Remembering #Prof. N. S. #Ramaswamy- his letter from my memorabilia

One day, Prof. N. S. Ramaswamy came to my office in Sardar Patel Bhavan and sat with me for over two hours. I remember a statement he made- “You are like a circus juggler, handling so many hats at the same time”! With humility I mumbled, “That is my expertise and training, Sir”! When he went back he wrote me a letter from Bangalore, which I chanced upon today in my memorabilia.

My personal homage to a great man, thinker, reformer, scientist, educationist and  engineer! Above all a great human being!

N. S. Ramaswamy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
N. S. Ramaswamy
Born 2 March 1926
Puthur, Thrissur district, Kerala, India
Died 17 September 2012 (aged 86)
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Other names Cartman Ramaswamy
Occupation Management academic
Social worker
Educationist
Years active 1952–2012
Known for IIM Bangalore
Social service
Institution building
Spouse(s) Rajam Parvathi
Children A son and a daughter
Parent(s) N. R. Srinivasa Iyer
Awards Padma Bhushan

N. Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy (1926–2012), popularly known as Cartman Ramaswamy, was an Indian engineer, educationist, management academic and writer, and the founder director of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.[1] He was the founder of Centre for Action, Research and Technology for Man, Animal and Nature (CARTMAN), a non governmental organization working for region-relevant and appropriate technology transfer to rural areas[2] and Indian Heritage Academy, an organization involved in propagating Indian cultural traditions.[3] He was also the founder chairman of the Adarsh Vidya Kendra (AVK) Group of educational institutions.[4] The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan, in 2006, for his contributions to society.[5]

(Source: Wikipedia)

Video uploaded by Prof. N. S. Ramaswamy

 

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#Award & #Public #Felicitation at #Agra, India

On February 19, 2017, the Maratha Sewa Sangh and Backward Minorities Front (non-political) organized a Public Felicitation Ceremony at AGRA (India) on the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti and conferred the Bharat Gaurav Samman (Pride of India Award) for remarkable and outstanding public service in governance!

First public award in hometown Agra !

These lovely people forever changed my concept of a public felicitation…

Reminded of the Song- Ye public hai, ye sab jaanti hai, ye public hai….. (The people know it all, nothing escapes their eyes!

The Crown et al…

The spirit behind the public service front, Shri Jitendra Yadav ji- a grassroot leader of exceptional energy, admirable conviction, and commitment to public service! People like him spend their lifetime making and changing India!

JAI HIND !

 

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#Memories from the #September of 2003! #First-ever #Commemorative and #Currency #Coin on ‘#Railways in India, made by Sandeep Silas!

#Memories from the #September of 2003! #Finance #Minister, #India, Shri Jaswant Singh and #Minister of #Railways, India, Shri Nitish Kumar had released the #First-ever #Commemorative and #Currency #Coin on ‘#Railways in India’ in its entire 163 years history so far!

Idea, design and making by Sandeep Silas!

September 1st, 2003!

Some pictures to bring those moments alive!

recounting-railways-glorious-pastSandeep Silas speaking at the Commemorative & Currency Coin Release Ceremony!sandeep-silas-speaking-at-the-coin-release-ceremony

honble-minister-of-railways-shri-nitish-kumar-speaking-at-the-coin-release-eventHon’ble Minister of Railways Shri Nitish Kumar delivering his Address! Proud to have served under you Sir! Truly, you are a visionary, great, fair & impartial administrator with a sound grip on the system! A statesmanlike person who respects his talented officers and works as an exemplary team leader! You taught me many important lessons of life, Sir!

honble-finance-minister-india-speaking-at-the-ceremonyHon’ble Finance Minister of India, Shri Jaswant Singh addressing the audience!

releasing-the-commemorative-and-currency-coin-on-railways-in-india-1-sep-2003The Release of the Commemorative & Currency Coin!

First-ever on ‘Railways in India’ in its entire history so far!

 

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Bholu The Guard, Mascot of Indian Railways- idea, design & contribution of Sandeep Silas

Bholu The Guard, Mascot of Indian Railways, brain-child of Sandeep Silas!

