15 May 2014, 03:25 PM IST
Although the results are still a day away, the nation, in all likelihood, would soon see a new government. So, before everyone joins the cacophony on what, who, when, why, where, why not etc that the new government must do, I looked around to see what is it that the new dispensation needs to tackle to win over the people of this country.
These are not economic mumbo-jumbo, nor management jargon, but something that whoever is entrusted with the job of running the nation must bear in mind. Some of it we have read, but there is a lot else that we know, but it gets lost in the general push for what the economists alone think is the panacea for this nation's ailments.
So, here are my 10 suggestions for the new Prime Minister and his government to follow. The list can be a hundred long, but this can be a good start, I feel.
- INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH: There needs to be a huge infrastructure push. Yes, we have seen growth in telecom and roads have improved, but are we anywhere close to what a world-class network should be? No! And about electricity, the less said the better. Isn't it funny that on July 31, 2012, dubbed as the largest power outage in world's history that affected "620 million Indian people", except for people outside India, it didn't really make a difference.Let me put it differently, most of those who should have been affected, did not even notice there is no power. Why? Because they barely got power anyway. And in the richie-rich condominiums, they have power back-up, so they didn't feel it either.
- SHUN CRONY CAPITALISM, THROW OUT 'PERMANENT FIXTURES' FROM TOP LEVEL COMMITTEES: When you talk of infrastructure, a lot of inputs on what and how come from the powerful committees that work under the Prime Minister's Office. These could be committees on investment, on enterprises, manufacturing, skills development and what have you. The governments may change but these committees don't. In some of the most important committees, the same set of industrialists have ruled the roost. These individuals also take control of various industry associations and lobby, disadvantaging the vast majority who are not in their cozy clubs. Everyone talks about how the same set of people influence policies and decision making in sectors that affect them, sup with the decision-makers and don't let anyone enter to hurt their almost monopolistic control over the sector.Their control is sometimes so complete, that they force governments to take decisions that are not even in national interest and have actually hurt our oil and defence preparedness. The new government would do well to throw out all those who have lasted dynasties and regimes.
- TACKLE CORRUPTION: It may sound clichéd, even sloganeering, but this is something that this nation now needs to tackle almost as a mission. It is not going to be easy, but where there's a will, there's a way.One of the most memorable interviews I have had in my career was with the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. When I asked him about comparing working in India with Thailand, he said: In my country, there is honest corruption, but in your country, there is dishonest corruption. I remember laughing, but he explained. When I pay money in my country, work gets done, here, it doesn't.Do I need to elaborate more?
- IMPROVE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX: We may tom-tom our nuclear prowess and huge skilled manpower and young population, but on some of the basic HDI, we are an embarrassment. This needs to be top priority. More so, since it does not single out a particular community, but benefits all.
- HEALTH AND EDUCATION: Both these points can never be overemphasised. They are critical for any nation. We may have a 'great and vibrant' democracy, but those on ground know better. It is often as if the politicians themselves do not want the masses to be educated, lest they develop the ability to see through their lip-service, their games.As for healthcare, it is an area that the government seems to have almost abdicated its responsibility. And in this, there should be a marked push towards preventive healthcare. We are good at creating AIIMS like institutions, but have done precious little for preventing those who have to use the overcrowded facilities run by the government. The rich have already found their solutions. Mosquito repellent devices keeps them safe from malaria and RO plants ensure they are safe from cholera and diarrhoea. But the poor? Preventive healthcare would ensure hygiene and clean drinking water. Surely, a nation that aspires to be a superpower cannot not have this as a priority.
- BUILD A SCIENTIFIC TEMPER: There was a time when this nation could be counted among those what gave top class thinkers in every field, including science. But now? And if truth be told, the tag of us being an IT Superpower is phoney, to say the least. We are software pygmies, at best.One of the largest growing population in the world needs to be harnessed and that can happen through a combination of several things, education, as mentioned above.
- EMPOWER YOUTH: This nation's youth has huge potential and they have high hopes too, for themselves and for their nation. But they can see the promise being frittered away. Make the huge young population of this country regain pride in their nation. It is something they seem to have lost. Let them regain the confidence in themselves and their nation. Empower youth. Grow economy, give them jobs. Use them for nation-building.
- PUNISH OFFICIALS AND MINISTERS WHO DON'T RESPECT LAW: The common man is quite sick of how the powerful misuse their position. It should be your priority to make these 'law-unto-themselves' fear, and respect laws of land. Make sure they don't grab all that is scarce. Let the word get out that the common man has first right over resources that are scarce. It could be seemingly unimportant things like school and college admissions, but am sure you have an idea what it means to those who are going through the exercise.And this list of misuse can go on and on from grabbing non-political postings to not giving up sprawling and palatial government bungalows and so on.Those who are caught doing wrong need to be given exemplary treatment. Just one firm act on this count and all would fall into line.
- DON'T SINGLE OUT COMMUNITIES: Improve the lot of all religions. Some minorities are used only as vote banks. They deserve better. An improvement in their condition would expose their so called leaders as having used them. No harm in getting genuine converts to your brand of progress. At the end of the day, people want progress and dignified life.
- RESTORE OUR RIVERS: Rivers, other than being sacred to a large number of Indians, are our lifeline, but thanks to rampant misuse and lack of respect for what they give, most have turned into open sewers.
