Understanding ‘growth’ with Amartya Sen, Jean Dreze

When you find two stalwarts from the world of academic economics on stage debating and discussing the economy of a country considered the world's largest democracy, you expect to be at the receiving end of confusing statistical figures and incomprehensible jargons. But things were different at the book launch of 'An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions' at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi on the evening of July 22, 2013.

In conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and economist Jean Dreze took us through some of the important chapters from their book in the most comprehensible way with no trace of obscurity in their arguments.

Economic growth versus social growth
We are familiar with the 'Sen-Bhagwati' debate that assumed a status of national importance recently, almost being threateningly compared to the much intense (Rahul) Gandhi-(Narendra) Modi clash ahead of the 2014 elections. The clash of ideologies between these two much revered economists finds space in their respective books as well. While Jagdish Bhagwati (a Columbia University professor of economics, Nobel Prize contender) and Arvind Panagariya's book, 'Why Growth Matters: How Economic Growth in India Reduced Poverty and the Lessons for Other Developing Countries' emphasizes on the absolute necessity of economic growth to fight all social inadequacies; Sen and Dreze propose ideas for a self-sufficient and competent social sector to realise the true meaning of 'growth' in 'An Uncertain Glory'.

Learning from our neighbours
Professor Sen argues that India's abysmal economic performance in opposition to countries like China is because "smart commercial politics" have neglected the majority of the population which is still struggling for proper education and basic health amenities. India desires to be a superpower but somewhere lacks a clear understanding of the real meaning of growth. Sen explains if being a superpower means fifty per cent of the population is deprived of minimum sanitation facilities then that model of 'growth' is a suspect and it caters only to a certain privileged class least concerned about the needs of the marginalised. Both Dreze and Sen summarised the concept of sustainable development in words of historian and economist B.R. Ambedkar's commandment that goes- 'Educate, Agitate, Organise'. Class and caste barriers hinder social equality, gender indicators reflect poorly on the status of women in India and wide gaps in wage rates between agricultural labourers and University professors for instance, validate India's weak economic progress over the years. Bangladesh might have been slow in economic growth but it fares better than India when it comes to social development, gender equality and women empowerment suggest the economists. India lags behind Bangladesh, Japan and China in areas of inclusive sensibility, transformational ability and productivity.

Scepticism is no solution, we need a vision
Scepticism and blatant criticism of government actions is not the solution but moving toward a vision that has room for constructive policies and reforms for the market economy to benefit all sectors is what we need. The book, as Barkha says during the discussion with the authors, comes across as a "staggering, disturbing reality check" that foregrounds the many inequalities, leakages and inefficiencies in governance which continue to plague society. She raises a valid point on the questionable status of schemes like the mid-day meal that cannot be blindly relied upon thanks to the eye-opening tragedy that recently claimed lives of many children in Bihar. However, to largely conclude that India is incapable of effective implementation of social reforms and competent public services would be an equally unfair judgement that Sen warns us against. Confluence and not conflict of interests is the need of the hour.
'An Uncertain Glory': Optimistic and agitational
Justice Leila Seth (also the mother of celebrated author Vikram Seth) who launched the book appreciated the lucid, research-based narrative that substantiates the many success stories and failures of the Indian economy in the past decades. She calls the book an 'agitational' one that calls for positive change and action. It is a book that in no way dismisses India's potential to be a superpower but takes detailed notes on the failures that have been a serious impediment on its road to 'certain glory'. 'An Uncertain Glory' is not loaded with criticism alone; it is in many ways an optimistic book that we should not miss reading.

Prominent guests: Despite heavy rains and traffic logjam the turnout was massive. Theatre artist and actor Sanjana Kapoor, Penguin India publisher Chiki Sarkar and others were spotted at the event.

('An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions' published by Penguin Books ( Allen Lane))

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Pants: The brighter, the better

Coloured jeans are a hit with youngsters in Kerala.

It's the era of experimentation with colours for the city youth. Though blue denims continue to rule the roost, youngsters seem to have developed a fetish for coloured jeans as well.

"Youngsters have started experimenting with coloured pants like never before," says Ankita Nambiar, a Kochi-based fashion designer. Be it for parties, college or even to work, youngsters just know how to team it up aptly for the occasion.

"Coloured pants have been a national trend and it trickled down to a regional level recently," says designer Shalini James.

