A Manifesto For Change

A

MANIFESTO

FOR

CHANGE

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

and

V. Ponraj

HarperCollins Publishers India

CONTENTS

Section I: PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

Section II: CREATIVE LEADERSHIP

Section III: INDIVIDUALS AT THE GRASSROOTS

Section IV: INDIVIDUALS AT THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL

Section V: MANIFESTO FOR VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT

Section VI: MANIFESTO FOR STATE ASSEMBLIES

Section VII: MANIFESTO FOR THE NATION

Section VIII: VISION FOR INDIA

Bibliography and References

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

Copyright

SECTION I

PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

Manifestos are usually prepared for elections and help citizens understand what every party promises to do if it comes to power. But we have prepared A Manifesto for Change both for aspiring politicians as for elected governments and elected members in panchayats, legislative assemblies and Parliament—as too for the people of the country to equip them with information needed to demand good performance from their representatives in these bodies.

A Manifesto for Change is the result of five years of research on the parliamentary system of India. I have had extensive opportunities to interact with legislators and gain an understanding of the parliamentary system. As the 11th President of India, from 2002 to 2007, I have addressed fifteen legislative assemblies and presented a deeply researched development plan for the state. We had an opportunity to interact with members of legislative assemblies, members of Parliament, ministers and chief ministers, and governors. We hope every aspiring MP, MLA or anyone with political ambitions, specially the youth, will benefit from the book, as the issues of creative leadership, people’s aspirations, development, and evolving a focused, clear vision become more and more important, right from the grassroots level to the higher echelons of political leadership.

India’s rich demographic dividend in the form of its 640 million youth is second to none. I strongly believe igniting the minds of the youth to dedicate themselves to the nation and contribute their best to bring a change in thinking will make this country a developed country. As I always say, ‘Ignited minds of the youth are the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth.’

History has proven that those who dare to imagine the impossible are the ones who break all human limitations. In every field of human endeavour—whether science, medicine, sports, the arts, technology, or politics—the names of the people who imagine the impossible are engraved in our history. By breaking the limits of their imagination, they changed the world.

I would be delighted if this book at least sows the seeds of confidence in every youth to enter and practise developmental politics.

With their innovative and creative minds and their out-of-thebox thinking, how can they integrate their performance with excellence without diluting the democratic fabric of India and strengthen the pillars of developed India? Will the pillars of democracy and performance go together? Will developmental politics and politics as we know it coexist; if so, how much? Will the youth ever think of working with integrity and succeed with integrity in this present context of corrupt politics permeating everywhere? Are the manifestos of political parties really translating into action for their five years of ruling the country or states? It is true, however, that when a visionary leader with commitment to service comes to power, the quality of development and politics improves everywhere.

Only a visionary creative leader who has the ability to create a multitude of creative leaders in various walks of life can bring about a fundamental change in the system or society. People and the country’s democratic systems have to identify and encourage such creative leaders in every walk of life, whether it is politics, executive, judiciary, industry, agriculture or services.

The alternation between hope and disappointment has become a pattern in Indian democracy. When the present fails to face challenges with a vision, the past returns to power in a democracy in the absence of a credible new alternative. India has always been a nation of people who respect good leadership.

People are always looking for a leader who can transform their lives when their hopes are shattered. They look for another leader with the hope that he/she may bring about a change.

We feel it is an urgent need for the nation to evolve such a platform so as to empower citizens to perform globally. We need leaders in all walks of life, be it politicians, executives, judges, academics, healthcare providers, and professionals in the services, industrial and agriculture sectors. In order to become a leader for change, one should act with courage, conviction and respect to the democratic traditions of the nation.

The political system is the foundation for democracy to flourish. The nation should create political executives, political scientists and political leaders, not politicians.

The political leader is one who practises politics in such a way as to envision, explore, innovate and implement public policies which improve the quality of life of the people whom he intends to serve. He offers to enrich people’s lives without expecting anything in return.

It is our attempt is to sow the seed in the minds of the leaders of tomorrow of how to make this nation great. How to bring about a change in the political system which will in turn enact laws and make the political system responsive, corruption-free, transparent and proactive to empower the people to be globally competitive; how to build the nation’s strength using its core competence? How to empower people with innovative policies and agendas which will enhance their quality of life and standard of living so that they can devote their time to raising their children in a system of values for which the nation is known through the ages? How to ensure that the basic requirements of citizens are fulfilled in record time? How to address the challenges of the nation based on the pillars of democratic principles? How to build our strength in bringing about unity in diversity? That, in short, is the foundation of A Manifesto for Change.

