RAPIDSTORIES

THE ECONOMIC FUGITIVE BILL

2018-03-04T22:25:00.000+05:30

Given the apparent ease with which economic offenders flee India and cock a snook at the banking and judicial systems, the proposed law to seize their wealth is undoubtedly a welcome measure. In fact, given the public disquiet over the apparent impunity enjoyed by billionaire fraudsters living in the safety of foreign climes, any new law is likely to be viewed in a positive light. However, its success rides on the slim hope that the threat of confiscation of property will act as a serious deterrent to those seeking to flee or as a big incentive for fugitives to return. Legal provisions to confiscate the assets of offenders already exist, but these are regarded as somewhat inadequate. The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which has been cleared by the Cabinet, aims to make up for the shortcomings and provide a fresh legal framework that would enable the confiscation of the property of those evading prosecution by fleeing the country or remaining abroad. From the provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure for attachment of the property of ‘proclaimed offenders’, to sections in Acts targeting smugglers, foreign exchange offenders and traffickers in narcotics, proceedings for forfeiture of property have been marked by shortcomings and procedural delays. But laws deemed draconian, such as the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976, have not exactly been a success. Experience has shown that disposal of confiscated assets is not easy, especially at a price sufficient to recoup losses or pay off all creditors.

Under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, confiscation is not limited to the proceeds of crime, and extends to any asset owned by an offender, including benami property. Such clauses are liable for legal challenge, especially if there are third party interests and doubts about real ownership. Care must be taken to draft a law that is free from legal infirmities from the point of view of fundamental rights and due process. The government has justified not linking the forfeiture clause to criminal conviction by citing the principle enshrined in the UN Convention Against Corruption, which India ratified in 2011. The convention envisages domestic laws for confiscation of property without a criminal conviction in cases in which the offenders cannot be prosecuted for reasons of death, flight or absence. The Bill is reasonable in that a fugitive offender will cease to be one if he or she appears before court. There is a 180-day window during which the property will remain attached, with a provision for appeal against an order of confiscation. While the utility and effectiveness of laws are best assessed in the implementation, it is important to ensure they are fair and reasonable. The shortcomings in previous laws must be avoided, and the new legal regime impartially enforced.

-The article was published in The hindu . Rapidstories.blogspot.com has just edited the heading

LITTLE LEFT FOR THE LEFT

2018-03-04T00:10:00.000+05:30

From the start, it was apparent that Tripura was an important battle for the Bharatiya Janata Party to win. Its campaign started early, with large rallies being held in the state as far back as March 2017. National leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, were parachuted down several times into the tiny state.

With Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh turning saffron, Tripura became another crucial stop for the BJP as it spread across the North East. But the intensity of the campaign suggests something more than mere numbers was at stake. The BJP saw this as a significant ideological win, a rightwing party triumphing over a long-running communist government with a popular chief minister.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s mobilisations were visible on the ground, paving the way for the BJP. But on the eve of the elections, saffron politics was not the burden of the BJP’s campaign. While it exploited old social fissures between Tripura’s tribal and non-tribal populations, the BJP pitched itself as the party of development, holding the keys to the Central coffers in Delhi. It also took aim, quite deftly, at the Left’s weaknesses.

So after 25 years of Left rule, Tripura has swung decidedly Right. The BJP looks set to form government in the state along with its ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura. It is a change reminiscent of the Trinamul Congress’s sweep of West Bengal in the 2011 assembly elections, which ended 34 years of the Left Front.

A map of discontent

The initial stages of counting in Tripura indicate that the saffron party has stormed the red bastion. From no seats in the 2013 assembly elections, it won a majority this time. From a vote share of 1.54% in 2013, it has surged to 42.9%, according to the Election Commission figures on Saturday evening. The Congress, which emerged as the main opposition in Tripura after assembly elections of 2013, has virtually disappeared. So has the Trinamul Congress, which once had ambitions of spreading beyond Bengal into Tripura.

A look at the electoral map suggests the alliance led by the BJP has spread itself across the state, making gains in various constituencies and vote bases. For instance, it has made headway in the state capital of Agartala and surrounding areas, once the stronghold of the Congress. These are largely urban constituencies where Bengalis form the majority. But its ally, the Indigenous Peoples’ Front of Tripura, also shows a surge in tribal areas which fall under the Tripura Autonomous District Council Area. The tribal party, which won no seats and just 0.46% of the vote share in 2013, looked set to win eight seats out of the nine it contested, as of Saturday evening, cornering at least 7.6% of the votes cast.

It is a map that reflects the many discontents of Tripura. This election is a vote against the Left as much as it is a vote for the BJP.

End of Sarkar raj

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s 20-year tenure has now ended. India’s “poorest” chief minister, who is known for his personal austerity, leaves behind a mixed legacy.

Many in the older generation credit him with pulling the state out of the conflict which roiled Tripura in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2015, Sarkar managed to get the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, a Central law which gives the army powers to open fire and to search and arrest with little judicial accountability, withdrawn from the state. It was counted as one of the major successes of his government.

But the Communist Party of India (Marxist), comfortably ensconced in Tripura for over two decades, must be held guilty of not paying heed to the growing roster of grievances against it. In a state with some of the highest unemployment figures in the country, it did not address the growing restiveness of a new generation with few jobs and opportunities. The Left’s old rhetoric of being a pro-poor party did not find resonance with this pool of young voters while the BJP’s promise of development and social mobility, of jobs and growth appealed to it.

In its last years, Sarkar’s government was swamped by allegations of corruption, which became the launchpad for the BJP’s attack. It wooedthousands of teachers done out of government jobs after the Supreme Court declared that appointments made by the Left were invalid. It also raised the issue of the Rose Valley chit fund scam, which spread to Tripura from Bengal and left thousands of investors in the lurch.

The tribal vote

In the autonomous district council areas, Sarkar ignored the warning signsof tribal discontent. The Left had enjoyed substantial support here, but the last few years saw a steady erosion in this vote base. Sarkar’s carefully crafted narrative of social cohesion seems to have come undone in the past few years. In the state’s tribal belt, the old faultlines between the so-called indigenous population and Bengali-speaking residents, often branded as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, have grown pronounced once again.

It explains why the Indigenous Tribal Peoples’ Front, once a non-entity, is set to win eight out of the nine seats it contested. The party is believed to have links to separatist militant groups, which demanded a tribal state of Twipra carved out of Tripura.

As it tied up with the tribal party, the BJP struck a careful balance, showing sympathy for tribal demands but playing them down when it campaigned in constituencies dominated by Bengalis. It also managed to project the Left as a party which stood for Bengali interests. During the election campaign, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP’s election strategist in the North East, suggested that Sarkar head to one of three destination: Kerala, the only other state in which the Left remains relevant, Bengal or Bangladesh.

Sarkar may blame the BJP for sharpening local insecurities and separatist demands but his government fell short in vital ways. First, it was unable to dispel tribal anxieties about being “swamped” by outsiders, especially Bengali settlers, and driven out of their ancestral lands. Second, it did not pay heed to a growing sense of neglect in these areas. Tribal voters are bitter about the obvious disparities with non-tribal areas, which, they claim, have cornered any development that may have taken place during the Left’s tenure.

These were failures that proved to be fatal for the Left in Tripura.

-The article was published in scroll.in . Rapidstories.blogspot.com has just edited the heading

THE DEMONETISATION DILEMMA

2016-12-02T15:27:00.003+05:30

It was around 8 at night, people were returning home after office, TV was switched on as usual, PM was speaking at prime time, it was thought to be an usual political speech that our PM tend to give. But, minutes later masses realised that PM was announcing that 85% of cash in our hands will turn just pieces of paper after midnight.

Initially, the general public didn't pay much heed to it, but as the news started pouring in on all channels, the people swung into action and lined outside petrol pumps, grocery shops, medical stores and supermarkets in order to change or use their high denomination notes.

The merits and demerits of the demonetisation row are being talked about. Interesting parallels have been drawn to nation love, patriotism and surgical strikes against black money by our clever, diplomatically "correct" ruling coalition.

