10 Great ideas for India's development for the next 50 years

“ 10 great ideas to change the world in the next 50years.”

1.Development of human mind.

‘Meditation’ is a process of mental exploration into unknown realms of human consciousness.Through regular practice of meditation, the mind becomes still and undisturbed by the environment. Human mind can transform the whole world into a better place for living. The Sanskrit word ‘Yoga’ in its proper sense of the term envisages a union of the two facets of existence, ie-Jivatama and Paramatma. It is the ultimate culmination of one’s spiritual practice. The perfection of the imperfect is to be achieved before the union is possible. The mind is not controlled but regulated. When the mind in a tranquil state is focused on a single subject, all other intruding thoughts drop off. All creative activities emerge out of deep contemplation of a tranquil human mind, in silence through self-awareness. Thoughts emerge from unknown source into human mind, conditioned by the individual will and ‘vasans’ or instincts.

Meditation leads to physical and mental relaxation and well being. It puts us in a state where we are absorbed in an enjoyable and blissful experience. When the body and mind are stilled, we become aware of our true nature of existence as a ‘soul’. Our soul rises beyond the body and enjoys a journey into higher realms of existence. Medical studies show that in meditation brain waves function in a frequency where there is sensation of peace and total relaxation of our brain. It puts us in contact with a radiant energy coming from a divine source, beyond the realms of physical world. It is a spiritual experience beyond measurement. Our body experience waves of ecstatic feelings permeating through the entire body. Spirituality lies beyond the material world of proof, measurements and counts, familiar to the scientific world. It is connected with the realm of inner life surrounded by mystery, faith and belief. It is the foundation of our most closely held human values, the seat of our trust and hope. Spirituality brings purpose and meaning to life and as we develop, it grows into wisdom and love. When our spirituality is nurtured and vibrant, we are connected to the Divine Creator. It takes us beyond our ego-centered lives of existence by expanding our hearts with compassion towards all beings and the entire universe. This creative power flows out from our mind as consciousness, love and bliss.

Educational activities should therefore be aimed at not only acquisition of knowledge and skills but also strengthening and regulating the human mind in its solemn task of development of skills for deep concentration and silent inner exploration. Ultimately, thoughts emerging out of human mind only act as the prime mover for all actions in this universe. An agitated/suppressed/angry mind can only generate destructive thoughts and violence. Wars between nations have their origin in the minds of men/women leading the nations. So ‘human mind management’ through meditation deserves a prominent place in our educational system. Attention of our educationists should therefore be drawn to this vital omission in our educational curriculum. All Universities/Colleges have to open Meditation Centers, like Buddha Viharas, in their campus, at a beautiful location where students individually or in groups, could sit and meditate at any part of the day or night, in absolute silence. There should be no restriction on the mode or duration of meditation.

People who are spiritually evolved may be appointed as ‘Meditation Counselors’ to initiate the students into the physical process of meditation. These Centers should be totally secular in character and it should not in any way function in competition to existing religious places like Church/Temples etc. Organized religions were to serve us as a vehicle to take us to the ultimate destination of spirituality. Religions however got caught up with the ‘vehicle’ of divergent religious practices/rituals, while losing sight of the ultimate destination! There should be no collection of any donation or subscription in attending the Meditation Centre. The only condition for using the Meditation Centre should be that the students/teachers/others should be dressed in a dignified way and that they should maintain ABSOLUTE SILENCE in the meditation hall and cause no disturbance to others.

Prof. Richard Lynn emeritus Professor of Psychology in Ulster University after a study has stated that modern academically oriented intellectuals/professionals with high IQ are less likely to believe in God or spirituality. For them even spirituality is a difficult subject to understand as their training is based on logical, analytical and rational thinking/approaches, for good reasons. These approaches have successfully ushered them into a host of improvements in life, using modern science and technology. But this blind belief in science and technology has left them spiritually starved and out of balance. They have no answer to some of the most difficult and fundamental questions of life, like- What is the ultimate purpose of life ? Where do we go after death? What is real value in life? Why is there so much suffering, cruelty and gross unfairness in human life along with happiness? This is the point when we begin to realize the spiritual dimensions of our life and the stark reality of our mortality. It was French philosopher Pierre Teilhard Chardin who stated that “We are not physical beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings with physical experience”. Our spirituality is our true essence which relates to our soul, which is connected to our Divine origin and it is infinite. This human life span is but the physical experience of our ultimate reality, our spirit, which is our fundamental nature.

Spirituality can be described as a personal quest for meaning and purpose of life. It usually leads us to the discovery of a higher power controlling our lives-we call it by the name God or Divine etc. It helps us to experience hope, love, peace and understanding. This strengthens our inner belief system. In concrete terms, the primary benefit of practitioners of spirituality through meditation would be increased productivity, zero defect work, and quick learning as there would be no distraction to the mind. Such people become better administrators, managers, business men, and better employees without losing sight of the ethical aspects of human life. In short, practitioners of spirituality through meditation are transformed into better human beings. Meditation helps the seeker experience the highest degree of human transformation possible in this life.

[ “Meditation is one of the greatest arts of life-perhaps the greatest and possibly one cannot learn it from any body, that is the beauty of it. It has no technique and therefore no authority.”
-J.Krishnamurthy.]



2. Conservation of Nature.

Conservation of nature has been more or less accepted by all modern Govts. as an essential component of public policy. While ‘Mother Nature’ strives to maintain a well evolved and balanced ecological system on earth, human beings disrupt the nature’s activities in various ways, ostensibly for economic/industrial development. It has been proved from our experience that any progress achieved through destruction of the bounties of nature, will invite unpredictable vagaries in weather pattern, melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels, increase in the acidity of sea water, and natural calamities like earthquaque, cyclones, tsunami etc. So we need to consciously and deliberately avoid any activities in violation of nature so that we live in amity with nature and not in violation of the order of nature.

This ‘resolution’ has to be accepted by the entire world as sacrosanct as protection of life and ‘human rights’. Any act of pollution/degradation of the fundamental building blocks of nature, ie. Panchabhutas-Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky (Ether) on any part of the world will have to be taken as act of endangering the very existence of this universe .Such activities should be taken as against the collective interests of entire humanity. We must consciously strive towards preservation of nature; sustenance of the cycle of creation in conformity with nature’s order. The more we understand nature with all its complex inter se relationships of all fauna and flora and live in amity with them, they will bond with us and help to sustain life on this planet. So, what do we do specifically towards conservation of nature? I would suggest the following:-

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3.Save the world from the vices of ‘materialism’.

‘Globalization’ has engulfed the whole world as never before, at an unstoppable pace. ‘Materialism’ is the inevitable out come of globalization. The means adopted for amassing material wealth/riches are held as irrelevant so long as one acquires wealth, in whatever manner. The western culture eulogises ‘money making’ as the sole aim of human existence and condemn poverty as a degrading aspect of human existence. Ancient Rishis of India (super scientists) were visionaries who, had clearly anticipated the onset of these adverse developments in the present ‘Kali Yuga’. Issues like pollution, climate change, organized violence in our society like terrorism, vulgar modes of acquisition, display and enjoyment of wealth, gene manipulation, increasing corruption in public life and decline of human values etc have immense destructive potential.

Our ancient scriptures ordained people (not confined to Hindus alone) to treat the whole human life as a ‘Yajna”.Duties performed without self-interest or attachment for universal good, with whatever results that may come dedicated to God, is called ‘Yajna’. We owe it to Nature to take good care of other living species of fauna and flora on the face of this earth with love and dedication and without any expectation in return.Conduct of-“Pancha Maha Yajnas” (PMY) in human life was recommended to liberate ourselves from the vices of materialism.

PMY are five fold:-

i).Barhma or Rishi Yajna-meditation, reflecting on scriptures and regular chanting of religious prayers to elevate human mind spiritually for self realization.

ii) Deva Yajna- Observing of fire ritual by offering oblations in fire to Gods, with recitations of ‘ Mantras’.

iii) Atithi Yajna-Extending hospitality to unannounced visitors like pilgrims, tourists to your house, city/town, country etc.

iv) Pitri Yajna-Shardh ceremony observed in memory of our ancestors and feeding birds, animals, poor people in their name.

v).Balaivaishava Deva Yajna- is feeding animals and birds without expecting any returns.

These Yajnas are ordained for all human beings. Nowhere in the scriptutures it is restricted to Hindus. Vedas/Upanishads are divine revelations (Sruthis) meant for the entire humanity.

4.Search for a super source of energy.

Scientists/technocrats all over the developed countries have been engaged in intensive R&D efforts, during the last five decades, searching for an alternate, abundant source of energy, other than from fossil fuel. The energy derived from fossil fuel has been causing environmental pollution, global warming through increased emission of Co2 into the atmosphere, Ozone layer depletion and consequent unpredictable weather changes. It is estimated that the stock of fossil fuel so far discovered may not last beyond another 50 years. As the consumption of fossil fuel has been rising steadily during the last 50 years, its prices have already starting rising to unprecedented levels all over the world, causing enormous turbulence in the world economy. The open market price of Petroleum Crude has crossed US $ 140 in June, 2008. The price is estimated to rise to still higher levels till a real R&D break through is achieved in discovering a new super source of energy, at an affordable price level to people.
The three PSU Oil companies in India, ie. IOC,HPL and BPL are reported to be incurring a loss Rs. 450 crores per day and their annual losses have already increased beyond Rs. 2.5 lakhs crores! Unless, there is a real break through in the research front for an alternate fuel source, the world economy will go into a steady recession spin, sooner than later. As far as the lack of petroleum resources inside India to fuel our growth is concerned, tapping of alternate sources of energy inside the country is the only solution. India has world’s second largest reserves of Thorium; building of thorium based nuclear reactors could solve our energy problem to a great extent, and save our gigantic spending of our GDP for petroleum imports. The R&D efforts to develop Thorium based nuclear reactors has been going on for past few decades. We need our best brains to get into this research instead of going abroad. We dont even have to depend on US or other countries for Uranium as nuclear fuel in that case.

In the meanwhile we need to redouble our research efforts for super sources of energy which are no-pollutant, and affordable to wider sections of people.

· The perennial sources of energy available on earth are Solar, Wind and Geo-thermal energy. The technology available for its tapping has to be made simpler, efficient and affordable.
· For terrestrial private transportation, the primary propulsion medium could be Hydrogen fuel cells. The prices of solar-hydrogen fuels will have to be brought down to affordable levels to the whole world through intense R& D efforts
· The limited stocks of POL fuel has to be conserved for public/ aerial transportation. Here also, the technology needs to be modernized and made more fuel efficient.

· Our Govt. has run out of easy options to tide over the energy problem. Political parties advocating against price control and other administrative measures for conservation of POL products now are living in fool’s paradise and their bluff of ‘vote bank’ politics need to be exposed.


The following further steps will have to be taken by the Govt. of India without any further delay on a war footing:-

i) In order encourage R&D efforts, 10% of the budgetary allocations for higher education of the Central/State Govts. should be mandatorily utilized for funding R&D activities in all Universities in India.
ii) We need to set up more Research Laboratories in public/private sector where intellectually gifted students with research aptitude should be recruited and motivated to take up fundamental/applied research in assigned fields of science/humanities.
iii) Hundred percentage of tax exemption should be granted on all investments made in setting up and running of these R&D Laboratories as well as on capital goods/machinery fuel, inputs, power utilized by them.
iv) All Four/ Three/ Two wheel MVs beyond 15 years of age and those vehicles classified as fuel guzzlers may deregistered from the roads immediately and allowed to be scrapped.
v) As an incentive for the vehicle owners to voluntarily surrender such vehicles to prescribed scraping agencies, a financial incentive by way of 10% of the market value may be offered to the owners by the Govt.
vi) All such condemned vehicles may be scrapped and the scrap material may be recycled as industrial raw material.
vii) The available stock of POL products used to the maximum extent for public transport.
viii) The price of fossil fuel for all private transport should be market determined without any subsidy element, beyond the reach of common man.





5.Waste management .

Increasing generation of ‘waste’ is a byproduct of our modern civilization. Enormous problems are being faced connected with the removal, storage and disposal of waste all over the world. Our metro cities and other semi-urban centers are seriously affected due to inadequate systems for waste management. We need to develop and implement appropriate schemes for effective disposal of all forms of waste -organic waste, plastics, metals and other toxic substances from all urban/semi-urban centers.
Organic waste could be converted into compost/manure/cooking gas and used to enrich soil fertility and reduce the usage of plants/ trees for heating/cooking purposes. Plastics, Metals etc should be mandatorily recycled after processing. Toxic waste has to be chemically treated to neutralize its toxicity and nuclear waste will have to be buried deep inside the bowels of earth to prevent its leakage/contamination.

