“

As per the Global Gender Gap Report 2016 by World Economic Forum,

India has improved its rank in the Global Gender Gap Index, 2016 by jumping to 87th position as against 108th in the 2015 report. Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) ranks 144 countries of the world. India stands 9th on political empowerment of women which is a major achievement.

According to the Human Development Report 2015 brought out by UNDP, India ranked 130 on the Gender Inequality Index among 155 countries.

As per the GGR, India has climbed 21 spots to rank 87th in 2016, which is an improvement from being ranked at 108th in 2015. The improvement in ranking has been driven largely by major improvements in education. On education attainment India has moved up from 125th rank in 2015 to 113th in 2016. On economic participation and opportunity too, India has moved up to 136th rank in 2016, from 139th in 2015. On health and survival, it has moved up by one rank over last year to rank 142nd.

The Government of India has taken several measures, interventions and strengthened Institutional mechanism towards the empowerment of women and for elimination of gender gap and inequality. The Integrated Child Development Scheme is being implemented to address the nutritional needs of children and pregnant and lactating women, Matritva Sahyog Yojana for pregnant and lactating women to improve their health and nutrition status. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), implemented with the objective of reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality. Sabla scheme aims at the empowerment of adolescent girls in the age group of 11-18 years, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhayamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA) schemes are being implemented to universalize elementary and secondary education respectively, having a strong focus on improving enrolment and retention of girls. Support to Training & Employment programme for Women (STEP) scheme aims to ensure sustainable employment and income generation for marginalized and asset-less rural and urban women. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) helps in economic and social empowerment of women.

Priority to end gender based inequities, reducing disparity between men and women, improving socio-economic status of women and increasing their participation in various fields. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the following schemes to reduce gender gap and promote gender sensitization through the ambitious `Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme which has been launched to address the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio on a life cycle continuum basis.  One Stop Centres integrated with Women Helpline (181) have been established across the country to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, and engagement of Mahila Police Volunteers has been initiated to act as a link between police and public, according to the information provided to Parliament.  

Several steps and initiatives have also been taken up in school education system such as National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 and flagship programme like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the subsequent Right to Education Act (RTE). Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) have been opened in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs). Gender Sensitisation is also done through Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) which includes Gender sensitization Module- part of In-service training, Construction for toilet for girls, Construction of residential quarters for female teachers and Curriculum Reforms, Parliament was informed.”

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Keeping up with father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi’s credo for serving all the needy without any distinction, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has launched a spinning and weaving training programme for undertrials at the district jail in Gurugram in Haryana.

The Commission has set up a training cum production centre for the purpose. It is equipped with 50 new model charkhas and two looms. Seventy undertrials are undergoing the training.’

According to an understanding reached between KVIC and jail authorities, the fabrics produced will be used for making uniforms for inmates and such other purposes within the prison itself. The trainees would be paid for whatever they produce.

Normally, prisoners and undertrials earn Rs. 25 per day from work involving physical labour. With this initiative of KVIC, they will earn Rs. 150 to Rs. 250 per day depending on their output.  The income they earn will be credited in their jail account and given to them when they leave the prison.

Supreme Court Judge, Justice Madan B.Lokur, inaugurated the training and production centre in the presence of KVIC Chairman, V.K.Saxena, and Haryana Director General [Prison], V.K.Singhal.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Lokur appreciated the effort of KVIC and expressed hope that the training would help the under-trials to also engage themselves gainfully once they are discharged from the jail.

KVIC Chairman noted that spinning was the best way of meditation and would inculcate self discipline and help a person concentrate on good things in life. “”Spinning can calm the angry. When these inmates come out of the jail, they will be able to restart their life with dignity””.

In recent years, KVIC has been taking several initiatives to improve the lives of the common man through such training programmes and through that help in the socio-economic development of the country. Commission set a new record, registering a 20 per cent increase in Khadi sales during the lean season period of April to August.

