IBNLive Chat: 'Karnataka Inc looking forward to stability'

IBNLive Chat: Manipal Education CEO Sudarashan answers IBNLive readers' questions.

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Keywords: IBNLive Chat,, Karnataka

Sandeep: Can the new government give free power to farmers in the present situation? What about Bangalore metro project?

Anand Sudarshan: I am not an expert in the power sector, so I am not able to comment with any authority. I will say, however, that the onus will be on the new government to ensure that they balance out legitimate needs of the farmer (in particular, those who are not well-off and those who's livelihood has been deeply affected by several challenges to the agrarian sector), and prudence in managing the state's finances. Given that the farmers of our and other states are our anna dhatas, I would be strongly in favour of all policies that help them stand on their feet (and such policies include not only power, but also cutting the stranglehold the middlemen have on farmers, etc). As to the Metro project, I live in Bangalore and I know like me many Bangaloreans are proud that the Metro is coming to our city, and look forward to its success. Like Mr Sridharan did in Delhi, I look forward to our metro also getting completed on time, and running spotlessly; it will an important (albeit small) contribution to our city's struggling infrastructure limitations being relieved.

Saurav Mishra: Why does caste politics play an important role in a cosmopolitan city like Bangalore?

Anand Sudarshan: There is a big difference between generations which were built on a political structure honed through struggle (independence first, and nation-building next), and one that's exposed to a polity that's power-focussed. In times like these, 'political segmentation' akin to market segmentation, is the order of the day for political parties - indeed, they cannot escape this electoral math. I believe it's up to the ordinary citizen - you and me, and the countless others - to play the moderating role of making such segmentation meaningless. We need to educate each other, and make sure that within our influence circle, we promote thoughts of harmony and progress. This perhaps sounds a bit like Gandhigiri, but I truly believe this is workable.

V S Ramakrishnan: What can TN expect from Karnataka — amicable solution to Hogenakkal?

Anand Sudarshan: I am not sure I should answer this question :-) What I can say for sure is that a calm approach to solving this problem is essential keeping in mind the principle of fairness and give-and-take. I look forward to the new government achieving it with the TN government, although I think this is a 'big-ask' for them.

Devesh Chaturvedi: Why is the young generation not getting into politics? We still see the same old faces from last couple decades with no ethics or loyalty. Rapidly changing face of India needs fresh-thinking politicians. If you agree, how can education help to bring this change?

Anand Sudarshan: That’s a very valid question. One of the redeeming sights I have personally had over the last two years, is meeting and interacting with a number of young politicians - I believe that their numbers are a lot more than before, and I am actually quite enthused and optimistic about the future, after interacting with them. To be sure, many of them belong to the dynastic politics spectrum - but they are all committed, bright, and with a strong vision for tomorrow's India. I look forward to many more from the younger generation to join this brigade. And I fully agree that education (and educational institutions) have a role to play. Many of the earlier generation of young politicians were groomed through student politics from campuses, which has either disappeared, or degenerated in many places with money and muscle power. I think it is definitely possible for a different approach to be ushered in, and educational institutions have a role to play.