Rebuilding India 21

Self-Reliance Through Swadeshi – Need of the Hour

The COVID -19 pandemics has created an unprecedented situation in the World. It is not just the lives and the economies, but also the ideas and approaches that are at stake.  The ideas that have been put forth and the approaches that have been advocated by the West over the previous centuries, have once and for all failed miserably.   

Even after the 2008 global economic crisis, the West –particularly the US - was hoping that they would be able to hold on to a higher position through their ‘advancements’ in science and technology and the status they enjoyed. But the corona virus has proved them wrong. As a result, the US President has now been reiterating openly the need for manufacturing within their country. This only reveals the ultimate collapse of the very concept that they have been so painfully propagating over many decades, globalization. 

So there is a definite U-turn towards a new paradigm with nation-centric approaches even in the West, that benefited a lot from their own versions of policies during the previous centuries. Even though nationalism and nation based manufacturing were being advocated in countries such as the US during the recent years, the intent seems to be definite now.  

The economic approaches of the West beginning the middle of the second millennium have always been with the objective of benefiting the ruling and the dominant classes by exploiting the larger population in their territories and outside. The dominant economic system that prevailed from the sixteenth to eighteenth century called mercantilism, paved the way for colonialism leading to exploitation of different countries in the World. 

Later during the late eighteenth century, their initial version of capitalism was put forth, which went through different processes over the years ultimately leading to market fundamentalism. Communism which came up in the second half of the nineteenth century failed in about hundred years. Each of their approaches was based on exploitation of one kind or the other and focused only on narrow aspects, at the cost of progress and development of all the sections of the society. 

Hence history had to fail them. Besides, beginning from the end of the fifteenth century and even earlier, the native systems in different parts of the World were subjected to disturbances and destructions by the invaders and colonizers.  

But a look at our history would reveal that Indian tradition has always believed in the well-being and betterment of all in the society. In fact, it went many steps further and emphasized the welfare of all the different creations of nature. The overall objective of our approaches remained the protection and progress of all. 

Swadeshi and Self-reliance remained the pillars of our approaches since the ancient periods. Accordingly, India society developed its own systems and devised suitable methodologies in different fields of life.  The Indian life always aimed higher and sought to achieve perfection in diverse fields.  Hence even while it was the most dominant economy in the World, it was also the incomparable intellectual power touching the highest limits. 

India remained a powerful nation, besides being peaceful at the same time. As a result, she remained as a model to the rest of the World since the ancient periods. We never wanted to dominate others through power, but assimilate all through acceptance and understanding. Since our civilization believed in the larger welfare of the humanity as a whole, we have been giving and sharing with others throughout history. 

Field studies in different parts of the country show that the developments over the last seven decades after Independence was largely through the native approaches of the local societies. Our larger society, by nature, is energetic, vibrant, entrepreneurial and has enormous economic wisdom.   

This is the reason why we were able to emerge as the nation with a very high potential in the World now, even after being decimated by the Europeans in two hundred years and savaged by the invaders for nearly eight centuries earlier. All these developments happening in a period of about seventy years is a great achievement in the modern economic history of the World.  This is in spite of the policy making circles advocating and implementing the alien approaches most of the time in free India.  

The Indian society, used to deadly assaults and severe onslaughts for about a millennium, withstood all the non-Indian, and many times even the anti-Indian, steps that were thrust on it. It charted out a path of its own as soon as it realized that it was politically free, without worrying about the course of action that the policy makers would take. It continued its journey, based on its inherent beliefs and innate strengths, nurtured by the age-old culture of this great nation. 

Crisis is not new to the Indian society. It must have faced several hundreds of crises – of different types such as political and economic and of different sizes – during its long and arduous journey. But it has the inherent tenacity to fight hard and get back to normalcy.  There are several examples for this in history and during the contemporary times, besides the steady progress of the macro- economy. There are hundreds of cases at the local levels. 

Morvi (also Morbi) is a town near Rajkot in Gujarat, brimming with diverse industrial and business activities. Called as the ‘ceramic city of India’, it manufactures more than 80 per cent of ceramics in the country and is the second largest tiles manufacturing zone in the World. The town is equally popular for its wall clocks, contributing the highest number in India, with the popular brands such as Ajanta and Samay having their base. 

