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THE HINDU: Grand words,
but sobering reality
American President Barack
Obama struck a note of strong optimism this week on his country’s bilateral
engagement with India, emphasising in an interview the steady economic and
strategic convergencethat has occurred between Washington and New Delhi on his
watch.
Indeed, Mr. Obama has held collaborative efforts with the governments of
two Indian Prime Ministers, first Manmohan Singh and now Narendra Modi, to an
even keel. Notwithstanding the periodic diplomatic kerfuffle or policy wrinkle,
most disruptively over Devyani Khobragade’s detention, bilateral bonhomie
has held in areas as diverse as expanding trade and investment, regional and
multilateral cooperation, counterterrorism coordination, military joint
exercises, and most recently, policies to fight climate change. Particularly
with Mr. Modi at the helm, the two countries have steadily added strategic
depth to the bilateral relationship, whether on the Indian Ocean Region, the
Paris climate change agreement, trilateral exchanges with partners such as
Japan, or third-country development projects such as those in the Africa
region. Yet, some uncomfortable, unanswered questions remain in this space, and
they pertain to terrorist attacks in India emanating from across its western
border, to the paralysed civil nuclear agreement, and economic brawls that
could, if unchecked, fuel spiralling hostility.
Major terrorist attacks in
India — respectively in 2001 (the Parliament complex in New Delhi), 2008
(multiple targets in Mumbai) and in 2016 (Air Force Station in Pathankot) —
have opened up a chasm of suspicion between New Delhi and Washington,
frustrating India’s foreign policy mandarins over Islamabad’s perceived
double-game with Washington. While the U.S. President in the interview this
week described the Pathankot attack as “inexcusable”, it is a travesty of
justice that terror masterminds Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Masood
Azhar are not under arrest despite New Delhi submitting evidence of their
complicity. The U.S. administration has leverage over Pakistan in the form of
$13 billion in military aid under the Coalition Support Funds programme, so why
only use words to chastise non-action on this front? Regarding India-U.S. civil
nuclear energy cooperation, Mr. Obama expressed the hope that in the year ahead
there would be deals for American companies to build new reactors; yet it is
hard to see how this would materialise given the insurance conundrum stemming
from India’s Nuclear Liability Law, which provides for legitimate protection in
the event of a nuclear accident. Finally, a troubling question mark hangs over
India, along with China, remaining outside the framework of the U.S.-driven
Trans-Pacific Partnership. Exclusion from this trade framework may result in
Indian firms losing market share to TPP signatories. Add to this the spate of
mini-squabbles that have broken out over intellectual property rights
protection and compulsory licences in India, over visa restrictions in the U.S.
and a host of trade disputes that have reached the World Trade Organisation,
and Mr. Obama’s comment that the bilateral relationship had “absolutely not”
reached its full potential seems perfectly accurate.
so·ber
Make or become sober
after drinking alcohol.
strike
Hit forcibly and
deliberately with one's hand or a weapon or other implement.
keel
The longitudinal
structure along the centerline at the bottom of a vessel's hull, on which the
rest of the hull is built, in some vessels extended downward as a blade or
ridge to increase stability.
ker·fuf·fle
A commotion or fuss,
especially one caused by conflicting views.
wrin·kle
A slight line or fold in
something, especially fabric or the skin of the face.
disruptively
In a disruptive manner
bon·ho·mie
Cheerful friendliness;
geniality.
helm
A tiller or wheel and any
associated equipment for steering a ship or boat.
em·a·nate
(of something abstract
but perceptible) issue or spread out from (a source).
brawl
A rough or noisy fight or
quarrel.
spi·ral
Move in a spiral course.
chasm
A deep fissure in the
earth, rock, or another surface.
trav·es·ty
A false, absurd, or
distorted representation of something.
chas·tise
Rebuke or reprimand
severely.
co·nun·drum
A confusing and difficult
problem or question.
stem
Originate in or be caused
by.
spate
A large number of similar
things or events appearing or occurring in quick succession.
squab·ble
A noisy quarrel about
something petty or trivial.
THE HINDU: A debate beyond
‘clicktivism’
The consultation process set
in motion by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on the issue
of differential pricing of cellular data has set off a full-scale and
no-holds-barred war of words between the authority and Facebook. The spat came
into the public domain last week when TRAI released its e-mail exchanges
with the social networking giant. The telecom regulator is clearly concerned
about the unabashed enthusiasm demonstrated by Facebook to utilise — indeed,
exploit — the consultation process to drum up support for its Free Basics
product. TRAI was scathing in its criticism of Facebook’s high-intensity
lobbying exercise. The regulator minced no words, and accused Facebook of
converting its consultation process into a “crudely majoritarian and
orchestrated opinion poll’’. Also, TRAI is convinced that the campaign by
Facebook to defend its free Internet platform “is wholly misplaced” as the
consultation paper is only on differential pricing for data services and not on
any particular product or service. The social networking giant has been
collating responses from users of its platform, and forwarding them to TRAI.
