Category: ART SPACE

 

Every human being has a right to live with dignity, respect and honor. Dignity can’t be earned and neither can be taken away. Every other good thing in life depends upon safeguarding of our fundamental dignity. Universal Declaration on Human Rights puts it as: recognition of inherent dignity of all the members of human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Human dignity is central to human identity. Human dignity forms the basis of human rights.

CUSTODIAL TORTURE AND INFRINGEMENT OF HUMAN DIGNITY

Custodial Torture is naked violation of human dignity. When human dignity is wounded, the flag of humanity falls. Torture depicts the gruesome and darker side of human civilization. The World Medical Association, in its Tokyo Declaration, 1975 defines torture as, “the deliberate, systematic or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons, acting alone or on the orders of any authority to force another person to yield information, to make a confession or for any other reason.” “Torture is a wound in the soul so painful that sometimes you can almost touch it, but it is also so intangible that there is no way to heal it. Torture is anguish squeezing in you, chest, cold as ice and heavy, as a stone paralyzing as steep and dark as the abyss. Torture is despair and fear and rage and hate. It is a desire to kill and destroy including yourself.”  – Adriana P. Bartow

LEGAL SAFEGUARDS

No violation of any human rights has been subjected to so many declarations and conventions as torture. Article 5 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights explicitly prohibit torture and “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”  The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the “Torture Convention”) was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December  1984. The Convention entered into force on 26 June 1987. UN Covention against Torture has been ratified by atleast  158 countries. States that ratify it have a treaty obligation to include the provision into municipal law. Though India had signed the convention in 1997, it is yet to ratify it.

In D.K Basu v State of W.B (1996) , the Supreme Court of India observed:  “The custodial torture is a violation of human dignity and degredation that destroys self-esteem and individual personality. It is thus impermissible and offence to Article 21 of the constitution (which provides for Right to life and personal liberty)”.  Having said this, it is pertinent to note that there is no comprehensive piece of legislation in India to define and punish torture. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, between 2010 and 2015, 591 people died in police custody in India. In Oct 2017, Law Commission recommended new bill, which is amended version of anti-torture draft bill “Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010”. The original draft Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on May 5, 2010. The Rajya Sabha referred it to the Select Committee for scrutiny. The Select Committee referred the Bill for enactment with certain modifications. Comments of State governments and Union Territory administrations were called. In the meanwhile, the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha in May 2014, necessitating introduction of a new Bill in the House.

Highlights of the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017:

Ratification of Covention  against Torture.

Punishment for acts of torture. The punishment could extend upto life imprisonment.

Amendment of existing statutes.

A new section 114B should be inserted to the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Section 114B would ensure that in case a person in police custody sustains injuries, it will be presumed that those injuries have been inflicted by the police, and the burden of proof shall lie on the authority concerned to explain such injury.

It also recommended an amendment to section 357B to incorporate payment of compensation, in addition to the payment of fine provided in the Indian Penal Code.

Compensation to Victims

Protection of victims, complainants and witnesses.

The principle of soverign immunity can’t override constitutional rights and while dealing with the plea of sovereign immunity, the Courts will have to bear in mind that it is the citizens who are entitled to fundamental rights, and not the agents of the State.

LOOPHOLES IN THE DRAFT BILL:

Law Commission report on torture is a step in the right direction. Although the report does have some shortcomings, it recognises that torture is prohibited under customary law without any exceptions and the condemnation of it in the Indian constitution. Some of the loopholes found and pointed out by legal experts, democratic and human rights activists, present in the bill are as under:

The 2010 Select Committee-proposed Bill, in its section on “what constitutes torture” had a broad definition of torture beyond physical pain and suffering including mental agony and trauma alongside mental pain and suffering; it also emphasised the prevention of torture in the context of discrimination based on sex, race, religion, which are excluded in the 2017 version.

Another key difference is that the 2010 Select Committee version had an explanation that recounted forms of torture based on years of documentation – whether it is electric shock, food deprivation, systematic beating, water torture, rape and sexual abuse, or the use of drugs that were meant to be illustrative, but are missing from the 2017 version.

The 2010 Select Committee version allowed for complaints of torture to be filed within two years of the incident, not six months, as the current Bill proposes.

The Select Committee had detailed some criteria for compensation, such as the gravity of suffering, lost opportunities, and legal and medical costs, but these are missing from the 2017 version of the Bill.

A prominent democratic rights activist explained: “Torture is prevalent in three different contexts in India”. In criminal cases, it is evident in the numerous custodial deaths that continue to occur even in theft or domestic dispute cases; in the context of terrorism and organised crime cases, extraordinary laws facilitate torture; in conflict environments, torture, detention and disappearances are common because those who commit these crimes have virtual impunity. There is no doubt that torture is most frequent and severe in conflict areas, but it is widespread and persistent in the other two contexts as well.

