I was born just post India’s independence. My grandfather and parents had migrated from Rawalpindi and Lahore in the forties, to UP and Delhi. My father worked for a Dutch oil Company since the thirties. He was transferred to various cities in Rajasthan, and UP, during his long career. He worked with the Dutch and the British and was accustomed to a mixed Anglo-Indian culture and practice.
Growing up I rode in old Ford and Austin cars. I witnessed many mixed get togethers of bow tied gentry and formal attire, watching Polo matches; celebrating the advent of Kerosene oil in India, to replace Dung cakes and wood, used as fuel in “Anghitees” and Choolah’s.” for cooking. The yellow and red stove burner with wicks, was promoted in India, with lots of fanfare and events. I heard Test cricket commentary in the fifties from a biggish rectangular Radio, where soft fingers manipulated the red needle for a better reception. The rickshaw and Tonga were the transportation of choice. Cycles were expensive; I got mine when I turned fifteen. The cities of Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Allahabad, Meerut, Nainital, and more, that I got to tread, in my early youth, wore a colonial architectural façade of buildings, shops, road signs, theatres and parks. Roads were mostly one lane going and coming, with shops dotted on both sides. Travel was mainly by rail, with manual signalling, past which Steam engines chugged by, lugging their mixed populace in three separate classes. Schools and colleges and universities were mushrooming up, Steel and Mining industry was making news, Many Institutions were being set up, and PL 480 wheat was being imported from overseas, – all spearheaded by PM Pandit Nehru and his government. Poverty was always visible on the faces of distraught migrants and unemployed people. The Five-Year Plans, resting on principles of Mixed Economy had to meet both economic and social goals. But my impression is, from that time, in fifties, and sixties, that people were generally happy with what progress India was making post partition. The elder generation had to work hard just to survive, than to get into conflicts and activism. The aura and persona, of President/s Rajendra Prasad, Dr Radhakrishnan, V.V.Giri, Dr Zakir Hussain lingered, on the conduct of parliamentary democracy and its evolution in India. Of course, dissenting voices from intelligentsia and the Left, could be discerned in rallies and Print media, off and on. Many political parties and groups were raising their head and Indian National Congress was soon to find itself in merry Company. India followed a non-alignment foreign policy, had huge balance of trade gaps, relied on World Bank loans, and on friends like Russia, to transfer technology, and set up Industries in the country, side by side with ventures from Tatas, Birla, Shriram and others.
The transition from black and white TV to colour TV, from Radio to transistor and tape recorders, from Gramophone to Record players, from Austin Minor to Morris, Ambassador and Fiat – were wonders, that we experienced well into the eighties, before Maruti 800, ruled the roost! We witnessed the blackouts of both China and Pakistan wars, as students, as wardens, and as NCC cadets. My first flight was in a Dakota plane to Srinagar. The birth of Bangladesh in March 1971, and the aftermath of Victory over Pakistan, is still a fresh memory, as indeed are the images of the implementation of Emergency in June 1975.
My career spanning now over 54 years, is in Agriculture related Agchem manufacturing and marketing, to trade and farmers in Mandis and villages, with an evolving understanding of the diversity of Rural India. Late Dr Swaminathan, ushered in the green revolution, and I was very much a small participant in introducing, chemical weed control in wheat crop in North India in eighties. These were days of learning and understanding their destiny, for a vast growing population, that had barely got over the memories of partition, and the horrors it left behind. The fifties, to the eighty’s years, were foundational period, when various Governments, endeavoured to establish institutions and systems, within constitutional constraints, that are inherent in a federal structure, and those would make a complex country, with so many States, to function cohesively, as a third world nation, albeit an underdeveloped society. Inspector and Babu Raj, bureaucracy and forms, and the powerful corridors of Central and State institutions, now echo memory of nepotism, that surrounded the issue of licences, permissions, and nods from those in power.
Then PM Manmohan Singh, from Congress, sounded the “Reforms Bugle”! The ensuing policies rested firmly on Institutions such as RBI and PSU’s, on opening markets, by giving capitalism and industry a big impetus, by encouraging large industry and exports, through technology transfer and manpower exchange. These reforms however, little affected the mindset of majority of Indians, that still was shackled by the elder generations’ orthodox notions, and caste centric social order. The common man was still to taste the benefits of reforms in his daily fitful fever of life. The rich people surely had a full plate! And the poor-rich gap looked ever widening. Democracy for the few, of the few and by the few – kind of scenario was evident in Centre and States.
