Round The States

New Delhi, 30 September 2023

INDIA Bloc Unity

PUNJAB, WB, KERALA ADD DOUBT

By Insaf 

Developments in Punjab are putting a big question mark on the bonhomie projected by INDIA bloc for 2024. The Congress particularly is seeing red after AAP government in Punjab arrested its MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in Chandigarh on Thursday last in a 2015 drug trafficking case. President Kharge reacted with ‘we won’t tolerate injustice’ and AAP leadership shouldn’t be employing ‘BJP’s tool of vendetta politics’ against alliance constituents! Moreso, after Congress supported AAP over the Delhi Services Bill and objected in Rajya Sabha to MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha’s suspension. A Congress delegation also met Governor Purohit complaining against the ‘fake case.’ Khaira hit out at Chief Minister Mann accusing him of being ‘thirsty for my blood…It’s not politics of ‘badlav’ (change) but ‘badle dee rajniti’ (politics of revenge).’ This so as he was being summoned despite Supreme Court ‘staying the trial court proceedings against him in 2017’. Interestingly, within hours of his arrest, BJP too echoed Congress sentiment accusing AAP of misusing powers and indulging in revenge politics. The AAP claims action taken ‘as per law’. The issue confirms early cracks.   

Likewise, there’s TMC-Congress brawl in West Bengal, after Congress’ Kaustav Bagchi joined a protest rally in Kolkata on Wednesday last, of aspiring candidates for school jobs with BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari present. Obviously, TMC is spewing venom saying there’s ‘covert alliance’ among CPM, Congress and BJP in the state! Ironically, placards of INDIA bloc along with posters against TMC were in the rally. While Bagchi says he has ‘no problem taking part in any rally/programme against corrupt TMC,’ State party chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury sought to downplay it, saying he ‘must have gone there in personal capacity and not as Congress leader.’ But, however, adds ‘fighting against BJP doesn't mean we’ll turn a blind eye to TMC corruption’. Making TMC ask ‘do you support BJP in Bengal or not?’ While the spat will continue, Congress is caught in a heated debate with the CPI in Kerala. Talk of Rahul Gandhi retaining his Wayanad seat in 2024 has the Left insisting he mustn’t as the ‘alliance will be weakened if partners contest against each other.’ Congress insists firmly ‘it’s for the party to decide on its candidates.’ Time is essence and the bloc would do well not to kill it.

*                                               *                                               *                                   * 

AIADMK-BJP Break

It’s over. The AIADMK said goodbye to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) officially, peeved with the saffron party’s State leadership defaming Dravidian icon, Late CN Annadurai and Late Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, other than criticising its policies. The last straw perhaps was BJP President Nadda’s inaction over complaints against Annamalai’s ‘aggressive politics.’ On Monday last, the party at a meeting in its headquarters unanimously passed a resolution ‘breaking all ties with the BJP and NDA alliance from today. The BJP state leadership has been continuously making unnecessary remarks about our former leaders, our General Secretary K Palaniswami and our cadres for the past one year.’ The party sought an apology from Annamalai or that he be replaced if he didn’t. Plus, it said it would lead a separate front for 2024 polls, which was welcomed with firecrackers by cadres. The unexpected break is being seen as a setback to Modi’s national plans and thus the party now seeks a ‘status report’ on parting of ways. Will there be a rethink?  

*                                               *                                               *                                   * 

Mizo No To Centre

The MNF-led government in Mizoram has said a big no to Union Home Ministry’s directive to collect biometric data of Myanmar refugees in the State. It’s ‘discriminatory and violates human rights’, it reasons. The order to check ‘illegal migrants’ was issued first in April and in June the exercise was told be completed by September-end. While a pilot project was launched across all 11 districts, primarily relief camps where refugees are staying, Chief Minister Zoramthanga has decided not to go ahead, despite North Block now extending deadline to 31 March 2024, as requested by Manipur. Since 2021 military coup, “60,000 Myanmarese have taken refuge, government has provided all relief, children given free education, free mid-day meals etc, despite no funds from Centre’, says Mizo government, asserting it won’t stop.  Moreso, as Chin people in Myanmar share a common ethnicity with Mizos, and when borders were drawn by the British ‘some of our brothers and sisters got left behind’. However, with Assembly polls year-end, the exercise could turn into a hot political issue, which expectedly MNF would like to avoid. It’s an NDA partner and what happens after, is anybody’s guess.

