Video: Dinesh Kamath Sings and Audiences React

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Global war against TB' that was published in Newsband

Global war against TB

A few months back, the World Health Organisation had called for the first United Nations General Assembly session on the disease. The global fight against Tuberculosis must be won.

India has the highest TB burden in the world. For an effective fight against TB, the control programme needs to be aware of every single patient diagnosed, and offer treatment to all. The crisis has been aggravated with the disease becoming more expensive and difficult to treat and the number of people with drug-resistant forms increasing. Only sustained action on several fronts can help bring TB under check.

The problem in India is our population and lack of hygiene. All big and small cities are crowded and drainage system is disgraceful. This is the main reason for eruption and spreading of diseases. When funds are allocated in the budget to clean up and improve amenities - these funds invariably go into the pockets of corrupt politicians and corrupt contractors who are given the job to improve facilities and amenities.

We are one of the nations who least care about health. Countries which are newly developed like South Korea concentrate on the issues of health, food, transport etc. separately and try to take steps. Even China does the same .They talk less and do more. They love in the real sense. Here we limit to slogans.

 India ranks first in TB, Cancer, Diabetes, Malaria and many other diseases. We find TB is curable. But our situation is different according to UN reports. What is happening to the budgets and allocations? The record of TB suggest the dishonesty in dealing with the situation. India need to change the attitude. Simple declaration is not enough. TB germs mutate and become resistant very fast.

Every step taken to avert the incident of TB in India is highly appreciable, but utmost care and vigilance should be spent on the implementation of these drives. Advertising the health care practices through various media will motivate people to change their lifestyle. A healthy body and mind will create healthy environment. Let us hope TB will some day near reach its end.

Dinesh Kamath's news 'Seal Street Run Awareness' that was published in Newsband

Seal Street Run Awareness

Towards suffering of destitute on the Streets and Railway Platforms

Dr Jayakar Ellis, President of Heart Foundation, speaks to Dinesh Kamath

Seal Street Run Awareness will take place on 1^st of January 2017 between 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. 

We plan to have a street run (swift walk) from St. Lawrence School Ground (Sector 17) to Vashi Station and to have a public addressing at Vashi Railway Station with visual presentation and street shows. We expect hundreds of volunteers and leaders from different walks of life to participate in this event.

What do we mean by SEAL STREET RUN?

Homelessness, destitute, vagabonds … etc are a common feature.  Missing, mental illness, poverty, family problems, Alcoholism are the certain thriving forces, which invites such depravity.

Most of these are the results of increasing levels of depressions. If they are landed up in the street, how long will they continue there? Without someone’s influence or help, it is difficult to get out of the prevailing situation.

Now who will take the responsibility? Always the helping hands may be a meager minority, but it is the fundamental duty of the common populace to reach and rescue. Government has always its own limitations.

The motto of SEAL street run is to make awareness to the public and societies to come out with a synthesis to touch the mourning soul.

Eye to the eyeless; voice to the voiceless; leg to the legless; hand to the handless.

The street people are always not at all the target group for the affluent or mighty, because they are vote less.

Thousands of people are infected with fatal diseases. Contagious and dreadful illnesses,   Maggots wriggling from their wounds, foul smell from the stinky dreaded wounds. Such thousands are on the streets of Mumbai.

That’s the dark face of the city of joy.  It is my duty… not a sympathy.

Be a part of Nation Building. Let’s evade such hapless people from the “daily disaster” said Pr. Philip, founder of SEAL

Video: Dinesh Kamath poses like a Model

Dinesh Kamath poses like a Model

Photograph of Editor Dinesh Kamath clicked by Chandrashekhar Hendve, Reporter of Newsband

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Ban on liquor sale and consumption is a good step' that was published in Newsband

Ban on liquor sale and consumption is a good step

Liquor sale and consumption was recently banned by the Uttarakhand High Court in three districts. Thus this state too entered the domain of morals and desired behaviour. It has also banned tobacco products within a five-km radius of three gurdwaras.

Article 47 of the Constitution, says it is the duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living of the people and improve public health, and to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs. In fact, earlier this year the Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition seeking a nation-wide ban on alcohol, observing that this was a matter of policy into which it cannot venture. It is true that Legislation should be left to legislature, but if legislature is not able to perform its duty properly then judiciary has to foray into policy making which is domain of legislature. Though the banning of liquor in three districts of Utrakhand States seems to be an overreach of judiciary on the apparent view, it can be accepted for a noble cause of preventing liquor on moral ground of saving the divinity of the places of worship. The court cannot be a mute spectator because people find court a solution renderer to their problems when the polity fails to redress on democratic and welfare orientation. The courts have now realized that the moral policing is the need of the hour.

