THE world is in the midst of a global technology revolution. For the past 30 years, advances in biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials technology, and information technology have been occurring at an accelerating pace, with the potential to bring about radical changes in all dimensions of life. The pace of these developments shows no sign of abating over the next 15 years, and it appears that their effects will be ever more remarkable. The technology of 2020 will integrate developments from multiple scientific disciplines in ways that could transform the quality of human life, extend the human lifespan, change the face of work and industry, and establish new economic and political powers on the global scene.
While people often do not understand a technology itself, they can often understand what that technology, when applied, might do for them and the societies in which they live when an application concept is presented to them. Actual adoption, however, is not necessarily automatic because of the confluence of economic, social, political, and other mitigating factors. Such technology applications, designed to accomplish specific functions, and their mitigating factors are the focus of a study done for the National Intelligence Council (NIC) in the United States.
16 technology applications that could change the world
The study identified 56 applications that were possible by 2020, and of these, 16 appear to have the greatest combined likelihood of being widely available commercially, enjoying a significant market demand, and affecting multiple sectors, for example, the water, food, land, population, governance, social structure, energy, health economic development, education, defence and conflict, and environment and pollution sectors.
The 16 technology applications, in order of likelihood of implementation, include the following:
• Hybrid vehicles: Automobiles available to the mass market with power systems that combine internal combustion and other power sources while recovering energy during braking.
• Rural wireless communications: Widely available telephone and internet connectivity without a wired network infrastructure.
• Targeted drug delivery: Drug therapies that preferentially attack specific tumours or pathogens without harming healthy tissues and cells.
• Communication devices for ubiquitous information access: Communication and storage devices, both wired and wireless, that provide agile access to information sources anywhere, anytime. Operating seamlessly across communication and data storage protocols, these devices will have growing capabilities to store not only text but also meta-text with layered contextual information, images, voice, music, video, and movies.
• Ubiquitous radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging of commercial products and individuals: Widespread use of RFID tags to track retail products from manufacture through sale and beyond, as well as individuals and their movements.
• Improved diagnostic and surgical methods: Technologies that improve the precision of diagnoses and greatly increase the accuracy and efficacy of surgical procedures, while reducing invasiveness and recovery time.
• Quantum cryptography: Quantum mechanical methods that encode information for secure transfer.
• Cheap solar energy: Solar energy systems inexpensive enough to be widely available to developing and undeveloped countries, as well as economically disadvantaged populations.
• Filters and catalysts: Techniques and devices to effectively and reliably filter, purify, and decontaminate water locally using unskilled labour.
• Green manufacturing: Redesigned manufacturing processes that either eliminate or greatly reduce the waste streams and the need to use toxic materials.
• Tissue engineering: The design and engineering of living tissue for implantation and replacement.
• Genetically Modified (GM) crops: Genetically engineered foods with improved nutritional value (for example through added vitamins and micronutrients), increased production (for example by tailoring crops to local conditions), and reduced pesticide use (for example by increasing resistance to pests).
• Pervasive sensors: Presence of sensors in most public areas and networks of sensor data to accomplish real-time surveillance.
• Wearable computers: Computational devices embedded in clothing or in other wearable items such as handbags, purses, or jewellery.
• Cheap autonomous housing: Self-sufficient and affordable housing that provides shelter adaptable to local conditions, as well as energy for heating, cooling, and cooking.
Impact of Change
The initial 56 technology applications identified vary significantly in technical and implementation feasibility by 2020. Technical feasibility is defined as the likelihood that the application will be possible on a commercial basis by 2020. Implementation feasibility is the net of all non-technical barriers and enablers, such as market demand, cost, infrastructure, policies and regulations. An assessment of implementation feasibility was made based on rough qualitative estimates of the size of the market for the application in 2020 and whether or not it raises significant public policy issues. The 16 identified technology applications had both a high technical feasibility as well as high implementation feasibility.
What can be observed is that increasingly, the technology applications that will be introduced in the future entail the integration of multiple technologies. New approaches to harnessing solar energy, for instance, are using plastics, biological materials, and nanoparticles. The latest water purification systems use nanoscale membranes together with biologically activated and catalytic materials. Technology applications such as these may help to address some of the most significant problems that different nations face, that is, those problems involving water, food, health, economic development, the environment, and many other critical sectors.
While extensive, this technology revolution will play out differently around the globe. Although a technology application may be technically possible by 2020, not all countries will necessarily be able to acquire it, much less put it widely to use, within that time frame. An adequate level of science and technology (S&T) capacity is the first requirement for many sophisticated applications. A country might obtain a technology application through its domestic research and development (R&D) efforts, a technology transfer, or an international R&D collaboration, all of which are indicators of a country’s science and technology capacity. A country could also simply purchase off-the-shelf systems from abroad. However, many countries will not have achieved the necessary infrastructure or resources in 15 years to do such things across the breadth of the technology revolution.
The key role of R&D
What is more, the ability to acquire a technology application does not equal the ability to implement it. Doing research or importing know-how is a necessary first step. But successful implementation also depends on the drivers within a country that encourage technological innovation and the barriers that stand in its way. Such drivers and barriers reflect a country’s institutional, human and physical capacity; its financial resources; and its social, political, and cultural environment. Each of these factors plays a part in determining a nation’s ability to put a new technology application into the hands of users, cause them to embrace it, and support its widespread use over time.
For these reasons, different countries will vary considerably in their ability to utilize technology applications to solve the problems they confront. To be sure, not all technology applications will require the same level of capacity to acquire and use. But even so, some countries will not be prepared in 15 years to exploit even the least demanding of these
applications, even if they can acquire them, whereas other nations will be fully equipped to both obtain and implement the most demanding of the applications.
Joshua Ho
Joshua Ho is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Maritime Security Programme at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Pope Benedict XVI And Muslim States
THE Sept 12 2006, speech by Pope Benedict XVI at the University of Regensburg in Germany has triggered different reactions. While many agreed that the Pope held no malicious intent against Islam, he was heavily criticized for evoking medieval viewpoints rooted in an era when a Christian empire was at war with a Muslim one. His speech, to some, manifested the pontiff’s true feelings about Islam and the Muslim world inspite of his call for dialogue. This notwithstanding, one neglected aspect of this episode over the Pope’s controversial speech is why Muslim governments reacted the way they did.
