Dinesh Kamath's article on Hollywood movie 'Step Up Revolution' that was published in Newsband

Step Up Revolution (also known as Step Up 4: Miami Heat, and previously titled Step Up 4Ever) is an American 3D dance film produced by Step Up 3D director Jon M. Chu and directed by Scott Speer. The fourth installment in the Step Up film series stars Kathryn McCormick from the sixth season of So You Think You Can Dance and features choreography by Jamal Sims, Christopher Scott, Chuck Maldonado and Travis Wall. The production design was created by Carlos A. Menendez. Unlike the first three films produced by Touchstone Pictures and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, this film is the first to be produced and distributed by Summit Entertainment   without Touchstone's involvement.

The film has an interesting plot. Emily Anderson, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, arrives in Miami with aspirations of becoming a professional dancer, but soon falls in love with Sean, a young man who leads a dance crew in elaborate, cutting-edge flash mobs. The crew, called the MOB, strives to win a contest for a major sponsorship opportunity, but soon Emily's father threatens to destroy the MOB's historic neighborhood and build a large hotel, and in the process, displace thousands of people. Emily must band together with Sean and the MOB to turn their performance art into protest art and risk losing their dreams to fight for a greater cause.

I’ll make myself still clearer. Sean and Eddy are best friends who have formed a flash mob dance crew called The Mob. They live and work in Miami for a large hotel, but their main passion is their art. Their talented crews are trying to get themselves noticed and they do so with impressive effects. They're trying to win a $100,000 prize through YouTube by getting over 10 million hits on their channel.

Emily Anderson is a talented young dancer who's trying to go professional against her father's wishes. Her father just happens to be the developer of the hotel that Sean and Eddy work for. One day, Sean and Emily cross paths and of course, they’re immediately attracted to each other. Sean invites Emily into his world which is a low rent area of Miami, but once she's there, Emily sees the magic of the area that Sean's been living in. Emily's trying to be accepted into a prestigious dance academy and while she's told she's technically proficient, she's also told that she needs something a little more. Sean invites Emily to see The Mob in action and once she does, she wants to join.

Then bad news hits; Emily's father is making a bid to take over the area where Sean and his friends live and literally wipe it out for further development. Now, Emily wants to help Sean and The Mob save their homes by taking their art from purely exhibition to protest art.

That's the premise to Step Up Revolution the latest film in the popular Step Up series.

The film has Kathryn McCormick as Emily Anderson, a gifted dancer and the protagonist; Ryan Guzman as Sean, Emily's love interest and the leader of the MOB; Adam Sevani as Robert "Moose" Alexander III. He makes a cameo in the film; Misha Gabriel as Eddie, Sean's best friend who co-leads the MOB with Sean. He and Sean work as waiters at Dimont Hotel during the day; Peter Gallagher as Bill Anderson, a real-estate tycoon and the main antagonist. He is also Emily's father as well as Sean and Eddie's boss; Stephen "tWitch" Boss as Jason, a member of the MOB; Chadd "Madd Chadd" Smith as Vladd; Tommy Dewey as Tripp, Bill's protégé; Cleopatra Coleman as Penelope; Megan Boone as Claire, Sean's sister who is a single mother with a young daughter; Sean Rahill as Iris; Mari Koda as Kido. She makes a cameo; Phillip "Pacman" Chbeeb; Justin "Jet Li" Valles; Celestina Aladekoba; Nolan Padilla; Babbal Kumar as Dark Dancer and Brendan Morris as Neighborhood Kid/Dancer.

Step Up Revolution has received mixed to negative reviews from critics with the consensus stating: "Step Up Revolution treads familiar territory by surrounding its lively and kinetic dance sequences with a predictably generic story".

Step Up Revolution really excels is in its extremely high-charged and downright thrilling dance numbers- right from the opening, you're going to see some pretty amazing stuff.

Ryan Guzman plays Sean and Kathryn McCormick plays Emily. Guzman is, for this type of movie, quite impressive and certainly has a high likability factor. McCormick lacks a little in line delivery and emotion, but more than makes up for it in sheer physical presence and her skill. When she's in a scene, you're just drawn to her, even when she's not dancing. Misha Gabriel plays Eddy, and he brings a little bit of a darker side to the film, though he and Guzman do have an obvious chemistry together.

Step Up Revolution really is a lot of fun, and just goes right into overdrive whenever it shifts into any of its impressive dance numbers. Its story and characters are formulaic, but for this sort of film, I just don't think it's a bad thing at all; it makes it feel comfortable and just let's you really bask in the film's set pieces. The 3D here is absolutely amazing. In 3D, it's thrilling and compelling.

Once upon a time, dance crews battled each other for street supremacy. B-boys and b-girls went to war armed with pops and locks, with only that dimpled guy from Saved by the Bell to break up the, uh, breakdancing. But this is 2012. And in 2012, dance crews fight the system. Step Up Revolution, a dance film for the 99 per cent, is the fourth instalment in the film franchise that keeps alumni from the television show So You Think You Can Dance gainfully employed.

The movie has some interesting scenes. The heroine’s real estate magnate father, Mr. Anderson (played by the film's most "famous" cast member, Center Stage's Peter Gallagher), tells her: "Either you're a professional dancer by the end of the summer or you come work with me." Another best scene is at a beach club in her father's hotel, Emily meets Sean (model/MMA fighter Ryan Guzman), and shows him some moves that appear to have been inspired by another kind of club. You’ll love to watch the scenes where Emily eventually becomes the group's newest member despite the grumblings of Sean's best friend Eddy (Misha Gabriel). After romantic dances on the beach and midnight boat rides, Sean gives her the creative edge she needs for her audition into a more esteemed and legitimate dance company. The real conflict, though, arrives in the form of Mr. Anderson's plan to build a shiny new development, leaving everyone in the area homeless, jobless or both. With little time (or leggings) to spare, Emily suggests they fight The Man - in this case, her dad - with performance art. To add to the contrived drama, no one but Sean and Emily knows that she's an Anderson herself, making the pair's romance a little like Romeo and Juliet, but with a lot more dancing. Also be on the lookout for the Nobody puts Baby in a corner moment a la Dirty Dancing.

While McCormick and Guzman are sweet and generate believable chemistry, the real star is the choreography, including Travis Wall's emotional contemporary routines (he's another So You Think You Can Dance finalist) and Christopher Scott's detailed sequence involving dozens of dancers in fedoras and black suits, moving in unison while the sky above rains dollar bills.

Thus Step Up Revolution is an interesting film to watch. Do watch it when it gets released on 3 August 2012.

Dinesh Kamath's Stock of Photographs - Kailash Gindodia, owner of KD Constructions Pvt Ltd, with Union Agriculture Minister and NCP's Chief Sharad Pawar

Kailash Gindodia, the owner of KD Constructions Pvt Ltd, being felicitated by Union Agriculture Minister and NCP's Chief Sharad Pawar for constructing the skywalk (topmost picture) at Khairane-Bonkode in Navi Mumbai. In the second picture, Sharad Pawar is inaugurating the skywalk while in the next picture Kailash Gindodia is explaining  about the internal structures of the skywalk. Present during the inauguration are MP Dr Sanjeev Naik, MLA Sandeep Naik, State's Minister of Excise and Non Conventional Energy and Thane's Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, Mayor of Navi Mumbai Sagar Naik and Municipal Commissioner of Navi Mumbai Bhaskar Wankhede. 

Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband, congratulates Kailash Gindodia, Publisher of Newsband and owner of KD Constructions Pvt Ltd, for constructing the skywalk which is a real masterpiece.
The above photographs were clicked by Ashok Dhamija, Principal Photo-Journalist of Newsband.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Implementing RTE Act – a challenge) that was published in Newsband

Implementing RTE Act – a challenge

When India enacted the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, it was indeed a bold step. India’s determination to provide universal education by enacting this Act was appreciated by a big number of people.

But this egalitarian measure to empower disadvantaged children with a seat even in an unaided school - as affirmed recently by the Supreme Court - has upset some institutions that obviously identify themselves with the privileged classes. There were closures and protests.

