Two Decades of Reforms- where are the gains?

These days the political parties do not easily miss out on anniversaries. But one anniversary the Congress has failed to celebrate is the 2^nd anniversary of reforms. Whatever be the reasons behind the Congress not celebrating it, let’s look at what we have achieved since the introduction of reforms way back in July 1991.

Mr Manmohan Singh, the then Finance Minister, in his budget speech declared that his new government had inherited an economy with such problems like the balance of payments crisis, high fiscal deficit and high inflation. He thought the reforms were the answer for India’s economic well being and thus ushered in an era of economic liberalization. But, what have we achieved through the reforms? 

The fall and rise with corruption

The recent election results in four states and one union territory have definitely given us a glimpse of an increasing intolerance and a growing public anger against corruption. Therefore, based on these results we could say that a corrupt and/or arrogant government (Tamilnadu, West Bengal) has a limited life span whereas a government that focuses on good governance and development (Bihar, Assam) gets an extended life span.

If it is true that corruption brings down a government what about Karnataka? The results from the recent bye elections in Karnataka indicate that a government can rise, not necessarily fall, and even thrive in spite of being the most corrupt state!

So,

It is possible, as the government in Karnataka has shown, to even rise and thrive despite being corrupt. Or should we just ignore these bye election results considering them relatively insignificant? Or should we say that it is only during the Assembly elections a corrupt government is brought down? 

No easy answers! 

Hopefully the governments in other states, including Karnataka, would learn some lessons and focus instead on issues of good governance and development to increase their lifespan.

Let us also hope that there will always be a fall and no rise, of any government, with corruption!

Japanese lessons- are we ready to learn?

The tragedies in Japan caused by earthquake and tsunami have left us all shocked. At the same time they also have taught us many lessons. Probably many would have received a mail titled ‘‘Ten things to learn from Japan’’. Those who haven’t received it can find it below.

(Ten things to learn from Japan

1. THE CALM

Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY

Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

 3. THE ABILITY

The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.

4. THE GRACE

People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

 5. THE ORDER

No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

 6. THE SACRIFICE

Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS

Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING

The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

 9. THE MEDIA

They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE

When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly)

No doubt, these are sublime lessons for our times. But let’s also not forget to learn some lessons from the nuclear disaster. Already it has led to a general dislike towards nuclear power despite the fact that many of the European countries meet over 50% of their electricity requirements through nuclear energy. Even former President Abdul Kalam has called for a safety review at all nuclear plants.

The nuclear disaster in Japan ought to compel us to revisit our nuclear power policy. More importantly, given the adverse cost-benefit ratio and the adverse risk-benefit ratio involved in nuclear power it is indeed time to switch off nuclear power permanently and pursue alternative sources of power.

Are we ready to learn from Japan?

India- the land of rising deficits?

Fiscal deficit, current account deficit, development deficit, education deficit, health deficit, governance deficit, ethical deficit- Has India become a land of rising deficits? It seems to be. Or else how do we explain these ever increasing deficits and non-existing surpluses? Wait. Who said non-existing surpluses? What about our surplus population (which is set to overtake China by 2050) and surplus poverty (don’t we have more poor than Africa)? Well, these are definitely not the surpluses that we can be proud of. What we require is development surplus which flows from better governance or governance surplus.

Sadly, our post-reform era hasn’t witnessed a greater commitment to either reducing or eliminating any of these deficits. This is evident from our low rankings in the Human Development Index (HDI) for the past few years. Furthermore, in terms of the improvement in the HDI index we have grown at a slower pace in the reform process that began in 1990 than in the decade prior to reforms.  

If India is to be counted as a performing and functioning democracy, and not merely a namesake democracy, then we need to draw inspiration from the ‘jasmine revolution’ and replicate it in our own land by overthrowing the politicians and bureaucrats who have caused or perpetuated these deficits. 

This is real conversion!

Mr Mahendra Kumar, the man behind the church attacks in coastal Karnataka, was first disowned by the sangh parivar. Now he exposes the evil designs of the sangh parivar. Wonder if any of those who carried out his orders to damage/destroy the places of worship would now listen to his orders towards a conversion of heart! It is nevertheless heartening to see the man opting for a real conversion!