Somewhere in this process, Facebook felt that somebody with access to the TRAI
e-mail account had blocked the receipt of its e-mails. That accusation was
enough to provoke a confrontation with TRAI. More than anything else, the
stand-off between the two has brought the focus on the efficacy of the
consultation process in an environment where private enterprise is increasingly
gaining greater clout. Also, it raises serious questions on the lobbying
practices followed to shape outcomes in a consultation process, and the
potential impact on policy formulations.
In the Information Age,
where communication enterprises are not just controlling but also redefining
the way we interact, it is imprudent and even risky to let them have a free run
in setting the policy agenda. The right to do business does not automatically
give them the freedom to misuse their platforms to hijack policy initiatives by
swaying public opinion. By means of its action, Facebook clearly has walked
into the ‘conflict of interest’ argument. In the wake of rising support for net
neutrality,Facebook launched a multi-million dollar campaign late last year to
support Free Basics, a re-branded version of its internet.org. How tenable is
it for an interested enterprise like Facebook to play a facilitating role in
the consultation process initiated by TRAI? The ‘template response’ that it has
procured from its users naturally has no articulation on the points made by
TRAI. Moreover, Facebook cannot arrogate to itself the right to represent users
just because they use its platform. The TRAI-Facebook face-off, unfortunately,
has deflected the focus from the real issue: what kind of Internet access will
suit a country like India with over a billion people? A solution must focus on
providing maximum benefit to the poor.
spat
A petty quarrel.
un·a·bashed
Not embarrassed,
disconcerted, or ashamed
ex·ploit
Make full use of and
derive benefit from (a resource).
scath·ing
Witheringly scornful;
severely critical.
lob·by
Seek to influence (a
politician or public official) on an issue.
mince
Cut up or grind (food,
especially meat) into very small pieces, typically in a machine with revolving
blades.
or·ches·trate
Arrange or score (music)
for orchestral performance.
col·late
Collect and combine
(texts, information, or sets of figures) in proper order.
ef·fi·ca·cy
The ability to produce a
desired or intended result.
clout
A heavy blow with the
hand or a hard object
im·pru·dent
Not showing care for the
consequences of an action; rash.
sway
Move or cause to move
slowly or rhythmically backward and forward or from side to side.
ten·a·ble
Able to be maintained or
defended against attack or objection.
de·flect
Cause (something) to
change direction by interposing something; turn aside from a straight course.
BUSINESS STANDARD: The
Republic at 66
Indians may be intrigued and
even proud to see French defence contingents march down Rajpath today, the
first time foreigners have participated in the Republic Day parade. But the
country's leaders may do well to use this annual celebration of the birth of
the Republic to extend their attention beyond the pomp and circumstance of a
two-hour parade. January 26, after all, marks the formal adoption of the
Constitution, an extraordinarily extensive document that sets out the essential
framework for governance and society in India. Critically, the foundation of
this, the world's longest written Constitution, rests on a guarantee to ensure equality
before the law for all Indians, irrespective of caste, religion, race, place of
birth or gender. Sixty-six years on, it is safe to say that Indian society,
aided by Indian politicians, has failed to fulfil that promise.
Nowhere is this better illustrated than in the status of Dalits, an issue currently roiling the public discourse following the suicide of a university student in Hyderabad. Despite several decades of reservations mandated by law in government jobs and aided educational institutions, Dalits remain wilfully marginalised by mainstream society. In contrast to African-Americans, many of whom entered the middle class within a decade of getting the right to vote in the US, survey after survey suggests that Dalits still dominate the universe of grinding poverty below the poverty line. Muslims, too, account for about 13 per cent of the population and also mostly inhabit echelons around and below the poverty line. Over the past two decades, political targeting of this group has only resulted in a growing marginalisation and demonisation to the point when it is possible for, say, religious vigilantes to murder a man for his suspected culinary habits.
The growing polarisation of Dalits and Muslims in Indian society is only one aspect of the discrimination in Indian society. Only a few years ago, northerners in Maharashtra and north-easterners in Bengaluru suffered the ignominy of being hounded out of jobs and homes by xenophobic activists, suggesting that "place of birth" remains an issue for some within the Indian union. If, however, there is one form of discrimination that cuts across Indian society, it is on the basis of gender. Partial results of the fourth National Family Health Survey in 13 states and two Union Territories show that the sex ratio has worsened, a poor reflection of the regressive nature of Indian society. As the sociologist Andre Beteille put it, "Our contemporary life is permeated by the contradiction between the principle of equality and the practice of inequality. This contradiction is particularly marked in India where a Constitution with a strong emphasis on equality confronts the most bewildering variety of inequalities in almost every sphere of life." For a Republic that aspires to a place at the global high table, this is its most inconvenient truth yet
Nowhere is this better illustrated than in the status of Dalits, an issue currently roiling the public discourse following the suicide of a university student in Hyderabad. Despite several decades of reservations mandated by law in government jobs and aided educational institutions, Dalits remain wilfully marginalised by mainstream society. In contrast to African-Americans, many of whom entered the middle class within a decade of getting the right to vote in the US, survey after survey suggests that Dalits still dominate the universe of grinding poverty below the poverty line. Muslims, too, account for about 13 per cent of the population and also mostly inhabit echelons around and below the poverty line. Over the past two decades, political targeting of this group has only resulted in a growing marginalisation and demonisation to the point when it is possible for, say, religious vigilantes to murder a man for his suspected culinary habits.
