Vinayak Mete, the alleged mastermind of attack on Kumar Ketkar’s house has been sacked from the post of NCP vice president. The delayed action against him, conspicuous silence from NCP upper echelons and the criticism of attack from few non-Maratha leaders have different theories taking rounds. The action against Mete in itself is a façade.
A popular theory first drawn immediately after attack was Mete was unhappy in the party following denial of MLC post to him. This was followed by another presumption: It was just to get publicity and shot into fame overnight. Analyzing the attack, some stated that confusion prevailing among leaders and workers because of party’s flip-flop on various issues. And now after action, a new theory has come up. It states that to attack was to contain Ketkar, who was being over critical against government’s failure in the recent past.
Well, I think, the attack has its roots in the caste-politics that rules the game. There are few things one need to look into. First, although Mete is very well a leader of the party, the attack was carried out by his little known organization called Shiv Sangram. A resemblance that was to be drawn out from the attack on Bhandarkar Institute. Sambhaji brigade, which enjoys silent and not so silent support of NCP, was responsible for the four-year-old attack. The common thread in both attacks is: Chattrapati Shivaji. This time however, there was no single word against Shivaji in Ketkar's editorial, and Mete knew it well.
Second, post attack on Ketkar, only few NCP leaders including Gurunath Kulkarni, D P Tripathi openly criticized the action. The most coveted reaction from Sharad Pawar never came. Why didn’t Pawar in clear terms criticized Mete or why not strict action has been taken against him (Mete) by party ?. Pawar, whose family is set to launch newly launched english daily, in Delhi by mid-August, won't. He will neither invite wrath from maratha communiy nor let the his family owned daily to be isolated.
R R Patil, spoke, but as a Batmidar says, it was ‘government language’.
Many remember, immediately after attack on BORI, Pawar’s first reaction was critical. However the very next day in an election rally in Pune, Pawar in unambiguous terms criticized the controversial book on Shivaji. The equations changed thereafter and party got enough ammo for general elections.
To put it into perspective, we need to couple both the incidents, plus, few recent developments. The elections are drawing closer; both NCP and Congress anticipate heavy anti-incumbency wave. The Shiv sena and recently born MNS have taken up issue of Marathi while congress enjoys non-Marathi and non-maratha vote-bank.
For the inclusion in OBC category, a demand has been made by dominant caste in the state, to which government has not said NO. The state government, possibly influenced by Gujjar effect, has also begun preliminary preparations for this. Chhagan Bhujbal’s samata parishad too is gaining momentum.
Amidst such situation NCP has one safe card to play. The same card they played in last general elections. It hopes to play the card and win over elections this time too.
Obama
Finally its all over. Obama has won the nomination. I am bit nervous. Throughout the primaries, I pitched for Mrs. Clinton.
Here, I take a recourse. My favourite henceforth will be McCain.
I know, Obama is better choice, for US. But then Hillary was best, for India. McCain is good for Indo-US, I believe.
History tells, democrats have been good to India. This time, a new history has been written. Obama while capping a rapid rise from political obscurity, made a history.
Here, I take a recourse. My favourite henceforth will be McCain.
I know, Obama is better choice, for US. But then Hillary was best, for India. McCain is good for Indo-US, I believe.
History tells, democrats have been good to India. This time, a new history has been written. Obama while capping a rapid rise from political obscurity, made a history.
ammmmmm ?.......hmmmmmm
Hmm. No post since long.
In fact there are too many subjects to write. But then there is too little to scribble here.
Writing something about the work would invite wrath from the company. Constructing poem is like clearing mathematics question paper, which I have never done. Reviewing books are okay. But then for that I need to read.
Few things are sacred to me and too personal. So no mentioning.
Scribbling inside stories from profession is the thing I am bored of doing. This job is best being done by best of bhankas, formerly, Let us Bhankas.
Narrating few embarrassing, but equally interesting, moments that my friends had to recover from is not in the interest of mine. They are after all my readers.
A friend has already advised me to shut down this blog. People like us (he too is a journalist) already harass people by forcing them read our stories. So it is in the larger interest of society that we abstain from writing further, friend sermon.
Any option left ?
In fact there are too many subjects to write. But then there is too little to scribble here.
Writing something about the work would invite wrath from the company. Constructing poem is like clearing mathematics question paper, which I have never done. Reviewing books are okay. But then for that I need to read.
Few things are sacred to me and too personal. So no mentioning.
Scribbling inside stories from profession is the thing I am bored of doing. This job is best being done by best of bhankas, formerly, Let us Bhankas.
Narrating few embarrassing, but equally interesting, moments that my friends had to recover from is not in the interest of mine. They are after all my readers.
A friend has already advised me to shut down this blog. People like us (he too is a journalist) already harass people by forcing them read our stories. So it is in the larger interest of society that we abstain from writing further, friend sermon.
Any option left ?
from Karnataka
9:30 pm. I am on beach, near Karwar. The muggy air has taken me into its grip. My last night in Karnataka. It has never happened in the past. Probably for the first time, I am getting pangs. Pangs of homesickness.
It’s been hectic. 200 kilometers daily traveling, churning out stories, understanding ( pretending to have understood) caste equations, putting them into perspective.
The data card isn’t working. I gather there are some issues over the bill payement. So roaming service has been blocked.
Keying the stories on laptop and sending it from cyber cafes. Most of the hotels in cities are preoccupied by leaders and their partymen. Difficulties in finding shelter.
Different experience. But I don’t regret covering this election. In fact I have learnt not to mind.
It’s been hectic. 200 kilometers daily traveling, churning out stories, understanding ( pretending to have understood) caste equations, putting them into perspective.
The data card isn’t working. I gather there are some issues over the bill payement. So roaming service has been blocked.
