Over six decades after Independence, just 12 pc women in Parliament!

Over six decades after Independence, just 12 pc women in Parliament!

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Monday, 7 March 2016 AT 09:54 PM IST

    

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5177936560416191142&SectionId=4861338933482912746&SectionName=Blog&NewsTitle=Over%20six%20decades%20after%20Independence,%20just%2012%20pc%20women%20in%20Parliament

Camil Parkhe, Parliament, women, women's quota, Reservation, Maharashtra

Women power: PM Narendra Modi greets delegates after the valedictory session of the National Conference of Women Legislators

One experiences a rare kind of bonhomie when women Members of Parliament belonging to various political parties come together. This was noticed when these women members came together last week as a part of the national conference of women legislators. And as has been the case with all other such meets in the past, this convention too has once again brought the issue of women’s quota in Parliament to the fore. President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari have stressed on the need for all political parties to arrive at a consensus to pass the long pending Bill on Women’s Reservation for Parliament and state legislature seats.
Incidentally, Maharashtra was one of the first states in the country in early 1990s to implement the provision of 33% seats for women in local self-government bodies. This revolutionary provision was implemented when Sharad Pawar was the State chief minister. The first elections for civic bodies with the 33% quota for women were held in Kolhapur Municipal Corporation. I remember camping in Kolhapur along with representatives of various dailies to cover this one of the first such elections in the country. There were many apprehensions whether this experiment will ever be successful in achieving its avowed aim of politically empowering women or whether the men in the families will continue to rule by proxy despite the rule on women’s quota.
Three decades have passed since 33% quota for women in local self-government bodies came into the force. A few years ago, the women’s quota was enhanced to 50%, providing representation to a large number of women in decision making at the local civic bodies. India perhaps may be the first country in the world to reserve 50 per cent seats for women in local self-government bodies. However even six decades after Independence, the percentage of women in Parliament has remained less than 12%. Comparatively, Pakistan and Bangladesh have higher representation in their national assemblies.
Unfortunately the issue of providing quota for women in Parliament and state assemblies has been pending in the Lok Sabha for many years although the same Bill has already been passed in the Rajya Sabha. In the previous House, the issue of the women’s quota in its given form was mainly opposed by the Socialist leaders namely Mulayam Singh Yadav, and others while both the UPA government and the then main opposition party BJP both competed with each other in paying lip sympathy for the woman’s quota.
Now with the change of guard at the Centre, the roles in the Lok Sabha have been reversed. This is also for the first time in three decades that the ruling party at the Centre enjoys a simple majority. Surprisingly there has been a deafening silence on the issue of providing for women’s quota in Parliament and state assemblies since the change of power at the Centre. Neither the ruling NDA coalition nor the Opposition parties have ever raised this issue either in the House or outside.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari have now raised the issue of women’s quota. The ongoing debate on JNU, nationalism, sedition and intolerance in the country is likely to  continue for a longer period. The ruling and opposition parties will earn the kudos of women, the country’s nearly half population, if they arrive at a consensus to provide some percentage of reservation to women in Parliament and state legislatures.
The political parties have already wasted many years on this issue. Now they need to muster the political will and work to ensure that the next general elections will be held to have an adequate number of women lawmakers in both Houses of Parliament.

All minorities must be taken along

All minorities must be taken along

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Saturday, 5 March 2016 AT 07:42 PM IST

    

Camil Parkhe, Narendra Modi-led BJP, Rajiv Gandhi, Congress, minority representative, Maharashtra,BJP-Shiv Sena alliance

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5535046433692228936&SectionId=4861338933482912746&SectionName=Blog&NewsDate=20160305&NewsTitle=All%20minorities%20must%20be%20taken%20along

Narendra Modi-led BJP came to power in May 2014 and the party won the distinction of forming the government on its own for the first time after a long gap of 30 years. It was Rajiv Gandhi of the Congress who had won a two-third majority in Lok Sabha in 1984 and formed the government.

