Republic of Unreason If Parliament Were to Pass the Surrogacy Bill in Its Present Form, the Law Would Certainly Violate the Constitutional Pledge of Equal Treatment

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NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 Republic of Unreason If Parliament were to pass the Surrogacy Bill in its present form, the law would certainly violate the constitutional pledge of equal treatment

reproductive technology, though, as the this law, organ trading for commercial con- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 Harvard Law School professor Martha A. sideration was legal. As the Andhra Pradesh SUHRITH PARTHASARATHY Field has explained, fails for the reason that High Court observed in upholding this leg- surrogacy involves using another person’s islation, “whether the law intended to pro- body, albeit with their ostensible consent. “A hibit dealing in human organs or not… no personal right to do something,” Field one could or can deal in human organs as a Advance In August 2011, Premila Vaghela, 30, the wife wrote, “does not necessarily carry over to a matter of right.” of a daily-wage labourer from a poor Ahme- right to enlist the assistance of another.” the Budget dabad suburb, had agreed to become a sur- That surrogacy hasn’t been previously regu- A didactic approach rogate mother for an American couple. She lated also does not now give a person a spe- While a complete ban on surrogacy is ca- ifteen years after the timing of the Union Bud- thought that by renting her womb for money cific constitutional right to procreate. After pable of being legally justified — even if it get was advanced by six hours from 5 p.m. on she could provide a better education for her all, every practice tolerated by the state arguably makes for poor strategy — the Fthe last working day of February, the Centre is own two children. But eight months into her doesn’t emanate out of a pre-existing natu- Bill’s proposal to allow altruistic surrogacy contemplating unveiling it a month or more ahead. pregnancy, in what was meant to be a stan- ral or positive right. What’s more, in any for certain classes of persons is not only in- This may appear to be a superfluous shift to some, dard medical visit, she crumpled to the floor event, given that an infertile couple could defensible but is also scandalous in that it but it could significantly alter governance out- of her doctors’ clinic, clutching her stomach take recourse to adopting a child, a ban on exemplifies the government’s didactic am- comes if managed well. As of now, though the Bud- in agony. She died four days later. But the ba- commercial surrogacy doesn’t necessarily bitions. Under India’s constitutional struc- get is tabled before the commencement of a new fi- by survived. afect one’s right to raise a family. ture, every time a law seeks to treat equal Although there is no specific indication of The second argument — a classically lib- persons diferently, it must justify the classi- nancial year in April, its provisions often do not any wrongdoing (the police recorded Vagh- ertarian one — that women have a funda- fication that it so makes with cogent rea- become the law of the land till some time in May, ela’s death as “accidental”) the doctors’ pri- mental right to contract, and a fundamental sons. First, the distinction that the law draws when Parliament passes the Finance Bill. So wheth- orities were clear from the terms of the sur- The object is to curb the right to personal liberty, which together per- must be intelligible; the classes of persons er it is a new social sector scheme, a highway pro- rogacy contract that she had signed. Not mit them to use their bodies as they please, sliced out by the law must be capable of be- ject for which the Finance Minister has allocated only did this agreement (typical of all com- exploitation of poor women. It’s however, cannot be readily dismissed. As ing easily ascertained. And second, the state funds, or simply the transfer of funds to States, mercial surrogacy arrangements) absolve hard to understand, though, how Amrita Pande wrote in The Hindu, in the ab- must show that there is a rational nexus be- there is little action till, say, June. Oicial expendi- the doctors and the foreign couple of any lia- such an object can bear relation sence of any evidence that shows that all ec- tween the object that the law seeks to ture data confirm that spending remains particular- bility, it also noted that the surrogate and her to the classification the Bill makes onomic choices made by a woman are unin- achieve and the classification that it makes. ly low in the first two months of the financial year. husband had agreed that if Vaghela sufered fluenced by a lack of informed consent, In the case of the Surrogacy Bill the object There is a spike in the last two quarters not just be- an injury or a life-threatening instance dur- denying Indian women the ability to enter of the proposed law is ostensibly to curb the ing the third trimester of her pregnancy, she short, seeks to ban commercial surrogacy al- into contracts of surrogacy alone might exploitation of poor women who often act as cause ministries scramble to exhaust their allocat- “will be sustained with life support equip- together, while limiting the availability of seem misplaced. But the philosophical basis surrogate mothers. It’s hard to understand, ed funds, but also because, for instance, the onset of ment to protect the foetus’ viability and in- what the Bill terms as “altruistic surrogacy” for such an argument may not quite be though, how such an object can bear any re- the monsoon season in June makes it diicult to ex- sure a healthy birth on the genetic parents’ to childless, heterosexual Indian couples carved in stone. From the 1980s onwards lation to the classification that the Bill ecute infrastructure projects in the second quarter. behalf”. married for at least five years. That is, per- many feminist scholars — Andrea Dworkin makes in distinguishing couples married for Efectively, proposed annual capital expenditure is sons who are eligible to seek surrogacy are the most prominent among them — have five years or more from all others, including rushed through from October to March rather than Clampdown on commercial surrogacy required to engage a close female relative, warned against the commodification of sur- live-in couples, single parents, and those through the year, creating a tardy and bumpy trans- Conventionally, commercial surrogacy not necessarily related by blood, in a trans- rogacy in an inherently unequal world. For from the LGBT community. “We do not rec- mission mechanism for any intended stimulus. involves an agreement in which a woman, in action where no money exchanges hands Dworkin, surrogacy is like prostitution, be- ognise homosexual or live-in relationships, This now assumes greater importance especially exchange for money, agrees to carry a child between the commissioning couple and the cause the surrogate has no choice. The ques- that is why they are not allowed to commis- for another person to whom she will surren- surrogate mother, except to meet medical tions that concern the validity of a commer- sion babies through surrogacy,” said Exter- since in the past two years public investment has mantra der the child when it is born. The woman expenses. Unfortunately, though, well-in- cial surrogacy agreement, she wrote, are not nal Afairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, while been the government’s to revive growth, can either be the child’s genetic mother — tentioned as the proposal might appear at indiferent from those concerning prostitu- announcing the Cabinet’s approval of the and is likely to remain the key determinant of the which is the more traditional form of surro- first blush, the Bill fails to address the moral tion. When the state has “constructed the Bill. “It is against our ethos.” These pro- economy’s direction for a while. Whether present- gacy — or, alternatively, if implanted with an questions at the roots of the controversy, social, economic, and political situation in fessed reasons though neither emanate out ed in the end of December or in January, a budget embryo, she could merely be a gestational and, if ultimately enacted into law, would al- which the sale of some sexual or reproduc- of any legitimate governmental interest nor endorsed by Parliament by the end of March could carrier owning no genetic connection to the so transgress some of the Constitution’s tive capacity is necessary to the survival of do they contain any link to the Bill’s object allow ministries, State governments and businesses child whatsoever. Since 2002, when the In- core guarantees. women,” Dworkin wrote, to believe that and purpose. They merely comprise the to get down to implementation as soon as the year dian Council for Medical Research issued a such women are exercising their free will in state’s expression of disgust at practices that The arguments at stake begins and plan their spending based on the reset of non-binding regulations that envi- choosing to sell the use of their womb in a it deems depraved. If Parliament were to quirement for a project rather than weather exigen- saged transactional surrogacy, these forms Now, there is little doubting that any rea- commercial transaction is simply amoral. pass the Surrogacy Bill in its present form, of arrangements have flourished in India. sonable government ought to concern itself Dworkin’s claims, from an Indian context, the law would certainly violate the constitu- cies. There is, of course, the challenge that the gov- According to some reports, the assisted-re- at some level with the ethics of procreation, are only bolstered by the boilerplate terms tional pledge of equal treatment. ernment may lack enough data about the state of production sector may now be worth as high especially given the power equations at play of the surrogate contract, which tend to the economy by January, be it tax collections or as $2 billion, with more than 25,000 surro- in a contract of surrogacy. But is a complete deeply undermine the surrogate mother’s Flawed assumptions at play GDP numbers. So the Chief Economic Adviser’s gate children being born every year in the proscription on commercial surrogacy a freedom and sense of bodily autonomy. Her What’s more, in seeking to permit altruis- team will have to grapple with tighter deadlines to country. But in the absence of any legislation neutral position to take? There are two basic assertions, therefore, provide the state a le- tic surrogacy alone, the Bill also makes a cu- put together the Economic Survey with less data at controlling the industry, Vaghela’s case has arguments against such a ban. First, that gitimate constitutional reason for restrict- rious, and flawed, assumption: that if a its disposal. Then again, the February 28 Budget al- scarcely proved an exception. people, both foreigners and Indians, have a ing surrogacy altogether. After all, similar woman is not being paid to be a surrogate, so relies on revised estimates. And while Finance It is perhaps with these considerations in fundamental right to procreate, and to concerns about agency and free will were at she isn’t being exploited in any manner; that Ministry mandarins may find themselves pressed mind that the Union Cabinet, last week, ap- choose whichever method they desire to play when the Union government brought questions involving free will are somehow proved the draft of the Surrogacy (Regula- achieve this objective. This airmative ar- into force the Transplantation of Human Or- applicable only to cases of commercial sur- for time if Finance Minister Arun Jaitley manages tion) Bill, 2016. The proposed legislation, in gument in favour of a right to use assisted- gans Act in 1994. Prior to the enactment of rogacy. But the notion that surrogacy can at to move to an earlier Budget in 2017, the Goods and all be altruistic, as the Swedish journalist Services Tax rollout deadline of April 2017 would CARTOONSCAPE Kajsa Ekis Ekman wrote earlier this year in mean much less work for them at least on the indi- The Guardian, “— apart from being a red rect taxes side of the Budget document. Around 51 herring, since it barely happens in reality — per cent of the 738 promises in the UPA’s 10 full has a very strange ideological underpinning. Budgets remained works in progress (that is, un- As if exploitation only consisted in giving met) by the time the next Budget was presented. If the woman money. In that case, the less she switching the Budget presentation date can turn is paid, the less she is exploited.” this around, it would be well worth it. A complete ban on commercial surrogacy may not altogether remedy the situation faced by those such as Vaghela — there is after all a belief, in many quarters, that such a Turkey’s dangerous law would tantamount to reacting to moral panic. However, regardless of its constitutional permissibility, given the lack of con- move on Syria sensus on such a complete ban, it would be urkey’s incursion into Syria has opened a prudent to conduct a wider public deliberation before the prohibition is enforced as new front in the already complicated Syrian law. But what is certainly unhelpful is the Tcivil war. Turkey and the other regional proposal to permit only a limited form of al- powers in West Asia, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar truistic surrogacy. This represents bad so- and Iran, have been active players in the Syrian con- cial policy, and, if such an exception fructi- flict since 2011, but this is the first time one of them fies into legislation, would also be forbidden has sent its army into Syria to join combat. Ankara under our constitutional structure. India, to says the move is to fight the Islamic State; within borrow a phrase used by the American legal days of rolling its tanks into Syria, Turkey declared scholar Cass Sunstein, is meant to be a “Re- that it had cleared the border town of Jarabulus of public of Reasons”. The Surrogacy (Regula- tion) Bill, 2016, regrettably flouts this vision. IS fighters. But there is little doubt that the real target of the Turkish forces are the Kurdish militias. Suhrith Parthasarathy is an advocate practising at the The IS had been active in Jarabulus since 2013, and Madras High Court. used the town as a key supply route for men and materials. Over the last few years, Turkey had largely ignored IS activities on the Syrian side of the LETTERS TO THE EDITOR border. It moved into action only after the U.S.- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. backed Kurdish forces recaptured Manbij, another town close to the border, from the IS. After taking positions in Manbij, Kurdish rebels had moved to- Kerry’s anti-terror advice Memorandum of Agreement or of the Opposition. This will also help for the welfare of mankind. Indian The pact must be viewed in the wards Jarabulus. If Kurds seize Jarabulus as well, it LEMOA (Editorial and “India, U.S. to to dispel the misgivings of India’s warships and military aircraft could context of America’s ambition of It will be a bitter pill for Pakistan to share defence facilities”, both other strategic partners. now substantially extend their deploying 50 per cent of its naval would allow them unprecedented control over the swallow now that U.S. Secretary of Aug.31), it is a clear sign that the days Arjun K.V., operational reach in the Asia-Pacific force in the Asia-Pacific region and Syrian-Turkish border region and also cut Turkey State John Kerry has sought action of India’s non-alignment policy are Bengaluru region to U.S. bases in Djibouti, will silence India’s non-alignment of from the last remaining cross-border supply from Islamabad on specific long gone and that New Delhi is Diego Garcia in the southern Indian stance followed religiously from the routes. Unsurprisingly, after taking control of Jara- instances of terrorism (“Act against edging closer to the U.S., for better The agreement will now bring the Ocean and Guam in the western time of Nehru. India will now be bulus, Turkish aircraft and ground troops started terror”, Kerry tells Pak.”, Aug. 31). or for worse. two nations even closer strategically. Pacific Ocean. It will help in viewed with suspicion as a U.S. attacking Kurdish positions in Manbij, demanding Pakistan will also stand isolated What could have prompted India to However, India must take care of its checking wars, but in case of an military presence will disturb the that they retreat to the east of the Euphrates. once the U.S. goes ahead with the suddenly strengthen defence ties NAM obligations as well as maintain eventuality, an option must be open. power balance of the region. The Turkey has two concerns. First, if it loses cross- trilateral talks to fine-tune counter- with the U.S. is China’s belligerent its close ties with Russia. Leaning One hopes that there will be clarity NDA government needs to tread border access to Syria, the Ankara-backed rebels terror measures. The development posture towards India. Given the towards the U.S. in a military sense on the other foundational with caution. is a huge boost to India’s eforts in U.S.’ past, of ruthlessly pursuing its should not be at the cost of peaceful agreements — the Communication Philip Sabu, would be in a weaker position in the Syrian civil trying to talk peace with a diicult own goals and riding roughshod ties with neighbours. Interoperability and Security war, which would in turn jeopardise Turkey’s plans Thrissur neighbour. over the less powerful nations it Kuldeep Mohanty, Memorandum of Agreement for a future Syria. Second, if Kurdish militias are al- C.K. Subramaniam, allies with, it is not without reason New Delhi (CISMOA) and the Basic Exchange A rare mother lowed to further consolidate in the semi-autono- Navi Mumbai that the Opposition in India has and Cooperation Agreement for mous Syrian Kurdistan, that would pose a direct raised serious concerns about India It is not clear whether providing the Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA). The report, “IIT a no go, but strategic threat to Turkey, given the Syrian Kurds’ Nothing much should be read into running the risk of making kinds of logistical support envisaged H.S. Dimple, ‘unschooled’ 17-year-old makes it to deep ties with their Turkish counterparts who are Mr. Kerry’s statement as the U.S. is compromises on its strategic in the agreement would also extend Jagraon, Punjab MIT” (Aug.31), is exciting and at war with Ankara. So Turkey wants to rupture the one country that has been arming autonomy. The intrusive, self- to U.S. warships and its aircraft on inspiring. More than the girl’s Kurdish momentum. This move, however, marks a Pakistan to the teeth while doing protecting clauses that the U.S. has combat missions destined for India should take care that by achievement, it is the attitude of her dangerous turn of events. Kurds have proved the flip-flops on various issues tried to incorporate into the India- conflict zones. Unless providing entering into this agreement, its mother towards formal education concerning Delhi and Islamabad. U.S. nuclear deal, exemplifies its such facilities is specifically barred degree of autonomy is not lost. The and her commendable pragmatic- most efective ground force against the IS. All the Ultimately, we will have to fight our self-serving nature. India should in the agreement, it would be a benefits of the agreement should be cum-philosophical view that major border towns they control, such as Kobane, own battles and it would be futile to ensure that its ties with the U.S. are significant shift in our time-tested confined to logistics support in case “happiness is more important than Tal Abyad and now Manbij, were recaptured from expect superpowers like the U.S. to on an even keel and in the mould of foreign policy of military neutrality of a military exercise or disaster conventional knowledge” which is the IS after long and bloody ground battles. In fact, constantly back us on all matters. If arrengements with Japan, South and would justifiably be seen as management. exceptional. The situation has a the decline of the IS started with their defeat by the U.S. is really serious about the Korea and the Philippines. more than merely overcoming the Bhuvan Gupta, parallel with the life of Thomas Alva Kurds in Kobane. Besides, the Turkish incursion issue, it could issue an ultimatum to Nalini Vijayaraghavan, “hesitations of history”. Such a Bharatpur, Rajasthan Edison, whose schoolteacher called makes the Syrian war more complicated. Given Pakistan, setting it a time frame to Thiruvananthapuram nature of cooperation would also him “mentally ill” in a letter to his their recent battle history, Kurds won’t give up their shut down all terror camps on its run the risk of India letting itself I feel the agreement will be deeply mother. But the lady reportedly hid position easily. This means that if Turkey persists soil. The impact of the agreement on become a party to a conflict with all discomforting for Russia and Asian the letter and homeschooled him. India’s foreign and defence relations its attendant adverse consequences powers. India has never teamed up Such mothers are rare in the with its operation, the border towns could witness C.V. Aravind, Bengaluru has been blown out of proportion, on our relations with the countries with any nation and has taken pride educational system in which another spell of war, while making the task of re- either out of ignorance or for in such conflict zones. in its autonomy. It would have been “marks” speak louder than real solving the Syrian conflict more diicult. Unfortu- The LEMOA deal political mileage. The government S.K. Choudhury, wise had India waited till after the “merit”. One hopes this will awaken nately, Turkey seems less bothered about the chaos must now nip this by placing the Bengaluru change in the U.S administration. parents to a new way of thinking. in Syria than the growing clout of Kurds. Despite the advantages in the terms of the agreement in the public Leo Sebastian, R.K. Jacob, signing of the Logistics Exchange domain and addressing the concerns This seems to be a new mechanism Kollam San Jose, California, U.S. CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 The road to genuine reform The only way to break the executive-judiciary impasse is to make public future correspondence on the Memorandum of Procedure. This will be a precursor to infusing transparency in judicial appointments

Delay in the judiciary is a multifaceted prob- marily the product of an inadequately rea- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 lem which difers also from court to court, soned judgment that is less an expression of State to State. However amongst some com- constitutional law and more an assertion of mon factors is the pressing concern that law, judicial self-belief. In an uncommon and un- AJIT PRAKASH ARGHYA as laid down by the Supreme Court and high necessarily strident majority view, the Su- SHAH SENGUPTA courts in a large number of areas, is unclear preme Court not only struck down the Na- Full circle and inconsistent. This necessitates constant tional Judicial Appointments Commission The Chief Justice of India’s (CJI) high-oc- and overlapping appeals clogging the sys- (NJAC) but also criticised the government tane laments about vacancies caused due to tem. While disposing such cases, very rarely and the political class as a whole. In the proc- in Singur the stand-of between the judiciary and gov- are timelines followed. In the recently enact- ess, it missed a genuine opportunity of re- he Supreme Court’s verdict on the Singur ernment in appointing judges has brought a ed Commercial Courts Act, 2015, strict time- forming a system that it itself recognised as land acquisition issue is a re-statement of renewed focus to delays in the judicial sys- lines as well as case management provisions flawed — neither did it institute safeguards tem. The CJI holds vacancies responsible for have been carefully incorporated. Unfortu- into the NJAC that would have made it con- Tfirst principles relating to the limitations of creating delays, bringing justice delivery to a nately, similar provisions in the Code of Civil stitutionally valid nor did it substantively re- ‘eminent domain’. By quashing the entire land ac- grinding halt for several litigants. By all ac- Procedure have been held by the Supreme form the collegium itself to satisfy concerns quisition process done by the erstwhile Left Front counts, the judicial system is painfully slow Court to not bind the inherent discretion of that were shared by some petitioners, the government in West Bengal, the court has reiterat- — as of December 31, 2015, 51.2 per cent of all courts to extend time or grant repeated government and the Supreme Court itself. ed that the term ‘public purpose’ cannot be arbitra- cases pending in the subordinate courts have adjournments. rily invoked to acquire land and hand it over to a been pending for more than two years and 7.5 In the same vein, the potential for alterna- Time to walk the talk private party. One of the two judges has categorical- per cent for more than 10 years; in the high tive dispute resolution (ADR) methods, If one ignores the rhetorical images of ly held that there was no ‘public purpose’ in the land courts the corresponding figures are 68 per such as arbitration, to reduce judicial delays lockdown associated with a stand-of and in- acquisition as it was solely for the benefit of Tata cent and 19.22 per cent. This is unacceptable has not been explored owing to the constant quires into the real reasons for disagree- for any state that promises the rule of law to interference of courts. Constant interference ment, the matter becomes curious. As per Motors. The other judge has conceded that given its citizens. At the same time, to view the has not been limited to ADR but is endemic. news reports, the government proposed a the government’s policy of industrialisation and stand-of on judicial appointments and the A recent study found that the Supreme Court screening committee for all judges-elect the potential for employment generation, the ac- consequent vacancies that are created Vacancies are a product of a admits 41 per cent of all cases filed before it comprising eminent persons and retired quisition was indeed for a public purpose. But he al- through the lens of judicial delays is to miss systemic lack of incentives for hearing, a staggering number for the judges to ensure criteria-based selections; so ruled that the failure to hold a proper inquiry in- the wood for the trees. for persons of high quality highest constitutional court of a country. It is second, the government has asked for a na- to objections from the public, and the fact that the and integrity to take up little surprise that litigants take a chance be- tional security veto. The collegium appar- State Cabinet had decided to acquire land for the Long-standing vacancies fore the higher judiciary since securing an ently has rejected both proposals. project even before the acquisition was notified as First, it is essential to clarify the contours judgeships admission is often perceived as a game of The first suggestion appears unobjection- per law, rendered the entire process void. The rul- of this stand-of — the government and the roulette. This is especially so since the qual- able. In the NJAC judgment, some judges ad- ing is undoubtedly a political victory for West Ben- collegium have been unable to agree on a are not solely caused by the stand-of — they ity of justice, particularly in the lower judici- vert to a similar committee; its importance in Memorandum of Procedure for appoint- are endemic to the higher judiciary. Second, ary, is often perceived as unsatisfactory. order to ensure accountability and citizen gal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who took up ment of judges for the better part of this year. even if the current impasse between the ex- These factors are merely illustrative of the participation cannot be disregarded. The the cause of those whose lands were taken away in Second, the government has neither cleared ecutive and judiciary were to end, vacancies multifaceted nature of delays. They are how- collegium’s objections to such a proposal, if Singur, making it a key election issue of the pivotal nor returned the files sent by the collegium would not be even substantially filled, let ever united by a common thread that, unlike true, are perplexing and should be made Assembly election of 2011, when she wrested power regarding several high court appointments alone delays being significantly reduced. filling of vacancies, they are all within the republic. As far as a national security veto is from the long-serving Left Front. With the farmers and transfers, unlike Supreme Court ap- This is because vacancies are a product of mit of the judiciary’s self-correction. concerned, the judges are rightly concerned set to get back their land, and the court allowing pointments and some transfers which were a systemic lack of incentives for persons of about national security (or national interest) them to keep the compensation they had earlier re- cleared earlier this year. high quality and integrity to take up judge- Power struggle over appointments becoming a fig leaf for state unaccountabili- ceived or claim it now if they are yet to get it, this al- According to the apex court’s own publi- ships. Judicial pay is poor, pensions are poor- The complexity of causes responsible for ty, a blunt instrument used to end all require- lows her to score points afresh over the CPI(M). cation, as of May 2016, there were 2 vacan- er. Further, the collegium which selects judg- judicial delays should make it amply clear ment for further explanation. Given this pos- cies in the Supreme Court (out of 31 sanc- es and elevates them to the Supreme Court is that it is merely a by-product when it comes sibility, rather than national security being a The judgment does not lay down any new law. tioned posts) and 432 vacancies in the high a closed brotherhood. As former Supreme to the vexed question of judicial appoint- ground for veto, a healthy convention should The dispute over whether the Singur land was ac- courts (out of 1,065 sanctioned posts). This Court judge Justice Ruma Pal has noted, “A ments. Talking about delays caused by the be adopted by the collegium that ordinarily a quired for a ‘public purpose’ or not is largely aca- constituted a vacancy rate of 6.45 per cent chance remark, a rumour or even third-hand stand-of in appointments is an euphemism rejection by the government on these demic, now that the outdated Land Acquisition Act, and 40.5 per cent, respectively. information may be suicient to damn a for the power struggle that has ensued be- grounds will be heeded, provided they are 1894, has been repealed and replaced by legislation However, looking at figures from Decem- judge’s prospects. Contrariwise a personal tween two organs of state over dictating the subjectively satisfied. that aims at transparency in acquisition and makes ber 2012, much before this stand-of, may friendship or unspoken obligation may col- future course of judicial appointments. This But without entering into matters of de- fair compensation and resettlement a statutory provide some perspective. At that time, our a recommendation.” is not unprecedented — appointments have tailed disagreement, the entire process of right of those who lose their land. The Right to Fair there were 4 vacancies in the Supreme Court It is thus no surprise that several worthy similarly been stalled in the past, most re- formulation of the Memorandum of Proce- Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisi- (out of 31 sanctioned posts) and 281 vacan- candidates pass up the travails associated in cently during the Chief Justiceship of Justice dure is deeply discomforting. First, it ap- tion, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act sets out cies in the high courts (out of 895 sanctioned the process of being appointed to and pro- M.M. Punchhi in 1998, when the government pears that the role of the collegium is limited posts). This constituted a vacancy rate of 12.9 gressing as a judge. and the CJI disagreed on the proper proce- to accepting or rejecting reform suggestions the categories of projects that would fall under pub- per cent for the Supreme Court, higher than dure for appointment of judges. No appoint- given by the government. If true, this is dis- lic purpose, and allows acquisition for private com- the present, and 31.3 per cent for high courts. Delays as a multifaceted problem ments were consequently made for over six turbing — if the Supreme Court is serious panies subject to provisions related to consent, These figures point towards two funda- At the same time, vacancies are not the months. about reform as it said it was in the NJAC compensation and rehabilitation. There may be mental propositions: first, high vacancies sole reason for debilitating judicial delays. Like in 1998, the current impasse too is pri- judgment, it is now time to walk the talk and some apprehension that the judgment will deter propose reforms itself. fresh investment by the private sector, inasmuch as Second, a combination of the secrecy of it may preclude land acquisition for major projects. CARTOONSCAPE the process and the apparent hostility be- However, courts have by and large interpreted tween the judiciary and government means ‘public purpose’ liberally, often allowing the gov- that a document that was designed to ensure real reform has descended into a plaything of ernment’s view to prevail. The lesson from Singur the powerful, with neither side showing any is that thoughtless and fast-tracked acquisition, of- genuine desire for change. Substantive pro- ten to the detriment of due process and the inter- posals such as transparently outlining a zone ests of those deprived of land and livelihood, is the of consideration, setting up a process for real issue — and not promotion of industrialisation. nominating and interviewing candidates, outlining criteria for appointment, clarifying the importance of seniority, presenting an annual report of candidates considered, interviewed, appointed and rejected and many The rise and fall of others, suggested by scores of civil society representatives, are gathering dust. The only Dilma Roussef way to break this impasse and ensure that a kernel of reform is salvaged from the inter- he fall of Dilma Roussef from being one of stices of a power struggle is to make all fu- the most popular politicians to an im- ture correspondence on the Memorandum peached leader is much more than a story of of Procedure public. This will transparently T demonstrate how substantive reform is be- a “corrupt” President being stripped of her powers ing efected or stalled and serve as a precur- by a righteous legislature. The exit of Brazil’s first sor to infusing a culture of transparency in woman President brings the 13-year rule of the left- judicial appointments. Otherwise, the coun- leaning Workers’ Party (PT) to an end. The charge try will sufer the consequences of a bitter levelled against her is that she used illegal book- power struggle where whoever wins, the keeping manoeuvres to hide a growing deficit. cause of justice for the people of India loses. Though this is a crime in Brazil, several of those Ajit Prakash Shah is former Chief Justice of the Delhi High who piloted the impeachment process in Congress Court and former Chairman of the Law Commission of have themselves been charged with corrupt prac- India; Arghya Sengupta is the Research Director of Vidhi tices. Almost all the leading political parties, in- Centre for Legal Policy, a New Delhi-based think tank. cluding new President Michel Temer’s Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, were implicated in the Petrobras corruption scandal. Ms. Roussef is in LETTERS TO THE EDITOR fact one of the very few high-profile politicians not Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. to be implicated in the Petrobras scam. Moreover, her presidency was not quite the failure it is made to appear as. She completed her first term and was Singur verdict and in what shape the land will be were taken to build Tata Motors’ common as Budget estimates have the related ground work. We need a re-elected in 2014 with a clear majority. Through all returned to the farmers. If the land factory. Ms. Banerjee also has the lost their sanctity. Every ministry little mending, not wholesale fixing. It is heartening that the decade-long was made vacant to set up right to feel vindicated now. This should be made to understand that this, she purposefully continued the welfare pro- M. Balakrishnan, people’s struggle in Singur has industrial units, the government judgment should be a lesson not once a Budget is passed, it cannot Bengaluru grammes initiated by her predecessor, Luiz Inacio finally yielded result (“Return land should suitably compensate the only for West Bengal but also for get a rupee more than what has Lula da Silva, particularly in the education, health to Singur farmers: SC”, Sept. 1). farmers so that they can use it for other States. Industrialisation already been allocated. Treating and housing sectors. Acquisition of land has long been a farming purposes again. should not be done until every budgetary allocations as sacrosanct Embarrassment for AAP To understand Ms. Roussef’s fall, one has to look tool in the hands of the Also, private sector companies and landowner is suiciently will lead to better expenditure This refers to the report “Kejriwal instead at the complex layers of Brazil’s polity. It is a establishment for ‘colourable the state-owned industrial sector compensated and given alternative management and bring in fiscal sacks Minister over ‘objectionable’ comparatively young democracy in which the PT exercise of power’. Thus, justice to should draw a lesson or two from sources of income. discipline. This calls for a change in CD” (Sept. 1). This incident doesn’t rose to power defying established structures. The the poor was imperative. However, this judgment — they should not Also, now Ms. Banerjee is happy but the style of governance. augur well for the AAP government power struggle within Brazil’s political class has it is interesting that the two-judge use the phrase ‘public purpose’ she also says that her State will C.J. Seshagiri, which rode to power as a ‘party Bench difered on whether the land when they set out to acquire the emerge as the number one Mysuru with a diference’. First the Delhi never been a settled afair. When Mr. da Silva was in Singur was acquired for ‘public lands of poor peasants. What public industrial destination. I’m not sure Law Minister was asked to resign President, he was able to keep in check the class in- purpose’ or not. Public purpose is purpose is served in depriving how this is possible given that This could be another gimmick by on allegations that his college terests stacked against him with his immense pop- perhaps the most used, and yet least people of their livelihoods? companies will only shy away from this government, much in the way degree was forged. This was ularity. Ms. Roussef not only lacked his charisma defined, term in public S. Nallasivan, West Bengal now. She will have to the Planning Commission was followed by allegations of and mass appeal, but also failed to right the econo- administration. On the one hand, it Tirunelveli , Tamil Nadu learn the art of maintaining a replaced by the Niti Aayog, as is the corruption against the Food and my when a steep fall in global commodity prices hit is true that industrial growth would balance between politics and proposal to scrap the Railway Environment Minister. Now it is a Brazil hard. The consequences were devastating: mean new employment The term ‘public purpose’ needs economics. Budget and merge it with the sex scam. To me, the party seems no for instance, the Brazilian economy grew 7.6 per opportunities, thus providing an clarification. The Tata project Bal Govind, General Budget. All this could mean diferent from any other. cent in 2010, the year she won her first term; it is es- impetus to socio-economic would have created employment Noida nothing worthwhile on the ground. Devadas V., timated to contract 3.2 per cent this year. It is amid development. However, today, we and boosted industrial activity in The Budget provides for twelve Kannur have more refined indicators of the State. But acquisition of months, not for ten. In practice, this economic gloom and nationwide anger against development and the employment agricultural land, that too without Advancing the Budget there should be no lack of funds in corrupt politicians in the wake of the Petrobras factor cannot supersede other the consent of the farmers, Advancing the presentation of the April and May, as the provisions of A road not taken scandal that her opponents used the charges of factors such as damage to ecology undermined public interest in Union Budget by a month is a good the previous Budget will remain In India, any diversion from the fudging books to build a case for impeachment. But and biodiversity, and the loss of terms of right to life and livelihood. idea (“Advance the Budget,” Sept. 1). operational from May to May. conventional educational system is the impeachment doesn’t solve the problems Brazil traditional ways of living. The farmers would have worked as But this should be followed by Alternatively, instead of letting the often glared upon (“I was lucky I faces. The economy is still in the doldrums, and is Sachin V.K. Jadhav, casual labourers if the project had lifting the veil of secrecy over the Finance Bill be passed only by the wasn’t good in studies: Gopichand”, unlikely to bounce back in the near future given the Washim, Maharashtra been approved, at the mercy of entire exercise. Advancing the end of May, a special session of August 31). In a system where global headwinds. President Temer is as unpopular labour contractors. Further, lack of Budget obviates the need to get a Parliament can be had on March 30 grades determine success, Pullela as Ms. Roussef had become, as was evident from The Supreme Court’s verdict has education for an industrial job Vote on Account. This, in turn, will and 31 to get the Bill passed, and Gopichand’s statement is important come as a huge relief for the would have resulted in them being assure certainty and enable available formally on April 1. This as it proves that we can go to any the loud boos he received from spectators at the hundreds of farmers of Singur, and exploited further. ministries to start spending from will provide two months ahead of extent to achieve our dreams, and opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics. Brazil’s op- is surely a victory for West Bengal Dattatrey Kedare, the beginning of the fiscal year the monsoon for the government to there are career options that we can position may have gained power after a long wait Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Nashik, Maharashtra instead of bunching their begin implementing new proposals, excel in even if we are not good in through a parliamentary coup, but the political and who has been fighting for this cause expenditures in the last quarter. schemes and projects. And that academics. economic turmoil is likely to remain for long. for a while. At the outset, this is a victory for all Unfortunately, supplementary leaves the whole of March available Akash Katawati, However, what is to be seen is how those farmers whose fertile lands demands for grants have become for planning implementation and all Pune

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NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2016 A journey to sainthood Mother Teresa’s greatest miracle was her life itself. Armed only with an abundance of faith, she created a multinational organisation that served her special constituency of the ‘poorest of the poor’

with teeming millions uprooted by the Parti- cise her for not doing. I knew that a hospital SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2016 tion, who had joined the hapless suferers of would tie down dozens of her Sisters to a sin- NAVIN CHAWLA the Great Bengal Famine. Into this sea of trag- gle establishment, and then who would care edy, homelessness, disease and despair for those who fell by the wayside? The infant stepped a 38-year-old nun, dressed not in a abandoned on a street, the sick and elderly recognisable nun’s habit, but a sari similar to turned out of their homes, the leprosy sufer- A disruptive Mother Teresa will enter into sainthood on what the municipal sweepresses wore. She ers or AIDS patient that no one wanted to go September 4, 2016, after a relatively short pe- had no companion, no helper and no money near, let alone touch? How many of us step debut riod of 19 years since her passing away on to speak of. What she did have was a secret out of our cars to do anything for the desper- September 5, 1997. Pope Francis recently rec- calling that her God wanted her to leave the ately poor we see on the streets? We only hat Mukesh Ambani’s roll-out of fourth-gen- ognised a second miracle attributed to her insecurity of the Loreto Convent and minister have to look within us to know that those who eration telecommunication services tercession which ‘cured’ a Brazilian patient, to Him in his distressing disguise of the poor- are quick to criticise her are unwilling to do Tthrough Reliance Jio would shake up the awaiting surgery, of an incurable infection in est of the poor, the abandoned infant, the lep- anything to help with their own hands. telecom market was anticipated. Still, the specifics his brain. This ceremony to be performed at rosy suferer shunned by society and the dy- of the ambitious pricing and customer acquisition St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City will come a ing destitute. One determined step at a time plans unveiled at the Reliance Industries annual mere 13 years after she was beatified on Octo- At a time when the Raj had left no health Once described as a ‘religious imperialist’ shareholders’ meeting were audacious. From mak- ber 19, 2003. While the Church demanded care to speak of (1948), she confronted death and more commonly regarded as a saint, ing voice calls and domestic roaming completely one proven miracle for her to be beatified at every turn. She did what was to become Mother Teresa was at many levels a very or- and another for sainthood to be conferred, her hallmark. Finding a man dying in the dinary woman, yet someone who led one of free to ofering 4G data connectivity at a fraction of the real miracle, I believe, was Mother Tere- street, she took him to a public hospital, the most extraordinary lives of her century. the average market tarif, the latest entrant has, in sa’s life itself. It was extraordinary that the which refused to admit him, precisely on the Armed only with an abundance of faith, she one fell swoop, altered pricing dynamics in the sec- strand of divinity remained un-eclipsed from grounds that since he was about to die they proceeded with one small but determined tor for the foreseeable future. In the process, the her childhood to her death. For me as well as would not waste a hospital bed on a life they step at a time. By the time she passed away 19 company has also ended up putting the spotlight on for millions around the world, her goodness ILLUSTRATION: KESHAV said they could not save! Only when she sat years ago, she had created a multinational or- data being at the core of mobile telephony services. and compassion were so transparent that she before the hospital on a dharna did they re- ganisation that spanned 123 countries that With more than 90 per cent of almost 350 million was anointed a saint in her lifetime. Although she herself remained lent. The man died within a few hours. It was served her special constituency of the ‘poor- Indians currently accessing the Internet on mobile then that she began to search for a place est of the poor’. In the process, she was ac- The young woman from Skopje staunchly Catholic, her brand of devices, the availability, afordability and quality, in where she could take those people whom knowledged as one of the world’s principal terms of browsing speeds, of the data service be- Let me briefly encapsulate the many chal- religion was not exclusive... hospitals refused, where she could nurse conscience-keepers. lenges that she faced when she began her them — she had some medical training — Although she herself remained staunchly comes critical. This is particularly pertinent as In- work. She was 18 when she was convinced She reached out to people and they could at least die being comforted Catholic, her brand of religion was not exclu- dia makes more and more public goods and servic- that her life’s vocation lay in her becoming a of all faiths and with some dignity. She begged various sive. Convinced that each person she minis- es accessible online. For a nation seeking to missionary in far-of India; Skopje, where she authorities, and finally an oicer in Calcutta tered to was Christ in sufering, she reached leverage the explosive growth in mobile telephony was born on August 26, 1910, was so far re- who were headquartered in faraway Calcut- Municipality gave her a pilgrims’ hall adja- out to people of all faiths. The very faith that that has resulted in more than one billion subscrip- moved from Bengal that, barring a few Yu- ta. Here she taught for close to 20 years be- cent to the Kalighat temple, where she re- sustained her infuriated her detractors, who tions, the future lies in moving an increasingly goslav Jesuits who fired her young imagina- fore her true calling propelled her to serve quested the police and municipal authorities saw her as a symbol of a right-wing conspir- larger share of economic activity across industries tion, no one in the small Catholic community the poor in the streets and slums. The Vati- to bring her all and any of those dying whom acy and, worse, the principal mouthpiece of on to digital platforms. By setting out to provide its would even have known where India lay. Yet can, fantastically, gave her permission to step the hospitals refused. That policy continues. the Vatican’s well-known views against abor- services at a significantly lower cost than most the early seeds of her faith and determination outside the Cloister, not as a lay worker but I have been so many times to this hospice tion and birth control. These were indeed her impelled her to leave her closely knit family. with her religious vows intact, to set up her at Kalighat, that I did not need to ask Mother views and she was undeterred by such criti- competitors, Reliance is attempting to alter the She found that the route to India lay in her own order, the Missionaries of Charity. In Teresa why she had not set up the hospital cism. It was the one subject that she and I benchmark for consumer expectations on data joining the Loreto Order of teaching nuns, 1948, Calcutta’s pavements were swarming that Christopher Hitchens would later criti- never did agree upon. I would cite the Malth- quality. It seeks to make the proposition more usian formula while she would answer that sticky by bundling in mobile applications that will CARTOONSCAPE she could take care of every unwanted child. enable users to tap into a range of media. In the course of researching my biography, How significantly the industry landscape is al- I asked her why she took money from dodgy tered will ultimately depend on the reliability of the characters like Haiti’s dictator Duvalier. Her service that Reliance ends up providing. To be sure, answer was concise. Everyone, she said, had a the largest rival mobile phone operators have been right to give in charity. How was this diferent quietly making their own preparations for Relianc- from thousands of people who each day fed the poor? “I have no right to judge them. God e’s entry and are certain to have factored in various alone has that right.” And again, “I accept no strategic scenarios. As consumers opt to sample salary, no government grant, no church fund- Reliance’s 4G services, it is inevitable that the coming, nothing. I do not ask for money. But peo- petition will take a short-term knock on some oper- ple have a right to give.” ating parameters such as average revenue per user, She had a clear vision of the street and a de- average margin per user, subscriber churn, and data termination that she often tempered with a revenue growth. But the long-term health of the in- sense of humour. dustry is unlikely to be seriously impaired as the In the end, she gently but unmistakably left size of the market in India is large enough to absorb her imprint at the heart of the Vatican itself. Finding in Pope John Paul II a kindred spirit, one more player. Given the low operational costs of she cajoled him into opening a small soup the business and the group’s overall capacity to kitchen around the corner from the Great raise capital at will, Mr. Ambani has the leeway to Basilica of St. Peter’s where the grand cere- wait until Reliance Jio turns profitable. Fortunately, mony will be held to declare her a Saint. At it is the consumer that stands to gain the most by four every evening, Rome’s homeless and this latest disruption. hungry queue up to be fed by Mother Tere- sa’s Sisters and a dozen volunteers. At a stroke this frail nun, indisputably the world’s most decorated person, helped to demystify the Vatican’s centuries-old aura of wealth The terror and power. Navin Chawla is a biographer of Mother Teresa and a in the Philippines former Chief Election Commissioner of India. t may be unfair, or at least much too premature, to suggest that Philippines President Rodrigo LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IDuterte’s strongman rule is a throwback to the Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. brutal dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. But the fact is that after a period of sustained and often Rahul’s RSS remark derive their authority from the would be legally, constitutionally It is ironic that a decision taken by a also be nearly a year old and the spectacular economic growth, even if there has citizenry. The Supreme Court must and morally untenable (“Republic of party, which is ideologically mother will be happy that she has been little of the trickle-down efect, the country Ever since the Congress party has realise that it cannot forever stall Unreason”, Sept.1). considered to be one with peasants been able to look after the child for a has suddenly become a political hot spot under the faced successive electoral defeats much-needed reforms in the judicial Dr. Kamolini Ghosh, and industrial workers, has now significant period of time. rule of what global investors describe as a wild card since 2014, its leadership has been appointment process. If it can’t Kolkata been quashed by the highest court in J. Rachel Bhuvaneswari, President. Hopes that his landslide win in May failing in its eforts to rebuild the accept the government’s draft the land calling it as anti-poor and Madurai would influence the brusque-mannered maverick party’s base and regain the trust of memorandum, then it must take up Supreme Court on Singur anti-farmer. Although West Bengal to moderate his populist rhetoric have been belied the people. Rahul Gandhi’s the initiative of designing one which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can Yogeshwar’s gesture as Mr. Duterte seems determined to carry out his pragmatism lacks positivism and is is acceptable to both the judiciary The Supreme Court’s directive to soak in the glory, the message of the pledge to kill 100,000 criminals to bring security to always directed towards running and the government. The grave return the land acquired for the Tata verdict should not be lost — that the One is full of admiration for Indian down the ruling party and the right mistrust the legal system has of the Nano car project to the farmers of due process of law must be followed wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt’s the country. Oicial figures state that about 1,800 wing. In every step he takes, he political class is odd. The deadlock Singur is welcome (Editorial, by all State governments and care humanitarian gesture over the people have been killed by the police and in extra- appears to lack political maturity must end or else it will deprive Sept.2). At the same time it gives rise taken in addressing all concerns and upgraded silver medal from the judicial murders committed by vigilante groups in and leadership traits. One hopes that litigants of their fundamental right to the issue of whether Bengal will grievances of those concerned London Olympics (‘Sport’ page – pursuit of Mr. Duterte’s so-called war on drugs his readiness to face trial now is not to constitutional remedies. Perhaps now be labelled as being investment- before embarking on such projects. “Let Kudukhov’s family keep since he assumed oice in July. He has also threat- a political gimmick and does not the President should ask the Cabinet unfriendly. The goal of Mohanan Anandan, London silver: Yogeshwar”, Sept.1). ened to restore the death penalty to root out crime backfire (“Ready to stand trial for and the collegium to meet and come industrialisation must be to ensure Kollam, Kerala The wrestler’s tweet that he respects and drugs. In fact, in a brazen display of his alleged RSS remark: Rahul”, Sept.2). He to an acceptable solution. that the interests of farmers are the Russian wrestler speaks volumes complicity in criminal conduct, Mr. Duterte once should be focussing on removing the Gaurav Singhal, upheld on an equal scale as those of There was a calculated about true sportsmanship. One quipped that the death squads he backed had in fact scars of the UPA’s scam-tainted Rewari, Haryana industrialists. While it may be seen misinterpretation of the term wishes Yogeshwar great success in regime during 2004-2014. as a victory for some, the focus on “public cause”. The story of Tokyo. eliminated more than twice the number that hu- N. Visveswaran, Surrogacy Bill how the land at Singur can be Gannavaram airport at Vijayawada is S. Nallasivan, man rights groups claimed. His reign has struck Chennai reclaimed and made cultivable again another example, having sufered on Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu such terror among the people that some 600,000 Most of us will agree that a law should not be lost. account of land acquisition troubles potential suspects have thought it better to simply Rahul Gandhi seems to be ignorant regulating and monitoring surrogacy Nisha P. Hashim, for over half a century. This acquires Yogeshwar Dutt has won himself turn themselves in to the authorities. of the history of India. Perhaps he is mandatory in an unequal society Vaikom, Kerala significance in light of the new more admirers now by expressing Mr. Duterte’s abrasive style is apparently fettered needs to read the proceedings of the such as India, especially when big capital coming up at Amaravati. the noble thought that the family of neither by respect for the religious sensibilities in Gandhi murder trial (1948-49) which money is concerned. The raging The Supreme Court’s verdict has Suddapalli Bhaskara Rao, the Russian wrestler, and his his majority Catholic country nor the diplomatic might help him understand many of debate the issue has now generated redressed the grievances of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman competitor at the London Olympics niceties expected of a nation’s leader. He resorted his issues with the right wing. in the country has exposed some downtrodden farmers and in 2012, Besik Kudukhov, be allowed to an expletive to vent his ire at the traic snarl dur- Bharat R. Sant, glaring, but less talked about, established their legitimate demand The verdict gives hope not only to to keep the silver medal. His remarks Hyderabad hypocrisies like societal pressure — about ownership of the land. The those facing a similar predicament on Twitter, “He was a magnificent ing the visit of Pope Francis. On another occasion, and ostracism, in the absence of — soft touch and humane element in in West Bengal but also to all Indian wrestler… For his family, the honour he lashed out against the United Nations for criti- of bearing children along with the the verdict should pave the way for farmers. There can be development will be intact if they are allowed to cising the human rights situation in the Philippines, Executive-judiciary impasse imperative of having genetic more such rulings for the proletarian but not at the expense of the poor retain the medal. For me, humanity saying that his country would quit the organisation. The confrontation between the continuity to carry forward the class. farmers. They are the backbone of is above everything else”, leaves one Mr. Duterte is evidently unmindful of the jarring judiciary and the executive is bound family name. This means that Neelakantan Nair K., India in every sense. As India is speechless. Bravo Yogeshwar. note his remarks strike; as many as 10 per cent of to happen due to the federal adoption is percieved to be a less Thiruvananthapuram predominantly an agricultural Deepak Bhatia, Filipinos are resident overseas, contributing sub- structure and the system of checks worthy “second daughter” option, country, why not have a zone for Chennai stantial remittances to the domestic economy. Mr. and balances in the Constitution. where the adopted child may not The Left parties always claim to be industry so that it does not afect Duterte’s shrill rhetoric is, perhaps quite predict- However, disagreement should lead have the same level of acceptance as on the side of the poor and the fertile agricultural land? to the betterment of the institutions one with the parental genes. This marginalised. How then did a Left A corner for nature ably, prompting comparisons among activists and Anitha Karunakaran, rather than their deterioration. The makes surrogacy a virtual jackpot. government in West Bengal Madurai The project to make a large forest commentators with the equally pugnacious U.S. reluctance of the judiciary to So while people might go hoarse perpetrate such injustice on an patch in Bengaluru India’s first presidential nominee, Donald Trump. But there is a overhaul its process of appointments protesting against the antediluvean agricultural community to favour ‘Butterfly Conservation Reserve’ (“A larger long-term significance for any society from and even come under the RTI is a mindset of the government, they are one corporate house? The Extended maternity leave little neglect helps butterflies thrive the electoral success of a rabble-rouser political fig- matter of concern. Increased not free from the parochial shackles apprehension that corporate The move by the Tamil Nadu in Bengaluru oasis”, Sept.1) is one ure such as Mr. Duterte. This is the imperative of transparency and accountability are of familyhood. While very specific investment will now be hindered is government to increase maternity that should be replicated across timely intervention to contain and correct the so- what strengthen an institution. conditions must be laid down unwarranted. Industrialists can leave from six to nine months is a India. Our cities are fast becoming cial and political damage that inevitably results Long-drawn corruption and unfair regarding the terms of contract and aford to buy land through justifiable move that must be adopted by all concrete jungles where there is from economic growth, if it is not inclusive or sus- practices in appointments are what level of compensation for the methods. The new Land Acquisition organisations in the State which absolutely no green space left. It’s tainable. The mandate handed to Mr. Duterte was have hollowed the system (“The surrogate mother, so that she is not a Act should put an end to the unholy include those in the private and our duty to protect wildlife and help road to genuine reform”, Sept.2). baby manufacturing machine whose alliance between corporates and the quasi-government sectors (Sept.2). conserve fauna and flora. With such not out of the way for large sections of the people Gagan Pratap Singh, welfare can turn a liability for the government in the name of With most households comprising a project, Bengaluru should once that were impatient for more. Change was what Noida, Uttar Pradesh other parties, the criteria for availing industrialisation, which ends up working couples, the nine-month again try to get back its name as the they yearned for; what shape it would take was per- surrogacy and the type allowed exploiting small landowners. rest period will help a working “Garden city”. haps beyond their grasp. In a republic, it is the public which is should be thrown open for wider Rameeza A. Rasheed, woman get mentally and physically A. Sankara Mahadevan, supreme; all other organs of the state debate. The draft in its present form Chennai ready to resume work. The child will Pudukudi, Tamil Nadu ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI WEEKEND 10 | THE HINDU SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 BEING

DR HUMERUS LEARNING OUTCOMES Keshav A dyslexia test for non-English speakers A new questionnaire offers hope for early detection of dyslexia among speakers of regional languages, which would make intervention more effective

JACOB KOSHY The big lesson is that or over a decade now the children shouldn’t be Annual Status of Educa- forced to begin reading tion Report (ASER) — an and writing until annual survey of learning proficiency in pri- comfortable in a language maryF schools in India — has been hammering the point that in spite exercise, says the test was a neces- of high enrolment, learning out- sary tool to developing a “culture- comes have barely improved. The fair” diagnostic test for dyslexia in AROUND THE WORLD proportion of Class V children able India and for promoting awareness Parent-child to read a Class II text has de- that children everywhere — rich, creased, more so in government poor, Marathi or tri-lingual were maths link schools, according to the 2014 edi- equally susceptible to the condi- Parents who excel tion of ASER. When judged for En- tion. “We need tests within our cul- at mathematics glish language comprehension, tural context,” she adds. produce children 60.2 per cent of children in Class This isn’t the first time tests to who excel in the VIII could read simple sentences detect dyslexia have been devel- subject. This is in English in 2009, as compared to oped in India. The National Insti- PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT according to a 46.8 per cent in 2014. tute for the Mentally Handicapped, recently released study by the University of Hyderabad, has previously devel- Pittsburgh, U.S., which shows a distinct transfer of A culture-specific test oped a test for diagnosing learning maths skills from parent to child. The study Under-qualified teachers, pov- disabilities among Kannada- specifically explored intergenerational transmission erty and ill-equipped schools not- ACROSS THE PAGE: “A stark finding was that those who had problems with English were likely to have problems in speaking children. Government of- — the concept of parental influence on an withstanding, a less acknowledged comprehending other languages too.” — PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT ficials say they were keen on DALI offspring’s behaviour or psychology — in reason for poor learning is dyslex- because it could potentially be cus- mathematic capabilities. “Our findings suggest an ia. What’s worse is that there aren’t questionnaire to test for dyslexia. too. Moreover it was necessary to individual sounds that make up tomised for several more languag- intuitive sense for numbers has been passed down, standardised tests to detect dyslex- Then, with associates from organi- test a child in their dominant lan- words and manipulate them, rea- es. “We would like it for other lan- knowingly or unknowingly, from parent to child. ia — a learning disorder in which sations such as the Centre of Beha- guages to test for the disability. son with ‘nonsense’ words (essen- guages too,” says H.B. Singh, a Meaning, essentially, the math skills of parents tend people find it diicult to spell and vioural and Cognitive Sciences, Al- Though 96 per cent of Indian chil- tially, pronounce made-up words), senior oicial in the Department of to ‘rub off’ on their children,” says lead researcher process verbal and written instruc- lahabad, Maharashtra Dyslexia dren are enrolled in school, barely comprehending paragraphs, and Science and Technology which Melissa E. Libertus, an assistant professor at the tions — among non-English speak- Association, Mumbai, All India In- 10 per cent communicate only in mathematical reasoning. The big funded the project, “and we could Department of Psychology and a research scientist ers. “Generally 5-20 per cent of stitute of Speech and Hearing, My- English. lesson from the test, says Ms. potentially have new testing for- at the University’s Learning Research and children around the world are dys- suru, and the Shanta Vaidya Me- Singh, is that children shouldn’t be mats, like online questionnaires, to Development Center. — Eureka. lexic,” says Nandini Chatterjee morial Foundation, Pune, set about DALI decoded forced to begin reading and writing popularise this.” Singh, who at the National Brain interviewing and testing 4,800 The test, Dyslexia Assessment until they are extremely comfort- A wide-ranging test would also Research Centre in Manesar, Ha- children across the country to as- for Languages of India (DALI), able in one language. “There’s help spot dyslexics early and make Learning at the ryana, works on how the brain sess whether their diagnostic kit consists of a Junior Screening Tool much research to show that chil- intervention more efective. A 1st dinner table processes language, “The same was useful in ferreting out dyslexia for students in Classes I and II and dren can rapidly pick up a second or 2nd grade child with dyslexia numbers apply in India, where it’s in Kannada, Marathi, Hindi and a longer Middle Screening Tool for language if they are fluent in one,” can be taught to remedy their prob- At the dinner table, tougher because children are English. A stark finding was that those aged 8-10. It consists of test- she says. lems and adapt to regular curricu- babies do a lot more schooled in multiple languages.” those who had problems with En- ing the child’s facility for naming Psychologist and special-needs lum far easier than a child in the than play with their To address this bit, Ms. Singh glish were likely to have problems pictures, the ability to identify (children) educator Geet Oberoi, 9th grade, according to Ms. Oberoi. sippy cups, new and her colleagues developed a in comprehending other languages words that rhyme, distinguish the who was involved with the DALI [email protected] research suggests. PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT They pay close attention to what food is being eaten around them and especially who is eating it, according to a study OPINION published in the Proceedings of the National Pricing backlash Academy of Sciences. The study adds evidence to a growing body of research suggesting that even very Leveraging primary care young children think in sophisticated ways about subtle social cues. The authors found that one year oncommunicable olds expect people to like the same foods, unless Ndiseases (NCD) such those people belong to different social or cultural as diabetes, respiratory groups, such as those that speak a different diseases, cancer and heart language. The study underscores just how tightly diseases are taking a our food choices are coupled with our social severe toll on public health across the WHO thinking, says Katherine Kinzler, a co-author of the South-East Asia Region. study. — Eureka Approximately 8.5 million lives, many of them premature, are lost each PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Languages and year due to NCDs, making means putting the brain power them the region’s leading primary health approach cause of death and a key front and centre of Scientists from the source of public health Higher School of national NCD action expenditure. plans, as well as drafting Economics (HSE) With the burden of and implementing a range together with noncommunicable of supporting protocols, colleagues from the PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT diseases (NCD) expected from clear policies University of to rise in coming years, outlining the spectrum of Helsinki have discovered that learning foreign due largely to rapid primary-level NCD languages enhances the brain’s elasticity and ability development and services to well-defined to code information. The more foreign languages we ‘EPI’SPIKED: Pharmaceutical giant Mylan is under severe criticism from users, lawmakers and consumer groups associated lifestyle diagnostic and treatment learn, the more effectively our brain reacts and who have accused it of “price gouging”. The company’s life-saving ‘EpiPen auto-injector’, which administers changes in the WHO guidelines. processes the data accumulated in the course of emergency allergy shots, and with little competition in the marketplace, has surged some 500 per cent in South-East Asia Region, Second, health-care learning. The study was published in Scientific cost to over $600 a pair, triggering the public outrage and even an investigation by the U.S. House Oversight countries have taken steps workers at the primary Reports. The author of the study, Yuriy Shtyrov, and Government Reform Committee. Picture shows protesters in New York, outside the office of Paulson to arrest the problem: level must be given the commented that the more languages someone hedge fund, which is a major investor in Mylan. — PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES multisectoral plans are knowledge and skills to mastered, the faster the neuron network coding the being developed; health provide NCD and information on the new words was formed. promotion campaigns are associated risk factor care. Consequently, this new data stimulates the brain’s DERMATOLOGY being carried out; Third, the availability of physiology: loading the mind with more knowledge exposure to NCD risk generic essential boosts its elasticity. — Eureka medicines and basic technologies for NCD An era of untreatable skin infections Poonam management must be Made of ice Indiscriminate use of topical steroid cream preparations is leading to fungal infections Khetrapal guaranteed at the primary Singh level. To do so, Ahuna Mons is a becoming resilient, say dermatologists procurement policies volcano that rises must be reviewed and ROLI SRIVASTAVA 13,000 feet high the topical dermatology market, add- essential medicine lists and spreads 11 miles ing that the top-selling combinations factors such as alcohol and tobacco are being updated. Every person wide at its base. ermatologists across India have in these topical creams are not backed sufering from diabetes, warned of “an epidemic of fungal by scientific rationale or logic. curtailed. NCD This would be D monitoring has also been for example, must be able impressive for a PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT infections” that even the strongest an- It is for this reason that the associ- to access a blood glucose tifungal creams are failing to treat. The ation of dermatologists has appealed enhanced. But as volcano on Earth. But Ahuna Mons stands on Ceres, countries strive to make a meter at his or her local a dwarf planet less than 600 miles wide that orbits bigger concern: topical steroid creams, to the DCGI to making a prescription one-third reduction in health-care provider, just the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Even stranger, which doctors say have turned these mandatory for even this set of drugs. premature deaths caused as all persons sufering Ahuna Mons isn’t built from lava the way terrestrial infections resilient, are fast-selling Dermatologists are also seeking re- by NCDs by 2030, there is from a respiratory disease volcanoes are — it’s built from ice. “Ahuna is the one products and are readily available over moval of irrational combinations in an important tool that should be able to access true ‘mountain’ on Ceres,” says Dr. David Williams, the counter, even as their eicacy re- topical creams. remains underutilised: the the technologies and associate research professor in Arizona State mains questionable. “Irrational combinations — antifun- primary health-care medicines that ensure University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration. A host of fungal skin infections have gal and antibacterial are being com- system. they can breathe easy. Finally, health Dr.Williams is part of a team of scientists working turned recurrent, relapsing soon after bined with steroids — which are flar- the drug dosage is over. “This is a fun- ing up the problem. Prolonged steroid Ensures equity authorities must put in with NASA’s Dawn mission that has published place funding papers in the journal Science this week. His gal epidemic. A fungal infection that use is leading to side efects and dis- By bringing NCD care was so easy to manage and was 100 per torting clinical diagnosis. The solution to the primary health-care mechanisms to facilitate speciality is volcanism, and that drew him to the primary-level NCD care. Ahuna puzzle. “Ahuna is truly unique, being the only cent curable is now so diicult to treat. is regulation of these combinations,” level, health authorities have the opportunity to While shifting NCD care mountain of its kind on Ceres. It shows nothing to At least 50 per cent of these infections A COCKTAIL: “Irrational combinations says Dr. Shyamanta Barua, honorary to the primary level will are not reacting to treatment. Drugs secretary general, Indian Association ensure appropriate indicate a tectonic formation, so that led us to are being combined with steroids services are provided to reduce health system consider cryovolcanism as a method for its origin.” once efective are no longer so,” says which is only aggravating the of Dermatologists, Venereologists & expenditures overall, not Dr. Nina Madnani, consultant derma- Leprologists (IADVL) and faculty in the right people, at the — Eureka problem.” — PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT to mention out-of-pocket tologist, P.D. Hinduja Hospital, the department of dermatology, Assam right place and at the right time. costs borne by patients, Mumbai. sponse. He cites the example of Itraco- Medical College, Dibrugarh. In addi- While policies aimed at making this possible DEMYSTIFYING SCIENCE Take for instance, the case of a mid- nazole 200 mg and 400 mg, doses tion to prescription sales, there is also providing high-tech care nonetheless requires dle-aged businessman in south Mum- which do not have the approval of the a refilling of drugs without a prescrip- at central hospitals can efective budget What is the Kardashev scale? bai. His face began itching in February Drug Controller General of India tion, Dr. Barua says, highlighting why have results, their impact allocations and robust which he first self-treated with creams (DCGI); but pharma industries often it’s important to regulate the sales. will always be limited and planning. At the same Last week, a blip of excitement pulsed through and lotions. However, a white grainy cite approvals from State Food and almost always be reactive. time, increased taxation of those tuned into the search for alien life. Russian patch surfaced on his right cheek Drug Administration units. “This drug Clothing and infections Primary health facilities health-damaging astronomers reported a strange signal that which a dermatologist diagnosed as a has almost 40 drug interactions but is The IADVL is also creating aware- are not only better commodities such as appeared to originate from a solar star system, fungal infection. However, the stron- used with gay abandon,” he says. ness among dermatologists to exercise equipped to provide the tobacco, alcohol and HD164595, about 94 light years away. gest antifungal creams gave him only restraint as they most often prescribe holistic, patient-centred unhealthy foods and Astronomy websites wondered whether this short-lived relief and the infection Surging sales these combinations. focus that preventing and beverages should be was from an alien civilization and if so, where it continues to resurface. Dr. Sardana goes on to note that Dermatologists also say that cloth- managing an NCD considered, both as a means to diminish ranked on the Kardashev scale. At its coarsest, Unlike in the case of antibiotic re- there are no restrictions as yet on the ing can aggravate fungal infections. requires, but they can also this scale — named after Soviet astronomer enhance equity and access demand for these sistance, resistance to these topical long-term and high doses of antifun- While genetic disposition is often the products as well as to Nikolai Kardashev — rates the technological creams is not showing up in laborato- gals that are being prescribed. His con- reason for many skin infections, they to NCD care — an aim central to the Sustainable increase revenue for NCD advancement of a civilization. A ‘type 1’ ries. “Resistance is a microbiological cern is reflected in sales volumes: in note seeing more resilient infections in prevention and control. civilization on the Kardashev scale is equipped to term based on lab data, but these are 2013, India consumed Rs.1,400 crore people who wear tight-fitting clothing, Development Goals. There are several steps Importantly, the shift to harness the energy available to it from its sun, a recalcitrant infections — they are not worth of topical steroid creams, a seg- particularly jeans/denim, that leads to a primary health approach ‘type 2’ strong enough to harness all of its star’s that health authorities can resistant but are relapsing,” says Dr. ment which recorded an annual a prolonged infection. Dr. Madnani take to bring NCD care to NCD care must occur energy, and a ‘type 3’ powerful enough to Kabir Sardana, professor of dermatolo- growth of 16 per cent, according to a says that not only are these infections directly to the people and alongside eforts to capture all the energy from its galaxy. Suffice to gy at the Post Graduate Institute of paper published in the Indian Journal not responding to treatment but they to roll back their tragic achieve universal health say, us earthlings (a ‘type 0’ civilization) Medical Education and Research, Ram of Dermatology, Venereology and Lep- are also getting aggravated with people and costly burden. coverage. wouldn’t stand a chance even against a hostile Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi. rology in 2014. These figures do not making a virtue of living in their jeans, First, national health Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh is the ‘type 1’ civilization. That’s a relief, because the He explains that widespread use of ste- factor in over-the-counter sales of which, unlike in the West, is not suita- Regional Director, World Health and development policies Organization South-East Asia ‘alien’ signal finally turned out to be from a roids by people, and hakims and these topical creams. ble for the humid Indian weather must be recalibrated. This Region. secret Russian military satellite. quacks prescribing these creams arbi- The paper states that the sale of top- conditions. trarily has led to a reduced immune re- ical steroids accounts for 82 per cent of [email protected] ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI WEEKEND THE HINDU SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 | 11 READING

JOURNEYS SHELF HELP Creating a contemporary canon G Of days lost The writer must turn publisher as Bhutan’s long road to de-sacralisation yields a nascent literary landscape DEEPA GANESH

ABDUS SALAM ing finesse Thimphu printing Undisguised is perhaps the right presses lack. There’s also the word to describe Balawant Shankar Sometime around 1616 AD, question of numbers. Siksha Joshi’s A Life to Remember Ngawang Namgyel, or Zhab- Bhattarai, whose father B.P. (Xlibris). The vivid detailing of the drung Rinpoche as he came to Bhattarai opened DSB Books, memoir strikes you — can memory be later known, felt increas- Thimphu’s first bookstore, be so sharp and lucid even at the ingly edged out by the political says the countrywide market age of 90? He takes you around the intrigue around his temporal is still partial towards guide globe — from humble Jamakhandi and spiritual authority at the books and children’s books, to idyllic Dharwad where he spent Ralung monastery in Tibet and built around bulk school his childhood and early years, to and decided to head south. purchases at the annual book London, Hong Kong, Alaska, Striking anchor in western fairs at Mongar in the east and Portugal and other places. Bhutan, he founded the Chagri Punakha, the former capital, in What led Joshi — a scientist Dorjeden Monastery at the the west. Choden’s Dawa researching on plants and natural products for the pharmaceutical northern end of the Thimphu needed the state’s helping industries of India, Switzerland and valley, some 15-odd kilometres hand (the story is now part of the U.S., with nearly 200 from the capital of today. Over the oicial school curriculum) publications to his credit — to write the course of the next 35 years to get the volumes. Auden’s the story of his life? He observes, it of his life, and 54 more years of second book has launched is the record of a way of life that has what is possibly the longest- with an initial print order of been obliterated; it can, at best, kept secret about someone’s 500. Tamang’s reader-as- exist only as memory. To revisit it is demise, Zhabdrung Rinpoche stakeholder outreach notched to live it again. Joshi writes: “The became the great unifier of up 2,000 copies in sales. present day life is so crowded and Bhutan, giving the country its Wangmo’s La Ama, a semi-au- busy that there is hardly any time to modern-day contours. For the tobiographical exploration of sit and read about the past. This next two and a half centuries, the mother-daughter relation- memoir is the life of an ordinary the so-called “ecclesiocratic ship, sold 3,000 copies — a be- man coming from poor period” (1651-1907), clans stseller of bestsellers in the circumstances in India with great waxed and waned until the Thimphu setting. “Bhutan expectations from parents having House of Wangchuck reuni- read like never before,” she limited means.” fied the kingdom. gushes. Joshi speaks highly of his father From unification to reunifi- As this year’s Mountain Shambha Joshi, a gigantic literary cation, Vajrayana Buddhism Echoes — the seventh edition figure in Kannada, a became both a leitmotif of of what has become Thim- linguist, and a power and an article of faith phu’s annual date with litera- modest welding the populace. The im- ture and the arts — also com- schoolteacher. But pact of this continuum has memorated 400 years of the he also pays equal been singular. It engendered a arrival of the founder of mod- tribute to his stability that allowed Bhutan ILLUSTRATION: SATWIK GADE ern Bhutan, the overwhelming mother, who was to remain cloistered for the sense is that a tabula rasa is be- the first woman to better part of the twentieth and the odd traveller’s impres- yards for 11 years — Folktales after her daughter, ‘Miza’ also graduate student in Raichur, ing filled bit by bit, where dis- start a Bhagini century and adopt metrics sions to finally yield a nascent of Bhutan in 1994, followed by stands for the ‘fire tin’, a hearth Karnataka, formed the kernel semination is the starting Samaj in Dharwad. Like Shambha, such as gross national happi- literary landscape. the 22-story Bhutanese Tales around which children in the of a book draft he finally fin- point of mounting the fledg- she was also a Gandhian. She could ness, eschew the global hun- of the Yeti and Dawa: The Sto- villages gather to hear elders ished in 2014. By February ling literary culture on a surer ride the cycle, and unlike most ger for unbridled ‘develop- It takes a trailblazer ry of a Stray Dog in Bhutan, a narrate folk tales that go next year, the editing was done footing. For the first time, the women of her time, walked in ment’ in favour of holistic Caught in the everyday re- novella — before the break- Dangphu dingphu (‘Once up- and the book print-ready, but number of Bhutanese writers public alongside her husband with growth, and even embark on a ality of household life, 15- through book. And yet a dec- on a time…’) A schoolteacher it went into cold storage for outnumbered Indians — 31 to confidence. Apart from recounting guided transition to democra- year-old Tsomo is suddenly ade down the line, Choden for years, Wangmo’s writing lack of a publisher. As the col- 26. Footfalls rose from 4,500 in hardships that the family faced, cy. This rich inheritance, how- called upon to travel when her might be the grande dame of impulse was fuelled by the lege romance gathered dust, 2014 to 7,500 last year and are Joshi recalls his father’s friendships ever, also had a downside to it. mother dies. She makes her writing but the ground be- growing realisation that not Tamang decided to take to so- estimated to have touched with the leading figure of the Karnataka unification movement, It left Bhutan with a cornuco- first journey to a faraway vil- neath her feat hasn’t shifted only was Bhutan never a read- cial media and crowdsource 9,000 this year. Eight hundred Alur Venkata Rao; poets D.R. pia of oral traditions but pre- lage to light the ritual butter much. A book she proposed ing society but the introduc- money. He approached active students were in attendance, Bendre and Betageri Krishna cious little by way of what lamps in her mother's memo- on architectural mapping tion of television in 1999 on Facebook users in Bhutan with some travelling over 500 kilo- Sharma; singer Gangubai Hangal; would qualify as literary work. ry. Beginning here, her travels found no takers, prompting the 25th anniversary of then a stakeholder proposition: in- metres to listen to authors — and several others. Joshi’s world is Text was sacralised; it became take her to distant places, her to set up her own publish- king Jigme Singye Wang- vest money in the book and local and global — and their not the world his father, who was something to be revered. across Bhutan and into India. ing house, Riyang Books, in chuck’s coronation threatened sell copies at 50 per cent prof- stories. rooted in his land and its calling, Buddhism was the proper sub- As she faces the world, a 2012. It aforded her the luxury to eface even folk and oral tra- it. Thirty people signed up As sessions unfolded at the inhabited: he goes to Cambridge, ject of traditional scholarship; woman alone, Tsomo em- of publishing a poetry collec- ditions. She trained in writing with varying amounts. Chron- Royal University of Bhutan au- works in the world’s best literature beyond the pale. barks on what becomes a life tion of hers, ‘Folded in a paper folk tales and stories for chil- icle of a Love Foretold (with ditorium, the lit fest epicentre, institutions, and travels extensively. As the Land of Druk slowly journey, in which she begins to coat’, this February. “People dren under the government- apologies to Marquez), pub- a student wrapped in the na- Yet, his love for humanity and opened itself to the world find herself and to grow as a are beginning to value the cul- funded Bhutan Children’s lished by DSB Books and tional dress, gho, emerged simplicity keep him intimately from the latter half of the last person and a woman. ture of reading,” she says. Book Initiative project. The printed at the Kuensel press, from a panel discussion on connected to Shambha’s world. century, the modern project of For all its steeped-in-the- “impatient writer” now has 11 released on December 19, 2015. teenage love and went down The memoir is full of stories: big reclaiming text from religion milieu flavour, the plot line of It takes a little impatience books under her belt, branch- “Writers have to do every- the steps to the adjoining ma- and small, momentous and began. This process, of the The Circle of Karma is admitt- Choden’s trailblazing act ing of from children’s fare to thing here,” he says. keshift bookstall. He scanned ordinary. One of them is mythology secularisation of text in Bhu- edly spartan. What it masks, has spawned newer word war- pen her first novel, La Ama, in the racks as people moved in a in the Kannada literary world. His tan, has had to take the long though, is the extraordinary. riors, including Pema Auden, 2015, and the just-released It takes a village file from stall entry to exit, and mother Parvatibai slips into coma road of spiritual exegesis, The 2005 book, published by who became Bhutan’s young- Kyetse, a window into the Tamang’s lament only illus- furtively bought a copy of and doesn’t regain consciousness even after 15 days. Fearing his wife’s country compendiums, aca- Zubaan/Penguin, is Bhutan’s est author at 12 with Coming eastern Bhutanese culture of trates the challenge of pushing Meenakshi Madhavan Reddy’s death, Shambha gives up food and demic treatises, touristy first novel by a woman author. Home in 2008 and, even as she Trashigang and Samdrup the frontiers in a country with Split before being spirited water. On September 28, 1991, guides, folk tale collections, Kunzang Choden did her hard studies mathematics in the Jongkhar. “Someone had to do a population of just over away by friends. Perhaps he is Shambha passes away. The next U.S., released her second it,” she says. 7,50,000 and a literacy rate of another Monu Tamang by morning, Parvatibai passes away book, Lomba, this June. More Monu Tamang’s problems under 60 per cent. As writer, night, penning his own Chron- too. They both leave this world As Bhutan slowly opened itself to the world from in the Choden mould, howev- were much more elementary editor and publisher of her re- icle of a Love Foretold for his without hearing of each other’s er, is Chador Wangmo, who — it was about getting started. cent books, Wangmo has had beloved. Perhaps he’ll ask for death. Joshi’s memoir is a metaphor the latter half of the last century, the modern started Miza Books in 2012, Diary entries he wrote for his to travel to Delhi and — closer Marquez upfront at the pay- for a way of life that we’ve lost. project of reclaiming text from religion began again to publish her thicken- then girlfriend while a final- to home — Siliguri in Bengal ment counter next year. [email protected] ing personal output. Named year physiotherapy under- to get the binding and emboss- [email protected]

THE BOOK WORD COUNT INMYHAND Before the Age of Distraction Pico Iyer Evenings on a Himalayan trek are filled with reading and maintaining a journal

I’ve always admired JAIDEEP UNUDURTI marmots. Glaciers hunt hills, a are walking through its cadav- Kazuo Ishiguro for his 1,00,000-year-long chase that er. Ladakh is the autopsy table ability to introduce the I write these lines in the com- always ends the same way, for a dead world. reader to a new world fort of my study, but it all with the hill eaten. in every novel. I just seems insubstantial. I am here. These primordial vistas of But ghosts? finished his The Buried But I’m also in a valley where dead lithologies are the per- The yellow carpets of wheat Giant, which was haunting. I also finished the moon is a coin of bone, fect setting for what I’m read- near Markha village dispel Elizabeth Gilbert’s The where ziggurats of stone reach ing now, The Horror in the this mood. I have Oliver On- Signature of All Things, for the sky, in a land dreamt up Museum, a collection of short ion’s Dead of the Night with which has a woman by a mad god. stories by H.P. Lovecraft. me. The collection of late Vic- scientist as the * “HPL” was an American writ- torian-era ghost stories seems protagonist and is very I’m about to embark on a Hi- er of the 1930s. To him, exist- out of place on a brilliantly modern in its scope. malayan trek. We are to set of ence itself was the greatest blue day, the light reverberat- The two books offered very from Leh, trek for eight days monster, and a landscape ing between the purple peaks. different flavours — while the through the Markha Valley could be more menacing than That night, however, reminds first is deep, the second is culminating in an ascent to the a pack of werewolves. The ve- me perhaps that Onion is not high-spirited! Kormang Pass at about 17,000 ry scale of the universe and so extraneous. By custom we Pico Iyer, best known for his travel feet. We are to start early in the our utter insignificance there- all congregate in the dining writing, last wrote The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going morning, and reach camp by in was the ultimate terror. tent after supper. We try to Nowhere. afternoon. Night falls quickly He was deeply influenced spook ourselves by coming up and we will be spending many by the paintings of Nicholas with paranormal scenarios. hours cooped up in our tents. IN ANOTHER PLANET: “Markha valley is a solemn, funerary landscape.” Approaching the top of the Roerich, the Russian master The girl from Luxembourg No cell phones, no electricity Kongmaru La, the last pass on the Markha Valley. — PHOTO: SUJOY DOS who travelled extensively wins the house with her ima- even. This conjures up a per- through Tibet before settling gining of what happens when fect image of a life with books, tries, this city has to be con- ha Valley. Chortens and lhatos In Leh, on the down near Manali. He would we leave the tent late at night Graeme Simsion of how it was before the Age of stantly dragged on rail tracks. mark every step. Thanks to say that “surely Roerich is one to ‘answer nature’s call’ as they Distraction. I envisage eve- For they are on a hyperboloid that famous scene in Tintin in night before the of those rare fantastic souls say. Ghost stories are primal I picked up Kunzang nings filled with reading and planet, if they stay at one place Tibet featuring Captain Had- trek a sudden panic who have glimpsed the grotes- currency of humans. They Choden’s The Circle of maintaining my journal. Now for too long, the gravitational dock, I know that you always had assailed me. que, terrible secrets outside make us go back to that time Karma ahead of my all that remains is selecting stresses will shred them apart. walk to the left when crossing space and beyond time, and when we peered out of the Bhutan trip and loved it What if I run out for its insights into the reading material carefully. The inhabitants are in search them. Mani walls are every- who have retained some abili- campfire into the encircling of the “optimum”, a place where, with their invocations of books? ty to hint at the marvels they darkness, and the darkness Bhutanese society. I Preparations usually read when I’m where the earth is stable. They to Avaloketisvara carved into have seen”. peered back. not in the process of The night before leaving for are trapped in a cycle of monu- stone, a jigsaw puzzle left to And indeed I can espy the As we head to the lonely writing. My third book Leh, I wander around a mall mental drudgery, to reach this Him to solve. It is a solemn, fu- diss’s Cryptozoic!, “They pro- connection between the inte- plateau of Nimaling, I rum- is ready, so I’m looking bookstore in Gurgaon. Invert- mythical point. A few days lat- nerary landscape. liferated on the margins of rior and exterior landscapes, a mage deeper in the rucksack. to go back to the ed World by Christopher er, making our way to Ganda All around us are the time, embodying all the amaz- geography of words mapped In the distance the perma- bookshelf even as I Priest, a highly inventive sci- La I’m reminded of this. Get wounds of the collision being forms the world was to out. HPL’s epic “Mountains of nently mist-ravaged peak of attend promotional ence-fiction writer, immedi- up, break camp, walk, set up tween the Indian and the Eur- carry; the earth was having a Madness” whose titular peaks Kangyatse grows more promi- tours. ately catches my eye. Priest is camp again. Certainly we are asian plate, which pushed up nightmare of stone about the are “stark, nightmare spir- nent each day. In Leh, on the Up next is Haruki Murakami’s probably best known for writ- walking through a science-fic- the Himalayas more than 60 progeny that would swarm es…the pylons of a frightful night before the trek, a sudden Sputnik Sweetheart. I know it’s a ing the novel which formed tional landscape. Ladakh is an- million years ago. Ophiolites over it… as if they were the sin- gateway into forbidden panic had assailed me. As my little late in the day, but didn’t the basis of Christopher No- other planet. We could be ex- show the banded layers of the ister fore-shadowings of what spheres of dream” and which German friends would call it, a some famous American author lan’s The Prestige. plorers descended onto its hidden earth. Terms vaguely was to come as well as the af- “gave appalling reminders of “torchungspanik”, a gate-clos- say he hadn’t read To Kill a Inverted World has a fasci- surface. swim up from long-gone geol- ter-images of what was long the utter remoteness, sepa- ing panic. What if I run out of Mockingbird? nating conceit, an entire city ogy classes — crustal flyschs, past”. Serrated mountains tear rateness, desolation and aeon- books? What if I’m stranded Graeme Simsion is the author of which is perpetually on the Thanks, Captain Haddock basalts, cherts. the horizon. It is a landscape of long death of this untrodden on lonely mountainside with The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect. move. Situated in an alien As the trek continues, we The strange rock forma- ancient violence. The Chanko and unfathomed astral world”. nothing to read? world with twisting geome- pass deeper through the Mark- tions remind me of Brian Al- hunts the Argali. Eagles hunt The planet has died. And we Jaideep Unudurti is a freelance writer.

ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2016 Merely a logistics pact? With the signing of LEMOA marking a deepening India-U.S. relationship, New Delhi needs to reflect whether this is the opportune moment for the country to reset its compass

mary objective, though like “Banquo’s MOA and BECA. If India were to do so — and MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2016 ghost”, China hovered in the background. No if credence were to be given to what Mr. Car- M.K. NARAYANAN pressure was exerted on India to become ter said on a visit to India previously, viz., part of a wider alliance against the new “re- that there was a strategic confluence be- gional hegemon”. tween India and the U.S. today, and renewal From dissent However, it is worth recalling that during of the U.S.-India Defence Partnership was On August 29 this year, Union Defence Min- the entire period of negotiations on the nu- leading to increased strategic cooperation — ister Manohar Parrikar and U.S. Defence clear deal, apart from Mr. Bush and his Na- it could convey an impression that India had to disapproval Secretary Ashton Carter signed a Logistics tional Security Adviser, two other ardent gone from becoming a “major defence part- Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LE- supporters of the deal were U.S. Vice-Presi- ner” to a significant “non-NATO ally”. istory shows that principled dissent often MOA), an agreement that the U.S. has assid- dent Dick Cheney and the Pentagon’s Bob India-U.S. relations are hardly a “zero-sum leads to reform. Justice J. Chelameswar has uously pursued since 2002 and which India Gates. The State Department and the De- game”. Overcoming “the hesitations of histo- Hacted on his famous dissent. After dis- had, till now, resolutely refused to endorse. partment of Energy, on the other hand, tend- ry” is one thing; not ignoring the lessons of agreeing with the majority on a Constitution Bench Both Mr. Carter and Mr. Parrikar have conse- ed to be equivocal in their approach to the history is equally, if not more, important. that struck down the law enacted to establish a Na- quently gone to great lengths to explain that deal. Ascribing hidden motives to the Penta- The U.S. is a true practitioner of the art of tional Judicial Appointments Commission, the LEMOA does not amount to a military pact. gon’s tilt in favour of India — and despite Pa- “realpolitik”. Changes in policy are constant- judge, who is part of the five-member Supreme Their explanation could appear disingenu- kistan’s strident opposition — would howev- ly efected to suit its global requirements. In Court collegium, has opted to keep out of its pro- ous to many. It may also not find too many er be tendentious. Europe, for example, today the U.S. seems to ceedings. In a letter to the Chief Justice, he is under- takers. It was in 2005 that India and the U.S. be preparing to jettison its long-standing stood to have raised the issue of lack of transparen- The agreement does not mention the set- signed their first Defence Cooperation “special relationship” with the U.K. In West ting up of “permanent bases” in either coun- Agreement. This agreement was renewed Asia, as U.S.-Iran relations improve, Saudi cy in the collegium’s functioning. His position is try. According to the signatories, LEMOA and expanded in 2010 and 2015, leading to a Arabia is now the new villain on the block. consistent with his dissenting judgment, in which only facilitates establishing “mutual basing loosening of strict controls that existed re- The U.S. had always been suspicious of In- he had spoken elaborately on the ills of the system. facilities”. This would be on a case-by-case garding the transfer of excluded categories dia’s relations with Russia, that go back to He had articulated his view that the executive can- basis, intended to help speed up humanitar- The United States is a true of technologies. Around 2007-2008, the U.S. the period of non-alignment. And today, as not be shut out of judicial appointments, and that ian relief operations as also emergency evac- made initial moves to get India to sign three U.S.-Russia relations are at their nadir since according primacy to the judiciary in the matter of uation from conflict-prone regions. In cer- practitioner of the art of foundational agreements viz., the Logistics the fall of the Berlin Wall, the U.S. can be ex- appointments is not the only way to preserve its in- tain circumstances, it could also help ‘realpolitik’. Changes in policy are Support Agreement (LSA); the Communica- pected to try and further weaken India-Rus- dependence. Of course, Mr. Chelameswar’s latest smoothen operational logistics between the constantly effected to suit its tions Interoperability and Security Memo- sia relations that are lately facing some missive is fraught with serious consequences. It has navies of the two countries. randum of Agreement (CISMOA); and the strain. Furthermore, given Pakistan’s loca- global requirements Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agree- tion, it would be a mistake to believe that the brought the focus again on the manner in which the A Chinese shadow ment (BECA) for Geo-spatial Cooperation. U.S. would completely detach itself from judiciary functions on its administrative side. It However, strategic experts, especially lations. With India’s economic profile and While India welcomed the idea of relaxation Pakistan. may further delay the finalisation of the collegium’s those in the West, are of the view that the LE- growth rates steadily going up, India has be- of technology norms, it resisted signing the view on the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for MOA is a critical link in the U.S.’s plans for a come a particularly attractive target for the foundational agreements on the ground that Fast-paced alignments appointment and transfer of judges. With over 480 larger pivot towards Asia. Also, that it is in- U.S. — and the West. it undermined India’s strategic autonomy. The geopolitical situation across the re- vacancies in the high courts and three in the Su- tended to meet the threat from an increas- Realistically speaking, the strategic build- gion is more confused today than it was only preme Court, diferences within the collegium may ingly assertive China. Erasing such impres- up between the two countries commenced Dynamics of U.S. policy a few years back. Geopolitical alignments delay appointments, leading to significant alter- sions will not be easy. during the first term of Mr. Bush, when the June 2016 proved to be a defining month in are changing at a bewildering pace. As India ations in the tenure and promotion prospects of India-U.S. relations have been on an up- Next Steps in Strategic Partnership heralded India-U.S. relations. The joint statement is- moves closer to the U.S., Russia is seen to be judges and Chief Justices. Mr. Chelameswar’s boy- swing since the turn of the century. U.S. a sea change in U.S.-India relations. In his sued on the occasion of Mr. Modi’s visit to coming closer to China. At one level, Russia President Bill Clinton made the initial move second term, Mr. Bush was able to establish a the U.S. talked of “the two countries provid- is strengthening its links with China eco- cott is undoubtedly based on principle; however, it to break the logjam in India-U.S. ties dating “special relationship” with Dr. Singh. Energy ing global leadership on issues of shared in- nomically and strategically, and coordinat- raises the question whether he is not bound to be back to the Cold War period. It was Prime and strategic issues greatly benefitted from terest”, along with the announcement that ing more closely with the latter on the issue part of the collegium system as long as it is in force. Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who during a the relationship. It is inconceivable that the the U.S. recognised India as a “major defence of the South China Sea. At another level, Irrespective of the serious reservations about the visit to the U.S., made bold to hint that it was iconic India-U.S. civil nuclear deal could partner”. In his address to the U.S. Congress, Russia is engaging with China to oppose U.S. verdict in the NJAC case, the collegium system is time to “move beyond the hesitations of his- have been concluded under any other set of the Prime Minister proceeded to observe attempts to install its Missile Defence Sys- here to stay. A fresh and transparent procedure for tory”; hopes which Prime Minister Manmo- circumstances, and without the personal ini- that “India had moved beyond the hesita- tem in Asia. appointments was to be worked out by the execu- han Singh (2004-2014) and Prime Minister tiative and warmth present in the Bush-Man- tions of history”. The two largest democra- Russia is simultaneously seeking to rein- tive. The Centre has sent its draft MoP, but it ap- Narendra Modi (since 2014) have fulfilled in mohan Singh relationship. cies in the world thus appeared finally to be force its long-standing strategic ties with pears the collegium is reluctant to approve some of more than ample measure. There has been The relationship derived its strength from on the same page. Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam. no looking back since and U.S. Presidents a mutual desire to strengthen cooperation With LEMOA in place, it is almost certain Russia and the Association of Southeast the clauses. The fact that the exact nature of the dif- George Bush and Barack Obama have vied between the world’s two largest democra- that pressures would intensify to sign the Asian Nations (ASEAN) appear to have ferences between them is not known only strength- with each other to strengthen U.S.-India re- cies. Containment of China was not the pri- other two foundational agreements — CIS- come closer. At the Russia-ASEAN Summit ens Mr. Chelameswar’s point about opacity. The re- earlier this year, there was even talk of a vision process should not be kept under wraps. CARTOONSCAPE “strategic partnership for mutual benefit”. In Public interest, especially the principle of judicial Eurasia, Russia is currently carving out a independence, will be better served if the proce- zone of influence for itself. India does not dure under preparation is thrown open to a debate. figure in any of these plans. The judiciary showed the way forward by asking When the strategic balance across the en- the Centre to prepare a revised memorandum. It tire Asian region is undergoing a seismic should also end the impasse by taking an early call shift, India cannot be seen to be playing a losing hand. The main players, today, are the on firming up the procedure. In the light of a clear U.S., Russia and China. The current efort of admission by the majority of judges in the NJAC countries such as China and Russia is to re- case of the need for infusion of transparency, it will strict, if not exclude, U.S. influence from the be welcome if Mr. Chelameswar’s position streng- region, labelling it as a non-Asian power. On thens the support for reforming it. issues such as the South China Sea, even many of the countries directly involved, specially the Philippines, are willing to make their peace with China. The U.S.’s role in the Promise versus region is thus becoming restricted, leaving it with few alternatives. In global afairs, timing is of great signifi- performance cance. Hence, India’s leaders need to reflect t is far from easy to live up to one’s promise and whether this is the opportune moment for potential. The Aam Aadmi Party was founded the country to reset its compass and move on a belief in the possibility of changing the sys- away from its long-term insistence on strate- I gic autonomy. It is also hardly the time to be tem, working outside of it. But over the last couple seen to be the ally of One Power, that too one of years, the party and its maverick leader Arvind whose power seems to be waning. It might Kejriwal have shown themselves unable to deliver diminish India’s image in the region and on their promise or rise to their potential. From the beyond. selection of candidates to the process of decision- making in the party, the AAP is now seen running M.K. Narayanan is a former National Security Adviser and counter to its own stated philosophy of transparen- former Governor of West Bengal. cy and accountability in public life. In Punjab, the party appears to have lost the political plot with Mr. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Kejriwal unwilling to allow an independent regional leadership to emerge. Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. who was sacked as the State convenor over allegations of bribery, has demonstrated that he is no Journey to sainthood charity. I was rewarded with a very inclination to favour Pakistan cannot take note. While the government can spread in the environment and pushover by winning the support of a huge section warm “Thank you” over the phone, be ruled out. Attempts so far to make may have a point about regulations transmitted to children and the of the AAP. Navjot Singh Sidhu, the cricketer-turn- It cannot be denied that the poorest followed by postcard bearing her the Hurriyat see reason have never having to be followed, it must also elderly as well as ed-politician who quit the BJP recently, chose to of the poor experienced hope trademark signature. been fruitful. learn to be tolerant towards immunocompromised patients who float an alternative platform, Awaaz-e-Punjab, rath- because of Mother Teresa’s healing S.K. Choudhury, C.V. Aravind, criticism, comments and are at increased risk of contracting er than join with the AAP. Delhi was only a stepping touch and compassion (“A journey Bengaluru Bengaluru suggestions made by NGOs on opportunistic diseases. Perhaps stone for Mr. Kejriwal, who wants to project him- to sainthood”, Sept.3). It was several issues which include religion pulmonologists can keep an eye out self as an alternative to Prime Minister Narendra absolute faith which drove her to Despite the blind glorification of Moves cast in stone will never help and the environment. By and large, for fungal diseases as well. Modi. From his choice of Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 take up formidable challenges. The Mother Teresa, her followers and solve the festering Kashmir NGOs working in several fields have E. Mathew, frail nun was selfless beyond her organisation have a lot to answer problem. For this, all right-thinking acted like watchdogs. Thrissur election — he chose to take on Mr. Modi in Varanasi description and the celebration of to. Besides the allegations of opaque people must come up with solutions. — to his frequent Twitter barbs aimed at the Prime D.B.N. Murthy, her life and her entry into sainthood financial transactions, one cannot With development, economic Bengaluru Minister, it is clear that he fancies himself as a na- are perfectly in order. ignore her extreme views on growth, peace and prosperity, Emissions and the monsoon tional level leader. Delhi was no more than a launch C.G. Kuriakose, abortion. There were also Kashmir can tap its full potential as a Pigeon alert The International Maritime pad for his political career; Punjab, the only State Kothamangalam, Kerala allegations of conversion behind the tourist destination of unrivalled Organization (IMO) has been where the AAP performed well in the Lok Sabha service to the poor and the beauty, which will also be an ideal The pigeon occupies a prime place enforcing a set of regulations, election, is the next logical step. Whether it is Mr. I recall receiving a phonecall, back in downtrodden. Unless these source of revenue. In addition to in urban India. Across India, pigeon collectively known as the Marpol Chhotepur or Mr. Sidhu, it is clear no one will be al- 1977, from her oice, the allegations are investigated, the this, setting up good colleges and feeding is quite popular. On my way Conventions, to control marine lowed to share the leadership space with Mr. Kejri- Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, “journey to sainthood” has no technical institutes will help to oice at Shantipath every day, I pollution of the sea and air requesting an immediate meaning. mainstream the youth of Kashmir. A used to find vast quantities of maize (“Emissions from ships can impact wal in the AAP’s Punjab unit. appointment for the Mother. She V.S. Thakur, visionary like the Prime Minister strewn all over the road and the monsoon activity over Bay of But Punjab is not the only cause of problems in arrived, accompanied by a nun, and Rajgarh, Himachal Pradesh should now set up a separate oice dividers with flocks of pigeons Bengal”, Aug.10). The main exhaust the party. In recent months, some of its ministers requested the release of a station for Kashmir to monitor having a feast. The NGT should ban air pollutants are nitrogen oxides, and MLAs have been caught on the wrong side of wagon donated by a foreign tourist Her critics will immediately focus development. the feeding of birds (‘Sunday sulphur oxides, carbon oxides and the law. The party did defend some of them, alleg- and in the custody of customs on her missionary zeal towards Veena Shenoy, Special’ – “The pigeon paradox: unburnt hydrocarbon particulates ing, and perhaps not entirely falsely, that the Centre authorities. Under the law, a tourist “conversion”. However, no one can Thane, Maharashtra Feeding them could be bad for your which result from the burning of fuel was using the Delhi Police to target the party and its availing of such a duty-free import question her dedication towards the lungs”, Sept.4). In Toronto, Canada, used for propulsion. The fuel most prominent members. Indeed, this became another was required to take the car out of downtrodden, the sick and those Kerry’s NGO concerns for example, there are signboards commonly used is residual fuel issue in the AAP’s battle to bring law and order in the country within a time frame. shunned by society. One hopes that asking people not to feed birds. blends which have a high sulphur the national capital region under the State govern- This requirement was not complied her elevation as a saint will help her Ever since the Bharatiya Janata T. Sampath Kumar, content. To reduce the emission of with. Mother Teresa showed me a missionaries of charity continue to Party-led NDA government came to New Delhi sulphur oxides, the IMO has ment’s purview. In the latest controversy involving copy of the Ministry of Finance carry out its selfless service. Her power, it has been focussing on the restricted the percentage of sulphur its Women and Child Welfare Minister Sandeep order which granted customs duty “journey” will always remain role of NGOs in India (“No Instances of human pulmonary used globally to 3.5 per cent m/m. In Kumar, the AAP took the high moral ground, and exemption and I had to tell her that amazing. ‘compassion’ for NGO in India conditions that have been associated the developed world, it must be as sacked him soon after a video recording of him with under the law, it was the Ministry of Rahul J. Gautam, leaves Kerry worried”, Sept.4). This with pigeon proximity have been low as 0.1 per cent while in China, it a woman in a sexual act was released by a media Commerce that had to grant her the Bengaluru might have happened after some of known to occur from early times in is still lower. There are also rules on house. Mr. Kumar was removed from the party as permission. them violated Indian laws during Kerala. In fact erstwhile aristocratic improved engine designs to emit less well, as it became clear he had known of the pres- With child-like simplicity, she Talks with the Hurriyat funds mobilisation while others, families fancied pigeon keeping as a nitrogen oxides. The IMO has ence of the camera. Evidently, there was more to pleaded for its release in order to though not anti-national, may have tradition and a hobby and were designated certain areas of the sea as lose than gain from defending Mr. Kumar, who al- fulfil a promise made to her The impassioned plea of Opposition been strident in opposing known to pass away after “emission control areas” and “children” to take them on a picnic MPs to the government to involve government policies. Sometimes contracting mysterious diseases. “special areas” where pollution leged he was targeted as he was a Dalit. Mr. Kejriwal in the new car, and for which she was the Hurriyat Conference in the such victimisation has amounted to Rather than it being a case of regulations are even more stringent. seems to have set his sights high, but Punjab will prepared to sign any kind of all-party talks on Kashmir might be a witch-hunt and harassment in the Hypersensitive Pneumonitis, it Perhaps India, which is a signatory judge him by what he did in Delhi as well. The AAP undertaking. Well before the day she well-intentioned but it leaves one name of enforcing laws and rules. could be more a case of contracting to Marpol, must designate the Bay of needs to recover its purpose as a catalyst for politi- was to take her “children” on a apprehensive if one considers the The fact that U.S. Secretary of State the zoonotic fungal disease, Bengal as an emission control area. cal and social change if it is to grow beyond Delhi. joyride dawned, the station wagon past stance of the Hurriyat (“Talk to John Kerry has flagged the issue cryptococosis. Several types of fungi M. Unnikrishnan, was parked in the premises of her Hurriyat now: MPs”, Sept. 4). Its should make the Centre sit up and are present in pigeon droppings that Chennai ND-ND www.qmaths.in The Hindu Holiday Today www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 Obama’s last sally for a safer world The U.S. President is trying to upend his mixed nuclear record before he ends his term. A no-first-use policy pronouncement by the U.S. could just be what it takes to leave a lasting nuclear legacy

Congress where it would have faced Repub- U.S. policy that countenances a ‘first-use’ of WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 RAKESH SOOD lican opposition. nuclear weapons (though under “extreme One of Mr. Obama’s boldest decisions was circumstances”) in response to even a con- to visit Hiroshima earlier this year, becom- ventional attack, to a ‘no-first-use’ (NFU) of ing the first serving U.S. President to do so, nuclear weapons, implying nuclear retalia- 71 years after the city was destroyed by the tion only in response to a nuclear attack. Of Return of the This year, the 71st session of the UN General first nuclear bomb. Bypassing the debate the nine countries known to possess nuclear Assembly will formally open in New York about whether his speech would be seen as weapons, only China and India maintain an Cauvery crisis on September 13 and over a fortnight, presi- an ‘apology’, he called upon countries that NFU, though in 2003, India qualified its dents, prime ministers and foreign minis- possess nuclear weapons to “have the cour- NFU by expanding its right of nuclear retal- ith the Southwest monsoon falling short ters will take the podium. There is wide- age to escape the logic of fear and pursue a iation to cover not just nuclear but also a this season, the story of any other mon- spread speculation that this being U.S. world without them”. chemical or biological weapon attack. All Wsoon-deficient year is being repeated: President Barack Obama’s last plenary, he is others maintain a ‘first-use’ policy. In recent Tamil Nadu rushing to the Supreme Court citing considering an address that could have sig- Running into resistance years, there have been suggestions that Chi- the crisis faced by its farmers, the court ordering re- nificant implications for U.S. nuclear policy Yet these achievements fall far short of na’s growing concerns about U.S. conven- lease of some water, and protests erupting in Kar- and for the global nuclear disarmament the promises of the Prague speech. The tional superiority might push it to review its nataka. The reason for this endless cycle of sporad- agenda which has now remained frozen for CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban NFU policy. ic litigation and ad hoc adjudication is that the two decades. Treaty) ratification, which Mr. Obama had Considering that the U.S. accounts for Since Ben Rhodes, U.S. Deputy National promised to push through vigorously, con- more than 45 per cent of the world’s nuclear States continue to avoid any mutual engagement to Security Adviser for Strategic Communica- tinues to languish. The Nuclear Security arsenal, enjoys overwhelming superiority in share the shortfall during distress years. And there tions, announced on June 6, “I can promise Summits created the buzz normally associ- conventional capabilities and a significant is no permanent, independent mechanism to en- you today that President Obama is contin- ated with summitry but remained content technological advantage in cyber and space sure this. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, uing to review a number of ways he can ad- with shared best practices and voluntarily capabilities, less dependence on nuclear which gave its award in 2007, has asked the parties vance the Prague agenda over the course of Only China and India maintain announced measures. weapons is not going to diminish its securi- to share the deficiency on a pro rata basis. However, the next seven months. Put simply, our work a no-first-use policy... A U.S. lead Meaningful negotiations on nuclear is- ty. Further, a U.S. lead in this regard will cre- a major problem in implementing this aspect is the is not finished on these issues”, the White sues remain deadlocked. But most impor- ate a push for other nuclear weapon states to absence of a ‘Cauvery Management Board’ and a House has maintained a studied silence on for less dependence on nuclear tant, notwithstanding the careful wording in follow, generating momentum for a global Regulatory Authority, which the Tribunal had the subject despite the debate under way in weapons will create a push for the 2010 NPR and 2013 Employment Strate- nuclear restraint regime. wanted created to oversee implementation. In- the arms control community and among gy, there has been no significant shift in U.S. There are two groups of naysayers argu- U.S. allies, especially those that enjoy the se- other weapon states to follow nuclear weapons policy. Further, to push ing against a shift. The first is the realist- stead, after notifying the final award in 2013, the curity of its nuclear umbrella. through the ratification of the New START sceptic who maintains that declarations are Union government set up a Supervisory Commit- Mr. Obama’s speech in April 2009 at the consider the use of nuclear of nuclear weap- treaty, Mr. Obama also authorised a $1-tril- mere words and will not be trusted by po- tee comprising officials from the Union govern- Hradcany Square in Prague electrified the ons “in extreme circumstances to defend lion budget over the next three decades for tential adversaries. In doing so, they over- ment and the Central Water Commission and rep- world when he announced that “as the only the vital interests of the United States or its maintaining and improving the U.S. nuclear look the fact that first-use policies are inher- resentatives of both States. The court has now nuclear power to have used a nuclear weap- allies and partners”. The Defence Depart- arsenal under the Stockpile Stewardship ently destabilising because of high alert asked Tamil Nadu to approach the committee, on, the United States has a moral responsib- ment was directed to “strengthen non-nu- Program. postures and tactical deployments, tempt- which will decide on further releases. ility to act” and pledged “America’s commit- clear capabilities and reduce the role of nu- Realising his failure with the CTBT ratifi- ing the adversary into a pre-emptive strike. The Supreme Court’s direction, when implement to seek the peace and security of a clear weapons in deterring non-nuclear cation, Mr. Obama is planning to submit a The second group of naysayers consists of mented, will ensure about 13 thousand million cu- world without nuclear weapons”. He prom- attacks”. resolution on this issue to the UN Security U.S. allies and partners. North Atlantic ised that “to put an end to Cold War think- Negotiations with Russia led to the New Council, 20 years after the CTBT was Treaty Organisation allies such as the U.K. bic (tmc) feet of water to Tamil Nadu over 10 days. ing, we (U.S.) will reduce the role of nuclear START Treaty coming into force in Febru- opened for signature. The U.S., under Presi- and France are unenthusiastic because it This will not be adequate to save the entire samba weapons in our national security strategy ary 2011 which limits U.S. and Russian nucle- dent Bill Clinton, had pushed the CTBT ne- would generate questions in their own so- crop, Tamil Nadu leaders argue, while their Karna- and urge others to do the same”. The citation ar arsenals to 700 deployed ICBMs (inter- gotiations but in 1999, the treaty was reject- cieties about the wisdom of their ‘first-use’ taka counterparts contend that this itself is a huge for his Nobel Peace Prize later in 2009 continental ballistic missiles), SLBMs ed by the Senate on account of concerns policies. Others like Japan and South Korea burden, given the State’s own storage deficit. It is praised his “vision of and work for a world (submarine-launched ballistic missiles) and about its impact on the U.S. nuclear arsenal. feel that an NFU implies a weakening of U.S. understandable that the political leadership of any without nuclear weapons”. heavy bombers and 1,550 deployed nuclear Given the current mood in the Senate, it is commitment to their security. It is instruc- State would not want to be seen as betraying the in- warheads. Follow-on negotiations stalled unlikely to budge. tive to recall that a similar debate had raged terests of its farmers. Yet, the desire to protect one’s Obama’s nuclear record thereafter and the New START will lapse in Even though a resolution by the UN Secu- in Europe during the 1970s and 1980s. Ques- own interests should not shut out empathy for one’s Seven years later, President Obama’s nu- 2021, unless extended by a five-year period. rity Council calling on states to uphold the tioning U.S. commitment to use nuclear neighbour. Ideally, any distress-sharing formula clear record is a mixed one. The Nuclear Mr. Obama also launched the cycle of Nu- CTBT would be non-binding, such a move weapons from its homeland against a Soviet Posture Review (NPR) issued the following clear Security Summits in 2010 to highlight has already been criticised by Senate For- advance into west Europe thereby risking should come from a technical body. It would have year (the U.S. undertakes an NPR roughly the threats posed by terrorists seeking nu- eign Relations Committee Chairman Bob retaliation, European allies demanded for- helped if the Centre, which dilly-dallied for six once a decade) referred to the objectives of clear materials. This concluded earlier this Corker “as an affront to the Congress and ward-basing, leading to the deployment of years before notifying the final award under a judi- “reducing the role of U.S. nuclear weapons” year with the Washington summit. The nu- the American people”. And it is unlikely to intermediate-range Pershing and Cruise cial direction, had set up the Cauvery Management in national security strategy while maintain- clear deal with Iran has been praised gener- persuade China, Iran or Israel to ratify, or for missiles in west Europe. A decade later, the Board and Regulatory Authority. In the longer ing strategic deterrence and “stability at really though it has faced criticism from the that matter, India, Pakistan and North Korea same argument was turned on its head to term, experts will have to devise a sustainable agri- duced nuclear force levels”. The Nuclear U.S.’s regional allies, Israel and Saudi Ara- to sign up! claim that forward-basing diminished U.S. cultural solution for the Cauvery basin, as the river Weapons Employment Strategy that fol- bia. Described as an “executive agreement”, The idea arousing the maximum interest commitment and the Europeans became does not seem to have the potential to meet the lowed in 2013 stated that the U.S. would only it has not been submitted for approval to the is therefore a shift away from the current strong supporters of the INF (Intermediate- farming requirements of both sides. In a world of Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty (1987) which CARTOONSCAPE eliminated intermediate-range nuclear depleting water resources, fewer crop seasons and weapons from Europe! lower acreages, a resort to less water-intensive crops and better water management hold the key. A moral revolution Non-political initiatives, such as the ‘Cauvery Fam- The nuclear taboo has held since 1945 and ily’, a body formed a few years ago covering farmers no country wants to see it violated. Since it of both States, could help disperse the clouds of is not possible to wish away the existing nu- hostility that gather over the border whenever the clear arsenals, the only way forward is grea- Cauvery crisis erupts. Politics and passion should ter nuclear restraint, which is what the NFU not be allowed to hold sway. does. In a vibrant democracy like the U.S., a public articulation of an NFU will provide a changed backdrop to its nuclear strategy, posture, deployment and employment guidance. Further, it can permit the U.S. to ques- The tion the need for tactical nuclear weapons or even vulnerable ICBMs that are maintained on high alert. Grumbling 20 Moreover, other nuclear weapon states noble mission of far-sighted global cooper- will find it impossible not to respond. Vol- untary declarations, followed by a collective ation to avoid a looming economic crisis NFU, would become a realisable objective. Abrought together a doughty group of na- In 1945, the U.S. shaped the first nuclear age tions, representing 85 per cent of the world’s GDP with Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Today, Presi- and two-thirds of its population, under the banner dent Obama has the opportunity to shape of the G20. However, after the dark days of the 2008 the 21st century second nuclear age by crisis inspired then-freshly-elected U.S. President launching the ‘moral revolution’ that he Barack Obama to take over the reins of financial promised in Hiroshima. It could become his regulatory reform, the annual gathering of the defining legacy. group has, it would appear, degenerated into a pub- Rakesh Sood, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for licity opportunity for divergent national concerns. Disarmament and Non-Proliferation till May 2014, is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research As Hangzhou played host to the G20 meeting, there Foundation, Delhi. were reports that the Chinese government had emptied the city of its original inhabitants for the duration of the summit — an act that seemed sym- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR bolic of the final communiqué of the G20 itself, Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. pretty on the outside but lacking in substance. Among the major issues that found mention in the summit was the question of excess steel capacity in More than just logistics? always do the right thing, after they arriving at a decision to recognise had many autocratic traits which party in question, the Aam Aadmi China resulting in a flood of cheap imports into In- have eliminated all the possibilities”. her work? I wonder how many of us included scrutinising the letters Party, has not been able to utilise this dia, the U.K. and other economies. Despite reports The “historic” agreement between Kangayam R. Narasimhan, in such circumstances would even nuns wrote and received and making golden opportunity. Chief Minister India and the U.S., in the form of Chennai care to touch a leprosy patient or them work long hours. Accepting Arvind Kejriwal has always held the of resistance from China to any mention of steel LEMOA, will no doubt have care for a deeply wounded, dying money from tyrants was also high moral ground right from the policy coordination in the 7,000-word communi- implications for the balance of person. Her policy against abortion something that did not conform to beginning but appears to be losing qué, the document had a “call for increased infor- power in Asia (“Merely a logistics Path to sainthood was not her own but in tune with her the Christian spirit. the plot. There is no harm in his mation sharing and cooperation through the for- pact?” Sept.5). The U.S. is a slippery Pope Francis’s denouncement of adherence to the philosophy of the K.P. Prabhakaran Nair, pitching himself as a national figure mation of a Global Forum on steel excess capacity”. customer and will always want to modern-day indifference to hunger, Catholic Church. Finally, if Saint Kozhikode but he has a long way to go. For this Climate change was the other major agenda have the upper hand. In India’s exploitation and other sufferings is a Mother Teresa’s original objective he has to establish his credibility point. Notwithstanding Mr. Obama’s disappearing neighbourhood, warmer ties among commentary on the deterioration of was to convert people, then half of Economic divergence outside Delhi. He may have been dream of securing full global support for the Paris China-Pakistan-Russia should make values across the world (“Pope hails Calcutta’s population would have forgiven for having resigned in a Agreement before his second term ends, a symbol- New Delhi wake up. It should not volunteers on eve of canonisation”, turned Christian. The result of better development very short time during his first term, distance itself from long-term ally Sept.4). The day of Mother Teresa’s parameters in South Indian States but he cannot continue to take ic show of solidarity towards this goal in the form of A. Clement, Russia. With the South China Sea canonisation should be celebrated as Chennai and Maharashtra is largely a result of voters for granted. the U.S. and China ratifying the Agreement last becoming a hotspot, India has to one to ensure the betterment of the the shift in population week failed to produce any dramatic commitments Bal Govind, play its cards wisely. lives of the poor and the sick. The allegations against Mother demographics and the emphasis on Noida in Hangzhou. Contrarily in India, media reports Raunak Agarwal, M.V. Nagavender Rao, Teresa cannot be ignored. Her policies and leadership in delivering struck a note of relief that Prime Minister Narendra Kanpur Hyderabad moves to promote conversion come social justice (“The gap between A liability Modi’s negotiators had fobbed off any attempts to first. Her shelters were also said to rich and poor States”, Sept.5). Lower insist that the deal be done before a December 2016 A good relationship with the U.S. has I don’t believe that Saint Teresa have “a shortage of medical care, fertility rates in the South have We had yet another hartal being deadline. Numerous low-key objectives shared by always been an essential ingredient served people only with the hardly any stock of necessary resulted in better financial benefits observed in Kerala recently during multiple G20 members, such as strengthening en- of Narendra Modi’s foreign policy intention of “converting them”. It nutrition, as well as the scarcity of and less social disparities. In which life came to a halt. I wonder forcement against international tax avoidance and outlook, but does he realise that this was a part of her personality to help analgesics for those in pain”. She contrast, large States such as whether its organisers have ever needs to be tempered with prudence people. Religions are only different seemed keen to “glorify illness Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, considered the loss, hardship and advancing cooperation on Base Erosion and Profit as Washington is an avid ways of reaching god and Saint instead of treating it”. One also Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and negative impact it has caused to the Shifting, certainly got a shot in the arm from this practitioner of the art of realpolitik? Teresa gave the downtrodden and needs to investigate the so-called Bihar have higher rates of citizens of Kerala. It is this culture of G20 gathering. Yet, there is no comparison to the For instance, when U.S. Secretary of the sick great hope. miracles. The funding of such population growth along with strikes which has discouraged patchy and vague nature of progress in these small- State John F. Kerry was in India, he Canin Peter, missionaries needs to be probed. growing social disparities. Though industrialists from investing in the er goals to the collaboratively evolved financial reg- did warn Pakistan about the need to Ernakulam Jai Prakash Gupta, the South contributes a greater State. Kerala is a State with a large ulation architecture that emerged from the ashes of eliminate terror hubs but deftly Ambala Cantt., Haryana proportion of revenue to the Central percentage of the well educated and the 2008 meltdown and put the brakes on excessive balanced it by saying that Pakistan The arguments against her pool it will have fewer claims on where parents from even the lowest risk-taking by banks. This only begs the question: itself has been a victim of terrorism! suitability to attain sainthood are not Though there is no need to be funds allocation. strata of society avail of loans to give has the G20 lost its way, outlived its usefulness? LEMOA may be in place, but there commensurate with the noble work needlessly enamoured by the H.N. Ramakrishna, their children an education. The are doubts whether the U.S. will be that she did. Her ardent critics must bestowal of sainthood on the Bengaluru State should have been the most Would it be more institutionally efficient to revert ready to supply high-end military ponder over how she was awarded Mother, she did show the world sought place in India in terms of job to other regional groupings that have overlapping hardware unless India signs the the Peace Nobel, the Magsaysay what it is like to die in dignity. creation as it is the most literate, but conversations on these very subjects? It may well foundational agreements. It is worth Award and the Bharat Ratna. Mahatma Gandhi taught Indians the AAP’s slide hartals are what make people be time to re-examine the G20’s purpose and, if recalling Winston Churchill’s quote: Wouldn’t the three awarding bodies value of non-violence but one It is not often that a political party hesitant to invest here. necessary, recast its vision and mission entirely. “You can always trust the have taken cognisance of the struggles to find the Mother Teresa wins almost all the seats in an K. George Jacob, Americans. In the end they will “allegations” against her before in him. However, she is said to have Assembly (Editorial, Sept. 5). The Kochi

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NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 The equality of entry The Haji Ali Dargah case verdict was arrived at by hewing closely to the Constitution, to law, and to the task of defending individual rights. It is admirable for resisting the temptation of interpretive adventurism

has previously ruled on the legality of reli- 2012, women’s entry had, in fact, been al- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 gious excommunication, the exclusion of lowed. The trust was unable to show what GAUTAM BHATIA Dalits from temples, and the hereditary had changed so suddenly in 2012, even caste-based succession of temple priests. To though it did attempt to argue that it had been mediate the competing claims of individuals, interpreting the requirements of the Sharia Triple communities and the state, very early on in wrongly for all these years. When B.R. Ambedkar was asked why he was its history, the Supreme Court invented Likewise, the court’s rejection of the trust’s so passionate about the issue of temple entry something that it called the “essential reli- Article 26 claims was sober and measured. whammy for Dalits, he replied: “The issue is not entry, gious practices test”. Under this test, ostens- Surveying the history of the Dargah Trust, it but equality.” It did not matter to Ambedkar ibly religious practices could gain con- found that it had been set up in pre-Inde- he egregious practice that many Muslim that he, himself, was indifferent towards reli- stitutional sanction only if — in the view of pendence days by a government-imposed men employ to divorce their wives in- gion, or that temple entry was hardly the the Court — they were “essential” or “integ- scheme. That scheme did not even authorise stantaneously and without their consent, solution to Dalit oppression. What did mat- ral” to the religion in question. In the begin- the trust to adjudicate religious claims. Fur- merely by uttering the word talaq thrice, ter to him, however, was that one of the most ning, the court emphasised that essential re- thermore, the trust was a public charitable T Shamim Ara vs powerful tools by which an unequal society ligious practices would have to be trust. Consequently, the Dargah was akin to a was rendered legally invalid by the expressed and reinforced its hierarchies — State of UP judgment of 2002 and subsequent or- determined by taking an internal point of public space, and access to it could not be through the denial of equal access to reli- view, and looking to the tenets and the doc- denied on discriminatory grounds. Interest- ders from various High Courts. But this has not gious and sacred spaces — had to be trines of the religion itself. In later years, ingly, the court’s reasoning mirrored the ear- stopped the practice; many Muslim women are un- smashed. however, the court began to take an increas- liest temple-entry movements in colonial In- aware of the judgments or have had to accept such More than 80 years later, August 26, 2016, ingly interventionist stance, using the essen- dia. While agitating for the rights of Dalits to pronouncements owing to pressure from conser- the Bombay High Court agreed with ILLUSTRATION: SURENDRA tial religious practices test to make wide-ran- enter Hindu temples, Ambedkar repeatedly vative sections. Many women have undergone se- Ambedkar when it held that the exclusion of ging — often untethered — claims about argued that temples were public spaces, akin vere trauma after being thrown out of their homes. women from the inner sanctum of the Haji The Bombay High Court’s religions, and even trying to mould religions to roads, schools, or water tanks. In a society Shayara Bano, one such victim of this arbitrary cus- Ali Dargah by the Dargah Trust violated not reasoning mirrored the temple- into more rationalistic and homogenous where religion and the public sphere have al- only their fundamental right to religious monoliths, while marginalising dissident tra- ways been so intertwined, Ambedkar’s fun- tom — not to speak of years of domestic violence — entry movements in colonial has filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme freedom but also their right to equality and ditions. The high watermark of this approach damental insight was that religious exclusion non-discrimination under the Indian India.... Ambedkar’s arguments came in 2004, when the court held that the had a public character, and that it was not just Court seeking a ban on the practice. The conservat- Constitution. And in holding that women public performance of the Tandava dance an issue of sacral traditions but one of civil ive All India Muslim Personal Law Board that seeks were entitled to police protection, if needed, find resonance in the judgment was no essential part of the religion of the rights and material and symbolic equality. In to wield influence on questions of Muslim personal to exercise their right to equal access, the Ananda Marga sect, even though it had been a society that has long treated women as law has, predictably, found it an occasion to air its court placed the state firmly on the spot for the fraught and tense stand-off between the specifically set down as such in their holy second-class citizens, and emphasised and regressive views on the issue. In a counter-affidavit, effectively guaranteeing and enforcing the claims of individual rights and gender equal- book. concretised that inequality through control the Board has defended the practice in terms that constitutional rights of individuals, even ity on the one hand and tradition and reli- over religious spaces, Ambedkar’s argu- are shocking even by its own standards. It claims against their own communities. gious values on the other. A question of civil rights ments find clear resonance in the judgment that the custom is a way out to avoid long-running Indeed, the issue was framed before the Faced with more than five decades of con- of the Bombay High Court. An issue framed in legal terms Bombay High Court in precisely these terms. sistent Supreme Court jurisprudence, the court proceedings and that, in the absence of triple Putting onus on the state talaq, a husband may resort to murdering or burn- The Bombay High Court’s judgment, au- The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, the Bombay High Court had no feasible choice thored by Justice Revati Mohite Dere, is not women’s organisation that initiated the pub- other than deploying the (unsatisfactory) es- Once the court had found that the Dargah ing alive his wife because of the time-consuming the last that we’ve heard of this matter. The lic interest litigation against the Dargah sential religious practices test to determine Trust could not invoke constitutional protec- legal proceedings that might otherwise be in- Dargah Trust will certainly appeal (the High Trust, invoked the protection of Articles 14 the validity of the Dargah Trust’s arguments. tion for its exclusion of women from the involved. It further claims that “Indian society is pa- Court stayed the operation of its judgment and 15 (rights to equality and non-discrimin- The manner in which it did so, however, was ner sanctum, the logical conclusion fol- triarchal”, and that “personal laws of all com- for six weeks to allow it to do just that), and ation), and 25(1) (right to religious freedom) careful and circumspect. The court refrained lowed: since exclusion clearly violated the munities are aligned with the patriarchal notion”. It the battle will move to the Supreme Court. of the Constitution. The trust responded by from making grand, rhetorical claims about women’s right to religious freedom, as well defends the right to grant divorce to the husband There, it will join the other contentious issue invoking Article 25(1) itself, arguing that Is- Islam and gender equality (even though it as their right to equality, it was unjustified. alone, “because men have greater power of de- of religious access, which is already before lam mandated the exclusion of women from was invited to do so) and, instead, limited it- However, there was one more thing that the cision making” and uses a dubious line of argument the apex court: the right of women to enter the inner sanctum. It also (though faintly) in- self to considering the material placed before court had to do. Since the Constitution pri- on gender ratio to justify the practice of polygamy. the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. But voked Article 26(b), that granted religious it by the Dargah Trust. On a perusal of these marily guarantees fundamental rights to whatever happens in the Supreme Court, denominations the right to manage their own passages from the Koran and the Hadith, the individuals against the state, it had to explain The AIMPLB, a body with no legal status, has Justice Dere’s judgment is a landmark ruling. affairs inmatters of religion. court found that none of this material sup- how the Mahila Andolan could succeed long argued that divorce under Islamic law is un- This is not only because of its unambigu- ported the trust’s claim that Islam mandated where the rights-infringing actor was a pri- desirable and that triple talaq is a sin; however, it ously progressive outcome, coming down Court intervention in religion the exclusion of women from the inner sanc- vate, non-state body (the Dargah Trust). maintains it is a valid and effective form of laying a firmly on the side of equal access for women This clash — and the use of the courts to tum of shrines. The trust’s claims were Justice Dere answered this question by marriage asunder. In truth, there is no sanction for but also because of its dexterous handling of resolve it — is not new. The Supreme Court thrown further into doubt because right until holding that the state was constitutionally the triple talaq in the Koran, which has laid down bound to respect fundamental rights, not elaborate injunctions on divorce, in stark contrast CARTOONSCAPE merely by refraining from infringing them, to the immediate and irrevocable nature of the but also by actively intervening in order to triple talaq. This practice has been either explicitly protect them when they were threatened by derecognised in Muslim-majority countries such others. Consequently, it was for the state to ensure — whether by providing adequate as Indonesia, Iran and Tunisia or implicitly in coun- protection or otherwise — that women who tries such as Pakistan, which provides for a mandat- wanted to exercise their fundamental right to ory arbitration procedure after the pronouncement equal access at the Haji Ali Dargah could do of talaq. The Supreme Court must not be swayed by so. the arguments put forth by the AIMPLB, which has In the exercise of their constitutional func- held that “personal laws cannot be challenged”. tions, there are times when it becomes Considering the clear and elaborately laid-down necessary — and inevitable — for courts to norms on marriage in the Koran that grant equal consider and decide deeply divisive and po- rights to the husband and wife to pursue divorce larising questions about gender relations, the family, religion, and society. In such situ- proceedings and the right to equality guaranteed in ations, it is tempting for judges to think that the Indian Constitution, it is high time that the Su- they are in a position to solve age-old, intract- preme Court ruled this practice as illegal. able social problems, and to sally forth on ad- venturous tracks where both their competence and their legitimacy are called into question. This is a temptation that the Indian Sri Lanka judiciary has not always been able to resist. The Bombay High Court verdict in the Haji Ali case, however, is an example of a judg- conquers malaria ment that adroitly negotiates these difficult issues by hewing closely to the Constitution, ri Lanka has become malaria-free. On to law, and to the judicial task of defending September 5, the World Health Organisa- individual rights. For that, the Bombay High tion officially recognised this huge public Court must be praised, and its judgment Shealth achievement. The WHO certifies a upheld. country so when the chain of local transmission is interrupted for at least three consecutive years; the Gautam Bhatia is a Delhi-based lawyer. last reported case was in October 2012. With no local transmission reported, Sri Lanka’s priority LETTERS TO THE EDITOR since October 2012 has been to prevent its return from outside, particularly from malaria-endemic Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. countries such as India. There were 95, 49 and 36 cases reported in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively, The Cauvery crisis tribunal or making appeals to the extended to them in the first place. on both sides, there must be agitations and violence which come all contracted outside Sri Lanka. In a commendable Supreme Court if the issue is seen Given their mentality towards the movement on subjects such as at the cost of economic prosperity. initiative, Sri Lanka adopted a two-pronged strate- While the assertion of a regional from a humanitarian angle. No country, they should be penalised. facilitating the release of arrested M. Bhimashankar, gy of targeting both vector and parasite, undertak- identity is important, the national country or State in this world can Though the move to curb their youth, compensation to the victims Hyderabad ing active detection of cases and residual parasite identity is supreme. The Supreme claim ownership over natural foreign travel and scrutinise their of pellet gun firing and reviving carriers by screening populations irrespective of Court’s order to Karnataka to resources which we should learn to bank accounts comes late in the day, economic and social development. After being humiliated by separatist whether malaria symptoms were present. Early de- release Cauvery water to Tamil use and share in a proper manner. I the step to act against them must be This can be followed by further elements, how long are we to tection and treatment of asymptomatic parasite Nadu is a positive manifestation of would only blame politicians for welcomed. dialogue to discuss the core political remain silent? Even after this act of carriers, who serve as reservoirs of infection, this principle. The ongoing protest sowing the seeds of confusion. They One has to remember that the same issues. provocation, resorting to tame steps against the court’s ruling seems a have perfected the art of divide and leaders evinced no interest in being will fetch no results. Apart from played a crucial role in interrupting the chain. S.K. Khosla, step that goes against upholding rule to stay in power. The troubles supportive towards the all-party Chandigarh raising the Balochistan issue, India While this was achieved by means of house visits national consciousness (Editorial, over sharing the Cauvery should delegation. I hope all political should also adopt the same strategy and by starting mobile clinics in high-transmission Sept.7). Both State governments hasten steps to nationalise all rivers. parties are on the same page as far The deputation of a parliamentary as Pakistan’s — sending teams to areas, real-time monitoring through effective sur- should now formulate and T. Anand Raj, as dealing with the separatist delegation to the riot-torn Valley meet world leaders and telling them veillance systems, community awareness and mo- implement efficient water Chennai leaders is concerned. has proved to be a failed mission. about the misdeeds of separatist bilisation also played their role. The public sector conservation and harvesting Praveen Patavardhan, Separatist leaders refusing to meet elements. and the private sector were oriented to the com- policies as Maharashtra did in the There is a need for a river Bengaluru parliamentarians cannot be taken D. Sethuraman, mon goal of eliminating malaria by enhancing case form of the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan. commission on the lines of the lightly. It seems that we have Chennai notification and achieving 100 per cent detection Mohasin Mulla, Election Commission to monitor The humiliation was inevitable. reached the end of the political Pune and control river water distribution How could we have expected the tether and there is no hope of and confirmation through tests. Sri Lanka expan- and which is run by subject experts separatist leaders to be cordial in convincing separatists about the The need for NEET ded the coverage of long-lasting insecticide-treated No sane and prudent mind denies and engineers. It must be free of the first place? There should have need to pursue peace. These leaders This refers to the article, “‘Bringing bed nets to protect high-risk populations, and used that the political leadership in any government control and should be been a plan put in place with space need not be under the illusion that in NEET is an attack on our federal multiple methods to reduce mosquito numbers. State would not like to be portrayed vested with all powers to decide for the different stakeholders. The they are beyond the rule of law and structure and pluralistic ethos’” Sri Lanka was close to eliminating malaria in as betraying the just cause of its water usage, dam construction and delegation should have adopted a the Constitution. The government (Some editions, Aug.31). No one can 1963, when it reported just 17 cases. But a premature farmers. But empathy cannot be lost all other matters connected with down-to-top approach, first meeting must now go ahead with measures dispute the well-expressed views on lowering of the guard and growing resistance to sight of when neighbouring States constructive, effective and sensible sarpanchs, local associations, to support development and job- the need to establish a healthy DDT led to rising incidence in the 1980s. The pre- are in distress. The basic elements use of river water in India. traders and the family members of generation. Centre-State relationship but the cise reasons for the failure of the eradication pro- on earth are nature’s gifts. Politicians hardly have any those killed and injured. The S.V. Venkatakrishnan, writer appears to be one-sided in gramme were not clear. Some of the major chal- Bellur S. Dattatri, knowledge about irrigation, separatist leaders have lost a lot of Bengaluru her views. A professional degree Bengaluru effective water usage and matters ground and are looking for every such as medicine is unique and lenges the country had to face before it interrupted Plasmodium fal- relating to rivers. Such a opportunity to be in the spotlight The only path to peace is by where merit has to prevail. Those local transmission were the Serious conflicts over the sharing of commission will not only result in again. Despite this, talks should be resuming dialogue with all who are against NEET on the claims ciparum parasite becoming resistant to the river water appearing intermittently effective usage of water but also held with them as they have a stakeholders in Kashmir of social justice should be aware of chloroquine drug, behavioural changes in the vec- are a reminder that India is still a avoid unnecessary animosity and certain level of influence. There irrespective of their political the ugly scene where medical seats tor, asymptomatic carriers and vector reintroduc- nation-in-making. People in the agitation which is being cleverly should have been steps taken as well affiliations. To repair the damage are sold for a premium. Political and tion. But the tide turned from 2000 when a steady upstream State must understand exploited by selfish politicians. to phase out the use of pellet guns. caused, there has to be conciliation non-political figures who champion reduction in the number of cases was recorded. Sri that a downstream State’s share of V.S. Ganeshan, Munish Sharma, and offer of more aid. the cause of social justice by Lanka joins the ranks of 34 countries that have been water is not a gift but a matter of Bengaluru Jammu C.V. Venugopalan, resisting NEET are often seen to be certified malaria-free since the 1960s. The Mal- right. The remedy lies in respecting Palakkad. sharing in the spoils. The murky the 2007 award which was delivered It is unfortunate that the all-party picture came to light only because dives was certified so in 2015; Argentina and after years of deliberation and was Cracking the whip delegation had to conclude its visit Ladakh and Jammu are peaceful. of the historic verdict of the Kyrgyzstan may soon be. Eradication of the disease generally hailed as being fair. The report, “To restore normality, to the Valley with no breakthrough. The strife-ridden area is a fraction Supreme Court. The in India remains a challenge, but it could learn Surendra Singh Achara, govt. to get tough with separatists” It only reflects the ground reality. of the whole area. Clearly the commercialisation of education has some lessons from Sri Lanka even if the scale and New Delhi (Sept. 6), shows that the separatist The BJP was obviously not serious separatist movement has no basis. to end. Merit must prevail. complexity of the task is significantly different. leaders of Kashmir never deserved about resolving the issue in the first One hopes that in due course, these M. Vathapureeswaran, There is absolutely no need for any the privileges and facilities place. Though there is a trust deficit elements will realise the futility of Erode

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NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 Retaining MGNREGA’s core Held to account by the Supreme Court, the Central government is using opaque methods to change the key provisions of the employment guarantee scheme and make it targeted instead of universal

thrown social justice to the winds”. It con- formal or informal cap on the funds. It is here FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 sidered delayed wage payments “a con- that the WhatsApp messages from the Cen- BRINDA KARAT stitutional breach”. tre should be taken as an indicator of the gov- The government was forced to release ernment strategy to dilute the provisions of funds in June, bringing huge relief to the MGNREGA. workers whose dues were cleared. In addi- A message on the ENCORE platform says Making A.P. There is a pithy saying in Hindi that the ele- tion, because of the monitoring by the Su- that “to resort to logic that it is a demand phant has two sets of teeth, one for show and preme Court, the Central government has driven programme and whatever is asked for special the other to eat. This seems an apt descrip- had to release funds to the States for projects will be given, does not cut much ice now”. tion of the approach of the Narendra Modi under the law. Cut ice with whom? The Supreme Court ow special can ‘special’ be? That Andhra government towards the implementation of As a result, around 85 per cent of the funds which had accepted the assurance at face Pradesh, post-bifurcation, needed a the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Em- budgeted for the year have already been re- value? Another WhatsApp message reads, helping hand from the Centre was never ployment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). For leased in the first five months. This reflects “Wage employment, with one point agenda in question. But the modalities of the public consumption the Finance Minister also the high demand for work. In the back- of registering demand and responding to it is H announces in his Budget that he has alloc- ground of the devastating drought and wide- no longer the core concern.” And further, special status the State wanted, needed to be ated the highest amount of funds for the im- spread agrarian distress, MGNREGA is lit- “we ought to desist from campaigns for en- worked out. Could it be declared a Special Cat- plementation of the law, but in reality, States erally a lifeline for millions who have no listing demand and indulging in the mad egory State, or was the right way to grant it a special are being starved of funds. At the end of the other means of survival because of the lack race of more and more person day financial package that did not require meeting the financial year 2015-2016, an unprecedented of work in the countryside. The number of generation”. mandated requirements for Special Category Rs.12,000 crore was owed to the States, of person-days generated in the first four status? A.P. does not qualify as a Special Category which Rs.7,983 crore was owed to workers, months of the year is 89 crore person-days, Hollowing out the core? State; it has neither geographical disadvantages the delays in wage payment stretching up to the highest since 2012-2013. The Supreme Court itself had quoted from six months in some cases. Most shockingly But while this is a positive development, it the MGNREGA to point out the “core”, such as hilly terrain nor historical disadvantages ILLUSTRATION: SURENDRA such as socio-economic and infrastructural back- Rs.2,723 crore was owed to workers in also means that just around 15 per cent funds namely “An Act to provide for the enhance- wardness and unviable finances. Eventually, when drought-hit States, the most vulnerable and MGNREGA is not a charitable are available for the remaining seven ment of livelihood security of the rural desperate for livelihood. months. Already, according to information households by providing at least 100 days of the Centre announced a special package, the em- enterprise. It is extremely hard available on the website of the Ministry, nine guaranteed wage employment in every fin- phasis was on assisting the State on the basis of the An informalised approach work... In spite of all its States have a negative balance, meaning ancial year to every household whose adult road map laid down in the Andhra Pradesh Reorga- Now fresh evidence is available that the thereby that they do not have the funds ei- members volunteer to do manual work…” nisation Act, an oral commitment made in 2014 by Central government is adopting opaque weaknesses, the law is still a ther to pay wages or to plan and implement Yet through WhatsApp the same officer, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the report of the methods to dilute the law. There is a clear di- lifeline for crores of rural families projects based on the demand. The lean winning praise from the court for “being 14th Finance Commission and the recom- chotomy in what the government is telling season for agricultural work that sees a spike well versed on the subject”, contradicts the mendations of the Niti Aayog. The package, valid the Supreme Court in an ongoing petition on App messages from a Central government in the demand for work under MGNREGA is provisions of the act itself. for five years till 2020, might not have everything the implementation of MGNREGA and what official to the State government can be ac- usually between January to April. What is As far as the creation of person-days is that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had it is telling the States. A platform on Whats- cessed under the Right to Information Act. going to happen then? Will the funds be concerned the court had directed “both the App called ENCORE (or Enabling Commu- So whereas the WhatsApp messages have made available by the Central government? State Government and the Government of asked for, but meets most of the reasonable expect- nication on Rural Empowerment) run by the the stamp of authority emanating from a India… to make all efforts to encourage ations of a State struggling to recover from bifurca- Joint Secretary of the Rural Development senior official in the Rural Development The funds squeeze needy persons to come forward and take ad- tion and dealing with the imminent loss of the cap- Ministry has been formed with around 300 Ministry in charge of the implementation of The concern is because the Central gov- vantage of the scheme. A success rate below ital city, Hyderabad. The Polavaram irrigation officers from States, charged with the re- MGNREGA, the aspect of accountability ernment has been wilfully cutting down on 50 per cent is nothing to be proud of.” But project was declared a national project; a railway sponsibility of MGNREGA. Even though and transparency gets eliminated. the funds available to MGNREGA. Looked at here the Ministry is referring to it as a “mad zone was to be formed in the State and the Central this is run by an individual officer, it is clearly as a percentage of GDP, the budgetary alloca- race” to create workdays. Board of Direct Taxes was to issue two noti- official policy that is being reflected and Court cracks the whip tions have come down from 0.36 in 2012-2013 A most unique feature of the MGNREGA fications on tax concessions. Special Category therefore must be considered authorised This development needs to be seen in the to 0.26 in 2016-2017. The government has is its universal character. It is not a “targeted” status could only have been a crutch; the package communication by the Ministry. This is an context of the Supreme Court judgment in tried several methods to cut down on the de- programme as many of the other social sec- might be the stimulus that it needs after bifurca- instant method of communication which May this year on a petition moved by the mand and the requirements of the States. tor schemes are. The rationale is that only may be useful to send important information Swaraj Abhiyan on a series of issues related The projected annual demand of the State those who cannot find better alternatives of tion. Under the circumstances, this is a good deal. maybe of an urgent nature to the States. to agrarian distress and in this particular and the equivalent amount of funds required employment will opt to work in MGNREGA. However, the political battle over the Special The problem arises on two counts. It is a case on the implementation of the Mahatma — known as the labour budget — is finally It is not a charitable enterprise. It is ex- Category status is not going to get over soon. Op- procedure which bypasses the more trans- Gandhi National Rural Employment decided by the Central government. The tremely hard work under very difficult work position parties, led by the Congress and the YSR parent one of issuing official instructions Guarantee Act, 2005. The judgment read: first downscaling happens here. On an aver- conditions. The work which is piece rated is Congress, have targeted Mr. Naidu for failing to through Ministry orders which are on rec- “The Government of India is directed to re- age the Centre has cut the States’ require- linked to such high productivity norms that convince the Centre. That his Telugu Desam Party ord, on file, making the issuing authority ac- lease to the State Governments adequate ment by about 30 per cent. This has serious it is almost impossible for a worker to earn is in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party will in- countable. Second, such communications funds under the scheme in a timely manner repercussions on workers. The situation got the full minimum wage. Anyone who has vite charges of a sell-out of A.P.’s interests. Union are not accessible to the public though their so that the workforce is paid its wages well in so bad that the Chief Minister of the best per- even a remote idea of a MGNREGA worksite Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu of the BJP, perhaps an- content might have a direct impact on peo- time. It is regrettable that the pending wage forming State, Tripura, had to sit on an un- knows that, more so in a period of drought ple. Third, they can easily be deleted by the bill for 2015-2016 was cleared during the pen- precedented hunger strike in Delhi in 2014 to where income from agriculture has literally ticipating this reaction, indicated that the Centre’s administrator of the group. The Right to In- dency of the petition. The Government of demand adequate funds. In the present situ- dried up, even farmers survive by their work support would be a continuous process. The TDP formation has proved to be a very effective India must shape up in this regard.” The ation, with the Supreme Court monitoring in MGNREGA. government must look ahead, and use the special instrument to glean information from gov- court further indicted the Central govern- the issue, the Central government cannot be package to boost growth and create conditions for ernments on the functioning of MGNREGA. ment on the count of late wage payments quite so blatant. End this doublespeak employment generation. While concentrating re- But there are no set procedures that Whats- with the scathing comment that it “had It has assured the court that there is no Under Mr. Modi, the government has tried sources on building the capital at Amaravati, Mr. to change the nature of the law from being Naidu must not lose sight of the immediate de- CARTOONSCAPE universal to targeted by first promoting the velopment goal: the livelihood concerns of ordi- idea that work should be made available only nary people. That could be his political legacy: a in the most backward districts identified Chief Minister who saw the State through a difficult jointly by the Central and State governments. This was strongly opposed by many phase and laid the foundation for a robust economy. State governments as an encroachment on the law. Now the Ministry through the What- sApp group is pushing for enrolling only the poorer sections. The message informs that it is the Central government that is going to Taking the Paris identify such families; “this is to assist you in gap assessment .. a targeted approach.” There are many other such examples of process forward how the Ministry is saying something to the he ratification of the Paris Agreement on Supreme Court and directing officers in the climate change by the United States and State government to do the opposite. This is all part of the skewered policies of the pro- China, which together account for 38 per corporate Modi government. Bailouts for the Tcent of global greenhouse gas emissions, rich, for whom unlimited subsidies in the provides much-needed momentum for the global form of unrepaid bank loans of over Rs.8 lakh compact to be in force beyond 2020. As UN crore or tax concessions of over Rs.5 lakh Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has emphasised, crore in a single year are easily handed out. 26 countries have already acceded to the accord; to But when it comes to the rights of the work- reach the target of 55 per cent emissions, 29 more ing people to national resources, and to the must come on board. For the U.S., this is a landmark implementation of a law unanimously departure from its long-held position of not accept- adopted by Parliament, there are no funds available. ing a binding treaty like the Kyoto Protocol, where Workers do not want an ENCORE of the emerging economies heavily reliant on fossil fuels anti-MGNREGA policies they have been have no firm commitments. The Paris Agreement subjected to by this government. In spite of addressed this issue by stipulating voluntary but all its weaknesses, this law is still a lifeline verifiable emissions reduction goals for all parties, for crores of rural families. within the principle of common but differentiated Brinda Karat is a member of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau and a responsibilities that underpin the UN Framework former Rajya Sabha MP. Convention on Climate Change. Contrary to the belief that a requirement to cut GHGs will make economies less competitive, a major section of LETTERS TO THE EDITOR global industry and business has reaffirmed the po- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. tential for trillions of dollars in green investments flowing from the ratification of the Paris Agree- Religion vs women’s rights propagating women’s rights. As hindrance’,” Sept.8). It will not solution to such recurring disputes why he should be made to pay ment by the U.S. and China. This is a clear pointer Khalil Gibran said: “I love you when succeed given its own poor record of lies in the interlinking of rivers and through his nose. for India, which is estimated to have the third The Editorial, “Triple whammy”, and you bow in your mosque, kneel in human rights. The latest incident, nationalisation of dams. A.V. Narayanan, highest individual country emissions as of 2014. the article, “The equality of entry” your temple, pray in your church. where a speech on India-Pakistan B. Suresh Kumar, Tiruchi There are distinct low-carbon pathways that In- (both Sept. 8), are two different For you and I are sons of one trade ties was cancelled at the final Coimbatore dia has outlined in its national plan submitted to the pieces of exceptional journalism religion, and it is the spirit”. hour, goes to show the level to which Conquering malaria UNFCCC. Among these, the scaling up of renew- which highlight the same issue — Kopalle Murali Krishnamurthy, Pakistan is prepared to stoop. There Surge pricing able energy and non-fossil fuel sources to 40 per precedence of right to religion. Even Secunderabad has hardly been an event where Concerted moves across the world, though the tussle over this is not India has acted in a similar manner. Those who travel by premium trains some of them backed by leading cent of installed power production capacity by new in India, its ramifications have In religious matters, it is better that In fact we seem to have gone out of such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi and private foundations, are what have 2030 is predicated on technology transfer and the greater impact here than elsewhere the judiciary does not read the our way to accommodate Pakistan’s Duranto services are either middle led to a nearly 50 per cent decrease availability of Green Climate Fund resources. Not in the world. In a world where Constitution steadfastly as the concerns. class and above and I am sure they in the incidence in malaria and much progress has been made in this area, and religious fundamentalism is a framers of our Constitution may not K.R. Srinivasan, do not mind paying for more (“From mortality over the last decade Minister of State for Environment Anil Madhav serious issue and religious bigotry a have taken into consideration the Secunderabad tomorrow, surge pricing on key (Editorial, Sept. 8). According to Dave confirmed recently that no contribution had part of daily life, protection of life importance of strict observance of trains”, Sept.8). This is a section of WHO estimates — World Malaria been received from the Fund. Helping India lock in and individual liberty is a certain religious practices. Most of Cauvery water release society that is willing to spend Report 2015 — the global incidence the right technologies in its growth trajectory is im- contentious matter. Whether it is the these age-old sacred practices money lavishly. As a result, it is time in 2015 was 220 million (on average) portant for a global reduction in greenhouse gases. recent PIL against triple talaq or the cannot be brushed aside. One may The annual phase of acrimony public sector organisations such as and mortality 4,38,000 (average), between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with Africa accounting for 90 per It is important for the U.S. to help accelerate this protest against the Haji Ali dargah succeed legally in enabling women the Railways revised their business verdict, the notions of an orthodox, to gain entry to places of worship over the release of Cauvery water model rather than continue to cent of cases. India is in the malaria process in the area of power generation, following feudal mindset need to be dealt with but this could upset believers. The must end (“Karnataka begins function as benevolent entities. control phase and contributes to the up on the assurances given by Secretary of State firmly. These notions not only Bombay judgment could upset Cauvery water release to Tamil Kshirasagara Balaji Rao, export of malaria cases (Lancet John Kerry during his recent visit on clean energy impede the growth of the country deeply conservative communities. Nadu”, Sept. 8). The need of the hour Hyderabad 2016). Apart from the lack of a potent finance, technology, solar catalytic funding and but also vitiate communal harmony. V. Lakshmanan, is for a face-to-face meeting between vaccine, the biggest challenge lies in help for power grid upgradation. New Delhi can, in There has to be a social reform Tirupur, Tamil Nadu the Chief Ministers to defuse the Surge pricing on select trains is an overcoming resistance to the parallel, do much more on domestic policy to movement which needs the support crisis. The initial reluctance shown indirect attempt by the Railways to artemisinin-based combination achieve green and low energy intensive growth — of the judiciary, the executive and ‘Discourtesy’ to envoy by the Karnataka government to bring all mail/express trains under therapy, the most potent drug such as taxing fossil fuels, managing emissions the intelligentsia. comply with the Supreme Court the surge pricing category. This is available. Resistance to this started from waste better and making low-carbon build- Naveen Rattu, After Pakistan’s move to depute 22 verdict is a grim pointer to the unacceptable as second class sleeper along the Thailand-Cambodia Chandigarh diplomats to various countries to potential of such issues to snowball is included in these select trains border, has spread to Myanmar and ings mandatory. India joined other G20 countries at highlight the “goings-on” in Kashmir into a crisis if sectarian and under the surge pricing category. can affect India at any time. India has Hangzhou to commit itself to addressing climate Religion is a process of educating hardly gained traction, it is parochial sentiments are not kept The most affected group will be both P. falciparum and P. vivax change through domestic policy measures. For that ourselves in the ways of unfortunate that Islamabad is still under check. Competitive jingoism senior citizens because whatever malaria, with each presenting a to happen, the Centre must initiate a serious dis- understanding so that our life trying every trick in the book to try by fringe elements to extract concessions they enjoy now will be different set of challenges. cussion with the States on the national imperatives. becomes extraordinarily rich. All and embarrass India (”Pakistan told political mileage needs to be negated. Duronto trains are for the G. Padmanaban, religions should be open to to let diplomats work ‘without crushed. The lasting and permanent aam aadmi and there is no reason Bengaluru