Keying the stories on laptop and sending it from cyber cafes. Most of the hotels in cities are preoccupied by leaders and their partymen. Difficulties in finding shelter.
Different experience. But I don’t regret covering this election. In fact I have learnt not to mind.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE: “Growing Indian and Chinese appetite is contributing to the global food crisis".
What she meant: It is in the interest of United States if India retains its poverty and hunger tag intact.
What she didn’t: More and more poor people getting food, poverty diminishing and we are happy over it.
SITARAM YECHURY: "Rice’s remarks are atrocious…. It appears that the US would be more comfortable with higher level of hunger in developing countries”.
What he meant: Hunger and poverty are the issues of our monopoly. We have not just been talking on it, but helping people to retain that status.
What he didn’t: Bengalis have stopped eating fish. In stead they are switching over to chapattis.
MONTEK SINGH ALHUWALIA: "I don't agree there is a global food crisis because of India and China. There is an increase in food production too in both the countries."
What he meant: After 50 years of congress and five years of NDA regime, poor in India have finally got a chance to taste food. But it’s internal matter of our country and whether of not we feed Indians, it’s not US’s business.
What he didn’t: After sixty years of freedom, we have been getting food. Please don’t spoil our meal.
Are you also a victim of this ?
It’s annoying. My morning gets screwed up when I see the above ad in local newspapers.
There is nothing wrong with the advertise per se. It's certain contents that are thoroughly objectionable. It talks about levonorgestrel pills.
The strap in the ad read, “Kaal ratri Hyanchya kadun chuk ghadali…Pan mala pregnant vhayachi ichha nahi (last night, he made a mistake…But I am not willing to go for pregnancy).”
What...? “he made a mistake”.?...and what were you doing that time ?
There is nothing wrong with the advertise per se. It's certain contents that are thoroughly objectionable. It talks about levonorgestrel pills.
The strap in the ad read, “Kaal ratri Hyanchya kadun chuk ghadali…Pan mala pregnant vhayachi ichha nahi (last night, he made a mistake…But I am not willing to go for pregnancy).”
What...? “he made a mistake”.?...and what were you doing that time ?
It seems the lusty babe in the ad have enjoyed the act - her eyes shows it- yet she is outright putting the blame on her husband.
My colleague is right when he say, "everybody want pleasure, but nobody takes the suffering".
Indian Premier League
The success of Indian Premier League (IPL) is locked in bigger debate. Some old cricket lovers say, the game is loosing its shine while the new breed says it’s the new form of game meant for new generation.
I believe, the game is heading towards its true democratization. After we had a very successful 20-20 world cup, the ICL and now IPL has opened gates for younger players. Many of the young talents who have not been able to play any A-class game are proving their mettle in matches being played by top international players.
And as the BCCI selectors have already put it; may not be at initial stage but definitely at later stage, they will have to consider young guns for international cricket.
For rural Indians, who were till now by and large restricted to playing the game in their farms, it’s a new ray of hope. A hope that will turn their dream of playing for country into a reality as the game reaches to roots.
Britishers first gave us the game. Then they rendered democracy. The Indians blended both with our own style and made a new product that will now rule the world.
I believe, the game is heading towards its true democratization. After we had a very successful 20-20 world cup, the ICL and now IPL has opened gates for younger players. Many of the young talents who have not been able to play any A-class game are proving their mettle in matches being played by top international players.
And as the BCCI selectors have already put it; may not be at initial stage but definitely at later stage, they will have to consider young guns for international cricket.
For rural Indians, who were till now by and large restricted to playing the game in their farms, it’s a new ray of hope. A hope that will turn their dream of playing for country into a reality as the game reaches to roots.
Britishers first gave us the game. Then they rendered democracy. The Indians blended both with our own style and made a new product that will now rule the world.
Its up...up...up
Inflation has surged to over three-year high of 7.41 % mark.
Surging prices has never been a cause of worry for me, till recently. At home, either mother or sister-in-law take care of food. But now I have started taking it seriously.
No, not because prices of pulses and edible oil have touched its record high. It's because few bars in Mumbai have stopped serving snacks on complementary basis along with liquor. A colleague of mine has reported this story (I’m not able to get the link) this week in HT. The increased prices, the story read, have forced the bar owners to stop serving snacks free of cost. It has never happened in the past.
I fear the wave of 'chakana on paid basis' would soon hit the restaurants in Pune too.
Surging prices has never been a cause of worry for me, till recently. At home, either mother or sister-in-law take care of food. But now I have started taking it seriously.
No, not because prices of pulses and edible oil have touched its record high. It's because few bars in Mumbai have stopped serving snacks on complementary basis along with liquor. A colleague of mine has reported this story (I’m not able to get the link) this week in HT. The increased prices, the story read, have forced the bar owners to stop serving snacks free of cost. It has never happened in the past.
I fear the wave of 'chakana on paid basis' would soon hit the restaurants in Pune too.
money lenders
I’m reacting little late, but then, I thought experts would have their opinion first on this potentially important and a never-ending issue.
When broadly no one, not a single edit barring the superb quick-edit in mint and a report by Reuters (again, that appeared in mint only) put his mouth in this issue, I thought its time to set the ball rolling at my own way. My apologies in advance if I have missed out any more article on the issue.
The issue is about moneylenders. After the Rs 60,000 crore farm loan waiver announcement, state politicians including Sharad Pawar, R R Patil and Uddhav Thakeray realized that the it's not going to help Vidarbha farmers much. So they began barking against the moneylenders. These politicians then threatened private money-lenders of possible attacks from their party cadre. They also appealed farmers to stop re-paying their dues without worrying the consequences.
