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THE HINDU

6 Saturday, June 1, 2024

Editorial Delhi

Heat-baked Chennai can set an example for India


T
he year 2023 was by far the hottest Authority (CMDA) has recently commissioned the dioxide emissions and assist moving towards a
ever according to a recent World preparation of presumably more detailed heat “net zero” future.
Presidential felony Meteorological Organization (WMO)
report. Global average temperatures
maps than what are available now. While awaiting
more localised planning and actions, several On the use of air-conditioners, energy saving
Trump’s legal travails could polarise reached 1.45° C higher than pre-industrial levels, broad brush measures may be readily thought of A less understood factor behind UHI is waste heat
almost touching the 1.5° C limit set in the Paris and implemented. The Chennai Climate Action from air-conditioning. In Chennai, as in other
public discourse ahead of U.S. election Agreement. Scientists predict that 2024 could be D. Raghunandan Plan (CCAP) offers several meaningful suggestions Indian metros, roughly 50% of electricity
similar. With global emissions still growing, including those discussed here, albeit scattered consumption during summer is for

D
onald Trump is now the first ever former is Climate Change
U.S. President to become a convicted fe- climate impacts are worsening. Heatwaves are Lead, Inhaf under different sections. In our view, they air-conditioning alone, which vent heat out. The
lon after a New York state jury returned a sweeping through the Indian sub-continent. And, ClimACT-Chennai underestimate causative factors and, therefore, more the UHI, the greater the use of
guilty verdict for all 34 charges in the case relat- more hotter and longer-lasting heat waves are remedial measures and targets. air-conditioning, generating even more heat in a
ing to hush money that he paid to adult film actor being predicted in the years to come. nasty feedback loop. It is estimated that moving
Stormy Daniels in 2016. Mr. Trump has thus been A study and findings towards more energy-efficient (EE)
found guilty not only of the relatively less serious The reality of the urban heat island Our study on Chennai and climate change (see air-conditioning, through a combination of
charge of falsifying business records — which In cities, this problem is exacerbated by a Proposed Action Plan under mandates for the purchase of five-star or split EE
stemmed from the $1,30,000 reimbursement phenomenon termed the Urban Heat Island (UHI) www.inhaf.org/climact) looks at UHI as one air-conditioners and incentives for the exchange
that he settled with his former lawyer Michael effect. Temperatures in large, crowded urban among several inter-linked multi-dimensional of older air-conditioners for new EE units (as
Cohen after the payout to Ms. Daniels following settings can be several degrees higher than in Bindhu Bhuma issues. Our major findings and recommendations offered by the electricity distributor in Delhi, to
their alleged affair in 2006 — but also the damag- surrounding rural areas, and even hotter at night. are discussed here. reduce peak load, a win-win for distributor and
was formerly Project
ing charge of election fraud linked to his attempt Concrete structures and tarmac roads retain heat Increasing green cover, obviously, tops the list. consumer), could reduce UHI by as much as 1.5°
Associate, Inhaf
to hide such information from voters on the eve which stays trapped inside this “urban bubble” ClimACT-Chennai
Green areas such as urban forests, large greens C.
of the 2016 election. The judge has set sentencing along with air pollutants. A lack of green spaces and parks, avenue and other trees, even lawns, Cities such as Shanghai and Seoul have
for July 11, just ahead of the Republican National and waste heat from air conditioners and other release moisture which evaporates and cools the reported a significant reduction in UHI through
Convention in Milwaukee, where party leaders machinery add to the UHI. environs. Well-distributed green areas also such strategies. Several east Asian cities have in
are expected to nominate Mr. Trump as their can- Chennai, a coastal city, is affected by yet influence local micro-climate, reduce air addition mandated other energy-saving measures
didate for the presidential race. While the charge another feature which is cause for worry. pollution, and promote health and well being. for air-conditioning such as having a thermostat
of falsifying business records is punishable by po- Humidity reduces the cooling effect of Tree-lined and shaded walkways and tracks setting of 25° C in offices and commercial
tentially four years in prison, at the sentencing perspiration, leading to a person experiencing an provide pedestrians, cyclists and itinerant buildings. Energy savings can also accrue from
hearing it is likely that, considering Mr Trump’s elevated body temperature, debilitating heat workers shelter from the blazing sun, and also switching off air-conditioners (and other
age of 77 years, the lack of a previous conviction stress, exhaustion, and even a potentially fatal encourage non-motorised transportation. With appliances) from the mains rather than by remote
and non-violent nature of the crimes, the judge heat stroke. such multiple benefits, green areas are control (this leaves appliances on low
may simply impose a fine or probation. Although As shown by available heat maps, the UHI in considered essential for sustainable urban power-consuming stand-by mode). Greater
the allegations in three other criminal indict- Chennai adds between 2° to 4° C to temperatures development by UN Habitat, which recommends consciousness about climate change would
ments that he faces, relating to federal and state in nearby rural areas. So, when the maximum that green spaces be available for all citizens undoubtedly help but savings of roughly 25% on
charges of interference in the 2020 election, and temperature is 40° C elsewhere, parts of Chennai within 400 metres from their residence. electricity charges, would also act as a powerful
the mishandling of classified documents, carry could register between 42° to 44° C. Under high Regrettably, Chennai has among the lowest driver of change.
more severe sentences, those cases are bogged humidity conditions, wet-bulb temperature percentage of green cover of all the metros in Further, if buildings are better insulated and
down in appeals and are unlikely to enter the trial (indicating the extent to which evaporation can India. The area under the Corporation is greener, ventilated, and constructed using appropriate
phase before the November 5 election. take place and facilitate cooling) of around 38.5° with promising initiatives such as “miyawaki designs and materials according to “green”
Under the U.S. constitution, the only condi- C is considered by the World Health Organization forests”, although questions remain about the building codes, they would require less
tions that presidential candidates would have to to be “near the limits of human survivability”. species planted. However, the expansion of the air-conditioning and generate less waste heat.
meet to seek election to the Oval Office are that In India, a heatwave is officially declared in city has heavily depleted green areas and Total energy savings could then rise to roughly
they must be a natural born citizen, be at least 35 coastal areas when the maximum temperatures waterbodies. 40%-50% and reduce UHI by, say, around 3° C.
years old, and must have been a U.S. resident for are over 37° C and 4.5° C above normal. Clearly, Varied figures are cited for green cover in the There would also be a significant co-benefit — of
at least 14 years. In this context, the New York with an UHI, heatwave conditions are quite easily larger Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) emissions reduction from thermal power plants
conviction does not bar Mr. Trump from continu- breached in Chennai. The effects could be much depending on the assessment methodology. But in Chennai.
ing his run as a presidential candidate. Further, it worse, even dangerous, when compared to an estimated 12% appears reasonable (subject to Having permeable pavings and walkways using
is possible that, even if he is sentenced to time in inland, rural areas. correction), compared to an estimated over 20% alternative materials, increased shrubbery along
prison in one or more of the criminal cases, he India has national, State and even some in Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. The sidewalks, berms and dividers, and reflective
could govern from behind bars. The more trou- district-level Heat Action Plans (HAP) to reduce densely populated city-state of Singapore has an paint on roofs, walls and streets, are other
bling question relates to the polarising effect that morbidity and mortality, especially among the astounding 47% under green cover. Many measures to reduce UHI. A sharp reduction in
his legal travails might have on the public dis- vulnerable poor, infants and the elderly. The European cities have green cover that is well over personal vehicles (most four-wheelers have
course. Reports are suggesting that the guilty ver- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) The city is one the EU norm of 30%. powerful engines and airconditioners), through a
dict appears to be “… helping to unify the Repu- Guidelines, which are being upgraded, and those of the few to Congested, poorly ventilated localities and rapid scaling-up of effective public transport with
blican Party’s disparate factions as GOP officials of several States, outline measures to deal with have adopted a informal settlements of the urban poor suffer the electric buses, would be another major
across the political spectrum rallied behind their heatwaves including early warning bulletins, and Climate Action most from UHI and would benefit from green contribution.
embattled presumptive presidential nominee…” staggered work hours at outdoor construction Plan but there areas, parks and waterbodies that are nearby. The Chennai is one of a very few cities in India to
Equally, poll surveys in swing States earlier this sites, with shaded areas and temporary shelters, Master Plan III should provide for inviolable have adopted a Climate Action Plan, but there is
is scope for
year had suggested that 53% of voters would not and strategic provisioning of drinking water and green areas and local parks with equitable access. considerable scope for improvement. The city
oral rehydration salts. Besides such post facto much Rough estimates indicate that increasing green and its residents should utilise this opportunity to
vote for Mr. Trump if any of his criminal cases re-
sulted in a conviction. November 2024 might be responses to heatwaves, longer term measures improvement cover in the CMA to a well-distributed 25% could ensure long-term policies and measures to cool
the best and final opportunity that American vo- are needed to deal with UHI and reduce urban towards better significantly reduce UHI by about 1.5° C or more. the city, improve liveability, and set an example
ters will have to decide on whether, after all, they heat. The Chennai Metropolitan Development liveability This could also absorb around 10% of its carbon for the rest of India.
consider Mr. Trump fit to lead their nation.

Splash back
Private rocket flights herald prospects
An Odisha fortress and a hard electoral battle
more valuable than commercial fortune

I
n modern India, no other political party has attention. In interviews to the media, an is why their speeches in the campaign had

O
n May 30, a start-up named Agnikul Cos- been as consistently aggressive as the otherwise reticent Mr. Patnaik has often evocations of ‘Jai Jagannath’.
mos successfully conducted the first test Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been described the BJP to be a communal party, but Several commentators, which includes Mr.
flight of its rocket ‘Agnibaan’ in a mission election after election in its campaign to expand has never defined his secular politics and Modi, are baffled by how Mr. Patnaik, despite not
called ‘Suborbital Tech Demonstrator’ (SOrTeD). its social base to all corners of India including positioning against the BJP. Most of the time, and being well-versed with even elementary Odiya
The flight was Agnikul’s fifth attempt after the Odisha. Not surprisingly, the State has witnessed despite being the Odisha chief minister for five language, has been able to govern Odisha for so
first four were called off owing to suboptimal a campaign blitzkrieg by the BJP’s tall leaders, Shaikh Mujibur terms, long. Odisha has had the distinction of many
launch conditions. ‘Agnibaan’ is a two-stage, 14- which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi Rehman Mr. Patnaik has behaved like an astute firsts. It was the first State in India to have been
tonne launch vehicle designed to lift small satel- who addressed a few meetings just a couple of is the author of pragmatist and never nurtured national created on the basis of language. There was a
lites to low-earth orbits. Both stages are powered days before May 13, the first phase of elections in ‘Shikwa-e-Hind: The ambitions like many an Opposition Chief Minister separate Odisha movement which was triggered
by bespoke semi-cryogenic engines. The test Odisha. Political Future of elsewhere. by a Bengali writer, who wrote ‘Odiya ekta Bhasha
flight flew a ‘minimal’ version of the rocket with With a consistent decline in its social base, Indian Muslims’ (2024) In his long rule of 25 years, there was the Naye (Odiya is not a language’). The separate
one engine (or stage). Notably, many of the vehi- with nine seats out of 147 (Assembly seats) and and teaches at Jamia shadow of two super Chief Ministers: Pyari Odisha movement was led by Madhusudan Das.
cle’s components, including the engines, are 3D- one in Parliament in the 2019 elections, the Millia Central Mohan Mohapatra, till they fell out, and now V.K. Mr. Patnaik has pulled along because he is the
printed, and Agnikul has said it will be able to Congress party, traditionally a dominant force, University, New Delhi Pandian who is leading the 2024 campaign. The son of Biju Patnaik, who, for many, is an iconic
build one rocket a month. With the test flight, Ag- has now become an insignificant player. On the BJD’s decision in 2009 to end the alliance with Oriya hero and epitome of Oriya nationalism.
nikul took ‘Agnibaan’ on its first steps towards be- other hand, the BJP’s voteshare is at 38.4%, the BJP was taken by Pyari Mohan Mahapatra. Those who are familiar with Biju Patnaik’s life
ing a full-fledged launch vehicle, which will ex- winning eight out of 21 seats in the 2019 Those who compare Mr. Patnaik’s style of during the 1940s and 1950s and his role in the
pand India’s commercial launch services offering parliamentary election, while the ruling Biju governance with Mr. Modi’s Gujarat days (when Second World War or in the Indonesian freedom
in keeping with the expanding market for small Janata Dal (BJD) led by Naveen Patnaik has 42.8%, Mr. Modi was the Chief Minister there), need to struggle at the behest of Jawaharlal Nehru, would
satellites and the services they can provide. The winning 12 seats. In the 2019 Assembly elections, recognise the point that Mr. Modi never had a be in awe of his stature. Given his contribution to
roster is currently dominated by the Polar Satel- the voteshare of the BJP was 32.49 % and that of super Chief Minister. the anti-Emergency movement in 1977 or his role
lite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and will soon be the BJD, 44.71%, respectively. Clearly, the gap in the installation of the V.P. Singh government in
joined by the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, both between the two parties is closing with each No foothold for polarisation 1989, the description of his life as ‘dare-devil’
of the Indian Space Research Organisation (IS- election. For the BJP, the Hindu-Muslim polarisation pilot (a line in The New York Times’s obituary)
RO). One blip Agnikul will have to address is the strategy barely works in Odisha. At roughly would be clearly inadequate.
subpar communication of the parameters of the Odisha’s leader around 2%, the Muslim population is insignificant
test flight. This is one area in which ISRO has not For years, Mr. Patnaik maintained that the BJD’s and lives in a few clusters such as Cuttack, The road ahead
distinguished itself and it is important for new policy has been to keep an equi-distance from the Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Sungra. In Odisha, out The BJP’s campaign this time has been far more
space startups to steer clear of the same mould. BJP and the Congress. But his party has The poll battle of the 147 Assembly seats, not a single Assembly aggressive compared to what it was in 2014 and
This said, the flights of ‘Agnibaan’ — and Sky- conducted itself more as a loyal coalition partner in Odisha could constituency is Muslim majority. Yet, during the 2019. It means the BJP will see a rise in vote
root’s ‘Vikram’ in 2022 — herald two prospects to the Modi government than being independent. be tough for 1980s and 1990s, there were four Muslim MLAs, share, but how it would translate into seats is
more valuable than commercial fortune. ISRO Further, the two parties did have discussions to Naveen Patnaik who served as Ministers under the Congress and hard to predict. Naveen babu, as Mr. Patnaik is
and/or scientists trained there have shared tech- jointly fight the 2024 election, but it did not work Janata party governments. But there have been called, is likely to return as Chief Minister, but
with the BJP’s
nical know-how and provided physical systems out. Set up in 1997, the BJD did have an alliance none in Mr. Patnaik’s tenure. there could be the sword of Damocles — of
for many private missions, which these startups with the BJP that ended prior to the 2009 aggressive plan Additionally, the cult of Jagannath that has instability — that might hang over his head. Given
are now testing, cutting short the time and ex- elections — the reason being the role of Hindutva for a decisive been central to Odiya identity has restrained the the BJP’s hunger for power, Odisha might go the
penses required. Likewise, these startups are right groups in the anti-Christian violence in electoral Ram Mandir movement. Mr. Modi, Amit Shah and Maharashtra way, creating conditions for the
poised now to light the way for ISRO and others, Kandhamal in 2008 that received global presence J.P. Nadda appear to have recognised this, which BJP’s hegemony.
potentially accelerating innovation in the sector.
For example, ISRO has been testing a semi-cryo-
genic engine of its own that could draw from les- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
sons learnt at Agnikul. The government must en-
sure that the corresponding bureaucratic and Mediation election! This is the sacred act usually practised Trump and guilty verdict across the world. than ever before to keep
legal frameworks encourage the free flow of The Prime Minister significant difference. Many in solitude. What is The verdict, that former U.S G. David Milton, tobacco products out of the
knowledge. Second, in April, ISRO said it had de- Narendra Modi, on tapas at political parties have rightly happening at President Donald Trump is Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu reach of our youth. Maybe a
veloped engine nozzles made of a carbon-carbon the Vivekananda rock objected before the Election Kanniyakumari appears to guilty in the hush-money catchy slogan such as
composite to replace the Columbium alloy noz- memorial during the last Commission of India that be the antithesis of the true case, has shown that no A good campaign “Quitters always win –
zles on the PSLV’s fourth stage. The switch in- phase of the general the ‘mediation move’ goes concept of meditation. one is above the law. But The photograph of an art winners always quit” can
creased PSLV’s payload capacity by 15 kg — a sig- election, is ‘significant’ against constitutional Ironically, the top leader has still, Donald Trump is installation depicting giant help in the fight against
nificant amount for an already technologically news. Perhaps, it is to principles because secular delivered some of the most popular and many cigarettes outside a Mumbai cigarette smoking. Cigarette
mature launch vehicle, made possible by educa- consolidate his political credentials expect you to divisive speeches this Americans think that he is hospital, in the context of smoking is a social menace.
tion and research opportunities that allowed gains. Vivekananda was a keep religion and politics country has seen, but is fit for the office of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ And, if smokers are
know-how accrued in some sectors to disperse in saint who was not a part of apart. sitting in a memorial built in President. (Some editions, “Yearly unconcerned about their
others. This privilege is currently most pro- politics. N.G.R. Prasad, honour of one of the world’s Clearly, he is at the reminder”, May 31), was own health, let them not
nounced in India’s spacefaring enterprise. As One cannot say this about Chennai greatest proponents of centre-stage of American catchy. For long, tobacco harm the health of
more innovation enters the fray, it is hoped that the top leader as he has communal harmony. politics. In any case, has been one of the leading non-smokers.
the resulting solutions and insights will benefit filed his nomination in Meditation has always been Ratheesh Chandran, Trump’s is a story that is, no causes of deaths worldwide. R. Sivakumar,
everything, from aerospace to zoology. Varanasi for the general considered as a solemn, Thiruvalla, Kerala doubt, widely followed Therefore, it is more critical Chennai
CM A ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Saturday, June 1, 2024 7
GROUND ZERO
Delhi

