Growth, Employment, Poverty

In 1990's World Bank research established "Growth is good for poor", but experience in recent past with countries pressing for growth has shown that growth did not necessarily result into poverty alleviation.

It seems pretty clear with the researches within ILO and UNDP that Growth may or may not result into Poverty Reduction. The poverty reducing impact of Growth depends on

• a) Employment -- in Intensity and Quality; related to which is Productivity Growth.
• b) Sectoral Composition
• c) Inequality

Employment 

Often it is expected that growth that is employment intensive leads to poverty reduction, i.e. Employment Elasticity of Growth is a good measure of growth leading to Poverty reduction. Here, we can describe limits of Employment elastcity in terms of following
- It does not talk of Quantity of jobs created,
- It does not talk of Quality of jobs created -- "working poor"
- It does not consider demographic changes,
and thus cannot provide a clear picture.

Employment growth with increase in productivity can lead to a better impact on poverty reduction.

Improvement in Sectoral Composition:


Necessarily means that with growth, higher proportion of population must engage in high productivity sectors, that is to say an Employment Shift from Primary to Secondary to Tertiary etc.

Also important is to consider that this must happen in area where Growth is required, which is Rural / Countryside, thus improvement in Agriculture (Intensive Farming) to Agro-based industries, processing industries shall create greater positive correlation between Growth and Poverty.

Inequality

If growth results in concentration of wealth or unequal distribution of resources even though in a Pareto efficient system, necessarily increases Inequality and thus increases poverty. Whereas, equitable distribution of resources can alleviate poverty even if growth is weak or narrowly based.

Thus comes concept of "Poverty Reduction elasticity of Growth" (which means 'x' % reduction in poverty due to 1% increase in growth rate) that reflects the slope of Growth - Poverty Line. This elasticity is dependent on the prevailing inequity levels.

Pivot effect: Growth is simultaneously accompanied by reduction in inequity resulting into steeper slope in Growth - poverty Line.
Shift effect: Growth is simultaneously accompanied by reduction in inequity resulting into parallel / downward shift of Growth - Poverty Line.

Conclusion

Growth is considered as necessary for poverty alleviation but high growth alone is rarely sufficient. Employment, productivity and structural transformations are crucial in determining the poverty reduction impact of growth.

Growth in one sector of economy must be Employment - and Productivity - intensive and growth of employment with rising productivity involving shift in employment towards occupations and sectors with higher productivity.

Another key element in Growth - Poverty nexus is inequality, i.e. A growth process that benefits the lowest quintile of population more than the top quintile will have greater impact on poverty alleviation than a Growth process accompanied by rising inequality .



Reference: Yojana Article October 2013 "GROWTH, EMPLOYMENT, POVERTY" 

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GENDER INEQUALITY

It is the nature of studies to be comparative i.e. we tend to compare traits / subject as we see / observe them in nature for any kind of study. Same is with "inequality" which means property of not being equal.

In society we see various inequalities. The caste / tribe inequalities, rich poor / have - have not inequalities are the most common Social and Economic inequalities respectively. By that I mean inequalities with their origin in Societal and Economic perspective which has its impact on political outcomes, or to simply put in decision making. 

But the most important and most widespread inequality which crosses the barriers of socioeconomic perspective thereby hindering decision-making process is GENDER INEQUALITY. As is visible abundantly, gender inequality exists within same caste thus piercing societal basis and its existence within same rich - poor means breach of economic basis. (Having already considered Political inequality as outcome of basic inequalities without undermining its impact on reducing or removing them.)

Here arises the need to understand the basis of this Gender Inequality and address the basic issues to resolute. "Understanding of the other kind" is the only perspective missing here as it occurs. Deep rooted into the mindset because of lack of  education, both moral value - based and scientific fact - based. This education is not only lacked at basic levels but at Graduate and higher levels, as is this learning and sensitisation remains a never ending process. It is a well established fact that we grow with time and our behaviour must too.

The need for addressing this inequality is the highest as has been seen that the depth of the root is beyond Social and Economic causalities plus it affects a much larger population and in a much distressing way. One must look at the lost opportunity here in terms of volumes of innovations, good ideas etc. lost because of this inequality alone. 

Fairly the "Opportunity for Development" is lost in this insensitivity.

