In the neoliberal language of stakeholder engagement, Modi ji was renewing the ‘social licence to operate’ in a crisis. In a crisis these events are a way to engage but also gauge the levels of buy in from the ground. This can also be a good thermometer check on the sentiment, as trust is often the glue to implement wide scale policy interventions. No other leader would have been able to call this lockdown. DeMo was the trailer. Liberal arts needs an upgrade to comprehend Modiji’s grassroots linked politics.
Author: changethinker
Born and raised in Mumbai, India with an undergrad degree from Oman and a masters degree from the National University of Singapore. I am an Environmental Professional with a passion for Sustainability, Social Innovation and Governance related issues. A Change Agent in the making who believes that small is beautiful and that impact can be achieved -one soul at a time.
COVID-19 Migrant Worker Cases
The migrant worker cases are an impending disaster. Every researcher, case worker, community leader, journalist who works with the migrant worker brothers knows the sheer density and pathetic sanitary conditions in dorms. The density makes the difference, sometimes 10 to a room.
The other concern is the stigma, and the loss of work. I hope MOM has a plan.
Day 13/21 Field Note.
Day 13/21 #21nationallockdownIndia Devachi Uruli, Pune Rural. The chowk is buzzing with activity. All Kirana shops are open, a full array of vegetable vendors are plying their fare. Milk powder is out of stock as was the bakery shut. People buying candles for 9pm show.
Good Resource on Oman
Completed this book published in 2000. Calvin Allen Jr is a great Oman Scholar
Shock X2
Upon skimming through again Naomi Klein’s Shock Doctrine, a text i was a TA for a NTU globalisation undergrad course in Singapore during my Sociology MA in 2011- It gives me enough reasons to that the healthcare shock of #COVID2019 will be followed by an economic jolt. Its hard to tell which one will be harder.
Foresight in Leadership Succession
1985 Authored Declassified (2012) Sanitised CIA Intelligence Assessment titled Oman: Domestic Forces and Succession identified the current ruler as a potential successor 35 years back. Some foresight in analysis.
Day 11/21 Lockdown Field Notes
Day 11 of #21daylockdownindia in Devachi Uruli, Pune Rural. Good to see spirits high as most shops are open, including sweet shops but with no sweet. Stocks of some items are running low which is obvious with the slowdown.
Most vendors seem to have regained lost business. More masks, however social distancing is still missing.
Zoom Barabar Zoom.
Thinking Opposition
If the amount of social media critique was actually funneled into carving a legit political opposition in India in the past six years, may be with regional players or with emerging outfits may be a hint of a counter narrative would have emerged. Building is hard, typing away is easier. And it would not have any impact on the voter on the ground, as the middle voter does not see an alternative. A 95 year old deep state organisation is subliminal and on the ground, omnipresent.
Farish Noor, TJ and India
The Centrality of India in TJ’s worldview inspite of it being a transnational Islamic network.
Page 103.
Islam On The Move, Farish Noor
Understanding the Markaz incident recently, via evidence.
