Saturday, June 28, 2008

Education, Healthcare and Self Respect

From the time of our independence we have a popular socialist slogan - " roti, kapda aur makaan". It was (and is still) considered that the government has the responsibility to provide basic amenities to all our nation. We are now more than a billion and with it we have more than a billion aspirations. From our sixty years of independence it is now evident this socialistic mindset can no longer deliver the desired results in this highly competitive world. We should now move on from " give a man a fish to eat" to "teach a man to fish ".It is the need of this hour to move from "roti kapda aur makaan" to "education, healthcare and self-respect."
Education is the right of a citizen.We all know the importance of education in civilised world. We can hardly imagine what can be the education rate of our country when the National Literacy Rate is only around 65%.The conditions are improving at the level of graduate studies with so many Private institutions coming up.On the other hand, the conditions at the primary level in Bharat(not in India) are stagnant. The government spends huge money at primary education but about 94% of this money is just wasted. The problems are plenty, we should search for the solutions. First, it should be allowed for foreign universities to open their campuses in India. Secondly, transfer the control of goverment schools from state governments to local bodies like village panchayats. They should be free to hire their own teachers. Thirdly, use of the information technology - like video lectures via satellite , e-classes,etc.
Healthcare facilities protect people.Only a fit and healthy individual can sustain himself and then his family, society and country. He is more productive. But, the health facilities in India are crumbling. Just go to any government hospital to see and feel the conditions there. A man dies after suffering from an internal head injury just because there is no doctor to attend him. There are not enough doctors and the infrasructure is crumbling under pressure. A medicine which costs Re.1 for a dozen is sold for Rs.10 in retail. Amidst all these problems our honourable Central Health Minister Mr. Ambumani Ramadoss is busy in a dirty fight with Mr. Venugopala Rao(one of best heart surgeons this country has ever produced) over control of AIIMS, and in advising Film Stars not to smoke or drink on screen.
Self Respect is vital in protecting the rights, thinking and occupation of an individual. Only when a person is guarded against abuses, violence, threats, inequality, etc. he can have his self respect with him. So how can a billion people have their self respect-- the answer lies in a just, functioning and transparent judiciary or judicial system. We all must have watched Indian movies and hence, have got the taste of our judiciary.
I, believe, that education, healthcare and self respect can solve most of our social and economic problems. But the simpler the solution , the complex is its implementation. All the suggestions and comments are highly welcomed

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