Agenda for PM Modi’s Next Term: Navigating Development Amidst Challenges

The following inputs are attributed to Shri K Siddhartha : A Polymath, Earth & Space Scientist, Advisor to Multiple Governments, and Author of 50 Books

1. How do you think the next term of PM Modi is going to be in terms of following a development agenda?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term in office is expected to be marked by both complexity and challenges, as he navigates advancing the development agenda amidst societal tensions and political conflicts. The upcoming term will hinge significantly on garnering parliamentary support to enact crucial legislation and implement major policies, highlighting the paramount importance of the development agenda.

A critical challenge facing PM Modi will be the introduction of contentious constitutional amendments, such as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the repeal of the Waqf Act. These reforms are likely to encounter strong opposition from various quarters, complicating their passage through Parliament. In his previous term, PM Modi faced obstacles in implementing these reforms due to insufficient legislative backing. In his upcoming term, building consensus and securing necessary votes will be imperative, albeit challenging.

During the recent session, PM Modi was compelled to repeal the farm laws. These laws aimed to revolutionize agriculture by addressing issues like land fragmentation in one sweeping reform.

Furthermore, PM Modi must sustain focus on his development agenda, including key projects such as the Srinagar rail connection and the India-Sri Lanka road link. These infrastructure initiatives are crucial for enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth and development.

2. Prime Minister Modi envisions India as a developed country by 2047.

Achieving this goal, especially in light of the 2024 elections, poses significant challenges. Indians may hinder their own progress towards making India a superpower, strengthening its global brand, and defining its own narrative for 2047. The path faces obstacles from Western powers, who prefer India dependent on them, and a fragmented opposition that often opposes governmental policies without considering national interests.

Nani Palkhivala emphasized these challenges, noting mindsets that could impede progress towards 2047. These include a lack of understanding of adversaries (“Shatru-Bodh”) and adversarial ideologies that oppose India’s pluralistic ethos.

Many educated in British-style classrooms lack a clear Indian identity or appreciation for their civilizational heritage, contributing to what could be termed “smriti bhransh” or short-term memory loss of history. Without a strong historical grounding, individuals risk repeating past mistakes and losing their sense of national identity.

There’s also a disconnect between the upper-middle class and the broader population, inhibiting social cohesion and collective progress. This gap prevents India from leveraging its social capital effectively and fostering long-term development.

Additionally, there’s a misunderstanding about the long-term implications of secularism and socialism, which some believe are at odds with Indian values. There’s a misconception that Indian culture primarily revolves around tolerance and non-violence (ahimsa), concepts that may not be reciprocated by religions of foreign origin, posing challenges to national integrity.

3. We do have a relatively developed infrastructure now with a good railway network and road infrastructure. However, where are the gaps that prevent us from making the best use of them?

Developed infrastructure like roadways and railways is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Issues such as logistics, manufacturing units, ancillary industries, storage, and numerous other factors need to be addressed to create a viable and thriving ecosystem.

In August 2023, the Rail Minister acknowledged 230,000 vacancies in the railways. The immediate priority is to fill these vacancies across railways, roadways, airways, and ports.

Next, there should be aggressive pursuit of mass recruitment through:

Direct hiring,
Indirect means such as awarding wayside amenities (WSA) contracts through NHAI, IRCTC, or NAA.
Increasing recruitment is also essential to bolster the security of roads and rails. Contrary to employers’ concerns, hiring more personnel doesn’t necessarily increase liabilities but significantly enhances productivity and can be self-sustaining with proper income-generating mechanisms for salaries.

The primary focus of reform in Indian railways should emphasize management and administration, not solely technology. Repurposing bullet train infrastructure for locally manufactured 160 kmph trains can save costs and boost India’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities, aligning with the “Make in India” initiative.

India already exports railway products, with ongoing growth expected. The expansion from approximately 7,000 to

ver 13,000 daily passenger trains since 2014 illustrates the increasing demand for rail travel and the capabilities of Indian railways.

Allocations exceeding one trillion rupees for railway projects in recent years, once unthinkable, demonstrate significant investment facilitating timely project completions and continued modernization of India’s railway network.

The number of trains and amenities for the common populace should be prioritized alongside high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express, which currently serves a minimal percentage of the population.

4. Despite one of the highest participation rate of youth India will witness in the coming years, the Indian youth do not seem to make decisions based on any logic and information base rather on heresy and frivolous information. What has to be done to make the youth more productive?

Despite having one of the highest youth participation rates in the world, Indian youth often make decisions based not on logic and information but on hearsay and frivolous sources. Addressing this issue is crucial to enhancing their productivity.

Years of colonial rule and a curriculum manipulated by textbooks with hidden agendas have deeply influenced today’s youth. Their habits—disregarding their circadian rhythms, becoming screen-addicted, relying heavily on hearsay, and being overly opinionated and judgmental—reflect these influences. They prioritize entertainment, exhibit arrogance even with minor success, and show a gross disrespect for knowledge. They struggle to differentiate emotions and have lost some learning abilities.

