India’s vision of Vikshit Bharat promises inclusive growth and modern progress. Yet, when children die from contaminated cough syrup, that dream rings hollow. This article asks the hard question: can a nation truly be “developed” when its weakest citizens still fall victim to preventable failures of regulation, ethics, and accountability?
The dream of Vikshit Bharat - a Developed India – resonates with every citizen who envisions a nation rising to its full potential. From economic growth to digital empowerment, it has become a rallying cry for progress. Yet, recent events force us to ask: are we truly building a developed India, or merely admiring a slogan that rings hollow amid painful realities?
Behind the glitter of big promises, uneven progress continues to surface in the most tragic ways. Recent events have cast a shadow of doubt over the sincerity of this mission – particularly the heartbreaking deaths of several children in India due to the consumption of contaminated cough syrup. A horrifying déjà vu of earlier incidents in countries like Gambia and Uzbekistan, this tragedy lays bare a stark and uncomfortable truth: the lives of Indian citizens often don’t seem to command the same level of regulatory seriousness as those of citizens abroad.
A Shocking Disparity: Export vs Domestic Standards:
What makes this tragedy even more difficult to digest is the regulatory loophole that has long existed in India’s pharmaceutical oversight. According to current Indian regulations, pharmaceutical companies are required to submit full analytical testing data for products being exported, especially to regulated markets. However, no such mandatory requirement exists for drugs being sold in the domestic market.
This raises an urgent and disturbing question: Are Indian lives being valued less than foreign ones?
If we are genuinely moving toward a “Developed India,” shouldn’t the health and safety of our own citizens be non-negotiable?
The truth is, such discrepancies are not isolated. They are symptomatic of a deeper, systemic issue that continues to plague many developing nations: a prioritization of global perception over internal accountability.
‘Vikshit Bharat’: A Dream Worth Pursuing, but Not Blindly
The idea of a developed India is not just about GDP growth, shiny new infrastructure, or digital breakthroughs. It is equally, if not more, about the quality of governance, public health, and the dignity of life for every citizen – especially the most vulnerable.
To be fair, over a period India’s journey toward development is undeniably impressive – but also uneven. The country has made commendable progress in several areas:
- Digital India has revolutionized access to services.
- Aadhaar and UPI have brought millions into the financial mainstream.
- Make in India and Startup India have created a buzz of entrepreneurial energy.
- Significant investments are being made in renewable energy, AI, and space exploration.
Yet, the foundations of a truly developed nation are not built on slogans, but on systems that protect, nurture, and value every citizen equally. And it is here that the gap between rhetoric and reality becomes painfully visible.
Regulatory Reform: The Need of the Hour
India’s pharmaceutical industry is known globally as the “pharmacy of the world.” But what does that mean when quality standards differ for exports versus domestic consumption?
This is not just a policy failure; it is an ethical lapse.
If we are serious about Vikshit Bharat, then regulatory reform must be prioritized:
- Uniform Testing Standards: All drugs, whether for export or domestic use, must meet the same rigorous safety and efficacy requirements.
- Transparency and Accountability: Regulatory bodies like CDSCO must be given independence, resources, and teeth to act decisively.
- Whistleblower Protection: Create legal mechanisms to protect and encourage industry insiders to report malpractices.
- Patient-Centric Policies: Every public health policy must answer one question: Is this in the best interest of Indian patients?
Walking the Talk Starts at Home:
A country cannot be considered developed if its children die due to something as preventable as toxic cough syrup. The real test of progress is how a nation treats its weakest, not how loudly it trumpets its ambitions.
While slogans like Vikshit Bharat can be powerful in uniting people under a common vision, they must be backed by policy integrity, institutional reform, and empathetic governance.
Only then will these words evolve from political catchphrases into a lived reality for every Indian—rich or poor, urban or rural, adult or child.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts
India stands at a critical juncture. The path to becoming a truly developed nation lies not just in celebrating achievements and criticizing the past, but also in acknowledging uncomfortable truths and acting decisively on them.
Until then, the promise of Vikshit Bharat will continue to ring hollow – not for lack of ambition, but for want of accountability.
Let Vikshit Bharat be more than a dream or a slogan. Let it be a commitment to justice, equality, and above all, humanity.
By: Tapan J. Ray
Disclaimer: The views/opinions expressed in this article are entirely my own, written in my individual and personal capacity. I do not represent any other person or organization for this opinion.