NO PLACE IS A SAFE PLACE FOR OUR GIRLS AND WOMEN

Predators of girls and women everywhere : fathers and relatives in homes, teachers in schools, employers and colleagues in work places, co-passengers in trains and buses, spiritual gurus, judges,...No
place is a safe place and no age is a prohibited age for the female sex in India. Three men shattered the nation's conscience rudely in recent months, and they are a minute sample of men preying on the body of women.

First, Asaram Bapu, the Godman with a large number of disciples and followers. He and his son Narayan Sai were involved in various heinous crimes against women who frequented the Ashram for solace. It was a herculian task to arrest them .

Second, the celebrated founder editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine Tarun Tejpal. Globally acclaimed for "ethical", alternative journalism, India's greatest crusader of others' truth, Tejpal's sexual abuse of a young journalist who is a friend of his daughter shocked millions of Indians. Tejpal assaulted the young woman in an elevator with the dexterity of a seasoned rapist. He made a public apology first and recused himself  from the editorship for penance :ploys to escape punishment. Tarun's collaborator  in crime was Shoma Choudhary, activist, feminist, journalist, and high voltage speaker on human rights. As managing editor of Tehelka Shoma preferred an internal settlement. Finally under severe criticism from journalistic fraternity Shoma resigned. Tehelka's fake ideals and business loss in the books motivated staff to work for low remuneration and delayed disbursement of salary, while Tejpal was amassing wealth through different direct and dubious means. To protect his skin, Tejpal resorted to intimidation, slander, and character assassination of the young woman journalist. But she stood her ground firmly.Her committed colleagues resigned. Tejpal utilized his financial power to retain a battery of high profile lawyers and released the ultimate arrow "BJP's political conspiracy" to escape the law. Ultimately, after a long court drama, he was taken to a lock-up in  Goa.

Third and the unbelievable : Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly, retired judge of the Supreme Court and Chairman, West Bengal Human Rights Commission.It was in the midst of the massive and unprecedented agitation over the barbaric gang-rape of young NIRBHAYA in Delhi.A young law intern was asked to go to the hotel  room where Ganguly wanted her assistance in his work. But after some wine inside the nature of assistance Justce Ganguly wanted was different. His advances were immoral and she escaped. A three-judge panel constituted by the Supreme Court found the  behaviour of Ganguly unacceptable in polite legal terms. A violator of human rights, Ganguly refuses to quit his high position despite demands from most political parties in the Parliament and outside. The law has provision for a three-year jail term for such offences. Will the law be different for the supposed protector of justice?

Kurukshetra war took place  killing millions of warriors to avenge the humiliation of Draupadi. India needs another Mahabharat to protect our girls and women.

JUDGES AND JUSTICE IN INDIA

RRJ ( a recently retired judge of the Supreme Court ) has been in the news. Not for any landmark judgement..On the other hand for disgraceful and shocking reasons. When the whole Indian nation was angry and agitating against the horrifying gang-rape of a student in a moving bus in Delhi in December 2012; and when the angry young women and men were trying to enter the Rashtrapati Bhavan braving unprecedented police action and barricades for justice for NIRBHAYA ( the brave heart girl ), RRJ was doing things immoral. A law intern went to his hotel room to help him with his work. She never dreamt that the man whom she considered like her grandfather would touch her body with sexual intentions. But he did what he should not have done in a Nirbhaya (without fear of consequences) manner. She escaped without being seriouly assaulted  sexually. But she did not file any complaint then. Instead she wrote her unpleasant experience in her recent blog.  The Chief Justice of India suo motu constituted a three-judge panel to look into the allegations. The Pandora's Box is now opened. An FIR is filed by the Former Dean of the Law School that 3  other female law interns had similar sexual  abuse experiences. One of the 3 women also wrote her experience with the NIRBHAYA  RRJ. What will be the outcome of the panel's enquiry? The whole nation is keenly watching.

First Information Report is a mandatory responsibilty of the Police when a cognizable offence is reported to the police. But often this is not done by the police. It is common for the police officials to ask the complainant to go and get white papers and carbon sheets if he is not well-to-do. Often cases are not recorded. In many cases NCR (Non-Cognizable Offence Report) is given to the complainants who demand FIR.. The Supreme Court observes that  the police  stations do not file FIR in 6.5 million cases in a year. What a staggering negligence of investigative responsibilty? Some years ago, there was an upright Police Chief the late E.L.Stracey. At his request I made a study of  crime reporting in a residential locality in Madras. As Mr Stracey predicted, 68% of the crimes went unrecorded with an FIR. It was his view that police officials  would have  full knowledge of the criminals in their areas as the offenders regularly grease the palms of the policemen. The recent order of the Supreme Court that the police should mandatorily register FIRs in  all cognizable offences would change the criminal investigation system to a great extent.

SLAVE LABOUR IN COLLEGES

India boasts of its demographic dividend with a large young population. But what is the real extent of the dividend? Disappointing! A large proportion of our graduates are unemployable lacking in skills because of the poor quality of education imparted by many colleges ; for them education is only a profit and loss issue.

Universities and colleges across India do not appoint the full quota of teachers. The Parliamentary Standing Committee's May report states that 38% posts in central universities are vacant, while 47 out of the 297 state universities ,which gave information , have 40% of their teaching posts vacant. Universities and colleges, instead of appointing qualified regular teachers, hire non-regular teachers designated as part-time, temporary, guest and contract teachers.

Out of the total number of 9.33 lakh college teachers in the country 40% are on contract (source:Times Of India). Most of them do not possess MPhil or PhD. The mandatory NET pass is not insisted upon. They are made to work for a pittance. Salaries range from Rs 4000 to 20, 000 per month. As many persons are available to work for low remuneration, college managements prefer them to regular teachers on UGC scales of pay. Further they need not be given leave, medical insurance or Provident fund. Temporary teachers are hired for six to eight months in an year. For instance, a college affiliated to a University named after the great  social worker Mother Teresa in Tamilnadu hires most of its teachers on payment of Rs 4000 per month. It is reported that some colleges in the districts of Tamilnadu pay as low as Rs.2000 to 2500 per month.

The bane of higher education in India is the sheer indifference of regulatory authorities like the UGC and higher education directorates in ensuring high quality education through appoinment of qualified and competent teachers, besides other support systems. Who, then, are responsible for this dismal situation? The officials, who look the other way by accepting 5-star hospitality and other PERKS.

RESTORATION OF INDIA'S CIVIL SERVICES FROM THE RUINS

ICS (Indian Civil Servce), the bureaucratic arm of the British Empire to rule the Indian Colony, evoke awe and admiration. The builders of Independent India created IAS (Indian Administrative Service ), IPS (Indian Police Service) and other all India services on the lines of ICS to enable the elected political leadership to govern at the Centre and in the states  to ensure social justice and people's welfare. Protected by the Constitution of India, IAS, IPS  and other civil service officers are expected to ensure efficient and transparent governance fearlessly.

Many young men and women, fired with idealism, joined the civil services through a rigorous selection process by the Union Public Service Commission, drawn from different disciplines : liberal arts , humanities, physical, biological and social sciences, engineering, management, medicine, etc. Graduates from IITs and IIMs, and PhDs also opted for the civil services. Thus the civil service attracted the cream of Indian youth. During the first two decades after Independence the civil service officers could function with freedom because of clean political leadership.

Politics in India witnessed a steady decline from the mid-60s and the main victim was the civil service. Criminals, the corrupt, sex abusers, and others with shady character have been occupying the Parliament, state legislatures and local bodies as MPs, MLAs, Ministers, chairmen, etc. One  example: Dhananjay Singh, at 38, MP has 29 criminal cases pending against him including murder of a Chief Medical Officer, and even a double murder ( like a double century in Cricket). Politics has become an easy money making business without any investment. Money and muscle power are essential ingredients in elections. So while Ministers amass millions and millions, even a village panchayat member can make lakhs. All these  are possible only through corruption and other criminal means. Honest civil service officers are hurdles in this corrupt practices of politicians. The officers who refuse to toe the line of the political masters are harassed, humiliated, transferred, suspended, intimidated, assigned insignificant positions, etc. Sadly, many civil service officers have been co-opted in the corrupt and criminal system, and many are arrested and sent to jail. A dangerous decline of the civil service .

