Daily Excelsior... Editorial

EDITORIAL

By N D Khajuria
The importance of Emergency Services has increased manifolds now-a-days due to militancy related incidents and other anti social activities. Timely .....more

The US volte face: India
left out high and dry

By N. B. Menon
In international politics sweet words and bonhomie has no meaning which has been coming from all quarters to India. Soft words spoken by US.......more

Their name is today

By: Uma Joshi
''Many things we need can wait, the Child cannot;
Now is the time his bones are being formed, his. ....more

EDITORIAL

American compromise...

The terrorist attacks on America shattered many myths. For one, military might or the umbrellas of security available to the nations were just not sufficient to secure a nation, any nation, against terrorism. For another, the terrorists were not deterred by, any consideration whether humanitarian or civilizational. The distance from terrorism’s center, is not any protection against the terrorist depredations. Nor they have sophisticated weapons. It should not be ignored that the only ‘instrument’ available to the terrorists was the suicide squads. On the one hand were ready to sacrifice their lives. A person ready to lay down his or her own life is not included in the schemes of security or law and order systems. These measures presume that the perpetrator would try to escape, would try to save his or her life. That calculation is important and makes the whole security setup operable. Prevention becomes a lot more difficult, if not exactly impossible, when the security apparatus is faced with persons who are determined to kill and get killed in the process. The second is a setup that is ready to deploy these mass-destructing persons on missions.

Governments are usually not as uncaring or even as resourceful as to obtain the men and women of this motivation and deploy them. They cannot get so ruthless and single minded in their strategies. What is more important the governments cannot hit and run away they are there and can be confronted. In an ordinary , confrontation these fiends would get decimated the first thing, but in a terrorist strike they can wreck havoc as the New York strikes proved. Or, as the attack on the assembly complex in Srinagar illustrated. There you have new definitions if not of strategy at least of callous disregard for life. It may well nigh be impossible for the world to tackle this type of assault. The nations of the world, therefore, need to secure the earth from this type of extreme depravity. These were the facets of terrorism that called for a total worldwide war on terrorism. All freedom-loving countries that valued that freedom readily came forward to participate in that war. Thus was the global alliance against terrorism conceived and contoured. Its primary object was not to avenge the WTC attacks. American attacks, rather, served as a symbol to open the world’s eyes as to what dangers lay there in the continuance of terrorist operations even plain existence of terrorist outfits.

The grand alliance against terrorism is not to wreck the American vengeance but to secure the world from the madness of terrorism. But even before the war’ could get underway, America started to compromise the objectives, of this war of humanity, to capture ‘its criminals’. Roping in of the foster mother of terrorism, Pakistan, as a ‘respectable member’ of this squad was the first of the unworthy compromise. America forced the world to accept. The reason was that Pakistan was needed to bring down the most explicit 'home' of terrorists, the Taliban regime. But Pakistan is whence these terrorists were bred and brought up. Their sustenance came from that quarter. Pakistan could not be a ‘fighter’ against terrorism. At best, it could help and be compelled to do that practically. Instead, America has been ‘buying’ logistic support from Pakistan. The country that originally slapped the menace of terrorism on the world is now a high trader of that very terrorism. Every scheme that takes it as a ‘partner in the war on terrorism becomes a high compromise with terrorism. America showed that to ‘get at its terrorists’ it would be ready even to ‘befriend’ the Taliban, or Al Qaida. That could be American retribution but not a war on global terrorism.

... Would not help

But that is not the only compromise Americans have made. After Colin Powel’s visit it has made another compromise of far reaching consequences. Taliban, or the so-called moderate groups within the Tailban would have a say, in the future affairs of Afghanistan. It is difficult to see where the world gets if after all this effort the Taliban can still corner a place in the future governance of Afghanistan, as representatives of ‘Pashtoons’. That in effect would be having the same regime back. And you can trust it to throw away the others in a simple show of strength. The Taliban after all did not figure in the first post-communist regime in Afghanistan, they came to occupy it. Now they will be there officially too, on the strength and sanction of the Americans. With a predictable full support of Pakistan. The effect would be to have bin Laden for American revenge, possibly Omar too. But after that it would be back to Taliban and their mentor Pakistan. Far from the scourge being wiped out of the earth’s face, the terrorists would not only escape punishment but would actually be rewarded for their terrorism. As Pakistan is reaping today the rewards after breeding the terrorism.

