Telangana – India’s 29th state – February 2014
Mumbai – India’s 51st state – January 2050
Dear members of BCAS family,
Bhavya Bharat:
It is said, by many analysists, that India will overtake USA in 2050 to become the second largest economy. I believe that. Many sceptics do not believe that we can achieve this on GDP basis. But I am sure many will agree that we may have more states than USA by 2050 with Mumbai becoming the 51st state of India.
Back Stroke:
There is intellectual outrage at the formation of Telangana all across; of course, outside Telangana, that is. One stroke of line across the map and conflicting emotions are displayed. Some shed tears for fear of loss of livelihood, while on the other side, a gush of happiness upon hope of progress and prosperity. Not to forget the show of indignation by us who are nowhere affected by this stroke. This is also being referred to as a master stroke by Sonia Gandhi. Will this stroke strike down the chances of Congress being stricken down by the opposition in this ensuing election? Time will tell. Going by precedence, it did not help Atal Bihari Vajpayee to come back to power when in 2000 he struck not one, not two but three strokes to bring into existence Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand.
Bharat Nirmaan:
India must be one of those rare countries whose boundaries, both external and internal has been constantly changing.
A quick recap:
It can be debated as to who amongst Ashoka, Akbar and the British gave shape to India the way it was prepartition. I have just finished reading Empire of the Moghals by Alex Rutherford and as per the author, Akbar ruled over the largest empire bordering from Samarkhand in the North, Persia in the West, Bengal in the East and Deccan in the South. Much of the North and West was lost by the Moghals very early. Pakistan and what is now called Bangladesh was separated when we attained Independence. In all, 562 princely states joined to form India. The external boundaries as we see today were crystalised as late as in 1962 when the former French and Portuguese colonies in India were incorporated into the Republic as the union territories of Puducherry (Pondicherry), Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Daman and Diu.
Bharat Punarnirmaan:
Then started the internal reformation. Bombay split into Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960. Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were carved out from Punjab in 1966. Add to that the conversion of Union territories like Sikkim and Goa to States.
Bharat Bhugol Bhavishya:
But this is not the end. There is a proposal lying with the central government to create Avadh Pradesh, Bundelkhand, Paschim Pradesh, and Purvanchal from Uttar Pradesh. Agitations are on for a separate Bodoland, Gorkhaland and Vidharbh.
And surely, Telangana will not be the last state. Brace yourselves for many more. And there’s nothing wrong in it. All the new states mentioned above have prospered post-separation. There seems to be merit in it. Governing large states is difficult, particularly with ethnic differences and neglect of large populations. America has 50 states while it’s population is just a quarter of ours. China has 34 provinces for a population marginally larger than ours. Thus, if a segment of populace feels alienated and neglected and feel their prosperity is possible, then who are we to object? Statehood is okay, separatism is a no-no.
Bharat Vibhajan:
There are separatist movements in J&K. The Akali movement is still active from North America. Will India disintegrate like the USSR? I am confident that will never happen. We are all bound together by a strong nationalist bond. Just like our joint families are becoming nuclear families, so is our country going through the same phase.
Andhra Bhojan Bhavishya:
Coming back to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, being a foodie and with Andhra cuisine being one of my top favourites, I am awaiting clarity on whether my favourite dishes like palakura pappu, thotakura, iguru and Kodi Guntur will now be called Andhra dishes or Telangana dishes? Will know when I next go to my favourite jaunt at Andhra Bhavan in Delhi for Andhra Meals. I am sorry for sounding selfish but that’s the only interest I have in this episode.
My father studied a different map in school, I studied another while my daughter studied yet another. I am sure my grandchildren will study a completely new map.
Here’s wishing everyone happiness and love.
With Warm Regards
Naushad A. Panjwani
