It’s hard to build a house, run a business, or do anything without paying bribes. And yet, citizens’ anger about this open, unchecked corruption won’t erupt into Anna Hazare-type rallies.
As many as 21 policy reforms are under implementation following Invest Kerala Global Summit, as LDF govt works to change perception that the state is not conducive to businesses.
Amid continued concerns over cross-border terrorism, General Upendra Dwivedi further warned the neighbour that India will not show restraint if there is an Op Sindoor 2.0.
Pakistan’s army has been a rentier force available to a reasonable bidder. It has never come to the aid of any Muslims including Palestinians or the Gazans, except making noises here and there.
Intellectual: “I am an elite. I command, control, preach, make rules.”
Common man: “I don’t want any of that. I am a free man.”
Intellectual: “Yes, you are free because I told you so. Read Terms & Conditions.”
Accidentally Found this Article….
Enriching article on the one hand but Enquiring on the other hand as
– why did the Women Nominators did not participate?
– why the future too looks patriarchal with the list of influential intellectuals, which is a concern?
– why did the nominators did not look into more women practitioners?
– why/how the brain drain can be stopped..
– why there are missing intellectuals from medicine, agriculture, child care, women development, grassroot workers, …
*Not surprised that Bangalis matter.
** Not surprised that no one shows up from planning-architecture.
आप के हिसाब से ये लोग intellactual हैं तो फिर चूतियों की परिभाषा ही बदल दिए ।फेक डेटा के नाम पर गाय लिंचिंग पर पोस्ट लिखते हैं और फिर उसको डिलीट कर देते हैं बोलते हैं डेटा गलत था । दुनिया में सबसे ज्यादा हेट तो the print फैलता हैं ।
There is a fundamental difference between the common man’s notion of an intellectual and an English speaking Americo-Anglo manic elite’s notion of intellectual. Many on the list fall on the second category.
Interesting exercise. Notice the preponderance of Bengalies. Proof that what a Bengali thinks today, India will think tomorrow. Right or wrong I believe that as a community, they are intellectually, culturally and artistically superior to the rest of us.
Apart from the lack of diversity, this list is fraught with conflict of interest since most of the pickers have picked people close to him (unfortunately, not her here!).
Since this exercise contributes to social capital building for those who are nominated, conflict of interest is not an issue that could not be brushed under the carpet. Through a heavily internalised network system based on caste, we Indians are trained to gloss our eyes over the conflict of interest issues, which sits right at the center of sustaining caste system.
More so it is important, since this is a list of next gen intellectuals, and not ‘my favourite people in whom I see promise’, ThePrint should have addressed this to save their reputation as a representative of responsible journalism. Also I may add that it was horrifying to see that many distinguished journalists are involved with this exercise. We expect and deserve more!
It is no accident that most women intellectuals chose to decline your request. We’ll have to look them as intellectuals first and woman intellectuals next before extending our superficial helping hand of ‘representation’ to these high achievers who happened to carry an extra pair of X chromosome against the ‘y’ that the distinguished intellectuals who feature here.
The Print version of the next generation of Intellectuals:
1. Should be a Savarna.
2. Should have a foreign degree(except a few).
3. Should be an English-speaking person who writes exclusively in English, with no writing record in Indian languages.
4. Should be an elite.
Could you please explain what do you mean by “intellectual” and “next generation”? Some, if not most, of the so-called “intellectuals”, are above 50, including Tharoor and Guha, the most happening public figures among all who are on the list.
Last but not least, if someone like Vikarma Sampath could be called as an “intellectual”, one can understand what does that actually mean. LOL.
Gurmehar Kaur also!! What kind of an intellectual she is?
One of the important name is missing in this list. According Historian Mr. Ramchandra Guha he is a brilliant bilingual Journalist . With out that name the list can’t be completed. The eminent Delhi based journalist, editor, environmentalists, author Mr. Sopan Joshi . His book ” Jal Thal Mal ” is the most significant book in our era about environment related with our water, excreta disposal which is effecting now and will effect our future. His Another two important books for the children about Mahatma Gandhi where it is depicted why Mahatma Gandhi was a down to earth social person rather than a political person. Mr. Joshi is a social activities and having keen knowledge of water bodies and working long time in this area.
