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06 NEW DELHI, 31 DECEMBER 2023 Vol.

CXXXXXVII 52 (S)

With which is incorporated


Kishida’s outreach A MEMBER
OF THE

The Englishman ~ Founded 1821 ASIAN VOICES


Though the economic component in Japan‘s ties with the Asean bloc has been constant,
Mountain to climb there is a security dimension, in particular maritime security, that has taken centre Resolutions
stage. The Asean group is very different than, for example, the European Union which
for 2024
I n the tumultuous landscape of legal adjudication,
the Supreme Court’s persistent battle against
is more monolithic. As members of the group, they hold a diverse range of views on

O
mounting caseloads is noteworthy. The year 2023 geopolitical matters and do not view China‘s belligerence from the same prism. n Sunday, 2023 will
saw a commendable surge in case disposals, a hopeful come to an end. In the
signal amid the daunting reality of an 80,000-case back- last week of this year,
log. Yet, the question lingers. Will this record-breaking most of us will end up
feat suffice in taming the relentless beast of pendency? making resolutions, wish for a
pair of wings, and draw up lists
A retrospective glance reveals the harrowing impact of
of what could have been, what
the pandemic on the judiciary’s efficiency. The abrupt was, and what will be. With time,
halt in 2020, coupled with subsequent experiments in remorse will set in once we
online and hybrid models, led to an alarming spike in realise that we haven't done
pending cases. The judiciary, grappling with the surge, enough; haven't been good
faced a PIL in 2022 suggesting the doubling of judges' enough; haven't eaten right; or
strength to alleviate the burden. However, the court, lost enough weight; or even
citing systemic challenges, rejected the plea. Enter 2023, laughed out loud. In spite of
a year marked by a ray of optimism. Technological inte- regret being a wasted emotion,
gration emerged as a steadfast ally in the judiciary's many of us will still end up list-
ing failures, hoping for our
battle against backlog. E-filing systems received a pumpkins to change into car-
facelift, promising faster processing, while automatic riages while the minute hand
listing and 166 Special Bench sittings were introduced marathons towards midnight.
to expedite urgent cases. The numbers reflect this con- On a pragmatic note, if we
certed effort ~ case disposals surged from 39,800 in 2022 were to pinpoint our desires, if
to an impressive 52,220 by 24 December 2023. Yet, the we were to become like goal-
narrative is nuanced. keepers (with multi-sensory
The laudable initiative to enhance accessibility focus), what would be our wor-
paradoxically led to a surge in case filings, with 53,753 thiest score of all? Would we
want to stay fit?
cases in 2023 compared to 36,565 the previous year.
Let's face it. Eating less and
In other words, the backlog remained. Chief Justice battling calories have been pains
D.Y. Chandrachud, cognisant of the widening access, of the highest order. But little do
expressed concern that it was reaching a point of we know that our minds have
dysfunctionality. This apparent contradiction raises a everything to do with our
crucial question. Are the reforms inadvertently fuelling appetite. In the early 1950s, a
the cycle of backlogs? The statistical terrain offers a man called Henry Molaison had
glimmer of hope. Unlike the sharp incline witnessed brain surgery to treat epilepsy.
in previous years, the increase in pending cases from But the procedure damaged his
2022 to 2023 was a modest 1,549. This becomes more hippocampus, meaning that he

T
couldn't form memories, which
striking considering the Court’s decision to include wo days after the mass rural healthcare and various No wonder Kishida has put of Japan-ASEAN cooperation ultimately led him to dwell per-
miscellaneous applications, unregistered cases, and resignation of ministers development projects, while a special focus to make Japan’s and friendship, Kishida resolved manently in the present.
defective matters in its official pendency count from involved in a fundraising both countries pledged to con- ties with Asean broad-based and to build a partnership between
November 2022. The Court, in essence, managed to scandal, on 13-14 Dec- solidate their comprehensive hopes that Asean can serve as a Japan and ASEAN and co-create
dispose of nearly as many cases as were filed during ember 2023, an event that cau- strategic partnership. touchstone for building a rela- the future of the Indo-Pacific
the year. sed Prime Minister Fumio Kishi- The pledge came during a tionship of trust between Japan based on trust anchored in his- Strangely, since he had no mem-
Institutional reforms, however, are not swift reme- da’s popularity rating to plum- meeting between Cambodian and developing countries in tory and reflecting the vitality of ory, Molaison ended up con-
dies. They demand time, persistence, and stability to met below 20 per cent and cause Prime Minister Hun Manet and other parts of the world. the region and the importance stantly eating. He ate plate after
take root. The Chief Justice’s tenure offers a window political turmoil, the Japanese Kishida on 18 December held on Since becoming Prime Min- of the relationship to its future plate as his mind, without mem-
leader hosted a special Japan- the side-lines of the Commemo- ister Kishada has visited several security and prosperity. ory, refrained from sending any
for the institutionalisation of these changes, but the Asean summit on 16-18 Decem- rative Summit and the AZEC Asean countries, the most recent Kishida observed that since cues of satiety or hunger.
baton will pass to two Chief Justices in 2025, each with ber, commemorating the 50th Summit. trip being to Malaysia and the he became Japan’s foreign min- Therefore, for those of us
a brief six-month tenure. The responsibility then falls year of Japan-Asean Friendship Japan and Cambodia up- Philippines. In each of his visits, ister and then Prime Minister, he with memories, we need to
on their shoulders and those who succeed them to and Cooperation. graded their bilateral ties to a Kishida has tried to strengthen has visited Asean countries 32 remember that while we can't
stay the course and ensure the sustainability of the ini- Kishida was supported by comprehensive strategic part- people-to-people connections, times and was impressed that really turn a lettuce leaf into a
tiated reforms. Foreign Minister Yoko nership this year, on the 70th hereby honing the cultural com- Asean has become a global full feast, we could train our
As the judiciary navigates this intricate path, it must Kamikawa who had retained her anniversary of the establishment ponent of the relationship with growth centre. minds to have the cake and eat it
strike a delicate balance between accessibility and effi- job having taken over in Sep- of their diplomatic the region. Among the main points too! After all, it's all in the head.
ciency. Technological advancements, while crucial, tember 2023. While Kishida relations. As mentioned, made by him was (1) trust built Exercise doesn't just pump
must not inadvertently foster a surge in litigation that hailed the next 50 years of Japan- Japanese FDI enhancing cooper- over the years has become the extra blood to our brains, it also
Asean relations, Kamikawa high- has played a signif- ation on the securi- hallmark of the Japan-Asean activates our skeletal muscles
outpaces the system’s capacity to dispense justice. The lighted women’s role in conflict icant role in the ty aspect with like- partnership; (2) people-to-peo- that secrete a potent mix of hor-
courtroom is a dynamic arena where each innovation prevention at the Tokyo summit. economic deve- minded countries ple and heart-to-heart connec- mones and other proteins, which
requires careful calibration to ensure it serves the cause Though the economic com- lopment of Asean has emerged as a tions; (3) Trusted Partners travels to our brains and brings a
of justice rather than adding to the burden. Ignoring ponent in Japan’s ties with the member countries. new dimension in through many challenges such smile to our faces. This mix rep-
for a moment the quality of justice, the numbers show Asean bloc has been constant, Over the past de- Japan’s foreign pol- as the 1997 Asian currency cri- resents "hope chemicals" which
that the Court still has a long, long way to go. there is a security dimension, in cade, Japanese FDI icy focus. This is in sis, the 2004 Sumatra earthquake positively influence our behav-
particular maritime security, in ASEAN coun- line with the secu- and Indian Ocean tsunami, the iour and also give birth to new
that has taken centre stage. tries totalled $198 rity strategy adopt- 2011 Great East Japan Earth- brain cells.
Easing up? The Asean group is very dif-
ferent from, for example, the
billion, behind
America’s $209 bil-
RAJARAM
PANDA
ed by Japan in
December 2022.
quake, and the Covid-19 pan-
demic from 2019; (4) facing chal-
Therefore, in order to have
smarter brains, we need to do

A s we stand on the cusp of 2024, the global eco- European Union which is more lion but beating The main driver of lenges together such as the what we enjoy the most and also
The writer is former Senior
monolithic. As members of the China’s $106 bil- this policy is to pre- Ukraine crisis, South China Sea, work out. I, for one, have set a
nomic landscape seems to be navigating uncer- Fellow at Pradhanmantri
group, they hold a diverse range lion. For Japan, the Memorial Museum and Library vent China from Myanmar and North Korean goal to trek. My children laugh
tain waters, with the fate of interest rates hanging of views on geopolitical matters ASEAN market is
(PMML), New Delhi. Earlier he
was ICCR Chair Professor at unilaterally chang- threat; (5) stability and prosperi- when I say that trekking is going
in the balance. The rallying cry for rate cuts echoes from and do not view China’s belliger- very attractive. The Reitaku University, Japan, and
ing the status quo ty of ASEAN; (6) Shared Princi- to be easy for me. Having not
Senior Fellow at the MP-IDSA,
financial hubs like London to Lyons to Los Angeles, ence from the same prism. region’s overall New Delhi in the Indo-Pacific ples, Asean support for the real- moved much throughout my life,
painting a hopeful picture for investors, economists, Some members such as GDP is expected to by force. ization of a Free and Open Indo- my resolution to be challenged
and everyday consumers alike. However, the road Cambodia and Myanmar (the overtake Japan’s by around Capacity building in the Pacific or AOIP; and (7) Relation- by heights seems implausible. To
ahead is fraught with complexities, and the big question latter was not invited to the sum- 2030. Asean is also part of the maritime domain is a priority in ship and Young leaders. most, I may also appear delu-
looming is whether the anticipated “Big Ease” will mit because of the coup in Feb- Global South, which is increas- the changed situation. With this The joint vision statement sional. But it certainly doesn't
materialise or if rate-cut hopes are destined to be ruary 2021) are perceived to be ing its influence. in mind, Japan offered a grant of highlighted areas of future coop- hurt to have a dash of an opti-
dashed. The narrative is shaped by a recent flurry of beholden to China for its eco- Japanese cuisine has gained $2.8 million to boost Malaysia’s eration, such as maritime securi- mism bias. Many of us have had
nomic support to these coun- immense popularity in many maritime defence. Kishida also ty and supply chains. The word- difficulty spotting the source of
policy meetings by major central banks, culminating tries. This has not deterred the Asean countries. For example, in applauded the elevation of the ing of the statement was rather our depression. Some have even
in a collective decision to pause the aggressive rate group in general from choosing 2022 there were more than 5,000 Japan-Malaysia relationship to a vague in order not to upset blamed it on the sun. With win-
hikes that have characterised the economic landscape a friendly approach towards Japanese restaurants in Thailand “comprehensive strategic part- China from whom some of the ter setting in and the sun setting
since 2022. The Bank of Japan, remaining an outlier, Japan. alone. nership”. Asean members receive large early, it goes that without expo-
maintained its negative rates policy, signalling a reluc- In fact, Japan is the region’s Interestingly, Japanese beef A similar arrangement was amounts of financial assistance sure to sunlight, we end up get-
tance to shift away from this stance. most trusted and familiar out- bowls are localised with Thai reached recently with the Philip- and are seen as holding a pro- ting depressed. As a result, the
The pivotal factor influencing this shift in mone- side partner. Japan has won the spices and seasoning. Similarly, pines. The country has placed an China stance. In particular, sale of Vitamin D3 has gone up.
tary policy has been the favourable turn in inflation hearts and minds of Southeast like the highly popular Indian order for coastal surveillance while Cambodia’s cosiness with Imagine I will end up play-
Asians through cultural exchan- rice and curry dish on the Japan- radars, paid for with Japanese China is well known, Vietnam is ing the piano, learn to swim,
over the course of 2023. From starting the year with
ges, official development assis- ese plate, Thai chicken rice money. Since Ferdinand “Bong- seen as “in-betweener”. The fact retrain my vocal chords for
inflation rates significantly exceeding the 2 per cent tar- tance, foreign direct investment stores in Japan are making roar- bong” Marcos became president that Vietnam’s PM Pham Minh music, climb mountains, write at
get shared by major central banks, the pace of price and soft power. These aspects ing business as demand for Thai of the Philippines in May 2023, Chinh arrived in Tokyo for the least a hundred pages of a book I
increases has now slowed, providing breathing space make the special Japan-Asean food continues to grow. The its coast guard has conducted Summit just a few days after have been planning for the
for central bankers. Yet, the battle against inflation is far summit significant. trend towards fusion dishes joint exercises with Japan and China’s leader Xi Jinping was in longest time ever, etc. All within
from over. Central bankers, cautious not to declare pre- Japan pledged to provide in Asian restaurants has added the US. Hanoi could not be overlooked 2024. This list of mine is natural-
mature victory, find themselves delicately placed with $170 million in financial assis- another dimension to the rela- Commemorating the spe- in assessing Vietnam’s Japan ly a figment of my extreme imag-
financial markets. tance to Cambodia to improve tionship. cial anniversary of the 50th year policy. ination.
The pledge to hold rates high for an extended peri-
od or to raise them again if necessary is met with scep- editor@thestatesman.com
ticism, with the latter increasingly seen as an empty LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
threat. The crux of the matter lies in the relationship unwavering support of the Unit-

Doublespeak
between inflation rates and the initiation of rate cuts. ed States and its allies in spite of INSINCERE
Contrary to conventional wisdom, inflation doesn’t “democratic” protests by sub-
necessarily need to drop all the way to 2 per cent for rate stantial segments of their popu- SIR, Apropos the report
cuts to commence. In a world where handling inflation lations as well as by some “Rahul to undertake
rates might become the norm, central banks face the SIR, Krishnan Srinivasan in the edition has insightfully brought other countries in the European ‘Bharat Nyay Yatra’ from
delicate task of calibrating their moves to strike the article “Opinions that the West out the reality that Israel’s atroc- Union such as Spain, Belgium Manipur to Mumbai” in
right balance. has shut its eyes to” in today’s ities in Gaza continue due to the and Ireland. today’s edition, the
While the same Western Congress Party has cate-
The significance of the current situation extends
alliance justifies its stance by gorically stated that it
beyond economic theory. Holding rates steady as infla- spouting Israel’s right to defend would be a non-political
tion rates slow further is a form of policy tightening that itself, it portrays Vladimir Putin venture.
might not be sustainable for much longer. Some Feder- as the incarnation of evil. Undoubtedly, one
al Reserve officials openly discuss rate cuts in the com- How much more hypocriti- should take its state-
ing year, citing the need for a “soft landing” for the US cal can the West be? Just as Israel ment with a pinch of
economy. The risk of keeping rates restrictive for an vindicates its actions due to the salt. When an event of
extended period is a potential rapid slowdown in eco- supposedly existential threat this magnitude is so
nomic activity, an increase in unemployment, and the posed by Hamas, Russia has close to the general election, it makes no sense to speak
looming threat of recession. upheld its invasion of Ukraine about a disinterested initiative to get in touch with ground
citing the grave danger to its sur- realities.
The economic sectors sensitive to interest rates, vival posed by the possibility of This attitude is no different from Rahul Gandhi's pretense
such as housing and manufacturing, have already borne Ukraine joining NATO. that he is not interested in becoming prime minister but mere-
the brunt of higher rates for over a year. While services It is high time that the ly to be an agent of healing and affection.
activity continues to expand, there are signs of relief in world woke up to the reality of Last but not least, this disposition reminds one of the ten
manufacturing activity, hinting that the worst might be this blatant doublespeak by years when Mrs. Sonia Gandhi manipulated the actual prime
over. As we look forward to 2024, a chicken and egg sit- the so-called upholders of minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, with a supposedly selfless and
uation unfolds between market expectations and cen- morality. neutral attitude.
tral bank intentions. Projections from Federal Reserve Yours, etc., Yours, etc., Animesh Rai,
officials indicate a certain path, but market positions Animesh Rai, Noida, 28 December.
Noida, 24 December.
anticipate a more substantial policy easing.
NEW DELHI, 31 DECEMBER 2023

NOW AND AGAIN


07
Saving the international Summing up my life
CHANDER GUPTA

order by destroying it T
he vexing query I encounter rou-
tinely after retirement from 35-
years' service is: “How do you pass
your time?” Near and dear ones
keep advising me solicitously to “keep your-
self busy”. The social myth that ‘unless you
are busy, you are bored’, is deeply
entrenched in our psyche. To quell the
incessant quizzing, I am penning here a
ANDREW SHENG note stating my position.
I had nurtured a penchant for ‘writing’

C
overing the 1968 Vietnam ever since I passed out from university with
war, Associated Press jour- a PG degree in English Literature. Despite
nalist Peter Arnett quoted an paucity of time for writing while I worked, I
American major: "It became kept the literary flame burning by con-
necessary to destroy the town to save tributing to in-house magazines. After
it” and said “he was talking about the retirement I have devoted myself fully to
decision by allied commanders to writing – a vocation I had long kept in
bomb and shell the town regardless abeyance. Through writings, which capture
of civilian casualties.” The same and reflect my experiences and perspec-
quote could be applied to Israel tives, I am summing up my life.
bombing Gaza and more generally, Retiring at the age of 60 in 2019, I
the American attitude on the interna- embarked upon an ambitious mission to
tional order that she helped built in write 60 life stories. I increase the target by
the last eight decades. one, for every year after 60. Now that my age
The current international order is 64, the revised target is 64. I have already
was built out of two world wars in an written more than 40 pieces averaging 500
effort to reconstruct peace and avoid words each - mostly autobiographical in
the ultimate third world war, after anecdotal template. Backlog will be cleared
atomic bombs were dropped on in a couple of years when the number of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The victori- published pieces will draw level with my
ous powers at the end of the Second current age. Thereafter my goal would be
World War decided to divide the one piece per month.
world between the American-led Free Writing is the easier part or in other
World and the Soviet-led Communist words is less arduous than getting pub-
world. By 1991, the United States lished. I have however never let frequent
emerged as the unipolar power after rejections dampen my morale. A note of
the collapse of the Soviet Union. regret from the editor motivates me to
Instead of dissolving the North improve my writing. To maximise reader-
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ship, I upload published pieces on my social
after the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact that used her maritime power and GDP in 1950, increasing to near Affairs, the premier international over-stretched in defending its allies media handles and various WhatsApp
crumbled, the old rivalry was rekin- “divide and rule” political acumen to seven times of the former Soviet relations magazine, CNN commen- in Ukraine and Israel in terms of fund- groups. My acquaintances help amplify my
dled when Russia felt that she was master colonies comprising one quar- Union by 2003. tator Fareed Zakaria weighed the ing and supply of arms and munition. writings. Without an audience, written com-
excluded from Europe and treated as ter of mankind. The United States is a This winter, as Ukraine faces a options of the “Self-Doubting Super- In supporting Israel in its near genoci- position is as good as unwritten.
the enemy. continental giant guarded by two Russian assault and Israel fighting not power”, that America shouldn’t give dal destruction of Gaza, the United One idea or the other keeps lurking in
Shocked by the 9/11 attack in oceans with no credible neighbour- just the Palestinians but also Houthis up on the world it made. Hoover fel- States has lost all moral credibility the mind of a writer. On a good day, I sit
New York in 2001, the United States hood threats. Once the European and Hezbollah, the United States is low Philip Zelikow gave a realistic with the Global South. If the West down and write a draft of around 800 words.
spent the next two decades fighting in powers exhausted themselves fighting now confronting four fronts at the review of how American statecraft wavers in aid to Ukraine, which is cur- Then over the next 10 days or so, I chisel the
the Middle East. When Donald Trump each other in two world wars, the same time – Eastern Europe, Middle has atrophied, particularly in respect rently financially and militarily on life piece down to 500 words – the size that fits
emerged as President in 2016, neo- United States emerged as the undis- East, Taiwan Straits and internally of industrial capacity. Nobel Laure- support, then the Rest would know the appropriate columns I send my contri-
conservatives in the American mili- puted hegemon because she was fractious politics, united only by ate Paul Krugman gave the first hon- that relying on Western promises can butions to. Redundant text has to be
tary industrial complex identified guarded by two oceans. With superior bipartisan anger against China. est American self-review of how “The be fatal. In the last three years, Presi- removed; the piece has to be made coher-
China as the existential rival, thus set- industrial might and technology, In his masterly treatise, “The Rise American Way of Economic War” dent Joe Biden has abandoned ent. It takes almost a fortnight for me to
ting the stage for a multi-front con- America could fight two fronts with and Fall of the Great Powers”, Yale was made by overusing its most pow- Afghanistan, taken on Russia and now process a 500-word piece.
frontation for the unipolar power. By resources to spare. historian Paul Kennedy saw by 1986 erful tool, the US dollar. Harvard Pro- faces an impossible task in bringing Besides the project of summing up my
this time, the rise of China as the sec- In 1956, when President Eisen- that the United States faced the twin fessor Gordon Hansen reviewed Israel to heel on cessation of war. Next life, there are numerous domestic chores I
ond largest economy in terms of GDP hower forced Britain and France to problems of Number One in relative American trade policy by concluding year, he faces Trump at the polls. By happily attend to. Some bill or the other is
and largest trading partner meant that retreat from their occupation of the decline: first, the longevity of remain- “If Washington continues down the putting America First, the two Presi- always due. All the paraphernalia at home
the unipolar order had begun to shift Suez Canal, the United States ing top dog and second, whether she path of trade unilateralism, it will dents are dismantling the world order demands repair and maintenance off and
to a multipolar order. In this decade, became the unchallenged guardian can retain the economic and techno- destabilize the global alliances and that America built because they have on. Then there are social commitments I
this shift became evident with the rise of the oil-rich Middle East. By aiding logical bases of her power. In short, institutions that it spent seven weaponized every single foundation can’t excuse myself from citing ‘busy sched-
of India, today the most populous mujahideen fighters to kick the Sovi- America must address her strategic decades building.” of the existing order. ule in office’. I also devote at least one hour
country and the fastest growing econ- ets out of Afghanistan in 1989, Amer- overextension or “over-reach” in The Ukraine war unveiled all the The power game is always for the for the fitness of my body, on exercise and
omy in the world. ica created the conditions for the which resources cannot match the weaknesses of the neoliberal founda- Number One to lose, not necessarily walks. I browse social media and watch OTT
From the long lens of history, the collapse of the Soviet Union, burden of staying as top dog. America tions of free trade, finance, supply for rivals to take. So far, we don’t even in the time I am left with.
United States reached parity with the exhausted by internal corruption cannot fight forever wars with a mili- chains and international relations, know whether Number One knows All in all, presently my life is busier
United Kingdom as the largest econo- and over-burdened by its wasteful tary expenditure that is equal to her that no country can determine its own what the plot is really all about. than it was before retirement. The key dif-
my and industrial power in the world military expenditure. The Cold War annual interest burden on her bal- fate independent of its history, geog- ference is now I am busy with activities I
in terms of GDP as early as 1870. was never an equal contest, with the looning debt. raphy and demography. The West (The writer, a former Central banker, writes love doing.
on global affairs from an Asian perspective.)
Britain was a small island economy US having three times the Soviet In the latest issue of Foreign (United States and Europe) is already Special to ANN.
100 YEARS AGO
POLITICAL DIARY KALYANI SHANKAR EUROPEAN
ELECTORS IN
Temple marks culmination of long campaign BENGAL
To The Editor Of The Statesman

