SEXiST MINDSET OF MEN IN AUTHORITY IS AN INCENTIVE TO RAPISTS

Abhijit Mukherjee symbolises the perverted,chauvinistic mindset of the male authority with outdated stereotypes of women. In an unguarded moment his real misogynist self was exposed by him. Many politicians, bureaucrats, police officials, public figures, and even some judges have strong sexist bias. They are thus complicit in the increasing number of crimes against women as there is a widespread belief among men that they can get away with sexual harassment or rape of girls and women. FIRs are either not registered or registered reluctantly,investigation is shoddy and unscientific,rape victims and families are often pressurised to withdraw charges,trial is endless,and the quantum of punishment,in many instances, is far from adequate. Otherwise,what is the excuse for a low conviction rate of around 22% during 2009--2011 (source:NCRB ).

The report of the National Commission for Women recommending financial assistance and rehabilitation services to rape victims is gathering dust. The spontaneous protests by the students and the youth of the country after the shocking Delhi gang-rape is an apolitical movement for gender justice and fairness in the social system of India. Instead of seizing the opportunity, the government mishandled it,and is now trying to discredit and defame the movement. History will never forgive the ruling class. Abhijit Mukherjee, MP and son of the Indian President, compared in his ignorance or arrogance with the Arab Spring referring to the movement as PINK REVOLUTION by " dented and painted pretty women". Is he prophetic? What happened in Egypt and to President Mubarack could happen to the short-sighted Delhi rulers in 2014.

IS OUR COUNTRY SAFE FOR OUR GIRLS AND WOMEN ?

One of the most heinous gang-rapes and savage assaults in India took place in the nation's capital on Sunday. The mass protests across the country against the inhuman brutality and violence against a hapless 23-year old woman by six men in a moving bus shook the generally callous political class and the apathetic police. The outpouring of  public anger has been unprecedented and the people, particularly the young women and men, having felt that " enough is enough " , demanded bobbitization, castration, stoning to death, and hanging in public of the rapists. That is the mood of the angry nation.

One rape takes place every twenty-two minutes in India according the NCRB. These are only registered cases and the actual number of rapes would be  very high because many rape victims and their families do not report to the police for fear of social stigma as well as fear of police. Police stations generally are not safe places for women. A rape victim's father took his daughter to a hotel room on the advice of a police officer to record her statement in privacy in order to protect her identity; but at the hotel room the father had to witness the police officer raping his daughter.Most policemen lack gender sensitivity and have sexist bias. Many of our political leaders are no better. Recently one leader said that "most of the rapes are consensual acts". The CM of  West Bengal had no hesitation to brush aside a horrendous rape in Park Street as a political conspiracy to malign her reputation. Those in power, who have the duty to protect our girls and women, often blame them for "inviting rapes " on them. Instead of protecting the women they protect their predators.

Rape is an intentional act of crime for sexual gratification without concern for social norms and the laws of the land.Rape cannot be treated as a psychiatric aberration because a psychiatric patient will not commit a rape. Rape is also not an animal behaviour as animals do not rape the female species. It is only the human male who commits such a horrific criminal violation of the female body and mind. For instance, is the man in Paravoor ( Kerala ), who raped his fourteen-year old daughter and forced her into flesh trade , psychiatrically ill ? NOT AT ALL. He is a hardened criminal . But he was convicted only for seven years imprisonment. There is an increasing chorus from the people for death penalty for rapists. Convicts are awarded death sentence only by applying the  " rarest of rare " principle of criminal justice. But death sentences are kept in abeyance for many years awaiting clemency . Former President Pratibha Patil's action of commuting death sentence to life imprisonment of some convicts received adverse reaction. Men who raped and killed a five-year old and a six-year old respectively were allowed to escape the noose through the Presidential pardon. The death sentences often become " state protection ".

Rapists, child abusers ,and habitual eve teasers should be given exemplary punishment such as chemical castration , long term rigorous imprisonment , jail sentence till the end of the life , and death penalty depending on the gravity of the crime. Recruitment of a large number of women in the police force, protective policing , scientific and speedy investigation ,and early sentence to be enforced within a brief time - frame . Otherwise , as the Delhi High Court cautioned ,PEOPLE WILL LOSE FAITH IN THE POLCE AND THE JUDICIARY .

ABUSIVE PARENTS DESERVE PUNISHMENT

There are no bad children ,but only bad parents and bad teachers : that is a well-known dictum. Children in all cultures are dependent on their parents and other adults. They need a caring family and supportive environment to grow as independent adults. Children err , and err often. Traditional
wisdom suggests advice, reward, admonishment and punishment in that order to correct children. But the rationale of the punishment should be explained to them. It should never be disproportionate to the mistake. When the punishment becomes excessive, it damages the child's psyche. Some children become aggressive, while some others become timid. Failure in studies and unsuccessful career are often associated with harsh parenting during early childhood. Many children run away from their homes because of parental torture and end up as " street children" in the cities. Some children even commit suicide.

Systems Analyst Chandrasekhar and wife Anupama would never have dreamt that they would be in a Norwegian prison for  disciplining(?) their seven-year old son Sai Sriram,a student of  Oslo International School. It  started  early this year when the child complained to his teachers that his parents had threatened to send him back to India for wetting his pants. He was reported to be under treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. The school reported the matter to the Child Welfare Service of  Norway. The parents were arrested and the investigation by the Oslo Police revealed that the child was subjected to brutal abuse for the past five years: severe scolding, repeatedly beating by a belt causing scars, pressing hot spoon leading to burns on the lower leg, etc. An  Oslo court sentenced the father and mother to jail terms for 18 and 15 months respectively.

Chandrasekhar's brother-in-law reacted with a sense of shock: " I have never heard anything like this. Is disciplining a child by his  parents a crime?" Most Indian parents will  share these sentiments as beating children is the norm in our society as parents justify beating for the good future of the children , which depends on the way the child internalizes the punishment. The punishment awarded to the Indian couple is not because of cultural misunderstanding as is made out to be because even Norwegian parents are punished for similar parenting. Parental cruelty to children are not uncommon.An Indian-origin mother in UK killed her young son by severely "beating like a dog" for not reciting passages from the Holy Book and her conviction is in the news.

In India there are no laws that specifically deal with child abuse and neglect, physical or psychological ,by parents. European laws prescribe fine to imprisonment for abusive parenting. Scandinavian countries, United States, Australia, etc. have strict child protection laws against parental abuse. Indian family, no doubt, has many strengths. But over-glorification of the Indian family values when rapid social change has been taking place will be at the cost of the well-being of  our children.

KERALA MODEL OF HEALTH CARE

Malda Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal earned the sobriquet Horror Hospital for record-shattering crib deaths: around100 in January 2012 and now 25 in four days during November end.

United Nations MillenniumDevelopment Goal ( MDG) aims to reduce under five mortality rate(U5MR) by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015 as agreed upon by 191 member-countries when they signed the UN Millennium Declaration in September 2000. But the findings of a recent study by the  Indian Council of Medical Research, the National Institute of Medical Sciences , and the UNICEF indicate that only six states are likely to realise the MDG and India as a whole may fall short of achieving this goal.of 39 deaths per 1,000  live births from 109 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990. The six states are Kerala(12 in2012 to  11 in 2015), Tamilnadu  (22 to 19), Maharashtra(28 to 26), Punjab (33 to  30), Himachal Pradesh (38 to 35), and Karnataka (37 to 34 ).  But the government of India is confident that the country would  achieve the MDG as the U5MR now is around 46 per 1,000 live births.

In India,2.1 million children die before their fifth birthday and half of these children die even before they are 28 days old. UNICEF estimated that India accounted for about 21 percent of under- five children 's deaths worldwide in 2009. Survival of children depends on good quality care during pregnancy of mothers, efficient per-natal care,education of girls at least up to tenth standard,delay in the age of marriage, adequate spacing between births,empowerment of women, and good Public Health Service. Union Minister Jairam Ramesh admitted recently that the public health system in India had collapsed.In many parts of India Public Health Service does not  even exist.

Health indices of Kerala are comparable to those of many developed  countries. It is an exception among the Indian states. An effective village administration,an efficient public health system, an uncompromising insistence of accountability from the service providers by the people , and an alert  media are additional strengths of the state. Let the other Indian states emulate Kerala.

HUMAN LIVES ARE PRECIOUS: AREN'T THEY?

