INDIA MUST PROTECT ITS HARD-WON FREEDOMS

Context

The world’s largest democracy is soon to become the most populous country on earth therefore 75 years of independence bring special responsibility to protect and promote individual freedom.

On this historic occasion, we must resolve to never let our freedoms be robbed by authoritarian arrogance or allow fomented hatred to undermine the unity of the Indian people.

A Precious Unity

• It was the freedom struggle, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and led by the Indian National Congress, which united Indians across the land to seek an end to foreign rule.
• This movement united Indians across multiple identities of language, religion, caste, gender, and social status.
• That unity is precious to India and should not be frittered away through communally divisive, linguistic chauvinist, callously casteist and gender insensitive campaigns that will fragment the Indian identity.
• We were robbed of our riches by colonial rule and began our life after independence as a poor developing country.
• we rose from that level to become one of the world's leading economies, whose growth is essential to the stability of the global economy.
• The policy of economic liberalization, initiated in 1991, had a galvanizing effect on our economic growth.
• At the same time, poverty reduction and bridging of economic inequalities became a cardinal principle of public policy.
• As we pursue the path of inclusive economic growth, we should not permit only a select few among India’s business leaders to reap the benefits of prosperity while income gaps keep widening.

 Flag Divisive Politics

• Jobless growth is not a safe bet for any economy.
• Unemployment not only does not permit the optimal use of our human resources but also creates the breeding ground for social discord and divisive politics.
• As we move ahead towards the next 25 years of independent India, we must aim to optimally utilize the demographic dividend of a young population through education, skilling, suitable employment, and support to young entrepreneurs and innovators.
• This requires easy mobility across the country for education and employment.
• Communal and linguistic barriers will hinder such mobility and adversely impact growth.

Uphold Scientific Tradition

• India adopted excellence in science as a path to progress.
• The national science policy was forward-looking. Great institutions of scientific learning and research were established.
• India’s various institutes of technology have won world renown, with many of their graduates leading global enterprises of repute.
• Our space, oceanography, and nuclear programs have placed us in a select group of nations whose scientific prowess and technological excellence are acknowledged.
• India has had a proud scientific tradition since ancient times, but that should not become the camouflage for pseudo-science that brings discredit to our scientific community.      
• In the comity of nations, India won respect for adopting principled positions, opposing colonial rule, and leading the Nonaligned Movement when two power blocs were seeking global domination, espousing human rights, and promoting the cause of peace.
• Our relations with most of our neighbours were cordial we need to maintain these positions, even as the world witnesses new conflict and alliances.
• We should not let our foreign policy wobble through dependence on personalized gestures for the camera but follow clear-headed initiatives through wise leadership supported by able diplomats.

Well being of the Young

• The recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reminds us that stunting; undernourishment and anaemia continue to afflict a large percentage of our children and women in the reproductive age group.
• We need to ensure that the nutrition-specific programs deliver, even as we advance nutrition-sensitive policies in other sectors, especially in water and sanitation.
• There are marked differences in the capacity and performance of health systems across different states.
• It is essential that the state invest more in health and also that centrally sponsored programs aim to provide greater support to states whose health indicators are lagging.
• Providing needed health services to all persons, with adequate financial protection, must be the goal of universal health coverage.

Citizens to Ponder

• Things that are worrying are sectarian slogans and communal slurs that are vitiating social harmony and dividing the people.
• Alongside there is also a weakening of institutions that must safeguard democratic freedoms uphold norms of good governance and shield electoral politics from the onslaught of money power and co-opted state agencies.
• It is for the citizens of India to protect and preserve the hard-won gains of our freedom.