Misspecified Linear Bandits

We consider the problem of online learning in misspecified linear stochastic multi-armed bandit problems. Regret guarantees for state-of-the-art linear bandit algorithms such as Optimism in the Face of Uncertainty Linear bandit (OFUL) hold under the assumption that the arms expected rewards are perfectly linear in their features. It is, however, of interest to investigate the impact of potential misspecification in linear bandit models, where the expected rewards are perturbed away from the linear subspace determined by the arms features. Although OFUL has recently been shown to be robust to relatively small deviations from linearity, we show that any linear bandit algorithm that enjoys optimal regret performance in the perfectly linear setting (e.g., OFUL) must suffer linear regret under a sparse additive perturbation of the linear model. In an attempt to overcome this negative result, we define a natural class of bandit models characterized by a non-sparse deviation from linearity. We argue that the OFUL algorithm can fail to achieve sublinear regret even under models that have non-sparse deviation.We finally develop a novel bandit algorithm, comprising a hypothesis test for linearity followed by a decision to use either the OFUL or Upper Confidence Bound (UCB) algorithm. For perfectly linear bandit models, the algorithm provably exhibits OFULs favorable regret performance, while for misspecified models satisfying the non-sparse deviation property, the algorithm avoids the linear regret phenomenon and falls back on UCBs sublinear regret scaling. Numerical experiments on synthetic data, and on recommendation data from the public Yahoo! Learning to Rank Challenge dataset, empirically support our findings.Comment: Thirty-First AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 201

IT-Oriented Infrastructural Development, Urban Co-Dependencies, and the Reconfiguration of Everyday Politics in Pune, India

Existing scholarship on postcolonial urbanisms has judiciously analysed the role played by the state and private capital in the expansion of large, transnational industrial clusters and zones in different metropolitan fringes in the global South. However, much of this scholarship has focused primarily on the antagonisms wrought by the ‘expulsion’ (Sassen, 2014) of local populations from their land and livelihoods in these areas, at the hands of the neoliberal state and global capitalist elites. In contrast, there is not enough research on how diverse local communities and subaltern actors adapt to, engage with, and sustain these new high-tech global knowledge enclave over time. Citing this gap in our knowledge, this article argues for the need to move beyond some of the adversarial accounts associated with the overarching logics of postcolonial suburban developments in the global South, to focus on their complex and vibrant ‘afterlives.’ Drawing on ethnographic data from Pune city in western India, and an emerging IT and IT-enabled services outsourcing hub, the article reveals that contrary to popular perceptions of high-tech suburban clusters as sovereign spaces for transnational capital in the city, these sites are, in fact, constitutive of their multiple ‘outsides’—which include diverse informal economies and actors that facilitate the provisioning of essential human infrastructural services in these spaces. To evidence these claim, the article highlights different example of ‘urban co-dependencies,’ which have emerged in place, corresponding to the routine demands of these ‘new’ spaces, their inhabitants and users. The article, then, also reveals how everyday micro-political cultures, which include the different territorial conflicts and collaborations between so-called elites and subaltern actors in the local context, continue to ‘co-shape’ the typologies and the temporalities of local land use, urban planning and development that takes place in and around these high-tech clusters

An Insight into the Vision of Charismatic Leadership: Evidence from Recent Administrative Change in West Bengal Province of India

Leadership is always fascinating subject in any current job. The charismatic leader is perhaps the most exciting as his/her leadership abilities are often attributed to strong character, feats of great strength and heroism or divine guidance. Charismatic Leaders are often thought of as heroes that are able to use their personal allure to lead others.  In view of this, the article attempts to enquire into the vision of charismatic leadership process in the context of ascent of a great charismatic leader, Miss Mamata Banerjee, the present chief minister of West Bengal Province of India, who alone with her charisma brings about administrative change in the West Bengal Province of India removing 34 years leftist regime.By maintaining her humility and setting an example of integrity, honesty and peaceful civil disobedience, Mamata Banerjee, the great believer of Gandhian philosophy and a firebrand orator, was able to achieve West Bengal's administrative power. History has numerous examples of charismatic leaders who produce both negative and positive results. But, Mamata Banerjee, following the path of Mahatma Gandhi, used her charisma to inspire her people to protest nonviolently. Mamata Banerjee fasted to show self-sacrifice and commitment to her beliefs. Her charismatic leadership helped her gain followers and enough attention to aid in peacefully ending red citadel of CPIM led Leftist govt. from West Bengal province of India. Key words: Leadership, charisma, followers, India

Role and Effectiveness of Public Distribution System in Assuring Food Security in India: An Appraisal