Under most unfortunate circumstances, Savitha Halappanavar, 31-year old dentist, lost her life in Ireland, a country known for strong family values. It was an untimely and perhaps a preventable death because of strict adherence to law prohibiting abortion and the consequent refusal by the medical practitioners to terminate her 16-week pregnancy leading to miscarriage and blood-poisoning. There was massive outrage in the Indian media, particularly in the electronic media competing with each other with breaking news, exclusive interviews and panel discussions with high profile analysts criticizing the Irish doctors for the alleged medical negligence.

It is an irony that such an outcry was made by the Indian media when India itself has a very high maternal death rate due to unsafe abortions. In India, a pregnant woman dies of abortion every two hours; 65 percent of all maternal deaths in the world resulting from unsafe abortions are in 11 countries including India. In India, an estimated 57,500 maternal deaths take place every year. These human lives are as precious as Savitha's life. Aren't they? Ireland is a country with a low maternal mortality rate. Before sermonizing to its health care personnel, a serious introspection needs to be made by the Indian media and the critics.

MANGO PEOPLE IN A BANANA REPUBLIC

“An aam admi from a different era” is a touching reminiscence of C.Rajagopalachari (Rajaji or CR as he was popularily known), the first Indian Governor General of independent India from 1948 to 1950 by Radha Padmanabhan in the New Indian Express.Her memory lane takes us to the early 1960s,when she recalls her first meeting with the great man: “He was sitting there all alone in a third class waiting room of the Calicut railway station……….waiting for a connecting train” , despite the highest class entitled to him.Rajaji could command the best government accommodation,but he preferred to live in a small house in Madras (now Chennai). Gandhiji once said that Rajaji was “ the keeper of my conscience”. A Bharat Ratna awardee, Rajaji led a very simple life.As a leader he was a role model for others.His family never capitalized his high position.Those were days when political leaders upheld high moral standards like the former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri,who resigned from the post of Railway Minister owning  moral responsibilty for the Ariyaloor(in Tamil Nadu) train accident. Such instances are unthinkable today. Scams, scandals and corruption charges involving astronomical amounts of public money are brushed aside by the ruling class. If Shastri’s resignation is the moral standard to be expected from leaders, then there would not have been any Minister for the Railways in recent decades. For that matter, resignations from Ministers would have been a regular feature. Many of our leaders are indeed “dealers”.

Political leadership today is hereditary as political dynasties from the national to the state levels have become the order of the day. There are even district level dynasties. Dynasties have become common in professions and in film industry. Powerful individuals and their families control enormous wealth of the nation. Nobel Laureate and economist Joseph Stiglitz warned the wealthy in the United States: “The top 1 percent have the best houses ,the best educations, the best doctors, and the best lifestyles, but there is one thing that money doesn’t seem to have bought : an understanding that their fate is bound up with how the other 99 percent live. Throughout history, this is something that the top 1 percent eventually do learn. Too late”. This warning is extremely relevant for the Indian rich too. But they are confident that the mango people in our banana republic would remain powerless for ever.

PEDAGOGY OF THE INDIAN CHILD

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) conducts an international test PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) to evaluate the mathematical ,English and science abilities of students at the end of compulsory education once in three years. Nearly 70 countries voluntarily opted for PISA. India participated in 2009.OECD randomly selected 16,000 students from 400 schools in Himachal Pradesh and Tamilnadu for the test. Chinese students were ranked first in all the three subjects, while Indian students did very badly. Most questions needed comprehension and reasoning skills. Rote learning is the mode of education in most schools in India. Only a small proportion of schools and teachers facilitate learning through questioning and innovation.

The paradox of our school education is that teachers (not all) in government schools give least priority to teaching, though they enjoy security of tenure, good salary and social security. In government- aided private schools, the highest bidders are selected as teachers. For instance, a school management in Kerala is reported to have taken 1.5 million rupees for a teacher’s post. Reasonable says the beneficiaries. In unaided schools, teachers are made to overwork for low compensation. Private tuition is quite common and the teachers put in their best in the tuition centres while they take it easy in the schools. In the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) conducted by the government of Tamilnadu in July 2012, not even 1 per cent passed out of a total of more than 6,80,000 teachers who appeared for the test. The re-test conducted in October 2012 with an increased duration of three hours from the earlier one and a half hours (to answer 150 multiple- choice questions) yielded only a marginal increase in the percentage of results: just 3 per cent. What analytical skills and creativity can these under- prepared teachers transmit to the children? Years ago, a Malayalam movie depicted the state of education in Kerala; an unemployed young man (Mohanlal being the protagonist) becomes an English teacher in a private school in a village producing fake certificates ( not an uncommon practice) and greasing the palms of all concerned. When students asked the teacher the English equivalent of “uppumavu or uppuma” (a popular snack which is a mixture mainly of wheat flour / “rava”, coconut and salt), the teacher impressed the students and his ignorant colleagues with the translation “salt mango tree”. Even today this translation remains a popular joke among the Malayalees, and a sad reality in many Indian schools.

A strong foundation is essential for a strong edifice. Otherwise the super structure will collapse. India’s educational pyramid has a very weak base. From primary to higher secondary levels, the education offered to the young children is generally of low quality. Lower the educational level poorer is the quality of education. India’s education industry is massive with the private entrepreneurs reaping enormous profits with low investment. The pre-school sector is almost in the hands of private profiteers.

Schools in India vary from the elite to the egregious. A large number of schools lack basic infrastructure, teachers and other facilities. Many private schools in the country are run without any recognition from the state governments. For instance, in Tamilnadu, a developed state,4.35 million students are in 10,896 private schools of which 2,600 are unrecognized schools, that is, more than one in four (2012) .Recently, Ministers in Rajasthan were heckled by the girl students of a school en masse because of shortage of teachers and lack of facilities. The Supreme Court ordered in September 2012 that all schools in the country should provide toilets (particularly to girls) and drinking water facilities within six months. It is to be seen how far this order would be complied with seriously and sincerely.

The Right to Education (RTE) Act is a watershed constitutional amendment. But the private schools, which are the custodians of the exclusive system, are determined to keep the poor and the disabled off from their “holy” precincts despite the Supreme Court verdict upholding the validity of the Act. The road ahead in realizing the vision of the RTE Act is full of hurdles and roadblocks. The government should be uncompromising in its goal of providing good education to our children, which is their right. It is irrational for the state to bear the heavy burden of higher education, when the focus of the state should be on school education, with a well- designed, complementary vocational stream. Kendriya Vidyalayas and similar schools should be set up in all parts of the country under the auspices of the government, instead of state-funded IITs, IIMs and such other institutions which can be in the private sector. It is an irony that not even a single Indian University or IIT made it to the list of top 100 universities in global ranking. Further, it is shocking that just 3.5 per cent of global research output was from India in 2010 according to the Thomson Reuters study report presented to the Department of Science and Technology of the government of India. India’s global share of research in economics was an insignificant 0.7 per cent. Surprisingly, the share of research in computer sciences by India was a meagre 2.4 per cent in contrast to China (15 per cent) and South Korea (6.3 per cent).There is a serious mismatch between these findings and India’s claim to be the future knowledge superpower. The potential of our enormous human resources needs to be fully tapped. Otherwise, India’s demographic dividend will fall far short of our national expectations.

SCHOOLS OR HORROR CELLS ?

On 2012 Teacher’s Day, a teacher in a reputed school in Kolkatta hit a small child repeatedly on his head with a foam can causing serious head injuries. An elderly teacher in a school in Tamilnadu sexually abused a seven-year old boy. In a primary school in Coimbatore a three and a half- year old child was caned severely on the neck, back and thighs by the teacher for not doing well in studies, though the progress report showed that she secured 85% marks.

The above instances are only some illustrations. Sexual abuse of girls and boys; corporal punishment such as caning, cutting locks of hair, making them stand for long hours, forcing them to drink urine and other forms of torture; and humiliation in the open class and before the school assembly (sometimes leading to suicides) are frequently reported in  the media.Such incidences are on the increase in an alarming manner all over the country. Rote learning, discouraging curiosity, heavy homework and excessive pressure to perform are additional anxiety –causing factors in the schools. Many schools in the country are indeed becoming horror cells for the growing young children. Many teachers do suffer from psychological disorders like sadism, paedophilia and emotional insecurity. Selection of teachers in schools should be based both on TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) and Psychometric Test.

