How Modi’s ‘Aatmanirbhar’ is different from Nehruvian self-reliance

aatmanirbhar

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.

A compendium of essays from 18 experts is the most recent addition to the debate on the Bharatiya model of development and likely to kick off the next round of debate on the feasibility of swadeshi school of economics. Titled ‘AAtmanirbhar:A swadeshi paradigm’, the compendium has an interesting foreword by the RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat where he outlines the  broad contours of the RSS’ broad worldview of economics.

The RSS Sarsanghchalak says, “Aatmanirbharta is a much-discussed term nowadays in the economic and developmental discourse of modern Bharat.” The word aatmanirbharta according to Bhagwat, is a combination of two Sanskrit words –aatma and nirbharta – which roughly translates to ‘self’ and ‘reliance’. The reliance or sufficiency here does not rule out having economic relations including trade with other economic entities. The word ‘self’ however does need a clearer description because each nation has its own specific notion of ‘self’. This specificity or meaning of self, dictates the vision and concept of development, economy and ethics of the nation.

Many of the experts in this compendium highlight the failure of western economic models as well as the western conceptual framework in context of growth, development and progress of nations.  According to Bhagwat, humanity is now riddled with various rifts and clashes; destruction of families; psychological disorders; psychosomatic diseases; and irreversible damages to the environment, ecology and stratosphere on which human life depends. The situation is rather alarming.

In Bharatiya tradition it is universally acknowledged that it is the state of mind and not objects of gratifications that give happiness. This happiness is not only of the body but also of the mind, intellect, and inner essence of existence. This inner essence connects everyone and everything. So, simply the fulfilment of desires or having the means to fulfil them cannot bring the quest for happiness to a successful and sustainable end. You have to realize and experience the inner essence which connects everything and for that you have to observe a disciplined regimen in life. All these things are purusharths (pursuits of life) which have to be undertaken to obtain happiness, contentment and fulfilment. Fulfilling one’s desires is kama
purushartha and the acquisition of means to do so is arth purusharth. These have to be conducted within the dharma purusharth which directs these endeavours to everlasting happiness or moksha purusharth. It is the final quest for moksha purusharth which we need to devote our lives to, says Bhagwat.

Difference between Nehruvian self-reliance and Modi’s ‘aatmanirbhar’

Dr Ashwani Mahajan, who has edited this compendium along with many other experts have highlighted the difference between the Nehruvian concept of self-reliance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.  According to Mahajan, who is also co-convenor of RSS inspired Swadeshi Jagarana Manch and teaches economics in Delhi University, “Pandit Nehru’s policy was to ensure self-reliance through restrictive measures, in which along with private sector development remaining constrained, technological development and research and development (R&D) too remained strangulated. Victims were production and gross domestic product (GDP). Low rate of growth, caused by these restrictive policies, was mischievously termed as ‘Hindu Rate of Growth’, which should actually be termed as ‘Nehruvian Rate of Growth’.

Mahajan further elaborates, “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the concept of self-reliant India to the nation, critics tried to dismiss it saying it would be a return of the Nehruvian era. They argued that if we stop or curb imports to build a self-reliant India, then it will impact competitiveness and efficiency and the economy will turn inward. But as the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (2020) of the present government is progressing, it is becoming clear that it is totally different from the 1950s self-reliance policy of Pandit Nehru. It’s all about bringing efficiency and competitiveness. It is a policy aimed at producing things which are currently being imported, and in the process building the capacity to produce for the world.

New dimensions of Swadeshi

Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, observed in his essay in this compendium, “Addressing conceptual, technical and operational elements of swadeshi through inclusive development plans such as Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme provided a new impetus coupled with initiatives like Sagarmala, Bharatmala Pariyojana and BharatNet. More inclusive approaches with focus on financial inclusion (JAM-Jandhan Aadhar Mobile) Trinity, DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), payment gateways. NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India), provide a new dimension for the rise of India, in the areas hitherto reserved for Western and Chinese companies.”

Nagesh Kumar, Director of the Institute for Studies in the Industrial Development (ISID) points out in his paper that strategic import substitution, export promotion and digital and green industrialization has the potential to lift India’s manufacturing value from the current $450 billion to $1 trillion by 2025.

Almost all contributors in the compendium have opined that self-reliance is not autarky and Modi government’s resolve for Aatmanirbhar Bharat is quite distinct from Nehru’s vision.

Earlier Sanghnomics columns can be read here.

Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.