Hundreds and thousands die of alcohol consumption annually and also it is root cause of many evils in the society. A nationwide ban on alcohol consumption would be a welcome step. Courts should definitely take a lead. If there are valid reasons for disallowing Liquor sales and Beedi/ Cigarettes near temples etc, why not extend the same to all "important" public laces too, and the same law applied?

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Demonetisation does not appear to be a failure' that was published in Newsband

Demonetisation does not appear to be a failure

Income tax authorities, after demonetization, are netting bigger fish than they may have expected. They have implicated not only mining barons and contractors, but also government officials and politicians. More high-profile personalities will come under the scanner of the enforcement agencies. In the first few days after the demonetisation announcement, several unscrupulous officials of both public sector and private banks conspired to convert demonetised notes to benefit black marketeers and corrupt public servants. This is surely an all-India phenomenon.

It was the demonetisation drive that enabled the law enforcement agencies to get to some of the money-launderers. But this could be just the tip of the iceberg. It is yet difficult to answer the question whether the demonetisation drive has been effective in unearthing black money?

The government has accepted that only 1% of India's more than 125 Crore population pays Income Tax. There are many who say that demonetisation is a counter disruptive mechanism to the disruptive forces out to destroy orderly economic growth, probity and integrity at all levels in the society and the nation's security.  The tip of the iceberg is found, it's time to slowly but surely discover rest of the iceberg.

It is not understood yet as to why politicians like Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Bannerjee and Mayawati and some of the comrades from the left put all their efforts in denouncing the demonetisation with rooting out corruption as one of the core objectives behind the move? The nation had displayed infinite patience while witnessing thousands of crores worth scams in past decade. Small steps, but thankfully in the right direction must be appreciated.

Like in the IT field for every good software, there is a virus software trying to spoil the system, in the drive against black money, the hoarders invent dubious methods to whiten their black money. Many influential persons could be hoarding old currencies and hopeful of extension of the 30^th December by another three months at least. In the meanwhile only a detailed investigation by RBI and Finance ministry will tell us the amount of black money unearthed.

Demonetization does not appear to be a failure. Many political parties have been stuck with cash and unable to change the same. The sudden low key political campaigns in states going to polls like Punjab, UP and Goa shows how this has definitely affected political parties. The recent extradition of the Fake Currency Courier King Pin Abdul Salam by Saudi shows there is an impact on the circulation fake currency. Since Fake currency is no longer printed, this gentleman is no longer of use to Pakistan. Demonetization is a multi purpose action not aimed at Black Money alone though that is the significant reason. The PM has mentioned that there will be more steps towards black money eradication – at least this PM is doing something for the nation instead of family.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Assassin’s Creed, Incarnate and Sing) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Assassin’s Creed

Assassin's Creed is a 2016 action adventure film based on the video game franchise of the same name. The film is directed by Justin Kurzel, written by Michael Lesslie, Adam Cooper and Bill Collage, and stars Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Charlotte Rampling and Michael K. Williams.

The film is set in the same universe as the video games but features an original story that expands the series' mythology, taking place during the Spanish Inquisition. Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day.

The film has Michael Fassbender as Callum Lynch and Aguilar de Nerha: Original characters created for the film, Lynch is a descendant of Aguilar de Nerha, an Assassin alive and operating in 15th century Spain. Fassbender described Callum by saying "He doesn’t have a lineage he can feel a belonging to... he's a bit of a lost soul. He’s always been drifting in and out of correctional facilities," and conversely described Aguilar as "very much somebody that belongs to the Creed. He has a cause, he’s sort of been following that cause. He belongs to it." Marion Cotillard as Sophia Rikkin: The daughter of Alan Rikkin and the leading scientist of the Animus project at Abstergo Foundation. Jeremy Irons as Alan Rikkin: The visionary CEO of Abstergo Industries and, particularly, his private Madrid-based organization, Abstergo Foundation, dedicated to the "perfection" of humankind, and the father of Sophia. The character previously appeared in the first Assassin's Creed game. Brendan Gleeson as Joseph Lynch: Callum Lynch's father. Brian Gleeson portrays Young Joseph Lynch. Charlotte Rampling as Ellen Kaye. Michael K. Williams as Moussa and Baptiste: Moussa is a descendant of Baptiste, a Haitian Assassin who uses voodoo poison against his enemies. Williams said, "Moussa definitely has some assassin skills. Although I think he prefers to use trickery and magic and voodoo to slay his opponents as opposed to just hand-to-hand combat, but if it needed to be he could take it to the mat." Baptiste previously appeared in Assassin's Creed: Liberation. Ariane Labed portrays Maria, an assassin in 15th century Spain, working with Aguilar, and Matias Varela appears as both Emir, and his ancestor, Yusuf. Additionally, Michelle Lin portrays Lin, a descendant of an assassin, and another test subject at Abstergo, while James Sobol Kelly appears as Father Raymond, a priest. Denis Ménochet appears as McGowen, the head of Abstergo security.