Another very important aspect of Inequality is diversity. A regular answer to inequality shall be equality which, as a Policy in India, is termed as Reservation, but the constitutional mandate is much more creative "Promotion", "adequate Protection". That means promoting and harnessing diversity to provide equality in status which is defined then in Social, Economic and Political perspectives.

For Gender Inequality, as for any other inequality, only reservation cannot be the fulfillment of constitutional mandate. One must thus also add the creative aspects of sensitisation and growing education and learning thereby enabling harnessing the diversity the Women Perspective is bringing into the Development Agenda.

Identity of India

In a Globalised World, where the world is being described as a Global Village, each country shall have its own Identity in terms of Socio-Cultural, Economic, Political, Geographic etc. etc. distinct advancement and uniqueness. 

In the above context Please Fill this survey about strength and weaknesses of India / Indians and populate it to help get more views. Thank you very much.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XVPKDFR

"Towards the social open innovation fund

A true vision for future....

Please read and contribute in terms of Ideas, Criticism and Funds (If u r satisfied)

Taken from https://www.facebook.com/anilgb/posts/561144940597847 status of Prof. Anil Gupta.

 

Towards the social open innovation fund

With the economic downturn, the entrepreneurial opportunities for young and old innovators have got further squeezed. Even earlier, there was hardly any fund to invest in the creative ideas of young students, self-employed people or even professionals who had ideas and sometime even the proof of concept which could make a difference. Despite numerous attempts, I could not convince the members of the National Innovation Council that instead of investing in the companies, the proposed India Inclusive INNOVATION Fund should really invest in the early stage ideas to unleash the power of inclusive and social innovations in the country. Majority of the so-called angel funds have very seldom invested in the hard technologies or other such initiatives. It is obvious therefore that every well-meaning and socially committed individual will have to come together to create such a fund. NO good idea should remain unexplored.

I have talked about this to my some of my colleagues in Honey Bee Network and outside about each one of us contributing some amount to create such a fund. It is pity that in the land of entrepreneurship and major social movements, the socially relevant ideas of open and inclusive innovation should find it so difficult to take off. Out of more 50 Gandhian Young Technological Innovation awards given by SRISTI in the last two years at the hands of Dr.R.A. Mashelkar, hardly any idea has got traction so far. Similarly, there are ideas about creating open source multimedia, multi-language content for school children. We know that some of the most disadvantaged children go to municipal and government schools and rural and urban areas. While there are many motivated teachers, there are equally large number who do not pay attention to the varying learning needs of children coming from different backgrounds. We may not be able to get outstanding teachers at every school but we can ensure outstanding content in every school. The innovators and entrepreneurs who will get such content made by the students of NID, IIT, IIM, CEPT, PRL, ISRO, GTU and other institutions would need to be supported for ensuring that each school of Gujarat and other states of the country gets highest quality open source content. It is not enough to just get content uploaded on the website. We need to create games through which different children can pursue different topics of various subjects up to different levels of difficulty. For instance, in some topics of science, a student of class fifth may like to pursue curiosity upto the class ninth level. But in some other topics, he may not be able to understand even class fifth level of detail. The education system must provide opportunity for sustaining curiosity of every child in each subject. The entrepreneurs who will create such content will need our support. 

Similarly, there are different forms of folk arts which will soon vanish and unless we create opportunities for those folk art forms. Without creating some kinds of markets, young people may not be attracted to keep those art forms alive. This again needs new entrepreneurial approaches. So much of urban infrastructure is being created but the space for folk artists is not expanding. Culture, creativity, and conscience are closely related. You kill one and the other start decaying. 

Let us resolve that from this 15th August, we will celebrate the independence of our mind, heart and vision. All those who believe that pooling small amounts whether Rs.500 or five lacs can help in creating a fund to promote social innovations may come together on 18th August at IIMA. I have decided to make contribution and am sure many others will join, but no good idea in education, health, art, culture, technology, energy or any other sector contributing to social development should remain unexplored if a group of knowledgeable colleagues believe in that idea. Every transaction should be transparent and there should be an open platform for learning, linking formal and informal sector, leveraging grassroots as well as formal sector ideas and promoting not only individual creativity, but also collaborative and community creativity and innovations. 

Look forward to hear from you and making this new beginning for investing in the ideas of future leaders of our society who have to be nurtured now and here.