While all these practices are followed in most cities and towns in India, they are neither organized nor systematic. Our sewage systems are primitive and use outmoded infrastructure and technology. Untreated sewage is often released into our rivers and seas. In India, waste management is the responsibility of City Corporations /Municipalities/Panchayats and the whole process is riddled with corruption and inefficiency. Elected Corporators/Members are a law unto themselves and the corrupt political executive ruling the States are unable to bring any system, order or efficiency in the whole process.

The following steps may be taken by the Central Govt. immediately:-

i) By a Constitutional amendment, “Public Health and Sanitation” may be taken out of Entry No-6 of the State List of our Constitution-“Public Health and Sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries” and it may be added under a new Entry as Item No.48 of the Concurrent List-“ and ‘waste management’ may also be brought under the same Entry in the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
ii) Thereafter, the Union Govt. may issue a directive to all States/UTs under Art. 256 of the Constitution that waste management may be entrusted to PPP initiative on BOT basis and its efficiency tightly monitored by Special Monitoring Committees of professionals set up by Corporations/Municipalities/Panchayats,
iii) Clear norms may be laid down for public hygiene and waste management for Cities, Towns and villages in India and enforced with the help of the State Machinery.



6.Control of ‘violence’ in public/private life’.

Violence in its various forms has become an extremely disturbing element of human life through out the world. Its decisive presence is there in our life, media, entertainment, politics, family/social life, sex and even in road usage. Wars between nations, and terrorism unleashed by different religious groups are organized forms of violence. Violence is there even in public governance as well as in sports and games. Perhaps ‘violence’ is an essential part of the animal psyche and we cannot wish it away. But concerted, multi pronged efforts will have to be made by all societies and Govts. to contain violence in all its destructive forms and install in its place eternal human values of life.

The level of brutal violence/deception shown in our audio-visual media need to be scaled down with imagination and tact to reduce its adverse impact in human life. Our TV serials, movies, fictional thrillers are woven around themes of vengeance, revenge, hate, sex, blood feud etc. Film makers often glorify abysmal characters like dacoits, rapists and other criminals as such films would sell in the market. We need to encourage art and literature to create more humanness, forgiveness and qualities of the mind and good character. It is not easy to forgive as it requires great character and in born compassion .Revenge create only negative energy, destruction of peace of mind, obstructing clarity of thought and perception. Revenge leaves behind a trail of bitterness, frustration in life which would lead to more violence in society.

Several advertisements appearing in the print/visual media have clouded the judgment of innocent people by inducing them to invest in hair brained schemes expecting unrealistic returns, resulting in total loss of the capital invested causing human misery. Had there been a statutory agency to bench mark the advertisements before its publication, lots of human tragedies could have been avoided. Print/Audio-Visual media take a very narrow commercial stance on their business prospects/success alone, disregarding the public interest they trample on in the process.

“ Is there a mechanism by which we can understand, and correct, the errors, biases, and malpractices of newspapers and television channels? This question is prompted by a recent discussion on the website of the South Asian Journalists Association. It was initiated by James Mutti, an American Fulbright scholar, who had spent time studying the functioning of the press in northern India. Mutti found that "there is an inherent tension between India's much-hyped economic growth and its deepening democracy". The media was partly to blame for this. For it "abdicates its role as an educator in favor of being an entertainer". Those who consume the news were a willing accomplice in this abdication. Mutti arrived at this less than cheering conclusion: "In India today, the media is big business - relying on corporate advertising and the spending of the middle class - and it is hard to claim that it is a public good that reaches most citizens
Finally, there has been a decline in the quality and depth of reportage. The press appears to have become lazier in the past few decades. Once, even senior editors would make extended field trips to research a story, traveling in the interior and speaking to a cross-section of the public. Now, if they leave New Delhi, it is usually to accompany the prime minister to Beijing or Washington. But even some younger reporters have become prey to 'hand-out journalism', to stringing together stories on the basis of press releases, supplemented by the odd quote.
To be sure, there are dissenters. But these often write in a sanctimonious and self-righteous tone, setting themselves up as the lonely voice of conscience amidst a horde of unthinking cheerleaders for globalization and liberalisation. They are also noticeably partisan, focusing on poverty and suffering in states (or nations) ruled by parties other than the communists.” –
Ramchandra Guha- a historian
The Delhi High Court in M.F.Hussain case held recently that our Constitution has no absolute freedom of expression, unlike the US constitution. Art.19(2) of our Constitution says that freedom of speech can be curbed by “reasonable restrictions…. in the interest of(sovereignty and integrity of India) the security of state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency, or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence”. Writers/Artists etc may protest against it as a fetter on their creative pursuits. As several instances have been pointed out by our print media, where our feature films have incited common people who are vulnerable to their influence to emotional imbalance and commit violent crimes.

It is preferable to lay down a code conduct on media people for ensuring decency, public order, morality and against incitement to violent crimes. The Film/TV Censor Code should be made stringent against graphic exhibition of diabolic violence, crimes etc in our TV or Films. We do not have to ape the Hollywood and the western films in particular. Exhibition of such films should be curbed in India. Our people may be able to access such films through the internet. But the damage would still be limited.

Even the print media should also be bound by a code of conduct so that they do not benefit out of dissemination of falsehood/deceit among the public. Art/literature/ culture should elevate human mind into higher pedestal of love, beauty, kindness and compassion. Any violation of the code of conduct should empower the State or citizens to sue the press/TV and seek prosecution of the errant reporter/editor as well as the publisher and seek financial compensation for the damage caused.

There are occasions when use of force on the part of the State machinery such as Prison/Police/Army etc become inevitable to extend punishments to the guilty awarded by the Courts in criminal cases and to crush mob /terrorists violence etc to prevent greater human calamity. The option of usage of violent force in such situations should be bare minimum and made with great circumspection and restraint. Excessive or disproportionate use of force on behalf of the State should be made punishable under criminal law of the land.





7.Exploration of Space.

