Concept of Self-Reliance :: Part 2
8th General Conference, Liangmai Naga Students' Union

Dr. K. Paochunbou *

The 8th general conference 2015 All Liangmai Naga Students' Union
Topic: Concept of Self-Reliance

In the context of the self-reliance, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had addressed on May 20, 2005 at the International Women Business Conference in Damascus about the immense value of education. She had emphasized that education is the first step to success and to independence as well as a satisfying life enabling a person to lead a stimulating, interesting and instructive life.

She had educated at Oxford University, she became a role model in the Muslim world who had the courage to take on the mantle of Muslim women leadership and tried to reverse centuries of discrimination against Muslim women. She had conceptualized on self-reliance through education amongst her own women-folk.

Former Governor Dr. P.C. Alexander of Maharashtra had said that the internationally acclaimed Agricultural Scientist Dr. Prof. M.S. Swaminathan is not only a great scientist and technocrat but also an excellent humanist. This scientist explained that the key inputs are education and training, capacity building, social mobilization and producer oriented marketing.

He has the conviction that development which is not equitable ultimately is not sustainable. Development which is not economically viable is not replicable. This indicates that self-reliance has its specific constructive ideas. Therefore, self-reliance should not mean inordinate delays and consequent cost escalation, or the refusal to innovate.

Jawaharlal Nehru recognized long ago that political freedom would be incomplete without economic independence and that economic independence would be beyond our grasp without scientific self-reliance. Having reached a stage of self-reliance, we can and should avail ourselves of more advanced foreign technology without jeopadising self-reliance.

On August 6, 1945, a B-29 bomber – the Enola Gay released a 9,700 pound Uranium bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy" over the City of Hiroshima in southern Japan. This was the first time that the United States dropped atomic bombs – killing 70,000 people and wounding another 70,000. The bomb devastated everything within five square miles.

President Truman warned Japan that if it didn't surrender, the US would attack other targets with equally devastating results. The Japanese did not surrender and the US continued conventional bombing raids on Japanese Cities.

On August 9, another B-29 bomber – Bock's Car headed to bomb Kokura Arsenal, however, the pilot switched to his secondary target, Nagasaki and killed 40,000 injured 60,000 and destroyed three square miles of the City. Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945. The US has its scientific self-reliance.

USA is a new Nation but she has her own economic self-reliance, scientific self-reliance and chemical weapon self-reliance. She has advanced in the field of education and the country had acquired skills, knowledge, technologies, scientific innovation and developed capacity building in all sectors, and economic empowerment followed by action oriented productivity and food security to the extent possible.

"External aid is like a Sulpha drug, we must know when to use it, when to stop it and we should always have a B-Complex to neutralize it" – V.K.R.V. Rao.

It is generally believed that the concept of self-reliance assumes added significance during a period of war when nations realize the significance of making the economies self-generating. The basic philosophy of self-reliance is the capacity to bear any crisis on the basis of internal strength and resilience acquired during the process of growth. India had faced three conflicts – 1962 Communist China invaded.

In 1971, Pakistan started war and in 1971, Pakistan fought with India as India has her sympathy and support to freedom struggle of the people of Bangladesh. Therefore, it is necessary to have a clearer vision of the concept of self-reliance, so that, proper policy instruments are created and used to achieve this goal.

This indicates that the concept of self-reliance basically implies freedom from dependence on foreign aid. Taking this as the basic premise in the Indian context, self-reliance should include the following:

a) Self-sufficiency in food and essential raw materials.

b) Self-sufficiency in defence.

c) Self-sufficiency in highly technical manpower.

d) Self-sufficiency in the capital goods sector.

However, the concept of self-reliance must be viewed in the overall context of economic growth. So, self-reliance has to be linked the capacity for sustaining growth. Accordingly, self-reliance implies the creation of capacities in those lines of production which requires heavy imports and that makes us dependent on the foreigners.

Self-reliance implies the creation of cadres of high technical manpower and it is a relative concept. It does not mean economic isolation. It does not mean total freedom from foreign aid. However, it implies greater capacity of domestic production in a larger number of commodities/sectors.

Mrs. Indira Gandhi explaining the Government policy on self-reliance stated: "Self-reliance does not mean insulating the economy completely. There will always be need for beneficial exchange of goods and services. We shall certainly need considerable time to absorb new technologies and equipments from outside. But we want to pay for these goods and services increasingly through our export earnings".

Self-reliance in education means that individuals do all they can meet the educational needs of their children without relying on public assistance. Self-reliance is synonymous with self-sufficiency. It means doing things for ourselves rather than having things done for us.

It does not mean that we do not need others in our lives; only that the help we ask of others is the kind of help that makes us better able to care for ourselves. This is because it builds the kind of character needed to live both independently and freely in community with others, as we know that unnecessary dependence dulls characters and community, destroys personal freedom and creates social dysfunctions.

Self-reliance is freedom. As a parent, you can guide and advice the education of your children. It means a parent has real concern, not only involvement over the education of their children. These children tend to be self-motivated, curious, adventurous and loyal.

John F. Kennedy President of USA after his academic career at Harvard University joined in politics and he asked the youth: "Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country" This is a basic philosophy of self-reliance. (Concluded)

Concluded ...