Friday, June 3, 2011

INDIA - A NATION IN A FLUX

Six decades, to be precise sixty five years gone by since India became independent. Many govts, many Prime Ministers and Presidents came and went within these sixty five years. Do you think our nation has come up to expectations of our people, the answer will certainly be a firm ‘No’. Still bragging about the phenomenal growth of the nation, ie. almost in every sphere of life has become the pastime of our rulers whoever they are. There are many takers for their claims, with as many non-takers. Similarly there are as many left with no opinions, like floating logs they never think too much, they don’t think too much, the growth whether it is praiseworthy or dismal is not their business. So be it.
With claims and counter claims on the upswing, let me list out a number of factors ailing this nation for the last six decades.

1) Poverty
Poverty has reached enormous proportions with millions finding it difficult to make both ends meet. Those in the Northern belt of India, far outnumber those in the south. A starving population is bane of country our rulers - Central govt as well as those ruling the States can’t escape blame for it. It is not because they are unaware of the state of affairs but they are least interested in alleviating the sufferings of the starving millions as they are caught in the race for filling their own coffers. They
shed crocodile tears for the poor especially during election times and that’s that.
2) Malnourishment
With poverty itself baring its tentacles talking much about undernourishment has actually no meaning. Providing nutritious food for the poor especially children finds a cardinal place in the agenda of the govts but there ends the story. Watch the malnourished children are emaciated lot reminding us of refugee children of Sub-Saharan African countries still the tall talks of phenomenal economic growth reverberate across the nation.
3) Women Empowerment
How nice to hear it. Women Empowerment. Like the starving children the sight of skinny unhealthy women slogging it out in the fields and construction sites of Northern India is pathetic. Through the National TV channels our govts advertise the need for breast-feeding the children from day one to six months at a stretch are displayed without an iota of moral-pricks. Here too the tall talks of women breaking the ceilings women being empowered, women being provided with new clothes better living condition abound. That’s it.
4) Save the girl child
Save the girl child too is much trumpeted about. Our girl children especially of North Indian States lead a pitiful existence. What all they need most are nutritious food, clothes and education at the expense of the govts. But majority of them are unable to go to schools, work in the fields with their masters or stay at home looking after their siblings wearing ragged clothes.
Apart from all these the female infanticide is the order of the day, as the parents find it quite difficult to provide better conditions for the girl children when they are grown, and marry them off when they attain puberty. Dowry system is still widespread across India and many young women fall prey to the cruelties of their husbands and in-laws. Lack of education is one of the prime factors contributing to their sad plight. While the girl children of rich homes march to schools in style the poor girls remain helpless spectators. Still, the save the girl child slogan is widely trumpeted.
5) Unemployment
Unemployment is a curse besetting our nation. Lakhs and lakhs of educated unemployed youth go astray, many even joining extremist forces. While those with hold on higher echelons of power easily grab jobs – merit not a criteria in our country – those with no one to clutch upon are left in the lurch. Youth with doctorates, post-graduation and graduation for the sake of finding a job are even willing to work as peons and even sweepers. Many are already in the field.
6) Corruption
According to Transparency International India ranks 87th position among nations. The evil of corruption like a python has whirled around our nation forcing it to suffocate. Scams and scandals involving hundreds of millions are day by day tumbling out of the cupboard. It seems we have seen only the tip of the ice-berg. While millions are starving many big guns through nefarious methods amass millions and celebrate life in royal style in our nation. The neo-liberal reforms have done more harm than good it has in fact squeezed the essence out of our national fabric making life comfortable and luxurious for the corporate honchos. The gap between the haves and have-nots go on widening and in the process while a minority benefit the majority continue to suffer and starve. No remedial,measures are in sight and that is not at all the business of the governing class.
7) Sanitation Facilities
Almost 667 million poor live without sanitation facilities across India. Please note this estimate is after more than six decades since India won independence. The numbers are increasing not decreasing with corresponding increase in population. Even in the cosmopolitan cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai this is the case. Govts which ought to have looked into the pathetic state of affairs have displayed a criminal apathy to the need of the hour.
8) Roofless Millions
Millions in India live without covers over their heads. No accommodation facilities are on the anvil. Here too crocodile sheds tears over their plight and vow to make their living conditions better. We can very well witness poor spending their nights in railway platforms street sides and make-shift tents. So what? Our nation shows a ‘high-growth trajectory’. High-growth in what? Don’t ask difficult questions.
Compared to all above our farmers are a bit better positioned notwithstanding suicides.
9) Price Rise
Add to the woes prices of food items and essential commodities are rocketing day by day. The frequent hike of petroleum prices lead to the price rise of the above items and common man find it difficult to manage his domestic affairs in a satisfactory way.
10) Black Money
It is estimated that 440 lakh crores of black money are stashed abroad in various banks in the names of politicians and bureaucrats. Opposition parties rake up the issue and raise a hullaballoo demanding steps to bring back the unaccounted money stashed abroad and government has not so far done anything to bring the money back.
So what? Our nation is ‘prospering’ – claim our ruling class. See we have almost achieved 85% economic growth. Our Prime Minister spends six months in India, six months abroad. The downswing in popularity at home is being compensated by upswing in popularity abroad.
Really wonderful…..

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