The proposed Bill targets mostly one of these areas of torture – in routine criminal cases – and may have limited impact on the two other contexts. In terrorism trials, extraordinary anti-terror laws play a prominent role in undermining constitutional and statutory safeguards against torture and illegal detention, and in conflict areas such as in Kashmir or the Northeast, the use of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) creates impunity. Both these situations remain unaddressed in the Law Commission.

WAY FORWARD

These are some indicators of the urgent need to address torture in India and a comprehensive Torture Prevention Bill that addresses all these contexts is only one step in that direction.  It is imperative that a strong law that criminalises torture, imposes stringent punishment for it and contains liberal provisions for all those suffering torture to complain against their perpetrators, prosecute them and be compensated and rehabilitated, is passed at the earliest. I finish with the words of former Supreme Court Judge, Justice V.R Krishna Iyer , who said: “Custodial torture is worse than terrorism because the authority of state is behind it.”

The writer is a student of Law at Department of Legal Studies, Central University of Kashmir and he can be reached at: [email protected]

Due to easy accessibility of diagnostic tools or lack of seriousness shown by patients, more and more people are being diagnosed with Cancer or Chronic kidney diseases; besides, the role of food adulteration in Kashmir is yet to be confirmed as the cause of cancer. Our neighboring state Punjab has the highest rate of cancer in India, in this country’s breadbasket, 18 people succumb to this deadly disease every day, according to a recent report published by the state government. There are ninety cancer patients per 100,000 people compared to the national average of eighty. And the Malwa region, in Punjab  has been dubbed “the cancer belt” of the state because of its particularly high incidence of the disease. According to  J.S. Thakur, professor and researcher at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, who has conducted extensive studies on cancer in Punjab. His one study reveals that contaminated water from rapid industrialization and excessive use of chemical fertilizers for high-yielding crops are contributing to the steep rates in the state. Kashmir which purchases huge amount of vegetables, fruits from Punjab in winter and all the year, it should have alarmed researchers and state government here, but nothing has happened. As one friend told me, we still have not controlled adulteration of milk which is consumed by pregnant, breast feeding women  and children, not to talk of artificial colors, steroids in poultry, interestingly local poultry has not much of a share in production of poultry products.

Coming back to psychology of treatment in patients getting dialysis and suffering from cancer, it is very important for all doctors to know the way as how to break the news to patients about dialysis or cancer. Unfortunately in Kashmir and outside I have seen some doctors informing the patients in a very casual way, like “Your both kidneys are damaged, all cells destroyed, now you have two choices dialysis or kidney transplant” and psychologically such a approach of doctors is nothing short of a shock to the patient. Such patients tend to get PTSD, which include acute anxiety, depression, denial[why me], fear, shame[ all of my colleagues going to work and I at home and guilt[ oh I should have been careful with my diet etc]. Dialysis may be a small thing in European countries but in Kashmir, it a matter of grave concern for the patient because of non availability of facilities for dialysis and non availability of donors. Similarly, many patients are bluntly told “You suffer from Cancer and first it will be surgery, and then might be chemotherapy and hopefully your life expectancy may improve”. And again the patient may get PTSD. Many say its age of GOOGLE ,we should tell patients all, I agree but there are more compassionate ways of telling a patient depending  from one  patient to other  patient. When we inform a person about his HIV/AIDS  status, our focus is more on giving real hope to patient and advantages of getting treatment, like living a healthy and prolonged life, not transmitting it to wife or children rather than few negatives. In the same way, the patients of dialysis ought to be apprised about how the patients who have fought these diseases  like Rajnikanth or long list of famous cancer survivors who fought the disease like cricketer Yuvraj singh,[lung] Manisha koirala,[late stage ovarian cancer]Lisa ray, Director Anurag basu who was given two months by doctors, Mumtaz [breast cancer], Kylie Minogue pop star.

The way dialysis is done has changed significantly over the last decade or thereabout, thanks to high-quality water purification systems; better management of patients, especially their nutrition, anemia and bone metabolism; and better-quality, high-flux biocompatible membranes, and so on. It is not uncommon now to have long productive life-spans on dialysis. According to The Indian Express, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan made a startling revelation about surviving only on 25 per cent of his liver today having lost the rest 75 percent to the deadly Hepatitis B virus. How many know this in Kashmir? He is often seen promoting hepatitis immunization.

We can use empathy, which forms a component of compassion. No patient in world would be encouraged by sympathetic things like “Oh look at yourself, you are shadow of yourself “. Empathy is when we literally share a feeling with someone, this can bring great comfort to the person we are empathizing with. Doctors job is a tough one, specially of a nephrologists’ or oncologist as they treat thousands of patients yet compassion can be used as a powerful tool to motivate patients. Doctor cannot afford to be weak emotionally yet nothing is as natural as compassion. Compassion is care by which we acknowledge someone’s sorrow, we sense how they feel, we try to understand how it affects them and with compassion we do not become emotionally involved. We are engaged yet detached. We are standing back and looking on with kindness. By showing compassion in this way, it allows us to be compassionate without suffering from compassion fatigue or emotional burnout. Compassion can mean simply kindness of words; it can mean patience, generosity, respect and understanding.  Why these celebrities’ survived? The only answer is medical  treatment along with the power of motivation. If better health facilities or money were the only reasons, then all celebrities and rich would have lived forever. The key for the patients getting dialysis and cancer treatment is motivation from concerned doctors, counselors and finally self motivation.

