A minor study on the Mid-Day Meal Scheme

A report on Household Social Consumption on Education in India for the year 2017-18 was released by the National Statistical Office. It dispersed various facts on education, internet facility, and literacy rate in both the rural and urban sectors through a survey. A table on the mid-day meal scheme was exposed.

It effected that 52.6% of students in the rural area between the age of 3 to 35 attend pre-primary and above level of education as they were provided mid-day meal/tiffin/nutrition. Whereas in urban, 30.2% attend for the same factor. Rewinding the history of the scheme, Tamil Nadu has notably been its pioneer.

Kamarajar was the man behind the introduction of the Mid-day meal scheme. The main objective of the scheme is ‘to enhance enrollment, retention, and attendance’ among school children and thereby improving their nutritional standards.

Talking about the positive aspects, it has contributed to an increase in education enrollment, especially in the rural sector. It is also a major relief to low-income group families. On the other hand, the scheme has also generated employment to support the preparation of food, transportation, supervision, and others.

With respect to the funds for meeting expenditure, the two main sources are the gross budgetary support and a cess. A study has claimed that the majority of expenses were met through the cess collected. However, there has been a gradual decline in the budget allocation for this scheme over years. Only in the recent past, there was a 5% raise.

On the contrary, the quality of food was subject to controversy. Perhaps, the outbreak of coronavirus has largely effected this scheme too. Although the government claimed to make arrangements for the distribution of food to those children, some rural households were also informed that they will be issued money under this scheme. While some officials claimed to issue the grains through PDS or ration cards. Not all rural households own a ration card. This again is a drawback in managing the issue which thereby leaves the main objective unaddressed. Lockdown, closure of schools, digitalization, and online education has further increased the gap between the rural population and basic needs.

EIA 2020: ‘Nothing disturbing’

A secretary in the environment ministry, RP Gupta has recently responded that nothing is disturbing in the clauses of the EIA Draft Notification 2020 in an interview.

Nevertheless, the issue has had a massive public outcry. The ministry has received enormous objection mails out of which over 95% of them were found repetitive. It was exposed that the ministry is also developing a monitoring mechanism of projects which will come as a second part to this draft notification. Quoting one of his response, “To discourage violations, the best way is to ensure fast-tracking of clearances.”

 

  

Public Engagement “?”

Under Environmental Impact Assessment 2020

Glad to see voices against the draft EIA notification 2020. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) unveiled the draft notification proposing amendments to the EIA notification 2006. First Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification was introduced in India during 1994 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which was later amended in 2006. The notification contains measures to be satisfied before commencing development projects to protect environmental consequences due to its implementation.

Broadly, the projects are classified under Category A, B1, and B2. The stages to obtain Prior Environment Clearance for projects under Category A, B1, and B2 are mentioned in Section 10. The proposed section provides for public consultations as a process. However, the draft notification has curtailed public engagement. This has brought a nightmare to the public.

The EIA 2020 also proposes a concept called strategic projects and Section 5 (7) exempts the availability of information related to those projects from the public domain. Those projects that are coined as strategic by the Central Government are exempted from public consultation. A concept called post-facto clearance also poses as a threat as projects functioning in violation would also be able to apply for clearance. EIA is also exempted for construction projects up to 150,000 sq. m. All these came as a shockwave curbing the merits of EIA and public involvement. The notification is open for public responses until 11th of August.

Many websites have been voicing against EIA and some have also been blocked for campaigning against. Petitions and forms circulates on social media to make our opinion count. It is high time we safeguard the purpose of EIA and intensify public engagement. Herewith, I’m attaching a link through which you can voice out your dissent towards EIA 2020!

(Civis collects all our responses and would share it with the concerned Government Department)

Requesting to keep us posted if you find other platforms to post our dissent!

Jallikattu time again? PETA in action!

Jallikattu has been under a lot of controversies in the past. It has been through prohibition and also amendments in the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act, 1960 reversing the Supreme Court ban.

Yet again, it is on the news. 

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) requested the Tamil Nadu government to comment on the inspection report of the bull-taming sport conducted this year. According to the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) inspection report, six animals said to have died during the event.

Statements from the report as quoted by Dr. S K Dutta, Secretary, AWBI, exclaimed that pictures showcased cruelty that the animals were teased with nails. Data of one animal death recorded by the committee established in coordination with the TN government contradicts the data put forward by the PETA. Hence, the AWBI has called the government to furnish its comments or views on the report received from PETA at the earliest for further action. Amid pandemic and increasing tensions over the India-China issue, Animal welfare organizations seek public attention.

Concerning Covid-19 Vaccine, the Indian Council of Medical Research wrote to medical institutions and hospitals to fasten the trials aiming to launch a vaccine by 15th August, remarking independence day. On the other hand, a survey by an NGO, Society for Empowerment (SFE) in Patna has exposed that cultural habits of people in tribal areas in Chhattisgarh kept them virus-free. The report expressly stated on the use of traditional herbs and medicines along with social distancing norms of their culture. As cases continue to surge, it’s high time we become more conscious (over health on top priority).

G4 in China

Waves of coronavirus, a global pandemic have already caused an existential crisis all over the world. Meanwhile, researchers in China exposed a study on G4 Swine Flu Virus in the U.S. journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PANS). The study stated ‘systematic surveillance is a key measure for pre-warning the emergence of the next pandemic influenza.’ 

The study was published based on the observation of samples in China from 2011 to 2018 and this genotype has been found among pigs predominantly since 2016. Testing workers in the swine industry, it is found that nearly 10.4 percentage test positive to G4. It is said that the G4 genotype has descended from the H1N1 virus that caused the flu pandemic in 2009.

The study exclaimed that the virus possesses ‘all essential hallmarks of being highly adapted to infect humans.’ As reported in the Guardian, it is said that 4.4% of the general population has been exposed to this virus indicating it has already transmitted to human species.  Zhao Lijian, Foreign Ministry spokesperson of China, assured to take up necessary steps preventing the spread and outbreak of the virus.

Clock is ticking: TikTok

In the midst of raising border tensions, the Indian government has banned 59 originating from China under Section 69A of the Information and Technology Act, 2000. Zhao Lijian has expressed China’s concern over the issue. The spokesperson added that their government always asks Chinese businesses to abide by international and local law regulations and also exclaimed, ‘Indian government has a responsibility to uphold the legal rights of international investors including Chinese ones.’

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India has exposed that it had received complaints reporting misuse of some mobile applications, looting and transmitting user information in an unauthorized manner to servers outside the country. The ministry’s statement expressed its deep and immediate concern over the issue. India has been an untapped market for most of the Chinese applications.

Indian users have spent over 5.5 billion hours in 2019 on TikTok, the application that once went through ban by the Madras High Court. Revisiting the reason stated by the ministry, data mining has been an intolerable offense in this internet world. As we notice, our feeds and recommendations on social media networks are prompted based on our user information and searches. Companies like Google and Facebook have met cases on user data collection and others in preceding times. Have we ever wondered how advertisements are pitched through social media networks?

Are we aware that many companies including Coca-Cola have joined Facebook ad boycott in the U.S.? The movement called #StopHateforProfit has been calling not to advertise on Facebook’s services in July. We tend to keep our social media accounts highly updated without realizing the effects. Though we assume we have kept things private on our account, our privacy has already been interrupted.

High time we draw a line!

Story of calling media Anti-national

Prasar Bharathi is India’s largest broadcasting agency under which All India Radio and Doordarshan operate. Recently, Prasar Bharathi has threatened to cancel its subscription of the Press Trust of India (PTI), a news agency, calling it anti-national. It has expressed ‘deep displeasure’ by putting forward allegations that the recent coverage of PTI on India-China crisis as ‘detrimental to national interest’ and that has undermined the territorial integrity of India.

Wonder what alarmed this? PTI covered an interview with China’s Ambassador to India, Sun Weidong who claimed that ‘onus’ of the conflict at the LAC is not on China. It was also quoted as saying, ‘The Indian forces seriously violated agreements on border issues between the two countries.’ The said coverage has caused Prasar Bharathi to rethink on its tie with PTI.

Does it not curtail the right to freedom of speech and expression of the news agency? Is it not the job of the news agency to keep the public informed about various angles of a crisis? Only that would balance a news story. Although acting on professional duty, PTI has been slammed ‘anti-national.’ Notwithstanding that it was a coverage and not views or opinion of the agency itself.

A toast to freedom of press!

Throughout and after the pandemic

The number of coronavirus cases has continued to surge in India marking a total tally of 509, 737 according to Worldmeter data. The death toll has climbed to 15,700. It's been more than three months since we have locked ourselves and beginning to get used to social distancing norms which is our new normal. We witness at least one positive case reported in our proximity causing tension and worry. In the middle of raising tension, Livemint came up with a news feed on the recovery rate of different states in India based on data available until 25th June 2020.

According to the report, Meghalaya has so far reported 46 cases with 90% recovery rate. It is followed by states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat with recovery rate recorded between 70 to 78 percent. While recovery rate in Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Maharashtra ranges between 50 and 55 percentage. Although it comes as a relief when compared to other countries, it is still panicky.

Social distancing has been the need of the hour. Nevertheless, let us not distance ourselves from humanity. There are protocols to treat patients and even protect the environment by disinfecting but how are we going to protect them after their recovery?

Let us practice empathy and treat them with humanity. Vendors and essential suppliers are cutting out on their deliveries due to fear. Although this seems to guard themselves, demands are turned down affecting their business and puts the needy in distress, also depriving their right to life. Cutting out people does not save us from getting infected. Only social distancing does. Not just you and me, everybody deserves a peaceful life throughout and after this pandemic.

Follow up news stories

Media as a platform for communication has diversified over time. Yet agenda-setting characteristic of mass media has not distorted. The purpose of journalism is to keep the public informed and bring issues to light that should be voiced for justice. We are well-informed as there are enormous media platforms including social media to obtain information.

However, media outlets have the privilege to do an in-depth analysis than a commoner. Follow-up news stories is an effective way to provide media attention to news. In most cases, it would help in serving justice.  Let us be reminded of the fifteen-year-old girl who was set ablaze in Villupuram over a property dispute issue. 

Two members of the ruling party were arrested in connection with the case. Video of the girl giving her final statement circulated on the internet widely for a couple of days showcasing trauma she had been through and then we forgot the issue as soon the media reported that two individuals were arrested. Going further, follow-up news would have helped the public know about the conviction. This is how media have been practicing Hypodermic needle theory and agenda-setting theory imposing agendas in our minds, telling us what to think. 

Does this highly serve the purpose of journalism?

When you have power and position

Remember George Floyd?  Recollect how the killing of George Floyd led to outrage around the world, triggering ‘BlackLivesMatter’ movement even on digital media. I put forward the custodial death of a father and a son held in police custody in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. They were held in custody by the Sathankulam police and media reports that the duo was allegedly thrashed by police officials.

Do these issues have something in common? Power and position. Abuse and misuse of power have become a normal thing. However, not to forget police encounters in the Hyderabad rape and murder case; also the encounter of Ramkumar involved in the Swati murder case that happened at our prominence. These cases did consist of brutal elements and in the end, we did cherish that justice has been done. Revisiting killing of George Floyd case, investigations were made at various levels, even third world countries spoke about the issue and police officials were charged and sentenced to imprisonment.

Cannot a commoner in India, at least within the state, expect such sentences towards those who abuse their power and put the lives of others in jeopardy beyond just suspension orders and transfers? A serious follow-up by media on such cases would help serve justice, I believe.

Uttama Villain- Revisiting its particulars

Penning specialties of the multi-layered film ‘Uttama Villain’. Saagavaram song popped up on my YouTube recommendations in recent times and yet again fell in love with the lyrics of the song. I had the desire to watch the movie once again. Maybe this was my sixth or seventh-time watch, I wanted to mark everything that I love about this movie.

The screenplay starts off displaying the celebrity life any top-notch artist enjoys in his/ her career and also how they had to keep even their habits private. Names of each character in this film are close to heart. We fell in love with Tamil names like Manoranjan and Margadarisi as they mean a lot more than they appear. Manoranjan plays the lead as an actor while Margadarisi, a director, is the creator of an actor in Manoranjan. As a baseline, the life of Manoranjan has been revolving around the conflicts between a director and producer being Margadarisi and Poorachandra Rao respectively. Varalakshmi, Wife of Manoranjan, and the daughter of Poornachandra Rao, rejoice how people love her husband while in conversation with her son, Mano. I love the characterization of every cast in the film right from the driver character to Yamini, Manoranjan’s love.

The introduction scene of Jacob Zachariah, all Manoranjan sees was the impact it would leave on his film career if his private life secrets come to light. Also, in the presence of Jacob at Manoranjan’s interview, the line of questions asked by the anchor all add emotions. After having diagnosed with cancer, Manoranjan expresses to Jacob Zach-ariah with nothing more than silence in guilt and the expressions he puts on his face looking at pictures of Manonmani are heart touching. Cannot deny the fact that we adored Jacob Zachariah much more when he responds to Manoranjan as he asks ‘You must have loved her’ and if ‘his’ daughter knows the truth.

As the play goes, Manoranjan has been diagnosed with an advanced stage of brain cancer. The way Manoranjan would see life from thereon is what the film is all about. To gratify his film career, he wants to do one last movie in Margadarisi’s direction. Though M S Baskar scenes had less of comedy, his role as Chokku Chettiar was a perfect blend with sarcasm and comedy especially when Manoranjan asks him to cancel his previous movie agreements. Margadarisi’s response to Manoranjan’s request to do a film is when we fall in love with his role. Margadarisi highlights Poornachandra Rao as the hijacker and king-maker. Instantaneous storytelling mission of Manoranjan and sighing expression of Margadarisi added beauty. A phrase I love about the scene was that he understands there isn’t much time left to express love, affection, and gratitude. (‘Kadhal, Pasam, Thank you, idellam solrathuku kuda time ila nu puriya arambikudhu’) As Margadarisi comes to know about the medical condition of Manoranjan, we are also shown how Dr. Arpana takes it personally as she breaks out while explaining. Disclosure of film association with Margadarisi with Varalakshmi and Poornachandra Rao by Manoranjan was emotive.

Manoranjan wants to come up with a comedy film as his fans would leave the theatre with laughter. They call the movie as Uttama Villain. Explicitly, every character in the film Margadarisi directs also goes in parallel with Manoranjan’s real life. Manoranjan’s character as Uttaman is portrayed as Mruthyunjayan, meaning the one who defeats death (immortal). Contradictory to his real life as he fights cancer. Characterization of Karpagavalli goes in line with that of Yamini’s character, Muttharasan with Pooranachandra Rao, Sudalaimuthu with Chokku Chettiyar, and Kaakapusundar with Jacob Zachariah.

We should talk about the screenplay of the movie, as Uttaman is identified as Mruthynjayan in Uthama Villain, Manonmani (Yamini’s daughter) gets to know about Manoranjan’s brain cancer in parallel. Their conversation about how much Manonmani adores Jacob Zachariah over Manoranjan and she resembling Yamini and yet mannerisms go in line with Manoranjan add loveliness. Manoranjan collapses as Manonmani highlights that Jacob Zachariah is a hero and real while she thinks Manoranjan is fake. Mentality of accepting what life brings to us is well expressed. Manonmani begins to have sympathy for Manoranjan as she gets to know about his cancer through Jacob Zachariah. The scenario as to why Manoranjan did not want to disclose it to Chokku Chettiyar also jelled well.

Chokku Chettiyar holds the letter Yamini wrote to Manoranjan and vice versa secretively. Whereas in Uttama Villain movie, Karpagavalli’s message seeking help from Senguttuvan, another king, as she is held captive reaches as it is meant to be. Portrayal of Uttaman as Mruthyunjayan and how the common people tests it appears to be humorous and yet speaks the sadistic and cruel qualities we possess.

There were a lot of metaphor references in the film. It includes the intermission scene where the fishes tremble at the edge of its life span while Manoranjan begins to show symptoms of advanced cancer like bleeding. As Chokku reads Yamini’s letter to Manoranjan, both the characters stand at the ends of title projected on the screen highlighting ‘Villain’. Manoranjan clears his makeup as Manonmani reads the letter he wrote to Yamini.

As Manoranjan discloses his health condition to his family, Varalakshmi gets to know accidentally through Chokku Chettiar. Conversation between Manoranjan and Mano is yet another epic. When the father asks what his son would like to do in future, the immediate response from him was ‘why now’ and yet the kid gets carried away as his father remembers he wanted to be a lawyer while he was at class three. We get moved as Manoranjan says he does whatever he forgot to do. Until then Mano seems disconnected from his father, he desperately conveys he want write a screenplay to show who his father is.

Varalakshmi collapses and her childlike talk at the hospital was when we fell in love with her once again. She quoted that we never understand the value of something unless we lose it. While the family experiences a setback knowing Manoranjan is dying, Saagavaram song features in Uttama Villain. 

The Saagavaram song in the film is an Andhadhi and Kamal yet again gave us a reason to fall in love with Tamil through this. This emotes me to talk about other songs and musicals in the movie. Every song stands unique in its own way with Gibran’s musical. A villupattu narrates the story of Arjuna merging with Theyyam and Iranyan, Pragalathan story features in Iranya Nadagam song.

Moving back to Manoranjan’s, there are small details given to every character that speaks about their personality. It includes the nature of Manoranjan’s driver who also holds the relationship of Dr. Arpana and Manoranjan confidential, Manoranjan’s passion towards cinema seeking perfection, the director in Magadarsini, Varalakshmi’s kindness, and Manonmani’s affection. Manonmani reads the letter addressed to Yamini and realizes the real face of Manoranjan. Manoranjan exclaims about his family tree, a collage in the background. As Manonmani and Mano get together, the poem that goes as the background score is exemplary. ‘En uthirathin vithai, en uyir uthirtha sadhai, veroruvanai Bhagavan ena poruthuduvena?’

This lyric suits the Uttama Villain movie as Muttharasan, Uttaman, and Karpagavalli enact Iranya Nadagam. Manoranjan’s health deteriorates at the sets of the film. When he is rescued as he falls on the ground, Manoranjan’s shadow seems to fears him to death symbolizing Yama’s arrival. While Arpana, Manonmani, and Mano mourn the demise of Manoranjan, his family at the hospital is pictured to have been enjoying the last cut of his film ‘Uttama Villain’ which is what Manoranjan wanted for the audience. The screenplay ends revealing that King Senguttuvan has been impersonating as Uttaman all this while to save Karpagavalli. And they unite unlike Manoranjan and Yamini.

A movie that emanates a lot of emotions, cherished now and forever. 

Right to Vote under law

The voting turnout percentage in the recent Lok Sabha elections was observed to be the lowest than the elections in 2014. Chennai recorded around 59% of votes only. Each day we keep complaining about issues in our city or country. We are desperately expecting change. But we do not recognize and appreciate that ‘voting’ is a change agent.

Voting in Democracy

Can we recollect the definition of democracy? Let us give emphasis to the phrase ‘by the people’ forming part of that definition. It is evident that the idea of democracy also revolved around ‘right to vote’. Waiving off the right would jeopardize the existence of our democracy.

Provisions related to vote by law

Article 326 of the Indian Constitution talks about suffrage and details who can be the registered voter. There was a sixty-first amendment which came up in the year 1989 entitling the citizens above the age of 18 years to vote. Initially, it was 21 years.

Section 62 under Representation of People’s Act, 1951, talks about the right to vote. An individual entered in the electoral roll is entitled to vote in that constituency. It also exemplifies on who should not vote and when votes would turn void. Right to vote is recognized as a legal right and not a fundamental right.

Need for suffrage

Suffrage is defined as the privilege of voting. One popular historical event that could help us understand the need for suffrage is the Suffrage Movement in the US. The objective revolved around the right of women to vote in the elections.

For instance, let us consider the board and annual meetings of the corporates. Agendas or proposals are put forward during those meetings and the opinions of the shareholders or board members are obtained either by show of hands or ballot voting. It signifies the interest of market players towards their business. When there is a need for suffrage to even decide any move in business, is it not wise to practice the same at macro level for the benefit of the society and the world?

Voting and expression

Is it not important to voice out your opinion? Law does not mandate the citizens to vote. However, we keep debating and fighting about the freedom of expression and we do not want to express our voice when it comes to elections. Especially in urban, Election Day is treated a rest day or a vacation. When we complain about our government, is it not our right to critically analyze and choose the party and hold ourselves responsible towards the state and the country.

An individual’s vote may not bring a difference. But the national feel should not be left at stake. When the opinion of individuals become a national attitude, change and development would become a consequential factor.

Need to choose wise

Our country has the largest population of youngsters and our constitution entitles individuals above the age of 18 to vote. Primarily, youngsters should turn up to vote as they are the future citizens. Their population percentage would surely leave a huge impact on the elections.

It is also important to make right choices. Public should be able to arrive at a reasonable decision. They should be well informed. They must equip themselves by critically analyzing and voice their support through vote for a better prospect. For the recent Lok Sabha Elections, there were enormous information before us on various media platforms including Facebook so as to educate us about the candidates in our constituency. Details of many independent candidates did circulate in our midst. Yet, we narrowed our view point. We still acknowledge the existence of only two major parties.

Lamenting part: Voter’s list

Voter’s list plays a key role as it decides the eligibility of an individual to vote over the Constitution of India or the Representation of People’s Act. Procedures to obtain the voting slip after verification at the pooling booth is itself a gargantuan task. Presently, the slip was made available online as a factor of relief. Yet, not all citizens could get access to internet. One another saddening pert is that many citizens do not own voter ID. Dereliction of the government as it did not emphasis on this rather than Aadhar could also be a resultant factor. Had we been pulled to a situation to link our Voter’s ID to all our bills, we all would own a Voter ID. Also, not all applicants has received their voter ID which is also negligence on the part of the government.

However, right to vote should be considered as a responsibility. Lawmakers considered voting as honor to the citizens and thus came up with such a framework. We are supposed to hold on to the system as there is nothing beyond law and our democracy is ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’.