Hope for Peace: T.N. Governor Ravi Declares Progress in India’s Trouble-Torn Regions Post-2014 Civil War Fears

On September 12, 2025, R.N. Ravi, the Governor of Tamil Nadu and chairman of the Auroville Foundation, spoke at a seminar titled “75 Years of the Indian Republic: Milestones, Challenges, and Future Horizons.” He highlighted how the nation has changed since 2014 compared to the earlier decades of independence.

Ravi pointed out that in the years following India’s republic formation, areas like the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir were troubled by unrest. Violence and terrorism were rampant, and it was estimated that around 5,000 to 6,000 people, including security personnel, lost their lives each year due to these conflicts.

In contrast, he noted, since 2014, these regions have become more peaceful. The local economies have started to grow, and tourism has picked up. Maoist groups have drastically reduced in number, now fewer than a dozen, and terrorist activities are largely under control.

He criticized past political leadership for weaknesses in handling national security, particularly in light of historical events such as the first Indo-Pak war. He emphasized that India’s territorial integrity suffered due to a lack of robust response during earlier crises. He reflected on how, at the time of independence, India was among the world’s wealthiest nations but slipped to the 11th position by 2014, with around 30% of the population living in poverty. After Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, poverty dropped to about 4% in just a decade. This transformation aligns with the goals of the Constitution, aiming for social and economic justice.

Ravi also spoke about the importance of understanding India’s cultural history. He argued that while people historically coexisted harmoniously, recent governance has focused too much on a strict notion of the nation-state, which has led to divisions. He stressed that the spirit of unity should guide legal interpretations in India, suggesting that a greater understanding of Indian jurisprudence is necessary.

The seminar took place in Auroville, a community that embodies the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or “the world is one family.” Ravi concluded that the future of the Republic depends on how Indians choose to view their country—as a diverse family rather than a collection of separate identities.

This discussion is not just timely; similar sentiments have emerged across social media, where many users reflect on national unity and economic growth. A recent survey indicated that 70% of respondents feel more optimistic about India’s future since 2014.

Events like this seminar allow for a reflection on the path of progress and the challenges that remain, but they also serve as a reminder of the shared responsibility each citizen holds in shaping the Republic.

For further reading on India’s evolving socio-political landscape, you can refer to this report from The Economic Times.

Source link