College students mostly opt for slim fit jeans. For those who want to sport a bohemian look, pallazo colour pants are the best bet. "It's pretty retro and brings about a fun look," says Reethu Zachariah, a media professional.

Know your colour
Coloured pants have to be chosen according to one's figure. "The majority of south Indians are pear-shaped. While some dark colours can draw attention to the plumy hips, pastel or light shades can camouflage the area," says Shalini.

According to fashion experts, bright pants in mustard yellow, rusty red, Mexican or shocking pink, tangerine orange or ultramarine, are good choices for skinny people as the bright hues make the hips look wider. "For those with pear-shaped bodies, where the hips are already wide, opt for dark or solid tones like military green, navy blue or dark burgundy, as they can make the hips appear slimmer," says Shalini.

Team it safe!
Since colours add to the drama, tone it down or keep it neutral with pastel or light-toned tops and minimum accessories. "Whatever colour you choose for your top or accessory, make sure it imparts a chic look," says fashion designer Hari Anand. Opt for a chunky piece of jewellery — either a neckpiece or earrings. Top it off with a statement ring for an elegant look or mix-and-match bracelets for a funky look, he says.

While a white shirt or a black tank top can blend well with it, Ankita suggests, "Colour pants often look best with a shirt tucked in, fastened with a belt in a neutral tone like black or beige. This could work wonders for a casual or a party look." Throw a well-fitted jacket over it to complete the look.

"For a casual look, opt for ankle-length pants in bright colours and team it up with a pair of ballerinas for the day; and for evening wear, flaunt it with sexy stilettoes," says Shalini.

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Handbag essentials for you

Rather than tons of makeup and the three-week-old gum, make sure your bag contains the following first.

Ironically, while most women dump junk in their handbags, it's the most essential things like water or medicines that they forget to carry. Here's a checklist...

Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen before you leave the house is a must, but you need to reapply it every couple of hours. Carry a bottle or tube in your handbag and use it whenever you step out. Remember that sun damage can cause tanning, premature ageing and even skin cancer. Also, don't forget your sunglasses.

Water
No matter how long or short your journey is going to be - carry a bottle of water wherever you go. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day if you don't want to end up feeling lethargic and tired.

Healthy snacks
There are times when you want to eat anything that comes your way. But stop yourself and go for a healthy snack instead. Keep junk food cravings at bay by carrying simple healthy snacks in your bag. Some options include dry fruits, unsalted nuts and roasted chickpeas.

Hand sanitiser
Your hands touch hundreds of things everyday. And most aren't as clean as you'd like to believe. Good hygiene plays an important role. From office restrooms to computers, ATMs to public transport services, you are in constant contact with something. Carry a small, handy bottle of hand sanitiser with you and use it as often as you deem fit.

Medicine
Do you carry basic medication with you in case of emergencies? Pain killers, tablets for fever, headaches and tummy upsets, band-aids and ointments for cuts should always be there in your handbag.

Books and music
Travelling is a way of life in cities. And to keep yourself entertained during long commuting hours, ensure that you carry a good book or nice music. Alternatively, you could solve puzzles or play games that stimulate your mind. Studies also claim that listening to music improves immunity and lowers stress levels.

Compiled by Zeenia F Baria

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Turn your aggressive kid into a sage

Does your toddler bite and hit? TOI's plan to make your aggressive kid a sage

Sign language
If your child, who hasn't begun to speak as yet, is lashing out of frustration because (s)he wants to be understood, teach him/ her signs for a few basic commands. This will help him/her get it's message across more easily. For instance, teach him/her that an open sky-facing palm means (s)he needs help.

Don't reason
World over, child psychologists say, toddlers don't have the mental or emotional maturity to feel empathy. Avoid asking the kid, 'How would you feel if someone bit you?' Stick to logical reasoning, instead.

Figure the trigger point
If your child resorts to violence when kids crowd him/her around the slide or swing, try your best to prepare him in advance for these situations. If being hungry or tired makes him go crazy, leave the park before he loses the plot.

Chew this
Pliable plastic gadgets are great for kids with sensory integration issues and those who seek constant oral gratification. You can help your child with a chew tube, which he can carry with him in his pocket and clamp down on it. Giving the little one carrots or cucumbers each time (s)he feels the urge to bite is also a smart option.

