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Is Indian govt ready if Biden is elected?

agarwalvj
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Is Indian govt ready if Biden is elected?

India has never been a factor nor she really mattered in the U.S. elections ever since I moved to the U. S. in 1978 and began to follow American politics. Today, India under Modi leadership is emerging as a global influencer and it matters who gets elected in the 2020 Presidential election. I raise the issue if India is ready for Biden Presidency because I suspect that India is putting all her eggs in an only basket of Trump. In my view, the contest between Biden and Trump is the most contentious in modern history. The election propaganda is ridden with conspiracy theories never heard before.

The pandemic which knows or favors neither candidate is being politicized due to very divergent views held by Trump in violation of the world view. Even after being tested positive, Trump is not humbled to embrace and publicly promote wearing the mask and social distancing as good life-saving strategies against COVID 19 infection. The October surprise of Trump getting tested positive just about 4 weeks before the election may change the outcome for the better (sympathy votes for Trump) or worse (Trump may be voted down because he refused to follow credible scientific advice to protect human lives against coronavirus). Today, the U.S. remains highly polarized between the left- and right-wing voters with the potential for either candidate winning by a thin margin. That raises an unprecedented but strong possibility of a post-election legal challenge as it is already suggested by the incumbent President Trump.

To my pleasant surprise, the Indian American electorate, although relatively small in numbers (merely about 1% of the total electorate), is visibly involved in electioneering which is decidedly the good news. There is a growing shift in their political ideology from being traditionally Democrats to supporting Trump. Reportedly, 77% of Indian Americans voted for Hillary Clinton and only 16% for Trump in 2016 unlike the Asian Americans at large voting 69% and 25%, respectively. No one knows for sure but the Indian American votes are likely to increase in favor of Trump in 2020. Most Indian Americans live in heavily Democratic areas like California and the Northeast who are organizing strong and well-orchestrated support for Trump and promoting him beyond those States.

Even Minnesota, where I live, is experiencing a wave in favor of Trump because of outside influencers. I myself have experienced the strong pressure and arm twisting to vote for Trump otherwise being labeled anti-Hindu, anti-Modi, anti-India, and worse by the die-hard Trump supporters. I am still an undecided voter and see no reason to rush into making my decision public. I surmise that there is a direct influence of Indian political leadership in the U.S. communities through Web-based discussions and presentations about how Indian diaspora should exercise their vote which clearly points to President Trump.

Thinking of the U.S. election outcome in India’s context, let us review a few facts and the “firsts” which, I believe, are hugely influencing the political ideology of Indian Americans. Let us first acknowledge Modi’s uncanny ability and style of leadership in forging a friendship with the world leaders including the U.S. This is a significant factor that India is visibly taking a keen interest in the U.S. elections. The additional “firsts” include:

(a) Prime Minister Modi used Tweet diplomacy in inviting President Obama for India’s Republic Day parade in January 2015, the first-ever attended by a sitting U.S. Presiden

(b) President Trump traveled to Houston during the “Howdy Modi” event in September 2019 to greet and welcome the just reelected Prime Minister Modi (for the second term). It was the first time that a sitting President would travel outside Washington to greet an Indian leader.

(c) The announcement by Modi in Houston, “Ab ki Baar: Trump Sarkar” (This time: Trump government) was highly unusual. I vividly recall being surprised by this uncharacteristic public support by Modi for Trump but I did not read too much into it then. Now I realize that the slogan was meant to influence the thought process and indirectly hinting how the 50,000 American Indians in the audience should vote in the next U.S. election. It was somewhat premature for Modi to go that far because we had no idea of the likely candidate from the Democratic party. This was the first time that India made an open commitment to Trump, perhaps a political suicide should the outcome be different.

(d) Houston event was the largest-ever gathering with a foreign political leader in the U.S. I believe, President Trump was attracted to the event to gain the support of the Indian American votes in the 2020 election with Modi’s endorsement which he did. Houston, the home to the largest number of Indian Americans in Texas, was a natural choice for Modi and Trump alike. Modi wanted to woo wealthy Indian diaspora to invest in India and Trump was motivated to sway traditional Democrat-leaning Indian Americans to vote for him. Only time will judge if they both will succeed.

(e) President Trump traveled to India in February 2020. Modi obliged Trump by greeting him outside India’s capital and having him address a gathering of more than 100,000, the largest crowd ever under one roof for a visiting foreign dignitary. Once again, Modi got significant political mileage from Trump’s visit when he publicly supported Modi policies and political leadership despite the worst riots in Delhi opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the behest of almost all opposition parties and anti-Hindu elements.

The above “firsts” are important in the context of the 2020 elections and to addressing the question we are discussing. While the political relationship between India and the United States is natural because both are thriving democracies, there have been ups and downs in different administrations. However, the current relationship between Modi and Trump is a strong political nexus motivated, in part, due to the geopolitical demands and to support each other’s political agenda. The unwavering support of Trump against global terrorism, particularly, clamping Pakistan for harboring terrorism, brought India and U.S. closer together among other things. Trump has tacitly supported India’s removal of Article 370 in Kashmir. Trump’s administration has supported India in strengthening her defense capabilities and has held joint military exercises. But most important is the current anti-China sentiment in Trump White House due to COVID19 affecting the U.S. economy during the election year. Other factors include the burgeoning trade deficit between the two countries, allegedly China stealing America’s intellectual property, and China’s ambitious expansionist policies threatening the U.S. leadership. This necessitated that the U.S. finds a stronger political ally in Asia. This is where India enters on the geopolitical map as a very strong contender.

Why India? Because India with a population of 1.3 billion, including the largest number of “youth,” is the huge consumer market for the U.S. India with the well-educated workforce is an ideal place to relocate manufacturing away from China which will be facilitated under India’s red carpet and expedited approval policies under Modi. India is also in need of military hardware to stand ready for the continued threat of aggression by her neighbors, both China and Pakistan. What I am driving at is that the U.S., irrespective of the election outcome, must strengthen relations with India for political and economic reasons as well as to groom the strong Indian American diaspora for future leadership. It is no secret that Indian Americans are a very talented and the highest-earning ethnic group in America with dozens of CEOs of Indian origin of well-known companies. The second and third-generation children are already ahead of their immigrant parents who are beginning to emerge as leaders both in local and national politics as well as in all other professions.

India with Biden versus Trump: It is no secret among Biden circles that India and Indian Americans under Modi’s leadership are rallying for Trump in an organized way. This will remain a soar point for Biden and thus mending relations with him will take time even with Modi’s charm and amiable personality. One can surmise that Biden as the Vice President during Obama Presidency may have been a neutral entity but not a visible friend of India. It is no surprise because most Vice Presidents serve as a shadow of the President. Thus, there are more questions than answers about Biden’s policy vis a vis India? Would Obama come to the rescue in restoring relations with India? Would the longstanding Democrat-leaning powerful Indian Americans have the capacity and power to influence a good relationship between Modi and Biden? What will be Biden’s policy toward China who is reportedly supporting Biden for Presidency which may reverse the geopolitical situation in favor of China? Reportedly, one of the key advisors in the Biden campaign is of Pakistan descent who is perhaps influencing Biden’s thinking about the region.

If Trump wins in November not much may change at least in the immediate future. Having said that, I am still not sure how much Trump can be trusted because his Presidency has been all about making “deals” and not using diplomacy. Generally, he has put his own interests and image first followed by his family members and personal business interests. The focus on America’s trade, economy, and Americans came last at the cost of foreign policy despite his campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.” He is known to be an uncharacteristic President who conducts Tweet diplomacy rather than following the decency and decorum inherent in America’s Presidency. If elected, this will be his second and final term making him even more arrogant, ruthless, confrontational, and using all means possible to tighten business practices, trade, immigration, and foreign policy measures against any country including India when necessary. Trump’s anti-immigration policies are also hurtful for NRIs and India as a nation because the NRIs have been a tremendous resource for the Foreign Exchange Reserve. I have often heard that business and ethics do not mix which is well signified by President Trump. Presidential historians will be busy analyzing Trump more like a “deal maker” and less of a diplomat in the years to come.

Undoubtedly, Modi as an astute, polished, and experienced politician himself and India’s Foreign Minister, a former career diplomat, have the requisite know-how and competence to work with the next President of the United States. They are perhaps already engaged with Biden and his team behind the scene ever since he was the chosen Democratic candidate. If not, let us hope it is not too late to initiate mending and building relations with Biden and gain his trust through diplomacy and persuasion. If we hope and want the nations to coexist in peace and harmony, it is the geopolitical necessity that China be contained at all costs. In that case, the U.S. needs India as much as India needs the U.S. whether it is Biden or Trump in the White House.

बस! अब और नहीं!

param
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बस! अब और नहीं!

हर जीव की जीने की इच्छा होती है। चाहे छोटा हो या बड़ा, पालतू हो या जंगली, जीने की लालसा सदैव सर्वोपरि होती है। मरने मात्र की अभिकल्पना से ही डर लागने लगता है। 

हम इंसान है, बाकी दूसरे जानवरो से अलग, बिल्कुल परिष्कृत। हम विलक्षण प्रतिभा के धनी होते है, अद्भुत  सोचने-समझने की शक्ति  रखते है, तर्क कर सकते है, समृद्ध सभ्यता व संस्कृति के मालिक होते है। अपनी एक विकसित भाषा प्रणाली होती है। संवेनशीलता हमारी कदम चूमती है। दुष्कर कार्य को भी संपादित करने के लिए हम दृढ़ संकल्पित होते है। इतना ही नहीं, हम सिर्फ जीवन जीने के लिए परिकल्पित नहीं होते, बल्कि एक सुखद, आनन्दित, निर्भी व प्रतिष्ठित जीवन की आकांक्षा भी रखते है। बगैर इसके, कोई सरस जीवन की परिकल्पना कर सकता है क्या ?

लंबी उम्र की उपधारणा हमें दिशा प्रदान करती है। जीवन को बेहतर और आनंदित करने के लिए हम नित्य नई-नई चीजें सीखते है। सर्वदा प्रतिस्पर्धापूर्ण वातावरण को चुनौती देते रहते है। वैसे तो इन चुनौतियों से निपटने के लिए बाल-काल से ही शिक्षण-प्रशिक्षण का कार्य शुरू हो जाता है, फिर भी बेहतर जीवन-यापन के तौर-तरीकों का अध्ययन कभी ख़त्म नहीं होता। ताउम्र चलते रहता है।

निसंदेह, जब हम बड़े होते है, हमारे मन मे तरह- तरह के अरमान भी उठते है। इन्हें पूरा करने के लिए कठोर परिश्रम और साधना हमारी  दिनचर्या के हिस्सा बन जाते है। अथक भागदौड़ से परिपूर्ण। सामाजिक ढांचे मे ढलकर हम एक सफल मानव बनने की हर संभव  कोशिश करते रहते है। क्या एक सुखद व प्रतिष्ठित जीवन जीने की कामना बेमानी है?

किसी को इन अधिकारों से महरूम न होना पड़े, समाज मे समुचित निदान प्रणाली भी  कार्य करती रहती है। परंतु इंसान की विकृत मानसिकता कुछ ऐसे कुकृत्य करती है जिससे जीवन जीने की परिकल्पना पल भर मे ही तार-तार हो  जाती है। विक्षिप्त मानवीय सोच, इंसान और जानवर का विभेद खत्म कर देती है।

अतृप्त कामना, लालच, वासना जैसे अवगुण, हम सभ्य हो गए है, को निराधार बना देती है। मानव के अधिकारों का खुलेआम उलंघन  होने लगता है। आखिर क्यूँ? एक पल के लिए भी नहीं सोचना की जीवन के कुछ सपने भी है। जीवन जीने की एक अद्भुत कामना है। जीवन इसके लिए अथक परिश्रम किया है। एक पल के लिए भी नहीं सोचना की हम एक सभ्य मानव है। भूल जाते है कि हमारी सोच परिष्कृत है। जानवर जैसा व्यवहार! शिकार देखते ही टूट पड़ना! निर्ममता की हद पार कर अपनी इच्छाओं, वासनाओं को पूर्ण करना! फिर हम सभ्य मानव कैसे है? ऐसे कुकृत्य हमारी आत्मा को निश्चय ही झकझोर देता है।

चाहे निर्भया कांड हो या कठुआ। उन्नाव की घटना हो या हाथरस। सब में मानवीय विकृति साफ झलकती है। इन घटनाओं की जितनी भी निंदा की जाय, कम है।

समाज मे रोज ऐसी घटनाएँ  होती है। कुछ भुक्तभोगी वाकई खुशनसीब होते है, जिनके इंसाफ के लिए, सरकार, मीडिया और कोर्ट लॉ ऑफ संज्ञान लेती है। लोग सड़कों पर उतर आते है। पर न जाने कितने ऐसे बदनसीब है जिन्हे कोई जानता भी नहीं है। “बलात्कार! तत्पश्चात जान से मार देने की धमकी! जिंदा जला देना!” जिन्हे इंसाफ के लिए दर-ब -दर भटकना पड़ता है। बहुत सारे मामलों मे पीड़ित परिवार कानूनी भूल-भुलैया से दूर रहना ही पसंद करता है। कानून-व्यवस्था व न्याय-प्रणाली की लचर हालत कौन नहीं जनता?

