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HYDERABAD
06 NEW DELHI, 02 APRIL 2023 Vol. CXXXXXVII 14 (S)
With which is incorporated

The Apocalypse~I A MEMBER
OF THE
The Englishman ~ Founded 1821

Predictions and prophesies about catastrophes and the end of the world pronounced ASIAN VOICES
by priests, astrologers, sadhus, seers, and saints started coming on a regular basis
Now indicted from the beginning of the Common Era and are still going on. It is estimated that
Time to discard
T here are several aspects of the indictment

handed down by a Grand Jury in Manhattan
to former American President Donald Trump
since 66 CE till today, at least 175 prophesies for the end of the world or major cataclysm
have been made but leaving out the futuristic predictions, all past predictions have
EVMs instead
of repairing
T
this week that merit consideration. First, while the
indictment is said to relate to charges that Mr proved wrong he recent image of a Jubo Leag-
Trump made hush money payments to a former ue leader carrying a ballot unit
porn star, the specific charges are under seal and as panel of an electronic voting
machine (EVM) after snatching
yet unknown. Next, while experts agree that the
it during a by-poll in Chattogram's
indictment will severely compromise Mr Trump Boalkhali upazila is the latest addition
should he be elected as President in 2024, there is to a growing list of examples as to why
no specific Constitutional bar on his contesting the EVMs may not be suitable for conduct-
election. The US Constitution sets three conditions ing a free and fair election in Bangla-
for deciding eligibility. The candidate must be at desh. Neither the assistant presiding
least 35, a natural-born citizen and a resident for officer nor the on-duty members of the
at least 14 years. The country’s Supreme Court has law enforcement agencies were able to
held in a matter involving membership of the Con- prevent the mighty Jubo League's
gress that these conditions make up a Constitu- union level leader Nirmalendu Dey
Sumon from taking the EVM ballot unit
tional ceiling, which would mean that a candidate panel away.
for President does not need to be free from indict- They were unable to recover it
ment or arguably even conviction or a prison sen- either; Awami League’s union President
tence. Indeed, in 1920, a candidate for the American Ratan Chowdhury recovered the panel
presidency who was then in prison, got nearly a and returned it to the polling centre.
million votes in the election. At the same time, it is This incident occurred only a few
widely acknowledged that an indictment or convic- days after Chief Election Commissioner
tion would impair the President’s functioning and a (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said no one
memo produced by the US Justice Department at had yet made a sound and objective
the time of the Watergate scandal had noted that complaint about the use of EVMs, and
the commission had taken a stand in
the “spectacle of an indicted President still serving
favour of EVMs after conducting sever-
as Chief Executive boggles the imagination.” These al tests. Would the CEC now, at the
points become relevant because Mr Trump has least, agree that his several tests didn't
made it clear that he will not allow the indictment to include robbing of ballot-equivalent
A
come in the way of his bid for the Presidency. parts of their very expensive toy? Clear-
Indeed, he is likely to use the indictment to drum up t the age of 99, Nirad C. in Treta Yuga; Balarama and Sri esies. He also started publishing modern-day supporters who fit ly he has been oblivious to the argu-
support, especially from those on the extreme right, Chaudhuri, ‘the great an- Krishna in Dvapara Yuga; and a calendar annually starting from his words to events that have eith- ments made by most of the political
to his candidature and has already characterised it arch’ and ‘scholar extra- lastly Kalki Avatar in Kali Yuga. January 1 instead of 1 March, er already occurred or are so parties, except the ruling Awami
as political persecution and as an attempt at elec- ordinary’ authored a sig- The Kali Yuga spans for a period which was the practice then. But imminent as to be inevitable, a League and its allies. There’s even
nificant book, Three Horsemen of of 432,000 years believed to have it his Les Propheties (The Prophe- process sometimes known as stronger opposition to the idea of using
toral interference. The indictment flows from an the New Apocalypse (1997, Oxford started in 3102 BCE. Near the end sies) published as a book in 1555, ‘retroactive clairvoyance’ (post-
investigation launched by Manhattan District Attor- University Press). The book high- of the Kali Yuga when morality which made him famous as a diction). No Nostradamus qua-
ney Alvin Bragg at the time Mr Trump was presi- lighting the decline of Western and virtues will reach the nadir, prophetic astrologer. The train is known to have been inter-
dent. It relates to payment of $130,000 to porn star civilization created ripples among when ‘man will eat man’, a cata- omnibus edition published in preted as predicting a specific EVMs among the citizenry and civil
Stormy Daniels to deny an affair she had with Mr the intelligentsia at Oxford and clysmic apocalypse will occur and 1568 after his death contains 942 event before it occurred, other society organisations. Have the polling
Trump in 2006. The money was reportedly paid by other universities in the United Kalki is prophesied to arrive to poetic quatrains (in 9 sets of 100 than in vague, general terms that officers not blamed these machines’
the former President’s attorney, who has admitted Kingdom. But this highly acclai- usher in a new cycle with Satya quatrains each and another 42 could equally apply to any num- inefficiency for slowing down the vot-
his role and testified that he was later reimbursed by med book has hardly been read Yuga and reestablish dharma. quatrains) supposed to represent ber of other events.” According to ing process, which left many voters
Mr Trump. The former President has denied the in India, partly because of its ex- That was the explana- future prophesies Jacques Halbronn, an academic, frustrated and contributed to lower
orbitant price (Amazon sold the tion offered by Indian of apocalyptic ev- Nostradamus’s Prophesies are turnout?
affair. The charges against Mr Trump are likely to paperback edition at Rs 11443 Mythology. Predic- ents. After his de- nothing but ‘antedated forgeries While speaking at a workshop in
include falsification of business records to make the sometime back, now reduced) tions and prophesies ath, The Prophec- written by later authors for politi- Cox’s Bazar on March 11, the CEC, per-
payment, and therefore a breach of campaign and also because of many Indi- about catastrophes ies gained extraor- cal reasons.’ As one who has haps unwittingly, revealed the Election
finance laws. With the former President likely to be ans’ unexplained apathy towards and the end of the dinary popularity closely followed the alleged pre- Commission’s obsession with EVMs
produced in court next week under huge security this great intellectual, who like V S world pronounced by as evidenced by dictions, I have always felt that when he said, “The Election Commis-
cover, it is clear that the prosecution will commence Naipaul, always tells the bitter priests, astrologers, about 2,000 edi- Nostradamus’s quatrains con- sion is always in favour of conducting
soon. But Mr Trump has made it clear this is a battle truth. Highly controversial as he sadhus, seers, and tions of the book taining undated predictions are elections using EVMs. We are also
he proposes to fight as much on the streets as he has always been, Chaudhuri, one saints started coming and more than too vague, nebulous, too general working to find innovative modern
will in courts. Reacting to the indictment, he said, “I of the finest writers in English, can on a regular basis from 2,000 comment- and too ambiguous, which are technology for future elections.”
be disliked or despised but can- the beginning of the aries within a sho- susceptible to multiple interpre- His comment that “so far, there
believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on
not be ignored. Common Era and are PARIMAL rt time. Nostrada- tations. Perhaps, they are hyped has been no objective complaint about
Joe Biden. The American people realize exactly what The word “Apocalypse” com- still going on. It is esti- BRAHMA mus became very to sustain a big prediction bu- rigged elections using EVMs” suggests
the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Every- es from the Greek word apok’alu- mated that since 66 The writer is a former much a part of co- siness! Vangeliya Pandeva Surch- that he has conveniently forgotten
one can see it. So our Movement, and our Party ~ psis meaning revelation or disclo- CE till today, at least Dy. Comptroller &Auditor mmon culture in eva (October 1911-August 1996) that these EVMs do not have any option
General of India and a
united and strong ~ will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and sure, presumably by a supernat- 175 prophesies for the former Ombudsman of the 20th and 21st commonly known as Baba Vanga for verifying voting records, owing to
then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to ural being about the cosmic mys- end of the world or Reserve Bank of India. He is
also a writer of several century. Hundreds is another mystic and herbalist a design fault of not including the
throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats teries. The word assumed deeper major cataclysm have books and can be reached
at brahmas@gmail.com
of books, fiction who became famous in popular voter-verifiable paper audit trail
out of office so we can make America great again!” meaning and connotations betw- been made but leaving and non-fiction, culture for her supernormal abili- (VVPAT) system.
een 250 BCE and 250 CE in the out the futuristic pre- have been written ties. Baba Vanga was a semi-liter- Even though it has abandoned the
Turmoil in Pakistan Jewish Bible (The Old Testament)
and the Christian Bible (The New
dictions, all past predictions have on his life and The Prophesies as
proved wrong. In this context, well as numerous films and
ate Bulgarian who lost her eyesi-
ght in childhood due to an accid-
ambitious plan to hold 50 percent of
the next parliamentary election
T he hope that the ordinary Pakistani might Testament). In Jewish literature, soothsayers Nostradamus and videos which still captivate peo- ent caused by a tornado (it is beli- through EVMs due to the country's
this refers to the persecution of Baba Vanga have become house- ple’s imagination. Nostradamus eved she was lifted up by the tor- ongoing financial crisis, the EC still
have nurtured of the Supreme Court playing nado and thrown into a sandy te-
the Jews and the coming of Moses hold names worldwide. Michel de had based all his published pre- appears to be aiming at using EVMs in
the role of an unbiased arbiter in the fractious and in Christian literature, one of Nostredame, popularly known as dictions on judicial astrology ~ rrain, which damaged her eyes). quite a significant number of parlia-
political battles that rock the country appears to the references relates to the pre- Nostradamus (December 1503- astrological judgment or assess- Because of her intelligence and mentary seats. On March 15, the com-
have unravelled. With a second judge having recus- diction of Jesus about the dest- July 1566) born at Saint-Remy-de- ment, which had been severely uncanny intuition, she earned the mission decided to ask the finance
ed himself from a case that challenged the postpo- ruction of Jerusalem and coming Provence, France to an originally criticized by the contemporary reputation of seer and soothsayer ministry for allocating Tk 1,260 crore
nement of elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakh- of ‘abomination of desolation’. Jewish family (his father’s family professional astrologers like Lau- and was widely known in Eastern (equivalent to more than $1 billion) for
tunkhwa, matters appear to have reached a head. The concept goes back further ~ converted to Catholic Christianity rence Vidal. Supporters of Nos- Europe for her alleged supernat- repairing 110,000 EVMs. This means
Pakistan’s Constitution says that elections to a pro- in Zoroastrian literature and the before he was born) had been an tradamus (there are too many) ural powers. Hundreds of people each EVM unit will cost Tk 115,000,
vincial assembly must be held within 90 days of dis- mythologies of the East, especial- extraordinary person ~ physician, claim that Nostradamus did pre- including high dignitaries of Bul- which is nearly half the purchase price.
ly Indian mythology. In common astrologer, writer, translator, and dict the Great Fire of London, the garia and the Soviet Union inclu- It was reported in this daily that
solution of the House, and questions on the invio-
culture, apocalypse has come to apothecary. Owing to the out- French Revolution, the rise of ding Leonid Brezhnev reportedly each EVM was bought for Tk 235,000, a
lability of this provision have already been be used as the synonym of cata- break of plague in France, (dur- Napoleon and Adolf Hitler, World visited her for consultation. Baba price 11 times costlier than neighbour-
answered in the affirmative by the Court. The gov- strophe or the end of the world. ing the first wave, he lost his wife War I and II, and the nuclear Vanga had not written any book ing India. When better EVMs (includ-
ernment of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Prophesies about the end of the and children), he could not com- destruction of Hiroshima and nor did she cause her prophesies ing VVPAT) cost much less, then why
country’s Election Commission argue that elections world has been going round plete his studies in the University Nagasaki. Popular authors also to be documented during her life does the EC want to repair discredited
cannot be held within this period – which ends on through centuries. The earliest of Avignon which was shut down credit him for predicting the time. According to The Weiser junk? Earlier, it was reported in the
30 April – because of the country’s strained reference to some form of apoca- because of plague and later his major modern events like Apol- Field Guide to Paranomal, Baba media that about 40,000 EVMs were
finances. The Commission has proposed holding lypse can be found in the ancient dream of getting a doctorate in lo’s landing on the moon, disaster Vanga did predict the break-up of beyond repair. When these EVMs were
elections in October, a decision that is under chal- Indian scriptures - the Puranas, medicine from the University of of the space shuttle Challenger, the Soviet Union, sinking of the introduced, the EC bought 150,000
lenge by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Vishnu Smriti, Manusmriti and Montpellier was shattered as he death of princess Diana and the Soviet submarine Kursk, Cher- EVMs, which means there's none, or
the Mahabharata (1500 ~1000 was expelled from the university blowing up of the Twin Towers of nobyl disaster, Stalin’s death, Sep- very few, usable EVMs available now.
Tehreek-e-Insaaf party. The divisions in the polity tember 11 attack, Topolov’s vic-
BCE) where the beginning and for his past practice of apothecary the World Trade Centre. Some Even then, the commission is insistent
on this question have rocked the country ever since the end of the world in a cyclic which was forbidden by the uni- commentators attributed to Nos- tory in World Chess, World war III on having some EVMs in the upcom-
Mr Khan ordered last December that the two fashion have been elaborately dis- versity statutes. tradamus the Mayan Prophesy etc. ing parliamentary election.
assemblies where his party was in power be dis- cussed. According to the Brahma But he was still regarded as a that the world would end in But Bulgarian sources and According to Election Commis-
solved in order to seek a fresh mandate from the Purana and Bhagavata Purana, ‘doctor’ because of his relentless December 2012, but Nos- new evidences indicate that sioner Anisur Rahman, the Election
people. Mr Khan had hoped to force the national the world’s life-time is divided fight against plague along with tradamus himself said in the pref- “Baba Vanga did not make many Commission just wants a pledge that
government’s hand on his demand for fresh elec- into four Yugas (cyclic age, era, the famous physician Luis Serre ace of his book that his prophe- of the predictions now attributed its request would be approved. He told
tions in the country. That, of course, has not hap- epoch) ~ Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, and his discovery of the “rose pill” sies were “from now to the year to her, but rather people fre- the media, “If we are assured of the
pened. But it is the divisions in the top court that Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga, each as an antidote to plague. Nos- 3797.” While millions of people quently attribute new fake required funds, we will go for the work
Yuga marked by the advent of an tradamus gradually moved away believe that Nostradamus’ proph- ‘prophesies’ to her since her immediately. We can even make half
followed these events which cause concern. There
Avatar (God-self) of Lord Vishnu from medicine to occultism and esies are genuine, a large number death.” It is presumed that she payment to the Machine Tools Factory
are several points of discord, but principally they who incarnated in different forms astrology. He wrote an Almanac of scholars, academicians and must have played with the theory in this fiscal year and the rest in the
seem to boil down to the political party each judge to restore peace and dharma: in 1550 and encouraged by its critics are skeptics such as James of probability for her alleged pre- next fiscal year.” This shows the EC's
might be inclined to favour. Matters have reached a Matsya, Kurma,Varaha and success, decided to publish one Randi who suggested that Nos- dictions, none of them has per- resolve to go the extra mile to have as
head because Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial Narasimha in Satya Yuga; or more annually, in which he tradamus’s reputation as a prop- haps come true. many EVMs being used in the next
appears determined to hear the matter as the head Vamana, Parasuram and Sri Rama had made altogether 6,338 proph- het “is largely manufactured by (To be concluded) election as possible.
of a three-judge bench he has constituted despite
the unease voiced by some of his colleagues, while
the government has tried its best to have the matter LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@thestatesman.com
heard by a full court, where it hopes a majority will
accept its point of view. On Friday, the country’s
sis on a job with a fat salary might resources present within a student. unhappiness. The context becomes statement of psychiatrist Dr
Happy kids
Attorney-General and some other top lawyers urged distract or inhibit the human This sometimes brings dismay and vivid with the reported analytical Aniruddha Deb. Happiness has dif-
the Chief Justice to constitute a full court, but the ferent levels.
demand was turned down on the ground other liti- If parents are not happy, it is
gants could not be made to suffer. Terming the SIR, This refers to a report titled difficult for their children to be
demand an insinuation, the top judge regretted that “Children find happiness in what happy. Famous institutes like IITs,
the political climate was one where the judiciary’s they love doing best” published in IIMs, Central Universities and
position was being undermined. In parallel, Pak- The Statesman on 24 March. other Central institutes often fail to
istan’s parliament has enacted a new law that seeks The theme of the report is very offer suitable explanations on sui-
crucial in the present environment cides of students.
to curtail the powers of the Chief Justice to consti- of extreme competition and uncer- Moreover people may be
tute a Bench. The new law, which has been sent to tainty in career prospects. happy at a personal level but
the President for assent, stipulates that benches The focus has been rapidly may not be happy with what is
would be constituted by the three senior-most shifting from enjoyment out of happening in the country and in
judges, and not by the Chief Justice alone, a move studies and research to the utmost the world.
that the government hopes will ensure a favourable desire for a job. Without empathy and com-
outcome. With President Arif Alvi having already This is quite natural from an passion, education is incomplete.
indicated his view in favour of early elections, yet economic perspective, more so Yours, etc.,
another chapter in Pakistan’s political drama may because higher education is expen- Sukhendu Bhattacharjee,
sive today. But too much empha- Hooghly, 25 March.
well be written in the days to come.
NEW DELHI, 02 APRIL 2023 07
NOW AND AGAIN
A tribute to the Punjabi

BASAB DASGUPTA I came to the US. My studies, domes- The industrialist Sunil Mittal is
SUNIPA BASU
All is well
Sephali di sat sipping a cup of tea on the

verandah of her quaint, single-storied house
overlooking an unkempt garden in the quiet
tic chores and professional life took famous for his philanthropic activi- neighbourhood of Purbapalli in Santinike-
T
he Khalistan movement has higher priority. I re-established this ties and Yash Chopra has been a tan. This was her morning routine for as long
been in the news in recent connection decades later, thanks to movie production mogul for decades. as she could remember. She felt a sense of
weeks following the escape of the internet and YouTube. Ajay Banga (photo, left), who comfort in the house which she called her
Amritpal Singh. He has been By that time, Bollywood was used to be the CEO of MasterCard has ‘maternal’ house, inherited from her grand-
accused by the police of attempted taken over by Punjabi music. It was recently been nominated to be the mother, a first-generation working lady who
murder and creating “disharmony”, not just Bhangra style dance music, head of World Bank. Deepak Chopra had built it with her hard-earned money. Her
declared a “fugitive” and is on the but appeared in all varieties. I was not is a champion of new age medicine two sons who lived abroad hardly had the
run. Vandalism and attacks on Indian surprised. The Punjabi language is and internationally known. time to visit her but Sephali di had her surro-
consulates by supporters have been inherently melodic and conducive to My heart-felt salute goes to gate family, from her caregiver Rani of many
reported from the US, UK, Australia singing and dancing. Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian years, Dipti, who took care of the kitchen and
and Canada, as well as some demon- Indian rap music was a surprise. American astronaut who successfully cleaning, Shankar who could barely bend
strations in India. Until then I intensely disliked Ameri- completed the Columbia space mis- over to tend the garden and the numerous
The Khalistan movement is a can rap music, partly because of sion in 1997 but perished in the re- venders like the fishmonger, the vegetable-
separatist movement with the goal of obscene lyrics and partly because of entry disaster during her second wala and the newspaper boy who made the
creating a separate sovereignty, the way the rappers dressed. The space mission in 2003. She was a hero rounds every day. She was alone but not
“Khalistan”, exclusively for the Sikh Indian rappers – almost all of whom and a true pioneer. lonely.
people, and has been outlawed in are Punjabis – cleverly blended rap When my Bengali friends point Into this placid pool, the phone call was
India. An attempt is being made to and traditional Indian tunes in a very to Bengali Nobel laureates like Tagore like the pebble that caused a ripple in con-
revive the movement. appealing way. Now I even listen to and Amartya Sen, I remind them of centric circles. ‘Dipti’, she called out excit-
I wondered if I should even be songs, and not just rap, which are Har Govind Khorana and Abdus edly, “My nati (grandson) is getting married
concerned about what is going on entirely in Punjabi and whose lyrics I Salam. in Kolkata in the winter and will be coming
with this movement. Without going do not understand. I admire the mild mannerisms of with his bride and in-laws to visit this place.
into a political and religious dis- was closer to them compared to oth- The overwhelming presence of It is not just entertainment and Punjabi men despite their physical What can I plan to welcome them?” The next
course, I would like to reflect on my ers. They were all very good at the Sikh soldiers and military generals in sports, Punjabis are everywhere. strengths. I like Punjabi women even few days went by in several plans of the gifts
impressions of Punjabis. Since I can- game of cricket. our army generated a feeling of Take politics as an example. When I more. They are not only attractive but to be bought and the menu to be served
not even tell the difference between a I especially remember Swapna, a respect on my part for their bravery first came to the US, I attended the also more westernized and less inhib- when Dipti remarked, “Mashima, your house
Sikh Punjabi and a Hindu Punjabi cousin of one of the boys who occa- and patriotism. Speaking of patrio- Louisiana State University at Baton ited compared to Bengali girls. I like looks shabby and almost dilapidated. Why
without the turban, I will put them sionally visited during holidays. She tism, let us not forget the sacrifices of Rouge in their physics programme. the variety in how they dress; from not take this occasion to repair and redo it?”
together under the label “Punjabi”. looked like a young Brooke Shields freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai. It is There was a Punjabi lady in our traditional kurta-pajama to sari to They stared at each other with glowing faces
We Bengalis seldom praise Indi- and spoke fluent Bengali. I was not just protecting the country, the class named Raj Jindal and she was Americanized top/tee-shirt and blue that signaled assent.
ans originating from other parts of known as an artist and Swapna start- Punjabis help keep the country run- pregnant at the time. I remember jeans. I love Punjabi food, especially For the next few months, this modest
India and often use the word “non- ed to bug me to do a drawing of her. I ning. For example, our day-to-day visiting her house to see the baby their preparation of “baingan bharta” venture occupied all the waking hours of
Bengalis” to collectively describe was a shy introverted kid but eventu- functioning relies heavily on Punjabi after the child’s birth - a boy she and “mutton curry”. Sephali di. The place emerged slowly like a
them, which conveys an implicit feel- ally drew a sketch of her face. It came farmers toiling in the fields and trans- named Bobby. Yes, this was Bobby I am impressed that people in shy bride, dressed in yellow lime-wash
ing of superiority. I decided to make out quite well. She was ecstatic and portation of goods by trucks, driven Jindal who grew up to become the Punjab and Haryana have lived side colour with a red border. The plain cement
an exception and write about the showed it to everyone she could find. mostly by Sikh drivers. governor of Louisiana and a presi- by side without any major conflict for flooring was scrubbed and the doors and
accomplishments of Punjabis. I expressed modesty on the outside After I entered college, there was dential contender in the 2016 US all these years despite differences in windows painted in matching colours.
During my childhood, my father but was delighted on the inside. After not much opportunity to socialize election. religions and languages sharing the Sephali di and Dipti took pains to get new
used to work in a jute mill near my father changed jobs, we moved, with young people from other parts Rishi Sunak, the first non-white same capital city of Chandigarh. curtains and bed sheets and pillow cases. The
Kolkata. A Marwari business group and I never saw her again. She was of India. My life evolved in a fantasy Prime Minister of UK is Punjabi and It is very sad that the Khalistan garden was cleared of undergrowth.
had purchased the mill from the my first crush. world centred around Bollywood so is Nikki Haley, the former gover- movement has raised its ugly head “I am ready”, she announced to her son,
British owners. Officers from various I was impressed by the perfor- movies and Bollywood music. Almost nor of S. Carolina, who recently again. The Punjabis and especially the Vidyut. The countdown had begun as the
parts of India worked there: mance of Punjabi Sikhs in sports, all of my favourite actors were Pun- announced that she would run in the Sikhs have excelled in a wide variety itinerary of the wedding was finalized, and
Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, especially hockey and track and field. jabis. This dominance has continued. 2024 race for US president. There are of fields at considerable depth; their frequent phone calls kept her updated. The
Madras, Bihar and of course West It broke my heart when Milkha Singh Currently, one of the most famous two ex-prime ministers of India who contributions have been instrumental day of the wedding arrived, Sephali di attend-
Bengal. As a result, I grew up in a cos- (photo, right) was deprived of a medal actresses in Bollywood, Priyanka are Punjabis: Gulzarilal Nanda and not only in the survival but prosperity ed the ceremony in Kolkata but came back
mopolitan environment which in the Rome Olympics by 0.1 second. Chopra is Punjabi. She has now bro- Manmohan Singh and an ex-presi- of India as a peaceful democracy. I quickly to prepare for the visit.
exposed me to the food and culture Neeraj Chopra restored the glory of ken into Hollywood and is a heart- dent, Zail Singh. cannot imagine an Indian nation The next day, when she switched on her
of those regions. Punjabi athletes by winning a gold throb on both sides of the globe. In the area of technology, Pun- without the Sikhs. I pray for a peace- radio, there was a grim announcement. The
The Punjabi boys in our group medal in the Olympics 60 years later. Mohammad Rafi, the legendary jabis can take credit for establishing ful end to the current revival of this war in Ukraine had begun. Air travel was
stood out because they had a natural Several famous Punjabi cricketers male singer in Bollywood during my Sun Microsystems (Vinod Khosla) movement. being diverted and curtailed. Then came the
leadership instinct and were quite emerged over the decades. Jarnail time in India was Punjabi and so was and Hotmail (Sabeer Bhatia). Vinod call from Vidyut, “Very sorry Maa we have to
extroverted, not to mention their Singh played soccer for my favourite Mahendra Kapoor. Dham was instrumental in the devel- (The writer, a physicist who worked in rush back or we will get stuck here in India,
academia and industry, is a Bengali settled in
sharp features and fair complexion. I team, Mohun Bagan. I lost touch with Bollywood after opment of Pentium chips. America.) cannot make it this time, maybe later”.
Sephali di sat in stunned silence while Dipti
sat beside her. The whole day and night
A precarious time for Israel

passed without much talk.
The next morning, she sat on the veran-
dah with her cup of tea and Dipti sat by her
side. After a prolonged silence, Dipti spoke,
“Mashima, your daughter is all dressed up
RAFIA ZAKARIA feel instantly patriotic as they once for a party. You must not disappoint her. We
did. A large number of adults, the will have a housewarming party with our
M
any people point out that older Gen Z in particular, were born friends here”.
these are extraordinary after 9/11 and remember the tragedy So the fishmonger brought fish, the veg-
times and that the world as a historical event rather than as an etable vendor brought fresh veggies. The
is in a state of ferment. example of a clear and present dan- house was lit up with diyas as the local fami-
The last few years have witnessed ger. The protests that are happening ly gathered to celebrate a new phase with
increasing chaos as the planet con- in Israel reflect similar discontent in renewed hope.
tends with disease, the devastating other countries, where men and
effects of climate change, a war women are taking to the streets to 100 YEARS AGO
between two nations that has caused protest against one leader, cheer
misery worldwide, and growing finan-
cial challenges for countries and soci-
another and to reject old institutions
at least in the form they exist. Have SOCIETY FOR
eties.
Together, these have brought
the people of the world finally
become fed up? These emotions are
PROTECTION OF
desperation and anger to a boiling
point, as people curse their govern-
going to change the globe.
Another bit of bad news for Israel
CHILDREN
ments for back-breaking inflation, for has been the thaw between arch- To The Editor Of The Statesman
being unjust and using repressive tac- rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, who SIR, - Calcutta seems to be at last awak-
tics against them. The citizens of While Israel has pretended to be protesters also retreated. Nor have the Muhammad Shehada, writes about agreed to step back from their hostile ening to the need of improving the social
Ghana, Pakistan, Iran and France are the ‘only’ Middle Eastern nation to be protesters been limited to Tel Aviv. how this long-forgotten segment of positions after a meeting negotiated conditions of the city. One of the happiest
all out protesting. Some participate in a democracy, its actual politics have The city of Jerusalem saw 100,000 the population feels. “But watching by the Chinese. It could well be that a results of the late Mission has been that a
large public events, whose every not followed the expected democratic people in the streets — everyone the protests as a Palestinian was bit- peaceful Middle East, where Iran and large number of ladies have expressed their
moment is choreographed. Others trajectory — especially where human seemed to be enjoying a party atmos- tersweet. … Most of us have never Saudi Arabia are not in some perverse desire to do some social work. May we make
just take to the streets in a swarm rights are concerned. It has been cas- phere. The stress on the prime minis- experienced the rights and liberties arms race, will finally sound the death known the claims of the Society for the Pro-
armed with sticks and stones and tigated internationally for treating ter has been all too visible. that Israelis are fighting tooth and nail knell for the ongoing cash pipeline tection of Children in India to their sympathy
other improvised ‘weapons’ to make Palestinians and Israeli-Arabs like It is entirely possible that the to preserve for themselves, and to us between the United States and Israel. and active support? This society has been in
their discontent known. criminals and subjecting them to the Israelis are done with the autocratic Palestinians, this tension between That same pipeline of cash is also existence for the last 21 years and deals with
The protesters that have been daily humiliation of endless check- drivel falling off the lips of a man they what Israelis were willing to risk for threatening the rift emerging between all cases, both Indian and European, in
crowding the streets of Israel are points and searches, besides wreck- once thought made sense but is now their own rights, and how little they the Israeli and American Jews. The which children need protection from dan-
marching to demonstrate against ing their homes, building on their just desperately clinging to power by seem to care about ours, was a painful former have become used to being gerous surroundings. It has done, and is
Prime Minister Benjamin lands and killing them with bombs any means necessary. His firing of his juxtaposition.” cruel and treating the Palestinians as doing, a most useful and necessary work,
Netanyahu’s efforts to ‘reform’ the and guns. defence minister, Yoav Gallant, who The real reason behind inhuman, and the latter are stunned placing children in homes, schools and other
judicial system in that country and Today, the zeal with which had spoken out against the prime Netanyahu’s declining popularity and when they learn of the bans on medi- institutions, and, where needful, assuming
take away its independence by giving Israel’s far-right is trying to erode the minister’s intention to ‘reform’ the imminent downfall may well be that cine and medical supply to the occu- the guardianship of them through the court,
parliament, and essentially the party powers of the instruments of state judiciary, is further proof that the agenda of his far-right party — pied West Bank. after a thorough investigation of the circum-
in power, the right to appoint all the and making institutions subservient Netanyahu’s goal is to only have which prioritises ‘security’ at the cost This is a precarious time in Israel stances. We appeal to all who desire to help
judges. The protests have not simply to the government of the day is per- those people around him who agree of just about everything else — is with internal dissent and geopolitical to uplift the social state of this great city, to
meant people coming out to demon- haps unprecedented, as it affects with his plans and marvel at his bril- becoming redundant in the eyes of alliances changing fast. At a time help us to save the children.
strate. They have also meant calls for more than just the Arab population. liance. the people. The biggest challenge that when people have decided to hold C.A. GOURLAY.
strikes, with flights not able to leave On the face of it, Prime Minister Meanwhile, the Palestinians, the world faces today is not the reper- governments and institutions Calcutta.
the airports and hospitals cancelling Netanyahu has capitulated and whose protests have been trampled cussions of the terrible events of 9/11 accountable, and new regional influ-
non-emergency treatment. Concerns
have also gripped the forces, with mil-
delayed his ‘reform’ plans. With the
number of protesters threatening to
upon by bulldozers and bullets, con-
tinue to witness the unfolding saga.
but the rapidly boiling earth surface.
The mad hunting down of interna-
ences are starting to exert themselves,
it will soon find itself without recourse CITY ARCHITECT'S
itary reservists joining the demon-
strations.
grow even more, he agreed to with-
draw his government’s proposal if the
In a telling article in Newsweek, a
social activist in the Gaza Strip,
tional terrorists post 9/11 doesn’t
quite impress people or make them
to a solution.
DEPARTMENT
Dawn/ANN. To The Editor Of The Statesman
CROSSWORD NO-292390 SIR, - It has come to my knowledge that
the City Architect's duties may include the
preparation of detail drawings for persons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 desiring to build but whose own engineers
and architects fail to prepare designs com-
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION ACROSS 12 Must leave traitor, meeting beginning to get rid runs, but runs secretly plying with the municipal building regula-
8 9
dry area (5) American organisation of pain (9) (12) tions and requirements. In other words,
10 F L AG S T A F F S C A R 13 Desire to marry, (9) 3 Silly sailors irrational 15 Choose staff to meet rather than cause the individual client, who
1 Port, as drunk at
A B J R L G E O wanting first 25 Ambitious partisan (6) judge, at last, one on the
11 12 T OS C A N I N I OG L E D
the end of second
husband (4) on the move (8) 4 Effect of current circuit (9) is often wealthy, to go to a properly trained
degree (7) engineer for revised drawings, the City
C C C N I E 5 Fellow confronted
14 Mark religious 26 Stir up Brexit-voting and temperature 16 Trump unhinged,
CROO K OR GA N I S T S over coffee (6)
festival on the town (5) on charged particle essentially. Pence? Just a Architect is employed to prepare not only
13 14 15 R N L G T A 8 Religious women
radio in a rush (8) 27 Pathetic threesome, (6) fraction (8) small scale drawings, but actual large detail
ORD E R OR R I S AWL 18 Craftsman irked agreed hosts (6) 5 Parisian and a famous 17 State part of trade
16 17
S E U I O T
hiding love for
me terribly, 28 Pull clock around revolutionary set off law, a rebuttal (8) plans, for nothing. I have recently seen a
sex and drugs complete set of drawings for a very large
18 19 I C E C A RD S N I MB I and rock and roll?
concealing answer for New Yorkers, (8) 20 Lack of interest, of
20 21
E N E I A R (5)
(8) for example (7) 6 Spooners watch course, that always stifles building which have been prepared by the
R E D E N S I G N CR EWE 19 Twist in plot arrived in Newmarket, (6) City Architect in this way. This is nothing
9 Teachers function
22 23 24 O T N G A S around November perhaps (4,4) 21 Old Republican is
is to express irritation
(4) DOWN 7 Argument of rowing supported by prayer (6) more nor less than taking bread out of the
MOR A L PO S T N A T A L over fashion (8)
A S Y U U E R Y 22 Talk about new 1 Bird poo with a crew leader is baseless 23 Man perhaps following mouths of the many young Indian engineers
11 PM wanting nobody
25 26 NOE L S T O N E PO L E to finish early (9)
song (5) crust cracks (8,4) (5) advanced ecclesiastical who, whilst quite efficient and well trained,
24 Papa is appalling 2 Growth of medicines 10 Shops German chemist route? (5) find it a hard enough struggle to earn a liv-
ing without the competition of the city
27 28
architect.
NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote the number of letters in the words required. (By arrangement with The Independent, London)
PHILIP N. LOGAN.
Calcutta.
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INDICTMENT &
INVESTIGATION onald Trump’s unprecedented McDougal’s story until after the
D indictment comes as the Republican

