Wednesday 24 July 2013

Dr Amartya Sen : The argumentative Indian:

Dear All


Dr Amartya Sen has proved again to be an Argumentative Indian.  

You should read the sixteen essays written by Dr Sen on the historical and political landscape of India’s argumentative tradition, where, he concludes that arguments are vital for the success of India’s democracy and politics. { Ref Amartya Sen: Argumentative Indian: Writing  on Indian History, Culture and identity } May be it is for us to keep up this tradition that he made national headlines yesterday. The Nobel laureate was not only critical of Narendra Modi’s model of governance but also made public his non acceptance of Modi , even as  a Prime Ministerial candidate.

As a developmental economist of International acclaim  with a leftist lineage, Dr Sen has always had his own critics on evaluating development in an economy. There are two sets of developmental economists. The first ones mainly the capitalist class, looks into the general increase in money supply in the economy and the resultant availability of capital for growth. It is this lot which measures the data on infrastructure development, banking and other macroeconomic indicators ,while the economists of leftist linage- to which  Dr Sen belong to -focuses on  social sector development, mainly on education ,health , poverty, freedom, human rights  etc. When we  analyse and give a value judgement on how good a state’s economy has performed we will always have economists and politicians who cherry picks data and interprets them. Accordingly for the leftist economists, the Kerala model of development may be far better than a Gujarat Model.

The Kerala model which was claimed to have created an egalitarian society with universal education and health care proved to be a misnomer. While education did result in skill development, there was no capital available for utilization of the same resulting in unemployment and skill migration. The Kerala economic development model has only resulted in creation of a money order economy with a dearth of capital, entrepreneurship and policy not to mention of left wing trade unionism. In the health front too while leftists economists talks about well ness indices of  Kerala State, its tribal region of Attapadi recorded nearly fifty child deaths in this year due to malnutrition . On the other hand Gujarat Model which focussed on capital and investment resulted in better roads, power and other infrastructure facilities making it the fastest growing state with no power failures. It increased employment opportunities not only to people of the states but also resulted in migration to the state for employment. On the education and health care front Dr Sen is right on pointing figures at Gujarat, because quality and standards of its health and education delivery system is dismal and needs change. While public distribution system is better than other states, capital percolation in health care and education has created more hospitals, schools and colleges but with low quality doctors and teachers. Most of the capital flows in education has come from the private sector but they have not been able to attract the best talent. It is often heard that school teachers themselves does not have the requisite knowledge and skill with cases of senior students engaged in teaching their juniors.

In such a contradicting scenario we cannot portray a state to have achieved or not have achieved any form of universal growth but growth need to be evaluated in the context of the indices of under discussion. Cheery picking economic growth numbers will never give a clear picture but can only add to political rhetoric.

Well whether Dr Sen accepts Mr Modi or not is his choice but he indeed has thrown open a debate prelude to election and hence proved to be a responsible and argumentative Indian.

Sanyasi

Friday 19 July 2013

An Open letter to Arnab Goswami:


Dear Sir,

I know that I am writing this letter to the most articulate journalist in India. I do respect you for your stupendous contribution in the national media and the activism and vigour you show in bursting the hypocrisy of the political class. I watch your News hour program in Times now and have been following your stellar performance in the media ever since your NDTV times. However off late in your debates, you does not seem to play the ringmasters role of bringing divergent opinions to the nation, but instead you yourself get into the ring, and give an impression of taking sides. This gives an image of you taking positions in a debate. I think the flavour of your program is in your ability to expose the politicians by your rhetoric, but that should not get into a state of sensationalism which I doubt is happening now in your program. Secondly excessive emotion that you exhibit be it anger or sarcasm, does not taste good. I have found you yelling at the participants of them being touchy, but on the contrary you seem to be touchy while you are put in a spot. In one of the debates I heard you  saying that you are a citizen of India and you have a right to say what you want. However it should be understood that being a national figure, your right to speak should not offend others. Your activism on issues related to matters which are  subjudice, needs to be handled with caution especially when you are anchoring a national debate participated by the best brains in the country .

