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India Today
25 minutes ago
- India Today
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge's aide arrested for drug possession in Maharashtra
2:56 A controversy has erupted in Bihar over the Election Commission's claims regarding foreign nationals in the state's electoral rolls. The poll panel sources alleged that individuals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar holding Indian documents were found during the revision of electoral rolls. In response, the Bihar Leader of Opposition dismissed these claims, likening the sources to 'urine'. The opposition leader questioned the credibility of media sources, comparing them to rumours about capturing Pakistani cities. BJP and allies retaliated, accusing the opposition of abusing and relying on illegal voters. The clash has intensified the ongoing tussle between the Election Commission and the opposition in Bihar.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Instant Scholar: Development as freedom - an India perspective by Amartya Sen
When Nobel laureate Amartya Sen published Development as Freedom in 1999, he reshaped the global discourse on economic development. Moving away from the narrow focus on income or GDP, Sen argued that freedom is both the primary objective and the principal means of development. His thesis laid the foundation for what is now termed the capability approach, a framework that sees development as the expansion of people's capabilities—their real freedoms to lead the kind of lives they have reason to value. Nowhere is this framework more relevant than in India, a country grappling with economic disparity, social stratification, and democratic aspirations. Sen's insights, drawn partly from his own experiences growing up in British India and later as an economist engaged with policymaking, offer a moral and philosophical compass for India's journey toward inclusive development. Freedom as the Ends and Means of Development At the heart of Sen's thesis is a simple but radical idea: development is the process of expanding human freedoms. These freedoms are not just political or civil but also include economic opportunities, access to education and healthcare, social inclusion , and protective security. Sen identifies five types of instrumental freedoms: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Learn More Undo Political freedoms – Free speech, democratic participation, and accountability. Economic facilities – Access to resources, employment, and production. Social opportunities – Education, healthcare, gender equality. Transparency guarantees – Institutional openness, trust in governance. Protective security – Social safety nets for the vulnerable. These components are interconnected; for instance, education enhances economic opportunity, which in turn strengthens political participation. In India, where disparities are vast, ensuring access to these freedoms remains a central development challenge. India's Economic Growth: Unequal and Unjust? India has experienced substantial GDP growth over the past few decades, particularly after the liberalisation reforms of 1991. However, Sen cautions that growth without human development is incomplete. In his words, 'there is no automatic connection between economic growth and human freedom.' India's progress is often undermined by stark contrasts. On one hand, it is the world's fifth-largest economy; on the other, it continues to grapple with malnutrition, illiteracy, poor health outcomes, and widening inequality. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reports show that over one-third of Indian children are stunted, and anemia affects more than half of women aged 15–49. Sen critiques India's overreliance on trickle-down economics, arguing that public investment in health and education has been insufficient. 'India has managed to achieve economic growth with a disgraceful neglect of the social sector,' he once noted. This mismatch is precisely what the Development as Freedom approach seeks to correct. Public Policy through the Capability Lens Sen's framework reframes the role of the state. Rather than acting merely as an enabler of market growth, the state should actively expand citizens' capabilities—what they can do and be. This implies a rights-based approach to policy design: education, healthcare, food, and employment are not handouts but entitlements. Some Indian policy innovations reflect this shift: The Right to Education Act (RTE) gave legal teeth to the notion of education as a fundamental right. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) empowered the rural poor with wage-based employment and social dignity. The Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Food Security Act aimed to ensure food as a right, not a charity. While these policies have had implementation challenges, they represent a shift toward institutionalising freedom and capability—a central theme in Sen's work. Democracy and Public Reason in Indian Context Sen places high value on democracy not just as a form of government but as a form of public reasoning. He argues that political freedoms and open debate enable societies to prioritise people's real needs. This has direct implications for India, the world's largest democracy, where the freedom to dissent and discuss shapes the developmental agenda. A well-known illustration is his argument that famines do not occur in functioning democracies. Drawing from India's experience, Sen showed that democratic institutions—free press, electoral competition, civil society—act as checks against catastrophic failures. The Bengal famine of 1943, which occurred under British colonial rule, contrasts with India's post-independence record, where mass starvation has been largely absent despite recurring droughts. Yet, Sen warns that democracy in form is not enough. In recent years, concerns over democratic backsliding in India—curbs on press freedom, judicial independence, and civil liberties—threaten the very instruments that ensure equitable development. For Sen, democracy must remain inclusive, participatory, and deliberative, not just majoritarian. Gender Justice and Social Inclusion Another area where Development as Freedom intersects sharply with Indian realities is gender justice. Sen famously coined the phrase 'missing women' to describe the millions of girls and women whose lives are cut short due to gender-based discrimination—through sex-selective abortion, inadequate healthcare, and systemic neglect. In India, despite progress in female literacy and labour participation, deeply embedded patriarchal norms still restrict women's freedoms. The capability approach demands not only formal equality but substantive freedom—real choices and empowerment. This is seen in movements pushing for women's reservation in legislatures, greater access to healthcare, and stronger protections against gender-based violence. Sen's framework also encourages reflection on caste, tribal identity, and religion—factors that shape social exclusion in India. He calls for policies that enhance the capabilities of marginalised communities, not merely by offering quotas or subsidies but by improving foundational systems like education, nutrition, and justice delivery. COVID-19 and the Fragility of Freedoms The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the vulnerabilities in India's developmental model. Millions