Outlook Magazine - 24 October 2022

With the incumbent government aggressively pushing for privatisation, putting profit-making PSUs like BPCL under the hammer, India’s economic policy has come a full circle. However, the drive is fraught with unpleasant consequences for the teeming millions who have to deal with job losses, rising medical bills and an uncertain future.

Trade Union Movement In India: Glorious Past, Uncertain Future
To promote private investment and disinvestment, the government in 2020 passed three labour codes—Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Code on Social Security Bill, 2020, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020—making it easier for employers to fire workers. Haima Deshpande brings to light how with trade unions decimated completely, the workers are bearing the brunt.
BY Haima Deshpande 24 October 2022
Despite A Head Start, Privatisation Of PSUs Loses Steam
The government is like the millstone that hurts PSUs. Its demand for dividends is unrelenting and the pressure on PSUs to go beyond their primary task to serve the fanciful projects of the government increases by the day. Diversification and consolidation based on their business logic are denied. Interference has reached a truly dysfunctional level that threatens to undermine the organisations of even worthy PSUs like NTPC and ISRO, says Sebastian Morris.
BY Sebastian Morris 24 October 2022
English-Medium Private Schools Fail To Deliver What They Promise
There is widespread disenchantment with and disdain for government schools not only among affluent or middle-class people but also among poorer people, who feel an English-medium education would help their children’s career prospects. But English-medium schools fail to provide quality education.
BY Mayank Jain Parichha 24 October 2022
Jharkhand Tribals Suffer Amid State’s Bounteous Riches
Mining of bauxite and other minerals is bringing untimely death, illness, displacement and unemployment to the tribals of Jharkhand.
BY Md Asghar Khan 24 October 2022
Private Hospitals: Healthcare Becomes Big Bucks Business For Corporate
Healthcare Services: Peerzada Muzamil on how PPP model is unfavourable for the underprivileged citizens, who are just a bill away from falling into poverty, especially if the ‘private’ is overpowering the ‘public’
BY Peerzada Muzamil 24 October 2022
Social Justice: Privatisation Is All About Dalits Losing Out On Opportunities
With the state withdrawing from social sector responsibilities, privatisation of public sector and higher education—in both conventional and professional segments—has drastically curtailed the socio-economic mobility of Dalits and tribals
BY Vivek Kumar 24 October 2022
Mulayam Singh Yadav: A Tribute To Dharti Putra
Reminiscing on his personal encounters with the ‘son of the soil’, Faisal Fareed pays a rich tribute to Socialist leader Mulayam Singh Yadav popularly known as Netaji
BY Faisal Fareed 24 October 2022
The Gateway To God Called Mahakal And The Connection To Shiva
Abhik Bhattacharya hits the road to the Rs 856-crore Mahakaleshwar Temple corridor development project in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, lined by larger-than-life cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi viewed as an iconic Shaivite
BY Abhik Bhattacharya 24 October 2022
The $23 Billion Dilemma: Lessons In Personal Hygiene
India can save $23 billion by promoting among its citizens a simple habit of washing hands with soap, says Yasumasa Kimura
BY Yasumasa Kimura 24 October 2022
A Brief History Of Privatisation In India: Policy, Politics and Failures
The major thrust to privatisation arrived in the era of neoliberalism in the 1980s, and soon a policy argument emerged that saw privatisation a necessary step to strengthen the economy. It was perhaps a political tool to entrench capital into various economies and make their return to government regulation difficult.
BY Ashutosh Bhardwaj 24 October 2022
Deconstructing A Phenomenon Called Privatisation
The dictum that ‘government should not be in business’ is fine, but while giving a push to privatisation the government should also fulfill its primary responsibility toward citizens: ensure its citizens are provided an environment that enables them to achieve their full potential. In his enlightening piece on the phenomenon, Partha Mukhopadhyay tells us why it is necessary.
BY Partha Mukhopadhyay 24 October 2022
Privatisation In Healthcare And Education Will Be Catastrophic For Women
Equal opportunities for women need to be supported by a number of policy measures, including creation of jobs, better infrastructure, safety and security and access to childcare facilities. The aggressive push for privatisation without an integrated policy for women’s employment is self-defeating.
BY Rakhi Bose 24 October 2022
Privatisation Fears Of Railways Is Making Young Job Aspirants Restive
With the recruitment process beset with inordinate delays, leaked papers and questionable results, fears of the Railways, the largest employer after the Central government, going under the hammer only add to anxieties among young aspirants.
BY Madhur Sharma 24 October 2022
Shiv Sena Vs Shiv Sena: How The Party Stares At An Existential Crisis
Haima Deshpande on how both factions of Shiv Sena are locked in a battle for supremacy to much chagrin of workers who see behind the split BJP’s role to finish the party founded by Balasaheb Thackeray
BY Haima Deshpande 24 October 2022
Trans Persons: Making The Invisible Visible
Outlook Editor Chinki Sinha evocatively captures eight gutsy trans women models walking their catwalk on the ramp in the first ever trans fashion show held in Delhi
BY Chinki Sinha 24 October 2022
Diary: First Dates, First Pizzas, First Sundaes At Delhi's Iconic Nirula's
Satish Padmanabhan, Managing Editor of Outlook, reminisces about Delhi’s iconic Nirula’s on the passing away of its founder Deepak Nirula.
BY Satish Padmanabhan 24 October 2022