 Media activism and investigative journalism has made a difference to Indian democracy making it more transparent, but media too has a line not to be crossed which needs to defined by law. In the  judgement dated 19th April 2010 ( Manu sharma v/s State of Delhi) , the division bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice P Satashivam and Justice Swatenter Kumar observed , and I quote ‘’ Presumption of innocence of an accused is a legal presumption and should not be destroyed at the very threshold through the process of media trial and that too when the investigation is pending. In that event, it will be opposed to the very basic rule of law and would impinge upon the protection granted to an accused under Article 21". The learned judges also cautions that the  ‘’freedom of speech protected under Article 19 (1-a) of the constitution has to be carefully and cautiously used so as to avoid  interference to administration of justice and leading to undesirable results in matters subjudice before the court”

As Parliament elections are nearing the private media finds enough sentiments in their ‘’market’’ which can be capitalized by sensationalism. Be it scamgates or modi mania  for a nation frustrated by their politicians , any ringmaster , who throws a ring to the  political class and make them juggle is a matter of satisfaction. However this does not absolve the ringmaster from his role of not being a player by himself.

Sanyasi

Saturday 6 July 2013

Living in relation: The Elderly way:


Hi,
A recent visit to attend a mass marriage ceremony of lonely and elderly men and women opened a Pandora’s box of thoughts. Men and women aged above 60 but lonely due to the death of a spouse or neglected by children met and choose their companions for a living in relationship for the rest of their life. No strings attached, no liability clauses, you can choose your companion and live forever. Some couples choose not to live under a roof but to only share moments of companionship while on travel or on spending quality time together.

The greatest social threat that we face today is that of the social security of an elderly parent when they are alone. Aging is made synonymous with withdrawal from life and we make our elders a dependent, redundant and feeble human entity in the house by trying to be pseudo shrvan kumars . We approach them with an attitude of a protectionist, giving a heavy dose of instruction the moment they step out of the house or by restricting them to do household work and just spend time by reading and watching TV.  Extra expression of concern on their health, talking carefully with them, taking too much precaution while leaving them alone will only make them weak and dependent and  delicate showpieces in the house.  Our excessive considerations could be out of love or to make them feel special and valuable, but such a singular attitude makes them weak, aged or incapable rather than of confident individuals.  

The legend of Shravan Kumar, the mythological dedicated son of blind parents has been a part of traditional Indian household. Parents cherish their sons to be like shravan kumars to take care of them in their ripe age. Thanks to this tradition still in India we do not find our aged parents languish in old age homes unlike the few hapless ones put to the mercy of the caretakers.  

 In India aging is more related to the cultural mindset. The moment one touches 60, the person is regarded old i.e. not capable of doing work, need retirement from professional life etc . Children and young alike are indoctrinated to give a helping hand to old people. Young child holding hand of a healthy 60 plus is a common image cherished in literature and in Indian cinema. Oldies are expected to spend rest of their life in religious functions or similar types of activities. They should be away from the vibrant social activities. They should take rest, live with their married children, tell stories to their grandchildren and restrain from   their day to day work.

However, this type of mindset is not put into practice in reality. Majority of the elderly living with their children does not live a gratifying life; many are the victims of harassment by their own children and many feel alienated in their relationship with married children while living together. Living jointly is relentlessly marred by the issues of adjustment in life style, feeling marginalized, secluded, and ineffective.    

This is the traditional mindset on old age. Nevertheless, a genre of elderly people who have lived an independent lifestyle and believes in ageing gracefully finds difficult in fitting themselves into such a conservative mindset. They do not believe in shravan kumars tradition and culture.  For them such a living is suffocating.  Self reliant and own space is what present time elderly look forward to and strive for that. Ageing gracefully with spouse or without spouse is what a seventy plus wants. With sufficient funds, own house, friend circle and exciting travelling plans fills the life of today’s generation oldies. They would like to be in touch with happenings and developments in society. This phase of life is looked upon has rejoicing thoroughly each moment of  life which hitherto did not happen  due  to the rush for livelihood and  family responsibilities . No wonder, throughout world, in comparison to young people who are largely down with depression and worries, oldies are the happiest lot.  Perhaps how to live a fulfilling life is realized only at this stage by today’s mankind.  

The new living in relationship models among single old citizens is a step in the right direction and I was feeling OLD among a set of YOUNG 60 plus couples romancing each other.

Long live cupid:
Sanyasi: