1. FESTIVAL: Nāg Panchami, which falls on Shravan shukla Panchami (August 4 this year) is a festival when either images of or live Nāgas (cobras) are worshipped. According to mythology, Lord Krishna had conquered Naga Kālia and put an end to his evil deeds on Nāga Panchamī.
During the festival, in many regions especially Nepal , people traditionally post pictures of Nagas above the doors of their homes to ward off evil spirits, offer prayers to Nagas, and place food items such as milk and honey in their fields for Nagas.
On this day married women and the girls wake up early in the morning, take head bath, arrange the things necessary for puja and start to reach a nearest Ant Hill (Snake's Home). They offer puja and Milk to the Ant Hill and pray to Snake God (Bharatiya Cobra - Lord Subramanya's Incarnation) for the wellness of their brothers and their family.
2. WORLD'S ONLY SANSKRIT DAILY TURNS 42: Sudharma, which claims to be the only Sanskrit newspaper in the world, is struggling hard to survive as it enters its 42nd year. "That's because no state or central body comes forward to assist us in any way and the response from various organisations in the private sector is indifferent," K.V. Sampath Kumar, editor of the Mysore-based daily that has over 2,000 subscribers said.
But then why publish a paper in a "dead language" at all? The editor's wife, Jayalakshmi, who is well versed in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, English and of course Sanskrit, reacts sharply: "Who says Sanskrit is dead? Every morning, people recite shlokas, conduct pujas...all ceremonies including marriages, childbirth to death, are in Sanskrit. Bharat is united by Sanskrit, which is the mother language sustaining so many languages in the country. It's growing and now even IT professionals are saying it is useful."
Sampath Kumar said his father Pandit Varadaraja Iyengar started the paper July 15, 1970. Priced at Re.1, the paper mostly contains articles on Vedas, yoga, religion and also politics and culture, among others.
3. DRDO INCLUDES YOGA AS PART OF STUDY: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has included Yoga as part of study in the joint research centre set up in Kyrgzstan for high altitude diseases and their treatment. The centre will study acclimatisation at heights above 10,000 feet by the Bharatiyas and Kyrgzis population as the Bharatiya troops are deployed at those heights be it Siachen or Nathu La in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
This Centre was established by DRDO under a project with a budget of 1.5 million US dollars (`6.0 crores) for a joint collaborative R&D study with National Centre for Cardiology and Internal Medicine (NCCIM) of Kyrgyzstan.
In this regard, impact of yoga in improving performance at heights where breathing is a tough proposition let alone fighting a war will be studied in this centre.
Moreover, nutritional and pharmacological interventions, improvement in physical endurance and treatment of pathological conditions such as bronchial asthma, vascular diseases, and others by moderate altitude exposure will also be studied.
4. DOCUMENTARY ON PUNE’s WOMEN PRIESTS: Women are now performing the puja, marriage rituals and funeral rites and the city is accepting them with open arms. 'Back to the Vedas', is the resonant mantra among religious organisations in Pune , which are training women to become priests. The Vedas propagate gender equality and encourage women to learn Sanskrit shlokas.
Mama Thatte, a Hindu priest and scholar in Vedic literature, started training women to become priests in 1970. Arya Joshi, course coordinator at Dnyana Prabodhini, said so far they had trained over 1,000 women priests since 1990. Pune now has more women priests than other cities in the state. "Pune has over 7,000 practising women priests which is more than Mumbai and Nashik," said Suhasini Mulay, national award-winning actress and director. Mulay is in the city to make a documentary on women priests.
5. NEW MEETING GROUND: The recent all-party meeting discussing the upcoming Lokpal Bill ended on agreement - and argument. The assembled groups agreed in principle on the institution of a strong anti-corruption Lokpal, the Bill towards this to be introduced in Parliament's monsoon session. The abiding irony is that while most political parties took swipes at civil society for agitating on the issue, had it not been for civil society agitation it would have remained on the back burner, as it was for the last 42 years when left to the political class. The very fact that political parties are meeting now to address an urgent issue is a tribute to civil society activism.
In that sense, what an out-of-touch political class has failed to grasp so far is that public opinion has been increasingly disturbed over corruption, the current season of scams - Commonwealth Games to 2G to Adarsh - being the last straw that broke the camel's back. The rise of civil society activism reflects the depths of public feeling - and the political vacuum around the issue. Gurudas Dasgupta of the CPI is an honourable exception to this blind spot among politicians. He stated that civil society and media should both be commended for challenging corruption. By contrast the RJD and SP - parties that have been associated with headline-hitting corruption - were also the most vituperative in condemning civil society activism. It certainly looks as if they have something to hide.
Overall, it's welcome that corruption is much higher on the political agenda than before. While the prime minister provided some direction regarding the Lokpal fitting into the matrix of constitutional checks and balances, the BJP refused to specify its exact stand on issues like MPs in Parliament and the PM being under the Lokpal's purview, reserving insights for the House. The sleight of hand was heavy enough to escape none. The BJP should note it's not gathering fans as it tries capitalising on the Congress's discomfort without clarifying its own position - or cleaning up its act in Karnataka.
Now that a debate has been started it's important that considerable attention be devoted to the systemic causes of corruption and generation of unaccounted incomes. This is an element that has been missing from past debates on corruption. Unless we talk about how high stamp duties and a distorted land market incentivise sleaze in real estate - to take just one example - even a duly empowered Lokpal will not be a panacea. It's going to be a long battle. Civil society must also display the patience to stay engaged. Corruption, after all, is too important an issue to be left to the politicians alone. – Editorial, Times of India, 5th July 2011.
6. SUBSIDY TO SRI LANKA PILGRIMS: Madhya Pradesh will soon offer a subsidy to pilgrims who travel to Sri Lanka which it believes has several places associated with the epic Ramayana. The State already offers subsidies to pilgrims who travel to Kailash Mansarovar and two sites in Pakistan - Hinglaj Devi temple and Nankana Sahib Gurudwara.
Sri Lankan Government is currently developing what it calls the Ramayana Train linking various sites associated with the greatest epic of Asia. It hopes that the train will soon become not just an added tourist attraction for thousands of Bharatiyas who visit the island, but will also draw many devout pilgrims from across the Ram Setu.
A university for the study of Buddhist tenets will soon be built at Sanchi in the state.
7. HINDU SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH, NAIROBI: 70 taruns and their families gathered at the Jamhuri High School grounds on 3rd July and had a day long karyakram comprising games, & telematches, HIndu Sevika Samiti did a cultural evening programme organised by Jijamaata Shakha on 3rd July from 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm. Tarunis & gruhinis presented geet & bhajans. About 40 children took part in fancy dress. Parents were part of more than 180 participants.
