The economic vision of the Nehruvian era (“ >The economic consequences of Nehru ,” Oct.16) was one where Nehru succeeded in laying a lasting foundation for systematic and consistent economic development. That it brought about a sea change to the devastated state of the economy during the initial years of independent India was evident. Nehru could give an impetus to economic growth through his bold vision of industrialisation, infrastructure development and inception of new technology.
Pramod Gouri,
Rohtak
Professor Balakrishnan seems to glorify Nehru, as has been the “tradition” in India. Any failure has been attributed to Mahalanobis (criticised for his trickle-down approach) and all successes were of Nehru (whose socialist philosophy was associated with Mahalanobis’ economic theory). The lack of a vision to develop the capabilities of Indians was not simply “moral failure,” but an economic one as well that threw India backwards. Its effect was not visible immediately, but India paid a cumulative price for this in 1991 when it was virtually declared bankrupt. There is a need to look at history not from a subjective Nehruvian stance, but an objective economic point of view.
Sweety Gupta,
New Delhi
The first Prime Minister’s contribution to the growth of India can never be sidelined. Rome was not built in a day. The first Prime Minster laid the foundation for growth, followed much later by P.V. Narasimha Rao in the 1990s who gave momentum to this growth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now working towards roping in the superpowers for further growth. In a democracy like India, unlike a totalitarian regime, growth will be in stages and steps. Any attempt by anyone to distort history will not be fair.
C.P. Chandra Das,
Arlington, U.S.
