Politicians hold out promises and sell dreams by the dozen. To keep themselves going in the business of power they exploit everything — from religion, caste and community to the pangs of poverty. What is more, they have established a vicious circle of votes and currency notes for this purpose. They have even communalised and criminalised the levers of politics in their dubious power-for-money games.

I'm not trying to paint a dark picture of the country. This is not my intention. All the same, we must understand that unless we look closely at the ground realities and create awareness among the people, we will not be able to handle problems honestly.

I am optimistic by nature. Despite allround turbulence and a plethora of problems, the Republic can move forward and reassert itself as a global power. India can make it big, provided the leadership mends its ways and picks up the courage to tackle problems ruthlessly.

As it is, our failures have been galling. Most problems have defied solutions. It is not because right answers cannot be found. They have remained with us because small minds have messed up even simple matters.

Take the ever-burning problem of Jammu and Kashmir. Our leaders failed to stop short of the decisive move forward in 1947-48. At every critical occasion, even stalwarts like Jawaharlal Nehru faltered pathetically and allowed their policies and approach to be blocked by a misplaced emotional response.

No nation can live on emotions alone. Sentiments and emotions, for that matter, cannot sustain nationalist fervour for long.We have seen how people behave in times of crises and wars and how they conduct themselves when war clouds disappear.

The armed forces which bear the brunt of every onslaught are left to fend for themselves soon after a war is over. This happened in 1962 and again in 1965 and 1971. It happened yet again in 1999 after the Kargil misadventure on the part of Pakistani generals. The shameful tale of trading in coffins is in itself a reminder that the country is fast getting into the clutches of mafias of different shades who play with the nation's honour for money.

What can be more shocking than this? What is equally disturbing is the official tendency to cover up acts of misdeeds and blunders. After the debacle of 1962, we pushed the facts under the carpet. As for Kashmir, we have had several opportunities to give the state a new direction. But we allowed things to drift which led to the shameful growth of militancy sponsored by Pakistani's military establishment and the ISI.

What is tragic is that our leaders have lacked a vision for tomorrow. Equally disquieting has been the absence of political will to tackle problems rationally and effectively. Everything here is reduced either to caste, community and religious games, or to votebank politics.

India today looks like a nation that is floating on black money. The parallel system which caused concern in the sixties has got entrenched. The underworld is thriving. Instead of smashing it, the custodians of the administrative machinery have joined hands with gangsters.

This is not the India we had bargained for. At present, according to a rough estimate, black money in the system runs into billions and billions of rupees. This is an indicator not only of non-performance and non-governance but also of the ascendancy of mafia raj—a far cry from the dream concept of Ram Rajya that Mahatma Gandhi once espoused.

Instead of Ram Rajya, we have reduced the ideals that Lord Ram stood for to the rituals of periodical chantings for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya. The nation is bigger than a cluster of temples, mosques, churches and gurdwaras. We have made a mockery of our rich secular tradition.

The problem of the Republic is that it is not being ruled by men of substance. Operators and manipulators have come to the fore. The name of the game is to make money and grab power by hook or crook. In such a setting, the innocent masses are the worst sufferers. The moot question is: should we allow these looters of the nation to go unchallenged? The answer is an emphatic no.

The most redeeming feature of India today is the growing awareness among the people. They understand what is what, who is corrupt and who is not. All that they have to do now is to assert themselves with a view to eliminating the gangsters and criminals from positions of power.

This requires an iron will and a series of reforms — at the electoral, political, social, economic and administrative levels. We have to create a system which is accountable, transparent and responsive to the people.

This is not a tall order. The opportunity exists for the emergence of a new India. Youngsters today are a good material. They are educated and competitive. They excel wherever they get the right opportunities.

Look at the success stories of Indians in the USA, the UK and in other parts of the world. If they can be a big success overseas, there is no reason why the very same Indians cannot flourish back home. We can make things happen provided we take the following steps:

One, discard red-tapism and bureaucratic roadblocks which have destroyed established institutions.

