Delighted to inaugurate the 6th #IndiaIdeasConclave. Welcome all participants to Gujarat, Narmada district and Kevadia. The Statue of Unity is sure to inspire us as we discuss #NewIndia - Turning to Roots, Rising to Heights @IndiaIdeas_IF
mymea.in/et9
mymea.in/et9
India has to demonstrate an Indian Way, one that delivers at home, embraces the world, contributes its fullest and expresses comfortably what its people really are. The world has much riding on its success in doing so.
A large democratic world exists beyond the West, one that gives democracy and pluralism a more universal appeal. But for that to make itself felt in the current situation, the power of ideas and strength of beliefs need to be stronger than the prejudices of history.
Whether such convergences can override entrenched frameworks is still an open question. India holds the key to the answer.
The status quo is comfortable for the consensus of the day.And tht obviously is v. much based on the shared world view of ‘people like us’. So,when govts & societies depart sharply frm what is supposed to be an established norm,their actions are subjected to a vigorous challenge.
The paradox thus emerges where liberals often oppose change more than so-called conservatives. We have seen some striking examples of that in our own society in recent times. These are not just on political and security issues, but even on social and development goals.
Somehow, a sense of morality is attributed to non-change. In contrast, addressing longstanding governance problems is made to look risky, if not retrograde.
A variety of mediums&institutions, often wth undeclared interests,pass judgements&set standards.These are the self-appointed arbiters of political correctness.Apparently, these are of such high order tht they claim superiority ovr the verdict of democracy&the will of legislatures
Opinions of this kind are often cited in a self-reinforcing manner by others of the same ilk to gain greater credence. And the really good ones do so with amazing claims of impartiality.
In tht exercise,the strands of Westfullness,globalism,a kind of multilateralism & liberalism are strongly intertwined.The truth is tht everyone–media,think-tanks,self-perceived Ombudsmen–all have a dog in the fight.The challenge tday is to hv the courage to call that out clearly.
A great line by Suresh Prabhu in his opening remarks: The rootless are ruthless!