We are dissatisfied with the way the


administration handled the incident. There is
a loss of faith among the people of Pune in
the authorities. We felt that the matter would
be hushed up and the accused would get
away. That is why we held press conferences,
visited the site, and put up posters.
DRAYSON DIXON
Vice-chair of Team Swacch Kalyani Nagar

ment (of which Kalyani Nagar is a part) was pre-


sent at the Yerawada police station where the mi-
nor was brought after the crash.
Tingre, who belongs to the Nationalist Con-
gress Party (Ajit Pawar), denied that he tried to
exert pressure on the police. Writing on X, he
said, “On Sunday around 3 a.m., my workers
called to inform me that there was a major acci-
dent in my constituency. Also, my acquaintance
Vishal Agarwal called and told me that his son
had met with an accident... As a responsible pu-
blic representative, I went to the spot...and then
to Yerawada Police Station...I told them to take
appropriate action and left the police station. I
did not put any pressure on the police.”
On May 20, Congress workers staged a protest
at the Yerawada police station demanding justice
for the victims. Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar,
who was spearheading the campaign, says: “If we
along with the residents of Pune did not raise our
voice, the police would not have arrested the ac-
cused. The investigating officer and the police in-
spector, due to their callousness, allowed the ac-
cused to go free. Which criminal is served pizza
and burgers at a police station immediately after
murdering two innocent people? Why was his
blood sample taken only 11 hours after the acci-
dent? The CCTV footage from the restro-bars
where the accused partied, Yerawada Police Sta-
tion, and Sassoon General Hospital should be re-
The car involved in the incident is seen at the Yerawada Police Station in Pune. EMMANUAL YOGINI leased in the public domain.”
Dhangekar also accused the State Excise De-
sample with another person’s blood sample. partment of collecting bribes ranging between

A speeding car, two


The doctors at Sassoon admitted to switching ₹78 lakh and ₹2.5 crore from illegal pubs. “We
the samples. The police arrested Dr. Halnor, Dr. want Pune to remain an education hub. We don’t
Taware, and a staff member, Atul Ghatkamble, want this pub culture,” he says.
on May 27. Dr. Halnor has been dismissed from On May 26, the Congress’s youth wing in Pune
service and Dr. Taware and Dr. Ghatkamble have organised an essay writing competition at the site
been suspended. They also recovered ₹3 lakh — of the crash. The topics included ‘My favourite

deaths, and a cover-up ₹2.5 lakh from Dr. Halnor and ₹50,000 from Dr.
Ghatkamble. The Maharashtra government has
sent the dean of Sassoon General Hospital, Dr. Vi-
nayak Kale, on leave for not taking the matter of
the tampering of samples seriously.
car’, ‘If my father was a builder’, and ‘Ill effects of
alcohol’. About 100 people participated.
After the lapses in the case came to light, Sona-
li Tanpure, wife of the Nationalist Congress Party
(Sharad Pawar) MLA and former Maharashtra mi-
In the early hours of May 19, the teenage son of a wealthy and influential realtor in Pune was allegedly at the wheel A friend of the accused, who was in the car nister Prajakt Tanpure, accused the 17-year-old
with him that night, has admitted to the Pune accused of being a bully in school. In a post on X,
of a speeding car that killed two young techies. The Juvenile Justice Board granted him bail quickly, which caused Crime Branch that the minor was at the wheel at Tanpure wrote, “This boy...was my son’s class-
a furore. Since then, the police investigation has revealed how the boy’s family, the police, and doctors came the time of the incident. He also said that the boy mate in school. He along with his group of friends
had consumed alcohol before driving the car. used to harass my son...Despite complaining to
together to protect him. Purnima Sah and Shoumojit Banerjee report on the twists and turns of the case On May 22, the police arrested Vishal and his the school and his parents about his bullying na-
father, Surendra Kumar Agarwal, 77, after the fa- ture, nothing really changed for my son. We
mily’s driver, Gangaram, gave a statement that he eventually had to change the school for the sake
hen Rajeshwari Lakhani, 66, granted the minor bail with certain conditions: had been kidnapped and forced to say that he of our son’s mental health...Only if his parents ad-

W woke up to a loud sound in the


early hours of May 19 in Pune,
she thought a metro wagon had
fallen from the bridge outside. It was between
2.30 and 3.00 a.m. when Lakhani staggered out.
If those
careless rich
parents had
that he work with the Yerawada traffic police for
15 days, write a 300-word essay on the accident,
get treatment to quit drinking, and seek psychia-
tric counselling. Two days later, following a pu-
blic outcry over these conditions, the JJB can-
was driving the car at the time of the incident.
The two men were charged under Sections 365
(kidnapping) and 368 (wrongfully concealing or
confining a person who has been kidnapped) of
the Indian Penal Code.
dressed such issues...when he was younger, such
an incident would not have happened.”
On May 27, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister
and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis lauded
the police action while speaking to reporters.
“People were crowded around a car,” she recalls. celled the bail and remanded the boy to an The police say the boy and his friends first “The matter is extremely serious. The police took
not given
“The car had hit five people as well as a couple of observation home until June 5. Kumar said the went to Blak, where CCTV footage shows them proper action when they realised something was
cars parked on the street.” their spoiled police have moved a sessions court again with drinking, and then to Cosie. Apart from Vishal, wrong with the blood samples of the accused and
The side of the luxury car was bent and dam- son that car, the plea to try the boy as an adult. the owners of the two pubs, the managers, and that it had been replaced. They exposed this rack-
aged and the windshield was smashed. Lakhani my daughter Amid the outrage, various Opposition leaders an employee have been booked under Sections et and arrested the doctors who were involved.
learned later that the car had rammed into a mo- would have alleged that the accused was fed pizza and burg- 75 (wilful neglect of a child) and 77 (supplying a The police department will not stop until it gets
torbike, killing two people — Anish Awadhiya, the been alive ers at the police station. Kumar denied these child with intoxicating liquor or drugs) of the Ju- to the bottom of this case,” he said.
rider, and his friend, Ashwini Koshta. today. allegations. venile Justice Act. The legal age for drinking in But the Maharashtra Congress has demanded
The two Information Technology profession- “Assistant Police Inspector Vishwanath Todka- Maharashtra is 25. Fadnavis’ resignation alleging that a Minister and
MAMATA
als, both 24 years old, were on their way home af- KOSHTA ri arrived at the scene and informed Inspector Drayson Dixon, vice-chair of Team Swacch Ka- an MLA of the ruling Mahayuti government had
ter an impromptu dinner with some friends. Mother of Rahul Jagdale about the incident. Despite the se- lyani Nagar, a registered society that works on “pressured” doctors at the Sassoon Hospital to
While Koshta died on the spot, Awadhiya died on Ashwini Koshta verity of the accident, the officers failed to report civic and social issues of the neighbourhood, says manipulate the blood samples.
the way to the hospital, say residents of Kalyani the details to the police control room or higher the authorities were forced to act only because of On May 29, the Maharashtra Women and Child
Nagar, an affluent, residential neighbourhood in officials,” Kumar said. In fatal accident cases, it is sustained protests. “We are deeply dissatisfied Development Commissioner set up a four-person
Pune, where the crash occurred. mandatory to inform the Deputy Commissioner with the way the administration handled the inci- committee to investigate the actions of the two
The scene on the street, which is usually full of of Police, but the officers did not follow protocol, dent. There is a loss of faith among the people of JJB members and examine whether proper pro-
partygoers, was chaotic. Lakhani says the crowd Kumar said. On May 24, the Police Commissioner Pune in the authorities, including the police and cedures were followed when bail was granted to
pulled out four people from the car — a boy who suspended both the officers. doctors. We felt that the matter would be hushed the minor accused.
was allegedly at the wheel, a man who she later Fabian Samson, who served as a police inspec- up and the accused would get away. That is why State Congress president Nana Patole has de-
learned works for his family as a driver, and his tor for 36 years in Pune and is now retired, be- we held press conferences, visited the site, paid manded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investi-
two friends — and began beating up the teenager. lieves that the suspension of the officers was un- homage to the victims, and put up posters. Then, gation. He has alleged that the son of a ruling par-
The police arrived within a few minutes and took just. “It is impossible for junior officers to take Pune woke up,” he says. ty MLA was with the accused in the car on the
the boy to the Yerawada police station. Many wit- certain decisions, especially in a serious accident night of the incident. “Many things are hidden in
nesses described him as “drunk”. Awadhiya’s like this where two people died. I do not believe A leading developer in Pune this case. Who is the Minister and the MLA who
friend, Akib Ramzan Mulla, 24, a resident of that the DCP was not informed. The call details The Agarwals have been running their real estate pressured Dr. Ajay Taware to change the samples
Pune, lodged a First Information Report (FIR). records should be checked,” says Fabian, who business for four decades under the banner of of the accused?” Patole said at a press
More than a week after the incident, the spot raises awareness about alcohol and drug addi- Bramha. BramhaCorp, one of the leading deve- conference.
outside Lakhani’s apartment is full of flowers, tion in Pune. lopers in Pune, has set up luxury hotels such as He also targeted Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pa-
candles, and posters demanding justice. If the Investigations show that there were efforts Sheraton Grand, Le Meridien, Mahabaleshwar war, who is the guardian minister of Pune dis-
law had taken its course, the case would have not made to prove that the accused was not drunk. Resort and Spa, and Residency Club, along with trict, for allegedly shielding those involved in the
hit the headlines every day since. Instead, what On May 19, at 11 a.m., the minor’s blood sample several residential, leisure, and commercial spac- case. “Illegal pubs are rampant in Pune and Nag-
followed the incident shocked the country. An was taken to Sassoon General Hospital. The pol- es in posh localities such as Kalyani Nagar, Pune pur. After this case, 36 illegal pubs in Pune had to
uproar on social media and protests on the ice later found that the boy’s father Vishal had Camp, Bavdhan, Belewadi, and Budhwar Peth. be demolished by authorities. Earlier, in Nagpur,
streets of Pune forced the authorities to probe called Dr. Ajay Taware, head of the Forensic Med- Post COVID-19, Vishal started a separate ven- two girls from wealthy families had mowed down
the case. The investigations have revealed elabo- icine Department at the hospital, 14 times bet- ture called Bramha Realty and Infrastructure Pvt. two youths in a case of drunken driving. They got
rate attempts by the family, the police, and doc- ween 8.30 and 10.40 before the blood sample Ltd. His wife Shivani also joined the business. bail within 10 hours. In Jalgaon, too, a similar
tors to cover-up the crime involving a minor who was collected. As per their investigation, Dr. Ta- They have been primarily involved in residential case was reported and an attempt was made to
belongs to a wealthy and influential family in ware asked Dr. Shrihari Halnor, the hospital’s projects. Vishal, Shivani, and Surendra Kumar save the accused,” he said.
Pune. Chief Medical Officer, to switch the minor’s blood are associated with at least three real estate com- The State government has also formed a three-
panies, as per the disclosures made by the family member panel in the wake of the arrest of the
The elaborate cover-up to the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Auth- doctors of Sassoon. The panel chairperson, Dr.
On May 18, the 17-year-old teenager, who is the ority: Bramha Leisures Pvt Ltd, Brahma Multicon Pallavi Sapale, has said a report will be sent to the
son of a realtor, Vishal Agarwal, 50, threw a party Pvt Ltd, and B and G Developers. The Facebook government after an inquiry.
for his friends to celebrate his performance in the page of the company boasts of Vishal’s career
Class 12 examination, say the police. The group achievements, including a corporate award for ‘No faith in the judiciary’
went drinking at various resto-bars in the upscale excellence in real estate from former Maharash- Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur, Ma-
neighbourhoods of Pune, including Blak and Co- tra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. mata Koshta mourns the death of her daughter,
sie. Based on CCTV footage, the Pune police say On May 22, the management of BramhaCorp Ashwini. “If those careless rich parents had not
the car, which had no numberplates, was being issued a statement saying it had nothing to do given their spoiled son that car, my daughter
driven at a speed of 150-200 km per hour from with Vishal Agarwal. The statement read: “This is would have been alive today. That influential fa-
Cosie when it hit the motorbike. to inform you that BramhaCorp Limited is not re- mily should not get away with what they have
Following his detention, the minor was pro- lated to Bramha Realty and Infrastructure Pvt. done. I want stringent punishment for the boy as
duced before the Juvenile Justice Board ( JJB). Ltd. BrahmaCorp Limited has no affiliation or as- well as his parents,” she says.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said sociation with Bramha Realty and Infrastructure Samarpreet Koshta, Ashwini’s brother, de-
later that the Pune police sought custody of the Pvt. Ltd in any capacity. Both the firms are com- mands that the case be tried in a fast-track court.
accused and also permission to try him as an pletely separate entities.” “My trust in the judiciary is shaken,” he says.
adult. According to the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, The family was planning to meet Ashwini in
people between the age of 16 and 18 years who A political slugfest June. Mamata says a day before the incident, her
have committed grave crimes can be tried as The incident snowballed into a political slugfest, daughter informed her that she would be return-
adults. However, the JJB denied these applica- Flowers and posters at the site of the crash in Kalyani Nagar in Pune. especially when it emerged that Sunil Tingre, the ing home. Ashwini had booked a ticket on June 18
tions. Just 15 hours after the incident, the JJB EMMANUEL YOGINI legislator of the Vadgaon-Sheri Assembly seg- to surprise her father on his birthday.
CM A ND-NDE
YK
6 . bl . think
DELHI

businessline.
SATURDAY - JUNE 1 - 2024

SATURDAY - JUNE 1, 2024


CIRCUIT
BREAKER.
AARATI KRISHNAN
Is the market really
FDI concerns overblown
W
henever India’s stock
indices scale new
highs, a section of
investors begins to
worry about whether
in bubble zone?
Stagnation in gross FDI flows needs attention they are in bubble territory. Folks who’ve No, but there is froth in some
lived through earlier meltdowns such the
ecent numbers released by the Reserve Bank of pockets such as low-float

