Challenge Yourself

 Most people reach a stage in life - typically in their forties, fifties or sixties - when they have accomplished a lot and fulfilled many of their aspirations. They have reached the peak of their careers, built satisfying family lives and achieved various personal goals. At this crucial juncture, many begin to reflect on what lies ahead. It's a moment of introspection, sometimes even a mid-life crisis. However, this sense of uncertainty - 'What now?' or 'What's next?' - can, instead, be seen as  ..

There is no 'mid-life crisis' unless and until we have lost our enthusiasm or sense of direction. This phase can be seen as a chance to re-evaluate and enrich one's vision. As we move forward, we should strive to set ourselves higher goals, regardless of whether they are spiritual, material or personal in nature. Have confidence in yourself. There is much more to be achieved. Now is the time to expand your horizons and let your actions be driven by love - whether for society, your country or eve ..

Source: Economic Times, 4/02/25

Feminism for all

 

Despite strides made by feminist movements in promoting women’s rights, next generation of it has to broaden its perspective to include men and boys as allies rather than as adversaries

Bengaluru witnessed a tragic and unsettling event in December — the suicide of Atul Subhash. In his 24-page suicide note and 90-minute video, Subhash claimed that his estranged wife and her family had harassed him, detailing years of psychological and legal suffering that he ascribed to unfounded claims of sexual misconduct, domestic abuse, and even homicide. This tragedy has rekindled national discussions on mental health, gender roles, and the potential abuse of laws intended to safeguard women.

Subhash’s passing serves as a powerful reminder of the need for an inclusive approach to gender equality. Despite the remarkable strides made by feminist movements in promoting women’s rights, the next generation of feminism has to broaden its perspective to include men and boys as allies rather than as adversaries.

The present wave of feminism is advocating for intersectionality, which acknowledges that gender intersects with other identities such as race, class, and sexual orientation to create distinct forms of oppression. However, one critical issue that is often found unaddressed is the harm that patriarchal institutions cause to men.

As a result of oppressive regimes depriving women of fundamental liberties and rights, legal frameworks have been established to safeguard them. These structures,
however, can be used to stigmatise men, underlining the need to examine the legal and social systems that men encounter.

There is also the crushing weight of cultural expectations imposed on men. Men are supposed to be strong, stoic, and providers; they are not allowed to be emotionally vulnerable or fail. In patriarchal cultures, men are conditioned to associate their value with their capacity to fulfil family obligations and succeed professionally.

Subhash spoke of betrayal, helplessness, and systematic unfairness in his suicide note. He felt helpless in a system that he felt was biased against him. Subhash’s case is emblematic of a wider problem in which men who are dealing with mental health problems or legal disputes feel frequently stigmatised. Feminist campaigning has rightfully focused on women’s challenges navigating repressive structures but it is impossible to attain true equality without questioning systems that are damaging to both genders.

Debates over the possible abuse of laws intended to shield women from domestic abuse and harassment have also been rekindled by Subhash’s case. For many women stuck in violent relationships, Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which makes cruelty towards married women a crime, has been a lifeline. Nonetheless, there are recorded instances of this rule being abused. Subhash stated that a number of false charges were filed against him. Protecting women against violence is vital, but it’s also crucial to make sure that these safeguards aren’t used as weapons. Advocating for reforms should include demands for an equitable system in which everyone, regardless of gender, can access justice.

Feminism has to develop into a movement that includes boys and men in its discourse. This does not imply lessening the emphasis on women’s rights; rather it entails acknowledging that structural injustices affect both sexes, albeit in different ways. The same patriarchal structures that feminism aims to dismantle also adversely affect men. Adaptable concepts of manhood must be promoted by inclusive feminism in order to combat toxic masculinity. It must provide forums where men can ask for support and
show vulnerability without worrying about being judged.

Atul Subhash’s passing is a wake-up call. It should push us toward a more complex view of equality, away from oversimplified accounts of gender conflict. Building a truly inclusive movement that frees men from toxic masculinity, women from oppression, and society from the inflexible dichotomies that separate us is the next frontier for feminism.

Debarati Bhattacharya 

Source: Telegraph India, 5/02/25

Time to change

 

Now that Artificial Intel­ligence has become all-pervasive and climate change is threatening our very existence, the need to revolutionise our education system is even more crucial

Last week, I was invited to address my ex-students at the fiftieth anniversary of their graduation from high school. I wonder if there will be such celebrations in the future because many high school students do not attend school: they are now enrolled in ‘dummy schools’ instead.

