Country needs decisive, bold and a true leader as PM

Chandigarh, September 23:  "Decisive", "bold policy maker", "visionary", "communicative" were some of the adjectives that the Rotarians used to describe the expectations they have from the prime minister of the country at a panel discussion organised here at Rotary Club of Chandigarh. 

Looking at the dismal socio-economic situation and freebies being doled out by the government as populist measure to garner votes is ruining the country, said Atma Ram Singh, Director, Drish Shoes.  The unstable policy and poor execution of existing policies is bane for the businesses, he said 

Providing a professional's perspective, Dr Raman Abrol, an ENT specialist remarked that despite the country having immense knowledge base of technocrats and professionals we remain an under-developed country. Absence of rational policies deployment of doctors and paramedics in the country are not available in rural areas despite the fact that these medical professionals are admitted in medical colleges under rural or reserved quota, he lamented. 

Nagina Bains, a young professional, said that the PM should take the responsibility for the ministers and other departments, besides being transparent in its governance initiatives with open communication which is absent currently. 

Chief Guest at the meeting, Mr. Dinesh Kumar, Associate Editor, The Tribune who has also been a Rotary Peace Scholar, remarked that governing a country like India has become difficult especially with the advent of coalition governments that are more of 'collision' government, leading to indecisions and ineffective policies. 

Unfortunately every ill in the society can be attributed to the weak leadership and non-accountability that is breeding corruption and other social evils in the country. 

The time has come that the politicians are given a fixed tenure who should expressly demonstrate good leadership qualities, he said. 

It is time also, he added, that the PM after elections should become apolitical and rise above even beyond his own political party to provide a wholesome visionary leadership. 

There had been an interesting exchange of ideas and audience participation. 

PP Rtn. C.J. Singh conducted the panel discussion with PP Rtn Arvind Mehan proposed a vote of thanks.  PDG Rtn. Kawal Bedi presented a memento to the chief guest Mr Dinesh Kumar, while Rtn. S.S. Kakkar, presented personalised Rotary club mugs to each of the panelists. 

Club News - 9 September

Rwanda High Commissioner visits to express gratitude
H.E. Ernest Rwamucyo, High Commissioner of Rwanda to India, visited us on 10 September to express his country’s gratitude for treating children from Rwanda under the Heartline project and for the forthcoming medical mission. 

A medical mission to Ethiopia and Rwanda is going on 29 September. The mission to Ethiopia is being led by PDG Madhukar Malhotra and the mission to Rwanda is being led by PDG Ranjit Bhatia, under overall leadership of PRIP R.K. Saboo.

E-Club Meeting
Rotary E-Club of Chandigarh Technocity  held its once a month formal meeting at JW Marriot on 8 September. Other than President Hassan S Mejie, there were Rotarian visitors from Nasik and Rotary Club of Canada Corner.

Blood Donation Camp at DAV College
Rotaract Club of DAV College organised a blood donation camp on 9 September. [In the pic] PP Parveen Goyal, President Hassan Mejie, Mr Vineet Joshi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Punjab & Media Advisor to Chief Minster and Mr. Joshan, Principal DAV College.

Lucky Draw

The Lucky Draw on 6 September (a crystal vase) was won by Rtn Jaiprakash Hasrajani.

 

Installation of Team 2013-14 of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45

The 2013-14 Team of Interact Club, St Stephen's, Sector 45, Chandigarh was installed on 9 September 2013 by President Hassan Singh Mejie. He was accompanied by: Rtn R.K. Taneja, Rtn Lalita Jagmohan, Rtn Mona Khattar, Rtn O.P. Sukhija and Rtn Desh Deepak Khanna.

Heartline Update
Surgery # 477: Bhawna Devi, 6 years old daughter of Mr Sunil Dutt from Village Binoi, Tehsil Kasauli, was successfully operated on 2 September.  Patient’s father is a farmer.

Surgery # 478: Taranveer Singh Nehal, 2 years old son of Mr Gurpreet Singh from District Sangrur, was successfully operated on 5 September. Patient’s father is working as daily wager.

Surgery # 479: Mithlesh Kumar, 15 years old son of Raj Dev Yadav from  District Supaul (Bihar), was successfully operated on 6 September. Patient’s brother is working as a labourer.   This was the 16th surgery of 2013-14.

All surgeries were performed by Dr Mahant at Fortis Hospital.

Economic Challenges Facing India

 When a renowned management guru and an economist speaks everyone listens. The same was true of our Club too, which saw a record attendance at the 9 September meeting in which we had Dr S.P.S. Pruthi as the guest speaker.

The current economic crisis, said Dr Pruthi, was triggered by the announcement by USA to tone-down the Quantitative Easing it had triggered to tackle the 2007 sub-prime economic crisis. More than 12 trillion dollars were pumped-in by USA as part of the quantitative easing and that kept everyone going  since then.

But, was the announcement of QE tone-down the sole cause of the rupee tumbling and the beginning of India’s economic problems. Certainly not, said Dr Pruthi. We wasted the first 40 years after our independence doing nothing for the economy. he said. Since 1991 we did usher-in reforms and that helped to turn the tide. But, these reforms have been half-hearted. Political and bureaucratic controls have not been withdrawn the way they should have been.

To meet the economic crisis head-on, we need to ensure growth. For that we require structural changes, foreign money, infrastructure development and, above all, we need to improve the faith of others in us. The comfort level for investors also needs to be improved manifold.

Reserve Bank of India, he added has very limited options available to it. Besides, he added, it has no control over corruption, import & export and business environment.

Dr Pruthi also felt that in today’s globalized environment the authority of the State is limited, especially in economic matters. Markets have their own mechanisms and reasons to go up or down. They do not listen to any authority. Thus, we need to change our decision making patterns to be able to compete better in the international environment.

Dr Pruthi also emphasized on the need for  a strong leadership that  respects constitutional authorities. Besides, it is important that we ensure that money is invested in talent and technology development.
Pragmatic foreign policy is another very essential requirement to become economically strong. Dr Pruthi gave examples of USA and Japan post World War-II, as also USA and China in recent years who improved their relations for strategic reasons and thus gained economically.  “Practical and intelligent policies only can help us become an economic power”, he said. “Soch (thought process) is important. Soch ko badlo,” he added.

Dr Pruthi’s talk was followed by a Q&A session. PP Arvind Mehan wondered why India has inconsistent and changing policies? Inconsistency is due to lack of will, said Dr Pruthi. Today, the need is to indigenise our Railways, Defence etc requirements to save on foreign exchange and improve balance of trade but nothing much is done on this end.

Rtn G.S. Chawla wondered if India can do without FDI. To this Dr Pruthi replied, “There is no need to restrict FDI. USA thrives because the whole world gives money to it. The need of the hour is to promote savings and restrict imports by indigenisation.”

Rtn Ashok Khanna asked “when can we hope to see stability again.” Dr Pruthi was of the opinion that eventually India is an ideal place for growth. It consumes a big percentage of what the world produces. “All we need to do is to take the right economic decisions and things will improve,” he said.

Dr Pruthi was jointly introduced by PP Man Mohan Singh Kohli and President Hassan Mejie. Rtn Mahesh Gupta presented him a memento. PDG Kawal Bedi presented him a bouquet. Rtn Dr Rajinder Kaur presented a bouquet to Mrs Vanita Pruthi. Vote of thanks was proposed by PRIP R.K. Saboo.