Freedom is to Do No Harm
In conversation with Rwitwika Bhattacharya, founder of the Swaniti Initiative.
This is the fifth in a series of interviews as part of Freedom Song, our weekly feature highlighting individual perspectives on liberty. Next week on Freedom Song: — Rishi Suri, Editor — International Affairs at The Daily Milap. You can also read the first, second, third and fourth installments of Freedom Song.
1. What does freedom mean to you?
Rwitwika Bhattacharya: Freedom is the notion that one can do anything that one desires, as long as it does not impose physical harm to another citizen through those actions or word. When one’s action does impact another through physical harm, then the pact of freedom is broken. In the governance context, freedom refers to the pact that a citizen and the government come into, where a citizen can get to do what they want (with the exception of those working against national or community interest) and instead the government protects the citizens right to act in certain ways.
2. Is there anything holding you back from achieving that kind of freedom?
Rwitwika Bhattacharya: No. There is nothing that is stopping us from achieving this kind of freedom. In fact we already have this kind of freedom. The only impediment are in larger Indian and American context is that a citizen’s freedom can be revoked if he/she threatens national interest. However for the most part, in both these countries, national interest is not clearly defined. This can cause some issues around the definition of freedom at large.
3. What do you think is the greatest challenge to freedom in society?
Rwitwika Bhattacharya: Freedom, though I have made an effort to define it above, is a concept/state of mind. The challenge with freedom is that this frame of mind is earned and developed as we grow to be more accepting and caring. Our challenge right now is that we desire freedom of thought but only for people like us. This challenges our ability to define freedom in broad parameters and really push ourselves to do more.
4. If given a choice, what is that one way you would think a government can make its citizens more free?
Rwitwika Bhattacharya: Given them an equal opportunity to grow themselves intellectually with proper education, training and exposure.
5. What would your ideal society be like?
Rwitwika Bhattacharya: I am happy where I am. I feel challenged by the people around me and constantly am aiming to try and embrace the new and strange. I am in my ideal society.
6. Who do you think holds the key to bringing such a society about?
Rwitwika Bhattacharya: We have to push ourselves to understand and accept new views and see that as a new part of the larger freedom. When we are all open to new ideas and understanding different perspective, only then will we truly be free.
Rwitwika is the founder of the Swaniti Initiative. Prior to working on Swaniti’s foundation, she worked at the World Bank as an Associate in the Growth and Competitiveness area. She is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Master in Public Policy program and specializes in the areas of youth employment. Her publications include Frontiers in Development Policy (World Bank), A Primer on Labor Policies (World Bank) and Global Business School Network (Harvard Business School Case).
