Corruptin and Politicians

Finance and Opportunity in India 1

The late Mr. Lalit Doshi was an IAS officer who passed away at the young age of 52 in 1994. He had a distinguished official career even though it was cruelly cut short. Lalit Doshi was one of those bureaucrats who have constituted the steel frame of this country. It was said of him: "He always had a smile on his face irrespective of the magnitude and the tension of work". In these days where work seems perpetual and overwhelming, he sounds like someone who it would have been a pleasure working with. He was just a little older than I am now, and I can well imagine the deep shock his family experienced. His brother, Bharat Doshi, has been tireless in his efforts to honour Lalit’s memory, and I thank him for inviting me to give today’s lecture. We are approaching the 67th anniversary of our Independence. Sixty seven years is a long time in the life of man – indeed, it is about the average Indian’s life expectancy today. Since life expectancy was shorter at the time of Independence, it is safe to say that most Indians born just after independence are now no more. It is useful to take stock at such a time. Did we achieve the dreams of our founding fathers for freedom’s first children? Or have we fallen woefully short? What more do we need to do? Clearly, our founding fathers wanted political freedom for the people of India – freedom to determine who we would be governed by, as well as freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship. They wanted justice and equality, of status and opportunity. And they wanted us to be free from poverty. We have made substantial progress in achieving political freedom. Our democracy has matured, with people confidently choosing to vote out governments that lose touch with their needs. Our institutions protecting the freedom to vote have grown stronger, with the Election Commission and the forces of law and order ensuring free and largely fair elections throughout the country. Political...