Letters to the Editor: Nov 20, 2018

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November 20, 2018

1) Catholic weddings and customs

Until recent years, the idea of a Catholic marrying outside the faith was practically unheard of. Such weddings took place in private ceremonies in the parish rectory, not in a church sanctuary in front of hundreds of friends and family. These days, many people marry across religious lines. The rate of ecumenical marriages (a Catholic marrying a baptized non-Catholic) and interfaith marriages (a Catholic marrying a non-baptized non-Christian) varies by region.

If the non-Catholic is a baptized Christian (not necessarily Catholic), the marriage is valid as long as the Catholic party obtains official permission from the diocese to enter into the marriage and follows all the stipulations for a Catholic wedding.

A marriage between a Catholic and another Christian is also considered a sacrament. In fact, the church regards all marriages between baptized Christians as sacramental, as long as there are no impediments.

Good-quality marriage preparation is essential in helping couples work through the questions and challenges that will arise after they tie the knot.

Because Catholics regard marriage as a sacred event, the church prefers that ecumenical interfaith couples marry in a Catholic church, preferably the Catholic party’s parish church. If they wish to marry elsewhere, they must get permission from the local bishop. He can permit them to marry in the non-Catholic spouse’s place of worship or another suitable place with a minister, rabbi or civil magistrate – if they have a good reason.

– Jubel D’Cruz

2) Avni controversy seems unwarranted?

Even terrorists are gunned down in self-defence and the tigress Avni controversy is unwarranted. Human life seems to have no value in our country where animal deaths are grieved more vociferously than thousands of innocent whose killings go unsung. The Avni controversy was fuelled by Minister Maneka Gandhi’s tweet who we all know is an animal lover just like we all are. But her comments at times are a publicity stunt and she created a molehill unnecessarily and overlooked that the tigress had killed many innocent lives and was shot down in self-defence.

It is true that man-animal conflicts are unfortunate. We are finishing off our jungles and forests in the greed for development and money. This would result in an ecological disaster, cause famines and floods and diminishing wildlife is just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to a major natural catastrophe in the decades to come. Protecting forests and jungles would automatically end the man-animal conflict and then, why would animals encroach our area when they have peace in their own homes?

– S.N.Kabra

3) Railways must now initiate to ensure cleanliness

Cleanliness on trains and at railway stations is still a paramount factor which needs an urgent attention after passenger safety. The railway administration has made certain arrangements to ensure cleanliness onboard trains including OBHS facility and ‘Clean My Coach’ SMS/helpline facility.

Presently, for the passengers travelling by air-conditioned coaches, a disposable bag is supplied to all the passengers at the originating station. The bag has instructions for the passengers to use it to dump the waste and trash it. No doubt this has been initiated to ensure cleanliness in the coach but such a move to provide a bag is unwarranted. The current arrangement of providing disposable bags is of no help as it cannot be re-used or may not be possible to recycle it.

Hence, the railways should now initiate an alternate strategy to ensure cleanliness by providing mini trash bins in the entire coach. A mini trash bin will help ensure to discard the waste and will otherwise help to save the environment and ensure hygiene.

Hence, the concerned Hon’ble Ministry of Railways and Railway Board are requested to look into this suggestion and implement the environment-friendly measure on trains at the earliest.

– Varun Srinivas

4) Samadhi for Vajpayee contrary to his own ideals

It refers to some media reports that Rashtriya Smriti Sthal where the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was cremated, is now being developed as Samadhi of the departed leader. But it will be in contradiction to the cabinet-note of the year 2000 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister headed the cabinet meeting decided that neither Samadhis of departed leaders would be created nor government bungalows in Leyton Zone of New Delhi would be converted in memorials. Present central government abided by the decision when demand for converting official residence of Choudhary Charansingh as his memorial was boldly turned down.

Undoubtedly, Atal Bihari Vajpayee does command respect in public and politicians cutting across party lines much more than other political leaders, yet breaking his own decision by developing his Samadhi will be against his ideals. Instead, the Central Government can name Rashtriya Smriti Sthal as Atal Smriti for VVIP cremations, in the manner pyre-platform presently used for VVIP cremation at Nigambodh Ghat, Delhi is named after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya when the raised platform was specially developed for cremation of former Jansangh President. It is significant that Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi was also used for the first time for a VVIP cremation of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Rather all samadhis developed after 2000 decision of Union Cabinet like of Dr Sahib Singh Verma should be abandoned with government bungalows converted indirectly as memorials of Babu Jagjiwanram and Kashiram by allotting these to trusts run by their family or followers should be done away by cancelling long lease of trusts in respect of 8 Krishna Menon Marg and 12-14-16 Gurudwara Rakabganj Road in New Delhi.

