Amartya Sen

Coalition govt is good for India, says economist Jagdish Bhagwati

Bhagwati spoke on a wide range of issues, including trade protectionism, India's ambition to become a developed country, the middle-income trap, the demographic dividend

Rahul has matured as politician, will be tested as Oppn leader: Amartya Sen

The nonagenarian also opined that Rahul's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' has not only shaped him as a national leader but also enriched the country's political landscape

Life wouldn't have been wasted if I didn't get the Nobel: Amartya Sen

There are greater goals in life than winning the Nobel Prize. At least, there ought to be. Or so, feels Nobel laureate thinker-philosopher-welfare economist Professor Amartya Sen who dubbed the award as a "nice thing to have", but opined that his life wouldn't have been wasted even without it. Sen said that the money he received from the prize helped him start Pratichi Trust, a research-based charity focussing on education and healthcare of children. "Nobel is an award I received but I don't think my life would have been wasted even if I didn't get it. It was nice to have received it. I got some money and could start a charity called Pratichi Trust involving education and healthcare elements of children," Sen said while speaking to PTI in an exclusive interview at his ancestral abode in Bolpur in Birbhum district of West Bengal. "There's also a little bit of luck involved in whether or not you end up getting one of these prizes... I do not think I had a goal to get the Nobel or any

India's tradition is Hindus, Muslims living, working together: Amartya Sen

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Saturday said India has the tradition of Hindus and Muslims working and living together in cohesion. Sen, a noted economist, was speaking at a programme at the Alipore Jail Museum to foster book-reading habits among underprivileged youth. "Going by the history of our country, Hindus and Muslims have been working together in harmony in perfect coordination and synergy for ages. This is 'Juktosadhana' as underscored by Kshitimohan Sen in his book. We need to stress on this idea of 'Juktosadhana' in our present times," he said. In this context, he flagged the word "religious tolerance", saying that should not be the sole emphasis. "It is not merely like allowing the other community to live and not beat up anybody. Perhaps that has become a necessity in the present situation as people are being beaten up. But most crucial is to work together," he added. Sen, who is known for his liberal views, said that children need not be inculcated with the values of .

BNS implemented without discussions, not a welcome change: Amartya Sen

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Saturday said he does not consider replacing the IPC with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) a "welcome change" as it was done without holding a wide-ranging discussion by involving all stakeholders. Speaking to reporters in Santiniketan, Sen said extensive discussions were needed before enacting new laws. "There has not been any evidence that any such wide-ranging talks had preceded before enacting this with all the stakeholders. Also in this vast country, the problems faced by a state like Manipur and another state, say Madhya Pradesh, cannot be the same," he said. "Any move to usher in such a change with the help of the majority sans any discussion with all sides concerned, cannot be labelled as a welcome change, a good change which augurs well by me," he added. Sen was also asked about the Lok Sabha election results. He said, "The election results reflect that such (Hindutva) brand of politics has been thwarted to some extent." The economist said

'Humbling moment': Economist NK Singh receives LSE Honorary Fellowship

The awarding of an Honorary Fellowship acknowledges and celebrates those who have made an exceptional contribution to LSE and its global community

Amartya Sen's remark on 'Hindu Rashtra' has no relation with reality: BJP

The BJP on Thursday disapproved of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen's assertion that the Lok Sabha poll results showed India is not a Hindu Rashtra', asserting it had no connection with the actual picture on the ground. The saffron party said the eminent economist should see things from a neutral point of view. "Even if the NDA government does the best work in the world, Mr Amartya Sen will not appreciate that. He should have judged the situation in the country before the party came to power, and the current situation after all these years," senior BJP leader and its former West Bengal president Rahul Sinha told PTI. Sinha also accused Sen of being biased towards the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state. "He is making such remarks to please Mamata Banerjee (CM). I wish he could see things from a neutral point of view... People of India have voted for the BJP for their efforts to cleanse the system, making it corruption-free and taking the economy to greater heights. Sen's comments are

Lok Sabha election results show India not 'Hindu Rashtra', says Amartya Sen

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Wednesday asserted the recent Lok Sabha poll results point to the fact that India is not a Hindu Rashtra'. Sen, who arrived in Kolkata from the US in the evening, also expressed displeasure over the continuation of putting people behind bars without trial even under the new dispensation. "That India is not a Hindu Rashtra' only has been reflected in the election results," Sen told a Bengali news channel at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here. "We always hope to see a change after every election. Some of what happened earlier (during the BJP-led central government) like putting people behind bars without trial, and widening the gap between the rich and poor, are still continuing. That must stop, he said. The eminent economist said there is a need to be politically open-minded, especially when India is a secular country with a secular Constitution. I do not think the idea of turning India into a Hindu Rashtra' is appropriate, Sen,

