INDIA : CHANGE BEFORE CHANGE CONSUMES YOU
Its high time India and Indians need to be practical (pragmatic)! In order that India shines; some issues need to be addressed at right earnest!
1. Nation first..... then anything! This needs to be an integral part of education at all levels. Respecting national flag or anthem be a moral duty! Thus, it entails character building; which will be through well deliberated and thoughtful measures.
2. Population! Pandemic is a wake up call! Every citizen of India should be conscious; and act towards containing the population, and further reducing it. As we are a democracy; unlike China, it can't be legislated; but regulated through strong measures. Benefits accrued surpass the undesired outcomes; and the same is exemplified by the present China. Conscientiously, Indians need to emulate Chinese in controlling the population! Between 1975 and 2010, the population doubled to 1.2 billion, reaching the billion mark in 1998. India is projected to surpass China to become the world's most populous country by 2024. We are champion in fertility; while here we need to let others surpass us.
3. Reservation; needs to be undone! Constitution mandated it for ten years! But mere greed of political brass; has not only got it extended, but this has taken menacing proportions! One can do anything! Not all will be equal in any ways at any point of time. 70 years is enough! This has now enough blood on its hands! No guarantee more won't flow. Reservations on date is equal to or more than 80% in six states. In one it is 100%.
The Round Table Conference of June 1932, when the Prime Minister of Britain, was Ramsay MacDonald, the reservation was introduced. Mahatma Gandhi protested and went on a fast. Mr Ambedkar prevailed over him to accept the British diktat. This was sealed by Poona Pact of September 1932.
Original Constitution of India has provided reservation only for quota in legislatures – that too only for 10 years until 1960 (article 334). It kept expanding with constitutional amendments. This means the original constitution explicitly mentioned ONLY political reservation. Reservation if any, be for economically weaker section (EWS) alone!
4. Uniform civil code (UCC). This has to be enforced through legislation; where every citizen has equal rights, responsibility and accountability. 1840, the British; Lex Loci Report has advocated for UCC in India.
Post independence, UCC was enshrined under Article 44 of the constitution; and had the favour of Pundit Nehru and Mr Ambedkar; yet was not maintained in its full spirits. Now this needs to be addressed! It is interesting; that Goa albeit has UCC and everyone abides and honours it!
Goa is the only Indian state to have a UCC in the form of common family law. The Portuguese Civil Code that remains in force even today was introduced in the 19th century in Goa and wasn’t replaced after its liberation.
Features-
The Uniform Civil Code in Goa is a progressive law that allows equal division of income and property between husband and wife and also between children (regardless of gender).
Every birth, marriage and death have to be compulsorily registered. For divorce, there are several provisions.
Muslims who have their marriages registered in Goa cannot practice polygamy or divorce through triple talaq.
During the course of a marriage, all the property and wealth owned or acquired by each spouse is commonly held by the couple.
Each spouse in case of divorce is entitled to half of the property and in case of death, the ownership of the property is halved for the surviving member.
The parents cannot disinherit their children entirely. At least half of their property has to be passed on to the children. This inherited property must be shared equally among the children.
India can adopt UCC from Goa. if the same can be better articulated; will be a welcome act.
Attempts to address the flagged issues above have been made; but has remained superficial. Tough times call for tough decisions and measures. If it is not done; the price we are paying as Indians will keep snowballing. Should we, Indians, not learn the lessons from Pandemic?
The myopic view today, of Indians; is limited to oneself, children and may be grand children. The results of non promulgation of the above will bring about discernible detriments for the society and the nation, sooner or later! Then; a heavy, and an avoidable price would be paid by those, who then will be the populace!