Speaker : I welcome you all to the Youth Parliament. Today.. parliament will discuss on the subject - India's tryst with destiny. Honorable members of parliament.. I declare the House as open.
Speaker : I would now request the members of the ruling party to express their stand on the subject followed by the members of opposition.
Sumit Kumar Rana
IIM Shillong
(For the Motion- member of the Ruling Party)
Honorable speaker,
I will be speaking for the motion i.e. from the ruling party.
Tryst is a word of common usage when we talk of destiny. But, I still made it a point to refer dictionary to really understand if my perception of the word was right. When I did that, I surely was amused. One of the meanings is- "a secret meaning between two lovers".
That is where we stand. Our tryst with destiny has begun although secretly. We, as a nation, have really taken giant strides in the fields which were considered black box for the people from the land of snake charmers. We are the leaders in information technology. We have done commendably well in areas of space exploration & nuclear power, more importantly without any major cooperation from the so called crucible of the God, the land of innovations America. Our corporate has struck deals which have bamboozled financial experts in the west. That's only one thing- a job well done.
Our meeting with destiny is still a secret. We still don't have that chest thumping confidence which enables countries like US to say that they are the 'Super Powers'. Acknowledged, agreed. But if we look at the situations which our country has been through over the past sixty decades, I find that our achievements have only been glorified by the obstacles which time has posed in front of us. Three wars, a troubled neighborhood, riots, caste, color, religion, dirty politics, bad infrastructure, corruptions all in all a great recipe for disaster. But we have survived and survived towards excellence. That's the achievement. That is the tryst with destiny, I am talking about.
Our problems are uncountable but our achievements are no less. Only if we sit down and list them. It's all about the belief we share that we are the change. A change that will bring food to empty stomachs, education to the illiterate, nutrition to the impoverished, good crops to poor farmers, roads to forlorn places, light to the places engulfed in darkness. Only if we are ready to strive for it!!
After 43 years of pro-socialist economy, we opened up to the world and opened up a land which offered opportunities. A mass consumer group, a spending middle class group and much more. Similarly the need of the hour is "political reform" which will strengthen our bond with destiny.
We can crib about our problems all day but problem will remain the same. What will bring a change is the change in mindset. I would just like to substantiate with one simple example: not many years ago we blamed our population for everything. How many times we do it now. I hope many will agree, hardly have we discussed. It is now our greatest asset: our young human resource. This is the change I am laying stress on, solution of the problems lies not in the problem but somewhere else. We just need to find the key to unlock our potential. And our tryst with destiny is only a beginning of a great romantic epic that will unfold over the next century before the world. Just we need to have some patience.
That is the day I wait for!!
Mohit Arora
EIL
(For the Motion- member of the Ruling Party)
At the time of independence, Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the speech that when everybody sleeps in the world, India will rise to freedom and life and that was true India had gained the independence from brutal ruling of the British for over 400 years. Well one can imagine that country so deprived before independence has made progress in such leaps and bounds so there has to have some vacuum in that and i.e. even acceptable. What we have gained in 60 years are the things that we should be proud of… whether in case of Technology sector, Industrial sector and foreign investment. I strongly criticize those who say that the achievements are not big enough. But what I say is there is no point of being cynical and critical about the achievements of the Golden Bird.
When we say India is an IT hub, it means we are talking about millions of people involved in this sector who are involved in the profession which contributes 50 percent to our GDP i.e. the services sector. We have not only emerged as the strong country but playing a vital role in the world economy. India has the maximum number of English speaking population which gives it an edge over the other countries in terms of foreign investments and industrial set ups. Yes there are developments in the urban sector as compared to the rural sector but now the things are slowly but steadily changing in the rural areas as well. This can be exemplified by various measures taken by the corporate giants like ITC starting up services for Indian farmers (program named echopal) therefore it is true that development has to start somewhere and extend its horizons in the later stages and in different parts. Nobody had ever thought before Globalization, liberalization and privatization i.e. in 1990 that we will be making such great progress so why can't we set up targets for us now for another 20-30 years.
Progress is there which we can see in every part and aspect of life, but we have to implement certain measures judiciously and optimize the resources what we are have to take our country another step forward. The areas of concern are there for each and every country of the world but to resolve those issues is the key to progress. And what India has done in the past few decades clearly shows the concern to resolve the problems.
