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Indo-French
ties Death by clinical trial |
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Fallen
stars
Chidambaram’s
confessions
Mission
KBC
Celebration
of Punjab’s muscle power
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Death by clinical trial A
terrorist’s hanging after following the due process of law provokes more protests in India than a death in a clinical trial. As many as 438 persons died in clinical trials in 2011 and 211 in 2012 up to June, the period for which official figures are available. In total 2,242 Indians lost their lives during drug trials in the last five years. Yet there has been no public outcry. Compensation paid in such cases can be as low as Rs 50,000 by a multinational drug company. The Supreme Court’s outrage, expressed in a recent PIL case, is, therefore, understandable. “You have slipped into deep slumber. It pains us that children of the country are being used as guinea pigs by companies”, a Bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice A.R. Dave told the government, while ordering that all drug trials should be done under the supervision of the Union Health Secretary. Accordingly, the government has set up four expert committees to streamline drug approvals. There is a general apprehension about the functioning of committees which, as the Supreme Court too has noted, are meant to divert attention from issues. The committees must show results. Eight years ago the government amended the 1945 Rules to allow “concurrent phase” trials of drugs manufactured outside India. This led to a sharp rise in clinical research. The system of regulation did not expand as much. The regulator is under-staffed. It is for the government to address such shortcomings. The Health Ministry sleeps over another menace: the proliferation in India of drugs banned in developed countries. For drug companies India is a large market where the regulatory norms are poorly implemented. Even if something goes wrong, drug firms get away easily. The average compensation paid for a clinical trial death is Rs 2.2 lakh only. Obviously, commercial interests prevail over ethical concerns. The safety of human life cannot be compromised at any cost. It is time the government woke up.
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Fallen stars The
26-year-old Olympic and Paralympic superstar Oscar Pistorius had everything going for him, till he was charged in a Pretoria court with shooting dead his girlfriend. Hailed the world over as the man who triumphed over his physical disability, called “the fastest man on no legs”, he was born without a fibula in both legs which led to a double amputation. He competed with the best and most able athletes in the word. He was, by many accounts, a kind man, helpful by nature, and a hero to many not only in South Africa, where he hailed from, but also around the world. He had endorsements worth millions of dollars, adulation from millions of fans, yet the biggest name in world athletics may not be worth much after he has been formally charged. We all need heroes and from time to time and every society selects certain individuals whose achievements it chooses to celebrate. The kind of achievements that a particular society celebrates reflect its cultural and ethical values. In this day and age it is individual achievement that is celebrated the most. Consistently attractive, however, is a person who has triumphed over his handicaps, someone who convincingly demonstrates the power of grit and determination, working in tandem with true talent. This is how athletes capture the imagination of peoples of all nations. They could be soccer stars, baseball legends, athletes or some other kind of achievers, we celebrate them all. With power comes responsibility. Such stars are often young and sometimes unable to cope with the sudden change in their lifestyles. They have it all, and sometimes they lose it all as a consequence of their actions. Individuals, however, are fickle, and thus out of many that get the adulation of millions; there are some who fail to fulfil the incessant demands of the spotlight. They stumble, and sometimes succumb to their tragic flaws. When they do, we should be kind towards them.
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The miracle on earth are the laws of heaven. — Jean Paul
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Chidambaram’s confessions While
delivering the Second Subrahmanyam Memorial Lecture on February 6, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram made several assertions that need a careful review. As a former Home Minister and one who had served in the Home Ministry way back in the eighties, he was exceptionally well qualified to speak on national security issues that constituted the theme of his memorial lecture. Much of what Chidambaram said was unexceptional. He stressed the need to “take a more holistic view of the threats to national security”, which required an aggregation of external security threats (Pakistan and China), internal security threats (communal conflicts, terrorism, Naxalism or Maoist violence) and the newer threats to national security (energy security, food security and pandemics). A multi-pronged response was needed. Thereafter, Chidambaram focused his unique perspective as the Finance Minister to analyse India’s national security problematic. Three pillars, he said, held up the edifice of national security — human resources, science and technology and money. The most important pillar was money that was required to sustain the two other pillars of national security and needed a single-minded devotion to the pursuit of economic growth. Essentially, two choices faced the nation. It could become “the third largest economy of the world and a middle income country, or become one of the largest economies of the world that muddles along with the bulk of its people trapped in a life of low income, poor quality (of life), high mortality (rates) and great inequality.” Obviously, the choice between these two opposing models has very different consequences for India’s national security. Framing complex issues in terms of simple binary choices allows the protagonist to set the terms of the debate. Could a fourth pillar be added to maintain national security like preserving India’s democracy, ensuring social justice, working its federal structure, and providing for inclusive growth? Besides, while discerning the link between national security and money, Chidambaram was reticent in informing how he proposed to ensure economic growth. Merely providing a theoretical backdrop would have befitted an academic or a media person; one expected a more robust declaration of policy and intent from the Finance Minister. It was also surprising that Chidambaram never once mentioned the ‘G’ word. Surely, ensuring economic growth is a governance issue. It embraces resource mobilisation, resource allocation and, importantly, efficiency and economy in resource utilisation. The golden rule here, laid down in the Accounts Code, is that the same care should be applied to expending state revenues as would be used to expend one’s own private income. And yet even the purblind will notice the waste, misuse and defalcation of state revenues in almost every state activity. The minister declaimed that “a cutback on expenditure on defence or the police forces will severely compromise our defence and security preparedness and diminish our capacity to meet the challenges to national security.” Is he unaware of the huge economies possible in these areas? Or, the routine misuse of trained manpower in peripheral duties having no relevance to national security? The same is true of the civil administration. The leakage of development funds, misuse of subsidies designed for socio-economic purposes, and the waiving of revenues like power charges for plainly electoral reasons might have engaged the minister’s attention if economic growth is the talisman for India’s national security. Similarly, the ‘C’ word was never uttered by Chidambaram. No reference was made to the widespread corruption in the country that is hobbling economic growth. It was only in answer to a question asked by a young researcher about what India was doing in regard to this malaise that the minister gave a long-winded answer purporting that mere charges were being treated as proven, leading to a trial by the media and only then subjected to judicial scrutiny. The essential point that corruption was eating into the vitals of the country, spurring civil society movements, and needing to be unequivocally confronted, was skilfully evaded. However, it was while responding to another question that Chidambaram made a most disturbing confession. Speaking to the need for amending the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, in brief AFSPA, he said, “We are not able to move forward because there is no consensus. The armed forces, and especially the Chief of Army Staff, the present one, the previous one, have taken a very strong position that the AFSPA should not be amended and (the) notification of disturbed areas should not be rescinded even in areas where the Army is not deployed. Now, how does the government move forward in the face of such widely divergent views on a sensitive subject?” He emphasised that he favoured amendment of the AFSPA; so did the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jeevan Reddy Committee report had also recommended the same. But the government could not move forward despite its own convictions and relevant legal opinion because “the Army takes a very strong stand against any dilution or any amendment to the AFSPA.” The final travesty was Chidambaram’s advice that “I think you should ask this question to the armed forces and ask why they are so opposed to even some amendments to the AFSPA which will make the AFSPA a more humanitarian law.” A basic question of law and propriety arises here, which is the ineluctable principle embedded in the Indian Constitution that provides for civilian control over the military. For a Union Minister to voice the government’s inability to override the Army’s objections to amending the AFSPA bespeaks an abdication of political responsibility. Apropos of this, a notification is required by the state concerned to apply the AFSPA to the whole or part of its territory; hence the state can either rescind or modify the notification to curtail the Army’s powers and jurisdiction. We are constantly being informed that “law and order” is a state subject, and that the Union government has exclusive charge of the armed forces. Has Chidambaram any doubts in this matter of consequence for national security? Would he wish to make a reference to the Supreme Court seeking
clarifications?
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Mission KBC Show: KBC; time: 8.30 pm. Participants: Indian residents over the age of 18 years. Think back to 2000. I have been an ardent votary of “Kaun banega crorepati” since its inception and nurturing a dream to become a millionaire overnight not in “reel” life but in real life. I have been watching it
with anxiety. A replica of the UK’s “Who wants to be millionaire”, six sessions in all have since been aired hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, the third and the only one anchored by Shah Rukh Khan. Dinner over, I would find myself sitting back and possessively engrossed in the show. “No disturbances”, I said to myself, unmindful of anything else. Attention coupled with tension continued to brew up. They say, KBC is a harbinger of “intellectual capital”. My wife and children understand my full-indulgence. Once a contestant gets stuck in a dicey situation and is not able to divulge the right option, a lively discussion begins in the family and ends only when the right choice is turned green and locked in no time. In an unassuming frame of mind, Amitabh Bachchan interprets the rules of all the departments from the “standard millionaire format” (original one). His terse talk turns friendly, comic and poetic packed with anecdotes. Truthfully, I did make an impressive collection of both the print and non-print reading material. Based on my own observation, I made selective reading since 90 per cent questions belonged to India. And to keep myself updated, I made a regular habit of reading newspapers. As the sixth and the last session culminated, my dream of becoming a crorepati like Sushil Kumar and Manpreet Sawhney, to churn out Rs 5 crore, crumbled like a pack
of cards. Let alone reaching the hot-seat, I could do nothing either at the “fastest finger first” and the “ghar betho jetto” stage, notwithstanding the unlimited calls that I made in response to the “lines open”. Not a single question of “Rs 1 lakh” got answered by me. I felt highly embarrassed and was crestfallen, but I managed to retain the lost ground. Eventually, the love and affection that KBC has earned from people did make me calm down. No wonder, KBC represents a composite India, transcending geographical barriers. It epitomises the rich landscape of social and cultural
India.
