Page 29 - NIS English 16-30 April, 2026

TV9 Summit 2026 | NATION

Distinction between opposition
The Development and malice in a democracy
of Eastern India
Today, our effort is to turn the imbalance in development When political opposition morphs into opposition against
created in the past into opportunities. Eastern India is development, when criticism begins to cast doubt upon the
rich in resources; however, the neglect shown by those nation’s achievements, it ceases to be merely an opposition
who governed the region for decades put the brakes on to the government; it evolves into a mindset characterised
its development. Now, the situation is changing. by discomfort with the country’s progress. The current
situation is such that every success achieved by the nation
n In Assam, where once the sound of bullets was is questioned, and there appears to be a desire for every
heard, today a semiconductor unit is being built. national endeavour to end in failure. In a democracy, dissent
n In Odisha, new sectors from semiconductors to is essential. Opposing the government is a democratic right;
petrochemicals are witnessing rapid growth. however, maligning the nation itself raises serious questions
regarding one’s intent.
n In Bihar, it took six or seven decades to construct a n During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the nation
single major bridge across the River Ganga. More than developed its own indigenous vaccine, the opposition
five new bridges have been built in just the last decade. parties doubted it. When Make in India was
n In Uttar Pradesh, once known for stories of discussed, they said it would not succeed and mocked
country-made pistols, today it is making its mark it by calling it a Babbar Sher.
globally in mobile phone manufacturing. n When Digital India was launched, they ridiculed

n West Bengal, a major state in Eastern India, it. Today, India is an example of the world’s
was once the hub of India’s culture, education, largest vaccination drive. India is a global leader in
industry, and trade. Over the past 11 years, the digital payments. India is reaching new heights in
central government has invested substantially in the manufacturing and startups.
development of West Bengal.

n We recently saw this during the Global AI Summit as
well. When the whole world gathered in India, certain
detractors arrived there merely to create a ruckus. This
incident clearly demonstrates just how little regard they
have for the nation’s honour. Today, it is necessary to
place national interest above party interest, because
ultimately, above politics stand the nation and the
nation’s development.

think of their own future instead of the country’s A TIME FOR RESTRAINT & SENSITIVITY
future. Recall what happened between 2004 and 2010. In today’s interconnected systems, no country can
There was a crisis of petrol, diesel, and gas prices, and remain untouched by the adverse effects of wars. In
oil bonds worth ₹148,000 crore were issued. PM Man- many countries, the situation has already become
mohan Singh himself stated that they were placing a very serious. This is a time for restraint, for sensitivity.
debt burden on future generations. Repayment on We saw during the great crisis of the pandemic that
those bonds was due after 2020. Instead of 1.48 lakh when citizens unite to face a challenge, the results
crore rupees, the country had to pay more than 3 lakh are highly meaningful. With the same spirit, we must
crore rupees because interest was added. face the circumstances created by this war. n

April 16-30, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 27