Years ago, my friend Dr.Henry D'Souza, Professor of Social Work, University of Omaha, was in a great dilemma: join the civil services to which he was selected or to go to US for higher studies. In making  a correct decision, he met a senior IAS officer (his hobby: cricket commentary) who told him :D'Souza! Starting a barber shop these days is a better option. You will have freedom. So young man, take the earliest flight to USA. You will never regret.

Famous actor Suresh Gopi immortalised IPS  as an officer in many films. No actor has done so in the country. His role as Commissioner in a film by the same name received a gift from a woman in Chennai; it was a costly gold chain for his stellar role as an IPS officer. It is a reflection of the expectations of the people from the IPS.

The Supreme Court of India recently passed an epoch making order for the creation of Civil Service Boards at the Centre and in the states to regulate transfers and other aspects, fixed tenure for officers in different positions, etc. They need not obey the oral orders of the political bosses. The order of the Supreme Court will , no doubt, restore the civil service to its past glory for the well-being of a billion plus Indians.

CRIMINALS, KILLERS AND SEX PERVERTS IN INDIAN PARLIAMENT

Dhananjay Singh, a member of Parliament belonging to Bahujan Samaj Party, at the young age of 38 has an excellent record of PUBLIC SERVICE: 29 criminal cases including murder and double murder (like double century in Cricket). He was arrested yesterday for suppressing evidence of a murder committed by his second wife  Jagriti. A senior dental surgeon at Delhi's RML hospital, Jagriti has a turbulent temperament like her married life. With three servants in her flat, she had enough targets to release her anger. On Sunday one of them (35) died, rather was beaten to death by Jagriti. A juvenile maid (17years) was seriously injured. The maid's death was reported to police only on Monday. Jagriti was arrested.

Peethambara Kurup is a senior Congressman and MP from Kerala. He looks sedate with white and black hair, more white. But behind this calm exterior, Kurup has a virulent libido, not controllable even in public. Recently at a public function of which he was an important organiser. The famous movie actress Swetha Menon was the chief guest. Gandhian Kurup received her warmly by keeping his arm around Swetha's waist  for a long time, and pressing the body. As her modesty was violated she finally complained to the police. Kurup made a public apology. Swetha gracefully withdrew the complaint. Politician Kurup ungracefully retracted his statement. He said he apologised only as the organiser of the function, and not for any wrong-doing. A public figure, Swetha cannot fight against the Congress Party and the UPA government which go all out to defend a Congress leader. The new generation Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi talks of value-based politics at every public meeting. Will he show courage to remove a leader with moral turpitude like Kurup from the Congress Party?

BJP did not lag behind . A senior leader and MP from Gujarat was arrested yesterday for being behind the murder of an RTI (Right to Information) activist .

Indian Parliament has a galaxy of great criminals of different specialities . Long live our Parliamentarians. They need not do anything good to the people. But let the harm they are capable of doing be kept at the minimum level.

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF HEALHCARE PROVIDERS

Countless patients have lost their lives due to medical negligence in India. Many have been disabled. Numerous families have lost the precious lives of their loved ones in Indian hospitals. Medical negligence occurs in all countries. But in India the extent of negligence by hospitals and medical practitioners is enormous. Enforcement of accountability by the Indian Medical Association and Medical Council of India has been feeble. Accountability by the judiciary is time-consuming, but it is the only effective way of making the healthcare providers answerable to the affected relatives and society.

 

October 25 is a RED letter day in the healthcare history of India when the Supreme Court ordered Kolkata's AMRI hospital and three doctors to pay a cumulative compensation of 11.41 crores INR (including interest) to Dr.Kunal Shah, a US-based doctor of Indian origin, whose 29 year old wife Anuradha Shah, a child psychologist, died due to medical negligence in 1998. They came to Kolkata to spend their holiday in their home. But unexpectedly she was admitted to AMRI hospital for treatment of skin rashes. And she breathed her last in the hospital. The relentless struggle of her husband came to a happy ending yesterday, though his loss is irreparable, when the Supreme Court pronounced this historic judgement. It is the highest ever compensation awarded in a case of medical negligence in India. It is also a victory for millions of people who expect medical care with real concern to the patients. The Supreme Court observed that the judgement would be a deterrent to doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes to discharge their responsibility seriously.

 

Some years ago, V. CHANDRASEKHAR, India's national Table Tennis champion, was admitted to the much-touted Apollo Hospital for a minor procedure. But the procedure ended the brilliant sport career of Chandra when he came out of the surgery as a paralysed person. The hospital fought to justify its "innocence", but the Supreme Court in 1995 ordered the hospital to pay a compensation of 19 lakhs INR.

 

Recently India's most prestigious All Institute of Medical Sciences has been in the news for wrong reasons. Doctors make diagnosis and treat patients based on blood test reports prepared in the laboratory. But who does this crucial work? Untrained lab attendants. Qualified lab technicians are found sleeping entrusting the work to lab attendants. Unsuspecting patients and their families are cheated. If this is the state of affairs in AIIMS, what happens in other hospitals can be imagined with utter helplessness.

GODS AND GODDESSES: BRAND INDIA

Swami Vivekananda, the architect of Indian renaissance, was a common man . Similarly Swami Chinmayananda, the founder of Chinmaya Mission, was a seer of eminence. In recent times Sri Sri Ravishankar, the globally respected creator of the highly effective Art of Living, never claims that he is a guru ( teacher).J. Krishnamoorthy, the great philosopher and educator, whose speeches mesmerised millions refused to be a guru.

 

In contrast to these great Indians, there are many Godmen and Godwomen, who parade as Gods and Goddesses with Indian spiritual brand. Their evolution is in stages. First the claim of a divine vision: in psychological terms an imagination or hallucination. The news gets wide circulation and the supporters discover miracles from the person: healing or creation of some article from nowhere.

 

Interested media popularise the vision and miracle. Devotees flow and the place of residence becomes an ashram or mutt. A GOD OR GODDESS IS BORN. Devotees from far and near throng round the clock and long queues for a sight, touch, or hug become a routine. International devotees converge from different parts of the globe. High security cover from the police follows. Ashrams spring up in different countries. The God or Goddess starts making regular global spiritual tours to bless men, women and children there. High profile marketing strategies project the image of the person in larger than life terms. Liberal donations, gifts and offerings in gold pour in from the rich, the corrupt, the taxevader, the guilty ,the sinner as well as from the gullible and global devotees for hospitals, educational institutions, and community service. Daily prayers and poojas as in temples crown the godman or godwoman as GOD OR GODDESS. The evolution is complete.

AADHAAR: A TOOL FOR BULLYING PEOPLE BY THE STATE

No scheme of the government of India has created as much anxiety and fear as that of the UIDAI's AADHAAR:Fear of losing state-promoted benefits.Some overzealous state governments have already made Aadhaar number mandatory.Millions find it difficult to get the Aadhaar number.Finally the Supreme Court ruling that Aadhaar is not mandatory for availing of government services, and it is optional for the citizens to seek Aadhaar number.

UIDAI and the government say that Aadhaar number is to establish the IDENTITY of the beneficiary of the services provided by the governments.Illegal migrants and even terrorists can avail of all government benefits.Some can even plant bombs to kill innocent people.The government says Aadhaar is not intended to establish CITIZENSHIP. IDENTITY IS DIFFERENT FROM CITIZENSHIP:A PERVERSE AND DANGEROUS POSITION.

The Supreme Court ruling stipulates that before issuing Aadhaar number the legitimacy of the citizenship of the recipient needs to be established.But the government's stand is motivated by political considerations which would even endanger the safety of the nation and the security of the citizens. The present system of giving Aadhaar numbers through private agencies and introducers is defective. Often the introducers introduce prospective recipients without even knowing them. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Some months ago the media exposed the irregularities in giving Aadhaar numbers.But the government ignored these valid exposures and is going ahead with ambitious targets. Short-term political gains at the cost of the nation.What a leadership this country has chosen!!!

When Indian celebrities are detained at US airports there is a big hue and cry in India as if the Indian nation is humiliated. But the US authorities continue with this practice. US is keen about the security of America and Americans.At the same time Indian authorities just do not bother about India's security. They are keen only about the security and convenience of the so called VIPs.The government is keen to circumvent the Supreme Court order banning convicted MPs and MLAs from the sacred precincts of the legislatures through an Ordinance.The government is planning a legislation to make UIDAI a statutory body.GOOD. But if the proposed act is intended to legitimise IDENTITY at the cost of CITIZENSHIP requirement it would be disastrous.As a citizen I hope that the Supreme Court would protect India and the Indians.

