Prioritise the three most important challenges for the country and how you would tackle them

For Lead India, September 30, 2007

The issues are all interlinked1. Poor infrastructure and unequal opportunities that results in inequitable distribution of wealth.2. Ineffective enforcement of the law and order.3. Lack of basic school education that can instill an awareness and pride amongst youth in our ancient and rich heritage, diverse cultural identity and spiritual core.
I am convinced that most of our learned political leaders are well aware of these issues. Unfortunately, our electoral system has inherent flaws that make survival in politics an unpredictable and insecure numbers game that diverts their attention from issues of governance.
I believe that electoral reform can become the primary driver in resolving this dilemma. Bestowed with authority, I would push for reform that ensures that both the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister area. The popular choice of the electorate themselves and not their representatives.b. Their jobs are secure for the given term, whereby they can focus on fulfilling their promises and not worry about losing their seat midway or be driven to compromise to appease the destabilising forces.
I am confident that the problems we face are primarily the outcome of our political and electoral system and not due to our politicians.
My view on
I) Reservation
I believe in equal opportunity. If Reservation is treated like a golfer's handicap (as you improve your game, your handicap goes down), it can be a useful tool to level the score. Reservation is necessary for sections of society that have been discriminated against or have not enjoyed the same opportunities as their more fortunate counterparts. Reservation should be used as a 'leg up' till they catch up.
II) PSU disinvestment.I believe that only stakeholders can have a driving interest and passion in running an efficient business enterprise. Due to glaring lack of accountability, PSUs are either working below optimum efficiency or are, by and large, the milking cows for unscrupulous elements. Their stake should be divested to unlock value for the state that can be used for development programmes. However, there is a possibility to explore a formula that vests the first right of refusal of acquiring this stake with the employees and vendors of the PSU before putting it up for an open auction.
III) SEZsSpecial Economic Zones can be compared, once again, to a golf handicap. Just as Reservation is a tool to uplift a deprived section of society, SEZ's are a 'leg up' tool to help backward regions and put them on a fast track to development. However, once the stated objectives are achieved, the handicap must go. I believe in an equal playing field and any long-term disparity in the rules of the land must not be allowed.
IV) Sting OperationsThere is a fine line between sting operations and entrapments. I am for sting operations but against entrapments. Responsible journalists have to define this line before they contemplate launching a sting operation. Having put it in context, I feel that sting operations act as a useful deterrent and can play an important supportive role in enforcing the law of the land.
V) Need for tougher laws to tackle terrorism
I think that vigilant intelligence combined with stricter enforcement of existing laws and a fast track judiciary can tackle terrorism better than any new 'tougher' laws can. Bolting the stables before the horses flee can be more effective than tougher laws like POTA that go against basic human rights and are often misused.
Affluence and empathy are not inversely proportional. Jawaharlal Nehru was affluent and so was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This perhaps hightened their sense of empathy towards the poor in India and strengthened their resolve to work towards their upliftment.
Maybe there is also a higher probability that affluent people join politics with the right motivations. In my case, my relative affluence has allowed me an excellent education and the option to choose any field of work. My choice of career, of trying to revitalise the heritage of the old city of Ahmedabad, was possible only because I enjoyed financial security. If I get a broader platform through Lead India, I can expand my scope of rebuilding the crumbling infrastructure and disappearing heritage of not only the historic old city of Ahmedabad but of other cities as well and in the process, make a small contribution to the lower middle class and poor people who reside in them.