"An interview with Kalpana Kocchar, Chief Economist, World Bank, South Asia Region."
The Hindu : Opinion / Interview : ‘The U.S. has a dominant position in quota calculations'
1 Apr 2012
The fossil foot made for climbing trees
"Bones from a foot of a pre-human ancestor that walked the Earth 3.4m years ago suggest the creature was also at home in trees."
The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : The fossil foot made for climbing trees: A fossilised foot discovered in eastern Africa belonged to a pre-human ancestor that was adapted to life in the trees. The foot is unusual for the positioning of its big toe, which juts out to the side like those in gorillas or chimpanzees. The orientation of the toe enables the foot to grasp branches, suggesting its owner was a creature at home in the forest canopy.
It's an important species because it opens up a window into our past on how our foot evolved.
It's an important species because it opens up a window into our past on how our foot evolved.
It's about a town called Kawhmu
"For Aung San Suu Kyi, next week's by-election is an attempt to reach out to the people and affirm her credentials as a unifier of Myanmar."
The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : It's about a town called Kawhmu: The political fortunes of Myanmar's famous dissident rest in the hands of an impoverished community, many of whose members come from the country's Karen ethnic minority.
For Suu Kyi, there are political stakes to consider in her role as a new parliamentarian. There is, after all, a halo around her after over 20 years of struggle against military dictatorships. Will the rough and tumble of daily politics diminish her defining qualities — as a symbol of hope and righteousness in her troubled country?
For Suu Kyi, there are political stakes to consider in her role as a new parliamentarian. There is, after all, a halo around her after over 20 years of struggle against military dictatorships. Will the rough and tumble of daily politics diminish her defining qualities — as a symbol of hope and righteousness in her troubled country?
A time for India to stand up and be counted
"The two-cornered contest for the top job in the World Bank is an opportunity for India to objectively assess which person is the right choice."
The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : A time for India to stand up and be counted: The World Bank is at a turning point, and India has a major voice in deciding its future. The serious candidates (Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria and Dr. Jim Yong Kim of the United States) present the 180 countries who sit on the Board of the World Bank with a clear choice between visions of the World Bank.
Minister Ngozi, has deep experience throughout the developing world, widely respected for her courage and demonstrated capability in diplomacy, strategy and management. U.S. nominee, Dr. Kim has no experience either in development issues in developing countries or in finance, economics, business, regulation, and has a world view that economic growth leads to more poverty.
If India is to be true to its claimed and proper role in the world, it will (a) define the qualifications it sees as necessary for the job (b) objectively assess Minister Ngozi and Dr Kim against these qualifications. If this process is followed, the outcome is obvious.
There is no doubt that the Obama administration, which will not want the embarrassment of facing accusations of “who lost the World Bank?” in an election year, will strong-arm countries into acquiescing with its frivolous choice. This is a time for India to stand up and be counted.
Minister Ngozi, has deep experience throughout the developing world, widely respected for her courage and demonstrated capability in diplomacy, strategy and management. U.S. nominee, Dr. Kim has no experience either in development issues in developing countries or in finance, economics, business, regulation, and has a world view that economic growth leads to more poverty.
If India is to be true to its claimed and proper role in the world, it will (a) define the qualifications it sees as necessary for the job (b) objectively assess Minister Ngozi and Dr Kim against these qualifications. If this process is followed, the outcome is obvious.
There is no doubt that the Obama administration, which will not want the embarrassment of facing accusations of “who lost the World Bank?” in an election year, will strong-arm countries into acquiescing with its frivolous choice. This is a time for India to stand up and be counted.
A Saudi Spring waits to arrive
"The decades-old winter of frozen and fossilised structures and systems in the Arab world are thawing. And Saudi Arabia is no exception."
The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : A Saudi Spring waits to arrive: The institution of monarchy does provide a buffer between the monarch and his subjects in the form of a government structure. The king has the privilege of sacking a besieged government and still remaining in power. In the case of Saudi Arabia, the oil-wealth, a small population, huge government patronage, welfare economy, etc., provide additional immunity.
On the other hand, an ageing leadership, internet-savvy and educated youth, assertive women, sectarian divisions, and a contagious “Arab Spring” all around in the neighbourhood indicate a partial and potential vulnerability of the Saudi King.
Tunisia, Libya and Egypt in North Africa have been the harbingers of the Arab Spring. All three of them have witnessed regime changes and are in the process of taking stock and moving forward at their own individual pace. Whether the Spring will spread eastward in a typical domino fashion to the rest of the Arab world remains to be seen. Whether it eventually brings about a comprehensive reshaping of the region is uncertain at best.
