Gone are the days when people could talk about bi-polar interpretation of world politics. We had on the one hand WESTERN BLOCK led by U.S.A.and on the other one led by erst-while U.S.S.R. As to maintain checks and balance there emerged the THIRD BLOCK popularly known as the NON-ALIGNED BLOCK led by India. Despite serious differences between those two blocks on many issues,violence did not escalate largely due to fire-fighting role played by the THIRD BLOCK. With the passage of time and balkanisation of east EUROPEAN communist countries, balance of power underwent tremendous changes.India known for her close proximity to former U.S.S.R has moved closer to U.S.A. Apart from economic interests U.S.A. and India, representing the oldest democracy and the largest democracy in the word are to sink their differences to fight their common enemy namely TERRORISM launched by the fundamentalists.
It is indeed a pity that while U.S.A. still retains her position to dictate terms to the outside world, the champion of NON-VIOLENCE MOVEMENT India is yet to get a proper place. No sincere attempt has been made by the permanent members of the SECURITY COUNCIL to secure a place for India in the revised set-up in SECURITY COUNCIL. We understand that we could not achieve our legitimate aspiration because we were economically weak. But that is not the case now. India branded so long as a backward country and then as a underdeveloped economy is now regarded as an emerging economy next only to China. The countries which did not bother earlier or paying lip service will have to think seriously to allow India to get her rightful place in the SECURITY COUNCIL.We strongly believe that the charter of U.N.O. needs to be revised without any further delay to reflect changes in the world power structure otherwise we are afraid the organisation will meet the same fate like that of its predecessor the LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
As citizens of India we have every reason to feel proud with our achievement on the economic front. But the question that is uppermost in our mind is---What economic developments really mean to the common people? Despite economic meltdown global debt crisis in U.S.A. and EURO zone, our GDP growth for the last few years is quite encouraging..Although it is yet to reach double figures, it is fluctuating between 6 to 9 percent. After all said and done the fact remains that while as a fall out to ECONOMIC LIBERALISATION, some people have joined the coveted BILLIONAIRE CLUB and shamelessly displaying their ill-gotten wealth by constructing a sky scrapper and dedicating to lady love,the teeming millions still do not have bread to eat, clothes to wear and a roof to live under. Generation of wealth indicates economic growth. But it does not necessarily mean economic welfare of the common people.Since our dream is to set up a SOCIALISTIC PATTERN OF SOCIETY, while generating wealth we are to devise a mechanism so that benefits of economic growth accrue more and more to the less privileged section in the society. As a welfare state our endeavour should be to reduce economic disparity. Unfortunately instead of gap between the rich and poor being reduced, it is widening from year to year. India has become a country of classic co-existence. A small percentage of the population is rolling in luxury, majority are below the poverty line.
Off late there has been a plethora of discussion on the hydra-headed monster called CORRUPTION. After lot of dilly-dallying a LOKPAL BILL is being introduced in Parliament..However there are reservations about the proposed bill. Since we believe in EQUALITY in the eyes of law, everybody including the PRIME MINISTER should be included within the ambit of the bill. Corruption in India thrives under the various safeguards provided in the constitution, laws, rules and regulations of the land.These should be scrapped to ensure transparency in our functioning
Apart from corruption which is rampant and perhaps impossible to stamp out, inflation specially on the food front has reduced the benefits of economic growth in real terms Cost of living being very high, a common man finds it difficult to maintain himself and his family. As he has to spend a major portion of his low income on food, very little is left to meet the other basic requirements of life. Education is very often the casualty. Instead of sending them to schools , the children are made to work violating the social legislation relating to child labour.
YOUTH are the backbone of a nation. Unless they receive proper education and training, they can not take part in building a nation Unfortunately in India only a small percentage of the central and state budget is spent on education. Most of the educational institutions specially the private ones are in pretty bad shape.They do not have proper buildings and the required infrastructure. About the quality of teaching staff the less said is the better.On top of all these inherent defects admission in educational institutions are rarely on merit. They are mostly auctioned to the highest bidders who normally hang around on the corridors of power and manipulate the entire system.
Picture on the job market is equally alarming. In most cases one can not get a job without greasing the palm of the people who matter. Advertisements are only an eye wash. Candidates are selected beforehand. Interviews are held only to complete the formality As there is corruption at the point of entry, it is nothing but natural that once the candidates get entry they indulge in and encourage corrupt practices Any one standing in the way will be eliminated like the IITian in Bihar.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM is out-dated. Police in India excepting Kolkata police still follow the POLICE ACT OF 1861. Evidence before a police officer excepting in a few cases is not admissible in law. Onus of burden of proof in most cases is with the Prosecution.Witnesses in many cases do not turn up -may be because of too many adjournments. Taking advantage of these weaknesses children from rich and influential families do commit crime and go scot free.
The purpose of this write-up is not to malign my country or any institution or group of institutions. I am here only to state the present state of affairs.We all want to see a strong and united India. An India of our dream people from all walks of life should live with dignity and literally enjoy the fruits of economic development.
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