Introduction:
During the inaugural session of the new Parliament, a controversy arose regarding copies of the Indian Constitution gifted to Members, where the terms ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ seemed to be omitted from the Preamble.
The ensuing civil society debate questioned whether these terms truly defined the Constitution’s spirit. Beyond this debate, the meaning of ‘We the People’ in the Preamble warrants attention as it forms the basis for understanding popular sovereignty.
Popular Sovereignty and Constitutional Development:
- Sarbani Sen’s work emphasizes that the Constitution’s revolutionary potential lies in the spirit of popular sovereignty.
- The Constitution’s enactment reflects inter-generational discourse, culminating in a dialogue on the character of the envisaged republic.
- The Preamble explicitly anchors the republic’s legitimizing ends in justice, liberty, and equality for all citizens.
We the People: A Living Force in Democracy:
- The Constitution’s vitality in democracy hinges on ‘We the People’ approximating a discerning citizenry, actively participating and vigilantly exercising agency.
- Reducing popular sovereignty to mere state sovereignty diminishes the constitutional promises, rendering them vague aspirations.
Elite vs. Non-Elite Spheres:
- Traditionally, the western notion of civil society entrusts the watchdog function to an elite public sphere, primarily comprising educated middle classes.
- However, in India, forceful claims to popular sovereignty emerge from the non-elite counter-sphere, encompassing social movements, farmers, labor groups, and marginalized communities, challenging prevailing constitutional governance.
Ambedkar’s Framing of the Preamble:
- Ambedkar framed the Preamble, highlighting the interconnected principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- He cautioned against presuming the self-perpetuating nature of these principles and stressed the role of civil morality, asserting that religion, as morality, should remain the governing principle.
Gandhi’s Swaraj and Plural Civil Society:
- Gandhi’s concept of ‘Swaraj’ emphasizes self-realization through ‘satyagraha.’
- He rejects a bounded self and underscores the pitfalls of politically fabricated wholeness, drawing parallels with imperialistic arrogance.
- A plural civil society in India necessitates honest and introspective dialogue, moving beyond chauvinistic pride towards mutual self-understanding.
Conclusion:
Understanding ‘We the People’ is critical to grasp the essence of popular sovereignty in the Indian Constitution.
The tension between elite and non-elite spheres, Ambedkar’s framing, and Gandhi’s call for dialogue underscore the need for an inclusive civil society.
Failure to embrace this inclusivity risks a civil society devoid of self-knowledge, becoming subservient to an increasingly authoritarian state.
Introduction: The Employability Gap in Higher Education
Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in India are urged to take a more proactive role in ensuring student employability by bridging the gap between knowledge acquired in HEIs and the skills required for employment.
Micro-Credentials as a Disruptive Solution
- Micro-credentials are emerging as a disruptive solution to bridge the knowledge gap.
- They are short-duration learning activities with validated outcomes, offering flexibility, accessibility, and advantages that make them the new normal in higher education.
Changing Hiring Practices
Hiring practices are shifting towards prioritizing skills over degrees. Micro-credentials are gaining endorsement, indicating a paradigm shift in recognizing and valuing alternative pathways to skill acquisition.
Essence of Micro-Credentials
- Definition: Micro-credentials are short-duration learning activities with proof of specific learning outcomes.
- Offered at various levels and modes (online, physical, hybrid).
- Contrasted with macro-credentials, which require several years of study for degrees.
- Designed for life-long learners, including working professionals.
Players and Global Adoption
- Numerous players, including Atingi, Coursera, edX, and others, are offering micro-credentials.
- Universities globally, especially in Australia, Canada, Europe, the UK, and the US, are actively involved.
- Anticipation of increased participation from various organizations is noted.
Credit System in Micro-Credentials
- In contrast to macro-credential programs, micro-credentials associate credit with notional hours spent acquiring specific competencies.
- This makes micro-credential credits universally validated and recognized.
Quality Benchmarking and Regulation
- Clear quality benchmarking and regulation are crucial to prevent divergences in learning outcomes.
- Trust in micro-credentials is contingent on alignment with higher education standards, making the role of HEIs significant in this context.
