Abhay Pareek I am not surprised ..no criticism from anyone on facebook on merciless killing of 74 soldiers by maoists...it seems it does not have much intresting aspects attached to it to show our intellectual skills...would it have been same..if the case would have been other way round...????...I guess one day stint of Arundhati Roy is something to talk about......
Samrah Badruddoza
Abby!thanx for bring'g dis up.finaly sum1 wid whom i can discus dis.i wana know why r da naxals not brand'd as terrorists.woh hamare gaon ko aur bacward bana rahe hai.
Yesterday at 4:46am
Shreedhar Swamy
Abhay nice thought... But india being such a big country, it really does'nt matter to common public. It matters to those who shed their life, blood and lost families. Thanks to all kind of @$$ho!€$ sittin up there to take decision involving lifes of common people
Yesterday at 5:34am
Umashree Pancholy
respect from heart abhay.
I've seen my father, he was lucky to escape death in the war. But there are other's who, get unnoticed, the true heroes of this nation.
let us all hope the government understands what these brave men are actually about.
Soldier's are the peace keeper's. They die so we can live.
Hope Mr. Chidambram is listening to the indians, because i am so tired of reading such sad incidents in the newspaper that i dont anymore read the news only. Only politely ask roomate about it, sigh and get back to work....See More
I've seen my father, he was lucky to escape death in the war. But there are other's who, get unnoticed, the true heroes of this nation.
let us all hope the government understands what these brave men are actually about.
Soldier's are the peace keeper's. They die so we can live.
Hope Mr. Chidambram is listening to the indians, because i am so tired of reading such sad incidents in the newspaper that i dont anymore read the news only. Only politely ask roomate about it, sigh and get back to work....See More
Yesterday at 11:31am
Devangana Kalita
Why does killing of 74 soldiers evoke such sympathy and love for the abstract concept of the 'nation and the men dying for it'? Operation Green Hunt has been led to the death of hundreds of tribals, hundreds of women have been raped by the paramilitary forces. It is after all an all out mission to displace and wipe out tribal populations, who have always been the casualty in the development and progress of our 'great United' India. Why do we allow the legitimacy of violence by the Indian state.A call to condemn this violence is written off as a one day stint by Arundhati Roy.
Its an illusion to believe that there is anything like sovereignty in today's world. States are no longer, (not that they ever were) these altruistic institutions interested only in the good of the people. There is no sovereignty, there is only a complete collusion with global capital. State Violence is always shrouded under the glorious facade of nationalism. "Unity in Diversity", "India as this coherent beautiful and whole entity" are all discourses to seek consent of the middle class to this attack on people and their resources. Is Operation Green Hunt really to erase this so called biggest threat to Indian Security --- the Maoists? Where are the maoists operating, clearly in places where the state has perpetarted a history of injustice and operation, places which have been marked by a complete developmental failure and places inhabited by adivasis, tribals, Dalits --- the most marginalized and oppressed sections of our society today. The lines between who is a tribal and who is a maoist are hence often very blurred. It is hence foolish to beleive that maoists are taking advantage of the disempowered situation of the tribals, the tribals are empowering themselves by transforming themselves from objects of oppression into active and resisting political subjects. The disgusting Chidambarm's (who was in the board of Directors of Vedanta, the organization snatching away tribal land in Niyamgiri) sudden intense interest to wipe out the Maoists is clearly to make way for all the pending MOUs that the government has signed with the Mittals, and the Tatas and the Poscos since the Maoists are the people organizing the locals for resistance in all places.