Today the ‘aid for cooperating’ is helping the Pak economy get back its strength and verve. The 'reward' for aiding the world war on terrorism has seen it get high from the world financial institutions. The American influx would deposit more heaps of ammunition there to foster thousands of terrorism in future. Similarly the changed American stance on Palestine and Kashmir are high incentives for more and more terrorisms to be born. Terrorism has to be wiped out from the earth. And terrorism must be made a non-paying proposition. Instead, the Americans are making the world to give in to all the demands the terrorists are making. India and Israel are not only asked to lie back but are being asked to 'accommodate' the demands of terrorists. Could there be a more effective incentive for terrorism to flourish? Twenty people gave up their lives and wrecked America. Two more could easily give up their lives and save the terrorism from meeting its deserved end. And they would have obtained all their objectives. They would also thereby ensure that the original motivations that have produced this terrorism would get strengthened by the 'war on terrorism' not be hampered by it. What war would it be, then? The single-minded obsession of Americans to get at 'their terrorists' is actually undermining this world war.

Handling Emergency services

By N D Khajuria

The importance of Emergency Services has increased manifolds now-a-days due to militancy related incidents and other anti social activities. Timely action by the fire services personnel on October, 1, 2001 when militants trigged a blast near Assembly premises in Srinagar underscores the growing dependence on this vital institution. To meet the growing challenges, however, following points are to be remembered :-

Fire Fighters are the first to arrive at incidents of fire, man made and Natural disasters involving casualties who have suffered major traumatic injuries. It is important that first responding emergency services should have basic life saving skill to support the life of casualties till arrival of Trauma Care Services/advanced paramedical ambulance team or medical doctors. Whether the fire fighter can provide this treatment will depend on his level of first aid knowledge, his practical experience and his confidence to apply these skills. The fire fighters are often called upon to "Fill the Therapeutic Vacuum between the occurrence and arrival of medical help in the first few moments of the incident.

Expertise or practical skill of fireman can make the difference between life and death. In view of this, it is essential to give a greater degree of knowledge of first aid to the fire services personnel through recognised training course as a tool for use to coin- cide with such incidents with success.

It is important to understand role of various emergency services to achieve objectives without causing confusion and wastage of valuable time.

The Police :

This Police have overall role and responsibility of control of an incident to ensure law and order. This is because the scene is regarded a scene of crime. The Police is responsible for protecting the scene from further danger by cordoning area and for warning those approaching the scene of an impending hazard.

The Police will evacuate the general public if they are likely to be exposed to the risk and will also direct subsequent emergency vehicle arriving at scene to safe routes and safe parking area. The police force should provide all possible assistances to medical and other emergency services by extending required assistance and manpower. In short police will maintain peace and public order at the scene.

The ambulance Services :

Casualty Treatment : Once ambulance services team arrives Fire services should surrender care of casualty to them to provide trauma care treatment and subsequent attention by medical doctors. However, fire services may also help to transport casualties to nearby hospitals. If doctors are summoned to the site, medical doctors can provide medical skills and treatment which paramedical or ambulance staff is not trained to do. It is only qualified doctor who can certify death of persons at the scene or in hospital.

The Fire service

Priorities in scene management - The saving of life is a paramount objective of the Fire services. There are actions that must come first although the time taken to perform these actions is often very small as they occur in rapid succession. These are

* Command

* Communication

* Assessment

* Triage Treatment and

* Transport.

Command : The difference between command and control should be understood clearly. Command is exercised vertically down, each service has chain of command, control is exercised horizontally across the services. Fire service Commander is responsible for safety of all personnel working within hazardous area.

It is usually fit to treat or provide first aid to casualties at the point of injury unless they are in immediate danger from the fire flames collapse of building or chemical hazard and in such "Snatch Rescue'' will be performed.