The actual benefit or risk of this drive in the short, medium and long run is difficult to predict, only time has the capacity to answer all those. In order to understand DEMONETISATION better, its necessary for us to look back at the history of demonetisation in India. Yes it is not the first time this excercise is taking place. It is the third time to be precise, but nevertheless the largest, voluminous and substantive till date.

In a layman's language demonetisation means restricting out the total number of notes in circulation, rather than exchanging it. Exchanging 100% notes in hand doesn't lead to demonetisation, but it is more of a conversion of currency excercise. Precisely, this is the main reason why earlier demonetisation didn't work in India's favour .

The first demonetisation drive took place pre-independence in January of 1947. The Govt came out with 2 ordinances on 12 Jan 1946, which was declared a holiday. First ordinance asked banks to furnish information about currency holdings of various denominations (Rs.100, Rs. 500, Rs. 1,000 and Rs.10,000). Second was about telling public that denominations of Rs. 500 and above were demonetised and Rs 100 was spared. People were given 10 days for exchange which meant first helpline ended at 23 Jan. This was later extended to 9 Feb where people had to give explanations on why they could not in first ten days.

The measure did not succeed, as by the end of 1947, out of a total issue of Rs. 143.97crores of the high denomination notes, notes of the value of Rs. 134.9 crores were EXCHANGED. Thus, notes worth only Rs. 9.07 crores were probably ‘demonetised', not having been presented. It was more of “conversion“, at varying rates of profits and losses than “demonetisation".

The second demonetisation drive took place in January of 1978 under the Janta dal govt of Morarji Desai.
On 16 Jan 1978, the ordinance was announced via All India Radio at 9 AM. Banks and government treasuries were required to submit information (in the form of data ‘return’) to the Reserve Bank of India regarding high denomination notes held with them as at the close of business on 16 January 1978. The notes held would be exchanged for an equivalent value by the Bank. The general public was given three days to surrender high denomination notes for conversion. After 16 January, notes could be exchanged on tender of the high denomination notes in person by the individuals themselves or by a person competent to act on his/her behalf. They had to tender the notes at the Reserve Bank or at notified banks in the prescribed format with full particulars giving, among other things, the source or sources from which the notes came into his/her possession and the reasons for keeping the amount in cash.

This was a totally futile excercise. This time currency actually rose! Leave conversion or demonetisation, this was cumulation. Around 73.1 crore was the demonetised amount (Rs 1000 + 5000 + 10000) in 1977-78. Compared to this, 1067 crores were added by Rs 100 alone and the rest of the smaller denoms made up another 650 crores. So, it did not destroy any money stock at all. In 1946, atleast some bit was destroyed. The amount of denoms were also much smaller than seen in 1946. There were rumours also that demonetisation would take place, hence cash hoarders were well prepared.

Now comes the third demonetisation act, by the Modi government. After 38 years someone was again trying a failed method of driving out black money. The demonetisation this time was a bit different than earlier as, one it was a sudden surprise move by the govt and secondly it had given more time for exchange initially.

The big announcement came and naturally banks were not equipped to handle such a huge rush. Long serpentine lines could be seen and people faced a lot of hardships.Voices started raising against the govt's move and yet again the shrude govt linked demonetisation to nationality and patriotism. When it is a perceived matter of patriotism, none of the Indians have any complaint. They were all happy such a bold step is being taken place. In que it was a common conversation "dikkat to ho rahi hai, par chalo shi hai desh ke hit mai hai"(" we are facing problem, but it is ok, its in the nation's interest"). In the long run, it is in the nations interest or not is debatable, but in the short term it is suicidal to say the least.

Business has been forced to shut down. Consumption is rock bottom, even the thrirving industries of retail and online commerce are facing the hardship owing to the withdrawal of the popular COD through which 80% sales take place. The daily wage workers of the unorganised are not getting their payment. Sales and purchases by traders are down and dusted. The mandis are having a deserted look. Adding on to the woes, the foreign exchange and value of rupee via-a-vis dollar is a record low at 68.855. Experts feel this may touch the figure of 70 in a few months owing to the added effect of demonetisation. Hence, in the short term there is no bright spot.

But as the govt and the "patriotic" people, we are highly optimistic of the long term effects of demonetisation. Yes, there are differences from the previous demonetisation and this one. The first is obviously the scale at which it is happening. About 85% value of the total currency is out of circulation. In previous drives it was merely 30-40%. Secondly it is perhaps the first time common Indian as well as rich is being impacted, as earlier transactions with 500, 1000, and 10000 was not so common among average Indians. Thirdly perhaps, it is the first time that actual demonetisation (decreased number of circulating cash) is taking place as there are abundant alternative methods available like net banking, mobile wallet, card payment to name a few. This luxury was not available earlier and only cash could replace cash. In this the govt should also be congratulated for taking certain steps to move towards plastic economy by abolishing various cess and tax on card payments for the time being so that more and more people use it. Fourthly, it is for the first time that RBI is in favour of demonetisation, on the previous two occasions RBI was against it in principle. Moreover, India is a stronger and stable economy than the 70's or 40's and can tolerate such an impact better.

Having said all this, all the three moves have been primarily aimed at curbing black money and fake currency. But going by the earlier experience it is highly unlikely that black money will be out. According to experts only 10-20% of black money is in form of cash, rest are hoarded as gold, property and in the SWISS bank accounts of high profile people. Recently, news also broke out of fake Rs 2000 notes, so that aspect of the demonetisation is also under threat.

Nevertheless, it is a good move to begin with. But its futile, if not followed with other measures to weed out black money, fake currency and stop money laundering. The new Benami transaction act is a good followup along with incentivising card payment. Hope the government follows up with stronger and sterner steps and do justice to the sacrifice of the "patriotic Indian".

HARSHIT HAREENDRA
STUDENT
PIMS JALANDHAR

THE IMMATERIAL MATERIAL

2016-07-02T00:55:00.000+05:30

In ancient indian literature maya is described as power or the principle that conceals the true character of spiritual reality. In todays context, in this kalyug, the maya has taken the centre stage. Life and its constituents are often linked to the possessions you have, the possessions you earned and yes the possessions you boasts of. Its the comparison drawn by the society on the quality of life based on these possessions.

Life has become a meaningless monetary chest, which goes on till there is new additions to this chest, which may come to a standstill when there ceases to be any significant addition.

Humans as we are, compete against each other to satisfy the maya inside us. Not realising that maya according to the same ancient indian texts also means the powerful magic of the asuras.

Money can buy you most of the things, but can money buy you happiness? Probably most of us might think yes it does!
Level of maturity of people have declined as the cranial size during evolution. Man tend to believe that the temporary adrenaline rush they derive at getting a new possesion is happiness.But my dear friends, happiness is not mere such a rush. Happiness has a larger meaning, happiness is not materialistic, happiness is not variable. True happiness is like early morning pure air, not polluted by the petty shackles of materialism. The same morning air where trees sways, birds chirps and temple bell rings.

I'll tell you a story of dude and dev.

Dude has all the materilistic possession, he boasts of latest gadgets, coolest clothes, sexy footwear and a lot of money to buy anything he wish like.
On the other hand dev is a simple guy with basic devices, manegable clothes and footwear to keep his feet covered.
Now there is no comparison between these guys. Both are happy in their own capacity. One is happy buying adrenaline rush through his spendings, other is happy with his limited resources.
Now let me put both these guys in the ancient era. Who do you think will be more distressed than satisfied?
The obvious answer is dude

The point I am trying to highlight through this story is that happiness lies within, Search it deep inside you, rather on the superficial rags.

Do not necessarily be a religious person but, do be a spiritual person. Spirituality comes from within. Spirituality comes as a saviour, to know yourself and the world even more
And when you know all the secrets of life, thats when you stop being materialistic.you get to understand the bigger meaning to your life than those i phones, rolex, gucci or even merc for that matter.

The happiness you get at discovering the strengths and qualities you have, thats not at all expressable in these words.

Mere recognition of these strengths and qualities gives you immense pleasure and happiness. But its the uncomparable satisfaction you get when you invest these strengths in improving lives of needy.
No creature in this world is small enough to escape your notice. Help those who are weakened by the shackles of the society, and free them to horizon, let them rise like a new morning
And believe me this morning would be the best you had in life.

