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THE HINDU

6 Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Editorial Delhi

The new and dark interpretations of ‘We the People’


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he raging controversy over the very Prime Minister­in­cabinet does not have the as recognised by the Supreme Court of India, is to
meaning of ‘We the People’, after the powers of the U.S. President. And hence the be protected by it, in spite of any over­reach by
A chance for peace speech made by the Vice­President of
India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha,
possibility of a judicial review to check the
suitability or otherwise of the candidates
the legislature. We can take the case of the
executive in relation to government. Mr.
India should engage Pakistan if it  Jagdeep Dhankhar at the 83rd all India nominated. Dhankhar, when he was Governor and his ruling
comes forward to normalise relations   conference of presiding officers’ in Jaipur, In the case of the United Kingdom, it is run by party appointed colleagues, over­rode State
Rajasthan, on January 11, needs a closer look. Sudarsanam time­honoured conventions and laws passed by legislatures with impunity, by not approving Bills

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n the eternally rough road of India­Pakis­ With its particular reference to the judiciary, Mr. Padam the House of Commons. It does not have a or delaying them causing them to lapse into
tan ties, any offer of talks, like the one Dhankhar’s speech was of the view that ‘We the written Constitution which gives judicial review. nullity. Where is the power of the people as
is a political scientist
made by Pakistan Prime Minister Sheh­ People’ essentially gives primacy to elected and former SAIL But strong conventions are in place in spite of the represented by the legislature?
baz Sharif last week, is cause for equal measure members of Parliament and the State legislatures. Professor of Public primacy of Parliament. Conventions in the United There is a virtual war in the country now
of excitement and cynicism. His words, in an in­ The Speaker of Lok Sabha supported Mr. Enterprise at the Kingdom have an inviolable tradition. Laws can between elected governments in States and the
terview  to  a  UAE  channel,  that  Pakistan  “had Dhankar’s view that the separation of powers (as Administrative Staff be changed, violated and repealed. Even in Governors appointed by the Centre, which has
learnt a lesson from three wars” with India and enshrined in the Constitution) gives this primacy. College of India, Parliament, the Speaker of the House of brought into focus the question whether we need
wants to “live in peace with India provided we Expatiating on this theme, Mr. Dhankhar implied Hyderabad Commons is elected, but becomes a non­party the institution of Governors in the first place. The
are able to resolve our genuine problems” includ­ that the separation of powers does not equate the man, choosing when to retire from office. Constitution does not intend Governors to be
ing “burning points like Kashmir” were seen in three pillars of democracy: Parliament, judiciary In India too, the first two Speakers, G.V. subordinates to the central government or even
New Delhi more as him clutching at straws, at a and the executive. In his view (although he did Mavalankar and M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar as detractors of the legitimacy of States. The
time when his country is in turmoil. Politically, not explicitly say this), as the judiciary and the and later Neelam Sanjiva Reddy resigned from the dangerous portent now is that the Centre
Mr. Sharif has to face elections later this year, and executive are appointed and not elected directly ruling party to give the entire Parliament a sense consciously feels that it is superior to the States
continues to be challenged by the opposition led by the people, they are inferior. of impartiality in ensuring a proper place for and their Governors are its proxies. This goes
by former leader Imran Khan. Economically, Pa­ Let us first sort out the meaning of ‘We the minority parties. The point is that in the United against the very dignity of the people of a State as
kistan is in imminent danger of a debt default, People’. The Constitution does not define Kingdom, the House of Commons retains the inferior to a higher power outside their State, the
and is being held together by assurances of sup­ ‘people’. Its concern is about citizens and not any Speaker if he continues to hold office. This, alas, constitutional validity of which rightly needs the
port from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and China, as group or a particular institution. There are does not happen in India, in spite of the first two judiciary as the final judge.
well  as  hopes  that  its  IMF  bailout  package  will people in the judiciary, in the executive and in Speakers of the Lok Sabha having tried to set a
come through with the adoption of more auster­ most other constitutional institutions. There are convention. This lack of convention has The dangers ahead
ity measures. Pakistan also faces a growing terror also those in the military, the police, public drastically affected the running of Parliament. In other words, the separation of powers
threat from its Afghan border, where despite hav­ enterprise and the vast private enterprise. They The reluctance to honour conventions made our acceptable to the Centre is not applied to the
ing a friendly regime in control, there are clashes are all people no less.  laws and Constitution strive for greater States, where an appointed Governor can defy
particularly  with  Tehreek­e­Taliban  Pakistan To identify representatives in the legislature to specificity, often leading to quibbling in language not only the legislature but also the elected
fighters. Even so, Mr. Sharif’s peaceable words, be the sole representatives of the people is a and meaning. government. Apparently, members of the ruling
coming a month after a crossing of swords at the travesty. Apart from being enshrined in the party members are pushing for greater
UN, indicate that there is an understanding that Constitution, the theory of a separation of powers Onslaught on institutions centralisation not only within constitutional
India  is  not  responsible  for  Pakistan’s  current is basic to any democratic society, more than the The Democracies cannot be run only by the laws institutions at the Centre but also in States which
state of affairs, and an engagement of some sort letter of the Constitution. It is a case of staggering determination passed in representative Assemblies. They need are ruled by parties other than the national ruling
would benefit the government there. The Minis­ irony that over seven decades after shown  by  the conventions. B.R. Ambedkar realised that party.
try of External Affairs response, that India wants Independence, the Indian nation is being subject ruling  party  to Orientals cannot be trusted with conventions. When there is a ruling party determined to
“normal  neighbourly  relations  with  Pakistan” to a re­education of what the essence of Unless conventions are solidified into constituent dominate States both explicitly and in stealth,
dominate  States
provided there is a conducive atmosphere devoid democracy is, from a person who as Governor, laws and bound by strong threads, institutions there will be strife and conflict endangering the
of “terrorism, hostility or violence” suggests that and  chip  away
caused innumerable problems for the elected may even be destroyed, endangering the very very process of governance. Instead of chipping
Delhi continues to hold its position, but does not government of West Bengal. at  a purpose of a Constitution protecting the citizen. away at a Constitution framed by the best minds
wish to snub Mr. Sharif’s offer either. Constitution Indeed, there is a price to be paid converting of the Independence movement generation, it
There  is  more  to  the  timing  of  Mr.  Sharif’s Democracy in the U.S. and the U.K. framed  by conventions into law and B.R. Ambedkar knew it. will be more honest (sic) to go for a Constituent
words; as India prepares to host the SCO summit Since the issue of primacy of Parliament along some  of  the Today’s onslaught on the judiciary is aimed at a Assembly and seek a more totalitarian state — far
this summer, invitations are going out to ensure with the judiciary and the executive came into best  minds  in powerful constitutional authority which is, by from the ideals of democracy enshrined in the
participation by Pakistan for the major meetings, the discussion, let us look at two countries with and large, refusing to deviate from its Constitution. If the people of India accept such
India  will  only
and  a  more  cordial  relationship  will  ensure  a which Indians are familiar. In the United States, constitutional responsibilities. The fate of the devastating change, so be it. The determination
smoother ride. India’s G­20 presidency, and its lead  the
the President has the power to appoint judges, Election Commission of India, independent with which the ruling party is approaching the
desire  to  promote  the  concerns  of  the  Global although this should be endorsed by Congress. country  further investigating agencies and the civil service and majority in the country will only usher in divisive
South amidst the Ukraine war, would also benefit But the President is directly elected by the people away  from  the police are a classic example of a dereliction of conflicts between religions, States and regions.
from peace in the neighbourhood. It remains to and has prerogatives in several issues which do precious  ideals constitutional and other legal responsibilities. Sadly, India will be just another Russia, China or
be  seen  whether  Mr.  Sharif’s  words  were  only not apply to a parliamentary democracy. The of  democracy  The basic structure of the Indian Constitution, Turkey.
made for effect, or with a genuine desire to push
for talks. If they are indeed followed up by Isla­
mabad, either through the acceptance of the SCO
invite,  or  with  a  proposal  to  restore  mission
strengths in both capitals that have not had Am­
bassadors  since  2019,  it  is  hoped  New  Delhi
would reciprocate. At a time when the govern­
Working hand in hand to showcase India
ment is advising Russia and Ukraine for “dialogue
and diplomacy” and is seeking to engage the Tali­

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oday is National Tourism Day ( January 25) ‘Yuva Tourism’ clubs to nurture young to host the G­20 presidency — 20 countries, 11
ban out of “pragmatism”, it would seem contrad­ and the Ministry of Railways, in ambassadors of Indian tourism. In another special invitee countries, and nearly one lakh
ictory to refuse such a chance for enhancing re­ partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, instance, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and delegates will participate in 200 meetings at over
gional  stability,  especially  during  a  year  when is launching its Jagannath Yatra train package, an Waterways is aiming to make India an attractive 50 locations. Every delegate or visitor who is in
India’s role as a statesman is being highlighted. eight­day tour that begins in from Delhi, traverses cruise tourism destination using state­of­the­art India to attend the G­20 summit will return as a
Kashi, Baidyanath Dham, Jagannath Puri, infrastructure. India’s middle class is now brand ambassador and spread the word on
Bhubaneshwar and Konark, and ends at the G. Kishan Reddy  prioritising some of their discretionary spending India’s rich cultural, spiritual and natural
Vishnupad temple in Gaya. All this is linked to is the Union Minister on new experiences such as cruises. In heritage. In May 2022, when Prime Minister
Quick exit using Bharat Gaurav Trains (or theme­based
tourist circuit trains) to highlight India’s rich
of Tourism, Culture
and DoNER. 
partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs,
tourism officers have been placed in 20 Indian
Narendra Modi visited Copenhagen, Denmark, he
urged the Indian diaspora to inspire at least five
India needs to give quality exposure cultural heritage and history. The example given He represents the missions in countries that contribute to some of of their non­Indian friends to visit India.
to its young hockey players   above is one of many cases of a Government of Secunderabad the highest foreign tourist arrivals in India. Their
India ministry other than the Tourism Ministry parliamentary role includes facilitating and providing inputs for A journey of discovery
constituency

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ndia’s  campaign  in  its  second  consecutive taking the initiative to showcase India’s rich country­specific sensibilities and having them Moving ahead on this, the Ministry of Tourism
hockey  World  Cup  at  home  had  a  dream heritage using a ‘whole of government’ approach. reflected in tourism products. Similarly, with the declaration of “Visit India Year 2023” aims to
start when local boy Amit Rohidas scored a Ministry of Roadways and the Petroleum promote various tourism products and
brilliant goal in front of a packed house and the Campaigns so far Ministry, steps are being taken to ensure that destinations to increase India’s share in the global
host beat Spain 2­0 at the spectacular new Birsa The government of India has always felt that the highways and fuel stations have clean sanitation tourism market. Data show that domestic tourism
Munda  Stadium  in  hockey  hub  Rourkela.  Ten promotion of India’s tourism will only be effective infrastructure. The Ministry of Tourism is also has recovered to pre­pandemic levels, even
days  later,  the  euphoria  burst  like  a  bubble  as when different Ministries at the Union level and funding several commercial flight routes in exceeding it in some cases. This is evident in a
sixth­ranked  India  crumbled  under  pressure States work in cohesion by combining their partnership with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, record 1.84 crore domestic tourists visiting
against  11th­placed  New  Zealand  and  lost  the domain expertise. Over the last eight years, the making them viable. Jammu and Kashmir in 2022. Similarly, foreign
cross­over match via penalty shoot­outs to leave Ministry of Tourism has prioritised the task of tourist arrivals are expected to reach
the  capacity  crowd  at  the  Kalinga  Stadium  in inter­ministerial cooperation and coordination, Travelling  to Tourism policy pre­pandemic levels.
Bhubaneswar  disheartened.  Now  India,  which breaking down silos and working together However, it is not just enough if there is a pledge Travelling to India is not just a tourism
India  is  not  just
finished inside the top­eight in the three previous effectively with other Ministries. Today, the to work together as this needs to be formalised experience. It is an avenue to find oneself. India
World Cups it hosted, will play for the ninth to Ministry of Tourism coordinates its work a tourism through structures and institutions. The new has always been a popular destination for
16th places. The premature exit of India — which effectively with over 20 central government experience  but draft National Tourism Policy 2022 aims to do just travellers exploring spiritual enlightenment and
had 13 players from the Tokyo Olympics and 14 Ministries in the promotion and the development also  an  avenue this. The policy has been formulated after self­discovery. For centuries many great foreign
from the 2018 World Cup (where it reached the of tourism in the country. In October 2022, the to  find  oneself,  a situational analysis including the impact of travellers have visited India and shared their
quarterfinals) — proved to be a shocker especially Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Home theme  which COVID­19 and taking into account future experiences in the form of memoirs, travelogues,
as the team entered the World Cup as an Olympic Affairs organised the National Conference on the  Ministry  of projections for the tourism sector with a vision poetry and books, as Megasthenes, Hiuen­Tsang,
medallist for the first time in over four decades. Tourist Police (to develop tourist specific for India@100. One of the ideas includes an Marco Polo, and Fa­Hien have shown. India is a
Tourism  is
The post­mortem has begun and questions are policing), aimed at working with the police and institutional structure that can take concurrent tourist destination to rekindle one’s inner self. As
being asked about a few past performers being sensitising them on addressing the needs of working  on  in and coordinated action across the Union, State the birthplace to four major world religions, i.e.,
left out of the squad. Even though picking players foreign and domestic tourists. coordination and local government levels in partnership with Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism, India
was a prerogative of those who were tasked with In partnership with the Ministry of Education, with  other industry. It is this ‘whole of government’ can truly claim to be the world’s spiritual beacon.
it, some flaws were glaringly obvious. the Tourism Ministry has begun establishing Ministries  approach that has equipped India with the ability This is at the core of the Visit India Year 2023.
Poor penalty corner conversion (five out of 26,
primarily  due  to  an  off­colour  drag­flicker  and
captain Harmanpreet Singh), a porous defensive
structure,  forwards’  below­par  showing  (four LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
field goals in as many matches), losing ball pos­
session in crucial moments and the overall lack of Documentary on 2002 with counter facts and causing the Great Bengal cheque’. If the judges are contest elections without At Bhubaneswar
consistency in maintaining the intensity prevent­ A media house with evidence rather than famine, the list is long and being judged by people, so any qualification, and Indian hockey fans have
ed the Graham Reid­coached side from achieving considerable credibility and imposing an outright ban. horrific. As for its claim on too are the politicians. Let become an MLA or an MP been left deeply
its potential. Nine goals from 94 circle entries and which enjoys a viewership Attempts need to be made fair play, I have yet to see a us make things abundantly and Minister. But one disappointed (‘Sport’ page,
49 shots on the goals was a telling statistic on In­ that runs into millions now to foster people’s trust in western reporter report clear. It all boils down to the cannot become a lawyer or “India tumbles out after a
dia’s  woes.  Key  midfielder  Hardik  Singh  being has a documentary on the each other and enable from the Russian side of the plain fact that the judiciary a judge without the dramatic shootout against
ruled out due to an injury in the pool stage and subject of one of the most healing after deep trauma. border on the Ukraine war.  is not accountable to the required qualifications. New Zealand”, January 23).
ace goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh getting hurt during terrible riots the nation has Archana Padmanabhan, Padmanabha Upadhyaya, executive or politicians, but Judges do not face polls The match against New
the  shoot­out  against  New  Zealand  were  big witnessed. Many of today’s Kochi, Kerala Bengaluru is there to uphold the rule because there is no Zealand was a case of
blows.  Some  experienced  hands  not  getting  a youth were not even born of the law and ensure necessity. As for criticism, ample goal­scoring
chance during the shoot­outs might have ham­ at the time of the riots and While the knee­jerk reaction Minister on judges justice. It is time the Centre people do not spare even opportunities for India but
pered India’s prospects too. India needs to do a all information they have of the government in All of us may be on the stops sitting on the the courts if the judgment is the forwards lacking the
reality  check  and  address  the  issues  quickly now is based on opinions. banning the said same page with Union Law recommendations for found to be unfair, as in the required finishing skills. 
ahead of the Asian Games, which is an Olympic Despite the higher judiciary documentary may appear Minister Kiren Rijiju when judicial appointments, and case of Bilkis Bano. After Gregory Fernandes,
qualifying event, this year and the Paris Olympics upholding the Special excessive, one is at a loss to he said that the judges did also sheds its intransigence being elected, we have seen Mumbai
in 2024. Even though India’s 48­year­old wait for Investigation Team’s (SIT) understand how the BBC not have to contest and the illusion that it is the politicians betraying the
a World Cup medal has become longer, Hockey clean chit to the then arrogates itself the moral elections (Inside pages, lord of all its surveys. trust of those who voted for
India  president  and  former  India  captain  Dilip Gujarat Chief Minister, high ground and comments January 24). At the same C.G. Kuriakose, them by hopping from one
Tirkey, who has underlined the areas of concern, today’s tech­savvy youth on other countries’ affairs time, one hopes that the Kothamangalam, Kerala party to the other for
needs  to  take  corrective  steps  to  put  the  team are bound to make especially after the British Minister will agree that as money and power. What the
back on track. Executing plans such as reviving attempts to gain access to have the blood of millions far as the elected The Minister’s remarks are government wants in this Letters emailed to
the Hockey India League to give quality exposure the content. I wish the on their hands. Right from representatives are childish. Comparing judges case is to have the judiciary letters@thehindu.
to young Indian players and identifying a big pool government counters the Jallianwala Bagh to concerned, victory in the with politicians is wrong. under its control. co.in must carry the full postal
of drag­flickers will contribute in lifting the stan­ “propaganda narrative” of Churchill diverting food elections does not entitle Any Tom, Dick, and Harry D. Sethuraman, address and the writer’s full
dard of hockey. the BBC’s documentary grains to Europe, thereby them to (have) a ‘blank may become a politician, Chennai name or the name with initials.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 7
Delhi
Opinion

Developing schools without barriers When foes unite against a common foe
The Sunni groups in Kerala are coming together against the Mujahid movement

“M
a’am, may I said that accessible infrastructure more than 400 participants,
please go to the within schools, such as ramps or including children, school faculty
toilet?” or “Can tactile paths, are either in deficit and staff, were informed about STATE OF PLAY lim Jamaath, an apex body of
I go play or have not been constructed different types of disabilities the AP Sunni group, formed in
outside?” are usually innocuous utilising suitable materials. School among children and the specific 2015, held a similar ‘ideology
requests by most schoolchildren. management authorities added barriers experienced in different Abdul Latheef Naha conference’  at  Malappuram.
But for children with Adishree Panda that if such provisions are infrastructure zones of a school. abdul.naha@thehindu.co.in Training its guns at the Muja­
disability/disabilities (CWD), these is ‘Leave No One maintained regularly and After the simulation exercises, hid  groups,  the  Muslim  Ja­

I
are difficult tasks, due to the Behind’ Project adequate funding is provided for children said they will make more n  the  wake  of  the  10th maath blamed the indoctrina­
higher care needed to complete Coordinator, the construction of new efforts to assist their classmates State  conference  of  the tion  of  Salafi  ideology  as  the
the actions. These actions become UN­Habitat India infrastructure, we would have whenever they can. Various good Kerala Nadvathul Mujahi­ main  reason  for  some  young
tougher in schools which do not accessible places. The practices, guidelines, and deen  (KNM)  held  in  Kozhi­ Muslims turning to extremism
have accessible spaces and guiding cooperation, involvement, and standards for making buildings, kode, the two prominent Sun­ and terrorism. This was an in­
infrastructure to get there safely. sensitisation of parents and campuses, and infrastructure safe, ni  groups  that  constitute direct pat on the back for the
A UNESCO 2019 report caregivers, teachers, school accessible, and inclusive were also two­thirds of the Muslim com­ EK  faction  for  taking  on  the
mentioned that CWD comprise management authorities, and the showcased. Even if any munity in Kerala have become Mujahids.  Provoked  by  the
1.7% of the total child population local government departments are combination of these accessibility friends after warring for some years  on  end  the  way  Mr. Muslim Jamaath’s accusations,
in India (Census 2011). As they are Haimanti Banerji required so that all these barriers features is added or adapted in time.  Although  the  Mujahid Aboobacker Musliar has been. the Wisdom group of the Mu­
faced with physical, institutional, are actively addressed. schools, it can go a long way in movement in Kerala has splin­ Apart  from  the  Mujahid jahid movement is holding an
socioeconomic and is Professor, Article 21A of the Constitution creating inclusive spaces. tered in the last two decades, groups, with whom he always ‘ideology  conference’  at  Ma­
communication barriers from an Architecture and and the Right of Children to Free the  show  of  strength  of  the crossed  swords,  Mr.  Aboo­ lappuram on Thursday.
Regional Planning, IIT
early age, more than 70% of and Compulsory Education Act, Towards inclusivity KNM  has  pushed  the  Sunni backer  Musliar  was  also  con­ Some  leaders  of  both  the
Kharagpur
five­year­olds with disabilities in 2009 outline the fundamental Developing inclusive and groups led by Syed Jiffri Muth­ stantly baited by most leaders AP and EK Sunni factions have
India have never attended any right to education and the right to accessible schools will not only ukoya Thangal of the EK Sunni of  the  EK  Sunni  faction  from also begun praising each oth­
educational institution, the report have free and compulsory challenge perceptions about CWD, faction and Kanthapuram A.P. 1989 onwards. Mr. Abooback­ er. “Our differences are purely
said. Many CWD also tend to drop education for children aged 6­14 and the associated discrimination, Aboobacker Musliar of the AP er  Musliar  and  his  followers organisational.  Ideologically,
out of school as they grow older. years. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, but also help in actualising the Sunni  faction  towards  a  new remained  the  EK  Sunni we uphold the same faith. And
To motivate all children to which adopted a ‘zero rejection zero­rejection policy in schools. friendship. group’s  bête  noire  until  Syed when  we  take  on  our  oppo­
meaningfully participate in all policy’, emphasises that “every A multi­pronged participatory Ever  since  the  Samastha Jiffri  Muthukoya  Thangal  be­ nents,  the  Mujahids,  we  are
indoor and outdoor activities child with special needs, approach towards providing an Kerala  Jem­iyyathul  Ulama, came the president of the Sa­ one,” said a State leader of the
without barriers or limitations, the irrespective of the kind, category enabling environment for the with its headquarters in Chela­ mastha  Kerala  Jamiyyathul EK Sunni faction.
school ecosystem has to be made and degree of disability, is empowerment of future citizens is ri,  split  into  two  in  the  late Ulama  (EK  faction)  in  2016. Recently, IUML leaders P.K.
safe, accessible, and reliable. provided meaningful and quality needed to ensure that 1980s, the AP faction has been Mr.  Jiffri  Thangal’s  assertive Kunhalikutty  and  Syed  Sadik
education”. India ratified the UN stakeholders in the school at  the  forefront  of  taking  on leadership  and  orthodox Ali Shihab Thangal visited Mr.
Barriers to accessibility Convention on the Rights of ecosystem collectively work Mujahid  ideals.  The  AP  fac­ stand  apparently  endeared Aboobacker  Musliar,  who  is
Several barriers impede the Persons with Disabilities. Aligning towards promoting accessibility tion,  which  upholds  Kerala’s him to the rival AP faction. recuperating  from  a  stroke
participation of CWD in accessing with this commitment, the and inclusion in schools. This traditional,  orthodox  Islamic Soon  after  the  Mujahid that  he  suffered  a  couple  of
educational opportunities such as government launched the includes awareness and customs, has thrived because State  conference  held  bet­ months ago. This thaw in rela­
inaccessible school buses; Accessible India Campaign sensitisation programmes for of  its  organisational  and  lea­ ween December 29 and Janu­ tions,  after  a  minor  stand­off
inaccessible facilities in schools (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) in 2015. children, parents, and caregivers; dership  strengths  in  the  last ary  1,  Mr.  Jiffri  Thangal’s  EK between the Samastha leader­
(drinking water facilities, canteens An important pillar of this training trainers for upskilling of three  decades.  Although  it faction conducted an ‘ideolo­ ship  and  the  IUML,  has  also
and toilets); and inappropriate campaign is accessibility to built school faculty and special was  criticised  for  being  “too gy conference’ in Kozhikode, gladdened  the  AP  Sunni
infrastructure in classrooms environment. The government has educators and providing access to orthodox  and  nonprogres­ and  lashed  out  at  the  Salafi camp. The visit conveyed the
(uncomfortable seating, slippery also been supportive of the updated teaching toolkits and sive,”  and  for  buttressing  the ideals. This was unprecedent­ message that there are no per­
flooring and low illumination). principle of Leave No One Behind materials; technical training for Communist  Party  of  India ed.  In  an  unusual  display  of manent  friends  and  foes  in
Misinformed attitudes and (LNOB), which is the central, local government departments; (Marxist) because of its stand­ ‘Sunnism’,  all  the  speakers politics.
perceptions among parents, transformative promise of the and a co­learning platform for off with the Indian Union Mus­ who addressed the EK Samas­ The AP group is happy that
Developing
teachers, staff, and communities 2030 Agenda for Sustainable knowledge­sharing between all. lim League (IUML), the Sunni tha meet castigated the Muja­ their EK rivals have started at­
further influences the child’s inclusive and Development. Anchored under Additionally, five principles — group  has  become  a  force  to hid groups. Further, no EK Sa­ tacking  Mujahid  ideology.  It
emotional development. accessible the Mainstreaming LNOB project equitability, usability and reckon  with  today.  Its  leader mastha speaker said a critical needs to be seen if the Muja­
The lack of teaching and schools will help by UN­Habitat, pilot training durability, affordability, cultural Mr. Aboobacker Musliar, who word  about  Mr.  Aboobacker hids can unite the rival Sunni
learning practices that integrate challenge programmes on enhancing adaptability, and aesthetic appeal is  known  to  the  world  as Musliar  or  his  followers.  “I groups  in  Kerala.  Although  a
inclusive technologies and digital perceptions accessibility and inclusion were — should be embedded from the Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, is to­ have never seen an EK Sunni thorough reunion is out of the
equipment to engage the child, about children implemented in two schools in planning to implementation to day the most recognised and group meet without criticism question because of the organ­
such as assistive devices, are Delhi with support from IIT evaluation stages of providing most respected Islamic leader of Sheikhuna (Mr. Aboobacker isational roots and assets that
with disabilities
additional challenges. At training Kharagpur and the Department of infrastructure services in schools. from Kerala. The ‘Grand Mufti Musliar),”  said  Karulai  Jamal, the two groups enjoy current­
programmes conducted by and actualise Social Welfare, Delhi government. With the realisation of such an of India’ is one of his titles. Malappuram  district  youth­ ly, reuniting on an ideological
UN­Habitat India and IIT the Through interactive training approach, removing the barriers No Muslim leader, dead or wing  leader  of  the  AP  Sunni platform  can  have  far­reach­
Kharagpur recently, school zero-rejection sessions and simulation exercises to accessibility will be an uphill, alive,  in  recent  memory  in faction. ing  implications  in  Kerala’s
teachers and special educators policy in schools that encourage empathy­building, but not insurmountable, battle. Kerala  has  been  pilloried  for Last Friday, the Kerala Mus­ Muslim politics.