Communication : The important aspect of communication is to pass accurate information from the scene and the liaison between services at the scene. This will help early and appropriate dispatch of medical sources and other necessary services required to control disaster.

Assessment: Correct assessment of scene is very important to achieve objective of timely rescue and fire fighting success. A high index of suspicion should be maintained to ensure all casualties have been accounted for. Has some one been ejected and lying hidden in nearby area or under long grass by the side of road.

Triage Treatment : This is a French word meaning to shift. This means sorting of casualties on the basis of the seriousness of injuries to accord priority for treatment to save life.

Transport : After search and rescue it is responsibility of Ambulance services to transport casualties to hospitals but Police and Fire Service may provide assistance to lift casualties or handling stretchers and other service including transporting them to hospitals for saving life.

Hazard Control :The Fire service Team will survey the scene at and control all Fire Hazards present or potential of likely risk in the area such as Fire. Chemical Spillage, Gas 1eakage involving Fire Fighting and rescue work.

Special Equipment : Fire Service will arrange special equipment and appliance for providing services for rescue by heavy objects lifting, cutting, emergency lighting and salvage etc. Fire Service may have to use latest technology by using sophisticated equipments such as Cameras, Communication Gadgets and rescue tools and equipment for search and extrication of casualties. Similarly Fire Services has to undertake fire fighting operation to check the spread of fire and to extinguish the fire completely.

Simultaneously, by taking necessary precautions to ensure safety of their own force. Fire Commander has also to keep proper communication on with fire control room and coordination with other services working on the operation ground.

Casualty Treatment :The saving of life and prevention of further injury is the aim of Fire Service. The immediate and rapid to response with required manpower makes the Fire Services a valuable resource to provide first-aid treatment to casualties rescu-ted or saved at the scene. The Fire Service will deploy machine to trapped persons and will hand over to ambulance or doctors for subsequent care and treatment. Large number of Fire Service personnel who provide considerable aid and confidence to casualties by talking to and reassuring the casualties while lifting and moving casualties. In controlled manner, Video footage by photographs taken by media and Fire -Service can be valuable information for training and for all services in Post incident debriefing sessions.

Conclusion : It is necessary to understand the role of all emergency services to ensure each service fulfills its role fully and also can supplement and complement other services to provide an optimum response for the casualty and renders service to the society to achieve objective.

The US volte face: India left out high and dry

By N. B. Menon

In international politics sweet words and bonhomie has no meaning which has been coming from all quarters to India. Soft words spoken by US leaders and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Mr. Jaswant Singh have no significance because no one is willing to address the core issue before India -- terrorism.

On the contrary, the biggest winner is Pakistan’s President General Pervez Musharraf. General Musharraf has been successful in not only legitimising his military regime but has also emerged as the closest ally (after Britain) of the US in the present war. All one has to do is watch the CNN. General Musharraf’s picture follows President Bush’s and Prime Minister Blair’s in the war bulletins. The US, which, till a couple of months ago, was insisting on a roadmap for democracy from Pakistan, and also refused to address Gen. Musharraf as "President", is now praising the extremely bold stand taken by the military ruler against terrorism. Democracy be damned.

In the process General Musharraf has successfully managed to get the sanctions removed. He has also been rewarded with a $50 million loan by the US. The loans from IMF are separate. With full American backing. General Musharraf can now go ahead with his nuclear programme and produce more "Islamic bombs". It doesn’t come as a surprise when the Taliban say that Pakistan’s Atomic bomb is in fact an "Islamic Bomb". After all, they too have contributed to the building of the Bomb. The best part is that Gen. Musharraf in the process has Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. He has successfully fooled the Bush Administration that he will hand over bin Laden to it. Time and again President Bush has given Gen. Musharraf an extension to deliver bin Laden. Meanwhile, Gen. Musharraf has arranged sufficient time for bin Laden and the Taliban to set their house in order and prepare for any eventuality.

One can’t blame Gen. Musharraf for making full use of the opportunity provided by Bush and Co. Surely the Americans are not so naive as to believe that Pakistan is not involved with bin Laden, the Taliban and terrorist activities originating from this region? The Taliban is the illegitimate child of Pakistan. The Taliban has called for jihad and appealed to Muslims around the world to come to their aid as the US has launched attacks. In this they have found substantial support from Pakistan, despite Gen. Musharraf’s assertion to the contrary.