निश्चय ही, इन घटनाओ से मुक्ति तब मिलेगी, जब मानवीय सोच मे बदलाव लायी जाय। जाति-व्यवस्था, क्षेत्रवाद, नस्लभेद आदि को भुलाकर एक सुर में सख्त आवाज बुलंद की जाय। “अब और नही! बस! अब और नही!” साथ ही सख्त कानून व्यवस्था हो। न्याय प्रणाली पारदर्शी व समयबद्ध हो।

उम्मीद है जल्द ही हाथरस बुलंदशहर व बलरामपुर के मामलों मे पीड़ित परिवार को न्याय मिलेगा।

Why planned economies fail

Anuj Narkhede
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Why planned economies fail

Command economy, which is also known as the planned economy, is the type of economy in which prices, income, production, investment, etc. everything is determined centrally by the government. In a command economy, the government only decides the solution of three fundamental economic problems: what to produce; how to produce; and for whom to produce. In command economies, private sector enterprises don’t exist, and all the laborers and workers are employed by the government only, which controls the salaries and wages. Few famous command economy examples are the Soviet Union, North Korea, Cuba, and socialist countries like Venezuela.

In market economies, goods are produced by producers that decide the prices at which they want to sell his product. As there are multiple producers of one type of product, there exists a perfect competition in the market. Due to this perfect competition, producers have to sell their product on the prices determined by the market, which will be affordable to most people in that economy. Producers cannot sell their product at extremely high prices in the market economy as no one will purchase their product, hence prices remain under control.

On the other hand, there is the only public sector in the command economy that produces the goods and decides its prices. The motive behind production in a planned economy is not to gain maximum profit but to distribute the resources equally. Prices are made affordable by the government so that everyone can afford to buy.  There will be a significantly lesser gap between the wealthy and the poor as everybody is treated equally. There is negligible unemployment in planned economies. This concept of the planned economy seems ideal on paper. Still, in reality, there are many disadvantages with the planned economy concept, which is why very few countries have planned economy today.

Today there are very few command economies left in the world. Cuba and North Korea are the command economies still in the 21st century. But even these countries are not purely command economy as they have black markets which are out of government control but still the government control most of the economic goods and resources.

The primary reason due which planned economies fail is the lack of information regarding market demand. In a market, economy firms produce goods that are in more demand. If they are producing something out of demand, they review their economic plan and stop their production quickly to prevent themselves from getting out of business. In a planned economy, the government response is very slow to stop producing goods with very lesser demand as they need to make decisions for the entire country and not for small firms. Hence many government enterprises operate their business in the loss. This is one of the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was a huge nation where people in different regions have different necessities and demands. Hence it was impossible to get perfect information there.

As multiple producers are competing to increase their market share in the market economy, they need to produce a product that will be better than their rivals. This leads to innovation in technology for product betterment. There is only a public sector production monopoly in planned economies that sell their products to the entire country without any competition. This prevents them from improving their product quality and efficiency.

During the Soviet Union time and even today in North Korea or Cuba, the picture of empty shelves in supermarkets and people forming long queues outside the store just to get the bottle of milk is very common. As in the planned economy, there is inefficiency in production and a lack of information about the market demand. It creates a shortage of necessary goods or a surplus of unnecessary products. Whereas in the market economy, there won’t be any shortage or surplus of goods as multiple producers are involved in producing the same goods with higher efficiency considering market conditions.

By and large, the key difference in which planned economies fails to achieve the same efficiency as the market economy is the lack of information and inefficacious decision-making framework on questions of what, how, and for whom to produce.

BJP cannot afford to be indecisive in Sushant Singh’s case

commonman
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BJP cannot afford to be indecisive in Sushant Singh’s case

Thanks to Republic Tv’s relentless pursuit, people are now suspecting, if not convinced, that Sushant and Disha were murdered. This mysterious and sensational double death case gathered steam after Kangana’s interview to Arnab and followed by Sushant’s father’s decision to file FIR with Bihar Police. By then, Mumbai Police had intentionally botched up the initial investigation. Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh was utterly unprofessional and irresponsible which resulted in tarnishing image of Mumbai Police. He must be fired and other heads also must roll. There is no question about that. Thankfully Supreme Court ordered Mumbai Police to hand over the case to CBI.

But to be honest, even CBI doesn’t have great track record. Recently, Sr. Adv Vikas Singh accused CBI of going slow in Sushant’s case. After so many key witnesses had appeared on TV and provided numerous circumstantial evidences, I genuinely thought that it would be a cake-walk for CBI. Also, one must not forget the kind of role technology can play in solving these cases. Mobile networks, Google Map and Satellite images etc. can provide conclusive and substantial information regarding who were present in the vicinity of Sushant Singh at the time of his death. Does CBI not know how to gather evidences using technology? Or is it still not convinced that this is a case of murder? Or are they not interested in finding real culprits for whatever reason? Only time will tell.

Interestingly, CBI’s ex Special Director Rakesh Asthana is now heading Narcotics Bureau Control (NCB) which is giving sleepless nights to Bollywood stars. Asthana was said to be handpicked by PM Modi for CBI’s special director’s role. But he had to unceremoniously leave CBI after ugly public spat with then CBI Director Alok Verma. Asthana was later given a clean-chit. To his credit, he has solved many high-profile cases in short time. Therefore, he brings in a lot of experience and expectations to dig out drug angle in this mystery death case. The third central agency involved in this case i.e. Enforcement Directorate (ED) has relatively smaller role to play. But nevertheless, it was the first agency to interrogate Rhea and company. Going by rumors in social media, it won’t be surprising if another central agency (NCPCR?) also gets involved very soon.

High-profile murder or mysterious death cases usually have political angle and this case is no exception. It is rumored that at least one young politician from Maharashtra is connected with Sushant and Disha’s suspected murder cases. It is also said that major political parties are aware of and have credible evidence of ‘Whodunnit’. But no one has been directly accused yet. With multiple central agencies tracking this case, BJP cannot wash its hands by merely saying that these are independent agencies doing their job. Of course, these are independent agencies and should work without any pressure, but the decision to go that far usually rests with political leaders and in this case, it is with Home Minister Amit Shah because CBI is leading Sushant’s suspicious death case and CBI falls under Home Ministry. Assuming CBI and Amit Shah have fair idea of what would have happened, this case can go 2 ways.

