Is it not the responsibility of the Citizens to make the dream Viksit Bharat 2047 a reality?

The Citizen’s Responsibility in Building Viksit Bharat 2047.The Time to Introspect and Act is Now

“Let us not allow satisfaction with yesterday’s achievements to become complacency today, or today’s hopes and aspirations to become tomorrow’s regrets.”

India has made remarkable progress in economic development, science, technology and infrastructure. Our human talent, natural resources and rich philosophical heritage provide a strong foundation for further advancement. These achievements deserve pride and recognition. But true development must mean more than rising GDP, soaring stock markets or accumulating national wealth. Its real measure is the quality of life people enjoy—affordable healthcare and education, productive employment, economic security, human dignity and opportunities for all.

As India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047, we must confront an uncomfortable question: Have we translated our considerable potential into outcomes that benefit society as widely as they should?

The responsibility for achieving this vision cannot rest solely with the government. Institutions, businesses, professional bodies, civil society and individual citizens all have a role to play. Those blessed with education, wealth, authority and influence have a special opportunity to convert individual success into collective progress. Equally, every citizen must contribute through responsible conduct, productive work, respect for the law and concern for the common good.

After nearing eighty years of Independence, it is time to introspect. Have our institutions delivered what was expected of them? Have we used public money, natural resources, human talent and citizens’ time responsibly? Have we done enough to question inefficiency, discourage wrongdoing and demand accountability? Persistent shortcomings call for examination not only of those who govern, but also of the conduct and expectations of the society that sustains the system. Responsibility must, of course, reflect differences in power, authority and opportunity.

From Potential to Performance

The way forward need not depend on creating more institutions or announcing additional schemes. We must first make better and optimum  use of the institutions, resources, knowledge and technology already available. There cannot be a very wide mismatch between the potential and achievement. 

Every institution and individual entrusted with responsibility must Reform, Perform, Deliver and Justify their contribution to the nation.

• Reform outdated procedures, eliminate unnecessary delays and use digitalisation and appropriately governed artificial intelligence to improve transparency and efficiency. Time consciousness and Time management should be an important focus area to evaluate performance and achievement

• Perform through professional competence, continuous learning, ethical conduct and clearly defined responsibilities.

• Deliver measurable outcomes rather than merely spending budgets or completing formalities. Public services must be timely, accessible and responsive to citizens.

• Justify the use of public resources and institutional authority through transparent reporting, independent audits, citizen feedback and periodic performance reviews.

Corporate governance and public administration must strengthen internal controls, independent oversight and accountability. Regular audits should identify leakages, misuse of resources and systemic weaknesses. Genuine errors and correctable deficiencies should be addressed, while established misconduct and deliberate wrongdoing should invite proportionate action under the law. The objective is to strengthen institutions, not to condemn them indiscriminately.

Make Social Responsibility Measurable

Social responsibility should be more than a declaration of good intentions. Every institution must define its obligations, establish relevant performance indicators, disclose progress and correct deficiencies. Individuals, too, must fulfil their professional duties honestly, improve their competence, respect public property and contribute to society within their means and abilities. The fulfilment of Corporate Social Responsibility should be reflecting in the society's welfare and this should be evaluated, fully accounted for and made transparent. This should reflect in the value of shares and recognition  of the Company in the Country's image building nationally and internationally.    

Businesses can combine commercial success with ethical practices, fair treatment of stakeholders, environmental responsibility and meaningful community contributions. Public institutions must demonstrate that their resources serve their intended purpose. Citizens can contribute by complying with the law, rejecting corrupt practices and participating constructively in public affairs.

If every individual and institution performs its responsibilities a little better, the cumulative effect on national productivity, public trust and social welfare could be enormous. National transformation need not always depend on extraordinary efforts; it can begin with ordinary duties performed sincerely and consistently. Just adherence to the  basic laws of the country can uplift the Civic Sense among the public  through out the country deriving enormous benefits in the upkeep of the society, roads and public infrastructure, towns, metropolitan centres   

Progress Guided by Values

Our philosophical traditions offer enduring principles for this journey. Dharma reminds us of righteousness and duty; Nishkama Karma encourages sincere action without excessive attachment to personal rewards; and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam reminds us that the world is one family.

These ideals can guide modern governance, professional conduct and economic activity. When wealth is accompanied by responsibility, authority by accountability and competence by compassion, development becomes more inclusive and sustainable.

The ultimate tribute we can pay to our past is to make better use of our present. We must celebrate our achievements without complacency, acknowledge shortcomings without pessimism and replace unfulfilled expectations with timely action.

Viksit Bharat 2047 must be more than a national aspiration. It must become a shared commitment to productive growth, ethical governance, accountable institutions and an improved quality of life for every citizen.

The time to introspect and act is now. Let us align our aspirations with action, our privileges with responsibility, and our progress with the welfare of all.

From Positive Thinking to Positive Action

Our thoughts should inspire hope, our words should encourage confidence, and our actions should create positive change. Instead of dwelling on shortcomings, let us strengthen good practices, transform challenges into opportunities and encourage every individual and institution to contribute to the common good.

Every negative influence can be countered by nurturing its positive alternative: dishonesty by integrity, indifference by involvement, waste by responsibility, and inefficiency by innovation and accountability. The objective is not merely to oppose what is wrong, but to create an environment in which what is right can flourish.