National Credit Framework (NCrF) in India
- India has implemented the National Credit Framework (NCrF), providing learning outcomes and corresponding credits.
- Micro-credentials, being portable and stackable on platforms like the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), align with the NCrF, presenting an opportunity for integration.
Fostering Trust and the Role of HEIs
- Reliable assessment methods are vital for fostering trust in micro-credentials.
- The association of HEIs in developing and validating these credentials is crucial for maintaining quality standards.
Potential Impact and Opportunities
- As the NCrF is implemented nationwide, Indian HEIs are encouraged to explore micro-credentials in collaboration with industry partners.
- Broader deliberations are necessary to understand the potential impact and additional value micro-credentials can bring to the tertiary education system.
Demand for Micro-Credentials in India
- With the National Education Policy 2020’s emphasis on skill development and employers seeking skilled individuals, there is a growing demand for micro-credentials.
- Millions of students may see them as a value-added advantage, either as stand-alone credits or as part of their standard higher education.
Institutional Transformation and Harmonization
- Indian HEIs are urged to embrace micro-credentials as a vital element of their strategic institutional objectives.
- Regulators and HEIs must work collaboratively to harmonize micro-credentials with existing academic programs, providing clear validation metrics.
Conclusion
Micro-credentials represent a transformative tool in higher education, aligning with the evolving needs of the job market.
It is imperative for India to harness this potential and integrate micro-credentials seamlessly into the education system to enhance student employability.
Overview:
With the approaching parliamentary elections in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is highlighting his development agenda, “Viksit Bharat Sankalp by 2047” (Developed India by 2047), emphasizing inclusive and sustainable growth.
Economic Recovery Post-COVID:
- The Modi government has demonstrated noteworthy post-COVID economic recovery, projecting over 7% GDP growth for three consecutive years (FY22 to FY24) in the Economic Review by the Department of Economic Affairs.
- This surpasses global averages and G20 countries’ growth, instilling confidence in the economic trajectory.
Comparative Analysis: Modi Government vs. UPA Government:
- A comparative analysis of the Modi government’s decade-long tenure against the UPA government reveals macro-economic achievements.
- India’s real GDP grew by 5.9% annually from FY15 to FY24, with a lower CPI inflation rate of 5.1% compared to the 8.1% during the UPA period.
- Significant reductions in multidimensional poverty and the unemployment rate (6% in FY18 to 3.2% in FY23) contribute to the government’s confidence in the upcoming elections.
Challenges in Agriculture Sector:
- Despite overall economic growth, challenges persist in the agriculture sector, employing 45.8% of the working population.
- The sector’s growth rate is projected to be 1.8% in FY24, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the inclusive growth model and the promise of doubling farmers’ real incomes by FY23.
Strategies for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth:
- To achieve inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth, reorienting subsidies towards sustainable development expenditures and fiscal consolidation is necessary.
- The interim Union budget for FY25 allocates Rs 47.6 trillion for expenditure and aims to reduce the fiscal deficit from 5.8% of GDP in FY24 to 5.1% in FY25.
- Rationalizing major welfare subsidies, including fertilizers, food, MGNREGA, and PM-KISAN, is proposed to redirect resources towards development expenditures and environmental sustainability.
- This includes investments in agri-R&D, micro-irrigation, rural roads, agri-marketing infrastructure, and efficient value chains.
Gender-Inclusive Initiatives:
- The FY25 budget increases funds for the Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, acknowledging their significant contribution to the agri-sector.
- There is also notable progress in the allocation for the PM Awas Yojana (Gramin), with over 70% of houses allotted to women as sole or joint owners, promoting permanent asset creation and enhancing livelihoods in rural areas.
Synchronizing MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana:
An innovative proposal suggests synchronizing MGNREGA in rural areas with the PM Awas Yojana to provide every household with a reasonably good shelter, aligning with the vision of “Ram Rajya” in rural areas.
Conclusion:
The editorial concludes by emphasizing the ongoing need for efforts to achieve inclusive growth, address environmental challenges, and synchronize welfare programs for maximum impact. These proposed initiatives not only contribute to sustainable development but also have the potential to positively influence electoral outcomes.
