As is well known, this year’s 15th August will be a special and memorable one. While owing to supreme sacrifice of our simple freedom fighters, FREEDOM was won, some builders of modern India have also contributed immensely to its further development, growth and sustenance. Whereas being a young country, we seem to have done well , there have been setbacks, not failures, per se, in some sectors. If Credit for former should go to people with tact, control and acumen, Discredit part for the latter will be attributable to road blockers among us.
2) Most significant causes perhaps, are, our utter failure on DEMOGRAPHIC FRONT and being party to perpetuating corruption & inefficiency.
Moral standards are going haywire, may be beyond redemption. We are still away from self respect situation. What to think even of building a National Character?
One can go on and on. However , in order to come out with a perspective in retrospect, it would be desirable to analyse some of the key sectors in the midst of Covid crisis and apparent flavor or boost provided by the encouraging performance of our youth in Tokyo Olympics.
3) Before we proceed ahead, if we do not mention about rapid fall in our moral standards and the way we make a mockery of rules & regulations both indoors (be it offices or Legislative institutions) or out in full public view ,we may be committing a blunder at the very outset.
4) To mark the sombre occasion , monumental Tricolours, more than a hundred in number are going to be put up in several spots.Maybe, we see felicitations to a chosen few apart from Olympic participants and a couple of special people, as also new welfare programmes and schemes are very much expected.
5) A very pertinent and apt question could be posed, however – Can’t Rs Fifty Crores to be spent in Delhi alone on Tricolours could go for meeting the basic requirements of still struggling families or thousands of shattered children who have been deprived of their parents in course of dreaded Covid:2019 ? This will be in addition to hundreds of children who go missing every day through the train on to the ‘Dhaba’ route.
Secondly, during the uncertain Covid times when we are socially distanced but mentally connected by Net and Cell, we may be also tempted to ask -Independence for Whom, From What?
FREEDOM NEEDED FROM VISIBLE CHALLENGES
6) Spirit of FREEDOM needs to be sought in the given scenario of pressure and anxiety by the common man ,who may dare to break the shackles of mind boggling corruption,cracks in social fabric, unpredictable weather, instances of low wages and labour law violations and also trying to withstand waves and mutations & Delta off spring of “Corona Auntie”.
It is the time, when instead of uniting to fight the never ending pandemic, we have been compelled to become more” practical” and self focused
Setback Among Students & Office Goers
7) We seem to have come to a situation when students have been forced to be away from educational institutions since March 2020 and when Govt.Offices as also legislatures, look to be paralyzed.But daily expenditure on them never stops. spree.As if this was not enough, ahead of time infrastructures are being buily by getting rid of durable and aesthetic super structures and trees.Name changing is also on in full speed, thus drawing unwanted attention.Do we do everything in one go or take a break in between the targets?
8) When we are supposed to look after the health,well being and minimum needs of our own countrymem,we are expressing a lot of concern about such challenges in so called friendly countries. It takes ample time & networking to realize that they are basically fair weather friends.
When we were down with creeping economy, rising inflation, imposed unemployment and rapid fall in morality and ethics ,the encouraging victory in Tokyo Olympics has come as a breath of fresh air. While being in high spirits we donot ask ourselves-
How come such a hardworking & talented youth make such a feeble contribution? Listeners and watchers not only become crazy by ignoring their normal duties but unwanted traffic jams too happen.
UNREALISTIC NOTIONS
9) On such happy occasions, we not only have short term elation,we also have the false notion to be part of a nation.This,despite NOT having an authentic National Chracter.
If something binds and unites even in a superficial way, I suppose same is welcome to heart and mind in a country having 20 % of its people suffering from anxiety & depression. The restlessness or lack of self confidence among the youth,comprising 45 % of our population needs to be taken up on top priority.,if true feel of INDEPENDENCE is to be ensured.
Experiments With Untruth
10) When we are still unable to guarantee adequate health, job and social security to so called ‘outsider’ citizens, the tall talk of food security may appear out of context. While responding to rush and crush situations,we seem to be drifting away from age old values and falling prey to the shrewd dictat of Net and Cell. Mentally we have the wrong notion of being connected but physically our standards are having a rapid fall.Such technologies are capable of taking us to a stage when Untruth & Sycophancy seem to have become emerging harbingers of TRUTH..
Secular Credentials Revisited
11) It may not be out of way to state that half heared attempts to redefine our secular credentials by sidelining a sizable social collectivity through the majority route may bring in more animosity in the long run.One may not forget that the spirit of freedom,we take pride in on such occasions has a firm cultural genesis or a binding , in Indian situation.Afterall, we have been birth place to four religions of the world and that our ethos and ethnicity have been discovered even in far flung countries.Thus we should have renewed faith in the essence of Mutual Co-existence.
Changing Diplomatic Scene
12) Our neo Geo-Economics or neighbour tilted diplomacy, in view of our chairmanship of Security Council should be also guided by our historicity and being leader of the Non Aligned countries, once upon a time.
We may have to determine quickly whether West is best or is it other way round,OR we prefer or pretend to be flexible to adapt to any situation such as fast deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. But element of INDECISIVENESS should not be our hallmark.
Friends & Neighbours
13) Mostly our friends & neighbours tend to play safe with us in times of need( such as Covid) but succumb to pressures of tall and mighty,in no time.They surrenderrather meekly to non visible threats or ensure,obliquely, a division in their own country through pressure groups and business interventions in the name of FDI.Periodic or long term loans in a developing country too perpetuate the situation.Since they aid & abate DEPENDENCE, How would one rejoice INDEPENDENCE?
Internal Threats & External Constraints
14 ) While internal security threats continue to engage attention, there is hardly any respite from perceived or sudden external hicups.
Earlier crude oil was a strong weapon ,now its place could be soon taken over by Covid vaccine.Few super powers have ensured procurement more than their requirement.So the DEPENDENCE factor is bound to be more clumsy and tiresome.
Weather Crisis
15) To add to the crisis, weather Gods seem to be playing against the will of humanity at regular intervals.Young formation of Himalyas are cracking under hydel power projects, road constructions and climate crisis. Never before we had such extended spells of warming, “wetting.” and cooling phases.
Number of cyclones, flash floods,forest fires,landslides etc are multiplying .After Chamoli episode in Uttarakhand and two terrifying Cyclones,it is turn of these. It has been further observed by the scientists that perpetual freak weather conditions may be, due to our adoption of unfair and unsustainable means and partly due to overall Global Warming phenomenon which is adding to earth’s temperature @ of .5 degrees every year.In Brazil this threshold has been crossed by 5 degree celcius,already
ENVIRONMENT ISSUES NOT TO BE NEGLECTED
16 ) We play at the cost of flora and fauna too with series of Governmental as also private developmental actions.Even though they pose threats to conservation of Bio- diversity, yet we take pride in their heritage quotient.Coming to need for existence,spirit of mutual co -existence between animals and human beings should normally prevail.Thus Food chain may also remain unaffected apart from saving the fauna from regular attacks.
STEPS FOR BOLSTERING INDIA
17) FROM A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE, It may appear unfair if not out of place if we fail to flag unprecedented,long term reforms in health,education,rural development and many key areas in social domain.
Also, it has been a long cherished and welcome development to get rid of hundreds of useless and meaningless acts,rules and procedures.
Given the limitations ,it would not be possible to throw light on all aspects of public life. Some of the Path Breaking Initiatives that could be discussed are:
MISSION INDRA DHANUSH , launched for comprehensive immunisation in 2014 has made a distinct mark to enable tiny tots to get FREEDOM from many diseases.However, despite its success in two phases,more than three hundred children have been recently found Covid positive in a major state (similar to USA)
PMSSY, another notable scheme aimed at improving & fine tuning tertiary health care, has seen setting up of a few regional AIIMS and that twenty six such speciality hospitals are going to come up almost in all states, apart from’ KAYAKALP’ of C.H.C’s/ District hospitals and approval given for 189 new medical colleges(of 558, 269 will be private Run).
Yet it is unfortunate to note that 34% of kids below five years still suffer from malnutrition.
AYUSHMAM BHARAT, world’s biggest health project is already having the desired positive impact,in continuation of the earlier mega project of NRHM.Both have identified & filled up crucial gaps in infrastructure, manpower and transport areas.
