Health-war Politics,
Economy, Indian Society and
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Suresh Kumar

 

The nature of Indian society believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, a Sanskrit verse in Hindu texts; “Vasudhaiva” being the earth, and “Kutumbakam” meaning the family. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is translated as “the world is one family.” The complete Sanskrit verse explains that Indian philosophy carries people with a generous heart and all of humanity is a family.

Cultural Diversity in India and Africa: A Strength Not A Problem

Suresh Kumar and Halilu Babaji

Indian Journal of African Studies, Vol. XXlll, April & October 2018, Nos. 1&2

 

Introduction

India and majority of African countries are multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society that has witnessed conflicts arising from ethnic and cultural identity. Culture and cultural diversity in India and Africa to many tribal communities are place without history. The complexity, richness and intellectual dept of India and Africa shows culture and cultural diversity as a strength not a diversity due to their common heritage and share values that bind them together as one unified family or clan. India-Africa in both literatures has a flavour in attracting negative headlines about identity, cultural differences, norms, values and beliefs which were not ignored but show the huge creativity of different people that shares a common heritage. India-Africa has a common cultural challenge, and the challenges are daunting. The economic performance among tribal communities and its potential has giving rise to chronic unemployment and poor living conditions in large parts of the regions. Every community in India and Africa has cultures that constitute the frameworks for their lives and behavioural patterns. Cultural factors and diversities in both countries affect economic behaviour and the social and economic performance of nations which can only be best appreciated and explained against the background of the prevailing cultural domains. This has bearing with the prevailing differences in subsisting institutions. Cultural trajectories affect policy formulations and implementations and how they drive growth and development. India-Africa are ethnically and linguistically diverse country that has very significant implications in almost every area of their economy.

 

This paper seeks to investigate the impact, influence, and consequences of interconnection between cultural diversity and identity in India and Africa. The multi-ethnic differences and cultural identity has shaped the manner and behaviour in which people behaved with one another in terms of interaction which shows more strength than problems. People with different identity comes together to share different values. The cultural diversity in every society is place where groups of people live or exist and share different ideas, experiences, set of beliefs and communicate with one another. It is only human beings who have the capacity for diversity which allows them to communicate cultural ideas and symbolic meanings from one generation to the next and constantly create new cultural ideas. It is this capacity for language that separates humans from other primates.

It is difficult to move from one cultural group or region of India and Africa without noticing some element of diversity that shows different signs of strength rather than problem. Most people have heard the term “cultural diversity.” This involves more than adjustment to different types of houses, food, mode of dressing, dialect, cultural marks, norms and beliefs that created a wider gap between different cultural groups. The whole pattern of organization of the new place may be totally different from one’s home culture. Differences may be small, at first, but many. One may experience many small irritations, sometimes unidentifiable, and these build up. Finally the irritations and disorientation build up to a breaking point. This may result in depression, anger, criticism. Some resort to overwork to avoid contact with people. Others schedule administrative work instead of field work for the same reason. Others develop symptoms of general lethargy or hyperactivity, depending on the individual and multiple other factors.

Cultural diversity is an integral part of every society, so also mode of communication. Language is central to cultural diversity because it is the means through which culture is learned and communicated in diverse societies of India and Africa. When a group begins to lose its language, its cultural tapestry starts to unravel. As infants eat the food of a particular culture that is different from theirs to which they belong, and learn the language, they simultaneously acquire the language of the society to which they were born into.

 

India and African Philosophical Identity

A society or cultural group in India and Africa is an extremely complex collection of historical identity, religious concepts, relational patterns, and shared experiences of all kinds. The present character of an ethnic group or a political entity is the result of centuries of shared experiences, and entails a coherent thought-system that helps make sense of those experiences and maintain the values developed over the history of different groups. A philosophy has two aspects when considering a whole culture or people. There is the consistent worldview shared by the people and the system of social requirements and roles and beliefs within most societies in these nations. The second aspect is a formal statement of this, which for the Westerner includes a rational analysis and systematic statement. Many societies have no philosophy in the second sense. Yet the shared worldview and social identity which clearly understood by members of that society that they could give an outsider answers to questions concerning what is expected of members of the society in various situations, and concerning the beliefs of the society about various things. These answers could lead to the construction of a “formal” statement which would represent the general world-view of the people of India and Africa as a whole.

