Are we taking our children seriously

To be honest, there is a new trend in lifestyle. The issues we talk about most is what we enjoy violating. Like, everyone has something to contribute on the subject of traffic management, but always look at others to obey. The recent, in vogue, is the issue of child rights. Given a chance, each one of us would like to give our piece of mind on protecting child rights, but turn our back to actual situations. The latest to add to the list on child right issue is 'Child Soldiers'. Knowingly or unknowingly, deliberately or unintentionally, willingly or unwillingly, we have started using children as shields to many of our nefarious activities. Their innocence and ignorance is being used by us, adults, to our benefit. I have been deliberately using the word 'us' so as to project the issue in all context, from all perspective. I am presuming myself to be in all roles; as a common man, as a law enforcer and also as a law violator. To be honest, I have worn all those shoes, at one point or other.

'Child Soldiers' does not construe child taking up fire arms and going on front to fight their foes. It is not just children's being direct combatants. It includes all those jobs which assists in combat situation. They are used as mercenaries, messengers, spies, intelligence gatherers, logistic carriers, supply providers etc etc. They are safest mode, tools and instruments, as still we have not come out of traditional mindset of perceiving children as innocent. But, are we realizing that by engaging them in all above said ways, we are soon (dis)-orienting the other parties to change their stand and start looking children, as well, with suspicion. In kashmir, the law enforcement agencies have started doubting children's birthright of innocence and ignorance. Even in red-corridor areas and North-Eastern States, law enforcers are gradually changing their glasses to have a different picture of children. Similarly, the other party, the anti-government combatants, have shifted their view on children after State machinery started involving children as Special Police Officers (SPOs). I have tried to draw a picture of situation prevailing in our country so that we relate to it easily. Identical situation has evolved in all parts of world, be it developed, developing or under-developed countries. African countries, like Congo, Nigeria; Afghanistan in Asia, Bosnia and Kosovo in Europe and others have been facing this problem for long now. Recent outbursts and protests in all revolutionary countries fighting for change witnessed similar upsurge in children's overt involvement in adults game. The looting pictures in UK has depicted that Western countries is no exception.

This trend has its own perils. Children will no more be chidren; We wont anymore treat them as children; and we are booking ourselves into a dangerous future.

Bygone are the days when the parents would ask children to quit room when contentious issues were discussed within family. They did not want their children to be party in any of adult politics, and now we dont mind their indulgence in issues leading to bloodshed. I think this miserable trend is an evolution in humankind, very similar to shifting of puberty age to pre-teen years.

It is high time we mend our ways or else we will jeopardize our future.

Baba Ramdev's statement on corruption

Baba Ramdev trying to create a parallel power structure decided to drift away from the earlier stand to support Anna. Are they serious about the issue. I think it is not matter of corruption... it is politicizing corruption. Why the need for second forum, why this struggle of main bada ki tu bada... why difference of opinion to prove might over right....why disrespecting peoples movement and attempt to hijack it for vested interest. Are we, common people fools to overlook this, or ignorant and naive to unread it, or our feelings of no significance and meaningless vulnerable to be toyed by these so called common person's messiah's.....So, we are heading for some more politicians to join the bandwagon of "all said and nothing done".......I have nothing against anyone but I detest the way we are treated-pure morons!

Hail Blog!

“Do I have the privilege to think loud”, I thought silently. Most of the peoples right of expression and speech is challenged, overtly or covertly since childhood, not for that they have grown in some conservative setting but because the hierarchical society structure do not appreciate loudness. Writing is a way to vent out, but penning down and unable to share is like thinking loud in washroom with all taps noisily flowing to suppress hearing. Not all have the chance and pleasure to be published and read. Here is where blogging came to the rescue of this big chunk of populace giving them opportunity to uncap the lid for pent up feelings to flow. It exposed bloggers to wider perspective on issues, trivial and important. Responses and re-responses added spices, value adding in flavor of content. It is a big stress-buster with blogger moving high-headed with sense of being heard and feeling of achievement. It is a communicative mode which is easy, cheap, fast, non-hierarchical, bereft of social discrimination, encouraging creativity, innovativeness and appreciating one’s initiative (with freedom to choose subject to write on). Now, one has the prerogative to think loud or silently. A revolution for social change is on anvil and blog can serve in mobilizing for it to fructify. What change? may be the big question. The change is the desire to be heard, to express which would ultimately lead to less tolerance to shabby treatment we are accustomed to. Blogging will pave way for the revolution to take shape, become reality, making the delivering agents responsible and accountable. Hail Bloggers and Blogging space.

