In the midst of rising cases of corruption, scams, slowing economic growth and terror, As rain washed out the national capital,the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the nation on the country's 65th Independence Day and said Corruption is a big obstacle in national transformation
With government facing attack over multiple scams, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, addressing the nation for the eighth consecutive year on the occasion of Independence Day acknowledging that corruption is a big obstacle in national transformation, he said the menace should be discussed in a manner that should not create an atmosphere in which country’s progress comes into question.
At the outset our concern was the stability of the nation but it was proved many a times that the people by intuition and instinct would clear the nation safe from turmoil and disintegration.In the sixth decade of Independence we are witnessing the spectacle of ministers resigning for different reasons and even a minister going to prison. Corruption has become endemic and people clamour for honesty and transparency in governance. Lokpal is the desired redeemer and the day after our celebration of the 65th Independence Day, albeit under unprecedented security, Anna Hazare will begin the second phase of his prolonged agitation for a foolproof machinery to detect corruption and punish the corrupt. After ushering in the information era with the passage of the Right to Information Act, we are striving to reach the golden era of transparency and accountability.
Pushing into the fading memories of history the ravages of colonial rule, India is forging ahead with vigour and confidence. But there is the other side, unlike the earth, always remaining in darkness. We, the people still remain an endearing constitutional prelude but it is not encompassing the entire people. Freedom remains fractured; democracy works for a minority; and the twilight zones expand where the dawn of freedom is indefinitely delayed.
People are angry. They are feeling angry with their elected governments.The claim of India as a sovereign, democratic republic may not remain long unless we are willing to address grave issues. There are many Tottenhams in and around us and warnings aplenty are blowing in the wind. What happened there can happen here. Political space for democratic activity is shrinking and it is occupied by unrepresentative civil society, grabbing the constitutional duty of the elected representatives to legislate.
Terrorism and insurgency are lurking as permanent threats to our freedom. As many as 310 of the country’s 636 districts are currently afflicted by terrorist and insurgent activities. Last year 1,902 persons lost their lives due to acts of terrorism and in insurgent conflicts. This is the state of the nation where we are trying to create a bubble of hallucination out of contradictions. At 65, are we ageing or are we reinventing ourselves?