SOCIAL WORK IN INDIA: A BIZARRE SCENARIO

The Platinum Jubilee of social work education in India was observed in 2011. But there is nothing to cheer about. Mushrooming of social work courses (BSW and MSW ); sub-standard distance education programmes barring the ones of IGNOU; no national association of social workers;  no regulatory council; no certification for social work practice:...

For some years a voluntary association called Association of Schools of Social Work in India (ASSWI)existed. It was called a Headmasters' Association as a small group of "headmasters" and their collaborators controlled it.They were the permanent participants of international conferences and seminars; and beneficiaries of government nominations and international assignments. They also claimed themselves as practitioners. During 1977-81, a committed team was elected to manage ASSWI in which I had the opportunity to be one.For the first time social work teachers from different regions were nominated to international programmes ; many were invited to direct many workshops and seminars; and organised various faculty development and curriculum restructuring workshops.But when our four-year term ended, we faced a vicious character assassination campaign led by a group of "senior" social work educators. The new team succeeded in making ASSWI a weak organisation, which eventually had its demise.

The association of social workers--Indian Association of Social Workers (IATSW)--was a fairly strong Delhi-based body for some years. When a new power centre emerged in another city, internecine squabbles led to its closure.But the recent trend of associations of professional social workers in different cities without any national strangulating agency is a healthy sign.

From time to time, attempts were made for a statutory regulatory council of social work education without any success. The promoters of the council are overzealous as they could control the council if it ever becomes a reality.

In recent decades, a good number of committed professional social workers across the country are changing the landscape of professional social work practice in India .Thank GOD! they are independent of social work educators whose agenda is more personal than professional.

SOCIAL WORK : A PARADISE OF PIRATES AND GULLIBLE VICTIMS

Social work researchers often refer books which are not worthy to be referred. Professor Shankar Pathak, who retired from the Delhi School of Social Work ( now Department of Social Work at the Delhi University ),recently brought to  the attention of social work fraternity the "social work academic piracy " through a privately  circulated letter. A writer of impeccable academic and professional integrity, Professor Pathak has exposed the wholesale piracy of a multi-volume Encyclopaedia of Social Work brought out by a private institute based at Lucknow. Encyclopaedia is a very serious academic effort needing enormous organizational and academic co-ordination. But copying others' works does not need any serious  effort. Only two requirements for such an enterprise:(1)materials are to be  identified for copying, and (2) unlimited confidence that the mass copying would not be noticed, and if noticed no one would bother about it.

 

Many social work researchers, when they work for a research degree, are not serious about the authenticity  of the sources which they refer while writing. Research degrees are considered a hurdle to be crossed for promotion, or as a mandatory requirement. Many , these days, aim at getting PhD degree as a status symbol.So there is an unholy nexus  between research guides, research scholars , and dissertation writers.Outsourcing research degree work has become a lucrative business enterprise.A real case of a PhD:(1):Research instruments from Internet sources; (2):contract for data collection from 300 respondents and data analysis ( Rs.3 lakhs ); (3):contract for writing the dissertation including typesetting and getting dissertation copies bound (Rs.3.25 lakhs); (4): miscellaneous (Rs.1 lakh).Total around Rs.7.5 lakhs for a PhD degree. In this scenario, plagiarism and piracy thrive.

 

Only a war -like action by the governments, UGC, and committed academics can make a dent on this menace. It is as deadly as corruption in public and social life.

INDIAN WOMEN IN A SICK SOCIETY

Scriptures glorify indian women as SAKTHI and we worship in temples. But in families and society, women have always been domesticated , ill-treated and abused. Women's body has always been viewed as an object of sexual gratification, and violation of women's modesty has often been condoned.In modern society, patriarchal systems continue unabated in the mind- set of the custodians of law and justice.The female segment of the population starts life (if they survive foeticide and infanticide) with bias as  a burden on parents, and face sexual abuse within families in many cases, sexual harassment at the workspot ,and then direct sexual assault. The popular TVChannel in Malayalam ASIANET reported extensively on child sexual abuse in families under the title "It is your daughter, do not forget " and the numerous instances of abuse by fathers themselves. Rape is not always reported for fear of neighbours and police, and the conviction rate of rapes is low mainly because of prejudiced and defective police investigation, weak prosecution and often  judgements with leniency towards the rapists. Reporting rape in police stations is often risky for the victims. Many a time rape victims are sexually assaulted by the police officials.Law often stands helpless when people with money and power are the sexual offenders.

 

Society is generally cruel to the rape victims. Sympathy is often found missing and the victim as well as her family are ridiculed and ostracized.Many girls and women commit suicide because of social ostracism. Support systems to rape survivors are woefully inadequate in India.Social Work profession's response to the restorative and rehabilitative services is not worth mentioning. Living in a sick society cannot make our women healthy.

A YOUNG BURQA CLAD HOMEMAKER'S STRUGGLE

V JAZEERA ,31, on her visit to her maternal village in Kannur district for her delivery ,was shocked to find the irreversible damage caused to the  inland beach by sand smugglers. The shoreline of the one-km beach where she played on her younger days is badly eroded due to the mindless sand mining. It was in 2010. The young homemaker resolved to protect whatever is left of her beach . She, along with her two daughters (12 and 10) and toddler son  started a peaceful sit-in protest at the nearby police station for 9 days in June 2012. The assurance of the police and The local Tahsildar had no meaning. So in July the protest was shifted to the office of the District Collector ,who installed a police  post .But the sand smugglers continued to take sand . Finally on July 24 she and her children started theist sit-in protest at the capital of Kerala before the state secretariat,and on August 2 the Chief Minister met her ,and assured action. But she knows that her struggle will have to continue till her beach is saved. Officials and police are hand in glove with the sand smugglers. For instance , during her protest she was threatened with action on the ground that she was exposing her toddler son to health hazards.

From Kanyakumari to the Himalayas, coast lines , rivers ,backwaters , and forests are ravaged by mafia in collusion with politicians , officials , and police . Mineral wealth is ruthlessly looted. Kerala, known as God's Own Country , has lost substantial forest cover ; many parts of the state face water shortage during summer in a state where water was once in abundance ; the rice-rich state faces the prospect of becoming rice-deficit ; quarrying of rocks is causing massive destruction of life and property during monsoons.

Many honest officials lost their precious lives in the discharge of their duty . Hundreds were hounded, suspended , transferred and , their families were destroyed .Jazeera faces serious threat to the safety of her family. In her struggle, she has the support of her husband , a Madrassa teacher. Says Jazeera ,
               " THEY CAN KILL ME ,THEY CAN DESTROY MY FAMILY,
                  BUT THEY CAN NEVER DEFEAT ME.."
India needs its citizens to stimulate Young Jazeera. It is not probable. But such a possibility alone can eliminate Corruption and Protect our Environment and Natural Resources.

INDIA'S STEEL FRAME : BROKEN AND RUSTED

Impressed by the British system of governance,  the constitution makers preferred  All India Administrative ,Police ,Foreign ,and  Allied Services to give advise to the political leadership on clean and administration, to implement policies and programmes efficiently, and to ensure that the Indian nationhood remains a reality through the constitutionally protected Steel Frame of civil and police service. In the early years, the committed political leadership at the Centre and in the states maintained a dignified relationship with the civil servants and police officers of the All India Services,selected through a rigorous countrywide selection process based purely on merit.

With the passing years, the quality of political leadership began to change, and criminalisation of politics has been taking place at a fast pace. Young recruits to the IAS, IPS and other services, who joined with high motivation , had either to compromise with the corrupt Ministers and leaders or to face punishment by way of frequent transfers,suspensions,and even elimination through organised murders. Many preferred to quit the prestigious services, and take up socially relevant service, advocacy, and political activism like Arvind  Kejrival  of Aam Admi Party. Corruption and bribe in securing even a birth certificate or getting the dead a decent burial, not to mention the mind-boggling scams involving Ministers, Civil servants ,and Business houses. Sand and quarry mafia, and other high profile mafia depleting iron,and other mineral wealth like the Bellary Kings who were Ministers in Karnataka , virtually control the reins of state governments. Upright officers are to be removed for the sake of their prosperity : Suspension of Durga Sakthi in Uttar Pradesh, attempt to kill  an officer using  sand trailer in Himachal Pradesh , and transfer of Thoothukudi Dictrict Collector in Tamilnadu are examples that took place within the past month.

