The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Inclusive development

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Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Inclusive development

I share the concern and enthusiasm expressed by Arjun Sengupta (Op-Ed, Dec. 9) on the 77 per cent of our population. The fiscal stimulus for India certainly has to be different and timely for these teeming billions. It is time, therefore, to go ballistic on agricultural fundamentalism. The food prices and the nutrition deprivation scourge must certainly guide our stimulus package. I wish Mr. Sengupta had explicitly stated it. Sadly, he has fallen into the ‘rural non-farm’ trap. The “bharat nirman” template for rural infrastructure is the most inappropriate mechanism and must be immediately remodelled to suit the inclusive development as well as ground realities.

J. George,

Delhi

Now we know that our laudable economic growth relates to less than a quarter of our population. Why do governments and policymakers insist on sweeping the rest of the Indians under the carpet every year? Why is it that despite a few sane and caring voices in Parliament, only lopsided growth is announced, encouraged and then tom-tommed about? Can a huge tree survive if only a quarter of its roots are healthy and continue to get nutrition in surfeit? When solutions are available, what prevents their implementation? Let us share the optimism expressed by the author.

R. Swarnalatha,

New Delhi

Mr. Sengupta deserves praise for his thought-provoking essay on alternative prescriptions for facing the fallout of the present global financial crisis in the Indian context. His stress on improving the income levels of the vast multitude of the poor peasantry and rural labour radiates innate humane feelings. Hope successive governments look beyond models unsuited to our soil.

S.V. Venugopalan,

Chennai

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