8. LORD PADMANABHA’S WEALTH BELONGS TO HIM ONLY: Let’s not meddle with it: Goddess Lakshmi resides where Lord Padmanabha is. For, the Lord is an aspect of Lord Vishnu himself, whose consort is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. No surprise that such huge amount of divine wealth has been unearthed in the locked up chambers of Lord Padmanabha’s temple in the present day Thiruvananthapuram, earlier known as the capital city of the Royalty of Travancore.
After finding such enormous wealth the right question to be asked first is as to how come a relatively smaller temple of Lord Padmanabha had so much wealth while much more popular shrines like the Balaji at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh or for that matter the Guruvayurappan temple in Kerala itself seem to have much less? No one can dispute the fact that these two temples have been much more popular and have attracted many times more devotees for centuries. Nobody can also dispute the fact that they must have attracted lot more of public endowment in all these centuries. What happened to all that wealth of these temples?
Therein lies the answer to many issues being raised by the overzealous over the recently unearthed wealth of Lord Padmanabha. It is safe only and only in the hands of the Lord, and none—not even the Government-run trusts—deserve to handle it. By now it has become common knowledge that the wealth is the accumulated offerings by the successive kings of the royalty of Travancore and many other kings, rulers—Indian as well as foreign, traders and commoners.
One should acknowledge the enormous commitment of the royalty to Lord Padmanabha in safeguarding this wealth. I have had personal acquaintance with the royals of Travancore. It is known to many in Kerala that the royal family’s financial fortunes have dipped considerably in the last few years to an extent that they were finding it difficult to manage the temple affairs too. It has resulted in some problems between the temple priests and other staff and the royals who manage the temple. I am told that there were several such occasions earlier too when the royalty had faced acute financial strains. Yet they never dared to touch the temple wealth, an iota of which would have met many of their needs.
It is nobody’s case that we should condone the omissions and commissions of the royals, if any, in managing the temple affairs. However it must also be borne in mind that successive kings of Travancore deserve rich tributes for protecting this vast wealth with utmost devotion and sincerity. The British had looted several temples in the country and transferred all the booty to the Royal Palace in London. In fact the Queen must in great sorrow after the news of this unearthed wealth and cursing for sure the inefficient officers of the British Raj for failing to do that when they had the chance.
However the rapacious political leadership that succeeded the British has meticulously completed their unfinished task in the last six decades. Temples like Tirupati and Guruvayur and many more are a standing example of this domestic loot. The story of the loot of Hindu temples in India by our political masters post-Independence pales Ghori and Ghaznvi into obscurity.
On January 17, 1750 the then ruler of Travancore, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma stood before the Lord Padmanabha and offered his entire kingdom at His altar. After that the successive rulers had rechristened themselves as Padmanabha Daasa – vassals of Lord Padmanabha. Like loyal soldiers they not only protected the kingdom and the temple but also the enormous wealth it had earned over centuries.
Loot of Hindu temples by the political masters in post-Independence India has acquired humongous proportions. Lands and other property of many a temple have been nibbled away by the goons of local and sometimes provincial political termites. Jewellery, cash and artifacts including antique sculptures have been stolen from the museums directly or sometimes through sleight of hand by taking them to overseas destinations in the name of India exhibitions and replacing the valuables with duplicates and sending them back while the originals found their way into international markets for huge sums. There are serious allegations that this kind of loot has made several politicians billionaires while the temples have turned into paupers.
The ongoing litigation that has led to the opening of the locked chambers at the Padmanabha temple appears to be motivated by some such sinister designs only. There is no dearth of treacherous Hindus in our country. They become easy tools in the hands of greedy politicians – a breed for which too there is no dearth in India. The entire game plan appears to be to loot the wealth of Lord Padmanabha by hook or crook.
In a way this litigation has brought back into focus the critical issue of the control of Hindu temples by the political establishment. Temples and their entire wealth – whether it is lands or offerings or antiques – should belong to the Hindu society only. There is a need to amend or discard the Hindu Endowment Act so that the religious places of Hindus become the property of the society rather than the government. Travancore proved that devout Hindus can safeguard temples better than unscrupulous politicians.
Chief Minister of Kerala was sensible in declaring that his government has no interest in taking over the wealth or management of the Padmanabha temple. Suggestions by sections of the media and intelligentsia like creating a museum or trust are also too premature. What is needed is for the entire Hindu society including the saints and spiritual leaders to vociferously oppose any move to take over the temple or its wealth. Let it be protected by the management as before and let there be a larger discussion over the management of Hindu temples by Hindu society itself. – Ram Madhav ( Organiser July 17,2011)
9. PM SHOULD HAVE ONLY LIMITED IMMUNITY: The BJP on July 4 reiterated its demand to include the PM under Lokpal, with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley posting a write-up on the matter on the party website.
"Laws granting prime minister's immunity from legal provisions have been frowned upon. Constitutional amendment which made prime minister's election non-challengeable was introduced in the Emergency. It was struck down by the Supreme Court... There may be a rationale for treating these (national security or public order issues) areas as special and distinct but if a prime minister were to receive kickbacks on commercial transactions or subvert a vote of confidence through bribery, why should he be immune to the penal law? It is for this reason that both Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh have repeatedly said they have no objection to being covered by Lokpal," Jaitley wrote.
10. RELIEF WORK AT THE KALKA MAIL ACCIDENT BY SANGH VOLUNTEERS: In a tragic accident to the Delhi-bound Kalka Mail on 10 July morning ,two general compartments were very badly mangled and over 60 people lost their lives.. The RSS Swayamsevaks were already at the site of the accident for several hours helping the railwaymen and other security personnel. They offered help at the railway station near the dead bodies. They were there in hospitals where the injured have been transported. They were there even in Kanpur attending to the seriously injured. They gathered blood donor lists needed for blood and other help. More than hundred local volunteers were organising relief at the site along with the local head of the RSS , a doctor by profession who told that he was busy attending to the injured people in his own hospital as dozens of them had arrived. This network of inspired individuals is what the RSS has created as an asset for the country.
11. 15TH SINDHU DARSHAN UTSAVA CONCLUDES: Fifteenth Sindhu Darshan Utsava concluded on June 25 in Leh. A large number of pilgrims from across the country participated in the festival. On first day, a function was organised in main market of Leh where the pilgrims resolved for liberation of Kailash Mansarovar. The Himalaya Parivar and many other organisations have been demanding to open a route for Kailash Mansarovar from Karu to Leh. The meeting was addressed by the RSS National Executive Member Indresh Kumar. In the evening all the pilgrims were felicitated by Ladakh Kalyan Sangh.