The Print must know that there are many intellectuals in Hindi belt of India. They are Hindi speakers and have the potential of shaping future of India.
name the list can’t be completed. The eminent Delhi based journalist, editor, environmentalists, author Mr. Sopan Joshi . His book ” Jal Thal Mal ” is the most significant book in our era about environment related with our water, excreta disposal which is effecting now and will effect our future. His Another two important books for the children about Mahatma Gandhi where it is depicted why Mahatma Gandhi was a down to earth social person rather than a political person. Mr. Joshi is a social activities and having keen knowledge of water bodies and working long time in this area.
1) What is the purpose of such a list? (a) Is it to tell people what kind of people they should read? Or (b) is it to tell people what kind of justifications, opinions, ideas should influence their thought and cognition about intellectual life?
If it is about (a) then all the arguments about the lack of diversity/sheer exclusion in this list, as well as its nominees, holds. As do questions about whether it is people rather than institutions/experiences that shape our norms, concepts, categories and preferences.
If it is (b) then this list should have consisted of the ideas, norms, categories, domains or disciplines that these persons supposedly shape for an Indian public or the intellectual domain which engages with India (especially given the international location of most Indians on this list). While we, as readers, are given some idea about the domain of the work of these intellectuals, this list doesn’t tell us about the significance of their contribution to these particular domains.
There are many fascinating intellectuals on this list. Some of the people listed here have made very serious contributions to the domains of political, economic and legal thought in particular, but also to a range of other conversations. However, why should a public, or an interested group of people find this list legitimate, given all its exclusions, both representative and ideological? What are the justifications for creating a list of intellectuals in the first place?
For Print
As Raghu has stated that if these are the intellectuals, God save this country. Having taught nearly nine thousand students each taking equivalent of 3 Credit Courses over a period of 35 years first as a officer teacher at the Indian Military Academy and then at the PUNE University for 29 years on diverse areas, I can say that I have seen and interacted with most in this list which is impressive but certainly not the most authentic one. I am not very sympathetic to INDIA observers from abroad as they are only technically qualified but not necessarily culturally and civilizationally endowed. My comments harsh as they are will not gain me any new friends in amongst the gowns nor do I consider myself as a public intellectual per se. There are glaring non recognition in the areas of Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics, Mathemetical Sciences, Bio technology, Bio informatics and even Law and Services.
However, having said the above I am all in for producing such a list which has never been done before. Suffice to say it has the same shortcoming as the Penselvania based group which does a world ranking of think tanks around the world. The definition of being a public intellectual needs to be clear. I remember an amusing incident when Rajiv Gandhi Visiting Harvard University wanted to meet the intellectuals and industrialists. The Americans were confused as they stated there are no intellectuals or industrialists in the US. There were academics, scientists and businessmen they informed!! However once again I consider the lutyen Delhi team to be imaginative as well as inovative to create this list as it can be used by any ruling government suffering from serious intellectual deficit. Congratulations to their initial efforts.
Professor Gautam Sen
Adjunct Professor NIAS
Distiinguished Visiting Fellow CLAWS
Subroto Mukherjee Chair of Excellence USI
How about asking a bunch of great “doers” as to what they think are the future “doers” from the gen-next. India is hardly short of “intellectuals” especially those that are anointed by the press; so a list of “doers” and what they are doing should shed some useful light.
I don’t find any mention of Dr. MS Swaminathan, Agricultural Scientists, Dr. Vaidyanathan of IIM, Bangalore and Vandana Shiva. 80% of the names mentioned are close to Delhi Durbar. Don’t you have any home made and hom grown intellectuals? It is better to have a Delhi Zip Code instead of one from Madurai.
if these are intellectuals, god save india. stop glorifying these armchair do-nothing’s. highlight doers, people who positively transform their environ, people who generate employment…We have a surfiet of thinkers from time immemorial, we can well do without them. their ideas wont help tie a shoe-lace.
I enjoyed reading this piece, it helped me get a broader view of thinkers and current thoughts in the country. Unfortunately, I spotted some challenges with the article I’d like to point out, in the interest of making ‘The Print’ a stronger medium. Most of the nominees are upper caste men, very few women. I understand you reached out to women intellectuals for their nominees but you may have missed out on other intersectionalities. The intellectuals you have sought nominations from are also people who are predominantly upper caste; many of them are older than 40/50 years, could not possibly be the next generation. The list is also heavy on intellectuals who are visible in Delhi and the northern part of the country. There are others who have nominated people from their own institute/organisation, which is merely a display of limitation of the pool itself and the fact that people may be using this medium for other purposes. Many intellectuals are influencing ideas across the country and deserve being on the list. This is not to say the current list of people should not be celebrated, but when we pick a biased version of the intelligencia and celebrate them, we fail to make the change we want to happen. Then we play into the status quo by failing to represent the diversity of voices. I have great respect for The Print and expect you to shoulder a greater responsibility of representing the diversity of discourse in India. I hope this feedback is valued. Thank you!