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NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 Dark clouds over the PDS The imposition of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication in the Public Distribution System threatens to disrupt recent progress with PDS reforms. It also deprives millions of people of essential food entitlements

in the country. However, recent progress is tion). Even if it happens unofficially, this dual SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 in danger of being undone soon due to the system, where PDS grain goes partly through JEAN DRÈZE Central government’s counter-productive the PoS system and partly through the fall- push for Aadhaar-based biometric authen- back register system, is the worst. The tication in the PDS. This involves installing reason is that only PDS dealers know Effective, “Point of Sale” (PoS) machines at PDS shops, whether and when the register system is per- India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) has and verifying the identity of cardholders by missible, and they have no incentive to share improved steadily during the last 10 years. matching their fingerprints against the that information with the cardholders. Quite but not equitable The system used to be most ineffective and Aadhaar database over the Internet. likely, the new system is reviving PDS cor- corruption-ridden, with leakages of around This system requires multiple fragile tech- ruption in Jharkhand, reversing a healthy he dynamic fare pricing announced for 50 per cent at the national level, going up to nologies to work at the same time: the PoS trend towards lower leakages in recent the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto 80 or 90 per cent in some States. Around machine, the biometrics, the Internet con- years. trains on an “experimental basis” has 2007, Chhattisgarh took the lead in nection, remote servers, and often other ele- A short visit to a PDS shop just outside Tbeen justified by the Ministry of Railways reforming the PDS — making it more inclus- ments such as the local mobile network. Fur- Ranchi quickly brings out the multiple vul- as a means to shore up lagging passenger revenues. ive, methodical and transparent. Within a ther, it requires at least some household nerabilities of the new system. Within The Ministry says the cost per passenger kilometre few years, the system was overhauled. Today, members to have an Aadhaar number, cor- minutes we met many people who had been today is around 73 paise, while the Railways recov- most rural households in Chhattisgarh have rectly seeded in the PDS database. deprived of their food rations for months be- ers only 37 paise. The flexible fare system means a ration card, and are able to secure their en- This is a wholly inappropriate technology cause they had no Aadhaar number; or be- only the first 10 per cent of seats and berths will titlements (typically 7 kg of rice per person for rural India, especially in the poorest cause their Aadhaar number had not been come at the base fare, with 10 per cent increases for per month) on time every month. States. Even in State capitals, network fail- correctly seeded; or because their biomet- ures and other glitches routinely disable this rics did not work, or simply because the PoS every batch of 10 per cent sold. The increase will be The ‘Chhattisgarh model’ sort of technology. In villages with poor con- machine returned various error messages. capped at 1.5 times the base fare. The 77 pairs of the Later on, it turned out that the Chhattis- nectivity, it is a recipe for chaos. Note that In- Even those for whom the system works three classes of trains account for 13 to 14 per cent of garh model (so to speak) was replicable. ternet dependence is inherent to Aadhaar face huge inconvenience. Often they have to the Railways’ passenger revenues. On the face of it, Odisha was among the first States to emulate since there is no question of downloading make repeated trips to the PDS shop, or send the need to increase passenger fares is understand- Chhattisgarh’s experience, with similar res- the biometrics. different members in turn, until the machine able. Without a robust component of fare-based ults. Many other States also initiated Chhat- Recent developments in Rajasthan illus- cooperates. Sometimes schoolchildren are revenue from passenger trains it will be difficult for tisgarh-style PDS reforms: broad coverage, The dual system, where PDS grain trate the dangers of forcing biometric au- asked to skip classes and try their luck at the the Railways to spend on infrastructure and amen- clear entitlements, de-privatisation of PDS goes partly through the Aadhaar- thentication on the PDS. During the last few PDS shop. This unreliable system causes a ities and focus on features such as safety — all of shops, separation of transport agencies from months, the Government of Rajasthan has colossal waste of time for everyone. distribution agencies, computerisation, based ‘Point of Sale’ system and tried hard to enforce the system. The use of which are imperatives. The question is whether the By the way, all this is one year after I was fixed distribution schedules, tight monitor- partly through the fallback PoS machines is compulsory and every PDS told by the Food Department’s upbeat con- flexible fare system is the ideal way to do so. ing, active grievance redressal, and more. register system, is the worst shop has one. Yet, according to official data sultants that “the PoS system is functional First, these fare increases in the premium trains In the last few years, I have been involved compiled by Nikhil Dey, only 61 per cent of throughout Ranchi district”. for some classes could result in airfares being lower in several surveys of the PDS initiated by in- priority households, entitled to 5 kg of food- Rajasthan’s foodgrain allocation found its at certain times and routes. This could wean away dependent researchers with student volun- grains per person per month at nominal way through the PoS system in July 2016, The Aadhaar juggernaut some train travellers. Second, the increase in the teers. In 2011, we studied the PDS in nine prices, and Antyodaya households (the with a similar figure (63 per cent) for August. In spite of ample warnings, the Central prices under the scheme begins much too early, States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, poorest), entitled to 35 kg per household per The rest is either siphoned off or delivered government continues to push for compuls- when a bare 10 per cent of the seats are sold. As a Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Ra- month. The PDS is to cover at least 75 per using the old “register” system — which of ory Aadhaar-based biometric authentica- result, it puts far too much pressure on passengers jasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. We cent of rural households at the national level, the two is hard to say since utter confusion tion in the PDS. Incidentally, this is a vio- to book early. It would have made more sense for found that the system was working reason- rising to 80-90 per cent in the poorest States. prevails about the permissibility of using lation of Supreme Court orders. The court ably well for “below poverty line” (BPL) registers as a fallback option. did allow the use of Aadhaar in the PDS, but the Railways to expand the scope of Tatkal booking, households: on average, they were receiving Impending setback Further evidence comes from Ranchi dis- not making it compulsory for PDS users. Nor which is currently limited to one day before travel. 84 per cent of their foodgrain entitlements In June this year, we went back to six of In- trict in Jharkhand where the PoS system is can the government invoke the Aadhaar Act A Tatkal scheme with flexible and cascading pri- from the PDS. A similar picture emerged dia’s poorest States (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, also mandatory. In July 2016, NFSA card- to justify this move: the relevant sections of cing coupled with an increase in the number of tick- from a follow-up survey in 2013. However, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and holders in Ranchi district received less than the Act are yet to be notified. ets and an extension of the time frame would penal- high leakages continued in the “above pover- West Bengal) for an update. We found that half of their foodgrain entitlements through PoS machines seem to be expected to en- ise those who buy theirtickets late rather than most ty line” (APL) quota, which tended to be four out of six had a fairly good PDS, with that system, according to the model website sure a corruption-free PDS. This expecta- passengers on a train. Third, unlike taxi, bus or air used by the Central government at that time most NFSA cardholders receiving the bulk mentioned earlier. The situation was much tion, however, builds on a misunderstanding services, train services in this country are a mo- as a dumping ground for excess food stocks. of their entitlements every month and rel- the same in August. of PDS leakages. The main vulnerability nopoly. The Rajdhanis and the Shatabdis are The National Food Security Act (NFSA), atively low exclusion errors. The last two, As in Rajasthan, it is not clear whether today, at least in the States I am familiar with, enacted three years ago, was — and still is — Jharkhand and especially Bihar, still have a is not identity fraud (e.g. bogus cards), but premium trains, which are favoured by the rel- those for whom the PoS system does not a chance to complete the process of PDS re- long way to go. Even there, however, the situ- work in Ranchi are getting any grain through quantity fraud: PDS dealers often give peo- atively better off. The real worry is that the expe- form and ensure a modicum of food security ation is much better than it was a few years the old “register” system. Officially, that is ple less than what they are entitled to, and riment may be extended to include other long-dis- for everyone. Under the NFSA, the APL cat- ago. In Jharkhand, for instance, the transpar- not allowed, according to local PDS dealers pocket the rest. PoS machines are ineffective tance trains in the future. A relatively poorer egory is abolished and eligible households ency of the system has vastly improved, and and officials (indeed, some dealers have in preventing quantity fraud. They may help person who makes a late decision to travel should come under two well-defined categories: the official NFSA website is among the best been suspended for using this fallback opin reducing identity fraud, such as it is, but not be priced out by such a system by a monopo- that does not justify depriving people of listic provider that aims to provide a public service. CARTOONSCAPE their food entitlements when the technology Yes, the Railways must find a way to increas e reve- fails. nue from passenger traffic if it is to convert itself As with many other applications of into a healthy and self-sufficent organisation. The Aadhaar, this one is proceeding like a juggernaut, without paying serious attention to the issue is what the best —or the most painless — way collateral damage. Instead, the Central gov- to do this is. ernment peddles bogus figures of Aadhaar- enabled financial savings (often relayed by unsuspecting columnists or economists) to justify further imposition of the technology. Reining in the It is only when concerned journalists, activists or researchers make enquiries from the victims that we learn about the adverse adventurist North effects of Aadhaar on the PDS. orth Korea’s fifth nuclear test may have The Central government and its advisers had an explosive yield of no more than pride themselves on their commitment to ten kilotons, somewhat less than the “evidence-based policy”, but this is a case bomb dropped on Hiroshima, but its re- where evidence is being systematically ig- N nored to press on with technological solu- verberations have set alarm bells ringing around the region, even across the Pacific. This under- tions based on blind faith (handsomely nurtured by commercial interests). The drive to ground test of a nuclear warhead could herald a impose biometric authentication on the PDS new era of heightened brinkmanship in the Korean must stop immediately to avoid further dam- Peninsula. Concern stems from the claim by the age. There are better ways of plugging last- North Korean government that with this det- mile leakages, including the use of simpler onation the regime has succeeded in miniaturising technologies not dependent on the Internet. nuclear weapons to the point of attaching them to Imposing a technology that does not work ballistic missiles. These fears are justified given the on people who depend on it for their survival long trajectory of the North’s nuclear weapons is a grave injustice. drive. It first conducted a nuclear test in 2006, fol- Jean Drèze is Visiting Professor at the Department of lowed by three more, in 2009, 2013 and in January Economics, Ranchi University. this year. Each time the magnitude of the tremor associated with the test, an indicator of the energy yield, has increased, from around 4.3 in 2006 to 5.3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR in 2016. In parallel, the regime is believed to have Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. developed increasingly sophisticated delivery systems, ballistic missiles with a growing range. Earlier this week, Pyongyang test-fired three bal- Diluting MGNREGA grossly unwarranted and will push Independence, relevant laws have indefensible is the stand of how men State of data collection listic missiles, which landed within a few hundred the poorer sections to the precipice. been introduced or amended aimed need the instrument of triple talaq to kilometres off Japan’s coast. U.S. officials believe it Brinda Karat’s views on the Centre J. Anantha Padmanabhan, at improving the lot of women from get rid of their wives in the easiest The discrepancies present in NCRB vis-à-vis MGNREGA cannot be data (“NCRB data: handle with may have conducted at least 22 launches this year. Tiruchi Hindu and minority communities. way possible without legal problems disputed (“Retaining MGNREGA’s However, the 1937 Act has remained and with no such remedies for care”, Sept. 9) are proof of our Condemnation of this test by the UN did little to core”, Sept. 9). But many State The writer appears to be airing her static. The ease with which men can women. Surely the highest court pathetic state of data handling and dampen the defiance of the North’s Supreme governments are equally responsible personal dissatisfaction with the get divorce is unfair. Adherence to should take a gender-neutral and data analysis which ultimately Leader, Kim Jong-un. Sanctions slapped on it in for the problems. Even under the government. How can one cite archaic tenets of religion has been humane view of this treacherous results in poor policymaking. The March have failed to have any effect, as they have UPA, it became a bit of a political exchanges on a WhatsApp group as one of the major causes of poverty practice and other personal laws questions raised by the writer about since they were periodically imposed since 1992. issue when some Opposition-ruled evidence? The policies of the and slow progress of Muslims in affecting the unjust slant towards the authenticity of this NCRB data, With multiple reports emerging over the years of States did not implement the government should be judged on the India. women, irrespective of what any and which prima facie point towards hardships faced by the North Korean population, minimum 100-day programme basis of how they translate on the Y.G. Chouksey, scriptural interpretation says. the whole data collection process by including famine, poverty and rampant human properly. The reality is that the ground and not by what is said on Pune Kasim Sait, the NCRB to be fake, must be rights violations, the latest explosive test may be an scheme is being misused, and there social media. Chennai answered by a responsible authority. is neither accountability nor The Supreme Court has every right opportune moment to pause and re-examine the Parneet Sarao, Kiran Babasaheb Ransing, transparency. No government has New Delhi to intervene if any discriminatory This is an opportune moment where New Delhi value of the sanctions aimed at isolating the North’s bothered to look into the plight of and regressive doctrine is prevalent the law can be reformed once and regime internationally. No globally coordinated unorganised labourers nor has it and comes in the way of denying for all. This is because of the strategies will succeed as long as Beijing plays realised that underemployment is Triple talaq communities access to equal patriarchal mindset of those in the Regional trade spoiler — as it has done historically. Notwithstand- more dangerous than Any sensible person would agree opportunities. No organisation can Muslim Personal Law Board apart A major impediment that comes in ing the praise from U.S. President Barack Obama unemployment. MGREGA is more that the practice of triple talaq needs claim its hegemony over the religion from many in the community being the way of SAARC trade is economic for Beijing’s improved adherence to recent sanc- or less bracketed under the category to be abolished because of the way it of a society. Women should confront less knowledgeable about their own competitiveness among member tions policies, reports from the border region with of unorganised labour, which is results in the abuse of women the so-called leaders of the religion. Gender studies show that countries (“Coming closer together the North hint at continued trade with China. Fur- perhaps why we do not hear of (Editorial, Sept. 8). It is unfortunate community and challenge them in a the sole reason for the backwardness for trade”, Sept. 9). Since their ther, this week’s test will exacerbate peninsular ten- complaints of there not being 100 that the real issue here — of gender befitting manner. of Muslims is that the women are manufacturing specialisations tend days’ labour. Those under injustice — is sought to be smudged Ashfaq Amir Khan, not empowered. The only way to overlap, member countries are sions over a plan to deploy THAAD, a U.S. missile MGNREGA are also expected to by giving it a communal colour. As Lucknow forward is to abandon regressive forced to compete in the defence system, in South Korea. Both Beijing and part with some money to the expected, there are some persons laws and practices and invest in international market rather than Moscow have protested against that proposal, even middlemen/brokers who engage who have labelled the women who Triple talaq is an obnoxious and women’s education and health. cooperate. For example, India, though the White House appears firm on its intent them. petitioned the Supreme Court medieval practice to grant illegal Rahman Sheikh, Bangladesh and Pakistan are all to protect its treaty ally. Even if Washington and K.V. Venugopal, against triple talaq as biased. When rights to a husband and has Durg, Chhattisgarh textile exporters and jostle for Beijing managed to somehow set aside strategic Chennai criminal laws such as the Prevention absolutely no sanction in the Koran. market space. If closer cooperation mistrust and collaboratively squeeze Pyongyang’s of Domestic Violence Act and the The Muslim community must come Any religious law which speaks of is to be forged among them, then weapons development agenda, the country is al- The BJP government’s lukewarm Prevention of Sexual Harassment at forward and criticise the practice as the suppression of women through supply and manufacturing chains ready believed to have a standing stock of 15 to 20 approach to MGNREGA ignores the the Workplace Act are uniform to all it has no place in modern society. any means must be reformed. In this must be made to sweep through the reality of extreme poverty and rural Indians irrespective of their religion, context we need to have a liberal whole region, aligning the nuclear weapons, which are effectively beyond the Abbas Hasan Naqvi, distress. It also smacks of vendetta how can personal laws be different? Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh interpretation of not only the Koran comparative advantage of each pale of sanctions. A more sustainable approach politics. The scheme has played a Padmini Raghavendra, but also all religious scriptures. member to the benefit of the other in may be to breathe life into the Six-Party Talks, and key role in improving the livelihood Secunderabad The arguments advanced by the Article 44 is one step that will enable final production. SAARC, as an invest diplomatic currency in bringing Pyongyang of people from the marginalised AIMPLB confirm the regressive and the dignity of women with respect to integrated unit, must then compete back to the negotiating table. History suggests that sections. The reported move to Muslims in India are governed by patriarchal mindset of this body marriage. in the international market. failure to do so will only lead to one outcome. restrict the scheme’s operation to the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) claiming to represent all Muslims. Divyesh A. Borse, Suyash Saxena, the country’s poorest districts is Application Act, 1937. After The most untenable and Pune New Delhi

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NOIDA/DELHI 10 | WEEKEND THE HINDU SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 BEING

DR HUMERUS HYGIENE Keshav Watch what you put on your hands Triclosan-based antibacterial products such as handwash and hand sanitisers are no more effective than soaps CINTHYA ANAND Experts say indiscriminate t’s in your soap, handwash, usage of antimicrobial talcum powder and even in the agents over the years has Iwall paint. In a world obsessed led to bacteria developing with cleanliness, antimicrobial agents like triclosan have been resistance to them touted as the panacea for a disease- free world. But their use remains cific to gram-positive bacteria, get controversial: experts say indis- dislodged when the bacteria are criminate usage of antimicrobial killed by antibacterial agents. They agents like triclosan over the years remain on the surface of your hands has led to bacteria developing re- and can get into your gut, causing sistance to them, leading to the other inflammatory complications. AROUND THE WORLD need for stronger chemicals. Are Scrubbing with soap and water is a we setting ourselves up for a world hundred times better.” Using alco- Product research of superbugs by putting them in hol for disinfection was better as and buying anything and everything? bacteria could not develop resistance to alcohol. A 2013 study Doing extensive No miracle guard, this research before published in Clinical Infectious Dis- making an online Last week, the U.S. Food and eases also showed that antibacterial purchase may be Drug Administration announced components were no more effective futile. An article in that effective September 2017, it than ordinary soaps at preventing the journal, PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT would prohibit the sale of non-med- infectious diseases. Marketing Science, finds that even though ical soap containing triclosan or 18 WASHED OFF: “By using antimicrobial agents indiscriminately you are removing useful bacteria which help to ward However, it would be unwise to consumers may spend days looking for the right other ingredients marketed as anti- off infection.” — PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT disown antibacterial agents com- product, what they purchase tends to be remarkably microbials, as it did not find these : pletely. Senior physician Kumar at close to items they searched and found in their very products to be any more effective in toothpaste, handwash, talcum dira Gandhi Institute of Child gentle on our skin and helps main- K.C. General Hospital, Bengaluru, first search. The researchers derive this from the than ordinary soaps. powder, etc. because companies Health, Bengaluru, says these tain commensols.” says antimicrobial agents are re- Opinion is divided among ex- thought it was a panacea for all, products are a “gimmick” as the quired in infection-prone situ- browsing and purchase history of over two million Soap is good enough consumers. They used a sample of more than 1,000 perts: while some feel the move was without understanding that with in- body has its own self-cleaning bac- ations. “Antimicrobials are rec- digital camera purchases with full browsing long called for, physicians weigh in discriminate usage, bacteria can de- teria, commensals, which keep the Dr. Chakravortty also feels scrub- ommended for sanitation workers, histories over a three-month period. They also found that such antibacterial products veloped a resistance to the chem- skin clean. “Antimicrobial agents in bing with soap and water is better farmers working in the fields, or in that while about 25 per cent of consumers search continue to be useful in certain ical,” says Dipshikha Chakravortty, soaps and handwashes are not re- than using hand sanitisers, as in the the presence of someone with an in- and purchase in just one online session, the average situations. associate professor, Department of quired. By using antimicrobial latter case, the dead bacteria remain fection,” he says. However, he adds, purchase takes much longer — around 15 days and Triclosan was initially used for Microbiology and Cell Biology, In- agents indiscriminately you are re- on the skin: “Certain molecules, such products should be used in the over six sessions. hospital environments, but its use dian Institute of Science, moving useful commensal bacteria known as lipopolysaccharides, right quantity, as overuse does not spread as a miracle guard against Bengaluru. which help to ward off infection,” which are specific to gram-negative increase effectiveness. infection. “Triclosan is being used Asha Benkappa, director of In- she says, adding, “Regular soap is bacteria, and lipoteichoic acid, spe- [email protected] Feelings about a face OPINION In a creepy experiment, a Straight to the heart research team Stocktaking in reports in PLoS Biology that they the dengue war PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT were able to change how people felt about strangers’ faces by having impregnating indoor them do random tasks via a specialised software curtains with insecticides called DecNef. Volunteers in the experiment were such as Pyrethroid has “trained” to develop a mild but significant proved efficacious. A comprehensive NIRMAL BRATATI preference or dislike for faces that they had strategy is deemed KUMAR MUKHO previously regarded neutrally. When the volunteers necessary due to absence were quizzed later, a significant proportion of them GANGULY PADHYAY of a specific antiviral — in spite of knowing that a software had decade ago, when at therapy. A safe, efficacious influenced their perception — said that their new, Athe Indian Council of and cost-effective dengue implanted feelings about the faces were solidified. Medical Research vaccine remains a high (ICMR), we published a public health priority. paper, “Dengue in Kerala: The vaccine by Sanofi Drug combo and A Critical Review”, which Pasteur has been licensed leukaemia fight highlighted the status of after Phase III trials and dengue fever in the light approved by some A study in mice of factors that have forced national regulatory combining two a sylvatic mosquito like authorities. It has been inhibitor drugs for Aedes albopictus to seek a introduced in Philippines treatment of Chronic new breeding habitat near and a few other endemic myeloid leukaemia habitation and facilitate countries. The results are (CML) can not only PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT transmission of dengue expected soon and keenly stop the disease completely but also significantly virus in a virtually non- awaited. This candidate PILL-SIZED: In April 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved usage of the pacemaker for patients with lower treatment cost. CML is a cancer of the white immune population. Cut vaccine has also been bradycardia, a term for a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (BPM) in adults. The miniaturised heart blood cells accounting for 20 per cent of adult to 2016, where an article recommended by SAGE, a device, known as the Micra Transcatheter Pacing System, was implanted at Jackson South Community Hospital, leukaemia. Researchers combined the BCR-ABL (The Hindu, May 19) WHO body which looks at U.S. No more than an inch long, the gadget, unlike traditional pacemakers, is implanted inside the heart. Picture tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with another inhibitor forewarns of the various vaccines for shows the world’s smallest pacemaker being displayed at a media event. It is similar to the one that was infectious diseases. The drug known as venetoclax and observed hyperendemic form that implanted into a 78-year-old patient. — PHOTO: AFP vaccine against dengue at encouraging response and cure rates for both the dengue may take in the State this year. the moment can be used chronic phase of the disease and its fatal end-stage only for those between 9 – phase called blast crisis. BCR-ABL inhibitors are the The prophecy has come true. This year, Kerala has 45 years of age. current standard-of-care treatment allowing most INTERVIEW recorded 4,060 dengue Similarly, the NIH patients to remain in remission, but they do not cases, the highest in India. vaccine made in Brazil by entirely eradicate the cancer cells. — Science ‘Generics are a lifeline’ With a situation at hand in Butantan has been Translational Medicine. an advanced State like successfully tested in Kerala, it may as well be Brazil. Parallel evaluation MSF secretary general Jerome Oberreit on the increasing threat to affordable health care said that vector control in is under way in Brazil and Ginger compound isolation is not enough to Mexico. Two Indian Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or the monopoly hold of a curb the growing companies, the Serum to the rescue Doctors without Borders, the interna- pharmaceutical company on a drug be- incidence of dengue. Capsaicin, the tional humanitarian medical aid or- yond the current 20 years. Both these Kerala is not battling compound that ganisation that is active in 69 coun- provisions go beyond the mandates of dengue alone, making it gives chilli peppers tries, serves populations affected by international law. essential for us to look at their kick, has been epidemics, armed conflicts, natural an integrated and previously calamities and manmade disasters. You have been campaigning against comprehensive PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT associated with MSF has relied heavily on generic the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership prevention and control cancer. Now, researchers show in studies with mice drugs, much of which has been (TPP) as well. What are your concerns strategy inclusive of an that the pungent compound in ginger, 6-gingerol, sourced from India, to deliver health there? effective vaccine. could counteract capsaicin’s potentially harmful care to some of the most deprived In recent decades, effects. In combination with the capsaicin, 6- peoples on the planet. Addressing TPP introduces far-reaching mo- dengue is being reported in explosive proportions gingerol could lower the risk of cancer, they say. The healthcare exclusion has been a ma- nopoly protection for pharmaceutical globally, bringing with it a PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT study appears in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and jor part of its work, and this has often companies that would unnecessarily substantial Food Chemistry. Researchers fed mice prone to lung meant locking horns with big strengthen, lengthen and broaden pat- socioeconomic impact on Institute of India and cancer either capsaicin or 6-gingerol alone, or a pharmaceutical companies. MSF was ents. This will push drug prices up. We individuals and society. Panacea Biotech, are also combination of both. During the study period, all of in the news recently for its decision have also pointed out the flaws in the The truth is that no drugs developing this vaccine. the mice that received only capsaicin developed not to take any more funds from the current biomedical innovation are available to treat The Takeda vaccine has lung carcinomas while only half of the mice fed European Union and member coun- paradigm that seeks to reward R&D dengue. Mortality from undergone trials in 6-gingerol did. Surprisingly, an even lower tries in protest against their tough through monopolies and high drug dengue still prevails in Singapore and currently percentage — only 20 per cent — of the mice given refugee policies. Jerome Oberreit, Jerome Oberreit — PHOTO: SPECIAL prices. Cash-rich pharmaceutical com- developing countries. in the Phase III both compounds developed cancer. secretary general of MSF, tells A. ARRANGEMENT panies have not taken up R&D in anti- India has reported an evaluation. Rangarajan why the organisation is biotic development because they must annual average of 20,474 WHO and Dengue the doughty fighter it is. Excerpts: ‘Cash-rich companies have be affordable and should be used spar- dengue cases (2006-12). Vaccine Initiative (DVI), ingly. However, it surged to an international MSF has been a part of the Drugs for not taken up R&D in 40,571 with 137 deaths in consortium supported by DEMYSTIFYING SCIENCE Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi). antibiotic development as MSF has been a part of the Drugs for 2014. Last year, there were the Bill and Melinda Gates How does it counter the ills of the Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi). 100,000 cases and 220 Foundation, have been What are magnetars? they must be affordable and deaths. Today, urban hubs working in collaboration current paradigm? How does it counter the ills of the with vaccine This week, astronomers picked up strange X-ray used sparingly.’ current paradigm? like New Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru are manufacturers and bursts using NASA’s Swift telescope. These The DNDi was actually started in national regulatory bodies strange bursts were very similar to that of a struggling to fight the 2003 with the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize made it possible for another 16 million The DNDi was actually started in endemic form. India is to accelerate dengue magnetar — an extremely dense type of neutron money providing the seed funding. In people to have access to treatment. 2003 with the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize bearing an estimated total vaccine development. The star that can produce magnetic fields trillions of 10 years we have developed six new The role generics play in affordable money providing the seed funding. In annual economic cost of position paper on dengue times stronger than our sun’s. The magnetar, therapies. Based on DNDi’s estimates healthcare hardly needs emphasis. In 10 years we have developed six new US$1.11 billion due to vaccine by the World called 1E 1613 — at the centre of RCW 103, and we reckon that the cost to develop a many cases they are a lifeline. therapies. Based on DNDi’s estimates dengue, which includes Health Organisation the remains of a supernova explosion located new chemical entity to be €100-150 we reckon that the cost to develop a direct medical costs of (WHO) released on July about 9,000 light years from Earth — rotates million. Current studies place the cost MSF has expressed concern over the new chemical entity to be 100-150 mil- US$548 million. 29, 2016 comes as a once every 24,000 seconds (6.67 hours). for a similar exercise by the industry at ongoing RCEP (Regional lion euros. Current studies place the significant step to Neutron stars are formed when stars more anywhere between $802 million and Comprehensive Economic Partnership) cost for a similar exercise by the in- Vector control expedite the availability of massive than our sun explode as supernovae. $2.6 billion! talks. Are you apprehensive that dustry at anywhere between $802 mil- In dengue prevention, a dengue vaccine in Just a regular neutron star has a magnetic field agreements such as these could lion and $2.6 billion! The vector control takes endemic countries like of a trillion gauss. Magnetars are 1,000 times Tell us about the role that generic impact generic drugs production in pharmaceutical industry has been af- centre stage. However, India. more powerful than that, with a magnetic field drugs play in your work globally. India? flicted by excessive financialisation. community-level In fact, WHO has of a quadrillion gauss. The earth’s core has a implementation of small recommended that countries should consider magnetic field of 25 gauss. Magnetars can cause We have limited resources and gen- India has always maintained the Has MSF started assuming a larger interventions to prevent water accumulation in introduction of the starquakes, or earthquakes on stars. Because of eric drugs play a vital part in our pro- right balance between awarding pat- political profile? dengue vaccine in its properties, the magnetar releases a blast of grammes. These generics that we ents to drugs and its commitment to coolers, manhole lids, tyres and water tanks geographic settings where radiation that can be seen clear across the Milky source from India constitute nearly public health. We are particularly con- MSF was founded by both doctors epidemiological data Way. The most powerful starquake ever along with general two-thirds of the drugs we use for HIV, cerned about two provisions that are and journalists. Much of our work hap- cleanliness particularly in indicate a high burden of recorded came from a magnetar called SGR TB and malaria. Take the case of AIDS; being discussed in the RCEP talks, data pens in places farthest from the pres- the urban areas are far disease. 1806-20, located about 50,000 light years away. it is on account of generic drugs that exclusivity and patent term exten- ence of the media. We are impartial from optimal. It is also N.K. Ganguly is the former In a tenth of a second, one of these starquakes the annual cost of the ‘AIDS Cocktail’ sions. and neutral when it comes to conflicts. observed that dengue Director General, ICMR. Dr. released more energy than the sun gives off in combination treatment has been Data exclusivity is a backdoor route But we speak out publicly on what we Mukhopadhyay is Senior Program mosquitoes are found Officer for Policy Centre for 1,00,000 years. brought down from about $10,000 in to awarding monopoly status to drugs. see. Taking a position on these vital is- inside homes; hence Biomedical Research. 2000 to about $100 today. This has And patent term extension will extend sues does not make us political.

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NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 Labour’s love’s lost The proposed labour reforms seek to weaken worker protection at a time when the Indian economy is not creating enough jobs, and the right kind of jobs

sectors. This is the reason India has not been small and escape various labour regulations. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 able to replicate the Chinese success in la- Most importantly, contract labour tends to T.T. RAM MOHAN bour-intensive manufacturing. be cheaper in general; at Maruti’s Manesar This argument may have well been over- plant, contract workers earned less than half taken by events in the global economy. Many the wages of permanent workers. other low-cost economies have already po- Contract labour is a serious assault on An oice On September 2, 10 trade unions in India or- sitioned themselves in these sectors. Auto- workers’ rights. The Supreme Court has ganised what was said to be one of the largest mation in the West means that the window made strong observations on companies’ re- of loss labour strikes in history. An estimated 120 of opportunity in these sectors is fast clos- sort to contract labour in order to avoid stat- million workers took part. The unions were ing. The idea that reforming labour laws will utory obligations. The Economic Survey fter the categorical verdict of the Delhi protesting against the government’s unwill- trigger a huge expansion in low-skilled man- (2015-16) believes that contract labour is High Court last month that the Capital is ingness to grant a 12-point charter of de- ufacturing is thus highly suspect in today’s merely a corporate response to “regulatory a Union Territory, it was quite clear that mands they had put forward. A year ago, uni- changed situation. cholesterol”. However, reducing worker pro- any decision made by Chief Minister ons had signalled their discontent by having tection in the organised sector may not be A a similar nation-wide strike. The experience so far the answer — many firms would still prefer Arvind Kejriwal without the Lieutenant Governor’s approval will be rendered illegal. Coun- This year, one of the principal demands of Moreover, the academic literature on the the contract option simply because it’s sel for the Delhi government had to concede the the unions was an increase in the daily subject is not unambiguously in favour of cheaper. Rather, we must extend worker pro- point in court, leading to the appointment of 21 minimum wage for unskilled workers from easing labour laws as a means for hiring tection and benefits to contract labour as Rs.246 to Rs.692. They rejected an increase more labour. Dismissal laws in France are well. Delhi legislators as parliamentary secretaries being in the wage to Rs.350 ofered by the govern- more stringent than in India, but that did not Privatisation and FDI are other areas of set aside. The appointments, made in March 2015, ment. Some of their other major concerns come in the way of France’s prospering for concern for organised labour. It is not that sufered from multiple legal infirmities. Apart from were: proposed changes in labour laws; In a situation where domestic over a century. China itself has made its la- we have seen major initiatives to sell of the lack of the LG’s concurrence, it raised the ques- growing casualisation of labour; privatisa- bour laws more stringent so that they are PSUs. But there are clear attempts to further tion of whether it was an ‘oice of profit’ under the tion; and greater opening up to foreign direct firms have weakened by comparable to those in India (except in spe- shrink the role of the public sector. Public government, something legislators are barred from investment (FDI). inadequate growth, foreign direct cial economic zones). sector banks (PSB), for instance, have been holding. The penalty stipulated in the Constitution investment is seen as displacing Indeed, some of the literature suggests starved of capital and many banks are today Future tense, present imperfect for a legislator holding an oice of profit is disquali- jobs in domestic firms that giving workers greater protection helps without chairmen and managing directors. fication. The Election Commission has reserved its Labour is restive today. It is apprehensive increase productivity by giving workers Moves have also been initiated to merge verdict on the question whether these 21 MLAs about what the future bodes for itself. But it’s more incentives to invest in firm-specific PSBs. Unions see these moves as impacting not as if labour militancy has gone up in re- “flexibility” in labour laws, a euphemism for skills. Along with collective bargaining, jobs in the formal sector adversely. have incurred such disqualification, and it is pos- cent years. On the contrary, man-days lost freedom to hire and fire. The Industrial Rela- worker protection leads to more egalitarian In principle, FDI should mean more in- sible for the Aam Aadmi Party now to ask the mat- due to industrial disputes (lockouts and tions Code Bill, 2016, which is said to favour outcomes in society. There is also evidence vestment and more job creation. However, in ter to be closed, citing the court’s setting aside of strikes) came down from 23.7 million in 2001 such flexibility, is due to be tabled in Parlia- that the bias against workers in Indian in- a situation where domestic firms have the appointments. At the same time, it cannot be to 13 million in 2012 before rising to 19 mil- ment in the near future. It is bound to evoke a dustry may have more to do with tax incent- weakened by inadequate growth, FDI is seen denied that the EC could still choose to decide lion in 2013. These figures are considerably strong reaction from unions as well as Op- ives for capital than with restrictive labour as displacing jobs in domestic firms. whether these MLAs had indeed held an oice of lower than those in the 1970s and 1980s. position parties. laws. profit for nearly a year-and-a-half. They had been However, there is little doubt that orga- Several economists say that rigid labour A second issue that agitates unions is the It’s the jobs rendered further vulnerable after the President nised labour in India, as in the rest of the laws are the reason India has not generated growing trend towards casualisation of la- The proposed labour reforms seek to withheld assent to a Delhi Bill to protect them from world, sees itself as a loser in the changes un- enough jobs in the formal sector — only bour. This was one of the reasons for labour weaken worker protection at a time when leashed by liberalisation and globalisation. It about 10 per cent of jobs are in the organised unrest at Maruti’s plant at Manesar in Hary- the Indian economy is not creating enough incurring disqualification — once again because it fears that if the government goes ahead with sector and the remaining 90 per cent in the ana last year. jobs and the right kind of jobs. The rate of was introduced without the LG’s approval. some of its proposed “reforms”, its losses unorganised sector. As large firms do not Companies find it expedient to employ la- growth of employment slumped from 2.8 per Mr. Kejriwal could have avoided this setback had will begin to mount. have the confidence that they can shed bour on contract. They can then leave the job cent in 2000-05 to 0. 5 per cent in 2011-12. In he not given executive oversight responsibilities to Indian businesspeople as well as many workers in adverse conditions, they do not of managing regulations and inspectors to the same period, the labour force grew at 2.9 so many of his party’s legislators. In practice, parlia- economists have long clamoured for greater wish to enter labour-intensive, low-skilled the contract labour firms. They can also stay per cent and 0.4 per cent, respectively. In the mentary secretaries are junior ministers. In this organised sector, the share of informal em- case, their appointment could also have been chal- ployment rose from 48 per cent in 2004-05 to lenged on the ground that after their inclusion, the CARTOONSCAPE 54.6 per cent in 2011-12. strength of the Council of Ministers had exceeded Job creation in the private sector is de- the constitutional limit of 10 per cent on the pressed by the low rate of investment. In- vestment itself is constrained by numerous strength of the Delhi Assembly. In the case of other factors: high levels of debt, high interest States, the limit is 15 per cent. In some States, parlia- rates, a deceleration in corporate loans mentary secretaries have been able to stave of dis- growth in PSBs, etc. In these conditions, a fo- qualification by getting the post saved from dis- cus on weakening dismissal laws in the orga- qualification by legislation. However, no one has nised sector as the key to job creation is mis- been able to get around the numerical cap on the placed. size of the Ministry under Article 164(1A) of the The International Monetary Fund’s Constitution. All told, Mr. Kejriwal got himself into World Economic Outlook (April 2016) lends a legal quagmire by seeking to take on the LG in the support to this view. It cites studies that have shown that weakening dismissal conditions belief he had the same leeway as other CMs did. He under adverse economic conditions tends to will continue to maintain that the post of parlia- reduce employment. The IMF argues that if mentary secretary, inasmuch as it entails no salary such changes to labour laws are to be carried or perquisites, is not an oice of profit. Yet, it can- out, there must be ofsetting fiscal expansion not be denied that the issue has caused him loss — that helps raise demand for labour. India is in of face, of credibility and some of the moral righ- no position to meet this condition as we are teousness that propelled him to power. still in the process of fiscal consolidation. There is a time for undertaking certain structural reforms and there is a time for not doing so. Focussing on changes to labour laws at the present time, far from fostering ISRO makes India job creation, is likely to be counterproductive and can only result in proud again greater labour unrest. T.T. Ram Mohan is a professor at IIM Ahmedabad. E-mail: he Indian Space Research Organisation [email protected] (ISRO) crossed an important milestone with the successful launch of weather Tsatellite INSAT-3DR using a Geosyn- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR chronous Satellite Launch Vehicle equipped with the indigenous cryogenic upper stage. The success- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. ful launch marks a departure from the long history of failures with the GSLV; except for the first, every India elated The event is a great transformational numerous problems India faces. The service should have a basic relation Even after the Supreme Court has launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle tool to change attitudes towards government should have introduced to the cost involved in providing it ordered the release of water to Tamil (PSLV), the workhorse of ISRO, has been a success. The two young athletes, Thangavelu people with disabilities and shows biometric authentication in a phased (Editorial – “Efective, but not Nadu, regional outfits in Karnataka That September 8 launch marks the third consecut- Mariyappan and Varun Singh Bhati, that they too are an integral part of manner and conducted an equitable”, Sept.10). are bent on creating trouble. ive success; the fact that it is the first operational deserve rich praise for scripting society. But why was media coverage “eiciency survey” to understand Surge pricing is about exploiting Farmers in the delta region of Tamil history by clinching gold and bronze of the event minimal? problems at the ground level. The human exigencies and Nadu have always been dependent flight by the GSLV carrying the indigenous cryo- medals at the ongoing Paralympic right use of technology will help us vulnerabilities and is therefore on the Cauvery and the denial of genic upper stage is confirmation that India now Devendra Singh Budania, Games at Rio de Janeiro (“Twin Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan to achieve our goals but the unethical. One shudders to think of their just demands is bound to belongs to the elite club of countries that have delight as Indians strike gold, bronze unscientific and forceful manner in the consequences if surge pricing impact their livelihood. Constant mastered the cryogenic technology. Maintaining at Paralympics”, Sept.11). The medal which such technology is introduced finds its way to sectors like health disruptions in a State come at an structural and thermal integrity of the engine at winners need more assistance and The Aadhaar impact will only afect the eicacy of the care. Instead of resorting to economic cost as well. There have very high temperatures during combustion just a encouragement from the authorities The Public Distribution System has PDS. gimmicks such as surge pricing, the been similar problems between few centimetres away from – 250° C, a temperature concerned. always been known to be ineicient Gopichand Paturi, Indian Railways should realistically Kerala and Tamil Nadu with regard at which materials behave very diferently, is a huge Prem K. Menon, and mired in corruption (“Dark Hyderabad and comprehensively revise the fare to the Mullaperiyar and Siruvani challenge. Likewise, igniting a cryogenic fuel and Mumbai clouds over the PDS”, Sept.10). Now structure across the board to projects. With the issue of water sustaining the combustion for a prolonged period is that loopholes have been identified Large parts of rural India are still augment resources. Moreover, sharing remaining a constant It is unfortunate that economic — such as inadequacy of digitally unconnected; therefore, scarce resources should not be irritant, the Centre cannot just sit a daunting task. The Thursday launch had fully util- diiculties come in the way of commodities, lack of supervision of denying rations to those who do not thrown away on show pieces like back and watch the issue fester. ised the maximum payload carrying capacity of the nurturing one’s talent, as the PDS centres, paying bribes to obtain have an Aadhaar card is both unjust bullet trains. The priority should be There has to be a permanent and GSLV-Mk II by carrying the heaviest satellite (2,211 example of Mariyappan shows. One cards, etc — it must be restructured. and illegal. Without creating proper in improving basic passenger practical formula for the sharing the kg) ever from Indian soil. This became possible on- hopes that the district A 2005 survey report by awareness and training, imposing a amenities and safety. water between riparian States. ly because the cryogenic upper stage was used. Un- administrations in each State go Transparency International revealed cumbersome identification Manohar Alembath, Resorting to judicial relief is only a like solid and liquid propellants, the specific im- about identifying talent. As one of PDS corruption to the extent of procedure on the rural population Kannur, Kerala temporary and palliative measure. pulse or thrust provided by a cryogenic rocket the medal winners has said, had they Rs.356 crore a year. can prove counterproductive. Going A. Michael Dhanaraj, stage is much higher and is therefore more eicient got support early enough, they could Ritesh Raj, back to the use of ration cards is a Water sharing row Coimbatore to carry heavier payloads. have gone higher in their feats. Patna viable alternative. The report, “A dam and its Unlike in the case of the PSLV where industry N. Mahadevan, Gaurav Singhal, Conquering malaria Chennai Jean Dréze has clearly shown that Rewari, Haryana discontents” (Tamil Nadu editions, participation is around 80 per cent, it is only about praise of e-technology can be Sept.11), on the proposed Siruvani Sri Lanka’s malaria-free status is half in the case of the GSLV. ISRO is a research and It is R. Rajendran, Mariyappan’s premature. Aadhaar-based project by Kerala government, and remarkable considering the political development organisation and not a production or- physical education teacher at school, biometric authentication will not Nepotism in the Navy which has created outrage in Tamil instability and the Eelam wars that it ganisation, but the lack of greater industry par- who deserves praise for spotting the only repel most of the deserving Extending unlawful favours to near Nadu, was timely. However, I felt went through (Editorial – “Sri Lanka ticipation has resulted in it being unable to launch athlete’s talent early enough and beneficiaries but also create hurdles and dear ones is not something new that quite a few of the aspects conquers malaria”, Sept. 8). Its more satellites in a year using the GSLV. However, asking him to switch over to in the quick distribution of even in the highest echelons of our discussed did not have a connection success in public-private sector eforts are under way to change this and ISRO has athletics and high jump from foodgrain. Skilled and e-savvy polity. But the extension of such with the issue. The report would coordination will suggest solutions set a target of two GSLV launches in a year by 2018- volleyball. To me, this is what is workers are required. A chain is as favours to ignore trained oicers in have been complete had the views of in Afghanistan and Pakistan. While 2019. Even as the GSLV-Mk II has completed its first called providential grace. strong as its weakest link. the defence forces comes as a rude the Kerala government and residents India is inching closer to becoming shock (“‘Nepotism nuked our on the Kerala side of the Siruvani malaria-free, it would be best if it operational flight, ISRO is busy preparing for a S. Ramakrishnasayee, H.S. Dimple, Ranipet, Tamil Nadu Jagraon, Punjab careers’,” Sept.11). What is surprising river been sought. Kerala’s argument studies the Sri Lankan model. India’s ground qualification test of a more powerful GSLV- is the shameless and audacious act for constructing a check dam in the challenge is unique because of the Mk III launch vehicle in about two months. The No words of appreciation will be The PDS is a major contributor to of the naval oicer concerned who Attapadi region is that there are no scalability factor. first experimental flight using the GSLV-Mk III is enough to describe the enormous the widening gap between the rich elevated his son-in-law by bypassing major or medium retaining Perhaps SAARC could go in a unique scheduled to take place by the end of this year and and unstinted fighting spirit the two and the poor — an irony for an the expertise and training of other structures in the command area of direction by focussing on improving will use a new cryogenic engine. With an ability to special athletes displayed. Now that agro-based economy. Now, with the oicers in a very specialised field. the project. Most of the irrigation health care. India’s success in provide double the thrust compared with the cur- they have proved that they can win introduction of technology, it is sad Not being able to use the skills and facilities are privately owned lift eradicating polio, Bangladesh’s in rent cryogenic technology, the vehicle would be medals, the Central and State that it has only added to the agony of expert training of the 11 oicers is a irrigation systems, which are gender inclusion and Bhutan’s focus able to carry payloads up to four tonnes. This governments should provide them poor households. It is also a fact that loss to our national security, which confined to small patches. Further, on happiness as a part of unstinted support as well as to Internet connectivity speeds are an no nation can aford. It is surprising farmers, mainly tribals, rely mainly development are where we could would mean that the GSLV-Mk III, when fully oper- sports institutions and coaches to issue in India. A more feasible that the men kept quiet all along. on rain-fed agriculture. start. By focussing on health, social ational after three-four launches, will make ISRO seek out and nurture hidden talent. system is what is needed. N.S. Venkataraman, and gender issues, SAARC could truly independent by not having to rely on facilities V. Lakshmanan, J.S.V.S.K.N. Prasad, Raunak Agarwal, Tirupur, Tamil Nadu Chennai become the first-of-its-kind regional abroad for launching heavier payloads. Besides in- Mangaluru Kanpur body to focus on issues other than dependence, the country would stand to gain tre- Surge pricing There has always been acrimony those of a political/economic nature. mendously through cheaper launches. In the Paralympics, the focus of the It is obvious that using technology is between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Akshay Viswanathan, event is on ability, and not disability. not a one-stop solution to the The pricing of any product or over the sharing of Cauvery water. Thiruvananthapuram ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 There is a people’s alternative Kerala has a two-pronged strategy to get on the path of progress: long-term projects for comprehensive development, and succour for the poor and disadvantaged

down earlier. The government has taken over Schemes have been devised in association TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 the Palakkad unit of Instrumentation Limited with the Indian Medical Association to re- PINARAYI VIJAYAN which the Central government had recently duce infant deaths and maternity deaths as decided to shut down, thus saving it from well. closure. Likewise, the Kochi unit of Hindus- tan Organic Chemicals will also be protected Clean through green State of the In May 2016, the Left Democratic Front rode by the State government. Efforts are also un- A comprehensive project is being imple- on a wave powered by the hopes and aspira- der way to set up pharma and petrochemical mented to clear and remove waste from all Congress campaign tions of the people of Kerala to form a new parks in the State. Thousands of people will waterbodies in Kerala. Land cleaned up government in the State. Their hopes eman- be newly employed through such measures. through this project will be used for vegeta- ongress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s ated from the abject disdain they expe- We recognise that a well-educated young ble cultivation, so as to achieve self-suffi- “kisan yatra” continues to roll through rienced under the previous United Demo- generation is our State’s wealth. A scheme to ciency in agriculture. This will be a peoples’ Uttar Pradesh. In advance of the As- cratic Front regime towards their interests as foster around 1,500 start-ups is an attempt to participatory programme on the lines of sembly elections due early in 2017, Mr. well as that of the State’s environment. Agony encourage entrepreneurship among the literacy mission, democratic decentralisa- C brewed by the Central government’s policies youth and Rs.150 crore has been set aside for tion and peoples’ planning. Power generation Gandhi is on a Deoria-to-Delhi trek, and in its early days he has managed to keep the spotlight on his that struck at the very root of the sovereignty it. It has been decided to add one crore square from solar energy and wind energy will also presence in various ways. His “khaat sabhas” of the nation and all sections of our society feet to our existing IT parks. Efforts are also be a part of this project. created a flutter as some rural folk, invited to sit was also reflected in the Left’s victory. being made to attract successful IT firms to Our commitment to the environment is At a time when the global finance capital is establish themselves in Kerala. evident in our commitment to ensure the around informally, took off with the stringed cots. at its worst crisis and protests against it are strict implementation of the Kerala Conser- The subsequent wisecracks by political opponents rife throughout the world, we realise that a Social security and social justice vation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act of ILLUSTRATION: KESHAV about Congress workers struggling to stop the solid commitment to the people’s interests All welfare pensions have been increased 2008. Paddy cultivation is also being pro- flight of the khaats were, wisely, dovetailed into the alone can make a government relevant to “Industrial development to to Rs.1,000 per month and have been dis- moted in barren lands suitable for farming. message of acute rural distress that the party is those it governs. It is precisely why we have us is not merely the bursed to benefactors, including arrears; Aiming to make Kerala 100 per cent open def- seeking to amplify. A poor farmer making off with a developed a two-pronged strategy that will Rs.3,100 crore is being issued at the increased ecation-free by the 60th anniversary of Ker- freebie as basic as a charpoy was being called a guide us throughout the next five years. On establishment of new industries rate with effect from June 2016, through five ala Piravi (November 1, the day the State was thief, said Mr. Gandhi, taking aim at the BJP govern- the one hand, we will vigorously champion but also the protection of our types of pensions to 37 lakh pensioners at created) is also a pointer to our commitment ment at the Centre, while flamboyant businessmen long-term projects to achieve comprehens- public sector units.” their doorsteps before Onam. Measures have to the environment. who dupe banks were being politely referred to as ive development of the State and on the other, been taken to raise the minimum wages of There are four types of homeless people in we will relentlessly proceed with short-term 13,000 khadi workers as well as to establish a Kerala. Those with land, but no homes. defaulters. So far, Mr. Gandhi has taken potshots at relief measures to provide succour for our projects, particularly Kannur Airport, Kochi Khadi Village. The Mahatma Gandhi Na- Those with unusable homes that have di- all his opponents: he said the elephant (the election disadvantaged sections in their distress. Metro, Light Metro at Thiruvananthapuram tional Rural Employment Guarantee lapidated over time. Those who have no land symbol of the Bahujan Samaj Party) has eaten away and Kozhikode and Kochi Water Metro. Kan- Scheme, which plays a crucial role in ensur- and are living on encroached land. Those everything, the cycle (symbol of the ruling Sama- Towards comprehensive development nur Airport is set to become the biggest airing social security in Kerala, is being revived who have no land but cannot move out of jwadi government) is punctured, and Prime We are seized of the absolute necessity to port of India once it is operational in April to ensure working days equivalent to their current living places owing to their Minister Narendra Modi takes selfies with the pow- attract investment, to provide infrastructure 2017. As Kerala has a long coastline and Rs.1,000 crore through it. nature of work, like those in the fishing in- erful, not with ordinary farmers. If this gives the ap- and to develop industry so as to achieve a numerous inland waterbodies like rivers and Subsequent to the declaration of a three- dustry, estate workers, tribals, etc. We are un- pearance of indiscriminate attacks on all foes, the comprehensive development of the State. lakes, the construction of Kochi Water Metro month moratorium on all loans taken by en- dertaking a massive housing campaign, LIFE strategy may in fact be rather more carefully cali- Even though our finances are limited, we are has been initiated as part of the development dosulfan survivors, a comprehensive loan (livelihood, inclusion, financial empower- particular to not let that become a hindrance of the water transport sector which is waste- waiver scheme is being implemented to ment), to build houses for 2 lakh families brated. The Congress must know it has no chance in achieving our objectives. If we wait to at- free and less accident-prone. Light Metro is provide solace to around 10,000 families. The without land or housing in the next five of succeeding in its avowed aim of winning the tain adequate finances before proceeding our effort to reduce traffic congestion and government is bearing an additional ex- years. Six lakh people will benefit from this election alone — but to count as a political force in with developmental activities, Kerala might pollution in our cities. Efforts are on to devel- penditure of Rs.40 crore for this scheme in path-breaking initiative. As our State faces an U.P. and at the national level, the party needs to be get left behind in all spheres. That is precisely op our National Highways maintaining inter- which loans of up to Rs.5 lakh will be waived acute shortage of land, housing complexes seen to be backing itself, and being the primary why the government has reconstituted the national standards as well. The renovation of off. To alleviate the agrarian crisis in Way- will be built, requiring only 1,140 acres. Social spokesperson of the electorate’s aspirations. Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund our State’s district roads as well as rural roads anad, a moratorium has been declared on the security schemes will be initiated in the That these roadshows are not about U.P. alone is Board (KIIFB) for infrastructure de- along with the smart road project will also be loans of the farmers there, providing relief to housing complexes, as well as skill training obvious from the absence from the frame of the velopment and capital investment. An ordin- implemented without delay. them; Rs.50 crore is being allocated to allevi- for adults among the beneficiaries. Emphasis Congress’s chief ministerial candidate, Sheila ance was passed to attract investments out- Industrial development to us is not merely ate the distress of debt-ridden workers in the will be on financial empowerment and Dikshit. Whether the roadshows will meet with the side the budget, of up to Rs.50,000 crore in the establishment of new industries, but it is fishing industry as well. providing means of livelihood. the next five years for land acquisition, to also the protection of our public sector units. We are committed to ensuring compre- level of success that Sonia Gandhi’s 2004 campaign construct big roads, bridges, industrial parks While the Central public sector units are fa- hensive social security for the impoverished Progressive and secular society through U.P. or Mr. Gandhi’s own 2009 mobilisa- and to develop IT and tourism. The govern- cing threats of closure owing to negligence and distressed workers in the traditional sec- Our government has not minced words in tion did is still uncertain. Each of those journeys ment will provide guarantee for investments and faulty economic outlook of successive tor. Cashew factories shut down by the previ- exposing those outfits that can cause dishar- through U.P. gave the Congress the ability to throw made through KIIFB, which is a first in India. Central governments, the State is proposing ous government were reopened on Chingam mony in our society. We will continue our its voice farther on the national stage. Those were, Infrastructure is the backbone of indus- to breathe new life into such units in Kerala. 1 of the Malayalam calendar. Similarly, stay- staunch opposition to such destructive however, Lok Sabha campaigns, in which the Con- trial development and a quick and conveni- The State government has already proceeded ing true to our promise, we have established a forces and ensure that the progressive, secu- gress has tended to fare better than in State elec- ent transportation system is an absolute ne- with the renovation so as to enable the re- separate department for women. Budgetary lar nature of our society is nourished and tions. For instance, it got 21 (out of 80) Lok Sabha cessity for a modern society. We are on an opening of Fertilizers and Chemicals Travan- allocation has been made to construct public cherished. seats in 2009, but three years later managed just 28 overdrive to complete our infrastructural core Limited’s urea plant which was shut toilets, especially for the use of women. A government becomes relevant only when it is able to make a positive con- (out of 404) Assembly seats. Since then, in the sin- tribution in the day-to-day lives of its cit- gular summer of 2014 the BJP’s campaign left the CARTOONSCAPE izens. Our proposed Administrative Reforms Congress and the two regional giants witless. So Commission will enable us to ensure that the Congress campaign is being waged as much both government and bureaucracy makes a against the incumbent government in Lucknow as positive contribution to the people it gov- that in New Delhi. Mr. Gandhi’s media managers erns. Similarly, a government becomes de- have succeeded in moderating the surround sound pendable only when people realise that they of the yatra — with no sectional vote base anymore, will not falter on any promise made. Con- the Congress now has the opportunity to unveil a structing a house for the mother of Jisha, who cohesive, inclusive manifesto. was murdered in Perumbavoor, and making it available a day before the promised date; the decision to increase the rate of welfare pensions; reopening of cashew factories; dis- bursing the pensions of more than 37 lakh people at their homes within 100 days; and They are the fact that we were able to start the comprehensive loan waiver scheme as planned, all the world reflect our care for and commitment to the weaker sections of our society. Our determ- he findings of the Unicef report, Up- ination to fulfil every promise we have made rooted: The Growing Crisis for Refugee so far will be reflected in all our forthcoming and Migrant Children, could not be grim- programmes as well. Tmer. Over 50 per cent of the 50 million While all the naysayers in the world will children who have migrated or been forcibly dis- unite to tell us that there is no alternative, in placed across borders are said to have fled violence. this small State of Kerala, we, because of our About one in three children who live outside their sheer commitment to the people who have country of birth is a refugee. The much smaller ra- bestowed us with this responsibility of gov- tio of displacement for adults — less than one in 20 ernance, are leaving no stone unturned to achieve a people’s alternative; an alternative according to the UN High Commissioner for that caters to the hopes and aspirations of all Refugees — reveals the starkness of the situation. sections of our society. The UNHCR says that in the decade ending 2015, the number of child refugees almost doubled. Last Pinarayi Vijayan is the Chief Minister of Kerala. year, Syria and Afghanistan alone accounted for nearly half the world’s child refugees, highlighting the brutal impact of the war on a segment of society LETTERS TO THE EDITOR that had little to do with the conflict directly or oth- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. erwise and is the most vulnerable. The last decade saw two landmark rulings on the conscription of child soldiers. The first was the 2007 judgment of Worker protection Office of profit encourage students to think of a strengthen India-ASEAN relations Myanmar — one that the new career in space research. and increase connectivity with popular government is unlikely to the UN-backed tribunal for Sierra Leone against The article, “Labour’s love’s lost” The controversy over the “office of Vedant Mishra, Southeast Asia. Ms. Suu Kyi’s U.S acknowledge. In the past, Ms. Suu three men from a rebel armed group. The other was (Sept.12), raises a basic question: profit” issue will continue to drag on Unnao, Uttar Pradesh trip can be a game changer for Kyi has spoken about this but has the conviction of Congolese warlord Thomas Lub- whether the era of capitalisation can as long as the Supreme Court does Myanmar as Washington is eager to now fallen silent, and strangely, over anga by the International Criminal Court in 2012. enable social security. Can Indian not make clear which offices fall Following the atomic tests, ISRO collaborate with the Southeast inhuman acts committed against the Against this backdrop, the dramatic rise in school democracy allow the market to under the “office of profit” criteria. was blacklisted by the U.S., and Asian nation to counter China. Rohingyas. One wonders whether enrolment under a global universal primary educa- grow without establishing an If it’s about parliamentary sensitive technologies such as Myanmar can play a pivotal role in she endorses the view of the tion drive, or the halving of infant mortality rates egalitarian society? The answer is secretaries this time, it could be cryogenic engine science were deciding the geopolitics of the nationalists in Myanmar or is just under the Millennium Development Goals, seem ‘no’. The writer has not addressed another post or office the next. In denied to it. It was the consistent region. trying to please the majorities who like postcards from another universe. The shocking the basic apprehensions of labour Ashok Kumar Bhattacharya vs hard work of our scientific Vanshika Vijh, have helped her party win. unions seeking quality of life and Ajoy Biswas, the top court had community that enabled us to Ludhiana, Punjab reality of trafficking in boys and girls, conscription Khushi Singh Rathore, social security. ruled that to determine what overcome this barrier. India has now Jaipur by armed groups in conflict zones and exploitation A novel business model can be constitutes “office of profit”, each become a world leader in cost- After decades of despotic and in the sex trade has overshadowed these advances, thought of where private sector case must be judged in light of the effective space launches and isolationist military rule, the portending both immediate and long-term danger social security providers can be relevant provisions and sections. technologies. With the milestone of restoration of democracy in A ‘fail-safe’ step to whole generations. Paradoxically, the recom- involved. The net they provide can But this case-wise approach has launching a heavier payload, we no Myanmar is a good sign for India to The Maharashtra government’s mendations of the Unicef report are so compre- be based on equal monetary several ambiguities. Perhaps the longer have to depend on the further strengthen amicable move to no longer declare a Class X hensive that short of swift and sweeping changes in contributions from the government answer lies in following the England European Ariane launchers. ISRO relations with the country. candidate to have failed is an global policy and practice, they are unlikely to yield and the owner. The corpus created model — whenever a new office is has proved, yet again, that Myanmar is a key gateway to India’s illusion and will never address the tangible results. A case in point is the suggestion will enable the social and financial created, the law lays down whether technology has never been the “Act East policy” and can provide basic questions (“Maharashtra govt. that governments should address the root causes of security of the employee and it is an office of profit or not. repository of a few. huge trade opportunities between makes exams ‘fail safe’,” Sept.12). enhance employer-employee east Asian countries and northeast There is no doubt that this will help conflict, violence and extreme poverty, and instead Karan Dange, Gaurav Singhal, relations. New Delhi Rewari, Haryana India. to reduce the drop-out rate divert scarce resources to fulfil more fundamental Abhinav Sharma, Apart from ushering in especially among those who hail necessities of life. The spirit underlying this idea is Ludhiana, Punjab development, increasing from economically backward as compelling as the complexities of realpolitik that ISRO’s success Policy under Suu Kyi connectivity and enabling the sections. But to introduce an angle impede its translation into action. This is evident in Worker protection has become a ISRO has not looked back ever since India has always been an ardent economic integration of the of “parental pressure” is respect of the challenge of combating international myth in ideology and practice due to the launch and success of the Mars supporter of the values Aung San Northeast, it will also provide unwarranted. The government terrorism by a delineation of its political ante- massive corruption, nepotism and Orbiter Mission, showing to the Suu Kyi stands for (“On Suu Kyi’s economic opportunities for India in should have worked towards the cedents. Conversely, the idea to dispense with the favouritism taking a heavy toll on world the potential India has in itinerary”, Sept.12). The time is now terms of technology, medical and enhancing the quality of education detention of children seeking refugee status and to the available labour force. Policies space exploration, research and ripe for greater economic, political defence transactions. among the less privileged sections of the government, such as navigation. Other success stories and social cooperation with Gagan Pratap Singh, creating more opportunities for do away with reporting requirements, potentially MGNREGA, which are aimed at the such as the PSLV-C28 mission, Myanmar. Moving forward on the Noida, Uttar Pradesh children rather than making benefiting 11 million, is a more pragmatic proposal. welfare of unskilled workers are setting up of the IRNSS and testing India-Myanmar-Thailand highway compromises with academic Prima facie, there is merit in this approach, as gov- faltering because of inadequate of a scramjet engine are testimony project as well as the Kaladan multi- Behind the celebration of Ms. Suu standards at a crucial stage and ernments may be expected to take a more sym- monitoring by the government. to this. modal project can make India and Kyi’s participation in the democratic creating unemployable graduates. pathetic view on humanitarian imperatives. N. Visveswaran, What needs to be done now is to go Myanmar strong trading partners. process lies the dark reality of the Akshay Sarjerao Kamble, Chennai to the grass-root level and These initiatives will also help to plight of the Muslim minorities of Mumbai CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 A first step to wholesome reform The Supreme Court directive on quick uploading of first information reports will promote transparency and curb arbitrariness in police work

order visualises a circumstance in which the tion, the order should be welcome to every WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 authorities could sometimes decide against honest, apolitical citizen as one that carries uploading on grounds of security. The court few uncertainties and gives no room for any- however laid down that such decisions could one in authority to intimidate the police into

R.K. RAGHAVAN D. SIVANANDHAN not be taken unilaterally by a single police of- gross impropriety. In a country that still has a ficial. First, such decisions cannot be taken at substantial population which is unlettered Sharing a level lower that a deputy superintendent of and is befuddled by the complexities of our Last week the Supreme Court of India made police. Second, such a decision is appealable legal system, this new arrangement should without caring it mandatory for the police to upload within by an aggrieved party to a committee to be come as at least a partial antidote to the mis- 48 hours a First Information Report (FIR) set up by a district superintendent of police deeds of a law enforcement machinery that motions often trump reason. The Cauvery drawn up by it suo motu or on a complaint. or a commissioner of police. lapses into corruption and high-handedness water dispute is turning out to be less Aimed principally at protecting the accused The court also provided for the possible at the drop of a hat, especially in rural India. about water and irrigation and more about who may come to know that he figures in an objections of a technical nature that could be linguistic chauvinism and regional iden- FIR, but has no idea of the allegations which raised by vested interests — both policemen A telling cynicism E formed its basis, this order is also a shot in the and the political network — who did not Talking to officers across regions, we how- tity. Nothing else can explain the mindless violence in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Supreme arm for activists who want to protect citizens want FIRs to be publicised through the Inter- ever found a measure of cynicism on the from State harassment on flimsy grounds. In net. practicalities of implementing the apex Court order asking the former to release water to Youth Bar Asso- the latter, keeping in view the distress situation in this momentous order, court’s order. Weare not surprised at this, be- ciation of India v Union of India and others, Issue of logistics cause every time courts have sought to curb both States in a season of deficit rainfall. Many of Justices Dipak Misra and C. Nagappan laid One principal negative response to the or- police arbitrariness by clamping restrictions the acts of violence have been perpetuated in the down several guidelines which could help to der points to existing modest police re- on the day-to-day routine, there has been two States by chauvinistic, fringe organisationsthat promote transparency and curb arbitrariness ILLUSTRATION: SURENDRA sources, especially in the rural areas, that furtive resentment. This is why we strongly have little to do with the farming community or its in police work. could hinder easy implementation of the believe that we should not permit any interests. It is clear that there is insufficient water in The apex court direction, incidentally, also We would have been happier court directive. Many police stations, espe- sabotage of the latest court order. We should Karnataka’s reservoirs to meet the full irrigation benefits victims of crime who have no means had the Supreme Court’s order cially those in remote areas, may have a com- work towards building public opinion which needs of both States. The point of the Supreme of getting to know whether their complaint also addressed certain puter, but may not necessarily be connected would demand implementation of the direct- Court order was to make the States share their dis- had been brought on record or not. This is to the Web. Taking cognisance of this logist- ive both in letter and in spirit. For genuine ad- tress and not to magicallyfulfil the needs of farmers welcome because of the Indian police’s dubi- fundamental issues afflicting ical problem, the court permits the latitude of herence to what the court has laid down here, on both sides. But political parties and some media ous record of suppressing crime. Viewed in police administration extending the deadline for uploading FIRs and in several other instances, we need the this perspective, the court’s prescription from 24 to 48 hours, or even to 72 hours, un- stakeholders — the executive, policemen and houses, especially regional language television makes it difficult for station house officers to der special circumstances arising from the the lay public — to not flinch from their basic channels, have sought to portray the issue as one ignore crime, a common practice adopted ministers). We consider this latest fiat as ap- remote location of a police station. Such re- duty of wholeheartedly welcoming what the that pits the people of one State against that of the with a view to helping an offender or to dress propriate against continued reports from laxation of the time limit for uploading would court has said and spreading the message as other. Indeed, the two major national parties, the police statistics up so that they conceal even across the country of police misconduct for be related only to connectivity difficulties, widely as possible. Without this happening, Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, have taken a slight rise in crime. their own benefit or to satisfy the ruling and nothing else. we do not see any prospect of the directive different stands in the two States on this issue. No party. Wesuggest that where there is a connectiv- being followed strictly. party or State government appears to believe it can A logical next step In writing its order, the court ity issue, the solution would be to hand We have not forgotten about what afford to be seen as taking even so much as acon- Right through its history, the Supreme demonstrated an intense application of mind deliver expeditiously a hard copy of the FIR happened to the blueprint for police reform ciliatory step toward defusing the crisis. On some Court of India has distinguished itself by in respect of two issues: the need to protect to the district police headquarters — where that the Supreme Court drew up in Septem- coming out with directions which seek to national security, as well as the privacy of a connectivity may not be a problem — ber 2006 on the PIL filed by former Uttar Pra- previous occasions when Karnatakareleased water buttress the fundamental rights of citizens citizen; and the technical feasibility of imple- through a special messenger. An alternative desh Director General of Police Prakash in a distress year the State government did so guaranteed by the Constitution. We need to menting its directive that FIRs should be up- would be for the State Crime Branch CID at Singh. Our hearts ache while recalling the quietly so as to not give chauvinistic elements any recall how the court has been tirelessly active loaded within 48 hours of their registration. police headquarters to act as the repository tendentious dilution of all that the court pre- opportunity to inflame passions. in ensuring that police arrests of individuals According to the order, there will be exemp- or nodal agency to undertake the task of up- scribed on that occasion in the hope that we Cauvery is an inter-State dispute, but this is no are kept to the minimum, and when taken in tion from the directive when the alleged of- loading of FIRs. Most States are small and would succeed in establishing an au- reason to turn the issue into a raging controversy custody, the accused/suspects are accorded fence is sensitive, such as sexual violence or transmission of FIRs even to the CID by spe- tonomous and professional police force. that draws the peoples of the two States into con- civilised treatment, including access to legal one in which there is an angle of national se- cial police messengers is practical. We estim- We would have been happier had the Su- frontation. That Tamil-speaking people settled in assistance. The decision prescribing expedi- curity, insurgency or terrorism. We endorse ate that each State may, at the maximum, have preme Court’s latest order on FIRs incident- obiter dictum Karnataka for generations are made to feel insec- tious uploading of FIRs on to the Internet is this exception, because we are living in times about 100 FIRs each day to upload to the Net. ally — by way of —addressed ure, and business establishments run by entrepren- therefore in sync with the court’s consistent when both privacy and terror issues matter In our view, the Supreme Court order is certain fundamental issues afflicting police stand that human rights are sacrosanct and greatly. therefore eminently practical. administration. The first is one of police re- eurs tracing their familial ties to Karnataka are tar- cannot be trampled upon out of malice or at The uploading of FIRs will also not be me- If you ignore these minor logistical diffi- sources at the grass-root level being grossly geted in Tamil Nadu are indications of how the the instigation of the political executive (read chanical and as a simple rule of thumb. The culties in the way of its quick implementa- inadequate. It is not uncommon for many po- water dispute goes beyond the interests of the peo- lice stations in the country to each have an ef- ple and becomes mixed up with the emotive issue CARTOONSCAPE fective complement of what is less than 10 of linguistic identity. Ideally, as stipulated by the staff at any point of time. This is ridiculously Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, the technicalit- small. The scene is particularly deplorable in ies of water-sharing should be left to the Cauvery rural stations. This is explained by the fact of Management Board, which is to monitor the water many States having a huge number of vacan- flows with the help of the Cauvery Regulation cies, a state of affairs that can be solved mainly through systematic annual Committee and the respective State authorities. If recruitment. It is scandalous that many Cauvery is not to be made a plaything in the hands States are woefully negligent in this respect. of chauvinists, the governments of the two States as A judicial direction that makes annual well as at the Centre need to send out a strong sig- recruitment mandatory would go a long way nal to the marauding mobsters that violence, in in alleviating this ill. whatever name, will be put down strongly by the A more painful fact is the extent of graft security forces. As laid down by the CWDT, the is- that prevails at police stations in many re- sue of water-sharing should be left in the hands of gions of the country. There are very few po- technical experts, and not politicians who are host- lice stations where a citizen can get his com- age to the emotions of a parochial fringe. plaint registered without greasing the palm of the station house officer. This goes unchecked because of the graft at supervisory levels. Choice of officers to head districts police forces is often on the basis of their politi- The ceasefire cal leaning and pliability, rather than on their professional competence. As long as this in Syria situation remains unchanged, prescriptions such as transparency in FIR-related matters he agreement reached between Russia may end up being purely cosmetic. and the United States in Geneva on a ceasefire in Syria is perhaps the best op- R.K. Raghavan is a former CBI Director. D. Sivanandhan is a portunity for a solution to the five-and-a- former Commissioner of Police, Mumbai and a former DGP T Maharashtra. half-year old civil war. Under it, Russia will prevent the regime of President Bashar al-Assad from bombing rebel-held areas, while the U.S. will join LETTERS TO THE EDITOR hands with Russia in the fight against jihadist Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. groups, including the Islamic State. The broad framework of the deal is the Putin Plan, made pub- Cauvery protests Leaders across the political announce a 100 per cent crop Political parties of both States have justice schemes are laudable, Mr. lic a year ago while announcing Russia’s interven- spectrum from Karnataka and Tamil insurance scheme to all farmers of chosen to ignore best water-saving Vijayan needs to strive hard to tion in Syria. Vladimir Putin wanted Syrian state- The dispute between Karnataka and Nadu need to meet and get inputs Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in case management practices. In the achieve comprehensive hood to be restored and the major powers to come Tamil Nadu over sharing of Cauvery from an impartial technical they are unable to raise a successful Cauvery command areas, development. together in the fight against the jihadists. When water points to this: it is not about a committee and even foreign experts. crop because of a lack of Cauvery unauthorised irrigation for high C.R. Ananthanarayanan, Russia made the proposal at the UN General As- shortage of water or the Israel has mastered the art of water. India is prosperous enough to water consumptive crop like paddy Bengaluru sembly, not many had expected that Moscow and development of water sources but prudent water management. Why make this assurance. There must has got out of hand. Command area Washington would come together on Syria. The about the management of the water not seek its help? also be a scheme to make foodgrains development authorities, the Indian It is clear that the Chief Minister is U.S.’s initial response to the Russian intervention in a sustainable manner. The H.N. Ramakrishna, available. Council of Agricultural Research confident even as he has observed was sceptical, with reservations about Russia at- festering issue can be solved if there Bengaluru K.S. Venkateswaran, supported institutions and that “though our finances are tacking non-IS rebel groups. There were fears is an emphasis on improved Chennai agricultural universities have also limited, we are particular to not let technologies for water conveyance, September 12 is a black day in the failed to educate farmers that become a hindrance in about the conflict escalating into a full-blown war. delivery and allocation. In the end, history of Karnataka. We have read It is high time the Central and State downstream to use research outputs achieving our objectives”. It can be Instead, the Putin Plan seems to have worked, albeit the two States have to live with each about anarchy in books, but we governments enact laws to rein in relating to best water management seen in the disbursement of all with a heavy human cost. The intervention has other and must forget the bitterness witnessed one in practice. It was a the media which had a field day practices. Various experimental pensions in the stipulated time, as bolstered the Syrian regime, changing the balance (“Karnataka erupts over SC order field day for lumpen elements to beaming provocative visuals and stations and projects sites have proclaimed in the LDF manifesto. of the conflict. Mr. Assad’s regime was on the verge on Cauvery”, Sept. 13). indulge in arson. It is shocking that advancing their own provocative demonstrated the success of the His assurances on water transport of collapse a year ago; it is now stable at least in its A.J. Rangarajan, political leaders have described the ideas and opinions. It is a pity that system of rice intensification development are bound to hit strongholds. The rebels’ influence has shrunk, Chennai Supreme Court’s order as the freedom of speech is method without the use of hurdles. His silence on action taken though they appear to be unbeatable inmany of the “unfortunate”. The violence had misunderstood and misused in pesticides. It can lead to water against corrupt Ministers and small towns they control. This stalemate and the The mindless torching of buses and very little to do with the water order to boost vested interests. savings of up to 60 per cent. Both officials is disturbing as the electoral the inciting of youngsters to resort dispute. The failure on the part of States have competent water verdict was primarily against fear of more bloodshed may have prompted both V.S. Ganeshan, to stone throwing and arson are the police department was Bengaluru management experts. The Centre corruption and the misdeeds of the the U.S. and Russia to play down their differences. indicative of a planned and exceptional and phenomenal. The should think in terms of supporting UDF. This was missing from the This time, the prospects for peace are brighter orchestrated affair (“TN goes on fact that even the U.S. issued an The Cauvery Water Tribunal should a national project on integrated article. given the investment the two military powers have high alert”, “SETC stops plying to advisory shows that Bengaluru’s evolve a suitable mechanism for the water resource management in the B. Prabha, made. Both the rebels and the regime have wel- Karnataka”, “Arson, violence shut image has been tarnished. sharing of water based on different Cauvery basin with support from an Varkala, Kerala comed the deal. There are positive changes at the down Bengaluru-Mysuru highway” K.R. Jayaprakash Rao, levels at the Krishnaragasagar dam institution such as the Asian regional level as well. Turkey, a staunch supporter and “U.S. issues advisory”, all Sept. Mysuru — at buffer water level, 50 feet, 100 Development Bank. Fading NAM? of the rebels, had recently said Mr. Assad could play 13). The violence was allowed to ft, 120 ft and and the full height of N.R. Jagannath, a transitional role in Syria. Two big challenges re- escalate to a level before the police . 125ft. The straightjacketed equation Bengaluru For all his faults, Prime Minister main. First, can Russia halt Mr. Assad’s fighter jets? were allowed to act, which is a clear Fringe elements should vent their and the formula of sharing water at Jawaharlal Nehru’s policy of non- indication of political backing and anger against their respective full-flow (based on which 192 tmc is alignment prevented India from Though Moscow wields strong influence over instigation. The ruling Congress governments and State political awarded to Tamil Nadu annually) is Pinarayi’s vision being caught in the web of the Cold Damascus, it has in the past expressed uneasiness party and the Opposition have to parties for their continuous failure not working. The article, “There is a people’s War. NAM helped many countries over the stubbornness of the regime. The regime is share the blame. All it would have in finding a more dynamic solution. A.V. Narayanan, alternative”, by Kerala Chief to gain a voice at international fora. now making gains in the battlefield. Even if Mr. As- taken was for political leaders to The issue also highlights the Tiruchi Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, read It may have suffered a setback but it sad agrees to suspend the bombing, it is not clear if jointly appeal for peace — but it inability of the governments more like a Governor’s address in is by no means irrelevant (“The he will be prepared to make any meaningful com- never happened. concerned to maintain harmony or The intensity of the violence in the State Assembly highlighting the Margarita mirror”, Sept.13). It can promises in the peace talks. Second, the rebels Sunil Iyengar, take stern action against vandalism. Karnataka especially stems from achievements and ambitions of the still play an important role on fighting the regime are not a unified force. Russia Bengaluru Since the hydrological cycle and fears of a water crisis in summer. elected government. Kerala has not international fora to meet goals in wants Fateh al-Sham, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda, precipitation are becoming difficult These are not misplaced. had a stable government for a long health care, sustainable With the southwest monsoon to forecast, the Centre and Environmental factors are to blame. time with people voting for the UDF development, curbing global to be singled out and attacked. The U.S. has agreed turning erratic each passing year, vulnerable States must invest in The two States need to think of or LDF alternately. Successive warming and terrorism. India was to this suggestion in principle, but its practicality is especially in the Malnad belt which global technologies that might help large-scale water management, and, governments have done nothing to one of the main pillars on which uncertain. However, the odds should not overshad- is the prime catchment area for the in averting a water crisis. if necessary, build new and larger gain investor confidence and NAM stood and the Prime ow the significance of the agreement. If the cease- Cauvery, planners need to have a Gowtham G., reservoirs across the State just for promote the economy of the State. Minister’s absence will send out the fire is clearly established, that itself would be quite vision for water management. How Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu drinking water. Hartals and political murders have wrong signals. an achievement given the horrors of the war. long can we keep blaming climate Thomson Rappai, become a way of life in Kerala. Akshay Viswanathan, change and dwindling forest cover? The Ministry of Agriculture must Ollur, Kerala While the social security and social Thiruvananthapuram CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 Letting Nepal be It should be in India’s interest to leave Nepal free to sort out its own challenges. New Delhi should consider the need for economic growth in U.P. and Bihar when it sits down to strategise on Nepal

