Five-point inclusive development agenda for a new India

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Future of Indian Democracy

Introduction

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight that counts, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” – Mark Twain

In any battle or confrontation between two people or entities, one would intuitively anticipate an invincible or stronger entity to win. But sometimes the determination, spirit, and belief in one’s ability of the underdog produce an upset victory. 

The story of David and Goliath is one of the best examples. The current status of Indian democracy is evocative of the Goliath and David myth, with indomitable Narendra Modi on one side and on the other the opposition’s desperation to win under the Congress party’s guidance in 2024.

Opposition Unity and the Defeat in Karnataka

Modi is a cult figure in Indian politics thanks to his victories in two consecutive general elections, 2014 and 2019, and numerous state elections. But the defeat of his Bhartiya Janata Party in Karnataka State Assembly polls in May has turned the tables. Karnataka had a reputation of being a “laboratory” for the BJP’s right-wing Hindutva ideology.

The Indian National Congress’ victory was considered a personal loss for Modi’s brand of politics, as the BJP had made Modi the key figure of its campaign. Karnataka was considered a litmus test for voter sentiment before the 2024 general election.

The defeat was a warning sign for Modi, as his party is no longer in power in any of the five southern states. It certainly makes a statement that South India rejects the BJP’s politics of hatred.

Certainly, the State of Karnataka has shown a path toward opposition unity. On June 23, leaders of 15 opposition parties, including Rahul Gandhi of the INC, met in Patna, Bihar, to signal multiparty unity against the BJP. On July 18, opposition parties again met in Bangalore to announce formally the name of their alliance as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.).

But the chemistry of any alliance is different from its arithmetic. The coming together of parties or leaders is one thing, but converting this into votes is another thing until the opposition has a stronger agenda that resonates with people’s aspirations.

Indian blueprint for the next decade

(1) Federal Structure Revision

1. The makers of the Indian constitution had a view of strong central authority to protect the country’s survival and political stability, thus giving the central government greater authority than the states and creating what may appear to be “centralized federalism.”

Under the Modi government, however, this robust federal structure has been exploited to suppress state governments led by opposition parties. Central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department have been blatantly used to target opposition leaders, journalists, and civil society.

Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of  2002, the Enforcement Directorate (a central agency) has increased the number of raids by 27 times under Modi’s rule, mostly targeting political opponents. These politically motivated raids not only undermine the rule of law, but also weaken India’s democratic credentials.

As I have written previously, a new federal structure that adequately represent the interests of the states and the central government is the need of hour to the stop misuse of institutional power.

(2) Industrial Nation Dream

1. India has witnessed a concerning trend of de-industrialization since the early part of the century. A strong argument is always made that only mass manufacturing could create enough jobs for such a huge workforce as India’s.

In 2014, Narendra Modi, upon assuming office as prime minister, made a significant promise to revitalize the country’s industrial and manufacturing sector through the “Make in India” program. However, foreign investment primarily flowed into service sectors, leading to a conclusion that the “Make in India” initiative had not achieved its intended objectives.

Apart from that, Modi shut down the 1950s-era Planning Commission when he took office.

The Planning Commission was a government organization that defined goals for industrial and agricultural production over a five-year period. The only thing worse than socialism with central planning is industrial policy with no planning at all. In recent years, manufacturing-sector growth has seen a rapid decline.

India recorded a 3.4% fall in manufacturing-sector growth during the previous five years according to the National Statistical Office (NSO), which is under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. Its declining performance raises concerns for both employment and the economy’s general growth prospects. It is a concerning indicator for a nation that adds a million workers to its labor force each month.

The disproportionate emphasis on “Digital India” initiatives has, unfortunately, overshadowed the importance of industrialization for the nation’s progress. To ensure sustainable economic growth and address the pressing issue of employment generation, a revival of India’s industrial and manufacturing sector becomes imperative.

Historically, no country has ever achieved significant economic power without reaching a high level of industrialization. But now with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the dream of transforming India into an industrialized nation can be realized at an accelerated pace.

(3) New Employment Policy

1. For decades, the Indian information-technology industry has played a pivotal role in generating employment opportunities. The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) reports that the Indian IT sector directly employs more than 5.1 million people.

However, in recent months uncertainties in the global market and advancements in AI technology with tools like ChatGPT or generative AI have significantly impacted the revenue of IT companies, leading to layoffs and job losses.

According to India Today, more than 200,000 people have lost jobs in the IT sector between January and May 2023.

Experts warn that technologies like ChatGPT, capable of generating code, may soon replace software engineers. This prospect is particularly concerning for India, which is home to 5 million skilled coders.

In light of these developments, a new employment and skill development policy is necessary. Mitigating the potential impact of these technologies requires a proactive approach that empowers workers to adapt and acquire new skills that align with the evolving job market.

Diversifying the employment landscape and promoting skill development will be the keys to fostering a resilient and adaptable workforce. It is time for India to embrace a future where man

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7% GDP growth per annum in the least developed countries.
• SDG 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in the least developed countries.
• SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
• SDG 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• GDP growth rate: The article mentions the decline in manufacturing-sector growth, which is a concerning indicator for economic growth (SDG 8.1).
• Employment in the IT sector: The article highlights the impact of AI technology on job losses in the IT sector, indicating the need for a new employment policy (SDG 8.1, SDG 9.2).
• Transparency and accountability of institutions: The article discusses the misuse of central agencies to target opposition leaders, highlighting the need for effective and transparent institutions (SDG 16.6).
• Partnerships and knowledge sharing: The article mentions the opposition parties coming together to form an alliance, emphasizing the importance of partnerships for achieving goals (SDG 17.16).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: asiatimes.com

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