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Journalism of Courage
The world8217;s largest democracy is hosting the biggest
debate of its 60 years of existence. We have always been argumentative, of course. But we have also tended to be far too enamoured of shibboleths and respectful of secular deities. Much of that awe and respectfulness is gone now and that wonderful result, which engendered so many convention-indifferent arguments across this continent-sized country, is a direct result of India junking the biggest shibboleth and deity 8212; economic collectivism. Look around and tune in to some of the arguments being heard around India as this 15th August is celebrated. Should industry buy land directly from farmers? Is industrial capital being exported, that too to the West, because Indian entrepreneurs are finding India too inhibiting? Can we have quotas while our education delivery remains poor? How close strategically should India be to America? Why make PAN cards mandatory for investment, since it can block out investors from the informal economy, whose capacity to invest is such a triumphal vindication of the nation8217;s economic course correction? Does the public sector really have a future worth fighting for? Are government salaries too low? Are skilled professionals being paid too much in the private sector? How fast is poverty falling? Should we involve the private sector in social welfare projects as some state governments are already experimenting? Not one of these questions was being asked when India celebrated 50 years of independence. The paradigm shift in public debate has been vast and, naturally, in a democracy of this size and of this awesome complexity, the arguments are furious, occasionally raucous.
One thing stands out. Independent India is a young country 8212; 60 is hardly any age for a nation-state 8212; full of young people. But grey is the colour of India8217;s public life. How many Indians below 50, forget 40 or 30, are in positions of real power? How many Indians above 75 think those below 50 are just too immature? These are particularly ironical questions when you realise what a 8216;teenager8217; has done for
this country 8212; economic reform is just 16 years old.