Author can be mailed at [email protected]

 

By: Dr Rayees Ahmad

The glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness and first most common cause of irreversible blindness.The glaucoma is group of disorders characterized by progressive optic neuropathy having multiple risk factors ,the most important being the raised intraocular pressure. Fortunately the most important risk factor, raised intraocular pressure is currently the only modifiable factor. Glaucoma affects all age groups although incidence differs¹.

Most, but not all, of these diseases typically produce elevated pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure(IOP). Normal IOP is measured in millimeters of mercury and can range from 10-21 mm Hg. An elevated IOP is the most important risk factor for the development of glaucoma. Though many other factors like blood supply, postural drop, di urinal variation, etc factors do affect.

Half of the people with glaucoma are usually unaware of it until a serious loss of vision has occurred.

Many factors are associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma, some of which are elevated IOP, a family history, ethnic background, and older age.

These are central nervous system neurons that have their cell bodies in the inner retina and axons in the optic nerve. Degeneration of these nerves results in cupping, a characteristic appearance of the optic disc and visual loss.² The biological basis of glaucoma is poorly understood and the factors contributing to its progression have not been fully characterized and understood.

Glaucoma affects millions of people worldwide   with approximately 10% being bilaterally blind,making it the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Glaucoma can remain asymptomatic until it is severe, resulting in a high likelihood that the number of affected individuals is much higher than the number known to have it. Population-level surveys suggest that only 10% to 50% of people with glaucoma are aware they have it. Glaucomas can be classified into 2 broad categories: open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. In the United States, more than 80% of cases are open-angle glaucoma; however, angle-closure glaucoma is responsible for a disproportionate number of patients with severe vision loss Both open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma can be primary diseases. Secondary glaucoma can result from trauma, some diseases, certain medications such as corticosteroids, inflammation, tumor, or conditions such as pigment dispersion or pseudo-exfoliation.

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Pathophysiology

Although the pathogenesis of glaucoma is not fully understood, the level of intraocular pressure is related to retinal ganglion cell death. The balance between secretion of aqueous humor by the ciliary body and its drainage through 2 independent pathways—the trabecular meshwork and uveoscleral outflow pathway—determines the intra-ocular pressure. In patients with open-angle glaucoma, there is increased resistance to aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork. In contrast, the access to the drainage pathways is obstructed typically by their is in patients with angle-closure glaucoma.

Intraocular pressure can cause mechanical stress and strain on the posterior structures of the eye, notably the lamina cribrosa and adjacent tissues.³ The sclera is perforated at the lamina where the optic nerve fibers (retinal ganglion cell axons) exit the eye. The lamina is the weakest point in the wall of the pressurized eye. Intraocular pressure–induced stress and strain may result in compression, deformation, and remodeling of the lamina cribrosa with consequent mechanical axonal damage and disruption of axonal transport^4,5 that interrupts retrograde delivery of essential trophic factors to retinal ganglion cells from their brainstem target (relay neurons of the lateral geniculate nucleus).

An examination of the eye may be used to diagnose glaucoma. However, checking the intraocular pressure alone (tonometry) is not enough because eye pressure changes. The doctor will need to examine the inside of the eye by looking through the pupil, often while the pupil is dilated.

Usually the doctor will perform a complete examination of the eyes.

Tests may include:

• Gonioscopy (use of a special lens to see the outflow channels of the angle)
• Intraocular pressure measurement by tonometry
• Optic nerve imaging (photographs of the interior of the eye)
• Pupillary reflex response
• Refraction
• Retinal examination
• Slit lamp examination
• Visual acuity
• Visual field measurement

VARIOUS DRUGS USED IN GLAUCOMA

Beta blockers. These reduce the production of aqueous humor. Examples include levobunolol , timolol , betaxolol  and metipranolol. Possible side effects include difficulty breathing, slowed pulse, hair loss, lower blood pressure, impotence, fatigue, weakness, depression and memory loss.

• Alpha-agonists. These reduce the production of aqueous humor and increase drainage. Examples include apraclonidine (Iopidine) and brimonidine (Alphagan). Possible side effects include fatigue; dizziness; red, itchy or swollen eyes; dry mouth; and allergic reactions.
• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. These also reduce the production of aqueous humor. Examples include dorzolamide and brinzolamide . Frequent urination and a tingling sensation in the fingers and toes are possible side effects, occurring more often with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors than with anhydrase inhibitor eye drops.
• Prostaglandin-like compounds. These eye drops increase the outflow of aqueous humor. Examples include latanoprost, bimatoprost  and travoprost. Possible side effects include mild reddening and stinging of the eyes and darkening of the iris, changes in the pigment of the eyelid skin, and blurred vision from swelling of the retina.
• Miotic or cholinergic agents. These also increase the outflow of aqueous humor. Examples include pilocarpine , and carbachol . Possible side effects are pain around or inside the eyes, brow ache, blurred or dim vision, nearsightedness, allergic reactions, a stuffy nose, sweating, increased salivation, and occasional digestive problems.
• Epinephrine compounds. These compounds, such as dipivefrin (Propine), also increase the outflow of aqueous humor. Possible side effects include red eyes, allergic reactions, palpitations, increased blood pressure, headache and anxiety.