The human race will find life elsewhere in space if we continue to push ahead with our space exploration efforts, to open new frontiers of space. Our Vedas/Upanishads makes it abundantly clear that with the limited faculties available to human mind it would be impossible to discover the boundaries of our universe-it is always described as boundless-infinite. But that should not deter us from our exploratory urge using the infinite powers given to human brain to search for the unknown, till we reach the very end.

Astronauts back from latest US space missions vouch of the prospects-

“If we push back boundaries far enough, I am sure eventually we will find something out there”.
“May be not as evolved as we are, but it is hard to believe that there is no life somewhere else in this great universe”.

-Mike Foreman Mission Specialist Endeavour.

“I personally believe that we are going to find something that we can’t explain’

-Gregory Johnson, another astronaut.

“Explorers in the past era did not know what they would find before setting off across oceans. As we travel in the space ,we do not know what we will find. That’s the beauty of what we do. I hope that some day we will find what we don’t understand”.

- Dominic Gorie, Crew Commander and veteran of four flights.

NASA’s Phoenix satellite has landed on Mars’s North Pole on the last 25th,May, 2008, after a historical journey of 68 Crores KMs, taking 10 months to complete the journey. The purpose of the mission is to find out whether there is water on the Mars surface, which is essential for the sustenance of any forms of life. The Pasadena Jet Propulsion Lab(JPL) of California has developed Phoenix Satellite, spending Rs. 1790 crores. Exploration to Mars were started long back in 1960 by Russia. 50% of the Mars missions were failures. Out of 11 major explorations only 5 were successful. The Viking –I and Viking-II sent by NASA to Mars successfully landed on the Martian surface. The surface temperature of Mars varies between -5 to -87* C. In addition two Robots of NASA by name “Spirit” and “Opportunity” sent three years back are roaming around the Martian surface. Water/ ice has been discovered on Mars by the Phoenix probe which landed on the planet last month. Mission controllers had been excited by chunks of white material in the Martian soil exposed by the craft's robot arm. Remote scans by orbiting satellites have indicated the presence of water ice under the Martian surface near the planet's North pole.
Phoenix has now established that frozen water really does lie within a foot or two below the surface of the ground in the Martian arctic.The discovery greatly increases the chances of life having once existed, or possibly still surviving, on Mars. Scientists will now want to know if the ice has ever melted, because living organisms need liquid water. Using Phoenix's battery of instruments, they will also conduct tests to see if organic compounds are present that could provide the building blocks of life."The truth we're looking for is not just looking at ice. It is in finding out the minerals, chemicals and hopefully the organic materials associated with these discoveries," said Dr Smith.Phoenix landed on Mars on May 25 at the start of a mission planned to last three months. The probe is designed to look for conditions which might be suitable for life, but is not equipped to find evidence of life itself. Phoenix’s active life is expected to be only three months. It will be killed beyond reasonable hope or resurrection not by heat but by encroaching cold winter. The idea of naming the craft after mythological bird that self-immolates and then rises a new from its own ashes was thus very apt.
8. Incresing Traffic Safety and reducing road accidents in India.

India has the dubious distinction of registering the highest number of road accidents in the world, compared to its low per capita vehicle ownership. According to NTPRC, the number of road accidents in India is three times higher than that prevailing in developed countries. The number of accidents per thousand vehicles is as high as 35 while the figure ranges from 4 to 10 in developed countries. India suffers about 10% of the global death toll caused by road accidents. It is assumed that in India only about 4 lakhs of serious road accidents out of 1.4 Million traffic accidents are recorded, investigated. People usually dread to go the Police due to corruption, inefficiency and rude/uncivil behavior towards complainants.

Kindly read an extract from US Travel advisory from US Consulate Website given to its own citizens while they travel in India. It is an eye opener for us to understand as to how foreigners view the ground level road traffic situation in India-

“Traffic Safety and Road conditions-

Travel by road in India is dangerous. Travel at night is particularly hazardous. Buses patronized by Millions of Indians, are convenient in that they serve almost every city of any size. However, they are usually driven fast, recklessly, and without consideration of rules of the road. Accidents are quite common.
On Indian roads the safest driving policy is to always assume that other drivers would not respond to traffic situation in the same way you would, in the US. On Indian roads ‘might’ become right and buses and trucks epitomizes this fact. Buses and trucks often run red lights and merge directly into traffic at yield points and traffic circles. Outside major cities, main roads and other roads are poorly maintained and congested. Even main roads have only two lanes, with poor visibility and inadequate warning markers. On the few divided highways one can expect to meet local transportation traveling in the wrong direction, often without lights. Heavy traffic is the norm and includes overloaded trucks, buses, scooters, pedestrians,
Bullock and camel carts, horse or elephant riders en route to weddings. It is important to be alert while crossing streets and intersections, especially after dark as traffic is coming in the wrong direction. If the driver hits a pedestrian or a cow, the vehicle and its occupants are at risk of being attacked by the passersby. Such attacks pose significant risk of injury or death to the vehicle occupants or at least of incineration of vehicle. It can thus be unsafe to remain at the scene of an accident of this nature. Protesters often use ‘road blockage’ as a means of publicizing their grievances, causing severe inconvenience to travelers.”


Why do so many traffic accidents happen in India? Police say that 80% of the traffic accidents are caused by human error. The studies so far conducted attribute the following causes to high rate of traffic accidents in India-

-No effective enforcement/detection of traffic rules/violations by Police , primarily due to poor work culture, ignorance, indifference and endemic corruption prevailing at lower levels of Police ranks. Political as well as supervisory control on such corruption is lax due several reasons.

-Not enough traffic cops are available on the road compared to increase in roads/traffic density.

-Density of traffic is too high in comparison to capacity of the road and road conditions.

-Lack proper traffic awareness and education on the part of drivers, pedestrians etc.

-Insufficient lane marking and failure to observe lane discipline by fast moving vehicles, two wheelers and slow moving cycles, bullock carts, hand carts and pedestrians.

-Insufficient investment on development of adequate road infrastructure.

-Not a well planned road system is in existence in India.

-Vast areas of road space in cities are occupied for idle parking of vehicles.

- Encroachment of road space by hawkers, traders, eateries etc.

- Misuse of roads by all political parties for conduct of public protest by way of bandhs, hartals, morchas, processions etc

-Lack proper maintenance of roads due to endemic corruption on the part of State PWD in charge of roads.