Viksit Bharat 2047 is not the responsibility of a select few; it is an opportunity for everyone to participate in building a better future. Let each of us contribute according to our abilities, celebrate every meaningful improvement and inspire others through our example. Let us be positive in our thoughts, constructive in our approach and active in our contributions. Together, we can turn national aspirations into shared achievements and economic progress into the welfare of all.

Good Thoughts, Right Actions, A Better Nation

As the Bhagavad Gita teaches us, let us focus on performing our duties sincerely and selflessly, without being unduly anxious about the fruits of our actions. No sincere effort towards the common good is ever wasted; good thoughts inspire good actions, and good actions lay the foundation for a better society. Let us therefore act with faith, integrity and commitment, without allowing fear of failure or uncertainty about outcomes to discourage us. Our responsibility is to do what is right, strengthen what is good and persist in constructive action. The results of our collective efforts should be reflected in a more prosperous nation, stronger institutions, responsible citizenship and a better quality of life for all. Let our thoughts be positive, our actions purposeful, our conduct exemplary and our commitment unwavering. We need not worry excessively about personal rewards; let us ensure that the outcomes for our nation and its people are truly encouraging.

To realize the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047, citizens should draw from ancient Indian philosophy, which views civic engagement as a fundamental duty rather than a favour to the state. By embracing Rin (repaying our debt to society and nature) and Lokasangraha (acting for public welfare), individual progress becomes deeply tied to national growth.This echoes the Arthashastra’s reciprocal bond of Rajadharma and Yogakshema, where state governance is met with proactive citizen responsibility. Ultimately, active participation in community welfare, sustainability, and civic discipline transforms everyday actions into a collective mission to build a fully developed nation.That is the spirit in which we can make Viksit Bharat 2047 a shared achievement and contribute to the welfare of all living beings.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — The world is one family. Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu — May all beings everywhere be happy and well.

T V G Krishnan

(Personal Views . Edited with the Support of AI).

 

“Health Is Wealth—But Whose Wealth?”

Healthcare: When Service Becomes Business, Where Does Humanity Stand?

"Honouring the world as one family demands a shared and sacred covenant. The Government must lower the barriers to healthcare and provide appropriate incentives to foster a culture in which health is nurtured as wealth. Healthcare institutions, in turn, can extend the spirit of Corporate Social Responsibility beyond treatment to prevention—promoting Yoga, spiritual well-being, healthy living and awareness of the value of good health. Such a holistic approach can make healthcare not merely a service, but a national mission and a shared responsibility—with the well-being of every individual contributing to the well-being of society and, ultimately, to the larger vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."

The core challenge in modern healthcare is balancing financial sustainability with patient dignity, ensuring that commercial practices do not overshadow the fundamental mission of preserving life and reducing suffering.Achieving this balance requires transitioning toward a healthcare ecosystem that is scientifically advanced, technologically enabled, and above all, humane.

Hospitals, insurance companies pharmaceutical companies , distributors of medicines both retail and whole sale  and third-party agencies are all important parts of the healthcare system. Yet, from the patient's perspective, there are occasions when concerns arise about transparency, accountability, claims settlement and the quality of service. The stated Vision and Mission of institutions do not always appear to be fully reflected in the patient's experience.

Healthcare is an area where empathy, compassion and genuine concern for the patient deserve particular importance. Technology, including Artificial Intelligence, can greatly improve efficiency and transparency, but it should ultimately serve the patient rather than become another barrier. It may therefore be worthwhile to consider independent social audits in the health sector, alongside existing financial, statutory and technical audits. Such audits could focus specifically on the patient's experience and the quality of service delivery. The pursuit of financial sustainability and reasonable returns is legitimate and necessary. But these objectives should support, rather than overshadow, the larger purpose of healthcare—preserving life, reducing suffering and enhancing human dignity.

Affordability and Human Considerations

This principle becomes especially important in relation to life-saving medicines and critical treatments. Essential medicines cannot be viewed entirely through the lens of ordinary market economics. Affordability, accessibility and social responsibility need to accompany innovation, manufacturing efficiency and reasonable returns. From the initial diagnosis to final recovery, a patient passes through stages that are physically, emotionally, and financially painful. Herein lies the need for compassion, advanced technology, diverse treatment approaches, and a balance between commercial viability and patient affordability. The healthy survival of both the service provider and the patient remain equally important, justifying prudence, reason, and transparency as fair means to an end.

The recent public discussion concerning the substantial difference between the procurement price and the MRP of certain life-saving medicines has again drawn attention to this issue. On 29 September 2026, the Supreme Court questioned a reported tenfold difference between the price to retailer and MRP of an essential cancer medicine—₹2,700 versus ₹27,000—and asked the Centre to examine whether a uniform margin should apply to medicines. The Court also raised questions concerning practices requiring patients to purchase medicines from hospital-linked pharmacies.

The fundamental question is not whether hospitals and insurance companies should remain financially viable. They must. The question is whether commercial practices can always be reconciled with the dignity, vulnerability and welfare of patients. A cancer patient is not an ordinary consumer. A seriously ill person and the family accompanying them may already be emotionally exhausted, financially stretched and dependent upon professional institutions. In such circumstances, transparency, empathy, fairness and accountability become especially important.