Incarnate

Incarnate is a 2016 American supernatural horror film directed by Brad Peyton and written by Ronnie Christensen. It stars Aaron Eckhart, Carice van Houten, Catalina Sandino Moreno, David Mazouz, Keir O'Donnell, Matt Nable, and John Pirruccello.

An unconventional exorcist who can tap into the subconscious of the possessed meets his match when he confronts the case of an 11-year-old boy possessed by a demon from his past. In other words, a scientist with the ability to enter the subconscious minds of the possessed must save a young boy from the grips of a demon with powers never seen before, while facing the horrors of his past.

The film has Aaron Eckhart as Dr. Seth Ember, Carice van Houten as Lindsay, David Mazouz as Cameron, Catalina Sandino Moreno as Camilla, Mark Henry, Karolina Wydra as Anna and Emjay Anthony as Jake

Sing

Sing is a 2016 American 3D computer-animated musical comedy film produced by Illumination Entertainment. It was directed and written by Garth Jennings and co-directed by Christophe Lourdelet. The film stars the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly.

The film includes more than 85 classic songs from famous artists, and also has an original song by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande called "Faith".

Set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Sing stars Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey), a dapper Koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times. Buster is an eternal optimist — okay, maybe a bit of a scoundrel — who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it. Now facing the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition. Five lead contestants emerge: A mouse (Seth MacFarlane) who croons as smoothly as he cons, a timid teenage elephant (Tori Kelly) with an enormous case of stage fright, an overtaxed mother (Reese Witherspoon) run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets, a young gangster gorilla (Taron Egerton) looking to break free of his family’s felonies, and a punk-rock porcupine (Scarlett Johansson) struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo. Each animal arrives under Buster’s marquee believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life.

The movie has Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon, an optimistic koala who plans to save his theater from closure by holding a singing competition. Reese Witherspoon as Rosita, a domestic pig who gave up her teenage music dreams to become a devoted wife to Norman, and mother to their 25 piglets. Seth MacFarlane as Mike, a small white crooning mouse with a big Frank Sinatra-esque voice and an arrogant attitude. Scarlett Johansson as Ash, a crested porcupine and punk rocker who takes part in an alternative-rock music group with her boyfriend, Lance, until she rejects him for cheating on her with another crested porcupine. John C. Reilly as Eddie Noodleman, a Suffolk sheep and Buster's partner, who doubts the future of the theater. Tori Kelly as Meena, a teenage Indian elephant with an exquisite voice and severe stage fright. Taron Egerton as Johnny, a Cockney-accented mountain gorilla who wants to sing, though his father wants him to follow his criminal footsteps. Nick Kroll as Gunter, a domestic pig and Rosita's German-accented, optimistic, and bubbly dance partner. Nick Offerman as Norman, a domestic pig and Rosita's workaholic husband. Garth Jennings as Karen Crawly, an elderly green iguana who is Buster's assistant, and offers Johnny piano lessons. Peter Serafinowicz as Big Daddy, Johnny's gang leader father, who wants him to follow in his crime business. Beck Bennett as Lance, a crested porcupine and Ash's rejected boyfriend. Leslie Jones as Meena's mother. Jay Pharoah as Meena's grandfather. Jennifer Saunders as Miss Nana Noodleman, a Suffolk sheep and Eddie's grandmother, who was a singer in her glory days. Jennifer Hudson as Young Nana Noodleman. Rhea Perlman as Judith, a brown Llama from the bank, who warns Buster that his theater will be repossessed if he does not pay. Laraine Newman as Meena's Grandmother. Bill Farmer as News Reporter Dog, a news reporter who documents Buster's singing competition. Adam Buxton as Stan. Brad Morris as Baboon. Rosita and Norman's piglets are voiced by Oscar Jennings, Leo Jennings, Caspar Jennings, and Asa Jennings.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'In spite of some weaknesses, Ashwin is a great cricketer' that was published in Newsband

In spite of some weaknesses, Ashwin is a great cricketer

Ashwin became the first spinner to win cricket’s biggest individual prize, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. He is just the third bowler to be named ICC Cricketer of the Year. He was also adjudged Test Cricketer of the Year. Ashwin’s success has been instrumental in India becoming the premier Test side this year.

