Aadhaar based DBT results in over Rs 83,000 cr disbursals; SC ruling on privacy leaves scope for biometric usage in social schemes

Amidst the debate on possible fall-outs of the Supreme Court judgement pronouncing privacy as fundamental right, on Aadhaar related government schemes it is noted that the biometric cards have facilitated as much as Rs 83,184 crore to beneficiaries of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, without the notorious leakages of the past.

Real benefit of Jan Dhan and Aadhaar is finally reflected in the number of beneficiaries of government DBT schemes. The amount of funds transferred under DBT schemes between 1st January 2013 and 31st March 2017 is Rs 83183.79 crores but the real achievement lies not in the amount disbursed, rather in the fact that these amounts were disbursed with minimum leakages or malpractices and that is important in terms of good governance it generally felt.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes have resulted into weeding out 3.34 crore duplicate consumers under PaHAL and a further 2.33 crore ration cards being deleted, bringing transparency in governance of subsidy. Total savings under DBT has been  Rs 49,500 crores till December 2016. DBT savings have been highest under the PaHaL scheme, amounting to Rs 26,408 crores till December 2016.

On the Supreme Court judgement the general feeling is that it is a landmark verdict by the 9-judge Constitution Bench which provide a window for the Aadhaar related government schemes. While commending to the Union Government the need to put in place a robust regime for data protection and a sensitive balance between the individual interests and legitimate concerns of the state, the judgement  clearly stated that “ the legitimate aim of the state  would include for instance , protecting national security….. and preventing the dissipation of social welfare benefits”.

According to some experts when the apex court talks about prevention of “dissipation of social welfare benefits”, therein lies a window for Aadhaar cards, in so far as its applicability on the DBT and other welfare measures is concerned. 

Total subsidy paid under DBT in 2016-17 is  Rs 74,502 crore. The new target is to cover 534 schemes in by March 2018, out of which 300 are cash schemes and more than 200 are in-kind schemes. Hence, Cash Subsidy paid under DBT is expected to increase to  Rs 1 lakh crore subsequently.

On the Performance Matrix,  as a scheme with“ Significant Progress Made”,  the ‘Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)’ is considered as the back bone of financial inclusion, and the first step of creating bank accounts for hitherto uncovered population has been done quite efficiently within a short span of time.  Even the Brookings Institute in its Financial and Digital Inclusion Report has rated India with among the top countries on score with high government commitment and regulatory environment but in their view adoption of financial and digital inclusion needs to be enhanced.

Indian mobile services market to touch US$ 103.9 bln by 2020: study

Indian mobile services market is expected to reach $37 billion in 2017, growing at 10.3 per cent year-on-year to cross US$ 103.9 billion by 2020, according to an ASSOCHAM-Resurgent India joint study.

As on March 2017, the service sector grew 7.74 per cent year-on-year to Rs 21.43 trillion (US$ 332.74 billion). The Indian digital classifieds industry is expected to grow three-fold to reach US$ 1.2 billion by 2020, driven by growth in horizontal classifieds like online services, real estate and automobiles. Out of overall services sector, the sub-sector comprising financial services, real estate and professional services contributed US$ 305.8 billion or 20.5 per cent to the GDP, reveals the joint study on ‘Service Sector in India’ released today at New Delhi.

Service sector employs nearly 40% of the population in the economy. It has the capacity to absorb the need of the growing population. The emploiyment in the service sector has increased from 23.7% in 1999 to 29% in 2016-17. State-wise, there are wide differences in the share in employment of different sectors in rural India. It is found that some work-eastern states like Sikkim, Tripura and Manipur have a high share of employment in the services sector and again some city states like Chandigarh and Delhi also have very high shares of employment in services like 826 and 879 respectively out of 1000 employed people.

In urban India the shares of employment in services in most of the states varied like 833 in Assam, 877 in Meghalaya, 732 in Bihar, 787 in Jharkhand, 711 in Kerala, 716 in Maharashtra, 743 in Rajasthan, 653 in Uttar Pradesh, 641 in Gujarat, 586 in Tamil Nadu and 683 in West Bengal out of 1000 employed people.

The services sector is also an important contributor to the Indian exports. India's share in global services exports stood at 3.2 per cent in 2014-15; double that of its merchandise exports in global merchandise exports at 1.7 per cent, placing India in the eighth place amongst the top ten exporters of service in the world.  Export of services grew by 5.9 per cent year-on-year to $13.06 billion in 2016-17, noted the study.

Accordingly, services sector has been rendering some valuable services, viz., health services, educational facilities; IT and IT enabled services (ITes), skill development, health tourism, sports, and cultural services etc. which are largely responsible for human empowerment and improvement of quality of life of the people in general.

India has been largely considered as favoured destination for increasing flow of FDI. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a major source of non-debt financial resource for the economic development of India. Foreign companies invest in India to take advantage of relatively lower wages, special investment privileges such as tax exemptions, etc. The total FDI investments India received during April 2016-March 2017 rose 8 per cent year-on-year to US$ 60.08 billion, indicating that government's effort to improve ease of doing business and relaxation in FDI norms is yielding results. Most recently, the total FDI equity inflows for the month of March 2017 touched US$ 2.45 billion.

In India, data on services is collected and collated by multiple agencies. For some services such as retail there is no official data. For others like communication services, there is a lack of disaggregated data. Employment data is not collected on a regular basis which makes it difficult to do employment analysis. Also, the services sub-sector definitions in India do not match with international definitions which make it difficult to do cross-country analysis. Moreover, there is a lack of distinction in data collection procedure between goods and services within each sub-sector such as telecommunications and IT.

There is no single nodal department or agency for services in our country. It is the need of the hour that government should set up a nodal agency or department for the smooth functioning of service sector as services activities cover issues beyond trade and also work on regulatory reforms for service sector.

There is also need for promotional and marketing activities for service exports like setting up a portal for services, showcasing India’s competence also in non-software services in trade exhibitions, and engaging dedicated brand ambassadors and experts at the international level.

The government and Reserve Bank of India should provide more credit facilities at reasonable interest rates and collateral free soft loans to support the sector’s cash needs. The Government should make efforts to improve the infrastructure in the country such as construct more roads in rural and backward areas, as well as railways and air connectivity to all the cities of the country and also improve the condition of its ports.

The government should work to improve the poor condition of historic buildings in the country. These places are the main attraction for tourists. It helps in generating more income. Service providers should focus on controlling the costs and wastage of resources with the use of modern technology.