– Madhu Agrawal

5) ISRO has made the country proud

It is an important milestone for the Indian space programme towards achieving reliance on launching heavier satellites and India slowly and steadily masters rocket science. Heartiest congratulations to ISRO team. We are proud of your every success and failures no matter how big or how small it is. If the rocket is significant for its muscle, satellite GSAT-29 is equally heady. If its transponders are to serve remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East, it also features three hi-tech gadgets — a Q/V-Band communications payload, an optical communication payload and a high-resolution camera. All the three are demonstration gadgets. The first two are used mainly for inter-satellite and space-to-space communications. The significance of the Mark-III is that it considerably reduces India’s dependence on foreign launchers for taking up its heavy satellites. Now that the two developmental launches of the Mark- III have been completed, the rocket has been declared fit for operational runs, the first of which is likely to be in January, for the Chandrayaan-2 moon mission. ISRO has made the country proud.

– Nikhil Krishnan

6) Ram Temple issue – a ploy to win 2019 election

All the propagations by the leaders of Sangh and other organisations, that the government must bring in an ordinance to commence the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya is nothing but a ploy to win the upcoming elections in 2019. It is a reality that the BJP government has failed to fulfil most of its promises which it made in 2014 before it came to power. Whenever the election comes close they raise their voice as once again the Sanghs are raising this issue intentionally to divide the people in the name of religion. The people must understand this “divide and rule” policy and should not let the leaders divide our country.

– Mohd Rahmani

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

We don’t start anything but will stand up for self-respect: Kohli

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Afternoon Voice

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November 20, 2018

India captain Virat Kohli Tuesday said his team has never been the one to start “anything” but will stand up for itself if the line is crossed by the opposition, while defining aggression ahead of the much-anticipated Australia tour’s opening game.

India and Australia will clash in the first T20 International of the three-match series here at the Gabba on Wednesday.

“Aggression depends on how the situation is on field. If the opposition is aggressive towards you then you counter it. India is not a team that starts anything but we always draw a line of self-respect. If that line is crossed we stand up to that,” Kohli said.

“Aggression also means that within team how possessive you are to that situation and as a team how much effort you are putting in for each wicket. You can see that in body language, when bowlers bowl and how long they can keep hitting the same area. Batsmen can be aggressive without saying anything.”

Australian pacer Pate Cummins Sunday refused to buy Kohli’s self-appraisal that he is no longer the one looking for confrontations.

“For me aggression is playing to win and an obsession that I should win every ball for my team. Everyone has a different meaning but for me it means to win the game at any costs and give 120 per cent for my team, whether I am fielding or even clapping for someone while sitting on the bench, or batting, or running between wickets,” he added.

Ahead of a long summer of cricket, India will start as favourites against a weakened Australian side that is missing Steve Smith and David Warner desperately. An appeal to reduce their bans was turned down by Cricket Australia on Tuesday morning.

Kohli said that he expected Australia to challenge on their homesoil nevertheless.

“We all saw what happened. I don’t know exactly what happened before those decisions were taken, but someone in Cricket Australia did make those decisions and honestly it is not my place to comment on it.

“Missing out on two of their best batsmen is not an ideal thing for any team. There is no denying the quality they have in their sides and still have world-class cricketers.

“This Australian team still has the quality to make an impact despite missing their two best batsmen. We will have to be at our best to beat Australia in Australia,” he said.

When asked about the kind of atmosphere he is expecting, the skipper said his team will not take anything for granted “regardless of any situation”.

“You can never underestimate any side, and we have come here to compete against the whole Australian team. We haven’t played Australia after everything that has happened so I cannot really say what the atmosphere is going to be on the ground like.

“We are not thinking about this is the last opportunity to win here. I don’t think that’s the right mind set to have. Our limited overs form has been good so we want to continue that…”

“We don’t want to be a team that wins odd Tests here or there.”