*                                               *                                               *                                   * 

Imphal On The Boil

Normalcy returning in Manipur as claimed is not, rather its capital Imphal is on the boil again. Fresh violence broke out since Tuesday last after photos of bodies of two students missing, went viral on social media. Protests were led by hundreds of angry students and mobs vandalised DC’s office, tried to attack Chief Minister Biren Singh’s empty ancestral home, burnt vehicles—all despite curfew. Over 70 students and dozen-odd policemen were injured.  Seeking to calm tempers, the government set up a committee under IGP on Thursday last to verify complaints of ‘excessive use of force by security forces’ on students. On the other hand, security agencies have been warning that members of banned militant groups such as UNLF, PLA are becoming part of mobs and carrying out sneak attacks on security forces besides giving directions to agitators. While this is to be looked into, the Centre has ‘prematurely’ repatriated Srinagar Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Balwal, an expert in handling terror-related cases and was part of NIA team probing Pulwama attack, to Manipur cadre. Besides it has sent a CBI team to investigate the two brutal murders. The big question is will these measures instil confidence? Time for New Delhi to give a serious thought of replacing Biren, as demanded?  

*                                               *                                               *                                   * 

Construction ‘Ban’ In Joshimath

Declare the sinking town of Joshimath as ‘No New Construction Zone’ is an advice the Uttarakhand government shouldn’t ignore. The 35-member expert committee set up in January last has warned the future is worrisome, plus is firm against the pressure of permanent population growth in the temple town, which has risen in the last decade from 16,000 to 25,000. In its 324-page report, the Central Building Research Institute has declared 20% of the houses unusable, 42% requiring further valuation, 37% usable and 1% need demolition. It has questioned indiscriminate construction and proposed a review of principles of town planning for development of cities in mountainous regions of the Himalayan region here. The NDMA’s Post Disaster Needs Assessment report reveals the negative impact on environment from future large-scale reconstruction activities and suggests these, if at all, should be ‘green building-based, with proper technology and limited concrete.’ The CSIR, Roorkee, recommends developing a disaster-resilient model town to rehabilitate people displaced from Joshimath. The list is long, every bit of the reports should be read and acted upon. No more taking risks. ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Round The States

New Delhi, 30 September 2023

INDIA Bloc Unity

PUNJAB, WB, KERALA ADD DOUBT

By Insaf 

Developments in Punjab are putting a big question mark on the bonhomie projected by INDIA bloc for 2024. The Congress particularly is seeing red after AAP government in Punjab arrested its MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in Chandigarh on Thursday last in a 2015 drug trafficking case. President Kharge reacted with ‘we won’t tolerate injustice’ and AAP leadership shouldn’t be employing ‘BJP’s tool of vendetta politics’ against alliance constituents! Moreso, after Congress supported AAP over the Delhi Services Bill and objected in Rajya Sabha to MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha’s suspension. A Congress delegation also met Governor Purohit complaining against the ‘fake case.’ Khaira hit out at Chief Minister Mann accusing him of being ‘thirsty for my blood…It’s not politics of ‘badlav’ (change) but ‘badle dee rajniti’ (politics of revenge).’ This so as he was being summoned despite Supreme Court ‘staying the trial court proceedings against him in 2017’. Interestingly, within hours of his arrest, BJP too echoed Congress sentiment accusing AAP of misusing powers and indulging in revenge politics. The AAP claims action taken ‘as per law’. The issue confirms early cracks.   

