This refers to the cover story “Debating Elections, Debating Development”, (Radiance, 11-17th May, 2014). Fr. Frazer’s doubts regarding the claims of ‘Gujarat Model’ of development were not wrong. In fact, apart from the issues discussed, the fact that there were around 500 farmer suicides every year, for the past 10 years, in the state went completely unnoticed by the people during these elections. Also, high level of corruption prevails there with its law and order parameters not properly mechanised, ranking it below many states, even Delhi, in a number of surveys.
How could a state develop when its producer from the bottom most rung is dying of hunger? Directly and indirectly, both, we and our economy are greatly affected by farmer suicides.
Such facts were never properly allowed to be brought up before the public. We need more of such voices (especially, when they are opposing the party in power). And, more importantly, we need greater support to such voices for as Ram Puniyani said, we must go beyond the propaganda and unravel the truth under the heap of propaganda.
Chaitanya SS
Delhi