1. The youth across the globe have been enthusiastically responding to your message "to dream". Can you share some interesting response? How was the response from the UAE? Ans. I have met so far about 3 million youth for the last 7 years. Uniquely, wherever they are, youth believe that they want to live in a prosperous, happy and safe nation. I have a belief that they have a vision for the nation, without any bias. The ignited mind is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth. The nation has to channallize this powerful resource. In the Liverpool global youth congress, one of the question was, "Why the leaders of the nation have least interest in sustainable development?". The message is the leaders of the world, have to be educated and trained for sustainable development. This was reflected when I interacted with the UAE students.
2. There is gloomy mood worldwide in the wake of job losses due to global economic downturn. (Though India and the UAE are comparatively less affected). You have always been talking about changing the adverse situations into opportunities. How the world (especially the youth) should approach the downturn? Ans. The infrastructure development, small scale industries development, value addition to agricultural produce, aggressive tourism – may be certain solutions for the world. In India we have a unique challenging situation. We have 600000 villages with 700 million people. Anytime we have the purchasing power of 300 million people. This is the national advantage. So, I have suggested to my country, we should activate rural development that will generate employment potential and GDP growth by establishing 7000 PURA complexes.
3. You have been promoting education through your speeches and writing. But an age-old criticism -"world governments spend huge amount on military and weapons which could be used to alleviate poverty and illiteracy" still exists. Such critics further allege that military complexes influence government policies. Do you think, struggles for disarmament and peace are essential to promote education? Ans. In Education India proposes to spend $55 billion in the 11th plan and for Infrastructure development in Rural sector we proposed to spend around $14 billion. Thus there is no confusion in our mind about the importance of education, rural development. However, there is a need for promoting disarmament and peace at the Global level.
4. The political problems in South Asia, especially between India and Pakistan, have prompted governments to increase defence budgets at the cost of poverty alleviation and education. Are there enough efforts for peace (at political level and people's level) to reverse the situation, so that youngsters in the region can dream of better education and living standards? Ans. India is spending less than 3% if its GDP for defence. This expenditure is aimed to maintain the armed forces at a certain level of military preparedness. At the political and diplomatic level, substantial amount of efforts are taken for promoting peace with our neighbours. In common meetings, I have always been telling that our common enemy is poverty and illiteracy and we should work together to fight this enemy.
5.. Meanwhile world is caught in the war against terrorism and confessions that only military action has not succeeded the mission. As an expert in the defence sector, do you think that a mere military solution is possible against terrorism? How can we address the root causes of terrorism? Ans. Dealing with terrorism has to be done in a multi pronged approach. It cannot be fully dealt with by the military alone. We have to enhance the rate of development of a nation to deploy the youth in productive tasks. Simultaneously, our education system must develop an enlightened society which will work towards confluence of civilization and unity of minds. I have suggested constitution of a "UN Counter terrorism force" for dealing with international terrorism.
6. World talks a lot about Mahatma Gandhi these days. As he did, you too want to build a self reliant India. What ideals and plans of Gandhi are relevant now? What do you think about decentralisation of power which may fulfil Gandhi's dream of Gramaswaraj? (Village self rule) Ans. India has 600,000 villages where 700 million people live. I have been promoting the development of 7000 PURA complexes covering the 600,000 villages. This will promote the inclusive growth of the 700 million people and the rural economy will prosper. Our political system is also trying to see the merits of such integrated rural development missions. It reflects the Mahatma Gandhi's vision.
7. Regarding the Indian General Elections, are you satisfied with the issues raised in the ongoing election campaign? Do they (issues raised by political parties) address real issues of the people and developmental goals of India? Ans. Gradually, the electorate has started thinking about development as a key issue in every election. From the results of few state elections, it has been corroborated that the leaders who have paid greater attention to development of the state have been rewarded by the electorate. This is spreading across the nation and the 2009 election, it may even get reinforced.
8. A prominent Indian columnist (M.J. Akbar) recently wrote that after the Indian general elections a hung parliament will come up and major political parties may propose your name to the post of Prime Minister as a consensus candidate? If it happens, will you accept the post? Ans. Indian democracy is resilient to face any situation. Indian Constitution has been continuously validated for over 60 years after Indian independence. My mission is to achieve "Developed India before the year 2020". I will work, work and work for realizing the vision.
9. It is a known fact that use of science and technology for the betterment of the society is strictly under the control of political policies of governments run by political parties. But the educated youth has developed apathy towards politics due to rampant corruption etc. Do you think the educated youth should enter politics? Ans. I consider like any other profession, youth must also get trained and join politics. They must work for value based development politics. Then only, the present situation can get changed and there will be intense application of science and technology for the growth of a nation
10. You had made several proposals to achieve a developed India by 2020 and several segments of the society including political parties had welcomed them. Do you think that Indian political leadership is capable enough to carry out such ideas? Ans. We have an evolving leadership. India has 540 million youth. They have to decide, what they need. They all are aspiring to live in an economically developed, happy, prosperous, safe and secure nation. They are also developing a spirit, "I can do it", "we can do it" and the "nation can do it". With this situation, I am very sure, India will become a developed country before 2020.
India Vision website offers lot of information about the various aspects of Vision 2020. Please download the ezines and podcasts on this theme. Please visit http://www.indiavision2020.org
India Vision Group
India Vision 2020 is the largest Indian group for youth to discuss the strategies for realising the devleoped India by 2020. This Blog carries the feed from the India Vision discussion group. Please join the group by clicking http://groups.yahoo.com/group/India_Vision_2020/
0 comments:
Post a Comment