The West has a long history of formal and rational philosophy which informs us of our cultural and intellectual heritage. Through this we can trace the development and change of Western thought over the centuries on India and Africa, giving a better understanding of the cultural diversity in India and Africa as strength not a problem. It is true, however, that most members of Western societies are unaware of our cultural diversity. Indian and African worldview may be considered basically religious. All things are seen to be related or connected; everything is united in existence. You cannot be objective with that sort of a world– you are part of it. Everything that is done involves you as well as everything else. In the Indian and African world, God is understood as Creator, though he is far away. In Indian and African view of reality, everything is related, thus it is basically a “religious” worldview. All that exists is “spiritual,” a part of one unified Whole. The European normally views India and Africa as divided into “sacred” and “secular.” Thus the religious realm, for many, is a separate realm from the normal activities of basic everyday living. For “religious” Westerners, commitment to God often means commitment to what is beyond this life and this world.

 

Spiritual Realities

 

This would seem a strange pattern of reality for most Indians and Africans. Most Indians and Africans would see no need to divide reality in that way. Though God might be far away in terms of his personal relationships with humans, it would not be a common belief that there are actually two levels of reality which could be separated as the Western view indicates. It might appear superficially that the Indian and African traditional view of the departed ancestors would indicate a “sacred” and a “secular” reality for them. It seems to me that, on the contrary, it actually illustrates the unity of reality for these nations. The closeness of the living to the dead and their memory indicates that there is, in fact, one reality which is shared by both the living and the dead. God is not seen as living away in some other world. It is accepted that God the Creator is a different type of being than his human creation, but not that the world of his existence is a different one. All of reality is one, humans share the world with spiritual realities.

 

Verbs or Nouns?

These basic differences in perspective on India and Africa are apparent even in the languages. In the African languages, especially the Bantu languages such as Swahili, the verb system is the key to meaning. Likewise most of the Indian languages. It is difficult for Europeans to get into the Indian and African way of thinking about things, because they “do it” with verbs. Verbs are the words that express action, relationship, conditions. In Western languages, nouns and adjectives are most important. In this “format” we have a noun, representing a thing, and then we describe it. The world is thought of as made up of entities. The totality of reality is the sum of these entities. Some entities are living, and these living entities act independently, initiating actions and relationships with other entities, either living or non-living. Because the world is made up of entities, things or objects, westerners believe that if we can describe it, then we can understand it. If we can understand it, then we can control it. Then we can manipulate the world, change our environment. Nouns and adjectives – that is, things and their descriptions – are primary to a European, a Westerner. But to an Indian and African, activity and relationships are primary.

 

The Individual

Finally, in the African situation, group identity and relational obligations are paramount. In the West things are very individualistic. Westerners believe in rights, not obligations. (Though some would, of course, say that there are obligations that come with rights. Freedom does have its responsibilities). Western concepts of justice are developed in terms of rights and protection of those rights. Europeans define themselves individually, and in small family groups, whereas African society is organized in very close-knit, broad family groupings. The group is what is important, the group is the point of identity. The individual is defined by his or her relationship to the group. Obligations to the group as a whole are more important than individual “rights” or privileges.

 

Discipline

This concept of individualism versus community shows up in the patterns of discipline. Europeans often comment that Kenyans (African) do not discipline their children, and yet Kenyan children often seem better-behaved than European children. The significant factors in discipline are different in the two contexts. Expectations are not the same and the areas of discipline are not the same. Indians and Africans discipline their children but not in the same or perhaps not for the same things as European parents. The process of socialization in the two societies is quite different. The teaching and training of an American child, for instance, centres on moving the child to independence and decisive action. American children also tend to be active or unruly, as they are not used to sitting still. African children may sit quietly in a long church service, but the American children will squirm, talk, play, wiggle and in general make a spectacle of themselves.

The American approach to training is basically “inductive.” It seems that, in principle, Americans assume that a child should know what to do and should do what is right. (Perhaps this stems from the naive American belief in the goodness of humanity.) This means that Americans commonly teach their children by correction after the child has broken a rule. (This is the inductive approach – correction, rather than directive teaching before the act). European parents seem to place more emphasis on individual responsibility of children for their acts. It seems that Americans often treat their children as “little adults”. In European culture there is really no specific time when a child becomes an adult. In contrast, most African and Indians societies have a specific ceremony or rite which marks the change in social status and responsibility. On the other hand, in the African society, because everyone is a part of the single social unit, responsibility is defined in terms of group relationships and obligations, not in terms of individual initiative as in the West. There is an event called initiation in most Indians and African cultures, at which time there is a formal change in status and role for the child, and a change in expectation for the child. From this time in the initiates life, the former child would be expected to fulfil an adult level of responsibility. The specific expectations and role obligations will vary from one ethnic group to another, and particularly from the rural areas to the cities. In the Indians and African cities focus will be more individualistic and emphasize more individual responsibility.

 

Greetings

Always remember the value of greetings. Greeting is much more important for Indians and Africans than for Europeans. Always take time to greet even those with whom you will have only casual contact. It is important that you recognize the existence of individuals. Be ready always to extend your hand in greeting. Hand shaking is a very important ritual in India and Africa. Observe the particular forms of handshaking, palm touching, bowing and so forth, in each particular ethnic or geographical setting. A triple-shake is common in much of Eastern and Southern Africa. In India and Africa, handshaking may be replaced by other hand signals. For instance, the Shona greeting in Zimbabwe is clapping both hands together. Note the manner of clapping, which differs for women and for men. Observe also the appropriate body and head motions which accompany handshaking and greeting. This will vary from one area to the other. Note particularly the common practice of holding the right wrist, elbow or forearm with the left hand while shaking with the right.

 

Indigenes and settlers

Objectively, the concept of ‘indigenous’ in Africa is a dangerous fiction in a continent with highly mobile populations. Nonetheless the notion of an ‘indigene’ has recently taken on strong political overtones in India and Africa. As a reaction to domination of education and employment by a few ethnic groups with powerful organisational skills, both countries have developed a quota policy in many areas of public life. University entrance, jobs in the civil service and passports are now subject to quotas or caste, with a certain number of places reserved for the ‘indigenous’ population of particular states and municipal councils.

However, the secular and pan- Africanist ideology that dominated in the post-Independence era required a move away from such patterning to more inclusive structures which often split ethnic groups between administrative zones or implicitly handed power to minorities. Sometimes this was intentional, sometimes probably just a chance by-product of remote cartographers. The growth in power of local governments and the increasing articulacy of their residents have created a continuing state of friction that is little short of catastrophic for stable and effective management. This is to show that diversity in India and Africa is a strength not a problem.

 

