As the world integrates digitally, inequities are being superficially ironed over by rhetoric whereas most of the crucial governance work remains in the communities which are unreached. There is a sure shot gap between the development elite and the on the ground workers. Pretty much like the parliamentary left and organized social sector in the global south.
Day: September 4, 2016
Ola Bola : A cool sports film
Ola Bola is a terrific sports film! Had to watch it after the film festival controversy and PM Najib’s mention during the Merdeka Day address. Saw elements of Chak De India including ego clashes, non enthusiastic parents towards sports and an inspiring pep talk before the end of the match. Some flights can be very cool as watched this film on the in flight entertainment system chewing on pandan cake at 36000 feet. #MH1091
AAP: A Political Project gone awry
In 2013, during my first stint in Delhi, I was surprised and delighted to observe a new urban politics in the AAP emerging from the India Against Corruption platform. Then, after a period of hibernation, they came back with a bang. AAP as an intellectual project floundered when Prof YY and Prashant Bhushan left. In the past few days, AAP as a political project is floundering in Punjab and Delhi. In politics as in life you cannot please all. I hope for the sake of left of centre politics in India, that it is not back to business as usual. Trinamool Congress took almost two decades to have its National Party Status yesterday. Even now, it’s grassroots are former left workers. It takes time to build institutions and processes. Do not be in a hurry.
Media Response and Labor action in a deregulated economy?
I am aware that labor strikes are contrary to middle class sensibilities in India, and take them as relics of a pre 1991 India which everyone in the media is keen to relegate to the confines of history as if Reliance Jio launch is the stuff of history rather than an archaic national strike. Welfare protection in a deregulated economy where credit card is cool rather than a non existent medical insurance.
In an era where labor bargaining and protection is akin to foul language in our media and every day discourse, we have something a miss. In the papers and on the TV, the strike was dismissed as a failure in which unions that are a relic of the past were defeated. If we do not get paid for three months, like Kingfisher, or if a TV channel shuts down, where will these corporate EMI slaves run to for redressal ? Understand the politics behind the discourse, do not buy it at face value.
Change Thinker 