Our founding fathers conceived two ideas for the Republic — political and economic (Editorial, >“Preserve the Idea of India,” May 17). These visions envisaged people-based governance with a bottom-up decision-making process that would give everyone ‘a place in the sun’.
Structurally, India’s democracy was to rise storey by storey from a varied foundation, and it is these, comprising self-governing, self-sufficient, agro-industrial, urbo-rural local communities — gram sabha, panchayat samiti and zilla parishad — that would form the foundation of the vidhan sabhas and the Lok Sabha. These politico-economic institutions will control and regulate the use of natural resources for the good of the community and the nation.
Built on such a foundation is the ‘economic idea’ of equity envisaging Independent India as sui generis , a society unlike any other, in a class of its own that would not follow the western pattern of mega-industrialisation, urbanisation and individuation. India’s would be a people’s economy that would chart out a distinct course in economic growth, which would be need-based, human-scale, balanced development while conserving nature and livelihoods. During his high-octane campaign, Narendra Modi was projecting a vision in which bare necessities like electricity and clean water will be basic rights and not favours from government, and creating an economy that generates real jobs is as important as the formulation of economic policies for a rich and prosperous India. These were not easy ideas to convey, but there were signs that Mr. Modi was getting his message through. The election results prove it, too.
As of now the ‘Idea of India’ lies in virtual ruins and needs to be rebuilt. Most of India’s current ills are due to too much ‘government’ and too little ‘governance’. The term “governance” refers to the decision-making and implementation processes in the administration of a country, state or organisation. At the country/state level, governance is the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority in the management of multifarious affairs. Governance comprises the complex mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, mediate their differences and exercises their legal rights and obligations. Governance includes the government, which is its dominant part, but transcends it by taking in the private sector and civil society. All three are critical for sustaining human security and development. The government creates a conducive political, legal and living environment. The private sector promotes enterprise and generates jobs and income. Civil society facilitates political and social interaction.
Because each has its weaknesses and strengths, good governance is brought about through constructive interaction among all three. It is such governance that could bring about inclusiveness and implement the ‘Idea of India’. This is what Narendra Modi promised, and now as Prime Minister he must deliver.
M.G. Devasahayam,
Chennai
