Congress and India

Continuing with the election theme - The FT recently published a hard-hitting opinion on why Congress deserves to lose the elections.

"There have been practically no market reforms since 2004, save for the opening of domestic civil aviation. Nothing has moved on privatisation, the reduction of government equity in banks and insurance companies, pensions, competition regulation or the administration of subsidies. Industrial tariffs have come down, but otherwise external protection has not been reduced. India remains the most protectionist large emerging market."

I don't buy this. At a time when most countries are lamenting the lack of regulation in their banking sectors, the lack of banking deregulation in India is not a good reason to vote against Congress.

I'm curious to know what others think.

Indian Elections - past and future

Ramachandra Guha presents an interesting historical account of how the Indian political system got fractured - for good and bad. I agree with a lot he says -

On the whole, these developments [diversity of political parties] are to be welcomed, as an incorporation of previously excluded or marginalised groups into the democratic process. At the same time, when aggregated up to the national level, this decentralised deepening has produced less-than-rational outcomes. For there are some issues that require a wise and far-seeing central government to handle them. The five crucial sectors here are health, education, environment, the economy, and foreign affairs...

... If one reads the newspapers of the past weeks and months, one finds that these policies are hardly discussed. Print and cyberspace alike are obsessed with which party is negotiating what kind of alliance, and with whom. Or they are speculating on the question of Kaun Banega Pradhan Mantri. And yet, feasible and effective policies in the sectors I have identified are vital to the long-term interests of India and Indians. However, in an era of multi-party coalition governments, one can be certain that we will not get them. Political negotiations will be resolutely focused on the short-term, with smaller parties asking for the most remunerative ministries in exchange for support to the ruling government. The prime minister's own working day will chiefly be taken up with massaging the egos of his fellow ministers, or of his own party members who have not yet found a place in the Union cabinet.

The West Wing

Every six months I watch some West Wing - I find it therapeutic.  It is, by far, my most favorite show!  So when someone recently called it sappy, I was surprised.  I couldn't understand how you could possibly find it sappy?  After all, it is a show on political issues featuring the inner workings of Washington.  It is funny and intelligent with great characters, powerful acting, clever dialogue and dramatic plots. 

Determined to prove this "unsappiness" I spent the better half of this Sunday afternoon watching episodes from the first season.  I wanted to validate (to myself, if nobody else) that the show was about facts, figures, issues, and debates.

However, watching the show from this slightly altered lens I can see how you can find it to be sappy; especially if you don't agree with all the viewpoints.  The writers are liberal and idealistic, and while the dialogue is incredibly clever, it is melodramatic at times.  Still, it is a personal favorite.

I always wished that someone created an Indian version of the show.  But then I was reminded that it would be very difficult to make such a version because the show would be dogged by controversy, protests and threats.  Still, I feel that a well-made, entertaining version on the Indian political system could be effective in raising awareness and increase public debate on important social and political issues.  Television is a powerful medium.  I don't mind if it is romanticized as long as it gets people to think, talk and, hopefully, act.  Maybe, I'm being sappy myself.

Links I liked

1) Food is in the news - interesting piece on the organic/slow-cooking/buying movement

2) India's finest slip fielder - and he is cute

3) The Honeymoon - what the new government should do in the first 100 days

4) Anoushka Shankar at Carnegie - I enjoyed it a lot (mind you, I don't know anything about classical music)

And if you haven't already checked out Google Reader, you should. I find it immensely useful.