C.K.Prahlad Lecture

The 7th Nani Palkiwalla Awards
Venue-N.C.P.A, Mumbai
Lecturer-Mr.C.K.Prahalad
Topic-Swampurna Azadi

Mr.C.K.Prahalad touched upon many major issues faced by India and has it learnt from his mistakes. India is the largest democracy in the world with many institutions like the judiciary, police and many other institutions. The functioning of this institution is different but impacts each other’s proceedings. India is a country which consists of 3000 panchayats. They are social institutions which resolve issues of their respective villages. Recently many economists have felt that these bodies have mere role and should be eliminated from the system to enhance efficiency.
India is the largest democracy in the world. But its political history indicates a different picture were there were the concept of coalition politics emerged. In India coalition government would function in the state as well in the centre but what is the basis of this coalition? The basis is not common understanding or ideological similarities but it is purely the number game. We can take instances like the recent Jharkhand Government formed by the J.M.M & B.J.P and many previous governments. That raises the issue of governance. That is the reason the Indian governments have not been successful in the decision making process, which lead to ideological differences between them which in turn affect the stability of the country.
The education system of the country is very disproportionate. Only 2% to 3% of the Indian students have got the opportunity of professional education. There is so much of disparity that a state like Andhra Pradesh has 1,06,000 Engineering colleges but does it consist of the quality of faculty as well as students who apply.Jharkhand,Chattisgadh,Rajasthan and Bihar totally don’t have even half then. Since there is so much disparity, if the country has to improve the level of education system entirely.
The learnings from the lecture was that India needs to look at its past and should improve its policies. Governments should be formed on the basis of strategy and not to play the number games. Infrastructure developments are taking place, only in some pockets of the country. Its time when we take a holistic view and strategies our future targets which could be achieved and concentrate on rural India.