F RO M T H E A RC HI V E S
In TN, share of women who eat green veggies declines drastically
Given the drop in consumption of dark green, leafy vegetables, the share of anaemic women may increase in Tamil Nadu FIFTY YEARS AGO JANUARY  25,  1973

tene, riboflavin, and calcium. Pre­ Vietnam war to end on


DATA POINT vious surveys said, “States with the
highest  levels  of  anaemia  among
Sunday
Rebecca Rose Varghese & women  are  the  same  States  that
Vignesh Radhakrishnan  have the lowest regular consump­ Washington, Jan. 24: The guns will fall silent and
tion  of  green,  leafy  vegetables a ceasefire will go into effect throughout
Vietnam on Sunday morning (8 a.m. Saigon

I
n  2019­21,  only  10.6%  of  wo­ among women.” Given the drastic
men  in  Tamil  Nadu  con­ drop  in  vegetable  consumption time). Disclosing this in a short television
sumed  dark  green,  leafy  ve­ among  women  in  Tamil  Nadu  in address to his war­weary nation last night,
getables  daily  —  the  lowest  share 2019­21, the share of anaemic wo­ President Nixon confirmed that his principal
among  all  the  States.  In  fact,  the men in the State may increase.  negotiator, Dr. Kissinger, and North Vietnam’s
lowest shares of women consum­ The  comparison  between  gen­ Mr. Le Duc Tho had initialled an agreement to
ing such vegetables are seen in the ders should be read with caution that effect in Paris earlier in the day. After
southern States, except Karnataka.  as  the  male  sample  size  is  much declaring that the agreement would bring the
However,  Tamil  Nadu  stands lower than the number of female peace with honour he had always insisted on,
out for three other reasons. First, respondents in the NFHS. Howev­ Mr. Nixon said that the remaining 24,000
just five years ago, the share of wo­ er, as this difference in sample size American troops in South Vietnam would be
men who ate dark green, leafy ve­ exists  across  all  the  States,  the withdrawn during the 60 days following the
getables  was  59.6%  in  the  State. above conclusions hold true.  ceasefire. During the same period, the North
This means there has been a dras­ Chart 1 shows the share of wo­ Vietnamese have agreed to return the 597
tic drop of 49% points since then. men  who  consumed  dark  green, American prisoners of war captured in various
The second biggest drop is seen in leafy  vegetables  daily  across  va­ parts of Indo­China, and account for the 1,335
Assam — a decline of 19.8% points. rious States and regions in 2019­21. Americans listed as missing in action. Mr. Nixon
Second,  while  only  10.6%  of  wo­ Except  Karnataka,  the  southern left it to Dr. Kissinger to announce the details of
men  consumed  such  vegetables States are at the bottom of the list, the agreement and said that the pact would be
daily, 42.5% of men in Tamil Nadu followed  by  the  western  States. formally signed at a ceremony in Paris on
consumed them daily in 2019­21 — While  the  northern  and  north­ Saturday. Speaking with restraint and hardly any
a difference  of  31.9%  points,  the eastern  States  are  middling,  the trace of self­congratulation, Mr. Nixon also
highest among all the States consi­ eastern  and  central  States  stand disclosed that the ceasefire, which would be
dered.  Among  the  major  States, out  with  a  high  share  of  women supervised by an international force drawn from
Kerala follows with a difference of consuming such vegetables daily.  Canada, Hungary, Indonesia and Poland, had
around 13% points, with men con­ Chart 2 shows the change in the the support of President Thieu of South
suming  more.  Third,  while  the share  of  women  who  consumed Vietnam.
share  of  men  who  consumed such  vegetables  daily  in  2019­21
green vegetables in Tamil Nadu al­ compared to 2015­16. States to the A HUNDRED YEARS AGO JANUARY  25,  1923
so  came  down  in  2019­21  com­ right of the zero mark recorded an
pared  to  2015­16,  the  decline  (of increase and vice­versa. With a de­ London Indians in
23.4% points) pales in comparison cline  of  49%  points,  Tamil  Nadu
to the decline in the share of wo­ stands out, followed by Assam. Ex­ Conference
men (49% points). Yet, the decline cept Karnataka, which already had
among  men  was  the  sharpest, a high share, the share increased The “Daily Herald” contains the following:
along  with  Assam,  when  com­ in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Bomb dropping by British aeroplanes on native
pared  to  other  States.  Therefore, Kerala among the southern States.  villages was denounced in strong terms at a
Tamil Nadu stands out as the low­ Chart 3 shows the share of men conference of Indians and sympathisers resident
est  share  of  women  consumed who  consumed  dark  green,  leafy in London, held at the Caxton Hall on Saturday.
dark  green,  leafy  vegetables;  the vegetables  daily  across  various “Every man who takes service in an air force,”
share of such women recorded the States  and  regions  in  2019­21. said Mr. B.G. Horniman, presiding, “ought to be
most  drastic  drop  in  the  last  five There is no drastic difference bet­ made to feel that if he participates in such
years;  the  gender  inequality  in ween the southern States and oth­ murderous outrages he puts himself outside the
consumption  was  the  highest ers among men, though the south pale of decent society.” Mr. George Lansbury
among all the States; and the de­ and  west  lag  behind  the  others, observed that it was a terrible thing that scarcely
cline among men was the sharpest and the east dominates.  a word had appeared in print denouncing the
in the State along with Assam.  Chart  4 shows  the  change  in bombing expeditions. “The leaders of religion
These conclusions are based on the share of men who consumed are dumb dogs just now, when your people are
the  National  Family  Health  Sur­ such  vegetables  daily  in  2019­21 being massacred from the air,” he went on, “but
veys 4 and 5. The NFHS says green, compared to 2015­16. Tamil Nadu they were loud in their protestations when
leafy vegetables are a rich source and  Assam  recorded  the  biggest people like me were being bombed in London
of iron, folic acid, vitamin C, caro­ decline.  during the war.” 
CM M ND-NDE
YK
Delhi www.thehindu.com Wednesday, January 25, 2023
● ●

Text&Context 0 
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What ails the Ken-Betwa river link project?


Why is the government keen on implementing the project? What are the issues in the clearances given to the river link project? Will they hold legally? What has the Standing
Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) recommended? An environmentalist perspective:

EXPLAINER THE GIST


Manoj Misra 쑽
On January 18, the Steering
The story so far: Committee of the Ken­Betwa

O
n January 18, the Steering Commit­ Link Project (KBLP) held its
tee of the Ken­Betwa Link Project third meeting in New Delhi. The
(KBLP)  held  its  third  meeting  in Secretary of the Department of
New Delhi. It was chaired by the Secretary Water Resources, in the
of the Department of Water Resources, in Ministry of Jal Shakti,
the Ministry of Jal Shakti, who reiterated reiterated that the KBLP was a
that the KBLP was a “flagship” project of “flagship” project of the
the  national  government  and  that  it  “is national government and that
critical  for  the  water  security  and  socio­ it “is critical for the water
economic  development  of  Bundelkhand security and socio­economic
region”. In December 2021, the Union Ca­ development of Bundelkhand
binet  approved  KBLP  at  a  total  cost  of region”.
₹44,605 crore. In this project, the national 쑽
and the Madhya Pradesh governments will
link the Ken river with the Betwa river so The link will be in the form of a
canal that will be fed by the
that the latter can water the Bundelkhand
new Daudhan Dam on the Ken,
region in Uttar Pradesh.
to be built within the Panna
Tiger Reserve. The national
What is the Ken­Betwa link? government has said that the
The link will be in the form of a canal that dam will generate 103MW of
will be fed by the new Daudhan Dam on hydroelectric power. 
the Ken, to be built within the Panna Tiger
Reserve.  The  national  government  has 쑽
said that the dam will generate 103MW of Diversion or stopping or
hydroelectric power. The linking canal will enhancement of the flow of
flow through Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and water into or outside wildlife
Jhansi districts, with the project expected sanctuaries/parks is taboo
to irrigate 6.3 lakh hectares of land every unless doing so is deemed to
year. be necessary to improve and
However,  hydrological  and  ecological Still waters: A boy plays in the Betwa river near Jhansi. MONICA TIWARI better manage wildlife within a
experts aren’t convinced, mainly because sanctuary or a national park.
the government’s plan is based on a ‘sur­ expert scrutiny during the project­appro­ vis­à­vis  plans  to  create  a  high  reservoir­ spanning almost a decade to reintroduce And in the case of the Panna
plus and deficit’ model that they have said val stage are cornerstones of sound envi­ dam on the Ken river in the Panna Nation­ them. Panna is an exceptional tiger habitat Tiger Reserve, the Central
has  little  basis  in  science.  They  are  also ronmental governance. Therefore, it was a al Park and Tiger Reserve for the KBLP. It because of its deep gorges, which will be Empowered Committee (CEC)
concerned that the project will endanger big shock when, following Cabinet appro­ concurred with the applicants’ prayer at drowned if a new dam is built. An illegal of the Supreme Court has
the water security of Panna. In 2018, envi­ val, the national government announced the apex Court; that the wildlife approval approval granted by a national board will found such diversion to not be
ronmentalist Ravi Chopra called the idea the  implementation  of  the  KBLP  in  the given  by  the  Standing  Committee  of  the bring to naught all the good, hard work of necessary to improve and
better manage wildlife in the
“nonsense”;  in  2021,  conservation  biolo­ 2022­2023 Union budget. It further stated National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at its the past. The government is also develop­
park.
gist Raghu Chundawat said that thanks to that  ₹1,400  crore  would  be  allocated  for meeting  on  August  23,  2016,  was  ultra ing a larger ‘Panna Tiger Landscape’, but
KBLP,  “Bundelkhand  will  suffer  for  de­ the project in that financial year. vires. this is not the concession many believe it
cades to come”.  The  Indian  government  catalysed  this to be. This landscape should be created in
What about its legality?  approval despite an expert body created any  case  for  Panna’s  tigers.  Such  land­
What clearances has the KBLP There are significant legal problems with by the Standing Committee of the NBWL it­ scape­level action is also required around
received? the approval granted to the KBLP. The CEC self saying that “an independent hydrolog­ most wildlife areas in light of a new global
India enacted the Wildlife (Protection) Act has  stated  that  the,  “approval  by  the ical study of river Ken is necessary” and target to protect 30% of global terrestrial
1972 at a critical juncture, when its wildlife Standing Committee of the National Board that  “no  developmental  project  should and marine areas by 2030, finalised at the
was in peril. The key provisions of the Act for Wildlife to the Ken­Betwa link Project destroy the ecology of remnant fragile eco­ COP15 biodiversity conference in Decem­
(Sections 18 and 35) relate to setting aside has not been proved to be necessary for systems and an important tiger habitat in ber 2022. The question therefore is — why
areas of significance to wildlife as ‘sanctu­ the improvement and better management the country”. should  such  plans  be  designed  and  de­
aries’ and ‘national parks’. Sections 29 and of the wildlife therein as provided in Sec­ ployed only because the heart of a tiger re­
35(6) restrict human activities within them tion 35(6) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, How will Panna’s tigers be affected? serve is to be drowned and the park irre­
without prior approval.  1972.. ”.  The Panna tiger reserve lost all of its tigers versibly fragmented?
Diversion or stopping or enhancement This categorical observation was made by  2009,  requiring  a  remarkable  effort In fact, there may not even be enough
of the flow of water into or outside wildlife water in the Ken, a non­perennial river, to
sanctuaries/parks is taboo unless doing so meet the projected needs of the Betwa —
is deemed to be necessary to improve and forget  the  needs  of  the  Bundelkhand  re­
better manage wildlife within a sanctuary gion. This is why the NBWL expert body
or a national park. And in the case of the mandated an “independent” hydrological
Panna  Tiger  Reserve,  the  Central  Empo­ investigation of the Ken. Older reports by
wered  Committee  (CEC)  of  the  Supreme State  agencies  had  thrown  up  different,
Court has found such diversion to not be and hence unreliable, projections. Such an
necessary to improve and better manage independent investigation remains pend­
wildlife in the park. ing.  Independent  experts  have  also  said
Additionally, downstream of the nation­ that it will be more economical and faster
al  park  lies  the  Ken  Gharial  Sanctuary, if  the  governments  restored  Bunderlk­
created  to  protect  the  critically  endan­ hand’s erstwhile Chandel­period lakes and
gered  Gangetic  gharial  (Gavialis  gangeti­ ponds and if they replicated the successful
cus).  The  destructive  impact  of  the  pro­ field­pond  schemes  on  priority.  The  re­
posed dam on the flow of water into and gion is already blessed with adequate an­
outside of this sanctuary should be imme­ nual rainfall.
diately clear. The CEC is quite firm in its re­ Against  this  background,  rushing  the
port that “the Standing Committee of the KBLP sans due diligence — both technical
NBWL  has  not  considered  the  impact  of and  legal  —  will  intensify  water  conflicts
the  project  on  the  downstream  gharial between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pra­
sanctuary”. desh;  dash  locals’  longstanding  expecta­
The CEC submitted this report to the Su­ tions of irrigation and drinking water; and
preme Court on August 30, 2019, and the cost a decade’s labour and funds. Ahead of
matter remains sub  judice. The project is the forthcoming 2023­2024 Union budget,
also  reportedly  still  to  receive  full  forest one hopes that we won’t be saddled with a
clearance. A challenge to its environment textbook loss­loss project.
approval is also pending before the Nation­ Manoj Misra is a former member of the
al  Green  Tribunal,  presumably  because Indian Forest Service and has been convener
the tribunal believes the project must first of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan (Campaign for
secure forest clearance. Due diligence and SOURCED FROM NWDA.GOV.IN a Living Yamuna) since 2007.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 9
Delhi
Text&Context
BIBLIOGRAPHY

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Know your
English
“A reader wants to know whether the
word ‘weightage’ exists in English.”
“The word ‘weightage’ is not recorded
A rich history: A laser show at the Ram Ki Paidi on the eve of Deepotsav in 2022. SANDEEP SAXENA in any English dictionary. But it is
extensively used in India. We say ‘You

Ayodhya, a city of paramount belief,


might give weightage for his previous
experience when you fix his pay’. Native
speakers use either ‘weight’ or ‘weighting’
in such a context. 

steeped in folklore, mythology and faith You must give weight for his experience. 


You must give weighting for his
experience. 
The allowance that is given to offset
higher cost of living in a place like London
Long before the Ram Janmabhoomi issue brought the place into the limelight, the glory of the ancient city of Ayodhya emanated from the fact that it is called ‘weighting allowance’. 
He is paid a weighting allowance of
was coveted by rulers, exalted by believers and embraced by history £600 as he works in London.”
“Mr. P. Krishnamurthy of Palamaner
wants to know the meaning of the word
Ziya Us Salam history is not exactly the strong point of Pradesh), she wrote, “From staying close Sravasti in the north to Pratishthana in ‘powwow’.”
Ayodhya. It is a city which lives, breathes to the banks of rivers, some settlements the south, and the other going to Taxila in “ ‘Powwow’ is used informally to mean

I
t is unfortunate that Ayodhya has and emits belief. Indeed, Ayodhya’s story moved into the interior where they the west from Rajgriha in the east. This ‘a meeting for discussion’. 
come to occupy space in public is one of folklore, mythology and faith. cleared land for cultivation...The small town was Saket and its king was Prasenjit, Let’s have a powwow on the subject next
discourse only with the Babri Ayodhya, in Valmiki’s Ramayana, is a city settlements linked to Ochre Colour who ruled from the capital Sravasti, about week. 
Masjid­Ram Janmabhoomi conflict. with palaces, mansions, wide streets and pottery were more frequent to the upper 80 kilometres from Saket. Prasenjit is also It is also used as a verb. 
Historically, the city of Ayodhya, literally everything plentiful.  Doab. The painted Grey Ware settlements known as the king of Kosala which is now They powwowed for long. Nothing came
meaning, ‘to fight’, goes much deeper On the same lines, we have a booklet, had a wider distribution.”  acknowledged to be yet another name for of it. 
than many of the more celebrated cities of The Blood­Soaked History of Shri Ram’s Noted archaeologist H.D. Sankhalia, Ayodhya.”  ‘Powwow’ rhymes with ‘how now’.
India. Often respected as a sacred city for Birthplace by Ranjana Sarvesh where the quoted by Singh in his book, talked of Ayodhya is said to be the capital of the The stress is on ‘pow’.”
Hindus, the city also has an indelible author paints a fanciful picture of Lord Ayodhya in The Ramayana in Historical Ikshkvaku’s Kosala kingdom in the “Mr. R. Sampath of Trichy wants to
association with Buddhism. And Ram’s city, stating, “Mountain­like palaces Perspective, wherein he wrote, “Whatever Ramayana. Yet again, facts and faith, know why ‘sanction’ which means ‘to
according to Sufi lore, even with Islam.  adorned the site, which also had leisure be the nature of the first or earliest history and mythology merge in Ayodhya. grant something’ is used in a different
It is claimed that in Ayodhya lies the homes for women, the beauty of which Ayodhya, a village or a city, its Along with Saket, Kosala, Ayodhya, add to sense in ‘Sanctions will be applied against
grave of Hazrat Sheeth (or Seth), son of was so enthralling that it seemed this city description, as it appears in the Critical the mix the medieval Faizabad district South Africa’.”
Adam, believed to be the first man on is the city of god. The royal palace was of Edition of the Ramayana, is of a well and you have the picture of a place “The word ‘sanction’ is from Latin
earth. Also in Ayodhya is the grave of golden colour and heaps of gems could be laid­out city with arterial roads — a coveted by rulers, exalted by believers ‘sanctio’ which means to ‘make sacred,
Hazrat Ayub (Prophet Job to Christians) found lying everywhere.” rajamarga or a patha, fortification all and embraced by history.  holy’. A sanction was originally a formal
and innumerable Sufis, including Shah It is left to the dispassionate reasoning round...There were checkposts, parks and Away from the deemed exploits of church decree. Later it came to mean
Ibrahim.  of author Valay Singh in Ayodhya: City of gardens, besides drinking houses, houses Prasenjit was the alleged pillage and ‘official permission, authoritative
Historian Irfan Habib wrote in Faith, City of Discord, to separate faith for recreation. There were shops or plunder of Sunga king, Pusyamitra, the ratification, approval’. It has several other
‘Medieval Ayodhya (Awadh), Down to the from fact. Singh writes, “It would be bazars, where all sorts of things could be successor of the Mauryas. Thapar wrote, meanings also. When it is used in the
Mughal Occupation’, “The importance of simpler to imagine Ayodhya in Uttar had, and the godown stacked with “Buddhist sources claim that he plural, ‘sanctions’ mean ‘a coercive
these tombs lies in the fact that they were Pradesh as the lively source of the paddy.” The description reminds one persecuted the Buddhists and destroyed measure taken by several nations against
represented as those of the two prophets propagation of the Ramayana, where about the well laid out cities of the Indus their monasteries and places of worship, a nation violating international norms of
already in the sixteenth century. Emperor temples and monasteries have churned Valley Civilisation where roads are said to especially those which had been built by conduct’. Economic and sometimes
Akbar’s minister Abul Fazl’s Ain­i­Akbari, out priests, stocked libraries and trained have intersected each other at right Ashoka.” This is likely an exaggeration. military measures are taken to make the
written in 1595, contains the following reciters so that they spread the Ramayana angles, there was a public granary and Not so the association of Nawab offending nation change its policy.”
passage in its notice of Awadh or to the ends of the world. Ayodhya, either well­planned houses.  Asad­ud­Daulah during whose time “Mr. Mahadeva Prasad of Kollegal
Ayodhya: ‘Near this city two large graves abandoned or ignored for most of known Hanumangarhi was built. Be that as it wants to know the pronunciation and use
have been made, six and seven yards history, has not been as fortunate as the What’s in a name? may, Ayodhya’s greatest claim to of ‘chaos’ and ‘bias’.”
(gaz) in length. The common people Ramayana story, which was propagated Was Ayodhya always known by this immortality comes from faith.  “ ‘Chaos’ is pronounced ‘keios’. ‘Cha’
believe them to be the resting places of by bards, traders and kings. While towns name? Well, it was probably called Saket, If Munshi Jagannath Lal Khushtar’s rhymes with ‘pay’ and ‘day’, ‘os’ rhymes
the prophets Shis (Seth) and Ayyub ( Job) like Shravasti, Banaras and Pataliputra the city that Lord Ram set out for; Jain Urdu Ramayana called Khushtar with ‘boss’. ‘Bias’ rhymes with ‘pious’.
and legendary tales are related about boast a rich and long history of kingdoms, and Buddhist texts too refer to it. Nobody Ramayana begins with the words, ‘Chaos’ means ‘a state of complete
them’. For such legends as this to develop Ayodhya’s glory emanates from being the knows when and how Saket became ‘Bismillah ir Rehman ir Rahim’, Brij disorder and confusion’. 
normally takes much time, and these city of Ram on paper. It was a Ayodhya, or even if Ayodhya became Narain Chakbast describes Ram’s There was utter chaos at the meeting. 
graves must therefore have already paper­capital, a paper­city, an abstraction Saket, except that history books talk of departure from Ayodhya in poignant There was chaos when the lights failed.
existed long before Abul Fazl wrote in to most who heard the story.”  Ajatshatru, the Magadhan king who words, “Rukhsat hua woh baap se lekar ‘Bias’ means ‘a tendency to be in
1595.” Historian Romila Thapar alluded to the annexed Saket before the Mauryas.  khuda ka naam/Raah­e­wafa ki favour of or against something’. You can
region in her popular book, A History of Singh gives us the details, “Around the manzil­e­awwal hui tamam (He took leave have a bias towards something or against
Larger than life Early India. Writing about the expansion fifth­century BCE, in the kingdom of of his father taking the name of God/And something. 
The claims about prophets’ graves are of population, first from Indus Valley, Kosala, lay a busy town at the intersection thus the first stage of the path of loyalty He has a bias towards the working
likely to be legends, but the crucible of then from Doab (roughly western Uttar of two major routes, one going from was crossed).” Belief remains paramount. classes. 
He has a bias towards vocational
education. 
He has a bias against women. 
‘Bias’ refers to an individual’s
THE DAILY QUIZ Please send in your answers to 
dailyquiz@thehindu.co.in
inclination; it is not based on any reason.
A man without bias is an impartial
person. He judges things on their merit.”

Considered one of the most important modernist 20th­century authors, Virginia
Woolf was born on January 25. Here is a quiz on the English writer
Sindhu Nagaraj X Questions (abridged) and Answers to the previous day’s
QUESTION 3  daily quiz: 1. This Emmy­winning host has interviewed every
X This play written by Edward Albee examines U.S. President since Gerald Ford. Ans: Larry King 
QUESTION 1  the structure of the marriage of an American 2. In a full circle moment, this guest who came on the season
This is a book publishing imprint of middle­aged academic couple, Martha and premier of the The Ellen DeGeneres Show, appeared to send off
Penguin Random House that was George. Name the play.  the beloved talk show host. Ans: Jennifer Aniston 
founded as an independent X 3. An episode of this show which was critical of Prime Minister
company by British authors Leonard QUESTION 4 Narendra Modi was blocked in India by Hotstar. Ans: Last week
Woolf and Virginia Woolf. What is the This test is a measure of the representation tonight with John Oliver 
name of the publishing house?  of women in film and, by extension, in 4. This person replaced David Letterman as the host of the The
X fiction in general. The test is named after an Late Show on CBS. Ans: Stephen Colbert
QUESTION 2  American cartoonist in whose 1985 comic 5. The common link between Oprah Winfrey, Kelly Clarkson,
Considered one of Woolf’s strip the test first appeared. He credits the Wendy Williams, Natalie Morales and Whoopi Goldberg. Ans:
best­known novels, this book details idea to the writings of Virginia Woolf. What is They are all hosts of daytime talk shows
a day in the life of the protagonist, a the name of the test?  Visual: In 2011, the then U.S. President Barack Obama described
fictional upper­class woman in X X him as “host of the best late night show on TBS”. Ans: Conan
post­First World War England. The QUESTION 5  Visual question: O’Brian 
book describes the woman’s This is an extended essay by Woolf, based This poster is of the Oscar­winning 2002 film, Early Birds: Raashi. P| Bhanu Priya Ashok| Princi Rajawat| For feedback and suggestions for 
preparations for a party she will host on two lectures she delivered in 1928. In the adapted from a book written by Michael Anamika Kashyap| Nitin K. Teotia Text & Context, please write to
in the evening and the ensuing essay, Woolf uses metaphors to explore Cunningham. The book concerns three letters@thehindu.co.in
party. Name the book and the social injustices and comments on women’s generations of women affected by one of with the subject ‘Text & Context’
protagonist.  lack of free expression. Identify the essay. Woolf’s novels. Name the film. 
CM M ND-NDE
YK
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WEDNESDAY ­ JANUARY 25 ­ 2023

TS  Ramakrishnan

P
ersonal income taxpayers are
WEDNESDAY ­ JANUARY 25, 2023 looking for a hike in
deductions under various
sections and a reduction in

Breaking the bond the tax rate. Either the


government may give one or the other,
or partly both. The moot question is:
which one the government should
HC order on Yes Bank AT-1 bonds problematic prioritise from the public policy
perspective?
he Bombay High Court’s verdict last week,

T
If the tax rates are reduced,
setting aside the administrator’s decision to consumption may increase and thereby
increase the capacity utilisation.
write down AT­1 bonds (additional tier­1 However, the capacity utilisation in the
bonds) in the Yes Bank reconstruction scheme of 2020, last four quarters has been 70­75 per
opens a Pandora’s box. The discretionary powers so cent, which is reasonable. However, the
input costs are relatively high which
far used by the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre in make it difficult for our products to
such schemes could be called into question.  compete in world trade. Investing in
capital assets will help bring down
Restoration of the written­off value of logistics and other input costs and,
AT­1 bonds as per the High Court order may
imply a hit of about ₹8,300 crore or 3 per cent
to Yes Bank’s CET­1 capital (Common Equity
Tier 1). This could mean equity losses for the
thereby, reduce production costs by a
few percentage points. This would also
boost our GDP growth significantly.
Apart from private players, the
government has at least two ways to
Lower tax rates,
clutch of banks and private equity investors
who had infused capital into the beleaguered
bank. But even if the AT­1 bonds are restored,
there’s no guarantee that bondholders would
immediately get their interest or principal.
achieve higher capex. One is to retain
the personal income tax rates with a few
concessions, and thereby generate more
revenue. The other is to increase the
deductions substantially and, thereby,
allow the taxpayers to invest in schemes
not a great idea
AT­1 bonds are perpetual by definition and that empower them; the receipts from
the deductions can be used for TAX BREAKS. Increasing deductions for social security, health, 
the bank is under no obligation to exercise
the call option. The bond terms also have
augmenting capex. rental payments and savings will serve the citizens better
As per Section 80CCE, the combined
built­in clauses that allow the issuer to skip maximum limit for deduction which can
coupon payments should the bank’s capital be availed of under Sections 80C, should allow the honest taxpayers to employment and economic activities, an those who undergo treatment for
buffers be under threat.  80CCC, 80CCD (1) and 80CCD (2) is save substantially for their future under individual taxpayer should have at least critical illness from their savings.
₹1.5 lakh. The investment options may NPS. The contribution towards NPS six months’ salary in savings bank (SB) If the aforementioned deductions are
The petitioners in this case used a variety be categorised into secure but low may be separated from Section 80C and account. At an interest rate of 5 per cent incorporated in Budget 2023­24, it may
of arguments, ranging from mis­selling of return (PPF, tax saving FD and NSS, then raised to, say, ₹2 lakh per annum (with multi­option deposit), the interest result in deductions of ₹10 lakh for
AT­1 bonds to the legality of equity each up to ₹1.5 lakh), futuristic under 80CCD(1B). on an SB savings of ₹6 lakh would be individual taxpayers — so it be. By
shareholders enjoying superior rights over (Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana up to ₹1.5 about ₹30,000. There is a need to revise allowing such deductions, the
lakh for one or two girl children), high MEDICAL INSURANCE the deduction permitted under Section responsibility for well­being of the
AT­1 bondholders. But the Court has used risk, high return (ELSS funds and ULIP, With claims exceeding the premium 80TTA to about ₹30,000 from the family and saving for their future would
technical grounds to strike down the each up to ₹1.5 lakh), financial security during Covid times, insurance current limit of ₹10,000. lie with the taxpayer. Governments in
write­off, without going into why the after retirement (NPS up to ₹1.5 lakh), companies have increased the premium The mental trauma and physical effort the West that took responsibility for the
write­off was necessary. It has pointed to constructive spending (tuition fees for much beyond the permitted deduction involved in rehabilitation of well­being of individual citizens have
inconsistencies between the draft order for children’s education).  limit. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya handicapped dependent relatives and failed miserably, with social security
The investment in Sovereign Gold Yojana (PM­JAY) is only for about 10.74 those who suffer from critical illness schemes bleeding government finances. 
reconstruction issued on March 6, 2020, and Bond (SGB) has not been included in crore poor families. The rest must rely cannot be compensated easily. Different While the old scheme permitted all
the final order issued on March 13, 2020. AT­1 Section 80C so far. Including SGB under on medical insurance schemes. The limit illnesses demand different levels of the deductions, the new one did not
bonds do rank higher than equity 80C would give impetus to the future for deductions under Section 80D expenditure, either for handicapped allow deductions but reduced the tax
shareholders in the seniority of their claims, tranches of SGB. The forex saved should be doubled to ₹50,000 for dependent relatives or for those who rates. The taxpayers seem to prefer the
thereby may be utilised for importing non­senior citizens and to ₹1 lakh for suffer from critical illness.  old scheme. Indians prefer to invest in
so the question of why AT­1 investors were items that give a higher multiplier effect. senior citizens. The government should be liberal in tax saving schemes and constructive
forced to take haircuts before equity The term insurance has been the new The deduction under Section 80GG enhancing the deduction limits under spending like health insurance
shareholders is a legally valid one. But claims normal against life and disability risk for those who live in rented houses has 80DD from ₹75,000 for disability of premiums, children’s education, term
of sophisticated investors buying these bonds and should be brought under 80C. The remained at ₹50,000 for many years, 40­60 per cent to ₹1.5 lakh and ₹1.25 insurance and pension schemes. This is a
deduction limit under 80CCE sections is despite increased house rents. It should lakh for disability of 80 per cent or more good sign for the government, as
without knowledge of their risky features too restrictive and it should be raised to be doubled. to ₹2.5 lakh. Under Section 80DDB, the otherwise the responsibility would fall
stand on thin ground. With a minimum at least three times that of the present Given the mercurial nature of deduction for treating critical illness of on it. 
investment of ₹10 lakh, AT­1 bonds are limit of ₹1.5 lakh. the taxpayer and his dependents is The investment in various financial
available only to corporate and high net Despite paying income tax heavily ₹60,000 for non­senior citizens and instruments by the taxpayers would be
worth investors (HNIs). The offer during their active economic life, It is not possible for the ₹80,000 for senior citizens and this used as capex , both by the government
documents disclose their capital write­off
taxpayers don’t get anything in return government now or in should also be doubled.  and the private players. Increasing
during their retirement life. It remains a Although the impact on the exchequer deductions are a much better option
and coupon­skipping features in one­way path. It is not possible for the the next decade to from these revisions is minimal, the than reducing the income tax rate. This
black­and­white and it is for this reason that government now or in the next decade provide  social  security  to message would be strong from the would be a win­win formula for the
to provide social security to the government that it empathises with all government and taxpayers alike.
these bonds carry 200­250 basis point higher
taxpayers in proportion to the income the  taxpayers  in  proportion those who take responsibility for
yields compared to other bonds. Indeed, the taxes paid. However, the government to  the  income  taxes  paid. maintaining dependent relatives and The writer is a public finance analyst
Yes Bank write­off has done the bond markets
some good by alerting investors to the fact
that risk in AT­1 bonds don’t just exist on
paper, but can play out in real life. 
Overall, the Yes Bank saga reiterates the
fact that India is yet to evolve a standard
playbook when large banks or deposit­taking
The case for Federal Reserve to pause right now
entities suddenly fail and require bailouts. The latest data are starting to suggest the economy might not require such fine­tuning from the Fed, after all
The experience so far suggests that the RBI
and the government do need to enjoy some market accounts and short­term inflation. This is where all those cash
discretion in designing bank rescue packages, Karl  W.  Smith certificates of deposit as well as other buyers for real estate come in. These
based on the facts of each case. For instance, liquid deposits has already turned purchasers are likely to be landlords,

