We are talking about "Developed India" since so many years. Our ex-president Dr. Mr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam gave us a new vision of "India 2020". In that dream, Dr. Kalam says, 'We can make India a DEVELOPED COUNTRY. The world is looking towards India as a future superpower." I think we should think on the term "Developed Country" from the Indian context because unless we frame our definition of 'Developed Country', we cannot take any measures towards the result and making action plan without any crystallised goal is of no use.
In Economic aspects, there are some definitions about developed country. Let's first understand the definition of Development. Development means the act or the process of positive growth. Further we can define what is Economic development. Economic development can be defined as efforts that seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community by creating and/or retaining jobs and supporting or growing incomes and the tax base. Many of times, we get confused about the two different concepts that are 'Development' and 'economic development'. When we see express highways, shopping malls, huge business complexes, we feel that we are developed. Is it so? That is the one reason we get confused even about the concept 'Developed Country'.
We can find the definition of a 'Developed Country' very easily. Definition says that countries that have high level of development according to some criteria like per capita income, high Gross Domestic Product (GDP), greater industrialisation. Now, the concept of Human Development Index is being included in this criteria which is very important. Human Development Index normally measures life expectancy, literacy, educational attainment, health care, income employment, etc. I think we need to concentrate on the HDI criteria along with our economic development.
Now let's talk about India as we are dreaming to make it a superpower. Let's think about this issue in some defined manner. For that, we will consider some important aspects that are Economic, Social, Political, Cultural and Technical aspect.
Economic aspect talks about higher GDP growth, increased per capita income and healthy Balance of Payments. Indian economy is growing at a fantastic rate. Last year, GDP growth rate was 8.3% which was more than U.S. and even European nations. This year, whole world is facing recession. But still, India's GDP growth rate is 5.3% which is fairly good enough to sustain economic development. But when we are talking about 'Developed Superpower India', we should be able to sustain the economic growth as well as the distribution of the wealth must be fairly uniform. Our taxation system must be ideal one in the world which will create free market conditions along with healthy competition which will result in consumer benefit.
We want to make India socially developed. Our present social conditions are not at all admirable. We are facing serious problems like illiteracy, corruption, terrorism, civil wars, religious conflicts,etc. Unfortunately, we are not united as an INDIAN. The society is not acting as a society. An individual is interested in his/her own benefit on the cost of society. In 'Developed India', every citizen of this country will be responsible one. People will be socially active. Every individual will call himself as an INDIAN proudly instead of calling Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian,etc. Columns of RELIGION and CAST will be deleted from all Government Documents. There will be no reservations on the basis of caste and on the cost of merits. Certain reservations will be allowed to economically backward part of the society. Population of India will be having minimum level of education which will enable them to overcome problems like unemployment, poverty,etc. Educationally aware society will be more healthy, more socially active and will be more uplifted automatically.
India's Democracy is the largest democracy in the world. We and our leaders have proved it that Indian democracy is not only largest but is strongest. Unfortunately, we cannot say that it is the most successful. Here is one example. If we ask any child of 10-12 years about his dream, he will answer that he would like to be an engineer or doctor or musician or sportsman or MBA,etc. But nobody will say proudly that I want to be the Politician as we have considered it as a dirty job. Is it really a dirty job? Simple answer is NO. The people in the politics and their activities have made its impression dirty. In Developed India, we will have proper schools for those who want to be the politician to give him legal, social an well as ethical guidance. Politics will be respected profession among the society. There will be no corruption. For that, Government employees will be facilitated with fair salaries and other facilities. Individuals will be more ethical in terms of non-corruption. We will be having stable government (as we have got now in the 2009 Loksabha Elections) which can lead to the country to the continuous and steady development. Youth will be more active in the politics. We will read the headlines in the paper,'Total voting percentage fetched to 85-90%'. We will see more youth leaders who are fairly moral having backing of seniors with experience. The day will come when we can proudly say that 'Indian Democracy is not only largest but also strongest and MOST SUCCESSFUL'.
Technically, India is much ahead in the world. India has witnessed great technical development in the form of communication, computer hardware as well as software. But, in many aspect we have to rely on foreign technology for our industrial growth. In the future glorious era, India will be self-sufficient country regarding its technical need. Technology will be developed to make Indian population more efficient not unemployed. India will be large exporter of machinery based products. Indian technology will be viewed as the most efficient one. "MADE IN INDIA" will gain greatest respect from all over the globe. We will say with great proud that yes, we are MADE IN INDIA!!
We proudly say that Indian Culture is most glorious culture. But have we contributed positively to our culture? Unfortunately, on one hand, we are following our old traditions blindly and on the other hand, we are imitating the modern lifestyle. We and our whole culture is in the confusion state which is very harmful and also affecting the coming generations. In Developed India, people will not follow the tradition but will adopt it and respect it. Society will be really globalised towards the culture also. They will adopt all good things from the cultures worldwide and will contribute to our glorious Indian Culture. That will be our real Indian Culture which will prevail in this country for many years and which will make the whole world to follow it.
THAT IS THE REAL DEVELOPED INDIA WHICH WILL LEAD THIS WHOLE WORLD AS THE LEADER AND THE GUIDE. WE ARE NOT YET DEVELOPED BUT WE HAVE THAT POTENTIAL TO MAKE IT DEVELOPED AND SUPERPOWER. LET'S JOIN HANDS TO MAKE THIS DREAM TRUE IN COMING YEARS. BECAUSE THE DREAM IS OURS, IT IS OF EVERY TRUE YOUNG INDIAN.
Eknath Giakwad - South Central Mumbai
