Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said that a nation without well-functioning institution "runs the risk of being a failed nation". Singh stated this in an obvious reference to the controversy related to CBI and RBI in recent times.
"Such a situation can create chaos in society, economy and polity. A nation without well-functioning institutions is bound to fail," said Singh adding that when institutions fall prey to extra-constitutional powers and no state actors, there is a risk of violence entering the process or transition.
"The deterioration of the institutions adversely affects the functioning of various organs of the State and in eroding their credibility, " Singh said while addressing an audience at former President Pranab Mukherjee Foundation event in the national Capital.
The former Prime Minister said that the well-functioning institutions of governance are a necessary condition to maintain peace and harmony. "Besides, the institutions must be impartial, objective and should function for the benefit of all sections of society. Unfortunately, integrity of major institutions faces many challenges,"he added.
"To maintain secular character of all the institutions (Judiciary, Executive and Legislatures) is a pre-requisite for peace and harmony and a violence free transition and transformation. Eventually, it is the responsibility of the political and religious leadership, civil society, intelligentsia and the media to uphold the Constitution and the integrity of institutions. When the institutions start deviating from a just discharge of their constitutional responsibilities and knowingly or unknowingly fall prey to the extra-constitutional powers and non-state actors then there is a danger of violence entering into the process of transition and transformation," he said.
The ex-PM also elucidated on the theme of the idea of India while referring to the secular character of the nation. "The very idea of India revolves around unity in diversity and diversity in unity…India is a multicultural, multilingual, multireligious society…communal harmony is extremely important for citizens," he said.
Referring the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Food Security Act and Right to Education Act are some of the initiatives taken by the UPA Government, Singh said that more and more such measures, along with an effective implementation of policies and programmes are required so that the people at the margin could live a dignified and peaceful life. This would certainly improve their happiness index.
"Environment is another area which has a direct bearing on every aspect of life. However, the consumption-led growth model and ever-increasing human greed are giving rise to a reckless use and misuse of scarce natural resources. This, in turn, is posing a serious threat to environment and sustainability of growth and development and is resulting into an ever-increasing conflict between man and nature," Singh said.
