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Editor's Desk
Editor's Desk
(My personal views / comments on contemporary issues)
ആനുകാലിക സംഭവങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള എന്റെ പ്രതികരണങ്ങള് / അഭിപ്രായങ്ങള്
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Listed below are a few snippets of the topics. Click the links to view complete text
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01. Corporal Punishments in Schools - A case for a total ban or restraint?
Saturday, 11 August 2007
With a view to saving children from harsh corporal punishments meted out by teachers in some schools, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
has brought out extensive guidelines that, in essence, bring about a complete ban on almost all possible types of punishments (not only corporal punishments - even mere
scolding is a 'no - no') in schools. (Report: Spare the Rod; Don't spoil (your)
life) This step was seemingly prompted by a spate of recent incidents, like those listed below:
1. Head Master's caning lands 5th Std. boy in hospital (Mulanthuruthi, Kerala, Nov. 01, 2005)
2. Anganvadi child caned by teacher, hospitalised (Mala, Thrissur, Kerala, Dec. 04, 2005)
3. Talking in class lands 12 - Year old in hospital Kurla (Mumbai), Dec. 04, 2005)
4. Teacher beats student to death (Udaipur, Rajastan, Aug. 03, 2007)
5. 11 - Year old caned to death for talking in class (Lucknow, Aug. 05, 2007)
6. School gives electric shocks to students as 'punishment' (Hyderabad, Aug. 05, 2007)
These incidents and the NCPCR Guidelines have prompted a flurry of reactions from students, parents and teachers. While many students (most of whom had at least one
experience of a harsh punishment) and parents welcomed the guidelines, a number of teachers have expressed doubts over the 'all - inclusive' nature of the guidelines which
leave little space for any kind of punishment. "If we were to stick to these guidelines, we won't have any option to correct the students indulging even in grave misconduct,
and even the most mischievous ones will roam about with impunity." A teacher said. Interestingly, a number of students also shared similar views. "Punishments of the
extreme nature must be curtailed, but banning punishments altogether is going the other extreme, setting the house afire to kill the rat', said a fifth std. girl from Mumbai.
Complete Article >>
02. The Indo - US Nuclear Deal - An Outsider's Analysis
Saturday, 20 June 2008
Since last one year or so, the 'Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of India Concerning Peaceful
Uses of Nuclear Energy' (Also known as the '123 Agreement') has been the 'centre of attraction' in the policital scenario in India. The Congress - led UPA
government stood adamant on its decision to go ahead with the proposed deal even as the Left Front that has been supporting the government from outside expressed
strong objections against the agreement, along with the opposition led by BJP. The Government and the 'pro - deal lobby' argues that the deal would be a huge boon for
the energy crisis the country is facing, whereas the opponents of the deal argue that the deal and relevant US laws would undermine our political sovereignty and make
the nation a pawn in the hands of the US, while achieving too little in our favour.
Listed below is the key elements that form the basis of the arguments in this issue.
1. Complete text of the 123 Agreement (Source: Bureau of Public Affairs, Govt. of the United States of America)
2. The 'Hyde Act' (Source: The official web site of the US Congress.)
3. Joint Statement between the US President and the Indian Prime Minister (Source: Official Press Release from the White House)
Even as the virtual stalemate over the issue continues to reign over the political scenario of India, I am making an attempt to analyze the issue based on the contents of
the various documents under consideration, weighing the pros and cons of the proposed Indo - US nuclear deal.
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~ വിജി പിണറായി ~
~ Viji Pinarayi ~ |
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