Likewise, there’s TMC-Congress brawl in West Bengal, after Congress’ Kaustav Bagchi joined a protest rally in Kolkata on Wednesday last, of aspiring candidates for school jobs with BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari present. Obviously, TMC is spewing venom saying there’s ‘covert alliance’ among CPM, Congress and BJP in the state! Ironically, placards of INDIA bloc along with posters against TMC were in the rally. While Bagchi says he has ‘no problem taking part in any rally/programme against corrupt TMC,’ State party chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury sought to downplay it, saying he ‘must have gone there in personal capacity and not as Congress leader.’ But, however, adds ‘fighting against BJP doesn't mean we’ll turn a blind eye to TMC corruption’. Making TMC ask ‘do you support BJP in Bengal or not?’ While the spat will continue, Congress is caught in a heated debate with the CPI in Kerala. Talk of Rahul Gandhi retaining his Wayanad seat in 2024 has the Left insisting he mustn’t as the ‘alliance will be weakened if partners contest against each other.’ Congress insists firmly ‘it’s for the party to decide on its candidates.’ Time is essence and the bloc would do well not to kill it.

*                                               *                                               *                                   * 

AIADMK-BJP Break

It’s over. The AIADMK said goodbye to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) officially, peeved with the saffron party’s State leadership defaming Dravidian icon, Late CN Annadurai and Late Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, other than criticising its policies. The last straw perhaps was BJP President Nadda’s inaction over complaints against Annamalai’s ‘aggressive politics.’ On Monday last, the party at a meeting in its headquarters unanimously passed a resolution ‘breaking all ties with the BJP and NDA alliance from today. The BJP state leadership has been continuously making unnecessary remarks about our former leaders, our General Secretary K Palaniswami and our cadres for the past one year.’ The party sought an apology from Annamalai or that he be replaced if he didn’t. Plus, it said it would lead a separate front for 2024 polls, which was welcomed with firecrackers by cadres. The unexpected break is being seen as a setback to Modi’s national plans and thus the party now seeks a ‘status report’ on parting of ways. Will there be a rethink?  

*                                               *                                               *                                   * 

Mizo No To Centre

The MNF-led government in Mizoram has said a big no to Union Home Ministry’s directive to collect biometric data of Myanmar refugees in the State. It’s ‘discriminatory and violates human rights’, it reasons. The order to check ‘illegal migrants’ was issued first in April and in June the exercise was told be completed by September-end. While a pilot project was launched across all 11 districts, primarily relief camps where refugees are staying, Chief Minister Zoramthanga has decided not to go ahead, despite North Block now extending deadline to 31 March 2024, as requested by Manipur. Since 2021 military coup, “60,000 Myanmarese have taken refuge, government has provided all relief, children given free education, free mid-day meals etc, despite no funds from Centre’, says Mizo government, asserting it won’t stop.  Moreso, as Chin people in Myanmar share a common ethnicity with Mizos, and when borders were drawn by the British ‘some of our brothers and sisters got left behind’. However, with Assembly polls year-end, the exercise could turn into a hot political issue, which expectedly MNF would like to avoid. It’s an NDA partner and what happens after, is anybody’s guess.

*                                               *                                               *                                   * 

Imphal On The Boil

Normalcy returning in Manipur as claimed is not, rather its capital Imphal is on the boil again. Fresh violence broke out since Tuesday last after photos of bodies of two students missing, went viral on social media. Protests were led by hundreds of angry students and mobs vandalised DC’s office, tried to attack Chief Minister Biren Singh’s empty ancestral home, burnt vehicles—all despite curfew. Over 70 students and dozen-odd policemen were injured.  Seeking to calm tempers, the government set up a committee under IGP on Thursday last to verify complaints of ‘excessive use of force by security forces’ on students. On the other hand, security agencies have been warning that members of banned militant groups such as UNLF, PLA are becoming part of mobs and carrying out sneak attacks on security forces besides giving directions to agitators. While this is to be looked into, the Centre has ‘prematurely’ repatriated Srinagar Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Balwal, an expert in handling terror-related cases and was part of NIA team probing Pulwama attack, to Manipur cadre. Besides it has sent a CBI team to investigate the two brutal murders. The big question is will these measures instil confidence? Time for New Delhi to give a serious thought of replacing Biren, as demanded?  

*                                               *                                               *                                   * 

Construction ‘Ban’ In Joshimath

Declare the sinking town of Joshimath as ‘No New Construction Zone’ is an advice the Uttarakhand government shouldn’t ignore. The 35-member expert committee set up in January last has warned the future is worrisome, plus is firm against the pressure of permanent population growth in the temple town, which has risen in the last decade from 16,000 to 25,000. In its 324-page report, the Central Building Research Institute has declared 20% of the houses unusable, 42% requiring further valuation, 37% usable and 1% need demolition. It has questioned indiscriminate construction and proposed a review of principles of town planning for development of cities in mountainous regions of the Himalayan region here. The NDMA’s Post Disaster Needs Assessment report reveals the negative impact on environment from future large-scale reconstruction activities and suggests these, if at all, should be ‘green building-based, with proper technology and limited concrete.’ The CSIR, Roorkee, recommends developing a disaster-resilient model town to rehabilitate people displaced from Joshimath. The list is long, every bit of the reports should be read and acted upon. No more taking risks. ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Economic Highlights

New Delhi, 2 October 2023

Indian Macros ‘Charm’

US BONDS HOLD UP MANY GAINS

By Shivaji Sarkar 

Developments and statistics about India’s growth are interesting. Various contrary figures indicate a queer pitch. While global financial services group Nomura upgrades India’s rating over “strong macro”, start-ups see 72 per cent funding fall in January-September, top 75 Indian brands see 4 per cent dip in value even as India Inc. is worried over the staggering growth in illicit trade. 

Not less interesting are the stock market figures. As number of IPOs, new equities hit multi-year high on good valuations and pricing, Mumbai Sensex continues its selling spree on cues, losing over 2200 points in less than a week. Like Nomura, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs also upgraded India to “overweight” from neutral ‘on the back of strong macro-economic fundamentals’.  Nomura, however, says there could be some cyclical slowdown in the next few months. Still there is “long-term structural attractiveness of India”. The jargon is not easy to comprehend. 

Amid these, Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) exits two energy companies-- Adani Green Energy and Adani Energy Solutions, earlier was known Adani Transmission. The IHC is selling the stakes of Rs 7700 crore it invested in these two companies. It will clock a loss of Rs 1831 crore in Adani Green and Rs 2545 crore in Adani Energy. It also has stake of Rs 9934 crore in Adani Enterprises. 

A Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) report on India’s illicit flows of 5 per cent of GDP based on data from United Nations Office on drugs & Crime (UNDOC) and Global Financial Integrity by Ford Foundation has caused jitters among the Indian businesses. Prior to this, a UNDOC report of 2011, was the most widely quoted figure for the extent of money-laundering as the International Monetary Fund’s consensus range of between 2.5 per cent of global GDP or $1.6 trillion announced in 1998. The UNDOC analysis suggests that all criminal proceeds then were likely to have amounted to some 3.6 per cent of the GDP (2.3 – 5.5per cent) or around $2.1 trillion in 2009. 

The FICCI report says, “Trade-based money laundering in India soared to a whopping $674.9 billion for the 10-year period from 2009 to 2018, which reflects the magnitude of illicit trade that has emerged as a major threat to the country’s economy and security”.  

“Based on UNDOC estimates, when the Indian economy surpassed the $3 trillion mark in 2021, the quantum of money laundering in the country can be estimated at $159 billion which is around 5 per cent of the GDP. This accentuates the magnitude of the problem driven by the rise in illicit markets (trade, illegal drugs, arms etc.) and non-market actors.” 

It cites recent data provided by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to illustrate India’s substantial trade gap due to mis-invoicing and highlights the growing illicit trade. Smuggling in India report 2021-22 identified 437 instances of duty evasion totalling Rs3,924 crore, which was a 40 per cent jump from the corresponding figure of Rs 2,810 crore in 2020-21. 

Currently India’s illicit trade gap as estimated by Global Financial Integrity (GFI) is 20 per cent, or about $300 billion when the country’s economy reaches the $5 trillion-dollar mark. FICCI has flagged this as a major concern as its study shows that illicit trade is directly linked with organised crime and terrorism. The study also cites the examples of various countries worldwide in this regard. “The convergence of trade-based money laundering with terrorism raises significant concerns for our national security,” the report observes. 

Counterfeiting and illicit goods in India pose significant risks, including financial risks, public health threats in the case of fake pharma products and intellectual property issues as well, the report points out. 

