Wednesday, August 1, 2018

India Tourism

"Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it."
—Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941)
Word for the day
Athleisure (n)
A style of clothing worn as athletic apparel but also suitable for casual, everyday wear.
Malice towards none
There is significant rise in demand to provide for capital punishment for a variety of crimes, including rape, lynching, etc.
Do we feel that the peak of Indian civilization has already been conquered some 10000 years ago and the only way forward for us is downhill!
 
First random thought this morning
Driving a Mumbai registered vehicle in Bengaluru is unlawful! Why?
If it is a law and order threat, then roaming mobiles are much bigger threats than this.
If it is a question of revenue sharing between states, then why a professional educated in a Delhi government college paying negligible fee, is allowed to work in Bengaluru and pay taxes to the Karnataka government?
...and then why not share revenue from civil aviation as per the proportion of air space over a state used in a particular flight!

India Tourism

Tourism has been one of the favorite growth theme of the incumbent government, especially prime minister Narendra Modi. He has been emphasizing on the need to develop tourism infrastructure not only for the overseas inbound tourists, but the domestic tourists also.
The government has initiated a number of schemes to implement its strategy and ideas. The most notable being improving transportation infrastructure; improving the cleanliness and other facilities at prominent tourists places; identifying and developing new tourist places; changing rules for LTC to government employees, etc.
The official data indicates that tourism sector has seen significant acceleration in growth over past couple of years.
I find it pertinent to analyze these trends, in view of the tremendous potential this sector holds for Indian economy.
First of all, it is important to understand the primary characteristics of domestic tourism, which in my view holds much more potential than the foreign inbound tourism.
A recent NSSO survey report on domestic tourism (July 2017) highlights the following key characteristics. During the period of enquiry (365 days prior to the Survey period):
(a)   About 36% of Indian households undertook at least one overnight trip with the primary purpose of holidaying, leisure, health & medical, business, social, religion, education & training and and/or shopping. There is no significant difference in rural and urban households proportion in this regard.
(b)   Only 19% households undertook at least one overnight trip for holidaying, leisure, medical or shopping as key purpose. The proportion was same across rural and urban household. Out of this about 2/3rd trips were for health & medical purposes and 1/3rd for holidaying, leisure. Shopping trip accounted for just 1% of all overnight trips. The average duration of the trip was about 2days.
(c)    Summer vacation (May & June) and Festivals (October) accounted for over 40% of the all overnight trips.
(d)   Less than 3% of all overnight trips were packaged trips. And less than 4% of all the overnight trips for holidaying, leisure, health and shopping were reimbursed.
(e)    Bus was the most availed mode of travel in rural area (50%). In urban areas bus (34%) and train (31%) were used equally.
(f)    Tourists from rural areas mostly stayed with friends and relatives (91%), while tourists from urban areas used friends & relatives (36%), hotels (26%) and other places (33%).
(g)    As destination, Maharashtra (1.51cr) and UP (1.43cr) accounted for the maximum number of overnight visitors for holidaying, leisure, health and shopping purpose.
(h)   Similarly, Maharashtra (1.6cr) and UP (1.44cr) generated maximum number of overnight visitors for holidaying, leisure, health and shopping. UP, Andhra Pradesh and Telegana were prominent destinations for education & training, and religion.
(i)    From origination perspective, people from Kerala were most prolific tourists. People from Assam and Chhattisgarh travelled the least.
(i)    The overnight trip for health are costliest and cost on average Rs15336 per trip. Holidaying and leisure cost Rs6358 on average. Rural visitor for health purpose paid much more than the urban visitors.
(j)    For the same day trip, average expenditure per trip was Rs.620. Shopping (35%) and social occasion (34%) were two most important purposes for same day trips undertaken by rural tourists. Whereas about 50% of urban households travelled same day for social purpose.


...to continue tomorrow
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Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Who will consume this poison

"Gray hairs are signs of wisdom if you hold your tongue, speak and they are but hairs, as in the young."
—Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941)
Word for the day
Contextomy (n)
The practice of misquoting someone by shortening the quotation or by leaving out surrounding words or sentences that would place the quotation in context.
Malice towards none
What Imran Khan might have meant is "you take one step toward PoK, we'll take two steps towards Kashmir".
 