Again, it is quite possible that bin Laden may have crossed into Pakistan, either to remain there or make his way to one of the very few countries in the world that might host him. After all, planners of such ingenious attack would have, in the very first stages of their scheme, taken into consideration that bin Laden would obviously be the prime suspect and Afghanistan the target. So, Pakistan would be quite capable of running with the hares and hunting with the hounds. The attacks have proved that the motivation was two fold. On the one hand, it was fundamentalism, an unquestioned belief in and on the other intense hatred for the Classified information gathered by the Indian intelligence agencies reveals that a group of high ranking officials of the Pakistani Air Force are helping the Taliban at Bagram Air base, while the Pakistan counsel general, an official of the ISI based in Heart, is an advisor to the militia on militancy and political issues. Significantly, Pakistani nationals are still occupying senior posts in the Taliban regime. Mullah Israil, a native of Chaman, heads an intelligence wing, while Abdur Razak, a resident of Quetta, looks after security in Kabul. While Pakistan has apparently sealed its border with Afghanistan, the truth is that he has redeployed its forces near Kabul. A few months ago, the ISI opened two new offices in Kandahar and Kabul, ostensibly to liaise with the Taliban. The ISI has also set up an office in Mazar-e-Sharif to facilitate coordination with Islamic offensive in Uzbekistan and Chechnya.

About 2000 Afridis – many from the Islami Jamaat-e-Toiba, student wing of the Pakistan based Jammat-e-Islami-are fighting alongside the Taliban in Tak Shar province where 250 cadres of the Sipah-e-Saba have also been deployed. Pakistani students of various madarsas, many belonging to Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s Jamaat-ul-Ulema Islam, have been fighting the forces of the Northern Alliance. However, in violation of the UN resolution 1333 of December 2000, Islamabad continues to support the Taliban. A five-member UN expert group, set up to monitor the sanctions against Kabul, pointed out recently that Pakistan "could do more to help enforce an arms embargo and other sanctions" against the Taliban. Its report observed that Pakistan had failed to "regulate" its madarsas, which were an important sources of recruitment.

Reports and intercepts also confirm that some Pakistanis occupy high posts in the Taliban army. Pakistani commando sub-units are stationed in the building of the artillery headquarters in the area of the former 110 division in Nangamar province, Faizan; military advisor in the south-west group and Mohammed Gul, military adviser in Kandahar, are both from the ISI. It doesn’t come as a surprise when Pakistan sends its ISI chief as part of the delegation to convince the Taliban to see reason. A Russian news to the UN reported that Osama bin Laden had at least 55 bases or offices in Afghanistan earlier this year, with over 13,000 men, ranging from Arabs and Pakistanis to Chechnyans and the Philippines. In addition to bin Laden’s own men, about 3,500 fundamentalist Pakistanis too are in Afghanistan, apart from soldiers and diplomats, to the hardline Taliban movement.

With the American stand being what it is, where does it leave India? It is hoping that the US President meant what he said: States harbouring terrorists will be held as responsible as the terrorists themselves, and will be dealt with accordingly. With Pakistan emerging as the saviour of American interests, India cannot expect any positive response from the US in its ongoing war against terrorism created by Pakistan. We have handled the situation for the last 11 year and are quite capable of handling it in the future as well. Home Ministry Advani should be complimented for initiating steps against this ongoing war. The first step has been taken. Fundamentalist and anti-national organisations like SIMI have been banned. I would not like to get into a debate whether banning will give us the desired result. But what is more important is to send a clear message that India means business, and that it is prepared to back up what it says.

Other important steps that are required is the banning of madarsas in India that are involved in anti-national activities. Also, withdrawal of the security cover to Hurriyat leaders who openly defy the nation and are in league with the ISI. Another important measure could be the setting up of special courts to obtain fast convictions of terrorists in our jails.

