Independence from Intellectuals

Yes, this title is definitely inspired from Sen’s ‘Development as freedom’. And I vehemently agree with this definition of ‘development’. I have known Sen as a writer, researcher, and thinker – par excellence. His contribution to the body of knowledge on development, poverty, injustice, etc. has helped many. That is beyond doubt.

But at the same time, we must not forget that there has been a never-ending theorisation of poverty and development. Anyone who has tried to understand the ‘Sustainable Livelihood Framework’ developed by DFID and IDS would agree with me. I tried – and failed – many times over. It is incomprehensible.

However, every discussion to comprehend ‘poverty’ begins with a definition. To a poor it has no meaning – absolutely none. Over the years I have grown to understand that the definition of poverty or of the poverty line is an exercise in futility. I have somehow grown up to feel that poverty is subjective and its closest approximation can be done only by the ‘community’ itself. And any effort to understand poverty without doing something to reduce it- is just what it is – an increase in understanding. 

This increase in understanding might have not helped the ‘community’. But there have definitely been beneficiaries. Phds and MPhils have helped people gain employment at leading universities and organisation to theorise further on development and poverty – and to guide more Phds and MPhils. By that time, the poor might have not even got the privileged BPL Card that is needed to prove that one is poor.

How many of these pursuing studies in poverty and development has actually experienced poverty in their lives? And since they haven’t, what right do they have to burden the poor with more studies on poverty and more definitions of the same? Is it ethical to do research all life without wondering if those researches are helping? Will we accept if a farmer lets his produce go waste, and yet uses scarce resources of land and water to produce more – that will ultimately go waste? So, why this privilege to a researcher, a thinker, a philosopher?

Let us stop a bit, and think. Contemplate. We don’t need to increase the volume of literature on poverty any further. It would be better if we took small steps to ameliorate the condition of the poor – in whatever ways we can. We can’t be waiting for some benevolent ‘somebody’ to come and use our research/literature for the betterment of the society. It has to be us. You. Me.

Let us put an end to the ever increasing trend of conferences, seminars and workshops which has just become a platform to ‘meet, greet and eat’. Instead, can we go to the villages, to our people, and ‘meet, greet and eat’ with them and understand the futility of what we are doing now. 

Only then can Independence Day have a meaning. Only then can people have freedom from poverty, want and exploitation – and useless intellectual debates.

Jai Hind.

NB: I wrote this on the night of 14th. But I didn't have internet connectivity. Forgive me for uploading it from the office.