Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Eyecatchers-144: "Jail for GM Food Critics!"
I received the following mail, with attachment, from my friend, Professor Subbiah Arunachalam and found it shocking and highly disturbing and thought I would post it in my blog in its entirety for the perusal of everybody:
India Seeks Jail For GM Food Critics
An Indian citizen who questions the safety of any GM food or medicine could be put behind bars for a minimum period of six months under a new law proposed by the ministry. The clause to silence critics of GM food is contained in the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India ( BRAI) Bill,2009 prepared by the Department of Biotechnology, which is a wing of the ministry of science and technology headed by Prithviraj Chavan. 'Misleading public about organism and products' is one of the crimes for which punishment has been prescribed in Section 63, Chapter 13 of the Bill which deals with various " offences and penalties". The clause specifically deals with critics of biotech products including GM food crops. - Devinder Sharma
By Devinder Sharma
20 February, 2010
Devinder Sharma Blog
I am not sure whether you would believe your ears. You can't probably imagine that any sensible government (except for USA, of course) can try to gag your voice. If you thought that your fundamental right to speech and freedom is guaranteed under the Constitution, you need to think again. The proposed National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (NBRA) bill is actually trying not only to silence the opposition to GM foods, but also has provisions that can put you in jail for a minimum of six months.
Look at the power of the GM companies, the ghost of the Emergency era is back. During the Emergency, all those who opposed Mrs Indira Gandhi were jailed. But the proposed NBRA goes still further. In addition to putting you in jail, it also imposes a fine of Rs 2 lakh. And if you hold a demonstration against a university or try to 'obstruct' research, you face imprisonment for three months and/or a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
This is the power and reach of the GM companies. The US is already contemplating legal provisions which will outlaw organic farming. In India, the Department of Biotechnology, which has possibly framed this legislation, is aiming at turning Indian science into a ghetto.
If the bill was already in force, you and me (those who opposed the introduction of Bt brinjal) would have been in jail by now. Dr M S Swaminathan and Dr Pushpa Bhargava too would have been in jail. Interestingly, and as I told Mail Today: "Environment minister Jairam Ramesh, who has questioned the safety of GM crops, would have been behind bars because he would have violated it."
Here is the report from the front page of Mail Today:
GOVT MOOTS JAIL FOR GM FOOD CRITICS
By Dinesh C Sharma in New Delhi
http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=1922010
Draconian clause in biotech regulatory Bill aims at muzzling debate on safety of GM products
IF THE ministry of science and technology has its way, criticising genetically- modified ( GM) products could land you in jail.
An Indian citizen who questions the safety of any GM food or medicine could be put behind bars for a minimum period of six months under a new law proposed by the ministry.
The clause to silence critics of GM food is contained in the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India ( BRAI) Bill,2009 prepared by the Department of Biotechnology, which is a wing of the ministry of science and technology headed by Prithviraj Chavan.
'Misleading public about organism and products' is one of the crimes for which punishment has been prescribed in Section 63, Chapter 13 of the Bill which deals with various " offences and penalties". The clause specifically deals with critics of biotech products including GM food crops.
Grateful thanks to Professor Subbiah Arunachalam, Mr.Devinder Sharma, Dinesh C Sharma and MailToday.
India Seeks Jail For GM Food Critics
An Indian citizen who questions the safety of any GM food or medicine could be put behind bars for a minimum period of six months under a new law proposed by the ministry. The clause to silence critics of GM food is contained in the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India ( BRAI) Bill,2009 prepared by the Department of Biotechnology, which is a wing of the ministry of science and technology headed by Prithviraj Chavan. 'Misleading public about organism and products' is one of the crimes for which punishment has been prescribed in Section 63, Chapter 13 of the Bill which deals with various " offences and penalties". The clause specifically deals with critics of biotech products including GM food crops. - Devinder Sharma
By Devinder Sharma
20 February, 2010
Devinder Sharma Blog
I am not sure whether you would believe your ears. You can't probably imagine that any sensible government (except for USA, of course) can try to gag your voice. If you thought that your fundamental right to speech and freedom is guaranteed under the Constitution, you need to think again. The proposed National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (NBRA) bill is actually trying not only to silence the opposition to GM foods, but also has provisions that can put you in jail for a minimum of six months.
Look at the power of the GM companies, the ghost of the Emergency era is back. During the Emergency, all those who opposed Mrs Indira Gandhi were jailed. But the proposed NBRA goes still further. In addition to putting you in jail, it also imposes a fine of Rs 2 lakh. And if you hold a demonstration against a university or try to 'obstruct' research, you face imprisonment for three months and/or a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
This is the power and reach of the GM companies. The US is already contemplating legal provisions which will outlaw organic farming. In India, the Department of Biotechnology, which has possibly framed this legislation, is aiming at turning Indian science into a ghetto.