Minutes back in another post I tried to recount a grouse expressed by a senior government official while I was doing a story on farmers suicide crop reaching to prosperous western maharashtra. The officer told me that loan taken from the bank by farmer is not even half than the one come from private money lender.
Of course anyone who wants money for his personal needs will find money lender a viable option than bank. Because latter require all the documents and formalities which farmers often can't fulfill while former only see collateral. Villagers do offer either gold or land as collateral to borrow money.
Another thing is in rural parts people require more money to meet their personal expenses like managing houses, marriages and maintaining their addictions, than taking out crop. And to pamper all such needs only money lender can come to the rescue. Farmers and villagers too don’t mind it.
So, I think in any rural village of India, people must be finding money lenders more close to them than bank official who go by rules.
Doesn’t it indicate that money lenders are an integral part of Indian rural economy and can't be separated till government improves the whole system?. The system where rural Indian doesn’t find need to go out demanding money. The system where he can meet all his expenses on his own and rely little on financial institution.
I think one can even try and think option like grameen bank .
So far as politicians like Pawar, Vilasrao or Thakeray goes, I don’t think they have guts to beat money lenders. Because their party in rural parts are mostly run on the money coming from these private finance providers. Also many a times politicians themselves play money lender.
In such case who will beat whom ?.
farmers suicides
I'm currently touring Vidarbha region and at the moment in Amravati, keying this post.
Much to my surprise, newspapers here have stopped playing farmers suicide stories on page-1, which earlier used to be flooded with such things. The centre in its unprecedented move has announced a farm package of Rs 60,000 crore, but the (farmers) suicides haven’t stopped. They won’t. Farmers from this region of dry land are least to gain from the present state of package since its provisions prove adverse for them from getting benefit.
I think it was all well thought. First to announce the package. The package, that will go in favour of certain people only. Then let the non-beneficiaries lament. Then people like Sharad Pawar, Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul would reassure those who are left out. And finally Mr. P Chidambaram will come up with the altered package.
It’s just a usual ploy. First to create a situation wherein people will be forced to die. Then offer them little and ensure that issue doesn’t get resolved. And when finally the people will actually start dying, offer them little more. Common man will finally come under the influence and say, wow, this government is really great !.
Anyway, I'm writing this post to make a different point altogether.
What I was saying was suicides stories in the local media have been replaced by the small protests over load shedding. Ofcourse load shedding is big issue in rural Maharashtra, but then is it even bigger than human casualty ?.
So, have we as common man lost our sensitivity or media here no longer find the issue news worthy?.
I asked couple of my journalist friends from Nagpur. Their reply was shocking. Initially I thought its the comman man of Vidarbha, who has stopped paying much attention to such issues. I can understand. People do get bored after some time - the same we have witnessed about terrorist daily taking toll of kasmiries. Of late I doubt besides security agencies, does anyone really read those news carefully.
But no, in suicide issue, I was wrong. If the government data is to be believed, of late, the money going out from government treasury as an instant compensation for suicide-hit family has thinned despite the fact that cases keep coming more or less with the same rate.
Then I had my friends telling me that it has become a trend to commit suicide and demand compensation. When I did a story on the same issue in western maharashtra some two months back, government official there too told me the same thing. "Why should government compensate if he - doesn't matter even if he is a farmer - commit suicide for reasons like addiction of wine and woman or gambling"?, an IAS officer incharge of one of the district in western maharashtra, asked.
And today it's mohammed wajihuddin, who in his article appeared in Sunday TOI has pointed out the same thing.
So, few minutes back when a friend of mine based in US asked me that how much is the level of substance in TOI story, I have two answers.
Either the people reporting or reading the issue have lost their sensitivity or perhaps those who are in crisis, themselves have lost sensitivity to the real problem and trying to take the advantage of the situation forced upon them.
Never befriend politicos
Ha! This is quite a hilarious.
Normally what comes is the reversal of this when politicians or bureaucrats often get hooked for their off-the-record comments with journalists. In this case it was ulta.
Part of the story:
Barely six months after well-known TV journalist Punya Prasoon Bajpai was brought in with much fanfare to head Sahara News’ national Hindi news channel Samay, Bajpai and his entire editorial team made a controversial exit on March 1, 2008.
…The trouble for Bajpai and company began soon after the controversial programme on the Railway Budget, which was telecast on the night of February 27, 2008. The programme was conducted at the Railway Museum in Delhi with the Railway Minister and an invited audience. According to Bajpai, after the programme was over and the Minister was leaving, he casually asked him (Bajpai) “Tum Sahara mein kahe aa gaye? (Why did you come to Sahara)”. Bajpai replied, “Channel sudharne ke liye. (To improve the channel)”, to which Yadav retorted, “Yeh kabhi sudharne wala hai kya? (Will it ever improve)”.
What really bugged the Sahara management was that this unpalatable bit of conversation went on air even if the programme was not aired live. Not just that, it was carried the next day in a repeat telecast. Obviously someone forgot to edit out that conversation
Normally what comes is the reversal of this when politicians or bureaucrats often get hooked for their off-the-record comments with journalists. In this case it was ulta.
Part of the story:
Barely six months after well-known TV journalist Punya Prasoon Bajpai was brought in with much fanfare to head Sahara News’ national Hindi news channel Samay, Bajpai and his entire editorial team made a controversial exit on March 1, 2008.
…The trouble for Bajpai and company began soon after the controversial programme on the Railway Budget, which was telecast on the night of February 27, 2008. The programme was conducted at the Railway Museum in Delhi with the Railway Minister and an invited audience. According to Bajpai, after the programme was over and the Minister was leaving, he casually asked him (Bajpai) “Tum Sahara mein kahe aa gaye? (Why did you come to Sahara)”. Bajpai replied, “Channel sudharne ke liye. (To improve the channel)”, to which Yadav retorted, “Yeh kabhi sudharne wala hai kya? (Will it ever improve)”.