Those people who have seen Ashwin from his days of league cricket know him as a man who is too arrogant and too thin-skinned to criticism. He would be well-advised to take a leaf out of Kumble/Dravid's book and learn to take the rough with the smooth. When you are in public life (especially cricketers in India) you have to accept criticism as a way of life. Ashwin reacts badly to criticism. A calmer approach to non-cricket matters, keeping his arrogance in check will be the key in deciding his longevity and what he leaves behind as a legacy. Aggression on the field is ok, but off the field? He is a great talent who needs to recognise his place in cricket history and work to maintain it.

Coming to Ashwin’s positive side, he is arguably the spearhead bowler of the Indian team. Let’s hope that he is not at the pinnacle of his career yet and has more to deliver in the upcoming years. Coming to the Indian team, it shall be tested to their fullest when they venture out of the subcontinent to 'greener pastures' like England, South Africa and Australia.

This is a new beginning of Indian test cricket. Fast-quick youth generation is not actually impressed by an enlarged way of game like test matches but after the Ashwin's achievement, interest will again increase. Now that Ashwin has proved that it is hard for the opposition to overpower him, it remains to be seen whether he can spin a magic on the pacy wickets of Australia and South Africa. He may have some advice from the spin trio who scared Australia in their own den despite the open partiality of umpires in those days. Hopefully, he will come up to the expectations on overseas.

Aswin deserves all the praise for his fantastic and assiduous performance for the year with his magic bowling and his studious concentration on his bowling brings him laurels with double crowns as ICC player of the year and the best test cricketer of the year. Some forty years back there was domination of branded players in the test squad and they were confident of retaining their place in the test side despite their poor performance. But now the formula is 'hit out or get out, and no player can have permanency in the team without performance. Aswin proves his class of bowling in any form of cricket and he deserves all commands for his job. He certainly deserves more feathers in his cap and Indian test squad is very strong and young players are proving their talent and they can 'cook' at any pitch and the upcoming overseas tests will be instrumental to prove their worth again in test cricket.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'India equipped with powerful second-strike capability' that was published in Newsband

India equipped with powerful second-strike capability

The long-range ballistic missile Agni-V was successfully fired for the fourth time. In addition India has commissioned the indigenously built nuclear submarine INS Arihant. Thus India is inching towards creating a robust and world-class second-strike capability. Agni-V is now ready for induction into the Strategic Forces Command, which already operates other Agni missiles with a target range from 700 km to 4,000 km, besides Prithvi-II.

A credible second-strike capability should also be complemented by a modern, powerful military. The Air Force has a huge shortage of fighters; the Navy’s submarine arm is far from meeting multiple challenges; and the Army needs an array of new platforms.

India is indeed a responsible nuclear power considering the fact that it believes in no-first-strike policy. That shows India has a mature political and military leadership today. Not only India but almost all the countries are trying to create deterrent to their enemy country. But India should also focus on good governance and development and not just on nuclear weapons. Along with arms and missile, we should focus on our manual strength as well.

In the fast changing global scenario, India needs to stand on its own legs. Whatever arsenal we could gather should be made part of our forces. It is no secret that there is a possible scenario of future escalation of conflict in the region. Our number one adversary is China and it is this country which props up Pakistan against us and not the U S. This fact needs to be factored into in our future defence policy manoeuvres.

Agni V is another feather in the nuclear military power of the Indian defence structure. Time and again we become strong in nuclear power and it is a must at this juncture since India has border issues with frowning neighbours like China and Pakistan. India should continue with missile tests and must have war preparedness and augment second strike capability. India should never hesitate to use nuclear missiles to counter the attacks from neighbours with incessant enmity.

Thus the fourth successive successful Agni-V launch has come as a huge relief after the disastrous Nirbhay failure. Agni-V is also a remarkably accurate missile. As our economy grows, we need to have strong security. It is interesting to see that those who opposed n-weapons and missile development in 1998 are now congratulating the successes of this programme today. The cost of acquiring such weapons must be huge. We will have to strike a balance between genuine defence concerns and the need to improve the living conditions of the people.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Are the government’s policies pro or anti farmer?' that was published in Newsband

Are the government’s policies pro or anti farmer?