Last year, the Commission had registered a sale of Rs. 628.16 crore during April to August and this year, this has zoomed to Rs. 754 crore for the same period, a record increase of 20 per cent. The record sale has also meant a quantum jump in Khadi production. The production for April to August period this year was Rs. 510 crore, an increase of 15 per cent over last year’s Rs. 444 crore for the same period.

The record growth in Khadi sale and production augured well for the socio-economic development of the country as it left more disposal income at the hands of the artisans in rural areas.

(The writer is an independent journalist based in Delhi.)”

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Gulf countries who always feel threatened by Iran have been assured by Britain of its support against any “aggressive regional action” by Teheranas the two sides agreed on a strategic partnership to deepen ties.

“”I want to assure you that I am clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and to the wider Middle East,”” British Prime Minister Theresa May told leaders of six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in at their summit in Bahrain’s capital Manama earlier this week. She stated that the UK would work with the Gulf states to counteract Tehran’s “aggressive regional actions.

Her statement sounds excellent for the region, particularly as it comes alongside an actual commitment of a military presence and assistance to Gulf nations in building up their defense capabilities.

But observers are sceptical about Britain’s assurance. “We must not forget the realities on the ground that may have resulted in this sudden British warming up.Nobody anticipates that the UK will completely cut ties with Iran, particularly given that the two countries have only just re-established political ties”, Saudi based daily Arab News commented.

Furthermore, it said there seems to be a vast contrast of views within the British government between May — who criticized Iran and lauded Saudi Arabia for its visionary leadership — and her Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson who criticized Saudi Arabia, and seemingly blamed it alongside Iran for the region’s turmoil, during at a conference a few days ago in Rome.

Theresa May told the rulers of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprising GCC that Iran nuclear agreement was “”vitally important for regional security.””

The leaders in a joint statement issued after their summit emphasized that Iran should abide by its nuclear agreement with the G5+1 in July 2015, and urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to apply an effective mechanism to verify the agreement is put in place.

According to the statement, the leaders said they “”oppose and will work together to counter Iran’s destabilising activities””. Britain and the GCC agreed to a ‘strategic partnership’ that would foster ‘political, defence, security and trade’ ties, while ‘developing collective approaches to regional issues’.

They expressed their determination to accelerate efforts against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the means of their delivery, as well as advanced conventional weapons, by enhancing national controls on proliferation-sensitive items and technologies.

As part of strengthening military cooperation, Britain will maintain a presence ‘throughout the Gulf’, the statement said, including through British defence staff to be based in Dubai. The statement said Britain and GCC countries were “”committed to continue working towards a sustainable political resolution in Syria””, where President Bashar Al Assad “”has lost all legitimacy and has no role in Syria’s future.””

It called for Assad’s backers including Russia and Iran “”to support a meaningful end to the violence, sustained humanitarian access and an inclusive political process”” in Syria.

They said the solution to the situation in Syria is an enduring political settlement based on transition away from the Assad regime to a government representative of all Syrians. They agreed to increase regional pressure on the Assad regime and its backers by heightening financial disruption and economic constraints.

They affirmed strong support for the Syrian opposition and emphasised that armed groups must comply with international humanitarian law and minimise civilian casualties.

The leaders exressed their commitment to assisting the Iraqi government and the International Global Coalition in their fight against Daesh., With regard to Yemen, both the GCC member states and the UK emphasised the need to resolve the conflict peacefully through political dialogue and negotiations facilitated by the UN.

The GCC member states and the UK strongly affirmed the necessity of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a just, lasting, comprehensive peace agreement that results in an independent and contiguous Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel, based on the Arab Peace Initiative and UN resolutions.

On Lebanon, the leaders welcomed the election of a new president, called on all parties to strengthen Lebanese state institutions, and emphasised the need to fight all terrorist groups operating in Lebanese territory, which threaten Lebanon’s security and stability. On Egypt, the GCC and the UK committed to support co-operation between the IMF and Egypt.

