I was reading Netaji, Gandhi and Nehru by Runu Ghosh and really wondered, "When he could not change India 56 years back, can we Do anything ?"
I think I have to try hard to NOT loose focus and NOT waste time reading and writing about all this!! I had big fight today with a friend while talking and arguing about our political system and the recent happenings!! I think its high time I realize that politics is affecting my personal and professional life ! I need to keep them separate! PHEW !!
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Came across this summary of his (and many more such freedom fighters) dreams which still remains unfulfilled! Before the article gets lost from the following site, I better have it here... in my collection. It has references to the original speeches, which I would like to get back to someday....
are quite relevant in the context of our present day national crisis.
2. In his unique reconstruction programme, Netaji gave emphasis and priority on eradication of poverty and unemployment, illiteracy and disease, proceeded, of course, by a strong national defence system. According to him, these three priority areas constituted the most vital fundamental problems of the country. [Vide his Tokyo speech (1944) and Haripura speech (1938)]. He, therefore, wanted us to take effective measures to solve these three fundamental problems first. But, unfortunately, necessary attention has not been given to these problems on priority basis and, hence, the basic needs of the people have not been satisfied. In 56 year rule the Governments have miserably failed to build and implement pro-people economy and planning.
In recent times the Nobel Prize winner and renowned economist Amartya Sen has also said that for national development, first of all, we must introduce universal primary education and healthscheme. Subhas Chandra's thoughts are echoed through Sen's theory.
3. After 'great escape' from India in January 1941, Netaji was in Germany for a considerable time where he organized the Indian Legion and was engaged in other preparatory work for his final war of independence from abroad. But even during these hectic days he was planning for India's recon-truction after independence. He asserted that for eradication of poverty and unemployment we urgently needed Industrialization and scientific agriculture and that must be aided by the state. He wrote in an article, 'Free India and her problems', published in a German periodical in August 1942 : 'India will therefore need industrialization and scientific agriculture through state aid, if she has to serve the problem of poverty and unemployment.'
Subhas Chandra further emphasized that, for successful implementation of his aforesaid three priority-based programmes we must increase our national production, particularly agricultural and industrial production, through modern scientific methods and arrange for their equitable social distribution. And more precisely, he wanted to develop this system of national production and distribution through socialist means.
Subhas Chandra declared very categorically that post-independence reconstruction of India could be achieved only through socialist means. His main objective was to establish socialism. Subhas told in his presidential address at the Haripura Congress session (1938) : 'I have no doubt in my mind that our chief national problems relating to the eradication of poverty, illiteracy and disease. and to scientific production and distribution, can be effectively tackled only along socialistic lines.
Incidentally, we may recall his observations on 'Science and Politics' made at the third general meeting of the Indian Science News Association at Calcutta on August 21. 1938. In reply to questions
posed by Professor Meghnad Saha at the meeting, the then Congress President Subhas Chandra told:
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'Firstly, industrialisation is necessary for solving the problem of unemployment. Though scientific agriculture will increase the production of land, if food is to be given to every man and woman, a good portion of the population will have to be transferred from land to industry. Secondly, the rising generation are now thinking in terms of Socialism as the basis of national reconstruction and Socialism presupposes industrialization.' In our present context. the term 'industry' has a wider connotation, which includes urban-based large scale industries, along with rural-based small scale and cottage industries. food-processing and other agro-based industries. etc. Moreover, we must realize the significance of Netaji concept of industrialization vis-a-vis socialism.
4. For furtherance of his socialist thoughts, Subhas Chandra wanted to form a National Planning Commission which would take care to formulate a comprehensive plan for post-independence national reconstruction. During the hectic days of freedom movement, Subhas Chandra had no doubt in his mind that India would achieve freedom shortly. and no imperialist power on earth could prevent it. He was, therefore, getting himself prepared with a draft plan as to how to reconstruct the country after attaining independence. Subhas was the first national leader to form a National Planning Committee in 1938 while he was the President of the Indian National Congress. Even while he was vigorously engaged in his liberation struggle and his IN A, he formed a separate 'reconstruction' department of the Provisional Government of Free India. As an ardent believer in socialism and planned economy, Netaji Subhas Chandra thus initiated the concept of Planning Commission in Indian politics.
