Category Archives: General

Nelson Mandela “quite ill.”

17 Sunday Nov 2013

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The reports coming from S.Africa indicate that Nelson Mandela, the legendary fighter against apartheid and the first President of S.Africa after ‘Independence’, is “quite ill.” The reports are quoting from the statement of Winnie Mandela, former wife of Nelson Mandela.
The 95 old Mandela had been in hospital for about three months and after slight improvement has been brought home. He is still in treatment. it is reported that he is not able to speak, but is able to communicate through his face expressions.
Not only the people of S.Africa, but of the entire world wished Nelson Mandela an early recovery.

Chinese Govt. ease one child policy

16 Saturday Nov 2013

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The Chinese Government has decided to ease its one-child policy which will give some relief to many families. At present, there are strict rules prohibiting more than one child to a couple, except in the case of ethnic people, rural couples etc. Those having a second child had to pay heavy fine.
Of course, these strict rules were in order to stop the spiralling number of people in the country, which has the highest population in the world. It was reported earlier that India will have more population than China within some twenty years and by that time China will have its population reduced to 131 crores from the present 134 crores or so.

It is sure that this decision of the Chinese Government will be welcomed by the people of China.

Muharam starts today

15 Friday Nov 2013

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The Islamic month of Muharram starts today. It is a central Govt. holiday. Though the holiday was declared yesterday (14th November ) earlier, it was changed to 15th November later due to reasons well known to Government. Is it, it coincided with the Birthday of Prime Minister Nehru and also the Children’s Day or because of modification of the date on fresh calculation?

My Greetings to all our Well wishers, friends and comrades on the day of Muharram.

India, a country of maximum number of ‘slaves’ in the world

14 Thursday Nov 2013

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It is disgusting and shameful for the country. According to the Global Survey Index, it is stated that India has the maximum number of ‘modern day slaves’ like debt bonded, descent based slavery, trafficking, forced and early marriages etc.
India has such ‘slaves’ of 13.9 million, about half of such ‘slaves’ all over the world. China comes second with a distant 2.9 million, followed by Pakistan with 2.1 million, Nigeria with 0.7 million and Ethiopia with 0.6 million.
India is the biggest democracy in the world, which our rulers always remind us with pride. But it is in the same biggest democracy that this is happening. Today was celebrated as “Childrens Day” in India, but at the same time, in Kerala, it was found about the engagement of large number of child workers. It is not in Kerala alone, but all over the country, lakhs of children are compelled to work day and night to eke out a living, despite clear law against engaging child workers. It is only a few days back, an M.P. and his wife was arrested for inhuman assault on their domestic worker.

It is sheer poverty that results in such ‘slave system’. The neo-liberal policies continued by the government of India has resulted in the rich becoming richer and the poor, the poorer. It must not happen in a democracy. But that is what actually is happening. Their should be sustained fight against this policy and decisions of the government, which makes’slavery’ in the country.

A few thoughts on 14th November, Children’s Day

14 Thursday Nov 2013

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Today, 14th November 2013, will be celebrated as Children’s Day in India as usual for the last many decades. It is the day for the Children as also a memory of the Birth Day of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ( 14th November 1889), Freedom Fighter and the first Prime Minister of India.
Functions will be organised in the schools, focussing the children and their problems. Government and voluntary agencies also organise many functions in this connection. The importance of helping the children to get healthy food, good education etc. are focussed.
It is not only in India that the Children’s Day is celebrated. Almost all the countries in the world celebrate it on one or the other days, according to their decision. 20th November is observed as Universal Children’s Day in many countries as per the United Nations recommendations, proclaimed by the World conference for Well being of Children held in 1925 and established from 1954. In some countries it is observed in June as per the decision of the Women’s Democratic Federation Congress held in Moscow in 1949.
Declaration of Rights of the Child was adopted on 20th November 1959 by UN.
All this show the importance given to the Children by the International bodies and countries. To a certain extent, in the developed European countries, these are being implemented. The safety and health of the children are given top priority.
But what about the developing nations like India. The situation is very gloomy. Despite pious announcements, decisions and declarations, the condition of the children in the country is dismal.
Though the child death rate has decreased, still crores of children die in India even before they reach one year. There is no health care or treatment available for them not only in the tribal areas, but in many parts of the country. Even sufficient food are not available and malnutrition is usual which retards growth of the children.
A good percentage of children in India have no access to education, due to non-availability of schools in the interior area and also poverty of the families. Young children are forced in to hard work to mete out a living. Crores of children are employed in hotels, small scale factories, agriculture, domestic work and even in very risky jobs. Rules are there against child-labour, but it is more violated than implemented. In any town/city, you can see a large number of begging children, some of them exploited and terrorised by the mafias.
The cruel exploitation of the children and molestation is another dark chapter. Children are sexually assaulted in even homes and schools, leave alone in unsafe areas. People in high society are also involved. Due to poverty, sometimes, children are even sold by the parents.