I
f you believe in the Milton Friedman negative on a year­over­year basis, creating more supply in the rapidly
in Yes Bank’s case, the reconstruction adage that inflation is always and tumbling 6.7 per cent. In other words, weakening rental markets. 
package had to be cobbled together in 2019 everywhere a monetary the money supply is shrinking. This all has major implications for
when the economy was in the grip of a phenomenon, then you should also The Fed’s rate increases, which came monetary policy. The Fed has made it
slowdown and there was fear of a run on believe that the Federal Reserve can stop at a pace not seen since the days of Paul clear that it’s willing to drive up
increasing interest rates. Now. Volcker in the early 1980s, have had a unemployment in an effort to cool
deposits. There were allegations of borrowers Raising its target rate rapidly from hand in reducing the money supply and consumer spending and bring an end to
subscribing to bonds of the bank as quid pro near zero early last year to 4.50 per cent the excess savings that consumers the worst bout of inflation the US has
quo. Perhaps litigation can be avoided in in December made sense not just with accumulated during the pandemic. In experienced in four decades. But the
future if regulatory orders on bank bailouts, core inflation surging above 6 per cent, essence, consumers have had to tap into CAN WAIT. Policymakers have the slowdown in consumer spending and
reveal the full findings of investigations and but also with the money supply their savings to cover higher interest bandwidth to avoid raising rates the easing of inflation is happening with
measured by M2 soaring by almost $6 payments on everything from mortgages a tight labour market that has kept the
elaborate on the rationale for haircuts.  trillion, or some 41 per cent, as the to auto loans and credit card balances — unemployment rate at a 50­year low of
government flooded the economy with or to avoid them by paying cash for These patterns in the data also 3.5 per cent — increasing the odds of a
cash to support consumers and bigger­ticket goods. The real estate suggest lower­income and middle­class so­called soft landing in the economy
businesses during the pandemic. market is a prime example. Americans are holding off on major and avoiding a recession.
POCKET RAVIKANTH But while inflation has come down All of this can be seen in the saving purchases to avoid having high interest Put another way, the latest data are
slowly, growth in the money supply has rate, which has fallen steadily, dropping payments cut into their checking starting to suggest the economy might
quickly decelerated, and it is poised to to 2.2 per cent in October from more account balances, while the more not require such fine tuning from the
fall below zero on a year­over­year basis than 7 per cent a year earlier and affluent keep the economy going with Fed after all. So, policymakers have the
for the first time since at least 1960, marking the lowest level since 2005. all­cash purchases.  bandwidth to avoid raising rates when
according to Fed data compiled by The decline perfectly matches the The other thing to consider is that if they meet next week and allow
Bloomberg.  drop in the broader measure of M2 from consumer spending, which accounts for additional data to either confirm or
Perhaps more important, a broader a high of $13.8 trillion in March to $12.6 about two­thirds of the economy, is reject the thesis that the money supply
measure of M2 that tracks checking trillion in November, the last month for starting to soften, it should help to and the broader economy are nearly in
accounts, saving accounts, money which data are available.  contain — or even pull down — balance again. BLOOMBERG

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Safe deposit lockers relevant Para 7.2 thereof. As per State governments and the private (January 24). This is a serious that, it has to keep the procedures of


Apropos ‘RBI extends deadline for media reports, the IBA is also being sector is crucial to make the Indian allegation. Not only will APEDA and allowing organic farming simple. 
banks to complete renewal advised to review and revise its economy more robust and vibrant by Indian certifying agencies be S Ramakrishnasayee
agreements for existing safe deposit model agreement to ensure that it way of augmenting the capital worried, but also farmers producing Chennai
lockers by a year’ (January 24), it is fully complies with the requirements expenditure. The Central food products that are worthy of
indeed a welcome move. More of the RBI’s aforesaid instructions. government has been providing organic certification. It is time the MSMEs get timely aid
importantly, banks have also been Vinayak G incentives — in the form of Agriculture Ministry swings into This refers to ‘ECLGS saved 14.6 lakh
advised to facilitate execution of New Delhi investment allowance, depreciation action to safeguard India’s interest. MSMEs’ (January 24). During the
fresh/supplementary stamped allowance, production linked Rajiv Magal Covid crisis, the government’s
agreements with their customers by Capex needs to rise incentives, etc — to firms that Halekere Village, Karnataka decision to guarantee loans given to
taking requisite measures and Apropos the editorial ‘Capex earmark more funds for fixed asset MSMEs was criticised by many, since
provide a copy of the executed challenge’ (January 24), since the investments. In addition, Union Simplify procedures there was no immediate burden on
agreement to them.  outbreak of the Covid pandemic, Budget 2023­24 may provide special It is heartening to learn that India is the government as the assistance
Notably, the RBI has taken due India has been tackling the tax­credit to encourage small and one of the top three countries in the was to be provided by banks and
cognisance of the Indian Banks’ socio­economic challenges rather medium enterprises to allocate more world as far as area under organic NBFCs. However, the scheme gave
Association (IBA) reportedly having smartly even as most developed towards capex. farming is concerned. One earnestly MSMEs a breather, especially at a
devised its own ‘model agreement’, countries are trying hard to avert S Lakshminarayanan feels that the government should time when they were cash­strapped.
being at variance with the recession. There are some pain Vriddhachalam, TN take steps, and that too quickly, to Had the loan support not been given
comprehensive RBI guidelines on points though. Low appetite for make the nation numerous uno in at the right time, most of the MSMEs
compensation policy/liability of formation of capital assets is one of Product certification organic farming, which is would have had to shut shop by now. 
banks, since issued in August 2021, them. Apropos ‘US: ‘Magnitude of fraud’ indispensable for the people of the Durga Rao Akasapu
involving the omission of the The contribution of the Central and led to ending organic pact with India’ country to lead a healthy life. For Jadavpur, Kolkata

Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai­600002 and Printed by N. Vaidyanathan at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No. 22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai­400701 on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai­600002. Editor: Raghuvir Srinivasan (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).   ISSN 0971 ­ 7528

CM
YK . . . . . . . . BM­BME
think . bl . 5
MUMBAI

businessline.
WEDNESDAY ­ JANUARY 25 ­ 2023

Budget and W.A.R.M.T.H
These are 6 areas that the Budget needs to address
Prioritise trade pact with GCC 
A WIN WIN. India’s soaring deficit in view of its energy dependency makes a deal important. Gulf nations too stand to gain
Dakshita  Das
Srinath  Sridharan  Rakesh  Mohan  Joshi

M
D
arkets usually track the espite the Gulf region
Union Budget on fiscal being home to the largest
deficit target, Indian expatriate
disinvestment target, community with
government’s spending plans and long­standing relations, its
delivery over previous enormous economic potential remains
commitments. unexplored. Countries of Gulf
With this being the last full Cooperation Council (GCC) consisting
Budget before the next general ALL EYES. On the upcoming of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi
elections (with nine States going Budget  PTI Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and
to polls this calendar year), the Bahrain with over 8.5 million
focus areas would be non­resident Indians, constitute 65 per
socio­economic empowerment, 25 per cent of India’s services cent of total NRIs. 
especially amongst women, rural , output and 33 per cent of its GCC was the source of the largest
MSME. manufacturing output. It foreign inward remittances, garnering
W — Empowering women to provides employment to over 11 30 per cent of total remittances (RBI
lead: The overall public health crore Indians and contributing Bulletin, July 22 p 143). Given India’s
with particular focus on sexual over 29 per cent to the GDP. rising trade engagement with GCC and billion), Qatar ($11.4 billion), Kuwait such as plastics (5.2 per cent), organic nations provide for India’s energy
and reproductive health would MSMEs are also large consumers its dependency on petroleum products, ($9.8 billion), and Oman ( whereas India chemicals (3.3 per cent), and fertilisers security, while India ensures their food
need higher budgetary allocation. of goods of services, which is the importance of pursuing a had a trade surplus of $147 million with (1.4 per cent). However, due to fall in security. 
This could provide for better crucial for capacity utilisation and comprehensive economic cooperation Bahrain. global oil prices, GCC exports declined Besides, India, the world’s fastest
outcomes in women private sector capex. MSMEs are agreement (CEPA) with GCC cannot be In 2021­22, India had a trade deficit from $1.1 trillion in 2013 to $650 billion growing and vast market of 1.4 billion
empowerment, girl child also linked to the growth of overestimated. Eighteen years after with GCC countries in petroleum in 2020 whereas its imports reduced people, offers immense economic
education and career progress, smaller Tier towns and rural India’s signing of a framework products, pearls, precious and marginally from $567 billion to $476 opportunities. 
safer fertility programs, women India, and hence can support the agreement on Economic Cooperation semi­precious stones, gold, fertilisers, billion during the same period. In view of the tremendous potential
health & safety. The Budget could government’s initiatives for with GCC, hardly any worthwhile plastic raw materials, organic chemicals, Consequently, it led to decline in GCC for trade, India and the GCC need to go
see some announcements to increasing farm productivity and progress has been made despite holding aluminium products, inorganic exports’ share in the world market from beyond the traditional Free Trade
encourage women doubling farmers income. two rounds of negotiations in 2006 and chemicals, bulk minerals and ores, dye 5.7 per cent in 2013 to 3.3 per cent in Agreement (FTA) and include
entrepreneurship as well as asset The issues of delayed payments 2008. intermediaries, among others. 2021.  investments and services as a part of
ownership by women for their to MSME, even by the state India imported 87 per cent of oil However, owing to a revival in oil comprehensive economic partnership.
financial security. owned entities needs a quick fix. TRADE DEFICIT WITH GCC consumed during April­September prices in 2022, the World Bank expects India and the UAE hammered out a
A — Agriculture: Focus is MSMEs need to be made more India’s trade deficit with GCC soared 2022. Petroleum and petroleum the economies of GCC to expand by 6.9 Comprehensive Economic Partnership
required to improve crop yield export oriented. Advisory inputs from $13.4 billion in 2016­17 to $66.8 products are among India’s top imports per cent in 2022, before moderating to Agreement in record time. The CEPA
efficiency and supply chain both can be provided to potential billion in 2021­22. Among the GCC from GCC accounting for 66 per cent of 3.7 per cent and 2.4 per cent in 2023 and was concluded was concluded on
to benefit farmers thereby promoters to tap the global countries, the UAE is India’s major its total imports of $119 billion in 2024. The external balance surplus is February 18, 2022, merely six months
improving the productivity of the market.  destination for exports worth $28 2021­22. India is a supplier of expected to reach 17.2 per cent of GDP. after the commencement of
agriculture sector.  While credit access to MSMEs billion, followed by Saudi Arabia ($8.8 agricultural and manufactured products In a scenario of India’s oil dependency, negotations, on September 2021. Under
Diversification of agri­business has improved, it needs speed of billion), Oman ($3.1 billion), Qatar to GCC and enjoyed a trade surplus in India’s trade deficit with GCC is the CEPA, that came into force on May 1,
can occur in allied areas such as access and product ($1.8 billion), Kuwait ($1.2 billion) and agricultural products ($5 billion), expected to rise sharply, mirroring their 2022, Indian merchandise got
food processing, floriculture, differentiation. Bahrain ( $900 million) in 2021­22.  engineering goods ($4 billion), textiles favourable external balance.  preferential market access to the UAE
horticulture, livestock T — Taxation - the touchy India had the highest trade deficit ($3.4 billion), electronic and software Major GCC imports (2021) consist of on over 97 per cent of its tariff­lines
production, dairy etc. where one: India has very few income (2021­22) with Saudi Arabia ($25.3 products ($2 billion) and pharma electric machinery and equipment (11.2 accounting for 99 per cent of India’s
enhancement of tax payers, as proportion of its billion), followed by the UAE ($16.8 products ($488 million) in 2021­22. per cent), machinery and mechanical exports to the UAE in value terms
ease­of­doing­business will make population.  appliance (11.1 per cent), vehicles (8.4 largely for labour intensive exports,
it easier for existing players and With digital India framework, The  Gulf  nations  fulfil GCC PROFILE per cent), and pharmaceutical products besides enhanced access to over 111
new investors both to avail and linkages of various The GCC countries are leading (3.1 per cent). Saudi Arabia has the sub­sectors from 11 broad services
scheme benefits.  investment classes/spending India’s  energy  needs, exporters of petroleum and mineral oils highest exports of $268 billion followed sector. In a rapidly emerging multipolar
Budget should incentivise the avenues to PAN, there is now while  India  ensures accounting for about 70 per cent share in by the UAE ($240 billion), Qatar ($80 world, early and effective
creation of large storage facilities, more data points available with their exports, contributing to a billion), Kuwait ($57 billion), Oman implementation of CEPAs would
cold storage, processing and the government to look at various their  food  security significant trade surplus of $273 billion ($56 billion) and Bahrain ($12 billion). provide a boost to India and GCC
distribution units to help add analytics­based outcomes which through  agricultural  exports in 2021 with their exports of $715 billion countries.
value to agriculture products. can help it design newer tax slabs far exceeding their $442­billion imports.  FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT
R — Rural: Rural India needs to (and rates), and to bring in newer reflecting  immense  trade Other major GCC exports include India offers a lot of complementarities The writer is Director, Indian Institute of Plantation
be trained for the MSME sector, taxpayers into the fold. complementarities derivatives of petroleum by­products, in trade with GCC countries, as these Management, Bengaluru. Views are personal
for self­employment and as H — Healthcare: Covid taught
service integrators in the us the importance of preventive
production process. healthcare. This learning would
Tweaking MNREGA for stand us in good stead if only we Short take
enhanced asset creation with can invest more into our primary
special focus on groundwater
recharge by re­activating ponds
and preventive healthcare
facilities. 
Credit card rewards
will ensure local self­reliance. 
Reforms are essential in the
Subsequently linking each of
those to the Ayushmann Bharat for high ‘scorers’ 
land holding patterns and Digital Mission, and Pradhan
cooperative pooling models given Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana would Alex  Tanzi
the diminishing land holding can help in reaching healthcare access

C
be considered. to under server or unserved.  redit cards with rewards are
M — MSME: India has 63 rewarding only for those who
million MSMEs which employ 40 Das is a policy expert and former civil servant; know how to profit from the
per cent of India’s non­farm Sridharan is author, policy researcher and system, according to a paper released by
workforce, contributing to nearly corporate advisor the Federal Reserve.
Consumers with higher credit scores
benefit the most because they tend to
spend more money — thus earning more
businessline. rewards such as cash back or miles —
and pay on time, according to the study.
Card holders with lower credit scores
TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY. overspend to try to earn more points and
incur higher interest payments
January 25, 2003  stemming from outstanding balances.
In all, the economists estimate that
Tata Chem, HLL unit swap set at 2.5:1  about $15.1 billion is transferred
The boards of Tata Chemicals Ltd (TCL) and Hind Lever Chemicals Ltd (HLCL) annually from less to more educated,
on Friday approved the proposal to merge both companies and cleared a swap poorer to richer, and from areas with a
ratio of 2.5:1 (i.e., 2.5 shares of TCL for every one share of HLCL held) for the higher percentage of minorities to
transaction. The assigned ratio causes a 19 per cent equity dilution, taking whiter ones. The results aren’t so much
TCL’s paid­up capital to Rs 215 crore from the current Rs 180.70 crore.  driven by income as by the level of
financial sophistication, they said.
HFCL holders convert big portion of GDRs “Credit­card rewards are often
Investors in the Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) of Himachal Futuristic framed as a ‘reverse Robin Hood’
Communications Ltd (HFCL) do not believe in investing for the long haul. mechanism in which the poor subsidise
Within a few weeks of subscribing to the company’s GDRs, the holders have the rich,” wrote the researchers. “Our
converted a major portion of it into domestic shares.  results, however, show that this
explanation is at best incomplete.”
Commerce gives way to cricket, for now  Reward cards are highly popular in the
India can now play its strongest team for the World Cup two weeks from now. US — accounting for 60 per cent of all
But corporate sponsors will have to wait for the event to get over before the new cards in 2019, according to the
commercial impact of the sponsorship contract plays itself out. The paper. And financial firms offer lower
much­awaited ICC decision on the sticky contract issue came late on Friday interest rates than on cards without
evening, with the council allowing India to play in South Africa.  rewards to lure customers. BLOOMBERG

BL TWO­WAY CROSSWORD 2206
EASY NOT SO EASY
ACROSS  DOWN ACROSS  DOWN 
01. Pollex (5)  01. Phrase difficult to  01. It comes in handy for getting a lift (5)  01. Language Tornado uses? It's hard to say (6­7) 
04. Uncombed, dishevelled (7)  pronounce (6­7)  04. Kent MP doing u­turn looks dishevelled (7)  02. Take off such informal uniform (7) 
08. Point opposite zenith (5)  02. Remove clothing (7)  08. The lowest point that can be reached from the drain (5)  03. Radiographer's meal, am I? Rub it out! (6) 
09. Fowl house (3­4)  03. Metallic element opaque to  09. Accommodation for the lay sisterhood? (3­4)  04. Rushes about with the minor court officials (6) 
10. Employ (3)  X­rays (6)  10. Custom decrees it for you and me to face east (3)  05. It was the gutter that was home to the dogs (6) 
11. Winding out from  04. Wedding attendants (6)  11. Letting the line out for the eel­run, use gin (9)  06. Or aim for one from New Zealand (5) 
bobbin (9)  05. Doghouse (6)  12. Elongated tooth could be stuck without use of carbon (4)  07. Harp to go : a clip showing features of an area (13) 
12. Elongated tooth (4)  06. Native New Zealander (5)  13. Two district attorneys joining an art movement (4)  14. How to laud the goddess of mischief and fawn 
13. 1916­20 art movement (4)  07. Concerning detailed study of  18. Isn't in credit, one might put it, but it's inherent (9)  upon her (7) 
18. Inward, essential (9)  land features (13)  20. Disgusted sound Hugo made, nothing less (3)  15. Pays a call and takes the chair after six (6) 
20. Expression of distaste (3)  14. Flatter, fawn upon (7)  21. Give it metre to set out for the white ant (7)  16. Roses one fashions out of willow twigs (6) 
21. Destructive insect (7)  15. Goes to see (6)  22. Foreign currency was not enough for its country of  17. Laughs with scorn at the way one eats so 
22. Swiss currency unit (5)  16. Basket­makers' willow twigs (6)  origin (5)  greedily (6) 
23. Withstands (7)  17. Jeers at (6)  23. Doesn't give in to stress one suffered (7)  19. Come to them to settle dispute as to Hilary and 
24. Incantation (5)  19. Expressions (5) 24. Name the letters and it may be cast (5)  Lent (5)

SOLUTION: BL TWO­WAY CROSSWORD 2205
ACROSS 1.  Fleet  of  foot  8.  Equal  9.  Natural  10.  Derange  11.  Imbue  12.  Dryden  14.  Penned  18.  Might  19.  Audible  21.  Dilates  23.  Lairs  24.  Deerstalker 
DOWN 1.  Fielded  2.  Equerry  3.  Talon  4.  Fender  5.  Outside  6.  Tar  7.  False  13.  Entitle  15.  Niblick  16.  Dresser  17.  Passes  18.  Model  20.  Delta  22.  Lid
CM
YK ... . . . . . . BM­BME
>
OPINION 11
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VOLUME XXIX NUMBER 203 ILLUSTRATION: BINAY SINHA

NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2023

Deficient regulation cal deficit in the first eight months of 2022-23 was 59
per cent of the full year’s Budget target.
According to some estimates, the states may well
Sebi needs capacity to protect investor interests end the current year with a fiscal deficit of about 2.3
to 2.5 per cent of GDP, thanks to a healthy rise in

T
he Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has set aside much of the dis-
gorgement-cum-penalties imposed on the National Stock Exchange State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) collections, an
increase in the states’ share in buoyant Central GST
(NSE) in the co-location case in an April 2019 order by the Securities and
collections, higher transfers from the Central tax
Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The tribunal has also revoked the penalties kitty to the states (tax transfers in the April-November
imposed on Chitra Ramkrishna and Ravi Narain, who were senior officers of the 2022 period rose by 37 per cent to ~5.5 trillion) and a
NSE. It has asked the markets regulator to reconsider the extent of disgorgement marked slowdown in spending by the state govern-
imposed on another company, OPG Securities, which was indicted. However, ments, particularly on the capital account.
reports indicate that Sebi is likely to approach the Supreme Court. The co-location While the improved revenue collections by the
case refers to preferential access given to some high-frequency traders on the NSE’s states are an unambiguously positive development,
platform. These select entities received advance price information, and allegedly the spending slowdown could harm the economy’s
profited by front-running. In another investigation of the NSE’s functioning, Sebi growth prospects. Traditionally, the states’ spending

States do Centre
discovered Ms Ramkrishna had bypassed the NSE board in appointing Anand on their various capex programmes gathers speed
Subramanian group operating officer and advisor to the managing director (herself) in the last quarter of the financial year. Analysts
at a very high compensation. expect that the states would start spending more on
their projects, but in spite of that the deficit would
The Sebi order said there were multiple violations of the Sebi Act, 1992; the
be below 3 per cent as there are, after all, limits to a

a good turn
Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956; and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) state machinery’s expenditure capacity.
(Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2012. However, while If the states can keep their deficit below 3 per
the tribunal confirmed many violations had occurred, it reduced the extent of cent for the second year running, there could be two
penalties. The SAT order also questioned the investigative process, asking a rhetorical other benefits. One, with the states borrowing less
question: “How did Sebi direct the NSE to conduct an investigation against itself?” from the market through their state development
The tribunal noted Sebi should have itself conducted an investigation or enquiry A sharp reduction in states’ deficit augurs well for the loans, the bond market would remain relatively sta-
ble with yields likely to soften, helping the Centre
into such grave charges instead of asking the NSE to do it. It further noted that a
casual approach was adopted in this matter. Centre’s fiscal planning in managing its borrowing plan. Two, with the states
The Sebi order of April 2019 imposed a disgorgement of ~625 crore on the reining in their deficit, the Centre could enjoy some

U
NSE, along with interest at 12 per cent per annum from April 2014. It debarred Ms ntil about 10 years ago, the Centre’s Budget states, compared to the Centre, have fared in terms flexibility without affecting the overall government
size would be more than the combined of fiscal consolidation after Covid. After all, these deficit level.
Ramkrishna and Mr Narain from associating with any listed company, a market
expenditure of all the states. That changed states now account for more than half of India’s The states’ healthy revenue collections have ben-
infrastructure institution, or any market intermediary for five years. Sebi also
in 2012-13. The states’ Budget size in 2012-13 rose to total government expenditure. efitted the GST regime as well. The system of paying
imposed a disgorgement order of ~15.6 crore plus interest on OPG Securities and ~14.55 trillion, which for the first time was a little On the fiscal consolidation front, the states have compensation to states, which report an annual GST
its directors. However, the SAT has reduced the NSE penalty to ~100 crore, to be higher than that of the Centre’s at ~14.1 trillion. done much better than the Centre. In 2019-20, a pre- collections growth rate of less than 14 per cent, ended
paid into the Investor Protection and Education Fund. This is to be adjusted against Since then, the states’ share in Covid year, the fiscal deficit for the early this year. There were initial fears that this
the payments made and Sebi will have to return the excess amount to the NSE. total government expenditure in the Centre was 4.6 per cent of gross domes- would become a major area of dispute between the
The debarments will be adjusted against the time already served by Ms Ramkrishna country began rising steadily, and by tic product (GDP), while that for the Centre and the states. But with higher revenue col-
and Mr Narain. Sebi has also been asked to review the disgorgement order against 2019-20 it was as much as 55 per cent. states was 2.6 per cent, making a total lections, most states have come to terms with the
OPG Securities and compute a revised amount within four months, though the The Covid pandemic led to a sharp government deficit of 7.2 per cent of reality of a compensation-less GST regime. Indeed,
violations committed by OPG Securities were confirmed by the SAT. rise in the Centre’s Budget size and GDP. This widened to 13.3 per cent in barring 10 states, all other states and Union
The SAT justified the relief by saying the NSE itself did not indulge in any changed that equation, but only for 2020-21, with the Centre’s share Territories have so far reported an annual GST col-
unethical acts, nor did it unjustly enrich itself. Hence, the directions to disgorge a year. While in 2020-21, the states’ pegged at 9.2 per cent and the states lection growth rate of over 14 per cent in 2022-23.
expenditure was estimated at ~34 tril- accounting for 4.1 per cent. In 2021-22, While the GST compensation cess would contin-
were excessive even though provisions of various Acts were not adhered to. There
lion, a little lower than that of the the total government deficit was ue to be levied till March 2026 to help the Centre
are many layers to this case. It’s clear that there were governance lapses at the
Centre at ~35 trillion, the following reduced to 9.5 per cent, of which the repay the back-to-back loans it had taken for funding
NSE. It’s also apparent the co-location facility was misused. The SAT rightly pointed year saw the states regain their lead. Centre’s share was 6.7 per cent and the the states, the possibility of a GST rate rationalisa-
out that Sebi should not have asked the NSE to investigate itself. But the regulator
may have lacked the technical skills required to analyse and untangle the data of
Their share in total government
expenditure inched up to 51 per cent,
RAISINA HILL states’ was 2.8 per cent. Clearly, the
states have quickly cut their deficit
tion, combined with the removal of the compensa-
tion cess, would be an attractive policy option.
multiple trades placed within microseconds of one another. and in 2022-23 it is set to go up further A K BHATTACHARYA down to less than the 3 per cent target, Debt and outstanding liabilities, however, con-
However, given an environment with the increasing use of algorithmic trading, to 53-55 per cent. helping bring the total government tinue to be an area of concern for the states. The
the regulator must develop and continuously upgrade the capacity to investigate The purpose of bringing up the point on how deficit down to single digits. combined debt level of the states declined to 28.7 per
such complex situations in-house. Sebi needs to do this to protect the interests of the states’ combined Budget size has exceeded that What’s more, the states are expected to maintain cent of GDP at the end of March 2022, from 31.1 per
investors and maintain the integrity of securities markets. of the Centre is to underline the importance of their fiscal deficit to well below the 3 per cent mark cent a year ago. But this is set to go up again by March
India’s 31 states and Union Territories in assessing even during 2022-23, even as the Centre would strive 2023 to 29.5 per cent of GDP. Add about 4 per cent of
India’s fiscal situation. Even as the nation will be hard to keep its deficit below the Budget target of 6.4 GDP as outstanding guarantees that the states have

Structural strength debating and discussing the Centre’s Budget for per cent. According to government figures, the fiscal
2023-24 to be presented about a week later on deficit for the states in the April-November 2022 peri-
February 1, it would be useful to examine the fiscal od was only 35 per cent of full year’s Budget deficit
to honour, the debt sustainability for the states is a
cause for concern. A few more years of deficit con-
tainment will be needed before the states can claim
The basic structure of the Constitution has authority impact of the states on the economy and how the target of 3.4 per cent. In comparison, the Centre’s fis- that they can march towards fiscal sustainability.