The Ethnicity Dimension in India and Nigeria: A Historical Perspective

The ethno linguistic fragmentation of India-Africa and Nigeria in particular is extreme, even in comparison to European countries, and there is strong evidence that the picture today still represents a falling off from the diversity in pre-colonial times. The twentieth century saw both the assimilation by many minority groups, a process that can be expected to continue, but also a demographic expansion of many very small groups to substantial populations. A key element in the ethnic differentiation sharpened by the colonial ideology was the division of the country into different ethnic line. These began as early as 1916 and grew in size and importance until Independence in 1960. A policy of cataloguing division ran very much counter to the ideology of independent Nigeria, and for this reason, linguistic and ethnic surveys were discontinued by the state and not encouraged in the universities. Indeed, policy has remained divided on this issue; the rise of a notion of ‘indigenousness’ effectively recognising such divisions, but with government-controlled media and documents emphasising unity. Ethnicity is thus tacit in accounts of political divisions; although it is well known which ethnic bloc politicians represent, this is rarely openly discussed in the media.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is difficult to move from one cultural group or region of India and Africa without noticing some element of diversity that shows different signs of strength rather than problem. Most people have heard the term “cultural diversity.” This involves more than adjustment to different types of houses, food, mode of dressing, dialect, cultural marks, norms and beliefs that created a wider gap between different cultural groups. The whole pattern of organization of the new place may be totally different from one’s home culture. Differences may be small, at first, but many. One may experience many small irritations, sometimes unidentifiable, and these build up a stronger relations in the mixed of different people with different cultural identity living in a definite area of a state. These identities build of stronger relations with adequate learning environment. People learned from a diverse cultural diversification such as food, clothing, greetings, norms and values among others which shows that cultural diversity is strength rather than a problem.

 

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Agriculture Development & Land Resources Mobilization in Africa

Prof Suresh Kumar & Dr Chandrakanta K Mathur

 

Agriculture is the major land resource in Africa that leads to the production, processing, distribution, preparation and consumption of food, resulting in food systems that underpin food security. The management of land resources deals with availability of food, access of food and its utilization (Nutritional values) so that the food systems’ mobilization is secured accordingly. The management of soil and water resources in a sustainable and equitable manner needs a new wave of land reforms with a clear political vision in Africa. Land is becoming a diminishing resource for agriculture, in spite of a growing understanding that the future of food security will depend upon the sustainable management of land resources as well as the conservation of prime farmland for agriculture. The U.N. Committee on Food Security (CFS) has highlighted Land Tenure and International Investments in Agriculture. It analyses the potential impact of acquisitions, particularly in Africa, on food security. It has been estimated that 50 million to 80 million hectares of farmland in developing countries has been the subject of negotiations by international investors in recent years. Two-thirds of it in sub-Saharan Africa is widely recognized as a “hot spot” for endemic hunger. Along with it, Africa needs an alternative food security that is possible to culture fisheries on the land that needs to mobilize the land resources as per the quality of the soil (Barren or Semi-barren land) and the availability of the water. Urbanization and globalization are causing rapid changes to food systems. The future of food security will depend upon the sustainable management of land resources as well as the conservation of prime farmland for agriculture. Africa needs an alternative food security that is possible to culture fisheries on the land that needs to mobilize the land resources as per the quality of the soil (Barren or Semi-barren land) and the availability of the water. Even with all the advances made in capture and culture fisheries, nearly 90 per cent of food requirements will have to come from the soil.

Ample virgin land of Africa needs scientific technology to develop the agriculture sector and agro-industry to cater their population on the one side and to become a food basket for the world community on the other side. The export in agro-industry will increase foreign currency reserves and boost the economic growth of the continent. Agro-industry is the sector that will minimize the Africa’s population dependence on food products and other needs of the kitchen. Agro-industry sector will enable the African rural community to utilize their agricultural crops in the best way and introduce alternative sources of food products in their lives. The additional source will enhance their monthly income and contribute to the agriculture & allied sector comprehensively. The Resolution of the Abuja Food Security Summit of 2006 identifies nine continental strategic commodities (rice, legumes, maize, cotton, oil palm, beef, dairy, poultry and fisheries products) and some regional strategic commodities (cassava, sorghum and millet) for private investments in Africa. Introducing agro-industry for these selected strategic commodities, India can assist the genuine African market and offer an appropriate economic space for Indian investments at the level of regional economies. India’s experience of agro-industry can strengthen agricultural commodity chains across the borders and accomplish the needs of African population as well as global market.

