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Transitional Puzzles: Reflections on Social, Economic and Political Issues THE book is an anthology of 35 small essays which are intended for the common man to seek and understand India. It offers simple analysis of complex policies dealing with varied and vast issues of uniting India, changing urban agglomerations, sustainable growth, industrialisation and social reconstruction, alternative economic order, higher education and associated problems religion, Gandhism, human values and democracy.
In Unity Today, the author states how electronic and technological revolutions have brought the world closer, but we in India are still attached to our small ethnic, religious and linguistic groups. The chapter on ‘transitional puzzles’ cites the examples of English, erstwhile Soviet Union and Japanese development models and argues some of the possible way-outs for India’s transitional economy given its democratic structure. In Beyond the Short Run, the author defies the statement of a famous economist that in the long run, we all are dead. He says that a series of short-term solutions to recurring problems can pave the way to an ultimate disaster. The great transition narrates the story of modern history from a predominantly rural society to highly industrialised society. Comparing some of the westernised industrial models, the author describes how India’s development model has to be different given its diverse characteristics. Highlighting some of the problems of higher education in India, the author suggests that each university should specialise in those courses of study and research projects, in which it has a comparative advantage based on location, endowment and training. Citing example of Visva Bharati University, he claims that university must mediate between the two poles—the wide world and the little village. At least four essays in the book are devoted to Babasahib Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi and J.C. Kumarappa (Gandhi’s economist), where practical utility of their ideas related to caste system, ahimsa, satyagraha, God, love, hatred, non-violence, and high industrialisation have been discussed. Life World: Public and Private Domain highlights the need to present the subject of morality and ethics in a proper perspective. Likewise, Beyond the Clash of Civilisation talks of psychological pollution being spread by super powers, especially the US, which is acting as policeman to the rest of the World. Towards the end, the author, narrating historical examples, shares his opinion on different aspects such as the future of India’s polity, people’s power, the spirit of Indian democracy, and the quest for the ideal. A New Radicalism propounds need for fresh ideas on the political and economic reorganisation of human society with an accent on power and readjustment of education to the requirement of peaceful and sustainable development. The Liberal Approach lists how market economy is the best example of breaking down social barriers with no caste and class distinction. All in all, the book touches upon a number of issues, ideas and institutions at the global level with a special outlook towards India. It discusses the important issues in bits and pieces without going into jugglery of scientific terms and statistical formulations.
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The
book starts with a discussion on the ever-increasing population and
its consequences on ecological imbalance, environment pollution,
increasing incidence of unemployment and under-employment. The author
offers solutions in terms of rural reconstruction, successfully
adoption family planning, ending prejudices against the girl child,
creating conditions and increasing women empowerment. He says it would
be humane to have a culture and a climate of public opinion in which
aged people feel free voluntarily and gracefully and withdraw
themselves.