The service sector should work parallel with the other sectors like Primary and Secondary Sector. Primary Sector faces financial, infrastructural issues and effective support from the other sector. All the sectors are linked both in forward and backward lines. Development in any of the sector will be fruitful for the rest.

India to link all police stations, judiciary & enforcement agencies with Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS)

India will soon link all police stations across the country and further integrate all the data with courts, judiciary officers and enforcement agencies under the Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS) to combat security breaches according to India’s Minister of State for Home Affairs Mr Kiren Rijiju.

CCTNS has just been launched and is looked upon as a path-breaking and revolutionary step. Within India if anybody commits a crime it will be easy to trace.

The CCTNS has been launched on the lines of GST (Goods and Services Tax) with a view to link entire country under one security umbrella. This network we will secure the nation because anybody who commits some kind of crime then it will be difficult for him to run away. Till now India had some gaps in terms of collaboration amid states and centre on security front. With the launching of CCTNS all the states together with all the agencies of the central government including higher-up authorities and judiciary will be linked.

It is not only the justice delivery system but the readymade data available in tracking the crimes and criminals will become easy that will create a confidence among the people as it will cover everything from the economic crimes to petty crimes.

India making startups in north-eastern states lucrative

There has been an number of youngsters from across India approaching the union government to set up startups in north-eastern states under the ‘Startup India, Standup India,’ programme, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister Office, Government of India has disclosed this at the Annual Meet of Entrepreneurs and Innovators held in New Delhi on the occasion of the World Entrepreneurs’ Day 2017.

“Any youngster who decides to set up startups in north-east will in addition to all the provisions available in the Government of India programme will get initial venture capital fund from North-East ministry, so that they do not have any financial liability,” said Dr Singh said.

The minister also said that the government is building necessary infrastructure to promote north-eastern states as a favourite destination of startup ventures in the country.

He also termed the ‘Startup India, Standup India,’ programme as the most unique programme in the world as it offers unprecedented incentives like three years of tax holiday and three months of exit period.

Dr.Singh said that it is due to present government’s efforts that a big headway had been made and entrepreneurship potential of India which was not being realised earlier at any level of the society is now being realised.

He also said that a reverse brain drain has been happening in India during the course of past couple of years.

“You must have realised that as a result of proactive outreach by the Prime Minister himself, it is not only the foreign investors who are now looking up to India as a destination, many of those who had left India in search of green pastures and settled abroad are now looking forward to opportunities to get back to India,” said Dr Singh.

“This is the phenomenon that I have observed only in the last 2-3 years,” he added.

“So this itself is a very impartial evidence of the kind of change in the business atmosphere which is being witnessed in India and I am sure in the years to come this country is going to be one of the most attractive destinations for startups and entrepreneurs,” the minister added.

Have you noticed the funny side of you?

The under-mentioned is a satirical piece. The incident may amuse but the peculiar issue it touches upon will not.

At my friend's place a few days back whom I visited while in Delhi I noticed an unusual heavy atmosphere prevailing in his house. The stiffness between my friend and his wife made me curious. Being frank to both due to long acquaintance I jokingly asked them the reason for the heaviness prevailing in the house besides the much-adored “Kapil Sharma’s Comedy Show” was being screened on the television. I hope the reason is not my unexpected landing here I asked! The duo came up with a big “No”. You are always welcome they uttered and we always enjoy your company. Then what is it I reiterated that is making me so uncomfortable this time around at your place I asked!

I think my asking the reason was just what the couple was waiting for. The wife sprung up before the husband could to tell me of her infuriation. My dazed looking friend out of fright of the wife signaling to leave the house sat couched on the sofa with wrinkles on the forehead as if unable to prove his innocence. You two are happily married, I said. Yes! That was till yesterday she cried.

A bit perplexed, I asked, what is the matter? You know he made very nasty and rude remarks seeing my photograph the wife lamented. Your photograph! But that is strange, as you have once won the title of best photogenic face a couple of years back while in college. You still look pretty, I added.

No, seeing my photograph on the newly received Aadhar Card yesterday he said I resemble like an old hag sobbing she said. Hearing this I understood the reason and burst into laughter to the surprise of both. O gosh! So this is what makes you upset with each other I exclaimed. “Yes” came the answer from a disturbed better-half of my friend.

I pulled out my wallet and took out my PAN Card, Driving License and Aadhar Card and jutted before my friend. Look at these, I yelled with laughter! Recognize the guy on the Cards and tell me who he is. The two got surprised at my behaviour and my friend took a look at the cards to see what I meant. Within no time he too rolled on the sofa laughing as if I had popped a laughter pill in his mouth.

I then showed the cards to my friend’s wife. Now also are you upset I asked her? In no time the heavy atmosphere in the house turned into a rock-an-roll of laughter. The erring woman understood the mistake.

Friends, the magic wand I used to liven up the atmosphere which may have turned a bitter one for the couple was simply showing them the mirror (A mirror not in the real sense of course but exposing them to reality of things) which displays images far away from the real ones by way of optical illusion, that which distorts ones face making it look funny and many times un adorable with countless permutation and combination. In reality we all have seen ourselves through such mirrors and enjoyed seeing the false us. However on identities such as the PAN, Aadhar or Driving licenses we all want to look our original selves and not be portrayed funnily.

Actually what I really tried to convey to my friend and his wife by showing my PAN Card, Driving License and Aadhar Card was it's not they who were photograph funnily but most of us. Unfortunately most of the Card bearers in the country have their very awkward looking photographs on the Cards. At times you fail to recognize yourself such is the situation. I am sure most of you will agree to this.

Understanding that the bad photograph was the cause of all misunderstandings my friend also took out his Cards that too bore a very indifferent looking him to pacify his wife.

Our friends who snap us for our PAN Card, Driving License and Aadhar Card it appears have lenses fitted in their web cams that have quality of unintentionally distorting and shifting identity mostly towards the worst and funny side. I cannot understand how do they do it or which angle they use for snapping the photographs?

My friend’s wife was a victim of this.

Next time you see any of the aforesaid Cards that bear your funny looking photographs don’t frown enjoy seeing yourself. It’s a reason to make you laugh as if looking through the mirror that poses you funnily due to optical illusion. On the lighter side, good photographs taken can certainly avoid unnecessary clash at home like the one I just narrated.

To my friends, who snap us for these Cards, a little caution at their end can help portraying a person as he/she looks. A photograph must resemble a person on a legal instrument such as the PAN, Aadhar or Driving license. By law also this is important. The photograph on these identities is like the number plate of a vehicle; if distorted or unrecognizable it can lead to many confusions.

Having said this, authorities must take this issue seriously and devise a better option for taking portraits for embedding on national identity cards of citizen. It’s simply the culture of doing things right!

Reliable power supply to the inhabitants of remote areas in the foot hills of the Himalayas

Around 20 substations in Himachal Pradesh – the foothills of the Himalayas are under upgradation in a bid to offer 24x7 reliable power for all across regions. The substations are being equipped with the latest control and protection technology to enable future digitalization. This is an effort by the Himachal Pradesh government to supports India’s Smart Grid Vision and the government’s ambition of providing reliable power to the country’s most remote regions.

A digital substation is a key part to enabling a smarter grid. Digital communications via fiber optic cables replace traditional copper connections using analog signals, increasing safety, flexibility and availability, while reducing cost, risk and environmental impact.

Towards development of India’s power infrastructure across challenging terrains recently the Khandukhal substation commissioned in the mountainous state of Uttarakhand, which evacuates power generated from the rivers of the northern state and integrates it with the national grid

Startups must develop stronger & sustainable biz plans to continue receiving PE/VC funding: Study

Developing stronger and sustainable business plans will help startups in receiving PE/VC (private equity/venture capital) funding, suggested a recent ASSOCHAM-Hammurabi & Solomon joint report titled ‘M&A landscape in India.’

“After registering 26 per cent dip in fund raising by PE firms last year i.e. from $5.7 billion in 2015 to $4.2 billion in 2016, the year 2017 could be the one for consolidation, with PE/VC (venture capital) firms chasing a business having a strong biz model with a focus on unit economics and profit,” according to the study.

It also said that to fulfil the expectations, government provided a boost to startups with a number of favourable announcements in the Union Budget 2017, which also addresses certain other concerns of the PE/VC investor community.

The study also said that Indian PE industry, finds itself in the thick of opportunities to map a new route to re-emergence. “Factors like improving business sentiment, making the strategic benefits of PE familiar among Indian enterprises and a pro-reform government would accelerate re-emergence.”

The core area to focus on should be the PE/VC exits to generate returns for Limited partners (Lps) and free-up capital for further investment. “M&A activity and a strong primary market are expected to buoy the exits.”

The study further noted that a strong alliance between stakeholders within the industry and the country's economic objectives would be required for PE to deliver its full potential to the country's economy.

“The key factors for success of private equity are - suitable growth opportunities for the industry and supportive regulatory framework,” it said.

It also noted that regulatory framework governing the broader financial services and securities industry in India has a direct impact on private equity investors.

With the introduction of safe harbor norms for offshore funds which are to benefit PE and VC industry and General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) from April 1, 2017 which are aimed at improving transparency in tax matters and help curb tax evasion the route to re-emergence looks more realistic now.

Considering that external environment provides a unique opportunity similar to the government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, floating a new campaign on the same lines – ‘Manage Indian investments from India,’ could increase capital investment from domestic and foreign sources.

“With PE contributing more than 40 per cent of equity financing today, a set of cohesive and cogent policies specifically aimed at encouraging the flow of PE should be welcomed,” the report added.

Highlighting the role of PE investments in India’s economy, the study stated that the sector invested a total of more than $103 billion between 2001 and 2014.

It also said that despite a drop in 2008, capital inflows from PE have been more reliable than those from other sources of equity funding, including foreign institutional investment, IPOs and equity issuances, such as secondary offers and convertible instruments.

PE inflows have remained strong, even though India’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth rates have plunged from 9.6 per cent in fiscal 2007 to 4.7 per cent in fiscal 2014 amid high market volatility.

Noting that PE has been a broad-based source of equity capital, both in terms of sectors covered and individual companies, the study said that PE in India has invested in over 3,100 companies across 12 major sectors like telecommunications and others which are critical to the country’s development.

Besides, PE appears to accelerate job growth through its portfolio companies. “Between 2001 and 2016, the number of jobs at companies backed by PE posted a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) on average of almost 9 per cent during the first five years after investment, while the annual growth rate at comparable companies without PE funds was just under three per cent.”

Link to the study: http://www.hammurabisolomon.in/Mergers_Aquisitions_Landscape_India_2017_By_Hammurabi_and_ASSOCHAM/mobile/index.html#p=1

Happy Independence Day - August 15,2017

“स्वतंत्रता दिवस के शुभ अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई। जय हिन्द! 

Independence Day greetings to my fellow Indians. Jai Hind”

Strict Dos and Don’ts needed for the proposed Convention Centre in Doon

It is heartening to learn that there is an international standard Convention Centre being planned in the Doon Valley by the State government. While this will be an asset not only for Dehradun and Uttarakhand but even for the country being close to world-renowned pilgrimage, tourist, ayurveda and yoga centres Haridwar and Rishikesh besides the Queen of Hills Mussoorie. However, on the back of this there are many Dos and Don’ts and intrinsic planning needed if the government really wants this project to shine Uttarakhand globally and their reputation and prove what they plan of an international scale convention centre.

The new Rawat Government is promoting Uttarakhand as an international destination not only for tourists but business community alike. Towards this end professional approach is must to carve out a place for the State on professional lines to reach out to the world. While government’s willingness to support a project is important that alone will not do. What is really important is professional backing and countless other things needed to run establishments as important as an international standard Convention Centre.

It might sound simple setting up of a convention centre, but many things go in to make it a successful venture that too if planned on an international scale. For such massive projects besides professional advice the government be willing to also take in good views from every quarter and especially from people who have exposure of visiting some of the leading convention centre’s around the world to share their views on the basic amenities and services that they may have experienced and that are a must in making a complete convention centre. Towards this the government planners have to shun off their attitude of “know all” and be ready first with big ears.

Being audience to a discussion by a group of people the other day on governments plans to set up an international standard convention centre here, I was speechless and utterly dismayed to gather from the talks of a few, who were a learned lot, few influential from the government and business and many with deep pockets. This lot felt that in the coming time big family functions will be easy to organize in Dehradun. Who matters for the price was a general feeling expressed by the group. Nodding my head in non connivance with their thoughts, I gathered the plot for my piece of writing. Thank you guys!

So friends, the point that I gathered from the discussion was simple yet a severe one that may have far-reaching and disastrous results if not addressed properly. The very mind-set of people looking at a convention centre as a future place for large family gatherings and its other similar use is the big question.

The first and the biggest of all the Dos and Don’ts that I want to stress specially after listening to my so-called learned friends mentioned is the worry that the proposed Centre does not take the shape of a spacious “Bharat Ghar” or “Community Centre” by the influential. No wedding ceremonies of anyone be allowed there. Purely business convention or similar other activities that does not lower its decorum and décor be allowed. Pity if this does not happen!

The Government may strictly adhere to the Convention Centre’s charter of professional functioning and decorum. The influential refrained from meddling with the day-to-day affairs of the Centre. It is the constant interference of the influential lot for self motives that drains out energy of professionals and the project making it mediocre or non-existent in due course. Too many cooks be avoided as it will only spoil the broth. The functioning should thus be handled by some internationally renowned and experienced group of professionals or convention centre operating chain who know the business of upkeep of such projects. Letting out the project in professional hands can generate good revenue for the State.

Another big issue the government and the planners have to keep in mind very clear and straight is for Gods sake not to shove in this project in the city limits which unfortunately is already over congested and gasping for fresh air as a result of increased vehicular pollution, rising population and inadequate support infrastructure.

Unfortunately since Uttarakhand formed in the year 2000 most of the government establishments and even Vidhan Sabha along with housing for the increased population have all been made to accommodate in the old city limits leading to utter chaos. Good it would have been if the limits of the Doon extended to accommodate the new entrants to the town. In the name of development the silly planners have so far already bulldozed most part of the heritage town of the Doon for poor planning knowing nothing of its past culture. The left over heritage too is counting its days at the hands of the so-called development creating hell!

A good mantra for the success of government’s planning will be to “Go beyond limits”. So long we do not unbound our limits we cannot progress beyond a point but rather deteriorate even what we have in present. I hope you have the point that I am trying to make. Go beyond limits of the city to carve out something new, worth adorable and not axe the past of this heritage town. Planners don’t mess the already messy town it is now in. Well! Poor and unsystematic development is another big issue that has many debatable angles to it. I will refrain from blubbering more on it at this point.

Equally important other than the points already discussed, for a convention centre of international standards it is not simply its building infrastructure that counts, more importantly the roads leading to it are. Its vicinity to the airport connected with efficient public transport and cabs to the city, stared hotels around and ample parking space are the wholesome package that goes in making a true convention centre. Visualize a scenario where absence of basic but important facilities guests coming from abroad running hither thither for their stay, looking for efficient transport or battling the jams and snarling traffic on roads to reach the destination and on reaching the destination face parking problem. No one will dare to come the second time to such a place. Additionally the message spread through the word of mouth will be still graver in size to stop others from coming here. So a good convention centre project cannot be seen in isolation. There are many facilities that go in its success. There cannot be a compromise of basic facilities and features as discussed.

To substantiate to what has just been said there is no denying that presently commuting from the town (Capital of the State) to the Jolly Grant airport, a stretch of just 26-27 kilometers takes around one hour. The long time taken to reach the airport is due to patchy roads, ongoing and unplanned constructions blocking passage coupled with road widening project hindering traffic and not completed even after years of toil is pitiful. These situations in the case of the proposed international convention centre project be averted. New approach roads carved out first before the government's dream project unfurled.

The point that I am trying to make here is when a project like an airport (basic transport lifeline) confronted with situation like improper roads leading to it or lack of good and efficient public transport connecting it to the town how can a project like a convention centre which has absolutely no comparison or equality with that of an airport be run efficiently with absence of the features as pointed out?

The NITI Aayog, the government body providing final go ahead to the project must take all these factors into account before according permission to the State for such a venture. If these issues neglected it mar the project.

Doonites eagerly look forward to an international standard convention centre in the valley but with all the facilities without disturbing the present eco-system and infrastructure fabric of the already over-crowded city. Disturbing the present set-up of the town to accommodate yet another big project within its choked limits will be a deliberate attempt that will lead to utter chaos and roads no where.

India's Partition Museum to pay tribute to the spirit and courage of those who were affected by the Partition

On August 17, 2017, Partition Remembrance Day, India will honour the sacrifice of the millions who lost lives and homes to the greatest exodus in human history 

The story of India’s freedom is as much one of heartwarming joy as of tremendous hardship, sacrifice and tragedy, scarred by the trauma of loss and heartache. While India awoke to a fresh dawn of hope on August 15, 1947, millions on the eastern and western reaches of the newly-formed country were facing the relentless horrors of bloodshed, violence and separation from loved ones. 

Seventy years after India won Independence from the British, the country will remember the sacrifices of these millions, displaced from their homes and forced to uproot themselves, leaving behind the familiarity of their circumstances in the Partition of 1947. 

Housed at the historic Town Hall in the fascinating city of Amritsar, the Partition Museum will open its doors to the public on August 17, 2017, to mark one of the most cataclysmic occasions in the history of modern India which shaped its collective consciousness, to honour those who died in the brutality and pay tribute to the indomitable will of the survivors. The Museum, a first-of-its-kind in the world, will observe the first ‘Partition Remembrance Day’, with support from the government of Punjab, which has officially marked August 17 on its calendar. The museum’s trustees have painstakingly collected and curated the exhibits and memorabilia that will be displayed at the galleries. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, will inaugurate the Museum and a commemoration ceremony will take place to mark the occasion. 

August 17, 1947 was that fateful day on which the details of Radcliffe Award were announced. Named after Sir Cyril Radcliffe, the ‘man who divided India’, the Award laid down the geographical lines along which India would be divided. The unspeakable violence this random and careless mapping, causing the largest exodus in modern history, unleashed, is indelibly etched in our nation’s memory.

The Museum hopes to stand as a monument to the sacrifices of so many people and remind the country of those who went through unimaginable suffering even before the newborn nation had taken its first steps. “We will remember the spirit, courage and resilience of those millions of refugees who were uprooted overnight, and yet dedicated themselves to rebuild the newly-independent India,” said Kishwar Desai, well-known author and the Museum’s Chief Trustee. 

The idea of the Museum “arose from a sense of urgency”, admit the people behind the project. In 2015, Desai, Dipali Khanna, Bindu Manchanda, and Mallika Ahluwalia, the Museum’s chief executive, came together to form The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust (TAACHT) and set up the Partition Museum. They also have a Group of Patrons, led by Kuldip Nayar, Lord Meghnad Desai and Prasoon Joshi, with others like Soni Razdan, Pinky Anand, Sunaina Anand, Ritu Kumar, Vikram Sahney, and Bela Sethi, as trustees. They decided to have a series of events across Delhi, Amritsar and London, to raise awareness and received overwhelming response in favour of setting up the Museum. 