  1. Some noise for few days and after that the investigation slows down without any conclusive evidence – This approach will be counter-productive to all the efforts BJP is putting in to be seen as a transparent and common man’s government. Deliberate inaction will be akin to Anderson’s let off by Rajiv Gandhi after Bhopal Gas tragedy or Dawood’s running away with the help of a big Maratha politician after Mumbai blasts in 1993. I’m sure Amit Shah doesn’t want to be in that company. Therefore, he must ask CBI to investigate without any political pressure from anyone but at the same time aim for logical conclusion. Anything less than that would mean, emboldening Shivsena and Mumbai Police Commissioner at the expense of common man’s safety and freedom
  2. CBI manages to identify real culprits – In all probability, Mahavikas Aghadi will fall. People of Maharashtra will be saved from clueless chief minister and his dysfunctional government. Be it Kangana’s office demolition or shaving of head of a common man for criticizing Uddhav or conspiring to hide lynching of Sadhus in Palghar incident, Shivsena has again and again proved that it is running past its due date. If elections are held today, Shivsena will struggle to reach double digit mark. Additionally, if NCB arrests few druggie actors, then the noise coming from stupid Bollywood fraternity will also stop. Bollywood people have invariably taken a stance against national interest hence keeping their mouth shut should help BJP

BJP should realize that majority is with them because they know BJP is bringing in changes and justice with transparency. Revoking of article 370, introduction of CAA, Farmers bill were some of the remarkable things it has done. Now it’s time for the BJP leadership to show that investigating agencies are truly independent, fearless, and if required they can act against person of any privilege and stature. Freeing agencies from any political pressure should be annexure to BJP’s Congress-mukt Bharat strategy because for far too long these agencies were made to remain toothless tigers in high-profile cases.

Police reform: Need of the hour

Ravi S Gupta
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Police reform: Need of the hour

The present police system in India resembles the colonial Irish constabulary and Indian Police Act of 1861. Each state and union territory of India has its own separate police force. Article 246 of the Constitution of India designates the police as a state subject, which means that state governments frame the Police Acts, rules, and regulations that govern each police force. There is also central legislation in place; states which have not passed their own Police Acts are governed by the central Police Act. In addition, different aspects of police work and procedure are governed by a multiplicity of laws. Case law and jurisprudence also lay down procedure to be followed. The detailed rules and regulations, which set out duties, policies, and operational procedures, are contained in state Police Manuals.

There has been almost 30 years of debate on policing and reform in India, with several government-appointed commissions submitting reports and recommendations for police reform to government. The most comprehensive recommendations came from the National Police Commission (NPC), which from 1979-81, completed eight reports and drafted a Model Police Bill.

Why police reform is necessary?

The newest episode of sensational issue of Hathras gang rape has gripped public imagination. Righteous indignation abounds on social media and the press. Underneath that gloss, grief and agony probably crowd out every other emotion.

Police is an exclusive subject under the State List of the Indian Constitution. States can enact any law on the subject of police. But most of the states are following the archaic Indian Police Act 1861 with a few modifications. Also, police have become the ‘subjects’ of Parliamentarians and legislators – with a high degree of politicization and allegiance towards ruling party. India still follows the Police Act, 1861, framed by the British, largely with an aim to crush dissent. The Act was a reaction to the sepoy uprising of 1857.

Challenges faced by police force in the country

  • Collection and analysis of preventive intelligence: The most important and challenging task faced by the police today is the collection and analysis of preventive intelligence and follow-up action, especially pertaining to terrorists and insurgents who pose a constant challenge to internal security.
  • Criminal Investigation: The other important, but badly neglected, aspect of policing is criminal investigation. Standards have declined sharply in the last few years. Unfortunately, the so-called premier investigation agencies like state CIDs and the CBI are no exception.
  • Vacancies: Many states continue to have huge vacancies. Even the apex court’s direction to fill these posts has not yielded the desired results.
  • Outdated arms and equipment: Most state police forces continue to use obsolete equipment and arms, and lack the latest technology that would help in investigation and intelligence-gathering.
  • Lack of Organisation: There are no organisations to provide the police forces with tested and dependable specifications on equipment and technology. They are generally dependent on vendors, who often sell outdated or not-so-suitable technology.
  • Lack of proper training: Well-trained and motivated human resources are key to any police force’s success. But, most training academies are poorly staffed and often don’t have the necessary facilities. Institutions need to be upgraded in terms of facilities, equipment and technology.

Issues with current policing system

Police accountability: Police forces have the authority to exercise force to enforce laws and maintain law and order in a state. However, this power may be misused in several ways. To check against such abuse of power, various countries have adopted safeguards, such as accountability of the police to the political executive, internal accountability to senior police officers, and independent police oversight authorities

Crime Investigation: Each police officer is responsible for a large segment of people, given India’s low police strength per lakh population as compared to international standards. While the United Nations recommended standard is 222 police per lakh persons, India’s sanctioned strength is 181 police per lakh persons. After adjusting for vacancies, the actual police strength in India is at 137 police per lakh persons.

Crime investigation and Underreporting of crime in India: In 2015, the conviction rate for crimes recorded under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 was 47%. The Law Commission has observed that one of the reasons behind this is the poor quality of investigations.

Poor Police infrastructure: Modern policing requires a strong communication support, state-of-art or modern weapons, and a high degree of mobility. The CAG has noted shortcomings on several of these fronts.

Police-Public relations: Police requires the confidence, cooperation and support of the community to prevent crime and disorder. A police-public relation is an important concern in effective policing. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission has noted that police-public relations is in an unsatisfactory state because people view the police as corrupt, inefficient, politically partisan and unresponsive.

Constabulary related issues

Qualifications and training: The constabulary constitutes 86% of the state police forces. A constable’s responsibilities are wide-ranging, and are not limited to basic tasks. For example, a constable is expected to exercise his own judgement in tasks like intelligence gathering, and surveillance work, and report to his superior officers regarding significant developments. He assists with investigations, and is also the first point of contact for the public. Therefore, a constable is expected to have some analytical and decision-making capabilities, and the ability to deal with people with tact, understanding and firmness. 

