EDITORIAL
Friends,
‘After I am gone who will take up my work’ asked the setting sun. Seeing the world responseless, a small earthen lamp mustered enough courage to say "Lord I will exert myself to my utmost". Keeping its word to the readers, Issues & Concerns have traversed EIGHT meaningful years marching TOWARDS A PURPOSEFUL REGIMEN.
Looking back over the shoulder, its been extremely satisfying that despite problems, we have continued with the same vigour and commitment. So also a bit of disappointment.
Its true it has increased its circulation from national to international but that has not helped it improve much of its cost over-runs. Patrons are aware that this is a socially relevant effort and hence need your continuous support, however miniscule, to sustain and grow. As one of our ardent supporter has fervently hoped that ‘journal is kept going by something more than the gusto and the civilisational commitments of its editor.’ Haven’t we heard this famous Hindi film song, " saathi haath badhaana, ek akela thak jaayega milkar bhoj uthaana, Saathi Haath Badhaana". Yes, we need help in more subscription and advertisements.
Month of October is generally significant for the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, with a national holiday being in place. Media remembered him as usual with no concern for the rot in the public life with self-aggrandizement being the only motto. Another soul born on the same day, former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, was hardly remembered. In a media world, where there was a mad rush about reporting the unwellness, on the birthday of Amitabh Bachchan, with hourly health bulletin being aired by the electronic media, they had neither the time nor the space for Jaya Prakash Narayan, the greatest Indian after Mahatma, also born on 11th Oct, like Bachchan. What an ungrateful nation? Why are we like this only? If this consumerist attitude continued, our younger generation will become unaware that this country had icons like Shastri and J.P. Isn’t this a degeneration of our national ethos? La Globalisation!
Yes after all, N-deal 123 has crossed the hurdle to become 456 and then with another round of hick-ups, it was 789 ten. Finally Pranab Mukherjee, the stand in Prime Minister cum Minister for External Affairs, inked the historic pact. So, with all the spanner thrown in by the LEFT parties, the BSP and the main opposition BJP, Dr. Manmohan Singh had the last laugh. Lets hope all the promises of the deal shall accrue to the country so also the opposition to the deal proved wrong.
Financial crisis that closed the gates of Lehman Brothers, one of the largest investment bankers to the world had its ripple effect far and wide. What happened in the U.S and the U.K was more because of the so-called free market economic philosophy of the West with no or very less governmental regulation, same was not the case with India. With all the opening up of the economy and the market, the central bank of the country, the RBI, were better managers of fiscal and monetary measures which has come for justifiable praise by financial experts the world over. Yes it did effect to some extent the Indian share market. The bourses were having some unprecedented run by bears. The sensex has breached the 10K downward from the plus 20K some months ago. The crisis has naturally affected the construction industry in general. Its good, at least for the home buyers. The steep rise will at least have some respite.
So, the inevitable had to happen. NANO flew out to Gujarath from West Bengal. And Ratan Tata makes a significant statement. He writes an open letter to the people of West Bengal how despite best efforts of Buddadev Bhattacharjee and company, how development could be sabotaged by likes of Mamata Bannerjee. Such a letter is unprecedented, so was the whole episode involving NANO car project in Singur. It will surely go down as the symbol of shortsighted political intrancigency. We all should realize that in every human activity there is room for solution if parties to the issue or dispute have the spirit of give and take in the overall interest of all stake holders. That’s the bottom line, whether one likes it or not. Mamata Bannerji made it a prestige issue with only election in her mind.
Trouble in Orissa appears unending. Whatever be the problem the attack on human beings is an absolute ‘No’. No government worth its name, should tolerate violence of any kind. It should put it down with heavy hand. There are ways to deal with the issue of differences and violence is simply not the way. Media has a tremendous responsibility of highlighting the need for law and order rather than sensationalizing the attacks and violence. If Orissa has failed in its duty, the centre must intervene to improve things. Of course, the dismissal of the state government is also not the solution, as some have suggested.