T
he grand Ram Temple in Ayo- SIR, - From the number of letters and
dhya is set to open to the pub- telephone messages I have received today
lic on January 22. This temple it appears that some members of the pub-
was constructed after the lic are under the impression that the elec-
demolition of the Babri Masjid in tors whose names were published in the
1992, fulfilling the BJP's "Mandir wohi Statesman on Sunday are all members of
Banayenge" pledge. The site is the European Association. I should be
believed to be the birthplace of Lord much obliged if you would make it clear
Ram and holds significant spiritual that the list is an exact copy of the Roll of
value for Hindus. Electors eligible to vote in the European
Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituency of Bengal as it exists at this
will consecrate Ram Lalla's idol. The stage, and that the various divisions, such
government has invited around 6,000 as Mymensingh, Chittagong, etc., are dif-
dignitaries from around the nation for ferent areas of the same constituency, and
the event. in no sense are they to be taken as branch-
The inauguration of the Ram es of the European Association. I shall be
Temple holds great importance in the glad to receive information from anyone,
BJP's campaign for the 2024 elections. whether a member of this Association or
The Modi government has fulfilled n o t, i n r e ga r d t o om i s s io n s , c o r re c t
two of its promises. They have con- spelling of names, etc., at the earliest pos-
structed the Ram Temple and revoked sible date.
Article 370, which granted special sta- L.I. LLOYD,
tus to Jammu and Kashmir. Imple- Asst. General Secretary, the
menting a uniform civil code is the Murli Manohar Joshi in 1992, and hya agitation. The Sangh considers Minister Narendra Modi's team tional attention when a mob of Hin- European Association.
third core issue that needs to be made today's temple possible. constructing the Ram temple a cru- completed the construction of a dus demolished the Babri mosque 17 Stephen Court.
addressed. Advani has openly admitted that the cial step towards establishing Hindu temple at the site. The Uttar Pradesh located in the disputed site. The inci-
The Ram Janmabhoomi move-
ment laid the foundation for the
movement aimed to gain the sup-
port of Hindus for political purpos-
Rashtra.
The Supreme Court, in 2019, in
Sunni Central Waqf Board was
offered five acres of land in Dhan-
dent led to widespread riots across the
country, resulting in many deaths. CALCUTTA LEAGUE
current dominance of the BJP. The
campaign was led by BJP leaders Lal
es. The Vishva Hindu Parishad, a
front organization of the Sangh,
its verdict, said that the disputed
Babri Masjid site belonged to Hindu
nipur village, Ayodhya, where they
could build a mosque.
The BJP claimed that the mosque was
built on the ruins of an ancient Hindu OF WOMEN
Krishna Advani in 1989 and Dr played a leading role in the Ayod- groups. In just four years, Prime In 1992, Ayodhya gained interna- temple.
WORKERS
To The Editor Of The Statesman
SIR, - As you are aware, the Calcutta
CROSSWORD NO-292650 League of Women Workers is undertaking
various much-needed pieces of work for the
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ACROSS be electrical (5) 28 Gospel backfiring 8 Genius, good man
welfare of the women of the community.
15 Badger used to on church body (7) inspired by old oath May I draw the attention of your readers to
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION rat, disconcerted (9) (7) one side of the work which has recently
DOWN
9 10 1 Excellent finishing, 18 Doctor gathering 14 Monotreme’s dicky been taken up? A Committee of the League
H A L F COC K E D S P A M not starting (7) clothes for later time? 1 Strikes hit workers ticker (9)
5 Eve’s birthplace (9) initially involved 16 Motherese
has been formed to investigate the condi-
E E E O M C R I tions under which women and girls live and
11 12 A GA I N L I B E L L I N G just before Jesus 19 Finish off with hair in courses (7) discombobulated
D R T WO E O A H born, in fashion (7) in beehive style? (3,2) 2 Notes praising triplets (9) work in Calcutta, to include in their survey
L ON E R R E DC A R P E T
9 Join together touring 21 Rate of workforce’s evolution of pangolins 17 Springier pants business girls, nurses and teachers. Such a
a region of South retirement? (5) (9) for putting on again
13 14 15 16 17 A E A A K I Y
East England (5) 23 Part of shell in 3 Juliet’s predecessor (9)
survey has for its ultimate object the gradual
M I D D L E D I S T A NC E improvement of conditions, an object which
10 Filling up again, 11 at sea (9) somewhere in Asia (5) 18 Detected without 1
P A A C N P could be a long ride? 25 Six on the table? Across (7) every citizen desires to promote throughout
4 Item designed for
18 19 20 T A SMA N I A ND E V I L
A S E P D E A
(9) Stir broiled meat (9) light switches 10 (9) 20 Drink upset duck the city. Such matters as the housing of girls,
11 Sort of tin can 26 Indian condiment 5 Measure big cheese (7)
F L U OR E S C E A P RO N or bottle, ultimately – absorbed by chapati, (5) 22 Right, second right,
their technical and vocational training, their
21 22 23 24 F N I C G I G T K this? (9) a restaurateur 6 Nomadic tribesman then a left (5) attitude to work and their preparation for
R A D I CCH I O GU I L T 12 Relative peace recalled (5) controlling vital area? 23 Build boat (5) it, will come under the scope of this inquiry.
A E A W A E G O
25 26 Y A R N MA T T E RHOR N
finally found in 27 Most uninspiring (9) 24 Vessel a swine almost The Secretary of the Investigations Com-
European city (5) airport tax originally 7 Whisper main number capsized, circling river
13 Charge that may (7) of forty-five? (5) (5)
mittee will be glad to receive information or
answer questions which will further this
27 28 inquiry.
NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote the number of letters in the words required. (By arrangement with The Independent, London) BEATRICE LANGFORD-JAMES.
Calcutta.
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REDESIGN
YOUR
INNER
HOME
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hat is home? Home is a

W place where you are at rest.


Where you can be yourself
and feel comfortable. For
GURUSPEAK

me, the entire world is my


home. Wherever I go, I feel the same
belongingness with the people. The whole
world is my family, my home.
I want every home to be like an ashram.
Ashram means where there is no shram
(effort); where all the efforts, all the strains
of the mind, heart and body drop. All the
fears, insecurities, stress, everything drops
and you experience deep rest. Every home
should be like an ashram.
People dream of beautiful homes. They
spend so much time, money and energy
decorating and re-designing their houses; or
they keep changing homes. Yet they are not
at rest. You can be at rest only when you are
comfortable first within yourself.
The first step is to relax and the last step is
to relax as well! The most relaxing or com-
fortable place is right within you. Repose in
that peaceful, cool, calm, serene depth of
your being - this is immensely valuable and
precious. Book yourself in this most beauti-
ful, most comfortable home in the whole
universe. Bring the mind which is all over
the place, back to its source. Welcome
home! It is only when you come home to
yourself that every place looks beautiful and
you feel that every place is your own home.

65,6
65,55$9,
Then wherever you go, you add beauty and
bring comfort to others. WHEN YOU ARE CALM AND CENTRED,
CLOUDS ARE MAGICAL, RAIN IS LIQUID
When you are unhappy or tired, even sweet
6+$1.$5 things are nauseating, music is disturbing,
and the moon is irritating. When you are
ZŪǪÐÓ}¯+ÓÇÓ calm and centred, clouds are magical, rain is
liquid sunshine and even noise is music. So
SUNSHINE AND EVEN NOISE IS MUSIC. SO
it is important to take proper rest. But when
can you rest? Rest is possible only when you
IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE PROPER REST
have stopped all other activities. When you
stop moving around, when you stop work- desires or hankerings in you”. You can see for this, you have to merely come home to
ing, thinking, talking, seeing, hearing, this from your own experience; if you go to yourself.
smelling, tasting, when all these voluntary bed with some restlessness or agitation you Among all the planets in the solar system,
activities stop, then you get rest. In sleep, will not get deep sleep. Very ambitious peo- the earth is privileged to host life in so
you are left with only involuntary activities ple cannot have deep sleep because the many forms and among all the species,
like breathing, the heartbeat, digestion and mind inside is not free. Every desire or humans are the most privileged as they can
blood circulation. But this is not total rest. ambition is like a sand particle in the eye. host the knowledge. Again and again
When the mind settles down, it has come One way is to extend your desire or make it remember that you are peace and love and
back home. That is when one gets deep rest so big that it doesn’t bother you. A big stone that you are hosting the creator. Like birds
and this happens in meditation. or a rock can never get into your eyes. The returning to their nests, come back to your
Right now you are on the doorstep. You are other way is to remove it. Dispassion is source. Come back home.
locked out of your own house. Bang on your removing this particle of dust or sand from Make your home Divine’s home and there
inner door. Do not delay a moment. All your eye. will be light, love and abundance. Make
wealth is within you. When your inner door Just let go of everything. The best way to do your body Divine’s abode and there will be
opens, there is love, joy, peace and comfort. this is to feel that “the world is disappearing peace and bliss. Feel your mind as a toy of
As long as desires linger in your mind, you or dissolving…and feel that you are dead!” the Divine and you’ll watch and enjoy
cannot be at total rest. You cannot be at Unless you feel that, you cannot meditate or all its games. See this world as play and as a
home. feel complete rest. For many, the mind does- display of Divine Himself and you will
Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “You n’t settle even after death. Wise are those repose in the non-dual self, which is
cannot get into Yoga unless you drop the who can settle their minds while alive! And your home!
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TRACKING POLIO VIRUS IN PID CHILD


8]SXPfX[[a^[[^dccWTf^a[S´bUXabc]PcX^]fXSTbRaTT]X]VUa^\9P]dPah !!#c^PbRTacPX]fWTcWTacWTePRRX]TSTaXeTS_^[X^eXadbE3?EXb_aTbT]cX]P]hRWX[S
fXcW_aX\PahX\\d]TSTUXRXT]Rh?83PaPaTR[Pbb^UWTaTSXcPahSXbTPbTbcWPcRP]_^bTPcWaTPcc^cWT_^[X^TaPSXRPcX^]_a^VaP\\TaT_^acb0A270=099H>C8
VDPV is a rare variant identified. In collaboration with individuals with PID can excrete lance, PID children will be effort and extended all support

A that mutates from the


strain contained in the
oral polio vaccine (OPV).
the Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR)-National
Institute of Virology,(NIV),
polioviruses(iVDPVs) for pro-
longed periods, which could act
as a source of transmission of
screened for the pathogen.
Taking the lead, theNoida-based
Post Graduate Institute of Child
for this rollout from the insti-
tute. “Integration ofIVDP relat-
ed surveillance with acute flac-
India reported its last polio Mumbai and WHO, from pathogens for months and go Health (PGICH), Noida in cid paralysis surveillance of the
case from Howrah district in January 1, 2024, the Sentinel undetected by acute flaccid UttarPradesh, one of the WHO- existing poliovirus network
WestBengal on January 13, site-based iVDPVs surveillance paralysis surveillance which is identified 21 centers in India for will enhance continuous screen-
2011. A year later the World will be initiated at 21 premier detected by symptoms like PID screening recently con- ing of patients with PID in the
HealthOrganization removed health research institutes (see paralysis.The official from the ducted a high-level sensitization future,” said the officials.The
India from the list of ‘endemic Box) in the 15 States. Stool tests Union Health Ministry high- workshop on how to diagnose proposed integration follows
countries withactive poliovirus of all PID children light that this risk increases such cases and send samples for the lessons learnt from a four-
transmission’ admitted/new cases will be when people/kids with PIDs polio surveillance.The institute year-longWHO-ICMR collabo-
Presently, the primary means investigated. receive the OPV. has registered more than 100 rative research project on

. for detecting poliovirus is


through acute flaccid paraly-
sis (AFP) surveillance, which is
A study on "Long-term
poliovirus excreters in India",
led by a team of researchers led
“People with PIDs cannot-
mount an adequate immune
response to clear the weakened
cases of PID and is providing
treatment ranging from IVIG to
Bone marrow transplantation.
iVDPV in India. In fact, a
study was conducted at seven
sites at different medical insti-
supplemented by environmen- by senior scientist Madhu poliovirus from their gut. This The meeting was conducted by tutes in India from January2020
tal surveillance of sewage sam- Chanda Mohanty from ICMR means they shed the virus for Dr Arun Kumar, National to December 2021, enrolling
ples. lab NIV and WHO, has paved long time because of a pro- Professional Officers(NPO), patients with identified PID.
However, there are threats of the way for this decision, offi- longed period of intestinal repli- WHO country office, Dr Rajesh Based on the lessons learnt, a
spillover of VDPV from cials in the Union cation and increase the risk of Kumar, SRTL, WHO, Dr set of protocol has been pre-
immunodeficiency (iVDPV) HealthMinistry said. “To miti- mutation into a VDPV that Tanveer, SurveillanceMedical paredto ensure uniformity in its
children into the community. gate the individual and com- can cause polio in unvacci- Officers (SMO), National Polio implementation across sites.
Hence, the need to screen all the munity risks posed by iVDPVs nated people and others suscep- Surveillance Program along- The immunological parame-
patients with combined during the polio endgame and tible to the virus.”In this connec- with the Department of ters such as cytokine responses
immunodeficiency has been the post-eradication era, it is tion, under nationwide surveil- Pediatric Haematology and anti-polio antibody titers
felt to detect poliovirus excre- important to identify those PID Oncology, Noida. responsible for enterovirus repli-
tion and intermittent follow-up patients excreting polioviruses Dr Nita Radhakrishnan from cation and virus clearance will
of their immune parameters if
found positive.
and provide the strategies and
treatments available to rid both ! 834=C85843B8C4B the Department of Pediatric
Haematology Oncology,
also be investigated.
However, some of the challenges
“The aim is to check the risk of the individual and the commu- ● Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute Hyderabad. ● Super Speciality Hospital, Noida. PGICH) explained the partici- that the program is likely to face
iVDPV excretion in the polio nity of the risk posed by of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. ● Post Graduate Institute of Medical ● AIIMS, Bhopal, Kalinga Institute of pants including pediatricians are cases where parents residing
eradication endgame strategy. iVDPVs,” Dr Pawan Kumar, ● Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Education & Research, Chandigarh. Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar. how to suspect and diagnose in remote areas finding incon-
There have been various indi- Additional Commissioner Children, Mumbai. ● Dr Rajendra Prasad Government ● AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. PID kids, many of whom are venient to travel to hospital sites
vidual studies where PID kids (Imm) from the Union Health ● Indian Council of Medical Research Medical College, Kangra. ● Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati. often picked up latebecause of to deposit stool samples.
have been found to be carrier of Ministry said in a recent letter National Institute of ● Sawai Maan Singh Medical College, ● Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. late referral from primary care Another challenge will be the
the VDP,” scientists said. The to the officials at the identified Immunohaematology, Mumbai. Jaipur. ● Institute of Child Health, Chennai. centers. The surveyors will poor financial status of families
screening will go a long way in sites. Other countries on the ● Calicut Medical College, Kozhikode. ● AIIMS, Rishikesh. ● Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate counsel guardians of these which deters them from follow-
ensuring the prevention of par- high risk for poliovirus trans- ● Aster CMI, Bangalore. ● Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute Medical Education & Research, patients to give stool samples to up hospital visits for expensive
alytic poliomyelitis in such kids mission radar are also gearing ● Kasturba Medical College, of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. Puducherry. ascertain their virological sta- treatment such as BMT after
besides better management of up to launch similar screening Mangalore. ● King George's Medical University, ● Christian Medical College, Vellore. tus.Prof Dr AK Singh congrat- diagnosis of PID in their child,
their genetic diseases once program. Scientists explain that ● Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. ulated the WHO team on this said the experts.

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Scaneasonal changes deeply
impact human life and
of spring. A holistic
approach should be
directly affect a per- adopted to tackle this
PSWTaT]RTP]S^eTaP[[WTP[cW^dcR^\TbaTbTPaRWTabUa^\0\XchD]XeTabXchUX]SPUcTaR^]SdRcX]VPbcdSh^] son's physical and mental problem, including
health. counselling, diet, light
cWTRWP[[T]VTb^UR^\\d]XchX]R[dbX^]^U_Tab^]bfXcWb_X]P[R^aSX]YdahB28X]cWT8]SXP]_^_d[PcX^] In Ayurveda, there is a therapy, medicines,
detailed description of and Panchakarma
he study “Barriers to the com- sive understanding of the injury's viduals with SCI. different foods and therapy.
T munity inclusion of individu-
als with Spinal Cord Injury”
impact and alleviating the psycho-
logical burden associated with it.
Additionally, the study underscored
the substantial impact of socio-eco-
lifestyles for six different
seasons so that we can
Light therapy proves
to be very effective in
by Dr Meenakshi Mohan and The study also highlights the nomic status on the patient- remain healthy in every this, under which the
Prof Roumi Deb, Department of paramount importance of patient provider relationship. The findings season. person is made to sit
Anthropology, Amity University, satisfaction and its role in sustain- demonstrated that individuals with But knowingly or 3AA
A???0A0B70A in sunlight or a cham-
Noida also provides significant ing the patient-provider relation- a stable socioeconomic status exhib- unknowingly, we violate 2WXTU<TSXRP[>UUXRTa0hdaeTSP ber with high-intensi-
insights into the concepts, inter- ship. ited more appropriate health-seek- the Ayurvedic principles <d]XRX_P[2^a_^aPcX^]^U3T[WX ty light in the absence
relationships among various fac- According to the authors, empa- ing behavior and reported higher of diet and lifestyle of sunlight.
tors, and challenges faced by SCI thy and holistic care emerged as satisfaction with their healthcare according to the season resulting in var- Additionally, practicing yoga and
individuals during community significant factors in the patient- professionals. ious types of mental and physical prob- meditation, exercising regularly, eat-
inclusion. 3A<
<44=0:B78< <>70= ?A>5AA>D<83 341 provider relationship and commu- Therefore, the study suggested a lems. One of these is seasonal affective ing healthy foods, and improving
The findings hold importance as 3T_Pac\T]c^U0]cWa^_^[^Vh 3T_Pac\T]c^U0]cWa^_^[^Vh nication within a clinical context, per vasive need to enhance disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression. daily routines prove to be quite help-
these shed light on how individ- 0\XchD]XeTabXch=^XSP 0\XchD]XeTabXch=^XSP indicating a significant relation- patient-centered care, incorporat- It is a type of depression, which is usu- ful. A person suffering from this prob-
uals with SCI interact with health- ship between relational empathy, ing a holistic approach and empa- ally seen in the winter season. In this lem should follow a moderate and
care systems within their respec- the patient's perspective. To ed out that coping strategies and holistic care, and the quality of life thy. “This not only enhances self- mental health disorder, a person feels healthy lifestyle.
tive socio-cultural, economic, and ensure participant ease, the scale facilitators like spirituality, reli- in SCI patients. awareness and self-confidence sad, lonely, tired, and less energetic. Herbs like Ashwagandha, Shatavar,
demographic contexts. was translated and validated in giosity, and support from family A positive association was found but also instills optimism in indi- The main causes of SAD include Mandukaparni, Brahmi etc. are used for
The authors noted that most of the Hindi. and friends played a vital role in between the quality of life and the viduals facing chronic disabilities changes in weather, lack of enjoying sun- its treatment. Ayurvedic medicines like
participants who sustained spinal The findings revealed that chal- reintegrating SCI individuals into patient-provider relationship. This such as SCI.” light regularly for long periods, lack of Brahm Rasayan, Ashwagandhadi
cord injuries were in the age lenges such as limited accessibil- the community. suggests that SCI individuals who Furthermore, it enables health- physical activity due to shivering weath- Avaleh, Shatavaryadi Churna, Saraswat
range of 18-40 years, i.e., the ity to local transportation, uneven Barriers and facilitators play reported positive and satisfacto- care professionals to gain pro- er, and changes in hormones like mela- Churna, Brahmi Ghrit, Jatamansyadi
period of 'prime of life’. “This age and narrow paths, inadequate contrasting roles in the lives of SCI ry consultations with healthcare found insights into how an illness tonin and serotonin in the human body. Kwath etc. are especially beneficial in the
group is significant as its members public toilets, inappropriate patients. professionals also reported a bet- affects a person's overall life and These changes can affect a person's treatment of this disease.
are highly productive and often wheelchairs, unemployment, Barriers represent weaknesses, ter quality of life, and vice versa. their unique requirements. By mood, performance, and sleep. Shirodhara therapy under Panchakarma
act as breadwinners for their fam- financial constraints, negative while facilitators represent However, these findings indicate promoting a balanced integration Symptoms of this disease may include treatment is highly beneficial. However,
ilies,” said Dr Mohan. attitudes, commiseration, and strengths, the authors said. room for improvement in various of the mind, body, emotions, and sadness, lack of energy, trouble sleep- it is necessary that after identifying the
The Consultation of Relational inferiority complex were com- The active involvement of indi- aspects of healthcare delivery, spirit within a dynamic setting, ing, irregular eating habits, and disin- symptoms of this disease, help and treat-
Empathy scale (CARE) was monly reported by individuals viduals with SCI and their fami- including consultation content, patient-centered care nurtures terest in social activities. ment of the patient should be started
employed to understand the with SCI. lies in the rehabilitation team is quality, and the overall patient- comprehensive well-being, said This problem starts from the beginning immediately so that the disease does not
patient-provider relationship from On the other hand, Dr Deb point- crucial for gaining a comprehen- provider relationship for indi- the study. of autumn and continues till the arrival progress further.

