Rape and its sociology

Gender inequality remains a great cause behind rape like heinous crime. Gender inequality is rooted in the female-male power relationship. Society considers males with stereotypically masculine expressions of sexuality and females with stereotypically feminine expressions of sexuality. In India, cross-cultural perspectives were mainly occupied by men. Here in India, being subordinate to men, women could not oppose strongly to the socialisation of gender stratification based on traditional gender roles within the family. Moreover, social institutions like religion, family, education, employment, etc. promoted the traditional socialisation of women in an era where cross-cultural boundaries were continuously diminishing. The market based or market oriented socialisation on western parameters represented women as a good economic instrument based on sexuality. Men feel no discomfort in embracing women prestige and status, because the opposing societal forces were already overlapped by market forces. So, to improve the status and role of women from second-class to a leading and equally participating entity in country's development, the most effective tool is political system because only State with, in capacity of its Legislature, Executive and Judiciary organs can break the stereotypically masculine expressions of male through establishing a legal framework in which women with their right-based approach can achieve a status of gender equality. But social participation and social regulation in reorganizing women's status on their social security front will remain the most important throughout entire structural reform process.

Is it our own society?

Every rape causes social death of the suffered woman. Rapists are the best example of worst mentality in any society. In India, after flooded rape cases, women’s protection and their security is become a matter of greater concern. Delhi gang-rape case slaps on the face of our so called “intellectual” society. This incident shows complete failure of our Legislation, Executive and Judiciary in taking proper concerns of women’s respect and their rights. By nature, women, being physically less stronger than men, are not able to protect themselves or to restrict against these (sexual assault and rape) kind of violence. To provide them some kind of restrictions against these sexual offences, it is State’s duty to take some efficient measures in form of stringent punishment and strict laws for crime against women. Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill, 2010 is not sufficient to curb such kind of activities. There should be a special law for crime against women having stringent punishment not only for the commission of the offence but also for “attempt to commit an offence” and “abetment of the offence” as we have in the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 for sexual offences against children. Special courts for speedy trail, women friendly procedures, relief and rehabilitation of women, etc. must be State's priority while curbing out such a heinous crime against women. Society, also, has to play a major role in regulation of itself. The morality and respect for women must be injected into coming generation’s blood through education and family values. Without protection of women from sexual offences and other violence, their empowerment will have no mean in practical.

A Capitalist Move Of Indian Brand Of Socialism

The Union Government's step of allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi brand retail segment, boasted as the next biggest step since 1991 reforms by government, has proved political opportunism overriding the economic logic. Government thinks FDI as it is a source of filling the savings, forex reserves, trade deficit, management and technological gap and as an instrument of international economic integration but without considering the socioeconomic status and needs of the people of India, a policy like the multi brand FDI may prove the smacking of utter policy paralysis. Government's arguments behind the adoption of FDI in multi brand retail segments are like recognition of serious supply-side constraints (particularly in the food-related retail chains); improvement in back-end infrastructure promotion of share values of the farmers by reducing the role of intermediaries who obtain a disproportionate share value; identification between interests of consumer (nearly 115 crore) and the interests of retailers (nearly 5 crore); strengthening the tax collection of the government by improving the possibilities to tax the unorganised retail sector; improvement in quality standards and customer expectations; etc. Moreover, Indian Council of Research in International Economic Relation (ICRIER), which was appointed to look into the impact of big capital in the retail sector, also come to the conclusion that investment of big money (as FDI in multi brand) in the retail sector would, in the long run out not harm interests of small, traditional retailers. But above all, the most important fact is that FDI driven modern retailing is labour displacing to the extent that it can only expand by destroying the traditional retail sector. cmpanies like Wall Mart, Carrefour, Tesco, etc. will offer a range of household items and grocery directly to consumers in the same way as the ubiquitous 'kirana' stores. With their incredibly high capital, FDI driven retailing units such as Wall Mart, Correfour, Tesco, etc. will be able to sustain losses for many years till its immediate competition is wiped out. This is normal predatory strategy used by these companies to drive out small and dispersed competition. Once a monopoly situation is created, they will then turn into buying low and selling high. To obtain goods and services at the lowest possible price is in the interest of the consumer and it is his/her privilege but it cannot, in any circumstance, override the responsibility of any society to provide economic security for its population and collective well-being must take precedence over individual benefits. The primary task of the Government of India is still ti provide livelihoods and not create so called efficiency of scale by creating redundancies.

--Piyush Tripathi

A "Compromised Governance"

The UPA Government's 'Direct Cash Transfer Scheme' in place of subsidies is not more than an example of what we call "compromised governance". Cash in place of subsidies ("services") lacks a sense of responsibility and accountability towards providing social security and social protection of the poor people. The two basic pillars of this scheme are-  Aadhaar cards and opening of new bank accounts. The implementation of Aadhaar scheme is already in question as the National Identity Authority of India Bill 2010 was rejected by the Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2011 and on November 30 this year, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union Government seeking their response on the Constitutionality of implementing the Aadhaar scheme for social entitlements. Opening of millions of new bank accounts on the basis of Aadhaar cards (which already have some technical flaw) is the next challenging aspect of this lofty cash transfer scheme. today, our banks are flooded with number of cases related with accounts having fake identity, illegal transactions, discrepancy, etc. In that case millions of new accounts will make it more difficult to handle the situation. The access of banks and banking activities, easy availability of markets, etc. will have to ensure to the poor people on behalf of the government. If the scheme is implemented, then the scene would be like this- a beneficiary will go to the bank, collect the sum of cash after standing for hours in a long row, then will go to the market, purchase some items of daily uses and finally will back to home............when will he work to make some earn? Because a poor eats what he earns everyday. An economy running under the inflationary pressure, such kind of schemes can prove a wrong move. Government should never be hasty in taking those decisions influencing a large public domain.

Direct Cash Transfer Scheme By The UPA Government

Direct cash transfer against the schemes having subsidized commodities, there is a slight difference in terms of economics but becomes large at its socioeconomic impact. In a scheme where, government is giving subsidy, there is a realization of being helped among the beneficiaries and they took it as their right to be protected and secured. The prize of subsidized commodities are lower than the current market prize and they can purchase it by spending a little amount of money. But in direct cash transfer schemes, beneficiaries are provided with some amount of cash in place of subsidies. Here, a person who is awarded with some amount of cash under the above scheme, may spend it on some other needs instead of those for which he get with that amount of cash from government. A good example is of U.P. Government's "Kanya Vidyadhan Yojna" . Here, U.P. Government gives a good amount of cash to those girls passing senior secondary examination for their further education, but in most of the cases, it has been spent for some other reasons. Moreover,challenges like the existing problems in wage payment, signifying the correct beneficiaries, etc. under the MGNREGA and the suspected ground basic problems in Aadhar cards may prove the biggest hurdle in the UPA Government's dream of being the best helping hands of the poor and needy.

Indian Government is to the people, for the people an by the people

 First of all, it is important to note that Democracy as opposed to autocracy, aristocracy or monarchy means a government by the people. The people irrespective of factors like caste, religion, economic level, etc. are equal in the eyes of law and manage their own affairs themselves. They have inalienable right to rule themselves. The concept of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity are an embodiment of democratic principles in the Preamble of our Constitution. So in India, everything which comes under the government's ambit must have democratic characters in its decision making, policy framing and in every act of governance. Secondly, in India, the democracy is in the wider sense of political, economic and social democracy. The institutions set up under the Constitution shall seek to give effect to democracy in India which is to be sustained by adult suffrage, fundamental rights and independent judiciary. People's participation has been guaranteed by the institution of Panchayati Raj and local self government and the recent trend of decentralisation of power and transparency at all levels of Government. So what we leave on the Government, in a welfare state like India must have social consideration because in our brand of socialism we include both the private participation and public contribution at the same time. Our economic planning also rests upon our own socialism brand. In the very recent case related with the coal blocks allocation, Government of India had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying that our policy decisions had concerned about our democratic and social structure and because the Government works for its own people it could not exclude the will of mass. Allocations of these coal blocks was not for making own profit or not for maintaining huge revenue , it was simply for the welfare of society and that is why the revenue generation was not the first priority while allocating the blocks. The Supreme Court was convinced with this argument and passed a decision in September 2012 stating that biding is not an essential requirement or only option while considering the allocation of natural resources. Moreover different legislations and maximum number of policies formulated by the Government are especially for socially and economically marginalized class. Finally, I have to say that in a democratic Government, social concern is inbuilt, and it can’t be excluded. 

Demons Of Democracy

The current political class is behaving like “Demons of Democracy”, working for their own sake instead of welfare of people, performing their actions without any sense of public responsibility and accountability. By exploiting people and public servants, this political class is continuously creating hurdle in efficient, effective and economic execution of different social schemes and various developmental policies through corruption, capitalism, etc.  In a welfare State like India, which enjoys her democratic character only at political front through Universal Adult Franchise, should further intensified her democratic attribute at social as well as economic front. It can be happened  by a number of small but very efficient legislations within a federal structure like Right to Service which ensures a time bound service delivery mechanism; Right to Hearing concerns about the grievances after a late delivery of public service; Right to Have Occupation strengthens the people to work for country as well as provides them employment; Right to Food concerning the problem of hunger and malnutrition which once time has been said India’s national Shame; Right to Have A Pollution Free Environment; social security rights for women and children; etc. Some of these rights have already been legislated, but the thing is that they have been only legislated. In fact to change the current picture of creeping development of our nation, an active enforcement of these legislations is the much need of our society. Only this type of socio-political structure will inject a sense of responsibility & accountability in our political class and then we will run on the path of development with our full economic strength. But remember, all this will happen if each of us will cast his/her vote in elections with a scientific, unbiased mind far from caste and religion.