Families that had tasted the British Raj, were ok with the situation; at least they were a free people! Social media and electronic media bowing to its forefather “Doordarshan”, was starting to breathe fire, fuelled by technology, and a populace awakening to mobile phones, since mid-nineties, and to mushrooming of diverse regional TV and Radio Channels, through cable network and satellite. Islamophobia, inciteful speeches, and dissenting political voices, had now found friendly platforms to debate about high inflation, power cuts, high taxes, and the apathy that Governments had towards the plight of common folks.
From 1990 onwards, the spectre of cross border terrorism in Kashmir, Mumbai, Pune and across the country, were routine headlines in newspapers, and in Media. Activism thrived, albeit confronting frowns from the powerful. The silver lining was that IT revolution had found its roots in South India, and spearheaded global expansion opportunities. Large number of young people left for US, UK and other countries, to pursue education and employment.
This was an imperfect flash back! What in India does one see now? For instance, I never saw such nice highways and Road infrastructure, that one uses presently to travel. This is an unbelievable driving experience, not minding some potholes and toll station hurdles, but experiencing service outlets, that abound intermittently on 60000 Km plus network, against 25700 Km earlier. Road quality ranked earlier as 88 is now lower than 42! E-way length alone is about 4500 kms, against 680 kms earlier. On this modern highway network, witness roaring SUV’s and an eye-opening automobile boom. Small towns are becoming Smart and seething with energy by becoming hubs of supply chains and distribution; Metro cities, hitherto 5 have become 20; India’s GDP, around 6.2% (IMF), is upward of 3.75 trillion USD, and there is promise of the Economy, reaching the third largest position in the global ladder by 2026. Indians are flying using 152 airports, when earlier there were 74, worn out infrastructures, now replaced by modern smart facilities, spread across India. Telecom and Internet are a great revolutionising factor – 775 million internet connections keep the country busy, with smart phones and laptops. Railway stations are getting a complete makeover, rail length has reached 55198 kms up from 22048kms earlier during 2000-14. The Vande Bharat trains and RapidX semi bullet trains, riding on the success of Delhi Metro, are innovations that one did not imagine seeing in one’s lifetime. Railways are reaching previously unchartered territory, through mountains and tunnels. Digitalisation transactions have reached enormous volumes, some 76.1 % of total traffic. Cash is going gone. Wallets and UPI are in, and credit cards are the next to become obsolete. Whoever thought “Make in India” will become a powerful initiative, to propel contract manufacturing to new heights; the PLI is luring Tesla, Apple and big Industrial global giants to explore India, in all its flavours, across sectors such as Chemicals, Agchem, Pharma, Defence, Engineering, Space, Health, Electronics and Telecom. Exports are crossing USD 750 billion and FE reserves are reaching USD 580 billion. GST collections are amazingly high. Renewable energy has grown 95.7gW in last decade. And Indian Start Ups are having a field day – over 150 Unicorns exploring sustainable business models, some failing, others doing well. Over 70000 patents filed in India. Education is turning around, becoming skill centric, shouldered by more IIT’s and IIM’s, Medical colleges {660 now against 387 and 65335 PG Medical seats against 31152}. No of AIIMS is 22 up from 7 earlier. Health sector is treading the last mile into Rural India aided by Digital tools and insurance schemes. The hush hush Defence Sector has opened to 100% FDI and many big projects as for example, with HAL, and Indian partners are underway, in collaboration with Global Companies. India is well placed to welcome migrant Companies from China to set shop here. {Source: Govt data}
Our Foreign Policy forays, by MEA, have reached a much globally admired league of maturity, balance and foresight. The recent G20 Summit and Presidency executed by India magnificently, was an eyeopener to the world, that India has arrived, as a partner of choice in varied areas for collaborative effort. And the outcome was one of unanimity, a huge achievement for PM Modi, and the government. India’s contribution to UN and to other Global forums, such as G20, QUAD, SAARC, etc, is focussed and admirable, as is the growing US partnership; the clout with China and Pakistan; the continuing friendship with Russia despite Ukraine war; and the wiping out of India’s old image, that of a “door mat’ to one of beacon of wisdom and sense!
