8th MARCH: FOR THE WOMEN, BY THE WOMEN

Today is International Women’s Day. It celebrates the centuries old struggle of women for equality. Contemporary international women’s movements date back to beginning of 20^th century when early rights such as equal adult suffrage and other civil rights were demanded by women. In India also this period witnessed the growth of many women’s organizations such as ‘All-India Women’s Conference’, ‘Women’s India Association’ etc. They had a pan-Indian appeal. Later in 1970s, the women’s movement resurfaced with newer liberal issues. Many victories were scored by these in India and abroad, but many battles are still to be won. In India, workforce participation of women is mere 18%. Their representation in 16^th Lok Sabha is just 61 (out of 545 odd members) i.e. barely 12% – and that’s the all time high figure! Violence against women is still unabated despite plethora of legislation. This cannot change unless we remove our cultural glasses which see woman as inferior species. And to do that time is now. It is a good sign that, the day before President of India expressed concern over delay of Women’s Reservation in Legislatures Bill and today Government of India announced a belated entry of women into fighter pilot roles.

FOOD or FREEDOM?

Recently a company announced a smartphone at a price of a simcard. After initial jubilation, all sorts of speculations and allegations started flowing thick and fast. As a result, the company was forced to announce the return of the money and declare that it will now deliver phones on cash-on-delivery basis. Imagine this situation in a country where having a smartphone is the last priority for 50 million households. 300 million people can't read the messages in that smartphone given the absence of basic literacy skills. Leave alone e-literacy skills. In broadband penetration, we fare worse than Bhutan and hence the phone will be like a dud piece of electronics for rural folks. NFHS4's recent data shows stunting among children is still at alarming levels. Information and communication are tools of empowerment, but they cannot substitute for the basic needs especially food for a hungry population. A 3G phone cannot address the core 1G developmental issues that we still face. That requires adequate public investment, job creation and minimum social security to all, not a dubious marketing gimmick.

KILLER TASTE

Various state FDA reports on Janata's favorite instant noodles have created furore. Saans lena to Mushkil ho hi rakha tha, ab khaana bhi mushkil ho gaya. Things turned as ugly as they can. Maggi failed on multiple counts of food standards. And as the closet started to unreveal itself, there were more skeletons as well. It transpired that Nestle has brought into market a product (Maggi Oat Noodles), for which approval was still pending. This revelation put Nestle in a tight spot and even the jet-setting CEO has to concede to the failings of the FMCG giant. Whatever may be the final results after due inquiry, there are certain things which the incident exposed. First, it laid bare the ethical charade of MNCs like Nestle. It was highly unethical on its part to not declare presence of MSG in its product. Just by using clever wordings ('No Added MSG'), it cannot shy away from the onus of responsibility. Following the rules is one thing, following their spirit is the another. Nestle failed miserably on the latter part. Secondly, presence of alarming levels of lead shows that its quality checks have failed to live up the expected standards which are associated with a so called MNC. People in this country might be poor, but their lives are not cheap. Finally, the incident is also a wake up call that not only air, but our water and soils also need a reality check.

RIP R K

The doyen of Indian cartooning R K Laxman is no more and the most important chapter of history of cartooning in India comes to an end. He passed away on 26th January 2015 at the age of 94. He was arguably the longest serving cartoonist of India. He drew more than 30,000 cartoons over a period of around 60 years. He was the only cartoonist who had witnessed all the transition phases of India - from colonial rule to the era of independence, from period of planned social economy to a post-1991 liberalized India. His characteristic strokes made the politicians and other prominent public figures to yearn for more without any heartburn. His political cartoons inspired many generation of cartoonists for their simplicity of figures and sharpness of wit. He started his career as a freelance cartoonist and later worked as a full time cartoonist for the first time with The Free Press Journal in Mumbai where Bal Thackeray also worked along with him. He also illustrated the stories and novels of his prodigal brother R K Narayan. However, the turning point of his career was joining of Times of India where he drew the legendary 'Common Man' from Nehru era to Rahul era in his 'You Said It' column. The gratified nation acknowledged his contribution by conferring Padma Vibhushan in 2005 and Times of India acknowledged his contribution by making him the lifetime employee. Though R K Laxman is no more among us, his strokes are immortal and they will continue to spread humor and inspire many generations of budding cartoonists like me.

CRUELITY with CARTOONS

Gruesome attack on Charlie Hebdo yesterday was another blatant example of attempts to stifle the freedom of expression. There can be an endless argument over what are the limits to religious sensitivity, but no religion or god will ever permit murders for violation of those thresholds of religious sensitivity. On the one hand it is argued, that religion provides hope, the extremists are trying to exemplify rather the opposite. No god can be so weak that it need to instill fear among the minds of its children to command respect from them. This misrepresentation of religious tenets must stop for the very survival of the religions which such extremists want to protect. The recent killing reminds me of a dialogue from the movie PK that 'I just lost one of my friends when they tried to protect their god...'. In Charlie Hebdo case, we lost 12 of our friends and perhaps many more may have still to sacrifice their lives before we realize that essence of all religions is in making lives better, and not taking them away.

JAAT RESERVATION

Recent announcement of Jaat reservation in OBC by cabinet elicited varied reactions. Jaats are termed as ‘dominant caste’ in North India by noted sociologists like M N Srinivas and have assumed position of ‘bullock capitalists’ in post-green-revolution era. They have, for long, dominated the political arena in state of Haryana where Jaat reservation movement gained utmost momentum in recent times. Recent announcement regarding reservation has also raised some fundamental issues vis-à-vis reservation policy itself. Many have argued about the very notion of reservation and its efficacy in past 65 years. Reservation may be a symbolic victory, but its benefits are likely to be reaped by a small section of the purported beneficiaries. Benefits percolate to the bottom of pyramid in a community too slowly and it might well be a time to reflect upon this policy afresh. Some other rational criterion like ‘economic criteria’ may be pondered upon in a re-engineered model of social empowerment to implement concept of reservation.

LIFE @ HIPA – 2: PROXY WAR in CLASS

There are classes in HIPA from morning to evening on various topics including revenue laws, social laws, rules and regulations and other para-administrative issues. Some of the officer trainees (OTs) find college life hangover too difficult to shed-off and are tempted to bunk classes here too. However, their attempts are deftly foiled by a vigilant Mr Mohinder Singhji who been an astute Qanoongo before his retirement and has been given responsibility of ensuring full attendance in classes. Classroom training is a great opportunity to assimilate many theoretical aspects of administration as well as to interact with other fellow trainees who later become lifelong colleagues in career services. Sometimes training become a bit staid and proxies and counter-proxy measures act as refreshing ingredients of training curricula. Punctuality is the greatest asset of an officer and is one of the crucial factors that makes or breaks the image of an officer. Class-room training is a great opportunity to imbibe this quality which all of the OTs will appreciate.

LIFE @ HIPA - 1: RANA RULES

Haryana Institute of Public Administration or HIPA is the institute for training of Haryana Civil Servants. Preparations for state PCS is also a bit hectic and those who were through HCS exam were drafting plans of making most of the 6 months long HIPA class room training. Enjoying the warmth of quilts in December cold was one of the key items on 'Chilling-out-at-HIPA-plan' of trainee officers. Their worst nightmares came true when they learned that they will have to do compulsory PT @ 6 am in the morning in the biting cold (which  was relaxed to 7 am amid heavy protests). PT instructor Mr Rana was formerly at LBSNAA Massouri whom our DG brought to HIPA to make Haryanvi officers look more like 'officers'. Its been almost 2 months in training and everyone now appreciate that physical fitness for an officer is as important as professional competence as it increases efficiency manifolds and imparts smartness in an officer. Given the growing hectic work-culture in government offices and increasing life-style diseases, morning PT can be a good stress buster and a great fitness tool. Inculcating this habit early in career will surely pay huge dividends towards the fag end of the career as well as life.

