My views on National Design Policy

I have only seen the draft that appeared in the news papers a few days back. Here is what I read in that-

1) First and foremost, it is a very strong note that government is finally taking a note of a profession that country needs so badly. We all know how Korea has transformed itself through successful implementation of its 5-year plans on Design. Although it has been more  than 40 years since NID was started in India, and more than a decade of liberalization, that now we see some signs of definitive 'intent' (no action still) in the governance. Kudos to the team that pressed for it.

2) A policy statement like this would certainly culminate into 'some' action on ground (even if 10% of what is promised, implemented in next 3 years…country should rejoice). It also means that policy statement reads like a utopian bonanza. I see no specific focus within the agenda….for example,  SMEs need the intervention of design the most. They are the ones who would be key drivers of Indian engine for Innovation. Where is the specific highlight on them? They all go under 2 lines, while design education and awareness is hogging most of the 'intent'.

3) There is no specific mention of 'design practitioners' who are the flagbearers  of design. The whole idea of Design in India rests partly on their shoulders too. It is like talking of health-care improvement without mention of Doctors…

3a) Design, to deliver successfully, needs not only designers, education institutes and industry…but a collective eco-system that includes small-time suppliers, fabricators, artists, artisans etc. Small scale industry today is looked upon as just a 'supplier' to organized players….but in a 'design' led economy, this SSI base itself can become a hot-bed of innovation..This becomes a 'design eco-system',,,,this requires a mention and focus in the vision document….

4) 'Crafts' is a favorite phrase to indicate the Indian heritage, whenever we discuss Design and India. But apart from generic statements like 'we should promote' Indian traditional crafts and 'orginality'..there is no pointers that reflect a thoughtful discussion behind the text.

 5) From a vision statement itself, the policy should have spelled out the course…i.e. first two years would be focused on 'Design Education and Awarenes'…next two years would be focused on 'Promoting culture of Innovation in the Indian industry' etc. etc..

 6) It is still using 'design' as a 'noun'…missing the whole notion of design as a 'verb' which is the central idea of 'attitude and process to innovate' in today's times.

7) There is no connection …not even mention to touch upon 'cultural anthropology' and 'history'…where is the 'Indian ness' coming from? No mention of research on what could be the Indian Design…..all that we practice today is a western view on design….whole idea of 'sustainability' is a western idea, built into original Indian thinking already….It is imperative that while National policy focuses heavily on 'Exportworthiness' of 'designs', there should have been a due space for 'softer' and 'essential' issues.

 Manoj Kothari

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