There are four basic pillars of a nation: Healthcare, Education, Judiciary and Journalism. In a Democratic Republic like India, these 4 pillars are the major factors in maintaining the decorum of a democracy as well as function as major supporting system for the nation. However, even after 75 years of Independence and despite India emerging as a superpower and one of the most economically robust nation, there is a major lag in the basic pillars of democracy which despite its progression, is laden with corruption, poor management and lack of infrastructure.
India is home to more than 2 billion people and yet India’s health system is not adequate. The hollowness of the India healthcare system was exposed during the 2nd wave of the Covid outbreak. Health centres in urban areas now function as money making businesses and quite often patients are charged tremendously. Highly priced medicines are sold and hospitals at times run out of proper infrastructure and old machines are used. In rural areas the condition is worst as there are not only one or two government health centres, but an acute shortage of doctors, proper medicines and facilities.
Indian Education system is quite rigorous and though private schools promise a world class learning environment, it is more like a profit earning method. More focus is given on the outlook and performance, rather than personal well being and growth. Government schools are a menace where the teachers themselves do not have the adequate knowledge and mostly are never seen in classes. There are no proper classes and facilities for the students in government schools in both rural and urban areas. Despite education being a fundamental right to every child up to 14 years of age, lakhs of children go uneducated due to the absence of proper schools and education centres in the rural areas.
Judiciary is seen as a space where justice prevails and yet it is the most contested space. Indian judicial systems at the tier two and tier three towns and cities expose the hollowness of the system at a very basic level. The decision of the court is influenced by the power of the criminal and at times the innocent is proven guilty. Judges take bribe, lawyers manipulate evidences and criminals are set free. There is an absolute disregard of the law and the implementation of strict laws for heinous crimes is still a distant dream.
Media forms one of the major aspects in a democracy and Indian Media has time and again disappointed the nation. Indian media is known for its biased reporting on matters related to the government and country and often scenarios are manipulated and represented in a way that the truth is hidden. Fake news and controversial subjects are of more importance than reflecting what is actually happening out there. Debates on a celebrity’s dress becomes more important than reflecting the flood hit parts of North East.
Though these pillars of democracy are shackled with the chains of corruption and a capitalistic mind-set, laden with ignorance, it often makes us question whether after these 75 years, are we still independent? We might be free from the British and have our own constitution, we are forced to think whether we have really upheld its values? India still has a long way to go and it surely will be ‘Saare Jahaan Se Acha’ when we try to bring a change in these aspects of democracy that we talked about and strive hard to make India great. There are many Indians working tireless to make India better each and every day and there is still a ray of hope. Wishing you all a very Happy Independence Day.
I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.
Bob Dylan
