Daily Excelsior... Editorial

EDITORIAL

Questions that arise
from this encounter

Shortage of officers
in the armed forces

By Brigadier K.S.Kotwal

By Sadaket Malik

The very recent UNICEF report says 1 billion denied a childhood. I repeat.. more than one billion children, half of the world’s population of children, suffer from poverty, violent conflict and the scourge of AIDS, UNICEF says in its annual report. . ..more

Promoting social
security for workers

By Smt. Anjani Bhushan

The ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’, formally launched on April 1, 2008 provides for smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- to the BPL workers and their families (a unit of five). The benefits under the scheme would accrue during 2008-09. The proposals prepared by the State Governments have been sent to the Central Government.... ..more

EDITORIAL

Questions that arise
from this encounter

The complete bandh observed by this region on Monday says it all. On the surface it has been silent and peaceful. In reality it brings to the fore the simmering anger and anguish of people against the menace of terrorism. They want the evil to be uprooted lock, stock and barrel sooner rather than later. Their emotions have been ignited by the audacious militant strike in the heart of Samba town on Sunday. They have displayed an exceptional harmony of thought and purpose. For their part all political parties too have buried their partisan differences to speak with one voice. Their stance is in keeping with the exacting demand of a difficult situation. Indeed, the day-long Samba encounter has shaken the entire State especially this province. By choosing the heart of the headquarters of the newly-formed district for their violent deed the militants have clearly meant to spread terror. That in any case has been their nefarious goal all along. On this occasion they have seriously hit a fairly prosperous town along the national highway to tellingly make their presence felt. If one looks at their timing one may find a method in their madness. They have surfaced at a time when the preparations are in final stages for the Amarnath pilgrimage scheduled to begin next month. Are they planning to sabotage the holy yatra? For another reason as well they can't be ignored. We are already in the midst of an intense campaign for the coming Assembly polls. Have they tested waters alarmed by the reports of massive popular response in the build-up to the battle at the hustings? Who are they? Let there be no confusion about their identity. They are the same forces that don't want us to live with peace and dignity. Prima facie it is obvious that they don't belong to the State and are inhabitants of the neighbouring Pakistan. Otherwise they would have normally known or at least heard of Hoshiar Singh, their first target, who was a committed ideologue in his own way and shared the so-called liberal view about the future of the State. He was sympathetic towards doves in the secessionist camp. The killers have simply confirmed that they have no compassion or patience for sane voices of any kind. It is perhaps only to be expected. History guides us that the practitioners of gun culture know and understand only one language.

Did the terrorists manage to enter Samba during heavy exchange of firing on the International Border (IB) on Thursday night? We all know that the Border Security Force (BSF) had replied from this side. Who had started and kept it on from Pakistan? That is an extremely relevant query and is all the more meaningful in the present context. Was it the Pakistani Army or the Rangers giving cover to the terrorists to sneak into this State and play havoc? Did they deliberately choose the IB for this purpose to camouflage a perfect terrorist operation which they could have not executed through the Line of Control (LoC) without denting their credibility? At this point in time the LOC is under international glare as a symbol of new-found bonhomie between two hostile neighbours. Any infringement close to it is bound to get wide attention and a reprimand for the concerned country. Officially Pakistan has denied any involvement in the firing on the IB. According to one of its ministers it could be the handiwork of the elements opposed both to New Delhi and Islamabad. It is true that there are gun-totting extremists harassing Pakistan as much in the manner they bother us off and on in this country. One can give the neighbouring country the benefit of the doubt if these common enemies indulge in suicide actions or throw grenades from a distance. How does one explain, however, their cheek in firing about an estimated one thousand rounds from close to the IB where the Pakistani forces are supposed to be present in strength? Why could the Pakistani military not stop them? As it seems it did not move even its little finger in that direction. Not surprisingly, therefore, it is exposed to the charge of having acted as a facilitator. It does not appear to be a mere coincidence either that a large quantity of arms and ammunition has also been seized from Samba in the aftermath of Thursday's fireworks. What is the extent of firepower the militants have brought along with them in the latest round? How many of them have actually managed to smuggle themselves into this territory? There can't be two opinions that they are of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) variety. We should know their number soon. For, they are not going to sit idle. They are here on a mission to destroy us and commit hara-kiri.

