“Arthayam: A Conclave for Dharmic Model for Development”, hosted by Organiser in collaboration with the National Stock Exchange, Mumbai (NSE) was a timely and highly pertinent event. The choice of the National Stock Exchange as the venue was particularly apt, as ‘Arth’ (financial wealth) and the stock exchange are closely interconnected. ‘Arthayam’ provided an opportunity to reflect on the vision of Viksit Bharat and to deliberate on the place of ‘Arth’ in this vision.
Bharatiya model of development to guide the world
Few insights have emerged from the deliberations. First, Viksit Bharat will not, and should not, be a replica of a developed United States of America or a developed China. Neither of these can serve as model states for a sustainable and truly developed global society. Our planet cannot sustain multiple versions of the USA or China. The rampant consumerism of the USA and the expansionist approach of China, if adopted universally, would threaten the very survival of humanity.
Viksit Bharat must, therefore, represent a model of development that the entire world can follow. Harmony with nature, celebration of diversity and nurturing the social and spiritual dimensions of life—alongside the physical and material—are hallmarks of the Bharatiya perspective on individual and collective well being. These values offer a framework for humanity to coexist and thrive together.
Freeing from colonial clutches
It is crucial now for Bharat to free itself from colonial systems and stop blindly following Western policies in administration, business, entertainment, health, social development and education. Encouragingly, recent initiatives show a conscious return to the cultural tenets of this land. The shift from being mere Karma Charis to Karma Yogis is reflected in new approaches to public administration. The principles of Swadeshi and Atmanirbharta, the “waste-to-wealth” movement, investments in solar and other sustainable energy sources and the Start-Up India mission that harnesses the potential of Yuva Bharat all embody the Bharatiya ethos of responsible wealth creation. From inherited culture to embracing indigenous.
The entertainment industry is gradually moving away from inherited cultural guilt and drawing inspiration from the Indian wisdom. In healthcare, the growing prominence of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) signals the Bharatiyakaran of the system. Social development, too, is being directed towards fostering social harmony rather than division or unrest.
The National Education Policy is another milestone. It aims to transform India’s education system through holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary approaches that are globally relevant yet culturally rooted, with a focus on quality, equity, access, affordability and accountability. These initiatives are just a few examples of how Bharat’s deepest values are gradually finding expression in policies. By Pursuing Dharmic ethos and rejecting the West, have we arrived at the vision of Viksit Bharat? The answer is not yet. But the direction is clear and firmly rooted in our own Dharmic and civilisational ethos, rather than in colonial legacies or Western agendas. The next step is to develop robust processes and systems that can translate these espoused values into lived realities. Bharat possesses the necessary cultural capital to achieve its full glory in alignment with its eternal ideals. What is needed now is the building of strong institutions and the evolution of systems and processes that can bring these ideals to life—within our lifetime.
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