faces other legal investigations and
launches a bid to return to the White
House in 2024.
The indictment will test the Republican Party
already divided over whether to support Trump
next year, in part due to his efforts to undermine
election.
The grand jury also heard from
Cohen, as well as Robert Costello, who
was once a legal adviser to Cohen.
The men have since had a falling out,
and Costello indicated he has information he
believes undercuts Cohen’s credibility and
his 2020 election loss. contradicts his incriminating statements about
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and Trump. Costello testified at the invitation of
accuses prosecutors of engaging in a politically prosecutors, presumably as a way to ensure
motivated “witch hunt” to damage his campaign. that the grand jury had an opportunity to
Here’s a look at the hush money case, the consider any testimony or evidence that
grand jury investigation and possible might weaken the case for moving forward
ramifications for Trump’s presidential campaign: with an indictment.
Trump was also invited to testify, but
G81DµCD89C31C512?ED/ didn’t.
The grand jury spent weeks meeting in secret
to probe Trump’s involvement in a $130,000 G81D1B5D85@?<9D931<B1=96931D9?>C
payment made in 2016 to the porn actor Stormy 6?BDBE=@/
Daniels to keep her from going public about a Neither the indictment itself nor a
sexual encounter she said she had with him years conviction would prevent Trump from
earlier. Trump lawyer Michael Cohen paid running for or winning the presidency in
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, 2024.
through a shell company before being Last week in Waco, Texas, Trump took
reimbursed by Trump, whose company, the a defiant stance at a rally by disparaging
Trump Organisation, logged the reimbursements the prosecutors investigating him and
as legal expenses. predicting his vindication as he rallied
Earlier in 2016, Cohen also arranged for
former Playboy model Karen McDougal to be
°C74C7D6B0=3 supporters in a city made famous by deadly
resistance against law enforcement.
paid $150,000 by the publisher of the 2A8<8=0;BF7>0A4 “You will be vindicated and proud,” Trump
2>AAD?C8=6>DA
supermarket tabloid The National Enquirer, said in a speech brimming with resentments
which then squelched her story in a and framing the probes as political attacks on
journalistically dubious practice known as “catch
and kill.” 9DBC824BHBC4<F8;; himself and his followers. “The thugs and
criminals who are corrupting our justice system
Trump denies having sex with either woman.
Trump’s company “grossed up” Cohen’s 1434540C43 will be defeated, discredited and totally
disgraced.”
reimbursement for the Daniels payment to
defray tax payments, according to federal 38B2A438C430=3 Before the charges were handed down, many
party leaders had also already begun to defend
prosecutors who filed criminal charges against
the lawyer in connection with the payments in C>C0;;H38B6A0243± the former president.
During a visit this month to Iowa, former
2018. In all, Cohen got $360,000 plus a $60,000
bonus, for a total of $420,000.
¯3>=0;3CAD<? Vice President Mike Pence called the idea of
indicting a former president “deeply troubling.”
Cohen pleaded guilty to violating federal Another 2024 Republican prospect, New
campaign finance law in connection with the Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, has said there is
payments. Federal prosecutors say the payments a sense that the former president is being
amounted to illegal, unreported assistance to unfairly attacked.
Trump’s campaign. But they declined to file Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a
charges against Trump himself. declared candidate who also served as Trump’s
UN ambassador, has called Bragg’s case an
G81D1B5D85381B75C/ attempt at scoring “political points,” adding, “You
The indictment has not yet been unsealed, so security preparations for days for the possibility never want to condone any sort of prosecution
it’s not totally clear. of an indictment and a court appearance by the that’s being politicised.”
Some experts have said they believe Trump president. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is
could be charged with falsifying business Trump was expected to surrender to considering joining the 2024 Republican field,
records, which can be a misdemeanor or a felony authorities next week, though details were still slammed the investigation as politically
under New York law. To secure a conviction on being worked out, according to a person familiar motivated. But he also threw one of his first jabs
the felony charge, prosecutors would have to with the matter who was not authorized to at the former president in a quip likely to
prove that records were falsified with the discuss a matter that remained under seal. intensify their rivalry. DeSantis said he
intention of committing or concealing a second personally doesn’t “know what goes into paying
crime. It’s not clear what prosecutors may allege G81DµCD89C7B1>4:EBI1>4G8?D5CD96954/ hush money to a porn star to secure silence over
as the second crime. A grand jury is made up of people drawn some kind of alleged affair.”
from the community, similar to a trial jury. But
G81D81CDBE=@µC<1GI5BC194/ unlike juries that hear trials, grand juries don’t G81D12?ED?D85BDBE=@9>F5CD971D9?>C/
Trump’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, said Thursday decide whether someone is guilty or innocent. The New York case is just one of many legal
that the former president didn’t commit any They only decide whether there is sufficient woes Trump is facing.
crime and vowed to “vigorously fight this evidence for someone to be charged. The Justice Department is also investigating
political prosecution in court.” Proceedings are closed to the public, his retention of top secret government
Tacopina has accused prosecutors of including the media. New York grand juries have documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago,
“distorting laws” to try to take down the former 23 people. At least 16 must be present to hear after leaving the White House. Federal
president. He has described Trump as a victim of evidence or deliberate and 12 have to agree there investigators are also still probing the Jan. 6,
extortion who had to pay the money because the is enough evidence in order to issue an 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol and efforts
allegations were going to be embarrassing to him indictment. to overturn the 2020 election that Trump falsely
“regardless of the campaign.” David Pecker, a longtime Trump friend and claimed was stolen.
“He made this with personal funds to prevent the former chief executive of the parent company In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney
something from coming out — false, but of The National Enquirer, returned to the Fani Willis has been investigating whether
embarrassing to himself, his family, his young courthouse this week where the grand jury was Trump and his allies illegally meddled in the
son. That’s not a campaign finance violation, not meeting. 2020 election. The foreperson of a special grand
by any stretch,” Tacopina said on ABC’s ‘Good Pecker’s company, American Media Inc., jury, which heard from dozens of witnesses, said
Morning America’ before the indictment. secretly assisted Trump’s campaign by paying last month that the panel had recommended that
$150,000 to McDougal in August 2016 for the numerous people be indicted, and hinted Trump
G81D81@@5>C>5HD/ rights to her story about an alleged affair with could be among them. It is ultimately up to
Law enforcement officials have been making Trump. The company then suppressed Willis to decide whether to move forward.
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utism spectrum disor-
A ders (ASD) are a col-

lection of disorders
defined by issues such
as social interaction
and communication difficulties. It
is the quickest-expanding develop-
mental disorder in India, affecting
■About 1 in 100 children has
autism globally.
■Characteristics may be detect-
ed in early childhood, but
■Care
502C58;4
for people with autism
needs to be accompanied by
actions at community and soci-
etal levels for greater accessibil-
tive function. Some children on
the autism spectrum have
delays in speech or learning,
while others do not. Because it
one in 125 children between 2-6 autism is often not diagnosed ity, inclusivity and support. is a spectrum disorder, these
years and one out of every 80 kids until much later. ■More than half (53%) have delays can range from mild to
aged 6-9. As per INCLEN studies, ■The abilities and needs of autism and attention deficit severe.
one child out of 89 is generally on autistic people vary and can hyperactivity disorder. ● One-third of children with
the autism spectrum. Boys are four evolve over time. While some ■More than half (51%) have autism were classified as having
times more likely than girls to have people with autism can live autism and anxiety. an intellectual disability (IQ
autism. There is no medical cure independently, others have ■A quarter (25%) have autism equal to or less than 70).
for autism, but early diagnosis and severe disabilities and require and depression. ● There is no cure or medica-
intervention helps a person to life-long care and support. ■At least 60% of children with tion for autism spectrum disor-
adapt and function better. ■Evidence-based psychosocial autism will have two comorbid der. Behavioral therapy is the
Children with Autism fre- interventions can improve conditions (e.g., sleep prob- most effective autism treat-
quently exhibit behaviours such as communication and social lems, seizures, intellectual dis- ment. However, the vast major-
difficulties transitioning from one skills, with a positive impact on abilities, or gastrointestinal ity (95%) of children with
task to another, a focus on minu- the well-being and quality of problems). autism have at least one co-
tiae. It’s believed to be caused by life of both autistic people and ● Autism is not a learning dis- occurring condition, which is
environmental and genetic factors. their caregivers. ability, but it can affect cogni- often treatable.
Those with autism find social
interactions difficult as well as have
repetitive behaviors and focused drives them to seek refuge in their suggests that the strategy to help
interests. Autism is also a spectrum families. BH<?C><B and build confidence, self-esteem,
disorder, meaning the severity and There is no 'cure' for autism. ● =^ QPQQ[X]V â _^X]cX]V Qh motivation and resilience is very
range of symptoms are different There are, however, ways that can PVT important when we think about
from person to person. help people with autism learn and ● =^ bX]V[T fâSb Qh PVT % such kids. “Every autistic child has
As such, healthcare systems are perform more effectively. Because individual strengths and needs. We
\^]cWbâcf^fâS_WaPbTb
not only failing to provide appro- there are so many options to select can help these kids with the con-
priate care to autistic adults, but from; individual viewpoints and QhPVT! cept of Universal design of learn-
also that these failures may be experiences, as well as diverse ● 8\_PXaTSPQX[Xchc^\PZTUaXT]Sb ing (UDL) which can benefit them
detrimentally affecting the length research showcasing varying fXcW_TTab with learning and thinking differ-
and quality of life of autistic indi- results, deciding on the best inter- ● 8\_PXaTS PQX[Xch c^ X]XcXPcT â ences. In fact, UDL uses a variety
viduals. vention for an individual with bdbcPX]PR^]eTabPcX^]fXcW^cW of teaching strategies to remove
In India, it is estimated that autism, may be complicated and Tab barriers to learning especially
around 18 million people have often overwhelming. Autism ● AT_TcXcXeT â d]dbdP[ dbT Û those with autism spectrum disor-
autism. Statistics further reveal that patients benefit substantially from [P]VdPVT der, attention deficit and hyperac-
the number of children diagnosed cognitive behaviour therapy, ● 0Q]â\P[[hX]cT]bTâU^RdbTS tivity disorder.”
with autism in India is increasing. behavioural management therapy, X]cTaTbc Autism is the world's third
Low awareness, a lack of basic ser- occupational therapy, social skills ● ?aT^RRd_PcX^] fXcW _PacXRd[Pa most common developmental dis-
vices, and poor diagnosis, among training, and physical therapy. ^QYTRcbâbdQYTRcb ability, a neurological illness that
other factors, have all led to the Furthermore, educational and ● 8]U[TgXQ[TPSWTaT]RTc^b_TRXU usually manifests by the age of
country's astonishing surge in the school-based therapy, medication XRa^dcX]TbâaXcdP[b three, says Bhuwan.
number of autism cases. treatment, and nutritious food K. Nageswara Rao, President,
One of the main reasons why should be provided to such per- All India Disabled Rights Forum,
many parents keep diseases like sons. Parents might also enrol in daily functions in life. On the con- opines that autism affects early in
autism hidden is a lack of informa- speech-language therapy. trary, some of the children with childhood and needs to be
tion about mental health. Many Dr Deepak Gupta, a child and autism are brilliant and exhibit per- addressed soon. “It varies in type
individuals are unaware that such adolescent psychiatrist and formance which is sometimes far and severity, but therapy can
illnesses can affect children as Founder Director of Centre for superior to ones who are not on improve the ability of the person
early as a few months old. Such Child and Adolescent Wellbeing the Autism spectrum. With under- the function.”
individuals exhibit abnormal (CCAW, says, “Autism is one of the standing and compassion for their In a nutshell, people with
behaviours, and a lack of public most misunderstood neurodevel- special needs, we can surely induct autism can live a better life if they
awareness of the disease makes opmental conditions. A peculiar them into the mainstream.” are raised in a happy and healthy
society less compassionate and trait of children with Autism is Agrees Dr Alok Kumar environment. Today, the only
stigmatizes the disorder. In their their concern with social commu- Bhuwan, Managing Secretary, requirement is that they be accept-
growing years, these children are nication difficulties. Manovikas Charitable Society. ed totally and that they not be
subjected to bullying, filthy “This, however, does not mean While explaining stigma around demeaned or discouraged at any
remarks, and humiliation, which that they lack abilities to perform children who are neurodiverse, he cost.
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D1D1!=7<12CCEBF5I
ata 1mg Labs has claimed that S_^fUbcQdY_^gYdXD85851<D8@9?>55BcXUQccUbdcdXQdc_SYUdiÛUTcd_g_b[gYdXQedYcdYSSXY\TbU^
T data analysis of about 40,000
homocysteine, (an amino acid) Y^TYfYTeQ\\iQdQTUUÙb\UfU\d_RbY^W_eddXUYbRUcdQRY\YdYUc5hSUb`dc*
tests conducted across its PAN
India lab testing facilities in the last Why is autism still a subject we that I mean, I teach them every- run a marathon, you twist your enough to prioritize where to
two years, indicates that more don’t fully understand? thing that an adult would need or ankle, you have a choice to call for close and where to expand for
than 66 per cent of people in Autism is a spectrum, ranging read- the daily news, romance, sex, help and be airlifted or wobble someone on the spectrum, some-
India have higher than-normal from severe to moderate to mild, cinema, dialogues, texts to send, back or let it heal while you lie back times educational interventions
411:9C851BD6E<>5CC levels of homocysteine in their lack of communication skills, rec- what to wear on a date, how to there then run or walk the turn out right or sometimes a child
9>CD9DED51>4199=C45<89 bloodstream, making them vulner- iprocity, eye contact, stemming and dance at prom, how to sit while at marathon path until you can run gets an idea because of being
:?9>81>4C able to heart diseases, such as other such behaviours. Growth for dinner, what can you do if you again. It’s all a mix of everything caged and they break out and cre-
eartfulness Institute and blood clots, heart attack and stroke. each can look different or the same, can't do math, how to cheat at and that's how autism and mental ate something grand. It's all a mix
H AIIMS, Delhi have inked a
pact to collaborate in education
It said that while 59 per cent of
women were found with escalated
how we push someone on the spec-
trum of autism forward is varied
tests, how to cheat at everything
but still be as good as one can pos-
health works for you and me, but
even more importantly for some-
of everything. It's almost like why
do we have so many scientists yet
and research activities to bring levels of homocysteine, this figure and with different ambitions and sibly be, how to just figure life as one on the spectrum of autism, as so few who win the Nobel Prize
meditation and sciences into day- was much lower for men at 40.1 per hopes than what might be possible smoothly as one can while being a teacher I could set them up for eventually. But one thing is certain.
to-day life and impact various cent. The age group of 18-30 years for them or vice versa- as educators, on the spectrum - and then I cross excellence but then what they do Autistic children are different for
aspects of human health and well- had the lowest incidence at 15.3 per what is right, what is wrong, what my fingers and hope for the best could be a total crash, who knows- a reason. They can shake up sys-
being. cent but rapidly climbed to the is enough and what has more scope results possible. -it's all a guesswork for us to see. tems if given the right guidance.
The MoU was recently signed highest in the age bracket of 31-40 is all so complicated and there's so
between 'Daaji' Kamlesh D Patel, years at 30 per cent. This was fol- much trial and error, who knows. Do you think that mental health Why do we historically have such What inspired you to take up the
President of R am Chandra lowed by age groups of 41-50 years and autis, how tangled they are. few disruptions like Einstein or cause of people with autism?
Mission, Founder and Guide of (about 19 per cent), above 60 years At what point do we give up on You can't say one without the Bill Gates or Ramanujan or I met my first grown-up with
Heartfulness Meditation (18.3 per cent), and 51-60 years intervention for those on the spec- other, growth or experimentation Hannah Gadsby in the space of autism when I was 19 and the com-
Worldwide, and Dr M. Srinivas - (17.3 per cent), as per the survey. trum of autism? for someone on the spectrum of autism, why not more such stories? plete disregard for his giftedness led
Director of the premier health Honestly, I don't know, I do autism can go haywire, then get It's the same, education is so me to Columbia University, NY to
research institute. everything I humanly can until a back on track, then fall all over large and expansive and curricu- study autism in detail and depth.
Speaking on the occasion, child is 18, then I give up and see again, then find a way again, it's so lar and rule based, and the time This is how my journey with the
Daaji (Kamlesh D Patel) - what goes on from there on. By complex- imagine you decide to from the ages of 3 to 18 is just not autism spectrum began.
Founder of Heartfulness Institute
and Guide of Heartfulness
Meditation Worldwide said, "This 3>2C>AB?40:
<Q`Qb_cS_`YScebWUbiY^[YTcYccQVU
MoU will help in collaborative
research and education in the
sphere of meditation and science
at the same time. There is a direct When asked about role of
correlation between a healthy homocysteine levels in individuals, aparoscopic intervention Laparoscopic procedures in eries are performed safely even bowel obstruction. Is there any difference
spirit and a healthy body. Science
has time and again proven that
Dr Tarun Kumar, Professor of
Cardiology, PGIMER and Dr RML
L has revolutionized the
world of surgery with its min-
children, on the other hand,
was restricted to diagnostic
in small children. In India,
more and more parents are
Paediatric Minimally
Invasive Surgeries are com-
between Children and
Adult's Laparoscopic
meditation leaves positive impacts Hospital, Delhi said that homocys- imal invasiveness and reduced purposes till the 1980s. opting for this kind of surgery monly performed for Hernia Procedures?
on mind and body. We want to teine levels are relevant in cases of postoperative pain. While Paediatric surgeons in select- due to its benefits. repair, Appendicectomy, ● Many surgical conditions
delve deeper and make the out- young patients with Heart attack or laparoscopic surgery is not ed centres started performing Undescended testis, in children ARE TOTALLY
comes beneficial to mankind." brain stroke . As hyperhomocysten- new in the field of surgery, it paediatric laparoscopic proce- KEY BENEFITS Pyeloplasty and DIFFERENT FROM ADULTS
Dr Srinivas was of the view emia is associated with recurrent has witnessed enormous dures around the world. In The key benefits of Nephrectomy, Pull through ● The laparoscopic hand
that the agreement gives an oppor- cardiac or brain stroke ( thrombo- progress in the last three India, advanced laparoscopic Laparoscopic Surgery in chil- surgery for Hirschsprung's instruments in children
tunity to explore more beyond sis ) events, treatment is quite low decades, and in the field of pae- paediatric surgery was started dren include less pain, less disease and anorectal malfor- consists of smaller length
what is already known to medical cost. "Young patients with throm- diatric surgery as well. in December 1998 by the 3AA
A0B8:;0;BB707 cut/small incisions that look mation, Cholecystectomy and and diameter
sciences in terms of inner wellness. botic events like vascular thrombo- The first laparoscopic author himself by performing BT]Xâ2^]bd[cP]c?PTSXPcaXR aesthetically better, less blood Choledochal cyst, ● In children, the inside
"The idea is to help people acquire sis (DEep venous thrombosis, cholecystectomy was per- the first laparoscopic Pull BdaVTahBA222WX[SaT]b7^b_XcP[ loss, less risk of infection, less- Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair space to work is less which
holistic wellness backed by science. Pulmonary thromboembolism), formed on an adult in 1986. through surgery for \P]PVTSQh=PaPhP]P7TP[cW er hospitalisation (parents and Empyema surger y, makes surgery very diffi-
Previous research at universities Heart attack or brain stroke Since then, a significant Hirschsprung's disease. It is can go back to work sooner), Fundoplication, cult
abroad have already shown how patients, should go for such tests," advancement in technology estimated that over 80% of pae- recent times. At present, there faster recovery, early return to Pyloromyotomy, Malrotation, ● Minimally Invasive surgi-
Heartfulness meditation tech- he said and advised that one should and techniques has taken place diatric surgeons in the USA are extensive applications of school, less risk of pneumo- Abdominal cyst, Ovarian cal team needs to be high-
niques are instrumental in positive take vitamin B6, B-12, folic acid in this field resulting in very and many other countries per- this technique, and several nia and lesser chances of cyst, Mesenteric, and other ly experienced and
behavioral changes as well”. supplementation. positive outcome. form laparoscopic surgery in advanced-level intricate surg- development of adhesive cysts. trained.
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hen Donald Trump his entire life, nor I, for that after the arraignment. Trump
W steps before a judge next
week to be arraigned in a New
matter, that he would ever be
confronted with,” Michael
is expected to travel from
Florida to New York on
York courtroom, it will not only Cohen, Trump’s longtime fixer Monday and stay overnight at
mark the first time a former US and a key witness in the case Trump Tower in midtown
president has faced criminal who served jail time for the Manhattan before heading to
charges. It will also represent a payments, told CNN. the courthouse early on
reckoning for a man long nick- Of course, some of the Tuesday. He will return to
named “Teflon Don,” who until celebration by Trump’s detrac- Florida after the arraignment.
now has managed to skirt seri- tors may be premature. The Trump has long denied
ous legal jeopardy despite 40 former president could seek to that he had a sexual encounter
years of legal scrutiny. have a judge quickly dismiss with the porn actor known as
Trump, who is the early the case. And even if it moves Stormy Daniels and has blast-
frontrunner for the Republican forward, there’s no guarantee of ed Manhattan District Attorney
presidential nomination, is conviction. Intensifying inves- Alvin Bragg for pursuing the
expected to turn himself in on tigations in Atlanta and years-old case.
Tuesday. He faces charges, Washington are seen as poten- Trump is also facing con-
including at least one felony tially more serious legal threats. tinued investigations in
offence, related to hush money Still, Trump and his team Georgia, over his efforts to
payments to women during his were caught by surprise when overturn the results of the
2016 campaign. Like any other word of the New York indict- 2020 election, and in
person facing trial, he will be ment broke Thursday evening, Washington, where a special
booked, fingerprinted and pho- following news reports that counsel is probing the events of
tographed before being given the grand jury hearing the January 6, 2021, as well as
the chance to enter a plea. case was set for a weeks-long Trump’s handling of classified
The spectacle that is sure to hiatus. As the deliberations documents at Mar-a-Lago and
unfold will mark an unprece- dragged on, some in Trump’s potential obstruction of the
dented moment in American orbit had become convinced investigation.
history that will demonstrate that the case had stalled and But Sam Nunberg, a long-
once again how dramatically that charges might never be time former aide who broke
Trump - who already held the brought. That included Trump with Trump years ago, said that
distinction of being the first attorney Joe Tacopina, who while he no longer supports
president to be impeached said on Friday morning he had Trump, he believes the
twice - has upended democra- hoped the “rule of law would Manhattan case is “a waste of
tic norms. But on a personal prevail.” time,” given the allegations,
level, the indictment pierces the Trump, he said on the which remain under seal. And
cloak of invincibility that “Today” show, was “initially he said he was skeptical it
seemed to follow Trump was shocked” by news of the would ultimately matter.
through his decades in business charges, but quickly pivoted to “It doesn’t surprise me,” he
and in politics, as he faced alle- his usual pushback playbook. said of the indictment. “What
gations of fraud, collusion and “After he got over that,” he would surprise me is if he actu-
sexual misconduct. said, Trump “put a notch on his ally ended up behind bars in
“Boy, after all this time it’s belt and he decided we have to prison and I don’t see that hap-
a bit of a shock,” Trump biog- fight now. And he got into a pening.”
rapher Michael D’Antonio said typical Donald Trump pos- derail his candidacy. donations, according to the Trump has been in contact by said Trump “doesn’t back his rivals, including Florida D’Antonio said that senti-
of the indictment. “You know ture where he’s ready to be Already, the charges have campaign, came from first- phone with key congressional down” and was going to “fight Governor Ron DeSantis, who ment - and a continued belief
I always thought of him as the combative on something that been a boon to his struggling time donors. The average con- allies, including members of back,” telling a local radio is widely expected to chal- that Trump will somehow pre-
Gingerbread Man, shouting, he believes is an injustice. ... I fundraising. The campaign tribution: $34. House leadership and top com- show it was “yet another chap- lenge Trump for the nomina- vail and dodge the charges -
‘You can’t catch me!’ as he ran think he’s now in the posture announced Friday evening that His campaign also contin- mittees, according to people ter where Donald Trump is tion, and has been holding continues among the many
away.” that he’s ready to fight this.” it had raised over $4 million in ued to blast out supportive familiar with the conversa- going to come back on top in events across the county to pro- people who have reached out to
“Given his track record,” he In the meantime, Trump the 24 hours after the indict- statements from dozens of top tions, who, like others, spoke the end.” mote his book. him in the last 24 hours, despite
said, “I had trouble imagining and his team have tried to use ment became public, far Republicans who have rallied on condition of anonymity to The media maelstrom has Trump aides have been the charges.
he would ever be held account- the news to his advantage, smashing its previous record behind Trump, including sev- discuss the response. catapulted the former president discussing other ideas to max- “They’re like, he’s going to
able.” hoping to energise his loyal after the FBI search of Trump’s eral of his declared and likely Trump ally Rep. Jim Banks, back into the spotlight he imise the situation, including get away with it,” he said.
“These are not things that base by painting the investiga- Mar-a-Lago club. challengers, underscoring his R-Ind., who formally endorsed craves, at least temporarily the possibility of holding a “Somehow, he’s going to get it
Donald Trump ever thought in tion as part of a larger plot to More than 25 per cent of continued hold on the party. the former president on Friday, limiting attention being paid to press event either before or thrown out.” AP
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notion of sacred has held peaceful conditions prevail. the subsidiary deities placed on
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Vastu-shastras have functioned noticed in the image-worship- numerous challenges, before
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als for constructing temples.
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on from time immemorial. If
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ple architecture, and they each
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are chiefly responsible for mak-
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carry a distinct meaning. In aniconic traditions such as the forces provides the dynamic arrived in Ayodhya from sculptures adorning the walls intervention of priests. This rit- India’s spiritual landscape. The
this case, a square represents worship of bana-lingas and equilibrium required for main- Nepal. of any temple. Subsequently, ual process is called “prana- vibrant temple culture of
the manifest territorial world salagramas. taining the cosmic balance. A regular visit to the tem- the devotee sets foot into the pratishta” and literally sug- Bharat has withstood the rav-
that needs to be transcended. The linga and yoni mani- The salagramas, on the other ple is also suffused with philo- hallowed precincts of the gests instilling prana (life) ages of time chiefly because of
The square grid plans, which in fest forces embodied by Shiva hand, are stones resembling the sophical import. Before enter- dimly-lit garbha-griha which within the deity. these empowering philosoph-
the words of scholar Stella and Parvati respectively. In discus of Vishnu, and general- ing the sanctuary, a devotee is — almost like a cave within a In other words, the deity is ical and cosmological concepts
Kramrisch function as “fore- other words, the stone shaft ly acquire this shape because of greeted by the imposing struc- mountain — is unadorned and considered to have life just like that subliminally enrich devo-
casts for temples”, are known as known as the linga represents weathering activity caused by ture of a temple, which in houses the chief deity. Texts a human being, and germinates tee’s experience within a shrine.
vastu-purusha mandalas. Gods Shiva as a silent spectator of the rivers. many ways resembles a moun- suggest that an invisible axis within the womb-chamber These need to be acknowl-
associated with each of the world whose existence is con- These continue to be ven- tain. Vastu-shastras frequently connects this deity with the (garbha-griha) of a temple. edged to foster a society that is
squares within the mandala are tingent upon the creative ener- erated by Vaishnavites across liken temples to Mount Meru, superstructure of a temple. In After seeking darsan of the rooted to its traditions even as
ritually invoked to pacify the gies released by Shakti, who the country, as was recently which is held in high esteem by fact, it is during the consecra- deity, a devotee circumambu- it embraces cosmopolitan
vastu-purusha, and ensure that resides at the base. This creative noticed in the ecstatic reception Hindus. A devotee then enters tion of a temple that the deity’s lates the shrine, and attends to ambitions. 0=8AD37=
=0E44=
O, WIND, IF WINTER COMES, CAN SPRING BE FAR
BEHIND? TACT IS THE ABILITY TO DESCRIBE OTHERS AS
PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THEY SEE THEMSELVES.
4 ABRAHAM LINCOLN
YUGMARG, CHANDIGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023
Editorial
Its up to Indians to protect our
democracy, not outsiders
Global shift? China is on
P
rime Minister Narendra Modi never misses a
chance to claim that India is the mother of all
democracies; he even goes to the extent of saying
that there is evidence proclaiming the existence of an-
cient republican states. He also keeps repeating that In-
a geopolitical overdrive
ith the Russia- chases to support the Russian China is now involved in
dia is the fifth largest economy and the fastest growing
among important ones and believes that the whole world
looks at Indians in an hour of crisis. In short, the Prime
Minister is seeking to portray the picture of a confident,
W Ukraine war going
past its one-year
mark and showing little sign
economy, which otherwise
cannot sustain the war. It
needs Russia for some so-
Grand Mosque revamp proj-
ects in Saudi Arabia and re-
mains the largest investor in
of abating anytime soon, the phisticated weaponry (S- Egypt’s Suez Canal Area De-
powerful and emerging India. world is learning to adjust it- 400, Su-35). A Russian mili- velopment Project, which is
Some of his colleagues in the council of ministers self to the effects of the war. tary defeat, leading to Mr Beijing’s most important
and the party, however, appear not to share his self-con-
fidence. Instead, they analyse each and every remark any Among those quick to re- Putin’s downfall would be a shipping route to Europe.
foreign nation makes about India while seeing these as a spond is China. In two areas nightmare scenario for it. A While the Iran-Saudi deal
roundabout way to interfere in the internal affairs of the we have seen the Chinese beholden Mr Putin, with may be strewn with chal-
country. They are even of the opinion that they are in- footprint enhance through re- Russia a virtually junior part- lenges, China’s entry as a se-
tended to insult India and Indians. cent events. First was the vis- ner, an image of China as a rious player in the Middle
The latest is an innocuous one coming from the it of President Xi Jinping to virtual geopolitical pole and East is bound to cause con-
spokesperson of the German foreign ministry who said Moscow and the endorse- the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy cern for the US. Israel, in
her nation has “taken note” of developments related to ment he handed out to Presi- on temporary hold, all works whom the US has invested so
the conviction and sentencing of Congress leader Rahul dent Vladmir Putin over his to the advantage of China. much, may also not be too
Gandhi and his subsequent disqualification as a member policies. The second was the Now the Middle East. As happy with the interplay with
of the Lok Sabha; the spokesperson also expressed the surprising announcement of already stated, energy guar- Iran and Saudi Arabia.
confidence that judicial independence and fundamental a China-sponsored Iran-Sau- antees are important for Chi-
democratic principles will apply in the case. And last di Arabian accord signalling na but more than that is the What is for India in all
week, it had been the turn of the United States to make Beijing’s first serious foray tention that the US would a political settlement to the ian troops from Ukrainian necessity of creating the im- this renewed Chinese geopo-
a similar comment. into Middle East geopolitics; bring to the Indo-Pacific. An conflict in Ukraine. Probably territory is a non-starter. age of a geopolitical referee litical vigour. First, Russia
Anyone who follows diplomatic language would un- Xi Jinping had visited Saudi increase in Chinese geopolit- hit by the international hype However, a maximalist ap- in the region. Beijing’s for- could sooner than later be-
derstand use of facetious words, but the reaction of the Arabia in December 2022 to ical activity and presence in given to Prime Minister proach should be expected in eign policy of balancing become completely subservient
government reflects paranoia of a certain depth. The law attend the first China-GCC the Middle East has been ev- Narendra Modi’s sage advice any plan with progressive tween rivals and increasing to China.
minister even said India will “no more tolerate foreign summit. ident for some time. China’s to President Vladimir Putin compromises; that is how all multilateralism has enabled There could then be ero-
influence”. Leaders of democratic nations, including In- Two reasons appear to economic growth is depend- at a meeting on the SCO genuine peace proposals it to deepen its ties with the sion in the remnants of the
dia, have repeatedly averred that democracy is a shared stand out for China’s proac- ent upon guaranteed energy summit’s sidelines in August work. Middle East, although jump- Indo-Russian relationship
value, and that strengthening it in one nation goes to tiveness. First, the Chinese supplies for its manufactur- 2022, China was smarting. It does appear that China ing straight into an old and contingent upon how hard
strengthen it in every country; as a corollary, signs of its strategic outreach expected ing sector. Part of that comes Xi Jinping does not wish to was taken by surprise by the contentious conflict such as the United States and the
weakening in one would be taken note of by all others. from the Belt and Road Ini- from Russia and Central be seen as only an instigator start of the Ukraine war, de- the Iran-Saudi one is bound West works on incorporating
In point of fact, Mr Modi had himself expressed anx- tiative has perhaps not deliv- Asia, but the majority reach- and supporter of war through spite the famous “no limits to have its own complica- India into their future Indo-
iousness when trouble-makers overran Capitol Hill in ered to the level expected. es China’s eastern seaboard the backing given to Mr friendship” statement by tions. Pacific strategies. The Indo-
January 2021, and posed a threat, however weak, to the Second, Mr Xi’s personal from the Middle East. It is Putin and Russia but his Chinese and Russian offi- The outreach to Iran US strategic partnership and
rule of law in the world’s oldest democracy. Thus, even ambition of getting things on the biggest purchaser of en- peace plan is below par and a cials during the Beijing Win- through the 25-year $400 bil- India’s membership of the
if spoken meaningly, such words should be taken as an the move to achieve the ob- ergy from Iran and Saudi disappointment for those ex- ter Olympics in early Febru- lion strategic and economic Quad exist with full trans-
expression of shared concern and not in an adversarial jectives he has laid out for Arabia, contributing hugely pecting a roadmap to peace. ary 2022. Beijing has not deal cut in 2021 is not some- parency, but the degree of
spirit. Mutual assurance, and not suspicion, is the key. 2035 is spurring things in to those economies, which The proposal lacked supported Russia in the UN thing unexpected, with Iran commitment by India under
India has travelled long enough on the path of democra- foreign policy. The war in have also been under stress specifics about contentious and has not provided Russia pushed to the wall by the US. the current circumstances re-
cy so that it can be a confident player, instead of being a Eastern Europe has worked and strain. A guaranteed sup- issues like resolving the var- with weapons; it has publicly It’s the taking of Saudi Ara- mains a challenge. Its mem-
reactionary party, recoiling at every insignificant refer- to China’s advantage more ply source is what China de- ious territorial disputes be- proclaimed neutrality. It has, bia on board which is a po- bership of multilateral equa-
ence. That said, the Congress, which is the principal than against it. It has helped sires most, along with secure tween Kyiv and Moscow or however, supported the tential coup, as it upsets a tions and groups on both
Opposition party in the country, is unmistakably acting to force American attention supply routes for its manu- providing any security guar- Kremlin’s basic issues about long-lasting US-Saudi rela- sides of the divide in the cur-
as if the West, with all its past sins and blessings, will be and focus to that region with factured goods. antees for Ukraine. A plan the war, seriously opposed tionship and throws the fu- rent Cold War puts it in a cru-
the knight in shining armour and come riding in when- full commitment, thus Interestingly, China has devoid of any proposed or sanctions against Russia and ture strategic equations of cible, where all kinds of
ever Indian democracy is in distress. staving off the inevitable at- also set out a framework for eventual withdrawal of Russ- has helped with energy pur- the Middle East into disarray. pressures will be applied.
POEMS
Literature & Health Light
The Time Network Street eats and tummy woes Light, my light, the world-
filling light,
t is a truism that time seems to expand was driving when I noticed chemicals. Oil can be reused
I or contract depending on our circum-
stances. In a state of terror, seconds
can stretch. A day spent in solitude can
I a cart selling samosas on
the street. The uncooked
samosas were black in colour.
for one or two days, but it
should not be topped up. It
should be strained before each
the eye-kissing light,
heart-sweetening light!
drag. When we’re trying to meet a dead- Intrigued, I looked closely, reuse and kept in an airtight
line, hours race by. only to find they were covered container.
A study published this month in the with a swarm of black flies. Juices served on the street Ah, the light dances, my
journal Psychophysiology by psycholo- Many people eat street contain unclean ice and unpu-
gists at Cornell University in the US
found that when observed at the level of
food, especially youngsters,
standing around open carts
rified water. The fruit used is
touched with the hands before
darling, at the center of
microseconds, some of these distortions
could be driven by heartbeats, whose
with friends, chatting and
laughing as they consume
being processed.
savouries and snacks are
The
my life;
length is variable from moment to mo- tasty calories. (They do not no- picked up with ungloved
ment. tice the flies). hands. There are no toilets or the light strikes, my
Psychologists fitted undergraduate As far as food is con- washing facilities nearby.
students with electrocardiograms to
measure the length of each heartbeat pre- the brain.” Interest in the perception of
cerned, people are spoilt for
choice these days. They can
The disadvantage of eat-
ing street food is that it may
darling, the chords of my
cisely, and then asked them toestimate the
length of brief audio tones. The psychol-
time has exploded since the Covid pan-
demic, when activity outside the home
eat a variety of cuisines from
various regions in India, like Street dogs can smell the food
be contaminated with viruses
or bacteria. Food poisoning
love;
ogists discovered that after a longer heart-
beat interval, subjects tended to perceive
came to an abrupt halt for many and peo-
ple around the world found themselves
idlies, chola batura and the all-
time favourite panipuri as well
and, given a chance, will place
their mouths on it. Though the
can occur within 24 hours with
stomach pain, vomiting, diar- the sky opens, the wind
the toneas longer; shorter intervals led facing stretches of undifferentiated time. as international favourites like water is kept in buckets to rhoea, body ache and fever. It
subjects to assess the tone as shorter. Af-
ter each tone, the subjects’ heartbeat in-
A study of time perception conducted
during the first year of the lockdown in
noodles and burgers.
It is true that street food
wash the used dishes, this is
often not done. Neither the
is due to toxins released by the
contaminating organisms. The
runs wild, laughter passes
tervals lengthened.
A lower heart rate appeared to assist
Britain found that 80 per cent of partici-
pants reported distortions in time, in dif-
has many advantages. First, it
is inexpensive. Unlike hotels
customers nor the servers are
able to wash their hands before
bacteria may have died, but
the toxins are long-lasting and
over the earth.
with perception, said Saeedeh Sadeghi, a
doctoral candidate at Cornell and the
ferent directions.
On average, older, more socially iso-
and restaurants that open and
close at fixed times, it is avail-
touching the food. The food it-
self is often wrapped in un-
heat-stable. They remain in the
food and survive reheating. The butterflies spread
study’s lead author. “When we need to lated people reported that time slowed, able almost all day and night. clean newspapers. Viral diarrhoea produced by
perceive things from the outside world,
the beats of the heart are noise to the cor-
and younger, more active people reported
that it sped up.
There is no need to wait for a
table or no delay in being
Oil is expensive. Instead
of discarding used oil, it is just
contamination produces iden-
tical symptoms. Neither type
their sails on the sea of
tex,” she said. “You can sample the world
more — it’s easier to get things in —
“Our experience of time is affected in
ways which mirror, generally, our well-
served your order. Also, food
in a restaurant costs twice or
topped up as the level drops.
The burnt sediment settles in
of responds to antibiotics.
The raw ingredients,
light.
when the heart is silent.”
The study provides more evidence,
being,” said Ruth S. Ogden, a psychology
professor at Liverpool John Moores Uni-
thrice as much as that avail-
able on the street.
the oil. It changes colour. It
starts to boil and smokes at
masala and colouring may be
substandard and not food- Lilies and jasmines surge
after an era of research focussing on the versity in the UK and author of the lock- Unfortunately, this food is lower temperatures. This af- grade. This can occur because,
brain, that “there is no single part of the
brain or body that keeps time — it’s all a
down study. “People with depression ex-
perience a slowing of time, and that slow-
often served in unhealthy con-
ditions. The carts are open to
fects the cooking. Sometimes
the oils may change in colour
unlike licensed and inspected
restaurants, food stalls are not
up on the crest of the
network,” she said. “The brain controls
the heart, and the heart, in turn, impacts
ing of time is experienced as being a
worsening factor of the depression.”
dust, pollution and flies, which
carry a variety of diseases.
and composition to produce
harmful and carcinogenic
under the control of the gov-
ernment.
waves of light.
Does African link colour attitudes of Indians in British politics?