The town is also involved in the manufacture of the sanitary wares and diamond cutting. As a result, Morvi is known throughout the country and abroad for its products. Earlier in 1979 this town was devastated by floods when the dam on the Macchu river got burst.  It resulted in serious damage to the local economy running into several crores, besides taking away the lives of an estimated 1500 persons.  But it was re-built by the society with the help of the state within a short period, emerging today as one of the well-known business clusters in the country.

Even during the lock down period of two months between the late March and May, 2020, the Indian society proved its ability to fight back and contribute in the required fields. When the corona virus started attacking us, we did not have the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is required to protect the doctors, medical personnel and others involved in the treatment of and assistance to the affected persons. We had to depend on imports for them. But within a very short period, India realized the need for them and started making it within the country. As a result, we now make more than three lakh units per day and in the process have emerged as the second largest manufacturer of PPEs in the World.  

This is how our societies turn adversities into opportunities. There are many other activities in which we have been able to scale up in a quick time, when the deadly was spreading everywhere. Even while lakhs of people were voluntarily helping the affected segments of population, many others were involved in finding out the solutions to the problems and striving to solve them.  It is this native spirit, called Swadeshi, that is required in full force for Self-Reliance at all levels now. 

Centuries of alien rules and the dominance of the Western ideas after independence have killed the native spirit, among the educated, the intellectual and policy making circles. Hence even when the larger societies at the local levels are functioning with the spirit of Swadeshi, the opinion making and the influential circles largely believe in the approaches from outside, particularly the West. 

As a result, the academia, the administration and the educated circles ignore and even have serious contempt for the performing sections. Hence there remains a wide gap in the system, between the groups that debate and decide, and the sections that perform. So our society with all its strengths could not reach higher levels, as there are serious misconceptions and lack of coordination. 

But the corona lock- down has taught many lessons to all in the World, including us in India. This is time for us to revive the Swadeshi spirit in the minds of all the different sections of the population and make it as a mass movement in all walks of life. Here the educated sections have a huge role to play in understanding and disseminating the realities and contributing with suitable suggestions for improvement. 

Nature has given an opportunity to take stock of the situation, realise our potential and reorient our approaches based on our foundations. Fortunately, the top leadership of the nation is taking this initiative forward. Hence it our duty to work towards creating a nation that will emerge stronger with all prosperity, so that the entire humanity would be able to benefit. 

( Yuva Bharati, Chennai, June 2020)

Rebuilding India 20

India unites in times of crisis  

Almost the entire world is in the grip of coronavirus disease (    COVID - 19) since March 2020.  The Centre for Systems Science and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University, USA notes that there were more than 2.72 million confirmed cases of the disease reported in 185 countries and territories as of April 24, 2020 with more than 1,91,000 deaths. It is the biggest calamity in the twenty first century that has affected the different sections of the society all over the world. 

COVID -19 is an infectious disease caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome. It was first identified in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province of China in Dec.2019. Since then it has spread to different parts of the world, resulting in the ongoing 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic. The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. 

The countries in the West are the most affected with the USA and EU losing several thousands of their citizens. The US has so far lost more than 50,000 lives and has more than 8.90,00 confirmed cases. The loss of lives in Europe is much more with Italy, Spain and France losing more than 20,000 persons each. 

Compared to many other countries, India is in a better position in terms of the confirmed cases and the loss of lives. Though we have the second highest population, so far the confirmed cases are around 18000 and loss of lives around 720. Sweden has a population of slightly more than 10 million, but it has already lost more than 2000 lives. The population of Netherlands is around 17.5 million only, but its deaths have crossed 4000. 

Experts opine that one of the major reasons for the lower rates in India are our traditional ways of life such as the cleaning habits, intake of preventive and medicinal items as part of food and drinks and the healthy practices that form part of our lives. Moreover, the central Government has been highly pro-active to contain the disease from the beginning, with the good support from most state Governments.

Even when many countries such as the US were hesitating to take steps, the Indian Government took the bold decision of a complete lock down for three weeks beginning the midnight of March 24-25 and later extending the period by almost another three weeks. Two days before announcing the lock down, the Prime Minister asked the citizens to observe a voluntary public curfew by remaining indoors for 14 hours from 7 am. It was to practice social distancing, thereby to arrest the spread of the virus. 