Then there will be prophets who will say any kind of violence is bad, be it state violence or Maoist violence! The Maoist problem should be tacked through development initatives. That is fucking never going to happen. When we have a state which is in collusion with only global corporate capital, the state is only going to implement 'development strategies' which snatch away the land and resources of its own people and declare wars like the Operation Green Hunt against its own people. And thus violence as a means of resistance in certain context i dare to say stands justified. Where we sympathizing when the tribals were being killed in this war. This is a war that is on and now when the jawans have been attacked, it is unjustifiable. It is retaliatory violence in a war started by the state. There will be the questions why the Maoists dont join the democratic electoral process. Sorry, our people do not have the money to buy the election seat the Maoists would tell you. Why don't the Maoists use democratic means of protest you might ask? The one social movement which did so was The Narmada Bacho Andolan. What is the result? Sarovar Damn has been built and expanded, Supreme Court has given its stamp of approval and the movement has disintegrated almost with some still fighting for 'rehabilitation' needs....See More
Its an illusion to believe that there is anything like sovereignty in today's world. States are no longer, (not that they ever were) these altruistic institutions interested only in the good of the people. There is no sovereignty, there is only a complete collusion with global capital. State Violence is always shrouded under the glorious facade of nationalism. "Unity in Diversity", "India as this coherent beautiful and whole entity" are all discourses to seek consent of the middle class to this attack on people and their resources. Is Operation Green Hunt really to erase this so called biggest threat to Indian Security --- the Maoists? Where are the maoists operating, clearly in places where the state has perpetarted a history of injustice and operation, places which have been marked by a complete developmental failure and places inhabited by adivasis, tribals, Dalits --- the most marginalized and oppressed sections of our society today. The lines between who is a tribal and who is a maoist are hence often very blurred. It is hence foolish to beleive that maoists are taking advantage of the disempowered situation of the tribals, the tribals are empowering themselves by transforming themselves from objects of oppression into active and resisting political subjects. The disgusting Chidambarm's (who was in the board of Directors of Vedanta, the organization snatching away tribal land in Niyamgiri) sudden intense interest to wipe out the Maoists is clearly to make way for all the pending MOUs that the government has signed with the Mittals, and the Tatas and the Poscos since the Maoists are the people organizing the locals for resistance in all places.
Then there will be prophets who will say any kind of violence is bad, be it state violence or Maoist violence! The Maoist problem should be tacked through development initatives. That is fucking never going to happen. When we have a state which is in collusion with only global corporate capital, the state is only going to implement 'development strategies' which snatch away the land and resources of its own people and declare wars like the Operation Green Hunt against its own people. And thus violence as a means of resistance in certain context i dare to say stands justified. Where we sympathizing when the tribals were being killed in this war. This is a war that is on and now when the jawans have been attacked, it is unjustifiable. It is retaliatory violence in a war started by the state. There will be the questions why the Maoists dont join the democratic electoral process. Sorry, our people do not have the money to buy the election seat the Maoists would tell you. Why don't the Maoists use democratic means of protest you might ask? The one social movement which did so was The Narmada Bacho Andolan. What is the result? Sarovar Damn has been built and expanded, Supreme Court has given its stamp of approval and the movement has disintegrated almost with some still fighting for 'rehabilitation' needs....See More
Yesterday at 3:28pm
Andre Ling
Any death, any violence, should be seen as a tragedy, regardless of whose side you're on. It's a tragedy that some young men believing in their country signed up for the Jawans and were sent into an area that they had little information about to kill people they had only heard stories about. It's a tragedy for their families. And it's a tragedy because it will only mean that a new batch of young men will be going their way. There is nothing glorious about these young men getting killed. But then, there is nothing glorious about what they are doing there either. They are at war.
Death is what happens in a war. It's horrible but it's true. These men don't really know what they are fighting for. Is it for 'their country'? Is it for some transnational mining companies? Is it to liberate the tribals from the Maoist clutches? All of the above? I think it's important to take a step back and look at what has happened and what is happening in the region. Why are the Maoists so influential there? What has been the role of the State over the last 50-or-so years? What is the condition of the tribal people in the area? What is the track record so far of displaced people in India?
So yes, I think it's terribly sad that these 74 soldiers were killed, as you say 'mercilessly' (by the way, what is 'merciful' killing?). It's sad that they were there and it's sad that the Maoists are there. But why is all this happening? Why has there been such a history of neglect and injustice? Why have the Maoists been able to get such a stronghold? Much of what Devangana has written holds - about the MoUs, about the displacement, about lack of development, about the violence and harassment of tribals by police and paramilitary forces....See More
Death is what happens in a war. It's horrible but it's true. These men don't really know what they are fighting for. Is it for 'their country'? Is it for some transnational mining companies? Is it to liberate the tribals from the Maoist clutches? All of the above? I think it's important to take a step back and look at what has happened and what is happening in the region. Why are the Maoists so influential there? What has been the role of the State over the last 50-or-so years? What is the condition of the tribal people in the area? What is the track record so far of displaced people in India?
