India – Independence Day Commemoration 2015

August 15, 2015

By Padmini Arhant

India commemorates Independence Day 68th anniversary on August 15.

Subsequent to overt British Raj, India adapting Parliamentary system recognized as world’s largest democracy premised on secularism and diversity with caste hierarchy and communalism remaining predominant feature in social structure.

Political speech to transcend caste and communal practice and in the same address using caste references makes overture disingenuous for actions verify intention.

The evolution across the spectrum varies with contrasting characteristics in inheritance of British Raj legacy in politics and sharp deviation from Indian culture in general.

Social behavior in appearance and attitude claimed modern has created identity syndrome. The external influence reflected in internal conversion and erosion of Indian heritage. The trend is in semblance with European invasion of China enabled by British Raj opium introduction in the early twentieth century for market access.

Indian politics representing the rich, famous, self-proclaimed royals and dynasty continue to defend indefensible activities alternating terms in office to protect ethos favoring corruption, criminality, treason and abuse of power.

India’s ruling class predominantly comprising bourgeois reminiscent of British Raj impedes comprehensive development.

Nonetheless, the mainstream contribution led India towards significant achievements in the economic sector qualifying the nation as emerging economy.

Indian workforce and entrepreneurial innovation facilitated economic growth amid challenges in global economy.

Indian diaspora excellence in overseas domains combined with expatriates’ payments to family back home boost foreign currency reserves and economic opportunity.

India’s domestic production could exceed expectations in the absence of persisting conflict of interest for personal gains involving political figures depriving nation of due revenue.

The taxation laws exempting wealthy and entities with extraordinary income is shelter for tax evasion and offshore holdings draining national treasury.

Indian central and state governments reluctance to legislate effective anti-corruption measures defy transparency and accountability maintaining status quo in avoiding self-implications.

India subscribing to neo-liberalization economic policy – euphemism for contentious Free Trade Agreement launched as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for multinational corporations venture is a litmus test considering experience elsewhere mostly resulting in unilateral profitability.

Foreign investments with mutual trade benefits preventing displacement of local businesses and retail industry, labor exploitation in addition to strict environment and safety regulations are critical in the backdrop of Union Carbide industrial disaster and mining incidents leaving victims in permanent ordeal.

Contemporary politics feign democracy with the electoral process having become the means to legitimize illegitimate rule.

The violations such as open bribery of voters, fraud and threats not barring killing of independent candidates are rampant in the quest for power.

Candidates with criminal records and individuals under investigations for unnatural deaths and corruption scandals not only allowed to participate but also funded to ensure victory in election.

The political members allegiance to corporate and foreign donors promoting candidacy during election alienate electorate and their problems using taxpayers funded police force to quell dissent and peaceful assembly.

The five methods deployed to suppress voice on issues concerning people and political cadre is law enforcement agency, income tax charges, intelligence bureau probe, media propaganda and character defamation.

India’s ordinary citizens plight beginning with;

The rise in farmers suicides with the onset of controversial land bill,

Urban and rural youth unemployment,

Marginalization of demography denying basic living conditions like electricity, water, sanitation, housing, road and transportation facilities,

Workers and management disputes in private and public sector unresolved hurting business and state economy.

The default on army veterans’ request for one rank one pension OROP clarifies misplaced priority.

Northeastern states unrest prolonged with Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) upholding British Raj enactment. Similar scenario is applicable in Kashmir valley.

On citizen security – Female gender regardless of age targeted with rape and sexual harassment. The crime escalation making women to fend themselves proves apathy to citizens’ trouble.

Notwithstanding neglecting women safety impacting national image and tourism.

Terrorism hits Indian soil in Gurdaspur, Punjab while political agitation intensified outside Parliament.

The recent standoff leading to Parliament session adjournment throughout monsoon season confirms complicity among ruling coalition and opposition parties in evading legislative responsibility. The tradition declining to bring high profile accused to justice continued safeguarding self-exposure.

Political opportunism peaks on any matter having slighted the same in the two-term period with preoccupation then stifling corruption involvement.

Central authority confrontation with democratically elected state government in New Delhi seek to settle political scores in the aftermath of electoral defeat with little or no respect for electorate requirements isolating them from the rest of the country.

New Delhi statehood is complete in full-fledged autonomy with police, anti-corruption bureau (ACB) and public utilities under Delhi state administration rather than federal jurisdiction.

Delhi government deserves equal treatment from the Central government setting aside political differences and partisanship, as citizens in Delhi are part of national configuration and accordingly entitled to federal assistance and cooperation.

The implementation of mandatory voting in Gujarat accompanied by penalty for non-compliance reject democratic value with imposition substituting option.

In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, liquor sale and distribution not even sparing four year old child is testament to political leadership dereliction of duty towards citizens’ welfare.

The state authorization of brute force against non-violent protesters and judicial maneuver delaying approval for anti-liquor silent demonstration is departure from democracy.

Last but not the least, New Delhi incumbent decision to transfer power from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to Prime Minister and finance ministry appointed five members committee beckons attention.

In the panel, three members representing executive branch and two from RBI allowing majority vote on key functions viz. monetary policy, inflation and interest rate determination is a paradigm shift from convention granting veto power to Reserve Bank governor.

The rapid rollback in fiscal management needs Parliamentary discussion and people consent to avert misuse of financial control with no desire to change corruption climate in the country.

India’s progress could exponentially surge in eliminating corruption and black money hoardings with recovery of wealth held in Swiss Bank, global tax havens and fictitious enterprise within country.

The political establishment’s will is strong in resistance to public scrutiny of private assets exemplified in anti corruption bureau (ACB) removal from appropriate ambit in the prevalent discord with Delhi State Assembly.

India’s freedom struggle would end upon republic empowerment constituting glowing tribute to patriots and honorable leaders for their sacrifice in the independence movement.

Finally, Indian youth and citizens nationwide adopting environment friendly habits would enhance India’s commitment towards Prakarti. (Nature).

I convey my Greetings and felicitations to people in India on the occasion of India’s independence yet to be accomplished in entirety.

Best wishes to citizens in India for liberty, unity, peace and prosperity.

Jai Bharat! Vande Mataram!

Peace to all

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, Indian Sub-Continent | Leave a Comment