The governance pattern  once preferred by the great Constitution makers of our Country has been effectively broken by the political parties of all shades. At the same time many officers compromised  with the corrupt system either due to pressures or because of choice for comfort. Mounting corruption  and disastrous depletion of natural resources  have become a serious threat to the environment and the lives of millions of Indians. Getting the system back to the clean days of the 1950s and 1960s is impossible.Highly frustrating.

POOR INCREASE IN NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE,BUT POVERTY RATE DECLINES

Is it magic ? YES, a magic with Statistics. The Planning Commission, a national Agency with No reality orientation, is adept at Statistical jugglery and data fudging , and it has come out with the startling poverty reduction figure of 21.9 % which even the govt of India is unable to digest. The govt sources admit that the number and proportion of people living in poverty are far higher. Spending below Rs 27.2 in rural areas and Rs 33.3 in urban areas will mean Below Poverty Line ( BPL) according to our insensitive Planning Commission.

Poverty is a great political weapon for political parties. It is doubtful whether the politicians can survive without poverty . Overzealous Congressmen went all out to defend the new poverty decline data. Raj Babbar ,actor ,asserted that 12 rupees are adequate in Mumbai or Delhi for sumptuous meals. He then retracted his words.Another Congress leader said that with 5 rupees one get a decent meal at Mumbai. Marie Antoinett, the French Queen during the latter half of 18th century, has many followers among our politicians. She asked the starved poor: Let them eat cake ". Our leaders' comments are worse than that of the French Queen. Once elected our politicians lead an opulent life and remain out of sync with those who elected them. Even a Village Panchayat council   member builds a beautiful house and drives a costly car. Our politicians are sure that they can manipulate the poor endlessly because GUILLOTINE is not available for the poor.


THE POOR WILL ALWAYS BE  WITH US .OTHERWISE "GOD " WILL CREATE THE POOR FOR THE POLITICAL CLASS. 

INDIAN REPUBLIC OF BRIBES

WE THE PEOPLE of India gave ourselves a Republican Constitution in 1950. The Constitution  made provisions for public servants for our well-being. The large body of public servants has become our nemesis.These "servants" demand "service charge" for doing their duty. IF WE DO NOT PAY THEY MAKE OUR LIVES MISERABLE.

There are two types of bribes or service charges :Wholesale and Retail. 2G, Coalgate, Railgate, etc etc are astronomical whole sale BRIBES.High profile politicians, corporate tycoons, and   big Babus  are the architects of these.But the AAM ADMI (COMMON PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND I  ) have to pay RETAIL BRIBES OR FACILITATION FEES for everything from birth certificate to death certificate. Even after death bribe is to be paid at the burial spot by the relatives. What a great country is ours ?

India Today of July 22 had an article titled BRIBE REPUBLIC. Swathi and husband Ramesh Ramanathan returned to India from Berkely, USA, with grand dreams to be shattered. A blessing in disguise for the country.They promoted Janagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy at Bangalore.Its website I PAID A BRIBE is a great platform for all Indians to share their experiences in STRICT PRIVACY. From its data it is revealed that urban Indians bribed "public servants" Rs 6.3 lakh crores in one year (Minimum Estimate ).Imagine the likely figure if we can get data from the rural ares.Where is our country going.It is the duty of every Indian to protest to protect our children from this disastrous menace.LET US JOIN HANDS.

POLITICIANS NONE : JUDGES SOME

A well-behaved student , Pon Navarasu , joined the medical college at Annamalai University , and his tragic end was at the hands of John David after ragging .It was in 1996 at the hostel . John chopped off the body of Navarasu into parts and disposed them off in different places. The gruesome cruelty shocked the families , the University , and the people of Tamilnadu. The trial court convicted John and sentenced him to double life imprisonment. In 2001, a division  bench of the Madras High Court acquitted John. The judgement shook the conscience of the nation. But the Supreme Court overturned the order of the Division Bench. The lawyers at the bar conferred on the Division Bench head the sobriquet Acqittal Judge. BCCI thought it wise to include him in the IPL enquiry panel may be on the hope that the panel would exonerate him and his son-in-law . When more than a billion fans were outraged against BCCI President who refuses to quit , politicians of all parties played safe. The PM gave a sermon not to mix sports and politics. His Govt has all the powers to supercede the BCCI in the national interest .But he will not do.

A MASSIVE SCAM IN THE GENTLEMAN'S GAME IN INDIA

Cricket is not a game in India. It is a religion : a secular religion followed by a billion-plus. Sachin Tendulkar is the God of  Cricket. It is true one hundred percent: a model of Professional excellence and Personal probity. A national icon : Perfect and Pure.

In contrast we have a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which in fact is a BAND OF CORRUPT AND COVERING -UP INDIVIDUALS : a group of opportunistic politicians , business honchos and other assorted personalities .  They are together for the lust of power and not for the love of cricket.

May 16 , three cricketers were arrested by Delhi Police for Spot-fixing. It was news waiting  to be exposed. Then Mumbai Police entered the scene and startling revelations started pouring in. Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of BCCI Chief N Srinivasan-- CEO and Principal of Chennai Super Kings-- was arrested. With that many shocking information has come in the public domain .IPL is a great cocktail of  spot-fixing, match-fixing, passing insider information, betting,  Bollywood, underworld, money-laundering, sleaze ,and  mafia of all shady characters. N Srinivasan's office did a " smart " operation by changing the twitter profile of Son-in-law to give an impression that Gurunath has no official role in CSK team . Thank God  Twitter has limitations, otherwise son-in-law would have been made NONE-IN-LAW.

Despite all the criticisms against N Srinivasan's continuation as President of BCCI on grounds of  morality, ethics and public accountability, he refuses to quit. It is doubtful whether the enquiry commission of BCCI will be objective and fair. Millions of Indians are starving and yet our political parties have not united to get the Food Security Bill enacted in the Parliament. But Congress , BJP, NCP,National Conference, etc are hand in glove to keep the corrupt BCCI coterie in good shape. Millions of fans pour in billions of money , and this financial clout has made the BCCI bosses blind towards the feelings of the gullible fans who believe that the thrilling " last ball " wins and losses are real.

CRICKET ,CORRUPTION AND COVERING-UP

Cricket is not a game in India. It is a vibrant religion, secular in practice. Sachin Tendulkar is rightly the GOD of Indian Cricket. He deserves the honour--an icon and an unblemished personality. Such a person is born once in centuries.

A billion-plus population pours billions of rupees to the controlling authority called the Board of Control of  Cricket in India (BCCI). Controlled by unprincipled politicians belonging to different parties and powerful business men , BCCI  has virtually become a Band of Corrupt and Covering -up Individuals.The International Cricket Council ( ICC ) is a weak body which kneels before the might of the cash-rich BCCI.

A mercurial cricketer Sree Santh and two colleagues were arrested by Delhi Police for spot-fixing Indian Premier League matches.The news became sensational though the three are minor actors. Then the Mumbai Police entered the scene. It started exposing the deadly cocktail of Betting Mafia, Team Owners, Bollywood, Underworld, Intermediaries,Matchfixing/spot fixing, Sleaze, Honeytrap, and Money- laundering. The Chennai Super Kings, the team of  India Cements , and its CEO& Principal Gurunath Meiyappan,who was arrested, made headlines

THE UTERUS ROBBERY IN BIHAR AND RAJASTHAN

In India not only are the women unsafe but also their WOMBS

RSBY( Rashtiya Swasthya Bima Yojana ) or National Health Insurance Scheme is viewed as a " Path-breaking Scheme"by the World Bank.Under RSBY the BPl families are entitled to free medical treatment upto Rs 30,000 a year. It is a god-send benefit to the ailing poor. But in reality it is a devil-send opportunity to some doctors and hospitals.

The weekly THE WEEK's investigation in  Samastipur district of Bihar and Dausa district of Rajasthan reveal startling facts of large scale uterus robbery .Most of the victims are women in younger age -groups. A woman with stomach pain approaches a doctor and the advice is" This pain could lead to cancer and a life-saving surgery would help you " the doctor robs her uterus and a neat sum of Rs 16,000. In some cases hospitals would swipe the RSBY cards without doing any procedure. There were also names of men and dead persons in the RSBY registry. The hospitals  were in a hurry to collect quick money. A report of the Samastipur district magistrate shows that of the 14,851 procedures during 2010-2012,  5,503 ( about 37%) were hysterectomies.