 A billion plus Indians responded positively to the initiative on March 22.  Besides, the PM also asked the people to thank all those who have been at the forefront selflessly working for others in the fight against the virus, such as doctors, nurses, sanitary staff, emergency services personnel, police, army and others. For this purpose, the PM asked the citizens to stand on their doorways, balconies, in windows at 5 pm on the day and keep clapping hands and ringing the bells for five minutes to salute and encourage them.

As the clock struck 5 in the evening, citizens of the entire nation – rich and poor, city dweller and villager - came out on their roofs, balconies and doorways as one to clap and ring the bells to express their gratitude. Some blew conch shells, some banged the utensils, while a few even used the fire crackers during the time. Many Indians living in foreign countries also took part in the event. The nation stood united as one and thanked the ‘saviours of the nation.’

After two weeks, again the PM gave a call to the citizens for unity to fight the “darkness of coronavirus epidemic”, by switching off their lights at homes and light candles, lamps or mobile flash lights standing at the doors or balconies for nine minutes on April, 9 from 9 pm. He said: “No one is alone during the lockdown, the collective superpower of 130 crore Indians is with every citizen.” 

Once again the entire nation responded to the call with enthusiasm, by coming out with lights and standing for 9 minutes outside their doors or on the balconies showing that the country is united in the fight.  From the President of India till the last man, every one including the industry captains, cricketers, actors, opposition leaders, professionals, farmers, factory workers, housewives and students took part in the event. 

The next day the media reported that India stood united as one to show solidarity, as it did earlier. This is not new to India. Whenever there is need, whenever the nation faced any major difficulties, Indians come together and stand united. It is the tradition of this great nation to support the leader during the times of crisis. Of course, the leadership matters a lot.

During the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965, India faced a severe food crisis. The then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri appealed to the people to skip a meal every week to overcome the food shortage so that the poor could be fed. The country responded to his call by observing Monday fast throughout the war.  

In the recent years, Indians have responded to a similar appeal. During 2015, PM Modi appealed to those who could afford the market rates for their LPG connections to voluntarily surrender their subsidies to the Government. Called as ‘Give it Up’ campaign, it was intended for increasing the budget for subsidizing a higher number of LPG connections for the poorer sections of the society. Ten million people gave up their subsidy in a period of just thirteen months and the numbers continued to increase over the months. 

India is the land of diversity, much more diverse than any other part of the world.  But there is a strong underlying unity. More than hundred years ago, Dr Ambedkar noted: “  …. .. I venture to say that there is no country that can rival the Indian Peninsula with respect to the unity of its culture. It has not only a geographic unity, but it has over and above all a deeper and a much more fundamental unity – the indubitable cultural unity that covers the land from end to end.”

It is this unity that is binding our nation since ages. And India has been maintaining this unity over many millennia. That is the reason why India remains unique. Rabindranath Tagore wrote; “If God had so wished, he would have made all Indians speak with one language ... the unity of India has been and shall always be a unity in diversity.”

During these difficult times of coronavirus, India is standing firm. Dedicated teams of “corona warriors” are on the field, neglecting their comforts and families. Besides, lakhs of Indians are continuously   engaged in distributing food and essential items to the poorer sections and the migrants. Sangh Parivar, religious, spiritual and service organisations, voluntary groups, neighbor-hood associations, industry/ professional bodies and families are willingly doing these activities as their duty.

We have in fact turned the adversity into an opportunity. Our health care delivery systems are getting strengthened. Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan mentioned: “We had only one Lab at the National Institute of Virology at Pune, to perform tests for COVID-19 initially. During the last 03 months we have scaled up the number of government labs to 230 aided by another 87 private labs with more than 16,000 collection centers.”  This is just one aspect of the work.

 India has been scaling up the COVID-19 related activities in all the required directions successfully. Some of them are pioneering. For example, the Government of India has developed a mobile application called Aarogya Setu to connect the essential health care services with the people of India to combat the disease. Within a short span of time, it has already been downloaded by around 7.2 crore people.  

Hence the leaders of different countries and the international bodies are appreciating our efforts to combat the deadly virus. World Health Organisation said: “India can do it.” Besides we are helping many countries – from the US to Maldives - in all possible ways, such as supplying medicines and sending our medical teams. Also we are offering free services as gifts to our neighbours and few other countries.

