|
|
|
|
|
The rot within
Early burden |
|
|
Ban on foeticide
Playing to the gallery
The jewel thief
CINEMA: NEW Releases
The magic of growing up
Just high on decibel
|
The rot within
First,
the Supreme Court ruled that MPs and MLAs would cease to be members of Parliament or an assembly the moment they are convicted of a range of specific offences. A second part of the same judgment, which surfaced a day later on Thursday, has held that a person in jail, even if waiting for trial and not yet convicted, cannot contest an election. This will not apply to those in preventive custody. The court's logic is simple: Sections 4 and 5 of the Representation of the People Act say that a candidate seeking election must be a voter. Subsection 5 of Section 62 of the Act says that a prisoner cannot be a voter. Those in jail lose their right to vote as well as to contest. The judgment has settled an issue pending for the past nine years. The number of political leaders as well as hardened criminals contesting elections from jails - and sometimes getting elected - is large and such cases are well known. One objection to the judgment is ruling politicians will put their key opponents behind bars on cooked-up charges and get re-elected. This possibility exists but can be countered by prescribing harsh punishment for cases of political vendetta. By banning caste-based political rallies, the Allahabad High Court has struck a blow to divisive politics pursued in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and elsewhere. There are parties which, instead of striving for the over-all development of all people, work largely for the sections of society they represent and play caste- and religion-based politics, generating social conflicts, communal hatred and even violence. Barring an objection here and there, the political class has given a guarded welcome to these judgments that can change the course of electoral politics in this country unless reversed by higher Benches or the relevant laws are amended to maintain the status quo. Critics may find legal or technical flaws in the judgments but the judicial efforts to stem the rot in electoral politics are appreciable, especially when the executive has refused to act all these years.
|
|
Early burden
It
is disturbing to note that 47 per cent of the girls in India get married before they turn 18. The foremost consequence is early pregnancies and the enormous health and social cost arising from subjecting adolescents to something their bodies and minds are not prepared for. Figures brought out on World Population Day (July 11) tell a shocking story of our failure to give the girl child the basic right to life and liberty, burdening her with the same yolk as has held women back since ages. Teenage pregnancies account for 16 per cent of all pregnancies in the country, and 45 per cent of the maternal deaths occur between 15 and 25 years of age. The law does not permit a girl to be married before 18. A plethora of schemes provide for family planning measures and awareness, besides maternal health and nutrition. None of that seems to be delivering, with the country racing towards being the most populated, projected to overtake China in 15 years. The government is in the process of preparing a National Policy on Adolescent Health, the most important component of which would have to be girls. Early marriage, lack of freedom to make their life decisions, and financial dependence make them particularly vulnerable. It is under these circumstances that health services have to proactively reach them, which means the community has to be involved. Early marriage not only leads to health issues - for the mother as well as child- but also curtails a natural process of growth to adulthood. Education and mental development take a hit too. Sex education has failed to take off in schools, the only place - and time - before marriage that offers a chance to make girls aware of issues that may be critical to their life and wellbeing. Making an adolescent girl aware of how to have control over her body, and giving her opportunities for education and earning in a restrictive society, are crucial to giving her the confidence to seek the independence that is her right.
|
|
|
Ban on foeticide
Khaps
make headlines for all the wrong reasons - often for their socially regressive diktats. So when a khap panchayat in Jind district announced the banning of female foeticide in 24 villages under its command, it sent some positive signals to the outside world. Attended by 1,200 representatives from different castes, the khap decided to impose a fine of Rs 1,100 on those caught using sonography for sex determination and the termination of the female foetus. They also declared that repeated offenders of female foeticide would be subjected to a social boycott. If the khap leaders would know, and one is sure they know, a fine of Rs 1,100 is peanuts compared to the cost of an illegal detection and termination of pregnancy that the offenders afford easily. So, the ban may send right signals to the outside world about the intent of the khaps, how much of this noise that sounds nice to the ears will turn into meaningful action is anybody's guess. Secondly, khaps represent a masculine show of collective power, one day they decide that girls should not use cell-phones nor can they don jeans. The next day they become magnanimous with their daughters. Before the outside world takes these right sounding notes seriously, it would like to know if women participated in shaping this new brand of socially progressive diktat of the khaps because it directly affects their lives. The khaps have also asked for a ban on DJs at functions and a check on lavish spending in weddings. These are all very welcome steps towards social reform, but who will make a beginning to shape this new avatar of khaps? As the recent UN report says, Haryana's gender insensitivity is leading to other major problems like trafficking of girls from other states and their forced marriages due to a serious dearth of young women in the state. If Khaps put their own house in order, a lot can be expected to change in this rigidly patriarchal society.
