Friday, December 26, 2014

Development for whom? For what? How? What next?

Development for whom? For what? How? What next?

US economic crisis of September 2008 has proved that artificial growth bubbled up by corporates in connivance with politicians and economists bursts at the end, and general population become loser. The players make money and run away under the cover of lawyers and politicians. Money give them the same kick what cocaine does to the addict and general mass are kicked out.

At home many companies looted away domestic small investors savings by issuing IPO at premium rate (and fall in prices thereafter) or playing with sensex, pulling it up (to sell) and  down (to buy) and eat away difference from the game.

Democratic power come through votes and votes need money to spend of campaign, media and for buying favours. That push political parties near the corporate world and the nexus starts working on Industrialisation model of development.

Informal sector, priority section and weaker section advances are in conservative mode of finance and big corporates get loans in billions/trillions. NPA of banks is a loss of the people.

Are we building India (roads, flyovers, bridges, ports, airports, power stations, automobiles, etc) for the comforts of 20% rich people and using 80% for their cover? Or making it for all? Are we moving away from our priorities? People have TV, bikes and mobiles but not toilets.

India's Agro Estate base development model survived for 10000 years with preservation of natural resources for future generations. It is a model of inclusive and sustainable growth. A estate is inhabited by farmers, farm workers and artisans of 18 occupations. Farmers grow food and supply to all in the village and the artisans work for the community to meet their day to day requirement of goods and services.

Industrial Development model (production process) of development born 250 years ago put large population under foreign power of exploitation. It has emptied natural resources without their rejuvenation and disturbed ecological balance put the entire mankind in danger of pollution and mass destruction. Cities are increasing with poors and slums, the hell on earth. Air become toxic and water become polluted. Rivers are dying with chemicals and sewerage.

Un-intruptted Industrial revolution impacted on climate making the glob warmer. Glaciers are melting.  Perennial rivers turning into seasonal. Extreme weather events of heavy rains or no rains happening more and more. Frequency of unusual, unprecedented events of floods, cloud bursts, cyclones, etc increased.

Industrial model worked well till it was for Europe, small population was using power and resources of world and were enjoying. But things have changed in last 20-30 years. Countries China, India, etc generated large demands, and aspirations of good life. Therefore, Problems of resources are coming up.

US and Europe have walked on path of industrialisation, exploiting natural resources and polluting mother earth, planted a seed of destruction of mankind. The tree of death of humans is growing very fast in the name of development.

Green Revolution brought hybrid seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and consumed lot of water. It has fed us well but now entered into diminish return stage. It has resulted into loss of fertility of land, heavy use of chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides endangered health of humans and over exploration of ground water created a scarcity of resources for future generations. 86% water used by agriculture and produces add chemical overload in our foods.

Does it mean that India also follow the same model and join the killers army?

India is chasing development through industrialisation and urbanisation; extracting natural resources 1.5 times more than actual balance, running with 50% overdraft, and not been able to rejuvenate.

Economic and social development have raised issues of access to critical resources, mainly, water, energy and food. 70% of oils are imported, that will go up to 90% by 2030 if current trends continue. 60% GAS also to be imported. Coal imported 25-30% at present, will rise to 60-75% by 2030 if India generates 1L MW power through thermal base plants. 75% of 33 critical (non fuel inputs)mines and minerals used in India are heavily imported.

India crossing Hindu Growth rate of 2.5%, grew @6-7% in last decade, eying for double digit growth in current decade. Its population is going up and up, will reach to 1.75B in 2050, the highest in the world. If if economy grew with present pace, it will multiply 10 times if the present value.

The children malnourished today, will become demographic liabilities if not fed well. Education and skills are important issues to be addressed qualitatively to encase the demographic dividend.

Good quality of life demands pacca house, lights, tap water, latrine, drainage, school, health centre, employment to earn and recreational facilities to enjoy. If we provide these in villages, entire run for comforts will stop.

Do our people need chemically loaded/junk foods and expensive indoor care or better food and hygiene with primary health care?

Do we need potable fresh drinking water or old bacterial bottled water?

Do our people need Cars, bikes or better public transport? Do our people need urban English medium school or better teachers in villages?

Car intensity in US is 800 and, in Europe 600-700 per thousand population. But in India, it is 30-40 per 1000 population. If with this intensity, our roads are crowded and cities are polluted, what will happen if we reach to the level of US. 10% people in India takes away road space of 90% and polluting air. The roads, fly over built for them, don't leave space for bus, walk and cycle. Do we need cars/bikes or better public transport?

Where the water, energy and food will come from? The internal security, external security, economic security, energy security, ecology security and strategic communication; all of them are interconnected.

Therefore strategic communication is essential to persuade people/consumers through channels so that people can reflect back to government.  People and government should know, why certain policies are successful or not successful.

There is need for 'Big Shift', to move away from water, fertilisers and pesticides intensive agriculture to less intensive methods of agriculture.

Energy generation needs more water. Thermal power plants use 70-80% of water used by industries. Nuclear power plants also require large quantity of water. Can't we made our houses of roof top solar panels so that lighting of house and streets can be taken care of. That will save billions in terms of electricity lines, substations, generation and supply.

Can't we make drip irrigation compulsory where ground waters are going down?

Can't we go for animal husbandry in a big way having milching cow in each house to permanent solution of malnutrition ???

Can't we prohibit people and industries to not to pollute our rivers and water bodies?

Manufacturing is 15% of GDP, if excel will require more water and energy. Can't we promote informal sector / cottage industries and their markets?

Can't we generate second green revolution producing more through less use of water, fertilizers and pesticides?

The way basic structure of Constitution of India can't be changed, can't we think of a common development agenda of the country that no party in power can change?

Do we need healthy people or a obese and weak lot searching supports and carrying medicine to survive for whole life? Do we need durable or disposable?

Can't we raise loud and up in world society and lead the world in the new path of development through inclusive growth with sustaining resources?

Can't we?

Punamchand
27/11/14
Mussoorie
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Posted by: pkhem2002 <pkhem2002@yahoo.com>

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