These challenges prevent youth from fully contributing to India’s demographic dividend. Addressing these issues requires a post-secondary education system that bridges the gaps left by school education.

The digital revolution has transformed education, offering alternatives to traditional classrooms through social media, arts and sports monetization, and increased self-employment opportunities. Financial support and political empowerment further enable youth to pursue diverse career paths, including politics.

However, the limitations of traditional education become apparent in real-world scenarios. Bridging this gap is crucial, emphasising practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. A focused 3-4 month course could prepare youth for the workforce and cultivate necessary skills.

Indian youth possess immense potential. Equipping them to differentiate between emotions, theoretical and applied knowledge, and productive actions can unlock their capabilities fully. This approach is essential for preparing them to excel in various fields.

5. Water resources and availability will be major concerns. How can river rejuvenation help mitigate this crisis?

India’s economic ambitions hinge on effective water resource management, vital for energy, food, and industrial production. Improvements are essential.

Rivers must be treated differently going forward:

Declare all rivers as legal entities.
Establish minimum environmentally compatible flow rates for each season.
Define clear territories and buffer zones along rivers to prevent encroachment and pollution.
Governance of inter-state rivers needs reform. Currently, under the Seventh Schedule of Article 246 of the Indian Constitution, states control water resources within their boundaries. The outdated Inter-State River Water Disputes Act of 1956 should be replaced with a single tribunal and strict decision timelines.

Adopt water-saving practices:

Promote piped water networks and micro-irrigation systems.
Implement comprehensive water accounting to monitor usage and efficiency, aiding judicious water withdrawal.
Achieving water security requires integrating water, energy, food, and livelihoods at the river basin level, with community involvement. Legislation should define river rights, including caps on water extraction.

Conservation efforts must consider ecological, economic, technological, and social dimensions holistically. Decentralized river and water management is crucial, reviving traditional water conservation methods like Ahars, Pynes, and Johads.

To combat pollution:

Construct parallel channels for wastewater removal.
Implement strict wastewater management in urban areas and research controls for non-point pollution sources.
In the Himalayan region, prioritise spring conservation, the primary source of many rivers. Lastly, annually assess river health with standardised audits of water quality and quantity.

6. A lot of talk has been around direct taxes and its restructuring. How far is this tenable and why should it be done?

“Direct taxes, such as income tax and corporate tax, have sparked considerable discussion on the need for restructuring. This restructuring aims to enhance the efficiency, equity, and transparency of the tax system. Several factors support this need:”

Complexity and Inefficiency: Many countries’ direct tax systems have grown overly intricate due to numerous amendments, exemptions, and deductions. Restructuring can simplify the tax code, making it more understandable and easier for taxpayers to comply with.
Tax Avoidance and Evasion: Loopholes and complexities in tax laws often facilitate tax avoidance and evasion, leading to significant revenue losses.
Changing Economic Landscape: Recent global economic shifts, such as increased cross-border trade and investment, necessitate adaptive tax systems. Restructuring helps countries align their tax frameworks with these changes to remain effective and relevant.
Globalisation and Tax Competition: In a globalised economy, nations face competition to attract businesses and individuals with favorable tax environments. Restructuring direct taxes can help countries maintain competitiveness and attract foreign investment.
This election has been known to have been sabotaged by external agencies. We have neither played a victim card nor blamed them. Isn’t it time to identify and expose them rather than be complacent?
The 2024 election in India was a pivotal event that would shape the country’s future. Concerns have arisen about external agencies attempting to sabotage the electoral process. While figures like Soros are known for their anti-India actions and endorsements in the country, Saudi Arabia’s refusal to sign the Petrodollar pact with the USA has potentially reduced funding for disruptive activities like riots and election interference. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has commendably avoided playing the victim or assigning blame, demonstrating maturity and responsibility.

It is now crucial for the party to proactively identify and expose any agencies involved in sabotaging the 2024 election. This will uphold transparency, accountability, and strengthen India’s democracy. It’s equally vital to thoroughly investigate any foreign financial trails linked to political parties or individuals, ensuring compliance with regulations and preventing undue influence.

Regarding the recent statement by Pannu concerning AAP, a thorough investigation is necessary to verify claims of foreign funding or financial irregularities. While India has refrained from publicly naming external agencies thus far, it is imperative to now take decisive action to expose and guard against cognitive warfare, protecting its citizens and democratic integrity.

7. What aspect do you see playing a role in industrialisation of India and in changing its form. Content and structure?

Industrialisation in India differs significantly from Western economies, where it’s often perceived narrowly as manufacturing focused solely on profit. In India, industrialisation is viewed as a process of adding value in a structured manner to natural resources and inherent skills. It aims to address economic challenges by achieving economies of scale and agglomeration, reducing costs, and boosting revenue. This involves continuous innovation and technology diffusion across production and management processes to enhance productivity through vertical and horizontal integration—backward and forward linkages—while expanding geographically and improving product perception.

