75 Years Of Independence:
Celebration Spirit Needs To be Subdued
On the eve of this year’s historic and memorable day,75 monumental Tricolours or even more, on one hundred feet tall poles are going to be put up in varied places. Idea may be to mark the event in a befitting manner.
A very relevant and pertinent question could be posed,however,-
Can’t Rs Fifty Crores to be spent in Delhi alone could go for meeting the basic requirements of still toiling families or thousands of innocent children who have become parentless during two dreaded waves of Covid:2019 ?
This will be in addition to hundreds of missing children every day.
Secondly, in present harrowing Covid times when we are socially distanced but mentally connected through the Net or Cell,we may be tempted to also Ask -Independence for Whom, From What ?
FREEDOM FROM VARIOUS
CHALLENGES
Spirit of liberation or FREEDOM could be sought in the backdrop of tremendous pressure and anxiety on the part of common man ,who attempts to break the shackles of mind boggling corruption,fissures in social fabric,unpredictable weather,instances of low wages and Labour Law violations and also trying to withstand waves and waves, mutations and variants of Corona Auntie & Covid Uncle.
It is the time,when instead of coming together to fight the never ending pandemic, we seem to have become more” practical” and self oriented.
Disturbed Children To Devastated Offices
We seem to have reached a stage when tiny tots and their seniors have been forced to be away from educational institutions for eighteen months and when Govt.Offices on the one hand and legislatures,on the other have also been paralyzed.But daily expenditure to keep them “running” has a shooting spree.To add to the crisis, unnecessary infrastructures are being erected by easy access to demolishing old,durable and aesthetic super structures.
Name changing game is also on in full swing, thus inviting unwanted and unpleasant attention.Do we do everything in one go or take a breath of feedback, if not fresh air, in between the targets.
When we are supposed to look after the health,well being and minimum needs of man on the street,we never fail in expressing concern about such challenges in so called friendly countries. It takes ample time, effort & networking to realize that they are basically fair weather friends.
When we were lying low on account of creeping economy, rising inflation, imposed unemployment and rapid fall in morality and ethics ,the so called bumper victory in Tokyo Olympics( with only an additional medal extra than London Olympics) appears as a breath of fresh air.
How come such a strong, skilled,
hardworking & talented
populace makes such a feeble contribution? Listeners and watchers not only become crazy by ignoring their normal duties but unwanted traffic jams too happen.
FALSE NOTIONS
On such occasions, we not only feel temporary or 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 flimsy way, I suppose same looks soothing to heart and mind in a country having atleast 20 % of its people suffering from depression. The restlessness or the anxiety among the youth,comprising 40 to 45 % of our population also needs to be taken up on top priority.,if true feel of INDEPENDENCE is to be ensured.
Experiments With Untruth
When we can not guarantee adequate health, job and social security to so called ‘outsider’ citizens, the tall talk of Food Security becomes meaningless and out of context.
Despite coming across 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 going for sixers.Such technologies are capable of taking us to a stage when
UNTRUTH & Sycophancy HAVE BECOME LATEST HARBINGERS OF TRUTH..
Secular Status
It may not be awkward to say that futile efforts to redefine our secular credentials by sidelining if not eliminating a sizable social collectivity through the force of majority will bring in more animosity in the long run.One may not undermine that the spirit of freedom,we take pride in on such occasions has a certain cultural and religious genesis or a binding ,more so, in Indian situation.
We have been birth place to four religions of the
World and that our ethos and values are discovered and rediscovered even in distant countries.This we need to have renewed faith in the essence of Mutual Co-existence.
Diplomatic Scene
Our neo Geo-politics or Geo-Economics or neighbour tilted diplomacy, in view of our chairmanship of Security Council should be also guided by our historicity and stress on being leader of the Non Aligned Countries, once upon a time.
We may have to determine also fast whether West is best or is it other way round,OR
we wish or pretend to be flexible to adapt to any situation. But element of INDECISIVENESS should not become our hallmark.
Neighbours & Friends
Our neighbours and friends tend to play safe with us in times of need but succumb to pressures of big and mighty,somehow.They give in rather meekly to non visible threats or ensure,obliquely, a division in their own country through social pressure groups and business interventions in the name of FDI.
Periodic or long term loans too perpetuate the situation.Since they aid & abate DEPENDENCE,
how would one rejoice INDEPENDENCE?
Internal Challenges & External Constraints
While internal security situations continue to engage attention, there is hardly any respite from perceived or all of a sudden external hicups.
Earlier crude oil was a strong weapon ,now its place could be soon taken over by Covid vaccine.Few countries have already procured it more than their requirement.So the DEPENDENCE factor is getting more clumsy and tiresome.
