In hind side, any rational person who has studied India post independence can point out where the country has gone off the rails. The pertinent question to raise is, how can we (Indians) as a nation try and correct the course that is and surely will bring the destruction of the country. Successive governments have failed to pursue policies which are prudent and will lead to a more just and happier society. The problem lies with the people and the caliber of politicians we elect. There is no mechanism to hold our elected representatives responsible for their actions, and if there is, due to bribery and corruption, the retribution is not proportionate and the punishment meted out is minimized and the perpetrator is let off either scot free or minimally punished for grave and inexcusable abuses of power and un-compromisable misuse of their positions.
In order for India to succeed in building a nation where people feel that they are respected and that the government is democratic ( that is of the people for the people by the people) there needs to be a drastic change commencing from the top. The leaders who are elected should be selfless and work for the wellbeing of their constituents,.not to benefit themselves at the expense of the people who elected them to serve.There also needs to be accountability and mechanisms which work in order to punish and deter those who have ulterior motives. There should be an independent authority like an ombudsmen system where grievances are investigated and wrongdoers are brought to book. If an elected leader is found to be corrupt or failing in their responsibility to the people as a result of negligence or incompetence, then this person must be removed and another elected to fill his post. This should also be the yardstick for all government and civic services. Bribery and corruption and nepotism has no place in society and these so called dynasties (fake ones as such like the Nehru's Gandhi's etc) should not be tolerated and must be shunned. People must be elected on merit not on family name recognition which tends to foster the sense of entitlement. These are only the basics, the details of this should be expanded to cover all aspects of society. If India can rid itself of corruption, bribery, and nepotism, then there is no limit to what India can achieve. The welfare of the people must be foremost and if the people are happy, then the nation will thrive and prosper. Manuel ( Eddie) Tavares.
