Two Decades of Reforms- where are the gains?

These days the political parties do not easily miss out on anniversaries. But one anniversary the Congress has failed to celebrate is the 2^nd anniversary of reforms. Whatever be the reasons behind the Congress not celebrating it, let’s look at what we have achieved since the introduction of reforms way back in July 1991.

Mr Manmohan Singh, the then Finance Minister, in his budget speech declared that his new government had inherited an economy with such problems like the balance of payments crisis, high fiscal deficit and high inflation. He thought the reforms were the answer for India’s economic well being and thus ushered in an era of economic liberalization. But, what have we achieved through the reforms? 

The fall and rise with corruption

The recent election results in four states and one union territory have definitely given us a glimpse of an increasing intolerance and a growing public anger against corruption. Therefore, based on these results we could say that a corrupt and/or arrogant government (Tamilnadu, West Bengal) has a limited life span whereas a government that focuses on good governance and development (Bihar, Assam) gets an extended life span.

If it is true that corruption brings down a government what about Karnataka? The results from the recent bye elections in Karnataka indicate that a government can rise, not necessarily fall, and even thrive in spite of being the most corrupt state!

So,

It is possible, as the government in Karnataka has shown, to even rise and thrive despite being corrupt. Or should we just ignore these bye election results considering them relatively insignificant? Or should we say that it is only during the Assembly elections a corrupt government is brought down? 

No easy answers! 

Hopefully the governments in other states, including Karnataka, would learn some lessons and focus instead on issues of good governance and development to increase their lifespan.

Let us also hope that there will always be a fall and no rise, of any government, with corruption!

Japanese lessons- are we ready to learn?

The tragedies in Japan caused by earthquake and tsunami have left us all shocked. At the same time they also have taught us many lessons. Probably many would have received a mail titled ‘‘Ten things to learn from Japan’’. Those who haven’t received it can find it below.

(Ten things to learn from Japan

1. THE CALM

Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY

Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

 3. THE ABILITY

The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.

4. THE GRACE

People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

 5. THE ORDER

No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

 6. THE SACRIFICE

Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS

Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING

The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

 9. THE MEDIA

They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE

When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly)

No doubt, these are sublime lessons for our times. But let’s also not forget to learn some lessons from the nuclear disaster. Already it has led to a general dislike towards nuclear power despite the fact that many of the European countries meet over 50% of their electricity requirements through nuclear energy. Even former President Abdul Kalam has called for a safety review at all nuclear plants.

The nuclear disaster in Japan ought to compel us to revisit our nuclear power policy. More importantly, given the adverse cost-benefit ratio and the adverse risk-benefit ratio involved in nuclear power it is indeed time to switch off nuclear power permanently and pursue alternative sources of power.

Are we ready to learn from Japan?

India- the land of rising deficits?

Fiscal deficit, current account deficit, development deficit, education deficit, health deficit, governance deficit, ethical deficit- Has India become a land of rising deficits? It seems to be. Or else how do we explain these ever increasing deficits and non-existing surpluses? Wait. Who said non-existing surpluses? What about our surplus population (which is set to overtake China by 2050) and surplus poverty (don’t we have more poor than Africa)? Well, these are definitely not the surpluses that we can be proud of. What we require is development surplus which flows from better governance or governance surplus.

Sadly, our post-reform era hasn’t witnessed a greater commitment to either reducing or eliminating any of these deficits. This is evident from our low rankings in the Human Development Index (HDI) for the past few years. Furthermore, in terms of the improvement in the HDI index we have grown at a slower pace in the reform process that began in 1990 than in the decade prior to reforms.  

If India is to be counted as a performing and functioning democracy, and not merely a namesake democracy, then we need to draw inspiration from the ‘jasmine revolution’ and replicate it in our own land by overthrowing the politicians and bureaucrats who have caused or perpetuated these deficits. 

Why is India reluctant to improve its ‘PHC’ index?

In the case of India, what do poverty, hunger and corruption (phc) have in common? The common factor is that poverty, hunger and corruption have been rising rapidly! It is really deplorable that India’s non-commitment to curb its 'phc' has pushed down its ratings to levels lower than many other developing countries.

The multidimensional poverty index shows that 55 per cent of India’s population is poor. The global hunger index has placed India even below China and Pakistan. The corruption perception index puts India at the 87^th place out of 178 countries. These alarming indicators have reduced India to a poor, hungry and corrupt (phc) nation.

Why have our many ‘economic miracles’ like the surpluses failed to get us healed of these treatable and curable diseases? Is the bureaucratic-politician nexus holding this country hostage? I think so long as we do not rip this nexus apart, which considers government as a lucrative business, India cannot escape from this ‘phc’ tag.

Can we put our hopes in the young political leaders to redeem this country from the clutches of greedy politicians and bureaucrats and help this country rid of its ‘phc’ tag?

Is the rest of India ready to vote these greedy people out and let ‘youngisthan’ enter the corridors of power to improve its 'phc' index?    

What is the Colour of Terror?

With the BJP and its right wing allies still sulking over the use of ‘saffron terror’, they have yet again let off an opportunity to rid themselves of the tag of ‘communal parties’ and thus further exposed and confirmed their non-commitment to and belief in secularism. Given their history (of repeated vulnerability to a secular ideology!) one cannot expect these right wing parties to accept even the existence of saffron terror, leave alone condemn it. On the other hand, the behaviour of the Congress party is also equally distressing. Instead of extending full support to the Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, the party has distanced itself from ‘saffron terror’ remarks and has been trying to play it down and safe. All this has left many people wondering as to whether the Congress is really committed to reigning in saffron terror or is it only engaging in empty rhetoric.