India have won their last seven T20I series, while Australia are yet to beat an opponent of note in this format since the ball-tampering scandal.

“We definitely have a strong side, and I don’t think there is any side in world cricket that does not have any weaknesses. We are striving to figure out what we need to keep working on and take our quality of cricket up. And if we are playing at our best possible level then try to maintain it for as long as possible.

“Those dynamics have allowed us to play the cricket that we are and hopefully we keep building on to that and maintaining our level,” said Kohli.

The skipper said that Bhuvneswar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have played a vital role in India’s limited-overs’ ascension in the last couple years, and outlined that the duo will play as many games as possible before the 2019 ODI World Cup.

“They are thinking bowlers, understand the situation and get a gut feel of what the batsmen are looking to do before bowling. And the ability to predict what is going to happen on each ball is what keeps them ahead of the batsmen most of the times.

“Sometimes they will get dominated like everyone does but I think 85-90 per cent of the time they are spot on because they are always looking how the game is going, how the batsmen are batting, what areas they are hitting at. That’s been their strength.”

He said he has been “lucky” to have them both at his disposal.

“Any captain would love to have them both in their attack and I have been lucky to have them both bowling so well for the team, giving those breakthroughs and in the difficult situations of death overs executing what we want them to.

“From now on it will be difficult for others to step in unless there is a workload issue. Till the World Cup we want our eleven that is going to play together to play as long as possible because there are not many games left.

Scoring brownie points — SC Sabarimala Review

By

C K Subramaniam

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November 20, 2018

This decision to postpone the review to January 22, 2019, only shows how much the court is stubborn with the people and ignorant of the feelings generated. Don’t they understand that the main pilgrimage is just for a few days; almost four crores devotees will visit the place creating unnecessary conflict and heartburn. Are they waiting for a calamity to happen what with an agnostic state government and other political parties waiting to settle scores and gain brownie points? Now it is a thousand dollar question that creates a delay in decision making. Not sure of what is the use of such courts if it cannot solve problems in time but wait for problems to happen and then provide some armchair judgement.

The very same people who hailed the spirit of the Constitution on issues like triple talaq and uniform civil code turned hypocritical when it comes to their own nonsense traditional customs in Sabarimala. The court has made its verdict after 12 years of contemplation and the pro-ban arguments were not sensitive enough to prevail over the constitutional morality of gender equality. It is political opportunism or silly wishful thinking to think that the court would stay such a verdict. Indian people are too medieval to uphold a refined and progressive document such as our constitution. The SC has given a verdict on the basis of gender discrimination irrespective the interest of deity because it does not matter to the SC but here administration should have to ensure to get implemented by all means.

Indian Supreme Court instead of solving issues in the country, it creates more issues and problems and clashes. It is unnecessary that the judiciary to create more problems. It is unacceptable by a common man that the recent Sabarimala judgment. It is not necessary to study Law and to become a judge; it’s common sense to maintain harmony and amicability within and outside the cultural and religious section.

This is a very good decision by the Honourable Supreme Court. The temple is a private property and residential abode of the Hindu Deity. Nobody has the right to interfere with the system and traditions of the Hindus and Hindu deity. In the name of secularism and equally, all try to destroy the Hindus, the Hindu traditions and the Hindu institutions.

The delay will create another law and order mess and provide an opportunity for a few feminists to try and sneak into the temple only to insult the genuine devotees. But most Hindus are now awake to the intrusion of the judiciary in their religious affairs and will defend their culture with determination even if the case drags on for decades. It would be best if the government can introduce a suitable amendment to protect Hindu religious rights. Otherwise, the Supreme Court will erase the centuries-old culture of this country.

The decision of the Supreme Court on many occasions is based on individual judges fantastic feelings and imposed doctrine and not on sound legal provisions and hence its decision is disregarded and not respected. It is common that Judge’s personal comments are not to be appreciated in a democratic country like ours. The Supreme Court will give good judgment in future because our culture and traditional must safe court should not involve any culture.

It’s still a shame that we are fighting for the useless topics at the moment when so much is at stake. The honourable Supreme Court should take an iron hand so that equality should prevail in our society as guaranteed by our constitution. There shouldn’t be any second thoughts.

