The financial crisis triggered in 2008, which has led on an economic slowdown in the developed countries like the US and Europe while bringing emerging countries like India, China and Brazil with impressive growth rates are finally taking their place in the global table of power.
It is definitely encouraging to see the world is getting more democratized and the days of unipolar hegemony are getting numbered. When President Obama visited to India and gave a speech that India is no longer an emerging superpower but India has indeed emerged.
The media and the growing middle class are trying their best to gloss over obvious gaps in our quest to recognized a super power (economic or strategic) there are things which India needs to fix before declaring itself a super power.
Crony Capitalism
Isn’t it for India’s first F1 race, govt. is providing subsidized fuel and undertaking land acquisition on behalf of corporates. The fracas in the Greater Noida and scams in CWG and 2G cases showing how dangerous is the collusion between corporate India and govt. to serve self-interests.
Is India a sporting nation beyond cricket?
While India is hosting big ticket events but we are not nourishing enough world beaters or even competitive athletes for world events. Apart from large cities, there is not even access to basic infrastructure to allow young talent to be recognized and get due attention.
Sluggish Judiciary
The most horrific part of the Indian judicial system is the sluggish pace at which cases are disposed of. The thousands of people who are in jail waiting for trail is indeed shocking. The false accused in the Malegaon blasts spent 5 years in jail before been released as innocents. Before we call ourselves a superpower, judicial and police reforms are needed.
Crumbling Infrastructure
The biggest gripe, basic roads and public transport is a mirage. As IT companies are moving to suburbs beyond the major cities, like Pune, Chennai, the sluggish pace at which fly-overs and public transportation availability is been made is shocking. A Mumbai-Pune journey (150 kms) AC bus ticket is Rs 320/- but 10 km ride from the IT park to Pune city costs Rs 250/- . Not to speak of heavy traffic jams.
A combination of local gunda-ism, corruption in infrastructure projects and general apathy by municipal authorities are making daily office commutes a nightmare.
Are we been Nouveau Rich?
Instead of focusing on real issues or trying to find solutions, India is operating on misplaced priorities, instead of looking at basics, we are trying to showcase to the world about its status as a superpower, the outward focus instead of working hard on solving problems for its own people.
Instead of aping the glitzy/easier symbols of the developed nations like a F-1 race or building large malls, we should look to strengthen our infrastructure, local governance and access to basic amenities of life.
When there are so many people in India going without two square meals in a day or access to water and healthcare, the excessive focus on glitz seems a lot like French Queen Marie Antoinette “Let them eat cake”
Rs.250 for 10km ride ? Exorbitant. Unbelievable.
ReplyDeletethe auto walas in Chennai and Pune make investment bankers, lawyers and thieves seem more respectable and considerate
ReplyDeleteI understand the frustration behind the post but
ReplyDelete1. A country's maturity period is measured in decades not years. 1990 India and 2011 India are quite different. Corruption is growing but so is the country. It's part of "growing up".
2. Sporting facilities are improving, though not at desired speed
3. Media circus unwittingly elevates smallest of issues into limelight.
4. Infra projects are slow but have considerably quickened (again - in last 20 yrs, for e.g. the average bridge length and project timepsan have improved)
5. Does that mean events like F1 shouldn't happen? No - but the events must transform the nearby region positively.
6. In the past, under-trials languished for years without any notice but now that's changing. BTW... there was news about civil courts clearing record number of cases in Thane & Mumbai last month. Did you see that?
The elephant has just begun dancing. Give it a decade more.
@ Anon - I agree with you, India has just began its journey of becoming an economic superpower. 60 years is still a small period of time compared to US and Europe.
ReplyDeleteIndia has made remarkable progress, food security, robust capital markets and banking systems but more needs to be done with less wastage.
however, I feel we are getting way too complacent and appearing more wannabes instead of focusing on the key issues. The media panders to a certain class which is still a minority.