How roadmap for building a prosperous India can be guided by 'Integral Humanism'

Here are some priority areas highlighted by these eminent thinkers to take India forward:

(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.)

With the Narendra Modi government starting its third consecutive term in June 2024, several challenges await the new government. A country with a population of more than 1.4 billion and 66 percent of it being under the age of 35, puts a huge burden of expectations on this government. The Modi government has done considerably well on the economic front but with an increasingly volatile global geopolitical situation that has a direct impact on all the major economies including India, the road ahead isn't easy.

While the governments make policies, it often happens that the 'urgent' things take precedence over the 'important' things.

In this context, it is important to outline some of the 'important' goals that the Modi government needs to pursue as a part of its roadmap to make India a developed country by 2047.

Several eminent thinkers, guided by the vision of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), recently came together to produce a paper in the research journal (Ekatma Vikas Patrika Volume I, Issue 2 July-September 2024) that outlines some of the suggested priority areas for Modi government. It may be emphasised here that this research journal specifically works on interpreting the ideological framework of 'Integral Humanism' in contemporary context especially when it comes to formulation of socio-economic policies at the macro level. The philosophy of 'Integral Humanism' is the official ideology of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was propounded by an RSS stalwart and former president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. The BJS was formed in 1951 and is considered the predecessor of the BJP, which was established in 1980.

Here are some of the priority areas highlighted by these eminent thinkers to take India forward:

No Freebies 

Spreading of ‘Freebie Culture’ by Central government, like some state governments and political parties, is suicidal for social ethos. Such steps may be necessary for a short period and only for an extremely deprived small section of society. Such a practice, inter alia, will lead to inaction and mai-baap culture, loss of self-respect and lack of will to face difficulties and overcome them, besides being economically overburdening. The genuine needs of the ‘really deprived people’ can always be taken care of in the Antyodaya programme.

Rural-Urban Migration

Recent years have seen significant migration of youth from rural to urban and semi-urban areas, leading to a depletion of younger, particularly educated, individuals in rural areas and overcrowding in urban centers. Effective measures need to be taken to address the migration situation and ensure that young people can remain in rural areas to contribute to their development.

Education and Migration

The present education system is also responsible for this migration from rural to urban areas. Children are alienated from their moorings and cultural ethos and are motivated to aspire for only white collar jobs and material gains. There is a need for a drastic change in our system of education which should enable the young boys and girls to stand on their own and become job creators rather than job seekers.

Small-Scale Industry

There should be holistic, integrated, and comprehensive development plans and economic policies. In this regard, the government should establish complete coordination among ethics, economy, ecology, energy, and employment. Small-scale industries should be given priority in our economy. These industries and enterprises should receive sufficient financial support and personnel training. To encourage small industries, their products should be purchased on a priority basis, and they should receive as much tax relief as possible.

Agriculture and Cow-keeping

It should be our first priority as a country to shift the centre of gravity of the Indian economy towards agriculture. This would require massive investments in a number of activities related to agriculture. Agriculture and cow-keeping are the primary economic activities of India. This primacy of agriculture and cow-keeping is an essential attribute of India as she has been known through ages. Pandit Deendayal’s critique of Nehru’s economic policies, which from the Second Plan onwards shifted the priority towards industry, was based mainly on this issue.

Energy Policy

Our energy policy requires quite urgently an innovative strategic framework. Our plans linked with fossil fuels and those with green energy should accordingly be woven into the integrated whole. As China currently plays the most dominant role in the field of green energy, we must achieve the aim of self-dependence in this field in the immediate future.

Healthcare Reform

There is an urgent need to revamp the healthcare system to guarantee widespread availability of high-quality healthcare services, encompassing preventative care and mental health assistance. We need to allocate resources towards the development of medical infrastructure, scientific research, and public health initiatives in order to effectively tackle developing health concerns. Changing mental health concerns of new generation workers and the occupational health and safety frameworks too should be given due attention.

Urban Commission

In most of the large cities the town planning is almost abandoned and haphazard development is taking place, mostly due to pressure from builders and realty developers. It is urgent that we freeze such development and new development should be allowed after an Urban Commission provides new and proper guidelines.

Earlier Sanghnomics columns can be read here.