everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. — Albert Einstein
We like counting. And as a country when we are striving towards ‘development’, I begin to ponder what really is ‘development’? Many indices rank countries based on their performance on various ‘indicators’ of Development. Have they been able to measure ‘everything that counts’? In most cases, what it is the tangible that is measured since it is easiest to count, but it is the intangible, which might matter the most.
The first scale used to measure development was Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or a countries income. In 1990, there was a change in this perspective of looking at development through crude economic lens alone . This is was the first step in measuring development with a focus on the country’s people centric policies was taken by Mahbub Ul Haq who created the Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI, used by UNDP to measure development, looks at three things– Health, indicated by the life expectancy at birth; Education, indicated by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling; and Living standards, measured by Gross National Income per capita. The life expectancy at birth accounts for the number of years a person would live but not the quality of that life. Mortality rates surely indicate our susceptibility to death but how do we measure how well we live?
The intangible matters not only when we are talking about quality of life but even while calculating our GDP. Only 36% of the world’s GDP is from the tangible industry of manufacturing and agriculture, while 64 % lies in the service industry. They never get included!
Way back in 1968, American politician, Robert Kennedy, was disturbed by our tendency to measure only the tangible, “The gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country, it measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile”.
The Gupta Period in India is known as the Golden Age of India as there was growth in all fields including art, literature, astronomy . Yet, the current Multidimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative and the UNDP only checks on the lack of foods, education (defining it as years of schooling), health and infrastructure. What about lack of choice? Lack of knowledge? Is poor quality education not sign poverty?
The intabgible is lost in the crowd of 298 indicators in the World Development Indicatorsof developed the World Bank. . Of the 87 indicators used to measure education, none look at the quality of education - none ask if the children are happy going to school. The 29 social development indicators does look at gender equality but measures it in terms of education and health, and overlooks issues of discrimination and insecurity. The Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) of the UNDP also keeps silent on these issues. . The recent study published by Thomson Reuters foundation, indicates India is 4th most dangerous country for women. The indicators used were health, discrimination, sexual violence, non sexual violence, cultural facts and trafficking rate. How can living in fear lead towards development?
Recently, efforts are made to capture the usually intangible qualitative aspects of life, albeit calling them the governance indicators. For example, the World Governance Indicators prepared by the World Bank uses six qualitative dimensions to measure development - . uses these Voice and Accountability; Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism; Government Effectiveness; Regulatory Quality; Rule of Law; Control of Corruption.
Sitting in lap of the Himalayas, Bhutan’s former King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, wanted to create an enabling environment for his people to be happy. And for him, that is the only measure of good governance and development. He was the first one to envisage a Happiness Index. Today, more and more world’s leaders are trying to measure the Gross National Happiness.
A truly developed nation is marked more by the intangible indicators --- development is freedom, free thinking, the space where the mind can grow without fear, in a community where the spirit of democracy does not get replaced by majoritarianism; a country where people are happy. True development looks at sustainability of environment, as well as cultures.. How do we measure a community that has respect for diversity, compassion, and creates and environment of well being? When a tolerant society can be one of the essential factors for ‘well being’, we need to think how to capture and ‘measure’ that with our indicators.
Showing posts with label Deeper Devils. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deeper Devils. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Monday, 6 December 2010
Random questions
1) Why is it that we give more importance to professional deadlines than personal ones?
Like, we quite comfortably postpone 'talks/meetings with friends/children/spouse/parents/siblings because we are under 'tremendous work pressure'. Why don't we ever do the same with meetings with bosses and clients (unless of course it is a medical emergency at home)?
2) Why is it that we trust our helpers at home with our children but not with our money?
3) Why is it that physical medical situations are graver and get more attention than mental woes? (And I think we really have enough proof to say that a happier mind often gives to a healthier body).
4) Why are we more keen to give a few doses of medicines than a few big tight hugs?
5) Why is it that monetory cost benefit ratio immediately put our actions in place and other cost-benefit ratios like health, environment etc don't motivate us likewise? (Why even compare cost of organic food and inorganic food??)
6) Why do we look down on 'lucky charms' if all they do is give us some peace and confidence? Albeit, illusionary if you want to argue - but have we defined the real in any sense at all?