Freak Weather
To make matters worse,weather Gods too are playing against the will of humanity.Hills are cracking under road construction and climate crisis. Never before we had such long spells of warming, “wetting.” and cooling phases.
Instances of Cyclones,
flood,flash flood,forest fires,landslides etc are increasing in number and intensity .After Chamoli tragedy in Uttarakhand and two terrifying Cyclones,it is turn of these. It has been observed by the weather scientists that perpetual freak weather conditions may be, due to our regular 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 already crossed by 5 degree celcius.
ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
We play at the cost of flora and fauna too with series of Sarkari as also Niji developmental actions.Even though they pose serious threat 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 undisturbed apart from saving the fauna from many attacks within and outside.
(I)
RESURGENT INDIA
On the POSITIVE SIDE
It may look unfair if not out of place if we ignore unprecedented reforms in health,education,rural development and other key areas of social sector. Also it was a welcome development to get rid of hundreds of useless and meaningless acts,rules and procedures.
Given the limitations ,it may not be possible to cover all the aspects of public life.
Some of the Path breaking initiatives could be:
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 pruning & fine tuning tertiary health care, has seen setting up of a few regional AIIMS and that 26 of these are going to come up almost in all states, apart from’ Kayakalp’ of Dist.hospitals and approval for 189 new medical colleges(of 558, 269 will be private Run).
Yet it is unfortunate 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.
MAKING PEOPLE LITERATE AND EDUCATED, can not be everyone’s cup of tea in a vast country of 140 millions especially when all pervading corruption & several road blocks come up at implementation level, coupled with depressing scenario of Drop Outs.
Once a person is secured health and education wise,he should understand the responsibility towards nation to feel fully LIBERATED in the eve of 75th year of Independence.
However, it is also a fact that as opposed to face to face medium of instruction,plagued by two waves of Covid,On Line Education came up as a temporary measure. Nevertheless, doubts will remain pertaining to its relevance and effectiveness in the long run.The affordability of Smart Phone and availability of network during the needed hours continue to be areas of concern.Also one would be incomplete in analysis if we donot highlight the fast emerging hyper tension phenomenon on the part of mothers.
Further,recent decision of the CBSE to declare all students of Classes Xth and XII th pass is bound to have adverse repercussion on future growth of youth.In addition, it is bound to disturb the mental state of current students of these classes.Won’t things go Topsy Tyrvy if there is no fear or consciousness about an examination?
Such Freedom or Independence in the crucial year of 75 year of Independence was not at all desirable
NRLM & RURAL SECTOR
The NRLM, presumably on the lines of Rural Livelihood projects of World Bank and a few other Multilateral organizations already concluded in a dozen states( including four in NER) apparently looks impressive ,forget about it’s being capital intensive.
It should have been appropriate to draw lessons from experience of the past decade to identify and exclusively focus on region specific livelihood activity. Also correct time after due consultation with the Gram Punchayat for ‘Village Immersion’ should be chosen besides adding a Sun Set clause,sooner or later.
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 domestic 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
The massive success of SHG’s,Anganwadis ASHA’s even during ongoing Covid phase may need special mention as these have ensured substantial if not full FREEDOM from constraints of micro finance,thrift or saving habit ,potable water,minimum nutrition,immunization,taking care of teenaged girls,lactating 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 inspiration or motivation.Collective satisfaction would be possible only if each one has a definite desire and acumen to climb up the economic and social ladder.
ODF & SANITATION
Advent of ODF villages in all nooks and corners has been truly the most revolutionary step of past few years,side by side with success of sanitary steps and cleanliness(Swatchhata) drives.
FREEDOM FROM SMOKE for mothers,sisters and spouses has been also a resounding success Saga.It is helping also on improving the health status of minor children.
FRESH SAFEGUARDS UNDER D.B.T.
Even though Direct Benefit Transfer move for all public and student oriented schemes was introduced & insisted upon,there were threats in form of smuggling out list of beneficiaries from different offices and after entry into bank account, earmarked sum could be pocketed by the vested interests.
Now with the introduction of an exclusive code,only the selected beneficiary can avail of the facility.It is bound to provide relief to old,students and specially abled, ALIKE.
To SUM UP,
Self Help has to be the Mantra which may raise hopes both for minimizing corruption and lightening the burden of the Government.
Real key to Happiness & Freedom should be to expect less from the Government as in many countries which could manage to cross the barriers of poverty & deprivation.
LET US FEEL & OBSERVE THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM EVEN WHILE BEING CONFRONTED WITH RESURGENCE OF COVID.
LETS NOT GIVE UP.
“Sarvey Bhawantu Sukhina,
Sarvey Santu Niramaya,
Sarvey Bhadrani Pashyantu,
Maa Kaschit Dukh
Bhag Bhavet”
Dr Aaloc Srivastava
Ex Chief Secretary
Sikkim
