ISSUES AND CONCERNS

Friends So the new financial year has begun, so shall be the plan for the financial health of the country, the corporate sector and all prudent people who want to do their arithmetic and put their yearly figures in place so that there are less and less unpleasant surprises. Yes, among the financial planners, who was most worked up and presented his figures to the nation was the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Over a month ago, on 28th Feb., the budget that he gave to the nation was rather more conservative than expected. At least one chartered accountant called it UNJUST, INEQUITABLE & MORALLY WRONG. But frankly there was nothing to really cheer about. Biggest disappointment was the allocation for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. While it is to the credit of UPA II for putting in place RTE (Right to Education), the outlay in the budget to further the ambit of RTE is rather a let down. The modest increase of 10%, if adjusted to inflation, shall only mean a negligible increase. Re...

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY & DO WE REMEMBER USHA & CHANDRAPATI ! Many organisations in India, some non-government, some government, are still observing and celebrating International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day came and went into history as just another day on 8th March. Speeches were made, and rallies by girl students organised, some women honoured and then it was another passing show, until the 8th March, the following year. When we talk about Women’s International Day in India, we end up mostly talking about the political representation of women in legislatures and parliament, which is abysmally low, despite convenient liberal rhetorics. Then we see the images of political and influential who’s who in the electronic media. But this 24x7 electronics media, who make or mar people in their misplaced hype, never had much of time for glamourless and faceless grass root women, who have quietly influenced course of events and have in the process, left a trail of footpr...

PM vis-à-vis CVC/ PJT Prime Minister Dr. Sardar Manmohan Singh, is the most qualified Prime Minister, any country in the world had. There are no two opinions about it. There are many admirable qualities he has. His demeanour is mild, he speaks softly. If you are in agreement with his views and actions, he is a very good boss. But during all these years, close to 7 years as the prime minister of worlds largest democracy, with greatest number of malnourished, hungry and illiterate population in the world, his style of functioning has been a subject of debate, criticism and derision in the Pan India media-both print and electronic. He was a reluctant politician, but over the years he did display his ability at playing politically savvy cards and he also perfected his skill in remaining detached to the visible upheavals around his PMO and PMship. Thus he has reportedly once stated “I have a job to be completed hence I will not quit”, when asked why is he continuing in his job when his wr...

The Hustler and the Hustled I decided to focus my study of the underground economy on the three high-rise buildings that formed the core of J.T’s territory. I already knew quite a bit-that squatters fixed cars in the alleys, people sold meals out of their homes, and prostitutes took clients to vacant apartments-but I had never asked people how much money they made, what kind of expenses they incurred, and so on. J.T. was far more enthusiastic about my project than I’d imagined he would be, although I couldn’t figure out why. “I have a great idea, “he told me one day. “I think you should talk to all the pimps. Then you can go to all the whores. Then I’ll let you talk to all the people stealing cars. Oh, yeah! And you also have folks selling stolen stuff. I mean, there’s a whole bunch of people you can talk to about selling shoes or shirts! And I’ll make sure they cooperate with you. Don’t worry, they won’t say no.” “Well, we don’t want to force anyone to talk to me,” I said, even though...

Deschooling Medical Education in India. hegdebm@gmail.com “Students are schooled to mistake medical treatment for health care, social work for the improvement in community life, police protection for safety, military poise for national security, and the rat race for productive work.” Ivan Illich Abstract: [Medical education in India follows the 1985 London University syllabus brought here by the East India Company with hardly any significant changes. This is irrelevant for today’s needs. Moreover, the very scientific basis of modern medicine is flawed as it still follows the linear laws of deterministic predictability in a non-linear dynamic system. The whole thing needs a relook. The earlier it is done the better. This has a lesson to other parts of the world as well lest we should all suffer from the ravages of modern medicine.] Wise people learn from their own mistakes; wiser people from the mistakes of others. Indians being the wisest of the lot should learn from the mistakes tha...