So yes, I think it's terribly sad that these 74 soldiers were killed, as you say 'mercilessly' (by the way, what is 'merciful' killing?). It's sad that they were there and it's sad that the Maoists are there. But why is all this happening? Why has there been such a history of neglect and injustice? Why have the Maoists been able to get such a stronghold? Much of what Devangana has written holds - about the MoUs, about the displacement, about lack of development, about the violence and harassment of tribals by police and paramilitary forces....See More
Yesterday at 4:39pm
Umashree Pancholy
@ Dev,
There should be no comparison made as to why people give so much sympathy when a soldier dies and no sympathy when tribals die.
There's a big difference here. My dad's a war disabled officer and this issue is a very very sensitive issue for me.
I have seen how he has struggled and become the man he is, what for? For a bunch of stupid Indians who wouldn't even understand that it takes a strong heart and mind to go and stand in front of death knowing that maybe no one will even remember you 5 months after you are dead.
I understand what operation green hunt is doing is sad, and unfair but I'm sorry....See More
There should be no comparison made as to why people give so much sympathy when a soldier dies and no sympathy when tribals die.
There's a big difference here. My dad's a war disabled officer and this issue is a very very sensitive issue for me.
I have seen how he has struggled and become the man he is, what for? For a bunch of stupid Indians who wouldn't even understand that it takes a strong heart and mind to go and stand in front of death knowing that maybe no one will even remember you 5 months after you are dead.
I understand what operation green hunt is doing is sad, and unfair but I'm sorry....See More
Yesterday at 7:34pm
Mukul Kumar Mishra
This is not first time when maoists have attacked the unaware soldiers. It is always sad when somebody dies, but in such a tragic death it is very mournful. The main point is not whether it is because displacement or government's negligence. Can anybody believe that the innocent tribals who can't even think of their own development will kill anyone...See More
Yesterday at 8:47pm ·
Abhay Pareek
I agree to Umashree, please do not show disrespect to any such individual who shows so much strength to fight for his nation...deaths at these two sides cannot be compared at any point of time..
@ Andre, yes I truly belive that Indian state should put well being of its people before any rampant development process through mineral exploration..but ...See More
@ Andre, yes I truly belive that Indian state should put well being of its people before any rampant development process through mineral exploration..but ...See More
Yesterday at 9:25pm
Andre Ling
@ Mukul: I like this idea of sending in NGOs to facilitate dialogue... But what do you suggest they actually do when they get there? Do they convince the tribals to vacate their land so that the mining companies can move in? Do they convince the government to stop mining? Do they try to convert the maoists away from their political ideology so that they will believe in something else? I really don't understand how you imagine this would work.
Furthermore, if these tribals are 'so innocent' that they 'can't even think of their own development', then please tell me who should be acting on their behalf and who is in a position to really know what is best for them? And also try to explain why we hear tribals asking for schools and hospitals, for access to the forests, land and water sources on which they depend for their livelihoods - instead of displacement and harassment? Perhaps that doesn't fit into the kind of 'development' that the shining India is all about, I don't know. What I do know is that the track record for tribals has been pretty damn bad so far.
Finally, for anyone who actually bothered to read Arundhati Roy's article, regardless of whether you like it or not, and regardless of whether you think the Maoists are manipulative scum or liberators, one thing is very, very clear: they get support from tribals when tribals are oppressed. It started with trying to get better rates for the bundles of tendu patta sold by tribals to middlemen... that's how it all began. But yes, there was a bigger political motivation... In those days India was much more closed to foreign mining companies. But since the 1990s, things have changed and now there are hundreds of MoUs, each one threatening the displacement of thousands more tribals. Many tribals have seen the condition of those displaced and they don't want it. The Maoists, admittedly with their own highly questionable agenda, are the only people holding up the hope they have that they can resist the end of their culture and way of life. The important element to see, if we can step away from the immediacy of our emotions and attachments just for a moment, is that the violent resistance we can see - however horrible it may be - is created, made possible, by the very forces that now seek to squash it. And in trying to squash it, they will make it more extreme. The war, my friends, will get bloodier before it gets over....See More
Furthermore, if these tribals are 'so innocent' that they 'can't even think of their own development', then please tell me who should be acting on their behalf and who is in a position to really know what is best for them? And also try to explain why we hear tribals asking for schools and hospitals, for access to the forests, land and water sources on which they depend for their livelihoods - instead of displacement and harassment? Perhaps that doesn't fit into the kind of 'development' that the shining India is all about, I don't know. What I do know is that the track record for tribals has been pretty damn bad so far.
