The Indian budget every year has always been an eagerly awaited event. For many decades, the best minds in economics, finance, tax, business and industry throng the media house to analyze the provisions shared by the Financial Minister.
Sometimes major events completely disconnected may be data points for the plans of the different powers around the world. The challenge is to discern what purpose they serve? More critically, what are we moving towards?
When the US Ambassador threatened India's "Strategic Autonomy" policy over India's friendship with Russia - much more than meets the eye was at stake. Let us unpack how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the US and the world. And why are we here anyway?
Delhi’s Girl (lets call her that instead of the demeaning “Delhi Gangrape victim”) has corroborated that all the 6 guys raped her, which syncs with her friend’s version as well. (All 6 men raped me, Delhi Gangrape victim tells SDM) She countered the police version, who say that only 4 out of 6 raped her.
According to sources, the victim remained calm, composed and corroborated the version of events as they unfolded on the fateful evening as per her 28-year-old friend during an hour-long interaction with Usha Chaturvedi, the SDM of east Delhi, on Friday evening.
“We took the auto rickshaw till the DDA Munirka Bus Stop because the driver refused to ferry us till Uttam Nagar and decided to wait for a bus. When the bus with the men came, we boarded it. Minutes later, the men on it first passed a remark at my friend before passing a lewd comment at me,” the victim stated.
Maintaining a straight face and speaking in whispers under her breath given the nature of her injuries, sources said, the victim related the entire series of events without any inhibitions in the presence of her family. “After their attack, all six men took turns to sexually assault me. They threw us on the side of the road where I then fainted,” she made it a point to state, sources said.
“The government will take immediate steps for amendment of the criminal law for enhanced and more effective punishment in the rarest of rare cases of sexual assault,” Shinde declared.
Asked if this meant the noose, information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari suggested the phase “rarest of rare” was only used in a particular context, an oblique reference to Supreme Court judgments on invoking the death penalty in the rarest of rare cases of murder.
Government sources indicated the home ministry didn’t want to jump the gun before getting legal opinion and a sense of the support the move would evoke from political parties. If there are problems, the ministry could make imprisonment for the rest of the rape convict’s life the enhanced punishment.
Meanwhile there is a loud clamour for castration of the rapists. Chemical castration has been the favorite of the activists. Interesting, an Additional sessions judge in Delhi had suggested for such a thing in another rape case. (Rape cases: Delhi Judge suggested chemical castration two years ago)
“My hands are tied since I am bound by the law of the land which only provides for imprisonment not less than seven years but may be for life or for a term which may extend to 10 years and also fine,” Delhi additional sessions judge Kamini Lau had said while expressing helplessness in handing down a befitting punishment to a man convicted of raping his minor stepdaughter.
“My conscience, however, tells me that this is a crime which is required to be addressed differently and a full public debate with regard to imposition of castration (both surgical and chemical) as an alternative punishment for the offence of rape and molestation is the crying need of the hour,” Lau had said in April 2011.
What is Chemical Castration? Here is an explanation.
Chemical castration is the administration of medication designed to reduce libido and sexual activity. Unlike surgical castration, where the testicles or ovaries are removed through an incision in the body,[1] chemical castration does not actually castrate the person, nor is it a form of sterilization.[2]
Chemical castration is generally considered reversible when treatment is discontinued, although permanent effects in body chemistry can sometimes be seen, as in the case of bone density loss increasing with length of use of Depo Provera.[3] Chemical castration has, from time to time, been used as an instrument of public and/or judicial policy despite concerns over human rights and possible side effects.[4][5]
Chemical castration, as a punishment for rape, has been suggested around the world recently. So it is not something that is just being thrown around in India. Given the incidence of rape in India, this can be a viable punishment.
After high-profile child rape cases, politicians worldwide tend to pledge a crackdown and harsher punishments for sex offenders, involving chemical castration, said Don Grubin, professor of forensic psychiatry at Newcastle University.
The Indian budget every year has always been an eagerly awaited event. For many decades, the best minds in economics, finance, tax, business and industry throng the media house to analyze the provisions shared by the Financial Minister.
When the US Ambassador threatened India's "Strategic Autonomy" policy over India's friendship with Russia - much more than meets the eye was at stake. Let us unpack how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the US and the world. And why are we here anyway?
This visit of India left me with many questions. Many observations and inputs from different people and sections. Food for thought that I have tried to contemplate on and make sense of. Sharing all that with you.
When you analyze the last 60 years of the economic miracles of Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia versus the continued impoverished Indian economy, you get very interesting lessons. Can Indians have the wherewithal in them to do in one generation so that the coming generations may rise?
Every Sunday AM (US Time)/ PM (India time), we send out a weekly detailed newsletter. We also share other insightful notes during the week. Its free. Do sign up and share with friends!