Community Policing: A new perspective

Why do we talk about community policing. Is it not showcasing what actually police are supposed to do or have been doing for generations. Why is there need to put old wine in new bottle and market it as great innovation. Is community policing that we discuss anyway different from traditional policing.

Community policing words hence catches me off guard. I feel little out of place in explaining verbatim these two words, and needing them to bring together through this concept. To me the very definition of community policing sounds so familiar, a jugglery of words, states the traditional work in new format. There are just two words in this concept ‘community’ and ‘police’. Community policing is an attempt to establish collaboration between the two. With the police no longer the sole guardians of law and order, all members of the community become active partners in the effort to enhance the safety and quality of neighborhoods. Community policing has far-reaching implications.

To fructify the extended outlook on crime control and prevention, to meet the new emphasis on making community members active participants in the process of problem solving, and to establish the constabulary / officers’ critical role in community policing, there is need for intensive changes within the police organization. The neighborhood patrol police officers, backed by the organizational support, helps community members mobilize support and resources to solve problems and improve their quality of life. Community members voice their concern, contribute suggestion and collaboratively take action to address the problem. Creating a constructive partnership will require the energy, creativity, understanding, and patience of all involved.

Here I would go to the extent of saying that the very existence of police is due to community. They are both in my opinion inseparable and their association is indispensable, and has been ever so. The police stations will run out of job if the community stops to participate. If they stop complaining, registering cases, providing evidences, becoming witnesses, police existence will be at stake. That will give rise to a big problem of identity crisis for the police. Hence, it implies that for all these years the police have survived merely because of community support. Then the million dollar question is why talk about community policing when both have been there, supporting each other, being together. Why coin a new word community policing when the community and police have been together since its inception. Why not just plug the holes in the system wanting attention. Can’t the attitudinal problem on either side be corrected and collaboration and participation established.

The partnership, which is innate, has become more of a coercive one. The companionship is selective and there is lack of willingness on either part to participate. Over the years, both the natural partners have gone astray, drifted away from their necessary role, resulting into widening of the gap and requiring immediate intervention to bridge it at the earliest. It is in best interest of both to join hands. The mind set of alienation has to be changed. Development of mind-set means that the new experience become very real, very important, almost vital. A new mindset in favour of partnership and participation has to be ascertained. If one becomes alert to the new mindset one will begin to live in a new and different atmosphere and try to achieve the goal as planned. The interest behind this book has been to agitate the mind of both community and police about the need to rejuvenate the lost fervor of partnership, to synergize their actions and, plan and work together for a common goal. Unless this realization does not seep in, become the mindset, no honest attempt in the desired area can be made.

For the concept to become a mindset it is necessary to have Conceptual Literacy (CL) of the parties. Conceptual literacy indicates that the knowledge of the concept should precede action. Conceptual literacy increases adaptability to changes. With more situation changing on daily basis, technological changes knocking doorstep, more opportunities and challenges being thrown open, only the conceptual literacy comes to the rescue. It prepares to adapt to changes. Conceptual literacy also helps in strategizing the energy investment. Energy investment strategy (EIS) is a method to optimize the outcome from investment of energy. Energy here includes the efforts put in for planning, developing, implementation, collaboration, evaluation and refurbishing. CL and EIS are complementary to each other.

Acceptance without conviction is a mental impediment and a blockade to implementation. The Law of Belief says: Whatever you believe, with conviction, becomes your reality. A person always acts in a manner consistent with one’s deepest and most intensely held beliefs, whether they are true or not. All ones beliefs are learned and at one time they did not have it.