Amidst this drama, where we see a coexistence of both denial to accept the existence of saffron terror (BJP and its right-wing allies) and of playing down the threat of saffron terror (Congress), one person that stands out is Mr Sharad Pawar who, I thought, at least once has spoken some sense! Though he should not to be spared of his share of criticism (for neglect of agriculture which has not been his priority even though he is the Minister for Agriculture and for the corruption in BCCI-IPL), he definitely deserves applause for saying- ‘ If ‘green terror’ is fine with them, why should ‘saffron terror’ upset them so much? Isn’t green too a colour in our national flag?

So what really is the colour of terror? Is it saffron or green or white?

It shouldn’t be forgotten that terrorism by any name is still terrorism. More importantly these colours are part of our national flag and any instance of whether saffron terror or green terror (even white terror!) amounts to tarnishing the national flag. It is really shameful that we aren’t really passionate about protecting our national flag and have allowed it to be tarnished by different terror groups.

When will we let our national flag fly more often and in many places than saffron flag or green flag or white flag?

The Dangerous Rise of Saffron Terrorism

The Home Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, while meeting the state police chiefs in New Delhi has expressed serious concern about the rise of 'saffron terrorism' led by radical Hindu groups. He has rightly advised the state police chiefs to be more vigilant. He deserves commendation for having highlighted this rising phenomenon. This observation, from the Union Home Minister, comes in the wake of a dangerous rise in the terror attacks linked to various saffron groups.
The Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad (2007), Ajmer Sharif Dargah blast (2007), Malegaon blasts (2008) and Goa blasts (2009) are some of the terror attacks linked to different saffron groups.
Besides, the saffron involvement can also be traced to the attacks on Christians in Orissa and in the church attacks in different parts of Karnataka.
Obviously this should have led to an all party consensus to restrict the further damage to the secular and democratic credentials of this nation. Unfortunately, the BJP and the Shiv Sena have objected to the use of 'saffron terror', which is a matter of grave concern. Unless the BJP and the other right wing parties stop being soft on these radical groups and distance themselves from such groups, there is bound to be more discord and disharmony.
Though one expects these police chiefs to take stringent action against those individuals and groups who spread hatred and cause division in the name of religion, it would largely be a 'mission impossible' in States ruled by governments that are perceived to be soft towards these saffron groups.
Anyone still hopeful of a change in a state like Karnakata?

Happy or Unhappy Independence Day?

It's 64 long years since we got ourselves freed from the British raj. This long journey is laden with ups and downs. We can certainly feel happy and be proud of our great achievements- increase in life-expectancy, literacy rate and Gross Domestic Product. We are now among the elite trillion dollar economies. India has produced world class scientists, engineers, journalists, doctors, sportspersons, artists, industrialists, actors and politicians who have left an indelible mark on the world stage. We have a lot of billionaires and there are at least 56 Indian firms which are among the world's 2,000 most powerful listed companies. Lately, with a new rupee symbol India has joined the club of few elite nations to have a unique identity for their currency. But this progress has been asymmetrical. The country is still plagued by corruption, poverty, communalism and other human rights abuses. Haven’t many of our billionaires made money by their proximity to government?

If the British looted this country prior to the Independence, today our own politicians, bureaucrats and corporates are looting this country through their unholy nexus. The situation of farmers, Dalits, minorities and the poor is indeed deplorable. All over the country many farmers are rendered homeless and their fertile agricultural land is acquired for industrial expansion. There are growing cases of atrocities against the Dalits and Minorities in different parts of the country. According to the Multi dimensional Poverty Index there are more poor people (421 million) in eight Indian states- Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal- than in the 26 poorest African countries combined (410 million). 

In this context, can we really wish these homeless farmers, Dalits, minorities and poor of this country ‘Happy Independence Day?’

Only with a stronger political will and a resolute commitment to the values enshrined in the Constitution the entire nation can think of celebrating ‘Happy Independence Day’ on the 15th of August, every year. Or else it would continue to be a ‘Happy Independence Day’ for the few billionaires of this country and an ‘Unhappy Independence Day’ for the rest of the Indians.

New Year Wish-list!

The year 2009 was pretty bad on many counts. The list of things that we would like to forget is definitely large, if not endless! But the question is ‘have we learnt any lessons from our mistakes?’ Joseph Stiglitz says that ‘the best that can be said for 2009 is that it could have been worse’! But he thinks that the world has learnt some important lessons. Well, is it optimism at its best? After all, economists are fond of assumptions!

Coming to India, the country has had many highs n lows in the year 2009. Among the lows, most distressing is the report of increase in poverty levels. According to the Tendulkar committee report, which was established to make a realistic assessment of poverty after the government faced criticism about its official estimates, poverty levels are 37.2 % which is much more than the official figures of 27.5 %. (some articles relating to this report are here and here.) We must not forget that even this report is faulty and therefore, the actual poverty rates would be much beyond 50 %.

Coming to Karnataka, I wonder if there are any great achievements to boast about. A peaceful state till recent times has sadly witnessed a steady growth in communal riots ever since BJP government has come to power. The recent data suggests that Karnataka has the dubious distinction of topping the list of communal clashes in South India. It has even overtaken Gujarat at the national level. No doubt a distressing trend. 

So, would 2010 go down in history as a year of great achievements- demonstrated by decrease in both poverty levels and communal riots?