The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : A Saudi Spring waits to arrive: The institution of monarchy does provide a buffer between the monarch and his subjects in the form of a government structure. The king has the privilege of sacking a besieged government and still remaining in power. In the case of Saudi Arabia, the oil-wealth, a small population, huge government patronage, welfare economy, etc., provide additional immunity.
On the other hand, an ageing leadership, internet-savvy and educated youth, assertive women, sectarian divisions, and a contagious “Arab Spring” all around in the neighbourhood indicate a partial and potential vulnerability of the Saudi King.
Tunisia, Libya and Egypt in North Africa have been the harbingers of the Arab Spring. All three of them have witnessed regime changes and are in the process of taking stock and moving forward at their own individual pace. Whether the Spring will spread eastward in a typical domino fashion to the rest of the Arab world remains to be seen. Whether it eventually brings about a comprehensive reshaping of the region is uncertain at best.
Perils of short-termism
"The infrastructure deficit has been widening year after year and is one of the principal reasons holding back economic growth. Finding money for infrastructure projects, which have long gestation periods, has been an especially challenging task. The Finance Minister has proposed strengthening financial institutions dedicated to infrastructure. The pool of tax free infrastructure bonds for domestic investors is being expanded."
The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Perils of short-termism: Less useful and inherently more controversial initiatives have been the relaxations in the rules pertaining to external commercial borrowings (ECBs). The new policy is not the panacea that it is claimed to be. On the contrary, it is a reversal of past policies that sought to restrain such borrowings.
Typically of a short duration, such ECB borrowings carry a huge exchange rate risk, which is magnified by the recent volatility in the foreign exchange markets. A steep increase in short-term external debt is something that needs to be avoided.
The clear message is that short-termism does not pay, not even in the limited context of infrastructure finance.
The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Perils of short-termism: Less useful and inherently more controversial initiatives have been the relaxations in the rules pertaining to external commercial borrowings (ECBs). The new policy is not the panacea that it is claimed to be. On the contrary, it is a reversal of past policies that sought to restrain such borrowings.
Typically of a short duration, such ECB borrowings carry a huge exchange rate risk, which is magnified by the recent volatility in the foreign exchange markets. A steep increase in short-term external debt is something that needs to be avoided.
The clear message is that short-termism does not pay, not even in the limited context of infrastructure finance.
BRICS starts building
"While the BRICS five have repeated their criticism of the slow pace of reform in the International Monetary Fund and called for modified international financial institutions which better reflect today's global pattern of economic power, their key Delhi move has been the plan for a new development bank"
The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : BRICS starts building: While the BRICS bank idea will likely take years to fructify, the key lies in deepening the channels of economic and financial flows within the five.
Its members see and recognise the limitations of Western power but are, as yet, unwilling to push for new ideas and bold solutions to festering problems. No doubt, the Delhi Declaration marks a definite new milestone for BRICS. But the grouping has some way to go before it becomes a real factor in international affairs.
The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : BRICS starts building: While the BRICS bank idea will likely take years to fructify, the key lies in deepening the channels of economic and financial flows within the five.
Its members see and recognise the limitations of Western power but are, as yet, unwilling to push for new ideas and bold solutions to festering problems. No doubt, the Delhi Declaration marks a definite new milestone for BRICS. But the grouping has some way to go before it becomes a real factor in international affairs.
Why bird flu research should be published
"H5N1 bird flu has caused serious disease and deaths in humans. The virus has not, however, sparked off an influenza pandemic as it cannot spread efficiently from human to human. But recent experiments has shown that only a handful of mutations would allow the virus to spread efficiently among mammals.
The U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity has asked the authors as well as editors of journals to delete crucial details. The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Why bird flu research should be published: These experiments seem to have rekindled the debate about the role of science in society. The research on the transmissibility of H5N1 bird flu viruses should be carried out by responsible scientists under adequately controlled conditions and safeguards with the appropriate administrative oversight.
In science, experiments and their results are shared so others can directly use them and advance the field. So, all research data should be published. Slowing down the scientific process does not protect the public, instead it makes us more vulnerable.
The international community must urgently discuss how to guarantee the best conditions for scientific discovery, while also minimising risk. Science must never be impeded by fiction or fear.
The U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity has asked the authors as well as editors of journals to delete crucial details. The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Why bird flu research should be published: These experiments seem to have rekindled the debate about the role of science in society. The research on the transmissibility of H5N1 bird flu viruses should be carried out by responsible scientists under adequately controlled conditions and safeguards with the appropriate administrative oversight.
In science, experiments and their results are shared so others can directly use them and advance the field. So, all research data should be published. Slowing down the scientific process does not protect the public, instead it makes us more vulnerable.
