1. Across the Aisle: Cashless Economy: A Distracting Mirage
In his column 'Across the Aisle' in The Indian Express, P Chidambaram argues that the goal for a cashless economy is not innocent, since it bypasses concerns of access among poor and privacy. Citing data on credit and debit card use in developed countries like Australia, Canada and Germany, he says that no developed economy is completely cashless.
Consumers may be divided into three categories based upon the degree of access to the digital world: real access, minimal access and no access. 71 crore debit cards have been issued so far; in August 2016, these cards were used to withdraw from ATMs Rs 2,19,657 crore but were used to make payments of only Rs 18,370 crore. To put a card or a smartphone in everyone’s hand, to provide real access to everyone, and to make everyone adopt the digital mode will require advocacy, education and persuasion, not coercion — and without restricting the person’s fundamental right to use cash.P Chidambaram in The Indian Express
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2. Chanakya: A Devious Strategy: Using Development Projects as Poll Carrots Is Self-Centred
In his column in the Hindustan Times, Chanakya analyses sops announced by political parties at the time of elections and argues that it is self-centred of politicians to hold off announcing critical development projects with election gains in mind.
This desire to make people feel indebted to the politician surges before elections: For example, look at what’s happening in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Recently, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav launched 5,500 projects in six hours in a bid to woo voters. Among the projects he launched --- his name will etched on the plaques for sure --- there are schools, bridges, mandis, roads etc. A few days later, several newspapers carried an advertisement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government, announcing a 382-km six-lane expressway, the longest in the country (until now the Lucknow-Agra expressway is the longest), which will pass through Azamgarh, Mulayam’s parliamentary constituency, to reach Ballia, on the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border.Chanakya in the Hindustan Times
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3. Fifth Column: Not Right but Wrong
In her column, ‘Fifth Column’ in The Indian Express, Tavleen Singh criticises the RSS for denouncing the reforms of 1991 and in her analysis says that RSS cadres in recent times are becoming ideologically close to ‘closet Marxists’.
If the RSS had attracted real thinkers and economists, they would have noticed that the best way to preserve our ancient (and criminally neglected) heritage is by investment in tourism. Sadly, the RSS has remained trapped in a time warp that has stunted it, and so if the Prime Minister wants to bring India prosperity and progress, he would do well to ignore the teachings of his alma mater and learn from other countries. Those who put their faith in democracy and free markets have thrived and succeeded in providing their people with the tools to compete anywhere. Those who built their ideas on Marxist and socialist principles have ended up destroyed by officials who built stagnant behemoths instead of fine corporations. In India we should know this well since we tried to walk down this same road.Tavleen Singh in The Indian Express
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4. Deep Cut: Modi and Kejriwal Must Reconcile Now
Writing in the context of Najeeb Jung’s resignation from the post of Lieutenant Governor in his column ‘Deep Cut’ in the Hindustan Times, Rajesh Mahapatra analyses why it is essential the two-year long turf war between the BJP-led government at the centre and Arvind Kejrwal is resolved.
What happens hereafter depends much on the reasons that guided Jung to quit. There are many theories doing the rounds. One explanation is that Jung got tired of bidding for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in its proxy war against the Aam Aadmi Party that stormed to power in Delhi with a popular mandate in January 2015. In the past two years, few weeks have passed without a showdown between the offices of the LG and the chief minister. From the appointment of bureaucrats in the Delhi government to tackling civic issues such as clearing garbage and fighting a deadly outbreak of dengue and chikungunya this past autumn, they have sparred over almost everything. Although the rule book often sided with Jung, the spats had perhaps become a bit overbearing for the 65-year-old bureaucrat, who said he was quitting to spend more time with his family.Rajesh Mahaptra in the Hindustan Times
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5. Out of My Mind: Demonetisation Is the Least of the Events Which Shaped the Year
In his column ‘Out of My Mind’ in The Indian Express, Meghnad Desai charts the global fissures and crises which emerged in 2016, including the election of Donald Trump, the Syrain war and the fall of Aleppo and argues that in the coming decade, power will define global politics.