|
|
|
Health food makes me sick. — Calvin Trillin
|
Playing to the gallery IT is once again Article 370 on special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Again the BJP has thrown the first stone. The party's top leader, L.K. Advani, has said that the Article should be scrapped. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said in reply: "Over our dead bodies." He tends to over-react but he is quite right in saying that the Article is sacrosanct. The Article was the result of long discussions held between Srinagar and New Delhi at the time of the state's accession to India. When the British quit in August 1947, they left it to the princely states either to join India or Pakistan. Keeping in mind the geographical proximity and the complexion of the population, Jammu and Kashmir shared borders with both India and Pakistan. However, the state's majority of population was Muslim. The state's ruler was a Hindu. He preferred to stay away from both India and Pakistan. But he could not do so since the state was land-locked. Pakistan did sign a standstill Agreement with him to extend all facilities even though he found that it wanted the state's ultimate integration with Pakistan. New Delhi was against the standstill Agreement since it was negotiating with the ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, to join the Indian Union. India was, however, prepared to leave all subjects with the state except foreign affairs, defence and communications. The Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on that condition. When the popular leader, Sheikh Abdullah, came to power he endorsed the arrangement because even at the time of the Maharaja's rule he had supported the agreement privately. But the Sheikh wanted strict adherence to Article 370 in letter and spirit. The authority of the Supreme Court, the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Union Public Service Commission was one thing which was to vest in the state exclusively according to Article 370. However, except for the subjects of foreign affairs, defence and communications, the state was supreme. Those who demand the scrapping of Article 370 or changing it through Parliament are making one big mistake: It is Kashmir which joined the Union of India on certain conditions. If they are to be changed, the people of the state have to give their consent. The Union cannot alter the undertaking unilaterally. Omar Abdullah's angry reaction to Adavni's suggestion on Kashmir represents his viewpoint. His grandfather, Sheikh Abdullah, paid a bigger price for not letting New Delhi spread itself beyond the three subjects. He spent 12 years in detention because he reminded New Delhi that it could not cross the line drawn by the Instrument of Accession. In fact, most people in Kashmir, not Jammu, want to nullify the Instrument of Accession and they demand azadi. Many remind New Delhi Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's promise that once things settled down in the state, the people would be asked what their choice was. Pakistan was the alternative. Yet, those agitating against New Delhi for not making Nehru's promise good forget that he himself withdrew the offer and said that the situation had changed when Pakistan had introduced in the region weapons by joining the military pacts-the CENTO and NATO-which the West, led by America, had framed against the Soviet Union during the cold war. Notwithstanding the past, India cannot close its eyes to the alienation in the Kashmir Valley. It has increased after the hanging of Afzal Guru. The youth are particularly boiling. There is, however, little realisation that he was tried in the court and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court for the attack on Parliament which is the citadel of democracy for the peoples in the entire South East Asia to appreciate and duplicate it in their own countries without bringing the army into picture. The question of Kashmir is far from settled. Pakistan has to be associated at some stage and the wishes of the people in the Kashmir Valley have to be taken into consideration. The talk of scrapping Article 370 will only frustrate the efforts of pro-India-elements in the state. They have bravely withstood all pressures and punishments. Many have lost their life. Their struggle has not ended yet. On top of it is the role of the Army, which is not careful sometimes. It is there in the state to defend the borders and come to the assistance of the civil administration in rare cases. But this is not happening. It is there all over. Even the state Chief Minister has asked for its withdrawal to allow his police function. A recent incident in which two civilians have died at the hands of the Army soldiers has enraged people and Omar Abdullah. True, the Army has ordered an inquiry and promised to take action against those soldiers who are found guilty. Still the suspicion is that the Army has taken revenge for eight jawans killed by militants. A way has to be found out to distance the civil and military sides from each other to avoid a combustible situation. One way to satisfy most people in the state is to implement Article 370. New Delhi should consider scraping the laws extended by the Union after the arrest of Sheikh Abdullah who never doubted or challenged Kashmir's accession to India but questioned the measures taken beyond foreign affairs, defence and communications, the crux of Article 370. The Sheikh also accepted many other things in an agreement with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. That agreement requires another look. Legal or other steps are not the end by themselves. People have to be won over. New Delhi is doing little in that direction. Advani's demand for scrapping Article 370 only provides fuel to the fire. It is, however, surprising that he made the demand. He was the deputy Prime Minister in the BJP-led government which gave an undertaking to its allies not to touch Article 370. Even tomorrow if the BJP were to form a government, it would have to make a similar promise to get the support of other parties joining it. Then why raise the issue which he knows is not acceptable to practically all non-BJP and non-Congress parties? Is playing to the gallery more important than the national demand? Advani should know it
better.