The Centre has taken a decision to waive import duty on wheat. Is waiving off import duty on wheat the right way to tame inflationary pressures as far as supply of wheat is concerned? How will this move impact farmer's financial health?

Both Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are large wheat-producing States. Farmer unions have warned of dumping of wheat stock in India at a time when the minimum support price is higher than international prices. Fiddling too often with wheat import duties sends mixed signals to farmers and traders, though the latter group will be pleased with the duty-free regime.

A longer-term action plan is needed to increase India’s wheat yields. The government first reduced the import duty on wheat from 25 per cent to 10 per cent in September this year and now has scrapped it. While tonnes of wheat is rotting in FCI godowns and has been declared unfit for consumption, what is the need for importing wheat and scrapping duty? This will further deteriorate the economic position of the farmers. In this election year, the government has placated voters at the farmer’s cost. The Punjab Government should oppose the import of wheat. The retail prices of wheat and flour rose because of the mismanagement of the FCI and other related departments. The farmers are already affected by the demonstration policy. The import duty waiver may be a further thunderbolt in their lives.

Government should import technology first to store wheat. Then import wheat when international prices are low and store them to be used when the Indian wheat price goes up. This way the farmers will not be affected and public will get wheat at reasonable cost. The Government can make some profit also.

Another thing is we need to spruce up our production at any cost to refrain from high cost that hits everyone. Reducing the import duty will lubricate wheat imports. At the same time vast land has been put under wheat cultivation for the rabi season. If everything goes well there will be flooding of wheat in the market and create price problem again. After two years of drought, current rabi season gains momentum on wheat cultivation. The government has to decide the right quantum of wheat imports to balance the supply along with rabi season output for farmers to get right price on the staple crop. Nevertheless the government should see that the demonetised move is not affecting the rabi season operations and save farmers from such distress.

Dinesh Kamath talks about the number of Readers of his Blog and expresses his gratitude to Authorities of Internet

Among the Readers of my Blog, the highest number of Readers are from India. The second highest number of my Blog Readers are from United States of America. The third highest Readers of my Blog are from France. The last thing that I want to tell you is that the number of Foreign Readers going through my Blog are more than Fifty Percent. The rest are Indian Readers. I thank all the Readers all over the World who are going through my works and appreciating them. I thank the authorities of Blog, Google Plus and You Tube for providing me the platform to display my talents to the whole World and I also thank them for letting me know about the response (in the form of Statistics) I am getting from the Online Readers all over the World. Thanks A Lot!!!!

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Cyclonic storm challenges Chennai' that was published in Newsband

Cyclonic storm challenges Chennai

Chennai was challenged by the severe cyclonic storm. Equipped with survival lessons and helped by an efficient flow of disaster warning messages, the city and neighbouring districts held together through several hours of fierce winds. Vardah also demonstrated that in the time of social media and the Internet, speedy official and community messages can influence the outcome of a catastrophe.

Economic damage was inevitable but messages imparted from social platforms reduced the number of casualties. The storm was intensive in the form of wind and less in the form of rains. The quantum of rains was nowhere near the deluge of December 2015. If you look at the damage to the trees, only one particular type of tree was maximum impacted. Many power poles have been uprooted and most part of the city was without power for more than 60 hours.

Chennai has once again been tested by nature. The cyclone caused havoc though the degree of intensity varied. The problem of precautionary measures has cropped up. In a cyclone-prone area, planning according to ecology is important.

We will have to follow same pattern as other countries follow to combat these type of catastrophic storm. Irredeemably theses disasters are very painful and cause mammoth loss in term of lives infrastructure and many more. Mugging up trees with strong root systems and pruning the canopy ahead of cyclone season could reduce uprooting.

No human loss is the result of best warning measures and awareness campaigns by State and Central Governments. Here social and electronic medias did their role best. IMD had predicted well and reduced the causalities.

The coastal areas should construct the infrastructures cyclone/floods/winds resistant like communication lines which should be underground. Union government has to make a policy/guidelines of constructing the infrastructure, buildings, roads in coastal cities/towns to prevent being affected by such calamities.

Vardah cyclone brought the entire Chennai to darkness and number of trees uprooted blocked the roads. Rail and air transport was suspended tentatively and the Tamil Nadu government must be appreciated for being on its toe with the preparedness to face the cyclonic atmosphere right from giving warning communication and restoring the transport and power to the core level. Another appreciable feature is that people cooperated with the government and restricted their outward move to prevent loss of lives. Last year rain havoc experience cautioned them and the disaster restricted mainly to trees and properties. Allocating commensurate sum to disaster management funds, providing insurance to properties and cultivating deep rooted trees are ways to augment preparedness and prevent loss.