And the big news from across the western border. The newly appointed President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has delivered a body blow to hate mongers in Pakistan. Speaking to press in New York, Zardari admitted that "India is not a threat to Pakistan". He has reportedly also called J&K separatists as ‘terrorists’, which he later slightly played down due to the outcry in POK. That’s indeed a big climb down from its officially held opinion for a long time. Long live President Asif Ali Zardari. Hope he survives long enough to make a difference to the Indo-Pakistani relationship. But, internally trouble is brewing. There have been regular outbreaks of violent attacks. Month has already witnessed three attacks involving deaths of over fifty people. Besides, economy is in doledrums, with reserves running out to pay imports bills. China has refused to lend the cash Pakistan asked, of 3 billion US $. Approaching IMF is rather humiliating, especially for an Islamic republic. But there appears to be no choice. May be some feeler from India to play a good neighbour may not be out of place. Of course, keeping the interest of India paramount and the issue of peace and stability in the region some radical terms can be agreed. Some food for thought!
Politics is dirty anywhere in the world and The U.S is no exception. The fight between John McCain and Barack Obama is getting a little personal and dirty. Republicans are digging history muck, even as old as 40 years. Mind you, Barack Obama is not all of 47 years. So what you have done as a 6 year or 7 year old can hold the mirror against you after 40 years. At least that’s what, Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice President nominee believes in. Not wanting to remain behind Obama released some details of a scandal involving McCain in 1990s, accusing Republicans of resorting to smear campaign rather than talking substance. However with hardly over a week to go for the Nov.4.D. Day, Barack Hussain Obama is riding a kind of a crest of popularity unseen earlier with double digit favourable rating. Lot of Americans are coming to realize that young Obama deserves a chance at the highest office of the land, so what if he is coloured! Lets hope all these positive signals translate into a glorious reality, for the U.S and for the sake of the world at large.
The on-going debate, or is it, and hurling of muck between the faithful, both Hindu & Christian- went on unabated especially in Karnataka with a Kannada daily being a kind of arbiter. Both camps had people talking for and against. It appeared more one-upmanship than a dialogue. Most people expressed their unhindered thinking, more bias rather than reasoning logic. While both side had their side of the truth, as they saw it, both failed to realize that nothing in the world is 100% right or 100% wrong. Some may be more right and some more wrong. Like we said before, we need to find a meeting ground. If we are poles apart, we need to walk towards each other with hand stretched. Surely some way would emerge. However what disturbed our psyche was a piece of news where a child appeared less happy with the marks he got but was more pained to see his name written on his progress card as Suresh Bhangi (Bhangi means Scavenger). Can we blame him or his family, if at least to remove the tag of the family’s occupation, converts? Of course, Hindu zealots say, let him become Buddhist. But Buddhists do not have evangelists, and that’s where missionaries make inroads. So, is it what is right or who is right?, we need to decide?
The on going problem in Mumbai created by Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena men on the issue of north Indians, took an ugly turn when they attacked the Railway Recruitment Board exam centres in Mumbai for recruitment to Railway. Some senior police officer had earlier remarked ‘Mumbai Kisi ka baap ka nahee’. Lalu Prasad, the Railway Minister, termed Raj Thackary of MNS as a ‘mental case’. Both appear fairly valid statements. But nobody asked if ‘Railway, Lalu Prasad ke baap ka hai?’ Now railway is an all India operation owned by the central government. It’s a huge employer, probably, globally the biggest single employer. Can somebody provide statistics or figure of it’s state-wise employees’ strength. Then the picture would emerge, that, it has largest number of Bihari employees, followed by probably, people from U.P, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. And India has some 30 states and Railway is operating in all states, and all states contribute to its revenue, why people from other states do not find employment in Railways? While it is true that there should be no discrimination in employment based on the region or the language, how do we distribute the developmental gain if not thru productive employment in public sector undertakings? It’s a question, political leadership across the country has to debate and agree. Only then outfits like MNS would die a natural death and we shall be spared of parochial upheavals.
