MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
JAMMU & KASHMIR: Post Pulwama terror attack, where some 40 perished and left on equal number injured, has once again attracted the global attention on the issue. We all recognize that Kashmir is a problem, but not Jammu which is also part of J&K, to be known as Jammu & Kashmir state. All need to recognize that the problem is basically with the composition of its population. The Muslim population, at least the majority of Kashmiris, does not like being ruled by Hindu majority India, but it was the then ruler of Kashmir, a Hindu King, who signed a treaty to go with India after partition, post Pakistani attack on its border.
As a secular country, despite Hindu majority, J&K received all the help and support, yet Hindus from Kashmir were made to run away and rendered them refugees in their own country. Article 370 made things worse for Kashmiris, as no investment came to Kashmir, hence no local employment opportunity generated. Unemployed youth started pelting stones as a source of employment, since they were getting paid. So the stone pelting funded by Pakistan and separatist elements became an industry to fight India and its security forces. What is sad is many youth, who are students in different parts of India are glorifying Pulwama attack. This is the height of ingratitude. There is a video going viral when a lone student is standing up when national anthem was being played during the convocation ceremony in a Srinagar University. This is very sad. India has done a great deal in all respect for J&K. But India could not win the people of Kashmir only because of its population being Muslim.
Under the circumstances article 370 should be scrapped and like other parts of India all should be allowed to start business and industry so that not only locals will get employment and some limited migration of other Indians into J&K will only increase its socio-economic development. This in turn can slowly change the demographic profile of J&K and bring about greater prosperity and peace to the people of Kashmir, which is surely what all Kashmiris are looking for. Hope it happens.
NEW DELHI: We are a nation with 70+ years of political independence with an elected government. So we have been making policies, laws, rules and regulations to have an organized government for governing the citizens’ life with all the paraphernalia of rights and duties. As we evolved as a democratic country, we have been making newer provisions to affect the wellbeing of our weaker sections, like women and children. So we had a Women & Child Development Ministry, at both state and federal level. Then we formed National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), since we have been witnessing the exploitation of children in different forms. Different socio-economic status among Indians did give rise to children left out of school, inadequate parental care and concern, led to children getting exposed to street life which led to petty crimes, just to survive and then may be even it became a way of life for many such children. Police intervention led to children in conflict with law. What do you do with them? They are not adults to be jailed. So state started Juvenile Homes to take care of them and make them better humans and better citizens as they leave these homes. Truly speaking, these Juvenile homes are supposed to be correctional homes to prepare them as responsible and responsive human being as they leave these homes.
Surely they were all done with good intentions. The Juvenile Justice Act mandates that children found in conflict with law be sent to special homes that provide reformative services like education, skill development, counseling behavior modification therapy and psychiatric support during their stay in these homes.
But what is the ground condition? We all need to recognize, these children, either they have not gone to school or they have dropped out of school for different socio-economic reasons. So any beginning of reforms has to be to put them back on the education mode. Give them books and conduct classes. Since within the four walls of Juvenile Homes or Observation Homes, as they are called, these children are physically and mentally secure with food, shelter and clothing but what they lack is schooling.
Shockingly, it has come to light in a recent survey that no attempt was made to teach these children or bring them back to school mode within the correctional homes.
Reportedly, only recently NCPCR woke up from their deep slumber after decades in existence and have recommended, not insisted, that teachers be deputed to these homes, under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan as a priority. Hope now on, it does make some difference to the life of these unfortunate children in conflict with law and return to mainstream someday, as citizens, useful to themselves and the society around them.
NEW DELHI: There was this news in the print regarding the GST rate applicable to Two Wheelers. Two wheelers are the most purchased & used mode of transport when it comes to freedom of movement. It is certainly not a luxury item or something the rich would patronize.
Therefore, it was shocking to know that two wheelers are being charged at 28% GST.
That’s incredulous. Something is seriously wrong with any who would think of this steep rate for this aam aadmi product. Reportedly industry is demanding 18%. But personally I would think, it should be 12% for the simple reason, lots of people who are in the lower middle income group, long to own a two wheeler for varieties of reasons of convenience, utility and an added societal recognition, above all the freedom of movement it offers. This aspect if a government does not recognize then there is something wrong with the national leadership.
If the groups of two wheeler manufacturers, including Hero, TVS and others have demanded for reduction, it is perfectly in order. The new finance minister Goyal should necessarily take the call since, all self employed people and those trying their luck with start-ups are all users of 2 wheelers, especially those in the range up to 150CC. Hope the government recognize this anomaly and acts accordingly, as soon as possible.
NEW DELHI: Although BCCI is Mumbai based, the news generally comes from the capital since grapevine flows in New Delhi more than it does in Mumbai.
News about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former India cricket captain, keeps coming and going in the media for whatever it is worth.
Virat Kohli is the captain of the Indian team in all formats, Tests, ODIs and T20s. He clearly relishes being captain of all three formats. For some weird reasons, his word carries the weight through and no questions asked. After all he is only a cricketer and happens to be a captain. That’s how Anil Kumble, the no-nonsense chief coach, cool and composed was not only not given the job for more than one year, and this contract was not renewed, while Ravi Shastri, not comparable to Anil Kumble, was given straight 3 years. Only because, Virat Kohli didn’t want Anil and was happy with ‘yes man’ Ravi Shastri, who represents only his interest and not that of the cricket.
Here too, in the retention and selection of Dhoni, it was Kohli’s decision to have him, for the chemistry between the two. But the Indian team is not for physics and chemistry; it is for the development of the game and of young Indian cricketers.
Dhoni is 37 years, less than 3 summers away for 40. It is time to retire because there is a huge talent available all over India to tap and let them flourish. If MSD was dropped there was reason of his non-performance due to ageing and was brought back for New Zealand. Doesn’t matter, if in trying to experiment with youth, India loses- a match or two!
Debate was regarding Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant both wicket keepers and talented explosive batsmen. They should be given more opportunities. But are not being given, because Kohli feels MSD should be given more opportunities. He has been playing for over 15 years, big time cricket. Did well and made enough money. Shouldn’t others also be given such opportunities to do well and possibly even make some good money?!