What really bugged the Sahara management was that this unpalatable bit of conversation went on air even if the programme was not aired live. Not just that, it was carried the next day in a repeat telecast. Obviously someone forgot to edit out that conversation
Emergence of a new political star ?
An SMS sent by a friend pinged into my cell last evening. It read, “Media needed to be thanked for the exaggerations about a campaign against Raj Thackeray. This will surely help Marathi manoos to enhance his image and check migration of north-Indians”.
Well I don’t quite agree with the latter part of the message, nevertheless it has amused me despite that I have no bias against Raj or his opponents. Just a game of a week and the big time media hype full of hate campaign has boosted small time Raj’s image into a political stardom- a similar stature that was previously enjoyed by Bal Thackeray and now by Narendra Modi- to gain political space.
Indeed, Raj’s rhetoric against ‘outsiders’ may have blacklisted him among intelligentsia and non-marathis, it has surely helped him get sympathy from Maharashtrian. For Raj, this sympathy wave may not be easy to turn into votes; but, a mass recognition, which he has got, isn’t less to be reckoned. This is especially true when the leader was struggling hard for issues to hit the headlines and find his own space. It is a different matter that marathis will be least benefited out of the whole.
An ideal WTF!!!
Isnt this picture a real What the F***!!! ?
Pic. was taken from the television set where a flash about Amitabh Bachhan's health was going on last week when the actor fell sick during his Jaipur visit.
I prey to god for Bachhan's heath. This would, hopefully, escape us from such ludicrous coverage, we have just coped with.
Marathi Sammelan and politics
Today, western Maharashtra had two major events. Both were related to language, literarute, culture and its growth. Both however ended up on controversial note. While first one- Marathi Sahitya Sammelan- in Sangli, was rocked by a controversy about politicians overshadowing literary members, another- Marathi Natya Sammelan- in Solapur, was touched by an untoward incident like lathi-charge.
President (Jai Maharashtra) Pratibha Patil’s presence at both places was also a bone of contention for many. At natya sammelan, Sushilkumar Shinde turned the event into a show of strength. Never before in the sammelan’s history, the venue saw almost fifty thousand people, mostly congress workers. And while bringing discipline to the crowd at the venue, police resorted to mild lathi-charge.
At other place Arun Sadhu, outgoing sahitya sammelan president, vent his pent up ire against politicians and their growing presence at such events. He even refrained from attending the sammelan, breaking 80 years’ tradition. Sadhu is very shrewd (after all he is originally a journalist). A thought of boycotting the event did not even touch his mind last year despite politicians’ presence on dais. Little wonder, Sadhu himself was president of the sammelan last time.
Another interesting development: S M Krisha was absent at both places despite the protocol’s clear demand that state governor should accompany president of India. I think Krishna had something different in mind.
President (Jai Maharashtra) Pratibha Patil’s presence at both places was also a bone of contention for many. At natya sammelan, Sushilkumar Shinde turned the event into a show of strength. Never before in the sammelan’s history, the venue saw almost fifty thousand people, mostly congress workers. And while bringing discipline to the crowd at the venue, police resorted to mild lathi-charge.
At other place Arun Sadhu, outgoing sahitya sammelan president, vent his pent up ire against politicians and their growing presence at such events. He even refrained from attending the sammelan, breaking 80 years’ tradition. Sadhu is very shrewd (after all he is originally a journalist). A thought of boycotting the event did not even touch his mind last year despite politicians’ presence on dais. Little wonder, Sadhu himself was president of the sammelan last time.
Another interesting development: S M Krisha was absent at both places despite the protocol’s clear demand that state governor should accompany president of India. I think Krishna had something different in mind.
The sammelan, as expected, discussed the border row over Belguam and Maharashtras role. Krishna, a lawyer turned politician from Karnataka probably must have seen himself in an uncomfortable situation had he been present at the venue. The poor fellow might have to hear all against his state while sitting on the dais.
crisis at neighbour's door
When Islamic terrorism began expanding its roots in India during 90s’, I used to wonder one thing. Why don’t Hindus produce such extremists and send them to Pakistan.
The answer though was very much clear, it only endorsed my first thought today after Benazir Bhutto fell prey to fanaticism in her continuous opposition to it.
-------------------
May her soul rest in peace. Also, the brave lady's sacrifice should bring more power to the war against terrorism.
The answer though was very much clear, it only endorsed my first thought today after Benazir Bhutto fell prey to fanaticism in her continuous opposition to it.
-------------------
May her soul rest in peace. Also, the brave lady's sacrifice should bring more power to the war against terrorism.
Newspaper readers; Hypocrites?
What if readers starts going in consumer court if they find their newspaper not worth a quality they are paying for.?
Well, a reader won’t go to the consumer court because there are likely chances of him to be on losing verge if his case gets heard.
And why will reader loose?…because he is getting more than what he is paying for.
Actually readers are, to my understanding, least sensitive about the price and quality of the newspaper. They will anyway fret for the content appeared in the newspapers, but end up reading the same.
To put it into perspective…Vinod Mehta, editor-in-chief, Outlook, sum it up... (rightly or wrongly that again readers will decide)
The reader is a paradox. He frequently complains about negative news being constantly reported. But for all his clamouring for positive news, surveys show that people are more interested in negative news, sensational news, news about crime, violence and corruption. The reader, ladies and gentlemen, is not king; actually he is a nice hypocrite.
Full text of Mehta’s speech is here.
Well, a reader won’t go to the consumer court because there are likely chances of him to be on losing verge if his case gets heard.
And why will reader loose?…because he is getting more than what he is paying for.