Although it took around a year to zero in on a suitable site for the Museum, with the keen enthusiasm displayed both by the Government and the people of Punjab, the Trust was able to launch the first phase of the Partition Museum by October 2016, at the Town Hall itself. The Museum had dignitaries such as Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Gulzar and Mahesh Bhatt drop in, and the general footfall stood at more than 40,000 over a period of five months. 

Set up entirely through private donations of memories and memorabilia, the Museum is supported by funds from both individuals and corporate houses. 

The museum’s purpose is to be the custodian of memories and remember the millions who suffered, particular focus will be on individuals and families who, despite losing almost everything, showed courage and resilience. Even at the cost of foregoing their own sufferings, they dedicated themselves in rebuilding the lives of their loved ones and in the process, rebuilding the new India. The Museum, which is developing into a pivotal repository of India’s history, will use memorabilia, personal effects, letters and rare testimonies from survivors to weave a story and create an immersive experience, which not just talks of anguish and loss but also of hope. 

India would need to bring 88 sq. Km. land under waste disposal by 2050: Study

Considering the present scenario of waste management in India where most of the waste is dumped without treatment, it would require an estimated 88 square kilometer (sq. km.) of precious land to be brought under waste disposal through land-filling by 2050, which is equivalent to the size of area under administration of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), noted a recent joint study by ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) and PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers).

“This will eventually render the land unfit for any other use for as long as a half century before it can be stabilized for other uses,” said the report titled, ‘Waste Management in India: Shifting Gears,’ jointly conducted by ASSOCHAM and global consulting firm PwC.

According to the report, the Class I cities account for 80% of country’s total waste generation. As such it is imperative to relook into present systems of waste management in the country, suggested the study.

As per a previous estimate, by 2050 about 50 per cent of India’s population will be living in urban areas, and the volume of waste generation will grow by five per cent per year.

Accordingly, the expected waste quantity we are looking at for the year 2021, 2031, and 2050 are 101 million metric tonnes (MMT) per year, 164 MMT, and 436 MMT per year respectively.

The report noted that waste generation of Class I cities (with population between 0.1 million to five million) in India has been estimated to be around 80 per cent of country’s total waste generation.

Highlighting the concerns about per capita waste generation rate, the study said that presently it is about 300-400 gm/capita for medium cities and 400-600 gm/capita for large cities. “This is going to increase with the present trend of urbanization and consumption patterns.”

On the need for proper waste treatment to generate environmental and monetary benefits, the study said that poorly managed waste has direct implications to urban environment, leading to air, water, and soil pollution, together with long-term health impacts, while it has indirect implications to our economy and growth prospects.

However, improper planning for waste management, complex institutional setup, constraints in capacity for waste management using modern techniques and best practices, and limited funds with urban local bodies (ULBs) are some of the reasons waste management in India has become an area of concern.

It also said that though private sector can play a critical and greater role in waste management in India, there are a various issues and bottlenecks on different fronts that have made it challenging to successfully implement projects – policy and regulatory, financing, project conceptualization and structuring, technology and capacity.

It is recommended to the government to accord industry status to waste management sector to provide it necessary boost and regulatory adherence with dedicated monitoring and compliance cell.”

Denmark’s First High-speed Line

The Danish Parliament has passed an act approving the construction of a new dual track, electrified railway running from Copenhagen to Ringsted via Køge, Denmark. Capable of handling passenger train speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour, the new line will be Denmark’s first high speed railway, and its largest rail project for many years. The 60-kilometer line which will include four tunnels, 88 bridges, require the expropriation of around 290 hectares of land. Construction of the new line commenced back in 2012 with completion scheduled for late 2018.

Need to step up focus and spending on strengthening IT systems to thwart cyber attacks

The focus and spending on information technology (IT) systems by business organisations in India needs to be complemented with similar efforts in operational technology (OT) and consumer technology (CT) systems to combat myriad cyber attacks.

Currently, such initiatives are not taking place, thereby leading to a rise in attacks by cyber criminals.

OT and CT systems have long been used in industrial and end-user products to monitor and control physical processes. Traditionally, these technologies have been air-gaped, in that they are segregated from the IT network. However, OT and CT systems are becoming increasingly interconnected and integrated with other IT systems.

Economic challenges, resource constraints, business requirements and technology standardization have made it impractical to continue completely segregating OT and CT networks from IT networks it is seen.

With an increase in the usage of information and OT and CT in critical infrastructure, overall effectiveness has increased. However, these elements have also become the target of choice for attackers since they recognize the impact of disrupting the routine way of life.

Thus, considering that organisations today are more reliant on OT and CT networks to control their operations and infrastructure, they should build a forward-looking cyber security programme that is based on the right balance of technologies, processes and people skills—all supplemented with an ample measure of innovation.

With these components in place, organisations are likely to be better prepared for the future of cyber security.

By identifying cyber security flaws and issues, decision makers will be better placed to implement appropriate security controls, design additional secure architectures, monitor targeted attacks and maintain effective cyber resilience for their IT, OT and CT networks.

Certain cyber security gaps in OT and CT systems amid organisations in India – lack of accountability about ownership to secure OT and CT infrastructure; poor maintenance of basic security hygiene (missing security updates, poor password practices, insecure encryption and authentication, lack of segregation within networks); limited understanding of security risks and vulnerabilities amid stakeholders; poor monitoring for security purposes; missing security plans thereby increasing potential impact of incident.

Maintaining a secure and resilient OT and CT environment requires a comprehensive strategy that covers security governance and process, implementation of the right technology and employing people with the right skills.

A national strategy to secure critical infrastructures requires collaborative efforts through timely information sharing across critical sectors. Timely information on events and incidents to critical infrastructure stakeholders, for potential cross-sectoral impacts, would help in appropriate response mechanism. National-level cross-sector forums could be established to institutionalize the cooperation between various critical sectors

Besides, a clear understanding of cyber risks and adequate cooperation between relevant business, IT, OT and CT teams are also required.

There is also a need for setting up sector-specific nodal body for designing plan, advisories and guidelines to manage and govern overall cyber security aspect for the sector and enhance public-private partnerships.

An emergency warning network regarding cyber vulnerabilities, threats and incidents is crucial to proactively analyse and respond to damage or attacks on such infrastructures.

With regard to security incidents in critical infrastructure, organised efforts are required to reduce the potential cascading impact and response time it is recommended.

Incident response for critical infrastructures requires a partnership between public and private organisations to perform analysis, issue early warnings and coordinate response efforts.