P.J.Naidu, a professional social worker with many years of experience in the field of mental health, has been devoting his entire energy for the cause of high quality education in schools. The Journal of School Social Work, the only journal of its kind in India, is published by him every month without fail with limited financial resources. Naidu’s passion is to see that schools appoint professionally qualified social workers.

Our children are the precious assets of the nation. Let us not waste their creativity and growth potential. The government, the media, the civil society and the rest of us should act without any further delay.

GODS AND GURUS

“India has given the world Mahatma Gandhi, ashrams and the idea of a guru. Because of Hinduism, there are so many millions of gods, and the gods do not bother anyone”, said Canadian novelist Yann Martel.True. Our gods do not bother us, but some of our gurus do.

India gave birth to great seers like Adi Sankara, Sree Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekanda, and Sree Narayana Guru.In contrast, we have seen highly controversial pontiffs and gurus. The present senior pontiff of the revered Kanchi Kamakodi Math was arrested on charges of murder. The recently nominated junior pontiff of Madurai Adheenam, a famous Saivite center , has been facing many criminal cases and was also in jail . The chief priest of a popular temple, who is referred to as “Amma” (Mother or goddess) had to face raids by the central government agencies in their premises. A self – styled Kalki Bhagawan (the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu) ,who had many followers some years ago, has now gone into oblivion.

Indians have had the fortune of the spiritual guidance of some great personalities. Shirdi Sai Baba, worshiped as god all over the country in the imaginatively designed temples, led a spartan life. A Muslim by birth, he combined the tenets of Hinduism and Islam. He preached a moral code of contact: Love, forgiveness, help to fellow human beings, contentment, and devotion to god are its main elements. He refused to be treated as god during his life time. Jiddu Krishnamurthi, the globally acclaimed philosopher, was trained by the Theosophical Society to be the “vehicle of the expected world teacher” ; but he renounced that role without any hesitation. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Yoga and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living are excellent tools for self –development. Swami Chinmayananda founded a mission which trains highly competent young persons for spiritual pursuits and service to society.Satya Sai Baba’s benevolent services in the fields of health care and provision of drinking water to millions are legendary. But after his Samadhi the controversies regarding the assets of the Trust are unsavoury.

“The hands that help are holier than the lips that pray”, said Mother Teresa. Mata Amirthanandamayi has been rendering health, education and social welfare services with huge funds raised in India and abroad. These services are praiseworthy. But there appears a tendency of corporatisation of the health and professional educational programmes of the Math. Her “hug” has a healing effect on the devotees like the well-known “saichiatric” impact of Satya Sai Baba. At the same time deification of the Mata by her followers blurs the dividing line between the god and the guru. In an article titled “The Mother of All for All Time”, C.Radhakrishnan ( winner of Kerala and Kendra Sahitya Academy Awards) wrote “ Amma prescribes the amrit of universal love to cure humanity of all disorders and pains”. If that is so, could not the precious life of the young Satnam Singh have been saved? It is desirable that Gurus remain Gurus.

COLONIAL MIND - SET OF ELECTED LEADERS

"Don't spare me" asked Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru while inaugurating the Shankar's Weekly. The year was 1948, and the leader was one of the architects of the Indian democratic system.Nehru was an admirer of Shankar's cartoons. But in 2012, a leader who promised" Paribortan" ( total change) and became Chief Minister of West Bengal got a cartoonist arrested. Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra and his neighbour were declared enemies of the State for circulating an e-mail cartoon lampooning the Chief Minister, and were imprisoned. Though the West Bengal Human Rights Commission criticized the police excesses, and ordered the state government to pay the victims rupees 50,000 as compensation, the government has not responded positively. Instead, the state government appears to be vindictive and is proceeding with the case.  The US - based Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) urged the President and Prime Minister to take steps to amend the laws to protect the freedom of speech of citizens.

Sedition is a convenient charge our intolerant leaders use to silence the critics. Social activist and medical practitioner Dr.Binayak Sen was in detention for a long time till the Supreme Court granted him bail. Writer – social activist Arundhathi Roy was threatened with a similar charge. The British rulers used the sedition law to crush the freedom fighters. This harsh legal option is no more in existence in the Statute books of UK. But the Indian rulers have no hesitation to abuse the sedition clause section 124(A) of the Indian Penal Code to curb the freedom of expression of citizens.

The latest victim is Kanpur – based 24 – year old cartoonist Aseem Trivedi. Exasperated with the mounting corruption in the country and the indifference of the government towards the corrupt, he let out his frustrations through his “cartoons against corruption” in his website. He was arrested and his website was blocked by the Maharashtra government. Young Trivedi did not buckle under pressure and the visuals of Trivedi on the TV screen would make any Indian proud of the mental strength of this uncompromising young fighter.The public anger against the Maharashtra government rattled the political establishment. The Mumbai High Court criticized the police, the lower court and the state government for the “arbitrary” and “frivolous” action in arresting Trivedi. The chairman of the Press Council of India in a furious interview asserted that those who issued the orders should be arrested. The High Court released Trivedi on bail with a minimum amount of personal surety. The state government dropped all charges against the young hero.

During the National Emergency declared in 1975, the government of India censored each and every printed word. Yet the stinging cartoon of Abu Abraham on the declaration of emergency was not censored by Mrs.Indira Gandhi. It showed the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signing the emergency orders from his bath tub and saying that “If there are anymore ordinances just ask them to wait”.

Sarojini Naidu’s sense of humour was well-known. She “once in a mood of loving irreverence” called Mahatma Gandhi “ Micky Mouse of a man”, which Gandhiji enjoyed .Later , the Civil and Military Gazette from Lahore published a caricature of Gandhiji as Micky Mouse. Such a cartoon today might cause violent riots and severe police action. Section 124(A) of IPC should be erased from our statute books to protect the liberty of freedom of speech and expression from our rulers, who are idols of clay.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT: MONEY GROWS ON TREES AT DELHI

In his recent address to the nation justifying hike in diesel price and FDI in multi-brand retail, the Prime Minister cautioned the people that “money does not grow on trees”. Dr.Manmohan Singh also said that the UPA was “voted to office twice to protect the interests of the aam aadmi”. But the government of the aam aadmi splurged nearly 2.9 million rupees to celebrate the third anniversary of UPA 11 (courtesy: RTI querry of Hissar – based Ramesh Verma).While the Planning Commission estimated that 22 rupees a day would be enough for an aam aadmi in rural areas to subsist, a whopping amount of 7,721 rupees per meal was spent on the UPA dinner: that is an aam aadmi’s Planning Commission – prescribed amount for 350 days. Further, of the 603 invitees, only 375 turned up. What a criminal waste of money? Unless money grows on trees, how could the government be extravagant?

HOMEMAKERS OR HOUSEMAIDS ?

The proposal of the Union Minister for Women and Child Development for a law which would make it mandatory for husbands to deposit a certain percentage of their monthly income as wages to the wives for the household chores performed by the wives is bizarre and preposterous. There are, no doubt, drawbacks in many families. Yet the Indian family is still the most reliable social security institution, and the husband – wife relationship has been considered sacred for many millennia in Indian society. A wife is considered Grihalakshmi or Goddess of the household. Manu, the law giver, said: “Where a woman is honoured, there reside the gods”. An Indian wife would not accept household duties as chores to be paid. Such a view is sheer insult to wifehood and her integrity.

The Minister Ms.Krishna Tirath is of the opinion that mandatory monthly payment to wives is intended for socio – economic empowerment of women. Female literacy; higher education, skill development and employment opportunities for women; protection of women from rape and domestic violence; and increased participation of women in legislatures are some of the measures that the Minister and her government should undertake in all seriousness and sincerity for empowering Indian woman. The Minister adds that “working in homes is economic activity and it will give us a truer reflection of what the GDP of our country is”. A strange explanation from a Minister ; no country on earth has attempted such a misadventure.

It would be disastrous to monetize marriage and commoditize husband -wife relationship. Sudha Ramalingam, lawyer and social activist, comments: “ Relationships are not commodities that can be measured in money’s worth”. Psychiatrist Vijay Nagaswami warns that “adding monitory value to the relationship” between husband and wife “would ruin the family fabric”.