Also, Prime Minister, there would be several who would be chuckling at the thought of you inheriting an economy that is nowhere close to what it should be. Price rise being one, law and order, defence preparedness, more specifically low on ammunition and spare reserves, etc. Let them chuckle. People are no fools. Put your points across forcefully. Tell them this is what you have inherited but you will work in the most earnest manner to get us out of it.
Spell out what you wish to do. As soon as they see things moving in the right direction, there would be acceptance. They will support the right moves. Miracles won't happen overnight, they don't happen overnight, but if they see things moving in the right direction, they would support not just these 5 years, but after that too
And ultimately, Prime Minister, please provide governance, don't rule!
1. INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH: There needs to be a huge infrastructure push. Yes, we have seen growth in telecom and roads have improved, but are we anywhere close to what a world-class network should be? No! And about electricity, the less said the better. Isn't it funny that on July 31, 2012, dubbed as the largest power outage in world's history that affected "620 million Indian people", except for people outside India, it didn't really make a difference.Let me put it differently, most of those who should have been affected, did not even notice there is no power. Why? Because they barely got power anyway. And in the richie-rich condominiums, they have power back-up, so they didn't feel it either.
2. SHUN CRONY CAPITALISM, THROW OUT 'PERMANENT FIXTURES' FROM TOP LEVEL COMMITTEES: When you talk of infrastructure, a lot of inputs on what and how come from the powerful committees that work under the Prime Minister's Office. These could be committees on investment, on enterprises, manufacturing, skills development and what have you. The governments may change but these committees don't. In some of the most important committees, the same set of industrialists have ruled the roost. These individuals also take control of various industry associations and lobby, disadvantaging the vast majority who are not in their cozy clubs. Everyone talks about how the same set of people influence policies and decision making in sectors that affect them, sup with the decision-makers and don't let anyone enter to hurt their almost monopolistic control over the sector.Their control is sometimes so complete, that they force governments to take decisions that are not even in national interest and have actually hurt our oil and defence preparedness.
The new government would do well to throw out all those who have lasted dynasties and regimes.
3. TACKLE CORRUPTION: It may sound clichéd, even sloganeering, but this is something that this nation now needs to tackle almost as a mission. It is not going to be easy, but where there's a will, there's a way.One of the most memorable interviews I have had in my career was with the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. When I asked him about comparing working in India with Thailand, he said: In my country, there is honest corruption, but in your country, there is dishonest corruption. I remember laughing, but he explained. When I pay money in my country, work gets done, here, it doesn't.Do I need to elaborate more?
4. IMPROVE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX: We may tom-tom our nuclear prowess and huge skilled manpower and young population, but on some of the basic HDI, we are an embarrassment. This needs to be top priority. More so, since it does not single out a particular community, but benefits all.
5. HEALTH AND EDUCATION: Both these points can never be overemphasised. They are critical for any nation. We may have a 'great and vibrant' democracy, but those on ground know better. It is often as if the politicians themselves do not want the masses to be educated, lest they develop the ability to see through their lip-service, their games.As for healthcare, it is an area that the government seems to have almost abdicated its responsibility. And in this, there should be a marked push towards preventive healthcare. We are good at creating AIIMS like institutions, but have done precious little for preventing those who have to use the overcrowded facilities run by the government. The rich have already found their solutions. Mosquito repellent devices keeps them safe from malaria and RO plants ensure they are safe from cholera and diarrhoea. But the poor? Preventive healthcare would ensure hygiene and clean drinking water. Surely, a nation that aspires to be a superpower cannot not have this as a priority.
6. BUILD A SCIENTIFIC TEMPER: There was a time when this nation could be counted among those what gave top class thinkers in every field, including science. But now? And if truth be told, the tag of us being an IT Superpower is phoney, to say the least. We are software pygmies, at best.One of the largest growing population in the world needs to be harnessed and that can happen through a combination of several things, education, as mentioned above.
7. EMPOWER YOUTH: This nation's youth has huge potential and they have high hopes too, for themselves and for their nation. But they can see the promise being frittered away. Make the huge young population of this country regain pride in their nation. It is something they seem to have lost. Let them regain the confidence in themselves and their nation. Empower youth.
8. PUNISH OFFICIALS AND MINISTERS WHO DON'T RESPECT LAW: The common man is quite sick of how the powerful misuse their position. It should be your priority to make these 'law-unto-themselves' fear, and respect laws of land. Make sure they don't grab all that is scarce. Let the word get out that the common man has first right over resources that are scarce. It could be seemingly unimportant things like school and college admissions, but am sure you have an idea what it means to those who are going through the exercise.And this list of misuse can go on and on from grabbing non-political postings to not giving up sprawling and palatial government bungalows and so on.Those who are caught doing wrong need to be given exemplary treatment. Just one firm act on this count and all would fall into line.
9. DON'T SINGLE OUT COMMUNITIES: Improve the lot of all religions. Some minorities are used only as vote banks. They deserve better. An improvement in their condition would expose their so called leaders as having used them. No harm in getting genuine converts to your brand of progress. At the end of the day, people want progress and dignified life.
10. RESTORE OUR RIVERS: Rivers, other than being sacred to a large number of Indians, are our lifeline, but thanks to rampant misuse and lack of respect for what they give, most have turned into open sewers.
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