Tobacco - free society can offer much more !!!

On the eve of independence day i sit down to write on an issue which is very common but Indian govt is not  bothered to seriously tackle or curb it. WHO reported that 100 million people lost their life due to tobacco in 20th century [more than the two world wars....i guess now we understand the gravity of the situation !!! ]. It is going to increase in the coming century, with India expected to have the largest share of it .

                             We all know the list of diseases linked to tobacco ranging from cancer, heart attack,lung related, impotency, still births etc. However, it is not merely a health hazard. It also affects environment. Curing of raw tobacco leaf requires burning of wood fuel, leading to deforestation. Tobacco cultivation is water intensive, lots of pesticide is required and causes soil erosion. Now with millions of poor starving , do we really need to grow tobacco instead of food crops on those lands (given that land is a scarce material now) ??? It also diverts a lot of household savings which is supposed to be invested in health, education, food and other needs. Many argue that it is a source of employment in industry & agriculture and also raises revenue for government,but the costs the society has to bear exceeds these economic returns.

                               So what is to be done.At present there is no other alternative as a product for tobacco for human consumption. So the only way is effective regulatory measure to curb tobacco consumption. It is no big a task, we have countries like Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Bhutan as examples.India needs to take a leaf out of these successful stories. In 2003 WHO adopted a treaty known as FCTC (Framework Convention for Tobacco Control ). Along with India many countries have ratified it. Regulatory measure prescribed under it includes public ban of smoking, prohibition of advertisement and promotion of tobacco products, pictorial warning on the packs etc.

                                    The recent ban on 'gutka' and commercials in movie theaters are a welcome step but much more needs to be done by the Indian govt.Other steps India needs to take to curb tobacco consumption are heavy taxing of tobacco products and using the revenue generated in developmental activities including providing alternative livelihood to the persons engaged in tobacco farming and manufacturing. Also sustained campaigning should be done on the lines of Polio eradication by involving celebrities as role models both through electronic and social media. The benefits of quitting tobacco must be spread through these role models.

                                             Whether we are concerned about health, food security, water security or environment, there is no other option but to work towards tobacco - free society. Otherwise it will frustrate all the prospects of sustainable development.

The One Country Indian Citizens trust " a great deal " is BANGLADESH !!!

Yes my friend it is true. In a recent survey by Hindu and CNN-IBN, Bangladesh is voted as the most trusted nation by citizens of the country ( even over Russia). However, the irony is that UPA govt has failed to keep two of the most important promises on issues vital to Bangladesh.
                     
                                                 First, the accord on Teesta water sharing which PM Manmohan Singh was supposed to conclude in 2011, had the West Bengal govt. didn't intervene at the last minute. Now it still remains uncertain. Second, Land Boundary Agreement which was signed by two countries and ratified by Bangladesh Parliament but Indian Parliament still sitting over it. It is so because  the Opposition is projecting the exchange of enclaves located on each other's territory as territorial loss for India. However, on the contrary it would ease off the tensions along the border and help the people live peacefully in these enclaves.

                          At present what Indian govt is trying to do is to give lolly pops to hide its failure. India invited Bangladesh to have a stake in yet to begin Tipiamukh hydel project in Manipur. Similarly, Bangladesh will soon receive 500MW of electricity from India. Now these are not the returns that Sheikh Hasina govt would want, given the proactive response it has shown to Indian concerns. Thanks to Dhaka, the Unified Progressive Alliance in Assam has been neutralized, and there was clamp-down on other anti-insurgencies & islamist extremist groups. The landmark treaty to extradite the criminals & terrorists is also laudable on part of Bangladesh govt.

                                               In Bangladesh, the opposition is not leaving any opportunity to accuse the Sheikh Hasina govt as 'Pro- Indian'. Bangladesh PM is ready to fight the accusation by hoping to get something substantial in return. With Bangladesh preparing for elections in 2014, in addition to these accusations, it is also facing the turmoil of the trails. This has left the govt in lot of troubles for the upcoming election. Now it is left to UPA govt to pull its act together and respond in time. Otherwise it will lose an opportunity to help a friend. (Although i know what Bangladesh does by reaching out to China and always keeps India on its toes !!! :P) But on a serious note it is very important for Indian govt to respond in time, otherwise the consequences could to disastrous given that neighbourhood countries like China are ready to offer its shoulder for Bangladesh to cry upon. :D                    
  

"Hysterectomies - excision of uterus" often forced on Disabled Women !!!

This is my third article in two days......writing too much these days aah...Woow....well it helps me to ease off. So today i am writing on a sensitive issue. Most of us really don't bother about disabled people around us, leave alone the problems faced by them. I will talk about a common practice known as Hysterectomies or sterilization performed on mentally challenged  girls, both by their parents and by the state agencies.

                                          It is basically to avoid pregnancy. Mostly disabled girls are victims of abuse- sexual exploitation & violence. Generally it is the mothers who choose to remain silent. Yes it is the parents & the society who instead of raising voices against the abuse choose to prefer the process of hysterectomies, so that girl doesn't get pregnant. However, since decades this is a common practice by many state govt.They give an excuse that it helps to maintain women's hygiene during menstruation. It is better to remove their uterus at a young age as the special needs to these girls don't allow them to manage their periods. This is a lame excuse coz the real purpose behind it is cruel. Ideally it is denial of women's basic right to have child. Although it is also a fact that a poor family will not think of all these aspects. So what to do then???

