Heath is a priority

Year after year the resources allocation for the health and education sector was neglected and eroded in terms of the population per capita. These sectors were assiduously handed over to the private sector in a creeping manner. And this was done by governments of all shades. We were told that globalisation will improve the quality of all sectors through competitiveness. We the middle class believed in this charade carefully crafted by multinationals and local crony capitalists. The economy needed to be opened up and we allowed the big bucks to control the education and health sectors. 

The whole educational system was geared to produce engineers to service the IT industry, the backbone of globalisation. Just like the East India Company and the British imperialism created the clerks to serve their interests of empire-building. All other disciplines were relegated to poor cousins. We forgot that science was not only being knowledgeable about Mathematical formulae. It was not only about scoring high ranks in the JEE. Biology, environment, Chemistry, Physics were all discarded by the middle class as second rung choices. And liberal arts was derisively ignored as a namby-pamby and worthless pursuit. 

Along with our newly founded material gains based on the crumbs of globalisation that the capitalist system handed us from their high table, we the middle class reached a stage where being intellectual was seen as a curse. Any research on basic sciences, or anything at all, was seen as waste of time, money and youth. We needed our children to reach the foreign shores in droves and earn money, for themselves and us. A thirty-plus researcher in medicine or biology was seen as someone not fitting into our scheme of things. We were confident that increasing the medical insurance sum for ourselves would see us through. Insurance, rather than universal healthcare and remedy became the buzzword. Anybody without medical insurance deserves to die, that became our way of thinking.  

Now when faced with a virus, we are crying hoarse for a vaccine. We are pushing the doctors and the health sector to deliver without providing them the resources or infrastructure. We want a quick fix solution, something like a mobile app. But we forget that vaccines can't be produced overnight. A lot of funding, infrastructure, and painstaking research needs to be done to develop it. And it also needs a clinical trial. 

The COVID-19 pandemic may end or may continue. But it gives us an important lesson. We can't ignore biotechnology, biological research or the public healthcare system. One reason why Kerala did comparatively well was because of their previous experience with the Nipah virus. If and when we come out of this present pandemic let us make sure that we resolve to build a sustainable health infrastructure. Not only four or five AIIMS hospitals as a showcase but at least one in each district of the country. Let us forget statues, temples, stadiums, and other symbolic structures. Even bridges and metro rails should take a lower priority.  We need more hospitals, more doctors, more nurses, more beds, more medicines, more masks, more ventilators, more ICUs. All other things can wait. 

Migrant migraine

What happened yesterday at Bandra in Mumbai was the result of an utterly irresponsible rumour mongering on social media as well as inputs published by some news channels. But more importantly the role of the Indian Railways and the Rail ministry should come under a scanner in the whole episode. Immediately after that vacuous speech by His Hollowness  announcing extension of lockdown , the Rail ministry and the divisional Rail administrations should have come out with clear instructions . But it seems they had locked down their senses and had no whereabouts of the course of action needed to be taken. In fact IRCTC had merrily issued tickets . 

This happens when there is no planning, coordination or empathy from the government for the citizens. The Rail Minister is otherwise busy on Twitter , mostly retweeting posts by others . But he didn't have the common sense or inclination to issue a statement about the extension of discontinued rail services immediately after his boss extended the lockdown. Not even on Twitter. 

Another disconcerting feature with the lockdown and Covid-19 pandemic is how the ruling party at the Centre is playing politics with the entire issue. Anybody with a little common sense can see how the Bandra fracas was created to put the state government under pressure and malign them using a Central agency (Railways) . There is no doubt in my mind that this is a deliberate act of misinformation. 

The same strategy of misinformation through a central agency has been used to create doubts about the West Bengal government. The ICMR-NICED says it is getting lesser samples than its capacity to test. This statement from a central organisation is given wide publicity and presented craftily as a failure of the state government. Which is a half truth actually. The real position is that more samples are being tested now at different centres in West Bengal as mandated by the Central government instead of the ICMR-NICED centre which was the only one at the beginning of the pandemic. It is just a statistical misinterpretation being used as a sort of  indictment against the WB government. 

The news channels have lost their credibility totally. They are now tools to further the interests of the ruling party and spread the agenda of hate and divisive rumours , untruths and fake news. The sad part is that people are not realising it or even if they do they take the media solely on its entertainment value for the titillating news that is being served. I am pretty certain that in addition to the economic cost of this pandemic , we will have to bear a far greater social cost once the lockdown is lifted. And the weakened institutions particularly the morally corrupt and ethically defunct media will be the reason for that. 

Mask

Wearing a mask while conducting a video conference by a leader from his own office or home does not promote any safety measure against the virus. It only shows that he has no idea about science.

By releasing the picture of his masked face during the video conference he only confirms his ignorance and hunger for publicity. And those who lap it up as a great example to follow are morons of the highest order. Sadly, there are too many of them.

