Agono Iralu
‘Globalization’ is a word we have heard mentioned for about 2 decades now. Why? Because it was only within this time that India had slowly opened her flood-gates fo ra new era of Globalization and the world markets beyond ‘Bharat’. Yes, we have been scarred by Colonization which not only sapped our strength but had also left the nation both economically and politically insecure. In our deep resentment and insecurity, we had drawn our curtains against the West and looked towards Socialism, Democracy and Secularism as our new saviors. With a little dash of Dictatorship to add color. But more than anything our economy also suffered almost irreversibly, Soothsayers bringing premonitions that India would crumple under the sheer weight of its population and its many diversities as well. Indeed, these are the cruel repercussions of conquest and exploitation. It had left the nation insecure and suspicious, unlike its old self who, before the late 18th century had been confident world traders and together with China accounted for 40% of the global market. As P.V Narasimha Rao, Prime minister in 1991 had said, “The full freedom to dream the way you like came only in 1991, not 1947.” Because it was in 1991 that the reforms then, brought to us the real transformations in how the government viewed markets. By allowing the private sector more elbow space our economy slowly saw a turn for the better.
Nandan Nilekani in his book, “Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation” claims Globalization as the solution for India to rise from its wounded colonial scars and also the many divides in society in building a nation of 1.6 billion. He is the co-founder of Infosys, one of India first IT (Information Technology) companies that had ventured into the world and now comfortably seats as a bright example of how Globalization may benefit India. Already with Globalization effecting India, the G20 has embraced reforms in the IMF to give emerging and developing countries like China and India more voice. Although these two nations were both victims of Colonization it is not because of a reflex-guilt-action but rather from a sense that India is expanding its economic rule and influence around the world. Another example of Globalization is also IT technology like Infosys company which has made India a Foreign Institutional Investment (FII) destination for most foreign nations.
What does Globalization give us?
It gives us jobs, of course. The new flush of foreign capital has enabled Indian entrepreneurs to target business opportunities all over the world. Our average profit margin of listed Indian firms have risen an amazing 8 %. If one were to compare our economic growth from 1947- 1980, it was a meager 1.2 percent.
With a 300 million strong middle class in India and still rising, the middle class alone have crossed the population of the United States of America. Another opportunity for India is its youth population. This is one of our most untapped resources and if nurtured and used properly we could make it our strength; instead of our Achilles heel. Developed markets need higher returns on the investments of their old citizens to meet rising pension and social costs. India’s ‘untapped resource’ is exactly what the world’s markets would be waiting for- for the growth and innovation they present. One of the few benefits of Colonization is ‘English’. We, “Macaulay’s children” have something to benefit from that old Colonial ‘lingua Franca’ now. Besides English being that neutral tongue through which the diversities of India can interact, it also has the ability to emancipate the poor and lower classes of society. What more it gives to us is a tool to address a wider world audience. It is the language of International business and an essential tool to open geographical borders to gain access to markets. 90% papers of scientific journals are written in English. 80% of the World Wide Web is in the English language. Through the language and its influence on us we can share common values with Western firms and their customers which benefits them and us in the same go.
I believe we could go very far with what we have right now. Right now the size of Indian foreign acquisition has grown ten times, to $ 315 million in recent years.
What are the Bumps and Speed breakers along the way for India?
Access. For the moment Globalization is only ‘accessible’ to middle class and upper classes of society. An architect once told me: “India is developing but a big gap is forming between the upper and middle class of society versus the lower class of society.” And this is more evident in the rural areas, where one fourth of rural villages in India do not have a road leading out of them. The reason, because of the terrible state of infrastructure. And politics. We have come a long way since 1991 but if more economic reforms keep clashing with politically powerful interest groups, a much-needed section of society may need to bear the brunt for those interests. Education needs to reach into the depths of society for an equal growth in society and also an equal economic growth as well. If education and infrastructure can be met through political reforms then Globalization would perhaps benefit us more, especially the lower classes of society.
Where does the Northeast stand in these?
Where do we stand in between all the chaos then? Yes, we have North-easteners working in call-centers in cities and earning well, too. An important point, perhaps, is that althoughNorth and South- India had disagreements over which language to use, Hindi or otherwise, North-east was relieved of this thema. The many reforms and protests stalled English education in government schools in India reproducing a confused bunch of government students who were illiterate in English. With the exception of Northeastern states- less than 10% of state schools in India were English medium schools. Employment in Outsourcing industry sector (English-skilled workers) has crossed 1.6 million, but there remains immense room for more growth- the number of jobs which will be created is set to cross 3 million by 2015. This brings me closer to ask, What can Nagaland do with this then?
With our educated unemployed stragglers and even corruption knocking heavily on our doorsteps, I wonder if there is another answer through Globalization. If we also tap on those untapped resources, stretch our wings along with the rest of India, how far could we go? And looking beyond our society’s lacking, could we spread our wings and welcome Development, even Employment for a much-needed lacking community?