HARSHIT HAREENDRA
STUDENT
PIMS JALANDHAR

FRIENDS OF FEATHER- STORY OF NODDIES

2015-01-17T15:58:00.000+05:30

It was a dream come true to get admitted to a medical college and studying my course of choice. I came with a mindset of making only studies my friend. But life had something else scripted for me. Yes i did initially befriend studies but one destined day i found a person who i never ever thought in my wildest dreams would become the most special friend here and by far in my life.

Yes Noddy, its you, its you!! , remeber the day we met, a very unusual kind of introduction thanks to ashu and the boring SPM class. I know i just overdid the moment and my first impression wasnt that good which a future best friend might want to have. But moslty happy endings have a silent beginings. Then came the day, when we actually interacted well and here also thanks to our common friends ashu and delu for planning that movie and also destiny for making the shows housefull. That was an eventful day but i was a bit taken aback as i found you too much into my friend(may be he was your better friend then and not now) and i felt a bit left out. Never mind thats how great stories proceed. Our conversation began on whatsapp!, not that specail talk but was fine enough to land me into a one on one movie with you. It was an extended weekend hence most of the people were out to their home. That day i was alone and you were the only one i could look out for and you didnt dissappoint. We planned the movie and that too a punjabi romcom which went smoothly. That was the day i thought that you could become my best friend thanks to our open hearted convo about our respective pasts. You did give me support dear and i was highly thankful for that. Again i thank one more person before coming back to us i.e shivani for offering me to study with you guys before the substage and it was the best day till that date and that laid the foundation of finding the most special friend. Another decisive day was the day when i called you and our convo got extended to over an hour. The next day it was your turn to call and u did. I started getting a response and it felt good. Later on it became a norm that every alternate day i'll call u and in between u'll call me.

I started feeling YES!! i have got a friend with whom i can open my heart out and share my feelings and expect a response which soothes me. She was the friend i was looking for quite some time. She was the friend who wil support me in my bad times. She would be the person i will go to with any sort of issues whether romance, fashion or any small issue related to me. YES I FOUND U , INDEED I DID.

Our friendship have grown from strength to strength since the time we first interacted. It is still going strong, may be there might be lean patches but nevertheless good and bad are part and parcel of life.

Noddy u might have many friends and so do i but U are the most special and important friend. U are special in ur own way let the world say anything, let them try to take u away from me with their pitty tactics but let me tell you one thing and make it clear I AM NOT GONNA LEAVE U COME WHAT MAY. U REALLY MATTER .

The cute smile the world loves is lovable to me too but ur eyes are the ones which i'll praise proudly and say this the world failed to notice and i did. Dont go by the world go bye me, ur eyes are the best. Ur sweet nature might be appealing to everyone and everyone befreinds u for that but i love ur not so sweet candid nature( batameez wala as u say) towards me.

You are special i said earlier too and i cant explain that in words anymore.Noddy may be i cannot explain and express like my other friend do but i really do care, I CARE WHAT U THINK, WHAT U FEEL, WHAT U DO. But sometimes it does hurt when u dont get it back but i have faith in our friendship. I dont say i expect anything from you but DIL TO BACCHA HAI it does like it when someone do care and respond to u too.

This was a small piece from my side for u noddy i know i am very poor in expressing but i really mean it and i sincerly hope it did reach where it was targeted- IN UR HEART AND SOUL.

- HARSHIT HAREENDRA
STUDENT, PIMS

ARTICLE 370: MAKING J&K A TREASONIST STATE

2014-06-07T13:38:00.002+05:30

In recent days i had a brief discussion rather argument with two of my colleagues Megha and Anshuman about the relevance of article 370 in the indian constitution and the proposal of Modi Government to abrogate it. Here's a look at what this article is all about.

Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir signed the accession papers on October 26, 1947 under which the state acceded to India. The accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India was carried out following the common pattern as drafted for other states acceding to India or Pakistan. Nehru the Great took it upon himself to force the Maharaja for handing over power to Sheikh Abdullah. On the insistence of the latter it was decided that the State Assembly will take the final decision on the accession. We do not know whether there was a special mutually obligatory relationship between Nehru and Sk. Abdullah, (why did Nehru declare himslef a Muslim in culture?) or such a relationship was forged on prompting by the British and we can only speculate about how Nehru came to this course of action and why people like Sardar were unable to stop him – there seemed to be no such fatal vacillation and weakness in the case of Hyderabad. To deal with the situation arising until the Assembly took the final decision Article 370 was incorporated in the Constitution as a temporary measure. But even after ratification by the State Assembly of Kashmir’s accession to India, the Article was not abrogated.

The Parliament has the power to legislate laws for rest of the states in the country but Article 370 prevents the Government of India from enforcing any law connected with Jammu and Kashmir without the approval or concurrence of the State Government. Only defence, external affairs and communications fall in the central list. Thus the law prohibiting misuse of religious places could not be extended to Jammu and Kashmir and so Kashmir is the only region in India which can claim to be legally not secular. The Uttar Pradesh Government was dismissed under Article 356 of the constitution over non-prevention of the demolition of the so-called Babari Masjid, but Article 356 was never invoked in Kashmir in spite of well known and very old pre-Islamic temples and shrines being openly destroyed by sections of Kashmiri Muslims.The President has no right to suspend the Constitution in the State and only the National emergency act under Article 352 of the Constitution can be imposed on Jammu and Kashmir to a limited extent and the financial emergency under Article 360 cannot be enforced in Jammu and Kashmir.

Under part four of the Constituion of India there is provision and scope for one constitutional practice, one administrative structure and one economic pattern. But under Article 370 Jammu and Kashmir has its right under its own constition to choose its own policies irrespective of the rest of India. Kashmir has separate flag from India and two flags have to be raised on the Government buildings in the state. For hoisting freely the National flag, permission has to be obtained from the State because it is necessary to hoist the national flag with the state flag. By Article 370, citizens of Jammu and Kashmir are citizens of India but the citizens of the rest of India cannot be citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and do not have the right to have property or the right to vote in Jammu and Kashmir. If a girl belonging to Jammu and Kashmir marries a boy who is not a state subject, she loses all her rights in the state, while the same does not extend to a Kashmiri boy. The wealth tax cannot be imposed in the state. The Urban Land Act, 1976, which is in force in the entire country is not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir.

Muslims from rest of India are given citizenship of Jammu and Kashmir but Hindus displaced during the partition, have been consistently refused citizenship according to some sources. The state Government did not accept the Anti-defection law adopted in the country and instead made several amendments. Here the decision on defection is not taken by the speaker of the Assembly but by the leader of the connected political party. The Governor has no right to vote in the Assembly if he/she is not a citizen of the state. The recommendations of the Wazir Commission for political reforms in Kashmir have been refused with the help of Article 370. Burning of the national flag is not a cognizable offence in Kashmir because the obligation enshrined in the Constitution to show respect to the tricolour, the national anthem and the national symbol is not valid in Kashmir. Under Article 370 the Indian Parliament cannot increase or reduce the borders of the state. The Union Government implements international agreements and accords under Article 253 of the Constitution but this Articel is superseded by Article 370 Jammu and Kashmir. One of the architects of Constitution of India, Dr.Ambedkar had apparently cautioned Nehru that Article 370 can make full integration of the state with India difficult. But it is unlikely that Dr. Ambedkar’s warning will be heeded even now by his ideological and political descendants who are now dreaming of becoming a Prime Ministerial party using the very same complete appeasement and surrender to Islamic theological agenda.

On April 7, 1958 the Plebiscite Front of Sheikh Abdullah adopted a resolution specifically citing Article 370. and stated that : “Jammu and Kashmir state has not yet acceded to any of the two dominions, India and Pakistan. Therefore, it will not be right to call Pakistani invasion on Jammu and Kashmir as an attack on India.” Using Article 370 Kashmiri Muslim leaders have opposed any family planning and welfare schemes formulated by the Government of India, and the programme was implemented only in the Hindu majority Jammu. The former Chief Minister, G.M. Shah, had said that the aim of the Government family planning programme was to convert the Muslim majority into a minority. The former External Affairs Minister, M.C. Chagla, had told the United Nations that the Article was a temporary measure. The two former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad and G.M. Sadiq, too wanted this Article to be repealed.

