ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT

India's self-reliance does not advocate self-centric arrangements. It is ingrained in the happiness, cooperation and peace of the world. It has been clearly specified that this idea of self-reliance is not about a return to the era of Import substitution or isolationism. 

Following elements are essential to the proposed concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat: 

1. Active participation in post-COVID-19 global supply chains: Self-sufficiency in the present context refers to improving efficiency, competing with the world and simultaneously helping the world.

 

2. Resilience: This resilience refers to leveraging internal strengths, personal responsibility, and a sense of national mission.Developing this resilience may require additional protection for domestic enterprises. 

3. Decentralized Localism: It is about creating a system that takes pride in local brands, encourages local capacity-building and indigenisation. 

4. System of Social Trust: A system where economic entities are expected to be self-reliant, requires a generalised system of social trust and the ability to enforce contracts, which in turn requires reformation of the legal system. 

Why being 'Atmanirbhar' is important? 

• Faster Economic Recovery 

• To absorb future supply chain shocks. 

• Reducing dependence on technological imports. 

• Health and Economic Security 

• Geopolitical considerations 

How do we become 'Atmanirbhar'? 

The Prime Minister has announced Rs. 20 lakh crore stimulus and to ensure that all facets of the economy are addressed ; 4L - Land, Labour, Liquidity and Laws all have been emphasized in this package. The idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat is based on 5 pillars: 

• First Pillar is Economy, emphasizing on Quantum Jump rather than Incremental change. 

• Second Pillar is Infrastructure. 

• Third Pillar is Our System, a special reference has been made to technology and contemporary policies as part of this system. 

• Fourth Pillar is Our Demography. 

• Fifth pillar is Our Demand. 

To enable the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, several large scale and long-term measures like making subsidies performance dependent and strengthening public regulation will have to be taken in conjunction with aforesaid measures. More importantly, increased investment in Education and Skill development is imperative to complement the structural reforms announced in the package. 

By: MS. GURPREET KAUR