The attitude of parents has undergone a sea change. Earlier, parents were extremely particular about children attending school regularly. Today, parents casually ask, “Are you planning to go to school?” Or “Why are you going to school today? Do you have a test?” When we reflect on this alien behaviour, we realise that the instrumentalist approach to education is being zealously adopted as early as middle school. By the time children reach the secondary level, they are busy looking for suitable ‘dummy schools’ and tutorial centres.

Instead of combating this dangerous trend, schools are bending over backwards to facilitate specific, career-oriented studies at the expense of a complete school education. Some schools even have a nexus with coaching institutes so that the students can write both the school-leaving board exam and the competitive exam in the same year. Apart from placing inhuman stress on high school students, this results in the dangerous dilution of a sound educational foundation.

Unfortunately, middle-class parents are still trapped in dated aspirations for their offspring, namely, securing futures as doctors, engineers and lawyers, well-paying jobs in the corporate and IT sectors or entry into prestigious colleges abroad. Nobody seems to care about proper education although terms like ‘holistic’ and ‘all-round’ are bandied about liberally. Nobody seems to care about helping the young build a robust value schema or attempting to teach them the difference between right and wrong.

We are frequently surprised that many young people and their parents do something that is blatantly wrong just because ‘it pays off’ and because ‘everybody does it’. Values are derived from home but also from the school community. Some parents don’t understand that the invaluable lessons of life that are learnt in the school environment cannot be compared with mere preparation for exams. School, along with campus experience, teaches the lessons of life which form the kernel of one’s character and personality. Just try to imagine the ghastly world which is peopled by ‘unschooled’ individuals! If school is meant just for exams and certificates, in a few years’ time, I would be surprised if alumni had any special feelings for their alma mater, teachers or classmates. This is because there won’t be any shared experiences of joy, disappointment, fun, trouble and adventure.

This reminds me of the satirical classic, The Saber-Tooth Curriculum, which demonstrates people’s resistance to change even if innovation is the only way to survive. Over the last few decades, innumerable red flags have been raised about the stagnant nature of our education system, including assessment. But it is only after I read Saikat Majumdar’s Open Intelligence: Education between Art and Artificial that I realised how senselessly we have been procrastinating about introducing critical educational reforms. We have been nonchalantly tolerating an obsolete education system that tests stamina and memory rather than creativity and multiple intelligences. The ability to create new knowledge is what is required rather than the meaningless regurgitation of old knowledge.

Now that Artificial Intel­ligence has become all-pervasive and climate change is threatening our very existence, the need to revolutionise our education system is even more crucial. However, instead of encouraging students to use AI to their advantage and prepare for a fast-changing and unpredictable future, they are being pushed to follow the familiar routine of attending coaching institutes which prepare them for those stale competitive exams year after year.

If we wish our young to be happy and robust and prevent what seems like an impending disaster from nature, man and machine, we must revolutionise our teaching approaches and goals. This requires a fresh look at the meaning of education itself.

Devi Kar

Source: Telegraph India, 6/02/25

Quote of the Day January 7, 2025

 

“If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.”
Napoleon

“अगर आप चाहते हैं कि कोई चीज उत्कृष्ट तरीके से हो तो आप उसे खुद ही कीजिए।”
नेपोलियन

Decline in Rural to Urban Migration in India

 Recent data from a study titled ‘400 Million Dreams!’ by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) indicates decline in rural to urban migration in India. The report reveals a reduction of 5.4 million migrants, or 11.8 per cent, compared to 2011. This decline is attributed to various factors, including improved government services and better economic opportunities in rural areas.

Migration Trends Over the Years

The migration rate in India has decreased from 37.6 per cent in 2011 to 28.9 per cent in 2023. The number of workers migrating for economic reasons has fallen to 5 million, representing only 6.7 per cent of the workforce. This is a notable drop from 8.2 per cent in 1991 and 2001, and 9.3 per cent in 2011. The workforce has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8 per cent, while migration decreased at -1 per cent.

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Factors Influencing Migration Decline

The study suggests that improved government services, such as education and health, along with better infrastructure and connectivity, have contributed to the decline in migration. However, the reality of this assertion is questionable, as data shows a decrease in labour movement despite these improvements.

