Self-Reliance (Atmanirbharta): New Bharat’s Answer to Income Disparity

The disparity of income between the super-rich and poor may have increased in our country. We cannot compare the income of an Ambani-sized industrialist with that of an average person. However, the gross national income, as well as the per capita income of the lower-middle classes, has grown compared to what it used to be, such that people are living more comfortable lives than they were ten years ago. If you ask Americans, you'd also find a trillionaire and a beggar in the same society. Does it mean that America is lagging or is not growing?

 

Second, people's growth potential has increased phenomenally. Almost anybody can aspire to reach great heights in this country now: skill, merit, and quality matter more than recommendations. Further, Modiji has developed India's infrastructure to a level where many investors are interested in the country. We know what our condition was ten years ago and where our country is now. There's a huge difference. Modiji has abandoned the fearful, cautious approach of socialist governments. He is more courageous and development-oriented.

 

The economic disparity in Bharat increased partly because of the past culture of freebies in our country. Nothing is free. Somebody does pay for it at some stage. Unless we improve the skill set and, hence, the earnings of people, this problem will persist. Freebies are not a permanent solution to end poverty. We need people to improve their skills, compete, and find their way in life. There is considerable scope for improvement if we cultivate a culture of hard work and innovation. The socialist culture of sleeping and letting others work has destroyed our country.

 

For instance, if one person works and all others eat, soon there will be strife and fight against injustice. People want to get what their work deserves. Nobody is satisfied if the socialist governmental policies deprive them of the fruits of their labor. Therefore, the socialist culture has made us lazy. People wait only for freebies. There is no scope for innovation, and we have no new ideas to offer. We have become copycats of others. Instead of producing something worthwhile that other countries would want to buy from us, our people either sell Chinese goods or work abroad, promoting the goods or services of others. 

 

Hence, unless we develop our efficiency, we can't compete with others or adequately address the issue of poverty in our country. In the early 2000s, our leaders complained of brain drain. I think it started due to undue reservations based on caste and religion (not economic status). The reservations increased gradually to fifty percent under various Socialist regimes. Many bright and industrious students from the general category did not secure the seats they deserved in government colleges, nor did they receive the employment opportunities or promotions to which they were entitled. They all left to study abroad for their good.

 

Now, they are the wealthy American, Australian, and Canadian NRIs of India. The more intelligent general category students who stayed back here couldn't progress much in their lives because unfair reservations hindered their progress at every step. Many took voluntary retirement and started their enterprises. Those who made the switch are providing jobs to many unemployed yet educated people in our country. Those who remained in the government sector never reached their full potential in their field due to party-based favoritism.

 

Many of them still regret taking the entrance test and perhaps scoring the highest points. They believe that the system has compromised their future because their peers who went abroad due to a lack of opportunities have earned significantly more money than they could have ever imagined in the government sector. My point is that the unfair reservation system and lack of opportunities for the brighter people increased our brain drain to the West. The brain drain benefited the West, but it compromised the quality of work in our country.

 

As a result, we employ less efficient people. The work ethics and culture of every government institution are still far behind the developed world. People only want their salaries on time. Almost no one works for the nation to progress or their field of work to advance. They know that even if they do a lot better than others, the socialist government would never reward them proportionate to their work. There is no incentive for smart people to put in their best efforts. Consequently, we –India– did not produce anything worthwhile that others would be interested in buying. Until recently, we could sell nothing much but grain abroad.

 

After Modiji has come, we are selling even weapons like the Brahmos missile to other countries. Now, other countries also want to invest in us and our people so that we no longer need to depend on the government to provide us with well-paid jobs. Our revenue has increased collectively, allowing our government to invest in infrastructure development. It's happening at a fast pace. The smart cities and our ability to harness power from renewable sources of energy (solar and wind) are reducing our reliance on Petroleum products that we import. The tourism industry is likely to grow in tandem with the technological sector.

 

All these factors have enhanced the prospects of middle-class individuals securing well-paid jobs. Besides, the development of roads and railways has enabled the facilities to reach smaller towns and villages. Instead of increasing the existing subsidies and freebies to farmers, our government aims to utilize technological advancements to support them. Now, there is an urgency and care on the government's part to help farmers get a fair price for their produce, unlike in the past. Besides, smaller businesses and traders, as well as business tycoons, would acknowledge the ease of doing business in the new Bharat.

 

The Modi era's digital revolution is worth mentioning in this context. Now, most people use the internet to make secure payments, to book tickets, and to access their data. Gone are the days when people would spend hours transferring money or booking tickets online and months accessing their information related to licenses, qualifications, or hospital records. Everything is faster now, and Modi deserves the credit for making it possible in India. There is far less paperwork, faster loan approval, and easier access to helpful information for new entrepreneurs.

 

Around forty years ago, China followed policies similar to those of the Congress party and was far behind the rest of the world in terms of progress and development. After they opened themselves up, American investment helped boost their economy, and they have reached their current standing. Similarly, Modiji has changed India's approach dramatically. Not only does he know how to attract foreign investors, he also knows how to promote our products in other countries. Modiji's vision is the development of all without a divisive agenda. He yearns to make India self-reliant to improve people's lives.

 

In sum, self-reliance is the new Bharat's answer to income disparity. We acknowledge that the income disparity will likely persist for some time. Even so, despite the disparity, people's lives and financial conditions are improving consistently as we become self-reliant and our collective income increases. Increasing reservations and providing government jobs to more people is not the ideal solution. The solution is to help people become skilled and self-reliant, enabling them to become job providers. In Modiji, we have the right leader who knows how to impart his vision and execute it at his level. He is a role model and, perhaps, the father of New Bharat: Developed and Self-reliant.