Moreover, India took the lead for closer cooperation among the nations to take on the fight. As a result, the respect for India has been going up. Coronavirus is hopefully laying foundations for a new world order, in which India is expected to have a major role. Like the way we have united to fight the virus, let us resolve to remain united and work to make use of the emerging opportunities for a powerful India in the years to come.      

Reference

COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved 24,     April 2020

( Yuva Bharati, Vivekananda Kendra, Chennai, May 2020)

Rebuilding India 19

Demonetisation is a major step to build a new economy 

Black money remains a serious impediment to the development of the Indian economy. Nehruvian socialism, crony capitalism and unchecked corruption are among the major factors that have facilitated the growth of black economy over the years. As a result, few   small but influential groups are reaping enormous benefits at the cost of the common people and the country. 

Though the issue of tackling the menace of black money used to be discussed occasionally over the years, no serious attempt has been taken by the Government so far with full conviction. Besides, the size of the money have grown manifold during the recent periods. Apart from black money, there are fake currency notes in circulation feeding the terrorist, Naxal and other anti-national activities who are bent upon destroying the country.

There are varying estimates of black money by different agencies. A recent report by the Ambit Capital Research mentions that the size of the black economy for calendar year 2016 could be over Rs.30 lakh crores, accounting for 20 per cent of India’s GDP. An earlier report in 2013 by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy appointed by the Government to estimate the black money in India and held overseas noted presented an alarming picture.

It noted that the black economy could be nearly three quarters of the size of India’s reported GDP. As for the black money in circulation is concerned, estimates based on different sources indicate that the cash in black could be as much as Rs.6.5 lakh crore, accounting for 38 per cent of the share of currency in circulation.

The reports of the Reserve Bank of India indicate that the circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) has been on the rise posing a grave threat to the security of our nation. The reports show that nearly six lakh notes were detected during 2014-15, from around 4.90 lakh notes during the previous year. The Financial Action Task Force report of 2013 noted that the Indian rupee was the ninth most counterfeit currency in terms of its value in the world, most of it printed in Pakistan.  

The impact of black money and fake currency notes have far reaching influence on our nation than we imagine. Most of the population, who are honest in their dealings and especially those from the ordinary segments, suffer a lot in their day to day lives. The sufferings take place in diverse forms such as higher land prices, inflation, high interest rates, corruption, increasing capitation fee in educational institutions and terror attacks. All these factors seriously affect the lives of our people, who despite their best efforts are forced to face many difficulties.

It is in this connection that the announcement of our Hon’ble Prime Minister on Nov.8, 2016 making the high denomination notes lose their legal tender status assumes importance. It is estimated that there are around sixteen lakh crore worth of money in circulation in the country. Of this, Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes are estimated to be around 86 per cent. The remaining money in circulation is in smaller denominations.

By withdrawing the higher denomination notes and allowing the exchange and deposit of genuine old currencies at one stroke, the Government has taken a major step to tackle the issue of black money and fake currency notes. This is by far the boldest step by any Government in Independent India.

The initial reports indicate that substantial sums of funds are reaching the banking channels on a daily basis at a faster rate, though the Government have given fifty days of time to the people to clean up their accounts. It is significant to note here that in the true Indian spirit our people have willing taken up on their shoulders few    difficulties that they have to face during the transition period.

The results of demonetisation are being felt even at this initial stage, though there is a lot time to see the full impact. Those who have amassed huge cash through wrong means are all on the wrong foot. They might have to lose much of their loot, as they cannot prove their sources. This would act as a damper in future to the all those who want to engage in corrupt practices.  

With the accumulation of funds in the banking system, it   is expected that lending rates will decline in future. This would increase the economic activities, enabling the industrial and business community to get funds at lower rates. They have been continuously voicing their opinion for lower rates to compete at the international level.

This would particularly help the entrepreneurial community belonging to the MSME segments to borrow funds at lower rates. At present the major difficulty for the non-corporate sector is the lack of access to the low cost funds, which cripples their functioning. Hence this would be big boost for them. 

It is an open secret that huge amounts of black money is diverted into certain sectors such as real estate. As a result the land prices have become very costly during the recent years. Hence the majority of the population cannot even imagine buying a piece of land to construct a house, especially in big cities. Experts note that henceforth there would be reduction in the prices of land.

