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.