12. BHARAT PUTS ANOTHER SATELLITE IN SPACE: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on July 15 successfully launched its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV- C17) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, 100 km north of Chennai, carrying to space GSAT-12, a communication satellite. This is the 18th successful launch of PSLV. The majestic launch vehicle lifted off from Sriharikota at 4.40 pm and within a few seconds disappeared into the clouds. Thirty minutes later, it injected the satellite into an orbit with a perigee (closest point to earth) of 284 km and an apogee (farthest point) of 21,000 km.
GSAT-12, weighing 1,410 kg at lift-off, is configured to meet the country's growing demand for transponders in a short turnaround time. It will boost television broadcasting and various other communication services like tele-education, telemedicine and village resource centres.
PSLV-C17, which marked the 19th flight of the ISRO's workhorse, was similar to the one used for the Chandrayaan-1 mission on October 22, 2008, with six extended solid strap-on motors.
13. EXPORTS RISE 46% IN JUNE TO $29BN: The country's exports rose 46.4% in June to $29.2 billion on the back of robust shipment of engineering goods, gems and jewellery, leather and marine products, commerce secretary Rahul Khullar said on July 8.
Merchandise exports have continued their robust growth in the current fiscal year and grew nearly 57% in May but officials and analysts say the rapid acceleration may moderate in the months ahead as demand remains sluggish in major global markets. The government has also diversified its export basket and is concentrating on capturing market share in non-traditional markets.
Imports in June totalled $36.9 billion, showing a growth of 42.4% from the year ago and the trade deficit during the month stood at $7.7 billion.
14. YOGA CAN HELP BREAST CANCER PATIENTS, SAYS STUDY: A research conducted by the University of Texas's M D Anderson Cancer Center in collaboration with the Bangalore-based Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana says yoga offers benefits to women undergoing radiation therapy for treating breast cancer.
While simple stretching exercises improved fatigue, patients who participated in yoga incorporating yogic breathing, postures, meditation and relaxation techniques into their treatment plan experienced improved physical functioning, better general health and lower stress hormone levels, the study said.
The study assessed -- for the first time, the researchers said -- yoga benefits to cancer patients by comparing their experience with patients in an active control group who integrated simple, generic stretching exercises into their lives.
'The combination of mind and body practices that are part of yoga clearly have tremendous potential to help patients manage the psychosocial and physical distress associated with treatment and life after cancer, beyond the benefits of simple stretching , Lorenzo Cohen, professor and director of the integrative medicine program at MD Anderson said.
15. 'BHARAT ROLE MODEL FOR BALANCED GROWTH’: Bharat over the years has emerged as a role model for balanced economic growth for countries across the world, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in Washingron on June 28 while addressing a meeting of Bharatiya and American corporate leaders, policy makers and think-tank members . Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee led a Bharatiya delegation to attend what is being billed as the highest level economic meeting between the two countries.
16. JAPAN MAKING A BETTER USE OF AYURVEDA: According to Dr. U.K. Krishna, who has been practicing and popularizing ayurveda in Japan for the past two decades, the country is already on its way to accept ayurveda, the traditional Bharatiya medicine system, as holistic medicine system. "The country witnessed spread of ayurveda from meagre one to two per cent to around 12% of the populations, a figure enough to suggest growing popularity of the medicine system in Japan. Also, the country has evolved successful marketing strategies to promote ayurveda, something which Bharata lacks despite being the originator of the system," he informed.
17. YOGA CAN TACKLE MENTAL DISORDERS: The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (Nimhans) not only has a 45-minute yoga package to treat psychiatric disorders like depression and schizophrenia, but has started comparing its curative effects with general medicine.
Doctors at Nimhans say their studies reveal evidence of biological changes in the body brought about by yoga. They prescribe yoga therapy along with medication in major ailments, while using yoga therapy alone for less serious disorders. Nimhans is currently doing rigorous clinical trials on the impact of yoga in treatment.
18. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Shri Ravikumar sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will tour Mauritius from July 30 – Aug 7. Visitors: Gajanan Dhapodkar, Sanjiv Kumar USA
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: All that we are is a result of what we have thought: We are formed and moulded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them. – Gautam Buddha
JAI SHREE RAM
COMMUNAL VIOLENCE BILL PUNISHES ONLY THE MAJORITY COMMUNITY
Arun Jaitley
In the aftermath of the Gujarat communal violence in 2002, there was a clamour from intellectuals, academics, social activists and many civic groups for a separate law to deal with communal violence. The result of a sustained campaign is the proposed 'Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011'
A draft of a proposed legislation titled 'Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011' has been put in the public domain. The draft bill ostensibly appears to be a part of an endeavour to prevent and punish communal violence in the country.
Though that may be the ostensible object of the proposed law its real object is to the contrary. It is a bill which if it is ever enacted as a law will intrude into the domain of the state, damage a federal polity of India ] and create an imbalance in the inter-community relationship of India.
What does the bill in effect state
The most vital definition of the bill is of the expression 'group'. A 'group' means a religious or linguistic minority and in a given state may include the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The bill creates a whole set of new offences in Chapter II. Clause 6 clarifies that the offences under this bill are in addition to the offences under the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Can a person be punished twice for the same offence?
Clause 7 prescribes that a person is said to commit sexual assault if he or she commits any of the sexual act against a person belonging to a 'group' by virtue of that person's membership of a group. Clause 8 prescribes that 'hate propaganda' is an offence when a person by words oral or written or a visible representation causes hate against a 'group' or a person belonging to a 'group'.
Clause 9 creates an offence for communal and targeted violence. Any person who singly or jointly or acting under the influence of an association engages in unlawful activity directed against a 'group' is guilty of organised communal and targeted violence.
Clause 10 provides for punishment of a person who expends or supplies money in the furtherance or support of an offence against a 'group'. The offence of torture is made out under clause 12 where a public servant inflicts pain or a suffering, mental or physical, on a person belonging to a 'group'.
Clause 13 punishes a public servant for dereliction of duty in relation to offences mentioned in this bill. Clause 14 punishes public servants who control the armed forces or security forces and fails to exercise control over people in his command in order to discharge their duty effectively.
Clause 15 expands the principle of vicarious liability. An offence is deemed to be committed by a senior person or office bearer of an association and he fails to exercise control over subordinates under his control or supervision. He is vicariously liable for an offence which is committed by some other person. Clause 16 renders orders of superiors as no defence for an alleged offence committed under this section.
Any communal trouble during which offences are committed is a law and order problem. Dealing with the law and order is squarely within the domain of the state governments. In the division of powers between the Centre and the states, the central government has no direct authority to deal with the law and order issues; nor is it directly empowered to deal with them nor it can legislate on the subject. The central government's jurisdiction restricts itself to issue advisories, directions and eventually forming an opinion under Article 356 that the governance of the state can be carried on in accordance with the Constitution or not.
If the proposed bill becomes a law, then effectively it is the central government which would have usurped the jurisdiction of the states and legislated on a subject squarely within the domain of the states.
