Source” The Hindu
Introduction:
- The 17th Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum in June 2023, highlights the slow progress in closing the global gender gap, estimating it will take 131 years.
- In South Asian countries like India, it’s even longer at 149 years. The report emphasizes the importance of equity and counters the notion that affirmative action hampers competence.
- The recent passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in India marks a significant legislative milestone.
- The primary goal is to establish a level playing field where gender becomes irrelevant in the pursuit of equality.
Debunking the Misconception on Reservation
- Critics of affirmative action, particularly reservation for women, often argue that it lowers competence. However, data suggests that women outperform men in academics, graduate from colleges in larger numbers, and enter the workforce more frequently.
- The underrepresentation of women in leadership roles is not due to their incompetence but rather the dominance of men in these positions.
Passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill
- In September 2023, the Women’s Reservation Bill, officially known as the Constitution (One Hundred Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed in the Indian Parliament.
- The bill marks a significant legislative milestone, addressing the historical underrepresentation of women in Indian politics.
- While India embraced universal adult suffrage early on, women’s political participation remained limited.
Challenges Faced by Women in Leadership Roles
- Globally, women are often appreciated for supportive and emotional roles rather than leadership positions.
- Ambitious women, like Hillary Clinton, may face resistance and bias in their pursuit of leadership roles.
- Historically, women in leadership positions often got there due to political convenience or disqualification of men, rather than pure competence.
Privileges and Education
- Women in leadership roles often possess privileges, such as higher education and influential mentors or family connections.
- There is a disparity between the educational backgrounds of male and female legislators, with women often having higher education qualifications.
Timeliness of Women in Leadership
- The time it takes for women to assume leadership positions, even with significant advantages, is longer compared to men. Nepotistic advantages often expedite men’s entry into leadership roles.
- The question remains whether an Indian woman without nepotistic advantages can attain top leadership positions in a reasonable timeframe.
Lack of Empathy Among Privileged Women
- Privileged women who reach leadership positions may fail to understand and empathize with the struggles of less privileged women.
- The misconception that their success is solely due to their efforts and sacrifices overlooks personal advantages they possess.
Historical Perspectives
- Historical figures like Sarojini Naidu and Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz held differing views on reservation for women in legislative representation.
- The elitist backgrounds and privileges of some women who assumed leadership roles need to be recognized.
Regressive Views and Gender Equality
- Regressive views on gender equality, held by both men and women, are significant hurdles to progress.
- Opposition to reservation often stems from concerns about men losing political influence in patriarchal societies.
Conclusion and Call for Change
- The Women’s Reservation Bill is seen as the first step towards gender parity, aiming to rectify historical injustices.
- The implementation of the bill should ideally be based on the 1991 Census data to expedite the process of achieving gender equality.
The article highlights the urgent need for change, emphasizing that there is no reason for it to be delayed.
Source: The Hindu
Introduction
The case of a manufacturer of indigenous drugs suing a medical practitioner due to the perceived impact of their social media comments on their business has generated significant attention within medical circles.
While the specifics of this particular case are not discussed, it serves as an opportunity to explore broader questions regarding the role of traditional medicine in the modern world, the concept of evidence-based medicine, and the steps governments can take to safeguard public health.
The Evolution of Modern Medicine
- Modern medicine, despite remarkable advances, coexists with various alternative systems of healing, such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha in India.
- It’s essential to distinguish modern medicine from the pejoratively labeled “allopathy,” a term coined in the 18th century by Hahnemann to differentiate his homeopathic system.
- Modern medicine’s transformation into a science-based discipline began in the late 19th century with technological advances that improved the understanding of the human body, safe anesthesia, and surgical procedures.
- This scientific evolution continued into the 20th century with concepts like falsifiability, contributing to the scrutiny of medical therapies, and the abandonment of ineffective ones.
- Modern medicine isn’t inherently Western; it’s a part of the global scientific community, subject to ongoing advancements and self-correction. The dissemination of ideas and knowledge across the world has been one of the post-World War II triumphs of human civilization.