                  India being a signatory to UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability 2007, which guarantees all disabled women " the right to full bodily integrity, it is time it brings strong legislations on subject of violence towards disabled women & girls. It is only then one can expect the poor people to come out and raise their voice against the abuse. The good news is that the new draft on Disability Bill is strongly advocating these issues such as protection against all kinds of sexual abuse & violence; protection in all settings including schools,homes, care-homes, workplaces; safe & accessible complaint mechanism to report abuses and full support for the survivors of the abuse.

                                                  Now the only fear is that govt doesn't dilute the bill and implement the provisions in the right spirit. However, the positive aspect is that these sensitive issues are being talked  and awareness is increasing. Hopefully one day disabled people esp disabled women (as they are doubly prone to exploitation) become empowered enough that their parents don't get forced to go on this path of Hysterectomy.  

Political Parties under the ambit of RTI Act or do we have any other Alternative ????

So what is this fuss about RTI (Right to Information) Act and Political parties doing the rounds???? Why the hell is Political parties so scared of it that all have joined hands(strange in politics...but the saying goes " jarurat padne pe ghade ko bhi baap banana padta hai " :P). Mind you guys in these times of rampant corruption in the country RTI has indeed become a very important instrument to bring accountability. I would request all of you to file atleast one RTI- you can ask for any info from the govt. (obv within the ambit of the law :P).anyways lets get back to the context.
               
                              Recently Central Information Commission(CIC) has ruled that Political parties come under the ambit of section 2(h) of RTI Act as they are substantially financed by Union govt. Basically it means that Political parties have to share their financial details, who funded how much. It will bring to light the nexus between the industrial houses and the political parties and the corrupt exchanges. Obviously Political parties can't afford to let that happen.At present parties are required to declare donations excess of Rs 20,000. However, non - reporting and under reporting is common and Election Commission(EC) doesn't have the power to verify the declarations. So opening up of accounts of political parties to public scrutiny could be the first step towards accountability.

                                            Now here is the twist. Political parties argue that RTI Act can be used by opposition parities to extract information related to internal deliberations within the party and also the criteria for selection of candidates for election.Although, it is a justified argument and indeed CIC clearly exceeds its jurisdiction but it is no reason for Political parities to not bring Transparency in Political Finance. So what is the solutions??????
                     It is time for India to bring a law at par with other progressive countries. The law should empower Election Commission (similar to Federal Election Commission of USA) to supervise all financial transactions by political parities. It will scrutinize all the reports submitted to it that will provide more clarity on the political funds - its sources & utilization. EC will also disclose the same  to media & public.This way political parties will no longer be required to come under the ambit of RTI but at the same time we can have transparency & accountability in Political System.
                    So instead of finding a solution to the issue, Union Cabinet is seeking to amend the Act to nullify the order without even waiting for legally challenging it. It is not the right way to go about it.When the Model code for election could be evolved by consensus so successfully then WHY not Model Code for Political Finanace?????? Its time Political Parties show some maturity!!!(although i know it is too much to ask for :D)

Friends your inputs and comments are always welcome. :-)

Sri Lanka - 13th Amendment & related controversy

When it comes to our dear (or not so dear may be) neighbour Sri Lanka, these days 13th amendment is what doing rounds. With elections doing around the corner for the Northern Provisional Council (NPC), a Select Committee has been formed to study & suggest to the 13th Amendment. It is believed that India is putting pressure on Sri Lanka to not touch it. However Sri Lankan govt has played "China card" (you see why i said not so dear neighbour :P) to lessen the pressure. New Delhi has always shown who is the Boss, first in march 2012 & now in march 2013 by supporting the US- backed UN resolutions on Human Rights violations.(well it is common in diplomacy first to hit on the face & then going back " bhai kya hua sab theak hai na.....")

           First lets talk about this famous 13th Amendment. It is a direct result of 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord(Yes it is the same accord coz of which some people believe our Ex-Prime Minsiter Rajiv Gandhi got killed). This treaty acknowledges that Sri Lanka is country of multi ethnic & multi lingual society. It seeks greater autonomy & provisions for self governance for the tamil speaking North & East provinces of Sri Lanka.New Delhi is for obvious reasons endorsing 13th Amendment.India is propagating that it is a good starting point to political solution. However, Sri Lankan govt. is arguing that it devolves police & land powers to the provisions and hence need to be diluted.

                                           Now all of a sudden there is this new view point that 13th Amendment is no starting point and this debate of 13th amendment is nonsensical & misleading. People supporting this thought believes that this amendment doesn't provide any betterment to the people of North & East Provinces.It gives no breathing space in the highly Unitary state of framework. Now this is a new direction to this controversy but for the time being when it comes to diplomatic circles, the ques is whether to dilute the 13th amendment or not ???? Whether New Delhi can safe its own interest or the Sri Lankan govt succeeds in diluting it. Given that state of judiciary is no good sign following the impeachment of Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. Also Rajapaksa enjoys two-third majority in Parliament. Hence there doesnot seem to be any opposition for the dilution of the amendment post election!!!

  To all my friends.....your opnions nd comments are welcome.....to add more to this issue or related to it.