The Padmanabhaiah Committee and the Second Administrative Reforms Commission have noted that the entry level qualifications (i.e. completion of class 10th or 12th in many states) and training of constables do not qualify them for their role. One of the recommendations made in this regard has been to raise the qualification for entry into the civil police to class 12th or graduation. It has also been recommended that constables, and the police force in general, should receive greater training in soft skills (such as communication, counselling and leadership) given they need to deal with the public regularly.

Promotions and working conditions: Promotion opportunities and working conditions of constables are poor, and need to be improved. Generally a constable in India can expect only one promotion in his lifetime, and normally retires as a head constable, which weakens his incentive to perform well.  This system may be contrasted with that in the United Kingdom, where police officers generally start as constables and progress through each rank in order. Further, in India sometimes superiors employ constables as orderlies to do domestic work, which erodes their morale and motivation, and takes them away from their core policing work. Hence, the orderly system should be abolished across states.

Housing: Importance of providing housing to the constabulary (and generally to the police force) to improve their efficiency and incentive to accept remote postings has also been emphasised by expert bodies, such as the National Police Commission. This is because in remote and rural areas, private accommodation may not be easily available on rent. Even in metropolitan areas, rents may be prohibitively high, and adequate accommodation may not be available in the immediate vicinity of the police stations affecting their operational efficiency. 

Way forward

Scholars have called Supreme Court of India (SC) as the only institution working towards police reforms in Indian states. This acclaim largely comes from the top court’s intervention in the 1990s through cases such as Joginder Kumar v. State of UP [AIR 1994 SC 1394] and D. K. Basu v. State of West Bengal [(1997) 1 SCC 416], where guidelines were passed to try and secure two rights in the context of any state action- a right to life and a right to know. Through the guidelines, the Court sought to curb the power of arrest, as well as ensure that an accused person made aware of all critical information regarding the arrest and also convey this to friends and family immediately in the event of being taken into custody. It took a decade, and in the form of amendments, as the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2008 to give statutory backing to these judicial guidelines; it remains part of law today.

The SC went even further, and perhaps too far, in the case, Prakash Singh v. Union of India [(2006) 8 SCC1], where it issued directions for police reform;

  • Constitute a State Security Commission
  • Fixed two-year tenure for DGP
  • Two-year term for SPs and SHOs
  • Separate Investigation and law and order functioning
  • Set up Police Establishment Board
  • Set up Police Complaint Authorities at state and district levels
  • Set up National Security Commission at Center level.

Reforming the police in India is sine qua non to ensure a functional democracy where citizens enjoy their rights without fear. In this regard, critically examine how the Supreme Court has played its role in enforcing police reforms and with what outcome.

In the Indian political context, it is the institution of police that didn’t get its share of reforms till date. It is still dependent on the colonial police act, 1861. The citizens enjoy rights without fear only with harmonised order that can be guaranteed by police reforms.

It took 11 years for State of Tamil Nadu to actually implement Prakash Singh directions (a law passed 2013 but only given effect in 2017), many state governments passed executive orders and some passed weak laws to circumvent this decision and still there is no implementation of above direction. Several States remain in contempt of the Supreme Court’s judgement, given some insight into how seriously the issue of reform ranks in the scheme of things for governments.

Still, Police works under the extraneous pressure and agents of high politicians. So, if India has to become a vibrating democracy where there is rule of law and right of citizens are ensured, police reforms are much needed.

Conclusion

The transformative reforms in the Indian Police is possible through appropriate interventions in skill building and attitudinal training, through reforms that are both bold and practical, and through collective action of all stakeholders to drive a nationwide campaign for change, keeping in mind, the difficult conditions under which our police functions. The demand for police reforms is over 100 years old with the first such attempt made by Indian Police Commission of 1902- 03 under British rule. Since then, it has seen five state commissions and six national-level commissions with all their reports gathering dust. But, it is imperative that more needs to be done than mere structural changes within the system. It is essential to now look at the police as a service organisation meeting those needs of the society that are essential for safety, security, quality of life and peace. Community involvement, problem oriented policing and proactive policing strategies need to be adopted in the changing scenario of society.

Only Mahatma Gandhi and Technology can make India a world leader

Soru Kumar
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Only Mahatma Gandhi and Technology can make India a world leader

Musing on Gandhi from San Francisco

After centuries of ignominy, IT services export is the ‘thing’ that has put India into the world map again, I thought as a young man. I am no more young and dumb, and know that the biggest Indian exports are: Mahathma Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, and Yoga.

Buddha, Yoga and Indian cultural knowledge are our contribution to the global society that we must always be proud of, and educate the world on. However, those gifts are thousands of years old. In recent time, in the last hundred years, arguably, Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi is our gift, our biggest contribution, and our value-add to the global society.

Mohandas K. Gandhi at Ferry Building, San Francisco, California

The bottom of the statue reads:

“Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.”

Albert Einstein on Gandhi

Where there is a love, there is a criticism. Some Indians don’t like to give all the credit to Gandhi for independence. The arguments are mostly valid. Some criticize him for partition, resulting in riots and blood. With the benefit of hindsight, they may have arguments that are worth consideration. However, even the moon has some black spots; even Bhagwan Ram made a mistake and banished Sita. On that note, on his anniversary, we should full heartedly celebrate the man – Mahatma Gandhi.

Why is Mahatma Gandhi such a big deal?

I’ll not go in any detail for what he meant and what he means for India. The inspiration that he was and the inspiration that he is for Indians. We all know it, more or less.

Gandhi was a role model for several world leaders of the twentieth century. His fanboys included Martin Luther King (MLK) in north America, Che Guevara in Latin America, and Nelson Mandela in Africa.

In American context, Gandhi was an inspiration of MLK, and I’m sure he would have loved to be called American Gandhi. MLK was the force behind the civil rights movement of sixties in America. MLK was the leader who had a dream and had the courage to dream it with open eyes — that Black and white are equal. Some Indian-Americans like to talk about Black-White issue in America and the caste system in India in the same breath. I’ll like to counter that it is not same at all. If Indian caste system is a crime of degree 1, American black-white issue is a crime of degree 10. MLK did bring a significant positive change in American society.

Like MLK, other fan boys of Gandhi brought positive changes in their home country. Thanks to them, and thanks to Gandhi that we live in the most peaceful time of world history. Gandhi is not just father of the nation, India.

If there is a man worthy of being called Father of the world. It is Mahatma Gandhi.

Did Gandhi invent non-violence?

Gandhi built non-violence movement. India built Gandhi. Nonviolence is part of India’s culture and teachings. Gandhi was merely the genius saint who applied old teachings for the independence movement.