India has been gradually moving towards a more amicable inter-community relationship. Even when minor communal or caste disturbances occur, there is a national mood of revulsion against them. The governments, media, the courts among other institutions rise to perform their duty. The perpetrators of communal trouble should certainly be punished.
This draft bill however proceeds on a presumption that communal trouble is created only by members of the majority community and never by a member of the minority community. Thus, offences committed by members of the majority community against members of the minority community are punishable. Identical offences committed by minority groups against the majority are not deemed to be offences at all.
Thus a sexual assault is punishable under this bill and only if committed against a person belonging to a minority 'group'. A member of a majority community in a state does not fall within the purview of a 'group'. A 'hate propaganda' is an offence against minority community and not otherwise. Organised and targeted violence, hate propaganda, financial help to such persons who commit an offence, torture or dereliction of duty by public servants are all offences only if committed against a member of the minority community and not otherwise.
No member of the majority community can ever be a victim. This draft law thus proceeds on an assumption which re-defines the offences in a highly discriminatory manner. No member of the minority community are to be punished under this act for having committed the offence against the majority community.
It is only a member of the majority community who is prone to commit such offences and therefore the legislative intent of this law is that since only majority community members commit these offences, culpability and punishment should only be confined to them.
If implemented in a manner as provided by this bill, it opens up a huge scope for abuse. It can incentivise members of some communities to commit such offences encouraged by the fact that they would never be charged under the act.
Terrorist groups may no longer indulge in terrorist violence. They will be incentivised to create communal riots due to a statutory assumption that members of a jihadi group will not be punished under this law. The law makes only members of the majority community culpable. Why should the law discriminate on the basis of a religion or caste?
An offence is an offence irrespective of origin of the offender. Here is a proposed law being legislated in the 21st century where caste and religion of an offender wipe out the culpability under this law.
Who will ensure implementation of this act
The bill provides for a seven-member national authority for communal harmony, justice and reparations. Of these seven members at least four of them including the chairman and vice-chairman shall only belong to a 'group' (the minority community). A similar body is intended to be created in the states. Membership of this body thus shall be on religious and caste grounds. The offenders under this law are only the members of the majority community.
The enforcement of the act will be done by a body where statutorily the members of the majority community will be in a minority. The governments will have to make available police and other investigative agencies to this authority. This authority shall have a power to conduct investigations and enter buildings, conduct raids and searches to make inquiries into complaints and to initiate steps, record proceedings for prosecution and make its recommendations to the governments.
It shall have powers to deal with the armed forces. It has a power to send advisories to the central and state governments. Members of this authority shall be appointed in the case of central government by a collegium which shall comprise of prime minister, the home minister, and the leader of the opposition in the house of people and a leader of each recognised political party. A similar provision is created in relation to the states. Thus, it is the opposition at the Centre and the states which will have a majority say in the composition of the authority.
What are the procedures to be followed
The procedures to be followed for investigations under this act are extraordinary. No statement shall be recorded under section 161 of the CrPC. Victim statements shall be only under section 164 (before courts). The government will have a power to intercept and block messages and telecommunications under this law. Under clause 74 of the bill if an offence of hate propaganda is alleged against a person, a presumption of guilt shall exist unless the offender proves to the contrary. An allegation thus is equivalent to proof. Public servants under this bill under clause 67 are liable to be proceeded against without any sanction from the state.
The special public prosecutor to conduct proceedings under this act shall not act in aid of truth but 'in the interest of the victim'. The name and identity of the victim complainant will not be disclosed. Progress of the case will be reported by the police to the victim complainant. The occurrence of organised communal and targeted violence under this act shall amount to an internal disturbance in a state within the meaning of Article 355 entitling the central government to impose President's Rule.
The drafting of this bill appears to be a handiwork of those social entrepreneurs who have learnt from the Gujarat experience of how to fix senior leaders even when they are not liable for an offence.
Offences which are defined under the bill have been deliberately left vague. Communal and targeted violence means violence which destroys the 'secular fabric of the nation'. There can be legitimate political differences as to what constitutes secularism. The phrase secularism can be construed differently by different persons. Which definition is the judge supposed to follow? Similarly, the creation of a hostile 'environment' may leave enough scope for a subjective decision as to what constitutes 'a hostile environment'.
The inevitable consequences of such a law would be that in the event of any communal trouble the majority community would be assumed to be guilty. There would be a presumption of guilt unless otherwise proved. Only a member of the majority shall be held culpable under this law.
A member of the minority shall never commit an offence of hate propaganda or a communal violence. There is a virtual statutory declaration of innocence under this law for him.
The statutory authority prescribed at the central and state level would intrinsically suffer from an institutional bias because of its membership structure based on caste and community.
I have no doubt that once this law is implemented with the intention with which it is being drafted, it will create disharmony in the inter-community relations in India. It is a law fraught with dangerous consequences. It is bound to be misused. Perhaps, that appears to be the real purpose behind its drafting. It will encourage minority communalism. The law defies the basic principles of equality and fairness.
Social entrepreneurs in the National Advisory Council can be expected to draft such a dangerous and discriminatory law. One wonders how the political head of that body cleared this draft. When some persons carried on a campaign against the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act -- an anti-terrorist law, the members of the UPA argued that even terrorists should be tried under the normal laws. A far more draconian law is now being proposed.
The states will be watching hopelessly when the Centre goes ahead with this misadventure. Their power is being usurped. The search for communal harmony is through fairness -- not through reverse discrimination. (http://www.rediff.com/news/column/arun-jaitley-why-the-communal-violence-bill-is-flawed/20110526.)
Ashada Krishna 30 Vik Samvat 2068. Yugabda 5113: July 1, 2011
1. FESTIVALS: Devotion surges as Ambubachi Mela ends: Thousands of devotees queued up in front of the main door of Kamakhya Mandir Guwahati which opened on June 26 after the five-day Ambubachi mela came to an end. Since morning, lakhs of visitors from every corner of the globe were seen waiting for their turn to have a glimpse of goddess Kamakhya braving rains. The Mandir door was thrown open at 6.45 am.
The door was closed from June 22-26 in accordance with the rituals of Ambubachi Mela. The fair is the most important mela celebrated at Kamakhya Mandir. It is believed that the presiding goddess of the mandir, Devi Kamakhya, goes through her annual cycle of menstruation during this time. This year, some 13 lakh visitors from across the globe attended the fair. On June 26, about 30, 000 people offered their prayers to the goddess.
2. Pilgrims have first glimpse of Shiva lingam: Vedic hymns and religious slogans glorifying Lord Shiva rented the air as thousands of pilgrims began trekking towards holy Amarnath Cave to pay obeisance and catch a glimpse of naturally formed ice Shiva lingam on the inaugural day of annual pilgrimage on June 29.
