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The three ‘giant crises’ that the country is facing today are water, agriculture and health, according to P Sainath, Journalist & Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts. Sainath was delivering the 'Dr Verghese Kurien Memorial Oration on Sustainable Development' organised by XLRI Jamshedpur on its campus, said a press statement from the institute.
“India is the largest over-user of underground water in the world. There is water crisis not because of drought but because of the way it is used for, what it is used for and on what it is allocated for,” said Sainath.
He also expressed concern on the growing health expenses that have forced many to avoid medical assistance. He said, according to the third round of NSSO health survey the number of Indians who have stopped seeking medical aid purely due to financial reasons has doubled in the recent past. The number is more than double particularly in urban areas because of the increase in distress peasant migration.
“According to survey figures on an average on any given 100 days 4,600 Indian farmers will commit suicide, 46,000-70,000 will attempt suicide, 2 lakh will give up farming and thousands will leave country side for search of job in the urban areas,” said Sainath.
Sainath argued that the country needs to include a moral dimension to its growth model, sustainable growth is impossible in a scenario where resources are being exhausted.
Kurein’s real work was towards organising of funds so that there is growth and development for everybody and he proposed ‘growth through justice’ as the ideal approach through which development for all could be achieved, Sainath added.
The oration was held to inspire the aspiring managers and young professionals to help shape an inclusive and just society whilst inculcating the values and entrepreneurial spirit of Kurien.
Nirmala Kurien, daughter of Verghese Kurien, also attended the event as guest of honour and shared some personal experiences and memories of her father with the students.
Kurien was conferred ‘Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Social and Industrial Peace’ by XLRI in 1992.
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