Without a proper mindset normally the statement coming from field officers in the organization, are like “It is too much hassle”, “I would like to do what I am interested in”, “I am not interested in doing it but I am doing it because my bosses want me to”. In police, the culture developed is to dance to the music of superiors without an attempt to understand the implications. There is lack of conviction at implementation stage and confidence missing about the outcome. Unless a person is motivated to and willing to change, it is hard to change. The attitude required in the job is “work to learn-don’t work for money”. Especially, this illustrates the challenges, dilemmas, fears, perceptions and realities of shifting policing emphasis. This also points to the organizational realities and to the roles that individuals in the organization has to play. This also presents that decentralization of power and having faith in the real executors will energize a routinized police officer and pep him up.

The reason for such attitudinal hassles has been the intuitive approach[1] in policy decisions adopted by seniors. They think that they are the best judge to decide upon the operational intricacies at the ground level without bothering to collect data from field. Even their hierarchical rigidity and attitudinal stubbornness (as described by theory X by Douglas McGregor[2]) gives rise to the communication gap.

Time has come when precision policing techniques (PPT) must be used. The approach towards policing has to be more decentralized and localized. This will help in conceptual literacy of the implementers and service receivers. Quite naturally then the policing activities will fall under the zone of acceptance, which has been a far cry for police actions in the past. The involvement of community in policing activities will enhance once they start identifying their presence in the approach.

It is necessary to understand the cause and effect of community policing. Various variables, which are deterrent to an effective participation of community in policing activities, have to be explored. Conscious effort should be made to deliberate on the relationship between various sections of community with police, the perspective angle and the police organizational and personnel issues.

The purpose of the discussion here is to examine recent and less recent developments in the major policing innovation/experiments dubbed as community policing. It is an effort to make a dent on the mindset of the police and community, both, so that they partner and participate for each other’s benefit.

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[1] Prasad, B.V.S. and Selvan, kalai, 2007. Customer-Centric Business Model, An Introduction, Icfai Books, The Icfai University press,

[2] McGregor, Douglas, 1960. The Human Side of Enterprise, McGraw-Hill Companies,

Crash course for foreigners on corruption in India

There was a debate going on, on the issue of plausibility of giving crash course to foreigners on corruption in India....

I thought we are prepared know...How is explained here...

'Athithi devo bhava’ is our cultural spine keeping us high on welcoming spree. Come anyone and we spread our red carpet, even not minding borrowing from our neighbours, if necessary, to give a feel good factor to the visitors. Moreover, if the visitor is carrying some different skin color than ours (particularly white), we do not mind stretching ourselves beyond all limits to leave an impression on them. So, definitely the foreigners will be exposed to best educational advising on corruption, if they wish to learn our favorite profession. We have shown immense progress in the field against all odds. Despite the worst economic meltdown the world is experiencing, our country has recorded growth in the field of corruption. Never we felt that there was any crunch of liquid money in the market to be exchanged between hands. We never left the demand and supply wane. Hats off to our relentless effort to keep our corruption spirit high. Commonwealth games have come at the right time to prove our resilience power. We have made our presence felt in international arena with enviable level of corruption in commonwealth games preparation. Now is there any need to win medals to make a niche in these games. Our popularity is all time high, preparing ground to attract many foreign students to take crash course on corruption.
The curriculum designed for foreigners will include extensive academic training, exposure to best practices and internship on multi-dimensional, coordinated and proactive approach to corruption. The course will integrate active and participative learning approaches. The objective of the course would be to develop a program involving reflection, advocacy and action to address their lack of understanding. Field visits with special projects specifically to gain insights on best practices of increasing the resilience of the community and expertise of perpetrators will be planned. It will also include case study analysis and comparative study.
I also envision the crash course program to focus on professional training and practice on actual coaching, outside the class room setting, on the application of corruptive means in varied situations. We have experts in all fields-Corrupt politicians, corrupt judges, corrupt police officers, corrupt bureaucrats, corrupt contractors, corrupt educationists etc. who have proved their expertise in our country for last sixty years. An ex CVC has recently corroborated our potential on the subject. Without mingling words he has ascertained that we are spreading our tentacles fast, leaving behind by miles other competing countries. There has been desire by many more to join the bandwagon of corrupts, embracing into its ambit major chunk of the public servants.
Crash course is basically meant for those who already are versed with subject and need mere polishing. My suggestion is not only to go for crash course but degree courses too. This discussion has now opened a prospective field of study in India. I am sure the higher education department will be deluged with offers from educational institutions to start the course. Hopefully, maximum students will be foreigners as the subject is too common for an Indian, taught with élan in schools, home and working places alike. I see coffers overflowing with foreign currencies with flood of foreign students coming to get trained. India jaroor aana jones for this course. We promise you the best.

