Category Archives: General

Glimpses of the Past – ‘Superior and Inferior Services’

10 Friday Feb 2017

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Those who are in power or dominating position mostly try to ridicule or humiliate those who are in a lower position. Every body knows how the caste system has been utilised for this purpose.

The Britishers used this tactics very effectively. Indians were called ‘Natives’. In the government services they categorised the employees as ‘Superior Services’ and ‘Inferior Services’. Officers were ‘superior services’ and others were ‘inferior services.’

After Independence, these were changed. But new designations also have something similar. Executives and Non-Executives! Gazetted and Non-Gazetted! The feudalistic mindset continues. When these negative designations will be changed?

London Protests Against Trumps’ Travel Ban of 7 Muslim states

07 Tuesday Feb 2017

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London, Feb 4 : Thousands of protesters were set to march on London for the second time in a week on Saturday, to oppose US President Donald Trump’s ban on travellers from seven mainly-Muslim nations entering the US.

Demonstrators gathered outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square for a day of campaigning and speeches against the executive order suspending entry to the US for nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries for three months to combat terrorism, the Daily Express newspaper reported.

The protesters will be walking towards Downing Street. Organisations like Stand Up to Racism, Stop the War and the People’s Assembly organised the event.

An estimated 30,000 people marched on Downing Street earlier this week, and Sabby Dhalu, from Stand Up To Racism, told the Independent that he expected another “massive show of opposition” on Saturday.

The organisation has called the US President’s travel ban as “an appalling attack on human rights” and said that it is “unacceptable that Theresa May has not come out and condemned this”.

Protests against the ban have been organised in at least 12 of Britain’s cities, including Sheffield, Brighton and Birmingham, according to the report.

More than 11,000 people were expected to attend the protest. On Friday, Londoners formed a human chain around a mosque in protest against the controversial President.

A statement on the event’s Facebook page read: “Trump’s ban on Muslims must be opposed by all who are against racism and support basic human rights.

“Theresa May’s collusion with Trump must end”, according to another statement. The protest would last until 2 p.m.

Campaigners tweeted their pictures of the protest outside the US embassy with one person burning his US passport.

Pass the ‘Women’s Reservation Bill’ – AIDWA and NFIW

06 Monday Feb 2017

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New Delhi, February 6: Manlini Bhattacharya, President and Mariam Dhawale, General Secretary (AIDWA), Aruna Roy President and Annie Raja, General Secretary (NFIW) has jointly issued the following statement:

We, the undersigned organizations who have been in the forefront of the movement to increase women’s participation in the Indian Parliament and State assemblies for over two decades express deep disappointment that the NDA Government is still prevaricating over bringing the Women’s Reservation Bill onto the agenda of Parliament. It has been a long drawn out struggle, and the built up pressure of the movement was such that the present ruling party made a promise in its election manifesto to pass the Women’s Bill if they came to power.

The people of the country, especially the women, have waited for two and a half years, hoping that the current Government will fulfil its assurance. However, repeated reminders, meetings with the Speaker and the concerned Minister, by the national women’s organizations and others have gone in vain. In spite of the ruling party having the required majority, the Government has failed to take the requisite steps for passing the Bill so far. It vaunts about empowering women, but has remained inactive on a crucial step needed to enhance women’s political participation in the highest decision making bodies. In fact, this hypocritical stance is very much in tune with the direction in which the policies of this Government are moving. Curtailment of women’s democratic rights has become the order of the day at every level, even as the loud and brash campaign claiming the advent of “acche din” continues.

We, the women’s organizations and democratic minded groups declare that we will not succumb to the tactics of prevarication and postponement being indulged in by the Central Government. We resolve to fight unitedly and mobilize like thinking sections both within and outside Parliament to force the Government to place and pass the Women’s Reservation Bill without any further delay.

Railway Workers on agitation

03 Friday Feb 2017

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Railway workers are on agitation against the government for the debudgetisation and unbundling of Indian Railways.

A largely attended National Convention on ‘Bibek Debroy Committee Report” was held at Ambedkar Bhawan, Delhi on 1st February 2017. In addition to the Railway workers union leaders, leaders from other trade unions also addressed. Dr. Raghunandan of Delhi Science Forum inaugurated the convention. Coms. M.Krishnan, Secretary General Confederation, V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLCCWF and other leaders addressed.