“O Bachchoo is it true that everything’s adaptation of subcontinental dishes and think the answer is obvious -- just as is the of their celebrity status and intellects. Humza Yousaf to the leadership of the lated Indian communities, and left Kenya
been said tastes was so wrongly cofounded with po- answer to “Is the Pope a Protestant?” Their trial proceeded and ITV, the UK’s Scottish National Party to be the First Min- and Uganda when the ever-present racial
By the prophets and poets, now long litical revenge. Nevertheless, through the 1960s till commercial station, asked me to write a ister of Scotland. His Labour opponent, conflicts, most prominently exemplified in
dead? The Raj Brits were consumers of “cur- the present-day, Indian restaurants in drama-series about the attack and the trial. Anas Sanwar, is also of Asian origin, as are Idi Amin’s purge of Asian citizens, forced
Must we now accept that no proverbs ry”. Some etymologists claim they actual- Britain have frequently been proudly I submitted a pitch and used as its title the Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman, the home them to seek a life in the UK. The stereo-
wait ly invented the term after appropriating named The Empire Strikes Back. I used to phrase that the likes of Lee and Jonathan secretary, Priti Patel, former home secre- type of immigrants tells us that they work
To be formulated to govern life and some Indian dish. They certainly invented regularly eat at one called Last Days of the would use after a beery evening to de- tary, Sajid Javid a former chancellor of the hard. Undoubtedly.
fate “kedgeree” -- fish in rice, which is a per- Raj. scribe their lust for a curry meal: “I could exchequer, Sadiq Khan the mayor of Lon- And yet in the case of Indians migrat-
Or does each expression in words re- version of the unfishy-daal-rice-turmeric The culinary adoption and the taste for murder an Indian”. don, and Leo Varadkar, former Prime Min- ing to Africa in colonial times, there was
new boil-up that granny used to serve when we foreign foods everywhere, is just a broad- The ITV editors thought it was funny ister of Ireland. certainly a racial attitude, not a positive
The bonds of emotion between me were ill or indisposed. It’s absurd to regard ening of culture, even though, at least in and appropriate and I began attending the What’s intriguing is that Yousaf, one, towards Africans. Did this attitude af-
and you?” the Raj appropriation of curry and one British linguistic instance, this broad- court. The trial collapsed when a national Hedgie Sunak, Cruella and Pritti Clueless fect Priti Clueless’s father’s decision to
From Garmi ki Raat ka Sapna, by kedgeree as part of colonial oppression. ening is expressed in violent terms. Of newspaper, I think connivingly, invited the are all descended from one or both parents stand for election from the openly xeno-
Bachchoo And then in reverse, my mum used to which I took advantage. victim’s father to give an account of the as- who were subcontinental immigrants to phobic Brexit Party? Did it inspire her
hen a national British newspaper, cook something called “Country Captain” So, if you can tolerate it, a brief story: sault which it published prominently, thus Africa and came subsequently to the UK. home secretarial policy of sending desper-
W publishing its survey of the na-
tion’s favourite dishes, declared
that Chicken Tikka Masala was top of the
-- a sort of slice-potato-topped meat pie.
Was that part of colonial oppression? And
if the Brits transformed khichdi to
In 2001 two British national foot-
ballers -- Lee Bowyer and Johnathan
Woodgate -- were accused of attacking
prompting the judge to abort it.
Now within two decades of that trial,
the phrase The Empire Strikes Back has
Does this parental link to being an In-
dian immigrant to Africa influence their at-
titudes and politics in any way? The latter
ate asylum-seekers to Rwanda? Is there a
way of telling the mind’s construction by
the candidacy or the policy? And Cruella
list, some fools publicly opined that the kedgeree, was that the colonials subverting and brutally wounding an Asian student taken on a new and more plausible usage. three, Tories all, have parents who settled dreaming of sending desperate refugees to
Empire had struck back. The adoption or the Raj through cultural conversion? I who they thought had been contemptuous I allude, gentle reader, to the election of in West Africa in the closely-knit and iso- the same Rwanda?
EDIT
THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 2 APRIL 2023 | NEW DELHI
pg 5
Subhani
2 APRIL 2023
Shashi Warrier
Off the beaten track
Viruses & nukes: Will we

wake up in time or stew?
T
he other day I woke up at three in the morning to a green light pulsing in our
garden. When I went out, I saw a shining green disk sixteen feet in diameter
and seven feet high floating three feet off the ground by the mango tree. A
ladder extended to the ground from a hatch in the bottom. A green humanoid fig-
ure about two feet high stepped on to the ladder and descended to the ground. It
seemed to look at me. I felt a tingle in my head, and heard a voice speaking accent-
ed English. “I am Zbleep, from a planet 350 parsecs from here. I have come to bring
social justice to your planet.”
I was too surprised to be scared, and simply asked, “Social justice? How?”
Zbleep spoke in a voice and an accent like mine, “Justice is when every living
being has a voice in making decisions.” Clearly, it was learning my mannerisms.
“We have ways to communicate with all lifeforms.”
“Right,” I said, wondering what Zbleep meant by that.
It seemed to read my mind. “Every living being, plant or animal, that’s what it
Liberty key element in LETTERS
TROUBLE FOR TRUMP
alchemy of democracy
means. Justice must be all inclusive.” America is looked upon
“Ah!” I said. “Of course! But how do we find out what each other thinks?” as a beacon of democracy
“I have set it up so that all of you will be able to hear what each other thinks,” by the rest of the world
said Zbleep. “There’s a representative of every species.”
“Why me?” I asked.
which will be watching
“I selected you the same way I selected the others,” replied Zbleep. “You’re the Our founding it was three per cent. If how the present scenario
most average member of your species that I could find. Average intelligence, aver- fathers knew that the inelastic state con- in which Donald Trump
age ability, average knowledge, average every- trolled economy is has been charged with
thing…” Zbleep took a closer look at me through Pavan K. Varma the very
provisions to
unable to meet the rising
expectations of citizens, criminal activity plays out.
what seemed to be narrowed eyes. “Much fatter
around the middle than the average, and a little safeguard the ensuing unrest, with- Mr Trump has his set of
older, and a little less intelligent, but I don’t think freedoms and out the ventilation that supporters who are not
that matters. In any case, it’s too late to change.”
“What about women?” I asked.
Chanakya’s View democracy can be democracy gives, could
seriously destabilise the going to take any action
“Not a problem,” said Zbleep. “Many of the
misused. But they country — at least in the against him lightly. With
species on your planet aren’t divided into males had faith in the short to medium term. his flamboyant lifestyle
I
and females, so I decided we’ll make do with one t was September part of the democratic wisdom of the India’s strength is its
representative — male or female, at random — 1982. Prime framework of India. In people of India democracy, however and disparaging attitude
from each species that has this division.” Minister Indira the last Assembly elec- blemished it may be. towards the media, he
“Silly thing to do,” said a new voice. Thanks to Gandhi was on a tions held in 2022, voter Economic growth may be was able to antagonise
Zbleep, I knew it was a black widow spider. state visit to the turnout was close to a and China are prolific. slower due to the cacoph- Americans to such an
“Males don’t count except as snacks. History is Soviet Union. During her record 70 per cent. There is no doubt that ony of democracy, but it
just a long list of which girl ate which boys.” visit, talks were held in The reason for these China is, on conventional has a more enduring and extent that they chose
“Nonsense!” said the Covid-19 virus. “I caused the Kremlin between the entirely different out- parameters — GDP, per institutional basis. In the none too impressive
the human world to shut down, for a couple of Indian and Soviet delega- comes is simply one capita income, infra- fact, for democracies — Joe Biden over him. Is it
years, and got space for every other species to tion, helmed by Indira word: democracy. India structure, economic pro- as against totalitarian
thrive! That’s more important than eating your Gandhi and Leonid had it. The Soviet Union ductivity, and defence — systems — the reverse mere coincidence that the
mate!” I thought I’d use Brezhnev, then the did not. I have been a per- far ahead of India. But, logic is true. When people Modi favourites like Trump
“Enough!” said Zbleep. “We are here to deter- flattery. ‘What’s Soviet supremo and sonal witness, as under- like the Soviet Union — have been used for over and (Benjamin)
mine the most significant species on the planet General Secretary of the secretary on the Soviet and perhaps current day seven decades to free
and make sure it follows just ways.”
your name, dear
Communist Party. desk in the ministry of Russia too — it lacks one democratic elections, a
Netanyahu are in trouble
virus?’ I asked. external affairs, and later key factor: democracy. I vibrant Opposition, free- in and out of power?
“Most significant?” said a new voice, hemlock. During the talks — which
“It’s us. We killed lots of humans long ago, like ‘Stew,’ came the cover both internal and in our embassy in believe that sooner dom of speech, expres- Anthony Henriques
Socrates, and changed the course of philosophy.” reply. ‘Short for external issues — Mrs Moscow, to the disinte- rather than later, China sion and dissent, an inde- Mumbai
“That’s nothing,” said a new voice, a bacterium, Stupidity. If you’re Gandhi referred to the gration of the former will face the same sys- pendent judiciary, a free
“we’ve been following human armies all over the so concerned, if you growing insurgency in USSR. My experience is temic crisis that led to media, relatively
world and have caused more upsets than any
human general could imagine! I cause syphilis,
want to avoid my Punjab as a cause of con-
cern. While she spoke,
that when long estab-
lished totalitarian states
the convulsion within
the USSR. The autocratic
autonomous institutions,
and apolitical bureau- WHY HIDE DEGREE?
and, if left untreated, drive people mad.”
effects, all you have Brezhnev — in poor tinker with the system, hegemony of the Chinese crats, any attempt to sti- APROPOS the news report, “Gujarat
“What about us?” said a rat. “We pass on dis- to do is...’ health and advanced the inflexible autocracy Communist Party (CCP) fle such safeguards can HC quashes CIC order on Modi’s
eases to humans. How can you ignore us?” years — had dozed off. is unable to control the will have to dilute some lead to unforeseen conse- degree” ( April 1), I would like to
“You all work through humans,” said Zbleep. “That gives them the feeling that His foreign minister, consequences. President degree of its rigidity to quences. Diversities will comment that the purpose of Arvind
they’re the most significant beings on the Andrei Gromyko, seated Mikhail Gorbachev, who accommodate growing become brittle, endemic Kejriwal seeking Narendra Modi’s
planet.” next to him, nudged him was President of the restlessness within the instability will ensue, educational degree was probably to
“Yes,” said a virus. It hadn’t yet been discovered by humans, and so I couldn’t awake. Brezhnev then USSR from 1985 to 1991, Chinese people, as was discontents will turn into verify whether or not the PM fur-
discern its full name, but it seemed to start with something that sounded like whispered to Gromyko was — not wrongly — most recently witnessed revolts, economic pro- nished the correct information of his
‘Stew’. “I’ve been working on a lot of human beings for millennia, but they don’t (loud enough for our reform minded. He tried during the spontaneous ductivity will suffer, and degree. But the Gujarat high court
even know about me.” Russian interpreter to to introduce glasnost protests against the zero the unity of the country has taken it otherwise and described
“Whom have you infected lately?” asked Zbleep. “And what have they done?” take notes): “What is she (openness and greater Covid policy. But the itself may come under the application of Mr Kejriwal as
“Oh, I’ve been busy,” said Stew. “I’ve infected all these leaders who think the talking about? I can’t transparency) and pere- moment, the system tries threat. The genie of “indiscriminate misuse” of the RTI
wrong way. There are the Pakistanis, who think they must maintain a huge army understand a word of stroika (reconstruction) to loosen its undemocrat- democracy once out of Act. With due respect to the court, I
and a nuclear arsenal even though they’re too broke to eat. There are the Chinese, what she is saying.” within the tightly con- ic grip, it could unleash the bottle, and inter- would like to comment that inspite of
who think their plan to create a new international supply chain will work. There Gromyko then explained trolled undemocratic long suppressed griev- nalised in the political the information sought by Mr
are bankers who think they can make irresponsible loans and immediate profits briefly in hushed tones stranglehold of the Soviet ances creating internal genes of the common per- Kejriwal being personal in nature,
and have taxpayers take care of the consequences. There are leaders who think that the Indian PM was Communist Party. upheavals which it has son, cannot be put back the question will continue to haunt
they can ignore environmental problems. talking about the state of Tinkering with an inelas- no experience to handle, again. in the minds of the public as to
“And there’s Putin thinking he can get away with attacking Ukraine. Against Punjab where Pakistan tic system, unused to the and could seriously Our founding fathers, whether the educational degrees of
him are Americans thinking that they can sell weapons to Ukraine, sure that they sponsored insurgency for suppleness of a democra- destabilise the country — and the makers of our the PM are really worth mentioning.
can defeat Putin, who has more than 1500 nuclear weapons... ” a separate Khalistan cy, led to developments at least in the short to Constitution, knew that Arun Gupta
“We’re heading for disaster!” I said. “If Putin goes nuclear, that could be the end state was a worrying that careened out of con- mid-term. the very provisions they Kolkata
of all of us! Zbleep, you said you were out for justice. Do something! Save the development. trol. The great Soviet The internal problems have provided to safe-
planet!”
“Not if the majority doesn’t care,” said Zbleep. “That’s all I’m concerned with.”
Brezhnev, now awake,
intervened, and with an
empire fragmented,
unable to absorb and deal
China is facing today is
precisely the conse-
guard individual free-
doms and democracy can AIR INDIA MOMS
It was clearly no use talking to Zbleep, so I turned to Stew. “You’ve got to back expansive wave of his with changes that were quence of the absence of be misused. But they had GONE ARE THE DAYS when female
off,” I said, “Just for the next half-century. Let the biosphere recover, and then you hand said: “Your so contrary to the rigid democracy. The unilater- faith in the wisdom of the airline staff were forced to quit their
can get back to work.” Excellency, I am sorry to systemic framework it al diktat of the CCP for a people of India, and that job after child birth. In a bid to help
“Why should us viruses care?” asked Stew. “Some lifeforms might survive interrupt you, but how had hitherto adopted. one child policy, has wisdom — and the free- working mothers, Air India has
nuclear war, and, even if they don’t, new ones will evolve in the next few million can you allow such History carries impor- bequeathed it with a doms to express and pro- increased their maternity leave from
years. I’m not concerned.” things to happen? Look at tant lessons that we can demographic time bomb, tect it — can only be chal- 12 weeks to 26 weeks. Not only this, it
I thought I’d use flattery. “What’s your name, dear virus?” I asked. the Soviet Union. Since forget only at our own with an aging and lenged at peril to the has assured them that these holidays
“Stew,” came the reply. “Short for Stupidity. But if you’re so concerned, if you 1917 we have never let peril. Democracy is by no shrinking workforce, nation itself. will not affect their seniority and
want to avoid my effects, all you have to do is…” such forces rise, and means the most perfect where every Chinese Democratically elected promotions and will also not affect
A bomb warning went off. “Putin’s nuking the world!” I screamed. I felt some- have remained a united system, but it is still bet- worker has to pay for the governments in general their performance ratings. Air India
one tugging on my arm and sat up, wide awake. country.” Brezhnev died ter than all the others cost of two retirees. Its — and the ruling dispen- has 40 per cent of its workforce con-
It was my wife. “You were having a nightmare,” she said. “About Putin’s a few weeks later, in because it provides, to largely state-run enter- sation now in India — sisting of female employees. This is
nukes.” November 1982. Less the pressure cooker of prises are good at vol- must bear this in mind. very good news for them and will
And I kept silent, regretting that perhaps I’d missed a chance to save the world. than a decade later, in aspiration, diversity, and umes, but hardly incu- encourage more women to join Air
1991, the Soviet Union discontent, a safety valve bate entrepreneurship The writer is an India. It is hoped that other airlines,
disintegrated into 15 sep- to prevent an explosion. and the innovative spirit. author, diplomat and too, will take note and follow in Air
Shashi Warrier has written fairy tales, thrillers, a semi-fictional arate countries. On the These days, compar- The country’s GDP former member of India’s footsteps.
biography, satires, and a love story. Besides writing, he teaches strategic com- other hand, Punjab isons between the rela- growth in 2007 was 14.2 Parliament (Rajya D.B. Madan
munication at a business school. remains very much a tive strengths of India per cent annually; in 2022 Sabha) New Delhi
T
he delay in challenging Rahul membership was restored hours before G-23 controversy. Mr Tewari redeemed roads, sewerage and so on. Former for- proceed against those involved since
Gandhi’s conviction by the the Supreme Court hearing. While bu- himself after he moved an adjournment eign secretary Shyam Saran, who was some of them are Indian nationals.
Surat sessions court in a sy conferring with the party’s legal ea- motion in the Lok Sabha last moderating the discussion, agreed with
Anita Katyal
L
defamation case and his subse- gles, Rahul Gandhi has also started loo- week seeking a discussion on Rahul Mr Kant, saying urban renewal had ok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was
quent disqualification from the Lok king for alternative accommodation. Gandhi’s unconstitutional and unlaw- certainly got a big push and went on to apparently upset by last week’s
Sabha has become a subject of animat- ful disqualification. His inclusion in cite the example of Delhi’s Mayur news reports that the Congress
Political
C
ed discussion in the Congress. Several ongress leaders in the G-23 group- the list of leaders chosen to address the Vihar, where he lives, which has got a planned to proceed with a non-confi-
theories are doing the rounds about the ing, who were pressing for organ- Democracy Disqualified press confer- new pavement. Clearly, the residents of dence motion against him for not allow-
Gup-Shup party’s decision to play the waiting isational reforms and a full-time ences suggests a truce has been called Mayur Vihar had to wait for the G-20 ing Rahul Gandhi to respond to the
game. One view is to allow the “dis- party chief basically because they had a between Mr Tewari and the party. summit to get a freshly-laid pavement. charges levelled against him by the
qualification” drama to linger on as problem with Rahul Gandhi’s leader- treasury benches and not agreeing to
H B
this will keep the issue in the news and ship, are apparently no longer viewed igh-profile bureaucrat Amitabh esides instructing the Delhi a discussion on the Adani issue. Mr
help garner sympathy for the Nehru- as dissidents. The last standing mem- Kant, earlier the head of Niti Police to register a case against Birla’s office machinery relentlessly
Last of G-23 no Gandhi scion. Another suggestion is
that Rahul Gandhi should go to jail for
a few days and then file his appeal. It is
bers of G-23 — Manish Tewari,
Prithviraj Chavan and Anand Sharma
— were among the 35 leaders chosen by
Aayog and now the G-20 sherpa,
was effectively deflated during a recent
discussion on former Cabinet secretary
the pro-Khalistan supporters who
recently demonstrated outside the
Indian high commission in London and
worked the phones, calling up journal-
ists and their bosses, to find out the
source of this report. However, these
longer pariahs; argued that this will become a talking

point in the upcoming Karnataka polls
and make the Congress leader a hero.
Congress president
Kharge to address a series of
Mallikarjun
Democracy Disqualified press confer-

K.M. Chandrasekhar’s book, As Good
As My Word: A Memoir. Responding to
a question from the audience, Mr Kant
took down the Indian flag from the
building, the home ministry is also loo-
king at the option of cancelling the
efforts proved futile as no one was pre-
pared to reveal the name of the
Congress leader who had briefed press
will Rahul play However, the more plausible reason for

the delay was that Rahul Gandhi’s legal
team, comprising Abhishek Singhvi
ences across 35 cities on March 28 and
29. Mr Tewari was fielded in
Thiruvananthapuram, Mr Chavan in
put his best foot forward in defence of
the hype over India’s presidency of the
G-20 summit. He pointed out the series
passports of the Indian nationals and
the OCI cards of others involved in the
incident. It is learned that Home
persons about this move. Mr Birla has,
so far, prided himself on the efficiency
with which he conducts the Lok Sabha
‘martyr’ card? and P. Chidambaram, was awaiting the

Supreme Court ‘s verdict on Lak-
shadweep MP Mohammed Faizal’s case
who was not reinstated as a Lok Sabha
Bhopal and Mr Sharma in Bengaluru.
The latest turn of events could also see
Mr Tewari’s return as a party
spokesperson. Though his name was
of official meetings preceding the sum-
mit were being held in different cities,
providing an opportunity to the state
governments to showcase the sights,
Minister Amit Shah took a grim view of
this incident and that he insisted the
Delhi police investigate the matter
since the high commission building is
proceedings, often pointing to how pro-
ductivity had gone up since he took
over. As it is, the ongoing session has
spoilt his record but a no confidence
member even two months after his dis- always on the party’s list of spokesper- culture and cuisine of their respective Indian property. Over 300 protesters motion would make it worse.
qualification was stayed by the Kerala sons, the communication department states. In addition, he said, the infra- have apparently been identified from
high court. It is now to be seen how the stopped fielding Mr Tewari for the structure in these cities had been video clips and CCTV camera footage. Anita Katyal is a Delhi-based
legal team proceeds after Mr Faizal’s party’s official press briefings after the upgraded with provision of better The ministry believes it has a case to journalist
EDITOR: KAUSHIK MITTER, PRINTER & PUBLISHER: K. SUDHAKAR; THE ASIAN AGE office is located at: New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi-110002. Phone: (011) 23211124;
Published and Printed on behalf of and for; Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited, Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi 110 002 at BFL Infotech Ltd., C-9, Sector-III, Noida -201301;
London: Quickmarsh Ltd, 8th Floor, Block 2, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London, SE1 7NQ; RNI Registration number: 57290/94
If you don't know the guy on the other side of the world,
love him anyway because he's just like you. He has the Frank
same dreams, the same hopes and fears. It's one world, pal Sinatra
06 VISAKHAPATNAM, SUNDAY 02 04 2023

