Hello government calling

Helping the poor is a complex  balancing act between tolerating the fiscal cost of leakages to ineligible persons and the social cost of a perception of inequity because of unfair exclusion of eligible persons. A similar amount as dole for all poor households (the new politically correct term for a “cash transfer”) irrespective of their […]

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The secret of the price of onions

Can democracy and public secrecy go together. It does in the USA, as Julian established and so i suppose we are doomed to accept it in India too. This is despite the much championed RTI…..a legislation which is as hollow as a bansuri (flute) but sounds as sweet. The government is effectively answerable only to […]

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Say no to the rule of the old

India looks its age at 66. Tired, despondent, shambolic, spiritless. Odd for a country where 50% of its population is below 15 and another 40% below 54 years of age. Part of the explanation is we die young of malnutrition, poor health care and (believe it or not snake bite) but the main reason is […]

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Invite the Dragon in

Indian trade diplomacy has an alarming tendency to score a self goal. Our approach to China is like that of a chimpanzee thumping its chest to imitate a gorilla. It is delusionary for India to think it can compete with China in what it is already an expert: the supply of manufacturers at affordable prices. […]

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Indian Rabudom and Baniagiri

Is India a land of Banias or Rajas, Babus and bonded labourers (the latter collectively termed “Rabudom”)? The anglo-west is clearly a land of banias (service with a smile, anything to improve the bottom line, everyone tries to work) as is China and East Asia.  South Asia (including India) and Africa are still caught in […]

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Rich moms could be role models

We have a choice to make, as India grows rich. Should we glorify the path of escalating consumption levels as the mantra of economic growth or the Gandhian concept of “self restraint” as the root of sustainabile growth. Man is the only animal which consumes relentlessly. In the West the poor are obese because fatty […]

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Religions need to talk to each other

Ironical that border skirmishes happen with Pakistan and Indian soldiers get killed a day or two before Eid. Coincidence or carefully planned (?) to raise Hindu anger in India and possible induce mob reprisals against Indian Muslims in the holy period. Luckily for us, political maturity has prevailed and Eid will pass off as it […]

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