IMG_3495
Mascot of Indian Railways' Bholu the Guard, brain child of Sandeep Silas

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Strategy: WHAT WOMEN WANT—STOP GANG-RAPES!

123654WHAT WOMEN WANT—STOP GANG-RAPES!

sandeep silas

The capital has become the scene of another gang-rape. This time it is a eight year old girl child. The girl was abducted while sleeping outside with her family. Why were they sleeping outside? Because there is no power in their colony!

Not one politician of any political party either visited the girl’s traumatized family or issued any statement. Such things have become kind of routine news and acceptable facts to Indian society. Unless a person from immediate family gets affected even public does not bother and consumes the news carried in newspapers or TV with tea.

The affected family is left to fend for themselves with an unfriendly police system and a very complicated judicial system, where justice is more denied by delay.

TOI Aug 24 pg 2

Who will give the healing touch?

Who will stop these gang-rapes which destroy childhood?

Who will stop the ever increasing gang-rapes on our highways, city roads, public transport and in residential colonies?

In our childhood we were taught the idiom “Who will bell the cat?”  It is so true today in this respect as the nation asks this question from the people who are responsible for governance in any form anywhere.

On the last day of July the nation was shocked when news came that a mother and daughter were dragged out of car in UP the previous night and gang-raped by some criminals of a Ghumantu gang for three hours in Bulandshahr District (65 km away from Delhi) on National Highway 91, and barely 100m away from a Police Post. Mother of 35 years and daughter of 14 years raped together!

The country is being scarred again and again, call it Nirbhaya or by any other name, gang-rapes continue with criminals at large. It is a systems failure: the maintenance of law & order, the long drawn trials, the lack of evidence, and little or no punishment, more alarmingly the will to stop these crimes against women.

Our country is a land where womanhood has been worshipped in the form of a Goddess. We believe in Devi Shakti. We do pilgrimages of all Shakti Sthals. We celebrate festivals with aplomb and our greetings are Jai Maa, Jai Bhagwati, Jai Mata Di, Radhey-Radhey and so on.

We worship our Goddesses every day. We name our daughters in the name of our Goddesses. We see their forms from Ma Durga to Ma Kali depicting victory over evil forces and demons. Our Goddesses ride lions and bless their followers. Our Mantras are chants in praise of our Goddesses, where we pray and bow in supplication and seek blessings from them.

Still no Political Party has made women safety as their national programme.

Who will lead the growing concern for crime against women?

It has to be backed by the Government’s legal and administrative action to show the Government’s resolve to hold back such horrific crimes against women. The very fact that again such a crime took place again in the capital of the country, only reveals that the courage of criminals is at a questionable large.

The last five years data of rape cases and the rate of conviction is a cause for immediate concern!

TOI Aug 24

Countrywide protests could begin when women realize they are not safe while sleeping, travelling, or working. Women do feel unsafe and my conversations with the ones I know have revealed deep set anger, frustration and disenchantment with the present scenario of safety of women in the cities and villages. The incidents continue to shock the conscience of the people to the core.

 

SOME ALTERNATIVES BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT:

  • Bill to be brought in Parliament for Capital Punishment / Chemical Castration of convicted rapists
  • Emergency Decree like Italy announced in February 2009 for mandatory Life Sentence to be given to rapists
  • Fast Track Rape Trial Courts
  • Recruitment of Delhi Police Constabulary to be broad based from all States of India, and not have predominance from neighbouring State of Haryana as this move shall instill confidence and break the criminal-police nexus (majority of constabulary in Delhi Police and sexual crime offenders have roots in Haryana)
  • Video recording to be a must in all Police Stations
  • All cabs to be installed with Cab Cameras and GPS indicators
  • Delhi Police to be brought under the control of Delhi Government and not be under the Home Ministry through Lieutenant Governor, Delhi
  • Licensing of all Cab/Public Road Transport Drivers in the capital and the other cities to include Psychiatric Tests and be not as easy as it is today
  • Creation of a Department of Crime Against Women under the Ministry of Women & Child Welfare

Now, is the time we have to be seen to be taking tough and long lasting measures to protect our daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers. It is the cry of the ‘Daughters of India’. In this Year 2016, let it be noticed and talked about in the homes of India that the Government means business and such type of violence is to take place no more.