Africa continent appreciates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and gives importance to the Agriculture development as a goal of SDG.  The integrated rural development moves towards sustainability with the introduction of hydraulic, hydro-agricultural and drinking water projects in Africa. This plan strengthens the access to drinking water in rural areas having the construction of a water treatment plant that ensures water security in the region. The scientific development in the agricultural sector acts as a catalyst for balanced and sustainable economic growth in all the regions and combating the effects of climate change. It will boost the livestock production, help in food security and strengthen income generation of millions of farmers and will promote their living conditions.

India declared during the last Forum Summit of 2015 about the India-Africa Food Processing Cluster that will contribute to value-addition and creation of regional and export markets, an India-Africa Integrated Textiles Cluster to support the cotton industry and its processing and conversion into high value products, an India-Africa Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting to harness satellite technology for the agriculture and fisheries sectors as well as to contribute towards disaster preparedness and management of natural resources and an India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development. India will work with Regional Economic Communities to establish at the regional level, Soil, Water & Tissue Testing Laboratories, Regional Farm Science Centers, Seed Production-cum-Demonstration Centers, and Material Testing Laboratories for Highways. The Forum Summit 2015 has focused on the Africa’s self-reliant development in agriculture sector and initiates an alternative to African countries either to go for the SAP or build indigenous techniques in the partnership with India and achieve the real reliant development and get rid of any sort of colonial past.

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About Authors:

Prof Suresh Kumar, Former Head, Department of African Studies, University of Delhi

Dr Chandrakanta K Mathur, Assistant Professor, SPM College, University of Delhi

Epidemic of COVID-19 and Support of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry in Africa

Prof. Suresh Kumar & Mr. Raj Kumar

Introduction

COVID-19 or commonly known as Corona Virus has spread in most of the parts of the Africa continent. As a result, more than 10,000 people have already been infected across the continent and more than 500 people have already died. South Africa, the most industrialized economy in the continent has already 1749 cases of Corona, followed by Egypt (1450), Algeria (1468), Morocco (1184) and others (Hindustan Times, Delhi, 10 April 2020: emphasis mine). The World Bank fears that the Corona virus outbreak is going to push Sub-Saharan Africa into recession this year for the first time in 25 years. The damage done so far across Africa needs an affirmative support of pharmaceutical industry and the continent is looking towards India being all time supporter. India is one of the leading exporters of generic drugs across the world and supplies up to 50% of the United States generic drug needs.

This epidemic has disrupted the supply chains of the global pharmaceutical industry and gives a good opportunity to India to reassess dependencies and plan for the future global market demands. Government of India investment policy claims India ranks third in the worldwide for pharmaceutical production by volume and 13^th by value (www.investmentindia.gov.in/sectors/pharmaceuticals: 10 April 2020). Indian pharmaceutical products are known by its affordable lower price in the world and attracts the heavy demands in the global market. India is known as the pharmacy of the world by its best products having cheaper prices for the end user in the global market.

Pharmaceuticals is one of the major components of India’s trade expansion strategy in Africa. India always supports Africa through low cost generic medicines in treating the HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and others. As a result, Indian company Cipla supplies HIV/AIDS drugs at a dollar a day in Africa reduces the financial burden on the government and the sufferers. The EXIM Bank recently highlights that commercial trade between Africa and India has expanded more than eight-fold from $7.2 billion in 2001 to $59.9 billion in 2017. According to projections, Africa’s-India trade could double by 2021, especially if appropriate steps are taken by sovereign and corporate entities to reap the full benefits of growth and of the potential offered by the two trading partners (EXIM Bank Report, 2018. Deepening South-South Collaborations. Cairo:06).