Opportunities for keeping black money encourages corruption. As a result we are witnessing the huge levels of corruption prevailing across the country. Even the critical sectors that are expected to provide basic services to people such as education, health and infrastructure have become the major centres of corruption, leaving the majority sections at the mercy of God. Ordinary people are not in a position to enjoy the fruits of freedom, as there is corruption at different levels. The present step is expected to curtail corruption to a large extent.

Terrorist activities have already come down in the last few days. Normalcy is returning to Jammu & Kashmir after nearly four months of disturbances, including stone pelting. Reports say that Naxals seem to have suffered heavily as their stocks of money has lost their value.

Besides, the latest development has created an opportunity to the ordinary people and the informal sector to operate through the banking system. The operations of the Government through the banks have stopped corruption in their dealings with the public. Initiatives such as payment of wages under the rural employment scheme,   provision of gas subsidies and payment of scholarships to students being directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries have resulted in full payments without any leakage.

The present Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister has been taking series of steps from the beginning to unearth black money and curtail corruption. Beginning with the setting up of Special Investigation Team to get hold of black money immediately after the assumption of office and the opening of Jan Dhan accounts scheme for people without bank accounts to the latest agreement with the Swiss Government to share the details of black money holders in their banks, the Prime Minister has been taking continuous steps on these issues.

India is fast emerging as a powerful nation at the international level. One of the critical factors that hinder our development journey is the black money. It has to be severely dealt with if India is to progress for the development of all the sections of population. Against this background, the Prime Minister has taken a very significant step to curtail black money and we all have stand as one with him at this critical juncture. 

Rebuilding India 18

New Education Policy Is Much Needed

India was the pioneer in education during the ancient times and  she continued to remain as a powerful centre for knowledge at the global level for several centuries. The superior educational system that prevailed during those periods enabled India to make pioneering contributions in diverse fields, besides keeping the nation economically and spiritually the most prosperous. 

   

The interference of the colonial masters during the 1830s led to the native system of education being thrown out and replaced with a totally alien system. As a result, the nation suffered and the sufferings continued with a huge loss. Great men such as Swami Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Tagore and Gandhiji have emphasized the need for a right kind of education, but still we have a very long way to go.  

Hence all those concerned with the future of India are deeply worried about the state of the education system in the country. In spite of several attempts being made over all these years after independence, a lot remains to be done.  So it is imperative that we take new initiatives urgently.

It is in this connection that the steps being taken up by the central Government for a New Education Policy is to be welcomed. For this purpose, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India has circulated some inputs for the Draft National Education Policy 2016 for wider discussions and suggestions. Earlier the Ministry had organized meetings with stakeholders at different places, besides receiving suggestions directly through different modes of communication.  

The previous education policy was made in 1986 and it was subsequently revised in 1992. The last thirty years has witnessed a lot of changes both at the national and international   levels.

The western economic ideologies are now dead. For the first time after the emergence of the West about three centuries ago, it openly acknowledges that their economic models are no longer universal and hence there are other functioning models in the world. It means a lot for a country like India that has her own native functioning models.

The era of superpowers and economic hegemony are over now. The richer parts of the world are facing multiple crisis, at the economic, social, cultural and the family levels. Their contributions to the global economy are decreasing. At the same time, Asia is fast emerging as the powerful region. 

The performance of the last two years reveal India emerging as the fastest growing economy in the world. The respect for India at the international level is increasing day by day. India commands a much higher recognition at the international gatherings and her words are heard like never before.

At the national level, people are getting more confident of their fundamentals and strengths. India’s progress in different fields is making them realize that they are capable of achieving much more on their own. For the first time they have elected a nationalistic   government, committed to make India a powerful nation, with a clear majority.

Simultaneously there are vast changes in many other fields surrounding our lives. For example, the developments in communication technology is fast changing our day to day activities.  

The main focus of the new education policy, its vision, mission, goals and objectives appear to be well thought of and timely for an emerging nation with a long history like ours. It takes into consideration our failures after independence and the thrust areas that we have to concentrate upon. The draft notes that the goals of the policy are:  raising the credibility of the education system, improving the employability of persons and ensuring equitable access to education for all.

