COALITION POLITICS AND INDIAN ECONOMY.

 By K P PASWAN.

 

India is the largest democracy of the world. The country is following the parliamentary system of democracy. President is ceremonial head of state and also the Commander in Chief of Indian army.Prime Minister belongs to the political party which commands majority in the lower house known as LokSabha. From 2014 on-wards there is only one political party, the ruling party (BJP)  commands majority in the lower house but for certain bills which are to be also passed by the upper chamber known as Rajyasabha. The ruling party does not enjoy majority in the upper chamber and has to depend upon others like minded parties for support.

After assassination of Indira Gandhi. India witnessed the emergence of coalition government. Political leaders of these small and regional parties were disgruntled politicians, they knew nothing about emerging economy. All the public sectors were falling sick and these coalition government made situation worse by funding these sick units, the result was Reserve Bank had to print more money and inflation crossed double figures. Credit goes to bureaucracy and the strong management of banking sectors that the country was saved from economic doom. Before 1999 there was talk of globalization of economy but common man was not concerned about opening of economy, they cared for their livelihood. In absence of large private sectors there was growing problems of unemployment among qualified technocrats. Growing population  was already causing concern and lack of basic health related infrastructures, led to malnutrition and starvation death.

With opening of Indian economy situation began to change, new groups of leaders were aware of extraordinary progress made by Japan, China and a few countries of Latin America. But MNCs were cautious enough to invest money unless they were convinced of political stability. Coalition Govt had no alternatives but to accept the new reality. 

Having said so we examine the economics  of the country. Unfortunately, in the past when coalition government was formed, Indian economy declined. During the period of a particular PM who was nominated by different coalitions parties India had to mogadge its reserved to  end the chaos in economy.One particular PM who is a leading economist and former Governor Of Reserve Bank Of India, mismanaged Indian economy as he had to sacrifice certain  economic principles as these were not liked by leftist partners. Coalition politics led to widespread scams, certain banks were used to launder money by vested interests and owing to conflicting opinions no penal actions were initiated at an early stage. The money launderers and Scoutmasters fled to foreign countries. India is fighting for their extradition.  

Despite of such hurdles under his guidance further economic reforms like de investment of sick manufacturing units were initiated. Under him Banking sectors witnessed extraordinary reforms but taking advantage of reforms in Banking sectors certain groups indulged indulged in banking frauds from which the country is yet to be recovered.

 India is a land of poor, agriculture is the mainstay of life and harvest depends upon good or bad Monsoon. Even when there was coalition government modern technology was imported to boost agriculture products. The result is that India has achieved self sufficiency in food grains.However after 2000 the world  witnessed growing disparity of economic growth between West and the rest of the world. There was coalition government at the centre and India fought with Pakistan known as Kargil war. But Indian economy was opened and foreign investment was seen in sectors like IT, Textiles Fertilizers and automobiles It was not coalition politics but economic compulsion that every constituent party supported economic reform

Economic growth under coalition politics increased purchasing power of common man and inflation was not allowed to cross double digits.  Introduction of MNREGA resulted in increased rural employment.The period also witnessed migration of unskilled labors from less developed areas to more advanced states. After 2015 there is a strong one party government at the centre but several states are under coalition or being ruled by a different government.  Maharashtra, Karnataka, two Telugu speaking states Tamilnadu Kerala are being ruled by different parties while  Hindi speaking states Chatisgarh Jharkhand and Rajsthan are being ruled by Congress with other political parties. But there is no apathy for economic reforms. States are fighting with centers on the basis of social justice, caste based discrimination.

Economic growth in the coalition also witnessed the modernization of Indian defense system New Jet fighters were purchased. An ultramodern aircraft career was purchased from Russia. 

KOVID and ECONOMY. For India it was a race against time before the outbreak of Kovid 19 Indian economy along with economy of a few nations like Japan. Brazil and Argentina were emerging as strong as Chinese economy. Indian economy started taking regular shape in coalition government and reached its zenith under the period of NarendraModi, who enjoys absolute majority in parliament. But pandemic has crippled the economy of entire world.

FINAL THOUGHT. Overall economic growth was  slowed down but did not face the economic doom in the era of coalition politics.

DEMOCRACY WITHOUT DEMOCRATIC IDEAS.

 BY K P PASWAN.

Largest democracy in the world has also largest number of political parties. They fight election based on universal franchise with courage and passion for power. There is nothing like common political ideology as the political parties fight  in the name of caste creed and languages.