Trade Union Movement In India: Glorious Past, Uncertain Future
To promote private investment and disinvestment, the government in 2020 passed three labour codes—Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Code on Social Security Bill, 2020, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020—making it easier for employers to fire workers. Haima Deshpande brings to light how with trade unions decimated completely, the workers are bearing the brunt.
BY Haima Deshpande 24 October 2022
Despite A Head Start, Privatisation Of PSUs Loses Steam
The government is like the millstone that hurts PSUs. Its demand for dividends is unrelenting and the pressure on PSUs to go beyond their primary task to serve the fanciful projects of the government increases by the day. Diversification and consolidation based on their business logic are denied. Interference has reached a truly dysfunctional level that threatens to undermine the organisations of even worthy PSUs like NTPC and ISRO, says Sebastian Morris.
BY Sebastian Morris 24 October 2022
English-Medium Private Schools Fail To Deliver What They Promise
There is widespread disenchantment with and disdain for government schools not only among affluent or middle-class people but also among poorer people, who feel an English-medium education would help their children’s career prospects. But English-medium schools fail to provide quality education.
BY Mayank Jain Parichha 24 October 2022
Jharkhand Tribals Suffer Amid State’s Bounteous Riches
Mining of bauxite and other minerals is bringing untimely death, illness, displacement and unemployment to the tribals of Jharkhand.
BY Md Asghar Khan 24 October 2022
Private Hospitals: Healthcare Becomes Big Bucks Business For Corporate
Healthcare Services: Peerzada Muzamil on how PPP model is unfavourable for the underprivileged citizens, who are just a bill away from falling into poverty, especially if the ‘private’ is overpowering the ‘public’
BY Peerzada Muzamil 24 October 2022
Social Justice: Privatisation Is All About Dalits Losing Out On Opportunities
With the state withdrawing from social sector responsibilities, privatisation of public sector and higher education—in both conventional and professional segments—has drastically curtailed the socio-economic mobility of Dalits and tribals
BY Vivek Kumar 24 October 2022
Mulayam Singh Yadav: A Tribute To Dharti Putra
Reminiscing on his personal encounters with the ‘son of the soil’, Faisal Fareed pays a rich tribute to Socialist leader Mulayam Singh Yadav popularly known as Netaji
BY Faisal Fareed 24 October 2022
The Gateway To God Called Mahakal And The Connection To Shiva
Abhik Bhattacharya hits the road to the Rs 856-crore Mahakaleshwar Temple corridor development project in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, lined by larger-than-life cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi viewed as an iconic Shaivite
BY Abhik Bhattacharya 24 October 2022
The $23 Billion Dilemma: Lessons In Personal Hygiene
India can save $23 billion by promoting among its citizens a simple habit of washing hands with soap, says Yasumasa Kimura
BY Yasumasa Kimura 24 October 2022
A Brief History Of Privatisation In India: Policy, Politics and Failures
The major thrust to privatisation arrived in the era of neoliberalism in the 1980s, and soon a policy argument emerged that saw privatisation a necessary step to strengthen the economy. It was perhaps a political tool to entrench capital into various economies and make their return to government regulation difficult.
BY Ashutosh Bhardwaj 24 October 2022
Deconstructing A Phenomenon Called Privatisation
The dictum that ‘government should not be in business’ is fine, but while giving a push to privatisation the government should also fulfill its primary responsibility toward citizens: ensure its citizens are provided an environment that enables them to achieve their full potential. In his enlightening piece on the phenomenon, Partha Mukhopadhyay tells us why it is necessary.
BY Partha Mukhopadhyay 24 October 2022
Privatisation In Healthcare And Education Will Be Catastrophic For Women
Equal opportunities for women need to be supported by a number of policy measures, including creation of jobs, better infrastructure, safety and security and access to childcare facilities. The aggressive push for privatisation without an integrated policy for women’s employment is self-defeating.
BY Rakhi Bose 24 October 2022
Privatisation Fears Of Railways Is Making Young Job Aspirants Restive
With the recruitment process beset with inordinate delays, leaked papers and questionable results, fears of the Railways, the largest employer after the Central government, going under the hammer only add to anxieties among young aspirants.
BY Madhur Sharma 24 October 2022
Shiv Sena Vs Shiv Sena: How The Party Stares At An Existential Crisis
Haima Deshpande on how both factions of Shiv Sena are locked in a battle for supremacy to much chagrin of workers who see behind the split BJP’s role to finish the party founded by Balasaheb Thackeray
BY Haima Deshpande 24 October 2022
Trans Persons: Making The Invisible Visible
Outlook Editor Chinki Sinha evocatively captures eight gutsy trans women models walking their catwalk on the ramp in the first ever trans fashion show held in Delhi
BY Chinki Sinha 24 October 2022
Diary: First Dates, First Pizzas, First Sundaes At Delhi's Iconic Nirula's
Satish Padmanabhan, Managing Editor of Outlook, reminisces about Delhi’s iconic Nirula’s on the passing away of its founder Deepak Nirula.
BY Satish Padmanabhan 24 October 2022