The focus is on inclusive education, a right that was denied to the majority sections from the ordinary and the marginalized backgrounds after the introduction of the Macaulay system by the British.  It has to be set right at the earliest, because education is the fundamental right of every citizen.

The draft policy emphasizes providing education to the sections of population that remain neglected, such as the tribals. During the recent years, there is a large movement of people in search of jobs to different places. A large number of the children of the migrant population, especially from poorer backgrounds, are not able to get into the education system. It is good that the policy takes into account their educational needs.

Importance is given to life-long learning, skill development, employability and development of entrepreneurial abilities. This approach needs to be appreciated, as we have a lot of potential that remains untouched. We are a nation with the largest number of youth population in the world. But they lack the skills required for doing different jobs.

For example, one study on the engineering graduates notes that only 17 per cent of them are employable; which means 83 per cent of our graduates are unemployable, a rather pitiable state.  Hence making our students learn different skills is essential. In this connection, skills have to be imparted from the school level itself based on the interests of the students. A growing economy such as ours needs more skilled people that we lack today.

On the other hand, we have a very large number of highly skilled people from different fields such as artisans and technicians.  But they are not recognized in the outside world, as they lack the official recognition. It is necessary that they have to be certified and recognized based on their skills, so that their contribution would be more. We have to welcome the policy pointing out the issue of certifying the uncertified expertise.

Different studies have pointed out the significance of providing education through one’s own mother tongue. The policy notes that education in mother tongue would be provided up to standard V. Besides, it notes that the three language formula would be followed from standard VI. In this connection, importance should be given to Sanskrit, as it contains a treasure of knowledge which would be a boon to the children. We have to understand that many of the western countries teach Sanskrit in schools and universities.

Emphasis on yoga and significance to local arts and literature are to be welcomed. Soon they have to become part of the curricula in the respective regions. The Initiative for Cultural and Moral Training (IMCT), Chennai has documented more than hundred types of traditional games and sports activities prevalent in Tamil Nadu that develop the mental and physical abilities of children. Unfortunately, they are not in practice in the academic system due to neglect. We have to bring them back as they are time-tested techniques.

In the development of a nation, cultural and value education plays a major role. The unfortunate aspect of the modern education system is the neglect of this vital area in the curriculum. Hence serious have steps have to be taken to provide the best of value education to the children. The history and heritage of our country should be taught from the nationalistic perspectives. The children should be able to develop a pride for the nation from young days.

An important aspect that is missing in the education system today is the lack of synergy between what is taught in class rooms and what is prevalent in the outside world. Most of the subjects, especially in the higher education system relating to fields such as social sciences and management, still teach outdated and irrelevant western ideas. While we have to take steps to teach all the best concepts and practices from all parts of the world, the core of  education has to be India-centric.

 

(Yuva Bharati, Vol.44, No.2, Sept.2016)

Rebuilding India 17

Develop Indian Management Theories

Management courses are still considered the most prestigious ones in our country, though the glamour is slowly coming down during the recent years. The proliferation of management institutes and the departments of management offering graduate and post-graduate degrees have increased manifold during the past two decades. It is not that easy to get seats in the prestigious institutions even today.  

Management degrees from the top institutions usually command a very high respect in the West, such as the US. The opportunities for climbing up fast in the corporate ladder and chances for earning millions of dollars as income are many times more for the management graduates. The spread of multinational companies across the world and the idea of globalization increased the demand for MBAs across different countries.

The concept of “modern management” began in Europe. The industrialization process and the consequent developments led to the birth of scientific management techniques. Management theories of the West started emerging in Europe and America from the final decades of the nineteenth century.

Practicing managers such as Taylor and Henry Fayol and social scientists such as Mayo and McGregor had contributed to the earliest western theories.  Later it was the academicians and the management consultants- mostly from the US- who have been predominantly contributing.

As the rest of the world was largely under the   dominance and influence of Europe, and later the American thinking, their concepts of management came to be adopted in other parts of the world. After the US began to dominate the global economic scene, they began popularizing their theories. As a result, their theories came to be accepted by the universities and higher institutions in different countries, including India.

But the developments in the western management field, particularly the US, led to the questioning of the popular management beliefs from the first decade of the twenty first century. Experts began to point out the serious flaws in the western management system.

