O J’s Corner
Victory of the mask

Masks were galore throughout Gujarat during election time. No wonder, Narendra Modi’s masks fetched for him a stunning victory in the flourishing State of Gujarat. And he has completed a hat-trick in winning for the third time. He could cast a magic spell over the people. He was a flamboyant son of the soil and could not be suppressed by any means.

His eyes are set for higher goals. He was feigning to be an epitome of humility, an act of masquerading, when he said that he was not above the party. He has unveiled a plan to bridge the rural-urban divide. Broadband facility would be brought to every village. Progress would be the catch-word. In the same breath he has said he was not sure whether he would be able to complete the projects for Gujarat. An analytical mind can decipher something from this assertion. He would not be there in Gujarat, as he was aiming to secure a national space. No one can blame him for entertaining big aspirations.

And with the sort of media glare he has accessed, adulations climax into larger-than life portrayal. We have seen how the party, the media and the managers espoused an “India Shining” after A B Vajpayee completed a five-year term as Prime Minister. It is another story that Pramod Mahajan-sponsored “India Shining” campaign had boomeranged on the party. The media thought whatever hi-tech-savvy Mahajan perceived was being fulfilled. Politics and media attention are ephemeral.

RSS ideologue Govindacharya had dubbed Vajpayee’s softline as a “mukhauta” (mask) of the BJP. But the portrayal of the mask had not helped either Vajpayee or Govindacharya any further.

True, Modi has won a huge personal victory. But it would be naïve to project a BJP splash in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh State elections in 2008. The situation in other States is entirely different from Gujarat conditions. Regional parties and personalities play a significant role in the political affairs of many States. Distribution of Modi masks and playing up emotive issues would not hold good everywhere. When Modi was driven to the wall by the media, Central politicians and dissidents, he naturally received a sympathy wave. The devastating victory ensured by Modi cannot be under-estimated, but to hope that this would be the same everywhere is wishful thinking. Media go after the wave and adulate and create idols of persona in one breath and in the next go in for a steamrollering when they fail.

I believe Congress was not that hopeful about Gujarat. It had not projected a leader in that State. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s comment that L K Advani was hastily named PM-to-be, for fear of Modi, was an admission of hopelessness.

However, the political scenario is interesting as many regional satraps have been energised to hope for the best, like Mayawati, Jayalalithaa ( even DMK has the jitters about Jayalithaa and the Marans allying together), Mulayam Singh Yadav and others. One cannot rule out Sharad Pawar either. He has already extended an olive branch to Bal Thackeray. If the minuscule Deve Gowda could become the PM. Although on account of the “historic blunder” committed by the CPM and got Jyoti Basu eliminated from the race, probabilities hoding out are many. Governments come to be, by sheer number game. It is not always that masks bring in more numbers in the Lok Sabha.

O J's Corner

Sustainable development

Gandhiji Institute of Sustainable Development (GISD), the brainchild of P.J.Joseph, at Nadukani in Idukki district of Kerala is unique as its founder is. Situated atop the hills, offering a panoramic view of the valleys and other hills far-off, there is nothing more to be encountered, beyond the precincts of the 3000-foot-top-set-up, for the protagonist of the spirit of enquiry.

GISD, a venture of the umbrella organisation by name Gandhiji Study Centre, is intended to offer research and training facilities to people who are interested in Gandhian values.
Gandhiji Study Centre, headquartered at Thodupuzha in Idukki district, is a voluntary organisation specialising in inculcating Gandhian values and thoughts on development.
Emphasis on agricultural growth as being capable of reducing poverty and hunger is put in place by the institution nurtured by Joseph, who has an indefatigable spirit to propagate organic farming and comprehensive development.

Already, Idukki is poised to become the first organic farming district in the State. I believe there are about 20,000 organic farming families in the district by now. Organic farming goes hand in hand with cattle rearing, production of milk, and protection of bio-diversity.

Hazard-free and health-friendly farming, eliminating all kinds of injurious chemical pesticides, and offering natural crops is the mainstay of extension activities of Gandhiji Study Centre and its research and training wing, Gandhiji Institute of Sustainable Development. A concerted effort would fetch premium for achieving the millennium goal on reduction of poverty and hunger. More than that, the institutions could provide a headstart for imparting awareness about nutrition as well.

GISD would, therefore, be an ideal location for improving knowledge and skills. Cushioned in salubrious climate and cool environs, the mind would be clear and the body agile at Nadukani, where brain-storming sessions would be fruitful.It kindles hopes for rural development and uplift of tribals who are part of the work-sphere.

Lab-to-land transfer of technology would be the off-shoot of the ventures at GISD. Aready, there are plans to associate with the activities of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University departments at Ahmedabad. In fact, the GISD complex at Nadukani was designed and constructed in consultation with Prof Utpal Sharma, director of the School of Planning of CEPT, along with architect Sankar of Habitat, Thiruvananthapuram.