Difficult times

These are surely difficult times
making us all feel mad
spending time behind closed doors
not knowing how bad is really bad
if suppressed fears and anxieties
really make you feel sad
remember this will not stay forever
so keep yourself fit and glad
and when things start getting better
be grateful for the experience you had

@JustArunangshu 10.04.2020

Advertisements by the Government

It is natural that when Sonia Gandhi issues a statement, that will receive wide publicity. It is also expected that there will be a concerted move to demean her statements with a vociferous, ruthless attack that has no bearing on the statement she makes. It is also not surprising that the opposition to any ideas that she presents will be tinged with deep animosity, unfounded allegations and unsubstantiated drivel passing as facts. Many people who are not aligned ideologically or by intellectual subservience to the present ruling dispensation also try to ignore or trash her statements due to their own prejudices about her. 

But one thing is certain. The lady talks a lot of sense, whenever she decides to. And I beg her pardon in saying that maybe more sense than her late husband or her dutiful son. And as the head of the supposedly main opposition party of India, it is necessary to hear her without letting personal misgivings about her origins, intentions, affiliations and all theories or stories that we hear about her.

One of her suggestions that she has recently made is one such example of prudent and logical thinking which is being trashed about by many and has received a sort of wide condemnation from the media, which generally shapes the common man's world view. Not surprisingly, because it tries to upset the cozy nexus between the pliable part of the media and the ruling dispensation.  Mrs. Gandhi has suggested a moratorium on the spending of advertisements by the government ( this probably includes both central as well as states) and the PSU sector made. Now, this is being vehemently opposed by the media houses and that by itself tells the story. But is it really such a bad suggestion that she has made. Let us examine logically.

Firstly, if the total monetary value of the advertisements that the central government,  state governments, local self-governments, PSU organizations, and the other such bodies spend on advertising is ever calculated in its entirety, then it will surely serve as a shocking eye-opener. Even those who believe that the amount is not much may be surprised. I have not much idea about the expenditure made by the government and public sector on advertisements, but I have a doubt that it may be more than the outlay on the health and education sectors. If somebody can prove me wrong with empirical data from an authentic source, I will accept my mistake and come out with my public apology on this count. Until then, I will continue to hold this view.

So if we go by logic, experience and the situation on the ground, we see that much of it non-core expenditure. So when the country is facing such a severe recession and appeals are being made to the public for voluntary donations, is this expenditure really necessary? That needs to be answered first. Not through glasses tinged with animosity or antipathy, but with cold logic. In fact, the continuation of such expenditure falls under utter profligacy, in my opinion.

Secondly, let us examine if these advertisements are at all necessary, in the first place. Here, many people will come out with justifications saying that dissemination of information by the government amongst the public is of primary importance. Some may go off a tangent and say that this amounts to a stoppage of information. But these counter logics have no leg to stand upon, in this digital age. The government and public bodies all have their websites. Most functionaries have social media accounts like twitter and Facebook. Every day we find a plethora of important and unimportant information being uploaded there. In this context, is it really necessary to find the advertisement about a new bridge built somewhere by full-page advertisements on newspapers or a video clip showing a state government's achievements in providing rice at Rs 2 per kg? Is there any requirement of panchayats and municipalities coming with such advertisements to wish people on national days or religious festivals?

The fact is that these advertisements are majorly done for self-promotion by leaders, cutting across the political spectrum. That includes Mrs. Gandhi's own party too. Therefore, it is commendable for her to give the suggestion. You know, I know, everybody knows that the expenditure for these advertisements come from the public exchequer. So why should we be shy or prejudiced to do away with them? And if someone says that the poor people, the "AAM JANTA" do not have access to the internet or social media, then let me ask the simple question, do these people read newspapers? OK forget that, do you read newspapers? Do these same people who don't use the internet have constant access to TV or radio?  And please don't try to give the logic about "rural areas". If you visit any place in India, you will find people sharing fake messages, pornographic contents, rape videos, etc on mobile phones. We try to wish away these things without ever attempting to use the medium to proper use. So it will not be really difficult to transmit and disseminate information on the digital platform. In fact, this will allow participative governance at the grassroots.

Thirdly and most importantly the reality, which can't be put under the carpet anymore. In this world, everything has a price. And the use of government expenditure as largesse to various media houses to toe the line of the ruling dispensation is now the norm everywhere. This unholy nexus creates an alternate world that is far removed from the ground reality. Like people are not informed about the stock and infrastructure of medical facilities, but they are informed about the religion of the infected, in detail. Every news item is given a slant to project the government and the leader. These media houses are no saints, in fact, some of them are vile purveyors of untruth and false news. Their source of sustenance and succour depends upon the government's expenditure on advertising. So it is natural for them to condemn this suggestion by Mrs. Gandhi. But if we believe that the media should be free independent and have their own rules then we must ask why they should be dependant on the public exchequer. If you believe in a free economy and the media houses consider themselves as business organisations then let them provide content and price them accordingly. Why should a private channel or a newspaper depend on the public exchequer( in effect my money)? Let the fittest survive.

