HVK Archives: Inappropriate examples (a letter)
Inappropriate examples (a letter) - The Indian Express
Laxmi Narain Modi
()
9 April 1997
Title : Inappropriate examples (a letter)
Author : Laxmi Narain Modi
Publication : The Indian Express
Date : April 9, 1997
Sir: While inviting transnational companies to invest in India,
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram is reported to have asked them to
"follow the example of the East India Company and reap rich profits
by investing here."
It is only too well known how dubious the role of the East India
Company was. It was more interested in politically subjugating the
country, then looting its wealth and then transferring it to the
UK. By quoting an example like this, Mr Chidambaram has insulted
the freedom fighters who struggled for independence and even paid
for it with their lives. Also, this statement makes a mockery of
nationalist entrepreneurs and industrialists who have striven for
the country's development in the spirit of swadeshi.
In any case, too much control by multinationals would only widen
the gulf between the rich and poor, and is bound to result in
social upheavals. Such a scenario brings to mind Chitra
Subramaniam's book, India for Sale. With a former Prime Minister
going to the extent of bribing some MPs to help him retain his
chair, what further degradation of national values can there be?
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