Old age, it is said, is like a second childhood. This is the time when the old people crave for companionship, a little affection and peaceful surroundings. It is sad and unfortunate that an increasingly large number of youth cut themselves off from the aged, as if they are sure they won’t see such a day. Bereft of their homes and neglected by their dear ones, the old people are forced to take shelter in the institution for the aged.
India was once known for its strong family ties. The elderly were seen with respect. Their experiences and stories of old were listened with interest. All this façade of strong family ties and respect for the elderly is crumbling under a rising number of cases of the old being seen as unwanted by their children.
JZ (using only the initials) is a bitter man. He spent all his days of earning providing high education to his children. The daughter was happily married by him in hope that he will play with grandchildren in a little while. All that is mere wishful thinking today! Ever since his son grew up to get a high salaried job, he has not cared for his ageing parents to the extent that JZ (now over 80 years of age and a severe patient of heart and arthritis) and his wife (also over 75, bent to an extent that she may touch her toe whenever she wants) have been banished to lead a life on their own.
IT too is another case. Living in an old-age home in Delhi, IT was the General Manager of a big PSU. Today, he is living in a 10x8 room, with no television set, no radio, not even a picture album. Except a pack of cards, with which he plays patience, arranging the numbers and colours for hours, he has noting else to do. Leaving behind the son, the daughter-in-law, grandson and wife was a bitter one for IT but he wanted to lead a life of dignity and hence has no grudges.
There are countless such cases in urban India of today where the “small family” of the post-Independence era is coming under unsuspected pressure, with the generations battling it out for living space, individuality and control of finances. Ageing fathers are often unable to put up with the loss of self-esteem after retirement, when income diminishes and demands are made on them to go to the market, pay electricity bills, stop objecting to the new lifestyles that are being seen as immoral by them, and to transfer assets they had built up.
In the West, this problem is not new. In fact, in several European countries, where the aged far outnumber the young, the maladjustment problem was solved several decades ago by making the grown up child’s separation a norm. It was possible to do so in West because of better social support network provided by the Government and insurance agencies. Same is not the case in India. The income here grows with the years and hence the children take years to be able to live independently. Nor can the old live safely alone in the absence of an elaborate network of public health, nursing and public-funded old-age care.
This is the reason why it is possible to see several such old people living their last days of life on footpaths and railway stations. There are several cases of suicides as well. Like the infamous case of Dalals who, when harassed by their son and daughter-in-law, jumped to death from their 8th storey apartment in Mumbai. There must be several other cases like them who live on, enduring the humiliation.
Unless the social care system improves in India, there is no hope. Even as the old age homes are burgeoning, there is no doubting the fact that the inmates of the homes are expectedly a traumatized lot, mostly living on the threshold of manic depression. The ailment does not disappear by living in the homes. It aggravates instead, with bleeding memories gnawing like fog at the windowpanes of loneliness.
If you say, return to the age-old social system is a solution, it too will be a wishful thinking to the modern material-pursuing youth devoid of spiritual roots and the knowledge that s/he will have to repay for the ‘karmas’, if not in this life then hereafter.
It is time to inculcate spiritual values and the knowledge of true religion, but without the presence of self-proclaimed spiritual gurus like Ramdev and Swami Nithyanand, who themselves are manifest examples of lust for materialism at its zenith.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
HAPLESS AND NEGLECTED
IPL IS NOT ABOUT CRICKET ANYMORE
WILL THE GOVERNMENT BE BOLD ENOUGH TO OPEN UP EVERYONE'S STAKE IN IPL
Lalit Modi, when being pressurized to quit, had said openly in the media that if this happens, he will reveal the names of all IPL franchise stakeholders. This shows that there is something sinister about the IPL franchise stakeholders beyond Shahrukh, Preity Zinta, Vijay Mallya and Shilpa Shetty that we need to know. If the Government seriously think of the betrayal given to crores of cricket crazy Indians, it becomes its moral duty to lay open the details. But there is little hope that the Government will ever do so?
It was probably 12th of April. Sania and Shoaib were to marry in a few days time. And the murky canvas of the Tharoor-Modi spat in its initial stage. Tharoor was on the defensive and Modi, confident that his chair was secure, was hurling accusations at Tharoor one after another. We couldn’t have waited for the entire story to roll out as Life Watch’s 16th April issue was to go to press.
Through our cover story “Sab se badi brand value to ab hamari hai”, Life Watch became the first newspaper in India to point a finger at IPL’s murky dealings. Today, it is an open secret but when Life Watch penned down the story, few would have realized the nadir that Indian cricket has plunged to and that IPL is not about Cricket anymore. Several of our readers must have raised an eyebrow or smiled in disbelief when they saw the cover story. But as time would tell, it was proved once again that Life Watch was way ahead of others in pointing accusing finger at the dirt pit called IPL that comprises big money, politics, glamour, greed, sex, drugs, betting and intense backroom jostling.
When Shashi Tharoor actively began to promote the idea of a Kochi team and helped cobble together a consortium of investors – Rendezvous Sports World – to sponsor the team, he would have never dreamed that this step will open up a can of worms that will perhaps change IPL’s functioning for ever.
So much is already known that there is nothing that the Government can do but to act. However, considering the amount of money and the status of people who are involved in the shady deals, there is little hope that the Government would much beyond an eyewash.
Ponder for a while! What was so wrong if Sunanda Pushkar - a Dubai based real estate professional, who happened to be a friend of Tharoor - was taking 4.9% free equity in the team? Likewise, what was so wrong if Modi didn’t want a beautiful South African model, Gabriella Demetriades, to get an Indian visa? Yet, these seemingly innocuous happenings threatened to disrupt the Parliament, led to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding explanation from Tharoor and his subsequent resignation from Cabinet and even led to the ouster of Lalit Modi from IPL, which he had nurtured ever since the BCCI gave him the signal to counter the emerging ICL of Zee’s Subhash Chandra, headed by none else but Kapil Dev.
There’s no doubt that the pit is far muddier than you may think of. And this is the reason why heads rolled, as soon as the Pandora’s Box was opened. Several more sinister plots will come out in the open if the Government sincerely attempts at going to the roots. Unfortunately, it appears that the rich and the powerful within and with out the Government who have vested interests in IPL and have been part of some of the shadowy deals, will use all their forces to rein in the Government from going public with its findings.
Lalit Modi, when being pressurized to quit, had said openly in the media that if this happens, he will reveal the names of all IPL franchise stakeholders. This shows that there is something sinister about the IPL franchise stakeholders beyond Shahrukh, Preity Zinta, Vijay Mallya and Shilpa Shetty that we need to know. If the Government seriously think of the betrayal given to crores of cricket crazy Indians, it becomes its moral duty to lay open the details. But there is little hope that the Government will ever do so?
BRINDA'S BINDAS QUESTIONING
Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat is known to speak her mind. Barring a few occasions when she had to face rebuke for her outbursts, she has emerged unscathed from her verbal political onslaughts.
A few days ago, while speaking at a news conference in Patna, she accused the Trinamool Congress of providing assistance to the Maoists and said that the party has lost many of its workers to the rebel menace. “In West Bengal, with the support of Trinamool Congress, the rebels harass and killed more than 100 of our poor and backward party workers,” she said. Not to be left behind, Trinamool Congress too has lately been accusing CPI-M of having a truck with the rebels.
Not long ago, Brinda Karat was in the firing line in Rajya Sabha when she dubbed the entire Hindu community as fundamentalist. This led to a serious uproar against her, with several opposition leaders aiming their guns against her.
Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party disrupted proceedings in the Upper House as Karat read out a confessional statement allegedly given by a riot-accused, who had conceded that Hindu fundamentalists were behind the incidents of violence in Malegaon.
Amidst the pandemonium, the House was adjourned.
"She made a sweeping statement against Hindus. She is a Hindu herself and this kind of statement was not expected from her," former finance minister Yashwant Sinha commented.
The then Science and Technology and Ocean Development Minister Kapil Sibal said, "Criminals are criminals; no matter which religion they come from. And hence the whole community should not be personally identified."
These are not just two stray examples. Brinda Karat was also in news recently for demanding arrest of Google India chief. “The chief of the Google India should be arrested and prosecuted immediately”, she had said. This demand was made because the site allegedly hosted advertisements related to pre-natal sex determination in violation of law.Karat said the Government had earlier issued a warning to Google in this regard but the site has again started putting sponsored advertisements about clinics doing pre-natal tests.
She sought to know why the ministry of IT & Communication is not taking any action against Google for the violation of the provisions of Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act asking whether it is "connivance or callousness" on the part of the government.
Under the Act, any entity indulging in sex determination advertisements is liable for imprisonment and fine. Karat expressed concern over the plummeting sex ratio in the country and nine lakh girl children going missing.