The government can always ramp up the Prasar Bharati for advertising and allow the State governments some dedicated slots to publicise their own achievements. This nexus between media channels and political power must end. We must make a beginning somewhere. Perhaps the economic necessity gives us a good reason.

Science and Us

Just try to ask people around you to name five living scientists? Alive, not merely names like Einstein and Newton. Now ask them to name five living Indian scientists? Again, living persons saying Jagdish Chandra Bose won't do. If they can answer, then ask them what are the main field of studies these scientists are pursuing. No details required, even superficial descriptions will do.

Now ask them the names of the five Bollywood actors and actresses. Name of five cricketers. You will find that people will tell you not just the names, but their skills even who they are dating, everything in detail.

So you see, Science for us is stuck somewhere in the exam grades, getting into the science stream in high schools, joint entrance, good grades, campus interview, pay package, and IT industry. There is no science beyond that. Yes, dear Sirs and Madams, that's the reality. Even the students of science do not know the basic philosophy of science, do not read the history of science, do not know what passes off as falsification, or what is meant by hypothesis.

Therefore, there is no need to cry over the proliferation of so many unscientific thoughts all around. A scientific temper comes from practice and perseverance, which means actually hard work. Like the six-pack abs muscle. Regardless of achieving it, one needs to regularly practice to maintain it. The unscientific thought process is an emotional bye-product, which grows by default like the potbelly. So following it is also easy and comforts the mind.

We do not have the inclination to leave our comfortable soft tummy and strive for the sixpack abs. But people can't really be faulted for this because there is no such effort or infrastructure in the schools or colleges or in the society to develop a scientific temper.

As long as science is not integrated with our lives, this tradition is set to continue.

(Translated from a Facebook post by Prof Abhijit Majumder in the Bengali language.)

P.S.  I think it's high time to think about "Engineering" as a stream of education in India. My personal view is that other than the top 50 institutes, the rest should be banned and churning of engineering graduates should be regulated by the next five years. Let the students presently studying in those colleges finish their course. Frankly, do you really feel that we need so many engineers? Most of those who pass out from these colleges will not be able to fix up even a bicycle.

Instead, Bio-technology, robotics, microbiology, law, medicine should be the streams that need to be nurtured along with liberal arts and basic science. The obsession with producing engineers has now reached a stage of self-defeating phenomenon. We need quality engineers and more research-oriented scientists.  (This is my Facebook post dated 04.12.2019)

Lockdown musings 02042020

Today I went out again in the morning to buy some vegetables and grocery items. The effect of lockdown is now well permeated after the initial exuberance (or fear, however you put it). Much less crowd was there on the streets and other than grocery shops other shops were firmly under lock and key. Even the sweet shop remained closed, though it was exempted recently and was therefore expected to be doing business.

The street vendors selling vegetables, fish, etc were there too. The quantity of the items being sold has been more than halved. Though scarce, by normal standards, the price of vegetables and fish is not very high. There was a noticeable change in the body language of the shopkeepers as well as the street vendors. They seemed to be more worried about selling the goods rather than turning away the customers, particularly the small vendors. Perhaps the window of sale period (7-11 a.m) caused their anxiety as they are not keen to carry back any goods unsold. This was a dilemma for them. On the other hand, the customers, mostly middle class are now realising the value of minimalism and thrift. Everyone is now making necessary purchases only and have stocked up on the essentials.

Another thought that comes to my mind is related to the local matters. I am not aware of the rest of the country, though my wife and son are complaining about the quality, quantity, and price of vegetables in Navi Mumbai. But here, it’s different. Maybe in West Bengal, the availability of vegetables and fish won’t suffer much if local transport is allowed. The people here can live off the land for quite some time as the production of vegetables, fish, poultry, and dairy here is substantial. In fact, I have a theory that it could be cheaper in rural areas and tier-2, tier-3 towns as the produce can’t be transported easily. That’s a pity really.

Apart from that, I wonder what is happening to the other small shops and businesses? The Raddiwallah, chanachurwallah, pakodawallah, tea stall, pan shop, plastic goods seller, Chaaina maal seller, barbers, Dhobis, presswallahs, tailors( even the Ultrationwallah ). It is surprising, how many services we are used to . All these guys must be having families to look after. They have to pay for electricity, cooking gas, medicines too apart from food. How will they make both ends meet? When comparatively better-placed people are feeling the pinch, how can we expect them to survive two more weeks of inaction?

I really can’t say more and gaze into the future. But a big mess awaits us even if things become like before, after 14th April. And if the situation deteriorates, even a bigger mess awaits for us. Right now, I see medicine shops with signs - NO DETTOL / SAVLON/ SANITISER hanging outside. What happens if somebody gets wounded? Just imagine if someone runs out of the blood pressure medicines in these troubled times, or even condoms. Then most people have staggered their routine blood tests and even operations. What about those? Then probably we are ignoring other staple illnesses like dengue, malaria, etc. The more you think, a sense of panic grips. I’m not trying to be a scarecrow. I hope I am proved foolishly mistaken.