The RSS chief was correct when he said that an inclusive economic policy is the need of the hour. However, the effort to build a Rashtra will come true only if India focuses on quality education, pure food, clean water, internal security and cultural integration
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, in his Vijaya Dashami speech, talked about internal security, cow protection, inclusive economic policy, quality and affordable education for every child, the influence of dangerous computer games, Rohingya issue and the Kashmir problem, among others.
The RSS chief also advocated for an India specific economic development vision, which will help people in every economic sector to prosper. In the years to come, the nation will have to tackle population explosion, caste divide, unemployment and internal security challenges.
Terrorist agencies are working covertly to damage life and properties across the country through various means. The recent Elphinstone Road Station stampede in Mumbai, which killed 22 people and left 39 injured, offers many lessons for our policy makers. like Elphinstone station, many railway over brides in Mumbai are in bad shape. But the unpredictable crowd behaviour was seen for the first time.
While the real cause of panic on the Elphinstone bridge will be established only after the video footage is examined in detail, but it reminds us of the 2011 stampede at Uppupara near Sabarimala, which killed 106 pilgrims. Some miscreants gave fake panic signal about a tigers’ presence.
The RSS chief rightly said that an inclusive economic policy is the need of the hour. Over the decades, Mumbai has suffered from high influx, which has led to people living like animals. More than 50 per cent of the people in Mumbai have no toilet access and they use the railway lines for the purpose.
In fact, it is not only in Mumbai, a majority of Indian cities have become a junk yard due to over population, which crumbles urban infrastructure. An inclusive economic growth policy backed by good governance can let people earn their livelihood in their native place.
This will prevent migration, family disintegration and isolation of old family members. People will become happy and use their creativity to produce more if the Government creates a climate for self-reliance.
Further, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said, “It is also universally being recognised that all these policies and standards need a rethinking and nation-specific unique models of development should evolve”.
Our Niti Ayog and economic advisers of the States will have to come out of the same old economic ‘isms’, and will have to integrate the most up-to-date economic experiences taking into account the ground realities of our nation.
linking economic experience with ground reality needs lots of hard work and dedicated research at the ground level. Economists and planners have to get an in-depth understanding of different economic sectors. If the Government preserves artistry and skill in
handicraft sector, it could earn huge foreign currency and generate employment.
For example, the horn craft of Cuttack was once exported to foreign countries. Cigar pipe, animals, birds, subjects from Jataka tales, made by horn artisans of Cuttack, were the chief export items.
Today, cheap horn items made in other States are sold in Cuttack. Many artisans have complained that recently many non-artisans and touts have grabbed Government benefit of five lakh rupees each, which was supposed to be given to genuine horn artisans to start their workshops. The State Government gives Rs 300 per month as pension to horn artisans. It is high-time for the State Government to raise the pension to Rs 1,000 per month. Over the decades, the artisans have contributed immensely to the State’s rich cultural heritage.
“People will also have to relentlessly insist on buying swadeshi products while fulfilling their day-to-day needs and making other purchases,” said Mohan Bhagwat.
The RSS chief wants quality and affordable education for every child. Quality and affordable education is key to self-reliance. If a child receives quality plus two education, it is sufficient for him to earn a descent life. Nature has blessed India with multiple economic sectors, a rich bio-diversity and immense skill to earn income on a sustainable basis.
Mohan Bhagwat also expressed his concern over the growing menace of dreaded computer games which make children aggressive, immobile and mental wrecks. Western and European countries have banned it. But India is yet to ban dangerous computer games and sex sites. In fact, we are losing our young generation to negative foreign influences.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat advocated for cow protection too and said that the economic benefit of a cow is immense. He said, “Cows are used more for their urine and dung than milk in our country”. For a small farmer to progress, rearing of the cow is a must. Protecting cow and cow-based agriculture is directed by the Constitution. But for protecting cow huge private investment, people’s participation and voluntary energy is needed.
More cow sanctuaries, gaushalas and plants to produce cow products should come up. There are hundreds of popular milk by-products. India can’t even meet the domestic and export demand of genuine cow ghee. The RSS Chief effort to build a Rashtra will come true if India focuses on quality education, pure food, clean water, internal security and cultural integration.
(The writer is a freelance commentator)