  • If someone slaps you on one side of your face, turn the other one to him — Gandhi
  • I’ve stopped, when will you stop. (Mein to Thahar Gaya, Tum kab Thahroge) — Buddha

Do you see from where Gandhi may have got his inspiration? Nothing to take away from Mahatma Gandhi, father of our nation, but I believe and postulate that:

in no other country of the world, Gandhi could have BEEN born.

The environment, the culture and the philosophical undercurrent which was needed to make a Gandhi only existed in India.

Fortunately, the philosophical undercurrent is still there. Along with technology, this is what India will need to lead the world in coming decades.

Two Words: Technology and Gandhi

Software is eating the world. Luckily, India has a good head start here. No doubt a lot of work is needed, but with inspired leadership and good governance, India can become number one in technology. However, merely a superiority in technology will not make India a world leader.

To become a world leader, we’ll need a couple of Gandhis to Inspire the world. India has produced a Gandhi in the past and can do it again. India needs it, and the divided and polarized world needs it, too.

Last words

Before you get back to your life, don’t forget to listen to a song that Gandhi Loved. Remember, technology coupled with Gandhian leadership is what India needs.

The digital disconnect

Siddhartha Tiwari
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The digital disconnect

 

Recently, in an inaugural speech of books titled Samvad Upanishad and Akshar Yatra, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi said “….in this age of the digital world, our younger generation, tending to fetch the information from Google Guru, will definitely receive something phenomenal if they go through such books. In this very age of text and tweet, it is important to ensure that this generation should not go away from real knowledge…”

PM insisted to must have space for books in our house where family members should go through these value-driven sources of knowledge. What do these statements really mean when one of the most admired and popular political leaders of the world in social media speaks about the importance of thoughtful reading beyond social media and the internet? How such statements are really significant to the millions in this modern and dynamic world?

Is Google Making Us Stupid? I don’t think so. Actually, it is a popular essay published in 2008 in the July/August issue of The Atlantic, written by Nicholas Carr. This article, later extended to a book, The Shallows, speaks about what the internet is doing to our brain. In the above essay, Carr summarised the experience of many top-class knowledge workers who were regularly engaged in their routine work through the internet.

The statements of some of them, in the essay, are:

 … I’m not thinking the way I used to think…,

… now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, and begin looking for something else to do…,

… the deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle…,

… the way I READ has changed…,

… the way I THINK has changed….,

… I now have almost totally lost the ability to read and absorb a longish article on the web or in print…

Not only these anecdotes but also a couple of neuroscience studies were referred in the above essay to explain how excessive use of the Internet causes change in thinking, loss of ability to read and write, and tripping of mind from one task to another, and so on.

After more than a decade of these cautionary findings, there is no deterrent effect in the internet’s usage rather the situation has turned the other way around. But why? Let’s look into the two major factors in current scenario.

First, due to the restrictions of maintaining social distancing to combat the outbreak of Covid-19, we devote most of our working and non-working hours on the digital platforms. For example, office work virtually, webinars, online classes, e-marketing, video callings, and social media, and so on. But this whole situation is evolved due to unprecedented and temporary circumstances, therefore, can be an exception.

Second, most of the knowledge workers apparently feel sincere, productive, and dynamic by digitally connected round the clock with their offices, colleagues, and clients in the name of regular correspondence, communication and information sharing. Additionally, social media, web series, and similar other activities compel the human minds to be 24×7 digitally connected like a router that gathers information from one source and passes it on to another. This work culture, in modern time, is termed as the culture of connectivity.

It is significantly important to understand how much do we really accomplish with this culture of connectivity, and at what cost.

Leslie A. Perlow, Professor of Leadership in Organisational Behaviour – Harvard Business School, in her research with Boston Consulting Group found, workaholic consultants were spending around 20 to 25 hours a week outside the office monitoring e-mail.

It was a kind of pride feeling for most of the consultants that they remain digitally connected all hours to their professional world but ignored the suffering of friendships, fitness, and families in the long run. Leslie changed their culture of connectivity – a complete off from work, at least for a day in a week.

This small change resulted in a way that the consultants liked a little time off. For them, their stressful job became peaceful. They started feeling better in their jobs and less likely to quit and were rated their performances high.

Not only individuals but also organisations can have a long-term detrimental effect due to this always “ON” mentality.

In an article, titled “Email is Not Free” published in Harvard Business Review in 2013, Tom Cochren, tells about him exchanging 160 e-mails on average per day over five day work week in his job without the job profile of managing email flow. It is approximately a half-day and an hour if average 30 seconds have been spent in a single message.

His further findings with his colleagues and senior executives motivated him to understand the financial impact. To figure out  the bottom line, let’s borrow his statement “By calculating average typing speed, reading speed, response rate, the volume of email, average salary, and total employees, we were looking at a seven-figure price tag to quantify our email pollution. A “free and frictionless” method of communication had soft costs equivalent to procuring a small company Learjet. Each individual email ate up 95 cents of labour costs”. This is nearly 1 US Dollar which is equivalent to 70 Indian Rupees nowadays.

Interestingly, the economic cost of this culture of connectivity is found tremendously higher than what was expected. Moreover, its effect in human minds is irreversible and unaffordable.

In 2018, Maryanne Wolf, the Director, Centre for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners and Social Justice of University of California, Los Angeles, has authored a book on the reading brain in a digital world titled Reader, Come Home. In this book, the impact of technology on our brains, on our intellectual capacities, and on our future is discussed in detail with many scientific studies. About 10 years back, in a book Proust and the Squid , Wolf  compiled the story of the reading brain and the science behind it, where she asserted “the brain that examined the tiny clay tablets of the Sumerians was a very different brain from the one that is immersed in today’s technology-driven literacy. The potential transformations in this changed reading brain, have profound implications for every child and for the intellectual development of our species”.

There are many such studies that indicate how millions of knowledge workers and brilliant brains unknowingly lose natural ability of their minds embedded to perform scholarly work with full concentration and high attention. We are getting addicted to the fragmented concentration that causes temptation to our mind to switch frequently for something else to do; difficulty in staying focused. We are trapped into attention residue; we lose attention while performing a task because the residual thought of our previous activity, that has not been completely off, keeps striking in our mind simultaneously.  

Unfortunately, these critical issues are overlooked and unknown to us because we aren’t experts in neuroscience and psychology to realise the changes in the behaviour and thinking pattern of our sub-conscious mind. The ability of deep work, prolong concentration and a focused mind-set is rare in the new order of the world.

We are the society where our ancestors have the legacy of Yoga and Meditation; an exercise of the mind to practise diving into the deep. We perform many methods of worship where we avoid distractions for a long time. The ancient crafts and carvings over the walls and pillars of many ancient temples, monuments, and idols in India are not only the examples of high skilled act of hammer and chisel but also a perfect example of elevated wisdom of craftsmanship having control over the mind to focus like a converging lens; the way lens converges all the gathered light at one point. Our genetic growth of mind is in line with the practicing deep work with full concentration and high attention, but the direction of the business of the internet is quite the opposite.

The knowledge business of search engines like Google depends on how much and how fast do we search, jump one link to another. The data and feedback of this jumping help search engine to make advertisements to display on our laptop, computer, iPad, and mobile phone screens, etc. There are many such ways of the internet world to make money. It’s in their economic interest to drive us to distraction.

Internet is a wonderful tool for knowledge workers but it is equally important to understand how should it be used. According to our ancient scriptures, the human form of life is not meant only for some temporary and materialistic accomplishments but also one must have to understand its real purpose; Athāto Brahma Jijñāsā. There must be a balance in digital, physical and spiritual activities for the holistic progress of life. Let’s remain connected with the digital world without disconnecting ourselves from the real world. It’s a right time to rethink – the digital disconnect.

Ahom Dynasty – A kingdom- with divinity

Sanat Bhardwaj
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Ahom Dynasty – A kingdom- with divinity

Ahom Dynasty – A Kingdom- With Divinity.  (1228 AD to 1838 AD)

Who can recapitulate the history of a Kingdom which boasts of uninterrupted administrative and political success without interruption for 600 years and 41 Kings? Yes, Ahom (1228 AD to 1838 AD) dynasty is the longest surviving dynasty of documented India.  Despite this amazing continuity, our modern academia and public intellectuals deceitfully conspired to erase the marvels and contours of such a magnificent and longest surviving dynasty of India.

Besides being a political and administrative grandeur, It is one of the most fascinating stories of cultural and civilizational integration within the diverse groups of India. Until the advent of Abrahamic religions, i.e., Islam and Christianity, Indian society had been extremely peaceful, inclusive and permeable.  India has proved itself to be a great melting point where integration based on the concept of togetherness and collaboration has happened on a scale which is unparalleled in world history.  It is especially relevant in context to Ahom, as Ahom had travelled across the mountains of North east crossed Patkai Mountains and settled in the Brahmaputra Valley carrying a different language and different cultural background. They integrated with local customs, civilization, diverse tribal people and adopted the local language and traditions and integrated with the Sanatan belief system.  Something unheard elsewhere even in the remotest part of the world.

The Ahom (1228 AD to 1838 AD) journey is fascinating as it is another illustrious chapter in the history of India. Glorious moments like Magadha and Ahom were evolving forms of governance that we witnessed but sadly failed to document for our posterity. We will discuss this in our next E-book.

Ahom arrived in India in the pious land of Assam crossing the Patkai Mountains somewhere around the 12th century.  The Ahom were warriors – Indefatigable and insurmountable. In no time they integrated an otherwise scattered and distributed local population under the leadership of Sukaphaa, a Shan prince of Mong Mao and established the great Ahom Dynasty in 1228.

North-eastern India is rugged mountain terrain with a multitude of local tribal populations with huge diversity. And building an empire and governing for 600 years was no ordinary administrative skill. Yet the martial spirit of Ahom was such that it integrated and assimilated themselves for rest of time and governed this mountain terrain for the next 600 years through 41 successive Kings.

Among some of the Governing Skill that Ahoms introduced and followed were as pragmatic as of today`s Scientific society.

  • The tradition was that the King shall be anointed by the concurrence of four Mantris (Appointment committee).
  • In the event of an unsuitable candidate, The Kingdom can run without King even. Yes there were brief periods in the 14th century when No King was anointed and the Kingdom was administered through the Council of Ministers.
  • Beyond appointment, King could even be removed by the Council of Ministers in the passage of an event unacceptable to the kingdom.

This was the administrative acumen unheard of in those medieval days.     

Suhungmung (1497–1539) The Hindu Influence on Ahom originated around this time and Hindu God like Indra (Lord of Heaven) got prominence in daily worship. Hereafter the Ahoms kings were titled as Swargadeo`s (Lord of Heaven). A sanctity of divinity was attached to the kingdom.

Sukhaamphaa Khora Rojaa (1552–1603) – Hindu Astrology as a subject of abstract knowledge was recognized. Later the state institutionalized its learning only to augment it to a great future in the course of time.

Pratap Singha (1603–1641) patronized Hinduism and started appointing a Brahmin family as the Kingdom’s diplomats. As many as 13 such examples have been recorded, who were patronized by the state to bring up new such institutional orders.

Jayadhwaj Singha (1648-63) was the first Ahom king who himself accepted the path of Hinduism and spread the religion far and wide among all the tribal world. He went on to mint coins in Sanskrit, Devanagari and Assamese characters.

Defeat of Mughal made umpteen attempts to enter the north east and as many as 17 attempts are recorded where they were summarily defeated and humiliated.  One of the recorded losses was of Governor of West Bengal Mir Jumla who invaded North east in 1659. The Ahom were a class apart. They lured him to follow inside the mountain terrain and finally slaughtered them with their entire Army inside the valley. He was later buried in an area around Assam Meghalaya. Modern Historians deceitfully failed to record the bravery of these Mountain warriors.

Retreat of Portuguese and Dutch naval forces, who anchored in the Bay of Bengal too tried to engage with Ahom in the northeast and met with stiff resistance eventually to retreat.

General Lachit Barphukan

The battle of Saraighat in 1671 between Ahom and Mughal General Ram Singh a disgraced Hindu traitor recorded as one of the most ferociously fought battles in those days. Mughal had a huge army and Ahom were led by their brilliant General Lachit Barphukanm who was an inspiring hero for Assam. Mughal employed treachery, duplicity and deceit to create a favourable situation in the war. The mountain valour had no match. The huge army of Mughals was crushed. Ram Singh ran away to save his life. The humiliated Mughals never returned to the north east thereafter.

In memory of the excellence of General Lachit Barphukan, The best passing out cadet of the National Defence Academy is conferred the Lachit  Borphukan Gold Medal every year.

Lachit Borphukan finally set for heavenly abode in 1672 near Jorhat. His mortal remains now rest in Lachit Maidaan constructed in 1672 by Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha at some 16 KM awat from Jorhat.

King Rudra Singha  (1696-1714) A very popular king who installed a great Temple of Lord Vishnu and Joysagar tank in Sivasagar, the capital of Ahom Kingdom.