While it comes as little surprise that radical Islamists were quick to react to the Pope’s statement with massive demonstrations, the responses of the Muslim governments were unusually strong. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), described the Pope’s remarks as being insensitive to Muslim feelings and damaging good relations between Islam and Christianity. The OIC countries also registered a call on 26 Sept for a formal retraction by the Pope. The OIC chairman’s statement is noteworthy because only a week earlier, Abdullah had accepted the Pope’s apology. Pakistan’s General Pervez Musharraf, known for his secular views, said that the Pope’s comments on Islam were unfortunate and irresponsible. Notably, the strongest denunciations came from Turkey, a moderate democracy seeking European Union membership. Salih Kapusuz, deputy leader of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-rooted Justice and Development party (AKP), said the pontiff’s remarks were either the result of pitiful ignorance about Islam and its Prophet or, worse, a deliberate distortion. He even went as far as to categorize the Pope with dictators like Hitler and Mussolini. It is indeed significant that such strong statements were issued by Muslim leaders who are by orientation generally associated with moderation.
Reflecting the Muslim Ground
For the Muslim masses, the Pope’s remarks were consistent with their belief that there is a long-standing attempt by the West to destroy Islam, a campaign which began with the Crusades. Since the decline of Islamic civilization in the 17th century, the feeling that Islam is under siege has been a feature of the Muslim mind. For many in the Muslim world, the Pope's statement convinced them that an open war is being waged against them in the realm of religion. Many feel that the West is waging a crusade against them in the form of an alliance between the United States, Israel and the Vatican. This attitude was displayed in the massive protests held outside various US embassies throughout the Muslim world. Cartoons and editorials published in newspapers in the Arab Muslim world also portray Jews as the instigators behind Pope’s remarks. Some argue that the reaction of the Muslim masses reflect
their nonchalance towards the essence of the Pope’s message even though the speech was available on both the BBC website (right after the controversy started) and that of the Vatican City. Some who have read the speech may also not have understood the highly academic nature of the speech. On the other hand, many believed that the Pope’s statement was inherently problematic because it had tendentiously linked violence to Islam despite his claim that he did not mean to defame the religion. Understanding the reality of the Muslim ground, Muslim governments had reacted by portraying themselves as defending Islam and thus are the true representatives of the Muslim masses.
Failure in Lebanon
The failure of Muslim governments to react decisively in the recent Israel-Lebanese conflict had caused them to lose ground to the Islamists in their respective countries. It was the Islamists who were in the forefront of massive demonstrations, political lobbying and providing humanitarian aid to the victims of the war. The Muslim masses felt that the OIC has become an irrelevant entity governed by US-backed Muslim regimes. The failure of Israel’s campaign in Lebanon has left many in the Muslim world convinced that Islamic movements such as Hizbullah and Hamas have been more successful in restoring the dignity and honour of the Muslim world by facing up to Israel and US hegemony. An indication is the outpouring of newspaper columns, cartoons, blogs and public poetry readings showering praise on Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the Hizbullah leader, as a hero of the Muslim world in many Middle Eastern countries.
Domestic Problems
By reacting strongly to the Pope’s remarks, Muslim governments are seen as trying to regain their waning political support. For instance, President Musharraf’s strong remarks against the Pope reflect his anxiety of the deepening political crisis in Pakistan. Various domestic developments such as the Pakistani Islamists’ campaign for the maintenance of hudud or Islamic penal laws in Pakistan and the killings of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a nationalist leader from the province of Baluchistan, brought Musharraf’s popularity to an all time low. With elections expected to be held in 2007, Musharraf cannot afford to estrange the electorate. By taking a strong stand against the Pope, Musharraf presents himself as a defender of Islam and thus boost his standing amongst Muslims in Pakistan.
Similarly, for the Malaysian prime minister, the perceived inability of Malaysia and the OIC under his chairmanship to react decisively to the conflict in Lebanon had dented his image as the exemplary leader of a strong, progressive and moderate Muslim country. Faced with growing criticism at home from Islamic groups, Abdullah has been on the defensive. In addition, he is facing constant criticism from former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed for being a weak Muslim leader. This aside, Malaysia is also awaiting a court ruling on an application from a Malay woman, Lina Joy, to renounce Islam, a case seen as crucial in determining religious freedom in Malaysia. Already, Islamic groups in Malaysia were infuriated by the government’s decision to allow the case to be brought to court, which they saw as an attack on the status of Islam. Abdullah’s firm stand against the Pope, as well as the strong stance adopted by the OIC under his leadership, could win him crucial Muslim support at home.
Turkey perhaps presents the best example of how domestic politics is reflected in the reaction of the country’s leadership against the Pope. Since the rise of Erdogan's AKP party to power, the government has adopted a populist foreign policy of defending Islam and Muslims to boost its domestic standing among the Turkish people. This could be seen in its defence of 3
Iran against concerns about nuclear proliferation and the Prime Minister’s invitation of Hamas leader Khaled Meshal to Ankara. However, the Turkish government has been on a collision course with the Turkish military, which pride itself as the defender of a secular Turkey. The appointment of the new Turkish military commander General Mehmet Yasar Buyukanit, an anti-Islamist and fierce secularist, has intensified the differences between the government and military. With its unusually strong stance against the Pope, the Turkish government seems to be seeking to buttress its political standing vis-à-vis the Turkish military.
In the end, the Pope’s controversial speech may have assisted Muslim governments by distracting attention from the domestic problems of these states. By stoking a sense of a clash of civilizations between Muslim and Christians, both the Pope’s controversial speech, as well as the strong responses of the Muslim states, could undermine the prospects of interfaith dialogue at a time when the enhancement of understanding between members of different faith communities is most needed.
Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
(Mohamad Nawab Mohd Osman is a research assistant at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University. )
While it comes as little surprise that radical Islamists were quick to react to the Pope’s statement with massive demonstrations, the responses of the Muslim governments were unusually strong. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), described the Pope’s remarks as being insensitive to Muslim feelings and damaging good relations between Islam and Christianity. The OIC countries also registered a call on 26 Sept for a formal retraction by the Pope. The OIC chairman’s statement is noteworthy because only a week earlier, Abdullah had accepted the Pope’s apology. Pakistan’s General Pervez Musharraf, known for his secular views, said that the Pope’s comments on Islam were unfortunate and irresponsible. Notably, the strongest denunciations came from Turkey, a moderate democracy seeking European Union membership. Salih Kapusuz, deputy leader of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-rooted Justice and Development party (AKP), said the pontiff’s remarks were either the result of pitiful ignorance about Islam and its Prophet or, worse, a deliberate distortion. He even went as far as to categorize the Pope with dictators like Hitler and Mussolini. It is indeed significant that such strong statements were issued by Muslim leaders who are by orientation generally associated with moderation.
Reflecting the Muslim Ground
For the Muslim masses, the Pope’s remarks were consistent with their belief that there is a long-standing attempt by the West to destroy Islam, a campaign which began with the Crusades. Since the decline of Islamic civilization in the 17th century, the feeling that Islam is under siege has been a feature of the Muslim mind. For many in the Muslim world, the Pope's statement convinced them that an open war is being waged against them in the realm of religion. Many feel that the West is waging a crusade against them in the form of an alliance between the United States, Israel and the Vatican. This attitude was displayed in the massive protests held outside various US embassies throughout the Muslim world. Cartoons and editorials published in newspapers in the Arab Muslim world also portray Jews as the instigators behind Pope’s remarks. Some argue that the reaction of the Muslim masses reflect
their nonchalance towards the essence of the Pope’s message even though the speech was available on both the BBC website (right after the controversy started) and that of the Vatican City. Some who have read the speech may also not have understood the highly academic nature of the speech. On the other hand, many believed that the Pope’s statement was inherently problematic because it had tendentiously linked violence to Islam despite his claim that he did not mean to defame the religion. Understanding the reality of the Muslim ground, Muslim governments had reacted by portraying themselves as defending Islam and thus are the true representatives of the Muslim masses.
Failure in Lebanon
The failure of Muslim governments to react decisively in the recent Israel-Lebanese conflict had caused them to lose ground to the Islamists in their respective countries. It was the Islamists who were in the forefront of massive demonstrations, political lobbying and providing humanitarian aid to the victims of the war. The Muslim masses felt that the OIC has become an irrelevant entity governed by US-backed Muslim regimes. The failure of Israel’s campaign in Lebanon has left many in the Muslim world convinced that Islamic movements such as Hizbullah and Hamas have been more successful in restoring the dignity and honour of the Muslim world by facing up to Israel and US hegemony. An indication is the outpouring of newspaper columns, cartoons, blogs and public poetry readings showering praise on Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the Hizbullah leader, as a hero of the Muslim world in many Middle Eastern countries.
Domestic Problems
By reacting strongly to the Pope’s remarks, Muslim governments are seen as trying to regain their waning political support. For instance, President Musharraf’s strong remarks against the Pope reflect his anxiety of the deepening political crisis in Pakistan. Various domestic developments such as the Pakistani Islamists’ campaign for the maintenance of hudud or Islamic penal laws in Pakistan and the killings of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a nationalist leader from the province of Baluchistan, brought Musharraf’s popularity to an all time low. With elections expected to be held in 2007, Musharraf cannot afford to estrange the electorate. By taking a strong stand against the Pope, Musharraf presents himself as a defender of Islam and thus boost his standing amongst Muslims in Pakistan.
Similarly, for the Malaysian prime minister, the perceived inability of Malaysia and the OIC under his chairmanship to react decisively to the conflict in Lebanon had dented his image as the exemplary leader of a strong, progressive and moderate Muslim country. Faced with growing criticism at home from Islamic groups, Abdullah has been on the defensive. In addition, he is facing constant criticism from former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed for being a weak Muslim leader. This aside, Malaysia is also awaiting a court ruling on an application from a Malay woman, Lina Joy, to renounce Islam, a case seen as crucial in determining religious freedom in Malaysia. Already, Islamic groups in Malaysia were infuriated by the government’s decision to allow the case to be brought to court, which they saw as an attack on the status of Islam. Abdullah’s firm stand against the Pope, as well as the strong stance adopted by the OIC under his leadership, could win him crucial Muslim support at home.
Turkey perhaps presents the best example of how domestic politics is reflected in the reaction of the country’s leadership against the Pope. Since the rise of Erdogan's AKP party to power, the government has adopted a populist foreign policy of defending Islam and Muslims to boost its domestic standing among the Turkish people. This could be seen in its defence of 3
Iran against concerns about nuclear proliferation and the Prime Minister’s invitation of Hamas leader Khaled Meshal to Ankara. However, the Turkish government has been on a collision course with the Turkish military, which pride itself as the defender of a secular Turkey. The appointment of the new Turkish military commander General Mehmet Yasar Buyukanit, an anti-Islamist and fierce secularist, has intensified the differences between the government and military. With its unusually strong stance against the Pope, the Turkish government seems to be seeking to buttress its political standing vis-à-vis the Turkish military.
In the end, the Pope’s controversial speech may have assisted Muslim governments by distracting attention from the domestic problems of these states. By stoking a sense of a clash of civilizations between Muslim and Christians, both the Pope’s controversial speech, as well as the strong responses of the Muslim states, could undermine the prospects of interfaith dialogue at a time when the enhancement of understanding between members of different faith communities is most needed.
Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
(Mohamad Nawab Mohd Osman is a research assistant at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University. )
Winning Shot is all about Dinesh Singh Rawat Thoughts and actions
Winning shot is my online mind graph. What i writes or refer on any particular day reflects my mood and mind interpretation of ideas and issues surrounding me. So please read my each and every blog as complete independent from others. Than you can can enjoy these.