Regarding Libya, the GCC leaders, according to the concluding statement issued after their summit in Manama, reiterated backing to UN efforts to ensure security and stability.

During her speech, the British PM said the two sides would study liberalising trade as Britain prepares to leave the European Union after the shock referendum vote to quit the bloc. “”I want these talks to pave the way for an ambitious trade arrangement”” after Brexit.

May was the first woman and first British leader to address a GCC summit, as Gulf countries deepen ties with major powers beyond longtime ally the United States. In May last year, France’s President Francois Hollande became the first Western head of state to attend a GCC summit. US President Barack Obama followed in April this year, seeking to reassure Gulf about US overtures to Iran.

(M. Shakeel Ahmed is a Delhi-based independent journalist. He has had a long stint with the PTI news agency and also served for nearly a decade as its West Asia and the Gulf correspondent. The views are personal.)”

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Even as President Pranab Mukherjee targetted the opposition for not letting Parliament function, the ruling BJP’s Margdarshak and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani minced no words in holding the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Parliamentary Affairs minister responsible for the continuing logjam. 

While the First Citizen observed disruptions amounted to “”gagging the majority”” as it is only the “”minority that disrupts”” and the Chair has no option but to adjourn proceedings.”” 

In sheer desperation the President appealed to Parliamentarians “”for God’s sake do your job.”” Disturbed with Parliament being held to ransom since Prime Minister Narendra Modi dramatically announced to the nation on November eighth evening about demonetisation being enforced in the country to curb black money along with fighting the menace of terrorism and counterfeit currency, Advani found the disturbances in the Lok Sabha disgraceful and wanted to know who should be held responsible for the disturbances.  

This shocked the BJP MPs with Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar explaining to Advani that the opposition was responsible for the breakdown. In all this as the House was adjourned on Thursday, the senior Lotus party stalwart was heard telling that the Lok Sabha should have been adjourned sine die. 

Subsequently sources clarified that Advani did not find fault with the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan or the Narendra Modi government. However, the Modi government’s failure in consulting the opposition and seeking their cooperation and participation in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha leaves much to be desired as the crucial GST bill is to be passed for its implementation next year. The BJP-led NDA faces the handicap of being in a minority in the Rajya Sabha. 

The combined opposition has been demanding the presence of the Prime Minister during the discussion on the serious consequences arising from demonetisation which has adversely affected farmers, the poor and the daily wage earner. 

The BJP-led NDA has been saying let the discussions begin and Modi will be present along with intervening in the debate. It is appalling that more than 70 persons have died standing in long winding queques to withdraw their own money from banks in various parts of the country. In the last 30 days the situation appears to have improved just marginally but the widespread pain of withdrawing money from banks and empty ATMs remains a nightmare.  

On his part the Prime Minister has urged the suffering people to bear with him for 50 days before the glitches are ironed out. He assured that the demonetisation will bring about a marked change for the better in the country. This deadline expires on December 28 though at this moment there are no signs or indications of improvement taking place any time soon. 

The Congress has said that the Modi government should heed Advani’s advice as the opposition is refusing to budge from its stand that the discussion should be under Rule 184 which entails voting. Simultaneously, another senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar regretted there has been continuous degradation of public life and the team leader is no longer inspiring respect. 

The opposition observed protest day against demonetisation in front of the Mahatama Gandhi’s statue inside Parliament house on Thursday while Modi  defended his campaign on twitter. The Speaker has decided to hold the discussion on demonetisation under Rule 193 where voting is not required. 

With barely a week left for the winter session of Parliament to adjourn sine die, the prospects of getting crucial bills passed has failed to materialise thus far. Advani’s message is loud and clear. It is the responsibility of the ruling party to run Parliament smoothly by following democratic norms.  Noise is not the substitution for debate. By running away from debate the opposition has perhaps played into the hands of the Modi government.There are no rules or electoral penalties for penalising MPs for their non-performance in Parliament.

