On the 75th #IndependenceDay, we brings you the incisive thoughts of three eminent personalities on India’s journey, failures, transformation, and responsibility of citizens in making it a developed nation. In this edition, our august guests include Col. SC Tyagi (ST), Shri KS Pravinsinh Jadeja (PJ), and Prof. Anand Kumar (AK).
Col. SC Tyagi is a retired colonel who joined Indian Army in 1976 after passing out from NDA. He has the honour of serving the Rajput Regiment with the distinction of 33 years. He has fought in IPKF in Sri Lanka and Kargil War. He has also written two books titled “The Fourth Estate: A Force Multiplier for the Indian Army” and “The Kargil Victory: Battles from Peak to Peak.”
Shri KS Pravinsinh Jadeja is in public life since 1982. He has been elected twice as MLA and an Ex-Minister of Gujarat.
Prof. Anand Kumar is a retired professor from JNU. He is a brilliant academician and has the credit of visiting professorships to several universities in India and abroad including BHU, MIT University, Tripura Central University, North-eastern Hill University, Albert Ludwig University, Johannes Kepler University, and Tufts University, to name a few.
1. How do you see India’s journey as a nation during last 75 years?
ST: India has gone through centuries of trials and tribulations inflicted by several foreign invaders like Mongols and Mughals and subjugation under the Colonial Masters; however, the spirit of India has survived all these ordeals. We remained steadfast in these trying times displaying our resilience despite the oppressions of various external rulers during the last millennia. It took us some time, but we have emerged stronger than ever before. After 75 years of Independence, India has shown the world that we are a matured democracy and a rising, resurgent, and responsible nation. The glory of India lies in its cultural diversity and unison among caste, creed, religion, and sects. Today, we have our spacecraft that has reached the moon and the world recognises our great strength in developmental growth, be it in manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, defence, IT, or banking.
We are now self-sufficient in many fields e.g. in food supply, electricity generation, manufacturing of aircrafts, and building aircraft carriers. The recent induction of INS Vikrant demonstrates our capabilities in creating our own deep strategic assets. India is now considered a responsible nation in geopolitical fora. Our soft power is well known across the world. Indian culture is quoted and emulated across various geographies of the world. We are an emerging economy, soon to touch $5 trillion.
PJ: The reflection of India’s journey during 75 years of Independence doesn’t meet the expectations of citizens. India treads her 75 years on a topsy turvy road. For centuries, India has been home to social system that bred inequality, exploitation, and injustice. The poor people have not exploited economically but also have undergone and are still being subjected to social indignities. The Father of Indian Constitution has provided legislations to remove indignity, inequality, and inability.
After 75 years, determined legislations have not fetched the desired solutions. Because Indian politics pays around power capturing games. Indian politicians were committed to the Constitutional democracy during early 1974. Once derailed, the political system never regains its glory of the commitment to the socio-political value of virtues. Since 1985, it looks as if socio-economic development promises get momentum, but it remains a daydreaming. On the contrary, Indian politics imbibed with corruption. Communalisation and religious orthodox AK: In related terms, Indian quest for freedom did achieve significant success on 15th August 1947, but the making of Independent India in last 75 years on the promised line with assured freedom and justice remain unsatisfactory. We are unable to provide freedom from hunger for nearly 2/3rd of our citizens who are living in subsidised food. So, Indian dream of taking poverty and hunger out of the life of the last person is yet to be realised. In terms of political freedom, there has been a good record of regular elections and freedom of political associations, mobilization. and competition. But there is must to be done for converting Indian representative democracy into participatory democracy. The perpetual problem of under-representation of women and poor remains unresolved. The need of social freedom is being negotiated to politics of social engineering, but the result of reservation system remains influential in terms of elite formation and keeps millions of men and women trapped in evils of caste system and cultural dominance.
2. Where did we fail as a democracy?
ST: We have not failed as a democracy. As is known, we are one of the biggest democracies in the world, elections are free and fair, anyone can aspire to be the prime minister of this country. That demonstrates the strength and a deepening democracy. We are a country of several political parties with different ideologies, but we co-exist without any conflict. The most important factor of our democratic maturity is that there is no military interference in the political system. Our Constitution is the guiding force behind our resurgence.
PJ: We failed the spirit of Constitution. We never give up our cast, creed, and religion identity as India citizens. We never give up the practice of superstitious beliefs and rituals. We never give up worshiping of myths and mythology. We never uphold scientific spirit and the value of science. Unfortunately, many Indian scientists are faith dwellers blindly. The last but not the least, we failed to humanity.
AK: Democracy is an ever-evolving system of power based upon political equality and decentralization. Many people consider right to vote and political representation through election as the most essential component of democracy. It is an incomplete understanding because democracy is a way of life where there is space and scope for living with diversities and differences. Indian democracy is suffering with a representation deficit as well as developmental deficit. Therefore, I am inclined to argue that we are living in a system of deficient democracy. But it will be a bit premature to conclude that India as a failed democracy.
