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Guru in Pak parliament Land grab en masse |
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Polluted Yamuna
Italy goes back on
its word
A strong voice for
women
CINEMA:
New Releases Law and disorder Incredibly magical
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Land grab en masse
In
just one village in Chandigarh’s periphery there are more than 30,000 land sale deeds executed that may be in violation of rules. This is among eight villages of which revenue records have thus far been studied by the Justice Kuldip Singh panel set up by the high court, which is looking into charges that land has been acquired illegally by influential persons. The panel’s finding — that indeed there has been rampant violation of rules to grab thousands of acres of land — should not come as a revelation to at least the Punjab Government, of which the Revenue Department was involved in executing those deeds. Yet, it took a court-appointed panel to bring out that something illegal was going on, as none in successive governments ever spoke up. An explanation for the conspiracy of silence may lie in the names of people in high positions — across political parties, services and professions — who have a stake in the lands sold and bought illegally. Villagers’ rights in the common lands have been sold into independent ownership, which should appear patently wrong to even a layman. The very notion of ‘common land’ is defeated when individual rights are asserted. The Tata Camelot project, which has also been indicted by the panel, is a big-ticket example. Otherwise, huge money has been pocketed all around Chandigarh’s periphery from buying rights in common land dirt cheap and selling off specific plots of land to high-paying buyers after getting those mutated in the records by using influence. To facilitate all this, orders of senior revenue and consolidation officers have been cited as precedent, which have been found illegal by the panel. The fact that thousands of deals spread over more than two decades are involved should today not be allowed to weigh in against reopening all suspicious cases. This was a fraud perpetrated in most cases with full knowledge of the shady circumstances. As various sales have taken place in violation of different rules, specific action against each would be required. Let this be a demonstration that thousands of wrongs also do not make a right. |
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Polluted Yamuna Delhi
gets its water largely from the Yamuna. The river becomes polluted the moment it crosses Delhi, past the Wazirabad and Okhla barrages, where thousands of tonnes of effluents are thrown into it. Much of it is either improperly treated or raw sewage. This pollution affects everyone downstream. It is not that the government is unaware of the problem. To the contrary, an ambitious Yamuna Action Plan was drawn up in 1993. With funding from Japan, this project was supposed to be executed by the dawn of the new millennium. It was extended until 2003, and another plan drawn, but the Yamuna remains polluted. According to one estimate, Rs 4,439 crore has been spent in the past 18 years on various projects to clean up the Yamuna. Yet water in the river remains far from potable, and each day brings in new untreated effluents. The fate of the Ganga, where such efforts started earlier, is not much better. Every time there is a problem, much noise is made, but improper estimation and planning as well as tardy execution of the sanctioned projects does not give much hope. The failure of the government to ensure clean water in Indian rivers is threatening the health of the nation. It is a fact that pollution in rivers is a phenomenon where people who did not create a problem have to pay for it. It is for this reason that polluters must be made to pay. This principle should hold good whether the polluters are private parties or government agencies. It is now clear that the Delhi government severely underestimated the flow of sewage into the rivers. The state government has fallen short of its promises. The Yamuna action plans have led to a certain improvement in the collection and treatment of waste water, but the progress is inadequate. Much more needs to be done, without any delay, to ensure the health and wellbeing of our citizens.
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For the mind disturbed, the still beauty of dawn is nature's finest balm.