R
dotcom decline or the global financial
crisis crash are a particularly jumpy lot,
India on foreign direct investments for FY24
expecting the indices to crash by 40 or 50
stocks, ‘green’ stocks,
raises concerns over weak gross inflows. But per cent after every new milestone. midcaps and SMEs
the alarm being raised over the decline in net FDI to However, as the Nifty50 flirts with the
$10.6 billion is overdone. Fall in net FDI flows is led by 23,000 mark and the BSE Sensex with
75,000 today, it is hard to make a case that
repatriation and divestment touching a decadal high of the Indian stock market is in a bubble
$44.4 billion. While it is being inferred that the high phase or that its valuations are frothy.
repatriation figure implies that foreign promoters and Yes, there are pockets, where investors in
the grip of euphoria are taking on crazy
investors are exiting India or withdrawing large sums risks. But there’s little evidence that the
out of the country, that may not be the case. market as a whole is in the grip of
irrational exuberance.
The repatriation numbers have jumped due
to foreign investors booking partial profits on WELL-GROUNDED BELLWETHERS
their holdings in Indian companies due to the Asure sign of a market bubble is when
stock prices of companies race ahead of
strong rally in the stock market, last fiscal year. their profit growth. If we take the Nifty50
These outflows will moderate as the bull-run index (which accounts for 60 per cent of
in small and mid-cap stocks abates. An analysis the overall market capitalisation and is
by this newspaper shows that foreign the Indian market bellwether), its rise in Asecond sure sign of a bubble is when Nifty PE multiple can correct to about Yes, many of these stocks do have
the last five years has actually lagged the market valuations soar way above 18-19 times. This would peg down the fundamentals, but not enough to justify
promoters of 66 listed companies pared their earnings growth of its constituent historical averages. But the current Nifty Nifty value to about 18,000 to 19,000, but three-digit PEs and blue-sky growth
stakes in FY24. While the stake sales staked companies. PE of 22.4 is actually a tad below its not much more. assumptions.
between 1 and 30 per cent, most of the Between May 2019 and May 2024, the 10-year average of 23.2. If we consider Green theme: With policy tailwinds
promoters sold less than 5 per cent stake. It is consolidated per share earnings of Nifty the 20-year average to iron out recent FROTHY IN PATCHES favouring renewables, it has been a field
noteworthy that almost all promoters firms shot up from ₹488 to ₹1,010, excesses, the historical average PE is 20. If the bellwether indices show few signs day for micro-caps with ‘eco’, ‘solar’,
managing a CAGR (compounded annual Previous bubbles — the dotcom boom of of froth, what about the broader market? ‘energy or ‘green’ in their names. Many
continue to hold significant stakes in their growth rate) of 15.6 per cent. The index 1999-2000 and the capex euphoria of This is a good question to ask because it is companies with these tags have managed
companies, negating the perception that they value has risen at an annual rate of only 2007-08 — were ready to pop at a Nifty the tail-end of the market that is usually a to attain ₹500 crore to ₹1,000 crore in
are stampeding out of India. The companies 13.7 per cent. As a result, the Nifty PE of 25-26. happy playground for speculators. market capitalisation while turning in
have also announced to the public that they price-earnings multiple at 22.6 times Company earnings can be propped up The Nifty500 index, a broad market profits of less than ₹10 crore.
now is actually lower than it was five by windfalls or temporary tailwinds. benchmark, offers some cues. The index Midcap 150: The broad market
wish to continue doing business in India for years ago (24.4 times). All numbers cited That’s why many fund managers use the trades at a PE of about 25.8 and a price to benchmarks today are not steeply valued.
the long-term. They have termed their share here are from Bloomberg, as of May 30, price to book value ratio (stock prices book ratio of about 4. This is pricier than But one exception, which looks quite
sales last fiscal year as unlocking of some value 2024. relative to companies’ net worth) as a the Nifty50. But it is not way off historical bubbly is the Nifty Midcap 150 index —
and reallocation of capital to other regions. Over a ten-year period, yes, the Nifty more stable gauge of valuations. At averages — a PE of 26.4 times and a price the benchmark for mid-cap mutual
at a 12 per cent CAGR has sprinted ahead 22,600, the Nifty trades at 3.7 times the to book value of 3.2 times for the funds. For an index which is supposed to
Besides this, many PE and VC investors have of the annual profit growth of 9 per cent current book value of its companies and Nifty500. be an incubator for the Nifty50, it is a bit
also used the improving valuation in start-ups managed by its constituents. But this 3.3 times their forward book value. The But breaking down the Nifty500 into unreasonable for the Midcap 150 to trade
to pare or exit their stake. Sales by these seems to be at least partly because of the historical average is 3.2 times. Past its constituents reveals that about 40 per at a PE of 39 times trailing earnings and
investors amounted to $12 billion in 2023, manifold rise in the liquidity flowing into bubbles saw this multiple scale 6 times. cent of the stocks in it trade at a PE of 50 34 times one-year forward earnings — a
across 109 deals. stocks from domestic investors. MoSPI The conclusion from all these or above, while 10 per cent trade at 100 or premium to the Nifty50 itself. Also, 70 of
data showthat Indian households fundamental checks is that a 40-50 per above. The proportion of stocks trading the 150 stocks making up this index are
These sales seem to be driven by the invested over ₹2-lakh crore into shares cent crash in the Indian bellwethers is at these astronomical valuations is also already at a PE of 50 plus.
pressure on these funds to distribute returns and mutual funds in FY23 — a ten-fold quite unlikely. In the event of an adverse up sharply from five years ago. In May SME platforms: Usually in bull
to their investors. MNCs have paid large surge from ₹18,900 crore in FY14. These election outcome or other triggers, the 2019, only 16 per cent of the Nifty500 markets, penny stocks are the life and
amounts of dividends to their shareholders flows have set a higher floor to India’s stocks traded above a 50 PE and 3 per soul of the party. But this time, the
stock valuations. Even if they were to In the event of an cent sported a 100 plus PE. This is where partying seems to have moved off the
given the improvement in their profitability halve, valuations seem unlikely to go much of the froth is concentrated. main board, on to the SME platforms of
due to falling commodity prices. As demand back to decade-ago levels. adverse election Running through the list of stocks at the exchanges, where IPOs of
conditions become more challenging and Markets are usually forward-looking. outcome or other these nosebleed valuations, there were mom-and-pop businesses have attracted
affect profitability, dividend repatriation can Therefore, analysts usually gauge five common themes. frenzied bids. The BSE SME IPO index
valuations using forward PE multiples triggers, the Nifty PE Low float companies: In a euphoric has raced at a 110 per cent CAGR over the
also moderate going ahead. A reversal in
interest rate cycle in the US and the UK could
based on estimated earnings for the next multiple can correct to market, narratives help propel last five years and trades at a 48 PE. The
12 months. On this metric too, the valuations. If tall narratives can be aided NSE SME EMERGE index after growing
also help stem the reallocation of capital out of Nifty50 doesn’t appear pricey. The 18-19 times. This would by the ability to corner liquidity because at a 53 per cent CAGR is at an 81 PE.
India. But there is certainly a marked analyst consensus expects Nifty peg down the Nifty value of limited free float, all the better. This These are the market segments that
slowdown in gross FDI inflows. It was stagnant companies to clock earnings of ₹1,104 for to 18,000-19,000, but not trend has led to stocks with promoter investors need to be wary of, if they want
the next 12 months, pegging the Nifty’s holdings of 70 per cent or more turning to avoid the risk of those 40-50 per cent
at $71.4 billion in FY24 when compared to the forward multiple at 20.5 times. much more. into theatres for speculation. crashes.
previous fiscal, but it is down 15 per cent when
compared to FY22. That was the year when
FDI inflows spiked sharply due to deals done
by the Reliance Industries group across their
verticals. This should be kept in mind while
reading the data. Tightening global liquidity
How GDP growth surpassed expectations
and increasing cost of funds as global central
banks tightened their monetary policies to It was thanks to sharp increase in net indirect taxes, positive net exports and buoyancy in the real estate and infra segments
fight inflation may also have affected inflows in narrowing deflation in industrial raw 33.2 per cent in the quarter from 33.6 per
the last two years. The uncertainty around the Aditi Nayar material inputs in Q4 FY24 vis-à-visQ3, cent in the year-ago quarter. This was the
general elections could also be holding the and an adverse base are also likely to have first instance of YoY dip in the ratio in

I
foreign investors back. ndia’s latest GDP prints for Q4 FY24 impacted value-added growth in the four quarters. Interestingly, net exports
delivered another round of positive manufacturing segment. (in real terms) turned positive in Q4
But as the RBI notes, India is among the top surprises, after the Having said that, the growth in both FY24, after exerting a drag in each of the
ten economies which are expected to receive higher-than-anticipated numbers for Q3 manufacturing and construction last three quarters, thereby partly
large FDI flows in 2024. The next government that had been released in February 2024. remained quite robust, printing at above offsetting the subdued growth in private
should make sure that this potential is realised, Although GDP and GVA growth 8per cent in the quarter. In particular, consumption and the slowdown in
moderated to a four-quarter low of 7.8 construction growth has sustained above GFCF growth in that quarter.
for FDI inflows are required to help buttress per cent and 6.3 per cent, respectively, in 8per cent for four consecutive quarters, Coming to the annual headline
government capital expenditure, in the Q4 FY24 from the revised prints of 8.6 after expanding by 9.4 per cent in FY23, numbers, India’s GDP growth
absence of a revival in private capex. To enable per cent and 6.8 per cent in Q3, the which reflects the buoyancy in the real CAPEX. A growth driver accelerated to a robust 8.2 per cent in
this, ease of doing business in the country extent of the dip was rather limited as estate market, as seen in home sales FY24 from 7per cent in FY23, led by a
compared to our expectations. The volumes and new product launches, as sharp uptick in GFCF growth as well as a
needs to be improved significantly by growth in the former, was also boosted well as the infrastructure segment, which estimates vis-à-visthe first advance narrower drag on account of net exports,
simplifying compliance and expediting by the continuing sharp 22.2 per cent has been aided by the sharp increase in estimates for the same, aided in the even as private and government
approvals. expansion in net indirect taxes in real government capex over the last couple of upward revision in the Q3 growth print consumption slowed down in the fiscal.
terms in Q4 FY24. This resulted in the years. Growth in the services segment for the sector. Nevertheless, agri growth Consequently, India’s investment rate,
growth in GDP exceeding that in the GVA witnessed an expectedly mild slowdown has remained quite weak in H2 FY24, measured as gross capital formation as a
POCKET RAVIKANTH by a considerable 148 basis points (bps) to 6.7 per cent in Q4 FY24 from 7.1 per reflecting the impact of the uneven proportion of GDP, inched up to a
in the quarter. cent in Q3 FY24, amid a moderation in monsoons in 2023. nine-year high of 33.3 per cent in FY24
The deceleration in the GVA growth the trade, hotels, transport and The weak monsoons also weighed on from 33per cent in FY23. Given this, and
was largely driven by a broad-based communication services segment the growth in private consumption, our expectations of a narrowing in the
easing across all the four sub-sectors of despite a favourable base. which remained lacklustre at 4per cent current account deficit to 0.8 per cent of
the industrial sector. This was The agri-GVA witnessed an expansion in Q4 FY24, amid subdued rural demand. GDP in FY24 from 2 per cent in FY23, the
unsurprising, given the moderation in of 0.6 per cent in Q4 FY24, in contrast Besides, the growth in gross fixed capital country’s savings rate is also likely to
volume growth across the mining, with our expectations of a marginal formation (GFCF) narrowed quite have increased in the previous fiscal.
manufacturing and electricity segments, contraction in the quarter. Additionally, sharply to 6.5 per cent in Q4 from 9.7 per
as reflected in the IIP growth prints for the upward revision in the output of cent in Q3 FY24. This led to a decline in The writer is Chief Economist, Head-Research & Outreach,
Q4 FY24 vis-à-visQ3. Additionally, the several crops in the second advance the GFCF-to-GDP ratio (in real terms) to ICRA

LETTERS TO EDITOR Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859-860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.

Questionable rating the latest technology. India leads the enough time to develop tertiary care through Jan Aushadi centres, in the unproductive purposes need to be
This refers to the editorial ‘Wrong world in digital transactions. Given at the district level. Now that health absence of proper control and watched.
picture’ (May 31). The rating agency these factors, S&P’s rating of India is left to market forces, private monitoring. VSK Pillai
S&P recently upgraded India’s appears to undermine the rating healthcare institutions have made Sitaram Popuri Changanacherry, Kerala
outlook from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ system. It is time for a global treatment too expensive for Bengaluru
while maintaining its overall rating at regulator to rein in such agencies ordinary people. Election schedule
‘BBB-’, the lowest investment grade. and prevent them from undermining AG Rajmohan Managing interest rates The entire nation will breathe a sigh
This decision reflects a partisan the credibility of the entire rating Anantapur, AP This is with reference to ‘Status quo of relief at the end of this general
approach that seems devoid of any system. on interest rate on the cards’ (May election. It has been a long and
logic. In assessing a country, various Srinivasan Velamur Spurious medicines 31). Interest rate needs to be at a arduous task for all political parties
risk factors are considered, with Chennai The ‘Pocket’ (May 31) cartoon on level that promotes economic to keep people interested all through
weight given to parameters such as spurious medicines being pumped growth, price stability and financial this long election schedule. That
economic status, political stability, Expensive healthcare into the market is hilarious and intermediation. Even though there has been voter fatigue is
governance, financial system, Apropos ‘Making public health timely. The nexus between certain inflation is now relatively stable, the obvious as the percentage of polled
payment systems, etc. India has system more robust’ (May 31), up to pharma companies and medicine likelihood of prices going up cannot votes has fallen. The Election
performed well in all these 1990 India was moving on the right distributors must be broken at any be ruled out due to persisting Commission must ensure a shorter
parameters. track in terms of establishing a cost. Unfortunately, the prevailing geopolitical threats and possible rate election schedule. Though it may not
India, recognised as one of the meaningful public healthcare system systemic failure either at changes by other central banks. The be easy for a single-day election,
fastest-growing economies in terms — PHCs, CHCs and district manufacturing or approval stage of other factors that influence inflation such a long-drawn schedule must be
of GDP, has managed to keep its debt headquartered hospitals. Had the specific medicines is hurting citizens. such as supply bottlenecks, excessive avoided.
under control and has adopted a same pace continued at the rural and Also, there are apprehensions about unproductive expenditures and Anthony Henriques
robust financial system backed by CHC levels, there would have been mis-selling of some generic drugs credit disbursement by banks for Mumbai

Published by Nirmala Lakshman and Printed by Praveen Someshwar at HT Media Ltd. Plot No.8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P.201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT. LTD. Chennai-600002. Editor: Raghuvir Srinivasan (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRP Act). ISSN 0971 - 7528

CM
YK . . . . . . . . ND-NDE
>
NEW DELHI | SATURDAY, 1 JUNE 2024 OPINION 9

Central banks’ new-old inflationary bias


erally far more productive to look for his- eral steps to enhance central-bank inde-
torical parallels or consider the experi- pendence, such measures are unlikely
ences of other countries. in today’s populist environment.
To be sure, inflationary surges do not Instead of ensuring that inflation stays
to get inflation back down to 2 per cent inflation is barely four decades old. While in a recent paper co-authored with Hassan happen every year. But another bout of within the target range, central banks
in the foreseeable future, the likelihood Finn Kydland and Edward Prescott rightly Afrouzi, Marina Halac, and Pierre Yared, inflation could occur sooner than markets are increasingly pressured to focus on
of another inflationary surge within the received the Nobel Prize in Economics in these forces are unlikely to disappear any- expect. When faced with economic uncer- issues they lack the necessary tools,
next 5-7 years has significantly increased. 2004 for developing a theory of inflation- time soon. While the post-pandemic tainties, central banks may not aim for expertise, or political legitimacy to
This is not to say that individual cen- ary bias in monetary policy, their pro- period has been characterised by height- high inflation, but they will likely adjust address, such as inequality, climate
tral bankers are untrustworthy. The posed solution—simply instructing cen- ened uncertainty, making it difficult to their interest-rate policies in a way that change, and social justice.
problem is that most central banks are tral banks to follow specific guidelines — predict macroeconomic trends, this is pre- makes such an outcome more likely than Central bankers no doubt aim to
not as independent as many believe. In was rather naïve. The same could be said cisely when central banks tend to be more a deep recession or a financial crisis. achieve their inflation targets, but they
a global environment marked by political of modern inflation-targeting regimes or inclined to risk high inflation rather than Despite being well-known to econ- always need to be wary of their political
polarisation, onerous government debt the so-called Taylor rule. a massive recession. After all, people may omists, this inflationary bias has not masters. To maintain their independ-
KENNETH ROGOFF burdens, geopolitical tensions, and The problem is that simple rules inev- not like inflation, but they dislike deep been recognised by financial markets, ence under growing pressure, central
deglobalisation, central-bank autonomy itably run into periods where they work recessions and financial crises even more. perhaps because central-bank messag- banks will need to be flexible and occa-
cannot be absolute. As unelected tech- very badly and must be thoroughly As geopolitical tensions spike and ing has become exceptionally effective sionally make concessions, which could

L
istening to central bankers, one nocrats, central bankers may have short- revised. This occurred, for example, global growth slows, economic uncer- over the past few decades. Central lead to a repeat of the post-pandemic
would think that the recent bout term operational independence, but gov- after the global financial crisis when tainty is likely to remain elevated. This bankers understand that as soon as mar- inflationary surge within the next 10
of high inflation was merely an ernments ultimately control central bankers’ perception of what con- is partly because, despite their bells and kets doubt their intentions, interest years. Consequently, realistic investors
excusable post-pandemic forecasting appointments and oversee budgets. In stituted a restrictive policy rate changed whistles, central banks’ “new Keynesian” rates will quickly reflect rising inflation should understand that even if central
error made under extreme uncertainty. many countries, the government also has dramatically; it appears to be happening forecasting models are fundamentally expectations. Nevertheless, this realisa- banks manage to rein in high inflation
But while this narrative now prevails in the power to reset monetary mandates. again now. In these key periods, central based on extrapolation. In other words, tion is unlikely to help them resist pres- now, it is bound to return sooner than
markets and the financial press, it pre- Economists who drink central banks’ banks are extremely vulnerable to polit- they perform well under stable con- sures from politicians, who often focus most forecasts currently predict.
sumes a level of central-bank independ- inflation-targeting Kool-Aid and view ical pressure. ditions but often fail to predict major only on the next election and may pri-
ence that is simply unrealistic in today’s existing arrangements as sacrosanct fail Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic turning points. At such pivotal moments, oritise other issues over stabilising The writer is professor of economics and public
volatile economic and political environ- to recognise that the belief that central- brought long-dormant political and eco- when central banks are particularly vul- short-term inflation. policy at Harvard University. ©Project
ment. And even if central banks manage bank independence can help control nomic forces back to the fore. As I argue nerable to political pressures, it is gen- While governments could take sev- Syndicate, 2024

ILLUSTRATION: BINAY SINHA

44-day polls: 10 hot takes


2024 was a one-candidate election. Narendra Modi was the to its feet and landed an early punch. The
initial BJP slogan of “400 paar” was imme-
only candidate for whom the BJP sought votes, and he was diately read as a threat to alter the
Constitution and take away what’s non-
the only opponent most of its rivals wanted defeated negotiable for many sections of voters,
especially, for a large demographic, the fear

O
ur longest general election campaign, on past performance, as Vajpayee learnt of losing reservations. This threw the BJP
except for 1951-52, has just ended as in 2004. back and it stopped repeating that boast.
temperatures teased the 50-degree If 2014 and 2019 were respectively ach- Collaterally, for the first time since 1977, it
mark. It’s time to list our 10 takeaways. che din and national security elections, how turned the sanctity of the Constitution into
lThe first is the number of media inter- should we remember 2024? It was a Modi an issue.
views the Prime Minister (PM) gave across election. A Modi TINA (there’s no alter- l Yet the Opposition couldn’t make insti-
publications. Some followers claim it to be native) election. In the process, the party tutional capture and individual liberties into
in the three figures. For an establishment manifesto was forgotten, subsumed by an abiding theme. Invoking the Emergency
so wary — even contemptuous — of the “Modi ki Guarantee”. Even when Modi/BJP ran into three challenges. One, it was prom-
media, it’s a lot. Important takeaway: No spoke of a manifesto, it was mostly about ulgated by the Congress. Two, a majority of

A bold initiative or madcap idea? headlines emerged out of these. A possible the Congress party’s.
exception is the interview with Rubika l Changed geopolitics hung heavy on this
Liyaquat of News18, in which he said that if campaign for the BJP. It moderated the dis-
voters today were born after 1977 and have
no memory of the Emergency. And three,
the Emergency was a mass atrocity that
basic income (UBI) scheme drinking habit, and less misery by substantially he indulged in “Hindu-Muslim” rhetoric, course on national security. It was brought crores suffered. Today, the denial of free-
ever contemplated. likely to be big risk-takers. improving the quality of life. he’d be unworthy of public life. in here and there, such as when the PM doms, the use of the agencies, is limited to
In terms of social welfare In South Asia, these People did not drink the l If the first highlight is how much Mr Modi compared predecessors’ dossiers (on ter- some select elites, from Opposition leaders
budgeting, it does not seem characteristics may be money away and they spoke to the media, the second is how little rorists) to Pakistan with his “ghus ke maa- to civil society and the media. It didn’t turn
like an especially large emphasised more, going by didn’t splurge on otherwise Rahul Gandhi did. He did not give any inter- renge” (killing terrorists in enemy territory) into mass anger.
amount. For context, around the experiences of Grameen unaffordable luxuries. views. He spoke at short press conferences, approach. This rocket did not have the fuel l While the campaign was almost entirely
65 million families received Bank in Bangladesh and Studies claim to consis- but left direct communication with the to last even into its second stage in 2024. about Mr Modi, the BJP saw the rise of
“some” work under the microfinance institutions in tently find that recipients media to sister Priyanka. There are two reasons another key campaigner in Amit Shah. He
Mahatma Gandhi National India. Women are more did not reduce work effort, The important political for this. One, that no such addressed 188 rallies across the country,
Rural Employment likely to try to build a busi- or spend the money on highlight, partly owed to notable action had been was a good magnet for the faithful and pro-
VIEWPOINT Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
in 2021-22, at a cost of ~1.2 tril-
ness that will yield sustain-
able income if they are given
alcohol or tobacco or other
drugs. There were doc-
this, is that it’s the first cam-
paign where Rahul wasn’t
carried out, or necessitated,
in the past five years. And
lifically made headlines. We had noted his
rise as a dominant BJP figure in a 2017
DEVANGSHU DATTA lion. Activists say around ~2.7 small loans. umented improvements in seen to have made a gaffe. two, the international mess article titled “Rise of the party commissar”.
trillion would be required for As mentioned above, the terms of food security and l The headlines in his elec- over the Nijjar-Pannun While that remains, this election marked

