We need more than five pledges… we still have miles to go

Addressed the nation from Red Fort on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the dire need for India to move forward with five pledges or resolutions to fulfill the dreams of our freedom fighters by 2047, which would mark the 100th year of Independence. Stressing on development as the main plank that would catapult India into the league of developed countries, PM Modi said we must all work together towards a viksit bharat (developed India). These are the five pledges he called the “panch pran”: every Indian should focus on developing the country; the mindset should be 100 per cent free from slavery (azadi from ghulami); we must take pride in India’s heritage; we must ensure that importance is given to unity and integrity; and every citizen must be responsible. The prime minister laid emphasis on nari shakti (empowering women) as well as on yuva shakti (empowering the youth) and building an India driven by the power of innovation and technology. The focus must be on amrit kaal (golden period), he said. He spoke about building unity with integrity, respecting diversity, and preserving heritage, the building blocks of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while launching a fierce attack on corruption, parivarvaad or nepotism, and seeking the people’s support in the fight against both. While setting a sort of template for India as a developed nation over the next 25 years is great and even as PM Modi might have pressed all the right buttons, inspiring many with his oratory, the task ahead seems Utopian and well-nigh impossible, judging by the realities on the ground. 

 

I usually stay far away from talking about politics. However, I cannot but mention that political parties, politicians and the kind of divisive politics that has come to the fore in recent times will quickly undo all the good. Recent goings-on in Bihar, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan are examples. Switching sides comes so easily to leaders and politicians these days – no matter what ideology. Resort politics and horse-trading (using clever and often devious methods to come to an agreement) are words that are bandied about so often. MLAs being ferried from one secret location to another, across states, in an effort to prevent them from being bought over or switching alliances – what about the travel and accommodation costs (in five-star hotels), what happens to administration in their absence? When are we ever going to see an end to all this? Why can’t this be included as one of the pledges politicians must make?

 

"If someone says something to you, reply to them. No one's dadagiri (bullying) will be tolerated. You hit them. I…am here for you. If you can't break their arms, break their legs. I'll get you bail the next day, don't worry." This is an MLA, a member of the Legislative Assembly in Maharashtra, addressing a gathering. Imagine! When are we going to see the end of such speeches?

 

A student of a private school in Surana Village of Rajasthan's Jalore District was beaten by his teacher on July 20 and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Ahmedabad on August 13. The nine-year-old Dalit boy’s fault – touching a drinking water pot. Although facts are yet to be ascertained in the case, what comes to the fore is the fact that caste divide in India is pervasive and unless and until we get rid of such divides, we cannot progress as a country.  There will be regression.

 

I do not wish to mention the regular features plaguing us – shoddy infrastructure, unemployment, struggling economy (especially after COVID and now with the Ukraine war). But I definitely like to make the point that unless we have civil liberties, freedom of the press, freedom of speech and association, etc, not only will our democratic values fail the test, we will not be able to graduate to being a developed country no matter what sophistication or development we bring in other spheres (for example, manufacturing the COVID vaccine and making it available to all was a huge plus). And these liberties must be defended at all cost. So, we still have a long, long way to go.