Like others, we too
are a nation that is in the race of calling ourselves ’New India’. Its the
right time for India when the most powerful nations of the world are vying with
each other in wooing India as an Indo Pacific heavy weight playing along with
our desire to be a world power in the region. S400 (Russia) or F16’s (US), tech
transfer or countering expansionist nations, trade or vaccine diplomacy, India
has become the cynosure of the world’s eyes.
Ironically the years 2021
and 2020 if gave us recognition on the world stage it pulled us down as a
country. The pandemic took away not just lives in thousands, it took away jobs
and livelihood, increased poverty by manifolds, small and medium business shut albeit
the few handful of rich became richer. Malnutrition increased. The GDP went down.
But the business of the government went as usual. Elections, election rallies
and Kumbh added to the misery as super spreaders of the virus. Have we learnt
lessons from the floating dead bodies in the holy Ganga! Upcoming elections
will tell. Afterall our elections are no holds barred whether Delta version or Omicron.
It took a number of
farmers deaths and a year and a half of torturous summer and winter of Delhi
for the government to repeal the Farmers bill in the Parliament. Although we cannot
doubt Prime Minister Modi’s intention of bending down to the will of the protesting farmers, but does elections in UP, Punjab and Goa anything to do with it!
Anyone’s guess. Lakhimpur Kheri murders or massacre, call it what you may, a
fallout of the farmers agitation, sent chill down the spine, still hasn’t seen
its closure as the union minister’s son still awaits arrest inspite of the
courts ruling. In the same vein there can also be no denying that this is the
same class that send their children to the borders, who were labelled anti
national, terrorists, Khalistanis, treated like enemies come to attack the government
in Delhi. A tweet of an American Pop star Rihana came handy to the powers that
be too. The followers though have a different take.
We have surely become
stronger in terms of our defence needs with upgraded air and naval power which
has boosted our preparedness in the changing world scenario although countering
the imperialistic aspirations of China does not come easy. This, juxtaposed
with hundreds of schemes as a welfarist state for citizens domestically. But no
amount of development can justify hate speeches. Societal polarization is destroying
the national fabric ensured by our constitution and thousands of years of culture.
Churches being desecrated, activists attacked, mob lynching in the name of
religion, call for genocide, fringe elements being mainstreamed and the powers looking
the other side!!!!!!! The fact that people with great credibility like retired Generals and top bureacrats have voiced against recent happenings should cajole our conscience. It should worry us all.
Session after session
saw Parliament pass bills at will. Opposition complained of the temple of
democracy becoming a rubber stamp. As
per statistics 60% of the bills passed without scrutiny. In the winter session
itself Parliament passed 11 bills, only four of those were referred to standing
committees. The Farmers bill, The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 which
links Aadhaar numbers with voter cards, bill defining the powers of the Delhi
Lieutenant-Governor, Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021,
Bill to raise the age of marriage of girls to 21 years, are a few of them.
Last year saw
hundreds, thousands of deaths due to the pandemic. People died of scarcity of
oxygen. They were left on their own to fend for themselves. There was no
household that did not loose a loved one. It was apocalyptic, nightmarish at
the least. Lest we forget we will be condemned to suffer again.
Upcoming elections in
states of UP, Punjab and Goa in 2022 will be a barometer of who may stand where.
Congress, yet the main opposition party, is a hopelessly incredible force. Lack
of leadership, fissures within (G23) and no vision to take the country ahead has
made the electorate scramble for an alternative at the national level. Talk to
people and the absence of an alternative is a majboori. Just with 3 states in
its kitty Congress and Congressmen themselves do not know their future. Regional
parties hold better position and promise.
Unfortunately dissent or
difference of opinion is a forgone thing. Journalists, free thinkers, social
catalysts and opposition voice is not a welcome trait. Do it at your own risk. On
the other hand social media has topsy turveyed freedom of speech. One is either
a supporter or an anti national. Taking cues from China, Russia or Turkey and
Iran cannot work in the context of our ‘great’ nation.
Ranking 142 out of 180
in press freedom does not augur well for a democracy like India. Barring journalists
from Parliament access to report the proceedings, UAPA being slapped at the
slightest of disagreement or questioning is but a reminder of emergency. Social
media is unbridled. Reporting on farmer agitation saw some serious reporters
land in jail.
Nation comes first. Civilizationally
we are the same India as yesteryears. Proud of our heritage and culture that
has taught us to coexist peacefully with harmony. Changing times do not justify
hate, violence, bigotry or injustice. Lets live the India of Vivekanand and
Mahatma Gandhi. Cherish hope for future for a peaceful and progressive India.