� � THE NEW SUNDAY EXPRESS
INDIAN ECONOMY WEAK DIPLOMATS SABOTAGING VISHWA GURU PUSH

IN ‘BRIGHT SPOT’ and the UK thrice in nine years. The ad- before the 2024 elections, the PMO and Sandhu (who is on extension), is an old
AMID TOUGH TASKS

vance parties of officials and BJP lead- HMO are fuming over secessionists pull- America hand, having spent around 11
ers have already landed in these coun- ing down the tricolour from the High years in the US before becoming the
tries even as the MEA and the PMO Commission building in London. It is envoy in January 2020. Even he has
carefully draw up his schedule. Spoiling perhaps the first time Indian flags have failed to counter and neutralise Kha-
T
the party are warnings of separatist dis- been pulled down by a hostile crowd listani sentiments by leveraging his in-
HE reports from almost all the international financial insti- ruptions to a projected vishwa guru’s anywhere in the world. Local leaders of fluence on Modi’s rich and successful
tutions (such as IMF and World Bank) suggest India is a vishwa yatra. Indian origin in the UK feel that out- Indian admirers; the PM has always re-
‘bright spot’ in the troubled global economy. With a GDP POWER & POLITICS Khalistani vandals have thrown a reach initiatives by the High Commis- ceived rousing welcomes on all his
growth of 7 per cent in 2022-23 and a prediction of over 6 per PRABHU CHAWLA spanner in the works of Indian intelli- sion to connect Sikhs and Hindus are American visits.
cent growth in 2023-24, India will continue to be labelled as a prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com gence capabilities. Violent demonstra- below par. The current envoy Vikram It is not enough for a leader and his
fast-growing large economy globally. With the inflation being just Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla tions in front of Indian missions and Doraiswami is known more for his so- country to be adored at home to become
a tad higher than the targeted level of 6 per cent and relative stabil- Hindu temples in various Australian cial skills among London’s elite than for a global Goliath. The quality of diplo-
ity on the external account and in the financial markets, India’s cities have blotted their copy book while promoting bonding with Indian commu- mats a government deploys determines
F
recovery post-Covid appears to be complete and sustainable with the local government is unable to pun- nities. An expert in Mandarin, he has the quantity of its success overseas.
no side effects of stimulus policies adopted during the Covid pan- OR India’s popular peregrina- ish separatists on its soil who desecrat- been enjoying plum postings irrespec- Currently, there are about 900 IFS offic-
demic. To understand this, one must look at the advanced econo- tor Prime Minister Narendra ed Indian shrines. Khalistan supporters tive of the party in power: 15 assign- ers posted in 193 Indian missions and
mies’ experiences and what happened in India during the post-2008 Modi, the world is his oyster, in the US tried to set the Indian consu- ments in 30 years. His last stint was a South Block. Many heads of sensitive
crisis. and the External Affairs Minis- late in San Francisco on fire; they’ve short spell as Indian High Commission- missions have been picked up more for
Further, one must understand what India did differently now try is the sous chef. But of late, threatened to or- er to Bangladesh their loyalty than for the quality of their
compared to the post-2008 crisis and what advanced countries have his foes are cooking up a storm ganise more pro- when relations be- diplomatic skills. Barring Natwar Singh
done during Covid. on Western streets. Khalistani test rallies across tween the two na- who lost his job for a bit of undiplomatic
As some of us argued, India’s re- provocateurs are targeting India’s glo- the USA. In Cana- tions were uncom- adventurism, MEA has always had an
sponse to Covid and post-Covid recov- bal clout powered by Modi, the darling da, Indian diplo- fo r t abl e ; p r i m e experienced politician at the helm who
ery was never to be inflationary as of world leaders, as attested by mam- mats, including the minister Sheikh understood the politics of diplomacy.
most of the measures were taken on moth diaspora crowds to greet him at High Commission- Hasina left him Modi handpicked a retired IFS officer
the supply side. However, there were every airport, town hall and public rally. e r, c a n’ t m ove hanging for months lacking political credentials as India’s
a few demand-side measures as well. As the PM prepares for his third politi- around freely, fear- before granting an External Affairs Minister. Unfortunate-
During the post-2008 crisis, it was cal battle at home, he is expected to trav- ing harm to their audience. Indians ly, S Jaishankar comes across as an ar-
largely demand-side measures, and el abroad to consolidate his influence. person. Intelli- settled in Australia rogant diplomatic genius specialising
with supply response not being ade- Japan, Papua New Guinea and Austral- gence reports say have similar griev- in undiplomatic offensiveness. It is on
OPINION quate, India has experienced double- ia in May are on the bucket list. On May Khalistanis will ances against their his almost five year uninterrupted
DR N R BHANUMURTHY digit inflation for over two calendar 20, he lands in Hiroshima for the G7 hold huge protests diplomats. Accord- watch as India’s diplomatic goalie when
Vice Chancellor years. The inflation that India has ex- summit—his fifth, to be followed by during Modi’s visit ing to leading Indi- Indian diplomacy has scored the most
Dr BR Ambedkar School of perienced recently and subsequent Quad from May 23 to 24 in Sydney. On to Australia and ans who regularly self-goals and failed to check extremist
Economics University, Bengaluru. interest rate hikes are not entirely the heels of his Down Under tour is the the USA. Undeterred, the establishment interact with the mission, High Com- effervescence. While Modi keeps India’s
nrbmurthy@gmail.com due to domestic policies. Instead, it is official bilateral visit to America in has decided to mobilise the Sangh Pari- missioner Manpreet Vohra, who took standard flying abroad, Indian missions
due to open-economic macro issues June, just before President Biden enters var and other nationalist elements charge in April 2021, doesn’t have the in sensitive nations are flying their in-
such as exchange rate depreciation, election mode. Since Modi won’t be able abroad, including Sikhs, by organising necessary experience to deal with eth- dividual flags of competence at half
an increase in world oil and other commodity prices, and sharp to travel abroad after the G20 delibera- massive welcome gatherings for the nic conflicts and local civil society mast. Celebration and facilitation of the
hikes in US interest rates. tions in India end, his team plans to use prime minister. The PMO and the Home groups. In 25 years in service, he hasn’t Modi Mantra cannot be the double en-
In contrast to India’s response, the advanced economies contin- his diplomatic air miles to reaffirm his Ministry are baffled by the sudden spurt been posted in any country with a large gines of India’s foreign policy unless
ued to follow textbookish policy response to Covid wherein large identity overseas. Besides the usual of- in anti India activities. Their primary concentration of Sikhs and PIOs. Hence diplomacy acquires the political vision
interventions are on the demand side, leading to very high infla- ficial huddles, dinners and lunches, his concern is the failure of the agencies it was left to Prime Minister Modi to and will to vanquish its domestic ene-
tion that these economies have never experienced in the last four team is exploring the possibility of or- and the local missions to anticipate an- deal with the Australian PM directly. mies abroad. If diplomacy is war by
decades. ganising massive public rallies like in archy, take preventive measures and The PMO is hopping mad at the arson other means, as Clausewitz said, India
In contrast, India had a pragmatic policy with the lessons learnt the past. As of March 2023, Modi has alert the Centre to mount pressure on attempt in LA. America has been for is already at war with extremism in
from the 2008 crisis behind us. The outcomes of textbookish poli- made 69 foreign visits covering all the the hosts. The conduct of Indian High long the safe abode of Khalistan extrem- which the idea of New India, the prime
cies adopted in advanced countries such as the USA are quite Earth’s continents. He has flown over Commissioners in Australia, Britain ists. But the style and ferocity of their minister and his legacy are the targets.
scary, with the probability of mild recession or deep slowdown half a million miles to around 80 coun- and Australia in curating a pro-India lo- protests have led the government to re- The battle is just beginning. Indian mis-
appearing to be strong and some countries even facing stagflation- tries. He has visited America seven cal environment is under scrutiny. view the role of Indian diplomats. Our sions must have a mission, not zero vi-
ary conditions. times, Japan six, China five, Russia four Though Modi is unlikely to visit Britain ambassador to Washington, Taranjit sion, with eyes closed.
Regarding financial stability, recent developments in the US and
Eurozone banking industry suggest that instability between real
GDP growth and inflation appears to affect the balance sheets of
the banking and financial sector. And these developments are still
playing out, though they may not and should not become a conta-
gion. The effects of these developments in the global banking sec-
tor on India were found to be extremely minimum despite the very
strong linkages that domestic markets have with US and Euro mar-
THE MAN WHO KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF GOD
kets. This suggests the strength of the resilience of the Indian main force behind the Temple Entry KPCC chose K Kelappan, a Travancore- ously as the lower castes’ support was
economy from both domestic as well as external shocks. One Movement. He gave a speech in the Sri based Malabar Nair, as the convener of tilting towards the ‘good’ governance of
former CEA said very recently, ‘to avoid economic meltdown, the Moolam Praja Sabha in 1904 when only the Anti-Untouchability Committee. the British in areas like Anjengo and
US should follow India’s COVID economic model’. Similar state- 17 about the atrocities of untouchability. The timing of the resolution was cru- Malabar. The lower castes did not find
ments were made during the 2008 crisis as well. But one needs to He was the first to raise the issue of tem- cial as Kerala could join the pan-Indian the racial discrimination of the British
be vigilant. ple entry in the public domain through movement against caste atrocities and any different from the prevalent caste
Can India grow at 6 to 6.5 per cent in the current year, as pre- the editorial of Deshabhimani in 1917. the quest for caste identity like the “Ad- segregation. Congress took this oppor-
dicted by the Government? This question has been raised espe- Through his efforts, the SNDP Yogam [a Dharm movement in Punjab; the move- tunity to gather the support of the lower
cially in the context of recent global developments that forced the A COUNTRY OF MANY GODS socio-religious movement initiated by ment under Ambedkar in Maharashtra; castes in Kerala and bring them into the
RBI to keep hiking interest rates. Till now, RBI hiked interest rates DR JAYARAM PODUVAL Sri Narayana Guru], in its annual meet- the Nama-Sudra movement in Bengal; nationalist movement, which till then
by 250 basis points. And there are concerns that further hikes Department of Art History& Aesthetics ing held in May 1920, resolved that “All the Adi-Dravida movement in Tamil was considered an upper-caste struggle
could hamper growth much more than bringing down inflation. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda public temples belonging to the Govern- Nadu; the Adi-Andhra movement in for power. “The rebellion against the ide-
In our view, RBI may try to target an inflation rate between 5 to 6 (jpoduval@gmail.com) ment should be open to all Hindus re- Andhra; the Adi-Karnataka movement; ology of old Kerala society gained legiti-
per cent and that should address growth concerns. gardless of Caste”. He also successfully the Adi-Hindu movement centered macy from the adoption by the Indian
One risk that is building up in India is the risk of slowing agri- linked the issue of untouchability with around Kanpur. More than a caste- National Congress of M K Gandhi’s pro-
M
cultural growth. As some of us raised concerns as early as Febru- that of the national movement for free- based agitation, the Temple Entry grams of social reform”, observes
ary this year, agricultural growth could be subdued for some rea- ARCH 30 this year initiates the dom and equality. Robin Jeffrey.
sons. First, the El Nino effect, the probability of which is increasing centenary of Vaikom Satyag- Madhavan met Mahatma Gandhi at The Vaikom Satyagraha movement of
day by day with heat waves across the country, could hamper the raha which had a long-lasting Tirunelveli in 1921 and informed him 1924-25 started on March 30, 1924 with ac-
sowing this year. Some governments have already cautioned farm- impact on Kerala’s socio-polit- about the disabilities of the Izhava com- tive support nationwide. The Akalis of-
ers to delay sowing. ical scenario. Many are respon- munity, sought his advice on the pro- fered langar for the Satyagrahis. The
Second, with three straight years of good agricultural produc- sible for the success of the tem- posed temple entry movement and the More than a caste-based agitation, the Malayali diaspora living in Malaya and
tion, it is also natural to experience a decline in marginal output. ple entry movement, which support of the Congress party. Robin Temple Entry Movement shaped into a Singapore offered monetary support.
And more than this, it is possible to see a decline in all three factors envisioned a radical change in social, Jeffrey quotes about the interview de- The Savarnas, too, joined the struggle by
of production. Due to the complete reopening of contact-intensive religious, political and cultural realms. tails thus, “I would ask you,” Gandhi
nationalist movement for civil rights organising savarnajathas [rallies] and
sectors, the labour force is expected to migrate from urban to rural The caste system, the foundation of Ker- began, “to drop temple entry now and boycotting temples. National leaders,
areas. The area under cultivation that increased sharply in the ala’s social structure before the 20th cen- begin with public wells. Then you may radical thinkers and social reformers
post-Covid period may decline. And with the demand for credit tury, started shaking as soon as the cen- go to public schools.” Madhavan quick- Movement shaped into a nationalist like Mahatma Gandhi, E V Ramasvami
reviving across the non-food sectors, its availability will be limited. tury began. Educational augmentation ly corrected him: “You seem to mistake movement for civil rights. It was a stra- Naikar [Periyar] and Sri Narayana Guru
Hence, with land, labour, and capital expected to decline, it is only of the distressed classes through secular our position in society for something tegically taken decision by leaders like came to Vaikom to support the Satyag-
natural that output may fall. This could have some risks on food establishments the colonial institutions analogous to that of the untouchables TK Madhavan, who explained, “I think raha. The Vaikom Satyagraha also trig-
inflation in the coming quarters. instituted and the works of social, reli- in British India. Except for half a dozen it is a common perception that the Tem- gered similar satyagrahas in Malabar
Another concern is exports, which are largely a function of ex- gious and political activists and reform- schools… all public schools in the state ple Entry Right and the movement is and Kochi regions, in Guruvayur and
ternal demand. ers gave a new direction to progressive are open to us.” Gandhi replied: “You solely for the right of avarnas to enter Paliyam.
As external demand could be subdued due to slowing economies, thinking. However, temples stood as the are ripe for temple entry then.” Gandhi the temple and worship God. Indeed, The success of the movement came
the risk of slowing export growth appears real. But what is riskier relics of the old system sustaining the added that the Kerala Provincial Con- earning would be part of the Temple after a decade when the Maharaja of
is the slowing of imports growth. Some have already started cheer- caste system in the guise of retaining gress Committee [KPCC] should take Entry Right, but that is not the prime Travancore ordered the opening of the
ing about the narrowing current account deficit. But, for a growing tradition. Unlike other structures, tem- up the issue. Soon Madhavan returned and only goal of the Temple Entry Right temples under the public administration
economy like ours, narrowing CAD sharply is not always credit- ples architecturally defined the caste to Gandhi with KP Kesava Menon, Sec- or the movement. Temple Entry Right for all Hindus, regardless of caste,
positive. Rather, it could be an early warning for subdued demand system. Social activists like TK Madha- retary of the Travancore Congress is the ethical right with religious and through the historic Temple Entry Proc-
conditions in the economy in the coming quarters. While the econ- van understood the importance of Committee, at the Kakinada Congress political facets”. lamation in 1936, six years after the pass-
omy appears to be going strong, the domestic policy needs to focus breaking this last bastion of caste soci- Session in 1923. The session passed a The Indian National Congress, leading away of TK Madhavan, the visionary
on emerging risks and challenges. ety in each village of Kerala. resolution inaugurating a national ing the freedom movement, had to ad- of social equity and the man who
(Views are personal) TK Madhavan can be considered the campaign against untouchability. The dress the issue of untouchability seri- knocked on the doors of God.
given for genuine cause, but only a lavish black government to affix the label ‘Dahi’ on curd pack- Although the verdict of Lokayukta is legally bind-
money holder can afford to be so brazen! The EC ets in TN. While TN at the highest levels accepts ing on the government as per the act of 1999, the
Like many supporters of Israel I’m concerned that has to step up its vigil and deal with the offenders that the North Indian workers are welcome to proposed ordinance would do away with it. So, any
PM degree mercilessly and impartially. work here, is it not a courtesy to fix a Hindi label decision of Lokayukta wouldn’t have any value. It
they get this straight. And I’ve sort of made that
Gujarat HC did the right thing in quashing the order Geetha B K, Mangaluru on curd packets sold here, which these workers is high time such teethless bodies are dissolved to
clear. Hopefully the PM will act in a way that he of the CIC to provide educational details of Prime can read? I remember another incident when in save public money.
can try to work out some genuine compromise, but Minister to Delhi CM (Apr 1). Modi proved his worth Costly snacks their zeal to protect the native tongue, names of Dr M Haneef, Kottayam
that remains to be seen. to the nation by ably administering Gujarat as CM This refers to the petition of A. S. Shanmugam, in towns such as Maraimalai Nagar written on mile-
for more than 12 years and now as the country’s PM the Madras High Court, alleging malpractices by stones in Hindi were covered using black paint! Kejriwal intention
Joe Biden, President of the United States
for almost 9 years with a commanding majority in TNCA in selling drinking water and snacks at an This small gesture of a town’s name written using Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been mov-
the 2nd term. There is absolutely no logic or justi- exhorbitant price during the matches at Chepauk. Hindi script can help a North Indian driver (driving heaven and earth to make it known to the
AI systems are becoming human-competitive... and we must ask: Should we fication in asking for the PM’s educational details Though the TNCA clarify that there is provision for ing thousands of miles) to deliver goods to us people that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does
develop minds that might outsmart, and replace us? Powerful AI systems by anyone at this stage. drinking water, we are not sure whether it is clean living here. not have good educational qualification. The in-
should come up only once we are confident that their effects will be positive N A Joseph, Ettumanoor and healthy. So is the case with the supply of S Srihari, Chennai tention of Kejriwal on the educational qualifica-
snacks and food. Ironically, the High Court, instead tion of Modi is prima facie mala fide. People are
and their risks will be manageable Money might of giving a clear verdict, has adjourned the hearing Lokayukta case least interested in the educational qualification of
Open letter by world’s top technologists and AI researchers It is frustrating that freebies/cash for votes culture by two weeks, by which time at least another two The verdict on the case filed in 2018 has come (Lo- Modi. But Kejriwal is sparing no effor ts
getting rampant in Karnataka is placing a question or three matches could have been played at the kayukta split, CMDRF case goes to full bench, TNIE to dent the image of Modi in the eyes of
We know that we are stronger when we stand together in solidarity with fellow mark over free and fair elections there (Editorial ground. April 1). There was no consensus on whether the people. What is the use of academic
‘Money muscles its way….’, Mar 31). The other day D N Mahadevan, Chennai Lokayukta was competent to investigate the deci- qualification if a tainted person is shielded by a
democracies. Taiwan cannot be isolated and we do not take friendship for K Shivakumar, Congress president, was caught on sions of the state cabinet. In such a situation one Chief Minister? The case in point is Manish
granted video showering currency notes on some people Dahi row fails to understand why the precious time and en- Sisodia.
Tsai Ing-wen, President of Taiwan while campaigning in Mandya. That could be money TNIE today has highlighted the objections of TN ergy are to be wasted by constituting a full bench. K V Seetharamaiah, Bengaluru
THE NEW SUNDAY EXPRESS

Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: Santwana Bhattacharya
Resident Editor (Andhra Pradesh): T Kalyan Chakravarthy* Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited, at 3rd Floor, D. No. 45-40-44/1, Abid Nagar, Akkayapalem, Visakhapatnam - 530 016. and printed by him at Sakshi Press, Survey No.86/10, Madhurawada Village, MCV Limits, Visakhapatnam – 530 041. Visakhapatnam:
Vol. 24, No. 14. RNI Reg. No. APENG/2000/03875. Postal Reg. No. VSP-121/2013-2015. Phone: 0891-2552910, Fax: 0891-2530303. *Responsible for selection of News under the PRB Act. Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited.
08 NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
APRIL 02, 2023
Reflections
{ THE BIG PICTURE }
A strategy to resurrect our

parliamentary discourse
tion of this unfortunate trend played out on MPs such as Bagri were overzealous and
The last few House sessions the national stage for most of March, when unreasonable at times. But they had reasons
were marred by noisy protests. members of the Treasury and Opposition for disrupting parliamentary proceedings. As
benches prevented Parliament from working Opposition legislators, they felt that their voi-
But the root of this crisis lies in the second half of the budget session. ces were not being heard in a House where
in the way the legislature was This deterioration in the functioning of the ruling Congress commanded a brute
our national legislature has been gradual. majority. The initial parliamentary response
imagined in the colonial era. The first Parliament in 1952 saw some sharp to their disruptive behaviour was that the
To resolve this logjam will exchanges, raised voices and walkouts. The Speaker asked them to withdraw from the
tenor of this disagreement increased slightly House. If that didn’t work, the House sus-
need structural changes in the in the second Lok Sabha. There was an pended the offending MPs from participating
instance of the deputy speaker suspending a in its proceedings. The suspension meant
rules of agenda setting and Member of Parliament (MP), obstructing the they could not participate in deliberations in
more dedicated time for functioning of the House. The errant mem- the legislative chamber. And Parliament sec-
ber refused to leave the legislative chamber retariat also removed any questions they
debate. Only this can help and had to be physically carried out asked from the list to be answered
Parliament achieve its true by marshals. Other than this iso- by the government. Both Houses could decide the number of days on which Opposition parties could set the agenda for debate. It would give the Opposition
lated incident, whenever the presid- But the practice of disciplining dedicated time to hold the government accountable on subjects they feel the government is reluctant to debate. The government would
deliberative potential ing officer asked an obstructing MP disrupting MPs by suspending them also have the opportunity to check the Opposition’s sincerity in having a debate and putting forth its stance on contentious issues PTI
to withdraw from the House, they did not solve the problem of disrup-
I
n 1926, while writing in the Asiatic complied, and the debate contin- tions for the third and subsequent ited space for discussion by Opposition MPs ture needs to change its rules. One simple Rajya Sabha could decide the number of days
Review journal, parliamentary reporter ued. But from 1962, disruption Lok Sabhas. It was because punish- on other issues. The net effect was that one would be to give dedicated time to Oppo- on which Opposition parties could set the
Edwin Haward compared the proceed- became a regular affair in the third Chakshu ing legislators did not address the Indian legislators in the Central Assembly sition parties to debate a particular topic in agenda for debate in the respective House. It
ings of the House of Commons in Lon- Lok Sabha. Roy underlying reason for their behav- enjoyed limited – and sometimes symbolic – Parliament. For example, in the House of would give the Opposition dedicated time to
don with the Central Legislative In its first session, Lok Sabha sus- iour. And this was the shrinking opportunities to hold the government to Commons, Opposition parties get 20 days in hold the government accountable on sub-
Assembly in Delhi, and decided in pended Mani Ram Bagri, an Oppo- space in Parliament for Opposition account. a parliamentary session when they deter- jects they feel the government is reluctant to
favour of the latter. sition MP, for seven days for obstructing pro- MPs to raise issues uncomfortable to the gov- When India became Independent, our mine the agenda of parliamentary discus- debate. The government would also have the
“The most striking difference between the ceedings. Bagri, an active participant in ernment. This issue is at the root of disrup- Constitution framers modelled our legisla- sion. In 2022, 36 separate subjects of debate opportunity to check the Opposition’s sincer-
two Houses is in the mildness found in Delhi. House proceedings, would go on to disrupt tions even today. tive framework on the pre-Independent Brit- were taken up during these Opposition days. ity in having a debate and putting forth its
The visitor to the House of Commons is, I the President’s address the next year – an When legislatures started in pre-Inde- ish model. They tilted the balance in favour In January this year, on an Opposition day, stance on contentious issues rather than dis-
think, struck by the forcible way in which unprecedented feat at that time. During this pendent India, they constituted inbuilt of the executive by giving it the power to con- the Commons debated the issue of non-dom- rupting. Measures such as this could ensure
that body readily expresses itself at any given first five-year term in the Lok Sabha, he majorities for the British, and this position vene Parliament. Their idea was that the gov- icile tax status. It was an issue that gained that Parliament becomes an area for discus-
moment … There is seldom anything would get suspended for over 30 days. The continued till the Montague Chelmsford ernment would call a session of Parliament public and political prominence because sion for issues that are a priority for both the
approaching that in the Assembly [in Delhi]. presiding officer would also ask him to with- reforms of 1919. These reforms increased the when it had some business to transact. Fol- British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spouse government and the Opposition. A structural
Indeed, one is tempted to believe that most draw from the House multiple times. representation of Indians in the national leg- lowing this logic, the rules of procedure of had claimed such a status, allowing her to reimagination of the national legislature will
members would rather go without their food But Bagri was not alone; the lower House islature. But that did not mean that these Independent India’s Parliament also contin- save on taxes. help it make a sincere effort in avoiding dis-
than say an angry word,” he wrote. also suspended stalwart MPs such as Ram Indian members could keep the unelected ued to prioritise government business. As a There is already precedence in the rules of ruptions and achieve its true deliberative
Things have certainly changed since then, Manohar Lohia and Madhu Limaye. And British government in check. To avoid legis- result, the structural space for Opposition procedure of both Houses for something potential, befitting the world’s largest
and how. The shouting of slogans has towards the end of the third Lok Sabha, the lative scrutiny, the Governor General would legislators to hold the government to account similar. For example, in a parliamentary democracy.
replaced the mildness. And in the last dec- House suspended eight members in its convene the Central Assembly infrequently. roughly remained the same in pre- and post- week, every Friday post-lunch, two-and-a-
ade, choreographed disruption rather than penultimate session. It was the first signifi- And since the government was not answera- Independent India. half hours are reserved for individual MPs to Chakshu Roy is the head of legislative and
thoughtful debate has dominated our parlia- cant instance of penalising multiple MPs for ble to the people, the legislature’s rules prior- So, if we want to solve the problem of par- discuss their legislative proposals and other civic engagement, PRS Legislative Research
mentary proceedings. The latest manifesta- disrupting House proceedings. itised the government’s business. It left lim- liamentary disruption, our national legisla- national issues. Similarly, Lok Sabha and The views expressed are personal
{ SUNDAY SENTIMENTS } time. Indeed, you could even argue it question, Gandhi attacked the reporter. { ENGENDER }
diminishes Indian democracy because a “Why are you working for the BJP so
Karan Thapar viewpoint that would otherwise have directly… have you been given orders… if Lalita Panicker
been articulated in the Lok Sabha will you want to work for the BJP, then bring
now not be heard. a BJP flag… a symbol… and put it on your
The politician who does

In 2013, Gandhi only saw the ordi-
nance as a crude and, even, unethical
attempt to protect Lalu Prasad Yadav. He
was unable — or unwilling — to see
chest... then I will answer you in the
same way that I answer them. Don’t pre-
tend to be a pressman.”
If this embarrassing loss of sangfroid
Within the natal family,
not know how to say sorry greater merit in it. Perhaps his vision
was conditioned by the popular uproar
against the ordinance. Now, his own
wasn’t bad enough, Gandhi went on to
gloat. As the next question was asked, he
audibly added “hawa nikal gayi (you’ve
the real threat of violence
plight has revealed how horribly wrong been deflated).” The smug grin on his iolence against women comes in psychological trauma. Fifteen out of 20
I
find the quirks and ironies of fate
fascinating. When you least expect
events to contradict you and, indeed,
show you up, they do. Colloquially,
it’s called Sod’s Law. In the hands of a
up an ordinance passed by Dr Singh’s
government calling it “complete non-
sense”. The irony is that if the ordinance
had survived, it could have prevented
Gandhi’s disqualification from Parlia-
he was.
Worse, he deliberately humiliated the
then prime minister by publicly display-
ing his criticism. “It should be torn up
and thrown out.” That was a nail ham-
face only made the moment worse.
What Gandhi said was indefensible. I
doubt anyone would disagree. Yet, will
he apologise? This is not a rhetorical
question. It’s a measure of Gandhi’s per-
V many forms and from various
sources. One that is not highlighted
enough is the violence they face
from their birth family or natal kin — par-
ents, siblings or close relatives. New Delhi-
women in the study faced physical and ver-
bal violence that included being slapped.
Three women reported physical abuse
while one was threatened with forced mar-
riage. In terms of the identity of the person
playwright like Shakespeare, it trans- ment. This is because the ordinance leg- mered by a Brutus. It damaged and sonality and moral character. To be hon- based non-governmental organisation who caused harm, in 60% of the cases, it
forms into the hubris his great tragedies islated that “if an appeal or an applica- weakened Dr Singh. That’s why Rahul est, it’s a test of what sort of man he is. (NGO) Shakti Shalini recently brought out was both male and female relatives.
are constructed upon. Either way, it’s a tion for revision is filed… within a period Gandhi owes him a full and public apol- A wise politician with a conscience an incisive report, UnKahi- the Unspoken, In most cases where the violence was
moment that reveals us as “the play- of ninety days from the date of convic- ogy. would. And the apology would enhance documenting the rise of violence against perpetuated by female members of the fam-
things of the Gods”. tion”, the disqualification that immedi- The second apology — if it happens — Gandhi’s stature and our respect for him. women from natal families during the pan- ily, the women were also tasked with gate-
That’s what happened to Rahul Gan- ately follows a Member of Parliament’s will reveal what sort of person Gandhi is. But he’s already foolishly boasted “Gan- demic. keeping gendered and patriarchal values
dhi last week. Speaking grandiosely, if conviction with a sentence of at least two It’s a test of his character, even his moral dhis never apologise to anyone”. If that Normally, the natal family is the one a and norms. Under the influence of patriar-
not pompously, he declared at a press years will be held in abeyance. integrity. It’s, therefore, both more diffi- remains his stand, even when an apology woman turns to for help, but during the chy and its false consciousness, these
conference, “My name is Gandhi and What Gandhi didn’t realise in 2013 — cult to make, but also more necessary. is necessary and due, his braggadocio pandemic, staying at home did not always female gatekeepers too were controlled by
Gandhis never apologise to anyone.” but, presumably, cannot forget today — At the March 25 press conference, will become an indictment. He’ll become mean staying safe for many women. A the values of their male gatekeepers who
Unfortunately, he said this just as it was is that even if a court eventually stays his Gandhi was arrogant and rude to a the politician who doesn’t know how to woman complaining about violence from a called the shots about “right” and “wrong”.
becoming clear he owed two people an conviction, he will have missed several young journalist who asked for his opin- say sorry. partner is more easily believable than one Tanmoyee Bhattacharjee, researcher,
apology. A fairly explicit one. And cer- weeks of a sitting Parliament. That’s not ion of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s who makes such allegations against her Shakti Shalini, says, “One of our research
tainly made in public. just a personal loss. More importantly, it allegation that he insulted the Other Karan Thapar is the author of family, conditioned as we are to the concept participants described how the fact that her
The first apology is owed to Dr Man- means his constituents in Wayanad will Backward Classes (OBC) community. Devil’s Advocate: The Untold Story that elders and immediate kin offer protec- own parents were abusing her left her feel-
mohan Singh. In 2013, Rahul Gandhi tore have been unrepresented during that Instead of answering a perfectly justified The views expressed are personal tion and physical and emotional safety. So, ing so confused about whether anyone
to name and shame them is not easy. would understand her situation even if she
Shakti Shalini’s study was based on sought help. This is because domestic vio-
women who approached the NGO for help lence is frequently perceived as something
How to bridge India’s

during the pandemic and encompassed that only affects married women and
those between 18 and 27 years, with 65% of occurs in their marital homes.”
them belonging to the 22-27 age group. A What can be done? One would have to
majority of these women belong to the institute long-term sensitisation interven-
gender gap in STEM working and lower middle classes.

