Author: cprindia

The Centre for Policy Research in collaboration with the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) organised a day-long national conference to highlight various social innovations by civil society organisations (CSOs) to improve access to sanitation. The solutions shared were embedded within the local contexts.

The conference was attended by representatives from ministries of national and state governments, policy making institutions, research institutions, academia, community networks, social movements, civil society organisations, and international development agencies.

Videos of the different sessions are provided below:

• Inaugural Session (Above)
• Technical Session I: Equity and Social Change – Central to Improving Urban Sanitation
• Technical Session II: Beyond Public Networks: Social Innovation Underlying Technical Solutions
• Way Forward – Scaling-Up Innovations for Change

The presentations from the conference can be accessed at the following links:

• Social Innovation for Improving Urban Sanitation: Lessons for Scaling-up (by CPR-PRIA)
• Changing Practices of Local State wrt Sanitation (by Prof Amita Bhide)
• Urban WASH (by Plan India)
• Beyond Public Networks – Social Innovation Underlying Technical Solutions (by Shelter Associates)
• Gramalaya
• India Sanitation Program Overview (by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
• The Global Interfaith WASH Alliance

Commons, or Common Property Resources refers to private property for a group, rather than an individual. They have been used by communities for various purposes since time immemorial. However, as a result of encroachments by private parties and the regularisation of the same by State Governments, the rights over these lands have become difficult to define.

In 2011, the Supreme Court, in Jagpal Singh v. The State of Punjab, gave a landmark decision with respect to village common lands. The judgement recognised the importance of protecting these lands from encroachments and asked the States to ensure the speedy eviction of illegal occupants from common lands and ensure that those lands are used for the common benefit of the people.

The CPR-Namati Environmental Justice Program, with support from Duleep Matthai Nature Conservation Trust has prepared four hand-outs which highlight some of the key findings from the judgement in the context of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Odisha. In doing so, it aims to give the reader an understanding of:

• What the Commons are and how they are recognised in the states;
• Which authorities are responsible for their administration;
• The key provisions of national and state level legislations pertaining to the Commons;
• The significance and implications of the judgement for the states;
• Actions taken by the states in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s judgement;
• What can be done by panchayats and concerned citizens to protect and conserve the Commons.

The hand-outs are available in English-Hindi, English-Gujarati, English-Kannada and English-Odia.

Dear Friends,

I write to you as Chair of the Board of CPR. As you may have heard our current President, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, has decided to step down from his position in July. It was, understandably, not an easy decision for him. CPR remains an attractive institution with an unmatched depth of talent. But after nearly thirteen years, the time seemed ripe for a transition. He has decided. returning to the University system as Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University.

The transition process to find a new President is underway. The process will be conducted as per the norms of the institution, and after consultation with all the relevant stake holders. We are fully confident that this process will reflect yield a candidate who will uphold CPR’s strong institutional values and reputation for excellence, independence and non-partisanship.

On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank you for all the support you have given to CPR over the years. The work CPR has done would not have been possible without the unflinching support of our, faculty, researchers, staff and all valued partners. The work you have helped initiate at CPR will continue unhindered. One of CPR’s great strengths is a strong faculty culture that delivers high quality research. This culture will continue to remain the hall mark of CPR. The Board is deeply grateful for the trust you have reposed in the institution. CPR will always endeavour to remain worthy of that trust. We hope we can count on it in the future.

We will keep you informed of further institutional developments. But we are deeply grateful for your support. We remain confident that CPR will emerge an even stronger institution through this transition.

With regards,
Eric Gonsalves
Chairman, CPR Governing Board

Watch the full video (above) of the panel discussion between Dr Gulshan Rai, Ajay Prakash Sawhney and Tobby Simon, chaired by V Latha Reddy, as part of the ‘Metamorphoses-Talking Technology’ series.

