TWO WORRYING REPORTS

                                  

If a country claims to be almost developed and a super power, it is necessary that she should score well on different internationally acknowledged parameters to justify its stand. Every year some journals and institutions, after their close monitoring of facts, publish their findings regarding the status of a country on peace, price, cleanliness, industry friendliness, corruption etc. In this connection, two recent reports have taken us aback.

The first report gives its finding about the level of corruption in different countries. Denmark and New Zealand have been found on the top as they have zero level corruption. India on the other hand is much below, on the 98^th position. Several other developing countries are better placed than us. It is acknowledged that the red tape and the demand of illegal gratification in govt offices are impeding our overall development. Prevalence of rampant corruption also damages our image as a respectable country. Some US based organizatio have taken adverse notice of crime against women in India. Does it cause any concern in the people at the helm of affairs?

The second list, released by the US based Forbes, pertains to industrial atmosphere of different countries. It has covered 145 countries and placed India on 95^th position. New Zealand, occupying the first position last year, has been pushed to second slot. One of the leading developing countries,Brazil at 80^th point is much better than us. They had chosen internal peace, tax regime, governmental interferences, infrastructure, invester-friendly environment, availability of raw materials and labour position to decide the issue. Surprisingly enough, even the Forbes had taken notice of growing crime against the fair sex in India.

The scenario being so, we feel that even when we are going strong in technological field and space programmes, the government in power will have to rededicate to basic requirements like peace, infrastructure, crime control and economic liberalization to attract much needed foreign investments.