Decrying the tendency thus far of living beyond one’s means which was dangerous for the country Venkataraman described as immoral squandering of scarce resources on non-productive and non-developmental expenditure.
For far too long have public funds been looked upon as departmental dowry not as a trust. This has got to change he said.
Venkataraman expressed concern that the spirit of sacrifice that animated our freedom fighters had completely disappeared from the lexicon of their progeny. It was imperative for the country to practice what it has preached for the welfare of the people
In this context he spoke of the general deterioration in the old spirit of sacrifice since Independence. Competition has replaced cooperation antagonism has displaced accord. Provincial linguistic and class animosities have come to be added to the odious divides of religion and caste. Citizenship is now folded up into a hundred parts such as north-south majority-minority rural-urban forward-backward backward-scheduled insider-outsider. The list is endless he regretted
He said all these ills had made each segment sharply insecure and intolerant. As a result one community snaps at the other one caste snarls at another. It was imperative to break free of the shackles of being absorbed in one’s own pain instead of that of others or that of the country
Apart from economic questions Venkataraman drew pointed attention to several issues of immediate and vital import. Kashmir Punjab and Assam have been witness to tragic violence. He did not say the Indian govt was to blame for it.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 23, 1991
