"History repeats
itself, first as tragedy, second as farce."
—Karl Marx (German
1818-1883)
Word for the day
Aposiopesis (n)
A sudden breaking off in the
midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
Malice towards none
Why denial of VISA to Anupam
Kher by Pakistan should be an point of discussion in India?
First random thought this morning
As per media reports, the government may consider asking cash rich
PSEs like Coal India and NALCO to buy back shares from the government. This will
help the government to meet its disinvestment target.
While there could be a valid argument that such buyback will
enhance RoE of the companies and hence eventually benefit the minority
shareholders. But this argument does not settle the moral and ethical issues.
Rather, the disbursal of cash through dividend would be more
appropriate and just from minority shareholder viewpoint.
Governance by ambivalence
One of my dear friends quipped the other day that "Either PM
Modi is a great student, or the only student left in the country, as everyone
is out there to teach him a lesson!"
Listening to some ministers in the union cabinet and BJP
spokespersons, I find that my friend is not alone in his exasperation over
criticism of the Prime Minister. They all believe this criticism is actually
not due to him.
I however beg to differ from them. I find this exasperation yet
another sign of the ambivalence of BJP and the government on many critical
issues of social and economic importance. I count the confusion created by this
ambivalence amongst the reasons for socio-economic chaos the country is
witnessing at present.
Let me explain it in some detail.
PM Modi likes to ask questions in all his public speeches. He asks
questions very emphatically and repeatedly. From the day he assumed the highest
executive office, his endeavor has been to seek suggestions and advice through
various portals and forum. If PM himself wants to have a participative
democracy, it is natural for people to give advice and suggestions. The point
of ambivalence however is that if you want to learn from people's experience,
they will teach you a lesson, then why get exasperated!
There are many instances of ambivalent standpoints, that have
created avoidable confusion amongst investors and citizens alike.
The government wants India to become a preferred tourist and
investment destination for the world. But most of its constituents are stuck in
medieval mindset insofar as lifestyle is concerned. The ambivalence on the
issue of sale & consumption of products like liquor, tobacco & beef and
decriminalization of same sex relationships is however confounding. How could
one expect foreigners to call India home under these circumstances.
Would it not be more appropriate if the government restricts its
role to enforcing law and order and leave these issues to the discretion of
people? If at all, BJP can run a public campaign to "educate" people
about "bad" impact of these products and such behavior.
Alternatively, if the government is sure about its stand, why not
initiate a public debate, conduct a referendum and bring a constitutional
amendment to ban production, sale and consumption of all "sinful"
products and services.
Similarly, there is a great deal of emphasis on innovation,
technical knowledge and modern life style through programs like Startup India,
Skill India, Smart Cities, Clean India, Digital India. However, there is little
effort on modernizing the primary education system. On the contrary it is common
to hear some minister or the other advocating traditional methods of imparting
primary education implemented originally by Lord Macaulay.
...to continue tomorrow
No comments:
Post a Comment