Report on Dr. Binayak Sen talk on “Equity, Well Being and Public Policy”

Dr. Binayak Sen spoke recently (19th Jan 2012) at Sixth Henry Volken memorial lecturer, Bangalore. Firstly he spoke on the shocking socio-economic conditions of the poor in India and the callous attitude of the government – the death in North Bengal of 9 people due to starvation: a forty year old pregnant women denied admission in two government hospitals & only to deliver the twin babies on the streets; Sharad Pawar statement on Right to Food Security Bill “We cannot take responsibility to feed every mouth” & finally the PM statement on 42% malnourishment in children as “national shame”.

Binayak rubbished the juggling poverty statistics by Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia & co. (Planning Commission) saying only those living on Rs. 32 or less (Rs. 25 in rural India) can be considered as below poverty line. But if we look at the real state of poverty in India with reports such as 37% of the population whose Body Mass Index (BMI) is below 18.5 or the actual maternal mortality figure of 450, this is case of “perpetual state of famine”.

Binayak Sen also pointed out that the proposed Food Security bill was an “absolute disaster”. “Tax break for rich and guns for poor”. Common property resources such as land, water and forest are plundered and there is a large scale of depesantisation. Today state stands guarantee for multi-corporations and uses military strategies to chase civilians. Every three seconds, one child dies due to malnourishment and $120 is spent on armament.

He said that human rights are inalienable rights and their protection and uphold is very important. The state which should been the protector of human rights but is instead become the “guarantor” of world wide process of wealth creation for the elite.

Later he talked about millions of people being victims of neo-liberal policies & the major concerning issue today: will the weak be able to organize themselves? Will they challenge the rulers? Will they stand strong against state repression?. He opined that globalization in a way has destroyed democracy & cautioned that despair can lead people to a disastrous path. Binayak also called on the need for all sections of the society to organise themselves and voice their concerns.

Azhar Khan

Bangalore