Things are changing all over the world. The era of capitalism has undergone multiple changes. A few decades ago, it was about creating higher levels of comfort, but today it is more about nurturing ideas that can change the world
Different adjectives are used for the times we are living through. Up-market expressions currently in vogue include ‘churning’, ‘samundra manthan’, ‘turbulence’ and more on these lines. When delivered in a Western environment with cocktails flowing, and degrees from Oxbridge or Harvard being the common denominator, such expressions are particularly impressive. Heads shake despondently and the front foot is tapped with great wisdom. In-depth analysis is offered and carefully calibrated agreements and disagreements are exchanged, in a know-all atmosphere. Then, the whole conversation is pushed in to oblivion more sooner than later.
But this is only one part of the story. From here, the affected domain is forks into two. One part does not adequately realise that turbulence is global and not exclusively Indian. The other part has never travelled without aide to register what life in the raw can be like.
Things are changing all over the world. The era of capitalism has undergone multiple forms. A few decades ago, it was about creating higher levels of comfort, but is now more concerned about nurturing ideas that can change lives.
Similarly, after the disintegration of the USSR, China became the face of communism. As is now widely realised, one of the many things significant about China is its ability to change prices of various items across the world. When there is turbulence at the foundation, the shaking of the leaves is only symptomatic.
New building materials, like new sources of energy, are redefining life. Old palaces are not only passé but fit only for use as offices or resorts. The fast-moving, consumer goods firms stand transformed and the consultant does not have a clue about the paradigm that has changed so dramatically.
Tata Nano cars may not be a success in India but similar models across the world are encouraging innovation in fuel-consumption and emission technology. The fuel ecosystem has moved on to use of gas. In Gujarat alone cost efficiency of industries have gone up by about 32 per cent with gas use. Across the world, people are looking to the heritage variable for alternative models.
In India, while we believe that for 67 years we have worked to create a secular state, the reality is of ‘competitive communalism’. The world over communities are breaking barriers for better internal egalitarianism; in India, the state is erecting barriers to social egalitarianism. The world is talking of creating new labour opportunities and new market values; in India, we like to provide political harvest to inherited castes.
The cocktail circles will be largely oblivious to the state of the roads in the unfashionable parts of India. Forget the romanticised version of the countryside, even the national highways in many parts are in a poor state. Take the case of NH-34. Say in West Bengal, between Dhalkola to Raiganj, roughly a 65 to 75km stretch, the condition of the highway is such when one starts on that road, he does not know how he will emerge at the other end. I went to this unfashionable part of the world, a few days ago.
The surer and more sensible way of negotiating this stretch is through the villages of Nangor, Rotela, Tajpur and Bombichi. The enterprising drivers plunges into unknown village roads to beat the traffic jams, which can last several days.
This is not turbulence; it is discordance. One could have used a stronger word. And herein lies the job of building an India which is true and strong. And I hope, this will happen someday.