7) Why is it that we share happiness more publicly than our sadness? Why are we so shy and embarrassed of our sorrows?
8) Why is it that we cry watching movies but hardly ever when we see children on the street in pain?
9) Why is it that we 'manage' most things in our lives rather than 'living' them?
10) Why is it that a classmate can be your friend, often your 'best friend' but your colleague cannot?
Like, we quite comfortably postpone 'talks/meetings with friends/children/spouse/parents/siblings because we are under 'tremendous work pressure'. Why don't we ever do the same with meetings with bosses and clients (unless of course it is a medical emergency at home)?
2) Why is it that we trust our helpers at home with our children but not with our money?
3) Why is it that physical medical situations are graver and get more attention than mental woes? (And I think we really have enough proof to say that a happier mind often gives to a healthier body).
4) Why are we more keen to give a few doses of medicines than a few big tight hugs?
5) Why is it that monetory cost benefit ratio immediately put our actions in place and other cost-benefit ratios like health, environment etc don't motivate us likewise? (Why even compare cost of organic food and inorganic food??)
6) Why do we look down on 'lucky charms' if all they do is give us some peace and confidence? Albeit, illusionary if you want to argue - but have we defined the real in any sense at all?
7) Why is it that we share happiness more publicly than our sadness? Why are we so shy and embarrassed of our sorrows?
8) Why is it that we cry watching movies but hardly ever when we see children on the street in pain?
9) Why is it that we 'manage' most things in our lives rather than 'living' them?
10) Why is it that a classmate can be your friend, often your 'best friend' but your colleague cannot?
Saturday, 27 March 2010
random thoughts
Few random thoughts:
My favourite feeling ever: finding it difficult to sleep all night, waiting for day break to get out and do what I spend the night thinking of and planning. This feeling gives me more happiness and satisfaction than 'love' (please note the quotes, sorry for this blunt finger pointing), food or other thrills in life (that I have experienced).
I find the concept of praying and destiny contradictory. Its interesting how these two counteractive concepts dwell with equal intensity in most believers, while most non believers too post them in the same bracket.
It's not important to please people. Some wont be pleased no matter what I do, some will be pleased with that I naturally do. It might be a good idea to instead see if I can do anything to make people smile.
I am still curious to know how people decide on two things: a) favourite colour and b) A (one) best friend. I am more than curious, I find it slightly baffling.
Between changing the world and myself, I am inclined to chose the former. This choice is not influenced by self love. The variables are degree of difficulty, other partners and stress levels. I would otherwise prefer changing the latter.
I don't like restrictions imposed on me. However, I obey all 'laws', including traffic rules, unless I find them repressive. If so, I revolt.
Its easier to get work done by me if you explain things to me instead to telling me what to do with the logic behind it sealed in your head. I think its true of most people.
I am told by close friends and family that they like the fact that whatever I do, I do it sincerely. Be it walking, or eating, or cello-taping those papers, etc, etc. They have, however, never understood why certain things are never done as expected. Couple of reasons: 1) Most likely they are your expectations and not mine. Not suggesting that I am indifferent to your expectations. Only, your expectations might have been really out of my scheme of things, no matter how much I tried. Also, I may not have understood your expectations when spoken in highly fluid language left to interpretation (eg, career. Yes, I know)
I still haven't quite understood the whole water system in my house. My mother thinks I am useless. She has reasons.
I often find myself haplessly looking for parameters based on which people account for normalcy (this includes the good/bad debate).
At times, quite often, I wonder how it feels like to be an expert. Help, anyone?
I ask a lot of questions -- it is usually either ignorant or innocent. I marvel at my ability in both, while I can see the other trying to pick from the choice of 'expressions' left for them.
Firm belief: There are only silly answers, if at all, but definitely no silly questions. (This belief, as you must have noticed, helps me in executing the point immediately above)
If language is so important, how do babies make friends?
The more I listen, read, think, the shallower I feel. At times, even in a state of coma.
When I am not talking, I am not necessarily thinking. It holds true for those times when I seem lost in thought as well. Waiting for the day when being blank is officially included as a 'state of mind'.
