It is very unfortunate that our country is facing an undeclared emergency. There are many questions that the BJP government needs to answer. It is the need of the hour for the ruling government to prove their ability and win people’s trust and confidence so as to hoist the ‘victory flag’ in the upcoming 2019 elections as well.
From Demonetisation to GST, each and every plan for ‘Achhe Din’ seems to have failed. Neither the national, nor the international policies of the country are on the right path.
According to a report by The Wire, the ‘2+2’ meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman with US secretary of state Michael R. Pompeo has been postponed for the third time. Some believe that this has happened because of India’s continued collaboration with Iran and India’s deal with Russia to purchase S-400 missiles despite US’ disapproval.
According to another report by The Hindu, the decision of the US government to walk out of the multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran and re-imposition of sanction by November has cast a shadow on the future engagement of all the countries with Iran in the field of trade, energy and infrastructure projects. This is not the first time, it is routine for the US to bully other countries. Why should Indians suffer because of a problem between US and Iran? What has been the result of our Pradhan Sevak’s five visits to the US if ‘external pressure’ is still so high?
Now coming back to India. Reporters Without Borders has been publishing the World Press Freedom index each year since 2002 to measure the level of ‘media freedom’ in 180 countries. We should celebrate that we are just one step ahead from Pakistan at the 138th position and soon we will cross 150th. It is truly a matter of concern that we are losing credence over journalism. The fourth pillar of democracy is under threat and still, India is waiting for ‘Acche Din’.
India’s struggle began with demonetisation in November 2016 when PM Modi announced that ₹500 and ₹1000 notes had been banned.
According to a report by the Economic Times, black money, one of the most important factors that supported demonetisation, failed in every aspect. The statistics revealed that either the hoarders found a way to legitimize the black money or they did not hold them in cash.
In the field of terror funding, there was no such report from any authorised organisations that the money which was ceased during the period of demonetization was fake currency. According to an Indian Government report, 9.1 million new taxpayers were added to the slab but the reality of economic slowdown could not be ignored. GDP of the April-June 2017 quarter slipped to 5.7%. The World Bank has reduced the India’s GDP growth forecast to 7% for 2017-18 owing to demonetisation and GST and the most important disastrous effect of demonetization on small businesses cannot be ignored.
Youths in India lack job security and many qualified youths are either busy in job hunting or are still unemployed.
Education, today has turned into a business. Students are compelled to pay a hefty amount to corporates for gaining quality education. Our country, which was once a centre of education, is devoid of worthy educational institutions today in this competitive world, and people are busy fighting over religion.
The youth today demand excellent education at an affordable price and it is the duty of the government to provide it to them. The ruling government needs to introspect its policies and come with much more effective plans so as to continue even after 2019 elections.