The Global Organised Crime Index (2021) shows low prevalence of organised crime actors, in India but the criminal network has significant influence, with a score of six which is higher than the average score of five for 122 countries. 

Though it is not clear whether such activities are impacting start-up fundings or not, it has been observed that the dearth in the availability of easy money has stranded many start-up ventures. It has fallen by 72 per cent to $ 6.6 billion between January and September, according to Tracxn market research company. Earlier the start-ups had garnered $23 billion. Many cash strapped companies have laid off employees. 

Similarly, a study by leading data, insights and consulting company Kantar reveals that 75 Indian brands valuation declined by 4 per cent to $79 billion this year. This is in addition to the losses of value of “100 most valuable global brands” in 2022-2023. The overseas contribution for the top 30 Indian brands accounts for 31 per cent of branded value, compared with 47 per cent for Japan, 59 per cent of UK, and 85 per cent for France. 

As the US interest rates firm up, the foreign portfolio investors are selling Indian equities leading to a continuous fall in the Sensex. The US bond yields have become lucrative. The US Fed decision has helped it get back global investments and causing fund crunch for countries like India. A high inflationary Indian economy, with oil and dollar price surging, grapples to keep its level. 

It is no wonder that in such scenario initial public offerings are doing well and reaching a multi-year high. So far 166 companies have launched IPOs compared to 164 in 2022-23. Even the large companies have floated many IPOs. In terms of money raised, so far this year it could get Rs 30,090 crore or a quarter of Rs 1.1 lakh crore raised in 2021-22, when large offers such as from Paytm, Zomato, Star Health and Nykas hit the market. 

However, the largest IPO in the country, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), failed to meet investors’ expectations. The LIC launched for Rs 940 still is below 31 per cent its sale value. Possibly, the discussion about selling of its stakes did not help it. The US rate hikes have also turned away many foreign investors. The foreign funds selling led to net outflow of Rs 18000 crore in less than a month. 

The FICCI report cites recent data provided by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to illustrate India’s substantial trade gap due to mis-invoicing and highlights the growing illicit trade. Smuggling in India report 2021-22 identified 437 instances of duty evasion totalling Rs 3,924 crore, which was a 40 per cent jump from the corresponding figure of Rs2,810 crore in 2020-21. 

This is not to say India lacks the strength as Nomura and Morgan Stanley point out. However, to strike a continuous growth and gains, India has to gird up and move beyond mere projections.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Open Forum

New Delhi, 4 October 2023

Remembering Gandhi

REAL INDIA IN VILLAGES!

By Dhurjati Mukherjee 

The nation celebrated Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary and pledging to fulfil his dreams. And while there’s no denying the country has made strides becoming the fifth largest economy in the world, it is worth recalling his vision that ‘the future of India lies in its villages’, among others. Questions thus rightly continue to be raised about what has changed for the 64.13% of population in rural India, how much progress has been made in reconstructing villages and whether the conditions of the deprived and backward sections of society continue to reek of despair? 

Addressing virtually a ‘Kshetriya Panchayati Raj Parishad’ of local body members drawn from several States, Prime Minister Modi had recently said the lamp of development has to be lit up in every village, tehsil and district to make India a developed country by 2047. And that ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ is not merely a slogan for the BJP and development initiatives must be turned into a mass movement. 

Whether he gave what could be termed a political speech without delving into the problem or whether he genuinely wanted to change his strategy with a rural thrust remains to be seen. Modi did not spell out the government’s priorities and plans in this regard and the possible steps that were intended to be taken in future to improve the condition of the villages. The neglect of the rural sector has been highlighted by economists’ time and again as also the urban bias in Indian planning. 

It has been stated that the government’s policies helped 13.5 crore people out of poverty but what has not been stated is the addition of population during this period and the percentage decline in poverty rates. Moreover, those who have crossed the poverty line are obviously in the EWS group, whose conditions are also not very encouraging. Though statistics reveal that under the Modi government’s MUDRA loan scheme, Rs 23 lakh crore has been distributed to create eight crore new entrepreneurs, out of which about 51 percent of the beneficiaries are from SC/ST or OBC categories, it has been found that this has had little effect on the lowest tiers of society, specially in rural areas. 

