EDITORIAL
Friends
This month signifies the completion of a milestone in the evolution of our efforts started in November 2000. Yes, we shall be completing 10 years of extremely satisfying journey in the world of print media. We have planned a Souvenir to mark the decennial.
Navigating thru’ the uncharted waters of 4th estate had its own feelings of exhilaration and disappointment. But looking back over the shoulder the labyrinth that we traversed, certainly has left us with a sense of ‘déjà vu’. Of course hurdles have been many and have been of varying kinds, mainly of participative readership. Our support base has not radically picked up. Although it has crossed four figures, it is a long way to reach the five figure mark. For a ten year old periodical, it is pretty low. Of course many of our readers, who are receiving complimentary copy somehow do not realise that if they like to receive it and read it, they should as well subscribe to it. We have such souls aplenty. Of course, there are some very kind souls, like that lady from U.K. (England). She is our regular subscriber and we are not aware how she came to be our reader. Not only she had some very kind words of participative support, she even sent her valuable contribution to our child reach out activities. She called our efforts “a journalism of conscience”. Such thoughts really make our day. Then there are others, who went out of their way to sponsor subscription to friends, relatives and libraries, since they felt that I & C is doing a great job and needs support of all kind, moral and material. Such sentiment really bucks us up to do our best at all times. We pray almighty God that these souls be blessed.
Month began with Agriculture Minister Pawar saying “We will respect court decision on grain distribution”, but Prime Minster Manmohan Singh remarked, a week later “Order on free grain cannot be executed” and “Supreme Court should not go into the realm of policy formulation. ” While politician Pawar, being a politician, does not want to take on the apex court, but economist Dr Singh is very much off the tangency. Surely, court is aware that policy formulation is certainly not its domain. But Dr Singh, if the policies that you have framed to help the people have failed miserably what does the court do, if not intervene? Its alright for the West to go to market with singing paeans about your intellect and decency in public life, a government has also to perform and deliver. Your food ministry has failed to protect the food grains in its custody procured for Indians in the margins. A significant part has rotted in open without proper storage space. Isn’t it a cruel joke that liquor barons hire FCI godowns but no place for foodgrains. You must explain to the court, who should be commended for their suo moto activism. Atleast you will become more accountable then, rather than when media reports about people going to bed hungry and millions of tons of food grain rotting in rain.
‘Barge arrives to unload containers off Chitra’, ‘State wants ` 3 crore from MSC Chitra for clean up’. These two reports appeared early on the month. We had highlighted about it last month. These barges could have come many weeks earlier, but then we are Indians, we are like this only. We act when it is late. We are poor learners and bad managers of disasters. Asking for ` 3 crores is like asking not even pea nuts. U.S. got $ 20 billion for the oil spill off Gulf Coast from B. P. and we are asking for not even $ 1 million for a spill which can be at least 10% the size of Gulf coast spill, which means atleast we should ask for $ 2 billion, when converted it is close to `10,000 crores. This amount can destroy MSC Chitra’s owners. At least ask for `100 crores, commensurate with overall suffering, the fish eating public who can’t eat fish off Mumbai coast, fish catching fishermen whose livelihood is destroyed for a long time, the effect on the overall marine life in and around Mumbai, and clean up of the mess, not just ` 3 crores. All authorities must realise that huge fines are the only way to make market players accountable, something we loathe to learn.
Why doesn’t courts, the sentinels of justice, go beyond the mere interpretation of law? The courts are meant to go by the spirit of the law rather than the letter of it. “High Court clean chit for Pawar” was a news item in the print media, ‘refusing to direct state to retrospectively collect entertainment tax as the IPL series already over.’ Here, the issue is the revenue for the public exchequer. IPL earned in hundreds of crores. They have used the system to make money and they have to pay for it. In fact IPL should be more than happy to pay. After all they are not paying from their private sources. They are paying from their earnings. Here it is very easy to surmise that Pawar & Co had a vested interest in protecting the IPL owners. Just because IPL lawyers fought the case on the legal merit of the case, the PIL filed by Subhash Desai an MLA from Mumbai should not have been dismissed saying that “exemption of entertainment tax on all sports was in force since 1964.” But your lordships, IPL is not sports, its pure and simple business of making all stake holders richer, the organisers, the players and also the media and team owners. State is asking a portion of your earned riches and that’s all. Only lawyers made huge fees, but an activist, who spent his money and time was rebuked. You call this justice?!
‘Spot fixing’, the latest in cricket’s match fixing lexicon, has come to stay, thanks to Pakistani cricketers. After all Pakistanis are like Indians only. 63 years ago, we had the same home and hearth. Only difference is we have more opportunity for making money, so are our players, especially cricketers. We have advertising firms lining upto take cricketers, for all kinds of promotions, and we have a rich BCCI to give cricketers huge pay packets and now there is IPL and other state level cricket tournaments, all to exploit cricket crazy Indian public. These ad. firms should devise newer way to spread the booty, why promote only Tendulakars, Dhonies, Dravids and Gangulies. There are other good and solid players, who should also be promoted. Then, why only cricketers, why not other sports persons and athletes. There are very good hockey and football players and athletes. This Sports Minister Gill who gets into crude gaffes like earlier not recognising All England badminton champion Pullela Gopichand and pushing him off while on photo-op with Saina Nehwal and again pushing the coach of Sushil Kumar who won gold at World Wrestling championship. His actions were not only crude and but also rude, especially when the coach of Sushil Kumar is an aged gentleman. You don’t push an old person off the stage even if you are a minister. This Sports Minister, who joined politics after his term as Chief Election Commissioner, which itself is a bad precedent, should take up the cause of sports persons how to make them financially empowered. There is immense scope to really help sports person if a planned strategy on PPP (Private Public Partnership) basis is taken up.
