Page 12 - EW September 2025 Final

Editorial

INDEPENDENCE DAY ANGUISH & ANGER independent India’s social infra-
structure. Simultaneously diplomatic
failure to settle inherited boundary
he 79th anniversary of india’s India’s citizens, life is nasty, brutish demarcation issues with neighbour
independence from almost and too long. The centrally planned, nations has prompted heavy annual
T200 years of debilitating Brit- inorganic socialist economic devel- defence outlays (5 percent of GDP).
ish rule has come and gone. From the opment model ill-advisedly adopted Coterminously, sustained control
ramparts of Delhi’s iconic Red Fort, by newly independent India seven and command of private sector busi-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi duti- decades ago killed the subcontinent’s ness, industry and commerce even
fully delivered his 12th Independence native spirit of free enterprise. As a after liberalization in 1991, has dis-
Day address to the nation. result, 79 years later, high-potential heartened India’s 430 million produc-
Undoubtedly the carefully choreo- India which was expected to lead oth- tive middle and elite classes who are
graphed annual August 15 celebra- er newly independent nations of the exiting the country in droves.
tions following Republic Day which Third World towards peace and pros- For over 25 years your editors
includes a military parade with contin- perity, is ranked among the world’s have been continuously advancing
gents of the army, navy and air force poorest (per capita income: $2,600 cf. the proposition that root and branch
followed by civilian tableaux of states America’s $85,000 and neighbouring reform of India’s education system —
of the Indian Union marching past the China’s $13,300) and most illiterate from preschool to Ph D — is the magic
President’s podium, is an emotions- countries (over 45 percent of class VII formula to calm the sea of troubles
arousing display of national unity children in 1.10 million public schools submerging the general populace.
amid diversity. But for aware citizens can’t read class II textbooks in any Strong universal foundational edu-
it also represents window dressing, language), worldwide. cation followed by robust primary-sec-
concealing crushed aspirations and Several other policy wrong turns ondary education spared government
dreams of more than 1 billion citizens and missed opportunities generate over-regulation, and autonomous
obliged to eke out desperate lives even anguish and anger on Independence higher education institutions led by
as political leaders repeatedly make Day. Failure of pampered PSEs (pub- academics selected on merit, is the
extravagant promises practised more lic sector enterprises) to generate the golden key for unlocking the potential
in the breach than observance. promised surpluses for investment in of an inherently talented populace to
The plain, unvarnished truth is that public health, education, law and or- rise again and realise the unfulfilled
for the great majority of independent der and justice systems has crippled promises of Independence Day.

HEAVY PRICE OF PARLIAMENT DISRUPTION loosely drafted laws prompt litigation
which has clogged India’s justice sys-
tem.
In addition when parliamentary
t’s a question that’s been asked Gandhi, the official LoP (Leader of business is obstructed, huge financial
many times, ad nauseam. Yet it Opposition) in the Lok Sabha — were loss is suffered by the public exche-
Ineeds to be posed again. Why are insistent that the issue of the Special quer. According to a 2012 calculation
India’s enviably remunerated Mem- Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral by the Delhi-based PRS Legislative
bers of Parliament, comfortably rolls of Bihar where legislative as- Research, every hour of parliamenta-
housed in clean-green Lutyens Delhi sembly elections are scheduled for ry time lost due to ‘non-sitting’ costs
and showered with generous allow- November, be given debate priority. Rs.25 lakh by way of wasted direct
ances (free-of-charge air and rail This demand was backed by orches- expenditure (MPs’ allowances, staff
travel, petrol, telecom, secretarial etc) trated pandemonium questioning the salaries, infrastructure maintenance
so irresponsible? More pertinently, integrity of the Election Commission and operational expenses). Adjusted
why are they permitted — by public of India. Other issues on which LoP for inflation the current cost per hour
opinion and the law — to disrupt the RaGa and his chorus demanded im- lost is an estimated Rs.33 lakh. In the
constitutionally mandated debate and mediate out-of-turn debate were Op- recent monsoon session the Lok Sab-
legislation business of the Lok Sabha eration Sindoor and alleged misuse of ha lost 84 of its scheduled 120 hours,
and Rajya Sabha? Central investigation agencies. and the Rajya Sabha 70, inflicting an
In the recently concluded Monsoon Such disrespectful behaviour sets a aggregate loss of Rs.496 crore upon
session of Parliament (July 21-August bad example for a nation which hosts the exchequer. That’s an opportunity
14), the Lok Sabha conducted national the world’s largest youth popula- cost of constructing 50 rural primary
business for only 37 of its scheduled tion and is a betrayal of the trust re- schools.
120 hours; and the Rajya Sabha, 41 posed by the electorate in MPs. And Wasting parliamentary time is not
hours. Despite the Speaker’s repeated when parliamentary proceedings are a Congress disease. During the rule of
pleas, parliamentary proceedings were disrupted, bunched legislation is en- the Congress-led UPA II government
disrupted by Congress and opposition acted into law with minimal debate (2009-14), of the scheduled 1,100 par-
MPs. Their grievance was against the and scrutiny. Bureaucrats insert wide liamentary hours 352 were wasted be-
sequence in which issues of national discretionary powers for themselves cause of disruption by the BJP/NDA
importance should be discussed. For in legislation, opening gates for cor- parties. Grow up guys. Do your work
instance they — in particular Rahul ruption and rent-seeking. Moreover with due diligence or quit.

12 EDUCATIONWORLD SEPTEMBER 2025