• Oral medications
  If eye drops alone don’t bring your eye pressure down to the desired level, your doctor may also prescribe an oral medication. Doctors commonly prescribe carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide (Diamox Sequels) and methazolamide (Neptazane), for glaucoma. Take these pills with meals to reduce side effects. Add bananas and apple juice to your diet to minimize the potassium loss caused by these medications.
• Initially, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may cause frequent urination and a tingling sensation in your fingers and toes. After several days, these symptoms usually disappear. Other possible side effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors include rashes, depression, fatigue, kidney stones, lethargy, stomach upset, a metallic taste in carbonated beverages, impotence and weight loss.

Steps For Putting In Eye Drops:

• Start by tilting your head backward while sitting, standing, or lying down. With your index finger placed on the soft spot just below the lower lid, gently pull down to form a pocket.
• Look up. Squeeze one drop into the pocket in your lower lid. Don’t blink, wipe your eye, or touch the tip of the bottle on your eye or face.
• Close your eye. Keep closed for three minutes without blinking

Lasers

Nd Yag laser, selective laser trabeculoplasty(slt)  and argon laser trabeculoplasty are few non surgical less invasive techniques to control intra ocular pressure.

Surgery

Surgeries used to treat glaucoma include:

• In the last couple of decades, a procedure called trabeculoplasty  has had an increased role in treating open-angle glaucoma. After giving you an anesthetic eye drop, the doctor uses a high-energy laser beam to open clogged drainage canals and help aqueous humor drain more easily from the eye. Now releasable suture technique is a preferred technique of trabeculectomy.
• TRABECULOTOMY is a procedure which in which we rupture the inner wall of schlems canal, the surgery used in congenital glaucoma.
• GONIOTOMY is another surgical technique done in cases of milder forms of congenital glaucoma where we incise trabecular meshwork.
• DRAINAGE DEVICES SHUNT SURGERIES used in complicated glaucoma where everything else has failed or primary indications are vitrectomtized eyes or aphakik glaucomas.

Some adjustments patients of glaucoma  can make in their day to day life

People with low vision can live independently in their own homes, continue to carry out daily activities and take pleasure in hobbies. In the home, remember the following general guidelines: increase lighting for tasks; control glare; use magnification; and increase contrast. Over time, people with low vision will likely come up with individual, innovative solutions to reflect their needs, help them function better in the home and increase their enjoyment of life. Seek help through friends, family and volunteer groups to implement these adaptations.

Improving other Senses

Hearing Better

Listening to books on tape and CDs, and using listening skills more may seem difficult at first, but will become easier over time. After an initial period of adjustment, most people with low vision are surprised to find out how much information they can obtain from their senses of hearing, touch and even smell.

Listening more means remembering more. Most people never fully develop the ability to remember what they hear because there is no need. Improving listening skills means giving full attention to what is heard rather than dividing attention between what is seen and what is heard. Those with low vision may still receive visual cues from eyesight, but most of their attention will now need to be shifted to listening. As people grow more accustomed to listening to books, newspapers and magazines on tape and CDs, and working with screen-reader software, gradually more of what is heard will be remembered.

People can learn to “tune in to” their sense of hearing in many practical ways that will assist in daily activities. For example, learning to locate the sound of the hum of the refrigerator can signal you are entering the kitchen. Or, the sound of cars and other outside street noises will indicate an open window and its location.

Using touch

Those with low vision can also learn to rely more on the sense of touch in many practical ways. Selecting clothes from the closet, for example, will be easier if a person focuses on the textures of fabrics and associates them with mental pictures of certain garments.

When there is severe vision loss, using a cane or walker outdoors allows an individual to use the sense of touch to get more information about the environment. These “feelers” will help detect changes in the pavement, the closeness of objects and the presence of stairs. Even without a cane or walker, using the feet to feel the way, especially when climbing or descending stairs, can augment diminished vision and prevent dangerous falls.

Protection from the Sun

While excessive exposure to sunlight has not been linked to glaucoma, protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a good idea. UV radiation is composed of invisible, high-energy, sunlight just beyond the violet or blue end of the visible spectrum. It is usually divided into three categories of radiation, UV-C, UV-B and UV-A. UV-C radiation is absorbed in the ozone layer, but UV-A and UV-B are damaging to skin and eyes.

To protect eyesight, physicians recommend sunglasses that block 98-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays and screen out 75-90 percent of visible light. Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive, but they should be properly labeled. Those that meet minimum standards established by the American Optometric Association (AOA) can use the AOA seal of acceptance. The best sunglasses are those that completely cover the eye and eyelids, and wrap around to the temples to prevent light from entering the sides. Brimmed hats provide additional protection.

