Divide The P(F)ool ACT

Observing the success and benefits of coach reservation exclusively for women, in Delhi metro; GoI is pondering upon dividing and relocating the population pool on the basis of gender. The line and direction of division can vary on the basis of topographical and climatic condition in the region. But once the area has been divided, the representatives of fairer sex will get the first chance to choose the faction where they want to live.

This division will be followed by nomenclature, where the originality will be maintained, but for the purpose of identification, suffix of fair-unfair will be used. For example, Factions of City X will be known as X fair & X unfair.

This idea has been developed by NAC (National Advisory Council) and will be piloted in Delhi, whereby Yamuna has been identified as mutually agreeable and natural line of division. Fairer sex has executed their right of first choice and preferred to settle down in Cis-Yamuna (Fair Delhi) as it has Connaught place, India Gate, Khan Market. Trans-Yamun (Unfair Delhi) has been allocated to male gender, which has Akshar Dham, Mayur Vihar and Noida.

Fair Delhi will be a protected area whereby any male member wishing to stroll will have to buy a ticket worth Rs 200.

NAC expects that this initiative will solve several problems like, feeling of insecurity among the fairer sex, and the problem of burgeoning population which was not coming under control despite several measures taken by the government.

The detail implementation plan of divide the p(f)ool act is yet to come; but, the members of unfair gender is unanimously expressing their dissatisfaction.

Fair gender is giving mixed reactions. Nishi, an active member of fair gender community, in her late teens, has expressed her dissatisfaction: “This is like administering a medicine, which can put end to disease along with the patient” whereas Jyoti, another member of the same community in late 40’s is happy with this initiative: “This initiative will improve my working efficiency as I will no longer be digressed”

Hypocrisy in the name of development

Few days back, I was in Purnia district of Bihar, also known as “Poor Man’s Darjeeling”.

I interacted with several farmers, ranging from small and marginal farmers to well-off farmers and I was shocked to know that agriculture which is so called as the priority sector is not in the
priority list of the farmers.

I tried to go for the root cause analysis, and for that I relied on primary survey and the tool used was focused group discussion (FGD) whereby I interacted with a set of question to get real insights.

The findings were really astonishing and one of which is:-

Hippocratic Policy Initiative:
Farming is still a labour intensive business in India; farmers are dependent on manual labour for their agricultural operations. These farming activities are dependent on weather, and leave a very small window for the farmers to complete their operations like sowing, harvesting, drying and threshing etc. In case the operations are delayed then the loss increases at exponential rates.

But, gradually the availability of labour has become one of the biggest problems due to NREGS policy of the Central government.

I am not against NREGS in any way, as the documental intentions of the policy is good and is sync with my thought of pro poor and pro rural. But, the way this programme is being implemented is an “OPEN SECRET” (everyone knows about it but everyone displays an ignorance) like Common Wealth Game.

This is the result of Hippocratic policy initiatives taken by the government, whereby the intention is not the work but showcasing of the number of initiatives taken which is pro poor and pro rural.

If something is coexisting and are interdependent then how policies like NREGS (now MNREGA) and Agricultural development are independent.

In addition to these Hippocratic policies, the process involved for taking government support is so complex, that most of the needy remain at the mercy of the officers, clerks or middle men to get their work done after paying out a fixed commission. (in pseud terms a service charge).

Mirage and Reality of India

Mirage and Reality of India
Why Farming and Farmer have always been cynosure of politicians, academicians, bureaucrats or the new the breeds of technocrats?
The answer is quite simple; India is a democratic nation, where majority rules through its representative and the ones who are in majority are the farmers. More than 2/3 of the Indian populations are dependent on farming for their livelihood.
So, there are large numbers of persons who have chosen the designation of farmer and profession of farming by choice.
This is something which has become a history or has it ever existed? Now, If we call someone as a farmer then it is generally signifies joblessness and are being looked down in the society.
Our society and economy has evolved in such a way that a person who earns even Rs 4000- 5000 per month, has more respect in the society than a farmer who earns significantly more than them. Due to this skewed behavior and lack of recognition farmers are always looking for a tradeoff in favour of some job which can give him recognition and monthly salary.
Let’s try to get a deeper understanding of the problem by analyzing it through two different streams:-
Organizational Behavior
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs states that the utmost need of a person is their physiological/biological need and when this need is met he moves up in the ladder with several steps like safety, belongingness etc. .
A person with job can easily move up in the ladder after meeting its 1st step physiological need whereas for farmers it is very difficult to move from 2nd -3rd step and the from 3rd - 4th step.
So Farmers, being a human being with a limited life period, is ready to choose the path, which can meet most of their needs in their life span.
Finance
Unlike a person doing a regular job, the cash flow for farmers is once or twice and if he is lucky it may be thrice in a year whereas his expenses are like us almost constant throughout the year.
It may seem to several well of service people as if this is not a problem; So let’s be empathetic and think of a situation where you get your salary in 12 months or in 6 months and you have to meet your regular monthly expenses. With the constraint that your god, your boss, may deny or reduce your income anytime, just like the weather god for farmers.

So, In order to boost the dignity and self respect of India, let’s give respect to the person called farmer and assist the nation by assisting the farmer in real sense.
From wherever we are and in whatever manner possible!!!