GUWAHATI, Nov 27 � The living conditions of the people have not improved, despite their being marked high growth in the world as well as in India in the recent times. In fact, the world hunger has increased, as, per capita consumption of food has declined substantially during the last couple of decades.
This was the observation made by noted economist and distinguished thinker Professor Prabhat Patnaik while delivering the Special Silver Jubilee Lecture of OKD Institute of Social Change and Development on �Capitalism and Global Poverty� at ITA Cultural Centre, Machkhowa on November 26, said a press release.
Prof Patnaik remarked that such a decline in food consumption has been brought about by a falling real income of people resulting from income squeezing policies pursued under neo-liberalism. Under the influence of global finance, both the state and people have been entrapped in a situation which has adversely impacted the condition of working population.
As a solution to overcome this he stressed upon the significance of a set of universal rights to food, education, health, employment and old age pension which a democratic state must ensure for its people.
The Lecture also inaugurated the Silver Jubilee Seminar on �Ideology and Social Sciences� organised by the Institute during November 27-28, 2014.
Chairing the Lecture, noted intellectual Professor Hiren Gohain commented that the demand of universal rights can serve only as a practical strategy to mobilise people as these rights cannot be expected from the present state.
Earlier Professor Bhupen Sarmah, Director of the Institute, welcome the audience by introducing the series of silver jubilee programmes planned over the year while Professor Atul Sarma, Chairperson of the Institute gave an introductory remark on successes and failures of the Institute over the last twenty five years highlighting the manifold contribution of the Institute.