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Malayalam language flourishes. The
‘World Renowned Nose’ by Basheer
is a classic example of simplicity and
hort story is the world's most pop-
Sevolved
ular literary medium and it
TR^]^\XRX]U[dT]RTb^UcWT<P[PhP[P\bW^acbc^aXTbcWPcbWP_TS[XcTaPcdaTX]:TaP[P intellectual honesty. Written in
1954, the TWRN and Mr Mookken
alonFg with human civiliza- retain the charm and remains eter-
tion. But the first-ever recorded short stories begins in India with our years. Oduvil Kunhikrishna Menon, lection has stories by Karoor to sell Amul butter to the world. The nally fresh. Stories by Dev, Thakazhi,
short story is “The Two Drovers” own ‘Panchathanthra’ or ‘One Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar, Neelakanta Pillai, the doyen among campaign launched in 1966 remains Varkey, Kovilan, VKN, T
authored by Walter Scott and pub- Thousand And One Nights’ (Arabian Moorkothu Kumaran and the likes Malayalam story telling who initiat- as fresh and lively even after 57 years. Padmanabhan, M P Narayana Pillai
lished in a magazine by name Nights), folk tales from West Asia. wrote stories to entertain the readers. ed a revolution by writing about the This is how we can describe the sto- etc too would make it to any selec-
Chronicles of the Canongate in the Later in the short stories evolved The next generation storytellers like lives and times of the proletarian sec- ries by these veteran writers. They had tion of the best Malayalam stories
year 1827. This is what Scottish along with periodicals and publica- Keshava Dev, PC Kuttykrishnan tion, P Keshava Dev, the writer who the advantage of having first-hand ever written. The draw back with
novelist-cum-short story writer tions as this form of literature turned (Uroob), Thakazhi Shivasankara elevated the readers to new heights experience about life with which they VKN’s works is that though they are
William Boyd claims in the literary out to be an unavoidable ingredient Pillai , SK Pottekkad , M T Vasudevan of the possibilities of literature crafted short stories and novels. But of global standards, it is a tough job
magazine Prospect. in these publications. Renowned Nair (the last three were honored with through his novels and short stories. the later generation failed to deliver to translate the same to English
Even if the argument by Boyd has to magazines including Readers’ Digest Jnanapeetha Awards) Madhavi Kutty The stories by Karoor had artisans the kind of works which were done unless and until one is that fluent in
be debated and discussed, the fact promoted the short stories in a big (Kamala Das), VKN, Vaikom and lower primary teachers as its pro- by their predecessors. English. This has been proved
remains that the medium of short way. It is not an exaggeration to say Muhammed Basheer, M Sukumaran, tagonists while Dev wrote about the The ultra-modern stories are written beyond doubt in the story ‘Lunch’
story in its published form is a com- that the short story speaks a lot about Ponkunnam Varkey, and OV Vijayan members of the proletarian society. to sell and manage to win literary in which the protagonist Payyan
paratively new form of literature. the culture, customs and traditions of presented the readers with new expe- Dev’s characters were daily wage awards in contrast to the works of the says to himself “Ya don’t have to
People’s passion for listening to or the country of its origin. riences and stories that smell of the earners, porters, rickshaw pullers older generation. They wrote about laugh, madame, Ya don’t have to...”
reading real life experiences knows no In India, a country of 28 States and blood and sweat of the people con- and vegetable vendors. He was the pain and agony and disappoint- Those who are well-versed in
bounds. What started as recounting eight union territories with 22 offi- stituting the society in which they first writer in Malayalam to focus on ments and dejections which could be Malayalam as well as the unique
the unique experiences encountered cial languages, there are multitudes of lived. the trials and tribulations of this class. comprehended by those who could VKN touch may be able to make out
by people in their daily pursuit for traditions and art forms. It is quite Though the new generation writers Ponkunnam Varkey was a born rebel read and write. The same is not the what the author intends but to
food and clothing after each day’s natural that each region has their own categorize the above-mentioned and had staged a running battle with case with the new generation authors convey the idea through translation
hard job evolved into a popular cul- stories to tell. Publication of authors as representing the outdated the Church, clergy and the evil side who figure in this collection. They are is a tough task.
ture and it took the name of a short Malayalam short stories dates back to ones and pat themselves on their a bird’s eye view of the lifestyle and of capitalism. not writing stories, but performing For those who have not read these
story. Though described as a short the early half of the 18th century and shoulders as the spokespersons of character of the people constituting What made these writers and others some kind of jugglery with words and authors, the work by Thomas is an
story, it need not be short at all. In the from the word go, the pioneers in this post-modern/ultra-modern litera- the region. like VKN, MT Vasudevan Nair, sentences. The Malayalam literary opportunity to feel and experience
published form, it could be dozens of literature genre have not disappoint- ture, it has to be said that stories writ- “Greatest Malayalam Stories Ever Kovilan, is the power with which their world is undergoing a phase of stag- the Malayalam short stories as the
pages. ed the readers. While the earlier sto- ten by Keshava Dev, Thakazhi etc Told” is a collection of short stories works got engraved on our hearts. To nation. translator has done a reasonably
India’s contribution to the genre of ries centered on humor and real remain engraved in the mind while by the crème de la crème of writers put it more clearly, the stories and Coming back to some of the stories good job by not tampering with the
short stories could have its origin in human interest incidents, a marked the ultra-modern authors have dis- in Malayalam, selected and translat- novels authored by them remind us that Thomas has translated as great- originals. Let more and more trans-
Panchathanthra or Hitopadesha sto- change in style and substance stands appointed the readers. Short stories ed by A J Thomas, poet, editor and of the slogan “utterly butterly deli- est Malayalam stories, yes, they lations from other languages enrich
ries. The initiation into the world of out in stories published in later in each language and region offer us translator, all rolled into one. The col- cious”, coined by Sylvester daCunha will remain so long as the our literature.
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he history of Kurdistan is independent Kurdistan. This them quip that they are “no
T deeply intertwined with
the geography, polity, and econ-
treaty was replaced by the
Treaty of Lausanne, negotiated
man’s land” today. They are the
largest group of inhabitants,
CWTWXbc^ah^U
omy of West Asia, especially the with the Turkish Government, numbering almost 40 million :daSXbcP]Xb
sovereign countries of Turkey, which made no mention of the to date, without having a per-
Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The Kurdistan state. Since then, manent state. Shockingly, the X]caXRPcT[hf^eT]
Kurdish people are largely scat- Kurds across the five nation- four major states where the
tered across these four coun- states of Turkey, Syria, Iran, Kurds particularly live — X]c^cWTUPQaXR^U
tries in the region. For cen-
turies, people belonging to
Iraq, and Armenia have raised
the banner of revolt for an
Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria —
all of them have either failed or FTbc0bXP
numerous ethnicities have
migrated, settled, and many
independent homeland.
By January 22, 1946, Kurds in
not genuinely shown interest in
conducting an apolitical census
T]R^\_PbbX]V
have naturally inhabited West Iran established the Republic of of the Kurd population. CdaZTh8aP`8aP]
Asia, such as Persians, Arabs, Mahabad during the Second It is a matter of critical politi-
Turks, Armenians, Azeris, World War when it was under cal contestation in all these P]SBhaXP7^\Tc^
Chechens, etc. Unfortunately,
the Kurds are the only ones
the control of the USSR.
After the withdrawal of Soviet
states, and the successive
regimes in Ankara, Baghdad, cWT:daSbcWT
who have remained stateless to
date.
troops, Iran took control of
Mahabad in December 1946.
Tehran, and Damascus have
simply ignored the persistent
aTVX^]b[PaVTbc
The Kurds are sometimes
regarded as the largest nation
Mustafa Barzani, considered
the “Father of Kurdish nation-
attempts of the Kurds to estab-
lish themselves as a single
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without its own independent alism”, established the Kurdish political community for Va^d_cWTh]d\QTa
country. About 25-35 million of Democratic Party of Iraq on decades now.
them live in the mountainous August 16, 1946, while in exile Who is responsible for making Pa^d]S"$\X[[X^]
regions that straddle the bor-
ders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria,
in Mahabad. Later, it was
renamed the Kurdistan
the Kurds stateless? Can there
be a permanent solution? SXb_TabTSPRa^bbcWT
Iran, and Armenia. The Kurds
are probably the fourth largest
Democratic Party, becoming
the most dominant political
Frankly, the Kurdish dream of
an independent state needs
PU^aT\T]cX^]TS
ethnic group in the West Asian party among Kurds until the support and compromise from ]PcX^]b3Tb_XcT
region without a state. They are 1970s in Iraq. Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. It
one of the most widely known By 1961, under Barzani’s lead- is a very intricate issue because cWTXabXV]XUXRP]c
indigenous peoples belonging ership, Iraqi Kurds began their all these countries don’t have a
to the ancient Mesopotamian rebellion against the Baathist consensus on the demands of _aTbT]RT:daSb
Plains and Highlands. Today,
they are mainly scattered over
regime of Baghdad for not ful-
filling the demand for autono-
the Kurdish people and their
leaders over the decades. The aT\PX]fXcW^dcP
Southeastern Turkey,
Northeastern Syria, Northern
my. In 1962, Syria stripped
120,000 Kurds of their citizen-
Kurds have remained homeless
simply because of the initial
b^eTaTXV]bcPcT
Iraq, Northwestern Iran, and ship. Hafez al-Assad’s regime division of West Asia by the UPRX]VPR^\_[Tg
Southwestern Armenia. As a established an Arab Belt along European colonial powers and
result, they lay claim to all these the border of Turkey in 1973 by rebellion suffered a significant 1,80,000 Kurds. On March 16 Assembly in 1992. Since then, that someday, they will have an subsequent neglect by the WXbc^ah\PaZTSQh
territories currently under the displacing thousands of Kurds. setback. Following the collapse of the same year, he unleashed until the rise of the Islamic State independent land. regional rulers of their
occupation of five sovereign In 1974, the Kurdistan Workers of the rebellion, Kurdish fight- a mustard and sarin gas attack in 2014, Kurdish parties and The recent attack by Kurdish demands. VT^_^[XcXRP[
nations.
The history of Kurdistan traces
Party (PKK) was established
under the leadership of
ers were divided into two
groups: the original group
on the Kurds in the town of
Halabja, killing about 5,000 of
groups underwent massive
changes and faced upheavals in
rebels and the killing of near-
ly 12 Turkish soldiers in north-
Furthermore, the Kurds have
enough factions in all these PVaTT\T]cb
back to the historic Sykes-
Picot Agreement of 1916,
Abdullah Ocalan. It is a Marxist
organisation aiming to establish
under Barzani remained, but
branding him as a reactionary,
them. Even after the Iranian
Revolution of 1979, under the
Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey but
failed to achieve their inde-
ern Iraq have again highlight-
ed the continued threat from
countries, and they do not
have a coherent strategy to fight
d_aXbX]VbP]ScWT
under which West Asia was an independent Kurdistan in Jalal Talabani formed the leadership of Ayatollah pendent homeland. the outlawed PKK. In response the respective regimes. Today, T]SdaX]V`dTbcU^a
divided into separate zones of the southeastern part of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Ruhollah Khomeini, the Kurds Interestingly, the US fully sup- to the killings, the Turkish they are seen as a threat to the
British and French influence. Turkey. Since 1984, the PKK (PUK) in Sorani-speaking were tortured and completely ported the Kurds in its war Army launched massive territorial integrity of Turkey, Pdc^]^\h
After the First World War, the has been using violent tactics to areas of Central Iraq. sidelined in Iran. against the Islamic State in airstrikes and neutralised Iraq, and Syria, though they
Treaty of Sèvres was signed in fight the Turkish state. From 1970 to 1990, the Kurds With the US-led Operation West Asia, particularly in Syria around 26 PKK fighters. have been living there for
1920, proposing the creation of Thereafter, the Kurds found fought in both Iraq and Iran, Provide Comfort and later and Iraq. However, once the Subsequently, dozens of pro- decades. So, the road ahead is
an autonomous Kurdish state themselves in a disadvanta- but they could hardly force the Operation Northern Watch war came to an end and Kurdistan opposition activists long and arduous for the Kurds
as part of the dissolution of the geous position with the signing respective regimes to yield to against Saddam’s regime in President Assad regained con- were affected. The PKK has to attain their homeland in the
Ottoman Empire. However, of the Algiers Accord between their demands. The worst came Iraq, nearly a million fleeing trol over the major war zones been designated as a terrorist days to come.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Iraq and Iran in 1975. As US in Iraq when Saddam Hussein Kurds came back home from of Syria with support from group by Turkey, the US, and
new leader of Turkey, out- funding came to an end and launched the “Kurdish Turkey and Iran. They elected Iran and Russia, the Kurds the European Union (EU). (The writer is currently the
rightly rejected the Treaty of Kurdish territory in Northern Genocide” in 1988, resulting in their first Kurdistan Regional found themselves still fighting Almost anyone visiting and president of the Global Research
Sèvres and the demand for an Iraq was occupied, the Kurdish the killing of more than Government and National an endless war with the hope meeting the Kurds will hear Foundation)
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limate change is real, and speak. They are not receiving headquarters in Geneva. It is to encourage governments and
C humanity is facing a poten-
tial threat. It has the power to
what they urgently deserve.
One of the real dangers emerg-
also focusing on 22 countries of
high concern until 2026.
other entities to invest in envi-
ronmentally sustainable public
reshape the planet Earth in the ing from environmental chaos To tackle the climate refugee services for these displaced
days to come, and we, as is the problem of “climate issue, the UNHCR is working individuals.
humans, are solely responsible refugees” in many parts of the towards a vision for the year C. People forced to flee, state-
for these unnatural changes. In globe. It is affecting people 2030. This vision is firmly less individuals, and their hosts
April 2021, when the UN High from Mongolia to Mexico and rooted in the UNHCR’s should be able to prepare for,
Commissioner for Refugees from Iceland to South Africa. Strategic Directions of 2022-26 withstand, recover from, and be
(UNHCR) released data, it No one is left untouched. It has and aligned with the United protected against the impacts of
highlighted that the number of become a pandemic by now. Nations Framework climate change. This under-
people displaced by climate The impact of climate change Convention on Climate scores that the UNHCR col-
change-related disasters since on migration is evolving each Change (UNFCCC). The laborates with host nations to
2010 has increased to 21.5 year. One such region experi- vision states: “By 2030, an ensure the protection and well-
million. Furthermore, the encing significant changes is increasing number of forcibly being of climate refugees,
Ecosystem Threat Register the US-Mexico border, where displaced and stateless people, enabling them to lead safe
(ETR) released in September thousands of migrants arrive fleeing from climate-fueled lives.
2018 by the Institute for after traversing the “Darien crises and/or living in climate- D. The UNHCR aims to min-
Economics and Peace (IEP), an Gap”, risking their lives in the vulnerable countries, find solu- imise its own negative impacts
Australian think tank, stated journey from Central America tions, are protected and on the environment. To reduce
that by 2050, around 1.2 billion to the US. This route is con- resilient to the impacts of cli- carbon footprints, the UNHCR
people will be displaced by sidered one of the world’s most mate change, and have the utilises solar panels at its offices
these climate-related threats. perilous migration paths, means to live self-sufficient and endeavours to make its
In 2018, when the UN adopt- where many migrants, includ- lives.” This vision is based on fleet entirely green. Its use of
ed the Global Compact on ing the weak, elderly, children, the Strategic Action for Climate renewable energy resources
Safe, Orderly, and Regular and women, lose their lives due Action launched in 2020 by the aligns with the UN’s broader
Migration, it clearly stated that to treacherous pathways and UNHCR itself. However, the commitment to “Greening the
one of the factors causing large- various natural hazards. new Strategic Plan for Action Blue”.
scale migration of people is the Consequently, many of these 2024-30 provides a clear Thus, the UNHCR is taking
adverse impacts of climate migrants find it challenging to roadmap to address the issue of numerous steps to mitigate the
change and environmental realise their coveted “American climate refugees. These objec- impact of climate change on
degradation. Again, in March Dream” in reality. tives are: environmentally displaced peo-
2018, the UN Human Rights Media reports and migration This underscores the serious member states and 22 associ- the climate crisis. Indeed, the tion in the future. A. People who are compelled to ple worldwide. However, joint
Council adopted an outcome experts have been issuing consideration of the Darien ate states designated as SIDS by recent call for a “loss and dam- What kind of policies could flee across borders due to per- action is crucial, as the UNHCR
document that strongly focused warnings about the substantial Gap by migrants seeking a the UN constitute a unique cri- age” fund established at the alleviate this issue? The realis- secution, violence, and human alone cannot achieve this.
on cross-border movement of increase in migrants to the US brighter future in their home- sis, termed a “sink or swim” COP-27 summit in 2022 could tic solution is to ensure that we rights violations arising from Migration is a global phenom-
people brought about by cli- from poor, impoverished, and land. paradox, unlike other poor be one way to address climate no longer pollute and produce the adverse effects of climate enon, with climate-related dis-
mate crises from the angle of rapidly climate-changing Another group of nations espe- developing nations. disasters in developing nations, goods and services. However, change disasters are protected placement being the most trag-
human rights protection. Central American nations. The cially vulnerable to climate Environmental scientists and including SIDS. The issue of this is not entirely feasible. and safe. The UN High ic. People leave their native
The term “climate refugees” trend since 2010 is particular- change is Small Island climate experts note that these loss and damage is crucial for What we can collectively do is Commissioner for Refugees lands and indigenous resources
refers to climate-related migra- ly alarming. In 2022, almost Developing States (SIDS) such states collectively contribute many developing nations, as reduce the level of consump- (UNHCR) aligns with govern- to go to either completely
tion. However, it is not ade- 2,50,000 people made the as Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Fiji, to less than one per cent of they bear the brunt of envi- tion and, ultimately, our greed ments, civil society organisa- unknown distant lands or,
quately defined by global gov- crossing, driven by economic etc. These countries face a global carbon emissions. ronmental damages caused by in all aspects of life. tions, academia, regional bod- again, to some inhabitable
ernance agencies like the UN or and humanitarian disasters — daunting task in adjusting to Despite their minimal contri- advanced or developed nations. The UN High Commissioner ies, etc, to safeguard individu- lands. It is certain their future
migration-related forums in nearly double the figures from the dynamics of climate bution, the catastrophic effects Loss refers to irretrievable loss- for Refugees (UNHCR) has als who are victims of climate is not secure. They are more
the true sense of the term. The the previous year and 20 times change, particularly during and of abnormal environmental es such as human lives or the been working with a long- change. vulnerable than before. It is
term was first coined to the annual average from 2010 after the COVID-19 pandem- changes render them virtually loss of species, while damages term vision to address the B. Forcibly displaced and state- time to shift our focus from
describe the growing large- to 2020. Early data for 2023 ic. The economic slowdown in uninhabitable. indicate things that are harmed issue of refugees, especially less people, along with their reaction to action. Climate
scale migration and cross-bor- indicates a six fold increase, SIDS is compelling more peo- Therefore, SIDS are seeking but can be repaired or restored, climate-displaced people. hosts, should have access to ser- change is making our lives
der mass movement of people with 87,390 people making ple to migrate or abandon avenues to raise awareness of such as roads and sea walls. Currently, the UNHCR is vices promoting the sustainable vulnerable.
affected by natural disasters. the trek from January to March their native places, exacerbat- their plight and gain global This fund is expected to have engaged in 130 country oper- use of natural resources and a
Climate refugees are now the compared to 13,791 the previ- ed by changing environmental support, particularly financial a significant impact on climate ations, with regional wings clean, healthy environment. (The writers are Research
world’s forgotten victims, so to ous year (Walsh et al., 2023). conditions. Therefore, the 38 assistance to urgently combat refugees and their rehabilita- spread across the world and its The primary objective here is Assistants at GRF)
EDIT
DECCAN CHRONICLE | SUNDAY | 31 DECEMBER 2023 | COIMBATORE
pg 6

Subhani

31 DECEMBER 2023

Shreya Sen-Handley
Off the beaten track

Roast the rogues,


tricksters are toast!
E
very year brings gains and losses, but 2023 dished up extra helpings of the
latter. Innumerable lives were lost in wars and disasters, and over each we
despaired, even demonstrated in the thousands. Yet, naturally, the injuries
that stung the most were closer to home. Losing family, for example, and some-
times, F*R*I*E*N*D*S.
Matthew Perry’s death felt like the passing of a real pal. Generations of us had
grown up with him, and his humour had always hit the right spot (Bing, bing!).
His well-known struggles with mastering life only made him more like us. Could
there be a more relatable celebrity?

