Letters to the Editor: The plight of Indian federalism and role of oppositions

The people of India always expect a perfectionist role from the main opposition party of the country. They hope it so that any anti-people bill cannot be passed on the floor of Parliament and if it is passed by the strength on the floor that can be protested and slogan of the protest may be echoed on the street.

Does the main opposition party of the country play their role with full vigour and zeal? The realistic answer would certainly be negative. It is a hard reality that a party without a permanent president cannot do much as a party with valours, dynamic energetic and astute president can do.

Two main factors, firstly, the imperfection of the Congress Party and secondly, the rise of strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party have strengthened the centralizing tendency of Indian democracy which is nothing but a symbolic omen of Indian federalism. The covert intention of imposition and expansion of North Indian culture and cultural hegemony in the name of cooperative federalism has brought a situation of fear psychosis among the small ethnic groups of the country. People fear that in future, a slogan like one country one culture may be raised. This may happen if religious and political leaders of religious minorities do not discard the strategy of playing the political game in the name of religion. Any reckless action of minorities adds fuel to instigate the bigots of the majority.

Culture and religion are two different subjects. That apart they are not intricately interwoven with one another. The culture of a Muslim of UP is not similar to the culture of an Assamese Muslim. So, if the endeavour is made to unite different cultural groups in the name of religion, the arrival of discord is certain. On the contrary, if they unite themselves in the name of the nation, there is no chance of any conflict. Any attempt to unite people in the name of religion cannot last long. The separation of former East Pakistan (Bangladesh) from Pakistan is a lucid example.

The breakdown of the erstwhile USSR indicates that only by economic assistance a country cannot remain united unless and until the hegemony of the majority is not restricted up to a tolerable limit. Nevertheless, India will certainly flourish, not in the name of religion but as a nation having numerous ethnic groups and different religions. It is high time we restricted the curve of centralizing tendency so that it does not touch the zenith from where there is no chance of retreat.

When Congress is in slumber other opposition parties like TMC, Shiv Sena, DMK, NCP etc., have to be united so that the federal structure may be kept intact.

Manjil Kumar Saikia,

Advocate, High Court.

Entrepreneurship-teaching institutions necessary

"Technology brings jobs and money. The time to come is of drone technology. So the world is about to change. Technology can be used properly to become an entrepreneur. We have colleges that teach different subjects. But there is no institution that teaches Entrepreneurship," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said at a function in Nagpur (Maharashtra). It is true that there is no institution that teaches entrepreneurship in India. After schooling, students go on to pursue a career in science, commerce, arts as well as engineering and medicine. But students do not think other than this. Most people just want jobs. They look at education from that point of view.

After working for a few years, there is no tendency to start own business. Salary is received in a job on a fixed date of every month. This is good. Where to do business in such a situation? What is not realized is that the company we work for is owned by an entrepreneur. They have also started from scratch somewhere. Later on, they expand their businesses. Many get employment through jobs. How long do I have to do the job? It should be fixed in the mind. We should use the experience gained from the job. We should be recognized as 'job givers', in such a society. This cycle has to be continued continuously. How is it possible for everyone to get a job? The answer to this question lies in this.

The population of India is around 135 crores. It is natural to be worried about employment. People are more interested in government jobs. Because it guarantees a job, you get a lot of vacations. Also, the salary is good. On the other hand, where are the employing companies compared to the growing population? Also, very few people have the skills needed for those companies. This is true. Now, who will teach them this skill? If this is taught at the college level itself, then on the basis of that knowledge some people can go ahead and get experience by working in small companies. In short, they won't stop because they don't get a job. Some of them can contribute to the progress of the country by opening their own companies to provide employment to many people. That is why institutions teaching entrepreneurship are essential for India. India will become a superpower if its manpower is used wisely. But for this, first of all, changes are needed in the field of education.

Jayesh Rane,

Mumbai