— Edwin Way Teale
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Italy goes back on its word The
latest turn of events in the Italian marines case is most unfortunate for both India and Italy as the bilateral relationship is being put under serious strain. The Indian side had greater reason to feel aggrieved by the cause of the crisis. Indian nationals were killed near the Indian coast, plainly without justification, by Italian marines. For the marines to believe that Somali pirates operate near the Kerala coast shows their limited awareness of the geographical reality of threats against which they were supposed to defend the Italian cargo ship. That they killed so readily showed the inadequacy of their training in dealing with suspected piracy situations. The marines being in Indian custody, it was inevitable that there would be pressure on the government to bring them to justice in India. The Italians argued from the beginning that the marines being Italian naval personnel, India had no jurisdiction over them. If an Italian warship were involved, international law would have upheld Italy's position. However, there is no clarity in international law about the sovereign immunity of military personnel deployed on commercial vessels because such vessels, unlike military vessels, have no sovereign immunity. It was unrealistic on Italy's part to expect that India would simply hand over the marines to the Italian authorities and lose control over the judicial process to bring them to justice. For India, it was for its courts to determine whether it would have jurisdiction over a crime committed against Indian nationals in the contiguous zone and whether naval personnel deployed on Italian cargo vessels under Italian law for protection against acts of piracy were entitled to sovereign immunity. These issues could not be decided purely at the diplomatic level. If the Italians felt aggrieved that their marines were being subjected to Indian jurisdiction it was because of technical legal grounds, not for any crime committed against them. They were being subjected to due process of law, though in India and not in Italy. In reality, the Italy accepted, however unwilllingly, to submit the marines to Indian jurisdiction, challenging India's legal position right up to the Supreme Court, unsuccesfully though as the Supreme Court has ruled that India has jurisdiction over the case. Other developments have been favourable for Italy, in that the case was moved out of Kerala to the Supreme Court. The Indian side showed abnormal consideration for the marines, allowing them to join their families for Christmas on the basis of the Italian Ambassador's affidavit guaranteeing their return. The marines were allowed to go home again in February, again on the basis of a similar affidavit by the Italian Ambassador. The Supreme Court's generosity may have been intended to placate the agitated public opinion in Italy by treating the marines humanely. The India-Italy agreement on the exchange of prisoners also opened the possibility of transferring the marines to Italy to serve their prison sentence after conviction here. The Italian government has suddenly escalated matters by reneging on the Ambassador's affidavit. That a major European power, a law-abiding democracy believing in the rule of law and sanctity of accords between countries, should so flagrantly disregard its own solemn commitment to a friendly country and show contempt for its highest court is unprecedented. That it ceded to domestic pressure is neither here nor there, as India too has to contend with public opinion, and, on top of that, with the ignominy now of being treated in such a cavalier manner. Italy's explanantion that there is now an international dispute with India and that it is open to a solution through arbitration is doubly injurious as it presents India with a fait accompli, asks India to reject the finding of its own Supreme Court and indirectly endorse the legitimacy of the Italian government's step. The Italian Ambassador's second affidavit seems, with hindsight, a cynical ruse to get the marines out. The fact that the marines were received on return by the Italian Prime Minister shows that they are not being seen as criminals but heroes who have escaped Indian persecution. The Indian Prime Minister is right in describing the Italian decision as unacceptable and has warned of consequences if the marines are not returned. His statement that Italy has violated every rule of diplomatic discourse has called into question the solemn commitments given by an accredited representative of its government and that bilateral relationships have to work on the basis of trust is entirely to the point. India is considering retaliatory options should the marines not return by the due date. The Ambassador could be declared persona non grata and all high-level official contacts could be frozen. Besides the repercussions on the Augusta Westland case, business relations will be affected by the downturn in bilateral relations. The Italian government would have weighed all possible Indian reactions while taking its highly provocative decision. It is apparently not overly concerned about the consequences. The Supreme Court has asked the Ambassador to explain why the Italian government is reneging on its commitment and told him not to leave the country. The court is within its right to ask for an explanation as the Ambassador had voluntarily submitted himself to its jurisdiction. The Geneva Convention of diplomatic relations protects the Ambassador so long as the Italian government does not expressly waive his diplomatic immunity — which it assuredly will not do. The court cannot physically prevent the Amb assador from leaving the country should he choose to do so, as this will be violative of the Convention. If he refuses to explain to the court the Italian government's position on the ground that he is not subject to its jurisdiction and attempts to leave the country, the only option for the government would be to declare him a persona non grata and expel him. Italy may actually be ready for this. It is most unfortunate that the Italian government has provoked this unnecessary
crisis.
The writer is a former Foreign Secretary of India.