Some time back, Brinda Karat was in the news for an altogether different reason. She took up cudgels against the Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and sought the reopening of Ruchika’s molestation case. More recently, she was heard speaking against the Muslim clerics who were against the reservation for women.
And the most recent issue that Brinda has raised is related to a Kashmiri youth Syed Maqbool Shah, who was arrested for his alleged role in Lajpat Nagar bomb blasts in 1996 and has been languishing in jail for past 14 years. The courts have found that his man was not guilty and released him. Brinda has said the Government should compensate this youth with a Government job and compensation as he had to spent 14 years of his prime time behind bars for no fault of his own.
But the real brick-lashing is reserved for Trinamool chief, Mamata Banerjee, unmindful that the fiery lady is quick to respond. Known for her angry retorts, Mamata Banerjee couldn’t contain her anger recently when Brinda lashed out against the callous approach of the Railway authorities. It so happened that a train carrying disabled from Kolkata to Delhi had no water in several coaches and reached Delhi more than 12 hours late. When Brinda complained, Mamata retaliated, further igniting the love-hate relationship that the two ladies share between each other.
CHEMICAL LEUCODERMA - AN INDIAN EXPERIENCE
Chemical leucoderma occurs due to direct skin exposure to some substances that are selectively toxic to melanocytes. This exposure can occur either in the workplace or even in day-to-day life with common objects that come in contact with the skin. However, chemical leucoderma is relatively uncommon whereas the chemicals implicated in it are widely used and commonly present in the environment. From this, it is evident that some individuals have inherently “fragile” melanocytes that are more susceptible to injury upon exposure to these chemicals. It has been shown both in vitro and in vivo that certain aliphatic and aromatic derivatives of phenols and catechols are directly toxic to melanocytes, more so in genetically susceptible individuals. Other chemicals that have been implicated to cause chemical leucoderma are p-phenylenediamine, certain azo dyes, sulfhydryls, mercurials, arsenic and several drugs of chemically related classes.
Most Asian populations have black hair and consequently use hair dyes containing high concentrations of p-phenylenediamine.(PPD), which has been reported to cause contact leucoderma in some cases. Another popular cosmetic in South Asia is henna, which is used both as a semi-permanent hair dye and for producing traditional decorative tattoos on the skin. Recently, there have been several reports from all over the world, specifically Asia, of henna being adulterated by PPD and causing chemical leucoderma.
In India, we have seen that several traditional materials of cosmetic use in women are laced with these chemicals in their modern avatars. Bindi, a coloured dot worn on the centre of the forehead by Hindu women; alta, a traditional red dye used to colour the feet and hands of women; sindoor or vermilion powder applied to the hair parting and sacred threads worn as religious amulets, all contain chemicals with depigmenting potential. Our hot and humid weather allows easy penetration of these chemicals through the compromised stratum corneum. Because of these factors there have been increasing reports of chemical leucoderma in Indian patients in recent literature. Indian dermatologists have recognized these cases and we have investigated some of these agents to identify specific chemicals that have the potential to produce chemical leucoderma and the mechanisms underlying these reactions.
Bindi Leucoderma
This entity is peculiar to Hindu women form the Indian subcontinent who apply a small coloured dot called bindi to the centre of the forehead to enhance their appearance or as a mark of married status. Traditionally, mineral or vegetable based dyes were used to make the bindi. However, these would be washed off by sweat or water and the messy powder or liquid dyes had to be carried on the wearer’s person so that they could be re-applied. A modern solution to this problem was devised by producing plastic bindis in various shapes, sizes and colours that were backed by an adhesive making them easy to stick, remove and re-apply. In the early 1980s, one of us (AKB) started seeing women with depigmented spots exactly conforming to the site of wearing the sticker bindi. In many cases, this was preceded by dermatitis at the site. In a study of 100 such patients seen over a 1-year period, it was observed that most of these women were in the habit of wearing bindi continuously, day and night. A dermatitis preceded the onset of depigmentation in almost three-quarters of these women. Five of the 15 women who were patch tested with the adhesive material showed positive reaction and three out of those developed depigmentation at the test site after 15 to 60 days. Upon testing by infrared spectrophotometry and chromatography, free p- tertiary butylphenol (PTBP) in very high concentration (up to 80%) was found in various samples of the adhesive. Low concentrations of PTBP on patch testing did not produce any positive reactions, ruling out sensitization in these patients.
PTBP is a known melanocytotoxic agent and depigmentation in workers exposed to it during its manufacture has been reported from many countries, including Japan. Amongst bindi users, it affects a small fraction, suggesting that individual susceptibility may play an important role. The lag period between use and depigmentation is highly variable, ranging from a few months to a few years. Other common sources of exposure to PTBP are deodorants, spray perfumes, detergents and household cleansers, all of which have been reported to cause chemical leucoderma in Indian patients.
The treatment of bindi leucoderma hinges upon the early recognition of the condition (which is usually easy) and cessation of use of sticker bindis (which can be difficult). Orthodox Hindu women are strongly conditioned to wear a bindi at all times, especially in public. Faced with chemical leucoderma, they often resort to wearing bigger and bigger bindis in an attempt to hide the white patch. Counselling is therefore a very crucial part of treatment. While early stoppage of exposure can lead to slow spontaneous repigmentation, active treatment of bindi depigmentation is typically more difficult than vitiligo, since PTBP can permanently destroy the melanocytes .. However, topical corticosteroids and/or phototherapy are usually beneficial, with resistant cases requiring melanocyte transfer surgery.
Synthetic leather/rubber items causing leucoderma
A peculiar pattern of chemical leucoderma affecting the left breast has been reported in Indian women, who wear clothes that typically do not have any pockets, forcing them to carry their wallets tucked into their blouses. Most women are right-handed, therefore the wallet rests against the left breast. These wallets are made of synthetic leather and we have demonstrated that this contains monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBH). We have also reported a patient with localized depigmentation of the external auditory meatus who was using a hearing aid earpiece containing MBH. All patients seen by us have had negative patch test results to MBH suggesting direct melanocyte toxicity or inhibition of melanogenesis. Almost all cases occur when the offending item is in tight apposition against the skin, and is kept there for prolonged periods leading to leaching of the melanotoxic chemical.Even mobile cover has been observed to produce leucoderma on the left breast and front of the ear.
We have also reported MBH induced chemical leucoderma in 19 patients who wore bathroom rubber slippers and rain shoes and developed chemical leucoderma at the exposed sites. Five of them had associated vitiligo at other sites and 6 had developed a dermatitis preceding the appearance of depigmentation. However, when patch tested to MBH, PTBP and PTBP formaldehyde resin, all were negative, indicating that the dermatitis may have been irritant in nature. Peculiar features of footwear depigmentation in India are that most of the patients wear shoes without socks and are exposed to high humidity, leading to ideal conditions for any chemicals to leach into the skin. Other common items from which synthetic leather/rubber related leucoderma has been reported are condoms, watch straps and rubber gloves.
.MBH, also known as “Agerite Alba” is a rubber antioxidant and is well known to cause chemical leucoderma at sites of direct exposure, as well as distant sites on the body of predisposed individuals. The depigmentation often starts as a cluster of guttate, confetti-like round macules that later coalesce to form large patches clinically indistinguishable from vitiligo. Usually, the depigmented patches conform closely to the shape of the offending article. An irritant dermatitis may precede its appearance in some cases. Although the earliest reports of chemical leucoderma to MBH from the US reported a high incidence of allergic sensitization, this has not been seen in Indian patients. Leucoderma can be reproduced at the patch test site with 20% MBH after a variable period, but not consistently.
Other related compounds such as monomethyl ether of hydroquinone, pyrocatechol and hydroquinone have also been reported to cause chemical leucoderma, but these are much rarer culprits than MBH. Commercial bleaching creams containing 2 to 5% hydroquinone have rarely been reported to cause chemical leucoderma as have photographic developing solutions containing 0.06 to 7% hydroquinone. Mercaptobenzthiazole (MBT), a rubber accelerator, has been reported as the cause in a patient who developed depigmentation on the penis after using latex condoms. This patient was also allergic to MBT and condom latex.
Reports of depigmentation to MBH and related chemicals from India are usually to household objects, whereas Western reports are usually from an industrial setting. This is also true of other chemicals producing leucoderma. The poorly regulated nature of the small and medium scale manufacturing industry in India can probably account for this difference. For example, Taylor et al have reported that the US rubber industry has stopped using MBH in processing for several years now, whereas Indian made rubber items still contain MBH. Similarly, the very high concentrations of free PTBP found in some Indian sticker bindis are not found in western society outside of factories producing the chemical itself. Another cause of paucity of Indian reports of occupational depigmentation is probably the under-developed nature of occupational medicine in general and occupational dermatology in particular.