Ways to Make Life Easier

Dealing with any loss of vision isn’t easy, but there are a variety of physical and psychological ways people with glaucoma and their families can adjust to “a new way of seeing.”

• Consult a low vision therapist who can make personalized recommendations for daily living activities. More information can be found on our website.
• Consider using low vision aids.

Measure your own eye pressure by using a portable tonometer. Portable tonometers allow people to check eye pressure at home. Correct use of these tonometers requires training, but they can be helpful for those who have difficulty visiting a doctor for multiple readings that may be needed for an accurate diagnosis. The patient (or family member) can take readings at various times of the day, per a doctor’s instructions, and then bring the results to the doctor for the final reading.  Check with a physician about the practicality and affordability of portable tonometers.

• The writer id Fellow Glaucoma AIIMS, DELHI.

By: Syed Maajid Rashid Andrabi

EduCare

 Education by far, has been the only tool in the hands of mankind, which has the power to influence the human nature. Be it towards the glory or obscurity, it depends on an individual as to how he may be willing to put it, in use. Nations which excel in education not only steer their way towards progress and development, but, also register themselves for the exemplary services rendered towards the benefit of mankind, through their achievements in every sphere of human life. The essence of education can’t be gauged by any means but its true representation gets reflected through one’s outlook. As they say that, “Education is an ornament in adversity”, so, its role in the intellectual developmental of human beings remains quintessential.

History stands testimony to the fact that education has always been an important tool for the nations which have understood its significance in their advancement and thus, work in the way of its expansion right from elementary level to the highest level. Education rightly brings about essential transformation among the individuals, which is its inherent virtue, due to the fact that it encompasses all the majestic traits which enlighten the human wisdom to explore and improvise. Education being a complete makeover tool, necessitates, it to be used, in the most effective way. Education, in its broader sense, means an all-around development which not only makes an individual competent to the world of knowledge but also grooms his character and temperament to shape him into a noble and virtuous person.

A good education is nothing without strong moral values. Owing to the fact, that the development of education has been the prime focus for all the respective governments, a significant progress in the overall literacy level of a person has been attained to a certain limit but its role in modelling the persona of its seeker to good, is still questionable! While taking a glimpse at the modern society, one surely gets delighted to see the development and progress which has been made, through scientific innovations. Education though has been kind enough to unravel the mysteries of the universe and help man to live a life of ease and comfort through modern inventions, but at the same time it hasn’t been so effective in bringing about a moral enlightenment among the people. Moral education broadens the vision of the people so, that they can behave ethically and judge rationally but that clearly seems to be missing in the context of modern societies.

Taking a look at the crime rate, one fails to understand as to why and how the crimes happen, even, when people are more educated than before!!! Unfortunately what is being observed, is that, the meaning of education has been restricted to get knowledge only, but its main motive, that is personality development, has been overlooked, which is why, people have become so barbarous and self-centred. Since, education involves developing the powers of reasoning and judgement in a person so that he can very well differentiate between the just and unjust practices, but at times, there hardly seems any difference between an educated and uneducated person, so far as their moral behaviour is concerned.

Strange but it is true!!! Our moral values have been diminishing at a very faster pace, the ordeal of which, our societies narrate in a very heart wrenching way. Nowadays, animosity and hatred among people have reached to alarming levels, which has tarnished the image of humanity. In the race of materialism, humans have shown enormous progress but the spirit of solidarity has encountered tremendous setback. The greed for attaining the worldly benefits has surpassed the spirit of mutual brotherhood and co-operation, which has separated the people and has created unnecessary divisions among them. Unfortunately people take pride in showcasing their illegitimate work, whereas, the ones who are steadfast on the right path have to encounter setbacks at every point.

Human conscience has stooped to the lowest ever, with very less empathy towards the fellow beings. Regrettably, honesty has become a trait of the past owing to the hypocrisy of the people. Needless to say that modernization has affected people in adverse manner contrary to making them more humane and noble. Though there are many exceptions, but a general observation reveals that the people have become more intolerant in nature, leading to their proximity to unnecessary altercations. What is more worrisome is the fact that people do not recognize and do justice with their social and moral responsibilities!!! Strange that people don’t bother about others, but remain self centered without even realizing the worth of being helpful to the needy.

There is no better place than a society for a child to learn the basics of life. The place where he dwells, impacts his personality profoundly, to shape his perspective and overall perception towards different aspects of his day to day life. Unfortunately, our societies have become a hub of immoral and iniquitous activities, owing to the fact that we have lost control over the moral decency and have submitted ourselves to the inappropriate and indecent ways of living, which adversely impacts the overall persona of an individual. All sorts of social evils are being witnessed in our societies which have made the life of people doleful.