But no, BCCI is an organization without any set principles. It has pockets of vested interest, promoting cronyism. Even the SC appointed CoA has not been of much help to cleanse the Aegean stable.
NEW DELHI: The roof top shouting by Vijay Mallya that he is ready to pay his debts to the banks and that Prime Minister Modi is not listening to his plea has not come a day too early.
He ran away, may be with or without the knowledge of the corridors of power in New Delhi, to either deny or delay the loan repayments to Indian banks. But the subsequent development leading to the order to extradite him from England, the economic offender Vijay Mallya, has left no alternative to the liquor baron. Kingfisher couldn’t fly anymore, with all the battery of highly paid legal eagles from the Lincoln's Inn. Not just the airline that Mallya had, was grounded years ago, even the flying bird Kingfisher that Mallya thought to keep flying all his life is finally grounded.
Yes, earlier he was prepared to pay only the principal, but now he is ready to pay all dues including the interest, since his extradition order, his standing trial in India is more or less confirmed. Yes, Mallya must be allowed to pay all his debt so that all these Indian banks who have suffered due to this play boy can breathe easier. This will also send signals to all others, including Nirav Modi to come forward to settle their dues.
This will be a singular incident that will propel the Indian banking scenario for better.
This is not to suggest that Vijay Malya will be exonerated from legal implications his action of running away entails. He must be subjected to all legal proceedings against all those illegal and criminal acts, such as money laundering, conspiring with officials to defraud banks, siphoning business finance to personal accounts etc.
Hope, Mallya keeps his word of paying bank debt first, so that at the end of the day, there has been some gain for the banks and therefore the nation.
NEW DELHI: All Indians are privy to the knowledge that iconic Assamese Singer Bhupen Hazarika was posthumously conferred the highest national award of Bharat Ratna. His name was making rounds since some years, but may be Election 2019, made it possible that the legend be honoured, however belatedly. Under the circumstances it is pertinent to connect some loose ends to arrive at a considered stand.
We had this Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, a brainchild of NDA II which would have affected the ‘demographic profile of North Eastern States, especially Assam. Whole of N.E states had always this problem of migrants coming from different states of India as well as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. We are witness to the horrendous Nellie massacre that took place decades ago. A legislation was brought about to have a cut off year to allow some and disallow some others. But problem of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh remained continuous. The recent census of NE states, especially Assam has again opened up the issue of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. It is true that Bangladeshi Hindus have suffered at the hands of majority in Bangladesh and hence have travelled to safer places in India including Assam. The latest Citizens Amendment Bill envisages the granting of citizenship to these Hindus, besides other non-Muslims. Prima facie, the amendment is discriminatory because it excludes Muslims. But the problem is real, as far as Hindus are concerned so also other non-Muslims from Bangladesh. Hence there is justification for the amendment. But there is resistance from so-called seculars as well as Assamese people. They do not want any illegal immigrants be given the citizenship at all. Tej Hazarika, living in the US is a son of Assamese soil and reportedly he too is against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and therefore had refused to accept the award conferred to his late father. He is reported to have remarked “I believe my father’s name and words are being invoked and celebrated publicly while plans are afoot to pass a painfully unpopular bill regarding citizenship that is undermining his documented position. It would in reality be in direct opposition to what Bhupendra believed in his heart”. This was on February 12th, and come February 16, son Tej Hazarika has changed his mind to receive the award stating. “It will be a dream like privilege to receive the prestigious award”. This is in complete contrast to his earlier stance of “Such national recognition is a display of short lived cheap thrills”, while refusing to accept the honour. Of course between 12th February and 15th February the Citizenship Amendment Bill had lapsed due to the non-passage in Rajya Sabha.
So, clearly all are opportunists. If the government thought that the award would assuage the feelings of Assamese, the son didn’t want to lose the opportunity of the thrill of receiving the highest national honour, on behalf of his father now that he cannot be blamed for supporting the bill, since the bill has lapsed from being enacted. This is Yeh Mera India.
NEW DELHI: If Bofors scam brought sleepless nights to Rajeev Gandhi and his government, Rafale, not exactly a scam, but lack of transparent details is being pursued vigorously by the opposition to force sleepless nights to Modi & his government.
Rahul Gandhi, the Congress President has stooped to all levels accusing Prime Minister Modi, as ‘Chor’ ‘Traitor’ etc, with whatever details he has or does not have. He is targeting only Narendra Modi, the PM. He is entitled to target the government and its leader, as opposition politician, but somehow, under advice of someone or on his own volition using all kinds of derogatory language, is unparliamentary to say the least.
But neither BJP, nor its Supreme leader Modi is reacting. Clearly there are some grey areas, which need a white paper from PMO, on the details of parallel negotiation. Although the charges of corruption in the deal may not stick, some procedural impropriety cannot be ruled out, prima facie.
The drama on Rafale has gone on for far too long in the public space, enacted mainly by Congress led by Rahul Gandhi. Yet like a paper puts it “We are convinced he (Modi) has nothing to hide bar the minor infringement of the well laid out bureaucratic process. Yet PM would benefit by issuing a white paper on the Rafale deal to put the record straight”. Hope he puts it to serve the cause of truth.
UTTAR PRADESH: Some of the BJP leaders including their parliamentarians have many times had their heads travelling downwards. They mouth all kinds of things exposing their lack of civil nicety and lack of sense of proportion.
As if out of desperation Congress has introduced a pretty face into the UP politics. Although it was expected since long, but may be due to maternal concerns of her mother, Priyanka Vadra was held back entering into active politics. Priyanka does resemble former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Despite all her failings, Indira Gandhi, did connect very well with grass root electorates, especially rural women. Similar is the case with Priyanka. She gels well with rural folks, besides her enchanting fairy looks do captivate that audience. Congress, on somewhat revival mode in state elections has made Priyanka its General Secretary to specially manage campaign in eastern UP. Its leadership seems to think her as a trump-card. Be that as it may, it is difficult to wager, how much Priyanka can charm her way into the ballot box. Surely some would be swayed by her charm. Otherwise she has nothing more to offer. Hence it looks clearly laughable for BJP leaders to react in ways that can be termed idiotic to say the least.
“Priyanka Gandhi wears jeans and top in Delhi but when she comes to rural areas she is clad in a saari and wears sindoor”, remarked Harish Dwivedi, a BJP MP from Lucknow.
Surely, it is none of his business what anybody wears, more so Priyanka. This was an unwanted and a misogynistic barb, clearly irresponsible. In fact Priyanka has to be commended for her sensitivity of presenting herself to a crowd, as they would want her seen in a rural set up. So that it is easier to identify oneself with the kind of crowd she was expected to meet.
There is something stupid about a section of BJP members who think they can certify anybody and everybody, like that Surendra Singh, a BJP MLA, who had called Priyanka as Surpanakha, a vile character in Ramayana. That was in extremely poor taste. But the tragedy is, nobody pulled this stupid MLA for this very tasteless remark. These kinds of behavior by BJP men are sure to affect at the husting.
MAHARASHTRA:Surely what one wears is none of our business. Everyone must have a choice to wear what one likes. But there are some dresses which are clearly obnoxious and primitive. Whole of the western world is uncomfortable with the face covering burqa, where it is difficult to identify the person behind the burqa. This surely is a security risk. In Pakistan itself, which is a 97% Muslim country, the Imam of Lal Masjid famously escaped in a burqa, when the Masjid was under seize. Hence, the security risk of a face covered burqa clad person is a fact. Besides, unlike any other dress, burqa represents identity dogma. Whether it is right or not is for the person to decide.
Some days ago, there was this news about AR Rehman and his family of wife and two daughters. He was sharing the stage along with his family and other stars to celebrate the musical score of Slumdog Millionaire. Reportedly his daughter Khatija interviewed him on the programme. She appeared on a silk saari with face covering Islamic veil. That was rather looking funny. If his daughter wanted the world to know that she is a Muslim, she could as well have come in proper face covered burqa. India, unlike Europe does not mind it. No wonder, reportedly, the sartorial choice seems to have rubbed a lot of people on the wrong side as if he inflicted the dress choice. So he posted a photograph with his two daughters and wife with Mukesh Ambani’s wife Nita Ambani, with his daughter appearing in proper face covering burqa, other daughter in some modern outfit with no veil and wife with just head covered, with a caption ‘Freedom to choose’. Clearly he didn’t influence any of them for their choice of dress. That’s being very democratic, unlike many Muslim fathers/husbands.
While, it is commendable that AR Rehman is a model husband and father, the question still haunts us, why this face covering burqa? Is the face ugly or shy to show it to the world outside or an assertion of identity? In any case, it is an uncomfortable situation, take it or leave it.
And comes this news from Vijaywada one Mallika Begum demanding fatwa against another woman Shabana Khatoon to force her to wear burqa. Shabana is aspiring to contest poll on a TDP ticket and probably she is not wearing burqa. But Mallika when she contested in 2009 one Jalil Khan, who is the husband of Shabana had forced the hands of Muslim elders to issue a fatwa to wear burqa to enter politics, and she had lost the election. Mallika blames the fatwa for her loss. Now she wants to settle the score by demanding similar fatwa for Shabana to wear the burqa. In India it is a tragedy that it’s the woman more often, act against other women that is the cause of disquiet. Sad but true.
MAHARASHTRA: Chanda Kochhar, former CEO & MD of ICICI, from being one of the most powerful women in the world to be on ‘Look Out Circular’ from the Criminal Investigation Bureau is a huge fall. Lookout circulars are notices sent to transit points like airports to restrict the movement of people under investigation by probe agencies. Post Nirav Modi crisis that hit public sector Punjab National Bank (PNB) there has been some concerted attention on the happenings in ICICI bank led by Chanda Kochhar, on its loans to Venugopal Dhoot led Videocon Group. A whistle blower had alleged that Mr. Deepak Kochhar had benefited from Videocon. At that time Board of ICICI had given Chanda a clean chit, despite the knowledge of Rs.64 crore advanced by Videocon to Deepak Kochhar’s Nupower Renewable, who happened to be the husband of Chand Kochhar. No Quid-pro-quo was suspected.
However after CBI entered the scene and investigated the affairs of ICICI, Chanda Kochhar was accused of criminal conspiracy and cheating for the alleged irregularities in a loan of Rs.3250 crores in 2012 to Videocon, which has become an NPA for the bank. Ms. Kochhar was terminated after an FIR was filed naming all three accused in the case, CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon Chief Venugopal Dhoot.
What is strange, it happened in 2012 and nobody bothered despite issue simmering in public space post whistle blower disclosure. Whether it’s the RBI, the ombudsman or the government, failed to act. But public are privy to the knowledge that managing director and two executive directors of PNB were sacked on the grounds of procedural lapses in extending loans to Nirav Modi & Company. But with Chanda Kochhar issue of conflict of interest leading to an act of Quid-pro-quo is far more serious than the procedural lapses in the PNB, and therefore accusation of criminal conspiracy and cheating is on firmer ground to act for the authorities. Hope a last word on the matter would help the establishment of better discipline in the banking sector in India.
KARNATAKA:Print media news on 14th February news papers were full of news about the Valentine’s Day, with some activists busy with police to provide ‘protection’ to young love birds from the so-called right wing hooligans. Local social media too was full of such crap. But the death of a young girl of 14 years, reported on the same day, that is 14th, had no takers on the social media. The news titled “14 year old Delhi girl found hanging” datelined Mangalooru had elicited no response from our Face Book champions. She was probably a victim of exploitation as a child labourer.
Adopted by a family as a daughter with the promise of educating, was actually never been sent to school. Reportedly it was four years ago, which means, girl could be a 10 year old child. Adopted family, report informs, lives in a Gulf country, after renting the house to a relative one Abdul Hamid, at KC Nagar in Talapady, after leaving the child behind in the care of the tenant relative.
Report also informs that the issue of the minor girl’s death is being pushed under the carpet probably for some consideration. This is normal, when the victim is a poor child of poor parents.
Of course, the police can make it case of suicide and close the case. But what drove the child to commit suicide, unless circumstances pushed such a young girl to take the extreme step! How much a 10 year old girl would have suffered for 4 long years without her parents knowing what was really happening to their minor daughter?