If ever the Minister’s proposal is translated into a law, the husband – wife relationship would become employer – employee relationship in the families. Many labour laws will extend to the families. Or else, new laws will have to be made. In that event unionism among wives and collective bargaining cannot be ruled out. Wages, incentives and bonus could be contentious issues. The Minister informed that a mechanism would be devised to quantify and calculate the value of work which the wives do for their families. India will need an unimaginable Orwellian bureaucracy to implement the law.The Minister’s idea is a grave threat to Indian families.

DEMENTIA : A SERIOUS GLOBAL HEALTH CONCERN

One in 14 people over the age of 65 is affected by dementia, and as the population ages, this number is likely to increase. Every four seconds, a new case of dementia is added somewhere in the world.The World Health Organisation, in its report ‘Dementia – a public health priority’, estimates that India had 3.7 million people with dementia in 2011 and the numbers are set to double in 20 years.There are nearly 35.6 million people living with dementia world wide. This number is expected to double by 2030 (65.7 million) and more than triple by 2050 (115.4 million). There are 7.7 million new cases of dementia each year. In developing countries like India and China where incidence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension is high, dementia cases could go up considerably because of vascular problems according to experts.

Dementia is a “serious loss of global cognitive ability in previously unimpaired person” (Wikipedia). Its early meaning was “madness” from the latin root ‘de’ means ‘without’ and ‘ment’ means ‘mind’. Dementia is not a single disease; it is a set of “signs and symptoms in which affected areas of cognition may be memory, attention, language and problem solving”. Dementia may be static or progressive. The symptoms may be reversible or irreversible.Dementia is not a disease caused by ageing, but ageing is a risk factor. Therefore,   more older people are seen among the dementia patients and as longevity increases their proportion will also increase. Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type (SDAT) or Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a progressive disorder and it has no cure as of now. The treatment available currently only alleviates some symptoms for a limited period, but does not deal with the underlying causes of the disease.Dementia is still not properly appreciated and hence dementia research remains highly under- funded.

Dementia is less ‘visible’ than many other illnesses because the majority of the people affected are over 65, and in many cases, says Dr Pat Kehoe of UK, there are few outward manifestations of the disease, especially in the early stages, which make it easier to ignore. Often ageing is cited as a common explanation for memory loss and behavioural changes. There is substantial evidence to suggest that Alzheimer’s disease starts to develop during middle age, so that by the time the symptoms show, perhaps as much as 20 years later ,‘several rooms are ablaze,’ to use Kehoe’s analogy of the dementia brain as a house on fire. As the disease progresses, the chemistry and structure of the brain change, leading to the death of brain cells. Dementia is caused by a multiplicity of factors including age, genetic inheritance, environment, lifestyle and overall general health.

 Dementia is a stressful experience for patients and their families, but specialists say that technology can make life easier and safer.Dr. E. S. Krishnamoorthy,Chennai – based neuro psychiatrist , observes: More and more people are moving into nuclear families. The elderly living alone will require constant support. In Europe, there are facilities that make the life of dementia patients simple.”  Most people in India have mobiles and, therefore such facilities can be cost-effective. India lacks national guidelines for the management of dementia. Consequently, facilities for diagnosis , treatment and rehabilitation are woefully inadequate. Early diagnosis or golden period intervention can help better management of dementia patients and lower the stress of the care givers. Care giving of dementia patients takes a heavy toll on the physical and mental health of the care givers, whose work schedule is 36-hour day.” We need professional care givers. If we don’t create the necessary human resources, hospitals will soon be burdened and the cost of treatment will go up, “ says Dr.Krishnamoorthy .

Loving care ensuring the patient’s dignity, and engaging them in activities like puzzles, games, memory-lane and story- telling are necessary in the management of dementia patients. Day care centres with adequate facilities near residential areas are extremely useful. A serious health issue like dementia which costs the national economy heavily is to be taken seriously.

September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day.On this day let us pay tribute to Dr.Alzheimer for explaining the nature of this dreadful disorder.

TEACHERS !!!! LEARN FIRST , THEN TEACH

Students rejoiced, while teachers were upset. Occasion : publication of the results of the Tamilnadu Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). The results are not  unexpected.  Only 2,448 teachers could pass out of 6,76,763, who appeared for the TET in july 2012. What has been well-known is now confirmed with hard data. The present system of education does not necessitate up gradation of knowledge and skills by the teachers.

It is an irony that security of job is an incentive for indifference to teaching by a large proportion of teachers in government schools as teaching is considered a soft job in the protected (government) sector. “Talkative Teacher Shifted”: headline of New Indian Express of August 30. A teacher at the government school at Pudukovil in Tamilnadu was transferred to another school because the students and parents complained to the authorities that she was always speaking over the mobile during class hours without bothering to teach. Is this a punishment ? what happens to the students in the new school? God Only Knows. This teacher is not an exception. She represents a large number of mobile addicts.

The RTE Act mandates that teachers handling standards 1 to 8 at present and candidates aspiring to become teachers in future should pass the TET in order to improve the quality of education. Primary school education is the foundation of higher levels of learning, and it should be solid. Hence teachers at this level should be well qualified. Teacher training now lacks quality and rigor. Continuous teacher education programmes need to be a regular feature to ensure education of high quality. Teacher evaluation by students annually can be an effective tool of performance improvement; this can be done confidentially by the teachers themselves. The noble mission of teaching demands commitment from the teachers.

A TRIBUTE TO MY TEACHERS

Teaching and medical practice are the noblest of all professions: One shapes lives and the other saves lives

Ayyappan Nair Sir was my first teacher. Even after 70 years his ever- smiling face and the interesting way of teaching are vivid in my memory.

In high school, I was scoring single digit marks in mathematics. Then came a new mathematics teacher: Sivaraman Nair Sir; I was in the 9th standard. A fascinating teacher, he demystified mathematics learning:  (1) 0 to 9 reveal endless combinations of magic and beauty, so love numbers; (2) relax and problem-solving becomes easy; (3) understand the problem; (4) proceed step by step. My scores in mathematics since then were between 90 and 100.When I started teaching MA students, I could enable them to appreciate and understand Research Methodology, which is considered a hard subject, thanks to the methods of Sivaraman Nair Sir.

English grammar was a nightmare in our school days. Ramaswami Iyer Sir, a retired teacher from government service, joined our school while I was in the 8th standard. He told on the first day itself to practise: "I do, you do , we do, they do, he does , she does and it does". Master these and you master a part of grammar said Iyer Sir. One of his learning games was "I know that you know that we know that they know that he knows that she knows that it knows". Each student had to repeat these with varying speed. It was great fun and Iyer Sir made learning English grammar and composition sweet and simple.

Years later, Dr.Palan (Malaysia- based management consultant and trainer) in his book "Learning is Fun" complimented me and our teacher late Dr.M.T.Paul for making learning a fun , while Palan was a student. It is a great tribute from a former student which I accept with humility. In turn, I pay my tributes to my revered teachers.

POLITICAL PSYCHOPATHS

A psychopath is a person who is insensitive to the pain and sufferings of others. Serial crimes are often committed by "Psychopaths". They derive joy from their criminal acts and have no remorse in their action.

The people of Karnataka  is hit by a severe drought, the worst in decades. The highly conscientious MLAs of the state thought that a 15-day study tour abroad would help find an answer to the state's problems. The first batch of 14 MLAs  went to South America with their families. They felt that they should first enjoy , may be to prepare their minds to internalise serious issues. Thus the study tour became a paid vacation for the MLAs at the cost of the public exchequer from the tax payers' money. Arnab Goswamy, Editor-in-Chief of Times Now, has been in the forefront of a relentless campaign against the callous and remorseless pleasure hunt of the elected representatives belonging to all political parties. The national outrage against their despicable tour forced the CM to react by recalling the MLAs and cancelling future " study tours" of this nature. The Karnataka state's action is a challenge to our democracy and the criminal justice system in the country.

ALARMING INCREASE OF SUICIDES

1,35,585 suicides in India in 2010 according to the National Crime Records Bureau data. The ten-year period from 2001 to 2010 witnessed an alarming increase of 25 % in the number of suicides strangely in Kerala, the state with the highest literacy rate, the rate of suicide was 25.3 per one lakh population, which is more than twice that of the All India average. The reported reasons for suicides in 2010 were : family problems (24.3%) ,illness (19.6%) , failure in love  (3.4%), drug and other addiction  (2.7%) , dowry disputes (2.4%) , financial problems (2.2%) , poverty (1.7%), other causes (26.7%), and unknown factors (17.0%). A highly distressing feature is the growing incidence of suicides among adolescent boys and girls.