Guarding them is difficult, and they are forever involved in planning and execution of many anti-national schemes from their cells. India must also demand the extradition of Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Shakeel, Tiger Memon and their other associates, accused in the Mumabi blasts case. These people fall in the same category as Osama bin Laden and his gang, whether President Bush or General Musharraf agree or disagree.

It is an India’s strategic interest to forge an alliance with Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran to fight Islamic fundamentalists. China, Iran, the former Soviet Republics of Tajkistan and Turkmentistan face threats of a spillover of Taliban’s extremism into their territories. China, Russia and Uzbekistan already face problems of Islamic separatism. The Kashmir turmoil needs no explaining. INAV

Their name is today

By: Uma Joshi

''Many things we need can wait, the Child cannot;

Now is the time his bones are being formed, his

blood is being made, his mind is being developed.

To him, we cannot say tomorrow. His name is today.’’

The Union Government is in the
process of finalising the pro-
posal to set up a National Commission for Children under an act of Parliament. The objectives of the proposed Commission would include proper enforcement of children’s rights and effective implementation of laws relating to children. For this purpose, a National policy and Charter for children, 2001 is being laid down to emphasise the government’s commitment towards children’s rights.

The Second World Summit for Children held in New York in the middle of September, 2001 marked the end of the first decade of global efforts to improve the lot of children. The first summit held in 1990 led to the establishment of the Child Rights Commission (CRC) to which India became a signatory in 1992.

The CRC spells out the economic, social and cultural rights of children and each signatory country is now obligated to ensure that these rights are enforceable within its jurisdiction.

Therefore, as part of the process, India is setting up a National Commission for Children (NCC) and working towards framing a National Policy and Charter for Children patterned on the National Human Rights Commission. The NCC will have six members drawn from the fields of education, child health, child care, child welfare and child rights, juvenile justice and child labour besides a child psychologist.

The U.N. Committee on Rights of Child has also urged India to ensure full compatibility of its legislation with the international Convention on the Rights of the Child. India has been asked to review its legislation to ensure that age limits conform to the provisions of the Convention so that the minimum age requirements are enforced. Among other things, the U.N. Committee has emphasised on the need to abolish the death penalty to persons under 18.

The Convention of the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 21 November, 1989, seeks to set universally agreed standards for protection of children in every way. It provides a valuable framework for advocacy on behalf of the children and families and for the development of programmes and policies that will ensure a realistic and safer future for children in every country. It marks a watershed in the history of the long drawn-out battle for the restoration of the basic rights of children. It may be recalled that the idea of an international Convention on the rights of the child was first proposed by Poland during the International Year of the Child in 1979.

Children’s rights set out in the Convention can be broadly grouped under the headings of survival, protection and development. Survival is a right now denied to more than 15 million children under the age limit of 5, who die every year an account of causes that are easily preventable. The term protection also connotes the child’s rights to a name and nationality. Every child has the right to be shielded from abuse - physical, mental or sexual and from involvement in warfare. Development implies the child’s right to adequate nutrition, primary health care and basic education.

It is the responsibility of all adults, of governments and of the international community to create and maintain the circumstances in which families themselves can protect the rights of child. If families fail their children or if circumstances such as war or disaster or absolute poverty prevent families from protecting the rights of the children, then Governments and the international community should intervene in order to rebuild the essential walls of physical and mental protection around the vulnerable years of childhood.

The Convention also provides the internationally accepted moral and legal framework for this kind of action. Its effectiveness depends on mobilising public opinion in both industrialised and developing countries to create an awareness of children’s rights and sensitivity to violations of those rights indeed, children’s policy should ensure a healthier and safer future for children in all countries.

No wonder, the issue of children’s rights covers all aspects of their lives and has therefore to be dealt with in a holistic manner so that the rights are ‘indivisible, and ‘interdependent’. The society may have to deal with various types of children including problem, children or those of the nomadic tribes victims of terrorism, of sex workers, of women in jail, of immigrants or aliens, and those out of consanguinous marriage.

There are juveniles who are delinquent or children with disease or physical handicaps or very poor children. From the womb to the tomb, children’s rights have to be defined and safeguarded.