Launch of India’s first Green Bond Impact Report by YES BANK

India's private sector YES Bank’s has launched recently its first ‘Green Bond Impact Report – FY 2016-17‘at the recently held ‘The Opportunity of Green Finance’ symposium organized by YES Bank and FMO, along with DEG and Proparco.

According to YES Bank it is the first Indian organization to come up with a green bond impact report and this reaffirms its position as a pioneer in transparency and disclosures. The report assesses the expected environmental and social impact of the projects funded through proceeds of the three green bonds issued by YES Bank in the recent years. It primarily reflects the outcomes these green projects would potentially generate including the environmental risk mitigation through reduction in harmful gases like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and oxides of nitrogen.

Cross border e-commerce helps deliver record growth at Amsterdam Aiport Schiphol

Cross border ecommerce has helped boost cargo tonnage at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to record figures of 866,713 tonnes for the first half of 2017.

Europe’s third biggest airfreight hub saw cargo volumes grow 8.7 per cent to 866,713 tonnes between January and June 2017, up from 797,069 tonnes during the same period in 2016.

Volumes to the Far East grew to 27,706 tonnes in June 2017, up 15 per cent on June 2016 figures of 24,091 tonnes, with inbound Far East volumes reaching 26,511 tonnes in the same month, up 14.1 per cent on June 2016 figures of 23,230 tonnes.

Half year figures for the Far East were 154,866 tonnes for outbound, up 12.2 per cent on the same period in 2016, with inbound figures at 149,836 tonnes, up 8.3 percent on the same period in 2016.

Shanghai, China, Amsterdam Airport’s busiest cargo destination saw strong full freighter growth in the first six months of 2017.

Schiphol has over 100 flights per week connecting China to Europe, operated by nine airlines: KLM, Xiamen Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Cargo Airlines, Air China Cargo, Airbridge Cargo, Cathay Pacific and Yangtze River Express.

Amsterdam is connected to 12 cities in China: Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhengzhou, Ningbo, Tianjin, and Xi’an, which includesix of the country’s 12 Cross Border e-commerce hubs.

As a solution to meeting the needs of growing volumes of smaller shipments related to Cross Border e-Commerce, Dutch Customs has teamed up with the Schiphol Cargo Community to launch a new simplified e-Commerce declaration called VENUE.

Venue authorised shippers are able to submit a simplified pre-declaration for articles with a value under EUR22 without the required HS code and supplementary declaration.

A dedicated Cross border e-Commerce Task Force at Amsterdam is supporting further initiatives, including schemes to increase visibility in the supply chain and boost the efficiency of ground handling processes at the hub. 

In addition, the recent launch of KLM Cargo’s new sorter will allow for faster handling of all postal and express shipments at Schiphol.

Schiphol welcomed an additional 153 full freighter flights in the first half of this year, bringing to 8,954 the total number of freighter Air Traffic Movements, and handled a record 148,765 tonnes in June, up 9.8 per cent on June 2016 figures of 135,528 tonnes.

Europe is Schiphol’s biggest market, with June 2017 inbound volumes at 11,217 tonnes, up 25 per cent on 2016, and June 2017 outbound figures at 11,450 tonnes, up 41.8 per cent on June 2016 figures.

Europe inbound figures for January to June 2017 were 60,320 tonnes, up 29.1 per cent on the same period in 2016, with Europe outbound figures at 61,641 tonnes from January to June 2017, up 39.2 per cent on the first half of 2016.

This strong growth is the result of Asian cargo, which transits Baku, Azerbaijan, and Moscow, Russia, to and from the Far East and Amsterdam.

A strong flower trade led to inbound Latin America volumes for January to June 2017 of 59,817 tonnes, up 31.4 per cent on the same period in 2016. Exports for January to June 2017 were 35,275 tonnes, a 6.3 per cent decrease on January to June 2016.

Latin American June 2017 tonnage was 8,722 for inbound, up 15.2 percent on the same month last year, with outbound tonnage at 6,535, up 6.1 percent on June 2016.

Imports from Africa for January to June 2017 were down 3.5 per cent year-on-year to 59,409 tonnes, and exports to the region were down 15.3 per cent to 24,902 tonnes for the same period.

North American imports a were up 1.7 per cent in June 2017 to 12,278 tonnes, suggesting a turnaround on the overall dip of 6.3 per cent year-on-year for January to June 2017 to 72,739 during the year to date overall.

Exports to the region continued to rise with an 0.8 per cent year-on-year increase to 14,208 tonnes in June 2017 compared to June 2016 figures of 14,099 tonnes, building on a 10.5 per cent increase from 74,556 tonnes in the first six months of 2016, to 82,379 tonnes for the January to June 2017 period.

Inbound Middle East figures for January to June 2017 were 43,557 tonnes, down 4.4 percent on 2016 figures for the same period, with outbound figures to the region for the first half of the year at 61,973 tonnes, up seven per cent on the same period in 2016, when 57,899 tonnes were recorded.

Indian handset market crosses 350 million shipments in 2017: ASSOCHAM-KPMG study

Indian handset market recorded over 350 million shipments in the year 2017 as compared to 280 million in 2016, a surge in revenue from INR 111,000 crores in 2015 to INR 135,000 crore in 2016, according to an Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) - KPMG joint study.

Smart phones have also gained immense popularity in India in the last four years and constituted 43 per cent of the total handset shipments in 2016. Robust growths of the handset market coupled with enhanced connectivity of telecom services have been pivotal in growth of various industries such as retail, manufacturing, IT, e-commerce, etc, noted the ASSOCHAM-KPMG study titled ‘Accelerating growth and ease of doing businesses.’

Indian handset exports flourished from 2008 to 2012 going up to INR 12,000 crores but were interrupted by a decline of almost 30 per cent in two subsequent years. Accompanied by a parallel fall in handset manufacturing, downfall of handset manufacturing industry became a major area of concern for the government, noted the study.

In order to revive the industry, it is imperative to boost handset manufacturing in India. The FTTF, set up in 2014 has a target of increasing count of handsets manufactured in India to 500 million and handset exports to 120 million by 2020. Further, ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, and other initiatives taken by the government played a pivotal role to achieve an 85 per cent growth in handset manufacturing recorded in the year 2015-16 (INR54,000 crores) over the previous year, which in 2016-17 grew to INR 90,000 crores.