Accusation that “very little is done for Kandhamal victims” is an indictment of Orissa govt. Chief Minister Patnaik should necessarily push the department concerned to reach out to the thousands of poor Christian families who suffered during the communal disturbances that took place over two years ago. Raphael Cheenath, the Archbishop of Bhubaneshwar so also Swarupananda Patra of Orissa Minority Forum are gentlemen of impeccable integrity, and they have complained of the government apathy. Without finding any alibis the government must reach out to address the suffering of these displaced persons.
“Information on black money in Swiss Banks now easier” informed the press report. Recently Swiss finance minister and her counterpart in India, Pranab Mukherjee, have signed an agreement on double taxation avoidance, which will pave way to sharing all information on account holders. These agreements are all very well, but how much money India can really get back which truly belongs to all Indians, with mindset in Delhi not being very supportive to unearth the tinted money in these foreign banks. Pranab Mukherjee is not a transparent man, unlike the Prime Minister. He will keep harping that terms of the agreement prohibits sharing the info with public. So aren’t these agreements self defeating if they are not available to public domain? Transparency has been the biggest victim of our growth. Our problem is lack of honest people at the helm, whether politician or the babu.
After 26 years, suddenly CBI is alive to its role as protector of criminal investigation. CBI has reportedly filed a curative petition claiming that deletion of culpable homicide charge is a failure in Bhopal’s Union Carbide gas tragedy. This was probably the starkest and the most glaring example of application of the law, in letter rather than in spirit. How can any body with feelings in ones heart close the case involving some 20,000 deaths and some 500,000 maimed for life, as a case of mere negligence? Taking notice of the petition, Apex Court has served notices on Keshub Mahindra, the then chairman of UCI and 6 others. Hopefully now on, law would take its course. Here vendetta should take a back seat, but should bring about some fairness in justice, which should be seen and felt. For too long victims of the greatest industrial disaster have unremittingly suffered.
‘Who will judge the judges’? asked V R Krishna Iyer in his article of the same title, and now comes former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan openly charging in Supreme Court that 8 out of the 16 former Chief Justices of India were ‘definitely corrupt’. While filing an affidavit before the apex court, the former minister also stated that 6 of the 16 were ‘definitely honest’ while about the other two he was not sure. Shanti Bhushan was responding to a contempt petition against his son, Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan. He supposedly gave a list in writing to the perusal of judges hearing the petition. This is an extremely serious charge which apex court cannot, by its very nature, brush aside. It will be interesting to know their considered response. Corruption in judiciary is not openly discussed. But now on it’s a Pandora’s box, with nation’s Numero Uno judicial officers coming under the public scanner.
Media unfriendly Karnataka government got a pat in its back. “Centre commends states police recruitment system”, media reported. The Government in Bangalore was always at the receiving end of the media, rightly or wrongly, especially the present dispensation. But this report informs about the very transparent system of recruitment of police personnel upto the level of sub inspector. Police recruitment is allegedly the most corrupt, where big money always changed hands. If the report, attributed to DGP(Recruitment) S.T. Ramesh, is to be believed, it is indeed a feather in the cap of Yediyurappa government, who have consciously decided not to allow any political interference in these appointments. That the Union Home Ministry commended the system and has recommended to other states is indeed praise worthy. Two cheers for Yediyurappa government.
Set a thief to catch a thief is an old adage. But to appoint somebody as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) who is already tainted with a major scandal, but apparently exonerated, is not always in the best interest of the institution which is the highest anti-corruption body in the country. Appointment of P.J. Thomas, who was an accused in the 15000 tonne Palmolive oil import scandal ought to have been the single most important reason to disqualify him from holding the position of anti-corruption czar. And again despite there being 3 candidates short listed, he was appointed by the team of three, two favouring him and one opposing him. Opposing him was Opposition Leader of Loksabha and favouring him were Prime Minister and Home Minsiter. Thus if BJP goes to town crying hoarse, they are absolutely justified. In his earlier avatar, this Thomas was Telecom Secretary in the centre attached to the infamous spectrum A.Raja.
The question making its round in corridors of power in New Delhi is, was P J Thomas made CVC to scuttle the ongoing probe, initiated by the outgoing CVC Pratyush Sinha, into Telecom scam? This P.J. Thomas was not only an accused in the Kerala Palmolive oil case some two decades ago, he was also the telecom Secretary, who master minded, along with his minister A Raja, the policy formulation, is another very solid ground not to have him as CVC, since Telecom scam is probably free India’s biggest illicit money making enterprise. Can both Home Minister, who is a lawyer by qualification and profession and the worlds most educated economist Prof. turned politician Prime Minister take cover under the argument that P.J. Thomas has been cleared by the authorities of any wrong doing? Surprisingly BJP is armed with a copy of the note which P.J.Thomas, as Telecom Secretary had obtained from the law ministry that “spectrum allocation is a policy decision of the government that cannot be challenged by the CVC and CAG”. Thus it looks fairly clear that P.J.Thomas' appointment itself is malafide and bad in law. It was apparently preplanned to make him the CVC and he had armed himself with this note from the Law Ministry, given at his specific query as telecom secretary. It is indeed very sad that both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister who are supposedly the epitome of probity in public life have allowed themselves to be used by the power and money. Here, it is pertinent to note the shock expressed by Kerala Chief Minister Achutanandan on this appointment of Thomas as CVC.
