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Shrikanth K
@shrikanth_krish
, 3 tweets, 1 min read Read on Twitter
The tale of two Congos

PPP-adjusted Per-capita incomes (IMF)

Democratic Republic of Congo : $785
Republic of Congo : $6707

Two neighboring countries. Yet one is 9 times richer than the other
Now I'd like to know what explains this

As far as I can see, it is not culture. Not genetics. Not religion

Both countries are rich in natural resources

But Rep of Congo has made it count. Oil accounts for 65% of GDP

Not sure why Dem. Rep of Congo hasn't made it work
I don't know enough about either country

So would be glad if someone can explain what's going on here
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More from @shrikanth_krish see all

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Shrikanth K
@shrikanth_krish
This song from 1959 typifies Nehruvian secularism

The lyrics are radical and universalist, looking down upon cultural diversity and social identities

There has not been an effective conservative counter to this in popular film/song, which is a shame

The conservative critique in popular discourse has been

"But hey...you guys are not living up to the spirit of what you are saying
You pander to minority identities, how is that ok?"

But a fundamental opposition to the spirit of universalism has been lacking
The Nehruvians set the terms of debate...

Conservatives ever since, have been arguing against it on those terms

Not setting their own terms, nor even questioning the premises of the terms set by Nehruvians
Read 3 tweets
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Shrikanth K
@shrikanth_krish
One is often asked -

"Hey I belong to Community X. How many people belong to my community in India?"

This might be a straightforward question in most parts of the world. But not in India.

As modern Indian census exercises do not report caste. Not since 1931 at least
But I just stumbled upon this book

"Tamil Brahmans - The Making of a Middle Class Caste" - which has some estimations, as well as "subcaste" info gleaned from 1891 census

I thought I should put it together

So at least for my community, one doesn't have to speculate
The book has this table detailing the # Tamil Brahmans in different locations as of 2011 - but these are mostly guesstimates in my view. The methodology is not crystal clear to me...

As per the authors, the worldwide Tamil Brahman population as of 2011 is 1.85 million
Read 15 tweets
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Shrikanth K
@shrikanth_krish
Few questions for students of Hinduism and Hindu history -

a) What explains the ability of Vaishnavism (especially krSNa Bhakti) to make inroads among foreigners? (ranging from Heliodorus and Kushans in the pre-Common Era to Tulsi Gabbard in 21st cen)?
b) Why have other sectarian movements like Shaivism, Kaumarism lacked this ability?

c) Is Vaishnavism the sole bearer of the burden in ensuring a global footprint for Hinduism? Given that the orthodox Smartha outlook looks askance at conversions / religious expansionism
d) Historically it is Vaishnavism that has traditionally been the vehicle of upward mobility and Sanskritization in Hindu society. At least that is my view

However Vaishnavism is also populist. And many of its strands have a theologically exclusive streak.
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