Healthcare Communication and Patient Choice

Healthcare-related communication and patient engagement should also be guided by ethics and sensitivity. Information and awareness are necessary, but medical decisions should remain rooted in clinical need and patient welfare. This is particularly relevant to promotional offers connected with medicines and treatment. For example, if a hospital offers a “Buy One, Get One Free” arrangement for a chemotherapy injection, several reasonable questions arise: Was the second injection medically necessary?Was the patient given a genuine choice?Was the price of the first injection transparent?Could the offer influence a medical decision or encourage purchase beyond immediate clinical requirements?Is this arrangement to be informed to the patients to worsen  their depressed  mindset further?  The issue is therefore not merely whether the second injection is financially “free”. The larger question is whether commercial Consideration / communication is influencing a decision that should primarily be guided by medical necessity and patient welfare. 

Technology and Artificial Intelligence

Hospitals and insurers now have access to AI, electronic medical records, data analytics and sophisticated information systems. These technologies offer considerable opportunities to improve healthcare delivery.AI could potentially assist in:identifying duplicated or unnecessary investigations; comparing treatment and medicine prices; detecting unusual billing patterns; explaining insurance exclusions in simple language; identifying genuine hardship cases requiring human review; reducing repetitive documentation ;flagging delays in claim settlement; and creating an independent patient-oriented audit trail.

But AI should support human judgment, not replace human sensitivity. The ideal healthcare system would combine advanced technology with human compassion. Efficiency and financial discipline are important, but the patient should remain at the centre of the system.

The Idea of an Independent Healthcare Social Audit

Healthcare institutions already have several forms of audit—financial audit, statutory compliance, accreditation, internal audit, insurance audit, medical audit and regulatory supervision.Yet these mechanisms may not always answer the ordinary patient's central question: “Was I treated fairly, transparently and with dignity?” An Independent Healthcare Social Audit could therefore examine the patient's experience from a different perspective.It could examine the entire journey: Patient → Treatment → Billing → Insurance → Claims → Discharge → Grievance Redressal

Among the matters that could be assessed are: Transparency of charges. Difference between procurement cost and patient billing  Any requirement to purchase medicines or devices from designated sources. Frequency and reasons for insurance claim rejection Time taken for claim settlement Treatment of genuine hardship cases.Availability and effectiveness of grievance mechanisms,Patient and attendant experience.Waiting time and administrative delays.The Loss of Man Hrs is something very huge.Whether the institution's stated Mission and Values are reflected in actual service delivery.

Such an audit could be independent of the hospital, insurer and third-party administrator, with broad findings made publicly available. This would introduce an important additional dimension of accountability—accountability from the patient's point of view.

Where Does Humanity Stand?

Perhaps the deeper question is not whether healthcare should involve business. Financial sustainability is essential for any institution to survive and serve society. The real question is: Should commercial considerations support healthcare, or should healthcare increasingly be shaped by commercial considerations? That distinction matters.

India has a long tradition of regarding health as an essential component of human welfare. Whether viewed through religious, philosophical or secular humanist principles, compassion towards a suffering human being remains a universal value . A hospital may have advanced technology, impressive infrastructure and a strong balance sheet. Yet its real success should ultimately be reflected in how it treats a vulnerable human being seeking relief, comfort and hope. The pursuit of reasonable profit is legitimate. The pursuit of human welfare is indispensable.

As India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047, development should not be measured only by larger institutions, greater technology and stronger financial performance. Institutions should also become more humane, accountable and responsive to the welfare aspirations of people. In fact, when institutional strength is combined with compassion, accountability and a genuine concern for people, healthcare can become a powerful instrument of public welfare—and an important foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047.

A truly developed healthcare system would therefore be: Scientifically advanced.Technologically enabled, Financially sustainable, Transparent and accountable. And, above all, humane.Perhaps that is the balance we should strive for—a healthcare system where technology strengthens service, financial sustainability supports continuity, and compassion remains at the heart of care.  Healthy and wealthy institutions can definitely be humane and easily pave the way for welfare and Viksit Bharat 2047. 

May health prevail everywhere, and may awareness of being healthy be nurtured and encouraged as a shared responsibility. Let the pursuit of health become a positive force towards realising the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and making the vision of a healthy, prosperous and inclusive Viksit Bharat a reality.

Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu

T V G Krishnan
(Personal Views This write up is vetted  with the help of  AI)

For want of Rubber Stamp (seal) , medical claim is lost.

 For Want of a Rubber Stamp

        We have all heard the saying: “For want of a nail, the battle was lost. But ”Can a genuine medical claim be lost for want of a nail ?" Yes “For want of a rubber stamp, a genuine medical claim is lost!” 

It may sound amusing, but for a patient waiting for reimbursement, or even for delivery of medicines it can be anything but amusing. The stamp of a Rubber Seal is very vital as Insurance Companies,  third party Agents. pharaceutical companies andb shop keepers  are at times  highly rule conscious more than work consciousness and ethics involved. The concept of processing assumes such an importance that they can refuse to settle the claim or supply the medicines as bills or prescriptions miss the stamping of the rubber seal.  

