External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State John Kerry during a joint press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. (UNI)
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State John Kerry during a joint press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. (UNI)
ISM in a muddle
India is one of the countries in the world that developed indigenous system of medicine thousands of years ago. It is called Ayurveda, literary meaning the life science. Yajuraveda, one of the four Vedas which India has, is actually the Materia Medica of India’s indigenous medicine. Patanjali developed the Ayurvedic medical theory on the basis of Yajuravedic philosophy. The basis of Ayurvedic system of medicine has been placed on the concept of three fundamental elements of body formation namely vat, pitt and cuff. According to Ayurveda imbalance of any sort in the triumvirate causes aberration in health system of the body. This system is to be repaired and restored through two operatives, physical and psychological. Ayurveda masters developed yoga system as one that preserves the triumvirate and protects body from untimely decay. Ayurveda puts great emphasis on congenial relationship between a human being and the nature. Its basic philosophy of restoration of health means reconnecting human form, both body and mind, to sublime nature.
Outside India, in ancient Greece also, the science of medicine was discovered very early in her history. Arabs and other nations in the Asiatic region borrowed the known medical theory from them, and the Muslim world rightly gave it the name of Unani medicine. The celebrated physician of the Muslim world, Abu Ali Ibn Sina known to western world as Avicenna and hailing from Central Asia, wrote his famous work on Greek (Yunani) medicine al-Qanun al Shifa which gained such popularity with medical practitioners of the East to the extent that even today parts of the work, translated into French, are included in the curriculum of the College of Medicine at Sorbonne University in France.
This short background gives us the idea of popularity of and trust in the indigenous systems of medicine now given the name of Ayush by politicians of the country.
Fortunately, 27 years ago in the year 1987, the State Government recognized the usefulness of Ayush to the people of the state. Therefore no fewer than 417 ISM dispensaries were opened. However, it is a matter of debate as to what the logistic needs of these dispensaries were and what was actually provided. Moreover we will not take up the functioning and delivery level of these dispensaries. But a strange thing has happened which has put the entire ISM into a jeopardy of sorts and negatively impacted the system. Under pressure from some ministers, MLAs and influential political heavyweights 80 more dispensaries have been opened in different parts of the State. These dispensaries are not formally sanctioned by the Government and have proved a stumbling block in the proper functioning of the units. These are functioning on what is called internal arrangement. It means that since proper and regular staff for these dispensaries has not been sanctioned, therefore to make them run, services of qualified persons from the sanctioned dispensaries are requisitioned. This creates problems for the sanctioned dispensaries because they run short of manpower which ultimately adversely affects the people who come to these dispensaries seeking medical aid. Not only this, around 45 dispensaries upgraded way back in 1983, have only a gazetted cadre medical officer to deliver all the duties and are without a pharmacist, a nurse or an orderly, which otherwise, should have been there to cater to the needs of the people.
One finds that this is a sordid state of affairs and total chaos prevails in the department. How can the Government play with the health of the people especially those in remote areas where dispensaries have been opened with or without Government sanction? The feeling one gathers is that there is diarchy in the department and it has two masters; one is the normal departmental organization and the second is that of the political heavyweights and others who want to have their will. This diarchy should end forthwith and an overarching decision in regard to the functioning, control and planning of all ISM dispensaries should be laid down by the Government. Millions of people, mostly residing in far-flung areas of the State are the beneficiaries of these dispensaries. It is they who are adversely affected.
We would impress upon the Government to make the best use of this highly needed service by providing proper sanction and infrastructure to the old as well as new dispensaries. Manpower, equipment, space and functional system of these dispensaries need to be ensured and the so-called internal arrangement be done away with as it creates more difficulties than solving them.
Challenges before the new Army Chief
Col R D Singh (retd)
Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, a decorated infantry officer, takes over the command of the second largest army of the world at a time when it is faced with senior leadership deficit, scams and controversies, shortage of officers, the hanging issue of the OROP, and above all, the resource crunch. Hence, the first challenge before the Chief will be to ensure the internal health of the Army, and inject motivation into its troops. He has to send a clear message to the environment that he is as much committed to removing corruption from the Army as was Gen V K Singh, or his predecessor, Gen Bikram Singh. The new Chief should be seen building upon the good work done by his predecessors, and ignoring their negatives. At this exalted office, there is no room for vendetta or nepotism.