Suicide is the culmination of the existential conflict in a human being. It has been an universal phenomenon in all societies. The seeds of the self destructive act of suicide are usually sown during the early childhood. According to Eric Berne’s Transactional Analysis theory, the messages that the growing person’s inner child received from parents and significant others translate into the growing person’s life script. The subsequent life experiences, interactions and relationships are crucial in the formation of personality of the individual. The famous French sociologist  Emile Durkheim’s book ‘Suicide’, published in 1897, is considered a sociological classic on suicide and the existing sociological theories are influenced by Durkheims’s work. Suicides, according to Durkheim, are of four types : fatalistic, altruistic, anomic and egoistic.

Studies of survivors of suicide attempts reveal that they wanted to survive having tried to kill themselves. Suicide prevention needs a multi-pronged approach. For instance, suicides by indebted farmers could be averted by sympathetic action from the government and lending agencies. The reasons of suicides in India mentioned earlier are only triggering factors. Ultimately, the capacity to cope with stress and problems in living would decide the course of action an individual might choose. Helplines, counseling centres, and support from various agencies will help prevent many suicides. Suicide prevention and mental health education should start from our schools.

BARBARIC PRACTICES IN TWENTY FIRST CENTURY : Chaining and Caning the Mentally ill

Traditional healers are almost unanimous in their “understanding (?)” of mental illness: possession of the person by evil spirits. So faith healers keep the mentally ill in fetters on the belief that the divine spirit would pass through the fetters and heal the person.  Exorcists beat the mentally ill with cane and this practice has the general acceptance of the families of the patients.

Eleven years ago (in August 2001), the nation was shocked when 28 mentally ill patients were charred to death in a faith-healing home in Erwadi in Tamilnadu. They were chained and hence could not escape when fire broke out. The Supreme Court took  up the matter suo motu, and gave notices to the central and state governments on the violations of human rights of the mentally ill. Subsequently, the governments issued orders regarding the proper maintenance of homes for the mentally sick. Yet ill-maintained institutions continue to function; and the mentally ill continue to be chained. Even the well-known Institute of Mental Health in Chennai functions more like a jail than a health centre about which reports appeared in the media in the recent past. The distinct mental health programme initiated by the government in some districts is reported to be far from successful.

An estimated 85 million persons (7%) in India suffer from some form of mental disorder ;  those suffering from serious mental illnesses constitute around 1 per cent of the population (nearly 12 million). Early detection and correct treatment would prevent the wastage of precious human resources. Ignorance and fear of social stigma discourage families from seeking timely psychiatric treatment. Mental health education and primary mental health services are to be the crucial components of the health care system. Movies and TV serials portray the mentally ill in an insensitive manner, contributing to greater social negativism. A society that neglects the mental health of its people will be doing so at its own peril.

PLANNING TO LET PEOPLE DIE

The Planning Commission has done it again after its highly controversial and insensitive fixation of the minimum amount needed for subsistence in rural and urban areas. This time it has hit public health. In its draft approach paper for the 12^th Plan, the commission recommends greater role for the private sector in healthcare, India’s healthcare system already is amongst the privatised health care systems in the world. Public expenditure on health in India was just 29.2% of the total spending on health in contrast to the global average of 62.8% according to the World Bank data for 2010.

Government of even developed nations like Canada and Norway bear most of the expenditure on public health. At the same time, abysmally low amount is spent on public health by the Indian State ; that is , just 1.2% of the GDP. Strangely, Planning Commission proposes 1.58% of the GDP towards government spending on health in the 12^th Plan and steadily increasing role for the private sector in health care, which is described as retrograde in an editorial of the New Indian Express. The majority of the Indian population goes to government hospitals for medical care. But nearly 75% of the medicines required for the patients are to be bought from the open market. Consequently, a large number of patients do not get adequate and timely treatment. Medicines in the market, which are often branded, are prohibitively expensive. Thus millions die of diseases which could be cured at the government hospitals  with medicines in sufficient stock. Surveys have shown that medical expenses are important causes of indebtedness of low income households in the country. To expect the private hospitals to be the major provider of health care in the Indian context is not planning but deception. The Planning Commission’s proposal  Bill add-to-more avoidable deaths in India.

MENTORS OR TORMENTORS ?

Mata (mother) , Pita (Father), Guru (Teacher) and Deva (God) ; the order of worship prescribed by the scriptures. Family and School are two basic social institutions that help shape  the personalities of children.  Teachers are expected to be the mentors  of the growing children. But today many schools and teachers give nightmares to the children and the parents. The traditionally known  sacred Guru-Shishya relationship has been replaced by the predator-prey like relationship in many schools. Sexual abuse , beating, forcing children to drink urine, forcibly cutting the hair of female students, discrimination in awarding marks, humiliation causing suicide, and other forms of cruelty are common practices resorted to by many teachers. In private schools there is an authority called correspondent, who, in most schools, is an autocrat, inaccessible even to the teachers. Parent-Teacher associations (PTAs) are often without any meaningful roles. Many parents are afraid to complain about the genuine grievances of their children for fear of victimization, Conformity is what the schools and the teachers expect , creativity of the young minds is a casualty in the present educational environment. A thorough restructuring is necessary to protect our precious children.

AGITATION IS EASY BUT SUSTAINING IS NOT EASY

The Indian nation is grateful to Anna Hazare for creating mass awareness on the cancer of corruption among all sections of people in the country. When the Indian Parliament passes in one voice a " sense of the house resolution" conceding the demands of Anna in August 2011, the country witnessed the finest moment of Anna Hazare's anti-graft agitation for a strong Lokpal. The groundswell of support from the people and the media had only some parallels in Indian history. But using abusive language against members of Parliament, demanding special investigation against the Prime Minister and some Union Ministers, going on periodic fasts and giving ultimatum to the democratically elected Government and such other acts are not laudable. Consequently there has been a slide in public support which was evident when Anna Hazare and team went on a fast in 2012 August. The agitation hit the dead end. The Government chose to be silent on the demands of Anna and his team, who, in turn, chose the political alternative. It was a face saver. On August 6, Anna abruptly disbanded his team and the apolitical crusade against corruption. The decision surprised his team and dismayed the thousands of committed young activists of the India Against Corruption movement. For a corruption- low( if not a corruption- free) India there must be a sustained action by a committed people’s pressure group. And many feel that Anna has dashed their aspirations. I am one among them. In filmy language “ Anna is a super flop” ( Ram Gopal Varma). Any how Anna Hazare cannot be written off social movements do not die. They emerge from time to time under some leadership. 

PENALTY OF IGNORANCE

Leucoderma or vitilgo is an autoimmune disorder of pigmentation. Black hair, skin colour, etc depend on the level of melanin content in the body. Melanin deficiency is the cause of the harmless, white patches of leucoderma. The patches may be confined to one place or may spread to many places. It is not at all infectious or contagious. Ignorance of this elementary fact keeps people away from the vitilgo- affected, many of whom withdraw into a shell for fear of ostracism. People refer to leucoderma as " white leprosy", which is a false belief.
Recently an engineering student with leucodermic patches was suspended from an University in Tamilnadu on the ground that many students were against his continuance.Adverse media publicity made the University to seek medical opinion and to reinstate the student . But can the University ever compensate this psychological damage caused to the innocent student? An educated couple in my neighbourhood-wife a teacher and husband an engineer - decided not to have conjugal relationship just after six years of love marriage ( my counselling failed) as white patches appeared on his body and started spreading. Now 18 years have elapsed without any change in attitude. What a penalty of ignorance?

MENTAL ILLNESS AND CRIMINALITY

Satnam Singh, a young person from Bihar, had a tragic end in God's Own Country. Reports suggest that he was a student of law and had been undergoing treatment for some mental ailment; he was also interested in spiritual reading. He was wandering to different places of worship before reaching Kerala. He was reported to have visited the Mata Amritanandamayee Ashram to have a " feel of the divine presence". His intention was suspected by the devotees. Though the mental condition of the frail young visitor was easily visible, the devotees preferred to hand over the hapless young man to the police. The spiritual heads of the Math appeared to have remained silent during the sequence of events. They could have extended him a hand of love which they are spreading globally. Ultimately the precious life of a young person was abruptly terminated under unnatural circumstances in the " due course of law". Some human consideration by the Ashram would have saved his life. A mentally ill person is equated with a criminal by our insensitive society including even the spiritual gurus. Gods are not always godly.