Dinesh Singh Rawat
an online research journalist
Dinesh Singh Rawat
an online research journalist
Monday, October 29, 2007
Citizen Journalism an Innovative and Powerful Tool to Knowledge Based Society
Citizen journalism an innovative and powerful tool to knowledge based society Information is the basis of knowledge. When any information we know is processed and lodged in our minds became knowledge. We are rapidly proceeding towards knowledge society in information era. To acquire verities of knowledge on different subjects, the future dreamed knowledge society will require multi levels information delivery systems. The Contemporary media and other information channels and sources could not alone meet the demands of information, so knowledge societal ethics ask every citizen to contribute his or her share to make this society reality.
In contemporary journalism gate keepings are done at every level in name of editorial reviews, and premium membership. But citizen journalism is trying to remove all such gate keepings from journalism because in knowledge society every citizen is a torch carrier of information. In true spirit lesser gate keeping will be the guarantee of high valued citizen journalism .Knowledge society can not will be developed in computers or other electronics gadgets but only and only in human minds, so without equal participations of each and every minds, big or small. We couldn’t dream of our future .The free, fair and fast (3F) 4 all should be the main ethics of citizen journalism.
To understand the definition and scope of citizen journalism one should go to the roots of traditional journalism. The journalism was developed and lived with human from Stone Age to computer age but its nature and scope were different in every age of human development. In stone age journalism was in form of verbal intra personal as requirements of that age were geographical and anatomical .
Than came the mechanical/technological age, when wheel started to turned the development of mankind, in this age print and electronic journalism had made its presence because machine produced products made free economics traveling around the world cutting across the geographical barriers.
The information era popularly called information revolution, knowledge based society will be its bio product. To meet the future demand of information revolution, journalism has to change its contemporary form to basics, from where it had started participation of all as it were in Stone Age when every human had to act as journalist to make information flow in his or her society.
Again in information revolution every citizen has to make his or her informatory contribution. The citizen journalism has emerged as an innovative and powerful tool for common citizens to deliver their shares in shaping knowledge based society in or around them.
In contemporary journalism gate keepings are done at every level in name of editorial reviews, and premium membership. But citizen journalism is trying to remove all such gate keepings from journalism because in knowledge society every citizen is a torch carrier of information. In true spirit lesser gate keeping will be the guarantee of high valued citizen journalism .Knowledge society can not will be developed in computers or other electronics gadgets but only and only in human minds, so without equal participations of each and every minds, big or small. We couldn’t dream of our future .The free, fair and fast (3F) 4 all should be the main ethics of citizen journalism.
To understand the definition and scope of citizen journalism one should go to the roots of traditional journalism. The journalism was developed and lived with human from Stone Age to computer age but its nature and scope were different in every age of human development. In stone age journalism was in form of verbal intra personal as requirements of that age were geographical and anatomical .
Than came the mechanical/technological age, when wheel started to turned the development of mankind, in this age print and electronic journalism had made its presence because machine produced products made free economics traveling around the world cutting across the geographical barriers.
The information era popularly called information revolution, knowledge based society will be its bio product. To meet the future demand of information revolution, journalism has to change its contemporary form to basics, from where it had started participation of all as it were in Stone Age when every human had to act as journalist to make information flow in his or her society.
Again in information revolution every citizen has to make his or her informatory contribution. The citizen journalism has emerged as an innovative and powerful tool for common citizens to deliver their shares in shaping knowledge based society in or around them.
Farming Communities In Developing nations Should try to Take lesson from "Santa Anita" of El Salvador
Sustainable social development is a complex phenomena. There is certainly no recipe to solve our problems, even if we add to our strategy a new dimension of poverty alleviation. constructive social development is quite possible, provided that a
number of conditions can be fulfilled, and provided that the observer has enough patience and time to wait.
One of the main problems for the rural poor in
occurred already in 1931, known as „la matanza“, and has overshadowed all the attempts on reforms undertaken since then. In the early 1950s
The story of the Christian mbased community of Santa Anita, an agricultural community of something over 50 families, stimulated by a Catholic priest to work together. Thus a cooperative was founded in the late 1980s, during the civil war, and with the help of
FINATA, the national land institute, a piece of land in an old hacienda has been found. This was good land for coffee and also sugar cane, received on a mortgage in the region of Guazapa, located in one of the main regions of war activities.
The members of the community had no capital, no machinery and equipment, no housing but only their hands to work with. They had to make the down payments on their land debt and also needed production credit from a local cooperative. Even during the war,
the armies on both sides, of the government and of the various groups of the rebels, were raiding through the fields of the new community, and a neighboring group occupied part of the land while another group burned part of the In April 1997 a mission of three couples from the former volunteers arrived at Santa Anita to discuss the future cooperation and sign an agreement for the provision of a soft loan (to be repaid within 3 years and to be put into a revolving fund).
Luckily an agricultural engineer to provide the financial advice and training to the cooperative as well as to update the farm management plan was found and he could start already work at the beginning of 1997. But working capital was still hardly available and investment funds to build up the old coffee areas were simply not existing.
In the meantime the settlement of the actual payment of the land debt was delayed on the side of the government. The issue was raised in parliament if 30% could really be paid
by the campesinos in the cooperatives or if the entire land debt should not simply be forgiven. After more than an year of negotiation in parliament, the president of
Thus with the loan of the”Friends of Santa Anita“ and the contribution of C 110'000 the 15% was paid immediately and the land could be transferred into the ownership of the
cooperative. The rest of in the cooperative the money collected could be used to cover the cost of the training programs.
To follow up on such a program, including the operation of a revolving fund, a local organization in
community, Carmen and Transito as social educators, Eduardo and Romeo as leaders of
organizations to help rural communities, and finally Conchita, a social worker who had been working already with some of the former volunteers in the 1950‘s. This committee, who served on a volunteer basis could also help the community, when needed, with the finding of a lawyer to settle legal questions or by talking to friendly politicians who could give advice.
This saving of the community of Santa Anita had different effects. One was that a larger Spanish NGO became interested in the community and started with a program of social
investments, first with a community building, followed by a kindergarten and later with a drinking water supply. This was a welcome help in a program which concentrated in the first place in helping to provide the economic basis of the community.
