India at 79: Economic strides vs social realities

Image source: Pixabay

On the 15th of August, India will enter the 80th year of its Independence. As every year, the air will be rent with patriotic songs; there will be the nation's Tricolour aflutter almost everywhere, and there will be lofty speeches that ooze nationalistic fervour. Everyone gets involuntarily drawn into the celebratory atmosphere.

No doubt, during the past 79 years, we have made tremendous progress in almost all walks of life. India is today a self-reliant nation, almost on a par with any developed nation. That's something to be really proud of.

IT'S A DIFFERENT INDIA TODAY

Be that as it may, all is not very well. India today is not the same India as it was many years ago. While a lot of good things have happened and are happening, as if to counter them, in many ways we are sliding back in some aspects. The entire socio-political-economic landscape has undergone a huge change. The extent of this change has only accentuated in the past two decades, which is worrying.

My anecdotal experiences tell me that Indians by and large have become prosperous. The newer generations, be it in cities or villages, are far better off economically than the previous ones. There is a lot of economic prosperity, which is a really good thing.

FREEDOM TO QUESTION

What is worrying are the changes in the socio-political space. More and more people have become less and less accommodative and inclusive. Their tolerance levels have dropped, and they are unable to see a point of view that is different from theirs. Worse, a person with a different opinion is harshly and unfairly judged and condemned.

Take for example, if one criticises the policies of the Union government, there are a large number of people willing to brand you as anti-national. This was never the case earlier, say when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. She too was nationalistic and authoritarian. Not even during the time of Atal Behari Vajpayee (who headed a right-wing BJP-led coalition government).

ENFORCED NATIONALISM

Today, for some inexplicable reason, after 79 years of steady progress as a nation, an inferiority complex is being injected into the social fabric; so much so that thrusting nationalism on people has almost become a state policy.

I don't understand where this sense of insecurity is coming from. If our country is more developed and stronger, as the government claims and to which I do agree, the government should actually be more confident and accommodative.

FREEDOM WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY

While on one side we have freedom of expression against ruling parties being limited, on the other side, a lack of strong enforcement of rules has given people the freedom to do anything and get away with it.

Freedom comes with a lot of responsibility; on the part of the government functionaries as well as citizens. One area where India really lags behind is in civic sense. The sense of discipline, societal well-being, social responsibility, civic duty, and a concern for other people, are very much in short supply. Examples are aplenty all around us, like the way motorists drive, the way garbage is disposed of, the way we behave in public spaces, etc.

As we enter the 80th year of Independence, there is of course a lot to celebrate. But there is just as much to introspect on, and plenty of scope to make course corrections as well -- for the government, the politicians, the public servants and the citizens.

(This post is a part the Blogchatter Blog Hop)