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A strong voice for women
Some
time back the birth anniversary of
legendary Urdu poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi was celebrated. It is
a strange coincidence that his birth anniversary falls on
International Women Day. Sahir is considered, by many, as the most
powerful voice of the 20th century in Urdu literature against
exploitation and atrocities against women. This similarity made me
interested to go through the poetry of Sahir with a different
perspective. Rebellious by nature, Sahir, born in Ludhiana, wrote
many lyrics and poems describing the pathetic condition of exploited
sections in general and women in particular. He first got noticed when
he wrote his famous poem "Taj Mahal", considered an epitome
of love and dedication: "Ik shahenshah ne banwa ke haseen
tajmahal, Hum ghareebon ki muhabbat ka udaya hai mazaq, Mere mahboob
kahin aur mila kar mujhse" (A king by using his wealth mocked
at the love of the poor people, /Oh my beloved meet me somewhere
else.) He presented a different perspective altogether. He gave a new
eye to see the splendid works of the mighty monarchs, "The Eye of
a Mehnat Kash" (labourer ). But Sahir reaches his poetic
excellence when he deals with the issues related to women. He touches
the hearts of millions when he says, "Aurat ne janam diya
mardon ko, mardon ne use bazar diya , Jab jee chaha masla kuchla, jab
jee chaha dhutkar diya" (A woman gives birth to a male but
that male only made her a commodity. They use her as a (sex) subject
and reject with all disrespect at their own wish.) At present when
everywhere debates against the atrocities against women are taking
place, hours and hours together appear to be insufficient to describe
her plight. Sahir says, "Madad chahti hai ye Hawwa ki beti,
Yashoda ki hamjins Radha ki beti" (Help is being sought by
the daughter of Eve, the co-gender of Yashoda and the daughter of
Radha as well). It seems that Nirbhaya, the Delhi gang-rape victim, is
pleading from the heaven for help for all women of the world. His call
becomes universal in nature when he uses the term "The daughter
of Eve". By using mythological symbols, Sahir makes efforts to
shake the sensitivity of all segments of society to help the women,
irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. He becomes
extremely satirical and hammers the double standards of society when
he says, "Avtar, payambar janti hai, phir bhi shaitaan ki beti
hai". (She gives birth to the holy Gurus, saints and
messengers of God but still she is considered to be the daughter of
Devil).
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CINEMA: New Releases
On the right track This isn't the tagline of a new car brand although the first look of MDKM might look like a Maruti Ertiga advertisement, but the good news is it isn't. Director Ashima Chibber mixes the two sensitive issues well - Punjabi weddings and fascination for cars. And here it is the old, tried and tested brand - Maruti. You can quickly run down the memory lane to find everything related to your first car or you can just go with the stars of the film, Saqib Saleem, Rhea Chakraborty and Ram Kapoor, who are also running here and there for the same. Mere Dad Ki Maruti, set against the background of a Punjabi wedding, a been-there- done-that plot, is a light-hearted story that leaves you with a smile, which stays till the Maruti is found. Actors Saqib and Rhea bring in a fresh approach with their Punjabi characters. Every youngster who ever vied for a gaddi to impress their date and every girl who has gone out on a geri will find a close association with Sameer and Jazzleen! The credit for this 'I-can-relate-to the movie' also goes to the dialogues. A very 'Chandigarhish' Punjabi garnished with some English soaked in comedy, the dialogues of MDKM turn the smile into laughter. Despite the smooth run of the Maruti it brakes at some places, but you don't feel any jerks because it immediately gets back on the track. One actor who constantly keeps a smooth pace is Ram Kapoor, the television superstar. Playing a Punjabi father Tej Khullar, Ram has pumped in maximum comedy. It is, however, the father-son relationship that makes for an interesting sub-plot of the story. Other actors such as Ravi Kissen and Prabal Punjabi, who plays Gattu, Sameer's friend, definitely push the car to the finish line. Mere Dad Ki Maruti can qualify as comedy without any hitch. It is so consistent with the plot that you would want to check up whether your car is parked right and is safe! Music director Sachin Gupta has done a splendid job of the songs, roping in Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh for the track that surely increase the average of the Maruti!
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Law and disorder There is humour, wit and above all a brilliant performance on offer. Saurabh Shukla as the judge Tripathi is an institution in acting itself. Each nuance and expression of his tells a tale and his speech in the climax that surmises what can judges do in a system where evidence is always missing is a most telling comment nay a full-fledged commentary on our system. With one stroke it underlines how our legal processes are hemmed in by botched up investigations. Besides, fine acting by all the actors, including Amrita Rao, who despite a small role, can't be dismissed away, where the film scores is that it focuses on one case. In a way that one case alone is enough to establish the travesty of justice.