We personally feel everyone men or women of all age should be allowed in Sabarimala Temple. There was an old custom but there is change now. People have to accept that. As Hindus, we understand that the present situation in the words of Lord Krishna is acceptable if a practice is discriminating someone or causing troublesome section of people that practice must be stopped. Time will change everything. Change is constant. People have to embrace the change. Otherwise, they will be left out in society.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

YES Bank shares slump 6.5% after independent director’s resignation

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Afternoon Voice

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November 20, 2018

Shares of YES Bank on Tuesday slumped 6.5 per cent after independent director Rentala Chandrashekhar put in his papers marking the third resignation from the company’s board.

The stock dived 6.48 per cent to Rs 191.75 on BSE.

At NSE, shares of the company slumped 6.44 per cent to Rs 191.60 apiece.

The stock was the worst hit among the blue chips on both the key indices during the morning trade.

“We would like to inform that Rentala Chandrashekhar, Non-Executive, Independent Director has tendered his resignation from the board of directors of YES Bank on November 19, 2018 with immediate effect,” the bank had said in a filing.

The bank cited personal reasons for Chandrashekhar’s resgnation.

On November 14, the bank’s non-executive chairman Ashok Chawla had resigned as his name figured in a CBI chargesheet filed in the Aircel-Maxis case.

Another independent director Vasant Gujarathi too had tendered his resignation on the same day over audit committee performance issues.

The Reserve Bank has asked the private sector lender to find a replacement for its founder MD and CEO by January 31.

Table report on Maratha quota issue in Maha Assembly: Congress

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 20, 2018

The opposition Congress in Maharashtra on Tuesday demanded that the State Backward Class Commission’s report on Maratha quota issue be immediately tabled in the state Assembly.

On the second day of the Winter Session of the state Legislature, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said there is no clarity on the commission’s report.

The Maharashtra government on Sunday announced the Maratha community will be granted quota under a new category called ‘Socially and Educationally Backward Class’ (SEBC), as per the recommendation of the State Backward Class Commission.

The government is yet to decide the quantum of reservation, though the Marathas are seeking 16 per cent quota.

As the Lower House assembled for the day and Speaker Haribhau Bagade called for the Question Hour, Vikhe Patil asked whether the Maratha quota under the new category will be within the existing 52 per cent reservation in the state or over and above that limit.

“There should be clarity on the government’s stand and the report should have been tabled on the first day of the session on Monday,” the senior Congress leader said.

There is “tremendous unrest” among the Marathas, he claimed.

He said the Maratha community had organised 58 peaceful protest marches for the quota demand and nearly 40 people died for the cause, but it did not move the government.

Vikhe Patil expressed doubt over the government’s credibility in granting social reservation to various communities.

“Our government had given five per cent reservation to Muslims and the court had upheld the decision. But this (BJP-led) government scrapped it,” he said.

Vikhe Patil also hit out at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the issue of granting reservation to the Dhangar (shepherd) community under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

He said in the first Cabinet meeting after coming to power, the BJP-led state government had promised that the Dhangar community would be granted quota.

However, the chief minister is now saying that granting quota to the community falls under the jurisdiction of the Central government, the Congress leader said.

Intervening in the matter, state Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said the reservations granted by the previous government did not stand in court.

“We formed the State Backward Class Commission and did what is constitutionally necessary. This has unsettled the opposition,” he said.

The opposition members went to the speaker’s podium to object to Patil’s remarks.

The speaker then adjourned the House for 30 minutes.

The Maratha community, which constitutes over 30 per cent of the state’s population, has been demanding quota for a long time and its agitation for the same in July and August this year had taken a violent turn.

‘Sabarimala pilgrims treated like Gulag inmates, sleeping near pig droppings’

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 20, 2018

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed the Pinarayi Vijayan government’s handling of the situation in Sabarimala as “disappointing” and accused the Kerala government of treating pilgrims as “Gulag inmates” and making them spend nights next to “pig droppings”.

Asserting that the BJP stood firmly with every Ayyappa devotee who held the Sabarimala tradition close to his heart, Shah said his party would not let the LDF “crush people’s faith with impunity”.

In a series of tweets, Shah said, “If several reports of flushing resting places for devotees and them having to spend nights next to pig droppings and dustbin are true, then Pinarayi Vijayan must realize that he can’t treat Ayyappa devotees like inmates of Gulag. We won’t let LDF crush people’s faith with impunity.”