Currently, the only export incentive available to handset manufacturers is a two per cent incentive under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) introduced in the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20. The industry is of the view that the government may increase the MEIS incentive and introduce new incentives such as freight equalization subsidy and to enhance duty draw back to 3 per cent to attract more players in the market and to encourage the existing players to ramp up manufacturing which would also create more jobs in India.

Secondly, zero import duty is applicable on few capital goods such as SMT lines etc. used for manufacture of handsets. However, various other capital goods used for manufacture of handsets and components are still not covered under zero import duty regime. Therefore, full import duty is currently levied on various capital goods used in manufacture of handsets and components. Though, under the new GST framework, manufacturers will be able to avail input credit for the equipment imported, imported equipment still add significantly to the overall cost of manufacturing in India.

Also, import of second hand capital goods has been restricted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and clearances for imports takes a long period of time to complete. Therefore, the possibility of a cost effective alternative to import the new capital goods is virtually eliminated.

Countries such as Vietnam and China, offer significant incentives by way of direct tax holidays which provide a very cost effective platform for handset manufacturers to set up production facilities. Vietnam provides tax exemptions to players for the first four years of revenue generation and levies only 10 per cent for the next 11 years, which may be extended to 26 years on approval of the Vietnamese Prime Minister. These initiatives by governments of other countries make those countries favourable for market players to undertake manufacturing, raising their global competitiveness, highlighted the study.

With the primary objective of making the handset manufacturing market favourable for existing players and attracting new players, the government may consider introducing reforms with regard to tax exemptions, favourable rates and incentives, etc.

A wider penetration of feature phones and smart phones would facilitate seamless application of upcoming technologies such as 5G, M2M, Internet of Things (IoT), etc. and also enable the government in achieving targets that it set under the flagship ‘Digital India’ initiative, adds the study.

India training people for entry level jobs to work abroad

The Government of India is imparting skill-based training for entry-level jobs and employment opportunities for people in unorganized sector including those seeking to work abroad as drivers and domestic help, Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said today.

“Ideally such basic skills should be imparted at the school level itself but since it did not happen, it is being taken up separately by the Government,” he said.

He also said there have been many instances where people went abroad to work as a driver or as domestic help but since they were not aware of the rules, law and order of that foreign country they got caught and were imprisoned for unknowingly doing something wrong.

He however conceded that Government is finding it difficult to train as many people in accordance with the demand/requirement of the industry.

“We are glad to see the response of all stakeholders including the industrial houses in terms of skill development which had been missing for all these years, as such we are imparting industrial training, short-term training, services sector training to people,” the Union Minister said.

He also said that in the post-independent India, people at the helm put significant focus on developing education sector but somehow forgot the relevance of skill development.

“It is only the skill that portrays once success but we have not been able to realise this for years as only those people became successful who got educated, though skills should have been developed along with education but that did not happen,” he said.

He also lauded efforts being made by states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and others in promoting skill development and employment.

The hand-loom heritage, let’s not let it die!

India has one of the finest textile traditions in the world. The hand-loom industry of India is as old as our civilization itself and boasts of a lot of living traditions to this day. According to historians, hand-loom came up about 2,000 years ago in England by the Romans. However, Indian hand-woven fabrics have been known since time immemorial.

The hand-loom forms a precious part of our generational legacy and shows the richness and diversity of our country and the artistry of our weavers.  Weaving by hand is a part of the country’s cultural ethos. The hand-loom sector has a unique place in our economy. It has sustained due to transferring skills from one generation to another. The strength of the sector lies in its uniqueness, flexibility of production, openness to innovations, adaptability to supplier’s requirements and the wealth of its tradition.

While hand-loom is an important craft product and make up for one of the largest cottage industries of the country with millions of looms weaving cotton, silk and other natural fibers, it needs a constant growing market to live long. There is hardly any place within the country where weavers do not exist, each weaving out the traditional beauty of India's precious heritage. From Kashmir in the North to Kanyakumari in the South and from Gujarat in the West to Assam in the East each region has a distinctive style, design and art pattern and craftsmanship so perfect that even best of the machines cannot compete. While the products adored the question whether the hand-loom sector is really thriving and expanding is important.

According to the government statistics hand-loom weaving is one of the largest economic activities in our country after agriculture, providing direct and indirect employment to more than 43 lakh weavers and allied workers. The sector contributes to nearly 15% of the cloth production and contributes to the country’s export earnings. Around 95% of the world’s hand woven fabric comes from India. Against all these figures why the hand-loom sector especially in the hills and far-flung areas of the country jostling to survive existence in today’s mechanized world is a question that need an answer.

For the benefit of many new age children of today, a 'hand-loom' is a loom used to weave cloth without the use of any electricity. Hand weaving done on pit looms (a device used to weave cloth and tapestry) or frame looms (a frame that warp the yarn directly on it for weaving) generally in weavers' homes. Weaving is primarily the interlacing of two sets of yarn – the warp (length) and the weft (width). The weavers who weave on the hand-loom are also called “Julaha”. The term Julaha derived from the Persian julah (ball of thread). Other explanation put forth by Julaha themselves includes "jal (net), jils (decorated) or uila (lighted up, or white)". The hand-loom is also synonym to Sant Kabir the 15th century Indian mystic poet, saint and a weaver by occupation.

While on a cursory visit to a large hand-loom fair in Dehradun a couple of months back I came across a very unique exhibition booth which had no visitors in a fair thronged by people. I feel the lack of simplicity it portrayed kept people at bay. As a stray visitor to the booth the staff on duty all mid-aged, in their traditional Uttarakhandi hilly attire approached me with a smile breaking the monotony of sitting their ideal. Knowing that I write, a glen of hope emerged in their eyes as if wanting the many issues grappling the hand-loom sector reach wider section of people.

The point that comes to mind is when we can’t encourage by even simply visiting (that involves no cost) such exhibition booths who have success stories to share working against odds to simply garner support and encouragement of the people how can we give them a market for a brighter future. Government alone cannot do it!

My curiosity was greater than the men there to tell me what the big wooden hand-loom unit installed at the center of the spacious booth meant. Undoubtedly, the exhibition booth was an effort to offer a live demo to the visitors of how the hand-loom unit works and the tedious labour that goes in to make a piece by the hill craftsmen. It even showcased the work of the many hill region hand-loom clusters through photographs, literature that have worked under the aegis of the textile ministry of the government. All this was to appraise the people and specially the youngsters about the field of weaving, designing and processing by hand which is beyond compare.

Informing me, a humble and “feeble” voice of an old man, who may have dedicated his entire life for the cause of hand looms, stated with great “enthusiasm” how through such hand-loom units as installed at the exhibition booth craftsmen have over the ages made immaculate pieces of textile.