W
hen the Congress MGNREGA if the full 100 biggest UBI schemes have educational attainment, tion campaign emerged affair made it that much his stepping beyond that backroom. The
party (INC) days of work was provided to been tiny in comparison. The investment in small busi- almost entirely from the tougher to claim any of that use of the expression “stepping beyond”
announced its all those eligible. largest involved around nesses and long-term earn- PM’s speeches. The first as an achievement. If any- rather than “stepping out” is deliberate. It
intention to offer uncon- India has a per capita 20,000 residents of rural ings. This significantly thing this tells us is that it thing, it dimmed the after- signifies that he hasn’t left the backroom,
ditional cash transfers of ~1 income of roughly ~1.5 Kenya, a nation with 56 mil- improved long-term living was a one-candidate elec- glow of the G20, particularly where he is such an important and power-
lakh/ annum to a woman in lakh, which is, of course, lion inhabitants. (Some standards, psychological tion. It follows that any- NATIONAL INTEREST with US President Joe ful figure for the BJP. He’s been the second
each of India’s poorest fam- calculated on the basis of Kenyans received UBI for well-being, and possibly, thing he said became news. Biden not coming for most powerful figure in the BJP since 2013.
ilies, I did some random cal- (an assumed) 1.4 billion longer periods, others for life expectancy. Given the It could be Katchatheevu,
SHEKHAR GUPTA Republic Day, and the plan Now, he’s also the second most visible.
culations as a thought experi- population. The UBI shorter). Finland and Ireland lack of scale, inflationary mangalsutra, ghuspethiye, of an impromptu Quad l And finally, a rant. Did this election really
ment. The last census was 13 would, therefore, hand out have also experimented with impact was not noticed — Kartpur Sahib and Indira Gandhi with the summit around that time not working out. have to go on for 44 days? The 1996 election
years ago, and there’s an 67 per cent of the per capita UBIs. Finland (population 5.5 this is one of the areas 1971 POWs, or workers from the Hindi heart- Changed geopolitics also brought in new lasted all of 11 days. The next, 1998, took 20,
ongoing fierce debate about income to 30 million. The million) gave 2,000 people where there could be a land, Sanatana Dharma facing insults in limitations. Remember, the four-year and 1999 stretched over 28 days. It moder-
what the poverty line is. So poorest state, Bihar, has a small sums in a pilot UBI question mark if there are southern states. If you researched the head- Chinese “dharna” in eastern Ladakh, with ated a bit to 21 in 2004 but has been rising
the assumptions that follow per capita of slightly under study, and Ireland gave strug- 30 million recipients. lines that set the agenda in this election, increased activity across the entire Line of since then, going up to 28 again in 2009, 36
may bear little resemblance ~50,000, and the 30 million gling artists (a very small It doesn’t seem like a phase by phase, 18 out of 20 came from the Actual Control, muscular foreign policy in 2014, 39 in 2019, and now 44 days.
to reality. Also, of course, the recipients would have even subset of the population) UBI madcap scheme — just a PM’s speeches. None from his interviews. responses weren’t available in this campaign. It’s a painful paradox. On the one hand,
INC may not come to power, lower incomes. Hence, it to encourage them to focus logical extension to With him, everything as we know is a set- l If the BJP failed to find a theme except if- connectivity and communication have
and hence, be unable to fulfil may be assumed the UBI on art rather than hunting Keynesian measures like piece. So don’t over-interpret this. not-Modi-then-who, the Opposition also improved dramatically, and we rightly
its promises. would more than double for living wages. The Kenya MGNREGA. Intuitively, l Following from this third point is the struggled for cohesion. It was wary of fight- boast to the world about our super-efficient
Assume India has a pop- the spending power and Finland exercises had drawing on what we know absence of an overarching Bharatiya Janata ing a Modi-versus-who fight. Since Mr Modi EVM system, the end of booth-capturing.
ulation of 1,400 million, of recipients. control groups of similar from Grameen and the Party (BJP) pitch. In 2014, it was the UPA-2 was the target and there was so much by Yet our campaign season is getting longer.
which works out to about It makes sense, both demographics who did not MGNREGA experience, “scams” and the promise of achche din way of his speeches and interviews to mine, I know it will be said that the Election
300 million families. Again, politically and behaviou- receive UBI. there could be positive out- (better times). There was also an assertion the Opposition conjured up hundreds of Commission did this to enable Mr Modi to
for argument’s sake, assume rally, to target women for Extrapolating from those comes from a large UBI of muscularity in foreign policy, especially memes and short clips that spread fast. If reach more parts of the country as his
the bottom decile — the 30 the UBI. Politically, of studies to draw conclusions across the poorest decile (or towards the Chinese. The three-point prop- social media virality counted in an “elec- party’s sole messenger. As our numbers
million poorest families — course, it is an attempt to on how UBI would work on quintile) in India. People osition, therefore, was massive economic tion”, the Opposition won it this time! show, however, the campaign season has
qualifies for the handout. target the female voter. gigantic scales is likely to be would probably invest in reform, ending corruption, and a “56-inch Beyond this, the parties, especially those been lengthening since 1996. It beats me
That’s ~3 trillion a year, or Behaviourally, there are error-prone. What we do small businesses and such chest” approach to national security. In in the INDIA bloc, tried breaking this into why the EC should continue doing this—
about 1.7 per cent of nomi- multiple investing studies know is that UBI in the a scheme may expand the 2019, national security defined the cam- many local/regional elections. It was easier unless it wants to catch up with a full IPL
nal gross domestic product that indicate women are above cases did seem to market for services and pro- paign. This time, there was no one theme. for the regional parties, but had its limita- season, 61 days. We’ll have to wait until 2029.
(GDP). This would make it, better at handling money — generate some employ- ducts catering to the bot- On the economy, growth, or jobs, all smart tions in the big, seat-rich states.
by far, the largest universal they are less likely to have a ment, and helped alleviate tom of the pyramid. politicians know it’s perilous to seek votes l On one issue, the Opposition was quick By special arrangement with ThePrint

Finding the box-office balance One nation, many elections


EYE CULTURE happen to the business of cinema.
Between Pathaan and the next
business? Of course not. But the
nature of its impact differs hugely
spoken about “one nation, one
election” as an antidote. The
have greater powers to tax and
to set policy.
But it is not only accounta-
bility for the quality of public
VANITA KOHLI-KHANDEKAR blockbuster, you need medium-budget from popular perception. home minister has so much as The 73rd amendment to the services and governance that
hits like Ponniyin Selvan 2 or OMG 2 Theatres bring in anywhere from assured the public that this Constitution, which introduced the democratic process pro-

F
ahadh Faasil starrer Aavesham, (both 2023) to keep people coming back 60-70 per cent of the total revenue for system will be brought in by panchayati raj, was typically vides. It also provides voice,
the story of an eccentric gangster, to the theatres. While the big budget any cinema, anywhere in the world. the new Parliament. hasty and incomplete. It was, and a location in which people
is among the top ten hits of 2024. ones like Jailer or Jawaan are missing Knock it out of the equation and that Yet such a cure will be in fact, a half-measure, and choose to express their iden-
Siddharth Malhotra’s Fighter, this year, it has been filled with a range of cinema suffers creatively and worse than the disease. India half-measures fail completely. tity. But Indians have multiple
Chidambaram’s Manjummel Boys, medium-range hits such as Crew, Teri commercially. Malayalam cinema is a has multiple levels of govern- It listed out the policy areas that identities: Locality, caste, reli-
Prasanth Varma’s Hanu-Man and Vikas Baaton Ne Uljhaa Diya and Guntur great case in point. In 2010, Kerala had ment, and multiple issues with could be devolved by states to gion, language, nationhood.
Bahl’s Shaitaan are among the others,
says Ormax Media’s Box-Office report
Kaaram, thanks to the domestic
crossovers or the pan-Indian film.
about a thousand, steadily declining
screens. In 2016, streaming brought
TICKER governance. We need shorter
elections, not longer ones —
the third level of governance —
but it did not mandate any
When you have multiple elec-
tions at multiple times to mul-
for the first four months of 2024. The That is the second thing that needs to succour to producers. For 6-7 years MIHIR S SHARMA but we also need more mean- devolution. As a result, while tiple different levels of govern-
cumulative gross (money collected in be recognised. Many of the top hits are ending in 2023, most were making films ingful ones, not fewer. all states created local bodies, ment, you can more freely and

I
theatres including taxes and trade non-Hindi, non-Hollywood films which only for OTTs. This ended up making the ndia’s longest ever general One thing that has become they were provided with few fully express those identities.
share) for all Indian films released worked across their core markets. For market more business-to-business election campaign has absolutely clear during the cam- functions. Those functions That keeps the peace. It keeps
between January and April this year instance, Malayalam cinema is having instead of a consumer facing one. In ended. It has been both paign is that voters are happy instead became the province of us united.
stands at ~3,071 crore. That is com- an extraordinarily good time grossing January 2023, streaming services cut tedious and exhausting. Few with the possibility of voting one unaccountable agencies in the Replacing these frequent
pletely in line with the first four months ~558 crore at the box-office in the first back on programming spends focussing new issues or standout candi- way during an Assembly elec- state capital. opportunities with a single one
of 2023, a record year for Indian cinema. four months this year. Roughly one- on buying films only if they had worked dates have emerged. We have tion and another way for Voters need to be given would make our current
However, if you read the news, it third of this came from markets other theatrically. This forced the whole film been starved of opinion polls for Parliament. They recognise that issues to vote on, and elections clashes of identity worse, not
would seem like 2024 has been a bad than Kerala. Marathi cinema has had a ecosystem in Kerala to pivot back to the weeks and that has led to spec- there are two very different sets for representatives that can act better. It is possible that one or
year; that films are not working and OTT great 2023 with Baipan Bhari Deva and theatres, which invested in renovation ulative excesses, both in conver- of skills and policy platforms on those issues. Voting for a another political party might
(over-the-top) is killing cinema. Why? Jhimma. So has Punjabi with the third and more screens. The current boom in sation and in the stock markets being presented at these two dif- member of Parliament does be temporarily advantaged.
Because three things that have film in the Carry on Jatta series. On the Malayalam cinema is completely led by — excesses that will no doubt ferent levels. This allows them very little, institutionally, to But it is not in anyone’s inter-
happened over the last 2-3 years haven’t other hand, Hollywood, with the people walking back into the theatres. survive the glut of unreliable to send important disaggre- change the level of accounta- est for politics to become an
got internalised in our understanding exception of Barbie and Oppenheimer, However, there are films that work exit polls with which we will be gated messages about policy bility for public services within all-or-nothing contest.
and writing around films. had a bad 2023 and continues to better on OTT. This writer saw Laapata regaled tonight. Meanwhile, preferences to the political class. your community. This inherent Calls for a single election
One, that “mid-range hits” are here to disappoint. Many reporters simply Ladies, Kiran Rao’s witty ode to the model code of conduct Replacing this system with flaw in India’s current demo- are understandable, especially
stay. The “big hits” of last year, Jawaan don’t factor in cinemas other than womanhood in an almost empty theatre. severely restricts the process of a single election, even if for cratic setup would be enhanced at the end of a campaign as
and Pathaan, collected over ~1,000 crore Hindi, Hollywood and probably On OTT, it has raced through the charts policy making and legislation both levels of election, will take by one nation, one election. gruelling as this one has been.
each at the box-office. That is over twice Telugu while commenting on the and is getting global love on Netflix. — while also failing to restrain away this useful property. State A more perfect democracy But there is enough on the next
the amount that a normal “big hit” does. movie business. The fact is, much like television, powerful campaigners from governments should be judged requires an active third layer Parliament’s plate. It should
Most of the hits this year are in the ~50 More than any other business streaming is another revenue stream, rhetoric that should be far more on their own performance, not with regular meaningful elec- not be distracted by unneces-
crore to ~200 crore range. Given their perhaps, cinema goes through seasonal another platform for the ~19,700 crore circumscribed. as an extension of how well or tions. If our roads and drainage sary and counter-productive
budgets and other revenue streams, cycles driven by lack of success due to Indian movie business. It cannot replace Indian elections are com- poorly the party in power in don’t work, we should be able changes to the electoral sys-
almost all these films are profitable. bad films, vacations, major cricket the money, influence and the audience plicated, yes. Our electorate is New Delhi has performed. to vote out the person in charge. tem. If it really wants to
However, without figures like ~500 crore tournaments, or elections dominating love that theatres bring for a film. What of unimaginable size, yes. But Indeed, we need more elec- Currently we merely take out improve the voting process, let
or ~ 700 crore being brandished around, media consumption. That is the third films work there, however, is something that does not necessarily mean tions. Local elections in India our anger at failing institutions it create a consensus for more
it seems that films are not doing well. factor that needs to be recognised. no one can predict. they should be so long. need to be amplified to the on whoever we can. This is tem- effective panchayati raj — and
The rise of the “mid-range hit” is, in fact, Does that mean streaming is The Prime Minister is aware level they are elsewhere. This porarily satisfying, but func- limit the number of weeks that
one of the most heartening things to having no effect on the theatrical http://twitter.com/vanitakohlik of this concern, and has often would require local bodies to tionally pointless. a general election takes.
14 NEW DELHI
SATURDAY
JUNE 01, 2024

Opinion

{ OUR TAKE }
E S TA B L I S H E D IN 1 9 24

Mahatma before
As we wait for Attenborough
the poll results
Coarseness of the campaign, dog whistles,
a limping Election Commission — there is a
filmed ‘Gandhi’
lot for all the stakeholders to reflect on Gandhi’s radical politics in India but also across the world. The panic of
the British became known when they banned
fascinated filmmakers during

T
he long-drawn-out polling for Mandate 2024 will the 1921 Indian silent film, Bhakta Vidur (aka
end this evening after what was arguably one of his lifetime and after Dharma Vijay), a subversive political allegory
the most polarising election campaigns. Prime directed by India’s first Dalit director, Kanjib-