Gulag was a system of forced labour camps established during Joseph Stalin’s rule in the Soviet Union.

Shah’s comments underlined the BJP’s support to devotees protesting against the state government’s move to implement a Supreme Court order lifting the bar on women of menstruating age from visiting Sabarimala.

The Vijayan government had accused the BJP of politicising the Supreme Court order with the chief minister asserting that it was the job of a government to implement the apex court’s order.

Shah said the way Vijayan’s government was handling the sensitive issue of Sabarimala was disappointing as the “Kerala police is treating young girls, mothers and aged inhumanly, forcing them to take the arduous pilgrimage, without even basic facilities like food, water, shelter and clean toilets”.

“If Pinarayi Vijayan thinks he can rise against people’s movement to preserve Sabarimala by arresting K Surendran, BJP’s Thrissur district president and six others, then he is mistaken,” Shah said.

Zero Tolerance Campaign: Now violate rules at the cost of your driving licence!

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 19, 2018

If you’re one traveller who often prefers being a reckless driver on the roads, the recent traffic department circular to all traffic police branches in the state is something you should be aware of. As per the circular, you might soon end up having your licence of being behind the wheels, suspended for not less than three months, if you’re caught violating the norms.

When it comes to road safety, traffic signal, zebra crossing, and road signs, unfortunately, play an inconsiderable part in our country be it in the metro cities or in the small towns. Though the cities are grooming up with CCTV camera surveillance, the insufficient number of traffic police make it impossible to track rash drivers, use of mobile phone while driving, not using seat belt or even traffic signal breakers! And, as we all know, the mere penalty doesn’t deter the offenders.

The three-year-old government resolution (GR) is now all set to become a reality to diligently implementing a ‘zero tolerance’ campaign to put an end to fatal accidents on roads. As per the directives issued by the State Additional Director General (Traffic), the traffic police will now be authorised to forward driving licences of the traffic offenders to the RTO for suspension. The campaign is set in motion on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the department plans to initiate on other highways as well on an urgent note.

Hiral Shah, a digital marketing professional from Mumbai asserted, “In my opinion, Traffic Department has passed a stringent and much-required order for the safety of the citizens. We see many young riders who go without a helmet, jump signals, and become troublemakers on the roads. They somehow do not care for their own lives, as well as others. The Traffic department might face problems related to bribery since these rash drivers have many “chacha vidhayaks” to get things done using the power of money.”

Even in 2015, the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety headed by Justice KS Radhakrishnan directed all the states and the union territories to suspend the licence of all traffic rule violators for a minimum of three months. The panel stated, “Unless strong and urgent measures are taken to deal with speeding, drunken driving, red light jumping, violation of helmet laws and seat belt laws, the use of mobile phones while driving, and overloading, the number of accidents and fatalities will continue to remain high.” In case of traffic rule violations by the two-wheeler riders, the panel asked to make helmet laws mandatory for the main rider and the pillion rider besides deciding that the offender will be imposed a fine as prescribed under the Motor Vehicle Act and subject to a two hour Road Safety Education and Counselling session. However, the enforcement of the same has remained a massive disappointment so far.

On the condition of anonymity, a daily commuter in the city expressed, “Such an action is needed but a sudden suspension isn’t a viable solution as it would only lead to increased cases of people driving with challans as they won’t change their mode of travelling for that time period. Digital Memos can be issued to the ones breaking the law which would be linked directly with the driver’s license which would help monitor a person’s action till date. After three such memos, a permanent suspension of the licence can be an option.”

Nonetheless, the six violations that are mentioned in the GR passed in Maharashtra are speeding, drink driving, jumping signals, talking on the phone while driving, ferrying passengers in a commercial vehicle and overloading a commercial vehicle. Moreover, the chiefs of the police stations and highway police across the state are instructed to initiate speedy actions on the complaints and send a weekly report to the KS Radhakrishnan-led panel.

As per reports, Maharashtra reported more than 35,800 road crashes and around 13,000 fatalities in 2017. Post the SC panel instruction, even the Traffic department officials are found expressing disappointment that the RTOs are receiving a very negligible number of driving licenses for suspension. The decision to release the circular came out after the highway police officers had a discussion on Saturday with road safety activists on factors that lead to fatal crashes on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. While the discussion was around how to tackle traffic rule violations like zigzag driving or lane changing, illegal parking, excessive speeding, and non-usage of seat-belts, the recently released circular further stated, “Every traffic police branch is instructed to forward maximum licences for suspension where offenders have committed any of the six types of violations specified. An action report has to be compiled by the state traffic department and subsequently sent to the SC-appointed committee.”

Jay Shah, another commuter said, “I think it’s a good move by the traffic department but the main issue is that people don’t follow the rules. We have seen in many cities that people, without licences, have been driving vehicles. Even if this is implemented, it will be hardly followed for some days or maybe months. But after that, it will be the same old story. A full-proof planning is needed before implementing any of these rules on a full fledge. However, traffic leads to delay in reaching your destination; hence, at times people are left with no option but to violate the rules like jumping the signals and rash driving.”

Follow traffic rules and be a responsible citizen of India

By

Vaidehi Taman

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November 19, 2018

The Mumbai police especially their Twitter handle often comes up with interesting ways of reminding people to follow the traffic rules. They have announced that the driving licences can be suspended for three months if the driver jumps the red signal or talk on the mobile while driving or riding a two-wheeler. This is not the first time that such rules are passed, the repeated warnings indicate that neither the people take the rules seriously nor the traffic cops those who are corrupt. In India, we don’t follow traffic rules strictly because we have seen other person who never follows and never get caught or punished. The Government, Media, and the Police department are making adequate efforts in creating the required awareness about road safety. But still, people risk their lives by not abiding the rules. Traffic signs are the silent speakers on the road. Be it the person behind the wheel or a pedestrian, having a sound knowledge about road safety is absolutely necessary for all before hitting the roads. Traffic signs give information about the road conditions ahead, provide instructions to be followed at the major crossroads or junctions, warn or guide drivers, and ensure proper functioning of road traffic. Being unaware of road signs is akin to throwing caution to the wind. By not following rules and signs leads to the loss of life and property.

We need to realise that the traffic rules are for us, and not for the policemen. We have to follow these rules; we have to save our lives and the lives of others. We just can’t blame the government for everything. Your life is precious; don’t lose it just to gain a minute. There are a lot of people who dislike authority and the traffic rules are a type of authority. These people will not only disobey traffic laws, but they will also most likely disobey other laws as well.

Other people have a Type A personality and are always in a hurry to get nowhere. These people will constantly disobey speed laws, run red lights, etc. as they are so self-important and self-absorbed that they just don’t care about others on the road. These people also tend to leave the scene of accidents. In my opinion, they are the most dangerous drivers on the road. Those who don’t follow traffic rules tend to be less respectful of the authority. Others who disobey the traffic rules merely are impatient, like instances when they see no car or person on the other side, while there’s a red light. Some find it thrilling to break rules, whether traffic-related or not. This is common in teenagers who are trying to get an adrenaline high.

You might read many articles on how ‘bad’ drivers in India are and how rules do not exist outside of the regional transport offices. Some of them were fun when I read about the “Sudden Brake Bus”, “All lanes are my lanes – Auto Rickshaw” or even “I won’t stop honking until I get my way – bikers”.

When one person out of 10 follows them, maybe a couple of others will try this the next time. Indians are good historically, and we only need good examples than bad and we will follow them. The rules here are not new but constant reminders are to save your lives and make you safe while on the road.

A very simple thing to understand is that the Pedestrians have the right of way and at any place where there are no pedestrian crossings, the drivers need to respect this more. Think of this from the other person’s shoes and you will realise the hardship faced by the pedestrians to cross the road.

Do not park your vehicles in a manner that will obstruct traffic. It may be for a small duration but look for a proper parking space always. You might end up spending five more minutes, but definitely worth the effort in saving so much of time for other fellow drivers who were behind us. We are never on race on our roads and it should not bother you if the other person overtakes you. No, not that you should slow down for every traffic to go past you, but never try to put another person in trouble just because they overtake.

Let’s look at it this way. With a lot more people honking, you may put the person in front of you to pressure and find him not able to start moving. Let’s be fair, and give a few moments of time for someone in front of us to move. If it is a one way – let it mean the same. Even for a short 10-20 feet, let’s not break this.

Let’s plan our travel and avoid switching lanes without notice. On a busy street, I notice one-person switching lane without a proper plan or notice is affecting about six vehicles around him. This is a lot, let’s be a bit more civic here. Let’s only take U-turns after checking out traffic behind us. If we see a lot of traffic behind us, let’s make sure we move left completely and allow vehicles to pass. We will then take a U-turn when the traffic reduces.

Let us know our hand signals and follow them wherever possible. This usually helps the person behind us. We can get to some other websites to check out hand signals that we can make use of. Let us respect traffic signs and traffic police. We should never try to outsmart these since they are there for a reason. Following traffic signs is one single largest reason to make our roads better. Unfortunately, most of us don’t do that sometimes. But let us change. We should never over speed inside city limits however good condition our roads are in. The risk of trying to be fast and quick is high and the time we saved in this is definitely not worth this risk. We see a lot of posters on this on the road; it’s time we take notice of this. That is it, very simple ones to keep in mind when we ride/drive. By ensuring Traffic rules and simple things you can inspire many citizens to follow you.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Maha govt’s Maratha quota stand ambiguous: Congress

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 19, 2018

The Congress in Maharashtra on Monday demanded the Maratha community be given reservation in jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a separate category for the purpose.

On the first day of the winter session of the state legislature here, the Congress raised the demand for reservation for the Dhangar (Shepherd) community and Muslims even as it termed “ambiguous” the government’s stand on the Maratha quota.

“The government’s stand on the Maratha quota is ambiguous. The Marathas, Dhangars and Muslims are feeling betrayed by the government’s stand,” Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil told reporters on the premises of legislature complex.

They also raised the issues of “poor implementation” of the farm loan waiver, which was announced by the state government last year, and demanded separate quotas for Muslims and the Dhangar community.

The Maharashtra government on Sunday announced the Maratha community will be granted quota under a new category called ‘Socially and Educationally Backward Class’ (SEBC) as per the recommendation of the State Backward Class Commission.

The government is yet to decide the quantum of reservation, though the Marathas are seeking 16 per cent quota.

“The assurance of chief minister Devendra Fadnavison accepting the recommendation of the State Backward Class Commission(SBCC) and providing reservation to Marathas under the SEBC categoryis not enough,” said Vikhe Patil.

He said the state government should have created a sub-category under the OBCgrouping without hurting their existing reservation and provided 16 per cent quota to Marathas.

“The Maratha community had organised 58 peaceful protest marches for the quota demand. Nearly 40 people became martyrs for the cause. Still the community has not got justice,” alleged the Congress leader.

He contended that the Maratha community would not get benefit ofreservation in administrative service in the Central government, as they are not classified under the OBC group.

“Marathas won’t even be able to contestgram panchayat elections (due to their classification under SEBC). The government has also not announced the exact quantum of Maratha quota. This means the intentions of the government are not clear,” said the leader of opposition.

He said that the Opposition is willing to support the government on the issue of reservation, but the ruling dispensation lacked will power to implement quota.

Vikhe Patil also accused the Chief Minister of taking a “U-turn” on the issue of granting reservation to the Dhangar community under Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

“Before the assembly elections in 2014, the BJP had promised that the Dhangar community would be granted quota in the first Cabinet meeting itself of the new government.

“However, the CM is now saying that granting quota to the community falls under the jurisdiction of the Central government,” he said.

Vikhe Patil also said the erstwhile Congress government had given 5 per cent reservation to Muslims, which was upheld by the High Court.

“The government is silent onreservations for Muslims and Lingayats. The government’s stand on social reservations is highly suspicious,” he said.

Bhima Koregaon case: Activist Varavara Rao hospitalised

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 19, 2018

Activist Varavara Rao, who was recently arrested for his alleged involvement in the Bhima Koregaon violence case, has been hospitalised.

Rao, who was arrested at the end of his house arrest on Saturday, was taken to Sassoon Hospital after he complained of difficulty in breathing.

A Sessions Court in Pune, on Sunday, had sent the activist to police custody till November 26 in connection with the violence that broke out in January this year during an event organised to commemorate 200 years of the Bhima Koregaon battle.

Apart from Rao, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, and activists Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira and Gautam Navlakha were also detained on August 28 from various cities for their alleged involvement in the case.