 

Punishment for Rape in Different Countries

I am placing before the people a comparative appreciation of the punishment awarded for rape in some countries:

USA: Under federal law the punishment for rape can range from a fine to Life imprisonment. The severity of the punishment is based on the use of violence, the age of the victim and whether drugs or intoxicants were used to override consent. If the perpetrator is a repeat offender the law prescribes automatically doubling the maximum sentence.

English Law: The offence is created by section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003:

1-(1) A person (A) commits an offence—

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for life.

China: China retained the death penalty in the 1980s for certain serious crimes. The 1980 law required that death sentences be approved by the Supreme People’s Court. This requirement was temporarily modified in 1981 to allow the higher people’s courts of provinces, autonomous regions, and special municipalities to approve death sentences for murder, robbery, rape, bomb-throwing, arson, and sabotage. In 1983 this modification was made permanent. In 2006, the Chinese government reversed the previous modified death penalty requirement that was made permanent in 1983. The law was enacted on January 1, 2007, and required all death sentences be approved by the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), effectively depriving the provincial people’s courts of exercising the final say on the death sentence, allowing death penalties handed out by provincial courts to be reviewed and ratified by the SPC.

Italy: In February 2009 Italy passed an Emergency Decree-Mandatory life sentencesThe Italian decree, which goes into effect immediately but still has to be approved by both houses of parliament within 60 days, introduces mandatory life sentences for people convicted of gang-rape, sexual assault resulting in murder and violent sexual abuse of children.

 

India: Section 376 in The Indian Penal Code, 1860

  1. Punishment for rape.–

(1) Whoever, except in the cases provided for by sub- section (2), commits rape shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine unless the woman raped is his own wife and is not under twelve years of age, in which case, he shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.

 

The women of India need a healing touch. An administrative-legal direction to the whole issue is warranted. How soon we act is what shall matter and assuage the hurt conscience of the nation. Perhaps, something like the Italian response is the need of the hour!

 209

“SAVE INNOCENCE” CAMPAIGN could be started in the country by those who are sensitive enough to realize the immensity of the problem and want to protect and respect womanhood!

© Sandeep Silas, Delhi, India

www.garlandofpeace.com

www.sandeepsilas.com

JAI HIND

 

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STRATEGY: to create a NATIONAL PARKS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

NATIONAL PARKS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

NEW ORIGINAL IDEA & CONCEPT NOTE © SANDEEP SILAS

Date: August 20, 2016

BACKGROUNDER & JUSTIFICATION

It is the August of 2016 today!

On Sunday 9th August 2009, the Times of India had carried a full page Special Report titled:

TAKE A GOOD LOOK

THIS MAY BE THE LAST TIME YOU SEE A TIGER

END OF THE TALE?

  • 1,300 AND GOING DOWN
  • 7 Reserves on alert
  • 0 tigers in Panna
  • 35 tigers disappeared from Sariska

Not much has happened since then to save the tiger except setting up of an expert group, which deliberated and recommended, but tigers keep on disappearing.

What we need is a practical approach to the issue, a workable proposition and an institutional framework that works!

Project Tiger was started by late Smt. Indira Gandhi, then Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, as her vision to save the tiger and also to promote Wildlife Tourism.

Tigers totally disappeared again in Panna after Sariska, which was a most alarming fact. Last time the news filtered in about Sariska, the then Hon’ble Prime Minister had publicly expressed concern over the vanishing tigers from National Parks. The Government reacted by constituting a Task Force. The Task Force came up with certain recommendations but, tigers still keep vanishing.

