More consensus, great Budget, civil language
Now that we have entered the first day of a new year, we must use the occasion to see what we did not achieve and should, or achieved partially and must pursue them to their logical end. It is said that pledges are meant to be broken — and politicians are known to often break them regardless of a new year, anyway. Yet, the netas hold the key to the realisation of so many of our dreams. And so, to them we look to for the fructification. India is a vast and diverse nation and the aspirations are many and as varied; if the middle class is tugging at the leash to get into the big league, those at the bottom rung of the socio-economic ladder are impatient with their lot and seeking more and better opportunities. The population demographics of the country will not allow our policymakers to get complacent; the youth will be at their heels demanding gainful employment, access to life-changing technologies, an end to confrontationist conduct and for a more consensual approach, and the rejection of parochial politics based on caste and religion. It's for both the Government and the Opposition, whether at the Centre or in the States, to meet these demands. If they do, they will get another chance at the hustings; if they don't, they will be discarded when the opportunity comes. Nothing can be taken for granted, not any longer. Of the many expectations, the following are the most fundamental: Repairing relations with our neighbours; faster economic growth through a path-breaking Budget and the passage of the Goods and Services Tax Bill; Greater understanding and consensus among political parties at least on issues of national importance; and more civil discussions in and outside Parliament and television studios.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sprung a surprise towards the end of 2015 by paying a visit to lahore to greet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the latter's birthday. This single gesture melted the ice, but the thaw needs to be built upon. Relations between India and Nepal, which had soared following Mr Modi's two visits to Nepal, are in a state of crisis. Reports that the new Nepalese Prime Minister KP Oli will skip tradition and pay his first official visit to China instead of to India, has muddied waters further. Things must be brought on track soon, and both New Delhi and Kathmandu must strive towards this. Bad blood between the two countries with beti-roti ties is no option. One hopes that 2016 will also see a de-escalation of confrontation between the Government and the Opposition. Parliament must not be held to ransom merely because the two do not see eye to eye on certain issues, nor should one be paying the other back in the same coin. On matters of national importance, there must be unanimity. If Parliament functions, the critical Goods and Services Tax Bill will become possible. Stooping to conquer should be the new mantra. People are fed up of the uncivil language that politicians use. Both in and outside Parliament and television studios, which have become arenas to demolish images through the use of foul language, the new narrative must be one of dignified conduct. Finally, if 2016 is to be India's Year in the midst of a grim economic outlook globally, the new Budget has to be better than the best we have seen.