Emerging India by Bimal Jalan ; Published by Penguin / Viking ; Pages 307 ; Price Rs. 599/-
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India is ruled by an ex- R B I Governor and ex-Finance Minister. The P. M’s Economic Advisory Board is headed by another ex-RBI Governor. Yet the nation is teetering on the precipice of economic decline with a reduction in annual growth and burgeoning inflation. Why --with such a fund of expertise? The book under review is an attempt to solve this riddle.
Dr.Bimal Jalan was a distinguished Governor of the Reserve Bank from 1997 to 2003. He became a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. Apart from serving as Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the P.M, he has held high positions in the Planning Commission, in several ministries and represented our country in the Boards of the I MF and I B R D. He has written a number of books, noted for their clarity, conciseness and clear grasp of the problems that plague the nation. His is a voice to be heard with respect.
The book under review is a collection of his selected papers, lectures and a few unpublished notes— relating to 1990 to 2010.They provide a bird’s eye-view of the evolution of India’s politics, economics, governance and economic reforms and the lessons for tomorrow. India could boast a couple of years ago of a high reputation as a democracy and a growing global power. But today it is riddled with reports of ever-widening corruption, misgovernment and utter despair about the working of its political system. Our future is a big question mark!
In the last two decades India displayed a capacity to grow faster than ever before, eliminating poverty to a considerable extent. Certain reforms seem imperative now to ensure future success. According to Jalan the main areas of concern are the growing disjuncture between economics and politics and the emergence of a “Public-Private ” dichotomy in the growth trajectory, diminishing accountability of the Executive to Parliament, rising corruption, the preponderance of criminal elements in politics and the emergence of small regional parties in multi-party coalitions. There is a definite decline in the quality of public administration at all levels. Economic disparities have enlarged and pose a serious threat to unity.
The book is divided into four Sections. The first Section, with five articles, concentrates on political issues that cry for a solution to ensure that India retains its position as a global power. In view of the so-called “Compulsion of Coalition” our political system is characterized by features not thought of by our Constitution makers. Governments have become non-accountable. Inner party democracy is non-existent. Political corruption has become rampant. An Independent judiciary is unable to deliver justice swiftly due to heavy backlog of work. There is a compulsion to create an efficient and transparent administrative mechanism at arm’s length from Government as also a need to simplify procedures. Ministries ought to be made more accountable.
The next Section is on India’s economy, policy and prospects and has six essays. India’s emergence as a global power is due to our competitive advantage in providing skill-based services to the rest of the world—thanks to the infrastructure of technological institutions, skilled workers and low labour costs. One paper analyses the impact of Globalisation on India .
The third Section on Money, Finance and Banking is the meatiest part of the volume and has seven articles discussing in depth our management of the financial sector during the Asian Crisis and later. Banking ethics are also scrutinized. Jalan suggests that India must remain in the forefront of global regulatory norms to ensure soundness of international banking system. Revolutionary changes in banking and consequential impact are analysed succinctly. The economist strongly supports sustained growth with financial stability. Exchange rate management ought to be in the form of a flexible but managed one. The I M F has declared our policy as realistic and competitive.
The concluding Section has seven pieces on India’s economic reforms. Three of these articles relate to 1974 and 1975 and have a historical value. We must accelerate the pace of banking reforms leading to efficiency of operations and reduction of costs. India must adopt global best practices in financial sector regulations and adapt these to domestic environment.
Why was India’s reform process during the last forty years limited in scope?. These are answered in the article, “The Politics of India’s Reforms”. What can be reformed and what cannot be gets determined politically. “Compulsion of Coalitions” affects economic reforms. Corruption has enveloped every sector and is a serious threat to the security and well-being of the citizens and is an affront to democratic values. The Lok Sabha has 100 members with proven criminal records.
Jalan concludes on an optimistic note. India has the capacity to realize its full economic potential and become one of the fastest growing countries. This book is a sterling contribution to making this possible.
P.P.Ramachandran
6-02-2012
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Bismillah Khan ---the Maestro from Benares by Juhi Sinha ; Published by Niyogi Books; Pages 176 ; Price Rs.795/-
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The author of this book is a renowned film-maker and writer. She has presented several programmes on Doordarshan. Her last book “Beyond the Dunes ..” dealt with Rajasthan. The volume under review is the transformation of her film “Bismillah and Benaras ” into a book. And what a fascinating and lovely book !.