Many of these names are familiar because I have read their columns. Shri Mihir Sharma did a fine job editing the Op Ed page of Business Standard, exposing readers to a selection of knowledgeable people. It goes without saying that many of these talented young people would feel happy to offer their expertise, pro bono, to the government, to enrich policy making. India is dripping with talent.
List looks impressive. Few notes.
1. So many lawyers, but in India justice process is very inefficient. How these people can contribute quickly. Not over a period of next 50 yrs.
2. Very impressive is Zero Cost Farming, how this can be adopted through Govt Policy.
3. Lot of policy studying guys & writers are also in the list, but, contribution to the society upliftment is important than writing some well published books.
Well, its a MANEL of pickers! So by this token, there are no women intellectuals in this country that are good enough to “pick” next gen! And the gender profile of people who have been picked is appalling! Men, Men and More Men – the exception Upendra Baxi who has 4 women on his list of 6 or 7. And NO DIVERSITY on any other count! Where are the Muslims, Dalits, Transpersons, Kashmiris, the entire north eastern region, among the pickers or the picked?! This is a poor note to end the year on – totally status quoist – truly! Overwhelmingly Hindu savarna English educated, elite, metropolitan – so no. This is NOT a list of the possibilities India holds. By ANY definition completeky unrepresentative of the current and next gen.
Hi, surprised that i am not surprised to find a baraat of men here. And the few women who are named are faceless. Is this the Indian answer to the male dominance of the dominant Western model?
Intellectual: “I am an elite. I command, control, preach, make rules.”
Common man: “I don’t want any of that. I am a free man.”
Intellectual: “Yes, you are free because I told you so. Read Terms & Conditions.”
Accidentally Found this Article….
Enriching article on the one hand but Enquiring on the other hand as
– why did the Women Nominators did not participate?
– why the future too looks patriarchal with the list of influential intellectuals, which is a concern?
– why did the nominators did not look into more women practitioners?
– why/how the brain drain can be stopped..
– why there are missing intellectuals from medicine, agriculture, child care, women development, grassroot workers, …
*Not surprised that Bangalis matter.
** Not surprised that no one shows up from planning-architecture.
आप के हिसाब से ये लोग intellactual हैं तो फिर चूतियों की परिभाषा ही बदल दिए ।फेक डेटा के नाम पर गाय लिंचिंग पर पोस्ट लिखते हैं और फिर उसको डिलीट कर देते हैं बोलते हैं डेटा गलत था । दुनिया में सबसे ज्यादा हेट तो the print फैलता हैं ।
There is a fundamental difference between the common man’s notion of an intellectual and an English speaking Americo-Anglo manic elite’s notion of intellectual. Many on the list fall on the second category.
Interesting exercise. Notice the preponderance of Bengalies. Proof that what a Bengali thinks today, India will think tomorrow. Right or wrong I believe that as a community, they are intellectually, culturally and artistically superior to the rest of us.
Half of these people are outside India . . . ! LOL
Apart from the lack of diversity, this list is fraught with conflict of interest since most of the pickers have picked people close to him (unfortunately, not her here!).
Since this exercise contributes to social capital building for those who are nominated, conflict of interest is not an issue that could not be brushed under the carpet. Through a heavily internalised network system based on caste, we Indians are trained to gloss our eyes over the conflict of interest issues, which sits right at the center of sustaining caste system.
More so it is important, since this is a list of next gen intellectuals, and not ‘my favourite people in whom I see promise’, ThePrint should have addressed this to save their reputation as a representative of responsible journalism. Also I may add that it was horrifying to see that many distinguished journalists are involved with this exercise. We expect and deserve more!
It is no accident that most women intellectuals chose to decline your request. We’ll have to look them as intellectuals first and woman intellectuals next before extending our superficial helping hand of ‘representation’ to these high achievers who happened to carry an extra pair of X chromosome against the ‘y’ that the distinguished intellectuals who feature here.