The point I am trying to make here is an emphasis on the words “feeble” and “enthusiasm” that I have just mentioned. While the hand-loom sector in the hills and far-flung areas of the country is in a "feeble" state of affairs for lack of support and patronization by the people at large, the silver lining of hope stated through the word "enthusiasm" as reflected by the man at the exhibition booth is the unflinching support by the government at the highest level to make this handicraft sector grow and reach out to all in bigger numbers if not equal to what the mechanized textile offer through large production.

Today, unfortunately hand-loom is confining to as an art lover’s choice than by the masses. The growth can only come if the people at large come forward to buy more hand-loom woven textiles to those of machine least this art form will slowly become extinct as newer artisans will refrain to take up this profession for lack of market even though the government may support it.

Interesting was the fact the man at the exhibition booth shared about the Weavers’ Service Centre of Chamoli where he came from. The Centre set up the government over three decades back caters to the needs of the hand-loom weavers and clusters in and around Uttarakhand and adjoining States in their pre-loom (The yarn either unbleached "kora" or dyed using natural dyes is wound on bobbins of two different sizes), no-loom (A hand-operated wooden frame loom used to weave the warp) and post looms (The post loom processes vary depending on the intended garment or finished product like stitching, block printing, Embroidery, Tie-dyeing, Shrinking and Ironing) processes.   

Besides the many activities he narrated, the one related to the facility extended by the Centre to train new weavers stands out. It reflects still youngsters and women folk in the hills who are banking on hand-loom for living. Its time this spirit not be diluted. Hand looms while it provides an alternate income for families who can work from their homes also help in controlling the issue of migration from far-flung villages in the hills. “The Centre assists the hand-loom sector in upgrading-skill, development/diversification of hand-loom products, technical advice etc.”, he informed me.

To upgrade the skills of hand-loom weavers/workers in the field of design development/ weaving/dying under on-going in-house short-term training programmes by the Centre appeared good to ears. I only hope all these keep implementing and benefit reaching those it is for.

While the government since independence has implemented various policies to help the hand-loom sector to give a further fillip to it, India since the past three years has formally declared August 7 every year as the National Hand-loom Day to mark this day in memory of the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905. The movement involved revival of domestic products and production processes. The day also rededicates the government’s ongoing commitment to make the hand-loom sector survive and thrive. Its time new catalysts spur it up. The only catalyst is you and me coming forward to offer a bigger market to the hand-loom products.

Hand looms, just like Khadi acts as a tool for social change by breaking the caste barriers, by bringing people from different backgrounds on the same platform and giving them a dignified way of life.

World over, there is great demand for hand-woven fabric and only India still has hand looms left. Whatever is remaining will soon getting wiped out however best the government may try with its many initiatives if not encourage and supported by one and all. There is an urgent need to boost work of the traditional weavers to make sure the art-form lives long. Come let’s make sure our artisans do not get extinct with the passage of time simply because of our over-looking them.

Unfortunate, but many schools flouting norm in the name of discipline

It is unfortunate that I read this morning in the newspapers of a young child fall prey to some undisciplined, unruly, uncultured and inhuman hands at a local education shop (school) and untimely cut short life. At the outset, everyone should pray for the departed soul to rest in peace and courage bestowed to the affected family.

While such incidences of child abuse are not new, these definitely raise many questions on the standards of education, schools and those teaching or managing them. It also hurts one to read of such incidences especially involving children out of empathy.

The very question that may come to the mind of every right thinking person is, who has given them the permission or the authority being barbaric with children? Parents leave their children in boarding/day schools bearing fancy names and tall claims in the hope of mere good education and not leave them for torture. The ones who resort to such acts with innocent and small children are none other than devils in human form. Unfortunate but true!

In a bid to portray their education shops many establishments throughout the country are flouting all rules, regulations and overlooking human side to put children to hard tasks in the name of “Discipline”. These hard tasks often go questioned by everyone being branded as “inculcating discipline” but often these come down heavily on a physically weak child who is not strong enough to take on the tedious tasks and pressure imposed beyond a degree.

When ragging in colleges is illegal and punishable, why such acts of child abuse go scot-free?

We all have read so many incidences happening all round the country where children fall prey to rigorous drills or punishments imposed by schools and/or incapable frustrated teachers/school authorities. God forbid but these masters imposing such unruly discipline should get the taste of their medicine with their near and dear ones face the same fate. It will be then they would realize the pain of such acts.

In the present education system, there is a dire need today to inculcate a sense of discipline more among the elders more than the children. The people directly related to education are first made to understand the correct meaning of discipline before they imbibe it in children. It is essential for educationists to understand child psychology and not try to thrust their silly rule in the name of education, discipline or self-pride as a tough task master/mistress.

Needless to say there be norms set for all schools, at least for up to class 12, on standards of physical drills imposed on children. Physical Training Instructors be made personally liable along with the school authorities/management for any mis-happening with a child due to their negligence or over ambition. It is only then can such incidences be curbed if not fully finished.

The government on the other hand should come down heavily on such incidences and take education shops and concerned people related to such misbehavior and abuse with children to task and instead teach the culprits the hard way to discipline the legal way.

It would be very just, if erring education establishments be black-listed and their license be confiscated by the education department so long the law does not settle case. Also, education shops that resort to low education standards be awarded “Black Star” which be mandatory for the school to publicly display on their school prospectus, websites and most importantly at the school gate and in the principal office. Each black star labeled with the cause of its award to a school. This will caution the innocent parents and over ambitious parents who fancy sending their children to boarding/day schools bearing fancy names and tall claims enquire the antecedents of a school and the reason behind the black star, thus become aware of the facts and take right decision.

Parents on the other hand should also be realistic and stop rate race behavior when it comes to education of their children. Often they get charmed seeing big infrastructure, fancy names of schools and fool themselves willingly. Till parents are aware, there is no stopping of them getting fooled and such incidences of abuse ending.

Besides many important tasks at hand this morning the aforesaid issue compelled me to write this piece as my concern towards my country, town and children's future. It is time the localities also raise their voice against such barbarism and inhuman acts and specially those that relate to schools and education to teach a lesson to the offenders as the Doon Valley has been famous for its quality education over the years. This image of the Doon cannot be tarnished by few black sheep who have slyly slithered in the education field to make a fortune by fooling innocent parents. Such people and establishments need be weeded out least a noble profession like education will go to dogs and reputation of the Doon as an education hub go down the drain.