To me, the greatest test of the State’s competence is its use of social capital. We often talk of organic food, but not of an organic State. We talk of appropriate technology, but not of an appropriate State. Are we only ordained to carry out and carry forward the American Dream? Ours should be a society fostered by some sense of its own dignity. That’s why we in Madhya Pradesh do not hesitate while introducing schemes based on social sanskar like Kanyadaan, Godbharai or even Antyeshti. Steps like prevention of cow slaughter or establishment of a Sanskrit University are reflective of this approach. This context-sensitivity is derided as saffronisation. But bonding our fate with American recession neither helps our share market nor our inflation rate. It only alienates Indians, makes them truly angst-ridden.

This alienation is deepening and intensifying. Today we are witness to a new economic verbiage in the country, courtesy the UPA government at the Centre. No longer do we see the common man comforted; in fact, he is more perplexed than ever. Yet we find our esteemed finance minister always relaying the tunes of revival and recovery, growth and gain. Haven’t we all heard that pep-talk soon after the Central Budget which essentially puts the national economy on anabolic steroids? Excitement for a while, but permanent injury purchased in the bargain. To the Congress spokesman, inflation is a global phenomenon. If the ills of our economy are global, need we not question the very architecture of this globalisation? The great Indian economic miracle is transformed into great economic debacle in just four years. Food self-reliance, once trumpeted as a unique achievement of post-independence India, has been compromised brazenly. Time and again, we in the States are being told by the Centre to fend for ourselves—be it the case of fertilizers or, for that matter, the instant case of red wheat.

... contd.