Actually readers are, to my understanding, least sensitive about the price and quality of the newspaper. They will anyway fret for the content appeared in the newspapers, but end up reading the same.
To put it into perspective…Vinod Mehta, editor-in-chief, Outlook, sum it up... (rightly or wrongly that again readers will decide)
The reader is a paradox. He frequently complains about negative news being constantly reported. But for all his clamouring for positive news, surveys show that people are more interested in negative news, sensational news, news about crime, violence and corruption. The reader, ladies and gentlemen, is not king; actually he is a nice hypocrite.
Full text of Mehta’s speech is here.
Anbumani Ramadoss
I don’t blame Anbumani Ramadoss, country’s health minister. To have a grouse against media especially after being criticized constantly is acceptable.
But to take support of ‘caste’ and to attempt to encash it is something unacceptable.
I am talking about Ramadoss’s remarks, “Delhi media is biased against me because I belongs to most backward class”.
My only question to Ramadoss is, Will he stand firm with same charges against judges and courts also, which has gone against him on various issues pertaining to AIIMS during the past few days?.
But to take support of ‘caste’ and to attempt to encash it is something unacceptable.
I am talking about Ramadoss’s remarks, “Delhi media is biased against me because I belongs to most backward class”.
My only question to Ramadoss is, Will he stand firm with same charges against judges and courts also, which has gone against him on various issues pertaining to AIIMS during the past few days?.
Court affair
Don’t cross the Laxmanresha. This was sort of a message given to judiciary in the country by a two-member bench of the apex court, this week. Repercussions then began to hover immediately when the very next day, various courts refused to admit or hear the PILs. Circle was finally completed after SC itself intervened and chief justice K G Balkrishnan along with other two justice clarified that “SC’s earlier remarks are not binding upon…. the decision to dismiss a PIL depends on the issues involved”.
OPENION: To ask various courts in the country to maintain self-restraint while usurping into legislative and executive’s territory is understandable. It is one way out to refrain courts from judicial activism and overreach.
But to suggest that addressing PILs on social issues amounts to judicial overreach would mean shutting down the door which remains a last hope for justice to a common man in case of democracy’s other two organs fail to perform.
The Indian Express in its editorial on Dec. 12 states in the last paragraph, that:
Former Supreme Court chief justice J.S. Verma had, in April this year, given depth to this choice with a question: “Judiciary having no machinery for implementations of the orders, what happens in the event of refusal of the executive to cooperate?” In other words, what happens in the event of a rebuff? The higher judiciary in India, as in any other democracy, is the ultimate custodian of the rule of law. It fulfils this role on the strength, above all else, of its moral position. That strength is maintained primarily by keeping the judiciary above the prospect of a rebuff. Mathur and Katju have begun a debate on how to protect the independence of the judiciary (by asking courts to maintain self restrain).
I understand, Judiciary’s job is to implement the law, not to enact it. It is a respect shown to democratic process in which highest powers lie with legislative. But to stick for only implementation of old laws would mean letting the two already overactive organs of the state to either go wild or sit idle.
As we have seen in the case of Tamil Nadu; the state overruling the judiciary had crossed the reservation cap of 50 per cent as defined by SC to take it to 69 per cent.
Finally the apex court at the beginning of this year ruled that any law placed under the Constitution's Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973, providing immunity from legal challenges are subject to scrutiny of courts if they violate fundamental rights.
Court that time also rejected the government's claim that certain laws, even if they infringed the fundamental rights of citizens, cannot be subjected to judicial review, if the legislations were placed under the Ninth Schedule.
So isn’t the above case was a classic example of overreach or over-activism on the part of legislature, first, and to control that, judiciary had to intervened through its own activism.
Here some experts including Loksabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee sounded a note of caution saying judiciary’s confrontation with legislative is harmful for the country. I agree with this.
But then what is the way out of all ?.
I think its better to face judicial activism, that to me is unbiased, than the over action from legislative’ or executive, which is often politically motivated.
Between you and me.
UPDATES: The initial doubts over which way courts should go have been put to rest. SC on Friday clarified that it would lay down guidelines on entertaining PILs.
I hope this will end the confrontation between judiciary and other two branches of the government.
OPENION: To ask various courts in the country to maintain self-restraint while usurping into legislative and executive’s territory is understandable. It is one way out to refrain courts from judicial activism and overreach.
But to suggest that addressing PILs on social issues amounts to judicial overreach would mean shutting down the door which remains a last hope for justice to a common man in case of democracy’s other two organs fail to perform.
The Indian Express in its editorial on Dec. 12 states in the last paragraph, that:
Former Supreme Court chief justice J.S. Verma had, in April this year, given depth to this choice with a question: “Judiciary having no machinery for implementations of the orders, what happens in the event of refusal of the executive to cooperate?” In other words, what happens in the event of a rebuff? The higher judiciary in India, as in any other democracy, is the ultimate custodian of the rule of law. It fulfils this role on the strength, above all else, of its moral position. That strength is maintained primarily by keeping the judiciary above the prospect of a rebuff. Mathur and Katju have begun a debate on how to protect the independence of the judiciary (by asking courts to maintain self restrain).
I understand, Judiciary’s job is to implement the law, not to enact it. It is a respect shown to democratic process in which highest powers lie with legislative. But to stick for only implementation of old laws would mean letting the two already overactive organs of the state to either go wild or sit idle.
As we have seen in the case of Tamil Nadu; the state overruling the judiciary had crossed the reservation cap of 50 per cent as defined by SC to take it to 69 per cent.
Finally the apex court at the beginning of this year ruled that any law placed under the Constitution's Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973, providing immunity from legal challenges are subject to scrutiny of courts if they violate fundamental rights.