The first woman president of Brazil was impeached and replaced. The same fate is about to visit Park Geun-hye, the woman president of South Korea. British Prime Minister David Cameron lost the referendum and did the honourable thing. He resigned as prime minister and as member of parliament. Theresa May became the second woman prime minister of the UK after a properly organised succession battle. Then, on 11/9, as the Americans would call it, Donald Trump surprised America and the world by getting elected as president. What a topsy-turvy world that led to.Meghnad Desai in The Indian Express
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6. Swaminomics: The Year We Were Mad as Hell
2016 was the year everyone around the world was angry, argues Swaminathan S Aiyar in his column ‘Swaminomics’ for The Times of India. He analyses how in this year, the election of Donald Trump and the rise of Kejriwal could be seen as a rebellion against corrupt, establishment politics.
In the 20th century, people in liberal democracies assumed living standards would rise constantly. But after decades of stagnant wages and economic growth benefiting mostly a small plutocracy, Western citizens are lashing out against conventional political and economic nostrums. In the film “Network” a TV anchor urges people to yell, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it any more.” That’s today’s mood too. When things don’t improve despite changes of government, the veneer of civilization peels off and dark passions blow to the surface. Surly voters take refuge in conspiracy theories, blaming all ills on foreigners, immigrants, ivory-tower experts, minorities and other hate objects. Racist, religious and ethnic animosities flare up. Countries turn inward politically and economically. Globalisation seems a threat, not an opportunity.Swaminathan Aiyar in The Times of India
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7. Gifts, Gluttony and the Queen's Speech Make a Very English Christmas
On the occasion of Christmas, Karan Thapar in his column in the Hindustan Times writes about the festive celebrations in London and India; consisting of English breakfasts and carols.
Like weddings in India, Christmas is a time when inhibitions completely disappear. I have a tuneless, toneless and raucous voice which, thankfully, stops me from singing outside the bathroom, but, during the run up to Christmas, I’ve sung carols with gusto, unafraid to be the loudest or the worst. There’s something about carol singing that makes you want to join and sing along. It’s a karaoke-like experience which, mercifully, never outlasts the Noel.In Britain Christmas is a family occasion often spent with grandparents. In India it’s a day for a party. Breakfast with the Bissells is an institution in Delhi. The event starts mid-morning with scrambled eggs, baked beans and ham or stollen and strong coffee and then, in a swirl of conversation and alcoholic conviviality, carries on to khoa swè over lunch. It’s a wonderful opportunity to catch up with people you haven’t met all year and may not see for another.Karan Thapar in Hindustan Times
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8. Mrs. Funnybones: 10 Wackiest Classifieds You Missed This Year
It’s been a hectic 2016, and in the brouhaha there might have been some interesting classified advertisements which might have missed our eye. In her column, ‘Mrs. Funnybones’ in The Times of India, Twinkle Khanna comes to the rescue.
Santa For Hire: Chubby cheeks, thick white beard, fine stomach and even finer chest at 56 inches to fill out the suit nicely. Very agile as demonstrated on National Yoga Day on television channels across India, so sliding down chimneys is not a problem. Loves to travel — no reindeers but can throw in some cows. All payments through Paytm only. E: Mitron@DesiSanta.com Opportunity At A News Channel: Six dumb people wanted for panel discussions. Must sit still while anchor rants and raves. Participants should be able to time closing their mouths before a word can escape out or a mosquito fly in just as anchor shrieks, ‘The nation wants to know.’ Job hazards include deafness, mental disabilities and high blood pressure. Need to report to work on the 26th of January, Republic Day. E: Cutouts@LoudestPatriot.comTwinkle Khanna in The Times of India
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9. Living to Tell the Tale
Writing in The Hindu, Suhasini Haidar writes about journalists in the conflict zones and the importance of the stories they witness and bring to the fore.
Above all, the danger of being an international journalist goes far beyond becoming “collateral damage” in a conflict, or being injured in crossfire. Journalists are increasingly the targets, whether it is because of one side’s desire to silence them, or another’s to kidnap them as a way of grabbing headlines. Of the 48 journalists who died worldwide in 2016, more than half died covering conflict. According to the figures collated annually by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), two-thirds of the 152 journalists killed on “dangerous assignments” since 1992 were targeted directly for their reportage.Despite the odds, these foreign correspondents go to countries completely out of their ken, battle terrain and traditions they would probably never encounter back home, and stay to tell stories that could well take their lives. Then they go home, rinse hair, and repeat the battle.Suhasini Haidar in The Hindu
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