Lee Kuan Yew's Death End of an Era: Dr. JP

Dr. JP has paid tributes to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew in the following words:

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has built Singapore from a poor and deprived state to a modern state that excels in providing efficient public services through its political and administrative machinery. The rise of Singapore has left a lasting impact in Asia, including the two Telugu states. The transition of Singapore from a land that was inhabited by migration of multicultural and multiracial population and beset with internal conflicts to an economic giant punching above its weight is a lasting testimony to Lee's genius. His vision helped shape Asia today. Lee Kuan Yew's death marks the end of an era. He symbolized Plato's guardians - dynamic, public-spirited, fair, ethical & authoritarian.

As Singapore was small city-state and it was effectively led by Lee, his centralized administration has yielded favourable results but the circumstances in our country are completely different from Singapore. The country and states must take lead from Lee in ending corruption, imposing rule of law, delivering quality public services and aggregating interests of various groups but not in centralizing governance.

Speaking on raging debate on land acquisition issue, Dr.JP mentioned that as the country is adding 10 Lakhs unemployed youth every month, land acquisition must enable balance and parity between agriculture, manufacturing and services. Treating non-agricultural use of land as sinful is an economic suicide. Adequate compensation for land acquired, a share of developed land, skill promotion, & job for farmers' children should be integral to the land acquisition process. Insistence on consent in each case, too many procedures even when there is consent, placing bureaucratic hurdles & political polarization will hurt India. We need agriculture, industry & services. We must have win-win approach.