R
ichard Attenborough, the director bhai Rathod, and produced by the Kohinoor
Minister (PM) Narendra Modi led a gruelling of the film Gandhi (1982) begins Film Company whose owners Dwarkadas
campaign, seeking a third term in office while the his book, In Search of Gandhi Sampat and Maneklal Patel played the lead
Opposition which appeared divided, jaded, and listless at (1982), with the words, “I carried roles, respectively, of Vidura and Krishna. The
‘Panditji’ — as I eventually came to story was written by Mohanlal G Dave, Indian
the beginning of the elections managed to get its act know him — home in my arms.” silent cinema’s first scenarist to get his name
together and mounted an aggressive counter against the What he meant was his carrying the historic above the title. The film was partially made
ruling party. The campaign revealed one thing about bust of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first against the draconian Rowlatt Act of 1919,
Prime Minister (PM), sculpted by his favourite passed by the British government to increase
India. Institutions may be under strain in the backdrop of artist, Jacob Epstein. The 1948 bust their grip on power over the common
an all-round decline in conversations, but competitive was cast in bronze. But my story citizenry in India. It gave them the In 1931, Charlie Chaplin met Mahatma Gandhi in London. The popularity of Gandhi and his
electoral democracy is alive and kicking at the grassroots, begins with a film that would have power to arrest any person without a path of non-violent satyagraha (firm adherence to truth) captured popular imagination not
celebrated its centenary this year. trial. When Gandhi went on satyag- only in India but also across the world BETTMANN / GETTY IMAGES
and no leader, however popular one may think the The idea of a film about Gandhi raha against the Act, it was called the
person is, can take the voters for granted. Every vote has was not new even in the 1920s, under- Rowlatt Satyagraha. Bhakta Vidur alist movement across the country, such as made his film. The British director had com-
to be fought for with hard work, by hard-selling promises lining the fact that the world knew Amrit was the first Gandhian film banned March for Freedom, Topical of Mahatma Gan- mitted himself to promote those eternal values
his unique persona and his way of by the British in several parts of India. dhi and Others, Bombay Welcomes Mahatma of tolerance, non-violence, humanitarian har-
and achievements, and, unfortunately, by stoking fears fighting colonial slavery even then. Gangar In Mumbai, at Majestic Cinema, Gandhi, et al. No wonder the colonial rulers mony and peace (In Search of Gandhi).
about what might be. The good thing is that the One hundred years ago, the British where the film was released, the thought of countering Gandhi through Griffith Incidentally, Pascal was the first film pro-
electorate is particular about its choices and seems government approached one of the police had resorted to lathi charge. way back in 1923. ducer to successfully bring the plays of George
most influential figures in the history of Yet another allegorical film was the silent A full-length documentary, Mahatma Gan- Bernard Shaw to the screen. In his autobiogra-
unwilling to be impressed by legacy, placing a premium motion picture, DW Griffith, to do a film on Khuda ki Shaan aka Wrath (1931), produced by dhi, was “collected and edited” by AK Chettiar phy, Roses in December, MC Chagla writes
on record. The bad thing is they are often enamoured by Gandhi. Gandhi’s utter civility of non-violence the Imperial Film Company that had produced under the technical directorship of PV Pathy, about then PM Lal Bahadur Shastri viewing
freebies, and all too susceptible to polarising rhetoric. had scared the brutally weaponised British India’s first sound film, Alam Ara, the same and was produced and distributed by Docu- My Fair Lady (adapting George Bernard
colonialists and they wanted to pull Griffith’s year. Directed by RS Choudhury, Wrath dealt mentary Films Ltd., Madras. Its advertisement Shaw’s play, Pygmalion) in a Delhi cinema
A few things need to be said about the elections this powers to counter the “force” through propa- with religious bigotry and the caste system. said, “Full Length Picture in Tamil: The first house. Shastri had fallen in love with the film.
time. One, the campaign was the most presidential in ganda. It was the same Griffith who had Baba Garibdas, played by the Parsi actor and only film showing the Movements and Shaw met Gandhi in London, in 1931. The
recent years. What began in 2014 has strengthened so already made a name through his racist film Cowasji Makanda, bore a remarkable physical Activities of Gandhiji.” (Talk-a-Tone, Septem- same year, Charlie Chaplin also met Gandhi.
The Birth of a Nation in 1915, which had glori- resemblance to Gandhi, to whom caste and ber 1940). Widespread exhibition of all this With his unique sense of humour, Gandhi
much that this election was all about Brand Modi. The fied the dreadful Ku Klux Klan, the American creed were artificial barriers created by vested filmic documentation in support of Gandhian enjoyed cartoons lampooning him. Kladderad-
party and its candidates were secondary to the guarantee hate organisation that employed terror in pur- interests. Leading studios were also releasing anti-colonial struggles had sent signals to the atsch, a popular satirical journal founded in
called Modi. And that is a ground that the Opposition suit of its white supremacist agenda. The Brit- documentaries showing the Gandhian nation- British. Berlin in 1848, often published cartoons
ish needed Griffith. Gandhi walked alone, fear- Hungarian Gabriel Pascal had proposed a depicting Gandhi and India between 1920s and
found hard to play on. How this shift in Indian less. Interestingly, the timelines of Gandhi’s THE IDEA OF A FILM ABOUT film, The Life of Gandhi, in 1953, but it 1940s. Gandhi had a hearty laugh — both
democracy, which is based on the Westminster model life and the growth of motion picture move on
GANDHI WAS NOT NEW EVEN remained unrealised. Among several other toothy and toothless. The world heard it. MK
and prefers collective leadership unlike the US model of a almost parallel tracks, though the man himself abandoned films on or about Mahatma Gan- Gandhi’s ability to laugh at himself had
was averse to cinema. He saw the film Ram IN THE 1920S, UNDERLINING dhi, the one that needs our attention was by endeared him to the world at large, among
singular leader, will turn out is anybody’s guess. Two, this Rajya (1943) at Sumatiben Morarjee’s Juhu THE FACT THAT THE WORLD David Lean, who had gained official support both friends and foes. Gandhi is a timeless glo-
election was about Modi/BJP versus Others. The bungalow in Mumbai when he was 74 years
KNEW HIS UNIQUE PERSONA from the Indian government after meeting bality.
Congress’s decline became evident when it fielded the old! Nehru and his daughter, Indira Gandhi, in
The popularity of Gandhi and his path of AND HIS WAY OF FIGHTING 1958. In a nutshell, Gandhi was all over the Amrit Gangar is a Mumbai-based
fewest number of candidates it ever has. Three, the non-violent satyagraha (firm adherence to COLONIALISM EVEN THEN world media, including cinema, right from the author, curator and historian.
campaign was defined by coarseness. Elections are truth) captured popular imagination not only early 1920s to the 1980s, before Attenborough The views expressed are personal
competitive affairs, no doubt. But do leaders need to
stoop so low as to manufacture fears, and then personally

What the conviction of


malign opponents to win votes? Modi’s speeches were Hill in a similar conspiratorial manner. And consequences on domestic American attitudes
filled with shrill anti-Muslim rhetoric. In Odisha, the Trump painted any assertion of autonomy by and no one knows what the public mood will
institutions — such as by the department of be in October. The entire outcome hinges on a
campaign bordered on xenophobia over the ethnicity of justice during his effort to block the peaceful set of counties in six to seven American states.
CM Naveen Patnaik’s aide and BJD leader, VK Pandian.
The Opposition created a scare over possible
amendments in the Constitution to take away the
Donald Trump means transfer of power — as proof of a conspiracy.
Ever since he left office, and began con-
fronting the barrage of cases thanks to his own
actions, Trump has pushed this narrative of
The state of the economy, including inflation,
can’t be predicted.
Trump has indeed been consistently ahead
in these swing states in polls including during
benefits of reservation. These dog whistles vitiated the onald Trump has become the first criminal charges for what he did after leaving the “weaponisation” of law enforcement agen- the period of the trial; immigration and econ-
atmosphere and lowered the dignity of the discourse.
A nation that takes pride in being the mother of
democracy needs to do better when it comes to the
language of electioneering. Four, much of the decline in
D man who served as president of the
United States (US) to be convicted of a
crime. He will also be the first con-
victed felon to be the Republican nominee for
the next president. This throws up questions
office — in Florida, Trump is defending him- cies and courts. Every new criminal charge,
self in a critical case involving his decision to according to the Trump narrative, without any
take away classified files and not return them evidence, is a Biden conspiracy of “election
when asked. interference” against a political rival, a viola-
For his critics then, given that the other tion of democratic norms. Just like, with his
omy rank as key issues and on both Trump has
the edge; his support among Blacks and His-
panics has increased; and Biden’s domestic
coalition is deeply fractured due to the opposi-
tion to the war in Gaza.
about the impact of Thursday’s verdict on the cases aren’t expected to go to trial “big lie”, Trump eroded the faith of a At the same time, the Republican base is
electioneering has to do with the failure of the Election nature and the outcome of the elections on before the polls, the New York verdict majority of Republicans in the legiti- also fractured with moderate Republicans
Commission of India to ensure that all parties respected November 5. comes as confirmation that Trump is macy of the 2020 election, he is now alienated from Trump; Biden’s team is confi-
the Model Code of Conduct. This is an institution that has Will Trump’s conviction make a difference a threat to the rule of law. He can eroding the faith of his supporters in dent that progressives currently unhappy with
to the nature of the election? The answer is an now, accurately, be called a convicted the law enforcement and criminal Biden will return to the Democratic tent come
made the country proud since it conducted the country’s unequivocal yes. But not in the way most peo- felon. Political opponents will use this justice system. polling day given the enormity of what’s at
first election in 1951. It had drawn the red lines and made ple may intuitively assume. In an almost label most frequently to show that it’s Prashant Strikingly, given the unpleasant stake; Biden has more money; abortion
sure that parties did not breach them. Unfortunately, the equally divided country, both camps will draw not them but the independent judicial experience that minorities have with remains a key rallying cry; and MAGA candi-
from the verdict the conclusions they wish to system that sees Trump as breaching Jha law enforcement, the impression of a dates have had a less than impressive electoral
three wise men who now head it have done the draw and put on the ballot the legitimacy of the rules of the game. The Democrats “persecuted Trump” is evoking sym- record since 2018.
institution no favours. The perception has gained that it America’s legal system, the idea of rule of law will seek to construct a contrast pathy for him in unlikely poor, Black It is in this overall backdrop that Thursday’s
has been too lenient about the transgressions of the and the application of the rule of law. between the decent, stable, law-abiding Biden and Hispanic segments. And so, for his con- conviction may make a difference on the mar-
For the Democrats, independents and even and the anarchic, reckless, constant law-viola- stituency, the New York verdict is proof that gins. It may persuade the Left-wing voter cur-
ruling party, especially in censuring leaders indulging in some moderate Republicans, the New York tor Trump who can’t be trusted to keep Amer- the system is ranged against Trump. Trump is rently upset with Biden that Trump represents
hate speech. The delay in releasing turnout figures, jury’s unanimous verdict will serve as more ica’s systems stable and who thinks he is both the hero standing up to this system and a greater threat. It may result in a disillu-
which may well be because of the extra care to ensure proof that Trump spells trouble and shares an above the law. the victim who is suffering. To them, a second sioned old-school conservative voter who
uncomfortable relationship with both facts For Trump and his Make America Great Trump term is not only essential so that the doesn’t like Trump’s Republican Party staying
that it got the numbers right, has also cast a cloud over its and laws. This is a leader who, the verdict con- Again (MAGA) movement, the conviction is a former president can protect himself and his home. It may make a Trump-leaning voter
reputation. Clearly, the institution has a problem in hand. firms, engaged in falsity to enter office — the liability but also proof that America’s legal supporters, but also to engineer a wholescale who isn’t a part of the cult to rethink his
By evening, the exit polls will suggest the likely winner current case is all about Trump making hush system is compromised. For eight years now, overhaul of the bureaucratic and justice mech- choice. Alternatively, it may make a Trump
payments to suppress information to influ- Trump has fed his constituency with a narra- anisms. loyalist even more determined to come out.
when the votes are counted Tuesday, although they have ence the 2016 elections. He faces criminal tive of victimhood that America’s “deep state” Will the conviction impact the outcome? But, in itself, it may not alter the overall mood
been wrong in the past. Until then, all the stakeholders charges for what he did to retain his office — is against him. While in office, he saw any Here, the answer is unclear. What is, however, and direction of the electorate. And that itself
ought to reflect on what was said and done during the Trump is accused of seeking to subvert the investigation by the intelligence community important to note is that this remains an tells you a story — a story of American democ-
2020 election results and block its certification into the Russian involvement in 2016 elections extraordinarily competitive and open election. racy in crisis.
campaign and introspect on whether they could have in Washington DC and pressure state officials as a part of this plot to destabilise him. He saw Polling day is five months away. Global
done better. to change the results in Georgia. And he faces efforts by legal oversight committees on the events are unfolding rapidly with dramatic The views expressed are personal

{ EDITOR’S PICK }
Combating fake news:
researchers and journalists. edge and strategies to combat misinformation.
The alert system was created so as to not Tackling misinformation is a complex chal-
depend only on platforms to deal with this issue. lenge, with no simple solutions. However, data HT’s editors offer a book recommendation every Saturday, which provides history,
Our goal with this system was to have data on accessibility is crucial in this process. In Brazil, context, and helps understand recent news events

A lesson from Brazil complaints across social media platforms and


make it publicly available. This system provided
access to complaints by users across social
media platforms, to researchers and journalists,
administrative information held by the public
sector must be shared, as stipulated by the
Access to Information Law. Therefore, there
was no reason not to open the data on the plat-
GANDHI’S PLACE IN THE WORLD
razil is the only non-western country as hate speech. The Electoral Misinformation to scrutinise and verify how these complaints forms’ performance to society. Transparency Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s take on Mahatma

B that has had some success in reining in Alert System (SIADE) managed by the electoral
the power of social media platforms to authority, is part of efforts to ensure freedom
spread hate speech, disinfor-
mation and skew the political playing
field. This became possible after the
and fairness in voting. It results from a
memorandum of understanding with
major social media platforms, which
are being handled by each platform. In serious
cases, the complaints were also forwarded to
the competent authorities. This channel was
simply a means to forward data; no requests
were made to the social media platform regard-
and social participation have proven to be cru-
cial elements in this fight. This process not only
strengthens online community guidelines of
social media platforms but also promotes a
healthy debate, essential for maintaining
Gandhi’s recall outside India before Richard
Attenborough’s 1982 film Gandhi was received
with some scepticism. Was Gandhi only known in
India? There are answers in the scores of head-
lines he made in newspapers abroad in his life and
setting up of institutional arrange- have committed to prioritising the ing content moderation. democracy. The example of SIADE shows the death, in global cinema’s interest in his life and
ments via the Supreme Electoral Court analysis of complaints submitted Since the SAIDE system’s implementation in importance of making data available for scru- thoughts as far back as a century ago, and the long
(TSE). In the recent Brazilian elections, through this channel. 2022, several positive impacts have been noted. tiny. It was also able to coordinate across social list of global leaders who admired his philosophy
the main theme of misinformation One of the most significant challen- Major social media platform companies began media platforms, demonstrating a model for of non-violent resistance. But it was not just the
was a false narrative on a “stolen elec- Thiago ges in fighting misinformation was to prioritise misinformation complaints from joint and transparent action while protecting leaders, his message resonated with sections of
tion” aimed at challenging voters’ faith Rondon that many social media platforms Brazil, anticipating potential criticisms for inac- user privacy. Others could gain from this expe- commoners in the West.
in the electoral system. Left unad- were foreign, developed outside the tivity. The data on these complaints became rience to hold social media platforms accounta- Hundreds of books have been written about
dressed, this could have been disas- linguistic and cultural context of Bra- public, allowing researchers and journalists to ble for misinformation during elections. Gandhi. But Louis Fischer’s Gandhi: His Life and
trous for Brazilian democracy. zil. This, coupled with the insufficient local examine how each social media platform han- Message for the World (1950) is a perceptive work
TSE took a proactive step by developing an teams of the platforms in the country, can delay dles reported infractions. Additionally, the sys- Thiago Rondon previously served as digital coordina- to understand the man’s personal and political life. Gandhi: His Life and
alert system intended to serve as a unified chan- responses to complaints. Moreover, the lack of tem has fostered a collaborative learning eco- tor for combating misinformation at both the In the book, Fischer, an American journalist, looks Message for the
nel for reporting misinformation and other detailed data on the platforms’ content modera- system among the public sector, academia, and Superior Electoral Court and the Supreme Federal past the deification of Gandhi to examine the World: Louis Fischer
inappropriate behaviour on social media, such tion practices limits critical analysis by civil society, promoting the sharing of knowl- Court. The views expressed are personal impact his ideas had on India and the world. Year: 1954

R. N. I. No. 503/1957 ● Postal Reg. No. DL(ND)-11/6058/2018-19-20 ‘Licensed to post without prepayment’ LICENCE No. U(C)-113/2006-08, AIR SURCHARGE: Raipur and beyond by Rail or Road - Re 5/-, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Khajuraho, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 10/-;

PRINTED
PRINTED && PUBLISHEDBYBYMANHAR
PUBLISHED DINESH KAPOOR
MITTAL for
forand
andon
onbehalf
behalfof
ofHT
HTMedia
MediaLtd.
Ltd.18-20,
18-20,Kasturba
KasturbaGandhi
GandhiMarg,
Marg,New
NewDelhi-110001
Delhi-110001and
andprinted atatHT
printed HTMedia
MediaLtd.
Ltd.Presses
PressesatatPlot
PlotNo.-8,
No.-8,Udyog
UdyogVihar,
Vihar,Greater
GreaterNoida,
Noida,Distt.
Distt.Gautam
GautamBudh
BudhNagar.
Nagar.(UP).
(UP).Pin-201306,
Pin-201306.
BOARD: (011)23361234 ● EDITORIAL: (011)66561234 Extn. 1254, 1268 ● CIRCULATION: (011)66561111 ● ADVERTISING: (011)66561389 ● FAX: (011)66561270.

EDITOR: KUNAL PRADHAN


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��� �����
The EC has the duty to change the character of
the Indian voter. It is criminal to underutilise TN
one’s powers that could advance a noble purpose Seshan

08 CHENNAI SATURDAY 01 06 2024


� �

B
Y an odd coincidence, this col- Reforms are mostly incremental, rarely precipitative. tus of J&K (under Article 370) is also
umn appears on a fortuitous an exceptional example. In general, re-
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN day. The last phase of a pro- But whoever wins on June 4, the new government will forms are incremental and steady, unless
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. longed election cycle is finally bring fresh fervour. We need to wait just a few days to know an incoming government is different
— Ramnath Goenka going to be over. from the incumbent one and decides to

BETWEEN BIG BANG


Shyam Saran Negi died in reverse everything the incumbent gov-
2022. Having voted in every ernment did. Wholesale reversal can in-
election since 1951-52, and having cast the deed be a big bang and there are instanc-

GDP GROWTH IMPRESSES, first vote then, he was a symbol for India’s
democracy. I haven’t seen anyone sift AND STEADY STATE es from the states. However, on June 4,
the incoming government is likely to be

BUT RURAL DEMAND through lists to determine the oldest vot-


er in Lok Sabha 2024. (There are lists for
THEORIES OF CHANGE
no different from the incumbent.
I have often been asked, what will be the

REMAINS A WORRY
Haryana, with the oldest male voter at 118 priorities of Modi 3.0? At one level, pa-
years and the oldest female voter at 117.) tience is a virtue. Why speculate when
Those who live in cities don’t always one won’t have to wait that long? At an-