The Indian LEFT, which was rarely right, had proposed the new political ‘sensation’ Miss Mayavati as the possible prime minister if they come to power. Now this unlikely future prime minister shocked alright thinking Indians as a newspaper titled it "On the eve of Sonia visit Maya scraps land allotment". Citing to prevent Singur like situation in U.P, district administration of Rai Bareili, the Lok sabha constituency of Sonia Gandhi, has cancelled some 190 hectares of land allotted to the Railways. The railways wanted to set up a Coach factory and the land required was about 542 hectares for manufacturing 1000 coaches every year. The government of Mayavati had allotted 189 hectares with 72 hectares already year marked and notified, there were 281 hectares needed from private land holders. Giving reasons, that Railways had not initiated action to acquire the 281 hectares required from private source, the district administration just cancelled the allotment under orders from Chief Minister. What’s really shocking is that on Oct.14, Ms.Gandhi was to perform the Bhaoomi Poojan for this coach factory and cancellation was on 12th Oct. All arrangements were in place for the occasion. No wonder, the State Congress chief called it "a mindless act of a whimsical Chief Minister". This was clearly a very good development project with good prospect for local employment generation. But Mayawati didn’t want the electoral benefit to go to the Congress. Simply put, it was an act of sabotage. This was plain stupid and in extremely bad taste. Wouldn’t she make a wonderful prime minister? Or is it blunderful.
There was this gutka firm - the D.S Group, a multi crore company, advertised for a position of HEAD-LEGAL in a major English daily. Profile required was "either LLB, LLM or retired judge with contracts in the judiciary". Obviously the company thought having contacts in the judiciary shall help the company in its corporate interests. A shocked Delhi High Court lawyer says, ‘It took me an entire day to believe that this company was actually inviting retired judges as their employees", and initiated action through the court to pull up the company. However, despite the gravity of the issue, court took one year to issue notice to the company.
Realizing the seriousness of the language used in the advertisement the company counsel, suo moto, accepted the mistake and offered, that, what ever penalty the court would decide shall be agreed. In view of the acceptance of its mistake, court took lenient view of the matter and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 1.00 lakh.
Per se, there is nothing wrong in employing judges as advisers, but to employ them for their contacts in the judiciary is a brazen act of enticement. And court took its own time of a year, to pull up the erring corporate house, although the lawyer Ms. Sunita Tiwari approached the court on 5th Sept 2007. We thought, it is the lawyers and the legal clauses that delay the completion of cases. Judges too adds to that mess.
India is going through unprecedented terrorist attacks, especially in the recent past - say May to Sept this year. But our most educated economist prime minister does not think that the issue of terrorism has anything to do with national integration. The recent National Integration Council meeting held on Oct 13, did not have terrorism as an item on the agenda. In fact only after some BJP Chief Ministers vehemently protested, the word 'extremism' was included as an item. At least one BJP chief minister termed the issue as "it hinted at ill intentions or the centre's lack of seriousness about national security and unity in the face of recurrent terrorist attacks".
The question that comes to mind is, when our honourable prime minister would think that terrorism is a serious challenge that the country is facing and has to be accordingly handled? Why are we approaching this problem with a kind of a disdain? This approach is certainly disturbing and distressing.
Blackmailing by coalition partners in a government is usually the done thing. But the UPA is so valnerable that although there's only about 6 months left for the government to complete its term, with DMK ministers playing truent at every possible moment all through its 4 1/2 years in the coalition, they again buckled. DMK had threatended to quit en masse from Loksabha to force the government's hand on Tamil's issue in Sri Lanka. That ethnic Tamil civilians' issue in Sri Lanka could still have been debated & discussed with concern with the government in Colombo, was not the point. This DMK is so used to arm twist and bully the UPA government, they had the temerity to cock-a-snook at Sardar Manmohan Singh, and get away.