Having crossed the major hurdle of soothing the environment, he should strive towards improving working relations with the MoD. This is important, as he was approved by the UPA govt, and the Modi govt would like to feel comfortable with him. Being an upright officer, it should not be difficult for Gen Suhag. The army must have a better say in decision making in respect of defence policy matters and equipment procurement. There is a definite need of some senior defence officers being posted to the MoD. They will bridge the gap between the three services and bureaucrats, and make the functioning smooth. The Chief and his Principal Staff Officers ( PSOs) should not be stalled by the bureaucracy. The Defence Minister will do well to streamline the system and not allow the defence forces to suffer at the hands of neta-babu nexus.
The next challenge before the Chief will be to ensure that the existing critical deficiencies in the equipment, arms and ammunition, are made up on priority. Our army is well trained and ready for war, with fine soldiers. But to fight, you need ammunition and latest equipment. Lets get it as fast as possible. Having trained for war, and equipped for it, but still not permitted to strike the enemy, if the situation demands, is a sad day for the soldier. It happened during OP PRAKRAM, and the Kargil war. We were restrained. We have to have the political will to go to war, in case our adversaries dare us. The Army Chief has to convey this point very succinctly to the PM and the Raksha Mantri during the biannual army commanders conferences. There is no bigger motivation for a soldier, and prestige of the nation, than a victory in war. Lets not pull the soldier back when the enemy challenges him to act. We can not be seen as a soft army.
And finally, the challenge of restoring young officers (YOs) faith in their seniors, which has eroded over the last 10 to 15 years. The YOs and soldiers feel that many a senior officer are upwardly mobile, and put their personal interest before service. The young officers lament that we no more have officers like Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw or Lt Gen P S Bhagat or Lt Gen Hanut Singh who were not only fine leaders but also troops’ generals. It is the poor quality of some senior officers, with their spoilt better halves, who are harming the organisation. The senior officers’ wives should stop wearing their husbands ranks. Our promotion system must ensure that only upright officers, with proven merit, go up. They have to set a personal example in moral ascendancy, and professionalism. Then alone, the jawans will truly respect them, and you will find less cases of insubordination. The Chief has to reach to the core of this problem, and improve the internal health of the army.
The new Chief will be watched very closely for his performance in the light of controversy created about him by Gen VK Singh ( now a MOS in the Modi govt). Avoiding coteries, and remaining apolitical, he must take the army off the media glare, and unite it as one team. The man in uniform must regain his pride. The ex-service men must regain their dignity in the civil, and wish to see OROP implemented in letter and spirit. We, the 20 lakh plus strong veterans, are an extension of the olive green family. Even today, if nation demands, we will lay down our life. Each one of us must use our rich experience for the good of the nation, and stand by our fine organisation. We are with you Chief. Trot on.
Save Young India
Rakesh Kumar Pandit
The advancement in modern technology, particularly the revolution in information technology has helped the country and the student community immensely during the last two decades. The competition in this field of information technology has made the different services particularly internet services cost-effective. Slowly the lap-tops are being replaced by smart phones and it needs just click of a button and very small amount of money to get information of any sort and from any existing field of this universe. What a boon it is, in the modern times of competition. But as every good side has its bad side also, this internet facility carries with it the un-ethical part of pornography. The rise in criminal cases against children and women is directly linked to the watching of pornographic contents. Every day we hear about the rape, murder and violence against women and small innocent children. The severity and magnitude of such offences is increasing at an alarming rate. It is believed that nearly twenty crore porn videos or clips are freely available on-line or through the internet. The previous Central Government in May 2014, has expressed its inability in the Honb’le Supreme Court to block websites with pornographic content in the country. The center through its solicitor general has submitted that it would cause more harm as literary content containing such words would also not be available for public on internet. Keeping in view its bad impact on the society, the Central Government should not look at this problem casually. The attitude of the Government cannot be justified mere on the basis of the technicalities of the matter. The central government is modifying the laws to punish criminals for sexual offences against women and children, but it is not willing to address the main cause of such offences. The new Central Government has made budgetary proposals to improve security of women, but problem of women security needs to be addressed comprehensively.
It is an unfortunate state that day and night vulgarity, obscenity, provocative pictures and literature are displayed through newspapers, magazines, social media web-sites and television. The sexual content the children and the youth are accessing today is brutal, destructive and has put entire society in danger. It has poisoned the minds of little children and filled their minds with filth which is highly detrimental to their overall growth and studies. Children are getting exposed to such things so prematurely and it develops among them the criminal instincts and perishes their moral values. The impact of pornography on the minds of today’s youth and children are crossing all danger signals. They develop the tendency of looking at the opposite sex as mere sex toys with whom they want to play. What will happen to this youth force, if they are not well protected in time from harmful effects of this crude sensual pleasure? This wild fire of lust will engulf the little minds and entire youth community in its primary phase. This will make them weak physically, mentally, morally, intellectually and above all spiritually. One of the bad effects of watching such sites is poor concentration of mind and without concentration of mind no great achievements are possible.
The absence of proper internet laws to deal with such websites is adding fuel to the fire. The direction needs to be passed to all computer and mobile phone manufacturers and suppliers to install such software which will automatically block pornographic sites. Parents must also keep check and balances in providing facilities to the children at least up to the age of 16 years. The parents, elders and teachers must provide proper guidance to the children and youth. They can help them to keep away from such dirt and filth. This will save their youth and energy and also would not invite physical and mental diseases in their youthful years. The moral and ethical values needs to be practiced and taught by all of us to our children, so that they realize their primary duty of study and learning through self-discipline and concentration.
The foundation of any great work is to be established in the prime of youth and therefore it is the prime duty of the children and youth to study and acquire life making skills. This requires physical, mental and spiritual energy. How a boy or a girl can be successful, if his or her mind is engaged in sensual pleasures and spends lot of time in entertainment and enjoyment. Such students because of their scattered and restless mind will not be able to develop concentration and are bound to fail in every aspect of life. Swami Vivekananda has said, “To me the very essence of education is concentration of mind, not the collecting of facts.” Swami Vivekananda’s literature can help the youth to develop perfect character. It is most relevant practical and inspiring particularly for youth. Study of lives of great personalities will help to keep the mind calm and will result in good conduct, behavior and good character. The new Government at the center is headed by an inspirational leader Narender Modi and the people of India have lot of expectations from him. It is thus an appeal and request to the government of India to look into the matter earnestly, and devise a mechanism to filter out the dirt and filth from the flow of useful information in the internet, so that the young and refreshing minds could be saved. It will definitely result in improving the security of women and children in our country.
(The author is Assistant Professor of Physics at GDC-Bhaderwah)
Quality in Railways
Sir,
This has reference to the article ‘Quality in Railways still a dream’ DE July 30.
The writer has very well described the conditions of Indian Railways it is going through.
To make it more clean, and efficient it will need a sustained effort on the part of Railway authorities. Mere cosmetic surgeries here and there won’t suffice.
More than the Railway authorities it is the public that has to play a key role in this affair. People usually do not bother to maintain cleanliness inside trains or outside on platforms. People do not bother to dump the refuse food items, wrappers or empty water bottles in dustbins. They throw it where they wish to.
The immediate area of concern of the Railway authorities as has been pointed out by the author should be construction of concrete ramps or escalators. Without these the elderly people especially women face lot of problems.
Tatkal system of booking tickets was introduced to bring relief to passengers, but this system has failed to live upto expectations of people. This system has come under the control of Ticket Agents who sell tickets to passengers at high rates. The Railway authorities must look into these grey areas at the earliest.
Yours etc..
Narinder Jamwal
Hiranagar
Self attestation
Sir,
The citizen friendly decsion taken by the Centre to dispense with the requirement of an affidavit or attestation of original documents like marks sheets etc by any class I officer have given a great relief to the citizens.
The dubious colonial practice of submitting affidavits for petty purposes have been stopped though, after so many years of independence. In case of any wrong certification every individual is liable to be prosecuted under law. So, there is nothing wrong to trust the citizens. In case of any ambiguity the original documents can be called for an verified by the concerned. Punjab and Haryana Governments have introduce self-attestation.
As to whether J&K State Government is going to follow the citizen friendly measure without further delay only time will tell.