The present BJP government also has a dubious distinction. Since Independence, it is the first ruling party at the Centre which does not have a single Muslim member among its 282 Lok Sabha members! That is why the party was forced to induct the party’s
Muslim Rajya Sabha members, Najma Heptullah and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi into the Union ministry to make it as all inclusive. This was indeed laudatory on the part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In Maharashtra, the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has however not shown this political maturity. For the first time since Maharashtra came into existence in 1960, there is no minority representative in the state ministry. In the past when the Shiv Sena-BJP government came to power in 1995, Sabir Shaikh, an MLA from Junnar, was inducted as Cabinet minister. But this time, neither the BJP nor the Shiv Sena found it necessary to induct any minority leader into the State ministry. The State ruling group has once again shown its scant respect for the country’s secular principles when it has excluded any member of the minority community in the State ministry. In keeping with this policy, now the government has also excluded any members of the Muslim community from the list of veteran national leaders, personalities whose birth and death anniversaries are to be commemorated by the government organisations and academic institutions. Incidentally, the Muslims comprise 10-12 per cent of the State population.

The BJP came to power when its Prime Ministerial candidate made good governance and development as his main election plank. To be fair, it must be noted that even after assuming power as the prime minister, Modi has in his various speeches and actions has adhered to these promises. In Maharashtra, however the BJP has initiated many moves creating insecurity in the minds of the minority communities. In fact, after coming to power, both the BJP and Shiv Sena should have made endeavours to win confidence of all sections of society in order to broaden their vote bank and thus consolidate their power to win long-term political benefits.

It has been proved that there are limitations on a party winning even a simple majority in Lok Sabha on the Hindutva plank and therefore an all-inclusive agenda, appealing to cross-sections of the electorate is needed for any political party to come to power at the Centre. As Hindutva organisations, BJP and Shiv Sena may have their own agenda toward the minorities but as the ruling group and the governing agency, they need to follow the Raj Dharma and work in the interests of all sections of the state’s population.

Instead of targeting the minorities, both parties in the ruling group need to woo the minorities into their own respective political camps. That will be a politically mature move and will pay them rich political dividends in the long term.

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ehamVrb JmodZ g_mOmZo Hw$Qw>§~mV, ZmVbJm§V Am{U {_Ìm§er H$moH$Ur ^mfoV ~mobyZ Amnbr hr ^mfm OVZ Ho$br Amho. Jmoì`mV {¼ñVr Y_©àgmamV _hÎdmMr ^y{_H$m H$aUmao g|Q> \$mpÝgg Po{d`a ho `m Jmo_§VH$s` g_mOmM§ à_wI lÕmñWmZ. `m "Jmo`§À`m gm`~m'M`m 3 {S>g|~aÀ`m gUmbm hm g_mO MM©_Ü`o _moR>çm g§»`oZo CnpñWV AgVmo. nwUo H°$ånmV "nyZm JmodZ BpÝñQ>Q>çyQ>' BWo hmoUmè`m AZoH$ g^m-g_ma§^m§V ehamVrb Jmo_§VH$s` {¼ñVr g_mO AmdOy©Z CnpñWV amhVmo. {¼ñVr Jmo_§VH$s` g§ñH¥$VrVrb AZoH$ CËgd BWo CËgmhnyd©H$ gmOao Ho$bo OmVmV. nwUo H°$ånmVrb E_. Or. amoS>nmer H$mhr XþH$mZ§ JmodZ qH$dm {¼ñVr g_mOmÀ`m g§ñH¥$Vrer {ZJ{S>V Agboë`m {d{dY MmbrarV, ñZmZg§ñH$ma qH$dm nwÊ`ñ_aU `mgma»`m {dYtgmR>r bmJUma§ {d{dY gm{hË`, CnH$aU§ nwadV AgVmV. ZmVminydu Va H°$ånmVrb AZoH$ XþH$mZ§ `m gUmgmR>r AJXr gObobr AgVmV. ZmVmiMm Img \$sb AZw^dÊ`mgmR>r, Ë`m \o$pñQ>ìh _yS>_Ü`o OmÊ`mgmR>r AZoH$ {~Ja{¼ñVr Hw$Qw>§~§ Amnë`m bhmZ _wbm§gh H°$ånMm \o$a\$Q>H$m _maVmV, Vmo Ho$di `mgmR>rM.
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When in Goa, dig into Goan Pav Bhaji!

When in Goa, dig into Goan Pav Bhaji!

