Is Military Expenditure more needed than Investing in Education in India
Is Military Expenditure more needed than Investing in Education in India
( by Sravani Gokaraju )
An American General, Douglas MacArthur once said that "Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.” A country that has a weak military system automatically falls prey to every other country. Granted, education is important. In fact, that is the only possible way to ensure that there will be peace in the future. But the citizens of just one country being educated will not suffice it. Even if we Indians do not start a war, another country that sees our weak military system might. Then all this education will not save us from those wars.
Under various articles of the Indian Constitution, free and compulsory education is provided as a fundamental right to the children between the ages of 6 and 14.
Education in India is made is provided by public and private schools. Public schools are aided by the central and state governments. India is making huge progress from attaining primary education to children. The government even set up schools free of cost for the underprivileged children to study. Even many NGOs are set up to educate children freely. In schools and colleges, seats are specifically reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes, and even a fee concession is given to them so that no one loses an opportunity to get educated due to their financial constraints. For the year 2020-21, a whopping 99,300 crore rupees is allocated for the education sector, in the yearly budget out of which 37,461.01 crores had been allocated for higher education and an amount of Rs 56,386.63 crore had been earmarked for school education. That is almost 5000 crores more than the previous year. This money is used to set up more schools and to develop the quality of the existing infrastructure.
The military forces of India are the Indian Armed Forces. It consists of three services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and the Indian Coast Guard. The military has one of the largest forces in the world. All the armed services have some main tasks such as asserting the territorial integrity of the country, defending the country if attacked by a foreign nation, supporting the civil community in case of disasters (e.g. flooding) and participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations in consonance with India's commitment to the United Nations Charter. This year, the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman announced that 471,378/- crores have been allocated to the military, in the 2020-21 budget, which shows roughly 5% increase since the last year.
India is a developing country with a humongous population. The country is surrounded by hostile countries like China, Japan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They have a massive nuclear arsenal. So as soon as they see India having a weak military, they would not leave the opportunity to attack and take control of as much land as possible. In fact, already Pakistan is fighting with us over Jammu and Kashmir, and very recently, China has even threatened to go for a war against India to get control of Ladakh.
If a country with a weak military system ends up having to fight a war with another country, the social, economic, and financial condition would be demolished. Lakhs and lakhs of people would lose their lives. The land would get destroyed. Life would become horrific after the end of the war. Once the war is lost, the citizens of that country would have no homes, no proper family, and nowhere to go. The winning country taking over would make the life of the citizens of the losing country miserable. All of that education would be of no use then. Hence, educated or not, people of any country can only live happily and safely as long as the borders are protected.
A strong military system gives a sense of security to its citizens. It not only ensures peace with the countries outside but also within the country. The military is the facilitators of their country's government’s foreign policy. They take part in peacekeeping operations, military exercises, and humanitarian relief missions. The Military also gives jobs to millions of people. In fact, the military is one of the largest employers in India. This not only reduces the unemployment rate but also increases the GDP of the country. Though education is important and the government needs to spend money on it to ensure that every child gets a quality education, the military is more important and hence, military expenditure is more important than education expenditure in India.
Disclaimer:-
The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Light de Literacy and LDL does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
In article, it has been mentioned that Countries like Japan, Srilanka have massive nuclear arsenal. Both countries are non nuclear state.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, Japan has never been hostile to India & post world war 2 in general.
Already, Military spending is much much higher as compared to Education sector across the globe. Does Article making point to increase the gap further more?
Countries like Australia, Germany, France, China, Japan, UK all are spending less as compared to India in terms of % of GDP. India is spending approx 2.4% on military, World average stands at 2.2%.
When It comes to yearly Budget expenditure, India is at last when it comes to make spending on education among Australia, USA, Germany, France, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, UK, Israel, Saudi.
But, economics of Military & education expenditure has one more aspect. That is Per Capita Income (Nominal GDP) . As per IMF (2019) India stands at 139th position. China, Russia, Saudi stands at 65th, 61st & 38th respectively. Rest Countries mentioned above in Top 25.
In article it's mentioned, Govt. allocated whopping 99300 crores. It's not whopping from any aspect given the importance of education.
It is claimed that by increase in just 5000 crores (Primary to Higher Ed), Govt will make new schools. However Govt ESAG-2018 report says, Total Primary Govt. schools decreased from 8.58 lacs in 2014 to 8.40 lacs in 2016. In 2019, Govt. admitted in Lok Sabha that 99000 govt schools have only 1 teacher (All Private/Govt - All Levels). In same reported Total students enrolled (From Primary to Higher Ed) in 2014 was 29.07 crores & increased to 29.51 lacs but interestingly when bifurcate to Primary Level, Students enrolled up to primary was 13.24 crore in 2014 and decreased to 12.91 crore in 2016.
Article emphasizing on increasing Military expenditure is no less than hysteria. Strong sense of security never prevails only coz of military. It also includes Strong welfare state, Independent Judiciary, Uncompromising Police Service. Military not gives jobs, It is govt which creates jobs for every sector. And, It never helps in reducing unemployment rate coz of their own way of selection criteria (which is very much required). But, unemployment concerns can only be addressed by social welfare schemes, service/manufacturing sectors, Not by Military.
When whole world is advocating for peace, Its irrational to boast for more military spending (infact article itself says that Only Education can bring Peace).
29.51 crores***
DeleteHello sir/ma'am
DeleteThe points you have raised are absolutely correct. I just want to make a few things clear though. I have never said that the already existing gap of budget between military and education should be increased. When given an option, military in general needs to be allocated more money than education. The government is already doing that and I am just agreeing saying what they are doing is correct.
I have also mentioned India is one of the top most countries to spend a huge amount on military.
Just because Japan has never been hostile with India post World War II doesn't mean the military can loosen up right sir/ma'am? Also, Japan is not the only neighbouring country and we have constant threat from one country or another. We never know when someone can attack us and so our military needs to be prepared.
Next, the government is spending a huge amount on education. It is required and I totally agree with you on that. But having said that, in spite of spending so much, infrastructure hasn't improved much. Like how you said, enough number of teachers aren't being appointed. So where is that 99000 crore rupees going then?
Coming to lesser children being enrolled in schools, if the Mid-day Meal scheme, infrastructure, quality education are provided, then more children will start enrolling. Also, child labour should be strictly prohibited and parents should be brought about awareness about the importance of education. It's more about proper utilization of the existing budget that is allocated than anything else.
Also, yes sir/ma'am, Budget allocation for education should increase in general. But it shouldn't overpower what military has or needs. Without military, there is no safety. Having said that, the amount being allocated for other sectors should also be used properly so that there is overall development.
Education is very important to change the mindset of people. But changing the mindset of just Indians won't help. Every country should change. Then, military won't require as much budget. But until then, it is important because it's not necessary that Indians not starting a war will be enough to stop other countries from starting it.
Education and military are extremely important in their own ways. Giving one more importance doesn't take away the importance from the other. And I feel a lot more can be done if the money being already allocated in every sector, is being put to right use.