , depends on its base. This is a fundamental prerequisite that base or foundation should be strong enough for future expansions. If it is not so, then it is definitely a disaster-in-waiting. We all have witnessed or heard about such collapses at some stage of time. Most commonly witnessed instances of such failures, now a days, are the failed nations (and not some dilapidated building as some of us might have thought). Somalia, Ethiopia are some of the burning examples of the states which have failed to deliver what was needed.

Talking of the base; a nation's base is its citizens. Any country in the world which can deliver happiness and satisfaction to its people is a successful state. Happiness and satisfaction are the simplest terms for plethora of conceptualizations such as HDI, HPI, HI, QLI, and a lots of 'I's.
So, where does India stand in making its base strong?
India has world's second largest population and that too growing at a full tilt. To keep every section of such mammoth population "happy and satisfied" would be an uphill task for any nation. There are certain resplendent views such as having world's one of the largest stack of billionaires, or robust economy, or vastly expanding mega-cities, and many more to add smile to our faces. But concomitantly, there is a display of poignancy and dismal scenes of human plight. There are various problems which are yet to be solved.

Problems in India are region specific, or regional but having a national impact, or broadly national in consequences. Since India is a rapidly developing country, there are areas in the picture which are beautifully coloured and are very fascinating but ironically, there are some areas which are not at all near to colour, leave aside beauty. Regional imbalances and lack of development is something whose result is in front of us in the form of Naxalism. I will not call it Maoism because nowhere Mao has exhorted to murder innocent people. The question now arises that when the source of problem is known, then why is the solution not being applied? Now, here comes a twist because the time when the developmental activities should have been commenced in these backward, remote and least represented areas was quite different from what one sees today. Apart from geography, Naxalite Terrorists have made these regions unreachable for the government. So, it is obvious that in order to make our home look beautiful, we must first clean it.

Strong action to curb violence has already started and let's hope for a good coordinated action. But wiping off the Naxal leaders and violence will not be enough. Development, opportunities for growth, reforms and social inclusion must go side by side. For example, an area when captured back from the Naxalite grip must be brought under the security forces and immediately the work for rehabilitation, education, farming and land reforms should be started. Any delay in such activities will do nothing but sow the seeds for future retaliation. People of India should feel a sense of pride and Indianness everywhere and not just in certain areas of their motherland. Happiness and satisfaction can only be guaranteed when there is a sense of security and opportunity for growth and development. Only a sound policy for the Naxalite infection will not do the needful. It requires a sound implementation of the intention of state.

This will be a step in cementing the base of India. Not just this Naxal problem but for other problems also, need for cooperation and coordination from every section of Indians is equally required and important as it is from the government. Because we must remember the words of our Father of the Nation, "We get the government we deserve. When we improve, the government is bound to improve." So, if something has been achieved, then something more is to be gained. But what are these things which can cement our base for a happy and satisfied future?

INDIA, CHANGING TIMES

Past...Present...Future

Times are changing, and are changing really fast. What one sees around today, may not be there tomorrow. A pavbhaji thelewala whose efficacy one reishes today, may own a restraunt tomorrow or simply, may own more than just one thela. We all have witnessed those ephemeral changes all around India which our forefathers would have seen in generations. Not to talk of omni-present mobile phones when there were not even landlines in each mohalla. All these may seem quite normal to us but lot of efforts have been invested (lot more than we can imagime) to make India to reach where it is today. Such is the span of effects of increased purchasing power of an Indian that luxuries of past have just become things of daily mandi.
One may live in Berlin, or Paris, or Durban, or California but an Indian will surely be his neighbour. India can not be overlooked at any international stage, in any drama of present times. Not only she has transmogrified herself from a pauper, empty-handed, weak nation to world's fourth largest economy, a major exporter of agro products, an IT superpower and a formidable defence protagonist, but is also leading the conglomeration of developing nations at almost every global table. This is really a great achievement to boast of. Having a look at the other nations, born in around the same period of late 1940s, testifies the success story of India.
Within few decades, we have completely turned the table around. But is this enough? If no, then what next?