Finally, for anyone who actually bothered to read Arundhati Roy's article, regardless of whether you like it or not, and regardless of whether you think the Maoists are manipulative scum or liberators, one thing is very, very clear: they get support from tribals when tribals are oppressed. It started with trying to get better rates for the bundles of tendu patta sold by tribals to middlemen... that's how it all began. But yes, there was a bigger political motivation... In those days India was much more closed to foreign mining companies. But since the 1990s, things have changed and now there are hundreds of MoUs, each one threatening the displacement of thousands more tribals. Many tribals have seen the condition of those displaced and they don't want it. The Maoists, admittedly with their own highly questionable agenda, are the only people holding up the hope they have that they can resist the end of their culture and way of life. The important element to see, if we can step away from the immediacy of our emotions and attachments just for a moment, is that the violent resistance we can see - however horrible it may be - is created, made possible, by the very forces that now seek to squash it. And in trying to squash it, they will make it more extreme. The war, my friends, will get bloodier before it gets over....See More
Yesterday at 9:47pm
Arun Poojary
I agree with Abay!!!! but dear dont become so emotional!!!!hehhehe
I disagree with people claiming Maoists have mass support in the region...its foolish to claim so. People are terrified to support them and i heard many of my friends narrating how they are exploiting the villagers to meet their needs and forcing them to feed them ...Even if ...See More
I disagree with people claiming Maoists have mass support in the region...its foolish to claim so. People are terrified to support them and i heard many of my friends narrating how they are exploiting the villagers to meet their needs and forcing them to feed them ...Even if ...See More
Yesterday at 9:59pm
Arun Poojary
in fighting against the so-called legitimacy of the state for violence(!!!!!), are we legitimizing naxals for the same violence????? Any one who speaks for the plight of tribals will definitely get the support of them and it doesn't mean violent groups like Naxals get that support and it unfortunate that Maoists are getting that support!!! They are...See More
Yesterday at 10:09pm
Andre Ling
@Arun: I agree. I don't think anyone here wants the Maoists to take over India and instate a military dictatorship. That wasn't my point at all. My point is that the state should pursue a development agenda that is sensitive to the needs of the people who live in that state and that if it doesn't it should expect the kind of Maoist response that it...See More
Yesterday at 10:26pm
Arun Poojary
@Andre- naxals are not pleading the state to move on development what tribals need and their intention and agenda is still unclear. Its not just state is more exploitative towards tribals, many of the naxal massacre of the tribals is often unreported!!!They are completely wiping out the space for dialogue!!
Yesterday at 10:40pm
Arun Poojary
hhehhehehheh
Yesterday at 10:45pm
Andre Ling
The State is huge compared to the Naxals AND it has a constitutional responsibility towards the people. That's why it needs to be held accountable. But the way you make it sound is state = good and naxals = bad. That doesn't help either.
Ant me aap jis me vishwas karna chahate hai, us me karo. koi bhi sthithi me khub saare log mar jayenge; nyay kaha par nahi hoga... na pehle tha na bad me hoga... yeh to itihas batate hai. vikas ka naam me khub saara anyay hua aur yeh sab chalte rehega. aage bado! aage bado!
if you're interested in what happens to non-violent tribal resistance movements read this: http://kafila.org/2010/03/30/tata-sponsored-green-hunt-in-kalinga-nagar-to-destroy-democratic-tribal-movement/ ...See More
Ant me aap jis me vishwas karna chahate hai, us me karo. koi bhi sthithi me khub saare log mar jayenge; nyay kaha par nahi hoga... na pehle tha na bad me hoga... yeh to itihas batate hai. vikas ka naam me khub saara anyay hua aur yeh sab chalte rehega. aage bado! aage bado!
if you're interested in what happens to non-violent tribal resistance movements read this: http://kafila.org/2010/03/
Yesterday at 11:24pm
Mukul Kumar Mishra
Dear Andre, I opined that those NGO's can play important roles who are actually working for the development of Tribal community by providing some of the basic supports. This question is really arguable that what they will do, convince them to vacate their land or from their side convince government otherwise? But one thing is for sure that Tribal people have the faith in NGO institutions as they are working on something which directly affects their life.