Hold on to him
If your child is really hurting himself or another child and is having trouble calming down, sit with your legs crisscross and hold your child in your lap facing away from you so he does not bite or hurt you. Tell him, 'When you stop pulling on mummy, mummy will let you go'. The moment you feel his body relax, let go and praise him by saying, 'You calmed yourself down'.

Focus on do's instead of don'ts
It is hard for kids to listen to instructions. It's even harder for them to listen when it involves not doing something. So instead of telling your threeyear-old what not to do, give him something he can 'do'. Practise doing this while your child is calm, so (s)he is prepared to cope in a difficult situation.

Praise the peace
Remember to congratulate your child whenever (s)he is not being aggressive. If she's playing peacefully with a friend, praise her on sharing a toy with another child.

Teach him deep breathing
Arm your child with a few calm-down techniques. Tell her, 'I get frustrated, too. And when I do, I sit down and take five long, deep breaths'. Show her a yoga asana that will take her out of the heat of the moment and help relax her body. Kids as young as three can enjoy a simple tension-relieving yoga move like the child's pose: On the floor, tuck your knees under your belly, place your forehead on the floor and stretch your arms out behind you at the sides.

Know what's behind the rage
Sometimes, it could be a physical ailment that (s)he could be dealing with, so it always helps to consult a paediatrician first. However, if your child is older than four and still showing grave signs of aggression, it may be helpful to consult a child therapist who can study the source of his anger. It may be a new baby in the family, a conflict with a parent, a bully at school, or even the sudden departure of a maid.

Be a role model
As hard it is to keep your cool when your kid is throwing a tantrum, controlling your temper is key to teaching your child how to react to frustrating situations. If (s)he sees you screaming, yelling, or roughly grabbing his/ her arm when you lose your patience, (s)he learns that acting out is the thing to do when you are upset. Besides, by spanking their backside or hitting back (to let him/her know how it feels), you're only reinforcing the message that it's okay to use your hands to resolve a situation.

Don't force them to say sorry
Kids learn to apologise by being apologised to, not by being forced. If you make a mistake or are too harsh, tell your daughter that you're sorry. That's how she'll learn to say it herself. But never force her to say an insincere sorry.

Think long-term
Experts vouch, it takes time for aggressive behaviour to change, so don't expect overnight results. You have to set the limits repeatedly. Follow the advice you give to your kids: Breathe deep, don't give up, and keep working at it.

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A cramped room can also look beautiful

It's one of the most common problems people living in the city face. You may have a home but constantly feel that it's too small and crowded for your liking.

Decorating a tiny living room or bedroom can be a bit hard as you may have to let go of some of the furniture. Here are some helpful tips to make your room look wider and clutter-free.

-If you have good wall space, why not put up mirrors. They can help open up tiny spaces and make your room look much bigger. A large mirror helps because it creates the illusion of depth.

-Before painting your living room, keep in mind the colour. Remember dark shades of paint can make the walls look narrower. Instead opt for lighter hues. You don't have to restrict yourself to boring shades of white, but try colours like beige or light yellow or blue that will brighten up the room.

-Choose your furniture carefully. The more you try and fit in to your room, the less walking space you will have. Try and opt for pieces that have double utility. Like a chest that can hold your television and music set together.

-Store only items that you absolutely love. This is especially important for people who like to collect curious and showpieces. You don't want too many items occupying space and collecting dust. You don't want to collect junk.

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Where Nathuram Godse lunched

The Andhraite-run Hotel Grant House has seen several famous clients, but the real celeb here is the budget seafood spread.

Hotel Grant House falls in that category of Mumbai eateries where the menu is just as interesting as the establishment's history.

Their hit-with-patrons masala omelette (Rs 25; single anda) is probably an ode to the time its owner Laxman Varma — then just an errand boy — served tea, omelette and batata wada to the local constabulary and police officers. His eye for detail (he used a tea cosy) caught the eye of Bombay deputy commissioner of police, Special Branch, Jimmy Nagarwala, who was famous as the Special Investigation Officer in the Mahatma Gandhi murder trial, and encouraged the young Laxman.

In 1950, he was allowed to set up a tin shed within the compound where Haj House now stands, and was once home to Sir Robert Grant, who became the Governor of Bombay in 1834. Laxman moved to the building next door in 1996, and named his eatery Grant House Hotel.