And as usual he meekly surrenders and despatches stand - in - P.M, Pranab Mukherjee, and Kalainar Muthuvelu Karunanidhi is pleased.The DMK supremo declares that party shall stay in the UPA combine. Well done! who! Pranab, Manmohan or Kalainar!
Sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction. It was indeed outlandish to learn that the National Health Services (NHS) of U.K could think of saving the cost by asking the general practitioners or family physician to discourage the patients from going to government hospitals. The news report "U.K docs paid to neglect the ailing" informs that a GP can get paid £ 59/- for every patient not referred to hospital, instead convinced to end up with community NHS staff such as physiotherapists and nurses.
Truly speaking whether this shall really save money for NHS is difficult to answer but surely they can jeorpardise the health of lot of people, if there are cases left undetected of serious ailments. And GPs are certainly not good at diognising serious cases. As a specialist puts it, the ‘scheme is absolutely terrible’. He warned that decisions by non-specialist doctors could have devastating consequences. NHS may save some cost, and GPs would make some money, but people may suffer and die of officially sponsored neglect. Strange are the ways of the world.
So another Indian, that too from Mangalore, Arvind Adiga has won the Booker for his ‘WHITE TIGER’. Winning Booker award is to really arrive at the literary scene with a bang. Salman Rushdi was hardly known before Bookers. So was Arundhati Roy. Now for Adiga, the award has come. But readers in Mangalore, whom we met, complain about the negative potrayal of India. But then, that is the USP for Bookers isn’t it?! When Salman wrote against Muslims, he was awarded the Bookers, Arundhati Roy wrote about the problems about property rights of women in Kerala etc, she got the award. Now its Adiga, writing about the drains of India. The west is really looking for drain inspectors in the third world. When your intention is to look for only drain, you do get shit. Don’t you! In any case congratulations to the newest recipient of Bookers, Arvind Adiga.
Has India or Indians changed for worse? At least in some pockets this impression is valid. A Muslim family of six was burnt alive. Reason apparently none. There were only 2 Muslims families living in a village called Vatoli, near Adilabad in Andhra Pradesh. And now one family was completely wiped out, leaving a family of two. There has been bonhomie among all in the village and is confirmed by the family of 2 who are not leaving the village because of the carnage. So why has this happened? Its indeed very sad that killings have become so easy and frequent. When were Indians so bad?
Sept 29 blast at Malegaon and Modasa in Gujarat seem to indicate the involvement of some Hindu extremist group, if the reports appearing in the print media are to be believed. This is a serious development. While law and order must take precedence, culprits have to be arrested and duly dealt with.
Contaminated milk powder consumption that caused the hospitalization of some 50,000 Chinese children was one of the biggest mess up by Chinese in their free for all trading practices. Making a fast buck by adding melamine, which apparently increased the protein content, but caused kidney failure, has turned out very expensive. Some close to 4000 children are still in hospital for over a month now, with some critically ill and some having died. The details of any harm caused in other countries, some 12 of them, who imported this powder is not known. China is not unknown for sharp practices. But this one has really exposed them.
Death of 280 kids, due to starvation and 72 in very critical condition with 716 in semi-critical condition in Melghat tribal area, is a shameful commentary on the Deshmukh led Congress NCP government of Maharashtra. Failing to protect North Indians, failing to curb MNS violence, now this malnutrition deaths and terrible situation in Melghat is a measure of total failure of the administration in Maharashtra. The poor implementation of NREG scheme, where 60,000 registered but only 5000 issued with employment cards, is another reflection of the shoddy government machinery. Neither adequate food is being supplied nor employment is provided, when both are easily possible. It shows complete break down of will, to govern. It is really shocking and surprising that Shivraj Patil, the union Home Minister who hails not very far from this area has no comments to offer. Mr. Deshmukh should be sacked.
Due to the perceived sense of marginalisation, we have intiated a debate about Indian Muslims' "sense of alienation" in Focus. Do revert with your response.
