AT THE END

This was 15 August 1947, I was 9-years-old, in a neighbourhood primary school where I was enrolled for a brief while in Tanjore. We assembled in the small courtyard, the 60 or so small children, with the headmaster unfurling the National Flag for the first time, in what I recollect was a formal and impressive ceremony—I get a lump in my throat whenever I remember the occasion. Toffees were distributed—I recall one lemon-drop and one orange-drop for each child; for 66 years I could recall distinctly the wonderfully sweet taste in my mouth, as I revisited the moment. But, I must confess, that in the past few years a tinge of bitterness has got added on to the taste. Suddenly I start getting worried: Is the country going on the right track? Is it just an old man’s nostalgia, looking back at the good things, not seeing the great developments going on around him or is there some substance to the increasingly gnawing worries that are getting to me about the country’s stability and future?

India is at the cross-roads. We have the choice to continue with vote bank politics, the widespread endemic corruption and our preoccupation with petty politics in our governance. We equally have the choice to take a major jump to bridge the gaps and move towards a high quality society. Sadly our electorate has not yet matured to be able to see through the venal, disruptive and selfish elements that wish to control the levers of power and thus influence the quality of our governance. We merely need to reach the highway—an element of luck is required, that a new leader emerges to break a new path. Fortunately, he need not do too much—make sure that our policies are reoriented properly, and minimum administrative standards are met to deliver results. Our people are strong enough to take the ball and run.

This book is a cry of anguish; it is also a call for reforms. Some essential critical steps that need to be taken urgently are referred to in the various chapters. However, all reforms constitute a continuum. Clearly the list of measures mentioned is not exhaustive, does not cover all elements where urgent changes are required; nor has the argumentation been detailed and supported with full data. Differing opinions are possible on each of the reform suggestions. However, each item has to be looked at in-depth, and a clear view taken about the way forward. Governance is 5 per cent policy and 95 per cent implementation. Good implementation of sensible policies is the need of the hour. This is not rocket science—basic commonsense is what is required. Above all governance is only as good as the people who govern us.

At the end, all we need is a new beginning; there is enormous inherent strength in the citizen, who has been suppressed, just not given the chance. In this democracy, the system and governance has so far been geared to suit the requirements of the ruling classes. All the citizen needs is the opportunity, provided the basics to find his feet, and allowed to flower—this he will do in quick time. Two-thirds of this century surely then will belong to India.