Recently I was watching television news debate on the increasing influence of Naxals. There were 3 people who were speaking against and one in favor of them. While use of violence by Naxals cannot be justified, Ignorant and diffident attitude of Indian Government towards some specific tribes and areas cannot be justified either.
But how does this all relate to capitalism? Is there any connection between capitalism and Naxalism? Answer is yes. Before moving further into this saga let us first try to understand the structure of our Democracy and the challenges our Nation is facing.
India is a democratic country and people here enjoy various kinds of freedoms like: freedom of speech, freedom of vote, freedom of ownership and many more. In contrast if we look at a communist country like China, things will differ a lot. People there don’t have a right to choose their leaders. They are expected to believe in the government and its decisions. If they have any opinion different then the government they are scrutinized and if found improper or anti Government they are punished also.
Now if we have to choose between the China’s communist system of Governance and India’s democratic setup. Which one is better?
To arrive at any conclusion let us first analyze the socio-economic condition of both the countries. China leads India by a mile in terms of economic development. It is called the Manufacturing Hub of the world and is also fast catching up India in the IT services playground. Lately India was the preferred choice of outsourcing countries because of the command of the Indians on English Language. Today Chinese are also fast catching up. Mass English speaking classes are being organized all over the country to prepare the vibrant youth of china, which understands only one religion and that is Money.
China has far better Infrastructure than India. Better Bridges, Roads, Transport are examples of their supremacy compared to the same in India. If poverty is what we define as families living on less than 40 INR a day and falling short of meeting the basic requirements of food, medical and schools in India, the same poverty does not exists in china at all.
If you go into the most remote areas of north china, the families will be having Television, scooters and other basic amenities apart from the adequate food supplies. The credit to all this goes to the communist system of China. Most of the people in China do not own properties; they have only rights to use the property. This practice keeps a check on the kind of Land Sharks very much Infamous in India. We cannot conclude that there is no corruption in the system. But In spite of corruption things move very fast in China. Anyone who has been to China before and After Beijing Olympics will be able to realize and appreciate the efficacy of the Chinese Communist System.
Coming back to India, Some 25% of its population falls below the poverty line and some 42 % of the population falls below the international poverty line which is $1.25 a day. There are people who are not able to reach the basic needs like: food, medicine and shelter. Leave alone the possibilities of education to their children. They live in absolute abject desperation which forces them to eat things like grass, mud and corpses of animals. Moreover when they find no way out of this pathetic situation they take up arms against government or commit suicide.
Consider these two scenarios:
1)
Somewhere in a remote village in Bihar, A family was starving as they had no money to buy some food. Rain God was merciless and there was nothing for them to go and sell in the market. Head of the family returned home with a corpse of a Goat. Digged out from a nearby field. Out of desperation, the family cooks and eats the dead animal. All of the family members died by eating the rotten meat.
2) On the same day, a party was happening in a famous five star Hotel. It was a star studded party with WWW (Wine, Woman and Wealth) and high profile guests like: Cricketers, Politicians, Actors, and Models etc.
There was enough food and lot of it was wasted. Even if a small amount of it has been provided to the family mentioned above, we could have saved their lives.
If we discuss this in TV debate, most of the elite community will come in support of IPL and other such organization. They will say that we are a Democratic country and Individuals have rights to do business in the way they want.
We are a Democratic country but we are not a developed country. Primary Objective of all sections and organizations in India is to work synergetically for the upliftment of the underprivileged. All of us should focus on creating opportunity for them so that they can earn their living.
IPL is the worst example of Capitalism and there is no room for this kind of unnecessary event in India. Government of India has to tighten up the screws of bodies like IPL who are exploiting the emotions of people of India. Our hard earned money is being channelized into the coffers of these self-proclaimed Commissioners and CEO’s. Ironically they don’t even pay taxes.
IPL has sold broadcast right for 10 years for some 20000 crore INR. Most of which will be used for the development of people belonging to IPL or their relatives. Had this body being governed by Indian Government at least some amount could have reached to the one that deserves it.
So we have to take the positives of the communist system of China and very carefully complement our system with the same. Let us first reach a level without compromising with the lives of our Proletarian. If we continue to live in Hubris and always turn a Nelson’s Eye to the problem of the poor while citing the excuse of Capitalism and Development, I am afraid to say that we will not be any different from the British who colonized and exploited India for their personal gains.