‘After I am gone who will take up my work’ asked the setting sun. Seeing the world responseless, a small earthen lamp mustered enough courage to say "Lord I will exert myself to my utmost". Keeping its word to the readers, Issues & Concerns have traversed EIGHT meaningful years marching TOWARDS A PURPOSEFUL REGIMEN.
Looking back over the shoulder, its been extremely satisfying that despite problems, we have continued with the same vigour and commitment. So also a bit of disappointment.
Its true it has increased its circulation from national to international but that has not helped it improve much of its cost over-runs. Patrons are aware that this is a socially relevant effort and hence need your continuous support, however miniscule, to sustain and grow. As one of our ardent supporter has fervently hoped that ‘journal is kept going by something more than the gusto and the civilisational commitments of its editor.’ Haven’t we heard this famous Hindi film song, " saathi haath badhaana, ek akela thak jaayega milkar bhoj uthaana, Saathi Haath Badhaana". Yes, we need help in more subscription and advertisements.
Month of October is generally significant for the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, with a national holiday being in place. Media remembered him as usual with no concern for the rot in the public life with self-aggrandizement being the only motto. Another soul born on the same day, former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, was hardly remembered. In a media world, where there was a mad rush about reporting the unwellness, on the birthday of Amitabh Bachchan, with hourly health bulletin being aired by the electronic media, they had neither the time nor the space for Jaya Prakash Narayan, the greatest Indian after Mahatma, also born on 11th Oct, like Bachchan. What an ungrateful nation? Why are we like this only? If this consumerist attitude continued, our younger generation will become unaware that this country had icons like Shastri and J.P. Isn’t this a degeneration of our national ethos? La Globalisation!
Yes after all, N-deal 123 has crossed the hurdle to become 456 and then with another round of hick-ups, it was 789 ten. Finally Pranab Mukherjee, the stand in Prime Minister cum Minister for External Affairs, inked the historic pact. So, with all the spanner thrown in by the LEFT parties, the BSP and the main opposition BJP, Dr. Manmohan Singh had the last laugh. Lets hope all the promises of the deal shall accrue to the country so also the opposition to the deal proved wrong.
Financial crisis that closed the gates of Lehman Brothers, one of the largest investment bankers to the world had its ripple effect far and wide. What happened in the U.S and the U.K was more because of the so-called free market economic philosophy of the West with no or very less governmental regulation, same was not the case with India. With all the opening up of the economy and the market, the central bank of the country, the RBI, were better managers of fiscal and monetary measures which has come for justifiable praise by financial experts the world over. Yes it did effect to some extent the Indian share market. The bourses were having some unprecedented run by bears. The sensex has breached the 10K downward from the plus 20K some months ago. The crisis has naturally affected the construction industry in general. Its good, at least for the home buyers. The steep rise will at least have some respite.
So, the inevitable had to happen. NANO flew out to Gujarath from West Bengal. And Ratan Tata makes a significant statement. He writes an open letter to the people of West Bengal how despite best efforts of Buddadev Bhattacharjee and company, how development could be sabotaged by likes of Mamata Bannerjee. Such a letter is unprecedented, so was the whole episode involving NANO car project in Singur. It will surely go down as the symbol of shortsighted political intrancigency. We all should realize that in every human activity there is room for solution if parties to the issue or dispute have the spirit of give and take in the overall interest of all stake holders. That’s the bottom line, whether one likes it or not. Mamata Bannerji made it a prestige issue with only election in her mind.
Trouble in Orissa appears unending. Whatever be the problem the attack on human beings is an absolute ‘No’. No government worth its name, should tolerate violence of any kind. It should put it down with heavy hand. There are ways to deal with the issue of differences and violence is simply not the way. Media has a tremendous responsibility of highlighting the need for law and order rather than sensationalizing the attacks and violence. If Orissa has failed in its duty, the centre must intervene to improve things. Of course, the dismissal of the state government is also not the solution, as some have suggested.
