India has suffered throughout her history due the governing system getting rotten again and again caused by few common menaces’ like person/ family or caste centric feudalism and corruption. Let us go back in the history and see how these diseases weakened us as a society and made us vulnerable to either collapse of system or foreign invasions.
The first known empire which at one time even scared the army of the Alexander was of Nanda Empire of Magadha. The empire collapsed even without putting any resistance. The causes which were identified by the Chankya and historians are: 1. Corruption in all departments of Government including army seriously effecting security, wealth creation chain/ economy, and administration, 2. Insensitive and ineffective governance, 3. Lethargic and greedy Kings who were far away from the ground reality and masses, 4. Feudal character of society which was further divided on caste and religion lines, 5. Unjust system, 6. Poor level of training, equipment, capabilities and motivation of military unfit to face threats and wars and defend sovereignty, 7. Lopsided foreign policies always ignoring external threats.
Chankya could exploit the above weaknesses than prevailing in India and construct an Gupta empire out of ashes of Nanda,s. But the most unfortunate part was that in spite of Chankya laying a strong base for governance just in 3-4 generations our weaknesses again became prominent eating up the entire system like a termite. These cycles have been repeated many times in our history causing distress, humiliation and destruction of masses. The fate of empire of Chandragupta Vikramadiya, Kanishka, Harsha, turks and Moguls have been similar.
India has shown a character wherein among her rulers the greed sets in very fast leading to their unwillingness to sacrifice and disloyal behavior and it has always proved fatal for the growth of masses as one Rasthra ( I am not using the word nation as the meaning of Rasthra is different than the nation. The word Rathra is more inclusive and its essence is based on the soul of the culture).
The greed ridden selfish leadership unwilling to sacrifice and disloyal to everyone except to its own greed, has always exposed India to great dangers. Such leaders could be bought easily at the time of crisis creating miseries and downfalls of political systems. There is an unending list of Mir Kasims and Jaichand.
India negotiated its freedom in a non-violent way from the British Rule. Though Mahatma Gandhiji adopted a non-violet way of Satyagrah but the freedom of India could only be secured when congress agreed to support British in Second World War and asked Indians to join British Army. Lakhs of Indian soldiers died fighting in Europe defending England against German invasion. A tired and exhausted British had no choice except to handover powers to palatable Congress. Salute to those lakhs of soldiers who gave their life under a deal to serve British interests to secure freedom of India. Who says that Indian freedom has been gained without shedding a blood in non –violent manner? Can we forget the sacrifice of these soldiers who gave their lives under a deal between congress and British Empire?
We emerged as nation after giving lots of sacrifice. Can now we afford to expose ourselves to become victim of same weaknesses which always destroyed us? Let us analyze the present situation against the backdrop of weaknesses as identified by the Chankya?
1. Corruption. There is just no debate everyone accepts that our governing system is corrupt. Even the Supreme Court and our PM accepts this. So there is a lot of scope of more Mir Kasims and Jaichands breeding like mosquitoes in our system. There was confirmed report that during 71 wars with Pakistan one of the cabinet ministers was passing the information to CIA. Are we sure that with this level of corruption there are no more such people in our governments? Are we sure that our political system has not been hijacked by any of the foreign power? If not then why during the passing of nuclear bill in our parliament our MPs voted across? Was it on behest of any foreign power? Well circumstances indicate to its confirmation. It is a dangerous situation which might force India to grow under the shadow of superpowers and let it not become one. Corruption is killing us like cancer and is more dangerous than terrorism. If I have a choice to shoot a terrorist and a corrupt leader well I will first shoot the corrupt leader as it is he who is responsible for creating the circumstances where in a terrorist is born?
2. Insensitive and ineffective governance system. There is so much of frustration and negativity all around. Almost 40% of the country is on the war path due to insensitive and ineffective governance system. Political leaders and govt official are so arrogant and behave like one above the law. Our corporate show more interests in parking money abroad than re-investing in the overall growth. Our Kings were known to provide place with a bell for sufferer to approach the king directly. Today in democratic India there is no place in her capital for people to express their grievances.
3. Lethargic and greedy kings. See our political leaders. They lack energy. There is more cunningness in their eyes than a twinkle to serve people. For money and power they can change or destroy the parties and governments. There are no ideological loyalties forget about the national. Dalals have more say than the MPs within the parliament. The RS seats can be bought. The danger is so huge that our PM and parliament can be remote controlled. Our political leaders and senior pubic servants can be seen attending the darbars of rich corporate.
