Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has called for a “peaceful revolution” in India, arguing that the country needs a fundamental change in the way it chooses its political leaders if it is to emerge as a developed nation by 2047.
In a video message posted ahead of Independence Day, Wangchuk said he had been reflecting on India’s future and was increasingly disappointed by India’s progress compared with several countries in the region.
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“Fifty years ago, countries that were behind us or at par with us are today miles ahead of us,” he said, citing Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in terms of per capita GDP.
Wangchuk warned that if the current trajectory continued, India could struggle to hold its place in the global economy by 2047, the centenary of its Independence.
He also praised people who had recently taken to the streets demanding change, saying their protests had already resulted in the resignation of the education minister. However, he said the appointment of a new education minister had not yet brought any visible transformation.
“As long as education remains backward, the future of the country will also remain backward,” Wangchuk said.
NOT ABOUT ANY ONE POLITICAL PARTY
Wangchuk said the problem extended beyond any particular political party. Referring to protests and government action in different states, he argued that governments across the political spectrum had been accused of silencing voices raised against injustice.
He recalled the anti-corruption movement of 2012-13, which led to a change in government in Delhi, but said corruption and injustice had returned in a different form.
“Now, 12 years later, corruption and injustice have changed their route, but are staring at us, frightening us, in a form two or three times bigger,” he said.
Wangchuk said India therefore needed a “very big change”, which he described as a “peaceful revolution”.
FOCUS ON HOW POLITICAL LEADERS ARE CHOSEN
The activist said the biggest weakness in India’s political system was the way leaders were selected.
“If the leaders are not right, the whole country goes in the wrong direction,” he said.
Wangchuk acknowledged that there were politicians who followed principles and worked with honesty, saying he saluted such leaders. But he questioned how India could become a developed country when many lawmakers face criminal cases.
He claimed that nearly half of India’s MPs face criminal cases and around a third face serious allegations, including murder, rape and kidnapping. He stressed that he was not targeting any particular party or the ruling or opposition camp, but was speaking about the country as a whole.
SEEKS NAMES OF SELFLESS INDIANS
Wangchuk said he now wanted to bring together some of the country’s “best minds” to seek ideas and advice on how India could move towards a new political system.
But he said he was not looking merely for intellectuals.
“I want to meet people who are selfless, who have character and who follow principles,” he said.
Wangchuk, who is currently in Ladakh, appealed to people across India to suggest names of individuals they believe possess these qualities and could help create a “new map” for the country’s future.
He also said he wanted to travel to different states and cities to seek suggestions directly from people.
Wangchuk ended his message by wishing people on Independence Day and appealing for their help in building what he described as a peaceful transformation of India.
“Give me the best gift this Independence Day by suggesting such names,” he said.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