And the big news from across the western border. The newly appointed President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has delivered a body blow to hate mongers in Pakistan. Speaking to press in New York, Zardari admitted that "India is not a threat to Pakistan". He has reportedly also called J&K separatists as ‘terrorists’, which he later slightly played down due to the outcry in POK. That’s indeed a big climb down from its officially held opinion for a long time. Long live President Asif Ali Zardari. Hope he survives long enough to make a difference to the Indo-Pakistani relationship. But, internally trouble is brewing. There have been regular outbreaks of violent attacks. Month has already witnessed three attacks involving deaths of over fifty people. Besides, economy is in doledrums, with reserves running out to pay imports bills. China has refused to lend the cash Pakistan asked, of 3 billion US $. Approaching IMF is rather humiliating, especially for an Islamic republic. But there appears to be no choice. May be some feeler from India to play a good neighbour may not be out of place. Of course, keeping the interest of India paramount and the issue of peace and stability in the region some radical terms can be agreed. Some food for thought!
Politics is dirty anywhere in the world and The U.S is no exception. The fight between John McCain and Barack Obama is getting a little personal and dirty. Republicans are digging history muck, even as old as 40 years. Mind you, Barack Obama is not all of 47 years. So what you have done as a 6 year or 7 year old can hold the mirror against you after 40 years. At least that’s what, Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice President nominee believes in. Not wanting to remain behind Obama released some details of a scandal involving McCain in 1990s, accusing Republicans of resorting to smear campaign rather than talking substance. However with hardly over a week to go for the Nov.4.D. Day, Barack Hussain Obama is riding a kind of a crest of popularity unseen earlier with double digit favourable rating. Lot of Americans are coming to realize that young Obama deserves a chance at the highest office of the land, so what if he is coloured! Lets hope all these positive signals translate into a glorious reality, for the U.S and for the sake of the world at large.
The on-going debate, or is it, and hurling of muck between the faithful, both Hindu & Christian- went on unabated especially in Karnataka with a Kannada daily being a kind of arbiter. Both camps had people talking for and against. It appeared more one-upmanship than a dialogue. Most people expressed their unhindered thinking, more bias rather than reasoning logic. While both side had their side of the truth, as they saw it, both failed to realize that nothing in the world is 100% right or 100% wrong. Some may be more right and some more wrong. Like we said before, we need to find a meeting ground. If we are poles apart, we need to walk towards each other with hand stretched. Surely some way would emerge. However what disturbed our psyche was a piece of news where a child appeared less happy with the marks he got but was more pained to see his name written on his progress card as Suresh Bhangi (Bhangi means Scavenger). Can we blame him or his family, if at least to remove the tag of the family’s occupation, converts? Of course, Hindu zealots say, let him become Buddhist. But Buddhists do not have evangelists, and that’s where missionaries make inroads. So, is it what is right or who is right?, we need to decide?
The on going problem in Mumbai created by Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena men on the issue of north Indians, took an ugly turn when they attacked the Railway Recruitment Board exam centres in Mumbai for recruitment to Railway. Some senior police officer had earlier remarked ‘Mumbai Kisi ka baap ka nahee’. Lalu Prasad, the Railway Minister, termed Raj Thackary of MNS as a ‘mental case’. Both appear fairly valid statements. But nobody asked if ‘Railway, Lalu Prasad ke baap ka hai?’ Now railway is an all India operation owned by the central government. It’s a huge employer, probably, globally the biggest single employer. Can somebody provide statistics or figure of it’s state-wise employees’ strength. Then the picture would emerge, that, it has largest number of Bihari employees, followed by probably, people from U.P, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. And India has some 30 states and Railway is operating in all states, and all states contribute to its revenue, why people from other states do not find employment in Railways? While it is true that there should be no discrimination in employment based on the region or the language, how do we distribute the developmental gain if not thru productive employment in public sector undertakings? It’s a question, political leadership across the country has to debate and agree. Only then outfits like MNS would die a natural death and we shall be spared of parochial upheavals.