A DISABLING SOCIETY

More than a billion people in the world experience some form of disability according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank Report 2011. Around 10 percent of the populations in the developing countries have disabilities according to the estimates.  At the same time, the government of India’s estimate of around 21 million based on the 2001 census (2.13 per cent) with disabilities in the country is a gross underestimation, mainly to the defective definition of disability and inadequate training to the enumerators. Union Minister Jairam Ramesh observes that the present definition of disability by the government is “atrocious”.  WHO defines disabilities as “ an umbrella term covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body functions or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement  in life situations”.

Disability is a complex phenomenon involving a close interaction between “ features of a person’s body and features of the society” in which the individual lives. Social attitudes, prejudices and structural barriers often due to a callous indifference from those concerned cause exclusion of persons with disability from all aspects of society; education, employment, marriage, recreation and social participation. Jeeja Ghosh, a teacher on the wheel chair, was ordered to be deplaned by a pilot of Spice Jet in February 2012. But this blatant discrimination has gone unpunished because of legal deficiency. Article 15 of the constitution of India states ; “The state shall not discriminate against citizens on grounds only of  religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them”. As article 15 is silent on disability, discrimination against persons with disability has been on the increase. Sri Lanka, South Africa and many other countries have specific constitutional bar on discrimination  on grounds of disability. Our law makers amended our Constitution nearly 100 times and yet left this issue untouched.

There are four laws concerning disability in India ; Mental Health Act (1987), Rehabilitation Council Act (1992), Personal Disabilities Act (1995) and National Trust Act (1999) dealing with developmental disabilities. The laws are by and large ineffectively implemented due to bureaucratic apathy and the general lack of sensitivity among the planners and administrators. Union Minister Mukul Wasnik himself admitted that the implementation of the 1995 act was  “skewed and uneven”. A comprehensive law is being drafted and therefore have been serious debates on the desirability of one umbrella legislation. There is a strong view that developmental disabilities concerning children, and mental health would get better attention by not bringing these two under the new PWD Act. Stringent provision against discrimination on the ground of disability is a must in the proposed legislation. India ratified the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with  disabilities in 2007. It is necessary for the new Indian law to be in sync with the UN convention which stipulates that persons with disabilities are to be treated as equals to persons without disabilities.

The creation of a Department of Disability Affairs  in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is a welcome measure though it is belated step. Much is expected from this department as Bureaucratic red-tape and insensitivity of the political establishment have done more harm than good to persons with disability. Disability can strike anyone at anytime. Yet persons with disability are treated as an exclusive class. From the perspective of economics, the country’s GDP growth is significantly deprived of the contribution of a large number of persons with disability. The present charity model has to be replaced with the rights-based model.

Can we expect a  proactive, inclusive approach in the architecture of buildings and infrastructure , and design of public transportation in India ? Or is it a far cry ? A society is judged by the way it treats persons with disabilities, the children and the elderly. An enabling society creates a nurturing and positive environment. But the sad Indian reality is that person with disability today are living in a disabling society.

PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

                                                 PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

The reaction of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanding an apology from AamirKhan for " defaming the medical profession " in one of the well-researched episodes of Satyanev Jayathe (SJ) is amusing.Most of the details shown in the SJ episode are already in the public domain. For instance, a sting operation by a popular Malayalam channel exposed the nexus between a leading doctor and a scan center.Whatever be the nature of complaint of the patient, a series of tests and scans were the package prescribed by the specialists with commission regularly flowing to his pocket.In 2011 an e-mail falsely claiming to have been written by a renowned professor of medicine made sensational news in the internet.It was titled "How Indian Doctors Loot Patients? " .Though the professor vehemently denied any association with the e-mail, the shocking contents found favour with the readers including some medical practitioners.

Many movies have been depicting the unethical practices of some doctors and one such movie in Tamil "RAMANA"  is an all-time box office hit. The unsavoury controversies in the recent past involving the Indian Medical Council, the standard setting body of medical education, are too unpleasant to be ignored. The noble medical profession has many distinguished and committed doctors dedicated to service.At the same time, there are many doctors to whom medicine is a lucrative business.As one doctor observes: "Those who have spent nearly 75 lakh rupees towards capitation and other fees for a medical degree cannot be expected to serve society without any gain. Be kind to them.".

The celebrated social scientist Ivan Illich wrote most vehemently against the medical professionals in his highly acclaimed book " Limits to Medicine". The famous Indian physician R.H. Dastur commented ; Doctors needlessly endanger the lives of their patients by excessive and wrongful use of drugs. More and more people are falling prey to iatrogenesis (doctor- inflicted illness)". Hippocrates suggested that "for the sick the least is the best". But the motto of the present-day doctors is " the most is the best", according to Professor of Pharmacology P.C.Dandiya  and others.

The Indian Medical Association should do an objective introspection , and initiate measures to punish the guilty to stem the erosion in the credibility of a great and life-saving profession. Going after the whistle blowers is an exercise in futility.The IMA should set an exemplary model for all professionals.

Angels, No More

Anna Hazare’s Jantar Mantar and Ramlila ground satyagrah protests for a strong Lokpal resembled the struggle for Indian Independence. The nation was recharged with a new fervour and the people’s response was unprecedented in recent years after the JP movement in 1975 Bright young men and women were in the forefront of the Anna Hazare initiative. Many sacrificed their jobs to work full-time for a great cause of creating a corruption-free India. The corridors of power were shaken and the Indian Parliament passed a “ Sense of the House Resolution” to enable Anna Hazare to give up his fast. That was the finest moment of the Anna Hazare movement. But the euphoria was short-lived  Anna Hazare’s rustic prescriptions for various issues, and the involvement of  Team Anna in electoral politics dampened the spirit of a large number of supporters of the anti-corruption crusade.

The tirade against  MPs, Union ministers and even the Prime Minister by members of  Team Anna give the impression that they are partisan and their intent is not apolitical. Most of the  Political parties are vocal in their support for a strong Lokpal. But their interpretation of “strong” is highly elastic. It is doubtful whether India will ever have an effective anti-graft law and a nationally acceptable Lokpal institution with an independent investigation mechanism.

Black money , Mind-boggling scams and scandals, paralysis in decision-making, absence of viable policy initiatives, insensitivity  to people’s needs, and decline in economic growth are eroding the confidence of the people. Even the highest  political authorities appear weak and incapable of inspiring the nation. The Planning Commission  practices the opposite of what is preaches. When millions have no toilets, spending 35 lakh rupees for two toilets is a criminal splurge from the Public exchequer . The austerity measures in government spending prescribed by the Finance Ministry are mere tokenism. Indian judiciary has been the only beacon of hope and justice. But the allegations of corruption against some judges and the recent “cash for bail” scam involving a CBI judge are shaking the nation’s confidence. There is a sense of hopelessness among the people.

There are no more angels in our midst.

PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

                                              PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

The reaction of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanding an apology from AamirKhan for " defaming the medical profession " in one of the well-researched episodes of Satyanev Jayathe (SJ) is amusing.Most of the details shown in the SJ episode are already in the public domain. For instance, a sting operation by a popular Malayalam channel exposed the nexus between a leading doctor and a scan center.Whatever be the nature of complaint of the patient, a series of tests and scans were the package prescribed by the specialists with commission regularly flowing to his pocket.In 2011 an e-mail falsely claiming to have been written by a renowned professor of medicine made sensational news in the internet.It was titled "How Indian Doctors Loot Patients? " .Though the professor vehemently denied any association with the e-mail, the shocking contents found favour with the readers including some medical practitioners.

Many movies have been depicting the unethical practices of some doctors and one such movie in Tamil "RAMANA"  is an all-time box office hit. The unsavoury controversies in the recent past involving the Indian Medical Council, the standard setting body of medical education, are too unpleasant to be ignored. The noble medical profession has many distinguished and committed doctors dedicated to service.At the same time, there are many doctors to whom medicine is a lucrative business.As one doctor observes: "Those who have spent nearly 75 lakh rupees towards capitation and other fees for a medical degree cannot be expected to serve society without any gain. Be kind to them.".