4. Political feudalism. Political parties are person or family run businesses. The divide and rule policy is being continued. The caste and religion based politics has more value than the national interests. Regional political parties are controlling the power equation at the centre. There is no internal democracy and publishing of balance sheet of funds. Trusts and NGOs have become the tools to create assets.
5. Unjust system. Lakhs of cases are pending in our courts. There is just no justice for a common citizen. It takes years and years to get one decision. What is a use of Kings if he cannot give justice in time to the poorest and the most helpless people? There is so much of corruption in our courts. Prosecution is controlled by corrupt administration and political system making courts further helpless. Where is the Justice?
6. Incapable and corrupt military. Corruption has already infested our military. Training standards are being compromised. The military decisions are taken by those having little knowledge of warfare. It is amazing to note that our parliament has just no control over issues related to war and military except passing the budget as it is presented. Our PM and cabinet can declare war risking the very existence of the country without referring his decision to the parliament and worst is that they do not sign any decree. Nowhere in the world has the national executive given so much of power over the issue as sensitive as war. Even the US president has to take sanction of Senate and all major military decisions are debated and controlled by them. In our country even a District Magistrate can requisition military without any reference to any govt. In London in spite of so much of riots their military has not been deployed. Question is that should our cabinet be given so much of powers ( except in extreme emergency – to be justified later in parliament) specially when we face danger of nuclear war? The equipment profile of military is so unbalanced as it fails to convey any serious threat to our enemies? It is a known fact our navy is struggling for warships, our air force has no enough air craft’s, our army has no enough war equipment and yet lakhs of crores rupees are being spent. There is just no thought process to balance out the expenditure to have a lean and fighting military with strategic mobility. The soldiers are so de-motivated that they are returning the medals after retirement. In a country which is struggling with in house insurgency, army officers are leaving job and working in humiliating positions in corporate and paid lesser. I know one nuclear submarine expert and naval officer looking for job here and there. I use to joke with him.. why don’t you send your CV to Iranians, I am sure they will make you the head of their project?
7. Weak foreign and security policy to take care of Indian interests and threats emerging in our region or globe. We have seen the impact of disturbances in Afghanistan, the whole region is burning and India is not left out. But we expect US or Russians to come and fix the disorder. We just pay some money and try to provide some expertise. We are not clear what will happen if US leaves Afghanistan. Are we prepared for Pakistan and China to take over the burden while we sit quietly making corrupt money out of greed? Can our foreign experts give us assurance that this kind of policy will ensure safety of India? Shouldn’t we reach out to Afghanistan and adopt more aggressive role even by using our military to resolve or balance out the situation? We always waited for foreign armies to come till Panipat (close to Delhi) and then thought of saving Delhi. We could never do it? Are we continuing with the same policy? Why Dawwod is alive? Why are we not getting him killed inside his own palace in Karachi by assassination or poisoning? Is it because he is helping our political leaders in parking their black money out of Swiss accounts ( 50% of the deposits have been taken out. Then where is the money gone).Why is the men like Dawood big friends of political leaders? Why are we not able to resolve disputes? Almost 30% plus boarders are disputed? Why are we not able to assure our neighbors about our intentions? Even a country like Nepal is against us? Why have we made our energy supply lines so insecure? Why not have we solved dispute with China and turned the table in our favor? Russia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Iran we need to balance out rather sacrificing our interests thinking US will take care of our problems? Are we sure? Are we thinking of progressing without the south Asian region developing? Where is the dynamism? Or our foreign policy people are just helping the movement of black money from one country to other with the help of people like Dawood?
What we see from above is that the situation is alarming. We are living under the danger of losing our freedom once again? Are we not responsible for freedom, safely and prosperity of our future generations? How can we be so selfish that we just think of accumulating money whatever way without thinking of nation? But it has happened in India many times. We are somehow vulnerable to greed driven corruption. It is our weakness and we need to take care of it. Times come when we deviate but there shall be mechanism by which we should be able to correct them. India is at a start point. The journey of progress which is being written by the people of India is showing sign of hope. We shall not let this hope die. Let the people specially youths be conscious of fact that yes we have the weakness of greed but yes we will take care of it. As long as this consciousness prevails in our minds, we shall continue to excel. Let us join hands to work for the cause of corruption free India but then let it start from balancing out greed in our minds. Let us support Anna.. It is beginning of the journey
Bhartah Uthisthah. Rise India Rise and shine..
Jai Bharat
