I have been reflecting in my own way on Dattopant Thengadi Ji's Third Way. I present these small "ripples" that it has caused in my mind in a series. I am glad it has found its resonance in many thinking minds alike. I hope the readers have read the earlier article in the series before moving ahead.
Also Read: Ripples A Reflection On Dattopant Thengadi's Third Way - Part 38
Dattopant says is such a term which common man understands properly but our intellctuals raise many points. Probably it is treated to be against modernity and condemned. He suggests that our intellectuals prefer immediate comforts to the future of our country.
The concept of Swadeshi should not be restricted to 'goods and services' only. It is the spirit that strives to be self reliant, preserve national sovereignty and independence and international cooperation too. Dattopant gives examples of many heads of countries who use the things manufactured in their own countries with great pride and don't go just by luxury. The history is replete with the examples of citizens who prefer Swadeshi goods to refuse market access to others when the time demands. This is observed in all the walks of life.
Swadeshi is the manifestation of patriotism not isolationism as it is presented. Internationalism ought to be on equal footing, self respect of every country is to be essentially considered. Western model of progress and development is not the only model to be accepted by all. The progress should correspond to the ethos of our country it has to be non conflicting with it. Westernisation cannot be equated with modernisation. Cultural and national identities ought to be preserved.
Even every new technology and western economic system is not essentially coherent with the ethos of every nation.
Thus even the theory supporting the 'Free Trade' which is the corollary of Internationalism and interdependence, ought to be carefully analysed and examined. Dattopant's critically examined the concept of free trade which would be presented in the next write up.