Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Journalism ethics' that was published in Newsband

Journalism ethics

Today is the sixth anniversary of daily newspaper Newsband and 16^th anniversary of its weekly supplement ‘In New Bombay’. So on this day the right topic to dwell on would be ‘Journalism ethics’.

Journalism ethics and standards comprise principles of ethics and of good practice as applicable to the specific challenges faced by journalists.

A journalist should observe the principles of — truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability — as these apply to the acquisition of newsworthy information and its subsequent dissemination to the public.

Journalism ethics include the principle of "limitation of harm." This often involves the withholding of certain details from reports such as the names of minor children, crime victims' names or information not materially related to particular news reports release of which might, for example, harm someone's reputation.

News based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities should be avoided.     

The Society of Professional Journalist in U.S. has come up with Code of Ethics which starts like this: “...public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility.”

The Radio-Television News Directors Association, an organization exclusively centered on electronic journalism, maintains a code of ethics centering on public trust, truthfulness, fairness, integrity, independence and accountability.

The following are the code of ethics for newspaper Reporters: (1) Reporters are expected to be as accurate as possible given the time allotted to story preparation and the space available, and to seek reliable sources. (2) Events with a single eyewitness are reported with attribution. Events with two or more independent eyewitnesses may be reported as fact. Controversial facts are reported with attribution. (3) Independent fact-checking by another employee of the publisher is desirable.  (4) Corrections are published when errors are discovered. (5) Defendants at trial are treated only as having "allegedly" committed crimes, until conviction, when their crimes are generally reported as fact (unless, that is, there is serious controversy about wrongful conviction). (6) Opinion surveys and statistical information deserve special treatment to communicate in precise terms any conclusions, to contextualize the results, and to specify accuracy, including estimated error and methodological criticism or flaws.

The Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics offers the following advice: (1) Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects. (2) Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief. (3) Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance. (4) Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy. (5) Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity. (6) Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes. (7) Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges. (8) Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's right to be informed.

Thus an organization earns and maintains a strong reputation, in part, through a consistent implementation of ethical standards, which influence its position with the public and within the industry.

Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Encroachers on Belapur Hill act stubborn' that was published in Newsband

Encroachers on Belapur Hill act stubborn

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Aam Aadmi Party activists and residents around Belapur Hill are continuing their efforts to prevent encroachment on the hill and for this purpose they have sought the help of the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

Rampant earth excavations are being noticed taking place on the hill and that too with the JCB machine. Trees are being destroyed and even set on fire. The encroachers on the hill are leaving no stone unturned to make it possible for them to construct their illegal structures on the hill.

The protestors against such encroachment taking place on the Belapur Hill took resort to ‘Right To Information’ Act and questioned CIDCO’s authorities whether it was they who permitted the use of JCB machine and destroying of trees on Belapur Hill. CIDCO not only denied having given the permission but they also said the land came within the jurisdiction of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

These encroachers have constructed temples on the hill. They have also come up with illegal structures which have electricity connections. The residents sought the help of AAP activists since the encroachers were acting too stubborn. Even complaints have been lodged with the police, NMMC and CIDCO.

After the crash of Mumbra's illegal building, there is a hope that NMMC might take stern action against the builders of illegal structures on the Hill. In fact, NMMC has threatened illegal builders that it would not only demolish their illegal structures but also cut off electricity and water connections. 

Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Investors are worst affected owing to delay in airport project' that was published in Newsband

Investors are worst affected owing to delay in airport project

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Investors are the most affected due to delay in the proposed international airport at Navi Mumbai. When the airport project was first announced, many investors had become enthusiastic and adventurous and had invested heavily on the lands surrounding the site of the new airport. There was also a terrific rise in land prices since the investors were absolutely sure that the airport would come up soon and they would make fantastic profit.

But just recently, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan’s admission that the government could not give a fixed date for starting the airport construction work depressed the investors. City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) which is the nodal agency for the project has not yet acquired the land required for the airport. The CM has expressed the inability of the government to start the work on the airport without completion of land acquisition. His announcement was a huge setback for the investors and it also affected to a great extent the property market of Navi Mumbai. 