I am told to think before I speak. What will happen to my loud thinking? I like that!! (I am willing to consider T&C like 'safe zone' for loud thinking. Does that help?)
My favourite feeling ever: finding it difficult to sleep all night, waiting for day break to get out and do what I spend the night thinking of and planning. This feeling gives me more happiness and satisfaction than 'love' (please note the quotes, sorry for this blunt finger pointing), food or other thrills in life (that I have experienced).
I find the concept of praying and destiny contradictory. Its interesting how these two counteractive concepts dwell with equal intensity in most believers, while most non believers too post them in the same bracket.
It's not important to please people. Some wont be pleased no matter what I do, some will be pleased with that I naturally do. It might be a good idea to instead see if I can do anything to make people smile.
I am still curious to know how people decide on two things: a) favourite colour and b) A (one) best friend. I am more than curious, I find it slightly baffling.
Between changing the world and myself, I am inclined to chose the former. This choice is not influenced by self love. The variables are degree of difficulty, other partners and stress levels. I would otherwise prefer changing the latter.
I don't like restrictions imposed on me. However, I obey all 'laws', including traffic rules, unless I find them repressive. If so, I revolt.
Its easier to get work done by me if you explain things to me instead to telling me what to do with the logic behind it sealed in your head. I think its true of most people.
I am told by close friends and family that they like the fact that whatever I do, I do it sincerely. Be it walking, or eating, or cello-taping those papers, etc, etc. They have, however, never understood why certain things are never done as expected. Couple of reasons: 1) Most likely they are your expectations and not mine. Not suggesting that I am indifferent to your expectations. Only, your expectations might have been really out of my scheme of things, no matter how much I tried. Also, I may not have understood your expectations when spoken in highly fluid language left to interpretation (eg, career. Yes, I know)
I still haven't quite understood the whole water system in my house. My mother thinks I am useless. She has reasons.
I often find myself haplessly looking for parameters based on which people account for normalcy (this includes the good/bad debate).
At times, quite often, I wonder how it feels like to be an expert. Help, anyone?
I ask a lot of questions -- it is usually either ignorant or innocent. I marvel at my ability in both, while I can see the other trying to pick from the choice of 'expressions' left for them.
Firm belief: There are only silly answers, if at all, but definitely no silly questions. (This belief, as you must have noticed, helps me in executing the point immediately above)
If language is so important, how do babies make friends?
The more I listen, read, think, the shallower I feel. At times, even in a state of coma.
When I am not talking, I am not necessarily thinking. It holds true for those times when I seem lost in thought as well. Waiting for the day when being blank is officially included as a 'state of mind'.
I am told to think before I speak. What will happen to my loud thinking? I like that!! (I am willing to consider T&C like 'safe zone' for loud thinking. Does that help?)
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Result
Did you ever experience that feeling right after your exams? You know, like, Alright! Just out with it. Come out with the results. Right here, right now! Please... If you are even half humane and believe in mercy, this is all I ask for -- give me the report card! And the closer I got to the day of the result, the more intense this feeling was. 'Come on, be done with it'!
I think, having felt this way for years, even through college, my system is attuned to feeling this at the thought of any any any 'result', with or without the report card. You name it, and I feel it. About that very important trip - will it happen or not(??); about him talking -- will he or not; about that scholarship thing -- will it come or not (!?!?!?!) ... I believe you get the trend. I have come to the conclusion that most of this can be credited to the school education system that made that result thing larger than life. I wish school had taught me, instead, to not worry, to enjoy the nuances of life, to be friends with nature, to know that nothing is larger than life, and to believe no 'result' is quite worth dying for.
I think, having felt this way for years, even through college, my system is attuned to feeling this at the thought of any any any 'result', with or without the report card. You name it, and I feel it. About that very important trip - will it happen or not(??); about him talking -- will he or not; about that scholarship thing -- will it come or not (!?!?!?!) ... I believe you get the trend. I have come to the conclusion that most of this can be credited to the school education system that made that result thing larger than life. I wish school had taught me, instead, to not worry, to enjoy the nuances of life, to be friends with nature, to know that nothing is larger than life, and to believe no 'result' is quite worth dying for.
