International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 ResearchGate Impact Factor (2018): 0.28 | SJIF (2019): 7.583 Gandhian Development Model as an Alternative Development Model in Post-COVID-19 Indian Economy Amit Kumar Tiwari Research Scholar, Center for Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. 382029, India “Nature has enough to satisfy every one‟s needs, but not to satisfy anyone‟s greed”. Mahatma Gandhi (CWMG, 63, 241) Abstract: The outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created many questions not only before India but the entire world. These questions are related to the socio-economic and political effect of COVID-19 virus on the entire world. The further analysis of all these questions would be a turning point for the future of the entire globe. Here, the focus has only been made on the effect of COVID- 19 virus on the Indian economy. This paper is an attempt to see the structure of the present Indian economy and its situation during COVID-19 pandemic. The paper will limelight on how this pandemic has destroyed the economic structure of India. Here, the attempt will also be made to see the relevance of Gandhian development model in the present pandemic situation. This paper will explain; who Gandhian development model can be used as an alternative development model for the sustainable future of the Indian economy. Keywords: Pandemic, Economic development, Gandhian Development Model, Limitation of Wants, Swadeshi, Trusteeship, Sarvodaya. 1. Introduction and village-centric economy, can be used as an alternative development model for the Indian economy after the revival The beginning of the year 2020 brought new challenges of COVID-19 pandemic situation. before the world economy. This challenge emerged because of Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The outbreak of this At the time of independence, Indian policymakers thought of pandemic was identified from Wuhan, a city of China. Its two types of development models. The first model was the first case came into limelight in December 2019 in Wuhan inspired by the Western development model which was and very soon it spread in different countries. In the present based on the materialistic approach of development and, time, this pandemic has covered almost all countries of the other development model was inspired by Gandhian model globe. Till 4th May 2020, 3,525088 confirmed cases were which was guided by humanistic, ethical and sustainable recorded in which 248025 deaths were reported in the entire development approach. globe (COVID-19 Map). This pandemic caused many questions before the world and economic crises are also one Gandhi is a well-known political thinker of India who of them. No doubt that the entire world economy has presented his view on almost all aspects of human life. He crashed because of this pandemic. But the big challenge is talked about socio-political and economic issues of India. before those countries which are developing and have the Gandhi provided an alternative development model for very high population living under poverty. independent India. The Gandhian economic development model is totally different from the Western economic India is also a developing country which is facing the development model. Its fundamental principle relies on challenge of Coronavirus pandemic. Till 4th May 2020, moral and ethical view on socio-economic and political more than 44000 Confirmed cases and 1400 deaths were development. In Gandhian development model, truth and recorded in India (COVID-19 India.org). If we compare non-violence are essential elements that affect human India‟s situation with various developed and developing activities and decisions. Gandhian development model countries, it can be said that India is in better condition but emphasizes on complete decentralization of economic no one knows what would be the situation in future. This structure. Gandhi advocated for the village-centric economy COVID-19 virus has effected Indian economy also. The in which all economic functions and powers would be Indian government declared complete lockdown from 24th controlled by the village and village would act as a self- March 2020. This COVID-19 pandemic has created many regulating and self-sufficient unit of development. questions before the Indian government. The decline of the According to Gandhi, the development must ensure clothing, Indian economy is also one of them. When India became shelter, food, education and basic facilities for all. Independent in 1947, It adopted the mixed economic policy for its development. During 1990s liberalism was adopted in Gandhi’s View on Development: India to compact with the world economy. This economic Humanity is the soul principle of Gandhian economic liberalism provided strength to the Indian economy. But, in development philosophy. Gandhi‟s idea about development the present situation, when the entire world, including India, is the balanced and complete development of body, mind is passing through a very critical economic situation, India