The celebrated social scientist Ivan Illich wrote most vehemently against the medical professionals in his highly acclaimed book " Limits to Medicine". The famous Indian physician R.H. Dastur commented ; Doctors needlessly endanger the lives of their patients by excessive and wrongful use of drugs. More and more people are falling prey to iatrogenesis (doctor- inflicted illness)". Hippocrates suggested that "for the sick the least is the best". But the motto of the present-day doctors is " the most is the best", according to Professor of Pharmacology P.C.Dandiya  and others.

The Indian Medical Association should do an objective introspection , and initiate measures to punish the guilty to stem the erosion in the credibility of a great and life-saving profession. Going after the whistle blowers is an exercise in futility.The IMA should set an exemplary model for all professionals.

LIGHTNING STROKE AND SNAKE BITE

May is the month of sunstroke for the people of Tamilnadu. The peak summer period of Kathiri had the climax of 42.5 degree Celsius on the last day (May 28). The massive hike in petrol price matched the soaring temperature. While we the hapless people are reeling under the pressure of high petrol price, the bunks are dry without petrol and diesel. Serpentine queues, and fisticuffs between the exasperated consumers and the staff of petrol bunks are regular entertainment features for the past few days. Some bunks are generous enough to ration their limited supply. No proper explanation of this sudden shortage from those concerned; this stirred the rumour mongers into swift action. What excellent governance do Indians have? How true is the popular saying "The man who is hit by the lightning is bitten by a snake!"

Austerity : A Hollow Slogan

The Finance Minister pressed the austerity button once again. Millions in India are having a “below austere” existence forced upon them by an insensitive system. Government spending on wasteful causes has been a common practice: advertisements in the media glorifying of leaders and governments (both central as well as the state) spending crores of rupees: extravagant public functions: foreign travels spending astronomical amounts of tax payers money : huge amount of subsidy to the undeserving: ……..the list is legion. Business icons N.R.Narayana Murthy and Azim Premji reportedly prefer to travel by economy class which was ridiculed as “cattle class” by the former Minister Shashi Tharoor. While our leaders and “public” servants have no qualms in spending public money.


We are not holy as regards spending money for social and religious functions: extravagant marriage ceremonies, birthdays, anniversaries, “coming of age functions”, etc. For the rulers as well as the ruled, profligacy is the norm and austerity is the exception.

Dr.J Jayalalithaa’s , One Year Rule : A Social Workers Assessment

An impressive one year in office as Chief Minister of Tamilnadu by Dr.J Jayalalithaa. Among the orders she signed on first day was the one doubling the old age pension amount from Rs.500 to Rs 1000 per month. Tamilnadu is the first among the big Indian states and the third (Delhi and Goa are the other states) to sanction Rs.1000 as pension to senior citizens. The CM also enhanced the monthly social security amount to Rs.1000 to the differently abled, the destitute women and widows. Tamilnadu is also the first state to distribute social security assistance through banks by opening individual bank accounts which most of them never had in their lives. Delivery of assistance at the doorstep of the poor beneficiaries using biometric , smart cards eliminates corruption which was rampant earlier and ensures dignity of the recipients. In addition to proactive social security measures , the CM has focussed on important food security initiatives such as provision of 20kg rice to family cardholders and 35 kg rice to Antyodaya Anna Yojana card holders every month free of cost., and streamlining the PDS (public distribution system).


Distribution of free sanitary napkins to adolescent girls is an admirable scheme of Dr.J Jayalalithaa. The CM’s comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme was widened in coverage and improved benefiting nearly 43,000 patients needing surgery in the first year itself. Free laptops to plus 2 and college students is a beneficial step. Similiarly, tuition fees to first generation college students and facility for online registration for employment at schools are progressive measures. The milch cows, goats and sheep distributed to poor women in the villages helped raise rural income levels and milk production in the state. When the cyclone Thane wreaked havoc, the government machinery moved swiftly in arranging disaster relief and carried out long-term rehabilitation programmes with efficiency. The dismissal of the People’s Welfare Workers (though political appointees) and the anxiety caused to parents and children over the Uniform System of School Education could have been avoided. No balance sheet can be without the debit side.

Dr J Jaylalithaa’s Vision Tamilnadu 2023 is an ambitious document. It aims at 11 per cent economic growth and a Tamilnadu free of poverty and hunger. The vision can be translated into a reality in eleven years with a determined leader like Dr J Jayalalithaa, good governance, and people’s participation. It is our collective responsibility to strengthen the governments efforts to make Tamilnadu the numero uno state.

Satyamev Jayate : An Innovation in Socio- Infotainment

Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate (SJ) episodes on female foeticide and child sexual abuse (many more to follow) are informative, emotive and gripping. The issues are already in the public domain thanks to the electronic media besides the newspaper and magazines.


But what makes the SJ episodes different are the anchor Aamir Khan’s social image and the innovative manner of presentation with a deft combination of information, touching presentation of personal experiences, inputs from specialists, interaction with the audience and field-centred illustrations. Extensive research work has preceded the making of the SJ episodes . Female foeticide has been shown on a very wide canvas: obsession with male children, sex identification, scanning of the foetus, coercion for abortion, domestic violence against women, unethical medical practices, declining child sex ratio, shortage of women for marriage in many places and the implications of all these elements. The sting operation by two journalists did not succeed in influencing the government. The law did not take its own course. The law breakers are left untouched, while the journalists had to face tough experiences for the exposure. The commitment of a government officer did reverse the situation effectively in one community and was shown in the episode, which gives hope.

The reach of the SJ episodes is enormous because of the simultaneous multilingual telecast and special shows in regions without access to TV. Aamir Khans’s sincerity of purpose is convincing beyond doubt. The SJ episodes have the making of a movement for social change. The early exposures in the TV channels suffered from the absence of effective follow-up. We should not miss the current opportunity initiated by Aamir Khan through the SJ episodes as the issues raised are our real issues. Let us act . Jai Hind.

Doomed Universities and Distorted Distance Education

Deemed-to-be universities , open universities and distance education programmes are very much needed in India because of the large population in the young age groups. But in a country riddled with mind-boggling scams and scandals, the education sector is not an exception. Rather, it is in the fore front of corruption, “extortion” and mismanagement from pre-school to doctoral levels.


Academic excellence and adequate infrastructure are important criteria for granting the status of a deemed-to-be university to an educational institution under section 3 of the UGC Act. But in the post-liberalisation era, political clout and money power have become key factors in the expansion of deemed universities in the country: 129 by the end of 2011. The performance record of the vast majority of the deemed universities can be easily understood from the action of the Ministry of Human Resource Development which derecognised 44 deemed universities and put another 44 on notice two years ago. But all of them are still in business. The Governor as Chancellor of the universities in a state was the norm in the early days. Then the politicians entered the university scene directly with the education ministers becoming pro-chancellors. But the deemed universities, many of which are family enterprises, created many chancellors, pro-chancellors and vice-chancellors, with the dynastic system in place. In contrast , the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (a deemed university) is headed by its Director and its governing board has a chairman. Many deemed universities are liberal in conferring honorary doctorates and the credentials of the recipients are often questionable. The prefix “Dr” is the most sought after decoration by persons in all walks of life including even astrologers.

Barring the Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU), the distance education centres of the different universities are in a state of disarray ad deliberate deviance despite having a Distance Education Council of the Government of India. Almost all courses including engineering are offered by the distance education centres. Only the medical degrees are spared at present. Sub- standard reading materials, incompetent personnel handling contact classes , and inadequate practicum are the common features of many distance education courses. Project report is a requirement of some degrees and the quality of most of the reports is poor. Plagiarism and “outsourcing” are accepted as “normal”.

The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) has hit the headlines recently. It ran 329 unapproved programmes through ”Satellite Centres” between 2008 and 2011 without the approval of either the Distance Education Council or the Indian Council of Technical Education according to a recent note of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The validity of the certificates of around 80,000 students is under the scanner. While 74 private institutions- “technical collaborators”- got an undue benefit of INR 27.73 crore, the University incurred a loss of INR 35.41 crore in revenue. Some institutes virtually “looted” the students by charging up to 40 times the fee fixed by the University. The MSU case may only be the tip of an iceberg.

The Universities in India are growing exponentially : 30 in 1951 and 634 by the end of 2011. But at what cost and for whose benefit ?