Court that time also rejected the government's claim that certain laws, even if they infringed the fundamental rights of citizens, cannot be subjected to judicial review, if the legislations were placed under the Ninth Schedule.
So isn’t the above case was a classic example of overreach or over-activism on the part of legislature, first, and to control that, judiciary had to intervened through its own activism.
Here some experts including Loksabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee sounded a note of caution saying judiciary’s confrontation with legislative is harmful for the country. I agree with this.
But then what is the way out of all ?.
I think its better to face judicial activism, that to me is unbiased, than the over action from legislative’ or executive, which is often politically motivated.
Between you and me.
UPDATES: The initial doubts over which way courts should go have been put to rest. SC on Friday clarified that it would lay down guidelines on entertaining PILs.
I hope this will end the confrontation between judiciary and other two branches of the government.
Playing a morality card
Mumbai’s first moral cop, senior Sena leader and a veteran journalist Pramod Navalkar died Yesterday. His death brought another controversy, interestingly, about another morality issue.
According to a story appeared in today’s Loksatta, even the Sena veteran’s death did not prevent legislatures from going to a late night party in Nagpur where assembly session is currently going on. (Well, conducting a session at Nagpur in winter is meant for partying)
And as per Loksatta reporter’s description, the Sena MLA from Akola Gulabrao Gawande was spotted sharing some old Hindi songs with his colleague in the party. Gawande was reported to have sung “sukh me sab sathi, Dukh me na koi”. Many in the government including some of the senior ministers also attended this, not clear if it was a cocktail, party.
Written on a pious note, a reporter from Loksatta (story is without byline) has given point-by-point account of the party as if he was physically present there. The story also criticized politicians saying despite the demise of senior Sena leader and ex-minister; politicians did not let party down. My Journo friend from Nagpur today told me that there were other few journos present at the party venue.
Now the issue is, this reporter (and other some reporters) did not forget to criticize the politicians but failed to remember that Navalkar was a Journalist too. So wasn’t it duty of journos present there to stay away from the party if morally it was wrong?.
Here, perhaps they played Navalkar.
According to Sujata Anandan, HT political editor, Navalkar himself was ‘rasik’ (fond of good life). His likes include Wine and Woman. And despite all this, the sena veteran always used to play morality card when it came to culture and tradition.
What say...?
According to a story appeared in today’s Loksatta, even the Sena veteran’s death did not prevent legislatures from going to a late night party in Nagpur where assembly session is currently going on. (Well, conducting a session at Nagpur in winter is meant for partying)
And as per Loksatta reporter’s description, the Sena MLA from Akola Gulabrao Gawande was spotted sharing some old Hindi songs with his colleague in the party. Gawande was reported to have sung “sukh me sab sathi, Dukh me na koi”. Many in the government including some of the senior ministers also attended this, not clear if it was a cocktail, party.
Written on a pious note, a reporter from Loksatta (story is without byline) has given point-by-point account of the party as if he was physically present there. The story also criticized politicians saying despite the demise of senior Sena leader and ex-minister; politicians did not let party down. My Journo friend from Nagpur today told me that there were other few journos present at the party venue.
Now the issue is, this reporter (and other some reporters) did not forget to criticize the politicians but failed to remember that Navalkar was a Journalist too. So wasn’t it duty of journos present there to stay away from the party if morally it was wrong?.
Here, perhaps they played Navalkar.
According to Sujata Anandan, HT political editor, Navalkar himself was ‘rasik’ (fond of good life). His likes include Wine and Woman. And despite all this, the sena veteran always used to play morality card when it came to culture and tradition.
What say...?
Hats off to Prof. Yunus
This morning was simply incredible. In fact last evening too was good for me. It was rare to have an interaction with person like Nobel laureate from Bangladesh Muhammad Yusuf. To know his work and the results that it has borne were all fascinating. On his two-day-long tour to the city, Yunus made many his fans.
Prof. Yunus in all his humbleness described how he managed to bring down Desh’s poverty by 2 % every year. Denied of loan from Central Bank of Bangladesh, this man formed his own Grameen Bank. The motive was to help poor people or rather woman. And the help was by way of micro-finance, which includes lending money and helping that female borrower to start her business so that she would stand on her feet.
And as the work began to unfurl, Grameen bank set some standards. The poorer the person is, more deserving h/she will be for a loan. Also, there won’t be collateral, guarantor or even signing of papers to borrow money.
This was, as professor told us a bunch of reporters, right reverse to the conventional bank. Indeed conventional bank’s first task is to check the financial condition of borrower. And even if you are sound enough to repay the loan, they will make you sign hundreds of papers and ask for guarantor.
But Yunus didn’t ’t just stop here. His bank then began lending money to beggars. And soon one lakh beggars took benefit for this. Today, as Prof. Yunus went on to say, ten thousand beggars have completely abstained begging. Rest ninety thousand have taken begging as part time job with remaining time they utilize in doing small-time business. Another interesting thing in the Grameen Bank’s working system is, it has never waived off any loan. Contrary, if a person has been unable to repay money, Grameen Bank will further give him/her money so that he/she can start her business afresh.
(When I asked Prof. Yunus if loan waiver can be a measure to arrest farmers’ suicides in Vidarbha, his reply, though not India specific, was it can just be a quick fix but not a permanent solution.)
Here while Yunus was recalling his journey towards eliminating poverty, a thought came in my and I am sure everybody’s mind. What must could have been a driving force between Grameen bank, which borrow money without any legalities and poor people of Bangladesh repay it without any reluctance.
As Prof. Yunus proceed, we came to know the fundamentals on which Grameen bank and its customers do business is Trust.
And the driving force behind building that trust is a subtle fear in the mind of people who feel if they don’t repay the money it would be a breach of trust. And then, their ‘Allah’ will not forgive them for such breach of trust.