30th Babri Verdict

Is the verdict on Babri case anyway going to change the life of a common man. As such no! but practically yes....we can feel the heat. As a part of law enforcement I can feel the change in air. Is this loyalty towards one's religion/community or sordid manifestation of crisis identity. I just wonder why a common man loses common sense (which is common in both) and gets passionately swayed by uncommon demands of uncommon few, who are just there to satiate their vested interests. I pray, let better sense prevail in all, and let everyone give a sound slap to these dividing forces, by defeating their ill-conceived desires. I have been always proud for our strong resilient culture, loaded with values that have passed on to generations as tradition. That has always kept us in good stead and helped us survive, fight back with vengeance against all negative invasions. I am sure we will puncture the unnecessary inflated hype created and take the verdict in its stride and move on peacefully.

FLAG MARCH

I was in a fix when I received a call from a student, dear to me, with a very peculiar request "Can I join you in the flag march". I had few words to explain my predicament. For him (perhaps), Flag March was an interesting sight with dozens of vehicles blaring hooter at full volume, sliding through on road at snails pace, with law enforcement peeping through the glass panes of vehicles with fixed warning 'no nonsense' stare. I would love to sit with that dear boy and understand his state of mind when he put me in that awkward situation by throwing this unexpected request. Was there an element of glamour or power that attracted him? I had no choice but to turn down politely. "Sorry, can't get you in, midway" was my weak excuse.

“Where are you” was another call from a learned friend. “Flag marching” was my crisp reply loaded with pride for being part of force entrusted to ensure peace and tranquility. “Are you not spreading tension? Your flag march is in fact making a non-knower realize that things are not normal. You are doing more harm than good” He quipped. How could I explain him how much psychological and physical pain we were taking to do this exercise. There was hell of men, money, material and energy involved in organizing this operation. And, the intention was undoubtedly benevolent.

Here I am not discussing the pros and cons of FLAG MARCH, but would merely add, we honestly wish that peace and tranquility prevails.

The facts of come-on-wealth games

I had a tryst with Jonty Rhodes in Delhi during my visit last week visit. No, I am not that big a fan of cricket to remember Rhodes, the legendary fielder of South Africa, even after his retirement a decade ago. Sorry, perhaps I mis-spelt. It was jaunty roads of Delhi giving me a memorable feeling of African Safari around concrete jungle. And all credit goes to our come-on-wealth games (sorry again, commonwealth games) for providing the pleasure of so many rides in one go. The potholes around Cannot Place (Cannaught Place-CP) was deep enough to rear sea animals. To all this, spices were added by the incessant rains, which certified that we are heading towards socialist state, our constitutional desire. Everyone who walked on roads had mud-drained pants, dissolving the class discrimination. No one dared to pick their eyes off the road to check if there was anything to be seen besides pants. Reflexively, my hands lifted to salute our most intelligent political heads for being so visionary to achieve the socialist goal, easily.

