January 2013

As we enter 2013 with new hopes and aspirations, OIOP in its January issue, takes stock of some of the pertinent socio-political issues that we have been facing, and in whose solution lie answers we seek to build a better, responsible and self sustaining society. We have focused on seven burning issues – Accountability of people in power, Corruption, Delay in Justice, Basic amenities, Holistic health, Education for all and Sustainable rural development. While accountability in every sector, especially, the government, can ensure smooth governance and scale down corruption to a large extent;transparency in every organisation will definitely help minimise corruption. Experts give their valuable opinions on how with vision and will, we can summon the strength and skill required for the much needed transformation to bring good governance. Justice delayed is undoubtedly justice denied. The need of the hour is to revamp our Judiciary and help people get speedy justice. The earlier concept of basic amenities of ‘roti, kapda and makan’ is yet to see the end result, thus making it necessary to widen the concept and include the right to food, education, employment, pension and disability benefits as the very right of individuals and work towards achieving the same. Health is another factor that requires immediate attention. Each one of us should make healthy lifestyle choices and focus on holistic health where the mind, body and spirit in equilibrium. Education is also an issue which needs to be looked at, in a broader perspective. RTE Act brings big hopes but only if the government stops interfering and allows the schools to function smoothly.

So let our New Year's resolution be to collectively work to bring the change in society, that we wish to see. Citizens need to be proactive in nation building. Only then can we hope for a corruption free, accountable, just and healthy society, where there is speedy justice, education for all, right to live a better and dignified life and sustainable villages. With this thought, we wish our readers a very Happy New Year!

Highlights of January 2013 issue ‘Looking back, Looking forward’

Lack of accountability, unbridled corruption in certain sectors, bad governance and rising discontent are undermining our republic. In the lead article ‘Enforcing Accountability’, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, the founder and President of Lok Satta Party, suggests solutions that can check abuse of power and usher in a more responsible and accountable system of governance.

Systematic and continuous propagation of introducing greater transparency in every organisation can minimise corruption. In ‘Still a long way for corruption to go’, N. Vittal, former Central Vigilance Commissioner, says that though the progress in weeding out corruption in a democracy is slow and frustrating, one must not lose hope.

In ‘Revamp system for speedy justice’, Krrishan Singhania, Dr. Olav Albuquerque and Madhur Kabra urge for revamping the entire system of criminal and civil jurisprudence which India has inherited from the British. Krrishan Singhania heads the Mumbai office of Singhania & Co, an all-service law firm in Mumbai which specialises in various infrastructure sectors such as aviation, shipping, power and telecom. Dr. Olav Albuquerque is a Senior Associate lawyer while Madhur Kabra is Associate lawyer in the same firm.

The earlier mantra of ‘roti, kapda and makaan’ has failed to cultivate a strong human capital resource and employ it, and secure its old age and vigour, writes Anuradha Kalhan, Lecturer, Dept of Economics, Jai Hind College, Mumbai, in ‘Five shades of grey today’, as she presses for a broader list of basic amenities to include the right to food, education, employment, pension and disability benefits.

Rather than being overwhelmed by all the available research and advice, people should take charge of their own health by making healthy lifestyle choices. In ‘A holistic way to health’, Dr. Rachna Khanna Singh, a Holistic Consultant & Lifestyle Management Expert, opines that the need of the hour is to focus on holistic health that emphasises the connection between mind, body and spirit.

The RTE Act is a right step in ensuring quality education to children but only if the government stops enforcing absurd norms and conditions on schools. It is time that the government only acts as facilitator and creates conducive atmosphere for education sector to function smoothly, writes Shantanu Gupta, Associate Director, School Choice Campaign, Center for Civil Society, in ‘ Let schools be’.

In ‘A sustainable model for rural development’, Srijan Pal Singh says that the new generation model of rural development has to cover multiple dimensions of sustainability which should include financial, ecological, social and cultural sustainability as well as being upwardly mobile and on the right track of the learning curve. The writer is an author, columnist and expert in Sustainable Development. He worked with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam towards the evolution of the development system of PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) and has co-authored the bestseller on poverty alleviation – Target 3 Billion.

In ‘Know India Better’, we feature ‘A Borderless Subcontinent’. Akul Tripathi, a media professional and freelance writer, tells of his travels by roads to the borders of India, those he intends to make and others he prays will be possible in his lifetime.

“Undoubtedly, Nehru was India’s best PM,” says Kamal Morarka, former union minister and Rajya Sabha MP in an interview with Lina Mathias, senior assistant editor, Economic and Political Weekly, where he talks about governance, governments and Parliament. Morarka is a successful industrialist, a convinced socialist, a wildlife photography enthusiast and voracious reader. He leads the Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya) besides chairing non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that work in the fields of wildlife research and conservation, rural development, health and arts and crafts. 

In our general section, P. M. Kamath, formerly Professor of Politics, University of Mumbai, in his article ‘Ajmal Kasab and Imran Khan’, questions the logic in Imran Khan’s demand for executing Sarabjit Singh, soon after the hanging of terrorist Ajmal Kasab, as  the two cases cannot be equated.

Starting with this January issue, OIOP will carry an article commemorating national days. We begin with the Army Day that is celebrated on January 15^th. On this occasion, OIOP joins Brig S C Sharma (retd.) in paying tribute to the remarkable, ever alert and brave ‘Indian Soldier’.

In ‘My Transformation Transforms Nation’, Swami Swatmananda, President, Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai, explains how  transforming India can be a reality with each individual transformation - which is a self-motivated initiative to be taken.

In Youth Voice aimed at encouraging our youth to express their concerns and opinions on various issues, Lakshmi Raman, who is studying criminal justice at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the US, candidly speaks about her journey towards “self acceptance” in ‘Defining beauty’.

Great Indians features:

Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) – one of the tallest musicians produces by the country and culture; 

Thakorbhai Shah (1928-2004), veteran trade union leader and social activist; 

Lt Navdeep Singh AC (1988-2011), a brave solider who made the supreme sacrifice so that the Tricolour should continue to fly over the Gurais heights in Kashmir.

In addition, read our regular columns, features, snippets, satire and more!

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