THE HIMALAYAN MAIL Q FRIDAY Q JULY 23, 2021 6 THE EDITORIAL PAGE DIVIDENDS OF PEACE fter a long time, the Indian in western white banks and Pakistani troops on the Prashant Tewari There is another side to this story. It is already filed a complaint with the Secu- veloped countries. that many in the present Indian Govern- rities and Exchange Board of (SEBI) At the moment, the UK is a member of Aborder and the line of con- Despite its traumatic past, the ment and several Indian banks seeking to to intervene and probe the controversial the Organisation for Economic Coopera- trol exchanged Eid gifts as divi- only country in the East that rejoices in bring back the looters and prosecute them activities in the Hinduja Group of Com- tion and Development (OECD) which having a “special relationship” with may be chasing a mirage because of the panies. Still, the British government con- routinely publishes the list of countries dends of peace. The last time these Britain. But the British have never ade- complexities in the UK legal system. The tinues to prefer to accord them preferen- considered a “danger to the international normal exchanges happened on quately responded to the gesture. UK Government trumpets its human tial status. financial system” as well as a “high risk” British governments continue to trau- rights laws, but how fair is the British jus- The case of India’s biggest financial where is concerned. the occasion of festivals was before matize India by offering a safe haven to tice system? What about human rights debtor, Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group, is The UK, the US, and Switzerland have the latter’s economic offenders. These and fair justice for Julian Assange? Why is not much different. The entire business never been blacklisted. Instead, the usual the Pulwama attack happened. fugitives have looted huge public money he not out on bail and why does he not has collapsed and the hard-earned tax- pariahs of the west-Cuba, North Korea, The troops of two neighbouring from Indian banks, siphoned off the have the right legal team to represent his payer’s money has scandalously evapo- Iran, and so on, regularly appear on that funds to overseas destinations, and when case against his extradition to the USA? rated into thin air. A few months ago, Anil list along with small states such as An- countries wishing each other and the law enforcement agencies nailed them The UK has over the years become the Ambani deposed before a UK court, in tigua, St Kitts, and Nevis. exchanging sweets on festivals that to get back the ill-begotten money, they most preferred destination for connection with a case filed by a Chinese These smaller countries are powerless to ended up going to Britain to safely enjoy economic offenders like Vijay Mallya, Ni- banking consortium, that he has no fight their inclusion on the blacklist. The are common to both instil so much their looted wealth. rav Modi, Lalit Modi, murder-accused In- money left. The UK Court had earlier Caribbean nations have, in the meantime, confidence among the people liv- Fugitive billionaire Vijay Mallya of dian music director Nadeem, Sanjay asked Anil Ambani to pay $770 million to lost ties with many international banks. Kingfisher Airlines fame is a glaring in- Bhandari, the Rana Kapoor family, the some Chinese banks for non-payment of We prefer to think that the financial ing on the border. Right now the stance. He remains on bail in Britain until Sandesara family, just to name a few. loans. It is learned that after the London standing of the City of London owes its and unless UK Home Secretary Priti Patel The Hinduja Brothers, one of India's court's order, Anil Ambani has limited his success to the skills of market wizards villagers on either side of the line orders his extradition to India to face richest families and their Hinduja Group foreign travels fearing Chinese banks honed at the ancient British universities of control in Jammu and Kashmir charges of fraud and money laundering. of Companies remain the most preferred might seek the help of to issue and not the banking brains of nouveau Mallya has applied to Secretary Patel for Indian family in the UK, aided and pro- red alerts for him in foreign airports. riche criminals. are really enjoying a spell of peace. considering “another route” to be able to moted by various British governments in The UK is often cited as “the money The politicisation of the blacklisted They often become the casualty in stay in the UK. This has raised wide- the past. The Hindujas are right now fac- laundering capital of the world,” with an small islands has enabled London to be- spread speculation that Mallya plans to ing major legal problems in Switzerland estimated £100billion claimed to be laun- come the global centre of money launder- the exchange of fire between the seek asylum in that country. in connection with a charge of forging a dered through the City of London every ing. Clever British lawyers and corrupt two armies. How one wished the Priti Patel has, however, done some- document at a bank. The Swiss authori- year, according to figures from the UK’s bankers twist the truth to save criminals thing big for India: She has approved the ties believed that there were enough National Crime Agency. London has not across the globe. peace prevails and both the coun- extradition of Nirav Modi, the billionaire grounds to proceed with their prosecu- become the “global capital of money laun- The British offshore banking tax eva- diamantaire accused of bank fraud in In- tion. The names of the three Hinduja dering” by accident. Money launderers sion is negating the infrastructural tries are one day able to sit across dia. Modi is being investigated by India’s brothers originally cropped up in the Bo- and those financing terrorist activities growth and prosperity of the countries in the table to thrash out their differ- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and fors scam as the main middlemen but have two main requirements. The first, in the East by facilitating the flight of illegal the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for they managed to get British citizenship in a city crowded with financial transactions capital from East to West. Today, India is