It's seen everyone from Nathuram Godse, George Fernandes, freedom fighters, prisoners and politicians (including Raj and Uddhav Thackeray) lunch here, say Laxman's sons Shekhar and Shreedhar, who are now in charge of operations.

While their kheema pav (Rs 80) is legendary, the desi chicken-rice bhakri meal served on Wednesdays and Fridays has its fans too. The secret lies in the masalas, the brothers tell you, all of which are prepared by the siblings themselves in order to safeguard the recipes. "Our father mastered the preparations after years of trial and error and gathering feedback from customers," shares Shekhar, who together with Shreedhar personally oversees the purchase of vegetable and seafood supplies. "We don't trust middle men," he says simply, reflecting a strong old-school ethic. On a busy weekday afternoon, the modest split-level eatery caters to over 100 guests.

Most of them end up ordering the seafood pulao (Rs 175) — fragrant, fluffy and with bits of crab, prawn and mussels in every bite — and bheja masala (Rs 90) — a simple but effective pepper and salt preparation far removed from the oil-doused version at other restaurants.

And then there are those dishes that carry a note of innovation. The regular surmai fry gets a lacing of tangy masala in their chutney surmai fry (Rs 200-Rs 300) — fresh slice of fish coated with their signature green chutney. But if you ask Shreedhar for a recommendation, he'll insist you try the bheja-kheema mixture (Rs 160) — brain and mutton finely minced. "You hear of the kheema-kaleji (liver) combination, but this is a novel mix," he says. Although the Laxmans say they are blessed to have famous guests and old-time patrons continue to troop in, the most satisfying experience is to hear a guest tell them, eating at Grant feels like a meal at home.

Off the menu

The Kalva Masala (Rs 150) is an oyster preparation that's pricey and not always available but ask for it the next time you are there, and you might just get lucky. The fiery Andhra chicken is prepared on advance notice.

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Makeover magic for small spaces

We have a lot of questions about how to decorate small rooms and spaces. Homes of all sizes and shapes often have small rooms that can pose decorating questions like these...

How can I make this space the most functional? Or how can I make this small space stylish and inviting?

And, the most frequent question of all... Is there any way to make this room look bigger?

Here are some design tips:
1. Limit the furniture in the room. Keep the furniture pieces small in scale...in other words, use a love seat instead of a sofa, and consider a slipper chair instead of an oversized easy chair. Large, bulky furniture pieces will only make the room look smaller.

2. Make sure that the major furniture pieces are upholstered in either a solid colour, or a very subtle pattern. If your sofa has a bold pattern, consider slip covering it in a solid colour, if you don't want to pay for reupholstering.

3. Use patterns sparingly, and in small areas. Good choices for pattern usage are throw pillows, floor rugs and throws/blankets. As a general rule, any patterns in the room - upholstery, window treatments, rugs, wallpaper - should be small in scale. That is to say, think of a small, delicate floral print rather than a pattern with large, dramatic flowers.

4. Hang mirrors of any size on the walls. Mirrors are probably the easiest way to instantly expand a space.

5. Paint walls in a solid colour, or use a very subtle faux finish with two very similar colours combined. If you opt for wallpaper, go with either a solid colour or an extremely subtle pattern.

6. Use cool colours (blues, violets, greens) on the walls to give the impression of expansion. But if you like warm colours don't worry - you can paint the walls in a neutral colour with a slight cool overcast. For example, you can use a white with a slight tint of blue (rather than a slight tint of red), or a cream with a slight tint of green (rather than a slight tint of orange).

7. If there are few or no windows in the room, hang paintings in attractive frames to create the feeling of a window-clad room.

9. Be sure to keep clutter to a minimum. To make this very easy, ensure that the room has adequate hidden storage spaces. Take advantage of tables or armoires with drawers, window seats with storage space underneath, and coffee tables that open up for storage.

10. Think vertical! Use tall furniture pieces (bookshelves, armoires) to extend the perceived height of the ceiling. Place decorative accents at the top of tall furniture pieces, such as real or artificial greenery, to draw the eye upward. Hang long drapes from the ceiling that reach to the floor. Line the top of the wall, where it meets the ceiling, with shelving or a wallpaper border.
punetimes@timesgroup.com

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5 foods that relieve stress

Here are some foods that can relieve stress

Gorging on food, when you're stressed or upset, may seem like the natural thing for most, but instead of grabbing an unhealthy snack, why not opt for foods that can relieve stress? Here are some popular ones...