Interestingly, a day before a news channel thought of giving a boost to their TRP by continuously showing three parallel images of tribals crossing rivers/streams on rope bridge, while the central government had spent one lakh crore rupees for the game. I had a hearty laugh (hopefully it cleared all the blockades in my arteries) when one minister justified the expenditure by saying that many such lakhs of crores have already been given to this tribals and many more are coming. The discernible gist of the discussion to me (though I always doubt my intelligence) was that the minister was hinting that tribal welfare work was another come-on-wealth games for local, State agencies. So, we must not cry foul for happenings in Delhi. It is systemic and nothing new.

Mr Kalmadi, facing the heat of criticism showed a bold face by challenging his adversaries to institute judicial enquiry to ascertain his misdemeanors. For one moment I got puzzled, surprised on how could he dare to axe his own feet. Was not that suicidal? Then again, a man of wisdom came to my rescue enlisting all the past judicial enquiry promises made, and in case of institution the big cold storage warehouses were the reports are treasured. Hence, Mr Kalmadi was playing a safe bet.

Moaning on the prospects of success of the games, I cited that dengue had hit the citizens hard and added to the woes of Delhi administration. Someone called from the back, ‘equitable distribution of wealth is again a constitutional directive’. How municipality and health services could have compromised on having peanut share to the mammoth expenditure incurred for game preparation. Fighting dengue is money churning activity. We have to breed, annihilate and rebreed mosquitoes to fight dengue, and that is what is being done. Do I smell some conspiracy behind dengue, a foreign hand perhaps.

Our country’s philosophy says ‘Live and let live’. So, please don’t crib on the issue from so far, as you won’t get a piece of pie. Pray that the foreigners come, titillate their taste buds with that attractive menu of more than 30 dishes in one spread, in every meal, and return singing in chorus “Sare jahan se acha Hindustan tumhara”. Come on this wealthy game and help ‘India shine’.

Essential services? Who is responsible?

A new trend of flash strikes of junior doctors has emerged. It seems, similar to other epidemics like swine flu, dengue, bird flu etc the strike has become infectious. I guess, perhaps these doctors learnt the lesson of potency of infectious disease, in waking up the State machinery, while practicing their profession. ‘Unless you put to ransom the State, no head would turn for your cause’ is the guru mantra.

“Why are we given false assurance” is what doctor’s question from the system. God! Are they naïve or pretending as one? Our system is in a habit of brushing things under carpet once the incident is over. Are we not in a habit of making promises to break? Moreover, these doctors are no better. Didn’t they pledge to serve in all situations, odd or even? Is their behavior not a systemic reflection? The public administration thinkers while theorizing clearly envisioned the insensitivity of the system. We are born hypocrites. Munnabhai movie was a big hit but Gandhigiri catches our attention only with a wish for others to follow. Our blood is always warm to the boiling point ready to evaporate on one provocation.

Of late, within a span of one-month doctors in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and now Delhi (Safdarjung hospital) have gone on strike. Let us hope that as torch of commonwealth games after traveling the nook and corner of country ended its journey in Delhi, so does this series of strikes end with this Safdarjung strike. Let the States (health being state subject) and Center take a concerted decision, if required with intervention of Judiciary, and ensure that there is no more occurrence, even if it calls for imposing ban on strikes by doctors, as it is for police. There have been enough deaths due to lackadaisical attitude of strikers and government without actually fixing accountability. If we can easily shirk from being accountable to deaths in our country, then fixing accountability for other misdemeanors like financial irregularity etc is a far cry.

Surprisingly, one thing in common in all cases of these sporadic calls of strike is that they were instigated by incidents involving individuals. A doctor facing wrath of some patient, their attendant or some incident outside hospital premises. The main agenda of striking doctors is seeking preventive mechanism put in place where the chances of human error of others (mind it, not theirs) is totally eradicated. They wish, whosoever comes in their contact should behave like robots, dancing to their tune, non-complaining, bereft of racing passions for their wards, vehicles having the sense to discriminate between doctors and other citizens in case of accidents (as in Bhopal) and the like. What a genuine demand it is. The expected rule is, people encountering doctors should be immune to their (doctors) misdeeds and they (doctors) misdoing with impunity, as the reality of ‘Human is to err’ is applicable only to them. I fail to understand how can one case of misbehavior with a doctor be threat to whole breed of doctors. Is it not a solace for them to analyze the ratio of their conflict to numbers of patients they attend, when the situation around is witnessing exponential rise of physical offence in the community. They still are most respected lot in the community. Let them not threaten this perception by foolish acts of overstressed youngsters.