~ Prof. Anil Gupta

Right To Education - "On a Teacher's Day"

Summer days are long, but the days are not as long. I think summer is almost over and as soon as this thought crossed my mind, I could actually see some clouds hovering in the sky, floating and maneuvering with the help of wind. Yes there is a little breeze blowing here. The day is not as long as I assumed it to be.

It was start of September, late monsoons to a retreating monsoon in India, pouring rains in most of the thirsty lands, and over pouring at some. Not flood here, not too much of rain, Delhi is not a place blessed much with the real beauty of rains if I compare it with the places I have been and places which have been with me. It was not surprising that I thought it to be a summer day.

On this day I woke up the usual eightish, thanked god for giving me another day, I thank him each day for the life he has given me. I know I am lucky to have this life because life has been so beautiful. I did the usual three t's; the tea, toilet and toothbrush combo. I had a plan for the day. I was to go to school. On a Saturday morning when I open my eyes there are two things which are delightful; first, Its an Office Off and second, its a day for me.

So I had a plan to go to this school, nothing disciplinary but rather a pleasure. These kids form the Underprivileged part of the beautiful society that I am an eminent part of. Each time I see them I know life is beautiful, not because of the things I have, but because of the things I don't have, because of things that I can have, things that I aspire to have, things that are there and do not belong to me. Each time I see them, I see life bigger than it is. What probably has been the most satisfying combination for me is life with kids and learning - Education, as an Institute of Life.

This NGO run school "Apna Ghar" provides education to these underprivileged kids from the neighbouring area. Kids who are the future of the nation and if I become broader, the future of life. These kids are provided food by "Sai Temple" nearby. The school not only takes care of the Institutional requirements of the Educational organisation but also provides with support in field of overall personality development of the kids by being a part of their life, solving their family issues and orgainising vocational trainings and personality development modules for the Kids and their family member and the teachers.

Oh now, It was 5th September and I had a plan to celebrate my Teacher's Day with this very special student and teacher group. These teachers they stay in the school itself and as far as I have seen, this school and these kids form the real part of their life. I wanted to be a part of this celebration.

I took out my car, i like to call her my wife, she is not very pretty, but still very beautiful to me. She has been kind and somber and right beside me at all time since we got married. I have always felt safe with her. So I made a move, reached to the 1st red light where I saw another stunner. Its not surprising, but yes its new to me each time I see it. Beautiful gal, wearing torn cloths, dirt all around her clothes and enshrouding her innocence and seraphic self. But her eyes were not covered by anything, 111 seconds was my wait time, and she came up to me asking for something, anything that I could give. I looked into her eyes, shiver and I was perspiring. I said sorry to myself before I spoke to her "I have nothing to offer".

She scratched on my car and moved on to the next car.

111 seconds later I was again on road with my wife, she sings well and that is my favorite part. I reached to this school. Small kids wearing Saree, what did i see Saree?? Okay it was a trend in my school as well. On a Teacher's Day you get to be a Teacher of your choice. She was a science teacher today. The school was almost over and this was what I came for. Just before the prayers and lunch that is served after the Prayer, I had my twenty minutes with these kids.

Did I want to show off or I was just being a normal human being. I wanted to share my knowledge with these kids.

So i started;

Kids what day is it today?

Teacher's Day. (Enthusiastic and loud)

Hmmm. So why is it that its celebrated today?

Birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. (God, they knew the full name. Good!!)

So what is so special about Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?

2nd President of India and a Teacher himself. (I was thinking now that they know it all)

So why is a Teacher Important?

Various answers...... (here i come) because they give us knowledge (Shiksha), (Yes, i did it.)

Shiksha se kya hota hai? (What does knowledge bring to us?)

Navin Pandey: Shiksha se Desh Mahan hota hai (Knowledge and education brings greatness to my Country.)

I was standing there stunned for a moment. Awed, mesmerised, struck by lightening. Check again, what is your name son, which class you are in?

"Navin Pandey, class II"

Could you repeat what you said.

"Shiksha se Desh Mahan hota hai"

I had a pilot pen in my pocket, we get them in our office. I gave him that and i repeated "Shiksha se Desh Mahan hota hai". God, I came here to learn.