Dinesh Kamath's photo news 'Reena Kasture of Vashi is adjudged ‘Mrs Navi Mumbai 2016' that was published in Newsband

Reena Kasture of Vashi is adjudged ‘Mrs Navi Mumbai 2016’

By Dinesh Kamath

Picture: Navi Mumbai Environment Protection Charitable Trust has organized ‘Chowpati Festival’ which is being held at Mini Seashore, Sector 10A, Vashi. The main attraction of this event was the 'Mrs Navi Mumbai 2016’ Contest. The winner of this contest was Reena Kasture of Vashi. Jalpa Gohil and Kavita Rawat stood second and third respectively. 

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Time will judge whether demonetization move was right or wrong' that was published in Newsband

Time will judge whether demonetization move was right or wrong

Centre’s decision to withdraw high-denomination banknotes did impact economic activity in the short term. Demand impulses took a wide-ranging knock from the shortage of cash in the hands of consumers. Discretionary spending on goods and services, excluding food and fuel” was caused owing to restricted access to cash. Food inflation pressures could re-emerge as a consequence of disruptions in agricultural activity as a result of the currency withdrawal.

Less spending is a good thing for a country like India which was spending uncontrollably. Greedy businesses from countries like China is dumping goods to increase consumer at the expense of local small scale industries. It’s time GOI & RBI took advantage of this and give sops to local business to flourish. Definitely a shock is required for real estate corruption to stop which was pushing the inflations to high levels.

The demonetization concept was formulated keeping in mind the Corruption in India, Terrorism & making India a Cashless Economy. This might be a fabricated reason, but, the fact is unknown.

Some economists say that the impulses of inflation in various sectors are merely transitory and that this move would yield fruitful results in the long run. As the decision was already taken, it is not the time to discuss the pros and cons of this move. Instead, we should support the GOI and contribute ourselves for the betterment.

Environmentalists say that Modi's demonetisation technique was meant to make India a more green country and to reverse the negative impact of industrialisation. According to them, there will be very little consumption, very few factories to emit pollutants, and very little carbon contribution....all this and more will make us a very green country.

According to some economists, the GDP will be hit. Already, the daily wage earners in construction industry, beedi workers of West Bengal, diamond cutting and polishing workers in Gujarat and workers in SME sector all over the country, handloom weavers in TN, vegetable /fruit vendors are affected. Certain level of deceleration is expected due to demonetization. With Exports not showing any growth oil prices remaining lower, rupee decelerating against the dollar and not much enthusiasm in the industry for machinery imports, there could not be an apt time for demonetization. Demonetization GST can reduce the quantum of black money and push India to bigger growth. During demonetization, what is interesting to note is excessive spending on marriages, purchase of luxury car foreign junkets etc have drastically come down

There are economists who say that India is the 7th (3rd by PPP) largest economy, but with huge income disparity (per capita rank 140), c 80% informal sector (mostly rural and in agriculture), massive poverty, illiteracy, etc. The self-inflicted financial tsunami is likely to have severe effects, both on the economy and on society, which could last 2-3 years. But then the poor don’t fund elections.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'LS should approve the Bill for Disabled' that was published in Newsband

LS should approve the Bill for Disabled

Passing of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill by Rajya Sabha is a great thing to happen. Disabled are the most marginalised section of Indian society. The Lok Sabha should approve this Bill.

This bill covers as many as 19 conditions — nearly three times the number of disabilities accorded legal protection under the 1995 law. Relaxation of the upper age limit to access primary and higher education is a great move considering the low and delayed enrolment of disabled children in formal schooling.

Appropriate avenues of occupation for the disabled should be carefully worked out. New technology enables people with disability to undertake tasks that may once have been outside their reach. The number of the disabled in India is anywhere between 5 and 10 per cent of the population. Their integration into the mainstream is very necessary.

Passing of the bill is a good step for disabled person. This law will bring lot of freedom and chance of success for such people. All laws are good. The problem arises when these are abused or misused. So proper checks and balances should be provided in the law itself to prevent this.

This is one of the most non-controversial subjects and Lok Sabha should pass the law without any delay by debating the amendments proposed by human rights activists and specialists in disabled persons. The differently abled persons must receive the benefits of modern technology and the government should assure provision of the aids for all categories of disabled persons so that they can live and work on par with normal persons without any disadvantage.