The Indian LEFT, which was rarely right, had proposed the new political ‘sensation’ Miss Mayavati as the possible prime minister if they come to power. Now this unlikely future prime minister shocked alright thinking Indians as a newspaper titled it "On the eve of Sonia visit Maya scraps land allotment". Citing to prevent Singur like situation in U.P, district administration of Rai Bareili, the Lok sabha constituency of Sonia Gandhi, has cancelled some 190 hectares of land allotted to the Railways. The railways wanted to set up a Coach factory and the land required was about 542 hectares for manufacturing 1000 coaches every year. The government of Mayavati had allotted 189 hectares with 72 hectares already year marked and notified, there were 281 hectares needed from private land holders. Giving reasons, that Railways had not initiated action to acquire the 281 hectares required from private source, the district administration just cancelled the allotment under orders from Chief Minister. What’s really shocking is that on Oct.14, Ms.Gandhi was to perform the Bhaoomi Poojan for this coach factory and cancellation was on 12th Oct. All arrangements were in place for the occasion. No wonder, the State Congress chief called it "a mindless act of a whimsical Chief Minister". This was clearly a very good development project with good prospect for local employment generation. But Mayawati didn’t want the electoral benefit to go to the Congress. Simply put, it was an act of sabotage. This was plain stupid and in extremely bad taste. Wouldn’t she make a wonderful prime minister? Or is it blunderful.
There was this gutka firm - the D.S Group, a multi crore company, advertised for a position of HEAD-LEGAL in a major English daily. Profile required was "either LLB, LLM or retired judge with contracts in the judiciary". Obviously the company thought having contacts in the judiciary shall help the company in its corporate interests. A shocked Delhi High Court lawyer says, ‘It took me an entire day to believe that this company was actually inviting retired judges as their employees", and initiated action through the court to pull up the company. However, despite the gravity of the issue, court took one year to issue notice to the company.
Realizing the seriousness of the language used in the advertisement the company counsel, suo moto, accepted the mistake and offered, that, what ever penalty the court would decide shall be agreed. In view of the acceptance of its mistake, court took lenient view of the matter and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 1.00 lakh.
Per se, there is nothing wrong in employing judges as advisers, but to employ them for their contacts in the judiciary is a brazen act of enticement. And court took its own time of a year, to pull up the erring corporate house, although the lawyer Ms. Sunita Tiwari approached the court on 5th Sept 2007. We thought, it is the lawyers and the legal clauses that delay the completion of cases. Judges too adds to that mess.
India is going through unprecedented terrorist attacks, especially in the recent past - say May to Sept this year. But our most educated economist prime minister does not think that the issue of terrorism has anything to do with national integration. The recent National Integration Council meeting held on Oct 13, did not have terrorism as an item on the agenda. In fact only after some BJP Chief Ministers vehemently protested, the word 'extremism' was included as an item. At least one BJP chief minister termed the issue as "it hinted at ill intentions or the centre's lack of seriousness about national security and unity in the face of recurrent terrorist attacks".
The question that comes to mind is, when our honourable prime minister would think that terrorism is a serious challenge that the country is facing and has to be accordingly handled? Why are we approaching this problem with a kind of a disdain? This approach is certainly disturbing and distressing.
Blackmailing by coalition partners in a government is usually the done thing. But the UPA is so valnerable that although there's only about 6 months left for the government to complete its term, with DMK ministers playing truent at every possible moment all through its 4 1/2 years in the coalition, they again buckled. DMK had threatended to quit en masse from Loksabha to force the government's hand on Tamil's issue in Sri Lanka. That ethnic Tamil civilians' issue in Sri Lanka could still have been debated & discussed with concern with the government in Colombo, was not the point. This DMK is so used to arm twist and bully the UPA government, they had the temerity to cock-a-snook at Sardar Manmohan Singh, and get away.