I
appreciate the enormous task the other level, the question may be misguid-
NDIA’S economic growth seems to be going gangbusters. Election Commission has to undertake ed, reflecting a value judgement that is
Ending nearly a decade-long wait, real GDP growth crossed with remote polling booths in Gir, Na- non sequitur. Why should the priorities of
the 8 percent mark, touching 8.2 percent in 2023-24. The last gada village in Odisha, Malogam village BIBEK DEBROY Chairman, Economic Advisory Council Modi 3.0 be different from those of Modi
in Arunachal, or Tashigang in Himach- to the Prime Minister 1.0 and 2.0? Is there a case that priorities
time it stood above 8 percent was in 2015-16. Provisional data
al. These are just a few examples. of 1.0 and 2.0 were wrong? Clearly not.
released by the National Statistics Office also showed that Sokela Tayang is much more of a sym- One shouldn’t be excessively unreason-
the gross value added—net of subsidies and taxes, and hence bol for India’s democracy than those able when reacting to such questions. Nor
considered a better measure of economic activity—grew by who complain about the heat and the pro- should one indulge in quibbling over
7.2 percent. However, Q4 growth slowed to 7.8 percent, com- longed electoral process for not turning words. Priority being different doesn’t
pared to the 8-plus percent registered in each of the previous up. If you are wondering who she is—she mean one thinks of completely new re-
three quarters. The last quarter’s growth moderation was is the only voter in Malogam, where poll form ideas. If ministers and bureaucrats
officials trudged 39 km so that she could have spent 10 years thinking over develop-
seen across industry and services sectors, and even in invest- exercise her franchise for Arunachal East. ment and governance through Modi 1.0
ments that held fort between April and December, 2023. I think those who write dreary op-eds and 2.0, it is unlikely something complete-
While the headline growth number is heartening, its compo- about democracy’s decay should try trek- ly pristine will be discovered. Nor will the
nents are not really flashing green. Agriculture and allied sec- king 39 km. Might alter perspectives. political economy of reforms and Union-
tor’s dismal growth of 2.1 percent in 2023-24 is the most disap- Today is fortuitous because we state relations, which make change incre-
pointing and, should monsoon play havoc, would not bode well will know the trends of exit polls. Not mental and steady-state, alter overnight.
that we will be necessarily wiser. However, a new government, even if
for overall economy. While domestic investment demand re-
I did a straw poll of sorts, of sundry the incumbent and incoming are identi-
mains resilient amid upbeat business and consumer senti- psephologists. Turns out they are a di- cal, brings a new sense of enthusiasm
ments, private and government consumption growth leave vided lot about the possible outcome on and fervour, with new ministers and bu-
much to be desired. Consumption, the mainstay of national June 4. I did a straw poll of sorts, of sun- reaucrats. This is a trigger and opportu-
output, stood at a pale 4 percent, while government spending, dry astrologers too. Turns out, they too nity for pushing agenda items that
playing the role of a relief pitcher since the pandemic, grew by are a divided lot about the possible out- couldn’t be pushed hard enough in 1.0
come. All -logists—from psychologists to and 2.0. Priorities and tweaking
a next-to-nothing 2 percent. On the supply side, the services
proctologists—are often a divided lot. mean no more than that. Reports have
sector too barely managed to grow in the last fiscal. In other Sometimes it is because of Sherlock Hol- SOURAV ROY appeared about 100-day agendas being
words, 2023-24’s high was not entirely due to stellar performance mes’s adage from A Scandal in Bohemia: prepared (within government, some out-
of sectors, but also due to lower subsidies and higher taxes. “I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake ently, rather than advertently. However, tion of what was pursued in 2014 side) in anticipation. Those should also
So will the growth rate sustain this fiscal? Analysts do not to theorise before one has data. Insensi- errors often tend to average out. and 2019, with inevitable tweaking. be understood as no more than that.
think so and are pegging it to a more moderate 6.8 percent, bly one begins to twist facts to suit theo- This evening, exit polls will also have Decades ago, there was some debate be- A new government will be there for
considering geopolitical tensions, divergence of major central ries, instead of theories to suit facts.” a distribution. There may be outlandish tween the big bang and steady state theo- 1,825 days—1,826 with the leap year in
Exit polls are prone to a similar outliers, but some trends will be concen- ries. (I mean cosmology, not the 2028. It is not as if the new government
banks’ monetary policies and other domestic and external fac- culpability, other than issues of sample trated and therefore, more robust. At a US TV sitcom.) Today, there is consensus will shake the world in the first 100 days
tors. Even if strong corporate and bank balance sheets keep up biases and faulty sample design, not to simple level, there are three kinds of av- on some variant of the big bang. and drift into slumber for the remaining
investment appetite, it remains to be seen if the government mention respondents being economical erages—mean, median and mode. (As an Borrowing that jargon, the expression 1,725. But yes, there will be the Union
continues its capex push. Both are essential to keep up momen- with the truth. Kenneth Arrow’s cele- added complication, there are different ‘big bang’ reforms is occasionally in Budget for 2024-25 in the first 100 days,
tum in sectors such as construction, steel and manufacturing. brated possibility (impossibility) theo- types of mean.) There will be some mo- vogue. Those who argue for it don’t al- spelling out the government’s intended
But above all, private consumption needs to show a proof of rem from 1951 spun off an entirely new dal trends. If one extrapolates on the ba- ways explain what they mean. trajectory till 2029, a period during which
discipline known as collective choice or sis of present psephology consensus, If I am trying to jump over a ditch, I India is certain to become the third
life and, for that, the rural economy needs an urgent recovery. social choice. The problem was of aggre- which does not mean unanimity, the can’t take it in bits and pieces. It has to be largest economy in the world. (It already
Though high-frequency indicators such as two-wheelers sales gating individual (ordinal) preferences prevalent wisdom is that the BJP- one big bang or leap. But rarely in the is, under purchasing power parity.)
saw improved performance in the second half of the fiscal, the into social preferences. The possibility led NDA government will return to pow- development and governance realm will We have exit polls today. But soon, they
slack in rural demand is present and real. The government that individuals might not reveal their er. If that’s the case, exit poll trends one come across something like that. The too will exit and we will know the final
should focus on improving the sources of rural income. true preferences spun off an entirely should vindicate the proposition. 1991 external sector reforms were a de- outcomes. A matter of just a few days.
new sub-discipline known as strategic Also, if that’s the case, the new govern- viation, not the default template. (Views are personal)
voting. Thus, exit polls can err inadvert- ment and its policies will be a continua- Something like changing the special sta- (bibek.debroy@gov.in)

KERALA RAIN DAMAGE IS


FOR LESSONS NOT LEARNT
ALL WE IMAGINE
K AS HEERAMANDI
ERALA is among the wettest states. Yet, when the rainy
season starts, authorities are never prepared for the typi- Irreparable damage
cally relentless downpour. Even before the onset of mon- Ref: Need to haste climate action as temps
soon this year, the heavier-than-usual summer rainfall had break records (May 31). Despite Mother Earth’s
early warning that human-induced climatic

W
cities, towns and villages flooded, and people had to be
E have been through an inter- change has inflicted irreparable damages,
evacuated at many places. While rain-related damage has re- esting few days. Eager fans our policy makers’ failed to anticipate an
curred in Kerala, the scale of destruction has been expanding were lapping up the opulence impending disaster like the ones that we
over the last decade. That’s why it becomes increasingly relevant of mujra-dancers in Sanjay are experiencing. Corrections need to be
to be prepared for both seasonal and unseasonal showers. The Leela Bhansali’s web series MADHAVAN Senior journalist immediately initiated or life will be in peril
devastating 2018 floods and a near-repeat in 2019 showed Kerala’s Heeramandi, even as the prime NARAYANAN sooner rather than later.
rainfall pattern is no longer predictable. It’s then shocking that minister suggested that Bijumon P N, Idukki
opposition parties may do a mujra to
the concerned authorities choose to ignore their responsibility
of preparing the land and the people for the consequences.
please their vote banks, while director REVERSE SWING Losing forests
Payal Kapadia went on to win a Grand Recently, we have been hearing about
While the 2018 deluge claimed nearly 500 lives and rendered Prix at the prestigious Cannes film festi- days. Bhansali portrays the tawaifs or and the powerful. In Heeramandi, forest fires and other fire accidents caused
lakhs homeless, more than 125 people were killed in floods and val. The three are connected in some way, courtesans as eloquent, well-trained Bhansali shows how even the so-called by a surge in temperature. If this continues,
landslides in 2019. In 2021, around 125 lives were lost in rain- to explain which I have to take you back women adept at poetry, aesthetics, fine rich and powerful have their own quest we could lose a significant portion of our
related incidents, and 19 people died in incidents linked to pre- to a moonlit night at Mumbai’s Mahal- manners and men, not necessarily in for freedom, dignity and love. forests, which will further worsen the
axmi Race Course decades ago. that order. But then they are also seekers Heeramandi, in a way, is much like situation. If this temperature trend continues,
monsoon showers between May 19 and 30 this year. These
We had just finished watching a non- of freedom, love and power in an unjust, The Matrix trilogy of movies set in the we could break our own record high of 52.9°C
numbers should serve as a stark reminder of how danger lurks descript movie about sugarcane farmers male-dominated society. Beyond that, world of computer programmes and dig- in the upcoming years.
every time it rains. Every past tragedy has a lesson, but the by Muzaffar Ali, Aagaman. But I pre- ital identities in a science-fiction pack- M Gokul Kannan, Palamedu
way people have been left to suffer shows the authorities have ferred to quiz him on his previous two age. As a critic wrote, The Matrix is a
failed to learn any. This year, too, mandatory pre-monsoon works—Gaman, his debut in 1978 philosophical work that concerns ideas Comparing growth
works like cleaning drains and removing garbage from public on a worker from Uttar Pradesh who including “prophecy, love, truth, Ref: Clock ticking to reset base year for GDP
places have been given a go-by. Accumulation of garbage and tries to become a taxi driver in what was karma, the nature of reality, and living calculations (May 31). The article highlighted
then called Bombay, and then the much- in a simulation.” The mujra, by exten- the need to revise the base year, as GDP plays
the shrinking capacity of drains are major factors contribut- acclaimed Umrao Jaan (1981) on the life sion, is only what a lot of us do an important role in knowing the status of
ing to urban flooding. Besides, there has not been sufficient of a tawaif-poetess set more than a cen- in the matrix of life, be it in the world of economic growth and inflation. This will
progress in long-term flood mitigation projects, planned main- tury ago in the kingdom of Awadh. art, cinema, business or politics. make it easier for the government to compare
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

ly as part of the post-2018 Rebuild Kerala initiatives. “How did you make two films so apart We can thus reverse-swing the economic growth between years.
More shocking, however, are the excuses offered for not in theme and time?” I asked the filmmak- mujra as an act of existential compul- V K S Krishnan, Kumbakonam
doing the pre-monsoon checks. For example, Kochi mayor er. He replied, “To me, they are both sion and quest for better lives. Talking of
the same story.” Or something to that ef- which, the Cannes award winner All We Avoid exploitation
M Anilkumar said canal cleaning could not be completed on fect. It kind of dawned on me that he was Imagine As Light, which I am yet to One should appreciate Odisha CM Naveen
time as he was preoccupied with the Lok Sabha election. not making factual documentaries, but Alamzeb from Heeramandi is, watch, is not much different from Heera- Patnaik for his cool-headedness and
Earlier, minister M B Rajesh had offered a similar excuse painting stories of souls in search of in a way, not very different from mandi, Umrao Jaan or Gaman in its soul. composure in his retort to the BJP, which
for poor waste management over the last two months. The something elusive. In that sense, both Sahibjaan from Pakeezah or Like Gaman, it is about the life of mi- made a mountain out of a molehill in
leaders are answerable to those they represent and their Umrao Jaan and Heeramandi have more grants in Mumbai, through the eyes of connection with his health condition. It is
in common than the obviousness of Umrao Jaan. They are souls in contemporary woman protagonists. natural for political leaders to have health
official responsibilities should take priority over political
loyalties, as their lack of commitment to their duties could
court dancers patronised by nawabs in search of something elusive. As a critic describes it, the movie is setbacks in their political life. But the
their swirling, glitzy jewels and outfits. Mujra can be seen as an act of about “people on the breadline, those opposition exploiting the situation to
have serious consequences. Kerala must wake up to the real- Our prime minister has a way with who are just about getting by, trying to capture power must be avoided.
ity of climate change and always be ready to deal with the words. When he spoke of mujra he might
existential compulsion and hold onto their homes and their R Sridharan, Chennai
consequences so as to minimise the damage. have been referring only to the popular a quest for better lives dignity as the city’s wealthy elite buy up
dance form, and not using the term pejo- and bulldoze their properties”. Personal issue
ratively to describe the women the British they also have contributed to the freedom In a fuzzy stream of consciousness, I don’t understand why PM Modi’s visit to
Q U I C K TA K E disparaged as mere ‘nautch girls’, or as an struggle, as Heeramandi shows. you may imagine the poetess-courtesan Kanyakumari for doing so-called Dhyaan
allusive reference to the rulers who pat- Make no mistake, the mujra is not nec- Alamzeb from Heeramandi as Umrao is being hyped so much, as it is a personal
REMASTER, RE-RELEASE, REPEAT ronised them. After all, only the other day,
he clarified to an interviewer that when he
essarily a negative description. There
were other movies about dancer-courte-
Jaan and then as Sahibjaan from Pa-
keezah. We can imagine all of them re-
issue. There are people who do Dhyaan three
times a day for self improvement or getting

A
remastered version of Shyam Benegal’s 1976 classic, Man- spoke of Congress giving away tax money sans that made waves before Heeramandi, born as the three woman protagonists in peace of mind. Responsible media should
to “those who have too many children” his of which at least two are noteworthy. Um- the Cannes award winner. Or we can devote time on burning issues.
than, is being commercially re-released across India on June reference was not necessarily to minority rao Jaan portrayed Rekha as a poetess make a fresh movie on the theme, blend- Asha Chandrashekar, Bengaluru
1 and 2. Such efforts to bring our old masterpieces to newer Muslims, but also to poorer Hindus who lost in a swirl of events and compulsions, ing science fiction, reincarnation and
audiences need to be supported. Last year, the Kolkata-based are not comfortable with birth control. much like the taxi driver in Gaman. Pa- dancer-politicians in a new plot. We can Cong hypocrisy
Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute ran the country’s first Just as well. Elections are seen as a keezah made a social comment about how call it The Mujra Matrix, as we await the The report about former PM Manmohan
festival of restored films. We need them on commercial screens ‘dance of democracy’, and the mujra af- a noblewoman can be forced into the role next moves in the dance of democracy. Singh appealing for votes to “protect the
and OTT, too. It can cost almost `30 lakh to restore a 120-minute ter all is only a dance form. But there is of a courtesan in a cruel world. The cult The glitter of power and oddball speech- Constitution and defend democracy” exposes
more to the mujra than a dance form. song, ‘Inhi logon ne le leena dupatta mera’ es, like that of the women and diamonds the hypocrisy of the Congress. During their
film. Only the National Film Archive and Film Heritage Foun-
We have to look beyond the obvious from the Meena Kumari-starrer, penned in the evocatively titled Heeramandi, is rule of nearly 60 years, the Congress amended
dation have been doing the work. They have been requesting for visuals and the lavish outfits to see by Majrooh Sultarpuri, is a social anthem stuff of both memes and musings. the Constitution 104 times, most of them for
donations from individuals, companies and governments to the underlying messages of Heeramandi, that explains how the dupatta or veil, a (Views are personal) implementing their skewed agenda.
fund such efforts. The time to step up is now. set in Lahore in the pre-independence sign of respect, is removed by the rich (On X @madversity) N V Sankaran, email

