The August 2024 issue of Policy Watch is dedicated to the theme of Governance and Development, commemorating the 80th birth anniversary of late Shri Rajiv Gandhi. It reflects on his multifaceted legacy and contemporary relevance.
The first article features a powerful 1989 speech by Rajiv Gandhi on secularism, highlighting how the communal threat he warned about has since intensified. Despite recent electoral defeats in Ayodhya, Manipur, and Uttar Pradesh, the BJP continues to pursue divisive, religion-based politics, defying public rejection of such strategies.
The second article, an excerpt from Wajahat Habibullah’s memoir, titled Discord and Accord, shows how Rajiv Gandhi and his chosen team worked tirelessly to restore peace in Punjab, Assam, and Mizoram, demonstrating his commitment to national unity.
The third piece is a review by Meera Shankar of Mani Shankar Aiyar’s book The Rajiv I Knew. It offers a comprehensive, realistic assessment of Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership—his intentions, initiatives, and their often mixed outcomes—without idealization.
The fourth article, by Sam Pitroda, details Rajiv Gandhi’s visionary Technology Missions, which tackled essential issues like clean drinking water and oilseed production. Pitroda briefly mentions his pioneering role in India’s telecom revolution, which is widely recognized.
The final article, by Dr. Palanithurai, explores Rajiv Gandhi’s pivotal groundwork for local self-governance, which laid the foundation for the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, enacted posthumously.
Together, these five articles present a holistic view of Rajiv Gandhi’s enduring influence on India’s governance and development journey.
Policy Watch: Governance and Development – August 2024
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