Oppn lost power due to disunity; Congress need remedying: Amartya Sen

Noting that the Opposition in India has lost much of its power due to disunity, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said the Congress has many organisational problems that need remedying. In an interview with PTI, Sen said that a caste census might be an exercise to consider, but India needs greater empowerment for the underprivileged through better education, healthcare, and gender equity. The noted economist said he is "enormously proud" to be a citizen of a democratic country like India, but there is a need to "work harder to enhance the nation's democratic nature". Sen said the opposition bloc INDIA failed to gain much traction, with its important allies such as JD(U) and RLD walking out. When asked what the Opposition lacks in taking on the BJP, he said, "The Opposition in India lost a lot of its power due to its disunity. Unity would have given it much more strength." "Congress has many organisational problems that need remedying. The party's great past should inspire it," he said.

Economist Amartya Sen hails SC's judgment on annulling electoral bonds

Eminent economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's recent judgment annulling the electoral bonds scheme, denouncing it as a scandal. Speaking to PTI from Massachusetts, USA, Sen said that the move will lead to greater transparency among people in the electoral context. "Electoral bonds were a scandal, and I am glad that they have now been dropped. I hope there will be more transparency in the support that people give to each other in the electoral context," Sen said. In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court annulled the electoral bonds scheme earlier this month, citing violations of the Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression, as well as the right to information. The apex court directed the State Bank of India (SBI) to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties to the Election Commission. This information should include the date of encashment and the denomination of the bonds and be submitted to the

Won't hesitate to take steps: Visva-Bharati on land row with Amartya Sen

In a veiled attack on Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Visva-Bharati authorities have said that it will not hesitate to take steps if any "internationally acclaimed" educationist violates the law to grab the central university's land. Without naming Sen, Visva Bharati spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhyay said, in a statement in Bengali, that the varsity would not comment on the land issue as the matter is sub-judice. Every necessary step "to stop illegal activities and malpractices" will continue to be taken by the authorities, it said. Sen, who is currently living at his Santiniketan residence Pratichi, interacted with the media and a group of students on Wednesday. Asked by a visitor about "the humiliation faced by him in the land controversy", the Nobel laureate economist had reportedly said, "I don't think anyone can insult me as we have been living on this piece of land for 90 years". Referring to the conversation, the statement, issued on Thursday, said, "Visva Bharati has never ...

Uniform Civil Code is a difficult issue: Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen

Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen on Wednesday claimed that the Uniform Civil Code is a difficult issue and efforts are on to make it easy. The 90-year-old economist also said the UCC surely has a link with the concept of Hindu Rashtra. The Uniform Civil Code is a difficult issue. Now attempts are on to make it easy. There are differences among us. There are differences of religions, there are differences in rules and customs. We need to remove those differences and be united. I read in the newspaper that there should not be any more delay in implementing the Uniform Civil Code. No idea from where such a nonsense concept has come, Sen told reporters at his home here. To a question if the UCC has links with the idea of Hindu Rashtra, he said it surely has. But Hindu Rashtra is not the only way for progress Hinduism is being misused, said the Bharat Ratna awardee. The UCC refers to a common set of laws on marriage, divorce and inheritance that would be applicable to all Indian citizens ..

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen moves HC against Visva-Bharati's eviction order

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen moved the Calcutta High Court, appealing against a notice of the Visva-Bharati university that asked him to vacate 13 decimal of land at his Santiniketan residence by May 6. The central varsity, which claimed that the 13 decimal of land is under the "illegal occupation" of Sen, said that it would evict the economist if he fails to vacate it within the deadline. The matter will be heard by a bench of Justice Bibhas Ranjan De. In his petition, the economist argued that in October 1943, the then Visva-Bharati general secretary Rathindranath Tagore had given 1.38 acre of land for a lease of 99 years to his father Ashutosh Sen, who later built 'Pratichi'. Sen had earlier moved a court in Suri against the eviction notice, but the court set May 15 as the date of hearing, well after the university's deadline to vacate the land. Meanwhile, Visva-Bharati has written to the Birbhum district administration to take steps to prevent protests over the issue around the

