In a far flung corner of Himachal Pradesh, Akul Tripathi discovers a land undisturbed for over a millennia. Mystery and magic lie unperturbed and legends still hold true. Where the wild and civilised live alongside and human hearts still bleed gold. What country is that?”, “Is it near Haiti?”; are amongst the more bizarre of the responses I have had thrown at me when I have recounted my trip to Spiti Valley. Raised eyebrows, bewildered expressions and a lost look on the faces are what I have deduced to be normal reactions. Quite ironically, those were the same expressions I…
Author: oiop
The multifaceted genius (1939 – 2014) Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran was born in a professor’s family in a village near Batticoala in Sri Lanka, but cineastes the world over knew him simply as Balu Mahendra. The cinematographer, writer, director and editor who gave a new dimension to South Indian cinema passed away on 13 February, 2014. A graduate from London, Balu was inspired to enter the world of the arc-lights after watching a live shoot of David Lean‘s classic The Bridge on the River Kwai in Sri Lanka, as a young lad. Emigrating to India as a callow youth with stars…
A large number of people living in villages suffer from various mental ailments. Attempts are being made to counsel them using video conferencing, though this technology has its limitations. Mental health problems generally exist on a significant scale in remote rural areas, but these get very little recognition, let alone proper care. Firstly there is an overall shortage of psychiatrists in our country, and then most of them are heavily concentrated in big cities. The chances of people in remote rural areas getting the services of psychiatrists are really low. However, Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS), a widely appreciated health initiative…
Shoma Chatterji, profiles celebrated photographer Nemai Ghosh, as he reminiscences his life, his accidental encounter with the camera and his vivid themes of photography. Nemai Ghosh is a low-profile person. He was content shadowing his idol, hero, friend, philosopher and guide, Satyajit Ray. He never seeks vantage position in the front row of life. Way back in 1991, a photobiography on Satyajit Ray was published under the title – Satyajit Ray at 70. It documented a collection of black and white photographs of the great master of celluloid taken by his personal photographer for more than 25 years. Ghosh has…
Activism isn’t only about nudging the government to act, but actually taking on the State. The current situation presents the most difficult challenge, says Jyoti Punwani, asking if activists will rise to the occasion. Going by the national indignation over the murder of 24-year-old Mohsin Shaikh, lynched in Pune only because he looked like a Muslim and therefore belonged to the community suspected to be responsible for an offensive Facebook post (this has yet to be established), it seems “civil society” is alive and kicking. Demonstrations have been held, articles written, and the union home ministry has been forced to…
Once the king of a certain country lost his valuable diamond ring. He announced a reward for anyone who found the ring. It so happened that a soldier chanced upon the ring. He decided he would go straight to the king for the reward. “If I report this to my superior officers,” he thought, “the credit will go to somebody else not to me.” When he arrived at the palace, the guard demanded half the reward as his price for informing the king. The soldier thought for a while then said, “Alright. But you must state in writing that you’re…
Stating that judicial activism must not be confused with judicial overreach and adventurism Kamayani Bali Mahabal says, the apex court cannot usurp the powers of legislature, but only balance the deficiencies in law by giving it a new interpretation. Judicial activism is that legal process by which relief is provided to the disadvantaged and aggrieved party. Thus where there is a gap in the legislation or the law is silent on a specific point and prompt redress is needed, the judiciary exercises its inherent powers by virtue of being a custodian and watchdog of the Constitution. Categories of judicial activism…
Prof. Nalini Kant Jha suggests a slew of far-reaching reforms that the Modi government should initiate to clean up the rot in Indian judiciary. If this is not done with a sense of devotion and urgency, the judiciary may also fall in public esteem endangering the whole civil society with dangerous consequences for the public good, he warns. Former Supreme Court Judge, Markendya Katju’s recent revelations about corruption in higher judiciary has once again indicated towards the growing rot in Indian judiciary marked by huge arrears of pending cases; inordinate delays in final disposal of cases; costly procedures and blind…
No other sport captures the world’s imagination like football and of course the ongoing FIFA World Cup which is its global showcase. Brazil has won the most – five times; followed by Italy – four times. Brazil is also the only team to have played in every World Cup. The inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930 was won by Uruguay, the host nation. So far, six of the eight champions have won at least one of their titles while playing in their homeland, except Brazil which lost the last time it hosted the games. The 1942 and 1946 events were…
Untouched by human activities, the beauty and serenity of this coral paradise comprising 36 tropical islands cannot be captured by any camera. Hidden under the blue-green waters is unimaginable marine wealth, and the islands abound in rare species of birds and animals, making it a must visit destination. Lakshadweep is a Union Territory and the smallest, comprising of only one district. The distinct feature of this union territory is that it comprises 36 islands situated in the Arabian Sea in an area of 32sq.km. The islands are located at distances ranging from 220 to 440 km from Kochi, off the…