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Good news for football
Trafficking misery |
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Crisis of democracy in Nepal
‘What will you write about me?’
Gender issues find space in manifestos
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Good news for football The
advent of the Indian Super League (ISL) has been welcomed with enthusiasm by the Indian football fraternity. This is ironical, for the ISL has had to piggybank on retired cricket players and film stars to promote football. However, with the Indian football team ranked 145th in the world and existing in a benighted state for decades, even the smallest spark of hope is welcome. Indian football has steadily declined and the team is now regularly beaten or held to draws by even the smaller neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Afghanistan. In this scenario, the ISL and the fact that it is promoted by cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly and film stars like Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan can play a part in encouraging young football players. The eight-city franchise-based league has been launched by sports management giant IMG and Reliance essentially to recoup the money they've invested in the sport in India. In 2010 IMG-Reliance signed a 15-year deal with the All India Football Federation, promising an investment of Rs 700 crore in the sport in the country. It is estimated that IMG-Reliance will make Rs 120 crore each year from the ISL franchise fees alone until 2024. To make the ISL more attractive to potential advertisers and investors, Tendulkar (who remains affiliated with Mumbai Indians IPL team, owned by the same Reliance group) and Ganguly have been roped in as figureheads. The ISL is essentially a business venture and must not be seen as a panacea for Indian football. Even if it becomes hugely popular, it would not necessarily improve the standard of the game. In fact, Indian national coach Wim Koevermans fears that the ISL could "affect the preparations of the national team". It's the same old Club vs Country debate that has dogged cricket's IPL too. However, Indian football has reached a stage where any news counts as good news. It can be hoped that the ISL would fulfil the lofty goals its promoters are
offering. |
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Trafficking misery Punjabis have migrated to distant lands for centuries. Many were welcomed to the places they made their home. Some faced initial hardships, but eventually found their niche in the socio-economic life of their adopted homelands. In recent years, especially post-9/11, there has been increasing vigilance against foreigners in western countries, and a general tightening of the immigration laws and procedures. As a result many a Punjabi has found himself on the wrong side of the law, as is the case with 64 Punjabi men who are now in a Texas jail. There seems to be little doubt that they connived with unscrupulous travel agents to make their way to the 'promised land'. Indeed, the tale of these young men, travelling through many countries, and even being packed up in goods containers to make it to the American border with Mexico, from where they attempted to cross into the US, would make for a great adventure, had it not been for the fact that what they were attempting to do was illegal as well as extremely dangerous. No happy and content person leaves his home for the uncertainty of life in a distant land. Lack of economic opportunities with no confidence in the future is a major motive for immigration. It is a sad reflection on the Indian economy that it has not been able to provide jobs and opportunities that would keep these young men back in their homeland. Lakhs of rupees spent on this illegal venture have gone waste. Even as the government cracks down on human traffickers, counsellor assistance needs to be extended to those who are now stuck in an American jail, under conditions that have been appalling enough to make a number of them stage a hunger strike. Some Indian-American organisations have made the effort to get them legal assistance, but much more needs to be done. Even as it helps victims like them, the government should crack down on human traffickers who benefit at the cost of such victims. |
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Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy. —Guillaume Apollinaire |
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Manufacture of calcium nitrate in the Punjab
ONE of the most valuable papers which were read at the Public Works Department Congress last week at Lahore was that of Captain B.C. Battye, R.E., of the Simla Hydro-Electric Works, on the development of canal falls for the production of artificial fertilizers. Captain Battye described the nitrate industry in the European countries and in the United States of America and the necessity which existed in those countries for the phenomenal growth of this industry, viz, the exhaustion of the soil. The margin of cultivation has not yet been reached in this country and therefore there is no demand for artificial fertilizers except perhaps to garden crops and sugar, rice, tea, etc. But India is one of the most favoured countries in respect of water powers. By taking up the development of a few of such water powers now and using them for meeting the existing demand for artificial fertilizers, Captain Battye considers that ten years hence when the demand springs in this country we shall be able to cope with it, being equipped with the necessary knowledge and experience. Hindu widows as school mistresses
THE question of Hindu widows being more largely trained and employed as school mistresses was raised by the Lady Principal of the Indrapasth Girls' School, Delhi, on the occasion of the last prize-giving on Wednesday. She complained it was becoming more difficult to get lady teachers for the school and said: "There is no doubt that the proper persons to be engaged in this work are young widows, but they should come from high families as a consecrated gift devoted to the true service of the motherland through the education of woman."
