Growing pains
THE WEEK India|October 20, 2024
Modi’s past two terms have been spent in creating big slogans for farmers, but there has been no action
VIJAY JAWANDHIA
Growing pains

Farmer suicides began getting attention in the late 1990s, in the cotton belt of united Andhra Pradesh. Cotton prices nosedived globally, and the farmers there did not have a cotton monopoly procurement scheme like we in Maharashtra had. Our suicides, which continue even today, started around 2003, when the state government ended that scheme, which used to pay farmers ₹500 to ₹600 bonus, per quintal, above the MSP (minimum support price). With the scheme being revoked, our farmers became exposed to free market price trends and stopped getting the assured sum of money from the government.

Suicides kept increasing every year and, in 2008, the government led by prime minister Manmohan Singh began thinking about the issue seriously. It was Singh who had introduced the free market economy in 1991, which led to the widening of the gap between the rural and urban economy. With the fifth pay commission, the income of one class rose rapidly and people started buying fridges, microwaves and scooters at no interest.

This story is from the October 20, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 20, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEK INDIAView All
Efficiency and innovation
THE WEEK India

Efficiency and innovation

As health care evolves, professionals must employ innovative methods to refine their skills

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Level up
THE WEEK India

Level up

Only 30 per cent of needy patients are able to undergo transplant in India; we need more dedicated transplant centres

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL
THE WEEK India

HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL

While stem cell therapies have shown success in treating blood disorders, orthopaedic ailments, autoimmune diseases and eye issues, there is hope that they can one day treat patients with heart disease, blindness, Parkinson's, HIV, diabetes and spinal cord injuries

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 01, 2024
Mind matters
THE WEEK India

Mind matters

Your mindset can limit or expand your physical ability

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Cutting edge
THE WEEK India

Cutting edge

Would you go under the knife if a robot was the one holding it? Or would you say, \"No way, I need a human touch\"? You might have to decide soon because a robot that can imitate skilled human surgeons is already here.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
The smallest cut
THE WEEK India

The smallest cut

Minimally invasive surgeries have a bright future, with virtual reality and 3D procedures offering greater precision and AI on the horizon

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Signalling a revolution
THE WEEK India

Signalling a revolution

Canadian scientist and entrepreneur Sachdev Sidhu is focused on bringing cutting-edge antibody engineering to his country of origin

time-read
7 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Wellness on demand
THE WEEK India

Wellness on demand

Starting as a doctor-patient chat platform, Medibuddy has evolved to be India's largest on-demand, full-stack digital health care platform

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
HEARING AND VISION LOSS LINKED TO HEART DISEASE AND STROKE
THE WEEK India

HEARING AND VISION LOSS LINKED TO HEART DISEASE AND STROKE

A CHINESE STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL of the American Heart Association suggests that middle aged and older adults with sensory impairments, specifically hearing and vision loss, have an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
PETTICOAT CANCER AND THE SARI LINK
THE WEEK India

PETTICOAT CANCER AND THE SARI LINK

TYING YOUR UNDERSKIRT (petticoat) tightly around the waist when wearing a sari, can lead to \"petticoat cancer\" or \"sari cancer,\" as it was previously called. Tying the underskirt too tightly can cause constant cord friction that can lead to chronic inflammation, skin ulceration and, in rare cases, skin cancer.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024