Too much of individualism at the top,   maximization of profits as the only objective and   little concern for values were some of the flaws that are repeatedly mentioned. The well-known management guru Peter Drucker lamented: “Today, I believe it is socially and morally unforgivable when managers reap huge profits for themselves, but fire workers. As societies we will pay a heavy price for the contempt this generates among the middle class managers and workers.”  ( Managing in the Next Society, Oxford, 2003)

Beginning from 2005, the international bodies and the multilateral agencies such as the World Bank openly admitted that the western economic models were no longer universal. It implied that the business and management models are also different for different countries, as the management systems are the products of the larger business and economic systems.

Field studies in India indicate unique management models functioning at the ground level. The little- studied non-corporate sector follows a completely different system based on Indian ethos and realities. Entrepreneurs in different industrial centres proudly note that they groom future entrepreneurs in their work places, without being worried that those people would enter the same field and set up businesses mostly in their own localities.  They feel proud of the fact they are creating many more entrepreneurs. But our modern management theories teach that any one entering the field is a competitor.

The well-known Dhabbawalas of Mumbai are known for their very successful native management system. There are community-run business enterprises and they run them for the benefit of the people based on higher values. There is a village called Palamedu in Madurai district. The Nadar community of that village runs a very successful diary, saloon, toilets and even a cinema theatre.

On one of the days, a few from some other communities in the village, noticed a few obscene scenes in a movie. They go and point out the fact to   the management.  The management immediately withdraws the movie from the screen. Not only that, they immediately appoint a committee of persons to pre-view the movies so that they would allow only the ‘decent’ movies for screening. 

Even at the corporate level, many companies follow distinct systems reflecting the unique foundations of our country. There are companies that give higher monthly incentives for women employees who keep their parents in-law with their families.

During the recent years, the western universities and research bodies are showing interest to study the Indian management practices. Harvard institutions from the US were here in India during the previous Kumbh Mela to study the Indian methods and practices.

Even though the western universities  take up only a few limited aspects of Indian business and management, they reveal the unique Indian methods adopted here. For example, the study by four US professors on leadership practices note that Indian corporates follow superior systems than those followed in the US. 

But it is unfortunate that the management education system in India refuses to see the realities and develop suitable theories. Besides, we still teach many failed western theories in different fields of management, wasting the time of millions of students who spend so much money to get degrees.

The noted management expert Chakraborty asks: “  …. have we Indians ever thought of challenging its (US) wholesale transmission to our students and managers? Could it be that post-independent Indian culture has been so characterless, and our intellectual spinelessness so shameful, that the well intentioned Americans have never really faced a solid and genuine challenge to review the intellectual wares they have brought over to do us good?” (Management by Values – Towards Cultural Congruence, OUP, 1991)

India has emerged as the fastest growing economy during last year. Besides, she is expected to become a major force and powerful player in the years to come. Her economic and business systems are slowly getting recognized the world over.

This is time for the management experts and the management institutes to develop theories based on the functioning Indian systems. It is already late; hence this task has to be taken up urgently. Then only we can develop management graduates who understand the Indian realities. 

(Yuva Bharathi, Vivekananda Kendra, Chennai, April 2016)

Rebuilding India 16

Reorient Economics Education

Economics is the basis of life. Sound economics is the pre-requisite for the meaningful functioning of the societies. Ancient civilizations must have followed certain basic principles of economics, as otherwise they could not have continued. This is true more in the case of the successful civilizations such as India and China, which have flourished over several centuries since the earlier times.   

All the educational institutions and text books teach us that the economic theories and concepts are the products of the West; and the economic development began with the Industrial Revolution during the 18^th and 19^th centuries in Europe. They called the economics that they presented as “modern”, purely based on their limited European experience and world views.

They did this as they considered themselves as the superior race in the world. All others were inferior and hence their history, practices, beliefs and ways of life had to be thrown out for they contained nothing useful. The colonial masters introduced the Macaulay education system during the 1830s with the ulterior motive of producing students without any national orientation. Unfortunately even after sixty seven years of Independence, we are still following a largely west-centric economics education.

As a result, all our discourses at the academic and policy making levels are based on the Western theories, concepts and approaches. Meanwhile studies of the economic histories of different countries undertaken since the 1980s reveal many new facts. They all conclude that India and China - and not the Western countries - were economically more powerful than the rest of the World before the Industrial Revolution.