A year that blurred the line LETTERS


With inflation soaring and jobs disappearing, this was also the year of endemic
penury, and the toll it took on quality-of-life. Yet, fat-cat business peeps and

PUTIN INVITES PM
bureaucracies, continued to leech us of every penny, growing fatter on their
spoils. As if 2023 would have us believe that ‘death and taxes’ are indeed life’s sole
certainties!
Amidst all this doom, and climate gloom, can nothing lift our spirits?

between truth and illusion


Well, there is schadenfreude, German for revelling in another’s ruin, that might President Vladimir Putin
dilute our dejection a jot. I wouldn’t recommend gloating over our frenemies’ mis- has invited Prime Minister
fortunes (coz Karma’s a bitch, y’know). But we should definitely take a moment, Narendra Modi to visit
as we wrap this year up, to enjoy the epic fails of our worthies — responsible as
they undoubtedly are for the sorry state of
Russia next year, saying it
this world. And when better to schadenfry May also witnessed neither binding on any suc- will give them an opportu-
(a form of roast obvs) than fuelled by fes- the Reserve Bank of cessor government or the nity to discuss current
Manish Tewari
tive drink and bah-humbug hutzpah? legislature for that matter. issues and talk about the
Why not delight in the downfall of India withdrawing the Quixotically, the court held
Cruella Braverman, be her exile from gov- 2,000-rupee note. No that, while the process of outlook for the develop-
ernment ever so brief? This horror of a denomination in the abrogating Article 370 was ment of bilateral relations.
home minister, who’d harry Britain’s hap-
less to please the most heartless in its State of the Union history of
independent India’s
ultra-vires of the Consti-
tution of India, the abroga-
It will be a very fruitful
negotiation and pave the
ranks, packing refugees into sinking ships tion itself was intra-vires.
like sardines, or exposing the homeless to
currency regime has The year finally ended way for solving current
had a shorter shelf

A
the mercy of the elements, and calling it a s December com- President on advice of a with a literal assault on issues. However, India has
“lifestyle choice”, has been twice appoint- There’s reason, after all, es to an end, one committee consisting of the life than the 2,000- India’s democracy. On
rupee currency note. not yet condemned the
ed to high office and twice sacked. to celebrate the year can but cast a Prime Minister, Leader of December 13, 2023, the 22nd
Russian invasion of Ukraine
Sadly, she’ll be back, like an unvan- that’s dwindling. Good regretful gaze Opposition, and the Chief anniversary of the terror
quishable virus, and oh, haven’t we had a
reason to toast those upon the porten- Justice of India. In absolute attack on Parliament, two and it has been maintain-
bellyful of that! With Arnie, let’s say tous litany of tragic events disregard to this judgement, into a modern nation. The intruders entered into the ing that the crisis must be
“hasta la vista, baby” to this I-can’t- who discharged their that underscored the year the government passed a reasons for this shift are Lok Sabha and released
believe-she’s-not-fiction villain, as we duties well. Everyday 2023. No wonder Cambridge bill in the Parliament which still abstruse for the old smoke canisters. Despite resolved through diploma-
raise our tipples to a few Suella-free folks like you and me, Dictionary has announced replaces the Chief Justice structure still stands tall the intruders entering cy and dialogue. Notably,
months. who strove to do better “hallucinate” as its Word of with a minister, thereby radiating vibrancy, mys- Parliament on a pass recom- the ties between India and
Talking of Republicans, their clown the Year. Though the con- providing the government tique and an aura of mended by a BJP MP, no
quartet — DeSantis, Haley, Christie and
these 52 weeks. text of the word “halluci- a carte blanche in appoint- unblemished dignity. action has been taken Russia remained strong
Ramaswamy — has been grandstanding nate” was in reference to AI ing officials to the Election In October, the world saw against him so far either by notwithstanding Moscow's
on their quadrennial parade, aka. GOP presidential debates. The ringmaster, tools generating false or Commission, and complete- the horrific terror attack the presiding officers or the invasion of Ukraine. India's
however, hasn’t put in an appearance, as if further proof was needed of Trump’s misleading information as ly subverting electoral unleashed by the Hamas on police for that matter.
dangerous contempt for democratic processes. Despite that, he’s a shoo-in for the facts; it remarkably mirrors superintendence in the hapless Israeli citizens that On the contrary, in order
import of Russian crude oil
White House (again), and that’s no laughing matter. the broader narrative of the country. left hundreds dead and to save itself any further has gone up significantly
To take the edge off our terror, let’s roast these US presidential no-hopers for the year gone by — a year char- In May, horrific ethnic scores taken hostage. The embarrassment and exoner- despite increasing disquiet
rogues they are in their own right. We might even allow ourselves the smallest of acterised by the augmented violence erupted between Israeli retaliation has been ate itself from any public over it in many Western
smirks, a half-raised glass, at the startling fact that two of their batch are as desi distortion of truths and the the Meitei and Kuki-Zo com- both brutal and dispropor- scrutiny, the government
as dahi-vada. blurring of lines between munities in the state of Ma- tionate with entire popula- suspended 146 Opposition countries.
Another spectacular slither this year down the gilded ladder came from the the perceived and actual. nipur. Despite being a BJP- tion of the Gaza strip being members of Parliament for Ibne Farooq
slimy Elon Musk. His takeover of Twitter, its ludicrous rebranding and welcom- The unnecessary Russian ruled state with a no imme- subjected to the most med- demanding accountability Chenna
ing back of fake-news peddlers, right-wing rednecks, and primitive zealots, lost it aggression on Ukraine en- diate action was taken to ieval and barbaric form of from the home minister
billions in advertising revenue. Big business has never had a conscience, but tered its tenth month as the restore normalcy. On the collective punishment that thereby setting a terrible
Musk’s megalomania and wooing of sinister sociopaths may’ve been a creep too year turned over. In those contrary attempts were still continues unabated precedent for India’s parlia-
far for even them.
Sidesplitting pratfalls from tycoon tricksters in 2023 included those by
ten months the Russian
casus belli for the unprece-
made to restrict the flow of
information from the state.
with women, children and
even the wounded being
mentary form of govern-
ment. In the middle of these CRUSADER
Theranos’ Elizabeth Holmes, caught red-handed hawking miracle blood-testing
machines that didn’t exist, and Sam Bankman-Fried, who burnt his fingers
dented assault on a sover-
eign nation in violation of
Even after being urged by
the opposition to explain the
subjected to systematic and
clinical extermination.
suspensions, important
bills such as the telecom AGAINST GRAFT
siphoning billions from FTX, his cryptocurrency exchange. Funny how no-one the Budapest Memorandum on-ground situation in In November, eight retir- bill, Chief Election Commis- Ramana catapulted Vijayakanth’s
clocked how closely his setup’s name resembled that of an eighties smoke-and- of 1994 and the Minsk Manipur, the Prime Min- ed navy personnel were a- sioner and the three crimi- career where he played the role of a
mirrors flick! Accords of 2014-15 stood ister refused to do so. Even warded the death penalty by nal law bills were passed crusader against corruption.None of
The other S(c)am, Altman, ChatGPT creator, was hurled off his godlike AI pedes- fully exposed. However the now, the facts on ground re- a Qatari court. Though this with zero opposition, with us can forget the scene where a hos-
tal, but back on top within days, boosted by Microsoft’s Satya, and now nearly om- assault continues shorn of main shrouded in ambigui- has since been commuted, scenes from the Parliament pital treats and bills a patient already
nipotent. Originally fired for his questionable ethics, I smell toast smouldering. the perceived bogey of ty with the Supreme Court the details of the charges ag- drawing eerie parallels to declared dead or his rendering of TN
And dare we even mention certain desi businessmen whose monikers end with Nato’s eastward expansion. having to monitor the slow ainst them remain un- an Orwellian dystopia remi- statistics. Though his own health was
I and start with A, much less name them? Similarly the Chinese trans- march to an uneasy calm. known. I had raised this niscent of authoritarian bad he still attended Dr Kalam's
There’s a place in hell for all of ‘em, and X marks the spot! gression across the Line of May also witnessed the issue in December 2022 in regimes. funeral.
Further cause for hilarity is the haunting of the British royal family. Ghosts Actual Control into Indian Reserve Bank of India with- Parliament; despite that ten In the train of seminal T.S. Karthik
from Christmases past themselves, in how archaic an institution they are, they’ve territory entered its thirti- drawing the 2,000-rupee months later our “decorated events that underpinned Chennai
been laid low in 2023’s dying days by yet more scandal. As antiquated as their own eth month. note. No denomination in veterans” continue to suffer 2023, the resonance of “hal-
raison d’être, these rumours are old hat. The stories swirling around Diana’s trag- The year in India also the history of independent ignominy in a Qatari lucinate” extends beyond
ic death amongst them, newly dredged up by hit TV series The Crown. Not only
have the theories been revived (you could argue they never died down), but Diana
began with a frontal
onslaught on what is left of
India’s currency regime has
had a shorter shelf life than
prison.
Early December saw the
linguistic semantics. It
becomes a metaphor for a BABRI'S SHADOW
herself has been resurrected on the show as a ghost flitting from Buckingham to the freedom of the press the 2,000-rupee currency pronouncement of Article year where the boundaries As the consecration ceremony of the
Balmoral, confronting her in-laws. with the Union government note. This clearly illustrates 370 judgement. Its deleteri- between reality and illusion Ram temple is around the corner, one
If that doesn’t spook Charles, he’s also been revealed in the new Scooby Dooby proscribing a BBC’s two- how abrupt and short-sight- ous impact on the federal blurred, leaving citizens is compelled to reminisce about the
Doo book on the royal family feuds, Endgame, to have aired concerns, alongside part documentary by dub- ed the government’s policy structure of our country grappling with distorted unmerciful demolition of the Babri
the sainted Kate, Her Royal Smugness, about Harry and Meghan’s mixed-race bing it as Faustian. was in 2016, and how noth- should concern us all. The versions of the truth. The Masjid three decades ago in this
baby’s less-than-ghostly-pale skin colour. Moreover, BBC offices in ing was learnt from that court refrained from global slide tilt towards town. The construction of the Ram
Nor have stars of stage and screen gone unrepresented in this year’s shame India faced harassment tragic decision with all the answering the question of right wing populism, and temple is yet another contrivance to
pageant. Russell Brand and Puffy Dud (whatevs) have had historic charges from the coercive instru- overtones of a dark comedy. whether the Parliament can non-adherence to democrat- consolidate polarisation and reap
brought against them for assault and harassment. If found guilty, 2024 might serve mentalities of the state, a In September, Parliament convert a state into two ic principles and constitu- electoral dividends by the ruling BJP
them their just desserts. Finally. recurring tactic employed was compelled to shift into a Union territories which was tionalism underscores a dis- ahead of the 2024 general elections. It
There’s reason, after all, to celebrate the year that’s dwindling. Good reason to by the government with new premises by forsaking a sine qua non of the dis- turbing pattern of gover- is highly unfortunate that the legal
toast those who discharged their duties well. That’s ne’er our insincere, incompe- even greater leeway this its historical seat. The origi- pute. The apex court also nance that prioritises con- system bent backwards to give the
tent ‘leaders’ (for whom a day of reckoning must loom in 2024?). But everyday year to squelch all dissent. nal Parliament building allowed for the reorganisa- trol over transparency and verdict based on “faith”, and failed to
folks like you and me, who strove to do better these 52 weeks. And most of all — In early March, a five- was converted into a tion of Ladakh into a Union power over accountability. punish those who orchestrated the
Karma and Comeuppance! bench judge of the Supreme Samvidhan Sabha or territory on the grounds demolition of the mosque.
Happy new year, my friends. Court unanimously ruled Constituent Assembly com- that the solicitor general The writer is a lawyer, MP R. Sivakumar
that the appointment of the pletely ignoring the seminal has promised that statehood and former Union Chennai
Shreya Sen-Handley is the author of the award-winning Memoirs of My Chief Election Commis- role it has played over the would be restored in the information and broadcast-
Body, short story collection Strange and travelogue Handle With Care. sioner and election commis- past seven decades in trans- remaining part of Jammu & ing minister. Twitter Mail your letters to
Her Twitter and Insta handle is @shreyasenhan. sioners shall be made by the forming an old civilisation Kashmir. An undertaking handle @manishtewari. chennaidesk@deccanmail.com

T
his year, just like every year, things are not much better. According media coverage to underscore this ter that suggests that femicides taking against Gender-Based Violence this
UN Women is commemorating to a UN report, almost 89,000 women point for the benefit of women living in place in countries like Pakistan are year should be to further a decolonised
16 Days of Activism against were killed last year. It said that 55 per the US. Focusing on the women ‘there’ endemic to the culture and are thus form of activism around feminism
Gender-Based Violence from cent “of all female homicides are com- allows the focus to be shifted from those ‘honour crimes’. which focuses on the common thread
Nov 25 to Dec 10. This annual obser- mitted by family members or intimate who should be working harder to pre- This is in contrast to when crimes that whether it is so-called honour or
vance is meant to focus renewed atten- partners…”. It is quite likely that these vent intimate partner violence and pro- that are remarkably similar in both cir- ego (which is inevitably behind inti-
tion on the fact that women live in a statistics do not even capture the full vide better security for women. cumstances and frequency are commit- mate partner violence) it is male vio-
Rafia Zakaria world that has been made unsafe large-
ly by men.
number of femicides. The number is
chilling because in the popular imagi-
This does not excuse men in places
like Kohistan or anywhere else in
ted in white and Western cultures. The
term ‘intimate partner violence’ is a
lence against women that is being
excused.
Naturally, the women that are at the nation few would think that the vast Pakistan where women are killed on sterilised one that even neglects to All cultures, because they are con-
forefront of global conflict face the majority of young women who die in the basis of dodgy viral videos that pur- mention that women have actually trolled by men, are complicit in the
direst circumstances. The UN has esti- the Americas, which means North and portedly go against the tribal code and been killed. The point of such sterilisa- deaths of women. Similarly, all cul-
mated that two-thirds of the casualties South America, die at the hands of men curbs that conservative societies have tion is to underscore the point that tures have the ability to stop excusing

Gaza, Afghan in Gaza are women and children. Those


who have not died are facing tremen-
dous emotional, mental and physical
they know and love. The tragedy of
these statistics is that despite the dark
reality they represent, most people liv-
decided to impose on women. The
unspeakable tragedy of this most
recent case is that, according to the
when a crime takes place in, say,
Vancouver or Washington state (where
a man recently killed his wife, daugh-
male behaviour and looking away from
the suffering of women. These sorts of
territorial divisions do no favours to
trauma. Many women have lost chil- ing in societies in which these crimes police, the viral video contained a doc- ters and brother-in-law) or Alaska, women anywhere. Women living in
unlivable, but dren or husbands and their testimonies
are all over TikTok and other social
media platforms.
occur do not pay much attention to
them.
This is especially true of North
tored image of the girl. The remote
region and the tight-knit community
means that it will quite likely be
which last year and several years
before it, had the highest femicide rate
among American states, these are not a
Pakistan need to believe in the fact that
their culture is perfectly capable of tak-
ing swift and fast action against mur-

West shirking Of the two million displaced by the


conflict, women are facing the most dif-
ficult circumstances because there is
America, and particularly the US.
Being an affluent and white-majority
country, most in America think that
extremely difficult to establish whether
tribal elders ordered the men, who are
considered suspects in the murder, to
cultural problem but rather represent
an aberration. This is contrary to the
reality that one of the top causes of
death for women under 35 in the US is
derous men.
It is time that the annual 16 days of
gender activism is decolonised so that
it is not sidetracked by colonial pre-
no clean water or sanitation available women have it better there than carry out the horrible crime.
duty to women anywhere in the Gaza Strip because of
Israel’s merciless siege and bombing
campaign. It is inevitable that the
women in South Asia and the Middle
East where they would be subjected to,
for instance, ‘honour’ crimes commit-
Activism around honour killings also
needs to change its strategy in
Pakistan. It is crucial to remember that
intimate partner violence. Just like
honour killings enjoy a degree of com-
munity tolerance, so too does intimate
cepts that suggest that white and
Western cultures are somehow more
capable of being gender equal and com-
women who survive the conflict will be ted by family members. The horrible the reason these crimes are called ‘hon- partner violence as the money allocat- mitted to gender justice than the ‘sav-
the ones to bear most of the burden of murder of the young girl in Kohistan in our crimes’, while those in the West are ed to prevent such crimes in America age’ cultures they colonised.
salvaging what is left of their families. Pakistan (this is, in fact, true of most referred to as ‘intimate partner vio- decreases every year even as cases rise.
For the rest of the world’s women, cases of honour killing) is given big lence’, is a colonial mindset. It is the lat- The point of 16 Days of Activism By arrangement with Dawn

EDITOR: KAUSHIK MITTER, PRINTER & PUBLISHER: K. SUDHAKAR; R. MOHAN RESIDENT EDITOR DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: Chennai: SP 3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032. Phones: (044) 22254750, 222547451 Coimbatore: No. 2/22 Sengalipalayam Road, N.G.G.O. Colony Post, Kurudampalayam
Village, Coimbatore-641022. Phone: (0422) 2231255, 2231256 Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad 500 003. Phone: (040) 27803930-4. Fax: (040) 27805256. Visakhapatnam: Survey No. 1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, Visakhapatnam - 530 017. Phones: (0891) 2552333/2552334, Fax (0891)
2755285 Vijayawada: No. C 3 & 4, Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.). Phones: (0866) 2555284/ 2555287, Fax (0866) 2555234 Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry 533125. Phones: (0883) 2417208, 2417618 Anantapur: Thapovan Colony, Bangalore Bye-Pass Road, Anantapur 515004. Phones:
(08554) 276903, Fax: 08554-276904 Nellore: Survey No. 527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemudugunta Panchayat, Nellore. Phone: (0861) 2348581/ 82, Telefax (0861) 2348580 Karimnagar: H .No. 1-21-12/1, Cheralabhutkur Road, Mugudhumpur Village, Karim Nagar - 505186 Phone : 9121181123
THE
SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER 2023 | THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU 9

Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha


‘Let Telangana remain a
Paving the Way for Progress
Dr Achyuta Samanata
guiding light for nation’
Projecting Telangana as a ‘Debt-Ridden State’
ness, enhances community
cohesion, provides economic will have serious repercussions
I
N today's fast-paced opportunities, and fosters a
world, where develop- sense of national pride.
ment often takes prec- The development of the Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
edence, the Odisha govern- youth is fundamental to the
ment’s "Ama Odisha Nabin
Odisha" (AONO) initiative,
spearheaded by Hon’ble
progress of society and the
state. The AONO initiative
is a visionary movement ini-
T ELANGANA Deputy Chief Minister and
Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramar-
ka, tabling ‘White Paper’ on state's finances
Chief Minister of Odisha tiated by the Hon’ble Chief in the Assembly on December 20, 2023, said
and implemented by the 5T Minister of Odisha to bolster that the economy of state was ruined by the
and AONO Chairman VK the youth of Odisha and es- BRS government by taking unlimited loans.
Pandian, emerges as a holis- tablish the state's position as He disclosed that, the debt had gone up to Rs
tic approach to change. It is a new and emerging Odisha, 6,71,757 crore, and would further go up, with
built on the principles of a cementing the state's rising no tangible fiscal assets in proportion to the
welfare state combining the glory. The focus is on for- money spent in ten years. The ‘White Paper;
improvement of rural infra- tifying the foundation for is the first step to meet the fiscal challenges
structure with the preserva- the youth, ensuring that the in a ‘Responsible, Prudent, and Transparent
tion of cultural heritage. It As we reflect on the extraordinary initiatives within "Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha," it state's development is an- Manner,’ said the Deputy CM. He and Chief
is a solid proof of Odisha's is a promise of a brighter future for the people. The government’s dedication to rural chored in youth empower- Minister A Revanth Reddy presented a copy
commitment to inclusive infrastructure development, heritage preservation, women empowerment, education, and ment, which is both inclusive of ‘White Paper’ to Prime Minister Narendra
progress and human-centric sports infrastructure is an exemplar of commitment to the welfare of the state. It deserves and dynamic. He has spared Modi, when they called on him on Decem-
development. no effort in this endeavor and ber 26, requesting him to come to the state’s
heartfelt appreciation for its vision and dedication to transforming rural Odisha
Mahatma Gandhi said the is working tirelessly with a rescue.
heart of India is in its villages. Rs. 3,178 crore has been powers individuals to save, together, pray, learn, and team of dedicated officials to Both ‘White Paper’ and ‘Telangana Econo- The debt claimed in the
He emphasised on rural de- floated to establish a seam- invest, borrow, and secure connect, fostering a sense of bring this vision to fruition, my Document,’ released earlier, placed on re-
velopment and considered it less public transport network their financial future. The community and belonging. the benefits of which will be cord the ‘Exceptional Financial Growth’ dur-
'White Paper' is neither loan
as a catalyst for growth. Odi- connecting gram panchayats, shift from financial exclusion The preservation of heritage seen for generations to come ing the KCR government, in terms of GSDP nor expenditure, but an
sha follows this Gandhian block headquarters, district to inclusion is a significant sites is a crucial part of the and make him immortal in (Rs 13,13,391 crore) and Per Capita Income
principle in letter and spirit. headquarters, major cities, step towards comprehensive program, reflecting the gov- the history of welfare and (Rs 3,12,398) growth. Despite making a re- investment that resulted in
A predominantly agrarian and economic hubs. welfare, steered by vision- ernment's dedication to safe- people-centric governance. mark that the ‘Quality of Telangana Budget
state, with a significant por- The strategic use of buses ary Chief Minister Naveen guarding the cultural identity As we reflect on the ex- Making Exercise’ was poor, the ‘White Pa- creation of Rs 50 lakh crore
tion of its population engaged for connectivity has and will Patnaik. Mission Shakti In- of Odisha as they are not just traordinary initiatives within per’ observed that from 2014-15 to 2022-23, assets in the last 10 years by
in agriculture and its allied prove beneficial, particu- frastructure Development relics from the past, they are "Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha," ‘Budget Estimates (from Rs 1,00,638 crore
activities, recognises that the larly given the limitations of is another powerful endeav- windows to history, showcas- it is a promise of a brighter to Rs 2,56,859 crore) and Actual Expendi- the KCR government. KTR
key to the overall develop- the railway network in the our to empower women and ing the rich traditions. future for the people. The ture Figures (from Rs 62,306 to Rs 2,04,085
ment lies in the transforma- region. It fosters economic address deeply entrenched The preservation efforts, government’s dedication to crores) saw an upward trend. clarified that in his ‘Sweat
tion and improvement of its
rural areas. The prosperity of
growth and brings various
advantages to the connected
social and gender norms. It
means breaking down barri-
apart from its cultural im-
portance, has an economic
rural infrastructure develop-
ment, heritage preservation,
The percentage share of ‘Actual Expendi-
ture’ in the overall ‘Budget Estimates’ also
Paper’ that FRBM debts are
cities is intricately linked to areas. It is singularly a pio- ers, challenging stereotypes, dimension. Abhijit Baner- women empowerment, edu- went up from the lowest level of 61.9% in only Rs 3,89,673 crore, in-
the well-being of villages and neering move, making Odi- and creating an environment jee's work on cultural preser- cation, and sports infrastruc- 2014-15 to 82.3% during 2014-23, on an av-
that is why the kernel of the sha an example for the rest of where women can thrive and vation underscores how her- ture is an exemplar of com- erage. The paper also noted that Telangana cluding Rs 72,658 crore old
initiative is to generate em-
ployment, empower the local
the states in India.
One of the paramount as-
make a lasting impact on
society. Empowered women
itage sites can attract tourists,
generate revenue, and create
mitment to the welfare of the
state. It deserves heartfelt ap-
started on a firm footing on the fiscal front,
registering ‘Revenue Surplus’ during the first
loans, and, therefore, net
populace, and foster overall pects of "Ama Odisha Nabin contribute significantly to jobs, contributing to the wel- preciation for its vision and five years adhering to the ‘Fiscal Responsibil- loans are only Rs 3,17,015
development by preventing Odisha” is the development the well-being and progress fare of the community. The dedication to transforming ity Norms’ broadly, except during 2019-22,
rural exodus causing over- of primary school infrastruc- of their families and com- preservation of the Jagan- rural Odisha. (obviously due to economic recession aris- crore and not Rs 6,71,757
crowding in cities. ture which is fundamental to munities, fostering holistic nath culture is an ode to the Odisha is not only creating ing out of corona). In all the remaining years
AONO is not confined the educational landscape. development and Odisha is spiritual and cultural essence a better future for the people Revenue was in surplus! crore as claimed in the
solely to urban develop- Adequate and well-equipped a bright example for leading of Odisha as Odisha is syn- but also setting an example During the lively discussion on ‘White Pa- 'White Paper'
ment but extends to every primary school facilities a the initiative. In fact, Shri onymous to Lord Jagannath. for other regions to follow. per,’ AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi
nook and cranny of the state, conducive learning envi- Patnaik’s tenure is a golden Protecting and promoting Mahatma Gandhi would in- questioning its intention expressed serious The Budget of fourth year was ‘Inspirational
reaching even the remotest ronment, enable academic era for women. this centuries-old culture en- deed be happy to see that a concern that despite progress achieved un- and Message Oriented’ aimed at welfare to
villages. Notably, the road growth, and inspire a lifelong A vital part of the initiative sures the continuity of sacred leader like Naveen Patnaik der the BRS government, an attempt was all sections of people. As desired by Union
infrastructure in Odisha is love for learning. is the provision of amenities practices and spiritual tradi- exists who has been success- made to send wrong message that the State Government, it was broadly classified as
well-developed and has been Another essential pillar near places of worship that tions passed down through fully following all Gandhian is in distress. Former Finance Minister Har- ‘Revenue and Capital’ expenditures instead
undergoing significant im- of "Ama Odisha Nabin Odi- play a pivotal role in creating generations. principles in governance, re- ish Rao argued that it was not in the interests of ‘Plan and Non Plan.’
provements, with roads con- sha" is the development of a welcoming and inclusive The development of sports questing for inclusion of Non- of Telangana to project it as a ‘Debt-Ridden The genuine efforts of KCR attracted in-
necting every corner of the banking infrastructure in environment for devotees. infrastructure is a physical Violence in the Preamble and State’ the repercussions of which would be stant attention from fiscal experts and insti-
state. Working on that advan- rural areas. It aligns perfectly It enhances the overall ex- investment and an invest- closing the gap between Gan- disastrous. tutions. 14th Finance Commission Chair-
tage, the Location Accessible with Amartya Sen's capabili- perience of worshipers and ment in the well-being of dhism and Gandhigiri! I fondly reminisce the day, June 17, 2014, man Dr YV Reddy in September 2014 placed
Multi-modal Initiative (LAc- ties approach. By providing makes these sacred places the community. It facilitates (The writer is the when (Former) Chief Minister K Chan- on record his deep appreciation about the
cMI) scheme with an esti- easy access to a wide range more convenient and com- sportspersons to hone their Member of Lok Sabha from drashekhar Rao held an informal marathon competence, integrity, and commitment of
mated cost of approximately of financial services, it em- fortable for people to come skills, promotes physical fit- Kandhamal) meeting for about eight hours, participated CM KCR, and his team of officers from the
by CMO and other senior officers including finance department. ICRA, an independent
from Finance. KCR put forth his ‘Broad but and professional credit rating agency, award-

