Rising from colonial domination that left it materially and morally depleted, any country would strive to find a path to live comfortably in freedom.
I realise India has achieved much in recent years after having wasted nearly 43 (1947-1991) on socialist/collective ideology. These sought to ‘square the circle’ hardly evaluating whether or not the plight of the suffering poor was improving; moreover, the country’s reconstruction was slow because it did not generate additional wealth. Countries with a similar track-record should learn from each other to avoid making the same mistakes. Quite simply, to grow faster…
Deeply steeped in Indian culture is the value of education as a means to individual and social advancement. Education is regarded as the best approach to overcoming multiple social hurdles. Getting good grades at affordable public schools qualify many to pursue higher studies in medicine, engineering, management, IT, etc. The motivation to learn is important for personal gain and the country’s progress.
In later years higher institutions of learning were found to be lacking in number to cope with the rush of increased demand. The shortfall was readily plugged by private entities. In post-independent India it would seem that private initiative might be welcomed only if the State failed to deliver. Luckily, private initiative is always resourceful as long as pre-set guidelines are in place to assure that standards are high enough. It would seem logical that any State would not downplay the role of private entities in education.
The State should determine the rules of the game while becoming responsible for their implementation. Education should be left to those who can best deliver it. The State should support such initiatives and step forward in their absence. The regulatory body must ensure that candidates are not overcharged due to a lack of supply.
Some courses are in very high demand which tightens the selection process and raises overall standards. For example, 1.5 million candidates applied for 10,575 places available at the IIT-Indian Institute of Technology in 2016. There was a similar proportion applying for the IIM-Management and Medical Colleges. Intense preparation in the run-up to the admission tests leads to improved knowledge levels; those who fail to get admitted to the Faculty of first choice are keenly considered at any other faculty.
In a country that boasts of strong rates of economic growth, there are too few technical staff and specialists across a wide spectrum of activities: in the many fields of the construction industry, in auto-repair and other machinery, electronics, computers, etc. The pull to emigrate is also felt due to wage differences; therefore there is a need to train many more technicians than are required. Quality work may only derive from
qualified training. The ongoing Skill India programme is rooted in the belief that quality production hinges on manpower being trained adequately. Last year 11.7 million youngsters received professional training. As training schools themselves become more experienced they will be able to provide better services going forward.
Agriculture should not be downplayed
The best way to produce foodstuffs, create jobs, transform produce for export is to work on and innovate in agriculture. There is a bias skewed to modernity that seems to recognize technology only as inherently good. The primary sector is therefore doomed to failure in favour of working at factories or in call-centres.
Entrepreneurs with a vision are invited to turn agriculture into a catchy and promising sector.
Agriculture is essential to the population. In India it is estimated that 30% of agricultural produce is lost to inadequate refrigeration networks, poor transportation and storage facilities. Then come product transformation and further down-the-line distribution to retail chains. Processed foods last longer and may reach across every corner of the vast country. Local policies should target price stability in order to ensure that work remains profitable and investment pays off.
Research into each product on ways to add value as well as to the entire food chain it is a part of, may fetch higher incomes including to those tilling the land. By studying a soils’ aptitude, compatible richer crops may be adopted. Higher yields will ensue.
It represents a clean break away from what ‘was always done’.
India’s agricultural sector is large providing 47 per cent of employment (active population) and accounting for 17.4 per cent of GDP. Every effort to cut back on waste and enhance production will lead to higher incomes for farmers. The country’s farmed area under irrigation borders on 40 per cent, enabling two or three harvests a year. Here, there is room for work, expansion and improvement.
Education in this field must start at school level, on local or best-suited vegetable varieties, with practical experimentation at home, to describe and discuss the evolution at the class. Their economic significance and on good farming practices to achieve higher outputs must also be considered.
A knowledge-based agriculture will ensure a marketplace for allits products.
To discuss India is much like discussing any other country. At the end of the day food is critical anywhere.