Articles 3 and 5 of the State Constitution of the Jammu and Kashmir states that it will remain an “inseparable” part of India and the Parliament should immediately repeal article 370. For those Kashmiris who have declared themselves to be Pakistanis should be asked to apply for Pakistani citizenship, and if their application fails should be declared stateless persons and no longer citizens of India, and therefore no-longer citizens of any part of the dominions of the Republic of India.

Having said all this i would stick my neck out and say its very difficult to repeal this article as the sentiments of the local people is against it and there would be a possibility of revolt and seperation with the support of vested interest groups from Pakistan. But what india needs is the beautiful land and patriots of J&K and not the treasonist's (the so called citizens of J&K). So repealing article 370 will be strong step forward in the integration and sovereignity of the country, though in present situation it is unlikely to happen.

HARSHIT H

STUDENT

HINDU COLLEGE

HISTORY OF STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE SOCIETY

2014-02-20T21:22:00.002+05:30

In Indian society the status of women has changed from time to time ; position of women in society is the index to the standard of social organization .We can divide the past [history] in to three phases to analyse the status of women. They are: ancient India , Medival India and Modern Indian period.

In ancient India women enjoyed equal status with man in all fields of life, she received the same education like man, many Hindu religious books like Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata have mentioned the names of several women who were great scholars, poets, philosophers of the time. The wife was 'Ardhangini' which means she is half of her husband. An unmarried man was considered to be incomplete man. All religious ceremonies were performed by the husband along with the wife. This shows the importance given to the women in ancient period.

But in the Medival period, the status of women went down considerably. She was considered to be inferior to man. Any historians have called this age as the 'dark age'. Her position became very miserable. Decline in the status of women in Indian society begins with the muslims rule in India: customs of pardha , sati, child marriage & restrictions on widow marriage are prevalence of joint family system have been the factors responsible for the injustice done towards women.

The position of women in modern India has changed considerably. Her position in modern Indian society is equal to that of men, socially, economically, educationally, politically & legally. Her sufferings from Sati, Child marriage, Institution of Temple prostitution are no longer existing.
Now, she has the right to receive education, inherit & own property, participate in public life & political life of the nation. She has become economically independent. She can seek employment anywhere and remains not a domestic slave. So, she is certainly enjoying the equal status with man in all respect.

For this change in the status of women several factors like women's education, reform movements by many social reformers, women participation in politics and many social legislation are held responsible.

ROLE OF LEGISLATION:
Today Indian womanhood is marching towards liberty and equality. For this march towards liberty and equality, various social legislation passed from time to time are mainly responsible. This legislation aimed at eradication of social evils. Following are the significant enactment, which helped in bringing about the change:

1. THE HINDU WIDOW RE-MARRIAGE ACT OF 1856:
In the traditions Hindu society there was a ban on widow remarriage. Ban on widow remarriage was one of the most important evils from which women in the traditional Hindu society suffered a lot. This Act allowed widows to remarry and section 5 of this Act ensured her to enjoy all the rights which a married woman did.

2. THE CHILD MARRIAGE RESTRAINT ACT OF 1929:
The practice of child marriage was another social evil from which woman in traditional Hindu society suffered a lot. Age at marriage for girls was 9 or 10 and after passing this Act the minimum marriageable age of women was fixed to 15 years. Later it was increased to 18 years.

3.THE HINDU WOMENS RIGHT TO PROPERTY ACT OF 1937:
In traditional society women had no property right. In the eyes of law she was miner or ward. This Act recognized a widow of a deceased person as his surviving personality with the same right as his in the joint property. Thus through this Act women in the Hindu society received the property right to a limited extent.

4.THE HINDU MARRIAGE ACT OF 1955:
This Act has recognized the equal rights of man and woman in the matters of marriage and divorce. Under the provision of this Act either the man or woman can present a petition in a court of law for divorce, wife has got an equal right to divorce her husband as he can do.

5. THE HINDU SUCCESSION ACT OF 1956:
This Act recognized an equal right for women in the matter of inheritance of property. She can inherit the property of father along with her brothers. She can also sell or mortgage the inherited property or use it for herself. For the first time absolute ownership was conferred to a woman by this Act.

6. THE SUPPRESSION OF IMMORAL TRAFFIC IN WOMEN AND GIRLS ACT OF 1956-57:
This Act aims to deal with the problem of prostitution and to promote the welfare of fallen women. Main objectives of this Act are to reduce the scope of prostitution and to reform the prostitution under this Act. Every state is expected to set up protective homes and to appoint women police and women social workers. In protective homes these fallen women will be given training
in tailoring, toy and basket making and oter crafts so that they may earn for their maintenance in a proper way.

7. THE DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT OF 1961:
The main objective of this Act is to abolish giving and taking dowry at the time of marriage. The term dowry refers to a valuable property or thing which is determined by the parties to a marriage for a marriage. The practice of dowry had produced very bad effects. Dowry has become a social evil. Even though this Act prohibits dowry system, the dowry cases have not been
reduced. Still this Act makes some effort in bringing social change.

Above mentioned are the important legislations which brought upward trend in the status of women in India. Today what women are enjoying their status is because of legislations. She is protected in every way of life. Thanks to legislations, women in India are gaining better status, recognition and respect.

HARSHIT H
STUDENT
HINDU COLLEGE

Our Fate In The Hands Of Reservations?

2012-05-29T14:37:00.000+05:30

)

For those of you who don’t know, the Mandal commission was established in 1979 by the central government to identify the socially or educationally backward in India and suggest measures for their upliftment. Today, after more than 30 years of the Mandal commission and 60 years of republic India; 49.5% of the seats in premier institutions are reserved for backward categories. This is more than 60 % in some states like Tamil Nadu. According to the preamble of the Indian constitution, India is a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic country. It’s indeed unfortunate that the government itself identifies and certifies people based on their caste. Well, they don’t stop at certifying, these so called lower castes are then given exclusive privileges in various sectors. The reason for this, as quoted in the first paragraph is that people born in backward classes don’t have the same privileges offered to their forward class counterparts. I beg to differ, that’s not the complete scenario now. The Mandal commission hypothesis may have been valid in that era (the 70s). I was not there then and therefore it would not be fair if I commented on it. But the current scenario is quite different. Reservations may be needed in a vastly diverse country like ours, but is it necessary to have it all based on ones caste or in some cases, religion

It would be ideal if this reservation was based on the economic status of the individual. The central government tried to do that sometime earlier with the new ‘creamy layer’ policy, but was met with much flak from other quarters, especially the state governments. The creamy layer policy, even though inadequate was appropriate at the least. This policy excluded the creamy layer (people with income above a certain range) only among the OBCs, not among the SCs and STs. This creamy layer policy has only been implemented in some states.

Consider this scenario. There was a guy who, in the 80s got into a premier institution like an IIT and then even made it to an IIM, thanks to the fact that he belonged to a Scheduled Caste (plus, he might have worked hard-that’s immaterial). Ok, he was poor and all and the reservation policy was a boon for him to compete, lets say; with his rich forward caste neighbour’s son (who had the same amount of ‘merit’ as this poor backward caste guy). This rich neighbour’s son also made it to an IIT and then an IIM (without any reservation, mind you.) Now, in 2010, both are working in some MNCs and are quite well off. Each of them have a kid (both quite average in ‘merit’) and they both appeared for IIT-JEE 2009 and the results came out. Now, only the SC kid has made it through (thanks to reservation) and the forward caste kid doesn’t get a rank and makes it to a lesser known private college. Both performed equally (good or bad).

Now, it’s up to you to evaluate the fairness of the situation. Both these kids are rich, have attended top schools and were brought up in the same environment. So, why is the discrimination there? Isn’t this detrimental to the quality of any premier institution?