 Indian politics is caste oriented. Since no caste on its own expect to win an election so they make unethical alliance with other caste leaders. National interest  always comes next to interest of particular castes. In the same way language plays vital role in the politics of South India. Tamil, Telugu and Kenned and Malayalam are spoken by the people of four states. Tamils claim their language as the most beautiful and oldest among all other languages of India. A few of them are under impression that Hindi which is widely spoken is being imposed upon them. But it is a is a myth being  created by certain disgruntled politicians and also by some educated persons who are   presenting unproven figures and statistics which they call scientific little knowing no scientific theory is perfect unless it can be falsified. It is so because every scientific theory may be better then previous theory. Nevertheless, election in southern states are too some extent is influenced by their eagerness to save their language. Surprisingly despite of tall claims there is no love lost among these four starts, some are fighting for water while some are fighting for cultural superiority

Recently elections were held in five states. Among these states Utter Pradesh  and Punjab witnessed strange political ideology and combination of personal whims, Punjab is among the most prosperous state and drug addiction is the  social problems. Young girls and boys belonging to well to do family are drug addicted. Punjabi are mostly Sikhs by religion but they are not different from Hindus as marriage between  Hindus and  Sikhs are very common, Hindus visit Sikhs Gurudwara to perform certain rituals and barring exceptions there exist brotherhood. A large number of Punjabi migrate to different countries but especially in Canada. Divorce rate among these immigrants are increasing.

 Election in five states were fought on a simple ideology and that was “Remove Modi” because Modi sold India but the name of the purchaser was not disclosed, and people don’t know what was sold. Thee is a particular leader whose one point political agenda is “ You give me your votes and we will give you free electricity and water” Needless to say these catchy slogan worked and the farmers of Punjab voted  to this party. After swearing ceremony was over the Chief Minister of Punjab demanded one Rs lakh Crores from centre. It is not known from where the government of India will manage such huge amount of money?

In Utter Pradesh election was fought for better laws and order and employment. Yogi Aditya Nath is a Thakur by caste but the saffron clad upper caste Hindu did not  care for the castes of hardened criminals and these criminals were neutralized. Surprisingly his opponents known for committing atrocities against Dalits but favouring minorities also increased their voting percentage but fortunately the leader of the opposition party   is not known beyond his own state even though he is appearing as a spokesman of minorities, his political activities are likely to ignite communal tension in future.

 Election in Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa were fought by abusing the prime minister of India. Uttarakhand has been strong hold of BJP which known for pro Hindu and won the election. In Goa attempts were made to divide the society on the basis of religion by every political party but BJP won the election it is certainly miraculous. Manipur has strategic importance as it has long border with Myanmar and there is chronic problems of insurgence. Anti BJP tried every trick to win the voters but is again miraculous that BJP won the election by comfortable margin. The Grand Old Party Congress suffered in all the states even though at national level this party has maximum number of legislatures after BJP but in the coming general election the Congress party is unlikely to increase its tally as the election may be fought for grabbing the post of PM.

 FUTURE. Democratic India is fast turning into another European Community. The days of insurgency in Nagaland and Manipur may see a declining trend. J&K may see further bifurcation. Jammu is likely to be separated from Kashmir valley. The separatists in Kashmir valley enjoy the support of a large number of self-proclaimed intellectuals whose adherence to human rights is nothing but enjoying certain fundamental rights not enjoyed by ordinary people. Than we find a large number of NGO indulged in money laundering in the name of social service. Almost every such organization is facing the scrutiny of investigation agency.

 Election in South India may not pose a serious problem except Kerala where Communists are in power but their achievements are being exaggerated beyond all proportion. After Kashmir Valley Kerala is going to be second minority dominated state, This state is famous for exporting terrorists to fight in Afghanistan and other Central Asian country, so situation in this state may be watched closely by investigation agency. In Tamilnadu people may elect few non DMK members to parliament while voting for DMK to rule the state. While Dravidian nationalism has lost its importance with spread of education but there are old timers still dreaming of a separate country.  Corruption has overtaken all types of social evils and Southern states are not exceptions.

Development activities in four Southern states have attracted unskilled workers from Hindi belt, but language problems persist there. Hindi belt needs aggressive development, it is unfortunate that a state like Bihar which is producing maximum number of civil servants has no small or big manufacturing units. For the last seventeen years there is a stable government which is famous for pioneering three social evils. Bootlegging, Kidnapping and Extortions, and political leaders are enjoying comforts beyond their known source of incomes.

 Bihar needs governor rules for twenty years or a Chief Minister like Yogi of Utter Pradesh.

COMEDIANS IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS.

By K P PASWAN.