Monday, 8 March 2010
'quitting'
This word has taken me in so many circles (and cycles)in the last few weeks, that now every sentence related to it feels like a saga. There were so many things revealed that it is really impossible to bury this episode under sand dunes for now. So keeping the burying for some other day and time, maybe for some other people, too. My favourite part of the story is that it has revealed so much about myself. (Yes, the self-obsessed speaks!)A friend wanted me to write a poem on all this. Well poetry is not quite in my control but this experience surely deserves some form of writing. I will try and make a quick summary of it here. I am quite a pro at it and getting even better with time. The only cruel part of summaries is that even the best of them doesn't ever sum up to a 100 percent.
I just have so much more clarity in my life now. For one I know, all good sounding things are not always good (its a slight variation of 'all that glitters is not gold'). Last few weeks found me in utter disarray - in thinking, in trust, in confidence. I would constantly hear myself saying: This too shall pass. Let me tell you one thing I am confident of right now: if you are saying that to yourself too often, too many times, something is wrong. Instead of living life you are somehow managing it, like eating unauthentic local food. (Yes, I meant it when I said 'something is wrong')
Stress got better of me and I gave into all potential ailments. Body imbalance was in vogue. As if my body was screeching out to me and telling me, "listen to you heart and don't do this to me any more". I was having all kinds of mild and intense conversations with that entity, called Mind. So Mind was experiencing haven at the opportunity of scolding the dumb (more or less mummified) me.
So, was it just the 'things' that had these effects on me? No, not really. I will just put up an excerpt of a conversation I had with Mind recently:
Mind: Will you stop this? I don't even understand how someone not-so-close can have such effects on you!
Me: Ok, Mind, since you don't understand anyway, is there a point in my explaining? But I shall try. At some level, it is about my trust being shaken; about my not being able to handle it; about my not being able to have a stronger and firmer presence; about not following my heart; about 'quitting', it really felt like 'quitting'.
And Mind, don't forget, I had equally strong positive effects from not-so-close people. If I welcome the positives, I will have to deal with the negatives, right? Do you even know the number of 'not-so-close' people who have come forward to just listen, advise, or just scold warmly.
Mind: You are right, I don't get it. Why you can't just speak up and move on? That's what you have always done, Ms Outspoken!
Me: Well, you don't understand this because you relate it to fear. Fear is such a miniscule part of this whole 'outspoken' business. Its about being able to say 'no' without losing control of the situation and without making anyone else feel 'bad'.
Mind: Kindly simplify...
Me: It's about standing your ground without taking away space from anyone else. And trust me, that's tough!
Mind: I get that, but tell me something, why do you sound so confused?
Me: Oh! apart from other things, I really liked the 'work'. Wanted to do it.
Mind: So then?
Me: I will. I will do the work. Just not here. There has been other experiences in the last few days too. And they just told me that if I let go and make space, new and better things will come my way. Also a recent discovery has been that I can still work, and meaningful work, even with a 'jobless' status.
Mind: Sounds good! One thing that really worries me is if you will ever find a place what will have that ideal work-life balance...
Me: Mind, you are my friend. Please speak a little more intelligently and don't frustrate me with these questions. Work-life balance is such a cliche and conveys so little. Work is a part of life. Work is not outside life, please! How can anyone balance between the two? Pray, tell me. Yes, but you need to balance different parts of life. Only family, only work, only food (this was so natural - am on an overeating spree), over anything needs to be balanced. It's about giving legitimate and honest space. Work and life are not really having a tussle here.
Mind: I agree. But you know what, you need to listen to your heart. It has been crying out to you for long. Don't always look for reasons. The heart has a rationale that the brains may not even be able to fathom. Reasoning can be what is, or there can be a clear lack of it. Listen to your heart, torture shall be less. Remember, one of the mistakes you keep making is that you look for a rational world. And, also torture yourself to find a rational 'you'. Both the world and you can be without the apparent rational, you know.
Me: I guess.
Mind: You suddenly look calmer. What's the deal?
Me: Remember 'Under the Tuscan Sun', Mind - "Between Austria and Italy, there is a section of the Alps called the Semmering. It is impossibly steep, very high part of the moutains. They built a train track over these Alps to connect Vienna and Venice. They built these tracks even before there was a train in existence that could make the trip. They built it because they knew some day, the train would come!" Faith is a beautiful word.