I
n a clear indication that the higher judiciary is not prepared to give up all its
historic powers, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said over the
weekend that the basic structure of the Constitution had served as the “North
Star” for legal interpreters of that document. This represents a major defence
of the utility and purpose of the basic-structure doctrine, which is under attack
for being supposedly undemocratic. Some in the government have attacked the
Building resilience for the long game
doctrine, which allows the Supreme Court to declare even legal changes that have
Prerogative of a good Budget

I
ndia’s coming Budget will be presented against a cymaking is on the right track. The aim to create
gone through the difficult process required for formal amendments incompatible
crucial macropolitical backdrop. This will be the The first imperative of the Budget is to assess whether more jobs via a boost to the manufacturing sector
with the “basic structure” of the Constitution they seek to amend. Vice-President last full Budget ahead of the 2024 general elections, it needs to play a counter-cyclical role, and, in what should continue, while steering away from protec-
Jagdeep Dhankhar, for example, has pointed out this restricts the powers of but the economic backdrop is equally important. form; and second, laying the groundwork to achieve tionist measures such as Custom duty hikes. A step-
Parliament, which is the democratically accountable body in the constitutional the medium-term goals. up on skill development to empower the youth,
framework. While this undoubtedly constrains the immediate powers of the elec- The economic backdrop If indeed FY24 is a year of economic slowdown increased agriculture investments to boost farm pro-
torate to make permanent changes to the Constitution, it does not necessarily 2023 is likely to be a year of global economic slow- and subdued private capex, then should the Budget ductivity, and using digital infrastructure to find
imply the doctrine is “undemocratic”. down, with the impact of one of the most synchro- aim to boost growth or pursue fiscal consolidation? and connect new markets are important.
All democracies build in a balance between the immediate desires of the elec- nised and aggressive monetary policy tightening We think it is important to consolidate because of In the long term, India’s growth will entail high
cycles still to be felt. Our baseline view is a mild India’s weak starting point. The central government’s energy demand, and it is essential that this increased
torate and the constraints on that action which emerge from history, norms, and
recession in both the US and Europe, with global fiscal deficit of around 6.5 per cent of GDP is nearly energy comes with minimum environmental
constitutional procedure. The basic-structure doctrine has a certain logical con- gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowing below twice its pre-pandemic average of 3.5 per cent during impact. India needs to be green first, rather than
sistency that has led to it being adopted in multiple other countries and jurisdictions trend to 1.8 per cent year-on-year in 2023, from 3.2 FY17 to FY19, and offers limited scope to respond. transition to green later. This requires investments
with properties similar to the Indian system. Several neighbouring countries per cent in 2022. This will affect Since the pandemic, the govern- in renewables, green technology and large-scale
adopted it after India did. It was adopted in post-war Germany to protect the basic India’s growth via weak exports, and, ment has rightfully raised capital afforestation. Agriculture and food security depend
laws. The apex court in Singapore, which too has a post-British legal system similar more importantly, by delaying private expenditure. In FY23, we estimate on access to a consistent supply of fresh water.
to India’s, deliberately did not adopt the basic-structure doctrine, but explained investment. India’s exports and central government capex will rise Investments are required to ensure water availability
quite effectively why it did not: Arguing that the basic-structure doctrine emerged investment cycles have historically to 2.7 per cent of GDP, up from its across the country, including in desalination plants
moved in sync, as falling global pre-pandemic average of 1.7 per and water networks.
from the justifiable claim that Constitutions drafted by a Constituent Assembly
demand and elevated uncertainty cent during FY17-FY19. We think Finally, we need to create stronger counter-
held a different status in their relationship to the legislature from Constitutions tend to delay capex decisions. We public infrastructure spending cyclical fiscal buffers. The forthcoming Budget
drafted by a regular Parliament. expect India’s real GDP growth to slow should be stepped up further in may not be the right time for this, but compulsorily
Justice Chandrachud’s description of the basic structure as the North Star is sharply to 5.1 per cent y-o-y in FY24, FY24, but without compromising setting aside a small percentage of revenues every
also worth pondering. The CJI argued in his speech that any interpretation of the lower than consensus expectations of on consolidation, by using some of year when growth is in an upturn, will enable
Constitution needed to be subject to guidelines, and the basic structure essentially around 6 per cent. the space created by the reduction us to smooth out the fiscal deficit over the eco-
served as that guideline. Yet in the end, all these disputes about the powers of Nominal GDP growth is likely to SONAL VARMA in food and fertiliser subsidy bills, nomic cycles.
Parliament and the limits of interpretation come down to the same thing. The basic- slow more materially from 15.4 per and through other revenue-raising
cent y-o-y in FY23 to 8.5-9.0 per cent in FY24, as the mechanisms such as asset monetisation. Fears that An eye to the future
structure doctrine keeps the Indian state tethered constitutionally to the norms,
moderation in commodity price lowers wholesale public capex will crowd out private capex are unlikely A number of shocks that the Indian economy will face
ideas, and values of 1950, the year the Constitution came into effect. But many in price index inflation more sharply than the expected to hold ground in the coming year. in the coming year are likely to be on account of global
the electorate and, therefore, in electoral politics would like to move beyond those easing in consumer price index inflation. Thus, the Ideas for boosting consumption such as through spillovers. On its own, India remains on the right track.
norms. They might desire a new idea of what India is rather than the one that the arithmetic fiscal boost received in FY23 from higher a reduction in personal income taxes for middle- A key role of the Budget will be to counter the slow-
Constituent Assembly put into this country’s founding document. nominal GDP growth — the denominator effect — is income households will be a wasted bullet, in our down effectively, work in sync with monetary policy,
This may be a legitimate desire, even if one that conflicts with social cohesion unlikely to be repeated in FY24. Tax buoyancy is view. Rationalising personal income taxes so that and ensure economic resilience on the other side of
and republican norms. But it is not one that can be brought into being simply by highly sensitive to both nominal GDP growth and more individuals opt for the new regime of lower taxes the economic cycle. If the domestic house remains in
winning a few elections. That is the purpose of the basic-structure doctrine: To the state of the business cycle, meaning a moderation and fewer exemptions is a sound idea, but a broader order, then India could attract large capital inflows
in tax buoyancy is also likely in FY24. reduction in the effective tax rate will only add to the once the global shocks fade, as investors look for coun-
hold India to the principles and compromises that were forged in the struggle for
Finally, 2023 is a year where high uncertainty pre- government’s fiscal burden, without boosting con- tries with strong fundamentals and medium-term
freedom. It is that struggle that provides the ultimate legitimacy to the Constituent vails: Whether it is about China’s reopening effects sumption, because individuals are more likely to save growth prospects, setting the stage for a V-shaped
Assembly and the principles of 1950. If the basic-structure doctrine is to be aban- or the soft versus hard landing debate in the US. The than consume in a period of uncertainty. A more tar- growth recovery. It’s time to play the long game.
doned, then what takes its place must also have equal authority as the founding only thing that’s certain is that many of the assump- geted support for lower income households, as and
generation provided. It would be hard to make that claim. tions made on February 1 are prone to change, and when needed, may be more worthwhile. The writer is the chief economist (India and Asia ex-Japan)
hence, the Budget should build in adequate buffers. From a medium-term perspective, India’s poli- at Nomura

Putin’s war machine Donbass (eastern Ukraine) and dirty little


wars in the South Caucasus and Central
Asia, the Russian military apparatus
what the generals thought of him but was
brought down by a sex scandal; and,
finally, the incumbent Sergei Shoigu,
apparatus, but in less depth given the
extreme secrecy surrounding these outfits
Part of the failure in Ukraine can be
loss of access to Ukraine’s defence
industries — which impacts Russian
supplies to India too — has crippled
this development and a chapter added to appeared to absorb lessons with each former minister for emergency situations ascribed to the fact that reforms have not efficiency as the breakdown of artillery
reflect the situation as of June 2022 encounter. The military was put through and governor of Moscow region. General gone far enough, fast enough to defeat a and tanks during the invasion showed.
(ominously titled “Ukraine 2022: Putin’s the wringer not just in combat but also in Shoigu’s reputation is distinctly tarnished smaller, better armed, battle-ready The clunky domestic military-industrial
Last War?”). This adds a real-time organisation, complemented by a vast by Russia’s performance in Ukraine (Dr opponent. At the heart of the problem is complex suffers all the inefficiencies
understanding of Vladimir Putin’s outlay on weaponry, hardware and Galeotti reports suggestions that he may the recruitment system. Russia’s forces are of monopsonies — compounded by
military machine. Though much water information technology. shortly be appointed Military Governor divided between conscription — which is late payments from a bankrupt
has flowed through the Dnieper and This was no small task since, as for Siberia). forcing young men to state exchequer.
BOOK REVIEW many bombs have fallen on the benighted Dr Galeotti recounts, the demoralised, The core of Putin’s Wars: From flee Russia now —
Chechnya to
Finally, there is the age-old weakness
former Soviet republic, Dr Galeotti’s underpaid and under-resourced army change in the ground kontraktniki, of logistics — including railways that run
KANIKA DATTA rigorous book offers a new perspective that Russia inherited worked on an forces was replacing Ukraine members of a higher on wider gauge than the rest of Europe
despite the morass of media and incredibly chaotic command system. It the traditional Authors: Mark paid all-professional, and supply dumps that are hundreds of
Galeotti

I
f you want a better understanding of analytical verbiage on the war. had no professional corps of non- divisional system permanent-readiness kilometres from the front line. “Indeed,
why Russia, with an armed force of 1.5 Putin’s Wars, set against the familiar commissioned officers — the backbone with brigades, each Publisher: units. There are the the way the 2022 Ukrainian invasion
million people, has been unable to political trajectory of the chaotic post- of any army. Instead, conscripts, called with its spearhead of Bloomsbury notorious crime- quickly bogged down was evidence both
overrun Ukraine with a military of just Soviet era to the rise of Mr Putin and his up for two-year terms, would attach Battalion Tactical Pages: 384 ridden private of the challenges of logistics and of the
500,000, Putin’s Wars is a useful read. It imperial worldview, is an account of themselves to seniors who were halfway Groups (BTGs), Price: ~999 contractors such as catastrophic degree to which Putin and
offers a deep dive into the innards of the multiple programmes of military reform through their service in an informal “modular forces the Wagner Group, his commanders failed to properly
Russian military organisation and strate- that began in the pre-Putin years but patronage system that was rife with typically drawn from owned by oligarch consider them,” Dr Galeotti writes.
gy from the last days of the Soviet Union gained real traction after he came to power bullying and exploitation. all-volunteer elements in its brigades that Yevgeny Prighozin — known as “Putin’s Being part of the Western security
to the “special military operation” against in 2000. Though the Keystone Kops-type Mr Putin sought to reform the military gave the army greater flexibility in the chef” because his company has a range of intelligentsia, Dr Galeotti thinks Russia is
Ukraine that was supposed to last 10 days bungling in the early days of the Ukraine in tune with his evolving perception of field”. Dr Galeotti describes in some detail government catering contracts — that are no match for NATO and Mr Putin’s
and is now closing in on a year. war has done much damage to Russia’s Russia early, briskly asserting control by the upgrading of weaponry in five deployed to offer (im)plausible political future could founder on Ukraine.
The author Mark Galeotti is a Russian military reputation, Dr Galeotti presents a appointing close allies as defence chapters. Mr Putin views the military as deniability in Russian state adventurism, He also describes China as Russia’s
security expert. The manuscript to this portrait of a military machine that is ministers. The first was Sergei Ivanov just one arm in Russia’s war for supremacy such as in Crimea and Donbas. Such “frenemy” rather than a genuine ally. The
book was ready as the Ukraine war began, actually a vast improvement on the one (2001-7), a KGB/FSB associate from — what the author calls “heavy metal organisational asymmetries do not current state of play makes it hard to say
but the enormity of the event made it the Russian dictator inherited. Leningrad; then came Anatoly Serdyukov diplomacy”. Dr Galeotti also chronicles enhance battlefield cohesion. whether those predictions are prescient
difficult to ignore. Accordingly, the Blooded in Chechnya — the second (2007-12), head of the Federal Tax Service, the other institution in this armoury, Mr More to the point, Russia is yet to or inaccurate. The anticipated spring
manuscript was edited to accommodate war— Georgia, Syria, Crimea and the a ruthless cost-cutter who did not care Putin’s notorious information warfare fully discard Soviet-era problems. The offensive may provide some answers.
18 NEW DELHI
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 25, 2023

Opinion

{ OUR TAKE }
E STA B L I S H E D I N 1 9 24
Budget needs a road map Debt Projections (as % GDP)
RBI  IMF 
15th Finance Commission 
Fiscal deficit as a
percentage of GDP
US UK
14.81
INDIA

for reducing fiscal deficit


90 15
13.31
88.3 12.8
12.17

Education of High levels of public debt government debt in India surged to the central banks. The fiscal deficit in
88

85.2
10
8.1
9.62

women is key 89.4% of GDP in 2020-21, significantly the United States (US) tripled in 2020, 86
7.22
are a cause for concern. higher than the Fiscal Responsibility over 2019. The United Kingdom (UK)’s 85.7
and Budget Management target of fiscal deficit increased five times dur- 83.6
But this can be managed 60%, posing risks to medium-term ing the same period. The US Fed’s 84 5 4.67
A new petition in the SC shows why authorities by announcing a deft debt macroeconomic stability.” Further, assets which stood at $4.17 trillion on 84.2
must ensure that hijab rows don’t hurt learning management strategy in
RBI pointed out that “accumulation of January 1, 2020, rose to $8.96 trillion 83.4 2.2
general government debt up to a level in April 2022. This massive expansion 82
the upcoming budget of 66% of GDP, leads to an increase in in assets is the consequence of quanti-

A
decision by a group of students from

 
22

-23

-24

-25

-26

-27
GDP growth, beyond which it impacts tative easing. Most central banks fol- 0

21-

26
22

24
23

25
Karnataka to approach the Supreme Court

20

20
2019  2020  2021 

20
20

20

20
A
s the Union Budget is growth adversely.” Against lowed a similar path. A
has, once again, underlined the appalling cost around the corner, there this threshold limit of 66%, natural consequence is an
has been a lot of discus- the debt projections of vari- unusual level of inflation, some structural challenges, at least in GDP ratio can be controlled only by
exacted by the protracted row over hijabs on sion on the possible ous agencies have shown an which we are witnessing, some cases. reducing the fiscal deficit. The fiscal
the lives and educational pursuits of thousands of growth trajectory of the alarming rise in the medi- and a high debt-to-GDP On the expenditure side, given the deficit of the Centre stood at 9.2% of
women. The students approached the top court on economy. There has also um-term. ratio. The Indian situa- primacy of enhanced capital expendi- GDP in 2020-21. It came down to 6.7%
been concern about the persisting Data shows that debt pro- C Rangarajan tion is not different, even ture for reviving growth, it is impor- of GDP in 2021-22. It is likely to be
Monday, seeking a directive to government inflation levels, and global agencies jections as a percentage of though the fiscal deficit tant that both the Centre and state 6.4% in the current year. These ratios
institutions in Karnataka to allow them to appear for have been revising their growth fore- GDP, as estimated by RBI, increase was more mod- governments hasten capital spending. are way above the norm of 3%. The
examinations wearing the hijab, which has emerged casts as and when new data on infla- the International Monetary erate than in the UK or Bringing down the fiscal deficit, Budget needs to spell out a new road
tion are released. But an issue that has Fund, and the 15th Finance the US. which is required for controlling debt, map to reduce the fiscal deficit. Any
as a lightning rod in communally sensitive districts, not been addressed sufficiently in dis- Commission, all show simi- In a low-inflation sce- therefore, demands a careful look at sharp reduction may disrupt the
irreversibly hobbling the education of women. Since cussions on growth is the trends in lar trends; they predict that nario, monetary policy revenue expenditures. In the medi- economy. But a definitive trend
the Karnataka high court upheld the state public debt. This, in our view, war- overall debt would exceed can help in debt consoli- um-term, higher debt levels can be towards lowering the fiscal deficit
rants attention in the forthcoming levels in excess of 80% even dation by keeping interest reduced only by accelerating the must be indicated. A deft debt-man-
government’s order on uniforms in colleges last year, M Suresh
Budget, as the levels of public debt in 2025-26. But this was not low. But that choice is not nominal GDP growth to around agement strategy, coupled with the
reports have indicated that many women have pulled affect both output and prices, and can always the case. In the pre- Babu open now. The burden of 11%-12% yearly. This will ensure reve- rationalisation of expenditure and
out of state-run institutions and attempted to continue derail macroeconomic stability and Covid-19 period, govern- debt management falls nue buoyancy to bring the fiscal defi- raising resource mobilisation efforts,
growth. ment debt was less than 80% squarely on fiscal policy. cits down. are key to the fiscal rebalancing
their education in privately-run colleges, where the The path along which public debt of the GDP. For FY 2020, it On the fiscal side, the situ- In the final analysis, the debt-to- needed to achieve a sustained high
restrictions on headscarves do not apply. But as the may evolve is based on real Gross was 74.1%, 70.4 % for FY 2019, 69.7 % ation is now a mixed bag. Regarding growth rate. The 2023-24 budget
lawyers of the women petitioners told the top court, Domestic Product (GDP) growth, for FY2018 and 68.9 % for FY 2017. revenue mobilisation for the Centre,
THE LEVELS OF PUBLIC could provide signals to such a strat-
inflation, interest rate and the pri- It is clear what has happened in the the Goods and Services Tax (GST) col- egy, without reducing capital expend-
examinations can be conducted only in government DEBT AFFECT BOTH
mary deficit. The movement of these current situation. The response to lections have been buoyant, and tax iture.
colleges, where hijab-clad women have faced stiff variables determines the threshold Covid-19 across countries was to raise devolution could be performed with- OUTPUT AND PRICES,
resistance time and again while trying to gain access to level of debt, beyond which it government expenditure at a time out major hiccups. This gives the Cen-
AND CAN DERAIL C Rangarajan is former chairman,
becomes a drag on GDP growth. The when revenues were falling. The net tre some leeway in embarking on a Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory
the campus. MACROECONOMIC
Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its result was a substantial rise in the fiscal deficit correction path. How- Council and former governor, RBI.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Report on Currency and Finance government fiscal deficit, which could ever, for the states, the end of the GST STABILITY, GROWTH M Suresh Babu is professor, IIT, Madras
Chandrachud indicated that he will consider setting (April 2022), states that the “general be financed only with the support of compensation period might pose The views expressed are personal
up a three-judge bench to take up the matter, which
has assumed urgency given that state-level
examinations are scheduled to begin in the first week
of February. While this is welcome, any relief in this
regard is only likely to be temporary, given that the
To guarantee food security, { JP NADDA } BJP CHIEF

P
legal status of the case is still in limbo after a two-judge
bench of the top court delivered a split verdict last
a decentralised PDS is key We [the BJP] are not just a
year, and a new bench is yet to be announced. he recent announcement of the Union month to buy an equivalent amount from the
political organisation, but also
In the long-term, though, the authorities have to
ensure that the futures of young women in Karnataka,
and indeed, across India, are not held hostage by
competing political and religious interests. While the
T government on free food grains to
beneficiaries of the 2013 National Food
Security Act (NFSA) is both ironic and
politically savvy, especially in the context of
the debate on freebies. While the Bharatiya
market. Instead, the additional food grains
must be continued for a longer period, for
which procurement needs to be stepped up
while also undertaking more substantial PDS
reforms.
a party working for social
concerns. India and the whole
legality of the restrictions on the headscarf can only be Janata Party (BJP) voted in favour of NFSA, PDS can be an effective instrument towards world saw the social face of the
with many party leaders arguing for an even ensuring food security. The existing procure-
adjudicated by the apex court, the government needs party during the Covid

A
more expansive law, early into its term at the ment and distribution network can be
to ensure that fringe elements don’t disturb communal Centre, there were attempts to undermine the expanded, strengthened and decentralised to
amity or interrupt the education of young women, benefits of the public distribution system include pulses and edible oils in the PDS bas- period.
(PDS) and replace it with cash transfers. Since ket. Pulses were distributed nationally during
who battle strictures at home and outside in the 2015, almost every Economic Survey has the first phase of PMGKAY in 2020, and sev-
pursuit of their dreams. Data shows that as a argued for a reduction in PDS coverage and eral states include these in their PDS basket.
an increase in the issue prices. The Shanta They contribute to the protein and fat require-
demographic group, Muslim women trail most other
communities in educational standards; this gap must
be bridged, not allowed to widen. Reports in this
Kumar Committee (2015) also had similar rec-
ommendations.
Nevertheless, PDS has continued, and
ment and enable diversifying diets. This is
important because most Indians have a cere-
al-heavy diet with insufficient consumption of
Today, Pasmanda Muslims
emerged as a lifesaver during Covid-19. There foods from other food groups. Prices of pulses
newspaper have noted how women have to deftly
negotiate patriarchal and faith-based customs, and
orthodox notions of women’s honour, every day. It is
is a tacit acknowledgement of the crucial role
being played by PDS in the government’s
repeated extension of the additional grains
and oils have also been volatile in the last few
years, partly due to the import dependence,
making their consumption uneven. Procuring
are finally getting their due
under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna them at assured prices for PDS could also con- n the recently concluded Bharatiya Janata They remain unapologetic about allying

I
the government’s responsibility to ease their struggle. Yojana (PMGKAY) until the end of December tribute to increasing production and moving Party (BJP) national executive committee with the same party (Shiv Sena) that they
2022, and then somewhat sweeten- towards self-sufficiency. Similarly, meeting in Delhi, Prime Minister (PM) once accused of being behind the Mumbai
ing its withdrawal by making the including millet in PDS and diversify- Narendra Modi once again called upon riots in 1993.

Focus on saving existing legal entitlements under


NFSA free for one year.
While there are political compul-
ing school and anganwadi meals to
include eggs, fruits, and other pro-
teins could together aid in improving
party workers to reach out to marginalised The Congress has not had a Muslim presi-
sections of society, including Pasmanda Mus- dent since Independence; the Aam Aadmi
lims, irrespective of whether they vote for the Party, the Samajwadi Party, the Communist

India’s wetlands sions behind these moves, the eco-


nomic agenda is clear. While seem-
ingly making a progressive pro- Dipa
diets and nutritional outcomes.
Another issue facing PDS is cover-
Sinha age. While NFSA entitles 67% of the
BJP. As somebody who comes from that sec- Party of India (Marxist), the Rashtriya Janata
tion of society — the author’s family surname Dal, Nationalist Congress Party, or Dravida
isn’t Poonawalla, which was taken by my late Munnetra Kazhagam also don’t have a Mus-
nouncement, the government is population to subsidised rations father Sarfaraz, but Jamadar, which refers to lim person heading the party. According to
hat India’s wetlands face a daily challenge of

T
moving towards a drastic reduction (75% in rural areas and 50% in people whose traditional occupation was author Khalid Anis Ansari, Muslim represen-
survival is well documented. Two reports in this of food subsidies and taking attention away urban), owing to the fact that the population sweeping or cleaning toilets; in states such as tation from the first (1952) to the 14th (2004)
newspaper recently underscored just how from the reduced procurement from farmers. figures of the 2011 Census continue to be used West Bengal, the Muslim Jamadar is catego- Lok Sabha was, on an average, 5.3%, which is
The government is saving around ₹1.8 lakh for calculating the number of beneficiaries, rised among the other backward classes — I nowhere close to the share of Muslims in the
difficult it is to safeguard such critical ecosystems from crore, which was the additional expenditure the coverage under NFSA is around 60% of the couldn’t help but look at this as a historic population. But if one considers that Pas-
the advances of urbanisation, land-use changes, on PMGKAY, and spending about ₹18,000 current population. This has also been moment. manda communities comprise 85% of the
infrastructure development and government apathy. crore to give free grains under NFSA. While pointed out to the Supreme Court (SC), which The idea of social and political justice has Muslim population, then it suggests that Ash-
around 60 million tonnes of rice were pro- asked the government to consider using the finally reached the nearly 85% of Muslims rafs were overrepresented, while Pasmanda
Earlier this week, the Union environment ministry cured in 2020-21 and 2021-22, the procure- population projections data of the ministry of who constitute the Pasmanda communities, Muslims (who form the bulk of the Muslim
directed Uttar Pradesh (UP) to stop further draining of ment in the Kharif marketing season for health, rather than waiting for the next cen- which means those who have fallen behind or population) merely had a 0.8% representa-
the Haiderpur wetland and ensure the dewatering, 2022-23 is around 36 million tonnes. Last sus. Using current population figures could are oppressed — Julahas, Kunjras, tion, he argues.
year, wheat procurement was less than half of add about 100 million beneficiaries to NFSA, Ghosis, Muslim Telis, Ghanchis, Through his suggestion of out-
done under pressure from local farmers, is carried out what it was in previous years. Official produc- Jean Dreze and Reetika Khera estimated. The Halalkhors, Muslim Dhobis, Nats, reach, PM Modi is not only invoking
only when migratory birds are not nesting there. tion figures do not show a fall of such scale — government does not seem interested in and many more. Pasmanda Muslims in his message
Despite being a Ramsar site of international with market prices rising and no commensu- addressing this issue, as is evident in its affida- Ironically, practitioners of the but also opening the door of politi-
rate increase in minimum support price vit to the SC, where it has argued that PDS cov- politics of pseudo-secularism cal empowerment and socio-eco-
importance, the wetland suffered reckless dewatering (MSP), the procurement has not kept pace erage needs to be reviewed as an increase in teamed up with a handful of elites, nomic upliftment for them. This is
Shehzad
between January 10-12, forcing tens of thousands of with the needs of an expanded PDS this year. per capita incomes in the last 10 years indi- such as Ashrafs in the Muslim not pivoted on the narrow prism of
This could have serious implications for cates reduced need. community, and cornered all Poonawalla religion but on the larger spectrum
migratory birds to flee the spot. Days later, news broke
the food security of many households. There NFSA has taken the first step in protecting political, educational and eco- of poverty and backwardness —
that a birder approached the Supreme Court and are indications that the distress caused by cereal security for many. Many states such as nomic resources until now, due to whether it is the choice of Ghulam
National Green Tribunal over the delay in notifying the unemployment continues, and is exacerbated Bihar and Uttar Pradesh seem to have seen a their proximity to power corridors and ruling Ali Khatana as a nominated member to the
Dhanauri wetlands in Greater Noida as a Ramsar site. by recent food inflation. In such a scenario, major turnaround in PDS implementation dynasties. They made the Pasmanda Muslims Rajya Sabha, the inclusion of Danish Azad
withdrawing the additional 5 kg being given due to the expansion in coverage, price reduc- politically invisible and socially-economically Ansari as a minister in the Uttar Pradesh gov-
The wetland, possibly the largest breeding and for free under PMGKAY may end up hurting tion and other reforms by NFSA. It is time to marginalised, and found it convenient to ped- ernment, the appointment of this author as
roosting site for Sarus Cranes in north India, is many households. This is nowhere compen- further consolidate these gains and move dle a narrative of a monolithic Muslim iden- one of the youngest national spokespersons of
threatened by encroachments and constructions sated by the remaining grains being given for towards food security for all by strengthening tity because it suited them to reduce the dis- the BJP, or the outreach programmes by vari-
free. The free grains under NFSA result in a PDS. Rather than short-term announcements, course into a majority versus minority debate. ous BJP state units.
around its catchment area, its water source. The delay saving of only ₹10 to ₹15 per month per bene- tinkering with price and quantity, what is They also ignored the basic needs for educa- Even in social welfare measures and
occurred despite the Union environment ministry ficiary, whereas they would have to spend required is a longer-term vision where PDS is tion and empowerment. schemes — from Jan Dhan Yojana’s financial
nudging UP several times since 2019. additionally around ₹125 per person per reformed, evaluating concerns related to They have been the biggest enemies of the inclusion to Ayushman Bharat’s universal
nutrition, the environment and farmers’ social justice movement among Muslims. The health cover, from PM-Kisan to PM-Gareeb
The importance of wetlands cannot be emphasised income. This would mean a more decentral- real priority of the Pasmanda Muslim, who is Awas Yojana, from MUDRA loans to toilets
enough. They provide habitats for thousands of ised system where various crops are procured culturally rooted to Bharatiyta (Indianness) under Swachh Bharat, from tapped water
species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals across the country. and has no illusions of descending from some connections to Ujjwala gas cylinders — the
A decentralised storage and distribution foreign class, is access to quality, modern edu- aim is to provide the bulk of the benefits to
and are valuable for flood protection, water quality system can be worked out where local pro- cation, banking and finance in their ghettos of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other
improvement, shoreline erosion control, recreation, curement is used where available, with a cen- poverty, access to meaningful employment, Backward Classes and poor marginalised sec-
and aesthetics. India has at least 220,000 big wetlands tralised agency coordinating the transfer of access to pucca housing and affordable health tions, without any distinction between a
surplus to deficit areas. Other food distribu- care, and not issues such as the uniform civil Mohit and a Mohammad, or a Shilpa and a
and 550,000 smaller ones. However, a study by tion programmes, such as anganwadis and code or the instant triple talaq law. Sultana.
Wetlands International showed two of every five school midday meals, should also be part of Data on lynchings and the lack of represen- This shift from appeasement and a focus
wetlands have lost their natural existence in the last 30 this integrated planning. The debate on free tation of Muslims in positions of power today on emotive issues to targeted delivery of
grains and the attempts by the government to are often cited nowadays to cast aspersions social welfare for all backward classes,
years, while 40% have lost quality for the survival of reduce the coverage are only diverting atten- on the intent of the BJP. But Opposition par- including Pasmanda Muslims, will usher in a
aquatic animals. The latest reports show even Ramsar tion away from these substantial issues. ties should also look at how some of the big- new era of social justice that would make BR
sites, of which India has 75, are not immune to the gest incidents of violence against Muslims Ambedkar proud.
Rather than short-term announcements, Dipa Sinha teaches economics at happened under the watch of previous gov-
pressures of development. This is unfortunate and, in what is required is a longer-term vision Dr BR Ambedkar University, Delhi ernments — from Moradabad to Bhagalpur, Shehzad Poonawalla is national spokesperson, BJP
an era of extreme weather events, a handicap. where PDS is reformed HT The views expressed are personal Mumbai to Jalgaon. The views expressed are personal