The overnight shower came as a good omen for the pilgrims who embarked on the pilgrimage with bonus of escaping the sweltering heat back home.
Around 5,000 pre-registered pilgrims had reached Baltal on Srinagar-Leh National Highway by 28th June evening to proceed on the 45-day pilgrimage on the maiden day.
3. RASHTRAPATIJI displeased over changing names of Kashmir villages: Rashtrapati Pratibha Devi Singh Patil expressed her displeasure and astonishment over the reports of changing of ancient and historical names of some Kashmiri villages, religious places, hillocks, mountains etc. She expressed her total disagreement with the moves of rechristening Srinagar as Shahar-e- Khas. She expressed these views to a five member delegation of Kashmir Vahini, the women wing of Panun Kashmir which called on her on June 23. She keenly sought more details about the issue and assured the delegation of taking up the matter with the appropriate authorities including the Governor of the state.
Khema Kaul, National spokesperson of Kashmira Vahini, while highlighting the issues faced by the displaced Kashmiri Pandits in general and the women in particular, made a strong case for seeking Rashtrapatiji’s intervention in raising the amount of meager relief being paid to registered displaced families. She wished for the immediate revision of the relief amount and requested the intermittent revision to be linked with the whole sale price index.
4. PM suggests popularising Vivekananda via internet: With most of the material on Swami Vivekananda coming from Western sources, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has suggested propagating the ideas of the youth icon among the Generation Next through the internet by developing websites on him. Singh heads the National Committee on commemoration of Vivekananda’s 150th birth centenary. Swami Prabhananda, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, emphasized on inculcating ‘value education’ to the youth, so that they understand their responsibilities with a moral benchmark and imbibe spirit of national service.
Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, one of the members of the panel suggested establishment of four yoga universities across the country given that stress management would become integral to every establishment.
Ramesh Pokhriyal, Uttarakhand Chief Minister said a book on this great legend could be made available in all schools besides setting up of an International Dhyan and Yoga Kendra in Almora, where the Ramakrishna Mission has an establishment.
5. bharat, China growing rapidly: Obama: US President Barack Obama has said that countries like Bharat and China are on the move and growing much rapidly, and America is facing stiff competition from these nations.
"For a long time we were told that the best way to win this competition was to undermine consumer protections, undermine clean air and clean water laws, hand out tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires, and everything would work out just fine. It did not work out well.
6. DRDO hands over integrated thermally regulated shelters to Army: The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has provided the Bharatiya Army its product, Integrated Thermally Regulated Shelters (ITRS) to protect the soldiers against extreme climatic condition of the Himalayas.
ITRS’s were dedicated by Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, Secretary, Defence R&D and DG, DRDO to the HQ 14 Corps at a function in Leh, Ladakh. The shelters designed and developed by DRDO, are equipped with integrated temperature regulators, biodigestors and air monitoring systems.
7. bharatiya yoga icon finds following in China: Renowned yoga guru B.K.S. Iyengar arrived in China on his first visit to a passionate reception, and was stunned by the wide interest in his teachings in a nation where he can now count more than 30,000 people as followers of his yoga philosophy. Yoga schools inspired by his famous writings on the discipline have sprouted up across 57 Chinese cities in 17 provinces, from Beijing and Shanghai to Harbin in the North and Chengdu in western Sichuan.
Iyengar lectured an audience of more than a thousand yoga practitioners in Guangzhou, where the Bharatiya and Chinese governments organised the first-ever joint yoga summit. His students demonstrated yoga asanas before a crowd of more than 700 in Beijing, while he engaged them in a two-hour interaction that covered philosophy and even the mechanics of breathing. Questions from the Chinese audience ranged from the technical — “Can yoga help fight against schizophrenia?” asked one doctor — to the practical — “Why do I get dizziness when I meditate?”
One yoga student complained: “I’ve been practising for seven years, but feel I can’t improve.” “I’ve been practising yoga for 76 years,” Iyengar said. “And I’m still learning.”
8. Yoga spectacle in Times Square: An estimated 8,000 yoga enthusiasts participated in what has come to be part of New York’s eclectic culture, Yoga in Times Square, on June 21. First organized nine years ago with merely two participants, this year it had 5,000 people from 31 countries pre-registering for first day of the year.
The day featured free yoga in the heart of Times Square with small-scale musical performances. The day kicked off with “Mind Over Madness” yoga from 7am-8am on Military Island (intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets). Scores of yoga enthusiasts descended on Times Square, led by Levitate Yoga owner Connie Chan and Summer Solstice event co-creator Douglass Stewart, in a search for tranquility and transcendence at the center of New York’s most frenetic and commercial space. Participation was free and open to all, the celebration continued until 8 PM.
9. cONGRESS BUSY KILLING THE INDIA STORY: The flight of capital from India is now official. The latest Reserve Bank of India report says that the outward flow of FDI in May 2011 was up 59 per cent at $3.7 billion. Outward flow in May 2010 was less than half of this at $1.39 billion.
Blame it on policy paralysis, the unconcealed civil war in the economic ministries, absence of governance or a deliberate drift to jeopardise India’s growth, the UPA has practically succeeded in killing the India story. FDI outflow is the result of Indian firms investing abroad. In the best of times there is nothing wrong about it, in a globalised world. The problem is when it starts pinching the domestic economy, affects growth, investment and employment generation and disincentivise FDI inflow. This also is a reflection of the corporate perception that there are better, more profitable destinations for investment. In a way, it is an expression of no-confidence by the corporate, on the present regime. Has Manmohan Singh done anything to the arrest of this trend? No. In fact, the UPA government is wilfully encouraging this flight of Indian capital. This at a time, when FDI inflows from the rest are drying up. Other Asian countries have emerged stronger contenders for foreign investment.
Flight of capital from India has been on the rise for the last three years. In these columns we had warned about this trend on a couple of occasions earlier. In 2007-08 the outward Indian investment stood at $20.94 billions. This was $17.16 billion in 2008-09, and it remained at $17.98 in 2009-10. In 2010-11 it jumped to $43.92 billion. The liberalisation of the overseas investment policy by the UPA in 2005 was one of the main reasons for this trend. It was explained as an initiative to strengthen economic linkages with other countries. The RBI report says that Tata Steel, Reliance and Gammon are some of the major overseas investors.
Reports say that almost 65 per cent of Tata’s earnings come from abroad. The group is giving jobs to some 45,000 British citizens. Almost the entire investment plans of the Reliance group for the next five years are all overseas. The RBI report reveals that as many as 418 firms have made investments overseas in May 2011. Outward FDI comprises investments in equity, loans and guarantees issued by Indian companies to their joint ventures or wholly owned subsidiaries and purchase of oilfields, agricultural land, real estate and other properties. A major concern in the flight of Indian capital is that it affects investments, job creation, growth and development in India. It also neutralises whatever FDI the country attracts – one of the major rationale behind liberalisation. The RBI would however claim that the outflow is part of the government’s initiative to growth in India’s export, and transfer of skills and sharing of R&D.