 The exact number of tigers as per the last tiger census was 3,500 but this is done by the ‘pug mark method’ and the real number probably would be anybody’s guess. The letter of the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan to the then Hon’ble Prime Minister in case of Sariska was indicative of the lack of will at the State level to save the magnificent Indian tiger from the menace of poachers and manage the National Parks to promote Wildlife Tourism. Similar is the case in other States.

The State Government’s reply, as the Press had then reported, was routine and non-committal. The situation in other National Parks of the country is also disturbing. Often the tourists, especially foreign visitors, go back disappointed after having heard so much of the famous Indian Tiger, spent so much money in planning logistic arrangements, hotel arrangements and fee to visit the park. Most of the times, the forest guards who accompany the group in an open jeep inside the park show visitors only the pugmarks of the tiger. Such disappointments are having their toll on visitors and thereby resulting in loss of tourism earnings and that expenditure which is done locally by the tourists and goes to small hotels/ restaurants/operators/shops/guides etc.

LEGAL POSITION

Forests are on the Concurrent List (Item 17. Prevention to Cruelty to Animals. 17A. Forests & 17B. Protection of Wild Animals and Birds), which makes it easier to handle the problem.

PROPOSED STRATEGY

To create a body titled, NATIONAL PARKS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY at the national level with the under-mentioned terms of reference and responsibility areas it will help not only the Indian tiger but also promote India as a Wildlife Tourism destination.

To create a brand- WILDLIFE INDIA

A detailed Bill to be prepared and later an Act passed by the Parliament to create this unique body. It shall be a feather in the cap of the Government for nowhere in the world has anybody thought of such an idea to integrate the National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves in a dual bid to preserve wildlife, flora and fauna and also to promote wildlife tourism.

We must intervene now before it is too late. Task Forces’ will not be able to give a solution as they think in a straight line and nobody indulges in ‘out of the box’ thinking. One has to think at the national level and propose a workable practical solution. It is time for a systemic change and laying down a workable process.

We apply dressing to a wound when it is raw. What I am proposing is like invasive surgery, but at the moment it is in the best interest of the country.

My idea and concept can be made subject of a national debate if required and if it stands its test, it may then be accepted and implemented by the Government of India.

FORMATION OF NATIONAL PARKS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

  • Create a NATIONAL PARKS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.
  • The NPMA shall be provided budget allocation from the Central Budget.
  • All National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves in different States of India be brought under umbrella of the Authority for management and policing.
  • Raise a special police force under the name of ‘Wildlife Protection Force’, which will police all the National Parks on the pattern on CISF, and be responsible for safeguarding the flora and fauna.
  • The officers and staff of the NPMA shall be trained in environment conservation and recognition of flora and fauna apart from policing training.
  • the Wildlife Protection Force shall have powers to prosecute for offences committed within their jurisdiction.
  • A Wildlife Protection Force Act will require to be drafted to provide the legal framework for this special force.
  • The earnings from the National Parks shall be utilized for the upkeep of the parks.
  • The Force will also regulate the entry and exit of visitors to the parks and be responsible for patrolling inside the parks.
  • Proper coordination at the Central Authority level for publicity purposes, booking arrangements and publishing of relevant brochures, books, other literature etc. would help in branding and marketing of ‘Wildlife India’.
  • The Authority shall become a central body for co-ordination with all relevant Central Ministries and State Governments.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages from setting up of such an Authority will be tremendous in the following respects: –