A person undergoes genuine treatment. The hospital records are available. The doctor has prescribed the medicines. The medicines have actually been purchased. Payment has actually been made—perhaps through UPI, card or bank transfer. Yet the claim may face rejection because a hospital document or pharmacy bill does not carry a particular stamp or signature.

The natural question is: Should the genuineness of an expenditure depend more on a rubber stamp than on evidence that the expenditure actually took place? Of course, proper documentation is necessary. It protects institutions against fraudulent, inflated and duplicate claims.But documentation should help establish the truth, not prevent the truth from being established.

The need of the hour is to bring efficiency in the system, enhance values and ethics and improve the quality of service and benefit from the AI , Technology and Humanitarian considerations from the angle of overall welfare. Who  can guarantee this and there is no insurance for guaranteed  quality service so far.   

Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu. 

T V G Krishnan

(Personal Views). 

something is wrong every where in every organisation crippling the normal life and progress of welfare in the society.

    Is It Not Time for India's Finest Minds to Think Together and Act?

A nation's true strength lies not in its ability to ignore its problems, but in the collective wisdom and courage of its people to recognise them, discuss them openly, and resolve them for the common good."

India stands at a decisive stage in its journey towards becoming a developed nation. Is it not time for the country's finest minds to introspect, analyse, and act collectively to identify and remove the obstacles that continue to impede our social, technological, economic, and institutional progress?

The time has come for the national media, the press, educational institutions, the judiciary, the executive, the legislature, the Reserve Bank of India, SEBI, social reform organisations, religious leaders, scientific institutions, technology experts, industrialists, bankers, educationists, professionals, and distinguished personalities from every field to engage in serious discussions. National and international seminars, debates, policy dialogues, and institutional consultations should focus on issues of common national interest and strive to build broad consensus on practical reforms.

Many of the challenges confronting the nation are well known. Yet they are too often accepted with undue optimism, excessive tolerance, or the belief that they will somehow resolve themselves over time. Citizens frequently find themselves compelled to endure inefficiency, injustice, misuse of authority, and administrative shortcomings despite having committed no wrong. Democratic freedoms and legal provisions, which are intended to safeguard justice and public welfare, are at times misused to exploit weaknesses in the system rather than strengthen it.

Among the major concerns demanding urgent and sustained attention are:

• Corruption.
• Black money and the parallel economy.
• Black marketing and unfair trade practices.
• Violations of laws and regulations under the guise of public interest.
• Inequitable taxation and tax evasion.
• Weak governance despite claims of effective administration.
• Absence of meaningful social audits of public services.
• Financial frauds, economic offences, and delays in ensuring accountability.
• Erosion of ethical values and public trust in institutions.

A healthy democracy grants citizens both freedom and responsibility. Rights must always be accompanied by accountability, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law. When these values weaken, public confidence in institutions inevitably suffers.

India is fortunate to possess extraordinary intellectual and moral resources. Our scientists, economists, jurists, bankers, industrialists, entrepreneurs, technologists, teachers, social reformers, spiritual leaders, sports personalities, and philanthropists have demonstrated excellence across the world. Their collective wisdom, if brought together with a common national purpose, can produce transformative ideas and lasting solutions.

Equally important is the active participation of ordinary citizens. Public policy becomes truly effective only when it is supported by an informed, responsible, and value-based society. Simplicity in living, integrity in conduct, respect for nature, and the timeless principles of Sanatana Dharma—truth, duty, compassion, self-discipline, and harmony—can provide a strong ethical foundation for national development while fully respecting India's pluralistic and constitutional character.

India has abundant natural resources, a young population, democratic institutions, technological capability, and an enduring civilisational heritage. These strengths should inspire us not merely to aspire for economic growth, but to build a society founded on justice, efficiency, transparency, sustainability, and human dignity.

If our finest minds can rise above sectional interests and work together with sincerity and vision, India can become a model democracy—one that combines economic prosperity with ethical governance, technological excellence with social justice, and national progress with the welfare of humanity.

The time for isolated efforts has passed. The time for collective national introspection, constructive dialogue, and determined action has arrived.The issues confronting the nation should become subjects of continuous and meaningful discussion across all sections of society. The print and electronic media, educational institutions, professional bodies, public forums, civil society organisations, research institutions, and policymakers should together nurture a nationwide movement dedicated to identifying problems, debating solutions, and implementing reforms in the larger national interest.

Such a movement must rise above political differences, personal ambitions, institutional rivalries, and narrow-minded approaches. Minor disagreements and occasional obstacles should never be allowed to derail the pursuit of the larger common good. Every stakeholder must recognise that nation-building is a shared responsibility.

Just as even a small quantity of poison can contaminate a grand feast, seemingly minor acts of corruption, dishonesty, intolerance, or indifference can gradually erode the foundations of an otherwise great nation. Conversely, even small acts of integrity, cooperation, and public service can inspire lasting positive change.The purest temple where God can reside is the human heart. When the heart is cleansed of greed, hatred, jealousy, arrogance, selfishness, and dishonesty, it naturally becomes a dwelling place for the Divine. A pure heart gives rise to pure thoughts; pure thoughts inspire noble actions; noble actions produce noble results; and noble results contribute to the welfare of humanity.

No law can compel goodness, no technology can manufacture compassion, and no wealth can purchase inner peace. These virtues blossom only when the human heart is purified by truth, righteousness, love, humility, and selfless service.