In short, the prevailing anarchy in the public governance of the country is very much visible on our roads. As the number of private vehicles on the road steadily increase day by day, the chaos visible on the road now will also multiply and journey by road has already become a dreadful experience.

So, what are the solutions? Here are a few to consider-

· Issue of Driving License should be taken away from the most corrupt RTO authority and entrusted recognized Driving schools to be set up in private sector.
· Driving licenses to be issued only by recognized Driving schools set up in private sector after imparting three months of training of theory and practical aspects of driving a vehicle by a professional trainer and passing a written/practical test with minimum qualifying marks.
· If a licensed driver is involved in a serious road accident, his/her license shall remain suspended till he undergoes the punishment awarded by a Court/Tribunal and a refresher training course in a recognized driving school and he is certified as fit again for driving.
· Any driver who is involved in more than three major traffic accidents shall permanently be debarred from driving a vehicle in his life.
· The performance of the recognized driving schools shall be monitored by the RTO staff rigorously and any slip shod performance shall result in cancellation of their recognition.
· Cities and towns shall be planned in such way as to contribute to proper management of traffic.
· People should be motivated /encouraged to use public transport facilities for going to their work, schools and business.
· Usage of private transport should be made expensive by increasing the fuel cost, imposing stiff parking/congestion fees and rigorous enforcement of traffic rules.
· Traffic violations shall be detected and proceeded against with the aid of remote cameras installed in all vulnerable points of the cities, road junctions etc with the help of private Traffic Executives.
· Notice of violation shall be sent through internet to the vehicle owner /driver instantaneously with the help of Laptops provided to Traffic Executives.
· The routine traffic management work in all cities/towns should be outsourced to private parties and the cost of their service should be recovered from fines imposed on traffic violators.
· Police need be brought on to the road traffic scene only if a criminal case has to be registered and proceeded against.
· Drivers caught with over speeding, drunken driving, road rage and other flagrant violations of traffic rules shall be sentenced for mandatory social service for fixed periods, apart from stiff fines enough to cover the medical expenses/insurance claims of the victims, and compensation for damage of public / private property.

· All heavy vehicles run on public roads like trucks, dumpers, buses etc shall be compulsorily fitted with speed governor by the vehicle manufacturers and anybody tampering with the speed control systems installed by manufacturers shall be sentenced for criminal case of potential manslaughter.
· The entire stretch of National High Ways shall be fenced and separate lanes shall be marked in our NHWs for fast moving and slow moving traffic and anyone found violating the lane discipline shall be sentenced for ‘road usage refresher course’ in a recognized institutions and social work compulsorily.
· All political parties shall be forbidden by the Election Commission from adopting any agitation by way of road /rail blockage etc which will inconvenience the traffic movement through our public roads.
· Political parties violating the code of conduct shall be suspended from participating in elections for specified periods.
· Dead Parking on all arterial roads, national High ways etc should be banned and if vehicles are found to be parked blocking the traffic, the owners shall be subjected to stiff penalties which would deter the vehicle owners from committing such offences.




9. Combating ‘corruption’ in the public life and providing accountability in public governance of our country.

India is the largest functioning democracy in the world, with a population over a Billion people! We renew the people’s mandate and elect a new Govt. to power at the Centre and States,once in five years, through elections. Public participation in our elections (exceeding 60 %) clearly establishes people’s firm commitment to democracy. Our civil society has sturdy moral back bone, but its voice is not always heard, loud and clear, on all occasions. The process of holding free and fair elections is vitiated during the last 20 years, due to growing criminalization of politics and politicization of criminals. Our electoral system is unable to prevent the ingress of persons charged with heinous criminal offences like corruption, murder, dacoity, rape etc into the electoral process. By liberal use of money and muscle power, criminal elements are getting elected into our Parliament and State Legislatures. Efforts made by the Supreme Court and Election Commission at sensitizing our people of the dangers involved in electing criminals into positions of political power has not succeeded due to various structural and constitutional flaws in our electoral system. Without urgent electoral reforms, our polity is bound to deteriorate further. Our image as a vibrant democracy is therefore tarnished before the whole world.

Our efforts to carry out major electoral reforms to cleanse the public life of our country have repeatedly failed due organized resistance of those who are power. Our constitutional bodies like Law Commission, Election Commission, the Supreme Court , High Courts and several NGOs who are sensitive to the problem, have also so far failed to persuade the Govt. in power to undertake electoral reforms due to deep seated vested interests of those who are in power. There is wide spread growing frustration against these adverse developments in the form of anti-political/establishment attitude adopted by large sections of our people. The growth of violent outbursts like Naxalite movement, rising tide of terrorism in Punjab, J&K and NE States could have its origin from these socio-economic frustration of our people. Therefore reforming India’s polity is an urgent task.
In any sane democratic society, the ultimate political power should be the preserve of the brightest, finest and most humane citizens. Political parties in a democracy are the arbiters of politics and the nation’s fate in a true sense. All political parties are instruments to acquire political power, control the state apparatus and carry out public governance. But very few persons with intellect, integrity, commitment to public service and passion for true democracy could enter the Indian political arena and survive with honor and dignity today. Our best men and women are either prevented or repelled by the unhealthy political processes. Wealth, heredity, family connections, cast status etc determine ones chance in succeeding in politics in India today and not one’s competence, integrity and track record in public service. Consequently, the noble activity of public governance has fell into the hands of ignoble and mediocre elements in our society

The electoral scene in India controlled by several national /regional parties is in disarray. As there is no inner party democracy in any of our national or regional political parties, the party ‘leadership’ nominates only of those whom they have trust and consider as a “winnable” candidate. Allegiance to the party’s ideology or programmes /policies etc is all secondary. Considerations of character, conduct, competency etc are not very important in the selection process. As a result, several candidates with dubious criminal background are nominated to contest elections by all parties as they could win elections easily and provide the numerical strength for the party leadership to form the Govt. With the use of their unaccounted money and muscle power, criminal elements win elections easily over others. Once elected, the rowdy elements grab several ministerial positions also using their numerical and other clouts. There are some checks available in our parliamentary system to make our Ministers/ MPs/ MLAs accountable for their misconduct and transgressions. But these checks are hardly invoked, as Parliament State Legislatures stoutly defend their independence and they even defy court intervention. Corruption has become endemic in all activities connected with public governance in India. The party in power is reluctant to take stringent action against MP/MLAs who are wrong doers, particularly if they belong to the ruling party. The people’s representatives are the main beneficiaries of the spoils system of public governance. Unfortunately, those who thrive from political corruption are also controlling the official anti-corruption machinery of the state in charge of checking corruption in the country. Thus the vicious cycle of political corruption is inducing corruption in all other walks of life without any check or balance.