of migrant workers were stranded during lockdowns, lacking basic food, shelter, or transport. The healthcare system was overwhelmed, and education access declined sharply due to the digital divide. Sen, along with fellow economist Jean Drèze, wrote during the pandemic that India needed to prioritise universal access to healthcare, employment support, and education continuity, not just economic stimulus. The crisis reaffirmed the urgency of investing in human capabilities to build a more resilient and equitable society. The Global Impact and Continued Relevance Beyond India, Development as Freedom has influenced UNDP's Human Development Index, World Bank policy papers, and numerous national development strategies. In India, its relevance has only deepened. As the country eyes a future of technological prowess and global influence, Sen reminds us that true development is not about what a country produces, but about what its people are free to become. From climate resilience to AI ethics, from rural health to urban inequality—India's policy questions today demand a framework that is moral, inclusive, and human-centred. Sen provides that foundation. Towards a Freedom-Centred Future Amartya Sen's Development as Freedom challenges India to rethink its development model—not as a race for GDP growth but as a commitment to human dignity, equality, and justice. In a country of 1.4 billion people with immense diversity and disparity, the real challenge is not just how to grow, but how to grow with freedom. India's development story will be richer and more just when it is rooted in the expansion of freedoms—for women and men, for rich and poor, for urban and rural, for all castes and communities. Sen's vision is not just an economic theory; it is a call to action for democratic India to fulfil the promises it made in its Constitution—liberty, equality, and fraternity—for every citizen. Read full text: 'Instant Scholar' is a Times of India initiative to make academic research accessible to a wider audience. If you are a Ph.D. scholar and would like to publish a summary of your research in this section, please share a summary and authorisation to publish it. For submission, and any question on this initiative, write to us at instantscholar@ Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
News18
an hour ago
- News18
How India's Kinetic Action On Myanmar Terror Groups Struck At China's Shadow Theatre
Insurgent groups, armed by Chinese grey market arms networks, have long acted as proxies for Beijing in Myanmar—guarding critical infrastructure linked to Belt & Road Initiative The drone strikes reportedly carried out by the Indian Army on insurgent camps in Myanmar mark a direct challenge to China's 'deniability model", where Beijing has relied on non-state actors—such as insurgent groups and private security contractors—to exert influence in neighboring countries while maintaining plausible deniability, CNN-News18 has learnt. Top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that India's decisive action has not only exposed this model but also 'strategically undermined China's reach into key areas, particularly Myanmar's border regions and parts of India's north-eastern states like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh". India's strikes focused on the Naga Self-Administered Zone, hitting locations such as ULFA(I)'s Eastern Command headquarters at Hoyat Basti and 779 Camp in Waktham Basti. Additionally, camps of the NSCN-K, PLA, and RPF were also struck by Indian drones. The ULFA(I), in a press statement, said Nayan Asom alias Nayan Medhi, who was the 'chairman' of its 'lower council', was killed in the attacks. It said two other senior leaders, 'brigadier' Ganesh Asom and 'colonel' Pradip Asom, were killed in the second round of attacks during Nayan Asom's funeral. At least 19 others were injured, it added. However, when contacted, a defence spokesperson said there 'are no inputs of such an operation". The timing and execution of these strikes are no accident. India's operation goes far beyond targeting insurgent groups. By dismantling the leadership of ULFA-I and NSCN-K in Myanmar's Sagaing region, India has effectively neutralised a key component of China's regional security apparatus. Intel sources said these insurgent groups, armed by Chinese grey market arms networks operating in Yunnan, have long acted as proxies for Beijing in Myanmar—guarding critical infrastructure linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Kyaukpyu–Mandalay corridor, a vital stretch of infrastructure that connects China to the Indian Ocean, has been one of the primary areas where China has used these insurgent groups to ensure the safety of its energy and logistics supply chains. With Myanmar's Sagaing region now facing increased instability, China's ambitions to bypass the Malacca Strait and secure its energy routes through Myanmar are at risk. By targeting these camps, India has struck a blow deep within China's informal security buffer in the region. The damage is not just to insurgent forces but to a wider strategic framework designed to safeguard Beijing's investments in Myanmar, including nickel mining zones, future rail projects, and other BRI-linked ventures. Myanmar's Junta Under Pressure For Myanmar's military junta, which has been struggling to maintain control over large parts of the country, particularly in Sagaing, Chin, and Magway regions, the timing of India's airstrikes could be a mixed blessing. The junta, already facing fierce resistance from the People's Defence Forces (PDF), has been losing ground to the ethnic militias. Additionally, Myanmar's increasing dissatisfaction with Chinese interference has brought the country closer to New Delhi in recent months, the sources added. While the junta may not have officially aligned itself with India, the attacks on ULFA-I and NSCN-K may shift Myanmar's stance. The junta has shown signs of frustration with Chinese influence in its internal affairs, and this new pressure from India could push Myanmar to recalibrate its relationship with Beijing. Sources confirmed that ULFA-I and NSCN-K have been integral to China's shadow operations in Myanmar. These insurgent groups have not only been armed by China but have also provided covert security and logistical support to BRI projects in the region. In essence, these groups have acted as private militias, securing vital infrastructure for Chinese interests while indirectly working for Chinese private security contractors (PSCs). India's precision strikes have severely disrupted these networks, and now, as the conflict escalates in the region, China may be forced to reassess its security arrangements. The destabilisation of BRI supply lines in Sagaing is particularly significant, as it raises the costs for Chinese private security firms. This comes at a time when China has enjoyed relatively low-cost security advantages in Myanmar, allowing it to expand its footprint without heavy investment. The ongoing ethnic clashes, triggered by the actions of Myanmar's military junta and the increasing reach of India's strikes, threaten to further disrupt this crucial security apparatus. With these new developments, China faces mounting challenges in maintaining a secure environment for its BRI projects in Myanmar, and the cost of ensuring stability in the region could soon prove untenable. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
