Malappuram district is one of the wealthiest districts in the state of Kerala. Replete with natural resources – rubber plantations, coconut trees, herbs etc. and some breathtaking sceneries, Malappuram is one of the hidden treasures of Kerala. There is abundance of money – pouring in from the Gulf countries and the many Keralites who have settled abroad.

Despite all the money and infrastructure available, Malappuram is also one of the most backward in terms of education. There are plenty of schools around but children don’t find a reason to go to schools for a variety of reasons – poor management, bad teachers, poor infrastructure etc among the many.

Deepa Narayanan is an exception, though. Deepa Narayanan is a 13 year old girl studying in the 8^th standard in the Cheekode High School in Cheekode Panchayat near Kondotty in the Malappuram District. Deepa wants to study and become a doctor. Her father, Narayanan Nair, is a waiter at Kadavu resort, and doesn’t have the resources to purchase her regular syllabus books – leave alone additional reference materials. Deepa’s future looks uncertain and her dream of becoming a doctor will only remain a dream.

Who is to be blamed ?

The father who toils day and night to give a brighter future for his kids ? Or the government which lacks farsightedness – not to have created an efficient library system in Kerala or for that matter in India?

This is not a case in isolation. In fact, all over India across thousands of villages and cities, there are thousands and thousands who are in a similar situation not able to afford the bare minimum books required to study further and be one among the shining stars of India, for no fault of theirs. Even if there are any public libraries, the way they are maintained speaks volumes of the misuse of public money with absolutely poor infrastructure, unqualified librarians, lack of technology etc.

My vision 2020 for India is to set up unparalleled library system all across India where every citizen of India can freely access books and educational material free of cost. A public library should be made available every 5 square kilometer in populated areas.

The benefits of an advanced library system are invaluable – Employment opportunities, infrastructure development etc to name a few. This is besides a stream of talents that churn out from the remotest places in India, trying to compete and take India to the next level. The faster the concerned authorities realize the better for India.

I have seen it work in the United States. There is no reason to believe that it will not work in India. Yes, it calls for funding, infrastructure, manpower, technology, planned sourcing etc. So what ? What are the Tatas, Ambanis and the Mittals doing with their billions? Or when will the government account for proper utilization of resources. Isn’t it only appropriate that the money is better utilized for initiatives like this?

There is so much of wealth created in India that setting up a library system of this magnitude should not pinch the government or the private sector, to say the very least. I’d like to see someone take ownership of something like this and set a strong foundation for the India of tomorrow so that we could see thousands of Deepa Narayanans blossoming.

Image Credit: bslavin

Popularity: 38%

A few days ago I had seen two articles on India Special – one on Identity Politics (written by Yours Truly) and the other on Family Politics (written by Suraj).

This led me to another interesting thought i.e. merit based politics

We have had enough of the likes of Mayawati, Kumaraswami, Thackerays, Paswans, Yadavs et al. They have grown strength to strength purely on votebank politics. And none of them have the charisma or qualities that an educated India can say that they are proud of.

Consider that and consider America where you have a Harvard Law Graduate with almost no political back up ran for the presidency and won it with élan.

Will we ever see such politics in India which is purely based on meritocracy? Or do we have to wait for generations to see a glimmer of hope ?

My Vision 2020 for India is based on merit based political system where politicians are elected not on the basis of who is their father , what is their caste, religion or sex but on the basis of merit,  performance, education, demonstrated leadership qualities, empathy, conviction etc.

Although democratic, India has seen politics whose basis has been anything but meritocracy based.  Some of the names given below are shining examples…

1. Plutocracy – By Wealth – Vasundhara Raje Scindia
2. Nepotism – Family Connections – Deve Gowda & Kumaraswamy, Shekh, Farooq & Omar Abdullah
3. Identity Politics – Mayawati, Kanshi Ram
4. Tenurocracy- Based on seniority – PV Narasimha Rao, Sitaram Kesari, L K Advani

That said, don’t we have leaders who are purely merit based ? Of course ! Dr. Manmohan Singh,  P Chidambaram, SM Krishna, Chandrababu Naidu et al have proven themselves quite capable.

Shouldn’t we have more of them ?

High time the parties in India elected leaders who are visionary, educated and proven performers in their field.

If the reform doesn’t start with you and me, then Vision 2020 will only remain a distant dream !

Image Credit: David Paul Ohmer

Popularity: 22%

We can achieve a lot when we look at our faces on the mirror and put sincere efforts to achieve better. My sincere personal views are as below:

1. Rural Education

Literacy level needs to be improved in the villages. People from the urban areas should do it willingly.

2.  Communication

Communication across the country needs to be improved for clear thinking and understanding. It is better now, compared to 10 years back, but to be improved further and extended to the villages.

3. Agriculture

We are not utilizing the lands to the maximum possible ways. Water is necessary for irrigation, which most of the time, we are expecting the RAIN. Our existing great plan of joining GANGA – KAVERI should happen for Agriculture developments across the country.

4.  Treating Neighbors’ as Customers

Customer satisfaction is not only present in Business, but also in our day to day life. Empathy (putting ourselves into others shoes) is to be practiced well, and then only other’s difficulties are well realized.

5. Corruption

It started with gratitude for getting the things done; now it has taken the shape as “demand”. In this process, it has become “without this it is next to impossible to do anything”. If this continues further, the growth of our country is at stake. Steps are to be taken at the highest level to erradicate curruption.

6. Lead India / Leadership

Young and educated people are to be encouraged and inducted in the Indian Politics. Active participation of the dedicated, likeminded people only can build India well and stable.

7. Right things to do

Most of us are doing the things right. We often fail to understand ” Are we doing the Right things?” We need to ask such questions ourselves, before taking some important decisions.

8. Social Freedom

All are important under the sun. Freedom is essential for all for not only living, but also for shouldering responsibilities.

I am sure year 2020 is going to be a Milestone for us, all Indians. I am proud to be an Indian, so as other Indians.

Popularity: 30%