*India : Work in Progress*
By : Padmanabh Sathe
Revolution often means transfer of power from one group of elites to another group of elites. While the power changes hands, the peasants and farmers remain where they were
For some newly independent countries, freedom meant British rule was replaced by a local dictator. I have heard many people say that under colonial rule there was at least law and order.
Let’s us examine India’s independence in this context. Are we free? Yes and no. Yes because we can change our rulers every five years. No because we are not free from casts, social inequity, poverty, male chauvinism, regional and linguist chauvinism.
We show one example Dalit minister and claim that Dalits can rise to any heights. We show one Mayawati and say that women are equal now. We are very far from the goal of gender equity and economic equity. On a national scale, we still import fuel and run our power stations. We import weapons and hope to defend our borders with imported weapons.
Has sadak, pani and bijli reached the last house of India? Sadly no.
But I don’t want to be pessimistic. I have faith in the inherent wisdom of an Indian mind. I look at this era as teething troubles. These are our baby steps to a true freedom
On the positive side, on 15th August 1947, we became one single country with one government, one army and one flag. Earlier we were some 500+ kingdoms each fighting the other
True. We were one civilisational unit. But we were not one political unit. There was India the region, India, the civilisation, India, the culture. But there was no India the nation, the country. Now, since we are a single country, no invader can plunder us. We will never come under an alien rule.
Those who went for education early in free India, the middle class, are the largest beneficiaries of India’s freedom. Look at how their grandpa lived, how their dad lived and how they live. Also look at how their children are carving their future. Look at the opportunities that their children have today and compare with what opportunities their parents had.
India is an experiment that started in 1947. You and I are a part of that giant experiment called India. A lot is achieved. A lot more needs to be achieved. But this experiment must go on.
About the author :
Padmanabh Sathe is a former scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. After his retirement, he is now engaged with various teaching and other academic assignments. He lives at Goa.
India : Work in Progress – by Padmanabh Sathe (400 words)
No doubt we had progressed a lot since independence though there were many turmoil. Perhaps we could do much better once our politicians thought so deeply. But it was not happening in recent years. India is a big repository of natural weath and resources. Unfortunately it was not explored well hence couldn’t tapped the potential. Infact politicians as ruler are busy in publicity now a days rather than engaging themselves in real developmental works that could really bring a Vikash in India in absolute terms.
Absolutely right