FRESH STEPS FOR PEOPLE LITERACY AND EDUCATION
18)These can not be easy exercises in a diverse,vast and highly populated country of 140 millions especially when all encompassing corruption & multitude of road blocks come up at delivery of services level, coupled with ever depressing scenario of Drop Outs.
Once an individual is secured health and education wise,he should comprehend the responsibility towards the country to feel LIBERATED on the eve of 75th year of Independence.
However, it is also a fact that as opposed to physical medium of instruction, plagued by two waves of Covid,On Line Education came up as a temporary measure. Nevertheless, doubts will remain regarding it’s worth and effectiveness in the days to come .The affordability of Smart Phone and availability of network during the required hours continue to be grey areas.Also one would be incomplete in analysis if we donot highlight the fast emerging hyper tension phenomenon on the part of anxious mothers.
Further,recent decision of the CBSE to declare all students of Classes Xth and XII th ” Pass” shall have adverse repercussion on future development of youth.Besides, it is likely to disturb the mental state of present students of these classes. Won’t things go HAYWIRE if there is no Consciousness about an Examination? Such Freedom or Independence in the crucial year of 75 year of Independence was not at all desirable
TRANSFORMING RURAL SCENARIO & NRLM
19) The National Rural Livelihood Mission, presumably on the lines of Rural Livelihood projects of World Bank and other Multilateral organizations already concluded in a dozen states (four in North East) apparently looks impressive ,forget about it’s being hugely capital intensive.
It should have been appropriate to draw only significant lessons from the experience of the past decade to pinpoint and exclusively focus on region specific livelihood activity. Also correct time after due consultation with the Gram Panchayat members for ‘Village Immersion’ should be chosen besides adding an essential Sun Set clause, or else it will be a never ending mission. Sterotypes prevalent in the old era should never be repeated.
Ultimate FREEDOM from the syndrome related to credit/ loan from World Bank etc has also to be ensured in view of rather convenient availability of adequate internal finance.It is also high time, we clearly comprehended the difference between anti poverty programs as opposed to asset generation ones.
SHG’s, ANGANWADIS & ASHA’s
20) The massive success of Self Help Groups,,Anganwadis and ASHA’s even during two Covid waves may need special mention as these bold people have ensured substantial if not full FREEDOM from constraints of micro finance,saving habit ,potable water,minimum nutrition,immunization,taking care of teenaged girls and breast feeding mothers and what not ?
First step towards voluntary health care and initial vital lessons at primary socialization level have been notable success stories of such interventions.These can have future sustenance factor also unless target groups stop referring to past for their own standard motivation.Collective satisfaction would be possible only if each one of us has a focused desire and skill to climb up the economic and social ladder.
ODF, SANITATION & FREEDOM FROM SMOKE
21) Advent of Open Defecation Free villages in a record time ( Sikkim being the first state) in all nooks and corners has been truly the most revolutionary step of past few years,side by side with success of other sanitary steps and cleanliness(Swatchhata) drives with active participation of rural folk. It has brought fresh vigour & vitality especially among the women folk.
FREEDOM FROM SMOKE for mothers, sisters and spouses has been also a resounding success Saga. It is helping also in rapidly improving the health status of minor children.
To SUM UP,
22) SELF HELP & AWARENESS will have to be THE MANTRA which may raise hopes both for minimizing corruption and lightening the burden of the Government.
It has been attempted to throw light on fundamental aspects, changes in which were necessary. Further,yeomen service has been rendered in Communications & I.T.sectors, accelerating pace of road constructions, provision of free as also charged electricity & potable water.While role of major players remains to be in or out of domain of discussions,achievements, such as,unique Code based D.B.T. facility could be considered a revolutionary step. In addition to ensuring a monetary benefit to a deserving beneficiary,steps also,such as,Bank Sakhis,Bank Mitras are likely to go a long way.
Present level of support system to the individual at last mile, may have to be scaled down gradually. Chinese logic or philosophy of teaching Fishing,,rather than giving free fish is VERY MUCH CALLED FOR.
Being prisoner of one’s thought process is Not Desirable.One has to think and GO BEYOND.
Game changing ,not merely playing, should be the NEED OF THE HOUR.
Real key to Happiness & Freedom should be to expect less from the Government as in many countries which were successful in crossing the barriers of poverty & relative deprivation.
LET US NOT SURRENDER.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