Many years ago, Deccan Herald of Bangalore had published a story of an errand boy called Mohammed. The story was originally published in Malayaalam. Whole of Malayaali reading public must have read the story. Having read, it had gone on with life. But in Bangalore that was not to be. Bangalore crowd probably was not as matured. The same evening, when DH had published the English translation, Bangalore was in flames. DH offices suffered the worst. Its printing press was gutted. Yes, the title of the story in English version was “Mohammed, the Idiot”. A section of Muslim had taken umbrage to the title and had gone berserk. They had not read the story. Yes, the Malayaali crowd of 1990’s was not the same in 2010. Prof T.J. Joseph of Newman’s College lost his right hand and almost lost his left foot, when an irate group of Muslim youths of Kochi attacked him with axe, to settle a perceived insult to Prophet Mohammed. Prof Joseph, a teacher in Malayaalam, had taken a passage from the works of author Kunjumohammed. The work in question had an imaginary conversation between God and an insane character. It was very unfortunate that Prof Joseph decided to name the insane character, as Mohammed. Not withstanding all explanations of Mohammed being a very common name, so was the original author, Kunju-Mohammed, it was patently wrong for Prof Joseph to borrow this name for his question paper. In a highly charged world this was indeed a blunder. The world has changed, so is Kerala. The innate tolerance of the civil world has taken beating for the worst. What happened, as a reaction, to Prof Joseph, is the expression of malaise that is deepening within the global body politic, more so in the pluralistic India. It is indeed very unfortunate for the church to have sacked Prof Joseph, especially after the inhuman and an extremely diabolic act of those Muslim youths. Church needs to introspect, in the context of civil society which has to stand united in the face of relentlessly increasing bigoted violence.
Violence during Ramadan is normally avoided by Muslims the world over. But Pakistan is different. At least 28 people were killed and 180 were injured when 3 suicide bombers blew themselves up in back-to-back attack on Shia march in Lahore, even as gunmen opened fire at a procession in Karachi wounding seven, Agencies reported from Islamabad. In Quetta, on a Shia rally, the attack left over 60 killed. All these attacks took place in a week's time towards the last days of Ramadan month. We have misguided and mischief makers thinking of creating Pakistan out of India. It is better that they see to themselves what happens in Pakistan.It looks like a crazy place to live and die. Since last several years, a week does not pass without an attack by one group over the other. All are Muslims and yet they are daggers drawn at each other, why? What makes them like that? Pakistan can be a good study material why a theocratic state can fail. Something is basically wrong in their whole being. May be the universities in Lahore or Karachi must carry out studies about differences in their society and how to address them to reach out to each other. So that they should be able to sort out their differences without the use of violent methods. Hope someday it happens.
George Fernandes, at the height of his political career as Defence Minister of India had made a statement, to which at that time most people had reacted acerbically, especially the Congress party. He had stated that China is India’s enemy No: 1. Over the years it had been comprehensively proved that he was not wrong after all. Despite former NSA Narayanan’s assertion and Jairam Ramesh’s silly barb, China continues to indulge in practices which are patently anti-Indian. Of course, the present state of the country is such that China cannot roughshod but only keep pin pricking to irritate India. Without side tracking, we must see straight into the eyes of Chinese leadership to tell them in no uncertain terms, ‘what ever you do, your acts are unfriendly and shall not win friends and influence people.’ Our diplomatic assertion without verbose, firmly and honestly, should do. Just like what George Fernandes did almost a decade ago.
The election of President of Congress is purely a matter between the eligible voters of the party and party managers. Aam aadmi should have nothing to do with its internal matters, least of all I & C. However, when, as a country we tom-tom to the world at large about our democratic credentials, we reduce ourselves as butt of jokes that we preach more and practice less. Of course there are any number of spineless wonders who are going around mouthing inanities about the functioning of their glorious party and its glorious past. But no amount of hyped marketing gimmicks can obliterate the image of sycophancy the Congress party is suffering from. It has some very good and able people who can take India truly forward, but then they are all happy whatever way Congress is managed, voters are voting for the party at the hustings. That’s the bottom line, whether the aam aadmi likes it or not.
There is this interesting news from Islamabad Pakistan, and world out there must support and encourage it, for a possible trouble free world. The news is, atheists are growing in number, although miniscule, may be little over 100. Hazrat NaKhuda, a former Pakistani Muslim has a Facebook group floated for Pak’s agnostics and atheists. Hazrat reportedly wrote “I used to be a practicing Muslim. I used to live in Saudi Arabia. I have done two Hajs and many Umrahs. Used to pray 5 times a day. When I turned 17/18, I realised that the only reason I was Muslim was because my parents were Muslims.” And he is not alone, there are others echoing similar thoughts. Its good for the world and good for Pakistan. Al Hamdulullah.
Pay hike of 10% DA to central government employees and 1% rise in the interest to EPF is simply and purely a populist measure by the central government to appease the staff as a vote buying measure. It clearly smacks of illogical favouritism and country can ill afford with lot of unorganised sector still in a hopeless mess. Our government, political parties all talk about aam aadmi, who is this?
If our power that be, has any idea, then this EPF amount of about ` 2,000 crores, which is mostly unclaimed amount, would be immediately made available to this aam aadmi and not give it off to well paid, well looked after organised labour without commensurate labour inputs. As usual it is the same approach of crying with the poor and siding the rich, and no indications available of any reversal of this state of affairs. That is a sad dimension of our tryst with development. Oh poor fellow Indians!
