Twitter
Advertisement

Issues that Concern India

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

 

This Independence Day, the question looms large: Have we lost more than what we have gained? Price rise, unbridled crime, rampant corruption, safety concerns related with of women and elderly, unemployment are some of the issues that the nation still faces even 66 years after independence.

Sudhir Chaudhary, editor Zee News,  and Bollywood Actor Ashutosh Rana raised these issues with a panel of guests that included Union Water Minister Harish Rawat, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi, former Cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian, Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi and legendary athlete, Milkha Singh, in a show that kicked off the year long Zee Media Initiative Bharat Bhagya Vidhata,

The first issue focused on the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. Chaudhary asked Rawat about the steps being taken by the government to improve the security of the people. Calling the common man’s security a "grave issue", the Congress leader mentioned that the government has amended a number of laws so that they can deal with such cases aptly. He further emphasised on improved coordination between the states and Centre while dealing with terror-related issues.

When Rana asked why government representatives are given Z+ security and why the current laws are not implemented efficiently, Rawat defended that some parliamentarians opt for the security cover as they consider it a status symbol.

Launching a counter-attack on the Centre-state coordination issue, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi referred to the Ishrat Jehan fake encounter case saying: “The government interferes in some cases like these to gain political mileage.”

Former cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian added that security is a fundamental right, but blamed the lackadaisical attitude of both the Central and state governments for poor security across the country. “Disparity has been on the rise in this nation which has further resulted in a surge in internal security problems like Naxalism," Subramanian said, adding that non-implementation of police reforms is another issue.

Rising prices was another concern that was deliberated upon. The almost helpless Rawat acknowledged a rise in disparity. He blamed global factors for rising prices and advocated the Food Security Bill to deal with the issue. However, Subramanian countered by describing the Food Security Bill as a disastrous policy.

Listing recent scams like VVIP chopper scam, 2G spectrum allocation, CWG, coal blocks allocation and recruitment in Railways, Chaudhary asked Rawat the reason for the government's failure in checking corruption. Rawat, on his part, referred to the introduction of Right to Information Act as an effort made by the government in this regard.

Tushar Gandhi said if Mahatma Gandhi was live, he would have been disappointed with the present situation of the country. Criticising the youth for their self-centered attitude, Gandhi said there are many issues which would need a revolution to resolve.

Those present also discussed issues related to the health sector. Caste discrimination also featured among the problems that were debated upon. While Rana said caste discrimination is dividing the country, Gandhi pinned the blame on the political number-game. He said politicians divide people and field candidates according to castes. He also said that the onus to "break the caste jinx lies more on people than politicians".

When will people be able to get advantage of quality education was another issue pondered over on the show. On income inequality, Gandhi felt that such a trend is a threat to the unity of the country.

When Sudhir Chaudhary asked if government institutions are accessible to public, Gandhi rightly pointed out that the population proportion to doctors or government institutions like AIIMS, IITs and IIMs is too wide.

Other issues which were discussed on the show include degradation of social norms, good governance, duty of the Opposition party, and lack of basic amenities like electricity, road and water.

(the show goes on air on Zee News Channels at 8.30 pm on 15th August. Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, the series starts airing its regular programming from Monday, 19th of August)


Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement