EDITOR'S COLUMN

Friends,

Looking back over the road travelled, when you cross the 16th milestone, will certainly have its own sense of satisfaction tinged with the haunting memories of the trials and tribulations faced along the way. Luckily for us, completion of the year 16th and the beginning of the year 17 also marked our 200th edition of, if we are permitted to say, our monumental efforts. So, we were blessed with two joys. No doubt, the apprehensions, misgivings and uncertainties that accompanied us all the while has certainly had its positive impacts in making us stronger to face the coming days with fortitude.
The completion of 16th year has also seen a new development of the possibility of I&C being owned by a co-operative of paid readers. A modest beginning has been already made. 25 subscribers have already sent their permanent membership of Rs. 10,000/- each. By 31st March 2017, we hope to reach 100 such members. As and when co-operative happens, the effort is to refund in due course, this permanent subscription amount, which is truly the capital for the new co-operative entity.
Our 200th edition was formally released by Justice N. Santosh Hegde along with Prof. BM Hegde, Dr. N.K. Thingalaya, Dr. Ravishankar Rao, Dr. Satish Rao and Mr. M.R. Vasudeva. A graphic report is appearing in following pages.
The yearly elocution competition for college students was not held, since partners to the event, a social organization in Bengalooru and a local school in Surathkal, somehow lost the initiative to join hands. We regret, an annual regular event had to be given a go-by. We do hope to have it in the coming year.
Month that has gone by witnessed an unprecedented development. The central government, in a stated objective of clamping down on parallel economy, black money and fake currency has demonetized Rs. 1000/- and Rs. 500/- currency notes. Although it has been taken positively by most Indians, it has created difficulties to those who do not have bank account. Hope in coming weeks situation will ease with more newer currencies are made available in the system.
Month-in-Perspective has covered as usual many issues of relevance, although it is very difficult to cover all development taking place during the month.
Uniform Civil Code, suddenly came on the centre stage, primarily due to the intervention of Supreme Court. A women’s NGO, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andholan, went to court with issues disturbing the women folks of the community. Admitting their plea, apex court has asked the central government for its considered stand. The major partner in the NDA, BJP, is in a bind. That has created an air of suspicion, especially among Muslim Community leadership. We have tried to debate the validity of UCC as an universal need for the human dignity of Indian women. Hope readers will find it interesting. Do revert with your inputs. Rest are as usual. 

J. Shriyan