The belated confession by the Pope that “Church failed to check child abuse” is a frank and honest admission by the highest seat of Catholic spiritualism. Of course, the world over, all religious orders, where celibacy is enforced on its members who would become clergy, the menace of sexapade, in one form or another, was always witnessed. The church has to debate this aspect openly and probably come up with something that may help these clergy become better than what they are accused of. Hope it does.
AFP reporting from Teharan said “Iran clerics for slaying Quran burners”. Its indeed diabolic and stupid for that clergy from the tiny Florida church to make the statement wanting to burn the Islam’s holy book. There have been flood of statements decrying the church’s attempted sacrilegious act. Of course the better sense prevailed and the act was not carried out. If at all it had to happen there would have been widespread demonstration and even violence. But one thing all concerned should ponder ‘would slaying be the solution to the burning of Quran or any other supposedly blasphemous act?’ Isn’t there room to temper our response whatever be the provocation, in the overall interest of the world we live in. If an unarmed, half naked fakir called Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi could influence generations of men and women, the world over, to think and act non-violently when information technology was so nascent, in this age of information super highway, his meassage can go to every nook and corner of the world to make this world a heaven of co-operative co-existence. Is this dream impossible?
So ‘Common Wealth Games’ (CWG) are going to be held after all. Most nations despite earlier reservation have decided to take part in the CWG opening on 3rd Oct. All those who have arrived in the capital have checked into their logistics and found them to be of acceptable standard and some were even pleasantly surprised. Of course in a mega event involving some ` 70000 crores, is bound to have some problems here and there. But one thing that underlies the issue is the mismanagement and bad management of the construction programmes going out of control. Everything can be brouhgt under control by deploying more men and money. That management is super which creates the best at least possible cost. That's the idea of management. Anybody can create a big event if you are spending money without control. So this Kalmadi & Company should be made accountable for all acts of commission and omission. After all India is not as rich a country to spend ` 70000 crore of peoples money, only to bolster an international image. Among the steps the government should take, are the immediate termination of all presidents of sports bodies who have spent more than 10 years at the helm of the body.
Besides, in the near future, may be another fifty years, India should not host any mega sports event. It will neither win friends nor influence people. It will be a huge waste of money for the country but shall bring riches for some functionaries and their cronies, some politicians and some babus. So also, whenever a decision is taken to host such mega events, it has to be far away from the city. You have witnessed the inhuman way of management of crowd by the Delhi administration just to show the cleanliness of the place around the venue of CWG, which otherwise is not bothered to keep the place spic and span. Among the people who should be made accountable for the lapses in CWG, central government should include Sheila Dixit. She is trying to munch more than she can chew. May be she is dreaming of bigger role for herself in the evolving India. Meanwhile lets all wish All the Very Best for CWG and that all visiting sports persons and tourists go home with pleasant memories.
“Rathore stays in Jail As HC Rejects Plea” was a heart warming piece of news, where, more often these days judgement were taking precedence over justice. While upholding the sessions court’s 18 month jail term to policeman Rathore, Punjab and Haryana High Court observed “People with privilege and power must be conscious of their prestige. If they prostitute their power and position, punishment should be in proportion to the crime”. Castigating former DGP. SPS Rathore for his ‘shameful’ conduct of molesting the 14 year old Ruchika Girhotra some 20 years ago, court said he betrayed the trust reposed in him as a custodian of the law and order. At this point we must remember to congratulate the young lady Aradhana, the friend of Ruchika, who was witness to the sordid act of Rathore and the Girhotra family for their persistence in pursuing this high profile case. Ordinary mortal would have given up fighting this highly influential policeman with contacts in corridors of power in Haryana politics and bureaucracy. This judgement should serve as a warning to all ‘so called powerful people’.
'UNICEF in spat over Fake Relief Camp’. If you are shocked, please take it easy. Not that such a thing has not happened in India. We have far too many fake events, like fake NGOs, fake government programmes, even fake NREGS work sites and many others. So ‘fake’ per se is not uncommon in this country. But this is Islamabad date lined story. Trying to make a fast one, the authorities in the flood affected area set up a camp for the visiting UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. According to “Dawn” an emergency camp was set up at a public sector educational facility just for this particular visit. The camp remained open for a few hours only. After the delegation left, the shelter for flood victims was done away with. Of course as expected UNICEF came to know of the murky development and were engaged with the Pakistan government in a war of words, the report informed. Lets face it, Pakistan and India has only one difference, that is, they are Muslim majority and India is Hindu majority. But both are from the same social stock and why should Indians feel shocked? Keep smiling.
Probably no other governor has been written about or spoken about, as much as Karnataka governor H R Bhardwaj. He is probably the noisiest governor any state in India had. Of course unforutunately for him, he must have been handpicked for the job by the powers that be, from New Delhi, since the government in Bangalore happened to be of BJP, an anathema for the current rulers in Delhi. Of course, to their credit, the incumbent government in Bangalore has not been a model government where intervention by the constitutional head of the state, the governor, became a regular feature. While it is true that Bangalore government was always in a bit of mess of different kinds, for the governor to become a bit of a rabble rouser snacked of politics rather than the issue of governance. Latest in the series of confrontation has been the returning of the Akrama Sakrama bill. All governments all over India, belonging to all political dispensation, present and past, have done this rightly or wrongly. But now here we have seen one like Bhardwaj fishing in troubled waters.
Kashmir being the on going trouble in the Indian subcontinent, we have taken it up under Focus. We have tried to be as informative as possible. Hope readers shall find it worth their time. Do revert with your comments. We do value them.
Rest of the issues are as usual.
