Tags:
Journalism of Courage
India finds itself in an unprecedented situation. The world is slowing down; and this time it is taking a hitherto closed country with it. The benefits that India has drawn from participation in the global economy are real,huge and undeniable; now its government must use those benefits to ensure that this slowdown doesnt disrupt Indias long-term growth path. It is a time for big ideas,for sums considered staggeringly large. And a current proposal shows that the Central government is not afraid to think big.
A scheme is being considered which,in terms of expenditure,dwarfs even the extraordinary sums being spent under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act NREGA; the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation has suggested Rs 80,000 crore for creating affordable housing in urban centres across India while simultaneously providing additional impetus to heavy industry such as steel and cement and,of course,employment to manual labour. In principle,there is little wrong with this idea. It might be useful to spell out what makes sense about it. It is on the right side of history in terms of attempting to aid and guide Indias inevitable urbanisation; it should be the likely cause of re-invigorating thinking about how to create affordable low-tech housing,and how to integrate such housing into the geographical networks which the houses inhabitants will need to access for employment; and it could ensure that the fragile real estate sector is kept buoyant and grounded during these,the worst of times.
