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Dignity of labour important to realise PM Modi’s dream of ‘Make in India’

Among the recent worrying trends in is the loss of a sense of dignity of labour. It is a big psychological problem to deal with in a country which has abundant young labour as its major asset. For the poor, uneducated and unskilled individual, the way to securing sustenance for self & family is by getting employment as a workman/woman. Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized quite clearly on his vision of providing skills to our unskilled labour force to give them a means to earning a dignified livelihood, while at the same time ensuring a healthy sized labour pool that will attract global industry. Only then will we be able to push the “Make in India” mission. 

I have sadly observed that in many cases vanity comes between an able individual taking to physical work to take care of his needs. Within a space of one generation, the same villagers who were famous for their ability to do arduous labour in their fields have turned into people who look down upon those doing it. 

In the IITs, the very first lesson taught to the brightest students in the nation is working in a factory. For six months students are taught the skills of a blacksmith, carpenter, sheet worker, welder etc. It is hard, physical labour. And, it is mandatory. This protects these children from getting arrogant & teaches them to respect the fact that no work is beneath dignity. I think it is one of the reasons that these children consistently do so well in life. 

In contrast, when companies like L&T, Hettiche set up a training center for civil construction industry skills or carpentry, many students abandon the course within the first two days. This, when the course is free. They are provided free boarding and food. Months 4-6 are a paid on-the-job training. The imparted skills correspond to an industry that has a demand for labour, and the hard working individuals have growth opportunities. 

The dignity & modesty associated with physical labour has to be inculcated in our thinking & value system. It is sad to see young men and women who, lacking education, are not fit for many of modern employment options and have thus not integrated completely in urban society. 

We need to remind our youngsters that India became Sone ki Chidiya because of hard labour put into farming, pottery, weaving and many such Trades in a completely non-mechanised society. Our ancestors brought us up on the fruits of labour in the fields. 

Forget compulsory military service, we need to put our youth through compulsory basic labour skills in school. Let’s bring up a generation where a man doing hard physical work is as respected as a man solving a differential equation. Only then can we hope to realize our vision. 

(By Meenakshi Lekhi ,MP of New Delhi)