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Karmayogi

Something to think about - June 2008
 

BUILD INDIA - ONE COUNTRY ONE STANDARD
Guest Editorial by Umesh Chandmal Chhajed

After visiting 6 cities in China, it had the same effect on me that it has on most Indians visiting China - 'Heart burn" and "Frustration". Why 'heart burn' - India has the best of talent, best of brains, hardworking and sincere people but only one ill - poor infrastructure and public amenities. However, this paper is not about my venting of my frustration but it is about how all of us can very effectively and effortlessly be part of changing our great motherland and creating one Unified Great India.

Let me very quickly summarize what China is doing.

1. China is building a UNIFIED and ONE SINGLE Nation.
2. Uniform specifications and standards of development across the length and breath of the country.
3. Identifying and ranking tourists places (for e.g. 'AAA' - which most international tourists visit) and developing them as per footfall expectations.
4. Looking at the country as a "whole" and developing infrastructure which makes CHINA as a WHOLE, not Beijing or Shanghai or Chongqing or any one or two provinces, a developed country BEYOND the standards set by existing 'developed' countries.
5. Heightened focus on ENVIRONMENT - surprised!!! - Most city roads have "cycle lanes" and minimum two rows of trees with "manicured" green belts running alongside. Even the highways have "manicured" green belts running along for hundreds and thousands of kilometers. Every empty nook and corner has rows and rows of trees planted to offset the effect of pollution etc. etc.
6. Taking advantage of "Economies of Scale" in every item of infrastructure development through uniform standards across the nation. for e.g. a) flyover sections b) corner stones for pavements c) pavement borders d) street lights e) pavement tiles f) electricity boards g) sewerage covers etc. etc...

Let me bring to the fore the ills affecting India.

1. India currently operates as a conglomeration of 30 kingdoms and some provinces with several kings (Chief Ministers!) in each kingdom.
2. Each state is developing infrastructure with different sets of standards and specifications.
3. We are continuing as we did in ancient times as a collection of different kingdoms. Each King marching in different direction based on political grounds.
4. No National Pride which weaves us all into one great fabric called INDIA.
5. Money is not a problem - each road/highway surface/ toilet blocks gets done several times in our country surely spending much more than making it right the first time using international specifications and maintaining that asset.

CORPORATE INDIA is the biggest provider of "FUNDS" to all political parties. We are nearing election time, best time for the below suggested movement. CORPORATE INDIA through the coming together of its major Industry bodies should fund a not-for-profit Organization - BUILD INDIA. Each corporate funding any political party will demand the acceptance of BUILD INDIA by that political party and publish this information in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) section of quarterly reports, along with the funding provided for BUILD INDIA.

BUILD INDIA will be run in a corporate manner attracting the best talent for all over the world (we can easily afford the best talent). It will have one central office and thirty implementation offices in each state and one each for union territories. This organization will be manned by several hundreds of employees. Afterall we are endeavoring to build a NATION.

Objectives of BUILD INDIA:

1. Helping the government build uniform specifications for roadways, waterways, highways, tourist places, Train Stations, Access paths etc. as per international standards
2. Certifying all infrastructure development work in all thirty states and Union territories and even the local implementation bodies, is done as per the above standards.
3. In addition, this body will help the government lay down time-bound development plan for each state with a mandate to touch the smallest village in a time bound and phased manner.

So in effect, whatever each state or local body decides to do - would be as per uniform standard specifications. This way we will be assured of at least moving in the right direction. Moreover, the quality will also be certified by Build India, so even if there is corruption the quality is not affected.

Now let us dream of what this will result in:

1. Each state we visit will have the same standard of infrastructure with local architecture used in canopies of information booths, hawker kiosks, etc...
2. Each state will have a set of tourist attractions with world class infrastructure as per their rating.
3. Even the smallest state in the east will have the same development rate as specified for each state in the time bound development plan.
4. Over a period of ten-fifteen years, the smallest village will be accessible and enjoy the benefits of development.
5. A national tourism plan which connects all major tourist attractions across states with High speed trains - maglev types. So currently a tourist visits one or two states, but with very high speed connectivity, in the same time the tourist can either do the "Buddhist Circuit" or the "temple Circuit" or the "major attractions circuit" or etc.... thus bringing in foreign exchange to most states and common people at large.

Who funds this magnitude of infrastructure development? If I am asked, each state's tourist spots should be leased out to private parties for development. For example, a Matheran can easily fetch 400-500 crs for long term lease (if an IPL team can go for more amount surely matheran will go for even more). So would the Buddhist Karla Caves or a Pachmarhi in MP or Murud-Janjira Fort. Each state has huge number of tourist spots and hence a huge sum of money can be generated by the upfront fees collected. In addition, the central government will contribute funds in a certain ratio for infrastructure development. So in addition to getting funds for infrastructure, each tourist spot will also get developed by the private parties as per international standards and design specifications laid down by BUILD INDIA and supervised by BUILD INDIA.

All this is possible only if CORPORATE INDIA decides to pull up its socks and put together BUILD INDIA and demands its acceptance from all political parties.

How can you and I change India? Fight elections - No, not everybody's cup of tea. Take to the streets - not again an effective method. My suggestion - let's participate in a movement which separates POLITICS from DEVELOPMENT of a NATION. Which party is in power should not affect which highway to be built and how should it be built. You and I can contribute by trying to push the BUILD INDIA concept to the head of your organization and making them take active interest in putting together BUILD INDIA. So for example, if you are working for TATA, please find out a way to get an audience with Mr. Ratan Tata or his closest aide to sell the above concept. The close aide in turn can sell it to Mr. TATA. We all should start having common expectations, surely the universe will conspire to have our wishes answered. And I am know that a large majority of Indians are praying and wishing for positive change, it is only matter of time that BUILD INDIA will emerge and our dreams will take shape. Let us start believing and taking affirmative action. Let us BUILD INDIA - ONE COUNTRY ONE STANDARD.

Umesh can be reached at umesh@anlagehro.com

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