So while the story doesn't bite more than it can chew, where it lets you down is the unnecessary inclusion of songs and dance. While Warsi fits into the role of an aspiring lawyer dreaming of making it big, the song and dance routine doesn't quite become him. Even otherwise in this slice of real life with realistic touches in place, songs and dance only drag it down. There are other spoilers too… as the film takes regular elements from the typical Bollywood formula. So the ambitious hero has a change of heart, gets beaten up by goons sent by his adversary.. etc, etc. Nevertheless, the movie is more than watchable not the least because it dares to mock and simultaneously uphold the power of lawyers. So what if Jolly LLB doesn't know the spelling of affidavit or writes appeal as apple, he knows justice has to be delivered and is the right of every single individual of this nation. And for driving home this message alone the film moves into the above average slot. Statutory warning, however, is don't expect it to be a laugh riot. Even though it packs many a fun moments especially the delectable court scenes where of course Shukla dominates, this one is essentially targeted at your grey cells.
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Incredibly magical
Burt (Steve Carell) and Anton (Steve Burcheni) are pals from youth and they become a famous duo that takes that coast by storm. Going their separate ways, Burt comes across as an aspiring magician and Jane (Olivia Wilde) who fits the Plain Jane slot but improves in due time. Steve Gray (Jim Carrey) is another who plies the same trade but is evil and divisive within. What begins fairly innocuously gathers momentum before the halfway mark and never lets off after that. It is a low-key fare but deeply analytical. It's just the right length, just 100 minutes with all players pooling in their resources but it is the subject that is the winner — an unusual film on magicians. Steve Carell and Steve Buscheni do their bit together though one tends to have an overdose of Carell. Jim Carrey is welcome in a villainous part and my old favourite Alan Arkin as usual revived traces of his old self. Olivia Wilde rounds off the cast. They, or their principals in the United States seem to have misjudged it.
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Movies on TV
MOVIE NOW 11:45aM Son of Sardaar is an action comedy film directed by Ashwni Dhir. The film features Ajay Devgan, Juhi Chawla, Sanjay Dutt and Sonakshi Sinha in lead roles. Salman Khan also appears in a cameo role, and a song sequence. The story revolves around two families, whose leaders had killed each other many years ago. ZEE CINEMA 7:20AM Nastik 5:55PM Saugandh 9:00PM Phir Hera Pheri STAR GOLD 8:20AM Dilwale 11:50AM Wanted 3:25PM House Full 6:40PM Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi 9:00PM Son of Sardaar SET MAX 6:35AM Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke 10:25AM Spider-Man 2 1:50PM Mujhse Dosti Karoge 5:30PM Simha: The Tiger 9:00PM Fighterman Singam STAR MOVIES 7:16AM Shaun of the Dead 10:03AM Ice Age: The Meltdown 12:06PM The Hot Chick 1:49PM Conan the Barbarian 4:02PM Gone in 60 Seconds 6:29PM Safe House 9:00PM This Means War 11:13PM X-Men Origins: Wolverine SONY PIX 7:15AM Furry Vengeance 9:00AM Hostage 10:55AM Shark Tale 12:40PM Aeon Flux 2:25PM Rogue Assassin 4:20PM Undisputed III: Redemption MOVIE NOW 7:45AM Home Alone 10:00AM Deep Blue Sea 12:00PM Unstoppable 2:00PM Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 4:45PM Knight And Day 7:00PM Monsters vs. Aliens 9:00PM Rush Hour 2 11:00PM Quantum of Solace
9:00AM Tehzeeb 12:00PM Meet Mere Man Ke 3:00PM Pyari Behna 6:00PM Ab Tak Chappan 9:30PM Chori Chori Chupke Chupke ZEE ACTION 7:00AM Wardaat: The Revenge 10:30AM Shaktiman 1:30PM Army 5:30PM Aag Hi Aag 8:30PM Run HBO 8:55AM The School of Rock 11:05AM Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen 1:15PM 10,000 BC 3:32PM Conan the Destroyer 5:30PM The House Bunny 7:12PM No Strings Attached 9:00PM Batman Begins
Marvel's The Avengers Set Max 10:00 am Marvel's The Avengers or simply The Avengers is an American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures,1 based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It is the sixth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. ZEE CINEMA 7:15AM Deewane Huye Pagal 10:45AM Hungama 2:05PM Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani 5:30PM Vivah 9:00PM Agneepath STAR GOLD 6:00AM Rajyudh: Leader 9:10AM Jajantaram Mamantaram 12:00PM Hera Pheri 3:05PM Phir Ek Most Wanted 5:45PM Style 9:00PM Gangaajal
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