If each individual strives to make his or her heart worthy of God's presence, families will become stronger, institutions more ethical, governance more just, and nations more compassionate. Universal welfare begins not in parliaments or boardrooms alone, but in the conscience of every human being.

May God bless us all with pure hearts, enlightened minds, compassionate souls, noble thoughts, nobler actions, and the noblest results. Let our lives become instruments of peace, justice, harmony, and selfless service to humanity.

If India is to realise its full potential as a truly developed and compassionate nation, a culture of constructive dialogue, collective wisdom, ethical leadership, and continuous reform must become an integral part of our national life. The objective should not merely be to discuss problems, but to build consensus, inspire action, and leave behind stronger institutions and a better society for future generations. 

A nation's true strength lies not in its ability to ignore its problems, but in the collective wisdom and courage of its people to recognise them, discuss them openly, and resolve them for the common good."

Ultimately, the pursuit of universal welfare demands more than knowledge, wealth, technology, or administrative excellence. It requires moral and spiritual awakening. It calls for God's guidance, His blessings, and His presence in the hearts and minds of individuals, inspiring them to think, speak, and act with wisdom, compassion, honesty, and selflessness.

When human beings are guided by noble thoughts and higher values, differences become opportunities for dialogue rather than conflict, power becomes an instrument of service rather than domination, and progress becomes meaningful because it benefits all. While complete unanimity may never be possible in a diverse society, a shared commitment to truth, justice, compassion, and the common good can unite people in purpose and action. The principles and values of Sanatana Dharma should reflect in all our thoughts, words and deeds in such a way that the life is worth living enjoying the abundant blessings of nature and benefiting all living beings. Its principles become meaningful when Dharma governs our thoughts, Truth guides our words, Compassion shapes our actions, and respect for all life becomes our natural conduct. Then the blessings of nature are not merely enjoyed as possessions but received with gratitude and used responsibly for the welfare of others.

In that sense, a truly Dharmic life creates a harmony between the individual, society, nature and the Divine. It is not about renunciation of life, but about living fully without exploitation, enjoying what nature provides without destroying it, and ensuring that our existence leaves the world a little better for every other living being.

The thought could perhaps be distilled into one simple principle:

“Live with Dharma, speak with Truth, act with Compassion, receive nature with Gratitude, and leave behind a world enriched by your presence.”

That, in essence, is a life worth living—and a life worthy of the abundant blessings of Nature and the grace of the Divine.

May God bless us all with noble thoughts, nobler actions, and the noblest results. May He grant us the wisdom to distinguish right from wrong, the courage to uphold righteousness, and the humility to work together for the welfare of humanity. Let our collective endeavour be guided by the timeless ideal:

"Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah;

Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid Dukha Bhag Bhavet."

"May all be happy. May all be free from illness. May all see what is auspicious. May none suffer."

"May God bless us all with pure hearts, enlightened minds, noble thoughts, nobler actions, and the noblest results—for the welfare of humanity and the glory of the Divine.

TVG Krishnan

Personal Views)

 

All That Glitters Can Be Part of the Gold

Economic growth is often viewed through the familiar indicators of GDP, investment, employment, inflation, taxation and other officially measured parameters. These are essential for economic policy. Yet, there may be another part of the economic story that is visible all around us but not always adequately captured in the conventional framework.

The crowded markets, malls, hotels and restaurants, expanding travel and tourism, construction activity, transport services,  health and senior citizens services, small businesses, household enterprises of all kinds, and innumerable self-employed persons all represent economic activity. Much of this activity may lie outside the fully formal economy or somewhere between the formal and informal sectors. This raises a simple question: Are we seeing the entire economy, or only that part of it which our existing systems are able to measure and classify?

Recognising the economic activity that already exists

The informal economy should not automatically be regarded as an undesirable economy waiting to be formalised. A considerable part of it represents genuine production, services, employment, entrepreneurship, consumption and income generation. A street vendor, small trader, artisan, domestic service provider, repair worker, transport operator, small manufacturer or self-employed professional may be conducting a perfectly productive economic activity even though the activity may not fit neatly into the formal framework.

There is also a substantial space between the formal and informal economies. An individual or enterprise may have a bank account, use digital payments, pay some taxes, employ workers informally, operate partly in cash and partly through banking channels, and remain only partially visible to the formal system. The economic reality is therefore much more fluid than a simple formal-versus-informal classification suggests. The first requirement is consequently recognition. We should recognise productive economic activity wherever it takes place and understand its contribution to the economy before deciding how it should be brought within the formal framework.

Measuring what we actually see

Recognition must be followed by better measurement. Economic statistics are indispensable for policymaking. But if significant economic activity remains inadequately captured, policymakers may not obtain the complete picture of income generation, employment, purchasing power, savings, consumption and wealth distribution. For example, ordinary citizens can observe strong demand in markets, restaurants, hotels, transport and tourism, health services, even during periods when inflation is high. Such observations do not by themselves prove that official economic statistics are wrong. They do, however, raise legitimate questions about whether all dimensions of economic activity and purchasing power are being adequately captured.