Surprisingly you excluded Prof Sukanto Chowdhury and
Prof Supriya Chowdhury
The Print version of the next generation of Intellectuals:
1. Should be a Savarna.
2. Should have a foreign degree(except a few).
3. Should be an English-speaking person who writes exclusively in English, with no writing record in Indian languages.
4. Should be an elite.
Could you please explain what do you mean by “intellectual” and “next generation”? Some, if not most, of the so-called “intellectuals”, are above 50, including Tharoor and Guha, the most happening public figures among all who are on the list.
Last but not least, if someone like Vikarma Sampath could be called as an “intellectual”, one can understand what does that actually mean. LOL.
Well articulated sir.
Gurmehar Kaur also!! What kind of an intellectual she is?
One of the important name is missing in this list. According Historian Mr. Ramchandra Guha he is a brilliant bilingual Journalist . With out that name the list can’t be completed. The eminent Delhi based journalist, editor, environmentalists, author Mr. Sopan Joshi . His book ” Jal Thal Mal ” is the most significant book in our era about environment related with our water, excreta disposal which is effecting now and will effect our future. His Another two important books for the children about Mahatma Gandhi where it is depicted why Mahatma Gandhi was a down to earth social person rather than a political person. Mr. Joshi is a social activities and having keen knowledge of water bodies and working long time in this area.
The Print must know that there are many intellectuals in Hindi belt of India. They are Hindi speakers and have the potential of shaping future of India.
name the list can’t be completed. The eminent Delhi based journalist, editor, environmentalists, author Mr. Sopan Joshi . His book ” Jal Thal Mal ” is the most significant book in our era about environment related with our water, excreta disposal which is effecting now and will effect our future. His Another two important books for the children about Mahatma Gandhi where it is depicted why Mahatma Gandhi was a down to earth social person rather than a political person. Mr. Joshi is a social activities and having keen knowledge of water bodies and working long time in this area.
Interesting that almost all who were asked were men. Where are the women? No women intellectuals in India?
1) What is the purpose of such a list? (a) Is it to tell people what kind of people they should read? Or (b) is it to tell people what kind of justifications, opinions, ideas should influence their thought and cognition about intellectual life?
If it is about (a) then all the arguments about the lack of diversity/sheer exclusion in this list, as well as its nominees, holds. As do questions about whether it is people rather than institutions/experiences that shape our norms, concepts, categories and preferences.
If it is (b) then this list should have consisted of the ideas, norms, categories, domains or disciplines that these persons supposedly shape for an Indian public or the intellectual domain which engages with India (especially given the international location of most Indians on this list). While we, as readers, are given some idea about the domain of the work of these intellectuals, this list doesn’t tell us about the significance of their contribution to these particular domains.
There are many fascinating intellectuals on this list. Some of the people listed here have made very serious contributions to the domains of political, economic and legal thought in particular, but also to a range of other conversations. However, why should a public, or an interested group of people find this list legitimate, given all its exclusions, both representative and ideological? What are the justifications for creating a list of intellectuals in the first place?
For Print
As Raghu has stated that if these are the intellectuals, God save this country. Having taught nearly nine thousand students each taking equivalent of 3 Credit Courses over a period of 35 years first as a officer teacher at the Indian Military Academy and then at the PUNE University for 29 years on diverse areas, I can say that I have seen and interacted with most in this list which is impressive but certainly not the most authentic one. I am not very sympathetic to INDIA observers from abroad as they are only technically qualified but not necessarily culturally and civilizationally endowed. My comments harsh as they are will not gain me any new friends in amongst the gowns nor do I consider myself as a public intellectual per se. There are glaring non recognition in the areas of Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics, Mathemetical Sciences, Bio technology, Bio informatics and even Law and Services.
However, having said the above I am all in for producing such a list which has never been done before. Suffice to say it has the same shortcoming as the Penselvania based group which does a world ranking of think tanks around the world. The definition of being a public intellectual needs to be clear. I remember an amusing incident when Rajiv Gandhi Visiting Harvard University wanted to meet the intellectuals and industrialists. The Americans were confused as they stated there are no intellectuals or industrialists in the US. There were academics, scientists and businessmen they informed!! However once again I consider the lutyen Delhi team to be imaginative as well as inovative to create this list as it can be used by any ruling government suffering from serious intellectual deficit. Congratulations to their initial efforts.