  • The management and protection of wildlife, which is at present as per the present level of commitment of a State Government will be standardized and be uniform.
  • Wildlife shall actually be saved.
  • Job opportunities shall be created.
  • A discipline will be enforced throughout the country in the National Parks.
  • A uniform ticketing system will be in the interest of visitors and the Authority. This will save visitors from being cheated by touts and harassed by locals who do not following any standard pricing system for organizing jeep / elephant rides inside the parks.
  • Information to visitors on the available flora and fauna inside the particular park shall be available in a systematic manner apart from books and other literature.
  • Branding of tourism product ‘WILDLIFE INDIA’ shall become possible.
  • Consumer satisfaction index shall go up.
  • Concern for protection of wildlife shall be felt at the national level and by people individually.
  • The communication within the park and in between the parks will become possible for the benefit of Management Authority and visitors both.
  • Information on other parks and its peculiar flora and fauna shall also be available to visitors in each park thereby prompting their visit to other parks.
  • Vested interest of one set of officials and their linkages with poachers will not be able to develop, as it now exists, as the officers/officials will move to another park on transfer.
  • Government will be seen to be keen to protect wildlife and the magnificent tiger.
  • Railway and Airline tickets, plus reservation in Park Hotels all over the country, when available inside each Park will have a direct bearing on increase of time period a tourist stays in India thereby increasing tourism receipts.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

  • Cabinet Note for approval to be prepared by Ministry of Environment & Forests

 

  • Bill for enactment of the National Parks Management Authority to be drafted by MOEF.

© Sandeep Silas

www.garlandofpeace.com

www.sandeepsilas.com

JAI HIND!

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Bubble Men of the Monsoon

The Pioneer Sep 15, 2000

Read the Book “INNOCENT TIMES” by Sandeep Silas on Amazon Kindle Store:

https://www.amazon.in/INNOCENT-TIMES-Sandeep-Silas-ebook/dp/B007VR4H6I

 

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A Prayer on India’s 70th Independence Day !

162

A Prayer on India’s 70th Independence Day 

I wish for my country freedom from poverty, violence and crime against women

I wish for my country freedom from intolerance, religious fanaticism and terrorism

I wish my country freedom from inequality, religion & caste bias, and want equal opportunities to all

I wish for my country freedom from dirty politics, negativity and want positivism & creativity to flourish

I pray that each Indian life is considered precious and there be respect for all citizens in every state

I wish for my country freedom from the environment of gang-rapes and want full security for girl-child and women

I pray for my nation freedom from the misuse of power and authority against individuals as political vendetta

I wish for my country better river water management so that floods do not destroy villages, homes and lives

I wish for my nation an atmosphere of inclusion and a halt to anti-minority and anti-Dalit atrocities

I pray for my country freedom from homelessness, an end to beggary and food for all

I wish for my country freedom from nepotism, favouritism, placement of particular ideologoues in positions where only merit should be the criteria

I wish for my country freedom from the money politics to influence voters in elections to the Parliament and State Assemblies and want only the real representatives of the people to reach Parliament

I wish for my country freedom from horse-trading of elected representatives and toppling of legally elected State governments

I wish for each Indian youth to be blessed with imagination and vision to do something great for the country

I wish for our media freedom from an environment of paid news, fake opinion polls and want news reporting with responsibility

I pray for my country that there be respect for soldiers, farmers, labourers, senior citizens, and the differently-abled in every heart

I pray that in my country art is valued in every home and artists are respected and recognized for their contributions

I wish for my country freedom from bad trading practices, hoarding, artificial price rise and want fair price goods and services to all

I wish for my country fair-play and transparency in Government, Public Sector and the Private Sector

I wish for India to be ranked in the world forums high on good things and not for bad things

I wish for an India where every Indian is recognized for what one is, for one’s contributions to any sphere of public life, rather than be known and awarded only if you know someone important

I wish for my country freedom from river pollution by industrial waste, sewage and want beautiful riversides restoring our Rivers to the mother’s they were to all humanity

I wish for my country freedom from the honour killings of young couples who marry in other castes and religions, and from acid attacks against girls

I pray for an India where governance is such that public life is easy and hurdle free, homes are available at reasonable prices for all, good civic facilities and a noise and pollution free environment in every city

I wish for freedom from corruption in public life starting from the money politicians spend on electioneering and campaigning

I wish for freedom from constantly deteriorating relations with neighbouring countries and peace on our borders

I pray for an India where all citizens respect all religions, where there is no religious bigotry and no individuals belonging to different religions are held back from entering into holy matrimony

I pray for peace in every heart

I pray for my country to be One India, One People!

 

Wish you a very Happy Independence Day!

 

 

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