— the intelligence operatives, the Bharatiya provinces to make them more plains-ori- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 Janata Party/Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, ented and stretching east-west from end-to- KANAK MANI DIXIT assorted godmen, and so on. end. Whereas this is purportedly at the be- India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) hest of ‘Madhesbaadi’ politicians, it is not at will hopefully deepen its own study of all clear that this will benefit Nepal’s Mad- Nepal. An understanding of the geography, hesi people of plains origin and whether the Running in It is time for New Delhi to decide to what ex- demography, economy, the democratic urge demographic make-up of the Terai-Madhes tent it is in the interest of India to deepen its of the citizenry, as well as the history of the plains will allow the proposed the family intervention in the political affairs of Nepal. oldest and non-colonised nation-state of reconfiguration. There is much to do bilaterally on the envi- South Asia makes Nepal (comparatively) a Since the Indian interlocutors are so khilesh Yadav’s tussle with his “uncles” ronmental, cultural, economic fronts, and different kind of country within South Asia. openly pushing the amendment agenda, al- has been a consistent feature of his the dangers of keeping Nepal constantly in- For now, MEA-India’s focus seems exclus- most as if to teach Kathmandu a lesson, let tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pra- secure and on the boil open up the possibil- ively geo-strategic, to do with ‘controlling’ them consider that the final formula must desh. But the rapid developments of this ity of societal instability leaching to adjacent Nepal and its natural resources and counten- perforce benefit the Terai-Madhes plains, A Indian States. ancing China across the Himalayan range. where there is both density of population week could mark the deepest fissure in the ruling Samajwadi Party. In the span of a few hours on One doubts whether New Delhi think This exclusive preoccupation must be re- and concentration of poverty. The Madhesi Tuesday, tensions that have simmered ever since tanks have considered the economic impact viewed because of the transformed ground people, citizens suffering historical discrim- Mr. Yadav came to power in early 2012 rose to a cre- political stability in Nepal would have on the realities where much has changed in terms ination at the hands of the Kathmandu state, dispossessed northern regions of Bihar and ILLUSTRATION: SURENDRA of aspirations and access to information on should not be penalised by geopolitics and scendo. Mr. Yadav shifted out the State Chief Uttar Pradesh. The open border creates such all sides. the all-too-evident weaknesses of the Nepali Secretary, Deepak Singhal, who had been in the an interconnected sociocultural web that a Prime Minister Dahal must be national leadership. post for only two months, a man seen to be close to stable and prosperous Nepal will be a perceived as a representative of Geophysical sensitivity Shivpal Singh Yadav, brother of his father and SP catalyst for this region. The weakness of The transforming economy, terrain and Tourism-without-borders chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav. In no time, the Chief Nepal Studies in Indian academia is Nepal’s polity rather than a leader geopolitics of the central Himalaya demand There are myriad other pressing issues be- Minister was replaced by Mr. Shivpal Yadav as the astounding, and can only be the result of in trouble with vulnerabilities to an evolved doctrine of engagement with yond constitutional amendment where the party’s U.P. unit president. Thereafter, Mr. Akhilesh overwhelming preoccupation with geopoli- be exploited Nepal, even for India’s own self-interest. A Nepal-India relationship is presently Yadav stripped his uncle of most of the portfolios tics, with little interest in the welfare of In- new world is beckoning, far different from wedged. Vitally, there is the need to plan he held in the Cabinet. There the matter now rests, dia’s own peripheral populations. when India’s doctrine on the Himalayan rim- cross-border linkages and projects related to with party confabulations with Mr. Mulayam Singh The attention of South Block seems fo- Dahal to India is important to get the rela- land was encoded in the early 1960s. natural resources — whether and what kind cused entirely on ‘correcting’ Nepal’s new tionship back on track after the train wreck Environmental stresses have increased of dams and reservoirs are to be built; evalu- shifting to Delhi, and the young scion issuing state- Constitution through amendments, mainly of the past year. His Cabinet is also well- right along the Himalayan chain over the ating embankments along the main rivers for ments asserting his writ as Chief Minister of U.P. relating to the configuration of federal units. placed to hold out an olive branch to the irate past half century, and human intervention is the silt they trap; the environmental dangers How this realigns the SP’s lines of authority, and Given the lack of active interest amongst In- ‘Madhesbaadi’ politicians, whose par- drastic, as seen in the violence done to the to both sides from excavation of the Chure eventually shapes its campaign for the Assembly dian politicians, academia and civil society, ticipation is needed for a stable polity. Teesta’s flow in Sikkim or the madness in the (Shivalik) hills to feed India’s need for rocks elections, depends on what gives in the family feud. the field has been left open for diplomats and New Delhi must now internalise the les- construction of hill roads in Nepal. The en- and boulders; or the meaning of receding The Chief Minister and his “uncles” have made intelligence operatives to determine the sons from its unfettered show of displeasure tire Himalaya and the plains of the Ganga glaciers (mainly the result of the South Asian moves and counter-offensives on a crowded chess- course of action, the latter having enjoyed in- regarding Nepal’s adoption of the make up one ecosystem, requiring geophys- ‘brown cloud’) for the entire downstream board these past years, with Mr. Mulayam Singh creasing leeway in Kathmandu over the past Constitution of 2015, by a Constituent As- ical even more than geopolitical sensitivity. region. keeping the ultimate command in his own hands. decade. sembly elected through democratic, repre- Certainly, it will not do for South Block to Nepal and India need to discuss regulating The level of interference claimed by the sentative elections. Meanwhile, the larger act like an imperial directorate on Nepal, the open bilateral border without comprom- The Opposition, for its part, never loses the oppor- writer is confirmed by authors and analysts Indian polity must pay heed to the fallout of foisting a uniform and unchanging vision of ising its status as the most ‘naturally evolved’ tunity to highlight how the Chief Minister is under- celebrated in New Delhi circles, but there micro-meddling on Nepal. Himalayan security. It is past time for New frontier of the region. Kathmandu needs to mined by his “uncles”, those related by blood and has been no pullback perhaps because of an There was a time when Nepal’s polity was Delhi’s commentariat to get over the per- consider social security of the uncounted those who exercise authority by virtue of their long unspoken acknowledgement of India’s supported at the highest level in India be- functory tags of who is ‘pro-Indian’ and ‘pro- but more than three million Nepali citizens stint in the party — the allegation is that in effect ‘right’ to intervene in the neighbourhood. cause of the respect and clout of top-rung Chinese’, a simplistic formulation which working in India, while New Delhi must ad- the State has four-and-a-half chief ministers. The political leaders who had fought for Indian hurts only oneself vis-à-vis the need for nu- dress the vulnerabilities of Indian citizens of result of this tussle is that at every point of discord, Micro-meddling independence alongside Jawaharlal Nehru, ance in international relations. Nepali origin, as well as Indians working it is made evident that the Chief Minister does not Few independent observers in Kath- Rajendra Prasad et al. The last of these At a time when the railway has arrived on north of the border. How will the introduc- hold enough sway over the party organisation — in mandu (or New Delhi, for that matter) would statesmen was G.P. Koirala, after whose the Tibetan plateau, there is no need to deny tion of biometric ID cards in India impact turn, Mr. Akhilesh Yadav loses no opportunity to doubt that Indian interlocutors had a hand in passing in 2010 Nepal’s governance came un- Nepal’s need to ease its landlocked-ness by the status of Nepali citizens working legally the cobbling together of the present coali- der the influence of little men willing to kow- extending highway connectivity northwards under the umbrella of the 1950 Treaty of emphasise that his calling card in politics is clean, tion government of the Maoists and Nepali tow even to junior personnel at the Indian — especially when the Indian economy itself Peace and Friendship, and can Nepal’s own aspirational governance that is focussed on de- Congress, headed by the Maoist Pushpa Embassy in Kathmandu, or any passer-by stands to benefit. upcoming national ID card help in the man- velopment and law and order. In the run-up to the Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. The government who claimed to speak for ‘India’. aging the movement of citizenry? State elections, he is seeking to foreground this im- of K.P. Oli had aroused displeasure in New Kathmandu’s politicos are the primary Terai-Madhes fixation From public health to shared economic age, and pushing back on the discord with his Delhi corridors for standing up to the culprits for this erosion of the bilateral rela- But as Mr. Dahal arrives, the main focus of growth, promoting tourism-without-bor- uncles. A day before the Chief Secretary’s sacking, economic blockade and signing trade and tionship, and their inability to stand up to the Indian authorities is disappointingly nar- ders to developing mutual academic depth, he dismissed two Ministers caught in corruption transit agreements with Beijing (themselves pressure has been well-exposed. There is rowed down to amendments to the new Nepal and India must work as one. But the charges, evidently without securing his father’s made possible by the economic blockade). also not a little confusion in Kathmandu as to Constitution, mainly having to do with alter- future cannot be built by ‘controlling’ Nepal nod. Earlier, he forced the revocation of a Shivpal- Despite all this, the visit of Prime Minister who speaks for ‘India’ besides South Block ing the demarcation of the announced seven through planned build-up of a pliant political class in Kathmandu. engineered merger of the Quami Ekta Dal into the There has to be a rebuilding of empathy SP, on account of its criminal antecedents. Mr. CARTOONSCAPE and trust between the two governments, Akhilesh Yadav could, in fact, pull this discord to which must start by rolling back the hyper- the party’s electoral advantage. He does not carry activism of the bureaucracy and rebuilding the burden of incumbency issues, primarily the of relationships between the politicians of politics of patronage and rent-seeking. But for this two sides. Despite his problematic past, to happen he may have to force his father to show Prime Minister Dahal must be perceived as a his hand more unambiguously and recover some representative of Nepal’s polity rather than a control of the SP’s State unit. leader in trouble with vulnerabilities to be exploited. Nepal is hardly a paragon nation-state, and historical prejudices and inequities have Sapping India’s percolated down to the present. But one daresay that Nepal should be allowed to make and learn from its own errors rather vitality than evolve as a client state that will forever he death of several people in Delhi linked be a canker on the side of India. Nepal must move on, starting with local government to an outbreak of dengue, chikungunya elections in the spring (they have not and malaria has once again exposed the happened for 18 years), which will also indic- Tinadequacy of national public health pro- ate the start of the Constitution’s actual grammes that aim to eliminate vector-borne dis- implementation. eases. There was a sharp increase in the incidence It should be in India’s interest to leave of chikungunya in the country in 2015 over the pre- Nepal free to sort out its own challenges. It vious year, although official data do not attribute would also help if New Delhi would consider any deaths to the infection. Dengue cases have also the need for economic growth in Uttar Pra- steadily risen, from 75,808 in 2013 to 99,913 last year, desh and Bihar when it sits down to with the death toll rising from 193 to 220 during this strategise on Nepal.

period. The footprint for malaria has grown, with Kanak Mani Dixit, a writer and journalist based in over 1.1 million cases last year, although the number Kathmandu, is founding editor of the magazine Himal of people dying from the infection has shown a re- Southasian. cent decline, going by official statistics. It must, of course, be borne in mind that there is some evid- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ence of under-reporting of malaria, leading to the Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. criticism that the full impact of the disease is not captured by government data. Delhi’s residents are, Trimming pendency In S.P. Gupta vs Union of India, source of the Cauvery. To us the should think in terms of the go unchecked, leading to of course, not alone in suffering from the failures of 1981 long-running vector control programmes, although , the Supreme Court declared river is a mother, a life-giver and a nationalisation of major rivers and undesirable and dangerous Law Commission of India Chairman that the Constitution is a charter of a protector. I pose this question to dams. With climate change affecting ramifications. This is particularly they are justified in feeling disgusted at the politic- and former Supreme Court judge social revolution. If ever a social those who are aggressively the monsoon, the government needs true after its failure to avoid a face- isation of the problem. The irony is that India, with Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan is right revolution is to occur, the judiciary propagating the slogan “Cauvery to think ahead and push States to off between Punjab and Haryana its focus on rapid economic growth and prosperity, in saying that the judicial workload has to be at its vanguard. Nammadu”: Where were you when have separate projects for drinking over the construction of the Sutlej- is nowhere near victory in the battle against prod- has increased because of greater Considering that there are on locals in Kodagu protested against and agricultural purposes. Yamuna link canal. uctivity-sapping infections spread by mosquitoes awareness among the public and the average 2,500 cases allotted to a the large-scale felling of trees in the Maheshkumar T., ‘The Cauvery Tribunal’s 2007 award and other insects, while a nimble neighbour like Sri role of the RTI (“Approved strength single judge per year, the argument region in 2013? — The Hindu, “Work Mulanur, Tamil Nadu should be revisited to recalibrate the Lanka could declare itself malaria-free. of judges enough to end backlog: that judges are “not working” is on power line begins in Kodagu share of each riparian State based on There are several aspects to the Sri Lankan expe- Law panel head”, Sept.14). Even the misplaced. amid people’s concerns”, Nov.12, In its 1931 judgment on the Delaware a rainfall-linked formula. rience that could help evaluate the efforts of India’s Prime Minister has acknowledged The real problem lies in tackling the 2013). river dispute between the State of Shreyans Jain, States in their battle to control disease-spreading the relevance of technology and backlog of cases. The approved Some might say that this is the price New Jersey and the State of New New Delhi transparency in tackling corruption. strength will not be sufficient in one pays for development. But the York, the Supreme Court of the vectors. Better results were achieved by the island Apart from having “working judges”, taking care of this load. irreparable damage caused to green United States observed: “[A] river is nation through integration of different approaches. Depiction of Onam rather than physical bench strength, Jagmal Singh Achara, cover and disturbance to wildlife more than an amenity, it is a This includes focussing on mosquito control in ir- government services must be Mandawa, Rajasthan has, not surprisingly, led to news of treasure. It offers a necessity of life The national party, the BJP, appears rigation and agriculture, introducing new classes of gradually made online. drought in Kodagu. that must be rationed among those to be at it again (“Shah triggers row insecticides for residual spraying within houses, Gudipati Anirudh, Calm after crackdown It is shocking that in just two years, who have power over it.” This was on Onam eve with Vamana tweet”, and scaling up distribution of insecticide-treated Secunderabad an area that in its history had never precisely the essence of the Supreme Sept.14). Kerala is one State where bed nets even in areas caught up in conflict. Mobile Given the scale of the violence and heard of a drought, is now staring at Court of India’s direction to the people of all communities and centres for access to diagnostics and treatment also We certainly don’t need strength in arson in Karnataka, the needle of a harsh year ahead. Acute water Karnataka government to release religious beliefs live in complete helped halt disease transmission. For India to numbers. Instead, we need to suspicion points to the involvement shortage in this catchment area is 15,000 cusecs of water per day to harmony. upgrade existing systems and revisit of politicians in the State only going to get worse because of Tamil Nadu till September 20. Onam is a secular festival with even achieve its goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, and archaic laws. Why do courts enjoy (”Bengaluru quiet after crackdown”, the systematic stripping of the However, the arson and rioting that churches in the State celebrating it curb other vector-borne diseases, there has to be vacations like academic institutions Sept.14). Western Ghats. Burning buses and followed has brought to light the with fervour and gaiety. It is a known sustained effort and political will. The dengue map when we are groaning under the However, it is also to be fairly indulging in arson are never going to short-sightedness of policymakers in fact that in spite of a sizeable for 2015 shows that Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, West weight of a backlog of cases? conceded that the imbalance in the solve the real issue. The media bringing the adjudication and presence of the RSS in Kerala, the Bengal and Gujarat were the worst-affected. On Adjournments should be restricted sharing of Cauvery water, which is should highlight these issues in such arbitration efforts to fruition. BJP has been unable to convert this chikungunya, Karnataka needs special help, as it to the bare minimum as there are detrimental to the interests of a way that the so-called “owners of Instead, it has reiterated the need for into votes. The country has has a disproportionately higher incidence com- numerous instances where justice Karnataka, is at the root of the the Cauvery” know that you reap a permanent and dynamic riparian witnessed unruly incidents and pared to other States. Evidently, it will take active has been awarded posthumously. conflict. Both Tamil Nadu and what you sow. dispute resolution mechanism in the disturbances caused by the surveillance and close collaboration with local gov- Special and family courts should act Karnataka need to be pragmatic and Renuka Devayya, country (Editorial – “Sharing machinations of blinkered leaders. ernments to eliminate the hotspots. Mobilising the fast. There is also an urgent need to work out a practical and equitable Bengaluru without caring”, Sept.14). While the One hopes that responsible citizens stop burdening the Supreme Court formula instead of sticking to an Union government should be stand up against such mischievous community to participate in sanitation campaigns with routine appeals. We need more archaic accord which does not factor In the name of the Cauvery, the applauded for making efforts to sort attempts to destabilise a peaceful holds the key, although families that live in de- counsellors/arbitrators to dissuade in climate change. violence unleashed in Karnataka out the problem between principal State especially as Kerala has always prived neighbourhoods will need generous people from resorting to litigation S. Srinivasan, should make us bow our heads in players through the institutional been a role model of communal municipal assistance, improved civic facilities and and try and arrive at a compromise. Chennai shame. The festering issue around mechanism of the Cauvery River harmony and peaceful coexistence. access to free health care. Prem K. Menon, an intermittent river such as the Authority, it cannot escape the Varghese George, Mumbai I belong to Kodagu, or Coorg, the Cauvery shows that the Centre accusation of allowing the dispute to Secunderabad CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 A party in a hurry If it fails to learn from the Punjab and Delhi experience, the Aam Aadmi Party will tend to increasingly resemble other parties it is prone to attack and abuse

resolve conflict between political interests power. F RIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 represented in the Congress ensured that no Certainly corruption is a critical issue that NEERA CHANDHOKE one interest gained or lost too much. Be- stalks high economics and politics as well as cause the AAP has not established such pro- everyday life in India. The issue, however, cedures, we witness the ignominious spec- hardly forms the stu of which an inspired tacle of leaders exiting the party in a hu and and visionary party manifesto is authored The message from Political scientists write with some regret of blasting the dictatorial tendencies of Mr. and drafted. Destruction of corruption how a political movement that had tapped Kejriwal. through administrative means should be an Shahabuddin the consciousness of lakhs of Indians essential precondition for democracy. In In- through sustained and patient mobilisation, Delhi rerun in Punjab? dia, the ignoble phenomenon has become a If there is one person who embodies the contradic- dissemination of ideology, and shared un- The same political spectacle is now being surrogate for democracy; an alibi for author- tions in the alliance between the Janata Dal derstanding of what is wrong with our soci- re-enacted in Punjab in the run-up to the itarian proclivities. In the process, politics (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, it is the ety and what can be done about it atrophied 2017 State elections. Earlier this year, the has been reduced to management. And a po- criminal-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabud- and folded up when it began to rule. The em- AAP eectively challenged the monopoly litically imaginative and innovative vision of din. A former Member of Parliament of the RJD pirical referent is, of course, the Indian Na- on political power exercised by the Shiro- how complex problems can be resolved has tional Congress. In the 1970s, the once char- mani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party been diminished to populism. who is now out on bail after spending 11 years in jail, ismatic and sage leadership of the Congress (SAD-BJP) alliance on the one hand, and the he symbolised everything that was wrong with the reduced itself into a bunch of courtiers pay- Congress on the other. Mr. Kejriwal ap- Populist politics Lalu Prasad raj in Bihar. Indeed, when Nitish Ku- ing ritualised homage to the leader. In the peared on to the political horizons of Punjab It is precisely in these spheres that the mar first took over as Chief Minister in 2005, he second decade of the 21st century, India wit- as a swashbuckling Roman gladiator, and AAP has been unable to transcend its ori- seemed intent on making an example of the gang- nessed a contrary phenomenon. A civil soci- metaphorically girded his loins to cure the gins as an anti-corruption movement. Mr. ster who defied law-enforcing authorities and en- ety movement against corruption mutated twin malaise of misgovernance and dep- Kejriwal heaps abuse on politicians deemed sured his writ ran in his constituency Siwan. With into a political party, and in two consecutive rivation in the State. Reeling under two to be corrupt and threatens them with im- Shahabuddin roaming free in Bihar on being gran- years formed a government in Delhi. The To provide solutions to perennial terms of the SAD-BJP alliance, the people of prisonment. What are his solutions to the ted bail by the Patna High Court, Mr. Kumar will victory of the party showed a mirror to es- Punjab breathed, or so initial surveys held, a other problems of the State? Re-enacting the tablished political parties that increasingly sigh of relief. At last someone who does not well-worn script of political agendas in Pun- necessarily have to ignore his veiled threats and problems, the AAP has to learn to rely on the supposed charisma of one man combine the politics of political carry the historical burdens of Punjab on his jab, he promised the status of a holy city to snide remarks. When Mr. Kumar got the govern- or woman to win elections. shoulders has come to rescue people from Amritsar and Anandpur Sahib, easing of ment to pursue the cases against the gangster, he mobilisation with political vision non-performing Punjabi politicians. debts, waiver of bank loans to poor farmers, was fighting the RJD; now, however, he is in alliance M eteoric rise and meltdown and inner-party organisation Hundreds of volunteers flocked to the labourers, Scheduled Castes and Backward with that party. Although the government is likely The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) strategies party and enabled the leaders to establish Castes, a halt on action by banks against de- to oppose the bail order in the Supreme Court, of connecting with citizens, particularly in contact with the debt-ridden peasantry, and faulters till the end of 2018, compensation there is little doubt that the political situation in Bi- the slums of Delhi, put into practice the wis- to perform, Ministers have been harassed by hold dialogues with vulnerable sections to for crop loss, raising of minimum support har has changed since the time Shahabuddin went dom of democratic theory: that the task of a the police, the Lieutenant Governor has per- identify the components of the Punjab prices, free electricity, and money grants to to jail. Improving the law and order situation — party is to arouse political awareness by formed a role normally reserved for a Vice- crisis: serious agrarian distress that has led farmers on the occasion of the birth/mar- freeing Bihar from ‘jungle raj’ — was one of Mr. Ku- means other than the dishonourable politics roy, and the Opposition, reduced to a to farmer suicides, the drug menace, the riage of their daughters. of identity, evoke critical evaluations of pathetic rump in the 2014 elections, has ominous influence of the liquor and the As far as populist politics goes, the pro- mar’s campaign planks in 2005, when in the com- power and its misuse, and enable the articu- sponsored a number of sting operations and sand mafias, the lack of access to health and gramme rivals the agenda of the two pany of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he ousted the lation of everyday needs and aspirations. complaints against Ministers. education, acute unemployment, and above Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu. But unlike RJD from power. Now, as the head of a JD(U)-RJD This sagacity was confirmed the moment But all is not well in the quintessential all, the completely amoral corruption of Punjab, Tamil Nadu ranks high on all indic- government, he must speak a dierent language. So the AAP won power in the 2013 and 2014 As- anti-establishment party. For one, the AAP those who have ruled and continue to rule ators of social development: it was one of far, in Bihar, with his clean, no-nonsense image he sembly elections. has failed to prioritise a clearly enunciated Punjab. the earliest States to universalise the Public has bested Mr. Prasad in two elections and a Naren- Even within the limited power that Delhi, and well-thought-out belief system that all The contact programme of the AAP Distribution System, and has brought down dra Modi-led BJP in a third. To not take on not quite a Union Territory but not wholly a members can subscribe to, and that distin- should have made it aware of the scale of the poverty over the years. Tamil Nadu spends Shahabuddin for fear of oending his alliance part- State, has been granted, the hope was that guishes the party from others. Two, it has calamities that have hit Punjab since the the highest proportion of the State domestic ner is therefore not an option for Mr. Kumar. the AAP, backed by a massive majority, developed a leadership cult, and such cults 1980s. But it is precisely here that the party product, about 10.2 per cent, on literacy. The would perform. The party, however, failed to hardly tolerate dissent. Three, this has oc- falters and shows neither initiative nor ima- lesson is that doles are no substitute for so- If the Nitish Kumar government were to shrug o the techniques that had brought it curred because the party has failed to estab- gination. Unveiling the AAP’s ‘Farmers and cial policy and debt is not a cause of the continue to put pressure on Shahabuddin by pursu- fame in its civil society avatar, the politics of lish mechanisms for reconciling dierence Farm Labourers Manifesto’ on September 11 crisis; it is merely an indicator of the mag- ing the cases against him to their logical end, it accusation, ‘naming and shaming’, and of opinion among members. at Baghapurana village near Moga, Mr. nitude of the problem. The AAP seems to would be to shake the JD(U)-RJD alliance from its blame, and become a party that concen- The AAP should learn from history, for Kejriwal upped his allegations against have misread the situation in Punjab. comfort zone. Shahabuddin seems acutely con- trates on democratic governance. Arvind example from the Congress system in the Ministers belonging to SAD and Congress Above all, the party is imploding under scious that he needs to drive a wedge between the Kejriwal’s government has not been allowed 1950s and early 1960s. Intricate networks to leaders and promised them jail if voted into the weight of too many ticket-seekers. It has RJD and the JD(U) for the sake of his own political taken care to hunt for and recruit candidates survival. His remark that Mr. Kumar was a Chief of integrity. But the number of people Minister of circumstances and that the RJD would CARTOONSCAPE deserting the party outweighs hopeful can- come to power on its own in the next election is a didates. Ironically, Punjab, for long a two- party State, today witnesses a proliferation reflection of this. Shahabuddin found endorsement of minor parties formed by deserters from for this view from another prominent RJD leader, the AAP bandwagon. There is danger that Raghuvansh Prasad, and it was left to Lalu Prasad to the latest political kid on the block will find strike a semblance of a balance. Clearly, the short- itself unable to resolve the same problems it term interests of the RJD are tied up with the in- accuses other parties of being incapable of terests of Mr. Kumar, but equally, the long-term in- solving. If it fails to learn from the Punjab terests of the party depend on Mr. Prasad striking and the Delhi experience, the AAP will tend an independent line. No one could have driven to increasingly resemble other parties it is home this truth the way Shahabuddin did. prone to attack and abuse. Michael Oakeshott, the conservative Eng- lish political philosopher, spoke of the politics of the ‘politically inexperienced’. A new ruling class takes decades to learn how to rule. But the crisis that has overcome Punjab is too pressing to wait for a Apple’s tax resolution. There was hope that the AAP would step in and provide some lasting solutions to perennial problems. For this the troubles party has to learn to combine the politics of political mobilisation with political vision he hefty 13 billion euros in back taxes the and robust inner-party organisation. It can- European Commission imposed on not be in a hurry. Apple should have drawn Europe and the U.S. closer in their common quest to Neera Chandhoke is a former Professor of Political T Science, Delhi University. crack down on corporate tax avoidance. But the unprecedented penalty to hit the American tech giant has triggered angry outbursts at home and could well put paid to hopes for transatlantic coopera- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR tion, especially on the trade and investment part- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. nership agreement, in the immediate future. The latest ruling by the European Union competition commissioner may not be the last against U.S. mul- A gold lining the power of the human will and on Cauvery issue mars peace in anything and everything, a bandh playing the blame game than tinationals in what is increasingly being viewed as body. With proper talent spotting T.N.”, Sept. 15). Both Karnataka and comes in handy; no one bothers to executing their duties and harmful to tax diplomacy. As with the Starbucks de- This refers to the articles, and guidance, we can produce more Tamil Nadu need to optimise their check if these bandhs even solve the responsibilities. “Devendra’s javelin strikes gold at such people. water conservation. Tamil Nadu problem. Nowhere in the world cision in 2015 and the ongoing probe into McDon- Baninder Rahi, Rio” and “Competing for an equal Saishankar Swaminathan, must build more dams and does a ruling government join a N ew Delhi ald’s, both concerning two dierent countries, the world” (Sept. 15). Sports lovers Chennai reservoirs as its storage capacity is bandh as has become a part of the Commission alleges that Ireland’s ultra-low, single- across the country were quite less, and also make better use of sea culture of our country. digit tax arrangements with Apple were in vio- miserable after the Rio Summer P aralympic athletes might be water. Saishankar Swaminathan, Nepal-India ties lation of EU state aid rules. Notably, the Commis- Olympics where India’s largest-ever challenged physically but not in A Cauvery Management Board Chennai The article “Letting Nepal be” sion has not taken issue with Dublin’s 12.5 per cent contingent of 118 returned with just spirit. The 19-member contingent should be formed as soon as (Sept. 15) appears to be downright rate of corporate taxation. Curiously, the possibility two medals. But the Paralympic from India has already brought possible so that there is a constant Deaths due to disease critical of India’s policy in Nepal. of clawing back billions of euros, estimated to be athletes from India have proved to quite a few laurels and this check on the allocation of water. No doubt, India should look beyond worth the country’s health-care budget for a year, is be a silver lining. The fact that they highlights the fact that they don’t let The two States also need a technical The death toll in Delhi and Nepal’s Constitution crisis and not an attractive prospect for Dublin, home to hun- have already clinched two gold what they don’t have hinder their committee to measure the elsewhere in India due to dengue, explore other avenues for bettering medals, a silver and a bronze is a success; in fact, they try to get availability of water and decide the chikungunya and malaria indicates relations. But the writer overlooks dreds of multinationals thriving on its decades-old fantastic achievement. Athletes like better with what they have. allocation to each State accordingly. that very little has been done by the the fact that India’s intervention in foreign direct investment policies that include low Mariyappan Thangavelu and H arshita Padala, Eective functioning of the Board National Vector Borne Disease Nepal is only well-intentioned and corporate taxation. Instead, Ireland, which risks Devendra Jhajharia might not be Hyderabad and the committee may help avoid Control Programme (“Sapping driven by the genuine need for losing jobs, has resolved to appeal the decision household names yet, but the glory the recurring clashes. India’s vitality”, Sept. 15). stability in the country. Without along with Apple, whose Irish subsidiaries account they have brought to the nation is Dynastic politics Prasanth Sahoo, The blame game being played out such intervention, the Madhesi for 90 per cent of the company’s overall profits. admirable. V isakhapatnam over this shows the inability of the protest will continue to linger. Its On the other hand, there is no confusion on the Dierently abled athletes and Promoting family members in Delhi government and the Delhi fallouts will be seen in Uttar other side of the Atlantic on what the move by Brus- able-bodied athletes all have to go politics seems to be India’s curse T he Cauvery dispute has caused a municipal corporation in Pradesh and Bihar. India has sels implies. U.S. politicians are piqued that a big through the same grind and achieve (“As brother & son continue loss of around Rs.25,000 crore to controlling these diseases. undoubtedly only played a positive results only after undergoing the sparring, Mulayam steps in”, Sept. Karnataka. Bengaluru’s reputation Sri Lanka just made headlines for role in Nepal’s development. chunk of the money — that firms such as Apple rigours of training, but it is the 15). This tendency towards dynastic has taken a beating. It is an irony eradicating malaria. India should Against this background, we can’t may eventually have to pay European governments former on whom such tough politics allows many of the that most of the people who take lessons from its neighbour. simply say that India is being a — could instead have filled domestic coers, but training schedules would take a inecient and undesirable to rule. resorted to arson and stone- G regory Fernandes, bully. for a domestic stumbling block. This is the regu- heavy toll. It is time that we The result is that there is no throwing are not the ones impacted M umbai P allav Kumar, latory loophole that companies exploit to defer, in- dissolved all distinctions between accountability. The simmering by the water crisis. These people N ew Delhi definitely, levies on profits from their overseas sub- the two categories and ensured that discontent between the son and are part of a violent fringe; they are E nsuring cleanliness inside homes sidiaries until they are repatriated. As matters both are given equal opportunities brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav is parochial. One wonders where the and surrounding areas (parks, I ndia’s intervention in Nepal has led stand, the 35 per cent tax rate in the U.S., compared to excel. bound to destabilise the politics of actual farmers are — both from the streets, mohallas, markets, and so to bitterness. No leader of a country, to Ireland’s 12.5 per cent, is an incentive for Amer- C.V. Aravind, the largest State as there is a Mandya and Thanjavur delta on) should be the priority of every however small the country is, ican firms to retain the advantage of the deferral B engaluru possibility of the cohorts and regions — and what they feel. Who individual. We never seem would like the idea of being led by a loyalists aligning with their knows what we can achieve if the concerned about garbage piling up bigger and mightier neighbour in clause. Meanwhile, a 2014 regulation to curb so- I t is a great achievement that four of respective leaders within the party. political parties take a back seat and in vacant plots and spaces. There matters concerning its internal called corporate inversion, a manoeuvre whereby the 1500m runners in the This may ultimately lead to cleaving allow the farmers from both sides to should also be a complete ban on politics. India’s intervention will American firms relocate their headquarters to be- Paralymics were faster than Rio the State’s politics, and everything enter into negotiations with plastics. Water must not be allowed only aggravate the already existing nign countries to trim domestic tax bills, is said to Olympic gold medallist Matthew apart from good and reliable guidance from experts? Perhaps to stagnate anywhere. Only tension between the two countries. have had limited eect in the absence of legislation. Centrowitz. This feat has blurred governance will be guaranteed. they can find a solution more collective eorts can help India History has shown that Global eorts backed by more than 80 countries to the distinction between V. Lakshmanan, eectively. achieve its goal of eliminating intervention of this kind has always combat cross-border tax avoidance, known as Base Paralympics and the Summer Tirupur Also, the concept of a bandh was malaria by 2030. backfired: that the U.S.’s Erosion and Profit Shifting, are still at an early Olympics. It is even more earlier exercised as a peaceful The government should make interventions in West Asia have stage. EU action targeting individual corporations remarkable that the person who weapon in a democracy. In our optimum use of the Swachh Bharat been largely responsible for the stood first, Abdellatif Baka, is Water-sharing dispute country, it is seen as a reason to Cess to improve civic amenities. We growth of the Islamic State cannot could well be seen, at this juncture, as an irritant in visually impaired. His achievement The Cauvery issue, which should be indulge in destruction of public also need to resolve the issue of be questioned. that larger endeavour. along with the achievements of the solved scientifically, has turned into property and as another Delhi statehood because civic N . Visveswaran, Indian athletes stand testimony to an emotional one (“Stray violence opportunity to get a holiday. For bodies are more interested in Chennai

CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 Summit over substance Forthcoming summits will reflect India’s status as a key player both regionally and internationally. But unless we move from an event-oriented to a process-driven diplomacy, this will only be a transient gain

having a formulation along these lines in the to follow through. The event itself then be- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 BRICS declaration, post the award, would comes the focus and not the process. It is no SHYAM SARAN be of even greater value to China, which will surprise then that outcomes from such sum- undoubtedly press for it with Russian sup- mitry are sparse. port. Indian negotiators will probably resist. BRICS has one practical outcome to its A break-up Already after the Moscow meeting there credit, and that is the New Development Barely six weeks after participating in the had been criticism that India was speaking Bank, and an Indian, K.V. Kamath, is its G-20 summit at Hangzhou, China, and the with two voices, one when in the company president. The Bank has been operation- foretold East Asia and ASEAN-India summits at Vi- of Americans and the other when meeting alised and India has reportedly received entiane, Laos, Prime Minister Narendra with the Chinese and Russians. Further- loans totalling about $300 million. But this ometimes the symptom, and not its under- Modi will himself play host to the annual more, given Chinese opposition to India’s institution is overshadowed by the much lying cause, seems like the real problem. If BRICS summit in Goa on October 15-16, membership of the Nuclear Suppliers better funded Asian Infrastructure Invest- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Me- 2016. This will bring together the heads of Group (NSG) and its blocking at the UN of ment Bank (AIIB) initiated and led by the state of Brazil, Russia, India, China and naming the Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed Chinese. The Contingent Reserve Arrange- hbooba Mufti has anything to worry about, S South Africa, and the summit theme put for- chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist, it is likely ment (CRA), another important BRICS ini- it is not the resignation of her party MP, Tariq ward by India is “Building Responsive, In- that India may dig in on this point. We shall tiative, remains on paper. There is a propos- Hameed Karra, but the issues he raised while an- clusive and Collective Solutions”, which is a wait and see. al for the setting up of a BRICS Credit Rating nouncing his decision to quit the Peoples Demo- clever play on the letters constituting the Agency to challenge the monopoly of the cratic Party and the Lok Sabha. Despite his call to membership of the grouping. India has also A triangular game West, and this might be of value if adopted. like-minded people to “join” him, Mr. Karra is un- exercised its privilege as host to arrange a The other two leaders, Brazil’s Michel On the trade side any hint of a BRICS free likely to get critical support within the party to regional outreach. Temer and South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, are trade agreement comes up against the fears threaten Ms. Mufti’s standing in the PDP. However, At the Fortaleza summit in 2014, Brazil unlikely to come up with any notable initiat- both India and Russia have of being had invited several heads of state/govern- ives. Their countries are suffering from both swamped by Chinese imports. It will not while drawing attention to the unrest in the Kash- ILLUSTRATION: DEEPAK HARICHANDAN mir Valley, and the “civilian killings”, he has also ment from Latin America, while at Ufa last political and economic turmoil. Mr. Temer have traction even though none of the five year Russia had invited the leaders of the has taken over after a politically polarising countries are part of any of the emerging pointed to the irreconcilable differences between Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai impeachment of the former Brazilian mega trade blocs like the Trans-Pacific Part- the PDP and its alliance partner, the Bharatiya Cooperation Organisation. One would have At the BRICS meet, it will mostly president, Dilma Rousseff. Mr. Zuma is fa- nership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade Janata Party. Mr. Karra might have been politically expected India to have invited SAARC lead- be a triangular game among Mr. cing serious charges of corruption, and and Investment Partnership (TTIP). At a opportunistic in the timing of his resignation, but ers to the outreach but it has chosen to host Modi, Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi. The there has been unprecedented infighting in time when both TPP and TTIP are stalled, there is no way the PDP can get away from having to the leaders of the seven-member BIMSTEC his ruling African National Congress. So it even a hint of a mega trade bloc of the key define, to its political constituency, the nature of its (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral latter two seem to be leaning will be mostly a triangular game among Mr. emerging economies would be a major de- relationship with the BJP. Ideologically, the PDP Technical and Economic Cooperation) in- closer to each other Modi, Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi, and the latter velopment. It could even bring the World has more in common with the National Conference stead. BIMSTEC is a potential Bay of Bengal two seem to be leaning closer to each other. Trade Organisation back in play! than with the BJP. But, after a fractured mandate in Economic Community comprising Bhutan, country to have explicitly supported Chi- This will be a challenge for the Indian host. The BIMSTEC summit could be an im- Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka from na’s stand on the South China Sea dispute, of For Mr. Modi, a strong and categorical portant occasion for reviving what, on the the 2014 Assembly election, it chose to ally with the South Asia and Myanmar and Thailand rejecting the international tribunal award statement on counter-terrorism will be a face of it, appears to be a grouping with im- BJP rather than explore the possibility of an al- from ASEAN. The motivation is obvious, to and proposing bilateral dialogue with must even though neither China and now mense potential. Its attraction is that China liance with the NC and the Congress. The NC was a avoid having to invite Pakistan. BIMSTEC claimant countries, though it has not en- nor Russia will countenance the naming of is not there to crowd India out, and it fits in rival, with the support bases of the two parties over- will also hold its fourth summit in Goa. dorsed its territorial claims. Pakistan or even an oblique reference to it. very well with the logic of India’s Act East lapping in many areas of the Valley. The BJP, how- Nepal was to have hosted it in 2015 but was There will be a Chinese effort to include Brazil and South Africa do not have much policy. The parallel Mekong-Ganga Cooper- ever, had its base in Jammu and did not compete unable to do so mainly on account of the in the summit declaration a formulation play in this game. So expect a strong formu- ation (MGC), which is a platform for India’s with the PDP. Short-term political calculations in- earthquake and the subsequent political tur- similar to what had been agreed upon in the lation but more general in scope. exclusive engagement with the countries of evitably led to a PDP-BJP alliance. moil. Not much should be expected from the India-Russia-China trilateral Foreign BRICS has begun to suffer the affliction Indo-China (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and To be sure, Ms. Mufti had grappled with the con- BIMSTEC summit. It has been as somnolent Ministers’ meeting in Moscow in April this characteristic of several other multi-coun- Vietnam) and Myanmar, could also be a ma- tradictions in the relationship with the BJP before as SAARC has been since its inception. year and which appeared to support China’s try groupings, and that is the exponential ex- jor component of the Act East strategy. But stand: “Russia, India and China are commit- pansion in its committees, working groups neither BIMSTEC nor the MGC have lived she was sworn in as Chief Minister following the The China-Russia dynamic ted to maintaining a legal order for the seas and forums resulting in a extraordinarily up to their potential, and India’s engage- death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, her father. But There will be greater focus on the BRICS and oceans based on the principles of inter- crowded calendar of meetings. There are ment with them has been mostly episodic the BJP, just as conscious as the PDP of the need to summit mainly because of the stature of national law, as reflected in the UN Conven- now over a hundred such bodies covering a and ad hoc. There are sets of activities under protect its own vote bank, did not give an inch while those who will be attending, including tion on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). All re- multiplicity of subjects ranging from trade, both but they do not add up to a well- renegotiating the terms of engagement. Not sur- President Vladimir Putin of Russia and lated disputes should be addressed through investment and finance, to health, education thought-out and long-term strategy of integ- prisingly, she failed to wrest any major concessions President Xi Jinping of China. Both have a negotiations and agreements between the and security. India itself has been hosting rating India more closely with its eastern from the BJP. Whatever the nature of Mr. Karra’s shared image of being tough leaders, of hav- parties concerned. In this regard the several tens of these meetings during the neighbourhood. The perception remains political ambitions, he has framed the dilemma for ing defied the U.S. and the West, and now Ministers called for full respect of all provi- year in its capacity as incoming chair, but it that India continues to be at the margins of Ms. Mufti. Clearly, she cannot go into an election in edging closer to a closer security partner- sions of UNCLOS, as well as the Declaration is questionable whether such hyper activity this increasingly contested geopolitical ship, if not an alliance. The largest ever Sino- on the Conduct of Parties in the South China leads to substantive outcomes. The impres- alliance with the BJP. Both the PDP and the NC, at space, unable to play a significant role in Russian joint naval exercises are being held Sea (DOC) and the Guidelines for the imple- sion one has is of being stretched too thin shaping its emerging economic and security different points, have allied with the Congress. But in the South China Sea off the coast of mentation of the DOC.” across a steadily expanding space with nei- architecture. the BJP, with its Hindutva plank, is a non-starter as Guangdong province. And Russia is the only This was before the tribunal award. Now ther the human nor the financial resources an electoral ally for any party seeking to represent Trailing on connectivity the Muslims of Kashmir. The coalition government There is little doubt that connectivity will of the PDP and the BJP is likely to fall before the As- CARTOONSCAPE have to be the key theme at the BIMSTEC sembly election, but it is in the interest of both summit but here, too, is an Indian dilemma. parties to remain together in power for the longest The connectivity platform also opens the period possible. The break-up seems like an event door to China selling its ambitious One Belt, foretold; what is uncertain is the nature of the trig- One Road initiative among the members of this grouping. India’s own resources are ger and the timing. limited, but more than that its record of delivery on commitments continues to be abysmal. There are occasions when one finds the same projects reappearing as “fresh initiatives” in serial joint statements Towards a over recent years. Our capacities and institutions continue to lag behind our ambitions. national health policy There is no doubt that the forthcoming summits will be major events and will re- he Supreme Court’s order directing the flect India’s status as a key player in the re- Centre to ask States to end the oppressive gion and as a globally significant player. But practice of sterilising women in large that will only be a transient gain unless we camps is a timely reminder that the coun- begin to pay attention to the much less T glamorous and more nuts-and-bolts effort try must urgently adopt a rights-based health policy. Many course correction measures have to use events as key markers in a well-con- been ordered by the court in the Devika Biswas ceived and systematic process of expanding our strategic space, leveraging our strengths public interest case, and if they are implemented and remedying our vulnerabilities. It is time vigorously, they can greatly improve women’s wel- to move from an event-oriented to a proc- fare. Civil society can effectively monitor ster- ess-driven approach. ilisation activity, if, as the court has directed, the list of approved doctors at the State and regional levels Shyam Saran is a former Foreign Secretary. He is currently Chairman, RIS, and Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy and members of quality assurance committees, and Research. details of compensation claims are publicised on the Internet. At the same time, compensation for losses, including deaths, should be raised substantially. The larger question is that of the fairness of LETTERS TO THE EDITOR promoting permanent contraception, often for young women, who are unable to exercise their re- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. productive rights due to social and economic factors. Last year, the Population Division of the Antibiotic resistance acronym ‘ESKAPE’ owing to their avoid an epidemic disaster. tremendous pressure from the RJD Aadmi Party has frittered away a lot UN took note of the extraordinary levels of ster- ability to avoid the effects of the Ramaseshu Botu, chief and his party to adopt a soft of public goodwill that catapulted it Lancet ilisations resorted to in India — 65 per cent of all The findings of the study are antibiotics used against them. The Visakhapatnam and lenient attitude towards this to power. contraceptive methods — and pointed to a poten- shocking (“‘Superbugs’ kill babies acronym stands for the names of the notorious politician. Yielding to The AAP’s failure to settle down in tial mismatch between what is being offered and as antibiotic resistance rises”, Sept. bacterial group members. These such tactics of his majority coalition power (it is still behaving like an 16). That nearly 26 per cent of infections are increasingly being An acid test for Nitish partner in the name of political opposition party) largely stems what women would like, which is to delay or space babies with sepsis died despite acquired in hospitals. There is no doubt that the granting expediency would mean re- from a deadly mix of incompetence, out births. Unthinking resort to tubectomies for timely medical intervention, and Antibiotic resistance can be of bail to Mohammad Shahabuddin emergence of the ‘jungle raj’ in inexperience, and arrogance. After population control also ignores the evidence from because of unresponsiveness to mitigated to some extent with good will test the strength of the RJD-JD Bihar and would surely prove its electoral victory in Delhi, it some developed States in India that women’s em- treatment, is worrisome. If in 80 per hand hygiene, taking antibiotics (U) alliance (“The message from suicidal for Mr. Kumar. His image of started behaving like a national powerment through education and employment cent of infections caused by prescribed by a doctor, and Shahabuddin”, Sept. 16). Though an honest politician with good party and cast its leader in the brings down fertility, without sacrificing choice. Acinetobacter, and in more than 50 completing the full course if one Nitish Kumar is the Chief Minister governing skills has been built over mould of a messiah who has arrived Ensuring the safety of women who undergo a per cent of Klebsiella infections, the has to take them. Medical experts of Bihar, it is the RJD which holds the decades. It is difficult for any to deliver India from corruption. tubectomy is of immediate concern, and the Centre first line of treatment fails, it clearly believe this will help reduce the more seats in the Assembly, and we Indian politician to earn this Previous governments worked should give rule-based authority to the Supreme indicates the rampant misuse of problem of resistance. Another area know the kind of relationship that reputation, especially if he or she within the constraints imposed by Court’s directions. A significant number of women antibiotics. There is an of key concern is to discourage Lalu Prasad and Mr. Kumar have has been in power for a long time. Delhi’s peculiar hybrid status that indiscriminate use of antibiotics dispensing antibiotics off the shared in the past. Yes, Mr. Prasad If mid-term polls become inevitable make it neither a full-fledged Union have died due to the procedure during the past and analgesic drugs in India. counter. These may be baby steps, has said that the coalition is intact because of his tough stand against territory nor a State. three years. Every death due to family planning sur- Unaffordable and inaccessible but they will have an impact and and that Mr. Kumar is the leader, Shahabuddin, Mr. Kumar and his Unable to give up the street gery is one too many, and the State concerned must qualitative health-care services, may even avert a future where but he is known to be a shrewd party will certainly emerge fighter’s mindset despite being in be called to account. In the case of Madhya Pradesh, easy availability of drugs over the treatable diseases become fatal. politician. There is no doubt that victorious for taking a tough stand power, the party’s leaders showed Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Kerala, which did not counter without any prescription, H.N. Ramakrishna, Mr. Kumar will be feeling against a gangster. This would also no respect for constitutional limits take the question of mismanagement in ster- and inadequate dosage Bengaluru uncomfortable with Shahabuddin’s enable him to become a successful to Delhi’s statehood, and niceties of ilisation camps raised in the petition seriously, the recommendations by unqualified release. His party may not challenge prime ministerial candidate later, a political conduct as is evident from court has acted decisively and called for monitor- medical practitioners are the main A few days ago, the U.S. banned 19 the release considering the wish that he has harboured for long. their abrasive confrontations with ing and issue of appropriate orders by the respec- reasons for the ‘superbug’ menace. chemicals used in antibacterial compulsions of coalition politics, M.V. Nagavender Rao, the Lieutenant Governor. It would be a major public health soap. This is a bold move but this episode will have a huge Hyderabad The party’s image has plummeted tive High Courts. Such action is wholly welcome, disaster if the rampant use of drugs considering the U.S. has one the bearing on the future political in Punjab as its record in Delhi is because it reinforces the idea of the right to health were left unchecked. highest regulated antibiotic and events of the State. The AAP’s headache nothing inspiring. Its resort to being inseparable from the right to life. This is the D.V.G. Sankararao, therapeutic markets in the world. In Also, from a broader perspective, populism in Punjab has only message that the Centre must take from the judg- Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh India, the word antibiotic has we must think about whether Nothing tests the competence and betrayed its moral bankruptcy. ment, as it works on a national policy for health. become synonymous with criminals should be allowed to vision of politicians than the Bereft of any alternative political Empowerment of women through full opportunity Alexander Fleming warned of the cleanliness. In reality, however, enter politics in the first place. exercise of power (“A party in a vision except empty grandiloquent in education and employment, and access to all dangers of antibiotic resistance in antibiotics are a double-edged Bal Govind, hurry”, Sept. 16). With its alibi for rhetoric, the AAP is looking like a contraception options, should be central to na- 1945 in his Nobel Prize acceptance sword that can alter our bodies and Noida the unsatisfactory performance of sole proprietorship political party Klebsiella tional policies. Offering financial incentives and speech. , a common environment indefinitely. It is high the Delhi government — that has neither the organisational subjecting women to permanent contraceptives is bacterium, can cause a wide range time our government heeded these This is a great opportunity for Mr. interference by the Lieutenant reach and base nor the leadership of conditions as the report on regulations and promptly banned Kumar to display his political Governor and non-cooperation material needed to rule any State. unacceptable. ‘superbugs’ highlights. It fits into a consumer antibiotics and regulated courage by facing Shahabuddin from the Central government — V. N. Mukundarajan, wider group of bacteria with an apt medicines from the ground up to head-on. No doubt, there will be looking increasingly stale, the Aam Thiruvananthapuram CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | WEEKEND THE HINDU SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 BEING

DR HUMERUS HIV/AIDS CUTBACKS Keshav Forced out by a funds squeeze Fifteen outreach workers lose their jobs after funding cuts at the National AIDS Control Organisation. HIV-positive patients themselves, they’re now left running from pillar to post MARIA AKRAM With their HIV status t isn’t the fever and chikun- known, they are struggling gunya symptoms that perturb to get alternative IOmpal Singh so much. Resting employment. They have in his one-room flat in a non- descript colony in Mandoli, north- also had to move house east Delhi, the 50-year-old agonises more about his persistent cough restarted the scheme in June. and weight loss. He has lost seven “When Punjab can, why can’t Delhi kilograms in just two months and and Himachal Pradesh,” asks Anjali AROUND THE WORLD his immunity levels are dropping — Singh, showing a dossier of letters alarming given his condition. written to Ministers, officials and Look for this Meanwhile, his wife, Anita Ku- protest clippings. care provider mari (48), has become addicted to “Budget cuts started in 2013 un- People who are painkillers. She cannot straighten der the UPA (United Progressive seeking treatment her back or stretch her arms. She Alliance) regime; the NDA (Na- for alcohol knows it is the big lump on her back tional Democratic Alliance) gov- dependence and causing all the pain and doctors ernment may end it completely in whose goal is to have advised her surgery. But the their term. Whatever was achieved PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT quit drinking doctors keep referring her to other in all these years is being undone,” entirely are more likely to achieve this goal if they hospitals, she says. says Ganesh Acharya of Mumbai are treated by a care provider who advocates total Both Mr. Singh and Ms. Kumari AIDS Forum. abstinence. Those who wish to learn to drink in tested HIV positive in 2006 — after On August 16, these workers met moderation are not as successful, even when they she contracted the virus during a HEAR THEM OUT: “The workers have tried it all to have their voices heard — from writing letters to the Health Delhi Commission for Women are treated by a care provider who works with premature delivery-linked blood Ministry to protesting at Jantar Mantar.” — PHOTO: STR/AFP/GETTY IMAGES chief Swati Maliwal for help. The controlled consumption. Previous studies have transfusion — but it is now that they commission subsequently wrote to shown that the crucial factor in treatment success have started feeling its pinch. Espe- job was to help HIV-positive preg- all 15 workers are themselves HIV- neighbours boycotting us, eight of the Delhi State AIDS Control Soci- is that patients and care providers have the same cially with their jobs snatched away. nant women with their medication positive and on antiretroviral us are now living in the same local- ety (DSACS) and was informed that view, and that the choice of treatment method plays “Our diet is not the same and even and monitor newborn babies. “We therapy. In order to effectively carry ity to help each other,” says Rajesh the latter had no NACO funding to a subordinate role. But how great an influence treatment is suffering,” rues Mr. have seen discrimination in hospit- out their roles as outreach workers, Kumari, another outreach worker, support these persons. “This forced choice of method has on the final treatment Singh. als against HIV-positive women these individuals were asked to dis- who has been working as a maid for me to write to Health Minister J.P outcome has not been studied previously. — from such close quarters. Doctors close their condition to the the past three months. Nadda about the issue,” says Ms. Disclosure and discrimination Science Daily would refuse to carry out C-section, community and their families at the Maliwal. Mr. Nadda replied stating In 2008, when the National AIDS nurses hurl abuses even while the risk of social marginalisation. With In the lurch that he will personally look into the Control Organisation (NACO) woman is crying in pain,” says Ms. people around them knowing about The outreach workers have tried matter. launched the Prevention of Parent- Kumari. “Our role was to help such their HIV status, these workers are it all to have their voices heard — “He should do something, or else Check for to-Child Transmission Programme women.” now not only struggling to get al- from writing letters to the Health give us permission to kill the swagger (PPCT), the husband-wife duo en- However, in December last year, ternative employment but have had Ministry to protesting at Jantar ourselves,” says Kanhaiya Kumar, How aggressive a listed with an NGO as outreach the scheme was abruptly ended cit- to move house. “Earlier, we were Mantar. The PPCT scheme was hal- one of the affected. It’s fingers person is can be workers for the HIV awareness ini- ing lack of funds, rendering the ou- staying in different colonies in east ted in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and crossed for the group of 15, for now. identified by the tiative along with 13 others. Their treach workers jobless. This, when Delhi. But with no money and Punjab at the same time but Punjab [email protected] way they walk, finds a new study by the PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT University of PERSPECTIVE Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. This research could be useful in crime prevention to recognise An uneasy buzz people with an aggressive walk before an aggression-linked crime is committed. The research, hat which bends published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, “Tup” is what the aimed to use gait analysis techniques to word “Chikungunya” demonstrate the relationship between gait and means in Kimakonde, an personality and focussed on the relationship African language. It’s between extraversion, agreeableness, openness, quite an apt word conscientiousness and neuroticism and gait. considering the effect Together, the five traits can help map the way this infection has on people think, feel and behave. Findings determined those affected by it! that exaggerated movement of both the upper and Chikungunya is a fever lower body indicated aggression. While there was a spread by a virus that is moderate correlation between walking speed and transmitted by the female aggression for males, no correlation was observed mosquito. The virus PHOTO: AFP in females, or the sample as a whole. — Medical cannot spread from one News Today human to another but can detect both the viruses, spread only by this is not practical in a mosquitoes which get hospital setting with a infected while biting an huge patient load and the Interactive books infected individual, lack of trained personnel. and learning thereafter transmitting One may argue that the virus by biting an dengue is more Features in non- uninfected individual. dangerous than fiction children’s Once a mosquito bites, chikungunya due to the books such as ‘lift- the virus spreads through complications of dengue the-flap’ may hinder the epidermal cells of the as opposed to the non- toddlers from PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT skin and reaches the fatal condition of learning new words, inside of the body chikungunya. But one according to scientists at the Royal Holloway, through the blood must remember that University of London. Books with such features are stream. The virus patient management is popular with parents who hope the interactive primarily targets muscle, quite different for both features will aid learning and enjoyment of reading. joint and skin fibroblasts these infections and has However, if parents wanted their children to learn DIABETES AND DIET where the maximum several implications on factual information about the world from books, damage occurs. This is disease prevention. regular books were better than those with flaps. The vector plays an This was mainly due to children interpreting books The low-carb debate extremely important role with pop-outs as toys, the scientists surmised from Sujatha in the spread of the Sunil chikungunya virus. When a study on 31 toddlers aged 25 months, who were There are no large and rigorous studies showing that low carbohydrate diets offer an advantage chikungunya struck in split into two groups. — Science Daily 2005, the reason it was GINA KOLATA perhaps it is a good idea to reduce the such a huge pandemic amount of insulin it needs by eating the reason why patients was because the virus few years ago, Dr. Richard Kahn, Click, share, A very low carbohydrate diets,” Dr. Hall experience intense joint had mutated its outside be happy the now-retired chief scientific said. pain and swelling along coat protein by a single and medical officer of the American Some longer-term studies, though, amino acid that allowed it Regularly snapping with rashes and acute Diabetes Association, was charged failed to show that low-carbohydrate fever. Apart from the to replicate faster in selfies with your with organising a committee to pre- diets benefited glucose control. tissues, a person’s another species of Aedes. smartphone and scribe a diet plan for people with dia- Even if diets are effective in the short immunity-mediated This allowed the vector sharing photos with betes. He began by looking at the evid- term, he said, “the difficulty is adhering response is another to transmit the virus your friends can PHOTO: REUTERS ence for different diets, asking which, to the diet over the long term.” important factor that more effectively. In the help make you a if any, best controlled diabetes. “In the short term, the low-carbo- dictates the severity of 2010 outbreak, virus happier person, according to researchers. In a first- “When you look at the literature, PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT hydrate diet sometimes does better on the disease. This explains strains sampled from of-its-kind study, the authors found that students whoa is it weak. It is so weak,” he said glycaemic control,” he said. “But as why immune- different parts of the can combat the blues with some simple, deliberate in a recent interview. erature that supports this method.” time progresses, the difference mostly compromised individuals country were found to actions on their mobile devices. The results of the Studies tended to be short term, di- She is in private practice at Indiana disappears. What counts is which diet such as very young contain mutations on study, out of University of California, Irvine, were ets unsustainable, differences among University Health Arnett Hospital and helps most with long-term weight children and elderly precisely three sites on published recently in the Psychology of Well-Being. them clinically insignificant. The only is medical director of a start-up de- loss.” persons are more their genomes. Sequencing the genome The scientists conducted a four-week study thing that really seemed to help people veloping nutrition-based medical severely affected. While involving 41 college students. Researchers collected Issue of overall health chikungunya results in of the virus associated with diabetes was weight loss — and interventions. with the current outbreak nearly 2,900 mood measurements during the study for weight loss, there is no magic diet. But there are no large and rigorous Another issue with low-carbo- extreme morbidity and a and found that subjects in all three groups prolonged phase of in North India may reveal But people want diet advice, Dr. studies showing that low-carbohydrate diets, researchers said, is the new information. Has the experienced increased positive moods. Some physical disability, it is Kahn reasoned, and the association re- hydrate diets offer an advantage, and, question of what will happen to overall not a fatal disease. virus mutated again to participants in the selfie group reported becoming ally should say something about diets. in fact, there is not even a consensus on health if diabetics actually follow the become more virulent? more confident and comfortable with their smiling So it, like the National Institutes of the definition of a low-carbohydrate diet for years or decades. (Heart at- Patient management photos over time. The students taking photos of Health, went with the Department of diet — it can vary from doctor to tacks are the major killer of people A primary concern Control the key objects that made them happy became more Agriculture’s food pyramid. doctor. with diabetes.) Insulin levels may be with respect to Whatever be the nature reflective and appreciative. — Science Daily Why? “It’s a diet for all America,” he “There have been debates for lit- better, but, said Dr. Rudolph Leibel, co- chikungunya treatment is of the virus, the only said. “It has lots of fruits and erally the whole history of diabetes director of Columbia University’s Na- effective diagnosis. At effective method to vegetables and a reasonable amount of about which kind of diet is best,” said omi Berrie Diabetes Center, “effects of present there are no control this hugely DEMYSTIFYING SCIENCE fat.” Dr. C. Ronald Kahn, chief academic of- a low-carbohydrate diet on lipopro- virus-specific detection debilitating infection is That advice, though, recently came ficer at Joslin, and no relation to teins and vascular biology could offset methods and we have to intense vector control What is Global Fishing Watch? under attack in a New York Times com- Richard Kahn. But, he said, “the an- such a ‘benefit.’” In other words, it is resort to employing and public health mentary written by Dr. Sarah Hallberg, swer isn’t so straightforward.” not clear if a lower insulin level would antibody-specific testing awareness programmes. It is a free technology which allows users to spy an osteopath at a weight loss clinic in In support of a diet like Dr. Hall- translate into fewer heart attacks. which delays diagnosis We face multiple issues with respect to on global fishing practices in a bid to curb illegal Indiana, and Dr. Osama Hamdy, the berg’s, there is one recent short-term But multiple studies have found that by a great extent. A study fishing and rebuild fish stocks that are in danger conducted by our group chikungunya disease medical director of the obesity weight study, by Dr. Kevin Hall of the National when it comes to weight loss — the on- control in our country. A of being wiped out. The application uses satellite loss programme at the Joslin Diabetes Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and ly proven way to help with blood sugar and our collaborators at technology, which is combined with radar Nair Hospital in Mumbai lack of sensitive virus- Center at Harvard Medical School. Kidney Diseases and his colleagues, control over the long term — there is showed that almost 10 specific diagnostic tools, aboard boats and allows people to zoom in on involving 17 overweight and obese no difference among diets that restrict an absence of drugs/ areas of interest around the world and trace the ‘Carb restriction’ per cent of dengue men, none of whom had diabetes. They calories, fat or carbohydrates. patients were co-infected vaccine, poor vector paths of 35,000 commercial fishing vessels. The There is a diet that helps with dia- stayed in a clinical centre where they Experts like Dr. David Nathan, dir- with the chikungunya control measures and technology, launched over the weekend by betes, the two doctors said: one that re- ate carefully controlled diets. The re- ector of the Diabetes Center and Clin- virus but they were not public awareness Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, allows stricts — or, according to Dr. Hallberg, searchers asked what would happen if ical Research Center at Massachusetts even treated for the contribute tremendously users to crowdsource data. In order to make it severely restricts — carbohydrates. calories were kept constant but the General Hospital and a professor of disease. This is a big blow in escalating the problem. free, the project partners negotiated a deal with “If the goal is to get patients off their carbohydrate composition of a diet medicine at Harvard Medical School, to patient management It is no surprise then that the satellite company, Orbcomm, to use its medications, including insulin, and varied from high to very low. The an- advise dieting for people with dia- and disease management. India is considered as the three-day-old data, which is described as “near resolve rather than just control their swer was that insulin secretion betes. But, he said, “when we advise While we were able to hub for chikungunya real-time”, along with historical records. diabetes, significant carb restriction is dropped 50 per cent with the very low people to be on diets, the major goal is detect these co-infections spread across the globe. The project has cost $13.7 million over the past by far the best nutrition plan,” she said carbohydrate diet, meaning that much to lose weight.” because we employed Sujatha Sunil is Group Leader, reverse transcription- Vector Borne Diseases Group, three years to build, with $8 million of those in an e-mail. “This would include elim- less insulin was required to maintain What matters the most for con- International Centre for Genetic funds contributed by the Leonardo DiCaprio ination of grains, potatoes and sugars normal blood glucose levels. trolling diabetes, Dr. Nathan said, “is polymerase chain Engineering and Biotechnology, Foundation in January this year. and all processed foods. There is a sig- “Since diabetes results when the how much weight you lose.” — New reaction (RT-PCR) to New Delhi. nificant and ever growing body of lit- body can’t produce enough insulin, York Times News Service CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 A blow for the right to knowledge The Delhi High Court has restored to copyright jurisprudence a clear mandate for the future — one which recognises that the end goal of technology is the improvement of our lives

of the phrase “in the course of”, concludes intellectual) and “no law can be interpreted MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 that instruction includes the entire ambit of so as to result in any regression of the evolve- LAWRENCE LIANG pedagogy from the creation of syllabus to ment of the human being for the better” (par- teaching and provision of reading materials. agraph 87). It then locates the question of education within a changing technological environ- Global implications Political malady In its much awaited judgment in the Delhi ment, and argues that “when an action, if on- The judgment has immense consequences University photocopying case (The Chan- erously done, is not an offence, it cannot be- beyond India and is a bold articulation of the and legal remedy cellor Masters and Scholars of the Uni- come an offence when, owing to principles of equitable access to knowledge versity of Oxford v. Rameshwari Photocopy advancement in technology doing thereof — and one that deserves to be emulated hose looking for loopholes are always one Services), the Delhi High Court has dis- has been simplified” (paragraph 75). To make globally. For a while now, the globalisation of step ahead of those seeking to plug them. missed the copyright infringement petition this point, Justice Endlaw contrasts his own copyright norms through international law For decades, since the ‘aaya ram, gaya initiated in August 2012 by three publishers experiences as a law student where photo- (Berne Convention, TRIPS Agreement) has ram’ days of Indian politics, Parliament (Oxford, Cambridge and Taylor & Francis) copying was very limited and studying en- been accompanied by the globalisation of T against a photocopy shop located in the tailed students copying by hand, scribe like, copyright standards that have primarily and courts have been coming down on mass defection and frequent change of party loyalties. But no premises of Delhi University. This case, pages after pages of books. Photocopiers emerged from the global north. Aggressively piece of legislation is a deterrent when politicians, which was being closely tracked by students, have just made the task simpler and faster, pushed by the copyright lobby, such as Holly- for what are usually self-serving reasons, decide to teachers and the publishing industry alike, but if the act of copying for a particular pur- wood, the music industry and the publishing was seen as one with immense significance pose is itself not illegal, and “the effect of the cartels, copyright law had effectively been hi- switch parties. After the Supreme Court restored for questions of access to knowledge. While action is the same, the difference in the mode jacked by narrow commercial interests (al- the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh in initially involving only the publishers, the of action cannot make a difference so as to beit always speaking in the name of authors July, most of the party’s MLAs returned under the photocopier and the university, the case also make one an offence”. and creators). Thus even when it came to dis- leadership of a new Chief Minister, Pema Khandu. saw intervention petitions being filed by a cussing fair use and exceptions and limit- But, in a couple of months, they have again deserted student group (Association of Students for Justice Endlaw rejects the populist For progress ations, countries have found themselves con- the Congress to join the People’s Party of Ar- Equitable Access to Knowledge) as well as by and unidimensional assumption In a clear statement of the philosophical strained by judicial precedents from the U.S. unachal, a constituent of the North-East Democrat- teachers and academics (Society for Promot- basis of copyright law, Justice Endlaw rejects and elsewhere that have defined quantitative ic Alliance, a front led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. ing Educational Access and Knowledge). that copyright is about the the populist and unidimensional assumption restrictions on photocopying. The reason adduced for the switchover is laugh- While the publishers made the argument that protection of the property rights that copyright is about the protection of the In a radical move, the Delhi High Court has able: to have better relations with the BJP-led gov- the creation of course packs and the photo- property rights of owners. He notes instead: concluded that if Indian law makers have al- copying of academic material for the same of owners “Copyright, specially in literary works, is lowed through statute for the reproduction of ernment at the Centre. In effect what the MLAs amounted to an infringement of the exclusive thus not an inevitable, divine, or natural right a copyrighted work in the course of instruc- have done is get over the legal hurdles to defection. copyright of the authors and publishers, the within its scope will not constitute infringe- that confers on authors the absolute owner- tion, it has done so on the basis of purpose Once the Supreme Court restored the Congress defendants argued that the reproduction of ment. Section 52(1)(i) allows for the repro- ship of their creations. It is designed rather to (teaching) and with the conviction that this government of Nabam Tuki, those who had deser- materials for educational purposes fell duction of any work i) by a teacher or a pupil stimulate activity and progress in the arts for does not unreasonably prejudice the le- ted the party returned on condition that Mr. within the exceptions to copyright under in the course of instruction; or ii) as part of the intellectual enrichment of the public. gitimate interest of the author. Further, this Khandu, and not Mr. Tuki, be the Chief Minister. Section 52(1)(i) of the Copyright Act. the questions to be answered in an examina- Copyright is intended to increase and not to flexibility is provided to it through interna- This must have seemed the easiest way to stay in tion; or iii) in answers to such questions. impede the harvest of knowledge. It is inten- tional law, and it is not the place of courts to power for those who had allied with the earlier gov- Not a moral right The crux of the dispute was about whether ded to motivate the creative activity of au- impose artificial restrictions by way of ernment of Congress rebels led by Kalikho Pul. In his considered and sharply reasoned course packs fall within this exception. The thors and inventors in order to benefit the quantitative limits. Justice Endlaw, while ar- judgment, Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw exam- petitioners tried to provide a narrow reading public.” riving at this conclusion, is acutely aware of Now, in a replay of the mass defection, the Congress ines the gamut of arguments made by both of the section, claiming that at best what the If copyright was always about maintaining the specific needs of countries like India rebels have taken care to play by the book. There is sides and arrives at the conclusion that copy- section allows for is the provision of a balance between competing ideas of pri- where libraries and universities have to cope no unseating of the government, no withdrawal of right is a statutory right and not a natural materials in the course of a lecture and spa- vate and public interest, the Delhi High Court with the needs of thousands of students sim- support by the ruling party’s MLAs. Instead, the right, and hence any right that is granted to tially restricted to a classroom. The court, has restored to copyright jurisprudence a ultaneously, and it would be naïve to expect change is neat and clean, from a Congress govern- owners is also limited by exceptions carved while rejecting this claim, argues that “in- clear mandate for the future, one which is every student to buy copies of every book. ment to a pro-BJP PPA government. The Governor out by law. The nature of Section 52 of the struction” cannot be narrowly understood cognisant that the end goal of technology is An interesting question to consider is had no role; and a legal challenge to the realign- Copyright Act is such that any act falling and, through a historically informed reading the improvement of our lives (material and whether the judgment effectively makes a ment is made that much more difficult. clear distinction between fair dealing on the Several legislative efforts have been made to curb CARTOONSCAPE one hand (which is subject to doctrinal tests defections. The 52nd Constitution Amendment such as the Three-Step test), and in the copyright act in India governs personal use in- provided for disqualification of defectors other cluding research versus a clear statutory ex- than in the case of a split in the party, involving a ception for educational use. This aspect of group of not less than one-third of its members. A the judgment could almost be read as an in- later amendment disallowed splits, and provided structional manual for countries who find only for merger in cases where at least two-thirds of themselves straitjackets under international the members of one party merged with another copyright laws, and yet want to ensure the party. This too did not prove to be a deterrent, as greatest flexibility in the way that they design has been evident in Arunachal Pradesh. True, de- a system that addresses their specific needs. fections engineered through unscrupulous means How will publishers respond? undermine democratic institutions and subvert the While this judgment delivers a terrible people’s mandate. But, so far, the cure for this mala- blow to the publishers, the crucial question dy in the form of legislation does not seem to have is, how will they respond? Through the entire had any effect. When defection is made more diffi- case the publishers have alienated the stu- cult, the means adopted become even more invent- dent and academic community, and while it ive. Ideally, the matter of dealing with defection is within their right to appeal the judgment, it should be left in the hands of the voters. Legal rem- may be both politically prudent and ethically edies to what is essentially a political issue will right not to do so. Teacher, readers, students never work. and photocopiers are not the enemies of publishers; they are their greatest allies. In a time when books and reading itself are under threat from competing media forms, it may Coherence in the be useful to remember that it is education and greater access that makes readers, not neighbourhood copyright. Lawrence Liang is a professor of law at Ambedkar ver the past week, India played host to University, Delhi, currently teaching at Yale University. Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani and Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa OKamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, visits that LETTERS TO THE EDITOR marked a repair of relationships with both countries. Mr. Prachanda’s meeting with Prime Minister Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. Narendra Modi was cordial, and though no large announcements were made, the message that’s Chief Minister’s remark “disappointing” and “unfortunate”. problems of dynastic politics and the Election Commission to amend the a proper distribution channel are gone out is that both countries wish to put the bit- When all sorts of crimes such as incessant promotion of family rules to incorporate a cooling off main reasons. Value addition, terness of the past year and the economic blockade All must take strong exception to the threats, intimidation, sexual abuse at members in electoral politics by period of two years in order to processing, cold storage, behind them. New Delhi is acutely conscious of Mr. statement of Haryana Chief Minister the workplace and rape are carried various party leaders has been prevent horse trading. The other warehousing and quick Prachanda’s challenges: a potentially shaky tenure Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday out every day, the top court’s creating a new corps of “people’s alternative is to countermand the transportation can improve the who dubbed the controversy over findings leave one very upset. What representatives” in the country election and hold a repoll. Mr. situation. in office given his coalition’s narrow majority, the beef allegedly found in biryani and more evidence is required to prove whose incompetence and Khandu’s move justifying it on the difficulty in building a two-thirds consensus for the Suraj Ashokrao Shirsath Patil, the gang rape of two sisters in the murder charge? The young inefficiency wouldn’t have need for better ties with the Centre Rahuri, Maharashtra constitutional amendments he has committed to, Mewat, Haryana as a “trivial issue” woman lost her life only because of otherwise allowed them the honour is ludicrous. as well as the massive task of reconstruction after when, according to him, the focus the macabre nature of the crime of stepping into the haloed portals of A.V. Narayanan, No Hyderabad blues the April 2015 earthquake. As a result, it didn’t force should be on Swarna Jayanti inflicted on her by the convict. power. Tiruchi him to commit on a timeline for amendments de- celebrations and the achievements S. Nallasivan, Beginning with the first family of The writer (“No Hyderabad blues”, manded by Madhesi and other groups that feel of the Haryana government Tirunelveli Indian politics, we now have the The leadership of the Indian Sept.15) did not quantify the benefits marginalised by the new Constitution. The joint (Sept.18). One wonders what concept of “conservation of power” National Congress party has to be of the special package, announced statement referred to Mr. Modi welcoming “the on- Haryana is celebrating in its 50th The country and its women folk will being so ridiculously exploited by blamed for failing to rebuild its for Andhra Pradesh. Citing the year if the State has scant regard for find it very difficult to accept the present day politicians in order to standing among its rank and file. examples of Chhattisgarh and going efforts of the Government of Nepal to take all human rights and dignity of its decision to to spare Govindachami keep ‘authoritarian control’ and the Neither Sonia Gandhi nor Rahul Jharkhand, which were created on sections of the society on board for effective imple- women. It is no different from a the death penalty. I see the decision perks that go with it well-secured Gandhi have taken steps to protect the demand of local people, he mentation of the Constitution,” but it didn’t men- Nero playing the fiddle while Rome as a crack in an old rock; a divide within the family. the party’s base from crumbling conveniently forgets that these two tion the word amendment. India instead focussed was burning. that sets the way for the proliferation Pachu Menon, after a string of electoral defeats. A States were truncated ones and did on delivering on its own promises to Nepal, includ- Matthew Adukanil, of antisocial acts now that even the Comba, Goa lack of political vision and direction, not lose anything in the bargain. ing hydropower and highways infrastructure pro- Sagayathottam, Tamil Nadu most hideous of crimes will not inefficacy in assessing situations, Never in Indian history has a jects. This shows a maturing of New Delhi’s posi- invite the most stringent Drama in Arunachal and a failure to re-strategise and residual State been left without the tion, since the phase of stern statements against the punishment. The Indian judiciary restructure the party from the grass- capital city, which was built and Soumya case needs to restore the faith it once When the government in Arunachal root have led to mass defections and developed with funds from coastal Koirala and Oli governments on the Madhesi issue. mens rea With Mr. Ghani, the outreach began a year ago, Establishment of (culpable enjoyed among its citizens. Women Pradesh was formed under Pema shifting of allegiances. How does the Andhra. It is a very special and state of mind) is a prerequisite for must be entitled to a separate fast Khandu, all believed that the party expect to regain voter trust extraordinary case. Even after after it became clear that Afghanistan had lost con- awarding the death sentence (“TN and fair tribunal for injustices. Congress had finally won the seesaw when it is unable to keep its flock bifurcation, the State has got only a fidence in Pakistan’s ability to bring the Taliban to man escapes noose in Soumya rape, Meera A.R., political battle and recuperated from together? pittance. book or to the table for talks. Moreover, the U.S., murder case”, Sept.16). Moreover, Thrissur the crisis within the party. It’s clearly N. Visveswaran, Maradapu Srinivasa Rao, Afghanistan’s biggest security provider, made a such a type of harsh punishment is a short-lived one. Despite the BJP’s Chennai Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh shift in its old policy of cutting India out of the se- awarded only in the rarest of rare Turmoil in the SP assertions, the perception that the curity equation, and actively encouraged New cases. Lack of evidence vis-à-vis Centre is unwilling to cooperate Tears over onions MS revisited Delhi to help provide military assistance to Kabul. intention of murder on the part of A dynasty of politicians is not with States in which it is not in Even so, during Mr. Ghani’s visit, India opted for a the convict is what has led the unheard of in world politics. The power has only been strengthened Farmers often incur losses due to the One should not be surprised if in a less overt approach to Afghanistan’s ‘wish list’ of Supreme Court to pass such an Kennedy-clan in the U.S. is one such (“No hand in Arunachal U-turn, fluctuating prices of onions few years’ time the younger order. That being so, its order example. Yet as prominent members claims BJP”, Sept. 18). In a border (‘Ground Zero’ – “The bane of a generation does not know about the helicopters, tanks and ammunition assistance, with commuting death sentence to life in American politics, John, Robert State like Arunachal Pradesh, there bumper crop”, Sept. 17). A legendary vocalist M.S. the joint statement and agreements signed merely sentence cannot be faulted. Above and Edward Kennedy did contribute must be a stable government. permanent solution lies in Subbulakshmi. Fleeting coverage by mentioning their “resolve to counter terrorism and all, “an eye for an eye” cannot be the fairly to the betterment of the U.S. Md. Mobbashir Farid, determining the MSP of onions. A the media on the occasion of her strengthen security and defence cooperation as en- solution for all evils given the But in India, there seems to be a Gaya, Bihar policy should also be framed on the 100th birth centenary celebrations, visaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partner- growing demand across the world difference. The uncle-nephew spat import and export of the bulb, her virtuoso performances being ship Agreement.” Mention of Pakistan’s support to for abolishing the death sentence. in the political hierarchy in the The development in Arunachal keeping farmers’ interests in mind. buried in archives and absolutely no terrorist groups was muted as well. However, Mr. However, one cannot ignore the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar makes a mockery of the election The government should also efforts being made to channel her Ghani did give a scathing account of Pakistan’s ac- voices of a section who want the Pradesh has once again process and is the equivalent of develop a rapid market intervention recitals into the popular stream are tions at a speech at a Delhi think tank later. The offence of rape to be made more demonstrated the fragility of perpetrating a fraud on the people mechanism for onions. pointers. It will be fitting if both Afghan and Nepali visits had another common serious and the quantum of political dispensations that depend who voted for the politicians in Nikhil Chopra, audiovisual arms of the Centre, All punishment enhanced. largely on the numerical strength of question. It is shocking that they had Jagraon, Punjab India Radio and Doordarshan thread, of landlocked countries in need of road and S. Srinivasan, kith and kin. It goes without saying no qualms in shifting allegiance earmark a slot of at least half an hour railway trade routes. It is hoped that, going forward, Chennai that the simmering discontent overnight which probably reflects a There are similar examples of the in a week to broadcast and telecast India will take a leadership role in maximising their between family members in the new trend in regional politics. The mismanagement of marketing for her kutcheries and keep her memory options, as it has done with Afghanistan through The Supreme Court’s verdict leaves party will have a destabilising effect “crossing the floor” formula should different types of agricultural alive. the Chabahar port project in Iran. one shell shocked. One can also add on the politics of the State. It is well not be made so easy and that too produce. The lack of well-defined Seshagiri Row Karry, the words “unwelcome”, known that India is beset with twice. It becomes incumbent on the marketing norms and the absence of Hyderabad CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 Equality before uniformity If a common code is impossible to argue for today, it is not because Muslim women are better off with their existing personal laws, but because of the insecurity and precariousness of Muslim lives and livelihoods