The second effect was that other communities in the neighborhood of the town of
Thus by January 1, 2000, technical assistance work also started in a larger community, in El Bario, by reducing the time which was given for training at Santa Anita. Requests were also received from other interested communities.
Another link to the basic problems of rural
on land redistribution was not a realistic option to alleviate rural poverty. Rather a strategy which focused on non-land factors (human capital, infrastructure off-farm employment, technology) was needed. Above all, the challenge for rural development based on cooperative organizations was to improve governance.
Cooperative management should be subject to controls like any other business enterprise for the benefit of their members as shareholders: external audits, management representation and professionalism were needed.Indeed the World Bank report found that although 30% of the agricultural land belonged to cooperatives, they only produced 8 % of the agricultural GDP. One main reason was inefficient control of accounting management.
There would be, thus, a great potential for increasing rural GDP through better governance and accounting. This is the direction the organization of ex-volunteers is encouraging in Santa Anita, El Bario and possibly in other similar communities. But experience at Santa Anita also teaches us that good governance depends always on individual people. Thus creating understanding and cooperation among individual members of cooperatives is finally the basis of lasting success. These problems have still to be solved before a substantial alleviation of poverty can be achieved.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Education And Developing India
India.s recent economic growth rates have generated much optimism about its general social and economic development. But has there been accompanying progress in indicators of educational outcomes? How good are Indian educational achievements in relation to China.s, the country withwhich it is increasingly compared? What are the most significant developments in Indian school education and what has been the impact of various education policy initiatives? This paper presents a critical overview of the school education sector in India using newly released data and a survey of existing studies.
The story of India.s educational achievements is one of mixed success. On the down side, India has 22 per cent of the world.s population but 46 per cent of the world.s illiterates, and is home to a high proportion of the world.s out of school children and youth.
On the positive side, it has made encouraging recent progress in raising schooling participation. While the base of India.s education pyramid may be weak, it has emerged as an important player in the worldwide information technology revolution on the back of substantial (absolute) numbers of well educated computing and other graduates.
Indian educational achievements in international perspective
Table 1 presents India.s adult and youth literacy rates alongside equivalent figures for its regional neighbours, as well as for countries in the BRIC grouping (Brazil, Russian Federation, India and China). While India does well compared to Bangladesh and Pakistan, it lags substantially behind all the other BRIC countries and Sri Lanka. Indeed it is striking that its overall adult literacy rate is similar to and female adult literacy rate lower than that of Sub Saharan Africa.
The comparison with China is of particular interest and it shows India to be at a considerable educational disadvantage:
India.s adult literacy in the early 2000s was wholly 30 percentage points below China.s. Even focusing more narrowly at only the youth literacy rates, India.s disadvantage with respect to China is a large 22.5 percentage points.India.s disadvantage vis a vis other countries in primary school participation rates is much smaller compared to that for youth literacy rates, since 93.4% of Indian elementary school age children were enrolled in school in 2006 according to ASER survey (Pratham, 2007). However, as
Figure 1 shows, at the secondary school level, India is again at a large disadvantage with respect to all three other BRIC countries where secondary enrolment rates are far above those predicted for countries at their levels of per capita GDP. Brazilian and Russian secondary school net enrolment rates are 27 percentage points higher than India.s. Figure 2 shows that India is more than 30 years behind China in terms of the proportion of the population with completed secondary and post secondary schooling.
Table 1
Adult and youth literacy rates
Adult Literacy rates (15+ year olds) Youth Literacy rates (15-24 year olds)
Total male female Total male femaleBangladesh 42.6 51.7 33.1 51.5 59.4 43.1
Pakistan 49.9 63.0 36.0 65.5 75.8 54.7
Sri Lanka 90.7 92.3 89.1 95.6 95.1 96.1
India 61.0 73.4 47.8 76.4 84.2 67.7
China 90.9 95.1 86.5 98.9 99.2 98.5
Brazil 88.6 88.4 88.8 96.8 95.8 97.9
Russian 99.4 99.7 99.2 99.7 99.7 99.8
World 82.2 87.2 77.3 87.3 90.5 84.1
Developing countries 76.8 83.5 70.1 84.8 88.6 80.9
Sub-Saharan Africa 61.2 69.5 53.3 72.9 77.8 68.3
Source: 2000-2004 data from the Education for All Global Monitoring Report, UNESCO (2006).
Tags: India | Education | Opinions
MindBlow and Mind Below
Human mind is numberless wonder of whole universe। This is the most fertile field of world। More you sow much you reap out of it।The usage of this part of human body needs accurate and precise approach. The tool to sharpen the upper part of human body is only through education. The education can change the life of human being.
This had been proven by scientific development of our world. Thus in most advanced and developed society, every possible care is taken in education sector applications.Are we in India caring for this vital aspect of human being? This story is a little effort to discuss the national education with special reference to one of the leading and progressive state named Haryana.According to 2001 census the population of largest democracy of the world was 1027015247. The managing of this huge population is a specialized job.
To do this it required extra accuracy and farsightedness approach. Education is among first thrust, which need to be carefully managed, because it is directly linked to development of nation.In 2002 India had 199144199 students starting from class 1 to higher education level. It means 19.3% of population was of student community. Government and NGO's are working hard to expand the area of education in the country, but their efforts are not yielding up to mark satisfaction.
In India in 2002 there were 113883060 students in primary school level. In middle school level numbers of students were 44828235. That means 69% of primary school students' left their studies before or after fifth class. The facts and figures are similar in every year. In same year (2002) there were 44828235 it mans 55% of student in middle school level whereas the number of high school students 20053986 who gave up their school bags after eight class. Continue to this process 48% of students left their studies from high school level to secondary level.
But here in last I am very surprised to see that after 10+2 level study gives up cases has drastically come down to 5%. This statistics clearly indicate that if student reaches primary level his or her probability of leaving school is 61%. If students cross first barrier (primary level) and reach to middle school then his percentage of leaving come down to 55%. Further after 10th standard to secondary levels this percentage further come down to 48%. Finally if he / she get passed 10+2 exam, the percentage to achieve higher education / professional education is 95%, which is very high as comparative to primary and middle level.