First random thought this morning
Recently Mr. rakesh Kaoor, Global CEO of Reckitt Benckiser was quoted having said that his company has been aggressively leveraging the government’s Swachh Bharat programme to push its brands, including rolling out low-priced smaller packs of Harpic cleaners and Dettol soap to penetrate rural markets and accelerate change in consumption habits of consumers. Does that mean Swach Bharat program has been designed to benefit "corporate friends" of PM Modi?
If Congress truly wants to be a serious contestant in 2019 election, it should come out of its Modiphobia and try to present a constructive agenda for the sustainable inclusive growth. Modi can't be defeated with just frivolities.

Who will consume this poison

In Hindu mythology, once the forces of good (Sura) and evil (Asura) had a protracted battle. The battle lasted so long that both the groups exhausted all their resources and valor. Completely tired, wounded, frustrated and exhausted, they approached the savior Lord Vishnu. The Savior advised them to go and explore the great ocean to find new resources and vigor to make a fresh beginning.
Following the advice, both the groups went to the great ocean and explored it extensively. During their exploration mission, they discovered huge amount of wealth and resources that included the nectar and venom.
The venom was discovered in the lunar month of Shravan, two months before the nectar, which was discovered in the lunar month of Ashwin.
When the venom was extracted from the ocean, the whole universe was threatened by its radiation. Sensing the apocalypse, Lord Vishnu requested the almighty Lord Shiva to absorb the venom so that it does not harm anyone and the balance of the universe is maintained. Obliging, Lord Shiva drank the entire venom and preserved it in his throat.
The legend goes, after consuming venom, the body of Lord Shiva started emitting radiation and he was in great pain due to the negative energies. In Treta Yug, seeing his Lord in pain, his staunch devotee Ravan, the Asur King of Lanka, brought the holy water of Ganga and poured over his Lord's body. It released all the negative energies of poison Lord Shiva had consumed from his body and relieved him of all pain.
The Hindu month of Shravan (or Savan as in film songs) has started last week. This month is traditionally known as month of Shiva, the Lord of Asceticism. During this month, the devotees are advised to abstain from all material pursuits and pleasures, observe fast & abstinence, and pray to the Lord for the welfare of the entire mankind, rising above the self.
Following the legend, people walk of hundreds of miles to bring sacred Ganga Jal to the constituent of Shiva, resident in their locality. The purpose behind undertaking this arduous journey is to commit oneself to the ideas of universality of the human being, selflessness, devotion and surrender.
A journey on the highways from Haridwar & Rishikesh, used by millions of devotees to bring Gangajal for offering to their respective local Shiva temples, during this fortnight, does not evoke much positive feelings amongst people. To some extent, it even raises a sense of disgust and derision towards traditions and cultures. The holy annual event has largely been reduced to frivolous celebrations and hooliganism. The devotees of Lord Shiva, who consumed venom to save the humanity, leave a long trail of venomous pollution behind them. A deeper study is needed urgently to identify the causes of this cultural degeneration and to suggest remedial course. Else we risk losing our culture and traditions; and trust me nothing will be left of India if so were to happen.
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Friday, July 27, 2018

Farm sector: social reforms

Thought for the day
"Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time."
—Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941)
Word for the day
Blinkered (adj)
Narrow-minded and subjective; unwilling to understand another viewpoint.
Malice towards none
Would we be scared off Imran Khan in the second innings also or the times have changed?
First random thought this morning
ataH kutarkairdhIrastatra na muhyati|
Therefore, by perverted arguments, "the intelligent one is not deluded."
The door is half open means the door is half closed. Therefore, the door is fully open means the door is fully closed! Or: God is Love. Love is blind. Therefore, God is blind!!!
Do you find this kind of sophistry acceptable? Because, the employment generation logic of the Prime Minister in his recent speech in the Lok Sabha, was nothing but Sophistry of most blatant kind.

Farm sector: social reforms

As I highlighted in one of my earlier post (see here) the notion of "farm loan" is materially different from "farmers' debt" in today's context.
The disproportionate rise in aspirational consumption; distortion of social customs (especially marriage, death, birth) for the sake of vanity, ignorance, and misguidance; rise in crime and litigation expenses; rise in cases of chronic diseases and hence prohibitive healthcare expenses form an overwhelming part of "farmers' debt". This debt usually has nothing to do with farming activity.
This is in fact true for a large majority of urban poor and lower middle class people also.
To cure this problem on sustainable basis, it is important that economic reforms are implemented with social reforms.
The social initiatives like focus on cleanliness, cooking gas connection to BPL families are commendable. But what we need is a social renaissance. Small correction and incremental improvement might not be enough given the serious nature of the problem, in my view.
I am not a social scientist. I may therefore not be an appropriate person to suggest the steps that could be taken within the Indian sociological framework. But this does leaves me at freedom to throw some thoughts that may not belong to the box. For example, consider the following:
(a)   The government should take strong affirmative steps to eradicate social distortions that have crept in over a period time in our social, religious and cultural events.
To begin with the government should totally nationalize the religious part of the birth, death and marriage ceremonies.
The government should appoint qualified religious persons (QRP) who can perform these ceremonies at the designated venues established by government in every Block of the country . All the expenses like salary of QRP, cost of performing the rituals, food offered to QRP, cost of feeding upto 25 close relatives of the person performing for whom the rituals being done, etc. should be borne by the government.
Special officers may be appointed to supervise all such ceremonies and issue certificate (Birth, Death, Marriage) on the spot.
The government should actively discourage profligate spending on the social part of these events. All expenses on marriage & birth related parties and social functions relating to death, shall be taxed @100%. Meaning, if anyone wanting to spend Rs10,00,000 on marriage party of his/her child, shall be required to pay an equivalent amount as tax. This money may be used exclusively for performing the religious ceremonies stated above.
(b)   A dignified birth and death shall be made fundamental right of every citizen.
In case of birth, the government should assume responsibility of the child from the conception stage, for upto two children for each parent. This includes good diet for mother, medical tests, medicine, delivery expenses and immunization of the child. This should be done on a global standard basis not the way typical government medical facility is run by the government.
In case of death, the final rights of the deceased should be performed in a dignified manner, as per his/her religious traditions.
This should apply to all unclaimed and unidentified bodies also.
The insurance companies may be directed to make the claim payments on the spot when the final rituals are done on 13th, 17th or 40th day as the case may be, in cases where the deceased's life was insured, either individually or under some government group scheme.
The corporates may be required to fund this initiative under their CSR obligation.
(c)    All regular visitors to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu, who are more than 50years of age, would vouch that the assigning the administration of the shrine to an independent Board in 1986 has led to dramatic improvement in the management and infrastructure in and around the Shrine. No one's religious feelings have been hurt and the number of pilgrims visiting the holy cave has multiplied exponentially.
The government may consider constituting an autonomous constitutional body like Election Commission to take over the management and administration of all places of worship in the country This may put an end to rampant cases of exploitation, mismanagement, money laundering and other disputes, encroachment of public land, environment degradation, and promote secularism, brotherhood, tolerance etc.
A separate assembly of religious leaders, holy men for each religion may be formed. This assembly may be given the task to reevaluate all Holy Scripture, and find if there is any need to reinterpret the scriptures in the light of modern day circumstances and realities. The religious leaders should be requested to weed out the redundancies and misinterpretations, so that no one manipulates the religious sentiments of the people in the name of scriptures and divine mandate.
The assembly should also frame a code of conduct for all people responsible for helping people with their religious ceremonies and duties.
For example, the Hindu assembly may want to ban flowing the last remains of dead people in holy rivers to save them from dying. The ashes may be used for making bricks that can be used to build places of worships and houses for the poor.
It may also encourage people to use electronic or gas based cremation, instead of wood pyres. Alternatively, each family member of the deceased may be required to plant two trees each and take care of it till it grows to become self-sufficient.
(d)   Distinguish between "education" and "learning". Nationalize and standardize all education. Learning may be imparted by private citizens volunteering in nation building. (See here for a detailed presentation of this thought)
These steps, if taken, may make the life of poor (both rural and urban) materially comfortable and substantially increase the happiness quotient of the country, in my view.
These thoughts and suggestions are nothing new. I have been presenting this to the concerned authorities and to the readers (through this post) frequently. I promise to keep pressing with this in future also, till I see some progress on this.
Readers' comments and views are welcome.
Also read:
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Thursday, July 26, 2018

Farm sector: Policy level refoms

"A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it."
—Rabindranath Tagore (Indian, 1861-1941)
Word for the day
Epigone (n)
An undistinguished imitator, follower, or successor of an important writer, painter, etc.
Malice towards none
By agreeing to possibility of a non-congress PM, has INC accepted RaGa is a weak candidate?
 