Now, rewind. Assume that the Mandal commission had recommended reservation based on the financial status of the individual. Think about the whole scenario again, and the possible outcome would have been infinitely better. Most of the story would be same. Both their sons would have a fair playing ground and the forward caste guy might have made it (thanks to all seats being open and fair). But the present scenario is, unfortunately, much different. Even though the SC kid was brought up with premier education (assumed), he still can enjoy reservation when it comes to higher education. This scenario must have convinced you that caste based reservation is nothing but a big farce, played by the politicians who happily indulge in ugly vote bank politics.

Anything, which is by virtue of birth, must not be given any weightage. The time has come to change for the better and make everything fair and just.

TAKE YOUR STAND .

BY HARSHIT H

Reservation: A Boon or Bane

2012-05-29T14:07:00.000+05:30

Reservation is the hot topic of the day. There are endless debates going on at various platforms and levels. Some vehemently oppose it same die hardly support and some stay neutral.

Before going on to support or oppose it, first of all we have to detach our emotions from the topic and look at the issue who us tically

Background

The issue of reservation cropped up soon after our independence and a committee under Mr. Keleekar was appointed the recommendations of the committee were rejected on the basis of their impracticality.

Again Mandal Commission was constituted which submitted it report in 1980. The report was gathering dust in the office for almost a decade until V.P. Singh govt. decided to implement it in 1992. As per the recommendations, 27% of the seats were to be reserved for OBC’S and 22.5% of seats for SC and ST’s there by making a total reservation of 49.5% and remaining 51.5% for the general category in all government postings. Immediately the order was challenged in the supreme court. The court upheld the allotment with the order of excluding the ‘Creamy Layer’ among other Backward class (OBC’s)

The present government has decided to implement the 27% reservation for OBC’s in institutions of higher learning like IIT’s, IIM’s AIIMS etc. And this is what that has created a great stir among the students, medical doctors and public in general.

Boon Or Bane

Boon

The system of reservation is a unique one which is definitely needed in a society like ours in which contain sections of the society have been depressed for ages. Such societies may not be in the same state of depression presently, but they cannot compete with other high classes who have had all privileges for countries. Reservation has many advantages especially for those downtrodden societies.

1. It ensures equity i.e it provides equitable opportunities. By introducing competition among those who are equal in all aspects provides social justice and equity in all spheres.

2. By providing educational and employment opportunities to the backward classes it gives them a chance to uplift their condition.

3. Reservation in no way compromises merit as these who are selected are top candidates among their categories.

4. It is all the more important in a country where there is class struggle along with strong caste discrimination. The backward classes needs to overcome this caste discrimination before they enter class struggle and for this Reservation is necessary.

Bane:

All this is just one side of the coin. There exists another dark face of the Reservation system.

1. The reservation system has now become a game of politics politicians use the issue to build up ‘vote banks’. They stir the reservation issue to win elections, to divert public attention or sometimes to even bring about the fall of the government (as it happened to VP Singh government in 1992).

2. The general category public are punished for something which they have never done, but their ancestors did.

And in no way are they compensated or shown any favour.

3. Those who utlise the reservation are also not accountable. They have enjoyed the privilege of reservation, but they never pay back in any way to the society.

‘They just take and Never Give’

4. As a result of all this, there has started a war among all the castes, for being called as ‘Backward’ probably. India must be the only country where people fight to be called as ’Backward’ As they say

Issues Involved

Caste system in India is multidimensional. It can never be broken down bey mere legal policies. One has to go down the society to understand it.

The main problem of reservation system is that it empowers depressed sections of the society and snatches away the powers of the influential classes without adequately compensating them. This is what happened at Pappatti, Kiripatti Panchayat election, where no SC/ST Panchayat leader could be elected for the past 10 years inspite of being a reserved constituency.

In another case students refused to eat the meal prepared by a SC Ayyah. This shows the penetration of casteism in our Indian Society. It is social, economic and political problem.

Solution

There are many solutions to the present crisis relating to reservation

1. First and foremost you have make both the sections of society understand the basics of reservation

To the section who are losing out you have to make them understand that they are giving up for the welfare of society and country. You have to also compensate in some other way.

To the section who are enjoying the provision, you have to make them understand that ‘It is not their Right, but Privilege’ and they should value it

2. An accountability mechanism has to be developed for those who enjoy the privilege

3. The reservation should be need based, rather than caste based. All agree on this, but the problem of determining who is really needy then crops up which is difficult to settle. So better go by salary, assets and wealth criteria.

4. The most important measure that can be taken is to develop the primary education infrastructure so that reservation in higher levels of education or employment is not necessary.

5. Awareness among the people has to be spread, regarding the reservation policy, its merits, demerits etc, so that power hungry politicians do not use them as mere pawns to win the game by ‘Vote Bank Politics’. They should be encourage to look at the whole matter detaching emotions.

Conclusion

Reservation is an issue which most people even the most educated ones see through a veil of sentiments and feelings. However if we look at the issue without it we will understand its real gravity. We will understand how a noble policy can be meddled with to the extent that it becomes a bane.

When the Supreme Court cleared the Reservation Order in 1992, VP Singh said that ‘I can now die in peace’ commenting on this statement Nani Palkhiwala, famous writer wrote ‘Maybe Mr. VP Singh can die in peace, but Indians will not be able to live peacefully and harmoniously here after’. His properly has come true with the students burning themselves, clashing with police, masses agitating. A great divide has now been created between the loser and winner.

The reservation for SC’s/ST’s that was given for 10 years initially, was extended for another 10 years, the extension continues. As they say regarding reservation

‘Giving is Easy, Running is Difficult and Termination is Impossible’.

The government should set a time limit for implementing and provision of such policies and above all it should ensure that it is used by the Targeted group. The policy of Reservation is undoubtedly needed in India and it is a noble scheme that is a must But as the saying goes.

‘Too much of Anything is bad’ so is the case with reservation also.

People should work with the government and the government should act in the public interest to ensure that

‘Reservation which is a Boon does not become a Bane’

HARSHIT H

MANUFACTURING A RIOT

2012-05-23T13:49:00.000+05:30

In Saidabad and Madannapeth areas of Hyderabad (April 1st week, 2012) violence was unleashed against the local Muslims. In this violence several houses were damaged, many a people were injured and women were raped. Just before the incident Praveen Togadia had given an inflammatory speech in the area. There was news that fundamentalists (read- Muslims) have thrown beef and green color in the Hanuman temple. This news was enough to instigate the violence. The police succeeded in arresting the culprits, who turned out to be those belonging to Hindu communal outfits.

On the New Year eve, 1st January (2012), In Sindagi town of Bijapur Pakistan flag was seen on the government buildings. The news spread with rapid speed and violence which followed led to the burning of six state transport buses and many other vehicles. As it turned out it was the activists of Sri Ram Sene of Pramod Mutallik, an ex-RSS Pracharak (Propagator), who first hoisted the Pakistan flag and then went about telling people about the same.

There are many more dimensions of both these acts of violence, brought in by using religious identity, symbols and emotive appeals. Communal violence is a cancer which has spread in to the body politic of our society. The very foundation of communal violence is the ‘social common sense’ the ‘hate-other' ideology build around the myths and biases prevalent against the ‘others’. As such communal violence is the superficially visible part of the communal politics, a politics deriving its legitimacy from the identity of religion. To begin with the hatred for ‘other’ community’ started getting consolidated around the communal projection of History, supplemented by aspects from the present social life of a community, exaggerated and put forward in a derogatory way. In pre-partition period the violence was emerging from both communal streams and British were a sort of neutral umpires.

With partition process Muslim communalism got deflated, violence changed its form and started assuming different trend leading to rise of conservatism; orthodoxy amongst Muslims. The minority communalism promoted more conservative values amongst minorities and also gave provocations to the majority communalism. After the quiet period after the ghastly post-partition riots, violence started surfacing after 1961 with Jabalpur violence, in the wake of which Pundit Nehru, the then Prime minster of the country, constituted National Integration Council, which has been playing some insignificant role in promoting national integration. It is more of a debating club, meeting once a while, forgetting about the issue in the intervening period.