This month signifies the completion of a milestone in the evolution of our efforts started in November 2000. Yes, we shall be completing 10 years of extremely satisfying journey in the world of print media. We have planned a Souvenir to mark the decennial.
Navigating thru’ the uncharted waters of 4th estate had its own feelings of exhilaration and disappointment. But looking back over the shoulder the labyrinth that we traversed, certainly has left us with a sense of ‘déjà vu’. Of course hurdles have been many and have been of varying kinds, mainly of participative readership. Our support base has not radically picked up. Although it has crossed four figures, it is a long way to reach the five figure mark. For a ten year old periodical, it is pretty low. Of course many of our readers, who are receiving complimentary copy somehow do not realise that if they like to receive it and read it, they should as well subscribe to it. We have such souls aplenty. Of course, there are some very kind souls, like that lady from U.K. (England). She is our regular subscriber and we are not aware how she came to be our reader. Not only she had some very kind words of participative support, she even sent her valuable contribution to our child reach out activities. She called our efforts “a journalism of conscience”. Such thoughts really make our day. Then there are others, who went out of their way to sponsor subscription to friends, relatives and libraries, since they felt that I & C is doing a great job and needs support of all kind, moral and material. Such sentiment really bucks us up to do our best at all times. We pray almighty God that these souls be blessed.
Month began with Agriculture Minister Pawar saying “We will respect court decision on grain distribution”, but Prime Minster Manmohan Singh remarked, a week later “Order on free grain cannot be executed” and “Supreme Court should not go into the realm of policy formulation. ” While politician Pawar, being a politician, does not want to take on the apex court, but economist Dr Singh is very much off the tangency. Surely, court is aware that policy formulation is certainly not its domain. But Dr Singh, if the policies that you have framed to help the people have failed miserably what does the court do, if not intervene? Its alright for the West to go to market with singing paeans about your intellect and decency in public life, a government has also to perform and deliver. Your food ministry has failed to protect the food grains in its custody procured for Indians in the margins. A significant part has rotted in open without proper storage space. Isn’t it a cruel joke that liquor barons hire FCI godowns but no place for foodgrains. You must explain to the court, who should be commended for their suo moto activism. Atleast you will become more accountable then, rather than when media reports about people going to bed hungry and millions of tons of food grain rotting in rain.
‘Barge arrives to unload containers off Chitra’, ‘State wants ` 3 crore from MSC Chitra for clean up’. These two reports appeared early on the month. We had highlighted about it last month. These barges could have come many weeks earlier, but then we are Indians, we are like this only. We act when it is late. We are poor learners and bad managers of disasters. Asking for ` 3 crores is like asking not even pea nuts. U.S. got $ 20 billion for the oil spill off Gulf Coast from B. P. and we are asking for not even $ 1 million for a spill which can be at least 10% the size of Gulf coast spill, which means atleast we should ask for $ 2 billion, when converted it is close to `10,000 crores. This amount can destroy MSC Chitra’s owners. At least ask for `100 crores, commensurate with overall suffering, the fish eating public who can’t eat fish off Mumbai coast, fish catching fishermen whose livelihood is destroyed for a long time, the effect on the overall marine life in and around Mumbai, and clean up of the mess, not just ` 3 crores. All authorities must realise that huge fines are the only way to make market players accountable, something we loathe to learn.
Why doesn’t courts, the sentinels of justice, go beyond the mere interpretation of law? The courts are meant to go by the spirit of the law rather than the letter of it. “High Court clean chit for Pawar” was a news item in the print media, ‘refusing to direct state to retrospectively collect entertainment tax as the IPL series already over.’ Here, the issue is the revenue for the public exchequer. IPL earned in hundreds of crores. They have used the system to make money and they have to pay for it. In fact IPL should be more than happy to pay. After all they are not paying from their private sources. They are paying from their earnings. Here it is very easy to surmise that Pawar & Co had a vested interest in protecting the IPL owners. Just because IPL lawyers fought the case on the legal merit of the case, the PIL filed by Subhash Desai an MLA from Mumbai should not have been dismissed saying that “exemption of entertainment tax on all sports was in force since 1964.” But your lordships, IPL is not sports, its pure and simple business of making all stake holders richer, the organisers, the players and also the media and team owners. State is asking a portion of your earned riches and that’s all. Only lawyers made huge fees, but an activist, who spent his money and time was rebuked. You call this justice?!
‘Spot fixing’, the latest in cricket’s match fixing lexicon, has come to stay, thanks to Pakistani cricketers. After all Pakistanis are like Indians only. 63 years ago, we had the same home and hearth. Only difference is we have more opportunity for making money, so are our players, especially cricketers. We have advertising firms lining upto take cricketers, for all kinds of promotions, and we have a rich BCCI to give cricketers huge pay packets and now there is IPL and other state level cricket tournaments, all to exploit cricket crazy Indian public. These ad. firms should devise newer way to spread the booty, why promote only Tendulakars, Dhonies, Dravids and Gangulies. There are other good and solid players, who should also be promoted. Then, why only cricketers, why not other sports persons and athletes. There are very good hockey and football players and athletes. This Sports Minister Gill who gets into crude gaffes like earlier not recognising All England badminton champion Pullela Gopichand and pushing him off while on photo-op with Saina Nehwal and again pushing the coach of Sushil Kumar who won gold at World Wrestling championship. His actions were not only crude and but also rude, especially when the coach of Sushil Kumar is an aged gentleman. You don’t push an old person off the stage even if you are a minister. This Sports Minister, who joined politics after his term as Chief Election Commissioner, which itself is a bad precedent, should take up the cause of sports persons how to make them financially empowered. There is immense scope to really help sports person if a planned strategy on PPP (Private Public Partnership) basis is taken up.
