As I pen down this review there is a state-wide Bandh in Maharashtra going on right at this moment. The purpose is to protest against liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation and what not.
We have a choice left in India. Do we want to improve ourself like the rest of the world? OR Do we want to be mired in politics and let the country go to the dogs? Every Indian must decide? Countries like South Korea, China and other Asian tigers have marched much ahead of India inspite of the fact that 50 years back these countries and India were on the same level.
Our Public Sector Units have still not learned to be customer centric. The other day I approached MTNL for STD/ISD facility for my 2nd telephone. I was made to run from pillar to post and asked to produce ration card and other documents just to give me this facility. I think offering STD/ISD facility to its customers should make business sense to MTNL. But then who cares for business! On the contrary if I need a change in any facility for my mobile service I just have to call my mobile service operator on a toll free number and wow I have the facility. No forms to fill, no queues to stand in , no documents to submit. That is the difference between private and govt. organisation. And to think that today’s politically sponsored Bandh is fighting against this privatisation. Do they realise that what they are asking for is inefficiency, corruption, frustration for the Indian people etc. etc.
Look at China. They have flooded the world market with cheap and quality products. I sometimes wonder why we Indians couldn’t have done the same. We have a well skilled work force, English speaking people, cheap labour, rich resources and yet we missed the opportunity. What can explain for this failure. Is it not politics and corruption?
We boast of being IT superpower. I think it is more of a hype than anything else. All that we have succeeded in doing is sending people abraod as cheap labour. Even China with all its weakness has more PC penetration and IT turnover than India. Can we boast of a single software product of International quality?
But then who cares? Our politicians are only interested in filling their pockets. Who cares for the poor? Who cares for efficiency? Who cares for quality products? We are worried that computerisation will displace jobs. When in the early eighties Banks began to think about computers there was such a hue and cry from all quarters. Today when we look back we realise computerisation has brought in more efficiency, better service and with more banks, more jobs. Not only that it has also helped Bank employees earn better salaries and give them opportunities to improve their standard of living.
But again in India who cares? If we the people won’t care then the politicians will drag us down as a nation.
Let us care and stop this mindless attitude against privitasation etc. It will help us to be competitve and improve our lot.
I am writing this review on Dept. of Commerce and Industry. I have a taken a different angle in my writing approach. I only hope that the depts. concerned take the challenge and take India ahead.