Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
India

Amartya Sen Lauds Delhi's Odd-even Policy, Seeks More Such Moves

Darpan News Desk IANS, 06 Jan, 2016 12:15 PM
    Nobel laureate in economics Amartya Sen on Wednesday praised the odd-even car regulation policy rolled out by the Delhi government on a trial basis from January 1, saying such a move will bring in confidence to conduct more such plans to curb pollution.
     
    "The fact that it succeeded, it brings happiness and it brings confidence that something like this can be done. And I hope there will be many more to reduce pollution and other environmental hazards," he said.
     
    Sen also praised the Delhi government saying that it takes "political will" to roll out such an initiative, while criticising the central government for neglecting the health and education sector.
     
    "The previous government was spending less (on education). But the current government is spending even lesser. This is very unfortunate," he said here at the NDTV-TCS Nobel Solutions Summit, where Nobel laureates from across the globe gathered to debate, discuss and deliberate on the major challenges being faced by the world and India as well.
     
    Sen also contended that 'saffronisation' of education is happening in India.
     
    "To some extent it (saffronisation) is certainly happening in education). The important question is if whether its happening so much that it becomes the most important issue," he said.
     
    With elections to the West Bengal assembly scheduled this year, Sen expressed hope that the current leadership of the Left, especially the major party (Communist Party of India-Marxist) can learn from its previous political debacles.
     
    "I've been critical of the Left, although I see myself as being a part of the Left. I think the attention of the Left got too confined to some very narrow attitude.. like the dominance of American imperialism and nothing else.
     
    "There are other issues (as well) in the present leadership under (new general secretary Sitaram) Yechury. I think the Left has also learnt something from the defeat in the past few years (in elections). I think they will probably take a note of that and try to do something on it."
     
    On the issue of "intolerance", he noted that there was intolerance in the previous government as well. "But the intolerance is much larger now and much more politically channelled. There might be others who would say that it (returning awards) is not the best way (to raise voice on intolerance) and that there might be a better way. Condemning 'award-wapsi' is also not a good way of responding to the current situation."
     
    "I think I see what these people who have returned their award intended to do.. I respect that and to some extent they have achieved in drawing attention to it," he added.
     
    Sen received Nobel Prize in Economics in 1998 for his contribution to welfare economics.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Two Minors Gang-raped In Bihar

    Two Minors Gang-raped In Bihar
    Two minors, who are cousins, were gang-raped by 15 youth when they were returning from a temple in Bihar's Rohtas district on Wednesday, police said, addding a search was on for the accused.

    Two Minors Gang-raped In Bihar

    'Witty' Parkash Singh Badal Snubs Son's Father-In-Law Satyajit Singh Majithia

    'Witty' Parkash Singh Badal Snubs Son's Father-In-Law Satyajit Singh Majithia
    In a virtual snub to his son's father-in-law, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday noted how much his family has benefited under his dispensation.

    'Witty' Parkash Singh Badal Snubs Son's Father-In-Law Satyajit Singh Majithia

    Syed Ali Geelani Spurns Pakistani Invite As 'Symbolic Protest'

    Syed Ali Geelani Spurns Pakistani Invite As 'Symbolic Protest'
    Hardline senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Tuesday said he would not attend the 'Eid Milan' function at the Pakistan High Commission on July 21 as a "symbolic protest".

    Syed Ali Geelani Spurns Pakistani Invite As 'Symbolic Protest'

    27 Hindu Pilgrims Die In Andhra Pradesh Stampede

    27 Hindu Pilgrims Die In Andhra Pradesh Stampede
    At least 27 pilgrims were killed and over 60 injured on Tuesday in a horrific stampede here at the start of the Godavari 'Maha Pushkaralu' -- the Kumbh Mela of the south, officials and witnesses said.

    27 Hindu Pilgrims Die In Andhra Pradesh Stampede

    Honest decision, justice for Indian cricket: Lalit Modi

    Honest decision, justice for Indian cricket: Lalit Modi
    Great outcome for justice and integrity. No surprise, first honest decision on Indian cricket and it comes from outside the BCCI. Lodha committee report is just the first step. It is not an end but has to be taken as a starting point. 

    Honest decision, justice for Indian cricket: Lalit Modi

    1984 Riots: When Silence Spoke So Unmistakably

    1984 Riots: When Silence Spoke So Unmistakably
    Sanjay Suri is the author of '1984 - the Anti-Sikh Violence and After'. He was a young crime reporter with The Indian Express newspaper in New Delhi when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards on 31 October 1984. 

    1984 Riots: When Silence Spoke So Unmistakably