Treatment is on similar lines as bindi leucoderma, except that exquisite photosensitivity has been seen in many patients with footwear dermatitis by one of the authors (AKB).
Hair dye induced Depigmentation
In India, hair dyes are used in most cases to cover grey hair and impart it a jet black or very dark brown colour. The cheapest and most commonly used ones are the misleadingly labeled “black henna” dyes that contain extremely high concentrations of p-phenylenediamine (PPD). We have seen many patients, one of whom was reported in the literature, who developed depigmentation over the scalp, forehead and the neck after a variable period of using PPD containing hair dyes. Most cases have been preceded by dermatitis which leads to the appearance of depigmented lesions. In the one patient that we patch tested, it was strongly positive to PPD and depigmentation also appeared at the patch test sites after a few weeks. The hair dye in this case contained 16% PPD. Whilst western countries have strict limits to the amount of PPD permitted in hair dyes, the Indian hair dye market is dominated by small poorly regulated brands and our labeling laws do not make it mandatory for manufacturers to declare ingredients and concentrations in their brands. Treatment of hair dye-induced chemical leucoderma is done along the usual lines, with discontinuation of the offending agent being paramount. The response to treatment of depigmentation on the head and neck is usually better than other sites due to the high follicle density.
Alta, Vermilion and Amulet String Leucoderma
This entity is almost entirely confined to India and presumably its neighbours, where alta, vermilion and coloured threads are worn for socio –religious reasons. The depigmentation in these cases is caused by azo dyes, that are also present in several items of everyday use, including coloured clothes. Other items that have been reported to cause azo dye-related depigmentation are lipsticks, lipliners, eyeliners and faux fur from soft toys7. The bulk of investigation on this entity has focused on alta related cases. This scarlet red solution is commonly applied by women to their feet on festive occasions and has rarely been associated with sharply localized depigmentation corresponding to the sites of application. We investigated the composition of a popular brand of alta and found that it contains mainly two dyes, namely Crocein Scarlet MOO and Rhodamine B (an inert dye) as well as Solvent yellow 3, possibly a contaminant. Crocein Scarlet Moo and Solvent yellow 3 are azo dyes. These dyes easily undergo oxidation in the air, which is further catalyzed by sunlight. This produces several complex compounds, which may contribute to the melanocytotoxicity of these dyes. There is significant structural homology between PPD and azo dyes, and cross-reactions are well known. Crocein Scarlet MOO and Solvent Yellow 3 have been shown to be capable of causing depigmentation.
Vermilion or kumkum is a red powder that is applied to the hair parting on the scalp, forehead or neck and is both a socio-religious symbol as well as a mark of married status. Vermilion was traditionally prepared by alkalizing pure turmeric powder, but commercially available vermilion powder is a cocktail of various azo dyes, coal tar dyes, fragrance, vegetable oils and parabens. Contact dermatitis to this powder, especially of the pigmented variety is well known, but recently, a case of chemical leucoderma caused by vermilion has been reported from South India. Presumably, the culprits there too are azo dyes.
Miscellaneous Chemical Leucodermas
Recently, toothpaste-induced chemical leucoderma has also been reported in some patients from India, although it is not clear whether these patients were patch tested. In the past, perioral depigmentation from cinnamic aldehyde- containing toothpaste with depigmentation at the patch test sites has been reported from the west. Since the oral mucosa and lips are common sites for occurrence of vitiligo, these patients need to be carefully examined for distant lesions before diagnosing chemical leucoderma.
Recently, ophthalmologists from Pondicherry reported a patient who presented with an allergic reaction to olopatadine eye drops that was rapidly followed by periocular depigmentation. Several other eye preparations have also been reported to cause similar leucoderma, viz. physostigmine, diisopropyl fluorophosphates, thiotepa and guanonitrofuracin.
Due to our lax product safety laws, a lot of potentially melanocytotoxic chemicals come in contact with our skin everyday. Chemical leucoderma is therefore an important preventable cause of localized skin depigmentation in Indians. It presents in several identifiable patterns and the causative agent can be identified and instructions for its avoidance given in most cases. Further study into contact leucoderma is urgently needed to understand whether we are missing many more cases and mis-classifying them as idiopathic vitiligo. Also, research into the mechanisms of production of depigmentation can give us valuable insights into the pathogenesis of vitiligo, which is showing increasing incidence in recent years. It is important for every dermatologist to acquaint him/herself with chemical leucoderma and give appropriate preventive advice to our patients.
OFFICIAL HARASSMENT
Gujarat has its own ways of harassing people officially! Ehsan Jafri was killed in the post-Godhra riots that brought Narendra Modi back to the seat of Chief Minister. Tanvir Jafri, son of late Ehsan Jafri and Jakia Nasim alias Jakia Jafri wife of late Ehsan Jafri are the lone wagers of battle for justice in the court of law.
A Special Investigating Team (SIT) has been set up under the orders of the Supreme Court. After receiving complaints from Tanvir Jafri and Jakia Jafri, SIT recently summoned Pravin Togadia, Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad for enquiry.
How easy it is to flirt with law in Gujarat can be seen by what happened next? In no other place in India, you can file a police complaint because the other person has gone and filed a complaint against you in the court of law. But it is very much possible in Gujarat where the police are mere tools in the hands of politicians. You will be astonished to know that Pravin Togadia has filed a police complaint against the aforementioned mother-son duo for filing a complaint against him in front of Special Investigating Team. What’s worse is that the police went to record the complaint as well. Even worse, Togadia and his followers had the audacity to issue a press release on his doings, making it abundantly clear to imagination that the duo will now have to bear harassment from the local police for filing a complaint against Pravin Togadia. Message is clear, even if your immediate relative has been killed, you shall not go to the court of law to seek justice.
The press release issued by the VHP says: “I, Dr. Pravin Togadia…am doctor by profession and International Secretary-General, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the worldwide Hindu Organization. That I have been summoned by SIT, Gandhinagar ‘on 10th May, 2010 in connection with some orders passed by Hon’ble Supreme Court and after my statement was recorded, I was put certain questions by electronic media and press over there and in response thereto, I made it clear that I shall take appropriate democratic actions against Teesta Setalvad and Mrs. Zakiya Jafri.” Isn’t it clear that the complaint is being filed because the duo has exercised its right to go to the court of law? And the police complaint is being filed in retaliation in the name of democracy. This is democracy!
The complaint filed against Pravin Togadia is that he had threatened the two. And in response, see what Mr. Togadia has to say: “
The above-said Mr. Tanvir Jafri & Mrs Jakia Nasim alias Jakia Jafri have made fraudulent, false & criminally defamatory complaint against me & that this poses direct & indirect threat to my life & the lives of the people working in the organization / s that I am associated with & to my old mother & my brothers & their family members.
The above-said fraudulent complaint also poses threat to the Hindus at large & in Gujarat because the above said complaint has been made directly to the Director General of Police of Gujarat therefore it misdirects the government machinery at the highest level against me, my family, the organizations that I am associated with & the businesses my family members are associated with.
This act of fraudulent complaint also tantamount to inciting the public in general based on religion against me, Hindus at large & in Gujarat, people in the organizations that I am associated with & my family members including my old mother.
The above said complaint by the above said Mr. Tanvir Jafri & Mrs Jakia Nasim alias Mrs Jakia Jafri is based on false media reports seem to have been planted or misconstrued to suit the malicious intentions of the above-said complainants.
I completely deny any contents of the said compliant as being spread in the section of media.
I demand that the above said duo must be immediately arrested for threat to my life through inciting complaints & making them public & thereby misleading the government machinery against me & inciting public at large based on religion against me, people working in the organizations that I am associated with & my old mother & my brothers & their family members.
That the said intentionally misleading complaint as being put on media has not yet been denied by the above-said duo & thereby it proves unconditionally that their intention is to malign my image in the society, defame me criminally & incite people at large against me and also with malafide intention to pressurize Hindu Community at large.
Filing of the above-said complaint against me directly with the Director General of the Police, Gujarat state, it also proves that the above-said duo are the habitual in filing fraudulent, misleading & inciting complaints against me, the people in the organizations that I am associated with & the Hindus at large in Gujarat. This has been amply proven in the fraudulent complaint made by one of the above two & over-riding all the legal process I have not been given the copy of the said complaint. And now today i.e. on May 15, 2010 & yesterday i.e. May 14, 2010 there have the news of the second such fraudulent & inciting complaint against me with not an iota of truth in it.
I also demand that the copy of the above said complaint by the above-said duo to be given to me immediately as this is my fundamental right.
I also demand the written reasons that as to why over-riding all the legal processes the Director General of Gujarat Police accepted the above-said complaint & before even verifying with me why the false & criminally defamatory & death-threatening contents of the said complaints were leaked to the media.
