No Fairy Tale Ending
Apart from careful formulation of programmes and their constant monitoring, it is also essential to make sure that the voice of the poor and the weaker sections of society is heard in the councils where policies and programmes are made. Otherwise, the way remains open for organised sectors of economy to take away more than their proportionate share of the fruits of development.
I have spoken about the supreme challenge of working for the realisation of the ideals enshrined in our constitution. These ideals have evolved during the difficult years of our freedom struggle and through the last twenty-five years of trials and tribulation; they have been cherished by the broad masses and held dear to the heart by the architects of modem India. It is not as if we have to begin at the beginning. We have started on the journey long ago.
But, as we advance, the goals appear to recede because our perceptions and aspirations keep rising to higher levels. For instance, when we talk today of unity of India, we no longer have in our mind the picture of India dotted with hundreds of princely States. The stage is long past. In the meanwhile, our concept of national unity and integration has become richer. The goals of national life are like a mathematical limit that can be approximated ever more closely but never actually reached. There is no fairy tale ending of "living happily ever after".
It is this constant widening of horizons which makes the uphill march more exciting and fascinating. The greater the challenge; the greater is the sense of satisfaction from achievements.
North-South Dialogue
Let me now turn to the other theme concerning "United Nations, 'Third World' and Developing International Political Economy". The United Nations Organisation has now been in existence for three decades of dramatic changes in the world. There have been many achievements to its credit though we are far from the full realisation of its lofty goals of peace and international security. Over the years, there has been a quiet revolution in its composition, its character and its vision of the world we all want to live in.