Social evils in the form of dowry, suicides, molestation, extravagance in marriages, drug addiction and corruption have plagued our society. Every now and then, religious luminaries lay stress on the need of social transformation, but people hardly bother. They tend to carry on with their self-seeking actions which pose a serious threat to the moral fabric of the society. The growth of a country depends on how well its citizens show respect towards the moral and ethical values. Good moral values serve as the building blocks for a harmonious society, where people collectively engage in productive as well as meaningful discussions to bring a good change, for the betterment of all. Self-discipline is the basic of necessity to have good moral values.

Giving a patient hearing to the need of the time is must, if we have to bring about a change. It is the high time for everyone in general and for the intellectuals in particular to wake up to the occasion and change the face of the society and contribute for its betterment. It is only a crime free and healthy society that can produce true political leaders, religious clerics and representatives of other sections of society which in turn can lead to a healthy society. Let us be the change we wish to see in others.

As they say that, “Education without morals, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil”. We need to inculcate good moral education among the students, so, that we could successfully lay a strong foundation of a good future. Moral education needs to be taken care of if we aspire, to, have a civilized and well cultured societies. Our morals should govern our manners and through manners, we should reflect our character.

• The author can be reached at [email protected]

 

We were three friends – Khursheed, Shabir and me. Young, carefree, full of energy and ideas (the ideas not necessarily very creative or productive). All the time roaming in the lanes and by-lanes of Batamaloo. This Srinagar outskirt area was our den.

I was Amar (friends thought I was look alike of Vinod Khanna), Khursheed was Anthony (tall with Amitabh like hairstyle) and Shabir was Akbar (no visible resemblance with Rishi Kapoor but was shortest of the three).

These were the pre-1987 days. We had no burdens of Kashmir dispute, India, Pakistan (though some of our friends like Shakeel Bakshi were always dying to discuss these issues). We were happy in our own world and I, particularly in mine, because most of the friends would say that I had some resemblance with Vinod Khanna.

Vinod Khanna was not Amitabh Bachan but he was he. He had his own recognition. He was not THE STAR but he also was not a nobody. He had looks better than Amitabh and if someone would tell you that you have some resemblance with him, cloud nine was the destination.

And I was on cloud nine. I would do everything to copy him. Hairstyle, dress and even the style of smoking (smoking wasn’t a taboo those days, even Ma’s and Grand Ma’s would smoke Hukka). I would watch all of his moves and try to copy.

We were the regular movie goers. I was such a movie freak (even before I was told that I look like Vinod – I mean, in my childhood) that I would, like other kids, put my ear to the huge gate of Palladium Cinema, on the third class end, and try to listen to the sound track of the movie that would have been running there. (Those days my Srinagar connection was Maisuma).

But Amar, Akbar Anthony changed everything. I had grown up. Shifted from Maisuma to Batamaloo and declared AMAR by friends there. Now, we had a competition.

Our Anthony would be praising every movie of Amitabh, flop or hit. Akbar would be on hunt for Rishi’s movies and I, Amar, wouldn’t compromise on anything about Vinod.

For me, Vinod was ultimate.

And friends would tell, ‘see how Amitabh is rising.’ My response would be, ‘awaz ka jadoo hai bhai, acting nahi.’

I knew I was wrong. Amitabh was a great actor. But at the same time, I firmly believed that Vinod was no lesser.

I loved him in Mera Gaon Mera Desh. Whether anyone from Bollywood likes it or not, I think, the iconic character of Gabbar Singh in super-duper hit Sholay, had some inspiration from Jabbar Singh of Mera Gaon Mera Desh.

And this Jabbar Singh was none other than Vinod Khanna.

I don’t know why but I loved him in Parvarish paired with Shabana Azmi. As a young boy, I always though Vinod and Shabana are making a perfect Jodi.

I still remember delivering his dialogues in the company of my friends – Jabbar Singh ne sirf do hi baatein seekhi hai. Ek mauke ka fayda uthana, aur apne dushman ka naam-u-nishaan mitta dena.

A few weeks back, when I saw a picture of ailing Vinod Khanna, that went viral on the social networking sites, I barely could hold my tears. Now 57, I still idolize this most handsome man of Bollywood, the way I used to when I was in teens.

When Vinod Khanna joined BJP, I didn’t like his decision because I had never been comfortable with BJP, but my love for him never receded.

And last time I saw my favourite on screen was Dilwale and I, despite being uncomfortable with him for joining BJP, adored him. He was same Vinod, Vinod of my teenage.

Mumbai is sort of my second home. I don’t know why I never thought to try and meet him. But after his demise, I am really regretting. I should have.

Coming back to my teenage days, I would love to be acknowledged by my friends as a ‘copy-cat’ of Vinod Khanna. Though I knew I was not as handsome as Vinod, but our noses and chins were bit identical.

I would work on my hair, day and night, to look more like him. Would copy his every move and watch his every movie. (It was this fascination that I auditioned at DDK Srinagar and even got a few trial shots in some plays).

And then one day, in my village, a friend of mine, who had just joined Army, said: You look like Vinod Mehra (another Bollywood star). I was shattered. Not that I didn’t like Vinod Mehra, but I had lived all these years as Vinod Khanna and it was too difficult to find any resemblance between the too actors!

Tail Piece: Vinod Khanna, you had your own share of fans all over. You were loved and adored. Be happy wherever you have gone and never ever abandon your killer smile!

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Now that Burhan Wani has officially declared that he and his hemorrhaging bunch of long beards and short pants will attack any colony that the Government builds, to bring the Hanguls back to Kashmir, I must make my own declaration of war, my Ailan-e-jung!

I will fight his gleaming black automatic assault-gun with the burnished nib of my fountain pen.

Unfair fight. He will lose.

2016 is not 1990.

Frankly, I sort of like Burhan. He’s a cute-mute, koker-poot (baby “hen-i-bal”), a baby-faced YouTube warrior.

But of course, the only people he and his ilk can kill are un-armed, un-trained traffic policemen, who might have been on their way to buy Chuchworus (The mystical Kashmiri bagel) for evening chai with their children, or “kerosene” (Crocin) for a mother with reoccurring head-aches and nightmares that are about to come true.

If Ghazi Burhan is really serious about  “defeating” India, he should come out and fight and be ready to kill or die, instead of playing video games on You Tube.

Apologies to his fans, but our up-start fatawangun, our little bursting-out-of-his-baby-brinjal-skin,Burhan, shows no inclination to take the risk of ending up as Baigan ka Bharta in a real gunfight with the Kaffir Fauj of the Mulk-e-Kufr.

Instead of killing un-armed traffic cops and threatening to attack the yet to be founded Dachi-Shehar of the Hanguls, why doesn’t he do something more daring, for example actually attack an Army Camp or the Head Quarters of the SOG?

To let you on to a state secret, the Police would have got him by now, but as the Mukhbir-e-Chief  of Kashmir, in the last meeting of the Unified Command, I came up with a super-duper plan to shut up the video-game Jehadi.

I have directed the security apparatus to leave him alone, and get Rashe Tauntlet , the noted Hangul TV-warrior to neutralize him by challenging Burhan for “Come-two-two-hands-we do,” (native-speak for duel) on “national television.”

Rashe Tauntlet might injure Burhan mortally with a couple of quick-bursts  of his taunt-gun.

“Oh go, go everything I know! “ (Mye Che Sorey Pyey) followed by “Go, go, drink some tobacco-vobacco” (Gassu Gassu cho Tamoka-Vamoca) and if nothing works,” Leave now (Thowo vyene), this is not dawne-tawne.”

It was so Kashmiri, the way Rashe Tauntlet ragged our Preachy-Rich hero, I’seen Money Lick, taunting him repeatedly, “Tell me now, (Vanu vyene?) how many people have you “killade?”

Poor (I mean rich!) Money-Lick could only mutter “you rat,” “you coward,” “take me to court.”

Money-Lick Jaan, don’t worry about courts, people are arrested for the crime of taking their sheep in to Dachigam, because it endangers the habitat of the Hangul.

But at last count, nobody has been prosecuted, convicted and hanged for the murder of the human Hanguls of Kashmir.

Not even that psychopath Hitta Fart’ade.

(Or you for that matter.)

Nobodyhas been hanged for the rape and murder of Hangul Bais, (female Hanguls) and the slicing in to 2 of the dead bodies ofsome of them, on electrical band-saws, in the Kashmiri Year of the Red Sky, not by an invading Army, but by those who they regarded their own.

(The band-saw trick was not a great way to convince Hangul women about “Aise Gasey Asun Pakistan Hangulov Rostey, Hangul-Baiav Saan,”

a slogan that made the Hanguls go nine-two-eleven, super-quick (Native speak for running away, quickly-quickly.) yet a slogan that most people in Kashmir claim not to have heard!)

No body has been prosecuted successfully for arson, setting on fire, or looting or occupying Hangul homes and Hangul shrines, and the bloody bull-dozing of their natural habitat, for fun or profit, or simply on the instructions of the malevolent Djinns of ISI who got badly entangled in the brain-washed heads of some of our own.

You might think you’ve have gotten away, Money Lick Jaan, but the Mukhbir-e-Chief of Kashmir knows that deep inside your heart, you don’t really know which side the “camel will finally sit,”on which 28-year old file, and when.

If this disconcerting thought keeps you up some nights, birather-in-arms, it should!

Money-Lick Jaan: I have been getting calls from friends in Srinagar.

Hysterically funny calls about how

BaaJi recently proved to all of us Khalaks that the Tiger of Tumhare Bina Mai Suna is just a papertiger, who can be picked up and made to do “tik-tiki,”(A highly effective laxative dispensed by J&K Police) when BaaJi puts on her dark glasses and decides it’s the right time.

(And no body voshed and sighed and said,that they skipped Chai and  bhujyeth kababs in Ahdoos that evening because they felt bad for I’Seen Money-Lick.)

Also Birather Money-Lick, stop free-lancing for the red flag that is trying to turn a little-mittle green these days.

(Is it true that you used to focus on arm-twisting people to boycott elections only in the assembly constituencies, where the Khalak wanted BaaJi to win?)