Many politicians and builders had purchased lands in Navi Mumbai since they were sure that the airport would come up soon and they would earn an astronomical sum. Thus their gamble failed to pay off this time.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Nitish Kumar is facing a dilemma' that was published in Newsband

Nitish Kumar is facing a dilemma

Though Nitish Kumar has done a substantial work in Bihar, his indirect

objection to Modi as PM candidate will not give him any brownie points. This blame game should be stopped before more damage can happen to the NDA as a whole. On the other hand people should learn to sort out their animosities to show maturity on their front. After all, people of India desperately need a prime minister who can steer this country in right direction in this tough times and NDA surely has at least one person for that.

Though many commentators suggest that by not supporting Modi's candidature for prime-minister, Nitish is going to woo the minorities in Bihar and this would be great move for JD(U)'s electoral gains.

If a split with BJP hurts Nitish's electoral chances in Bihar, then JD(U) would adopt all types of pressure tactics to stop Modi but will never call off the alliance. However, if Nitish feels JD(U) alone can win Bihar, then this alliance has every chance of breaking as it is getting increasingly difficult for BJP leaders to sideline Modi.

JD(U) is indulging in drama by giving eight months time to BJP to select their PM nominee who is 'secular'. Where was JD(U)'s secularism when the riots of 2002 took place? So, all this is drama by all political parties to fool the public and ultimate objective is political power (by hook or by crook). Politics of ideology has been long buried many decades ago.

It is clear that BJP would not be in a position to brush aside Modi to please Nitish. Vacuum created by Congress led UPA is too tempting to forego. Modi is BJP's trump card to cash in this opportunity. Nitish is also after power and is addressing his Muslim voters by attacking Modi. As the election comes nearer, he will know where he stands without BJP. It will be foolhardy for him to jump into the sinking ship of Congress and he knows it too well.

Nitish is representing the non-RSS leaders. Nitish Kumar has given time till the year end to the BJP to announce its PM candidate. He might extend the time till the announcement of result of next general elections. JD(U) requires the 100% support from BJP to retain its base at Bihar.

So far one only knows that Nitish Kumar is opposing the idea of offering PM-ship to Modi. But what is the opinion of other senior BJP leaders like Jaswanth Singh, Sushma Swaraj or Advani? Are they not in the race for PM post? It is possible that the Modi camp is more worried about BJP leaders than Nitish Kumar.

The right thing for BJP would be to take up the question of PM after election results only. Why waste energy now on hypothetical questions. All should campaign to win.

However, citizens want to know how would BJP-led NDA form and run the government in the Centre, in case NDA gets close to 250 seats? Who would be the new alliance partners in NDA in case JD (U) quits NDA? Would Mamata Banerjee, Jaya Lalithaa, Biju Patnaik of BJD (and possibly Telangana Rashtriya Samiti) be the new alliance partners in the NDA? What would be the stability of such a coalition government and who in NDA would adroitly manage the relationship with whimsical leaders of the regional parties?

Dinesh Kamath's news item 'CIDCO asked to give land to MMRDA for trans harbour link' that was published in Newsband

CIDCO asked to give land to MMRDA for trans harbour link

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: It appears that the much-delayed Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) will soon become a reality.

The state government has asked the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd. (CIDCO) to transfer 91.77 hectares of land in Navi Mumbai to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is implementing the project.

 MMRDA is in-charge of the project - on a 99-year lease. It will not have to pay for this land.

The link, which connects Navi Mumbai to the island city, will benefit thousands of motorists who shuttle between the two cities daily.

Once the transfer of land is done, the MMRDA will finally be able to start work on the project by year-end.

The MMRDA, however, still has to acquire 27 more hectares of land from Jasai, Chirle and Gavan villages.  In addition, it has not yet got land from the Mumbai Port trust (MbPT), through which the MTHL will pass.

The MMRDA will have to provide compensation to Project Affected Persons for the remaining 27.8 hectares. The link is being built at a cost of Rs 9,630 crore and is expected to be operational by 2018-19.

Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Cancer disease counseling and interactive session by JACAF' that was published in Newsband

Cancer disease counseling and interactive session by JACAF

By Dinesh Kamath

In a noble gesture, Jagannath Cancer Aid Foundation, (Jacaf), based in Mumbai is organizing a Counseling and Interactive session for cancer related patients at Odisha Bhawan, Vashi, Navi Mumbai on May 05, 2013 (Sunday). This counseling and interaction session of cancer patients will start from 10 am onwards on May 05 (Sunday) and will be attended by renowned oncologists.  