These facts and figures clearly indicate that primary to middle classes are studies leaving prone classes.Are these studies leaving the prone classes targeted by our education planners? . Answer is clearly no. This is very evident from following statistics.In primary school level student / teacher ratio in India is 59:1, for middle class it was 31:1, whereas in 10+2 level it was 17:1 in 2002.In comparison to above after 10+2 level education there are 272 universities, 8737 colleges (general), 838 technology/ engineering college, 725 medical college, 846 teacher training colleges, 5462 polytechnic and it is and 1175 teacher training schools.
This type planning will show its effects on society because knowledge level of population will be of high contrast. This will lead to fragmentation of that society which is already fragmented in the name of religion, caste and creeds. In this situation, the Education will work reversibly. This can be averted by making middle level focused education policy.So emphasis of our education policy should be on study leaving prone classes.i.e.5th to 8th classes. The environment and education should be planned in such manner that student of these classes does not leave their studies in want of school are money.
If the quantum of the students increases in 10+2 level then there will be more and more talents available for higher studies. This will not only enhance the level of knowledge among all sections of society in equilibrium but also give up maximum opportunities to maximum. This will show results in quality of higher study level. In which 50% of education budgets are invested. Take the case of Haryana in education. This small state has done commendable work as compare to other states of India. But due to non-practical approach of education planning, as in national education policy results are not up to the mark. Student teacher ratio in primary level was 39:1 as compare to national student teacher ratio 59:1 in 2002.
For middle classes this ratio in state was 33:1 in contrast to national average 31:1. Here one point is to mention this state was created on 1st nov.1966. The above student teacher ratio for the corresponding year was 43:1 and 30:1 for primary and middle classes respectively. Education budget at the creation of state in 1966 was merely 277.2 Lac rupees. Which reached 138429.51 Lac was invested which 55.7% of total money was allocated to education.
Thus after this statistics of one of the pioneer states of India one can guess situations in UP, Bihar, Orrisa and rest of other states of country.To make mind blowing and not blowing quantum of the student is directly linked to excellence in education. Money and personals are here only precise planning is required. Will our education planners ever do this and when? Answer to these questions lies in dark room. Who will open the doors of this dark room is to be seen yet.
This had been proven by scientific development of our world. Thus in most advanced and developed society, every possible care is taken in education sector applications.Are we in India caring for this vital aspect of human being? This story is a little effort to discuss the national education with special reference to one of the leading and progressive state named Haryana.According to 2001 census the population of largest democracy of the world was 1027015247. The managing of this huge population is a specialized job.
To do this it required extra accuracy and farsightedness approach. Education is among first thrust, which need to be carefully managed, because it is directly linked to development of nation.In 2002 India had 199144199 students starting from class 1 to higher education level. It means 19.3% of population was of student community. Government and NGO's are working hard to expand the area of education in the country, but their efforts are not yielding up to mark satisfaction.
In India in 2002 there were 113883060 students in primary school level. In middle school level numbers of students were 44828235. That means 69% of primary school students' left their studies before or after fifth class. The facts and figures are similar in every year. In same year (2002) there were 44828235 it mans 55% of student in middle school level whereas the number of high school students 20053986 who gave up their school bags after eight class. Continue to this process 48% of students left their studies from high school level to secondary level.
But here in last I am very surprised to see that after 10+2 level study gives up cases has drastically come down to 5%. This statistics clearly indicate that if student reaches primary level his or her probability of leaving school is 61%. If students cross first barrier (primary level) and reach to middle school then his percentage of leaving come down to 55%. Further after 10th standard to secondary levels this percentage further come down to 48%. Finally if he / she get passed 10+2 exam, the percentage to achieve higher education / professional education is 95%, which is very high as comparative to primary and middle level.
These facts and figures clearly indicate that primary to middle classes are studies leaving prone classes.Are these studies leaving the prone classes targeted by our education planners? . Answer is clearly no. This is very evident from following statistics.In primary school level student / teacher ratio in India is 59:1, for middle class it was 31:1, whereas in 10+2 level it was 17:1 in 2002.In comparison to above after 10+2 level education there are 272 universities, 8737 colleges (general), 838 technology/ engineering college, 725 medical college, 846 teacher training colleges, 5462 polytechnic and it is and 1175 teacher training schools.
This type planning will show its effects on society because knowledge level of population will be of high contrast. This will lead to fragmentation of that society which is already fragmented in the name of religion, caste and creeds. In this situation, the Education will work reversibly. This can be averted by making middle level focused education policy.So emphasis of our education policy should be on study leaving prone classes.i.e.5th to 8th classes. The environment and education should be planned in such manner that student of these classes does not leave their studies in want of school are money.
If the quantum of the students increases in 10+2 level then there will be more and more talents available for higher studies. This will not only enhance the level of knowledge among all sections of society in equilibrium but also give up maximum opportunities to maximum. This will show results in quality of higher study level. In which 50% of education budgets are invested. Take the case of Haryana in education. This small state has done commendable work as compare to other states of India. But due to non-practical approach of education planning, as in national education policy results are not up to the mark. Student teacher ratio in primary level was 39:1 as compare to national student teacher ratio 59:1 in 2002.
For middle classes this ratio in state was 33:1 in contrast to national average 31:1. Here one point is to mention this state was created on 1st nov.1966. The above student teacher ratio for the corresponding year was 43:1 and 30:1 for primary and middle classes respectively. Education budget at the creation of state in 1966 was merely 277.2 Lac rupees. Which reached 138429.51 Lac was invested which 55.7% of total money was allocated to education.
