Revadis are going to take a heavy toll.

Reportedly, the total subsidies on food, fertilisers and fuel have gone up from 228 crores to 530 crores between 2019 -20 and 2022-23. In 2013-14 when Mr Modi took over the reins the total subsidies were around Rs 244 crores. The states have also through direct transfers increased payments ; MP alone has budgeted 8000 crores for Ladli Behena and Rs 3230 crores for Kisan Kalyan Yojana. (Rs 4000/ annual payment to 85 lakh farming families), this is over and above Rs 6000 per anum payment under PM’s Kisan Yojana. The actual expenditure may further go up now as BJP had promised during the recent concluded elections.

Not to be left behind, the Cong govt in Karnataka has also provided for 39,815 crore for its five pre poll guarantees in the budget presented this Jul. These lolly pops one can expect to be more in the run up to elections 2024.

My guess work is as good as yours; Where is the money going to come from & Who is going to face the major brunt.

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We all live in a hypocritical world full of double standards.

Almost every nation blames Hamas for a cruel attack and then talks of supporting two states Palestine and Israel, as if they do not know there is no land available now to create a Palestine.

The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are two Palestinian territories that were part of mandate Palestine. There are over 5 million Palestinians living in the two territories. 

The Gaza Strip is located in the southwest corner of Israel, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea whereas West Bank stretches across the eastern border of Israel along the west banks of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. Jerusalem is considered by international law as part of the West Bank, with East Jerusalem being claimed as the capital by both Israelis as well as Palestinians.

Israel controls all access into the Gaza Strip and West Bank, Palestinians living there are under military occupation and are subject to Israeli restrictions, often depending on aid for food, water, and supplies.Besides the above, the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) mandated by the UN Human Rights Council on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, revealed that Israel’s occupation of West Bank since 1967 has been characterized by settlement expansion that has permanently altered the ethnic demographics and it amounts to a war crime as it amounts to de facto annexation of Palestinian territory. The UN Security Council (UNSC) also reaffirmed that Israeli settlements in the OPT violate international law. The COI also added that this coercive environment has prevented Palestinians from fulfilling their fundamental rights

So, even if one supports creation of Palestine state, the point is Where will you create and How? Do they have the courage to ask Israel to dismantle all the illegal settlements they have built over the years. 

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Covert Capability.

The biggest question that used to be on every Indian’s mind after each terror strike was ; why our intelligence agencies have never had the courage to resort to covert action and cripple terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan.

All those years particularly from 90s, we Indians felt, that we have become a soft state and should develop covert capabilities to hit the enemy where it hurts them the most.

So, when we hear that Canada and US are accusing us for getting Khalistani terrorists, (their citizens) eliminated, it is natural for Indians to feel elated; Der Aaye Durust Aaye.

However, it’s a dangerous path we are treading and we need to be very cautious, if at all, we develop covert action capabilities.

Besides the international embarassment, that it has caused recently, our own people would be increasingly fighting with eachother, that too in a foreign country, thereby washing dirty linen outside. 

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Inspired by Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt.

On December 13, two people jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour and released yellow gas from canisters and shouted anti-establishment slogans before being overpowered.

Although, the motives of the group that comprised four other individuals are yet to be ascertained, but police sources said the act was “apparently inspired by Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt who 94 years back, on April 8, 1929, threw bombs and pamphlets in Delhi’s Central Assembly from the visitor’s gallery, to make British Govt listen.

If Police has to be believed; the objective of these young men was to protest against various issues ; from Manipur to farmers’ concerns.

Ostensibly, this was a serious breach of security and am sure the Govt will take necessary actions.

However, my concern is different.

This could be a dress rehearsal for something big, as the objectives of the attack are vague.

The cow vigilantes, Bajrang dal goons, muslim hardline organisations, Khalistan supporters and numerous other anti-social and disgruntled elements within the country are creating a cocktail for the adversaries to exploit.

These days such events, be it at the global level or at the national level, have become an occasion to accuse each other and as a result , serious issues are turning to be human tragedies.

During the 77th Independence Day address, the Prime Minister unveiled an ambitious vision for the nation, aiming to achieve developed country status by 2047. As I traversed the NCR Region at that moment, I searched for signs that might bolster this declaration. Regrettably, the surroundings failed to inspire any confidence. The scenario extends beyond just the NCR; the state of most towns across our country is distressing.

Contemplating the basis of the Prime Minister's assertion left me puzzled. While the Prime Minister's predictions could be founded on thorough research, recent trends suggest that political motives often color his assurances and decisions. Consequently, their credibility and Effectiveness can be questionable.

What is Developed Country and How do we Assess ?

A developed country, by one definition, offers a high quality of life, boasts an advanced economy, and possesses advanced technological infrastructure relative to less industrialized nations.

However, this definition is abstract and confusing, particularly for those unfortunate Indians who haven't experienced developed nations firsthand.

To assess development more objectively, it is prudent to rely on the developmental indices released periodically by the UN and its agencies. These indices offer insights – as to where we stand today and also highlight parameters that contribute to rankings, guiding us toward becoming a developed nation.

Therefore, Evaluating our journey towards development requires focusing on indices that gauge governance rather than superficial metrics like height of Statues, Roads, Temples etc.

Important Indices that We should Focus On.

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a vital indicator reflecting our progress as a nation. Published annually by the World Bank, India consistently ranks around 130, recently sliding to 132nd place out of 191. HDI's parameters encompass per capita income, child mortality, skilled population, education, healthcare, and more.