There appears to be some hope with Women’s Rights groups coming together to know the last word on the sad end of a young life. Reportedly locals alleged it to be a case of child labour in the guise of adoption. With the arrival of girl’s parents from Delhi, hopefully the matter will be properly investigated and culprits, if any, are fixed.
KERALA:Priests exploiting the commoners have been an ongoing activity from these agents of God. And this sickening dimension from those who are unconditionally trusted is happening across the religious spectrum. Since carnal desires are same to all humans, one’s being a Christian, Hindu or Muslim or any other faith, does not really matter. Issue is fundamentally a matter of victims’ human rights violation and law should be very clear that in matters of this nature only the law of the land applies pari passu.
A print media report some days ago datelined Thalassery informed about a priest getting a punishment of 20 years each in jail for three counts of crime running concurrently. In other words, he was given 60 years (20X3) imprisonment. But since the judge decided it to be together, actual jail term remain 20 years. Reportedly father Robin Vadakkumcheril, a former vicar of St. Sebastian Church at Neendunokki in Kerala had raped a minor girl and impregnated her. It happened sometime in 2016, but came to light only in early 2017 after the intervention from CHILDLINE and they complained to the police under POSCO. Such exploitation by the clergy, fairly known but, do not see the light of the day hence do not see the ends of justice. In such incidents, unfortunately Church plays an active role in concealing the crime, since it’s a situation of ‘you scratch my back and I scratch yours’. So with the mutual help, crime continues and somehow victims and witness also turn hostile due to varieties of reasons of omission and commission including allurement. Even in this case, Church managed to get the minor delivered at Christa Raj Hospital in Kuthuparamba and the new born was immediately shifted to Holy Infant Mary’s Founding Home at Vythiri in Wayanad.
It is to the credit of Kerala police who doggedly pursued to prove the case under POSCO.
Then you have this case from Hyderabad. A priest Ramji Maharaj had performed some “Shanti Homam” on an 11 year old girl at her residence. On completion of the ritual, this pujari Ramji Maharaj had asked girl’s parents to feed the offerings to a cow. They went out in search of a house with the cow and this criminal Ramji Maharaj physically assaulted the girl in the meanwhile and reportedly warned the girl that she will be cursed if she reveals the act to her parents or anybody else. Fortunately the girl was wise enough to share her trauma with her parents and police complaint followed and the pujari was arrested. Reportedly it happened in 2014 in the village Bowenpally. Nobody came to the rescue of pujari and the First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Sunitha Kunchala sentenced this Ramji Maharaj for 10 years rigorous imprisonment.
It was bad luck for Father Robin that the girl had become pregnant and subsequently delivered a solid proof of his crime on a minor. This is Yeh Mera India.
WORLD: New York City is one of world’s biggest cities. No wonder Amazon.com Incorporated, world’s biggest retailer with very strong financial muscle had planned to build its Head Quarters in the New York City. Reportedly, the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasilo have lobbied hard to bring the Head Quarters of the retail giant to the city. They even touted the promise of some 40000 jobs with an average salary of $150,000.
Clearly, it’s a bonanza some thought. On the face of it, it was indeed a bonanza for any city father who thinks the betterment of his city. But is he the only one to think about what is good for the city or even a politician like a governor of a state in the United States of America? Indeed Amazon.com Incorporated could bring with it immense advantages to the city, but also true was the infrastructure of the city of New York, that would give an investor a head start that attracted the retail conglomerate and help it grow exponentially.
But, there were many, including law makers and ordinary citizens who thought otherwise. Reportedly there was fervent opposition from long time residents of the city of New York right from the beginning.
Of course politics had its role. Law makers resented their exclusion in the decision making process, where the world’s richest man, the founder and CEO of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos, his company was offered $3 billion in subsidy, while city itself is facing budget cuts. Community groups feared rising rents in the neighborhood could push our long time residents and that influx of workers would strain the already overburdened systems.
Reportedly, Amazon executives were grilled at the city council meetings about the specifics of tax breaks, jobs and trade unions etc. This led to a feeling that Amazon is not welcome with open arms. Their executives felt that they were not wanted and they were unhappy to be at a place they were unwanted. No wonder reportedly, a Seattle datelined report had this headline “Facing Backlash, Amazon drops plan to build HQ in New York”. So it was citizens who won against a financial behemoth!
WORLD: Pope Francis is undoubtedly a gift to Roman Catholics. Ever since he took over Vatican, as its temporal head, he has been in the news for all right reasons. Ever since his being made the Pope he is up and about telling the clergy and the laity that ‘what we preach we should practice as well, or else face the music’.
Latest to hit the headline was “Pope defrocks former US cardinal over sexual abuse”. Reportedly Pope has expelled Theodore E Mc Carrick, a former Cardinal and Archbishop of Washington from priesthood after church found him guilty of sexually abusing minors and adult seminarians over decades.
Reportedly, it is first of a kind where an American Cardinal has been removed from priesthood or a Cardinal was defrocked clearly indicating the cataclysm that gripped the church since decades. Details of the alleged abuse of power by the cardinal to exploit sexually, both minors and adults, are too morbid to be recounted.
Close on the heels of this historic low among the clergy, two cardinals Raymond Leo Burke and Walter Brandmuller wrote an open letter to the heads of Bishops’ Conferences, blaming the ‘Homosexual Agenda’ of Church. They wrote “The plague of the homosexual agenda has been spread within the church promoted by organized networks and protected by the climate of complicity and conspiracy of silence”.
Reportedly the letter comes a day before Pope Francis opens a historical summit at the Vatican on the protection of minors in a bid to end a scandal which has dogged the Roman Catholic Church for decades.
Due to Papal activism, even in a place like Paris, with sexual claims against priests in recent years, victims are coming forward with evidence, and reportedly the Vatican’s envoy to France, a 74 year old Luigi Ventura, is under investigation for sexual assault. He was accused of molesting a man in Paris town hall sometime in January last.
And look at Indian Church authorities in Kerala and elsewhere. Sr. Lucy Kalapura is being hounded day in and day out only for standing up to the lecherous former Bishop Franco Mulakkal. The print media report of 17th February, tells “Congregation issues 2nd warming to Sr. Lucy, while rejecting explanation to 1st letter”. What is sad, it is a woman harassing another woman. It is Sr. Anna Joseph, the Superior General of Franciscan Clarist Congregation, who is after Sr. Lucy to fall in line with usual ‘climate of complicity and conspiracy of silence’.