It may be recalled that President Mukherjee in his own unobtrusive manner had underlined the need for a strong government at the centre in his Independence day eve address to the nation in 2914. This had become necessary for the economic development and stability of the country.    

After the April-May general elections that same year, the BJP won a comfortable majority on its own for the first time in the Lok Sabha. With its allies the NDA crossed the rubicon of 300 and finished with a creditable tally of 340 out of 543 seats in the House of the People.

However, the First Citizen expressed serious concern with attacks on minorities along with Churches being vandalised in the national capital in September-October last year. There was the pre-meditated murder of 50-year-old Akhlaque Mohammad in Dadri near delhi. 

On no less than five occasions in a five week span in September-October last year, President Mukherjee cautioned the Modi government to rein in unruly elements in pursuit of the Hindutva agenda of the RSS, the ideologue of the BJP, having the portends of whipping up a communal frenzy adversely affecting the plurality of the country. The country’s strength lay in its unity in diversity, he added.

(T R Ramachandran is a senior journalist and commentator. The views are personal.)”

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With barely three days to go for the current winter session of Parliament to conclude which has witnessed an aggressive opposition creating ruckus and disruptions so far, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday referred to the currency ban and its fallout and alleged that the opposition has not allowed Parliament to function in its aftermath. 
Speaking at a rally in Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh where assembly polls are scheduled to be held soon, he said: “”You must have noticed how parliament is not being allowed to function. Those rejected by the people are disrupting the proceedings of the parliament… We say we are ready for a debate but we are not being allowed to present our viewpoint. “”
He said the people must have noticed that his government was coming down heavily on corruption. “”Every day bundles of notes are being seized. Big people are being arrested. This is a government of the poor and works for the poor,”” he said.

The opposition — mainly led by the Congress —  which initially wanted Mr. Modi to answer queries in the debate on demonetisation, has changed its demand, saying that he must explain the sudden ban on high denomination currency of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000, which has created a huge cash crunch in the country.
Taking on the ruling Samajwadi Party in U.P. as well as Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mr. Modi said despite their disagreement on every issue, “”this is the first time they are speaking in the same voice “”.

Poor visibility prevented the helicopter of Prime Minister Modi from landing in Bahraich where the BJP had organised the Parivartan rally. He addressed the gathering through mobile phone though his voice was cracking due to disturbance as he made the call sitting in the chopper but the people heard him patiently.This was the fifth Parivartan Rally of the Prime Minister in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. He has already addressed rallies at Ghazipur, Agra, Kushinagar and Moradabad. PM Modi is scheduled to address one more Parivartan rally in Kanpur on December 19.”

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It was on November 8 when people listened to the `historic’ address of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the nation announcing the withdrawal of the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes. Volumes of news print has been consumed by the never ending developments related to the announcement, the lines outside the ATMs and views from experts and people from all walks of life. 

A few states even witnessed election to the Lok Sabha as well as Assembly constituencies. We were no better in understanding the public perception of the move by the Prime Minister as they actually did not throw up any hints about the subject.

Amid all the frenzied activity all round, the Modi government is going about as if it is business as usual. It has not been impacted by either the disruption of both houses of Parliament or vituperative speeches by leaders of the opposition on public platforms.

On December 5, M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, and Information and Broadcasting, wrote a longish article in The Hindu newspaper, asserting that the PM’s announcement was aimed at eliminating black money and corruption, apart from dealing with the counterfeit currency industry. It has also given a God-sent opportunity for the digital economy

India’s economic landscape, in terms of everyday transactions, has been transformed, so to say, in one fell swoop. The life of every Indian, from a corporate CEO to a cobbler, has changed like never before ever since Prime Minister Modi has announced the trailblazing decision banning old currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs.1,000 denomination. 

