Social Issues of India
India has made a place for itself as one
of the fastest growing economies in the world, yet it loses behind in a lot
behind in the name of growth. As the rich are getting richer and the poor get
poorer, the divide has been expanding more than before. What can after all be
attributed to the various issues that pose a threat before every government
that comes to power at the centre? From the increasing poverty, to the
corruption at an all-time high, the increasing violence against women across
the nation, the incidents of terrorism that rock some or the other city, and
the rising prices of basic amenities, are some of the most scary facts of this
fast-growing economy, India.
While these are not the only issues on
the list, let’s go through some of the major social issues that mar the
reputation of the country off and on:
Poverty is
one of the biggest evils faced by India in the present scenario. With an
increasing population of people in the Below the Poverty Line (BPL) across the
nation, it seems like a never-ending issue. Rising inflation has added further
to the existing problem. India has an unbelievable number of people suffering
due to this evil. According to the Indian Planning Commission’s 2013 estimate,
around 269 million people (approximately 22% of the total population) live
under the poverty line. And, when we start looking around for what has actually
been done about it, we wouldn’t really find much. The government needs to take
a strong action against the biggest social evil of all. Ministers need to work
towards creating employment, and providing enough for the large population
which does not even receive the basic amenities. New policies are the need of
the hour, not only for employment creation but also to create a young educated
population. Education must be promoted at all levels of the society to create awareness
especially among the poor.
Corruption
is ruining the spine of the nation, and has adversely affected the economy of
India. India has been marred by a list of scams and scandals, which have
crippled the nation from inside out. From the Coalgate scam, to the 2G scam, to
the CWG scandal and the Bofors scam, all brought forward the weaknesses of a
government and a nation as a whole. As the government at the centre changes
every time, the blame game changes and political parties start blaming the
other, but corruption is not really being fought at the ground level. From
babus to ministers at the top, all have been found involved in some of the
world’s biggest scandals. What has created a hole in the pockets of the Indian
economy, it has become essential for the government to tackle it at different
levels. From strict rules at all levels of government undertakings, to an
awareness among the people against the spread of corruption, needs to be
maintained by the government. Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption should
actually be taken up by the leaders of the nation and must imply the
Anti-Corruption bill in the government completely. While pointing a finger on
others is the easiest way out, people need to realise the need to get rid of
the ‘under-the-table’ bribing habit and strengthen our system by neither giving
bribe, nor taking bribe. The government needs to take strong action against a
bribe-giver and a bribe-taker equally.
Terrorism
has affected India since the day India was partitioned. The dispute over
Kashmir between India and Pakistan has been a long-standing unresolved issue.
Using this, the neighbouring country has often used terror against India in the
worst manners possible. Uncountable incidents of terror attacks in Kashmir, and
its nearby regions such as Srinagar, along with the major cities of the
country, have been a source of disturbance very often. One such incident which
shook the nation was the 26X11 Mumbai terror attack, among the uncountable
similar attacks. India has been disturbed by external terrorism as well as
internal terrorism through Maoist attacks in the western parts of the country. Terrorism
mainly causes loss of lives, but also affects the country economically. Tourism
in Jammu & Kashmir has suffered for years on end due to the threat to
tourists due to sudden terror attacks. Alongside, the clean-up after every such
attack involve long governmental processes. How is the government tackling the
issue, only remains a question? The government needs to take a strong stand
against the neighboring countries terror activities and needs to take action
and not only hold peace talks. It’s the need of the hour that the citizens of
the country are provided with security as well as an assured of safety as well.
A sensitive approach towards terrorists may be attempted to make them
surrender.
Communalism:
Being a mix of various cultures and religions, India has ever-since its
formation suffered due to communal differences. Communal clashes have led to a
lot of violence in various incidents across the country. The hindu-muslim clash
during the partition of India, and the Operation Blue Star which led to the
assassination of the then PM Indira Gandhi are the worst examples of
communalism in India. Not to forget the bloodbath that took place during the
Babri Masjid demolition case. India has been affected both economically and
politically, after such incidents took place. The government needs to handle such
issues with extreme sensitivity, along with making sure that communalism is not
used for political gains by its ministers. Besides political understanding,
change needs to be brought from the grass roots level itself. The caste divide
must be decreased by educating the younger generation and sensitizing them
about such issues.
Illiteracy:
On one hand, India has a state like Kerala that boasts of 93.91% literacy in
its state alone, while on the other hand there is a backward state like Bihar
with 68.8% literacy rate. Education is not necessary for employment and
learning, it is required to create a sensitive and growth-seeking younger
generation. A youth needs to be empowered with education, to further know their
rights as the citizens of the country. Illiteracy needs to be tackled as one of
the biggest social evils of the nation, as this is the biggest reasons why the
youth is misguided and involved in criminal as well as terror activities. The
government needs to enforce free education and strict rules to follow it in
every family in India, poor or not poor. An educated population will eventually
lead to the country having a stronger workforce as against the world. Education
is sure to change the poverty and unemployment scenario in the country. At the core
level, the people need to be made aware of the need of education to have
enriched lives.
Inflation:
The past years have seen inflation as one of the major issues faced by the
common man. The rising prices of basic amenities have created furor among the people.
Rising rates of food items and fuel have affected the pockets of the middle
class so much, bringing them out on the roads in protest. The government has
not been able to fulfill any of the promises made before coming in power, which
were all forgotten later, leaving the people to suffer the brunt of inflation. There
is an essential need to bring inflation under control, and bring basic
amenities at affordable prices for all. When will this economic divide be
erased, is a question no government has been able to answer as yet.
Violence against Women:
Women in India live under a constant fear all the time. A fear of going out alone
disturbs every female mind living in India. The rising cases of sexual abuse
and rape across the country have left a black mark on the reputation of India.
Foreign tourists have been known to have been given special warnings while
travelling to India, in fact some countries even labeled our nation as an
unsafe country for women, after the deadly Delhi Rape case. Is this the reputation
we wish to maintain across the world? Definitely not! But, what are we really
doing about it. The recent rape cases in Badaun, UP moved the entire nation,
though no concrete action was taken for a long time. Rapes continue to take
place, and no action is taken against the culprits. In most cases, victims die,
and if they survive they live a worse life than ever. Before the government
does anything about the security, the people themselves need to take a stand
against crime against women. We as a society need to fight this social evil
from within. The youth needs to be sensitized about the safety of women, and
the respect to be given to women. Strong police action needs to be taken
against the culprits, and cases need to be handled with more sensitivity and
through a quick process. We need to see justice happen, and now. The country as
a whole needs to be ready to tackle such social evils, along with the
government.