There is a New Vision, a restless enthusiasm and hope in the youth, that one sees now, demonstrated, as India has won many Medals in sport events around the world. CEOs from India head large Global Corporations. The Indian women have become empowered hugely; the rural women are raising their head, eager to be part of nation building initiatives. Their households have access to easy Gas connections, Electricity and toilets in every village, and Direct to Home digitalized payment, that ensures full remittance and realization of Govt Schemes. And now Women will have their rightful place in Parliament too. Precision and Connected mechanized Agriculture is resulting in increase in per capita farm and non -farm incomes, ably assisted by FPO’s and KVC’s. This sector will likely increase its GDP contribution. Development initiatives in Northeast regions are milestones too.
Verily, there is a Vision and a Mission to take India forward, and sectoral roadmaps for execution of plans and policies, some new, some old, are in place, as informed by Government. And that’s a promise people! says PM Modi, – we have organizational readiness for achieving these objectives.
Yet, there is terror still being nurtured and abetted, in Kashmir, though comparatively sporadic yet utterly fatal and dangerous. The region is, however, undergoing serious positive change, following abolition of Article 370. Soon Jammu and Kashmir may have Statehood and peace restored?
Stakeholders from many News channels, complain that media is strangulated, that it cannot air the truthful facts, that voices of dissenters and activists are silenced through coercive legal actions; that journalists are trapped under draconian Acts; and that free press and right to protest, which is an important pillar of vibrant democracy, is being subdued, to remain pro establishment or be quiet and neutral. Many journalists have suffered Govt’s wrath. Many TV Channels have changed hands!
That, come elections, and opponents are confronted with raids and harassment, with alleged accusations of fraud, deceit and corruption, when they will have to fight long drawn legal battles. The fragmented Opposition, with its knee jerk reactions, and with insignificant Agenda, further sows the seeds of uncertainty and non-confidence in the minds of the people, I.N.D.I.A notwithstanding. There are charges, that India is now an Autocracy not a Democracy, and that we just remembered that word “Bharat” was enshrined in the Indian Constitution by the founding fathers, and thus needs to stand besides “India”, now, and even replace it in near future? Renaming Roads, Cities and tampering with historical facts, is such a bad idea.
Is a rosier picture than what obtains on the ground being projected? Is data fudged? Is there no accountability and transparency in Governance? Are events stage managed to whip up nationalism for elections? Are citizens being told half-truth or even lies? Is there growing intolerance for religious diversity? Is there a political culture emerging, that is narrow in its tolerance of non-Hindus? Are rich people becoming richer by the day? Is Climate Change and pollution control only a slogan? Are ordinary citizens afraid to voice opinions, while walking in the park, for fear that someone will record their perceptions? Has the establishment become so overbearing, so all pervading, so watchful, that citizens must be on guard all the time, before they open their mouth to voice their thoughts? Are Institutions being mis-used, and given freedom to invade privacy of those that appear to be dissenters? Is Technology being used as a double-edged sword, one that can threaten people’s peace of mind at the click of the mouse, and ensure uniformed warrant carrying images, outside homes, in early twilight of the mornings? Is jail a preferred norm than bail? Will civil society and media ever have the confidence to talk openly about the Establishment?
Are our 643000 odd villages and households, still riddled with the menace of caste and religious manipulations, that influence marriages, elections, local bodies, and fosters corruption at grass roots? Has economic prosperity helped dissolve social taboos, and encouraged our youth, especially from rural and semi urban areas, to be objective, without religious bias, and ready to take on responsibility for nation building? Will our children make good and progressive parents? What social changes are envisaged, to ensure, that our 1.5 billion people emerge as a happy and peace-loving generation, by the 100th year of India’s Independence? The answers to these questions, dear readers, are blowing in the wind!
We ought to stop wearing coloured glasses and view India, naturally, as it evolves as a young nation, by giving it firm leadership and direction, innovating on many building blocks established since Independence, and thus ensure that the country emerges, at the Centre and in States, as a unique, balanced, progressive and unified nation, in stark contrast to present violent and polarized geopolitical world. This is India’s moment and of those, who have participated in this journey, since independence.
Chander Sabharwal, Senior Professor, Agchem and Management Consultant.