A critical situation is therefore developing in our country- Govts. elected by the people are not held accountable for their performance, except during the elections held once in five years. That occasion is fully made use by our mature electorate by defeating over 50 % of the incumbents from getting re-elected. But the unscrupulous criminal elements in politics, amass so much of wealth during their five years of tenure, far beyond their all known sources of income, thorough dubious means. Once they pay taxes on their loot, they feel that they have received immunity from violations of other statutes.

The affidavits filed by several candidates at the instance of the Supreme Court during successive elections held during the last three years eloquently vouch for the extent of wealth amassed by MP/MLAs while in power thorough dubious means, far beyond their legitimate sources of income. Ostensibly, they have extorted large sums of money from the highly vulnerable trade and industry in India by abusing political power and positions held in Govt. They acquire vast areas of land and buildings in their names,as well as in the names of their close relatives and even in benami names. What is acquired in their names as well as in the names of their close elatives are declared before the Election Commission. Vast amounts of money taken as bribe and deposited banks is publicly declared as ‘political donations’. If so, why do they park it in their personal accounts in Banks? There is no answer to such uncomfortable questions, as there is no law or regulation in India to take cognizance of such broad day light illicit practices. No action ,whatsoever is taken against them under the Prevention of Corruption Act, as all politicians stoutly dispute that they are not ‘public servants’ within the meaning of the term used in PCA. This argument has been outrightly rejected by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in ………………. Case. Even then the MHA / EC/CVC/CBI etc take no action against errant politicians.

There are several political leaders in our public life who are men / women of integrity and vision. But they are all silenced by the criminal faction in all parties. Party leaders feign helplessness to bring round the ginger elements in their own parties for a broad consensus on electoral reforms to screen out the corrupt elements from their own parties. In a coalition set up, forging a consensus on such sensitive reforms is a difficult task, particularly when the amendments proposed to the Constitution and Representation of People Act will have the effect of unseating several sitting MPs/MLAs. It may create temporary political instability in the country. So they chose the easy option of managing the situation without rocking the apple cart, by holding on to power by any means. The public of our country feel cheated and frustrated by these vicious elements in our polity. What is effective way to combat corruption and establish full accountability from those who are in power in our public life?

Suggestions:

1. The Hon’ble President of India in consultation with the Supreme Court, Election Commission and Law Commission may proceed to issue an Ordnance under Art. 53 r/w Art.84 ,173 and 324 of the Constitution empowering the Election Commission to take such steps as to ensure that candidates who are allowed to contest elections to Parliament, State legislatures and local self-government institutions like Corporations, Municipalities, Panchayat etc fulfill certain minimum educational qualifications, conduct, character and track record in public service befitting the onerous role to be played by them in the public life of this country as MP/MLAs etc.
2. The basic purpose is to provide an informed and meaningful choice to the people of India of electing as their representatives, men /women who have integrity, character, competence and capacity to deliver high quality of public service.
3. The above ordnance will have to be issued only after dissolution of the Parliament and it will have a life of only six months, within which time an election has to be held and a new Govt can be formed.
4. The newly elected Parliament may proceed to debate the wider issue of electoral reforms and enact a new Representation of the People Act which may incorporate all reform ideas contained in the Ordnance as found acceptable by the majority in the Parliament. This is a viable and legal means to overcome the impasse created by the present generation of our parliamentarians who refuse to enact suitable legislation on electoral reforms
5. All elected Members of Parliament and State legislatures may be brought under the jurisdiction of the Prevention of Corruption Act and a special agency like Lok Pal /Lok Ayuktha(in some states such agencies are position, but no powers are given to them) may be set up to receive/investigate and prosecute complaints of ministerial corruption from the public.
6. The C&AG of India may be directed to ensure that its annual report submitted to Parliament /State Legislatures are suitably enlarged to function as a basic document to establish full managerial accountability on all policies and programmes implemented by them to the Parliament/State legislature.
7. CVC/CBI/State Anti-corruption machinery may be directed to initiate necessary investigations/proceedings to fix responsibility for corruption, administrative lapses noticed in the public governance of the country on the part of the bureaucracy, on the basis of annual reports submitted to the Parliament /State Legislatures by the C&AG.
After the onset on globalization in the nineties, our economy is now on the move and we cannot afford to go slow at this stage. But we need to be cautious in that our development programmes do not bounce back on the socio-political front. Half-hearted liberalization measures can produce only half –hearted results. Scams and corruption scandals are an inevitable by-product of our lax governance regime. Lack of accountability on the part of the political executive and bureaucrats in power was and is the main reason for our economic backwardness. We have to tackle the adverse factors in our public governance-ie. Criminalization of politics and a permissive culture in our public life. Though many people seriously apprehend the durability of Indian democracy to withstand the challenges of the 20th century, our past history of sixty years gives us reasons for hope. Democracy is not the cause of India’s poor growth record. Our handicap is the lack of spirit to excel in all fields of activity. Even in running of our democracy we are ham handed. Our electoral process is not clean and it solidly depends on black money. Politicians from all political parties do provide protection to their own caste/religious groups, business groups/ cronies who fund their party coffers and support base. Parties from the left spectrum try to protect the low productivity and enduring property rights of organized labour. In India non-performance of work in any field is not a crime that can be easily penalized. But as our democracy matures, the situation is slowly changing.

India has the second largest pool of skilled manpower in the world. They would have remained in India and performed in support of our economy, if their pay structure, promotional avenues, perks and recognition did not remain inferior to that of the generalist bureaucrats. As bureaucrats in India still wield a lot of influence, a large number of our technocrats /scientists seek greener pastures abroad. Those remaining in India are somewhat frustrated and demotivated. Professionals are treated as second raters by the generalist administrators. The pay/perks of professionals are improving after the onset of liberalization. Indian judiciary has also started questioning the arbitrary decision making of the political executive duly supported by bureaucracy. The operation of Right to Information Act has brought more transparency in administration. All these would act as a trend setter against wrong doing by those in power and that would have a chastening effect on public governance.