Novel way to kill malaria parasite London: A class of chemotherapy drugs designed to block signaling pathways in cancer cells also kills the parasite that causes malaria, opening up a whole new way of combating this deadly disease. The research shows that the malaria parasite depends upon a signaling pathway present in the host, initially in liver cells and then in red blood cells, in order to proliferate. The enzymes are active in the signaling pathway are not encoded by the parasite, but rather hijacked by the parasite to serve its own purposes. These same pathways are targeted by a new class of molecules developed for cancer chemotherapy known as kinase inhibitors, the Cellular Microbiology reports. When a team from the Global Health Institute and Inserm, the French agency for biomedical research, subjected RBCs infected with malaria to the chemotherapy drug, the parasite was stopped in its tracks, according to a GHI statement. Malaria drug ‘may slow pancreatic cancer Washington: Sc...

SC bans plastic pouches for gutka Why not ban the product? The Supreme Court has banned the sale of gutka, tobacco and pan masala in plastic sachets from March 2011. The bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi has asked the manufacturers to decide on the alternative packaging material or close down. The bench asked the government to conduct a survey on the ill-effects of tobacco products within eight weeks, and examine the effects of packaging these products in plastic pouches on human health. The companies in their special leave petitions had contended that none of the products violated any statute. The basic ingredient of the pouch was polypropylene and had very small amount of plastic for preserving the product, they added. In September 2007 the apex court had stayed the impugned judgment of the Rajasthan High Court that restrained gutka, tobacco and pan masala manufacturers from selling their products in plastic sachets in the State. Upholding the truth Dogs resemble owners His mater...

Hardworking and prudent people live longer: Study Washington: Are you a carefree and cheerful kind of person? If yes, please take note of a new study which suggests that the prudent and hardworking types live longer than those who take things easily. The University of California research, which is based on an old study that followed 1,528 brilliant students from the early 1920s until their death, found that conscientious and prudent people live a few years longer than carefree, happy-go-lucky sorts. It also found that marriage lengthens life for men, but makes little difference for women, while social ties are longevity boosters for both genders. Hard workers who advanced in their careers and took on more responsibility were also more likely to live long, healthy lives, found the study. “If you want to improve your health, you shouldn’t just go on a joyride, but get involved in meaningful, productive kinds of things,” study author Howard Friedman, a psychologist at the University of Ca...

Legalising the loot – State bails out bankrupt bank with Rs. 270 cr pay out Mumbai: In a major decision, the state government has decided to pay Rs. 270 crore to the state cooperative bank which is on the verge of closure as it has loaned out huge amounts to the sugar mills and yarn spinning mills owned by the ruling politicians. Besides the state government would stand guarantee for Rs. 1800 crore. Skirmishes between ministers were seen at the cabinet meeting over the issue of bailing out the bank. The bailout package was announced under the pressure from the NCP ministers who largely own the sugar mills. The meeting was rocked by the allegations and counter allegations by the industry minister Narayan Rane, Forest minister Pathangrao Kadam and health ministers Suresh Shetty who opposed the move. While Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and Hasan Mushrif were intent on the cabinet clearing the package. Congress ministers crossed swords with the NCP ministers on how the premier bank was driven ...

Scanner shows up non-existent revolver NCP MLA Prakash Shendge was shell shocked when his PA’s bag displayed a revolver under the scanner installed outside the assembly house. The chairman has announced investigation into the matter. While Shendge entered the assembly premises he was not accompanied by his PA, who walked in later with a bag full of papers. After the question hour, the MLA drew the chairman’s attention, saying, “My PA told me that the scanner at the gate showed a revolver in his bag, though there was none.” The MLA added, “When I tried to enquire about this with the security, I was told that the scanner throws up the image of a revolver once in a while just to keep the security guards alert!” Shiv Sena group leader Diwakar Raote remarked in a lighter vein, “At least the guards are doing their duty promptly and you must give them credit for this,” prompting laugher. Conservancy staff fail endurance test Mumbai: Mayor Shraddha Jadhav and house leader Sunil Prabhu has as...