|
||
The jewel thief In AprIL 1978, arriving from the field on attachment to Army HQ to check suitability prior to posting, I was lucky to get 'separated accommodation' immediately. Without waiting for my fauji sahayak, I shifted with the help of a temporary servant sent by a friend. I sent a telegram to my wife at her parents' place to join soon. Working 9 to 5 plus travel time in oppressive heat and without recreation, I found it tough; more so without my scooter and no mess closeby, leading to no spare time. Within two days, the servant requested for leave for a wedding; I told him he could go after I settle down. Still he 'disappeared' the next day and I did not have the time or resources to trace him. Shortly thereafter, one day at lunch break, as I was going up the lift, a Major asked me: 'Sir, have you got back your jewels?' I was confused for a minute as we were the only two in the lift and I didn't know I had lost my wife's jewels. He clarified that my famished servant was found near the Army HQ camp, opposite India Gate, crying under a tree by himself, worried as to how to face me! That is when I realised, pressure of work in a new job had made me commit two stupid mistakes: after offering rum to a visitor, I had left the bottle open and accessible; secondly, all the jewels were kept in an unlocked confectionery tin: a general practice those days. I requested him for his scooter, told my boss and rushed straightway. True enough, I found him under a tree. As I neared him, he fell at my feet and asked me to pardon him, saying he had erred. But my first question was: 'Where are the jewels'? Opening a rag-bag he was hugging, he gave it to me and said all items were safe. I pretended a quick check, though I had no idea! He then said: "Sir, you treated me like a younger brother and even left the whole flat with many costly items unlocked under my care. Still when I saw the open bottle of rum, I took two-three pegs but added water to make it up, to escape your eyes. That is when I felt these jewels can come in handy for my sister's wedding. But at New Delhi railway station, I just could not get into the train, as your face kept coming up before me. Please forgive me. I am willing to undergo any punishment". I told him I would only send him back to my friend, who would deal further. I wrote to the friend, requesting him not to punish the servant severely, as he had not sold the jewels but realised his mistake, told the truth and apologised. Realising that it was foolish to keep jewels at home like we had done for 10 years, I went straight from office after work and got a locker at the evening branch of Syndicate at DSOI. I have moved it only once in 35 years! Years later, when I narrated the incident to my father-in-law, he coolly said, "Money to buy the jewels was his hard-earned and that is why you had got them
back"!