3. How long will it take India to transform itself from a developing to developed nation?
ST: The baggage that we are carrying since the colonial misrules is too heavy to easily negotiate. Invasions and colonial rules tattered India from an economically strong nation to under-developed poor country when the Independence came. Over these 75 years, we have resurrected and risen from the morass created by our masters in the past. Today, India is counted as a developing nation. We must take pride and celebrate this resilience of our people. Transitioning from an under-developing poor country to a developing nation takes long time. It took time to raise our head. We are doing well across all the sectors, be it our economy which is growing at a fast rate, or infrastructure development or building huge manufacturing base. We have become a nation that cares for its citizens be it anyone including the people with disabilities. I can say with confidence that we will soon be a developed nation, maybe it takes a decade or so before it happens.
PJ: When we look at the developed nations in this world, the first thing that comes to the fore is human living index. India dropped one spot to 131 among 189 countries in the 2020 human development index, according to a report published by the United Nations Development Program. This is an indicator of our development standard. It’s very unlikely that India can be a developed nation in next 20-30 years unless we formulate the right policies in bolstering the bottom of the pyramid. Although the successive governments have framed policies to improve the living standards of people, massive corruption in the governance system has failed the objective. To transform India into a developed nation, the first and the foremost thing that we must do is to eliminate corruption at all levels. who support the vision of a united and developed India.
4. What changes should Indian citizens emulate in themselves to become more responsible citizens?
ST: World over Indians are welcomed and are considered very intelligent, hardworking, cultured, dutiful and responsible people who are adaptive to the new environment. Many Indians have risen to the top posts in global conglomerates and MNCs. It shows that we have it in us. All that is required today is a bit of self-discipline.
Disciplined citizens can contribute significantly to the progress of a nation and sooner it happens, it will translate into India becoming a power to reckon with. During the last couple of years, India has achieved many milestones and if this pace continues, we will soon be a developed nation. The progress we have achieved till date is a collective contribution of a billion-plus nation. I would exhort all Indians to take pride in our rich cultural heritage, believe in ourselves and work towards a common goal i.e. making India great again.
PJ: Indian citizens are not least irresponsible unless they forced to be. Every Indian loves our credo “SATYAMEV JAYTE.” But people in power have failed to their responsibility, it reflects their misdeeds. Let people in power become transparent in their duties and responsibilities, people will respond double enthusiasm. AK: In this scenario, there are 3 truths. This should be recognized by all concerned and committed citizens of India. First, we must come out of the myth that all citizens of India have come out of the darkness of life without freedom. The struggle for freedom is continuing at various levels and it needs to be actively supported by the better of section of the people of India. Second, we must recognize that the Indian model of building a society based on freedom, justice, equality, fraternity, and unity is not yet well established. We are fiddling with elite oriented political, economic, and social progress which are partial and unsustainable. India must evolve a sustainable model of inclusive development. We need a participatory approach to achieve togetherness of decolonization, de-centralization, and development. So far, we have not paid attention to the reality of their togetherness.
36 Comments
I think other website proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and wonderful user pleasant layout.
Whats Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & aid other customers like its aided me. Great job.
I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my site thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
Great write-up, I¦m normal visitor of one¦s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
It’s really a cool and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
I got what you intend, appreciate it for putting up.Woh I am glad to find this website through google.
I am glad that I discovered this website, just the right information that I was looking for! .
Very wonderful visual appeal on this website , I’d rate it 10 10.
What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist different users like its aided me. Great job.
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Rattling clear site, thankyou for this post.
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Wow! Thank you! I continuously wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I implement a portion of your post to my site?
Normally I don’t read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite nice post.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
But wanna input on few general things, The website style is perfect, the written content is rattling good : D.
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks
You actually make it appear really easy together with your presentation however I in finding this topic to be actually something that I believe I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very extensive for me. I am having a look forward in your next submit, I’ll attempt to get the grasp of it!
I’m impressed, I must say. Actually rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you will have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the problem is one thing that not sufficient individuals are speaking intelligently about. I am very joyful that I stumbled across this in my search for one thing relating to this.
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
Its such as you read my mind! You appear to know so much approximately this, like you wrote the e book in it or something. I believe that you just can do with some to pressure the message house a bit, however instead of that, that is wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
Really instructive and fantastic anatomical structure of written content, now that’s user genial (:.
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
Have you ever considered writing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
hello!,I love your writing very so much! proportion we keep in touch more about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to peer you.
Superb post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Many thanks!
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with approximately all vital infos. I’d like to look extra posts like this .
Great site! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am taking your feeds also.
Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Great write-up, I¦m regular visitor of one¦s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site?
You are my aspiration, I own few web logs and infrequently run out from to brand.
When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any approach you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!