2023: A double whammy for Pak


Crystal-Clear Vision’ of the newly formed ed 'A' category status to Telangana as early
State, frequently repeating with passion as in October 2015. In November 2017, the
that, ‘Telangana Needs to be Reinvented and Telangana State was ranked ‘Number One’ in
Reoriented.’ In my nine and half a years’ of the ‘India Today’s State of the State’s Rank-
working with KCR, with CMO team, and ings’ that showcased the buoyant economy of
with other senior officers, who included the state, based on the average annual growth
NEW DELHI: Pakistan con- Khan from contesting elec- from Finance Department, I had an oppor- of GSDP. Earlier, ASSOCHAM, an apex in-
fronts an existential crisis far tions and holding public tunity to involve in the ‘Broad Contours of dustry body, lauded Telangana for attracting
more critical than its eco- office for five years. Over a Budget Making.’ I never had an iota of doubt, investments with highest growth rate in a
nomic troubles. The threat hundred other cases were at any point of time, that KCR was deviating short period. These are just sample of many
stems from what World registered against him. A from his approach to the state’s growth as en- appreciations.
Bank country director Najy sweeping crackdown saw visioned. The 2018-2019 Budget chronicled finan-
Benhassine has described as arrests of PTI leaders and ‘White Papers’ are supposed to be ‘Au- cial stability and progress of state despite
the “persistently low quality activists while some were thoritative Guides’ on ‘Shortcomings’ with GST and demonetization. 2019-20 Vote-
of basic services for human coerced into abandoning the ‘Proposed Solutions’ to tackle them. They on-Account Budget was explicitly in the
development”, which is both party. are equally ‘Documents of Governments’ direction of fulfilling poll promises and full-
the cause and effect of the At one point, Pakistan's describing ‘Policy Preferences and Proposal.’ fledged budget later, was in the context of
economy’s frequent boost- official foreign exchange re- Of late, the rationale of white papers by and severe economic slowdown. Following ‘Co-
and-bust cycles, as per an serves had dwindled to $3 large, turned out to be pin-pointing the nega- rona Pandemic Effect’ economic slowdown
editorial in Dawn. billion, insufficient to finance tive side of previous governments, ignoring there was decrease in Revenue Receipts and
The decline in human de- even three weeks of the ‘Every Good’ done. Interpretation of data increase in Revenue Expenditure. 2021-22
velopment indicators is re- country’s import bill. Con- and twisting facts suiting one side of argu- Budget was the largest one since formation of
flected in the stunted growth currently, inflation peaked ment is the strategy being followed. To what state. By the time 2022-23 and 2023-24 budg-
of 40 per cent of our under- at Pakistan’s highest-ever extent does the data interpretation in the ets were prepared, State’s wealth increased in
five population. Nearly 7 single-month level of 38 per ‘White Paper on State Finances’ is in conso- a significant way due to fiscal prudence. Tel-
per cent of our children do cent, amid heightened politi- nance with the spirit of BRS Budgets, ‘debts, angana became ‘Role Model for Entire Coun-
not even make it to their cal conflict and an unprec- and growth apart,’ is arguable. try,’ and followed by rest of the states. White
fifth birthday. A majority of edented crackdown com- According to the ‘White Paper,’ for any Paper should have acknowledged these reali-
citizens have little access to
clean water, waste and sani-
The most politically significant development was the arrest of Imran Khan in promising civic rights, The
Express Tribune reported.
government to manage the finances, ‘Budget
is the Principal Tool’ and ‘Budget Data’ is
ties. White Paper’s observation that, ‘Quality
of Telangana Budget Making Exercise’ was
tation services, basic health- August, after his conviction by the Islamabad High Court in a corruption case The country averted de- standard. Preparing the Annual Budget for a poor is incorrect.
care or proper nutrition and that held him guilty of illegally selling state gifts. Nawaz Sharif’s political fault after its chief executive State is not a ‘Trivial Matter’ but a ‘Workout KCR always used to say that ‘Funds Raised
education -- both in remote comeback was nothing short of remarkable. But more than politics it was intervened, giving personal Literally’ requiring knowledge, skill, right at- or Managed for Leveraging Economy’ shall
regions and major cities. guarantees to the IMF for titude, commonsense, vision, and statesman- not be construed as ‘Loans and Debts.’ An-
"An average Pakistani the economy that emerged as the crucial factor to determine the country’s future fiscal and economic ship. As KCR said repeatedly, Budget was not nouncing in Assembly once that, Telangana
receives only eight years fate and fortunes in 2024 and the years ahead. A slew of negative trends responsibility. However, for a mere ‘Financial Statement of Accounts’ or Loans are the lowest compared to other
of schooling. We have the continued through the year -- internal and external financial imbalances the second time in four years, repeating ‘Same Budgetary Heads with in- states, KCR said that, to transform State as
highest infant mortality rate
in South Asia and the low-
remained wide, foreign exchange reserves depleted to a fragile level, inflation Pakistan’s economy contract-
ed by 0.3 per cent, driven by
creased Percentages in Figures.’!!!
Therefore, an elaborate and scientific exer-
‘Golden Telangana’ required loans only were
taken and not beyond. KCR further said that,
est life expectancy. With six hit a historic high, domestic and foreign debt reached unsustainable levels steep import restrictions to cise backed by hours and days of homework, borrowings were within the limits of ‘Fis-
beds per 10,000 people and make room for debt repay- visionary, and incredible thinking process, cal Responsibility and Budget Management
one doctor for every 1,300 in the country -- about the ministership, Lodhi wrote. nificant development of the ments. The remainder of involving ‘Highly Learned Civil Servants (FRBM)’ and Centre’s guidelines, strictly ad-
individuals, we face a severe economy and how its volatile But more than politics outgoing year was the irrevo- 2023 was a struggle to bal- and Experts in Finance Matters’ as well as hering to ‘Fiscal Prudence Norm.’ BRS gov-
health crisis," the editorial politics will pan out, writes it was the economy that cable breakdown of Imran ance the budget and keep ‘Elected Public Servants’ preceded drafting ernment, as per the data available, never de-
said. Maleeha Lodhi, former Pa- emerged as the crucial factor Khan’s relations with his erst- the country afloat, the report the successive Annual Budgets of Telangana faulted on repayment to banks and financial
“As the years go by, Paki- kistan Ambassador to the to determine the country’s while backers in the military said. since its formation. They were not ‘Showcase institutions not even by a day.
stan’s human development US, the UK and the UN, in fate and fortunes in 2024 and establishment. When violent The 23rd year of the centu- Budgets.’ Strictly speaking, every BRS gov- Meanwhile, the ‘Sweda Patram’ (Sweat
indicators continue to wors- Dawn. the years ahead. protests broke out on May 9 ry unleashed unprecedented ernment Budget in itself was no less than Document) released by BRS Working Presi-
en and its position on the Nawaz Sharif ’s political A slew of negative trends over his (then temporary) ar- economic hardships on the a ‘Full-fledged White Paper,’ transparently dent, KT Rama Rao on December 24, refut-
index keeps slipping. This is comeback was nothing short continued through the year rest, PTI supporters attacked majority, with the costs of posted in public domain the entire data of ing the ‘White Paper’ and attempting to set
evidence for Mr Benhassine of remarkable. Over two dec- -- internal and external fi- and vandalised military in- electricity, heating, cooking, which was endorsed from time to time by the record straight, said that FRBM debts are
that Pakistan’s current eco- ades ago, when he was exiled nancial imbalances remained stallations and government education, and daily affairs Government of India bodies like CAG and only Rs 3,89,673 crore, including Rs 72,658
nomic model is not working. following a military coup, wide, foreign exchange re- buildings. This and Khan’s soaring, resulting in dimin- NITI Aayog. crore old loans and, therefore, net Loans are
He recently wrote in a UNDP many believed his political serves depleted to a fragile persistent allegations that ished purchasing power. It was only after the income and expendi- only Rs 3,17,015 crores and not Rs 6,71,757
publication that Pakistan had career was over. But he came level, inflation hit a historic the military was behind a The country’s de-jure and ture under ‘Plan and Non-Plan Schemes’ crore as claimed in the White Paper. KTR
'fallen behind its peers, sig- back to win the 2013 election high, domestic and foreign US-inspired plot to unseat de-facto rulers could not of- from 31st March 2015 to 31st March 2016 said that creation of ‘Assets and Wealth in
nificant progress with pover- and become prime minister debt reached unsustainable him sealed his fate, the arti- fer solace to the majority, (One Full Year) was known clearly, ‘Factual Telangana’ is ten times more than the ex-
ty reduction has now started for the third time. levels, the rupee lost record cle said. who suffered under record Basis for Telangana State Budget Calculation’ penditure of Rs 13,72,930 crore in the last 10
to reverse, and the benefits Having returned now and value against the dollar, In August, Khan was ar- inflation. Official briefings was arrived. years.
of growth have accrued to a able to secure favourable growth stagnated, exports rested after his conviction by revealed how people were A near total understanding and deep study, KTR further mentioned that the so-called
narrow elite'," the editorial court verdicts in politically- fell, overseas remittances the Islamabad High Court in burdened by financing the department-wise, scheme-wise and prior- debt is ‘Neither Loan nor Expenditure,’ but
said. motivated cases in which declined and foreign direct a corruption case that held electricity and gas bills of ities-wise, was done for third year Budget. an ‘Investment’ resulting in the ‘Creation of
The year 2023 was another he had been convicted, he investment remained damp- him guilty of illegally selling others, robbing them of their The conceptual comprehensive framework Wealth’ worth Rs 50 lakh crore. Therefore,
tumultuous year for Paki- quickly positioned himself ened, Lodhi wrote. state gifts. hard-earned money, The Ex- was that not even a single budgeted rupee ‘Let Telangana Remain as Guiding Light for
stan. It saw much uncertainty for a fourth bid for prime The most politically sig- The conviction banned press Tribune reported. should go waste. In fact, it never happened!! the Nation.’
THE HINDU
10 Sunday, December 31, 2023

SCIENCE
Mumbai

Researchers find the cause of nausea, sickness in pregnancy SNAPSHOTS


The Hindu Bureau to a severe form known as ween elevated levels of gravidarum. Conversely, tally­derived GDF15 in the of hyperemesis gravida­
hyperemesis gravidarum GDF15 and reported nau­ women with beta­thalas­ nausea and vomiting of hu­ rum: those who have lower
Researchers have found a (HG). The hormone sea and vomiting (includ­ saemia (a condition in man pregnancy, with ma­ initial levels of the hor­
link between increased le­ growth differentiation fac­ ing hyperemesis gravida­ which GDF15 levels are ternal sensitivity, at least mone are more likely to ex­
vels of a hormone and nau­ tor 15 (GDF15) has pre­ rum). chronically high) rarely re­ partly determined by pre­ perience sickness as the le­
sea during pregnancy (in­ viously been implicated in Further analysis of pla­ ported nausea and vomit­ pregnancy exposure to the vels rise during the first
cluding morning sickness). morning sickness in pre­ cental and maternal sam­ ing in pregnancy. These re­ hormone, being a major in­ trimester. “What makes
The results published in vious literature; however, ples revealed that the foe­ sults suggest that those fluence on its severity. the study a major advance
the journal Nature shed the underlying mechanism tus is responsible for the with lower levels of GDF15 They also suggest mechan­ is that it goes beyond esta­
light on these complex me­ has yet to be described. vast majority of the hor­ before pregnancy may be ism­based approaches to blishing a correlation bet­
tabolic processes and offer Dr. Stephen O’Rahilly mone circulating in the more sensitive to the in­ the treatment and preven­ ween GDF15 and nausea
potential avenues for treat­ from the University of maternal plasma. The creased levels of the hor­ tion of hyperemesis gravi­ and vomiting in pregnan­
ment going forward. Cambridge and others authors also found that mone during pregnancy, darum,” they write. cy, and provides genetic
The majority of preg­
nancies (70%) are affected
measured levels of GDF15
in expectant mothers in
lower levels of GDF15 be­
fore pregnancy are asso­
and thus more affected by
the sickness that it triggers.
These findings suggest
there may be a causal rela­
evidence for a potential
causal mechanism,” notes
Colouration may be more
by nausea and vomiting, their first trimester and ciated with a higher risk of “Our findings support a tionship between foetally­ an accompanying News & than skin­deep for frogs
which can progress found a notable link bet­ developing hyperemesis putative causal role for foe­ derived GDF15 and the risk Views.
Colour variation in frogs and toads may help
protect them against environmental stress and
pathogens, according to a study of more than

Levy 20­30% health tax on food


3,000 species. The findings suggest that the
colour of these amphibian species may impact
their ability to survive during a changing climate.
Researchers found that Higher heat tolerance in
lighter­coloured frogs and toads may come at the

high in sugar, salt, fat: study cost of higher vulnerability to pathogens and
UVB radiation. They found pathogen resistance
was of higher importance in the tropics.
e2213679

e2213679
The recommendation is an outcome of a study commissioned by Niti Aayog, which is studying the impact of imposing
health taxes and warning labels on food products to encourage healthy eating practices

Maitri Porecha from sugar sweetened bev­


erages, traditional sources
health tax of like jaggery, which is five

A between 20% to
30% in addition
to GST can be
considered to be imposed
on sugar, sugar sweetened
times the WHO recom­
mended threshold for free
sugar intake,” the paper
says. India is facing a sugar
epidemic with a rise in
beverages (SSBs) like colas sales of aerated drinks by
and juices as well as foods 22.5% and a rise in all soft
high in sugar, salt and
fat (HFSS), public health
drinks by 24.8% from 2016
to 2019. Also, HFSS food
Online searches increase the
researchers have recom­ products account for 10­ veracity of fake news
mended in a study pu­ 30% of the average total ca­
blished in Journal of Health loric intake in rural and ur­ People asked to evaluate the truthfulness of fake
Policy and Planning. ban households respec­ news stories using a search engine may be more
The recommendation is tively, the paper notes. likely to believe the misinformation as true. This
an outcome of a UNICEF­ Imposing a health tax may be due to the poor quality of information
funded project, and the on sugar and related pro­ yielded by the searches. The researchers also
authors hope that this stu­ ducts can help control present evidence that those who search online to
dy along with others will obesity, tooth decay, risk of evaluate news are more likely to stumble upon
influence policies aimed to type 2 diabetes, cardiovas­ corroborating evidence from low­quality news
reduce consumption of su­ cular disease and certain sources. Thus evaluating news via a search
gar and related pro­ cancers. Researchers say engine can increase belief in the accuracy of
ducts. Niti Aayog is inter­ that if people continue to news from low­quality news sources.
ested in understanding the consume sugar sweetened
impact of imposing health beverages year­on­year the
taxes and warning labels ta, confectionery manufac­ all other factors driving the are currently taxed diffe­ overweight and obesity
on food products for en­ turers purchase up to 55% demand remaining rently. While sugar cur­ prevalence is expected to
couraging healthy eating of annual sugar produced constant. rently attracts 18% GST, su­ rise from 39% to 49% from
practices in Indian in India. “However, for manufac­ gar sweetened beverages 2014 to 2023 and type 2
consumers. turers of sweets and con­ attract 28% GST and a 12% diabetes incidence is ex­
Dr Beena Varghese, Price Elasticity fectionaries, who buy su­ additional cess, while high pected to rise from 319 to
health economist and con­ Currently, sugar is taxed at gar in bulk we are fat, salt and sugar products 336 per 1,00,000 in the
sultant, WHO and a co­ 18% GST, if an additional estimating a higher price only attract 12% GST. same period.
author of the study 20­30% tax is imposed, elasticity, so by imposing “Taxing unhealthy Tax rate is tied to the
tells The Hindu that the stu­ this will take the tax to 38­ an additional 30% tax to foods more is likely to re­ volume of sugars and ma­
dy does not recommend 48%. Researchers have ap­ 18% GST, we estimate that duce demand while in­ nufacturers are encour­
taxing households on pur­ plied the metric of ‘Price there could be a 13­18% de­ creasing government reve­ aged to reformulate and re­
chase of their regular ra­ Elasticity’ to determine if crease in demand for su­ nues for reinvestment back duce the amount of sugar
tion of sugar. “The study there will be any reduction gar,” Dr Varghese says. into public health pro­ in drinks.
insists that bulk consumers
of sugar such as confec­
in demand if the prices of
the product go up. “Sugar
For sugar sweetened
beverages, a health tax of
grammes and policies that
may reduce obesity and
Up to 70 countries have
imposed a health tax on
Free­ranging cats may be
tionery and sweet manu­ is a widely used product, 10­30% could result in a 7­ the incidence of non­com­ sugar, SSBs and HFSS in­ catastrophic for wild species
facturers may be taxed so on studying price and 30% decline in demand, municable diseases in In­ cluding Mexico, Chile, Sau­
which may reduce their demand for sugar over while a 10­30% health tax dia,” says Dr. Varghese. di Arabia, Argentina and Free­ranging domestic cats around the world are
demand for sugar. When years from datasets availa­ for HFSS products would India is the largest con­ South Africa. In Mexico, found to eat more than 2,000 other animal
the higher costs are trans­ ble between 1984­85 to result in a 5­24% decline in sumer of sugar in the taxation on SSBs de­ species such as birds, mammals, insects, and
ferred to consumers, de­ 2011­2012 of Private Final demand. world, the paper notes. creased consumption of reptiles — including 350 species of conservation
mand for such products is Consumption Expenditure Researchers also noted “Global average consump­ taxed beverages (and in­ concern. The researchers found records of 2,083
expected to reduce,” Dr and Consumer Price In­ that additional taxes would tion of sugar is 22 kg per creased purchase of bot­ distinct species consumed, including 981 birds,
Varghese says. dex, we estimate that if the increase tax revenues for person per year, an aver­ tled water) in the first year 463 reptiles, 431 mammals, 119 insects, 57
According to Ministry of price of sugar is increased the government by 12­ age Indian consumes 25 kg of implementation and re­ amphibian species, as well as 33 species from
Consumer Affairs, Food by 10%, demand for sugar 200% across different sce­ per year which includes duced mean BMI in youn­ across other groups of animals. At least 347 of
and Public Distribution da­ will be reduced by 2% with narios. Different products regular sugar, free sugar ger age groups. these species are of conservation concern.