Traditional Medicine and Ayurveda
- Traditional medical systems, including Ayurveda, were often limited in their understanding of the human body due to a lack of advanced technology.
- However, they consistently emphasized the importance of basing diagnoses and therapies on a sound understanding of the human body. While the physiological basis of Ayurveda may not align with modern medical knowledge, it’s important to note that it’s an evolving field.
- The integration of ideas from diverse sources and continual refinement are key aspects of modern epistemology, and this process leads to a more coherent understanding of how the world functions.
- One significant difference between modern medicine and Ayurveda is in drug development. Modern medicine typically isolates the active ingredient, resulting in single-component medicines with precisely calculated doses.
- Ayurvedic medicines, on the other hand, often consist of combinations, making it uncertain how these ingredients interact.
- To gain greater acceptance in the scientific community, Ayurvedic medicines should be evaluated using modern scientific methods without compromising the holistic nature of these formulations.
Government’s Role in Health Policy
- Government policy in healthcare should prioritize the well-being of the population over nationalistic sentiments. An evidence-based evaluation of all traditional medical systems is essential.
- Valuable aspects should be retained and further developed to create a cohesive and accessible system of medicine for everyone. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) should play a facilitative role in this process.
The Value of Open-Mindedness in Science
- Some individuals commit a disservice to the cause of evidence-based medicine by broadly denouncing traditional medical systems. Science requires open-mindedness tempered by skepticism.
- Rejecting traditional systems outright dismisses the valuable knowledge that has undergone informal but repeated verification through generations of practitioners. This approach can hinder scientific progress and disregard cultural achievements.
The example of artemisinin, an anti-malarial drug synthesized from a 1,600-year-old text of Traditional Chinese Medicine, underscores the potential benefits of open-mindedness in science.
Introduction:
The recent Hamas attack on Israel has triggered a domestic political dimension in India. While the Congress Party has struggled to formulate a consistent response, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unequivocally condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Israel.
This development adds a new layer to the political competition between the two parties, particularly regarding their commitment to combating terrorism during the election season.
India’s Evolving Relationship with Israel
- Prime Minister Modi brought India’s relationship with Israel into the open, signaling full political ownership.
- Unlike previous governments, Modi discarded traditional inhibitions about acknowledging the deepening security ties with Israel.
- The NDA government aligned India’s stance with the changing realities in the Middle East.
Shifting Stance on the Palestinian Issue
- The NDA government has recognized the changing dynamics in the Middle East, with Arab countries making peace with Israel.
- Shared concerns about religious extremism have opened space for cooperation between Israel and Arab states.
- While maintaining ties with the Palestine Authority, the Modi government supports a two-state solution but avoids using “root causes” as an excuse to stay silent on terror attacks.
Strengthened Relations with the Arab World
- The last decade has witnessed an extraordinary transformation in India’s relations with Arab countries.
- The NDA government has fostered partnerships with key Arab nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
- These relationships promise to contribute significantly to India’s economic growth.
A Departure from Anti-Western Stance
- India abandoned its traditional anti-Western stance in the Middle East.
- India now partners with the US, Israel, and the UAE in various strategic initiatives.
- The clarity of India’s response to Hamas terror highlights its interest-driven foreign policy.
De-linking Regional Diplomacy from Religion
- Under Modi’s leadership, India’s Middle East policy has de-linked regional diplomacy from religion.
- Historically, India’s engagement with the Middle East was complicated by religion, especially due to Pakistan’s Islamic solidarity efforts.
- Pragmatic interests have yielded positive results for India, while the framework of religious kinship has not benefited Pakistan.
Conclusion:
As the Middle East faces new challenges, India is poised to make a greater contribution to the region’s stability and prosperity. India’s political class must adapt to the structural trends in the Middle East and forge a new national consensus on engaging with the region, shedding self-referential discourse.
