Independence is like fresh air; one tends not to notice it until one loses it. As we celebrate our Independence Day, I feel that the eponymous ‘fresh air’ is fraught with financial imprudence, corruption and insecurity. The Indian Rupee has earned dubious distinction of being worst performing (Asian) currency in last decade, courtesy burgeoning current account deficit due to parochial economic policies in name of helping ‘Aam Adami’. In the name of shoring fortunes for Indian Rupee import duties and capital controls are put up. Are we going back to ‘socialist era’ and giving a window of opportunity to rogue elements like smugglers and hawala operators? In terms of Corruption Perception Index gauged by Transparency International, India is stands at 94 among 176 countries in 2012, down from 72 in 2007, in the same bracket as most of the countries in sub – Saharan Africa. I can’t think of any better example of regress and failure of governance and administrative mechanism. Patrolling soldiers are ambushed, beheaded and killed on border and the ruling establishment can’t come up with cogent statement or adequately condemn the culpable. As a citizen, I was looking for roadmaps to contain some of these pollutants, from rampant of Red Fort. All I heard was pagans about first family of politics. Alas, the office of ‘Chief of Government’ is denigrated and the ‘golden’ opportunity to address concerns of common man was lost. A ray of hope though came from Bhuj, Gujarat. Albeit of acrimonious tone, the concerns of common man were raised, the question of good governance was asked. Hope, it may initiated debate to identify parameters of good governance and citizens mindfully exercise their right to franchise in favor of good governance. Let us ensure that we do not make eponymous fresh air of freedom stale and devoid ourselves of the fortune by making it rabid with financial imprudence, corruption and insecurity. …..in anticipation of better thoughts for Independence Day 2014…..
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 19:22:06 +0000
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