Sidharth Ramsinghaney
Bechtel
(For the Motion- member of the Ruling Party)
A very warm welcome to all the members of parliament. The subject for today's session of the Youth Parliament is on India's tryst with destiny. I will be speaking for the motion – as a part of the ruling party.
Mark twain once quoted "India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!"
World's biggest democracy.. the largest civilization.. yes.. this is today's India. India has come a long way fighting its way out, walking through narrow passages and running on fire to elevate itself to such a position that India has become one of the most talked about nations in the global arena.
India has made its mark in almost all spheres of the society.. be it Science, Arts, literature, Sports, Industry, Agriculture etc. There is no field where India has not excelled or proved its presence. Talking about some statistics.. India has the second largest pool of scientist and engineers all over the world. Isn't that a good enough reason to give a big round of applause for India and our fellow Indians..!
I would like to quote a line from the conversation of a boy with his dad (who has to go for a foreign visit) few decades back.. "papa.. papa.. mere liye foreign se ek jeans leke aana…" and today the time has come that the Indian companies are taking over foreign brands. Talking about the recent acquisition of Axon by the IT major Infosys, then Tata Motors taking over the elitist of the automobile brands – Land Rover and Jaguar. India has come a long way.
Talking about Indians .. The world's most renowned name in the beverage industry - Pepsi is headed by an Indian.. Indra Nooyi. The World's Biggest steel company is owned by an Indian – L N Mittal. Similarly names like Sabeer Bhatia (hotmail), Kalpana Chawla (space) and the many other Indians have engraved their names on the pages of world's history.
Talking about Economic growth. India has seen a phenomenal growth of about 9 % in last few years. India has made a big mark in the IT and BPO industry. Today, if someone in US is in trouble, he would make a call and yes this call would be taken by an Indian sitting in a office near you and will ensure the problem is solved. Thus when the West breaks down, India will come to its rescue. Wow.. What a feeling..!!
Truly, India is walking on the road to success, power and global recognition. This new emerging India would be free from poverty, illiteracy and corruption. Its ever hungry nature to keep achieving more and more will make sure that every time the new goals are set.. India keeps having a tryst with its destiny..with its dreams.
Shuchita Sehgal
Evalueserve
(For the Motion- member of the Ruling Party)
India, a caged golden bird of yesteryears, has come a long way to be free, innocuous and yet ferocious bird. I am not saying this because, I m the ruling party. Some umpteen incidents are themselves enough to prove the success of India. When the world is swept over by the wave of economy downturn, India being the "emerging economy" is seen as the land of opportunity. By far, India's ability to make it itself visible and heard; hasn't come easily or with a span of two-three years. The credit do goes to the Indianess that is instilled in every Indian. It is this spirit that has come a long way to make India visible on the world map.
Nehru, spoke at the stroke of the midnight to make world realize a big dream which was in making. After 60 years, the dream is on verge of getting fulfilled. Let me substantiate it with the successes of the past:
India has risen with the growth. The GDP was by far the highest achieved since Independence. Though still it is crippled with the issues of inflation, but still the spirit helds high. This year it pose to achieve a GDP of 8.5%. The tax collected by the Indian government outshines the previous record. All this will be used for the development of the country. Infrastructure wise, India needs to raise the standard to meet the world class standards. And, Delhi metro is one of the many examples that in itself stands apart to answer the people who questions India ability in any way. Roads-highways, airports are undergoing expansion and restructuring.
The story of "India Inc." which has been the headlines of newspapers for a year now is no less than a dream fulfilled. Highlight being the Tata's Nano car making waves all over the world and many mergers and acquisitions - with the difference being India acquiring world class brands in all dimensions. These events have definitely projected India as a leader, and have changed the perception of India from a mere outsourcing provider of cheap leader. India is the most happening place economically.
Indian middle class, which forms the largest part of the Indian society, has come out of the cocoon of backwardness. The purchasing power has risen, Levis jeans or UCB top is no more a distant dream of the young. The power of dreams has a voice and it is called "Gen X".
Culturally, Indians have captured million of hearts abroad and in homeland. Art, is respected; Indian painters have never had a golden period, no more an artist is in a situation of hand to mouth. The Indian art has risen above all the levels.