AGONY of A CS ASPIRANT

Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by UPSC is gateway to the elite government services in India. Three years back, UPSC introduced comprehensive changes in the scheme of CSE preliminary examination. Many students demanded that since changes were comprehensive, they be given relaxation in terms of age and attempts as was done on earlier occasions also. UPSC on the other hand reasoned that 4 attempts are more than it would like to allow and various committees had already argued in favor of reducing number of attempts and age limit. Unlike other entrance examinations, CSE follows a painfully protracted process and traps the aspirants into a vicious cycle of preparation which ends only after 4 grueling attempts are exhausted and 5 precious years of life are gone. Worse, as the age of the aspirant ripens, the unsuccessful aspirant finds himself or herself in a pitiable position where other career prospects also become bleak. On the other hand, given the growing loss of moral values in civil services, UPSC might be rightly thinking of promoting younger minds by reducing age limit and number of attempts as young minds are more amenable to be moulded in a desired moral frame. However, it must also be ensured that those coming from rural backgrounds are not put in a disadvantaged position as they are the ones who face an acute awareness deficit in terms of career prospects and tightening the eligibility norms may further handicap their chances.  

VALLEY ROCKERS!!

Recently, a fundamentalist cleric from J&K issued a fatwa against the first all girl rock band from the valley. Before that, the band also faced threats on their Facebook page. It was heartening to learn that state Chief Minister himself reacted promptly on Twitter against those involved in these acts, but more needs to be done. Freedom of Speech and Expression ( under Article 19) and Right to Life and Liberty (under Article 21)are guaranteed as fundamental rights in our constitution. Further, such incidents put India in a bad light which as a liberal democracy is striving towards a uniform civil code under Directive Principles for all its citizens irrespective of their race, religion and creed. State should deal with such self-styled moralists with tougher hand so that it doesn't paint itself as a mute spectator and in turn indirectly encourage fanatics to repeat their misdeeds. 

CURING CORRUPTION

Anna yesterday reiterated that he won't support Kejriwal's party. Millions others also think like him. They would love to support movement of Kejriwals, but not their political party. The reason - politics is dirty and by corollary, those who are in (or want to enter) politics must also be dirty. This misplaced reductionist approach is surely hurting the honest reformist efforts of a few spirited people who have dared to challenge the stalwarts of Indian politics. It's the gross skepticism of masses that stereotypes torchbearers like Kejriwal. Bigger challenge before nation is not corruption, nepotism or dirty politics, but lack of enthusiast nationalist who can champion the cause of nation, rise above their narrow self interests and decide what is good for nation as a whole is good for them also.

SUPER CENSORISM IN INDIA

Recently, Kamal Hasan threatened to leave Tamil Nadu after much heartburn over disruption of release of his movie and subsequent apathy of state government and antagonism of some fanatics. In India, over-powering of state institutions by vested interest groups has almost become a fashion. Statutory bodies are found to kept hostage illegally by such groups and state remains a mute spectator. In such a frustrating situation, one may find approaching judiciary as the only way out, but doing so in a frequent manner raise questions about the very existence of statutory bodies and their competence. Government should put its foot down in wake of such sundry protests and should refrain from taking a soft stance so that such acts are not encouraged in future.

ALMOST JUVENILE!!

One of the Delhi rape accused who is barely a few months short of being a 'major' has been declared a 'minor/juvenile' by the Juvenile Justice Board. This has enraged the whole nation, but at the same time highlights another contentious issue of the definition of the word 'minor' itself. In India, more than 10 different legislations define 'Child' or 'Juvenile' in as many different ways. While labor laws consider only the ones who are below 14 years as children, armed forces take this age as 16 years for enlistment. Indian Penal Code on the other hand under section 83 considers anyone above 12 years as fit for taking criminal responsibility, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act even mentions different ages at which one becomes an adult depending upon sex (18 & 21 for females and males) and to cap it all there is no defined age anywhere in law for sexual consent!!! This is not peculiar of definition of 'minor' alone. Our country has zillion of overlapping and contradictory archaic laws which have complicated the justice delivery mechanism. Simplifying such a web of laws is also one of the recommendations of Justice Verma Committee and the various law commissions in past as well.