Saturday, April 14, 2012

One year after birth of Ambedkar's free market liberal economics in India







































On April 14th, 2011, I had written a article titled "Ambedkar, the forgotten free market economist" in the Pragati The Indian National Interest Review published by The Takshashila Institution founded by Mr Nitin Pai on Dr B R Ambedkar's 120th Birth Anniversary. The article received quite undue criticism from utterly misguided and misunderstood followers like Anand Teltumbde.

Subsequently, I also published another article titled "The Untouchable Case for Indian Capitalism" in the Wall Street Journal Asia on May 31, 2011. 

In general, both these articles were welcomed by many well established authors, economists, historians and other social scientists in India and abroad. It was really a great encouragement for me. I had no dream in my life to receive such a generous positive motivation from many great people. 

I also briefly met today the leading proponent of India's Dalit capitalism movement Mr Chandrabhan Prasad, (http://www.chandrabhanprasad.com/index.aspx).

In fact, I started writing quit a bit after these articles were published in early months in 2011.  

What I saw today in the Parliament Street: 121st Birth Anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar

The entire Parliament Street become like any "market place" with book stalls, free distribution of posters, etc mostly news items covering the legacy of B R Ambedkar.

The one big change in all these years on this street is the big stall of Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI). Dicci distributed not only the corporate style of cake cutting but also a half a liter mineral water bottle to people at free of cost. All others distributed the tiny water pockets. Dicci''s unique proposition for all the dalit people is "Be Job Givers, Not Job Seekers". It also proudly says that dalit capitalism is a antidote for most of the ills associated with its people. This is a big change "Yes we can".

But there is a long way to go. Let me end with a interesting fact about Jotirao Phule. Those you read the book India after Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha can recollect that great Jotirao Phule was a successful entrepreneur before becoming a social reformer in 19th Century India. Perhaps, it took six decades to realise the dalit community in India that the populist policies of government is no use for removing away from poverty and hunger.

No comments:

Post a Comment