How close is Environment to us? Are we Considering it as our family

Everyone in this community is a part of a family. All are aware how intimate and bonded are relations among the family members. Unfortunately, if a member of a family is not well or suffering from pain the family members respond to them whole heartedly by extending our hands of care and concern to them. Assuming a step further, if a member departs away from us we undergo into deep agony and irreplaceable damage. In contrast, why are we not feeling the similar concern and care or why are we not feeling the same pain when a very intimate lifesaving member of our family is not well and slowly getting weak? If we wonder who it is, it is our environment or nature existing around us and with us as one among the family member.

Environment consists of all living and non living things occurring naturally on this earth. It not only nurtures us with resources but also encompasses the interaction of all species in this planet. From a grain of soil to the rocks, mountains, deserts and more importantly air and water in the form of atmosphere and oceans, lakes and rivers respectively with whom we coexist is called environment. Since it is responsible for our existence the environment is more than a family member.

From the times immemorial our ancient Rig-Vedic Aryans comprehended the importance of nature and began to treat the nature divine and started worshipping them in the form of Agni (Fire), Varuna (Rain), Vayu, Dyus (Sky), Soma (Plants), etc.They also dedicated many hymns to those natural elements which became the basis for the Formation of Vedas and also emergence of a religion. Not only from the perspective of the resources and composition but also religiously and socially also has this natural environment played a significant and dominant role in our life.

Irony of the present day life is we are hammering out our own life saving environment for our enhanced selfish desires and aspirations. Our greed and narrow mindedness has clouded our consciousness so much that we have crossed every limit in degenerating this ecological environment to unsustainable levels. The nature has it’s capacity to replenish it’s resources in a certain pace, but the pace of human exploitation of these resources have exceeded the pace of replenishment which is resulting in draining out the earthful wealth to unearthful hollowness.

Our thirst of economic growth, industrialization and so called development has damaged this helpful environment in all the aspects. When speaking about water, life cannot be imagined in absence of this wonderful gift of our environment. The pollution through untreated industrial effluents and poisonous sewages released to the water sources, pollution of air through the poisonous gases from industries, vehicles and depletion of ozone layer by release of CFC and also causing global warming by the increased emission of the greenhouse gases.

Without going deep into the different pollutions, let us concentrate on the impact of such pollutions and interventions on the environment. There is a subtle inter relationships between every species to our ecology. In other words the entire biodiversity along with the physical environment is interconnected in one or the other ways. Destruction or harm to one element of the biodiversity or physical environment can cause the imbalance of the whole interconnected chain. This phenomenon can be explained through a simple example.

The seed of the plant called “Calvaria Major” could germinate only if its tough outer coat is worn-out. This worn out process was done by a bird called DODO by consuming it. The seeds used to wear out by the digestion process of this bird and excreted out to the ground. Then only the seeds would germinate into a plant. Unfortunately, DODO is now extinct due to human hunting. Hence, the calvaria plant also disappeared from this earth

Broadly, speaking there are hundreds of names of the extinct species in the Red Book list of the IUCN. Also there are hundreds of endangered and threatened species in the list. If we generalize the DODO bird and Calvaria plant’s example then we can presume thousands of species either perished away or on the verge of getting diminished. Conversely, Perishing of many such species can possibly put human life also at risk.However; we are already feeling the heat of the environmental degradation in the form of floods, famines, natural disasters in the form of earthquakes and tsunamis, also in the form of global warming and many hazardous infections that are detrimental to our lives. Although there is lot of awareness being created regarding the protection of our natural environment, it has to be intensified greatly to every one in this earth. Celebration of the EARTH DAY is an attempt in achieving this global voice. In addition, Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants, Montréal protocol on ozone depletion, Nagoya protocol on Bio-diversity conservation are such global attempts in conserving this invaluable environment.

Before Concluding, One thing we need to remember that we are intelligent species in this earth. As Charles Darwin says Environment has chosen us as the fittest ones, rather than perishing away like dinosaurs so we need to cooperate with this environment for our successful existence with such a Carrying Capacity that we provide future generations a gift of a healthy environment. Sustainable development should be the goal rather than only development. This can be possible only if we consider environment around us more than a family member and be grateful to it.

