WE CELEBRATED the 59th Republic Day (R Day) of India with great patriotism and fervour. At moments, I am sure our eyes must have moistened with pride while watching the parade and tableau showcasing our achievements. Even days later, the congratulatory mood persists.

 

Without doubt, India has emerged as a country that no one can overlook. Acknowledged as the next super power, India is proving to be a tough competitor for China. It is noteworthy that everybody is bringing laurels for this country, which is good. The Indian cricket team is in its best form, so much so that the rich and famous are investing in it. Indian economy is in good health, and politics is very robust. India also became the proud manufacturer of the world’s smallest car, and thanks to telecom revolution, Indian villages have gone global. Even Bollywood stars are doing their bit.

 

The disposable income of India is rising phenomenally. India is shining!

 

But, let me play a spoilsport and talk about our ‘real’ achievements. This is the same country where poor farmers are committing suicide and defaulters due to the draconian credit reforms. As we celebrate India’s status as a superpower and the achievements of the Mittals, Ambanis and Tatas, in some place, not far, some poor farmer and his family may be eating the last morsel of their life. Are we even bothered that since 1997, as many as 40,000 farmers have committed suicide due to indebtedness? Have we, for a moment even, given a thought to this problem and done something so that no other farmer ever needs to take such a step?

 

It is also very clear, that this country is reeking with violence against women. Incidences of rape, molestation, trafficking, and homicide have become quite common. The whole of India watches, as women are raped in broad daylight in moving trains and buzzing streets; molested in open public places; become victims of acid attacks; stripped naked and abused in front of the whole village. Statistics reveal that every hour, 18 women become victims of crime in India. According to a 2006 report released by the home ministry’s National Crime Records Bureau, there were 19,348 rapes, 7,618 dowry deaths and 36,617 molestation cases.

 

India is also crippled by poverty. It is quite an irony that on one hand‚ Indian economy has been rated as one of the fastest growing in the world and on the other‚ people are surviving on incomes of less than one US dollar a day. Over 400 million people in India live below the above-mentioned internationally agreed poverty line.

 

The problems are further compounded by low literacy rate and lack of adequate health facilities and services. In India, only 66 per cent people are literate (76 per cent men and 54 per cent women). Despite various incentives and educational sops being provided, it is ironical that half of India’s schools still have leaking roofs and have inadequate or no water supply. According to reports, 35 per cent schools don’t have infrastructure such as blackboards and furniture. And close to 90 per cent have no functional toilets. This clearly shows that the much-touted ‘right to education’ is a farce in reality.

 

The health of India is in an equally abysmal shape. This is reflected in persistent malnourishment of children, very slow reduction in infant mortality and maternal mortality. India today allocates lower than one per cent gross domestic product (GDP) to health. According to United Nations calculations, India’s spending on public health as a share of GDP is the 18th lowest in the world. Even cash strapped countries like Nepal and Thailand are in better position than India. If there is availability of health infrastructure, then it is definitely urban centric. The rural India doesn’t even have access to doctors, nurses and medicines. There are only 585 rural hospitals compared to 985 urban hospitals in the country. Out of the 6,39,729 doctors registered in India, only 67,576 are in the public sector and the rest either in private sectors or abroad, pointing towards the severity of the problem.

 

Religious intolerance, racial slur, caste discrimination and deprivation – all exists in India! It is a shame that even after so many years of independence, some communities are still fighting for their fundamental rights – be it the Adivasis (tribal) of Assam, Dalits (untouchables or outcastes) or Gorkhas (ethnic Nepalis). I want to especially mention the plight of Gorkhas. Some fraction of this community is dreaming an unachievable dream. Frustrated with the step-motherly attitude and apathy of the government, they are rising. Their once-silent voice is demanding a status of statehood for Darjeeling.

 

Therefore, ladies and gentleman, let’s not celebrate our ornamental achievements. Let’s dare to raise our voice and question the ones at the helm of affairs – how is India shining?