 Serious politicians always suffer from some forms of acute or chronic diseases. Best health system exists for senior politicians who are in power. Only Coronavirus did not  favor politicians or common voter. These days Comedians are entering into politics but they are behaving more like comedians than politicians,

 In India a leading comedian who once was a very good bats man and played many crickets and won applause for his style of batting, suddenly joined a leading political party but failed to become a minister. He became a turncoat and joined a political party which promised him a berth in the cabinet of the most prosperous state of India, he declared himself, indirectly the potential candidate of chief minister and started political campaign by exhibiting his skills as a comedian. Unfortunately his party was routed and he concluded the  election result as the wish of  an unproven almighty. 

 There is also a famous comedian who is not interested in politics but is famous for making comments about politics and politicians.

 In international politics, very little is known about Nikita Khrushchev, the powerful leader of USSR. He was a comedian in the court of Stalin and his duty was to create humorous scenes for Stalin. He rose to become the most powerful man of contemporary world. USSR gained extraordinary military strength which frightened even America and predicted USSR might rule the planet, Khrushchev was the first comedian who behaved like an astute and overambitious politicians. In 1962 he tried to browbeat America by deploying deadly missiles and killing machines in a small country like Cuba which under Fidel Castro was  a communist country.

Finding an excuse Khrushchev challenged the supremacy of America and declared that the West would be buried deep in a grave but young president J F Kennedy was not a comedian, he was the most powerful president of a powerful nation. Kennedy forced former comedian to remove all weapons from Cuba. It was the most humiliating retreat for a powerful politician.

 In  1962 China launched Operation Land GRAB  by declaring a low level war with India being headed by a peace loving PM, the legendary Jawaharlal Nehru who believed in policy of Non Alignment. Pt Nehru sought help from Khrushchev He told Pt Nehru " You are my friend but China is my brother". Pt Nehru was both baffled and surprised. He looked  at Kennedy who started warning after warning to China. A ceasefire declared but the friend of  India ,Khrushchev suffered emotionally from which he never recovered. Pt Nehru died in 1964 but the Comedian of USSR also could not survive the wrath of real politicians and Khrushchev was thrown out of power.

Gorbachev, a hardcore Communist realized the difficulty in implementing the Communist ideology and acknowledged the contribution of democratic ideas in the development of a country like USSR. Japan has emerged as second economy and China  with indirect help from US was trying to hijack Japanese technology. Japan has displaced Philips of Netherlands Grundig of Germany and in consumer,er goods.

Gorbachev was followed by Yeltsin who by his own admission did know much about Communist philosophy. He was followed by a brilliant KGB agent named Vladimir Putin who is neither a comedian or an astute politician. He needed western technology for overall development of Russia. Putin imported various technology from Germany, France and other countries and succeeded in improving domestic economics, Sovereignty of Russia was in danger when a former republic Ukraine tried to join NATO.  Those politicians in power in Ukraine who opposed Ukraine's bids to join NATO like  Victor Yanuvovich was forced to resign. Yanukovich was a corrupt politician. Ukraine was the ware house of Russian made nukes reactors and deadly weapons. Export of these weapons  different countries shifted balance of power in favor of opponents of Russia. 

Now we enter Zelensky, the present president of Ukraine. He is a famous as Comedian but, he is still behaving as Comedian He is an ambitious man oppose to Russia and India. NATO was dead and its revival was seen if Ukraine joins NATO. US was in a position to deploy nuclear weapons in Ukraine to frighten Russia. But NATO is dead and in absence of support rendered by all members US was unable to send troops in Ukraine. Advancing Russians have practically taken back all the deadly weapons and is awaiting the response of the Comedian who is hiding somewhere in Poland.

FINAL THOUGHT. Complex diplomacy needs final words from experienced politicians. Last words of complex diplomacy have not yet been spoken. If Putin is Devil than the world wants to know who is the Angel?

HOW DOES THE GENDER PERSPECTIVE WORK IN POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN INDIA.

By K P PASWAN

India is a land where majority of the people follow Hinduism in different forms and venerate Veda, the holy scripture of Vedic religion. Some of the famous hymns of Veda were composed by learned women like Apala, Ghosha, Lop mudra Kamayani and a few others. But in contemporary India women in every religion are looked down as something like Barbie toy, plays and throw away with full force.

 It is now said by priestly class that women and Dalits cannot read holy VEDA but by laws women and Dalits in India can read these holy scriptures.

 Gender perspective in Indian politics must be seen in different angle. UK had seen several Queens and women prime minister who contributed to the growth of parliamentary democracy. US has so far not elected any woman as president and there is no hope of any woman occupying White House in near future. If an ageing Joe Bidens retires from active politics than the most dangerous woman of the contemporary world has chance to sit in the Oval Office for a few months as she does not enjoy popular support.