The international community must urgently discuss how to guarantee the best conditions for scientific discovery, while also minimising risk. Science must never be impeded by fiction or fear.
The ‘wild' people as tourist stops
"Over 120 years after Sherlock Holmes' novel, the racist stereotype of the savage Andamanese persists."
The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : The ‘wild' people as tourist stops: The revelations in the U.K. newspaper The Observer that police have been complicit in the “human safaris” in the Andamans was truly disturbing. The sort of descriptions presented in 'Sign of Four' - Sherlock Holmes novel reinforce ignorant, racist stereotypes of indigenous peoples which are then exploited by governments and companies to steal their land, or mislead members of the public into trying to spot these “wild” and “bestial” people while on holiday — ergo the “human safaris."
Over 120 years since The Sign of Four's publication, the same ignorant, insulting stereotypes about the Andaman Islanders are being trotted out and they still find themselves treated like animals at a zoo — or on safari.
The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : The ‘wild' people as tourist stops: The revelations in the U.K. newspaper The Observer that police have been complicit in the “human safaris” in the Andamans was truly disturbing. The sort of descriptions presented in 'Sign of Four' - Sherlock Holmes novel reinforce ignorant, racist stereotypes of indigenous peoples which are then exploited by governments and companies to steal their land, or mislead members of the public into trying to spot these “wild” and “bestial” people while on holiday — ergo the “human safaris."
Over 120 years since The Sign of Four's publication, the same ignorant, insulting stereotypes about the Andaman Islanders are being trotted out and they still find themselves treated like animals at a zoo — or on safari.
The ‘purely moral loneliness' of Adrienne Rich
"Adrienne Rich was that rare figure, a lavishly gifted poet and splendid intellectual who readily dirtied her hands at the barricades of social revolution. She collaborated with activist colleagues to claim social and political space for women and people of alternative sexuality during the 1960s and 1970s, even as she composed some of the most memorably sensuous and intellectually supple poems of that turbulent era. "
The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : The ‘purely moral loneliness' of Adrienne Rich: The corpus of her work, extending through more than 25 volumes, stands at the head of a post-World War II lineage of American poetry that has resonated, and will continue to resonate, for poets and readers throughout the Anglophone world.
The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : The ‘purely moral loneliness' of Adrienne Rich: The corpus of her work, extending through more than 25 volumes, stands at the head of a post-World War II lineage of American poetry that has resonated, and will continue to resonate, for poets and readers throughout the Anglophone world.
23 Mar 2012
'There was state-sponsored distortion of history in Bangladesh'
Q&A
As the 40th anniversary of Bangladesh's war of liberation arrives, Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Bangladesh's deputy high commissioner to India, spoke with Rakhi Chakrabarty about preserving this struggle's history, deep ties between India and Bangladesh - and how a film festival aims at strengthening links and memories created from this war:
Interview - Q&A
-The Times of India, March 23, 2012
As the 40th anniversary of Bangladesh's war of liberation arrives, Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Bangladesh's deputy high commissioner to India, spoke with Rakhi Chakrabarty about preserving this struggle's history, deep ties between India and Bangladesh - and how a film festival aims at strengthening links and memories created from this war:
Interview - Q&A
-The Times of India, March 23, 2012
Myanmar's Future Is Now
India must strengthen bilateral ties as its neighbor starts on a new path
Myanmar now finds itself engaged in the democratic process and in a rebuilding phase that hopes to propel the nation onto a new path. It is crucial, says Rajiv Bhatia, former ambassador to Myanmar, for India to strengthen its bilateral ties with its neighbor.
"Suu Kyi articulates her criticism of India's engagement with the military regime, but seems ready to take a more positive view of its approach to Myanmar's transition to democracy"
-The Times of India, March 23, 2012
Budget Blitz
No country is as obsessed with the FM's annual hisaab as India is
Jug Suraiya elaborates the period during the budget when the whole of India finds itself hooked to the Finance Minister's accounts.
-The Times of India, March 23, 2012
Those White Papers
When you want change, don't write one
During the proceedings of the recent Budget 2012-13, Pranab Mukherjee promised to produce a white paper on black money. But history suggests that a production of white paper in the public domain seldom creates action and, subsequently, change.
-The Times of India, March 23, 2012
Handle With Care
Child welfare must be the priority in the custody case in Norway
Handle With Care
Handle With Care
It is seen from the fresh details pouring in, that the Bhattacharya's had not been forthcoming about their domestic problems. At the same time, neither have Norwegian authorities been proactive in explaining their stand.
However, what remains important at the end of it all is the welfare of the children.
-The Times of India, March 23, 2012
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