10.Management of Indian economy-

i) Inflation Targeting

Inflation is sustained rise in price level over a period, as a result of too much money in the economy (purchase power) chasing limited availability of goods and services. The prices of commodities facing excess demand rises first. The demand-supply imbalance triggers the inflation process. We are in the midst of an incipient global inflation. It hurts the poor the worst and so it has to be controlled effectively as a global challenge.

The ultimate goal of monetary policy is reasonable price stability or controlled inflation which may provide a transparent frame work for growth oriented economic policies. A well specified objective of ‘inflation targeting’ should be prescribed as a primary function of the conduct of monetary policy by the RBI in India. The RBI should lay down an exact definition of inflation index and existence of a quantitative target, with either a single point target or a target within the limits of a narrow range of, say 3%. A relatively narrow band may be more credible in view of the imperfect control on inflation. The time horizon of the target should be consistent with the monetary policy lags. It should give a prominent role to inflation forecasts published by RBI, which should constitute the basis for the decision. The published forecasts are to be consistent in definition and timing with the specified objective of inflation. All available information concerning the outlook of price movements should boil down to inflation forecast which should act as some sort of intermediate target of monetary policy. In choosing the appropriate price index, some countries target an inflation index that excludes particularly volatile items such as food, energy prices, indirect taxes, subsidies and interest components. Others directly target the broadly defined consumer price index. The latter seems to be a sound option.

For undertaking these tasks, the RBI should be truly made independent, transparent and accountable. In India it is not explicitly clear as to who has the ultimate control on monetary policy-whether the Cabinet, the FM or the Governor of RBI. In some countries the Central Banks are directly responsible to the legislature. In India the RBI’s role in rather vague. In practice, the monetary policy affects all economic activities of a country and inflation with long term lags. Simplicity, commitment, predictability, transparency and accountability should the watch words of RBI’s functioning. Complexities of monetary policy making are enormous. There is an increasing focus on ‘inflation targeting’ as a framework for implementing monetary policy. Its success depends not only on the actions of RBI but a broad consensus on the proper role of monetary policy in the economy. It also requires the backing of a sound fiscal policy. Some countries like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Finland, UK, Israel, Spain, Sweden etc have adopted a single point target on inflation, while others follow a more flexible approach. It may help to provide a clear path for medium term inflation outlook and also help to reduce the size of the inflation shock and their associated costs. As long term interest rate in the economy fluctuate with the movement of inflation expectations, targeting low rate of inflation would lead to more stable and lower interest rates.

Independent financial analysts are of the view that the steps so far taken by the GOI to control inflation may not be adequate as the latest fiscal deficit figures released by the Govt. has not factored in the financial liability transferred to the future generations through oil bonds, fertilizer bonds, food bonds, agricultural debt write off and extra financial liability that may entail due to implementation of Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. Between the Centre and States the actual fiscal deficit could well be over 10 percentage of the GDP, far beyond the FRBM targets fixed by the Govt. The trade deficit in the current year is expected to be over US$ 135 Billion as against $ 85 Billion of the previous year. Our IT exports growth is also decelerating because of the slow down of the US economy. Mishandling of the POL crisis has resulted in weakening of our Navaratna Petroleum companies and their market capitalization has been wiped off to the extent beyond Rs. 2, 50, 000/- crores.

Is money supply in our economy growing too fast? Monetary expansion is always a debatable proposition, particularly in a developing economy. Will faster growth in money supply (M3) lead to much faster rise in price level? Greater liquidity is required in the economy to finance ongoing development projects. There could be difference in the perceptions of the PM, FM and the Governor of RBI on these sensitive matters. Ultimately, on monetary policies the RBI should set the final agenda. But our problem is that our RBI is not as independent as Central Banks in other countries. There is no doubt that few economic forces can match the distinctive power of inflation in an economy. Even though serious discussion is always held inside the country on achieving reasonable price stability in the economy, none would argue for zero inflation in India. Removal of inflation totally out of the system will have painful consequences for growth, jobs and investments. A creeping level of inflation, say 1-3 % may be the most desirable objective.

Whenever there is crunch in the economy, the Govt. usually starts an economy drive by imposing a mandatory cut in Non-Plan expenditure by 10 to 15%. But its impact peters down as soon as the situation improve. What is required is an ongoing war against wastage of public expenditure by all Govt. departments. All departments should aim at greater productivity and explore their own potential for internal resource mobilization efforts for meeting their rising expenditure and ease budgetary pressure on the MoF. The GOI should be more pragmatic and clearly lay down that no project can survive unless it is economically viable and every project should be judged with output as the yard stick for financing it, rather than the inputs.

In short what all should be done for effective inflation management? The following specific measures are suggested-

i) The RBI should be statutorily made independent of any political interference to ensure low and stable inflation on a long term perspective. RBI is not to be saddled with too many economic objectives.
ii) Exchange rate must be allowed to adjust to the flexibility of the market. RBI should not be asked to control the exchange rate artificially.RBI cannot control both prices and exchange rates as these goals are in conflict with each other.
iii) Control the wage-price spiral indirectly by allowing the rupee to appreciate in due course in tune with the intrinsic growth of the economy so that the purchasing power of our currency appreciate.

India’s currency management.