Accusation that “very little is done for Kandhamal victims” is an indictment of Orissa govt. Chief Minister Patnaik should necessarily push the department concerned to reach out to the thousands of poor Christian families who suffered during the communal disturbances that took place over two years ago. Raphael Cheenath, the Archbishop of Bhubaneshwar so also Swarupananda Patra of Orissa Minority Forum are gentlemen of impeccable integrity, and they have complained of the government apathy. Without finding any alibis the government must reach out to address the suffering of these displaced persons.
“Information on black money in Swiss Banks now easier” informed the press report. Recently Swiss finance minister and her counterpart in India, Pranab Mukherjee, have signed an agreement on double taxation avoidance, which will pave way to sharing all information on account holders. These agreements are all very well, but how much money India can really get back which truly belongs to all Indians, with mindset in Delhi not being very supportive to unearth the tinted money in these foreign banks. Pranab Mukherjee is not a transparent man, unlike the Prime Minister. He will keep harping that terms of the agreement prohibits sharing the info with public. So aren’t these agreements self defeating if they are not available to public domain? Transparency has been the biggest victim of our growth. Our problem is lack of honest people at the helm, whether politician or the babu.
After 26 years, suddenly CBI is alive to its role as protector of criminal investigation. CBI has reportedly filed a curative petition claiming that deletion of culpable homicide charge is a failure in Bhopal’s Union Carbide gas tragedy. This was probably the starkest and the most glaring example of application of the law, in letter rather than in spirit. How can any body with feelings in ones heart close the case involving some 20,000 deaths and some 500,000 maimed for life, as a case of mere negligence? Taking notice of the petition, Apex Court has served notices on Keshub Mahindra, the then chairman of UCI and 6 others. Hopefully now on, law would take its course. Here vendetta should take a back seat, but should bring about some fairness in justice, which should be seen and felt. For too long victims of the greatest industrial disaster have unremittingly suffered.
‘Who will judge the judges’? asked V R Krishna Iyer in his article of the same title, and now comes former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan openly charging in Supreme Court that 8 out of the 16 former Chief Justices of India were ‘definitely corrupt’. While filing an affidavit before the apex court, the former minister also stated that 6 of the 16 were ‘definitely honest’ while about the other two he was not sure. Shanti Bhushan was responding to a contempt petition against his son, Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan. He supposedly gave a list in writing to the perusal of judges hearing the petition. This is an extremely serious charge which apex court cannot, by its very nature, brush aside. It will be interesting to know their considered response. Corruption in judiciary is not openly discussed. But now on it’s a Pandora’s box, with nation’s Numero Uno judicial officers coming under the public scanner.
Media unfriendly Karnataka government got a pat in its back. “Centre commends states police recruitment system”, media reported. The Government in Bangalore was always at the receiving end of the media, rightly or wrongly, especially the present dispensation. But this report informs about the very transparent system of recruitment of police personnel upto the level of sub inspector. Police recruitment is allegedly the most corrupt, where big money always changed hands. If the report, attributed to DGP(Recruitment) S.T. Ramesh, is to be believed, it is indeed a feather in the cap of Yediyurappa government, who have consciously decided not to allow any political interference in these appointments. That the Union Home Ministry commended the system and has recommended to other states is indeed praise worthy. Two cheers for Yediyurappa government.
Set a thief to catch a thief is an old adage. But to appoint somebody as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) who is already tainted with a major scandal, but apparently exonerated, is not always in the best interest of the institution which is the highest anti-corruption body in the country. Appointment of P.J. Thomas, who was an accused in the 15000 tonne Palmolive oil import scandal ought to have been the single most important reason to disqualify him from holding the position of anti-corruption czar. And again despite there being 3 candidates short listed, he was appointed by the team of three, two favouring him and one opposing him. Opposing him was Opposition Leader of Loksabha and favouring him were Prime Minister and Home Minsiter. Thus if BJP goes to town crying hoarse, they are absolutely justified. In his earlier avatar, this Thomas was Telecom Secretary in the centre attached to the infamous spectrum A.Raja.
The question making its round in corridors of power in New Delhi is, was P J Thomas made CVC to scuttle the ongoing probe, initiated by the outgoing CVC Pratyush Sinha, into Telecom scam? This P.J. Thomas was not only an accused in the Kerala Palmolive oil case some two decades ago, he was also the telecom Secretary, who master minded, along with his minister A Raja, the policy formulation, is another very solid ground not to have him as CVC, since Telecom scam is probably free India’s biggest illicit money making enterprise. Can both Home Minister, who is a lawyer by qualification and profession and the worlds most educated economist Prof. turned politician Prime Minister take cover under the argument that P.J. Thomas has been cleared by the authorities of any wrong doing? Surprisingly BJP is armed with a copy of the note which P.J.Thomas, as Telecom Secretary had obtained from the law ministry that “spectrum allocation is a policy decision of the government that cannot be challenged by the CVC and CAG”. Thus it looks fairly clear that P.J.Thomas' appointment itself is malafide and bad in law. It was apparently preplanned to make him the CVC and he had armed himself with this note from the Law Ministry, given at his specific query as telecom secretary. It is indeed very sad that both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister who are supposedly the epitome of probity in public life have allowed themselves to be used by the power and money. Here, it is pertinent to note the shock expressed by Kerala Chief Minister Achutanandan on this appointment of Thomas as CVC.