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14 WeDNeSDay, 25 JaNuary 2023
NeW Delhi VIEWS LIVEMINT.COM

OUR VIEW MY VIEW | On THe OTHer Hand


REUTERS

Sharks on TV are a result of easy


money and the Cantillon effect
Most TV-show investors offer easily-got money but have no real record of business success to emulate

lived during the early 18th century. all across the world. VCs falling over one
What was Cantillon’s theory? When another to invest in startups is one
an economy is about to go into a major impact of this.
recession, one way for central banks to In fact, the money chasing startups has
tackle it has been to print money and been so huge that until very recently,
pump it into the financial system, drive running a profitable business wasn’t
down long-term interest rates and really an important parameter of suc-
encourage people and firms to borrow cess. VCs are more interested in the
and spend, thus initiating an economic ability of the entrepreneur to achieve
VIVEK KAUL recovery. The American economist some scale. And for that, if the business
is the author of ‘Bad Money’. Milton Friedman had suggested half in has to burn cash and stay unprofitable,
jest that a recessionary situation could then so be it.
even be fought by printing and dropping A company which has achieved some
money out of a helicopter into the econ- scale can be then sold off at a profit to

US obstinacy over guns


omy. When central banks print money to other investors (or another firm). Or the
pump into an economy, they do so with firm can carry out an initial public offer

T
he actor Vidya Balan’s character in the belief that it doesn’t really matter (IPO) and sell off shares to retail and
The Dirty Picture has an interesting who is closest to the money, in the sense other investors. In fact, this is something
line: “Films work only because of of being under the helicopter when it is that quite a few VC-backed firms did

is bad for its soft power three reasons, Entertainment, Enter-


tainment, Entertainment.” What is true
for films is also true for reality shows
like Shark Tank, a TV show in which
dropped.
Cantillon lived at a time when Spain
was mining a lot of gold and silver in
South America and these metals served
through 2021 and the first-half of 2022.
The share prices of such firms mostly
tanked after their IPOs, though.
To conclude, the TV sharks seen on
budding entrepreneurs pitch business as money. When the supply of money Shark Tank have benefitted from all this.
ideas to investors (or ‘sharks’), who increased, thanks to new gold and silver While they and many other startup chief
America must revise its peculiar view of individual liberty in the context of weapons not just decide whether they want to invest in coming in, Cantillon believed that it executives weren’t exactly standing
them or not. For the show to appeal to would first benefit the people closest to under the helicopter when printed
to keep its people safe but also shore up its global appeal as an exemplar of liberal democracy large prime-time audiences, it has to be it; that is, people associated with the money was being dropped, they were
entertaining above all. And it is. mining industry, like the owners of quite near it. And given this, these sharks
Nonetheless, the question is whether mines, adventurers, smelters, refiners, and other VC-backed startup CEOs
the sharks on this show in India deserve etc. These individuals would end up with are a good modern day example of what

G
un violence in the US shows no meditation. The harder doing anything drastic to be there. A recent LinkedIn post by a greater amount of money. Cantillon suggested.
sign of abating. Three fresh inci- is, the more likely an application of mind will Ankit Uttam, who calls himself an So, what’s the modern-day equivalent The trouble is that these sharks are
“authorpreneur”, pointed out that most of this? In 2008, when the investment now getting into the drawing rooms of
dents of gun-fire were reported intervene. Moreover, even matters of liberty of the current and past sharks on the bank Lehman Brothers went bust and people. Traditional and social media has
this week in which a total of nine must yield to imperatives of collective safety. show run or ran businesses which aren’t threatened to pull down many other hyped many CEOs of VC-backed firms,
residents of the country got As an example, India cracked down on acid profitable or are barely so. Given that the large financial institutions with it, the turning them into role models for the
killed. These occurred barely a attacks by tightening acid availability; its utility entire idea of any business is to make central banks of the rich world started young. Some former CEOs have written
couple of days after a gunman opened fire at as a hygiene agent was overshadowed by the money, how can those who haven’t printing money and pumping it into books, made Instagram reels and You-
really made any or much of it be judging their respective economies. Tube videos and turned themselves into
revellers at a party in Los Angeles, taking 11 horror of its weaponization, no matter how others pitching ideas? What started as a rescue of financial online influencers as well.
lives. This frequency speaks of how alarming fringe. America must apply similar logic to its Sharks are another unintended conse- institutions became a habit. Since 2008, But the question is, do they really
the problem has become. US records show gun crisis. It should tighten gun controls so quence of the era of easy money that has these banks have been printing money deserve to be role models? There is no
nearly 650 mass shootings and about 44,000 sharply that it contributes to raising instead of prevailed over the past decade and a half. almost regularly in order to drive down denying that such sharks and others like
lives lost to gunshot wounds over the span of lowering US life expectancy. They are in a position to run loss-making long-term interest rates to encourage them spotted an opportunity to get
businesses or businesses which barely borrowing and consumption. financed and were at the right place at
2022 alone. The data is staggering even if such Unfortunately, firearm curbs remain subject make any money, but have huge valua- This has benefitted those who are the right time, but most of them haven’t
killings have long been endemic. No less eye- to policy battles between safety-focused Dem- tions, primarily because they are backed closest to the money being printed, really run profitable businesses that can
popping, at least to distant observers like us, is ocrats and status-quoist Republicans, with the by venture capital money in search of primarily banks, hedge funds, venture be emulated. Their achievements are
America’s estimate of about 400 million fire- unhappy outcome that a rifle barred in one high returns. Indeed, these sharks are capitalists (VCs), private equity firms, limited to raising multiple rounds of
arms in people’s hands—more than one per state can be bought off the shelf in another. an example of something suggested by etc. Such firms have been in a position to money. And should that be getting as
Richard Cantillon, an economist who raise huge-funds and invest the money much importance as it currently is?
person. This is the direct result of an easy- Hopes of a consensus on guns have only grown
weapons policy. Sadly, even frequent fatalities more elusive as the polity has gotten polarized.
have proven insufficient to make the country For the sake of its own global appeal as an
budge on something that marks it apart and exemplar of liberal democracy, however, the
reinforces a caricature of it being the home of US should look for a way out. It is striking that a
trigger-happy cowboys rather than ‘the brave’. country tracing its origin to the 1776 ‘common
Almost uniquely in the world, gun owner- sense’ that nobody has a divine right to rule, a www.livemint.com
New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh*, Pune* Monday, January 28, 2013 Vol.7 No.24 `3.00 in Delhi­NCR/`4.00 outside Delhi­NCR 24 PAGES

ship is seen by rightists in the US as a matter of republican proposition that thankfully has IN DETAIL: The
best managed
boards in India >10­11
CAPITAL CALCULUS: The speech
Rahul Gandhi never gave >4

individual freedom, a right that gun-toting worldwide buy-in today, should let anybody EXCLUSIVE PARTNER
MARKETS: FII shareholding in Indian
companies at a six­year high >5
NATION: India to propose railway link
between Kabul and Chittagong >24

conservatives refuse to give up on the argu- wield the power of life and death quite so easily SENSEX 20,103.53 ® NIFTY 6,074.65 ® DOLLAR `53.68 ® EURO `71.68 ®

PAUL CROCK/AFP
GOLD `30,575 ® OIL $113.28 ®

Why ban guns? Let’s give


CONTOURS OF CONSENSUS
25 bps rate QUICK EDIT

Tax reforms: cut for sure, Completing

ment of its presumed role in self-defence. over a fellow citizen. That technology has stage set
CRR cut
uncertain
a triad
W ith the successful
testing of the
nuclear capable K-5

everyone rocket launchers!


BANKER’S TRUST missile in the Bay of
Bengal on Sunday, India
TAMAL BANDYOPADHYAY

They not only want weapons kept at home, made guns more lethal over the years only
has taken one more step

for GST deal


towards a closed circle of

E very bond dealer and his


dog expects the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) to cut its
nuclear deterrence.
The K-5 missile is a
Submarine Launched
policy rate when it announces Ballistic Missile, or
the quarterly review of mone- SLBM, and is likely to be
Panel recommends day session of the empowered tary policy on Tuesday. But deployed aboard INS
states be allowed to committee of state finance they aren’t sure about the Arihant, the country’s

but insist on carrying them around, with some makes the country look worse from afar to What could possibly go
ministers due to begin in Bhu- quantum of the cut. Will the indigenously developed
time their entry; baneswar from Monday. Of Indian central bank opt for a nuclear submarine.
formula proposed for course, the finance minister deep, half-a-percentage-point For any country to
too would have to give his as- cut in its policy rate? Or will it have a credible
CST compensation sent for the deal to be formally confine itself to a token quar- deterrence regime, it is
clinched. ter-percentage-point cut? important that it have
B Y R EMYA N AIR Regardless of this, the pro- Also, in the backdrop of the nuclear weapons
remya.n@livemint.com posal will be a strong reform trillion-rupee cash deficit in available on all
························· signal, especially to overseas the banking system, will the platforms: land, air and

states given to hair-splitting over whether onlookers who expect better sense to prevail
NEW DELHI RBI combine the rate cut with
investors, who had become sea-based. Of all these, it

T he centre and states are edgy following a prolonged a cut in the cash reserve ratio is submarines that matter

wrong?
poised to strike a com- phase of policy paralysis that (CRR) too? CRR refers to the the most as they are
promise that will pave only ended in September. portion of deposits that com- resistant to detection and
the way for the roll-out of the The committee has also rec- mercial banks need to keep hence, their deterring
legal framework for the single ommended that all goods in- with the central bank on function most solid.
goods and services tax (GST) cluding petroleum products be which they do not earn any in- India needs to devote
regime from the next fiscal brought under GST with the terest. more attention to this
year itself, said a person famil- exception of alcohol for hu- RBI previously cut its repo part of its programme. At

their carriage should be concealed or not. It’s on the limits of liberty. Personal freedom has
iar with the developments who man consumption, the same rate in April 2012—by half a the moment, INS Arihant
didn’t want to be identified. person disclosed. percentage point to 8%, its may be sufficient. But
If this happens, GST could The draft of the Constitution Hat­trick: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic became the first man in the soon enough, it will have
be launched on 1 April 2014. amendment Bill, currently un- professional era and only the third ever to win three straight Australian TURN TO BACK PAGE ® to devote resources to
The breakthrough was der the consideration of the Open titles after he defeated Britain’s Andy Murray on Sunday in four build submarines that are
achieved after an expert panel standing committee on fi- sets, 6­7, 7­6, 6­3, 6­2. The Serb joins Australians Jack Crawford who ALSO SEE silent and have a much
recommended the blueprint nance, puts petroleum prod- won three titles between 1931 and 1933 and five­time winner Roy longer range.
for a compromise in the design ucts and alcohol for human Emerson (1963­67). >The macroeconomic backdrop >P19
of GST and the hammering out consumption outside the pur-

people who kill, not guns, they argue, and so been a vital aspect of the US success story, no
of a compensation formula for view of GST.
central sales tax acceptable to The committee has, howev-
states. The states will be al-
lowed to time their entry, as
er, suggested that the states
and the centre should be per- Etihad set to DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS
was done during the introduc-
tion of the current value-add-
mitted to levy additional taxes
over and above the GST rate
buy 24% in Mining data to find a cure for
OL I V E R MA R KUS MA L LOY
ed tax (VAT) regime. on these items.

by
The committee constituted
finance minister P.
Chidambaram constituted
two committees in November Jet Airways India’s ailing health sector
law-abiding carriers must not be deprived of doubt, and it also accounts for a chunk of its
Chidambaram was made up of last year, with representatives
bureaucrats from the relevant
ministries in the states and the
from both the centre and
states, to look into the issue of for $300 mn PRADEEP GAUR/MINT
centre. central sales tax compensation B Y J ACOB P . K OSHY
The decks will be cleared if and the design of GST. The B Y P .R . S ANJAI jacob.k@livemint.com
the states convey their formal committees submitted their pr.sanjai@livemint.com ·························
assent at the end of the two- reports last week. ························· NEW DELHI

NOTE TO READERS
The empowered committee
of state finance ministers,
MUMBAI

J et Airways (India) Ltd, the I t was once a large rectangu-


lar container used by a com-

their rights for the rogue actions of a few who soft power, the influence it holds over others
headed by Bihar’s deputy chief country’s second-largest air- puter company to ship prod-
The 12­page Media Marketing minister Sushil Kumar Modi, is line by passengers carried, ucts. Now, the container, as
Initiative with this edition is the to take up the two reports for will sell a 24% stake to Etihad large as a railway coach, is a
equivalent of a paid­for discussion. Airways PJSC for around $300 clinic that may well define the
advertisement, and no Mint If these recommendations million, according to two peo- future of healthcare in India.
journalists were involved in are accepted by the empow- ple close to the development, The clinic, in Lakhimpur
creating it. Readers would do well ered committee of state fi- neither of whom wanted to be Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, opened
to treat it as an advertisement. nance ministers and approved named. last week, an initiative of the
by the centre, suitable amend- The deal will make Jet Air- Institute of Genomics and In- Number crunching: Anurag Agarwal says the initiative is about creating

go on shooting sprees. The flaw in their con- by the force of charm. But a casual disposition
ments will be brought in the ways the first Indian carrier to tegrative Biology (IGIB) and massive data sets that will give a sense of what’s going to happen in
Constitution amendment Bill take advantage of rules intro- Hewlett-Packard India. The terms of recognizing diseases in their early stages.
to incorporate the changes. duced by the government in man in charge of the project,
In a signal that the centre September allowing a foreign Anurag Agrawal, a doctor and the diagnosis follows. lieves centres such as the one
was equally keen on fast track- airline to pick up a stake of as asthma researcher, is con- India, which has less than in Lakhimpur Kheri could
ing GST, Chidambaram told much as 49%. The shares that vinced the solution for India’s one doctor for every 1,700 peo- work as effective, medical in-
investors on the first leg of his will go to the Abu Dhabi-based abysmal doctor-patient ratio ple—the US has one for every termediaries in the future.
overseas roadshows that the national airline of the United and its befuddling mix of Ay- 390, Japan, one for every 500, That’s not a radical thought

tention is that while it takes human agency to to the force of arms riddles its appeal with
government will seek to Arab Emirates (UAE) will be by urveda and Western medicine, and China, one for every 950, in a country where e-health
amend the Constitution in the way of new stock and the dilu- lies in something that will at according to the World Health became a buzz word long be-
monsoon session of Parlia- tion of promoter Naresh Goy- once be familiar to quantita- Organization—has experi- fore e-commerce, although it
ment and get it passed in the al’s 80% holding. tive analysts on Wall Street or, mented with a variety of ways can be argued that better con-
winter session. “The Jet Airways-Etihad deal closer home, on Dalal Street— to deal with the problem. It has nectivity and the cloud (still
The implementation of GST, is almost structured and is the collective intelligence of used nurses and paramedics at relatively new) may mean its
a singular tax reform that will waiting for some minor fine- dumb data. rural primary healthcare cen- time has finally come.
remove all barriers across tuning. It’s a win-win agree- And so, when villagers troop tres who screen coughs and Meanwhile, Agrawal is even
ment for both,” said one of the into the makeshift clinic for a colds and prescribe over-the- more enthused by the possibil-

pull a trigger, easy access to one could make a holes every time it has a shootout. It could
TURN TO PAGE 3® people cited above. He said review, a machine automati- counter medication, and it has ity of collecting copious
both airlines are working out cally collects blood samples used urban pharmacists, who amounts of data from centres
ALSO SEE the legal, commercial and op- and an unmanned terminal frequently don the prescripto- such as the one at Lakhimpur
Mint is also available for R7 with shoots and zooms a cardio- rial white coats, to do the
Hindustan Times in Delhi-NCR only >Our view: GST: closer to reality? >P22 TURN TO PAGE 3® gram into a cloud server, and same. Now, Dr. Agarwal be- TURN TO PAGE 2®

homicidal impulse just as deadly as actual pre- afford this once. But not in the 21st century.

THEIR VIEW

Could AI diffusion affect global patterns of migration?


labour force in 2019, up from about 7% in human coder for basic coding would decline Similarly, it may take some time before the need for migration. The wage premium
VIDYA MAHAMBARE 1980. This does not account for the children as AI develops the expertise to convert text humans accept robots to cut their hair, baby- for remote work, however, would decline.
of earlier immigrants, a second generation of into codes, fix bugs and suggest improve- sit their kids or cook for them. Drones are Overall, falling AI costs and rising use may
people who are US citizens by birth. ments and extensions to existing codes. The unlikely to replace a delivery person soon in lower the average skill premium for highly
Many immigrants initially go to the US for same goes for routine maintenance and bug- densely populated urban residential areas. A educated humans, barring the few who can
quality higher education. The advent of AI, fixing tasks. In contrast, in industries such as robot waiter is unlikely to replace a human deploy AI tools effectively, spot their errors

P
eople migrate across oceans to improve however, will bring personalized quality edu- healthcare, AI is likely to lead to less job dis- server in most restaurants simply because and contextualize their output (within, say, a
their lives. The main pull factor is better cation within people’s reach right at home. In placement. Patients would humans would like to talk to culture) to extract most value. If so, would the
education and employment opportuni- theory, they would no longer need to go still want to talk to a human other humans when they highly educated of India continue to go West
ties abroad. How would the fast-paced diffu- abroad for education, except for those in core rather than a robot. It’s dif- It would depend are not working with their in large numbers? The answer would depend
sion of artificial intelligence (AI) tools alter theoretical scientific research. Yet, making ficult to imagine a warm machines. While autono- on their opportunity cost: if the skill premium
patterns of international migration? the most of AI for learning requires the apti- hug from a robot nurse. on whether AI mous vehicles have made narrows within all economies, rich countries
Such movement, except when forced by tude, aspiration and motivation to excel. Demand for IT engineers is progress, they are unlikely will continue to attract economic migrants.
civil wars and the like, is a win-win for both Those who migrate for education purposes likely to fall with the spread
tools impact to replace truck and bus Young migrants would continue to gain and

is a professor of economics at
sides. In recent decades, developed countries
such as the US, Canada, Japan and Germany
primarily belong to this category.
But do students and the market at large
of AI and related tools, but
unlikely for nurses and
skill premiums drivers soon. Demand for
such skilled service occupa-
raise their productivity in the West, where
wages would still be higher. At the upper end,
Great Lakes Institute of
Management, Chennai.
have faced a shortage of workers, given their
ageing populations and low birth rates.
value higher education for its skilling or sig-
nalling functions? This has been an ongoing
doctors, unlike what was
earlier perceived.
differently in tions that do not require
high formal education will
young people may begin to go for dual spe-
cializations, combining sciences and human-
Immigrants have filled this void at both ends debate and the opinions of economists vary While robots can per- rich countries probably remain robust, at ities to distinguish their skill sets.
of the spectrum, helping high-productivity widely. Suppose a well-known university pri- form routine surgeries, least for now. Given that we are still in the nascent stages
sectors flourish and keeping wages under marily signals the quality of its students. In patients would still want a vis-a-vis others AI development could of AI adoption, it isn’t easy to comprehend its
control in low-productivity service sectors. that case, AI tools will not be able to replace qualified surgeon present also lead to increased eco- impact on international migration patterns
Indian immigrants in the US are a typical the approval stamp of highly-ranked educa- in the operation theatre. nomic growth and job crea- for education and employment. However, the
example of high-skilled settlers, while Mexi- tional institutions until the development of a Doctors will become more efficient and tion in some industries. A new skill category rapid expansion of AI-related technology
can migrants with lower education and skills credible and widely accepted certification increasingly use AI for health diagnosis and is already emerging of the prompt specialist, could lower the demand for some high-skill
tend to work in low-productivity sectors. The system for tool-based learning. treatment decisions and patients will still who excels in using the universe of AI tools in occupations in sectors like IT and thereby cap
latter are still better off in America than they How would AI influence demand for want human doctors to convey it to them. an integrated and effective manner. A prompt earnings, even as it creates various new jobs.
would be back home. Overall, foreign-born migrant workers? It could lead to job dis- With ageing populations, demand for health- is a text that a human writes to instruct an AI Medium and low-skill occupations in services
US residents who are not citizens by birth placement in industries like information care services will likely remain strong in tool. Specialists could work remotely from that require face-to-face interactions seem
accounted for around 17% of the civilian technology. For example, the need for a developed countries and increase in others. anywhere in the world, potentially reducing better insulated from AI for now.
LIVEMINT.COM VIEWS WeDNeSDay, 25 JaNUary 2023
NeW Delhi 15

MY VIEW | CAfE ECONOMICS M I N T C U R AT O R

The budget must balance aims of Gun control is backed by both


common sense and US studies
growth and public debt stability Even conservative research points to American gun-policy failures

A slowdown in nominal growth will make fiscal compression harder but we should move towards fixing the primary deficit

MINT

FRaNcIS WILkINSON
is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering
U.S. politics and policy.

NIRaNjaN RajaDHyakSHa
is CEO and senior fellow at Artha India
Research Advisors, and a member of the
academic advisory board of the Meghnad
Desai Academy of Economics.

R
and Corporation, a think-tank with
origins in Cold War military plan-
ning, recently issued its latest update

N
irmala Sitharaman will present on gun policy research. Rand has been Mass shootings in America are much too
the last full budget of the second offering generally conservative assessments frequent an occurrence ISTOCKPHOTO
Narendra Modi government next since 2018. As strictures on gun violence
week. National elections are due next research fell and more was conducted, Rand flawed early studies, including some by the
year, so the February 2024 budget has had more to sift. As a result, it has been dubious gun proponent John Lott, and still
will likely be an interim accounting venturing more definitive conclusions in a found 22 studies “that did not raise serious
exercise to keep India’s wheels of administration few areas where data has achieved critical methodological concerns.”
moving till the next regime is sworn in. mass. As the US undergoes another ritual The notion that people carrying a gun are
Two themes provide the backdrop of fiscal policy response to mass shootings, let’s look at the more likely to fire a gun, leading to death or
since July 2019. First, the credibility of budgeting state of gun violence research and ask why injury, does not seem especially revelatory.
has improved over the past four years, thanks even conclusive research seems to have so The collective experience of Europe, where
to more transparent accounting as well as more little influence in the country. firearms are strictly controlled, suggests
reasonable assumptions on economic growth. Rand grades research quality and also this is very likely the case. But gun industry
Such credibility will matter when the bond market analyses findings. Of the 18 gun policies that propagandists have long maintained the
absorbs the new budget numbers, and decides the it evaluates, it characterizes the research as opposite, quoting a line from a Robert Hein-
interest rates on government bonds. “inconclusive” in most areas. For example, lein novel that “an armed society is a polite
Second, public finances have been hit hard by data on the effectiveness of extreme risk society.” It is one of their crueller jokes.
two exogenous shocks which no government could protection orders (‘red flag’ laws) is deemed Rand reached no conclusion on the eti-
have controlled: the dislocation during the covid “inconclusive” despite a growing body of quette of concealed carriage, but did find
pandemic after March 2020, followed by a jump in research suggesting that they contribute to that it leads to more violence.
energy prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine harm reduction. So it’s significant that Rand Finally, Rand found that stand-your-
in February 2022. These two shocks messed up the has reached decisive conclusions about the ground laws, which encourage people to
finances of most countries, and India has been no research in three key areas: child access pre- shoot rather than back away from confron-
exception. However, the Indian fiscal response to vention laws, concealed-carry laws and tation, or flee from situations that cause
the pandemic was more careful than in many other stand-your-ground laws. It found that child them to be afraid, “increase firearm homi-
large economies, which has led to inflation levels The anticipated economic slowdown reduces the the foreign to domestic market for funds as a result access prevention laws “reduce firearm self- cides.” This will not shock readers of the
that were not seen in those countries for several space for a sharp fiscal correction in the financial of narrowing interest rate differentials, the consoli- injuries (including suicides), firearm homi- Tampa Bay Times series a decade ago on
decades. The Indian finance minister had budgeted year that will begin in April. The finance minister dated government borrowing will soak up most of cides or assault injuries and unintentional how stand-your-ground actually plays out
a fiscal deficit of 6.4% of gross domestic product said earlier that the fiscal deficit of the Union gov- the available pool of domestic financial savings of firearm injuries and deaths among youth.” in Florida. It found the law was repeatedly
(GDP) for the financial year that will end in March. It ernment would be brought down to 4.5% of GDP by households. Bond markets will be on alert. The It’s speaks of the peculiar madness of US invoked by “killers and violent attackers
is very likely that this core fiscal target will be met, the end of 2025-26. That will be 1.9 percentage Reserve Bank of India may have to be on standby to gun culture that research is even required whose self-defense claims seem questiona-
despite the fact that the subsidy bill will overshoot points over three years. The current state of the buy government bonds as part of its open market on some of these issues. Earlier this month, ble at best.” If you are a drug dealer intent on
the budgeted target by over ₹2 trillion. The decision economy—as consumer demand slows down, operations, at a time when it is trying to run a tighter a 6-year-old boy shot and wounded a Vir- killing a rival, claiming that the rival made
of the government to extend the free food provision private sector investment spending remains weak monetary policy. It is a tricky coordination task. ginia teacher with a handgun he brought to you fearful before you gunned him down is
under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna and exports stutter—suggests that the government Second, the broader task of fiscal management school. Is it really necessary to ask whether apparently a good legal tactic.
Yojana through most of this financial year as well as should approach the task of further fiscal correction in any economy is not the annual deficit target, but it’s a good idea to prevent a 6-year-old from It’s important for credible researchers to
the decision to protect farmers from rising global asymmetrically, say 50 basis points in the next stabilization of the public debt ratio. The pandemic getting access to a firearm? Yet, many US address complex social problems such as
fertilizer prices are the main reasons for a higher financial year and then 70 basis points in the two shock sent Indian public debt soaring to about 90% gun owners take little or no precautions to gun violence. Policymakers must under-
subsidy bill. subsequent years. of GDP, the highest ever. It has now come down a keep guns away from children. Others stand, as best they can, the cause and effect
However, this extra spending will not push up the Such a modest fiscal correction may be managea- bit, but is still around 15 percentage points higher actively encourage children to use firearms. of specific laws. But for the foreseeable
fiscal deficit because there is likely to be an almost- ble despite weaker growth in tax collections. How? than what is considered comfortable. Interest pay- One gun maker is marketing a ‘JR-15’ rifle future, the application of research to the
matching increase in net tax collections above the The restructuring of food subsidies announced a ments on this debt already soak up around half of for children. In 2013, a 5-year-old in Ken- problem will continue to be a blue-state
budgeted target this year. The main reason why this few weeks ago will create ample savings to help the the net tax collections of the Union government, tucky fatally shot his 2-year-old sister with phenomenon, of Democrats. Millions of
extra money has flowed into the tax coffers is high fiscal balance. A lower subsidy bill can account for leaving less money for public goods, infrastructure, his own Crickett rifle designed for children. Republican conservatives have convinced
growth in nominal GDP; it will be lower in the next most of the desired fiscal correction, as long as tax social sector spending and defence. (Spending on So laws are necessary to discourage gun themselves that no evidence is necessary to
financial year as economic growth loses steam while collections chug along in tandem with nominal defence anyway needs to increase over the coming owners from leaving firearms lying around confirm preposterous allegations of voter
price pressures ease. The growth in tax collections growth in the underlying economy. However, this decade as the Chinese threat along our borders where kids can get them, or from leaving fraud. And just as the absence of evidence is
will thus be more modest in 2023-24. slightly optimistic assessment does not take into intensifies.) small children in charge of their own legally no hindrance to fantasies about elections,
The temptation to reduce taxes on the incomes account any sudden spike in government spending Public debt dynamics will need to be tracked purchased arsenal. Rand has concluded that an avalanche of evidence will not soon alter
earned by the middle class is attractive before an for select interest groups or a hasty tax cut in the closely. The government continues to borrow at such laws are effective. a different set of fantasies about guns.
election year. However, it would be more prudent to months leading to the next general elections. interest rates that are lower than the growth of Likewise, Rand found sufficient evidence Blue or Democratic party-run states have
keep tax rates unchanged for now, and go in for a A modest fiscal correction of around 50 or 60 the economy in nominal terms, which means that that “shall-issue concealed carry laws been enacting more gun regulations in
more effective overhaul of the direct tax code later. basis points comes with two concerns. First, despite there is less pressure on the government to address increase total and firearm homicides.” recent year, many backed by research. But
This includes both a reduction in tax rates as well as the surprising improvement in overall state govern- its primary imbalance, or the fiscal deficit minus Shall-issue laws make it hard for authorities state borders, like gun culture, are porous.
minimizing various distortionary exemptions that ment finances, the consolidated fiscal deficit of both interest payments. In its recent review of the to prevent concealed gun carriage by, for So red-state laws inevitably influence what
people with good accountants can game. The the Union and states could be around 8.5% in Indian economy, the International Monetary Fund example, requiring gun owners to articulate happens in other states. Over time, how-
longer-term goal of Indian tax policy should be to 2023-34. At a time when bank credit to the estimated that the debt-stabilizing primary deficit a specific self-defence need to carry a gun in ever, the accumulation of research can still
collect more direct taxes while reducing the burden private sector is growing, and there is anecdotal is 2.3% of GDP. It will be a number worth watching public. Lots of research exists on concealed have an effect. If nothing else, it’s helpful to
of indirect taxation, which is more regressive. evidence of some companies switching back from on 1 February. carry—so much so that Rand dumped many know what’s real. ©BLOOMBERG