The communal violence, where two communities are made to pitch against each other has been changing its character and now communal groups, who are on the provoking and attacking spree have a clear goal of intimidating and subjugating the religious minorities. At the same time the pretext is manufactured that Muslims are violent or Christians have attacked, ‘they’ begin the violence and then get the ‘deserved’ punishment. This again is a totally make believe construct. The two incidents which have taken place amply show the anatomy of manufacturing a riot. The majoritarian communal streams have built up their strength by polarizing the communities along religious lines. Founded on the deeper biases against minorities, the rumors played the role of triggering the violence, or rumors play the role of the precipitating factor in the concentrated solution of ‘Hate other’. Many rumors have been used, killing of the cow, abduction/rape of Hindu women, cutting of the breast of women, discretion of the holy place/book etc. Adding on the list has come in this Pakistan flag, which is a quiet an innovation during last some time.

The violence by and large is a planned one and is made to look a spontaneous one, that too sparked by the minorities. The Hyderabad and Sindagi incidents are new pointers to this. Earlier in the Kandhamal, violence was triggered on the pretext of the death of Swami Laxmananand, who as such was killed by Maoists. Swami Laxmananand’s dead body was taken in a procession through Christian minority areas, and the rivers of blood followed. The Gujarat violence was undertaken in a pre planned manner on the pretext of the burning of train in Godhra and the merchants of death followed. In Mumbai after the demolition of Babri Mosque, some Muslim youth threw stones on the police station, the Shiv Sena activists threw Gulal (Orange color of celebration used mostly by Hindus) on a mosque and Bal Thackeray gave the call for ‘teaching them a lesson’. So far many inquiry commissions and citizen’s tribunals have pointed out the role of the majoritarian communal organization. Starting from the report of Bhivandi riots (Madon Commission) to Mumbai violence (Sri Krishna Commission), their conclusions are similar to a large extent. The riot instigation is done in a way, it is orchestrated it in such a fashion, as if the Muslims have thrown the first stone or Christians have precipitated the violence.

Dr. V.N. Rai, a police officer did his doctoral work on the theme of riots between 1968-1980 (Combating Communal Conflicts), and a longish quote from this book will enlighten us on the issue, “very often the way in which the first stone is thrown or the first hand is raised in aggression, suggests an outside agency at work, an agency that wants to create a situation in which members of the minority community commit an act which ignites severe retribution for themselves. In order to guard them against external criticism and to preserve their self righteousness, violence is projected to be started by Muslims. It is as if a weaker person is pushed into the corner by a stronger, forcing him to raise his hand so that he may be suitably punished for his `attack'. Before the punishment is meted out a suitable hue and cry can be made about the fact that because the person cornered is naturally wicked and violent, he is bound to attack first" (Pg. 56-57).”

Now there is some change in the trajectory of the riot instigation; there is a continuity and change in the issues used to manufacture the riots. Now the communal elements are becoming bolder to hoist the Pakistan flag or to throw the piece of beef and green color more boldly. The other change is in the relative increase in the percentage of victims belonging to minority community. By 1980s 65% of victims were Muslims (V.N.Rai) in 1991 it was 80% (Union Home ministry data) and by 2001 this percentage has further gone up. These data tell their own tale. The communal violence has polarized the communities along religious lines, and has given flesh and blood to the communal politics. It has laid the foundation for identity related issues coming to the fore and marginalizing the core issues of society.

While large number of measures are needed to curb the communal violence and to snub the organizations deliberately playing mischief, it is imperative that multi layered approach is taken up to bring peace and harmony in the society. We need to battle against the stereotypes and biases at all the levels, amongst the people and amongst the administration. At the same time a major step of setting up inter-religious committees in all the areas can combat the rumors or find the truth as to who has hoisted the flag or thrown beef, and this may prevent the violence in many a situations.

BY DR. RAM PUNIYANI

CO-EDUCATION A BOON FOR THE UPLIFTMENT OFSOCIETY

2012-05-12T12:24:00.000+05:30

What is co-Education?

Co-Education means the teaching of both boys and girls in the same school and under the same roof. It also means imparting the same education to both the sexes without any distinction. This system of education aims at bringing boys and girls together. It allows free mixing of sexes without any inhibition

The great Greek philosopher, Plato had propagated the system of co-education in the ancient times. He believed that co-education will create a feeling of comradeship between boys and girls. Plato was a great supporter of the education of women. Therefore, he wanted them to be educated with men in the same institutions. He felt that if men and women are taught together, it will develop their personality to the maximum. They will not feel any shyness from each other. He advocated that it was the only method in which both could become useful members of the society.

Plato in reality was much influenced by the co-educational system of Sparta, a city of Greece. There the boys and girls were given both the academic and physical education together. The girls and boys studied and played together. They were both taught the art of fighting, horse riding, archery etc. Thus the women of Sparta were not in any inferior to men.

In ancient India also, there was no segregation between boys and girls in the Aryan society. In the modern times, co-educational system is prevalent in Europe and USA. In India also, now-a-days more and more co-educational schools and colleges are being established.

Advantages of Co-Education

There are many advantages and hardly any disadvantages in the co-educational system of education. The first advantage is that if boys and girls are taught together, there will not be any need for opening separate schools for boys and girls. Co-education is an economical system, because both boys and girls can study in same schools and they can be taught by the same staff.

Secondly, boys and girls have to live together in the society in their later lives and if they are taught together from the very beginning, they can understand each other well. The girls will not feel shy in the presence of boys. The boys will also not tease the girls.

Again if they are taught together, it will create a sense of healthy competition among them. In this manner, they will work hard and pay serious attention to their studies. A feeling of comradeship will also develop between the boys and girls. The boys will not indulge in in eve-teasing and the girls will bot be afraid of boys. Thus they will have a balanced development of their personality.

It is also a common experience that the boys behave decently in the company of girls. They do not use rough and abusive language in the presence of girls. They also dress properly and talk mannerly. Similarly, the girls will also lose their fear of the boys if they are taught with them. On the other hand if boys and girls are taught in separate schools, boys misbehave with the girls. they boys always have a curiosity to know about them. But when they study together, their curiosity is satisfied and they do not consider girls as strange creatures.

Thus if co-education is introduced, there will be no problem of discipline among the students. In the western countries, there is no separation between boys and girls in the schools.

Dis-advantages of Co-Education

Of course certain conservative people criticize the system of co-education. According to them, this system is against our tradition. They also fear that co-education will develop immoral relationships between boys and girls. They believe that in this system both the boys and girls will be spoilt. But these arguments do not hold much water.

The fact is that there are so many advantages of co-education when boys and girls have to live later on as husband and wife, there is no need of separating them in schools. Rather it will give them the opportunity to come close to each other and understand each other fully. We should not believe in the morality of the medieval ages. The world is changing fast today and women are being given an equal status with men in the society. Let us, therefore accept the changing order and open more and more co-educational institutions in future and say good bye to separate institutions.

UNDERSTANDING COMMUNAL IDEOLOGY

2012-04-24T15:37:00.001+05:30

For The Survival of any country, secularism has to survive and for the survival of secularism, togetherness, religious tolerance and above all communal harmony is a must. Communalism can only destroy the unity and integrity of the nation. Communal harmony can bring ever lasting peace, the nation can go-ahead with its agenda of development, can uplift the poor and their voices can be heard above the cacophony of rhetoric, a truly egalitarian society.

India is a secular state due to the brotherhood characters of Indians, many religions have flourished in our society. But, only after the independence and traumatic partition period we have observed communal riots and other brutal incidents of communalism. This is only an aftermath of manmade
holocaust of unprecedented proportions I e several inflammable issues for satisfying the needs/greed’s of our politicians.

The preamble of our constitution says ‘we the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic. .. ‘.

Religion in India is an integral part of the social fabric. Since the beginning, our people have understood the omnipresence of God and hence many religions have easily assimilated in our society.