Children are expected to get good food, parents care, good education, health care and grow to be the healthy and educated citizens of the nation. But these are denied to most of the children in the country. Except a small percentage, the future of the children in the country is grim. Of course, there has been improvement, but that is far below than required.

The present neo-liberal policy of the government, which will only benefit the corporates, the rich and the well to do, will only result in more miseries for the poor and children.

The nation requires a well grounded and progressive policy for the welfare and growth of the children. A massive campaign and action programme by the people are required to make the rulers act accordingly.

Let each of us do whatever possible to improve the condition of the children in our country.

Kerala, Punjab and Gujarat the most equitable prosperous states

11 Monday Nov 2013

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According to a report filed by the analytical firm Crisil, Kerala, Punjab and Gujarat are the India’s most equitable and prosperous states. The equality index is measured in the differences in the living standard between the capital city and the rest of the state. Kerala is number one in this case.
Prosperity is measured on the average standard of living on the basis of the proportion of households owing four durable assets viz.television, computer, phone and automobile. In this case, Punjab is treated as the most prosperous state. This growth in Punjab is considered due to the improved and increased agricultural growth. In Kerala, it is due to the remittances from Keralites working outside India.
Maharashtra has the highest level of real income per person in the whole of the country, but is far behind in terms of equality. Haryana, Karnataka and T.Nadu are above Gujarat in prosperity index, but could not compete in the equality index.

Philippines shattered by Typhoon Haiyan

10 Sunday Nov 2013

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The super typhoon that hit Philippines have destroyed towns and villages completely which were in its way. More than 10,000 people are reported to have been killed by the ferocity of the typhoon. This is one of the most severe typhoon in several decades.
We join in the sorrow of the Philippines people in their great loss.

Upgradation of cities on the basis of 2011 Census

09 Saturday Nov 2013

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The Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Government of India vide its No. 9(10)2012-E-II(B) dated 13th October 2013 has intimated Shri M.Krishnan, Secretary General, Confederation of the Central Government Employees and Workers to his letter dated 26-09-2013 that the final report of the Census 2011 has not been released by the office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India and revision of classification of cities/towns can only be initiated on receipt of the final population figures of the Census 2011.

The census was completed in 2012 and the report released. But still the upgradation of cities has not been undertaken. The HRA is usually paid prospectively only. This means that the central government employees will be losing the higher HRA due to the delay in the finalisation of the population figures. This undue delay has to be cut short by immediate announcement of the final population figures.

‘Justice still a cynical phrase for common man’ – Chief Justice SC

09 Saturday Nov 2013

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The Chief justice of India, P.Sathasivam has rightly stated that justice is still a cynical phrase for the common man in India. Despite many efforts being made to accessible to the common man, it is felt that the interest of the litigant goes unnoticed in the ‘typhoon’ of legal proceedings, the CJ continued. He was speaking on the occasion of the National Legal Service Day, being observed today.
It is reported that the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice G.S.Singhvi also supported the CJ, stating that justice remains an illusion for millions of poor people.
The details of the speeches of the Justices are also reported in the press.

These are the sentiments and experiences of the vast majority of the ordinary people and the working class. Where the accused are powerful persons, including politicians, business people, goondas and anti-social elements, they escape justice using money power and influence. The record of convictions in such cases are minimal.
The poor litigants face harassment from the police station onwards and are threatened with dire consequences if the complaints against powerful people are not withdrawn. In front of senior advocates, paid lavishly by the accused, evidences are all faded and the culprits are let off. The ruling parties are influencing the CBI and other investing agencies to suit their purposes. In the end Justice is denied or delayed. It is almost impossible for the litigant to get justice unless there is an organised movement behind him.
What the Honourable Justices have stated are naked facts. But what the legal system and the government are going to change this sad situation.
The people and the progressive movements in the country have to take up the issue with all earnestness and compel the rulers and courts to ensure justice to the poor and the toiling masses.

Natural Fury through Cyclones, Hurricanes, Typhoons

09 Saturday Nov 2013

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It seems that the nature has become furious, in the past few years. The news of continuous cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons etc. in one part of the world or the other are being reported frequently. The international organisations concerned has finalised names for these cyclones in advance and is used whenever a new cyclone/hurricane is arriving. Katrina, Phailin – the names goes like that.
The latest is the Typhoon Haiyan, which has hit the Philippines with savage force. 100 people are reported killed immediately. Further loss of lives are feared.
More than 7.5 lakhs people were forced to flee their homes to save themselves. The winds blew at 235 Kph ( 147 mph) with 275 kph speed on landing. This has been one of the strongest storms that had hit the Philippines for decades.
Odisha, AP and W.Bengal coastal areas have been hit by the Phailin cyclone a few backs back resulting in death and massive destruction. The death could be reduced due to massive evacuation. The tragic experience of Tsunami, which killed thousands have alerted all governments for the evacuation requirement.

But why these continued hurricanes, cyclones, Typhoons etc. one after another, which is unprecedented? Is it because of the global warming or any other unexpected or unexplained change in the rotation of the world or moving of the plates inside the globe. And is there any way to find out earlier and stop these natural calamities?