If the bill was already in force, you and me (those who opposed the introduction of Bt brinjal) would have been in jail by now. Dr M S Swaminathan and Dr Pushpa Bhargava too would have been in jail. Interestingly, and as I told Mail Today: "Environment minister Jairam Ramesh, who has questioned the safety of GM crops, would have been behind bars because he would have violated it."
Here is the report from the front page of Mail Today:
GOVT MOOTS JAIL FOR GM FOOD CRITICS
By Dinesh C Sharma in New Delhi
http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=1922010
Draconian clause in biotech regulatory Bill aims at muzzling debate on safety of GM products
IF THE ministry of science and technology has its way, criticising genetically- modified ( GM) products could land you in jail.
An Indian citizen who questions the safety of any GM food or medicine could be put behind bars for a minimum period of six months under a new law proposed by the ministry.
The clause to silence critics of GM food is contained in the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India ( BRAI) Bill,2009 prepared by the Department of Biotechnology, which is a wing of the ministry of science and technology headed by Prithviraj Chavan.
'Misleading public about organism and products' is one of the crimes for which punishment has been prescribed in Section 63, Chapter 13 of the Bill which deals with various " offences and penalties". The clause specifically deals with critics of biotech products including GM food crops.
Grateful thanks to Professor Subbiah Arunachalam, Mr.Devinder Sharma, Dinesh C Sharma and MailToday.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A Thought for Today-329:
Whatever is flexible and living will tend to grow; whatever is rigid and blocked will wither and die - Lao Tzu
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A Thought for Today-328:
Take Time to Think – It is the key of Success!
Tale Time to Love – It is the secret of eternal youth!
Take Time to Dream – It is the breath of Happiness!
Take Time to Cry – It is the sign of a Large Heart!
Take Time to Play – It is the Freshness of Childhood!
Tale Time to Laugh – It is the Music of the Heart!
Take Time to Live – Because Time passes Quickly and Never Returns!
Take Time to Hear – It is the Power of Intelligence!
Take Time to Read – It is the Source of Knowledge!
Tale Time to Love – It is the secret of eternal youth!
Take Time to Dream – It is the breath of Happiness!
Take Time to Cry – It is the sign of a Large Heart!
Take Time to Play – It is the Freshness of Childhood!
Tale Time to Laugh – It is the Music of the Heart!
Take Time to Live – Because Time passes Quickly and Never Returns!
Take Time to Hear – It is the Power of Intelligence!
Take Time to Read – It is the Source of Knowledge!
Monday, February 22, 2010
India Watch-15:
Some interesting facts about the Indian Postal Department, thanks to Dinamalar, the Tamil daily:
1. Every year 1350 crore letters (postal articles) are handled.
2. On an average, every postman delivers 2,40,000 letters every year.
3. There are 1.5 lakh post offices in India.
4. There are 2.88 lakh employees in the Postal Department; of these, the number of postmen is 53,000/-.
5. Every postcard costs the department 173 paise; but, as you know, postcard is sold at 5o paise. The difference is subsidized by the Govt.
Congratulations to the Indian Postal Department and grateful thanks to Dinamalar.
1. Every year 1350 crore letters (postal articles) are handled.
2. On an average, every postman delivers 2,40,000 letters every year.
3. There are 1.5 lakh post offices in India.
4. There are 2.88 lakh employees in the Postal Department; of these, the number of postmen is 53,000/-.
5. Every postcard costs the department 173 paise; but, as you know, postcard is sold at 5o paise. The difference is subsidized by the Govt.
Congratulations to the Indian Postal Department and grateful thanks to Dinamalar.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
My Photo Album-44: "Keerthi, Keerthi all the way!"
Keerthi is my neighbor's sweet little kid. Lovely and lovable. In the matter of afew minutes, she could manifest a kaleidoscope of expressions on her face. You can see for yourself below.
A Thought for Today-327:
Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of – Benjamin Franklin
Friday, February 19, 2010
A Thought for Today-326:
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter - Martin Luther King
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A Thought for Today-325:
The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for - Allan K.Chalmers
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A Thought for Today-324:
The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind - Wayne W. Dyer
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Random Thoughts-36: "Living in the World of Walter Mitty"
I was rearranging books in one of my shelves. I came across this torn, battered copy of a book of short stories collection. Even the title page was not there and it started from the contents page. Out of curiosity, I perused the titles of the short stories. When I came across James Thurber's, "The Secret World of Walter Mitty", I remembered having read it long back and having discussed it with my friend VC, while we were on a 'padayatra' (pilgrimage by foot) to Palani. It is a world-famous story and a masterpiece.
