‘Aatmanirbharta: Revisiting the Idea & Practices’; Editors of the Book: Vandana Mishra and Swadesh Singh Publisher: Ane Books Pvt. Ltd., Rs 699.00
Aatmanirbharta has been prevailing in our country for ages. It has now resurfaced with new features in the policy debate, especially during the Corona pandemic. It reflects the strength of society and eternity of the nation as the authors have highlighted. The book has the central theme of Aatmanirbharta which is reinventing itself over the years with changed characteristics. It is not synonymous with the Nehruvian era of protectionism, high tariffs, inefficient industries, the dominance of public sectors and a closed economy. Aatmanirbharta has a more positive connotation to make India self-reliant. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has declared that its policy goal is self-reliance or ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. It is self-reliant, intending to produce world-class products with 'zero defect and zero effect' for India and the world. The Prime Minister’s call of ‘vocal for local’ (indigenous) has become people’s call now as the book has stated.
There are a total of thirteen chapters excluding the introduction and conclusion that dwells upon different topics. These chapters range from diverse topics but have the central theme of 'Aatmanirbharta'. Various authors in different chapters have explored some areas and sectors which have opportunities and potential to make India self-reliant such as: ‘Swadeshi Movement’; ‘Gandhian Idea of Swadeshi and Self-Reliance’; ‘Sangh Parivar and Self-Reliance’; ‘Western Notions of Self-Reliance’; 'Waves of Globalisation’; ‘Market Economy’; 'Self-Reliance and Anti-Globalisation Protest'; 'India's Preparedness for self-Reliance'; ‘Assessing India’s Preparedness in the Defence Manufacturing and Technology Sector'; 'Making Indian Women Aatmanirbhar'; ‘Branding Ayurveda’; ‘Making the Agrarian Sector Aatmanirbhar'; 'The Making of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. These topics have been discussed comprehensively, conceptually, and thoroughly with the latest facts and matters related to current policy debates in the context of Aatmanirbharta.
Historically, by the dawn of the 20th century, the Swadeshi movement emerged as a nationalist movement after the Partition of Bengal. It was in 1905 then that the Indian revolution began. It shaped the future course of political movement in India as the book argues. Gandhian philosophy relied on Satyagraha, Swaraj, trusteeship, non-violence, and nai Talim. As the book stated Gandhian ideas that economy cannot be ignored and there is a need to revisit the same.
Sangh has always emphasised that the way forward to achieve socio-economic development is to follow the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', meaning the whole world is family, economic decentralisation and social cohesion. RSS along with ‘Swadeshi Jagaran Manch’ is spreading and promoting the idea of Swadeshi in India. The book further stated that an increasingly interconnected world is not becoming safer and peaceful, rather conflicts and human misery are increasing at an alarming rate. In an issue related to a market economy, institution, treaties, and reforms, authors have suggested a strong domestic market along with favourable foreign trade will help India to become self-sufficient. It argues for economic self-dependency, making the education sector more dynamic and vibrant and achieving health and well-being for all. The Indian defence sector requires indigenous technology and robust manufacturing to make India self-reliant in defence sectors. The book has suggested reform in agriculture sectors, branding Ayurveda, ensuring women’s participation in economic activities and mission initiatives of ‘Make in India’ and ‘vocal for local’ will together help India transform into a self-reliant nation.
Finally, ‘Conclusion’ is written meticulously to discuss ‘The Way to Destiny-Nation, Society, Self’. The book points out that Aatmanirbharata or self-reliance is an idea that is highly eulogised everywhere, yet nowhere achieved in totality. It has tried to position the idea of ‘self’ in society and nation, then aiming for global. The book finally ended with a beautiful quote from Gautam Buddha, “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We must walk the path.”
(Dr. Subhash Kumar is with Ph.D. Centre for Studies in Science Policy, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr. Harish Chandra is Assistant Professor, PGDAV College, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi)
