Curiosity triggers compassion when it comes to generation collaboration

There are times when we get stuck in major policy debates because we are too convinced of the position we have taken. How do we overcome the logjam in such situations?

Let me take a concrete case of the recent efforts to galvanise the administrative machinery of 115 most economically backward districts to fast track in provision of basic needs and improve productivity there. They are also called as aspirational districts.

Why have these regions remained economically backward is a reason that has not been adequately asked. Ideally each district have Shodhyatras, learning walks in every block to understand the roots of market and state failure one would notice perhaps that in many cases the mismatch between allocative rules and community constraints that have led to present situation. One may also find that resources in which these regions are rich have never been mapped. We have only focused on what these region lacked and therefore provide them.

A genuine curiosity liberates us from the constraints of known answers top easy to know questions. If we move towards hitherto unasked questions, we may find so far unknown answers. The beauty is that many of these answers will require collaboration among actors who may have …read more