Health Status of Africa

The epidemic of the COVID-17 in Africa has become a major threat in its health system.  Africa’s relatively weak health system also face other infectious diseases such as HIV, Malaria, tuberculosis and others. The WHO estimated that it provides COVID-17 testing kits and protective equipment’s to health workers in the thirty-six African countries only.  Health care in Sub-Saharan Africa remains the worst in the world, with few countries able to spend the $34 to $40 a year per person that the WHO considers the minimum for basic health care. Most of the region lacks the infrastructure to deliver health care and faces a severe shortage of trained medical personnel. The New Report of IFC estimates that over the next decade, $25-30 billion in new investment will be needed to meet Africa’s healthcare demand. This is a chance to increase access to health care for millions of Africans. The opportunities for private investors demand for investments in better production facilities and distribution/retail systems for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies (IFC, 2020).

Support of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

India is known for its supportive partnership in all the crisis period in Africa. The medical wing of Indian Peace Keeping Forces under the guise of the UNO has been produced exemplary work and opened its medical support to the civilian’s community of the African society. The author personal experience of observing the working of the medical corps of the UNMEE mission of India in Ethiopia and Eritrea by sharing the medicinal support to their societies free of cost and proved its humanitarian mettle.

Similarly, the pharmaceutical industry of India has proved in reducing the sickness burden in dealing communicable and non-communicable diseases by providing the generic medicine in cheaper or affordable prices to the African society. This is the only valid ground that Indian pharmaceutical accounts about 40% of the total export in Africa (EXIM Bank India Report, 2019) and cherishes its fertile ground of serving humanity.

The current situation of market in Africa is uncertain and it will take time to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the local market. Indian pharmaceutical should redesign its investment plan in Africa keeping the longer time period in mind and look for the opportunities accordingly.

Indian Support against COVID-19

Government of India is equally concerned about the needs of medicinal support to the world community including Africa continent in fighting against COVID-19 epidemic and partially lifted a ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol medicines, a drug in controlling the high fever of human body on 6^th April 2020. China, India, USA, Europe, Brazil, South Korea and other countries have recommended these medicines as one of the several treatments for COVID-19 patients. Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Pharmaceuticals are equally concerned about the request of supply the drugs mentioned above to the African countries and look into affirmatively. Mr. Narender Modi, India’s Prime Minister is personally connected with all the African Head of States via hotline telephonic communication and will deal their concerns supportively. Mr. Bipul Chatterjee, Head of CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics and Environment stated, “This decision was an ideal example of how trade equations will develop in the post COVID-19 world, where food and medicines will increasingly become part of national security concerns. In this case, India seems to have enough hydroxychloroquine to export on humanitarian grounds” (TIME, 7^th April 2020).

Challenges & Conclusion

Today, Africa urgently need the virus testing kits, personal protective equipment’s and generic medications in bulk. China’s health industry is question marked because of its:

1. Doubtful quarantine mechanism on its industrial export production,
2. Genuine reliability of COVID-17 free supply of medical equipment’s and medicinal products in the world market,
3. Unreliability of prices of medical equipment’s and pharmaceutical for export purposes,
4. Uncertainty of working of Chinese industries and their supply chains in the given environment,
5. Use of Chinese medical products may become a continuous threat of epidemic, and
6. Re-beginning of attack of COVID-17 in China and world in large and its impact thereupon.

Under the given circumstances, the pharmaceutical industry of India should plan for the multi-dimensional approach in Africa by adopting humanitarian approach, flexible market approach and orientation of future investment in pharmaceuticals in Africa by connecting State, market and people. This wholistic approach of Indian pharmaceutical industry will support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from July 2020 onwards on the one hand and will accomplish the task of becoming the world biggest supplier in the world including Africa on the other hand. Concludingly, India respects its partnership in developing capacity building for healthcare and pharmaceutical industry and infrastructure that will support the self-reliant program of Africa in longer terms.

https://diplomatist.com/2020/04/13/epidemic-of-covid-19-and-support-of-indian-pharmaceutical-industry-in-africa/

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Prof Suresh Kumar, Former Head, Department of African Studies, University of Delhi

Mr. Raj Kumar, Assistant Professor, Political Science, SPM College, University of Delhi