Politically, India is governed by an educated sikh PM, a muslim VP and a lady hindu President. At the highest level, the religions are one. The spirit is one - to make India see the dawn of development and progress.
I tried to capture all the dimensions of India. You tell me one area, and I will give you atleast an example to prove my point. People, India is on the path of greatness. Lets be a part of this success and glory. In the end, I would like to conclude by saying that India has really achieved the fate where actually the mind is without fear and the head is held high.
Nitin Makhija
Bechtel
(For the Motion- member of the Ruling Party)
Destiny for India, the second most populated country in the world, is in itself a topic for a debate. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we in India not only have the state boundaries, but also have the virtual boundaries comprising of religions, customs, traditions, money, politics, age etc. With so many boundaries lurking around, destiny for India has been the amalgamation of the fate of people residing within these boundaries. Keeping this sort of common fate in mind, in the mid nineteenth century, India united for a common cause which was Independence and it strived hard for it. Ultimately, modern India had its first tryst with destiny on 15th august, 1947. After independence, India strived hard for an all around prosperity and growth. Five year plans were made to assist for a better future, but on the other hand, we had some obstacles in the path. And among these happenings, India, for the second time, met with destiny in 1991 when it lowered the barriers for the foreign players to operate in India. Its foreign reserves soared, GDP growth rate increased and income level of people increased in manifolds.
The kind of growth India had in the past 61 years has been quite fabulous. Though some of us will not agree with me and would say that India was quite fortunate as internet boom led to growth in the service sector. Indeed India was quite fortunate but I would stress on the point that fortune favors the brave. Yes! After independence, Indian leaders were quite brave to put up world renowned educational institutions like IITs and IIMs. And now that these TREES have grown up, they are yielding fruits in return.
If the present growth rate continues, India will be the second largest economy after china in 2050. It now has a huge domestic market owing to its population which is getting richer. Surely it's the time when India should flex its muscles and prove that its a developed nation, which I would term as its third tryst with destiny.
Hope India does it this time also!!!
Speaker: Honorable members of the ruling party .. I thank you all to express your stand over the subject. Now I request the members of the opposition to come over and express their views.
Axis Bank
(against the motion – Member of opposition)
Hum kis gali ja rhe hain…
Apna koi thika-na nahi … apna koi thika-na nahi..
I welcome you all to the youth parliament. I apologize to start off with a song but I couldn't help it as these words best summarize our nation's present condition.
I will be speaking against the motion – as a member of opposition.
Lets go back in time. Aug 15, 1947.. Jawaharlal Nehru addressing the nation – "Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom."
"Awake to life..awake to freedom.." I will take you to the "life" and the "freedom" of the present India. This "India" is a place where one gets to hear hundreds of farmers committing suicide every week, where an innocent female was shot dead by a politician's son in front of dozens of people around, yes am talking about the Jessica lal case. Not to forget Priyadarshni Matoo case, where this innocent law student was raped and killed by the son of a high ranking police officer.
This is an endless list. These cases involved high profile people so they got a place in the news articles else there might be hundreds of other such cases which might never get known also. I heard myself saying.. police inspector, a politician..Right ? These are the people with whom our nations governance is trusted upon. Isn't it? What does this show.. A clear eg of what kind of governance and administration India has. I ask the members of parliament.. Is this the "India" which was dreamt of by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and our other great leaders?
Things like corruption and illiteracy have been poisoning India's health since long. To that extent that the members of parliament, which happens to be the highest governing body, are bought in few lacs of rupees and then this incident is flowered with allegations and then showcased in front of the country and the world. Talking about literacy quotient- India has not even been able to provide primary education to all its children on the other and the little innocent children are roped into child labor. My dear Indians.. May I ask.. where are we heading to ?
You take any sphere of the society and you will find that India is as if standing in the middle of a vast ocean and there s no sign of a sight of an island. Talk about sports itself.. We constitute one sixth of the world's population but tell me how many Indians have had a mark on the global platform..? It is nation's duty to nurture talent, provide the right environment, adequate infrastructure, proper training for sportsmen to excel. I ask the parliamentarians again.. are the expectations of the fellow Indians being met ?
I would like to share few lines which are coming to my mind..