MY VIEW | IN MEMORIAM

The spaces created by Doshi could inspire generations


(IIMB), built in the 1970s-80s, and arguably liked his drawings and egged him on to go Kahn to design IIMA (Doshi described the ‘Amdavad ni gufa’ in 1994, now a much-
CHINMAY TUMBE his greatest creation. study architecture in Bombay. In 1947, Kahn as the ‘Ekalavya’ to Le Corbusier). visited underground cave in the Gujarati
Generations of people associated with along with India, Doshi too found inde- Much later, Doshi would describe the IIMA city. Doshi received a big accolade very late
that campus have benefited from the inspi- pendence, in the city’s famous Sir J.J. campus as “one of the most important, sig- in his life when he became the first Indian to
rational architecture that weaves in sun- School of Art, where he found his true call- nificant buildings in the history of architec- win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture
light, stone and plants amid long open cor- ing. A new cosmopolitan world awaited him ture, anywhere.” It would inspire him to Prize in 2018 for his “numerous contribu-

C
an good architecture inspire you to ridors. An inspirational blend of Fatehpur and a college friendship blossomed into a work on the IIM Bangalore project. tions as an architect, urban planner,
live, work and dream better? It is a Sikri’s courtyards and Bangalore’s gardens boat journey to London in Le Corbusier and Louis teacher, for his steadfast example of integ-
question I never thought too much thrill the onlooker. the early 1950s to pursue fur- Kahn would thus become the rity and his tireless contributions to India
about until I had the privilege to engage Light filters in from above, haltingly, cre- ther studies in architecture. two external inspirations of and beyond.”
with the spaces built by the renowned ating a wonderful shadow play that catches A chance encounter at a Doshi’s work, but the Indian It can be said with no exaggeration that
architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, who you unaware at different times of the day. conference led him to work architect’s individuality generations of architects in time to come
passed away in Ahmedabad on 24 January Spaces of interaction open up on staircases, as a trainee for Le Corbusier always shone through in the will probably want to visit the B.V. Doshi
at the age of 95. Doshi’s spaces, like his life, in corridors, at junctions and even in-be- in Paris, then for a while to close attention he always archives, CEPT archives, IIMA archives and
were filled with simplicity, rootedness and tween floors. Some would say, albeit some- Corbusier’s Chandigarh paid to Indian history and NID archives, all located in Ahmedabad, to
is a faculty member of a spirit of adventure. what controversially within the IIM world, project, and later to Ahmeda- context. learn more about this legendary architect
IIM-Ahmedabad and helped Doshi was not a tall man and neither were that Doshi even outdid his guru, Louis bad to supervise a Corbusier Doshi’s wide array of works and of course, visit his creations.
set up the IIMA Archives. his buildings, but their earthiness leapt far Kahn, who designed the stunning red-brick building in a city he would be include the much-acclaimed My own tryst with B.V. Doshi was in the
above the glitzy skyscrapers that dot the IIM campus in Ahmedabad. associated with for the rest of Aranya low-cost housing spaces he created and always delightful. I
contemporary urban landscape. They To understand Doshi, one must go back his life. B.V. DOSHI project in Indore and the did have an opportunity to interview him
inspired you to pause and catch sunrays and to his roots. Born on 26 August 1927 in In Ahmedabad, the scien- (1927-2023) Centre for Environment and for the IIMA Archives oral history project in
shadows, look at the mysterious creeper on Pune, he had three siblings and his mother tist Vikram Sarabhai and Planning Technology (CEPT) 2019 and convey this to him. And that his
the wall and breathe in the earth after the passed away when he was only ten months industrialist Kasturbhai Lal- in Ahmedabad, an institution spaces had been the key inspiration to write
rains. His emphasis on combining the best old. He considered himself half-Gujarati bhai were early patrons of Doshi’s work. he helped found back in the 1960s. my first book, on migration (India Moving:
of the local and the global and the deep and half-Marathi, and grew up in a family Teaching assignments in the United States His own office, Sangath in Ahmedabad, is A History of Migration, 2018, Penguin
inspiration he took from architectural won- which strongly emphasized values of gen- followed, and it is there that he met Louis a destination point for budding architects Viking, 304 pages), which was unknow-
ders of Indian history dot his works span- erosity, social work and compassion. His Kahn, who he successfully convinced to and his residential house is called Kamala, ingly written in his architectural footprints
ning several decades. father had a furniture workshop, which he design the IIMA buildings in the 1960s, a named after his wife. over the course of a decade. And that many
Take, for instance, the campus of the may have joined had it not been for his art passion project of Sarabhai and Lalbhai. Le A collaboration with the artist M.F. more had benefited by living, working and
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore teacher in his Marathi-medium school who Corbusier’s work in Ahmedabad inspired Husain led to the ‘Husain-Doshi ni gufa’ or dreaming better in his creations.
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��� �����
To each individual the world will
take on a different connotation of
meaning—the important lies in the TS
desire to search for an answer Eliot

08 CHENNAI WEDNESDAY 25 01 2023


� �

A
t the World Economic Forum in the nuances in approach of Asian and Eu-
Davos recently, captains of indus-
India at 75 is not what it was during the Cold War, striving ropean allies of the US towards China.
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN try and helmspersons of major to preserve autonomy of national action between two France, a close strategic partner of India,
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. economies were seeking silver hostile politico-military blocs. Those blocs are gone was our second biggest arms supplier in the
— Ramnath Goenka linings in the overcast global eco- period 2017–21, but it was also the second

FROM THE GLOBAL


nomic scenario. But the domi- largest arms supplier of China over the
nant message from political lead- same period.
ers was that it is geopolitics that will shape This independent approach enabled In-

LAYOFFS DO NOT the future course of globalisation.


About a week ago, 125 countries—repre- SOUTH TO G20,WITH dia to protect the interests of its population,
insulating them to the extent possible from

MEAN THE END, SOME senting three-fourths of humanity, but a


much smaller proportion of global GDP—
DESPAIR AND CONCERN
the economic shocks that shook much of
the developing world. It also helped India to

RESPITE IN THE PICTURE


expressed profound concern at the socioe- carry conviction with the Global South
conomic consequences for them of current about its commitment to the pursuit of an
trends in globalisation, multilateralism and equitable global order.

C
geopolitical contestations. India’s historical connect with the devel-
ovid-19, its multiple waves and lockdowns have had their The virtual summit of the ‘Voice of the oping world has been sustained over the
impact on economies and businesses. Over three lakh em- Global South’, convened by India, was a years through regular political interac-
ployees have been laid off globally, mainly in the USA. It is unique idea to reach out to a wide cross- P S RAGHAVAN Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International tions. The Global South initiative has gen-
section of the developing world and seek Foundation, and a former diplomat erated ideas for newer areas of cooperation.
estimated that about 40% of them are Indians. According
inputs for the G20 Summit, which India In particular, India’s digital public goods for
to one estimate by a global outplacement and career tran- chairs later this year. universal identification, financial pay-
sitioning firm, 965 tech companies laid off about 1,50,000 em- It extends the original logic of the G20—a ments, digital health and direct transfers of
ployees globally in 2022. And in the latest round of layoffs, which grouping of 20 major economies which has benefits could be made accessible to the
started two months ago, about two lakh were laid off, with 174 met at the level of heads of state/govern- Global South. India’s indigenously devel-
tech companies laying off 56,570 employees in the first 24 days ment since 2008. The global financial crisis oped 5Gi, which will provide affordable 5G
of 2023 alone. A majority among them are holders of H-1B and was the catalyst: the G7 (of the large indus- broadband connectivity to nearly 95% of
trialised democracies) acknowledged the India’s villages, would be relevant for coun-
L1 visas. The layoffs mandate that they have to find another job role of the larger developing countries in tries with similar topography of far-flung
within 60 days, failing which, they have to return to India. the global economic and financial architec- rural areas.
While a section of them may be able to get new jobs within ture. The world is more economically frag- The Global South summit called for rede-
that period in the USA, those who do not will end up returning mented now. The impact of Covid and the sign of institutions of global political and
home. A layoff can be a shattering experience. It is not just ‘em- knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict financial governance to remove inequities,
ployees’ that are laid off, but minds that are affected as the axe portend large-scale economic stress and en- enlarge opportunities, support growth, and
vironmental disaster. spread progress and prosperity. Global sup-
falls when companies react to an adverse economic scenario,
The overwhelming response of develop- ply chains need to be diversified and linked
keeping the company’s interests above all. The insecurities over ing countries—the Global South—indicates to developing countries. Developed coun-
the possibility of not finding another job within the stipulated both widespread despair at the marginali- tries should honour their obligations on
period mean anxieties over repaying existing education and sation of their interests and hope that India climate finance and technology. External
other loans taken earlier. Returning to India jobless would also could effectively highlight it in the G20. Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for a
suggest adding to the growing army of the unemployed here. The participation included 29 countries “human-centred” globalisation; this would
from Latin America and the Caribbean, need a major change of mindset.
However, the affected may do well to remember that they are
47 from Africa, seven from Europe, 31 from This is a sampling of the points made.
returning to an assuring scenario. Human resource experts in Asia, and 11 from Oceania. India’s invita- SOUMYADIP SINHA The overwhelming sense of the meetings
India are expecting a return to pre-pandemic hiring levels in tion covered all political hues and economic was that not addressing the developing
Indian tech and non-tech companies. Parallel measures should systems—Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, and security interests. for a return to diplomacy and dialogue, tell- countries’ deepening concerns risks fur-
also be put in place to get the unemployed to consider alternate Syria, Venezuela were all invited, and There can be no better illustration of this ing the Russian president that this is not an ther fragmentation and overflowing griev-
careers. A system of effective career and life skill counselling all attended. than India’s international interactions over era of war, asking both the Russian and ances, with repercussions for global peace
needs to be in place to resurrect shattered minds. Interestingly, Some analysts inaccurately hailed In- the past year. As Russia’s invasion of Ukrainian leaders to seek a negotiated set- and security. The unpleasant reality is
dia’s “newfound” empathy with the Global Ukraine continued, there was a veritable tlement, publicly calling for an impartial that, as long as the Ukraine conflict rages
there is a growing trend of many tech employees giving up their South as a rediscovery of its non-aligned procession of foreign dignitaries into India, investigation into alleged human rights vio- on—and there is no respite in sight—it will
jobs and going into other careers, including farming. Many are credentials. India at 75 is not what it was trying to get our leadership to condemn lations in Ukraine, and telling the German be an uphill battle to get the North to make
returning to their native places in rural areas. The trend has during the Cold War, striving to preserve a Russia and to join Western sanctions Chancellor at a press availability in Berlin meaningful progress on resolving them. It
translated into a marginal upswing in the rural employment relative autonomy of national action be- against it. Many democracies in Latin that there can be no winner in the war. The will require sustained heavy lifting from
rate. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy tween two hostile politico-military blocs. America, Africa and Asia had not done so, external affairs minister has been frank in India and other developing countries to get
(CMIE), while the unemployment rate in urban areas increased The blocs are gone. Shedding Cold War for their own reasons, but it was India’s sup- declaring that India will not undermine the the developed countries of G20 to sign up
shackles, India strengthened its economic port that was sought as a strategic achieve- welfare of its people by making sacrifices for (and honour) commitments to alleviate
from 8.96% in November 2022 to 10.09% in December 2022, the
heft, political profile and security posture. ment. India withstood this pressure, and that are prejudicial to its economic and the most pressing ills. From this perspec-
rural areas witnessed a decrease from 7.55% to 7.44%. Not eve- Today, its democracy, economy, geography convincingly explained to its many friends strategic interests. tive, it is fortunate that after India, two oth-
rything is lost due to a layoff. and demography place it in a unique the historical, geographical and security Balancing contradictory regional and er developing countries—Brazil and South
position in the global discourse. India’s di- considerations that informed its response. global interests is the hallmark of a mature Africa—will assume the presidency of G20

TRANS COMMUNITY IN TN
plomacy has adroitly built on this position Prime Minister Narendra Modi person- foreign policy. This can be seen in the South in succession.
to further the country’s socioeconomic ally led this response—repeatedly calling Asia policies of major Western countries or (raghavan.ps@gmail.com)

SEEKS STATE BACKING


THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN FMs
T
he LGBTQIA+ community’s fight for their fundamental
rights has continued for over two years after the Supreme
Court struck down Section 377 as unconstitutional. Trans- Egypt-India relations

S
gender people, driven out of the mainstream by social bar- ince 1991, when India embarked Apropos of Sisi invite fills critical foreign
riers, snubs, and outright discrimination over the years, on the arduous and adventurous policy gap (Jan 24). Once again, PM Modi has
are still struggling to get back. Efforts by state governments to path of liberalisation, seven fi- shown his ingenuity, acumen and diplomatic
bring about sweeping societal changes have been agonizingly nance ministers presented 32 Un- skills in inviting President Sisi to be the R-Day
ion Budgets, not counting the ALAM
chief guest. Now, bilateral relations will be
slow. Tamil Nadu, the first state to introduce a transgender wel- Independent journalist
interim ones in the years of na- SRINIVAS and author rejuvenated again with a mutual boost to
fare policy with access to government hospitals for free gender tional elections. Their peculiar trade, commerce and tourism.
affirmation surgery, has notified the rules for the Transgender traits shaped the country’s destiny in differ- K Nehru Patnaik, Visakhapatnam
Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, after a long delay. The ent ways. Manmohan Singh’s silence spoke For this to translate into reality, as Jaitley a credit card, travelled abroad or had a club
state, also the first to amend its state police guidelines to ensure more (or less) than words and actions. Arun said in the 2015 Budget speech, Indians membership to file tax returns. Tax on serv- A souvenir from TNIE
officers abstain from harassing community members, seems to Jaitley and P Chidambaram were overtly “wanted the scam, scandal and corruption ices was expanded yearly until Pranab Every Monday, I eagerly wait for the
have missed a few steps on the way. The state, which saw several confident, even amid grave crises. The Raj to end”. It was an innate decades-old de- Mukherjee (2012) taxed “all services” ex- newspaper as Monday’s edition carries the
hearts of Yashwant Sinha and Jaswant sire. Each FM devised a mechanism to curb cept for a small negative list. In 2005, column ‘Faithline’ by Renuka Narayanan.
protests and intensified activism, is yet to force a change at the Singh bled for the poor farmers. Pranab black money. Manmohan legalised gold im- Chidambaram envisaged a value-added tax It’s not only worth reading but also worth
ground level. Mukherjee and Nirmala Sitharaman were ports to curb smuggling in 1991, and prevalent in 130 nations, leading to goods keeping as a souvenir because such anecdotal
There is, of course, some light at the end of the tunnel. After constantly fighting economic demons, some Yashwant tried to mobilise gold stored by and services tax (GST). Finally, as Nirmala stories are moral lessons for the reader,
the government accepted their right to get enrolled as voters in of them perhaps imaginary. said in 2019, GST “consolidated numerous irrespective of their religion or age. Kudos to
2004, a third of TN’s transgender population is on the electoral However, the FMs battled similar issues, taxes … to one tax and facilitated formalisa- The New Indian Express for such variety!
roll—the highest in the country. In 2006, the state government aptly captured by Nirmala’s mantra in her tion of the economy”. Bijumon P N, Idukki
2019 Budget speech—“Reform, Perform, A larger tax base and higher revenues
issued an order with recommendations to improve living condi- Ancient stories in curricula
Transform”. “Perform” lies in the middle enabled the FMs to grapple with poverty.
tions for the community. Yet, the community members face fla- of the other two words. For, governance was They needed to vaporise the scourge of dep- Renuka Narayanan’s narration of the Kausika
grant bias wherever they go. A few of them, like Preethisha, a the mystical and marvellous vehicle, driven rivation. In 1998, Yashwant admitted, “Even episode from the Mahabharata in How a
food delivery partner from Tirunelveli, or Sakthi, a veterinary by the turbo-engines of reforms to take the after 52 years of Independence … basic butcher schooled the short-tempered scholar
doctor from Puducherry, may have fought and earned admira- billion-plus citizens on an exciting journey services in rural areas remain very unsat- (Jan 23) is very touching. The Kausika story
tion for themselves. But a majority of them continue to seek of transformation. Reforms by efficient isfactory.” This is why “I have recalled to emphasises on wisdom and “active kindness”
governments would lead to wealth creation myself the face of the poorest and the weak- as against egoistic acquisition of theoretical
government support. They want the government to implement PTI
for the masses. Reforms could unleash sur- est man I have seen and made sure that this knowledge. There’s a lot to learn from so-
rights-based policies to ensure they get their place in society. A pluses to fund ever-expanding welfare budget is of use to him” and “my thoughts called ordinary individuals like the “butcher”
long-pending demand is to get 1% reserved in government edu- schemes to tackle poverty. Reforms would The FMs widened the tax base wander naturally to the remote villages of and the “housewife”. Viewed in this light, it’d
cational institutions. Strangely, they have to hold two identity slay the evil spirits of corruption in govern- through initiatives like the India and to millions of our toiling farm- be a good idea to include literature like this in
cards: one for availing of central schemes and the other through ment and society. minimum tax on every firm. The ers.” In 2003, Jaswant’s first announcement the academic curricula at every stage.
the Thirunangai mobile application. Dispelling yawning wealth inequalities was aimed at putting “Garib ke pet me U Atreya Sarma, Hyderabad
was crucial. “The young people are build- onus was on each person, who dana” (Food in poor man’s stomach).
When M K Stalin revamped the State Development Policy owned a car, telephone, or real Thought-provoking piece
ing castles,” said Chidambaram in 2006. To use the revenues to pull people out of
Council soon after he took charge in 2021, Bharatanatyam Renuka Narayanan’s column How a butcher
They were castles in the air, but it was the estate, etc., to file tax returns poverty and save costs, the FMs re-designed
dancer Narthaki Nataraj, the first transgender person to be regime’s “duty to put the foundations’’ on the massive ecosystem of subsidies. ‘Tar- schooled the short-tempered scholar
awarded the Padma Shri, was inducted. The council formed a which these could be built. In 1998, Yashwant geted subsidies’ entered the Budget lexicon. (Jan 23) is thought-provoking and
one-member team, comprising Nataraj, to delve into the woes Sinha quoted Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh Indians in idle assets through the Gold De- Manmohan (1991) stopped those with “ques- emphasises on the virtues one has to follow
faced by the community, and it has submitted the report. Keep- Dinkar: “Rise O’ warrior march ahead un- posit Scheme in 1999. The war on the use of tionable social and economic impact”. in their life. The essence of this column is
ing the recommendations of the report under wraps, the state daunted; You are the Creator of future his- cash got a boost after Chidambaram (2005) Mukherjee capped them to “under 2%” of really needed for the present-day imbalance
tory; The stars of the night are fading; The introduced a tax on bank withdrawals and expenditure in 2012. The latter said that in life. Hats off to the columnist.
government is believed to have gone with the rules prescribed
whole sky belongs to you.” Jaswant (2003) reached an extreme during the 2016 demon- while some subsidies were “inevitable”, Shanker Narayanan, email
in the central act. The report should be made public, and hoped to unleash the “entrepreneurial etisation. Laws were enacted to curb bena- they were “undesirable if they compromise
the government should look at the community’s demands character and the creative genius of our mi assets and money laundering. the macroeconomic fundamentals”. There The essence of dharma
more sympathetically. citizens” to convert the “liability of want Yet, the stark truth dawned upon the sev- were attempts to revamp the Public Distri- Dharma was a part of our Telugu syllabus
into the asset of ability”. en FMs that Indians revelled in tax evasion bution System through a dual card system in school. But the way the columnist has
To make India the land of a billion entre- and avoidance. As late as 2017, Jaitley con- (1996), food stamps (2004), and technology concluded the story, with how a wife attends
Q U I C K TA K E preneurs, market forces and competition cluded that “we are largely a tax non-com- (direct benefit transfer). to her husband and how a son takes care of
could rip apart the shackles that bound lo- pliant society”. He lamented that of the Sadly, the welfare schemes and subsidies his parents, is superior to dharma we learnt
THINK BEFORE YOU RECLINE cal firms, destroy entry barriers for new-
comers, allow the sale of public sector units,
nearly 100 million who engaged with firms
in the formal and informal sector, less than
kept ballooning. Bigger scams tumbled out
in the open. Contrary to what Jaswant said
from the books. Thank you for the great
article. Such stories need to be included in our

A
and open the floodgates for foreign inves- 40% filed income tax returns, and a mere in 2003, reforms remained hostage “either higher education.
ir rage. An Indian passenger was recently beaten up inside
tors. Yashwant (1998) tried dismantling the 1,72,000 showed annual income of more to yesterday’s debates or subjective and se- B Sampathkumar, email
a Thai Smile Airways flight to Kolkata because he kept his “Inspector Raj”, as India did with the Brit- than `1 million. Of the nearly 1.4 million lective interpretations”. Wealth disparities
seat reclined at take-off, violating safety instructions. It’s no ish Raj. Jaitley (2016) wanted farmers’ earn- companies, a mere 7,781 showed profits of lingered on. No one listened to Manmohan, Rahul’s promise
surprise if domestic airlines, especially low-cost carriers, do ings to double for “income security”. FMs over `100 million. Chidambaram consist- who, in 1991, categorically said that “wealth Apropos of Rahul takes a dig at ‘outsiders’,
away with reclining seats in economy class in the future. They hoped that the croppers could become capi- ently complained (1996 and 2004) that very is a social product” and those “who create bats for restoration of statehood (Jan 24).
avoid fights and make more money by squeezing in an extra row talists through a second Green Revolution few people—1.2 million and 34 million, re- and own it have to hold it as a trust”. Rahul’s assertion during his yatra that
of seats which, lighter than reclining seats, saves on fuel costs (Jaswant; 2003), a food-processing one spectively—filed tax returns. To pun on what the Prince of Denmark, statehood would be restored to Kashmir is
(Yashwant; 2002), or a horticulture revolu- So the FMs widened the tax base through Hamlet, said in Shakespeare’s immortal quite childish. Special status for Kashmir was
for the airlines. Some rows in Indian carriers already have non- tion (Chidambaram; 2004). Self-employment initiatives like the minimum tax on every words, “The FMs were kind only to be a great blunder by Nehru and has been set
reclining seats. The trend is catching up in the West. Meanwhile, and schemes for guaranteed jobs became firm. The onus was on each person, who cruel.” right by the BJP.
pre-flight safety demos should include etiquette on reclining. the norm. owned a car, telephone, or real estate, used (alamsrinivas@gmail.com) G Nataraja Perumal, email

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08 OPINION THE TRIBUNE
GURUGRAM | WEDNESDAY | 25 JANUARY 2023

Constitution as ‘North Star’


THE TRIBUNE established in 1881
CJI turns spotlight on issues critical to democratic endurance of Indian State
they occupied. A later version added
Governors to this list. While these
were dismissed as being incompatible

Saluting war heroes with the principle of equality before


law, one can see how this danger to
democracy is always lurking.
Tribute to Andamans’ historical & strategic importance What is heartening is that though

T
there have been several instances
HE Union Government deserves appreciation for naming 21 SHYAM SARAN when India’s democracy has been
islands of the Andamans after Param Vir Chakra awardees. Befit- FORMER FOREIGN SECRETARY AND SENIOR under threat, there were eminent
tingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement on FELLOW, CENTRE FOR POLICY RESEARCH
political, legal and civil society figures
the occasion of the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra who emerged as sentinels of the rights

