India World Forum

I cannot find words to condemn the barbaric acts of terror that resulted in the senseless killing and injuring of innocent people in Mumbai yesterday. I understand the shock and outrage of the people of Mumbai. I share their pain, anguish and anger. I have come here in solidarity with the people of Mumbai. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to those who have suffered in this terrible tragedy. The need of the hour is to look after their medical and other immediate needs. I have asked the State Government to ensure that all support is provided so that these families can overcome the tragedy and rebuild their lives. We have already announced ex gratia payment of Rs.2 lakhs to the next of kin of those killed and Rs. 1 lakh to those injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The Central Government and the State Government have acted quickly to deal with the situation. I have asked the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the Union Home Minister to continue to c...

Affiliations such as nationality are not only matters of entitlement, they all also involve attachment and responsibility. In a rapidly changing country, as India certainly i s, one of the duties that we have as Indians is to ask: what kind of a country this i s . This may lead to the further question: what does it demand of us, at this time? I am very aware that it is rather reckless to ask grand questions of such apparent naivety. But since I don't indulge in other dangerous activities, like taming lions, or being on the trapeze, or standing for parliamentary elections, perhaps I ought to show some bravery and foolhardiness here. Hence this lecture. Amartya Sen on Indian History , Indian Culture ,  Indian Politics and Indian Economy India is of course a large country, with a huge population. The relative size of the Indian population is not a new phenomenon, contrary to the presumption, which seems fairly common in the world today, that India has become relatively enormo...