Ravish Kumar, others in Hindi book on threat to democracy amidst 'corporate loot'

By Bharat Dogra*
These are difficult times for democracy and this book on democracy in Hindi has thus been published at just the right time. Although it is mainly centred on India, it also ventures from time to time to comment on the situation in other parts of the world too.
Edited by Arun Kumar Tripathi and AK Arun, two names very familiar to Hindi readers, this book titled ‘Jantantra ki Jaden’ (‘Roots of Democracy’) has essays by several writers known for their concerns on various aspects of democracy and democratic rights.

This 352 page, neatly printed book has also been priced at Rs 360. It has been published by Yuva Samvad Prakashan, a small-scale publishing effort by Dr AK Arun who has also been bringing out a monthly Hindi magazine titled Yuva Sanvad on people’s concerns for several years in adverse circumstances.
This book starts with a foreword by Ravish Kumar. Then we have a detailed essay by the two editors giving an overview of the various threats to democracy and various concerns regarding democracy. There are two essays on Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of democracy by Chinmay Mishra and Sujata Chaudhary.
Then we have Arvind Mohan’s essay on Democracy and the Market, followed by one by Anil Sinha on Democracy and the RSS. Supriya Pathak writes from the perspective of women and gender related issues as seen in the context of the wider democracy related issues. Atal Tiwari has contributed an important chapter on panchayati raj related issues in the context of Uttar Pradesh.
In a chapter on media Dr AK Arun has provided several examples based on recent happening in India as well as abroad to bring out the increasing threats faced by media in several contexts. In another essay he argues that the health sector can progress best, even more so in the context of health care reaching all people, if the wider health of democracy is also protected. Thus he links health rights closely with wider democratic rights.

The editors have interviewed Prof Kamal Narayan Kabra on the very important issue of threats to democracy arising from the increasing power, influence and dominance of big corporate interests. This wide-ranging interview covers the contemporary scene. It also goes back in history to show how various problems evolved over the years or rather decades in the post-independence period.
Issues relating to dalit rights and politics, the impact of Hindutva forces and ideology have also been covered in this book. In terms of alternatives there are essays on socialist movement and efforts for protecting diversity and plurality in society as a base for strengthening democracy.
Among other writers who have contributed to this volume we have such well-known names as Ram Bahadur Verma, Shamsul Islam, Sachin Kumar Jain, Ramashankar Singh, Manohar Nayak, Praful Kolkhyan, HL Dusadh and Jayashankar Pandey.
---
*Honorary convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. Recent books: “Planet in Peril”, “Protecting Earth for Children”, “Ummeed Mat Chhodna” (Hindi poems) and “Navjeevan” (Hindi short stories)

Comments

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

'Anti-poor stand': Even British wouldn't reduce Railways' sleeper and general coaches

By Anandi Pandey, Sandeep Pandey* Probably even the British, who introduced railways in India, would not have done what the Bhartiya Janata Party government is doing. The number of Sleeper and General class coaches in various trains are surreptitiously and ominously disappearing accompanied by a simultaneous increase in Air Conditioned coaches. In the characteristic style of BJP government there was no discussion or debate on this move by the Indian Railways either in the Parliament or outside of it.

Why convert growing badminton popularity into an 'inclusive sports opportunity'

By Sudhansu R Das Over the years badminton has become the second most popular game in the world after soccer. Today, nearly 220 million people across the world play badminton. The game has become very popular in urban India after India won medals in various international badminton tournaments. One will come across a badminton court in every one kilometer radius of Hyderabad.

Faith leaders agree: All religious places should display ‘anti-child marriage’ messages

By Jitendra Parmar* As many as 17 faith leaders, together for an interfaith dialogue on child marriage in New Delhi, unanimously have agreed that no faith allows or endorses child marriage. The faith leaders advocated that all religious places should display information on child marriage.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Ayurveda, Sidda, and knowledge: Three-day workshop begins in Pala town

By Rosamma Thomas* Pala town in Kottayam district of Kerala is about 25 km from the district headquarters. St Thomas College in Pala is currently hosting a three-day workshop on knowledge systems, and gathered together are philosophers, sociologists, medical practitioners in homeopathy and Ayurveda, one of them from Nepal, and a few guests from Europe. The discussions on the first day focused on knowledge systems, power structures, and epistemic diversity. French researcher Jacquiline Descarpentries, who represents a unique cooperative of researchers, some of whom have no formal institutional affiliation, laid the ground, addressing the audience over the Internet.

Article 21 'overturned' by new criminal laws: Lawyers, activists remember Stan Swamy

By Gova Rathod* The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Gujarat, organised an event in Ahmedabad entitled “Remembering Fr. Stan Swamy in Today’s Challenging Reality” in the memory of Fr. Stan Swamy on his third death anniversary. The event included a discussion of the new criminal laws enforced since July 1, 2024.

Hindutva economics? 12% decline in manufacturing enterprises, 22.5% fall in employment

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak* The messiah of Hindutva politics, Narendra Modi, assumed office as the Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014. He pledged to transform the Indian economy and deliver a developed nation with prosperous citizens. However, despite Modi's continued tenure as the Prime Minister, his ambitious electoral promises seem increasingly elusive.

Union budget 'outrageously scraps' scheme meant for rehabilitating manual scavengers

By Bezwada Wilson* The Union Budget for the year 2024-2025, placed by the Finance Minister in Parliament has completely deceived the Safai Karmachari community. There is no mention of persons engaged in manual scavenging in the entire Budget. Even the scheme meant for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers (SRMS) has been outrageously scrapped.

Search This Blog