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AARAKSHAN-THE REAL STORY

Aarakshan-the movie which dwells on the prevalence of reservation in Education sector, rise of private coaching institutions-their impact on socio-educational Framework has stirred up an unwanted controversy. However this unwelcome development seeks to undermine institutions, fundamental rights and the constitution itself on which the rule of law of our democracy is based upon.

HOW STORY OF AARAKSHAN IS ENLIGHTENING

Late 1960 onwards is regarded as revolutionary age of enlightenment in the Modern Indian literature and other arts like drama, paintings, plays and Artistic expressions in various vernacular languages. The enlightenment was none Other than the attempt to awake sleeping people of the socially deprived classes to stand against the ongoing oppression and tyranny by counterparts in the Name of caste; show weaknesses and shortcomings in their lifestyle, Illiteracy and many practices in which they were not only ignorant but also being exploited.

Those art forms depicted the living conditions of these people not to Humiliate but to constructively criticize them so that they improve in their Living conditions and also show the world that they need more attention and Incentives for their development. For instance, Great kannada writer Shivarama karanta through his famous book called “Choma na Dudi” showcased the pitiableconditions of the socially and economically deprived people with the sole intention to awake and arise them towards the development. Many writings of Ambedkar, Pule, Mahaswetadevi, Baburao Bagul, Bandhu Madhav, Shankarao kharat have created literature on many aspects dalits and backwards hence creating revolutionary attitude to stand by oppression, making aware of education, discouraging blind practices and so on.

Movie “AARAKSHAN” is also one such form of expression which not only reveals the true underlying reasons why mandal commission was enacted by the Supreme Court but also raises its voice against the commercial exploitation of the private tuitions. In the Broad terms this movie is one similar flavor of the above mentioned art form which has stood by the backward classes and justified why mandal commission was enacted very logically and impressively. Fact is that the modern Indian Literature is considered as an era of enlightenment of the Dalits and the backwards. Hence, the Movie AARAKSHAN is part of this era.

Secondly, it is already evident that many students are getting exploited through the giant of commercial private tuition which is not only getting costly and unaffordable by the poor people but also creating discriminations in the educational availability. The Movie AARAKSHAN is a brave attempt to expose this growing evil.

QUESTION RAISED NOT BY THE MOVIE BUT THE AGITATION

This trend of menacing filmmakers and demanding to see the film even after Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearance is going to reduce our freedom of expression. At some stage, this extra-constitutional censorship is going to go out of hand. The CBFC cleared it for a U/A certificate without a single cut. It’s really ironic that while the CBFC is becoming more sensitive, liberal and progressive, these other forces are moving in reverse gear. Thus the agitation only undermines the authority and the judgment of duly professional body thus damaging the institutional framework of this sector.

The banning of the movie due to acts of violence by lumpen elements without an iota of knowledge about the movie and its content grossly violates the freedom of expression of the filmmaker. If after being duly certified and passed by the competitive authority a need was felt to ban the movie then the authorities concerned should have taken to the court of law rather than becoming a super censor on to themselves thus violating the constitution itself.

Today, thrust is on how we should institute an Indian Teachers’ Service (ITS)—like The IAS and IPS so as to reintroduce the venerable position of teachers and the honour associated with the profession of tutorship. Due credit must be given to the makers for reminding us that, reservation or no reservation, it is the duty of every teacher to empower the underprivileged, irrespective of caste, whether it's inside a classroom or a cow shed. Forget caste, think economic strata. Education is a great leveler. When you provide quality education, the rich will have no choice but to sit with the poor.

There is an estimated loss of Rs. 15 crores for the opening weekend but another major issue is piracy of the film over the weekend which will incur more losses. It’s reported that pirate versions of the film flooded the black market in Lucknow and other major districts of UP. Thus causing huge financial loses and indirectly aiding the piracy which is eating into the entertainment industry.

The saga of this Bollywood film definitely raises the question on how democracy works in India even in the 21st century, where politicians have the right to overrule the decision of a formal film censorship board. Something that would not be seen in Hollywood for sure. It is ironic that at the time when the GOI is trying to assert the importance of institutions and fearing the “attack on democracy due to the fast but a certain elderly gandhian there is a blatant violation of rule of law,fundamental rights and respect for institutions in full national view.

