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It's About People's Dignity!

It's About People's Dignity!

We tend to realize the value of a thing only when we lose it or have never experienced its joy.

A Chinese professor once remarked: “Democracy is not about economic development alone, it is about people’s dignity as well.” How beautifully it applies to the current scenario of Andhra Pradesh!

Chandrababu Naidu is determined to go ahead with the acquisition of land for the construction of the new capital. His success in Andhra Pradesh would bolster his prospects of coming back to power in Telangana also in 2019.

But is it prudent on his part to go ahead with his vision at the expense of the livelihood of the farming community?

He has promised them a fair rehabilitation but one in which they would be having no role to play for society.

It should be borne in mind that ‘farming’ as a way of life is not just an occupation, but a respectful tradition that has been handed down the ages.

The farmer tills the land and feeds society and his younger ones take over and so continues the cycle. All the latest gadgets in the world cannot be a cure for one’s hunger!

While it is indeed important to focus on development in this age and day, it cannot come at the expense of a time-tested and honored way of life.

The key is to strike a balance between urbanization and agriculture. Unfortunately, Mr. Naidu seems to be following the ‘either this or that’ approach which is not conducive to the well-being of society.

Even today, India is termed an agricultural country and not in a demeaning manner. Agriculture is and will continue to be the backbone of India’s economy.

Do fertile agricultural lands need to be sacrificed for the sake of skyscrapers and a few corporates? Can the corporates not be housed in other areas? For that matter, can the ‘capital’ itself not come up in another area?

Was not the ‘Sivaramakrishnan Committee’ constituted by Mr. Naidu himself, against the new capital coming up in and around Vijayawada?

Even the CM of Telangana, KCR talks of constructing skyscrapers around ‘Hussain Sagar’ when three farmers on an average are committing suicide, daily in his State. What a sad case of misplaced priorities!

Affinity to his community is alleged to be the reason behind Naidu’s adamant stance! Mr. Naidu would do well to remember that he has been chosen as the best man for the job by all the communities of Andhra Pradesh. As such, he has to take a decision in the best interests of everyone concerned.

A farmer takes pride in his work; he feels that he is contributing in an extremely important way to society. Uproot his livelihood and you take away his dignity from him, his self-worth!

And ultimately, it’s about the dignity of the individuals concerned, not just economic development.

Sridhar Adivi

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