How a ‘Bharat-centric’ model can lead to sustainable, equitable development

Efforts to inculcate the spirit of ‘Swadeshi and self-reliance’ in the society would give the right impetus to job creation

Sanghnomics is a weekly column that tracks down and demystifies the economic world view of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and organisations inspired by its ideology.

The Communist China and the Capitalist Western world, both have been suffering from major cyclical fluctuations with their economic models looking increasingly vulnerable. During the last 100 years, these two models have largely been tried by the world and the results are staring at us. We have a less-equitable world. The excessive exploitation of natural resources to fuel the material economic growth started by the West and followed by the rest has led to severe climate change creating a potential threat to the existence of the human race on the earth. These anomalies in the prevalent economic model have been starker in the post-Covid world.  It is clear that the world needs to look at more alternative economic models.

India can provide a solution to the rest of the model through a Bharat-centric model. This is the belief of many leading lights of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since the 1960s. The RSS volunteers working in the field of economics, trade union, micro finance, rural development, environment protection have been discussing various aspects of this new model and trying to evolve it.

RSS stalwart and founder of organisations like Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) Dattopant Thengadi called this model ‘Third Way”. Deendayal Upadhyay, another RSS stalwart who later chalked out the ideological framework for Bharatiya Jana Sangh also talked about a Bharat-centric approach towards economic issues in a series of lectures delivered in 1964 that spelled out the framework of ‘Integral Humanism’. This was adopted, first by BJS and then by its successor Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its official philosophy.

In recent times, the RSS passed a resolution in March 2022 that provides an updated version of this Bharat-centric new economic model. Here are some key aspects of this model:

-Bharat, with its abundant natural resources, vast human power and inherent entrepreneurial skills to transform our agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors, has the potential to create ample work opportunities and take the entire economy to greater heights. As we have experienced the impact of the recent Covid pandemic on employment and livelihood, we have also witnessed opening up of new opportunities which some sections of the society have taken benefit of. The entire society has to play a proactive role in harnessing such work opportunities to mitigate the overall employment challenge.

-Bharatiya economic model is human centric, labour intensive, eco-friendly and lays stress on decentralization and equitable distribution of benefits and augments village economy, micro scale, small scale and agro- based industries. The areas like rural employability, unorganized sector employment, employment to women and their overall participation in the economy need to be boosted. Efforts are essential to adapt new technologies and soft skills appropriate to our societal conditions.

-There are many successful models of employment generation based on the above lines available in every part of the country. They have also taken into account local specialities, talent and requirements. At many such places, entrepreneurs, businessmen, micro finance institutions, self-help groups and voluntary organizations have initiated endeavours in the areas of value-added products, cooperative sector, direct marketing of local products and skill development etc. These initiatives have encouraged ventures such as handicrafts, food processing, home-made products and family enterprises. After sharing their experience with others, replicating them at places wherever required should be earnestly considered.

-Certain educational and industrial institutions have contributed in employment generation efforts in a significant way. There is a need to recognize all those success stories which have been able to generate sustainable work opportunities for a large section of the society including weaker and deprived sections. Efforts to inculcate the spirit of ‘Swadeshi and self-reliance’ in the society would give the right impetus to the above initiatives.

-Our manufacturing sector that has high employment potential requires to be bolstered which can also lessen our dependence on imports. An environment conducive to encouraging entrepreneurship should be created by educating and counselling people, especially youth, so that they can come out of mentality of seeking jobs only. Similar entrepreneurial spirit also needs to be fostered among women, village folk and people from remote and tribal areas. Educationists, industry and community leaders, social organizations and other institutions can have effective participation towards this end. For that it is essential that the governmental and other efforts go in tandem with these.

-As a society, look for innovative ways to address the challenges of fast changing global economic and technological scenario. Opportunities of employment and entrepreneurship with emerging digital economy and export possibilities should be keenly explored. We should engage ourselves in manpower training both pre and on job, research and technology innovations, motivation for start-ups and green technology ventures etc.

The RSS has called upon the citizens through this resolution to work on Bharat-centric models of employment generation to strengthen the economy and achieve sustainable and holistic development. It also urged all sections of the society to establish a healthy work culture based on our eternal values catalysing the whole effort of promoting various types of work opportunities so that Bharat regains its rightful place on the world economic front.

Earlier Sanghnomics columns can be read here.