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Crisis of democracy in Nepal
The ongoing dispute among political parties has delayed the drafting of the constitution in Nepal, posing a serious threat to democracy. On February 11, 2014, Sushil Koirala of Nepali Congress (NC) became the Prime Minister of Nepal with the support of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML). The formation of the Cabinet got delayed after the two ruling parties indulged in a bitter tussle over the Home Ministry portfolio. The row ended after Koirala agreed to allocate the Home Ministry to the CPN-UML. He expanded his 20-member Cabinet on February 25 and included three more members. Earlier, CPN-UML lawmaker Subas Chandra Nembang was unanimously re-elected Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly (CA). The recent dispute between two ruling partners about the rules of procedure over who -- the Chairman of the CA or President -- should certify, authenticate and promulgate the new constitution, further delayed the constitution drafting. However, both parties resolved that the CA chairman will certify the Bill of the constitution and the President will declare it. The task of drafting the constitution, which is yet to begin, has to be completed by January 21, 2015, as pledged by all political parties. The PM has been under fire for failing to appoint 26 nominated members of the CA and selecting heads of CA committees. Nepal is a land-locked country situated between China in the north and India to the south, west and east with a 1,850-km border. It is the only Hindu-dominated country in the world with more than 81 per cent Hindu population. It is a least developed country with a per capita income of US$ 700. Its population is 2.9 crore, and area is 1,47,200 sq km. It is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural country. Around 59 ethnic groups speak over 100 languages. Though Nepal transited from the world's only Hindu kingdom to a secular country on May 28, 2008, its crisis of democracy is still going on. Historically, democracy took root in Nepal on18 February 18, 1951, and the day is celebrated as the National Democracy Day in Nepal. The fall of the Rana regime marked Nepal's entry into the modern world. However, the 11th King, Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, ruled Nepal as an absolute monarch as he inherited a country where political parties were banned, and he ruled through a system of local panchayats or councils 31 January 31, 1972. A nationwide popular discontent continued against the panchayat system by political forces, particularly the NC and the United Left Front. Ultimately, a people's movement began on February 18,1990, the Democracy Day. As a result, the country became a constitutional monarchy on November 9, 1990, and multi-party parliamentary democracy established with the King as the Head of State and a PM as the Head of Government. In parliamentary elections of May 1991, the NC emerged as the winner and party president Girija Prasad Koirala became the PM. However, quarrels between various political parties led to a conflict between Maoist rebels and government forces for establishing a people's republic during 1996-2006. Nepal's stability was threatened when King Birendra and his family members were massacred at a royal dinner on June 1, 2001. Then, Gyanendra Shah, younger brother of King Birendra, became the new King. On February 1, 2005, King Gyanendra declared a state of Emergency, suspended the constitution and assumed direct control over the country. However, he gave up his powers in 2007 after the end of civil war and adoption of an interim constitution, which provided for the CA. The main objective was to prepare the draft constitution and ratify it within two years for maintaining long-term peace in the country. On April 1, 2007, Girija Prasad Koirala was re-elected the PM. According to the interim constitution, there are 601 members in the CA. Among them there are 240 members elected through the direct (first past the post) election system and 335 members elected through the proportional representation election system, and 26 nominated members. The first democratic elections of in 2008 made the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (UCPN-Maoist) the largest party in the CA with 220 out of the 575 elected seats followed by the NC with 110 seats and the CPN-UML with 103 seats. On May 28, 2008, the newly formed CA officially declared the country as a Federal Democratic Republic under the Koirala government. On August 18, 2008, Prachanda of the UCPN-Maoist became the PM with the support of the CPN-UML. He fell into a dispute with the then Army Chief and decided to sack him. But President Ram Baran Yadav revoked this decision. As a result, Prachanda and his party quit the government on May 25, 2009. Afterwards, the CPN-UML government continued till August 29, 2011. Thereafter, the UCPN-Maoist government was formed again under the Prime Ministership of Baburam Bhattarai. Due to a disagreement among the various political parties on the draft constitution, the