The fact remains that, foreign investment to India is down by over 25 per cent during this period. Inflation has reached double digits. The interest rates have become so high that the EMI on housing, vehicle and other consumer durables have increased 100 per cent after the UPA came to power. In the last 27 months interest rates have risen 10 times. And the growth estimates are being lowered. Is there a deliberate shenanigan to guillotine the India growing story?
Look at the stock market, the most sensitive index of economic bullishness. The post-liberalisation India used to boast of its buoyant stock market, which attracted an ever increasing number of retail investors, with the government offering attractive tax incentives. The other day an Economic Times report said, by June 10, 2011, the Sensex had slumped about 11 per cent, in the last six months giving India a place along with Egypt and Tunisia among the world’s 10 worst performing equity markets. The FII investments in the Indian equities which was $29 billion last year was the lowest at $52 million in 2011, — not only is it a fraction of the money that Indonesia ($1586.4 m) and Taiwanese ($1830.8m) markets received, even Pakistan ($72.8m) has done better than India. Indian investment market today is one of the most expensive in the world. And the never ending tales of graft have put a permanent question mark on the government’s capacity to pursue reforms. As a result even Indian corporates are feeling unsure of dealing with the UPA. They find it safer and cheaper to invest abroad. This, however, is only part of the story.
The UPA, it seems is bent on instigating a capital flight from India. It has created a super cabinet of frustrated, retired babus, over-ground Maoists and Left fellow travellers as Sonia’s advisory club, which obstructs all economic reforms. This Sonia club has devised a number of schemes to perpetuate poverty in the country and create a captive vote bank for the dynasty. So, major investment proposals are languishing for want of environment clearance. Power generation is stagnant because of coal linkage bottle-necks. The promised 20-km a day road-built is only on paper. Infrastructure building is facing stumbling blocks because of the cussed UPA agenda.
The funny aspect is that the regime obsessed with the slogan of all sorts of rights—right to education, right to food, right to information –has stopped doing anything right for the country. – Editorial, Organiser, July 3, 2011.
10. 300 km in a litre of petrol! Eight B Tech students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jalandhar have designed a vehicle that aims to cover over 300 km in a litre of petrol and which they aim to achieve at the prestigious Shell Eco-marathon to be held from July 6 to 9 at the Sepang International Formula Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Their design is among a few chosen from Bharat, China, Japan, Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines and Singapore by an international jury to get high school and college teams to design, build and test energy efficient vehicles that travel the farthest on a fixed amount of energy.
Apporva Pargaritha, team leader of Autorex, said the vehicle had been designed by him along with Raghav Nagpal, Anuj Sood, Sachpreet Singh, Balpreet Singh, Ravinu Garg and Arushi Gabrami under the guidance of Prof Vishal Sharma.
11. BSNL cellphone services for Amarnath yatris: The state-owned BSNL on June 22 announced the launch of cellphone services for the Amarnath yatra, which will enable pilgrims to stay in touch with their families.
One BTS tower had been installed in the shrine area while three towers had been set up on the Baltal route and four on the Pahalgam route.
12. Guru Vandana organised by HSS (Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Ortega park shakha) on June 4th in Sedgwick Elementary school, Cupertino, California, was attended by 15 teachers. Talk by kids of 8 to 12 age group, Shloka recital by Shishu and Bala kids of 5 to 12 age group, and a stage dance performed for Vandemataram song by Bala Gana (kids 8 to 12) were attractions of the event. The kishore gana performed an excellent demonstration of Surya Namaskar. Teachers were felicitated by their students in complete traditional Hindu way.
13. Hindu Samrajya Diwas at Nairobi was attended by 112 Swayamsevaks and 70 Sevikas. The program consisted games, sharirik, samata, sanchalan and bauddhik on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by Pandurang Handeji.
14. bharatiya chef wins $100,000 prize: in the Top Chef Masters contest in Los Angeles, Floyd Cardoz whipped up an upma of semolina and mushroom to win the top prize of $100,000. In the personal food memories section, Cardoz upped the ante with upma, which critics called a Bharatiya version of the Italian polenta.
15. world's largest tricolour: Exuding unflinching patriotism, a Bharatiya-American in Chicago has created the world's largest Bharatiya flag, weighing 250 kg, as a symbol of peace and harmony in the country. The tricolour, which stretches 153 by 102 feet, was created by entertainment businessman Monty Saiyed and has found place in Limca Book of Records in April this year. His creation will feature at the two-day Vibrant India event to be held in Chicago on July 16 and 17.
16. Harish Manwani named Unilever's first global COO: Unilever—the world's second-largest consumer goods company—has appointed Harish Manwani as its first chief operating officer, with a specific mandate to spur growth in emerging markets.
Confirming the creation of the post of COO as part of a broader management reorganization, Unilever's CEO Paul Polman said, "About 56% of Unilever's revenue comes from outside the US and Europe now; by 2020, it will be 70-75%. We have to shift our thinking from New York to New Delhi."
17. IIT alumnus named head of MIT's top lab: The prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has named Bharatiya academician Anant Agarwal as director of its Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), the institute's largest interdisciplinary lab.
An IIT Chennai and Stanford University alumnus, Agarwal will assume his new role on July 1. A professor in the department of electrical engineering and computer science, Agarwal succeeds Victor Zue, who served four years as CSAIL's director. The key appointment comes days after MIT named another Bharatiya-origin professor Anantha Chandrakasan to lead the department of electrical engineering and computer science, the largest academic department in the institute. Chandrakasan is Professor of electrical engineering at MIT and will also be assuming his new role on July 1.
18. RSS stamps its presence in Tiruchy RSS on June 20 stamped its presence with a route march, the first of its kind in Tiruchy. As many as 142 volunteers took part in the route march, which coincided with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s public meeting in the region.
19. FOUNDATION FOR INDIA AND INDIAN DIASPORA STUDIES: “In the battlefield of ideas, it is need of the hour to have an India related think tank where opinion makers, scholars, thinkers and political leaders are brought together to brainstorm their ideas and analyze different scenarios which will help resolve unknown future problems” said Arun Jaitley, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha at the inauguration of The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), a think tank in Washington, D.C. on June 23. More than 150 community leaders, thinkers, academicians, journalists and activists from the Indian American community came together in Washington, D.C to be a part of the historic event.
20. SI USA ORGANIZES CRICKET TOURNAMENT: A cricket tournament was organized on June 18th at Lincoln Park, Jersey City in which 16 teams participated.