What is more, the gender discrimination increases the a vulnerability of girls to mistreatment and neglect. Today, children constitute one-third of the Indian population and of them, over 50 per cent live in poverty, with ill-health and under exploitation. Under the Indian Constitution, they are entitled to all Fundamental Rights and more.

As a vulnerable group depending on adults for securing justice, they are given certain special privileges and entitlements. However, even for accessing these benefits,children have to depend on the good sense and humanism of adults in the family, community and administration. When parents become indifferent to their obligations towards children, when teachers, employers, administrators and policemen become exploitative and when the judiciary becomes insensitive, we have the scenario where neglected, abandoned, delinquent, HIV-infected and drug- addicted children become a menace to the society. This aspect has to be borne in mind while framing a new policy for children’s rights.

Therefore, the setting up of a national commission for children vested with judicial powers comparable to those of the Supreme Court to defend the fundamental rights of millions of children would be a signal contribution to our Republic. It is suggested that a Child Rights Code may be evolved, consolidating and simplifying the laws providing easy access for children and adults to the norms and standards to be followed. Pro-active and child-centred legal aid may be sponsored through specially-gained personnel by the government so that the village level officers get guidance and support from the law and the Constitution. In short, the administrative apparatus and procedure for child rights protection should assume a new dimension that is decentralised, locally-based, participative, proactive, non- adversarial, responsive to children’s needs and informed with the language of rights and duties.

Indeed, children’s education needs to be given a chance to bloom rather than wilt in the process of learning. The child has to be rescued from the burden of heavy school bags. The killing homework and private tuition await the child back home from school, leaving little scope to escape from regimented learning.

The textbooks should be treated as school property which can be made available to children on rotation. There is no wisdom in weighing down the child with excessive homework in primary schools is also not proper. The senseless regimen of cramming has indeed become the bane of education of children and must evoke a sympathetic echo in the hearts of those who question the validity of the overdose of education by depriving the children of their childhood.

Psychologists say that a child wants to learn by the trial and error method and it is for the parents, teachers and administrators to be friendly and understanding, caring and affectionate, to be open and reasonable and above all, patient and approachable.

Factors like perfectionist or over-protective parents, marital discord and discrimination make the period of adolescence for school going children highly traumatic and turbulent. It is essential that the love bands be strong because lack of communication could lead to withdrawal or rebellion in the child.

Children have the right to have all facilities for their play and recreation. Human body needs some form of play as a means for revitalisation. Play for children is the medium of refreshing the body after long hours of work. it aids in the recovery of exhausted energies and is an antidote for tense nerves, mental fatigue and emotional unrest. One plays to recuperate from the fatigue and tensions resulting from the travails of daily life.

Play should be considered a means to reviving one's energy stores. Through group games the child establishes social relations with his mates and acquires social traits of cooperative tolerance, friendliness, mutual help, and social understanding. He gets an opportunity to assert himself and to act as a leader. Without play, the child is most likely to become intovert, selfish and egoistic. modern emphasis is on a child building his own play environment as against the duration and form of play being thrust upon him in structured schedules with the use of inflexible, fixed prefabricated equipment.

It is for the society and the government to take up the challenge for providing adequate facilities for play so that children develop their physique, their mental abilities and other qualities in life from their very childhood. Schools in dis- advantaged areas should be adopted and educational toys for teaching different concepts of curriculum be put into use. Children with special needs sometimes require adaptation of the materials of even new toys and games to meet their developmental needs.

In the ultimate analysis, the quality of human resources of any country is largely determined by the quality of its child development services. The ‘modest reductions, in infant and child mortality rates and decline in the incidence of their malnutrition reflects that there has been some improvement in the state of health of children.

The vast bulk of India’s children, nevertheless, continue to be in sub-standard state of health and nutrition. These are children who may survive, but who will grow up as stunted adults of tomorrow, with reduced physical stamina and productivity. Therefore, child health in the country must make increasing demands on the nation’s health system in the coming decades.

Children have, therefore right to claim enough enjoyment in their childhood years through better nutrition, easy learning, enough play and more importantly, abundant affectionate environment in which they live. Only then they would be equipped to face the much bigger world outside so that the society gets much better adjusted individuals for the benefit of the nation.
PTI Feature