A True Vision for India (Vision 2020 – Planning commission)

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In formulating our vision of the future India, it is important to see beyond the limits of the immediate past to rediscover the greatness that is India. Although the present Republic of
India is a young developing nation, our people have a rich and illustrious history as one of the longest living civilizations in the world.

In 1835,even the British historian and politician,Lord Macaulay,Admitted before the British Parliament: “I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief.  Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, and people of such caliber… the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage…..”   Thus, it would be wrong to state that in 1947 India started to construct a modern nation from scratch. Rather, it began the process of rediscovering its rich cultural and spiritual values that had formed the foundation of India in the past. It is on this foundation that We seek to formulate our vision of India 2020.

It is indeed a challenge to formulate a cohesive vision for
India in 2020. Therefore, we thought it appropriate to seek inspiration from one who had a clear vision and possessed the gift to articulate it in a manner that has inspired the hearts and minds of countless Indians. The vision articulated by Rabindranath Tagore is all encompassing in every sense.  In Annexure I, we identify eight components of the vision reflected in the following poem and attempt to translate them in operational terms for India Vision 2020.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Vision

Where the mind is without fear and the head is heldhigh.

Where knowledge is free.

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls.

Where words come out from the depth of truth.

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection.

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit.

Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action.Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

The vision articulated by Rabindranath Tag ore is all encompassing in every sense.  It has laid down what he considered to be the basic constituents of the “heaven of freedom”. We can identify eight components of this vision reflected in the poem quoted earlier, which we can attempt to translate into operational terms for
India’s vision 2020.

Where the mind is without fear – Peace and security, internal as well as external, is the first and most essential foundation for the nation’s future progress. Fearlessness can only be attained when this security extends to cover, over and above our physical safety, our social rights and economic well being, to eliminate all forms of vulnerability and discrimination.

Where the head is held high – Self-respect and self-esteem are the psychological foundations for the development of individuality and individual initiative, which are the means through which the nation builds its strength and fulfils its aspirations. The nation prospers through the development and flowering of all its citizens as individuals. Health, education and employment opportunities for all, and awareness of our rich spiritual and cultural heritage are the essential bases for fostering self-respect and self-esteem. 

Where knowledge is free – Development takes place when people become aware of opportunities for advancement and acquire the knowledge needed to convert those opportunities into practical accomplishments. Knowledge in the form of education, technology and access to a wide range of information is a catalyst for individual and social progress. The free flow of knowledge is the basis for a free and prosperous society.

 

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls – The spirit of globalization which is rapidly reshaping the world today cannot be better expressed. The accelerated flow and exchange of trade, capital, technology, information and people will create unprecedented opportunities for the progress and prosperity of all countries that can transcend the narrow confines of national boundaries.
India can however realize its full potential in the wider world only when it is internally united, surmounting all the centrifugal forces that overlook our common heritage and accentuate our differences.

Where words come out from the depth of truth — Integrity, honesty and trustworthiness are the essential foundations for a successful democracy and a prosperous society. Both good governance and commercial success demand rigorous standards of transparency, accountability and reliability in word and action.

 

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection – Prosperity is the result of, productivity and efficiency which require the highest level of productive skills, technological excellence and human effort.

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit – Nations develop by choosing the best the future has to offer, while being willing to discard outmoded ideas and behaviors that retard future progress and even threaten to undermine the country’s unity and strength.

 

Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action – Education, innovation and creativity are the ultimate driving forces for the continuous advancement of scientific knowledge and material accomplishment.

These threads from. Rabindranath’s poem is the vital strands from which a fulfilling vision of India 2020 can be woven.

NODAL POINTS OF INDIAN PROSPERITY: 1. PEACE, SECURITY & NATIONAL UNITY – Physical security both from external and internal threats—strong national defense, domestic law enforcement and social harmony.

2. FOOD & NUTRITIONAL SECURITY – A vibrant, highly productive commercial farm sector that can ensure food & nutritional security, generate employment opportunities, stimulate industrialization, and produce renewable energy from biomass and fuel crops.

3. JOBS FOR ALL – A constitutional commitment to ensure the right of all citizens to a sustainable livelihood that will provide them with the purchasing power needed to freely cast their economic votes in the market place.

 

4. KNOWLEDGE – 100 per cent literacy & school education, and vocational training for all new entrants to the workforce, to equip youth with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive world: adult education programmes to compensate working age school drop-outs for the lack of education, and continued investment in science and technology to improve productivity, quality of life and the environment.

 

5. HEALTH – Expansion of the infrastructure for public health and medical care to ensure health for all.

6. TECHNOLOGY & INFRASTRUCTURE – Continuous expansion of the physical infrastructure for rapid low-cost transportation and communication that is required for rapid economic growth and international competitiveness. Application of computers to improve access to knowledge and information, and increase in the speed, efficiency and convenience of activities in all fields of life. 7. GLOBALISATION – Successful integration of
India with world economy.

 8. GOOD GOVERNANCE – Farsighted and dynamic leadership to maximize national prosperity, individual freedom and social equity through responsive, transparent and accountable administration that removes all the bottlenecks to economic development. 

9. WORK VALUES – Activation of all these nodal points requires firm and determined adherence to high values, including prompt decision-making, disciplined execution, systematic implementation, finely tuned co-ordination, unceasing effort and endurance. In last with theses line.