Sweet potatoes

Craving for carbs? Steer clear of French fries and junk sugar-rich foods. Have some sweet potatoes instead, which are known to release a slow, steady source of energy. They won't leave behind that blood-sugar crash, which other carb-high foods can.

Blueberries

Blueberries have concentrated antioxidants and will pep you up in no time. They are also high in vitamin C, which, research shows, provides added reserves to help deal with stress. High on fibre, they also regulate blood sugar.

Turkey

Turkey contains amino acid tryptophan, which is known to release a feel-good chemical, serotonin, in the brain. Serotonin induces a sense of calm, making you feel relaxed.

Asparagus

Asparagus is high in folic acid, which is known to calm you down. When your body is stressed, it releases hormones, which affect your mood. Eating certain vitamins and minerals keeps your mood steady, as they produce the feel-good chemical serotonin.

Beef

Believe it or not, but beef has stress-busting properties because of its B vitamins and levels of zinc. It also contains unhealthy, saturated fats that raises chances of coronary heart disease and other illnesses, it is beneficial if you opt for leaner cuts. A healthy way to cook beef is to have it slightly seared on the outside, sliced very thin and served with a salad.

(Compiled by Zeenia F Baria)

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Try soup diet for weight loss

The biggest problem in our way to lose weight is when we feel hungry we want to run to the nearest donut or fast food junction.

Instead of hogging over the unhealthiest foods, Tim Crowe - Nutrition Academic at Deakin University says- one should simply have a bowl of soup, as this is a very effective way to curb appetite and promote feelings of fullness.

Most of us end up eating, due to our desire for a particular food or a need to feel 'full'. Tim says - 'Satiety is the term scientists use to mean the feelings of fullness we experience after a large meal. What drives satiety is a complex mix of psychological and physiological factors including physical stretching of the stomach and small intestine from food and a cascade of release of hormones that feed back into the brain to tell us we are full.'

One of the best ways to control how much a person eats is by choosing low energy density foods. Foods that are high in water content, rich in fibre and low in fat helps to decrease the energy density or calorie consumption of any meal. Besides, it also aids in providing satiety in just few kilojoules.

One of the best low energy density foods is soup, as they help to control satiety. Tim says - soup is mostly liquid, it can contain a considerable quantity of food nutrients as well. One assumption is that the food particles in soup helps to slow down the release of the soup from the stomach, thus giving a more sustained feeling of fullness, reduces the chance of overeating, and helps in our goal of weight loss.

Read more Personal Health, Diet & Fitness stories on www.healthmeup.com

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Clinch it with metallic belts

Metallic belts seem to be all the rage now, with fashionistas opting for this bold accessory to amp up their look and also to give a certain definition to their outfit

Although metallic belts have been in fashion in the international scene for some time now, Indian divas seem to be waking up to it a bit late. Broad belts used to accentuate the waist have been around for a while, but the metallic ones are just a new way of adding an edge to the outfit. It catches the eye, and also gives an hour-glass shape to the body. After Kareena Kapoor was spotted doing a Kim Kardashian at her book launch in February (she wore a dress with a broad metallic belt similar to the one Kim had worn at an event earlier), actresses Huma Qureshi, Yami Gautam and Parineeti Chopra were also seen following the trend recently. Freida Pinto's ornate metallic belt teamed with her fuschia gown on the first day of the Cannes Film Festival this year also got the thumbs up from fashion critics. Hollywood actresses Marion Cotillard and Jennifer Lawrence carried off thin metallic belts with elan on the Golden Globes red carpet earlier this year. Want to try this trend yourself? We tell you how to use this accessory right to glam up your look.

- Pair it with a monochromatic long gown or column dress which has more body below the waist.
- Broad metallic belts can also be teamed up with high waist trousers and colour blocked jumpsuits.
- Metallic belts are mostly meant for a glam party or dinner.
- The taller you are, the nicer it is. They are good for almost every body type, as cinching the waist only helps one look slimmer. It is also good for thin people, as the belt lends a structure to the body and accentuates the curves.
- Keep it simple in terms of the other accessories when you are wearing a metallic belt, as that will attract the most attention. Adding more accessories will only mess up the look.

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