Political Cartoons in Textbooks Controversy

Cartoons and graphics in textbooks make it attractive and appealing to young minds, who are going to assimilate the knowledge from the textbooks. In 2005, National education policy mandated to make the textbooks more attractive and introduction of graphics and cartoons in school textbooks. Consequently, NCERT textbooks were improved keeping in sync with new education policy.

Recent furore over more than 60 year old Ambedkar-Nehru cartoon drawn by Shankar regarding slow pace of constitution making in parliament is uncalled. The said cartoon which is in class XIth Political Science NCERT textbook should be read in totality; we should understand the context and should not read it with narrow stubborn mind. The chapter in textbook discusses about the underlying message of cartoon in detail, which assuage the apprehensions of many about misrepresenting the facts. The said cartoon is not about Ambedkar-Nehru but it depicts the slow pace of constitution making and the challenges faced by our forefathers in making such a huge and just constitution.

Even Ambedkar and Nehru never objected to such cartoons in their lifetime. Nehru was the admirer of Shankar for his deep, witty political cartoons.  Even Britishers, who censured the Indian dailies during their reign never touched the political cartoons. The present controversy only tells how much intolerant we have become.

Textbooks should not be guided or coerced by extremist organisations or the whims and fancies of powerful people. Our future generation should have true knowledge of our past.  The stand taken by HRD minister on this row is disheartening. He should not have ordered for removal of cartoons before proper enquiry by experts on this subject. This could set in motion a dangerous trend where anyone in power or with threat can manipulate the textbooks. The purpose of education is to equip the student with all the facts and knowledge, challenge his inquisitive mind, develop curiosity to explore , he should not be forced feed an ideology or propaganda.  

Removal of cartoons and graphics from textbook will again make it dull and boring. It’s a regressive step and revert all the good things ushered by the 2005 National education policy.

China's String of Pearls

Image Source : www.china-briefing.com

The String of Pearls refers to the Chinese sea lines of communication which extend to Port Sudan. The sea lines run through the strategic choke points  as well as other strategic naval interest such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and Somalia. China has created bases in Indian Ocean to secure its oil and trade routes. Also it can use these to choke Indian sea routes to rest of the world. China is following the policy of containment of India.

China is heavily investing in infrastructure projects in India’s neighbouring countries through its cash diplomacy.  China is building Sittwe port in Myanmar, Chittagong port in Bangladesh Gwadar port in Pakistan, Hambantota deep sea port in Sri Lanka, Marao port in Maldives and a military base in Seychelles with the excuse of countering attacks on Chinese vessels from Somalian pirates. China has offered training to Nepalese military in Nepal, which would allow Chinese army to have permanent base in Nepal. Consequently, all these developments provide an excuse to Chinese army and naval force to have permanent base in Indian Ocean and in India’s neighbouring countries.  

Strategically, having Chinese naval force in Indian Ocean is a cause of worry for India. Now China can easily monitor all our missile activities done from Chandipur, from port Sittwe in Myanmar. On our western coast China has base at Gwadar port in Pakistan. China from here can choke our oil supplies which we import from Arab nations. Since India imports 80% of oil, it heavily comprises India’s oil security.

China is involved is building road and implementing other infrastructural projects in PoK region. Also, China has improved its transport infrastructure near Indo-China border. Now China can place its Army on Indo-China border for war within one week than earlier required time of one month. China has encircled India from all direction. China can use these strategic bases to curb India’s ambition to become bigger regional player and to be an important player in world politics.

Nutritional Transition in India

Nutritional transition is change in pattern of food consumption of population over a period of time. This can be affected by the geography, climatic conditions, rainfall, availability of resources, technological improvements and economic considerations.

In 1950’s  India was not self-sufficient in food grain production. India got grains from US under PL480 scheme to feed its hungry population.  At that time the main diet of the Indians were mainly coarse grains like millet, barley etc.  Consumption pattern of people largely depended on the local produce.

 In 1970’s India witnessed green revolution in food grain production because of better scientific agricultural methods, better irrigation facilities and better fertilizers. And our consumption gradually shifted from coarse grains to fine grains like rice and wheat. Economically majority of Indians were not well off. Poverty rate was hovering around 50%. Therefore, diet of Indians was mainly carbohydrate rich, as carbohydrate rich food is cheaper than protein or fat rich food.

 With liberalization in 1990’s our economy has improved and our middle class has burgeoned, population of poor’s has decreased by nearly 20% and with the social initiatives taken by government in recent years like MNERGA has increased the rural wealth. The purchasing power of Indian middle class and rural population has increased in last 20 years.  Now more and more Indians are eating protein and fat rich diet like pulses, meat, eggs, milk, milk products etc. Consequently, consumption pattern of India is shifting from carbohydrate rich diet to protein rich diet.  This poses a problem for policy makers of the country. Currently India is not self-sufficient in production of pulses. With increasing demand for pulses, which is a major component for dietary protein, our trade deficit will increase.

To tackle this problem, we require a second green revolution, good diplomatic relations with countries from which we import pulses and legumes e.g. Myanmar.