Joseph has made it clear that the best brains in the fields of agriculture and sustainable development and research institutions of repute would be brought to GISD from time to time so that proper training could be imparted to people who are responsible for replicating the models devised at research centres. Non-governmental organisations would be capable of undertaking effective extension activities.

Prof N S Ramaswamy, founder-director of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, National Professor, and chairman, CARTMAN as well as Indian Heritage Academy, who inaugurated the GISD on December 15, called for restoring the balance of nature. Half of the 65 lakh Keralites working outside the State could find avocation in the State itself, if proper activities are undertaken. The State cannot always be dependent on the remittances from abroad.

Gandhiji Study Centre and Gandhiji Institute of Sustainable Development would be an impetus to those who crave for sustainable development, organic farming and all-round development of the people

Research and training, transfer of technology
to be taken up by
Gandhiji Institute of Sustainable Development

It was grand finale at Nadukani, the hill-top of this part of Idukki district, when the Gandhiji Institute of Sustainable Development, the research and training wing of the Gandhiji Study Centre, was inaugurated on December 15.

Padmashree Prof N S Ramaswamy inaugurated the institute, which is the brain-child of
P J Joseph, who likes to bestow half of his time and energy for social work and sustainable developmental activities and farming in addition to politics.

GISD was opened on the occasion of the centenary celebrations year of launch of Satyagraha by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa in 1907.

Prof Utpal Sharma, director, School of Planning of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University, Ahmedabad, State Minister for Public Works Mons Joseph, MPs P C Thomas and Francis George, former vice-chancellors Dr Cyriac Thomas( Mahatma Gandhi University) and Prof Babu Joseph (Cochin University of Science and Technology), Idukki district collector Ashok Kumar Singh and a plethora of other guests participated in the function and offered valuable suggestions.

Prof Ramaswamy, who is a repository of varied experiences and wisdom, in his capacity as founder-director of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, National Professor of Management, chairman of CARTMAN, Bangalore, and Indian Heritage Academy, former chairman of Animal Welfare Board of India, Committee on Meat Industry, former director of National Institute for Industrial Engineering, Mumbai, professor of J B Institute of Management of Bombay University in addition to various other assignments, called for restoring the balance of nature. Earth should be respected as mother.

By improving agriculture on a sustainable level, livelihood and income can be assured to the people. Rain harvesting, solar energy generation, organic farming and related activities would fetch good returns for the people.

Education tourism, health-tourism etc should be made widespread. Equitable distribution of resources could be ensured. Half of the 65 lakh Keralite families settled outside the State could be brought back, if the facilities are properly utilised.

Prof Ramaswamy maintained that the Rs 25,000 crore remittances from abroad could not offer a sustainable economy for the State.

The feeling of negativity should be shed. By developing a positive attitude, integrated development can be ensured. China, Japan, Korea etc are progressing well on a positive note. China was far behind India in developmental matters. Now it is 40 years ahead of India in development matters. The country experimented with a combination of communism and capitalism and has been thriving on sustainable development.


Prof Ramaswamy was reaffirming his belief that inland waterways should be strengthened, forests should be conserved, skill-oriented and vocationalised education should be imparted and there should be development-oriented attitude about everything.

Kerala, which is endowed with rapture of rains, should exploit availability of water for its developmental needs.

He was of the firm opionion that animals are not offered the incentives they deservc. In rural areas, the farmers and animals live together. Animals fetch seven per cent of the GNP for the nation. They provide Rs 1,60,000 core income for the country. Cattle offer milk, meat and employment for the people. As much as 80 per cent of cattle-rearing works are undertaken by women. Therefore, any incentive given to cattle-rearing goes to the aid of women.

Cattle save 60 lakh tonnes of petroleum for the nation. Half the ploughing is done by bullocks. They offer Rs 20,000 crore on this score alone.

Railway development should be expedited. In China trains run at speed of 400 kms per hour, whereas in India the speed is 40 kms per hour. We must have bullet trains, he said.

GISD is situated atop 3000-foot-high Nadukani hill, which offers exhilarating scenery all around. The complex has solar energy water conservation facilities.

O J's Corner
Unrealistic Poverty Line

In the present-day liberalised world, the norms for determination of poverty line have nothing to do with the realities of harsh living. One is considered below the realms of the poor, if his monthly income is less than Rs 356.30 in the rural areas and Rs 538.60 in the urban areas. These are the national figures for determining poverty as quoted in the Planning Commission's report of March 2007.

The figures are much lower than the internationally accepted norms. The World Bank has been highlighting a poverty threshold of one dollar a day for Asian, African and similar countries. It is woeful, indeed, that the UN poverty line was drawing inspiration from the Indian povertyline concept.

In India, the Planning Commission has been estimating the incidence of poverty in accordance with the Lakdawala Committee norms. Expenditure figures are taken from the National Sample Survey Organisation.

Poverty is measured in terms of the basic calorie intake and not basic requirement of nutrition for an individual. Satiation of hunger at the minimum level is reckoned. One must be able to buy 650 gms of grain a day. I believe even that is not possible at Rs 356.30 a month for a human being now-a-days in view of escalating prices of essential commodities. That means povertyline is essentially starvation line. Forget about a glass of milk and eggs, and nutrition.