The concept of co-operative federalism based on principles of decentralization and the endeavor to strengthen the local bodies by empowering the Panchayati Raj Institutions are in a way the legacy of the perceptions conceived by Netaji 65 years ago.
5. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that for tackling the three fundamental problems, as mentioned earlier, Netaji introduced two more important concepts in relation to his programme of national reconstruction which he explained in detail in his speech delivered before the students of Tokyo Imperial University in November, 1944. He mentioned in his speech that for tackling the three most important fundamental problems of India, viz. the problem of eradication of poverty and unemployment, illiteracy and disease, the responsibility must be taken by the State (in free India) and secondly, the methods for tackling these problems must be determined by the Indian conditions and in Indian way. He further explained the issue: 'Well, at present, public opinion in India is that we cannot leave it to private initiative to solve these national problems, especially the economic problem. If we leave it to private initiative to solve the problem of poverty and unemployment, for instance, it will probably take centuries. Therefore, public opinion in India is in favor of some sort of socialist system, in which the initiative will not be left to private individuals, but the State will take over the responsibility for solving economic questions. Whether it is a question of industrializing the country or modernizing agriculture, we want the State to step in and take over the responsibility and put through reforms within a short period, so that· the Indian people could be put on their legs at a very early date.
'But in solving this problem, we want to work in our own way. We will, naturally, study experiments made in other countries - but, after all, we have to solve our problems in an Indian way and under Indian conditions. Therefore, the system that we shall ultimately set up will be an Indian system to suit the needs of the Indian people.' [Tokyo speech, 1944].
But unfortunately, during the last five decades, this way of solving India's fundamental problems, as advocated by Netaji, has not been followed with proper planning and sincerity. Moreover, it's a matter of concern that in recent times, public sector enterprises are being discouraged and closed and the private sector is given wider scope to operate even in. areas of fundamental problems. An alarming policy of indiscriminate disinvestments and privatization IS being followed. Such a policy may benefit a limited section of the society, but the majority of the people will be plunged in more poverty. In accordance with the gravity of social needs and bigger public interest, it's now high time
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to demarcate the areas of public sector and private sector.
Private sector can be allowed to operate in the economic field, say in the field of industry or agriculture or in the field of housing or infrastructure development, but they must work under the overall guidelines and policy framework of the state and national planning body. Private sector may also work in collaboration with public sector under the same policy framework. But for overall national interest, multinational companies cannot be generally encouraged to operate in Indian soil. It is a common experience for the developing countries that MNCs generally cause exploitation of the poor, weakening of national economy and uphold the interest of the neo-imperialist forces. Netaji time and again warned his countrymen against the evils of imperialism and possible. activities or post-war neo-imperialist agencies.
6. Subhas Chandra has suggested in different contexts various means of eradication of poverty. The main facets of these suggestions are abolition of Zamindary system, radical land reforms, granting of agricultural loans and development of co-operative movement, increasing agricultural production by scientific methods, widespread industrial development plan under state ownership and state control, and at the same time, revival of cottage industries in necessary spheres, etc.
The relevant portion from Subhas Chandra's Haripura speech (1938) may be quoted in this context : 'Regarding reconstruction, our principal problem will be how to eradicate poverty from our country. That will require radical reform of our land system, including the abolition of landlordism. Agricultural indebtedness will have to be liquidated and provision made for cheap credit for the rural population. An extension of the co-operative movement will be necessary for the benefit of both producers and consumers. Agriculture will have to be put on a scientific basis with a view to increase the yield from the land.
'To solve the economic problem, agricultural improvement will not be enough. A comprehensive scheme of industrial development under state ownership and control will be indispensable. A new industrial system will have to be built up in place of the old one, which has collapsed as a result of mass production abroad and alien rule at home. A Planning Commission will have to consider carefully and decide which of the home industries could be revived despite the competition of modern factories, and in which sphere large-scale production should be encouraged.