Purandhar Singha (1818-19, 1833-38) the legacy of Ahom started to decline due to structural fatigue and natural decadence. The last King Purandhar Singha struggled and fought bravely until the kingdom of Burma conquered Sivsagar and thus the great story of 41 Kings and 600 years wrote its last administrative chapter. Yet the Cultural and Social integration that Ahom brought to North east became the founding pillar of Modern India`s idea of unity and integration amidst diversity.

Legendary Ahom wrote an inexpungible stories of glorious 600 years and 41 king. Modern left historians however deceitfully concealed the valour and might of this dynasty from history books.

British Indians oppose against Conservatives Party MPs forming anti-India fringe group – Conservatives friends of Kashmir

Sumeet Mehta
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British Indians oppose against Conservatives Party MPs forming anti-India fringe group – Conservatives friends of Kashmir

British Indians were shocked to see five Member of Parliaments (MPs) of the ruling Conservatives Party in United Kingdom (UK) forming a fringe group by the name Conservative Friends of Kashmir. These five MPs are James Daly from Bury North, Paul Bristow from Peterborough, Steve Baker from Wycombe, Chris Wakeford from Bury South and Sara Britcliffe from Hyndburn, the formation of this group has been done purely due to vote bank compulsions of the MPs as they represent constituencies with a high concentration of Pakistani Muslim voters.

British Indians believe that creation of this unsolicited group seems to be directly influenced by the Pakistani political lobby in the UK. This is evident from the Twitter exchanges between Mr Masood Khan — the current so-called President of Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, address as Azad Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan and the Twitter handle of Conservatives Friends of Kashmir (@CFoKashmir). The group’s objective is to directly meddle in the sovereign affairs of India. It is pertinent to note that UK’s position concerning Jammu and Kashmir has always been clear and consistent and that it is a bilateral issue to be peacefully resolved between India and Pakistan.

British Indian community has opposed Labour Party and supported Conservatives Party in December 2019 UK General Elections due to Labour Party’s anti-India and pro-Pakistan stand. Then, in September 2019, Labour Party had passed a resolution against Indian Parliament abrogating Article 370. On 6th December 2019, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had categorically assured British Indians that there is no place for anti-India sentiments in the UK. With this fringe group of five Conservatives Party MPs forming a pro-Pakistan anti-India group undermining integrity and sovereignty of India, British Indians have expressed their disappointment and protested against this move by Conservative Party MPs. British Indians have asserted that this group of Conservatives Party MPs and their Pakistani friends are spreading lies about Kashmir and fuelling anti-India sentiments in the UK.

On 24th September 2020, British Indians Diaspora, comprising of 83 British Indian organisations, wrote a strongly worded letter to the Chairman (Benjamin Eliot and Amanda Milling) strongly urging to immediately disband ‘Conservative Friends of Kashmir’ and take the necessary action to ensure such mischievous attempts will not be made in future.

The British Indians have received support from Conservative Friends of India and UK MP Bob Blackman on this matter.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat and women empowerment

PANKAJ JAYSWAL
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Aatmanirbhar Bharat and women empowerment

When PM announced that Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant India) is the need of an hour and steps being taken in this direction for better India. The question comes to my mind, is this possible without women empowerment?

Women led development will pave the way for self-reliant Bharat in a real sense. We should not forget that 50% population belongs to our women. The resilience, passion and commitment for family, society and country is shown at different periods of time for different sections, like to save the dignity of women, freedom struggle, uplifting education, economic empowerment, Art, literature and Culture, Sports, Medicine, Science and Technology, Research and Development, rural and urban area development, Environment Management, Spiritual progression of individual and society, administration and civil services, leadership, political movement, social media ad journalism and fighting against evils in society.

There are numerous examples clearly proves that when the woman is given equal importance and status or when she decides to create something that is needed for betterment of society, she does it very effectively and efficiently in any field.

I would like to narrate few exceptional stories which proves the mettle of a woman and why woman can make it a big success when we talk about Aatmanirbhar Bharat,
• Bachendri Pal (Sports):- A hugely famous name when it comes to mountaineering. Bachendri Pal had become the first Indian woman to scale the Mt. Everest way back in 1984. She has been conferred with Padma Bhushan award.
• Godavari Dutta (Art-Painting):-This great mother is a national award winner is known for her contribution to the beautiful art of Madhubani painting not just in India but also across the globe.
• Rohini Godbole (Science and Engineering -Nuclear):- Indian Physicist, professor at the Centre for high energy Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. She has authored over 150 research papers. She is known for her work in new particle production at current and future collides, physics at large Hadron collider and next linear collider, QCD Phenomenology, structure functions of proton, photon and nucleus plus super symmetry and electroweak physics. She is a Padma awardee in 2019.

• Rajkumari Devi (Agriculture):- Fondly known as Kisan Chachi. She hails from Muzaffarpur has been doling out tips on farming that ensures successful harvests. She has mobilised over 300 women to form self-help groups. She is a Padma awardee in 2019.
• Saalumarada Thimmakka ( Social work: Environment):- Karnataka based environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka is known for her work in planting and tending to 385 banyan trees along a 4 km stretch of highway between Hulikal and Kudur. . She is a Padma awardee in 2019.

• Jamuna Tudu (Social work):- She is also known as Lady Tarzan. Environmentalist Jamuna Tudu is known for taking on timber mafia. This Godfrey Phillips Bravery award winner has 300 groups working around forest land in Jharakhand. She is also a Padma awardee.
• Narthaki Nataraj (Dancer):- She is the first person from transgender community who received county’s top civilian honour in the year 2019. Hailing from Tamilnadu, she started a dance school Narthaki Nritya Kalalaya and runs Valliambalam School of dance.

Countless women stalwarts such as Rani Laxmibai, Mata Jijabai, Savitribai Phule,Sarojini Naidu, Lata Mangeshkar, Sushma Swaraj, Kiran Bedi, Mary Com, Saina Nehwal, Sindhutai Sapkal, Neeta Ambani, Asha Bhosale, Indra Nooyi, Kalpana Chawla, Arunima Sinha, Dr. Rakhamabai, Lakshmi Sahgal, M. S. Subbulakshmi, Madam Bhikaji Kama…list is long…..

Contribution of women in the growth history is quite visible however, as a society we have failed to maintain the dignity of a woman. We need to change our mind set and vision not to see woman as mere house keeper or sex object. Our ancient scriptures and culture shows how we should place faith, maintain dignity and respect woman as we respect Goddess Lakshmi, Parvati, Durga.

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