Building up India
By Karmayogi
Every country built up its industries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
India was a subject nation suffering from cancer. Now, fifty years after
Independence, the problem still remains. Why, are Indians incapable? Is
it an impossible task? How many African countries do not enjoy an income
of $3000 or above per capita? Why not India? Is it because of her vast
population? If so, China is far ahead of us even under the communist
regime. My answer will be essentially, we Indians are not aware of our
economic and social potentials. I am not considering the spiritual
potentials.
Of course, there are many people who think, ‘Unless billions come from
USA, it is not possible for India to rise’. This may be real in their
minds. But there is no substance here. Has any country built up another
country? Why then, do some expect something so non-existent? People who
think like that must realise that if India is to be built up, it must be
by the Indians. This is not only true of India, but it is the ONLY truth
about nation building. Britain was here for two hundred years, and built
railways, factories, roads, etc. All was for their profit. How can we
expect Britain to work for Indian benefit? Free nations during the same
period grew in prosperity, by their own toil.
This is not a topic for my column of 400 words. Planners should look at
it from fifteen to twenty points of view and see the possibility or
desirability. I can say two things with certainty before I list my
points of view: 1. India can become as prosperous as Middle Income
countries in a decade or two; 2. It has to be done only by Indians and
Indian resources. All the money for any ambitious project is here inside
the country. Maybe India need not pass through agriculture prosperity in
the same measure as others, but she can straightaway enter prosperity
though the service sector. We need to be clear in our own minds about
charity from outside. It will not work at all. It has not worked
anywhere. We can borrow technology, organisation, expertise, and invite
capital, not AID. Aid has not aided any nation. If anything, it has done
greater harm than good. India should elect a leadership that will serve
the country without concentrating on their own personal welfare. I wish
the nation opens up a public debate on this.