During the last five decades after independence all these means of reconstruction suggested by Subhas Chandra have not been followed by and large. Distribution of surplus land to landless, landownership rights to the tillers, recovery of vested fallow land and turning those to cultivable land, forest land to the landless poor and to develop social forestry and cultivation, etc. are some of the important facets of radical land reforms. This sort of radical land reforms have not been implemented throughout the whole country with due sincerity and urgency. Due to the central policy-makers' unholy compromise and alliance with the capitalists and landlords, the interests of the hungry poor millions have largely suffered.
During the last five decades after independence all these means of reconstruction suggested by Subhas Chandra have not been followed by and large. Distribution of surplus land to landless, landownership rights to the tillers, recovery of vested fallow land and turning those to cultivable land, forest land to the landless poor and to develop social forestry and cultivation, etc. are some of the important facets of radical land reforms. This sort of radical land reforms have not been implemented throughout the whole country with due sincerity and urgency. Due to the central policy-makers' unholy compromise and alliance with the capitalists and landlords, the interests of the hungry poor millions have largely suffered.
7. For the sake of pro-people agriculture and industrial developments, Subhas Chandra advocated state control and nationalization. But he didn't stop at that point. He want further to make radical recommendations that all that we needed ultimately was the 'socialization' of our means of agricultural and industrial production and distribution. He clearly stated in his Haripura speech (1938) : 'The State, on the advice of obviously didn't move on his line. In spite of l nationa\i2'i\t\Cm in the field of banking, insurance, a few heavy industries and others, mainly due to evils of bourgeois leadership and bureaucratic set-up, even after 56 years, the country is facing hundreds of acute problems - and still now, millions of people are living below the poverty line. On the plea of this apparent failure of experiments with nationalization, but obviously. ignoring the basic reasons behind. countrywide processes of denationalization have now started. The country has thus started moving again in backward direction. Series of disinvestments and privatization have followed. The country is no\v being tied up with the reins of capitalist economy. In the midst of this difficult situation, the country again desires to seek solace and guidance in the planned socialistic reconstruction programme advocated by Netaji Subhas Chandra.
Incidentally, it may be mentioned that bureaucratic mentality or work may raise its head in different forms, but it, in each of its form, is harmful for the nation. As the administrative bureaucracy is harmful, so is equally harmful the party bureaucracy. That the party bureaucracy can occasionally be dangerously harmful for a nation, is quite very evident from the downfall of the Soviet Union. When the party in power becomes detached from the people and exploits the administration, there comes the possibility of such disastrous effects. It's now time for us to be cautious about this party bureaucracy. Subhas Chandra's concept of socialism can make us free from the evils of all bureaucratic set-ups.
8. For implementation of Subhas Chandra's proposed programme of reconstruction and socialization, we need, no doubt, extra capital. If we can go ahead with a well-planned, disciplined approach towards a well-defined goal of public welfare, we can solve the problem of capital by social utilization of abundant resources that are available in a vast country like India. If we are sincere in our goal of raising the standard of living of millions of poor illiterate people, and if we never deviate from this basic social objective -- the problem of capital can never stand in our way. People's spontaneous support adds strength to people's welfare programmes. But during the last 56 years the bourgeois leadership lacked this will for sincere public welfare and as such, various capital-related problems arising out of the evils of capitalist system cropped up. Black money accumulated at the one end, and on the other hand, the poor became poorer.
Besides this general approach, Subhas Chandra gave some concrete suggestions for procuring extra capital. In his Haripura speech (1938), Subhas Chandra suggested that we can go for internal or external loans for the purpose or even we may take the course of inflation. To quote him: 'Extra capital will have to be procured for this, whether th~ internal or external loans or through internal [Haripura . speech, 1938].
But these methods should be deeply scrutin1 from all possible angles. In our present circumstances, the country is so over burdened J huge quantity of internal and external debts, these methods will not be feasible proposition Subhas Chandra agreed in principle to raise internal or external loans. But the main thing to l considered is, on what terms or from what source or under what circumstances we should secure loans or take measures for inflation. Otherwise there would be scope for confusion or wrong direction. Our present day rulers have made our national economy crippled, dependent and anti -people by accepting external loans from imperialist1 and capitalist bodies (like IMF, World Bank 01'1 WTO) in their terms and conditions. That the 1 country is now in a debt-trap, is a matter of serious 1 concern. If we arc clear in our objective and honest in our purpose, no vested interest can divert us to 1 any anti-people wrong path. That is what Subhas 1 taught us.
