Author: Shashanka Bhide
Publication: The Hindu
Date: November 16, 2011
URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/shashanka-bhide/article2630649.ece?homepage=true
The rural economy often throws up surprises.
It acts as a source of demand even when there is slump in demand elsewhere.
This feature of rural demand may fade as the rural-urban distinction becomes
weaker and farm operations become more and more commercialised. However, for
the moment, there is the unrealised potential of the rural sector as a growing
consumer of goods and services in the non-farm sector.
Stable demand for agricultural produce makes
the farm sector a reliable source of demand, both for the input industries
as well as for the consumer goods industry, even when supply of farm produce
is dependent on weather. The potential for mechanisation of farm operations
has always been recognised. However, the economics of it has held back its
expansion. The constraints remain but changes in the rural sector may make
the wider use of mechanised power in farming more viable.
One major indicator of changes on the farm
front is in the pattern of use of animal power and of farm labour. Whether
it is the impact of MGNREGA on the attractiveness of farm employment, the
impact of growing rural-urban links that provide new avenues of employment
to the rural labour force or the improvements in farm machinery, the potential
for increased mechanisation of farming in India appears to be on the rise.
While animal-powered farm implements are
still used widely, despite the lure of machine-powered equipment and the difficulties
in maintaining bullocks, the rising cost of farm labour may be instrumental
in changing the choices.
Shift in preference
The significant increase in the production
and sale of tractors in the current year is certainly one indicator of the
changing scenario. Shifts such as these are gradual and there will have to
be many successful examples before other farmers pick up from the early leaders.
Author: Agencies
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: November 18, 2011
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/let-laws-of-the-sea-apply-in-south-china-sea-india-to-china/877558/0
Against the backdrop of irritation in ties
over South China Sea issue, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today told his Chinese
counterpart Wen Jiabao that India's oil exploration in the disputed maritime
area is "purely commercial activity" even as the two sides agreed
that there was enough space and areas for them to work together.
A range of issues, including the situation
along the Line of Actual Control and trade was discussed during the 55-minute
meeting with Singh saying India was committed to developing the "best
of relations" with China while the latter underlined that the two countries
should work "hand-in-hand" to ensure that the 21st century belongs
to Asia.
"This matter did come up in the context
of East Asia Summit (taking place here tomorrow)," Secretary (East) in
the External Affairs Ministry Sanjay Singh told reporters when asked whether
the issue of Chinese objections to India's exploration of oil in South China
Sea figured in the talks between Singh and Wen.
The Prime Minister "observed that exploration
of oil and gas in South China Sea by India is purely commercial activity",
the Secretary said about the issue that has caused irritation in the ties
between the two countries in the recent past.
China, which lays claim over entire South
China Sea, had openly attacked India in September over its move to explore
oil in the maritime area on offer from Vietnam. It had evoked a sharp retort
from India.
This was coupled with an incident in which
an Indian Naval ship INS Airavat was threatened by the Chinese Navy while
moving in that area.
In the context of China's claim over the entire
South China Sea, Singh told Wen that "the issue of sovereignty should
be resolved according to international law and practice".
India asserts that since it was not clearly
defined that the maritime area belongs wholly to China, the laws of the sea
will apply.
As the meeting began, Singh told Wen that
"we are neighbours and also large growing economies of Asia. We should
cooperate bilaterally and globally."
To press this point, Singh noted that whenever
India and China had worked together on climate change, it has had a "positive
impact" on the global stage.
Visualising "cooperative partnership"
with China, Singh reminded Wen that he had said that "there is enough
space in the world for both India and China to grow."
Adding on this point, Wen, who was meeting
Singh here on the sidelines of the ASEAN and East Asia Summits, said: "there
are enough areas in our world where India and China can enhance cooperation."
Recalling Wen's visit to India in December
last year, Singh said it was a "milestone" in the bilateral relations
during which the two sides discussed "new ideas and new approaches"
to the relationship.
Referring to the oft-repeated contention that
the 21st century should belong to Asia, the Chinese Premier said that for
realisation of this goal, it is important for the two most populous countries
of the world to "work hand-in-hand to forge ahead along the path of development.
I have full confidence that the day of that kind of the world will arrive".
Singh, while noting that the two leaders had
been meeting on the sidelines of all the ASEAN Summits held during the last
six years, told Wen that he had "benefited enormously" from his
conversations with the Chinese leader on each occasion.
Earlier, expressing great pleasure in meeting
Singh again, Wen said their decision to meet here to exchange views on major
issues of mutual interest "shows how much importance leaders of both
India and China attach to friendly relations and cooperation".