This is rather sad and bad, for the Christian brothers and sisters of India who want to ‘live with the truth of the Gospel’.
J. Shriyan
As a secular country, despite Hindu majority, J&K received all the help and support, yet Hindus from Kashmir were made to run away and rendered them refugees in their own country. Article 370 made things worse for Kashmiris, as no investment came to Kashmir, hence no local employment opportunity generated. Unemployed youth started pelting stones as a source of employment, since they were getting paid. So the stone pelting funded by Pakistan and separatist elements became an industry to fight India and its security forces. What is sad is many youth, who are students in different parts of India are glorifying Pulwama attack. This is the height of ingratitude. There is a video going viral when a lone student is standing up when national anthem was being played during the convocation ceremony in a Srinagar University. This is very sad. India has done a great deal in all respect for J&K. But India could not win the people of Kashmir only because of its population being Muslim.
Under the circumstances article 370 should be scrapped and like other parts of India all should be allowed to start business and industry so that not only locals will get employment and some limited migration of other Indians into J&K will only increase its socio-economic development. This in turn can slowly change the demographic profile of J&K and bring about greater prosperity and peace to the people of Kashmir, which is surely what all Kashmiris are looking for. Hope it happens.
NEW DELHI: We are a nation with 70+ years of political independence with an elected government. So we have been making policies, laws, rules and regulations to have an organized government for governing the citizens’ life with all the paraphernalia of rights and duties. As we evolved as a democratic country, we have been making newer provisions to affect the wellbeing of our weaker sections, like women and children. So we had a Women & Child Development Ministry, at both state and federal level. Then we formed National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), since we have been witnessing the exploitation of children in different forms. Different socio-economic status among Indians did give rise to children left out of school, inadequate parental care and concern, led to children getting exposed to street life which led to petty crimes, just to survive and then may be even it became a way of life for many such children. Police intervention led to children in conflict with law. What do you do with them? They are not adults to be jailed. So state started Juvenile Homes to take care of them and make them better humans and better citizens as they leave these homes. Truly speaking, these Juvenile homes are supposed to be correctional homes to prepare them as responsible and responsive human being as they leave these homes.
Surely they were all done with good intentions. The Juvenile Justice Act mandates that children found in conflict with law be sent to special homes that provide reformative services like education, skill development, counseling behavior modification therapy and psychiatric support during their stay in these homes.
But what is the ground condition? We all need to recognize, these children, either they have not gone to school or they have dropped out of school for different socio-economic reasons. So any beginning of reforms has to be to put them back on the education mode. Give them books and conduct classes. Since within the four walls of Juvenile Homes or Observation Homes, as they are called, these children are physically and mentally secure with food, shelter and clothing but what they lack is schooling.
Shockingly, it has come to light in a recent survey that no attempt was made to teach these children or bring them back to school mode within the correctional homes.
Reportedly, only recently NCPCR woke up from their deep slumber after decades in existence and have recommended, not insisted, that teachers be deputed to these homes, under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan as a priority. Hope now on, it does make some difference to the life of these unfortunate children in conflict with law and return to mainstream someday, as citizens, useful to themselves and the society around them.
NEW DELHI: There was this news in the print regarding the GST rate applicable to Two Wheelers. Two wheelers are the most purchased & used mode of transport when it comes to freedom of movement. It is certainly not a luxury item or something the rich would patronize.
Therefore, it was shocking to know that two wheelers are being charged at 28% GST.
That’s incredulous. Something is seriously wrong with any who would think of this steep rate for this aam aadmi product. Reportedly industry is demanding 18%. But personally I would think, it should be 12% for the simple reason, lots of people who are in the lower middle income group, long to own a two wheeler for varieties of reasons of convenience, utility and an added societal recognition, above all the freedom of movement it offers. This aspect if a government does not recognize then there is something wrong with the national leadership.
If the groups of two wheeler manufacturers, including Hero, TVS and others have demanded for reduction, it is perfectly in order. The new finance minister Goyal should necessarily take the call since, all self employed people and those trying their luck with start-ups are all users of 2 wheelers, especially those in the range up to 150CC. Hope the government recognize this anomaly and acts accordingly, as soon as possible.
NEW DELHI: Although BCCI is Mumbai based, the news generally comes from the capital since grapevine flows in New Delhi more than it does in Mumbai.
News about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former India cricket captain, keeps coming and going in the media for whatever it is worth.
Virat Kohli is the captain of the Indian team in all formats, Tests, ODIs and T20s. He clearly relishes being captain of all three formats. For some weird reasons, his word carries the weight through and no questions asked. After all he is only a cricketer and happens to be a captain. That’s how Anil Kumble, the no-nonsense chief coach, cool and composed was not only not given the job for more than one year, and this contract was not renewed, while Ravi Shastri, not comparable to Anil Kumble, was given straight 3 years. Only because, Virat Kohli didn’t want Anil and was happy with ‘yes man’ Ravi Shastri, who represents only his interest and not that of the cricket.
Here too, in the retention and selection of Dhoni, it was Kohli’s decision to have him, for the chemistry between the two. But the Indian team is not for physics and chemistry; it is for the development of the game and of young Indian cricketers.
Dhoni is 37 years, less than 3 summers away for 40. It is time to retire because there is a huge talent available all over India to tap and let them flourish. If MSD was dropped there was reason of his non-performance due to ageing and was brought back for New Zealand. Doesn’t matter, if in trying to experiment with youth, India loses- a match or two!
Debate was regarding Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant both wicket keepers and talented explosive batsmen. They should be given more opportunities. But are not being given, because Kohli feels MSD should be given more opportunities. He has been playing for over 15 years, big time cricket. Did well and made enough money. Shouldn’t others also be given such opportunities to do well and possibly even make some good money?!
But no, BCCI is an organization without any set principles. It has pockets of vested interest, promoting cronyism. Even the SC appointed CoA has not been of much help to cleanse the Aegean stable.
NEW DELHI: The roof top shouting by Vijay Mallya that he is ready to pay his debts to the banks and that Prime Minister Modi is not listening to his plea has not come a day too early.