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Tuesday, 5 January 2016 AT 08:11 PM IST

    

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=4833843097527707162&SectionId=5131376722999570563&SectionName=Features&NewsTitle=When%20in%20Goa,%20dig%20into%20Goan%20Pav%20Bhaji

Goa, Camil Parkhe, Goan Pav Bhaji, Panjim-Miramar riverfront, food, Mandavi river

When I am in Goa, there are some things I would not miss: a walk along the Panjim-Miramar riverfront, and on my way back digging into authentic Goan Pav Bhaji!

Early morning, I slip into my walking shoes and head from the Palace (Old Secretariat building) to Miramar beach, a four-km long stretch along the banks of the Mandavi river.

On one side, there are old one-storeyed buildings and bungalows (especially in Campala area) and on the other bank is the Mandavi river surging to merge into the Arabian Sea.

From Kala Academy complex, there is a long stretch of open land till Miramar beach which has been especially reserved for sports and cultural activities. Here we can spot sportspersons — footballers, cricketers, athletes — perfecting their skills on the ground. Not much has changed along this stretch since I was a student at Dhempe College of Arts and Science.

After spending sometime at the Miramar beach, I head back in the opposite direction. But this time in a local bus to a local joint to grab a bite of Goan Pav Bhaji. This is what I look forward to most when I’m holidaying in the beach state!  I usually order a Patal Bhaji, my first preference. The Batata or Potato Bhaji is my second choice. In Goa, we can choose from a variety of breads to eat the Bhaji with. There is the common variety of soft Pav which is also available outside Goa, then there is Undo, a square-sized crisp variety of loaf, or the Poi, the flat and round variety.

Coming back to Patal Bhaji, it is not liquid as the name suggests. It is a thick gravy of well-cooked green or white peas. Potato Bhaji, as compared to Patal, is liquid with tomatoes added to it. The third variety, called Mixed Bhaji, combines the two variants.

One has to visit the restaurants or hotels run by the Goenkars if you want to savour the Goan varieties of Pav Bhaji.  The best part is that the dish tastes the same at any joint in Panjim, Mapusa or anyother part of the state – provided it’s run by the local populace and not by the migrants settled in Goa. In the Udupi joints, the taste will be different and the ingredients too may differ. Therefore I prefer to walk a few extra meters to search for the authentic food joints to enjoy a good breakfast.

If you have a good appetite, along with Pav Bhaji, you may also order other local delicacies of Batata Wada, Green Chilli Bhajji (pakodas), which might sustain you till afternoon.

A good swim at a nearby beach may help you to lose the extra calories, if you are a diet conscious person. However, I would suggest that the issue of calories should be ignored if you are holidaying in Goa. 

See also

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/CricketCarnival/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=4818806334451718027&SectionId=4861338933482912746&SectionName=Blog&NewsDate=20150511&Provider=CAMIL%20PARKHE&NewsTitle=Reminiscences%20of%20the%20Goan%20Pao

Charismatic, youth conventions inaugurated in Pimpri Chinchwad

Charismatic, youth  conventions inaugurated in Pimpri Chinchwad

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Wednesday, 11 November 2015 AT 11:20 PM IST

    

16th national Catholic charismatic convention, ‘Kairos Youth Convention 2015

Pimpri: Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), has highlighted the plurality of the country and said it was sacred obligation of all people to cooperate with society, irrespective of language, caste or religion.

Cardinal Cleemis, head of the apex body of the Catholic church in the country, was speaking at the inauguration of the four-day long 16th national Catholic charismatic convention and ‘Kairos Youth Convention 2015’ at St Ursula School grounds in Nigdi on Wednesday morning.

Cardinal Cleemis said, “India is a sacred land having saints, martyrs and living saints of various communities and a land, which offers the world a plurality of divine.”

The CBCI chief urged the gathering not to be exclusive but to be inclusive to serve all who are created in the image of God.
The two national conventions are being attended by a large number of Catholics including priests and nuns from different parts of the country.

The charismatic convention is being held at St Ursula School while the youth convention is being held at St Andrew’s School in Chinchwad. This is the first time that the two-national level conventions are being held in the same city simultaneously.