Many years ago, Deccan Herald of Bangalore had published a story of an errand boy called Mohammed. The story was originally published in Malayaalam. Whole of Malayaali reading public must have read the story. Having read, it had gone on with life. But in Bangalore that was not to be. Bangalore crowd probably was not as matured. The same evening, when DH had published the English translation, Bangalore was in flames. DH offices suffered the worst. Its printing press was gutted. Yes, the title of the story in English version was “Mohammed, the Idiot”. A section of Muslim had taken umbrage to the title and had gone berserk. They had not read the story. Yes, the Malayaali crowd of 1990’s was not the same in 2010. Prof T.J. Joseph of Newman’s College lost his right hand and almost lost his left foot, when an irate group of Muslim youths of Kochi attacked him with axe, to settle a perceived insult to Prophet Mohammed. Prof Joseph, a teacher in Malayaalam, had taken a passage from the works of author Kunjumohammed. The work in question had an imaginary conversation between God and an insane character. It was very unfortunate that Prof Joseph decided to name the insane character, as Mohammed. Not withstanding all explanations of Mohammed being a very common name, so was the original author, Kunju-Mohammed, it was patently wrong for Prof Joseph to borrow this name for his question paper. In a highly charged world this was indeed a blunder. The world has changed, so is Kerala. The innate tolerance of the civil world has taken beating for the worst. What happened, as a reaction, to Prof Joseph, is the expression of malaise that is deepening within the global body politic, more so in the pluralistic India. It is indeed very unfortunate for the church to have sacked Prof Joseph, especially after the inhuman and an extremely diabolic act of those Muslim youths. Church needs to introspect, in the context of civil society which has to stand united in the face of relentlessly increasing bigoted violence.
Violence during Ramadan is normally avoided by Muslims the world over. But Pakistan is different. At least 28 people were killed and 180 were injured when 3 suicide bombers blew themselves up in back-to-back attack on Shia march in Lahore, even as gunmen opened fire at a procession in Karachi wounding seven, Agencies reported from Islamabad. In Quetta, on a Shia rally, the attack left over 60 killed. All these attacks took place in a week's time towards the last days of Ramadan month. We have misguided and mischief makers thinking of creating Pakistan out of India. It is better that they see to themselves what happens in Pakistan.It looks like a crazy place to live and die. Since last several years, a week does not pass without an attack by one group over the other. All are Muslims and yet they are daggers drawn at each other, why? What makes them like that? Pakistan can be a good study material why a theocratic state can fail. Something is basically wrong in their whole being. May be the universities in Lahore or Karachi must carry out studies about differences in their society and how to address them to reach out to each other. So that they should be able to sort out their differences without the use of violent methods. Hope someday it happens.
George Fernandes, at the height of his political career as Defence Minister of India had made a statement, to which at that time most people had reacted acerbically, especially the Congress party. He had stated that China is India’s enemy No: 1. Over the years it had been comprehensively proved that he was not wrong after all. Despite former NSA Narayanan’s assertion and Jairam Ramesh’s silly barb, China continues to indulge in practices which are patently anti-Indian. Of course, the present state of the country is such that China cannot roughshod but only keep pin pricking to irritate India. Without side tracking, we must see straight into the eyes of Chinese leadership to tell them in no uncertain terms, ‘what ever you do, your acts are unfriendly and shall not win friends and influence people.’ Our diplomatic assertion without verbose, firmly and honestly, should do. Just like what George Fernandes did almost a decade ago.
The election of President of Congress is purely a matter between the eligible voters of the party and party managers. Aam aadmi should have nothing to do with its internal matters, least of all I & C. However, when, as a country we tom-tom to the world at large about our democratic credentials, we reduce ourselves as butt of jokes that we preach more and practice less. Of course there are any number of spineless wonders who are going around mouthing inanities about the functioning of their glorious party and its glorious past. But no amount of hyped marketing gimmicks can obliterate the image of sycophancy the Congress party is suffering from. It has some very good and able people who can take India truly forward, but then they are all happy whatever way Congress is managed, voters are voting for the party at the hustings. That’s the bottom line, whether the aam aadmi likes it or not.
There is this interesting news from Islamabad Pakistan, and world out there must support and encourage it, for a possible trouble free world. The news is, atheists are growing in number, although miniscule, may be little over 100. Hazrat NaKhuda, a former Pakistani Muslim has a Facebook group floated for Pak’s agnostics and atheists. Hazrat reportedly wrote “I used to be a practicing Muslim. I used to live in Saudi Arabia. I have done two Hajs and many Umrahs. Used to pray 5 times a day. When I turned 17/18, I realised that the only reason I was Muslim was because my parents were Muslims.” And he is not alone, there are others echoing similar thoughts. Its good for the world and good for Pakistan. Al Hamdulullah.
Pay hike of 10% DA to central government employees and 1% rise in the interest to EPF is simply and purely a populist measure by the central government to appease the staff as a vote buying measure. It clearly smacks of illogical favouritism and country can ill afford with lot of unorganised sector still in a hopeless mess. Our government, political parties all talk about aam aadmi, who is this?
If our power that be, has any idea, then this EPF amount of about ` 2,000 crores, which is mostly unclaimed amount, would be immediately made available to this aam aadmi and not give it off to well paid, well looked after organised labour without commensurate labour inputs. As usual it is the same approach of crying with the poor and siding the rich, and no indications available of any reversal of this state of affairs. That is a sad dimension of our tryst with development. Oh poor fellow Indians!