The citizens at large can't be faulted if they believe that there has been a grave security lapse in the first instance in Samba. The infiltration bid by Pakistani terrorists on Thursday regardless of whether it has been with or without the blessings of that country's uniformed men must have succeeded for them to execute a gory real-life drama in a matter of days. An inference like this can no more be taken for granted. Pakistan may or may not come to our help. As it is it can always say that its own hands are more than full as it grapples with the triple challenges of sectarianism, extremism and terrorism on its soil. It is being rocked by suicide killings on the whole and violence along its border with Afghanistan in particular. Quite possibly its new government in Islamabad is not getting the requisite cooperation of its armed services given their penchant for following their vicious political agenda previously. The possibility can't be ruled out either that it is itself clandestinely pursuing its old policy of making India bleed by a thousand cats. It is for Pakistan to clarify inaction at its end. So far as we are concerned the only lesson for us is not to lower our guard. These reverses should steel our resolve to stand up and nip them in the bud. The unity displayed by the people on Monday is very encouraging. This will enable us to dispassionately find answers to all nagging doubts. We have overcome terrorism in the past. We shall overcome it in future too.

Shortage of officers in the armed forces

By Brigadier K.S.Kotwal

It is a matter of great concern that shortage of Officers have been persisting in the Army for a very long time. A situation of this nature where leadership is deficient for any Army is not good and it adversely affects the operational preparedness. Ministry of Defence has taken lot of initiatives to attract the country youth towards the armed forces but some how the situation instead of improving has further worsened. It has come to a stage where the premier institutions like NDA, IMA and OTA are under subscribed at the moment. The Govt. needs to carry out introspection and realize why there is a lack of interest in the Armed Forces by the present day youth. It is widely said that Armed Forces life is tough with less pay and perks as compared to corporate and other civil sectors of employment which is the main root cause. This premise with reasonable thinking and understanding of the environment may not be hundred percent true. We need to look into major and minor changes which have taken place in the society and which have directly affected the Armed Forces personnel's. Ever since the Army in the world came into existence and the persons who joined the Armed Forces were always prepared for hardships and tough life, but yet at that time one took pride in joining the uniform forces. Not many years ago say about three decades ago Army profession was considered to be a pride profession and the men in uniform were respected by one and all. It was perhaps due to four wars which the country fought since its independence. Since 1971 no war has taken place and the soldiers have lost their importance to the nation. As per an old saying which states ''that soldiers and God are remembered and respected during crisis only". We need to reverse this saying and treat our soldiers at all times equal to every one and give them their dues in the society.

Major reasons which have contributed to poor response to the profession of arms are given as under :- .

* Correct picture about Armed Forces is not being projected, lot of negative reporting is being given to the routine incidents which has resulted in lack of motivation of the youth to join Armed Forces at the school and college level. Armed forces are being projected as tough, impersonal, devoid of concern for its men with meager pay and perks .

* The joint family tradition in India has almost finished. This joint family system encouraged the youth to join armed forces as his family was considered to be safe and his children were brought automatically in the best manner during his long absence from home. Today most of the worries a solider has are back home problems and very little support from his kith and kins .

* The present day youth is well aware of the surrounding and the opportunities available to him for smooth conduct of his life. The Army does not offer him smooth and leisure full life . Youth holds to be master of its destiny and take independent decision whereas in the Army it is totally different and the requirements of the service does not permit to do so and one has to function under rules and regulations and guidelines of the Army. Compared to the civilian counterparts may be in corporate or bureaucracy hierarchy, an Army Officer's life is much tougher with restricted growth and restrictions. This will remain always so, because the service and call of the duty in the Army demands such commitments from its soldiers which at no cost can be diluted. Having said so, if you look at the above today's youth when compares the professions, he finds Army call a tough one and prefers the softer jobs i.e. Corporate or the civil services.

* There is a need to revamp our education system which should look into the curriculum where the children could develop patriotism, adventurism and concern for the defence of the country. In this case the training of the young children at school and college levels be given well through the modern syllabus imparted through Scouts and NCC.

* The all time response of the Armed Forces personal problems to be resolved at the civil bureaucracy have gone down and soldiers are not being given due concern to get their problems resolved through the civil bureaucracy. This has also disillusioned the Armed Forces personnel's and in turn has affected the potential youth. In British time when ever an Army Officer happened to come on leave, the Deputy Commissioner or the Collector was duty bound to receive him at the Railway Station and also had to pay couple of visits to his house to know his problems which in today's environment is totally missing. One is not expecting this sort of treatment in today's environment soldiers have limited leave The soldiers are not properly dealt with by the authorities during their leave and problems remain unresolved. The concerned Deputy Commissioner or the Collector whenever approach should give out of the way attention and their problems should be resolved in time and that too during the leave of the soldiers. This will enhance the images of the soldiers and influence the environment towards the Armed Forces.

* The younger profile of the Armed Forces have to be maintained at all times. This results in retirement of soldier at early age. There is no policy in our country to provide second carrier option to these retired soldiers. The Govt needs to formulate comprehensive policy on second carrier of soldiers. There has been occasional talks in the Govt. circles of offering soldiers lateral adjustment after some service, but these proposal have remained talks only as the bureacracy has never allowed this proposal to take off beyond talk. A serious thought needs to be given on this issue. This will give an assurance to the youth that once their utility in Armed Forces finished they will not be left to fend for themselves.

The changing, socio, economic environment in the country has defiantly affected the Armed Forces men. They with in their rights have full justification to look to the mentors of this country to meet their aspirations and match them with the civil counterparts .If this is done it will automatically affect environment and send positive signals to the youth of this country and attract him to the profession of Arms.

Holistic education

By Sadaket Malik

Education for peace, values, culture and traditions is the only way to overcome the menace. This refers to educating the child for peace. The concept of this type of education has been generated form UN, the United Nations focussed that peace education must be the core objective of every member country so as to imbibe the social, cultural and traditional and intellectual values among the students accross the nations. The Education is for the sake of peace, so it was felf worthwhile by the international community to incorporate the same in the modal curriculum globally and locally. Peace education should not mean the education of the peace of mind only but for the resulation of the issues of conflict and prepering the young minds for the mutual dialouge and understanding in intellectual arena.Peace education is more effective and meaningful when it is adopted according to the social and cultural context and the needs of a country. It should be enriched by its cultural and spiritual values together with the universal human values. It should also be globally relevant.

On seeing this guide a teacher might wonder 'Is it really necessary to teach peace as such? Whole education is for peace. Isn't it already in the curriculum?' She may be right in a sense. But the questions remain: Are we giving adequate attention today to teach peace? Are our schools really interested in producing a peaceful young generation? Is it enough having mere peace concepts in the curriculum? is a matter of debate. Is Govt. of India as a memer of United Nation striving towards peace in schools, colleges and universities and how the UN bodies are making efforts to incorporate the Peace education as an integeral part of the curriculum ? Therfore, The UNESCO has instituted Peace education prize. The purpose of the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education is to promote all forms of action designed to construct the defences of peace in the minds of men by rewarding a particularly outstanding example of activity designed to alert public opinion and mobilize the conscience of humankind in the cause of peace, in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Charter.

The UNESCO is committed to the education of the peace, is publishing a lot of resourse material and circulating worldwide for mass awareness. The Liberary and Documentation centre in India is a catalyst for the publication for material for the teachers and resourse persons. UNESCO as a technical support agency is imarting skill based training to the resourse persons and prepering them for the good of the society. On the other hand, National Curriculum framework (NCF) (2005) by NCERT asserts that education must be able to promote values that foster peace, humanness and tolerance in a multicultural society. The NCERT has lauched a Training programme for the teachers on peace education in the country inwhich the objective is to build the peace for self and empoerment.

Bahá'í Academy of higher learning is contribuing its bit for the peace education for universal human values in the country. The National Council for Rural Institutions (NCRI) a body under HRD Ministry of Govt of India is providing assistance tot the training institutions in the field of peace and conflict studies. The Union Ministry of HRD ( Deptt. Of Secondary and Higher Education Govt of India is hureculean ib strengthening the education in Human value. The scheme for the strengthening education in Human Values launched in 2002 is credit to the ministry.

NCERT is all set to train teachers in conflict resolution techniques and ways to undermine violence and aggression. Globalisation and technology brought the people so close that we started feeling that nothing is impossible. Knowledge is just a click away. When the Devathas and Asuras did the samundra manthan halahal was also produced. Like wise Globalisation brought competition which must be replaced by co-operation in every field.

Nevertheless, efforts at national and International level are hureculean for the sustainable development, but more need to be done in the field.

It is only when we develop love for the children all our teaching –languages, religion, science, social, art , craft, service activities whatever it is will result in working for peace and that will be the peace education.teachers need to be provided training even at local level. There should be an Institution of national Importance for this purpose leading to the masters Degree in Peace education so that teachers need to be taught.

Peace education requires all of us to understand, to experience and feel the seriousness, and work with hope for the World peace. Total absence of war only can bring total peace. and education is the only way for elimination of conflict and violance.