This law should be enforced. We never know, there can be many gems among the differently abled people who can contribute towards the economy and other growth aspects of India. So they should get fair enough opportunities to compete with the normal crowd.

This fine piece of legislation improves the existing rights of the disabled and provides new rights enhancing the disabled to come out of despair and dejection and to lead an abled life. The rights for education, priority in public employment and well drafted redressal mechanism - all are revised with humanity. Beyond this government must give all the tax sops to private establishments engaging the disabled in employment and providing them facilities and livelihood. The disabled must use the new law to their optimum benefit to come out from depressed state of mind.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movie released in Navi Mumbai’ (Dangal) that was published in Newsband

New movie released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Dangal

Dangal (English: Wrestling competition) is an Indian Hindi-language biographical sports drama film directed by Nitesh Tiwari. It stars Aamir Khan as Mahavir Singh Phogat, who taught wrestling to his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari. The former is India's first female wrestler to win at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, where she won the gold medal (55 kg). Her sister Babita Kumari won the silver (51 kg). "Dangal" is the Hindi term for "a wrestling competition".

The music for Dangal is composed by Pritam, while the lyrics are written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. Kripa Shankar Bishnoi, a coach with the Indian women's wrestling team, trained Aamir Khan and the entire crew for the wrestling sequences.

The movie has an interesting story. Mahavir Singh Phogat is a former champion wrestler. He is married to Shobha Kaur. Phogat's dream is to win a gold medal for India in wrestling. He is unable to do this. He promises that his son will do what he couldn't do. However, although he loves them dearly, Phogat is disappointed when Shobha gives birth to four daughters. He does not believe girls can wrestle well. However, when two of his daughters, Geeta and Babita, come home after beating up two boys. Phogat realises how wrong he has been and begins to train his daughters in wrestling. The film is the story of how Phogat trained his daughters to become professional wrestlers. Thus Dangal is a biopic based on star wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat’s inspirational life and his daughters’ journey towards International Gold Medal. Hailing from a remote village in Haryana state, Mahavir is natural-born talented wrestler who gives up his career dream due to lack of financial support. When he witnesses this two elder daughters thrashing couple of boys in a street brawl, Mahavir reinstates his goal and turns into a ruthless father cum coach to train his daughters Geeta, Babita in wrestling sport. Rest of the story highlights how the two girls overcome the physical hardship and the social struggle in the rural India where it is a taboo pursuing a career in sports, especially in wresting. Finally, they turn their father’s dream into a reality winning an International Gold Medal and make everyone proud. In reality, Mahavir's daughter Geeta Phogat became the first female wrestler to win a gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Her sister Babita Kumari won the silver in the 51 kg group. Thus the film follows the journey of Phogat and his daughters, as they defeat all odds. The film depicts sweaty bodies gripping each other in places strangers should not touch, violence as a form of entertainment, our baser human instincts getting official and mass encouragement. The movie talks about contact sports. Young Geeta and Babita Phogat have far more mundane reasons for hating wrestling: no girl they know does it, so why should they? Dangal is the story of their father’s bulldog-like determination to make them gold medal winners for India, and the girls’ own passage from aversion to passion for the sport. Dangal depicts marvelously Mahavir’s single-mindedness which brings him into conflict with his wife, his community, the country’s sporting establishment and ultimately, even Geeta. In fact, in 2012, Divya Rao, a member of Disney's creative team, read an article in a newspaper about Mahavir Singh Phogat, who trained his daughters to become world class champions. She thought this would make for a great film, and spoke about this to Siddharth Roy Kapoor and other Disney personnel. Disney approached Nitesh Tiwari to write and direct the story. Tiwari met Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters, who instantly agreed to tell the story. The story is very dramatic. It highlights the discrimination that is meted out to the girl child in India. The movie is made in a very entertaining manner. The heart of the story is emotional, but it also has a lot of humour.

The film has Aamir Khan as Mahavir Singh Phogat, Sakshi Tanwar as Daya Shobha Kaur, wife of Mahavir Singh Phogat, Fatima Sana Shaikh as Geeta Phogat, daughter of Mahavir Singh Phogat, Zaira Wasim as young Geeta, Sanya Malhotra as Babita Kumari, daughter of Mahavir Singh Phogat, Rohit Shankarwar, Suhani Bhatnagar as young Babita, Vivan Bhatena, Aparshakti Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao as Krishna Singh Phogat, brother of Mahavir Singh Phogat.

