Build India Group:

THE "BIG" MOVEMENT

"BIG" stands for "Build India Group".

A group of eight persons sharing a common love for their country met on several occasions with an open mind and plenty of zeal to discuss what ails the country today.
 

This group of eight — the Founder Campaigners — Sudha Passi,Gautam Basu, Avtar Nehru (all journalists) Shanmugha Patro, Nishant Dutta, Kiran Patra (all lawyers) and Nabajyoti Das (a management consultant) at the behest of Biraja Mahapatra, Advocate tried to understand what exactly are the impediments that come in the way of India realising its destined potential... of India emerging as the
leader of the comity of nations in the new millennium. Of becoming the superpower that it holds promise of….

The biggest problem, the eight agreed unanimously, in the way of India achieving its potential to the fullest — being one of the oldest and greatest civilizations in the world — is CORRUPTION. The eight members united themselves and named themselves as campaigners as they agreed to take corruption and terrorism head on in a manner which is new and unique.

The campaigners met over a period of over one year, brainstormed and  evaluated their thoughts and analyzed their views dispassionately to arrive at the consensus that in whatever they should do to get rid of corruption, the nation's interests must be kept paramount. After several sessions of churning they proffered a simple solution that a "National Pledge" would serve as an effective instrument to bind the country with the fabric of unity. The pledge programme has to be a national festival to be celebrated simultaneously all over the country. India does not have a national pledge worthy of name. India does not have a national festival other than two national festivals January 26 and August 15, which are being celebrated as officials functions.

The Build India Group believes that the National Pledge shall be a unique instrument to promote the unity and integrity of the country and building a strong bulwark against the growing tide of corruption, terrorism and other anti-national activities that involves not only international criminals and the mafia but also, unfortunately, fellow Indians. This will not only ostracize anti-Indian elements from
society but also create a swelling surge of hatred against corruption from within our society and promote a rejuvenated and healthy work culture.

The thought is not new. The BIG propounds, as an integral part of its philosophy, a National Pledge Festival. The festival is to be one of the most sacred institutions of the Republic, observed on the lines of Independence Day and Republic Day. The programme has to be a participatory one involving all Indians irrespective of faith,
religion, language, ethnicity and culture. If a consensus is built up, all our countrymen in unison shall pledge their love and loyalty to this land. The whole country shall reverberate with a wave of patriotism and nationalism. The members of BIG are unanimous in their opinion that such a programme will elevate itself into a national festival.

And why not? Millions of us go to temples, mosques and churches every day. Can we not spend just a few minutes in the name of this country for this Pledge? BIG shall Endeavour to ensure that we can. That is why it is a mass movement, a reformist campaign and a nation-building force rolled into one. If all Indians join hands for a moment pledging their love and loyalty to the country for just a few minutes in unison, they can change the fate of the nation!! The festival also includes illiterates, those who cannot read and write or understand what is India, as the beating of drums or blowing of conch cells or crashing of symbols ( as may be decided tomorrow by leaders of all fields) would reach them with a message that this is the time to think for the country.

The pledge has started. On January 19, the core members of the group took the pledge in unison after a symbolic ringing of bell. On January 26, about 1100 people comprising students and teachers in a Delhi Public School adopted this pledge.

Biraja Mahapatra, who as a part of his work has asked a large number of people about the idea of national pledge and pledge festival as an effective tool against corruption and terrorism, has come out with a book titled.
"My Call" giving a call for the national pledge.


While dealing with the issues of corruption, terrorism and building up an argument for a national pledge as the strongest instrument to unite the whole country emotionally, Mahapatra suggests in a democracy like India, hating politics is a crime. We have given a constitution to ourselves. We just cannot shirk our responsibility and abuse politicians on charges of corruption. In fact he suggests that India should have a University of Politics as politics is the finest form of management. Thus in the long run, BIG has plans to set up a University of Politics in India. The main thrust of the study, besides economics and management, will be Unit Area Management System. The idea is that each panchayat has got some natural resources and proper management of resources in that very area should be sufficient to cater to the need of people of that area as far as health care, education and the means of livelihood is concerned. The purpose of this study is to ensure that no body is forced to leave his home and hearth in search of work.

This will be a continuous study and experimentation, that the institution will undertake so that the urban-rural gap could be abridged.

Thus BIG is a movement and a mission and the BIG slogan is "LOVE YOUR NATION ; HATE CORRUPTION".