In his address, Pune district Guardian Minister Girish Bapat who welcomed delegates from different states in the country said that true religion is the one, which preaches spreading love to everyone in the whole world. “All religious shrines, be it temple, church or Gurudwara, are dwellings of God. People should experience God who lives among the poor,” he said.

Archbishop Salvatore Pennachhio, the apostolic nuncio in India, Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre and Silven Miranda, chairman of the local service team, also spoke at the event. The inaugural ceremony was attended by MP Shrirang Barne, MLA Laxman Jagtap, Bishop emeritus Valerian D’Souza.
Shirish Sebastian was the coordinator for the two conventions.

Church will host youth, charismatic conventions in Pune

Church will host youth, charismatic convention

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Monday, 2 November 2015 AT 11:51 PM IST

    

Kairos National Youth Convention, 16th national Catholic Charismatic Convention

Pune: Over 7,000 delegates from all over India will attend the Kairos National Youth Convention and the 16th national Catholic Charismatic Convention to be held simultaneously at St Ursula School in Nigdi and St Andrew’s School in Chinchwad, from November 11 to 14.

The Vatican Ambassador to India, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, will inaugurate the two conventions in the presence of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) President Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre, Emeritus Bishop Valerian D’Souza and Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios.

“This is for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church in India that these two national events are organised simultaneously in one city,” said Meerut’s Bishop Francis Kalist, who is Episcopal Advisor to the two events. Few activities are common for both conventions and some are planned at the respective venues.

The delegates coming from various parts of the country will be accommodated at the residences of members of various Catholic parishes in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad and also in institutions run by the Church.

Shirish Sebastian, co-ordinator for the two events, told Sakal Times that the local Catholics and the Church authorities have been planning for the two conventions for the past two years. 

Returning of awards has a tradition!

Returning of awards has a tradition!

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Thursday, 15 October 2015 AT 09:08 AM IST

    

Camil Parkhe, blog, Indira Gandhi, Operation Blue Star, Golden Temple, Khushwant Singh, Padma Shri, returning awards
http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=4913465897162652784&SectionId=4861338933482912746&SectionName=Blog&NewsTitle=Returning%20of%20awards%20has%20a%20tradition

When Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star to flush out terrorists from the Golden Temple, senior editor and  die-hard loyalist Khushwant Singh returned his Padma Shri to protest against desecration of the Sikh shrine. I was then working in a Panaji-based newspaper and I remember we journalists had a heated discussion that evening on the issue whether the news merited  front page space. Most of us opined that Operation Blue Star was justified and there was no need to glorify Khushwant’s action.

However, the editor’s veto prevailed – he was trained under Khushwant Singh in the ‘Illustrated Weekly of India’ – and the news was carried on page one.

Khushwant Singh perhaps was the first person to return his Padma Shri. In early 1990s, anti-corruption crusader and social activist Anna Hazare had also threatened to return his Padma Shri to protest against the government policies.

Prior to Operation Blue Star, India had witnessed a dark period in the form of Emergency and yet at that time no one returned their awards instituted by the government or by bodies appointed by the government. At that time, Marathi writer and research scholar Durga Bhagwat had given a call to littérateurs not to share dais with the ruling politicians or shun government funds for hosting literary conferences as a sign of protest against the government.

The present spree of veteran writers in the country returning their literary and other laurels to protest against the increasing intolerance and the passive role of the government has once again brought the intelligentsia and the government face to face.

There is indeed a marked difference in the situation prevailing during the Emergency and now. The present government has been duly elected with popular support and it has mandate to rule for its full term.  During the era of pro and anti-Mandal agitations, the atmosphere in the country was charged with people fiercely supporting or opposing the quota rule. So much so that there was a spurt in youngsters attempting self-immolations to protest against the reservation system.

It would be easier to label the writers and others returning their Sahitya Akademi and other laurels as ‘anti-Modi’ or ‘pseudo-secular’ people and skirt the main issue. Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has almost done that. But the government authorities need to take into consideration that some of these protesting members of intelligentsia may have supported Narendra Modi when he only spoke of ‘development’ in his Lok Sabha poll campaign. The people in the country had then not imagined the scenario they are experiencing now. Considering this, the government needs to seriously consider the concerns being expressed by the dissenting writers and immediately undertake the remedial measures.