India to remain the fastest growing large economy for the foreseeable future. The post-Covid Economic turnaround seems to be more robust than anticipated. Gross Tax Collections are likely to be Rs.1,50,000 crore higher than estimated. There is going be one Unicorn (Start-Up whose market capitalisation is $1 billion) every 10 days. About 2 lakh crore of capital is likely to flow into the country in the year ached. All good news.
But estimates on unemployment, people looking for jobs currently stands at 3.04 crore. Startling figure. The period beginning the early nineties witnessed higher growth in general but employment generation has not kept pace with the development. There were even job losses due to disruption.
The fundamental question is the creation of employment. The Swadeshi Jagran Manch had some time ago conducted an on-line webinar series for three days. The theme was hundred percent employment or zero unemployment by the year 2030. Though looks very ambitious but not impossible.
At the moment India enjoys Demographic Dividend, meaning our large of pool of productive population of about 90 crore people. Every country in the world had grown when they had this demographic dividend. Now, it is our turn.
But the key to harness this particular advantage is creating meaning livelihood opportunities for all these people Covid-19 devastated the economy with huge impact on people at the bottom 25 per cent level. Several job intensive sectors have seen occupation losses in lakhs. Tourism, hotels and catering, business centered on temples and its adjuncts, rural artisans and many others are few among them. About 6 crore of the 6-5 crore MSMEs have lost their stamina to stay afloat putting at stake crores of employment. Even small retailers were subjected to less footfalls. The result is substantial addition to those looking for livelihood opportunities.
But estimates on unemployment, people looking for jobs currently stands at 3.04 crore. Startling figure. The period beginning the early nineties witnessed higher growth in general but employment generation has not kept pace with the development. There were even job losses due to disruption
There is technological explosion taking place throughout the world and we cannot remain immune. We are not against technology per se and its march cannot be stopped. Phantomization or tech leaders dominating every employment sector has emerged as a great challenge. To cite few examples UBER, OLA, Amazon, Zomato, etc. These entities command highly market valuation but their business of cash burning causes concern. They do create employment but for every addition they make 10 others are losing their livelihood. Amazon is flouting FDI rules and policies in every possible way. They also cause enormous difficulties to about 6 to 7 crore home grown retailers. SJM is in the midst of a campaign exhorting the people of the country to patronize home grown retailers especially during this festival season. Similarly trying to float a cooperative model for our taxi and car operators to take on the competition from Uber and OLA. The basic thought process is to minimize the impact on existing business and making use of the technology to improve.
In the name of pollution and protection of environment many vested NGOs take recourse to court and damage the livelihood of lakhs of people and our culture. The visible example is Sivakasi crackers industry. The industry is in existence for more than 100 years and provides livelihood to several lakhs of people. It is our Hindu culture to celebrate Deepavali and other festivals through fireworks. When you compare automobile or air pollution or Industrial pollution this pollution is a fraction. But the activism of NGOs disrupts the trade and their sole aim is to destroy our culture. Even school students and youngsters by feeding with false information like child labor employment, etc. The SJM is in the forefront of the taking on these vested interests by sensitizing the policy makers and the people at large. The latest in the series is to damage our dairy industry. In the name of animal protection some people have started campaign against Amul and leading Indian dairy players. Their sole intent is to destroy the local industry and cause huge loss to traditional business. We have an important duty to safeguard crores of our traditional business people. We should stand united and expose these organisations.
There are 5.5 crore of different types of entrepreneurial activities in vogue in our country. Without looking for government or others support these people carry on their trade on their own initiatives. These are the real engines of the economic growth. But the Covid has impacted this sector heavily. Now it is our paramount duty and responsibility to stand by these people. Every effort must be made to put them back on their business. There are hundreds and hundreds of schemes of the Central and Stage Governments to support this group. The SJM is in the midst of planning an umbrella organisation to educate and support this section of the society.
Our country exported agricultural produce worth about Rs 2 lakh crore in the last one year from every nook and corner of the country from Tanjore Rice to jack fruits from Kerala and North East. If global market is properly tapped the potential is immense
Our agriculture has enormous potential. The western and the developed world has become more health conscious and developed a mindset against chemicals based Industrial farming. They have understood that chemical based agricultural is the root cause of all diseases and systematically destroying their immunity levels. The world is seriously looking at our agricultural practices. Here we have enormous potential. To cite an example there is Agricultural Products Export Development Agency (APEDA). Our country exported agricultural produce worth about Rs 2 lakh crore in the last one year from every nook and corner of the country from Tanjore Rice to jack fruits from Kerala and North East. If global market is properly tapped the potential is immense.
Our broad objectives are:
- To protect and promote our traditional business from the onslaught of vested interests.
- To minimise the impact of technology on our business and to use the technology to improve the business.
- To fully exploit our traditional strength wherever it is available.
- To fully use our demographic strength, develop and promote employment industries.
- There is enormous talent available in our rural areas. Technology has made us understand in the last 2 years that substantial portion of our economic activities can be shifted to rural areas resulting in decentralize economic growth which is one of our primary objects.
The SJM is working on the above objectives and has launched a campaign to realise them. The idea will be taken to the nook and corner of the country and every section of the society. We invite each and every one of you to join our mission and contribute to national development and well-being.