He ran away, may be with or without the knowledge of the corridors of power in New Delhi, to either deny or delay the loan repayments to Indian banks. But the subsequent development leading to the order to extradite him from England, the economic offender Vijay Mallya, has left no alternative to the liquor baron. Kingfisher couldn’t fly anymore, with all the battery of highly paid legal eagles from the Lincoln's Inn. Not just the airline that Mallya had, was grounded years ago, even the flying bird Kingfisher that Mallya thought to keep flying all his life is finally grounded.
Yes, earlier he was prepared to pay only the principal, but now he is ready to pay all dues including the interest, since his extradition order, his standing trial in India is more or less confirmed. Yes, Mallya must be allowed to pay all his debt so that all these Indian banks who have suffered due to this play boy can breathe easier. This will also send signals to all others, including Nirav Modi to come forward to settle their dues.
This will be a singular incident that will propel the Indian banking scenario for better.
This is not to suggest that Vijay Malya will be exonerated from legal implications his action of running away entails. He must be subjected to all legal proceedings against all those illegal and criminal acts, such as money laundering, conspiring with officials to defraud banks, siphoning business finance to personal accounts etc.
Hope, Mallya keeps his word of paying bank debt first, so that at the end of the day, there has been some gain for the banks and therefore the nation.
NEW DELHI: All Indians are privy to the knowledge that iconic Assamese Singer Bhupen Hazarika was posthumously conferred the highest national award of Bharat Ratna. His name was making rounds since some years, but may be Election 2019, made it possible that the legend be honoured, however belatedly. Under the circumstances it is pertinent to connect some loose ends to arrive at a considered stand.
We had this Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, a brainchild of NDA II which would have affected the ‘demographic profile of North Eastern States, especially Assam. Whole of N.E states had always this problem of migrants coming from different states of India as well as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. We are witness to the horrendous Nellie massacre that took place decades ago. A legislation was brought about to have a cut off year to allow some and disallow some others. But problem of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh remained continuous. The recent census of NE states, especially Assam has again opened up the issue of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. It is true that Bangladeshi Hindus have suffered at the hands of majority in Bangladesh and hence have travelled to safer places in India including Assam. The latest Citizens Amendment Bill envisages the granting of citizenship to these Hindus, besides other non-Muslims. Prima facie, the amendment is discriminatory because it excludes Muslims. But the problem is real, as far as Hindus are concerned so also other non-Muslims from Bangladesh. Hence there is justification for the amendment. But there is resistance from so-called seculars as well as Assamese people. They do not want any illegal immigrants be given the citizenship at all. Tej Hazarika, living in the US is a son of Assamese soil and reportedly he too is against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and therefore had refused to accept the award conferred to his late father. He is reported to have remarked “I believe my father’s name and words are being invoked and celebrated publicly while plans are afoot to pass a painfully unpopular bill regarding citizenship that is undermining his documented position. It would in reality be in direct opposition to what Bhupendra believed in his heart”. This was on February 12th, and come February 16, son Tej Hazarika has changed his mind to receive the award stating. “It will be a dream like privilege to receive the prestigious award”. This is in complete contrast to his earlier stance of “Such national recognition is a display of short lived cheap thrills”, while refusing to accept the honour. Of course between 12th February and 15th February the Citizenship Amendment Bill had lapsed due to the non-passage in Rajya Sabha.
So, clearly all are opportunists. If the government thought that the award would assuage the feelings of Assamese, the son didn’t want to lose the opportunity of the thrill of receiving the highest national honour, on behalf of his father now that he cannot be blamed for supporting the bill, since the bill has lapsed from being enacted. This is Yeh Mera India.
NEW DELHI: If Bofors scam brought sleepless nights to Rajeev Gandhi and his government, Rafale, not exactly a scam, but lack of transparent details is being pursued vigorously by the opposition to force sleepless nights to Modi & his government.
Rahul Gandhi, the Congress President has stooped to all levels accusing Prime Minister Modi, as ‘Chor’ ‘Traitor’ etc, with whatever details he has or does not have. He is targeting only Narendra Modi, the PM. He is entitled to target the government and its leader, as opposition politician, but somehow, under advice of someone or on his own volition using all kinds of derogatory language, is unparliamentary to say the least.
But neither BJP, nor its Supreme leader Modi is reacting. Clearly there are some grey areas, which need a white paper from PMO, on the details of parallel negotiation. Although the charges of corruption in the deal may not stick, some procedural impropriety cannot be ruled out, prima facie.
The drama on Rafale has gone on for far too long in the public space, enacted mainly by Congress led by Rahul Gandhi. Yet like a paper puts it “We are convinced he (Modi) has nothing to hide bar the minor infringement of the well laid out bureaucratic process. Yet PM would benefit by issuing a white paper on the Rafale deal to put the record straight”. Hope he puts it to serve the cause of truth.
UTTAR PRADESH: Some of the BJP leaders including their parliamentarians have many times had their heads travelling downwards. They mouth all kinds of things exposing their lack of civil nicety and lack of sense of proportion.
As if out of desperation Congress has introduced a pretty face into the UP politics. Although it was expected since long, but may be due to maternal concerns of her mother, Priyanka Vadra was held back entering into active politics. Priyanka does resemble former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Despite all her failings, Indira Gandhi, did connect very well with grass root electorates, especially rural women. Similar is the case with Priyanka. She gels well with rural folks, besides her enchanting fairy looks do captivate that audience. Congress, on somewhat revival mode in state elections has made Priyanka its General Secretary to specially manage campaign in eastern UP. Its leadership seems to think her as a trump-card. Be that as it may, it is difficult to wager, how much Priyanka can charm her way into the ballot box. Surely some would be swayed by her charm. Otherwise she has nothing more to offer. Hence it looks clearly laughable for BJP leaders to react in ways that can be termed idiotic to say the least.
“Priyanka Gandhi wears jeans and top in Delhi but when she comes to rural areas she is clad in a saari and wears sindoor”, remarked Harish Dwivedi, a BJP MP from Lucknow.
Surely, it is none of his business what anybody wears, more so Priyanka. This was an unwanted and a misogynistic barb, clearly irresponsible. In fact Priyanka has to be commended for her sensitivity of presenting herself to a crowd, as they would want her seen in a rural set up. So that it is easier to identify oneself with the kind of crowd she was expected to meet.