Before I go any further, have you read the story? If not, kindly read it before proceeding further; am providing a link to the full story from All-Story.com:
http://www.all-story.com/issues.cgi?action=show_story&story_id=100
Walter Mitty is a pathetic, pitiable character, a no-body. He finds it difficult to face reality and indulges in heroic daydreams assuming himself to be a famous general, surgeon etc. In short, though harmless, he is an escapist. To balance his inferiority complex, he indulges in grand and elaborate dreams of heroism. The world is full of such pathetic characters, to whom life has been difficult to bear. Probably they could easily empathize with Mitty. That may explain the popularity of the story. It was so popular that the word "Mittyesque" got into the dictionary.
People who lead a dull and dreary life, who keep repeatedly bumping into reality, find a way to hide themselves in their wild fantasies. Instead of facing their problems and fears head on, they just run away and hide themselves. At one time or the other, everyone might have indulged in this sort of dramatic fantasy, though not to the extent of Mitty.
I also used to be another Mitty. I had a very difficult life. Sometimes I wonder how I got out of it and feel grateful to God that I am out of that miserable condition.
I think Spiderman, Superman and such characters came into being because of this sort of fantasy deep inside everyone of us. It also explains their runaway success. It proves that in a limited sense, it could be helpful to one and could help one to get out of depression once in a while.
For further reading:
"The Secret World of Walter Mitty" from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Walter_Mitty
Write-up on "James Thurber" with his picture from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Thurber
I take this opportunity to salute the memory of James Thurber. Also my grateful thanks to All-Story.com and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Before I go any further, have you read the story? If not, kindly read it before proceeding further; am providing a link to the full story from All-Story.com:
http://www.all-story.com/issues.cgi?action=show_story&story_id=100
Walter Mitty is a pathetic, pitiable character, a no-body. He finds it difficult to face reality and indulges in heroic daydreams assuming himself to be a famous general, surgeon etc. In short, though harmless, he is an escapist. To balance his inferiority complex, he indulges in grand and elaborate dreams of heroism. The world is full of such pathetic characters, to whom life has been difficult to bear. Probably they could easily empathize with Mitty. That may explain the popularity of the story. It was so popular that the word "Mittyesque" got into the dictionary.
People who lead a dull and dreary life, who keep repeatedly bumping into reality, find a way to hide themselves in their wild fantasies. Instead of facing their problems and fears head on, they just run away and hide themselves. At one time or the other, everyone might have indulged in this sort of dramatic fantasy, though not to the extent of Mitty.
I also used to be another Mitty. I had a very difficult life. Sometimes I wonder how I got out of it and feel grateful to God that I am out of that miserable condition.
I think Spiderman, Superman and such characters came into being because of this sort of fantasy deep inside everyone of us. It also explains their runaway success. It proves that in a limited sense, it could be helpful to one and could help one to get out of depression once in a while.
For further reading:
"The Secret World of Walter Mitty" from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Walter_Mitty
Write-up on "James Thurber" with his picture from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Thurber
I take this opportunity to salute the memory of James Thurber. Also my grateful thanks to All-Story.com and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A Thought for Today-324:
Some gifts are big, others are small. Gifts from the heart are the best gifts of all - Unknown
Monday, February 15, 2010
A Thought for Today-323:
There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day - Alexander Woollcott
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
My Journal-3: February 13, 2010, Saturday
Got up at 5 a.m. Prolonged illness and depressed mind have kept me away from my journal for quite long. Switched on my PC and open the mailbox. First to catch my attention was the Self-improvement Newsletter from Self-Growth.com. There was a video on "Goal Setting" by David Riklan. Though I have read many articles on Goal Setting and the Importance of Goal Setting, this video very much impressed me, especially the acronym, SMART, which stands for Special Goals, Measurable Goals, Achievable Goals, Relevant Goals and Time Frame for achieving the goals. In the space of less than 7 minutes, he beautifully summed up goal setting by his lucid talk, making my morning pleasant and instilling faith and hope in my mind.
From that, I went to his video talk, "12 Goal Setting Mistakes in Five Minutes or Less" (which supplemented the first video talk) and "Great Health in 5 Minutes or Less". I thoroughly enjoyed watching these videos and found them highly useful. I should pick up the ideas and implement them in my life, so help me God!
Further, his invitation to visit SelfGrowth.com where 62,000 articles on Self-Improvement by 9653 experts can be read freely. I intend to visit this site and read the articles that interest me.
Also I would very much like to get hold of Riklan's book, "101 Greatest Ways to Improve Your Health".
In case you are interested, you can also visit their website, SelfGrowth.com:
www.selfgrowth.com
My grateful thanks to David Riklan and SelfGrowth.com.
A Thought for Today-321:
Where your talents and the needs of the world cross lies your calling - Aristotle
Friday, February 12, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Self-Improvement-70: "101 Ways to Transform Your Life" by Wayne Dyer
Grateful thanks to Wayne Dyer, 'mindsecret1' and YouTube.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
My Photo Album-43: "Pravin solo and with others"
Photos taken with Suri's Canon Powershot A590 camera
Monday, February 08, 2010
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