When Sinha met Bismillah Khan for the first time he was ninety years old but his memory was sharp, his anecdotes crisp and his words painted a vivid picture of Benaras and its people, its unique celebration of music, dance, festivals and a deeply ingrained sense of the joi-de-vivre that was the hallmark of Benaras culture .
Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon, Bihar . Dumraon is famous not only for Bismillah Khan but also for being the place where a special kind of reed, the narkhat , grows wild. These reed frets are transformed into shehnai—even today. His ancestors were court musicians and used to play in the princely state of Bhojpur in Bihar . His father was a shehnai player in the court of Maharaja Keshav Prasad Singh.
Bismillah Khan was sent to Benaras when he was less than six years old. He grew up in the house of his maternal grandfather Rajat Ali in Benia Bagh. All his uncles were shehnai players and were attached to temples. His youngest uncle, Ali Bux played every morning at the holiest of holies—the Viswanath Temple. In addition all were proficient singers. Bismillah Khan himself had a mellifluous voice.
Bismillah Khan ’s recollections of his childhood were vivid--the sweets of Benaras and its people. He was given a shehnai to practice when he was seven or eight—the journey continued for the next eighty years. He began practising in a room in a temple near the Balaji temple. His grandfather in Dumraon taught him to roar like a lion and impressed on the boy the importance of lung power. The youth joined an akhada and strict adherence to exercise and diet control gave him power and strength so that his music poured forth into sonorous tones. Daily riyaz would last eight hours. His pristine classicism was more inclusive than usual. It included chaiti , kajri and jhoola, semi-classical forms noted for earthiness and sensuousness.
Even at a young age Bismillah Khan experienced the transcendental quality of music—where music is divine. He had mystic experiences. He had the vision of a “Baba”---who he believed was “Balaji Viswanath” himself.
His creativity was greatly influenced by mehfils --small audiences characterized by personalized response and appreciation. The singers of Dal Mandi too had influence on him . His first appearance was at the Allahabad Music Conference in 1930. His uncle who was the main artist gave him a chance and he gave the notes a style and quality all his own. At an early age he got a gold medal at the Akhil Bharatiya Sangeet Sammelan. Awards and acclaim followed in quick succession.
He got married at sixteen to his uncle’s daughter. The couple had five sons and four daughters. Bismillah had a large picture of Saraswathi to whom he would pay obeisance. Though a pious Shia Muslim, he was also, like many Indian musicians, regardless of religion, a devotee of Saraswati and often played at Hindu temples, including the famousViswanath Temple Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges . He believed in tapasya-- to efface the self to music and the guru.
It was Bismillah Khan who transformed single- handed the humble shehnai—a common wind instrument into an instrument of stature, one whose music is celebratory, sublime and supreme. He is one of the finest musicians in post-independent Indian classical music and one of the best examples of Hindu-Muslim unity in India. He played shehnai to audiences across the world. He was known to be so devoted to his art form that he referred to shehnai as his begum after his wife died. On his death, as an honour, his shehnai was buried with him.
When India gained Independence Jawaharlal Nehru ensured that it was heralded by the strains of Bismillah Khan’s shehnai—which he played from the Red Fort on the eve of India's Independence in 1947. He also performed from the Red Fort on the eve of India’s first Republic Day ceremony, on January 26, 1950. His recital had become a cultural part ofIndia's Independence Day celebrations telecast on Doordarshan every year on August 15. After the prime minister's speech from Lal Quila, Doordarshan would broadcast a live performance by the shehnai maestro. Happily he played on the 50th Independence Day celebrations. He played the instrument for the film “Goonj Uthi Shehnai” and some years later for A.R.Rehman for the film “Swades”. Honorary Doctorates have been conferred on him by the Benaras HinduUniversity and the Viswabharati University. He bagged all the three Padma awards and the ultimate Bharat Ratna. Other awards included Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Tansen Award and three medals in All India Music Conference, Calcutta. At the age of 16 he got the award as the "Best Performer" in the Allahabad Music Conference .
The book gives an insightful look into the home and heart, muse and music of one of the greatest artists that India has ever produced. It traces Bismillah Khan’s journey from the small town of Dumraon to Benaras and to the world. It follows him as he grows from child to man, shagird to ustad and pupil to legend. It lovingly portrays the whims and foibles of Bismillah Khan – an artist, whose stature as a musical legend could never quite overshadow the wit, humour and charisma of the man.. Juhi Sinha’s lavishly illustrated Coffee table book is well-crafted. No one who wants to learn of Bismillah Khan and Benaras can afford to miss this volume.
P.P.Ramachandran
24-01-2012
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