This is to put on record that this entire process has violated my fundamental right to protect myself legally against any false complaints whatsoever. The same has happened in case of the SIT enquiry on May 10, 2010 based on another fraudulent complaint against me which got a section of media giving false lines against me that ‘Dr Togadia is one among 64 being investigated for killing Cong’s Ehsan Jafri’. Even before any investigation is complete there seems to a serious conspiracy against me, the organization I am associated with & Hindus at large & in Gujarat because this is yet another violation of basic legal process & it has posed direct threats to my life.
Therefore I demand that the above-said Tanvir Jafri & Mrs Jakia Nasim alias Mrs Jakia Jafri be immediately arrested for the investigation to prove where I met them or called them that they file a complaint of threat to life & mental harassment against me directly with the Director General of Police of Gujarat & without even verifying with me the said Director General of Police even accepted the said complaint.
I am sure that I have stated in exercise of my fundamental rights enshrined by Constitution of India.
Mr. Togadia will have to tell how a complaint against him becomes a complaint against the Gujarat state in general and the Hindus in large.
Uncommon entry for Indians in ‘House of Commons’
The recently concluded House of Commons election in the UK saw a good many Indians and people of Asian origin getting into the British Parliament. A record 89 Asian candidates were in fray this time against 68 during the 2005 elections. As the results unfolded, UK saw the first hung parliament with the Opposition Conservative Party gaining at the cost of governing Labour party.
Most remarkable was the entry of Priti Patel (Conservative) who triumphed by a massive margin at Witham, thus becoming the first Gujarati woman to enter British Parliament. She, along with Valerie Vaz of Labour, who claimed a maiden victory at Walsall South, became the first women of Indian descent to enter Britain’s directly elected national legislature. Valerie joined her brother Keith Vaz of the same party, who retained Leicester East seat in the British Parliament for the sixth time. Keith has remained undefeated since 1987; Indian Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt campaigned for Keith during the election this time.
Hailing from Goa, Valerie and Keith became the first brother-sister amalgamation in the Commons since the 1950s.
The other significant victories were that of Alok Sharma from Reading West and Paul Uppal in Wolverhampton South West, both of whom defeated Labour candidates to enter
Parliament. Wolverhampton South West constituency is famous for housing the largest Sikh community in Britain. Also, as expected, Virendra Sharma of Labour held on to Sikh-dominated Ealing Southall, as did Shailesh Vara of the Conservatives in Cambridgeshire North West. Both widened the gap between them and their respective rivals.
Another Indian-origin conservative candidate, Paul Uppa won from Wolverhampton Southwest constituency.
Most noteworthy achievement is that of Marsha Singh who has uninterruptedly represented Bradford West since 1992. For those unaware, Bradford West is referred to as a little Pakistan. On all occasions, he was face to face with a contender of Pakistan origin but the electorate has continued to shower their support on him.
This election was particularly remarkable because it saw several woman MPs of Asian origin entering the British Parliament. Prior to this, no single woman had ever entered the Parliament as MP. The case of Sayeeda Warsi was different as she was a baroness rather than an MP. She has the honour of becoming the first Muslim woman to sit in the Parliament as baroness through Conservative support in 1997.
A record 22 Asian women were in fray during the polls from all three main parties – Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Several women candidates with origins in the Indian subcontinent got into the Parliament this time. This included the first Muslim woman MP, Shabana Mahmood, who won on Labour ticket from Birmingham Ladywood. A former Oxford graduate and barrister, Shabana Mahmood, is the daughter of the Birmingham Labour Party’s chairman and stood against another woman Asian candidate for the Conservatives, Nusrat Ghani.
Besides Shabana, Yasmin Qureshi – a 46-year old Pakistan born criminal barrister and a Labour candidate from Bolton South East - also won with a margin of more than 8000. Another Labour candidate, Rushanara Ali won from Bethnal Green and Bow constituency with a margin of over 11,000 votes. She has become the first candidate of Bangladeshi origin to win the election.
Overall, the number of Muslim MPs has doubled to eight in the closest elections in decades that also saw the first three Muslim women – all Labour – elected to the 650-member House of Commons.
For the records, the first male Asian MP Dadabhai Naoroji was Indian elected in 1892 from Finsbury in London. Mohammad Sarwar became UK’s first Muslim MP after winning Glasgow Central set in 1997.
Desalination drinking water plants on anvil
Foreseeing acute shortage of drinking water in near future, Ministry of Earth Sciences, through its National Institute of Ocean Technology, has embarked upon a very unique programme of making desalination drinking water plants near various coastal cities in the country. Worldwide, 13,080 desalination plants produce more than 12 billion gallons of water a day, According to the International Desalination Association.
Water is desalinated in order to be converted to freshwater suitable for human consumption or irrigation. It is used on many seagoing ships and submarines. Most of the modern interest in desalination is focused on developing cost-effective ways of providing freshwater for human use in regions where the availability of freshwater is limited.
Most of the plants are being made on Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) process, informs Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
According to Dr. Shailesh Nayak, “LTTD is one process that uses the availability of a temperature gradient between two wter bodies or flows to evaporate the warmer water at low pressure and condense the resultant vapour with the colder water to obtain freshwater. While ocean, with its temperature variation across its depth, presents one such scenario of two water bodies, a coast based thermal power plan discharging huge amounts of condenser based thermal water in to the nearby ocean represents an alternate scenario. The simplicity of LTTD process also enables to control the quality of product water in order to provide either good quality drinking water or boiler grade water as the situation warrants.”
It can be seen from these LTTD plants that a temperature difference and adequate vacuum levels should be sufficient for the generation of freshwater. Thermal power plants discharge warm water from their condensers. The process that involves transfer of tremendous levels fo energy usually includes heat recovery systems like cooling towers or heat dissipating open channels before the condenser reject water at acceptable temperatures is discharged back into the surrounding environment. Consequently, the resultant termal pollution by the power plants is a serious issue today. An efficient way to utilize the heat available in the condenser reject water would reduce the load on the cooling towers and in turn the resultant thermal pollution. One of the aspects of LTTD is that it transfers the available heat from warmer water to the colder water while generating freshwater from the warm water. This aspect could therefore be aptly used in thermal power plants resulting in the double benefits of cooling the condenser reject water and generating the freshwater. A small temperature gradient of about 8-10 degrees celcius, as is the case with most power plants, would be sufficient to utilize the concept.
Dr. Nayak informed that the Ministry of Earth Sciences targets to cover all 10 major habited islands of Lakshadweep with plants of capacity of one lakh litres each per day by the end of 2010. Two plants have already come into operation at Kavaratti and Chennai. LTTD technology is being used at all places.
TIPS FOR A PEACEFUL LIFE
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Live with the 3E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in the last year.
Find time to practice meditation, yoga and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
Dream more while you are awake.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and less food that is manufactured in plants.
Drink plenty of water.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear ande fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Smile and laugh more.
Life is too short to waste time in hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
Don’t compare your life to other’s. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don’t compre your partner with other.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Forgive everyone for everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
GOD heals everything.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
The best is yet to come.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Do the right thing!
Call your family often.
Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Each day give something good to others.
Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
Forward it to others and ask them to read this.
INNER RENUNCIATION
Just as everyone ele, the Sanyasins are also products of households. The majority in the society are non-sanyasins. We are discussing this subject particularly with reference to Bhagavadgita. And what is the Bhagavadgita? It is a dialogue between Arjuna, a householder, and Sri Krishna, another householder. The conversation took place in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. And for what purpose? Only to serve the kingly purpose of fighting a war to establish a just rule.
Right formt he beginning, although Sri Krishna had been explaining the nature of the Soul or the ultimate Reality, all this was to help Arjuna overcome his weakness and delusion, and make him fight. “Therefore, O Arjuna, get up and fight,” was the last message. What does it mean? In the case of Arjuna, the warrior, it was fighting – an activity that needs the most intense involvement. For householders, it is to run the household properly, without delusion or fear. For professionals, the message is to be good professionals with clear and comprehensive vision. The call ultimately is to perform your interactions properly and well.
We should never waver, never feel disgusted. We should have sufficient enthusiasm, enough confidence. Never be subdued by any situation. On the other hand, we should ‘overwhelm’ the situation. Our mind has got the capacity. It is not mind alone, it is the power of the infinite Soul available to us in the nature of the mind. The power that moves is the Soul, and that is greater than space, greater than the created univrerse. It is that expression of the Soul that comes to us in the form of the mind. We are the infinite, the unconquerable.