Countries like Norway, UK, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and US lead the HDI, while India has been languishing at 130s for decades and now slided further to 132 in 2022, is surrounded by nations like Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Then comes the Human Development Report on skills, which is obviously linked to HDI. This is also an important indicator that shows to us the condition of our work force because the earning capabilities are often associated with the Skills they possess. The report says ;

Barely one in five Indians (part of the labour force) is “skilled”, this implies; hardly 29 % of our work force is skilled. Whereas, whopping 99.99 % workforce in Japan, that occupies 19^th rank on HDI is skilled. USA, Switzerland, UK, Germany, all occupying Top positions on the HDI,  have almost 80-90 % workforce as skilled.

Thereafter, is the Poverty Index which once again highlights disparities as richer nations atop the HDI exhibit lower poverty rates, while India ranks 62 out of 107, sharing proximity with low-ranking nations. Parameters include child mortality, nutrition, sanitation, and housing. India's high child mortality rate stems from inadequate nutrition and healthcare, explaining its 104th position on the Global Hunger Index.

Per capita income is another crucial measure, gauging individual prosperity. India's per capita income ; $2,283 in 2021 pales in comparison to the UK's $44,117, despite India's position as the 5th largest economy that has recently overtaken UK. 

 India’s GDP (current prices) during 2021 stood at $3.18 trillion and UK’s GDP was at $3.19 trillion, it primarily implies that the economic productivity of 1.39 billion Indians is almost equal to 67.3 million Britishers.

So, the economy of India might have become bigger than that of the UK in 2022, but the productivity or the average income of an Indian continues to be substantially lower than the average income of a British citizen. Based on PPP, the GDP per capita of India is ranked 128, and is amongst the lowest.

A Call for Pragmatic Progress

Understanding these indices holistically unveils why nations like the USA, Norway, and Japan are considered developed. India has miles to traverse before fulfilling its predictions. Instead of dismissing these indices and calling them as Bluff, gradual improvements on these parameters are crucial—better healthcare, education, skill development, per capita income, and more.

It reminds me of a true incident. An elderly lady who had just returned from a two month tour to Europe, was praising Holland, Denmark etc , so I asked her , as to when we shall also become like them, afterall, we have also started our reforms process. She paused, for a while, straightened her spectacles, I could see few wrinkles appearing on her forehead as if she was not expecting this kind of a question. After a while she said sombrely but emphatically ; Beta mujhe nahin lagta merey Jeevan kaal mey ho sakega aur na hi terey.(son I don’t think this can happen in my life time but I feel that this can not happen even in your life time).

Progress must be grounded in reality ; Schools, healthcare, law enforcement, Sanitation, Water, basic amenities, eradication corruption, and skills need attention. As citizens, we must question the governance and make strides toward actual improvement, enabling the dream of "Acchey Din" by 2047 to materialize.

With Malaise towards None ; One can not sell the same old wine in the new bottle.

The recent election results have proven that the current crop of political leaders in opposition are no match to Mr Modi.

When Rahul Gandhi, a year ago, undertook the Bharat Jodo march of 4000 km, I had then written that this excercise is not likely to serve any purpose, as Congress is trying to sell the “Same old wine in a new bottle”.

Rather, the entire opposition combinedly is the proverbial ; OLD WINE , that keeps inventing newer ways to resell itself in a NEW BOTTLE.

They signify, all that is bad with Indian Politics – Casteism, appeasement, misgovernance, dynastic rule, One man/One woman party and so on. These forces cannot challenge Mr Modi as they stand for what ails the Indian democracy.

People drive their vehicle looking ahead and not through the rear view mirror.

If even after 20 years of rule, Congress has failed to defeat BJP in MP, it means; Congress has failed to enthuse the people, despite all the prevailing corruption and has nothing NEW to offer to the people.

It is not possible for the current opposition leadership to usurp Mr Modi. Although, there are numerous issues related to misgovernance; Money wasted on Swaacch bharat, Corruption in Ayushman Bharat, huge subsidies, Jobless growth, demonetisation, Environmental disaster in Uttarakhand, Price rise and so on but then Mr Modi has his own achievements as well, which cannot be undermined.

A decade ago, people used to say that Indians are hugely divided along all possible lines but I always felt, when a good leader is able to strike a chord with people, the inherent divisions may not disappear but they become insignificant, for variety of reasons. This is exactly what had happened, in 1920s after Gandhiji appeared in the political arena. And this is what we are witnessing now. The inherent divisions have not disappeared but they have become insignificant, as of now.

Hence, unless, there is some leader who is as good, as credible as Mr Modi, or Hindutva agenda pushes society on the brink of civil war, people are not going to dig their own grave by bringing in an INEFFICIENT LEADER to replace Mr Modi.

Azadi ka Amritkal !

By the time Indians wake up , it may get too late to do any FIRE FIGHTING.

 

Is it Really an AMRITKAL ?

No, It is an era of dirty communal politics being played on Indian Roads and in the minds of People ; Muslims BOLTEY HAIN HINDUYON NEY HUMAREY LOGON KO MAARA AUR HINDU BOLENGEY MUSLAMANON NEY HUMAAREY LOGON KO MAARA . It will not be surprising many more communities will join in this BLAME GAME, in near future.

 

It is an era where there is NO AMRIT but the minds of the people have been Poisoned.