Several studies note that the economic emergence of the European countries was predominantly due to the colonial exploitation. Maddison notes that India and China remained the two most prosperous nations for most of the time from the ancient periods. The details also show that these two countries remained the most sustainable economies during the last two millennia.

But none of these studies finds a place in our text books. Nor they are discussed in class rooms. With the result, even many of the University professors remain unaware of these important findings. It is not the history alone, they are not even aware of the contemporary realities.

Colonial exploitation and the subsequent rule by the British destroyed Indian economy and her strong foundations. With the result India became poor and underdeveloped. The alien interference made our country largely illiterate and social systems very weak.

But today India is emerging as the most promising nation in the World. During the latest year India has become the fastest growing economy overtaking China. India has achieved this in spite of serious difficulties and limitations. Policy makers over the years have always tried to follow the western approaches and there remains lack of proper understanding of the realities.

Hence India’s emergence as a highly potential economy in about six and half decades is almost without parallel in the contemporary history. From being one of the poorest countries, it has emerged as the third largest economy in the World. All these achievements are in spite of the unsuitable theories and approaches guiding our policy making circles over the past decades.

The world witnessed the collapse of both the Western economic ideologies namely communism and market capitalism in less than three decades. Hence there is a huge vacuum before them and they do not know where to go. They are beginning to understand that their economic theories lack foundations. 

At the same India has been rising slowly, but steadily over the past decades. There is no doubt that there are serious problems in the economy. But at the same time it is clear that the economy has been moving forward. The difficulty in India is not with the economy, but with the people who are closely dealing with economics.  

India is a unique economy, with strong foundations. We have special factors driving the economy, with most of them are special to our country. But the educational institutions fail to notice, study, understand and recognize them, as they still believe that India may not have anything original of her own to offer.

With the result, the students and scholars who come out of the universities have no idea about the ‘functioning economy.’ The bureaucrats and policy makers who frame policies for our country are the ‘successful products’ of such a system. This is a serious problem in Independent India today.

Our education system still believes that the Western theories and approaches are the only way to understand, explain and analyze the Indian realities. Hence they have nothing original to offer to the improvement of our economy, as they do not have a proper understanding of the Indian situation.

Field studies undertaken over the last one and half decades reveal a completely different India, with her own our unique functioning systems. Limited studies undertaken by a few reputed western universities and research bodies during the last few years also confirm the unique strengths of the Indian economic system. But our universities do not even discuss them.

Indian family system is special in many ways. Family system is the core strength of India. Families are not just social or cultural units, they play the dominant role in the functioning of the Indian economy. Our economy is safe and going strong, as it is largely driven by families. But how many of us know it?

Do the education system acknowledge and recognize this fact? Our text books contain only the theories based on the individualistic approaches, as prevalent in the Western societies. They do not reflect the ground realities here. Hence their utility is very limited for us. 

When we talk to people, they acknowledge the influence of families in all their activities. All the successful entrepreneurs admit the contribution of their families to their success. They passionately narrate the sacrifices of their mothers, fathers, grandparents, family members and the society at large. But do we find at least a mention of these factors in any of our academic discussions?

Even a cursory look at the functioning of the global economies during the recent periods would reveal many truths. The western economic approaches have been continuously failing. At the same time, India has been rising. The global economic crisis during 2008 affected countries different parts of the world, though its influence was severe in the Western world. But India remained one of the least affected nations.  

There must be some strong reasons for this. What are they?  What are the factors that protect us from the global crisis and make our country to continuously move on?  In spite of so much of evidence pointing to our strengths, our education system refuse to study the ground realities. So we not only ignore the historical facts, but also the contemporary functioning systems.

Hence our economics education is almost completely away from the realities. In spite of having many reputed economists in our midst and built well known institutions specializing in different aspects of the economics, we have largely failed to study the Indian economy from the national perspectives. With the result we do not have any Indian economic theories. We have not attempted to develop at all.

Hence at least now when India is emerging at the global level, we need to give a new orientation to our economics education. It should look at our economy from the native perspectives, understand it and try to contribute to its development based on our core strengths. 

( Yuva Bharati, Vivekananda Kendra, Aug.2015)