Narrow casteism, destructive communalism, regressive communism, terrorism and naxalism, religious, region and ethical/racial divide, in my opinion, constitute major stumbling blocs for India’s rapid development path, towards becoming a developed and modern nation in the 21st Century. In all, it is the divided Indian society on narrow socio-political, cultural and language or other similar narrow divisions, the key burning issue facing India's development today.
Illiteracy and poverty still pose a major threat in India’s development path. Thus, even after more than sixty years of our independence, the Indian society is divided into ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’. This stark disparity between ‘people’ and ‘regions’ needs to be narrowed down by proper and effective governmental policies supported by vibrant civil society actions/initiatives. Solution lies in expanding opportunities in education and employment at all levels, which should be the priority of any government, both at the centre and states. Providing basic amenities to people and creating necessary infrastructure facilities for agriculture and industry across the country should be the goal of any government, to take India forward on developmental path to be one amongst the front line states in the world.
Terrorism and Naxalism constitute a very serious threat to the security and integrity of the country, which needs to be dealt with an iron hand by adopting well thought-out policies and strategies, rather than the existing half-hearted and piecemeal approach, to completely eliminate the menace. Managing the global economic slowdown, particularly its adverse effects on employment opportunities in the country is an important issue facing the country today. India needs a decisive government committed to the ideals of good governance, development and security with discrimination towards none. Only a unified nation, with balanced development, can forge ahead to realize its full potential. An attempt should be made to form a broad national consensus above party-lines between the important political parties of the country to effectively tackle these burning issues facing India of today.
The Indian Arts and Crafts journey so far has been enriching. It has been enriching for the country as a whole, for the arts & crafts community and for all of us as consumers of these traditional products. India’s experience, which was the first experience of evolving such an important and far-reaching programme, provided an example to many countries who emerged from colonialism into sovereign and independent countries to evolve their own programme. India was their resource and it shared its experience with them.
However, after more than fifty years of its evolution, Indian arts and crafts industry needs some soul-searching. Where are we headed? We need to examine the institutional structures and ask if this is the best method of functioning? What is the role of the government today and what should they be really doing? How valid are the overall structures and the divisions that had been made of the sector in 1954 in today’s context? Are not they superfluous expenditures which continue to be incurred by the government? How effective are the different marketing corporations and associations? Is their turnover less than one per cent of the total handled by the private sector? Should the government continue to handle these institutions or should there be an attempt made to hand it over either to the crafts associations or to the voluntary sector? For that matter, what is the role of the Crafts Council of India and other voluntary organizations? Do they provide a platform for the crafts persons? Are they performing their role of being the protectors and motivators for the sector? Are they functioning as the voice of the crafts persons?
Going forward from here needs answering these questions and finding proper solutions. The whole institutional paraphernalia related to arts and crafts industry in India needs streamlining, with incentives introduced to encourage this small and medium sector industry. This industry provides vocation and livelihood security to many marginalized sections of people in the Indian social set-up, which must be the prime object while adopting any policy and institutional changes in the country.