Thank you

Sudhanva and Prashanth

ENDOSULFAN-BOON OR BANE?

CHOICE IS OURS

Endosulfan, though introduced mainly as a chemical pesticide has led to a humanitarian, environmental, agricultural crisis beyond compare owing to its long-term ill effects.Though banned worldwide and in some Indian states through the Stockholm and Rotterdam conventions the ambivalence of Indian government surprised one and all which was eventually put to rest by the Supreme Court order of 2011.
Endosulfan is an off-patent organic chlorine based insecticide that is being phased out globally. Endosulfan became a highly controversial agrichemical due to its acute toxicity, potential for bioaccumulation (collecting in animals and getting passed along the food chain), and role as an endocrine (harmonal imbalance) disruptor. . The chemcial is semi-volatile and persistent to degradation processes in the environment. Endosulfan is subject to long range atmospheric transport, i.e. it can travel long distances from where it is used. Endosulfan has been found in remote locations such as the Arctic Ocean as well as in the antarctic atmosphere.] The pesticide has also been detected in dust from the Sahara Desert collected in the Caribbean after being blown across the Atlantic Ocean.
EndoSulfan is used as pesticide in agriculture mainly on the vegetables, fruits, and paddy, cotton, cashew, tea, coffee and tobacco and timber crops and also used as wood preservative. Endosulfan was introduced in 1950s and was approved by Environmental protection Agency of United States in 1954 in those times when environmental awareness and its protection was not at all a bottleneck and also many countries hardly thought in that direction of environmental protection as it was the age of Industrialization and agriculturization.

Environmental Hazards
Due to its persistence nature, this compound proliferates through wind dispersion, percolation into ground water and thus causing related soil, air and water pollution across huge geographical boundries.Thus biotic life far away from the place of usage comes to be adversely affected disturbing the natural chemical balance.Eg endosulfan commonly contaminates air, water, plants and fish of national parks in the U.S. Most of these parks are far from areas where endosulfan is used.
Health Hazards
Owing to its toxicity insect killer was sprayed aerially with in particular used helicopters. As the plantations are mostly in mountainous areas, the pesticide drains and gets washed down the slopes during rains into drinking water below. Consuming this water will result in diseases ranging from physical deformities, cancers, birth disorders and damages to brain and nervous system.

Endosulfan in India

India the world's largest user of endosulfan and a major producer with three companies—Excel Crop Care, Hindustan Insecticides Ltd, and Coromandal Fertilizers—.Used extensively for pest control in cashewnut,paddy sugarcane and cotton plantations in many parts of the nation viz Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Assam and Andhra Pradesh.
In 2001, in Kerala, India, endosulfan spraying became suspect when linked to a series of abnormalities noted in local children. Initially endosulfan was banned, yet under pressure from the pesticide industry this ban was largely revoked. The situation there has been called "next in magnitude only to the Bhopal gas tragedy."
Activists at ground zero in Kerala's Kasargod, especially the poor farmers who widely use this pesticide because it's about 15 times cheaper than organic options. As a result Kasaragod, once known for its greenery today is haunted by diseases and tragedy. Thanks to hamlets of cashew plantations spread along the region. The diseases are side effects of Endosulfan a deadly pesticide sprayed in these plantations

Karnataka Government also banned the use of endosulfan, an insecticide, with immediate effect.
The CSIR lab Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC), based in Lucknow came out with a report as early as 1989 (Toxicity Data Handbook. Vol III, Pesticide A) classifying endosulfan as extremely hazardous.
Since 1976 continued aerial spray of Endosulfan has led close to 9,000 deaths, and nearly 4,800 bed ridden patients with sever physical and mental deformities in State of Kerala alone, said National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM).
The supreme court Keeping in mind various judgements under Article 21 (right to life and liberty) of the Constitution and particularly keeping in mind the precautionary principle it passed an interim order for immediate ban on production and use of Endosulfan all over India.
In its toxicity and bioaccumulation perspective, The National Institute of Occupational Health (India) have linked the higher prevalence of neurobehavioral disorders, congenital malformations in female children and abnormalities related to male reproductive systems to the continuous exposure to endosulfan spray.
Government claim that there is no substitute for this pesticide which has same effectiveness and at the same cost holds little substance. It is very true that it does not have a substitute but nothing is substitute for an invaluably precious human life. Moreover, this chemical is more needed for the growth of secondary needed commercial crops and not for primarily needed food crops. Stopping the usage of this chemical will obviously not starve the country form lack of food. When given a Critical thought over its use and disuse, latter prevails from sustainable point of view and also humanistic point of view.

Inspite of overwhelming evidence GOI was reluctant to accede to sockholm and Rotterdam conventions and sought to argue that Endosulfan used in prescribed quantities was would lead to desired results without the ghastly ill effects. But this argument loses weight given the lack of awareness and education among the end user poor farmers.

Under intense pressure from civil rights activists, environmental groups and judicial interference, India finally accepted at a world convention in Geneva that the pesticide Endosulfan is a health hazard and has to be added into the Stockholm convention.
As a result a global ban on the manufacture and use of endosulfan was negotiated under the Stockholm Convention in April 2011. The ban will take effect in mid 2012, with certain uses exempted for 5 additional years. More than 80 countries, including the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, several West African nations, the United States, Brazil and Canada] had already banned it or announced phase outs by the time the Stockholm Convention ban was agreed upon.
India being a signatory has now agreed to a phased out ban with an exemption for some crops.


With growing emphasis on sustainability, organic replacements to chemicals all over the world and in India where it finds its resonance in the demand for second green revolution with onus on biotechnology and other green remedies banning endosulfan is certainly a step in the right direction.

Sustainable Living is all about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Natural Environment in its healthy form will be the only precious present that we can give to our next generation for their well being. Any activity of ours that cause damage to the present people’s living and also prone to cripple next generation is not only considered unsustainable act but also brand us as Marauders of the present and the future life.
Thus it can be concluded that India’s own Agent Orange (chemical defoliant used by US during Vietnam conflict is now causing neurological and physical deformities among locals) saga seems to be coming to a logical conclusion with its eventual ban. But in the long term we need an effective chemical norm and should ratify a chemical & pesticide policy which would help people affected from chemical accidents & disasters; also stop usage of deadly pesticides for agriculture.



Thank you
Prashanth and Sudhanva

Corruption-The Devil that Prospered-Is Janlokpal a Panacea?

“Corruption-The Devil that Prospered”. As a staunch supporter for the ongoing fight against corruption it is refreshing to see such a big mass mobilization India for such a noble cause big enough to draw parallels between the mobilization during the Civil Disobedience Movement or perhaps Quit India Movement. Currently the Country is uttering a common slogan "FIGHT CORRUPTION" and Enactment of Universally accepted JAN LOKPAL BILL seems to be the Agenda. The issue certainly deserves and commands all the attention it is getting. Thanks to Anna Hazare and his Magsaysay awardees. But the Janlokpal bill might not be the panacea to all the corruption related evils. It is at best and partly a huge step in the right direction towards the Vision of transparency in governance and corruption free country.

The need of the hour is a slew of measures in addition to the proposed Lokpal.

We always talk about responsible government why are we not giving equal importance to responsible citizenship. Off-course many of us will be aware of our fundamental duties and fundamental rights of our constitution but there are many brethren who are not educated enough, many poor illiterates in rural areas who fail to understand their rights. As they do not understand them it is obvious that they do not exercise them. People who involve in Corruption take this advantage and bank upon their unaware nature and innocent ignorance. Yes, along with spread of education which will make them aware, if we intensify this awareness as a part of our agenda in the fight against corruption it will help us in another step towards our vision. So we must start educating our unaware brothers and sisters about their rights and duties so they exercise it when in need.

Our country holds biggest elections where biggest Universal Adult Suffrage is exercised. Unlike Direct Democracy as in Switzerland where people directly involve in every decisions of the government through the actions of plebiscite and referendums, we have indirect democracy where we elect our representatives by casting them our votes and allow them to take responsible decisions for our welfare on our behalf. Election of our representative is a very critical task and hence our votes are said valuable. Instead of cursing our representatives after electing them about their in capacities and corruptions it would be better that we try refining our election process. Yes, naturally question arises that "How do we know whether Contesting Person is right or wrong in his intentions?" It is difficult but not impossible, Can’t we Demand our Honorable Election Commission to mandate some eligligibility criteria in the form of psychometric tests, consistency tests, morality tests to the party candidates who files for candidature in the elections. Such tests though may not be fully fool proof in our electing persons for candidatures but may help considerably in preventing irresponsible leadership that leads to malpractices and corruption.

Although E-governance is a very effective tool for maintaining transparency at executive levels, but implementing them in all areas and putting it into effective use needs more time and money. Once implemented this would also help towards the transparency. Demand for bringing in more E-governance in those areas where it does not exist will also be a good agenda.

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Bringing in Service Level Agreements in the public offices and public-private partnership companies which can ensure timely delivery of the services of the citizens without delay. If SLA is violated strict actions can be enforced on the responsible authorities. So demand for guarantee services and SLA enforcement in them should also be an important agenda in our programme.

We already have RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT which is called common man's weapon. Ambit of RTI has to be increased and has to be given more authority so that common man is assured of his information that can help him in fight towards inconsistency and injustice caused to him.

The concept of Ombudsman in the form of Central Vigilance Commission, Lokayukta in the states should be made more powerful in unraveling the occurring corrupt practices. Let’s try to look into clauses of these institutions and try to put forth opt demand for their enhancements and modifications that will make them even more powerful against corruption. Example Lokayukta of Karnataka under Justice SANTOSH HEGDE did a splendid and exemplary job to unravel biggest illegal mining of our country.


There can be still more areas where we can fight against the ideology of corruption which is tangible to us in different forms. So please do contribute your opinions and help contribute to this fight. If proper direction and attitude is given to this mass struggle We can really see a change in our future INDIA..We may envisage INDIA as the most transparent country in the world in the near future where development and welfare schemes,plans,programs are fully implemented without any corruption and malpractices.


However the janlok pal bill needs to be considered along with the government’s bill and the NCPRI,s version backed by the RTI activist ArunaRoy.

Highlights of NCPRI bill

1. Setting up of Lokpal/lokayukta at centre and each state to recieve investigate and prosecute all elected reps and class A officers in corruption cases.

2. A judicial accountability and standards bill to tackle corruption in judiciary at all levels while maintaining the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

3. Public grievances lokpal to ensure effective functioning of all public authorities and act as ombudsman for dealing with citizen complaints violative of the citizen charter among others. This authority will be set up at each block/ward level as feasible in urban areas or at the taluk/village level as practicable in rural areas.

4. Strenghtning cvc (at centre and state levels)and bringing it under lokpal for effective conduct of departmental enquiries.

5. Whistleblowers identity will be protected by all the above mentioned institutions.

How does it allay the fears of Janlokpal bill while addressing the weaknesses of Lokpal bill?

Owing to decentralization the problem of violation of federal structures does not occur and neither the fear of a behemoth.

The judiciary is conveniently brought under its ambit without the usual “usurpation of power by executive” argument while maintaining its independence and ensuring accountability hence effective, transperent and timely delivery of justice.

Strengthening of already existing institutions (cvc) while clearly and effectively defining its jurisdiction and powers. Thus more of a reform than radical changes.

Comprehensively protects both the complainant and the accused thus ensuring free and fair trial.

Since the onus is on decentralization a more people friendly, user friendly and cost effective mechanism is possible thus giving further effectiveness to RTI and tackling the menace of corruption at the grass root levels which matters most for all.

Tackling corruption cannot be a one off exercise. It is a conscious and a continuous process requiring all facets of socio-political life-citizens,legislature,yardsticks of morality in a society,conscience.Lokkpal bill is just a legislative part of the whole lifestyle while the other less palpable but more important elements too need to be effectively developed..

Not just our politicians but even we citizens are to be blamed for the present state of affairs and hence have a social and moral obligation to right ourselves. Also important is the need to imbibe values into our future generation and not just prepare robots to compete in the rat race sans values. As Gandhiji said “the means is as important as the end”. Winning is not everything but the path to victory is.

Thank you
Prashanth and Sudhanva