Who were those standing before Arjuna? Bheeshma, his beloved grandfather and Drona, the adorable teacher. Both of them were leading the opposite army! So, psychologically, emotionally, Arjuna felt weak, indecisive and confused. Even from the military point of view also, the opposite army was much more powerful – it was an unconquerable army. In both ways Arjuna felt subdued. It was such a subdued mind of Arjuna that Sri Krishna was able to elevate and invigorate through a process of enlightenment.
What did Sri Krishna do? He only offered enlightenment. He activated the clouded, uncreative intelligence started working on the mind and senses. As the conversation progressed, Arjuna’s activated mind raised more and more doubts and questions. Krishna deftly cleared all of them.
Sri Krishna spoke about renunciation, about Sanyasa. What he meant was renunciation or sanyasa as an iner orientation, as an inner attainment. Did he ask Arjuna to shave his head and become a sanyasin? Certainly not! Sri Krishna instituted the attitude of renunciation in Arjuna. Arjuna understood and absorbed the message. He picked up the Gandeeva, the famous bow that had slipped from his hand, to fight the war with full fervour and determination.
In the same manner, unless we are able to incorporate this renunciational note in our mind, to crown our intelligence and heart, we will not have interactional excellence. To put it positively, by incorporating this renunciational note, we will certainly have interactional excellence. That is why we discuss it as a subject.
By Swami Bhoomanand Tirtha
(Courtesy: Kabir Shanti Mission)
United States finds interest in Indian entrepreneurs
If there is invitation from the White House then you ought to go, particularly if the President of the United States of America is willing to give time for a personal meeting.
This happened with six Indian entrepreneurs who recently traveled to the US on a very special invitation from President Obama for a two day Entrepreneur Meet in Washington DC. Reasons for the US’s sudden interests in holding a worldwide meet of entrepreneurs are not known but what is well known is the fact that Sirajuddin Qureshi, Managing Director of the Hind Group of Industries and President of India Islamic Cultural Centre was one of the six invitees from India, which included well-known beautician Shahnaz Husain from India. Remaining four invitees were from Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bihar and Kerala.
“It was a very unique experience for me,” says Sirajuddin Qureshi. “We got to know who is doing what. Rich or the famous were not called to the Meet. In fact, it was meeting of the people who have foot strongly on the ground and who rose from there to reach somewhere.”
Asked what was the criterion for chosing the participants Qureshi says: “I am unaware. They did their own research. But as I found later, they were all people who were self-made, who started from scratch and made contribution in business or other areas.Entrepreneurs from across the globe had been invited who all talked about their achievements and areas of interests.”
In an exclusive meeting which will definitely be cherished by each one of them for a long time, President Obama said that this initiative should not discontinue. In fact, this should continue and the people who had assembled should continue to meet even in future. President Obama announced that his team was chalking out plans for enhancing involvement and the next Meet would be held in Turkey shortly. President Obama assured full support to the invitees and said that he wish Indian entrepreneurs move further ahead.
Adds Qureshi: “When an entrepreneur comes in the business, he creates jobs. He gives jobs to one person and eventually it is 4 or 5 people of the family who benefit. Not just an individual, but the family, the society and the country benefits.” Talking about his old days, Qureshi says that when he started work way back in 1981, he was all alone. Today, Qureshi employs 3500 people and is the head of several social and philanthropic organizations.
In the two day Meet, 16 sessions were held where the participants got a chance to interact with each other. Separate meetings were also held. Hillary Clinton was present in the last session. Qureshi returned with a special message from President Obama wishing that such cooperation continue to exist even in future. He says that the formula is being worked out and details will arrive shortly.
President Obama also assured the august participants that he is leaving no stone unturned to find solutions for long-pending issues like those of Palestine, armed forces’ presence in Iraq and Afganistan and the issue of terrorism. From whatever President Obama may have said, Qureshi has returned home an optimistic person who is willing to give the new US President a chance and time to carry forth his visionary tasks.
GEMS OF PARADISE
“Zafran-e-Zar Kashmir” (the saffron Meadow of Kashmir) is a collection of biographies of the poets belonging to Kashmir. It was compiled by Mirza Muhammad Ali Kashmiri, an Iranian migrant from Shiraz in the last days of the 13th century at Lucknow. This work highlights the rich contribution of Iranians in the culturally rich land of Kashmir, also known amongst Persian lovers as Irane Saghir or the smaller Iran. The compiler of the work has entitled it Zafaran-e-zar as the saffron of Kashmir is considered medicinally very useful from olden days.
Says Dr. Karim Najafi, “In my opinion, this work will be a source of introduction to the poetry of these poets of paradise of Kashmir who write poetry in their elegant Persian.” Dr. Najafi had to undergo a patient and long search as a aftermath of which he chanced upon this rare manuscript.
Informing the gathering, Prof. SS Noor said that the Sahitya Academy has recently included Persian and Arabic works too in its ambit and assured that he will leave no stone unturned to get this particular book and other books of similar importance translated in other Indian languages.
Prof. Mushirul Hasan, who has recently taken over as DG-National Archives after his very successful posting as Vice Chancellor-Jamia Millia University talked of his new role and its importance and said that a great number of rare works of Persian and other languages need to be preserved and it will be his prime task in the near future.Members of the audience said that ICCR used to bring out certain publications in Persian, a practice that has been discontinued recently. Syed Shahid Mahdi assured them that he will try his best to restore the publications.
‘India needs to have a futuristic world vision’: Ambassador Shashank
Life Watch talked exclusively to Ambassador Shashank, retired foreign secretary in the Government of India, to know his views. Present here is the first half of the conversation relating to our present foreign policy vis a vis China, in his own words, as he spoke to Life Watch.
Whether we like it or not, China and India are neighbours and share several similar assets. Large population, better technology and partnership with other countries are the areas which are common to both. Lately, China has tired to encroach into area of influence of India by getting into large number of institutional frameworks in South Asia. Till now, India had done this successfully both in South Asia and North East Asia.
China has also been successful in keeping India out of Shanghai Cooperation so far wherein India has been of the opinion that focus of Shanghai Cooperation should be on containing terrorism, particularly terrorism emanating from Af-Pak region, but China has not allowed this to happen, particularly because of its relations with Pakistan.
There are other major differences. Whereas India is a democratic country, China is not. They, instead, are a very nationalist country that pursues its policies very energetically. There lies the difference! Whereas we, in a democratic set-up take time to come to decisions, announce policy and then dwell on discussions, they discuss and then announce their policy. This does not work in a situation where companies are trying to displace the governments in controlling the international economic order. Due to this, we have lost out to China on more than one occasion.
China’s USP is cheaper production base. This has attracted multinationals to China. In fact, 60% of Chinese export is on behalf of these multinationals. China is reinvesting this money back in the international market. A lot of their money has been invested in the US itself, as they feel that without US support their dream of becoming global power won’t come true. A good portion of this money has been used to acquire strategic business interests in other African and Asian countries. They have a vision and are moving towards achieving that goal. We have to keep these things in mind. Unless we develop that futuristic world view and vision, we will be left out. This involves friendship with the United States, with addition to our friendship with traditional friends as well as neighbours like Pakistan. This involves friendship with China as well. These days it is not possible that we do not keep good relationship because of competition.
Whereas we know that India has to develop good relations with China, we will also have to move energetically and see that we keep our growth rate at par with China. We have upper-hand than China on many fronts. It will be in our benefit if we go for technology enhancement and create futuristic knowledge base institutions; these are areas where China cannot compete with us.
China has enhanced production but on the basis of outdated polluting technology. It is not possible for us to go back on these areas. We will have to develop our strengths differently.
Though friendship with the US is of paramount importance, we will have to take our own initiatives. We cannot look at other countries like US to help us. They will help us only till their interests are served. If they feel it is their interest to keep relationship with Pakistan, they will do so. If we plan our economic growth properly, there will be a situation where they will feel it is in their interest to maintain good relations with us.
We must build as many strategic partnerships and initiate strategic dialogues with other countries. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and a few others are becoming bigger economic powers. Financial ties with such countries are important.
Though it is difficult to quantify, we have lost considerably because of lack of a proper foreign economic policy. Sudan was at one stage offering us a very good deal. It is a country where Shariah laws are applicable. Due to this we kept on dithering whether to do the deal with them. Meanwhile China went ahead and invested there.
In Angola too China moved fast to capture the business interests. Shell company was moving out and Angola was negotiating with ONGC-Videsh to hand over 600 million dollar equity share to India. Negotiations were more or less completed. China used its influence with the Angola government to get that equity stake.
Till sometime back, it was the European countries and the US who had stakes in mines, oil and gas fields, etc. across globe. They converted their billions into trillions through it. Now China has also got to do the same.
But everything has not been lost. Whatever resources we have we can think of spreading them out. We can invest in Western treasuries and can also take maximum stake in world economy.