This session will be helpful and educate people about the prevention of cancer, said Kavita Mishra, general secretary of the foundation.  The four hour session will highlight key facts about cancer disease and address problems faced by the patients - both medical and non-medical issues, she said

The main objective of this trust is to provide complete non-medical assistance to cancer patients.  The foundation provides shelter to the poor patients as well as their attendants. Services provided at the TATA memorial hospital: Preparation of Initial papers for the patients, Orientation of patients and their attendants, Blood arrangement, Medical arrangement, Sometimes financial arrangement for the patients from other trust and Final travel management. Key people behind the trust are Dr. Shrikrushna Patnaik, Kavita Mishra Dr.Prashant Mohanty, and S.Satpathy.

Interested patients and related persons to attend the interactive session can contact through this mail id: jacafcancer@gmail.com

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'The right way to deal with minor criminals' that was published in Newsband

The right way to deal with minor criminals

Society is judged by the way in which it treats its children. Current law exempts minor criminals from adult punishment.

What is the appropriate adult response to childhood crime? There is incontrovertible scientific evidence about the developmental immaturity of children's brains as they grow, compounded by the confusion of bodily changes and surging hormones, and adolescent struggles to reconcile adult dependence with aspirations of autonomy. Which among us have not traversed this journey of coming of age — of heartbreak, bewilderment, anger and hope?

Many of us have been steadied by the caring hand of a parent, teacher, elder sibling or friend. But what about those children who — in these tortuous growing years — have no one they can reach out to? Among the children and youth, it was found that most escape violent and abusive alcoholic fathers, incest and family neglect. On the streets, they form alternate peer families or 'gangs' of other street children, and frequently survive using drugs, sex and petty crime. Many graduate from lost childhoods to careers of adult crime.

Should we treat juvenile offenders as we do adult criminals? In the 1990s, the surge of teenage crime in the United States led many to describe them as 'street predators', advocating 'adult punishment for adult crime', much in the same tenor as resonates across India today. According to a judge, juvenile offenders should be treated 'as a wise and merciful father handles his own child'.

Homeless children resort to stealing, or lying, or indulging in violence. How should we as adult treat such kids? The only talisman to guide us is: 'treat the child as you would treat your own child'. When your own children lose their way, deceive, attack, steal — you correct them, punish them, guide them, but you never stop taking care of them, and never stop believing in them. Why should it be different for other growing children who lack responsible adult protection in their own families?

Some say that reduced punishment for children would result in an explosion of juvenile crime. That’s not true. In a country in which nearly half the 1.2 billion people are children, our annual juvenile crime figure of around 30,000 is minuscule, almost negligible. We are not at risk from our children: it is children who have to be protected from adults.

To deter offences by children, the way is not to send them to adult jails or the gallows. Juvenile crime is best prevented by reaching out on time to children deprived of adult protection, with hundreds of open and caring residential schools for these children, ensuring food, education and protection. Harsher punishments for juvenile offenders will only brutalize them more. The youth who come from violent street childhoods of crime are found to respond positively to love and to caring adult guidance of right and wrong, and evolve into responsible and often remarkably gentle young people.

Children need love, trust and guidance, not incarceration and condemnation, to steer them to a path of responsible adulthood.

Dinesh Kamath’s column on movie ‘Shree’ under the title ‘New movie-release in Navi Mumbai’

New movie-release in Navi Mumbai

Shree

Shree is a 2013 Bollywood thriller film starring Hussain Kuwajerwala, directed by Rajesh Bachchani and produced by Vikram M. Shah.

The movie has an interesting story. Shree, an ordinary man, works at a telecom company. He is deeply in love with a girl, but he cannot marry her. He needs money before taking the extra responsibility.

Randhawa, a wealthy businessman, in his ceaseless pursuit of power, has zeroed in on Shree as his last guinea pig. Shree is the last piece of puzzle of a scientific experiment, devised by a brilliant scientist, supported by commissioner of police and funded by Randhawa.

If successful, it could change the fate of their lives and that of the whole world. Lured in by promise of a bright and successful future, Shree trades in 12 hours of his life.

Randhawa offers him 20 lakhs for participating in a experiment which will last for 12 hours. But as soon as these 12 hours start, he finds that his simple life has been turned upside down. He is accused of murdering the scientist, the commissioner of police and many more people.

Shree, an ordinary man, now is the most wanted man in the city. Now he must use his wit and intelligence to prove his innocence. Now he must rise above the ordinary, and become extraordinary.

The film has Hussain Kuwajerwala as Shree, an ordinary man, Paresh Ganatra as Inspector Ganpat, Anjali Patil as Sonu, K C Shankar as Tilak, Shivani Tanskale as Sheena and Rio Kapadiya as Jairaj Randhava.

Dinesh Kamath’s column on movie ‘Aashiqui 2’ under the title ‘New movie-release in Navi Mumbai’

New movie-release in Navi Mumbai

Aashiqui 2

Aashiqui 2 is an Indian romantic-action film directed by Mohit Suri, starring Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead roles. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Mukesh Bhatt under the banner of Super Cassettes Industries Ltd. and Vishesh Films.

The film has an interesting story. Arohi Shirke, an aspiring female singer meets Rahul Jaykar, a famous, successful and self-destructive male singer whom, after a series of coincidental meetings, she finally starts dating. Believing in her talent, Rahul gives her a helping hand and her career begins to eclipse his.

The woman in the story is ambitious to become a star, but it is not necessary that it can make her happier and richer, but she could give it all away and not be a better or worse person. With stardom she is only a little more than a woman. For the man, his career is his defense against a self-destructive part of himself that has led him into outrageous bursts of drunkenness, drugs, love affairs, fights and adventures that have made him a legend. His career is also what gives him his sense of who he is. Without it, he is lost and confused; his demons eat him alive. That's why he is a little less than a man. And it is not that her success galls him, or that she wins over him; the tragedy is that all her love is not enough to keep alive a man who has lost what he measures his manhood with.

And so the conclusion is measured by the theme. He takes his life in the mistaken belief that he will then not drag her down with him.

The film has Aditya Roy Kapoor as Rahul Jaykar, Shraddha Kapoor as Arohi Shirke and Shaad Randhawa.

The soundtrack album has eleven songs, six songs composed by Jeet Ganguly, three by Mithoon and remaining two by Ankit Tiwari. Lyricist Irshad Kamil has written lyrics for five songs composed by Jeet Ganguly except the song Bhula Dena that is penned by Sanjay Masoomm. Additionally, Kamil writes for Meri Aashiqui. The song Tum Hi Ho is written by the composer Mithoon himself. Sandeep Nath has written lyrics for songs composed by Ankit Tiwari.

The film has songs like Tum hi ho, Sunn Raha Hai, Chahun Main Yaa Na, Hum Mar jayenge, Meri Aashiqui, Piya Aaye Na, Bhula Dena, Aasan nahi yahan, Sunn Raha Hai, Milne Hai Mujhse Aayi and Aashiqui Theme.

Dinesh Kamath’s column on movie ‘Iron Man 3’ under the title ‘New movie-release in Navi Mumbai’

New movie-release in Navi Mumbai

Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3 is a 2013 American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the sequel to Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Shane Black directed a screenplay he co-wrote with Drew Pearce, which is based on the "Extremis" story arc by Warren Ellis. Jon Favreau, who directed the first two films, serves as executive producer, along with Kevin Feige. Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his role as the title character, with Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and Favreau reprising their roles as Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, and Happy Hogan, respectively. Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, and Ben Kingsley round out the film's principal cast.

The Iron Man movies have always been about the act of creation -- of weapons, armored suits and newly created elements. As Stark technology advances in quantum speed, there is a fear that the man behind the inventions will be lost in the march to progress.

Iron Man 3 answers that question: a back-to-basics approach to Tony Stark, Marvel’s resident genius-playboy-billionaire-philanthropist, as the architect of his own fate. He’s a man driven to innovate but is also willing to start over with a clean slate.

Stark is still the master builder of the Marvel U, and the world is safer for it. He’s got the tech and the toys, he’s richer than Bruce Wayne and he’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

In the third movie, the stakes are higher. There’s a terrorist called The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) who’s bombing cities left and right. Stark's best buddy, James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), is still wearing his old armor, slapped it with a new paint job and called it the Iron Patriot. His girlfriend, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), runs his company while his old driver, Happy (Jon Favreau), is the head of security of Stark Industries. Plus, an old acquaintance, Aldrich Killian, makes a reappearance to peddle his new product, Extremis, and pay back Stark for blowing him off 13 years ago.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial "Govt should do something drastic about ‘Poverty Line’" that was published in Newsband

Govt should do something drastic about ‘Poverty Line’

Poverty still remains the major problem of India. What is our government doing about it? It is necessary to keep track of whether the policies pursued by the government are helping us pull the people at the bottom of the ladder out of destitution. There is necessity for setting the poverty line at just above subsistence level.

