India Vs Bharat

The economic development of the country has, among others, accorded newer meanings to older terms. While our founding father made our constitution proclaim the country as ‘India, that is Bharat…’ contemporary discourse recognizes these two as distinct entities. An India which is literate, modern, liberal and prosperous vis-à-vis a Bharat, which comprises of the unwashed masses, trying desperately to migrate to India. What could be a starker testimony than the names adopted by the anti-corruption crusaders of our days? If the urban, English literate classes flock to Anna’s ‘India Against Corruption, the earthy Baba Ramdev, appeals to his constituency with a ‘Bharat Swabhiman Andolan.

Our people, who are Bharatiya, form a significantly larger number when compared to our Indians. Hence, our wily politicians spare no efforts to proclaim their affection for the Bharatiya while ensuring that they, their children and their kin reach the highest echelons of Indian-ness.  But why blame when it is the pragmatic approach. Bharat has votes while India has resources and Bharat wants to become India in the long run! Funnily, there is a large multitude residing in the nether zones in between India and Bharat, who enjoy dual citizenship or are stateless! Don’t be surprised if you discover that you are one of them, someone imagining oneself to be an Indian but the Indians seeing the person as a Bharatiya.

A policy planner would be excused if he allocates resources to these Nations on the assumption that Bharat is only playing catch up and that except for greater support, the end needs of these Nations are the same. What would a parent do if one of the two children is prosperous while the other weak, but industrious and aspiring of coming to equal status to the sibling? This parent would recognize that the child’s initiatives should not be blunted with a feeling of entitlement and would ensure that the child gets as much support as possible to make the child realize his dreams. 

However, today we are faced with a situation where the artificial cleavage between Bharat and India is getting deepened.  Our leaders arrogantly dismiss concerns raised by India stating that they represent the ‘real’ Bharat. If that be the case, who represents Indians and the stateless/dual citizenship holders of this land? If Bharat is the only ‘rea’l entity than are Indians and wannabe Indians mere figments of our imagination? Or such people are to be treated like soiled tissue papers who should only pay taxes and expect nothing in return? Where is the concern for minority whose concerns this Government likes to protect?  Since it is much more easy to arrest someone’s growth as compared to making someone grow, what better way to achieve socialism to ensure that the ‘somewhat haves’ become ‘have nots’ in the long run. How can poverty be glorious? Which mother would want her child to sustain on doles forever? How can you sustain a system which stunts human industriousness and makes a virtue of deprivation?

The Nehruvian model of economic mismanagement did not allow the Bharatiya to step out of poverty. At the same time, it nurtured countless families such that a handful of them came to control over a fifth of the country’s resources. The economic liberalization model was not without severe fault and in many ways, mirrored crony capitalism. But can we afford to throw the baby with the bathwater? If something does not work, it does not make its opposite valid. A non-performing Indian Airlines does not mean that privatization of Airlines is the way out. An ill-functioning democracy does not make autocracy a viable governance model. Rising crime does not ipso facto mean that more laws are required. Conduct an analysis of flaws and resist the temptation to offer pre-determined solutions. 

That no person should die of hunger or want of medicines or for lack of basic human values are, and if they are not, they should be the bedrock of our civilization. What the Nation needs to devise are valid and sustainable means to achieve those goals. A Rs 70,000/- Crore MNREGA has damaged the rural economy without resulting in much tangible assets. A 140,000/- MP/MLAAD has fared even worse. Can the Nation sustain such noble but ill-conceived initiatives?

How can any policy which addresses only one facet of the Nation succeed? Tonics to any one of the conjoined twins will boost the growth of the other. At the same time a poison pill for one of them will very certainly kill the other too. If not us, will the policy makers trust at least the wisdom of our founding fathers and recognize that Bharat is India and India is Bharat?