“The November 8 announcement was basically aimed at eliminating the twin menaces of black money and corruption, apart from dealing a death blow to Pakistan’s terror-funding machine and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-sponsored counterfeit currency industry. It has also given a god-sent opportunity for providing a huge thrust to the digital economy and reap a bouquet of benefits that would accrue from such an all-encompassing transformation the country is going to witness in the days and months to come. The positive cascading effect would give a major fillip to our formal economy and help improve the country’s GDP in the long run”, Mr. Naidu asserted.

The Minister maintained that the PM took this timely and path-breaking decision to prevent the shadow economy from causing any further damage to the country.

According to him, it was not a sudden decision. “Mr. Modi took all the necessary precautions and alerted the nation about the likely stringent measures the government would be taking to unearth black money. Who should fear the consequences of such a historic decision? The answer is simple. Only those in possession of ill-gotten, unaccounted money in our country and those with sinister motives and evil designs across the border.”

The Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi is convinced that Mr. Modi has got himself involved in difficulties by scoring a “self goal”. The patience of public, if it enhances may lead to social anarchy. He claimed the terrorism of BJP has increased.

Mr. Singhvi, in a news conference in Hyderabad recently, alleged that some BJP leaders had prior knowledge of demonetisation and for the same reason they purchased properties, gold and other assets since the last six months and sought probe into the issue through a Joint Parliamentary Committee or a sitting judge of Supreme Court.

According to him, common people have been displaying utmost restraint while standing in long queues at banks and ATMs to withdraw their money. He asked the Centre to take immediate steps to end the inconvenience being caused to the general public. Else, he warned of serious consequences if people lose their patience. He accused Prime Minister Modi of imposing undeclared ‘Financial Emergency’.

Dr. Singhvi said India’s 90% economy was based on cash and more than 80% people were not aware of cashless or online transactions. The Congress leader asked as to why the Prime Minister was skipping participation in debate on demonetisation in the Parliament. He demanded that Narendra Modi give a reply to the problems being faced by the people by making a statement in the Parliament.

Contrast these two with this December 1 office memorandum of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) on encouraging usage of Debit Cards among Government employees.

It is in all three paragraphs. It reads, “In the recent years advancements in banking technology, progress in mobile banking and innovative technologies to facilitate digital payments have enabled large number of small denomination transactions to be handled smoothly in electronic mode. The Government of India has taken policy decisions encouraging cashless/electronic transactions.

“In its endeavour on moving towards electronic payments, Central Government Ministries/Departments have been crediting the salary and other payments for the majority of its employees electronically, direct into the designated bank accounts of the employees. Given the progress made in banking technology, it is assumed that each employee would be in possession of a Debit/ATM card linked to his/her bank account. Ensuring and encouraging government employees to maximise the usage of Debit cards for personal related transactions instead of cash would go a long way serving with the employees serving as ‘ambassadors’ for the digital push and also motivate, encourage the general public in taking up the cause.

“All Ministries/Departments are requested to encourage their employees to make use of Debit Cards for personal related transactions instead of cash Ministries/Departments should liaise with their accredited banks and set up special camps to facilitate obtaining of and ensure that all its employees are in possession of Debit Cards. Ministries/Departments may also issue similar advisories to their attached/subordinate offices, PSI’s, Autonomous Bodies etc.

About the author: PCI Babai is a Delhi based practicing hack, a cynic to core.”

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51KzNYgphdL._SX313_BO1204203200_”” alt=””51KzNYgphdL._SX313_BO1,204,203,200_”” />The 94-year-old irrepressible Ram Jethmalani described at times as a maverick is acclaimed as the best legal brain in the country. He revels in controversy which has kept him in the spotlight and has vehemently opposed the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Married to two women at the same time which was accepted stoicly by his daughter Rani’s mother Durga, the family was patriarchial hailing as he did from Sindh in Pakistan. 

Sindhis from this region married four or five times. At the same time he has refused to talk about some of his escapades and dalliances when he was 19. The author Susan Adelman, a paedriatic surgeon and her husband Martin Adelman have been friends of Ram and his family for more than four decades. He loves to shock. If asked for his views about God, he may answer “”God is a bumbling fool and a sadist. I am not even sure that he exists, but like a good lawyer, I give him the benefit of doubt””.  His critics complain Ram fights institutional corruption but he defends the rights of criminals. He is a lawyer who stands up against oppression, fights injustice and is a guardian of freedom.Despite being in peril, Ram “”waded in with 50 lawyers to intercept a bloody pogrom against Sikhs in Delhi after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination in October-November 1984. His creative questions and original arguments are a matter of legend often offered to the great amusement of the court. 

He is the most pro-Israel politician in Asia. He was a strong champion of Tel Aviv when the government would not allow an Israeli embassy in India. He has never been sectarian and lectures widely about the peaceful beginnings of Islam. He has argued a landmark case in which he contrasted Hindutva with Hinduism. He believes in astrology and wistfully remembers the gentle sufis of his childhood in Sindh. 
Ram has been variously called the Father of Social Justice in India and overcame great odds to establish reservations to help backward classes. Sindhis are a minority community in India and that is probably why he vehemently defends the rights of all minorities. Ram shot into prominence during the Emergency from 1975 to 1977 when he was chairman of the Bar Council of India and a powerful opponent of the Indira Gandhi regime.In Washington DC he spoke eloquently about the Emergency before a Congressional committee. He was first elected a member of Parliament on his return to this country immediately after the Emergency was lifted and elections called. Above all he is the grand master of the rules of evidence and cross examination. He was the first person to receive political asylum in America during the Emergency. He recalls being impressed with Muhammed Ali Jinnah arguing three cases in court even though he lost them. After Jinnah graduated from Law school he went to a Hindu lawyer in Karachi to interview for a position with him. The lawyer told him his qualifications were excellent; then they began to talk salary. Jinnah insisted on Rs 100 a month but the Hindu refused to go over Rs 75, so Jinnah returned to Bombay (now Mumbai) which obviously provided a wider platform. “”If the Hindu had not been a miser, there would not have been a Pakistan.”” In many ways Ram’s law practice began in 1948 and his career is also the story of India. His family first found that Ratna Shahani had entered his life in 1952. She was the first female lawyer that he had ever met. Her persona contrasted sharply with that of Durga. He married Ratna in Delhi because bigamy was illegal in Bombay. Critics disparage Ram as a smugglers’ lawyer. He simply told people “”when I see a man come into my office with his pockets bulging with smuggling money, I consider it my duty to relieve him of this wealth.”” Less than ten years after he arrived in Bombay his first case was registered in the Supreme Court in 1957. This was a refugee matter that tested the constitutionality of the Bombay Land Requisition Act. Many of the other cases involved smugglers apprehended under various customs acts particularly the Customs Act of 1962. One of his former junior Sri Jaisinghani said smugglers once constituted 90 per cent of Ram’s practice. After 1962 smuggling soared and along with it a massive black market. India was rife with schemes to covert black money to white. It seemed that everyone knew how the rich spent their black money and where to get the best exchange rates. Ram uses his arts of rhetoric, cross examination and sly innuendo. There is no secret to his techniques beyond their cleverness, clarity and originality. He has encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. Even judges are in awe. Lawyers have heard a judge ask Ram on several occasions to give the exact language of a statute. He teaches students that “”great milestones of the law have not been laid in cases of respectable people but with people who are disreputable.””  About Israel, he has always explained that the Sindhis are the Jews of India. He has been high critical of India’s posture against Israel especially during the Indira Gandhi government. Even though India extended formal recognition to Israel in 1950, Israel was not allowed to open an embassy in Delhi until 1992. His house was the de facto Israeli embassy in India.   Ram’s life in Parliament combined politics with his law practice. He hoped to be law minister but Prime Minister Morarji Desai gave that portfolio to Shanti Bhushan. It was Ram’s belief that he was not appointed law minister because Desai was a teetotaller and he drank Scotch. He loved to jibe that even if Desai drank his own urine in the morning, he preferred scotch at dinner time. When Desai promoted prohibition, Ram said “”I will keep drinking to keep my right to drink alive.”” On one occasion when Desai chided him to behave, he replied “”You stick to your pissky and I’ll stick to my whisky…””One of  the remarkable aspects of Ram’s career is how he moves easily among cases of criminal law, family law, contract law and constitutional law. It is widely believed he knows more law than any other lawyer in India. After Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Sikh revenge was seen as malevolent revenge and by defending them Ram was seen to be on the wrong side, the public even signalling their displeasure with demonstrations against him. BJP requested Ram to resign as party vice president and he did. This time the resignation was accepted and this was the most disastrous move in his career. Otherwise he would have become the Prime Minister. He was satisfied with sacrificing his own interests for a cause. He often acts first on his gut feeling, and uses his brilliance later to justify his actions.  After losing his parliament seat in 1985, Ram was in political wilderness. He returned to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka in 1988. He started a political party Bharat Mukti Morcha and disbanded it. He stoutly counters the criticism that he only defends reprehensible people. Even the lowest of society have the same right to constitutional protection as those in the higher strata. The job of a criminal lawyer is to defend criminals. “”Where some may see a criminal lawyer without morals, others may see a social reformer fighting for equal rights.”” He has told the media that his last remaining political aspiration is to get rid of India’s corrupt leadership and replace it with an honest government. His “”larger and final objective”” is to see the major democracies of the world — the US, Israel, India and Japan — unite to promote the ideals of democracy for all. He has given interviews observing “”Today I’m living in the departure lounge, waiting for my delayed flight to leave.”” A highly incisive and compelling biography of Ram Jethmalani always the rebel.

TR

(T R Ramachandran is a senior journalist and commentator.)
“

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With five billion more people set to join the virtual world, digital connectivity is set to expand further and very rapidly. With this, it will usher gains in productivity, health, education, quality of life, and economic productivity, among others. In this context, organisations today must be agile and adaptive to be able to easily connect, transfer and share knowledge, deal with big data sets and, finally, find innovative ways to engage with their communities to achieve desirable and sustainable socio-economic outcomes. 

While addressing the International Conference on Digital Libraries (ICDL) 2016, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director-General TERI underscored the importance of national approaches to managing knowledge, especially through the adoption of new digital technologies in this digital era. 

He said: “The core objective of the International Conference on Digital Libraries (ICDL) 2016 conference is to discuss perspectives on how planning for smart cities and other important aspects of our emerging urban lives must factor in the increasingly crucial role played by sophisticated and appropriate ICT tools and software services to intelligently manage, analyse and predict,  how our smart future could look like. This will ensure how countries and their institutions plan and build entirely new ecosystems in areas such as public security, air quality and pollution, public health environmental sustainability, socioeconomic innovation, participatory governance, better public services, planning and collaborative decision-making.”

Ms Donna Scheeder, IFLA President & Deputy Chief Information Officer, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, USA, said, “It is important for an institution to lead the change technology than lead by external sources to gain business advantage. There is a need to bridge the digital knowledge gap across the globe. This can also help in achieving the goal of eradicating poverty.”

This year the conference is being attended by dignitaries from India and abroad. A total of 120 speakers from 22 countries will be participating in more than 30 sessions during the summit. The conference will witness a vibrant mix of academic papers, practitioner presentations, seminars, keynotes, discussions, workshops, and exhibitions by national and international conference delegates on a range of themes and subjects like innovation and knowledge management, social media and analytics, Big Data, analytics and artificial intelligence, new digital technologies like cloud computing and the Internet of Things, among others.

The journey of ICDL began in 2004 with financial and intellectual support from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The first conference was inaugurated by late Hon’ble Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the then President of India. Seeing overwhelming responses from all corners — government, librarians, and publishers – ICDL was repeated in 2006, 2010 and 2013.

The four-day conference is a part of TERI’s on-going efforts to create a better world for future generations through the adoption of new digital technologies. ICDL 2016 will not only create a roadmap for a smart future, but it will also try to tell us how to prepare ourselves for new challenges and opportunities in this transformative digital age.

The three strategic objectives of the conference, include predicting the future, preparing for the future and, finally, taking requisite actions to apply this knowledge to create, what is being called the ‘Smart Future’.  “

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India and Indonesia on Monday decided to strengthen their defence and maritime security relations and resolved to address the issue of terrorism.

The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest terms, emphasizing zero tolerance for acts of terror.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo held delegation level talks in the national Capital and called upon all countries to implement the UNSC Resolution and other relevant resolutions.

They also called upon all countries to work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, in disrupting terrorist networks and financing channels, and stopping cross-border terrorism. The two leaders during their talks agreed to build a strong economic and development partnership to strengthen the flow of trade, capital and people between the two countries.

In a statement, Mr Modi expressed confidence that Monday’s discussions and the agreements will help add new vigour to the strategic engagement.

Earlier the two countries signed three agreements in various areas including youth affairs and sports, fishing and standardization to enhance strategic partnership.

Prime Minister said, he and Mr Widodo also agreed to prioritize defense and security cooperation to ensure safety and security of sea lanes, disaster response and environmental protection.

Mr Modi said, the partnership between the two countries will also be increased for combating terrorism, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking.

The two countries agreed for an early implementation of India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and investment, and finalization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Indonesian President said his visit will strengthen trade and economic relations between the two countries. To improve direct connectivity Indonesian airlines Garuda is commencing direct flights from Jakarta to Mumbai.

Later in a joint statement, both India and Indonesia emphasised the importance of pluralism, democracy, and rule of law as important values to achieve peaceful co-existence. They also agreed to have annual Summit meetings, including on the margins of multilateral events.

The two leaders recognized that access to reliable, clean and affordable energy is important for economic growth of both the countries. Recognizing the popularity and affect of films on the youth and in tourism promotion, the two sides agreed to finalize an agreement for cooperation in the film industry.

In the morning on Monday, Mr. Widodo was accorded ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit to India on Sunday night. President Widodo is accompanied by a high level delegation including several cabinet ministers, senior officials and a 22 member business delegation.”

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With due apologies here is an amended famous quote from the commencement address to the Wellesley College, 1996 by Nora Ephron ( May 19, 1941 – June 26, 2012), an American journalist, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, novelist, producer, director, and blogger.

“Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady (litigant). I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there. And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women (litigants).””

On December 6 SN Sahu, a citizen learnt this at a very pecuniary cost after Justice Valmiki Mehta imposed an exemplary cost of Rs. 3 lakh for his sixth writ petition against Rajya Sabha Secretariat seeking cancellation of the appointments of two persons as Additional Secretaries of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

This concept of filing a new writ petition essentially for getting earlier admitted writ petitions heard is an unheard concept and argument and needs to be put down with heavy hand, the Court said.

The Delhi High Court imposed the cost on the person who had filed successive writ petitions on the same issue, for getting earlier admitted writ petitions heard.

The court held that the present writ petition seeking relief in the nature of quo warrant is not maintainable because there is no pleading in the writ petition as to which statutory provision is violated in the appointments.

Noting the successive writ petitions were filed on the same facts and causes of action, the court observed:

“This concept of filing a new writ petition essentially for getting earlier admitted writ petitions heard is an unheard concept and argument and needs to be put down with heavy hands. Petitioner cannot expect that there is only one case of his in this court for being decided and this court does not have cases of hundreds and thousands of other petitioners who are silently waiting for their turn in queue for their cases to be heard on merits.”

Dismissing the writ petition, the court said, “This writ petition is dismissed with costs of Rs. 3 lakh noting that the petitioner has enough money for filing sequential judicial proceedings in this court”.

About the author: PCI Babai is a Delhi based practicing hack, a cynic to core.”