CA extended its term beyond two years. Ultimately, the CA was dissolved on May 28, 2012, following a ruling of the Supreme Court due to its failure to write the draft constitution within the stipulated period. However, 80 per cent task of the constitution writing was completed. In March 2013 a non-partisan government was formed under the Prime Ministership of Khil Raj Regmi, Chief Justice of Nepal, for supervising elections to a second CA, which were held in November 2013. Among the 30 parties represented in the CA, the NC was the largest party with 196 seats, followed by the CPN-UML with 175 seats, the UCPN-Maoist with 80 seats and the RPPN with 24 seats. At the first meeting of the new CA on January 22, 2014, political leaders vowed to draft a new constitution within a year. The problems confronting the Nepalese society today are based on identity, including ethnicity, gender, caste, religion and region. The major political parties like the NC and the CPN-UML are cautious in accepting federalism based on identity, which the UCPN-Maoist and all ethnic groups acknowledge. The latter are in favour of autonomous states for almost all the 59 ethnic groups in Nepal, and are demanding civilian supremacy over the army. This was the major cause of dissolving the CA in May 2012. Federalisation does not mean disintegration, but consolidation. The NC and the CPN-UML stand for collective ethnicity as the basis for federalisation with five to seven states for the nation, and the people have supported them by giving their verdict in the second CA. However, a consensual approach between ruling and Maoist parties on the constitution drafting is the way forward to strengthen democracy and long-term peace in the country. The writer is a Professor-cum-Programme Coordinator (South & Central Asia), CRRID, Chandigarh |
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‘What will you write about me?’ We were drinking a cup of tea, served in delicate bone china cups, Wedgewood, one presumed, but did not have the nerve to find out. "Try some of this, it is delicious," said the host, and it was enough prompting to bite into more delicious goodies. "What will you write about me," asked Arjan Singh DFC, Marshal of the Indian Air Force, when I sought his cooperation for his biography. "There is much, Sir," was all that I could say, while wondering if he was really oblivious of the respect that he commanded. How can we forget that it was Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma who himself pinned the Distinguished Flying Cross on this pilot. He led the Indian Air Force as with distinction as Chief of Air Staff in 1964, and later as Air Chief Marshal when the position was upgraded following IAF’s crucial role in the 1965 war. As we sat in the study during subsequent visits, the MIAF and Teji, his wife, would remember the years gone by with fondness, even as I marvelled at the journey of a man who had travelled so far from his humble origins in a dusty village in the Lyallpur district of Pakistan. Education and capability had taken him to the top of his profession. Yet, he was only 50 when he retired after having served as IAF’s Chief of the Air Staff for a record five years. After his retirement from the IAF, he was appointed Ambassador to Switzerland and later, High Commissioner to Kenya. In 2002, I had
the privilege to attend the ceremony when President K R Narayan, presented his baton to the first-ever Marshal of the Indian Air Force at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Home Minister LK Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes were all there... but it was MIAF Arjan Singh's day, the soldier
stood tall. His wife was the wind beneath his wings. It was with the active support of Teji and their two children that he set up the "Marshal of the Air Force & Mrs Arjan Singh Trust" for ex-servicemen by selling his farm near Delhi and setting aside a corpus
of Rs 2 crore in 2008. He was devastated when he lost her in 2011, but he soldiers on,
ever mindful of his duties. Even as he turns 95 today, he is an inspiration for all, soldiers, civilians, and even those who for whom "Call of Duty" is a video game, not a life-long mission. What a man!"said an awed young Jansher, after we met the icon some time ago. Yes, there is still much to write about Arjan Singh DFC, Marshal of the Indian Air Force. |