A young man filed a case against a hospital  after his twenty-year old  wife was subjected to hysterectomy following failed Caesarian section (?). The crestfallen couple filed a case and they alleged that the police has threatened with criminal action if the affected couple pursued the case. Great policing.

PREDATORS OF THE POOR ARE ALL AROUND US LIKE WOLVES. SOME ARE DOCTORS.

MOTHER INDIA BLEEDS AS HER DAUGHTERS ARE. RAPED

The gruesome Delhi gangrape of Nirbhaya in December 2012, the massive protests across India, Justice Verma Committee's commitment, the amended anti-rape law and the tall promises of political leaders have not made any dent on those who continue to rape because of the lack of fear of law and the officials who are to enforce the law.

Now the child rapes are increasing exponentially. Delhi has witnessed two rapes of 5- year old children. The child who got a lot of media attention was kidnapped, kept in a room without food or water, repeatedly raped by two men for two or three days, and abandoned. The police investigation was indifferently done, and the shameful matter was the BRIBE OF Rs.2000 OFFERED TO THE FATHER OF THE CHILD BY THE POLICE NOT TO GO TO THE MEDIA. The protests that followed did not make any one accountable. The Police Chief refused to resign ; instead he gave a lecture on moral depravity of the rapists. During the same period another 5- year old was found in the premises of AIIMS ;she was also the victim of rape. The doctors attending on the first child said that they have not seen such brutality on the body of a child rape victim. Far away in Madhya Pradesh a4- year old was raped and her brain was injured. All these three kids are undergoing treatment.

In UP, the jungle Raj of India, a6-year old was abducted, raped, killed and dumped in a pit . The police thrashed the protesters. A police officer's savage attack on an elderly protester is stomach-turning; she was a frail woman.At Bulandshahr a 10- year old girl was kept in the lock-up in a women's police station for complaining about a person who raped her in a field..the Supreme Court issued notices suo motu. Barely after a week after this incident, at Afzelgarh the father of a 16- year old girl was beaten by the police for asking the police to register a case against two men who raped her.

Police force is the biggest threat to the safety and security of our girls and women. Well the police does not spare any one . The protectors are in fact the predators. The police personnel generally ( NOT ALL, BUT MOST ) are corrupt and criminalised. In Kerala the media reported of police officers hiring quotation (killer ) groups to settle scores with their opponents. In this scenario what is the HOPE for Bharath Mata's children?

JUSTICE (? ) OF PEACE

Magistrate: Dictionary defines as Public Officer responsible to administer law and justice.          : United Kingdom : Magistrate is known as JUSTICE OF PEACE.

Magistrates in India are criticised for being mechanically remanding persons brought before them to police custody or judicial custody for two weeks.The Supreme Court has passed strictures on this tendency more than once.. Instead of administering law most of the Magistrates simply function as extensions of Police.

Gunavati means a woman possessing good qualities as a person. In Tamilnadu Judicial Service there is an officer called Gunavati (source :newspapers ).In 2000 she remanded one woman to custody for two weeks..the woman was cheated by her lover once he learnt that she was pregnant.. She complained to the police. When taken to the Magistrate , Gunavati remanded her without any enquiry. The complainant became the accused , who did not know why the Magistrate sent her to custody.  DNA test showed that the person who cheated her was responsible for her pregnancy.

It took more than twelve years for the case to be decided upon, Gunavati filed false affidavit before the High Court denying any wrong-doing. The High Court ordered that Gunavati should compensate the complainant with Rs 100,000 with costs amounting to Rs. 10,000. The court passed severe stricture on the conduct of Gunavati and recommended the state government to initiate disciplinary action against her.

A great judgement, no doubt. But it took more than ten years to get justice for the woman whose right  of free movement and liberty was deprived by a judicial authority arbitrarily., thanks to a determined lawyer and the majesty of higher judiciary.

DEATH TRAPS CALLED HOUSES IN MAHARASHTRA

A seven-storey building in two months. Unapproved structure with low quality construction materials. One unsuspecting day the building collapsed like a pack of cards in a matter of minutes. More than seventy people were killed, and many more were injured. IT WAS IN MUMBRA in Thane District. The Maharashtra government was generous enough in announcing a paltry compensation of INR 200,000 per life lost.

It is reported that 90% of the buildings in MUMBRA  are structures without approval. The Maharashtra government admitted in 2010 that 5,00,000 buildings in Thane district were illegal. Building mafia grab public land and construct unauthorised buildings. The nexus of politicians,bureaucrats ,police officials and builders manages everything smoothly. EVERY HAND IS BRIBED. A national TV channel exposed through a secret operation the bribes taken by 36 police officials. The exposure forced the government to suspend the concerned officials without going deeper into the corrupt network. As regards the suspension it normally is a temporary change of environment.

The MUMBRA structures are death traps. Human tragedies are waiting to happen to those who live in such houses.

We have Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Local Body Representatives , and officials . BUT THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT. The people are duty bound to elect their representatives to LOOT public money.

PEOPLE WANT WATER, MINISTER OFFERS HIS URINE

Many districts in India are drought-hit. Maharashtra's most districts face acute water crisis. Desperate people requested Deputy Chief Minister ( who is also Irrigation and Power Minister ) to arrange water. At a public function Minister Ajit Pawar said that the only way is FOR HIM TO  URINATE IN THE DAM. He then had a hearty laugh and his cronies shared his laughter. Minister could not control his glee and laughter.

Minister Ajit Pawar had a shock waiting for him when the media , political parties , and civil society turned their guns towards him baying for his political blood. Minister first offered excuse that what he said was a jovial comment. But even his party NCP found it impossible to defend him. So he apologised. But that is not satisfying his critics who are in the majority.

Minister Ajit Pawar's remarks are atrociously insensitive . It is inconceivable that a Minister, instead of offering help to the suffering people , dared to insult them and the dignity of the electorate. Yet he is still allowed to continue as Minister because of the clout of his political formation,  and the coalition Compulsions of the Govt leadership .The least Ajit Pawar Could do is to RESIGN . But his uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar asks why his nephew should resign as he has already offered his apology.. Senior Pawar is CORRECT because he and his Party are aware that the voters are fickle and they will vote for the URINE FOR WATER Minister. And that too with  a massive mandate .

Marie Antoinette , French Queen till 1792, is still quoted for her infamous remarks "LET THEM EAT CAKE " when her hungry people were begging for bread.Though she was executed by Guillotine in 1793 after the French Revolution, human memory is still fresh all over the world. The appalling apathy of our ruling elites manages to continue because of our democratic system with all the weaknesses. Otherwise how we, the people of India, could absorb mind-boggling scams , scandals, corruption and atrocities calmly?

PERILS OF LONGEVITY

Sania from Haryana almost made history when the President Of India turned down her mercy plea to save her from the gallows during the first week of April .However the Supreme Court order of interim stay of the hanging has given her some reprieve. She and her husband Sanjeev were sentenced to death in 2007 for killing her father and Seven others over family property in 2001.If the stay is vacated she will be the first woman to be hanged to death in India.

Social Welfare magazine reported a case by a Psychiatric Social Worker attached to a Mental Hospital in UP some years ago about the plight of a retired Govt officer in his sixties. He was admitted as a seriously mentally ill in the hospital. The new social worker interviewed the " patient" and visited the various places and met persons known to him according to the desire of the person. The person was the owner of a huge property and his wife and son found him inconvenient for their plans.So he was taken to the Mental Hospital. The Psychiatrist obviously obliged in return for a hefty professional fee.

Kalyani of Chennai city belonged to an aristocratic family. She considered her a blessed woman with a son, a pilot working in an airlines, a sweet daughter-in-law, and a 10-year old grandson. She did not feel the loss of her husband in a caring family. Her seventieth birthday was celebrated in a grand manner. The guests and relatives said that they were jealous of her. Kalyani was elated. After some weeks she bequeathed her entire property, bank balance, and her beautiful house. She visited some places of worship and returned with peace of mind. Kalyani's peace was shattered in a few weeks. Minor quarrels led to major ones initiated by her daughter-in-law who has become bitter. One night when her son was away the quarrel resulted in the daughter-in-law punching  Kalyani on her face. She had to run out with bleeding nose to her neighbour's house. Kalyani now is an inmate of a charitable home for the aged.

Income security is important in old age. But excess of income can be a cause of misery and even untimely death.