But due to ulterior motives of some politicians communalism has been flared up with their speeches and actions. The destruction of Babri Maszid, burning of S6 coach Godra, Gujarat, incidents of violence in Gujarat after the Godra train incidents and the displacement of Kashmir pundits from their home land have turn the secular fabric of the nation into uncountable pieces. Due to spark of communalism many innocents have been slaughtered, woman brutalized and national property devastated.

The Muslim fundamentalist have created communal discard from time to time. The RSS, Sang parivar, nurtured by the BJP and VHP have always been creating communal tension under some plea or the other. It appears as if we have forgotten all our teachings, forsaken all our values and developed acute intolerance. Citizens of our country who used to live like brothers and sisters have suddenly become bloodthirsty.

The time has come for all of us to realized that insane acts like killing humans, burning women and children are a blot on humanity A total ban on all communal organization must be put forth, all political parties and religious organizations must stop delivering inflammatory speeches. We must uphold our constitution strictly. Anti communal movements must be peaceful. We must all give secularism top priorities in deed and not just in words alone. Then only will the tentacles of communalism will fail to shatter the peace of our nation which are hake cherished for so long.

HARSHIT H,

STUDENT, APS DK

THE REAL MEANING OF PEACE

2012-04-22T09:26:00.000+05:30

There was once a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all-round it. Overhead was a blue sky with flabby white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fall and in which lightening played. On one side of the mountain tumbled the mighty waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looks closely, peace of behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sad the mother bird in here nests in perfect peace.

The king chooses the second picture.”Because “explained the king, “Peace does not means to be in a where there is no noice, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.”

That is the real meaning of peace.

HARSHIT H,

STUDENT, APSDK

WHO WILL ANSWER

2012-04-14T09:20:00.001+05:30

A killing of two here, a massacre of twelve there.

All this has become an everyday affair.

Looting and arson are the order of the day,

Humanism and compassion are in disarray

Politicians are busy in their dirty games,

Peace loving citizens have been put to shame

There’s suspicion on every face, there’s fear in every heart.

All this of life has become an integral part.

The doves are being slaughtered, the hawk’s fly high.

In the wilderness echoes orphans and widows sigh.

There’s yearning for peace everywhere

Is this the india of Gandhi’s dream?

Some will have to answer

will you?

-AAYUSH MAJUMDAR

UP ELECTIONS

2012-04-07T13:57:00.000+05:30

It was one of the best elections i had seen since 2000.The people of Up had a mandate for a particular party. They wanted to throw the corrupt Mayawati government out of power. It was to be a close fight b/w the SP and the congress. Both the parties had done miserably bad in the last assembly elections with the former managing to get only 102 seats and the latter with a poor tally of 22 seats. But this time the situation was different and the anti incumbency factor was in favour of the congress, Sp, and BJP. The congress had the most extensive campaign with their high profile leaders including the prince of congress rahul Gandhi taking part. He was the face of the campaign and was the projected chief minister. But there was another man called akhilesh yadav ready to face the challenge of the Gandhis and make his party victorious in the UP elections. Rahul criticized him kept on speaking anti akhilesh and anti SP slogans but couldn’t succeed in their intentions as SP won the elections on its own strength and came into power. They secured around 230 seats and had clear majority to form a government.

The mistakes according to me made by the congress in UP was that they had no basic policy for the people and kept on talking on religious and caste grounds. I would like to congratulate the people of UP for lifting up from religion and castism and vote in favour of policy makers and for the policy of development, education, infrastructure. E.t.c. I am not a big supporter of SP but this time i loved the way how young akhilesh came forward and fought against the odds. This election was a gift from akhilesh to his father Mulayam. Mulayalam wouldnt even have dreamt of such an emphatic win over the others.

CRIME AND THE CITY

2011-03-31T16:18:00.000+05:30

In today's world, no city is practically safe. Even the cities of the richest countries in the world like Moscow in Russia, New York in USA, London in UK e.t.c.are not safe either. Recently, a suicide bomb attack took place in Moscow airport.This was raise doubt whether Russia was fully prepared to host the 2018 football world cup. Who can forget the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York by the Al Qaeda. It was the most terrific site in the past few decades.

Same is the case with our capital New Delhi. There are being murders,rapes,terrorist attacks,theft e.t.c. which are raising questions over the security of the national capital Delhi. Women are the soft targets in the minds of culprits. women are being raped and then murdered. Daily a 100 FIR's are lodged in the police station about rape cases. People are murdered for small-small reason. 50% of the total murders are due to some cash dealings.

But till date the Delhi government has not been able to get in control, all the crimes that are taking place in the city. Culprits are out on bail and are never caught again because of some influential powers of the leaders.

HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO LIVE IN THE FEAR OF ALL THIS???? THE QUESTION IS UNANSWERABLE.......

EFFORTS BY =>
HARSHIT H
STUDENT, APSDK

GENERATION GAP

2011-02-16T10:42:00.000+05:30

Today most of the parents are working. This gives no time to children to interact with them. So, they don't have any restrictions and do whatever they like to. Their dressing style, eating habits and choice of friends all have changed. Talking about the eating habits, as the mother is not at home the children tend to eat 'JUNK' food from the canteens.

Now as no one was there to counsel them, if some elder comes at home, they won't be able to adjust the so called 'MODERN' environment where the dressing style had been changed from suits and long skirts to minis and tops. The eating too, where earlier only 'rotis' and 'dals'(the nutritious ones) were there, now instead pizzas and burgers has taken their place. The ability to choose good friends is also not there. All these are due to the counselling which the parents couldn't give to their children.

All this has created a huge 'GENERATION GAP' between the elders and the children. If this generation gap has to decrease the parents should give proper counselling and control their children. In the end, i would like to say that we children should try to adjust to the more experienced and elderly people.

Efforts by
HARSHIT
STUDENT Class X-K
ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL DHAULA KUAN

ARE THE CHILDREN GROWING ADULTS EARLIER???

2011-02-12T11:12:00.000+05:30

I might not be the right person to put my topic in the issue of children becoming mature and growing early but there are certain experiences i would like to share and discuss certain things that we see every day and tend to neglect them by simply struggling our shoulders off the responsibility. Today children are getting an adult mentality at a very early stage. This, indeed is a good as this means the uprising of the mental caliber and capacity. The subjects i had in my 9th standard are being taught to students in 7th standard. We should be really proud that our fore coming generation are getting smarter each day.

I
But this is not the only thing that is happening. We never bother whatever we watch in television shows like ROADIES, SPLITSVILLA , EMOTIONAL ATYACHAR, and even the daily soaps. This is because we have the capability to differentiate between the Real and Real world. But our younger brothers and sisters might not have this discretion to make, which may lead to a twisted, toxic psychology which resulted in juvenile crimes. Another important thing to be consider is that most of us even have a habit of talking on cell phone and we don't even realize that a child who has not even got the maturity might be following us. There are instances when parents sit with neighbors gossiping and the kid sitting beside them is listening and trying to understand all the gossips.

Even we can take into account the use of websites, magazines e.t.c. Nowadays a ten year old child has a Facebook or an Orkut account. They even misuse the YouTube and search engines like Google. The most dangerous time is when the children are in adolescence stage because it is the time when their like and sentiments change. Parents in India fear to talk about puberty stages and firing issues like Sexually transmitted diseases(STD) e.t.c. Children must be made known about the pros and cons by parents themselves before they get to know from some other sources because this makes them to interpret it their own way and often it is quite misleading.

In brief the only thing i want to say is that we must think about our actions before we do them because it is our action which the coming generations tend to follow , even before they reach the right age or the right time and ultimately get depressed or psychologically upset. So, lets take steps and assure that they do the things at the right age, and do not get spoiled.

EFFORTS BY
HARSHIT-Class X-K
PRIYANKA Class XI
STUDENTS
ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL, DHAULA KUAN

PRACTICE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS

2011-02-03T17:29:00.000+05:30

A study conducted found that 77% of teachers had themselves been punished in childhood. Teachers also hit children because they were depressed and tensed about their family problems.moreover 70.9% teachers felt that the children must be punished physically to make them disciplined.

As a result of this teachers slap, shout, shake and even pinch students. There are teachers who take sticks for issues like- lying, stealing, showing tantrums e.t.c. They also uses a stick if a child gets poor marks in exams.