While going back, when at the red light, that gal came to me again, I looked into her eyes. I was not ashamed of myself, I was not scared I said "Padhegi, Main tera admission karunga, yahin paas mein ek school hai" (Will you study, I will get you admitted, there is a school near by) I had something to give to her, thanks to Navin.

The gal looked at me again, scratched my car, and moved to the next car.

~ Lutarai

AN ATTEMPT TO EDUCATE

United Nation’s “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights” which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948 in the face of experience of the Second World War,declares in Article 2:

“Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory.”

“Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.” 

The due to education was given in a time bound plan under United Nations Millennium Development Goals 2000, by declaring to ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling and that girls and boys will have equal access to all levels of education.

Constant realization and efforts of Indian Government, in the face of rising International credence, we started with Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan in 2001. Under SSA initiative 2001, India passed Constitutional Amendment Article 21A ensuring the Right to Education as a Fundamental Right to all its citizens and enacted Right to Education Act 2009 that was executed from 1^st April 2010.

One would for once think “Why so much of Lullaby?” Some may oppugn the world singing the same song of ensuring education and the economic value or may be everybody is convinced that it is important.

I would like to bring forward a small story.

A person sitting at his home once asked the housemaid to maintain the personal hygiene of the kid that she used to bring with her to work. It was her child who looked dirty, unhygienic and rolled in mud while the mother was busy cleaning the house to maintain the hygiene for this family. For the first time this maid realized that she needs to care for her child’s hygiene as well. 

This ‘person’ while sitting and seeing this child playing one day started teaching him the basic alphabets. While rehearsing a,b,c… and ka, kha, ga.. with this innocent child brimming with life, he asked his maid “are there other maids who have kids and accompanying their mother on work instead of getting educated?” The maid obviously replied in consent “yes they do.”

“Ask them to send their child with yours if you can” the man said candidly. A mid elderly man, sitting with a few kids and teaching them very basic fundamental of life, “There is no limit to human mind”, giving them small wings to fly, an immortal picture of a Vedic Guru imparting “Knowledge”.

From an informal group of a few kids to an organized force strengthening the growth, germinating values and ethics, “Giving the Fire of Desire to the future” this idea is now a concept “Apna Ghar Social Welfare Society” (http://apnagharsociety.com) an organization working for elementary education of under privileged children under leadership of ‘the person’ Mr. Aridaman Johri. 

Early setback in form of Nithari Kand, but never short of energy and vision this man started a school with 20 children which now is a school of over 100 student and infrastructure facilities for classes up to V. 

How does such organization works for the Society?

The answer lies in simple things and is not a juggernaut of jargons. 

     a)      The school invites, by means of survey, interviews and public meetings, local people andinspires them to send their children to school. Such initiative allows the interaction of the educated and well to do class of the society with the under privileged. On the very first hand it diminishes the gap of disparity that grips our present day society.

    b)      The school is an attractive place for children. There is persistent effort to make it attractiveand interesting while keeping it educative and informative. The aim is not just force people to growth. The school thrives on the eagerness of the child who opens his arms to this new world filled with rich experiences. There is never shortage of enthusiasm, never a lack of energy; everybody wants to spend maximum time in the school.

   c)      School also organizes events on Teacher’s Day, Republic Day, Independence Day etc. various competitions, expeditions, picnics and other challenging activities to create overallgrowth of the Children.

     d)      It hires people from local community. Hires capable teachers from the downtrodden nearby, thus creating jobs and self esteem.

      e)      Trains students and teachers for extracurricular skills. Gives vocational training to the community people. Thus giving them a sense of self reliability and achievement. 

Why discuss in such bullets? Rather let me tell you in the words of another man who is also attached to this cause and younger brother of Mr. Johri. Mr. S.D Johri, while expressing himself, after the school kids performed an Inaugural Dance on the Raising Day of Consultancy Wing, NTPC Limited he said with a very heavy voice and almost red eyes “These kids when they started could barely stand properly. They never projected the confident future of my society. How could I ever imagine them standing here on this stage; so confident, so poise and so full of the zeal. This has definitely changed them; they will never be weak again because they have seen their strength. They can never fall as they have seen the flight.”

I categorically remember the response to one of the questions raised by me to these kids on a Teacher’s Day program. I had asked after a few general questions about why and how the Teacher’s Day is celebrated, I asked “Shiksha se kya hota hai?” (What does education give?)