ences. However, for that Pakistan laundering money in the region of $2 bil- the nick of time. It became a scandal in their wheelingdealings will easily go unno- an emerging global superpower while the needs to embrace changes, espe- lion and involving loans from public sector the UK at that time and a senior British ticed. United Kingdom is a glorious story of the Punjab National Bank (PNB). On Febru- minister had to resign over rumours he The second, it’s a country where the an- past. cially ending support to terrorist ary 25, Westminster Magistrates’ Court helped one of the brothers, Srichand Hin- tecedents of businessmen offering to in- The government must groups. said there was prima facie evidence duja, acquire British citizenship. vest by setting up businesses and open- tell its British counterpart in clear terms against Modi, and that there was no rea- Back in India, Aikant Bhatti, a minor- ing bank accounts are blissfully ignored. that the human rights cover over finan- son to suggest that the jeweller would not ity shareholder in the Chennai-based Maintaining the secrecy of the ownership cial deception will not be tolerated by In- get justice in India if he was extradited. Ashok Leyland company and in Hinduja of beneficial companies is the main crite- dia and shelter offered to fugitives who Bonanza for Ladakh The judge said there were links between Global Solutions, where Ashok P Hinduja rion of money laundering. Contrary to have looted billions of Indian taxpayer Modi and others conspirators, including is the Chairman Emeritus, claims that bil- what one might think, it is many times money will have serious consequences for he union cabinet approving PNB officials and top ruling elites in In- lions of rupees in company funds were harder to obtain an untraceable shell bilateral relations between the two the setting up of a multi- dia. used to benefit the promoters. Bhatti has company in tax havens than in rich, de- friendly countries. Tpurpose Corporation for the Union Territory of Ladakh is a great development that was await- Coming out of the shadows ed eagerly by the people of the UT. SURAVI SHARMA KUMAR abuse to escape the also the time for an integrated mental This corporation is based on the wrath of stressed- healthcare policy covering all aspects of Emerging from the waves of Covid- out adults. Growing helping a sick mind. recommendation of an empow- 19,more than ever, we must prioritize the cyber dependency is We also need to enhance mental health ered committee. In fact, such an mental health of children and adoles- alarmingly on the awareness and stigma-busting programs cents. Their well-being should be at the rise. in local dialects or languages through institution with a focus on forefront of the preparations for dealing With increasing government and private sector initiatives. Ladakh’s special developmental with future pandemic waves. stress comes an in- We should expand social-emotional Generation Z is quietly perceiving the creased risk of devel- learning programs to help build resilience needs was required long back. The layers of changes in people’s lives since oping mental health in the growing minds. Capacity building people of the region are so keen to the virus encroached on their spaces in problems or re- for mental health management is anim- early 2020. Now, while the much-awaited emergence of dor- mediate must to meet a looming calamity, preserve their unique culture and return to school is exciting for many, mant diseases at a and suicide prevention programs should tradition and yet move on with the there would be children anxious or even time when fewer op- be revamped in preparation for a possi- frightened to go back to regular school. tions to relieve stress ble epidemic. There is a serious shortage rest of the country and the world. This is a time of the year when adoles- are available. Early of mental healthcare workers in India and cents would have spentdays at schools experience of such it needs to be addressed. Tele-psychiatry This corporation is likely to match and colleges in the company of hundreds problems increases may possibly be an immediate solution their aspirations and remaining a of others, but in the last one and a half ternet connectivity. Adolescents across their risk of mortality or lifelong morbid- for the patients living in less efficient con- years they have got used to a dreary, new all socio-economic groups are struggling ity. When schools begin to reopen, we will ditions. traditional and yet modern soci- normal of being home alone. The virus to adjust to a life without the familiar en- need to implement more formal struc- Authorities must support schools and ety. The region also has special brought in many stressors to the psycho- vironment that a traditional school day tures for mental health screening. We behavioral health care agencies in working logical environment, the impact of which provides. Amid social isolation and lack must take precautionary measures together to ensure that when schools re- ecological needs and specific is yet to be played out in statistical data of peer support,the need for personal or against stigma and superstitions affect- open, students will have necessary mental requirements that only a dedicated charts and graphs to analyze the reper- real-world connections is growing. The ing care giving, and there should now be health services on the campuses to pro- cussions on society and the upcoming absence of the demands of school life and social laws in place to minimize the vide screenings, interventions, and refer- body with specialists on board can generation. The pandemic control mea- regular examinations to keep the learn- stigma around mental health conditions. rals. help bring about. Also, the setting sures have definitely contributed to new ing minds occupied are affecting the psy- We all know the law is the most effi- Our young people are the future of our mental health issues or a worsening of ex- chological environment of every child. cient tool for blunting the effects of preju- country. We must remember that the pe- up of a central university will isting ones in all, but the impact ripples The children of essential workers and dice and stigma by protecting the dis- riod between ages 