Context: The AatmaNirbharta has evolved as a new model of sustainable development for India as a learning Nation which has unity in diversity.
About Atmanirbharta:
The meaning of the term ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ is self-reliant India.
In his speech, the Prime Minister observed that to fulfil the dream of making the 21st century India’s, the way forward is through ensuring that the country becomes self-reliant.
The aim is to make the country and its citizens independent and self-reliant.
Five pillars of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat are
Economy: contemplates not an Incremental change but a quantum leap so that we can convert the current adversity into an advantage.
Infrastructure: that can be an image of modern India or it can be the identity of India.
Systems: driven by 21st-century technology, and that is not based on old rules.
Democracy: a vibrant democracy that is the source of energy to make India self-reliant.
Demand: where the strength of our demand and supply chain is utilized intelligently.
Significance of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
Self-reliance will make globalization human-centric.
The definition of self-reliance has changed in a globalized world and it is different from being self-centred.
India’s fundamental thinking and tradition of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” provides a ray of hope to the world.
This should be seen in the context of Human-Centric Globalization versus Economy Centralized Globalization.
Self-reliance does not mean cutting India off from the world.
India believes in the welfare of the world and India’s progress is linked with the world.
The world trusts that India has a lot to contribute to the development of the entire humanity.
Challenges associated with current trends in development:
The economy is already struggling with a low number of jobs and the job situation in the country is poised to face severe damage due to the pandemic.
India’s low state capacity, poor healthcare infrastructure, and highly populated urban centres have left it particularly affected by the pandemic, which has weighed further on the economy.
If the government does not undertake the opening of various sectors to private enterprises, ease overbearing regulation, and privatise loss-making PSUs, India’s manufacturing sector will become further uncompetitive.
This would make future governments averse to opening up the economy again.
Schemes like more protectionist trade stance and any increase in tariff rates for imports may lead to punitive tariffs or the revocation of trade benefits from its partners.
Insufficient support for the state governments – the state governments which are at the forefront of fighting the pandemic have not been supported adequately via fund transfers.
Suggestive measures:
This is a time when the legitimate aspirations of the diverse peoples of our country need to be reconciled self-reliant India working for Vasudaiva Kutumbakam.
Atmanirbharta should be seen as a means for regaining India’s share in the global economy while simultaneously improving the quality of life for the common Indian.
It will require a huge concerted effort from all stakeholders to restore India’s share in global trade to pre-colonial levels.
Achieving global scales of production, improving the quality of our services to world standards and promoting goal-oriented R and D are efforts that will yield the desired goal of a higher share in global trade and manufacturing.
No nation can progress without engaging its citizens in the development process. Citizenship is not just about participating in the electoral process.
It is also about enlightening oneself with information, engaging with the state and its agencies and operating with a sense of empowerment.
India has performed well in producing new knowledge, the focus should be now on harnessing this knowledge for economic growth.