There is something stupid about a section of BJP members who think they can certify anybody and everybody, like that Surendra Singh, a BJP MLA, who had called Priyanka as Surpanakha, a vile character in Ramayana. That was in extremely poor taste. But the tragedy is, nobody pulled this stupid MLA for this very tasteless remark. These kinds of behavior by BJP men are sure to affect at the husting.
MAHARASHTRA:Surely what one wears is none of our business. Everyone must have a choice to wear what one likes. But there are some dresses which are clearly obnoxious and primitive. Whole of the western world is uncomfortable with the face covering burqa, where it is difficult to identify the person behind the burqa. This surely is a security risk. In Pakistan itself, which is a 97% Muslim country, the Imam of Lal Masjid famously escaped in a burqa, when the Masjid was under seize. Hence, the security risk of a face covered burqa clad person is a fact. Besides, unlike any other dress, burqa represents identity dogma. Whether it is right or not is for the person to decide.
Some days ago, there was this news about AR Rehman and his family of wife and two daughters. He was sharing the stage along with his family and other stars to celebrate the musical score of Slumdog Millionaire. Reportedly his daughter Khatija interviewed him on the programme. She appeared on a silk saari with face covering Islamic veil. That was rather looking funny. If his daughter wanted the world to know that she is a Muslim, she could as well have come in proper face covered burqa. India, unlike Europe does not mind it. No wonder, reportedly, the sartorial choice seems to have rubbed a lot of people on the wrong side as if he inflicted the dress choice. So he posted a photograph with his two daughters and wife with Mukesh Ambani’s wife Nita Ambani, with his daughter appearing in proper face covering burqa, other daughter in some modern outfit with no veil and wife with just head covered, with a caption ‘Freedom to choose’. Clearly he didn’t influence any of them for their choice of dress. That’s being very democratic, unlike many Muslim fathers/husbands.
While, it is commendable that AR Rehman is a model husband and father, the question still haunts us, why this face covering burqa? Is the face ugly or shy to show it to the world outside or an assertion of identity? In any case, it is an uncomfortable situation, take it or leave it.
And comes this news from Vijaywada one Mallika Begum demanding fatwa against another woman Shabana Khatoon to force her to wear burqa. Shabana is aspiring to contest poll on a TDP ticket and probably she is not wearing burqa. But Mallika when she contested in 2009 one Jalil Khan, who is the husband of Shabana had forced the hands of Muslim elders to issue a fatwa to wear burqa to enter politics, and she had lost the election. Mallika blames the fatwa for her loss. Now she wants to settle the score by demanding similar fatwa for Shabana to wear the burqa. In India it is a tragedy that it’s the woman more often, act against other women that is the cause of disquiet. Sad but true.
MAHARASHTRA: Chanda Kochhar, former CEO & MD of ICICI, from being one of the most powerful women in the world to be on ‘Look Out Circular’ from the Criminal Investigation Bureau is a huge fall. Lookout circulars are notices sent to transit points like airports to restrict the movement of people under investigation by probe agencies. Post Nirav Modi crisis that hit public sector Punjab National Bank (PNB) there has been some concerted attention on the happenings in ICICI bank led by Chanda Kochhar, on its loans to Venugopal Dhoot led Videocon Group. A whistle blower had alleged that Mr. Deepak Kochhar had benefited from Videocon. At that time Board of ICICI had given Chanda a clean chit, despite the knowledge of Rs.64 crore advanced by Videocon to Deepak Kochhar’s Nupower Renewable, who happened to be the husband of Chand Kochhar. No Quid-pro-quo was suspected.
However after CBI entered the scene and investigated the affairs of ICICI, Chanda Kochhar was accused of criminal conspiracy and cheating for the alleged irregularities in a loan of Rs.3250 crores in 2012 to Videocon, which has become an NPA for the bank. Ms. Kochhar was terminated after an FIR was filed naming all three accused in the case, CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon Chief Venugopal Dhoot.
What is strange, it happened in 2012 and nobody bothered despite issue simmering in public space post whistle blower disclosure. Whether it’s the RBI, the ombudsman or the government, failed to act. But public are privy to the knowledge that managing director and two executive directors of PNB were sacked on the grounds of procedural lapses in extending loans to Nirav Modi & Company. But with Chanda Kochhar issue of conflict of interest leading to an act of Quid-pro-quo is far more serious than the procedural lapses in the PNB, and therefore accusation of criminal conspiracy and cheating is on firmer ground to act for the authorities. Hope a last word on the matter would help the establishment of better discipline in the banking sector in India.
KARNATAKA:Print media news on 14th February news papers were full of news about the Valentine’s Day, with some activists busy with police to provide ‘protection’ to young love birds from the so-called right wing hooligans. Local social media too was full of such crap. But the death of a young girl of 14 years, reported on the same day, that is 14th, had no takers on the social media. The news titled “14 year old Delhi girl found hanging” datelined Mangalooru had elicited no response from our Face Book champions. She was probably a victim of exploitation as a child labourer.
Adopted by a family as a daughter with the promise of educating, was actually never been sent to school. Reportedly it was four years ago, which means, girl could be a 10 year old child. Adopted family, report informs, lives in a Gulf country, after renting the house to a relative one Abdul Hamid, at KC Nagar in Talapady, after leaving the child behind in the care of the tenant relative.
Report also informs that the issue of the minor girl’s death is being pushed under the carpet probably for some consideration. This is normal, when the victim is a poor child of poor parents.
Of course, the police can make it case of suicide and close the case. But what drove the child to commit suicide, unless circumstances pushed such a young girl to take the extreme step! How much a 10 year old girl would have suffered for 4 long years without her parents knowing what was really happening to their minor daughter?
There appears to be some hope with Women’s Rights groups coming together to know the last word on the sad end of a young life. Reportedly locals alleged it to be a case of child labour in the guise of adoption. With the arrival of girl’s parents from Delhi, hopefully the matter will be properly investigated and culprits, if any, are fixed.
KERALA:Priests exploiting the commoners have been an ongoing activity from these agents of God. And this sickening dimension from those who are unconditionally trusted is happening across the religious spectrum. Since carnal desires are same to all humans, one’s being a Christian, Hindu or Muslim or any other faith, does not really matter. Issue is fundamentally a matter of victims’ human rights violation and law should be very clear that in matters of this nature only the law of the land applies pari passu.
A print media report some days ago datelined Thalassery informed about a priest getting a punishment of 20 years each in jail for three counts of crime running concurrently. In other words, he was given 60 years (20X3) imprisonment. But since the judge decided it to be together, actual jail term remain 20 years. Reportedly father Robin Vadakkumcheril, a former vicar of St. Sebastian Church at Neendunokki in Kerala had raped a minor girl and impregnated her. It happened sometime in 2016, but came to light only in early 2017 after the intervention from CHILDLINE and they complained to the police under POSCO. Such exploitation by the clergy, fairly known but, do not see the light of the day hence do not see the ends of justice. In such incidents, unfortunately Church plays an active role in concealing the crime, since it’s a situation of ‘you scratch my back and I scratch yours’. So with the mutual help, crime continues and somehow victims and witness also turn hostile due to varieties of reasons of omission and commission including allurement. Even in this case, Church managed to get the minor delivered at Christa Raj Hospital in Kuthuparamba and the new born was immediately shifted to Holy Infant Mary’s Founding Home at Vythiri in Wayanad.
It is to the credit of Kerala police who doggedly pursued to prove the case under POSCO.
Then you have this case from Hyderabad. A priest Ramji Maharaj had performed some “Shanti Homam” on an 11 year old girl at her residence. On completion of the ritual, this pujari Ramji Maharaj had asked girl’s parents to feed the offerings to a cow. They went out in search of a house with the cow and this criminal Ramji Maharaj physically assaulted the girl in the meanwhile and reportedly warned the girl that she will be cursed if she reveals the act to her parents or anybody else. Fortunately the girl was wise enough to share her trauma with her parents and police complaint followed and the pujari was arrested. Reportedly it happened in 2014 in the village Bowenpally. Nobody came to the rescue of pujari and the First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Sunitha Kunchala sentenced this Ramji Maharaj for 10 years rigorous imprisonment.
It was bad luck for Father Robin that the girl had become pregnant and subsequently delivered a solid proof of his crime on a minor. This is Yeh Mera India.
WORLD: New York City is one of world’s biggest cities. No wonder Amazon.com Incorporated, world’s biggest retailer with very strong financial muscle had planned to build its Head Quarters in the New York City. Reportedly, the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasilo have lobbied hard to bring the Head Quarters of the retail giant to the city. They even touted the promise of some 40000 jobs with an average salary of $150,000.
Clearly, it’s a bonanza some thought. On the face of it, it was indeed a bonanza for any city father who thinks the betterment of his city. But is he the only one to think about what is good for the city or even a politician like a governor of a state in the United States of America? Indeed Amazon.com Incorporated could bring with it immense advantages to the city, but also true was the infrastructure of the city of New York, that would give an investor a head start that attracted the retail conglomerate and help it grow exponentially.
But, there were many, including law makers and ordinary citizens who thought otherwise. Reportedly there was fervent opposition from long time residents of the city of New York right from the beginning.
Of course politics had its role. Law makers resented their exclusion in the decision making process, where the world’s richest man, the founder and CEO of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos, his company was offered $3 billion in subsidy, while city itself is facing budget cuts. Community groups feared rising rents in the neighborhood could push our long time residents and that influx of workers would strain the already overburdened systems.
Reportedly, Amazon executives were grilled at the city council meetings about the specifics of tax breaks, jobs and trade unions etc. This led to a feeling that Amazon is not welcome with open arms. Their executives felt that they were not wanted and they were unhappy to be at a place they were unwanted. No wonder reportedly, a Seattle datelined report had this headline “Facing Backlash, Amazon drops plan to build HQ in New York”. So it was citizens who won against a financial behemoth!
WORLD: Pope Francis is undoubtedly a gift to Roman Catholics. Ever since he took over Vatican, as its temporal head, he has been in the news for all right reasons. Ever since his being made the Pope he is up and about telling the clergy and the laity that ‘what we preach we should practice as well, or else face the music’.
Latest to hit the headline was “Pope defrocks former US cardinal over sexual abuse”. Reportedly Pope has expelled Theodore E Mc Carrick, a former Cardinal and Archbishop of Washington from priesthood after church found him guilty of sexually abusing minors and adult seminarians over decades.
Reportedly, it is first of a kind where an American Cardinal has been removed from priesthood or a Cardinal was defrocked clearly indicating the cataclysm that gripped the church since decades. Details of the alleged abuse of power by the cardinal to exploit sexually, both minors and adults, are too morbid to be recounted.
Close on the heels of this historic low among the clergy, two cardinals Raymond Leo Burke and Walter Brandmuller wrote an open letter to the heads of Bishops’ Conferences, blaming the ‘Homosexual Agenda’ of Church. They wrote “The plague of the homosexual agenda has been spread within the church promoted by organized networks and protected by the climate of complicity and conspiracy of silence”.
Reportedly the letter comes a day before Pope Francis opens a historical summit at the Vatican on the protection of minors in a bid to end a scandal which has dogged the Roman Catholic Church for decades.
Due to Papal activism, even in a place like Paris, with sexual claims against priests in recent years, victims are coming forward with evidence, and reportedly the Vatican’s envoy to France, a 74 year old Luigi Ventura, is under investigation for sexual assault. He was accused of molesting a man in Paris town hall sometime in January last.
And look at Indian Church authorities in Kerala and elsewhere. Sr. Lucy Kalapura is being hounded day in and day out only for standing up to the lecherous former Bishop Franco Mulakkal. The print media report of 17th February, tells “Congregation issues 2nd warming to Sr. Lucy, while rejecting explanation to 1st letter”. What is sad, it is a woman harassing another woman. It is Sr. Anna Joseph, the Superior General of Franciscan Clarist Congregation, who is after Sr. Lucy to fall in line with usual ‘climate of complicity and conspiracy of silence’.
This is rather sad and bad, for the Christian brothers and sisters of India who want to ‘live with the truth of the Gospel’.
J. Shriyan
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