I understand that saying is much easier than doing. There are two main thought comes in my mind and in both condition Tribal community is going to suffer. First, leave them in the condition where they are and second put continuous efforts to bring them in the mainstream. First step we can never take, as have to take continuous efforts to bring them in the mainstream of development by providing them the basic amenities i.e. food, shelter, health and education. And in the second step the case of displacement, encroachment and other things will come. The corporate which are in the extraction of minerals sector are working hard to compensate the community by providing basic amenities. But this is like chain the king of Jungle in a cage with all the amenities. Hence, it is really a tough task to find what will suit best to them. Many corporate who are involved in displacement of tribal are researching to find what will make them happy job, house, education, medical facilities etc. I am not sure how much they have succeeded in this…? As far as I know, Tribal community believes in living on day to day basis, starting from livelihood to all other things too.
I am agreed with your last line, force is not going to work, we have to find the peaceful solution. Development costs a lot and in the name of development we are forcing the particular community to lose their identity. This forceful step will have a great negative impact on the mindset of people so called simple and innocent ones ……!!!! ...See More
I understand that saying is much easier than doing. There are two main thought comes in my mind and in both condition Tribal community is going to suffer. First, leave them in the condition where they are and second put continuous efforts to bring them in the mainstream. First step we can never take, as have to take continuous efforts to bring them in the mainstream of development by providing them the basic amenities i.e. food, shelter, health and education. And in the second step the case of displacement, encroachment and other things will come. The corporate which are in the extraction of minerals sector are working hard to compensate the community by providing basic amenities. But this is like chain the king of Jungle in a cage with all the amenities. Hence, it is really a tough task to find what will suit best to them. Many corporate who are involved in displacement of tribal are researching to find what will make them happy job, house, education, medical facilities etc. I am not sure how much they have succeeded in this…? As far as I know, Tribal community believes in living on day to day basis, starting from livelihood to all other things too.
I am agreed with your last line, force is not going to work, we have to find the peaceful solution. Development costs a lot and in the name of development we are forcing the particular community to lose their identity. This forceful step will have a great negative impact on the mindset of people so called simple and innocent ones ……!!!! ...See More
Yesterday at 11:31pm ·
Devangana Kalita
@ abhay and Umashree
Umashree I understand this is a very sensitive issue for you, and I am sorry to have hurt your sentiments. But for a moment detach yourself from this personal attachment (I know it is very very hard to do, probably you will say its impossible, but it is important) As Andre had said, what are our soldiers fighting for?The '...See More
Umashree I understand this is a very sensitive issue for you, and I am sorry to have hurt your sentiments. But for a moment detach yourself from this personal attachment (I know it is very very hard to do, probably you will say its impossible, but it is important) As Andre had said, what are our soldiers fighting for?The '...See More
17 hours ago
Devangana Kalita
@Mukul
I have certain questions on your view about NGOs mediating. Firstly NGOs itself are not monolithic great entities. They are very problematic in themselves. Where is an NGO getting its funding from, NGOs are sustained by global capital, which is inherently exploitative. Seva Mandir takes funding from Coca Cola, the same Coca Cola which is displacing and killing people in Kashipur. Where does Seva Mandir stand then? The money earned from the blood of the people in Kashipur is being put into 'community development' in Rajasthan to show how great and socially responsible Coca Cola is. The NGO funded by Vedanta, their bus was burned down by local tribals in Niyamgiri. So when any NGO comes in to mediate, the immediate question would be, who are they really working for?
Then the point of bringing them into the mainstream is also needs to be dealt in depth. Who are we to decide that they should be mainstreamed? Have be ever asked the tribals whether they want to be mainstreamed? What mainstream education are we talking about? A tribal girl who can identify all botanical plants will probably fail her botany exam while you or me who know jack about it will pass with 9-% marks? What is this 'benevolent' development that we want to bestow on them? The 'nice' corporates are offering them education and medical care and what not you say. Firstly if you look at all previous records, no MNC has lived up to any of these promises. And why is there even a question of compensatation, where people even ever asked before their lands were being taken?