But the Government will have to take decisions. Economic diplomacy strategy has to be worked out. We will have to invest on agricultural fields, mines, energy resources, etc. outside. We will have to decide how much money can be put in foreign lands. At times risks too will have to be taken. Initially there will be few risks but, in long-run, we are bound to get good dividends.
Economic diplomacy in India is left to economic ministries whose main job is within the country. One has to think of some kind of new mechanism. Whether it is under National Security Council Secretariat, whether it is under the Planning Commission or whether it is under some new organization that is set up, this should be part of a planned exercise. Till now, every time there is a reduction on non-planned expenditure, such expenditures are cut as it is felt that they are external expenditures. This should not happen. It should be thought on the basis of national security perspective and our future planning perspective.
Second most important thing is our own neighbourhood. We should build infrastructural connectivity. We need to build up our own people’s strength in border areas. Whereas China has connected the entire border with India with roads, only 4-5% of the money earmarked has been spent on border roads in India in the last 5 years. CAG has commented adversely on it. This reflects perfectly on our approach so far.
We will have to build a futurist world vision, if we are to remain in competition!
Intellectual community solidly behind AMU VC over establishment of Centres
Talking exclusively to Life Watch, Vice Chancellor Prof. PK Abdul Azis said: “If our community has not been able to make progress so far, it is because of such people. Neither they do something themselves nor they allow others to do constructive work. You have seen to what extent all the people were favouring the idea of Centers. But these people will continue to oppose.”
Added Prof. NAK Durrani, Chairman Department of Mass Communication and Media Advisor-AMU: “Look back in history. The people who are opposing now were also the people who opposed former Vice Chancellors. Not one Vice Chancellor since independence has been left to work in peace. Now that our present VC has taken the most innovative and constructive step for the community since the times of Sir Syed, they are again opposing tooth and nail.”
During the meeting in New Delhi, Prof. PK Abdul Aziz unfolded the elaborated action plan and said that Murshidabad and Malappuram Special Centres of AMU will become functional with MBA and BA-LLB academic progremmes from the next academic session. Said Prof. Azis: “The setting up of five centres across the nation will transform the fate of excluded minority from development deficit to a life of dignified existence.”
Elaborating in detail, Prof. Azis said that West Bengal, Kerala, Bihar and the Central Government’s willing support in promoting education among Muslim community and to bring them into the national mainstream by expanding the benefit of education to Muslims also provided focus on the issue and helped us formulate the policy to widen the AMU’s campus network by establishing five Special Centres. The proposal is a powerful projection of an ambitious plan in the direction of academic and research programmes to be initiated by AMU to meet the challenging needs of the marginalized and excluded social classes, he added.
He clarified that the idea behind setting up special Centres is to provide easy access to modern education to the most educationally deprived social class so that the national goal of equity, access and inclusion of the excluded is accomplished. It is indeed a national duty bestowed upon AMU to promote education among the Muslims.
Prof. Azis pointed out that keeping in view the suggestion of Sachar and Fatmi Committees, the school education also received its due attention in the overall scheme of the Special Centres. High priority would be given to women’s education and a sub-committee of experts and activists to promote women’s education would be constituted, he added.
The most notable feature of the National Consultation Meet was the presence of distinguished intellectuals, educationists and parliamentarians from across the country and abroad. Some of AMUs alumnis flew across the seas from the US and came to attend the Meet.
Syed Ali Rizvi, President, Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations in the US told Life Watch: “I can vouch for the fact that this Vice Chancellor is really concerned about the well-being of the community. He was our guest on the Independence Day this year. He had one option of being the Chief Guest at an Independence Day function and the other of going to see a charitable institution run by our Federation. Our VC chose the later, though few men of the world would do so.”
Saner voices like those of Wahid Chowhan, Managing Director, Likproof India Pvt. Ltd. talked of the need to exercise caution. He said that we must ensure that good infrastructure is built at all the Centers and the money that is available is properly utilized.
(Due to paucity of space and time, we are unable to carry the views expressed by the participants in the National Consultation Meet in detail. Read the views of these participants and the views that we receive on the article published above in the forthcoming issue of Life Watch. Those who do not wish their identity to be revealed too may send their views.)
RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER OF AMU IN JEOPARDY
[Voices are raging in favour and against the AMU VC’s decision to establish Satellite University Centres in West Bengal, Bihar and Kerala. Life Watch presents here the view of Dr. Nafees Ahmad (Retd. Professor of Opthalmic Biochemistry) on the issue.]
Voices are being raised and forceful arguments being made against proposed satellite AMU Special Centres. But most of the AMU Alumni seem indifferent on this issue. To me, this is an issue to be taken up very seriously by the well wishers and Alumni of AMU. I remember well and there are still so many persons alive who are a witness to the long struggle fought by the AMU Action Committee, starting from 1965 to 1980, for the restoration of Minority and Residential Character of AMU. The present Act of 1981 was accepted by the Action Committee under protest for the reason that the Act thought guarantees the residential character yet it doesn’t accept AMU a Minority Institution in clear terms, to be governed under Article 30 of the Constitution.
The issue of Minority Character is still pending before the Supreme Court. As far as the Residential Character is concerned, we on our own are giving it away by establishing the so called Satellite University Centres. The proposed AMU centres at Kishanganj, Murshidabad and Mallepuram etc. may provide political mileage to the ruling parties or to the over enthusiastic VC, who may gain sympathy in the ongoing Visitor’s enquiry against him for his financial and other irregularities but this shall be suicidal for the very existence of AMU. The very first sentence of the act says “Whereas it is expedient to incorporate a teaching and residential Muslim University at Aligarh, and to……”. It was for this reason that the clause 2(9A) was added to the Act by the founders of the University, which reads “To establish within a radius of 25 km of the University Mosque such Special Centres, Specialized laboratories or other units for research and instruction as are, in the opinion of the University, necessary for the furtherance of its objects”. This leaves no room for the establishment of centres/campuses beyond this limit.
Unless the University is technically declared a Minority Institution in letter and spirit, it can neither reserve seats for Muslims in AMU nor in the Special Centres/Campuses. The Muslim predominance in the University at present is maintained because of internal- and certain other quotas. It is not because of priority admissions to Muslims. Hown then Muslim majority in the satellite centres can be guaranteed? Recently Mr. Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar, came out with a statement to satisfy the Sangh Parivar, who were agitating against the proposed AMU Campus in Kishanganj. He said, as published in so many newspapers, that there will be no Muslim reservation in this centre. The VC too issued a similar statement. After this the agitation was withdrawn. Is there still any doubt about the intentions behind such a move? Can one observe the contradictions? How funny it looks that the Government of India declares to establish these centres/campuses for educational uplift of Muslims whereas Mr. Nitish Kumar and our Hon’ble VC say there shall be open competitions for admissions just like in other institutions and no priority to the Muslims shall be given.
The old lot of very sincere and committed AMU Alumni, under the able leadership of Dr. AJ Faridi, Qazi Adeel Abbasi, Mr. Shafiqurrahman, Mr. Zafar Siddiqui, Dr. Ishtiaq Husain Quraishi, etc. fought their best for the restoration of the Minority and Residential character of the University. During this long struggle dozens of anti-Muslim riots erupted causing the loss of hundreds of Muslim lives and crores of their property. Hundreds of Muslims were thrown behind bars. Our VC who comes from Kerala may not be aware of these sacrifices. The above leaders were very far sighted. They knew that the dilution of the residential character means opening the doors of affiliation for the local colleges with the University, which shall defeat the entire purpose of AMU. Therefore, following the footsteps of the founders of the University, they too insisted for the restoration of the clause 5(9A) in the University Act. Now our VC, ignorant of repercussions, is going to practically abolish this condition. Alas! None of the above leaders is alive today. Had they been alive they would have certainly been on the roads to oppose this move tooth and nail. Shall we not take up the cause now?
I may agree that the present central government sincerely wants educational uplift of Muslims. It can establish these centres under independent management and/or upgrade the existing Muslim colleges, spread all over India, for the purpose instead of establishing these under the management of AMU and endangering the basic character of the University. Simultaneously the Government could also have amended the AMU Act suitably to declare AMU a Minority Institution governed under Article 30 of the Constitution, which it has failed to do.
The former Vice Chancellors of AMU and those who have remained associated with the administration know very well that AMU, having over eighty hostels at the campus, about hundred departments of studies, several colleges and schools, has become unwieldy to properly manage, administer, maintain discipline and academic standards. The whole system needs thorough revamping if we really want to have exemplary discipline and academic standards worthy of a premier National and International institution. The VC, though an academician, has utterly failed to concentrate on this prime issue. His main thrust is on money oriented schemes, be it needed or not such as C.C. TV, over expensive repair of VC lodge, various constructions through outside agencies etc. How does a VC who most often remains out of station and has no time to concentrate on such issues, visualize to properly administering the Centres on day to day basis situated so far away from Aligarh?