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS


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Resident Editor (Tamil Nadu): Anto T Joseph * Printed and Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Ltd., at Express Press, ‘Express Gardens’, 29, Second Main Road, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai - 600 058. Chennai: Vol. 94, No. 131. RNI Reg. No. TNENG/ 1002/57.
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EUXQWRIKRWZHVWHUOLHVFRPLQJLQIURPWKH5DMDVWKDQGHVHUW'XULQJWKLVVHDVRQZDWHU pertaining to election-relat-
VKRUWDJHEHFRPHVDFULWLFDOLVVXHDVGHPDQGSHDNVZKLOHVXSSO\GZLQGOHVPDNLQJLW ed data in India and anoth-
GLIILFXOWIRUWKHUHVLGHQWVWRVWD\K\GUDWHG$GGLWLRQDOO\WKHKLJKGHPDQGIRUHOHFWULFLW\ er to Bangladesh and its ties
WRUXQDLUFRQGLWLRQHUVFRROHUVDQGIDQVRIWHQRYHUZKHOPVWKHSRZHUJULGUHVXOWLQJLQ with this country.
Chambers Book on Indian
IUHTXHQWSRZHUFXWVWKXVLQFUHDVLQJKHDOWKULVNV6XPPHUDOVREULQJVSRRUDLUTXDOLW\ Election: Facts (Hachette, India)
GXHWRGXVWVWRUPVDQGLQFUHDVHGYHKLFXODUHPLVVLRQVZKLFKZKHQFRPELQHGZLWKWKH authored by Kingshuk Chatterjee
KHDWFDQOHDGWRUHVSLUDWRU\SUREOHPVDQGRWKHUKHDOWK and Surbek Biswas, an academic
LVVXHV7KHUHDUHVHYHUDOUHDVRQVIRU'HOKL·VZRHV and a senior journalist respective-
ly, goes beyond statistics. Figures
7KRXJKQRWKLQJPXFKFDQEHGRQHDERXWWKHILUHUDLQ are integrated into a narrative that
LQJIURPWKHVNLHVWKHPDQDJHPHQWRIUHVRXUFHVVXFK encompasses the country’s polit-
DVHOHFWULFLW\DQGZDWHUFDQEHGRQHLQDEHWWHUPDQ ical and electoral journey since
QHU(YHU\\HDUWKH'HOKL*RYHUQPHQWEODPHV+DU\DQD the time of the British Raj and the
elections held during it. Post-
IRUQRWUHOHDVLQJLWVVKDUHRIZDWHUEXWQRRQHZDQWV Independence, it dwells on the
WRILQGDORQJWHUPVROXWLRQ%HVLGHVPDQ\SDUWVRI functioning of institutions like the
'HOKLHVSHFLDOO\(DVW'HOKLODFNVXIILFLHQWJUHHQVSDFHV Parliament, State legislatures and
ZKLFKDUHHVVHQWLDOIRUSURYLGLQJVKDGHDQGFRROLQJ the judiciary, placing figures in
context of an unfolding account
WKH HQYLURQPHQW ,W LV D VDG FRPPHQWDU\ RQ 'HOKL of electoral battles, their results
*RYHUQPHQWWKDWPRUHWKDQSHUFHQWZDWHUERGLHV and the underlying political cur- Mir Madan, Mir Jafar’s son. neering services, which led to of fundamentalist Islam in
RI'HOKLKDYHEHHQVWROHQ rents running throughout the Siraj was killed on July 2, the rise of the professions. Bangladesh. The first has led
(DUOLHUUHFRUGVVXJJHVWWKDW'HOKLKDGRYHUZDWHUERGLHVZKLFKVHUYHGDVEXIIHUV country. It is a heaven-sent for not 1757, under orders from Mir All this deserves mention to discontent against her
only scribes but political party Miran, Mir Jafar’s son. Mir because Muslim Bhadralok, Government. The second,
DQGSURYLGHGZDWHUDQGFRROQHVV7RDGGUHVVWKLVLVVXHWKH'HOKL*RYHUQPHQWKDV functionaries, activists, poll-fore- Madan fought loyally for Siraj emerging in the wake of their which threatens the secularism
DQQRXQFHGDILQHRI5VRQWKRVHIRXQGJXLOW\RIZDVWLQJZDWHU6RLQDZD\WKH casters, to name a few, who in the battle of Palashi and died Hindu predecessors, played embedded in Bangladesh’s
FLW\*RYHUQPHQWLVSXWWLQJWKHRQXVIRUZDWHUVFDUFLW\RQO\RQLWVSHRSOH+RPHWRRYHU scramble for data with the advent in combat. an important role in constitution, led to the rise of
PLOOLRQSHRSOH'HOKLLVH[SHULHQFLQJXQSUHFHGHQWHGZDWHUVKRUWDJHV7KHULVLQJWHP of elections, and, of course, schol- Again, Chakravarty writes, Bangladesh’s liberation strug- terrorist outfits resorting to
ars and researchers, hunting for “The Hindu College in gle and its post-independence violent acts, the most outra-
SHUDWXUHVKDYHOHGWRLQFUHDVHGZDWHUFRQVXPSWLRQSXWWLQJLPPHQVHSUHVVXUHRQWKH information at all times for doc- Calcutta came up in 1817 CE politics. While the two leading geous of which was the attack
DOUHDG\VWUDLQHGZDWHUVXSSO\V\VWHP5HVLGHQWVDUHIDFLQJHUUDWLFZDWHUVXSSOLHVZLWK toral theses or other projects. and the Serampore College in political parties, Awami on the Holey Artisan Bakery,
PDQ\QHLJKERXUKRRGVUHFHLYLQJZDWHURQO\DIHZKRXUVHDFKGD\7KHILQHWDUJHWVD Interspersed with the narrative are 1819 CE. The Serampore mis- League (AL) and Bangladesh a restaurant in a posh Dhaka
UDQJHRIDFWLYLWLHVFRQVLGHUHGZDVWHIXOLQFOXGLQJZDVKLQJFDUVZLWKKRVHSLSHVZDWHU interesting pieces of not general- sionaries also introduced Nationalist Party (BNP), are neighbourhood, in which 20
ly remembered information, such Bengali periodicals and news- led by Sheikh Hasina and persons, including an Indian,
LQJJDUGHQVH[FHVVLYHO\DQGOHDYLQJWDSVRSHQ:KLOHWKHLQWHQWLRQLVFRPPHQGDEOH as Gian Singh Rarewala being the papers like ‘Deek Darshan’ Begum Khaleda Zia, both were killed, on July 1, 2016.
VHYHUDOIDFWRUVTXHVWLRQLWVSUDFWLFDOLW\DQGHIIHFWLYHQHVV+RZZLOOWKH*RYHUQPHQWILQG first non-Congress chief minister and ‘Samachar Darpan’, which 8CBBCD<1;4B Bhadramahilas (women Sheikh Hasina has squelched
WKHFXOSULWVDQGZKRZLOOGHILQHZDWHUZDVWDJH"%HVLGHVWKH*RYHUQPHQWLVEHLQJKDUVK of any state in India. He became were vehicles for campaigning
=>CF8C7BC0=38=6
Bhadralok), the leaders of the the terrorist outfits but has to
RQSHRSOHZKRDUHDOUHDG\EUDYLQJWKHKHDWGHVSLWHHOHFWULFLW\DQGZDWHUVFDUFLW\,QVWHDG chief minister of Patiala and East against ‘Sati.’ The Bengali organisational layers below deal with kid gloves organisa-
WKH*RYHUQPHQWFRXOGKDYHLVVXHGDZDUQLQJIRUZDVWLQJZDWHUDQGDUUDQJHGIRUZDWHU
Punjab States Union (PEPSU) at
the head of a United Front
‘Bhadralok’ class was created
with such activities.’
C741>>:?A>E834B them are mainly Muslim
Bhadralok.
tions like Hefazat-e-Islam
preaching fundamentalist
WDQNHUVLQDUHDVEDGO\KLWE\ZDWHUVFDUFLW\)RUQRZRQO\WKHZHDWKHUJRGVFDQVDYH Government on April 22, 1952. It The emergence of the <D27DB45D; Its stumbles notwithstanding, Islam.
WKH&DSLWDO is a book worth keeping on the Bhadralok was a much more
8=5>A<0C8>=0=3
the book provides much use- Her ascent to power for the
shelf. complex phenomenon. In Elite ful information and insights second time as prime minister
Transformation, Emergence of Conflict in a Plural Society: 8=B867CB8=C>C74 into the emergence of in 2009, initiated a continuing
?82D1<; Bangladesh and Evolution of
India-Bangladesh Ties
Twentieth Century Bengal,
J.H. Broomfield has described 4<4A64=24>5
Bangladesh and the evolution
of India-Bangladesh relations
friendly chapter in India-
Bangladesh relations.
(Knowledge World and Indian the Bhadralok as “A socially with their stormy and sunny Nevertheless, pressures on
Council of World Affairs), is by privileged and consciously 10=6;034B70=3 interludes. It also provides an both countries are many and
a distinguished former officer of
the Indian Foreign Service, Pinak
superior group, economically
dependent on landed rents and
C744E>;DC8>=>5 exhaustive account of
Bangladesh’s increasingly con-
neither can take things for
granted. Chakravarty’s narra-
Ranjan Chakravarty. It traverses professional and clerical 8=38010=6;034B7 tentious internal politics. The tive is enriched by his ringside
a long time-span from the pre- employment.” The factors con- book’s narrative ends before view of events both as India’s
historic period to the present. tributing most to their rise A4;0C8>=BF8C7 elections to the country’s Deputy High Commissioner
While providing an illuminating
account of the historical circum-
were the Permanent
Settlement (1793), which cre-
C748ABC>A<H0=3 National Parliament on
January 7, 2024, which were
(1999-2002) and High
Commissioner (2007-09) to
stances shaping Bangladesh’s ated a class of zamindars and BD==H8=C4A;D34B boycotted by the BNP and Bangladesh. His book needs to
emergence and cultural, reli- rentiers, the spread of English which the AL won securing be read, over and over again,
gious, social and political ethos, education, the expansion of 224 out of the 300 seats in con- by all those interested in India-
the narrative contains several British administration which test. Bangladesh ties which, in turn,
avoidable errors. For example, created opportunities for Sheikh Hasina, however, has to have an important bearing on
Chakravarty says that Siraj-U- Indians in the bureaucracy and grapple with the adverse eco- South Asian geo-politics.
Doula (the last independent the establishment of a juridi- nomic impact of the COVID- (The author is Consulting
nawab of Bengal) was tortured cal system, networks of med- 19 pandemic and the Ukraine Editor, The Pioneer. The
and brutally killed in prison by ical administration and engi- War and the increasing spread views expressed are personal)

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Madam — Apropos the news story “21
killed, 47 injured as bus falls into gorge
in Jammu,” published on May 30, this is U^aRPafPbWX]VcWTbXcdPcX^]aT\PX]bSXaTCWT
my response. Reading about the tragic bXVWc^U_T^_[TbRaP\Q[X]VfXcWT\_chQdRZTcb

cecdQY^QRY\YdiS_^SUb^c bus accident in Jammu, where 21 lives P]SR[X\QX]VPc^_fPcTacP]ZTabd]STabR^aTb


were lost and 47 people were injured, is cWTSTb_TaPcX^]
;1:<55>:0DA truly heartbreaking. The accident 3TT_PZ BaXePbcPeP P]S 9P]ZX [^]VcTa\ aTbX
occurred when a bus carrying pilgrims ST]cbTg_aTbbUadbcaPcX^]^eTacWT[PRZ^UR^]
$V,QGLDQVHPEUDFHDFXOWXUHRIµZDQWV¶RYHUµQHHGV¶WKHUH¶VDJURZLQJ skidded off the road and plunged into a bXbcT]cfPcTabd__[hQ[P\X]V_^[XcXRP[_PacXTb
U^a]TV[TRcX]VQPbXR]TTSbX]UPe^da^UT[TRc^aP[
gorge, highlighting once again the per-
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The grief expressed by Jammu and XbbdT fXcW cT\_TaPcdaTb ]TPaX]V $ STVaTTb
ver time, India has tion, biodiversity loss and nomic growth, we need to Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj 2T[bXdb CWT 3T[WX 6^eTa]\T]c³b T\TaVT]Rh

