Civilizational crosscurrents of learning across the borders
Recent visit to China once again convinced me about the enormous potential that exists for changing the course of global development by synergising Indo-china cooperation for the larger social good. There are so many problems which both the societies are facing which can not be resolved without active cooperation. And at the same time, the centre of the world has been moving eastward for some time. When i wrote about this eastward movement in 2003, China had taken lead in herbal patents ( almost fifty per cent share followed by Russia, EU and the rest; India was of course not there anywhere), it was obvious that cooperation would help. The fact that almost all modern hospitals there have integrated Chinese system of traditional medicine is part of their inclusive health policy.
How can both the societies change the global discourse on development and democracy. In China, they know that we argue a lot and thus take long time to take steps on which we may internally agree ( the case of a strong lok Pal bill is case in point). We know that they have an extraordinary capacity to execute things. Both societies suffer from opportunism in which some people try to cut corners, be it adulteration in processed food or not paying farmer a proper compensation for land acquisition properly. In the new year, i hope that we can turn a new leaf in our relationships with our neighbours. Let us shed our obsession with western models and START MENDING OUR FENDCES WITH OUR NEGHBOURS. China can be very helpful in this mission. We should learn from all over no doubt, but if 2012 has to be a look-east year, then several things can be learned:
a) Rural transformation: a new models has been initiated in the rural Tianjin where for urbanization of rural areas, all rural dwellers are given modern furnished flats in multi storey building ( four storied as well taller 15—20 storied buildings), in one third of the area little away from the farm by rebuilding settlement area( cultivated land is not touched at all). They are also provided with all modern amenities like schools, hospitals, playground, common hall etc. In the remaining two third area, industry is invited to set up its offices, plants etc.,. State builds green houses which it rents to farmers as well as other entrepreneurs. Income from the industry is used to maintain the dwellings and facilities for rural people. This is a model which can start in Gujarat and then perhaps go to the rest of the country. Surely, it means that older ways of keeping animals alongside is not possible, one can do it at farm of course. But the duality of life styles for urban dwellers and rural people is eliminated. This is a new experiment, not very widespread but worth looking into.
b) Educational expansion for inclusion and innovation: there is no doubt that whiel government can find 100,000 corers for subsidising food even for those who don’t need it, have never asked for it and in all probability will not even use it; but there is not enough fund for expanding quality education and supporting innovators and grassroots entrepreneurs. Imagine, if there was a navodaya vidyalaya in every taluka/block and then may be five such schools in every block, we will have eliminated asymmetry in rural and urban standards of education in one stroke. It will cost less and benefit future generation, give chance to our talented children in rural areas many of whom today are disenfranchised today because of truant teachers or lack of facilities. There are tens of thousands of schools in rural areas where one does not see a single educational poster, even a globe or microscope, forget about other facilities.
c) Can facilities for the elderly, physically challenged people and other socially disadvantaged people be upgraded to Chinese standards in near term.There are areas where Chinese system is less sensitive. When one has to catch a train at railway station, a long distance between the alighting point for commuters from road transport and the boarding point for train has to be walked without any facility for trolleys or help for carrying luggage. This is an areas that needs attention. Biodiversity in markets has almost disappeared just as in India, only one or two kind of tomatoes, or cabbage or cucumbers. Both countries need to take urgent steps to provide incentives for in situ conservation of agro-biodiversity to meet climate change threats but also nutritional diversity needs of animals and people.
Let us hope that new year will bring new resolutions and commitments on the part of policy makers to make our region more friendly and SAARC countries to help each other more eagerly.
Anil K Gupta