I
Bose, the legendary freedom fighter who had hoisted the Tricolour in the T was reassuring to hear the of our citizens. Palkhivala was one of
archipelago on December 30, 1943. The PM also unveiled the model of a Chief Justice of India, DY Chan- them. If PM Modi is able to rightfully
Bose memorial to be set up on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, which drachud, unreservedly defend proclaim India as the ‘mother of
was previously known as Ross Island. It was on December 30, 2018, that the ‘basic structure’ of the Indi- democracy’ today, the credit must
the PM had announced the renaming of Ross Island, Neil Island (Shaheed an Constitution as the ‘North Star’ CLINCHER: Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s remarks should put to rest the controversy also go to the brave defenders of the
Dweep) and Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) to honour Bose’s memory which ‘guides and gives direction to about whether the notion of ‘basic character’ of the Constitution has any validity. PTI constitutional order.
and acknowledge the Andamans’ contribution to the freedom struggle. its interpreters and implementers, We live in a globalised world where
when the path is convoluted’. This the density of engagement and inter-
The 21 islands have been named after valiant soldiers such as Major
rejects the argument that Parliament, As India is celebrating 75 years of Independence, it is a action among people of different eth-
Somnath Sharma (the first Param Vir Chakra awardee), Major Shaitan
Singh, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Major (later Colonel) Hoshiar Singh,
which itself is a creature of the Consti- good time to reflect upon the many triumphs of our nicities, speaking different languages,
tution, has the authority, by virtue of adhering to different religious and cul-
2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal, Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, Captain being representative of the people’s democracy and its vulnerabilities as well. tural identities and professing differ-
Vikram Batra and Grenadier (later Subedar Major and Hony Captain) will through popular elections, to ent ideologies, is unprecedented. The
Yogendra Singh Yadav. Most of these heroes made the supreme sacri- alter, amend and modify the Constitu- future will belong to societies that are
fice during various wars that India has fought since Independence. This tion in any manner it deems fit. executive. In a democracy, the win- were made in a speech honouring the able to handle immense diversity,
special homage is also a glowing tribute to the armed forces’ all-impor- I derived three key takeaways from ning of elections is not a licence to dis- memory of one of India’s great jurists, which celebrate plurality and possess
tant role in defending the nation’s borders over the decades. his remarks: One, that the Constitu- pense with the rule of law. Nor does it Nani Palkhivala. Palkhivala was a pas- an innate cosmopolitan temperament.
The government’s laudable gesture has turned the spotlight on the tion is supreme and the three organs of mean rule by the majority, because sionate defender of the fundamental India is one such society and its suc-
Andamans, which are best known not only for their wonderful beaches but the State — the legislature, executive then this would violate the principle of rights of citizens, and to him goes the cess in managing diversity is insepara-
also for the Cellular Jail, where India’s freedom fighters were incarcerated by and judiciary — each derives its status equality before law. Secularism is part credit for the doctrine of the basic ble from its democratic dispensation.
British rulers. Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that the PM is working and authority from the Constitution. of the basic character of the Constitu- character of the Constitution becom- The framers of the Indian Constitu-
on making the islands self-reliant. This is a huge challenge as the archipela- Two, that while the Constitution could tion, because ours is a multi-religious ing an accepted legal principle. In his tion acknowledged the diversity of
be amended through the procedure country and only secularism can arguments in favour of the doctrine, India but sought to build a united
go needs better Internet connectivity and a robust road network. The devel-
laid down in its various provisions, its ensure equality, irrespective of reli- Palkhivala pointed to the post war country, not by suppressing its multi-
opment of infrastructure is necessitated by the Andamans’ strategic impor-
‘basic character’ could not be gious beliefs. Fraternity, which is a constitutions of both Japan and Ger- ple identities but by transcending
tance in view of their proximity to the Indo-Pacific region. Established in 2001, infringed. The basic character derives principle enshrined in the Preamble to many, which had made fundamental them in a larger and overarching
the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is India’s sole integrated theatre from the nature of the Indian State as the Constitution, is also part of its basic rights of citizens, eternal, inalienable brotherhood of equal citizenship.
command. Its operational preparedness is vital for national security amid the a secular democracy assuring justice, character, because without empathy and inviolable. This was done, he This is why we have individual-based
military threat posed by China. Bolstering the ANC is also a prerequisite for liberty, equality and fraternity to all its and sense of togetherness, how can pointed out, to prevent in future the rights which cannot be abridged by
carrying out much-delayed theatrisation of the defence forces. citizens; and three, that only an inde- there be national unity and solidarity? ‘extreme amendments’ which had community identities. The tempta-
pendent judiciary can uphold the The Constitution has assured its citi- enabled the snuffing out of democrat- tion to appeal to communal identities
basic character of the Constitution. zens certain fundamental rights, such ic institutions and processes, for for political and electoral gain can
These are important remarks by the as right to freedom of expression and example, in Nazi Germany. Another only undermine democracy in the

Deepfake narratives Chief Justice and should put to rest the


ongoing controversy over whether the
notion of ‘basic character’ of the Con-
association, equality, religion and priva-
cy. Since the Constitution came into
force in 1950, there have been repeated
eminent former judge of the SC, Jus-
tice Rohinton Nariman, had in a
speech a few years ago, given an
long run by fragmenting society. Fra-
ternity is as key an attribute of
democracy as are liberty and equality.
CEC triggers debate on threat to free and fair polls stitution has any validity and the relat- attempts by successive political dispen- example of the danger of similar It is also the basis of national unity.
ed question of the role of the executive sations to limit, if not, erase these rights, ‘extreme amendment’ in India. India is celebrating 75 years of its

T
HE disturbing trend of malicious deepfake narratives in the run-up in judicial appointments, which may either in the purported pursuit of social When the Emergency was declared by Independence. This is a good time to
to elections is not peculiar to India. The use of a form of artificial compromise the independence of the or economic goals or in the name of Indira Gandhi in 1975, she proposed a reflect upon the many triumphs of our
intelligence called deep learning to make images of fake events is a judiciary. The notion of the basic char- national security or defence. The notion constitutional amendment which democracy and its vulnerabilities as
worldwide concern. Doctored content, most likely a realistic fake video, is acter of the Constitution has become of the basic character evolved to check would have made the President, PM well. We should thank the Chief Jus-
presented as fact to alter public perception. Fictitious information, includ- the bastion of citizens against a con- this attempted erosion of the rights of and Speaker of Lok Sabha exempt tice for turning the spotlight on issues
ing controversial or hateful statements with the intention of playing upon stant erosion of her fundamental citizens against a predatory state. from any judicial proceedings for which are critical to the democratic
political divisions, gets widely circulated. Even mainstream news sources, rights by both the legislature and the Justice Chandrachud’s remarks their lifetime by virtue of the office endurance of the Indian State.
in their zeal to score over rivals, often fall for the propagandist misinforma-
tion, avoiding fact-checking. By the time retractions or apologies appear,
large numbers of people may believe the falsehood because it came from a
trustworthy source. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, by
flagging the potential of fake social media narratives to affect free and fair
elections, has highlighted an issue that needs serious attention.
The Election Commission, with its track record of successful conduct of
The ‘missing’ attendance register
polls under the most trying conditions and managing mindboggling logis- Sanjeev Gandhi was generally marked in staff rooms. help the teacher in searching for spotted something clinging to his
tics, is uniquely placed to come up with solutions. The primary task is to One of my seniors’ register usually the register! The peon tried to find buffalo’s back when it came out of
make all stakeholders recognise the damage that the misuse of technology
by disruptive elements can cause, and its capacity to erode trust in the fair-
ness of the electoral process. Social media intermediaries, as the CEC point-
ed out, have the capability to detect the deepfakes proactively, especially
A S a college teacher, I have
always been reluctant to take
the roll call in every period. The
class strength is large in government
colleges and it takes several minutes to
remained blank. One day, the college
principal asked all teachers to
update the attendance registers and
submit them in the office the next
day, which was the last day of the ses-
it, but in vain. And it was presumed
that the register was lost.
A few days after the incident, a staff
meeting was convened. Though the
matter was not on the agenda, the
the village pond. It turned out to a
college register, which someone had
tried to dispose of by throwing it into
the pond. Performing his civic duty,
when electoral cycles are definite and announced well in advance. What also the villager had visited the college
requires intervention is to deny any prominence to fake content in platform complete this exercise. But I always sion. That afternoon, everyone was principal started talking about atten- and handed it over to the office.
try to keep the students’ attendance busy in the staff room marking ‘P’ dance registers. He said some teach- When it was checked, the clerk
search results. Another imperative could be to lay the ground rules for the
register up to date as an incident and ‘A’ in the columns. The senior, ers were very careless and made found that the register was that of
poll panel to have inhouse mechanisms to put the brakes on fake content.
taught me an important lesson. who had not bothered about the reg- excuses to evade their responsibility. my senior and the matter was
Strategies to prevent the spread of false information need mass-scale When I joined this profession, one ister, did not seem perturbed. He When a teacher sought an elaboration, brought to the principal’s notice.
public awareness. A global debate is under way on regulating artificial intel- of my senior colleagues advised me went to the principal and told him he looked at my senior and asked if he The revelation was met with peals
ligence — the only question is how to approach it. As efforts continue to that paperwork must be completed that his register was complete but it maintained a record of students’ of laughter at the meeting. The
develop effective detection and blocking systems, it would be prudent to in any government job, otherwise had gone ‘missing’. According to attendance. The teacher answered in teacher in question was embarrassed.
consider the proposal to make the creation and distribution of a deepfake one might get into trouble. But some him, he had left it in the staff room the affirmative. At this, the principal I realised that one can’t escape one’s
without including the digital marker of the modification a crime. of my colleagues were casual about the previous afternoon but could opened a drawer and pulled out a sog- duties and responsibilities and it’s
maintaining the attendance records. not find it now. What could the prin- gy register. Its pages were blank. better to carry them out in time to
The presence or absence of students cipal do except order the peon to The truth came out. A villager had avoid cutting a sorry figure.

❝ ❞
thought for the day letters to the editor
Constitution is not a mere lawyers’ document, it is a vehicle
Aam Advertisement Party But translation must be in letter and ommendations for the appointment of tion today is a business deal, negat-
of life. Its spirit is always the spirit of the age. — BR Ambedkar Refer to ‘Questions raised over spirit by putting rare words in judges that clearly affects our judicial ing the true purpose of producing
transfers of bureaucrats who differ parenthesis. A new law channel delivery system. This shows how bad- enlightened humans.
with Punjab Government’; wast- should be launched to telecast ly the current regime wants to control BM SINGH, AMRITSAR
ing public money is an art and the important proceedings of the consti- the judicial appointments. The
on this day...100 years ago AAP has mastered it. The AAP gov- tutional Benches and awaken the Supreme Court has clearly asserted UGC move commendable
ernment has transferred the citizens about their legal rights. It that the Collegium system is the ‘law The UGC’s decision to permit the
Health Secretary of Punjab for must work directly and solely under of the land’ and must be followed. opening of autonomous foreign uni-
refusing to sanction money for the apex court. Students studying in SK KHOSLA, CHANDIGARH versities in the country is welcome
advertisement of Mohalla clinics in various law universities and colleges (‘Craze for foreign varsities’). With
lahore,thursday, january 25, 1923
states other than Punjab. The will benefit from it. The practice of Foreign campuses their acclaimed superior academic
Health Secretary refused to sanc- translations in state languages Apropos of ‘Craze for foreign varsi- knowledge and skills, it will improve
tion the amount saying that it should be extended to all high ties’; talking of higher education, the the functioning of Indian institutions
THE NEXT STEP IN INDIAN POLITICS would not be able to justify spend- courts after the apex court. import of universities and faculty is, and inspire them to achieve interna-
WHILE the confusion into which Indian politics has been thrown is bound to fill ing Rs 30 crore for the promotion of DILWAR ALI MEERAK, TOHANA in a way, close to an anti-national act. tional standards. At present, their per-
all patriotic hearts with anxiety, it is possible for one to derive some consolation the scheme in states like Tamil It reminds one of how the English formance is far from satisfactory, cour-
from the fact that so many thoughtful men and women are putting forth their best Nadu. Recently, the Delhi Lieu- Undermining judiciary people came to India for trade, and tesy the lackadaisical attitude of our
efforts to find a way out of it. Apart from the ordinary run of easy-going Liberals tenant Governor directed the Chief In the recent past, there has been ruled our country for a long period. political class and academic bureau-
who seem still to believe that freedom will come to India in time as a result of the Secretary to recover Rs 97 crore statement after statement by the Law Nothing of the kind would occur cracy. An overdose of student politics,
patient working of the Reforms, and of no less easy-going Non-co-operators who, from the AAP for allegedly publish- Minister and the Vice-President of today, but it smacks of our poor show. unfair faculty appointments, lack of
undaunted by past disappointment, cling to their faith in the constructive ing political advertisements as gov- India criticising the Collegium system We shall be exposed to the rest of the adequate infrastructure, teachers’
programme, there are at least four different groups of politicians who have been ernment advertisements. The AAP of the Supreme Court. After the world as an inefficient, incapable and obsession with western degrees, job
endeavouring to find a solution to the present trouble. Two of these groups are in should be renamed the Aam Adver- Supreme Court struck down the lethargic nation, dreaming of becom- insecurity, scams and scandals in our
the Congress itself, one represented by Mr. Rajagopalachari and his friends who tisement Party. National Judicial Appointments Com- ing ‘vishwaguru’. It is a slur to our temples of higher learning have con-
seem to look forward with confidence in the near future when they will be able to RK ARORA, MOHALI mission Act in 2015, the doctrine has rich civilisation and culture. A sea stantly hampered the growth of age-
start again an organised campaign of Individual Civil Disobedience; the other held the country in good stead. change in our own higher education old indigenous academic traditions.
represented by Messrs Das, Ajmal Khan and Nehru who consider that the most Translation of verdicts Instead of making statements, the system, with highly qualified faculty, An earnest endeavour is needed to
important thing for the Congress to do is to mend or end the existing Councils. In reference to ‘SC judgements’; only constitutional way of overcoming needs to be channelled to meet our stem the rot. The provision of impart-
Outside the Congress, there is, first, the school of Mrs. Besant who has been slowly the suggestion by the CJI that all SC the Supreme Court verdict would have nation’s requirement. After decades ing quality and affordable education
but steadily maturing her plan of a Convection for the early attainment of full judgments should be in all Indian been for Parliament to pass appropri- of Independence, we have not been at home will discourage many ambi-
responsible government. The success which she has met with so far may be languages will make all verdicts ate legislation for establishing an able to reach a respectable stage glob- tious parents to send their wards
judged from the fact that Mr. Jamnadas Dwarkadas stated in the course of a press accessible to the masses. It might appointment process. But an attempt ally, as we do not figure among the abroad for costly education. This will
interview three or four days ago that it was expected that the preliminary minimise the misinterpretation of is being made to undermine the inde- first 200 universities of the world. give a much-needed fillip to national
conference of the conventionists, which would be held in Delhi on the 12th, 13th certain landmark decisions which pendence of the judiciary. One of the Our leadership should take a serious development and the creation of an
and 14th February, would be attended by about 200 invited guests, and that among are taken as guidelines by the lower pressure tactics adopted by the gov- note of it by reversing the flow from egalitarian society.
those expected to take part in it would be the Right Hon. Srinivas Sastri, backed courts in deciding similar matters. ernment has been to not clear the rec- export to import in education. Educa- DS KANG, HOSHIARPUR
by the approval of the Servants of India Society, and Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru, who
has consented to preside over the Conference. Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com
THE TRIBUNE
GURUGRAM | WEDNESDAY | 25 JANUARY 2023 OPED 09

Slow subsidence of scientific institutions


(NDMA) issued a gag order on scien- (then known as the National Remote
tific institutions, telling them not to Suppression of scientific Sensing Agency), however, were not
share any information or opinion on asked to keep shut. Instead, the FSI
Joshimath with the public through information or expert knowledge was made to incorporate the remote-
the traditional or social media.
Among the scientific institutions
has serious ramifications for the sensing-based technique in its map-
ping process. This resulted in a far
asked to keep mum are not just the application of science for the public more accurate assessment of the for-
NRSC and ISRO but also research est cover over the years.
DINESH C SHARMA
labs belonging to different scientific good. It is not a matter of the right of Suppression of scientific informa-
SCIENCE COMMENTATOR agencies — the Council of Scientific an individual scientist or researcher tion or expert knowledge has serious
and Industrial Research, Depart- ramifications for the application of

T
HE Joshimath crisis has laid ment of Science and Technology, to express views or share data but science for the public good. It is not a
bare another equally serious Ministry of Water Resources, Indian matter of the right of an individual
challenge — the slow subsi- Institute of Technology-Roorkee as
is related to the role of science in scientist or researcher to express
dence of Indian scientific well as the Survey of India and Geo- public policymaking as well as views or share data but is related to
research councils and academic insti- logical Survey of India. the role of science in public policy-
tutions. Their foundational ground of The NDMA order is unprecedented shaping an informed public opinion. making as well as shaping an
rational and independent thinking, and brazen. Neither the NDMA nor informed public opinion. Sharing of
new ideas and scientific discourse is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) BRAZEN GAG: Scientific institutions have been told data, expert views or research papers
slowly sinking. Like Joshimath town, under which it functions is the parent to keep mum on the Joshimath situation. PTI can contribute to a healthy discourse
which has been experiencing a grad- body of any of the scientific organisa- on contested subjects, be it genetical-
ual subsidence, the crisis in our scien- tions being gagged. It is a political ly modified foods, Himalayan ecology,
tific research organisations has been decision since the NDMA order men- information in the public domain helps it acquire data even through 1966 as a result of an agreement signed substandard drugs, data privacy or
in the making for some time. tions that it was taken at a meeting should be encouraged. In many sec- cloud cover and during day or night with the Netherlands during the visit antimicrobial resistance.
A significant flashpoint came on chaired by the Home Minister. Even tors, including remote sensing and time under all weather conditions. The of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1957. The IPI In a country like India with a vast
January 11, with the Hyderabad- if it was so, scientific agencies like earth observation, scientists routinely second part of the NRSC assessment is functioned under the Survey of India network of research institutes, univer-
based National Remote Sensing the ISRO and CSIR are autonomous share data and publish findings in based on imageries from the Indian and was subsequently transferred to sities and academic centres with
Centre (NRSC) — an arm of the bodies (at least, on paper) and they research journals, and present papers satellite, Cartosat-2S, which provides the ISRO which was formed in 1969. It experts on a range of topics, differ-
Indian Space Research Organisa- are not under the MHA. at conferences. The US National panchromatic imagery with a resolu- now functions as the Indian Institute ences of opinion are bound to surface.
tion (ISRO) — coming out with a Only a few months ago, the Home Aeronautics and Space Administra- tion of 0.65 metres. The NRSC must be of Remote Sensing under the ISRO. Such differences can be sorted out
preliminary assessment of the Secretary transgressed his powers tion (NASA) has portals where complimented, not gagged, for coming The first Indian remote-sensing through healthy public debates on key
Joshimath subsidence based on by calling a meeting of secretaries of remote-sensing data are regularly up with the analysis using remote- satellite to become operational was issues with the involvement of scien-
remote-sensing data. It reported the all scientific departments and abol- shared. The data on earthquakes any- sensing data from the ESA and ISRO. IRS-1A in 1988. Today, the space tists, academics as well as civil society.
truth as seen from space — the town ished hundreds of awards given to where in the world is available in Shockingly, the NDMA finds the analy- agency has four series of sophisticat- In the 1980s, the Indian Institute of
had sunk up to 9 cm between April scientists and researchers in one go. real-time on the website of the Unit- sis as something that is “creating con- ed remote-sensing satellites — Science organised a debate between
and November 2022, and more rap- The Indian Council of Agricultural ed States Geological Survey. There fusion among affected residents and Resourcesat, Cartosat, Oceansat and nuclear scientists and environmental
idly between December 27 and Jan- Research recently warned working are genetic sequence databases also among citizens of the country.” RISAT. A landmark contribution of activists at the height of the contro-
uary 8. It was the first scientific and retired scientists against deviat- accessible to researchers from all The discussion on the usability of the the ISRO in the 1980s was using versy on the Kaiga Nuclear Power
report that pointed to the gravity of ing from the official position on over the world. remote-sensing data is taking place in remote-sensing data for the prepara- Plant. Nowadays, research councils,
the situation in Joshimath. genetically modified food. Those not A part of the assessment the NRSC the context of Uttarakhand because its tion of a forest map of India which academic institutions and science
Instead of acknowledging the seri- following the diktat were warned of put out is based on imageries from the capital, Dehradun, is the birthplace of showed large-scale deforestation. academies are shying away from such
ousness and accepting that it had action against them. Sentinel-1 satellite of the European remote-sensing studies in India. It was This finding was at variance with the discussions. Their silence is encourag-
failed to act in time, the National Discussions based on scientific Space Agency (ESA). This satellite has here that the Indian Photo-interpreta- maps produced by the Forest Survey ing the government to further erode
Disaster Management Authority observations and the sharing of that a Synthetic Aperture Radar which tion Institute (IPI) was founded in of India (FSI). The ISRO and NRSC their independence and autonomy.

Need economic policy to cope with ageing population


T
HE Indian Republic is no organisation, Oxfam. Its first point is brought under a wider social security
longer young. It is turning to raise the tax burden on the rich and network. This is essential as 90 per
73. It is also on the way to lower it on the poor. It can be done by cent of India’s labour force is engaged
becoming the most populous imposing a wealth tax on the wealthy in the informal sector where a day’s
country in the world, leaving China and reducing the tax burden on the absence from work or inability to find
behind. What is more, the fertility poor by lowering the GST rates on work means loss of a day’s income
rate (the number of children that a essential items which the poor have to without a fallback.
woman is likely to bear during her consume in order to keep hunger and The circle of entitlement will not be
SUBIR ROY
reproductive years) has fallen below destitution at bay. completed if a labourer has to think
SENIOR ECONOMIC ANALYST the replacement level of 2.2. This With the fiscal resources so gained, twice before taking an ill family
means the country will cease to reap the prime policy objective would be to member to a well-provided public
the demographic dividend — a large improve access to public services like health centre because it will mean
The policy must seek to bring number of youngsters will not be health and education. Foremost, the staying away from work for a day
there to join the workforce to take budgetary allocation to the health sec- and, thereby, losing a day’s wages.
down the maternal and infant care of an increasingly ageing popula- tor has to be increased to the target of Besides, just as there is a system of
mortality rates, improve tion that has stopped earning.
At this juncture, the country needs to
2.5 per cent of GDP by 2025, as envis-
aged in the National Health Policy.
anganwadis to take care of preschool
children, there has to be an elaborate
nutrition levels and expand execute a dramatic shift in the econom- This will lead to the poor needing to pension provision for all so that those
ic policy so that the youngsters joining FISCAL HELP: There has to be an elaborate pension provision for all so that those too spend less out of pocket for emer- too old to earn do not become a severe
training. This will allow the workforce henceforth can be more old to earn do not become a burden on their families. TRIBUNE PHOTO gency medical treatment as public burden on their families.
healthy mothers to go back to productive, contributing more to the healthcare delivery will improve as a In order for all this to happen, the
economy than was the case earlier. This ents instead of simply dumping network. Now that schools have result of higher budgetary allocation. citizenry must know what to seek
work after giving birth and requires a shift in political perceptions, chemical fertilisers. And post-har- reopened, there needs to be an emer- This will happen when more and from their leaders, both politicians
social policy and public spending. vest, they must know how to market gency national plan so that children better primary and community health aspiring for office and officials man-
their babies to grow up to Foremost, the policy must seek to the produce at best prices by access- can have the same level of reading, centres and medical colleges, along ning the administration. For this, the
become healthy youngsters bring down the maternal and infant ing farm information portals and writing and comprehension skills with district hospitals, are estab- citizenry needs to be made wise on
mortality rates, improve nutrition lev- joining farmer producer organisa- that they would have had if the pan- lished. The latter will raise the supply what is its due and ask for it in a coher-
and robust workers. The els and expand training. This will tions, which sell at the best price demic had not struck. of paramedics and doctors to man the ent manner. This job of helping the
allow healthy mothers to go back to available, instead of simply dumping Lastly, the system must develop the extended healthcare system. citizenry to correctly articulate its
youngsters must be properly work after giving birth and their the crop at the nearest mandi or the infrastructure for retraining workers Simultaneously, says Oxfam, the demand and insist on adequate deliv-
educated so that after babies to grow up to become healthy first middleman who arrives at the so that they can handle newer budgetary allocation for education ery has to be done initially by civil
youngsters and robust workers. The village after harvest with cash. They machines. In Scandinavian countries, must be raised to 6 per cent of the society organisations.
completing schooling they youngsters must be properly educated should take loans from a microfi- workers are paid to go on study leave GDP, as outlined in the National Edu- Over time, politicians aspiring for
so that after completing schooling nance organisation or bank-linked so that with reskilling they are able to cation Policy. The increased resource power, from the panchayat level
are able to access vocational they are able to access vocational train- self-help groups, instead of falling operate the newest machines which allocation and provisioning of educa- onwards, must know what they have
training and acquire skills ing and acquire skills which enable prey to local moneylenders. have just been installed at factories. tional capacity must have a specific to promise and deliver to the elec-
them to work with increasingly sophis- This in itself is a tall order, but it is This will raise the productivity level of focus: concentrate more on areas torate for them to not just acquire
which enable them to ticated technology. Instead of running not enough. Right now, there is a mini a worker and take care of the impact of which have a large number of mem- power but retain it. As the message
lathe machines, they would need to crisis at hand. Gains in learning skills fewer workers as a result of fewer bers from deprived communities like travels up the political ladder, politi-
work with increasingly operate digitally driven workstations. from schooling have received a set- babies being born. the Scheduled Castes and Tribes and cal parties at the apex will have to
sophisticated technology. On farms, they will have to grow back as a result of school closure dur- A comprehensive agenda for action girls across the board. formulate the right platforms to
crops using less water and deliver ing the pandemic and inadequacies of to address all these issues has been As the poor get better healthcare and acquire power and deliver on the
the right level and mix of plant nutri- learning from home via the digital formulated by the global civil society education, their households must be promises to remain in power.

quick crossword su do ku calendar forecast


ACROSS SUNSET: WEDNESDAY 17:53 HRS
JANUARY 25, 2023, WEDNESDAY
1 Capital of Poland (6)
4 Small dark plumlike fruit (6) 3 6 5 ■ Shaka Samvat 1944
SUNRISE: THURSDAY 07:16 HRS