The survey made in 2004-05 had shown 25.7% of the urban population in poverty. It was also found that the rural poverty line was well below this urban poverty line and therefore fell short of ensuring even above-subsistence-level existence. Therefore, it recommended moving the rural poverty line up to align it with the urban poverty line. That adjustment raised the proportion of the rural poor in 2004-05 from 28.3% at the old to 41.8% at the new poverty line.

There was one survey made in which it was found that the poverty-line expenditure is insufficient to buy (in Jor Bagh) even two bananas per meal per person per day. This cannot be true. There is certainly something wrong with the way the survey was made.  

According to another survey, on average, monthly consumption of a poverty-line urban household with five members in 2009-10 included 48 kg of cereals, 3.15 kg of pulses, 17 kg of milk, 20.6 kg of vegetables, 6 kg of eggs, 1.5 kg of meat, 3.1 kg of edible oil, 1.2 kg of fresh and dry fruits, 3.5 kg of sugar, and 2.3 kg of salt and spices. In addition, the household spent Rs 2,250 per month on clothing, rent, transportation, education, health and miscellaneous items.

While nobody would claim that this consumption basket is good for comfortable living, it is a very far cry from less than two bananas per meal per person per day. With some adjustment on the margins, a household can reasonably subsist on this consumption basket. Indeed, 34% of rural population and 21% of urban population could not afford even this basket in 2009-10. Should we not be more concerned about tracking what is happening to this set of households than those who are already around the middle or higher rungs of the income ladder and significantly better off?

Indeed, even if the government must yield to the politics of populism and revise the line significantly upward, it must opt for two poverty lines, one to track the destitute and a higher one to track the somewhat better off.

At 2009-10 prices, nationally, rural and urban poverty lines stood at Rs 22.2 and Rs 28.3 per day, respectively. Raising these lines to just Rs 33.3 and Rs 45.4, respectively, would place 70% of the rural and 50% of the urban population in poverty in 2009-10. How much good will we do to the destitute if we spread the meagre resources available for redistribution over such a large population?

It is necessary for the government to give a serious thought to this ‘poverty line’ issue and do something drastic about it.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Discipline the moral police' that was published in Newsband

Discipline the moral police

Policing in India is not enough. We find that most of our law enforcement agencies are too busy protecting political leaders. They have no time for common man. This kind of situation has given birth to self-appointed moral police.

These people consider it their duty to protect social values and prevent cultural subversion. They perform their voluntary duties for which they don’t receive any monetary reward. The moment they get the suspicion that the social values are getting trampled or cultural subversion is taking place somewhere they get into action. They will protest against the nude scenes displayed on the screen or nude portrait painted by an artist or controversial or provocative remark made about certain leader or community etc. The police appointed by the society have no time to tackle such cases and here is where moral police play their role.

At Vashi itself, just recently, the party workers of BJP and Shiv Sena were infuriated by a book published and distributed free of cost at Father Agnel Multipurpose School. The book spoke against Hinduism and Hindu leaders. These political activists got into action immediately and they gheraoed the school authorities and made them apologize for their ugly act. Thus the moral police did the job which uniformed policemen failed to do.

Every political party has moral policemen and there is a kind of competition among these different groups of moral policemen.

Sometimes, these moral policemen exceed the limit. They protest against minor matters and make it a political issue. In other words, they make mountain out of molehills. These moral policemen should realize as to where they should show some tolerance and where they should not hesitate to stage an agitation. They should also understand that our country is a democratic one and our people are entitled to enjoy many kinds of freedom which people in an autocratic country are not allowed to enjoy. The democratic rights of every citizen of our country should be respected.

Our moral policemen should be made to observe the principle ‘Live and Let Live’. This principle has always been the hallmark of Indian civilization. Violating this principle means insulting our Indian culture. Our moral policemen should also take care not to violate the Gandhian principles. As far as possible they should try to settle all the issues non-violently. Also, they should go by the ‘Book on Indian Constitution’ while tackling any issue.  

Once we have clean moral policemen, there will be peace as well as law and order in our society.