Agar iss jahan mei kahin jannat hai..
To yahin hai .. yahin hai.. yahin hai…
I hope you all would have heard these lines.. yes.. these were said for Kashmir.. the most beautiful place infact the place where many of honeymoon couples have spent the best time of their lives J .. but when I think of today.. Oh my god.. there is a complete black out. I can only see guns and pistols, the army and the policemen. I can feel the fear of a bomb blast, a terrorist attack. This is the new face of India. Is this the gift of our India's destiny..?
Honorable members of parliament .. All I would like to say..
India of my dreams.. our dreams.. is still too far. That "India" will live to all the superlative adjectives which the world will shower on it. It will be a name to reckon with. I am waiting for that pulsating, dynamic and the new emerging India.
And that is when India will have a tryst with destiny.
Samit Sawal
Infosys
(against the motion – Member of opposition)
More than 60 years have passed since Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India; gave the famous speech, Tryst with Destiny, on the eve of India's independence. Pledges were taken of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity. Promises were made for ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity and to wipe every tear from every eye. A dream was seen to build the noble mansion of free India where all her children may dwell. In Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru's own words the endeavor was "To bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman."
Today, the big debate is on whether INDIA has achieved that endeavor or is atleast on right track to achieve it?
It will be fair enough to say that Indians have progressed a lot in these 60 years. Some of the world's richest persons are Indians, some of leading intellectuals are Indians and a few big names in sports are from India. But while Indians have made this progress, has the same been achieved by INDIA as a nation? Progress and fame attained by few Indians should not be seen as progress done by India. What we need to see is: has INDIA overcome the challenges it faced at the time of independence, viz, equality, poverty, employment, communalism, population...
Let us discuss each one of these challenges and their status.
Economic Progress:
Today we talk about the economic progress made by India in economic sector, the very high GDP, the booming stock market. The talk of India emerging as super power makes us feel proud. Certainly, the standard of living, even in rural India, has improved a lot. But is this growth in accordance with expectations? Certainly not. A major portion of India's income & resources goes into the Swiss bank accounts of corrupt politicians. Today's politicians have only one purpose and that is to serve themselves and not their country. Corruption has become an integral part of today's India. The biggest reason for the misery of common Indian is corruption.
The other important reason why the fruits of economic progress haven't reached all Indians is the failure of India to control population. Every year, in population, we are creating a new Australia. But there are very limited resources to support this increasing population. This ever increasing population has also led to huge unemployment.
The third reason for the suffering of common man is the wrong policies of Indian Government due to which the rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer. The Ambanis, Tatas, Mittals are getting richer and richer and the poor Indian farmer is committing suicide.
Peace:
We still haven't found a solution to J&K issue. We have fought 4 major wars since independence. If that's not enough then the naxallites, LTTE, al qaida etc etc are not letting rest of India live in peace.
The issue of communalism has always existed in India. The so called communal parties have never let this issue die so as to gain few more votes. Indian constitution says that India is a secular state, but in actual, India has always been a Hindu nation. If the assassination of Hindu Prime Minister lead to mass murders of Sikhs in Delhi then a Hindu CM's hatred against Muslims lead to riots in Gujarat. Whatever happened in Ayodhya is open to all, a sheer result of dirty communal politics. As long as we have such politicians, India can never be in peace.
Equality:
One of the dreams seen at the time of independence was to bring equality and remove any type of discrimination. But thanks to the quota system, what we have achieved is a system of inequality and discrimination on the basis of caste.
Yes, I would agree that in many spheres of the society like Science and Technology , healthcare infrastructure, sports etc.. India has shown a remarkable stride towards excellence in recent years but still it has a long way to go.
Seeing the present India.. I still feel.. India has yet to have its Tryst with destiny.
Speaker: In all, it has been a really informative session. I thank all the members of parliament to voice their opinions in our YOUTH parliament..!
You are requested to send in your feedback.. or may be your comments (both positive and critical), views over this session or over the kind of subject which was taken up this time or on the way this discussion was carried out. Also if someone wants to comment or question any one of the parliamentarians who spoke/wrote in this session, please mail me down. All such views will be compiled and then send across to all.
It has been really nice to see you all taking out time from your busy schedules to come on this common platform to share perspectives. Have a great day.