The convention was very educative and was in preparation for sustained struggle against the privatisation of Railways.

Government targets for Rs. 72,500 crore through disinvestment of PSUs

03 Friday Feb 2017

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Disinvestment (sale of shares) of valued Public Sector Units seems to be the most important work of the Modi government. The latest is the move of the government to disinvest PSU shares targetting about Rs. 72,500 crores, much more than the last year. NITI AYOG had recommended closure or strategic sale of about 70 PSUs.

There should be an end to the cheap sale of the ‘Family Silver’. These PSUs have served the nation in a big way and they can still help the nation for progress.

Reception to Com. Suresh Kumar GS BSNLMS

30 Monday Jan 2017

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A largely attended meeting was arranged by BSNLMS and BTEF today at CTO Dormitory Hall New Delhi today, 30th January 2017, to give reception to Com. Suresh Kumar, General Secretary BSNLMS, who was retiring from MTNL on superannuation on 31st January 2017. Speaking on the occasion,I mentioned about important role played by Suresh Kumar in forming the Joint Action Committee / Joint Forum / Forum as also his pivotal role in the United Forum. On behalf of BSNLEU, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, DY.GS spoke. Almost all the leaders of the various organisations in BSNL and MTNL greeted Com. Suresh Kumar.

I also pointed out the urgent need for united and Joint movement of BSNL and MTNL to face the present challenges to their existence and for improving the services.

American Democracy and Trump ban on refugees

29 Sunday Jan 2017

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US claims to be the biggest democracy and liberal attitude. The ‘Statue of Liberty’ represents the same. But US President Donald Trump has issued orders that refugees from 7 Muslim countries will not be allowed in US. Further, restrictions have been placed on the job seekers from other countries. Where is the liberalism focused in the US Constitution?

A Pleasant Surprise! Thanks Delhi Police!

28 Saturday Jan 2017

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Usually there are more complaints against Delhi Police than compliments. But I had a different and pleasant experience yesterday.

Usually I go to the Deshabhimani office in V.P.House from my residence in Atul Grove Road, in the evening to get a copy of the day’s issue of the daily ‘Deshabhimani’ being published from Kerala. It will reach Delhi Office by about 4.00 PM. Yesterday( 27th January 2017) also I went to the office and got a copy of the daily of 25th. (26th was holiday being Republic Day). While walking back to my residence, I had to cross the Asoka Road, which is very busy with traffic continuously moving. I stood at the place where I have to cross having zebra lines. No vehicle was stopping and was going fast without giving a chance to cross. Then all of a sudden, the police constable who was standing on the other side of the road came this side, stopped the traffic and helped me to cross the half portion. Then he stopped the traffic on the other side and helped me to cross the other side also. I could cross the busy road with the assistance of the police constable. When I thanked, he smiled in a way indicating that it is his duty to help persons like me.

I was delighted to have such a nice experience from the Delhi Police. Thank you Delhi Police!

Senior Citizens a soft target in the Capital.

28 Saturday Jan 2017

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Almost every day reports are published in the newspapers of Delhi about the attacks on the Senior Citizens in the capital.Sometimes they are killed, beaten or looted. This happens in their homes or outside. Senior citizens are a soft target for the robbers, murderers and goondas.

Safety should be ensured to the senior citizens, who have contributed their mite to the society.

India Post Payment Bank will start service soon

28 Saturday Jan 2017

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The Reserve Bank of India has granted permission for the functioning of the India Post Payment Bank and it is expected that the same will start functioning before 31 March 2017 as a report in the press indicates.

The RBI was not granting sanction for the Department of Posts to start the payment bank for a long time. Airtel and Paytm was granted permission earlier. It is informed that the facility will be rolled out in 650 using the network facility of 1.54 lakh Post Offices.

The government has appointed A.P.Singh of Indian Postal Service as the interim MD and CEO of IPPB. Is it necessary to have a separate entity for IPPB, when the Department of Posts is there? Is it trying to take away the banking business from the DoP?