You spoke recently at the Congress conclave in Jaipur, about change that needs to happen in politics and in the country. The fact that you spoke at length, about something subs-tantial and in public, is itself a big change. However, words are easy. Just as writing this letter to you is easy. It is the implementation of intentions, ideas and ideals that is difficult.
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your outlook, you have that job. You have a chance to change the destiny of 1.2 billion Indians, or one-sixth of humanity. You can either use this opportunity to make that happen, or continue doing what a lot of politicians in India do — serve themselves and their friends.
You said the right things — stressing the need for listening to the people, for better leaders and for youth representation in politics. Your speech-writers covered many points readers of this newspaper like to hear. However, deep down you know how hard it is for even someone like you to make change happen.
Many doubt your capabilities, intentions or both. Plenty see you as an entitled prince, sitting in the position you have simply because of your family. We are a cynical nation, largely because so many people at the top have let us down. However, such a presumption will not be productive. For the purposes of this letter, i will assume you mean well and will do your best to achieve what you said.
But how? How will you change a system that serves those you`ve known since childhood? How will you take action against family friends who are causing the nation enormous damage? You mentioned the trusted security guards who harmed your family. Well, many of your trusted partymen are harming the country. How will you stop it?
Many believe you have enormous power, almost limitless. That is not true. Many influential Congress leaders add to the tally of seats you win at the Centre. If you take action against them, or frame policies to harm their interests, they may break off and become your opponents. Your power will diminish, and that will lead to more chaos than at present.
It is an unenviable, tricky situation. You are damned if you don't try to change things, damned if you do.
Is there no hope then? Well there is. You can create change, but it cannot be sudden. You will have to nudge people towards change. Bad doesn't become good overnight. Bad becomes slightly less bad, then better and better until transformed into good. It will take a lot of personal conviction. You will have to place your principles and values above winning an election. You may even lose elections. But eventually, if you stand up for the right thing, you will win.
You are young. You can be patient. The next election is not the only thing. One specific suggestion on what you could do to quell unrest among the youth: Cut some of the politician-industrialist ties. This will truly liberalise the economy.
The first phase of economic reforms created a growth and job spurt. However, that spurt has fizzled out. Software, telecom, banking, aviation, auto, infrastructure — these sectors created millions of jobs in the last few years. However, excessive taxes, overdone government regulations and the thwarting of new players by existing players have meant stagnation, particularly in jobs. This is a big reason why youth is frustrated, and it doesn't take a lot for them to come out on the streets.
The reason why job growth stalled is because limited liberalisation has created more cronies than real entrepreneurs. The government still controls too many things. Businessmen who succeed are those who keep the politicians happy. This nexus of the Ones (the political class) and Twos (our capitalists) has to be broken. Stop protecting your rich friends. Tell your party members to stop hanging out with the capitalists. Protecting this tiny number of industrialists is hurting the Threes (the somewhat affluent and educated middle class) and Fours (the underprivileged majority), essentially the entire nation.
Encourage business, not specific businessmen. Regulations should boost innovation and risk-taking, and create a level playing field. They should not be used to protect those who please the politicians. For instance, a simple tool the government uses to favour certain capitalists is control over land. The grant of land to a chosen few kills all competition, even if competitors are more efficient or innovative. The more delinked land and government are, the more liberalised and therefore the more growth-oriented an economy becomes.
Some of India's problems are difficult to solve, such as endemic corruption. However, cutting the politician-industrialist nexus will help, and encouraging entrepreneurship is quite doable.
As an aside, i would also encourage you to talk regularly and take questions from people and the media. Yes, this would mean more criticism, misinterpretations and perhaps even slander. Yes, actions matter far more than talk. However, communicating with people will show your openness and willingness to take feedback. It will show that even though many see you as an entitled prince, in your heart you care for people. You have lost trust amongst many. You need to win it back so people back you when you push through difficult change. Hence, talk.
But more than anything, do.
Regards,
Shashi
