I read the below four-point solution for Africa's poor economic, social conditions:
a. adopt as binding the principle of dialogue;
b. ensure society's participation in public life;
c. observe fundamental human rights;
d. begin democratization.
Now my question is, or rather my dilemma is, that as the above four points have failed in effectively changing the economic and social conditions of India, will they be able to change Africa? It is much more complicated with thousands of unique and entirely different, isolated tribes hostile to each other.
I will explain in terms of India:
a. we sure have dialogues, but they have failed in bearing practical fruits - whether in issues such as Kashmir or the north-eastern States; or in addressing problems such as naxalism or poverty.
b. society's participation in public life is quite active, despite all the pessimism we feel in not being able to change the bureaucratic mindset through public participation, as a journalist I see how people get involved actively and I am happy; though people are non-caring to an extent.
c. fundamental rights? I do not see right to equality - where, as a tiny example, I am still regarded as a woman who is supposedly incapable of doing some things, where I am seen as an object; right to freedom - where a child is still a daily wage labourer and all empty slogan during Children's Day every year go unheard the same day; right to freedom from exploitation - where both women, children and the poor irrespective of sex and age are exploited by the rich and the bureaucracy; right to freedom of religion- where religion leads to acts of coercion, bribing and violence; culture and education- where culture is being forced upon through depiction of glossy foreign lifestyles and education is a commodity acquired not by the worthy but by the rich, where the poor kids have to work and cannot afford to go to schools; right to constitutional remedies - where most of the mass are unaware of their Constitutional rights, how can they seek remedies?
d. beginning democratization is a process which was much-hyped and much-awaited in India; but once we were 'democratized', we were also 'demonized' due to the new-found freedom, because of which we are walking on unguided path blindfolding ourselves to the consequences of the future. I am sure none of us are thinking beyond our immediate surroundings to that of the country's future.
Will all these things happen to Africa also? Well, it has already happened as can be seen through the sudden freedom which begot many massacres by leaders like Idi Amin and others on their own countrymen.
a. adopt as binding the principle of dialogue;
b. ensure society's participation in public life;
c. observe fundamental human rights;
d. begin democratization.
Now my question is, or rather my dilemma is, that as the above four points have failed in effectively changing the economic and social conditions of India, will they be able to change Africa? It is much more complicated with thousands of unique and entirely different, isolated tribes hostile to each other.
I will explain in terms of India:
a. we sure have dialogues, but they have failed in bearing practical fruits - whether in issues such as Kashmir or the north-eastern States; or in addressing problems such as naxalism or poverty.
b. society's participation in public life is quite active, despite all the pessimism we feel in not being able to change the bureaucratic mindset through public participation, as a journalist I see how people get involved actively and I am happy; though people are non-caring to an extent.
c. fundamental rights? I do not see right to equality - where, as a tiny example, I am still regarded as a woman who is supposedly incapable of doing some things, where I am seen as an object; right to freedom - where a child is still a daily wage labourer and all empty slogan during Children's Day every year go unheard the same day; right to freedom from exploitation - where both women, children and the poor irrespective of sex and age are exploited by the rich and the bureaucracy; right to freedom of religion- where religion leads to acts of coercion, bribing and violence; culture and education- where culture is being forced upon through depiction of glossy foreign lifestyles and education is a commodity acquired not by the worthy but by the rich, where the poor kids have to work and cannot afford to go to schools; right to constitutional remedies - where most of the mass are unaware of their Constitutional rights, how can they seek remedies?
d. beginning democratization is a process which was much-hyped and much-awaited in India; but once we were 'democratized', we were also 'demonized' due to the new-found freedom, because of which we are walking on unguided path blindfolding ourselves to the consequences of the future. I am sure none of us are thinking beyond our immediate surroundings to that of the country's future.
Will all these things happen to Africa also? Well, it has already happened as can be seen through the sudden freedom which begot many massacres by leaders like Idi Amin and others on their own countrymen.
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