The YFS Cricket For Charity benefits Sewa Internationals Youth For Seva (YFS) Vidyadaan (Sankrit for Spreading Knowledge) project that supports educational expenses of poor children in urban slums and villages in Bharat. So far, more than 300 donors have come forward to support this event and we have raised a total of $25,000, said Ravi Chandra, the events organizer. For more info please visit http://www.sewausa.org/yfs-cricket & http://youthforseva.org
21. BBC Hindi Service saved from closure: After protests in Bharat and the UK, the BBC's Hindi Service has been saved from closure after Foreign secretary on June 21 William Hague announced additional funding that will ensure its continuation amidst major funding cuts across the BBC. Hague has agreed to give an extra 2.2 million pounds annually to the World Service for the next three years from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office budget. The BBC Trust has also reallocated 9 million pounds of existing World Service funding to editorial investment to counter the impact of government funding cuts.
22. VITAMIN D Can Cure Heart Disease, Diabetes: Recent studies by experts in Bharat and the US have linked the heart disease and diabetes to a lack of vitamin D. An increase in Vitamin D-rich food items such as treated milk, butter, fish and increased exposure to the sun, can help ward off diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The Bharatiya study was conducted by the Diabetes Foundation (Bharat), department of diabetes and metabolic disease at Fortis Hospital and the department of biostatistics, AIIMS. Lead researcher Dr Anoop Misra said that after studying 92 subjects with type II diabetes mellitus, it was found that the average concentration of Vitamin D was significantly lower in diabetics as compared to non-diabetic patients.
A study conducted by the Harvard Institute of Public Health and published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that a higher intake of Vitamin D is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases in men.
Vitamin D deficiency in adults precipitates or exacerbates osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases.
23. bharat's super rich club 12TH Largest in the world: HNWI population of the country grew by 20.8% to 1.53 lakh in 2010 compared to 1.26 lakh in 2009, according to the 15th annual World Wealth Report, released by Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management and Capgemini.
24. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar receives Crans Montana Forum Award: Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been conferred with the prestigious Crans Montana Forum Award on June 25 at a glittering ceremony in Belgium''s capital Brussels attended by Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ambassadors of several countries. The ''Art of Living'' founder is the first Bharatiya to receive the award, which has been mainly conferred on politicians.
25. Hindu population below 80% in Census 2011:. This is for the first time in centuries, the proportion of the Hindu population in the country will probably fall below the 80 percent mark — in keeping with the long-term trend of a significant divergence between Hindu and Muslim growth rates.
26. SASB launches 24-hour helpline for Amarnath Yatra: Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has established a control room equipped with a 24-hour helpline to facilitate smooth conduct of the Amarnath yatra. The control room was inaugurated on June 25 by Jammu and Kashmir Governor and Shrine Board chairman N N Vohra, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board.
27. Vriksha Puja by Kalyan Ashram: Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram celebrated World Environment Day on June 5 with a difference. It organised a function at Surya Niketan, Randha, (Dadra Nagar Haveli) premises to worship the trees. Many people belonging to Vanvasi villages and also from several cities like Selvas, Naroli, Daman, Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan etc., participated in the function.
28. M Malla Reddy dies in road accident: Former Prant karyavaha and senior Sangh activist of Andhra Pradesh M Malla Reddy and his wife Smt Sukanya died in a road accident on June 8. They were returning from Jagatiyal after attending a family function. They are survived by two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son became a martyr while fighting against the Naxalites.
29. RSS Seva Vibhag organises Eye Testing/Surgery camp: Seva Vibhag of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bangalore's Jayanagar Unit arranged a free eye testing camp on June 26th at semi rural area of Gottigere. The camp was attended by 607 villagers who are poor and could not afford entry in to higher hospitals for their check up for their vision related ailments.
Apart from eye testing to diagnose the specific cause and health status of eyes, its mineral-nutrient requirements etc, the camp also had Cataract surgery facility. 44 villagers benifited from Cataract surgery free of cost. For 274 patients with poor vision the spectacles were distributed free.
30. Nod to NRI Commission: The Punjab Government has approved the setting up of a four-member state commission for the NRIs with a view to protecting and safeguarding the interests of the NRIs in the state. A retired judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court would head the commission. The other members would be an IAS officer (not below the rank of Principal Secretary/Financial Commissioner) and an IPS Officer (not below the rank of ADGP).
Two members would be nominated from amongst the persons having knowledge of matters and issues relating to the NRIs.
31. Baba Ramdev vows to fight graft: For the first time after his eviction from Ramlila Maidan on June 5, Ramdev said while he had come out stronger after the police crackdown, his movement against corruption and black money was set to be bigger. The yoga guru, who was back in the national capital on June 26 said, "I will fight corruption till my last breath." "I envisage politics based on morality bringing about a change in our social system," Ramdev said, adding, he would strive for a "political alternative".
32. Sewa Bharati KArNATAKA dedicates more houses to flood victims: In a programme organised on June 20, one more bunch of the newly constructed houses were handed over to the flood victims at Kotnalli village of Guledagudda district of Karnataka. RSS National Executive Member and senior Pracharak Mai Cha Jayadev formally handed over the houses.
Abhinava Swamiji of Oppattheshwara Mutt, Guledagudda, Adi Siddheshwara Swamiji of Jalihala, RSS Sah Prant Pracharak Shankaranand, Vibhag Pracharak Narendra and several others were present on the occasion.
33. Tribute to PP Dr Hedgewar: Rashtra Suraksha and Jankalyan Samiti organised a function in Delhi on June 21 to pay tribute to the RSS founder, Dr Hedgewar on his 71st death anniversary. Speaking at the function noted industrialist and RSS Delhi Prant Sah Sanghachalak Dr Shyam Sunder Agrawal said the life and work of Dr Hedgewar impressed each and everyone. Even his opponents admired him. Noted thinker and writer Shri Krishnanand Sagar Sharma said the uniqueness of the method developed by Dr Hedgwar is that the RSS workers are always in front of the action but when it comes to gain publicity they are seen nowhere. This vision and method needs to be followed by all those people who are active in social activities today.
34. save Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple: BJP MP Tarun Vijay recently visited Cambodia’s Preah Vihear Temple. He worshipped at this ancient Shiva temple, which is said to be built between 9th and 12th century.
Originally known as Shikhareshwar Temple, it is situated on a mesmerisingly picturesque mountain just on Thai-Cambodian border. Though the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has given its verdict in favour of Cambodia and recently the UNESCO also declared it a world heritage site, the Thai authorities are claiming it. There have been a number of incidents involving heavy shelling by Thai army causing serious damage to many of the gopurams of the temple. The temple is closed for tourists for the last three years.