Evidence from Transport Data

Using railway ticket data, the report marks a 6.7 per cent decline in post-pandemic migration during peak months. Additionally, bus travel has seen a 16 per cent decline since FY11. The number of non-suburban railway passengers has also decreased, indicating a contraction in economic migration.

Urban-Rural Remittance Patterns

The report analyses savings account to current account (SA/CA) ratios to assess urban-rural remittances. Higher SA/CA ratios indicate areas with outbound migration, while lower ratios reflect high economic activity. Major cities like Mumbai and Delhi have lower ratios, suggesting greater economic activity compared to rural areas like Bihar, which has a high ratio of 10.14.

Rural Infrastructure and Migration

The claim that rural electrification has reduced migration is debated. Historical data shows minimal increases in electrification since FY01. The pace of rural housing construction under the PM Awaas Yojna-Gramin has also been modest, suggesting that improved infrastructure has not impacted migration trends.

Economic Slowdown and Migration

The report indicates that the decline in migration reflects a rising ruralisation trend rather than urbanisation. The dependence on agriculture has increased, leading to disguised unemployment and flat rural wages. The slowdown in economic activities and rising automation have contributed to this trend.

1. The EAC-PM is a key advisory body for India’s economic policy.
2. Bihar’s high SA/CA ratio indicates lower economic activity.
3. The PM Awaas Yojna-Gramin aimed to improve rural housing.
4. The contraction in migration has resulted in rural labour oversupply.
5. Urbanisation previously drove migration during India’s economic liberalisation.
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Implications for Future Policies

The contraction in migration suggests a need for policies that support rural incomes through fiscal measures or employment-generating programmes. The stagnation in worker movement across various transport modes indicates a broader economic challenge that requires targeted interventions to stimulate growth and migration.

What is Rat-Hole Mining?

 On January 6, 2025, several workers became trapped for over 12 hours in a coal “rat-hole” mine in Dima Hasao district, Assam. The mine was flooded, prompting ongoing rescue operations. Two motor pumps are currently at work to remove water from the mine, which is reportedly several hundred feet deep. Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has stated that both the National Disaster Relief Force and the State Disaster Relief Force are on-site to assist in the rescue. Additionally, the Army’s help has been solicited.

What is Rat-Hole Mining?

Rat-hole mining is a traditional method used to extract coal from narrow seams. This technique is particularly common in Meghalaya. The term “rat hole” describes the small pits dug into the earth, which are just large enough for a miner to enter. Miners typically descend into these pits using ropes or bamboo ladders to reach the coal seams. They employ basic tools like pickaxes, shovels, and baskets for manual extraction.

Types of Rat-Hole Mining

There are two main types of rat-hole mining – side-cutting and box-cutting. In side-cutting, miners dig narrow tunnels on hill slopes until they locate the coal seam, which is often less than 2 metres thick. Box-cutting involves creating a rectangular opening, ranging from 10 to 100 square metres, before digging a vertical pit that can extend 100 to 400 feet deep. Once the coal seam is identified, horizontal tunnels are dug to facilitate coal extraction.

Environmental and Safety Concerns

Rat-hole mining presents numerous safety and environmental risks. These mines are typically unregulated, lacking essential safety measures such as proper ventilation and structural support. Workers often do not have access to safety gear. The mining process leads to land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution. Critics have condemned the practice due to hazardous working conditions and frequent accidents, resulting in injuries and fatalities. Despite regulatory efforts, rat-hole mining continues due to economic pressures and limited alternative livelihoods for local communities.

Legal Status of Rat-Hole Mining

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in 2014, reaffirming the ban in 2015. The tribunal noted the numerous fatalities resulting from flooding in mining areas during the rainy season. The order specifically targeted Meghalaya, where this mining technique has been widespread. The state government subsequently appealed the NGT’s decision in the Supreme Court.

1. Rat-hole mining is primarily found in Meghalaya.
2. The NGT banned rat-hole mining due to safety concerns.
3. Side-cutting and box-cutting are two main mining techniques.
4. The coal seams are often less than 2 metres thick.
5. Unregulated mining leads to severe environmental degradation.

Current Rescue Efforts

Rescue operations are ongoing, with multiple agencies involved. The slow pace of the operation has raised concerns among families of the trapped workers. The presence of water in the mine complicates the rescue, making it imperative to pump out water efficiently. Authorities are hopeful for a successful outcome as they continue to work diligently on the site.