Dinesh Kamath's photographs clicked at his residence

Dinesh Kamath's photographs clicked at his residence

Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Survey of Navi Mumbai airport site to be conducted' that was published in Newsband

Survey of Navi Mumbai airport site to be conducted

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: During the first week of May, a two-member team of the National Board for Wildlife will conduct a survey to find out whether the Navi Mumbai airport site will create any problem to the neighbouring Karnala bird sanctuary after which it will submit its report before the meeting of standing committee of the board in June-July. The work on airport project cannot begin without the committee’s approval.

The survey has to be done especially after the environment impact assessment report filed by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the nodal agency for the proposed airport, had stated that the location of the airport was 12.5 km from the Karnala bird sanctuary.

The avian fauna study for the airport project will be conducted. CIDCO has received all required clearances except for the final approval to the forest clearance from the MoEF.

The construction work is expected to start within a year.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Anything for power' that was published in Newsband

Anything for power

Nitish Kumar is harboring ‘PM’ ambitions and understands that Modi (who is also a backward caste leader) is a threat for him and wants to veto him.

It was Nitish Kumar's Railway ministry that called Godhra a mob attack. The report was later withdrawn by Laloo.

It is also funny that Nitish calls Advani a secular leader when he has been charged for the demolition of the mosque whereas there are no charges against Modi.

One wonders what these political leaders like Nitish Kumar mean by 'secular'. India professes to be a secular country, but its people and political leaders and the above all the constitution classify the citizens based on religion and caste and give constitutionally guaranteed discriminatory benefits to some. Every political party in India plays religious and caste cards un-ashamedly (especially during elections) and hence on what basis are they singling out Modi as anti-secular? Even starting from the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, every central government and state government have had religious or caste based atrocities aplenty and hence all political parties should consider themselves as in the same boat as far as secular credential are considered.

Media and others continue to use the word Securalism to hit people who are Hindus and support Hinduism, Anyone supporting Hindus is non secular and rest are all secular. Strange!

The Secular/Communal debate has no takers in Masses. It is only in the minds of politicians and they play it as per their convenience. Nitish Kumar is behaving as if he is the only custodian of Muslims in India but forgetting that there are Champions like Lalu's RJD, Paswan's LJP, Left and of course the grand old party Congress. It is only because he joined hands with BJP that he won Bihar. The moment he leaves NDA he will meet his Waterloo.

If Nitish Kumar walks out of NDA, he will lose very badly unless he aligns with Lalu or Paswan. If he aligns with Congress, with the present bad name of Congress, it could be worse. In a contest like that with BJP, Nitish, Lalu and Paswan and Congress, the worst would be for Nitish as he does not have any other state except Jharkhand and would be forced to accept Modi in the next election for Assembly or for Lok Sabha.

It would be advantage for Modi if somebody else is nominated by BJP and still not able to get power; Congress would then continue as UPA or otherwise. Then Modi would have huge support in BJP and would be the natural choice as the next PM after the failure of BJP in 2014, whenever the next general elections are held. Till such time he can be the Chief Minister of Gujarat whereas Nitish would be sulking after losing the Government in Bihar.

All the so called secular parties were once in power and had ministerial berths in Vajpayee Government including Karunanidhi and Lalu Prasad. Mulayam Singh and Mayavathi too had seat adjustments with BJP in UP. Even Communists had shared the Ministry along with Jana Sangh Party (now BJP) during SVD Govt in Bihar in 1967. Did they not realize during those times that BJP was a ‘Communal Party’ and not Secular?

These political parties somehow want power. That’s all! 

Dinesh Kamath's cartoons on 'Alooramji' that was published in Newsband

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'To let Modi be PM or not' that was published in Newsband

To let Modi be PM or not

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its principal ally, the Janata Dal (United), have been warring over ‘Narendra Modi’ issue with the general election looming large. A JD (U) spokesperson even went to the extent of taunting Modi on his inability to contain the 2002 anti-Muslim violence. He asked the BJP to name a “secular” candidate to lead the National Democratic Alliance into the coming election. For the moment, the BJP-JD (U) mutual name-calling must be understood for what it is: shadow-boxing between two partners each of whom has a separate electoral constituency to address.

The JD (U) is among the BJP’s oldest allies. It stayed with the party through the 2002 anti-Muslim violence and stuck by it even as ally after worried ally quit the NDA citing the BJP’s ‘communal’ agenda. JD (U) has an electoral base made up of Muslims and Other Backward Classes. The BJP added upper caste votes to the alliance, making it structurally sound.

The reason for the conflict is that BJP wants to assign a larger role to Modi and JD (U) wants to keep him out. The BJP might gamble by depending totally on Modi wave. But the risk is it will lose its secular partners.