A school in Bangalore began to adopt discrimination policy. It cut lock of hair to segregate under-privileged children from other children in the class. These children have not been entered in the regular attendance rolls either. The actions of the school deserve to be condemned and a full enquiry must be held into how and why it took such a cruel step. There are other institutions too which have publicly opposed the equity objectives of the RTE Act.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the new law guaranteeing elementary education a redemption of a pledge made to all children. The Bangalore incident makes it clear that laws alone are not enough, strong determination is essential to break barriers down. The RTE Act and associated rules specifically forbid any kind of segregation, physical punishment or mental harassment of children. A reading of the law, however, indicates that the penalty for violation is essentially confined to withdrawal of recognition. What happened in Bangalore is both physical punishment and mental harassment of children, who are likely to carry the scars long into their lives.

A provision for government takeover of institutions that refuse to reform themselves is necessary. That’s how the government can make the RTE Act work. It is obvious that the culture of elitism is promoted by many unaided schools. India corrected a historic injustice towards its children by making education a fundamental right. It should not hesitate to show political will to enforce this right in the face of bigoted resistance.

What the school in Bangalore did was not right. We cannot forget we are a country of laws, and there is a judicial procedure to be followed before damning any person or organization.

This incident only shows that some people do not like change. The RTE ACT is a right step in the right direction. In theory, Government schools, run with tax payer money, should cater to all sections of society including the financially weaker sections. But what about the private schools? Can RTE Act be applied in these schools? Is it possible that the private schools would willingly give up their right of admission so easily? The government should have an open mind on RTE implementation.

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about the Hollywood movie 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (India to clash with Pakistan on cricket field? A good idea!) that was published in Newsband

India to clash with Pakistan on cricket field? A good idea!

The matches between under-19 teams of India and Pakistan that concluded just recently reminded both Indian and Pakistani cricket lovers of what they have been missing. At the Junior Asia Cup in Malaysia, the teenagers played two really close games, the kind doctors advise patients with cardiac problems to stay away from. The first, a league game, India lost by a single run; the second, the final, was tied. India’s captain, Unmukt Chand, scored a ton in the final, and so did Pakistan’s opener Sami Aslam. And this isn’t the last time these names will be heard of.

Over the years, India has shown the knack of discovering supremely gifted top-order batsmen, while Pakistan is famous for its hopefully unending reserves of deadly quicks and wily spinners. It’s a cricketing crime to keep these two species away from each other. If governments are sure about the security of players and spectators, who wouldn’t want to watch Virender Sehwag take guard against Umar Gul or sit transfixed to know how Sachin Tendulkar would handle Saeed Ajmal this time? But then, when legends of the game start talking about the wrong Ajmal in a cricketing conversation, they turn into spoilsports.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must be congratulated for its bold move to invite the Pakistan cricket team to visit India for a short tour of one-day and Twenty20 matches at the end of this year. The decision has delighted millions of fans in both countries, who revel in the competitive intensity these contests inevitably produce. Quite clearly, the cricket-loving public in the subcontinent is against the game being politicized in a narrow and chauvinistic way — something a section of our political class and intelligentsia is wont to do. There is absolutely no logic for prohibiting bilateral cricket ties at a time when India and Pakistan maintain a range of other sporting contacts, apart from having cultural exchanges and trading relationships.

Although the BCCI’s decision must be officially approved by the Centre, it appears that the tour has already received an informal nod from the ministries of Home and External Affairs.

It should be a welcomed decision taken by BCCI to organize a series between these two nations. There is nothing wrong in this. The game should not be affected just because of politics.

A cricket series between the two nations can be seen as a base to the future talks between the two countries. The ardent love for the game of the fans of both the countries should be taken into consideration and Indian government should give a green signal to BCCI’s proposal.

Dinesh Kamath's two favorite female Indian writers are Shobha De and Arundhati Roy

The topmost picture is that of Shobha De. The picture below is that of Arundhati Roy. Both Shobha De and Arundhati Roty are Dinesh Kamath's favorite Indian female writers. 

Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband, with his hair trimmed

Above two photographs are of Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband, after he got his hair trimmed. The photographs were clicked by Anil Sharma of Newsband

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (The Indo-US relationship is improving – a good sign!) that was published in Newsband

The Indo-US relationship is improving – a good sign!

The Indo-US relationship is improving at a rapid pace. That’s a good sign. In the recent joint declaration made by the two countries, they laid out a wide array of initiatives in areas like strategic cooperation; counterterrorism; intelligence; energy and climate change; education and development; trade, and agriculture; science and technology; health and innovation.

One must give importance of trade ties in our collective economic trajectories. The far-sighted Indians welcome US engagements and investment in our burgeoning economy. They are supportive of a strong economic and strategic partnership with the US, which will benefit both countries in the long run. This partnership assumes a critical dimension in the backdrop of the steady rise of China, a fractious geostrategic environment in West Asia and South Asia and the recent economic developments in Europe.

In their interactions with the US, they have witnessed a common thread - there is deep concern over India's economic future and how it affects the bilateral relationship with the US as a whole These pro-US Indians are making efforts to reinforce faith in India's democratic economic system. They are emphasizing upon Indian industry's deep commitment to bilateral trade ties, which is of critical importance.

Overall trade between the US and India is poised to cross $100 billion this year - a quantum jump from $80.1 billion in 2009. The US is India's third-largest trading partner, the second most important export market, and the fifth most important source of imports. India was the US's 12th largest goods export market in 2010. Total American foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2010-2011 was $9.52 billion, while India has emerged as one of the fastest growing sources of FDI into the US, with $6.6 billion invested between 2000 and 2010. Both Indian and American companies are, thus, creating jobs and value systems in each other's countries, along with their own.

There are tremendous opportunities for greater engagement in sectors like defence, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture supply chain and clean energy, which can further boost this bilateral partnership. India's lead in providing products and services to the 'bottom of the pyramid' through frugal innovation, combined with American technical and managerial know-how and leadership, will make for a win-win situation for businesses on both sides.

The potential for collaboration between India and the US still remains largely untapped. Business can help revitalise this critical relationship. Let's hope that governments on both sides will supplement industry's efforts through policies which are stable, consistent and transparent.

Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath and newspaper Newsband bid Reporter Amit Srivastav good bye after Amit quits Newsband and joins Afternoon

(R) Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath with (L) Ex-Reporter of Newsband and Current Reporter of newspaper 'Afternoon (Despatch and Courier)' Amit Srivastav.

Amit Srivastav was the ace Reporter of Newsband. He worked for a long time for Newsband and offered excellent service to the newspaper. He would cover NMMC and most of his reports would appear in the front page and that too most deservingly. Just recently he quit his job at 'Newsband' and joined newspaper 'Afternoon'.

Both Newsband and its Editor Dinesh Kamath miss Amit a lot. Dinesh Kamath wishes Amit 'Best of Luck' for the future.  

 

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (The problem with our education system) that was published in Newsband

The problem with our education system

While primary and secondary education remain essentially broken, having failed to adequately serve the majority of the population, they are yet producing enough aspirants to cause a demand crisis in higher education. The education system is failing. It is encouraging students to try their luck overseas, reinvigorating the brain drain precisely when it is being reversed by uncertainties and visa restrictions abroad.

The university system in India does not believe in having quotas for extra-curricular activities. A promising basketball player in the US will be sought out by leading universities, but this does not happen in India. The real problem is the widening gap between the demand and supply of higher education.

This gap can be narrowed only by the rapid deployment of hundreds, if not thousands, of new institutions. Teaching shops should be discouraged and standardization promoted, so they should be rooted in existing educational canons.

The government has tried to get up to speed by pushing the Foreign Educational Institutions Bill of 2010. Despite a cabinet nod, it languishes. To bypass the need for legislation, it has also called upon the University Grant Commission (UGC) to formulate guidelines for twinning Indian universities with their peers overseas, a policy that is followed in technical education.

However, fresh legislation is necessary for a sweeping change, for which the government must make a lot of effort. Education should facilitate overall development of students. Where every average student gets above 90 percent, there is not much value in the number. Colleges and Media should understand and start using the concept of percentiles.

It seems that in the Delhi university case, to make it to the top 10 percentile, you have to get closer to 99 percent marks, because so many students are getting this "high" marks easily. This also highlights why the IITs were right in not accepting a crude average of the JEE marks and the 12th standard board marks as an admission criteria. While it may be relatively easy to get 99% in Delhi, it may be much more difficult to do the same in Kerala, unless the 10 + 2 system in Kerala does the same dilution in its 12th exams.

So in addition to the foreign investment, it is also required to bring some clarity into the discussion in the near term. Media can start that detailed conversation. FDI in Education will start protests, but well argued support can clear the way.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Rajesh Khanna was 'Elvis Presley of India') that was published in Newsband

Rajesh Khanna was ‘Elvis Presley of India’

Music and lyrics and also his powerful acting abilities gave Rajesh Khanna and his films a resonance and longevity. He was extraordinarily popular. His “Punjabi boy next door” looks made him a rage among sections of female fans. A series of emotional tragedies in which he acted – ‘Anand’, ‘Safar’ and even ‘Aradhana’ - gave his career terrific weight.

His acting talents in non-tragic roles were also greatly appreciated. His powerful ability to emote was very evident in one of his films which was ‘Amar Deep’. As a comedy actor, he excelled in ‘Bawarchi’. The man who gave us ‘Amar Prem’ and ‘Namak Haraam’ is no more but he has left behind legacies in the form of movies which are genuine masterpieces.

Who can forget his facial gestures and flick of the chin and so on. When he called Amitabh Bachchan’s character in ‘Anand’ “Babu Moshai” he became more endeared to audiences.

His death is now making people recall Rajesh Khanna phase. Anybody who grew up in the 1970s or followed Hindi cinema in that period has many sweet memories of the Rajesh Khanna phenomenon.

“Kaka”, as the man was nicknamed, shot up like a meteor. His romance with Anju Mahendru, affair with gossip columnist Devyani Chaubal, sudden wedding with the much younger Dimple Kapadia — all of those were fodder for a film press just coming into its own.

In a time when Indian popular culture scarcely got international recognition, BBC made a documentary on Rajesh Khanna’s rock-star status.

His following among young women was the subject of peer envy. Many of these women, and their husbands, are now in their 50s. To them, as well as those 10 or 15 years younger, Rajesh Khanna is a legendary name. Rajesh Khanna phenomenon will be talked about immortally in the books relating to History of Hindi Cinema.

Many of those who remember Rajesh Khanna and his films also remember the songs in those films. To those who listen to Kishore Kumar hits from the 1960s and 1970s, sung for Rajesh Khanna, many songs are evergreen. Rajesh Khanna had an amazing repertoire of such films. Who can forget songs like ‘Woh shaam kuch ajeeb thi’ (‘Khamoshi’), ‘Zindagi ke safar mein guzar jaate hain’ (‘Aap Ki Kasam’), the peppy ‘Jai Jai Shiv Shankar’ (‘Aap Ki Kasam’), ‘Jeevan se bhari teri aankhen’ and ‘Zindagi ka safar’ (‘Safar’) etc. etc.

Thirty or 40 years ago, in an era when mass-production of cassettes was unknown, LPs were expensive and CDs and MP3 players sheer fantasy, Rajesh Khanna became a product of that film economy but yet he beats even the modern actors when it comes to popularity.

This legend called Rajesh Khanna is no more but he has left memories behind which will always remain close to the hearts of his fans who will go on multiplying even in the future. Rajesh Khanna deserves to be called ‘Elvis Presley of India’.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (IMC deserves an award) that was published in Newsband

IMC deserves an award

Navi Mumbai branch of Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) is doing a yeomen job. It is doing a great service to Navi Mumbai, the city of 21st century. It will soon establish many Skills Development Centres in the twin city for catering to the specialized needs of various sectors of the industry.

This Chamber deserves to be lauded for the role it is playing in development of Navi Mumbai. It is great to know that Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation will extend its full support to the Chamber in its endeavour to develop the city.

Establishing of Skills Development Centres is a great idea. It is very important to make labourers study and to upgrade their skill sets by keeping them abreast of the latest technological innovations. The Chamber does not ignore the existence of senior citizens in the city. It is aware of the fact that there are about 2 lakh senior citizens in Navi Mumbai itself. The chamber is looking forward to analyze this situation in totality and create opportunities for everyone.

Thus the Chamber has decided to take up a few projects, including the establishment of IMC Skilled Development Centres in Navi Mumbai and other cities to upgrade skills in various faculties under the National Skilled Development Scheme of the Central Government. In addition, it has also decided to conduct Free Coaching Classes to poor students to prepare them for Board examinations and other competitive entrance examinations.

The Chamber is also trying to make the authorities aware of the fact that Navi Mumbai urgently needs urban infrastructures to cater to the international airport project, which is coming up here. At present, Navi Mumbai's down town does not have a proper road connectivity with the Airport to ensure, fast and speedy transportation. It also lacks proper water transport, Trans-harbor connectivity to South Mumbai. The new airport-linked infrastructure projects should benefit the local population, trade and industry, and should provide them jobs and business opportunities. The 28-km long stretch of the Thane Belapur industrial belt in Navi Mumbai contains 4,000 small, medium and large industries, served by poor quality infrastructure, which include internal roads, streetlights, and drainage. It is necessary to improve the infrastructures and undertake their periodic maintenance.

In one of its recent seminar the IMC informed that agencies like CIDCO and MIDC have earmarked some sites for setting up IT Parks. Since the IT industry creates huge job opportunities, it is necessary to offer additional industry-specific incentives to attract entrepreneurs to the IT Parks. There were frequent breakdowns in the activities of JN port due to strikes, which cause huge losses to exporters and importers. The JN port was created to decongest the Mumbai port and also to create modern container facilities. But this purpose is being defeated by frequent spells of agitation by PAPs (project affected people) and frequent breakdown in transport systems.

Navi Mumbai chapter of IMC is expanding its activities and its presence in Navi Mumbai area. The Chamber has been competently addressing the complex problems faced by the trade and industry through effective representations to various government bodies. Since IMC is the only leading business chamber of Navi Mumbai, it should get proper representation on the local Government and other civic authorities such as NMMC, CIDCO, POLICE, MTNL and MSEB.

All these above points were dwelt with in a recent seminar organized by IMC. The Chamber is indeed doing a noble job by making residents of Navi Mumbai aware of the present state of affairs in the city. IMC indeed deserve an award for the role it is playing.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (More scope for brain drain?) that was published in Newsband

More scope for brain drain?

To mark the occasion of 'Russia Day', which is the national day of the Russian Federation last month, universities in the country have officially announced admission procedures and scholarship quotas for meritorious Indian students in both medical and engineering courses. If prospective Indian medical students cannot get a seat in their own country, the Russian government presents a unique opportunity for these aspirants to seek admission to the MBBS and post-graduate medical courses in Russian universities.

It is reported that thousands of students from all over India successfully graduate from premier universities in Russia each year and over the last 15-20 years in particular, the number of international students coming to the Russian Federation has risen by leaps and bounds.

For ensuring safety and transparency, the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in India has recognised 'EDURUSSIA' as the authorised admission department of the Russian state and government universities in India and apart from being the authorised information and admission centre, EDURUSSIA also functions as the office of the International Students Department of Russian government universities in India.

Eligibility for admission to the medical courses as per the rules of the Medical Council of India is a 50 per cent aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the Class XII Higher Secondary (10+2) level in case of the general category while the requirement for the reserved category student  is 40 percent.

 While the fees for an MBBS course in the Russian Federation would cost about the same as that in India, the crucial difference is that there are no donation/capitation fees in Russia and hence such a course (known internationally as M.D. Physician) would involve a total outgoing of approximately Rs. 12-15 lakhs inclusive of everything such as course fees, accommodation, travel and medical insurance. An Indian student desiring to pursue MBBS degree abroad has to collect an 'eligibility certificate' from the Medical Council of India and needs to complete his MBBS course only from a university recognized by the Indian Embassy located in the destination country. And if a student wishes to return and practise in India, he or she would be required to pass qualifying test known as a screening test. This is a universal rule applicable to all students.

At least over the last 15 years more girls than boys have been enlisting for courses like the MBBS and BDS and post-graduate courses in the Russian Federation. It is a safe and secure environment for students and the living standards there are comparable to the best in Europe.  The advantages of doing an MBBS course in Russia are many and include a huge infrastructure with world class laboratories, libraries, study-rooms, playgrounds and recreational facilities, personalized attention with only 8-12 students per class and a globally practised style of teaching with year-round tests. Indeed, Russia is a tried and tested destination for an Indian student as far as higher medical education is concerned he adds.

Now what is the opinion of the people who complain about brain drain? Hasn’t Russia’s invitation to Indian students to join their universities increased the scope for brain drain?

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Constructive opposition needed) that was published in Newsband

Constructive opposition needed

There are times when politicians simply have to stand up and do the right thing. And there are times when it is also the role of the press to hold them to it. Today is one of those times when the media should back electoral and political reform. That is why the right thing to do for members of parliament from both ruling and opposition parties is to support the government's reform plans.

The MPs in India regard themselves as reformer and they are all elected on manifestos committed to reform. They must recognize a lifetime opportunity when they are given one. They should put reform above the partisan squabbling which impresses no one. MPs on all sides need to lift their sights. They need to have a sense of history. And they need to be aware that they are being watched and judged not just by the living public but by the ghosts of the reformers who went before, and in whose footsteps they are privileged to tread.

The question today is much clearer than too many politicians seem to pretend. It is whether India can at last move decisively towards democratic law-making. It is about putting the people firmly in charge of their own politics. That is a noble cause, even in a time of economic preoccupation. It ought to be something which all parties can support.

The bills which are faulty will certainly need to be amended and compromises made. The imbalances in the society should be removed. And this idea no one who considers themselves a democrat should oppose. This is what our past generations have striven to achieve.

The opposition parties should not resort to outright opposition to good programs chalked out by the ruling party. If they oppose everything that the ruling party does then it is like deceiving the people of India. It would be like utilizing a tactic masquerading as a principle. If the programme motion is a reasonable one, why should there be opposition to it from any quarters? Opposition should not be for the sake of the opposition. Opposition should be constructive, and all destructive oppositions should be avoided for the best of the entire Indian population. There should be proper talking between the parties. A compromise has to be struck somewhere. If the opposition parties cannot get themselves to behave responsibly, then they are not being true to their history as parties of reform.

Only the existence of a responsible ruling party and constructive opposition in the parliament can make our country progress rapidly.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Proper healthcare centres badly needed) that was published in Newsband

Proper healthcare centres badly needed

Going to the doctor is the great Indian nightmare. Are healthcare arrangements in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai upto our satisfaction? The answer is ‘No’.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation had ordered the closure of a private hospital since it was admitting more patients than its allotted bed-strength. Before taking this step the corporation didn’t care to think as to what happens to the patients who may be on life-support.

We find that a Civic Hospital, run by the state government, has lesser beds than its sanctioned strength. Patients spill over on to the floor. The place literally stinks, bed sheets don’t go to the laundry often enough, the plates on which daily diet is served often remains with the patient for over half a day, putrefied and smelling.

There are many charitable hospitals which are run as corporate businesses, built on lands provided by the state government or the civic body with the stipulation that 10 percent of the patients treated are poor and for free or at concessional rates. The government has never been able to enforce this contractual obligation of the hospital.

You may or may not get cured in these hospitals but you lose a lot of money.

There are private hospitals which in the guise of charities, and with a tag ‘Research Centre’ to its name, avail of benefits that government provides such hospitals. Such hospitals come into existence due to the inability or unwillingness of the public sector to provide a decent – forget the best – healthcare to the public, especially the poor who often find even the out of pocket expenses towards their treatment a huge burden.

In Navi Mumbai, we find a hospital built for the city’s citizens by the civic body which is later handed over to a private operator. The commitment of the city towards its public just vanishes. Civic hospitals are decidedly cheaper than a private hospital. But the entry of corporate players spoils the whole show.

Any civic government has big responsibilities. This body should not indulge in double standards and wink at shortcomings. This attitude proves to be harmful to public in general. Today, the government hospitals aided by the private sector healthcare providers, the over-billing and excessive dependence on defensive medicine has made seeking medical help a gamble in itself. You may or may not get cured but you lose a lot of money. In our city, something drastic needs to be done in the matter of healthcare and that too very soon.

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about how he became a good speaker

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about two more novelists whom he did not mention in the video below

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about the popular writers and cartoonists who influenced him to be a writer and cartoonist

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about the writers he forgot to mention in the previous video

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Builders have become politicians) that was published in Newsband

Builders have become politicians

There is quite a huge population of slum dwellers in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The root causes of this issue are three-fold. First is the unmitigated flow of population to this premier city, second is the lack of affordable housing for the poor and the third and the most important reason is that the Maharashtra politics is dominated by builders lobby. In all the major cities of Maharashtra, builders have become politicians and vice versa and this is true across all political parties. However, one may not misconstrue that all slum-dwellers are below-poverty line people. In fact many of them are quite industrious and economically well off. It is just that land is simply not available here and whatever was available has been grabbed by the politician-builder community. What is needed is the greater spread of the city with faster and efficient transport system, so that population can shift and commute faster.

Slum development is an important issue. But what is being sought to be done is on the platter of slum development, we give a lot of undue benefit to builders and developers and instead of rehabilitating the slumdwellers, there is a lot of population migration in the area concerned. This is a very sensitive subject.

Free houses for the poor are okay on paper but what is the reality? If slum dwellers are accommodated in the vicinity of high rise buildings, most of them are likely to sell their dwellings and move to another slum. This is because basically most of them are so poor that they cannot afford to pay the high monthly maintenance expenses of their new dwellings. Secondly, it is unwise to think of any housing plan for the poor without planning for its funding. A faulty funding plan would invariably jeopardize any housing scheme for the poor.

A foreigner called India a land of slums. It seems we are too much fascinated with this image of ours after 'Slumdog millionaire' got Oscar. Soon we will be one step ahead with an image 'India is a land of plunderers' with corruption malady rampant in every other field.  Corruption is a plague and we need to handle each patient with similar attention and care. The issue of corruption and issue relating to slum problems are both connected.

The problem relating to slums directly relates to public infrastructure and the ability to work and earn money. How can these slum dwellers be rehabilitated.  Help deal with their social grievances, increase public and private spending on infrastructure and get them permanent sustainable jobs; they will find a house for themselves. Is it asking for too much?

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about himself

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about the film 'Bol Bachchan'

Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath's photograph clicked by staff member of Newsband Anil Sharma

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Slum dwellers need justice) that was published in Newsband

Slum dwellers need justice

Slums in Mumbai need to be rehabilitated. The slum dwellers in Mumbai need stable housing, access to sanitation and quality life since they make up more than half of the city's population. This vast marginalized group lives under a cloud of fear unleashed by vested interests who want to appropriate their land. Mumbai has a huge number of people living in slums. The state government did realize this fact and they set up the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) in 1995 with an emphasis on using the slum lands as a resource. The idea was to rope in private developers and encourage them to redevelop areas by permitting more dwelling units than what the building rules allowed. The excess units were to be sold and the money so mobilized was meant to subsidize reconstruction of slum tenements. This approach appeared well meaning. However, it was blatantly misused, denying the needy the benefit of owning a house even as small as 270 sq. ft.

The SRA adopted improper practices that affected the performance of projects: proper evaluation of builders was not undertaken; dues were not recovered; projects were not properly monitored, resulting in poor construction and delay. As a result, Mumbai has so far rehabilitated only about 15 per cent of the targeted four million slum dwellers, even as the number of people living in slums has crossed 6.5 million.

To solve the problems of the slum dwellers, what is required is total transparency in decision-making, complete disclosure of project details, clear enunciation of specifications and deliverables, undiluted monitoring and periodic public consultation. Slum rehabilitation should be given the topmost priority by the government.

Mumbai is supposed to be the Bollywood capital. But it has most number of slums. Yet we don't see any movie or documentary depicting the truth of the city called Mumbai.

The true state of affairs in other cities like Delhi, Chennai, Kolakata is no better. The system obviously has failed to do justice to slum dwellers. Our system functions in a weird way. The upper authorities consume their share, the middlemen consume theirs and if the resource reaches in the hands of poor the bigger fishes there eat away the share of the smaller ones.

So the authorities should realize that it is the slum dwellers in Mumbai who are worst affected and hence it is necessary for them to take swift action to solve their problems.