O shown remarkable
progress in GDP
growth rates. It currently
waste production. According
to the Central Pollution
Control Board, 2020-21
encourage consumption pat-
terns that are environmental-
ly friendly and socially
Sinha resonates with the deep sorrow felt
by all.
The details are chilling: a failed negoti-
0
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ranks fifth surpassing the Annual Report, the total responsible. This can be ation of a blind curve, an oncoming fXcWPbTeTaTbW^acPVT±_dQ[XbWTS^]<Ph b^RXP[\TSXPWXVW[XVWccWTbcPaZaTP[Xch)X]!!#
United Kingdom in 2022 and quantity of Solid waste gen- achieved through rampant speeding car and a catastrophic fall of 150 "cWXbXb\haTb_^]bTCWTfPcTaRaXbXbX]3T[WX X]8]SXP³bRP_XcP[PRRTbbc^fPcTafX[[aT\PX]P
with its promising perfor- erated in the country is education, incentives and reg- feet into the gorge. The prompt response WPbaTPRWTSP[Pa\X]V[TeT[bfXcWaTbXST]cbX] SPX[hQPcc[TU^a\P]hCWXbRP[[bU^adaVT]cbdb
mance, is expected to over- 160038.9 tonnes per day ulations. by the rescue teams and the efforts to PaTPb [XZT 2WP]PZhP_daX bcadVV[X]V c^ bTRdaT cPX]PQ[Tb^[dcX^]bUa^\Q^cW[^RP[P]S]PcX^]
take Japan by 2025. per cent to ?2,008. India’s con- (TPD), out of which 79956.3 We need to radically work provide immediate medical assistance to ]TRTbbXcXTb3Tb_XcT6^eTa]\T]c\TPbdaTbc^ P[PdcW^aXcXTb
Amidst the celebration of sumption story reminds us of TPD (50 per cent) of waste towards investing in renew- the injured are commendable, yet the loss RdaQfPcTadbTbdRWPbQP]]X]V_^cPQ[TfPcTa Vihaan Verma | Jaipur
becoming the fourth largest Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, is treated and 29427.2 (18.4 able resources to reduce the remains profound. This incident under-
economy, a worrisome aspect a psychological theory pro- per cent) TPD is landfilled. environmental impact of high scores the urgent need for enhanced road Additionally, the above awesome cum This win is particularly significant
is the rising consumption posed by Abraham Maslow 50655.4 TPD which is 31.7 consumption. The safety measures and stricter regulations uber-cool news has become a burning because it marks the first time
level of the huge population (1943), wherein there is a per cent of the total waste Government needs to imple- to prevent such heartbreaking occur- topic among both the masses and class- Praggnanandhaa has defeated Carlsen
and its alarming impact on transition from psychological generated remains ironically ment policies and regula- rences in the future. My thoughts and es. Moreover, from now on, after enjoy- in this format, after several previous
sustainability. Consumption is needs comprising necessities unaccounted for. Besides, tions that encourage sustain- prayers go out to the affected families. ing the windfall dividend of the central encounters in faster game versions. At
the driving force behind pros- to security to esteem and high consumption also leads able practices and mitigate the Arjun Desai | Chandigarh bank, the Government of India will keep just 18 years old, his achievement
pering economic growth. It self-actualisation needs. A to increasing use of fossil negative impacts of high con- a close tab on RBI stock. Additionally, underscores his incredible talent and
has a multiplier effect as noteworthy phenomenon of fuels and products with large sumption. This includes envi- B2949F945>42??CDC74@ after giving oh-so-uber cum oh-so-uber positions him as a leading contender in
investors respond to positive this shift from ‘needs to wants’ carbon footprints, signifi- ronmental regulations, car- Madam — Apropos the news story supernormal dividend growth, the RBI the Norway chess tournament, ahead of
consumption by increasing is the unlimited nature of the cantly contributing to cli- bon pricing and incentives for “Record RBI dividend at 0.6 per cent of will again work day and night to deliv- seasoned players like Fabiano Caruana
production and hiring more latter and the subsequent and mate change. green technologies. We also GDP may not be sustained Fitch,” pub- er more and more windfall dividends to and reigning world champion Ding
workers, who in turn, spend alarming wastage of Given large income disparities need to develop diverse eco- lished on May 28, this is my response. the Government of India. Additionally, Liren.
more, further boosting eco- resources. in India, even the benefits of nomic activities that do not The above alluring cum enticing and the above news has received a red-car- Praggnanandhaa’s strategic play, espe-
nomic activity. High consumption can have high consumption are not solely rely on high consump- burning news from the stable of RBI that pet welcome from both print media and cially using the less-favoured Sicilian
Consumerism is dominating alarming repercussions on evenly distributed. While tion levels. the same has declared record-high super- electronic media. Kann opening, demonstrates his deep
the world and India is no sustainability and long-term some people and regions may By sensibly managing con- normal dividend growth by the central Harminder | Lucknow understanding and innovative approach
exception indeed. The esti- economic and social welfare. experience significant eco- sumption and prioritizing bank is simply a win-win situation for to the game. Meanwhile, the women’s
mates of average Monthly Foremost, it leads to resource nomic growth, others may be sustainability, it is possible to both duo viz. Apex Bank of India and the @B177>1>1>4811µCDB9E=@8 section also showcases the prowess of
per capita consumer expendi- depletion, which may be non- left behind, exacerbating fur- achieve economic growth that Government of India. Furthermore, the Madam — Apropos the news story Praggnanandhaa’s sister, R Vaishali,
ture (MPCE) according to the renewable and therefore irre- ther economic inequality. benefits society while preserv- same news by the US (United States) “Norway chess: Praggnanandhaa claims who leads her group. This family of
Household Consumption versible, causing scarcity, While at one end consump- ing the environment for credit rating agency cum giant Fitch maiden classical win over Carlsen, chess prodigies is making significant
Expenditure Survey, 2022- higher costs and potential tion is essential for econom- future generations. Ratings Inc. will give a nitro boost to the takes sole lead,” published on May 30, waves in the chess world, promising an
23 reveal a 33.5 per cent financial instability. ic growth, at the same time it (The author is assistant pro- economic growth GDP (gross domestic this is my response. Reading about exciting future for Indian chess.
increase by urban households Environmental degradation is is threatening long-term sus- fessor at Sri Guru Gobind product) of our country. Furthermore, Indian Grandmaster R Arnav Patel | Ahmedabad
since 2011-12, reaching another externality of exces- tainability. To ensure that Singh College of Commerce, the above-mentioned spectacular news Praggnanandhaa’s remarkable victory
?3,510, while rural India’s sive consumption which high consumption con- University of Delhi; is a source of pride for the RBI, a bourse over world number one Magnus Carlsen BT]Shh^daUUTTSQPRZcc^)
MPCE increased by 40.42 includes pollution, deforesta- tributes to sustainable eco- views are personal) country Government and its citizens. in the Classical format is truly thrilling. [TccTabc^_X^]TTa/V\PX[R^\
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I other essential elements that sustain
life on Earth are also crossing the
planetary boundaries of sustainabil-
ity, as their natural ‘biogeochemical’
cycles are broken by human activities. For
about ten thousand years before the ‘green’
revolution, farmers grew crops without fer-
DVLWKDSSHQHG0\H[SHULHQFHZDVFRUURERUDWHGE\WKHVFXOSWRUZKR tilisers by combining legume-based crop
rotations and livestock farming. Legume
PDGHWKLVLGRO+HDGPLWWHGWKDWZKDWKHKDGVFXOSWHGZDVDORWGLIIHU crops and some soil microbes fixed atmos-
HQWPHDQLQJWKDWWKHH[SUHVVLRQKHKDGJLYHQZDVTXLWHVREHU%\WKH pheric nitrogen, while livestock manure and
ZD\SUDQSUDWLVWKDLVDWUDQVIRUPDWLYHDFWRIEULQJLQJWKHLGROWROLIH urine enriched the soil with nutrients
7KLVPDQLIHVWDWLRQLVQRWKLQJDPD]LQJ*RGDSSHDUVHYHQLQSHUVRQ7KH such as compounds of nitrogen (N), phos-
IROORZLQJILYHWUXHOLIHVWRULHVZLOOH[HPSOLI\WKLV7KHILUVWRQHFKRVHQLV phorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), car-
ZKHQ/RUG.ULVKQDDSSHDUHGDV'UDXSDGLZDVEHLQJDWWHPSWHGWREH bon (C) and even micronutrients. But mod-
GLVUREHGLQWKHUR\DOFRXUWRI'KUWDUDVKWUD'UDXSDGLLQGHVSHUDWLRQSUD\HG ern cropping in India shifted away from
legume-based crop rotations and relies
IRUKHOSE\FKDQWLQJ³ ´.ULVKQD.ULVKQD.ULVKQDµ7KH/RUGDSSHDUHG heavily on NPK fertilisers rather than
DQGSURYLGHGHQGOHVVVDUHHVWRVDYH'UDXSDGLIURPKXPLOLDWLRQ manures, costing the Indian govt over Rs.
7KHVHFRQGLQFLGHQWFKRVHQLVZKHQ6XUGDVDIDOOVLQWRDGLWFKKLPEHLQJ 2 lakh crores per year in subsidy.
EOLQG+HDWWHPSWHGWRJHWRXWEXWIDLOHG+HFDOOHGIRUKHOSEXWQRRQH As livestock farming moved away from
FDPH7KHSODFHZDVGHVHUWHG+LVZRUVKLSDEOH/RUGNQHZWKDW+LVWUXH crops and intensified as peri-urban dairies,
GHYRWHHQHHGHGKHOS+HFDPHDQGVDZ6XUGDVDVLWWLQJGRZQDQGVLQJLQJ manure and urine mostly find their way to
EKDMDQFRPSOHWHO\REOLYLRXVRIWKHVRUU\VLWXDWLRQKHZDVLQ/RUGDVNHG our ground and surface water bodies. The
release of untreated dairy or domestic and
KLP´:K\DUH\RXQRWWU\LQJWRJHWRXW"µ6XUGDVDUHSOLHG´,GLGDQG other wastes has reduced the Sahibi River 1,20,000 metric tons. Technologies of livestock manure and urine is ated at the higher end of the
IDLOHG,UHDOLVHGWKDWRQO\\RXFRXOGKHOSPHµ7KH/RUGJDYH6XUGDVD in New Delhi to a wastewater drain and best practices are available already in practice, the new buzz- range, most of the other STPs we
+LVKDQGDQGKHOSHGKLPWRFRPHRXW7KHUHLVDIDPRXVEKDMDQZKHQ (Nazafgarh drain), which along with the from Europe and elsewhere to word is the so-called RENURE studied were closer to the lower
6XUGDVDLPSORUHVWKH/RUGQRWWROHDYHKLP Shahdara drain heavily pollutes the river maximise nutrient retention and (recovery of nitrogen from manure) end of the range, indicating the
Yamuna, apart from releasing noxious recycling from manure and urine. policy of the European Commission huge scope to improve nutrient
gases into the air. We already know that at least half (2024). As such proposals are debat- recovery. A similar study will be
The nutrient cycles have thus become cas- of the currently recommended fer- ed to ensure that they contribute to undertaken in Hyderabad soon, in
cades causing nutrient pollution, but the tiliser doses can be replaced with overall sustainability objectives in association with agricultural scien-
good news is that some pollutants are nutri- farmyard manure without any loss the European context, it is impor- tists who will also test the crop per-
ents in the wrong place and can be brought of crop yield. It not only saves a lakh tant to note the policy attention that formance and estimate the amount
back. Unfortunately, less than 30 per cent crores but also reduces the environ- the recovery and recycling of nutri- of commercial fertiliser that can be
of the fertiliser nutrients supplied as fertil- mental footprint of fertilisers, ents has garnered. In the meantime, saved by recycling nutrients recov-
izers are harvested as crop yield and the manures and agriculture itself. a Swedish fertiliser company, Ragn- ered from wastewater.
remaining add to the growing pollution. In Similarly, over 55,000 metric tonnes Sells, has patented a process to Such efforts will hugely improve
water bodies, the accumulation of these of nutrients equivalent to 40 per cent recover nutrients from wastewater the quality of treated water for var-
nutrients supports unwanted algal growth of our fertiliser consumption are lost and convert them into industry- ious uses and also relieve the
causing eutrophication and death of fish and daily from over 150 billion litres of grade fertilisers and spun off a com- water crisis looming over India’s
7KHWKLUGLQFLGHQWKDSSHQHGDIHZ\HDUVEDFN$FORVHUHODWLYHRIPLQH other useful aquatic and marine species. wastewater produced per day in pany easymining.se to launch it in metropolitan cities. In Delhi, the
ZDVVLWWLQJLQDWHPSOHQHDUKHUKRPHGHHSO\HQJURVVHGLQWKRXJKW$ This destroys the ecosystem and the liveli- India. This is because of our Europe within a year. If India can nutrient-depleted water is also
EDEDMLDSSHDUHGLQIURQWRIKHU+HVSRNHWRKHU´<RXDUHJUHDWO\WURX hoods of people who depend on fishing, abysmally low wastewater treatment set up such units attached to our critical to expediting the rejuvena-
EOHGE\WKHEHKDYLRXURI\RXULQODZV'RQ·WZRUU\<RXZLOOVXIIHUDFHU tourism and other ecosystem services. In capacity of about 27 per cent. Most STPs, they can hugely reduce the tion of the water bodies of Delhi,
WDLQGLVHDVHKHQDPHGLWGXHWRWKHVWUHVVFDXVHGE\LW%XWLWZLOOEH our coastal areas, algal eutrophication pro-
gressively causes green tides, brown and
F40;A403H sewage treatment plants (STPs)
exist only in the cities and only a few
economic and environmental costs
of earlier fertiliser technologies,
as the quality of treated water cur-
rently used is not good enough to
FXUHGZLOOQRWPDNH\RXVXIIHUPXFK%HIRUHWKLVUHODWLYHFRXOGUHDFW
WKLVSHUVRQKDGJRQHDZD\7KDWGLVHDVHGLGWURXEOHKHUEXWFDPHXQGHU
eventually red tides and even the accumu- :=>FC70C0C of them work. Fortunately, some generate green jobs. revive the heavily eutrophicated
lation of poisonous species. The reversal of metropolitan cities like Delhi and Delhi alone produces about 3330 water bodies.
FRQWUROVRRQ7KLVUHODWLYHLVDVLQFHUHGHYRWHHRI*RG these trends can rebuild water economies ;40BC70;5>5 Hyderabad are rapidly expanding Million Litres per Day (MLD) of As for the recycling of nutrients
7KHIRXUWKH[DPSOHLVUHODWHGWRDIULHQGRIPLQH+HLVDVWDXQFKGHYR
WHHRI*RG2YHUWKHODVWILYHGHFDGHVKHKDVPDGHHQRUPRXVVSLULWX
and support the livelihoods of millions.
Nitrogenous compounds from fertilisers,
C742DAA4=C;H their STP capacity to become 100
per cent wastewater treatment capa-
wastewater, far over the installed and
operational treatment capacities of
removed from wastewater, current-
ly, there are huge piles of nutrient-
DOSURJUHVV+HLVLQKLVODWHQLQHWLHVDQGVWLOOJRLQJVWURQJ+LVZLIHSDVVHG manures, urine and sewage also cause air A42><<4=343 ble in a year or two and some other the city’s 38 STPs (CPCB, 2021). The rich sludge in the backyard of every
pollution as ammonia or nitrous oxide. big cities in India are following suit. Delhi Government has set its target working STP. They need to be
DZD\UHFHQWO\DIWHUDEULHILOOQHVV+HWULHGWRSUHYHQWLWE\FKDQWLQJD
PDQWUD+HDOVRKRSHGWKDWVKHZRXOGJHWDQH[FHOOHQWELUWKQH[WWLPH
Ammonia contributes heavily to particu- 54AC8;8B4A However, they vary in their efficien- to achieve 100 per cent wastewater developed and marketed as alterna-
$VKHZDVRYHUGRLQJLW*RGDUUDQJHGIRUDQDJHGODG\WRFRPHWRKLV
late matter pollution (PM2.5 and PM5) by
combining with NOx gases (nitrogen diox-
3>B4B20=14 cy of nutrient removal, which must
be addressed immediately to ensure
treatment by 2025 and increase the
reuse of treated wastewater from
tives to fertiliser by building neces-
sary market linkages and supply
KRXVH6KHLQIRUPHGKLPWKDWKLVZLIHZRXOGSDVVDZD\RQWKHILIWHHQWK ide and nitric oxide) emitted from fuel or A4?;0243F8C7 that the purpose of treatment is fully 12.5 per cent to 60 per cent with the chains as needed.
GD\+HZDVVKRFNHG%\WKHWLPHKHJDWKHUHGKLVZLWVVKHZDVJRQH residue burning for power, transport indus- realised and that the treatment proposed utilisation of 197 MGD, This is already happening to some
:DVVKH*RG+LPVHOIRUDSHUVRQFKRVHQE\*RG"7KHODVWH[DPSOHLV try, or waste disposal. Over a million deaths 50A<H0A3 plants become resource plants by 112 MGD and 10 MGD treated extent in Hyderabad but needs to be
RIDQ$PHULFDQ+HKDGEHFRPHYHU\ULFKEXWKHZDVQHLWKHUSHDFHIXO per year are attributed to PM2.5 alone in
India, while some attribute up to 7 per cent
<0=DA4 selling the recovered nutrients.
There is a growing emphasis world-
sewage for drinking purposes, irri-
gation and rejuvenation of water
scaled up further to clear the inven-
tory. An important task is to find
QRUKDSS\,QWULJXHGKHKDGWRILQGWKHUHDVRQ:DVPDWHULDOZHDOWKQRW
WKHVROXWLRQWRDOORXUSUREOHPVDQGKHKDGSOHQW\RILW"+HVWDUWHGYLV
of all deaths to PM2.5, as India has the F8C7>DC0=H wide on preventing the wastage of bodies respectively (CPCB, 2021). ways to pre-process the sludge to
largest number of the world’s most pollut- nutrients and recycling them. The We conducted some studies on the minimise the heavy metals, plastics
LWLQJYDULRXVFKXUFKHVEXWJRWQRVDWLVIDFWRU\DQVZHU'LVDSSRLQWHGKH ed cities in terms of PM2.5. These figures ;>BB>52A>? most notable among them is Target wastewater nutrients and their and other undesirables we found
GHFLGHGWRFRPHWR,QGLDWKHVSLULWXDOFDSLWDORIWKHZRUOG6DPHUHVXOW
KHUHDOVRZLWKERJXVJXUXVWU\LQJWRPDQLSXODWHKLP+LJKO\IUXVWUDWHG
call for drastic measures to control air pol-
lution in general and PM2.5 in particular,
H84;3 7 of the Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework adopted
recovery/recycling potential in sev-
eral STPs of the national capital,
coexisting with nutrients in the
sludge in Delhi. Overall, on a
KHZDVVLWWLQJGRZQRQDEHQFKRQWKHEDQNRIWKH*DQJHVLQ+DULGZDU but it needs not only curbing pollution from under the United Nations aided by the University’s memoran- national scale, if we recover and
+HZDVLQGHHSWKRXJKWZKHQVRPHRQHWDSSHGKLPRQKLVVKRXOGHU+H fuel burning but also restoring the nutri- Convention on Biological Diversity dum of understanding with the recycle the 84 per cent of nutrients
RSHQHGKLVH\HVDQGVDZDVDLQWO\SHUVRQVWDQGLQJLQIURQWRIKLP+H ent cycles in agriculture and waste manage- at its 15th Conference of Parties in Delhi Jal Board. lost in wastewater for agriculture, up
ment. 2022: It seeks to “Reduce pollution They were funded by the UN to forty per cent of our national fer-
VDLG´'RQ·WEHVRVDG7DNHVKHOWHURI*RG$QGWKHEHVWZD\LVWRIRO While a fraction of livestock manure is recy- risks and the negative impact of pol- Environment Programme (UNEP) tiliser consumption can be saved. In
ORZ*RG·VLQVWUXFWLRQVDVGHWDLOHGLQWKHERQDILGHVFULSWXUHV%X\DFRS\ cled for cropping in India, urine recycling lution from all sources by 2030, to under the Global Wastewater economic terms, these savings are
RIWKH%KDJDYDG*HHWDµ:KHQKHRSHQHGKLVH\HVWKHVDLQWO\SHUVRQ is nearly nonexistent. If we recycled all the levels that are not harmful to bio- Initiative and the Global equivalent to the entire R&D bud-
ZDVQRWWREHVHHQ&DQZHKDYHVLPLODUH[SHULHQFHVZLWK*RG"<HV 15 kg per animal per day of manure pro- diversity and ecosystem functions Partnership on Nutrient get of the Government of India.
ZHFDQ*RGLVDOZD\VTXLWHIRUWKFRPLQJ:HMXVWKDYHWRTXDOLI\IRULW duced by 200 million cattle, its 5 per cent and services considering cumulative Management. Our studies found (The writer is a Professor and
+RZGR\RXGRWKDW",WLVVLPSOHUWKDQZKDW\RXFDQLPDJLQH'RVSLU NPK nutrients amount to 1,50,000 metric effects, including (a) by reducing that the current level of removal of Head of, the Centre for Sustainable
LWXDOSUDFWLFHVZKLFKVXLW\RXUQDWXUH)RUH[DPSOH,GR¶GDUVKDQ·DQG tons. This is much more than our average excess nutrients lost to the environ- phosphatic nutrients in various Nitrogen and Nutrient
daily fertiliser consumption, which is about ment by at least half, including STPs of Delhi varies between 35- Management School of
¶QDPDQ·FKDQWLQJWKDQNLQJDQGSUD\LQJUHJXODUO\2QFHDFHUWDLQDPRXQW 1,37,000 metric tons. Add to this about 3 through more efficient nutrient 74 per cent and 14-93 per cent for Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh
RIVSLULWXDOFUHGLWVKDVEHHQDFFXPXODWHG*RGJHWVDFWLYHLQRXUOLYHV per cent of nutrients lost from 15-20 litres cycling and use”. nitrogenous nutrients. Except for Indraprastha University, New
7KHZULWHULVDVSLULWXDOJXLGHYLHZVDUHSHUVRQDO of cattle urine per animal per day totalling In Europe, where extensive recycling the Akshardham STP, which oper- Delhi; views are personal)

+DU\DQDLVGULYLQJWRZDUGVSURJUHVVDQGSURVSHULW\
.GX_GTGOYKSKXMOTMGYGHKGIUTULKIUTUSOIVXUYVKXOZ_GTJYUIOGRJK\KRUVSKTZKSHUJ_OTMZNK\OYOUTUL¨<OQYOZ.GX_GTGLUX<OQYOZ(NGXGZ©
aryana embodies underscoring the deep-root- Haryana’s electorate to chart development. Haryana’s rise of medical universities and the State with assistance of fostering artisanal traditions

H courage and strength.


Modi, who has
savoured Haryana’s spirit, has
ed admiration and trust he
commands among the popu-
lace. His rally served as a tes-
a path towards progress and
prosperity. As the political
landscape evolves, Manohar’s
as an investment destination
is nothing short of spectacu-
lar, with exports soaring and
skill development centres
catering to the evolving needs
of the populace.
over Rs. 5,000 crore. Haryana
plays a pivotal role in India’s
journey towards becoming a
and ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha
Bharat’ fostering cultural
exchange. The State’s rich
led with vigour for ten years. tament to the enduring pop- rally stands as a testament to MSMEs mushrooming across The number of medical col- global nutrition hub. There heritage is being showcased
Seeing Rafale jets soar in ularity of Manohar’s leader- the enduring legacy of vision- the State. In the textile and leges has surged from 6 in are ambitious plans that through initiatives like the
Ambala skies today is a proud ship and the impactful strides ary leadership and the collec- apparel sector, Haryana’s 2014 to 15 and the number of include promoting the State’s Anubhav Kendra Jyotisar and
moment for all of us, Prime taken by the ‘double engine tive determination to realise prowess shines through, with MBBS seats has increased coarse grains like jowar and the development of archaeo-
Minister Narendra Modi Government’ in the State. a brighter future for Haryana a significant contribution to from 700 to 2185. Moreover, millet on the international logical sites like Rakhi Garhi.
recently said at the major ;9B9D@B>;0=:8 The Modi-Manohar effect and the nation at large. India’s exports. With over 35 the number of PG seats in stage, the implementation of The ‘double engine
rallies in Ambala and Sonipat, has been instrumental in From bolstering transparen- per cent of carpets and 20 per medical colleges has grown the world’s largest warehouse Government’ has proven
highlighting the opposition’s enthusiasm, former Chief spearheading numerous ini- cy in Government job recruit- cent of garments manufac- from 289 to 1006. project and the creation of instrumental in leveraging
deceitful intentions and reaf- Minister of Haryana, tiatives aimed at propelling ments to empowering the tured in the State, Haryana is The State has further specialised clusters over the resources for comprehensive
firming the BJP’s dedication to Manohar Lal Khattar, led a Haryana towards economic youth through the Haryana cementing its position as a enhanced nutritional out- next 5 years. Also, there are growth, be it in agriculture,
Haryana’s development. In mega rally at Ganaur, Sonipat, prosperity and social develop- Kaushal Rozgar Nigam, the textile powerhouse. The comes for children, adoles- plans for a revolutionary infrastructure, or education.
his second mega rally in endorsing Lok Sabha candi- ment. Under their steward- State has witnessed a para- strategic alignment with cents, pregnant women and drone initiative in farming, Prime Minister Modi empha-
Sonipat, Modi shed light on date Mohan Lal Badoli. The ship, Haryana has emerged as digm shift under the astute national initiatives like the PM lactating mothers through empowering mothers and sis- sised, The dawn of a new era,
the Congress party’s past mis- event, attended by over 15,000 a magnet for investments and leadership of Manohar Lal Gati Shakti Yojana and the the POSHAN Abhiyan. ters with drone pilot training led by visionary leadership
deeds and their desperate fervent supporters, marked a a hub of opportunities, Khattar. The establishment establishment of industrial In agriculture, schemes like to harness the latest technol- and fueled by the aspirations
attempts to regain power. significant moment in embodying the vision of of all-women police stations, parks exemplify Haryana’s PM-KISAN and PM Fasal ogy in agriculture. of its people, promises a
In another incident earlier this Haryana’s political landscape. ‘Viksit Haryana for Viksit initiatives like Beti Bachao proactive approach towards Bima Yojana have provided a Cultural preservation and brighter tomorrow for the
month, Haryana stood on Manohar, renowned for his Bharat’. The rally, infused Beti Padhao and a surge in economic prosperity. The safety net for farmers, ensur- promotion have been integral State and the nation at large.
the cusp of an emotional progressive policies and trans- with patriotic fervour and infrastructure projects under- State’s healthcare infrastruc- ing their livelihood security. to Haryana’s development (The writer is a Member of
milestone. In a display of formative governance, was untiring support, emphasised score the Government’s untir- ture has received a significant Today, PM-KISAN has ben- narrative, with initiatives like Parliament, Lok Sabha;
unprecedented support and warmly received by the crowd, the staunch resolve of ing commitment to holistic boost, with the establishment efited over 20 lakh farmers in the PM Vishwakarma Yojana views are personal)

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