As you are all aware, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has unveiled an ambitious Vision-2023 to elevate Tamil Nadu as numero uno State in the country by infusing investments amounting to Rs.15 lakh crore. At first reading, her vision might seem too ambitious and even unrealistic, unachievable. But then, the CM had spelt out how she plans to trigger her vision through the participation of the non-governmental sources such as the private sector, the banks and FDI. With that kind of multiple partners and a reasonable time frame, it should be definitely possible for a hardworking and people-oriented government to deliver the CM’s vision.

At Deccan Chronicle, we believe that just as the CM expressed confidence that a public-private partnership could deliver what looks hugely formidable, it would be possible for the people to themselves take up vital issues that concern them, that hurt their daily lives, and evolve solutions. Rather than depending on the government for everything—from infrastructure elements like roads, drainage, streetlights, waste-management, rainwater draining/harvesting and water-bodies, to the social needs such as education, providing care for the physically/mentally challenged and the elders, and so on—and blaming the government whenever such public services fall steeply short of expectations, why can’t the people themselves take up projects at the local level to improve things?
Why not attempt a people-people coalition to address issues and to find solutions, from the micro street level to the larger canvas covering the entire city and the state? People’s networks could evolve to take up different issues at different geographic/social levels sans political colours. Such positive initiatives are bound to get the support of the government, private business/industries, NGOs and others interested in overall development.

Here, it would not be out of place to recall how Lee Kuan Yew got the filthy Singapore River cleaned up by getting the people involved and by himself picking up the shovel. Lee had himself hosed down the streets when he launched a spring-clean Singapore campaign in 1959. The result of his vision, commitment and hard participation is there for any visitor to Singapore to see. Chennai and most parts of Tamil Nadu can emulate the Singapore example.

Deccan Chronicle invites people to come together and address their critical issues, seek solutions through this people-to-people partnership. DC will be happy to provide the platform for this positive revolution, which will also involve the student community.

To begin, DC will launch a month-long campaign on April 1 to discuss solutions for an important public issue: handling/disposal of e-waste. After the launch in Chennai, involving prominent personalities, DC will provide space in its pages to continue the debate and deliver solutions for the people, e-corporates, the NGOs and the government.

The inaugural function on April 1 is at 11 am at the Thanthai Periyar Hall (Room F50) in the University of Madras, Chepauk. Vice-Chancellor Prof G. Thiruvasagam will preside. American Consul General Jennifer McIntyre is the Chief Guest. MARG group’s Chairman and Managing Director GRK Reddy is the Guest of Honour. Head of Accreditation Process (South India), TCS, A. K. Pattabhiraman will give a special address.

Please be there.
R Bhagwan Singh
Consulting Editor
Deccan Chronicle, Chennai.