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Celebration of Punjab’s muscle power
Between December and April rural sports are a rage in Punjab. Some of the major festivals, including Lohri, Basant Panchmi and Baisakhi, are also held during this period. Overseas Punjabis too head home to participate in social and cultural celebrations. Though
Kila Raipur remains the Mecca of rural sports, many other villages also organise their respective annual sports festivals in winter every year. The number of such annual festivals is estimated to be around 200.
Bhanbhora, Dhamot, Phalewal, Phulanwal, Budhewal, Sahnewal, Jarkhar, Gurusar Sudhar, Vakilanwala, Ber Kalan, Machhiwara, Mehraj, Jaito, Lall Kalan, Mustafabad, Ghungrali Rajputan, Baja Khana,Mehal Kalan, Kamalpura, Nangal, Mehma Singhwala, Dalla, Jalal, Jodhpur, Dehlon, Dhilwan and Raipur Bhaian, Ottalan, Mirzapur, Mahilpur and Khizrabad, for example, have hogged newspaper headlines for over three decades for their rural sports-cum-cultural festivals. The common attractions of all these rural festivals are not only competitions or exhibitions of indigenous sports but also competitions in kabaddi, besides the holding of "akharas" in the evening that feature top folk singers. Symbols of communal harmony These festivals have become symbols of communal harmony, universal brotherhood and sharing. Even during the two decades of turbulence in Punjab, these festivals were organised. Only once an attempt was made to disrupt Kila Raipur Rural Olympics by militants, who threatened to bomb the event, but the massive turnout of people foiled the design. The beauty of these festivals is that they are generally organised without any support from the government. Contributions from villagers, including spectators, and donations from overseas Punjabis make them self-sustaining successful events. Some of these festivals are organised to commemorate the memory of soldiers or those men from paramilitary forces who had made the supreme sacrifices for the country. For example, the Rural Sports Festival at Bhanbhora, near Malerkotla, is organised in memory of Amarjit Singh Sohi (1971 war) and Bahadur Singh (Kargil). The responsibility of organising these festivals is taken either by gram panchayats or "naujawan sabhas" (youth clubs) or by specially constituted committees like the Grewal Sports Association (Kila Raipur). Needless to mention that on the eve of these festivals, politicians, especially of the ruling clan, evince interest so as to be in the spotlight. Intriguingly, those who participate in rural sports and those who compete in the regular district, state and national championships of organised sports present a contrasting picture. 'Higher, swifter and faster' Not many of the participants in these rural festivals are aware of the Olympics. For them the physical expression of their well-being in such seasonal competitions has become an integral part of their lifestyle. They, however, participate in these festivals in the true sportsman spirit, keeping the Olympic ideal of higher, swifter and faster in mind. Modelled on the lines of the modern Olympics, these rural festivals also have cultural festivals and exhibitions as additional attractions. Unlike the fortnight-long Olympics, these festivals are generally of three to five days duration. Kila Raipur not only gets some of the top folk singers to enliven the evening cultural programmes -- "akharas" -- but also holds exhibitions on the latest farm practices, agricultural implements, handicrafts and other items. After the sporting events of the day are over, the playfields have trucks and tractor-trailers taking every inch of available space so that their occupants have a good view of the dais where folk artistes perform. Each of these vehicles not only has a stove or a gas stove but also well-stacked bars of both country liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor. Merry-making is not without a sense of responsibility. One of the organisers confesses that before the start of events on the subsequent day, the organisers have a herculean task of cleaning empty liquor and soda bottles from the playfield. Ahead of Olympics Rural sports festivals are in fact a step ahead of the modern Olympics. While separate Olympic games are organised for special people with handicaps, natural or otherwise, and also for veterans, these festivals have them all together at one venue. In Kila Raipur, you will find 80-year-young athletes as well as 16-year-old girls taking part in track and field events, even as an eight-year-old boy gives an unbelievable display of "gateau." In rural festivals, those farm workers who have their limbs chopped due to unsafe agricultural implements are also among major participants. Since Kila Raipur is the biggest of all these festivals, participants there, especially those with innovative ideas, end up with no less than a few hundred rupees in their pockets. On an average the audience contributes to cash prizes varying between Rs 20,000 and Rs 2 lakh a day. In addition the organisers announce cash prizes. Throughout the festivals, special kitchens are run for the participants. And at places, community kitchens are organised for the spectators. The credit of introducing rural sports goes to Ludhiana. It was in the early 1930s that some enterprising and affluent people from villages like Kila Raipur, Palatal, Phulanwal, Lalton, Narangwal and Gujjarwal who had been successful transport business in other parts of the country in general and Bengal (Calcutta) in particular, thought of introducing something unique to showcase the hidden talent of their people back home as well as provide them entertainment. Farmers are virtually free between December and March as the wheat ripens and becomes ready for harvest in April. So after irrigating the wheat fields in December, farmers have little else to do. They therefore get busy in not only "sharpening their physical skills" but also getting their cattle and pets ready for competitions. Include farming operations Some of the peculiar and unique events conducted during these festivals are intertwined with farming operations. For example, the loading and unloading of tractor-trailers with farm produce is a major attraction. The tradition of introducing animal events, especially bullock-cart , rehra and tonga races, goes back to the late 1930s and early 1940s as does the practice of camel, horse and dog races and tent-pegging. Earlier, these festivals used to be an exhibition of "individual excellence" as well as "collective excellence", displayed through various sporting events like kabaddi, tug-of-war, lifting of heavy sacks, lifting of heavy stones, pulling of heavy machinery with teeth and lifting of a plough by teeth. The bullock-cart race is a unique sporting event that reflects the understanding between a farmer and the bullocks he uses to plough his field. In a way, it is as difficult as horse riding. But since all farmers cannot afford to keep horses, they have found an indigenous version of the IOC-recognised equestrian sport in bullock cart races. Unbelievable events The use of wooden logs as munglis -- commonly used by wrestlers -- and lifting of wheat or paddy-filled sacks with teeth, pulling loaded tractor-trailers with hair, teeth or allowing a loaded tractor to move over their muscular bellies are some of the "unbelievable" events at these festivals. At places Nihang Singhs, popularly known as Guru ki ladli fauj, also join in to display their skill in horse riding, tent-pegging, gatka and archery. Of late, the appeal of these festivals has travelled across the country and archers from tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttaranchal have also started participating in the Kila Raipur festival. Among the other traditional participants in these rural festivals are Bazigars, who display their acumen in "mal khamb" and rustic gymnastics, an art that is fast disappearing. "Our effort has been to blend tradition with modernity. Way back in the early '30s when we introduced Bhagwant Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, stars like the hockey wizard Dhyan Chand came to Kila Raipur," recalls Sukhvir Grewal, chief organiser of Kila Raipur Mini Olympics. The hockey competition at Kila Raipur and rural sports at the Jharkhar and Dhamout festivals are big crowd-pullers though bullock-cart races and kabaddi remain the most popular events at these festivals. Women participation in these festivals, especially in indigenous events, is negligible. The only time when one can watch girls or women participants is during competitions in regular sports, including track and field, volleyball, basketball, kabaddi and hockey are held. In some such festivals in the Doab, wrestling and weightlifting are major attractions. Unfortunately, many of the rural festivals are on the verge of extinction as the focus has shifted from sports to "akharas", or the folk events. If Sunam was known for boxing since it produced some of the top pugilists of the country, Sansarpur and Mahilpur have remained synonymous with hockey and football. Alamgir in Ludhiana earned laurels in wrestling while some top weightlifters who trained either at Phagwara or Ludhiana (Shan weightlifting centre) have also hogged the headlines. Banga and Sunam have produced some of the top cross-country racers while throwers (athletics) are mostly from Gurdaspur and Jalandhar. These nurseries and some rural sports festivals need a revisit.
Pioneers and legends
Inder Singh Grewal Joginder Singh P.T. Sahib Joginder Singh PT Sahib was a founder member of the Grewal Sports Association; a student of Government College, Ludhiana; studied physical education at YMCA, Madras; Joined as
P.T. at Khalsa School, Kila Raipur. He was the announcer at the Kila
Dalip
S Dalip SIngh Grewal was born and brought up in Kila Raipur. He migrated to Calcutta. With hard work and perseverance set up a transport business and became a successful transporter. He was the guiding force behind the Kila Raipur Sports Festival. In the 1950s he was the first man to give out cash prizes to the participants.
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An engineer by profession, Inder Singh
Grewal, a visionary, was the brain behind the setting up of the Grewal Education Society by including some of his noted contemporaries -- Mehtab Singh, Baba Kishen Singh, Dangal SIngh and Captain Karan SIngh -- to pave way for the setting up of Khalsa High School, the venue where Rural Olympics took their birth. Interestingly, it was Inder Singh
Grewal, who later formed the Grewal Sports Association in 1933 and organised the first Kila Raipur Sports Festival. His three sons Gurcharan Singh, Mehar Singh and Bhajan Singh were well educated. Gurcharan Singh took part in the 1936 Olympics at Berlin and won Gold medal in hockey. Mehar Singh Grewal graduated from Government College, Lahore, represented India in hockey and joined the Punjab civil services and was the president of the Grewal Sports Association for 30 years till 1982.
Raipur Sports Festival from 1933 to 1982. He was a progressive farmer and was honoured by Punjab Agriculture University.