A contributor, not consumer 

News: Recently, A book named Atmanirbhar Bharat: A vibrant and Strong India was published which analysed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in May 2020. 

What kind of self-reliance should India pursue?

India’s Atmanirbharta should neither be protectionist nor be isolationist. It should be a self-reliant India. India should be able to engage with a tension-filled world order. This can help build India’s national identity which is pivotal to the fortune of modern states.  

It should address the existential challenges that are internal to India like, addressing the conflicting aspirations and expectations of different states. For example, the aspirations of the Dravidian model of development should be synchronised with regional-specific aspirations and the holistic concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat. In the absence of cooperation, the fundamental issues such as the sharing of Cauvery waters and coal for energy, which are important for self-reliant India, will remain unresolved.  

The Western model of development cannot work for a country as diverse as India. It is evidenced by the catastrophic financial crisis of 2008. It is not human-centric.  

India’s atmanirbharta model should be based on civilisational pride, experience and a self-belief that will help India be a contributor to the world rather than only a consumer. It should be a human-centric model i.e., the growth model be based on equity and humanity. 

The politicians and leaders in India should realise that this is not a time for narrow political gains. It is a time to come together for the sake of the nation.  

Atmanirbhar Bharat envisages a self-reliant India working for Vasudaiva Kutumbakam.  

Source: The post is based on an article “A Contributor, bot consumer” published in The Hindu on 29th March 22.