Dare to Dream

Rahul Gandhi is the new poster boy of Indian politics – suave, dimpled smiled, articulate and open - he seems to have inherited his grandmothers tactical planning and organizational skills, his great grandfather’s ability to build institutions and his mothers no nonsense approach to politics – add to this Manmohan’s experience and Sonia’s diplomacy and tenacity and we have a heady combination of individuals who actually has the potential to take the country forward.

The great Indian democracy finally seems to be coming of age – more importantly the maturity is reflected in the mandate for development and growth and not caste, creed and religion. A maturing country and a maturing politician – India and Rahul – Can they do it?????

My wish list for this young brigade would be:

• Infrastructure development – roads, bridges, power stations and toilets must be built and built fast if we are to join the league of the biggies.
• Educate India - Good basic education to all at affordable price – let there be no freebies. If not in cash let them pay in kind – work for the school, serve in the army for a year for a lifetime of good education etc…. Young India needs to learn that there are no free lunches – someone somewhere always pays for it!
• Healthcare – Cheaper and better health care – infrastructure and amenitiesiv. Build fundamentally equal systems and opportunities
• Investments in Science and research

Economic

• Foreign Direct Investment in the Insurance sector up to 50%o
• FDI investment in organized retail sector to be allowed
• Fiscal deficit – through disinvestment in all PSU’s to bring down the fiscal deficit and money for infrastructure development.

Defence

• Chief of defence staff force ( above the army, navy and air force )
• Modernization of forces of equipment
• Devamp DRDO
• Plan to combat internal terrorist groups and natural calamities.
• Working on stable relations with Burma Ceylon, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh
• CBI, EC etc should be depolitized.o
• National intelligence grid and an integrated national security database.

People don’t make history – people with ideas do – people who challenge established ways of thinking and come up with innovative ways of resolving issues – these are the people who become engines of growth. Rahul’s young Turks are the new face of Indian politics – educated, traveled and well read – Like Indira Gandhi’s Vanar Sena’ they should in time become the engine of growth - facilitating an atmosphere that allows individuals and institutions to harness opportunities without hindrances to fuel economic and social advancement.