Skip to main content

Why AAP's anti-Congress rhetoric 'isn't cutting much ice' with Himachal voters

By Bharat Dogra* 

As people go to vote in the state, people of Himachal Pradesh are more inclined to recall the more impressive achievements of the long era of Congress rule. In 2017-18 among human development indicators Himachal was at 7th place and in Gender Development indicators Himachal was at number 2 place ( compared to rank number 16 of neighboring state Haryana) among 36 states and union territories.
This was achieved by the cooperation of all sections of people but the strong foundation for this was undoubtedly laid by the freedom movement leaders, led by Dr YS Parmar (former Chief Minister who dominated the political scene till 1977). These leaders of Congress, helped in important ways by the Union Government, helped this hill state to overcome heavy odds to emerge among the top states in development indicators.
This is why when AAP leaders started their Himachal election campaign by being highly critical of the past development record, ignoring strong data base to the contrary, this did not go well with the people. AAP was particularly critical of the Himachal record in education, but the available statistics indicate a very different picture of Himachal having been one of the top achievers in education at the national level.
Himachal Pradesh has villages spread over very remote areas in the middle of tough hilly terrain. Spread of educational and other development facilities in such conditions can be much more costly compared to plains.
With a literacy rate of about 88 per cent now, Himachal Pradesh may still be slightly behind a few states like Kerala, but in terms of the rise from 8 per cent ( at the time of independence) to 88 per cent now in difficult conditions it is perhaps the most inspiring example among all states in education.
A literacy rate of 87 or 88 per cent is also remarkable compared to the all-India average of around 78 per cent, or when compared to what has been achieved by some neighboring states ( 73 per cent by Uttar Pradesh, 77 per cent by Jammu and Kashmir, 81 per cent by Haryana and 84 per cent by Punjab).
Unlike Kerala, moreover, there was no exceptionally encouraging or significant background of educational work in Himachal Pradesh from pre-independence days. In this sense, Himachal Pradesh did not have a head start compared to states like Kerala where some pioneering educational work had taken place earlier.
Himachal Pradesh’s performance is all the more credible keeping in view the much higher percentage of its people living in rural areas. In fact if we only look at rural areas then the comparative performance of Himachal Pradesh is even more impressive. 
The literacy rate of rural Himachal Pradesh at 85.6 per cent is significantly higher than that of the rural areas of its neighbors -- 70 per cent in the case of Uttar Pradesh, 75 per cent in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, 77 per cent for Haryana and 80 per cent for Punjab.
Even if we leave aside sheer literacy and look at indicators of more advanced progress in education, Himachal Pradesh has done well. Its percentage of population which has completed secondary education is among the best in the country.
What is no less impressive is that economically and social weaker sections have also recorded significant improvements in literacy and education in Himachal Pradesh education. 
The latest available data on comparative performance in this context tells us that in the case of scheduled castes the literacy rate of Himachal Pradesh at 78 per cent is significantly better than the all-India achievement of 63 per cent. It is also much better than several neighboring states including Uttar Pradesh with 60 per cent literacy, 64 per cent for Punjab and 66 per cent for Haryana.
If we consider the data for only scheduled caste women, then Himachal Pradesh is even more ahead with a literacy rate of 71 per cent, compared to the all-India attainment of only 52 per cent. Himachal is also way ahead of its neighbors Uttar Pradesh with a rate of 46 per cent, Haryana with 53 per cent and Punjab with 56 per cent.
This indicates the adoption of a more inclusive development path by Himachal Pradesh, a fact confirmed also by data for its Scheduled Tribes which have a literacy rate of 72 per cent, compared to the all-India attainment of 62 per cent. In the case of neighboring states the literacy rate for scheduled tribes is 36 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir and 44 per cent in Uttar Pradesh. 
If only women from scheduled tribes are considered, then the achievement of Himachal Pradesh appears in even more favorable light, as this state has a literacy rate in this context of 61 per cent, compared to only 19 for Jammu and Kashmir and 39 for Uttar Pradesh.
While this data confirms the more inclusive development of Himachal Pradesh, this does not imply that there is no injustice against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes here. The reality is that discriminative practices exist here also against scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes in addition face increasing threats of displacement and denial of proper implementation of protective laws like PESA ( for decentralization) and FRA (forest rights). 
This threat has increased further during the last five years of BJP rule in which displacement caused by dams, highways and other projects has become a very big issue. On the whole, however, development here has been more inclusive than in several other parts of India.
This has also created more conducive conditions for mobilization of communities for development initiatives. In the context of education, the better support from rural communities and the more active functioning of parents groups have contributed much to improvement of school education.
However the rapid spread of liquor abuse and the related violence against women as well as increased disruption of communities by too many instances of displacement have been harmful for community life as well as health and education. Political rivalries are worsening and corruption is increasing, These worrying trends should be checked to protect and improve achievements recorded earlier.
---
*Honorary convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now; recent books include ‘When the Two Streams Met', ‘Man over Machine’ and 'A Day in 2071’

Comments

TRENDING

'Draconian' Kerala health law follows WHO diktat: Govt readies to take harsh measures

By Dr Maya Valecha*  The Governor of Kerala has signed the Kerala Public Health Bill, which essentially reverses the people’s campaign in healthcare services in Kerala for decentralisation. The campaign had led to relinquishing of state powers in 1996, resulting in improvement of health parameters in Kerala. Instead, now, enforcement of law through the exercise of power, fines, etc., and the implementation of protocol during the pandemic, are considered of prime importance.

Reject WHO's 'draconian' amendments on pandemic: Citizens to Union Health Minister

By Our Representative  Several concerned Indian citizens have written to the Union Health Minister to reject amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted during the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA75) in May 2022, apprehending this will make the signatories surrender their autonomy to the “unelected, unaccountable and the whimsical WHO in case of any future ‘pandemics’.”

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah*   The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Bihar rural women entrepreneurs witness 50% surge in awareness about renewal energy

By Mignonne Dsouza*  An endline survey conducted under the Bolega Bihar initiative revealed a significant increase in awareness of renewable energy among women, rising from 25% to 76% in Nalanda and Gaya. Renu Kumari, a 34-year-old entrepreneur from Nalanda, Bihar, operates a village eatery that serves as the primary source of income for her family, including her husband and five children. However, a significant portion of her profits was being directed toward covering monthly electricity expenses that usually reach Rs 2,000. 

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Work with Rajasthan's camel herders: German scientist wins World Cookbook Award 2023

By Rosamma Thomas*  Gourmand World Cookbook Awards are the only awards for international food culture. This year, German scientist  Ilse Kohler Rollefson , founder of Camel Charisma, the first of India’s camel dairies, in Pali district of Rajasthan, won the award for her work with camel herders in Rajasthan, and for preparing for the UN International Year of Camelids, 2024. 

Why is electricity tariff going up in India? Who is the beneficiary? A random reflection

By Thomas Franco*  Union Ministry of Power has used its power under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003 to force States to import coal which has led to an increase in the cost of electricity production and every consumer is paying a higher tariff. In India, almost everybody from farmers to MSMEs are consumers of electricity.

Golwalkar's views on tricolour, martyrs, minorities, caste as per RSS archives

By Shamsul Islam*  First time in the history of independent India, the in-charge minister of the Cultural Ministry in the current Modi government, Prahlad Singh Patel, has glorified MS Golwalkar, second supremo of the RSS and the most prominent ideologue of the RSS till date, on his birth anniversary, February 19. In a tweet he wrote : “Remembering a great thinker, scholar, and remarkable leader #MSGolwalkar on his birth anniversary. His thoughts will remain a source of inspiration & continue to guide generations.”

'Pro-corporate agenda': Odisha crackdown on tribal slum dwellers fighting for land rights

By Our Representative  The civil rights network Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), even as condemning what it calls “brutal repression” on the Adivasi slum dwellers of Salia Sahi in Bhubaneshwar by the Odisha police, has said that the crackdown was against the tribals struggling for land rights in order to “stop the attempts at land-grab by the government.”

Deplorable, influential sections 'still believe' burning coal is essential indefinitely

By Shankar Sharma*  Some of the recent developments in the power sector, as some  recent news items show, should be of massive relevance/ interest to our policy makers in India. Assuming that our authorities are officially mandated/ committed to maintain a holistic approach to the overall welfare of all sections of our society, including the flora, fauna and general environment, these developments/ experiences from different parts of the globe should be clear pointers to the sustainable energy pathways for our people.