History of Indian currency.
India was one of the earliest issuers of coins (circa 6th century BC). The first "rupee" is believed to have been introduced by Sher Shah Suri (1486-1545), based on a ratio of 40 copper pieces (paisa) per rupee. Historically, the rupee, derived from the Sanskrit word raupya, which means silver, was a silver coin. This had severe consequences in the nineteenth century, when the strongest economies in the world were on the gold standard. The discovery of vast quantities of silver in the U.S. and various European colonies resulted in a decline in the relative value of silver to gold. Suddenly the standard currency of India could not buy as much from the outside world. This event was known as "the fall of the rupee."
In 1898, the rupee was tied to the gold standard through the British pound by pegging the rupee at a value of 1 shilling 4 pence (i.e., 15 rupees = 1 pound). In 1920, the rupee was increased in value to 2 shillings (10 rupees = 1 pound). However, in 1927, the peg was once more reduced, this time to 1 shilling 6 pence (13⅓ rupees = 1 pound). This peg was maintained until 1966, when the rupee was devalued and pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of 7.5 rupees = 1 dollar (at the time, the rupee became equal to 11.4 British pence). This peg lasted until the U.S. dollar was devalued in 1971.
The Indian rupee replaced the Danish Indian rupee in 1845, the French Indian rupee in 1954 and the Portuguese Indian escudo in 1961. Following independence in 1947, the Indian rupee replaced all the currencies of the previously autonomous states. Some of these states had issued rupees equal to those issued by the British (such as the Travancore rupee). Other currencies included the Hyderabad rupee and the Kutch kori.
In 1957, decimalisation occurred and the rupee was divided into 100 naye paise (Hindi for "new paise"). In 1964, the initial "naye" was dropped.
Convertibility-Exchange Control Management
Officially, the Indian rupee has a market determined exchange rate. However, the RBI trades actively in the currency market at the instance of GOI to impact effective exchange rates. Thus, the currency regime in place for the Indian rupee with respect to the US dollar is a de facto controlled exchange rate. This is sometimes called a dirty or managed float. Other rates such as the INR/EUR and INR/JPY have volatilities that are typical of floating exchange rates. It should be noted, however, that unlike China, successive administrations in India (through RBI) have not followed a policy of pegging the INR to a specific foreign currency at a particular exchange rate. RBI intervention in currency markets is ostensibly aimed at low volatility in the exchange rates, and not to take a view on the rate or direction of the Indian rupee in relation to other currencies.
Also affecting convertibility is a series of customs regulations restricting the import and export of rupees. Legally, foreign nationals are forbidden from importing or exporting rupees, while Indian nationals can import and export only up to Rs.5000 at a time, and the possession of 500 and 1000 rupee notes in Nepal is prohibited.
RBI also exercises a system of capital controls in addition to the intervention (through active trading) in the currency markets. On the current account, there are no currency conversion restrictions hindering buying or selling foreign exchange (though trade barriers do exist). On the capital account, foreign institutional investors have convertibility to bring money in and out of the country and buy securities (subject to certain quantitative restrictions). Local firms are able to take capital out of the country in order to expand globally. But local households are restricted in their ability to do global diversification. However, owing to an enormous expansion of the current account and the capital account, India is increasingly moving towards de facto full convertibility.

Chronology of currency related events after 1991
1991 - India began to lift restrictions on its currency. A series of reforms removed restrictions on current account transactions including trade, interest payments & remittances and on some capital assets-based transactions.
1997 - A panel set up to explore capital account convertibility recommended India move towards full convertibility by 2000, but timetable abandoned in the wake of the 1997-98 East Asian financial crisis.
2006 -The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, asks Finance Minister and the Reserve Bank of India to prepare a road map for moving towards capital account convertibility. The report that came about was sharply criticized by experts


Strengthening of Indian currency.

One of the methods suggested for improving the Indian economy is to strengthen the Indian currency and not allow it to weaken. Indian currency should be made to appreciate in its exchange rate, on its intrinsic strength. No doubt, then goods/services exported out of India would become more expensive. So it may hurt Indian exporters in the short run. At the same time it is good for importers and consumers in India as imported goods would become less expensive in the local currency. Likewise it would expensive to foreign tourists visiting India; but it would allow local residents to visit other countries less expensively.

How can we make the Indian currency stronger?

By adopting greater innovativeness in our manufacturing/service sector ,Indian currency could be made stronger. Innovativeness in our manufacturing sector means we start manufacturing world class products, resulting in greater exports at the cost we decide for these products (unlike the low cost IT services we export where only exchange rate decides the cost). Greater exports means greater demand for Indian goods and services abroad which means stronger Indian currency. Stronger Indian currency means India would become stronger economically.
The only reason for foreign companies to outsource backend process work to India now is due to weaker Indian currency. Why else are they outsourcing to India? Not because of their love for India? Why is US is prepared to lay off workers in their country in spite of protests by the local people? Weaker Indian currency means lower maintenance rates to US companies which in turn means more profit to them. If one company in a given field outsources their backend processes to India, all others in that field also will HAVE to outsource to cut down their costs… else they will lose out in competition.
IT exports alone cannot make India strong. The innovation has to happen in all the fields, including IT. Over 70% of Indian exports come from manufacturing/commodities sector, 20% from agricultural sector, at the same time India accounts for 2.5% of world’s services trade, and its doubling every year. IT itself is a relatively younger field, and we can as well have the advantage of the leadership here as it becomes a even more global phenomena, provided we plan it well. A product based approach that will make our economy independent of the currency value.
If Indian export trade is depending on weak rupee and not on quality and cost of our products/services, then India is destined to be doomed. We need to make quality products/services at competitive cost. Swiss watches or Volvo buses, British Rolls Royce, American GE, Japanese Sony, German Mercedes/BMW- all have a steady market of their own. They do not depend on the weak currency of their country for their exports. Stronger Rupee would facilitate creation of a stronger India .We need innovative product/services based Indian economy, independent of its weak currency for its exports. That alone will create a stronger India. The key is to remove the dependency on currency weakness for sustaining our exports.
India should start manufacturing products/services that the rest of the world would buy irrespective of what the rupee value is. Do not depend on those goods and services whose market demand depends only on a weaker rupee. For instance, instead of software services concentrate on software products. Software like OS, Compilers etc are just an example that gave for IT an industry status. We need to do the same in all sectors of our economy including agriculture, hardware, retail, etc. We need to create an economy which does not depend on the weak Rupee value to foster its exports. A stronger rupee will also stop brain drain. People go abroad to make quick money and then they come back and settle down here. A stronger rupee would mean no need to go abroad and use our brain skills to the benefit of India as well as other countries. Let the financial compensation granted to Indian scientists/technocrats in India be raised to match their productivity, and let them not be treated as inferior to generalist administrators. Then there would be no incentive for them to leave India.
What are the specific suggestions on our currency exchange management? Here are a few:-
i) Allow the Indian currency to appreciate on its intrinsic strength to 1947 level exchange rate in the course of next 10years.
ii) The agricultural/manufacturing/service sector of our economy should be developed through greater innovation/productivity so that the growth of our export sector does not depend on our currency weakness for its sustenance.
iii) Invest US$ 300 Billion of our reserves in the following ratio- 25% in Bullion Gold- another 25% in a basket of currencies in proportion to the currency of our world trade, 25% in sovereign securities and another 25% for creation of a sovereign Wealth Fund, which shall be utilized for investment in productive infrastructure facilities in India and abroad.