Rishikesh

Article 371- J- :  Expectations of the people Affirmative action to protect the interests of Hyderabad Karnataka region has resulted in an Amendment to the Article 371-J of the Indian Constitution. It seems to be the first step towards the emancipation of the area that seemed to be perpetually backward. The underlying principle behind the Amendment is that the central and state governments should take equal responsibility for the development of this backward region. Like many things in public discourse, the amendment seems to be an issue that is much talked about without being understood clearly. The amendment is a complex issue with several undertones. But on the surface, it hopes to achieve three things- equitable distribution of resources between all regions of the state, fill gaps in human resource development and infuse more funds to the backward region from the union and state governments. The most important of course is uniform development of human resource. This should be a...

Reinventing Secularism  I wrote this for a recent seminar Good morning everyone Firstly, I thank the organizers for having thought of such a subject for the seminar. These are trying times and we need more such efforts. Forces that want to disrupt harmony are speaking in voices so loud that it could tear out our ear drums. If we don’t speak in whispers at least, we have no right to dream of a just society. As they say, if you don’t participate, you have no right to complain- whether it is elections or debates on social issues. We will consider the definitions first and then look at how these principles work. Later, we shall examine the religion- secularism debate. Well then, what is secularism?  Contrary to public opinion, the term does not relate just to religion. It is a very broad term that encompasses several rights and privileges that make us human. Simply put, to be secular is putting your faith in equality while communalism is to believe in power play. A secular person ...