the data come from a special sample survey marginalisation in social, economic and po- TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 conducted by the Census of India in 1960 of litical terms, making it almost certain that one lakh women, which is explicitly acknow- Muslim women are on average worse off ledged to be a non-representative sample — today than they were just 10 years ago. MARY E. JOHN HASINA KHAN that is, it may be suggestive, but cannot stand The second lesson from the past decades for entities like India, Hindu women or is that we must learn from and support much Responding Muslim women. Two, the survey includes more broadly the struggles that have been Two intertwined topics that have recently women who were married between 1940 and waged since the 1980s by a wide variety of to Uri reclaimed their place in news headlines are 1960 — which means that 15 of these 20 years Muslim women’s organisations. A range of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and Muslim were prior to the enactment in 1955 of the organisations emerged between 1984 and athering evidence regarding the four ter- women’s rights, or rather wrongs. A Law Hindu Code Bill that outlawed polygamy. 2013, including Awaaz-e-Niswaan, Muslim rorists who stormed the army base in Ministry note prepared for the Law Commis- And three, the overall incidence of polygamy Women’s Rights Network, Bharatiya Muslim Uri, killing 18 soldiers, suggests they are sion declares that the three impediments to reported for Hindu and Muslim women is 5.7 Mahila Andolan (BMMA), and the Bebaak from Pakistan and had been sent across legislating a UCC are “separatism, conser- per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively. In Collective, to name only a few. They speak in G vatism, and misconceived notions about per- short, these data do not prove that there was many voices and have different viewpoints. the border explicitly for this attack. In fact, the entire operation has the fingerprints of Pakistan’s mil- sonal laws”. The note is unambiguously more bigamy among Hindu women than Undoubtedly some do argue that the only itary establishment, showing yet again the coun- clear as to which personal laws are getting in Muslim women even in 1960, let alone in available option today is to work for personal try’s persistent use of terrorism as state policy. The the way — those protected by their minority more recent times. (We may note in passing law reform “from within”. But this is by no status, that is, Muslim personal law. Howev- that the authors of the ‘Towards Equality’ re- means the only position. In any case, the dis- four terrorists reportedly got to the camp early in er, Muslim personal law has also been in the port were particularly concerned about the tinction between what is “internal” and “ex- the morning, in all probability across the Line of news independently of the UCC issue — be- ILLUSTRATION: DEEPAK HARICHANDAN high incidence of polygamy among tribal ternal” to personal laws is not always clear. Control just 6 km away. The terrorists carried auto- cause of the PIL supporting Shayara Bano’s It is imperative to nurture groups, where rates were increasing over For example, while unilateral triple talaq is matic rifles, under-barrel grenade launchers and demand for the repeal of unilateral divorce time and had reached 18 per cent during viewed as being contrary to true Islamic other equipment, most of it with Pakistani mark- (or triple talaq), and the responses this has alternative perspectives — 1951-60.) principles by many theological schools, po- ings, according to Director General of Military Op- received. diverse voices must enter public lygamy is considered to be part of main- erations Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh. Over the last three discourse, whether or not the The steady slide of Muslim women stream Islam. Yet there are organisations Comparing Hindu and Muslim women Nothing is gained today by simply assert- asking for the abolition of polygamy, thus decades or so, India has been at the receiving end of state is ready to listen Pakistani statecraft of terrorists unleashed to attain During the 1990s, the idea of a UCC was ing that Hindu women are worse off than pushing the outer boundaries of personal state objectives; Uri is the latest provocation. India extensively criticised by women’s groups their Muslim counterparts — such careless law reform. Moreover, Muslim women’s or- who feared the unspoken intentions of the was made of a Census study on marriage and claims may come back to haunt us in future. ganisations have also been demanding has limited manoeuvrability as far as a military re- Hindu Right in advocating it. An influential polygamy (which had been cited in the fam- Yes, honour killings are sanctioned by khap economic and political rights. In sum, if a sponse goes. Narendra Modi’s restrained, but firm, strand of argument questioned public per- ous ‘Towards Equality’ report of 1974 on the panchayats in the very Hindu State of Hary- common code is impossible to argue for response is an indication that India may not play ceptions and assumptions about personal status of Indian women) which showed that ana; but the khap campaign to amend the today, it is not because Muslim women are the reckless game many would like it to. Con- law, namely: Hindu personal law has been the incidence of polygamy (usually bigamy) Hindu Marriage Act to enforce gotra and better off with their existing personal laws, demning the “cowardly” attack, he said those be- successfully reformed; in sharp contrast, was in fact greater among Hindus than caste prohibitions has failed. Moreover, but because of the extreme insecurity and hind it would not go unpunished — the heavy-lift- Muslim law remains uncodified and im- Muslims. Moreover, such wives had no there is growing evidence that women are precariousness of Muslim lives and liveli- ing will in all probability be done diplomatically. poses the worst vulnerabilities on Muslim rights under the reformed Hindu law, unlike claiming their inheritance as daughters un- hoods in contemporary India. This was In responses in New Delhi, and on the ground in women; therefore, Hindu personal law the rights available to Muslim women under der the Hindu Succession (Amendment) shared at a recent national convention orga- Kashmir, one thing has emerged: that India still should be made the basis for a UCC. There polygamy. Act, 2005, particularly in regions (such as nised by the Bebaak Collective, “Muslim was much to be questioned in such assump- Now that we are once again faced with the Haryana) where land prices have shot up, Aurton ki Awaaz: Sadak se Sansad Tak”, at- does not have a comprehensive national policy to tions. For instance, it was pointed out that, spectre of a UCC being foisted on us, this and the support of in-laws is forthcoming. tended by over 500 Muslim women and oth- deal with domestic militancy as well as cross-bor- historically, Muslim personal law was way represents an opportunity to take stock from While it is nobody’s case that Hindu law has ers in New Delhi on February 27-28, 2016. der terrorism. Given India’s inconsistent and in- ahead of its Hindu counterpart since mar- where we are today. We believe that there are been successfully reformed, decades of complete responses, the adversaries, both states riage was understood to be a contract be- three main lessons to be learnt from our re- Hindu majoritarianism may well have bene- Resisting statist agendas anew and terror organisations, are able to exploit, and of- tween individuals with built-in provision for cent past. First, we must stop making dubi- fited many upper-caste Hindu women, in- The third lesson is that feminists must re- ten poke fun at, the lack of a robust national doc- divorce, while Hindu law languished within ous comparisons between Muslim and cluding in courts of law. In contrast, the member and recover the creativity and en- trine. The latest attack also captures the complex notions of sacrament, the absence of person- Hindu women. Having studied the status of Muslims as delineated in the Sachar ergy of the 1990s. While being trapped in a reality of India-Pakistan ties and the Kashmir issue. hood for Hindu wives, the vagaries of the comparative data on polygamy that continue Committee report a decade ago is likely to reactive relationship to the state with re- It calls for an alert security grid and sophisticated Hindu Undivided Family, and so on. Much to be cited, we noticed the following. One, have declined further given their increased spect to the UCC, feminists and women’s or- policy responses; neither can be achieved by rheto- ganisations did much more in the 1990s than CARTOONSCAPE simply resist majoritarian agendas. Despite ric and simplistic blame games. The Indian security bitter and acrimonious debates, many cre- forces have been dealing with militancy and cross- ative alternative visions emerged of how border infiltration since Kashmir went up in flames genuine equality could be brought into the in the late 1980s. The gradual decline in violence in realm of family life and related institutions. the Valley over the years was reversed starting 2014, In the decades since, we have been exploring and since then strife in the Valley and infiltration rights in intimate relations, rights in from the Pakistan side have both steadily climbed. economic and political spheres more gener- The Prime Minister should take the lead to bring ally, and observing the innovative use of sec- together leaders across the spectrum to work to- ular laws by minority groups, such as the Ju- venile Justice (Care and Protection of wards finding peace, while drawing up a national Children) Rules, 2007 for adoption of chil- security doctrine that is free of biases and myopia. dren by Muslims and Christians. Today, we India needs to let its adversaries know it is a power must revive and re-energise these visions capable of more than mere rhetoric — while assur- and reassert our refusal to think within the ing its own people that its options are rooted in con- confines of statist agendas. stitutional values. For both, a well-documented na- It is amply evident that the Law Ministry’s tional security doctrine could be a first step. note on the UCC does not venture beyond the old desire for uniformity, and barely finds room for equality. This makes it all the more imperative to nurture and promote al- The road ternative perspectives — diverse voices must be empowered to enter public discourse, whether or not the state is ready to from Bratislava listen. After all, the common goal is gender nity and cohesion were conspicuously justice, whether it is uniform or plural. absent at the Bratislava castle where the Mary E. John is Senior Fellow, Centre for Women’s EU 28 minus 1 met to discuss the post- Development Studies. Hasina Khan is a member of Forum Brexit world. Nobody is harbouring any Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai and founder U member of Bebaak Collective. The views expressed are illusions. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and personal. European Commission President Jean-Claude Jun- cker admitted that the EU is in an ‘existential crisis.’ Brexit is only the latest symptom of the fear and dis- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR content that have spread across the continent, Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. fuelled by the migrant crisis, Islamophobia, Eu- rozone woes and terrorist attacks. Friday’s meeting was organised by Donald Tusk, President of the Eu- Terror strike in Uri Pakistan will no doubt deny its Mere condemnation or criticism, definitely does not amount to get their findings patented, wouldn’t ropean Council, that provides strategic direction to involvement in the attack. But it both national or international, will infringement of copyright. But the world have suffered? I would the EU, in order to ‘diagnose’ the situation and to The predawn attack on an army cannot hide from the fact that not suffice. The question thus arises: photocopying amounts to also like to pose this question to camp in Uri only reaffirms that terrorists are operating from bases should we continue to be treated as a unauthorised reproduction and may those who talk about copyright and forge a united path forward. This is not going to be Pakistan is in the habit of triggering in Pakistan. If it cannot eliminate sleeping giant and let the episode not enjoy the exemptions granted are based in the West: don’t you an easy task given that the bloc is split into factions, fresh violence in the Kashmir Valley these bases, it should get help from cool down, or do we act firmly? How under the Copyright Act. Further, it “borrow” traditional knowledge mainly around issues of economics and migration. (“17 jawans killed in pre-dawn strike outside. The ultimate solution to the long should we take it lying down? does not encourage students to from indigenous populations and get ‘The Bratislava Declaration’ offers a road map for in Uri”, Sept.19). A country that has problem of terrorism lies in India We are a powerful and strong nation research a problem and search for away with it? When you patent them, the next six months, on migration, border security, never seen a full-fledged democracy reclaiming Pakistan- Occupied and must have faith and confidence additional material to develop their what about the rights of the counter-terrorism, defence and economic and so- blooming ever since its Kashmir. There are some in India in ourselves. We do not need skills and originality. indigenous populations? cial development, providing political backing to independence has always relied on who repeatedly advocate carrying international approval to take action I feel the IPR of the publisher has to Naveen Rattu, measures announced by Mr. Juncker in his State of violence to achieve its objective. It is forward the dialogue process. But against Pakistan. be protected as most reputed Chandigarh the Union address in Brussels. Europe is much like high time that India exposes dialogue with whom? The LeT and S.P. Sharma, publishers have the clause “no part a stack of Jenga blocks at present. Each move needs Pakistan’s nefarious designs in the JeM? These organisations are Mumbai of the publication may be Questions and issues aiding, abetting and sending hardly enamoured of the Gandhian reproduced, stored in a retrieval precision and care in order to preserve the integrity terrorists to harm India so that any philosophy of peace. Blow for knowledge system, or transmitted, in any form While ideas fly thick and fast on the of an increasingly tenuous union. The declaration attempt at initiating peace gets K.R. Jayaprakash Rao, or by any means, without prior “self-inflicted death” of Ramkumar, identifies various areas for action. Some of these derailed and Jammu and Kashmir is Mysuru Most institutes of repute have permission in writing or expressly one point looms large (“Swathi are likely to find wide acceptance, such as funding kept on the boil always. academic course packs that permitted by law”. Neither is there murder accused commits ‘suicide’,” for strategic investments across the region, estab- K.R. Srinivasan, The attack is a cowardly attempt by comprise books by foreign authors permission under the Indian Sept.19). Only last week, in the lishing a common capital market across the EU and Secunderabad anti-national elements to perpetrate and publications which help a Reprographic Rights Organisation. Soumya case, the Supreme Court of acquiring advanced traveller information to secure and perpetuate terror on Indian student develop their ideas and Newspapers, journals and India commuted concurrent death borders. Other areas, such as migration, are more Pakistan is a terrorist state and territory. It is unfortunate that even outlook. Most students pore over periodicals can get their publication penalties to life imprisonment which contentious. Hungarians will participate in a na- should be identified and isolated. As after being admonished publicly and such books in a library for hours costs offset by way of advertisement fuelled an outburst of public India has become a victim of warned of strict action against any taking down copious notes, but there revenues, which does not happen in disapproval. tional referendum in October to decide whether terrorism exported by Pakistan for form of outrageous aggression and are limitations of time. the case of publishing houses. This may revive the need to have the they will accept the recommended share. The EU decades, the government must take violation of ceasefire agreement, the Most often, a student is unable to Pavitra Palagummi, death penalty to be awarded in must find a creative, humane and effective solution measures to impress upon all leadership of Pakistan has not afford such highly priced books. Hyderabad appropriate cases in the statute to receive and resettle refugees. Another conten- nations Pakistan’s real identity as a mended its ways. However, Keeping in mind limited book. The other areas of concern are tious proposal is the European army. Mr. Juncker fount of terrorism. prudence demands that India should infrastructure for reading facilities The judgment has boosted the the “novel methods” of committing had proposed that member-states move towards J.P. Reddy, not let its strategic interests in in libraries in India, and in order to morale of the student community. suicide by prison inmates, the pooling and centralising their defence and diplo- Nalgonda, Telangana engaging with Pakistan be expand the domain of knowledge, it This semester, we were told to refer lengthy time for a final verdict matic resources. While there may be advantages undermined by jingoistic is essential to allow content to be to a publication by a foreign author. during which prisoners need to be with regard to defence procurement and oper- Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has provocations from extremist forces. delivered to students. Books are When I located the book in a large kept under constant vigil, and, more ational efficiency and capabilities, it is exactly this emerged as a grave threat to peace A sustained dialogue process is meant to enhance the knowledge of chain store, the rupee equivalent of importantly, the revival of the debate and stability in the region and the necessary for strong bilateral ties pupils and such freedom is granted the book’s price in dollars came to about the desirability of abolishing kind of a ‘more Europe’ response to a problem that development of South Asia. Like it and a robust confidence-building indirectly through Section 52 of the more than Rs.10,000. The photocopy the death sentence. has left EU member-states and citizens disen- or not, the fidayeen attack at Uri has mechanism to attain the objectives Copyright Act. One hopes that the store in my college offered to do the chanted and fearful of what they see as Brussels’s V. Lakshmanan, hastened the prospect of a military of trade, sporting and cultural publishers concerned do not whole book for Rs.500. I wish the Tirupur, Tamil Nadu overreach. Brussels will do well to heed the lessons confrontation between India and interactions. Building trust through challenge the Delhi High Court copyright system facilitates the of Brexit. This can be done in at least two ways. Pakistan. War clouds are now sustained engagement and verdict (“A blow for the right to growth of knowledge. First, by focussing on the big picture and on areas hovering over the subcontinent as concluding agreements on knowledge”, Sept.19). Vedant Mishra, The “suicide” obviously raises many where it has a comparative advantage while letting the Indian security establishment economic cooperation can provide a Dimpy Bhatia, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh questions about the safety of national governments take the lead in others. seems to be mulling over different more favourable context to address New Delhi prisoners and the government owes Second, by encouraging members to engage more options to respond. We are a peace- grievances on both sides. India The article highlights the growing us an explanation. The way the case loving country, but it does not mean should look at exploiting tactical The way forward is to acquire confrontation between the patent/ proceeded is odd and raises many rigorously with their citizens on EU issues — ex- that we can be taken for granted by options and protesting sufficient numbers of publications as copyright regime and the not-so- questions. There appears to have plaining policies and their outcomes, collecting our hostile neighbour for whom diplomatically for riposte against student editions, probably at highly privileged ones. How many Indian been an attempt to save face. The feedback, and inviting ideas. These steps will go a terror is a key instrument of its state Pakistan to create strong subsidised prices, and making them students can afford to buy books that episode only underlines the need to long way towards, to use Mr. Tusk’s phrase, not let- policy. disincentives for its hostile actions. available to students. Using textbook cost over Rs.300? Had Roentgen (the introduce police reforms. ting this crisis go to waste. M. Jeyaram, Shreyans Jain, material as a teaching aid in the discoverer of X-rays) or Alexander S. Venugopalan, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu Mumbai course of instruction to students Fleming (for penicillin) chosen to Chennai CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 The best among limited options In an interconnected world where India is seen as a rising, responsible power, it is necessary to temper the voices being heard about paying Pakistan back in its own coin

capture of one of the attackers. Yet — and blockade on that country. Pakistan has every WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 despite the fact that many of the attack vic- reason to be certain that China would not go M.K. NARAYANAN tims were foreigners — deciding on a along with any such Indian initiative. Apart coherent response that would adhere to in- from this, Pakistan’s importance vis-à-vis ternational ‘best practices’ had proved China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, and the Copyright and difficult. criticality of the China-Pakistan Economic In the early dawn of September 18, Pakistani The Cabinet Committee on Security (at Corridor in China’s overall geostrategic irregulars belonging to the Jaish-e-Mo- the time headed by former Prime Minister plans make it highly unlikely that China copy-making hammed (JeM) attacked an Army camp in the Manmohan Singh) had examined and con- would take sides against Pakistan. Other Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 18 sidered several options. It was not pusillan- Asian nations, including members of ASEAN he Delhi High Court verdict that photo- jawans and inflicting grievous casualties on imity, but mature judgment based on a cost- (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), copying portions of academic publi- many more. The fidayeen were able to effective analysis, that led to the withholding may also be less than willing to take sides in a cations to make course packs for students breach the Line of Control as also the camp’s of ‘direct action’ in the form of an overt attack conflict of this kind. does not amount to copyright infringe- security, employing a combination of incen- on Pakistani targets. A mature nation like In- Utmost care again needs to be taken when T diary grenades and close-quarter weapons to dia could hardly afford to function like a considering any military option. Pakistan ment has been interpreted by many as a victory for the wider public interest of ensuring affordable ac- inflict heavy casualties. ‘rogue state’, viz. Pakistan. may be a ‘basket case’ approximating to Questions are being raised as to how this North Korea, but like the latter it is a ‘militar- cess to quality educational material.The only ques- Mature response the key tion of law that arose in the suit filed byOxford Uni- could happen when Jammu and Kashmir was ised’ state which has ‘nuclear teeth’. In 2008, on maximum alert — this being one of the The need for caution is even more imperat- India did not exercise the military option not versity Press, Cambridge University Press and worst periods in the State’s history since the ive today, as not only is the world more inter- due to any fears of a possible nuclear conflict, Taylor & Francis was whether the making of course 1990s. This is, however, not the time for intro- Pakistan’s military is anxious to connected and events in any one region do but because of the futility of resorting to any packs by the Delhi University by authorising a pho- spection on security breaches and failures; have a geopolitical impact, but the stakes for such step as it was likely to be indeterminate. tocopying store to make numerous copies of course there are far more serious matters on hand. engage in a conflict to gauge India as one of the world’s leading economic The decision to eschew the military option material drawn from different books amounts to powers have become considerable. It is, was based on mature consideration of all Uri and the UN how soon the world and its allies copyright infringement. The court says copyright like China would step in and hence, necessary to temper the voices being facts available at that time. In retrospect, it is not a natural or common law right in India, but is The Uri attack had an eerie similarity to heard about paying Pakistan back in its own greatly added to India’s prestige, instead of subject to statute. It proceeds to hold that photo- the attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in internationalise the dispute coin, that strategic restraint is passé, and that the country being equated with a ‘rogue state’ copying for academic purposes is not an infringe- January this year, in which seven security the government must exercise the military like Pakistan. India also won the ‘perception ment as Section 52(1)(i) of the Copyright Act per- personnel were killed. Lessons from that in- sides. All of India feels that mere impotent option. Many former members of the armed war’, gaining international support and sym- cident obviously have not filtered down. rage and euphuistic excesses are insufficient. forces are seen indulging in rhetoric that pathy, while Pakistan was consigned to the mits the making of copies of literary works by a What is significant is that the JeM was re- There is clamour for action, all the more be- verges on ‘jingoism’. This could prove dan- position of an ‘international outcast’. teacher or pupil ‘in the course of instruction’, a sponsible for both attacks. The JeM — even cause the present government had come into gerous at a time when emotions are running phrase interpreted to cover whole academic ses- more than the Lashkar-e-Taiba — is the hand- office promising strong action against high. Pakistan’s military is anxious to engage Sober reflection, not strikes sions, from the preparation of syllabus onwards. maiden of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelli- Pakistan after accusing the United in a conflict not so much to assess its own ca- Sub-military options available to India to Given that the law contains provisions barring gence (ISI). It obeys implicitly, and acts dir- Progressive Alliance government of pusillan- pabilities, but to gauge how soon the world put pressure on Pakistan are not too many. In infringement of copyright and listing acts that do ectly on, the directions of the ISI. There is, imity vis-à-vis the neighbour. The shoe is and its allies like China would step in and in- 2008, after the Mumbai attacks, similar sug- not constitute infringement, there is no doubt that hence, a message in the latest attack, coming now on the other foot, and the wearer is since ternationalise the conflict, including issues gestions had been made by some experts the legislature wanted to balance copyright protec- as it does straight from the deepest recesses learning where the shoe pinches. such as Kashmir. from outside the government. These were tion with the public interest in ensuring access. In- of the ‘Pakistani Deep State’. The foremost issue before India, at not considered viable, as merely hitting a few The timing is hardly fortuitous. The care- Words, options and actions present, would thus be whether to maintain terrorist training camps inside Pakistan-oc- terestingly, the judge sees the ‘no infringement’ fully planned attack — with intelligence ob- Strong words had similarly accompanied diplomatic relations with Pakistan at the ex- cupied Kashmir was hardly likely to hurt clauses as being consistent with articles in the viously provided by the ISI — was timed to the attack on the Indian Parliament (2001) isting level or not. It is important to rec- Pakistan. At the time, India lacked the capa- Berne Convention and the Agreement on Trade- coincide with the debate in the UN General and ‘Operation Parakram’ (2001-02) in the ognise, however, that while we can choose bility to carry out spectacular raids like the Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, Assembly (featuring both Pakistan’s Prime wake of the Kargil conflict. Policymakers at our friends, we cannot select our neighbours. one by the Israel Defense Forces at Entebbe which provide for domestic legislation to permit Minister and India’s External Affairs that time had been compelled to step back Once diplomatic relations are broken, heal- and German GSG 9 forces in Mogadishu in reproductions for specific purposes, as long as they Minister), thus helping rivet world attention subsequently on account of the prevailing ining the rift will become still more difficult. the 1970s or the taking out of Osama bin do not conflict with normal exploitation of the to an otherwise hardy annual event. ternational climate. The next issue for India would be whether Laden in Abbottabad by the U.S. Navy SEALs works or unreasonably prejudice the rights-holder. Whatever be the nature of evidence pro- India faced a similar dilemma following it is possible to impose a heavy economic in 2011. The publishers have argued, in vain, that uni- duced by India, Pakistan will still remain in the multiple terror attacks in Mumbai city on burden on Pakistan. The inherent weakness The reality is that India’s security agen- versities should not allow unrestricted photocopy- denial. November 26, 2008, in which over 170 people in any such step is that few nations would be cies, including the armed forces, still do not The question is: quo vadis, India-Pakistan were killed. Pakistan’s perfidy was clearly willing to follow India’s lead and, treating have adequate capabilities of this kind — not- ing, but instead apply for licences through the Indi- relations? Tensions remain high on both proven in this instance, following the live Pakistan as an outcast, impose an economic withstanding claims to the contrary. The an Reprographic Rights Organisation, a registered Army, the Navy and the Air Force do have copyright society. The publishers may pursue this their Special Forces, but unlike the U.K.’s aspect in their appeal, if there is one. The verdict CARTOONSCAPE Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat may justly raise the concern whether conferring Service (SBS), the Green Berets and SEALs of unrestricted reprographic rights on academic insti- the U.S., Germany’s GSG 9 and Russia’s Spet- tutions will drive reputed publishers out of the field snaz, these are primarily intended for milit- of education. It is true that academic publications, ary operations ‘behind the lines’ during a especially international ones, are expensive, put- period of war. They are not capable of any independent operation. The Special Frontier ting them beyond the reach of many students. But Force has some capability for very limited the question is whether the balance between the operations and in specified circumstances. competing interests has been fully preserved in the The National Security Guard, though raised law. If reputed publishers feel that there is insuffi- as a counter-terrorist force, is not in the same cient copyright protection and back out of educa- league as the GSG 9. tional publishing in the country, it will be equally All this should induce sober reflection. In- injurious to the public interest. dia is, of course, in a position to engage in a ‘water war’ with Pakistan, to deprive Pakistan of water from the Indus river. This would, of course, mean reneging on India’s interna- 500 and tional obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty. Perhaps, India’s best option would be to counting engage in cyber sabotage and cyberwarfare, ilestones are curious things in cricket. hiding behind the plausible deniability avail- Round numbers — such as fifty, the able in such attacks. Our capacity in this area century, ten-wicket hauls and career is considerable, and it should be possible to runs in multiples of 1000 allow a engage in extensive cyber sabotage and cy- M berwarfare to bring Pakistan to its knees. measure of achievement in a sport. They also offer This may be worth examining, instead of a moment’s pause to reflect. As India prepares for adopting ‘tit for tat’ methods with a ‘rogue’ its 500th Test — a milestone 84 years in the making nation. — it seems apposite to assess its legacy in the game’s classical form. It is also germane to consider M.K. Narayanan is a former National Security Adviser and the future, given the fear in some quarters that the former Governor of West Bengal. shorter versions will cannibalise Test cricket. There was certainly nothing in the early years to LETTERS TO THE EDITOR suggest India would become the economic super- power it is today. Although the great Wally Ham- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. mond said new-ball bowler Amar Singh “came off the pitch like the crack of doom” in India’s first-ever Uri and a response about our claim of being a “ strong readability and embellishes it in unparalleled record such as The in the crest, the paper is definitely Test, against England at Lord’s in 1932, success nation” under a “strong leader”. How several other ways. It is only after Hindu’s, of continuously expanding growing from strength to strength. proved elusive. While there were moments of A national security doctrine is only long do we keep watching our these processes that a book is their base of readers since inception T.S. Karthik, individual brilliance — Vijay Hazare’s twin hun- as good as the national will to soldiers bleeding on our soil? published. Very few readers and disseminating news with Chennai dreds against Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller at Ad- enforce it. Our response to every S.K. Choudhury, understand this. When so much extraordinary clarity and without elaide in 1948, perhaps the most memorable of terror attack emanating from Bengaluru effort has gone into it, the writer and bias. The fact that the trusted and Its clear and firm views, crisp them — it wasn’t until 1952 that India won a Test. Pakistan has become predictably publisher, using the principles of reliable newspaper has completed editorials, and comprehensive M.A.K. Pataudi first pursued the idea of a vibrant, routine — there is a wave of public natural justice and a statutory 138 years is a proud moment for coverage of events that are governed anger demanding revenge against A common code framework, deserve protection. That millions of its readers across the by the principles of integrity and united team in the 1960s, and bequeathed it to Ajit Pakistan and the government The debate on the uniform civil code protection is copyright globe. One hopes that The Hindu credibility are praiseworthy. As an Wadekar. The coming together of E.A.S. Prasanna, vowing a suitable retaliation has once again gained ground with quintessentially. The intent of the will continue to march on. ardent reader for the past six B.S. Chandrasekhar, Bishan Bedi, and S. Venkatar- (Editorial – “Responding to Uri”, the BJP coming to power. The intent photocopy operator is to derive M. Jeyaram, decades, I am happy to note that it is aghavan — spinners the cricket world remains in Sept.20). However, nothing happens seems to be to target the autonomy simple commercial benefit while the Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu now India’s second largest- awe of — and the arrival of the indomitable Sunil afterwards as the masterminds of of Muslims because the debate intent of the user is to get the circulated English daily. Gavaskar not long after, formed the nucleus of the terror in Pakistan wait for the fury seems to recognise Muslim personal content practically free. The matter I have been reading The Hindu for A.J. Rangarajan, side that beat WestIndies and England away in 1971. and indignation to subside before laws as being the sole reason for the has to be taken up for appeal. more than three decades now. In Chennai With the emergence of Kapil Dev — a world-class, launching their next attack. The Uri inequalities Muslim women face. N. Subrahmanyam, between I switched to other dailies all-round match-winner — there was more for attack should be dealt with But the reality is that women in Hyderabad but returned as one cannot forget I have been a reader since boyhood other countries to be wary of. But it wasn’t until differently. Since the terrorists are every religious or cultural group the unique bond one has with the — 1957 — and am happy that the trained by Pakistan’s military- face some sort of inequality. There is Lawrence Liang advises publishers paper. I recollect a South Asian daily has crossed another milestone. after the turn of the millennium that India became security establishment, they are a need to bring in Muslims under a at the end of his ill-considered proverb: “When eating fruit, It has a great past, a contemporary consistently successful, home and away. The ri- nothing but proxies for the Pakistani common code in a harmonious eulogy of the Delhi High Court remember who planted the tree”. outlook, and a bright future. It is valry against Australia, birthed in 2001 at Eden Gar- Army. India has all the evidence of manner. Every religious group judgment “to remember that it is K. Jayanthi, indeed a great companion right dens, was transformative. In Sachin Tendulkar, the Pakistani military’s involvement, should also be encouraged to get education and greater access that Chennai through the day. Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, V.V. S . L a x m a n , and it has the right to hit back in a involved in this debate. makes readers and not copyright”. Maruthachalam Karunakaran, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly and Zaheer manner and at a time of its choice. Karan Choudhary, Providing adequate educational A journey of 138 years is extremely Erode, Tamil Nadu Khan, India had a Golden Generation. M.S. Dhoni India needs to change Pakistan’s Pathankot, Punjab facilities to all, with public libraries commendable and one has to thank perception that there are no costs to and book banks, and giving student the founders who painstakingly As a septuagenarian bonded to The was the first of a new era of players to break through Hindu from smaller, less traditional cricket centres, and be paid for maintaining two armies loans for the purchase of books seem propelled the newspaper to greater for over six decades, I am — the regular army kept in the Blow for knowledge to be unimportant in his view, not to heights, even making it a referral elated that the daily is 138 years. It for a period India was the world’s best team. That barracks and another irregular army The argument of Lawrence Liang is mention the really terrible guide for youngsters to learn the has many firsts to its credit, worthy crown slipped subsequently, but matters have sel- of brainwashed youth sent to die in lopsided (“Ablow for the right to disincentive this law will be to alien language of English. However, of appreciation and emulation. I dom appeared as encouraging as they do now. At India. knowledge”, Sept.19). The copyright writers and researchers in every it is painful to note that “Corrections wish it success in all its endeavours. the helm are two men with an empathy for bowlers: V.N. Mukundarajan, law does not restrict anybody — field, and to creativity in general. and Clarifications” occupies much Tharcius S. Fernando, Virat Kohli’s declaration last year that bowlers Thiruvananthapuram teacher or student — from taking They stand to lose their royalties space every day. Chennai were the bosses in Test cricket was momentous for down notes from a book in any form from the sales of their books. This is Ramaswamy Mahadevan, a culture obsessed with batsmen; and few know After the initial demand for the printed or digital. The issue is also anti-intellectualism disguised as Chennai I have been a reader since 1974 as my more about bowling teams to victory than Kumble. “whole jaw for a tooth”, it is clear not about advances in technology. “right to knowledge”. We seem to be father told me to read only The Hindu The Hindu As West Indies and Australia, the only two nations that the Modi government does not There is no place for any complex well on the way to becoming a truly A favourite question asked in . It is because of to have put out truly dominant teams, have shown, seem, as of now, inclined to resort to legalese or jurisprudence here. mediocre society. quizzes during my college days used that I am able to understand, speak any retributive military action. When I write a book, I am spending to be: “What was founded by 6 and write in English to an extent. I a lot falls into place when the bowlers are looked Vasantha Surya, While it is true that a military time and resources in trying to New Delhi people on 20 September 1878 with studied up to PUC (Tamil medium) after. If the Board of Control for Cricket in India offensive, whatever its scale, has its present the subject in a manner that one rupee and twelve annas of and it was the daily that became my continues being supportive — and it must be com- own unpredictable cost, its absence, an average student too can borrowed money?” We would English teacher. My day is complete mended for laying out a 13-Test home season — the despite repeated provocations from understand it well. A publisher then 138 not out chorus: “The Hindu.”Like only after I have read the paper. foundation for the next 500 will be suitably robust. Pakistan, does betray a sense of spends time and resources using There are very few newspapers in “Airavatham”, the divine elephant S. Ganapathy, helplessness. It raises questions professional skills to improve its the world which have such an which stands for strength and seen Chennai CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 The economy on autopilot The Modi government had inherited an economy with quite rapidly accelerating growth and steadily declining inflation. It has barely managed to maintain this scenario

sector. Any significant change in the invest- Singapore model, which recognises the THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 ment scenario would depend upon the ac- value of high human capital in its leadership, PULAPRE tions of this segment. something that India has not seen since the BALAKRISHNAN time of Jawaharlal Nehru. Prime Minister Sticking to fiscal consolidation Modi is right to have invited this global Right now private investment is very leader to participate in a brainstorming on Managing the As the Narendra Modi government inches likely being restrained by the weak balance how to transform India, thus drawing much- towards its halfway mark, its economic phi- sheet of firms. The flip side of this is the high needed attention to the achievements of Cauvery dispute losophy stands revealed. This appears to level of non-performing assets (NPAs) of the Singapore. Though its cultural policies may consist of aiming at some ideal institutional public commercial banks. Forcing these not be to everyone’s taste, the economic udicial intervention often resolves questions architecture while leaving economic forces banks to lend would be poor policy. But it is transformation that this tiny state has so that the executive finds too sensitive to handle. to play out on their own. The criterion of not clear whether everything that can be quickly wrought is most impressive indeed. By directing the Centre to constitute a Cauvery macroeconomic stability, defined mainly by done to lower the lending rate is being done. There is an astounding presence there of JManagement Board within four weeks, the Su- inflation kept within a range, completes the After all, consumer price index (CPI) infla- public capital in the form of infrastructure, preme Court has created space for the water-shar- picture. Underpinning such an approach is tion, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) pre- the most egregious of which is public housing dispute to be handled in a scientific and re- the premise that the potential of the econo- ferred inflation index, is trending downward ing which hosts over 80 per cent of the popu- sponsible manner by a legally constituted technical my, reflecting the chosen acts of private and there is a case for lowering lending rates. lation. Along with its approach to political body. The board, assisted by a regulation commit- agents, not only cannot be improved upon by But the RBI has now been put into the strait- freedoms, Singapore’s record is closer to that the government but its realisation could ac- jacket of inflation targeting and can no long- of socialist planning rather than free-market tee, is the mechanism prescribed by the Tribunal in tually be stymied by intervention. This is a er respond to considerations of output. This capitalism. Its government has not hesitated its final order for implementing its award. It will be well-known position in the canon of Anglo- ILLUSTRATION: KESHAV leaves fiscal policy as the only instrument to intervene in the economy but its interven- a technical body consisting of irrigation engineers American economics tending towards the with the government. tions have been made with a finesse that has and agronomists, and will have independent mem- view that market outcomes are the best. The Most capital formation is done The government, however, is reluctant to yielded substantial returns. It is ironic that a bers as well as representatives of the basin States. It maxim ‘minimum government is maximum by the domestic private sector. use it to increase aggregate demand for fear government that had so ceremoniously re- can formulate the manner in which water should be governance’ could legitimately claim to be of deviating from its fiscal consolidation placed the Planning Commission must sim- shared in a season of distress. The court’s interven- its progeny. Any significant change in the path. It is of course possible to step up public ultaneously seek clues from the history of a tion also exposes the helplessness of governments investment scenario would depend investment by trimming subsidies. Here the country transformed by economic planning. Life in the slow lane at the Centre in handling inter-State issues. It is part upon the actions of this segment National Democratic Alliance government’s There is one specific area in which our of a long historical pattern. It was at the instance of How, it may be asked, has this philosophy approach is cravenly political, and no differ- own government may learn from the Singa- served the economy? We could start with ent from that of its predecessor, the United pore experience. The government there had the Supreme Court that the Cauvery Water Dis- growth. Since May 2014, growth has acceler- accelerating growth and steadily declining Progressive Alliance. It is reluctant to be instituted a provident fund to which all putes Tribunal was formed more than a quarter ated but at a much slower rate than that it al- inflation. It has barely managed to maintain seen as cutting subsidies even when it is workers and employees have had to century ago; and again, it required court orders to ready had commenced upon in 2013-14. India this scenario. The promised resurgence has clear that a rupee-for-rupee swap in certain contribute. These contributions ensured a pave the way for an interim award to be passed in today is the world’s fastest growing economy not materialised. subsidies for public capital formation is rise in the saving rate which in turn was a 1991, and for it to be notified in the Gazette of India but this we owe to the fact that China has It is with respect to investment that the likely to be beneficial for both growth and source of funding for public investment. In later. It took another order for the Tribunal’s final slowed more than India has. India has not ex- government’s record is uninspiring. Far from welfare. The fertilizer subsidy presents the the muddled discourse on fiscal policy in In- award of 2007 to be notified in 2013, six years later. actly surged to number one position. But having been able to instil confidence among most obvious instance. It has done little to dia today, the reigning argument appears to The court has done a significant service in nudging more importantly, the government has not private investors, the government has been stem the rise in food prices while continuing be that a fixed private saving rate sets the the Centre to provide a legal and technical frame- so far been able to achieve the substantial unable to stem a decline in capital formation to take up precious fiscal space. There is a limit for the attainable fiscal deficit. This quickening of the economy that Mr. Modi — as a share of output — in progress for at strong case for reviewing its continuation, at overlooks the possibility of raising the pri- work for the equitable distribution of water. had promised at election time. The govern- least half a decade. On its part the govern- least in the present form. Well-designed em- vate saving rate, which is precisely what the This is not the first attempt to create an institu- ment has on occasion extolled its record in ment takes recourse to the figures on foreign pirical research alone can settle the matter of Singapore government had done early in its tional mechanism. In 2013, the Centre notified the maintaining macroeconomic stability. This direct investment (FDI) to signal the effect- its desirability, and one hopes the govern- history, enabling it to achieve a scale of pub- formation of a ‘Supervisory Committee’ consisting is indeed correct. Inflation has declined but iveness of its policies. Data from the Depart- ment will provide this in time for its third an- lic capital formation that truly distinguishes of the Secretary, Union Water Resources Ministry, this only reflects a downward trend that had ment of Industrial Policy and Promotion nual Budget. it from India. All indications are that the as chairman, and the Chief Secretaries of the basin started in 2013-14. The government would show that in the year just passed, the econo- present government of India is striving to States as members. That the latest decision of the also no doubt like to take credit for sticking my attracted increased FDI up to 29 per cent Looking for inspiration replicate Singapore’s institutional architec- Supervisory Committee, which directed the re- to the pre-announced fiscal consolidation in dollar terms. While this is impressive, and An object of this government’s admiration ture, as in laws governing business, rather lease of 3,000 cusecs of water for 10 days to Tamil path. The fiscal deficit has steadily declined to be welcomed, it is important to have a has been revealed to us in the choice of than the transformative role of public invest- Nadu, did not find favour with either State shows since May 2014. The Finance Minister’s pub- sense of what it amounts to. In the year 2014- speaker for the first NITI Aayog Lecture on ment that turned a fishing village into a glob- lic statements suggest that he treats this as a 15, FDI amounted to a mere 4 per cent of total Transforming India. It chose Tharman Shan- al destination for FDI. What other conclu- the difficulties involved in managing inter-State significant achievement of his government. capital formation in India. So, while FDI is to mugaratnam, the Deputy Prime Minister of sion can be drawn from the fact that in the disputes even through an institutional mechanism. Actually, it typifies the search for the ideal be encouraged, its ability to make a signific- Singapore who was earlier its Finance Budget for 2016-17 the increase in the alloca- The Supreme Court, too, has intervened to double architecture without sufficient concern for ant contribution to growth is limited. On the Minister for close to a decade. A trained tion for capital expenditure amounted to a the quantum of water to be released. All this shows outcomes. The truth is that this government other hand, over 75 per cent of capital forma- economist with considerable international mere 2.3 per cent, with inflation running at that apart from permanent mechanisms, technical had inherited an economy with quite rapidly tion is undertaken by the domestic private exposure, Mr. Shanmugaratnam typifies the around 4 per cent per annum? panels and seasonal adjudication, a spirit of accom- modation is required among the basin States. Also CARTOONSCAPE Bleak agricultural landscape needed is a clearer appreciation of the fact that the A sector that is unlikely to be well served entire water yield in the Cauvery basin is not by the philosophy than an economy left to its own devices will achieve its potential is agri- enough to provide for the requirements of both culture. Three of the past five years in India States. It is time for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to have been years of poor agricultural per- take a hard look at their agricultural economies: the formance, reflected in persistent food price area under cultivation, the number of crops per inflation. We are very likely witnessing year and the water-intensive nature of the crops. creeping climate change with direct con- Unless these are adjusted to suit the water availabil- sequences for production. The advisory ity, such disputes will keep surfacing. from most funds in the financial sector is that the economic outlook this year will depend upon the monsoon. It is surprising that the imperative of drought-proofing an increasingly vulnerable Indian agriculture Putin tightens hardly figures in the public discourse on the economy when it is of no less importance than rolling out the Goods and Services Tax. his grip Nothing short of a transformation akin to the he outcome of Russia’s parliamentary Green Revolution can achieve this, and the election was never in question. The States would have to be on board. The present government has had little to say on United Russia party of President Vladi- the matter so far. By disbanding the Planning Tmir Putin has dominated the political Commission, the Centre has lost a long- landscape ever since it was founded in 2001. Even standing conduit to the States whose plan- so, the margin of the victory was unexpected. The ning boards did have at least a titular connec- September 18 elections were held against the back- tion to the former. drop of a protracted economic crisis, tensions be- Pulapre Balakrishnan teaches economics at Ashoka tween Russia and the West, and a war of attrition in University, Sonipat, Haryana. The views expressed are the country’s neighbourhood. Lower oil prices and personal. western sanctions have hit ordinary Russians hard. Russia’s economy contracted by 3.7 per cent last LETTERS TO THE EDITOR year and is expected to shrink further by 0.7 per cent this year. Conventional wisdom suggests that Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. economic hardships trigger anti-incumbency sentiment. But in Mr. Putin’s Russia just the opposite After Uri, the options find Indian cricket’s journey to be a the publishers associated with the way. The ‘Open Page’ in particular is stenography and secure a first class has happened. When the results were declared, his thrilling one (Editorial – “500 and case have lost sight of their actual interesting. The Friday supplement in post-graduation. party won more than three-quarters of the 450- The analytical article, “The best counting”, Sept.21). For a long time mission and are doing business too is a delight for art and music N. Anuradha Srinivas, member Duma. The Communist Party and the among limited options” (Sept. 21), since 1932 we were the underdogs purely for profit. Why can’t foreign aficionados. The newspaper should Coimbatore Liberal Democratic Party have retained some pres- was an eye-opener as far as assessing and individual performances publishers sell their books in India at continue to be a tool for students to ence in the national Parliament, while the Yabloko our military capabilities are brightened the scenario from time to a lower cost so that there will be improve their language skills. Even in this age of digital news, it is and the Parnas, the two liberal parties critical of the concerned. However, the suggestion time. We rarely functioned as a team. greater sales and more volume? M. Subbiah, amazing that the paper has been able of “cyber sabotage and a cyberwar” The rivalry between players and Publishers must help students in Chennai to retain its strong print base. It is Kremlin, failed to even enter the Duma. This could will not be effective as Pakistan is camps marred the growth of talent. their academic pursuit. one of the few to have a full-fledged partly be because of the lack of a united opposition bound to seek the assistance of Today we have a well-knit team. As a I came to Chennai on August 26, Readers’ Editor. Reading the in Russia. The Communists and Liberal Democrats M. Koteswara Rao, China to counter such a move. This postscript, my fascination for cricket Hyderabad 1989, and was lost. I didn’t know editorials helped strengthen my are hardly opposition parties, and agree with the is certainly a very ineffective way to made me read five national Tamil and was keen to have access to grasp of the English language in Kremlin on most policy decisions. The anti-Krem- deal with a “rogue” nation like newspapers every day about our The Hindu@138 a newspaper that covered the local school. My evenings in the U.S. are lin parties have failed in, or been hindered from, Pakistan. We need to adopt a more team’s Test performance and I found and national news well. My boss incomplete unless I have read the building a broad base among the electorate. Alexey proactive stand. S.K. Gurunathan’s dispatches Many students attempting the civil recommended The Hindu. I soon online edition. Navalny, the leader of the popular anti-government G.M. Rama Rao, (published in The Hindu) to be services examinations are said to gained confidence in my language Varad Seshadri, protests of 2011, has been barred from contesting Visakhapatnam lucid, analytical, engaging and very owe much of their success to being skills. Whenever I travel back home Sunnyvale, California, U.S. elections. Boris Nemtsov, another popular opposi- informative. It was also an era of ardent readers of The Hindu. in Gujarat, I feel lost without the “Direct action” is certainly powerful pen holders. Therefore, one can well imagine its paper as reading it has become a I remember the time when the paper tion leader, was shot dead last year in Moscow. At inadvisable as India has everything impact. I hope that the daily is able habit. published letters written by present, there is no opposition leader in a position Y.G. Chouksey, at stake — economic superiority, Pune to encourage youngsters to continue Ramesh G. Patel, personalities such as to challenge the personality cult of Mr. Putin. prosperity, honour and position — reading especially as they form Chennai Subramania Bharati. Such was its In any case, memories of the anarchic pre-Putin which will be lost in no time. Blow for knowledge nearly 65 per cent of the population. greatness. I hopes this continues. era may still be prompting Russians to stick by him. Pakistan has to be dealt with I have accompanied The Hindu on I am 78, and thanks to my father, S.V. Venugopalan, Mr. Putin is largely credited with fixing the econo- diplomatically, strategically and It is premature to say that publishers its journey, silently and for half its have been reading the daily for close Chennai my and providing a stable political leadership to the tactically. will back out of educational age, and look forward to seeing it to 70 years. In our joint family of four country. Under his watch, Russia has come out of Shiv Shankar Gupta, publishing if there is no copyright reach a circulation figure of 2 brothers, the paper has been an It is no exaggeration to say that my its self-imposed strategic retreat and started play- New Delhi protection (Editorial – “Copyright million shortly! integral part of the household. generation improved its grasp and and copy-making”, Sept.21). Imagine Reading it has been a habit for five hold over the English language after ing an active global role. Russia’s annexation of P.M. Gopalan, We have been mature enough so far if universities and the entire Mumbai generations. Whenever time reading the paper meticulously. In Crimea from Ukraine and a combative foreign not to resort to any sort of knee-jerk academic community choose to permits, I read sections of the paper the 1960s, my father used to make policy in Syria and elsewhere have proved popular reaction. There are a number of boycott expensive books or As an avid reader for the past 60-odd to my visually impaired friend over me read aloud and write down the among his domestic constituents. But the Russian options such as covert operations, prescribe cheap Indian textbooks years, I share the honour of being a the phone. editorials — for a period of eight economy continues to be heavily dependent on en- resorting to economic blockades, only for their courses. What will part of The Hindu through thick and S. Kanakasabapathy, years. All through my career, this ergy exports. If crude oil prices remain low for and ending diplomatic relations. happen to these publishers? When thin. Despite having my own Chennai helped me score over my colleagues long, economic pain will persist. Though the mus- Most feasible among these would be there is no one to read your books, reservations about the Emergency and competitors in the battle for cular foreign policy is popular at home, Moscow resorting to diplomatic isolation what is the use of protection? The (1975-1977), when the newspaper I have been a reader of the paper for survival in the executive jungle. In has had to pay a heavy price for it. Whatever Mr. along with an upgradation of border crux of the problem is that foreign willingly or otherwise toed the line the past three and a half decades. My the eyes of my father and his ilk, Putin had done in his first and second terms to re- security infrastructure. textbooks are far too expensive for of establishment, I am still bound to primary education was in Tamil Wren and Martin’s English Indian students by virtue of their appreciate its resilience. medium. I started reading at 12. As I Grammar and Composition and build ties with Europe, particularly with Germany, Vivek Rayal, Dehradun conversion rate. At the same time Kulasai Yaman, was keen to learn English, my father The Hindu complemented each lies in a shambles in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. there are many university libraries Tuticorin put me in an English medium school. other. If news was reported in The If Mr. Putin wants to rebuild Russia as a credible which have multiple copies of I didn’t find it difficult to take Hindu, the dictum was that it “must global power, a persistent economic crisis and a Cricket’s magic number textbooks and provide textbooks to I have been an ardent reader for the dictation of the editorial columns in be true and reliable”. stormy neighbourhood are not going to help. As one who grew up fascinated by students through book banks. No past 50 years, right from school. shorthand every day, which made Bellur S. Dattatri, Indian cricket from 1948 onwards, I photocopying is permitted. I think Every page is presented in a unique me proficient in higher grade Bengaluru CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 A pirouette on Pakistan Through every attack from across the border the government has flipped and flopped. Until India builds a coherence in its own strategy, it will continue to face such challenges from Pakistan

year, that redline was erased, and the gov- flipped and flopped, explaining itself uncon- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 ernment posed no objection to the High vincingly to even its well-wishers. SUHASINI HAIDAR Commissioner meeting the Hurriyat a few There is enough evidence to show that days before the Foreign Secretary-level talks Ms. Swaraj’s instincts were correct. Nothing in Delhi. What the government failed to no- upsets the elements of the Pakistani estab- tice between those two dates in 2014 and lishment that carry out terror attacks Getting Railways In February this year, shortly after the attack 2016 was a hardening of the Pakistani milit- against India more than a consistent dia- in Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir, a diplomat ary’s position on the India policy. Another logue process, and in the past too, it is when on track belonging to a ‘friendly’ country delicately missed sign was the clear targeting of NSA India and Pakistan have come closest to a asked an unusual question. His Foreign Ajit Doval, India’s main interlocutor with breakthrough that their attack is the hardest. hat it took 69 years after Independence Ministry headquarters were asking if they Pakistan, by the military establishment’s The last few years, however, have seen nei- for India to merge the Railway Budget should send a message condemning the ter- propaganda wing, as the mastermind of ter- ther what Winston Churchill famously with the Union Budget is an indication of rorist attack in which three Army men, two ror attacks in Pakistan. called jaw-jaw (talks), nor has there been an how diicult it can be to junk colonial-era Central Reserve Police Force personnel and As a result, when Mr. Modi met Mr. Sharif outright war-war, and it’s that situation of T a civilian had been killed in a siege which in Paris and suggested restarting talks be- disorder that empowers those destructive traditions that may have outlived their utility. In bore resemblance to the Pathankot attack a ginning with NSA Doval and the newly ap- elements the most. 1924, when the first Railway Budget was presented, month before. The problem, he explained, pointed Pakistani NSA Gen. Nasser Khan the Railways entailed more funds than India’s ex- was that the Indian government itself was Janjua, it was far from a match made in Not setting the agenda penditure on all other aspects of administration making no statements on the incident, and heaven. For his part, Mr. Doval was viewed Equally confusing are the steps the gov- combined. So it made sense to present a separate he wasn’t sure if statements of support were with deep suspicion by Pakistan. Indian government has taken on the international Budget. That equation changed long ago, and now welcome or not. A few days after the Pam- ernment oicials drew false comfort as they stage. At the G20, ASEAN and East Asian the Railways’ outlay is just 6 per cent of the total ex- pore incident on February 20, the Ministry viewed Gen. Janjua as a “military man” with summits, and every possible international penditure proposed in the Union Budget for this of External Afairs had sought to play it the ear of Pakistan Army chief Gen. Raheel forum, Prime Minister Modi has made state- year. In fact, revenues from the domestic aviation down, saying only that the matter was “still Sharif. But they should have asked more ments about Pakistan’s link to the violence business are more than the Railways’ traic earn- being investigated”. Eventually, the Pam- closely about Gen. Janjua’s nebulous role in in Kashmir. Yet the government rejoiced pore incident, despite the obvious strains of the Pakistani power structure, as he seemed this week when UN Secretary General Ban ings. Nearly Rs.2.5 lakh crore has been planned this evidence linking it to Pakistan-based groups Nothing upsets the elements of to only be deputed for relations with India: Ki-moon omitted any references to Kash- year as defence expenditure, but it found little men- that oicials on the ground pointed to, was the Pakistani establishment that when Prime Minister Sharif went to Saudi mir, saying this reairms India’s traditional tion in the Finance Minister’s Budget speech. Yet, buried. At the time, the Indian and Pakistani carry out terror attacks against Arabia, Gen. Sharif to Afghanistan, and position that it is a bilateral, not interna- the ritual of the Rail Budget has continued even as National Security Advisers (NSAs) were Foreign Afairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz to the tional, issue. The damage is twofold: not on- the economy opened up over the past 25 years. A still talking to each other “regularly”, said India more than a consistent U.S., Gen. Janjua was nowhere in the picture. ly does this allow Pakistan to set the agenda key reason that it lingered so long is India’s frac- the government, and a Pakistani investiga- dialogue process for India at international fora as Mr. Sharif’s tured polity and the tendency of coalition partners tion team was coming to Pathankot airbase Neither war-war nor jaw-jaw speech calling Kashmir an “intifada” did, it to demand Railways as a juicy portfolio with its to survey evidence. Yet the government pressed on with the also gives rise to ambiguities on the status of possibilities for populist posturing and patronage. It is only now, after the Uri tragedy of been, even to close watchers and friendly initiative with Pakistan, and both External Kashmir that other countries draw upon. With the luxury of a majority in the Lok Sabha and a September 18, that India has brought up the governments. In fact, India’s moves on Afairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Mr. Meeting Mr. Sharif this week, U.S. number of attacks and attempted infiltra- Pakistan in the past few years have been a Modi have paid visits to Pakistan. They both Secretary of State John Kerry, for example, Railway Minister like Suresh Prabhu who has re- tions across the Line of Control (LoC) this series of such missteps, misperceptions and gave the same message: this time they would expressed “strong concern with recent vio- fused to use the Rail Budget as a launchpad for new year. “Seventeen such attempts have been a complete misunderstanding of the not allow terrorism to derail talks between lence in Kashmir — particularly the Army trains and railway lines, the NDA has thrown its interdicted at or around the LoC, resulting Pakistani responses to them. the two countries. “We want to ensure we base attack”, and then added the “need for weight behind a plan that takes away the annual in the elimination of 31 terrorists and pre- are not provoked by saboteurs who want to all sides to reduce tensions”, as if there was temptation to make the Railways a vote-magnet. venting their intended acts of terrorism,” Missing the signs stop the dialogue process,” Ms. Swaraj told some equivalent responsibility for both In- India’s annual economic jamboree will now be Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar told To begin with, the on-again, of-again dia- Parliament about the government’s new dia and Pakistan. Similarly, France issued a over in two days — the tabling of the Economic Sur- Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit logue process that began with Prime plans with Pakistan. Yet provoked they statement condemning the Uri attack, but vey followed by the Union Budget — instead of when he summoned him on Wednesday. In Minister Narendra Modi’s grand gesture of were, and the government took another also called for a resolution of the Kashmir three. Railway Ministers will no longer need to con- fact, there have also been more than 20 at- inviting his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz turn, calling of the Foreign Secretary-level dispute, drawing a link between the two that tacks on security force installations in Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony is per- dialogue process shortly after the Pathankot India would like to avoid. jure up fancy and often regurgitated promises Jammu and Kashmir in the past two years, plexing. When the government called of attack in January. NSA talks, however, per- Finally, there is an inconsistency between about new, improved services for passengers including the Pampore attack; another 15 talks between the Foreign Secretaries over sisted and led to the curious precedent that the government’s rhetoric and the actions it without charging them the operational costs of re- were foiled. the Pakistan High Commissioner’s talks a saw Pakistani intelligence operatives get ac- is prepared to take in the wake of an attack. aching their destination. The pressure to hold com- The incident with the diplomat only few months later with the Hurriyat leader- cess to look at the very base India accused Initial indications after the Uri attack sug- muter fares has skewed the Railways’ freight rates, serves as a small indicator of how confusing ship, it played the move as the drawing of a their groups of attacking. Through every at- gest the government and the armed forces year after year. Indeed, the change is already being the government’s moves on Pakistan have “redline”. But in a turnaround in March this tack from Pakistan, the government has are not in favour of a “knee-jerk” air strike or felt; tweaking of tarifs outside the Budget has be- cross-border raids at this point. It is gun. Consider the changes in coal freight and the CARTOONSCAPE counterproductive to issue statements on introduction of flexible pricing on premium pas- “befitting punishment” to Pakistan or ex- senger trains. However, the Centre needs to now changing a tooth for a full set of dentures if the plan is to exhaust diplomatic options seriously consider setting up an independent tarif first. regulator to depoliticise fares. New lines and trains The truth is, the world understands India should be determined by economic viability rather is the victim, and Pakistan the perpetrator of than the constituencies covered. Initiatives such as terror. While the government keeps produ- demand-driven clone trains must be deployed to cing evidence of each attack it traces to the boost earnings, and the Rs.37,000-crore tab on so- Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e- cial obligations, including concessional ticketing, Taiba, as it has done post-Uri as well, the ob- must be borne by the exchequer. The Railways’ ac- vious evidence should be the original case counts need to be cleaned up and made bankable. against them: that JeM leader Masood Azhar was exchanged for hostages during the Scrapping the Rail Budget is a good starting point IC-814 hijack in 1999, and Hafiz Saeed has to fix the fading utility. Bringing it back safely on been identified by at least three people in- track will take a lot more doing, and undoing. volved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008 as its mastermind, and is wanted not just by India but the UN as well. If that’s not enough for Pakistan, nothing will ever be, and the fact that both terrorists roam freely and run The curious death flourishing empires within the country should be enough to show Pakistan’s complicity. But until India builds a coherence in of Ramkumar its own strategy, and unity in focus and purpose, it will continue to face such challenges he alleged suicide of murder suspect P. from across the border, as well as comfort- Ramkumar in the high-security Puzhal ing but empty words of solidarity from the Central Prison in Chennai has given rise rest of the world. to many questions and doubts. The claim T [email protected] that Ramkumar, the alleged lone assailant who stalked and killed young Swathi, took his own life by biting a live wire pulled out from a switchboard inside the prison is unusual. His lawyer alleges he LETTERS TO THE EDITOR was murdered. Even without questioning the suicide theory, it is clear that the prison adminis- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. tration has much to answer for. Ramkumar had suicidal tendencies, going by the police claim that he The Uri aftermath is not a hero for normal civilised that place. What is the point in and water supply in the Cauvery separate Railway Budget. The tried to slash his own throat when he was about to people. changing that? basin is declining. As the editorial anxiety that the merger would pave be arrested. Prison authorities say he was indeed As expected, Pakistan Prime Vanka Venkata Ramdas, P.R.V. Raja, stated, there is an urgent need to way for privatisation of the Indian under continuous watch by warders, and that he Minister Nawaz Sharif devoted Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh Pandalam, Kerala both conserve water and change the Railways is baseless as the Cabinet had been given psychological counselling. More most of his speech at the UN crop patterns based on availability is competent to implement it even if ought to have been done to prevent the incident, as General Assembly session to the Changing names BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi wants and not on traditional or historical it is part of the General Budget. the case had become unusually sensitive, with the events in Kashmir (“Sharif seeks Race Course Road to be named precedents. B. Prabha, public debate assuming strong caste and com- probe into Kashmir ‘killings’, Sept. Whether Lutyens’ Delhi’s iconic Ekatma Marg; Delhi Chief Minister H.N. Ramakrishna, Varkala, Kerala 22). Foreign Minister Sushma Race Course Road, where the Prime Arvind Kejriwal wants it to be Bengaluru munal overtones. It is surprising that the closely Swaraj, in her speech later, is likely Minister’s residence is located, will named after Guru Gobind Singh. Advancing the presentation of the watched suspect had easy access, at a moment to make India’s stand clear, that now be known as Lok Kalyan Marg What diference does all this make The Karnataka government’s direct Budget to allow Parliament to vote when he was conveniently alone, to a switchboard Kashmir is an internal matter and or by some other name makes no to the Prime Minister who is away challenge to the authority of the on tax and spending proposals near the prison dispensary. It also so happened that no one should meddle in it. She may diference to the common man from 7, Race Course Road, most of highest court may send wrong before the beginning of the new the CCTV cameras installed in the modern prison also highlight the human rights (“PM’s new address: 7 Lok Kalyan the time anyway? signals to other areas of conflict. financial year on April 1 is a good did not cover that particular area where he chose to violations in Balochistan and Marg”, Sept. 22). It seems as though P.G. Menon, This obdurate tendency will idea. It will turn the focus back to end his life. If he did commit suicide, there has been Pakistan occupied-Kashmir as well our politicians have no other Chennai undoubtedly encourage unrest. The the Indian Railways’ crying need to undoubted lapse in monitoring his movements. as Pakistan’s role in terror attacks capability apart from renaming executive is bound to obey the boost its capital expenditure over Prison suicides set of questions about the condi- against India. So far, India has been historic roads. Former Jammu and Cauvery dispute dictates of the judiciary. It cannot the next few years. I understand tions of incarceration in our jails, often seen as busy on the diplomatic front, Kashmir Chief Minister Omar aford to distance itself from the that the demand for merging the building up pressure to declare Abdullah rightly said on Twitter: This refers to the article, judiciary. Such a possibility may Railway Budget with the General overcrowded and understafed. Suicide by electro- Pakistan as a ‘terror-sponsor state’. “It’s so good to know that “Karnataka decides not to release force the judiciary to resort to Budget had come from the Railways cution is rare, as it is not diicult to deny prisoners Some may think that India’s everything is alright with the world water till Sept. 23” (Sept. 22.) That extreme steps to ensure Minister as a solution to addressing any form of access to live electrical cables. There is response has been mild so far, but & we can focus on the stuf that the Karnataka Cabinet has decided implementation of its orders. This the railways’ revenue deficit and truth in the theory that it is diicult to prevent a the country has done the right thing really matters — renaming roads. not to implement the SC’s directive will, in turn, lead to further capital expenditure needs. Having person determined to commit suicide, even if some in not resorting to direct military #7LKM”. The Delhi government sets a dangerous precedent. acrimony. given away its budgeting powers, correctional psychologists disagree. There ought action that could have serious seems unable to control the spread Confrontation with the highest If the Karnataka government feels the Railways will now have to show to be an initial evaluation of incoming prisoners to repercussions on the peoples of of dengue and chikungunya in the judicial authority is not at all a that the Supreme Court’s fiat need the resolve for implementing identify those with a high risk of suicide. There- both sides. It is important that we capital but seems to have all the healthy trend in a democratic not be obeyed, it runs the risk of reforms if it expects the Finance after, periodic assessments of their state of mind improve our intelligence and time on its hands to rename roads. country. The Karnataka exposing itself to graver situations. Ministry to loosen its purse strings. security along vulnerable areas Even if roads have to be named, why government should explore other There is the possibility of dismissal should be made. While continuous watch is ines- C. Seshagiri, near the Line of Control and in not make new roads and name legal steps instead of disobeying the of the existing government and Mysuru capable, designing ‘suicide-resistant cells’ and au- Jammu and Kashmir. It is lack of those? Why tinker with historical apex court’s order. ordering President’s rule. diting jails to identify and remove possible anchor- intelligence and security that have names? R. Sekar, V. Lakshmanan, The origin of the Railway Budget ing points for attempts to die by hanging are other been highlighted as the main Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Visakhapatnam Tirupur can be traced to the Acworth necessary measures. When Ramkumar was arres- reasons for terror strikes in both the Faridabad Committee, appointed in the early ted there was a sense of reassurance among the Pathankhot and Uri attacks. Judicial intervention in the Cauvery No more rail budget 1920s, to deal with railway finances public, even though a few demanded a CBI investig- D.B.N. Murthy, Public welfare should reflect in dispute has only aggravated the (“Railway Budget, a vanishing ation based on a few purported lacunae in the po- Bengaluru government policies, not in the issue of sharing water from a The Railway Budget becoming a trick”, Sept. 22). It was only after lice version. The police were expected to put an renaming of roads. dwindling reservoir. This is mainly part of the General Budget is just careful study that a separate Rail end to all speculation about whether he was the It is shocking that Mr. Sharif has Politicians ignore the historical and because of the failure of the like transferring water contained in Budget was proposed. glorified the terrorist, Burhan Wani, geographical importance of roads, monsoons in the catchment area of a smaller vessel to a bigger one. Integrating the Railway Budget ‘real culprit’ by bringing him to trial. It is a pity this killed in a recent encounter in institutions, and government the Cauvery. Hopefully the setting There is nothing more to this with the General Budget in the did not happen. The Tamil Nadu government Kashmir as a “young leader”. programmes in their eagerness to up of a Cauvery Management Board (“Centre to do away with rail name of reforms is tantamount to should order a judicial probe in order to credibly al- Militants and militant states have boost their party image. If a race will help us adopt a more scientific budget from next year”, Sept. 22 ). ignoring the true course of lay any impression, false though it may well be, that one language, and civilised society course exists, Race Course Road approach to the issue. What is The only notable factor is that the historical facts. the case was sought to be closed extra-judicially. has another language for gives the location; if not, at least the important is the need to appreciate Railway Ministry has lost its 92- N. Sadasivan Pillai, expression. A hero for the militants name gives us some history about that rainfall patterns are changing year-old privilege of presenting a Kollam, Kerala CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in - - NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 Pushback against civil liberties The sense of impunity that drives discrimination against Dalits is at the heart of recent demands for the dilution, or even repeal, of the Act for prevention of atrocities against SCs and STs

