- There is a well-known saying that we must keep moving in line with the fast-changing world, where events unfold at a frenetic pace. This is especially true in the modern-day world; driven by the unparalleled force of information technology-enabled applications whose advancements are simply inexplicable. Since times immemorial, humanity has witnessed amazing developments perpetually furthering the cause like never before. And the mind-boggling inventions push the envelope even more with newer occurrences ensuring humankind is blessed with never seen before amenities. Now, while it is natural to soak in the newer unearthing largely benefiting humanity, it also makes imminent sense to get rid of anachronistic and irrelevant practices.
PC: MedicalNewsToday
- Of course, we are aware that the old habits and practices must make way for new to ensure the growth pattern sustains organically. Sticking to unyielding practices will benefit none, you see. In other words, outdated bans, policies, and data can mean both short-term injustices and long-term harm. Let’s dwelve deep to comprehend the matter. In fashion, for instance, one person’s outdated style can be another’s top style. In etiquette, Baby Boomer rules like – speak only when you’re spoken to – belong to a bygone era but needn’t cause active harm wherever they still prevail. But in so many other spheres, obsoleteness connotes painful wastefulness, or worse. Cricketer Mohammed Shami was in the news recently highlighting this factor pragmatically.
PC: Times of India
- Shami reminded everyone that if rules made to combat Covid are unthinkingly preserved, it can be kind of unjust. Continued ban on using saliva to shine the cricket ball, long after the pandemic’s over, isn’t fair to pacers. Think broader: at a public policy level, outdated ideas inflict much more widespread injustices and other hurts. Also, a delayed Census has left us with a huge, outdated data problem, which compromises governance on several counts. Just consider food security. Different experts may stand in different places on how the use of 2011 Census data is shortchanging PDS claimants in 2025, but they all agree on the criticality of updating the national level demographic and economic data.
PC: Infisum
- Moreover, our food security policy also remains out of time with our nutritional security needs. Whether it is MSP or import duties, pulses still don’t get anything like the support enjoyed by rice, wheat and sugarcane. Sadly, the highest costs of continuing to fall behind on nutritional density will be paid by our children, not us. Even the master plans for our major cities are obsolete. This so wretchedly ruins our ability to tackle today’s infra challenges that our future planning often sounds delusional. Last but not the least are our outmoded laws. Marital rape must be criminal in a society in which women have equal rights, yet it isn’t. Bans, like moralizing, make us fall further and further behind today’s needs. Let’s keep up with the times.