Other basic human needs are not taken into consideration like health, shelter and clothing, let alone standards of living and access to public services.

The government norm is that an average person should consume between 2,100 and 2400 calories a day. In fact, the Indian Council of Medical Research stipulates that an adult male should consume 3,800 calories and female 2,925 calories a day for taking care of mere hunger.

The body also needs protein, fat, minerals, iron and vitamins. Many diseases afflict people on account of malnutrition, which limits development and the capacity to learn. About 50 per cent of all childhood deaths are apparently due to malnutrition.

So what is the sanctity of one being dubbed as living below the poverty line, above the poverty line? Is a person with a monthly income of Rs 360 or Rs 375 substantially better than one with a monthly income of Rs 356.30?

These figures have nothing to do with reality factors anywhere, particularly for sustenance in Kerala. The Chief Minister has pointed out that of the 3.5 crore population, 70.28 lakh people have ration cards. (In fact, all the families should have ration cards , not only for taking care of food requirements, but also as the precious document for identity). There are about 14,000 ration shops. Of the 70.28 lakh ration card holders, 49.40 lakh people have only APL(Above-the-Poverty-Line) cards. There is no subsidy for them. When open market prices were competitive, the APL card-holders did not lift the ration items. Therefore, the ration quota to the State was drastically cut. Now when the market prices started skyrocketing, APL fellows are after ration, but the State cannot provide the articles as per demand.

In Kerala, there has always been a furore about muddle of ration articles. Those who rake up such issues are not aware of the state of affairs elsewhere in the country. A majority of the powers-that-be in various States gobble up the quota. By hooks or crooks, foodgrain - rationed or otherwise- should be available, as per demand-supply persuasion. Otherwise, the prices would roar like anything.

When the globalised sectors are minting money one way or other, we should follow the Western principle of social security protection. National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGP) providing 100 days' work at Rs 60 per day a year is simply not enough. It may be good for a beginning, but it does not satisfy norms of basic living conditions.

The growing Indian economy should take care of the job-less, income-less people through effective social security protection of the Western type. Nutrition, special care for women and children, with special reference to pregnant women, and decent living standards should devolve on the people.

O J’s Corner

Remove blocks and
Implement projects

The scenario with regard to Plan funds utilization and execution of works in the State is dismal. The sorry state of affairs has a deleterious impact on the developmental projects, planned to be executed in various departments of the government as well as thousands of local bodies in the State. One cannot even sympathise with those who are constitutionally authorised to aid and advise and execute developmental works. It has become evident that they have been paying only lip service to the duty enjoined upon their positions.

Taking stock of the performance of fiscal 2007-2008, the Planning Board has pointed out that upto October, the actual spending was to the tune of 25 per cent of the allocations. That means, of the total Rs 6,950 crore plan budget for various departments, the amount spent was only Rs 1,750 crore.

The performance of local bodies was worse. These constitutional institutions could spend only six per cent of the total Rs 1,790 crore allotted to them. Mind you, the local bodies are destined to get huge amounts directly from the Central Government for various popular schemes.

One cannot particularly blame the prevalent or previous governments about lackadaisical execution of works. The Planning Board has noted that this year the performance was better than the previous years. Which underscores the need for total revamp of the scheme of things for getting the plans implemented.

Initially, the projects have to be crafted with wide-ranging discussions which take considerable time. Then schemes have to be prioritised and pinpointed in accordance with the probable devolution of funds that may be made available. Then these projects have to fetch approval from district and state level overseeing bodies, which are prone to sit on the schemes for considerably long time. Finally, there has to be governmental approval, as the case may be.


Approval from the respective end-agencies of the local bodies, or if need be from the government, is not the be-all and the end-all. One has to get financial clearance from the finance department. This will naturally consume more time than the previous exercises as the bureaucrats have to get hair-thin explanations from the scheme proposers for anything and everything.

It is beyond comprehension, why many of these final exercises are needed after budget allocation for local bodies. No local body is constitutionally authorised to draw up deficit budgets. They can craft only surplus budgets. That means funds are there. Then they should be automatically cleared for spending their allotted money. There may be legal and constitutional hitches, but legal lacunae should be removed immediately.

The state of affairs have been hanging on all these years, to the detriment of the developmental needs of the people. Departmental heads should be empowered to spend the money allotted to them without waiting for still more clearances. Those who err should be caught and punished in course of time.

One should take inspiration from developed countries in the matter of authority to spend. Authorities should be empowered to use their right. Otherwise, the officials would always put up the file “for orders”, when they have the power to use their discretion and execute the project. For actualising this procedure, the political masters should not stand in the way of well-meaning actions taken by constitutional authorities below them. Local bodies have been bestowed with considerable amount of autonomy. But this should not remain on paper.

Planning board, finance department and political masters should not stand in the way of time-bound execution of schemes which are meant for the all-round development of the State.