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Gender issues find space in manifestos WPC also alerts the political parties about the need for affirmative action for women in economic services, welfare services and social defense as well as translation of gender commitments to financial commitment, with the help of gender budgeting. Between November 2013 and April 2014, WPC organised innumerable issue-based workshops in Delhi and the rest of India involving women activists, elected representatives and office-bearers of Indian National Congress (INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (JD), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Socialist Party(SP), and Communist Party of India(CPI) and others. Womanifesto The manifesto by women groups released in English and Hindi on March 8, 2014, is translated by women’s rights groups into Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Kannada. It has been endorsed by thousands of women’s groups across India and has provided a rallying point for ‘Know Thy Candidate’ programmes across country, in terms of making women conscious of how different parties deal with women’s issues. Aam Admi Party (AAP) was the first political party to endorse it. All the national and majority of regional political parties have included 6 points of womanifesto; educate for equality, make laws count, put women in power, police for the people, swift, certain justice and support to survivors of violence in their declaration for the Lok Sabha Election and election speeches. Women’s Coalition for Change (WCC), a network of grassroots women’s organisations in Tamilnadu headed by Fatima Natesan of Rural Women’s Liberation Organisation has been actively lobbying for its manifesto with important concerns of women from marginalised communities — washerwomen, Dalit and tribal women, transgender people, the differently abled, commercial sex workers and agricultural labourers. WCC has acted as a catalyst for women voters in neighbouring states like Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. We can see its impact in terms of incorporation of gender concerns in election manifestos of major mainstream political parties and regional parties as well. Empowerment of girls: In the 16th Lok Sabha Election Manifesto BJP has promised to launch a national campaign to save the girl child and promote education of girls. INC and AAP manifestos have demanded strict implementation of PCPNDT Act to stop sex selective abortions of female foetuses. Trinamool Congress manifesto declares, “A special thrust will be given on empowering the ‘girl child’.” Women workers: The Election Manifesto of Communist Party India Marxist Leninist (CPIML) has promised secure, dignified, remunerative employment for women and has given great emphasis on regularisation of contract labour and increase in minimum wages. CPIML has also stressed upon the long-standing demand of the women’s workers employed in work of perennial nature to be regularised, the principle of equal pay for equal work to be upheld in every field, ASHA, Anganwadi, mid-day meal workers are to be treated as regular employees with proper pay scales and minimum wages are to be raised to Rs 15000 per month, as per its manifesto. Social Security for women has been promised by a veteran feminist and founder of Women's Voice (WV), National Federation of Dalit Women (NFDW) and president of National Alliance of Women (NAWO) Ruth Manorama who is contesting Lok Sabha election on Janata Dal (Secular) seat of Banglore. Implementation of legislations INC, BJP, AAP and CPIM have proclaimed to implement women related laws to stop sex selective abortions by strict implementation of PCPNDT Act, 2002, Prevention of Domestic Violence Act-2005, Sexual Harassment of women at work-place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of April, 2013, Rape laws — the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 that makes stalking and cyber stalking (Section 354 D), voyeurism (Section 354 C) and sexual harassment a crime and also provides for the death penalty for repeat offenders or for rape attacks that lead to the victim's death and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, that covers offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography. INC has promised strict implementation of the Prohibition of Child Labour Act. The election manifesto of Socialist Party (India) for the 16th Lok Sabha Election promises to strive “to eliminate gender discrimination and will support affirmative action in favour of women in all legislative and other institutions.” Basic amenities CPIML has highlighted access to clean toilets for all women, in homes as well as in public spaces, and access to regular, safe public transport to be ensured. Janata Dal (Secular) has also promised to stop manual scavenging in which women are predominantly employed. INC had made a declaration for eradication of open defecation, though not a gender specific issue, it robs women of their basic dignity given the cultural milieu. Women’s reservation This has been the longest pending demand by women’s organizations. INC has declared women’s reservation as a top priority. While BJP, CPI (M), CPI (ML) have demanded 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies, Trinammol Congress has given a genenralised statement of empowering women in every walk of society, economy and polity. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have asked for reservation within reservation for ST, SC and OBC women. In its agenda for immediate action, the Socialist Party has demanded passing of Women’s Reservation Bill. Safety for women The INC has promised to pass Citizens’ Charter for safety of women, special protection for Dalit women and fast- track courts to deal with crimes against women. Both, INC and CPIML have supported 24-Hour-One-stop Crisis centres to be established in the government hospitals. CPI (ML) has stated in its manifesto that safe shelters must be instituted in each police district for women survivors of violence, speedy justice, compensation and rehabilitation be ensured for survivors of rape and acid attacks and gender-sensitive police and prosecutorial procedures must be strictly followed, and the number of judges and courts should be expanded to ensure speedy justice in every case related to sexual violence. BJP has promised strict implementation of laws related to violence against women. CPI (M) has emphasised enactment of laws against honour crimes and trafficking of girls and women, laws for joint matrimonial property rights and strengthening of maintenance Act to ensure safe survival of women and children. Janata Dal (Secular) candidate Ruth Manorama has focused in her election campaign on stringent implementation of laws for a safe and secure city for women –- violence free homes and a violence free community.INC manifesto asks for all police stations to have at least 25 per cent women staffers. Socialist Party has promised Special Tribunals to be set up to ensure justice in long-pending cases of custodial rapes. Controversial Uniform Civil Code BJP is the only mainstream political party that has demanded UCC that has a history of bitter identity politics. Women’s organisations support gender-just family laws governing marriage, divorce, property rights, maintenance, alimony, right to equal share in matrimonial or parental homes, guardianship of children etc. At the same time they believe that demand of UCC does not ensure gender justice, it only creates polarisation on religious grounds and divides women of different religious beliefs. Honour crimes AAP’s declaration of Khap Panchayats in Haryana as ‘informal social groups’ has irked women’s rights activists who are asking, how could AAP turn a blind eye to crimes committed in the name of honour by the diktat of Khaps and resulted in painful deaths of many young couples who opted for love marriage. The terrorisation, humiliation and intimidation faced by surviving victims and their relatives caried under Khap Panchayats observation has earned annoyance of the educated voter. Proclamation and praxis While talking about gender concerns in election manifestos of the national and regional political parties, we must remember that none of them has implemented a code of conduct to disqualify electoral candidates who have committed crimes of gender-violence, made misogynistic comments or shown such behaviour, nor have they ensured zero tolerance for moral policing by candidates associated with their party. Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) based in Delhi has revealed hundreds of men accused of sexual violence towards women have been allowed to contest elections, including more than 32 candidates charged of rape. Last week, after massive public outcry, candidature for Lok Sabha Election of Pramod Muthalik of Sri Ram Sene in Manglore who had indulged in act of 'moral policing' against pub culture and had organised violent attack on young women visiting a pub in Manglore, was withdrawn by BJP. It is a matter of deep regret that in the manifesto, none of the political parties has demanded ‘code of conduct’ of decent behaviour from their candidates and activists in their personal lives, while dealing with their women colleagues and in the rallies and political gatherings. Manhandling of Nagma by her own party MLA Gajraj Sharma in Meerut shamed the Congress party. Even while allocating seats to contest election, they have not promoted veteran women political activists of their own party. Most of the political parties have used their women workers only as foot soldiers. The writer teaches at SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai.
LGBT community
For the democratic rights of lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgender communities only INC, Trinamool Congress, CPIM and CPIML have come forward in support. The INC has supported gay rights and demanded consensual sexual relations between adults of the same sex should not be criminalised. They have criticised Section 377 of Indian Penal Code that states, ‘Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.’ CPM in its manifesto has promised decriminalisation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that deals with adult consensual relationships. CPIML manifesto demands revoking of Section 377. Earlier, at the time of election of Delhi Legislative Assembly, AAP had declared Section 377 as ‘an infringement of basic human right’. Now, for Lok Sabha Election, the AAP manifesto is silent on decriminalising of sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex. Most of the regional parties are silent on LGBT rights while BJP is supporting Section 377 of IPC and it also favoured the Supreme Court verdict of December 11, 2013, that termed acts of homosexuality a criminal offense under Section 377.
Mind the gap
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