Thus after this statistics of one of the pioneer states of India one can guess situations in UP, Bihar, Orrisa and rest of other states of country.To make mind blowing and not blowing quantum of the student is directly linked to excellence in education. Money and personals are here only precise planning is required. Will our education planners ever do this and when? Answer to these questions lies in dark room. Who will open the doors of this dark room is to be seen yet.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Muslim India on 2617 A.D
What Muslim rulers of past could not made India as 100% Muslim state. The democracy of modern India will make it possible in 2627 A.D. In Indian democracy where numbers is mantra to rule unity in diversities ,which may lose its flavors very soon. India is the country with diversities. The fabric of this society is made of different castes, religions, groups& languages. Imaging India without these is like sky without stars. The population of this heterogeneous country in recent census was 1027015247.The total population is made of following religions base population |
1.Hindu 80.45% (827517009) |
The above mentioned population spectrum shows country unity in diversities. But how long this unity in diversities will prevail? The suggestions of census report of 2001 tell other side of story. In story we try to locate diversities factor in term of population
After above statistics every body going through these figures will say in India every religions of world exist. But when we further analysis these statistics the scene took total opposite side. According to 2001 census population growth in 0-6 year age population is if any indication. This fabric of Indian population is going to exhaust in very near future. Following table tells rest of this story.
After above statistics every body going through these figures will say in India every religions of world exist. But when we further analysis these statistics the scene took total opposite side. According to 2001 census population growth in 0-6 year age population is if any indication. This fabric of Indian population is going to exhaust in very near future. Following table tells rest of this story.
eligion | 0-6 age population% | All age population% | Difference |
| Hindu | 78.94% | 80.45% | -1.51% |
| Muslim | 15.80% | 13.43% | +2.34% |
| Christian | 1.97% | 2.34% | -0.37% |
| Sikh | 1.50% | 1.86% | -0.36% |
| Buddhists | 0.70% | 0.77% | -0.07% |
These statistics suggest that in future population group (0-6 years) every religion population % has come down in 0-6 years population except Muslim. The main loser in future population of country is the Hindu (1.51%) where as only grainer in this sector is Muslim (2.34%). This age group is very vital in any statistics of population analysis.
Because these figures tell us growth in population since last census. If these trend in all religions population continued on this rate India will be 100% Muslim state of world. The with expected occurrence year are clearly shown in following table.
Year | Hindu | Muslim | Christian | Sikh | Buddhists |
| 2011 | 78.94% | 15.80% | 1.97% | 1.5% | 0.7% |
| 2021 | 77.43% | 18.14% | 1.6% | 1.14% | 0.63% |
| 2031 | 75.92% | 20.48% | 1.23% | 0.78% | 0.56% |
| 2041 | 74.41% | 22.82% | 0.86% | 0.42% | 0.49% |
| 2051 | 72.9% | 25.16% | 0.49% | 0.06% | 0.42% |
| 2061 | 71.39% | 27.5% | 0.12% | 0.00% | 0.35% |
| 2071 | 69.88% | 29.84% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.28% |
| 2081 | 68.37% | 32.18% | | | 0.21% |
| 2091 | 66.86% | 34.52% | | | 0.14% |
| 2101 | 65.35% | 36.86% | | | 0.07% |
| 2111 | 63.84% | 39.2% | | | 0.00% |
| 2521 | 2.44% | | | | |
| 2531 | 0.94% | | | | |
| 2537 | 0.00% | 100% | | |
|
As this table shows that first religious community in India whose existence is in danger Sikhs. If this down wards trend in future population group continues, the growth of this religious community will come zero level on 2061A.D. Suppose at that time average expected age of an Indian will be 70 years than Sikh will become history on 2131 A.D?
Next casualty will be of Christian on 2071A.D. , Buddhists on 2111 A.D. & final victim of this Muslim population flood will be the Hindus on 2537 A.D, if life expectancy Age in that year would be 80 years than on 2617 A.D word Hindu would find only in books.
Thus on 2617 A.D onwards there will be unity in unity in India. It up to all Indian, their government to think how they will protect their unity in diversities in years to come.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
jobless India is waiting at 2081 AD.
As population of any state increase so as more and more manpower is available for that particular state or country. But in India this simple rule is going against.
In this ancient land of world according to 1991 census the population of this land was approx.82crores. The main work force among population was 34.118%.
In this ancient land of world according to 1991 census the population of this land was approx.82crores. The main work force among population was 34.118%.
This simply means that one Indian was working for three others non-active persons. In contrast to this statistics as per census of 2001 total population of India was 1027015247.out of this only 30.49% were main workers.
In last 10 years 1991-2001, percentage of main workers among total population has come down from 34.18% to 30.18%. The clear cut 3.69% decline is number of workers.
The major reasons to this shortcoming in now availability of jobs. We have chosen the specific time period (i.e. 1991-2001) as new economical reforms or liberalization of economy was started in year 1991 by then finance minister Dr.Man Mohan Singh to 2001, in times of BJP disinvestments period (feel good era).
What these so called reforms & others new economical policies did effect on jobs availability in this peninsular country. The open eye investigation by ABC news team revealed the eye opening facts about it.
As per 1991 census only 34.18% of total populations were main workers among males, 51% of them were main workers. As in female side only 16.03% of total female populations were in working battery of nation.
The above statistics showed considerably down trend in 2001 census where total percentage of worker among population come down sharply from 51% to 45.27% means 5.73% decline. In this contrast woman jobs are also decreased but slightly from 16.03% to 14.66% means decrease of 1.66%.
The reasons behind these are new industrial environment in India's and huge increment of population.
The population of county is increasing at the rate of 20.18% per decades compare to this the job opportunities in this part of world are decreasing at the rate of 3.69% per ten years. This clearly indicates that any increase in India's populations directly proportional to the percentage of jobs left of future generations.
The new economic order in country has added fuel in this problem since 1947 India had taken path of socialism under congress govt. center. All economical decisions were taken keeping the idea of socialism. But the year 1991 was path-breaking year in which this social state started to move towards capitalist order. The economy was so called liberalized (liberalized) the political circle started favoring the management's. The labour rights started marginalized since then to today this trend has reached at no back point. This has become immaterial which party/ a person in power has to comply with these capitalized orders.
If this down trend continues for next 22 year that is very apparent. India or Bharat will be totally jobless in 2081 AD
In this male dominated society one fact is very hard hitting that male jobs are decreasing at rate of 5.73% per decade where as female jobs are reducing at the rate of 1.66% per decade. This statistics become more crucial after knowing the social fabric of India where males are main bread earners and females play role of bread prepares. If male of society is not able to bring bread for his family the role of female in this social fabric will be further marginalized this will create lawlessness and complete anarchy in the society.