The film's music is composed by Pritam with lyrics are penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The film has songs like "Haanikaarak Bapu" sung by Sarwar Khan & Sartaz Khan Barna, Saddy Ahmad (additional vocals: Kheta Khan & Dayam Khan), "Dhaakad" by Raftaar, "Gilehriyaan" by Jonita Gandhi, "Dangal" by Daler Mehandi, "Naina" by Arijit Singh, "Dhaakad (Aamir Khan Version)" by Aamir Khan and "Idiot Banna" by Nooran Sisters. 

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'National Education Policy needs revision' that was published in Newsband

National Education Policy needs revision

National Education Policy, needs another revision. The state of education, particularly in the critical primary and pre-primary years, is far from satisfactory. Children in elementary education should be provided with classrooms, uniforms, textbooks and other teaching materials, and a larger contingent of teachers.

Getting children into school is the first step. Create the kind of workforce that India wishes to develop: nimble, highly-skilled and ready for the digital age, the global economy and new pathways of occupational mobility. Boost the quality of learning in higher and vocational education.

Policymakers ought not to ignore early childhood education and primary schooling, the phases during which the most important cognitive development milestones are attained. The government should make a system to examine the level of education. Lack of teaching staff is a major problem in primary education system. Government should organize Teacher Training Program on the basis of modern concern to make education more approachable to students.

Regionalism has killed education to some extent. There should be only one national policy on education and it should be implemented at all states and UTs without any variation. Different education boards like CBSE, matriculation state board etc have created problems in ensuring good education to all. Irrespective of the board, the teachings are going to be the same. Over emphasis on educating in regional language has killed adaptability of the educated to changed circumstances.

Despite many efforts by educationists and scholars, the education system remains pathetic. The recent moves to reduce expenditure has further dented the quality of education. The alarming dropout rates and students inability to read textbooks of lower classes indicates the lack of qualified and dedicated teachers who in turn around plagued by less remuneration and station in career. Children should be encouraged to think scientifically. There is a lot to be reformed in education as well as management of teachers and students

The single biggest problem in government schools is that teachers don't show up and the government bureaucracy steals the money that is provided. You will discover that even poor parents try to send their children to private schools. We need a strong public private partnership for our dreams for the next generation. The broken system today is a legacy of our left wing elites who have given us this disaster where government provided education fuels not literacy but corruption.

The governments are second to none in creating infra facilities to augment school goers’ rate and reduce the dropout rate. Yet the quality of the education is not up to the mark and the pedagogic styles need high revamp. The teachers at rural levels want urbanised life and they are never ready to provide inclusive education to rural students but give their wards access to refined education without cost botheration. Dedicated teachers are scanty and governments lack of botheration on quality of education are the stumbling blocks for a good educational system.

Dinesh Kamath's news 'More than 200 colleges and 4000 students participate in ‘Praramb’ at Vashi' that was published in Newsband

More than 200 colleges and 4000 students participate in ‘Praramb’ at Vashi

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: College Festival called ‘Praramb’ started on 16 December 2016 at Rajiv Gandhi College at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. In this seven-day festival, more than 200 colleges have taken part. More than 4000 students have participated in the various competitions organized in this festival. Around 69 various competitions have been organized and the festival will last till 22 December 2016 at Rajiv Gandhi College Sainath Junior College.

On Tuesday, actor Vijay Patkar was a guest in this festival and this made the students feel very enthusiastic. While addressing those present at the festival, he said, “When I was in college, there used to be very few festivals of such type. Those days only certain type of festivals were organized. But I’ve noticed that nowadays we have many festivals being organized. It is through such festivals, that the future artists get born. This I can say with guarantee. An artist needs a platform to display his performance and talents. This opportunity is provided by ‘Praramb’ to thousands of students.”

Rajiv Gandhi College’s Principal Dr H V Gurav, singer Sikander Khan who is known for producing Amitabh Bachchan’s voice and other important persons were present in this festival. The students who represented various sports and competitions were presented with cash and trophies. The compere of this event, Professor Vasu Pande, said, “The youngsters are full of enthusiasm and energy. The festival like Praramb is organized to tap this enthusiastic and energetic spirits of the student. The various events organized during this festival are to help bring out the inner talents of the students. In this festival, we have come up with events related to acting, singing, dancing, dramas, street play, essay and story writing and sports like Kabaddi, Kho Kho, Chess, Cricket, Volley Ball and Carom. In all the students got the opportunity to participate in 61 different events.”