Gurgaon, close to the capital of India, has of late built up a reputation that is most attractive to multinational companies and outsourcing units. Dotted by huge malls and skyscrapers, it probably is more of a symbol of the New Economy than any other city in India.
Events over the last few days, have lead to incidences of violence in the city. A quick tour in the Indian Blogosphere reveals concerns and opinions of bloggers regarding labour reforms, rights of workers, power of the police force, violence and the state of the Indian Economy.
A good place to start is a post on Shashwati's Blog which links to a timeline, and the general background to the events. contrapuntal instrospects on the stands of the media, government and industry representatives. The Motorcyclists point to some more political reactions to the spate of violence.
Victor Serge has a post which attempts to read between the lines, and slaps down the capitalist lines. The incidents highlight the need for immediate labour reforms in India says The Acorn. Media coverage is analysed by MediaWatch India.
Unmitigated Learnings discusses a Media article. Amit Varma introspects 0n India Uncut in two posts titled “Barbarism at the gate” and “More thoughts on Gurgaon”. Anurag feels that the Media may have played a part in instigating the violence.
8 comments
Such good info. The New York Times on Wednesday had an impressive photo of policemen beating protesters, but really didn’t say anything else about the protest at all besides a two sentence caption.
Thanks for providing such updates. It makes so much sense to follow the Global Voices, rather than going through individual blogs. With regard to Gurgaon, apparently the media has played a certain role, which has aggravated the violence. Somehow, one gets a feeling that all the televisions are more keen on bringing out ‘Breaking News’, rather bring an objective and impartial analysis of the situation.
Please carry on the good work.
Following the events of Gurgaon, it is very much apparent that the ruling Congress-led UPA at the Centre is somehow interested in containing the fallout of Gurgaon events on the overall investment climate in India, especially in states like Haryana which are showcased as Star Investment Centres. Which means, the UPA Govt wants to send out a signal to all investors that India is not a country which is bogged down by strikes and law and order problems. On the other hand, some of the parties which support UPA (Left parties like CPI and CPM) want to ensure that the trade unions (CITU) supported by them somehow get a foothold in the ‘chappati belt’. Some politics this!
If the incidents in Gurgaon have happened in Mewat area (here the literacy of women is less than 10 per cent) of Haryana which is 60 km from Gurgaon, would it have received the same attention and publicity? Perhaps not. Although one could easily berate the media for hyping up the incident, it is equally difficult to deny the positive role played by the media to bring such atrocities (on whose part…certainly one of the key actors is the State’s brutal police machinery) to light. Otherwise, can you think of a Chief Minister participating in a press conference at an unearthly hour of 2am this morning…announcing that an agreement has been reached with the workers and management, a deal brokered by the State Govt. …yes for its own selfish interest…prompted and ordered by the supremely sacred high command.
Yes…globalisation may be good.. but it all depends on the context. We talk here about ‘mindless’ and ‘blind’ globalisation…at least in some cases in the Indian context. Globalisation is just fine; but certainly guard against the following situations.
Situation 1 involving indigenous communities: Folks..stop producing those millets which you have been producing for centuries…you are not productive enough. Just switch over to our genetically modified maize..it is simply superb. Damn with your food security concept. But make sure you deposit those millet seeds into our seed bank…we might have some use for it…..!!
Situation 2: Folks..work harder..there is no need for you to rest on saturdays and sundays..our export order is pending after all….look at Americans. how hard they work…work should be your motto..your credo..also your leisure…after all we pay you as high as 10 cents a day…get your 18 old son also into our factory…we will look after him well….damn with his college education…he can learn some other time
Varsha:
I definitely agree with you. Globalisation as perceived in “countries of production” is very different from the way it perceived elsewhere. The problem is when developed countries attempt to translate “benefits to workers” as “benefits to the developing country” or vice verca.
Globalisation must be tackled.. with Globalisation. The one way to deal with the issue is to probably help Indigenous industries become economically and functionally strong. For instance the Dairy Industry in India is well equipped to deal with globalisation, because they themselves can probably enter foreign markets, and have adopted a co-operative for profit model.
Globalisation by itself is not an evil or a good force. It is an economic phenomenon, irreversible and it all depends on what end the means is used for.
I dont understand what the government doing.Every other person in Gurgaon thinks himself above law.Police itself is corupt and enjoys all the links with mafias and netas.
Small example of my Uncle he did a business with gurgaon contracter and instead of paying him his share he simply drag him in false cases and more over when he went to him he beated him by saying he is having links with Chautala’s the former Chief minister.Got whole lots of abuses and no respect for a Senior Citizen as he is above 63 Yrs.Well i just want say Fuck all these Netas and Police persons.
In Gurgaon the basic rule is have a link with neta and you can do anything.My Uncle still feel’s that why he just went to the palce where no respect for him is there.So all you business people try to avoid the place untill you have good backing of politicians.
Its no place for a normal person……..bluddy harya*****…they all are same no respect for there mother and fathers. by the way my Uncle did filed the report with police but of no use they all are same and he is still waiting for his hard earned money.