There is a tendency to forget how much of the Indian population lives in villages. If that is taken into consideration as also the conditions existing in the backward districts and sub-divisions of the country, the Union budget without any doubt would have to allocate more resources to rural areas. Sadly, the Rural Development Ministry was allocated Rs 1,57,545 crore for 2023-24, around 13% less than the estimated expenditure made by it. Besides, fund allocation for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme (MGNREGS), which provides guaranteed 100 days of wage employment per year to at least one member of every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work, too was cut by almost one-third. This is inadequate when wages are increasing and, as per calculations, the funds allocated to States can’t provide employment for not more than 35-40 days. 

Additionally, there was no raise for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna which remained as last budget at Rs 19,000 crore, while there was only a marginal increase for National Livelihood Mission – Ajeevika to Rs 14,129.17 crore, compared to revised estimate of Rs 13,336.42 crore in last budget. Regrettably, the arm-chair economists and planners oppose what is called welfare expenditure and try to draw parallels with the Western world without realising that in our country there is a very large segment who are either below the poverty line or marginally above it. The present allocation of funds for rural areas will not make the villages self-sufficient, as envisaged by Gandhiji and leaves much to be desired. 

At the same time, in the past decade adequate while attention has been given towards improving overall infrastructure specially for roads and railways, the social infrastructure, specially health and education, has remained neglected in the remote villages and backward areas of the country. A well-planned strategy with financial support is imperative at this juncture to bring about the much-needed socio-economic transformation of the villages and improve the incomes of the rural masses.  

Rural transformation signifies a major shift in rural formation. Such transformation may be defined as process of transition which signifies a major shift in the entire rural formation. This denotes the successive changing patterns conceived in rural settings -- in its structure, form and character, both in positive and negative directions. Sociologists as well as economists are of the opinion that the pace of social restructuration, the emergence of new classes, decline of traditional cultural institutions also rural incomes are quite significant phenomenon that needs to be seriously investigated. 

In evolving a policy of transition in rural society, it is vital to delve deep into the vision of our late President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam relating to PURA that is, Providing Urban Facilities in Rural Areas, which is very much in the Gandhian spirit. He visualised that India needed 7000 PURAs covering more than six lakh villages. The theme of PURA has been focussed on agro processing, developing local crafts, dairy farming, fishing and silk production so that non-farm revenue could be enhanced, based on the core competency of the region. Moreover, he pointed out that the economy would be driven by sources of renewable energy such as sun, wind, biofuels and the conversion of municipal waste from power. The entire plan of Dr Kalam has been geared towards increasing micro-scale manufacturing in rural areas to achieve sustainable development, using the core potential of the rural sector. 

At this juncture, the question is how much of it has been accomplished? As pointed out earlier, the government’s thrust has unfortunately not been on the scale necessary to improve social and physical infrastructure in the villages. No doubt renewable energy has got a thrust but what about ensuring better livelihood for the masses? What about energising the agricultural sector and making it a key area of exports? 

Another aspect of the rural transformation process to be effective calls for putting an end to discrimination and deprivation, specially among castes. The relationship of peasantry caste with the agricultural working classes, the lowest castes and the Harijans is increasingly that of aggressiveness and antipathy. This is being reciprocated by the lower castes and working classes as well, leading to a sharp decline in the cultural ethos of rural society. This is indeed tragic that there is conflict in policies of protective discrimination and the weaker sections do not accept the legitimacy of the so-called reform measures. 

There is thus an urgent need for rethinking in formulating our socio-economic strategy with focus on invigorating the rural economy, as envisaged by Gandhiji long back. There must be a thrust on making the villages self-sufficient and promoting agro-based and cottage industries in a bigger way that could generate employment. With population increasing at a rapid pace, the economic strategy should focus on the rural sector where micro-level units could ensure employment. Additionally, rural health and education need to be upgraded so that the lower segments of society can avail the benefits of growth. A holistic plan, rather than piecemeal schemes, would be the best tribute to the father of the nation. Real India is in the villages.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)