There is therefore a case for continuously examining how economic data are compiled.The objective should be to understand:

• where income is being generated;
• where employment and self-employment are taking place;
• how money is circulating;
• how much economic activity remains outside formal reporting;
• what lies between the formal and informal sectors;
• why some activities remain outside the formal system; and
• how much of the apparent informality is legitimate economic activity and how much represents tax evasion or unlawful transactions.

Better information would lead to better policy.

From formalisation to integration

The answer need not be to force every informal activity immediately into a rigid formal structure.A more practical approach could be progressive integration. Productive informal enterprises and individuals should gradually be enabled to enter the mainstream through easier registration, affordable finance, digital tools, insurance, social security, skills, technology, market access and appropriate taxation. The formal economy, the informal economy and the space between them could progressively become part of one integrated economic system. The wide  inequality and the trickle down effect seen on a very large scale can perhaps be an area for deep thought to fix some of the gaps between formal and informal economy. The objective should be to make formalisation beneficial rather than merely compulsory.

When people see tangible benefits from becoming more visible—better access to credit, markets, technology, protection and opportunities—compliance is more likely to become voluntary and sustainable. The ultimate objective should be that the distinction between formal and informal gradually becomes less important because productive economic activity itself becomes increasingly integrated.

Informal does not mean illegal

This distinction is fundamental. Informal economic activity and illegal economic activity are not synonymous.  An activity may be informal because of its size, nature, documentation, registration status or operating practices. That does not automatically make it unlawful. At the same time, informal channels can be used for tax evasion, concealment of income, generation and circulation of black money and other illegal activities. These cannot be ignored. Recognising the economic contribution of the informal sector must therefore never be interpreted as legitimising black money or tax evasion.

The approach should be more intelligent: identify legitimate economic activity, bring it progressively into the mainstream, and simultaneously strengthen the ability of the State to identify and prevent unlawful activity. Black money and illegal activity cannot realistically be eliminated overnight. But neither can their existence be accepted as a permanent feature of the economy. The objective should be gradual capture, prevention and reduction through better information, technology, enforcement, simpler systems and greater voluntary compliance. The support of Artificial Intelligence would be of immense help in the matter. 

Taxation and compliance

Taxation is another important part of this transition. If taxation, compliance procedures and regulatory requirements become excessively burdensome, some economic activity may have an incentive to remain outside the formal framework. This does not justify evasion. It suggests that tax policy and compliance policy must work together. Decentralised approach  in taxation with centralised consolidation of information  using Technology and AI would perhaps make the system workable and effective.   A wider tax base, reasonable rates, simpler procedures, better services and effective enforcement can create an environment in which compliance becomes easier and more worthwhile. The objective should be to move progressively from a system that primarily seeks to detect non-compliance after it occurs to one that makes compliance simpler, more natural and more rewarding.

Digitalisation: opportunity, not the whole answer

The growth of digital payments and financial technology has greatly increased the visibility of economic transactions. But digitalisation alone cannot provide a complete picture of the economy. A transaction becoming digital does not automatically mean that the underlying economic activity has become fully formal. What matters is the entire economic chain—income, employment, production, ownership, taxation, savings, investment and consumption. Digitalisation should therefore be treated as an important instrument for integration and transparency, rather than as a substitute for understanding the economy itself.

Looking beyond the compartments

Perhaps the time has come to look at the economy less as three separate compartments—formal, informal and something in between—and more as a continuum of economic activity. The important question is not merely: “Is this formal or informal?” It should also be: "What economic value is being created, who is creating it, how is it being measured, and how can that productive activity be brought into the mainstream without destroying its viability?” Such an approach can help policymakers see economic reality more clearly with substantial increase in the GDP growth. It can also help millions of small entrepreneurs, workers and self-employed persons move gradually from vulnerability towards greater security, productivity and opportunity. 

From visibility to integration

The journey could therefore be: Recognition → Better Measurement → Integration → Greater Productivity → Wider Employment and Income → Larger Tax Base → Greater Compliance → Inclusive Growth At the same time, there should be a parallel journey: Better Information → Identification of Illegal Activity → Prevention of Tax Evasion and Black Money → Effective Enforcement → Greater Trust in the System

These two processes need not conflict. In fact, they can reinforce each other. A larger and more productive formal economy provides greater visibility. Greater visibility can improve compliance. Better compliance can support lower distortions and a broader tax base. Greater productivity and opportunity can, in turn, encourage more economic activity to enter the mainstream.

All that glitters can be part of the gold

The informal economy should therefore not be looked at merely as a problem to be solved. Some of what lies outside the formal framework may already be economic gold waiting to be recognised, measured and integrated. The idea  is not to glorify informality. Nor is it to legitimise black money, tax evasion or illegal activity. The objective is to distinguish between the two, understand the economic reality on the ground, protect productive activity and progressively bring it into the mainstream. India's aspiration for a developed economy requires not merely higher growth but a more complete understanding of the economic strength of its people. If the formal economy represents the visible structure, the informal economy and the space between the two may contain considerable productive strength that has yet to be fully recognised.

All that glitters may not be gold. But some of what glitters may indeed be part of the gold. The task before us is to identify it, measure it, integrate it and allow it to contribute openly and productively to the nation's growth. GDP growth cannot be at 7.8% . It should be far more than this if all the services and products from the informal sectors get reflected  and   the compilation of information is made fool proof    

That is not merely formalisation. It is economic integration to make  the dream of our   PM's Viksit Bharath a reality.  

Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu. 

T V G Krishnan 

(personal Views)

( This  article is vetted with the help of AI )

SIR exercise “Be uncompromising about the objective, but compassionate and flexible about the method.”

 

And Vote Goes to ........ SIR woes of VIPs Cleared at home itself. ( TOI 9/9/26)

Today's Times of  India (9/9//26) reported  this news along with some good examples showing how elderly voters , accident victims, skip office visit.  Good to hear and the efficiency of the administration is admirable. That is the essence of people-centric governance: achieving the objective of the State while making the life of the citizen easier, not harder.

The SIR exercise need not become a choice between administrative efficiency and citizens' convenience. It can—and should—be a win-win exercise in which the legitimate objectives of the administration are fully achieved while genuine citizens are spared avoidable hardship.

The task is therefore not merely to eliminate ineligible names from the electoral roll, but to do so through methods that are intelligent, flexible and sensitive to the circumstances of different categories of citizens. Greater use of available records, technology, local verification and doorstep assistance for those who genuinely need it could help achieve both objectives simultaneously.

The administration gets a cleaner and more credible electoral roll; the citizen gets the assurance that his or her democratic rights will not be compromised by an inconvenient procedure. A government may be technologically efficient, procedurally compliant and administratively impressive—and yet fail the common citizen if the citizen has to struggle to access the system. That is precisely the distinction between administrative efficiency and meaningful governance.

Administrative efficiency should first serve those citizens who face the greatest difficulty in accessing the administration.  The test of an efficient administration is not how efficiently it serves the powerful and privileged, but how sensitively it serves those who find it most difficult to reach the system. Updating the electoral roll is not an ordinary administrative exercise. It directly concerns the citizen's fundamental democratic participation. Therefore, the administration should arguably adopt a citizen-first approach for the elderly, persons with disabilities, the seriously ill, bedridden citizens, people in their eighties and nineties, and daily-wage or self-employed workers who cannot sacrifice a day's livelihood to visit a designated office. The constitutional principle is that every voter is equal;  those facing greater barriers deserve greater administrative accommodation, not preferential  treatment.

The ultimate measure of administrative efficiency should therefore be not merely how successfully a rule is implemented, but how successfully its objective is achieved without unnecessarily inconveniencing the people whom the administration exists to serve.

A good administration should not ask the citizen, “How can you comply with us?” It should also ask itself, “How can we make it easier for the citizen to comply?” That is where efficiency becomes empathy—and governance becomes truly meaningful.When an idea recognises the legitimate objective of the other side, understands the practical difficulties of the people affected, and then offers a way for both objectives to be achieved together, it becomes much harder to oppose.

“Be uncompromising about the objective, but compassionate and flexible about the method.” This  principle goes well beyond SIR. It is, in fact, a good foundation for meaningful governance." 

Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu.

T V G Krishnan

(personal Views)

 

 

Has India Protected—or Permanently Preserved—the Common Man?

“My Common Man has been around for decades. He hasn't changed. He represents the silent majority of India who tolerate everything, look at everything with a mix of bewilderment and amusement, but remain exactly where they were.”

— R.K. Laxman

The survival and well-being of the Common Man depend largely on the quality of governance. But the survival, credibility and legitimacy of the governance system itself ultimately depend on how effectively it addresses the most fundamental question confronting the ordinary citizen: Can he live with dignity, security and reasonable economic stability?

After nearly eight decades of Independence, India should not remain trapped in a system where the Common Man is repeatedly treated as a beneficiary of promises, schemes and temporary relief. The objective must be to transform him into an empowered, productive, informed and responsible citizen.

As India advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, this question deserves an honest examination. While a section of the population has achieved considerable economic and social progress, where does the Common Man stand today in terms of economic, financial, social and emotional security?

The welfare-oriented State has undoubtedly brought relief to millions. Social protection, food support, subsidies and access to essential services have reduced hardship and provided a vital safety net. Yet an uncomfortable question remains:Has the Common Man merely been protected—or has he, in some respects, been permanently preserved as a political and economic category defined by poverty, inadequate education, insecurity and dependence?

R.K. Laxman's legendary Common Man remains a powerful symbol of this reality. With his bewildered expression, he silently watched decades of political promises, administrative failures and social contradictions. That silence is symbolic. The Common Man is at the centre of political speeches, policy announcements and welfare programmes, yet often remains an outsider to his own development.

The Constitution, legislation, the judicial system and the administrative machinery are founded on lofty and benevolent intentions. Their purpose is to protect rights, ensure justice and promote welfare. Yet words and deeds often fail to match.The real issue is not merely the gap between promises and performance, but the inadequate accountability for closing that gap. Schemes are announced, resources allocated and benefits distributed. But the ultimate question remains:What tangible improvement has actually reached the ordinary citizen?

Welfare Must Be a Ladder, Not a Holding Pattern

Welfare is necessary. A civilised society cannot abandon those facing poverty, illness, unemployment or other forms of vulnerability. But relief cannot become the final destination.A welfare system should be a ladder for upward mobility, not a permanent holding pattern. Its purpose should be to reduce the vulnerability that makes welfare perpetually necessary.