The growing polarisation of Dalits and Muslims in Indian society is only one aspect of the discrimination in Indian society. Only a few years ago, northerners in Maharashtra and north-easterners in Bengaluru suffered the ignominy of being hounded out of jobs and homes by xenophobic activists, suggesting that "place of birth" remains an issue for some within the Indian union. If, however, there is one form of discrimination that cuts across Indian society, it is on the basis of gender. Partial results of the fourth National Family Health Survey in 13 states and two Union Territories show that the sex ratio has worsened, a poor reflection of the regressive nature of Indian society. As the sociologist Andre Beteille put it, "Our contemporary life is permeated by the contradiction between the principle of equality and the practice of inequality. This contradiction is particularly marked in India where a Constitution with a strong emphasis on equality confronts the most bewildering variety of inequalities in almost every sphere of life." For a Republic that aspires to a place at the global high table, this is its most inconvenient truth yet
in·trigue
Arouse the curiosity or
interest of; fascinate
con·tin·gent
A group of people united
by some common feature, forming part of a larger group.
pomp
Ceremony and splendid
display, especially at a public event.
grind
Reduce (something) to
small particles or powder by crushing it.
ech·e·lon
A level or rank in an
organization, a profession, or society.
vig·i·lan·te
A member of a
self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their
community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are
thought to be inadequate.
dis·crim·i·na·tion
The unjust or prejudicial
treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the
grounds of race, age, or sex.
per·me·ate
Spread throughout
(something); pervade.
con·front
Meet (someone) face to
face with hostile or argumentative intent.
be·wil·der
Cause (someone) to become
perplexed and confused.
INDIAN EXPRESS: In the
hot seat
Even as the Modi government
completes a third of its term in office today, Amit Shah begins a new inning as
the BJP national president. The party heads for elections in Assam,
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puduchery assemblies in the next few
months, after suffering humiliating defeats in Delhi and Bihar. The BJP had
initially sensed a victory in Bihar, only to be outsmarted in strategy and
campaign by Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. Shah’s skills as an organiser and
strategist will be tested in the poll-bound states, especially in Assam where
the BJP has seen spectacular growth and fancies its chances. Success in these
elections will also influence the outcome in the politically crucial state of
Uttar Pradesh, which votes in 2017. Shah’s ascent to power coincided with
Narendra’s Modi’s rise to power.
His election management was
credited as one of the reasons for the BJP’s unprecedented success in the 2014
general election. Wins in Maharashtra and Haryana followed and Shah grew in
influence and stature. The BJP benefited from the momentum derived from the
general election outcome and anti-incumbency in these states. Delhi marked the
tapering of the upward curve. The success in Jammu and Kashmir apart,
the party and the government have not had much to celebrate in recent times.
The economic slowdown, agrarian distress and controversies triggered by fringe
groups and second-rung leaders have overshadowed the politics of hope Modi
wishes to ride. With Modi’s leadership unchallenged, Shah could become the fall
guy if the party falters. The evident discontent among party seniors towards
his leadership could spread in the event of more electoral failures. In his
last term, Shah talked about a Congress-mukt Bharat and started an
aggressive campaign to make the BJP the largest cadre party in the world. The
party claims membership has risen from 30 million to 110 million under Shah’s
watch. But can he transform this large flock into a disciplined political force
that can win elections? And, can he do so without falling back on emotive
slogans or divisive campaigns? The party’s attempts to broadbase its cadre and
build a unified Hindu vote-bank threaten to unravel in the face of India’s
social and regional diversity. The ideological moorings of the Sangh Parivar
are also at variance with the aspirations of the youth who do not wish to be
tied down to tradition at the risk of losing out the gains from a modern
economy. While Shah’s long-term challenge is to enable the BJP’s transition to
a party of governance, his immediate task is to craft state-specific campaigns
for the assembly polls. A national political template or an overtly centralised
campaign may not necessarily work in an assembly election, as Bihar showed.
out·smart
Defeat or get the better
of (someone) by being clever or cunning.
spec·tac·u·lar
Beautiful in a dramatic
and eye-catching way.
fan·cy
Feel a desire or liking
for.
as·cent
A climb or walk to the
summit of a mountain or hill.
un·prec·e·dent·ed
Never done or known
before.
stat·ure
A person's natural
height.
in·cum·ben·cy
The holding of an office
or the period during which one is held.
ta·per
Diminish or reduce or
cause to diminish or reduce in thickness toward one end.
fal·ter
Start to lose strength or
momentum.
dis·con·tent
Lack of contentment;
dissatisfaction with one's circumstances.
un·rav·el
Undo (twisted, knitted,
or woven threads).
overtly
In an overt manner;
"he did it overtly"
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