<<Previous Page Next Page>>     Rajiv Gandhi was a champion of the cause of the oppressed, internationally. He hated discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, language, or any other distinction. He particularly disliked casteism, a social disease that still plagues India. When he became Prime Minister, he said, 'Nothing is more important than the unity and integrity of our nation. India is indivisible. Secularism is the bedrock of our nationhood. It implies more than tolerance. It involves an active effort for harmony. No religion preaches hatred and intolerance.' This young prime minister always kept an open mind; was always ready to absorb fresh, constructive ideas. At times, he sacrificed his own party's (Congress I) interests to sustain and reach equitable equations with opposing political organizations, in the greater national interest. Rajiv wanted a self reliant, self sufficient, strong and a prosperous India. He believed that technology, properly harnessed, could wipe out poverty from his country. He understood, however, that agriculture was the nucleus of India's economy. He wished to extend the Green Revolution to all parts of India. He encouraged dry land farming through technology missions. He empathized with farmers. As far as possible, he tried to allow for remunerative prices for agricultural products. He introduced modern technology in agriculture. Food production rose considerably during his tenure as PM. He gave a new thrust to the industrialization of India by liberating the economy and ending the license quota raj. However, he was committed to the concept of the public sector "commanding" the heights of the economy. He said: '...We must bring it (Public Sector) to that point where it is as efficient as any other industry in the country.' Rajiv Gandhi paid due attention to raising exports. His efforts were directed towards making Indian products globally competitive. Rajiv's Government introduced a three-year import-export policy, which did away with the annual changes in policies. Regulation on industrial capacities and price controls were reduced, and Indian industries were exposed to foreign competition. The taxation system was rationalized. He encouraged the private sector to go in for foreign collaborations, aimed at import substitution and indigenisation. His approach was a judicious amalgam of realism and idealism. Gandhi hit hard at corruption, inefficiency and red-tapism. His goal was to provide an honest, humane and a clean administration. He introduced a cost effective, productivity-oriented work culture. The 5-day week was introduced in India during his tenure. He knew that a lot of money that was earmarked for development of the underprivileged sections of society was being siphoned off. So he tried to devolve financial power to the people through the Panchayati Raj and Nagar Palika Bills. He remarked, 'I want a result-oriented bureaucracy not a procedure-oriented bureaucracy. A bureaucrat must achieve result or face the axe.' The youthful Prime Minister knew well that "justice delayed is justice denied." Yet, he understood the problems of the judicial system. There were too many litigants, too few judges and too few courts. He introduced Lok Adalats to mitigate the difficulties faced by the people. He masterminded the 52 constitution (amendment), popularly known as Anti-Defection Law, to stop corruption and perfidy in politics. He <<Previous Page Next Page>>