BJP's linkage with RSS parivar is its strength as well as weakness. It is this linkage that caused the Babri Masjid demolition and 2002 riots after which the BJP has not won national elections. The 2002 riots prevented BJP's growth as a main National Party. Also one by one, all its allies began deserting BJP. Now allowing JDU to quit NDA would tantamount to political harakiri for BJP. If this happens, it will be left only with Shiv Sena and the Akalis.

Thus BJP has to think thousand times whether to make Modi a candidate for Prime Ministership or not.

Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Some Africans residing in Navi Mumbai sell drugs in Mumbai' that was published in Newsband

Some Africans residing in Navi Mumbai sell drugs in Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: It was found that some foreign nationals were indulging in drug trade in Mumbai and then coming to Navi Mumbai to escape from Mumbai police. These foreign nationals included mostly the Africans.

These foreign nationals sell drugs in South Mumbai and reside in Navi Mumbai. They resorted to this tactics especially after Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) conducted a massive drive against drug sellers.  Hence after selling drugs in Mumbai, they now travel back to Navi Mumbai to avoid a longer presence in the area where they commit the crime.

The police did arrest a big number of them after they got to know that these drug-sellers were renting apartments in Navi Mumbai and did their business in Mumbai.

Africans were found to be selling costly chemical drugs like cocaine, heroin and LSD while the local drug peddlers sold the other kind of drugs.

The in-flow of Africans in Navi Mumbai has resulted in the rise in their population especially at Nerul, Seawoods and Kharghar.

Since these Africans take shelter in Navi Mumbai the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) officials in Mumbai are unable to nab them after they get a tip off about the sale of drugs in a particular area in Mumbai. These drug-peddlers cleverly escape from the hands of the police by immediately going back to Navi Mumbai after selling drugs in Mumbai.

Video: Dinesh Kamath's favorite scene from movie 'Godfather'

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Keep politics away from education' that was published in Newsband

Keep politics away from education

The outcome of the vandalism and violence in Presidency University a few days back has had a significant outcome: it has successfully politicized those that were apolitical, and dramatically polarized politics in an institution of excellence. Indignant and impassioned voices are the marker of a ubiquitous and ever-growing politicization of education.

When Mamata Banerjee's new government came to power, one of the fundamental changes promised was depoliticization of educational institutions. And within that framework, Presidency University was to be a model, an institution which was to be rebuilt as a world-class, national-level, politics-free centre of higher learning. The violence that happened in Presidency however shows the continued politicization of education.

In other words, this attack is something large and very serious. It is a message from a section of the state's political establishment that they lay claim, forcibly, if need be, to all things eminent and prominent. If challenged therein, the very symbols of such eminence and excellence are to be lined up for destruction.

The attack on Presidency and its students was an attack on an institution which has not yet toed the political line. If that same institution aspires to be an institution of excellence, it and other institutions like it must lay down certain rules to the political establishment, just as the political establishment lays down its rules for us. To thrive in excellence it has to be free of the playing out of political processes.

We should learn from the above incident and see to it that politics and religion is not mixed with education.

Our schools, colleges and universities should inculcate the principles for inter caste and religious harmonious relations in our multi religious and caste society.

 Each year, government is spending millions on education nationwide. Free education is provided in many primary and secondary schools. But we are still baffled and unable to distinguish the differences between language and knowledge learning.

The country’s education system suffered from political interferences, caste quota syndrome as well as other trivial and mundane preoccupations — even in the higher learning institutions where innovation and intellectual freedom are the most fundamental essence of education.

The discussion on education system should be limited to the discourse of knowledge  as any intention to interfere it with politics or religion would further complicate an already complex issue. If the discussion on the education system cannot maintain its pure objective, the role of education in contributing to the harmony and solidity of a society might be jeopardized.

Education should be limited to knowledge and should not involve politics and religion. We should refrain from raising the issue of politics or religion or any other issues except education in its pure sense.

The country’s malleable young should be taught to recognize the multi-cultural origins of the various ethnic groups, appreciate each other’s religion and show respect and understanding for one another.

If our education system does not inculcate these attitudes in our students, it will only tend to polarize us. Getting a string of academic A’s is meaningless if the students fail to understand, appreciate and practice good moral values.

Hence to maintain a harmonious and stable society keep politics away from education. 

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Indo-US relations' that was published in Newsband

Indo-US relations         

Thrice an attempt was made to draw India and the US closer, but each time it only partially succeeded.

In 1962 the India-China war, seriously threatening Indian security, drove Nehru into the arms of John F Kennedy.

Indira Gandhi managed a breakthrough at her Cancun meeting with Ronald Reagan in 1981 based on personal chemistry. It opened the path for some high-technology trade. But Indians felt hurt when Pakistan became a frontline ally of the US against the threat of communism and Islamic fundamentalism.

The third and last attempt was made by Rajiv Gandhi, who initiated political and economic cooperation.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 and the pulling down of the Berlin wall finally cleared the way for meaningful Indo-US engagement. An accidental Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao took charge in 1991. He instituted structural changes in the Indian economy and foreign policy. The re-engagement with US was serious, wide-ranging and done while retaining strategic autonomy on the most critical national security issues while working out compromises on the rest.

The 1998 nuclear tests dealt a serious blow to the bilateral relationship. However they also opened the door, for the first time to a really serious engagement – not ducking security and strategic issues but confronting them. The US had to accept India as a possible important component in a new Asian security order.

President George Walker Bush came into office in 2001 barely knowing the name of the Indian Prime Minister. He was drawn to the region after the 9/11 terror attacks masterminded from Afghanistan and Pakistan. He rightly saw India as a possible strategic ally helpful to the US interests.

President Bush correctly identified that India needed to be unshackled from the technology denial and sanctions regimes of Cold War vintage. A stronger, resilient India was beginning to be seen as supportive of the US’s global and regional interests. The Indo-US nuclear deal hence was not really about energy and climate change; it was actually a sine qua non of deep strategic engagement.

The Obama presidency has usherd in the next and more complex phase of bilateral engagement.

The recent visit of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a boost to Indo-US ties. The visit to India of Richard Holbrooke – the Af-Pak special envoy – and by Under Secretary Richard Burns tried to bridge the attention-deficit. However it was Secretary Clinton who attempted to infuse fresh life into a languishing engagement. One now could see the opening of the Indian market for high-technology US defence and nuclear components and systems.

The US administration needs to understand that India would be a handy partner in furthering the visionary ideas that President Obama has spelt out in his Prague address on a nuclear weapon-free world. The overlap in the strategic interests and vision of India and the US is considerable.

Common interests rather than reprisal must drive the Indo-US relationship. The US president himself has attested a firm belief that the Indo-US relationship — bound by shared interests and shared values — will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century, both being democracies menaced by terror. Both India and the US are promised prosperity if they work together and impairment if they indulge in retaliatory pettiness.

The challenge for the Obama administration is to ensure that while pursuing its new priorities, the US policies remain, and are seen in India to be, helpful for the emergence of India as a major global power.

Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Home minister intervenes in Nerul Palm Towers demolition row; Orders a thorough probe into the case' that was published in Newsband

Home minister intervenes in Nerul Palm Towers demolition row

Orders a thorough probe into the case

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Home minister R R Patil has told the urban development department (UDD) to thoroughly probe a recent demolition controversy at Palm Towers Cooperative Housing Society, Nerul, Sector 42 A. He told the UDD secretary to submit a report within a month.

The Unit Holders v/s Palm Tower Co-Hsg Society issue was raised in the House during question hour by Member of Legislative Assembly Shri Balasaheb Nandgaonkar. Shri Nandgaonkar asked why the police interfere in spite of the Supreme Court and High Court orders.

On 9^th March Members of Palm Towers Co – op Housing Society in Navi Mumbai brought down 40 shops from its premises notwithstanding a Supreme Court order against the same. Not only did the society lose its case in the Supreme Court but in the High Court and lower court as well. This was done allegedly to use the FSI to make legal the extra three floors the Society constructed.

Nandgaonkar had questioned how the demolition could take place despite shop owners getting favourable orders from the Supreme Court and Bombay high court. Jitendra Awhad (NCP) asked if the role of the local town planning department would also be looked into. Patil assured the House that all aspects of the Palm Towers case would be looked into, and if any official or citizen was found guilty, action would be taken by the state.

The society had decided to demolish shopping units but the affected owners produced latest court verdicts to counter that claim.

People and offices under the investigation are the Navi Mumbai Nagar Palika Officers, Palm Towers Cooperative Housing Society Managing Committee and contractor. Patil has also assured that appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty.