Even as we are celebrating 69th Independence Day, the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been embroiled in many controversies. Within one year the scams like Lalit Gate, Vyapam, Chikki scam in Maharashtra surfaced keeping the BJP on tenterhooks.
When we do introspection on the eve of Independence Day, we realise that a lot has to be done if our country has to emerge as a “super power” in the world in the days to come.
On this I day, the NDA Government can certainly boast of two very important recently signed pacts… a) settlement of Indo-Bangladesh boundary dispute and b) peace pact with Naga insurgents. These pacts could certainly be described as milestones.
A 68-year-old dispute surrounding 162 Indian and Bangladeshi enclaves, affecting the lives of over 50,000 people ended after an agreement was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. The two countries switched sovereignty over 111 enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 in India following a border agreement struck in June last. This is certainly a welcome sign. This has given a great relief to those people who were victims of uncertainty for several years. But the issue of thousands of people already infiltrated in India earlier, is unlikely to be resolved going by the complexities.
The anticipated end of Naga insurgency is also another feature in Modi’s cap, for after several years, such peace pact has been signed which does not involve redrawing the state’s borders. The deal involves creating a mechanism which would create institutions allowing autonomy to Naga tribes living across the border in Manipur — a significant climb down by insurgent leaders. The negotiators have also agreed to set up a mechanism to discuss decommissioning of arms held by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) (IM), a faction led by Thuingaleng Muviah and Isak Chisi Swu. But a faction led by Myanmar-based S.S. Khaplang and Khole Konyak are not agreeable to this. Besides the chief ministers of Congress led state governments are unhappy that they were not consulted before signing this agreement. It is to be seen whether the agreement meets the main demand of NSCN(IM) for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the North East across Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Nevertheless from the day one NDA Government has been making attempts to bring the North East in the mainstream and this pact is a good beginning.
However the controversial issue of militancy across Indo-Pak border remains a thorny affair, despite meeting between Modi and Pakistani premier Nawaf Sharif in Ufa in Russia. The ceasefire violations and terror strikes by Pakistan have continued, the recent being in Udhampur in Jammu and Gurdaspur in Punjab. This is a clear sign that the Pakistan defence forces do not agree with Pakistan Government in ensuring peace in the region.
The recent incidents in the international area also indicate that India has to tread the path carefully. For example although the relations between India and USA are said to be harmonious, the US continues to provide arms to Pakistan as evident from the recent US’s largesse of approving military hardware and equipments worth billion dollars to Pak. They include 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters,1000 AGM-114 R Hellfire II Missiles in containers and much more.
Another contentious border issue with China is also of concern. Despite a meeting between Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, a long-festering border dispute is yet to resolve. China lays claim to more than 90,000 sq km (35,000 sq miles) ruled by New Delhi in the eastern sector of the Himalayas. China occupies 38,000 square km (14,600 sq miles) of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west. India is already suspicious of China’s support to Pakistan and now it is doubly confirmed by the fact that the 3000 km economic corridor linking China’s far-western region to Pakistan’s south-western Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea, is being set up through Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) at an estimated cost of USD 46-billion. India cannot underscore this development.
Despite the so-called family planning measures, the population of India has now swelled to 128 crore which was a mere 35 crore at the time of Independence. 26.7 per cent Indians live below poverty line even today. China is on the top with over 137 crore people. But India remain second most populous country. India’s population is predicted to be 153 crore by 2030.
Despite Government’s claim of the decrease in unemployment rate, according to Chandigarh based Labour Bureau’s “Third Annual Employment & Unemployment Survey 2012-13”, unemployment rate amongst illiterate youth is lower than educated youth and one out of every three graduates is unemployed in India.
Today country’s over all literacy rate stands at 72.99 per cent ( male literacy– 80.89 per cent and female literacy — 64.64 per cent). Three states topping the list are: Kerala (94 per cent ), Lakshadweep (91.85 per cent) and Mizoram (91.33). In other states the literacy rate averages between 72.99% and 90%. This is quite encouraging.
The power scenario leaves much to be desired even today since over 30 crore people in India have no access to electricity. While country needs, 128000 MW electricity during peak hours, there is a shortage of about 12,000 MW.
All said and done India should become self-reliant with every reform travelling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Then only we can boast of unity in diversity and have an all round progress.
(The author is a Mumbai-based senior journalist)