Professor Gautam Sen
Adjunct Professor NIAS
Distiinguished Visiting Fellow CLAWS
Subroto Mukherjee Chair of Excellence USI
Most of the mentors on the list are intellectually bankrupt and so we don’t know whether they will be able to pick intellectuals?
How about asking a bunch of great “doers” as to what they think are the future “doers” from the gen-next. India is hardly short of “intellectuals” especially those that are anointed by the press; so a list of “doers” and what they are doing should shed some useful light.
I don’t find any mention of Dr. MS Swaminathan, Agricultural Scientists, Dr. Vaidyanathan of IIM, Bangalore and Vandana Shiva. 80% of the names mentioned are close to Delhi Durbar. Don’t you have any home made and hom grown intellectuals? It is better to have a Delhi Zip Code instead of one from Madurai.
How many of them are from SC/ST & other backward community?
dear editor/s
why are there no dalits, women or other ‘minority’ intellectuals among the nominators?
sincerely
sushrut jadhav
if these are intellectuals, god save india. stop glorifying these armchair do-nothing’s. highlight doers, people who positively transform their environ, people who generate employment…We have a surfiet of thinkers from time immemorial, we can well do without them. their ideas wont help tie a shoe-lace.
You have missed prof Arun phadke.
Just the Sirname of the intellectual(s) were kool… Hahaha…
Hyporicy ki bhi seema hoti hai… Gupta/baniya ji.
Dear Jyoti and team,
I enjoyed reading this piece, it helped me get a broader view of thinkers and current thoughts in the country. Unfortunately, I spotted some challenges with the article I’d like to point out, in the interest of making ‘The Print’ a stronger medium. Most of the nominees are upper caste men, very few women. I understand you reached out to women intellectuals for their nominees but you may have missed out on other intersectionalities. The intellectuals you have sought nominations from are also people who are predominantly upper caste; many of them are older than 40/50 years, could not possibly be the next generation. The list is also heavy on intellectuals who are visible in Delhi and the northern part of the country. There are others who have nominated people from their own institute/organisation, which is merely a display of limitation of the pool itself and the fact that people may be using this medium for other purposes. Many intellectuals are influencing ideas across the country and deserve being on the list. This is not to say the current list of people should not be celebrated, but when we pick a biased version of the intelligencia and celebrate them, we fail to make the change we want to happen. Then we play into the status quo by failing to represent the diversity of voices. I have great respect for The Print and expect you to shoulder a greater responsibility of representing the diversity of discourse in India. I hope this feedback is valued. Thank you!
Intellectuals my ass
Many of these names are familiar because I have read their columns. Shri Mihir Sharma did a fine job editing the Op Ed page of Business Standard, exposing readers to a selection of knowledgeable people. It goes without saying that many of these talented young people would feel happy to offer their expertise, pro bono, to the government, to enrich policy making. India is dripping with talent.
Bharat is a Socialist country where all are equal. So no question of dividing people as intellectuals and intellectuals. Jai karl marxa.
List looks impressive. Few notes.
1. So many lawyers, but in India justice process is very inefficient. How these people can contribute quickly. Not over a period of next 50 yrs.
2. Very impressive is Zero Cost Farming, how this can be adopted through Govt Policy.
3. Lot of policy studying guys & writers are also in the list, but, contribution to the society upliftment is important than writing some well published books.
Well, its a MANEL of pickers! So by this token, there are no women intellectuals in this country that are good enough to “pick” next gen! And the gender profile of people who have been picked is appalling! Men, Men and More Men – the exception Upendra Baxi who has 4 women on his list of 6 or 7. And NO DIVERSITY on any other count! Where are the Muslims, Dalits, Transpersons, Kashmiris, the entire north eastern region, among the pickers or the picked?! This is a poor note to end the year on – totally status quoist – truly! Overwhelmingly Hindu savarna English educated, elite, metropolitan – so no. This is NOT a list of the possibilities India holds. By ANY definition completeky unrepresentative of the current and next gen.
And not a single representative of the left!
Valid points you have raised. Thank you.
In that way the ‘future intellectuals’ depends on the current intellectuals been contacted by the PRINT!
It’s hard to believe that I am not in the list
Hi, surprised that i am not surprised to find a baraat of men here. And the few women who are named are faceless. Is this the Indian answer to the male dominance of the dominant Western model?