Resolving border discord

Federal India began her journey with multi-dimensional challenges.

- SHIBDAS BHATTACHARJEE

This is natural for any nation. Whims or moral lessons do not run a nation. What matters is obviously the interest of different stakeholders. Naturally, the prosperity of a nation depends on balancing interests among the stakeholders. Balancing interests is always tougher in a democracy for obvious reasons. Democracy is not poetic but prosaic. Academic pundits and purists may sneer at this. The fact is, those who romanticise democracy ultimately ignore the ground reality. There is no reason to praise or defame the cocktail called democracy made of agenda, politics, interests, aspirations and hypocrisy. But these elements keep moving the wheel of a nation. This is the reality of every democratic nation. India is certainly no exception. However, the important point is not counting drawbacks but to perceive the ground reality with a holistic approach to address the issues to minimise discords and internal conflicts. In academic discussion, this debate is very positive for democracy. There is nothing wrong with this perception. But the reality is not always rosy. The question is not about perception and reality. It is not about patience, flexibility and idealism either. What makes India suffer is obviously prejudice and pseudo-idealism. Under this light, things should be discussed to heed reality. The issues related to north-east India are no exception.