Despite huge stocks of food grains and age old system of public distribution, hunger and malnutrition still persist in various parts of India. The difference across states has also complicated matters further to the detriment of the poor. At this very outset, India is facing the problem of food insecurity for quite some long period of time. Food security is one of the basic criteria for the formation and improvement of human capital and also productivity of human being. In precise term, food security is supposed to exist  when all people , at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient ,safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. The most important medium through which government ensures food security at micro level is the Public Distribution System (PDS). But, in India, the working of public distribution system and other government policies have not been successful in achieving food security at the desired level. In this backdrop, this paper tries to analyse the food security condition of the country during the last few decades and the working of PDS with some macro measures. More specifically, this paper tries to identify food insecure population of the country, analyse the availability, storage, procurement of food grain , assess the effectiveness of PDS, identify the discrepancies in the system, find ways to remove the anomalies and to make the delivery mechanism more effective

An Appraisal of Influence of Eminent Personalities on Ambedkar's Political Thought during Early Twentieth Century

Born in a socially backward caste, educated according to the western system, rational in outlook, to some extent, rebellious in temperament, Ambedkar, the great architect of Indian Constitution, came to the appropriate moment to assume the natural and appropriate leadership and participated in the social struggles and constitutional matters in a strategic way in India. Ambedkar was schooled in the liberal political tradition which he imbibed through his interaction with the Western culture as result of his British moulded higher education in India and his training in Columbia University and London School of Economics and Political Science. He was fortunate enough to receive education in the West where he came under the influence of the liberal- minded professors like Dewey, Harold Laski, Seligman and others. Against this background information, this article attempts to depict the influence of various eminent personalities on the political thought of B.R.Ambedkar. Ambedkar's birth in an untouchable community and in a system based on graded inequality and injustice and deprivation of basic human rights to his community was responsible for giving a purpose and a mission to his life

Emergence and Applicability of Competition Act, 2002 in India’s New Competitive Regime: An Overview

In the quest of globalization, India has countered positively by opening up its economy, removing controls and resorting to liberalization. Thus, to achieve the objective of maximum economic efficiency, the liberal trade policy must be complimented through a sound competition policy by preventing anti-competitive business practices and unnecessary government intervention.  The Competition Act, 2002 as amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007, removing the former MRTP Act,1969, follows the philosophy of modern competition laws and aims at fostering competition and at protecting Indian markets against anti-competitive practices by enterprises. The Act prohibits anticompetitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises, and regulates entering into combinations (consisting of mergers, amalgamations and acquisitions) with a view to ensure that there is no adverse effect on competition in India. In view of this, this article tries to highlight the issues and challenges contained in the Indian Competition Act, 2002 in ensuring competitive business environment. A good competition policy, along with a sound competition law, should help in fostering competition, economic efficiency, consumer welfare and freedom of trade, which should equip the Governments in meeting the challenges of globalization by increasing competition in local and national markets. Key words: Competition, Act, India, MRTP

B.R.Ambedkar and his Philosophy on Indian Democracy: An Appraisal

The main goal of the study is to analyze and evaluate critically the idea of B.R.Ambedkar, the great Indian constitution maker, regarding Indian democracy and to capture the position of Ambedkar on issues whose relevance is even felt at present. Analyzing the idea of democracy of Ambedkar in details, it can be found out that Ambedkar had unshakeable faith in democracy. In his conception of exploitation less society, democracy has an extra-ordinary role which he defined as one person, one vote'; and 'one vote, one value'. Democracy means empowerment of any person for participating in the process of decision-making relating to her/him, democracy means liberty, equality and fraternity - Ambedkar's definition of democracy had such a tone. This research gives closer and analytical insight into the thoughts of Ambedkar and provides an answer to the question of whether we, the Indian, achieve religious tolerance, human equality and freedom, true democracy, gender respect in the society, justice and peace in the light of political philosophy of Ambedkar whose memory will ever guide the nation on the path of justice, liberty and equality

An Insight into B.R Ambedkar's Idea of Nationalism in the Context of India's Freedom Movement

B.R. Ambedkar's notion of nationalism and his understanding of the Indian national movement have rarely received adequate academic consideration either from the liberal or radical scholars and the historians in India. This study attempts to analyze Ambedkar's self generated vision of nationalism and also evaluate why he and dalits did not participate directly in the Indian national movement as directed by the congress which is a question that needs to be analyzed along with current debate raised by Arun Shourie criticizing the Ambedkar's feeling of nationalism. It is true that Ambedkar never keenly participated in India's national movement, rather he opposed the mainstream national movement, but this kind of attitude indirectly contributed much by laying the broad social foundation on which the present Indian nation state stands