Date:30/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/30/stories/2006013007640500.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

`Protect people from adverse effects of globalisation'

Staff Correspondent

Universities, voluntary agencies asked to debate its challenges

Bidar: The Central and State Governments should initiate steps to protect people from the adverse effects of globalisation, the former Union Minister V. Srinivas Prasad said here on Sunday.

Addressing a session on "Globalisation and Karnataka" at the 72nd National Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, Mr. Prasad said the Government should try to provide a level playing field for those sections of society which do not have the power to compete in an open market.

"People say globalisation is a both a challenge and an opportunity. They also say that those who face the challenge and use the opportunity benefit from globalisation and those who see it as a threat perish. This may be true for people who can take on the onslaught of global market forces. But what about people who do not have the power to compete?" he questioned.

Government efforts

He gave examples of pro-active intervention efforts of the governments of China and some Western countries. "The U.S. provides agriculture subsidies to its farmers. China provides its citizens social safety. But we have opened up our economy before preparing social safety," he said.

He urged universities and voluntary organisations to debate the challenges caused by globalisation. He called upon intellectuals to come up with solutions to these challenges.

Solutions sought

Filmmaker and writer Nagatihalli Chandrashekar called upon thinkers to stop complaining about globalisation and start providing answers to the questions posed by it. "A small farmer from Bidar exports soya seeds to western countries. American universities are competing against each other for obtaining patents to Indian herbs. Why should we not use the situation to our advantage?" he asked.

Writer Aravind Chokkadi said there is a danger of globalisation destroying the social fabric of the country.

He asked sociologists to lay special stress on such possible dangers.

Vijaylakshmi Balekundri felt that globalisation had helped Indians get better health care at low cost.

Book released

Later, the former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily inaugurated a poetry recital session. He released a book of translated poems by Shantarasa Hembaralu.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Chandrashekar Patil and others were present.