9. That Subhas Chandra was very clear and 1 transparent in his political vision and objectives, was evident from his political philosophy and a 1 related statement which we may refer to here. The basic objective of his socialist thoughts was to improve the lot of millions of toiling masses of India, whom he called 'have-nots' and they are the majority of our population. Subhas Chandra wanted to improve their position at the cost of the 'haves' or the rich, who are minority in our society. Subhas argued: 'Moreover, if after the capture of political power, national reconstruction takes place on socialist line - as I have no doubt it will - it is the have-nots who will benefit at the expense of the haves and the Indian masses have to be classified among the have-nots', [Haripura Speech, 1938]. Ultimately, of course, Netaji aimed that there should be no have-nots in free India.
In this way, by defeating the capitalist system, patronized by imperialists, Subhas Chandra wanted to build up socialism in India. This was indeed a revolutionary idea. It is needless to mention that if the country proceeded in this way as advocated by Subhas Chandra, there would not have been any problem in respect of procuring capital for reconstruction work. But during the last 56 years' rule, the reverse has happened. Only 10% of our population have grown rich, while the rest 90% of our population have become poorer. The accumulated black money has started controlling the society and the State. It has so happened only because the country has not been led in Subhas' way. Unearthing of black money may be one of the means of regenerating our presently shattered economy.
10. In the name of 'globalisation', the present Indian policy is pushing the indigenous industry in sharp competition with the foreign industry of capitalist and imperialist countries, as a result of which the Indian industry and economy are on the brink of serious crises. Subhas chandra warned the country long before - 60 years ago - against the damaging effects of such unequal competition in industrial field. Subhas Chandra told : 'it is, of course, preposterous to permit foreigners in this country to complete with the nationals on equal terms, The right of the future Indian Parliament to differentiate or discriminate between nationals and non-nationals, whenever Indian interests require it. should remain intact and this we cannot sacrifice on any account.' [Haripura Speech, 1938]. Unfortunately, in free India many such rights are sacrificed in the interest of the neo-imperialist powers.
When we are now Swept away by the onslaught of globalisation and the country is on the verge of losing economic sovereignty, we remember how strongly Netaji advocated for national autonomy. In response to Prof. Meghnad Saha's query, he said : 'Though from the industrial point of view the world is one unit, we should nevertheless aim at national autonomy, especially in the field of our principal needs and requirements'. (August 21,1938)
11.Ever increasing population is undoubtedly a problem for successful implementation of reconstruction programme. Subhas Chandra had, therefore, rightly drawn our attention to the population problem long before. He was of the opinion that the trend of increasing population could create problem for any of our long-term programme. He explicitly told, '1 simply want to point out that where poverty, starvation and disease are stalling the land, we cannot afford to have our population mounting up by thirty millions during a single decade' [Haripura speech, 1938]. We have not been able to fully realize this truth even in 56 years, hence the problem goes on increasing. lndia's population was about 35 crores by the end of thirties, while currently the population of divided India has crossed 100 crores. We have failed so far to pay our due attention to the alarming aspects of this problem. The Government has failed to formulate a suitable national population policy. Population is the biggest asset of the country - it is essential to utilize it properly. But if the situation so demands, it becomes imperative to restrict the population.
12. We must not forget another important aspect of Subhas Chandra's revolutionary reconstruction programme. Subhas Chandra wanted to build up a new modern India based on its earlier tradition and culture. He told before the students at Tokyo University : 'We want to build up a new and modern nation on the basis of our old culture and civilization' [Tokyo speech, 1944]. In an earlier article also he asserted : 'India could contribute something to the common culture and civilization of humanity, - in religion and philosophy, in architecture, in painting, dancing and music and in other arts and handicrafts, India would offer something unique to the world.' [Free India and her problems' - from a German periodical published in August 1942].