 Despite of notorious for burning of young brides for not bringing sufficient dowry, there is no gender discrimination in India. India has seen one charismatic woman as the PM who sacrificed her life for the country. Indian has also seen a woman as the president of India. Indians have seen and are seeing women as being appointed as Governor of a state and several women are working as judges of High Courts and even in the supreme court.

 Women participated in large number when agitation for a free India was launched. Some of the women are remembered for initiating social reforms while a few are also admired for taking arms against the colonial power.

COLOR AND RACE. Every country in the world finds problems relating to race and color. India is not the only country of the land of diversity. Women in north east resemble with Chinese race while in South Indian state of Tamilnadu  most of the people are of dark skinned, one state. We find high rate of literacy among people of southern states and for this credit goes to foreign missionaries. But the society remains dominated by male. Some of women are working in different govt and private organisations but they face discrimination, and there is little that these women can do except going to judiciary for justice only to be denied. In India there is law for every crimes  but these laws are in favor of rich clients and common man and women continue to suffer.

In the south we find black and fair skinned people. After independent spread of education among women led to greater political and social awareness. There is high percentage of literacy in Kerala but the violence against women continues to grow. This is surprising as these educated women are supposed to inspire the male dominated culture and politics of Hindi belt. Intermixing of people of different color may prove beneficial for working of gender perspective but this is just a speculation.

CO -EDUCATION. In India there used to be separate school and colleges for girls and boys, but with passage of time we see institutions where girls and boys study together. From various researches and survey it appears that girls are more devoted to education than boys. There are cases of sexual exploitation of helpless girls both by teachers and affluent boys. In most of the cases girls are married before graduation and their dream of higher study is shattered. Child marriage is not rare. Now with exposure of Indian society to the west parents in India are more conscious of education of their daughters. A working woman is preferred by educated husband to cope with rising prices.

GENDER INEQUALITY.

 In India educated women are qualifying for administrative services. They are occupying high position in police services, but due to gender inequality these women are still not getting much respect from society. While making appointment for certain posts deserving women are not given their due position which result in despair and frustration.  There was a proposal to reserve certain percentage of women in Parliament and the state legislature but the proposal has been thrown in the dustbin. Women are competing for All India Services. These women officers are known for their efficiency but in their own offices, owing to gender inequality  empowering women is difficult if not impossible.

 In the film industries gender perspective works in different ways. Woman cannot gain even small role without begging to producer, if she is related to any film actor than  there is no problem,but for new aspirant exploitation is very common. In the field of modelling situation in India is not different from West. Girls in and around New Delhi predominate modelling industries but we find male and female models from other countries gaining popularity in India. As per their lavish style it appears they are untouched by gender perspective but in reality, situation is difficult to evaluate.

In rural areas birth of a girl child is not welcomed. Importance is given to male child. Reasons behind murder of new borne girl is heavy expenses in the marriage of the girl. Prospective groom in India thinks it is his birth right to demand cash and expensive luxurious items at the time of marriage. There is a strict law to punish dowry seekers but such type of laws are not followed strictly and what is worse anti dowry laws have become a source of income for corrupt police and also sometimes for the bride and her family to harass the groom for reasons never revealed. The Apex Court has made sweeping comment that certain laws are being misused by the bride’s family to serve personal interest.

 We also find certain cities infamous for molesting women whether belonging to south, west, east or north. Women from north east are taunted as drug addicts even after knowing that in Punjab maximum number of drug addicts are found.

 ARMY. Gender based discrimination is sometimes reported from Indian army. It was only after the intervention of the Apex court that women in army were given the power to combat. Only female physicians were allowed to join army and several of them got elevated to  higher rank.  National Defence Academy is opened for women. Not only in army but in police forces like BSF, and CRPF proper norms are being followed and gender related discrimination is rarely reported because of social stigma.

  In western countries violent protests are being staged against gender bias but no such protests have ever been seen in India.  In such circumstances woman may become either a mental patient or even resort to unlawful activities.

Politics and society  in India complement with each other. If a woman belong to a particular political party she is likely to be mocked by the opposition party. Society is divided into caste and sub castes each having its own set of ideology and woman may find herself at the receiving end. She will not be protected by any section of society if she is discriminated. Women are not given reservation simply because male dominated politics hate the very idea of being dictated by women.

 FINAL THOUGHT. Working of gender perspective in Indian politics and society is not different from other countries. This is a universal truth.