Media reports during the pandemic
highlighted the increase in the incidence of
marital violence, but single women living
tions with girls and boys in schools and col-
leges for perspective building. The concept
that violence even at the hands of close fam-
ily is unacceptable must be normalised.
he gender gap in science, technol- demic background, she must feel free to with their natal families had similar experi- There have to be campaigns to help build
T ogy, engineering and mathematics articulate her interest in STEM fields, to

(STEM) fields is an area of concern. believe she deserves financial support for
STEM institutions worldwide use extra classes, free time to study, and the
multiple choice question (MCQ)-based liberty to travel to tuitions. For her to be
tests as the first or only step for admis- confident in her exam answers, she needs
ences. Bharti Sharma, honorary secretary,
Shakti Shalini, says, “Natal family violence
is a phenomenon which is structurally
based in our society and, therefore, needs a
structural approach. Though our society
young women’s awareness and agency
regarding their rights. Psycho-social sup-
port and mental health and counselling for
girls and young women should be provided
wherever possible. There must be exclusive
sions, but young women fare dispropor- an environment free from persistent lays a claim on the integrity of ‘family as a spaces in communities where women can
tionately less well than men in these tests. advice from people on what she should do cohesive unit’, it equally needs to be talk without fear about natal family vio-
For example, in the 2021 Indian Institute of and how she should do it: Sit (legs crossed), accepted that the family is as much an envi- lence. And, of course, there has to be a
Technology Joint Entrance Examination laugh (not open-mouthed), be out of the ronment of abuse of its vulnerable mem- much greater focus in the media on this
(IIT-JEE), women comprised 23% of the house (not too late), choose subjects (that bers, especially girls and women.” insidious form of violence against women.
applicants, but only 11% of the candidates are “better” for girls), get married and have The women spoke of abusive and coer-
who qualified. Scholars Hirsh- children (by a “certain age”). cive behaviour from their natal families and lalita.panicker@hindustantimes.com
field, Moore, Brown (1995) pro- Interactions with peers are While we applaud successful women and express concern that there aren’t more of all of them reported emotional abuse and The views expressed are personal
posed that this may be due to a also gendered. Girls can’t “appear them, we must also invest in policies to counterbalance the conflicting messages our
“confidence gap” in females and
males, ie the confidence to decide
what to guess. Supporting this
too smart”. There’s a narrow
range of acceptable social traits a
girl can display to be perceived as
culture imposes on girls. We must encourage them to claim the freedom to dream MINT
For example, frequent interruptions when cation of the burning need to have such
A
l
idea, girls perform better than likeable, and these traits — not they speak up, being asked to “calm down” spaces for women to learn, grow, and { SUNDAY LETTERS }
boys in the non-MCQ Class 12
Shubha how capable or talented she may when they are being assertive, or the thrive. If schools and colleges are man-
examinations (Singh and Pathak, Tole be — often govern her social posi- expectation that they will accept jobs in dated to offer such programmes suitably
2010). tion. Deepa Narayan’s book, support positions because their husband tuned to different levels, we could have Embrace criticism No silver bullet in the climate battle
Changing the MCQ exam for- Chup: Breaking the Silence About has a “good position already”. The contin- entire cadres of women who needed only This refers to Karan This refers to Mark Tully’s Green hydrogen holds great
mat is one way to address this gap. More India’s Women, underscores how girls are ued disproportionate attrition right from a small opening to allow their talents and Thapar’s On criticism, promise for India (March 26). Green hydrogen, while
equitable access to quality education and socialised to undervalue themselves in entrance exams through subsequent pro- ambitions to manifest into successful important advice from PM promising, is not a silver bullet for the climate crisis.
extra coaching that a typical student ways that boys are not. The combined fessional milestones, called “the leaky careers. Modi (March 26). This Without systemic global changes, reductions in energy
undergoes, is another. Even as we work effect of unwarranted advice is that many pipeline”, has its roots in the early pro- While we applaud successful women piece highlights the role consumption, and policy shifts taking the Global South
towards these, the skewed MCQ exam per- girls feel worthy only if they fit a certain set gramming young girls receive. and express concern that there aren’t more of constructive criticism into consideration, we will not be able to win this fight.
formance should motivate us to reflect on of parameters — such as flexible ambitions Can this be reversed? Indeed it can, of them, we must also invest in policies to in improving politics and Archana V, via email
how social and cultural mores undermine that may be compromised when needed through special initiatives such as Tata counterbalance the conflicting messages how failure to accept
a young woman’s confidence at every turn, depending on their future in-laws or Institute of Fundamental Research’s Vig- our culture imposes on its girls. We must criticism can damage
starting from when she learns that “things spouse. While young boys, too, face socie- yan Vidushi summer programmes in phys- encourage them to claim the freedom to democracy. Leaders A convenient distraction in Karnataka
are different because she’s a girl”. tal expectations — that they must be ics, mathematics, and computer sciences, dream. should embrace criticism This refers to Why Tipu’s diverse legacy echoes in
Interactions with parents, family, neigh- breadwinners — they are not shackled aimed at women students halfway through and respond to it with Karnataka today (March 26). Tipu Sultan’s periodic
bours, teachers, friends, and the larger with the relentless advice that limits girls their master’s degree. Spanning three Shubha Tole is a neuroscientist and the dean of grace. It’s time for the resurrection in politics is due to lack of imagination in
society impact how high a girl will aim in from having ambitions. weeks, the initiative offers subject-specific Graduate Studies at the Tata Institute of BJP to take its own governance and a convenient distraction from electoral
her career. If one word were to encapsu- For women who do make it through IIT content classes, inspiring career path pre- Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India. She leader’s advice. choices. Politics must move forwards, not backwards.
late the difference between boys and girls exams or into PhD programmes, these sentations, mentoring sessions, and work- chaired the Women in Science committee of the Rashmi D, via email Harish Sharma, via email
in these interactions, it is: Freedom. For an early inequities morph into daily micro-ag- shops by top-notch women scientists. The Indian Academy of Sciences from 2018-2022
IIT aspirant to acquire the necessary aca- gressions that professional women face. tremendously positive feedback is an indi- The views expressed are personal Write to us at: letters@hindustantimes.com
R. N. I. No. DELENG/2002/07317 ● Postal Reg. No. DL(ND)-11/6059/2018-19-20 ‘Licensed to post without prepayment’ LICENCE No. U(C)-249/2012-14 AIR SURCHARGE: Raipur and beyond by Rail or Road - Re 5/-, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Khajuraho, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 10/
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THE HINDU
12 Sunday, April 2, 2023
SCIENCE
Delhi
Novel catalyst offers to make hydrogen more viable as fuel SNAPSHOTS
쑽
P. Sunderarajan — to split it into its consti rous carbon material con selves, encouraging nearby potential: the difference Dr. Halder also said the

tuent atoms using electrici taining nitrogen that func carbon atoms to bond with between the voltage at production process in
Researchers at the Indian ty — consumes a lot of tions both as a catalyst and atoms or molecules con which the OER takes place creases the surface area
Institute of Technology energy. The traditional so as the anode in electrolys taining electron pairs. So, in reality and the mini laser carbon present to ca
(IIT), Mandi, have deve lution is to use a catalyst to ers, and could substitute the location of these atoms mum voltage at which it talyse the reaction.
loped a novel carbon induce the water mole the metalbased catalysts. became active sites for the can take place. Lowering While the researchers
based catalyst to make wa cules to split at a lower The researchers pro oxygen evolution reaction the overpotential allows also said that the material’s
ter electrolysis more effi energy. Common catalysts duced this material, called (OER). OER to proceed vigorously. catalytic activity is inferior
cient, as well as being more are based on iridium and ‘laser carbon’, by exposing The OER is a stumbling According to Dr. Shar to that of metalbased cata
stable and affordable than ruthenium, which are ex a sheet of a polyimide po block in electrolysis be ma, laser carbon is cheap lysts, it can be improved
other catalysts that per pensive and in great de lymer to a laser beam, car cause it has many interme er to produce, simpler to “in the fabrication process
form the same function. mand in other sectors. bonising the exposed bits diate steps and proceeds synthesise, and “can be and use of other
The findings were pu In the new study, re and leaving the remainder slower than the rest of the batchmanufactured with a polymers”.
blished in the journal Car
bon Trends in October
search groups of Assistant
Professor Swati Sharma
rich in nitrogen.
In an electrolyser, the
reaction cycle, thus reduc
ing the energy efficiency.
laser” in an environmen
tally friendly process, un
(Sunderarajan Padmanab
han is a Delhibased free
Indigenous cultures adopted
2022. and Associate Professor nitrogen atoms drew elec Laser carbon intervenes like other carbonbased lance science correspon horses of Spanish origin
The electrolysis of water Aditi Halder reported a po tron clouds towards them by reducing the OER over catalysts. dent)
Indigenous cultures of the American Great Plains
and northern Rockies had integrated domestic
horses of Spanish ancestry into their life ways
IACS’s novel compound treats

long before the arrival of European colonisers to
the region (Science). By integrating osteological,
genomic, isotopic, paleopathological and
radiocarbon evidence, Taylor et al. discovered
drug-resistant kala-azar infection that early domestic North American horses show

a genetic affinity to Spanish horse, indicating a
European origin and had spread throughout the
region far earlier than previously believed.
Current annual estimates of kalaazar are about 1,00,000, with more than 95% of cases reported to WHO
from India and other tropical countries
R. Prasad by infecting the mice with
both antimonyresistant
xperimental and antimonysensi
E work undertaken
in mice has
shown a novel
quinoline derivative to be
effective in sharply reduc
tive Leishmania donovani
parasites invivo and have
shown that our compound
has greater efficiency in
clearing the antimonyre
ing the load of Leishmania sistant parasites present in
donovani in both the the spleen, liver, and blood
spleen and liver of lab of infected mice.”
grown mice. The highlight
of the work carried out by
Prof. Das explains that
the novel inhibitor not only
Theropod dinosaur teeth
researchers at the Kolkata clears the parasite burden were hidden behind thin ‘lips’
based Indian Association from the infected mice but
for the Cultivation of also confers a host protec Contrary to more than a century of scientific and
Science (IACS) is the poten tive immune response. The popular depictions, the large teeth of
tial of the quinoline deriva latter effect is achieved by Tyrannosaurus rex and other toothy theropod
tives to treat drugresistant upregulating the Th1 cyto dinosaurs were likely completely covered by thin,
leishmaniasis, also called kines facilitating parasite scaly “lips” when the mouth was closed, a study
kalaazar (black fever). clearance. “The upregula says (Science). In contrast to their closest toothed
The work was published tion of the cytokines can crocodilian relatives, theropod teeth lacked any
recently in the Journal of be exploited for treating evidence of outer surface wear, indicating the
Medicinal Chemistry. drugresistant leishmania existence of extraoral tissues and oral secretions
sis,” he says. needed to keep them hydrated and protected
DNA architecture Prof. Das adds: “Our lab from exposure.
The quinoline derivative is oratory data brings new
a potent inhibitor of an en potential for clinical trials
zyme called topoisome of the quinoline derivative
rase 1 (LdTop1), which is estimates of kalaazar are DNA torsional strain, de thesised by Prof. Anil Ku in human hosts infected
essential for maintenance about 1,00,000, with more gradation of the DNA, and mar and his group from with drugresistant leish
of DNA architecture in the than 95% of cases reported ultimately parasitic cell the Department of Chemis maniasis in the rural en
parasites; this enzyme is to the World Health Organ death,” says Dr. Benu Brata try, Birla Institute of Tech demic areas without induc
distinct from the one ization (WHO) from India Das, Professor at the nology and Science, Pilani. ing cytotoxic side effects
found in humans. Poison and other tropical coun School of Biological Scienc In all, 21 derivatives were commonly seen with cur
ing of LdTop1 imparts a sig tries, most importantly co es, IACS, and the corres prepared and evaluated for rently available drugs.”
nificant level of cytotoxici infection with HIV, which ponding author of the pap their antileishmanial activ “Collectively, we pro
ty to both leads to an immunocom er. “The host human ity, and one of them was vide compelling evidence
the Leishmania parasites promised state. counterpart enzyme is not found to be effective. that the novel derivative is
found in gut of sandfly vec The four States endemic sensitive to the selected an The derivative was a promising antileishma
tors (promastigotes) as well for kalaazar in India are: tileishmanialquinoline de found to generate persis niasis drug candidate to
as the form found in the in Bihar (33 districts), Jhark rivatives, and is well toler tent and less reversible overcome the emerging
fected humans (amasti hand (4 districts), West ated in mice and DNA breaks compared cases of multidrug resis
gotes) of both the wild type Bengal (11 districts), and mammalian cell lines test with the camptothecin in tance and therapeutic fai
Intergalactic stream of cosmic
and the antimonyresistant Uttar Pradesh (six dis ed in our laboratory. This hibitor (discovered in lures,” they write. They carbon feeding massive galaxy
isolates without inducing tricts). The current treat promises minimal side ef 1966) even after the novel add that further studies are
any lethality to human and ment regimens against ka fects in patients.” inhibitor identified by the required to test if the novel Radio telescope observations have revealed a
mice host cells. laazar use formulations IACSled team was re derivative develops resis cold stream of intergalactic atomic carbon gas
Kalaazar is a vector that are toxic and induce Antileishmanial activity moved from the culture tance to antileishmaniasis feeding star formation in a massive radio galaxy
borne (sandfly) neglected high levels of The novel inhibitor target medium leading to en therapy by generating in the young Universe. The findings provide
tropical disease caused by drugresistance. ing the leishmania para hanced parasite killing. point mutations. Also, observational evidence supporting theoretical
the protozoan parasites of “Since the enzyme is es sites was identified by Srijita Paul Chowdhuri further studies are needed cosmological models and offer new insights into
the genus leishmania that sential for parasite replica screening them against re from IACS and the first to test the drugresistance the origins of the cosmic materials that enable
afflicts the world’s poorest tion and transcription combinant Leishmania to author of the paper says: potential prior to under galaxy and star formation. Galaxies evolve by
populations in over 90 from DNA to RNA, inhibi poisomerase 1 enzyme. “We have developed a taking clinical trials on hu accreting gas, either in mergers with other
countries. Current annual tion of its activity leads to The molecules were syn mouse model of kalaazar mans, they note. galaxies or from streams of cold molecular gas.
Marburg virus outbreak in two African countries
Bani Jolly with the bodily fluids of an in Equatorial Guinea has, so
Vinod Scaria fected patient or contaminat far, reported a total of 35 con
ed surfaces resulting in firmed cases and 27 deaths.
Early this year, Equatorial Gui outbreaks. The large geographic spread
Question Corner
nea and Tanzania reported Since its initial detection in of the infection in the country
outbreaks of Marburg virus
disease (MVD), the firstever
1967, several outbreaks of
Marburg virus have been de
and the unidentified epidemi
ological links between many Climate change
outbreak of the disease in tected between 1975 and of the reported cases suggest a
these countries. As the coun 2023, with African countries wider range of transmission of Will climate change nutrients around the
tries respond to the outbreaks being the most affected and the virus. result in slowing down globe. This influences
through contact tracing and often with high fatality rates Antarctic circulation? climate, sea level and the
restricting movement across up to 90%, depending on the Surveillance productivity of marine
affected regions, the World early access to quality care. As the affected countries con Antarctic circulation could ecosystems.
Health Organization (WHO) In recent years, and for the tinue to make efforts to con slow by more than 40% According to a release,
estimated the risk of spread of first time, isolated cases have Caution: There are no approved vaccines, antivirals or monoclonal tain the disease and another over the next three Matthew England, Deputy
the disease as “very high” been reported in Guinea and antibodies for Marburg virus yet. GETTY IMAGES country, Burundi, investigates decades, with significant Director of the ARC Centre
across both countries. Ghana in 2021 and 2022, a suspected outbreak of viral implications for the oceans for Excellence in Antarctic
The Marburg virus was first respectively. Marburg virus from Equato vent complications forms the haemorrhagic fever, surveil and climate. Such decline Science (ACEAS) at the
identified in 1967 during out rial Guinea was quickly made mainstay. However, the WHO lance of emerging viral diseas of the ocean circulation University of New South
breaks in Germany and Serbia New outbreaks available in public domain by aims to accelerate trials of es is crucial to help early de will stagnate the bottom of Wales, Sydney, says the
and is known to cause severe An outbreak of unknown hae researchers. The sequence some investigational vaccines. tection, monitoring the the oceans and generate modelling shows that if
and fatal viral haemorrhagic morrhagic fever linked to a shows high similarity with Case detection through con circulation and evolution, and further impacts, affecting global carbon emissions
fevers in humans. funeral ceremony was report Marburg virus genomes pre tact tracing, molecular diag develop effective diagnostics, climate and marine continue at the current
The virus is closely related ed from Equatorial Guinea on viously found in fruit bats, nosis and quarantine is cen prevention and control mea ecosystems for centuries to rate, then the Antarctic
to another deadly virus, Ebola February 7, 2023, which was suggesting a potential zoonot tral to managing the spread of sures. It is only natural that come. overturning will slow by
and is rated as a highrisk later confirmed as Marburg vi ic origin. the disease. the concept of One Health is Cold water that sinks near more than 40% in the next
pathogen by the WHO. Mar rus on February 13 by the While the two outbreaks increasingly taking Antarctica drives the 30 years — and on a
burg virus is transmitted to WHO. A month later, Tanza Is there a concern? have triggered a rapid res centrestage. deepest flow of the trajectory that looks
humans through contact with nia reported an outbreak of There are no approved vac ponse to control the spread, (The authors are researchers overturning circulation — a headed towards collapse.
infected animals such as fruit MVD on March 21, after the cines, antivirals or monoclo the outbreak in Equatorial at the CSIR Institute of Genom network of currents that
bats, and further humanto detection of eight suspected nal antibodies for Marburg vi Guinea has spread to multiple ics and Integrative Biology, spans the world’s oceans.
Readers may send their questions /
human transmission can oc cases, five of which were fatal. rus yet and supportive care to provinces and has even crept New Delhi. All opinions ex The overturning carries answers to
cur through direct contact The genome sequence of a manage symptoms and pre into a populous city, Bata. pressed are personal) heat, carbon, oxygen and questioncorner@thehindu.co.in
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Sunday, April 2, 2023 13
FAQ
Delhi
The moratorium Can countries be sued over climate change?

call on ChatGPT’s Why has the UN asked the International Court of Justice to give an ‘advisory opinion’ on whether already consented to by all countries, what will
successor countries have legal obligations to protect people from climate extremities? Which country
brought this issue to the UN? What happens next?
be watched closely is what it says about more
contentious issues such as climate reparations
by the developed world, legal culpability for
countries that don’t achieve their NDC promises,
Why are tech leaders calling for a pause and climate support to the most vulnerable
Suhasini Haidar India has resolution refers to several international parts of the world battling the effects of global
on developing more powerful artificial been protocols including the Paris Agreement (2015), warming. According to the latest IPCC
intelligence systems? The story so far: cautiously the United Nations Convention on the Law of the “Synthesis report”, global climate levels have
n March 29, the United Nations Sea and even the Universal Declaration of already increased 1.1 degrees since preindustrial
O
silent about
General Assembly passed a Human Rights. The entire process is expected to levels in the past century, and deep cuts in
the move,
John Xavier resolution that asked the take about 18 months for the ICJ to deliberate greenhouse gas emissions reductions, as much
International Court of Justice at The although it and deliver its opinion. as by a half are required by 2030 to keep this
The story so far: Hague to provide an opinion on what kind of is goal. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
n March 29, Elon Musk and a group of AI obligations countries have towards climate supportive What is India’s position? said that the ICJ opinion was “essential”, and
O experts signed an open letter calling for
a moratorium on developing artificial
intelligence (AI) systems that are more powerful
change reduction, based on the promises they
have made to the UN Framework Convention for
Climate Change (UNFCCC). What made it
of the need
for climate
justice
India has thus far been cautiously silent about
the move, although it is generally supportive of
the need for climate justice, and holding the
would “guide the actions and conduct of states
in their relations with each other, as well as
towards their own citizens.”
than OpenAI’s recently launched large language particularly important was that the resolution developed world accountable for global The UNGA route adopted by Vanuatu and its
model (LLM), GPT4. The letter, which at the passed by consensus had been pushed through warming. The government is understood to have supporters also appears to have been more
time of writing had over 1,300 signatories, called by one of the smallest countries in the world, referred the resolution to legal authorities in the inclusive than two other attempts for an
on all AI labs to immediately pause, for at least the Pacific Island of Vanuatu, an island that was country who will look into the implications and Advisory Opinion sought in December 2022 by
six months, training of any systems more devastated in 2015 by the effects of Cyclone international ramifications of the ICJ opinion. Small Island States to the International Tribunal
powerful than GPT4. Pam, believed to have been spurred by climate India has updated its NDC (nationally for the Law of the Sea; and another by Colombia
change, that wiped out 95% of its crops and determined contribution) commitments, as and Chile in January 2023 at the InterAmerican
What does the letter say? affected twothirds of its population. required by the 2015 Paris Agreement and has Court of Human Rights (IACHR) asking for an
Citing one of the Asilomar AI principles on how said it’s on its way to sourcing half its electricity Advisory Opinion on human rights obligations
advances in AI could profoundly impact What does the resolution seek? from renewable sources by 2030. However, it is for countries pertaining to the “climate
people’s lives, the Future of Life Institute (FLI) The draft resolution (A/77/L.58) invoked article significant that India did not join the emergency”.
issued letter noted that “AI labs are locked in an 96 of the UN Charter to ask the ICJ to deliberate overwhelming majority of countries that
outofcontrol race to develop and deploy ever on two questions: 1) What are the obligations of cosponsored the draft resolution. In the What sparked the idea for the resolution?
more powerful digital minds that no one — not states under international law to ensure the neighbourhood, the list of cosponsors included The original idea for taking the case for climate
even their creators — can understand, predict, protection of the climate system for present and Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and a obligations to the highest legal court came from
or reliably control.” The Asilomar AI Principles future generations? 2) What are the legal number of island countries in the Indian Ocean a group of 27 Pacific Island law students, who set
are one of the earliest sets of AI governing consequences under these obligations for states Region (IOR). India is also watching how global up a campaign and brought it to the Pacific
principles laid out at the Beneficial AI 2017 where they, by their acts and omissions, have powers like the U.S. and China respond to the Islands Forum. Since 2019, the Vanuatu
conference hosted by FLI. caused significant harm to the climate system, resolution, as without their support, it will be government, with the support of an 18member
particularly for Small Island Developing States hard to implement. During the discussion on the “core group” of countries, has been promoting
What is the context? (SIDS) and for people who are harmed. The resolution, the U.S. representative voiced the idea of an Advisory Opinion from the ICJ. It
FLI’s open letter comes amid rapid development concerns about whether “launching a judicial prepared the draft resolution that was
and deployment of AI technology in several process” was the best way to reach “shared eventually cosponsored by 132 countries at the
industries. Since OpenAI dropped its generative goals”. “Successfully tackling the climate crisis is UNGA and went through without a vote. While
pretrained (GPT) chatbot in November, allowing best achieved via diplomatic efforts,” the U.S. the U.S was among a few countries that
people to freely representative added, according to a UN press expressed some reservations, no country
Some AI experts feel interact with release. Indian officials have also said that the opposed the resolution. Vanautu’s Prime
the world is moving ChatGPT, there has ICJ process can only speak about climate change Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, who spearheaded
towards a scenario been a dramatic issues and problems broadly and that it cannot the campaign, called it “a win for climate justice
where machines will rise in adoption of name or profile any one country in the process. of epic proportions”.
triumph over humans; AI by many firms. Pointing to the Paris agreement as a landmark
The shift towards a “bottomup” approach, where Is the advisory opinion of the ICJ binding?
others see AI advances Microsoftbacked states themselves determine their ability to The ICJ is being asked for an “advisory opinion”,
as mediocre chatbot wowed mitigate climate change, they also said any which by definition would not be legally binding
intelligence, which is people with its attempt to impose an opinion in a “topdown” as an ICJ judgment. However, its clarification of
potentially unreliable instant, and often manner would be resisted. Many other countries international environmental laws would make
apt, replies. It are likely to voice their opinion as the process the process more streamlined, particularly as
could correct software codes, and explain gathers momentum in the months ahead. the COP (Conference of the Parties) process
almost everything on the Internet. Roughly looks at various issues like climate finance,
three months after its launch, the company What do sponsors of the resolution want? climate justice, and the most recently agreed to
allowed developers to integrate ChatGPT’s API A legal opinion from the ICJ, the highest global “loss and damages” fund at the COP27 in Sharm
with their applications for a fee. Enterprise court recognised by all 193 UN members is ElSheikh last year. The ICJ carries “legal weight
version of the chatbot, called ChatGPT Plus, has expected to bolster the efforts under the and moral authority”, said the sponsors of the
already been integrated by Snapchat, Unreal UNFCCC to ensure all countries work towards resolution, and gave as examples advisory
Engine and Shopify in their applications. Such mitigating climate change and global warming to opinions given in the past on the Palestinian
rapid adoption by businesses is heating up the suggested 1.52°C limit. While it is expected issue (Construction of the Wall) and nuclear
competition. Google has taken up the gauntlet. to give its opinion on the basis of the Convention threats that have been respected.
The Alphabetowned company launched Bard, a
version of its Lamda language model. In China,
Internet giant Baidu has launched Ernie, an
AIpowered chatbot than can summarise
financial statements. Separately, the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s media
lab has developed ELSA, an AI bot that can act
Why has Israel paused judicial reform plan?
as a psychotherapy counsellor. It could
potentially be deployed in cognitive behavioural What is the controversy around Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the judiciary? Does it aim overhaul. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister
therapy sessions. had to drop one of his ultraOrthodox colleagues
to curb the powers of the courts? Will the Prime Minister be able to build consensus with from the Cabinet after the Supreme Court said
Why does FLI’s letter focus on GPT4? opposition parties to push through the Bills? the appointment of Aryeh Deri, leader of the
On March 14, OpenAI launched its most Shas, as a Minister, was “highly unreasonable”.
advanced LLM yet: GPT4. This model has been They said the reforms, if passed, would give the
trained on a trillion parameters, compared to Stanly Johny Faced with the Supreme Court will no longer be able to government unchecked powers over the courts.
ChatGPT’s 175 billion parameters. Having access public judge the reasonability of Knesset legislation, Mr. Nentanyahu initially dismissed the protests,
to such a large dataset allows GPT4 to learn and The story so far: anger, government decisions or appointments. The while Itamar BenGvir, the farright leader of
understand complex patterns and nuances in n the night of March 27, Israel’s Prime government also seeks to take control of judicial Jewish Power, warned the Prime Minister against
O
Prime
natural language far better than its predecessor. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointments. Under the current setup, judges “surrendering to the anarchists”. But the
Unlike ChatGPT, GPT4 is capable of handling announced that he would delay his Minister are chosen by a ninemember committee — protests only grew in strength, drawing in
both text and imagebased queries. This makes it government’s plan to overhaul the Netanyahu three Supreme Court judges (including the court criticism from abroad as well. The turning point
versatile when compared to other AI language country’s judiciary by a month. The decided to President), two members of the Israeli Bar was Defence Minister Yoav Gallant breaking
models. Such multimodal advances give GPT4 government’s plan had triggered massive delay Association, two members from the Knesset and ranks with the Prime Minister. Mr. Gallant, a
scale to get closer to artificial general intelligence protests and strikes by the opposition, civil contentious two from the government (Ministers). According former Major General and a member of the
(AGI). That means machine intelligence could be society as well as unions who accused the plans for to the proposed reforms, the members of the Prime Minister’s Likud party, asked the coalition
as good as human intelligence. Computer government of weakening the judiciary. Mr. Bar Association would be replaced by two to delay the judicial overhaul, citing security
the
scientists and ethicists are grappling with this Netanyahu, who came to power late last year “public representatives” picked by the concerns. Opposition to the Bills had spread to
eventuality. Even Sam Altman, OpenAI’s with the support of ultraorthodox and farright judiciary government, which means the government will Israel’s reservists as well as its diplomatic
cofounder, wrote about the potential negative parties, says he will not step back from the plan have a majority of votes in the committee. community. Some of the military reservists, in
aspect of AGI stating this technology could come but seek to build consensus before pushing to protest, failed to report, mounting pressure on
with “serious risk of misuse, drastic accidents, pass it in the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). Why is the government pushing these Bills? the defence establishment. Mr. Nentanyahu fired
and societal disruption.” He called on Over the years, Israel’s polity has shifted towards Mr. Gallant, but it only made matters worse.
developers of AGI to figure out a way to get it What is the government’s plan? the extreme right. The current government, Spontaneous protests broke out across the
right. “A gradual transition gives people, The judicial reform plan has a set of proposals composed of Likud (rightwing), United Torah country on Monday and Israel’s largest union,
policymakers, and institutions time to which, together, will strengthen the Judaism and Shas (ultraOrthodox) and Religious with some 8,00,000 members, struck work,
understand what’s happening, personally government’s hand over the country’s courts. Zionist and Jewish Power, is the most rightwing grounding flights, shutting government officers,
experience the benefits and downsides of these Currently, the Supreme Court can strike down government in the country’s history. The universities and public places. Faced with
systems, adapt our economy, and to put any law passed by the Knesset. The government farright and religious parties have argued that unprecedented public anger, Mr. Netanyahu
regulation in place,” he wrote. proposal seeks to curtail judicial review over Israel has lost its balance between the judiciary decided to delay his plans.
legislation and then empower Parliament to and the executive and the legislature. They are
What is the view of AI experts? override court decisions with a simple majority essentially saying that the judiciary is controlled What happens next?
AI experts who have signed FLI’s letter approach of 61 votes (out of 120). Another proposed by liberals and leftists, while the polity has For now, Mr. Netanyahu, despite the setback,
the rise of LLMbased bots from different change seeks to abolish the “reasonability test”— shifted to the right. The government wants to has managed to keep his rightreligious coalition
vantage points. Some see these developments as give mass exemption from conscription to together. But Israeli media have reported that to
accelerating humanity towards a doomsday religious Jews. They have also passed a law get Mr. BenGvir’s approval for the delay, the
scenario where machines will triumph over preventing legal authorities from removing the Prime Minister has agreed to form a new
humans. Others see these advances as mediocre Prime Minister from office terming him “unfit to security body called the national guard under
intelligence that are potentially unreliable. rule” (only the Knesset and the Cabinet can BenGvir’s National Security Ministry. Mr.
remove the leader from office). But the BenGvir and other allies have supported the
Will it have the desired impact? government fears that the Supreme Court can delay for now, but they have not backtracked
It is hard to say whether the letter will have its strike down these plans unless the judiciary’s from their push to reform the judiciary. Mr.
desired impact as OpenAI is already training powers are clipped. So for rightwing parties, the Netanyahu plans to build consensus with main
GPT4’s successor. And the Microsoftbacked existing judicial structure is an impediment for opposition parties Yesh Atid and Blue and White
company has not yet responded to the open their push to remake the Israeli state. before pushing for the Bills. But it’s not clear
letter. According to some developers and tech how much compromise Mr. Netanyahu’s allies
entrepreneurs, GPT5 could be indistinguishable Why did Mr. Netanyahu back off? would accept. Even if a compromise formula
to humans, and the language model could The government’s move to table the Bills in the emerges, how will the Prime Minister sell it to
achieve AGI by the end of this year. This Knesset triggered immediate protests. The the public as the protests were not driven by
prediction comes at a time when there are no protesters said that the Bills would weaken the opposition parties alone. Mr. Netanyahu, who
regulations in place to enforce a ban on judiciary and destroy the checks and balances in first came to power in 1996, has seen many a
developing AI. Currently, governments do not the system. Mr. Netanyahu himself is facing rise and fall. From every challenge, he has
have any policy tools to halt work in AI Stiff resistance: Clashes erupt during a demonstration against the Israel multiple charges and the Attorney General had emerged stronger. But this is perhaps the biggest
development. government’s judicial overhaul in Jerusalem on March 27. GETTY IMAGES asked him to stay away from the judicial political challenge he is facing in his career.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
14 Sunday, April 2, 2023
PROFILES
Delhi
ILLUSTRATION: R. RAJESH
Accidental leader,
born politician
Edappadi K. Palaniswami
The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, who rose to the top from the
political uncertainty that followed Jayalalithaa’s death,
has since won the loyalty of party colleagues, neutralised challengers and
consolidated his grip over the AIADMK
D. Suresh Kumar political figure outside his native turf in emerged as Chief Ministerdesignate subservient to the Sasikala family and from journalists, taking him closer to THE GIST

western Tamil Nadu. There was were tumultuous. Ms. Sasikala had survive on their benevolence; or stand the people who watched him on news 쑽
I
n politics, accidental leaders nothing noteworthy about the planned to step into her “surrogate by his side and enjoy the fruits of channels. Over time, he would address In 1989, at 35, he debuted in
eventually fade away after performance of this jaggery sister” Jayalalithaa’s role after getting power. The Sasikala family was soon meetings without speech notes. the Legislative Assembly with
hogging the limelight in the traderturnedpolitician in the O. Panneerselvam, handpicked by her isolated. Thereafter, Mr. Palaniswami Eventually, Mr. Palaniswami his leader Jayalalithaa, then
positions to which they were Assembly or Parliament. to be a “remotecontrolled Chief quelled a rebellion from 19 legislators managed to give the DMKled front a heading a faction of the
catapulted by circumstances or by As a Minister holding the meatier Minister”, to resign. Misguided by supporting Mr. Dhinakaran, by tough fight and his alliance won 75 AIADMK after party founder
their masters. Only a few manage to portfolios of Highways and Public some external handlers, he revolted. extending an olive branch to Mr. seats — many from western Tamil Nadu M.G. Ramachandran’s death
change the tide in their favour or Works Department (PWD) and ranked She faced another setback when the Panneerselvam and his 10 MLAs to — in the 234member House. But he
outwit their political handlers. within the top five in the Cabinet Supreme Court convicted her in a save the government. The AIADMK grew wary of the AIADMK’s dual 쑽
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister seniority order, he preferred to be corruption case in which Jayalalithaa migrated to a dual leadership with Mr. leadership. Mr. Panneerselvam, who He served briefly in the Lok
Edappadi K. Palaniswami belongs to reverent to Jayalalithaa. Till her death was the prime accused. Panneerselvam and Mr. Palaniswami had fewer supporters in the party’s Sabha (199899), before joining
that breed of politicians who emerge in December 2016, he remained out of With a majority of the AIADMK enjoying equal powers as coordinator general council, was using his Jayalalithaa’s Cabinet in 2011,
from relative obscurity and seize media limelight as were most Cabinet legislators herded together in a and joint coordinator. cosignatory powers to extract but largely remained an
opportunities to checkmate opponents colleagues. There were whispers in backwater resort to prevent defections Mr. Panneerselvam, a threetime disproportionate benefits in matters of inconsequential political figure
by making the right moves on the political corridors about him being one to the Panneerselvam camp, Mr. former Chief Minister, appeared election ticket distribution. So, last outside his native turf in
political chessboard. Starting off from among Jayalalithaa’s kitchen cabinet Palaniswami, regarded by Ms. Sasikala content with his rehabilitation as July, Mr. Palaniswami sprang a surprise western Tamil Nadu
the lower rung, he has taken over as members. In the party hierarchy, he as a loyalist, made the right moves. Deputy Chief Minister in the Cabinet. on Mr. Panneerselvam by getting his
general secretary of the All India Anna was not prominent, though With the backing of his Gounder But Mr. Palaniswami was quietly doing supporters to push for migrating to a 쑽
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Jayalalithaa appointed him community, which had a large bloc of everything to keep legislators and unitary leadership. It was a political It was only on Valentine’s Day
(AIADMK), a party that had ruled the propaganda secretary, a post created MLAs, he opened up resources to get party functionaries happy and fight, which a miserably outnumbered in 2017, when he met Governor
State for over 30 years. Ahead of the by MGR for her in the early 1980s, and more support. Given the precarious consolidating his hold on the party. Panneerselvam converted into a legal C. Vidyasagar Rao staking
Lok Sabha election in 2024, this role later an organising secretary. numbers in the Assembly, many This helped him foil Mr. fight. It led to Mr. Panneerselvam and claim to form the government,
puts him in the driver’s seat of an believed Mr. Palaniswami may not last Panneerselvam’s bid to be the party’s his supporters being expelled. With a that Palaniswami became a
AIADMKled alliance, which will likely Household name his tenure. But they were yet to see his Chief Ministerial face in 2021. single judge of the Madras High Court household name in Tamil Nadu
include the Bharatiya Janata Party. It was only on Valentine’s Day in 2017, survival instincts. clearing the decks, Mr. Palaniswami
His rise was slow and steady for when he met Governor C. Vidyasagar Before Ms. Sasikala headed to the Blessing in disguise has taken over as the general secretary,
much of his political career, but Rao staking claim to form the Bengaluru prison, she appointed her As an administrator, he was initially earning the acknowledgement of
accelerated in recent years by an government, that Mr. Palaniswami nephew T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who had seen as weak and doing the bidding of alliance party leaders. Mr.
element of impatience and an uncanny became a household name in Tamil been expelled by Jayalalithaa, as the the Narendra Modi government at the Panneerselvam has gone to appeal
ability to ruthlessly neutralise Nadu. However, the only perception AIADMK deputy general secretary. The Centre. This partly led to the AIADMK before a Division Bench.
opponents. people had was that of Mr. former MP decided to contest the alliance’s crushing defeat in the 2019 There is little doubt that Mr.
In 1989, at 35, he debuted in the Palaniswami being a protégé of V.K. bypoll in the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar Lok Sabha election. When the Palaniswami would have the last laugh
Legislative Assembly with his leader Sasikala, an extraconstitutional constituency in Chennai, vacated by COVID19 pandemic broke out, he in this matter. However, the challenge
Jayalalithaa, then heading a faction of authority and former close aide of Jayalalithaa. appeared clueless, calling it only a has just begun for him. His
the AIADMK after the death of party Jayalalithaa. People cringed at visuals Mr. Palaniswami, a born politician, “rich man’s disease”. However, the performance as the Leader of
founder M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). of him crawling and prostrating to seek quickly sensed it will not be long same pandemic proved a blessing in Opposition has been lacklustre. To
The name of his constituency, her blessings. What no one guessed before Mr. Dhinakaran came for his disguise for Mr. Palaniswami to survive in the long term, he would
“Edappadi”, got prefixed to his name. was that the rustic man, with a tinge of Chief Ministerial seat. Cognisant that stabilise his administrative position. have to proactively take on the ruling
He served briefly in the Lok Sabha holy ash smeared on his forehead and he was no mass leader, he did what it After grasping the situation, he toured DMK and win battles on the electoral
(199899), before joining Jayalalithaa’s a toothy smile that would become his took to earn the confidence of his Tamil Nadu overseeing measures to front. The Lok Sabha polls are just a
Cabinet in 2011. Yet, Mr. Palaniswami trademark, had stooped to conquer. Cabinet colleagues and legislators. He contain the spread of the infection. He year away and he has to deliver to
largely remained an inconsequential The circumstances under which he presented them with a choice — be began to confidently handle questions keep the flock together.
Into the future Plan for the paradise

Humza Yousaf Great Nicobar Project
Scotland’s new First Minister faces great challenges as he has to unite the party, rebuild public After getting a series of expeditious clearances in the last two years, a ₹72,000crore mega project
support for its independence campaign while addressing economic headwinds for the ‘holistic development’ of the Great Nicobar Island is now in the offing
ILLUSTRATION: SREEJITH R KUMAR ISTOCK
Narayan Lakshman through a bruising leader Diksha Munjal prehistoric rainforests.
ship contest in the wake of For a project of this
W I
ith the election Ms. Sturgeon’s surprise re n February 2021, In scale, size, and duration,
of Humza You signation as First Minister, dia’s National Marine the Great Nicobar plan has
saf (37) as the Mr. Yousaf appears to have Turtle Action Plan been accompanied by un
new head of the Scottish lost the support of his rival, mentioned Galathea Bay characteristic haste in re
National Party (SNP) and Kate Forbes, a probusi on the southeastern coast ceiving various clearances.
the next First Minister of ness candidate, who reject of the Great Nicobar Island The plan was first floated at
the country, social media ed his subsequent offer to as one of the “Important the height of the pandemic
was agog with jokes about become Rural Affairs Se Marine Turtle Habitats in in 2020 and the Andaman
how, between him and cretary, likely as it was con India”. Beaches on either and Nicobar Islands Inte
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi sidered a demotion from side of the Galathea River grated Development Cor
Sunak, two sons of Pakis her prior role as Finance are the most important poration (ANIIDCO), based
tan and India, respectively, Kenya. Growing up in Glas the SNP government was a Secretary. nesting sites in the north thousands of years. The transshipment port at Ga in Port Blair, was charged
would negotiate the parti gow, Mr. Yousaf was priv long a fruitful one, which London is also in no ern Indian Ocean for the GNI was declared a biosph lathea Bay, a dualuse mili with implementing the
tion of the U.K. and inde ately educated at Hutche saw him serve in multiple mood for compromise, it Leatherback turtle, the ere reserve in 1989 and in tarycivil international air project. In September of
pendence of Scotland gen sons' Grammar School and capacities over the years, appears: while Westmin world’s largest marine tur cluded in UNESCO’s Man port, a power plant, and a that year itself, NITI Aayog
erations after a similar became interested from a including as Transport Mi ster might have hemmed tle. The Action Plan says and Biosphere Programme township, to be built over issued a request for propo
drama played out in the In young age in in politics, a nister, Justice Secretary and hawed over Ms. Stur coastal development pro in 2013. It has an unparal 30 years on more than 160 sal for preparing the mas
dian subcontinent. The iro subject that he went on to and Health Secretary. geon’s forays into referen jects are major threats to leled array of microhabi sq. km of land, of which ter plan for the project. In
ny of the colonial project study later at the Universi However, he has often dum territory, it appears to turtle populations. But this tats. These habitats host 130 sq. km is primary for March 2021, a littleknown
coming full circle in a small ty of Glasgow, graduating faced brickbats for leading perceive the relative lack of kind of development is ex numerous species, includ est. The northern end of company, Gurugram
corner of Western Europe with an MA in 2007. sectors of government that internal strength within actly what is planned for ing marine animals, rep the project falls in the based AECOM India, re
is undeniable. Yet, it is a Mr Yousaf kicked off his underperformed in terms the SNP at this time, and the future of Galathea Bay tiles, birds, mammals and biosphere reserve, which leased a 126page prefeasi
fact that Mr. Yousaf, the political journey as an of of service delivery to the might be content to string under the ₹72,000crore amphibians. Several of means a part of this pro bility report for NITI
son of Pakistani immi fice manager for the SNP’s people. For example, his Mr. Yousaf along as he mega project piloted by NI these, like the Nicobari Me tected region will have to Aayog. In October last
grants, the first ever Mus Bashir Ahmad, the first record running Scotland’s struggles to build momen TI Aayog for the “holistic gapode, are endemic to be allotted to the project. year, it got stage1 (inprin
lim and person of Asian Member of the Scottish National Health Service tum for his campaign. Sup development” of the Great GNI and found nowhere ciple) forest clearance,
descent to take up the top Parliament (MSP) of Mus came under fire for long port for independence has Nicobar Island (GNI), sit else in the world. Hasty clearances while the environmental
executive role in the Scot limAsian heritage. In the waiting times and he was dropped among Scots, to uated at the southern end This unique ecological As for the population, the clearance was given on No
tish government, and also wake of Ahmad’s passing criticised for urging the pu 39%, less than the 44.7% of the Andaman and Nico setting faces significant Shompen and the Nicoba vember 11 by the Ministry.
the youngest leader in that in 2009, Mr. Yousaf went blic to “think twice” before who backed the campaign bar group of Islands in the and imminent alterations rese were the sole inhabi The GNI lies between
capacity, has a long and on to work for other MSPs, calling 999 in late 2021. in the 2014 referendum, Bay of Bengal. as the Ministry of Environ tants of the island until the the Bay of Bengal and the
potentially bumpy road including Alex Salmond Yet, more than any of and considerably lower The giant Leatherback is ment, Forest and Climate government set up seven Andaman Sea in a tectoni
ahead to make good on his and Nicola Sturgeon, both these expected comments than the 58% that the pro not the only species dot Change (MoEFCC) late last revenue villages, settling cally sensitive zone. Re
campaign promises, in First Ministers of Scotland. from his detractors in Scot posal got in 2020. ting this ecologically and year cleared the decks for 330 exservicemen families searchers and NGOs from
cluding delivering the in In 2011, he was elected tish politics, the greatest If he wishes to leave be culturally rich Island span the mega project, which from 1969 to 1980. These across the country have
dependence Scotland. as an MSP from the Glas challenge that Mr. Yousaf hind a legacy for Scotland, ning over a little more than ecologists, anthropolo three communities make raised several concerns re
gow region, and he made faces is the factionalised Mr. Yousaf will not only 900 sq. km, of which 850 gists, domain experts, and up the over 8,000 popula lating to the tectonic vola
A life in politics waves for taking his oath to state of the SNP itself. Mr. have to unite the SNP and sq. km is designated as a former civil servants have tion of southern Nicobar, tility and disaster vulnera
Born in Glasgow in 1985, the Queen in English and Yousaf has pitched himself rebuild support for its in tribal reserve under the called an impending eco which includes GNI, Little bility of the islands, which
Mr. Yousaf is the grandson in Urdu, and then repeated as the “continuity candi dependence campaign, Andaman and Nicobar Pro logical disaster. NITI Nicobar, and other small is have experienced nearly
of immigrants who tra this after his 2016 reelec date” who will step into the but he will have to do so tection of Aboriginal Aayog, however, says its lands. The mega project 444 earthquakes in the
velled from Punjab to Scot tion when he wore both a shoes of his predecessor while facing the economic Tribes Regulation, 1956. plan is aimed at tapping will bring nearly 400,000 past 10 years. The tribal
land in the 1960s. While his kilt and sherwani to reflect Nicola Sturgeon and take headwinds of rising infla The Island has been home the “largely unexplored people to GNI during its communities, who were
father’s family is originally his joint Scottish and Pakis her agenda forward on the tion and energy costs, and to two isolated and indige potential” of the Island. span of three decades. An displaced in the 2004 Tsu
from Pakistan, his moth tani heritage. Scottish independence tackling the difficult ques nous tribes — the Shompen The plan has four com estimated 8.5 lakh trees nami, are still recovering
er’s family were based in Mr. Yousaf’s career with campaign. However, tion of NHS reforms. and the Nicobaris — for ponents — a ₹35,000 crore are to be cut down in GNI’s from its impact.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
chandigarh | 2 APRIL 2023
A sand-mandala is created under astonishing There is a huge demand-supply gap in organ Neeti Nair’s ‘Hurt Sentiments: Secularism
discipline — the scraping has to be regular, donation. As many recipients die waiting, more and Belonging in South Asia’ is bookended
what’s poured out from the tube rigidly initiatives and awareness campaigns are needed by one of the most significant issues of our
controlled, all error ruled out ARTS page 2 to engage volunteers INDEPTH page 3 times, the divisive CAA BOOKS page 4
HIGHS &
LOWS Pitched as the flag-bearer of national
aspirations and a global player, HAL has a lot
riding on it as it confronts the manufacturing
delays and operational setbacks involving
indigenous helicopters and jets ADVANCED LIGHT HELICOPTER
PHOTOS COURTESY: MOD
AjayBanerjee jets, besides export aspirations. HAL sources say that
B
depending on the workload, it will “re-assess and
ENGALURU-headquartered Hindustan appropriate decisions will be taken to expand in-
Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has, over time, house capacity and if required, private industry will
emerged as India’s largest defence public be engaged for production”.
sector undertaking and a harbinger of the
country’s military aviation ambitions. As DEALING WITH DELAYS
it positions itself as a global player, the In the past, a delay in making the first 40 Tejas jets left
crashes and emergency landing of aircraft manufac- an erroneous impression. The IAF ordered 20 planes
tured and serviced by it, as well as production delays under a ~2,813-crore contract in 2006 and another 20
have brought it under the scanner. planes under a ~5,989-crore contract in December 2010.
The HAL’s flagship indigenous military aviation All these 40 were to be delivered by December 2016, but
projects of manufacturing helicopters and fighter TEJAS the deliveries were completed only in February this
jets are facing separate problems and need a firm res- year — seven years behind schedule.
olution. The fighter jet programme — making of the IN SERVICE, AFTER SERVICE ALH CRASHES IN 3 YEARS The Standing Committee of Parliament, in its report
Tejas jet and its variants — is suffering from delays, to the House on March 21 this year, quoted the Chair-
■ Some of the world’s biggest arms companies like Lockheed MAY 9, 2020 Army Aviation, North Sikkim | 5 injured
reiterated by a recent report in Parliament. The heli- man and Managing Director of HAL, CB Ananthakr-
Martin, Boeing, Airbus, BAE Systems, Naval JANUARY 25, 2021 Army Aviation, Kathua (J&K) |
copter programme — making of the Advanced Light Group of France, use the services of retired ishnan, as saying, “Yes, there have been some delays
Helicopter (ALH) and its variants — has come under One pilot died (in the Tejas programme).” Based on the experience,
Generals, Admirals and Air Marshals of their
the scanner for crashes and forced landings, some countries to further their products in the AUGUST 3, 2021 Army Aviation, Ranjit Sagar Dam, Punjab future design and development programmes will
due to ‘sudden loss of power’. international market. The retired soldiers use | Pilots Lt Col AS Baath & Capt Jayant Joshi died move faster, the CMD told the committee. Defence Sec-
A number of sane voices are seeking a review to their personal connect with uniformed person- OCTOBER 22, 2022 Army Aviation, Migging in retary Giridhar Aramane said the “delays were not
establish what is causing near-identical problems in nel of friendly countries to tell them about a plane, Arunachal Pradesh | Five dead, including pilots Major exclusively due to HAL, there were delays at various
the copter. submarine, warship, missile, artillery guns. Vikas Bhambhu and Major Mustafa Bohara | Three levels”. He cited the sanctions imposed on India after
Officials at the HAL assure that “investigations ■ Indian private corporate entities have taken on board others also died: Sepoy Aswin KV, Havildar Biresh the 1998 nuclear tests.
(recent issues with the copter) are being done by a several retired senior officers as well. Sinha and Naik Rohitashva Kumar. Can HAL correct this impression of delays? Rear
cross-functional team of experts representing the cus- ■ The MoD’s nine PSUs and also the seven entities newly Admiral Asthana suggests having “joint participation
tomers, certification agencies, regulatory bodies and created out of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) have a
EMERGENCY LANDINGS and a multi-agency body to oversee the Tejas produc-
designers from HAL”. Investigations, sources main- rare retired soldier in a cutting-edge position. OCTOBER 8, 2020 IAF, near Saharanpur | No injury tion and timely development of the naval fighter”. This
tain, are underway and these are isolated incidents; MARCH 6, 2021 Army Aviation with two three-star body should have the HAL, government agencies and
“no impact is foreseen on the operations of the fleet”. the armed forces, he suggests.
Issues with the copters and the delay in making the
HAL OPERATIONS officers — Lt Gen Raj Shukla and South Western Air
Command Chief Air Marshal SK Ghotia — on board, Foreign manufacturers in the US, UK and France
■ Starting off as Hindustan Aircraft Limited in
jets are a test of nerves for the Ministry of Defence and near Kheda, Gujarat | No injury have on board several retired pilots and military engi-
the HAL. Some 284 ALH variants are flying, largely 1940, it was renamed Hindustan Aeronautics neers in various roles. The HAL CMD said at Aero
Limited in 1964. MoD holds 75.15% stake in JANUARY 2, 2022 Army Aviation near Jind, Haryana |
with the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Army, the Navy No injury India in February, “We are on schedule to deliver the
and the Coast Guard. In the past three weeks, the the defence PSU, which is publically listed. first Tejas Mark 1A in February 2024.” The manufactur-
■ In 2022-23, the company recorded its highest-ever MARCH 8, 2023 Forced ditching at sea, Indian Navy |
entire fleet has been checked; this was the second No injury ing capacities have been augmented, delivery will be
check in six months, the last one being after a crash in revenue from operations — ~26,500 crore. ahead of schedule, he claimed, adding that “delays are
October 2022. The latest review conducted by the ■ The order book stands at ~82,000 crore, with addition- MARCH 26, 2023 Coast Guard at airport in Kochi | a thing of the past, we have sufficient supply chain and
al orders of almost ~56,000 crore in the pipeline. No injury
armed forces, so far, pointed towards ‘material fail- delivery capacity”. HAL officials say a sturdy vendor
ure’— an aspect which is correctible. base of private sector as well as PSUs has been devel-
Both projects are aspirational for India, to be self-reliant oped. Private vendors are engaged in manufacturing
and to become an exporter. Targets have been set to and supply of parts, sub-assemblies and major struc-
being a $25 billion domestic military equipment produc- ture modules. Dynamatic Technologies, VEM Tech-
er, and achieving a ~40,000-crore export target by 2026. nologies and Alpha Tocol make various parts of the
Rear Admiral Mukul Asthana (retd), Assistant Chief Tejas fuselage. Larsen & Toubro makes the wings,
of Naval Staff (Air), advises: “Don’t pass the buck or while TASL makes the fin and rudder assembly.
blame each other, it would be in national interest if all
the involved agencies swiftly and resolutely come MIG-21: FIXING ACCOUNTABILITY
together to address the persistent problem.” Air Vice Over the years, crashes of the MiG-21 jets have given a
Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), former Addition- bad name to the country, IAF and HAL. India has
al Director of the Centre for Air Power Studies MIG-21 sourced 874 MiG-21s — including multiple variants
(CAPS), suggests “major changes in the work ethos of and upgrades — since 1963. HAL licence-produced 657
HAL, one that demands and awards excellence and of these in India.
takes corrective action, no matter how unpopular, for sea’ on March 8, the Navy salvaged the copter’s air- retire. The Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 jet fleets — In all, 490 MiG-21s have crashed, killing more than
shortfalls, if any”. frame and flight data recorders. Such emergency land- all inducted in phases during the 1980s — are slated to 170 pilots. Old-timers recall that five MiG-21s crashed
ings with the airframe intact have happened in the past, retire in batches beyond 2029-30. These four types of within a span of three months from April 9, 1985 to July
‘STABILITY’ TO ‘SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER’ too, just this time it was over sea, said a senior official. jets are about 250 in number and are operating on an 15, 1985. The IAF grounded 100 of the MiG-21M jets for
In the past 20 years since the ALH and its variants have Bahadur says flight safety has to permeate every extended life-cycle. Alarm bells have been ringing in three months. Other variants (the FL and Bis) were
been flown by the services, pilots of the armed forces aspect of flying, “starting from the design going to the IAF as time is running out; it is a five-six year checked in phases. A blame game followed. All the
vouched for ‘stability’ of the copter, so much so that manufacturing stages. An all-agency flight safety process to procure high-end military technology. crashed MiGs were produced by HAL under licence
the IAF’s aerobatics team, the Sarang, uses the same review needs to be mandated at regular intervals”. “The issue of the depleting strength of fighter from the erstwhile Soviet Union between 1973 and
machine for its gravity-defying flying. HAL officials, on their part, maintain that “all flight squadrons is well known, I don’t know how the IAF 1981. HAL accused the IAF of ‘lack of proper’ mainte-
In the past three-four years, however, issues of ‘sud- safety measures are in place, products are safe to will maintain numbers,” says Bahadur. nance while the IAF questioned HAL’s ‘quality con-
den loss of power’ and ‘control failure’ got reported by operate and we would continue to serve our cus- From February 2024, for the next 14-15 years (till trol and overhaul procedures’.
pilots flying the ALH. In three years alone, there have tomers for decades to come”. 2038-39), India needs to produce some 470 fighter The years 2001 and 2002 saw 24 crashes of MiG-21s.
been nine such incidents involving crashes and emer- The ALH fleet — all have twin-engines — has the fol- jets on its own — 370 for the IAF and 100 twin-engine Moscow accused India of sourcing spares from
gency landings. In case of the October 2022 crash in lowing variants: ALH Mark II, ALH Mark III, ALH jets for the Navy. Production of 83 Tejas Mark 1-A ‘dubious sources’. Andrei Y Belyaninov, the Direc-
Arunachal Pradesh, the pilots sent out a ‘may-day’ call Mark IV and ALH-WSI. Even the Light Combat Heli- jets starts from February next year, to be followed by tor General of Rosoboronexport, Russia’s nodal gov-
indicating a technical or mechanical failure. copter (LCH) is derived from the same platform and 108 Tejas Mark II jets, 26 jets of the advanced medi- ernment-owned company for export of weaponry,
“The government needs to hold HAL accountable,” powered by the same engines. After 2011, or the ALH um combat aircraft (AMCA) as well as 100 twin- was quoted as saying, “Just 10 per cent of the spares
avers Bahadur, who has been an IAF copter pilot. Mark III variant, all copters have the powerful ‘shakti engine deck-based fighters for the Indian Navy. came from fresh production in Russia. The rest were
Asthana, who was a naval aviator, adds, “Such failures engine’ developed by HAL and French major Tur- Another order of 50 jets of Tejas Mark 1-A is expect- supplied by companies which were sourcing spares
cannot be allowed to go on, enquiries must go to the root bomeca joint venture. The engine enables the copter to ed. These numbers are separate from the 114 jets the from outdated stocks in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and
cause plaguing the ALH programme. There have been fly up to 21,000 feet. IAF wants through a global tender to be made in col- other former Soviet Union republics.”
strong pointers to ‘control failures’ in these accidents.” laboration with a foreign partner in India. Accusations and counter-accusations were levelled
Control failure results in the aircraft not responding RAMPING UP PRODUCTION A major upgrade to HAL’s capacities, a resilient even as the MiG-21s kept crashing. No probe was con-
correctly to the pilot’s inputs; it becomes impossible to The IAF, at present, has 31 squadrons (16-18 planes supply chain and a focussed approach, is needed. ducted to apportion responsibility, if any, of the HAL,
control it. HAL officials say they are “confident that our each) of fighter jets against the mandated need of 42 The existing annual production capacity of HAL is 16 the IAF or the Soviet Union.
design and production processes are robust, which get squadrons to tackle a collusive two-front threat of Pak- jets and is slated to go up to 24 jets per annum with Despite a hue and cry, no responsibility was fixed of
updated based on operational feedback”. istan and China. Over the next two years, all the three the opening of a new facility at Nashik. A capacity of the Ministry of Defence for the delay in sourcing
After an Indian Navy copter was forced to ‘ditch at squadrons of the Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter jets will 40 jets per annum is needed to meet the target of 470 replacements.
2 Arts CHANDIGARH | 2 APRIL 2023
Making of a sand-mandala
This piece of art steeped in religion is created under astonishing discipline, all error being ruled out
Mandala, lit. ‘circle’, is a geometric con- (Clockwise
figuration of symbols. In various spiritu- from L)
al traditions, mandalas may be A close view of
employed for focusing attention of prac- a corner of the
titioners and adepts, as a spiritual guid- mandala; a
ance tool, for establishing a sacred space mantra taking
and as an aid to meditation and trance shape with
induction… A mandala generally repre- white sand;
sents a spiritual journey, starting from seekers
outside to the inner core, through layers. and lamas.
— Dictionary meaning
I sketched every morning in a notebook a

small circular drawing, [...] which
seemed to correspond to my inner situa-
tion at the time. [...] Only gradually did I
discover what the mandala really is: [...]
the Self, the wholeness of the personality,
which if all goes well is harmonious.
— Carl Jung, Memories, Dreams, Reflections
in a section, was slowly tapped, or scraped,
A
’ RT & with the bone handle of some knife leading
to the dry powder emerging from the tiny
SOUL hole and then being manipulated to form,

bit by powdery bit, a line, a curve, a shape.
The discipline was astonishing, for the
bn goswamy scraping had to be very regular, breath-
A
controlled, and rhythmic, and what poured
S one entered the Co-veda out from the tube had to be rigidly con-
school — that ‘glad you were trolled, all error being ruled out. Slowly,
here’, ‘come again’, kind of before your eyes, things began to take
place, right in the heart of our shape: curlicues of what we call Chinese
town — one saw them in an clouds, a many-petalled flower, a pot —
isolated room: four Tibetan poorna kumbha — with sacred leaves neat-
lamas, clad in their ample looking, deep ly arranged in its opening.
maroon-coloured robes, hunched over a What I confirmed for myself, however,
square chauki-like low table, each occupy- was quite wonderful and, as the head lama
ing one cardinal point, gently tipping pow- said, ‘uplifting’. The sand-mandala, at the
dered pigments on to a nearly finished, end of it all, is ‘wound up’. The entire
richly coloured, mysterious looking dia- image is slowly but respectfully swept, one
gram. They were here, at the invitation of powdered pigment mixing with another, till
the group that runs the Co-veda school, beyond our understanding, in progress. There could be one devoted to White Tara, cles for the gods. If one strained one’s eyes it all turns into a heap of coloured sand,
having come from a monastery close to One simply found a corner and sank into it, another to Green Tara, yet another to long enough, one could see them. Are all the ready to be taken in a colourful procession
Mysore in the southern part of our land, to watching, quiet ‘like a church mouse’. Not Kalachakra, and so on. Each deity has a pigments being used from natural sources: for being consigned to running water: like
make a sand-mandala: an auspicious object once did any of the four lamas look up. colour, a dhyana, a yantra of his or her own, vegetable or mineral? No; that used to be that in Ropar, close to Chandigarh. Why is a
dedicated to, and inspired by, the Bheshaja I had seen a finished sand-mandala, years and strict rules need to be observed while the case once, but those pigments are get- question I did not ask, or dare to ask. For, in
Buddha — Medicine Buddha, so to speak — ago, in the Crow Collection of Asian Art in invoking them. What dictates the choice, ting increasingly difficult to access. “We my mind, I was able to link this extraordi-
for invoking blessings and auspicious Texas at Dallas, but here now was an oppor- then, I asked the chief among the lamas, a have to therefore rely on chemical colours,” nary, deeply moving tradition of emphasis-
thoughts upon those who came to see it. tunity to learn something from the lamas wonderfully gentle and patient soul. Bhe- I was told, such as those used in posters. I ing the impermanence of things — ‘noth-
They had been at it for a little short of a directly by talking to them if they could shaja was drawn up and made here, I learnt, was a bit disappointed, I admit, but there it ing is forever’ — with other practices across
week, and the diagram was close to being spare the time the next day. They did, and I keeping the physical well-being of those was: a fact stated as fact. What I found utter- our land: the immersion in Maharashtra of
finished, but some things remained. A learnt things that I had very little awareness who had commissioned it, and of so many ly fascinating was the process used in the Ganpati images in waters after a long
young, very young boy, apparently enrolled of. There are mandalas after sand-man- others. As I kept plying questions, nothing colouring. Everything was dry, of course, and raucous festival; the consignment in
in the school, had stationed himself in one dalas that can be made, I learnt for instance, was held back, I noticed, nor did any of my and pigments lay there in the form of Bengal of Durga images in waters again;
corner, kneeling but raising himself from each somewhat different from the others. preconceptions go unchallenged. It is all shapes made up of small layers. Each of the the sweeping with feet and thus destruction
time to time, to watch each move. There This here, at Co-veda, was a Bheshaja man- abstract, all geometrical, I remarked, is it artists — and there is no other way of refer- of the enormous coloured yantras that are
was silence all around: no one was talking; dala; but out there are others virtually with- not? No, was the answer, for while every- ring to them — had a funnel-like tube, made on streets during Theyyam in Kerala.
if there was any chanting, it must have been out number. There could thus be mandalas thing did look like that at first sight, if one broad at one end and tapering down to a Creation. Destruction. Re-creation.
under the breath; every visitor naturally fell invoking any of the five great Buddhas: looked with care there were tiny figures also very small hole at the other. The tube was Na fana’a meri, na baqa’a meri, as the
into the silence mode seeing the overpower- Vairochana, or Akshobhya, or Ratnasamb- lurking in the maze of colours and shapes: ‘charged’ with dry colour and the surface poet said. Neither is annihilation mine,
ing sense of something sacred, something hava, or Amitabha, or Amoghasiddhi. a tiny horse or elephant, for instance, vehi- of the metal tube, which had fine rings on it nor is eternity.
Vivan Sundaram, the artist, the archivist, the activist

Celebrating the life and times of the luminary whose own career intertwined with the progression of arts in the country
PHOTOS COURTESY: KIRAN NADAR MUSEUM OF ART
Sarika Sharma DEFINING WORK
V
IVAN SUNDARAM always The first major retrospective of Vivan
Sundaram’s 50-year career, held at the
acknowledged the many facets
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi in
of his being — “the public, the 2018, showcased the range of his
political, the social, the person- works: some of his early kitsch works
al”. He admitted that equating from the 1960s, the Machu Picchu
his active political self with the personal series of drawings dedicated to the
had been a struggle, but then, “the person- Chilean revolutionary poet Pablo Neruda
al becomes political”, he said while dis- (exhibited at the ongoing Kochi-Muziris
cussing ‘Amrita Sher-Gil: A Self-Portrait Biennale); engine oil drawings and
in Letters and Writings’, in Chandigarh installation (1991) created as a reaction
nine years ago. to the First Gulf War; to his most recent
co-authored projects ‘409 Ramkinkars’
(2015) and ‘Meanings of Failed Action:
Insurrection 1946’ (2017). His other
important works include a site-specific
installation at the Victoria Memorial,
Calcutta, now referred to as ‘History
Project’ (1998), marking 50 years of
CHEMOULD PRESCOTT ROAD
India’s freedom; and ‘Signs of Fire’

(1984), his lamentation of Delhi’s
anti-Sikh riots.
From the Machu Picchu series dedicated to Pablo Neruda; (R) Great Indian Bazaar, 1997. 1,400 postcard-sized photographs in metal frames in a circular floor installation.
Vivan Sundaram met Vivan the activist. Back in India in the ly hung from the ceiling. The room felt more Indira, Amrita’s elder sister. In what is will always remember him for his knowl-
(1943-2023) 1970s, he came under the influence of moving than eerie. It had references of dispos- hailed as India’s first art residency, KAC edge, wisdom and research into the early
CPI(M), but was coaxed back into pursuing ability, reuse, salvage. ‘Memorial’ had as the was engaged in activities such as work- period of modern art in the subcontinent,”
Vivan was born into art. His maternal art by friend Prakash Karat. “He told me I central photograph a man lying dead in the shops, seminars and residencies. Most says Hashmi, daughter of poet Faiz Ahmad
grandfather was the scholar-pioneer photog- would be more useful if I went back to art,” middle of the road. When you speak about art works produced there found their way to Faiz, adding that he was always committed
rapher Umrao Singh Sher-Gil, and his aunt, he would later recall. Vivan went on to leaving an indelible memory of a moment in the Fine Arts Museum at Panjab Universi- to encouraging young artists from Pakistan.
21st century’s first avant-garde artist Amri- explore several mediums, leaving his mark history, Vivan’s work did just that: etching ty where Prof BN Goswamy had agreed to The activist in Vivan flourished through-
ta Sher-Gil, the central pillar of the family. in painting, sculpture, photographs, instal- deeply the Bombay riots in our minds and offer space and monetary help, shares out. What began with sloganeering — “all art
Yet, he carved out his niche — as an artist, lations, found objects, et al. hearts,” says Ghandy. Diwan Manna, chairperson of Punjab Lalit is bourgeoisie” — turned into active partici-
archivist and activist. His death recently Shireen Ghandy, creative director of Vivan constantly delved into the works of Kala Akademi. KAC closed down 15 years pation in protests, especially during the
leaves a yawning gap in India’s art space. Chemould Prescott Road, an art gallery in his maternal grandfather and aunt, includ- later, but was resurrected as Kasauli Art Emergency, and standing up against forces
The intertwining of the personal and the Mumbai, says that when it comes to instal- ing the installation ‘The Sher-Gil Archive’ Project as part of the Sher-Gil Sundaram threatening “the democratic spirit of creative
political informed his work. In a career lation art, Vivan paved the way, encourag- (1995), and as digital photomontages, such Arts Foundation, established in 2016 to car- spirit” as the founder trustee of Sahmat.
spanning several decades, the progression ing others to walk that path. “In the early as ‘Re-take of Amrita’ (2001–06), based on ry forward the legacy of the family. Several Vivan’s last commissioned work is ‘Six
of his own art overlapped with the progres- 1990s, when the norm was artists working photographs taken by Umrao Singh Sher- artists from KAC were also part of the his- Stations of a Life Pursued’, currently on dis-
sion of art in the country over the second in traditional oil paintings, Vivan would be Gil. His authored works on the family toric 1981 exhibition, ‘Place for People’, play at the ongoing Sharjah Biennial. A pho-
half of the 20th century and beyond. considered one of the earliest breakthrough include the two-volume book ‘Amrita Sher- marking the shift from modernism to post- tography-based project, it signifies “a jour-
Born in Shimla in 1943, Vivan went on to artists. It was a new term, fairly unknown to Gil: A Self Portrait in Letters and Writing’. modernism in Indian art. ney with periodic halts that release pain,
study art, first at the Faculty of Fine Arts, the contemporary world,” says Ghandy. His active engagement in art manifested Love for the arts is what endeared him regain trust, behold beauty, recall horror and
MS University of Baroda (1961-65), and From amongst Vivan’s immense body of itself in not just practice art, but its promo- across the border as well, says artist Salima discard memory — a life pursued”, reads the
then at the Slade School of Art, London work, two hugely impacted her: ‘12 Bed Ward’ tion as well. In 1976, he founded the Hashmi, who first met Vivan and his wife, text for the work, written by Geeta Kapur.
(1966–69). The latter is where, during the and ‘Memorial’. “The former was made with Kasauli Art Centre (KAC) at Ivy Lodge, a art critic Geeta Kapur, in the 1980s, when The most apt swan song for an artist who
student movement of 1968, Vivan the artist old shoes, string, wire and light bulbs that dim- house he had inherited from his mother, they came to see Amrita’s Lahore house. “I was a humanist.
CHANDIGARH | 2 APRIL 2023 Indepth 3
Increasing the pool of organ donors

Renu Sud Sinha Medical College, Tanda. In any brain-
death case, the retrieval team comes from
T
HOW TO BECOME A DONOR
HE Government of India is final- PGI, Chandigarh. The organs are then
ly waking up to the dire need of
■ Anyone above 18 can register to transported to PGI for transplant through
be an organ and tissue donor.
organ transplantation in the green corridors. Last year, two organ
Those under 18 need parental or a
country, with just over 15,000 legal guardian’s permission. retrievals were done at Tanda. At IGMC, no
transplant surgeries carried out ■ Live donors: A family member
retrieval has been done so far, though eye
last year. Nearly 3.27 lakh registered recip- such as a parent, child, spouse, transplants are done. Around 300-350 eye
ients are on the waiting list. Last month, sibling, grandparent or grandchild transplants have been done since 2010. No
the Centre announced some changes in its or someone by the virtue of private hospital in the state has the
policy in order to make organ transplant affection or attachment, such as a retrieval or transplant facility, says Dr
surgeries easy. This includes removing friend, a relative, a neighbour. Puneet Mahajan, Himachal’s SOTTO
the age cap of 65 years for organ recipi- ■ Deceased/cadaver organ nodal officer.
ents, doing away with the registration fee donation: This is possible in case of PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana’s SOTTO
for organ recipients and the state domicile brain-dead persons. A person has to centre, has also been conducting only
requirement in a move towards a single register with the National Organ and corneal transplants. It recently received
national organ waiting list. Anyone above Tissue Transplant Organisation. permission to start an organ retrieval cen-
18 can donate. The norms have been eased ■ Even for registered donors, family tre and its director, Dr SS Lohchub, also
to encourage transplant of organs. decision is needed that may over- announced that the institution will start
The deceased donors form only a minis- rule their consent. Discussion with conducting major organ surgeries in the
cule number of overall transplants. Out family about your wishes is a must. near future, though no timeframe has
of 15,561 organ donation cases in 2022, been given.
only 2,765 were cadaver (brain-dead POSITIVE NUMBERS More than 80 per cent of organ trans-
patients) donations. plant surgeries are happening in corpo-
■ Indiaranks third in the world in organ private-NGO partnerships and public ■ Organ donation rate has increased
The organ donation law in India is fairly rate sector hospitals, says Dr KR Balakr-
transplantation, only behind USA and advocacy have enabled the deceased about four times as compared to
China. organ donation rate to move up from 2012-13. From 4,990 organ transplants ishnan, cardiothoracic and heart
There is a huge demand-supply gap ■ Government support, training of
healthcare professionals, public-
0.16 per million population (pmp) in
2012 to 0.65 pmp in 2017.
(annually) in 2013, the number
increased to 15,561 in 2022 per year.
transplant surgeon, MGM multispecialty
hospital, Chennai, one of the leading cor-
in organ donation. As the list of recipients DECEASED DONOR DATA FOR ORGAN TRANSPLANT PRESENTED IN ABSOLUTE NUMBERS & RATE AT PER MILLION INHABITANTS FOR 2022
porate hospitals conducting major organ
surgeries since 2013. “These surgeries
who die waiting increases, more TOTAL DECEASED DONORS 904 LUNG TRANSPLANTS 138
need dedicated teams and many special-
ists. In the private sector, hiring skilled
initiatives and awareness campaigns KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS
LIVER TRANSPLANTS
1,589
761
HEART TRANSPLANTS
PANCREAS TRANSPLANTS
250
24
professionals is easy, unlike government
hospitals which have a lot of restrictions
are needed to engage volunteers SOURCE: NATIONAL ORGAN AND TISSUE TRANSPLANT ORGANISATION (NOTTO), DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HEALTH SERVICES, MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE and rules and, of course, less attractive
salaries and limited infrastructure.”
recent. The Transplantation of Human of potential donors can increase. provide some funds but these are much conversations with families because it is Dr Kohli agrees. “It’s not that young
Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) came Dr HS Kohli heads the nephrology less than the actual cost.” tough for them to understand when there doctors do not want to work in govern-
into force in 1994 and was amended in department at PGI, Chandigarh, which Dr Ashish Sharma, who heads the renal is a beating heart, even though on life-sup- ment hospitals but the long waiting period
2011. Under this Act, the government set conducted 41 cadaver organ transplant transplant surgery department at PGI, port. And lastly, there is mistrust about the drives them away as they are eager to use
up the National Organ and Tissue Trans- surgeries last year and harvested a total of Chandigarh, which is the ROTTO for North premature withdrawal of life-support, their skills.”
plant Organisation (NOTTO) in 2014. It 123 organs, benefitting 110 patients. He India, says the institution has been con- questioning the validity of brain-death of a As North India lags behind the southern
regulates procurement and distribution of says that to increase this potential pool, the ducting cadaver kidney transplants since loved one and suspicion about the intend- states in performing these transplant sur-
organs, along with its five regional (ROT- focus should be on providing optimum 1996 and performed over 200 renal surger- ed use of organs due to various organ-sell- geries, how can the slow uptake of the
TO) and various state transplant organisa- medical care, including ICU support to ies (deceased plus live donors) last year. ing scams in the past.” cadaver programme be put on a fast track?
tions (SOTTO). road traffic accident victims and others The liver transplants started in 2011, fol- Even on the medical side, there are chal- More government spend on healthcare is
In his recent ‘Mann ki Baat’, the Prime who need this care. This requires proper lowed by heart in 2013 and pancreas in lenges about brain-death declaration that crucial, says Dr Balakrishnan. Despite the
Minister had lauded the families of 39-day- medical infrastructure and prompt help, 2014. “We conducted 10 pancreas trans- includes a lack of trained professionals. pandemic exposing the chinks in the sys-
old Abadat Kaur of Amritsar and 63-year- without which it’s difficult to save lives; plant surgeries last year, the highest in the “The hospital may not have organ retrieval tem, there is a decrease in funds allocated
old Snehlata Choudhary of Jharkhand, preserving organs too becomes an impos- public health sector,” he adds. or transplant surgeons, or even an advisory to health in this year’s Central budget from
whose decision to donate organs of these sible task. “There are more challenges. As the waiting list of organ recipients committee in place for brain-death certifi- ~1,07,433 crore to ~1,06,654 crore.
two gave life to many persons. The push is The PGI is the only government hospital increases rapidly, public hesitancy is visible cation,” she adds. Dr (Col) Rajeev Sood, kidney transplant
necessary as at least 20 organs and tissues in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal con- seeing the corresponding number of This lack of infrastructure and skilled surgeon, Fortis, Delhi, suggests that both
can be harvested from a brain-dead ducting organ transplants. The limited donors. According to NOTTO, in 2022, the manpower, particularly in the government government schemes and NGO support is
person as against living donors, life-saving infrastructure has to total number of deceased donors was 904 sector, is noticeable in North India. needed as not just operations, but post-
who can only donate a kidney be shared equally among and deceased transplants was 2,765. Government Medical College, Patiala, the operative care is costly. “Most patients need
and a part of liver and pancreas. the living patients and MOHAN Foundation is one of the first State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organ- life-time immunosuppressant drugs,
Eye or cornea transplant brain-dead donors. The NGOs working to promote organ dona- isation (SOTTO) for Punjab, has not con- which can cost between ~10,000 and ~15,000
remains the most common cost of maintaining tions since 1996. The programme manager, ducted any major organ transplant surgery a month. Medical insurance too can help in
surgery across govern- patients in ICUs is NCR, of the foundation, Dr Muneet Kaur since its inception and is only doing corneal checking illegal organ sale.”
ment and private sector quite high. Brain-dead Sahi, attributes this slow increase to three operations. There is no nephrologist in the Dr Puneet Singla, liver transplant sur-
hospitals, followed by patients, whose families factors. “There is lack of public awareness public health sector. The grant funds geon and director, Marengo Asia Health-
kidney and liver trans- decide to donate organs, about organ donation and also the concept received by the Centre have been lying care, Gurugram, says, “There should be at
plant operations. In have to be maintained on of brain death. There are cultural and reli- unused. The level of apathy can be gauged least three to four organ retrieval centres
recent years, there has life-support systems till the gious beliefs and the mistrust about the from the fact that Punjab’s nodal officer, per district. This would help stop the
been a spurt in pancreas organs are retrieved. Sometimes, healthcare system in general. There has SOTTO, is not even willing to confirm that wastage of viable organs.”
and heart transplants the donors refuse to receive the been a prevalent belief in Indian society Government Medical College, Patiala, is However, it is the awareness at the grass-
as well. organ as the quality of organ is com- about life after death. Many believe organ the SOTTO centre for Punjab. roots that would be the most significant fac-
With more than 1.5 lakh road promised due to medical complica- donation leads to mutilated or incomplete Himachal has two organ retrieval centres tor. “We need more public campaigns. The
accident fatalities and a rising num- tions. The Centre, under the National bodies in the next birth. Also, in case of at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, best way would be to include it in the school
ber of brain-stroke patients, the pool Organ Transplant Programme, does brain-dead patients, it’s difficult to initiate and Dr Rajendra Prasad Government curriculum,” adds Dr Singla.
variety
Pushpesh Pant
T
HE holy month of Ramzan finds
the faithful testing their self-disci-
pline via roze, the day-long ritual
fasts. The fast is ritually ‘opened’
after the namaz at sunset. Tradi-
tionally, iftaar used to be a simple meal,
Laying out the iftaar spread
marking the end of fasting. The thirsty
body could be rehydrated with sherbet and Eating together
a variety of nourishing snacks would follow
the traditional fast opener, a date (khajoor). and enjoying a
Almost everyone considers the date essen-
tial as it is believed that the Prophet him-
convivial meal
self broke his fast with this fruit of the
desert. Much has changed since.
after a day-long
In recent years, iftaar has been trans-
formed into a joyous party where Muslims
fast has nothing
share myriad delicacies with family and to do with the
friends, many of them non-Muslims. Politi-
cians trying to endear themselves to the richness or
Muslim voters in their constituencies threw
lavish iftaar parties that provided a wonder- number of dishes.
ful opportunity for photo-ops and the public
celebration of diversity.
It is the warmth
It is only since 2014, with the BJP’s dra-
matic rise to power, that politicians in dif-
of the hospitality
ferent parties have seized to be as enthusi- that matters
ISTOCK
astic about iftaar. But let us forget the

opportunistic politicians; iftaar continues
to be a joyous celebration, an occasion to
share what we have with all we care for. Another misconception that should be chillies and generously drenched with our publisher friend who hails from Jaunpur vegetable-based syrup, originally marketed
The iftaar spread presents a mix of tradi- gotten rid of is that iftaar is all about lemon juice. Freshly roasted and coarsely that was once capital of the Sharki sultanate. by the legendary Hamdard Dawakhana in
tional classics and local delicacies in differ- kebabs, koftas and kormas. All who have ground cumin seed powder is sprinkled on Her husband, Prof Irfan Habib, historian of Old Delhi at the turn of the last century. A
ent regions of this vast and varied land. For fasted know that when you break a fast, top (chaat masala is strictly taboo). science and biographer of Bhagat Singh and spoonful added to the shikanji, lassi or milk
instance, in Hyderabad in Deccan, it is you should resist gluttony and wisely con- Sometimes, chana chaat is also pre- Maulana Azad, belongs to Meerut. No iftaar shake elevates them to another level. Sattu
haleem that is greatly valued. This porridge- sume something light. Meaty fare is con- pared with black gram. Other vegetarian spread in their house is complete without ka sherbet and coconut water laced with gin-
like blend of well-pounded meat, wheat and sidered heavy and hard to digest. There are goodies are aloo-kachaloo ki chaat that is seekh kebabs, chargrilled on skewers by ger and lime, along with traditional sherbets
lentils, enriched with ghee and a touch of a whole lot of vegetarian options that help assembled with parboiled potatoes draped kebabchis from his hometown. of bael and aam ka panna continue to be
jaggery, served with an assortment of condi- us to proceed gently into that night. One with dahi and spiked up with both sweet The point to remember is that the iftaar — popular. These days, bottled concentrates of
ments, is considered just what is required to dish that finds a place in almost all iftaars and sour chutneys, roasted shakarkandi, eating together, enjoying a convivial meal — thandai and falsa come to the rescue of the
build stamina for month-long fasting. In is chane ki dal ki chaat. Rakhshanda Jalil, dahi vada and pakora. has nothing to do with the richness or num- host who is pressed for time. However, it is
Bhopal and Rampur, haleem finds a promi- historian, author and chronicler of Islamic Let us not give you the impression that ber of dishes. It is the warmth of the hospi- believed that preparing the iftaar meal
nent place. But truth be told, iftaar is not culture, points out that this particular dish meat is eschewed. Dainty samosasfilled with tality that matters most. Sweetness is spread painstakingly and serving it with love and
the time to fill the belly. It is an opportunity is seldom encountered outside of Ramzan. mutton mince, shaami kebab and murg tan- by sheer khurma and halwas. tender care to the guests is as meritorious as
to nibble at the variety of snacks represent- Split Bengal gram is soaked overnight and gri are relished equally. We have had a most No iftaar can dispense with thirst- fasting. Iftaar over, one can get busy prepar-
ing different tempting colours, flavours and then boiled lightly. The lentils, not mushy delectable, whole leg of mutton that provid- quenching sherbets. The most popular ing the main meal, sehri, which has to be
textures that have been given a deliberate but retaining a bite, are served mixed with ed a generous supply of flavourful morsels across the sub-continent during Ramzan is consumed at the crack of dawn before
miss during the day-long fast. lots of finely diced tomatoes, onions, green for the guests at an iftaar hosted by Atiyaji, Roohafza, the ruby red revitalising fruit and another day’s fast begins.
4 Books CHANDIGARH | 2 APRIL 2023
Contextualisation of present in past BACKFLAP

RadhikaRamaseshan liament... Shah shook his finger accusingly on issues that are tangled in dialectics. understandable in the background of his
I NDIAN bureaucracy is often
T
and declared that through the Bill, the What explains the Congress’ manifest unwavering beliefs. What of the Congress? referred to as the steel frame
HE title of this historiography Narendra Modi government intended to ambivalence over secularism despite A remark by Acharya Kripalani on June for the administration of the
cannot be more evocative undo the wrong committed by the Liaquat- claiming to be its chief spokesperson? 14, 1947, explained why he would no longer country. However, in recent
because it integrates themes Nehru pact” (signed on April 8, 1950, to What were the compulsions brought to support Gandhi. Kripalani said Gandhi had years, it has faced more barbs
and feelings which conjure up ensure the security and rights of the minori- bear on Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Ambed- not found a way of tackling the “problem of than accolades for its perform-
a socio-political milieu harking ties). In one stroke, the statement shook the kar while resolving the vexatious questions non-violent non-cooperation” on a “mass ance. Curated by former Comp-
back to the past and drawing bedrock of the Indian Constitution. on India’s minorities? Were the propo- basis” because his policies had to be carried troller and Auditor General Vin-
from it to deconstruct and recon- The book concludes with a passage on the nents of a Hindu “rashtra” always united in out by others and “these others” were not od Rai, ‘Transforming the Steel
struct the present in South Asia, protests against the Citizenship Amend- their espousals of a rival ideology opposed converted to his way of thinking. Were Frame: Promise and Paradox of
particularly India, by conjoining a ment Act that set afire the country in the to secularism? How did Pakistan’s dis- “these others” leaning towards the Godse Civil Service Reform’ examines
sense of “hurt” sentiments felt by winter of 2019. Its last line is prescient and memberment amend the Jana Sangh’s school of thought of the “hurt” Hindus and the roles and responsibilities of
every faith. The gamut of ideas hard-hitting. “Secularism was no longer an interpretation of secularism as “Muslim the case for an “Akhand Bharat”? The the bureaucracy in modern TRANSFORMING
and interpretations impinge on abstract constitutional principle; it had appeasement” when the Mukti Bahini author conceded, “Some amount of bigotry times. It sets forth a vision of the THE STEEL FRAME
secularism (or its absence), become an imperative to uphold, a slogan fought the Pakistani army to create a secu- seeped into the soil, became acceptable. future through an analysis and Edited by Vinod Rai.
belonging and alienation which to embrace fully, wholly, in substantial lar, independent Bangladesh? With Gandhi’s death died an idea of India.” review of past attempts at Rupa.
characterise lives and preoccupa- measure” because the Act was “widely Gandhi emerges as the idealist, the The author chronicles a meeting of Gand- reform, in the process revisiting Pages 233.
tions in the sub-continent. regarded as having the awesome potential savant and the hard-headed politician who hi’s associates after his assassination which the strengths of the systems as ~595
Neeti Nair’s seminal work is book- to target and disenfranchise Indian Mus- adroitly escaped some of the quandaries by reflected their political turmoil on dealing well as the flaws that prevent its
ended by one of the most significant lims, often described as ‘illegal’ and a mix of pragmatism and compromise. The with the aftermath of Partition, the anger optimal functioning. The book
HURT SENTIMENTS: issues of our times: the contentious ‘Bangladeshi’ in the writings and speech- chapter on “Gandhi’s Assassination, among the refugees and the plot behind the offers an overview of the civil
SECULARISM AND and divisive Citizenship Amend- es of BJP leaders”. Godse’s Defence, and the Minority Ques- Mahatma’s killing which caught them services as they are and, more
BELONGING IN ments Bill (now an Act), which is Its vast sweep of history, dating back to tion”, with two telling epigraphs which set unawares. Nehru and Rajendra Prasad, importantly, as they should be.
SOUTH ASIA used as a throwback to the past pre-Independence, straddles the space that out their worldviews, poignantly depicts among those present, wondered how India
by Neeti Nair. because for her the contemporary is sits between erudition and expatiation as the Mahatma as isolated by the Left and got out of control. They had no answers.
Harvard University
Press.
Pages 352.
~699
embedded in the past. It is impossi-
ble to understand the two in isola-
tion. The opening lines of the intro-
duction set the work’s tone and
well as reflection and retelling without
descending into pedagogy and pamphle-
teering. The author, a professor of history at
Virginia University, has an ideological
the Right. To Gandhi’s assertion that “a
prayer meeting is not a debating assembly...
freedom of worship, even of public speech,
would become a farce if interference
The authoritative work dwells painstak-
ingly on the Constituent Assembly debates,
Indira Gandhi’s tortuous engagements
with the RSS, Jana Sangh and BJP, and the
F ICTION for her, writes
author Parini Shroff, is when
research meets compassion.
This is why, she believes, facts
tenor. “On a cold December after- viewpoint but never lets it colour her narra- became the order of the day”, his assassin Babri mosque’s demolition and its after- don’t change people’s minds,
noon in 2019, I paused work to listen to tive. Her contextualisation of the present in Nathuram Godse’s salvo was, “I (am) deter- math. Nair concludes with a reaffirmation but stories do. ‘The Bandit
India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, explain the past by weaving together the myriad mined to prove to Gandhiji that the Hindu of Gandhian secularism in the “earlier Queens’ is a darkly hilarious tale
the rationale for the Citizenship Amend- strands making up a persona and an event too could be intolerant when his honour moment” and an “Islam that was particu- on gossip, caste, village life, patri-
ments Bill about to be passed through Par- into a comprehensible whole shines a light was insulted.” Godse’s sentiment was larly considerate of non-Muslims”. archy and above all, the strength
of women in impossible situa-
tions. Five years ago, Geeta lost
her no-good husband, as in actu-
A feminist compendium
THE BANDIT
Tales rooted in life

VikrantParmar
ally lost him — he walked out on
her. But in her remote village,
rumour has it that she killed him.
Being known as a ‘self-made’
QUEENS
by Parini Shroff.
HarperCollins.
Pages 335.
widow comes with some perks.
C
~499
OMMON man and his aspirations, beliefs, truths, lies, Aradhika Sharma Even in stories where the man is supposedly domi- No one messes with Geeta. It’s
strengths, foibles, longing… In the collection of 15 sto- nant, the woman displays quiet strength. ‘Made in even good for business as no one
T
ries by Malayalam author Benny Daniel, better known HIS collection of short stories is as surprising Heaven’ explores Ujla and Pankaj’s arranged mar- dares to not buy her jewellery.
by his pen-name Benyamin, there is enough fodder to as it is delightful in terms of freshness and riage. Ujla must subjugate her ambitions to those of her Shroff’s debut novel is a treat.
empathise, reflect and applaud. imagination. Upadhyay has a unique vision of husband’s, but when she meets with an accident,
Placed in different time zones, from Doha to Dublin to Naini- feminism, love and life. She empowers the Pankaj discovers hidden aspects of Ujla: her love for
tal to the sleepy towns of Kerala, what remains at the core of each
story is the human condition. In the tale titled ‘Solapur’, when
a man decides to sell graphic pictures of his wife — who has
already traded her kidney in a bid to save an ailing son,
women protagonists to think and make choic- music, the fact that she did not want a second child and
es, traditional or unconventional. She com-
fortably tackles the challenges inherent in
the short story form and packs in one com-
ensured she did not have one, her unwilling-
ness to move to Singapore. He is also sur-
prised to see the extent of love and devotion
A NEW collection by Ruskin
Bond features the best of
animal tales written by him
in the last seven decades. The
although without success — in lieu of a pittance, the heart plete narrative after another in her 12 stories. she inspires in her students. The realisation title story introduces a wise and
bleeds, more so when he marks the same fate for his In most stories, the woman is the primary that she has a meaningful life unshared with crafty tiger who survives every
beautiful daughter. In ‘The Argentina Jersey’, a debt-rid- narrator or mover of the story, while the man him, is not a pleasant one. attempt on his life. There are sto-
den father consumes a bottle of poison he had bought for has a more static position as the listener. Upadhyay tends to lean towards unusual sce- ries about dangerous encounters
his entire family, but not without a wish that his sons The book starts with ‘The Blue Woman’, a narios. In ‘Dhani’, she introduces the reader to in the wild; others bring the
should one day wear the winners’ jersey. tale of a clairvoyant woman taxi driver who a couple en route to Pune to get divorced. The wildlife of the Himalayas to vivid,
On the funnier side, in ‘Marquez’, a young journalist sees disfigured bodies of dead women pas- reason, ostensibly, is the pervasive presence of memorable life. The book also
believes he has become the famous author, but is soon sengers in the back seat of her cab when she
THE BLUE WOMEN an army of tiny frogs that infests their new features a new story — ‘The Call
THE LAST TIGER:
slapped back into the temporal world by his witty wife. looks into her rearview mirror. These
by Anukrti Upadhyay. home. The underlying reason is that the two of the Leopard’. In the ‘Introduc-
MY FAVOURITE
In a two-page, yet amazingly powerful story ‘The women are perfectly normal when they harbour varying sensibilities and worldviews. tion’, the author takes us behind
MARQUEZ, EMS, HarperCollins. ANIMAL STORIES
Enemy’, the protagonist shares, “Fear — uncontrol- board and alight the taxi. She discovers that ‘Sona’ is the story of a 16-year-old girl, jeal- the stories and shares how the
GULAM & OTHERS lable fear — began to swallow me like a python.” the women are doomed to a dire end at the Pages 276. ous of her mother and drawn to her stepfather. animals and birds mentioned in by Ruskin Bond.
by Benyamin. Quite true for the many characters in these stories, hands of men. To avoid such unnerving ~399 So obsessed is she with him that she will try his stories came from his own Aleph.
Translated into ones who are caught up in situations that generate experiences, she chooses to ferry male pas- every trick to attract and possess him. Called family and surroundings. ‘The Pages 248.
English by fear, something that is central to what they do and sengers on intercity routes either late in the night or ear- the ‘Golden Girl’ by her stepfather, she is convinced Last Tiger’ promises to thrill, ~599
Swarup BR. why they do it. The author has underlined callous- ly morning. “I had to do something to stop the blue that it is she who he wants, not her mother. delight, terrify, and entertain
HarperCollins. ness of the human race, plotting and scheming men, woman from haunting my taxi,” she explains. Through- Some stories such as that of the taxi driver might Bond’s legions of fans, and all
Pages 214. in a matter-of-fact manner, without being preachy or out the narrative, her strong decisions come through. vaguely remind the reader of ‘Eyes of Laura Mars’ and those with an interest in the
~399 judgmental. The pain of immigrants, angst of tribes, Often, the woman’s narrative comes as a surprise to that of the obsessive Sona of ‘Mildred Pierce’. Howev- world of nature.
helplessness of the marginalised; class, caste, colour the man. In ‘Mauna’, for instance, the protagonist, torn er, Upadhyay’s prose is evocative and sensuous. Dex-
and country, all have been sensitively portrayed, as asunder by grief following the death of her father, sum- terously using her words, she draws vivid portraits of
also the human spirit’s longing for freedom.
The translator, Swarup BR, has retained the author’s voice,
perspective, even tenor. “Stories cannot be pulled out of thin air...
They are deeply rooted in life,” says Benyamin. One can feel it.
mons Vishwa, a colleague, for a purely physical tryst to people, their lives and surroundings. Her stories flit
purge herself from the overwhelming sorrow. Vishwa’s between the illusionary and the real. The ends are
emotions have no significance, neither does conven- often startling, allowing the reader’s imagination to
tional morality. draw its conclusion.
I N ‘H for Heritage: Mumbai’,
author Fiona Fernandez intro-
duces young minds to the
metropolitan city’s origins and
evolution. Told in an A-Z format,
each letter explores an impor-
CAPTION CONTEST 1401
Devoted to
tant, unique location, milestone,
landmark, or personality. The
RAVI KUMAR
Entries are invited to suggest a caption for the stories behind the subjects have
photograph. The caption should only be in English,
witty and not exceeding 10 words, and reach
Spectrum, The Tribune, Chandigarh, 160030, by
Tibetan cause been turned into pocket-sized
accounts and trivia. The author
also gives a sneak peek into
A
Thursday. The best five captions will be published and S the Dalai Lama’s special envoy many unheard-of gems of Mum-
awarded ~300, ~250, ~200, ~150 and ~100, H FOR HERITAGE:
and chief negotiator with China in bai’s famous and infamous, its MUMBAI
respectively. Each caption must be accompanied by a
clipping of the caption contest and its number. the formal discussions over the indigenous and migrant com- by Fiona Fernandez.
Photocopies or scans of the caption photo won’t be status of Tibet, Lodi Gyaltsen munities, all of whom con- Illustrations by
accepted. Online subscribers may attach an epaper Gyari spent decades drawing attention to tributed to its enterprise and Sumedha Sah.
clipping at captionpics@tribunemail.com or a scanned the plight of the Tibetan people and striv- eccentricities, and its farsighted HarperCollins.
copy of the e-paper clipping. Please mention the pin ing for the resolution of the Tibetan-Chi- thinkers, who had big dreams
code and phone number in your address. Pages 103.
nese conflict. At the outset, he says the for the city. The book is a first in ~499
book is neither a memoir, nor a contempo- a series that will feature other
Selected entries for Caption Contest 1400 rary history of Tibet or the Tibetan people’s Indian cities as well, all aimed at
struggle, just a raising a timely voice about her-
recounting of events itage conservation. Discover,
as he saw them. explore, be charmed.
It is divided into
three parts — ‘Land
A
of My Ancestors’, UTHOR J Nandakumar
‘ Tibet Restored’ and says that a nation that has
‘Thirty Years of no consciousness of the
Engagement with the past cannot give shape to a great
PRC’. The author and glorious future. Reclaiming
conducted a formal THE DALAI LAMA’S our past and recapturing the
dialogue with the SPECIAL ENVOY: Dharmic vision is important for
Chinese leadership MEMOIRS OF A LIFE- the furtherance of our future, to
from 2002 to 2012, TIME IN PURSUIT OF help us emerge as a confident
after many years of A REUNITED TIBET nation capable of playing its
quiet diplomacy. He by Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari. civilisational role, he opines.
details the fits and HarperCollins. National convener of Prajna
starts of the parties’ Pages 800. Pravah, a Rashtriya Swayamse-
relationship, the suc- ~799 vak Sangh-affiliated organisa- STRUGGLE FOR
cesses as well as fail- tion, Nandakumar surveys the NATIONAL
ures and highlights freedom movement from a his- SELFHOOD
March 26 issue (see photo) by J Nandakumar.
misperceptions, missteps and missed torical perspective to bring out
❚ Stick-ing to days gone by — Shruti K Chawla, Indus Scrolls Press.
Chandigarh opportunities. in detail what he feels was the
He describes the Tibetan resistance to real motivation of the freedom Pages 364.
❚ Still no train to Lahore — Kuldeep Kaur, Faridkot
the Chinese invasion and the tumultuous fighters — to preserve and revi- ~550
❚ Last leg of journey— MR Virdi via epaper,
Shahpurkandi, Pathankot early years of the Tibetan community in talise the swa consciousness,
❚ On a nostalgic platform — Gagan Suman, Mohali exile as well as his family’s history and our national selfhood. The
❚ Thoughts out of track — Pratham Sharma via spiritual lineage. A reincarnated Tibetan book provides a new template
epaper, Rampur Bushahr, Shimla Buddhist lama forced to flee Tibet, Gyari to view the past.
illuminates how his political efforts ful-
filled his spiritual calling. — TNS
123
CHANDIGARH | SUNDAY | 2 APRIL 2023 REFLECTIONS 5
The science of a hit series