Mamata asks ministers to sit-in outside Sen's house over eviction notice

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked state ministers to begin a sit-in outside Nobel laureate Amartya Sen's residence in Santiniketan in Birbhum district to protest against the Visva-Bharati's eviction notice, an official said. During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Banerjee asked MSME Minister Chandranath Sinha, the local MLA, to lead the protest, which will be joined by Education Minister Bratya Basu and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim. She asked them not to move from the spot even if the central university authorities send bulldozers to take possession of the land. Bauls and other folk artistes from the district must be involved in the demonstration, and various cultural programmes should be organised there, she told the ministers, according to the official. Singer Kabir Suman and painter Subhaprasanna will also join the programme on May 6 and 7, the official said, quoting her. "The CM advised them not to move an inch even if Visva-Bharati sends bulldozers

Ex-Visva Bharati student complains against V-C for harassing Amartya Sen

A former student of Visva Bharati has filed a complaint with police against Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty and two other officials, accusing them of causing "mental harassment" to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen over land eviction. The complainant, Trisha Rani Bhattacharya, took exception to the "verbal abuse of such a personality by calling him a land grabber and encroacher", and demanded strict action as per legal provisions. Bhattacharya, in a letter to the Officer-in-Charge of Santiniketan police station in Birbhum district, also made allegations against Deputy Registrar Ashok Mahato and university spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhay, apart from the VC. An officer of Santiniketan police station confirmed receipt of the complaint as a general diary on Tuesday evening. "I am scared the continuing volley of attacks on Sen may inflict a big mishap on his life, as he is bound to feel anguished," she said in the letter. "I should have lodged the complaint earlier. The humiliation of a ..

Amartya Sen-Visva Bharati land row turns into political slugfest in WB

A political hullabaloo erupted over this observation of Sen, ignoring his supplementary observations on this point

Visva-Bharati tells Amartya Sen to vacate 13 decimals of land by May 6

Visva-Bharati University in an eviction order has asked Nobel laureate Amartya Sen to vacate the 13 decimals of land which he has been allegedly occupying in an unauthorised manner by May 6 or within 15 days of the publication of the last order on April 19. Contending as per government of India advisories and CAG reports the century-old Central institution was in urgent need of getting control of encroachments and also submit report to the ministry, the notice said "Amartya Kumar Sen and all concerned persons are liable to be evicted from the said premises, if need be, by use of such force as may be necessary." "It is decided that 13 decimals of land having the dimension of 50 ft x 111 ft in the north-west corner of the scheduled premises is to be recovered from him," the notice said. "Thus he can lawfully occupy 1.25 acres of land only, as lesses (for the residual period of lease) in the scheduled premises. He does not have the authority to occupy 1.38 acres of land in the schedule

Mamata sees through her ears: VBU vice chancellor on Amartya Sen land row

An unauthorised possession of land at Bolpur-Santiniketan in Birbhum district took murkier turn with university authorities issuing statement accusing chief minister "of seeing through her ears"

Court intervention or discussion: Visva-Bharati gives Amartya Sen 2 options

Amid the exchange of words between Visva-Bharati and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen over the economist's alleged unauthorised possession of land, the university on Sunday asked the economist either to discuss the matter with it or the issue will be settled in court. The central university issued a statement saying it is putting facts on record and requests Sen to do what is required to be done to protect his self-esteem and Visva-Bharati's reputation. Two options are open: the confusion that Prof Sen seems to be happily nurturing shall be cleared with the intervention of the court of law or through discussion with the Visva-Bharati authority, the statement read. Alleging that a mudslinging is taking place by those seeking to fulfil their vested interests over the matter, the statement said the issue needs to be addressed freely and frankly with no baggage carried from distortions of the reality. The university sent two letters within three days last week to Sen, asking him to immediate

Hand over 'unauthorised' land in Santiniketan: Visva Bharati to Amartya Sen

Claiming that Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has been occupying parts of a plot of land in an "unauthorised" manner in West Bengal's Santiniketan, the Visva Bharati has urged the economist to hand over that portion to the central university. A letter signed by the deputy registrar of the university on Tuesday said the residence of the noted economist has been built on an area, which covers extra 13 decimals of land. The university also said it was ready to undertake a joint survey of its representatives and the surveyor or advocate deputed by Sen to verify the claims if he wanted. "It has been found from records and physical survey/demarcation that you are in unauthorised occupation of 13 decimals of land belonging to Visva Bharati..." the letter said. "You are requested to hand over the said 13 decimals of land to the university at the earliest," it added. The Nobel laureate's father Asutosh Sen had taken 125 decimals of land on lease from the varsity in 1943, its spokesperson Mahua