...See More
I have certain questions on your view about NGOs mediating. Firstly NGOs itself are not monolithic great entities. They are very problematic in themselves. Where is an NGO getting its funding from, NGOs are sustained by global capital, which is inherently exploitative. Seva Mandir takes funding from Coca Cola, the same Coca Cola which is displacing and killing people in Kashipur. Where does Seva Mandir stand then? The money earned from the blood of the people in Kashipur is being put into 'community development' in Rajasthan to show how great and socially responsible Coca Cola is. The NGO funded by Vedanta, their bus was burned down by local tribals in Niyamgiri. So when any NGO comes in to mediate, the immediate question would be, who are they really working for?
Then the point of bringing them into the mainstream is also needs to be dealt in depth. Who are we to decide that they should be mainstreamed? Have be ever asked the tribals whether they want to be mainstreamed? What mainstream education are we talking about? A tribal girl who can identify all botanical plants will probably fail her botany exam while you or me who know jack about it will pass with 9-% marks? What is this 'benevolent' development that we want to bestow on them? The 'nice' corporates are offering them education and medical care and what not you say. Firstly if you look at all previous records, no MNC has lived up to any of these promises. And why is there even a question of compensatation, where people even ever asked before their lands were being taken?
...See More
17 hours ago
Devangana Kalita
@ Arun yeah even I dont know what a Maoists state will be like. But my point is there will need to be different forms of resistances in different contexts. The state is clearly supporting the MNCs,it will not on its own every adopt an equitable model of development, it is a state run by the ruling elite.There has to be a constant continuous intense...See More
17 hours ago
Mukul Kumar Mishra
Dear Devangana, I am totally agreed that all these NGO's gets funding from the big honchos of corporate world in the name of Corporate social responsibility. And these NGO's just work the way their funder wants. But who else can talk directly with the deprived community. Govt. has their own limitation and MNC's can not directly talk being a main ...See More
9 hours ago ·
Abhay Pareek
Dear Dev, Whatever you believe in , please suggest a solution if you have any...I still feel that we fought for a nation and economic suppression was just one of the reasons for that..that nation was a dream which we have to built, raising fingers on the state and its so called elite is not the solution..its us who have to build it, the doctor, ...See More
8 hours ago
Mukul Kumar Mishra
I am agreed with you Abhay, it's always easy to clap or shout or murmur from behind the scene. Unless you face it directly, everything is just gossip even if we say it a serious one. Can anybody say what is important and what's not ? The priority changes individual to individual , community to community, party to party and its on. Government being ...See More
7 hours ago ·
Mukul Kumar Mishra
Thanks Abhay for starting the debate......!!!!!
7 hours ago ·
Andre Ling
Yes! Good debate! Thanks Abhay :)
@Abhay: I completely agree with what you say about the fact that it is the common people who have to struggle to make the state into something different. But I would also venture that it is short-sighted to imagine that what goes on at the level of policy (made mostly by elites) is not important. Yes! India needs countless grassroots everyday struggles but it also needs people who are making sure that the policies introduced by the State are in the people's interests (and NO I'm NOT talking about the Maoists here!). One bad policy can undo the years of hard work put in by common people struggling to do something good in the world. Just take a look at the recent nuclear civil liabilities bill as an example. Without social movements challenging the State's policy-making process (i.e. holding it to account), such a bill would jeopardise Indian citizens while relieving foreign nuclear technology corporations of any responsibility if something goes wrong. So I think it's better not to blame only the elites and better not to imagine that it is just the daily struggle by common people to be 'better' citizens that is required. Just because the State is the State, the place-holder of the nation, it's not a reason to let it off the hook and believe in it blindly; it needs as much critical attention as everything else.