Millions of views and an IMDb rating of 8.9,
Bapu’s talismans do
not work anymore
is there anything else on your wishlist?
India’s population is 1.5 billion. The idea is
T
to reach out to a billion viewers. The biggest HE last few weeks have seen as political parties discovered the vote
victory for a filmmaker is to transcend all the most unusual weather the banks they could carve out by appeal-
boundaries, be it religion, region, language world over: cyclones in the ing to the baser instincts of communi-
or geography. Mississippi, snow funnels in ties, things went rapidly south. Today,
What was uppermost on your mind when Canada and North America, devastat- there is no party that can call itself tol-
you decided to make a series on science? ing storms in coastal Africa, in South erant and large-hearted. What is worse,
It was a very conscious decision to make it as America and even Central Asia. Here they are losing their ability to listen to
entertaining, as palatable, as engaging as pos- in India, we, too, have had our share of another point of view. With the rising
sible and reach out far and wide so more and unseasonal rain and hailstorms. tide of majoritarianism, I shudder to
more people watch it. I think we succeeded in Someone sent me horrifying pictures think of where this will lead future
He’s pulled it off not doing so. The other day, Javed Akhtar Sahab taken in Fazilka after a recent hail- generations. We spout Gandhi-isms
shared how he not only binge-watched the storm that was preceded by a tornado! publicly but deep inside us are dark
once but twice over, second season but it also whetted his appetite Whoever heard of a twister in Punjab? pockets of the most dreadful prejudice
chronicling the lives to understand what heavy water is, how the
scientists make the bomb. Ishwak Singh (L) as Vikram Sarabhai and Jim Sarbh as Homi Bhabha in Rocket Boys.
They occur in the American Midwest,
my faint memory of school-level
and suspicion about the other side. I
need not spell out more clearly how
and achievements of There is science, arts, emotions, politics geography told me. Yet here, someone peaceful, simple-minded folks are now
and then it pans out like a thriller — how Advani, and producer Siddharth Roy Kapur wanted to call out the class divide and Islam- had recorded Fazilka’s raging torna-
legendary scientists tough was it to meld all the elements? decided to put it together? ophobia. But many feel his character gets a do-monster tossing trees as if they
Vikram Sarabhai I never felt it was going to be difficult. Once
you have a cracking script in place and great
I was excited and jumped at the idea. The need
of the hour is to tell stories which have not been
short shrift.
He was always conceived as the face of people
were mere matchsticks and running
away with roofs, hurling sturdy iron
and Homi Bhabha. collaborators, be it the technical crew or explored before and are about India and its his- who do the right thing. But did he get justice? gates spinning like killer frisbees
actors, everything falls in place. tory. People thought I was mad to do a series No. I take criticism very positively, maybe across the mustard fields.
Abhay Pannu, 31, Is it easier or tougher to make a series about scientists who spoke about cosmic rays when I write another character like him I will The same devastation has been
the director of around people who are no more?
It’s easier for sure and more liberating too. I
and nuclear physics. But I knew from the onset
that the show would resonate with people.
bear it in mind. But here his arc was in sync
with the way the story was meant to be told.
reported from Madhya Pradesh,
where farmers watched helplessly as
Rocket Boys, talks had the freedom to make Ishwak Singh and What was Advani’s and Kapur’s brief? The local press in Kerala spoke of a conspir- their ripening fields of mustard, soya
Jim Sarbh play Sarabhai and Bhabha the Sid always tells you to be honest, but since acy behind Sarabhai’s death too. Did you and wheat were flattened by rain- TOUCHSTONES
to Nonika Singh way I wanted to. There are not too many visu- Nikhil is himself a director, he is more specif- think of using it in the series? storms, followed by sharp hail that IRA PANDE
about the making al references on how they worked and how ic. He told me we are making ‘Rocket Boys’ Truth be told, we spoke to Mallika Sarabhai beat the crops down to lie dead in
of the OTT series, the

they behaved. Contrast this with a biopic on
say Kapil Dev, whom you see every day on tel-
and not ‘Rocket Men’. So don’t show them as
Dr Homi Bhabha and Dr Vikram Sarabhai, as
about it. She agreed that there was a little bit of
noise about it, but it was not true. There is
pools of water to rot. Earlier, there
were sad tales of Maharashtra’s sug-
Today, there is no party
buzz Season Two is evision and you know how he talks and legends, one the father of India’s nuclear pro- ample evidence around the conspiracy behind arcane and mango harvest being that can call itself tolerant
walks. So, it’s limiting as also the fact that gramme and the other of space research. Show Bhabha’s death. destroyed. Climate change is here, no
creating, and also a there will be no freshness and, perhaps, more them as Homi and Vikram, as imperfect, falli- You had the Sarabhai family on board, but doubt, but what is the insurance and large-hearted. What
few voices of dissent
harsh comparisons.
How challenging is it to marry fact with
ble characters, falling in and out of love as men
making mistakes and faltering once in a while.
his biographer Amrita Shah has been rather
acerbic.
against agricultural loss? If this hap-
pens more and more often — as cli-
is worse, they are losing
fiction? That was some piece of advice. For one, we had the official biographer, Pad- mate scientists predict — people their ability to listen to
I believe filmmaking is a very democratic Audiences love the show, critics not so much. manabh K Joshi, on board. Moreover, no one might just sell off their farms and
process. But with democracy comes respon- The second season is more enjoyable for those knows a person better than his family. We went land and opt for a safer life in a city. another point of view.
sibility and the need for self-discipline. I
can’t possibly show whatever I want to. But,
who are not cinephiles, who are not purists. I
agree with some of the criticism, especially the
ahead with Mallika and Kartikeya Sarabhai’s
account of their father. Besides, whenever you
And when such a migration from
rural communities takes place, imag-
With the rising tide of
if I managed to show Sarabhai and Bhabha handling of the antagonists, which could have make a biopic, there is bound to be a difference ine the chaos that will result as they majoritarianism, I shudder
as inspiring figures and ones who left been done better and not just as uni-dimen- of opinion. pour into cities and towns, ill-
behind a lasting legacy and made some sional characters. But those who feel there is Viewers have their favourite moments from equipped to handle this surge. to think of where this will
minor deviations here and there, I think that
should be allowed. I may have juggled a few
more politics and history in the second season,
my answer is, I always wanted Season One to
the series, which one is yours?
By a clear margin, it is the last scene which
Human migrations — which occur
everywhere in the world as people flee
lead future generations
timelines but I believe, ‘never let facts come be character-driven and Two to be plot-driven invariably brings tears to my eyes. It sums up hostile political systems, droughts,
in the way of a good story’. and to show the story of not just these two sci- my life’s philosophy that one must keep try- pandemics or wars (to name just a few weaponised warriors, created by fake
What was your reaction when you first heard entists, but also of how an independent nation ing. It’s ok even if we fail and don’t achieve triggers) — are now the subject of a news and WhatsApp groups, ready to
the concept which came from your name- was coming up around them. what we set out to. While writing the show, I very ugly debate as many countries kill and lynch anyone they perceive as
sake Abhay (Koranne) and creator Nikhil You created Reza Mehdi’s character for you have become a better version of myself. are banning the entry of illegal immi- a representative of another faith.
grants from countries in the throes of This is not what our land was
political or economic stress. On the known for: we lived with each other
When event management goes wrong

one hand are human rights activists in harmony and accepted another
who deplore the treatment meted out way of life with a good-natured toler-
to minorities and people of a certain ance. Atal Bihari Vajpeyee, a man
faith, while on the other is the right- who we now remember with respect
wing lobby that feels threatened by and affection, once said that people
W
EDDINGS in India usually was contended. The complainant, thus, on the day of the wedding. While the respon- wave upon wave of ‘foreign’ intrud- with small hearts (chhote dil wale)
involve large gatherings, requir- sought a compensation of ~10 lakh. dent denies that catering by Singh Caterers ers. If allowed to come in as asylum will never create large countries.
ing a spacious venue, elaborate The District Consumer Commission, how- was agreed upon, he has not led any evidence seekers, they feel their own people will How right he was! And how ironic
food arrangements, intricate ever, dismissed the case, directing him to go to show who the agreed caterer was. Without suffer as jobs will be taken away by that a man who was vilified in his
flower decorations, colourful lights and, of to the appropriate civil court. In response to going into issues of standard and taste with ‘these people’, national identities will lifetime as a right-winger is now
course, music to create the mood. All this his appeal, the State Commission remanded regard to the food items served, which are sub- be erased and social upheavals will remembered as the one whose heart
comes at a price, and it is not rare to find con- the complaint back to the District Commis- jective issues, there was, clearly, deficiency in ensue. There is some merit in both was so large and accommodating
sumers expressing their unhappiness or dis- sion, which, through its order dated July 26, the serving of the identified items on the arguments but — as is often the case that he even reached out to Pakistan
CONSUMER RIGHTS satisfaction with the services provided. It is 2013, directed the hall owner to pay a com- menu on the day of the function for which a — neither of them are entirely correct. and Kashmiri separatists in a mem-
PUSHPA GIRIMAJI also not unusual to find such cases before the pensation of ~1,50,000 and ~3,000 as costs. The consideration had been accepted.” (Dharam- In our own country, hostility against orable gesture of goodwill. For his
consumer courts. Recently, the National Con- State Commission, however, set aside this pal Sabharwal vs M/s Bottoms Up Pub and ‘outsiders’ came in the wake of the inheritors to shrink this large-heart-
A written agreement sumer Disputes Redressal Commission gave
its order in one such case. It highlights two
order. pointing to the absence of an agree-
ment in writing between the parties on who
Restaurant, RP No. 396 of 2016).
In conclusion, I would re-emphasise that in
Bangladesh war when displaced fam-
ilies from East Pakistan fled with their
ed legacy into small-minded bigotry
is truly tragic. Not that the other par-
or a contract for important points: (1.) The need for consumers will provide the catering or even about the cases such as these, a written agreement or a meagre belongings to West Bengal ties are any better: those who cham-
to always have in writing any such agree- provision of a stage for the DJ. contract would go a long way in protecting and the Northeast. The political and pioned social justice were the worst
services required ments involving huge sums of money so that In his revision petition before the National the interests of the consumer. Here, the con- social consequences of that are still violators of that noble concept, those
while planning say the service provider can be held liable for vio- Commission, the complainant argued that the sumer eventually won the case, but it was a shaking this region, almost 50 years who had unsullied reputations of
lations of the terms of the agreement, and (2.) usual practice was to finalise the menu and the long battle because of the absence of an down the line. In Maharashtra, the love and a genuine pride in an ‘Indi-
a wedding,function In the absence of such an agreement, hauling arrangements orally and pay the advance. And agreement or a contract. He would have Shiv Sena thundered against the an-ness’ are now ashamed to belong
would go a long way up the service provider may be difficult, but
not impossible, if the consumer can convince
he had provided as evidence the menu card of
Singh Caterers where the items chosen by him
probably got a better compensation if he had
that evidence with him.
‘ Madrasis’ from Tamil Nadu and the
‘ Bhaiyyas’ from UP and Bihar in
to a country that has given them so
much love. The world is really head-
in protecting the the court of the facts of the case through oth- were marked in red. He also had a visiting card Of course, some marriage halls and hotels order to keep the state ‘pure and safe ed into a spiral of destruction that
er supporting evidence. of the venue owner attached to it. have one-sided contracts on which you are for the Marathi manoos’. Delhi took a will flatten all of us eventually.
interests of the This particular case revolves around the While restoring the order of the District Com- asked to sign. You need to read these careful- long time to accept the refugees from I sometimes feel our generation saw
consumers poor quality of food catered by a marriage mission, the National Commission pointed ly before putting your signatures. For a long Pakistan, and many believe the vul- the best and the worst. Our lives were
hall owner. The complainant’s case was that out, “From the record, it is evident that there time, I have been arguing that we need to garisation of a genteel society came a trailer of events that would alter the
he had booked Daulat Gardens for his was an arrangement by which the menu had have standard model contracts for each sec- along with ‘those Punjabis’ from country we knew into a dystopia of
daughter’s wedding on November 23, 2008, been determined by marking the selected tor and all contracts must be based on that across the border. hatred and violence. In the twilight of
along with a catering order of food for 500 items in different colours for the event, for principle of fairness — to both the parties. Let’s face it, all of us carry myths that generation’s life, perhaps it is
persons, to be supplied by Singh Caterers of which a consideration had been accepted by The Central Consumer Protection Authority about the ‘other’ in our heads. Some time to say, ‘Ab tumhare hawale
Chandigarh. However, neither the caterer the respondent. It is not denied by the respon- constituted under the Consumer Protection learn to remain civil and not air their watan saathiyo.’ Bapu’s Satya and
nor the menu served were the chosen ones, it dent that all the items selected were not served Act should undertake this work. prejudices openly, others do not. Then, Ahimsa talismans work no more.
Hunting to saving, 50 years of Project Tiger

“Tyger tyger, burning bright, There never was a census of the tiger in another 433 tigers! in both wildlife and conservation… her the Indian Forest Service as director. The
In the forests of the night; India, or for that matter of wildlife per se. It Little wonder then that by 1970, the manner in discussion alternates between committee was to report progress to her
What immortal hand or eye, was for the first time in 1963 that EP Gee, a number of tigers in India had plummeted feminine charm and impressive masculine once every month. She chaired the meet-
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?” tea-planter from Assam and an eminent nat- to a guesstimated 1,800. At this stage, decisiveness. She was determined that ings without a single postponement.
— William Blake uralist, provided a guesstimate that in 1900 Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands as everything possible should be done to save As to how deeply Indira Gandhi got com-
AD, there were perhaps 40,000 tigers in chairman of WWF-International the tiger. She said she would form a special mitted to Project Tiger, she ventured to ask
W
ILDLIFE science is conclu- India. This figure has since been mounted a global initiative to task force to report to her. To everyone’s Sankhala, “What are your demands?” Now
LT GEN BALJIT SINGH (RETD) sive that Panthera tigris tigris accepted as a reasonable working save the tiger, and by 1972, cre- astonishment, the task force was formed the we find tiger’s destiny prompting Sankha-
species had evolved some 2.4 hypothesis. Unfortunately for ated a corpus of $1 million for next morning and it met the following day.” la to say, “Give me 10 years without politi-
million years ago in the forests the tiger, the year was also the a start. Next, he arranged an She next chose her Cabinet colleague Dr cal and bureaucratic interference and God-
Recalling the launch of the Amur river watershed in far-eastern high mark of the Raj in India urgent meeting between Guy Karan Singh to lead the task force, with willing, we shall save the tiger, Madam!” or
Russia and was commonly called the when shooting a tiger became a Mountford, trustee of the the mandate to formulate a ‘mission blue- words to that effect. And the rest is history.
of the mission on Siberian tiger. Much like all other crea- status symbol, as much with the WWF, and Prime Minister Indi- print’ and likely tiger reserves in three Over the next 15 years, and before her
April 1, 1973, to save tures of the animal kingdom, after due
consolidation as a life form, it gradually
British as the Indian nobility.
But for the fateful intervention by the two
ra Gandhi to plead that as India
was the last bastion of the surviving
months. Dr Karan Singh chose his team of
10 prominent nature conservationists,
assassination in 1984, the tiger was consid-
ered well on the way to total recovery, with
the tiger, PM Indira swept southwards, mainly along the east- World Wars, the tiger in India may well ‘viable tiger population’, it was best whose blueprint won Indira Gandhi’s the official estimate of about 2,500 animals
ern and southern seaboards of the Asian have been hunted to extinction in the first placed to prevent the looming extinction. approval, including the proposals that (a) in the country’s first nine tiger reserves
Gandhi’s stellar role mainland. There was a limited spread in half of the 20th century. The stories of tiger- On April 18, with her characteristic grace the task force be replaced by a ‘steering alone. In addition, there were some more
and the contributions Central and Western Asia as well. This
process concluded about 12,000 years ago
hunting excesses are simply unbelievable.
For instance, a hunt organised over 10 days
and steely determination, the Prime Min-
ister accepted the challenge and also
committee’ and (b) the declaration of tiger
as the National Animal since it inhabited
tigers in India’s remaining wilderness.
As the Corbett National Park was
of many others when the tiger reached the southern arc in 1903 in the Terai region claimed 32 tiger spontaneously pledged an equivalent of 27 states of India whereas the lion was India’s first ‘forest reserve’ created
from Kanyakumari in India to Bali in lives. Similarly, 39 tigers were shot by King $1 million to the tiger corpus! from Gujarat alone. In a subsequent meet- in 1936, it was in the fitness of things
Indonesia. Due to certain geological evo- George V on a state visit to Nepal in 1911. In Mountford’s words of that historic ing, the Prime Minister assumed the role that the Prime Minister would offi-
lutionary factors, the tiger remained Between 1933 and 1940, guests of the meeting, “Prime Minister Gandhi is a of chairperson with Dr Karan Singh as cially launch Project Tiger from there
exclusively an Asian mammal. Nepalese Prime Ministers dispatched remarkable woman, with a genuine interest vice-chairman, and Kailash Sankhala of on April 1, 1973.
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SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2023 | DELHI
THE
Mirror 7
FIRST ELECTORAL ENTRY OF

BRS OUTSIDE TELANGANA
At Kandhar Loha in Nanded district, KCR challenged Maha govt to replicate Telangana model
Vanam Jwala Different' Person is a leader manding for gold or the was born, KCR said Dalits
Narasimha Rao not in the traditional sense. Emphasizing and reinforcing his slogan of ‘Ab Ki Baar moon, but only water and have been neglected for cen-
'Being different' is to have power,”’ he said and added turies in the country.
Kisan Sarkar’, KCR perceptibly challenged the BJP-Shiv
C
HIEF Minister Tel- the courage to explore new that that if they fight hand The BRS chief said he
angana and presi- venues and push beyond Sena combine to implement the Telangana model of devel- in hand with him, he would had noticed large tracts of
dent of Bharat the boundaries the leader opment for farmers and the Dalit community as well. The promise that water will be parched lands on his way
Rashtra Samithi (BRS) K encounters. supplied to every acre in to Nanded. This was even
Chandrashekar Rao strate- The CM affectionately way KCR articulated his challenge, listing out numerous the country. The only man- when River Godavari and
gically announced that the and successfully captured development and welfare schemes being implemented in tra is farmers have to stay Krishna originated from
BRS would contest every the hearts and attention of united and form a team to Maharashtra. Farmers here
seat in the forthcoming lo- the people at large in Ma- Telangana, is a strong indication that similar challenges fight against these parties were facing severe short-
cal body elections in Maha- harashtra by garlanding are in waiting in other states, too, sooner or later said KCR. ‘The country will age of water and power for
rashtra, thereby indicating the statues of Chhatrapati soon witness a cyclone of agriculture. Taking a dig at
his entry into polls in other Shivaji Maharaj, Jyoti Rao ance coverage of Rs 5 lakh, farmers’ unity and strength the Maharashtra govern-
states. Obviously, this move Phule, Basaveshwara, Anna procuring the entire yield as the successive government, KCR said the Nanded
of KCR is an indication of Bahu Sathe, Ahilyabai Hol- from farmers by setting up ments at the Centre and airport, which was sup-
steadily securing the re- kar, and Dr BR Ambedkar over 7,000 procurement States have been taking posed to be operated for 24
quired percentage of votes before addressing the pub- centers across the State, them for granted and it can’t hours, was now being shut
for BRS in other states too, lic meeting and then began Rs 10 lakh per head under go on forever warned KCR. for night operations which
for an early recognition of his speech by paying rich Dalit Bandhu etc., he would He gave a call that farmers, certainly reflects backward-
BRS as National Party. KCR tributes to them and recol- not have to visit Maharash- workers, and Dalits should ness of the nation but not
as of now, did not speak of lecting their services to the tra. In other words, the unite and vote BRS to victo- development. KCR stated
any alliance or poll under- nation. The occasion wit- Chief Minister challenged ry in the ensuing panchayat that the ruling coalition
standing in these elections. nessed several prominent Fadnavis to replicate Telan- elections. leaders in Maharashtra or-
Emphasizing and rein- leaders of Maharashtra gana model of welfare and Stating that Telangana’s ganized ‘Dawats’ in nearby
forcing his slogan of ‘Ab Ki joining BRS who included development. condition was worse than villages for the last couple of
Baar Kisan Sarkar’, KCR former MLAs, Dalit leaders, KCR reiterated that in Maharashtra at the time of days in an effort to make the
perceptibly challenged the former ZP chairpersons etc. the 75 years after Independ- formation of the state in people to skip BRS public
BJP-Shiv Sena combine to Amidst ‘Desh ki Neta kai- ence, despite Congress rule 2014, when farmers were meeting at Kandhar-Loha.
implement the Telangana sa ho, KCR Jaisa Ho’ slogans 54 years and BJP rule of 16 committing suicides in large The police even diverted
model of development for from the audience, KCR years, nothing worthwhile numbers and to overcome traffic (vehicles) coming
farmers and the Dalit com- was addressing an impres- happened, except par- that, the state launched sev- to the public meeting and
munity as well. The way sive and massive gathering ties and politicians getting eral welfare schemes making despite all this it was the
KCR articulated his chal- at Kandhar Loha in Nand- benefited but not people agriculture profitable, said affection of Nanded people
lenge, listing out numerous ed district of Maharashtra at large. The fate of people, KCR. Detailing about trans- that had made him visit the
development and welfare State on Sunday, March 26, especially farmers has not formation that had taken area twice in less than two
schemes being implement- 2023. KCR’s address which changed, he pointed out. place in Telangana during months.
ed in Telangana, is a strong appeared more or less like few other states ultimately, to solve their problems. He of Telangana Model. India’s abundant natural re- the last nine years, he said it The inference clearly was
indication that similar chal- an interactive session, drew in the run-up to the Lok reminded how the Maha- KCR took strong objec- sources like billions of tons was purely the commitment that the first electoral entry
lenges are in waiting in huge response from the Sabha elections in 2024. In rashtra state government tion to Maharashtra Deputy of coal reserves and water of the BRS government to- of BRS outside Telangana is
other states, too, sooner or public. Incidentally, the fact, the CM also hinted at was shaken after BRS Nand- Chief Minister Devendra as well as huge human re- wards people and farmers signaled and KCR’s move is
later. Kandhar fort near Nanded visiting Sholapur saying ed meeting on February 5 Fadnavis’ comments on his sources are being underuti- that had transformed it to a perhaps is to expedite rec-
KCR’s Strategy is to be in Maharashtra, spread that he was under pressure and hurriedly expedited its campaigning in the state lized said KCR. He said that privileged level in many ar- ognition of BRS as national
one of ‘Being Different,’ a across 24 acres, was once from leaders of that region announcement to include and said that, he being a cit- our kids are eating burgers eas. When Telangana which party by contesting in as
rare quality in the context the capital of the mighty to address a public meeting. agriculture investment sub- izen of India, has every right and go to the shops of for- was more backward than many states as possible in a
of today’s national political Rashtrakootas’ dynasty, that KCR further indicated sidy component of Rs 6,000 to move anywhere in India. eign companies for Bread Maharashtra nine years ago, phased manner and ensure
and poll scenario. It means ruled over the Deccan for to the Maharashtra People per acre and gave credit to Challenging Fadnavis that and questioned that why could be transformed into the required percentage and
honoring one's own values, four centuries. The grand and particularly the farm- the ‘power of pink flag’ for if only he implements the should there be such a situ- one of the leading contribu- even more votes and seats
following one's own pas- success of the BRS meeting ers that, if they exhibit their the same. KCR, however, farmer benefiting schemes ation in a predominant ag- tors to the nation’s economy, wherever contested well be-
sion, leading the way, and in Kandhar Loha, the sec- united strength in the local demanded that the subsidy in Maharashtra as is done in riculture country? He said why can’t Maharashtra? fore General Elections.
blazing the trail or precisely ond in Maharashtra, was a body’s elections, both the be on a par with that of Tel- Telangana, like 24-hour free no need to beg anyone and questioned KCR. Stating that
to be the first one to do big boost to party leader- state and central govern- angana, that is, Rs 10,000 power and water supply to we have wonderful wealth Maharashtra is a land where (The writer is Chief
something and to show oth- ship to plan a few more for- ments will come running per acre, in addition to im- farmers, financial assistance given by God and Nature. the architect of Indian Con- Public Relations Officer to
ers how to do it. The 'Being ays in that state, as well as a to their doorsteps in a bid plementing other schemes of Rs 10,000 per acre, insur- “Farmers are not de- stitution Dr BR Ambedkar Chief Minister, Telangana)
A moment of extraordinary
Can Banga as WB chief fix change for British politics
climate finance, debt crises?
Rachel Kyte tors and the major lending
Humza Yousaf appointment as the first minister of Scotland
Ajay Banga who is set to take over as countries, including China

BOSTON (US): Over the past the new president of the World Bank – which has emerged as the
two years, a drumbeat of calls will need to support more radical biggest holder of developing
for reforming the World Bank collaboration among development country debt – to speed up
has pushed its way onto the support to struggling coun-
front pages of major newspa- financial institutions, including tries. On other issues, such
pers and the agenda of heads pooling capital and talent, to help as nature-based solutions
of state. Many low- and mid- respond quickly to countries' needs. to climate change, building
dle-income countries – the It won't be easy. Institutional rivalries resilience and economic
population the World Bank is run deep. But with budgets tight, inclusion, the World Bank
tasked with helping – are fall- Group can bring its sig-
ing deeper into debt and facing there is growing clarity that there is no nificant resources and skills,
growing costs as the impacts choice – the capital that is already in including data analysis, to
of climate change increase in the system is the closest at hand and global conversations that it
severity. can be deployed to better effect if the has been painfully absent Rishi Sunak Humza Yousaf
A chorus of critics accuse institutions are willing to adapt from for the past four years;
the World Bank of failing to 4) Be a champion for the most Parveen Akhtar has unprecedented ethnic ever, Yousaf 's absence from
evolve to meet the crises. The vulnerable. The world's diversity. a vote on equal marriage
job of leading that reform is reform. Banga will walk into finance and stretch every Bank Group and the re- most vulnerable people are BI R M I NG HA M / G L AS- Scotland is the only west- for same-sex couples was
now almost certain to fall to the job with these and many dollar is crucial for meet- gional development banks the World Bank Group's GOW: Humza Yousaf 's ap- ern European nation to questioned and linked to
Ajay Banga, an Indian Ameri- other to-do lists. Yet he will ing the world's development – is disjointed at best and ultimate beneficiaries. For pointment as first minister have a Muslim leader and his faith and standing in the
can businessman and former inherit a corporate culture that and climate adaptation and competitive at worst. The those living on the front of Scotland is a historic mo- the UK the only democracy Glasgow Pakistani commu-
CEO of Mastercard who was makes the World Bank Group mitigation needs. Banga will new president of the World line of biodiversity loss and ment for the UK. It means where the children of for- nity. The allegation was that
nominated by President Joe too inwardly focused and too need to set clear goals for Bank will need to support climate impacts, such as that, for the first time in merly colonised people are he did not want to vote in
Biden to replace resigning slow to respond. I have worked each part of the World Bank more radical collaboration extreme heat, drought and history, the country has a running the country that favour of this legislation for
World Bank President David for the World Bank Group and Group and get them work- among development finan- flooding, the current inter- Hindu prime minister in colonised their parents' and fear of alienating that com-
Malpass. Nominations closed with it from the outside. I see ing more effectively to help cial institutions, including national financial system Westminster (Rishi Sunak) grandparents' nations. The munity.
on March 29, 2023, with Banga four key roles – four “C's” – the world achieve its goals; pooling capital and talent, is proving inadequate. The and a Muslim first minis- moment is monumental. Both Yousaf and Sunak
the only candidate. that Banga will need to mas- 2) Assume the mantle of col- to help respond quickly to World Bank Group's man- ter in Scotland. In his vic- The UK, Scotland and, in- seem keen to keep their faith
There is no shortage of ad- ter from the outset. From his laborator in chief to take on countries' needs. It won't be agement incentives are still tory speech, Yousaf said: We deed, Ireland are all led by in the private sphere, which
vice for what Banga and the track record and his reputation the debt and climate crises. easy. Institutional rivalries too oriented to lending ap- should all take pride in the people from the south Asian is expected in British poli-
World Bank need to do. The for deep thoughtfulness, I am Many of the World Bank run deep. But with budgets proved by the board, not the fact that today we have sent diaspora. Both Yousaf and tics. Former prime minister
G-20 recently issued a report confident that he can: Group's client countries are tight, there is growing clar- outcomes of that lending, a clear message, that your Sunak have credited their Tony Blair's team famously
urging the World Bank and 1) Act as a CEO and get the facing both mounting debt ity that there is no choice advice and assistance. colour of skin, your faith, is grandparents and parents lived by the mantra “We
the other multilateral devel- entire World Bank Group and rising costs from cli- – the capital that is already Throughout its history, not a barrier to leading the for their work ethic, which don't do God” when it came
opment banks to loosen their house in order. The World mate change. The high cost in the system is the closest World Bank leaders have been country we all call home. they say has enabled them to avoiding discussions
lending restrictions to get Bank Group is a conglom- of borrowing can hamper at hand and can be deployed able to make rapid changes to On the face of it, these to move up Britain's social about his Christianity. The
more money flowing to coun- erate with four balance developing countries' ability to better effect if the institu- better help vulnerable coun- two men, whose families and political hierarchy. It's class caveat Yousaf 's politics
tries in need. A commission sheets, three cultures and to invest in needed infra- tions are willing to adapt; tries when they stay close to came to the UK as immi- an inspiring story but per- couldn't be more different
led by economists Nicholas four executive boards, plus structure to grow and pro- 3) Be a convener. Overhauling the needs of their ultimate grants looking for a better haps one they should both from Sunak's. He is firmly
Stern and Vera Songwe called a dispute resolution arm. tect their economies, and how international finance beneficiaries and the goals life, embody the dream that, reflect on now they are in left of centre on immigra-
for a rapid, sustained invest- Lending to low- and mid- they fear being locked out works will require every- that the world has set. The through hard work, immi- power. It is perhaps harder tion, welfare and taxation.
ment push that prioritises dle-income countries is just of global trade as the United one to be on board – de- next president faces turbulent grants and their children for arrivals in today's Brit- This reminds us that the eth-
transitioning to cleaner energy, part of its role. The World States' green subsidies in velopment banks, central times. Banga's careful listening can make it to the top of ain to replicate this jour- nic minority political iden-
achieving the UN sustainable Bank Group also provides the Inflation Reduction Act banks, regulators, invest- on his campaign tour signals society. Similar stories are ney. The ultimate stress test tity is not uniform, although
development goals and meet- technical assistance across and Europe's border carbon ment banks, pension funds, that he understands the com- playing out elsewhere at the awaits for years parties on the left
ing the needs of increasingly all areas of economic de- tax may make it more dif- insurance companies and plexity. It's an extraordinary top level of British politics, Though Yousaf has stated took the minority vote for
vulnerable countries. African velopment and invests in ficult for them to compete. private equity. Banga and moment in the history of the too. Scotland's main oppo- he is a practising Muslim, granted. Today ethnic, reli-
ministers of finance will soon and provides risk insurance The solutions to cascading International Monetary institution, with sky-high ex- sition party Labour is led he is also clear that he does gious and cultural diversity
come out with their own “to to encourage companies to problems like these cannot Fund Managing Director pectations of what one leader by Anas Sawar, a man who not believe that legisla- is reflected across the politi-
do” list for the World Bank, invest in projects and places be managed by one institu- Kristalina Georgieva can needs to do. is also of Pakistani Muslim tors should be led by faith cal spectrum. It is possible to
and India's minister of finance they might otherwise con- tion. However, the current settle institutional differ- (Writer is Dean of the heritage, as is Sadiq Khan, in their decision-making. reach the top whatever your
just pulled together an expert sider too risky. Its ability multilateral development ences and present a coordi- Fletcher School, Tufts the Mayor of London. The That said, during the SNP political identity.
group to consider World Bank to mobilize private-sector bank system – the World nated face to private inves- |University, US) Westminster cabinet also leadership contest, how- (The Conversation)
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