10 to 25 is a critical change the education scene of UT. are far and wide or even beyond immedi- homeless children are at an increased eased person from the negative impact of time for brain development and matura- ate comprehension. risk: the former confined to their homes societal ignorance. The authorities must tion. Both the experiences our young peo- Not only it will help the students Some children or youth may be griev- without adult supervision and the latter propagate strong messages to create an ple face today and the support they re- from the region but will also make ing the loss of a parent or a loved one, oth- lacking in basic amenities and security. inclusive environment for those needing ceive from us in coping with and ers may be living in fear of the disease or Across socio-economic situations, psychiatric help. India's mental health- navigating the challenges will have a pro- the rest of the country gain from losing a job. There are millions in our there are children trapped in dysfunc- care system needs strengthening. The au- found impact on their ability to be suc- country who have actually dropped out of tional homes suffering all types of abuse, thorities should proactively implement cessful adults, parents, and citizens in the the uniqueness of the region. school for want of a digital device or in- even sexual, or resorting to substance the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. This is years to come. Tackling India’s growing population Kalyani Shankar norm at some time or the other compulsory sterilization drive fertility rates. States like Kerala, strata of society, and more in- and some states like Haryana, during the Emergency in 1975. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil centives for voluntary family There is a raging debate about Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, The P-word is a’no -no’ for many Nadu, and West Bengal are now planning. It should not be com- regulating the population and Himachal Pradesh revoked political parties. No politician well below replacement fertility. pulsory at all costs, or it will be growth in India. Three BJP- the policy. wants to touch it after that Almost all central states have a repeat of 1975. ruled States — Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra forced sterilization drive. The experienced a significant decel- It has to be remembered that Assam, and Karnataka — intend Modi himself, in his Indepen- Union health ministry has even eration in population growth India is expected to add nearly to bring a two-child policy norm dence Day speech in 2017, changed the name of the Family and the pace of net addition is 273 million people to its popu- with incentives and disincen- flagged the issue and stressed Planning Department to Family decreasing. lation between now and 2050, tives. Even though they have the need to counter the popula- Welfare Department. The opponents are also are according to a 2019 UN report. not openly spelled out that the tion growth. He announced India’s population, which was against any harsh measures to If no steps are taken, India will measure is meant to send a sig- from the ramparts of Red Fort just 30 crore at Independence contain the population. They ar- overtake China to become the nal to the Muslim community, that “keeping one’s family small has now become 1.34 billion. In gue that the one billion-plus most populous country and the message is clear. Some BJP is an act of patriotism” and that contrast, China’s population population would yield a demo- likely to hold the number one MPs are preparing to push for a “time has now come that we had doubled over the same pe- graphic dividend. For poor fam- rank throughout the 21st-cen- national population control law should take such challenges riod. The pace of India’s popula- ilies, more hands mean more in- tury, according to population through private members’ Bills head-on”. tion growth, now at 15 million come. Also, it has brought in experts. during the monsoon session of After implementing the core per year, is the world’s fastest. It higher per capita entitlements. The narrative needs to be Parliament. agenda of the party — revoca- is projected to reach 1.8 billion The migration from the north- changed for the better. After In 1976, population control tion of Article 370 and building a by 2050. Millions still do not ern and the eastern states has consulting all other political and family planning were added Ram Mandir — Modi might now have access to clean water, grown almost five times, which states registering a steeper de- helped maintain growth in the parties, the prime minister to the third list of the Seventh turn to the other issues on the proper meals, healthcare, and should be a cause for concern. cline than the Hindi heartland south and the west, where fertil- should try to form a national Schedule under the 42nd schedule like Uniform Civil education. The unmanageable The opponents of the popula- in the north. ity rates are low. population policy and bring a amendment of the Constitution. Code and population control, number and more mouths tion policy point out that na- States like Bihar, Uttar However, it is necessary to consensus on this issue. Above This has enabled the Union gov- etc. mean more strain on the re- tional fertility has been declin- Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Ra- manage the population growth. all, no policy would succeed ernment and the state govern- Successive Union govern- sources. ing steadily. Over the past jasthan, Jharkhand, and Chhat- More positive steps are needed without people's cooperation. ments to make laws for popula- ments have tried to regulate Had the population even dou- decade, the trend has been a tisgarh account for nearly half of to control it. The best way to do The writer is a senior jour- tion regulation. At least a dozen population growth. It became a bled since 1947, it would have steady decline in the reproduc- India’s population (48 percent). so would be to create awareness, nalist. The views expressed are states had brought the two-child sensitive political issue after the been manageable, but it has tive rate, with the southern They continue to have very high provide education for the lower personal.