When are we going to understand the importance of essential services? Is there any comparison between loss of more than sixty patients in Rajasthan and misbehavior with one doctor (an instigating factor). Is there need to orient doctors towards ‘patient-customer dealing’. No doubt, they have to have exceptional tolerance power. It may be hundredth patient for the doctor in that particular day but for the attendants of patient it is matter of life and death of his near and dear one, and for him at that moment world is limited to that patient. So, it is quite natural to have charged passions. I hope better sense will prevail and this ill thought of trend will come to an end, once and for all. A utopian wish though. Amen!

Plausible dimensions of naxalite surrender

Plausible dimensions of naxalite surrender

The news of a naxalite couple surrendering before Balaghat police ran for two days, in HT Live, Bhopal dated July 05 and July 06, 2010. The story said ‘disillusioned’ naxalite couple surrendered to police. Interestingly, the reason quoted for the man to join naxalite cadre was simple- disgruntled over misbehavior by an educational caretaker, followed by failed redressal at home. The man was a child, only 13, when he was inducted into the ranks of insurgents. On trying to read between the lines and analyzing the whole story, we can discern following dimensions.

First, the age of recruitment is alarming. It indicates the presence of child soldiers. The presence of child soldiers has been conspicuous in LTTE cadre, amongst Jihadis in Afghanistan, Liberia and many African countries, and other places, but not much mentioned about presence in Naxalites. Not that there has never been a concern, but to what extent is worrying. The recruitment of child soldiers in naxalite cadre may be basically through three methods. One- children are forcefully picked (can have trafficking perspective also) and trained to wage war against the State. Perhaps, through proper brain washing mechanism Stockholm syndrome is developed in these victims converting them into hardliners, and astute soldiers. Second- a well organized, planned campaign is resorted to with the help of well-wishing, sympathizing organizations, agencies and individuals having presence in tribal belts. They become the recruiting agencies or at the least counselors for recruitment. This is by selling the ideology. And, the last- a disgruntled child may run haywire due to falling system and try to find solace under their umbrella, which has already become a symbol of power and resource (as has been reported in this surrender case). Now it becomes important to ascertain the magnitude of hapless children within the rank and file of naxalites. At least the story has pointed at the tip of the iceberg. What method of engaging children is prevalent in a particular area depends on socio-economic conditions and availability of support system to the recruiting agency.

Second dimension of the story is that there are fissures in that dreaded organization. All is not well on that side. The disillusionment must be more in intensity than realized. Can that be exploited by the State agency for their benefit. Quite obviously, the naxalite set up must be having strict rules and regulations to follow. Already few reasons resulting in disenchanted was exposed in the story, like vasectomy, continuous living hardship, high threat perception etc. Can this daring act of the couple be replicated? The aspect of rehabilitation and publicizing the benefits on the other side of fence to the alienating members can make some inroads.

Third is the strength in our system of protecting the whistle blowers and witnesses. This case can be a litmus test for other rank holders to emulate. If the system gears up well and prepares a fool proof method to guarantee their safety, natural fallout will be increase in numbers of grounding weapons.

Fourth dimension, is a challenge to the local development agencies to take a cue and adopt corrective measures to stop drain of children. The story clearly depicts that running to their shelter is cake walk. They with open arms are welcoming into their cadres. One very important aspect in the story, which cannot be ignored is that leader of Dalam had counseled and given the option to carry on studies and join them later. This vividly reflects that they are exhibiting that humane part to win over mentally. Negligence of the State system will drift the community towards them more easily. It is and always was a struggle between the easy local influence and difficult government reach. It is simple to alienate from the State, for there are hundred loopholes, and if not can be projected as being there. Hence, the development agencies have double the task than their counterparts to grab attention and keep the humble tribals at their side.