India’s transformation into a modern industrial powerhouse hinges on dismantling the deep-rooted barriers of casteism and communalism.
I HAVE REPEATEDLY said that our national aim must be to transform India from a backward country to a modern industrial giant, like China or the USA. Unless we achieve this, we can never hope to abolish massive poverty, unemployment, appalling levels of child malnutrition (every second child in India is malnourished, according to the Global Hunger Index), skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, the almost total lack of proper healthcare, and the absence of quality education for the masses.
When I say this, many people laugh at me and ask, “How is this possible?”
In response, I would like to narrate an ancient Chinese fable of a foolish old man who removed the mountains.
The story is that an old man lived near a pair of huge mountains that obstructed his path. So, he started digging the mountains with a hoe, with great determination. Seeing him, people began calling him derisively “The Foolish Old Man” and asked him how he could be so naive as to think he could remove the huge mountains in this way.
The old man replied, “When I die, my sons will carry on the digging, and when they die, my grandsons will continue this work. When my grandsons die, their sons and grandsons will do the same, and so on. With each generation’s digging, the mountains will get smaller and smaller, until they disappear.”
I am like that Foolish Old Man.
The fable represents more than just resilience—it highlights the need for collective determination and vision for India’s future.
My reply to all those who mock my ideas is simple: the two huge mountains India faces are casteism and communalism, and these feudal forces must be destroyed if we are to achieve our national goal.
The challenges India faces—be it casteism, communalism, or the legacy of feudalism—require action rooted in the principles of modernity, equality, and scientific temper. Building a modern industrial base is inseparable from eradicating these societal ills. Piecemeal reforms cannot achieve the scale of transformation India requires; only national unity and disciplined organization can bring about the change.
What is needed is selfless leadership and a grassroots movement that draws from the sacrifices and aspirations of millions. Such a movement must be uncompromising in its focus on the ultimate goal: creating a nation free of exploitation, backwardness, and division.
I have been vigorously and vehemently attacking these forces for long, propagating that they can only be destroyed by a mighty, historical, united, and protracted people’s struggle, led by patriotic, modern-minded leaders, culminating in a people’s revolution.
This vision is not about instant solutions but about long-term struggle and hope. Even after my time, a well-structured and disciplined organization will continue the work, with new leaders and members joining the movement. This continuity is the essence of the Foolish Old Man’s resolve—an intergenerational commitment to an ideal.
When I die, those who agree with me and have become my followers will continue this work and spread my message widely. An organization will then be created, with more and more people becoming its members, and totally dedicated and selfless individuals serving as its leaders. This organization will have iron discipline, and no deviation from its basic aim of transforming India into a modern industrial giant will be tolerated.
When these members die, their ranks will, in turn, be filled by others who will continue the people’s struggle until the people’s revolution is achieved. The process may take 15-20 years or more and entail tremendous sacrifices, but that is the only way out for the Indian people.
While the fable of the Foolish Old Man may seem impractical at first glance, its lesson resonates powerfully. Monumental tasks require both persistence and faith in collective human effort. The mountains of casteism and communalism can and must be removed, no matter how long it takes or how arduous the path may seem.
The choice, and the future of India, rests in our hands. Will we carry on the work of the Foolish Old Man, or remain passive observers, hindered by doubt and despair perpetually living, and also our descendants, in terrible massive poverty, unemployment, hunger, malnutrition, lack of healthcare, proper education and housing, etc? 
Also Read: Unveiling the Reality of ‘Democracy’ and ‘Secularism’ in India
Markandey Katju
Justice Markandey Katju is former Judge, Supreme Court of India and former Chairman, Press Council of India.
Disclaimer : PunjabTodayNews.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayNews.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.
Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.
— Team PT