Tamil Nadu: A Model For Balancing Growth And Welfare

The unique model of Tamil Nadu is the result of an inclusive, three-tiered structure: effective interventions, promoting social cohesion and establishing institutional mechanism to confront the divisive forces.

- A S Panneerselvan

When one gleans from the innumerable documents pertaining to the public health initiatives in Tamil Nadu, is the prescient mission of the Adyar Cancer Institute- "Today's Research is Tomorrow's Treatment". At a deeper level, this encapsulates modern Tamil Nadu and its model of governance. Tamil Nadu's developmental model is based on informed decision making process where a wide and considered consultation process precedes the pronouncement of policy decisions. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin often refers to the Dravidian model of growth as the democratic answer to the extreme centralisation we are witnessing over the last decade. For some, the Dravidian Model remains an elusive concept. But, a look at the social and the economic indicators of the state will gives us a clear picture of the Dravidian Model.

The first element of the Dravidian Model is the concept of the self-respect and the dignity of individuals. The primary demands of the movement, for nearly a century, were to create an egalitarian society that lays emphasis on equality between men and women, economic parity in the society, no caste hierarchy, or discrimination based on religion or varna and the assurance of general unity and friendship among the citizens of India. Here the nation-state is conceived as a "coming together" model as opposed to "holding together" model. In the 'holding together" model the state apparatuses are given more importance over the legitimate aspirations of the people. In contrast, the centrality of the imagination of the 'coming together' model is the people of the country and their aspirations, expectations and well-being.