India Divided- Major Stumbling Blocs for India’s Rapid Development Path

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 21^st 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.