And as usual he meekly surrenders and despatches stand - in - P.M, Pranab Mukherjee, and Kalainar Muthuvelu Karunanidhi is pleased.The DMK supremo declares that party shall stay in the UPA combine. Well done! who! Pranab, Manmohan or Kalainar!
Sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction. It was indeed outlandish to learn that the National Health Services (NHS) of U.K could think of saving the cost by asking the general practitioners or family physician to discourage the patients from going to government hospitals. The news report "U.K docs paid to neglect the ailing" informs that a GP can get paid £ 59/- for every patient not referred to hospital, instead convinced to end up with community NHS staff such as physiotherapists and nurses.
Truly speaking whether this shall really save money for NHS is difficult to answer but surely they can jeorpardise the health of lot of people, if there are cases left undetected of serious ailments. And GPs are certainly not good at diognising serious cases. As a specialist puts it, the ‘scheme is absolutely terrible’. He warned that decisions by non-specialist doctors could have devastating consequences. NHS may save some cost, and GPs would make some money, but people may suffer and die of officially sponsored neglect. Strange are the ways of the world.
So another Indian, that too from Mangalore, Arvind Adiga has won the Booker for his ‘WHITE TIGER’. Winning Booker award is to really arrive at the literary scene with a bang. Salman Rushdi was hardly known before Bookers. So was Arundhati Roy. Now for Adiga, the award has come. But readers in Mangalore, whom we met, complain about the negative potrayal of India. But then, that is the USP for Bookers isn’t it?! When Salman wrote against Muslims, he was awarded the Bookers, Arundhati Roy wrote about the problems about property rights of women in Kerala etc, she got the award. Now its Adiga, writing about the drains of India. The west is really looking for drain inspectors in the third world. When your intention is to look for only drain, you do get shit. Don’t you! In any case congratulations to the newest recipient of Bookers, Arvind Adiga.
Has India or Indians changed for worse? At least in some pockets this impression is valid. A Muslim family of six was burnt alive. Reason apparently none. There were only 2 Muslims families living in a village called Vatoli, near Adilabad in Andhra Pradesh. And now one family was completely wiped out, leaving a family of two. There has been bonhomie among all in the village and is confirmed by the family of 2 who are not leaving the village because of the carnage. So why has this happened? Its indeed very sad that killings have become so easy and frequent. When were Indians so bad?
Sept 29 blast at Malegaon and Modasa in Gujarat seem to indicate the involvement of some Hindu extremist group, if the reports appearing in the print media are to be believed. This is a serious development. While law and order must take precedence, culprits have to be arrested and duly dealt with.
Contaminated milk powder consumption that caused the hospitalization of some 50,000 Chinese children was one of the biggest mess up by Chinese in their free for all trading practices. Making a fast buck by adding melamine, which apparently increased the protein content, but caused kidney failure, has turned out very expensive. Some close to 4000 children are still in hospital for over a month now, with some critically ill and some having died. The details of any harm caused in other countries, some 12 of them, who imported this powder is not known. China is not unknown for sharp practices. But this one has really exposed them.
Death of 280 kids, due to starvation and 72 in very critical condition with 716 in semi-critical condition in Melghat tribal area, is a shameful commentary on the Deshmukh led Congress NCP government of Maharashtra. Failing to protect North Indians, failing to curb MNS violence, now this malnutrition deaths and terrible situation in Melghat is a measure of total failure of the administration in Maharashtra. The poor implementation of NREG scheme, where 60,000 registered but only 5000 issued with employment cards, is another reflection of the shoddy government machinery. Neither adequate food is being supplied nor employment is provided, when both are easily possible. It shows complete break down of will, to govern. It is really shocking and surprising that Shivraj Patil, the union Home Minister who hails not very far from this area has no comments to offer. Mr. Deshmukh should be sacked.
Due to the perceived sense of marginalisation, we have intiated a debate about Indian Muslims' "sense of alienation" in Focus. Do revert with your response.
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