9 Constant (7) ■ Magha Shaka 5

1 4 8 7 3
10 Imitate in ridicule (5) ■ Magha Parvishte 12 Sunny Partly Cloudy Cloudy Rainy Foggy
11 Large northern sea-duck (5)
■ Hijari 1444 CITY MAX MIN
12 Give a right (7)
13 A broadly accurate ■ Shukla Paksha Tithi 4, up to 12.35 pm Chandigarh 18 10
guide (4,2,5)
18 Thick scarf (7)
2 5 1 4 ■ Parigha Yoga up to 6.15 pm New Delhi 23 13
20 Rise to great height (5) ■ Purva Bhadrapad Nakshatra up to 8.05 pm Amritsar 17 09
22 Unique (5)
23 Embodiment (7) 4 3 1 5 ■ Moon enter Pisces sign 2.29 pm Bathinda
Jalandhar
19
18
07
08
24 Irritable (6)
YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION Ludhiana 18 09
8 3 2 4
25 Nothing but (6)
Bhiwani 20 09
DOWN 9 1 8 3 7 4 2 5 6 Hisar 19 09
1 Deteriorate (6)
2 Inflexible (5)
3 Without specific
6 4 2 8 5 4 3 1 2 6 8 9 7
Sirsa
Dharamsala
19
14
09
03
assignment (2,5) 2 7 6 9 5 8 1 4 3
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5 Concede (5)
6 Outward sign (7) 1 7 5 9 4 2 9 5 1 7 6 3 8 Shimla 10 01
7 Silvery-white metal (6) 3 8 5 2 6 9 7 1 4 Srinagar 06 --01
8 The military (5,6)
14 Paid in advance (7)
15 Fast emergency
9 7 2 8 3 7 6 1 8 4 3 5 2 9
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Kargil
16
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09
--18
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16 Strong effect (6)
17 Pleasantly windy (6)
4 6 9 8 5 4 7 9 1 3 6 2 Dehradun 18 10 1
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6LQJK·VYLHZVµ+HZHQWRQWRVD\WKDWWKHDUPHGIRUFHVGRWKHLU´MREH[FHSWLRQDOO\ destination for Indian
ZHOO7KH\GRQ·WQHHGWREHSURYLGLQJSURRIµ7KHJUDQGROGSDUW\ZRXOGOLNHWREHOLHYH tourists, is an instruc-
WKDW*DQGKL·VVWDWHPHQWZRXOGEULQJDFORVXUHWRWKHLVVXH%XWWKH%KDUDWL\D-DQDWD tive case for the study
3DUW\ %-3 ZKLFKRQ0RQGD\KDGFRQGHPQHG6LQJKIRUTXHVWLRQLQJWKHVXU of civil-military rela-
JLFDOVWULNHLVXQOLNHO\WROHWKLVUHFHQWUHPDUNVEH tions. Control of the military by
civil authority, the accepted
EXULHG,WKDVDOUHDG\VDLGWKDWKH´HFKRHV3DNLVWDQ·V democratic norm, is frequently
QDUUDWLYHµRQWKH3XOZDPDWHUURUDWWDFNZKLFKNLOOHG challenged by the Palace, the
&53)SHUVRQQHOLQ,WZLOONHHSUDNLQJXS third player even though monar-
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is around the corner on 7 May
XSZLWKVWDWHPHQWVWKDWWKH%-3ORYHVWRGHQRXQFH with the parliamentary term end-
)RUKRZ5DKXO*DQGKLZRXOGNHHSGLVDJUHHLQJZLWK ing on 23 March. Currently, a
6LQJK·VLQWHPSHUDWHVWDWHPHQWVLVDTXHVWLRQWKDWWKH coalition led by the Palang
SDUW\WRSEUDVVPXVWGHOLEHUDWHRQ3HUKDSV6LQJK Pracharath Party (PPRP) the mil-
itary which includes three
VD\VVXFKWKLQJVWRPDNHKHDGOLQHVSHUKDSVKLVSRO Generals, all former Army Chiefs,
LWLFVRIFKDPSLRQLQJWKHFDXVHRI0XVOLPVKDVUHVXOW has ruled the country since 2014.
HGLQDWHPSHUDPHQWWKDWWULJJHUVVXFKUHPDUNVLW The two Generals in subordinate
LVKRZHYHUWKH*23WKDWJHWVKXUW&KDPSLRQLQJWKH political positions are senior to the
Prime Minister. The billionaire Brad Adams, director of General Staff College at Fort expression against Monarchy.
FDXVHRI0XVOLPV³ZKLFKXVXDOO\PHDQWSDQGHULQJ PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was Human Rights Watch said Leavenworth (US) in 1975 Protests for reforming monar-
WRWKHPRVWUHWURJUDGHVHFWLRQVRIWKHFRPPXQLW\DQGZKLFKWKH%-3ULJKWO\FDOOV ousted in a military coup in that the military has made mentioned how they made chy erupted recently though
0XVOLPDSSHDVHPHQW³ZDVDZLQQLQJSURSRVLWLRQLQWKHSUR0RGLHUD0DQ\DSROLW 2006, was followed by his sister itself invulnerable by framing their political choices while in mostly by youth who use code
LFDOFDUHHUZDVPDGHMXVWE\PRXWKLQJWKHIDVKLRQDEOH¶VHFXODU·KRPLOLHV Yingluck becoming Prime laws to dissolve the main the Military Academy. words to refer to their targets.
Minister later and now his daugh- opposition party, control the Recently, the constitution was Two tragic events occurred
,QWHOOHFWXDOHOLWHVPRVWRIWKHPRI/HIWOLEHUDOGLVSRVLWLRQZHUHTXLWHDFFRPPRGDW ter Paetongtarn is carrying the Election Commission, and believed to have been amend- last December – the sinking of
LQJWRZDUGVSROLWLFLDQVZKRVH¶VHFXODUFUHGHQWLDOV·ZHUHLPSHFFDEOH6R/DOX3UDVDG flag of Pheu Thai Party (PTP). hand-pick the Senate (which ed to give the King special a Thai warship with several
<DGDYJRWFRQVLGHUDEOHWUDFWLRQGHVSLWHVHULRXVFKDUJHVRIFRUUXSWLRQDJDLQVWKLP King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Rama decides on government forma- powers and certain special sailors drowned; and the car-
DQGWKHZLWKHULQJDZD\RIWKHDGPLQLVWUDWLRQLQ%LKDUXQGHUKLVZDWFK'LJYLMD\D6LQJK X, barred his elder sister, who tion) to thwart the will of the forces placed under his com- diac arrest of the Crown
renounced royalty, from contest- people. Wongsuwon publicly mand. The Army Chief 2018, Princess (apparently first in the
IORXULVKHGLQWKDWHUD+HFDOOHGWKH%DWOD+RXVHHQFRXQWHURQ6HSWHPEHU ing elections with Thaksin’s PTP. stated it is not difficult for his the son of a former coup line of succession) still in a
DW-DPLD1DJDULQ'HOKL´IDNHµ7KLVZDVGHVSLWHWKHIDFWWKDWLQWKDWHQFRXQWHUDQ Shinawatra according to a report party to form a government as leader, led his officers on coma. The effects of the pan-
DFH'HOKL3ROLFHRIILFHUZDVNLOOHGDQGWKH'HOKL3ROLFHZDVXQGHUKLVRZQSDUW\·V in The Bangkok Post in May 2005 the Senate is ‘controllable’. Thai bended knees and folded demic have struck a body
JRYHUQPHQW,QKHUHSHDWHGKLVGHPDQGIRUDMXGLFLDOSUREHLQWRWKHHQFRXQWHU had made arrangements with Generals have taken a leaf out hands, to swear an oath of alle- blow to tourism, the mainstay
the Palace to control the Generals. of neighboring absolute mili- giance to the King at Army of the economy. Fortunately,
2WKHU&RQJUHVVOHDGHUVKDYHDOVRSOD\HGWKHVDPHJDPH,QIRULQVWDQFHWKH
WKHQODZPLQLVWHU6DOPDQ.KXUVKLGVDLG&RQJUHVVSUHVLGHQW6RQLD*DQGKL´ZHSWELW
The PPRP is led by Deputy
Prime Minister, Pravit
tary rulers of Myanmar’s 2008
constitution into their 2017 C70864=4A0;B Headquarters in Bangkok.
Gen Prayuth outdid him say-
the tourist footfall in 2022 has
crossed the 10mn mark.
WHUO\µZKHQVKHFDPHWRNQRZDERXWWKH\RXQJ0XVOLPER\VNLOOHGLQWKHHQFRXQWHU Wongsuwon, the senior most constitution. Only a landslide 70E4C0:4=0 ing: “I will worship and protect India has strong and
7KH%-3FRUUHFWO\FDOOHG.KXUVKLG·VVWDWHPHQWDVD´FRPPXQDOSOR\WRJHW0XVOLP General; Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha victory by a single party like monarchy”. Generals are galore friendly relations with
juniormost General is PM with the National League of ;405>DC>5 – for every 212 troops one flag Thailand with 50,000 Indians
YRWHVµ7KDWZDVWKHQ7KHG\QDPLFVRISROLWLFVZHUHFRQGXFLYHIRUVXFKSOR\V%XW
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Interior Minister Gen Anupong
Paochinda. Wongsuwon last
Democracy of Aung San Suu
Kyi achieved in 2021 (which =48671>DA8=6 rank officer. In India, 21,000
soldiers make one General.
gainfully employed from
Gaggan Anand’s two Michelin
EHWWHUIRUKLVSDUW\ month told reporters that his resulted in the coup) can undo 01B>;DC4 The Army has prepared a 20- Star restaurants to Gunjan
party will decide whether he will military rule in Thailand. The year Strategic Development Kumar’s mobile chana jor
be PM but he prefers “military life 2017 constitution allows the <8;8C0AHAD;4AB Plan which governments are garam enterprise. Statues of
?82D1<; to political one”. He was confident
his party would remain in power
nomination of 250 Senators
(mostly Army and Police) that >5<H0=<0A³B required to follow.
Although absolute monar-
Hindu gods and goddesses are
dotted all over Thailand with
as part of a coalition. The Sunday can dilute the verdict of the !' chy ended in 1932, the consti- many beautiful Tamil kovils.
China Morning Post of 500-strong House of elected tutional monarchy prevailed There are strong Buddhist
December 2022 reported that Representatives. Rules have 2>=BC8CDC8>= with the previous monarch the links also with Thailand. The
three of four Thais think PTP
should be in power and
been so framed that the mili-
tary needs only one-third of 8=C>C748A! & most revered King who ruled
for 70 years, slightly less than
Shinawatra scion may give
the Generals shivers but the
Paetongtarn was the favorite the elected house for govern- 2>=BC8CDC8>= the term of Queen Elizabeth II. ruling trio of Generals is
leader to end the decade-old mil- ment formation. The Generals It is not clear which way the bound to return for a third
itary rule. The National Institute have given a civilian façade to pendulum is swinging in term four months from now.
of Development Administration the military government – to Palace-Military relations at
polls showed she was 10 percent- put it crudely – like a wolf in present. South China Morning (The writer, a retired Lt
age points ahead of Prayuth and sheep’s clothing. Post reported that ‘normally Gen, was Commander, IPKF
PTP ahead of PPRP and other The military (and police) the Army proposes and the South, Sri Lanka, & founder
political parties. But unless all in Thailand is one of the most King disposes of. Very strict member of the Defence
political parties unite against the politicized entities in this part laws exist on royal defamation Planning Staff, currently the
Generals’ PPRP they have no of the universe. My Thai col- under lese’ majeste – 15 years Integrated Defence Staff;
chance of defeating them. leagues at Command and in jail under Law 112 for views expressed are personal)

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9DLVKQDZDGGLQJWKDWWKHHPSOR\HHV´VKRXOGKDYH which found that the BBC “exhibited a left- businesses too. Setting up a computer typ- inclusive Indian nationalism. 2^\TSXP]
of-centre bias in both the amount of cov- ing institute business is also good. Ranganathan Sivakumar | Chennai ¯ 0]dQWPeBX]VW1PbbX
JLYHQWKHHPSOR\HHVDIDLUWLPHIRUWUDQVLWLRQµ%XW erage it gives to different opinions and the Typewriter machines not to be seen at all.
WKHQOLEHUDOVDQGWKHPDLQVWUHDPPHGLDORYHWRFULW way in which these voices were represent- Madhu Nivriti PS | Secunderabad CE@B5=53?EBD5H@?C5CD857?FD D\aP]<P[XZXb]^c
LFLVH0XVNIRUKLVXQIRUJLYDEOH¶FULPH·RIEHLQJD ed”. The BBC is still stuck in the days of Sir — The supreme court has rightly PbcaPX]TSP]SUXcPb
IUHHVSHHFK´DEVROXWLVWµ7KH+RQRXUDEOH0LQLVWHU the Raj, a pre-WWII era where Britain had >5D1:9C<5713I exposed the Government's faulty stance in 7PaXbAPdU8Uh^d
a huge influence on global politics, which Sir — Appropriately and rightly so, the not giving a nod to some of the collegium's [^^ZPcWX\X]>38b
PLJKWKDYHEHHQWU\LQJWREHIDVKLRQDEOHZKHQKH is not the case anymore with the US, India, family of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose recommendations based on matters unre- X]WXbUXabcb_T[[WT
FRQGHPQHG0XVN China, and Japan taking center stage. This pulled away from taking part in the lated to their professional duties. In one Q^f[bPa^d]S $
2YHUDPRQWKODWHU0LQLVWHURI6WDWHIRU,QIRUPDWLRQ is not relished by the agency which is still RSS’s program of observing his 126th case it's the individual's sexual orientation Z\_WQdcQhcWT&cW^a'cW^eTa
stuck in a colonial hangover that they don’t birth anniversary yesterday, as the fam- and in another case, it is his political lean- cWTb_TTSSa^_bc^ "'Z\_WCWT
7HFKQRORJ\ 5DMHHY &KDQGUDVHNKDU DOVR WDONHG SXUUTaT]RTXbcWTbP\TPbXcXb
want to get rid of. One cannot wake up a ily had felt the organization’s philoso- ing, which has nothing to do with their dis-
DERXWUHWUHQFKPHQWLQWKH,7VHFWRUEXWKLVYLHZVZHUHUDWLRQDODQGEDODQFHG+H person who is pretending to be asleep! phy has always been paradoxical with charge of duties, that has made their nom- QTcfTT]:^W[XP]ScWTaTbc^UcWT
VDLGWKDWZKLOHWKH*RYHUQPHQW´SUREDEO\FDQQRWµLQWHUYHQHWRVWRSOD\RIIVLQWKH,7 V. Jayaraman | Chennai that of Bose’s inclusive beliefs. The RSS inations to be kept in abeyance by the gov- QPccTab
?PZXbcP]RaXRZTc2^PRW
VHFWRULWZDVZRUNLQJWRHQVXUHWKHVHMREORVVHVDUH´VRIWODQGLQJVµ+HULJKWO\SRLQW has intensified its vain efforts to co-opt ernment. The Government should shed its
¯ 0P`XQ9PeTS
HGRXWWKDWWKHUHDUHHQRXJKMREVIRUWDOHQWHGSHRSOH+HDOVRWDONHGDERXWD5V >1D9?>1<81>4GB9D9>741I Bose into its pantheon of saffron prejudices over the private choices of com-
Sir — 23rd Jan 2023 is National handwrit- heroes. The Sangh Parivar's political petent individuals and should not deny ABB2WXTU<^WP]
FURUH´UHVNLOOLQJµSODQ7KDW·VWKHFRUUHFWDSSURDFKWKH*RYHUQPHQWFDQKHOSWKH ing day. Good and aesthetic handwriting orientation with Subhas Chandra Bose their rightful due. Without a proper rea- 1WPVfPc\dbcQT
VHFWRUDQGHPSOR\HHVLQLWE\SURYLGLQJLQGLUHFWVXSSRUWRQHRIZKLFKLVUHVNLOOLQJ is an asset. But good handwriting and a has always been conflicting and sought son, it cannot deny the recommendations R[TPaPQ^dcfWPcWT
,WVKRXOGDYRLGDKDPKDQGHGDSSURDFKLQYROYLQJGLNWDWVWRWKHWRSEUDVVRI,7PDMRUV good personality do not correlate (as to distort and falsify all that Bose stood of the collegium. fP]cbh^dRP]c
7KDWPD\ZLQWKH*RYHUQPHQWEURZQLHSRLQWVLQWKHSROLWLFDODUHQDEXWZRXOGGRQR many wrongly presume). Many great for secularism. No doubt, Bose was a Dr DVG Sankararao | Vizianagara U^[[^fBPePaZPa
leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother devout Hindu with a saintly streak of =TcPYXc^VTcWTa
JRRGWRHLWKHUWKHVHFWRURULQWKHORQJUXQWRWKHSHRSOHZRUNLQJWKHUH6RIDUWKH Teresa had very bad (illegible) writing. It self-abnegation in him. BT]Shh^daUUTTSQPRZcc^) =TcPYX´b6aP]S=T_WTf
*RYHUQPHQWKDVDYRLGHGVXFKDSRSXOLVWVWDQFH+RSHIXOO\LWZLOOVWD\WKHFRXUVH is good that it is made compulsory for doc- He was deeply inspired by the [TccTabc^_X^]TTa/V\PX[R^\ ¯ 2:1^bT
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B1:I?791A07<0:D<0A=8:D=9 n September 12, 1944, from

,
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O somewhere in Burma, a
speech echoed and resonat-
ed in the minds of every
Indian then and even till
today. Netaji, in his revolutionary tone,
commented: “We have resolved to create
a united and free India, therefore, we shall
RIKDUPRQ\DOOHQHUJ\PRQH\DQGDWWHQWLRQDUHZDVWHGHLWKHULQHIIRUWV oppose all attempts to divide her and cut
WRSUHYHQWZRUVHQLQJRIUHODWLRQVEHWZHHQYDULRXVDQWDJRQLVWLFJURXSV her into bits.”
RUPXFKHIIRUWVKDYHWREHPDGHWREULQJWRQRUPDOF\WKHFRQGLWLRQV And after almost 78 years, a statue
RIODZDQGRUGHUHYHQDIWHUDEULHIHSLVRGHRIGLVWXUEDQFHLQUHODWLRQV of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was
EHWZHHQYDULRXVFRPPXQLWLHVRUJURXSVKDVRFFXUUHG installed at the historic India Gate and the
7KH VRFLHW\ DV LW LV FRQVWLWXWHG WRGD\ LV VR FOHDUO\ NQLW WKDW path leading to India Gate has been
recently named as the ‘Kartavya Path’. The
D GLVWXUEDQFH FDXVHG E\ RQH IDFWRU LQ RQH VHFWRU VHWV ZDYHV RI path not only camouflages the iconic
GLVWXUEDQFH LQ RWKHU VHFWRUV RI WKH VRFLHW\ DOVR $Q DFW RI Subhas Chandra Bose and his vision of
GLVKDUPRQ\ ZURXJKW E\ VFLHQFH WHFKQRORJ\ HGXFDWLRQ DUW RU modern India, but also instils in the
UHOLJLRXVZRUVKLSLQIDFWE\DQ\DVSHFWRIWKHVRFLHW\
VOLIHFDQXSVHW minds of every Indian, the primary duty
KDUPRQ\DQGOHWORRVHWKHIRUFHVRIGLVWXUEDQFHLQDOORUPRVWRWKHU to uphold the democratic principles
ILHOGVDVZHOO incorporated in the legislature, the exec-
'LVKDUPRQ\LQWKHIRUPRIHQYLURQPHQWDOGHJUDGDWLRQLVWKHEHVW utive and the judiciary. It also ignites the
spirit among the countrymen that India
H[DPSOHRIUHFHQWWLPHV,WLVWKHUHIRUHHVVHQWLDOWKDWDOOW\SHVRILQVWL should always be united and dream of liv-
WXWLRQVDQGDOODVSHFWVRIDQRUJDQL]HGVRFLHW\VKRXOGZRUNLQXQL ing in a free India and in the process, ded-
VRQWRFUHDWHKROLVWLFKDUPRQ\HOVHLQFRQJUXRXVVWHSVE\RQHRUD icate their lives in the establishment of
GHV\QFKURQL]HGWXQHE\DQRWKHUFDQGLVWXUEWKHWRWDOKDUPRQ\RUEUHDN India as a country that the entire globe
WKHUK\WKPRIWKHWRWDOV\VWHP views as a symbol of patriotism and unity
in diversity.
The sense of nationalism that Netaji
bore in his heart since his childhood and
=0C8>=0;
the activities that he carried on for the ter- B42DA8CH
ritory of India till his last breath, make British man replied to Bose stat- National Security Advisor of the concept of military force in
him an iconic statesman. 03E8B>A>5 ing that the Indian can leave the India Ajit Doval, in one of his India in the form of INA.
Netaji, since his young age, was a
socially conscious individual and during
8=380098C seat if he had any problem with his
foot being up. This made Bose
speeches relating to Bose, stated
that the British left India not
A pragmatic nationalist who
respected divergent approaches
his days in the Presidency College in 3>E0;BC0C43 very angry and seeing his rebel- because of Mahatma Gandhi, but and views, Netaji understood the
Kolkata. He was disturbed by the pover- lious nature towards establishing because of the rise in nationalism soul of the Indian nation and as
ty and hardship that were faced by the C70CC74 equality in the society, united the and the spark Netaji created such, he envisioned a strong cen-
people then. It was his sense of equality
for all individuals that even made him
1A8C8B7;45C other Indians on the tram, and all
joined Bose in the process of
among the soldiers of Indian
Army in the form of INA. Such
tral government with a large
amount of autonomy allowed to
question his stay at a three storied resi- 8=380=>C rebuking the Englishman. was the aura of INA that even the minority communities and the
dence when he saw many beggars not However, Netaji’s desire to prompted the deeply loyal British provinces. Therefore, for these rea-
having a roof over their head. And that 1420DB4>5 establish a society free of domi- Indian Army, Navy and Air Force sons, Netaji’s birthday in India,
made him even question the system of
governance that created luxuries for a few
<070C<0 nance faced a setback when the
Indian person who suffered from
to join hands in the fervour and
energy that was unleashed by
recently has also been tagged as
‘Parakram Diwas’.
5HVHDUFK KDV SURYHG WKDW HGXFDWLRQ LV RQH RI WKH PRVW
but poverty for many. 60=3781DC the act of the Englishman got INA. Netaji’s idea of nationalism
That was his sense of nationalism for down at the next station, so as The impact of Netaji leading revolved around the concepts of
LPSRUWDQWVHFWRUVZKLFKFDQFRQWULEXWHDORWWRWKHZHOOEHLQJDQG India that he envisioned even before India 1420DB4>5C74 to avoid more ugly scenes. On the the Indian National Army was so equality, liberty and justice,
VPRRWK IXQFWLRQLQJ RI WKH VRFLHW\ ,Q RUGHU WR FUHDWH D KHDOWK\ acquired her independence from the colo- A8B48= one hand, it was that nationalis- strong that it not only acted as an individual freedom and balance
DQGKDSS\VRFLHW\LQZKLFKWKHUHLVVRFLDOSROLWLFDODQGHFRQRPLF nial rule. Nationalism for Bose was a tic approach of Bose that por- opposite Indian force against the of power and more importantly
MXVWLFHDQGKDUPRQ\HGXFDWLRQPXVWHQOLJKWHQWKHHGXFDWHGFODVV transparent story of freedom for every =0C8>=0;8B< trayed glimpses of Indian unity, British, to which the Indian his nationalism for India laid in
RQ WKH QHHG WR LQFXOFDWH KXPDQ YDOXHV DQG GLYLQH TXDOLWLHV LQ individual where no one was dominated, but on the other hand, it was National Congress and the the concept of establishing India
and each and every individual had 0=3C74B?0A: the clutches of dominance from Muslim League had fallen prey, as a nation with complete over-
WKHLU OLIH 3UHVHQWO\ WKLV HOHPHQW LQ HGXFDWLRQ LV QHJOHFWHG DV D
UHVXOWRIZKLFKPDQ\KLJKO\HGXFDWHGSHRSOHGRQRWNQRZKRZWR
the equal amount of respect and liberty
without any power expressing authority
=4C0982A40C43 which the Indians never imagined
they could get out, jolted Bose
but it also led to the British want-
ing his immediate detention.
hauling and recasting of the
stereotypical mode of existence,
OLYH D SHDFHIXO OLIH DQG KRZ WR IDFH WKHLU SUREOHPV ZLWKRXW PXFK over them. This notion of nationalism 0<>=6C74 briefly in his dream of establish- A visionary ahead of his time, leading to genuine national
PHQWDOWHQVLRQ that Bose had in his mind was visible ing a free India. Netaji was not only successful solidarity that would in the longer
,W LV IRXQG WKDW WKH SUHVHQW V\VWHP RI HGXFDWLRQ GRHV QRW in the events where he remained a B>;384AB>5 Bose figured out the process of in raising the notion of Nation run, give India the position of
FXOWLYDWH WKH TXDOLWLHV RI WROHUDQFH VHOIFRQWURO KXPLOLW\ VHUYLFH witness to.
The history on Netaji depicts a story
8=380=0A<H8= uniting a section of the Indians
when he realised that it was not
over community, religion and
tribe but he also clearly
glory. He also believed that a
Nation has no right to exist if it has
FRRSHUDWLRQ FRQFHUQ IRU WKH ZHOOEHLQJ RI VRFLHW\ DQG
UHVSRQVLELOLW\IRURQH
VRZQDFWLRQV$OVRVWXGHQWVDUHQRWJLYHQD
of his travel in a tram where he saw an C745>A<>5 non-violence but armed rebellion understood the concept of no ambition, but he also empha-
Englishman sitting with his feet up, that would prompt the British to diplomacy and foreign relations sised on the fact that progress
FOHDUNQRZOHGJHRIWKHYDOXHRIVLPSOLFLW\KRQHVW\MXVWLFHQRQYLR while an Indian gentleman was sitting in 8=0 leave India. The sense of nation- and he rightly applied the of a country should be broader
OHQFHDQGIDLUSOD\7KHUHVXOWLVWKDWHYHQDIWHUVSHQGLQJVRPDQ\ front of him. The Indian gentleman alism was also visible when he in ‘Chanakya Neeti’ that speaks of and for the community as a
\HDUVLQDVFKRRODQGFROOHJHRUDWWKHXQLYHUVLW\WKHUHLVRIWHQDODFN because of the fear of the colonial dom- (Bishaldeep Kakati is an his bold voice, gave the call for “Enemy of an enemy is your whole rather than for fulfilling
RIJHQWOHQHVVQRELOLW\VLQFHULW\DQGKXPDQLVPDQGDQLQVSLULQJJRDO inance did not raise his voice to it. But advocate, Gauhati High ‘Dilli Chalo’ in his iconic Indian friend’, and this principle helped selfish ends.
LVPLVVLQJLQOLIH Bose was infuriated by this act of the Court; Bagmita National Army movement as well him to form alliance with But the struggle and ideas of
Englishman and as such he asked him to Borthakur is Faculty of as the immortal quote of ‘You give Germany and Italy, against the nationalism of Netaji have been
7KHVRFLHW\WKHUHIRUHPD\KDYHDKLJKSHUFHQWDJHRIOLWHUDWHV
put his foot down as he was spoiling the Political Science, Dispur me blood, and I will give you free- British and as a result of which limited to a paragraph in history
RUHGXFDWHGSHRSOHDQG\HWWKHUHPD\EHFRPPRWLRQLQOHJLVODWLYH clothes of the Indian gentleman. The College) dom’. he was successful in strengthening textbooks.
ERGLHVGLVREHGLHQFHWRRUGHUVRIWKHKLJKHVWFRXUWRIWKHODQGWRWDO
GLVUHJDUGIRUODZFULPLQDOWHQGHQFLHVDQGXQVRFLDOKDELWV2QHGRHV
QRWQHHGOHQJWK\H[SODQDWLRQWRXQGHUVWDQGWKDWLWLVWKHDIRUHVDLGIDF
WRUVWKDWFUHDWHGLVKDUPRQ\ POINTCOUNTERPOINT
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7KHDXWKRULVDVSLULWXDOHGXFDWRU ° 2>=6A4BB;4034A ° 2>=6A4BB2><<D=820C8>=8=270A64
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Third Front again! Samajwadi party. They want the Congress or the BJP. build a non-Congress, non- Mann, Kerala CM Pinarayi However, after two consec- A weakened Congress is not a

A Before every Lok Sabha


poll, the Third Front
idea is floated, and the 2024
a coalition minus Congress to
fight the BJP.
Parallelly, Congress leader
With its glorious past but
miserable present, a
weakened Congress is cur-
BJP front ahead of the 2019
general election. But it failed,
with most regional leaders
Vijayan, Samajwadi Party
leader Akhilesh Yadav, and
CPI's D Raja. KCR has also
utive terms since 2014, KCR
has faced an anti-incumbency
wave. Though he has finished
threat to the regional satraps.
Still, their ambition stops them
from including Congress in
polls are no exception. Political Rahul Gandhi is also current- rently attempting to save the stopping at extending only opened back-channel com- off the Congress and the TDP their coalition.
pundits predict that there is ly on a Bharat Jodo Yatra to party. With this in view, moral support. munication with Odisha's in the state, to his dismay, the Changing electoral
;1<I1>9 B70=:0A Chief Minister Naveen BJP has emerged as the main alliances offer only recurring
space for the entire Opposition unite the Opposition parties. Rahul Gandhi is being In a show of strength to
against Bharatiya Janata Party In effect, while Rahul wants to rebranded before the 2024 boost his political ambitions, Patnaik, to join the alliance. Opposition party in the state. political quicksand. Modi will
but not a Third Front, as it will lead the Opposition, regional polls. He has undertaken a KCR held a mega public rally KCR is opposed to the He depends upon Dame Luck return for a third term as long
splinter the anti-BJP votes and leaders prefer a front minus Bharat Jodo Yatra to unite the in Khammam on January 18. Congress as the two parties are smiling at him. as the Opposition is divided.
help the ruling dispensation. Congress. secular forces. The rally was the first after political rivals in Telangana. A big question remains: The fragile unity of the
The concept was tried and test- Many ifs and buts are The grand old party has KCR converted his regional That is why he aspires to head will the Third Front aspirants Third Front is often criticised.
ed in 1977, 1989, and 1996-98, there for forging a Third Front. invited 21 Opposition par- party Telangana Rashtra a non-Congress, non-BJP manage to capture any space There is a saying that the
supported by either Congress Since the 1980s, regional forces ties, including the Samajwadi Samithi to Bharat Rashtra front. Interestingly, he organ- in national politics or match Third Front leaders can only
or the BJP. But they were all like SP, BSP, RJD, and JD(U) Party and the CPM, for the Samithi on October 5 last ised the Khammam meeting Modi's popularity with their remain together for a short
short-lived. have emerged and had a concluding ceremony in year. To KCR's delight, the days ahead of the grand finale king-size egos? Bihar Chief time and apart for a shorter
Some regional satraps led stronghold in their respective Kashmir next month. Election Commission has of the Bharat Jodo Yatra later Minister Nitish Kumar, who is time. Only after identifying
by Telangana Chief Minister states. Whether these leaders Rao floated his Third recognised the BRS as a this month in Kashmir. realistic, believes that "there is their prime ministerial candi-
K Chandrashekhar Rao are would come together to chal- Front idea in early 2018, argu- national party. KCR has never hidden his no question of a Third Front. date and devising a common
trying to build a Third Front lenge Prime Minister ing that the Congress and the Most of those who ambition for a national role There should be one front that minimum programme could
before the 2024 Lok Sabha Narendra Modi is the million- BJP have failed to govern the skipped the Congress Yarra while waiting to perform a hat includes Congress. Then we the Second Front or Third
polls. It includes some influ- dollar question. Moreover, his- country. In KCR's mind, he participated in the Khammam trick in the Assembly polls can trounce the BJP in 2024." Front succeed.
ential regional leaders head- torically, arithmetic has shown and not Modi or the Congress Rally. It included Delhi Chief later this year. He believes he The Opposition has to The regional leaders want
ing BRS, AAP, CPI-M, (The author is a senior the Third Front is only possi- could lead the country in the Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his is destined to become a nation- decide who their real rival is. to do this after the polls to
Trinamool Congress, and the journalist) ble with the support of either right direction. He tried to Punjab counterpart Bhagwant al alternative to Modi. Is it the BJP or the Congress? avoid friction.

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