|
||
CINEMA: NEW Releases Nonika Singh
For apart from being an inspirational story of a man who rose from nothing and nobody to become India's best known athlete here is a fine expression of cinematic language. First and foremost, Mehra deals with the most ticklish part right in the first frame and begins his tale from a highpoint (some might call it low) in Milkha's life at Olympics 1960 at Rome where of course he didn't win a medal but was fourth. From here on the film goes back and forth in time and builds a graph of the man who won 77 races out of the 80 that he ran. The making of Milkha the athlete and how he went on to break the world record and win a medal at Asian Games as well as at Commonwealth and much more find space here. Yet, at no point does the film become a dreary chronicle of his achievements. For, the focus is on Milkha, the man who came from Pakistan as a refugee almost as an orphan. Ingeniously Mehra employs Partition of India as a recurring thread. A good biopic is always a socioeconomic document of the times. Here as the wounds of Partition that Milkha nursed for decades are laid bare many from the same era can empathise with his predicament. Only the narrative doesn't merely dig the skeletons from the past but closes the bitter chapter too. As the fulcrum rests on Milkha's Pakistan connection, it doesn't merely show scars but also reconciliation thus elevating the film's narrative from being far more than a biopic. Hence it's not the Olympic race that matters but the one in which he defeated his Pakistani contender in Pakistan where incidentally the title Flying Sikh was conferred on him by Gen Ayub Khan. In fact, if we have often seen films on all that is wrong with Indian sports, Bhaag… is about all that should make your heart rejoice. So here is a coach (fine cameo by Yograj Singh) who goes out of the way to train Milkha, yet another trainer in the Army essayed by Pavan Malhotra who takes as much interest in his rise and fall. Yes for dramatic effect there is some sporting jealousy and an over-dramatised race, a dash of romance (may be a trifle exaggerated) too but the film is intrinsically about Milkha's indomitable spirit. The tenor of the film remains triumphant despite the traumatic past ably emoted by young Milkha (Jabtej Singh). The film has both craft and heart. The emotive quotient goes up when it dwells on the brother-sister relationship in which Divya Dutta as the sister is commendable. Needless to say the film rests on the shoulders of Farhan Akhtar. His physical rigueur matches his acting prowess. Be it while running on the track or interacting with his sister, he becomes Milkha. The length of the film might jar, songs might seem too many. The affair in Australia might be a pure figment of imagination. But by all accounts the narrative of Milkha as seen through the vision of Mehra, eyes of cinematographer Binod Pradhan and pen of Prasoon Joshi, keeps you engrossed and awestruck. Dare you miss this ode to one of the greatest sporting icons. Remember the Indian sports has given Indians very few moments to be proud of. Here is an encapsulation of one of those precious moments, in short history of Flying Sikh told in flying
colours.
|
|
The magic of growing up It's not preachy or moralistic, but quite smartly steers around controversial relationship issues that the script raises. Written by Raj Purohit and Pawan Sony, this film is a good effort to understand the mindset of the new generation — the kids of the internet era who believe they are well-informed but actually lack the emotional maturity to handle issues. The narrative tracks the lives of three school girls who try to search for new meaning. So boys, sex, literature, older men, soft-porn mms clips, involuntary murder, criminality, teenage pregnancy et al find mention. It's not a voyeuristic journey, just a contemplative and combative one. The young people at the centre find their own answers without getting into the right or wrong of it. Director Raj Purohit handles the narrative with unbiased ease, allowing the story of emotional turbulence to take centrestage without making a song and dance of the traumas within. And that is quite distinctive for a mainstream Bollywood product. The young set is represented quite beautifully and their angst comes through with a rare understanding. The narrative manages to resolve the tricky issues it raises with sensitivity. What this film lacks though is a sense of drama. There's not much tension to lift the experience to another level. The performances are all perfectly befitting. Izabelle Leite, Mehak Manwani, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rohan Mehra, Highphill Mathews, Varun Jhamb, Zakir Hussain, Prabhleen and Keith Sequeira have played their parts well.
|
|
Just high on decibel Based on a screenplay by Guillermo del Toro and Travis Beacham the new angle is that these monsters (kaiju and meeha) come from beneath the Pacific Ocean (not outer space) to wreak havoc on the humans in a variety of shapes and sizes, like crocodiles, giant bats and their ilk but are gradually revealed to the viewer — more mechanical than gruesome, spewing fire at times (a plus for the FX men). But what would bats with wings be doing underwater? That only director del Toro would know. Led by black techno Stacker Pentacost (Idris Elba) he has a team of warriors foremost of them being Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam). "Don't touch me," he tells Becket in one of those tense moments but these are sandwiched with a good deal of camaraderie and team members fight and reconcile with consummate ease. Lest we forget i5r is in 3D and the female lead Japanese Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) who is keen to go on the key operation and in the end gets the job after dilly-dallying with a stern Pentacost. The romance is rather contrived but provides relief from the "blast of action." that is hard on the ear drum. The storyline? Well there isn't any, only war with a capital W, which illustrates that with every new development in cinema it is the story that takes a beating. Action is the hero and performances negligible. Hannom does show an iota of acting skill, Kikuchi is cute and Elba stoic. The flashes of good cinema are drowned in bushels of chaff. Wouldn't pay good money to see this mayhem!