AN EXTRAORDINARY PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER

Social work in Madras in the 1960s was personality-centred. A professional social worker was considered an oxymoron as social work was viewed as an honorary voluntary social service. Mary Clubwala Jadhav, the legendary social worker and founder of the Madras School of Social Work,decided to recruit social work professionals in the Guild of Service ( GOS ) institutions under her stewardship. MSS Nambudiri, fresh from MSSW, opted a social work career in the GOS despite low salary. It was in 1964 and the position was in Seva Samajam Boys' Home ( SSBH ), an institution for destitute children.

Residential care in dormitories, a carpentry training unit , and a school were the facilities available at SSBH with  low amount of grant from the government. Born into an aristocratic and orthodox Kerala Nambudiri Brahmin family, young Nambudiri preferred to live in the SSBH premises and eat the food served to the children along with them.

Ideologically committed to deinstitutionalisation of child care, Nambudiri facilitated the return of children having at least one parent to their families by arranging income-earning support to their parents and encouraging the children to avail of all the SSBH facilities. For the totally destitute children, self-contained family cottages were set up in a nearby campus.Each family cottage consisted of a maximum of ten children under the care of a housemother who was entrusted with money for monthly expenses in advance. There was neither any uniform for children nor a fixed menu or timing for meals.Approximation to family care was Nambudiri's aim. This transition was fiercely resisted by the traditionalists in the GOS , but SSBH chairman NES Raghavachari ICS (Retired ) solidly supported these changes. In this process Nambudiri  became the Director of SSBH. During the lifetime of Mary Clubwala Jadhav, she had a love-hate relationship with Nambudiri, whom she had treated with dignity.

Nambudiri was passionate about quality education and skill development.General Cariappa School was upgraded into a government-aided higher secondary school and its portals were thrown open to all children from the neighbourhood. As the school's performance record was poor, Nambudiri adopted a three-pronged approach: motivating  teachers with competence- building, remedial inputs for weak students , and fixing accountability  on headmaster and teachers for the performance of students. When schools preferred children with good marks for admission, Nambudiri adopted  the reverse priority,the motto being " lower the scores, better the chance for admission ". Children from poor families, who were deprived of  education either because of dropping out or due to lack of birth certificates, were admitted in a separate TRANSIT SCHOOL with bridge education till they are prepared for admission in mainstream schools. Nambudiri had the support of the Directorate of Education in his efforts. As all well-intentioned actions will lead to good outcomes,General Cariappa school finally registered 100 percent success in the Board examinations.: A fact like a fiction.

A remarkable step towards self-sufficiency of SSBH was made by Nambudiri in converting the carpentry unit into a training-cum-production centre which made quality furniture for the competitiveemploymentemployment market. The unit also supplied packing cases to Ashok Leyland. The profits earned were utilised for providing better services to children, giving benefits to personnel, and creating a corpus fund to sustain SSBH programmes. Besides introducing vocational education in Cariappa School, many training units in different trades were started making the campus into a COMMUNITY COLLEGE.The lives of many children were transformed  through placement in industries, self-employment, and assignments in the middle-east. Many today are leading fairy tale lives.

In association with the child sponsorship agency Plan International, Nambudiri  launched an ambitious family and social development project in many low-income communities. He also raised massive international resources  for many GOS institutions. Ironically his popularity was a threat to many GOS functionaries, and he finally resigned from SSBH after forty years of service, which also marked the decline of SSBH.


Started as a social worker, Nambudiri became an outstanding  SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR also. An outspoken advocate of child rights, his four decades of service was synonymous with child welfare and skill development of the youth. His contribution, if documented, will be a treatise on the twin themes for posterity.

MSS Nambudiri's illustrious life came to an abrupt end on March 15. Nambudiri and I were intimate friends for 51 years. I will miss him all through the rest of my life. So also the society around us.

A RARE jUDGE AND A GOOD PERSON

Justice K.Chandru retired from Madras High Court on March 8 on completion of 62 years. Many judges are retiring. So what is special about this retirement ? Yes, there is some thing very special.

Justice Chandru broke away from the tradition of a farewell meeting, customary speeches on the virtues(?) of the retiring judge, memento, high tea or dinner, and a photo session. He did not prefer these customary practices . 84 years ago in 1929 a judge of the Madras High Court MGH Jackson did the same.

Justice Chandru set high ethical standards as a judge. On the day he became a permanent judge he declared his assets( November 9,2011 ) He did the same on the day of his retirement. Perhaps the only judge to do so. He discontinued the practice of the red-capped mace bearer accompanying  him as a judge in the portals of the Court. He also did not need the police officer's security support. He advised the advocates to address him as Sir instead of My Lord ; but most did not prefer to do so. On New Year Day and on other festival occasions the gates of his official residence remained closed with a placard on display: " No deities here,so no flowers
                                             No one is hungry here, so no sweets
                                             No one is shivering, so no shawls.
                                             We need only your best wishes."
On the last day in office, he handed over the keys of the official car, wore simple dress , walked to the suburban railway station ,and boarded an electric train to his house.

Justice Chandru was an advocate who argued many cases for the poor clients without any fees. He practised labour law admirably. His Marxist orientation and commitment to human rights made him popular. As a teacher I had the benefit of his professional guidance for no fees. When the students of social work protested against the move of the government to evict the pavement dwelling families on the footpaths of Loyola College without any plan, he along with my colleague Dr Henry D'Souza( now Professor of Social Work at the University of Omaha) filed a petition before the High Court. The arbitrary eviction plan was stayed and they were shifted to an alternative site.

Justice Chandru proposes to devote his time for legal guidance, writing and social welfare. Known as a  "People's Judge " the services of this good person is needed for our society for many, many years, 

WHARTON'S VANITY

It is ridiculous that a US- based business school has arrogated itself the role of an arbiter of global moral standard setting. The big names in business management education including Wharton in the US could not prevent the collapse of American capitalism and the meltdown of the American economy. That much as far as their professional credentials are concerned.

Wharton Business School's India Economic Forum is a student-centric annual conclave with sponsorship from Indian business groups. Impressed with the development of Gujarat as número uno state in India, and the third successive massive electoral mandate, the organisers invited CM Narendra Modi as one of the key speakers. But surprisingly the invitation was withdrawn on grounds of his human rights violations record as presented by a group of academics. The communal violence in Gujarat leading to loss of many lives could have been arguably averted by the state government. In contrast, millions of innocent people including children were killed in Iraq by American and allied forces.These were deliberately planned human rights violations.

The Wharton conclave organisers ought to have heard Narendra Modi and questioned him on all contentious and controversial issues. That is free speech to be upheld by any institution belonging to a civilised society. There will always be detractors on any matter. But by buckling down under pressure by a group of dissenters ( which is their right ) Wharton Business School has lowered its status. What moral authority it has to teach business ethics to its MBA students when the institution lacks elementary ethics in social relations ? 

COMMENDABLE ACTION BY JET AIRWAYS FOR AN AUTISTIC CHILD

Autism or Autism Spectrum BEhaviour Disorder is a developmental disability. It affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. It is linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. Many causes are put forth and the exact causes are still unknown.Research is on . It normally appears in the first three years of life. More boys than girls seem to be autistic.

Autism is characterised by impaired social interaction and communication with others. Hence the autistic child is an unfairly misunderstood child. The autistic child or adult has many talents which should be developed with close observation. They excel in mathematics and research  because of their logical frame of mind. Piano and other musical instruments appeal to them , and they can be taught to be proficient in these. These are some illustrations.

January 12, 2013 is an important day for those with autism because on this day an autistic child Jiyon Ganguly and his therapy dog (Labrador) Sambaa could fly from Kolkata to Mumbai in a JET AIRWAYS flight. It was the first time a person with a neurological disorder was allowed to board a therapy dog in India ,though trained service dogs are permitted to accompany passengers with physical disabilities. Jet Airways has taken a highly praiseworthy step forward  for the well- being of the persons affected with autism.

Around  one in every one hundred persons is estimated to be affected by Autism. Many are deprived of therapy and rehabilitation . Mainstreaming the autistic children in the regular schools is very important. April  12 is AUTISM AWARENESS DAY. The society should support the holistic development of  the autistic section of our population. 

RIGHT TO SCHOOLING BUT NO RIGHT TO LEARN

The RTE Act guarantees right to school enrolment. But learning is an almost impossible goal for many of our children. That is what we understand from the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) of 2012 prepared by Pradham Education Foundation based on a survey across the country. The survey examines learning outcomes in children in the rural areas in the age-group 6-14 years by assessing their ability in reading and arithmetic using simple tests.

