The first lesson of development economics is that economic policies matter. Even if a country has everything going for it, lack of good policies condemn it to poverty. So it is easy to believe that if only good policies were known to those in power, economic development would necessarily follow. My good friend, the globe-trotting adventurer and consultant to capitalists, Utsav Mitra, brought that lesson to mind in a recent twitter exchange on my timeline. As a student of development, I have written a bit over the years on the matter and Utsav refers to it in a tweet which is embedded below.
Continue reading “Three Lessons of Development Economics, or Why Utsav Mitra is Mistaken”
Hauled from the archives: The Three-ring Anti-corruption Circus is in Town
Below the fold I quote a bit from the start of that post to lure the reader into the tent.
Continue reading “Hauled from the archives: The Three-ring Anti-corruption Circus is in Town”
Why a Vote for the AAP is a vote for the Congress
I don’t usually argue with people’s claims about their objectives but once in a while when I see a claim that is absurdly irrational, I cannot but call bullshit. So it was that I (perhaps irrationally) decided to challenge a person’s stated objective. Here’s what @ReclaimBharat’s twitter header says:
I responded. Here is a picture of that twitter exchange.
Continue reading “Why a Vote for the AAP is a vote for the Congress”
The Iron Lady who Fought for Freedom
“Freedom, freedom, freedom . . . Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, A long way from my home,” sang Richie Havens at Woodstock. Lots of people struggle for freedom. What are they seeking freedom from? From other people. We have to remember this: People need to leave other people alone. Do what you will and don’t impose your will on others. That should be the totality of the law.
Below the fold, the text of my recent column at NitiCentral.com, “The Iron Lady who Fought for Freedom.” But first here’s Richie Havens in 2009 singing that song which he sang in the 1969 music festival held on Yasgur’s farm near Woodstock, NY.
After 40 years, the man still retains his voice. Watch him at Woodstock here.
Rediff Ballot: Who should be India’s next PM?
Go click on the poll at rediff.
I am guessing that the numbers for Modi will drop and Pappu’s number improve on the rediff poll. The #twitterNREGA people have yet to get on the ball.
Another Idiot Pinning Terror on the Poor
Most people realize after a little bit of observing and thinking that terrorism is not a matter of poverty. In most cases, the terrorists themselves proclaim their motives quite loudly which does not ever include poverty. The poor may have legitimate grievances against the others but they don’t resort to the indiscriminate killing of people as a result. Every act of terror is ideologically motivated and in most cases it is an intolerant vicious desert religion which promises terrorists rewards in their afterlife. But there are people who are either afraid or too stupid to acknowledge that; instead they blame poverty — and therefore the poor — for terrorism. That is insanely immoral.
Continue reading “Another Idiot Pinning Terror on the Poor”
QUOTE: Stanley Kubrick “However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.”
The complete quote appears below:
Continue reading “QUOTE: Stanley Kubrick “However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.””
Hey, Congress, Leave that Pappu Alone
So the big news is that the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) had a meeting which was addressed by the appointed prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the son of his Italian madam, the half-Italian Mr. Raul Vinci who goes by the name Rahul Gandhi.
Referring to Raul/Rahul as “Pappu” is becoming popular. The name pappu (pronounced ‘pup-poo’) has a passing resemblance to ‘puppy’ but in many parts of north India, pappu is a term of endearment used for very immature little boys. Continue reading “Hey, Congress, Leave that Pappu Alone”
The IITs are not really what they are cracked up to be
It is time once again to lay that old chestnut to rest. The specious claim that the IITs are better than some of the best universities in the world is beyond slack-jawed silliness. I am reminded of that by this tweet by my friend @KiranKS
Continue reading “The IITs are not really what they are cracked up to be”
India Policy Institute Conference-workshop on India’s Governance Apr 13-14th, New Delhi
Sanjeev Sabhlok, Exec Dir of India Policy Institute, is having a conference on “How can India’s governance become world class?” in New Delhi on 13-14th April. Shri Gurcharan Das will give the inaugural address and Sanjeev Sabhlok will present the keynote address. Details are here (pdf). Who should attend?
All Indian citizens who want to learn about good governance principles and practices which are commonplace in the West, but almost entirely absent in India, are a suitable audience for this conference. Participants will learn about a range of intuitive (and some not-so-intuitive) solutions to India’s problems, enabling them to directly address such issues if they have a direct capacity to implement such solutions, or demand that such issues be addressed in India.
I regret that I won’t be able to attend as I am not in New Delhi on those dates. I wish IPI and Sanjeev great success in the event and the mission that he is on.
Atanu Dey : Life is a Random Draw 