|
||
|
Saturday july 13 Star gold Kuch Kuch Hota Hai also known as KKHH, is a Hindi romantic comedy drama film, released in India and the United Kingdom on 16 October 1998. It was written and directed by Karan Johar, and starred the popular on-screen pair of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in their fourth film together. Rani Mukerji featured in a supporting role, while Salman Khan had an extended guest appearance. ZEE CINEMA 8:00AM Trimurti 10:50AM Insan 2:20PM Loafer 9:00PM Tirangaa INDIA TALKIES 6:00AM Izzatdaar 9:30AM Devdas 1:00PM Ra.One 4:30PM Aladin 8:00PM Haathi Mere Saathi ZEE STUDIO 8:00AM Loins of Punjab 9:45AM Tron: Legacy 1:00PM 25th Hour 3:45PM Tron: Legacy 6:25PM Julie & Julia 9:00PM Cold Creek Manor 11:30PM Beverly Hills Chihuahua STAR MOVIES 7:51AM Jurassic Park 10:23AM Moulin Rouge 12:51PM Jurassic Park III 2:21PM Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark 4:43PM Death Race 6:53PM Rise of the Planet of the Apes 9:00PM I Don't Know How She Does It 10:55PM Snow White and the Huntsman MGM 7:30AM Defiance 9:15AM Hidden Agenda 11:00AM Something Wild 1:15PM Defiance 3:15PM Hidden Agenda 5:15PM The Curse of Inferno 7:00PM Getting it Right 9:00PM Where Angels Fear to Tread 11:00PM Gate 2: The Trespassers SONY PIX 7:05AM The International 9:05AM Watchmen 11:45AM Arthur Christmas 1:40PM Piranha 3-D 3:00PM The Expendables 4:50PM The Spy Next Door 6:50PM Men in Black 3 9:00PM Iron Man 11:35PM Iron Man 2 STAR GOLD 9:00AM Kuch Kuch Hota Hai 1:10PM Partner 4:05PM Dhobi Ghat 6:25PM Coolie No. 1 9:00PM Mar Mitenge (2012) ZEE ACTION 7:00AM Seher 10:30AM Police Aur Mujrim 1:30PM Aag Hi Aag 5:30PM Cheetah 8:30PM Geraftaar Sunday july 14 ZEE STUDIO Beverly Hills Chihuahua is a 2008 family comedy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It is directed by Raja Gosnell and released on October 3, 2008. The films stars Piper Perabo, Jamie Lee Curtis and Manolo Cardona for the main cast, while the film stars Drew Barrymore, George Lopez and Andy Garcia for the voice actors. The plot centers around a Chihuahua, Chloe, who gets dognapped in Mexico and has to escape from an evil Doberman, El Diablo, with help from a lonely German Shepherd, Delgado, and a hyperactive male Chihuahua, Papi, who has a desperate crush on her. ZEE CINEMA 7:11AM Magic Robot 10:09AM Aitraaz 1:23PM Hum Aapke Hain Kaun...! 5:35PM Nayak 9:00PM Barfi! INDIA TALKIES 6:00AM Aladin 9:30AM Haathi Mere Saathi 1:00PM Koi... Mil Gaya 4:30PM Lage Raho Munna Bhai 8:00PM Housefull ZEE STUDIO 8:00AM Beverly Hills Chihuahua 10:00AM Cold Creek Manor 1:00PM Heart Breaker 3:15PM Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit 5:45PM Inglourious Basterds 9:00PM The Duchess 11:10PM The Kid STAR MOVIES 7:38AM Goal! 10:03AM Ratatouille 12:18PM Snow White and the Huntsman 2:23PM Van Helsing 4:54PM Conan the Barbarian (2011) 7:01PM Evan Almighty 9:00PM The Incredible Hulk 11:13PM Men in Black II MGM 8:30AM Caged Fury 10:00AM Conflict of Interest 11:45AM Lost Angels 1:45PM Car 54 Where are You? 3:30PM Hollywood Air Force 5:15PM The Kitchen Toto 7:00PM Car 54 Where are You? 9:00PM A Passage to India 11:45PM Hollywood Air Force STAR GOLD 9:30AM Bal Ganesh 12:00PM Golmaal 3 3:10PM Deewar: Man of Power 5:40PM Waah! Tera Kya Kehna 9:00PM Son of Sardaar ZEE ACTION 7:00AM Fareb 10:30AM Trimurti 1:30PM Khilona Bana Khalnayak 5:30PM Aaj Ka Arjun 8:30PM Apaharan
|
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Let
Sixteen
Hollywood
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
9:00AM
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
8:00AM