More on the Dravidian Model
Of late, there has been a surfeit of books and discussions on the ‘Dravidian model.’ The latest one is by two members of the faculty of the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS).
At the book launch with historian Prof A R Venkatachalapathy on the chair, MIDS presented a number of celebrities. With copies of the book made available to these just a day earlier, understandably, the observations centred more on their perceptions than on the content of the book.
Former West Bengal Governor, Gopalkrishna Gandhi reiterated his familiar concern over federalism becoming voiceless today and stressed the need for the come back of a strong Dravidian political voice. He did refer to the criticism of rampant corruption and other failures of the Dravidian parties, yet felt that their “resurgent voice should be integrous, courageous and transparent,” a familiar lingo of this learned bureaucrat.
N Ram of The Hindu reconfirmed his admiration for the Kerala model in regard to human development and for its being free from corruption. He also pointed to the book underplaying the extreme oppression faced by Dalits in Tamil Nadu. Prof Jean Dreze of the Delhi School of Economics, said that the Tamil Nadu model viewed education as a matter of social justice making it a political tool. He said Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the three states that invested considerably in education early on.
Dr S Narayan, who belonged to the Tamil Nadu cadre of IAS and handled a variety of portfolios in the state and at the Centre, has better knowledge on comparative development issues across states. Author of the Dravidian Years, he questioned the claim of the authors that the high rate of human resource development along with a degree of economic dynamism were brought through political mobilisation against status-based inequalities. A couple of speakers did refer to the not quite satisfactory record of Tamil Nadu in the field of education, both primary and higher.
IE has been pointing to the over-emphasis of MIDS on social and historical studies to the neglect of economic development issues. There is need for the institute to focus more sharply on the state of the state’s fiscal, agriculture and industrial development. Rich and balanced infrastructure is a strong positive for the state. A long coastline, well-dispersed development, a stable administration and its strong pool of workforce are its strengths. Yet, apart from multinational and the public sector investments, there is lack of large investments by the natives in high growth sectors like chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and use of natural gas… With increasing fiscal deficits due to large allocations for subsidies and transfers, salaries and pensions, little resources are available for capital expenditure on development projects. The primary sector of agriculture is on continuous decline.
Hope MIDS will attempt focus on these in this golden jubilee year.
