ISSUES AND CONCERNS

Friends As usual October shall mark the completion of one more year of useful existence of ISSUES & CONCERNS. Yes, we are completing 9 years of our eventful foray into the world of print media. In retrospect, its been indeed very satisfying that despite innumerable hurdles we have been able to sustain and grow. Lot of kind souls reverted back to us with accolades echoing sentiments of participative spirit. Although such kind souls have been many, we will be failing in our duty, if we do not mention by name one such soul who reached out magnificently. We have been sending complimentary copies to lot of prospective readers, with the hope that they may participate as subscribers. Yes, some did early, some did late and some never did. Our Bangalore representative Shri Sanath Kumar Punja, had given us a list of 50 gentlemen from the Bangalore Bunts Directory, which to our good fortune, included the name of retired Honourable Supreme Court Justice Jagannath K. Shetty. His, no holds barre...

Intolerant Media & Politics of Identity Media, unlike any other activity or institution, has the onerous responsibility of protecting the fabric of society, because its reach is phenomenal, its power immense. Hence, being even-handed in handling sensitive issues is absolutely without debate. It is sacrosanct. But what is the truth? Has it acted with responsibility? We need not go far. Rejecting a report by the ‘US Panel on Global Religious Freedom’, placing India on the ‘Watch List’, Raphael Cheenath, Archbishop of Cuttack in Orissa had reportedly observed that "India is secular in word as well as practice. There should be no doubt over the secular credentials of India. What the U.S commission said is against our country’s constitution." Commenting on the last year’s imbroglio in Kandhamal, the Archbishop said "Country’s secular character over powered a few communal elements, and one should not forget the basis of a country which thrives on secular character since a...