Law making often lags behind technology, and this loophole in regulation is exploited by neoliberal actors to convert citizens into consumers. Celebration of the gig economy is often premature. Ask the delivery boy for the e commerce ‘App’ economy, who begs for a bottle of water to drink in the 40 degree Delhi heat. The … More Reclaim the citizen from the consumer
Mind share leads to Market Share, have to be in the buying consideration set always : Pratap Bose, Head of Design, TATA Motors
Small voices in the larger development discourse with growth as the only language, get drowned out where Modi is the only strong alternative in a fragmented opposition with the imagination of a stagnant socialist past. Modi is everything in sync with the hidden Hindu nationalist sentiment, a proactive 24×7 politician with no family nepotism. Strong … More The Allure of Strong Leadership
The topics covered in the media regarding the subsets of environmental domain is rather limited. Climate Change is political; macro and sexy. Sanitation gets traction especially in the Indian press, although the infra work needs a lot more focus, any media outreach is good. Contaminated Soil and Groundwater gets the least attention. Environmental regulation, urbanisation … More Sustainability Science needs to reclaim the narrative
Conversation with an OLA driver, 26/03 at 12:30pm on the way to Gurgaon from Kailash Colony, Delhi D: Are you paying by PayTM? M: No ji, by OLA Pay D (having a dejected twitch while driving, as seen by a reflection in the mirror) : Ok, some pay in cash and some by OLA Pay … More Conversations with Cabbies: the Delhi DeMo Edition
The sophistication of the jargon such as shared mobility and the driver as a partner in the shared/gig economy as spouted by the Ola founder, cannot mask that these folks are susceptible to price adjustments, no sick leave, zilch support otherwise. The narrative of disruption often silences the social fissures catalysed by neoliberal capitalism. The … More Silencing reality
A start up founder down south did not pay his vendor, was arrested. The hooplah about his arrest connected to business environment is absurd. Defaulters of all ilk, would have to follow the law and its long arm. I have not been paid for my consulting services by founders who think they are humankind’s gift … More Start Ups need to follow the law
Aadhar, MNREGA and Food Security Bill was rubbished initially by the Modi Regime. At the moment they have been absorbed in the pro poor move. I welcome the move as it is inclusive. Politics still operates the calculus of old school welfare. Aadhar is truly the fundamentals of Digital India. Bio politics meets Political Economy, … More Digital meets Political Economy
How History is recorded on Social Media, with amazing status messages, tweets and blogs as parallel running commentary shaping the contours of discourse. These thoughts are rants, erudite retorts and simply an affirmative soundboard. The Election Season is one major example such active civic engagement. Influencers on social media shape the direction of debate, but … More Recording ‘History’ on Social Media
The Yogi’s appointment as CM is a shock doctrine application of a leader which staunch Hindutva credentials. Such a decision would be unthinkable even in 2014. This is keeping in mind the elections in Gujarat, MP and Chattisgarh as these are the fortresses to win again. A certain Hindutva politics is mainstream in these states, … More Yogi, Ram Rajya and a ‘Political Hindu’ Paradigm