Learning levels have been falling over the years and 2012 witnessed an all time low record. Nearly half the 6-7 year olds in the first standard could not read even one letter in any language. Nearly 60% could not read any English alphabet. Children in class 5 who could read a class II text declined from 53.7% in 2010 to 46.8% in 2012.

In 2010 seven out of ten children could solve a two-digit subtraction problem with borrowing. But in 2012 only five out of ten could do so. It is an irony that 2012 was the Year of Mathematics.

Governments spend huge amount of money on education. Yet enrolment in private schools rose from 18.7% in 2006 to 28.3-% in 2012, and it is estimated to reach 50% in the next ten years. The lag between even modest private schools and state- run schools in the quality of teaching is evident. So anxious parents prefer private schools for their children even if it is a financial burden.

State-run schools generally are notorious for  teacher-apathy and low teacher  proficiency. Teacher accountability is a rarity in these schools. Many teachers are reluctant to prepare and teach. Often older children are asked to teach younger children in multi-grade classes. There is nobody to monitor whether children learn anything or not. Children are victimised if parents complain.

ON THE WHOLE  THE SCENARIO OF EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY IS IN A STATE OF
DISARRAY. 

AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SENIOR CITIZEN

" Splashes in the Backwaters of Kumarakom" is the title of the unconventional self and social portrait of an unorthodox Malayali SyrianChristian,nostalgic about his roots and mother tongue. My intimate friend and a former RBI officer K. Cherian never gave an inkling of  his autobiographical venture. Sri C.J.Cherian, an illustrious recipient of the National Award for for Best Teacher from the first President of India, was keen that his son should be a mathematician like Srinivasa Ramanujan. Son Cherian wanted to pursue higher studies in English literature like his father. Ultimately the patriarchal authority prevailed and Cherian joined MSc course in Statistics. Even motivated students found it difficult to sit through the classes of our Professor Aleyamma George( may her soul forgive me ), who had never smiled even once in the class during the two years of the course. The MSc result was a shock only to father Cherian.My friend took up a job in RBI and retired from the Central Bank and NABARD. After more than five decades after his mathematical disaster, Cherian brought out this autobiography in ENGLISH as an ultimate fulfilment of his life-long ambition of becoming a writer in English,which in a way is a tribute to his father who was a well-known English teacher.

Cherian's autobiography is written in lucid Indian English with Malayalam poetry and prose interspersed through out like icing on the cake. He portrays Kumarakom,which nestles on the banks of the enchanting Vembanad lake . The romantically swaying coconut palms and the abundance of  lobsters, prawns and KARIMEEN ( pearl spot ) appear before the reader's vision. He vividly describes the economy, social relations and family patterns over time like a social commentator. The emergence and rise of the Communist Party,which radically altered the economic, political and social landscape of Kerala, has been presented in an interesting manner. He describes the Kumarakom scenario frame by frame like a film-maker. Cherian's marriage with a brilliant History lecturer Geetha and the different phases of his family life  are emotional narratives. Justifiably many pages are devoted to his RBI and NABARD days where he spent around thirty-five years of life. A critical reading of his autobiography will reveal a wealth of information on the social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of a changing village in Kerala from the early fifties.

Cherian's memory is amazing, and his flair for soft and harmless pornographic literary outing makes his autobiography more human.In his characteristic style,Cherian describes his self-presentation a diabolical masterpiece  and this century's most controversial memoirs to be.

DEATH OF HUMANITY IN KERALA

'Our people derive sadistic pleasure by drawing blood again and again  from an already bleeding, fallen prey' said the father of the Suryanelli girl, who was brutally abused by many for many days by shifting from place to place to Seena Tony Jose, whose narration of the tragic tale of  a God-fearing family in the Malayalam periodical VANITHA is a moving account of the past 17 years of suffering.
It was a small family of four :father- a postmaster, mother- a nurse, and two daughters with plans for the girls like any other family.But their hopes were shattered by a group of SEX-CRAZY men many of whom are " honourable" persons,who could escape punishment with ease.By the time the 16-year old was allowed to return to her home after the gruelling sexual assault, her health condition was so serious that the doctors diagnosed that she would have died had the sexual cruelty continued for one more week.Now ailing and in their seventies, the father and mother became mentally numb. Their house at Suryanelli,which they had constructed with all their savings had to be sold as it became a " sight-seeing spot" for visitors, who are devoid of sensitivity , and the family had to be in exile to escape public ridicule.

Not only justice was denied to the family, the Congress Party leaders in Kerala have started competing with each other in character-assassinating the victim. A retired judge said in a private conversation that the victim was a child prostitute and hence his judgement acquitting the accused.
The latest tirade is from K. Sudhakaran, a member of Parliament representing the Congress Party.Defending Prof. Kurien, Deputy Chairman Of Rajya Sabha, Sudhakaran had the audacity to describe the rape-survivor repeatedly ( like the rapists did physically) as a prostitute.And no remorse from him for making such outrageous insults . The CM and the KPCC President looked the other way.Some leaders said the remarks are the personal views of Sudhakaran. But a person, that too an elected  law maker (???), does not have the right to make vitriolic and vituperative attack on a victim. He has to be punished. Sudhakaran is the personification of the dying  human values among the mighty and powerful in Kerala. Shocking degeneration of a great society!!!

A JUDGE...OH MY GOD!!!

A former judge of the Kerala High Court ,Mr R Basanth , has brought disrepute to the Indian judiciary by his remarks on the 16- year old Suryanelli rape victim reflecting the " HYENA- LIKE
MALE CONTEMPT " towards women. His private conversation was caught on the camera by the
Journalists of ASIANET TV Channel. He revealed his perverse mind by saying that" here is a girl who is not normal, who is deviant. She was used for child prostitution. Child prostitution is not rape. It is immoral." No wonder that all, except one, was acquitted. He also added that the Supreme Court did not read  his judgement when it ordered on January 31, 2013 that the Kerala High Court should hear the appeal afresh.

The Supreme Court recently advised the judges to change their mindset.  Mr. Basanth was last week included in the panel of senior counsels by the Kerala Govrnment to argue for the state in the Supreme Court. What a choice? ASIANET deserves the gratitude of the entire state for exposing Mr Basanth. But he accuses the channel  of unethical and shameful conduct. What about his unethical, disgraceful and inhuman conduct in making HORRIFYING comments , to say the least?

There are widespread protests across Kerala over the remarks of Mr Basanth . The Kerala government may remove him from the panel of  senior counsels as early as possible and initiate criminal proceedings against  him.

ETHICS, JUSTICE AND CHOICE

Some doctors refuse to do abortions whatever be the circumstance as they firmly believe that a doctor
should save a life and not take  a life. Some legal practitioners do not defend sex offenders and persons doing pre-meditated killings. Here personal values override professional interpretations.

Suryanelli rape is perhaps the worst such case in India. A 16- year old was used for sex trade by force for forty days by forty-two persons in power and position. All, except one, escaped punishment; the one who was convicted was sentenced to just five years. Now after 17 years the heinous crime has come to the public domain thanks to to the Supreme Court order to revisit the case.

Prof. P J Kurien, a teacher turned Congress politician, is a very powerful political figure now occupying the position of Deputy Chairman of India's exalted Upper House. The victim has been saying for 17 years that he did abuse her sexually. The poor and powerless family watched helplessly when the Marxist CM refused to believe the girl's charges. Finally the charges were quashed by the Supreme Court because of  the loopholes in the investigation. Arun Jaitley, now Leader of Opposition  in Rajya Sabha, was  Professor's advocate. Did the illustrious Jaitley make the correct professional choice then? BJP which claims politics with values and a party with a difference is cautious to react  because of  the opposition leader's earlier association with Prof Kurien. There is massive outrage in Kerala. How long The Congress and the BJP remain silent when silence is highly deafening.

RIGHT TO STARVE AND RIGHT TO ILL-HEAlTH

The Right to starve and Right to ill-health are guaranteed by the political leaders and their bureaucracy since Independence. International NGO Save the Children's Nutrition Barometer Report
gives some more shocks to which we are accustomed. In a study of 36 developing countries , India,
Congo and Yemen form the unholy trinity at the bottom of the assessment with 90% of the world's stunted children . Child nutrition status has been declining in many states in the northern region.
75% of the children are anaemic and 53 out of 1,000 infants in India do not complete their first year .
More than 44% of our children SLEEP HUNGRY every night.