Missing TB cases in the private sector


R. Prasad 35%, 45% in 2021, and 56% and are likely in private Based on the analysis of
in 2022. If the gap between health delivery systems or anti­TB drug sales by phar­
India made notification of what was achieved vis­a­vis the community.” It had re­ macists in India, the priv­
Question Corner
TB patients mandatory in what was targeted in 2020 commended that private ate sector was estimated to
2012 to address the pro­
blem of delayed diagnosis,
suboptimal quality of care,
was small, the shortfall in­
creased by 13% in 2021 and
a staggering 26% in 2022.
provider engagement be
rapidly scaled­up to “find
and successfully treat two
have treated 2.2 million TB
patients in 2014 alone. Ho­
wever, the notifications by
Internal clock
incorrect diagnostic and According to the target million patients in the private sector in Does the colour of light colour of the light.
treatment protocols being set by NSP, in 2022, there 2020­2021”. 2014 were just 0.1 million. affect the internal clock Additionally, they assessed
used, and a high drop­out should have been 1.93 mil­ While the National TB “While it is unknown how in humans? how long it took the
rate in the private sector. A lion TB notifications by the Prevalence Survey India many of the patients stu­ volunteers to fall asleep
year later, only 2% of all private sector. Yet, there (2019­2021) found 50% of died were over­diagnosed, Ambient light does not and how deep their sleep
notified patients were from were only 0.73 million not­ TB patients sought care in there are concerns that the only allow us to see, it also was at the beginning of the
the private sector. Thanks ifications. A staggering 1.2 the private sector, the Na­ true incidence may be influences our sleep­wake night. They found no
to several initiatives adopt­ million TB cases in the tional Strategic Plan says much higher than has been rhythm. A study in mice in evidence that the variation
ed by the National TB Elim­ private sector were missed about 70% of TB patients estimated,” says the Na­ 2019 suggested that of light colour along a
ination Programme in 2022. Even the NTEP’s seek care in the private sec­ tional Strategic Plan. yellowish light has a blue­yellow dimension
(NTEP), the proportion of target for expected notifi­ tor. While the TB preva­ The TB prevalence sur­ stronger influence on the plays a relevant role in the
notified cases has in­ cation in 2022 by the priv­ lence survey found that vey provided the much­ internal clock than bluish human internal clock or
creased substantially — 21% ate sector was 0.95 million. 63.6% did not seek care for needed information about light. In humans, the main sleep. The study found that
in 2017, 25% in 2018, 28% in What was achieved was on­ Far too low: TB notifications by the private sector in 2022 was only their symptoms, many of the TB burden. It found effect of light on the the human circadian clock
2019, 31% in 2020, 32% in ly 0.73 million (77%). In 30% NIAD those who sought care in that TB prevalence across internal clock and sleep is is relatively insensitive to
2021, and 30% in 2022. contrast, the notification the private sector were not all age groups was 312 per probably mediated via the shifts in light colour
Despite the significant achieved by the public sec­ the public sector were not­ tor so very vital.” The Na­ notified. According to the 100,000 population for the light­sensitive ganglion towards warmer colour
increase in the private sec­ tor was 92.4% (1.68 million) ified, WHO noted: “A stag­ tional Strategic Plan also National Strategic Plan, year 2021. In contrast, the cells. To understand the temperatures at constant
tor TB notifications over of the expected gering one million TB cases makes the same point “close to 0.54 million TB case notification rate in effects of the different light melanopic illumination.
the years, they fall far short notifications. are missing from notifica­ about the missing cases in patients remain uncap­ 2021 (public and private stimuli on humans, in the
of the targets set by the Na­ Based on the 2016 TB in­ tion, most of them being the private sector: “Hun­ tured by TB surveillance/ sectors together) was only sleep laboratory the
tional Strategic Plan 2020­ cidence of 2.8 million cases diagnosed and treated in dreds of thousands of peo­ notification and services, 153 per 100,000, as per the researchers determined
2025. The TB notification in India, of which only 0.3 the private sector. That’s ple with TB disease remain and are likely in private India TB report 2022; it whether the internal clock
Readers may send their questions /
target set by NSP for the million from the private what makes the engage­ missing to TB surveillance/ health delivery systems or was 172.1 per 100,000 in of the participants had answers to
private sector in 2020 was sector and 1.6 million from ment with the private sec­ notification and services, the community”. 2022. changed depending on the questioncorner@thehindu.co.in
CM A BM-BME
YK
THE HINDU
Sunday, December 31, 2023 11
FAQ
Mumbai

How is the poll What is the global fallout of two warfronts?


year shaping up Why is the Ukraine conflict still going on? What is happening in Gaza? Why is Israel not heeding a has not even called for a ceasefire in Gaza. In the
UN Security Council, the U.S. vetoed two
for India, the U.S.? ceasefire call? What is Russia’s position? How have the U.S. and China reacted? What is India’s take
on the conflicts? How do the wars affect the Global South?
resolutions that called for a humanitarian
ceasefire; and in the UN General Assembly, the
U.S., Israel and two other countries voted
Why will the world watch elections in against a resolution that endorsed the
Stanly Johny The Global alliance, and Russia, an ageing great power. Palestinians’ right to self­determination. There is
the largest and oldest democracies with South is After the war broke out, NATO members, under a groundswell of anger towards the U.S.’s
interest and concern? The story so far: getting the leadership of the U.S., formed a coalition to support for Israel in the Arab world. Russia,
he world witnessed growing security financially and militarily support Ukraine. which the U.S. seeks to isolate and weaken, and

T
impatient
crises involving great powers in 2023. Weakening Russia has been one of the declared China, the U.S.’s primary competitor, on the
Varghese K. George The Ukraine war, which began on
with the objectives of this coalition. other side, are trying to channel this anger by
February 24, 2022 with Russia’s current order The West’s approach was two­fold: it sought offering support for the Palestinian cause.
The story so far: invasion of its neighbouring country, continued and pushing to cripple the Russian economy with expansive
ndia and the U.S. are often spoken of as the throughout 2023 with little changes on the for sanctions and wound Russia on the battlefield by What’s the Global South’s response?

I world’s largest and oldest democracies,


respectively. In 2024, both countries will
elect new governments. Prime Minister
frontline. Another major war broke out in West
Asia after Hamas’s October 7 cross­border attack
that killed at least 1,200 Israelis. As the year
alternatives supplying weapons worth billions of dollars to
Ukraine. The sanctions have hit the Russian
economy (while the reverse impact of the
In the case of Ukraine, most countries in the
Global South refused to buy the western
narrative that the war was caused by an
Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term in winds down, no end is seen to both wars. While sanctions hit Western economies as well) but did “unprovoked Russian aggression”, and stayed
the 18th Lok Sabha election due in April­May. Ukraine’s counteroffensive aimed at taking back little to stop Vladimir Putin’s war machine, away from the sanctions regime. They
The U.S. will vote to elect a new President on the territories lost to Russia failed during the which is telling of how the global economic condemned the war and called for upholding
November 5 — the 60th time in its history. year, Israel’s attack on Gaza, which has levelled landscape is changing after the rise of China and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all
Incumbent President Democrat Joseph Biden is much of the tiny enclave of 2.3 million people, is India. On the battlefield, Ukrainian soldiers, tens countries, in this case, Ukraine, but called for
running for a second term. continuing. of thousands of them trained in Western bases, talks and a ceasefire instead of prolonging the
fought with some of the West’s most advanced fighting. In the case of the Gaza war, they
What are the fundamental questions both How is the Israel conflict impacting the weapons. Still, after the breakthroughs in support an immediate ceasefire. While they
democracies are grappling with? region? Kharkiv and Kherson last year, Ukraine failed to condemned the Hamas attack, they also strongly
Both countries are grappling with fundamental With Israeli leaders claiming that the fighting make any substantial territorial gain in 2023. Six backed the Palestinians’ right to
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questions regarding national identity, roles and would go on for months, risks of a wider months after the Ukrainian counteroffensive, self­determination (meaning, an end to Israel’s
powers of the executive, legislature, and regional war are rising. As conflicts persist with Russian troops are now on the offensive, seizing continuing occupation of the Palestinian
judiciary, welfare and redistribution, and large­scale destruction of global security and the Donbas town of Marinka earlier this week. territories). They also see the different positions
relations with the rest of the world. Other disruption of supply chains, the Global South, Ukraine and its allies are facing some reality taken by the West, particularly the U.S..
questions that are at the centre of political whose focus is on its own developmental checks as the war is set to enter its third year.
debates in both countries include pedagogy — challenges, is getting impatient with the current How does India look at the conflicts?
what to teach the next generation, history, the order and is pushing for alternatives. These Where does Israel’s war on Gaza stand India’s positions, which are largely aligned with
role of religion in public life, the rights and roles trends are likely to continue in 2024. now? those of the Global South, are driven by both its
of various constituent social groups, women’s If Russia is fighting a long war of attrition in the specific interests and the larger trends it sees in
rights, affirmative action, border management, What does the Ukraine war tell about the NATO­supported Ukraine, Israel is fighting a the global dynamics. In the case of Ukraine, it
relations between the federal and regional global order? blitzkrieg in defenceless Gaza. Israel’s attacks condemned the war and called for talks and a
governments, and the role of the media and civil What made the Ukraine war, the largest ground have practically turned Gaza uninhabitable, but ceasefire without naming any party. Even under
society. war in Europe since the Second World War, one the Jewish state is far from meeting its declared heavy pressure, it was careful not to let the crisis
In both countries, there are conflicts about of the most consequential conflicts of the objectives of the war — be it freeing the hostages, affect its multifaceted strategic partnership with
the election process. Democrats and post­war world was its great power involvement. dismantling Hamas or taking down the Islamist Russia. In the case of Gaza, it repeatedly
Republicans While the actual fighting is between Russian and group’s top leadership. As the war is set to enter condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, an
Both countries are question the Ukrainian soldiers within Ukrainian territories, its third month, Israeli generals and political important bilateral partner, while also
grappling with legitimacy of the the source of the conflict is the rivalry between leaders show no let­up in fighting. While it’s too reiterating its traditional position in support of
fundamental questions elections that they NATO, a Cold War­era trans­Atlantic nuclear early to make a clear assessment of how Israel’s the two­state solution. When civilian casualties
regarding national lost, in 2016, and war on Gaza would affect West Asia, there are mounted in Gaza under Israel’s indiscriminate
2020, respectively. some signals on the geopolitical fallout of the attacks, India joined the global chorus calling for
identity, roles and
Allegations of war. Israel stands almost isolated on the global a ceasefire.
powers of the unfair means by stage despite its claim that Hamas brought this The U.S. seems less in control of the
executive, legislature, both sides have war upon Gaza after the October 7 attack. geopolitical developments unfolding in its
and judiciary, welfare cast a shadow on Israel’s war also drilled holes into the moral case spheres of interests — Europe and West Asia. Its
and redistribution, and the process of the West, especially the Biden administration, efforts to weaken Russia are not rewarding and it
relations with the rest elections. In India, had built around Russia’s Ukraine invasion to is unable to control a vengeful Israel, which is
of the world it is a one­sided drum up global support. The total number of affecting its reputation in the Arab World, and
question — civilians killed on both sides of the Ukraine war the Global South in general. China is focused on
concerns regarding the integrity of electronic in 22 months is roughly 10,000, according to the its immediate periphery and is wary of risks.
voting, and the impartiality of the Election UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Russia is the weakest among the three great
Commission of India are on the rise. Selective (HRMMU). The total number of Palestinians powers. So India, itself a strong proponent of a
targeting of political opponents by investigative killed in Gaza in less than three months is multipolar world, sees the global order in flux. It
agencies is a common concern in both the U.S. 21,000, a vast majority of them women and appears to be careful not to align with any great
and India. children, as per the Hamas­run Gaza health power, while maximising its interest through
Conflict echoes: Smoke rises from the battlefield in the Gaza Strip, as seen ministry. The U.S., which is supplying arms and multi­engagement and trying to be a voice of the
What are the visible trends in both from southern Israel on Saturday.AP money to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion, Global South.
countries?
In India, all indications are of the continuing
popularity of Mr. Modi, though it is not even
across the country. Opposition parties led by the
Congress have come together as a putative
coalition — the Indian National Developmental,
What may 2024 hold for the economy?
Inclusive Alliance, but its capacity to consolidate
all anti­BJP votes is challenged by several factors. Is the growth forecast for India on the upswing? What are the positive surprises? Which are the Asset Management India. Global voters’ mood
Mr. Modi’s grip over his party is total, while the amid an increasing shift to inward­looking,
Opposition is unsure of its leadership and sectors that have performed well? Why are exports still sluggish? Is inflation under control? What protectionist polity in many countries, could
talking points. is expected in terms of policy­making in an election year? thus, impact trade deals and the broader
In the U.S., Mr. Biden is facing historically low direction of global economic engagement.
disapproval ratings for a sitting President. All
opinion polls show him trailing potential Vikas Dhoot ‘The Indian economy — construction, manufacturing, Are there higher hopes of rate cuts
Republican rival Donald Trump. At 81, Mr. Biden economy has financial and real estate services — are showing a occurring in 2024?
is the oldest President in the history of the U.S. The story so far: robust growth and even the trade, hotels, While most expect the RBI to start interest rate
left the
and his cognitive decline is no longer eeling from the aftershocks of the transport sector which had remained below its cuts in the second half of the year, the U.S.
unnoticeable. The total collapse of his
leadership in the wake of the Russia­Ukraine war
and the unrelenting bombing of Gaza by Israel
has accelerated this trend. In the Republican
party, there are contenders who seek to
R Ukraine­Russia conflict, such as
elevated oil prices and high inflation,
2023 had begun on a sombre note
with worries of an economic slowdown leading
to a hard recessionary landing for advanced
COVID
shadow
behind and
negotiated
global
pre­COVID level of 2019­20, has now fully
recovered,” said noted economist and chief
policy adviser at EY India, D.K. Srivastava. While
the domestic growth engine is pulling along,
risks to the growth and stability outlook mainly
Federal Reserve’s indication of a pivot from its
rate hike cycle has prompted hopes of many
other central banks following its cue. A Bank of
America report earlier this month said there will
be 152 rate cuts next year from central banks
challenge Mr. Trump but he remains the economies that would drag down growth in headwinds emanate from outside the country, the Finance around the world. If they materialise, demand
frontrunner for party nomination by a distance. emerging economies like India’s too. As it turned Ministry noted. Slack global demand has been for Indian goods and services may yet get a
well’
out, the year was kinder than expected and the hurting goods exports through 2023, and IT­led bump­up in 2024. In the Indian context,
What are the manifestations of polarisation worst fears have not materialised yet, despite a services exports may feel greater heat in the industry and consumers also eagerly await
in India and the U.S.? fresh geopolitical flashpoint in West Asia and a coming year as developed economies continue changes on two more rates ­ prices of petrol and
The ruling BJP in India adheres to what it calls few bank collapses in the West. While Indian to face challenges. The fresh disruptions like the diesel that have been frozen since mid­2022 and
Hindutva ideology and its politics is most stock markets ended the year at record highs, attacks on shipping lines in the Red Sea the unwieldy multiple GST rates’ framework.
popular in central, north and western India. the economy has delivered positive surprises, corridors could pose challenges. Interest rate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the
Regions in the south, east and northeast are less with ₹1.6 lakh crore becoming the new normal cuts by central banks will be watched closely. recent Assembly polls’ campaign, hinted at a
hospitable to it, as are places where religious for monthly GST collections and GDP growth review of petroleum products’ retail prices.
minorities are a majority — Punjab and Kashmir, hitting 7.7% between April and September on What is expected on the policy and political Perhaps, some relief may be rung in before the
for instance. Some regions have political elites top of a 7.2% rise in 2022­23. economy front? Lok Sabha battle. The GST rate rationalisation
with the capacity to resist the BJP, for example, The first half of 2024 may see a lull of sorts, as exercise may only gather steam after the
Tamil Nadu and Telangana. But the On the cusp of the New Year, what are the the government gears up for the Lok Sabha elections but could figure as a poll promise.
consolidation of the Hindu votes combined with key things to watch out for? elections. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,
India’s first­past­the­post election gives the BJP a The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which had who will present an interim Budget on February Is inflation, and its impact on consumption,
big advantage in multi­party contests. Several earlier projected India’s real GDP to grow 6.5% 1, has indicated that there will be no spectacular no longer a worry?
States in India find the BJP policies with regard in 2023­24, has recently raised its forecast to 7%. announcements, just a vote­on­account to meet Despite intermittent spurts, India’s inflation
to education, health, and the role of the Hindu The Finance Ministry is more sanguine, public spending needs till a new government is trajectory seems to be under better control than
religion disturbingly centralising. indicating an uptick of over 6.5% for the year sworn in. But the last such exercise, before the a year ago. The RBI expects retail inflation to
In the U.S., the Democrat­controlled States ending March 31, 2024, in its review of the 2019 polls, had included a rejig of income tax average 5.2% in the first half of 2024 before
and Republican ones have divergent approaches economy published on December 29. Global slabs and the unveiling of the PM­Kisan scheme easing to its 4% target between July­September
on various issues — abortion, gun control and agencies have also rebooted their growth math that put cash in the hands of farmers. The full and rising to 4.7% in the final quarter. However,
immigration for instance, which are among the for India. “Some of the key sectors of the Budget for the year, likely in July, will see a as its Governor has asserted, food prices remain
perennially contentious topics. States often larger armoury of policy tweaks at play. Most a concern. With Kharif crop estimates not rosy
conflict among themselves or with the federal investors looking for governance and reform and El Niño effects hurting Rabi sowing, the
administration on these issues. signals will have to wait till then, Ms. Sitharaman supply of several food items, including pulses,
has said. Policymakers will keep a keen eye on could remain under pressure and keep eating
Will executive­legislature relations change whether a private investment, which is into household budgets. Weaker farm sector
in both countries? beginning to rebound in sectors like steel, performance would also constrain rural demand
In India, the PM’s control over Parliament has cement and auto, will become more broadbased and feed into a trend of uneven consumption
grown in the recent past, with the BJP winning and allow the government to step off the public demand — with high­end goods and services
absolute majorities in 2014 and 2019. In the U.S., capex pedal and focus on fiscal consolidation. booming while low­price segments lag. Recent
the President’s tenure is not linked to a majority “Politics may also create turbulence and curbs on retail loans and weak hiring trends in
in the House of Representatives or the Senate, uncertainty, as there are 40 upcoming national sectors like IT services could also hurt urban
but his or her capacity to function is. While elections representing 41% of the global demand. Without a broader consumption boost,
India witnesses an erosion in the power of the population in 2024 alone. Russia, India, the private capex is likely to be limited to some
legislature, in the U.S., a fragmented legislature European Union and the U.S., will hold elections sectors, which may not suffice to kickstart the
causes governance stalemates. Elections in 2024 that will likely re­shape the path of global affairs virtuous investment cycle necessary to create
could potentially influence the checks and in the second half of the decade,” noted Avinash more and better jobs that can drive up spending
balances built into both democratic systems. GETTY IMAGES Satwalekar, president of Franklin Templeton capacity and factory utilisation rates.
CM A BM-BME
YK
THE HINDU
12 Sunday, December 31, 2023

PROFILES
Mumbai

The wrestler who never stopped fighting


Sakshi Malik
The Olympic medallist, who led the wrestlers’ protest over alleged sexual harassment and other charges against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has been
vocal in her demand for a safer environment for the girls who take to the sport
ILLUSTRATION: R. RAJESH
Y.B. Sarangi Birmingham last year. THE GIST
Married to a family of wrestlers, 쑽

W
hen the Wrestling with her husband Satyawart Kadian After 12 frustrating days for
Federation of India and father­in­law Satyawan being India at the Rio Games as its
(WFI) show­caused Arjuna Award winners, Sakshi has a shooters and boxers failed
Geeta Phogat for life that always revolve around spectacularly, Sakshi Malik’s
indiscipline and barred her from wrestling. It is unsurprising that she bronze medal came as a
participating in an Olympic Games came out courageously when it was pleasant surprise on August 18,
qualifying event, scheduled in Istanbul time to fight for ‘justice’ earlier this 2016
in May 2016, followers of the sport year. Sakshi was one of the three most
believed it was a big blow to India’s recognisable faces, along with Worlds 쑽
chances of securing a quota place for and Olympics medallist Bajrang Punia She was later joined by shuttler
the Rio Games. and double Worlds medallist Vinesh, P.V. Sindhu, who won a silver,
Even though Olympian Geeta (58kg) who led the wrestlers’ protest over as the two women saved India
— who shot into fame by winning the alleged sexual harassment and other the blushes in the 2016
Delhi Commonwealth Games gold in charges against former WFI president Olympics
2010 — and her sister Babita (53kg), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
another Commonwealth Games and 쑽
Worlds medallist, were good Demand for safer environment Sakshi is a member of the
prospects, the WFI had to take strict Sakshi has been vocal about the exclusive club of ‘Magnificent
action for the embarrassing moment alleged harassment of women Seven’ Indian women who
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India had to endure at the wrestlers in the country and in her have won individual Olympic
international stage. The two sisters had demands for a safer environment for medals. The club also
forfeited their inconsequential the girls who take to the sport. comprises weightlifters K.
repechage round matches after failing Snapshots of her tearful bytes to the Malleswari and S. Mirabai
to qualify for the Olympics in the press at a makeshift shelter at the Chanu, shuttlers Saina Nehwal
qualifier in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. protest site on Jantar Mantar Road in and P.V. Sindhu and boxers
However, a less­known Sakshi Malik, Delhi, stone­faced interviews to media M.C. Mary Kom and Lovlina
who was Geeta’s replacement, and and march to Haridwar with an Borgohain
Vinesh, a cousin of the Phogat sisters intention to immerse her medals in the
who took the place of Babita, did not Ganga have shaken the conscience of a
disappoint by claiming two quota nation from time to time and have
places for the country. from a humble background with her Academy of Rohtak in Haryana, burst the men’s freestyle 74kg spot in Rio forced the authorities concerned to
Sakshi, who was not able to grab an father working as a bus conductor — into tears as she became the fourth and the eventual suspension of the take noticeable action against a
Olympics spot in a previous qualifier in did not stop here. After 12 frustrating woman from the country to win an former due to doping. powerful politician.
Astana, Kazakhstan, in March, grabbed days for India at the Rio Games as its Olympic medal. The picture of her Sakshi is a member of the exclusive Following the election of new
her second chance with both hands to shooters and boxers failed being carried on coach Kuldeep club of ‘Magnificent Seven’ Indian office­bearers of the WFI earlier this
make it to her maiden Olympics. From spectacularly, Sakshi’s bronze medal Malik’s shoulders during a victory lap women who have won individual month, which was dominated by
beating the famous Geeta Phogat in came as a pleasant surprise on August on the mat remains one of the most Olympic medals. The others in the candidates from the Brij Bhushan
the 2015 Pro Wrestling League to take 18, 2016. iconic moments of India’s journey in club are weightlifters K. Malleswari camp, including the newly elected
her place in the team for the Olympics the Olympics. (2000) and S. Mirabai Chanu (2021); president Sanjay Singh, a teary­eyed
qualifier, Sakshi had come quite a Story of fightbacks “Before the Olympics, I used to shuttlers Saina Nehwal (2012) and P.V. Sakshi keeping her shoes on the table
distance. But she was determined to Sakshi’s success in Rio was a story of visualise myself on the podium in Rio. Sindhu (2016, 2021); and boxers M.C. during a press conference in Delhi
make it big in future. extraordinary fightbacks. She got the But the way my coach (Kuldeep Malik) Mary Kom (2012) and Lovlina while announcing her retirement from
In the Istanbul qualifier, Sakshi, better of some top wrestlers, including carried me on his shoulders was Borgohain (2021). international wrestling emerged as a
whose claim to fame so far was a silver Sweden’s World championships unexpected. I was in tears and went Sakshi carried forward a legacy, heart­wrenching image. This moment
medal in the 2014 Glasgow medallist Johanna Mattsson, through mixed feelings,” Sakshi, which saw the legendary Master followed by the return of awards by
Commonwealth Games and a bronze Mongolia’s Asian medallist looking back at her achievement, said Chandgi Ram promoting women’s Bajrang and Vinesh raised the intensity
medal in the 2015 Asian Purevdorjiin Orkhon and the earlier. “It was my first Olympics and I wrestling and the Phogat sisters of the issue prompting the Union
championships in Qatar, defeated decorated Kyrgyzstan wrestler and the wanted to do well. But I surprised breaking the mould to popularise the Sports Ministry to take measures for
Spanish wrestler Irene Garcia and then Asian champion Aisuluu myself when I landed a medal.” sport in the traditional northern belt, the fair running of wrestling affairs in
Romania’s Kateryna Zhydachevska to Tynybekova (in the bronze medal Sakshi’s feat of becoming the first as she broke the barrier by claiming the country.
reach the last­four stage. She fought match) to open the country’s account. Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic glory. Like her determined performances
back to tie the scores at 10­10 with 2012 She was later joined by shuttler P.V. Olympic medal surprised all, including Coming back from her loss of form on the mat, the 31­year­old Sakshi has
World champion Lan Zhang of China Sindhu, who won a silver, as the two several pundits of the sport. It also and a brief stint as a television expert been fighting forcefully for a cause
and win on criteria in the semifinals. women saved India the blushes in the brought cheers to the wrestling during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, closer to her heart. Only time will tell
Her entry into the title clash ensured 2016 Olympics. fraternity, which had seen an Sakshi again asserted her class on the how far she succeeds in her mission to
Sakshi a ticket to Rio. Sakshi, who honed her skills under unpleasant off­the­mat duel between mat by winning her maiden make wrestling arenas in the country
A gritty fighter, Sakshi — who came coach Ishwar Dahiya at the Chhoturam Narsingh Yadav and Sushil Kumar for Commonwealth Games gold medal in safer for women trainees.