Stop playing silly games, Money-Lick.

It might make BaaJi angry; and in this cat and mouse game, finally, as you would have figured out by now, BaaJi is the cat, and you are the fake-Mujahid rat.

Of course, you are right, Rashe Tauntlet and other Hanguls are also “rats.” But, Money-Lick Jaan, they turned in to rats and went nine-two-eleven, quickly-quickly in 1990, because they were being mowed down by your gun-shun.

But you are a remarkable rat.

You gave up the istruggle in spite of having the gun-shun, and went nine-two-eleven in to comfortable safe-houses, and now, no matter how much you might talk about your “sacrifices,” let’s face it, after leading half of Kashmir up the garden path to “Apoor,” and to death and destruction: all you did was “cylinder” (surrender, that is) meekly-weakly.

(One very senior Mukhbir-type once told me that you were extremely receptive to “counseling.”)

I’m no fan of Aafaq Wajid Qurbani,

I really wish his poor father had taken him to a psychiatrist when he got to know that Aafaq used to twist the heads of spoons at Shakti Sweets, because it was a Kaffir establishment, and imagined that he was twisting the heads of Kaffirs.

But to give him his due, he did not “cylinder,” he died for what he believed in: he took chakkklate only from “Apoor” and only a bullet from “Yapoor.”

What about you?

The truth is people like you are completely exposed.

The only people who are still scared of you, the only people who don’t realize that you are a paper-Tiger; are some of the older paranoid Hanguls, because they have seen your Hangul-eating Avatar.

When it come to any mention of building a Dachi-Shehar, you promptly apply a truck-load of imported shampoo in your hair sent by our dear ParjaiJi: flick your hair (like a film-extra in a 1980s Bollwood flick ) in the lanes of Tere Bin Mai Suna, and threaten to spill “blood on the streets.”

Then you produce a couple of scared Hanguls who “oppose” the setting up of Dachi-Shehar. As Ajit would have said, “Ismart boy!”

No body is scared of you any longer, Money LickJaan.

Nobody is scared any longer even of the wet, slurpy,ominous obahs (spit-laden pecks) of Silly Prah Barfani.

Nobody can be scared of Moulvi Tee Tee (Thesis Thief, alias Thesis Tsoor) because he is scared of his own shadow.

But I love to see the 3 of you together. You all look so tense. I could burn a truck-load of isband (Wild Rue seeds that are burnt to ward of evil spirits) around your heads, but the bad vibes won’t go away.

The only person I’m really scared of is Overseer Yazeed of “Hanguls must apologize” and “I better run from Anantnag before I lose my deposit” fame.

He is so odious that the one and only time I tried to engage in a meaningful conversation (yes, oxy-moron!) with him, I thought I was going to faint.

There’s got to be more to it than his over-powering halitosis.

The good part is that Khalaks have slowly begun to realize that these guys may be a part of the problem, but they can’t be a part of any solution.

The day all of Kashmir realizes what a mess these jokers have landed us in, is the day the Hanguls will think of returning.

This brings me to what I had begun with.

“Hum Aafke Hain Kaun?”

The point is that if the Hanguls have to come back home, it has to go beyond the Government’s efforts.

It is forKashmiris to finally realize what the Hanguls mean to them. What the Hanguls meant to the idea of a plural, secular, liberal Kashmir? What the Hanguls mean to Kashmir. What the Hanguls contributed to Kashmir.

It is for the people of Kashmir to figure out the truth about what happened to the Hanguls, and to throw out the stupid “Ye korena Jagmohanan” (This happened because of Jagmohan) lie.

Coming to what BaaJi needs to do, this is the first thing: understand that no residential scheme can attract people whose killers and rapists are roaming free.

Forget roaming free, many of these killers are delusional about their political importance.

BaaJi opened up a 28-year old file recently.

She needs to open up all such old files. The FIRs are all there. There is no statue of limitations on murder and rape. She needs to ensure these cases are re-opened for investigation, and all the surviving (Hangul Killers) ring-leaders end up in jail, or with a hang-man’s noose around their necks.

The day the Government goes seriously

after the Hangul Killers, is the day, the Hanguls will think of packing their bags and going back, without the fear of a Hitta Fart’ade or I’seen Money-Lick landing up at Kheer Bhawaniand scaring an old lady into giving them a nalmot, (a hug) for the benefit of cameras.

Who knows that old bear-hugged (or bear-crushed) woman is the mother of Satish, who according to Hitta Fart’ade

(something we all have seen on television) was Hitta’s first Hangul-Shikar.

Think about it.

But don’t just keep thinking. Do some thing about it. Talk about it. Write about it. Open up. Don’t be afraid.

Don’t stay silent. Silence is complicity.

This piece is a figment of the writer’s imagination: any resemblance or allusion to any person; living or dead, dishonest or double-dealing, self-serving or opportunistic: is unintentional and unintended.

Ajoy Bhan is a communications consultant based in Delhi. He is a Kashmiri and insists that he is not a Kashmir expert. You can reach him at [email protected]