In the October, 1935 issue of the journal 'Science and Culture', edited by Meghnad Saha, Subhas Chandra wrote in his article 'Some problems of nation-building' - that we must adopt modern science and culture in our work of national building. Neither the Gandhite opposition to modern industry, nor the orthodox leftists' opposition to computers or modem information technology is desirable. At the same time, we must not forget the past tradition and culture of India. Lessons from the aforesaid ideas of Subhas Chandra will no doubt help us in our task of national building.
13. Education was also an important aspect of Subhas Chandra's socialistic reconstruction programme. He looked at Education on a national perspective. He said 'through' a common educational policy we shall have to foster a common spirit among the entire population' [Haripura speech, 1938]. But what about our present education system? It is discriminating in nature, offering vast opportunities to the rich and minimum to the poor, and thus creating a disparity in society, resulting in social imbalance right from the beginning.
Subhas Chandra deeply felt that education must develop a national spirit and patriotism amongst us right from our childhood. Children must be taught to love the country and render service to the common people. This sort of training would help to foster solidarity and harmony among the entire population. ['An Indian Pilgrim', S. C. Bose] Imparting such education is, therefore, very important with a view to nation-building. 'Man-making mission' propounded by Vivekananda and a vision of universality propagated by Rabindranath Tagore inspired Subhas Chandra to formulate such policy of education in free India.
We must also resist all sorts of attempts to commercialize and/or to communalise education. Education must not be allowed to be used as a commodity for making profits. A free and man-making education can strengthen the foundation of our nation.
Netaji also thought about other aspects of education. He suggested: 'experiments will have to be made for evolving a national system of education in accordance with the needs of the Indian people ['Free India and her problems', Germany, August 1942]. Technical education and research should also be a priority issue for free India. Netaji said : 'We should also tackle the problems of technical education and technical research. So far as technical education is concerned, as in the case of Japanese students, our students should be sent abroad for training in accordance with a clear and definite plan so that as soon as they return home, they may proceed straightway to built up .new industries.
So far as technical research is concerned, we shall agree that it should be free of governmental control of every kind. It is only in this unfortunate country that government servants are entrusted with scientific research on receipt of princely salaries and we know very well what results have been obtained there from' ['Science and Politics' answers to questions posed by Prof. Meghnad Saha : August 21, 1938].
14.Of late, three very critical problems are bothering us most. These three problems are firstly, regionalism and divisiveness; secondly, communalism and minority problems, and thirdly, problems of self-reliance for the backward, weaker and underdeveloped classes. By exploiting, distorting and instigating these three problems, many small or big parties have recently sprung up in Indian politics and are serving their self-interests, but basically they are retarding the progress of the country. Subhas Chandra had repeatedly warned us regarding these three problems and had expressed the necessity of solving th.cl11 for proper reconstruction of the country.
Subhas Chandra's revolutionary thoughts regarding overall development of united India inspire us all the time. For a vast country like India having different castes, religions, languages and regional culture, Subhas Chandra wanted to strengthen tile foundation of a strong central government, along with provincial or regional autonomy, in order to keep India united, and at the same time, ensuring regional development. He clarified his opinion in this respect : 'While unifying the country through a strong central government, we shall have to put all the minority communities, as well as the provinces at their' ease, by allowing them a large measure of autonomy in cultural as \Nell as governmental affairs' [Haripura speech, 1938]. During the last 50 years of national planning process, Subhas Chandra's ideal has not been followed - hence, so many problems in this respect have cropped up throughout the country. There may be an apparent contradiction in the idea of a strong central government and, at the same time, regional autonomy, but a pragmatic political will and capability can make a harmony between the two. This has not been successfully achieved in India so far. Even during the last 56 years, a centre-state amicable relationship, a well-balanced good relationship built through a policy of equitable distribution or resources and other governmental rights and responsibilities - could not be achieved, and as such, regional and divisive forces are gradually raising their heads. We can make our country free from this vexed problem only by successful implementation of Subhas Chandra's ideas.
Fight against communalism and casteism is an integral part of Subhas Chandra's concept of socialism. He fought throughout his life against these two social monsters. When Subhas first gave this call for fight against discrimination on caste and creed, when he started to plead for socioeconomic and educational development and self-reliance for the backward classes, at that time, many of today's so-called leaders of scheduled castes, tribes and backward classes could not be traced even. But during the last 50 years taking advantage of the Government's inaction and indifference in the matter, many divisive forces have come out in the open. We can get rid of such a situation only by following Subhas' way.
As Subhas Chandra fought against the capitalist and feudal forces, he also fought, particularly in view of Indian situation, against the divisive forces of casteism. He declared in his speech, at the London Conference in June, 1933 : 'Free India will not be a land of capitalists, landlords and castes. Free India will be a social and political democracy.' [Presidential address at the Third Indian Political Conference, London: 10 June, 1933].
Netaji's concept about communalism was also very clear and deeply analytic. He was of the opinion that the problem of communalism was created - the Britishers used to nurse this discriminating policy in the interest of sustaining their rule in India. He said in Tokyo University in November 1944 : 'You will find that outside, where there is no British influence, there are no differences among the Indian people. In the Indian Independence Movement in East Asia and in the Indian National Army there is no question of religion or caste or class. It is just in India where the British have influence and control that you will find these differences.' A few of the political parties also used to exploit this matter for satisfying their vested interests. Netaji believed that, once we could establish equality in true sense in socioeconomic and political field, there would have no problem like minority-problem in our country. While presenting the picture of future free India as he dreamt of, he wrote: 'In the matter of political and economic rights there will be perfect equality among the whole population. When every individual has employment, food and education and has freedom in religious and cultural matters there will be no more any minority-problem in India.' [The Indian Struggle, S. C. Bose]
15. Netaji fought throughout his life against two sinister menace - one, imperialism, and the other, communalism, which he asserted, caused tremendous damage to India. During the dark days of 200 years of dependence, India was ruled and exploited by the British imperialism, and created - the Britishers used to nurse this discriminating policy in the interest of sustaining their rule in India. He said in Tokyo University in November 1944 : 'You will find that outside, where there is no British int1uence, there are no differences among the Indian people. In the Indian Independence Movement in East Asia and in the Indian National Army there is no question of religion or caste or class. It is just in India where the British have influence and control that you will find these differences.' A few of the political parties also used to exploit this matter for satisfying their vested interests. Netaji believed that, once we could establish equality in true sense in socioeconomic and political field, there would have no problem like minority-problem in our country. While presenting the picture of future free India as he dreamt of, he wrote : 'In the matter of political and economic rights there will be perfect equality among the whole population. When every individual has employment, food and education and has freedom in religious and cultural matters there will be no more any minority-problem in India.' [The Indian Struggle, S. C. Bose] to interfere in the markets of Third World Countries in respect of trade and commerce, trade in services, patents, agriculture and all other economic issues. Socialism will be far away if we cannot combat these evil forces by our united fight against them. This must be our priority task to rebuild India in Netaji's Way.
16. Of course, Netaji could visualize it long before. While leading the INA in the final war of independence from abroad, Netaji wrote an open letter to Gandhiji sometime in 1944. Obviously, that was the time when the Second World War was heading for its final stage as the Anglo-American forces were fighting hard against the Axis Powers. During this critical juncture of time Netaji in his aforesaid letter made some historical comments, rather political forecast, about the emerging postwar World Power. Netaji said: 'Even if the Allies could somehow win the war, it will be United States of America, and not Britain, that will be top dog in future and it will mean that Britain will become a protage of the USA.'
Netaji further said in his letter about the war aims of the USA: 'I may say that the ruling clique at Washington is now dreaming of world domination. This ruling clique and its intellectual exponents, talk openly or the' American Century', that is, in the present century the USA will dominate the world. In this ruling clique, there are extremists who go so far (1", to call Britain the 49th State of the USA.'
As we all know, Netaji's forecasts have been proved to be correct. The American imperialists are dominating the world since the post-war day. Their aggressive military powers, as well as economic ambitions are viciously spreading their tentacles over the hundreds of developing countries, and India is no exception.
After the end of Cold War the United States has embarked upon a course of global strategy. The foundation of the strategy is based on USA's imperialist interest all over the world. The USA, by using NATO, wages military actions