Guided missile destroyer Voice of secession


INS Imphal Masarat Alam Bhat
The ship is commissioned at a time when the Navy is looking to expand its fleet of capital The Muslim League Jammu and Kashmir leader has been at the forefront of the anti­India street
warships in line with its growing commitments and engagements in the Indian Ocean Region protests in Kashmir for decades
PHOTO CREDIT: ANI ILLUSTRATION: SREEJITH R. KUMAR
Dinakar Peri Mumbai. The P­15B class Peerzada Ashiq he was arrested again. Af­
are a follow­on to the P­15A ter his release, he floated

T
ill 2008, Masarat the Muslim League.

O
n December 27, Kolkata class destroyers
the third of four and named after major ci­ Alam Bhat, chief of In 2010, Bhat faced a
P­15B ‘Visakhapat­ ties from all four corners of the separatist Mus­ case of sedition for waging
nam’ class stealth guided the country — Visakhapat­ lim League Jammu and war against the state over a
missile destroyer was com­ nam, Mormugao, Imphal Kashmir, lived in the sha­ video message in which he
missioned into the Indian and Surat. The first two dows like many other se­ urged security forces to
Navy as INS Imphal at the ships, INS Visakhapatnam cond­rung separatist lead­ leave Kashmir. His release
Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. and INS Mormugao, were ers. He was catapulted into on March 1, 2015 by then
Imphal has the unique dis­ commissioned in 2021 and the limelight in 2008­09 J&K Chief Minister Mufti
tinction of being the first 2022, respectively. The last when armed insurgency in Muhammad Sayeed rocked
warship to be named after of the class, Surat, is ex­ Kashmir transitioned into the newly formed coalition
a city in the Northeast. In successfully completed the INS Imphal as a “conglom­ pected to be commis­ agitational politics. timing and dates on when and order problems in the government of the Peoples
addition, the time taken to first­ever test­firing of the eration” of different sioned in 2024. He hit headlines again to shut down and when to Valley,” the dossier reads. Democratic Party and the
build Imphal and for her extended range BrahMos strengths of the nation. The design of Project last week when his party shop essentials during pro­ Bhat, who seeks acces­ BJP in J&K.
trials is the shortest for any supersonic cruise missile BrahMos cruise missiles 15B has largely maintained was banned under provi­ longed street agitations. sion of J&K with Pakistan Mufti backed Bhat’s re­
indigenous destroyer, ac­ prior to its commissioning, have been installed on the the hull form, propulsion sions of the Unlawful Activ­ Security forces had to use invoking Islam, took over lease as a confidence­
cording to the Navy. making it ‘weapon­ready’. ship by Brahmos Aeros­ machinery, many platform ities Prevention Act by the force to quell these street the reins of the hardline building measure for sepa­
Describing the ship as a pace; torpedo tube launch­ equipment, major wea­ Centre for “supporting ter­ protests, resulting in the Hurriyat while he was in ratists to engage them in a
shining example of ‘Aatma­ Expansion of warships ers by Larsen & Toubro pons and sensors as the rorist activities and inciting death of around 200 civi­ jail, after the death of Syed dialogue over the Kashmir
nirbharta’ in defence, De­ The speeding up of the (L&T), rapid gun mount by Kolkata class to benefit people to establish Islamic lians between 2008 and Ali Shah Geelani in 2021. issue. Bhat’s supporters
fence Minister Rajnath construction process is es­ BHEL, and medium­range from series production. rule in J&K”. 2010. Born in a family of rich were seen unfurling the Pa­
Singh said at the induction pecially important as the missiles by Bharat Elec­ However, these ships have Unlike other top separa­ In one of the dossiers cloth merchants in 1971 in kistan flag and raising pro­
ceremony: “INS Imphal is a Navy looks to expand its tronics Limited (BEL). In enhanced stealth features tist leaders such as JKLF prepared by the District Srinagar’s Zaindar Mohal­ Pakistan slogans during a
symbol of India's growing fleet of capital warships in addition, many start­ups over the earlier class result­ chief Yasin Malik, Hurriyat Magistrate, Kupwara, Bhat la, Bhat studied in Kash­ rally headed by Syed Ali
maritime power and it will line with its growing com­ and Micro, Small, Medium ing in a reduced radar leaders Syed Ali Shah Gee­ was portrayed as a seces­ mir’s prominent Christian Shah Geelani. Forty days
strengthen it further. It will mitments and engage­ Enterprises are involved in cross section through lani and Mirwaiz Umar Fa­ sionist who “would devise missionary school, the after his release, Bhat was
bolster our principle of ‘Jal- ments in the Indian Ocean its construction. The ship shaping of hull, plated rooq, who built themselves the strategy to disrupt pu­ Tyndale Biscoe, named af­ re­arrested as the BJP wit­
mev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ Region (IOR) and the larger boasts a high level of indi­ masts and use of radar on a volatile past and blic tranquillity and to ter a British missionary nessed a backlash. Bhat,
(One who controls the sea Indo­Pacific as also against genisation, about 75%, transparent deck fittings, emerged gradually on the create an atmosphere of and educator who served who has been in and out of
is all powerful) in the Indo­ the backdrop of a sharp in­ which includes indigenous which make these ships political scene in Kashmir, chaos, which suits their in Kashmir in the early jail frequently, faced at
Pacific region.” crease in Chinese naval equipment/systems, com­ difficult to detect. 52­year­old Bhat’s rise to ideology”. “Kashmir Valley 20th century. least 49 cases and was
Imphal’s keel was laid presence in the IOR. “We bat management systems, INS Imphal measures steer the streets was quick. in general and Srinagar in booked under the PSA ev­
on May 19, 2017 and the are on track to be a 170­180 rocket launchers, torpedo 163 m in length and 17 m in As Kashmir fell into chaos particular have witnessed First arrest ery time the court granted
ship was launched into wa­ [ship] Navy by 2028. 66 out launchers and integrated breadth and has a displace­ due to a row over land that such strikes disrupt He was arrested for the him relief. According to his
ter on April 20, 2019. Im- of 68 ships presently under platform management ment of 7,400 tonnes. The granted to the Amarnath supply of essential com­ first time on October 2, lawyers, he faced a record
phal sailed out for her mai­ construction are also being systems. ship is propelled by four shrine in 2008, Bhat was modities, force closure of 1990 under the Public Safe­ number of detentions un­
den sea trials on April 28, built at Indian Shipyards. The contract for con­ gas turbines, in a com­ believed to be the force be­ essential public service de­ ty Act (PSA), a law that der the PSA, for 39 times,
2023 and has completed a Further, 24 ships under struction of four ships un­ bined gas and gas configu­ hind the massive protests partments, including med­ deals with preventive de­ since 1990. He has spent
comprehensive schedule contract conclusion, will der Project­15B was signed ration, and is capable of that shook the valley. ical departments, and stop tention, when he was 19 over 22 years in jail.
of trials, both in the har­ similarly be indigenous — in January 2011 at a cost of speeds in excess of 30 He popularised pro­aza- business activities. Educa­ years old. Bhat had joined Banning of the Muslim
bour and at sea, and was our aim is for the Navy to about ₹29,643.74 crore. knots. The ship has a total di (freedom) songs, includ­ tional institutions got para­ the Islamic Students League Jammu­Kashmir
delivered to the Navy on be fully Aatmanirbhar by The ships have been de­ complement of 315 person­ ing ‘Aeyi Aeyi Azadi’ (Free­ lysed by programmes League, which wanted to and the Jamaat­e­Islami in
October 20, within a re­ 2047,” Navy chief Admiral signed in­house by the Di­ nel, and is commanded by dom is about to come), framed and Alam was one replicate the 1979 Iranian Kashmir has brought cur­
cord time frame of six R. Hari Kumar told The rectorate of Naval Design Captain K.K. Choudhury, a promoted anti­India graffi­ of the main organisers. He revolution in Kashmir. Join­ tains down on key pro­Pa­
months — the “fastest for a Hindu recently. and constructed by Maza­ gunnery and missiles spe­ ti and set off mass protests. created circumstances ing the militant outfit, Hiz­ kistan political parties ac­
ship of its size”. The ship Mr. Singh also defined gon Dock Shipbuilders, cialist. He issued calendars, with which led to serious law bullah, for three months, tive in Kashmir since 1990.
CM A BM-BME
YK
14 NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 31, 2023

Reflections
{ THE BIG PICTURE }

Navigating an uncertain,
polycrisis-riven world
Seven dominant geopolitical The US is primarily focused on containing ing, robotics, 6G, space and pharma with,
the threat from China. The middle powers say, the mRNA-type tech — the possibilities
and technological trends that are trying to reshape their own environ- are enormous. The biggest threat countries
shaped 2023, and are likely to ments with as much strategic autonomy as face is to get shut out from the new technol-
they can get. The Cold War parallels of yore ogies. India has a chance to avoid getting
be influential in 2024 are not useful, for as former US secretary of shut out if it acts decisively to partner with
state Condoleezza Rice wisely remarks, the US in this area and actively address its

O
ne always tends to overstate “Globalisation is a fact, not a policy, but no domestic research and development ecosys-
the present in comparison to country wants to risk core dependence on tem to become deeper and better. In this,
past periods, but I can’t find in any other country”. So, while trade between India’s digital public infrastructure is
living memory the combina- the US and China has increased this year, already challenging many mainstream busi-
tion of crises the world faces despite the rhetoric, each country is taking ness models (say UPI for payments, ONDC
today. We have wars in Europe vital steps to curb dependence on the other. for commerce) and creating opportunities
and West Asia, the threat of pandemics is a All countries and companies, therefore, for others. Companies need to keep a keen
lived reality, global warming is no more in need to incorporate geopolitical watch on emerging patents in their
the future, the demographics of many coun- opportunity and risk in their plan- area and recognise innovation as a
tries have forever changed, and develop- ning. Many countries are taking key competitive lever for survival.
ments in technology are such that they may the opportunity to fill the space Data and privacy: The develop-
change humanity for better or worse. created by the US shift away from ments in Generative AI have taken
Leaders, whether in politics or business, China. Apple revenues going up to the world by storm. It is one of the The United States is primarily focused on containing the threat from China AFP
must navigate a polycrisis-riven and uncer- $10 billion from India is one such first innovations that has come
tain world. The uncertainty embedded in illustration. Depending on their Janmejaya with so much potential and yet has future where Richard Baldwin notes that nies alike. will stay higher for longer. Both govern-
the environment is unlikely to go away and relative alignment with the US or Sinha caused so much alarm about the new globalisation is going to be around Demography: How does demography ments and companies need to be alert.
leaders must get comfortable navigating it. China, countries and companies machines taking over the world. services and a sharp rise in services trade. reshape society and business? The world Talent and upskilling: All companies
To help parametrise uncertainty, they must need to evaluate the extent of their India starts with a profound poten- Global warming: The climate crisis underappreciates ageing. Think Africa with need to evaluate whether their workforce is
create a framework within which to inter- dependence on say the Chinese market for tial advantage with its Aadhaar dataset with brings its own challenges on every dimen- an average age of 19, India at 29 and China fit for purpose and how to train the pilot
pret the seven dominant trends that affect their revenues, their production, their feed- over a billion people, its engineering and sion — be it the massive financing gap, con- at 39, developed Europe close to 44, and while they are flying what is “possibly” a
their environment. stock, the alternative availability of that developer talent, and its deep connections trolling emissions by cutting fossil fuel, (the Japan at 49. What happens in the future to new aircraft.
Geopolitics and dependence: It is clear, feedstock, talent and the interlinkages in with its diaspora on the West Coast. The proposed discriminatory carbon tax that pension payments and the nature of migra- Leaders need to incorporate these trends
the old order has passed but a new order their supply chain. potential for instantaneous language trans- will tax the Global South for the environ- tion? What business opportunities emerge in their strategic calculus. The winners and
has not yet been established. The United Technology and concentration: The lation further overcomes the English entry ment crisis that the rich countries have cre- due to ageing — for example, health care? losers of tomorrow are being decided by
States (US) appears unsure of the role it innovation and excitement around develop- barrier for the masses. The data philosophy ated, to help their own transition to green), What are the costs of poor education and actions today. There is no place for the
wants or can play in the world. Its influence ments in technology around a wide swathe of India to empower its citizens with their the creation of new business models for skilling? unprepared or the timid. Winners can’t wait
is contested not just by China, the super- of areas is again without precedent. I take data is distinct from China where the State recycling and circularity, managing water, Capital costs: The interest rate environ- for the waves to settle before they enter the
power contender, but by the five or six mid- data as a separate trend and so will address owns data, or the US where the companies regenerative agriculture, and nature-based ment post government Covid bailouts have ocean!
dle-power countries unhappy with the Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) under own data, or even Europe where the solutions. Overcoming the costs of transi- shifted to high. Add to that environment
power structure created post World War II it. But if one reflects on the developments in bureaucrats manage data. Effective use of tions and finding new opportunities must transition costs, financing wars and elec- Janmejaya Sinha is chairman, BCG India.
as it does not capture their current position. multiple technologies — quantum comput- data will be core for companies to win in the be the mantra for governments and compa- tions in half the world and it looks like rates The views expressed are personal

{ SUNDAY SENTIMENTS } right to be critical — even, if necessary, WHEN THEY WANT { ENGENDER }
aggressive although not, I hope, offensive
Karan Thapar — but I accept that occasional apprecia-
TO, INDIANS HAVE Lalita Panicker
tion and praise is essential. But more AN AMAZING WAY
importantly, the conversation opened my OF TELLING THE
Is there an Indian way eyes to something that’s often happened
before but which I never really noticed or
attempted to understand. Now that it hit
me straight across the face I couldn’t
TRUTH. AT THE
MOST SURPRISING
MOMENTS THEY
Women must be heard in
of telling the truth? possibly avoid doing so.
When they want to, Indians have an
amazing way of telling the truth. At the
LITERALLY BLURT IT
OUT. IT’S SAID WITHOUT
climate decision-making
most surprising of moments, they liter- ARTIFICE AND WITHOUT s we look back at 2023, it is the year billion annually. By 2050, the cost will reach

T
he phone rang horribly late at
night but, for reasons I cannot
fathom, I responded in an atten-
tive mood. Normally, the hour
and tone of the conversation would have
remember. “Being critical is no doubt a
popular or populist thing to do. But that’s
just being negative. What about the
things you admire? What about the
actions you want to praise? Why not
ally blurt it out. It’s said without artifice
and without care for political correct-
ness. Unvarnished it no doubt is but it’s
also refreshingly unalloyed. And even if
at times painful it’s almost always thera-
CARE FOR POLITICAL
CORRECTNESS. AND EVEN
IF AT TIMES PAINFUL IT’S
A that discussions on the climate cri-
sis intensified, in the lead-up to
COP28 in Doha. It was also a year
of extreme weather events that affected
people across the world, more so women
about $1.8 trillion. Extreme weather events
affect physical and mental health, they
impact safe drinking water, adequate nutri-
tion and shelter, putting women’s safety at
risk. Women face challenges in accessing
put me off. identify yourself by associating with peutic. It makes up for all the Uriah
ALMOST ALWAYS and girls. Traditionally discriminatory prac- reproductive and other health services, all
“I want to ask you a question,” the them? Stand up for something. Don’t Heepness and utter hypocrisy we’re THERAPEUTIC tices mean that women are more affected of which ultimately lead to inter-genera-
caller began but continued without paus- keep putting everything down.” equally capable of. by the climate crisis and have the least tional poverty and marginalisation.
ing for a reply. “I’m a regular reader of I started to defend myself and tried to In fact, no other country seems to have They do it because they feel they have to. resources and skills to cope with it. India, Despite vigorous efforts by women’s
your column and I notice that you are assure the caller that I am not a negative this incredible quality. The Brits are too The passion that moves them cannot be which has taken the lead in many aspects of groups and activists, only 38% of delegates
always criticising everything. Can’t you person but, after a bit, he cut me off. phlegmatic, the French too loquacious, diffused by etiquette or politesse or even the climate crisis, should focus on giving at the COP28 were women, a mere one per
ever find anything to praise?” “I’ll tell you what,” the voice said. No the Germans far too upright and the Ital- lack of opportunity. It just has to express women and girls a voice in climate deci- cent increase over COP27. It was, however,
The bold and blunt query took me longer did it sound agitated. A reflective ians simply muddle-headed. The Ameri- itself. sion-making. The government must sup- recognised at COP28 that women need
aback. I wasn’t sure what to say. But of calm seemed to have replaced the earlier cans wouldn’t know enough and the Chi- So, this morning, I want to compli- port the voice of women in the response to more economic power as countries begin
one thing I was sure — I had been put in impatience. “Let me give you a bit of nese would be horrified at anything that ment my late-night interlocutor for help- the climate crisis through increased partici- their shift to low-carbon strategies.
the dock and needed to defend myself. advice. Why don’t you write about what approximates the truth. ing me appreciate a quality I had not pation in policy design, and establishing Christopher Nial, climate expert and sen-
Banging the phone down might have you like about India? Give me three good Only in our country do strangers properly thought of before. It’s people opportunities for meaningful engagement ior partner at Finn Partners, who attended
ended the conversation — and there were reasons on a Sunday morning to feel march up — or ring late at night, heed- like you, Sir, who shake up a man’s com- in climate processes. COP28, says, “Women are still underrepre-
moments when I wanted to do just that happy and satisfied. Instead, you often less of the hour — and tell you to your placency and self-satisfaction. Your call India, with its vigorous Panchayati Raj sented at climate negotiation forums, a
— but it wouldn’t have answered the leave me feeling the other way.” face what they think. Furthermore, did me a world of good. system which has seen robust participation stark contrast to the disproportionate
question. And it certainly wouldn’t have I put the phone down somewhat per- they’re not a whit abashed by the fact Thank you and Happy New Year. from women, is ideally placed to lead the impact the climate crisis has on them.
dispelled the doubts that it arose out of. plexed but also in a strange way glad I’d their comment could be personal or it’s way in fostering gender equality in climate Women are often at the frontline of climate-
“You write as if it’s clever to be criti- had the conversation. To begin with, well past midnight or there are others Karan Thapar is the author of processes in the Global South. The success related challenges, so their voices are essen-
cal,” the voice continued. It did give me whilst not conceding the argument, per- listening. They don’t even care if they Devil’s Advocate: The Untold Story. of involving ASHA workers in the Covid tial. COP28 made strides in weaving gender
its name but, alas, I can no longer haps the caller has a point. I reserve my end up making a spectacle of themselves. The views expressed are personal battle was a result of their adaptability and perspectives into climate discussions, but
resilience. They are ideally suited to spread there’s still a significant gap. Initiatives like
awareness of the climate crisis, especially in the Gender-Responsive Just Transitions
rural areas. The government must allocate and Global Climate Action Partnership

What the coming age


additional resources to generate awareness highlighted the need for women’s meaning-
of gender equality and to create platforms ful participation, yet this and other similar
for women to engage with climate move- efforts weren’t fully integrated into key out-
ments. comes like the Marrakech Partnership. To

of AI natives portends Annapurna Vancheswaran, CEO, The


Nature Conservancy, says, “While there is a
sincere effort to empower girls and women
to benefit from climate action, much more
ensure women’s voices shape climate pol-
icy, dedicated financing for gender parity is
crucial but not sufficient. Integrating
diverse voices will lead to more compre-
very year, the average Indian transforms into abundance. This transi- is needed in this direction. Successive COPs hensive and effective climate policies.”

E spends around 2,300 hours on tion opens up possibilities for heightened


their smartphone. They spend productivity. Imagine spending more
nearly 580 hours searching for time in nature, or indulging in simple
and consuming content on over-the-top pleasures such as gardening or fitness
(OTT) platforms and services. A similar pursuits.
have attempted to advance knowledge of
gender-responsive climate action, which
one hoped would have snowballed into
actionable work programmes that directly
reach out to women and girls in developing
Vancheswaran adds, “The success of self-
help groups shows that gender equality and
empowerment have yielded greater returns
to economic growth and sustainable devel-
opment. As gender awareness grows, we
trend is seen in terms of time spent on While humans learn to adapt to an all- countries, but sadly it remains an action can be bullish and see more financial insti-
social media. These are just some of the pervasive world of AI, what about Gener- plan still.” This is worrying as women and tutions commit to setting gender-related
consumer insights that we at CyberMe- ation Alpha? This is a generation born girls, the most affected by the impacts of the targets.” That at least holds out some hope,
dia Research (CMR) have tracked annu- from the mid-2010s onwards. They will climate crisis, need to be able to frame if serious efforts are made, for a greater
ally for the past few years. These insights be born AI natives. For them, AI will be responses to extreme climate events. voice for women in climate issues as we
paint a familiar picture of our lives inter- what smartphones were for those born a Researchers say that by 2030, the finan- begin the new year.
twined with smartphones and technol- generation ago. Interactive toys are com- cial cost of loss and damage for developing
ogy. peting now, with new emotion- countries is estimated at between $290-580 The views expressed are personal
But wait, what if 2024 ally intelligent robots billed as AI
becomes the year where this
picture undergoes a revolution-
ary makeover, courtesy of Gen-
companions, aiming to educate,
engage, and enable personalised
learning pathways for children,
A
l
erative AI? In 2023, Artificial adapting and growing with them. { SUNDAY LETTERS }
Intelligence (AI), and more spe- For those in school, the rise of
cifically, Generative AI cap- Prabhu Generative AI will usher in a
Ram
Drone tech for Concerning state of secularism
tured the imagination of the world of change. Today’s chil- While AI does point to a positive future, there’s always the flip side. Would the
world across domains, ranging dren tug heavy bags to school. prevailing digital divide increase further with many missing out on the power of AI? farmers This is with reference to ‘What is it like to be a Muslim
from creativity to health care. Fast-forward to a not-so-distant Would human connection still remain healthy and in vogue alongside AI? REUTERS This is with reference to in India?’ by Karan Thapar (Dec 24). Echoing Karan
As an analyst who has closely tracked the future: Interactive simulations, adaptive ‘The drone moment of Thapar’s views, I fear that a situation is developing that
trajectory of technology trends, I am par- textbooks and AI mentors provide per- these children grow up, they will be able All said, AI will continue to transform Indian agriculture’ by anybody with a different view than the majoritarian
ticularly excited about what 2024 holds. sonalised lessons tailored to students’ to move beyond the shackles of language the world we operate in. There would be Mansukh Mandaviya would be regarded as anti-national.
I believe we stand at the threshold of a needs and passions. Forget the templa- with AI-enabled real-time translation more efficiency everywhere, with (Dec 24). What is needed
Anthony Henriques
year where AI and Generative AI’s real- tised rote memorisation and standard- tools and language models. humans getting the potential to recon- is how technological
world impact becomes all-pervasive. ised tests in vogue now! For the first While AI does point to a positive nect with themselves and the world they tools such as drones can
Generative AI promises a future where time, children will be potentially able to future, there’s always the flip side. Will live in. be made available to the Ensure Oppn involvement in Parliament
humans will have the ability to automate break their shackles and leave the rat the prevailing digital divide increase fur- Generation Alpha will grow up in an marginalised farmers, This is with reference to ‘Shadow of colonial policing on
mundane tasks and generate text, race to discover their true passions and ther with many missing out on the power AI-led world, with the potential to be because they are the ones crime bills’ by Mark Tully (Dec 24). I find it distressing
images, or models on the go. If you were gifts — aided ably by AI at every step of of AI? Will human connection still truly creative and engaged purposefully who need these that three crime Bills were passed in a Parliament when
to look at the future of work, those ena- the way. remain healthy and in vogue alongside with the world around them. instruments the most. most of the Opposition MPs were absent.
bled with AI and Generative AI skill sets The role of teachers will also evolve in AI? Most importantly, responsible AI
will outshine those without. In 2024 and this newfound environment of “fail fast”, usage would become imperative. There Prabhu Ram heads the Industry Intelligence Bal Govind Subhash Taneja
beyond, we find ourselves at a juncture where they transition into the roles of would still be questions about privacy, Group at CyberMedia Research (CMR).
where the once scarce resource of time facilitators of creativity and passion. As bias and the trust for AI. The views expressed are personal Write to us at: letters@hindustantimes.com

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BOARD: (011)23361234 ● EDITORIAL: (011)66561234 Extn. 1254, 1268 ● CIRCULATION: (011)66561111 ● ADVERTISING: (011)66561389 ● FAX: (011)66561270.