I just have so much more clarity in my life now. For one I know, all good sounding things are not always good (its a slight variation of 'all that glitters is not gold'). Last few weeks found me in utter disarray - in thinking, in trust, in confidence. I would constantly hear myself saying: This too shall pass. Let me tell you one thing I am confident of right now: if you are saying that to yourself too often, too many times, something is wrong. Instead of living life you are somehow managing it, like eating unauthentic local food. (Yes, I meant it when I said 'something is wrong')
Stress got better of me and I gave into all potential ailments. Body imbalance was in vogue. As if my body was screeching out to me and telling me, "listen to you heart and don't do this to me any more". I was having all kinds of mild and intense conversations with that entity, called Mind. So Mind was experiencing haven at the opportunity of scolding the dumb (more or less mummified) me.
So, was it just the 'things' that had these effects on me? No, not really. I will just put up an excerpt of a conversation I had with Mind recently:
Mind: Will you stop this? I don't even understand how someone not-so-close can have such effects on you!
Me: Ok, Mind, since you don't understand anyway, is there a point in my explaining? But I shall try. At some level, it is about my trust being shaken; about my not being able to handle it; about my not being able to have a stronger and firmer presence; about not following my heart; about 'quitting', it really felt like 'quitting'.
And Mind, don't forget, I had equally strong positive effects from not-so-close people. If I welcome the positives, I will have to deal with the negatives, right? Do you even know the number of 'not-so-close' people who have come forward to just listen, advise, or just scold warmly.
Mind: You are right, I don't get it. Why you can't just speak up and move on? That's what you have always done, Ms Outspoken!
Me: Well, you don't understand this because you relate it to fear. Fear is such a miniscule part of this whole 'outspoken' business. Its about being able to say 'no' without losing control of the situation and without making anyone else feel 'bad'.
Mind: Kindly simplify...
Me: It's about standing your ground without taking away space from anyone else. And trust me, that's tough!
Mind: I get that, but tell me something, why do you sound so confused?
Me: Oh! apart from other things, I really liked the 'work'. Wanted to do it.
Mind: So then?
Me: I will. I will do the work. Just not here. There has been other experiences in the last few days too. And they just told me that if I let go and make space, new and better things will come my way. Also a recent discovery has been that I can still work, and meaningful work, even with a 'jobless' status.
Mind: Sounds good! One thing that really worries me is if you will ever find a place what will have that ideal work-life balance...
Me: Mind, you are my friend. Please speak a little more intelligently and don't frustrate me with these questions. Work-life balance is such a cliche and conveys so little. Work is a part of life. Work is not outside life, please! How can anyone balance between the two? Pray, tell me. Yes, but you need to balance different parts of life. Only family, only work, only food (this was so natural - am on an overeating spree), over anything needs to be balanced. It's about giving legitimate and honest space. Work and life are not really having a tussle here.
Mind: I agree. But you know what, you need to listen to your heart. It has been crying out to you for long. Don't always look for reasons. The heart has a rationale that the brains may not even be able to fathom. Reasoning can be what is, or there can be a clear lack of it. Listen to your heart, torture shall be less. Remember, one of the mistakes you keep making is that you look for a rational world. And, also torture yourself to find a rational 'you'. Both the world and you can be without the apparent rational, you know.
Me: I guess.
Mind: You suddenly look calmer. What's the deal?
Me: Remember 'Under the Tuscan Sun', Mind - "Between Austria and Italy, there is a section of the Alps called the Semmering. It is impossibly steep, very high part of the moutains. They built a train track over these Alps to connect Vienna and Venice. They built these tracks even before there was a train in existence that could make the trip. They built it because they knew some day, the train would come!" Faith is a beautiful word.
Friday, 19 February 2010
'No' is the toughest word. Only a syllable strong, it has amazing power. And it is difficult, very difficult. If you have learnt to say it, you have won half the battle. If you have learnt to both say it and hear it without the slightest shuffle within you, that's the stage when you are almost there. I don't know what 'nirvana' is but I can well imagine that this stage will only get you closer to nirvana.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