The VC could have called a meeting of the former Vice Chancellors, concerned academicians and legal experts to have a thread bare discussion before proceeding on this important but very critical issue. Instead, he seems to have made it a prestige issue and wants to get it implemented at any cost. He looks least bothered about the Minority or residential character of the University. His concern to the Minority cause is evident from the fact that the University has failed to appear before the Supreme Court on three consecutive hearings in February, 2010 without any leave application by the University Counsel and the said counsel is still continuing.
I believe that the disrespect to the VC amounts to disrespect to the University. But under the circumstances I am left with no option but to express my feelings with a heavy heart. I feel extremely sorry for these comments against our VC but I clearly see our Alma Mater being in peril with the steps he is very hurriedly taking without giving a sincere thought.
(By Nafees Ahmad)
(Life Watch invites views of teachers and students of AMU and other concerned citizens on the aforementioned subject. Kindly mail your views to lifewatch@rediffmail.com)
MONEY MAKING BUSINESS CALLED POLITICS
The article further says: “The subject of black money and stacking of this illicit money in foreign banks is raised in every election, but no party that has come to power, has ever tired to put an end to this. Politicians who become Chief Ministers for merely a few months gather illegal wealth up to worth 50000 crores, that too in impoverished states, and we expect that people of these states will remain happy and satisfied…And the Government, unable to curb the increasing outflow of public money in private pockets, has no option but to increase collection through enhanced taxes. So if merely 15% of the public spend reaches the public and the political parties in power still wish that enough work is done so as to enable them to win the next elections, they are left with no choice but to further tax those who are paying taxes. There are no complainants, as a good part of the other 85% too has been their share, but not for public use, naturally!”
“Where are we heading? We are gradually becoming like an ostrich, which when faced with adverse situation, hides its face in the sand under hope that it has safeguarded itself from threats. We have been doing this since a while now. We try to turn a blind eye to serious problems which are gradually taking our entire system to a point of no return.
In such a situation, if certain disgruntled elements, who do not possess anything that they may be afraid of loosing it, decide to take up arms, we again turn a blind eye towards their genuine problems and only talk of using force as a solution. Yes, force is the only solution against those who have resorted to the use of force. But will we be able to stop their children or the next generation from taking the same line. Till when will we continue to kill our own people?”
A similar news story in same issue of Life Watch talked of Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister spending Rs. 1.25 crore in a year on their food, while a good many impoverished farmers were killing themselves after failed crops.
A third article in the same issue aptly labeled ‘Corruption Special Issue’ said that it is a myth that India is a poor country. The article said: “India has more black money stacked away in Swiss banks than all the countries of the world combined…There are a whopping $1500 billion worth of foreign reserve, an amount 13 times larger than the country’s foreign debt; rethink, are we a poor country? The money is so much that if all of it is brought back, each of the Indian citizen right till the new born babe in the hospital will get about 50000 rupees each. All our foreign debt can be paid right away if the money is brought back. Even then we will be left with 12 times more reserves than all our present debt.”
Further, it said: “But is there a political Will to bring back this money? We are afraid, no!...This is to be noted that most of the wealth of Indians parked in these tax heavens is illegitimate money acquired through corrupt means.”
It is not a hidden fact anymore that politics is more of a money making business rather than selfless social work as it used to be. This is reflected in the fact that despite the fact that we saw one of the worst recessions in Independent India’s history, we read stories of the poor getting poorer, job cuts, ruined crops and company closures, our MPs continue to get richer with each passing day. The latest example is of the UP Chief Minister whose net worth has increased enormously ever since she got into the helm of affairs at Lucknow.
Between 2004 and 2009, our MPs became almost 300 per cent richer on average while life remained a struggle for nearly 400 million Indians surviving below poverty line. This information was available courtesy the 2003 Supreme Court ruling making it mandatory for all election candidates to disclose their assets, educational qualifications and any criminal background. Remember, the judgment was for disclosing the assets in the name of the candidates and did not bring to consideration the benami assets and those of relatives and friends.
Based on the declarations filed by the MPs re-contesting after 5 years, it was found that nearly 200 of the MPs reported a rise of more than 100 per cent. Mohammad Tahir, a young MP from impoverished state of Uttar Pradesh re-contesting in 2009 even reported a 9,137 per cent rise in his wealth, which included agricultural land and also a BMW, three other cars and pistols and guns.
Rahul Gandhi, the son and heir of the Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi, declared 23.3 million rupees in 2009 – an increase of 414 per cent since 2004. A bulk of that came from two shops he owns in Delhi. LK Advani reported 35.5 million rupees in 2009 as his personal wealth, which was up 173 per cent since 2004.
L. Rajagopal, a Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh who heads the Lanco Group, declared three billion rupees. Not to be left behind Santosh Mohan Dev, the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises till 2004, reported a 718 per cent increase in his assets by 2009.
Irrespective of the plight of poor farmers and villagers, the business called politics continue to churn money in hordes. The bank balance of these politicians keep on moving skywards even if the country’s economy sinks or the foreign debt mounts.
Who will lend an ear to the real plight of people like Maoists who have lost faith in our systems of democracy when it is against the interest of those in decision-making corridors to even initiate a debate on the real reasons for their estrangement?
Delhi culturally shut, literally!
Thousands of crores for a 12-day extravaganza! Add to it the fact that Delhi that was known for its cultural evenings has been literally closed and there are no cultural programs taking place in the Capital, courtesy the games.
IITF used to organize several trade fairs and other events round the year. From 1st of April, 2010 all such programs have been suspended so much so that the much hyped and hugely popular Trade Fair held every year in November too won’t be organized this year.
Insiders in Punjabi Academy of Delhi Government say that there are verbal instructions not to organize any program and focus their energies only on the Games. The Punjabi Academy has an annual budget of about Rs. 4 crore, which is spent on various cultural activities for promotion of Punjabi language. Likewise, there are other academies like the Urdu Academy and Hindi Academy besides organizations like the Sahitya Academy. They all have suspended their activities and will be organizing programs at various locations in the Capital all through the Commonwealth Games.
Delhiites, cultural programs that you used to attend, too will be sacrificed at the altar of these Games. If such are the sacrifies Delhiites have to give prior to the Games, one wonders how long will its aftereffects last.
WHOSE WEALTH? WHOSE COMMONS?
The 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) will be held in New Delhi from 3-14 October 2010. Hectic preparations are on to get the works completed prior to the commencement of the games. The Government is showing a rosy picture and is linking the expenditure involved on the Games to the much needed requirement of infrastructural development. However, everybody doesn’t agree to this. Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN) has recently launched a report titled “The 2010 Commonwealth Games: Whose Weatlh? Whose Commons?” Former Chief Justice, Delhi High Court, Justice AP Shah, officially released the report at an event which was followed by a Panel Discussion chaired by Miloon Kothari, former United National Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing. Other panelists consited of Dr. Amitabh Kundu, Professor of Economics, JNU; Dunu Roy, Director, Hazards Centre; and Dr. Shalini Mishra and Shivani Chaudhry from HLRN.
Some of the core points that the report talks about are as under:
· India’s decision to bid for the Commonwealth Games 2010 was non-transparent and undemocratic and cost the country Rs. 137 crore. India offered US$ 7.2 million to rain athletes of all Commonwealth nations – an offer which allegedly clinched the bid in India’s favour.
· The Government of India and Delhi decided to underwrite costs and budget shortfall of the Games, despite the fact that the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Govt. of India, cautioned against it in 2003.
· The budget for the CWG has risen from an initial projection of Rs. 1899 crore to an official figure of Rs. 10000 crore and independent expert estimates of Rs. 30000 crore.
· The expenditure on sports infrastructure is already 2160% of the initial projected budget.
· The increase in the Union Budget allocation for the CWG from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports rose by 6235% from 2005-06 to 2009-10.
· Total expenditure on infrastructure, beautification projects, and security is unknown but likely to be hundreds of crores.
· A July 2009 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) raised questions on certain financial aspects of the Games, including sponsorships and revenue generation.
· Funds form 2009-10 Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (Special Component Plan) in Delhi have been diverted to cover CWG related expenditures.
· Over one lakh families have already been evicted due to CWG related projects. 44 more JJ clusters are to be removed before the Games and an estimated 30,000 – 40,000 families will be displaced.
· ‘Beggars’ and homeless citizens are being arrested and arbitrarily detained under the Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act 1959. The Department of Social Welfare has announced ‘no-tolerance zones’ in Delhi and plans to send them back to their states of origin.
· There is rampant exploitation of workers at CWG construction sites, including low pay, inadequate living conditions, and lack of safety equipment.