EDITOR: KUNAL PRADHAN


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If you want a happy
ending, that depends on Orson
where you stop your story Welles

06 HYDERABAD SUNDAY 31 12 2023


� � THE NEW SUNDAY EXPRESS

2024: RESOLUTIONS COMING OF AGE: RAM AND BHARAT IN 2024


FOR INDIA AMID emotionally and electronically. He has
spent more time away from Delhi than
2023, the US-Russia deadlock over Ukraine
prevented India from playing a dominant
Corporate Bharat blitz

GLOBAL DISORDER
any of his predecessors to nurture the role in strategic diplomacy. However, in India is the world’s fastest growing econ-
party spirit in all parts of the nation. 2024 India will sit at the global high table omy. Year 2024 is expected to end with 7
The Modi cult is bigger than the BJP. to influence all strategic, economic and percent GDP growth. By all indications,

T
Over the past decade, his picture has be- diplomatic configurations. international and domestic supply chain
HE world is at an inflection point in time and events. As come omnipresent— he holds your gaze issues and inflationary pressures could
millions get set to flip the Gregorian calendar and usher with steady charisma at all airports,
An opposition on steroids stall incremental gains. With massive
in 2024, a confluence of emergent crises is triggering a POWER & POLITICS 70,000-plus petrol pumps and innumer- The seeds to harvest a credible political public investment and a surge in rural
spectre of angst and cynicism. The endlessness of wars PRABHU CHAWLA able bus stops. Over 880 railway stations alternative to the BJP were sown in 2023. demand, some sectors may do better—
and the redefinition of national interest haunt the pros- prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com will sport Modi selfie points to attract But in the end, ideological fissures and aviation, health, entertainment, tourism
pects of growth. There is a growing belief that the rules-based Follow him on X @PrabhuChawla millions of train travellers. The Modi leadership competitions developed. The and automobiles. GDP may experience
world order is unravelling seemingly into global disorder. connect means direct communion—a recent Congress defeats will compel all 7.2 percent growth. But a corporate boom

T
The context carries implications for India on how it propels yearlong choreographed chain of events anti-Modi forces to forge an uneasy un- is a sure bet if Modi returns with a com-
its potential as it navigates its way in an interdependent world. O any astute aruspex who di- spanning India’s cultural, religious, ion. The Congress has been agonisingly fortable majority.
As we enter an intensely political year dotted by elections in vines the mysteries of time, martial and historical spectrum. He humbled by its own inflated arrogance. It The Sensex may not reflect India’s ac-
major economies, the asymmetries of geopolitics play out. In- omens often send mixed sig- doesn’t need to rediscover Bharat since lost states it had governed. Now it is will- tual financial health, but it indicates in-
dia will have to hedge and openly punt its options. nals. We can say 2023 was the he knows its multifarious facades well. ing to treat others as equals and discuss vestor confidence. The Indian market is
A useful lens to frame the circumstance for debate Year of Antipodes—with politi- Yes, he has fulfilled his Hindutva agen- seat allocations without preconditions. skewed, being controlled by a capitalist
is the tradition of New Year resolutions harking back to Baby- cal and religious confrontation, da, but in 2024 he must deliver more de- While the regional biggies will stick to oligarchy which has put in place an algo-
lon. The essence of the tradition is reflection, recognition and Centre-state standoffs, sports velopment. The Modinomics of welfare their turf and make few concessions, the rithm of glitter and affluence. During the
restoration. The key to success lies in the art of crafting a scandals, investigative agency intru- schemes at public cost would get him Congress will predictably project Rahul past 12 months, the Sensex jumped from
consensus—on issues of national import and in the geopoliti- sions and competitive welfare pitches votes, but can weaken long-term econom- Gandhi, the leader sans office, as its na- 61,000 to 72,000. The market capitalisation
cal arena on the challenges of preserving and leveraging the scarring the narrative on one hand, and ic sustainability. He must speedily cor- tional beacon. His second trip, the Nyay of listed companies rose almost 30 per-
rules-based order. a buoyant stock market, booming enter- rect income inequality and skewed yatra, begins early next month and will cent—from around $3 trillion in January
Here are a few resolutions, tainment industry, sporting triumphs wealth distribution end before the Lok to around $4 trillion by end-December,
beginning with reforms at multilat- and space leaps lacquering national to erase any impres- Sabha elections which is more than India’s GDP.
eral agencies tasked with scaffold- pride on the other hand. sion of encouraging dates are an-
ing the rules-based world order In- The dawning year looks ready to ag- capitalism. Modi’s nounced. RaGa will
Ramfication of Bharat
dia is invested in. gressively mimic the past. The first half only rival is Modi. cover 6,200 km, Politics has already been Modified over
Rally Global South for UN re- augurs to be uglier than its predeces- In 2024, he is guar- passing through 85 the past decade. Now comes the Ramfica-
forms, defang the veto ghetto: sor’s—more abusive and conflict-ridden, anteed to recon- districts of 14 tion of Bharatiya culture in 2024. On Jan-
THE THIRD EYE The United Nations is a rare institu-
tion which de-rates its relevance
as India’s political parties go for the kill
shot. Fakery and buffoonery will domi-
struct himself as a
Modi who is better
states. If the Bharat
Jodo Yatra’s pur-
uary 22 of 2024, the date for the installa-
tion of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the Sangh
SHANKKAR AIYAR regularly. There are over 30 conflict nate timelines on X, Instagram, Face- than his best. pose was to magni- will paint the length and breadth of
Author of The Gated Republic, Aadhaar: zones dotting the world. Nobody ex- book, Koo, LinkedIn etc, with a melee of fy his visibility and Bharat with images of Lord Ram along
A Biometric History of India’s 12 Digit
pects a winner in the war in Ukraine sycophantic and toxic posts. TV channels
A reconciliatory connectivity, the with Modi. For the next two months, BJP
Revolution, and Accidental India global Bharat
(shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com) and almost everybody wants the will resemble wrestling rings where new yatra aims to and RSS volunteers will visit 10 crore
war in Gaza to end. Peace is tangled slander lands the blows instead of cred- Will India get its rebur nish his households to persuade them to celebrate
in binding and non-binding resolu- ible views and news. Political parties and holy grail—a per- bruised image after a second Diwali on that date. The party
tions, and crippled by veto wielders who represent less than a corporates will deploy millions of social manent UN Security the recent Congress expects the event to get maximum global
sixth of the global population. India can rally the Global South media handles to disseminate informa- Council seat? Can it drubbing in three attention and reverberate nationally as a
as it did in G20 to forge an accord for equitable representation tion and promote fandom. Deepfakes will be the leader of the SOUMYADIP SINHA states. It is being raag of cultural renaissance. The opposi-
and reforms in the UN and rid the ghetto of veto. malign and mangle contrarians and ad- Global South? Will it billed as a political tion faces the painful challenge of choos-
Build shields for sticks, stones and words: India’s rise versaries. The year ahead is predictively improve strained relations with its grassroots movement to try and neutral- ing between faith and ideology. They are
naturally triggers scrutiny and threats as domestic politics ominous with biffos and bigotry. neighbours? Can it shed its American ise the gigantic Ram Mandir Wave. likely to lose the first round of the politi-
influences geopolitics. There is a need to rethink the template Here are the themes that will rever- Ally image? With Modi tied up with di- The opposition is hoping for a repeat of cal perception match even before the first
of actions and a calibration of responses. In the age of senti- berate through the year. recting poll strategy, it was left to foreign the 2004 results, when the immensely election nomination is filed.
ment analysis, sticks and stones will hurt bones and words can minister Jaishankar to meet Putin in popular Vajpayee government lost the
sully branding. India needs to expand the presence of its for-
Irreplaceable Modi Russia and signal India’s diplomatic elections. With no single leader to lead an
Republic of Bharat
eign service cadre across the globe to collaborate on and co- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reputa- equidistance to the watching world. Mo- all-India campaign then, the Congress Will India finally be renamed Bharat in
create definitions that matter. For instance, what constitutes tion of invincibility and reliability has di’s G20 gains must pervade all of 2024. staged a comeback and hijacked the gov- 2024? The process began with a presiden-
terrorism and an articulation of the distance between dissent been cemented in the recent state elec- India’s role in the Gaza strife looked mut- ernment. The architecture of opposition tial invitation last year. Soon after, Modi
and diabolical threats. This calls for setting up active shields, tions. His words are indubitably gospel ed. For the PM’s personal relationships unity even without a leader or effective invited his G20 guests as the Prime Min-
contesting shibboleths and exposing duplicity. truth for his groupies. ‘Modi ka guaran- with world leaders to yield results, he alternative slogan to ‘India shining’ de- ister of Bharat. Going by all indications,
Create a coalition to rescue WTO and multilateralism: tee’ is the BJP’s new password to poster- will have to outplay a belligerent China molished all psephological constructs. Bharat will cartographically replace In-
The World Trade Organization’s obituary has been written ity. Can the PM retain his unconquerable and a hostile Pakistan. Sonia Gandhi stitched together ideologi- dia. All Indian missions are likely to be
since the failed Doha ministerial. The idea of free trade has rizz for a 2024 sweep? His challenge is to During his third consecutive term, cal opponents and appointed a politically renamed High Commissions or Embas-
been abandoned by its evangelists who now pray at the parish score a hat-trick with an absolute major- his focus will be more on boosting his insignificant technocrat, Manmohan sies of the Republic of Bharat. All central
of protectionism. The WTO is paralysed by its structure—its ity. He must not just retain the seats BJP Vishwaguru status in the year’s second Singh, to run the country for a decade. government departments, PSUs, banks
appellate body has been dead since 2020 and arbitration is lim- won in 2019 but also add a few more from half with a flurry of foreign visits. In Come 2014, enter Modi—a person per- etc are working on using ‘Bharat’ in their
ited to cosy trading blocs. Like at the Cancun ministerial, India other states to compensate for the losses his second term, Modi spent 240 days secuted by the media and boycotted by communications.
needs to build a coalition of economies to revive WTO’s legiti- it may suffer in other states. abroad visiting about 120 countries. elitists. He breaks a three-decade record A decade of Modi Raj has tattooed
macy. A good first step would be to host the next ministerial The entire year will be devoted to Mo- Jaishankar earned diplomatic airmiles by gaining a single-party majority for the his imprimatur on the Bharatiya century.
and drive the agenda. di’s amplification as a prime minister in 290 days, landing in fewer nations BJP. The Congress will try to identify geo- As India’s identity leaves the shores
Lead the recast of IMF and World Bank: The Bretton who delivers more than what he prom- over the same period; his favourite des- graphical islands where anti-BJP forces of its conflicted past and sails towards
Woods twins founded in 1944 served the purpose of the time. ises. His visage will stare at citizens tination is the US. can catalyse possible victories to restrict the horizon of universal pre-eminence,
The roles need redefinition to suit new realities. India is a lead- from billboards and posters in every cor- India has made substantial progress in BJP’s gains. In this combative year, India Ramayana, Bharatayana and Modiayana
er in digital infrastructure, and is the fifth largest economy. As ner of the country. His presence will per- leading the creation of another diplomat- could get the cohesive opposition needed will point the compass of its passage
a voice for the Global South, it has the opportunity to collabo- vade the attention of voters physically, ic pressure group against the US bloc. In to keep democracy healthy. through Amritkaal.
rate and present a new architecture. The IMF needs to evolve
beyond bailouts, plot data to predict incoming crises and design
policies for resilience. The World Bank, the recast of which has

SEARCHING FOR A NEW THEME SONG


been debated since 2007, should be repositioned to fund the
transition of economies.
Accelerate unfinished agenda, demography is not des-
tiny: As it partners for change globally, India needs to build
capacity and resilience at home to sustain growth. India’s work-
ing age population will not decline for another four decades, ambiguity—the prospects of a serious to change the calendar too. This is a rath- Though a city was not specified in the
UN estimates show. But demography is not destiny. India needs analysis were indeed tempting. er extreme expression of India’s famed bid, most of us were mesmerised enough
to invest in human capital to ready it for disruptive shifts in Despite my initial attempt to be pro- athiti deva notion in motion. Even this to assume that Ahmedabad, which boasts
business models. The promise of higher spending in health and found, I was thrown off guard by the bril- year-ender piece may now need to be rec- the largest stadium in the world named
education (3 percent and 6 percent of GDP) is yet to be fulfilled. liance of the new Madhya Pradesh chief alibrated in terms of when it reaches you, after you-know-who, would be the likely
In the age of ‘guarantees’, will political parties agree to commit minister. He announced that as an ele- dear reader, and what date it displays. contender as the main host city.
funding for health, education and skilling? ment of his battle against rampant west- But it is perhaps unfair to lay all the Back to the athiti deva theme. The irony
Address job creation: Unemployment is a top concern in ernisation, he intends to shift the prime blame for my being derailed from an en- was locally ignored that our offer to host
opinion polls. The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey shows OPINION meridian from Greenwich to Ujjain. The tirely sombre analysis on the poor chap’s the next COP summit came right after
over 45 percent of workers depend on a sixth of national income DILIP CHERIAN noble objective is of changing the world’s shoulders. After all, we have had some we’d refused to be bullied into signing the
derived from agriculture and only 11 percent on manufacturing Image guru and campaign strategist notion of time, which is just what India similarly priceless moments recently, COP28 declaration. And, just as the Ujjain
jobs. Structurally, just 20.8 percent of workers are on regular Follow him on X.com @dilipthecherian in his vision is embarking on. even before he-who-can’t-be-named swept declaration grandiosely ignored reality,
wages, 22 percent are casual labourers. The upside of the demo- He is probably blissfully unaware that the elections. Two instances come imme- here too we chose to ignore studies that

T
graphic bulge depends on reforms in labour laws and regula- he’s unwittingly going to run into some diately to mind. Both involved dates that suggest that climate disasters in unfore-
tions by state governments and alignment of policies such as HERE is a quote often ascribed to internecine problems because India’s are far into the future. seeable Black Swan-type events will rav-
PLI schemes with investment summits. And yes, a better map- Rumi which roughly translates prime point for local time calculations is Our penchant for reiterating our belief age countries like us the most.
ping of job creation, a task fit for Niti Aayog, will help. as, “Yesterday I was brilliant, so Mirzapur in UP. We have a non-western- in athiti devo bhava was omnipresent dur- For me, the most confusing and less
India is poised at the intersection of promise and I aspired to change the world; to- ised and rather imposing saffron-clad ing the year. We cheerfully announced our contentious aspect of the year has been
performance. Success rests on an agreement among parties day I am wise, so I attempt to Yogi who will not be very happy to see his willingness to host the COP32 summit in the display of India’s atmanirbhar hard
on what constitutes national interest. This requires the resto- change myself.” Something state lose status in this arena. India. Even more heroic was the offer of power. There’s no doubt that, on the
ration of dialogue in domestic politics—the spectacle wit- about these profound lines struck This worthy, whose name you will have hosting the Olympics in 2036. Speaking in world stage, a powerful new India has
nessed in parliament and the suzerainty of party interests are me as I sat down to write a riff on the year to pardon me from recollecting instantly, Mumbai, the prime minister said hosting taken centre-stage. So is this our collec-
worrisome. On November 4, 1948, B R Ambedkar observed that is just going by. In a world best de- has insisted that the global prime merid- the Olympics is an “age-old dream” for tive future or is athiti deva our theme
that if things go wrong it will not be due to a bad Constitution, scribed as VUCA—a term military strate- ian is merely another example of west- India. (If you’ve not been getting those song? Or are these fragments of a dysto-
but because “man was vile”. The good fellas in India’s political gists use to summarise situations of vola- ernisation that he intends to dismantle, Olympic dreams, then you clearly are a pian Metaverse dream? So the question
class must show up. tility, uncertainty, complexity and and by extension, he probably will want closet anti-nationalist.) now hangs: are you ready, Player One?

and say to all the world, “This was a man.” support from other parties. Making unnecessary gies, has hopped on the saddle so that he can call
R Pichumani, Kumbakonam comments against Modi is to be avoided because the shots in the Lok Sabha elections as far as his
The Ukrainian side presented a 10-point Istanbul that will only do more harm than good. state is concerned.
Haste hurts Temple stand V Venkitasubramanian, Coimbatore C V Aravind, Bengaluru
communiqué outlining conditions for a cease-fire, Ref: Bring back decorum in Kerala politics (Dec 29). With reference to the news item ‘Cong in a fix over
permanent Ukrainian neutrality and international What’s stated in the editorial was in the right per- temple’, the Congress party knows the reality. It Chennai repairs Kashmir assimilation
security guarantees... Putin tried to do everything spective and was timely. The chief minister’s haste will be difficult for the party to keep away from the It is heartening to know that the Greater Chennai Kudos to the Modi government for the bold step of
possible to conclude the agreement with Ukraine. in justifying the efficacy of the Kerala sadas kicked consecration of the Ram temple. It has to find a Corporation is likely to focus on the new and exist- abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution. The Su-
up too many controversies. This reminds me of way out and avoid falling into the trap of tarnish- ing storm water drains from January 2024. Though preme Court upheld the decision. It is ridiculous to
Oleksandr Chalyi, Ukrainian diplomat who participated in talks with Russia in
what Winston Churchill once said, “It is a mistake ing its image as being Hindu-phobic. At the same late, we sincerely hope that the mayor and the find that the Congress still opposes the abrogation
Spring 2022, at a Geneva security summit; he said the UK and US blocked the plan
to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of time, it can’t gloss over the attitudes of other INDIA councillors would keep their promise to complete of the article. The majority of sensible citizens of
destiny can be handled at a time.” bloc members on the matter. Really, its option is the work before the onset of the monsoon in 2024. this country are happy with court verdict.
We are basically almost landing on a star. This will be a monumental K Gopakumar Menon, Thrissur between the devil and the deep sea. This happens After that, they should concentrate on repairing BVK Thampi, Thiruvananthapuram
achievement for all humanity. This is equivalent to the moon landing of 1969. to parties that don’t have a clear-cut ideology. the state’s battered roads.
Captain magnanimous Jitendranath Guru, Padampur N Mahadevan, Chennai Grandmaster returns
Nour Raouafi, scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Captain Vijayakanth’s demise has left a great la- The 36-year-old mother and chess grandmaster
on Nasa’s Parker solar probe which will hurtle past the Sun a year from now cuna both in the movie world and the political Boldness required Power play known for her inimitable playing style, Koneru
world. He won innumerable hearts by being a clean The BJP’s target of capturing 400 seats at the Lok Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has tightened his hold on Humpy, became the runner-up at the 2023 Women’s
You give up any sense of privacy: of your body, of your mind, of your soul, of leader and actor. But people will remember him Sabha elections is over-ambitious, but there is the JD(U) by taking over as party president after World Rapid Championship at Samarkand on De-
more as a good Samaritan because of his generos- nothing wrong with dreaming big. All other politi- showing Lallan Singh the door. Speculation is rife cember 28. It was a splendid display from Humpy,
anything about you… it’s completely eradicated.
ity, rather than as a political leader or actor. To cal parties including the Congress should wake up that Lallan’s proximity to RJD honcho Lalu Prasad coming as it did after she took a gap of two years
Hanif Kureishi, 69-year-old British author, on the deeper effects of a fall last year quote Shakespeare, His life was gentle, and the ele- and take quick and bold decisions to face the BJP’s Yadav was his undoing. But Nitish, who is known to from international events. Congrats to her.
that had left him unable to use his hands, arms or legs ments so mixed in him that Nature might stand up challenge. The Congress should get unequivocal hanker after power and has never valued ideolo- R Sampath, email

THE NEW SUNDAY EXPRESS


Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: Santwana Bhattacharya
Resident Editor (Telangana) : T Kalyan Chakravarthy* Printed and Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Ltd., at H.No.6-3-1113/1, B.S.Makta Lane, Somajiguda, Near Grand Kakatiya Hotel, Punjagutta, Hyderabad – 500 016. and printed by him at Sakshi Press, Plot No.D-75 & E-52, Industrial Estate (APIE), Balanagar, Medchal-Malkajgiri
District, Telangana. Hyderabad. Vol. 24, No. 53. RNI Reg. No. TELENG/2000/3501. Phone: 040-23413908. * Responsible for selection of News under the PRB Act. Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) Private Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited.
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