As the interaction ended, a friend of mine whispered, why doesn't this fellow take on a global task and join institution like World Bank for the welfare of the world. The answer that came was if he joins World Bank, poor would become poorer.
The punch between-the-lines is “World Bank works for rich people and reach countries”.
Prof. Yunus in all his humbleness described how he managed to bring down Desh’s poverty by 2 % every year. Denied of loan from Central Bank of Bangladesh, this man formed his own Grameen Bank. The motive was to help poor people or rather woman. And the help was by way of micro-finance, which includes lending money and helping that female borrower to start her business so that she would stand on her feet.
And as the work began to unfurl, Grameen bank set some standards. The poorer the person is, more deserving h/she will be for a loan. Also, there won’t be collateral, guarantor or even signing of papers to borrow money.
This was, as professor told us a bunch of reporters, right reverse to the conventional bank. Indeed conventional bank’s first task is to check the financial condition of borrower. And even if you are sound enough to repay the loan, they will make you sign hundreds of papers and ask for guarantor.
But Yunus didn’t ’t just stop here. His bank then began lending money to beggars. And soon one lakh beggars took benefit for this. Today, as Prof. Yunus went on to say, ten thousand beggars have completely abstained begging. Rest ninety thousand have taken begging as part time job with remaining time they utilize in doing small-time business. Another interesting thing in the Grameen Bank’s working system is, it has never waived off any loan. Contrary, if a person has been unable to repay money, Grameen Bank will further give him/her money so that he/she can start her business afresh.
(When I asked Prof. Yunus if loan waiver can be a measure to arrest farmers’ suicides in Vidarbha, his reply, though not India specific, was it can just be a quick fix but not a permanent solution.)
Here while Yunus was recalling his journey towards eliminating poverty, a thought came in my and I am sure everybody’s mind. What must could have been a driving force between Grameen bank, which borrow money without any legalities and poor people of Bangladesh repay it without any reluctance.
As Prof. Yunus proceed, we came to know the fundamentals on which Grameen bank and its customers do business is Trust.
And the driving force behind building that trust is a subtle fear in the mind of people who feel if they don’t repay the money it would be a breach of trust. And then, their ‘Allah’ will not forgive them for such breach of trust.
As the interaction ended, a friend of mine whispered, why doesn't this fellow take on a global task and join institution like World Bank for the welfare of the world. The answer that came was if he joins World Bank, poor would become poorer.
The punch between-the-lines is “World Bank works for rich people and reach countries”.
Not so decent
Gagged after an emergency was clamped, Pakistani media seems to have even forgot to react on the offensive and atrocious remarks used against their own President by a British Daily. The remarks that appeared against Mushrraf in Daily Telegraph’s editorial were totally against the values of journalism.
Mushrraf was twice referred "sonofabitch" (read son-of-a-bitch) or get other dictionary meanings as “scoundrel” or “bastard”. The issue led to ouster of three reporters of Daily Telegraph working in Pakistan. It was actually a result of Pakistan establishment’s strong measures after it failed to get apology from the paper. The UK newspaper, to my knowledge, hasn’t so far reacted on the issue despite Minister for Press at Pakistan High Commission in London Imran Gardezi sending strong protest note to the paper.
And one can’t expect so, so easily. In fact when Briton’s very own PM Tony Blair was referred as “Bush’s poodle” by section of international press, there was no reaction either from Blair himself or any other minister or british daily. So when Briton calls herself true democratic and talks of freedom of expression, so does its press.
Also when it was anticipated that Pak media would strongly react to it, the reactions instead came from the press of arch-rival India while the nighboring press, to the best of my knowledge, maintained mum. HT in its third edit today termed the remarks as “unparliamentary”. HT in fact masked the referrals to maintain one's dignity. Of course I can not do it here in my blog as it would mean further taxing readers to refer links.
I just want to bring out the details and force us everybody to think again that who is truly parliamentary and democratic.
Mushrraf was twice referred "sonofabitch" (read son-of-a-bitch) or get other dictionary meanings as “scoundrel” or “bastard”. The issue led to ouster of three reporters of Daily Telegraph working in Pakistan. It was actually a result of Pakistan establishment’s strong measures after it failed to get apology from the paper. The UK newspaper, to my knowledge, hasn’t so far reacted on the issue despite Minister for Press at Pakistan High Commission in London Imran Gardezi sending strong protest note to the paper.
And one can’t expect so, so easily. In fact when Briton’s very own PM Tony Blair was referred as “Bush’s poodle” by section of international press, there was no reaction either from Blair himself or any other minister or british daily. So when Briton calls herself true democratic and talks of freedom of expression, so does its press.
Also when it was anticipated that Pak media would strongly react to it, the reactions instead came from the press of arch-rival India while the nighboring press, to the best of my knowledge, maintained mum. HT in its third edit today termed the remarks as “unparliamentary”. HT in fact masked the referrals to maintain one's dignity. Of course I can not do it here in my blog as it would mean further taxing readers to refer links.
I just want to bring out the details and force us everybody to think again that who is truly parliamentary and democratic.
A candid explanation
Statistics hides more than what it reveals…. An old saying came like a preaching for me after I came out from the cabin of additional DG rank police officer, a few days ago. Before stepping out, we discussed the recent Maharashtra crime report. The report had no major change over cases pertaining to Immoral Trafficking (prevention) Act (popularly known as PITA). It suggested slight joggling in numbers of PITA for last few years with around 100 points increase this year.
During my stay in the cabin, I opened this subject to know officer's reaction. I was trying to link those figures with the post dance bar ban scenario. As per my naïve understanding, a ban would have brought rise in the prostitution cases and subsequently in the registration of PITA cases. In absence of any other more effective law to control prostitution, police applies PITA to nab prostitutes, panders or pimps.