SECTION II

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP

It has become crucial for us to be clear about what we can rightly expect from our leaders, from panchayat members to local councillors of municipal corporations to members of Parliament. In other words, there has to be ownership. Whether it is the panchayat member, development officer, councillor, MLA or MP or minister, they have to at least try to the best of their ability to do what they are elected to do. We need a Parliament with a vision, one which has the larger picture in mind and can rise above petty party politics. How would such a Parliament perform? What are the ways in which it can play a far more constructive role than it has in the last Lok Sabha?

Every member of Parliament should think that the nation is bigger than the individual and the party. Parliament should pass a resolution to work on a ‘Vision for the nation’. Parliament does not mean the ruling dispensation alone but all its members. In the heat of an election campaign parties will try and score points against the others; it will be politics as usual, so to say. But after election, every party should ensure that they work for development in a sustained manner without wasting even a single minute in Parliament. Before bringing any bill, discussion is essential. Adopting the necessary changes proposed by MPs, even if they are in opposition, should be considered on the merit of the proposal if it benefits the nation. A conducive atmosphere has to be created to welcome out-of-the-box ideas and make it a truly inclusive Parliament. It is not enough to talk about inclusive development, we need to practise it as well. What will help inspire the 640 million youth of this nation? It is the visionary policies enacted by Parliament to make this nation great, and transform its society into a knowledge society.

How will we bring about the fundamental changes needed in thinking and action? These are not for the government alone but for us to bring about, of course. But as far as the government goes, what we need is a visionary leadership that can lead this nation towards sustainable economic development from the grassroots to the centres of commercial enterprise.

During the last six decades of our parliamentary democracy, it’s the political leadership that has made this nation great through its visionary policies. Let us take a quick glance at how, in their own way, past leaders have made a lasting difference. The list is indicative, of course, and far from complete. Thus, in no particular order, even a sampling shows the range of their contributions.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is known as the Father of the Nation for having led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Born and raised in a Hindu merchant caste family in coastal Gujarat and trained in law in London, he first employed nonviolent civil disobedience as a lawyer in South Africa, in the resident Indian community’s struggle for civil rights. After his return to India in 1915, he set about organizing peasants, farmers, and urban labourers to protest against excessive land-tax and discrimination. While independence movements around the world were bloody, he became famous for fighting for freedom with nonviolent means such as civil disobedience and non-cooperation. In the months following partition, he undertook several fasts unto death to promote religious harmony. He is fondly remembered for making an example of the Indian freedom struggle internationally.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is remembered as an architect of modern India. He is also remembered for sowing the seeds of development by initiating major projects such as dams and other infrastructure, creating great institutions in space, atomic energy, defence and scientific research, as too in education and healthcare. Nehru is considered an iconic parliamentarian. He attended Question Hour regularly and kept track of discussions in his room as well, where he had a provision for listening in on the debate, quietly going back into the House if he heard something interesting, according to R. Venkataraman, former President, at a seminar on Nehru and Parliament in 1985. He had the rare virtue of being tolerant of and patient with contrary viewpoints, seeing the merit in them and revising his own opinions where needed.

‘Surely, there can be no higher responsibility or greater privilege than to be a member of this sovereign body, which is responsible for the fate of the vast number of human beings who live in this country’

—Jawaharlal Nehru

Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the founding fathers of India. He played a leading role in the country’s struggle for independence and guided its integration into a united, independent nation by persuading princely states to join the Union. As the first home minister and deputy prime minister of India, he organized relief for partition refugees in Punjab and Delhi, and led efforts to restore peace across the nation. Often known as the ‘Iron Man of India’, he is also remembered for establishing modern all-India services.

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb, was independent India’s first law minister and also the architect of the country’s Constitution. He earned a law degree and various doctorates and gained reputation as a scholar in spite of the challenges he faced as a Dalit.

Indira Gandhi believed India will be respected among nations only if it is made strong. She conducted India’s first nuclear test and went to war with Pakistan over its excesses in East Pakistan, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. Her years in power were notable for many initiatives to strengthen the country’s position in the neighbourhood and the world.

The Green Revolution took place under her government in the 1970s and transformed the country from one dependent on imported foodgrain to one that achieved food security. Playing a key role in this were C. Subramaniam, the minister for agriculture, and Dr M.S. Swaminathan, the eminent agriculture scientist.

R. Venkataraman, a former defence minister who later became the eighth President, initiated India’s missile programme, and was responsible for shifting me from the space to the missile programme. He helped consolidate the missile activities, naming the combined body the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Jayaprakash Narayan launched the Sampoorna kraanti (Total Revolution). He gave the country the confidence that it can rise up against oppression and authoritarianism and thereby strengthened individual liberty.

Rajiv Gandhi will be remembered for a slew of measures to encourage science and technology. These benefited industries such as those in computers, airlines, defence and telecommunications by way of reduced taxes and tariffs. Alongside he helped take the country towards a modern mindset. One key measure he introduced was of panchayati raj to take power to the grassroots. He took telecom to the villages and showed how e-governance could bring transparency and accelerate the process of governance.