First random thought this morning
In past one year, the Supreme Court has considered many matters relating to civic administration, exams, environment, religion, faith, movies, personal conduct of people, etc.
Isn't it failure of our democratic system that the things that should have been governed by the local administration, community leaders, religious leaders, and the government are being frequently referred to the Supreme Court?
The worst part is that all parties to the issue involved are treating the Supreme Court's interpretation of the issue and directions in the matter as per their convenience. Most court decisions have therefore become excuse for inaction.


Farm sector: Policy level refoms 

There was this feudal lord, who had enslaved a number of peasants on different pretexts. He would make them toil hard the whole day and give two inadequate meals to survive.
Occasionally, on festivals, birthdays of his children, his marriage anniversary, and death anniversary of his parents, he would treat them with a good meal and sweets. Once in 3-4yrs, during winters, he would give them new blankets so that they do not die of cold. In return, the bonded peasants were expected to hail him as protector and great benefactor of the poor.
No one ever dare ask for freedom from bondage. No one ever considered freeing these poor enslaved peasants.
The condition of Indian farmers is no better than those bonded labors in the story stated above. Various governments have been exploiting them, giving occasional doles and expecting favors in the form of votes.
No one has considered making these farmers self-dependent and economically viable. Unfortunately, the farmers have also been quite satisfied with occasional doles and have not been seeking redemption from slavery.
The recent episode of loan waiver is nothing but the new blanket given to farmers so that they survive the chilly winter and vote for the incumbent governments. Anyone assuming it to be anything more than that is seriously mistaken, in my view.
I believe that this is the primary reason for Indian economy not being able to grow faster on sustainable basis. Unless, two third of the population earns enough so that it can adequately consume, save and invest - it may be actually foolish to believe that a inwardly oriented economy like India can consistently grow faster.
For sustainable improvement in the conditions of the rural populace, especially farmers, an integrated reform package that deals with farm level reforms, policy level reforms and social reforms is needed. Yesterday, I presented some ideas for farm level reforms.
The following are some of my ideas for the policy level reforms. These ideas are based on the insights gained through numerous interactions with the farmers, organizations and individuals working in rural areas for welfare of the farmers, local administrators etc.
Policy level reforms
Since independence the government has focused on development of industrial infrastructure in the country. It has actively participated in the endeavor through a large number of public sector enterprise; besides offering a myriad tax and other concessions to the private entrepreneurs.
Now, the country has a reasonably strong industrial base. Many of our industries are globally competitive. We have a strong set of entrepreneurs and risk takers.
It is therefore high time when the government should reset its priorities and turn its primary focus on agriculture. To meet this end, the government may consider, as a matter of policy, the following:
1.    Exit all industrial and banking activities.
2.    Actively undertake agricultural activities - develop barren lands; develop water bodies and irrigation facilities; develop and use technology for enhancing productivity; give employment to landless farmers; take risk with new technologies & crops; partner with marginal farmers in consolidating their land and do farming on that land - just the way it undertook industrial activities immediately after independence.
3.    Undertake, on mission basis, the task to re-skill the underemployed farmers and farm labor. The farmers and their family members may be trained as dairy workers, domestic help, nurses, tourist guides, artisans, etc. Expecting construction sector to absorb all surplus farm labor is a bad idea.
4.    Develop at least 5 very large special agri export zones in rocky and desert areas of central and western India and undertake export of farm produce as a commercial activity. These zones may be developed in public, private or joint sector.
5.    Acquire farm assets, especially rice farms, overseas to reduce water intensity of Indian agriculture.
6.    Encourage various states to make bilateral or multilateral agreements for procurement, processing and trading of farm produce and movement of labor within states.
7.    Nationalize all rivers, set up a national water regulator, who shall work out water sharing formula for all states and union territories every three year and maintain adequate provisions for managing droughts. The idea should be to ensure that not a drop of river water flows into sea from India.
It has taken seven decades for Indian industries to reach a stage where the government may consider fully exiting the industrial activities. It may take 2-3 decades for Indian agriculture to reach a stage where the government will be able to exit farming activities completely.
Please note that at this point in time, I am not interested in engaging in debate whether the government's industrial policy was appropriate in the first place. I am also not suggesting nationalization of agriculture sector. I am just saying that the government should undertake the activity on commercial basis to provide the sector with much needed escape velocity in terms of capital, technology, and risk taking capability.
Also read:
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