The answer that I shall take to my grave and probably reiterate a thousand time before its time came from a standard I student, Tiwari Jee as I call him. He said “Shiksha se desh mahan hota hai” (Education brings greatness to the Nation.)

There they stood in front of me, not timid but candid and echt. Not shy but sparkling eyes ready to take on. Not looking for help or generosity but standing tall to the occasion beside me matching prodigious self.

This person himself may never have thought of where it would lead to nor can anyone else see the future of this beginning but what matters is the fact that this beginning took place. While talking of the social, economic and political development and empowerment of the people of the nation, the first thing that will always come to any mind is “Education”.

                                                 विद्या ददाति विनयं, विनयाद्यति पत्रता।

                                                 पत्रत्वाद्प्नॊति धनधर्म्ं तता: सुखम् ॥

Knowledge (education) brings humility, with humility comes worthiness, worthiness brings about wealth and this wealth is used for righteousness cause to create prosperity and happiness. One must understand the above Shloka with the goal of Inclusive Growth and reducing disparity. Education gives direction to desires, ignites aspirations, imparts values and ethics and thus creates the social base.

A nation is as is its youth, the present, is shaped as is its children, the future, and basks in the glory of its elderly, its past. This Nation can only fly on the wing of these pupil and only as much as is their limits. Let’s spread this conviction for the cause of nation for the cause of our children and for the cause of mankind, we must learn and get educated.

~ ~ Nalini Atul ~~

An Intellectual Overreach

The recent Decision of Supreme Court shall qualify as Electoral Reforms - "Decriminalization of Politics" but to call it Judicial Activism or Overreach shall be an Intellectual Overreach in my view.

The term Judicial Overreach implies Judiciary surpassing its Constitutional Mandate and Judicial Activism generally refers to the suo moto action by Judiciary. If we verify these conditions here, first, it is case of Supreme Court abiding by its Constitutional Mandate by upholding the Constitution above any other Law. If Section 8 (4) did not pass the test of Constitutionality, it is the duty of Supreme Court to strike it down. So it did giving its decision while considering a Civil Public Interest Litigation and not suo moto.

In order to prevent any chaos because of this verdict, SC has also clarified many aspects of the decisions including the applicability and execution of the same. The interpretation of RP Act vis-a-vis Constitution by SC cannot be doubted or questioned either and if there is any doubt the Verdict explains the Constitutional position of Section 8 (4) with respect to the Article 101, 102 (1) (e), 190 and 191(1) (e) of the Constitution.

In another case that was a under the appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court, it upheld the 2004 decision of Patna High Court which had held that a person not eligible to be an elector cannot contest election. Again if we go by the basic qualification for any MLA or MP the most important aspect is him being a Voter or an elector as given in the Constitution, so how the RP Act could discriminate a Citizen by not allowing him to vote and allowing him to contest election while in Jail. It seems a logical paradox.

Had the SC declared the Section 62(5) of RP Act void and unconstitutional, it would have been an Overreach, but by making it equally applicable in all situations it has only upheld its duty and restricted itself within its mandate. If the political parties and executive believe that the law is wrong, they have all the right to amend it but we all would agree that we cannot question the Logic in the interpretation by the Honourable Court.

Regarding the implication of these decisions and the fear that this gives away the power of disqualifying an MP(s) or MLA(s) to the Courts, it is to be understood that the courts are only deciding whether or not the accused is guilty and there by Convicting or Acquitting him / her. This is by all means the basic function of Judiciary and if a person gets disqualified because of this, it is the mandate of Constitution and not the Judiciary.

Moreover, if as a result of such disqualification, any Government on a thin majority falls, the onus of such loss shall be put on the political class. Politics being a field which is so intensely Value Oriented, should it not be the responsibility of the Political parties to ensure that a person who is likely to get convicted should not be a part of them and has no moral authority to claim to be the representative of people?

It is definitely unfortunate that after all the debates, discussions, Committees and their reports that has been produced in last almost 50 years on the all important Electoral Reforms, finally it takes a SC verdict to bring the reform that is welcomed. It only goes on to show the stubbornness and lethargy of the Political Executive and the political class as a whole and brings forward the need of better values and ethics in the political arena.