· Experience from around the world has demonstrated that mega sports events results in losses for the host country, especially when security costs are factored in. India’s expenses for the CWG are likely to create a negative financial legacy for the nation, the effects of which are already visible in the form of higher cost of living and taxes for Delhi residents.
· The Games are unlikely to improve sports in India since investment is concentrated on stadiums, which lie largely unused after the event, as in the case of the 1982 Asian Games.
Further, it has been said that the entire process related to the CWG has been essentially underscored by secrecy, unavailability of information, lack of government accountability, and unconstitutional activities, with evidence of long-term economic, social and environmental costs for the nation, and specifically for the city of Delhi. Preparations for the Games have already resulted in an irreversible alteration in the social, spatial, economic, and environmental dimensions of the city of Delhi. Much of this has taken place in contravention of democratic governance and planning processes.
The goal of portraying Delhi as a ‘world-class’ city and an international sports destination, has led the Indian government – both at the state and central level – to lose sight of its priorities and legal and moral commitments to its people.
The economic and social costs of the CWG could be even worse than stated. The cost of the Games could be as enormous as Rs. 70,000 crore, and the number of families already displaced from their homes due to the Games could be as high as over 100,000 (1 lakh).
The scale of the CWG and the excessive costs involved are hard to justify in a country that has glaringly high levels of poverty, hunger, inequality, homelessness, and malnutrition. When one in three Indians lives below the poverty line and 40% of the world’s hungry live in India, when 46% of India’s children and 55% of tis women are malnourished, does spending thousands of crores of rupees on a 12-day sports events build ‘national pride’ or it it a matter of ‘national shame’.
And the recommendations are:
· Need for detailed inquiry into the decision-making and bidding process as well as on the total expenditure of the CWG.
· Need for a full public disclosure of all finances related to the CWG.
· Need for the government to have a long-term legacy plan based on principles of human rights and environmental sustainability.
· Need to investigate those officials who have consistently overstated benefits from the Games, withheld critical information, and misappropriated funds, and prosecute them if they are found guilty.
· Need for a post-games audit and detailed social and environmental impact assessment.
· Need to prevent human rights violations, and for the government to comply with its national and international human rights and environmental legal commitments.
· Need for an investigation into the human rights violations related to the CWG.
· Need to repeal the Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act 1959.
Manual Scavenging: Must be eradicated Right away
The manual scavenging is an offshoot of the untouchability practiced in India. Many feudal societies have seen the birth based hierarchy of caste but the Indian caste system has been legitimized through Holy Scriptures to make it a religious phenomenon. Many factors have contributed to emergence of caste; Race, class and religion. Currently the race theory does not find much favor with the serious scholars of caste. The major contributing factors have been the economic and religious. In his famous phrase Ambedkar points out that “caste is not a division of labor; it is a division of laborers”. He puts more emphasis on the ideological and religious factors. In his analysis these factors are interwoven as civilizational factors which influenced and resulted in social changes leading to formation of caste system.
The evolution of caste society was a slow process. Its continuance was secured by making it hereditary. The primitive taboo on eating together and intermarriage became caste law, which in turn led to marriage limits and elaborate rules of endogamy and exogamy. The continuance of caste system depended on vast network of sub-castes, which were connected with occupations. This sub-caste – jati – came to have more relevance and became the basis of functioning of Hindu society. As caste became hereditary with close connection between occupation and sub-caste, it resulted in an automatic check on individual moving up in the hierarchy of castes.
Untouchablity is the outcome of this caste system and manual scavenging is the subhuman ex-pression of the same, that being amongst the worst of atrocities perpetrated by the upper caste on the low castes. This is the key concept inherent in purity-pollution, and rebirth theories which were used to enslave the low caste and keep them tied to the subhuman occupation. Khalid Akhtar (Hardnews Media, March 2008) points out that the earliest references to it are found in Narada Samhita and Vajasaneyi Samhita. In Narada Samhita one of the 15 duties listed for untouchables, one is the removal of human excreta. In Vajasaneyi Samhita, Chandalas are referred to as slaves engaged in the disposal of human excreta. Even other dalits look down upon them and all the avenue of social interaction in any form were denied to them.
Excavations at Lotha in Gujarat show that Harappan civilization did have water based sanitation system. The toilets were connected by drains and had manholes and chambers. With the decline of Harappan civilization this technology went into oblivion.
The system of manual scavenging continued in medieval times as well. While the Muslim kings did introduce different techniques at places. As such the communal politics, as is its wont, is trying to propagate that since the Muslims used Burqua, women could not go out to jungles, they introduced manual scavenging. This is another way of putting the blame of internal problems to external source. This is far from truth. Observation and research into the Mughal forts’ sanitation system shows that they had small outlets in the bathing rooms of Mughal forts which were used as toilets. The waste from these toilets was carried by gravitational force to the ramparts with the help of water. This technique has been seen in the Red Fort in Delhi, in the palaces of Rajasthan, in Hampi, Karnataka and in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The British did claim that they have come here, carrying the “White Man’s Burden” of civilizing the East, but as far as retrograde social practices were concerned they were unconcerned about those. In the case of manual scavenging they put their seal of approval on this by systematizing it and creating the posts of scavengers in army, railways, municipalities and big towns. Barring few places they did not put the sewer lines in most of the places, as they observed that already the system of scavenging is in place. Due to industrial changes, end of craftsmanship and pauperization of a section of society, some of them forced to join in this work.
Ambedkars’ rebellion against caste and his prescription on ‘Annihilation of caste’ and Mahatma Gandhi’s efforts to eradicate untouchabilty, experiments with new designs of toilets, had a minimal effect on the total social situation, as the social transformation has been painfully slow. After partition the untouchables from Pakistan were not permitted to come to India and Indian Government did not try much for the safe passage of this group to India. And here the situations continued as it has been due to which the life was a total humiliation for this section of society persisted. During last many decades the pressure of the social movements is forcing the State authorities to abolish this practice and rehabilitate the scavengers. As usual the State response has been half baked and there is a lack of effectivity in the same. The step of the social movements to do all, advocacy, campaign and other pressures, to ensure that this practice is put to rest is very significant.
One knows that the popular opinion and efforts of all sensitive people to end this are needed at this point of time to remove this blot on Indian society, irrespective of its sanction by the Holy Scriptures and traditional practices. Enough is enough, this atrocity on a section of our society has to be stopped forthwith; they need to be rehabilitated to the life of dignity, come what may.
New Princesses of Alwar
Scavenging has been present since the Pauranic days and prevailed during the Buddhist and Medieval periods. The horrendous practice continued from the days of the Mughals till the time of British rule. Tragically, the practice continues to hold roots in our society.
When Gandhiji came to India from South Africa, he drew everyone’s attention towards this problem. The India Government constituted a number of committees to look into this social problem but offered no solution. Gandhiji dreamt of a society free from the shackles of scavenging but this dream remained unrealized during his life.
One man, one mission by the name of Bindeshwar Pathak brought about a revolution all across the country. Though scavenging has not been eradicated entirely so far, his efforts have lead to making one city – Alwar – scavenger free. His team is working to make few other cities free of scavengers.
Says Bindeshwar Pathak: “In order to study them in depth and to be acquainted with their problems intimately, I went to and lived in a colony of scavengers in Bettiah, an outlying district of Bihar in India. What awaited me there was a depressing and revolting scenario, and I resolved to wipe off the blot of scavenging forever. Two episodes stirred further my conscience and strengthened my resolve. The first incident related to my seeing a newly wedded bride, reluctant to take up the work of scavenging, being forced and driven by here in-laws to clean bucket toilets. The initiation was met with unsuccessful resistance and heart-rending cries and sobs of the bride. My intervention with a view to persuading the in-laws to desist from forcing the daughter-in-law to take to scavenging was met with the rude counter question whether I would be willing to take the responsibility of feeding the daughter-in-law. Obviously my remonstrance melted. The second episode related to a boy being gored by a bull and none of the spectators gathered at the site was willing to intervene to rescue him and take him to a hospital. The boy ultimately died. The reason of non-intervention, I was told, was the fact that the boy was from a scavenger’s family.”
Bindeshwar Pathak further says: “The experience of living in a scavengers’ colony and the two illustrative episodes narrated afore made me think about methods which may end scavenging. I realized that this was possible and the solution lay in replacement of the bucket toilet system. This led me to devise and implement the two-pit, pour-flush, compost toilet system technology for individual households and operating and maintaining public toilets linked with biogas plants attached to Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) device, leading to liberation of scavengers from their demeaning profession.”
The new princesses of Alwar are the women of the city who have left scavenging to take to other professions. However, Alwar is just one of the countless cities in India where the practice of manual scavenging is still rampant. There is a serious need to build public perception in this area so that the practice of manual scavenging is eradicated out rightly.
Life Watch Bureau