Prime Minister V.P. Singh brought social justice to the economically backward sections of the people. As chief minister of Uttar Pradesh earlier, he restored order in lawless districts of the state where banditry had become widespread. As finance minister, he took a tough stand against tax evasion. Thus, his contribution to the fight against corruption makes him stand out as a leader.

P.V. Narasimha Rao launched a process of economic transformation that continues. He became prime minister in 1991 at a time of economic crisis. By the time he left, the country was firmly in a position to become one of the world’s biggest economies. He helped establish the world knowledge platform by using the core competence of partnering nations to build a world-class supersonic missile system, Brahmos.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee had the remarkable distinction of being elected to Lok Sabha nine times and to the Rajya Sabha twice. He was known for his oratory in Parliament. The nuclear test in 1998 changed the trajectory of the country’s relationship with the world, making it clear that India could take tough decisions when circumstances required even at the risk of others’ displeasure. His efforts for peace with Pakistan set a new benchmark for diplomacy in the subcontinent. His Golden Quadrilateral Roadways project has changed the economic face of the nation on road transportation across India.

Manmohan Singh will be remembered as a low-key leader who worked quietly and accomplished much. His tenure from 2004 to 2014 is notable for programmes for social welfare, reduction of poverty, and milestone measures to increase transparency and accountability in the government such as the Right to Information Act and the Lokpal bill. Economic growth touched high levels during his first term, from 2004 to 2009, and there was much respect for him as a leader across the world.

As we can see, every leader and every political party in India has made a contribution through their policies, programmes and by enacting appropriate laws to keep up the tempo of development of the nation. The contributions range from agriculture to science and technology, from uplift of the backward to education, so that India can be on a par with any nation in the world. The question is whether we can carry these initiatives forward to accomplish the desired results.

What Makes You a Creative Political Leader?

Today what we witness is not a leadership crisis but a crisis of the lack of emergence of creative leadership. Anybody can become the leader of a political party, or anybody can start a party. But the aspiring one should think:

Do I have a vision for the nation or state?

Am I able to rise above matters of caste, creed, religion, language and keep the nation bigger than the individual?

Do I have the tolerance and respect needed for different views, ideas and thought?

Do I have the courage to transform the vision into missions?

Do I have the capability to win over popular support with qualities such as integrity, love for people, passion for social service, ability to work for people without any personal benefit and, ultimately am able to come up with innovative policies that will make this nation globally competitive?

Do I have the capability to create multiple leaders within my own party?

Do I have the ability to respect others’ point of view and the patience to listen to opposing views? Am I able to accept mistakes and take corrective action?

Do I have the good spirit to overcome my ego and give credit to others, including the opposition, for their suggestions?

A party to truly succeed has to be built on a value system. If that is not so, corruption and moral turpitude result. It could again fail if it lacks credible inner democracy or line of command. Until India becomes a knowledge society, however, it appears its politics will remain centred on either charisma or dynasty, is a view that came up in our discussions.

I will be happy if new creative leaders emerge whether from existing parties or new ones. Ultimately my mission is to generate a large number of political leaders from within the country. After all, we cannot import leaders, can we? My work will be done if the ideas of my book percolate in the minds of a few committed ignited minds in each state who are aspiring to be the leaders of tomorrow.

There have been many transformational changes in the evolution of political systems. The most important of them is democracy. I firmly believe that the fundamental principle of democracy is there to stay forever, with its aim of continuous empowerment of citizens for their betterment. India is one of the greatest and biggest democratic nations in the world. The democratic tradition of our country has worked well for more than six decades. As Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Democracy, disciplined and enlightened, is the finest thing in the world’. We are in the process of reinventing democracy to meet the fundamental goals of empowering citizens. To keep pace with the changing world, our nation and people urgently need a paradigm shift in thinking.

Nurturing the Seeds of Development Politics

An MPhil student in Presidency College, T. Sarvanan, wrote a letter to me. As its content is relevant to the subject we are going to discuss, I will quote from it. The letter went like this:

Dear Sir, The full power of the banyan tree is equal to the power in the seeds of the tree. In a way both of us, you and me, are the same, but we exhibit our talents in different forms. A few of the seeds become banyan trees but many die as saplings without ever becoming trees.

Truly, it struck me, the seeds of a banyan tree are indeed something like the citizens of the nation. Democracy gives opportunity to every citizen to grow and perform to his capacity. Every citizen indeed contributes to the success of the few. Let the success of the Indian nation be shared by all Indian citizens. Let every seed be nurtured. Where this book is concerned, that means nurturing the leaders of the future.

On 19 January 2011, I visited Amravati to attend a programme organized by the Satpuda Shikshan Prasarak Mandal to address one lakh youth assembled over there. I gave a talk on the subject ‘I am unique’ in the presence of many