All citizens are not equally at risk of being are themselves members of society who em- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 subjected to the acts specified in the sub- body the prevalent social prejudices, the SATISH DESHPANDE sections of Section 3(1) of the PoAA, such as state is strongly influenced by society. But being forced to “drink or eat any inedible or because it is institutionally bound to obey Jaw-jaw at the obnoxious substance” (i); have “excreta, the Constitution, the state cannot always be waste matter, carcasses or any other obnox- guided by the dominant social prejudices of It is the sense of impunity nurtured by caste ious substance” dumped in their premises the day; rather, it must at least occasionally General Assembly hierarchy that prepares the social ground or neighbourhood (ii); or being paraded rise above these prejudices to perform its for the “shockingly cruel and inhumane” “naked or with painted face or body” (iii), constitutional duty. In sum, the caste-state n what is possibly the sharpest castigation of crimes against Dalits called atrocities. It is and so on. If there exist specific groups of relationship is necessarily ambiguous be- Pakistan on the world stage, India has asserted this impunity that the Scheduled Castes and citizens who have repeatedly suffered such cause the state is itself a differentiated and its right of reply to Prime Minister Nawaz the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atro- gross violations of the fundamental right to plural (rather than homogenous or mono- cities) Act (henceforth PoAA) criminalises. dignity, then surely the republic owes them lithic) entity, capable of acting in a wide ISharif’s speech at the UN General Assembly And it is the desire to defend the same im- the protection of special laws like the PoAA. variety of ways with respect to caste. with some rather rough words. Calling Pakistan a punity that motivates recent demands for But why do such groups exist in the first Returning now to the demands for re- “terrorist state” that is now training “militant prox- the dilution or even repeal of the PoAA. To place? They exist because of the social rela- straining or removing the PoAA, we can be- ies” with a “toxic curriculum” at its “Ivy League of examine the validity of these claims, we tions promoted by caste. The atrocities that gin to decipher what is happening. Both in terrorism”, the First Secretary at India’s UN mis- must first understand the very different re- invite interventions such as the PoAA are Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, the two States sion accused Mr. Sharif of having delivered a “hypo- lationships that caste has with the made possible by caste society’s ability to where it has been voiced, the demand is critical” sermon to the Assembly. India pointed out Constitution, society, and state. sustain specific types of relationships, or coming from political parties representing that Pakistan’s nuclear proliferation record, which mutually oriented attitudes and conditions. regionally dominant castes. Both States Caste and the Constitution is marked by “deception and deceit”, hardly gave it On the one hand, Dalit castes are forcibly in- have seen the emergence (or re-emergence) The Constitution is a portrait of the na- vested with an enduring social vulnerability of Dalit assertion following some upward the right to speak of India’s eligibility to enter the tion as it would like to be rather than as it ac- vis-à-vis castes higher up in the hierarchy, mobility. This has enraged the dominant Nuclear Suppliers Group, as Mr. Sharif had done. tually is. Therefore, it is obliged to regard as- especially those dominant within a region. castes, leading them to argue that the PoAA Finally, India said his championing of Hizbul Mu- pirations as achievements, uncertain The misuse argument is not On the other hand, dominant castes are al- is being “misused”. The misuse argument is jahideen ‘commander’ Burhan Wanias a “symbol of journeys as assured arrivals. Beginning with always meant to be taken lowed to acquire, and to eventually take for so popular that it can be called a syndrome, the latest Kashmiri intifada” was further proof of the Preamble, where it presumes that “we, literally; it also acts as proxy for granted, a socially sanctioned sense of im- or “a characteristic combination of opin- Pakistan being a state sponsor of terrorism. Mr. the people” are indeed a unified and homo- punity with respect to Dalit castes. When ions, emotions or behaviour”. It has been Sharif’s speech at the UN was indeed full of gross genous collectivity, the Constitution pro- the more general perception that the dominant caste feels it has little prospect used against every special scheme or law in- inaccuracies on the subject of Jammu and Kashmir, ceeds to treat hoped-for outcomes as though Dalits are no longer underdogs of economic and social mobility, its self-es- tended to empower vulnerable groups, in- including his reference to the promise of a plebi- they were established facts. This is not a de- teem and identity become increasingly de- cluding reservations, laws against dowry, scite, which in UN annals can only be considered fect — the Constitution is required to reflect pendent on the unequal relationships it sexual harassment and rape, and even the the republic in the best possible light, and is ghats, roads and places of public resort…”. maintains with subordinated castes. In such Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employ- after Pakistan’s troops vacate the territory it cur- at its most majestic when doing so. Howev- Why is it necessary to explicitly prohibit situations, the Dalit-dominant caste rela- ment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). In each rently occupies. Mr. Sharif’s contention that er, this also means that the Constitution is discrimination in access to both modern tionship turns into a zero-sum game where case, it is alleged that the “genuinely de- Pakistan is the “principal victim of terrorism” sup- unable to directly confront obstinate real- and traditional facilities already declared to any real or imagined improvement in the serving” never benefit and that the “vast ma- ported, sponsored and financed from abroad was ities like caste that flout its fundamental be for the public? Or take Article 17, which lives of Dalits is seen as a reduction in the jority” of cases are fake. clearly a stretch. While his sympathetic reference tenets, because acknowledging caste abruptly announces that “Untouchability” social distance separating the two groups, to Wani was an affirmation of Pakistan’s support to amounts to confessing that the republic is is abolished and its practice in any form is thereby implying a decline in the status of Underdogs and predators the Hizbul, it was compounded by his refusal to more desire than reality. forbidden. What does this capitalised word the dominant castes. Since any law can be “misused”, it is not speak of the 18 Indian soldiers killed in the Army So, when the Constitution is forced to deal stand for and why must it be quarantined in the potential for misuse but its actual occur- The caste-state relationship camp in Uri in an attack allegedly carried out by ter- with caste, it does so with an averted face, al- quotes? The answer, of course, is caste, rence and frequency that matter, and this lowing it only an inferential, shadow-like which is an absent presence in the The state is simultaneously the child of needs to be established through credible rorists from Pakistan. That the Prime Minister of presence. But it also manages to be ob- Constitution, addressed only as an excep- law and society as well as the mediating link evidence. No such evidence-based claims Pakistan should devote more than half his speech at liquely eloquent about what it cannot face. tional or special circumstance. between the two. Because of its idealistic have been made as yet. On the contrary, re- the UN to the Kashmir issue, which Pakistan has For example, caste makes its first entry in orientation, the Constitution — mother of ports from activist groups show that it is long accepted must be resolved bilaterally, was dis- Article 15 rather anonymously, as one Discrimination as dominance all laws — is external to society and has a hard for ordinary Dalits to get cases reg- appointing. However, in a signal of how little such among many sources of discrimination. But The PoAA, 1989, and its older sibling, the largely exhortatory relationship to it. The istered, and extremely difficult to get them rhetoric matters, UN Secretary General Ban Ki- this is compensated by Sections 2(a) and Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, are “spe- state depends on the Constitution for its le- placed under the PoAA. But to be fair, the moon made no reference to it in his speech. 2(b) which prohibit discriminatory restric- cial laws” located at the strategic sites where gitimacy, but the Constitution also depends misuse argument is not always meant to be There is, unfortunately, little evidence that In- tion of access to (respectively) “shops, pub- the Constitution’s default setting of caste- on the state for the actualisation of its ideals. taken literally; it also acts as proxy for the dia’s response, which elicited loud cheers back lic restaurants, hotels and places of public blind formal equality must be changed to Since it is regulated by politics which in turn more general perception that Dalits are no home, was regarded any more by the UNGA than entertainment” and “wells, tanks, bathing address the reality of substantive inequality. is rooted in society, and since its personnel longer underdogs and may be turning into predators. This impression is confirmed Mr. Sharif’s was. Despite the powerful language of when we recall that the Pattali Makkal Kat- India’s retort — which will no doubt be echoed in chi leader, Dr. S. Ramadoss, reinforced his the address External Affairs Minister Sushma Swa- CARTOONSCAPE demand for dilution of the PoAA with the al- raj delivers next — the world has little time for a legation that Dalit boys were luring non- ‘low-intensity’ conflict that has stretched on for al- Dalit girls by wearing “jeans, T-shirts and most 70 years. India’s diplomats have fought and fancy sunglasses” (The Hindu, December 3, struggled for decades to keep Kashmir off the UN’s 2012). In Maharashtra, recent calls for re- agenda, and the Centre does no good to its case by viewing the PoAA issued by the Shiv Sena bringing the subject back into focus by joining issue and the Nationalist Congress Party have in- tensified after the rape-murder of July 13 in with Pakistan in such a high-pitched manner. For Kopardi (Ahmednagar district) in which the the moment, it would be advisable to keep its victim is dominant caste and the accused powder dry and rhetoric sober as India investigates are Dalits. the intelligence and procedural lapses in failing to While there is no reason to doubt that avert the Uri attack, and weigh its strategic options. Dalits, like any other caste group, could become efficient oppressors if given the chance, the obvious question is if they are in fact getting the chance. Going by the nationwide evidence on the frequency of atrocities Raiders of on Dalits, the shoe still seems to be firmly on the other foot. Ahmednagar district alone has witnessed three atrocities on Dalits in hidden arks the past three years (Sonai, Kharda and Javkheda). Meanwhile, as the first an- he return to India of three ancient sculp- niversary of the Dadri lynching approaches, tures from the National Gallery of Aus- let us also spare a thought for vulnerable tralia is another milestone in the long and groups who do not have, and will probably never have, the constitutional protection of Tdifficult campaign waged by several special laws. countries to repossess their cultural treasures, which have often been bought by museums from Satish Deshpande teaches sociology at Delhi University. idol smugglers. As the provenance of the artefacts — the 900-year old statues of Goddess Pratyangira and Seated Buddha, and the third century Worship- pers of Buddha — became clear, the only ethical LETTERS TO THE EDITOR course open to the Australian gallery was to restore the sculptures, which it must be commended for Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. pursuing. Evidently, the two icons other than the sandstone Seated Buddha were acquired from a Water-sharing dispute democracy. It is regrettable that common, governments must invest Stepping up security along the Line to die, shows how bloodthirsty we New York-based art dealer, Subhash Kapoor, for critical decisions have finally been in more rainwater-harvesting of Control is the urgent need of the are. Only a full-scale investigation about $840,000 on the strength of fake documenta- The Supreme Court and the High left in the hands of immature techniques. hour to prevent more such attacks. can quieten these cries. tion: he is now facing prosecution in Tamil Nadu. Courts have pronounced several politicians. C.R. Annapurna, S.V. Venkatakrishnan, Sivamani Vasudevan, These are by no means isolated instances. In June, judgments in the past that were not V. Balasubramanian, Hyderabad Bengaluru Chennai the United States formally returned to India about within the purview of the judiciary Coimbatore 200 stolen cultural objects, which include 2,000- (“To defer is to defy”, Sept. 23). The Two days of rain cannot cause such At this point, it is wise for India to Given that he tried to commit justification that has always been On the one hand, we have an active havoc. Floods occur because of not get involved in any sort of war suicide earlier, the allegation that year-old artefacts, part of a $100 million trove un- given for this is that when Karnataka government with Chief clogging of drains, construction of with Pakistan. War brings misery. Ramkumar was murdered in prison earthed by an investigation of Kapoor’s art busi- Parliament and legislature fail, the Minister Siddaramaiah handling the buildings in drainage areas, Our country has a vision. We want lacks substance. Had he been ness. What emerges from these long battles to re- onus lies with the judiciary to Cauvery issue in such a manner that breaching of tanks, and so on. This to eliminate poverty, corruption innocent, then why did he hide in claim articles that constitute cultural heritage is the intervene on behalf of the people. even the Opposition is ready to toe means that we are causing the and illiteracy. India is doing the his native place when the police insight that a dedicated national agency with State This stand has been countered by his line. On the other we have a floods, the rains are not. This right thing by isolating Pakistan and were looking for him? Why didn’t government support would be better equipped to people who ask, what happens passive Tamil Nadu government happens every year but no forcing the country to take action he present himself before the police fight the scourge of theft and illicit transfer. With when the judiciary fails? that has done little to counter government takes tangible action. against terrorists without declaring once his image was flashed across trained personnel, it could devote itself to the task The Cauvery dispute has partially Karnataka’s moves. Unless we tackle corruption, we war. the media? What was he doing on of documenting antiquities and ensuring that the answered that question. The It is surprising that the TN cannot solve this problem either. Nikhil Nandan, the road outside the station where country’s ports are sealed against smuggling. Supreme Court has passed orders government has neither cared to M.M. Kale, Delhi Swathi was murdered? Since the that the Karnataka government convene any meeting of all the Kakidana CCTV clip is private, it cannot be a The National Gallery of Australia’s inquiry into views as arbitrary because the State political leaders nor organised a doctored one. the status of its Asian art objects conducted by a re- Custodial death feels that the court has not taken special House session to tide over What India should do S. Srinivasan, tired judge, Susan Crennan, has had the positive into consideration the actual the serious crisis. What happens to This refers to the editorial, “The Chennai outcome of identifying 22 articles that have ques- quantum of water available in the Tamil Nadu now that Karnataka has By calling Burhan Wani a young curious death of Ramkumar” (Sept. tionable or doubtful credentials, 14 of which were Cauvery on a given date. An refused to release water? leader and glorifying him, Pakistan 23). Ramkumar should have been Nomination for Oscars purchased from Kapoor. Many of the findings in the evaluation committee should have Tharcius S. Fernando, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has under vigilance 24/7 as the Swathi Visaaranai Australian review underscore the importance of assessed the question of availability Chennai walked into a trap and lent credence murder case is high profile and has I am happy that has creating a strong repository of information of all In- of water with the participation of to the call to brand Pakistan a assumed caste overtones. Whether been chosen as India’s official entry dian antiquities, backed up by unimpeachable fo- the two disputing States under the terrorist state (“India claims Ramkumar could have resorted to for Best Foreign Language film at direction of the court. Even now the Rainwater harvesting diplomatic win over Pakistan at biting a live wire on his own the 2017 Oscars (“Visaranai to take a rensic records, so that they may be claimed without process for determining the This refers to the photo, “When U.N., Sept. 23). Mr. Sharif was left volition, however unsound his mind shot at Oscar nomination”, Sept. difficulty at a future date. A lot of the illicit trade has quantum of water available vis-à-vis streets become canals” (Sept. 23). alone at the UN General Assembly was said to be, is disputable. If the 23). I hope the film wins. But even if been carried out by smugglers who have laundered the requirements of the two States Heavy rains have brought life to a as no nation is prepared to support needle of suspicion over the cause it does not, it doesn’t matter as it the provenance of idols using fake documentation can be kick-started. When rains fail, standstill in Guntur; some people his stand. Even Pakistan’s supporter of his death points to abject will stir the conscience of law- designed to overcome the prohibition imposed by distress is inevitable. Food can be have died. The government must China has expressed only meek custodial failure, the State enforcers across the world and the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 on non- imported when we fall short of think of ways to divert rainwater. generic statements. This is administration cannot escape from particularly in India. The film governmental exports. Providentially, it is the production, but water cannot be For instance, there are a number of evidence of the diplomatic offensive its responsibility as it is fully aware shows how the most disadvantaged records of a research institution such as the French created as and when we require it. parks in Hyderabad; water can be that India has launched. But is this of the case sensitivities. Assuming people are treated ruthlessly by the Institute of Pondicherry that helped establish the G. Ramakrishna, diverted into these parks. This will sufficient to satisfy the wrath that that the deceased was the real police based on mere suspicion of claim to the 11th-12th century Nataraja idol stolen Bengaluru prevent waterlogging on the streets the Uri terror attack has produced? culprit, he now gets all the crime. Hopefully the film will bring and roads. Also, the water will find As regards the preparedness on the sympathy and benefit of doubt due some change in our mindset. If it from Tamil Nadu in 2006. Documentation of an- The Karnataka Cabinet’s decision its way to the ground level instead borders, it is necessary to to inept handling by the police, who succeeds in doing that, that will be a tiquities using public and private records should to convene a special session of the of draining away. The parks can be strengthen existing radar have provided enough fodder to the reward more prestigious than the become a national mission. These treasures could legislature to pass a resolution to closed till the water recedes. This surveillance, night-vision devices, rumour mills. The unhealthy voices Oscar itself. then be put on display in national museums. nullify the dictates of the apex court can be worked out in other cities infrared and thermal cameras to that are being heard in some Manjunath D. Benkal, is illogical and an affront to too. With floods becoming detect the movement of intruders. quarters, that Ramkumar deserved Coimbatore CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI WEEKEND 10 | - - THE HINDU SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 BEING

DR HUMERUS AFFORDABLE SCIENCE Keshav One-dollar labs for the ‘citizen scientist’ MacArthur ‘Genius’ grant recipient Manu Prakash’s body of work is geared towards empowering scientific research with inexpensive devices

JACOB KOSHY paper added. India accounts for over 17 per cent of the world’s popu- rugality, crafting inex- lation while spending less than 1 per pensive knock-ofs and cent of the world’s total health ex- making do with little may penditure. be the ethos of India’s The healthcare expenditure pharmaceutical industry, stands at 4.1 per cent of its GDP, itsF manufacturing sector and the which is among the lowest in the spirit with which our scientists con- world, and dealing with challenges duct their research but an Indian- like these requires afordable inter- origin bio-engineer at Stanford Uni- ventions, something that both pub- versity has just won one of Amer- lic and private healthcare experts ica’s grandest prizes — the have repeatedly emphasised MacArthur ‘Genius’ grant — worth through the years. “If there were AROUND THE WORLD Rs.4 crore for designing a $1 more devices like Prakash’s, there’d microscope. be uses for them that we can’t yet A nanoparticle envisage,” says Ms. Gupta, adding, tattoo Towards do-it-yourself science “We are exploring options like a A temporary tattoo Manu Prakash from Rampur, Ut- manufacturing facility to scale up made of antioxidant tar Pradesh and an engineer from these devices.” nanoparticles to the Indian Institute of Technology, Dr. Prakash’s approach to engin- help control a Kanpur, has made a name for fash- eering allows a wider range of pro- ioning ingenious devices that make fessionals to become so-called ‘cit- chronic disease PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT maybe on the anvil, the essence of science — observa- izen scientists’ and bring new facts according to scientists at the Baylor College of tion and experiments — accessible about nature and solutions to tech- Medicine, U.S. Their study in the journal, Scientific to those who can’t aford expensive nical problems to the fore. The Reports, shows that nanoparticles modified with instruments. HELLO INDIA: “India has been an early adopter of his devices.” Picture shows a Foldscope workshop held in India, in Foldscope allows images of samples polyethylene glycol can be made to behave like T His best-known is the ‘Fold- December 2015. — PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA to be relayed via an app to a central and B cells, the main kinds of cells in the immune scope’, a microscope that can be site that stores information, about system, and employed to fight disease. fashioned out of paper that comes cently demonstrated a novel diag- leges, forest field oicers and help ings diferently… the microbes on an intriguing microbe or a new Administering the nanoparticles like a tattoo could pre-fixed like in a jigsaw puzzle set. nostic tool, a “water computer”, encourage an interest in field obser- your food for instance,” she says. earthworm or the beginnings of a also ensure that these foreign bodies don’t stay in Most of these kits have been distrib- which involves building a computer vation and research. Already work- Earlier this year, Dr. Prakash’s lab new plant infection from a place contact with the body longer than required. That uted free so far and the aim is to out of tiny air bubbles travelling in a shops with schools, students and came up with a new device that that may be otherwise inaccessible could be a plus for patients with autoimmune have it cost less than a dollar. The microfluidic channel. colleges in Delhi, Guwahati and modifies a child’s toy, whirligig, into to scientists. diseases like multiple sclerosis. T and B lymphocyte kits come with a glass slide that can India has been an early adopter of Kaziranga (Assam) have enthused a device called a ‘paperfuge’ that — “It certainly isn’t a replacement cells and macrophages are key components of the be slipped into the do-it-yourself his devices. The Department of Bio- students and teachers, says Shailja he and his colleagues claimed in a for the lab microscope,” says Vibha immune system. But a drawback is that they microscope and can be used to technology (DBT) has signed a Gupta, a DBT oicial who coor- June research paper — could be Narang, coordinator of the Botany frequently destroy even healthy cells. Using soluble check for microbes in a soil or water Rs.1.5-crore agreement with the dinates the Foldscope programme. used to “isolate malaria parasites in Department, Atma Ram Sanatan nanoparticles could help T cells sift the harmful sample, closely observe the anato- Prakash Lab at Stanford University “I’ve used it, my daughter likes it. 15 minutes from whole human Dharma College, Delhi, “but we saw from neutral cells. — Science Daily my of a water lily or the striations of to procure 10,000 Foldscopes that The charm of the device is that any- blood”. The device can be used to a lot of enthusiasm among school an earthworm. could then be given to schools, col- one can use it to see their surround- separate pure plasma in less than 90 students.” Another of his inventions, ac- seconds. Her college was part of a work- cording to a press statement from shop organised by the DBT and Dr. Smoking’s the MacArthur Foundation, is a Manu Prakash’s best-known creation Just what India needs Prakash to explain the Foldscope. ‘legacy’ sticker-like microfluid chip that can is the ‘Foldscope’, a microscope that Expanding the materials used “But for collecting samples during a Smoking leaves its be used to collect thousands of nan- can be fashioned out of paper that comes could mean new kinds of devices field trip or a quick survey, I think “footprint” on the olitre-sized droplets of saliva from that don’t need electricity to devel- this is a very handy device,” she human genome in mosquito bites in order to test for pre-fixed like in a jigsaw puzzle set op point-of-care diagnostics, espe- adds. the form of DNA pathogens. Dr. Prakash also re- cially in resource-poor settings, the [email protected]

PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT methylation, a process by which cells control gene activity, according to a study. STUDY Even after someone stops smoking, the effects of smoking remain in their DNA. The new findings in Transforming wound care the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics suggest that DNA methylation could be an Weighing in on important sign that reveals an individual’s smoking history, and could provide researchers with potential targets for new therapies. — Science Daily activity trackers earable activity Wmonitors can count A ‘sixth sense’ your steps and track your gene movements, but they don’t, apparently, help you With the help of two lose weight. In fact, you young patients might lose more weight having a unique without them. neurological The fascinating finding disorder, scientists PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT comes from a study have discovered published recently in the that a gene called PIEZO2 controls specific aspects Journal of the American of human touch and proprioception, a “sixth sense” Medical Association that describing awareness of one’s body in space. found dieting adults who Mutations in the gene caused the two to have wore activity monitors for movement and balance problems and the loss of 18 months lost PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT some forms of touch. Despite their difficulties, they significantly fewer both appeared to cope with these challenges by pounds over that time provide steady weight relying heavily on vision and other senses, according than those who did not. loss and were urged to start moving more, aiming to a study published in the New England Journal of The results suggest that SMART DRESSING: Modern sensing technology along with wireless radio frequency communication technology is for at least 100 minutes of Medicine. The two patients in this study are activity monitors may not poised to make significant advances in wound management, helping health-care professionals improve the moderate activity each unrelated, one nine and the other 19 years old. change our behaviour in quality of life of patients with chronic wounds. Parameters such as moisture, pressure, temperature and pH inside the way we expected and week. They kept daily — Science Daily the dressings are indicative of the healing rate, infection, and wound healing phases. Picture shows an electronic raise interesting questions food and exercise diaries sensor and a wound dressing on a legform at Urgo’s research and development centre in Chenove near Dijon, about the tangled and attended weekly central eastern France. French group Urgo develops high-technology solutions in wound management. — PHOTO: AFP relationships between counselling sessions. Women’s cognition exercise, eating, our By the end of six explained willpower and our months, everyone had lost waistlines. weight. And then the Research published RESEARCH actual experiment began. this week in the There have been tantalising hints in a few The scientists now journal Psycho divided their volunteers neuroendocrinology in half. One group was shows that Sepsis fight gets smarter, cheaper PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Gretchen told to start logging their depending on the Bengaluru team finds novel and economical way to prevent the condition Reynolds daily exercise sessions phase of their menstrual cycle, women use different onto a study website. cognitive approaches to solve problems. Hormone R. PRASAD The others were given a levels do not reduce or increase ability; they simply monitor designed to be change the way problems are approached. When esearchers at the Indian Institute studies recently that new worn on the upper arm subjected to a controlled study that involved playing Rof Science (IISc), Bangalore have technologies such as that would track their a video game to test spatial navigation and taking demonstrated a cheap and eicacious wearable activity physical activity and certain standardised memory tests, researchers way of neutralising bacterial endotox- monitors, which tell us provide feedback about found that women who were ovulating performed ins in blood that cause sepsis. It in- how much we are moving whether they were better in memory tasks, such as memorising lists of volves administering a protein into the and how many calories we achieving goals for step have burned during the counts, calorie words. Women in their pre-menstrual phase (mid/ body of mice. The protein (bacter- day, might help some late luteal) were better at solving the spatial expenditure and so on. icidal/permeability-increasing protein people to drop pounds. “We were pretty navigation trial. — Science Daily or BPI) was produced using a novel Those studies, however, confident” that the process. The results were published in had typically been small volunteers in the group the journal Scientific Reports (Septem- scale and short term, so it using the activity ber 20). was still unclear how monitors would exercise BREAKTHROUGH: Prof. Dipshikha Chakravortty (left) and Arjun Balakrishnan. much activity monitors more, monitor their DEMYSTIFYING SCIENCE Life-threatening — PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT might aid in weight loss. calorie intake better and What is the iKnife? Sepsis, a life-threatening condi- So for the new study, lose more weight than the tion,is triggered by an infection that paper — and from the Department of the 50 mice were first injected with University of Pittsburgh people in the self- Cancer detection techniques, during surgery, very quickly spirals out of control and Microbiology and Cell Biology, IISc — nanovesicles and then challenged with scientists from the monitoring group, says have become good enough to pinpoint a tumour is a major cause for concern among turned to gas nanovesicles produced sepsis causing LPS and galactosamine. Physical Activity and John Jakicic, a but neither images nor the human eye can high-risk patients. Sepsis develops by Halobacteria. The nanovesicles are “All the mice treated with BPI survived, Weight Management distinguished professor in quickly tell apart healthy and unhealthy tissues. when the body mounts a very strong inert in nature and so do not evoke any while only two mice in the control Research Center and their the department of health That’s where the iKnife comes handy. Based on assault on an infection. This results in a immune response in humans. Nan- group did not die,” says Arjun Bal- colleagues gathered and physical activity at electrosurgery — a technology around since cascading efect that causes inflamma- ovesicles produced by bacteria are easy akrishnan, the first author of the paper. almost 500 young, the University of 1920s that employs electric current to heat up tion in the entire body. It finally ends up to purify and so dramatically reduce overweight men and Pittsburgh and the study’s the tissue that needs excision — the iKnife can as multi-organ failure and death. There the production cost of recombinant However, when BPI expressing nan- women who wanted to lead author. lose weight. The recruits After 18 months — and detect precisely which tissue needs removing, is a high mortality rate of 30-50 per cent BPI. ovesicles were administered along and which should stay. ranged in age from 18 to 35 two years after the associated with sepsis. The Bengaluru team along with Prof. with or after sepsis causing LPS treat- since, presumably, these beginning of the study — The iKnife system consists of an electro-scalpel Though the BPI protein, which neut- Shiladitya DasSarma from the Uni- ment the mice did not survive. “This younger volunteers would all of the volunteers that causes the tissue to vaporise as it is being ralises the endotoxin that causes versity of Maryland, U.S., cloned suggests that BPI proteins should be be familiar with and returned to the lab to cut, leaving in its wake a trail of smoke that is sepsis, is produced in the body, sui- mouse BPI protein in the Halobac- administered before sepsis sets in so competent using repeat their normally sucked away by extraction systems. cient quantities are not produced to terium gene so that when the bacteria that it is present in the circulatory sys- technologies such as measurements from the But by connecting the iKnife to a mass quench the endotoxins when sepsis produced nanovesicles, the BPI protein tem to clear the sepsis-causing endo- activity trackers and any start. spectrometer — a device that detects the sets in. Therefore, it is necessary to in- was expressed on the surface of the toxin,” says Prof. Chakravortty. “Cy- learning curve would be But in fact, the data chemical composition of objects and materials troduce suicient quantities of BPI vesicles. tokine storm will set in within minutes slight. from the monitors show — and pumping the smoke toward it, the vapour protein externally. “BPI’s stability gets enhanced when of septic shock. So nothing can be done The volunteers were that those wearing the can be “captured” and analysed for its chemical Currently, recombinant human BPI, expressed on the surface of the nan- once sepsis sets in.” weighed and their general technology generally make-up. By matching the results to a reference which is used for treating sepsis in- ovesicles probably because it is “The therapeutic use of BPI pro- health and fitness exercised less than those library, the surgeon can see which type of tissue duced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), anchored to the nanovesicle mem- duced in Halobacterium to combat sep- assessed. in the other group. it is within 3 seconds and decide if it needs to be has a few shortcomings — the half-life brane,” says Prof. Chakravortty. The tic shock may be promising from the Then, for the first six Dr. Jakicic and his removed. Being able to do so not only ensures is short and it is prohibitively mouse BPI expressed on the surface of standpoint of both safety and eicacy,” months of the study, the colleagues hope to that the whole tumour is taken away but it also expensive. nanovesicles showed antibacterial says Mr. Balakrishnan. The team is now volunteers followed a conduct follow-up reduces unnecessary tissue loss, leading to To address these shortcomings, a activity. planning to undertake trials in larger straightforward, low- studies. — New York better outcomes for patients. team led by Prof. Dipshikha Chakra- To test the eicacy of BPI expressing animals. calorie diet designed to Times News Service vortty, the corresponding author of the nanovesicles from preventing sepsis, [email protected] CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI WEEKEND THE HINDU SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 - - | 11 READING

DEBATE SHELF HELP G The problem with Lionel Shriver’s speech What is really bad news

The writer, who says that fiction writers should be able to shape any character without being accused of cultural appropriation, is ARCHANA NATHAN someone who tries on hats and shoes and doesn’t see the hands that made the hats and shoes When Yale University invited Rwandan President Paul Kagame to NISHA SUSAN not an identity; sure, we don’t deliver the annual Coca-Cola World want to be stereotyped ac- Fund Lecture on September 20, it A couple of weeks ago, Lionel cording to race either, but who predictably provoked protests on Shriver, best known for her is Lionel Shriver to tell us the campus. Students said they did book We Need to Talk About that?” not want a leader who was accused Kevin, decided to call a spade a of violating human rights and double-edged sword. That is, Privileged and the victim stifling free speech in his home country on their campus. The she stood up to give the key- Shriver is someone who university, also predictably, exalted note speech at the Brisbane tries on hats and shoes and him on its Web page: “Kagame has Writers Festival and defended doesn’t see the hands that received recognition for his at length cultural appropri- made the hats and shoes, the leadership in numerous areas, ation. The example of political sun that shone on the heads including peace building and correctness taken to a cray- that wore the hats, the roads reconciliation, development, good cray extreme that she gave? that the shoes took. But mostly governance, promotion of human Some students at Bowdoin, an Shriver is someone who didn’t rights and women’s empowerment, American college, being rep- stop to think that giving the and the advancement of education rimanded for ethnic ster- keynote speech as a be- and information and eotyping by their peers and stselling white American communications technology...” the administration for throw- woman at a literary festival is The reason I say that both these ing a tequila-themed party in an opportunity to talk about a reactions are predictable is because which miniature sombreros million other things other of the two Rwandas that Anjan were handed out. She com- than, “I am so pained that now- Sundaram writes about in his book plained that, “those who em- adays I have to stop to think Bad News: Last Journalists in a brace a vast range of “‘identit- occasionally before shooting Dictatorship: “One for its visitors ies’” — ethnicities, my mouth of.” and another for its citizens”. Sundaram writes: “[It’s] a world in nationalities, races, sexual and It’s not very diferent, like I which the streetlights seemed gender categories, classes of said earlier, from the young wonderful signs of progress, economic under-privilege and and old men in India who are another in which they were disability — are now encour- feeling victimised, or let’s be frightening.” aged to be possessive of their honest, feeling prepared to be Kagame, he tells us, would go to experience and to regard victimised in the near future. I any length to show the outside other peoples’ attempts to don’t want to count the num- world that Rwanda is a picture of participate in their lives and ber of conversations I’ve had progress. And what better way to do traditions, either actively or recently with alarmed men this than by choking freedom of imaginatively, as a form of who feel that their public or expression within the country? theft.” She herself had grown ILLUSTRATION: SATWIK GADE private behaviour with Sundaram, a journalist who has up with parents who bought women in the past may now be reported from Central Africa for her sombreros and was also when debates about race and For someone actively trying of colour. Suki Kim, a writer archy as a writer in festivals, ‘misinterpreted’ or even be publications such as The New York happy for anyone to borrow ethnicity have received a big to understand the complexit- on this panel, wrote at length still trying to Educate Whitey. ‘considered sexual harass- Times and the Associated Press, her German-American heri- boost. Within two weeks of ies of race in 2016, there are later about everything that To her shock, Nordland then ment’. How can I be natural writes about the Kagame regime tage and wear lederhosen. the sombrero incident that Coates and dozens of other happened at Brisbane includ- wrote up things she said in this any more, they ask? It’s okay if between 2009 and 2013 when he was After all, Shriver argued, it is Shriver spoke of so scathingly, subtle-minded, witty, and styl- ing her sense of being de- private conversation for an you are not natural, is always invited to become a tutor for a the writer’s job to step into Ta-Nehisi Coates, MacArthur ish writers to read. And ployed for reparations by the article in The New York my reply. Your being natural is journalism programme funded by Britain and the European Union for people’s shoes and wear other ‘Genius’ award-winning au- someone who just wants to festival organisers because Times, subtly hinting that what got us all here. Rwandan journalists. people’s hats. Uf, so silly, was thor of The Beautiful Struggle make ‘heh-heh, these people she was Korean-American. An Shriver was a victim in a world As we sort out our own feel- Bad News is the story of how the intended takeaway of her and Between the World and are making a mountain out of a irony more bitter since the full of unreasonable people ings about where we are with Sundaram lost his students one by speech. Me, wrote simply and briefly molehill remarks’, they can go heft of Shriver’s blunt instru- such as Kim. When Kim natur- caste and race and gender and one. These students were print about cultural appropriation in search of sombrero incid- ment was that everyone can ally objected to being quoted disability, as we educate journalists who wrote for leading The complexities of race in an essay about an interview ents in small colleges. and should shed identities without her knowledge, The ourselves, there are bound to publications of the country, and Like many other people, I with the distributor of the new Someone who is interested in such as ‘Asian’ or ‘person with New York Times Public Editor be many moments of acknow- Sundaram watched in despair as read Shriver’s speech and biopic of Nina Simone. The why the sombrero party ticked disability’. What happened to reviewed it and concluded ledging our own privilege as they fled the country in fear, or were clutched my head in embar- movie distributor, Robert of the students, a writer inter- Kim later was illustrative for that Nordland shouldn’t have well as some moments of feel- crippled, broken, or driven to rassment on her behalf. It was Johnson, patently disses Si- ested in other people’s hats for writers interested in cultural done it. But in this piece, the ing like someone else’s politi- insanity because of a recurring cycle a lot like listening to some mone’s descriptions of dark- instance, would enquire what appropriation or race or life. Public Editor says in passing cal correctness is too extreme of fear engineered by Kagame’s rule. pleasant male acquaintance skinned African-Americans message it sent out to the col- Kim went to the private that Kim “considers herself a and someone else’s is not One of his students was imprisoned suddenly spouting of about having a more diicult time lege population when two writers’ lounge where she was journalist as well.” Here is enough and ours like the Baby for 17 years for writing that “some how women have made it so than light-skinned African members of their student gov- bored to death by two white Kim’s bio: “She is a con- Bear’s is ‘just right’. If you are Rwandans were unhappy with the diicult for men to speak now- Americans. Coates writes, ernment went to a sombrero men who complained among tributing editor to the New sincerely on the job, you will country’s rulers” — just one telling adays by constantly accusing “Johnson apparently believes party, when the same college other things of how one’s book Republic and an investigative have moments of not feeling example of close scrutiny of the them of sexism. And then he Simone was making all of this had already recently wit- on Afghanistan wouldn’t have journalist and novelist. Her right at all, discomfort, and an media and what it could lead to in talks for the next 40 minutes up. ‘You think Rosa Parks’ pain nessed a ‘Cracksgiving’ party got a bad review if someone New York Times bestselling unfamiliar sense of being in Rwanda. Several newspapers have been shut down in Rwanda under (continuously barking at who- was less than Nina’s when she where students dressed up as hadn’t made the mistake of as- book of narrative nonfiction, the wrong. When you have Kagame’s regime. ever tries to end the embar- had to endure not sitting on a Native Americans and a party signing it to an unqualified Without You, There Is No Us: this feeling, lie down and don’t Sundaram takes the reader swiftly rassment, “let me finish”). bus?’ he said. Beyond being themed ‘gangster’ where stu- Pakistani woman. (Kim Undercover Among the Sons give a keynote speech. to the heart of Kigali. We discover Shriver wasted a tremend- thick-witted, this is text-book dents dressed up in black fash- doesn’t mention names but I of North Korea’s Elite, is about Or take a cue from Amani that no one, however scared, dares ous opportunity to talk of appropriation — actively ions. Students of colour in this did jasoosi and am gleefully her time undercover in Py- Al-Khatahtbeh, editor-in- to speak or act against the nation. what it is to be a hugely suc- profiting from an experience particular college have com- guessing it was Rafia Zakaria, ongyang living with the future chief of MuslimGirl.com. In This is a Rwanda controlled by fear, cessful writer of German- while denying the experience plained also how fed up they lawyer, political philosopher leaders of North Korea.” What June 2016 at a panel at the where people clench their teeth and American heritage at a time actually exists.” are of having to spend all their and author of The Upstairs do you consider Kim? White House’s United State of cry. It is a world where all news has time responding to racist be- Wife, who wrote a sceptical Kim writes that the worst of Women Summit, Al-Khataht- to be good news about Kagame. As we sort out our own feelings about where we haviour of various scales. review of Rod Nordland’s The the Brisbane experience was beh was asked, “How do we Rwanda is where George Orwell’s are with caste, race, gender and disability, as we This complaint was then Lovers in The New York “the sight of a white woman empower the people we call 1984 is executed to perfection. Yet mirrored at the Brisbane Times.) who has had great literary suc- the voiceless?” She replied, Kagame’s Yale visit shows that all educate ourselves, there are bound to be many Writers Festival after Shriver’s So Kim was bored, fed up, cess playing the victim. It was “Pass the mike.” the world is a stage for it. moments of acknowledging our own privilege speech where a panel was but responded with her own the arrogance with which she Nisha Susan is a writer and co-founder of the feminist [email protected] formed swiftly of three writers experiences of racist hier- declared that being Asian is magazine ‘The Ladies Finger’.

THE BOOK INTERVIEW INMYHAND Amitava Kumar ‘People are interested in what you found out’

I’m currently reading Journalist-writer Nick Davies explains the art of turning an investigative story into a book Nothing Ever Dies by Viet Thanh Nguyen. It is about the way in which Vietnam Over the past four decades, Actually people are more Some pieces in you make progress, you find is remembered. We just British journalist and writer interested in what you found there are even more things learned last week that it is Nick Davies has earned a rep- out than in how you found that The New which you need, so the re- on the non-fiction longlist utation for challenging the au- out. But in the case of the hack- Journalism inspired search keeps expanding until for the National Book thority of prevailing narrat- ing, it is bit like a Hobbit, the you reach a point where you Award. I’m on my way to ives and setting new little guy going after the big me in trying to get call a halt. Boulder, Colorado, for the standards in investigative dragon. The book publishers close to subjects and JLF at Boulder Literature journalism. From fighting for also want that little story, of write powerfully Which amongst your own Festival. I’ll be on a panel a black man wrongly con- the Hobbit going after the big books is your favourite? with Viet Nguyen. The last book I victed for rape-murder in the guy. You have to write that as read was his Pulitzer Prize- winning novel, The U.S., to playing a key role in well, what is going on behind ternoon, but it is never as The very first book which I Sympathizer.I haven’t yet read WikiLeaks, to taking on the scene. productive. Then I try not to wrote, called White Lies, The Year of the Runaways by Rupert Murdoch’s media em- work in the evenings, because which is about a little town in Sunjeev Sahota, a book praised pire in the U.K. with the story Is that something you there is a danger that you just Texas where a black man is by many people I like. I have it about phone hacking by jour- struggled with every time you get tired and maybe even sentenced to death for raping sitting on my desk at home. nalists at News of the World, wrote a book? How much of bored, so then the quality of and murdering a white girl. He Amitava Kumar is the author of Davies has one of the most you should be in a book? the work will sufer. Writing a is innocent, and the crime was ‘Lunch With a Bigot’, ‘A Matter of celebrated careers in book can be hard work, in- in fact committed by two Rats’, and ‘Nobody Does the Right Thing’, among other books. contemporary journalism. He I think writing a book is dif- volving a lot of intense think- white men. There are amazing is also the author of be- ficult. I find it very hard work, ing. It’s important to stay men- characters in it — it has got a stselling books, including Flat it takes many months. tally sharp, so you have to beginning, a middle, and an Earth News and Hack Attack: sleep well, exercise well, eat end. It is a powerful story. Jairam Ramesh How the Truth Caught Up How much does it actually well — and not work all the with Rupert Murdoch, that take you to write a book once time. And some of your favourite help explain the challenges for you have all the material in books? At the moment I am the media today. Excerpts place? When you start writing your reading Roger Paulin’s book do you retrace your biography of August from an interview to Josy There is something I read Wilhelm called The Life of Joseph: Two years. I don’t nec- entire work, as in do you go when I was starting out, which August Wilhelm Schlegel, essarily have all the material in back to interviewing the same was a collection of articles Cosmopolitan of Art and How do you write a book place when I start writing. But people who had spoken to you that was published under the Poetry. Schlegel is the about the way you scooped a to do the research and writing, for the original stories? Or do heading The New Journalism, founder of German major investigative story? You File photo of Nick Davies in Hyderabad. PHOTO: MOHAMMED YOUSUF for all of the books I must have you do additional reporting to edited by Tom Wolfe, who had Indology. must have done at least a taken about two years. I may better stitch together the been a journalist and became a I last read Einstein and hundred stories into the the story about how we got the time into what was happening. have done some other work Hobbit part of the novelist. There are some re- the Quantum: the Quest of telephone hacking by the story, those 30 interviews are You know George Clooney alongside. I find it very hard investigation, your story? ally, really interesting pieces the Valiant Swabian by A. Murdoch newspapers in the split up over the whole book. is trying to direct a movie work. in there. It is about a particular Douglas Stone. It is science U.K.? How did you then write a That is not enough. So you based on the book. And he has If I am writing a book on a way of writing, using the tech- writing for the layman at its best book? then pull them together with got a writer working on it, and Do you have a certain time subject which I have already niques that a novelist uses to and has a wonderful chapter on what is going on in News of the I know the writer will immedi- when you write most? Many written about in the paper, write a true story. So you are Satyendra Nath Bose. It actually becomes dii- World, the Scotland Yard, ately run into the same prob- writers speak of early then I would gather together using dialogue, and you are es- Next I’d like to reread the cult. When you are trying to what is going on in the govern- lem. Is this the story about mornings as their favourite all of the material I have found tablishing characters, some- collected works of D. D. Kosambi, do that, you end up with two ment, what is going on in Mur- Nick getting the story, or is it time. How do you plan your while working for the newspa- times you are writing facts the greatest polymath we have diferent narratives. One is the doch’s company, etc. I wrote a about the story — it is a day, especially since you live per and then decide what ex- through their eyes like a nov- produced in the 20th century. story of how I got the story. My book about that [Hack At- conflict. in a farm away from London? tra material I would need to elist does. Some of the pieces researcher and I interviewed tack]. It has got a funny struc- produce the book. In some in The New Journalism in- Jairam Ramesh is a Congress Rajya Sabha MP about 30 people who worked ture, because one chapter is us Is it the first time that you I work best in the mornings, case, that might involve going spired me in trying to get close and the author of ‘To the Brink and Back: India’s 1991 Story’, among other books. for News of the World. If you trying to uncover the story, the came across such a dilemma? when my mind is sharpest. I back to people I had already to subjects and write just stick with the narrative of other chapter goes back in may also work during the af- spoken to. And then usually, as powerfully.

CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in

NOIDA/DELHI 12 | - - NEWS THE HINDU SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016

FROM PAGE ONE Neglect may wipe out Rafale deal welcome but fleet small: Experts finger print bureau They say until India can build its own aircraft, the increasing diversity in the aircraft types cannot be addressed DINAKAR PERI An expert described how Edward Richard Henry, a couple of years ago a who served as the In- NEW DELHI: The conclusion of Congress seeks to murder was solved with on- spector General of the the deal for 36 Rafale fighter ly one fingerprint. When Bengal Province and later jets is a welcome step to aug- miscreants broke into the went on to head the Metro- ment the capabilities of the puncture holes house of an elderly woman politan Police in London. Indian Air Force but the who lived alone in Birb- number is too small for lo- SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT hum's Bolpur. nobody had Understafed gistical and operational reas- seen them enter the house. Though Bengal records ons, say experts. NEW DELHI: The Congress on The police could find no more crimes than U.P. and They also agreed that until Saturday sought to puncture evidence, there were no Bihar, the Bureau, India can build its own air- holes into the Rafale deal the suspects. crammed into mere 400 sq craft, the increasing diversity government signed a day The Finger Print Bureau feet in Bhawani Bhavan, in the fleet cannot be ad- earlier, seeking to know how was called in and they headquarters of State CID dressed, another cause of defence requirements would found that the house had with only eight staf, is concern for the IAF. be fulfilled by buying just 36 been wiped almost clean of nearly moribund. A retired India and France signed aircraft? any fingerprint traces. Ex- former director of the Bur- the Inter-Governmental “During the UPA, we had cept a single fingerprint on eau heads the unit as Oi- Agreement (IGA) on Friday, planned to buy 126 aircraft to A. K. Antony the door. cer on Special Duty (OSD), ending negotiations for the strengthen the Indian Air Additionally, it was assisted by a senior finger direct purchase which began Force, which was an urgent ish Tewari sought to know found that the victim had print expert. Five sub in- after Prime Minister Naren- operational requirement details of the pricing of the lent a big sum of money to a spectors and one inspector, dra Modi announced the dir- considering security situ- aircraft. Mr. Tewari asked local businessman. trained to do the work of ect purchase in April 2015. ation in the country,” Con- whether it was true that The fingerprint did not experts, complete the list. gress leader and the former when the UPA left, the non- match his, but the police The sanctioned strength? Just 2 squadrons in service Defence Minister A.K. Ant- negotiated price of the Ra- were able to find similar According to experts it is 41 The deal, interestingly, FACING FLAK: A file photo of a French Rafale fighter jet. India and France signed the Inter- ony said, wondering why on- fale was in the range of samples at his residence, — 12 senior finger print ex- does not have an optional Governmental Agreement on Friday, sealing the deal for its direct purchase.—PHOTO:AFP ly 36 aircraft were being Rs.715-crore per aircraft and which led to the case being perts, 28 junior finger print clause, which means the IAF bought. “Is it enough to meet what has been finally negoti- solved and the hired killers experts, and one director. will have just two squadrons the former Mirage pilot add- sic aircraft is € 91 million or Role Combat Aircraft (MM- operational requirement of ated for the 36 aircraft was were eventually arrested in A proposal has been sent in service. ed. India has in batches pro- about Rs. 680 crore and the RCA) tender was cleared for the IAF which has a sanc- Rs. 1600-crore per aircraft, Delhi. to the State government for “India needed a potent cured three squadrons of Mi- 36 jets include 28 single and $ 10.5 bn for 126 aircraft and tioned strength of 42 squad- which amounted to a 123 per The West Bengal’s finger an Automated Fingerprint deep penetration aircraft for rage 2000 fighters from eight trainer variants. stated that the French Air rons and.... at present there cent escalation? print bureau, considered Identification System diverse roles and we decided France. Air Marshal Matheswaran Force acquired its first Ra- are just 32 squadrons?” one of the oldest in the (AFIS), likely to cost a few that 36 were enough,” one observed that India had a lot fale at € 55 million per Suggesting that more air- ‘Serious concerns’ world, was set up in 1897 by crore. defence oicial observed on Cost of customisation of technological require- aircraft. craft were necessary for the “There are serious con- the rationale. The deal for 36 aircraft is ments that it wanted incor- operational requirement of cerns that have been raised Air Vice Marshal Amit An- valued at € 7.87 bn or about porated, which would push To look for cheaper option the air force, he expressed by the people who follow the eja (retired) said the deal was Rs. 1,630 crore per plane and up the cost as it involved Air Marshal Matheswaran the fear that the squadron entire gamut of defence and Rail tarif regulator long overdue as “time has a it included the spares, design change. said the IAF had a need for available with the IAF by strategic afairs. So, isn’t it in- premium” but questioned weapons, maintenance and “€8 bn looks huge on the 200 aircraft of this type but 2022 would be reduced to 25. cumbent on the government the rationale of only 36 air- performance guarantee for face of it but the increase in the government had decided This happened a day after to clarify or putting ever- plan may face delays craft as “it is not a sustainable five years. cost is because of two things, that this was what we could India signed a €7.87-billion ything out in the public do- number for a viable force of Air Marshal M. Math- significant weapons package aford and now would look (approx Rs. 59,000 cr.) deal main?” Mr. Tewari said. The Railways’ estimated fall under the purview of such a platform.” “There will eswaran, former Deputy and the customisation,” he for another cheaper option with France for purchase of Mr. Antony said the ab- losses in passenger seg- the regulator, as per the also be sub-utilisation of the Chief of Integrated Defence told The Hindu on Saturday. to fill the remaining 36 Rafale fighter jets. sence of any provision of ment mounted from proposal. skills developed by the work- Staf, observed that the Ra- Of the € 7.87 bn, about € 1.7 numbers. Mr. Antony also deman- technology transfer in the Rs.6,159 crore in 2004-05 to “The regulators in other force due to the limited num- fale was an exceptional air- bn alone has been earmarked One retired oicer ob- ded that the government deal would escalate costs for over Rs.30,000 crore in sectors have to deal with bers,” he noted. craft in a multirole capability for India-specific modifica- served that the deal seems to make public details of the fi- India. He rued that the idea 2015-16, primarily due to various industry players. “The Mirage deal was a but conceded that it was a tions, he stated. have been guided more by nal contract. of ‘Make in India’ in the sharp increase in input But the Indian Railways is a success story and that should relatively expensive aircraft. However, he observed that “political prudence than op- Congress leader and the original plan had also “gone” costs and no public monopoly and a reg- have served as a template,” The average cost of the ba- the original Medium Multi- erational requirements.” former Union Minister Man- in the present deal. commensurate increase in ulator for this sector re- fares over the same period. quires a diferent ap- The authority’s pro- proach,” the oicial argued. posed mandate was setting The Railways’ concept Will seek asylum, says passenger and freight fares, note on the rail regulator, Uri attack hijacks U.P. poll discourse ensuring fair play for pri- dated January 1, had argued vate investments in railway that even the Pension another Baloch leader SMITA GUPTA way. “Under Manmohan infrastructure and setting Funds Regulatory and De- Singh, Kashmir was largely eiciency and performance velopment Authority or KALLOL BHATTACHERJEE ALLAHABAD: It is lunchtime at peaceful. The BJP has set fire standards. Policy-making, PFRDA became functional the Allahabad High Court. In to Kashmir. It looks as operations and mainten- through an executive order NEW DELHI: A number of Ba- one of the many lawyers’ though we have lost the ance, financial manage- in 2003 but the PFRDA Act loch activists and leaders chambers, a group has con- State. The Congress would ment and compliance of was passed a decade later in staying in Europe could ap- gregated. The conversation have managed the situation safety standards would not 2013. proach India to seek asylum is desultory till someone better,” says one of them and if the host countries tried to mentions the situation on the others nod. It is an all deport them to Pakistan, the Pakistan border where 18 Hindu group. leader of the Free Ba- soldiers of the Indian army At Azamgarh’s Hotel Court warrant against lochistan Movement, Hyrbyair Marri were killed a week ago. The Garuda, its owner Bijendra Hyrbyair Marri has said. decibel level immediately Singh says, “People here are Mr. Marri said he could lochistan that they both re- rises and the lawyers are saying, this is no longer the Ananda Krishnan also seek asylum in India like fute. Mr. Marri said India split on what the govern- LOUD SUPPORT: BJP activists cheering PM Narendra Modi time for tweets, but for tit for Baloch Republican Party should consider providing ment should do: rush in and during Parivartan Rally in Allahabad in June. — PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT tat. People want instant ac- “It is ordered that the Maran of criminal conspir- leader Brahumdagh Bugti, if educational opportunities smash Pakistan, or think tionbut,ofcourse,awarre- trial of the appearing ac- acy and making illegal pe- his present host, U.K., turned for Baloch activists as many things through. government was weak, so I catch that same note of quires preparation. And now cused, that is, Dayanidhi cuniary gain for himself in hostile in future. “I have been of them have been denied One particularly agitated Hindus voted for the BJP. But disappointment in there is the danger of a nucle- Maran, Kalanidhi Maran, the deal.It alleged that the staying in Britain for some education in Pakistan due to lawyer shouts above the din: people are disappointed: Varanasi’s Assi Ghat among arwar.We,too,couldgetde- Messrs Sun Direct TV Pvt. former Minister had time but Britain is increas- their political leanings. “We “Just watch: Narendra Modi they are saying this is a locals who gather there stroyed. But the sentiment Ltd. and and Messrs South entered into a criminal con- ingly coming under the in- are particularly concerned will take very strong action Hindu government and it is every evening to watch the on the ground is very Asia Entertainment Hold- spiracy with T. Ananda fluence of Pakistan, espe- about those Baloch brothers and then nothing can stop doing nothing,” says Tej Ganga flow by and discuss strong.” ings Ltd. be segregated Krishnan and coerced C. cially on the issue of who have been denied the BJP from winning the Prakash Tewari. politics. Yogendra Singh and Staunch BJP supporters of- from the trial of accused Sivasankaran, owner of Air- Balochistan. I will seek asylum by various European elections in Uttar Pradesh An avowed BJP supporter, Saumitra Shastri, both pen- fer a range of explanations on Ralph Marshall, T. Ananda cel, to sell his shares to Mr. asylum from India or the U.S. countries. We are trying so next year.” he stresses, “In our district, sioners, are sitting with their why it is not possible to act Krishnan, Astro All Asia Krishnan allegedly in lieu or some other reasonable that they receive asylum in there are torch lit dem- friends. without weeks, if not months Networks Plc. and Maxis of investments in Sun Dir- country that is not under India or some other coun- Topic of debate onstrations every day; peo- of preparation. Asked about Communications Berhad,” ect TV Pvt. Ltd., promoted Pakistani influence, if the try,” he said. Indeed, as this reporter ple are coming out onto the Supporters disappointed Prime Minister Narendra Mr. Saini said. “It is further by Kalanidhi Maran. U.K. plans to hand me over to travelled across central and streets demanding action. When I ask about the Modi taunting his ordered that an open and The probe agency ar- Pakistan or creates dii- ‘Not secessionism’ eastern U.P. last week, the One of the martyrs, Ganesh killing of the soldiers, there predecessor in oice, Dr perpetual warrant of arrest gued before the court that culties before me,” Mr. Marri Mr. Marri said seeking of turmoil in the Kashmir val- Shankar Yadav, is from the is an uncomfortable silence Manmohan Singh, in the run- be issued against Ralph there was no option left for told an Urdu media outlet. asylum does not amount to ley and the killing of the Indi- Medhawal assembly seg- and Yogendra Singh’s voice up to the 2014 elections, say- Marshall and T. Ananda the prosecution but to ap- Mr. Marri is the second Baloch secessionism as Ba- an soldiers is a subject that is ment in our district.” drops: “There was some slip- ing that if ever came to Krishnan, as prayed by the proach the INTERPOL for major Baloch leader after Mr. lochistan has been a free land being hotly debated, not just Diplomatic measures and page (he uses the English power he would ensure that prosecution,” he said. issuance of a Red Corner Bugti to declare his intention even before Pakistan was in lawyers’ chambers, uni- tough speeches in the U.N. word); yes, that was for every two soldiers who Mr. Saini issued the war- Notice against the accused, to seek asylum in India. In created in 1947. Mr. Marri’s versities and middle class won’t help Pakistan reform, definitely a failure on the were killed, ten Pakistani sol- rants on an application by and for this an open war- 2015, Free Balochistan Move- declaration comes days after drawing rooms in the cities, he says, adding, “Modiji past of this government, diers would meet a similar the CBI. The CBI had rant of arrest against the ment reached out to India to Mr. Bugti revealed his nego- but in remote villages, too. should show us that he really even though Modiji had ex- fate, they look embarrassed. sought issuance of the war- two accused from this seek support and appointed tiation with Indian diplo- In Khalilabad district’s has a 56 inch chest. If the U.S. tended a hand in friendship But BJP supporters and rants after four summons court was required. South a Baloch residing in Delhi as mats on seeking asylum in Bhujari village, it is not quite can enter into other coun- to Pakistan. That was a critics alike all believe that against the two accused in Asia Entertainment hold- its representative. Pakistan India. Mr. Bugti and Mr. nine in the morning. “The tries’ territories and shoot mistake.” the government’s action the past four years were re- ings Limited, an accused in has accused Mr. Marri and Marri are representatives of public wants a fight to the down terrorists, why can’t Among the chaat stalls in could influence the party’s turned unserved. The CBI the case, opposed the CBI Mr. Bugti of leading insur- two of the biggest clans in finish with Pakistan. Earlier, we? Otherwise, he is taking a Varanasi’s Lanka, an anim- performance in next year’s had chargesheeted the plea, submitting that the gency movements in Ba- the Baloch society. people felt that the Congress risk in these elections.” ated conversation is under- Assembly polls. eight accused in August prayer for warrants was not 2014. The court took cog- justified as non-service of nisance of it the same year summons could not be at- in October. The charge tributed to the acts or omis- Pak. to approach Interpol sheet accused Dayanidhi sions of the accused. CJI lost his temper: Senior lawyer for extradition of Bugti LEGAL CORRESPONDENT Rajeev Dhavan and this was not fair … Or- ISLAMABAD: explains the conflict ders passed in a temper, es- Pakistan has said it Modi talks tough NEW DELHI: “It is the duty of a pecially when all conditions will approach Interpol for lawyer to tell the judge he had with a Bench are fulfilled, are both inap- the extradition of Baloch He castigated the leaders “I want the people of where there is a failure of led by the CJI during propriate and unbecoming,” leader Brahamdagh Bugti, of Pakistan for failing their Pakistan to ask their lead- justice and due process.” Mr. Dhavan said. who has sought political own citizens and instead of ers about the fact that This is how senior advoc- Sahara case hearing asylum in India, a media re- addressing Prime Minister Pakistan Occupied Kash- ate Rajeev Dhavan, known to Respect for the judiciary port said. Nawaz Sharif, the Prime mir (PoK) is with you, why be both an eloquent and ef- Chief Justice Thakur, who He said it was respect for The Pakistan government Minister sought to speak to haven't you been able to fectively abrasive lawyer in was on the previous day tak- the judiciary, “the institution has decided to write to Inter- the Pakistani people, asking handle it? What about the Supreme Court, ex- en ill, later said the Bench which I have studied since pol for the extradition of Mr. to them to demand from Pakhtunistan, you haven't plained the confrontation he merely wanted to adjourn 1970 and practised regularly Bugti. their leaders an explana- been able to handle it; there had with a Bench led by the hearing on bail for anoth- since 1992,” that made him “The Federal Investigation Brahamdagh Bugti tion on why when “our two are insurrections against Chief Justice of India T.S. er day, but Mr. Dhavan’s re- act in the best traditions of Agency will send a formal countries, which got inde- the government in Gilgit Thakur on Friday in a short marks were more than it justice on Friday. reference to Interpol within itive response from New pendence almost at the Baltistan and Baluchistan, bail hearing for Sahara chief could bear. Later in the day, Chief the next few days for the ex- Delhi. His application seek- same time, have traversed you haven't been able to Subrata Roy. As a result, an irate Bench Justice Thakur told senior tradition of Brahamdagh ing political asylum was re- diferent paths, it has seen handle it. Once, Bangladesh Mr. Dhavan, in a written Rajeev Dhavan had ordered Mr. Roy and his advocate Kapil Sibal, who Bugti,” Interior Minister ceived by the Home Ministry us (India) export soft ware was part of your country, statement, said Chief Justice two directors, on parole had sought an unconditional Nisar Ali Khan was quoted as in New Delhi which is exam- and Pakistan export terror.” you couldn't handle it. Thakur made “uncharitable ordinary persons.” since May, to be taken back apology for Mr. Dhavan’s saying by the Express ining it. "Every time there is a ter- Please handle your own comments” about his con- “People in high places into custody. conduct, that a lawyer could Tribune. Mr. Bugti is the President ror attack, it appears that ei- home rather than look duct as a lawyer. have enormous power and not “browbeat” judges. Pakistan on Friday warned and founder of Baloch Re- ther the terrorist has come across the border,” he said. the duty to use it wisely is ‘Orders unbecoming’ “We too have a threshold India that by granting asylum publican Party. He is the from Pakistan or like Quotes a phrase forbearance,” Mr. Dhavan “The CJI was convinced to our tolerance. You cannot to Mr. Bugti, it would be- grandson of Nawab Akbar Osama Bin Laden has Pat for security forces Scripting a rare incident of said in his statement. that Sahara’s parole should go on browbeating judges. come an “oicial sponsor of Khan Bugti, a Baloch nation- sought asylum there,” he He devoted a significant a senior advocate confront- Mr. Roy had suddenly be continued because Rs. We do not demand respect, terrorism”. alist leader killed by the said. In an acidic jab at Mr portion of his speech on the ing the Chief Justice of India found his liberty slipping on 300 crore has been de- but some respect has to be Mr. Bugti, who has been Pakistan army in 2006. Sharif, he said the latter's Indian security forces and for “losing his temper,” Mr. the edge of a precipice when posited. The CJI lost his tem- shown to the institution,” living in Switzerland, on The Pakistan government speech "had been written at their record of fighting ter- Dhavan quoted an oft-re- his lawyer Mr. Dhavan ticked per and passed an order or- Chief Justice Thakur had Tuesday approached the In- had blamed India for helping the behest of his masters, ror, assuring them that “1.25 peated phrase that “justice is of a Bench led by Chief dering my client back to jail. I said in open court. dian Embassy in Geneva Mr. Bugti flee Pakistan to the terrorists, to serenade billion Indians back our not a cloistered virtue and Justice Thakur by question- remonstrated that he had Mr. Roy’s parole has been seeking asylum in India and Geneva in 2010 through Kashmir.” men in uniform”. must sufer the scrutiny of ing its fairness. passed the order in a temper extended for a week. exuded confidence of a pos- Afghanistan. — PTI CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in - - NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 Solving the Pakistan puzzle The confusion that characterises the aftermath of the Uri attack is a reminder that India needs more nuance and guile in engaging stakeholders in Pakistan’s power structure

military response to Pakistan would show sophisticated border management practices. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 that we are likely to be worse of after carry- Moreover, it is important to ask hard ques- HAPPYMON JACOB ing out a military mission, of any intensity, tions on the security lapses which led to 18 against Pakistan, including on the terrorism soldiers being killed by terrorists. Clearly, in front. The point here is not that the Indian the self-generated commotion surrounding military can’t fight and win a war of attrition “teaching Pakistan a lesson”, we forgot to ask Rafale takes flight The terrorist attack on an Indian Army base with Pakistan: it can, even under nuclear the government as to how and why this at- in north Kashmir’s Uri by Pakistan-based conditions, albeit not without inviting tack took place in the first place. Kashmir at last terror groups has rekindled a long-standing massive damage on the country. But the was on fire, Uri is a traditional infiltration debate in the country on how to deal with its policy-makers need to carefully consider if route and there was intelligence about a pos- he signing of the Inter-Governmental troublesome neighbour, Pakistan. At the they want to risk a potential nuclear ex- sible strike. Who then is responsible for the Agreement between India and France for same time, it has called into serious question change in response to a terror strike. Hence shocking lapses that led to the death of our 36 Rafale multirole fighter jets brings to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s incoher- the unacceptable costs of winning a war with soldiers? The government has not yet given a an end 17 months of hard bargaining, fol- ent policy towards Pakistan, characterised Pakistan should persuade us to look for other comprehensive assessment of the attack. T by a consistent lack of nuanced understand- strategies of dealing with it. “War,” after all, The BJP leadership cannot be allowed to de- lowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to dump the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft ing of the art of diplomacy, and the costs of as Clausewitz put it, “is not an act of sense- flect these crucial questions concerning our (MMRCA) tender and the announcement during war. less passion.” national security by issuing statements such his visit to Paris last year of direct purchases. The A cursory analysis of the BJP-led govern- If we rule out the coercive options using as “we should not discredit the sacrifices of ment’s Pakistan policy reveals an inherent simulated scenarios, how do we then deal our soldiers”. first such major acquisition in almost two decades, desire for quick returns from what is argu- with a Pakistan that is seemingly uninter- it comes as a breather for the Indian Air Force, ably India’s most diicult bilateral challenge ested in winding down its terror machinery Dealing with Rawalpindi which has been facing depleting fighter strength. which goes to indicate how historically un- against India? Doing nothing can’t be a Fourth, engaging a hydra-headed Pakistan As Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar pointed sound the thinking behind the BJP’s Pakistan policy either, although that has been the pre- requires creative statecraft, and for this New out, given its technological superiority the Rafale policy has so far been. After the initial reach It’s worrying that New Delhi’s ferred option all this while. Delhi needs to think outside the traditional will augment the IAF’s capability. The weapons out during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s language and tactics have already First of all, New Delhi needs to view and modes of diplomacy. While riding high on package, which includes the Meteor radar-guided swearing in, the year-long military stand-of started resembling those of deal with Pakistan within its larger grand his birthday tête-à-tête with Mr. Sharif, Mr. on the international border in Jammu stalled strategic scheme. Quick-fix solutions and Modi and his advisers forgot to keep in mind Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile, considered Pakistan, which is a result of not best-in-class with a range of over 150 km, and the progress between the two sides. The quiet like-responses will only get us into an ugly the most important actor that matters in Scalp long-range air-to-ground missiles with a parleys between the two National Security keeping the big picture in mind dogfight with Pakistan which are not in con- Pakistan’s policy towards India: the Pakistan Advisers thereafter brought some semb- sonance with India’s global ambitions and Army. It is important to note that Pakistan’s range of 300 km, will help maintain the IAF’s air su- lance of normalcy back into the relationship, terminds from plotting and waging their developmental goals. It’s worrying that New Army is driven by strategic choices and periority as they have no equivalents in the region. which was further cemented by Mr. Modi’s covert wars against India. In the wake of the Delhi’s language and tactics have already politico-economic rationale which the de- Given the technological sophistication and the long surprise visit to Lahore in December, some- deplorable Uri attacks, Pakistan must an- started resembling those of Pakistan, which cision-makers in New Delhi need to analyse range, the Rafales are expected to play a lead role as thing that has apparently become a millstone swer some hard questions. Why did it not al- is a direct result of not keeping the big pic- and understand, and then reach out to the nuclear delivery platforms in India’s second-strike around his neck today. low the National Investigation Agency team ture in mind. In the grand strategic scheme generals in Rawalpindi accordingly. Repeat- capability, replacing the Mirage 2000 fighters. to visit Pakistan after India allowed Pakistani of things, Pakistan is an irritant, not a strate- ing that ‘Army runs Pakistan, civilian govern- The acquisition will cost the exchequer €7.87 bil- Pakistan’s inability to keep promises investigators to visit Pathankot? Why did it gic threat: so treat it like it, and focus on the ment has no power there’ is a lazy complaint; lion, or about Rs.59,000 crore, which is a high price Surprisingly, the Pathankot terror attack in not bring Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader real strategic threats. looking for ways to work around its complex compared to $10.5 billion approved for 126 fighter January did not damage the relationship be- Masood Azhar to book post-Pathankot? Giv- rational calculus is smart statecraft. If New yond repair as the political management of en that the JeM is reportedly behind the Uri The ‘India can survive’ reality Delhi wishes to choose the latter, it needs to jets under the original MMRCA deal in 2007. The its aftermath was exceptionally tactful. Then attack, it ‘indirectly’ implicates Pakistan for Second, however unpopular it might engage the ‘enemy’, the Pakistan Army, by basic aircraft costs about €91 million, which is high came Uri. The key reason why the Uri attack letting Masood Azhar walk free after Path- sound and however painful they are, the re- perhaps opening discreet negotiations with in comparison to other contemporary four-plus mauled the relationship so badly is because ankot. There is no evidence yet of the ality is that we can, as a nation and state, sur- it. When New Delhi engages Pakistan generation aircraft. The Centre has claimed savings it took place in the backdrop of the Kashmir Pakistani state’s direct complicity in the at- vive these attacks. Successive governments Army’s rational calculus through the Is- of several million in the hard bargain, but the De- unrest which was proving to be awkward for tack. If such evidence indeed emerges, in New Delhi have intuitively recognised lamabad’s political establishment, the mes- fence Ministry would do well to share more in- the Central government. Thanks to Pakistan will need to answer many more this. If anything, every terrorist attack direc- sage seems to get lost in translation. It’s time formation in Parliament. It is unclear why the gov- Pakistan’s ‘not-so-diplomatic’ support to hard questions. Pakistan needs to show ted against India continues to weaken the to convey the message directly and address ernment decided to buy just 36 fighters, which Kashmir, BJP spin doctors managed to clev- some seriousness if it is keen on improving Pakistani state and nation: its sovereignty, Rawalpindi’s pay-of structure. creates logistical and operational complications erly use the Uri shocker to divert attention the relationship — it can’t be a one-way economy and character. Pakistan’s 28-year- Finally, if Kashmir is what forms the raison and pushes up the overall cost for reasons of from the persistent unrest in the Valley. street. long Kashmir campaign has not only not d’etre of Pakistan’s proxy war against India, When the nation is busy preparing for a war managed to wrest Kashmir from India, it is India can successfully deal with Pakistan economies of scale. In fact, India’s is now one of the with Pakistan to pay back for the Uri mas- Thinking beyond the military option today on the verge of self-destruction pri- and its rationale by addressing Kashmir in most diverse air forces, with Western and Russian- sacre, how could anyone be bothered about Despite the relentless clamour for a milit- marily due to its misguided Kashmir policy. the first place. In so far as Kashmir is on the origin aircraft with Indian and other systems incor- Kashmir! ary reprisal against Pakistan, the under- Third, it is time we learnt to defend boil, Pakistan, till it is persuaded to give up porated in them. The IAF has been attempting to While New Delhi does not have an stated, but well-thought-out, view within the ourselves better, with better equipment for its claim on it — which is hard to happen — narrow the diversity to optimise utilisation and imaginative Pakistan policy, Islamabad is Indian strategic community, including re- our forces, a better fence on the Line of Con- will inevitably try and take advantage of the bring down the cost of operations. The current tra- clearly an unreliable neighbour. Islamabad tired commanders of the Indian military, is trol and the International Border, more situation there. Hence, even if India is unable jectory of procurement indicates that those plans continues to be unwilling to rein in its anti- that coercion may not be a feasible option army-Border Security Force deployment on to deal with Pakistan’s absolutist claims on vis-à-vis may be on hold. The government is scouting for an- India rhetoric, keep its promises on basic bi- Pakistan, for a variety of reasons. A the vulnerable areas of the fence, and by Kashmir, it can and should efectively deal other fighter to be inducted in large numbers and lateral courtesies, and stop the terror mas- step-by-step cost-benefit analysis of using a adopting more eicient and technologically with Kashmir which will necessarily weaken Pakistan’s Kashmir claims. produced in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiat- Going by that logic, blaming the Kashmir ive. In the years to come, the indigenously built CARTOONSCAPE unrest on Pakistan instead of pacifying the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and the Fifth Genera- rage in the Valley can only make things dii- tion Fighter Aircraft from Russia will join the force, cult for our ability to deal with Pakistan. So adding to the diversity. While the Rafale deal is a far, New Delhi’s policies have been a failure welcome step, it is high time India made procure- on both fronts. Every time we link Pakistan ments based on a long-term integrated plan. to Kashmir by blaming Islamabad for the protests in the Valley, we are only helping Pakistan’s Kashmir cause. The argument here is not that Pakistan is not engaged in a proxy war in Kashmir, but that the govern- Falling behind ment’s intellectual and political inability to pacify Kashmir should not be excused using the Pakistan bogey. It would be useful for the schedule BJP to take on board Chanakya’s perceptive urrent educational attainments remain advice in Arthasasthra: “A ruler with loyal far from adequate for the enhancement people accomplishes his task even with a of personal well-being and social pro- little help because of their cooperation.” Mr. Modi in his speech at the ongoing BJP Cgress, according to a report of the Orga- conclave in Kozhikode de-emphasised the nisation for Economic Co-operation and De- military option as a response to the Uri at- velopment. Immigrant populations are especially tack and instead called “upon people of disadvantaged, an area that deserves particular at- Pakistan to come forward, fight a war on who tention given the recent scramble for shelter and defeats unemployment, poverty, illiteracy succour among millions of refugees. The findings first”. His invocation to the Pakistani people in the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2016 report to ask uncomfortable questions of their gov- make for sober reading all round, viewed against ernment on terror, and focus on de- data on the many rewards individuals and societies velopment is indeed a good beginning. are able to reap when endowed with higher quali- Happymon Jacob is an Associate Professor of Diplomacy fications. For instance, people with a master’s de- and Disarmament Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru gree stand a close to 90 per cent wage advantage in University. the 35 countries of the OECD. Correspondingly, their governments receive over a lifetime about LETTERS TO THE EDITOR €100,000 in taxes and social contributions more Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. than they invest on a graduate. There has been a 4 percentage point increase in the rate of enrolment in tertiary education in the decade ended 2014. The Kozhikode speech There is a big hiatus between words slow, painful war against India. As a The recently concluded deal results It is a fact that no two fingerprints These are encouraging facts; the logical case there- and actions on the part of the result, terror outfits have carved out in two contradictory sets of have ever been found to be alike. fore should be for greater public investment in this Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s present dispensation at the Centre. their own spheres of influence in emotions. The clause “fly away Even in the era of growing strong condemnation of the Uri We have been hearing such Pakistan, and India is in no position condition” will give the IAF the computerisation, research into sector. But across the spectrum the trend is clearly attack and his tough talking to his utterances and assurances ever to eliminate them through overt or required boost to efectively guard fingerprint science continues under in the opposite direction. While the report shows Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif since Mr. Modi began campaigning covert operations. Nor would other our border. On the other hand is the the banner of the International an 8 per cent rise in real-term spending per child in is all very well but the barrage of for the Lok Sabha election in 2014. countries, including the U.S., take emotion of an inferiority complex Fingerprint Research Group, to cite the five years up to 2013, it also notes a 14 per cent attacks from across the border Whenever India is attacked, we sides in this low-level conflict associated with the tag “largest one example. New methods and increase in private expenditure in the region in the make it imperative that India can come up with a number of forceful between India and Pakistan. Is there importer of arms in the world” and techniques are being evolved to same period. Private spending by students and hardly aford to indulge in rhetoric debates, attempts at initiating any guarantee that terror attacks the thwarting of Hindustan enhance forensic science as crime households is estimated at some 30 per cent in the at this stage. A much stifer dialogue, powerful speeches, will cease if India retaliates Aeronautics Limited’s prestige that methodology becomes more tertiary education sector alone. This has to be response is warranted as terrorist utterances and even assurances, but strongly? The best option for India came as a byproduct of the deal. If sophisticated. If the West Bengal viewed against the backdrop of the relentless regi- strikes have to be stopped at any do not act. Stern action will send is to beef up its counter-intelligence we are to aspire to sit at the global government is unable to run the cost (“Modi talks tough to Sharif, out a strong message to terrorists operations and border defences so high table, we need to increase our bureau, it should appeal for me of economic austerity in the years following the reaches out to Pak. people”, and their powerful handlers that no that it could eliminate terrorists domestic competencies. The way international aid. financial crisis, with serious implications for equity Sept.25). Mr. Modi’s reaching out to attack, big or small, will be ruthlessly and eiciently. forward is to develop the defence and the knowledge economies of the future. C.R. Ananthanarayanan, the people of Pakistan could meet tolerated. Our soldiers cannot Kangayam R. Narasimhan, industry on the lines of the space Bengaluru A broader issue mentioned in the report, which with no positive response as it is an continue to lose their lives this way. Chennai industry, taking note of ISRO’s covers besides OECD members, partner-countries open secret that it is the army that Rui Pereira, achievements. Kalahandi mirror including India, is the likelihood that states may not calls the shots in Pakistan. Our Salcete, Goa Rafale deal Surendra Singh Achara, be able to realise the 2030 Sustainable De- patience is being exploited. New Delhi We claim to be the fastest growing velopment Goal pertaining to the provision of qual- C.V. Aravind, It is clear that the Centre’s strategy Though the Rafale deal represents a economy in the world in terms of ity education. This concern is echoed in the Un- Bengaluru is to take on Pakistan diplomatically, considerable climbdown from the It faces erasure GDP, one of the highest FDI esco 2016 report. The need to achieve the targets try and isolate it and get it labelled original requirement of 126, the fact receiving destinations of the world, Can we say that we have enough as a “terror sponsoring state”. that it has been customised to suit Though sidelined by emerging and home to entrepreneurs who are relating to SDG 4, to ensure inclusive and equitable support to isolate Pakistan as it is an However, to what extent such a the IAF’s requirements and can be forensic tools of identification, the among the world’s richest. We have quality education, cannot be overstated, given that exporter of terrorism? How many direct reference to Pakistan’s used for nuclear warhead delivery dependence on fingerprints still has also attempted a space mission to it is the pivot on which the realisation of several lives will it take to show up Pakistan internal problems would help in makes up for it to some extent. relevance (“Neglect may wipe out Mars successfully. However, other fundamentally important developmental ob- as a terrorist nation? Even our controlling cross-border violations There might be an ofset clause, but oldest finger print bureau”, incidents such as the one reported jectives remains. Indeed, almost the entire success so-called closest friend Russia is remains to be seen. On the contrary, there is no mention of technology Sept.25). A textbook case is when from Kalahandi (“Women of the 2030 agenda rests squarely on the education now conducting joint military Pakistan may intensify its eforts to transfer which strikes a blow the culpability of monozygotic dismantle roof for mother’s funeral target. The objectives of reduction of poverty, alle- operations with a terrorist nation. If create more problems in J&K. against India’s ‘Make in India’ twins is in question. Even DNA in Odisha”, Sept.25) leave me viation of hunger, expansion of employment, em- this has happened, it should set us There is no substitute to having a defence initiative. The biggest testing can go wrong and it is only confused, reminding me of Amartya powerment of women and gender equality are all thinking about where we have failed meaningful dialogue with Pakistan fallout is that the deal could cast a dactylography that comes to the Sen’s view of our Indian “glory” as in changing perceptions. Is it a on all outstanding issues. shadow over otherwise robust rescue. Forensic laboratories in “an uncertain glory”. influenced by the qualifications and skills that men result of our failure, diplomatically, D.B.N. Murthy, India-Russia ties. The Russia- India are facing a severe crisis of What is the use of this glory if many and women possess. And of course at another level, to expose Pakistan? The time has Bengaluru Pakistan joint military exercise is a manpower and infrastructure. It is Indians such as Kanak Satpathy live without an educated and empowered populace, the also come to question the drift in reflection of New Delhi’s souring time we strengthen our science and die a life as “less than a human dream of an enlightened, more tolerant and peace- the India-Russia relationship. Repeated border incursions show relationship with Moscow. laboratories. being”? ful world would forever remain elusive. C.H. Rajalingu, that Pakistan is a divided house and Nalini Vijayaraghavan, Dr. Manoj Kumar Gaddam, Abhilash Thimmaiah, Hyderabad that it is its army which foments this Thiruvananthapuram Karimnagar, Telangana New Delhi CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in NOIDA/DELHI - - | THE HINDU MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 PERSPECTIVE 11