Digital technologies are now an indispensable component of virtually all activities of a modern economy. They significantly increase economic efficiency but are also vulnerable to cyber attacks. Critical infrastructure, such as smart power guides, air traffic control and sensitive data stored in computer systems can be compromised or even disabled through a variety of cyber attacks. Cyber security, therefore, has become an urgent and compelling concern. This session assessed the nature and scale of the challenges to cyber security, the tools that are available to us to deal with these challenges and what the future trends might be in this domain. The panelists, who are all domain experts, evaluated the state of cyber security in India.

V Latha Reddy is the former Deputy National Security Advisor, Government of India.

Dr Gulshan Rai is the National Cyber Security Coordinator, Government of India.

Ajay Prakash Sawhney is Secretary (Electronics & Information Technology), Government of India.

Tobby Simon is the Founder President of Synergia Foundation.

The audience feedback of the session can be accessed here.

Metamorphoses is a modest effort to try and bridge the gap between digital technologies, which are transforming our lives, and our understanding of their multiple dimensions. The series is a joint initiative between NITI Aayog (the Government of India’s think tank), India International Centre (IIC) and Centre for Policy Research (CPR).

Access the other Metamorphoses sessions below:

• Metamorphoses: Keynote
• Metamorphoses: Second Panel Discussion on ‘Future of Governance’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation’
• Metamorphoses: Third Panel Discussion on ‘Vocabulary of the Digital’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Beyond Techno-Narcissism- Self and Other in the Internet Public Realm’
• Metamorphoses: Fourth Panel Discussion on ‘Technology, Social Divides and Diversity’
• Metamorphoses: Fifth Panel Discussion on ‘Unpacking Media – Digital & Traditional’
• Metamorphoses: Sixth Panel Discussion on ‘Automation, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Jobs’
• Metamorphoses: Seventh Panel Discussion on ‘Solutions to Technology Pessimism’

Watch the full video (above) of the panel discussion between Dr R Chidambaram, Anna Roy, Rajat Gupta, Sanjeev Bikhchandani and Dr A Didar Singh as part of the ‘Metamorphoses – Talking Technology’ series.

Current and anticipated developments in technology, such as advances in automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, are leading to concerns about their impact on jobs. Many employment streams we are familiar with today may be rendered redundant in the next few decades. There may be new jobs guaranteed by the technologies of the future, but they require different skill sets and educational curricula. Are our societies prepared to adapt these changes? What will be the likely impact on a country like India, where for several years into the future, millions of jobs will have to be found for a young and expanding demography? This session on ‘Automation, Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Jobs’ debated these issues.

Dr R Chidambaram is the former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Anna Roy is Advisor at NITI Aayog.

Rajat Gupta is a Senior Director at Mckinsey and Company.

Sanjeev Bikhchandani is the Founder and Executive Vice-Chairman, Info Edge (India) Limited – Naukri.com and Co-Founder of Ashoka University.

Dr A Didar Singh is a Senior Fellow, Delhi Policy Group and Member ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work.

The audience feedback of the session can be accessed here.

Metamorphoses is a modest effort to try and bridge the gap between digital technologies, which are transforming our lives, and our understanding of their multiple dimensions. The series is a joint initiative between NITI Aayog (the Government of India’s think tank), India International Centre (IIC) and Centre for Policy Research (CPR).

Access the other Metamorphoses sessions below:

• Metamorphoses: Keynote
• Metamorphoses: Second Panel Discussion on ‘Future of Governance’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation’
• Metamorphoses: Third Panel Discussion on ‘Vocabulary of the Digital’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Beyond Techno-Narcissism – Self and Other in the Internet Public Realm’
• Metamorphoses: Fourth Panel Discussion on ‘Technology, Social Divides and Diversity’
• Metamorphoses: Fifth Panel Discussion on ‘Unpacking Media – Digital & Traditional’

Watch the full video (above) of the panel discussion between Dr R Chidambaram, Anna Roy, Rajat Gupta, Sanjeev Bikhchandani and Dr A Didar Singh as part of the ‘Metamorphoses – Talking Technology’ series.