Exulted over discovering a very good story angle, I hastily asked the officer, “Sir, your minister would be happy to see no change in PITA cases”. While saying this I was pointing out the heavy criticism poor R R Patil had to undergo through when ban was imposed on all the dance bars in the state. Patil was criticized scathingly from certain quarters that were said to be worried about ‘a ban would invite rise in prostitution’.
The officer; folded hands, smile on face, took couple of second to came back to me. Though ostensibly reluctant, he then told me how statistics sometime butchers the ground level situation. “The action taken in cases like PITA is a preventive one”. (Of course one can’t expect cops to arrest prostitutes after they finish the game with their customers ;) )
The officer the went on to say “Look, when the dance bars were in existence, the record showed around 200-230 cases every year. Now after the ban the number isn’t changed”. He then smiled….and then kept quite.
His mum was a pointer towards an inefficient police force, lack in action curbing prostitution. Otherwise, in this state, how can there be only 200-230 cases every year when prostitution is a rampant activity.
Before leaving his cabin, I was left with nothing but to say, “statistic hides more than what it reveals”.
During my stay in the cabin, I opened this subject to know officer's reaction. I was trying to link those figures with the post dance bar ban scenario. As per my naïve understanding, a ban would have brought rise in the prostitution cases and subsequently in the registration of PITA cases. In absence of any other more effective law to control prostitution, police applies PITA to nab prostitutes, panders or pimps.
Exulted over discovering a very good story angle, I hastily asked the officer, “Sir, your minister would be happy to see no change in PITA cases”. While saying this I was pointing out the heavy criticism poor R R Patil had to undergo through when ban was imposed on all the dance bars in the state. Patil was criticized scathingly from certain quarters that were said to be worried about ‘a ban would invite rise in prostitution’.
The officer; folded hands, smile on face, took couple of second to came back to me. Though ostensibly reluctant, he then told me how statistics sometime butchers the ground level situation. “The action taken in cases like PITA is a preventive one”. (Of course one can’t expect cops to arrest prostitutes after they finish the game with their customers ;) )
The officer the went on to say “Look, when the dance bars were in existence, the record showed around 200-230 cases every year. Now after the ban the number isn’t changed”. He then smiled….and then kept quite.
His mum was a pointer towards an inefficient police force, lack in action curbing prostitution. Otherwise, in this state, how can there be only 200-230 cases every year when prostitution is a rampant activity.
Before leaving his cabin, I was left with nothing but to say, “statistic hides more than what it reveals”.
Its all about ads
It was getting same like Twenty-20. Misbah was full in form. 39 runs in 21 balls was Pakistan’s requirement. And then the adventurous Misbah played that same old misadventures’ shot. Though this time there wasn’t a Mallu Sreesanth to catch the ball, a flick by Misbah again proved suicidal and the ball after touching bat wrecked right through the stumps.
The following batsman played indeed well and India lost the match taking the country into mourning right before Diwali morning.
I was not moved much by the results. What actually caught me irritating throughout the match was heavy doses of advertisements that were continuously bombarded on Doordarshan while the game was on.
After almost every couple of delivery, an ad came pomping. For a moment I thought I was watching an ad-game and not cricket. As per the new system the ads bang right in the one third area of screen while a quarter space holds the game. The avaricious Doordarshan, despite being a government channel, looks like it has sold off itself to advertisers.
It was ludicrous to see a Fevicol ad being Flashed out on screen. It was last minute of the game and Pak needed 1 run in 4 balls with 4 wickets in hand. The killer Afridi hit out the delivery towards boundary and an ad pomped up “chhodana nahi India”(India, Dont leave).
Huh! There was nothing to hold and this Fevicol fellow was still saying "Chhodana nahi India"
The continuous ad-popping forced me to think how will the future matches be on DD.
I fear the unwritten code of showing ads only between the gap of two overs or a wicket falling or any break in game will thin down so much and one day there will be ads only, with games in the small break after ads flow shows slump. I am not pessimist, but I know what I have stated isnt too far to us to see.
There won’t even be tickers running down to give stats. Because there wont be a game to show.
---------------------------------------------------------
Also read Dilip D'souza's column appeared in HT on Nov. 5 or Kadambari Murli's peice in HT on Oct. 15.
The following batsman played indeed well and India lost the match taking the country into mourning right before Diwali morning.
I was not moved much by the results. What actually caught me irritating throughout the match was heavy doses of advertisements that were continuously bombarded on Doordarshan while the game was on.
After almost every couple of delivery, an ad came pomping. For a moment I thought I was watching an ad-game and not cricket. As per the new system the ads bang right in the one third area of screen while a quarter space holds the game. The avaricious Doordarshan, despite being a government channel, looks like it has sold off itself to advertisers.
It was ludicrous to see a Fevicol ad being Flashed out on screen. It was last minute of the game and Pak needed 1 run in 4 balls with 4 wickets in hand. The killer Afridi hit out the delivery towards boundary and an ad pomped up “chhodana nahi India”(India, Dont leave).
Huh! There was nothing to hold and this Fevicol fellow was still saying "Chhodana nahi India"
The continuous ad-popping forced me to think how will the future matches be on DD.
I fear the unwritten code of showing ads only between the gap of two overs or a wicket falling or any break in game will thin down so much and one day there will be ads only, with games in the small break after ads flow shows slump. I am not pessimist, but I know what I have stated isnt too far to us to see.
There won’t even be tickers running down to give stats. Because there wont be a game to show.
---------------------------------------------------------
Also read Dilip D'souza's column appeared in HT on Nov. 5 or Kadambari Murli's peice in HT on Oct. 15.
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