Promoting social security for workers

By Smt. Anjani Bhushan

For grant of housing subsidy, the Government has revised the Integrated Housing Scheme for beedi workers etc from time to time. To avail a subsidy of Rs.40,000/- per house, the worker’s contribution has been reduced to Rs.5,000/- only, to be paid after the house is sanctioned. The Central subsidy is released in two installments.

In pursuance of government’s commitment to eliminate child labour in hazardous areas, the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) scheme has been extended to cover 250 districts. In addition, a $40 million INDUS project (Indo-US joint project) on Child Labour has also been launched in 21 districts. A major activity undertaken under the NCLP is the establishment of special schools to provide non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition, stipend, health care etc. to children withdrawn from employment. About 4.50 lakh children from special schools of NCLPs have been mainstreamed into the formal education system.

The Government has taken up the following new schemes to provide skilled manpower to industry:

Upgradation of 500 existing ITIs for providing highly skilled labour force in various industrial sectors. 100 ITIs will be upgraded from domestic resources and 400 ITIs through World Bank assistance.

Upgradation of the remaining 1396 ITIs in Public Private Partnership mode; Establishment of new ITIs and strengthening of existing ITIs in the North Eastern States, Sikkim and J & K.

Conducting of short term Modular Employable Courses under "Skill Development Initiative".

In addition, it has also been decided to set up a National Skill Development Mission under which 1500 new ITIs and 50,000 Skill Development Centres are planned in Public-Private Partnership mode.

The Ministry’s proposal for inclusion of new trades under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) for all occupations was approved by the newly constituted National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). The proposal said that there is a need to increase the number of trades from 110 to encompass all sectors of the economy. It also approved DGE&T’s proposal to set up adequate number of ITIs in un-serviced blocks of the country and train the youth belonging to SC/ST, backward classes and minority communities.

To increase employment opportunities in rural areas, the NREGA, introduced in February 2006 has been extended to all the 604 districts in the country.

In additional to revising the minimum wage from Rs. 66 per day to Rs. 80 per day, the Government has constituted two Wage Boards- one for Working Journalists and another for Non-Journalist Newspaper Employees as per Section 9 and 13(c) of the Working Journalists & Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955. The wage ceiling for the applicability of the Payment of Wages Act 1936 has been increased from Rs. 6500/- to Rs. 10,000/- per month.

In its 141st meeting held in December 2007, the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Corporation announced that the ESI Scheme is now catering to social security needs of more than one crore insured persons and their family members; a landmark which has been achieved by the Corporation this year. The ESI Corporation (ESIC) has given its approval in principle for setting up five new hospitals for workers to be located at Raipur in Chattisgarh, Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, Gurgaon in Haryana, Tirunelveli & Tiruupur in Tamil Nadu and Haldia in West Bengal.

A study is being undertaken by the Employee’s State Insurance Corporation on providing Smart Cards to ESI Beneficiaries for their medical treatment. Based on the outcome of the study, a final decision in the matter will be taken.

Safety is not merely a concept or practice but it also recognizes the dignity of work and therefore all efforts need to be made for protection and safety of workers who toil for the prosperity of the nation. The latest initiative in labour welfare is the Government’s declaration of the year 2008 as the "Year of Industrial Safety and Health".. This was announced by the Minister for Labour and Employment, Shri Oscar Fernandes at the "National Seminar on Industrial Safety and Health – Vision 2020 : Challenges and Strategies" held in Delhi recently.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the present working environment in industries results in a lot of physical, physiological and mental stress and strain among industrial workers which underlines the need for preventing and controlling them. Therefore, he suggested that lifestyle management interventions like physical exercise, yoga, meditation and sports should be carried out on regular basis as part of stress management. He said that these facilities should be made available in the premises of the industries as well as workers’ colonies to ensure that all workers can utilize them.

Shri Fernandes said that safety aspects should be given topmost priority while setting up any industrial unit and emphasized that a particular work culture should be developed which is conducive to safety measures. It is imperative to make safety an integral component of industry and this should become part of our culture, the Minister emphasized.

The Secretary Labour and Employment Smt. Sudha Pillai said on the occasion that comprehensive amendments to the Factories Act, 1948 have been taken up and are also under the active consideration of the Government. The Ministry of Labour is also making serious efforts to ratify some of the important ILO conventions related to occupational safety and health. Some of the conventions are even in an advance stage of ratification by the Government, she informed.

In his May Day message Shri Fernandes said, "This day reminds us that if the stakeholders such as workers, employers, Governments and the Civil Society cooperate we can lay a solid foundation for nation-building". (PIB)