THE  MODERN  RATIONALIST

(Thiru S.Rajaratnam, a Tax Consultant, is an expert in matters of Financial Management and Tax Management. He was also nominated before as a member of the Income-tax Appelate Tribunal, for the post of which he did a great justice. He is a voracious reader and prolific writer, who has authorsed many books and contributed valuable articles to various journals. As a great rationalist and humanist, he is closeldy associated with the Self-respect movement and its social welfare activities.)

Your family – native place – background

I am from Virudhunagar, the son of parents, who did not go beyond elementary school, but ensured that myself and my two sisters study up to post-graduate level.

Your education

Except for three years in high school at Mumbai, where my father was employed, I studied at the schools at Virudhunagar, American College at Madurai and at Madras Christian College at Tambaram.

What is Rationalism in your opinion?

Rationalism is the exercise of human intelligence, which is the very antithesis of obscurantism and blind faith.

What do you think about it?

It offers solutions for all problems, whether it be of family or business, national or international.

Do you find rationalism a social need?

Rationalism is a need for all thought and action and so it is for those in the society.

What do you think of Periyar’s ideology of rationalism?

Periyar’s ideology of rationalism is not different from what was understood by Socrates or Thiruvalluvar and other great thinkers of the world.

What do you find as unique about Periyar’s rationalism?

Periyar’s message was unique, because it was a clarion call to a society steeped in ignorance and degraded by discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion and gender.

Moral and ethical codes are believed to ensure social security. Do you think rationalism is comprehensive enough to ensure social security?

Remedy for lack of social security for the poor and the under-privileged in the society, lies in rational planning and resolute execution.

We are well aware of your prowess and great expertise in financial matters. How far have successive Governments of Independent India incorporated Social Justice in their economic policies?

Social justice is one of the goals enshrined in the Constitution, Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. Accent in our economic policies depend upon their benefits trickling down to the poor. Except in some States like Tamilnadu, there is little job reservation and effective public distribution system. Food security has just been announced by the Central Government. There is still a long way to go.

Has India achieved sufficient economic growth proportionate to her resources? If not, what are the reasons? Which of them would you consider as most critical? Can you also suggest suitable remedies?

Growth has been tardy. Education is still the most critical factor. Superstition has led to abandonment of Sethusamuduram project, while Koodangulam project is having its hiccups, showing how ignorance has stalled the progress in these two programmes, which if completed would have changed the map of South India. Linking of rivers and national water grid are other urgent matters to avoid impending disputes and disasters. Policies are not ambitious and implementation is slow. Widespread corruption shows no signs of abatement. But our high savings rates, the stock of idle gold, hoards of Indian money abroad, availability of skilled work force are some of the positive factors waiting to be channelised for economic development.

Today the whole of India is swept over by the controversial proposal allowing Foreign Direct Investments in the retail trade of India. There is also a proposal to allow foreign universities to take over the University educational scene in India. Is the Government of India justified in this move? Who will be the real and ultimate beneficiaries if this plan comes into force?

Foreign direct investment is necessary, but it cannot be at the cost of local industries. Most countries protect their vital interest as for example in the matter of agriculture. U.S. action against “bleeding Madras” to protect even textile industries in the U.S. cannot be forgotten. While foreign capital for infrastructure development and manufacture of capital goods is welcome, there is no urgency for opening the door for retail trade. There can be free movement of capital, goods and services, when rigid immigration laws keep out man. Free ingress of foreign capital in retail trade will increase unemployment. But then, need for protection of employment oriented lines of activities like retail trade and handlooms are necessary. One has to recall the closure of local industries in aerated waters, washing soaps, printing presses, etc., which has given employment to a large number, have vanished because of competition of large business houses in India itself, so that protection of small and medium scale industries is a national priority.

Periyar is known for his excellent management of money matters. Your comments.

Periyar was known for frugal use of money. Institutions, which he had founded stand as a testimony to his organizing capacity and his wisdom in money matters.

The Drividar Kazhagam is managing a massive education programme with innumerable institutions based on the most cherished ideals of Periyar. What is your assessment of the financial management in all these schemes?

Financial management of Periyar institutions is a model for public institutions. Though limited in resources, bank loans and close monitoring of available funds has helped their significant growth. In view of some familiarity with its finances, I can boldly say that the institutions are best managed.

What constructive suggestions you would like to offer for “Globalisation of Periyar” – a theme taken by Dr.K.Veeramani and his D.K. Movement.

Globalisation of Periyar is meant to create awareness of the need for breathing every action with rationalism showing by example what Periyar could achieve in a country, which was badly in need of reform. Wherever there is suppression of human rights, Periyar’s thought and the yeomen service rendered by the Periyar tribe under the leadership of its mentor Dr. K. Veeramani has been welcomed. Like-minded movements across the world are joining hands to rationalise the population world over.

15. Other than the above points, would you like to say anything else? If so, please state it briefly.

It is my wish and hope that existing media efforts should have better reach in other languages and across the world. Television is a source yet to be exploited.