In contrast, Western industrialisation emphasizes resource acquisition, technological advancement, productivity, and infrastructure development, alongside challenges such as environmental impact, resource depletion, ecological damage, and energy consumption.

Prime Minister Modi’s approach emphasizes decentralising industrial activities, particularly supporting small enterprises in a growing gig economy. The government’s role is crucial in creating linkages for local artisans and informal workers in sectors like shoemaking, utensil production, and textiles, enabling their products to reach global markets. This strategy fosters value addition, skill development, problem-solving, sustainable growth, integration, spatial expansion, brand enhancement, and considers social and environmental impacts, ultimately aiming to bridge socio-economic disparities.

8. At present, India does not have a project like Burj Khalifa or what Empire State building did for the USA sometime back or what will happen to Saudi Arabia with Neomi. What do you envisage India can do and to what extent your Earth Science City and Knowledge Mapping will play an instrumental role?

Currently, India lacks a landmark project akin to the Burj Khalifa or the Empire State Building, which have defined other nations in the past. With initiatives like Neom in Saudi Arabia, what can India aspire to achieve? How pivotal will Earth Science City and Knowledge Mapping be in this endeavor?

Earth Science City is a visionary concept for the 22nd century, championed by Honourable PM Modi, leveraging his dynamism, global influence, and charisma to leave a lasting legacy on a global scale. It envisions the creation of the world’s first geoscience city—a miniature planet replicating Earth itself. This city would serve as a global hub, a leading university (propelling India towards Vishwa Guru status), a tourist magnet, and a billion-dollar industry catalyst.

Key benefits include:

A mini-planet generating annual revenues from $1 billion to $6 billion.
Potentially creating over a million jobs.
Serving as a pivotal Growth Center with extensive economic linkages.
Becoming a global aviation hub and tourist hotspot surpassing Dubai.
Elevating India’s international standing, a feat not achieved by ISRO before.
Involving global agencies from Google to NASA, fostering collaboration across disciplines.
Enhancing India’s soft power by fostering global unity.
A knowledge hub preserving global wisdom, showcasing India’s heritage, and promoting environmental ethics.
Establishing satellite locations worldwide, extending its impact globally.
The Knowledge Mapping of the World involves creating a comprehensive audio-visual atlas, detailing global locations, their physical features, climatic data, economic activities, and cultural richness. This pioneering effort aims to immerse users in real-time experiences akin to Radio Garden, elevating ISRO and India’s global recognition akin to Google’s impact. Users will access live and recorded guidance, enhancing global connectivity and market appeal.

9. Isn’t this entire program reliant on effective implementation through bureaucratic engagement and its reform? The British legacy that our bureaucracy embodies now, though functional, leaves much to be desired and must be a target for reform. What reforms do you believe the government should enact?

There seems to be a general lack of awareness regarding the current bureaucratic attitudes, which hinder enterprise, innovation, zeal, and efficiency. Politicians are often blamed, while bureaucrats continue to wield significant influence without direct accountability to the public. Unlike politicians, who risk losing mandates with each mistake, bureaucrats tend to retain their influence unchecked.

The mindset of administrators often leads to decisions and actions that stifle national progress precisely when momentum is crucial. For instance, amendments to Articles like 311 and 312 are necessary for enabling strategic implementations currently stalled by bureaucratic barriers.

The entire recruitment process needs an overhaul. Beginning with preliminary exams, the focus should shift from elimination to selection. At the mains level, while there have been improvements in question relevance, candidates are primarily rewarded for regurgitating facts rather than demonstrating deep analytical abilities, coherence, or linguistic proficiency. Reforming question structures to include varying word limits (e.g., one 600-word, two 400-word, three 300-word, alongside shorter responses) would better assess candidates across multiple dimensions. Examiners should also be trained to evaluate not just factual knowledge but also the quality of analysis, coherence, and presentation, reducing the influence of coaching institutes.

Interview processes require significant reform as well. The current single-board format inadequately assesses candidate personalities within a half-hour time frame. Adopting a format similar to the Combined Defense Services or National Defense Academy tests, where candidates undergo a multi-day evaluation, could provide deeper insights. Alternatively, a two-stage interview process conducted by separate boards, with interview marks given equal weight age to mains marks, could ensure a more comprehensive evaluation.

Beyond recruitment lies the crucial training stage. The current three-month training period is insufficient for assessing and developing candidates’ administrative, policing, diplomatic, negotiation, or accounting skills. A restructured, extended training program is essential to imparting objectivity to service allocations based on candidates’ aptitude, interests, and performance.

Consideration should also be given to recruiting potential civil servants immediately after high school, providing comprehensive field training over three years and awarding an administration degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

Source: Daily Hunt News

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