Care of Indian mothers and children ranks at the bottom of the global ladder. One-third of  Indian women are under-nourished and 55% are anaemic. UK's National Health Service provides high quality medical service to all citizens. Public health is given high priority in all countries with strong democratic traditions. India spends less than 2%  of its GDP on health. If the Planning Commission is given a free hand , it would welcome massive privatisation of health (or ill-health ) care in India. So Universal health insurance, Right to health and Right to have three meals a day  will remain DREAMS for decades, if not centuries.

40 DAYS AND 42 MONSTER- RAPISTS OF A 16 YEAR- OLD

God's Own Country, Kerala, has many devils in human form. Girls and women are mere flesh for trade and enjoyment for these criminals without conscience. They include the mighty and the powerful in the land of Mahabali, the legendary emperor, who is supposed to visit during Onam every year to see his people in peace and happiness.

1996 January was an year of disaster for a family in Suryanelli , a plantation village near Munnar. Their 16- year old younger daughter was lured by a bus- conductor. He then traded the girl. She was raped by 42 men in 40 days by shifting her from place to place . Her rapists included men in politics and power. It was an unexpected tragedy of an unimaginable proportion. A special court convicted 36 accused in 2000. But in 2005 the High Court acquitted all except one. Even in his case the punishment was reduced to 5 years and a fine of Rs. 50,000. One person, who is now holding a high position in India, got " clean certificate" from the Supreme Court; but the accusation has resurfaced again.  The investigation was sloppy and the successive governments showed no interest. She got a job in the Commercial Taxes Department as compensation from the government. A false case was foisted against her by two officers , she was denied bail for six days and was out of job for nine months. Only after the exposure of her plight by the media and women activist groups, she was reinstated. After 16 years in January 2013 the Supreme Court stayed the 2005 order to the High Court and ordered retrial to be completed in six months.

The father of the rape victim said:" The past 17 years were like hell. We were ostracised by our dear and near ones. Our two girls withdrew from the outside world and confine themselves to the house. They have not attended a single family function all these years. They don' t even go to the church.

Will the girl and her family get justice? Will the Kerala government and police take genuine interest in rendering justice and bringing the guilty to arm of law? Will the court rise to the expectation of the Indian people to whom the judiciary is the ONLY HOPE ? Will the victim and her family get adequate protection?

THERE ARE MANY SURYANELLI s IN INDIA. WILL THE NIGHTMARE OF OUR WOMEN  C OME TO AN END?

STIFLING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Kamal Haasan is one of the greatest actors in the globe. He is a humanist, a secular person a proud Indian. Vishwaroopam, his latest film, is released in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and abroad. But to the shock of  freedom lovers it is banned in his home state causing huge financial loss and mental agony to a man who has served our country with devotion through his creativity. All because some fringe fundamentalist groups  do not like some scenes: a film certified by the Censor Board has super- censors .

Corruption is a social equaliser. The higher sections do due to greed while the lower sections do due to deprivation. The  higher sections cover-up their corruption and often escape, while those belonging to backward and Dalit communities are more visible. Corruption by the weaker sections is a good sign of  distributive justice. This is the substance of what  Ashis Nandy said at Jaipur. These views were  presented by him at academic forums. At Jaipur the choice of words was not appropriate and   the forum was a public one with the media present. All the political parties found an opportunity for cornering more votes and wanted his arrest. Now he has to face the Jaipur police for interrogation and who knows what. Instead of a healthy debate to examine his theoretical proposition for equity and justice , he has to explain to the police why SC and ST ( Prevention of Atrocities Act) should not be applied against him.

Freedom of speech, expression , creative work of art or film, humour and above all thought are under serious threat from cultural terrorism of fundamentalist groups and state terrorism of unlimited power. Sycophancy is promoted and dissent suppressed. A FRIGHTENING SITUATION IN OUR REPUBLIC FOUNDED BY GREAT LEADERS. 

POLITICAL SOCIOLOGIST AND HATE POLITICS

Political and social theorist Ashis Nandy stoked an unnecessary controversy. Caste and religion are
Independent variables in sociological research. But in social life, the use of these variables Depend
on highly sensitive issues. Prof Nandy, speaking at the Jaipur Literary Festival, said that people
belonging to Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are the most corrupt.A
deadly statement on India's Republic Day: politically prejudiced and sociologically incorrect leading
to a Tsunami of protests. CM  Ashok Gehlot described that such a statement could only be made by a
person" only after losing mental balance". Justice MN Rao, Chairman of the National Commission for Backward Classes, condemned Nandy's casteist remarks and said: Irresponsible statements of this nature may result in social convulsions endangering peace and tranquility in society.

Legally Nandy appears to have violated the SC and ST ( Prevention of Atrocities ) Act. FIRs are filed against him. Demand for his arrest from political and social activists and leaders has been on the
increase.As a Sociologist Prof Nandy is expected to be unbiased and non-judgmental.

 

FROM RAPIST-KILLER TO SERIAL RAPIST-KILLER

Correction of the offender is the aim of the criminal justice system.But in the Indian jails the offender
most often becomes a hardened criminal due to the brutalising conditions in the jails. A Kiran  Bedi emerges once in a way to initiate prison reforms, but the system remains almost unaffected. Once the offender is punished, individual-centred approach is not the norm, but only a rare exception.

Sunil's known criminal career started around the age of 21, when he was arrested on charges of  rape
and murder. The Nashik Court gave him death sentence, but the High Court acquitted him of all charges. Released on  May28,2012 after jail term for other cases, he settled at Shirdi as a self-employed in work related to the pilgrims' needs. On December 28, 2012 he abducted a nine-year old girl known to him, and was allegedly raped and killed her. A married man with two children and working  in the precincts of a holy shrine, Sunil could not control his libidinous urge and inclination
to kill his victim. Another avoidable loss of life to lust.

The serial rapist-killer Sunil is the creation of an indifferent and unscientific justice delivery system, a jail which grossly failed in its duty to correct him. Sex offenders, rapists, and persons who take the lives of others need to be individualised for therapy, CORRECTION, and rehabilitation. Otherwise
more and more Sunils will be created.

A team of Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists and Social Workers needs to be drafted in our jails for individual - centred correction. A systematic and scientific policy for correction of the criminals should be put in place. Once released, the sex offenders should be centrally registered, monitored through the area police stations, and placed under probation and supervision by Social Workers.

HUMAN LIVES ARE CHEAPEST IN INDIA

Illegal  drug trials on unsuspecting persons, innocent children and the mentally challenged from poor sections of our population for multi-national companies have been taking place in our country causing deaths, and physical as well as mental damages. The unholy nexus between hospitals
doctors,government officials and the MNCs is well-known. But the government of India has been
dragging its feet on policy and implementation for years and years. Last week the Supreme Court
asked whether the government was in slumber. In fact the government has been on coma due to paralysis of inaction and lack of will-power.

It appears that the Supreme Court And High Courts should set up ESOs (executive supervision
offices ) to regularly oversee the central and state governments to protect the welfare of the people.
What a dismal state of affairs in the largest democracy in the world? 

BHARATH VERSUS INDIA

RSS Chief ,the custodian of Hindutva, asserts that rapes take place in (urban) India and not in Bharath(rural India). Contrary to his assertion statistics unmistakably indicate that the percentage of rapes and crimes against women in villages is overwhelmingly higher than that in cities. But the high priests of Bharathiya Sanskriti (culture ) are not convinced with the hard facts. They prefer to be in the illusory world of ' tradition ?'. They blame the Western culture for all the ills of the Indian society.   They are ready with Do's and Don'ts for our women. A senior Minister in MP cautions women not to cross the Lakshman Rekha by breaching moral boundaries. Another leader is a woman; Chairperson of Chattisgarh Women's Commission. She says that women's dress and behaviour,influenced by Western culture, give a cue to men to rape them.

Mahabharata,our national epic, has a shockingly glaring  example of the assault on the modesty of women.When the Kaurava prince attempted to disrobe queen Draupadi in the open court before the emperor, kings and highly esteemed leaders and teachers,no one dared to stop the horrendous attempt. Draupadi was a rare woman with exemplary courage and determination,and a role model for Indian womanhood. But the humiliation meted out to her is a blot on the Indian culture.

If political leaders cannot guarantee safety for our girls and women, LET THEM AT LEAST  SHUT THEIR MOUTHS UP.