Two, turn this country into a land of opportunities. There has to be a premium on performance, merit and honesty.

Three, we need an all-round electoral reforms which should make the battle of the ballot inexpensive and within the reach of common citizens. The quality of Indian democracy will improve if we have right persons in our legislatures. Our institutions of democracy must be out of the reach of criminals and gangsters.

Four, laws and rules have to be made people-friendly. We continue to stick to the old colonial order. It needs a fresh look. Also, people must learn to respect the law. They should not use their influence and money power to circumvent the law.

Five, equally vital are radical reforms in the police force. The police today is a den of corruption. It has been politicised and is being misused by corrupt politicians and their stooges in the bureaucracy and by gang leaders of different hues.

Six, special priority and care should be given to rural India. India continues to live in its villages. They require a special treatment and the necessary infrastructure to live honourably and decently.

Seven, all outstanding inter-state problems must be solved within a specified period of, say, one year.

Eight, the message of family planning has to become an integral part of human development, healthcare and social change.

Nine, women's empowerment holds the key to the nation's progress. Special measures are a must to uplift their socio-economic status.

Ten, a movement is needed for ensuring a place of dignity for children.

Eleven, Indian policymakers and planners must address themselves to the country's basic problems such as availability of drinking water, deforestation, pollution control, exploiting hydel power potentialities, creating green and slumless cities, new deal for farmers, expansion of vocational and professional courses, generation of new employment opportunities, etc.

Twelve, top priority must be given to basic village needs like a health centre, a primary school and all modern amenities.

Thirteen, cheaper and speedier justice. This means radical judicial reforms.

Fourteen, a total war on corruption and corrupt practices must be launched.

Fifteen, a new deal for the poor, the havenots and the backwards for their rapid socio-economic growth.

Sixteen, a massive drive to fight illiteracy should be begun.

Seventeen, a more rational education policy that strengthens the base of the "education pyramid".

Eighteen, decentralisation should be brought about at all levels for sound growth.

Nineteen, growth with social justice has to be our national commitment.

Twenty, simplification of procedures which are breeding grounds for corruption.

Twenty one, to raise moral standards in public life and ensure institutional credibility it is necessary to root out favouritism and nepotism based on caste, creed, religion, community and political considerations.

Twenty two, an all-out war against evil social practices, such as sati, dowry, child marriage and human sacrifice should be launched.

Twenty three, a special boost needs to given to science and technology.

Twenty four, every person has to be treated as an equal citizen under common law. Only then the existing communal divide can be done away with.

These are some of the ingredients essential for giving a new look to the Indian Republic.

People are looking for more plausible answer is to their problems. They want a responsive system, a clean political environment and honest and truthful leaders and administrators. They want the basic necessities of life to be available without the long arms of corruption thwarting them. They want India to be strong and more stable.

The Republic today is on the threshold of a better tomorrow. We can do better if we properly identify Indian interests and accordingly evolve responses to global pressures that are constantly mounted on this country in the name of globalisation.

A 10 per cent growth is feasible if we ensure good governance, cut down on wasteful expenditure and plug the hawala routes.

Interestingly, as an expert put it, "the world over the developing countries are losing their capital, usually through the hawala route, to the West, and part of the same money comes back to our country".

The patrons-in-chief of the hawala syndrome are our own corrupt officials, politicians, finance managers, businessmen and, of course, the Dawood Ibrahims of the underworld.

Get India freed from this mafia raj and everything will be in its place. To revive the people's confidence, it will be worthwhile to relaunch the Republic. Let us call it a rebirth of the Republic with a new system of governance under a rational, responsive and people-friendly Presidential form with the usual checks and balances that will ensure transparency and accountability in every area of activity.

Is it a pipe-dream? Impossible? I do not take these excuses. We can achieve anything, provided we are clear about our goals and work hard and honestly for making India into a super power in the next 20 years.