35. Bharatiyas lead in charity: Bharat has emerged as one of the leaders in charitable giving among emerging markets, compared to other nations such as China and Brazil. In 2010, Bharatiyas gave 50% more since 2006 as a percentage of GDP at approximately $5-6 billion, up from $2 billion in 2006, according to a report released by global consultancy firm Bain & Company. Private charity contributions were largely dominated by money pumped in by foreign funds with individuals constituting only 26% of the overall $5-6 billion.
36. Bharatiya women most optimistic in world: Bharatiya women are more optimistic in the world compared to their counterparts in the developed nations. Despite facing a lot of stress, women in Bharat splash money on health, vacations, beauty products and electrical appliances and are gaining greater control over their lives, according to a survey of 6,500 women across 21 developed and developing countries. Bharatiya women are most optimistic about opportunities for growth, with 78% of the lot confident about better financial stability and better chances for education for their daughters.
37. first caste census kicks off: Independent Bharat's first census to determine the caste-wise breakup of the country's 1.21 billion people was launched from Bezamara, 45 km north of Tripura capital Agartala, on June 29. The census started in this remote tribal dominated village, 45km north of Tripura capital Agartala.
"In the caste census, there would be four categories — Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, others and no caste," registrar general and census commissioner of Bharat C Chandramauli said. The caste census would be conducted simultaneously with the socio-economic survey to determine the number of BPL families.
38. GOVERNMENT HAS SOFT CORNER TOWARDS SEPARATISTS: BAJRANG LAL
Addressing the concluding function of 20 day long Sangh Shiksha Varg on July 2 in Jammu , Dr Bajrang Lal, RSS Sanghchalak of Northern Region said it is unfortunate while the separatists are being given concessions, the nationalist people in the State are subjected to discrimination.
He lambasted the Union Government of sending fresh invitations to the separatists for holding dialogue with them saying the separatists are opposed to such talks and also against the integration of J&K with Union of India so Government should refrain from talking to them.
He urged the nationalist forces to remain united, by forgetting their all differences as Sangh is wedded to the cause of national unity and integrity.
The programme was presided over by Col. J B S Samyal. He also spoke on the occasion and threw light on aims and objectives of RSS.
39. BHARAT no more on human trafficking 'Watch List': After a gap of six years, the United States has taken Bharat off the human trafficking 'Watch List' for making significant efforts in combating the menace. In its annual Trafficking in Persons report, the State Department has upgraded Bharat to Tier 2 countries after six years.
40. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Visitors: Shri Dilip Mistry & Family – Singapore, Shri Bharat Mistry & Family USA, Shri Gajanan Dhapodkar USA, Shri Mitesh Sevani and Shri Hasmukh Rabadia UK , Dr. Manoj Motwani – Hong Kong. Pravas: Shri Ravikumar, Sahsamyojak Vishwa Vibhag, will return to Bharat after his tour to Singapore and Hong Kong.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: It is always the selfless, self-confident and devoted band of missionaries, intensely proud of their national ethos, who have roused the sleeping manliness in our nation in times of adversity and made our nations rise gloriously from a heap of ruins. Verily such men have been the true salt of this soil. –Shri Guruji.
JAI SHREE RAM
THE SOVEREIGN’S RIGHT
M G Vaidya
In a few recent issues of The Indian Express, I find an extraordinary, incessant vehemence in criticising Anna Hazare’s and Baba Ramdev’s agitations. The principle underlining this criticism appears to underscore the sovereignty of the Parliament. But is that sovereignty absolute? No, it is relative.
If this Parliament, or any other Parliament of India, decides to pass a law declaring India henceforth a fascist or a communist state, can it do so? No, it has no power to do that, because its powers are limited by the preamble of the Constitution which declares in no ambiguous words that India shall be a “democratic republic.” If Parliament passes a law that is against the words and the spirit of the Constitution, the judiciary has the power to strike it down, declaring it ultra vires. In short, the sovereignty of Parliament is not absolute, it is relative. The Constitution is superior to Parliament. And as for the Constitution, the people are superior to it. It is thepeople who have framed the Constitution. The very words that begin it are “We the People of India” have resolved to have this Constitution. People are supreme; and people constitute the nation. Actually the people are the nation. The Parliament as well as all other institutions of democratic polity are, in a way, subservient to the people.
Article 79 of the Constitution says that the president and the two Houses shall constitute Parliament, but the two are not of equal power and influence. In a democratic, parliamentary system, the Lok Sabha is the real representative of the people. But for the last seven years, we are suffering a head of government who is not a member of the Lok Sabha. Why?
Because, the Constituion is silent about it? But is that the spirit of the Constitution? In exceptional circumstances, for a short period, the president can appoint a person who is not a member of the LS. For six months, you or I can be appointed the PM. But an exception is not a rule. In 1966, after Lal Bahadur Shastri’s sudden demise in Tashkent, Mrs Indira Gandhi was sworn in as PM. At that time she was a member of the RS. She could have continued as PM, even in that capacity. But she understood the spirit of the Constitution and fought an election, got elected to the LS, became the leader of that House, and continued in the august office of the PM. We need an amendment in our constitution that will make mandatory for the PM, to be a member of the LS.
If civil society drafts a bill, what is the harm in it? It does not become a law. Even this bill will have to be discussed and debated in Parliament. If Parliament passes it, then only can it become a law. Anna Hazare’s team that drafted the Jan Lokpal bill is denigrated as outsiders with no mandate to draft it. May I ask then about the National Advisory Council (NAC) drafting the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence bill? Which provision of the Constitution empowers the NAC to draft the Bill? If NAC can draft a bill, why not Anna’s team? A bill drafted by civil society neither usurps nor curtails the legislative powers of Parliament.
As for the prestige of Parliament, whose responsibility is it? Are MPs by their behaviour in the House, maintaining the stature of the Parliament? Are they ignorant about how one indicates opposition? Why do they so often rush in the well of the House? Why is the speaker required so frequently to adjourn it? How much time is wasted in slogan-mongering, how little is spent in serious debate and discussion? How many MPs are present in the House? A whole fortinght was lost on the issue of the JPC. Is this lapse excusable?
It is my considered opinion that UPA 2 has lost the confidence of the people. Its methods of handling Baba Ramdev are whimsical and arbitrary. The midnight crackdown on a sleeping crowd, beating them with lathis, lobbing tear-gas shells on them, is criminal. A PIL to prosecute the home minister will be legitimate. Had there been a provision for right to recall, at least 100 MPs of the ruling combine would have lost their position. I think that such a provision is essential. The conditionality and methodology of recall is a matter of debate and deliberation. Let us not overlook the significance of huge gatherings of people, both men and women, voluntarilly assembled at Jantar Mantar and Ramlila grounds.
-- The writer is a former spokesman for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. (The Indian Express, June 17, 2011)
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