FROM THE READERS’ EDITOR On the right to photocopy Should news give way The DU photocopy judgment is a victory for access to education. But is it successful in balancing for views? the competing interests of the academic community and the copyright holders? I invite readers to actively take part in the consulta- if the material is prescribed in the tion I am holding on what the ideal content mix for a course of instruction. Copyright hold- newspaper should be in the present digital informa- ers invest considerably in creating tion ecology which seems to be breaking news by the works. Can this be ignored while inter- second. There was an in-house suggestion that I find S. SIVAKUMAR LISA P. LUKOSE preting Section 52(1)(i) as a license for A.S. out readers’ expectations on how they would like the reproducing unlimitedly everything PANNEERSELVAN newspaper to balance news with views, opinion, and prescribed in the suggested reading? If analysis. The idea of a deadline is no longer asso- On September 16, the Delhi High Court the legislature had intended to give ciated with putting the paper to bed; it is about publishing developments as dismissed the copyright infringement such a wide interpretation to the words they unfold. petition filed by three international “in the course of instruction”, why does In the age of instant news, it seems that a lot of information that one reads publishers against a photocopy shop it add, “as part of the questions to be in the newspaper in the morning has already been read, seen, or heard else- located in the Delhi University answered in an exam or in answers to where. While conceding space for some news stories that require verifica- premises (The Chancellor, Masters and such question” which should also be tion and fact-checking, I was asked whether it is possible to do a clinical Scholars of the University of Oxford v. covered automatically? If the suggested analysis of the daily copy, keeping in view the readers’ requirements, and Rameshwari Photocopy Services). The reading provides for the whole book, find out what was redundant. If this is indeed possible, would it be bene- court ruled that making course packs does Section 52(1)(i) permit reproduc- ficial to skew more towards views than news in the daily newspaper? This for suggested reading for students by tion of the whole book or only reason- query comes from a position where news is almost omnipresent and hence photocopying portions of various pre- able excerpts? The judgment has con- context is the new requirement. scribed reference books does not vi- veniently avoided any direct reference olate the copyright of the publishers. to this aspect. The Court Commissioner A daunting exercise had reported that “8 books were found I recognise that this exercise is daunting in more than one sense. First, I Right to reproduction being photocopied cover to cover”. Was have my own idea about what constitutes a newspaper, an idea which is a Section 14 of the Copyright Act, 1957, the court successful in balancing the product of being in the profession for more than three decades. Second, the grants a bundle of exclusive rights such competing interests of the academic views of the readers we have received in the last four years are like pieces in as the right to reproduction on copy- community and the copyright holders? a jigsaw puzzle, and I need time to collate them in a meaningful narrative to right owners for commercial exploita- When the university is entitled to free understand the expectations on the content mix. tion of the work. Making photocopies photocopy of 3,000 pages every month Third, I need to develop tools to handle this analy- What is the amounts to reproduction. Photocopies (Para 4), can the possibility of commer- sis. Fourth, it has to be a judicious mix of both qual- made in violation of Section 14 thus con- cial interest be overruled? In that con- itative and quantitative attributes for three specific ideal balance stitute infringement unless it is listed text, does it comply with Article 13 of reasons: a newspaper is a public good; it should, at between news under Section 52 as an act not BREAKTHROUGH: “The judgment will have a far-reaching impact in academic circles TRIPS? Is it justified to cover the pri- any point of time, balance what the public is inter- and opinion in constituting infringement. The judg- as well as on the copyright industry.” File photo of the Rameshwari photocopy vate photocopy shop in the university ested in with what is in their interest; and it should ment holds that if any provision of the shop in New Delhi. PHOTO: AFP premises within the expression “in the be sustainable in order to retain its independence. the digital era? Act permits any person other than the course of instruction”? Doesn’t the Fifth, a person making any suggestion should re- owner to reproduce any work or sub- and do not unreasonably prejudice the When the university is entitled judgment provide blanket immunity to alise the newspaper’s need to retain space both for innovation as well as for stantial part thereof, such reproduction legitimate interests of the right holder”. to free photocopy of 3,000 the university to meet the demands of elements that are tried and tested. Sixth, the exercise should inform about will not amount to infringement (Para Since the term ‘fair dealing’ is not all the students by purchasing a single some innovations that have failed. Seventh, it should also draw from the ex- 27). defined in the Act, the judiciary de- pages every month, can the book? periences of others in dealing with this challenge that confronts every The Copyright Act, to prevent stag- termines its scope on a case by case possibility of commercial Undoubtedly, the judgment, which is media organisation. And eighth, I need to develop better listening skills to nation of the growth of creativity, seeks basis. a breakthrough in the Indian copyright decipher the expectations of the readers. to maintain a balance between the com- interest be overruled? jurisprudence, is a major victory to ac- I am acutely aware that some may term my own idea of journalism and peting interests of the copyright owners Fair dealing cess to education in a developing coun- what constitutes a newspaper as an intransigent position. Intransigence is a on the one hand and the interests of the Section 52(1)(i) of the Copyright Act ing the entire academic session... im- try like India. It will certainly have a far- strange word that means many things to many people depending on which public to have access to works on the treats as fair dealing “the reproduction parting and receiving of instruction is reaching impact in academic circles as side of the wall they are on: for those who disagree, it is a pejorative, and for other. Copyright’s basic rationale is that of any work (i) by a teacher or a pupil in not limited to personal interface be- well as on the copyright industry. When those who concur, it is a testimony to adhering to principles. I believe that a there should be promotion of creativity the course of instruction; or (ii) as part tween teacher and pupil but is a process access to education itself is a challenge, responsible media mediates the public sphere in such a way that it remains through suicient protection; and at the of the questions to be answered in an commencing from the teacher readying none of the students can be expected to the site for multiple negotiations and democratic engagement. same time it also caters for dissemina- exam; or (iii) in answers to such ques- herself/himself for imparting instruc- purchase expensive textbooks, espe- In this context, I am seeking responses from the readers about what news tion of knowledge and access to copy- tion. Section 52(1)(j) uses terms such as tion, setting syllabus, prescribing text cially when syllabi prescribe certain they get before they get their newspaper in the morning. May I request the right material through the doctrine of “staf and students of an educational in- books, readings and ensuring, whether portions from various books. Uni- readers to be specific in their observations and refrain from common- fair dealing. This doctrine, which is es- stitution” whereas Section 52(1)(i) uses by interface in classroom/tutorials or versities are expected to cater to stu- sensical comments? Italian scholar Antonio Gramsci has already efect- sential for research and academic pur- “teacher or a pupil in the course of in- otherwise...” Hence it would be fair dents’ reading requirement without ively argued against ‘common sense’, which for him is not a single unique poses, is an exception to copyright struction.” On analysing this diference, dealing if the students click photo- prejudicing copyright holders’ le- conception, identical in time and space. He has elaborated how common holders’ exclusive rights. The Indian the judgment holds that “there is no graphs of each page of portions of the gitimate economic interests. Are the In- sense takes countless diferent forms. In this exercise, it would be mutually copyright law uses the term ‘fair deal’ reason to interpret Section 52 (1)(i) as prescribed book. dian universities honestly utilising beneficial if we stick to particulars and elaborate on details. (where listed purposes are statutorily providing for an individual teacher and funds earmarked for libraries for that embedded) whereas the U.S.’s copy- an individual pupil.” The word ‘instruc- Limitations purpose? The students’ demands can be Spatial and temporal realities right law adopts ‘fair use’ (which is tion’ is not defined in the Act. Accord- Copyright must increase and not im- met reasonably by permitting repro- In the huge information overload that is generated by 24x7 digital plat- merely illustrative). As per Article 13 of ing to Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, the pede the harvest of knowledge. When duction of reasonable excerpts. forms, do readers feel that news is curated for their consumption, or do they the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellec- words “in the course of instruction” the judgment reads, “Copyright is to feel that it is a mere information pipe that functions like a faucet? As I men- tual Property Rights (TRIPS) agree- would include “reproduction of any motivate the creative activity of authors S. Sivakumar is Professor at the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi, and former member, Copyright Board. tioned a few years ago, The Hindu weaves five diferent spatial realities for ment, these exceptions must confine to work while the process of imparting in- in order to benefit the public”, what is Lisa P. Lukose is Associate Professor of Law, GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi. They are the authors every reader: international, regional, national, local, and hyperlocal. Tem- “special cases which do not conflict struction by the teacher and receiving left for the copyright owners? The judg- of the book ‘Broadcasting Reproduction Right in porally, it covers both the past and the present and tries to provide hints with a normal exploitation of the work instruction by the pupil continues dur- ment places no limitation on photocopy India: Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Issues’. about the future, with a pre-occupation to make sense of the present. In this interplay between space and time, The Hindu gains gravitas as long as it helps people make choices. It loses its significance if it fails to address any of the issues that concern them. I would like the readers to share their opinions on which sections they ‘Politicians were the heroes of 1991’ would like to be filled with more news and which sections they believe they get the information much before the newspaper arrives at their doorstep. Do they believe that they can make sense of opinion articles in the absence Sanjaya Baru on the legacy of Narasimha Rao, the ‘what ifs’ of 1991, and the vacuum in the Congress of news in the newspaper? How comprehensive is the news in The Hindu compared to other platforms? In our continued eforts to listen to readers, we are hosting our next Open In the 25th year of economic reforms in one. On the political front, a point that is House in November to mark the first anniversary of our Mumbai edition. India, former Prime Minister P.V. not adequately understood even now is The Mumbai meet should provide an added opportunity to listen to readers Narasimha Rao’s legacy has come into that by calling for party elections in in person on this rather contentious idea. I hope to complete this analysis the spotlight. Sanjaya Baru, who was 1992, he showed the way for a revival of and share it with readers in the last couple of weeks of this year. former Prime Minister Manmohan the Congress — that it’s only by democ- Singh’s media advisor and who had ratising itself, by allowing new leader- [email protected] tracked the reforms process closely as a ship to come up, that this can happen. journalist, speaks to Nistula Hebbar The assassination of Indira Gandhi and about his new book 1991: How P.V. then Rajiv Gandhi in a space of seven Narasimha Rao Made History (Aleph years was catastrophic for the Con- Book Company). gress. He filled a space and showed the FROM THE ARCHIVES way that it could be done. There have been several books on P.V. Narasimha Rao. Is this book part of a Narasimha Rao and successive prime campaign to rehabilitate him ministers till 2014 managed to achieve historically? quite a bit despite their parties not (dated September 26, 1966) having a Lok Sabha majority. Does a In a sense, the rehabilitation of consensual style help in achieving goals Call to rejuvenate rejuvenating it falls equally on Narasimha Rao has already started, giv- more than a secure majority may, cricket players, the spectators, the Press en the fact that Jairam Ramesh, con- because the latter allows unilateralism? and the administrators. Let us at sidered close to the current leadership A call to rejuvenate cricket was least in India strive towards this of the Congress, brought out a book that Sanjaya Baru in New Delhi. PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY Prime ministers with full majority made by the Maharaja of Baroda, goal. If we achieve it, others will has words of praise for Rao. This sug- have behaved diferently from each the outgoing President of the gladly follow us, and we will have gests that within the Congress there are there was a glimmer of hope of a non- other. Jawaharlal Nehru was a leader Board of Control for Cricket in done the greatest service to the some who feel that it is time to ‘own up’ Rao showed the ability Gandhi leader for the Congress and inner who ruled by consensus while Indira India, at the annual general game in modern times.” Narasimha Rao. The reason for this is to use the Nehruvian party elections. Why did that fizzle out? Gandhi was considered more unilateral meeting of the Board here The Maharaja, who was laying that Prime Minister Modi has shocked style to address his lack of in her approach. The point I make in the [Baroda] to-day [September 25]. down his oice after a three-year the Congress party by owning the lead- When you read M.L. Fotedar’s autobi- book is that Rao, in fact, revived the The Maharaja said that in the last term, traced succintly the progress ers they had abandoned. He took own- numbers, which is why he ography and the sections about Indira Nehruvian style of consensus leader- two decades a big change had the game had made in the country ership of Sardar Patel, of Subhas survived five years unlike Gandhi’s tenure at the helm of govern- ship that used to exist in the Congress come over in the approach to during his term and laid particular Chandra Bose, so I think the Congress Morarji Desai, V.P. Singh, or ment, it suggests that she recognised earlier. Rajiv Gandhi, who had more cricket, which except when the stress on the role the Board had was mindful of the fact that the BJP that there were several potential prime than 400 MPs in Lok Sabha, couldn’t do West Indies were at it, did not played in promoting exchange might own up Narasimha Rao and even Deve Gowda ministerial candidates in the Congress. much with them. The several non- seem to be played as a sport to be visits, on an international level, of Manmohan Singh. In some ways, Mr. Fotedar mentions Pranab Mukherjee, Nehru-Gandhi prime ministers from enjoyed. “The responsibility of school boy players. Modi’s foreign policy is a continuation Sharad Pawar, and Rao. The problem the Congress fold also couldn’t quite of Dr. Manmohan Singh’s, and in some have been a more stable government today is in part due to the untimely grasp that. What Rao showed was the ways it could be that Mr. Modi was re- than Chandra Shekhar’s and pushed the deaths of leaders like Madhavrao Scin- ability to use the Nehruvian style to ad- possessing all the non Nehru-Gandhi reforms agenda if one goes by what dia and Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the de- dress his lack of numbers, which is why CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS leaders of the Congress. Vinay Sitapati Jairam Ramesh has written. But there is cision by Sharad Pawar not to fight for he survived five years unlike former has written a biography, based on family a question mark on that looking at his space in the party, the decline of provin- Prime Ministers Morarji (Desai), V.P. papers of Rao, and it is an excellent record as Prime Minister between 1984 cial strongmen like Digvijaya Singh, and Singh, Deve Gowda, etc. He succeeded >> An error in the surname. The first and last paragraph of a report, “Soumya book. My book is just about 1991. I have and 1989. The reason a Congress-led co- the inability of the younger lot of Con- because he carried the party with him. case: Kerala files review petition in SC” (September 24, 2016) mentioned the been observing economists rec- alition didn’t happen in 1990 was be- gressmen to emerge as national leaders. victim’s name as Soumya Viswanathan instead of just Soumya. ollecting 1991 as if they were the heroes cause it is entirely possible that Rajiv There is a huge vacuum in the party that Will the crisis in the Congress force it to >> The second paragraph of a report, “India, France ink €7.87 bn agreement of 1991. I thought it was necessary to re- Gandhi himself wasn’t sure how the no one is in a position to fill, not even go back to a more consensual, what you for 36 Rafales” (Front Page, September 24, 2016), said that Prime Minister Nar- mind economists that it was not them Congress party would evolve in that Rahul Gandhi. The reason why Sonia term Nehruvian style of politics? endra Modi announced the decision for direct purchase in April 2014. It but the politicians — Rao and Chandra context. Don’t forget, the 1991 elections Gandhi continues as party president is should have been April 2015. Shekhar — who were the heroes. This were a damning indictment of his lead- because there is no one today in the I had written a column recently >>The Economic Survey is not prepared by the Reserve Bank of India as book is titled How P.V. Narasimha ership. Unlike Indira Gandhi, who lost party who can be projected as a poten- where I said that the only hope for the mentioned in the Perspective page article, “Railway Budget, a vanishing trick” Made History but Chandra Shekhar, power in 1977 and came back with a ma- tial prime minister. Congress is for Sonia Gandhi to give a (September 22, 2016). It is prepared by the Chief Economic Advisor under the had he been allowed, could well have jority in 1980, Rajiv Gandhi didn’t gain call to all Congressmen to come back Ministry of Finance. been the hero of this story. back a majority. Within the party, a feel- You have spoken of Rao’s legacy being and elect Mamata Banerjee as their >>The interview with S. Abid Ali — “I was fortunate to be part of a famous ing could have gained ground, as was threefold: economic reforms, foreign president. Thanks to that column I was win” (Sport, September 22, 2016) — had two errors. The substitute fielder in A very interesting bit that you have mentioned in that famous article sup- policy reset, and the possibility he invited to Ms. Banerjee’s swearing-in the 1971 Oval Test was Kenia Jayantilal, not Kenny, as given in the report. Also, written about is on the ‘what ifs’ of the posedly written by Rao in Mainstream, dangled in front of Congressmen that a ceremony which I couldn’t attend. But the name of the English batsman run out by Chandra in the same Test was John 1991 elections. What if Rajiv Gandhi had that he was not the future of the party, non-Nehru-Gandhi could run the party frankly she is the only Congressperson Jameson, not Jamie Johnson. attempted to form a government in 1990 just as right now there is a feeling that and the government. Which among these (current or ex) who has a mass base. and not been assassinated during the Rahul Gandhi is perhaps not the future is his most lasting legacy? Sharad Pawar has wasted his political The Readers’ Editor’s oice can be contacted by 1991 elections? What would have been of the party. A coalition would have capital as has Digvijaya Singh in Mad- Telephone: +91-44-28418297/28576300 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Fri- the nature of a Congress government been a risky proposition and therefore The essence of the book is to say that hya Pradesh. Jaganmohan Reddy has day); E-mail:[email protected] headed by him? Rajiv Gandhi precipitated the elections each of these three contributions was failed to capture his father’s charisma, All communication must carry the full postal address and and also the economic crisis. That’s my important. His economic policy and and in State after State we see there are telephone number. Rajiv Gandhi could have certainly at- argument. foreign policy work have seen con- no provincial leaders who can step into No personal visits. The Terms of Reference for the Readers’ Editor are on tempted to form a Congress-led coali- tinuity, whichever government has the leadership vacuum that Rahul www.thehindu.com tion government in 1990. That could You also look at 1991 as the year when been in power, including the current Gandhi appears unable to fill. CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in - - NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 The case against simultaneous polls If concurrent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections were to be a reality, it would go against the political diversity essential for addressing the social diversity of India

with multiple elections, the Model Code of ly seems impractical but also a step in the TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 Conduct is in force for much of the time, direction of moving the country towards be- which prevents the government from initiat- coming a unitary state rather than a federal ing new projects and ultimately slows down one that the Constitution envisages. India development work. While this is true, in or- has a federal structure and a multi-party de- JAGDEEP S. SANJAY der to overcome this problem, it may be mocracy where elections are held for State Joining the CHHOKAR KUMAR more useful to make changes in the Model Assemblies and the Lok Sabha separately; Code of Conduct to allow the government to the voters are better placed to express their climate high table Though spoken about for quite a few years, initiate projects and programmes till a reas- voting choices keeping in mind the two dif- simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha onable period (maybe till the notification of ferent governments which they would be he Centre’s decision to ratify the Paris and State Assemblies seem to be fast on their elections) instead of the existing scenario electing by exercising their franchise. This Agreement on climate change on Octo- way to becoming a matter of national con- where the code comes into force the day the distinction gets blurred somewhat when ber 2 is a welcome affirmation of India’s cern. This proposal is not only being dis- elections are announced. One should not voters are made to vote for electing two commitment to join the global cussed in the television studio, but even the also forget that there is a provision in the types of government at the same time, at the T Central government is seeking inputs from Model Code of Conduct that the government same polling booth, and on the same day. community in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As an emerging nation with a large num- ordinary citizens through a website about its can consult the Election Commission about There is a tendency amongthe voters to vote ber of people living without access to electricity, In- desirability and related questions. policy decisions and if the decisions are not for the same party both for electing the State dia’s predicament of having to generate more en- The online public consultation will last till likely to have any implications for the elect- government as well as the Central govern- mid-October, and it is likely that there will be oral outcome, the Commission can permit ment. This is a rule rather than an exception, ergy for poverty eradication while simultaneously overwhelming support for this proposal be- the government to take those decisions. not based on assumption but on evidence. curbing GHGs is universally acknowledged. But cause of the argument put forward in favour Also, in the normal course, the code there is no denying that the country has adopted an of it: simultaneous elections will save a lot of should apply only to the State where As- The empirical evidence approach that is predicated on a much-too-high use money and will help the government carry The slogan ‘one country, one sembly elections are to be held. There is no If we consider elections from the 1989 gen- of fossil fuel-based technologies. This needs to be forward the developmental project without logical reason why governance in the rest of eral election onwards, there have been 31 in- addressed as all nations look towards the next many hindrances. The real question, howev- election’ overlooks the existence the country, and at the Centre, should come stances of holding simultaneous elections phase, when the climate agreement comes into er, is not of desirability; it is one of feasibility. of 29 States... The intention, it to a standstill, unless the so-called policy de- for State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha in force. There is near certainty that the decision Can simultaneous elections for both the cisions are intended to be taken to influence different States: Andhra Pradesh (1989, 1999, Central and State legislatures be implemen- seems, is to move the country the electoral outcome in the State where 2004, 2009 and 2014), Odisha (2004, 2009 made in Paris will become operational before the towards becoming a unitary state deadline for signatures set for April 2017: 61 coun- ted given the federal nature of Indian de- elections are to be held. In this case, it is not and 2014), Karnataka (1989, 1999 and 2004), mocracy guaranteed by the Constitution? the holding of the election that stops gov- Sikkim (2009 and 2014), Tamil Nadu (1989, try-parties responsible for 47.79 per cent of emis- on saving the money spent by political ernance, but the suspect intentions of those 1991 and 1996), Maharashtra (1999), Assam sions have ratified it so far. What remains is for The question of cost parties and candidates, but by the Election who are supposed to govern. (1991 and 1996), Haryana (1991 and 1996), individual countries in Europe, and the European No one can deny that a huge amount of Commission. There is hardly any doubt that Kerala (1989, 1991 and 1996), Uttar Pradesh Union, to review their commitments after Brexit, money is spent in conducting elections in In- the fewer the number of elections, the lesser Undermining the federal structure (1989 and 1991), West Bengal (1991 and 1996), and sign up to reach the target of 55 per cent of total dia, both by the candidates themselves and would be the expenses. But then, elections The argument, or slogan, of “one country, Arunachal Pradesh (2009 and 2014) and Tel- GHG emissions. India’s decision to join, overcom- political parties as well as the government are the lifeblood of democracy. If Lok Sabha one election” is misleading. What this label angana (2014). ing a reticence that was apparently linked to the (the Election Commission of India). Though and Assembly elections happen to coincide, overlooks is that while India is undoubtedly When simultaneous elections for the As- failure to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group, is there is a legal limit on how much money a it is a natural process. But if it is imposed on- one country, the Constitution also recog- sembly and the Lok Sabha were held in these commendable. It would, in any case, have come un- candidate can spend on his campaign from ly to reduce the number of elections and cut nises the existence of 29 States which have a States, in 24 elections the major political his own sources, most spend as much as they costs, it is highly undesirable, because it constitutional status of their own in matters parties polled almost a similar proportion of der pressure to do so since the Paris process is sure can in the belief that this would help them privileges monetary concerns over demo- of elections and government formation. votes both for the Assembly and the Lok to move ahead with Europe’s entry. reach out to a larger number of voters, cratic principles. “One country” does have “one election”, and Sabha, while only in seven instances was the With climate commitments becoming almost in- thereby increasing their chances of winning. Simultaneous elections resulting in better that is for the Lok Sabha. The seeming inten- choice of voters somewhat different. It was evitable, a national consultative process on low car- However, the argument in favour of simul- governance is another argument that has tion to force all States, and sometimes it has noticed thrice in Tamil Nadu (1989, 1991 and bon strategies cannot be delayed. In order to com- taneous elections does not seem to be based been put forward. The contention is that even been mentioned all panchayats, not on- 1996) when the votes polled by the Congress ply with the Paris process, every aspect of energy and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra use would need precise measurement in the years CARTOONSCAPE Kazhagam were different for the Assembly ahead, which several sectors of the economy are ill- and Lok Sabha. The other similar examples equipped to do at present. Upgrading the electri- are from Arunachal Pradesh during the 2004 city grid to take in higher volumes of renewable and 2014 elections (when the Bharatiya Janata Party polled more votes for its Lok power is an urgent necessity if India is to realise the Sabha candidates compared to those for its national goal submitted to the UN Framework Con- Assembly candidates), in Haryana during vention on Climate Change to install 100 gigawatts the 1996 elections and in Andhra Pradesh in of solar power capacity by 2022. A bold new policy 2014. on urban design to curb emissions from buildings During the same period, when in many and transport has to be written into all relevant leg- States the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections islation. Such far-reaching steps can be taken only were held at different times, the electoral with the active participation of State governments, outcome (votes polled by different parties) many of which remain on the periphery of the dis- of the two elections has been different. While there are various ifs and buts before cussion. That needs to change, and a blueprint for this may be finally implemented — includ- action has to be drawn up, if a convincing case is to ing the feasibility of constitutional amend- be made for assistance from the $100 billion a year ments of the kind which this may require, that the rich countries are to put together by 2020. State governments agreeing to the untimely Fundamentally, national policy should mandate dissolution of the Assemblies, the question even higher levels of taxes on fossil fuels and trans- of what happens if a government falls fer the benefits to eco-friendly options, be it solar without completing its term, and several panels, efficient light bulbs, bicycles, green buses/ such issues — if simultaneous elections trains, and greening initiatives. were to become a reality, it would go against the political diversity which is essential for addressing the social diversity of India.

Jagdeep S. Chhokar is a former Professor, Dean, and Director In-charge of the Indian Institute of Management, Positive signals from Ahmedabad. Sanjay Kumar is a Professor and currently Director of the Centre for the Study of Developing the GST Council Societies, Delhi. The views expressed are personal. ithin a fortnight of President Pranab LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Mukherjee signing off on the 122nd Constitution Amendment Bill to in- Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. Wtroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, work on the next steps has begun. Not vote banks review Indus Waters Treaty today”, will show that neither the author nor as a new ball bowler against Aligarh let’s look forward to the daily The GST Council, led by the Union Finance Sept.26). It is an international treaty teacher and pupil enjoy absolute Muslim University in 1930. This crossing that milestone and beyond. Minister and with representatives from all States, The Prime Minister’s powerful pitch arrived at the behest of the World right in their respective domains team had Mohammed Nissar, who Abdul Razak Modak, had its first meeting on September 22-23, flagging to project the BJP as a pro-Dalit and Bank and is not something to be (“On the right to photocopy”, later went on to play for India — and Johannesburg, South Africa off the process of determining the nitty-gritty of the pro-poor party, dedicated to the idea done away with unilaterally. Further, Sept.26). While the author’s right, to seen in the last row in the picture — new indirect tax system and resolving differences of social justice, and at the same time turning off the tap as far as Pakistan own and make profits from his or and Mushtaq Ali, India’s opening Science and sustenance on crucial first-principle issues. Time is of the es- attempting to reach out to Dalits and is concerned might actually provoke her works tangibly or intangibly, batsman. I recall my father telling Muslims, is quite encouraging China, its close ally, to follow suit. should be protected, the right of the me about the fiery fast bowling that The report (Some editions, “Lake sence, as just six months remain for the April 1, 2017 (“Don’t view Muslims as vote banks: The Indus has its origin in China and consumer (teacher, researcher and Nissar unleashed on the Madras restoration enters curriculum”, deadline that the Centre has set for ringing in the Modi”, Sept.26). But this is a message we must be very cautious. Unlike pupil) to make photocopies of the University batsmen. My father, one Sept.25), of how a private institute’s GST. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has admitted that should percolate to the lower India and Pakistan, Beijing is not textbooks and reference works of the top fast bowlers from the idea has caused Anna University and that the deadline is ‘challenging’, but going by the levels in the party. Who can forget party to any international water should also be recognised. Malabar, went on to top the bowling the B.S Abdur Rahman University, outcomes of the first meeting of the Council, it is the way and manner in which Dalits agreement vis-à-vis the IWT. Affordably priced books and averages for the team on that tour of both in Chennai, to integrate the clearly doable. Apart from agreeing on the rules are being hounded in the name of Mohammed Tahsin, photocopying of a reasonable Aligarh Muslim University, Delhi project in their curriculum, shows and timetable for its meetings, the Council reached cow vigilantism? One cannot also Mysuru volume of excerpts will go a long University and Lahore University. that institutes and students can play a consensus on the threshold turnover for a busi- ignore the fact that Dalits are way towards removing the conflict Sudhir M. Gabriel, a vital role in driving change. ness to be covered by the GST, Rs.20 lakh, which considered as a vote bank by the BJP Dealing with Pakistan of interests between author and Edathala, Kerala Perhaps the concept “Ideas rule the ensures that the new tax will not be a compliance just as other political parties do so consumer. Both parties should not world” can be introduced. “One with the Muslim community. India is Pakistan has been consistent in its lose sight of the fact that they are The picture was moving. As India plant, one student”, based on the old burden for small retailers and traders. It has also being polarised on religious and ‘bleeding India by a thousand cuts’ complementary to each other in the has now won the 500th Test, I feel slogan “one ghar, one ped” (or one agreed on the draft compensation formula for caste lines. Elections should be approach, which successive Indian fast-proliferating knowledge that we should acknowledge some of house, one plant) is one such idea, States’ revenue losses and accepted industry’s fought on past performance and the governments apparently have no scenario. the contributions made by the where every student is given a rationale to subsume myriad cess levies inthe GST. record of governance. answer for (“Solving the Pakistan Syed Sami Ullah, coaches, managers and the technical sapling which he/she has to take care An important signal at this juncture is the M.Y. Shariff, puzzle”, Sept. 26). The response to Hanamkonda, Telangana team for the past 84 years. We of. Based on this, he/she is given “no Centre’s decision to let go of the Central Board of Chennai unconventional warfare cannot be normally praise the cricketers while dues”. In the past, the curriculum Excise and Customs’s proposal to create dual con- military in nature. India must exploit Vintage vignettes forgetting the Dronacharyas. Stars had a subject “environmental trol over the assessment of businesses with an an- The Muslim community still the countless vulnerabilities of the like John Wright, Gary Kirsten, P.R. science”, implemented as class- nual turnover of up to Rs.1.5 crore and give States continues to be viewed as a vote Pakistani state in response to its The beautiful group photograph of Man Singh (manager of the Indian based projects. bank. The Prime Minister’s “appeal” nefarious activities against us. the Indian cricket squad that played team during the 1983 World Cup) to that power. Experts reckon that a large number of Hemappa K. Hullatti, will have more credibility if the BJP Amala S. Maheswari, the first Test at Lord’s, from June 25 name a few, have played a pivotal Hirekerur, Karnataka assessees fall below this threshold. By conceding acts in a manner that accepts and -28, 1932 — just two years before I role in the journey of the Indian ground on this contentious issue, the Finance Kozhikode treats Muslims equitably. This will was born — and which appeared on team. The BCCI should felicitate the Why not govt. health care? Minister has sent a welcome message of give-and- help it emerge as a robust national Urban flood management page one (“From 1 to 500, in 84 coaches and technical experts. take. This is important given the need to resolve party. years”, Sept.22). was really exciting A. Anton Stevenraj, One wishes our political leaders more tangled Centre-State tax issues on the Coun- Vijaykumar Harpanahalli Kulkarni, The report, “Nine die as rain pounds to see. Similarly, the article, “‘We Thanjavur good health. However, the instance cil’s agenda quickly, if the model laws for Central, Moodbidri, Karnataka Telangana for the third day” shook hands and returned to the where a prominent political leader State and integrated GST are to be ready for Parlia- (Sept.22), shows that most of our hotel’” (‘Sport’ – Sept.23), on C.D. The Hindu@138 of Tamil Nadu has been hospitalised ment’s winter session. It is evident that all States The clarion call is amusing as Mr. cities are unable to withstand any Gopinath and the first-ever Test in a private superspeciality hospital participated with an open mind, including West Modi still remains a silent spectator sort of natural phenomenon. In this victory against England at Chepauk A probable spin-off, or more like a in Chennai leaves one disheartened. to incidents that happen across the case, unplanned urbanisation is the in 1952, speaks volumes about the riposte to the British Raj, the It is all the more surprising as the Bengal and Tamil Nadu, irrespective of their ratific- length and breadth of this country key cause. Various low-lying areas beautiful game played then and now. establishment of the English leader opened a government multi- ation strategies for the Constitution amendments against Muslims and the other which acted as “flood absorbers” are I recollect standing with my friends language daily, The Hindu, now superspeciality hospital in the city in their respective Assemblies. All decisions were minorities. His concern for the fast vanishing while old drainage in front of Kasturi Buildings where a celebrating 138 years of its existence, quite recently. Had the leader been arrived at by consensus. The Centre and the States minorities should be real and not on and sewerage systems have not been huge scoreboard was in place when is a remarkable achievement indeed. admitted to a government hospital, appear to be informed by the roll-out experience of paper alone. overhauled. Providing rainwater the said match was played. I wonder As a South African, and having the administration would have got to the Value-Added Tax regime, and the States want to J. Eden Alexander, harvesting systems and maintaining whether The Hindu has visited Indian shores five times, I know first hand the standards of be on the same page through discussions and sup- Thanjavur tanks can help mitigate the problem. photographs of the huge crowd have always been fascinated by the care available. The public seems to port one another rather than get divided along re- However, displaying the political gathered at that event. plethora of English language have got the message that good gional or party lines. This bodes well for the GST, Indus review strategy will is of prime importance. Srinivasan B., newspapers and periodicals in a treatment is available only in private Chennai country once under British rule. hospitals. Unless we make it where every decision has to be taken by the Council Prasanth Sahoo, Any decision on the Indus Waters Visakhapatnam Were it not for the Internet, I would mandatory for MPs, MLAs, and based on a majority view: the States have two- Treaty (IWT) should be arrived at The photograph brought back sweet not have followed the many stories government officials to undergo thirds voting power and the Centre has one-third. It with great caution, responsibility memories when my father, the late which are covered brilliantly by a treatment in government hospitals, is to be hoped that this accommodative spirit of co- and wiser calculations lest it end up Blow for knowledge Theodore Gabriel, had the team of journalists who know how to their standards will never improve. operative federalism prevails. as a ‘diplomatic misadventure’ and in A close reading of Sections 14 and distinction of playing for the then present their reports. Like a batsman Rajagopal Nambakam, global condemnation (“PM to 52(1)(i) of the Copyright Act, 1957, formidable Madras University Team at the crease, very eager to reach 150, Hyderabad CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in NOIDA/DELHI - - | THE HINDU TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 PERSPECTIVE 11

RIGHTS WATCH Towards a database nation Preventing death in custody The lack of a public debate on the effectiveness or safeguards created for the Central Monitoring Seven weeks after a 25-year-old inmate allegedly hanged himself in the Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai, P. Ramku- System, NATGRID, and Aadhaar puts data at the sole discretion of the government mar, the sole accused in the murder of Infosys techie Swathi, also allegedly committed suicide in the same prison by organisations and is exempted from the “pulling and biting into a live electric wire”. Right to Information Act. RAJA The Puzhal prison complex was inaugurated in 2006 by CHINMAYI ARUN Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asked BAGGA the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, with about potential parliamentary scrutiny the promise of making it a model for reform. It has become of NATGRID in 2015, and the govern- notorious, however, for being a den of drugs and a place where mobile ment responded saying it considers the phones are frequently seized. Although criminalisation of speech is current oversight mechanism adequate. The Puzhal prison isn’t alone. distressing, other corrosive threats to In the meantime, the controversial From 1995 to 2014, 999 suicides were reported inside Indian prisons. our democracy and liberty are surging Aadhaar project is functional without Tamil Nadu alone has seen 141 of them. The State houses less than 4 per cent unnoticed and unchecked. There has any meaningful public debate or cost- of the country’s prisoners, yet it accounts for 14 per cent of suicides inside been a sharp rise in state surveillance, benefit analysis. The identity number is prisons. With such a poor track record, the State machinery should at least government collection of data and gov- being pushed aggressively by the gov- deliberate possible solutions. ernment aggregation of big data ernment. For example, citizens are pres- Is Tamil Nadu the bad apple or is the entire orchard rotten? Data show sources. It appears that we are thought- sured to enrol by making critical ser- that in the last 20 years, three inmates on average have been found dead lessly mutating into what Jack Balkin vices contingent on Aadhaar numbers. daily in Indian prisons. In 2014, there were five deaths every day, so 35 calls the “National Surveillance State”. Most people would enrol if told that deaths in a typical week. Two of these deaths were suicides. In the same This is a governance form in which gov- their bank account, pension, period, the death rate inside prisons rose by 42 per cent. Ninety per cent of ernments use surveillance, data collec- scholarship, driving licence or voter these deaths were recorded as ‘natural’, but what constitutes ‘natural’ in a tion, data mining and other such invas- identification card is in jeopardy. custodial set-up is questionable. ive methods to prevent crime, terrorist It makes matters worse that people attacks and to deliver welfare services. are lining up to add their children to this Violation of rights No one seems to have noticed that the database. Given that no one can opt out The numbers show that the prison department is ill-equipped to protect Central Monitoring System (CMS) is al- of the database once enrolled, this is a the health and safety of inmates. Little public scrutiny in jails provides the ready scanning our communication in very serious human rights violation. It possibility of violation of basic rights. It is only when violations result in real time in Delhi and Mumbai; or that does not offer adults a way to withdraw deaths that questions are raised, and even then only cursorily. the National Intelligence Grid (NAT- consent and does not offer the next gen- This perfunctory attention to prisons helps overlook the fact that deaths GRID), which links multiple govern- eration the opportunity to reverse their are the consequence of the everyday reality of prison life. Inmates live in ment databases, aggregating all kinds of parents’ decisions. despair of little or no contact with the outside world, are denied the basic information, will be operational next desires to eat or wear clothes of their choice, to forge relationships. They year. No one has asked whether A dark future wait for basic medical needs, their movements are restricted, and they are Aadhaar, with its access to our biomet- ILLUSTRATION: SATWIK GADE It appears that we are travelling fast frustrated as they know nothing ric identification and its connection towards a complete transformation into about their cases. As they are not While the liberty of a person with all kinds of databases from banking data. It has not helped that the Indian ju- We have no idea how secure a National Surveillance State. This jour- taken to court often, they miss the in custody can be curtailed to health and scholarships, will be a part diciary was shortsighted in its approach these databases are and ney may be irreversible. However, there chance of meeting a judge, their of NATGRID. to phone tapping in the nineties. It re- is a lot that we could have done, and that lawyers, and families. There is according to ‘procedures We have no idea how secure these sponded to large-scale, unfettered gov- what will happen if someone we can do, to mitigate the imbalance of also lack of a mechanism to hear established by law’, it cannot databases are and have given no ernment surveillance with weak safe- hacks them or misuses the power created in this state. their complaints. be stretched to extinguish life thought to what will happen if someone guards that became obsolete very fast. We have had no public debate about And this is just the tip of the ice- hacks them or misuses the sensitive in- The problems with this have been sensitive information in them the effectiveness or safeguards created berg. As an undercover operation in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasna Jail showed re- formation contained in them. Although highlighted in a piece by Arun Jaitley, for NATGRID and Aadhaar. We have cently, abuse takes place in prisons. Extortions, corruption, and torture are major data breaches have been reported the current Union Finance Minister, communications service provider, put our children’s personal information common. from entities ranging from the U.K. gov- when the previous government was in eliminating the only third party that in these databases without any informa- The only way to thwart what goes on in these institutions is to make them ernment to Adobe, Sony and Ashley power. He wrote “every citizen in India ever had any idea of government ex- tion about the resilience of these data- accountable. Prison monitors are mandated to regularly visit jails, listen to Madison, it has not yet occurred to us has a right to privacy”. In his powerfully cesses in this context. bases in the face of sophisticated cyber- prisoners’ grievances, identify areas of concern, and seek resolution. These that creating these databases means argued piece, Mr. Jaitley pointed out This creates two potential problems. criminals. We have not asked how easily visitors include magistrates and judges, State human rights institutions, risking data breaches. that even access to citizens’ call data One, of course, is that the state will use they may be hacked, and what the con- and non-official visitors drawn from society. records violates privacy since it reveals the system for surveillance excesses as sequences will be if our data are com- However, an upcoming Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative study Government surveillance their relationships and potentially con- it has done in the past. The other is that promised or misused. (CHRI), ‘Looking into the haze — a study on prison monitoring in India’, It is the nature of politicians and gov- fidential transactions. whoever actually executes the ambigu- Even the United States lets its cit- shows that not even 1 per cent of Indian jails are monitored. In Tamil Nadu, ernments to seek and consolidate This year, the CMS is actually being ous ‘automated process’ through which izens know when public databases are according to recent media reports, most prisons await appointment of non- power. Indian politicians and the Indian used to monitor our communication in the government accesses our commu- breached. Aadhaar and NATGRID official visitors. As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) figures for government are no different. Our Na- Delhi and Mumbai, and its reach will be nication in real time may abuse this ac- might be hacked several times a year for 2014, just 500 inspections were made across the 136 jails in Tamil Nadu, per- tional Intelligence Agency, precursor of expanded gradually. This system has cess to private information for personal all we know; no one is obligated to tell haps by the official visitors. This means that there were less than four in- the infamous Intelligence Bureau, is never been discussed meaningfully gain. us. The government wants to add our spections per jail in an entire year. older than the British MI6. Prime with the public, and no efforts have travel and bank information to these Minister Indira Gandhi is alleged to been made to explain what safeguards Government databases databases, and is pressuring all the Surveillance have put President Giani Zail Singh un- prevent its misuse. In addition to the CMS, the govern- phone manufacturers to integrate with The Supreme Court last year ordered the Centre and the States to install der surveillance, and reports indicate In response to questions in Parlia- ment has spent approximately Rs.150 them. This renders us powerless and CCTV cameras in all the prisons in the country. CCTV cameras serve two that this extended to having his office ment, Law and Information Technology crore from 2009 onwards on the NAT- steps around our painstakingly crafted purposes: they bring on record incidents that could otherwise be sup- bugged. Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has clari- GRID, which is supposed to offer law civil liberties to hand control of our pressed, and play a preventive role in violation of rights, as the fear of facing The imbalance of power created by fied that law enforcement agencies get enforcement agencies data access to 21 lives and information back to the state. consequences for the same would increase under vigilance. the state’s attempts at treating citizens access to intercepted communication providers such as airlines, banks, the Se- However, Ramkumar’s death remains a mystery despite the Puzhal like pawns is dangerously magnified by on a near-real-time basis through the curities and Exchange Board of India, Chinmayi Arun is Executive Director of the Centre advances in digital technology that al- CMS. He has also made it clear that such railways and telecommunications op- for Communication Governance at National Law prison installing CCTV cameras. This is because the alleged suicide oc- University, Delhi, and Faculty Associate of the curred near a water pot in the dispensary block where no cameras were low for easy monitoring of commu- interception will take place secretly, erators by 2017. NATGRID is classified Berkman Klein Centre at Harvard University. Parul placed. So, while the court’s order was a step in the right direction, it fell nication and access to large amounts of without the involvement of the tele- among the ‘intelligence and security’ Sharma helped with the research for this piece. short by not formulating guidelines for implementation. Suicide is a critical problem in prison complexes — in the last 20 years, the suicide rate (suicides per lakh population) in prisons is recorded at 15.4. A person is 1.5 times more likely to kill himself or herself inside jail than outside it. In Tamil Nadu prisons, the suicide rate is higher than 40. The new face of tax notoriety Providing counselling to inmates is crucial for them to deal with the or- deal they undergo in custody. But are prisons prepared for this? Tamil Nadu prisons have only sanctioned 105 correctional staff. Less than half the It is alarming that countries are coming to the aid of defaulting MNCs, and both are in harmony positions are filled. Out of the 13 psychologists sanctioned, only eight have been hired. With around 16,000 prisoners, this translates to one against any possible regulatory measures by authorities psychologist for every 2,000 inmates. After Ramkumar’s death, the DG (Prisons) announced that a magisterial in any other EU member state. There- inquiry will be ordered. But does that mean anything? The National Human fore, the Commission has questioned Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern in the past about post- KINSHUK JHA this entire special tax arrangement ex- mortem reports “appearing to be doctored due to influence”. There is no intended by Ireland to Apple on grounds formation in the public domain about the details of these reports, whether of illegal state aid and failure to reflect the magistrate visited the death scene, what evidence was gathered, the economic reality. The Commission has time taken for the inquiry, the outcome, and whether prison officials were Both historical and contemporary per- consequently ordered Ireland to re- charged or found guilty. ceptions of tax have characterised it as a cover up to €13 billion from Apple Ire- necessary extraction, a penalty. A likely land. On the one hand, this retro- Saving lives fallout of this statutory burden is that spective action against Apple focusses The prison department is mandated to report all cases of custodial death there is an innate urge to either mitigate on compensating Ireland for a loss of to the NHRC within 24 hours of their occurrence. But the prison depart- the liability or even eliminate it. Tax revenue in at least the last decade. Then ment data collated by the NCRB and the NHRC data don’t match. Also, al- avoidance is when a lawful mitigation of again, it is also a clear message to all EU most half of the unnatural deaths in prisons are reported as ‘others’ by the tax burden takes place. Tax evasion is member states not to slacken their taxes NCRB. It is important that these ‘others’ be demystified. where a seepage in the boundaries set excessively and maintain diligence While the liberty of a person inside custody can be curtailed according to by fiscal laws is discovered, and which when entering into special arrange- “procedures established by law”, it cannot be stretched to extinguish life it- is then used to escape the tax net to a ments with MNCs. The wrath of the self. The NHRC has repeatedly issued guidelines to prevent and respond to great extent or altogether. Here is the Commission is not sudden, and its vigil custodial deaths. It is time for the State governments to start taking these genesis of tax notoriety, the artistry, stretches to hundreds of matters similar guidelines seriously. If the state works to promote communication between where prima facie the tax mitigation ex- to Apple. One among several such in- the inmate and his family and lawyer, increase conjugal visits, ensure ade- ercise appears legitimate, but in reality vestigations is the scrutiny of Luxem- quate trained prison staff, and open up the prison to civil society, we might it maybe an abusive tax avoidance strat- bourg’s special tax arrangements for be able to save some lives. If not, we know who is responsible for the next egy which may lead to very low pay- Amazon and McDonald’s. suicide inside our jails. ment or no payment of taxes. Challenging the Commission Raja Bagga is Project Officer, Prison Reforms Programme, CHRI. Era of double non-taxation Interestingly, though the Commis- Out of all the taxes, corporate taxes sion’s decisions would appear to undo imposed on multinational corporations the wrong done to the EU member (MNCs) are major sources of revenue states by the tax-avoiding MNCs, the for most economies. But in the event of decisions are not seeing a meek accept- these corporate tax payers shifting their RECOUP: “The European Commission’s retrospective action against Apple focusses ance at the hands of the concerned FROM THE ARCHIVES tax liabilities from a high tax jurisdic- on compensating Ireland for a loss of revenue in at least the last decade.” A balloon states and the defaulting corporations. tion to a low- or no-tax jurisdiction, depicting Apple Inc. is tethered before a protest by demonstrators urging the Irish In fact, the Netherlands and Luxem- massive revenue losses are imminent government to accept the EC’s Apple tax ruling, in Dublin. PHOTO: REUTERS bourg are the first countries to chal- for the fiscal jurisdiction where the lenge the Commission over its de- (dated September 27, 1966) taxes should have been ideally paid. fuges, it is all the more critical to The European Commission’s cisions last year that the tax Once riddled with incidents of double identify and penalise such entities. decisions are not seeing a arrangements they extended to Star- Warning against Japan fails to put taxation, the MNCs have now outsmar- Some jurisdictions have also taken the bucks and Fiat Chrysler, respectively, danger of atomic war satellite into orbit ted the system and have moved into an initiative of revising or updating their meek acceptance at the hands were illegal. Even Apple and Ireland era of double non-taxation. With a existing Double Taxation Avoidance of the concerned states and have decided to appeal against the The President Dr. S. Japan’s bid to become the mélange of some creative accounting Agreements (DTAAs) to plug the exist- the defaulting corporations Commission’s decision. Radhakrishnan to-day fourth member of the exclusive techniques and existing loopholes in ing loopholes. Another important in- This is an alarming emergence where [September 25, New Delhi] made space club after the United States, different fiscal jurisdictions across the strument of tackling tax notoriety are altogether. The European Commission the concerned fiscal jurisdictions, a forceful plea for an immediate Soviet Union and France received world, tax evasion has emerged as a the Tax Information Exchange Agree- has issued a ruling in relation to the tax despite being awarded judicious reliefs, end to the conflict in Viet Nam a setback at least until December global woe in the last few decades. ments. These bilateral agreements act arrangements of Apple in Ireland, are simply trying to justify the special and hoped that efforts of peace- when the four-stage Lambda-4S Various countermeasures have been as information bridges between differ- where it has its European headquarters. arrangements which allowed such tax loving nations in this direction rocket fired from the Uchinoura deployed by states, either at an ent fiscal jurisdictions and they aid in A bulk of its global sales profits are dir- seepages in the first place. This trend would succeed. Inaugurating a Space Centre in Southern Kyushu individual level or as members of differ- the establishment of tax transparency. ected there. In a nutshell, the subject also seems to add an entirely new four-day international Round failed to put an artificial satellite ent economic groups. Lately, the north Despite some major limitations, various matter of this dispute was the selective chapter to tax notoriety, where the Table on “Jawaharlal Nehru’s Role into orbit. Failure to ignite the and south have come together and there fiscal jurisdictions have already gone treatment, a sweet deal, granted by Ire- states are coming to the aid of the de- in the Modern World”, he stressed fourth stage of the Lambda rocket, is a conscious attempt to tackle the ahead with signing such agreements. land to Apple Ireland through two tax faulting MNCs and both are in harmony the urgency of the situation by which after separation was itself reckless acts of base erosion and profit Further, novel techniques such as the rulings in 1991 and 2007. The Commis- against any possible regulatory mea- pointing out that the world was to have become the artificial shifting (BEPS). The BEPS action plan Diverted Profits Tax, popularly known sion relied on the financial information sures by the concerned authorities. not far away from a nuclear war. If satellite, was given as the reason is a step in that direction where the de- as the Google Tax, are providing more of Apple Ireland and found that though Clearly, the tax defaulters and tax ad- there was a real nuclear war, there tor the failure. The Lambda rocket veloping and the developed have jointly salvo to the tax administrators in tack- the corporation recorded a €16 billion ministrators are in no mood of granting was no salvation for humanity, he was launched at 11.58 a.m. (local) worked on strategies to curb the ex- ling aggressive tax planning. profit in 2011, the effective tax rate on respite to each other. The sensational added. The Round Table has been to-day [Sept. 26] under a clear ploitation of gaps and mismatches in tax the same amount was just 0.05 per cent duel between prolific tax notoriety and organised by the Government of blue sky and its last stage, 48 cms. rules, which can be used to artificially Apple tax ruling in the same period. It also found that the amplified tax vigilance continues. India and the United Nations in length, was to have become the shift profits to low- or no-tax locations. Now, a colossal decision by the Eu- rate in effect declined to 0.005 per cent Educational, Scientific and satellite and gone into orbit at a Since a majority of corporate entities in ropean Commission on August 30 has in 2014 even as profits grew. These cor- Kinshuk Jha is Assistant Professor and Assistant Cultural Organisation. height of about 300 kilometres. Director, Centre for Comparative and International such jurisdictions have little or no taken the fight against “aggressive tax porate tax rates are significantly lower Taxation, Centre for International Trade and economic activity and are mere subter- planning” by corporations to a new turf than the corporate tax rates applicable Economic Laws, Jindal Global Law School CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in

- - NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 A story to two caste struggles The Dalit fighting for rights still upholds the universality of citizenship. The dominant castes insisting on consolidating their privileges reduce democracy to the worst kind of parochial politics

utter the language of privilege, of consol- tion of atrocity into a law and order problem, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 idation. Rights meet a mentality of consol- Marathas hope to get the Act repealed. SHIV VISVANATHAN idation. One creates a politics of consensus, There is a strange reversal of victimology protest and persuasion, the other engages in with upper castes almost amnesiac about a game of threat, preferring democracy as a their own atrocities and vigilantism. They zero-sum game. The Dalit fighting for rights are demanding justice for a 14-year-old girl Troubled Politics cannot be studied as a mere set of still upholds the universality of citizenship. who was raped and killed allegedly by three facts as if they are little nuggets to be pol- The dominant castes insisting on consol- Dalit youths. It is almost as if history is inver- waters ished and examined on their own. Politics idating their privileges reduce democracy to ted and the roster of atrocities against Dalits needs frameworks which provide ways for the worst kind of parochial politics, a bully- forgotten. y holding a meeting on the Indus Waters interpretation and understanding. One boy spectacle which makes democracy ap- Treaty and scheduling another later this senses the need for this when one watches pear empty and ironic. One sees this drama A misleading silence week on MFN (Most Favoured Nation) the sudden explosion of upper caste agita- enacted with ruthless clarity in the recent The second demand is that Marathas as a status to Pakistan, Prime Minister Naren- tions. An ethnography of these dem- protest of Marathas. caste community be brought under the res- B onstrations alone is not enough. One has to Their political script is simple. On Sunday, ervation category. It is almost bizarre to dra Modi has signalled his intent to examine all the non-military options before the government for a see them as statements of values, of the man- September 11, lakhs of Marathas poured out watch a dominant community with roughly strong response to the Uri attack. “Blood and Water ner in which democracy is seen and as- into the streets of Pune, paralysing the city. 33 per cent of the population — and which cannot flow together,” he is reported to have said. sessed. One can see three visions of de- They had two demands. The first was a de- has electorally dominated State politics, vir- mocracy contesting and overlapping with mand to repeal the Scheduled Castes and the tually controlled the powerful cooperative However, after the meeting, officials made it clear each other. ILLUSTRATION: SURENDRA Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) movement — now play helpless and vulner- that the IWT will hold, at least for the moment. In- A contempt for law and order, Act, and the second a demand for a greater able, demanding reservation. As a wag put it, stead, the Centre drew up a list of measures to op- A politics of anxiety share in the reservation. The power of the they are demonstrating a politics of anxiety timise use of the Indus waters, that India has so far The early socialist vision saw democracy the threat of violence and Maratha groups is seen not only in their hold about their various fiefdoms, signalling a fu- failed to do. The fact is that abrogating the IWT is a as a place where rights to quality were the rise of violence have on the city but also in the indirect endorse- ture decline in power. The electoral frame non-starter as an option, and the holding of the worked out, where the marginal and minor- marked all these dominant ment of Sharad Pawar, the Maratha leader, which they dominated almost zero-sum meeting at this juncture ill-considered. For one, it ity groups used the democratic process to be and Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra style is now fragmenting as Other Backward confused the message in Mr. Modi’s Kozhikode empowered as citizens. Such a vision is cap- caste battles Navnirman Sena. An endorsement of the Classes and Dalits enter the power game. It is speech, appealing to Pakistani citizens’ better in- tured in the careers of B.R. Ambedkar and two leading godfathers of Maharashtra an attempt to buy insurance for the future re- stincts to “wage a war on poverty”. More important, Ram Manohar Lohia. The second kind of vis- the upper class who see democracy not as a speaks of the sheer power of the community. alising full well that the current quotas are a ion inaugurated after the Bharatiya Janata framework of universal values but as a basis bit inelastic and that the Supreme Court has the 1960 treaty for the Indus and five tributaries Party came to power was a majoritarian vis- for consolidating a parochial world. The And of atrocity not looked kindly at their demands. flowing from India to Pakistan was brokered by the ion, where electoralism was a consolidation contrast is stark between a Dalit or tribal bat- Central to the first of the demands is what Currently the protests involve a series of World Bank (then, the IBRD), and has held through of numbers. The transition from democracy tling for rights and the demands of upper one calls the politics of atrocity. Critical to silent marches as a statement of their prob- wars and conflicts along the Line of Control. Revok- as a value to a fact of demography becomes castes such as Patels, Jats and Marathas. The this is a categorical act of denial of caste atro- lems. But the silence is misleading. What one ing it would threaten regional stability and India’s obvious here. There is a third kind of contest logic of the scripts and the nature of political city. The scenario of violence is typical and senses behind it is the need to use violence to credibility globally. It remains unclear what India emerging where democracy, like the market, dramas is radically different. First, the Dalits’ predictable. A Dalit youth is usually stoned reassert power. One senses that a dominant intends to do with the “western” rivers in question becomes a competitive game, where right protests for rights have the character of an or lynched on grounds of suspicion. His al- caste community which feels threatened beyond the short-term plan to irrigate Jammu and loses to might and democracy becomes a appeal. They are seeking to go beyond dep- leged crime is an illicit relationship with an acts as if it is far more vulnerable than the Kashmir’s fields better. Dams required to hold the fragile Hobbesian word. rivation. The upper caste protests convey a upper class/caste girl. When investigated, communities it has exploited. There is a Here the battle is not for justice to the sense of threat, of aggression and violence. the allegations hide deeper conflicts over double danger here. First, that the silence so course of the tributaries of the Indus to alter water downtrodden but a search for consolidation For Dalits, democracy is a value; for upper grazing land. Such Gairan land often far is staged and temporary. Second, it is levels to Pakistan dramatically would take more and privilege. Quotas and reservation no castes it appears relevant as long as it sus- cultivated by landless Dalits has now been clear that what is being signalled is the pos- than a decade to build. Given the environmental longer embody a search for justice, but an in- tains them instrumentally in power. If de- regularised by the Maharashtra government. sibility of violence as dominant groups and geopolitical consequences of such actions, terest group politics where the powerful mocracy does not work, it can be discarded The upper castes feel the Atrocities Act is which lorded over electoral democracy now they are unlikely to elicitany international funding. seek to accumulate more power. There is a like an old piece of tissue or a rag. often misused and want it repealed. Yetwhat feel threatened. It is not rights one is worried It is clear that the Centre didn’t think through its mirror inversion of concepts like justice, vic- The body languages of the two dramas are few talk about is a stranger legal battle where about but the very fabric of democracy. An next steps when it declared with a grand flourish, timhood, fairness as these same concepts are different. One acts as a shareholder upper castes in turn file counter-cases of electoralism which tends to go beyond the amplified by frenzied television headlines, that the used by higher castes in a new “Alice in Won- threatening to sell his shares or dismiss the robbery and dacoity embroiling Dalits in the constitutional rules of the game negates Prime Minister would “review” the Treaty. But it derland” way, where they insist words mean directors if the firm fails to show profit. The entrails of law. What is clear in discussions democracy. did limit the potential damage by bringing down what they say. marginals speak the language of suffering, about these battles is that there is little re- Such an attitude is not peculiar to the There is a politics of anxiety played out by deprivation and pain. The dominant castes spect for the rule of law. By turning the ques- Maratha struggle. A contempt for law and the heated rhetoric with a rational analysis on the order, the threat of violence and the rise of Treaty. It would be wise if India proceeds with a violence have marked all these dominant sense of pragmatic caution in making further state- CARTOONSCAPE caste battles. The horrendous violence in- ments on Pakistan — for instance, revoking the flicted by Jats on other communities and on MFN status will hardly punish Pakistan’s economy property was the hallmark of the recent given the low levels of bilateral trade. Terrorist at- struggles for reservation in Haryana. The tacks such as the one at Uri require a combination second factor which has not been fully in- of measured but firm responses, rather than weigh- vestigated or publicised is the full involve- ing every option in full public view. India cannot ment and connivance of the local police in the agitation. It is almost as if law and order also ignore the fact that the Uri attack has exposed and justice are the preserve of dominant the need to shore up its defences. As India has real- castes. Democracy as an aberration cannot ised time and again, its response to provocation or should not alter the dominant structures must carry the message that the country is depend- of power radically. able and not given to irrational, irresponsible ac- Between the appeals and protests of Dalits tions that its neighbour is often prone to. and tribals and the arrogant demands for continued dominance lies the new problematic form of democracy in India. Democracy as a way of life is threatened by electoral democracy as a rule game. First, majoritarian- Debating ism threatens the pluralism of Indian democracy. Second, dominance of castes in the system threatens any hope for rights, for a America more equalitarian system. The challenge of he first of three U.S. presidential debates the future lies in how democracy reinvents lived up to the hype as the world was itself to handle these two contradictions. treated to the sight of an experienced pol- Otherwise, India faces the final irony — that itician, and first-ever woman nominee of democracy as a mechanism quietly cor- T roding the institutional values of democracy for the White House, take on a brash and surpris- as a value system. ingly popular property tycoon. While most media analysts seemed to hand victory in the debate to Shiv Visvanathan is Director, Centre for the Study of Democrat and former Secretary of State Hillary Knowledge Systems, O.P.Jindal Global University. Clinton, numerous online polls, most of them based on anonymous voting and non-scientific response targeting, appeared to suggest that it was LETTERS TO THE EDITOR her Republican rival Donald Trump who won. To Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. an extent, the terms of the debate, set by moderator and NBC News anchor Lester Holt, ended up fa- Indus as bargaining chip The Prime Minister must, with for Ms. Swaraj to have confined Having covert operations in a and its total catchment area (34,273 vouring Ms. Clinton. Mr. Holt tipped the scales to- immediate effect, revoke the IWT. herself to a brief mention of the disturbed region of an enemy sq.km) is 40,785 million cubic wards Ms. Clinton when he brought up Mr. Trump’s It would be foolish to interfere with This is a treaty that rests on the tension between India and Pakistan country is one thing, but interfering meters. For Tamil Nadu — refusal to reveal his tax returns, the “birther” con- water supply arrangements under ‘goodwill’ that exists between the including the issue of terrorism. She in it publicly and encouraging it is calculated from the product of its troversy over Barack Obama’s place of birth, Mr. the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) two neighbours — but now a could have devoted more time to quite another. This will only rainfall (123 cm) and its area (43,867 Trump’s alleged support for the Iraq War, and his vis-á-vis Pakistan as it would only commodity non-existent in these major issues that threaten the peace encourage Pakistan to up the ante on sq.km) — it is 53,960 MCM. While it comment on Ms. Clinton’s “look”. Yet, what fea- end up hurting the poor in Pakistan times. Pakistan simply cannot have and stability of the world. This Kashmir including fomenting is not possible to have 100 per cent tured significantly less was Ms. Clinton’s use of a with whom we now profess its cake and eat it too. Once Pakistan would have also fitted in well with terrorism. We have played into the run-off from rainfall, if it is assumed private email server, her responses to the contro- friendship (“India suspends talks on is able to convince India of its our strategy to play a bigger role in hands of Pakistan. We should have that about 50 per cent rainfall versy over the 2012 Benghazi attack, and broader Indus water pact”, Sept.27). It would earnest efforts to put on hold its “pet world affairs. tried to win over the people of becomes run-off then the total criticism of the Clinton charitable foundation and also be a move that would make our hobby” of fostering anti-India M.P. Muralidharan, Kashmir, particularly the youth, surface water supply in Karnataka other neighbours deeply suspicious activities, the treaty, which is Bengaluru which we have miserably failed to will be approximately 20,395 MCM, her proximity to Wall Street, issues that would have of India. None of us would like to considered to be the most successful do. By blaming Pakistan for the and 26,980 MCM in Tamil Nadu. put her on the back foot. As it turned out, she forget how long it took for us to water-sharing endeavour in the I do not endorse the view that current trouble in Kashmir, the Tamil Nadu needs to increase its emerged from the brawl with poise and a lawyer- smoothen ties with Bangladesh over world today, can be honoured. As of Pakistan should be isolated by the Centre is taking the easy way out. water storage capacity. like command over the tempo of the debate as she the issue of the Farakka Barrage. now, there is no point in being a world community as it would only Srinivas Kamat, P.R. Rakhecha, held out several baits for Mr. Trump, which he took. Tweaking the IWT could also push good neighbour to someone who aggravate the situation. Let us take Alto Santa Cruz, Goa Jodhpur Ms. Clinton forensically focussed on Mr. China and Nepal to interfere with does not know even the spelling of the cue from how the Americans Trump’s weaknesses, including his preference for the water systems in West Bengal good neighbourliness. dealt with Iran on the nuclear issue. A water estimate I am sure that there is a vast amount tax cuts for big businesses over income support for and the Northeast. Dr. George Jacob E., Since India is not in favour of third- of data on every aspect of the the middle class, his past business and personal C. Subrahmanyam, Kochi party intervention in Kashmir, the It is important to know how much Cauvery’s flow. I wonder why it Visakhapatnam Prime Minister should talk to his water from rainfall is received in the should be so difficult to have a dealings that hinted at racist values, and the Pakistani counterpart every week Cauvery catchment and what the computer model that can generate a destabilisation potential of his foreign policy Despite the extreme provocations by The ‘isolate Pakistan’ stance and push for a peace agreement. By estimates are of surface water so that scientific solution to the satisfaction proposals on NATO, Iran, North Korea, China and Pakistan, India must rise above It was all very well for External talking, India is not going to be seen the information is useful in solving of all aggrieved parties. Mexico. The deeper question that the Clinton- being petty and be mature instead. Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to to be weak. Pakistan is also a nuclear the water dispute between R. Sridhar, Trump clash continues to pose, however, is: How Be it Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, or excoriate Pakistan at the UN state and one mad act by a Pakistani Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (“Put Bengaluru has a candidate such as Mr. Trump come this far? Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, General Assembly (“Isolate Pak,. general will cause great loss in India. Cauvery order on hold, Karnataka Why has his habit of offending politically signific- the need for water is the same Sushma tells U.N.”, Sept.27). While T. Anand Raj, tells SC”, Sept.27). I write this in my Aadhaar insistence ant minorities, including Mexicans, African-Amer- everywhere. India should not set an this would have played very well Chennai capacity as the former Deputy icans, Muslims, the LGBT community, the differ- inhumane example. with the domestic audience in India, Director, Hydrometeorology, Indian Even when issues such as the right to ently abled and women, not dented his popularity? Vignesh K., it would have at best induced fatigue While India’s message to isolate Institute of Tropical Meteorology, privacy and ensuring the security of Perambalur, Tamil Nadu among the representatives of the Pakistan in the international arena Pune. personal data of individuals remain In part, it comes down to sheer showmanship, and other countries in that august was forceful, it was perplexing to Rainfall in the catchment area is the unresolved, it is shocking that the Ms. Clinton, for all her measured responses and de- If India makes adverse moves, the assembly for the obvious reason that watch Foreign Minister Sushma only source of water supply. government is forcing Aadhaar tailed elucidation of policy prescriptions, falls far condition of the people of Pakistan, India and Pakistan have been using Swaraj speaking in Hindi at a global Observations of rainfall from 182 implementation down the throats of behind Mr. Trump on that count. However, the who are already facing tough times the forum regularly to hurl forum. Much of what the Minister stations within the portion of the citizens under some pretext or other more worrisome force behind the rise and rise of and having to deal with the ill-effects accusations and counter-accusations spoke was not understood even in Cauvery catchment in Karnataka (“Supreme Court finds govt. defying Mr. Trump is that his candidature hints at con- of a battered economy, will only take at each other. The fact is that the India, leave alone by the and 108 stations in Tamil Nadu — its order on Aadhaar”, Sept.26). tinuing nationwide disenchantment over political a turn for the worse. Using water use world in general and the permanent international audience. The country which have been available for nearly Making it mandatory for students dysfunction in Washington. That Americans may as a weapon will only create more members of the Security Council lost a golden opportunity to make a century — show that the applying for scholarships, requiring be willing to risk it all and throw a metaphorical anger and enmity against India and have stopped evincing any interest the world to sit up and take note. renewable supply of water from senior citizens to be Aadhaar give rise to more terror. What we either in Kashmir or the problems The Minister should have used the rainfall in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu compliant in order to avail of rail grenade at the federal government to shake things should do is to expand people-to- between India and Pakistan. The universal language of English to is about 119 cm and 123 cm journey concessions and coming up after years of partisan bickering and policy log- people contacts between the two members of the Organisation of drive home the country’s concern at respectively in an average year. The across some PSUs insisting that jams suggests that their leaders mustwork to heal a countries. Both countries cannot Islamic Countries do occasionally the growing terror threat from total volume of annual rainwater retiring staff have an Aadhaar card to bitterly polarised electorate and temper this dis- afford to fight a war. make some noises when prodded by across the border. available in the Cauvery catchment settle their dues are ugly examples. taste for the federal governance architecture. Mudit Katiyar, Pakistan. Against this background, it J. Anantha Padmanabhan, area in Karnataka — calculated from K. Natarajan, Lucknow would have been more appropriate Tiruchi the product of its rainfall (119 cm) Madurai CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in NOIDA/DELHI - - | THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 PERSPECTIVE 11