Current and anticipated developments in technology, such as advances in automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, are leading to concerns about their impact on jobs. Many employment streams we are familiar with today may be rendered redundant in the next few decades. There may be new jobs guaranteed by the technologies of the future, but they require different skill sets and educational curricula. Are our societies prepared to adapt these changes? What will be the likely impact on a country like India, where for several years into the future, millions of jobs will have to be found for a young and expanding demography? This session on ‘Automation, Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Jobs’ debated these issues.

Dr R Chidambaram is the former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Anna Roy is Advisor at NITI Aayog.

Rajat Gupta is a Senior Director at Mckinsey and Company.

Sanjeev Bikhchandani is the Founder and Executive Vice-Chairman, Info Edge (India) Limited – Naukri.com and Co-Founder of Ashoka University.

Dr A Didar Singh is a Senior Fellow, Delhi Policy Group and Member ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work.

The audience feedback of the session can be accessed here.

Metamorphoses is a modest effort to try and bridge the gap between digital technologies, which are transforming our lives, and our understanding of their multiple dimensions. The series is a joint initiative between NITI Aayog (the Government of India’s think tank), India International Centre (IIC) and Centre for Policy Research (CPR).

Access the other Metamorphoses sessions below:

• Metamorphoses: Keynote
• Metamorphoses: Second Panel Discussion on ‘Future of Governance’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation’
• Metamorphoses: Third Panel Discussion on ‘Vocabulary of the Digital’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Beyond Techno-Narcissism – Self and Other in the Internet Public Realm’
• Metamorphoses: Fourth Panel Discussion on ‘Technology, Social Divides and Diversity’
• Metamorphoses: Fifth Panel Discussion on ‘Unpacking Media – Digital & Traditional’

Watch the full video (above) of the panel discussion between Dr Sunil Abraham, Osama Manzar and Yamini Aiyar, chaired by Ambassador Shyam Saran, as part of the ‘Metamorphoses-Talking Technology’ series.

The aim of the discussion is to explore how advances in technology are impacting social interactions and human behaviour particularly in a country with strong traditions and deeply ingrained patterns of thinking. Digital technologies carry the promise of democratising societies, empowering marginalised sections of society and opening up new opportunities for women. However, there are also certain negative aspects to the use of these technologies that may strain the social fabric and even undermine the institutions and processes of a democratic state.

Dr Sunil Abraham is Vice-President at Mozilla Foundation.

Osama Manzar is Founder and Director of Digital Empowerment Foundation.

Yamini Aiyar is President and Chief Executive at Centre for Policy Research.

Ambassador Shyam Saran is Life Trustee at India International Centre and former Foreign Secretary.

Metamorphoses is a modest effort to try and bridge the gap between digital technologies, which are transforming our lives, and our understanding of their multiple dimensions. The series is a joint initiative between NITI Aayog (the Government of India’s think tank), India International Centre (IIC) and Centre for Policy Research (CPR).

Access the other Metamorphoses sessions below:

• Metamorphoses: Keynote
• Metamorphoses: Second Panel Discussion on ‘Future of Governance’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation’
• Metamorphoses: Third Panel Discussion on ‘Vocabulary of the Digital’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Beyond Techno-Narcissism- Self and Other in the Internet Public Realm

Watch the full video (above) of the panel discussion between Amba Kak, Dr Avdesh Sharma, and Dr Nand Kumar, chaired by Ambassador Shyam Saran, as part of the ‘Metamorphoses-Talking Technology’ series.

Our modern age is characterised by the pervasive use of digital technologies, which may spawn the internet and the World Wide Web. We now have the widespread use of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram among others. These are instrumental of democratising the political and social space of vastly improving access to knowledge and enabling quick and efficient communications. Along the benefits, however, come a number of serious concerns, both social and psychological, including phenomena such as trolling the use of bots and internet-addiction. Our challenge lies in using digital technologies for the benefit and welfare of mankind, while mitigating, if not eliminating the negative consequences.

Amba Kak is Public Policy Advisor at Mozilla Corporation.

Dr Avdesh Sharma is a Senior Psychiatrist.

Dr Nand Kumar is a Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS.

Ambassador Shyam Saran is a former Foreign Secretary and Life Trustee at the India International Centre.

The audience feedback of the session can be accessed here.

Metamorphoses is a modest effort to try and bridge the gap between digital technologies, which are transforming our lives, and our understanding of their multiple dimensions. The series is a joint initiative between NITI Aayog (the Government of India’s think tank), India International Centre (IIC) and Centre for Policy Research (CPR).

Access the other Metamorphoses sessions below:

• Metamorphoses: Keynote
• Metamorphoses: Second Panel Discussion on ‘Future of Governance’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation’
• Metamorphoses: Third Panel Discussion on ‘Vocabulary of the Digital’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Beyond Techno-Narcissism- Self and Other in the Internet Public Realm’
• Metamorphoses: Fourth Panel Discussion on ‘Technology, Social Divides and Diversity’
• Metamorphoses: Fifth Panel Discussion on ‘Unpacking Media – Digital & Traditional’
• Metamorphoses: Sixth Panel Discussion on ‘Automation, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Jobs’

Watch the full video (above) of the keynote by Professor Yochai Benkler introducing ‘Metamorphoses’ – a series of nine interactions, which will unfold over a year, covering different aspects of the digital revolution. Metamorphoses is a modest effort to try and bridge the gap between digital technologies, which are transforming our lives, and our understanding of their multiple dimensions. The series is a joint initiative between NITI Aayog (the Government of India’s think tank), India International Centre (IIC) and Centre for Policy Research (CPR).

Prof Benkler talks about current and future technologies and their likely impact on democracy, development, growth and inequality.

Prof Yochai Benkler is the Berkman Professor of Entrepreneurial Legal Studies at Harvard Law School, and faculty co-director of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University.

Inaugural remarks were delivered by Mr N N Vohra, President IIC.

Brief opening remarks were given by Mr Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog; Ambassador Shyam Saran, Life Trustee, IIC and former Foreign Secretary; and Ms Yamini Aiyar, President & Chief Executive, CPR.

Closing remarks were delivered by Air Marshal Naresh Verma, Director, IIC

The introductory remarks can be accessed here. The question and answer session that followed the keynote can be accessed here.

The audience feedback video can be accessed here.

Access the other Metamorphoses sessions below:

• Metamorphoses: Second Panel Discussion on ‘Future of Governance’
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation’
• Metamorphoses: Third Panel Discussion on ‘Vocabulary of the Digital’

Watch the full video (above) of the panel discussion between Dr J Satyanarayana, Chinmayi Arun, Ananth Padmanabhan and Vrinda Bhandari, chaired by Justice BN Srikrishna, as part of the ‘Metamorphoses-Talking Technology’ series. Metamorphoses is a modest effort to try and bridge the gap between digital technologies, which are transforming our lives, and our understanding of their multiple dimensions. The series is a joint initiative between NITI Aayog (the Government of India’s think tank), Indian International Centre (IIC) and Centre for Policy Research (CPR).

The panel discusses concepts like receptive technology, glacial government, response of regulators to the pace of technological advancements, era of blockchain and bitcoins, artificial intelligence, big data and forecasting.

Justice BN Srikrishna is Chairman of the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC).

Dr J Satyanarayana is Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Chinmayi Arun is Assistant Professor of Law at the National Law University.

Ananth Padmanabhan is a fellow at Carnegie India.

Vrinda Bhandari is an advocate.

Opening remarks were delivered by Yamini Aiyar, President and Chief Executive, CPR.

The audience feedback video can be accessed here.

Access the other Metamorphoses sessions below:

• Metamorphoses: Keynote
• Metamorphoses: Special Interaction on ‘Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation’
• Metamorphoses: Third Panel Discussion on ‘Vocabulary of the Digital’