To get rid of this there must be some seminar regarding this cruel type of punishment towards the students. The principal must organize a meeting of the teachers so that they can be checked upon by him by the progress of the concerned class. There must be laws to keep check on teachers not giving corporal punishment to students. Media should spread awareness that physical punishment is not the way to correct a child. it only results in school-phobia and low confidence level.

MAHABALI - ONAM AND LIQUOR

2010-08-29T17:12:00.000+05:30

Image

Onam the most important festival of keralites,this festival is celebrated allover the world where malayalees are present.It is celebrated to welcome Mahabali,the emporar from the dynasty of bhakt prahlad,who was the devotee of Lord vishnu.Prahlad was from asur dynasty(evil).Devtas became jelous of the ruling of maha bali .during those days (mahabali:s rule)all people were considered alike weather they are rich or poor ,asur or sur.

Image

Jealousy devtas praise and complained to lord vishnu about mahabali"s empire doing all those enlightenments.They said (the devtas) he could be the next indra ,they didn't want a rakshas even he is from prahlad dynasty .

Image

Finally vishnu became a small brahman boy and urged for bhiksha from mahabali. He knew that the boy was not an ordinary person. Asur guru shukracharya advised him that the boy was vishnu,not to give any commitment. But raja bali refused and told his guru that "I am alwayas doing my duties for the satisfactions of my desciples.so iam going to give bhiksha for him ie three feet land for him. one feet measured the whole land ,second the sky and there was no space for the third feet.mahabali shown his head against the third feet ,vishnu kept his feet on bali;s head .He became sacred and made him the raja of patala lok and gave him a blessing that every year on the occassion of onan he is permitted to visit his prajas.

Image

onam startedfrom the day of star'Atham'of chingam month.Delicious food ,new clothes ,traditional cultural programmes (thiruvathira,boat race and several culturaal activities)are celebrated allover the world where malayalees are present.

Image

Today Onam has lost its traditional way of happiness, joyness and its prosperity . Previously Onam was celebrated even in every corner of Kerala with attapukkalam, ona sadya,onathullu etc.There wew many traditional activities and cultural programmes which are absent today. In Kerala, today onam means just a government holiday ,where people start consuming alcohol from the dawn till the dusk. Kerala has the record of heighest sales of alcohol during onam. Breviaries department are getting high bonus during onam, Ladies and children are watching T V, Men having alcohol and streets are empty and quite like a grave yard.

Image

Nobody bothers the culture and tradition, gone are the days of songs ,dance,group and cultural activities. All are burried under the personal matters.

Image

HARSHIT
STUDENT APSDK

INHUMANE BEHAVIOUR OF REPUTED PRIVATE HOSPITALS

2010-08-08T19:52:00.000+05:30

Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Disease Hospital, Kingsway Camp is the only and one biggest infectious disease Hospital in India, which is situated near G.T.B. NAGAR, Kingsway Camp. All infectious disease patients, even from AIIMS, Sufdarjunj Hospital and other reputed Hospitals are referring their patients, suffering from diarrhea, cholera, rabbis, chicken pox diphtheria, measles etc in this Hospital.

I have noticed patients, who are staff of many reputed private hospitals of delhi. They have dumped the patients in this Hospital, even without a Helper to assist him/her. Even Ambulance has not been provided to shift the patient to the I.D. Hospital. These Hospital Authorities are not even informing the critical condition of such patients to their parents. With the mercy of ID Hospital, all such patients, referred from these reputed hospitals, are survived with the relentless efforts of the Staff & Doctors of ID Hospital, as well as their sheer luck.

MCD authorities are paying allowance of only Rs. 100 p.m. to their staff for bringing such contagious and dangerous diseases for themself, family members and the neighbors

In short, it is suggested that MCD should interact with other Hospitals of India, specially, Northern India, that before sending such critical patients in the ID hospital, they should arrange Ambulance with proper life saving equipments, so that by the time, they reach ID Hospital, it should be ensured that the patients are safe, till they come in to the ID Hospital.

GROWING ADDICTION TO T.V AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

2010-08-08T08:01:00.000+05:30

With satellite TV channels having invaded in our living rooms in a big way, children of impressionistic age are already addicted to this IDIOT BOX.

Their are harmed by the harmful radiations from the picture tube. Not only this, they like to watch TV most of the time and lose out on studies. Some programme have so much violence and vulgarity that they cannot be shown to children.

Sustained exposure to television is also associated with behavioral problems, poor social skills and poor sleep. Some people think that it should be totally banned. But, it is not a solution. On the other hand, we should not forget that TV plays a crucial role in dissemination of information. It helps in growth and development of a child.

To avoid such addiction of children towards TV, all programme not suitable for children should be blocked. Children should be counselled and should be taught the harmful effects as well as the positive things it do to them at a very small age say from the third class onwards. Sometimes going on outings, picnics, visiting museums and playing outdoor games provide better alternative

SCHOOL CHILDREN AND DIABETES

2010-07-31T13:05:00.000+05:30

Now-a-days, more children are patients of diabetes/obesity and makes children inactive.

From a survey conducted of Class-IX students, the result were shocking. 62% children preferred eating Junk food like Burger and Pizza. Children do not like to play out door games and exercises in the School. Most students like to watch T.V and play Computer Games. Also children take at least one Coke per day. Most students do not take their tiffin and eat in the School Canteen.

The above mentioned makes the children work slow and make them lazy. They become obese. This is what make Diabetes common to them and other health problems. They do not like green vegetable and get less nutrition. They are addicted to the junk food.

To get rid of this, School Management should spread awareness amongst the students about the nutritional value and effects of junk food. School canteen should stop serving junk food and coke. Parents should not allow their children to eat junk food.

From the above mentioned , i think we could control diabetes in children .

HARSHIT H

(STUDENT, ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL, DHAULA KUAN)

A GOOD LEADER

2010-07-26T16:33:00.000+05:30

Everyone think's that a good leader leads from front. But the best leader leads from behind when things are going on course. By doing this , he not only becomes a follower but also allows followers to lead during easier times, there by giving ample scope for budding leaders to emerge and take initiatives. This way he not only conserves his energy but also allows others to vent their energy. This provides full freedom for the group to take directions, which the leader could never had taken singly.

As long as the movement is going fine, the leader takes a back seat and let things go on. The leader is known for his acumen by the things he chooses to do. He conserves his energy for important tasks. He remains in the background if not necessary.

A good leader is a democratic leader. He does not come down too harshly on errants, but knows the amount of firmness and the tact required for the task. A good leader is patient to his subordinates and knows that they could have better than him.

In the end i would just say that the leaders give the best among his followers by allowing complete freedom of opinion.

HARSHIT.H
(STUDENT, ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL, DHAULA KUAN)

WOMEN ARE NOT ENCOURAGED IN SPORTS

2010-07-25T08:16:00.000+05:30

In 1896, a Greek woman called Stamata Revithi decided to run the inaugral modern day Olympic marathon in Greece. Arriving at the village of marathon, she was informed by the officials that she was not allowed to compete in the race, the next day, as the entry deadline had expired.

Today Historians agree upon the fact that the real reason for exclusion was her gender. Women were not allowed to compete in any of the events in the inaugral Olympic games.

In fact, it took nearly 100 years from the inaugral Olympic games that women could compete in an Olympic marathon, at the 1984, Los Angeles Olympic games. This kind of discrimination seems unthinkable now, but, more than 120 years after Revithi ran through the streets of Greece, women are still barred from over 40 Olympic events. In Paralympic sports the figures are worse with women unable to compete in nearly 50 percent of the events.

There is more than 50 times as much as coverage in media for men's sports than women's, with just 2 percent of articles and 1 percent of images devoted to elite female athletes and womens sport.

In the end , i would like to say that London Olympics 2012, is a unique opportunity to try and change the status quo and smash a few stereotypes so that in future there are strong female role models for girls growing up- whether on the sporting field, in the boardroom or the construction site ; Girls, like boys are encouraged to aim high and be the very best.

HARSHIT.H
(STUDENT, ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL, DHAULAKUAN)