This requires greater attention to the foundations of lasting progress: quality education, productive employment, skills, entrepreneurship, investment, infrastructure and genuine opportunities for economic mobility.True welfare should help people outgrow the conditions that made welfare necessary.

Poverty is not merely the absence of money. It is also the absence of capability, opportunity and the freedom to make meaningful choices. People must be empowered to think, decide, act, choose and judge for themselves.

Welfare can provide essential protection, but it cannot substitute for long-term economic empowerment.Employment must become productive and sustainable. Education must develop knowledge, skills, critical thinking and analytical ability. Investment must create opportunities for people to improve their lives through their own efforts.The Common Man should not be condemned to spend his entire life managing survival.

The Unfinished Struggle for Dignity

Inflation hurts the poor disproportionately. It erodes the purchasing power of limited incomes and makes food, housing, healthcare, education and transport increasingly difficult to afford.The Common Man does not necessarily seek luxury. His aspirations are modest: adequate food, a secure home, decent clothing, education for his children, healthcare, affordable transport and an opportunity to improve his life through honest work.These are not extravagant demands. They are the minimum requirements of a dignified life.Constant anxiety about the next meal, rent, school fees or medical expenses affects not only income but also peace of mind, emotional security and the ability to enjoy life.

The Common Man has shown extraordinary resilience. But it is a failure of governance when society celebrates that resilience while doing too little to remove the conditions that make it necessary.

Measure Governance by Outcomes

Governments and institutions should not be judged merely by the money allocated, the number of schemes announced or the volume of benefits distributed. They must be judged by outcomes.

How many families have permanently moved out of poverty?How many children have received genuinely quality education?How many young people have acquired productive skills and sustainable employment?

Has the purchasing power of ordinary households improved?

Are food, housing, healthcare, education and transport becoming more affordable?Are citizens becoming more economically independent?These are the questions that should determine the success of governance.

The Common Man does not need endless rhetoric. He needs visible results. He does not need to remain a permanent beneficiary. He needs an opportunity to become an independent contributor.

From Receivers to Contributors

India must move beyond the familiar cycle:

Problems → Promises → Schemes → Temporary Relief → Continuing Problems

It must create a more productive cycle:

Growth → Productive Investment → Employment → Higher Incomes → Greater Purchasing Power → Better Quality of Life → Further Growth

The task is not merely to redistribute the existing economic cake. We must also make it substantially bigger through productive investment, innovation, efficient use of resources, better governance and the full development of human potential.

Technology and intelligence should be used to generate dependable data, review policies, monitor performance, ensure accountability and measure whether national objectives are actually being achieved. Ultimately, governance must be reflected in measurable improvements in the quality of life of the people.

At the same time, the opportunities and benefits of growth must reach a much wider section of society. The objective should be to make every citizen a participant in development, not a permanent beneficiary waiting for relief.The required transformation is clear:

From Relief to Opportunity.

From Dependence to Empowerment.

From Receiving to Contributing.

From Survival to Progress.

From the Common Man to the Empowered Citizen.

From Silence to Accountability

Economic empowerment alone is not enough. A strong democracy also requires informed and responsible citizens.People must not remain passive recipients of what the Government provides. They must learn to observe, understand, question and participate. Public institutions exist to serve the people and must remain accountable for their performance.

Citizens should become constructive watchdogs and ask:Are institutions performing the functions for which they were created?Are public resources being properly utilised?Are policies producing the promised results? Who is accountable when institutions fail?Are the benefits of development actually reaching the people?

Democracy becomes stronger when the people who elect governments also evaluate the performance of the institutions created to serve them.The transformation we need is:

From Passive Citizens to Thinking Citizens.

From Beneficiaries to Participants.

From Silence to Constructive Questioning.

From Blind Acceptance to Informed Accountability.

The Real Meaning of Welfare

India certainly needs a welfare State. Compassion and protection of the vulnerable are essential responsibilities of a civilised society. But the ultimate purpose of welfare cannot be to maintain a permanent class of beneficiaries.It must transform:

Dependence into Capability.

Capability into Productivity.

Productivity into Dignity.

Dignity into Shared Prosperity.

The ultimate test of welfare is not how many people remain dependent on it, but how many it enables to outgrow the conditions that made welfare necessary.

After nearly eight decades of Independence, perhaps the most important transformation India can achieve is to enable the silent Common Man to step out of the frame—not as a permanently protected and managed citizen, but as an educated, economically secure, self-reliant, discerning and confident participant in India's future.

The Government may govern, institutions may administer and experts may advise—but an alert, informed and responsible people must continuously watch, question and contribute.That should be the next great transformation.

Not the preservation of the Common Man as a permanent beneficiary, but his emergence as an empowered citizen—capable of earning, aspiring, contributing, questioning and living with dignity.

That should be the true meaning of welfare.

That should be the ultimate test of governance.

An enlightened and concerned citizen is a performing and contributing asset to the nation. The need of the hour is to transform all Indians into conscious stakeholders in nation-building—committed, involved and willing to contribute their time, talent and effort towards realising the dream of Viksit Bharat, in letter and spirit.

India's greatest national asset is not merely its population, but an enlightened, responsible and participating citizenry. End this write up with a quote.

"Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming after all, is a form of planning." Gloria Steinem. 

Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu.

T V G Krishnan 

( personal views) 

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