WORLD VIEW A case for accepting How the Indus Treaty was signed Notes from the unpublished diary of India’s Acting High Commissioner in Karachi, Pakistan, the WTO ruling during the signing of the Indus Water Treaty in September 1960 The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Appellate Body has declared certain domestic content requirements (DCRs) in western rivers, Indus, Jhelum and India’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) Chenab, would be allocated exclusively illegal. Under JNNSM, whose goal is to make India “a global K .V. PADMANABHAN to Pakistan except for certain limited leader in solar energy”, the government enters into long- uses by India in the upstream areas. PRABHASH term electricity purchase contracts with eligible solar power During the transition period, Pakistan RANJAN developers (SPDs), assuring them guaranteed prices for 25 would undertake a system of works, part years. This government-procured electricity is then sold to Amongst the more prominent of the of which would replace from the west- distribution companies who, in turn, sell it to consumers. However, only problems that bedevilled relations be- ern rivers such irrigation uses in those SPDs who source certain types of solar cells and modules domes- tween India and Pakistan was the Indus Pakistan as had hitherto been met from tically are eligible. The objective evidently is to favour domestic solar cells Waters dispute. This was a legacy of the the eastern rivers. While the system of and modules over imported ones. It was this DCR measure that the U.S. Partition. The line dividing the two Pun- works was under construction, India challenged in the WTO. There are three dimensions in this case that need a jabs cut right across the Indus canal sys- would continue to supply water from closer look: the legal issues, environmental impact, and India-U.S. trade re- tems developed over a hundred years. the eastern rivers according to the lations. Pakistan found that the headwaters of agreed programme. The Indus works the main canals were on the Indian side programme was estimated to cost Legal issues of the border. All the five tributaries of around $1,070 million, of which $870 Subject to limited exceptions, the WTO treaty prohibits countries from the Indus also originated in India and million was to be spent in Pakistan. It discriminating against goods based on origin or destination. This core non- flowed through Indian territory in the was a colossal undertaking. discrimination commitment is given effect through several legal provi- upper reaches. Even before Partition, Once the signing ceremony was over sions, including the one that outlaws domestic laws that make it necessary Sindh and Punjab had witnessed everyone breathed a sigh of relief. What for an enterprise to purchase or use products of domestic origin to obtain wrangles over the sharing of the waters had been an insurmountable problem an advantage. According to the Appellate Body, India’s DCR measure in of these rivers. was out of the way. Could one proceed to JNNSM violates this rule and The situation worsened after the hol- other items on the agenda? This was the the general prohibition against ocaust of the Partition. There were hys- nagging question that troubled the ad- discrimination between impor- Compliance will be in India’s terical cries in Pakistan for taking up LOW-KEY AFFAIR: “ PM Nehru’s welcome at Karachi was formal and correct, but not visers on either side. Panditji had ted and domestic products. interest because mandatory arms to defend their rights over the wa- enthusiastic.” PM Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan signing the Indus brought a team of advisers that included India argued that its DCR ters. Fortunately, an arbiter came for- Waters Treaty in 1960. PHOTO: THE HINDU ARCHIVES Desai, the Commonwealth Secretary, an measures should be excused be- domestic sourcing irrespective ward in the garb of the World Bank that able administrator, and a tough negoti- cause they fall under three ex- of costs might make solar eventually succeeded in thrashing out a for further negotiations through routine Bilateral talks came to ator. Ayub Khan had great respect for his ceptions. The first is under Art- power generation unfeasible settlement. The main credit should go to diplomatic channels. Subsequently, practically nothing because of abilities. icle III.8 of the General Eugene Black, the World Bank Pakistan was to take the law into its own However, the discussions that fol- Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that renders the rule against dis- president. hands and send a raiding force into the Pakistan’s insistence that India lowed proved to be desultory and un- crimination inapplicable to government procurement. The Appellate Body territory only to be halted by Indian make substantial concessions productive. It was clear that neither side rejected this. Relying on the previous WTO jurisprudence in Canada, the Demarcating boundaries Army units. The dispute was then put to was prepared for any major conces- Renewable Energy/Canada — Feed-in Tariff Programme case, it held that While the negotiations about the international arbitration, as a result of with regard to Kashmir sions. We talked primarily of trade be- for a measure to fall under Article III.8, the product procured should be in a sharing of the canal waters were going which India agreed to give up a part of tween the two countries and for cooper- competitive relationship with the product being discriminated against. on, officials from both countries were the disputed area to Pakistan. between the two countries, and it was ation in economic spheres. A number of Since the government procured electricity while the discrimination was grappling with the demarcation of Meanwhile, Ayub Khan had taken an- decided to have it signed with due pomp ideas were thrown out. Ayub Khan in a against solar panels, this test of competitive relationship is not satisfied. boundaries that had defied solution all other bold step. This was the decision to and show. This provided an appropriate generous mood offered to divert the wa- The second is under Article XX(j) of GATT that allows a country to those years. These disputes had arisen stop over at Palam airport in New Delhi opportunity for the Indian Prime Min- ters of the Indus River to the parched adopt measures ‘essential’ to the acquisition or distribution of products in over the interpretation of the award of [in September, 1959] during one of his ster to reciprocate Ayub Khan’s stop- areas of Rajasthan by erecting a barrage general or local ‘short supply’. India argued that since the domestic Radcliffe. Two teams were sent out by periodic visits to Dacca, to meet the In- over at Palam and to demonstrate the in the lower reaches of the river; also to production of solar modules is limited, these products are in ‘short supply’. India to tackle the thorny problem [in dian Prime Minister. He was no doubt friendly relations that were developing supply the Sui natural gas from Ba- The Appellate Body disagreed and held that whether a product is in ‘short 1959]. The discussions the Indians held prompted to do so by Rajeshwar Dayal, between the two countries. The historic lochistan to the Bombay area. supply’ has to be determined by looking at supply from all sources, not just with their Pakistani counterparts were the Indian High Commissioner in visit of Pandit Nehru from September 19 The Indian side in its turn agreed to domestic. On this basis, the Appellate Body said there is no shortage of sup- in a spirit of friendship and cordiality Pakistan who had received prior approv- to September 23, 1960, was to be his last consider sympathetically the proposal ply of solar panels. hitherto unheard of in Pakistan. To a al from Delhi. The Pakistani President visit to Pakistan. enabling Pakistan to run a through-train The third is under Article XX(d), which allows countries to adopt mea- large extent, this was due to the fact that deserves full credit for following it While the arrangements of the visit across India connecting Lahore and sures ‘necessary to secure compliance with laws or regulations’ that are not the leaders of the respective teams were through with good grace and aplomb. were under discussion, Rajeshwar Dayal Dacca. Even cooperation and co-ordina- inconsistent with GATT. However, India failed to show a domestic law or old friends and college mates from pre- The Palam meeting, that lasted for had to leave Pakistan. The task of orga- tion in the military fields came under an international legal norm with direct application in India, compliance Partition Lahore. The leader on the Indi- nearly two hours, went well. At the end, nising Panditji’s visit fell on my discussion. India expressed concern with which necessitated the DCR. an side was Sardar Swaran Singh; Gen- a brief statement was issued in which shoulders. Fortunately, I had very able about Chinese activities on the northern eral Khalid Shaikh led the Pakistani the leaders emphasised the need to con- colleagues to help me. border of Kashmir and emphasised the Environmental impact team. Once these two men established duct relations in a rational and planned Prime Minister Nehru’s visit com- concern they felt about a possible threat Two questions are pertinent here. First, does this ruling stifle India’s ef- their rapport, they left the details to manner. It was also agreed that out- menced on a rather low key. The wel- to Pakistan also from them. forts to move towards clean energy? No, because the ruling is not against their principal advisors: on the Indian standing issues should be settled in ac- come at Karachi was formal and correct, Ayub Khan, without batting an eyelid, JNNSM but only against use of DCR measures. So, the government can side M.J. Desai, and on the other side cordance with justice and fair play, in a but not enthusiastic. The decorations shook his head gravely and promised to continue with JNNSM by allowing the SPDs the free choice to either im- Sikander Ali Baig. Once it was estab- spirit of friendliness and cooperation. along the route from the airport to the study the question with his military ad- port solar cells and modules or buy from domestic industry. lished that the main purpose of the exer- Later, when speaking to the Press, Ayub presidential palace were minimal. By visors. Little did the Indian side suspect Second, does this ruling reflect WTO’s bias towards free trade over envi- cise was to achieve maximum agree- Khan stressed the need for re- contrast, a lot of the local populace had that Pakistan would be handing over to ronment? No, because Article XX of GATT clearly recognises a country’s ment and that neither side was out to appraisals, for forgetting and forgiving, gathered along the streets to have a the Chinese sizeable chunks of the ter- sovereign right to regulate not just for environmental objectives but also steal an unfair advantage, it was easier to and for a more realistic and rational ap- glimpse of Panditji. But they did not ritory in the northern part of Kashmir in for health, public morals, and so on. However, the WTO treaty limits the work out a solution. It was found that proach to settling disputes that had tar- cheer him. It was evident that the milit- return for China’s support of Pakistan’s policy choices available to WTO members as to how to achieve these goals. neither India nor Pakistan had an over- nished relations between the two neigh- ary authorities had ordained it that way. claim for the annexation of Jammu and The fundamental principle is that inequitable costs of pursuing these goals whelming case to be made on its stand bour states. For a few moments, the ice The same evening was the signing of Kashmir. should not be unilaterally transferred to other WTO member countries. So, on a particular dispute. One side grace- seemed to be broken. Right-thinking the Indus Waters Treaty. This was done In fact, all our bilateral discussions for example, if multiple options are available to achieve an environmental fully conceded the other’s claim were people on both sides appeared to heave with due decorum and solemnity. Nehru and grandiose schemes came to practic- purpose, the least trade restrictive one that is reasonably available to the valid, and that was that. In this way the a sigh of relief. signed on behalf of India, Ayub Khan on ally nothing because of Pakistan’s insist- state must be chosen. Similarly, to pursue environmental objectives, a two negotiating teams were able to behalf of Pakistan, and William Iliff, the ence that India should make substantial country cannot adopt measures that result in arbitrary or unjustified dis- settle a number of irritants in this field Nehru’s visit to Pakistan vice-president of the World Bank, on be- concessions with regard to Kashmir. crimination or constitute disguised restriction on trade. and pave the way for a period of real Soon it was clear that bigger things half of the Bank. The treaty was based on Thereby ended another chapter in the détente between the two countries. were in the offing. The protracted nego- the principle that after a transitional unfulfilled agenda of cooperation be- India-U.S. trade relations However, some [issues] proved to be tiations about the distribution of the period of 10 years, extendable to 13 at the tween India and Pakistan. Today, India-U.S. trade stands at over $100 billion annually. Both coun- intractable. One of these was the dispute canal waters were drawing to a close. request of Pakistan, the three eastern tries aspire to increase this to $500 billion by “breaking down barriers to regarding the Rann of Kutch. As neither The agreement on the canal waters was rivers, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, would be K.V. Padmanabhan was in the Indian Foreign Service. movement of goods and services”, as stated in the India-U.S. Joint State- side gave way, it was decided to leave it the biggest single achievement to date exclusively allocated to India, while the Born in 1911, he passed away in 1992. ment of June 2016. However, the solar panel case paints the opposite picture where new barriers are being erected. In fact, it is not just this dispute. Cur- rently, in four ongoing disputes at the WTO, the two countries accuse each other of raising trade barriers. The solar panel case is a sober reminder that India should not pursue It is time for a uniform asylum law protectionist measures outlawed by the WTO under the garb of pursuing clean energy goals. India should comply with this ruling. Else, under WTO law, the U.S. will erect new trade barriers against India. Compliance will be The debate surrounding Brahamdagh Bugti’s request for asylum in India has largely focussed on in India’s interest because mandatory domestic sourcing irrespective of costs might make solar power generation unfeasible, thus impairing India’s the foreign policy implications. Numerous legal issues deserve consideration own objective. India should not commit the mistake of replacing the illegal DCR measures with WTO-prohibited subsidies to safeguard solar manu- larger Baloch refugee community in the facturing, as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has indicated, be- future is yet to be addressed. Does India cause these subsidies might trigger more WTO cases against India. In- intend to grant asylum to Mr. Bugti terests of domestic solar companies need to be divorced from clean energy alone, or to other Baloch asylum- goals. ROSHNI VASUDHA seekers as well, or on a case-by-case SHANKER REDDY basis? Irrespective of the modality it Prabhash Ranjan is an assistant professor of law at the South Asian University. Views are personal. chooses, the Indian state will have to invest in setting up both a policy mecha- India stands poised to make one of the nism as well as the physical infrastruc- most critical decisions with respect to ture for management of this group. its refugee policy, but without a domestic asylum law and without hav- Legal rights ing signed the UN Refugee Convention Finally, if Mr. Bugti is granted asylum FROM THE ARCHIVES of 1951. This has left India without a in India, what will his legal rights be? structured and institutionalised frame- Since Indian law does not even mention work for addressing refugee inflows. At the term ‘refugee’, there are no clearly the same time, however, the country is defined rights and duties for refugees. (dated September 28, 1966) known to have a broadly humanitarian In practice, there are multiple ap- approach to asylum, and is bound by proaches towards the different refugee India calls for International Understanding. both its own constitutional principles communities, so much so that there expansion of IDA Making this announcement to the and customary international law. As the isn’t even a common form of document- resources Press, the Vice-President, Dr. Home Ministry examines Baloch leader ation that is issued to them. The out- Zakir Hussain, said that this first Brahamdagh Bugti’s asylum claim, the come of this is that they have widely dis- Jawaharlal Nehru Award will be debate has so far largely centred on the parate access to basic rights. For The Union Finance Minister, given to U Thant at a special foreign policy implications. There re- example, while Sri Lankans and Mr. Sachindra Chaudhuri, to-day ceremony in New Delhi on main, however, numerous legal issues Tibetans have government-issued IDs, [September 27, Washington] November 14, the birthday of the which demand serious consideration. the vast majority of Afghan and suggested that the fast dwindling late Mr. Nehru. The President, Dr. Burmese refugees have only the docu- resources of the International Radhakrishnan, will give the Unanswered questions mentation given to them by the UN, Development Association be award of Rs. 1 lakh in cash and the First, the manner in which the cur- which is not widely recognised. There replenished by another $1 billion. citation. U Thant will deliver an rent asylum claim has been made raises is still no clarity in this regard, and the He said that contributions of this address on the occasion. The the question of whether a person can Baloch would be yet another group of order (which would have to come decision to give the award to U apply for asylum in India from outside NO CLARITY: “Refugees in India have widely disparate access to basic rights.” File refugees for whom a separate policy from the rich countries) had Thant was taken last evening the country. International refugee law photo of a Sri Lankan refugee arriving with her relative in Dhanushkodi, Tamil would have to be created. become essential because more [September 27, New Delhi] by the only states that a person needs to be The most pragmatic way to address Nadu, to seek asylum in India. PHOTO: S. JAMES and more developing countries, jury appointed by the outside his/her own country to seek these legal issues would be for India to confronted with debt burdens and Government of India for this asylum; it is silent on whether the per- adopt a uniform asylum law for all a general stagnation in the flow of purpose. son needs to be physically present in the Does India intend to grant whether Mr. Bugti has committed or refugee communities. It would allow aid and export earnings, were The decision of the territory of the country where s/he asylum to Mr. Bugti alone, or been involved in activities referred to as for the codification of India’s best prac- increasingly coming to rely on Government of India to institute a hopes to receive asylum or whether s/ to other Baloch crimes against humanity, war crimes, tices with respect to asylum, which this soft loan window of the Jawaharlal Nehru award to be he can make such an application from a serious non-political crimes, and so on. would, at the very least, eliminate the World Bank rather than on given for outstanding third country. This is a much debated is- asylum-seekers as well, or on A fundamental principle of interna- need to revisit its historical policies regular bank loans which to-day contribution to the promotion of sue in international law and countries a case-by-case basis? tional refugee law is to not grant asylum each time it faces a new question of carry an interest of six per cent. international understanding have adopted varying policies in this re- to such persons, as doing so would go refugee protection. A national asylum Nehru Award for goodwill and friendship among gard. Having allowed Mr. Bugti to seek interview that his asylum application to against the humanitarian spirit of law would also reduce the need for par- U Thant peoples of the world, was taken at asylum from Switzerland, it is unclear Switzerland was turned down on ac- refugee protection. The civilian charac- allel mechanisms, and put in place a the instance of the Indian Council whether India has made an exception in count of his party being put on a terror ter of a refugee populace is paramount, structured system for asylum manage- U Thant, Secretary-General of for Cultural Relations. Therefore, this case or is now open to asylum ap- watch list by Pakistan. While this could and active combatants are excluded ment in the future. the United Nations, has been it is appropriate that the Council plications without physical presence be a politically motivated act by from the same. Therefore, Mr. Bugti’s chosen for the grant of the has been entrusted with the within its national borders. This ques- Pakistan, as per international refugee activities as a Baloch leader need to be Roshni Shanker and Vasudha Reddy run the Ara Jawaharlal Nehru Award for administration of the award. tion needs to be settled. law, this does trigger the need for a thoroughly examined. Trust, a centre for refugee law and forced migration Second, Mr. Bugti claimed in a recent prospective asylum country to examine Third, India’s approach towards the studies, based in New Delhi. CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in - - NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 To revive an old friendship The Russia-Pakistan joint exercises raise many questions. New Delhi has to rebuild ties on its strengths and common concerns with Moscow

trum are building multiple alliances. There ism need to converge and bring about some THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 is scope for both linkages and dependency. positive outcome. ANURADHA M. CHENOY So China, who we think the U.S. is trying to India has its own military exercises with ‘contain’ (and India could get a role in this), the U.S. and has signed logistics agreements has got its yuan accepted as world currency which can eventually give the U.S. access to by the International Monetary Fund and the Indian naval bases. Is India willing to do the The SAARC The Russian Embassy announced that their New York branch of Bank of China has been same with Russia? Given the growing U.S.- first-ever joint military exercises with designated as the clearing house for the Russia hostility, has India reassured Russia gambit Pakistan, that were initially to be held in the Chinese official currency, the renminbi. that this access will not jeopardise Russian sensitive Gilgit-Baltistan area this week, China is leveraging its economy and rela- interests? If not, it should do so. ndia’s decision to pull out of the SAARC sum- would be shifted with due respect to Indian tionships to build a hegemony (G-2) with the India needs to deepen its scientific and mit in Islamabad this November, with Afgh- sensitivities. Why is India’s time-tested stra- U.S. where both can share international fin- technological relations with Russia since a anistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh deciding to tegic partner engaging with Pakistan at this ancial domination. base for this already exists. Often agree- follow suit, effectively draws the curtain on juncture? Is there a shift in Russian geo- Russia is well aware of this, and has its own ments are signed amidst bilateral rhetoric I strategy and linkage with China that is im- concerns about the Chinese dominating and are not sufficiently followed up. The what was increasingly becoming a farce. Since the previous Nepal summit, Pakistan has blocked all pacting Moscow’s relations with India? Have Russian markets, exploiting Russian re- Russia-India investments in the oil and gas India’s own foreign policy shifts and new resources, and not backing Russian security sector and exports to third countries need to protocols to better link the region, while India has lations set off a reaction in Russia? The Rus- concerns. China is enticing countries, in- be energised. Joint manufacturing needs to pursued a “SAARC minus Pakistan” plan to push sia-Pakistan joint exercises raise many cluding Russia, with its One Belt, One Road be planned. A continuous engagement and through with agreements it is keen on. Meetings in questions. plan that will develop huge new linkages and follow-up plan need to be made. the run-up to Islamabad have been overshadowed develop trade routes. Pakistan is a satellite India and Russia are engaged in several by ongoing India-Pakistan tensions for months A Russia on the move state for China. Russia has concerns about multilateral efforts that are greatly favoured Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia Central Asia vis-à-vis China and Pakistan. by Russia such as the BRICS and the Shang- now. Basic courtesies were set aside by both coun- ILLUSTRATION: DEEPAK HARICHANDAN tries after the Pathankot attack. Islamabad dropped has shown assertiveness in international af- In these circumstances, India has to re- hai Cooperation Organisation. The BRICS any plans to send a representative to India to form- fairs. It has taken a clear position on oppos- build on its strengths and common concerns meeting in a few weeks will give a great op- ally extend an invitation to the summit, as is the ing Western intervention and militarist regi- The U.S. will always have a dual with the Russians. They have to revitalise portunity for the leaders of these countries custom. Home Minister Rajnath Singh was given a me-change policies in Iraq and Libya and approach to India and Pakistan, their earlier agreement on sharing intelli- to further deepen their engagements. Russia now in Syria. Russia has used counter-force gence for a joint strategy on terrorism. If In- had proposed a Russia-India-China (RIC) mixed welcome by his Pakistani hosts during the in the fight against the Islamic State in back- because it needs both. Russia on dia is concerned with state-sponsored ter- forum. India is hesitant about this because of Home Ministers’ meeting in Islamabad in August, ing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It re- the other hand will not. But India rorism from Pakistan, Russia is concerned the unresolved issues with China. This has prompting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to cancel took the province of Crimea that it had gifted should not take this for granted with the backing that states are directly or in- not moved ahead like the BRICS has. Our ar- his visit for the subsequent SAARC Finance Ukraine in 1954 due to (Soviet) historical directly giving to terror groups in West Asia gument should be, if China can have com- Ministers’ meeting. Afghanistan and Bangladesh reasons. This invited unilateral sanctions on and Central Asia. India will have to be more promises and contradictions with the U.S., too had downgraded their participation in these Russia from the U.S. and the European The Russians, on their part, have dutifully forthright in condemning states that on the then why not with India? India can use some meetings because of their anger with Pakistan on Union. Demonised by the West, Russia has backed the Indian position on Kashmir; they pretext of regime change or local geopolitics creative means to build an RIC alliance. its continued support to terror groups in the re- become a strategic partner of China and they share Indian concerns on terrorism; they are allowing the growth of terror groups in India should use the interdependency and spective countries. Uri proved to be the final straw, have significant convergence of interests. continue with deep collaborations, provid- West Asia. pressure-compromise strategies to leverage India as an emerging power has developed ing sensitive technologies, military equip- its interest to isolate Pakistan. A former U.S. especially in view of Pakistan’s refusal to even issue a strategic partnership with the U.S. There ment, nuclear power engines and much Balancing new and old allies Secretary of State had called Pakistan an in- a statement condemning the attack, galvanising In- are real and perceived shifts in Indian arma- more to India. They have a partnership in en- Russia and India have common positions ternational migraine, but then moved on to dia to reach out to other SAARC member-countries ment policies where Russia dominated for ergy. Yet a Russia dependent on arms and en- and concerns in Afghanistan. Last week the use it as the U.S. front line in Afghanistan and in an effort to “diplomatically isolate” Pakistan. But years. India has opened up to the U.S., ergy exports is constantly looking for new Afghans, in a peace deal backed and wel- West Asia. No matter what India gives the Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and Nepal, the acting France, Israel, all of whom are gradually markets and Pakistan is a potential one. The comed by the U.S. and Pakistan, reha- U.S., this equation will not change. The U.S. SAARC Chair, have kept out of the boycott. edging out the Russians in some sectors. planned exercises were an extension of this bilitated the mujahideen “butcher of Kabul” will always have a dual approach to India and The Modi government cannot claim much more Russia-India trade has not grown to great search. and India hater Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. This Pakistan, because it needs both. Russia, on than a pyrrhic victory for the SAARC process get- heights despite the encouragement of both snubs the Indian and Russian policy of isol- the other hand, will not. But India has to act- Moscow’s Chinese concerns ting derailed in this manner. With one-fifth of the states. Yet India has been supportive of Rus- ating all terrorists and instead has accom- ively ensure that and not take this strategic world’s population, South Asia is home to two- sian positions and has a careful and cali- The reality is that the world situation is modated and compromised with who they partnership for granted. brated response to all Russian actions — in one of multipolarity and consequent inter- wish to label ‘good Taliban’. This policy is an fifths of the world’s poor. It has abysmally low intra- Chechnya, Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere, In- dependency, contradictions, compromises extension of using terrorists for strategic Leveraging multilateralism regional trade. It was precisely to work around bi- dia has supported Russia. and pressures. Countries across the spec- use. Indian and Russian anxieties on terror- India needs to move on in the interna- lateral tensions in the subcontinent, especially be- tional system. In some ways it has, but in tween its two biggest members, and to make space CARTOONSCAPE other ways it is moving backwards. Its for discussion on common issues such as trade, in- foreign policy is only an extension of its frastructure, sustainable development and poverty domestic politics. India has to fix its alleviation, that SAARC was set up. The founding domestic issues to further social cohesion principle was that together South Asia had a better and make special efforts to build bridges be- chance of fighting its shared ills, an idea that held tween communities. India’s domestic politics has to move towards inclusive de- the group together for decades in the face of inter- mocracy, non-militarism, rights and the rule mittent regional tensions. Of course, this is not the of law. This will give it an edge in the interna- first time that a SAARC summit has been post- tional system. Any dilution would damage it poned. But given the prevailing environment of deeply. Indian foreign policy should focus on deep mistrust and tension, it is unlikely that the its strengths of working with the global summit will be rescheduled to take place in the South, opposing militarist interventions, near future. This is something that will cause building norms and depending on multilat- serious damage to the multilateral process and eralism. India cannot be in denial of its his- raise even more questions about the future and rel- tory even as it moves forward. evance of SAARC. As far as Russia is concerned, it might appear that there is some strategic shift. But Russia has been pushed into that position. In reality, it knows that India is still its most reliable ally. It has no conflict of interest or Rescuing the anxiety about India as it does about others. India was instrumental in the construction of a multipolar international system. This Syrian truce deal system has benefitted India and Russia, not ver the past five and a half years, every to speak of others like China. To retain this, international effort to bring violence in India and Russia need to be active strategic and economic allies. But both will have to Syria to an end has collapsed. The UN make an effort for this. has largely been a spectator since what O Anuradha M. Chenoy is a Professor at the Centre for began as civil strife spiralled into a deadly war be- Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International tween the regime and a group of rebel groups sup- Studies, JNU. ported by outside powers. In this time, half a million people have been killed. The Geneva I and II peace plans did not even take off. Russia and the LETTERS TO THE EDITOR U.S. had earlier agreed to cease hostilities, but the Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. agreement did not hold. When Moscow and Wash- ington, which support the regime and the rebels,re- Step three, on SAARC summit, appear to be desperate expect a huge publicity campaign to apathetic to the needs of the general EC as it does not have the expertise spectively, decided to go ahead with talks despite non-military measures. The be launched by large parties with public. It becomes all the more to evaluate every possible decision. the initial setback and finally came up with a proper It is a welcome development that distinction drawn by the Prime deep pockets. It will be virtually significant in India as we don’t have If a similar voting pattern for Central ceasefire agreement earlier this month, hopes were India is determined this time around Minister between the people of impossible for fledging regional direct democratic devices like the and State governments is a concern, high about bringing at least some temporary relief to step up diplomatic pressure on Pakistan and the rulers of Pakistan parties to make their presence and “Right to Recall”. an option could be to have to Syrians. But within a week of reaching the agree- Pakistan in the wake of the Uri attack gets blurred when denial of water does not bode well for our Ashutosh, simultaneous State elections in the ment, the Syrian regime and the rebels are back by undertaking a slew of measures and a trade ban are used as weapons democracy. Gaya, Bihar middle of the tenure of the Central fighting each other, erasing the advances made that include boycotting the SAARC of war by other means. The Hritvik R. Pandey, government which can reduce through months of negotiations. It is immaterial to meet in Islamabad (“India steps up dynamics of geopolitics cannot be New Delhi The Election Commission should non-governance periods to two from ask who has violated the terms of the agreement, pressure, to boycott SAARC meet in subsumed to the dynamics of find other ways to reduce costs in the current dozen plus during every Pak.”, Sept.28). While this move will internal politics without We have had 16 general elections and conducting elections rather than five-year cycle. given the hostility and the contradictory accounts expose Pakistan in the eyes of the consequences difficult to cope with. a casual glance at the results would harming federalism and of who did what. The Syrians blame the U.S. for vio- K. Kiran Chandra, international community as a rogue A solution to the vexed Kashmir reveal that coalition governments circumventing the Constitution. Hyderabad lating the terms first with airstrikes, killing more nation sponsoring cross-border problem will go a long way towards were formed at the Centre on more Elections have never been a than 60 Syrian soldiers in Jebel Tharda on Septem- terrorism, it will stand isolated taking the sting out of militancy. than six occasions, with regional hindrance to governance as the code ber 17, a few days into the deal. The U.S. says the eventually. To reinforce its offensive, India and Pakistan are irreplaceable parties playing a crucial role. Quite a of conduct only ensures that a Clinton vs Trump strike was a mistake. It, in turn, blames Russian jets India may also move the United neighbours and have to work out a few States have been ruled by government does not misuse policy The poser, “how has a candidate for attacking a UN aid convoy in Aleppo a few days Nations to impose economic road map for peace and regional parties, eclipsing the announcements as inducements for such as Mr. Trump come this far?” later, which Moscow denies. Amid the allegations sanctions against Pakistan. collaboration. national parties for decades. Even if voting. It is not a surprise that the (Editorial – “Debating America”, and counter-allegations, the war drags on, creating P.K. Varadarajan, G. David Milton, simultaneous elections are held, BJP-led Central government is Sept.28), is quite pertinent. Donald more havoc, especially in Aleppo that has wit- Chennai Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu there is no guarantee that elected pushing for this change in the hope Trump’s strategy of blaming governments will complete their full that simultaneous elections will politicians and the “Washington nessed heavy regime bombardment and where 2.5 A boycott by India will not end term rendering the idea of boost its chances in States where it is elite/clique” for failed U.S. policies lakh people are believed to be trapped. terrorism, but may threaten the very Simultaneous elections simultaneous elections to the Lok weak. This is the only political should have found resonance with a There are two key impediments to achieving existence of the organisation itself The article, “The case against Sabha and Assemblies irrational and explanation for the move. good number of voters. Though he truce. First, President Bashar al-Assad is now mak- which had the economic integration simultaneous polls” (Sept.27), omits unrealistic. Single party rule belongs Yacoub Z. Kuruvilla, practically carries no political ing advances in the battlefield. Recapturing of South Asia as one of its objectives. many issues in what would have to a bygone era. New Delhi baggage of past failures, his trying to Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city, has always been Economic prosperity of the region made for a wonderfully balanced C.R. Ananthanarayanan, shift the blame on to Hillary Clinton high on his agenda, and he may be less keen to com- can be a good tool in weakening article. The writers do accept to an Bengaluru Most people in India don’t vote for for the “failures” of the last 30 years promise at a time when he is winning. But the prob- terrorist activities. Instead of extent that simultaneous polls parties by studying and analysing is far-fetched. lem is that while trying to recapture the city his boycotting the meet, India should would reduce expenses, but it must The writers are perhaps right in their manifestos. Most are “guided” C.G. Kuriakose, have sent a low-profile be remembered that election their assertion that political by external influences, swayed by Kothamangalam, Kerala forces might commit another massacre, which the representative instead. New Delhi expenses have a direct as well as diversity is essential for addressing false promises and freebies. If world should not let happen. Being Mr. Assad’s has struggled in the past to make indirect component. There is large- the social diversity of India. simultaneous elections take place, greatest supporter, Russia has a moral responsibil- SAARC a successful forum, and scale funding by business houses Simultaneous elections are not there are likely to be the twin Database nation ity to end the siege of Aleppo. But Russia has its causing any harm to it is unwise. which is not necessarily accounted feasible in India. People in general blunders of voting for two parties With the globalisation of terror, it is own concerns. It wants the rebels to isolate the ji- India can use the SAARC platform to for. The point about how the model have different perceptions as far as and being ignorant about both. essential that there is some kind of hadists among themselves, particularly Jabhat reach out to peace-loving people in code of conduct has limited effect on both elections are concerned. J. Sumuki, check. Online and offline Fateh al-Sham, and has been asking the West to tar- the region, including in Pakistan. governance is flawed. Many a time, Assembly elections are more about Vellore, Tamil Nadu radicalisation need to be checked. get such groups. Though the U.S. has said it is fight- K. Muhammed Ismayil, we find sound economic principles local issues, which a general election Further, with a negligible percentage ing all jihadist groups in Syria, it is now focussed Kozhikode taking a back seat and populist cannot focus on to that extent. There must be focus on reducing the of the population paying tax, tax only on the Islamic State, which is in retreat. The schemes taking effect which slows K.V. Venugopal, ability to distribute money and evaders need to be brought into the Some time from now, India is bound down growth. In fact the model code Chennai liquor through curbs on the supply tax net. NATGRID, CMS and U.S. and Russia need to stay engaged in talks. The to realise the folly of what it mulls to should be curbing this. side. The second premise is that Aadhaar are only means to tackle word truce may appear to be a cliché in today’s upstage Pakistan. The decisions to Rahul Nair H., Separate elections are essential as permission can be taken from the EC these problems. We need to learn to Syria, but an international ceasefire deal between review the Indus Waters Treaty Thiruvananthapuram they will keep our politicians to implement decisions that will not trust the government (“Towards a the U.S. and Russia still seems to be the best option (IWT) and the Most Favoured accountable. If they are assured of have implications on the electoral database nation”, Sept.27). to turn around the Syrian situation. Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan, When elections are held no elections at all for the next five outcome. The point should be about Tej Kankaria, and now a boycott of the SAARC simultaneously, it is reasonable to years, they are bound to become where the line is to be drawn for the Chennai CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in NOIDA/DELHI - - | THE HINDU THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 PERSPECTIVE 11

PARIS AGREEMENT India’s climate future at stake No option but to talk Despite the angry rhetoric, this seems to be a slow-paced war, which thus far is limited to both The announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India and Pakistan playing to domestic audiences Kozhikode that India will now ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change as early as October 2 must surely occasion widespread surprise in India’s polity. The haste is particularly strange considering that the European Union and AYESHA SIDDIQA T. JAYARAMAN a number of other developed nations have not yet ratified the agreement.

A sudden U-turn Less than three weeks earlier, Arvind Panagariya, NITI Aayog vice-chair- This is certainly a new age of India- man and the Prime Minister’s sherpa at the G20 summit in China, had indic- Pakistan bilateral relations in which both ated in a post-summit briefing on September 5 that India had resolutely op- sides are set to maximise costs of con- posed any reference in the final communiqué to a definite timeline of flict for the other to attain their respec- ratification of the agreement. The ostensible reason was that while India tive geopolitical goals. In order to ex- planned to ratify the agreement at the earliest, it also needed time because press its anger, Delhi is shutting down “we were not ready yet in terms of domestic actions that are required for us means of dialogue with Islamabad, as to ratify or at least commit to ratify within 2016”. Foreign Secretary S. had happened in the past. So, it has Jaishankar was even more explicit in his press briefing on June 7 at the re- pulled out of the South Asian Asso- lease of the joint communiqué of U.S. President Barack Obama and Mr. ciation for Regional Cooperation Modi in Washington. He emphasised, “We have to look at a range of issues, (SAARC) summit along with other some of them are regulatory, and some of them are possibly legal. The con- states influenced by Delhi or simply cerned Ministries are examining that.” angry with Pakistan. The idea is to isol- Following such statements little has been done to inform Parliament, civil ate Islamabad and build its image as a society or the people at large what these detailed considerations were that rogue state. From eliminating terrorist the government considered so relevant. As long as ratification was awaited, leadership to a diplomatic victory are one could have hoped that a process of consultation would be initiated. But goals that require time. There are no the abrupt volte-face by the government clearly needs some serious explan- short-term gains to be made that could ation. The suggestions made to an interna- immediately provide a fillip to Prime tional audience that fulfilling India’s com- The haste is strange Minister Narendra Modi’s image as a mitments based on its current Intended given that many strong leader, which is certainly one of TOUGH CLIMB BEGINS: “Unlike the past, when India had the capacity to take Pakistan to war, it cannot do so any more.” Picture Nationally Determined Contributions (IN- the goals. shows an Indian Army patrol at the KG sector on the Line of Control. — FILE PHOTO: AP DCs) would require matching domestic leg- developed nations islation or changes in regulatory have not yet ratified The international response Both states should return to border in Pakistan were involved in the of guard at the GHQ. mechanisms clearly demand that the gov- the agreement While Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afgh- recent attack, it was to provide fillip to an While it is up to Mr. Modi to calculate ernment at the Centre make clear domes- anistan will join hands with New Delhi, the negotiation table. What indigenous struggle and indicate to local benefits from scrapping most favoured tically the implications for development that these commitments would there are other extra-regional but more makes peace harder is Delhi Kashmiri fighters that there is help avail- nation (MFN) status or the Indus Waters have. It is also worth bearing in mind that developmental needs and people’s important states that are watching the ignoring the strife in Kashmir able. India could talk about Balochistan, Treaty, such initiatives have little aspirations are not the sole concern or prerogative of the Central govern- ongoing situation but are deterred from Gilgit-Baltistan or Pakistan's Kashmir prospects of short-term gains. Notwith- ment — a substantial part of it is also borne by State governments and local joining India’s condemnation of as business as usual but two out of the three territories do not standing the fact that opinion in Punjab self-government authorities in urban and rural areas. At the very least this Pakistan because they are either not en- have a history of strong separatist move- had changed regarding India with would appear to call for widespread consultations and taking on board all, tirely convinced of who was behind the tion with the then air chief, (late) Air ments. greater keenness to do trade, it did not even if the constitutional prerogative for treaty-making rests with the attack in Uri or are generally wary of Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir. While Despite the angry rhetoric, it seems to turn into a strong enough lobby to in- Centre. what the diplomatic and military escala- talking about the difference between the be a slow-paced war, which, thus far, is fluence how the generals think. This tion will lead to. This is certainly the im- 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2002 escala- limited to playing to a domestic audi- lobby needs to be developed. Granted Need for an INDC relook pression we get from talking to foreign tion, he was of the view that while Kargil ence. While New Delhi has told its peo- New Delhi feels frustrated with lack of There can be little doubt that India will have to eventually ratify the Paris diplomats in Islamabad, who are wary of was a case of the Pakistan army trying to ple how Pakistan is about to be elimin- action, the fact of the matter is that what Agreement. But it is not bound to convert all of the INDCs that it has submit- the situation but ready to hear the argu- challenge India’s control of its territory, ated from the world map, Islamabad tells is being played in the Subcontinent is a ted to the final Nationally Determined Contributions that would be written ment that the border across Kashmir is an issue on which the air force and navy its people how India has failed in doing game of chess, not tic-tac-toe. The into the treaty. This in fact provides India considerable room following Paris difficult to penetrate. did not see eye-to-eye with the army, the much and the international community moves are plenty, complex and time con- for a deeper look away from the pressures during the run-up to the 21st ses- In any case, the international 2002 deployment of armed forces across is listening carefully to its plea on behalf suming. At this stage, those from sion of the Conference of the Parties (COP21). However, there is little or no community is reluctant to take measures the border was a different matter. In of the Kashmiri people and is ready to Pakistan doing business with India have evidence that the government plans any such reconsideration. That such a against Pakistan, even if convinced that 2002, there was no friction amongst the condemn human rights atrocities in the access to indirect sources of trade reconsideration is merited is clear from the emerging consensus among cli- there was some involvement in case of three services regarding the need to re- Kashmir Valley, which is most likely the through a third country. mate scientists that the 1.5°C “aspirational” target is well-nigh unachievable Mumbai or Pathankot, because the reac- pel any possible attack from New Delhi. purpose behind escalation of conflict As for water, while diverting a shared while even 2°C will be very difficult. Such goals can therefore only be tion from other states is based on their (that is, if terror groups from across the resource will not have an immediate im- achieved by turning the pressure on countries like India, since it is we (and own calculations of their interests. For Terrorism and limited options border were involved in it). The intern- pact, Pakistan is likely to raise the issue several other smaller developing countries) who have yet to build for the fu- instance, concerned about saving Britain Even the jihadi organisations under- alising of conflict on both sides of the at international fora. New Delhi may find ture and erase our development deficits, and it is we who will need the flex- from terror attacks, the government and stand the logic of escalation. In fact, as border is worrisome because it tends to it difficult to sell manipulation of the ibility of continued greenhouse gas to achieve these goals. Such a heavy bur- its agencies in London feel they benefit argued by Pakistan’s renowned physicist raise expectations and inadvertently in- treaty through the prism of isolating den is not faced by developed countries and China while at the same time far more by engaging with the military and political activist, Dr. A.H. Nayyar, fluence decision-making at some later Pakistan internationally. But definitely the latter has safeguarded emissions linked to its current energy and indus- and its intelligence agencies in Pakistan, the terror groups have become em- stage. these are costs that Islamabad would trial infrastructure. There is time therefore for India to reconsider what part that have helped them capture terrorists boldened since India and Pakistan went have to think very carefully about. Even of its INDCs to retain and whether to hedge India’s future by declaring a at home. It would take a lot to convince overt with their nuclear capabilities. Non-military strategy if it was not involved in Uri, it must think long-term budget for India’s cumulative emissions (or any other measure the world of Pakistan’s involvement and They have demonstrated greater adven- India-Pakistan battles, both verbal or seriously about allowing certain terror serving the same end). The latter would serve to safeguard against attempts for concrete steps to be taken against it. turism because they understand that using actual firepower, or prospects of groups to operate inside Pakistan with to make India, as a result of accepting these temperature goals through rati- There is even greater fear of what the New Delhi has limited options. The se- peace, are protracted affairs. There are impunity. fication, bear the brunt of the burden of achieving them. However, instead of war of words might lead to, an actual curity experts can boast about at least no quick short-term favourable out- Under the circumstances, both states attending to this issue, the government has been keener to link the ratifica- conflict that raises the threat of a nuclear half of India surviving a nuclear war comes through immediate escalation as will benefit tremendously if they back tion of the Paris Agreement to membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group exchange. Unlike the past, when India while Pakistan has less of a chance to do many on social media expect. There is a off from the war rhetoric and return to (NSG). After the Seoul meeting of the NSG, India had stated that it had had the capacity to take Pakistan to war, so — however, losing half of its popula- lot of experimentation that will have to the negotiating table. What makes peace hoped for membership of the NSG to take forward the process of ratifying it cannot do so any more. While limited tion is not a cost that any leader would be done to see what changes minds on harder is Delhi ignoring the indigenous the agreement. The ham-handed attempt to leverage NSG membership us- escalation may be possible, the probabil- like to bear. the other side of the border. Certainly in strife in Kashmir as business as usual. ing the ratification issue has not worked and the clarification by the United ity of a reaction is also ensured. In the re- The prospects of a conventional war the short term, the war rhetoric has al- There is a generation of people angry States, after Mr. Modi’s announcement, that there is no such linkage sug- cent past, Pakistan seems to have inves- would always raise the spectre of a nu- lowed the military in Pakistan to further and frustrated, and the Modi govern- gests that Washington had called Delhi’s bluff. Linking the ratification to the ted in tactical nuclear weapons in clear showdown which makes the inter- cement nationalism and market its new ment must think outside the box to de- difficulties of NSG membership, arising as much from our strategic nuclear response to the threat of a possible national community worry. Perhaps one socio-political discourse. Despite velop relations with them. This is per- obsessions as from our need for energy, points to a deplorable lack of per- limited-scale operation being launched of the calculations of a terror outfit is Nawaz Sharif following the script till the haps the only short- to medium-term spective in judging the long-term priorities for the Indian people. from India. While analysts could draw that the fear of a nuclear holocaust will last letter, he is still touted as a culprit, approach it ought to adopt. Peace in India’s climate policy has been constantly hobbled by this and other stra- conclusions regarding the Pakistan mil- draw world attention towards solving Mr. Modi’s poodle. Such an image is Kashmir will probably go a long way as tegic concerns, whatever the dispensation in New Delhi. Successive govern- itary’s rationality, causing it to withdraw the Kashmir issue. If the international meant to diminish the Prime Minister's compared to making appeals to the peo- ments have all along declined to step forward with a proactive policy to pro- from Kargil, a similar reaction may not community will not attend to human capacity, if he is left with any, to effect- ple of Pakistan and calling them to a pov- tect India’s critical long-term interests. The honeymoon of the Kyoto be expected in case of a military incur- rights violations in Kashmir, it will cer- ively control the foreign policy agenda erty reduction competition. Protocol, with emission targets only for developed nations, and seen by sion or operation inside Pakistan. This is tainly stop and listen to rumblings of a and to reduce the civilian government's Delhi as the model for a long-term agreement, was obviously too good to certainly what I learnt from a conversa- possible war. If indeed groups across the space to manoeuvre during the change Ayesha Siddiqa is an Islamabad-based columnist. last. Subsequently India’s policy has always been too little, too late, and at Paris, the Modi government only carried forward the accumulated legacy of the past in climate policy, without a new and sustainable approach at the critical juncture. One may even argue that at Paris the government was more sinned against than sinning. But its careless and compromising handling of An American djinn the post-Paris scenario has taken away that indulgence, and handling that has resulted in pushing India to the point of seriously foreclosing its options Trump is a nightmare conjured up by those who seek to turn Americans against themselves within the emerging global climate policy regime.

T. Jayaraman is a Professor at the School of Habitat Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, ously, America does not have a mo- Mumbai. STEPHEN ALTER nopoly on xenophobia. It would be short-sighted and naïve for anyone to think that Mr. Trump, as president, will be a friend of India, or any other country FROM THE ARCHIVES for that matter. He is a knee-jerk isola- One of the advantages of being an Amer- tionist and just as he continues to rant ican citizen living abroad is that you can about American jobs being sent to Mex- register to vote using an absentee ballot ico, he sees India as a nation to which the (dated September 29, 1966) and send it in by e-mail. On Tuesday, I American economy has been outcast my vote in the U.S. general election sourced. His racist, misanthropic com- Central expenditure Commercial for Democrats Hillary Clinton and Tim ments do not distinguish between black to be reduced advertising over AIR Kaine. This is not a statement of patriotic and brown, or even off-white. duty. In fact, my nationality has never American elections, as seen from The Union Cabinet to-day The Prime Minister said to-day been a defining factor when it comes to abroad, are often described as an in- [September 28, New Delhi] [September 29, New Delhi] that my own sense of identity. Yet, more than terminable and chaotic exercise in col- decided to cut the Central the report of the Chanda ever before, I felt an obligation to take lective ignorance. Enormous wealth and expenditure for the current Committee on Radio and part in the U.S. election, not because I’m military might have given the U.S. a financial year by Rs. 101 crores. Television was under an American but because I believe that claim to being leader of the so-called This will include a cut by Rs. 24 consideration and assured that civic responsibilities extend beyond the “Free World”. But today, Americans are crores in the revenue expenditure, the committee’s recommendation borders of any one country. afraid of the future. There is no doubt Rs. 67 crores in the capital to allow commercial advertising that the only way the U.S. can maintain expenditure and Rs. 10 crores on on these media “within certain Hillary, the right choice PUTTING A FINGER ON IT: “It’s not Trump the businessman who frightens me. It’s its power and influence is through what Railway’s capital expenditure. No limits” would receive the Ms. Clinton will make a good Trump the candidate....” — PHOTO: AFP Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton refer to as major project will be affected, an Government’s careful president of the U.S. and she will carry “an interconnected world”, that depends official spokesman said. The consideration. Mrs. Gandhi was forward the struggles and ideals of the usual in a country that celebrates I have felt an obligation to on international treaties and trade deals Cabinet took these decisions after inaugurating the Third Barack Obama administration in the ad- outspoken individualism and ad- rather than retreating into an imper- considering the report of the Advertising Conference of the mirable tradition of liberal American versarial competition. But it’s not Trump take part in the U.S. election, meable and impervious shell as Mr. Secretaries Committee which had Indian Society of Advertisers. She politics. She will be the first woman to the businessman who frightens me. It’s because I believe that civic Trump suggests. Nevertheless, if we be- suggested detailed measures to hoped that Indian advertising lead the U.S., which is as important as Trump the candidate because he is, in es- responsibilities go beyond the lieve the polls, half the American public reduce expenditure. would grow on positive lines. Mr. Obama being the first African- sence, a creation of the enemies he wants wants to elect a man who rejects com- American president. There are those to destroy. borders of any one country mon sense, whether it comes to global is- who may be cynical about these sym- sues like climate change or his fellow bolic milestones of democracy but when Trump, the sum of all fears succeeded in letting the American genie demagogue, Russian President Vladimir the majority of Americans make that Since 9/11 the American public have out of the bottle. Yet there is nothing Putin. CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS choice it is a significant moment in his- felt the threat of terrorism within their genial about him, nor is he inclined to A Trump victory would be a defeat for >>The opening paragraph of “One-third of total maternal deaths in 2015 tory, not just for the U.S. but for the borders. Al-Qaeda and now IS (or grant anyone’s wishes but his own. Mr. the U.S. but also for the world as a whole. happened in India: report” (Sept, 21, 2016) should be recast to read: “The latest world at large. whatever shape-shifting acronym ap- Trump would be the perfect American He may be a caricature of the bloated, Lancet series on maternal health reveals that nearly one quarter of babies At the same time, the phenomenon of plies) have become the frightening President from the perspective of terror- egotistical and ugly American, but there worldwide are still delivered in the absence of a skilled birth attendant. Fur- Donald Trump, the Republican pres- avatars of American anxieties. The ists around the globe because he person- is no ironic punchline to this joke. In- ther, one-third of the total maternal deaths in 2015 happened in two countries: idential candidate, has added a grot- threats, of course, are very real and there ifies and voices right-wing xenophobia stead, there is something inescapably India and Nigeria — 45,000 mothers (15 per cent) died during pregnancy or esque visage to the global pantheon of is no denying that radical Islamist mili- in a self-destructive rampage of bigoted dangerous about him because he and his childbirth in India while Nigeria shouldered the maximum burden of 58,000 political demagogues. As a real estate ty- tias are at war with the West. But this is rhetoric. As others have noted, he makes supporters fail to understand that Mr. (19 per cent) maternal deaths.” Consequently, the headline should have read: coon, he is a man who has invented and not a conventional conflict. it much easier to attract disaffected Trump is an incarnation of all our fears “One-third of total maternal deaths in 2015 happened in India and Nigeria”. reinvented himself, which is not unusual The fundamental strategy of terror- young recruits to the cause of the IS and and prejudices. He is an American night- in American society. The bluster and ism is to create fear, anger and loathing its ilk. mare conjured up by those who seek to The Readers’ Editor’s office can be contacted by braggadocio that he brings to his busi- — it is anarchic and nihilistic, attacking Here in India, there are those who turn us against ourselves. Telephone: +91-44-28418297/28576300 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to ness deals and his ability to market him- progressive ideals and institutions. With have celebrated the candidacy of Mr. Friday); E-mail: [email protected] self as a product of capitalism is not un- Trump the candidate, terrorists have Trump because he is anti-Muslim. Obvi- Stephen Alter is an American writer born in India. CM YK ND-ND www.qmaths.in - - NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 A silence that’s deafening The recent Maratha protest marches across Maharashtra, while a reflection of the farming crisis in the State, are essentially an expression of marginalisation of the community’s lower and middle rungs

The only bond among this four-layered ervation category. That, too, has fuelled the F RIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 class structure is of caste. Being Maratha demand for reservation among other larger KUMAR KETKAR gives them a feeling of dierence from the Maratha groupings. The disgruntled ‘other’ and an illusion of being important. Maratha youth, instead of wagging an accus- The power elite have everything going for ing finger at the power elite of their own them. The rich farmer’s main worry is that caste, began to see an enemy in the Dalit Crossing the If any political leader or pundit were to have he is not getting cheap labour because of the community, the ‘beneficiaries’ of the res- said, even just four months ago, that lakhs Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employ- ervation policy. and lakhs of Marathas were going to mobil- ment Guarantee Scheme. His economic in- The brutal rape and murder of a Maratha Line of Control ise and march across Maharashtra, week terest pits him against his Maratha brethren girl in July by a few Dalit youth in Kopardi fter running through a variety of non- after week, from Parbhani in Marathwada to because of the class distinctions. The real village of Ahmednagar district provided the so-called “intellectual and knowledge frustration is among the small/middle farm- these marginalised Maratha youth an op- military responses to the September 18 capital” Pune, nobody would have believed ers, the vast section of landless farmers and/ portunity to direct their wrath against the terrorist strike at an Army camp in Uri, that prognosis. Nobody, not even the pow- or agricultural labourers. A young person Backward Castes and OBCs. Though none Athe Centre on Thursday announced that erful Maratha leadership, including the among the lower classes of Marathas has of the recent Maratha marches have wit- Indian forces had carried out “surgical strikes” ‘strongman’ of Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar, had no opportunities for higher education, nessed any diatribe against the Dalit across the Line of Control. With this, India’s next had seen the turbulence beneath the super- no possibilities of migrating to the cities for community, the underlying message is that steps, post-Uri, are in uncharted terrain, with New ficial and deceptive calm in the community. a better future, and certainly no avenues to the mobilisation is targeted against the Dal- Delhi abandoning the self-proclaimed policy of Now it is obvious that the frustration and new kinds of jobs — in the information tech- its. Since the NCP founded and led by Mr. “strategic restraint” adopted in the face of earlier anger among the Marathas has been brew- nology sector, for instance. Unemployment, Pawar has the largest Maratha following, I LLUSTRATION: SURENDRA provocations by terrorists believed to be backed by ing intensely. declining agriculture, compounded by se- many commentators believe that he and his Most people outside Maharashtra do not vere drought and devastating floods, have party are behind the movement. The Pakistan. The operation, that began and concluded understand the dierence between the two The disgruntled Maratha youth, threatened his very survival. Maratha elites are happy to face this charge, in the early hours of Thursday, was claimed to be a phonetically similar sounding terms, For the past two years these suering because they get credit for channelling the military success, with no injuries to the Indian Maratha and Marathi. Why, even the metro- instead of wagging an accusing classes waited with great expectation for discontent when they are at best only sup- para-commandos who went across the LoC into politan Mumbaikar cannot comprehend the finger at the power elite of their “Achche Din”. They had voted against the porting from behind the scenes what is es- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to attack several loca- distinction. The broadcast media and panel own caste, began to see an enemy Congress because their condition saw no sentially a spontaneous expression of mass tions. The decision to strike in this manner was pontis too are confused by the sudden in the Dalit community improvement during the years of Congress (and class) frustration. evidently taken after specific intelligence that ter- tsunami-like Maratha marches, which they rule. They thought Narendra Modi would In the past it was the Brahmin (caste and rorist groups were planning attacks in India. This cannot simply ignore because of their sheer provide what the Congress-Nationalist class) that was the ‘enemy’ of the Marathas may not be the first time India has undertaken size and breadth. Indeed, the mobilisation is panchayat chiefs, and so on. These Marathas Congress Party (NCP) alliance did not. (self-declared Bahujan). The Dalits and quick cross-LoC operations, but it has never before so grippingly picturesque that television are seen to not distinguish between the pri- Now, there’s disillusionment. OBCs too regarded Brahminism as the main cameramen and anchors cannot underplay vate and public. ‘enemy’. Demographically, this upper caste chosen to share information so publicly. it by pretending that Kashmir and the The class just below them is the rich S earching for an object of ire had just about 4 per cent presence in society The terms “surgical strike” and “pre-emptive Cauvery water crisis are far more farmer, “bagayati” or cash crop farmer. They Thus, multiple frustrations got accu- but dominated education, bureaucracy, strike” used by the Centre were intended to convey important! are powerful because they command re- mulated and mixed up. But who should be media and other institutions of power. That that this was not an attack on Pakistan’s defence spect on account of their wealth, which also held responsible? The Marathas are in domination was sharply reduced following forces, but a targeted action against terrorists The class divide among Marathas gives them status and authority in the vil- power from sugar cooperatives to Man- reservation, and a section of the Marathas poised to wreak damage in India. Pakistan of course The Maratha caste can be broadly com- lages. They are not in political power dir- tralaya, the administrative headquarters of too entered the corridors of power and in- has played down the Indian operation, character- pared with Jats in Rajasthan and Haryana or ectly, but they have political heft across the State government. All parties, from the fluence. But still there were the vast armies ising it as an act of habitual cross-border shelling. It Patidar-Patels in Gujarat, primarily farmers. parties as they finance candidates. Congress, NCP, to the Bharatiya Janata Party of lower- and middle-end Maratha youths is welcome that New Delhi declared the strikes They are one-third of the State’s population Next in the hierarchy comes the small or and the Shiv Sena have large contingents of deprived of participation in the mainstream and Marathi is their mother tongue, though middle peasant, who survives on a season- Marathas. In assemblies and local self-gov- economic, political and cultural aairs. complete shortly after the operation, with the not exclusive to them. Within the to-season basis, is dependent on the va- ernments there is Maratha domination. And Around 200 Maratha families have kept the DGMO calling his Pakistani counterpart to convey community, there is a hierarchy observed garies of nature, is anxious about the mon- yet the lower- and middle-rung Marathas reins of power in their hands, claim orga- that India would not escalate the conflict beyond very diligently, particularly when it comes soon, takes small loans to run the farm or for feel isolated, neglected, marginalised in the nisers of the protest movement. this. This, along with the briefings held in New to matrimony. However, irrespective of so- wedding expenses, and commits suicide if job market and denied opportunities in Delhi for envoys of various countries, indicates that cial hierarchy, they are all directly connec- harassed by the bank or moneylender. The higher education. Rage of the have-nots the Centre wants to end hostilities with Pakistan ted with agriculture, sons of soil, as it were. middle peasant aspires to be a rich farmer, The reservation policy gave Dalits an ad- As stated in the beginning, the marches for the moment. This strengthens the view that the But there is another hierarchy, that of class. and hence imitates the lifestyle of the well- vantage vis-à-vis Marathas in getting admis- are a reflection of the massive crisis in the operation was the result of pressure on the Modi There are four class divisions. o farmer. When he fails to live up to his pro- sion in reputed colleges. Ironically, many of agricultural economy of Maharashtra. That government to manufacture a strong response to The elite Marathas are directly related to jected image, distraught, he hangs himself. the State’s private colleges and deemed uni- is the reason the demand for the implement- Uri. Over the past few daysthere has been a cascade power or power centres — ministers, chair- The lowest and the last layer is that of the versities are owned, run and managed by the ation of reports of the M.S. Swaminathan- men of commissions, various boards, direct- landless peasants and agricultural labourers Maratha power elite! Moreover, the sub- led National Commission on Farmers be- of moves to underline that such provocations can- ors in cooperative banks, board members of who depend on government employment caste, or parallel caste, Kunbi, was included tween 2004 and 2006 has acquired import- not be followed with business as usual. The govern- sugar cooperatives, zilla parishad or gram guarantee schemes and other benefits. in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) res- ance in this agitation. The farmer is denied ment reviewed the working of the Indus Waters competitive prices for his produce, aord- Treaty, declared it is flirting with the idea of review- able prices for the input elements, relief and ing Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation status, and CARTOONSCAPE support during drought, famines and floods, pulled out of the SAARC heads’ meet to be held in and help from financial institutions when it Islamabad. Having made it known that India does is the need of the hour. not want further escalation, even as people living This hapless and helpless small and along the International Border and the LoC are middle farmer is seeing around him the new wealth, new opportunities, new jobs, new shifted to safer locations, the Centre will need to ar- lifestyles that he too aspires to. The urban ticulate what it regards as the new normal — and in- haves and rural haves have cornered the deed, how it hopes, or plans, to dissuade Pakistan new wealth, making him the new poor. The from escalating the situation in turn. new poverty is not poverty imposed on him by nature or overall backwardness; it is enforced by the ruling class and the ruling government and the ruling establishment. He knows who the ‘enemy’ is: it is in his neighbourhood and his community. That is why Heed the all the marches are silent protest proc- essions, perhaps. The marches are discip- boundary lined, clean, huge and silent, with massive participation from women of all age groups he Lodha Committee’s status report, and girl students who are angry because highlighting how the Board of Control for they feel the future is being snatched away Cricket in India has failed to adopt the from them. recommended administrative reforms, The silence of the lakhs of marchers is T deafening and the elite — Maratha or Brah- has left the game’s ocials in a quandary. In a 79- min or Dalit — are feeling threatened. It is a page report filed in the Supreme Court, Justice silent political bomb ticking and could ex- R.M. Lodha has said the BCCI’s current oce-bear- plode anytime, devastating all that we think ers would have to relinquish their posts for the pro- is stable and settled. posed changes to be eected. Lending greater force to the punch, Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur said Kumar Ketkar is a veteran journalist and Chief Editor of the BCCI elite would have to “fall in line, or else we ‘Dainik Divya Marathi’. will make them fall in line”. The provocation for these firm strictures was the BCCI’s Annual Gen- eral Meeting in Mumbai on September 21, where a LETTERS TO THE EDITOR slew of decisions were taken, ranging from the nomination of Sharad Pawar as ‘alternate director Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. for International Cricket Council meetings’ to the appointment of new selection committees. The ac- India’s response to Uri SAARC and build pressure on show to the world that the forum is (“Lodha wants BCCI brass The rise of Trump tions were seen as a failure to heed the Supreme Pakistan to make the latter a cohesive unit. That India, as a big removed”, Sept. 29). The court can Court. When the Lodha Committee green-lighted India’s decision to carry out accountable on the issue of brother, could not pave a way to get initiate action against the BCCI and It appears that centrism will reign the BCCI’s AGM, it was with the caveat of sticking surgical strikes targeting terror terrorism. India’s decision will Pakistan to fall in line is most its ocials for their wrongdoing, triumphant over the radical right in ‘launch pads’ across the Line of certainly give Pakistan one more unfortunate. With India’s surgical but should it decide the age and the U.S. elections. Of course, things to appraising the year 2015-16, but the board dis- Control is bold and long overdue. alibi to show to the world that India strikes across the LoC, the future of qualifications of members of sports may change between now and carded the retrospective gaze and instead looked Terror platforms abutting the LoC is averse to any type of engagement this summit is bleak. bodies and their subcommittees? November, but Democratic ahead. The appointment of selection committees, are evidently meant to carry out with it. Suddapalli Bhaskara Rao, The Lodha Committee report candidate Hillary Clinton’s victory to cite one example, went against norms set by attacks in India. The Indian Gagan Pratap Singh, M uscat should be forwarded to the seems plausible in the face of her Justice Lodha, who had recommended a three- government is justified in taking Noida government. The government growing popularity. Donald Trump, member panel. The board stuck to the status quo of military action to eliminate them T he audacity of the Indian Army to should propose comprehensive the Republican candidate, will having five. lock, stock and barrel. This should I ndia has boycotted the summit in carry out surgical strikes across the legislation, including international prove to be a disaster for reform Wednesday’s developments in court now put the send the right message to the the light of the Uri attacks, but to LoC is truly laudable. Mr. Modi had commitments of various sports politics in the U.S. In his campaign, BCCI in a piquant situation. The BCCI’s elbow Pakistan government as well as to what extent such measures will said in Kozhikode that the “sacrifice bodies at the international level, he has gone after African- room has shrunk, and it is expected that the chas- those who support terrorism. This improve the security situation of our jawans won’t go in vain”. This and place it before Parliament. The Americans, immigrants, Latinos, decision also shows how the remains to be seen. On the contrary, has come true. As Mahatma Gandhi court should not discriminate Asians, women, and Muslims. tised board will toe the line, though it has time till principal opposition parties are a sustained dialogue with Pakistan said, “terrorism and deception are against the BCCI alone. The sports Stephen Alter rightly says that October 6 to file a reply in the Supreme Court. This wrong in saying about Prime on every issue, including terrorism weapons not of the strong, but of body is otherwise well-established, “America does not have a monopoly sorry state of aairs couldn’t have come at a more Minister Narendra Modi that he is a and Kashmir, should be an ongoing the weak.” and has done a great deal of service on xenophobia” (“An American inopportune moment. India has a home season man of words, not action. process to defuse the situation and M ukul Nigam, for cricket. The court has so many djinn”, Sept. 29). In Mr. Trump, the bounty — 13 Tests, including the match that con- K .R. Jayaprakash Rao, drive home the message that N ew Delhi pending cases; it is unnecessary for U.S. has its own Praveen Togadia. cluded in Kanpur this week, and an imminent Ranji M ysuru Pakistan has to do much more to it to spend so much time on the But I am hopeful that voices of Trophy schedule. Now there is the risk of disarray. curb cross-border terrorist F inally Prime Minister Modi has BCCI. sanity will prevail. The sport is perhaps India’s best-governed, but the A lthough there is no doubt that activities. We have everything to walked the tough walk on Pakistan. C.R.K. Reddy, S atish C. Aikant, administrators refuse accountability. The cricket Pakistan is leaving no stone gain by trying to normalise While the Indian Army has claimed H yderabad M ussoorie unturned to escalate hostilities relations with Pakistan. Quiet that significant casualties have been schedule (domestic and international) is well- between the two countries, diplomacy sometimes works inflicted on the terrorists, Pakistan A worrying trend is emerging, first D onald Trump personifies all our drawn, former cricketers get a generous pension, boycotting SAARC is a knee-jerk wonders rather than high-pitched has said that only two of its soldiers with Karnataka disobeying the fears and prejudices. He has given a young players find financial security in the Indian and inappropriate reaction to cross- verbal attacks. We, as one of the have died. India has sent out a clear court’s orders to release Cauvery voice to the unsaid and unspoken Premier League, and there is much to cheer in Indi- border terrorism (“The SAARC founding members of SAARC, and an unequivocal message to water to Tamil Nadu, and second, thoughts of the masses and has an cricket. But a refusal to embrace transparency gambit”, Sept. 29). SAARC is a should strengthen it rather than Pakistan that it will no longer with the BCCI ignoring the SC- gathered a set of followers in this and the lack of respect for the ordinary fan have platform for engagement, for weaken it. remain a mute spectator to cross- appointed Lodha Committee’s manner. There are many people been emblematic of a feudal mindset that guides discussing and debating issues D .B.N. Murthy, border terrorism and will respond recommendations. The public will who have radical views but don’t cricket’s ocialdom. BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke amicably. India being the largest B engaluru to it with full force. lose faith in the judiciary if the express them fearing aggressive has been quoted as saying the board did what it felt economy in SAARC has more M. Jeyaram, court fails to assert itself in these retaliation. But Mr. Trump has was best for the game; BCCI president Anurag obligations to fulfil, especially as it T he way Pakistan is conducting Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu cases. The court will become successfully identified the aspires for permanent UN Security itself, and India’s response to it, meaningful only when it initiates weaknesses of American citizens Thakur has often declared he is out to clear “wrong Council membership. It should not makes a mockery of the objectives contempt against Karnataka and the and is transforming all that is perceptions”. Their intentions are, however, yet to set the wrong precedent of of SAARC. Peace and progress of Judicial overreach BCCI to enable full delivery of politically incorrect to what is his be matched by their actions. They need to take care abandoning the proceedings of an the eight SAARC countries will take Why should the Supreme Court justice to Tamil Nadu and to Justice idea of morally correct thought for they do not precipitate what could be the most association that is also meant for its a heavy beating. Although SAARC point fingers only at the BCCI in Lodha’s recommendations. his own political mileage. serious crisis yet for Indian cricket. own interest. In fact, this is the time nations comprise 9.12 per cent of India and not at other sports N . Visveswaran, N andini Ray, to strengthen institutions like the world economy, they are yet to organisations in the country? Chennai N ew Delhi

CM ND-ND YK www.qmaths.in NOIDA/DELHI - - | THE HINDU FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 PERSPECTIVE 11

AGRICULTURE Seeds of discontent? Making books accessible to all Today, as the Marrakesh Treaty comes into force, India’s multi-stakeholder approach to On September 5, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released an “Assessment of providing texts for the blind/print-disabled oers an excellent model for other countries to follow Food and Environmental Safety” for genetically modified (GM) mustard on its website, and gave the public a month to Through the ABC Book Service, which respond with comments and concerns. This review report is free, organisations serving the print- FRANCIS GURRY ANIKET was put together by an expert sub-committee of the disabled can supplement their collec- AGA ministry’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee tions of accessible books from their (GEAC). The public consultation is likely to be the pen- counterparts in other countries. ultimate step before the government takes a final decision on what might The ABC Book Service can assist in become India’s first GM food crop — Bt cotton seeds, though also crushed Today is an important day for blind and preventing the same book from being for edible oil, were not explicitly approved as food; Bt brinjal is unlikely to other print-disabled people across the produced in accessible formats by more emerge out of the moratorium issued by former Environment Minister globe, as it marks the entry into force of than one library, thereby avoiding du- Jairam Ramesh any time soon. an international treaty designed to help plication. It is hoped that Sugamya Pus- GM mustard represents the culmination of over a decade of painstaking deliver specially adapted texts to those takalaya will soon become a member of work by a team of Delhi University scientists led by the noted biotechnolo- aected by a range of disabilities that in- the ABC Book Service, thereby joining gist, Deepak Pental. Mustard, a self-pollinating crop, is dicult to hybrid- terfere with the eective reading of an international library-to-library ser- ise, that is, cross-pollinate. Pental’s team has genetically modified an Indian printed matter. vice managed by WIPO in Geneva. mustard, Varuna, and an East European mustard line in order to cross-pol- It is called the Marrakesh Treaty and Nineteen libraries for the blind from 16 linate them. They have sought permission to commercially release the res- today I am calling on other countries to countries are already participating in ultant hybrid named DMH-11, and to use the two GM parental lines for de- follow India’s lead — as the first nation this service, and I am happy to an- veloping new hybrids. They claim that by virtue of being a hybrid (rather to join the so-called ‘Books for Blind’ nounce today that over 1,00,000 loans than a GM crop), DMH-11 yields about 30 per cent more than a reference treaty and then as a trailblazer in imple- have now been made to visually im- mustard variety. Given India’s huge import bill for edible oil, they argue, menting the pact that will benefit not paired individuals around the world this eort to boost mustard yields must be welcomed. Indeed, this may well only India’s visually impaired citizens through the participating organisations. be a moment for us to appreciate government-led scientific eorts — ex- but millions more around the world. ABC is continuing to establish pro- cept that the case for GM mustard is not as straightforward as the govern- According to the World Health Orga- jects in India, including by training pub- ment makes it seem. nisation, some 285 million people lishers, libraries and NGOs in the worldwide live with visual impair- production of accessible books, as well Biosafety and socio-economic impact ments. Meanwhile, the World Blind CIRCLE OF READERS: “Joining the treaty is easy; ensuring that books become widely as providing funding to produce educa- G M mustard is resistant to the herbicide glufosinate, and thus a Union estimates that children who are available to people who are blind or print-disabled takes patience and effort.” tional materials in accessible formats. herbicide-tolerant (HT) crop. A farmer growing DMH-11 can potentially blind have a less than 10 per cent chance Visually impaired students preparing for an examination in Kerala. PHOTO: S. RAMESH KURUP Without these materials, students ei- get rid of weeds with a blanket spray of glufosinate (sold in India by Bayer of going to school — a situation that ther cannot access their curriculum or under the brand name Basta), which will kill all the plants except the mus- could be improved if schools had ready Visually impaired children have Campaign’ has provided a nationwide are dependent on books being read tard crop. The technical expert access to texts adapted for use by visu- a less than 10% chance of flagship campaign for universal access aloud to them. committee appointed by the Su- The government is within its ally impaired children. for people with disabilities. And India In addition to implementing projects going to school. If schools had preme Court in an ongoing public rights to take a strategic has begun implementation of the Mar- in India, ABC has also established train- interest litigation (PIL) concerning I ndia, leading the way access to texts adapted for use rakesh Treaty through a multi-stake- ing and technical assistance projects in decision to commercialise GM crops had found HT crops The Marrakesh Treaty represents a by them, this could improve holder approach, which includes col- Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and it “completely unsuitable in the Indi- GM mustard, but not at the significant step towards making books laboration among key players such as is estimated that 88,500 students with an context” in its final, majority re- available to everyone, by easing the cre- government ministries, local champi- visual impairments in these four coun- port. The principal reasons were cost of fidelity to the law ation and transfer across national into accessible formats either by librar- ons like the DAISY Forum of India, and tries will benefit from ABC projects in that herbicides adversely impact the vast constituency of manual labour- boundaries of texts in accessible ies for the blind, organisations serving the private sector. This led to the launch the upcoming year. ABC plans to extend ers, for whom weeding provides livelihood, and generate selective pressure formats such as Braille, audio, or large the print-disabled, or at the source by in August of India’s largest collection of its capacity-building programmes to for the emergence of herbicide-resistant or “super” weeds. The aforemen- print. With access to information and publishers (including Departments of online accessible books called “Sug- Africa and Latin America, helping en- tioned MoEFCC review report on GM mustard makes light of these con- educational materials, blindness need Education) so that the texts can be amya Pustakalaya”, which counts sure that these transformative uses of cerns, and simply notes that farmers are not “required to spray herbicide” no longer be a barrier to learning, em- “read” using assistive technology on 2,00,000 volumes. technology can boost access to books on GM mustard fields — which is neither here nor there. ployment and full participation in computers, phones or electronic Braille for people who are blind or print-dis- Second, there are concerns that the yield advantage of GM mustard has society. devices. Once produced, these access- Building an accessible book bank abled around the world. been over-estimated by comparing it with dated mustard reference variet- So far, 22 countries have joined the ible books need to be distributed to the The World Intellectual Property Or- Today, as the Marrakesh Treaty takes ies. Sharad E. Pawar, Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sci- Marrakesh Treaty, but many more are people that need them, including to ganisation (WIPO), a United Nations eect in India and elsewhere, India’s ences, has analysed the yield data of DMH-11 and shown that it has “no yield needed: each new nation that joins populations that may live far from ma- organisation based in Geneva, ad- multi-stakeholder approach provides advantage over varieties and hybrids released in recent years”; a view also brings along not only a population in jor urban areas. ministers the Marrakesh Treaty and an excellent model for other countries held by the government’s own Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research. need, but a wealth of printed matter that These are common challenges in leads an alliance of private and public to follow. WIPO looks forward to many can more easily be made accessible in many countries and India has been a partners known as the Accessible more countries implementing the Mar- Transparency and public participation other countries. leader, having in June 2014 become the Books Consortium (ABC), which was rakesh Treaty so that print-disabled T hese and other concerns (such as over gene flow, impact on biod- Joining the treaty is the easy part, first country to ratify the Marrakesh established in June 2014 to support the people around the world can benefit iversity) might have been addressed if the government had made public the however. Ensuring that books become Treaty. And it did not stop there. India goals of the treaty. from the new avenues to access now details of its case for GM mustard — and by “making public”, I mean making widely available to people who are blind has not delayed in readying itself to en- The ABC has established a cen- available to Indians. its case freely and widely available, even to those who cannot access web- or print-disabled takes perseverance, sure the Marrakesh Treaty benefits its tralised electronic multilingual cat- sites or read English. However, having uploaded the review report, the patience, and logistical eort. people. alogue of accessible books produced by F rancis Gurry is Director General of the World MoEFCC has made the primary data on agronomic and biosafety assess- First, the books need to be adapted For example, the ‘Accessible India libraries for the blind around the world. Intellectual Property Organisation. ment available only to those who can visit the GEAC secretariat in New Delhi by prior appointment during working hours before October 5. Equally serious is the fact that withholding the full biosafety dossier violates the government’s own commitments given to the Supreme Court on April 8, 2008 in the hearing on the aforementioned PIL. Consequently, we Saving the public university do not know, for example, if sociologists considered the impact of GM mustard on agricultural labourers; or if ecologists, toxicologists and nutrition- ists investigated the wider impact of potential glufosinate use on mustard Recent policy prescriptions threaten to push liberal arts education in public universities into fields. In April and again in August, the Central Information Commission ordered the MoEFCC to release complete information on GM mustard and oblivion while carving out space for the entry of foreign universities other GM crops. The Commission also ordered the GEAC to disclose the agenda and full, detailed minutes of its meetings, which the Ministry had are still a mirage, especially in times stopped doing since 2012. The Ministry continues to disregard these when we look towards Digital India. orders. Moreover, the market-oriented shifts Thereby, the MoEFCC is reducing public participation to a farce. Deny- fail to capture larger and more prag- ing citizens a voice in this matter is all the more serious considering that no matic questions of pedagogy. Uni- labelling regime is in place in India. That is, if commercialised, citizens will APARNA PREETI versities like Jawaharlal Nehru Uni- not have the choice of opting out of GM sarson da saag, for instance. VINCENT RAGHUNATH versity, University of Hyderabad and Perhaps, developers of GM mustard and the government fear that releas- Tezpur University occupy the top spots ing the biosafety dossier will lead them down the path of Bt brinjal, but this The Central government recently an- in the first-ever government ranking. fear is misplaced. The government is within its rights to take a strategic de- nounced the setting up of the Higher Over years, these universities have cision to commercialise GM mustard despite opposition, but this cannot Education Financing Agency (HEFA), adopted and practised certain come at the cost of transparency and fidelity to the law. At the minimum, conceived as a special purpose vehicle pedagogic approaches to public educa- the full biosafety dossier for GM mustard must be uploaded on the to accrue and disburse funds to certain tion, accentuating their relevance in re- Ministry’s website, the GEAC should disclose its full agenda notes and institutions of higher education in the cent times. How, then, do we as student minutes for each of its meetings, and the window for public consultation country. This development is an upshot researchers respond to such changes? should be extended beyond 30 days. of the Tenth Ministerial Conference of We approach the public university as a As the distinguished biotechnologist, mustard-breeder, and former Dir- the World Trade Organisation (WTO) shared space for cooperative learning ector-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research V. L. Chopra in Nairobi in December 2015 where de- and dialogic peer-group pedagogy, wrote some years ago, greater transparency and wider public participation cisions on “international trade in edu- through collaboration and co-learning. may be the most eective way of “allaying fears and building confidence” in cational services” were made. In the in- Public universities, then, have the larger our regulatory institutions. terim period, some Indian public responsibility of guarding and nurtur- universities had to endure attacks on ing such spaces. This would mean tran- A niket Aga is Assistant Professor at the School for Natural Resources and Environment, University their institutional autonomy and re- scending disciplinary boundaries and of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Email: [email protected] search culture. traditional conceptions of teacher- All these changes leave us, as liberal taught relationships. It would call for arts researchers, with little option but to A CAPACIOUS CHARTER: “Public universities are spaces that serve a larger mandate of working with technology innovators, address the elephant in the room — the inclusiveness.” File photo of students in the JNU library. PHOTO: MEETA AHLAWAT and humanising their spaces towards FROM THE ARCHIVES pushing of an already marginalised further collaboration. It also demands liberal arts education in Indian public search, even when the private sector The inherent understanding that that the larger society, including those universities into oblivion. The fact that provides unmatched opportunities for holding public oce across semi-/insti- we as student researchers have not been those with technical literacy. By carica- bringing in foreign universities tutional setups, take cognisance of our made part of larger decision-making for turing the liberal arts as untenable, soci- in itself would drastically alter research. (dated September 30, 1966) education that have an immediate im- ety at large is stymied from construct- and improve standards of pact on our academic trajectories is a ively engaging with our theoretical and Sharing the global spotlight India strong, Minister said China and Pakistan huge cause for concern. It fails to rec- empirical research work. Researching education in India is misplaced The inherent understanding that says P.M. wanted to weaken India but that ognise our position as active stakehold- for the public, then, is incumbent on so- bringing in foreign universities in itself could not happen. She declared ers of policy advances that seek to alter cietal recognition of the larger public to engage with the sheer diversity of would drastically alter and improve Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime India was to-day strong enough to the texture of the higher education interest mandate our work entails. these experiences, that then allows us to standards of education in India is mis- Minister, said here [Srinagar] reply to aggression from any space as we know it. The 2014 elections and the preceding bring deeper understanding, sensitivity placed. It does not take into account the to-day [September 29] that India quarter. anti-corruption movement were and rigour to our own research. quality research that is already under- had emerged stronger and more It was India’s policy and faith to R esearching for the public pitched around a burgeoning youth Developments at the WTO-General way in many of our public universities. united after attacks by China and live in peace with all countries, Public universities have long held the demography. The rhetoric was hinged Agreement on Trade in Services It only feeds in to the preference for Pakistan and its strength was particularly its neighbours and for unique mandate of being imagined as on a futuristic imagination of an India (GATS) conference last year, the New foreign degrees, to the disadvantage of increasing “hour by hour”. this purpose it had extended the egalitarian spaces tailored for demo- that would have a place for our aspira- Education Policy and the recent moot- those who have expressed enough com- Addressing a largely attended hand of friendship to China and cratic engagement with the enterprise tions. Strategies like extensive deploying of the HEFA indicate a preference mitment to and trust in the Indian pub- public meeting, the Prime Pakistan. of education, in the Deweyian sense. ment of social media, setting up of start- for privatising the public university — lic education system. For us student researchers in the liberal up incubators, and expansion of certain through corporate social responsibility We would do well to draw lessons arts, they open up a world of interac- kinds of technology imperatives are in- interventions, long-term loans and from current articulations and cyn- tions that take us beyond narrow soci- dicative of this trend. However, these ef- structural adjustments in areas of tech- icism amongst the youth on costs of CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS etal preferences for a very instrumental, forts have focussed rather wantonly on nical education and certain kinds of sci- higher education and student debt in technical education. Liberal arts educa- a particular imagination of our ambi- entific research, lack of quality indicat- the U.S. In a similar vein, other Eu- tion, encompassing the broad areas of tions, without considering any other in- ors for foreign universities that can ropean experiences with public educa- The last paragraph of the report, “Union Cabinet approves ratification of cli- humanities, social, natural and pure sci- clinations and talents we may possess enter the Indian education “market”, tion oer interesting ideas that we mate deal” (Sept. 29, 2016), erroneously put India’s emissions at 5.8%. It should ences, equips individuals with skills to and aspire to pursue. We seek to make and no pronouncement on the social could examine, even as we appreciate have been 4.1%. understand and engage with issues of inroads into this conflated imagination justice mandate of public universities. our own systemic challenges and the world beyond mere black-and- of the youth with certain aspirations for The already marginalised liberal arts achievements. Building larger Global white dichotomies. the entire country that the strategists face a double whammy in the form of South solidarities and advancing them It is the policy of The Hindu to correct significant errors as soon as For instance, our research on issues seem to repose their eorts in. In act- the recent approval of the third phase of at multilateral fora are ways to engage possible. such as everyday experiences of cor- ively hedging for their own interests, the Technical Education Quality Im- with education reform. A better ap- Please specify the edition (place of publication), date and page. ruption, child soldiers in conflict areas, they have negated all attempts made provement Programme, by the Cabinet proach to sharing the global spotlight, The Readers’ Editor’s oce can be contacted by media freedoms in times of impunity, thus far in nurturing other divergent Committee on Economic Aairs. then, is to pay heed to the urgent need to Telephone: +91-44-28418297/28576300 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to ideas around human sciences, clearly proficiencies. Public universities do not operate in a showcase research from Indian public Friday); Fax: +91-44-28552963; traverse beyond university confines Public universities are spaces that time warp — they are hierarchy-laden universities on a global level — espe- E-mail:[email protected] and assume significance for the larger serve a larger mandate of inclusiveness and bureaucratic. Older issues and their cially from the liberal arts — instead of Mail: Readers’ Editor, The Hindu, Kasturi Buildings, public. This is in contrast to a techno- and social justice. They often are the newer articulations call for introspec- shying away from it. These eorts alone 859 & 860 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002, India. cratic approach that perceives educa- only option available to those who have tion every so often. Accessing high- would leave us with a sustainable All communication must carry the full postal address and tion as a “trade commodity” or “service to travel a significant distance, literally quality journals is a very expensive af- higher education system. telephone number. deliverable”. It is in disagreement with and otherwise, in reaching the higher fair, financial support to attend interna- No personal visits. this approach that some of the best of us echelons of education. Liberal arts re- tional conferences is haltingly limited, A parna Vincent and Preeti Raghunath are doctoral The Terms of Reference for the Readers’ Editor are on www.thehindu.com pursue public-oriented liberal arts research in public universities allows us and digital and remote library facilities students at the University of Hyderabad. CM ND-ND YK