In India there are very few families, which are solely dependent on female bread earners. Mostly women work where their husbands are also in jobs. Thus they are helping their husbands in bread earning and preparing.
The precise and timely planning are options left. The hopes are demising. The sun is far away. Only right man at right place can prevent the situation to happen otherwise jobless India is waiting at 2081 AD.
My right: Universal elementary education
The god has created this wonderful universe. In this universe he/she has sent human to live. In human he/she has inserted an organ named brain. The brain generates ideas, these come from knowledge and finally knowledge can be gather only and only by education. Thus education is a basic fundamental need of human to live natural life.
In future, India is going to be largest population hub of world। Are we providing our new born brains that knowledge which they deserve? �My Right� deals with this aspect of future's India. Right to education has become fundamental right in Indian statues books in 2002, as once Indian parliament had given its approval to 86 th constitutional amendment in 2002 under article 21A of constitution. According to this every Indian child 6-14 year of age has fundamental right to free and compulsory education. Additional to this government of India has introduced a bill called �Right to education bill 2005�, which deal with early age child care and education for all children until they acquired the age of six. It also says that, it is the fundamental duty of every Indian parent to provide equal opportunities to his/her children of age of 6-14years to get education.
Please look into this for my sake.
Population (6-14years) | 226204139 |
Below poverty line Population(6-14 years) | 56573568 (25%) |
Total of students(primary) | 149400000 |
Number of schools (primary) | 664041 |
Number of teachers(primary) | 2900000 |
Teacher/students ratio | 40/teacher |
Children not able to attend the school (primary) | 76804139(33.9%) |
%of girls out of school | 39% |
Expenditure on education | 4.02% GDP |
Source: census 2001&: UNICEF statistical yearbook
What are the reasons behind this all?
- 25% of Indian population still live below poverty line means
lor/day . ( appox. 26 cores people ). For them food is theirs first priority, out of total 226204139 population (6-14 year age group) 56573568 are from below poverty line families. To keep them with studies needs extra motivated approach, which missing today in national education system. - The low adoption of modern education system by Muslims.
India is a multi religions nation.
1. % of religion based population 2. %of illiteracy among 6-14year
Source: census 2001 Source: census 2001
Above facts clearly tell the whole tale itself. 30.8% of my Muslim friends are remaining illiterate in target age for universal elementary education campaign (6-14 year). This is highest among all religious population in India. It is largely because, Muslims prefer theirs religious education over modern education.
- Gender biasness.
The Indian society is fully male dominant. The gender equation always tilts towards male section of society, decline sex ratio; numbers of women in different parts of society to government position is clear cut message of biasness towards women in my part of world. This is also a hurdle in making my school/class fully humane. (Where every child of age 6-14 year can attend it
without any consideration of caste, creed, religion and gender).Please go through it. After making every girl child into school/class room, then and only than we can see education for all in real sense.
primary schoolenrollment rate | Primary completion rates | Youth illiteracy Rate (% of people aged 15-24) | |
Male | 91 | 85 | 20.3 |
Female | 76 | 69 | 35.2 |
Source: world Bank
- Urban based education system.
Education system of India is urban centric, Every financial capable Indian parent want to send theirs kids to these urban schooling, so big gap has been created in favors of urban because all good schools, educational institutions and universities are based in urban areas.
Who is caring for me?
The education in India is subject of all and none to responsibility. As per Indian constitution education fall in concurrent list, which mean federal and state governments has its say on this all important subject of human development. Following are my care takers.
1. Federal government.
2. State government.
3. International agencies (united nations)
4. Private sectors.
What are being done for me sake?
- Sarv shiksha abhiyan( Indian universal elementary education campaign )
- Mid day meal programme ( food for education launched in 1995 and revised in 2004)
- District Primary Education Programme ( launched in November, 1994 to overhauling the primary education system in India)
- Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya ( Setting up unto 750 residential schools with boarding facilities at elementary level for girls belonging predominantly to the SC, ST, OBC and minorities in difficult areas . )
- Programme of Mobilizing Local Support to Primary Schools (PLUS) ( launched in 2004 to get additional local resources by local support.)
- 86 th constitutional amendment in 2002 under article 21A of constitution. (every Indian child 6-14year of age has fundamental right to free and compulsory education)
- Right to education bill 2005. (Early age child care and education for all children until they acquired the age of six.)
What I require?
As above stated programmes and schemes are being run by different federal and state governments agencies for me but still I am not able to reach school yet. So to get me enroll in school, I require following.
- One teacher for 15 students
Students/teacher ratio Source : UNESCO
Above pictorial facts show that developed nations has always less Students/teacher ratio as compare to developing side, but some developing nations has achieved shoulder to shoulder with developed ones like China, Iraq etc. As identical to China, I require one teacher for 19 students of my class.
- One School in one kilometer radius.
India has 2973190sq.km Land area. AS one school with in one kilo meter radius need approximately 2000000 primary schools, where as only 664041 schools are for me. This clearly means 1335959 more schools I require to get my education near to my home.
- Free education for all
As per 86 th constitutional amendment has ensured me free and compulsory education (6-14year age). But in practical rural India and some urban, it is too implemented in true sprit.
- Common education system across India.
As in India education is subject for all but responsibility of none, because there is not a uniform education system in nation. This has made me more vulnerable when I have to move around nation in my 6-14 year's child hood. So I need a common education system across the nation to make me easy at every part of country as same.
- Education in my mother tongue
Language is the first barrier which a child has to face in his/her school entrance in India. If it is removed than I may really not fear to attend my school as I do now. Which in latter becomes substantial reason of my drop out from schools.
Where lay my future?
My future is lying in your hands. The world fraternity has pledged in April 2000 at Dakar (Senegal), education for all unto 2015 A.D. Where as my Indian education planners has set 2010A.D for me to be in school/class room. Last not the least is my humble request to all who are concerned with this mission � education for all� that kindly look into above plight, so that my right for universal elementary education will be available to my every brethren and sisters at the time of theirs birth.
Plighted byAn Indian child of 1967
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