and soul. Thakkar argues that Gandhi‟s philosophy of should rethink over its development model. Gandhian development is based on not only economic or material development model that emphasizes on the decentralization development but also on moral development. His prime Volume 9 Issue 5, May 2020 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Paper ID: SR20504195129 DOI: 10.21275/SR20504195129 348 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 ResearchGate Impact Factor (2018): 0.28 | SJIF (2019): 7.583 focus is on the development of equality, the dignity of the must confess that I do not draw a sharp or any distinction people, liberty and justice. Therefore, Gandhi emphasized on between economics and ethics economics that hurt the well- decentralization of economy, community-based economic being of an individual or a nation are immoral and, structure, self-sufficiency, handicrafts, rural development therefore, sinful. Thus, the economics that permits one (Thakkar, 2011.). According to Ghosh, the following are the country to prey upon another are immoral. It is sinful to buy basic objectives of the Gandhian scheme of holistic and use articles made by sweated labourers” (Gandhi, development- 1921). 1) Human development (including moral development) for capability expansion, The Main Principles of Gandhian Economic Thought: 2) Development in a balanced way through manual and intellectual labour (development of body, mind and soul), Limitation of Wants: 3) Development with social justice, rights and freedom- The present economic theory is based on the assumption and This is in accordance with the principle of social and human wants are unlimited but natural resources are limited. human development. Consumerism is the motto of the present materialist society 4) Attainment of self-sufficiency and self-reliance through and this motto for consumerism leads to limitless production rural development, and exploitation of natural resources, and results are 5) Reduction in poverty through the generation of additional presented as the depletion of nonrenewable energy sources income and employment” (Ghosh, 2007). and unbalanced ecological. Gandhi was not in favour of the consumerist tendencies of modern economics. According to Gandhi wanted holistic development of the society that Gandhi, the golden rule is, “to refuse to have what the included human development along with socio-economic millions cannot” (Prabhu and Rao, 1996). Gandhi believed and political development and to create a nonviolent society that human wants are limitless, therefore, he wrote in Hind through his constructive work. Gandhi saw the dream of a Swaraj; healthy society based on harmony, equality and justice. He writes „on man's social nature, “If it is his privilege to be “We notice that the mind is a restless bird; the more it gets independent it is equally his duty to be independent...It will the more it wants, and still remains unsatisfied. The more we be possible to reconstruct our villages so that villages indulge our passions the more unbridled they become. Our collectively, not villagers individually, will become self- ancestors, therefore, set a limit to our indulgences. They saw contained." (Gandhi, 1929). Due to this relationship between that happiness was largely a mental condition. A man is not human being and nature, Gandhi has criticized modern necessarily happy because he is rich, or unhappy because he civilization. He criticized modern civilization because he is poor. The rich are often seen to be unhappy, the poor to was of the view that modern civilization has dehumanized be happy. Millions will always remain poor. Observing all Human being. In the modern materialistic era, man has this, our ancestors dissuaded us from luxuries and become an object rather than the subject of civilization. pleasures” (Gandhi, 1994). Gandhi said, “Today machinery merely helps a few to ride on the back of millions. The impetus behind it all is not the Gandhi stood up for the voluntary reduction of wants and philanthropy to save labour, but greed. It is against this this act was as a means of service. Civilization, for Gandhi, constitution of things that I am fighting with all my might. in its real sense, consists not in the multiplication but in the The supreme consideration is the man. The machine should deliberate and voluntary reduction of wants. Gandhi is of the not atrophy the limbs of man” (Gandhi, 1996). Gandhi‟s view that “Civilization, in the real sense of the term, consists philosophy of life, which is symbiotic with nature and eco- not in the multiplication, but in the deliberate and voluntary system called a Gandhian model of development. Gandhian reduction of wants. This alone promotes real happiness and model of development deals with the economic, political, contentment and increases the capacity for the service of social and spiritual, the entire range of life. Now it is humanity” (Gandhi, 1992). Gandhi was of the view that necessary to involve an analysis of Gandhi‟s economic, everybody should have enough for their needs.