Furthermore, it should be common knowledge in educated circles that no nation state today is INDEPENDENT. All nation states are INTER-DEPENDENT which is very different. International economic and political matters play a major role in shaping the way that people in power in different countries make their decisions and international business lobbies, the WTO, the WB, the IMF - hell, even DFID - all have a big role to play in this process. Along with the Indian State I would hold them accountable for whatever is going on. Orissa, for example, is one of the most heavily indebted states in India, with most of its debts being to the WB. Bad policies and corrupt implementation of programmes are responsible for this condition and now the state government hopes to be able to repay these debts by opening its interior hilly, forested areas (inhabited by tribals) to mining, with support from the centre. In order to do so it has to offer foreign and domestic companies highly favourable terms (e.g. more than 50% ownership) in order to encourage their investment, with a stream of revenues to the government that is limited by the need to remain globally competitive. This is clearly a State-level policy matter that has been shaped by global processes that has implications on the lives of common people (the one's who live in the forests) who have never had any say in the matter. So please put this idea of an INDEPENDENT nation state into perspective. No State is as free as you might suggest. And even while I totally agree that it is up to the common people of India to change India into the great (by which I mean just, free and democratic) country it has the potential to become, the sheer ability of the State and powerful actors to affect the lives of millions with minor policy decisions must not be overlooked....See More
@Abhay: I completely agree with what you say about the fact that it is the common people who have to struggle to make the state into something different. But I would also venture that it is short-sighted to imagine that what goes on at the level of policy (made mostly by elites) is not important. Yes! India needs countless grassroots everyday struggles but it also needs people who are making sure that the policies introduced by the State are in the people's interests (and NO I'm NOT talking about the Maoists here!). One bad policy can undo the years of hard work put in by common people struggling to do something good in the world. Just take a look at the recent nuclear civil liabilities bill as an example. Without social movements challenging the State's policy-making process (i.e. holding it to account), such a bill would jeopardise Indian citizens while relieving foreign nuclear technology corporations of any responsibility if something goes wrong. So I think it's better not to blame only the elites and better not to imagine that it is just the daily struggle by common people to be 'better' citizens that is required. Just because the State is the State, the place-holder of the nation, it's not a reason to let it off the hook and believe in it blindly; it needs as much critical attention as everything else.
Furthermore, it should be common knowledge in educated circles that no nation state today is INDEPENDENT. All nation states are INTER-DEPENDENT which is very different. International economic and political matters play a major role in shaping the way that people in power in different countries make their decisions and international business lobbies, the WTO, the WB, the IMF - hell, even DFID - all have a big role to play in this process. Along with the Indian State I would hold them accountable for whatever is going on. Orissa, for example, is one of the most heavily indebted states in India, with most of its debts being to the WB. Bad policies and corrupt implementation of programmes are responsible for this condition and now the state government hopes to be able to repay these debts by opening its interior hilly, forested areas (inhabited by tribals) to mining, with support from the centre. In order to do so it has to offer foreign and domestic companies highly favourable terms (e.g. more than 50% ownership) in order to encourage their investment, with a stream of revenues to the government that is limited by the need to remain globally competitive. This is clearly a State-level policy matter that has been shaped by global processes that has implications on the lives of common people (the one's who live in the forests) who have never had any say in the matter. So please put this idea of an INDEPENDENT nation state into perspective. No State is as free as you might suggest. And even while I totally agree that it is up to the common people of India to change India into the great (by which I mean just, free and democratic) country it has the potential to become, the sheer ability of the State and powerful actors to affect the lives of millions with minor policy decisions must not be overlooked....See More
5 hours ago
Arun Poojary
@Andre..i agree with you when you say no state (nation states!!!!) is free today!!! if at all we see states and corporates increasingly becoming enemies of people living in forest areas, believe me, these naxals are far more dangerous enemies, which disguises itself with terms like "class struggle" and idea of "social justice". It would be rather wrong war strategy to make friendship with new enemy while fighting against the other (!!!).
4 hours ago
Andre Ling
@Arun: I do not see it as a question of 'making friendships' but rather as a question of 'understanding' what is going on. If you read the link I posted earlier (http://kafila.org/2010/03/30/tata-sponsored-green-hunt-in-kalinga-nagar-to-destroy-democratic-tribal-movement/ ) the way that Maoists can gain their place in tribal areas might become a ...See More
3 hours ago
Arun Poojary
@andre: yes andre...i read that article thoroughly. The fate of non-violent movement is something to worry about!!! but the people including us who are who are taking sides of either naxals or state or corporates( growth lead development) should orient our energy toward supporting such non-violent movements and lobbies!!! we have example of Narmada...See More
about an hour ago