Yours etc…
Ayodhya Nath Kerni
Housing Colony
Udhampur
Israel mobilises 16,000 more reservists: spokesperson
JERUSALEM, July 31: Israel mobilised 16,000 additional reservists, taking their total to 86,000, as military operations in the Gaza Strip continue, an army spokeswoman said today.
“The army has issued 16,000 additional mobilisation orders to allow troops on the ground to rest, which takes the total number of reservists to 86,000,” said the spokeswoman.
Israel’s security cabinet, which met for five hours yesterday, unanimously decided to pursue attacks against Hamas “terrorist targets” and other operations to destroy a network of tunnels used by the Islamist movement between Gaza and Israel, public radio said.
Another meeting of the cabinet, which comprises eight ministers, will be held this afternoon, the radio added.
Public radio quoted Major General Sami Turgeman, the senior officer for the Gaza region, as saying that the destruction of militants’ remaining tunnels into Israel could be complete “in a few days”.(AGENCIES)
Chana futures fall 0.66% on increased supply
NEW DELHI, July 31: Chana prices declined 0.66 per cent to Rs 2,855 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators reduced exposures amidst increased supplies from producing regions in the spot market.
At the National Commodity and Derivative Exchange, chana for delivery in August moved down by 0.19, or 0.66 per cent to Rs 2,855 per quintal with an open interest of 1,18,540 lots.
Similarly, the commodity for delivery in September declined by Rs 17, or 0.57 per cent to Rs 2,943 per quintal in 93,370 lots.
Marketmen attributed the fall in chana futures to increased arrivals from producing regions in the physical market against sluggish demand from dal mills. (PTI)
Liam Neeson still struggling to cope with wife’s death
LONDON, July 31: ‘Taken’ star Liam Neeson says he is still struggling to come to terms with his wife Natasha Richardson’s death in 2009.
The 62-year-old actor was left heartbroken when he switched off Richardson’s life support in 2009 following a tragic ski accident and he said he still expects to hear her walk through the door at times, reported Contactmusic.
“Her death was never real. It still kind of isn’t. There’s periods now when I hear the door opening, especially the first couple of years … Anytime I hear that door opening, I still think I’m going to hear her,” Neeson said.
The actor also opened up about the devastating moment he realised it was time to end her life after doctors told him his wife was brain dead.
“I went in to her and I just told her I loved her. I said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back from this.’ She and I had made a pact. If any of us got into a vegetative state we’d pull the plug.
“So when I saw her and saw all these tubes and stuff that was my immediate thought, ‘OK, these tubes have to go. She’s gone’.”
However, Neeson, who has sons Micheal, 18, and Daniel, 17, with Richardson, said throwing himself back into work hasn’t helped ease the pain.
“It hits you. It’s like a wave. You just get this profound feeling of instability. The earth isn’t stable any more and then it passes and it becomes more infrequent, but I still get it sometimes,” he said. (PTI)
Microsoft unveils Xbox in China after 14 years ban
BEIJING, July 31: Unfazed by the anti-monopoly probe against it, technology giant Microsoft will enter the vast Chinese market with its Xbox One, 14 years after it was officially banned.
Yusuf Mehdi, chief marketing and strategy officer for Xbox, said the new gaming console the Xbox One will be available in China in September.
China’s Ministry of Culture together with seven other ministries banned the manufacture and sale of all game consoles in China in 2000.
Now, the Shanghai free-trade zone has opened the Chinese market to companies like Microsoft, allowing foreign firms to manufacture games consoles for sale in China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Xbox One will be the first game console legally available in China since 2000. The new model will go on sale on September 23, with prices starting at 3,699 yuan (USD 600).
Mehdi said Microsoft is working with China’s BesTV New Media, a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group, to provide Chinese players with the very best games and entertainment experiences.
The Microsoft move comes as it faced anti-monopoly probe.
China’s Microsoft unit yesterday said it has always abided by laws and regulations in China and will “actively answer” questions raised in an anti-monopoly case.
China’s market regulator confirmed an investigation into Microsoft.
Microsoft claims to have a monitoring and implementation mechanism to ensure compliance of its operations in different markets and there is no exception for the Chinese market.
In May, China announced it would ban government use of Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest operating system mostly due to suspicions about cloud technology which stores key information elsewhere. (PTI)