The belated confession by the Pope that “Church failed to check child abuse” is a frank and honest admission by the highest seat of Catholic spiritualism. Of course, the world over, all religious orders, where celibacy is enforced on its members who would become clergy, the menace of sexapade, in one form or another, was always witnessed. The church has to debate this aspect openly and probably come up with something that may help these clergy become better than what they are accused of. Hope it does.
AFP reporting from Teharan said “Iran clerics for slaying Quran burners”. Its indeed diabolic and stupid for that clergy from the tiny Florida church to make the statement wanting to burn the Islam’s holy book. There have been flood of statements decrying the church’s attempted sacrilegious act. Of course the better sense prevailed and the act was not carried out. If at all it had to happen there would have been widespread demonstration and even violence. But one thing all concerned should ponder ‘would slaying be the solution to the burning of Quran or any other supposedly blasphemous act?’ Isn’t there room to temper our response whatever be the provocation, in the overall interest of the world we live in. If an unarmed, half naked fakir called Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi could influence generations of men and women, the world over, to think and act non-violently when information technology was so nascent, in this age of information super highway, his meassage can go to every nook and corner of the world to make this world a heaven of co-operative co-existence. Is this dream impossible?
So ‘Common Wealth Games’ (CWG) are going to be held after all. Most nations despite earlier reservation have decided to take part in the CWG opening on 3rd Oct. All those who have arrived in the capital have checked into their logistics and found them to be of acceptable standard and some were even pleasantly surprised. Of course in a mega event involving some ` 70000 crores, is bound to have some problems here and there. But one thing that underlies the issue is the mismanagement and bad management of the construction programmes going out of control. Everything can be brouhgt under control by deploying more men and money. That management is super which creates the best at least possible cost. That's the idea of management. Anybody can create a big event if you are spending money without control. So this Kalmadi & Company should be made accountable for all acts of commission and omission. After all India is not as rich a country to spend ` 70000 crore of peoples money, only to bolster an international image. Among the steps the government should take, are the immediate termination of all presidents of sports bodies who have spent more than 10 years at the helm of the body.
Besides, in the near future, may be another fifty years, India should not host any mega sports event. It will neither win friends nor influence people. It will be a huge waste of money for the country but shall bring riches for some functionaries and their cronies, some politicians and some babus. So also, whenever a decision is taken to host such mega events, it has to be far away from the city. You have witnessed the inhuman way of management of crowd by the Delhi administration just to show the cleanliness of the place around the venue of CWG, which otherwise is not bothered to keep the place spic and span. Among the people who should be made accountable for the lapses in CWG, central government should include Sheila Dixit. She is trying to munch more than she can chew. May be she is dreaming of bigger role for herself in the evolving India. Meanwhile lets all wish All the Very Best for CWG and that all visiting sports persons and tourists go home with pleasant memories.
“Rathore stays in Jail As HC Rejects Plea” was a heart warming piece of news, where, more often these days judgement were taking precedence over justice. While upholding the sessions court’s 18 month jail term to policeman Rathore, Punjab and Haryana High Court observed “People with privilege and power must be conscious of their prestige. If they prostitute their power and position, punishment should be in proportion to the crime”. Castigating former DGP. SPS Rathore for his ‘shameful’ conduct of molesting the 14 year old Ruchika Girhotra some 20 years ago, court said he betrayed the trust reposed in him as a custodian of the law and order. At this point we must remember to congratulate the young lady Aradhana, the friend of Ruchika, who was witness to the sordid act of Rathore and the Girhotra family for their persistence in pursuing this high profile case. Ordinary mortal would have given up fighting this highly influential policeman with contacts in corridors of power in Haryana politics and bureaucracy. This judgement should serve as a warning to all ‘so called powerful people’.
'UNICEF in spat over Fake Relief Camp’. If you are shocked, please take it easy. Not that such a thing has not happened in India. We have far too many fake events, like fake NGOs, fake government programmes, even fake NREGS work sites and many others. So ‘fake’ per se is not uncommon in this country. But this is Islamabad date lined story. Trying to make a fast one, the authorities in the flood affected area set up a camp for the visiting UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. According to “Dawn” an emergency camp was set up at a public sector educational facility just for this particular visit. The camp remained open for a few hours only. After the delegation left, the shelter for flood victims was done away with. Of course as expected UNICEF came to know of the murky development and were engaged with the Pakistan government in a war of words, the report informed. Lets face it, Pakistan and India has only one difference, that is, they are Muslim majority and India is Hindu majority. But both are from the same social stock and why should Indians feel shocked? Keep smiling.
Probably no other governor has been written about or spoken about, as much as Karnataka governor H R Bhardwaj. He is probably the noisiest governor any state in India had. Of course unforutunately for him, he must have been handpicked for the job by the powers that be, from New Delhi, since the government in Bangalore happened to be of BJP, an anathema for the current rulers in Delhi. Of course, to their credit, the incumbent government in Bangalore has not been a model government where intervention by the constitutional head of the state, the governor, became a regular feature. While it is true that Bangalore government was always in a bit of mess of different kinds, for the governor to become a bit of a rabble rouser snacked of politics rather than the issue of governance. Latest in the series of confrontation has been the returning of the Akrama Sakrama bill. All governments all over India, belonging to all political dispensation, present and past, have done this rightly or wrongly. But now here we have seen one like Bhardwaj fishing in troubled waters.
Kashmir being the on going trouble in the Indian subcontinent, we have taken it up under Focus. We have tried to be as informative as possible. Hope readers shall find it worth their time. Do revert with your comments. We do value them.
Rest of the issues are as usual.
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