Category Archives: Economy

कागज़ी जिजीविषा और भारतीय किसान

sourav-roy-farmer-suicideस्कूल के दिनों में ‘राष्ट्रगान‘ नाम की एक कविता लिखी थी। हालाँकि jargon में लिखी गई यह कविता काफी एमेच्यूर थी और शायद इसी वजह से कुछ मित्रों के बीच विवादित भी रही, लेकिन इस कविता की कुछ पंक्तियाँ केवल सन्दर्भ स्थापित करने के उद्देश्य से साझा करने की इजाज़त चाहूँगा –

जहां मिट्टी के कीड़े, मिट्टी खाकर, मिट्टी उगलते हैं
फिर उसी मिट्टी पर छाती के बल चलते हैं
जहां कागज़ पर क्षणों में फसल उगाए जाते हैं
और उसी कागज़ में आगे कहीं वे
गरीबों में जिजीविषा भी बंटवाते हैं Continue reading

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Oh, meltdown!

mister_burnsA nuclear meltdown is quite common in ‘The Simpsons’, the popular television show which chronicles the human condition in modern America using satire and humour. The show is set in the fictional small town of Springfield, known for its nuclear power plant. Continue reading

Back to colonial ways?

farmerIt is often said that a just land acquisition – with all the involved parties satisfied – is an impossibility. However, Considering the aspirations of Indian economy and the interests of farmers and land owners at stake, a democratic and progressive legislature governing the consent, compensation, resettlement, and resolution of conflicts on land acquisitions is long overdue. And with the ordinance which passed early this year; on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2013; looks like we have taken a major step backwards. Continue reading

History of Indian left in 25 tweets

Shahid-bhagat-singhBeing a prominent part of the freedom movement against the British Raj – India’s left front – over the past century, has espoused the causes of India’s farmers and labourers. Although the electoral left front has seen its ups and downs; a welfare state with affordable education and healthcare, gender and economic equality, annihilation of caste, and a classless equal society remains the idea of India for many. Here is a small attempt at narrating the story of Indian left in 25 tweets. Although this leaves out many details and tries to be as discerning as possible, I hope I will be forgiven, given the scope and limitations of Twitter. Continue reading

Plastics, a**holes!

plasticI am not a mall person. But a recent visit to the super market is an experience worth sharing. Unlike the local kirana store where the shopkeeper greets me every time, the very entrance of the mall had hostility written all over it. I was thoroughly searched by a security guard who had no clue what he was looking for. This is when I realized that I have ceased to remain a customer and have descended to being a consumer. You are a customer only as long as the business needs you, you see. Continue reading