Elder Care : India’s Elderly demand National and State Commissions for Senior Citizens

“ Mathru devo bhava, pithru devo bhava” : treat the parents as gods, thus prescribe the Upanishads Filial reverence and care for the elderly in the families are taking a serious beating because of population increase, employment of women, high occupational mobility of younger generation, escalation in cost of living and changes in social structure , among other factors. Elder abuse is no more a rare phenomenon in Indian Society. Globally, it has been felt as a serious problem and from the year 2006, June 15 has been observed as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.


A representative sample survey in Chennai city by the author more than ten years ago yielded unexpected results. 73% of the elderly respondents reported that “these days the old parents are ill-treated and neglected by the children.” They mentioned the different ways the aged experienced ill-treatment: shouting at them, making them wait for food, delaying or even avoiding medical treatment, leaving them in soiled clothes during sickness, not taking them to marriage or other social functions, not allowing them to visit neighbours to prevent “gossiping”, not consulting them on family matters, not introducing them to guests, and pushing or even beating them.

In a survey of 501 old persons in urban poor settlements in Chennai in 2006 by the author, 71% men and 76% women said they experienced ill-treatment in their families. They often suffered in silence for fear of reprisal in the family or shame in the community.

In the southern districts of Tamilnadu a cruel social practice of “thalaikoothal” is prevalent. That is, bedridden aged persons are given oil bath and served with tender coconut water on the hope that they would contract serious illness and die. The motive is often property-related , Burden of care giving is also a reason. Tamilnadu is not an exception. During Kumbhamela, held once in twelve years, millions of Hindus take a holy dip at theTriveni Sangamam. Many families not onlywasg their sins off, but their unwanted old parents by abandoning them.

In 2025 the population of India is estimated to be around 1200 million and the elderly segment will constitute about 160 million. A significant feature of the Indian demographic scenario is the “aging of the aged” which is manifested in the growing number of people aged 80 and above, who will be nearly 12 million in 2025. But the response of the central and state governments is quite inadequate and unimaginative. A national policy on older persons (NPOP) was drafted to be revised in 2011 because of poor implementation. The policy performance is not accountable to the Parliament, it is left to the mercy of the bureaucracy.

Old age pension for older persons in the BPL category who form the majority of the aged in the country is the only significant elder care service. Tamilnadu, Delhi and Goa are giving a monthly pension of Rs.1000 each, while in the other states the amount is more meagre. But the social assistance delivery system is cumbersome, arbitrary and insensitive. Delay in sanction, abrupt stoppage, denial of PDS service, and corruption are common experiences. Tamilnadu has recently introduced of distribution of social security amounts through individual bank accounts using smart cards with bio-metric identification of the beneficiaries. This initiative should be replicated in all states.

Political establishments in India are seldom proactive in responding to social needs. They are reactive depending, depending on the gravity of the agitations. Though the 60 plus persons are around 13 percent of the voters in elections, they have not become a vote bank till now, the key consideration for government action. Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General, remarked that “ Senior citizens, in spite of their number, collective wisdom and experience, will continue to be ignored and marginalized unless they unite”. From 2010, a joint action committee of Organisations of Senior Citizens started observing August 16 as National Solidarity Day to “stir up the conscience of our rulers and the society”.

Senior Citizens are the soft targets of criminal elements. The Maintenance of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007 is an important elder care legislation. But its effectiveness is viewed with scepticism as criminalisation of family relations and obligations may not be acceptable to the vast majority of the old parents. It is a fact that some cases are registered and orders issued by the tribunals. But parents will be reluctant to take their children to police stations and courts unless they are driven to a desperate situation. Sensitization of families needs to go along with legal remedies.



The National Policy on Older Persons has been ineffective without a separate secretariat for the welfare of the elderly. There is urgent need for national and state commissions to protect the rights, security and welfare of the senior citizens on the lines of the commissions for women and children. Elder care services should be headed by Directors at the Central and State levels.

Does a School of Social Work Evolve into a Business School ?

Aware of the limitations of voluntarism, the late Mary Clubwala Jadhav, the colossus of social welfare in India, founded the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) in 1952. The post-independent India needed well-trained social workers for handling the various developmental and welfare programmes, and Mary Clubwala had the foresight to respond to this need. Thus came into being the first school of social work in south India. Started in a thatched shed, it grew to its present position solely because of the grit and determination of Mary Clubwala. She had strong faith in the efficacy of professional social work and she had no hesitation to disagree with the great Rajaji (the first Indian Governor General after independence), when he commented to Mary that she was promoting “mechanised charity”. Hundreds of young men and women have learnt the first lessons of social work at this centre of learning, and went on to become outstanding social workers, behavioural therapists, counsellors, development innovators, change agents, institution builders, social activists and administrators in diverse spheres in the social and corporate sectors.


Drastic and undesirable shift in the focus of the social work institution has taken place from social work to business management after the demise of Mary Clubwala. While ordinary MBA courses have been mushrooming in the country, there is no justification at all for adding one more to the bunch in a school of social work. Historically labour welfare and industrial relations course has been an integral part of social work education in India. Over the years, this course has metamorphosed into human resource management in keeping with the global developments in rapid economic growth and in management innovations. Consequently HR management education preferred an independent identity at the Master’s level or as a specialisation of the MBA degree. At the same time, Master’s degree holders in social work (MSW) with HR specialisation continue to have an excellent performance record in public and private sector enterprises as their approach is more humanistic because of their orientation in the social work philosophy of the uniqueness of the individual. Yet MSSW not only joined the MBA bandwagon but also started full- time and part- time management-related courses, definitely not to address the crying needs of the Indian society. The reputation of the social work school and the infrastructure are used for activities that are in deviation from the vision of the founder, who even in the last days of her life was keenly concerned about the continuance of her social work organisations. The social work ethos of the institution is being altered and this is a breach of trust reposed on MSSW by the visionary Mary Clubwala. An International School for Management Studies as a part of MSSW ; is like having a “Bar” in a place of worship.

Social Work institutes normally initiate welfare projects with a professional perspective which could be replicated by NGOs and other agencies. MSSW has grossly disappointed the society on this count too. So much for the moral commitment of the school to the society. In the diamond jubilee year of this great institution , there is an urgent need for course correction in its direction and the academic programmes to be offered in sync with its original social objectives. A social audit by the stakeholders is imperative.

IS SOCIAL WORK A PROFESSION IN INDIA ?

The platinum jubilee of social work education was observed in 2011. The establishment of the Sir Dorabji Graduate of Social Work marked the beginning of education for "professional" social work in India. Subsequently, Schools of Social Work became institutes of social sciences to accomodate other courses. Starting "job-oriented" MSW and even BSW courses in colleges across the country is now common. The recent trend in the proliferation of Social Work degrees by the directorates of distance education. Who bothers about the quality of education so long as the flow of money is uninteruppted ? Yet Social Work graduates are in demand in different social and corporate sectors. Many are in lucrative positions of authority, while many others work with children, women, elderly, the differently-abled, the mentally challenged, the HIV-affected, and other disadvantaged groups enabling them to transform their lives.

The conservative social workers assert that social work is a profession. But there does not seem to have social acceptance of this claim. There is no doubt about the professional status of medicine and law. It is not so with social work, though some of its characterstics are similiar to law and medicine.
1) There are no rigorous , formal educational requirements for entry into the "profession of social work".
2) There is no system for accrediting social work education or licensing social work practitioners in India unlike in the United States. Bar Council of India and Medical Council of India are statutory regulatory bodies of law and medicine, respectively. A similiar council for social work has been demanded by social workers without any response from the government.
3) Social workers do not have specific clients as they are called upon to serve many types of stake holders : individuals, families, organisations and communities.
4) There is absence of a definite code of ethics for social workers like the one for doctors that is enforceable by peer review.
5) Social workers do not have the professional symbols as those of the medical or legal practitioners.

Some of the requirements of the profession are adapted from Edgar Schein, former Professor of MIT's Sloan School of Management, who disputes the claims of "management" as a profession. In India, spread of Social Work courses has been haphazard. The Association of Schools of Social Work in India, a voluntary body, is almost defunct. The Indian Association of Trained Social Workers was dissolved years ago. In its place , there are some "professional" groups in some cities. It is disturbing that many Social Work graduates in the human resource management field in the corporate organisations are not comfortable with the social work identity; they prefer to be called HRM graduates. The professional status of Social Work in India, as of now, is a BIG QUESTION MARK. But, to be a committed social worker the professional tag is not necessary.