Live Like An Indian, Think Like An Indian...!!!

I believe in our Constitution, and we all are living in a same system established by a social, secular and sovereign nation, not by any specific cast, creed, sex or religion. So it would be better to work for the good sake of our country rather than doing some worthless and separatist activities. We should respect and appreciate each others contribution in the nation-building process, no matter the size of contribution, but what matters should be the commitment behind the contribution....I urge to every Indian not to involve in any kind of activity associated with social separatism on the lines of caste, creed, sex or religion. 


Live like an Indian...!!!

Think like an Indian..!!!

Road To Next Generation Economic Reforms

The next waive of financial reforms in India are taking place in the global arena of economic instability. Change is inevitable but should be acceptable because it brings new way of life with various new initiatives. FDI cap in insurance ra

ised to 49%; foreign investment in pension sector has allowed; new Companies Bill 2011 (changing a lot in the Companies Act 1956) has been cleared; investment on health schemes has been raised in 12th Five Year Plan......What they mean are choice of pension schemes for non-government employees; higher FDI inflows will strengthen the market; top domestic long term savings; support infrastructure investment; expert fund management practices; simpler norms for compliance and contemporary legislation will boost up the growing and emerging Indian economy. Because to promote the inclusive growth and sustainable development among the people of India, supports from our money market and capital market is essential and if they will be at their best then we have enough resources to tackle such a big problem.

Who is bearing the burden of growth?

The Central government is in the "habit" of passing on the burden of its own making to the common man who is already struggling with inflation and other blows in the form of costs of essential commodities. Now the diesel price hike will definitely have a domino effect. Traders will only use this as an excuse to make life more miserable for us. Austerity measures undertaken by the government sh

ould be implemented quickly before matters go out of hand. It is sad and make one anxious that everyone, from the local politician upwards, is wasting the tax-payer's money on unnecessary events while the government is unable to ensure the basic comfort of the common man. Since this is a national issue and affecting all across the nation, there must be concerted efforts by both the ruling party as well as the Opposition to find a permanent solution. The main thrust must be on educating the public on a warfooting about the urgent need to conserve oil, and explore the possibilities of alternative sources of fuel. Also, the State governments should totally waive the tax on petroleum products. Finally, all these situations are giving us a very clear message that we must find ways and means to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. This can only be done by reducing oil consumption, especially for personal transport.

Look beyond the appreciation of CRR

RBI has always utilized some ready'made solution to reduce the inflationary pressure but the market still remained volatile. Only some specific monetary tools like CRR, repo, reverse repo, etc. can change only the pattern and nature of investment by the financial institutions but the outcome of these changes doesn't meet with our plan to create an environment that promotes inclusive growth and sustainability in our economic targets. Without any doubt, CRR is a good monetary tool of quick positive responses but the way of our approach towards reforms in the present scenario of dwindling economic growth should be concentrated more on the infrastructure, education, health, employment generation, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
The banking institutions, being as the biggest financial supporters to our public policies should concern about this and they should plan for an agenda beyond the ready'made monetary tools under the guidance of the RBI that this country really needs.

Recent Criticism of C&AG on its Coal Block Allocations’ Report

Everyone should know that it is the office of Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) in Indian republic [Article 148-151, the Constitution of India, 1949] unlike Auditor General in British India under the Government of India Act, 1935. People who are criticizing the office of the C&AG for its current audit report on coal blocks allocations must be acknowledged with the objectivity of the CAG being
as a comptroller of Consolidated as well as Contingency Fund of India. So the C&AG for the credibility of 152 years old institution, being as the guardian of public purse, has the full constitutional right to ensure the lawful transactions in accordance with the public policies bearing public accountability on governments. The office of the C&AG is serving as an independent, competent and credible audit institution and we appreciate it because it is the public accountability and probity which is essential for rooting out corruption and audit of the C&AG is one of the most important source of creating good governance. It is the transformation of our national audit agency as a catalyst for efficient, economic and effective governance.

NAM is still relevant after all these years…!!!

Relevancy of NAM becomes very important in these days because of Iran’s nuclear issue. India started its global politics through NAM, and today she reached ahead of the NAM. But still NAM has some condensed strategic value in the region which are continuously altering the man who is torch bearer. In this case, India has shown her strategic move of being a well wisher of Iran, and I appreciate India’s this move not because of only resisting the diplomatic pressure of the US and Israel, but also having a deep concern of our energy security, regional balance and stability in terms of trade, economic and political presence; and finally a good international stage where we can express what we want and what we can for the the stability and prosperity of the region. Hence the relevancy of the NAM is indeed very important for India as for her strategic autonomy and in reducing the cultural deficit among the nations.India needs non-alignment not just to preserve its “strategic autonomy” but to mobilise developing countries on the basis of common interests.