Page 127 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

primarily to allow ourselves the Freedom and the opportunity to
develop and to allocate resources including human and financial
resources better. These resources cannot be squandered away
like the “Drain theory” made famous by like leaders Dadabhai
Naoroji and Tilak where they said that foreign imperialism
caused enormous drain of India’s resources. Good governance
is a bedrock of economic and social development. Tilak felt that
industrial and social development would follow self-rule. It is a
matter of immense introspection if the political system created
post independence has achieved this dream of Swaraj. One must
view the present political system in the context of “Swaraj”
and make it more answerable to the public. We cannot allow
imperialistic public administrators replaced by an apathetic
political system. Have we learnt to over time to manage and
allocate our resources better or have allowed our political system
to “squander” away the wealth of our resources?
Interestingly, he also commented that heredity did not mean
the qualities of leadership was automatically manifest in them.
Leadership cannot stem from the achievements of forefathers.
A good and able leader could only deliver the dream of Swaraj.
Remember, this is almost 40 years before Independence, even
before the concept of freedom had completely evolved. In a
country where almost, every state has some sort of family rule
even if elected, it reflects feudal mindset of both the elected and
the electorate.
Lastly, even if you are reasonably self-sufficient, it is important
to understand your responsibility to the nation, work hard
because the nation “is bigger and more” than just yourself.

Tilak realised that an independent nation can nurture
heroism, courage, confidence and develop a national spirit.
Independence would allow us to develop intellectually as a
nation and not remain fettered, weak, and docile. We are indeed
blessed in that respect. A free country has given the opportunity
to bright minds to develop and flourish. We can freely develop
our precious human resources to our full potential. That also
means to be free from fear and have confidence to demand good
governance – a confident and free nation’s desire to be counted
as a civilized and developed nation of the world. Tilaks dream
125 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata