Whispers Forum

Sad but true , SRK was doing a traditional mode practiced by devout Muslims. I have seen my classmates in school days in Bombay do the same . There is no spitting involved. Cosmopolitan societies like ours need to eschew remarks off the cuff and accept our heritage. That our society was suppressed for a millennium is true. We are slowly getting back . Education and acceptance of our heritage is the need of the hour and all sections of Indians, no matter which faith we practice, must accept and acknowledge. Faith is a personal matter and must remain PRIVATE and in your heart and not on your sleeves. Our Generation X Y Z deserve a good example from the earlier senior generation. Just look at the Indian Armed Forces, and follow their examples of harmony.
Devindra Sethi

A video that is being circulated for the past two captures Shah Rukh Khan, India’s biggest movie star and a practicing Muslim, reading a ‘dua’ (saying a prayer), lifting his mask and blowing sideways - a gesture typically practiced in some sects Muslims while praying for the departed. But his action was soon misinterpreted by religious bigots who accused the actor of ‘spitting’ on Lataji’s remains.
How these people made up this logic ? What essentially is the motive behind such attacks since this isn’t the first time that the actor has found himself caught in a social media storm? The social media storm that SRK finds himself at the centre of only illuminates the ignorance that has gripped netizens today or have we, as a nation, stooped to this low that we can now even criticize a person’s expression of grief ?
PC Tiwari

Wish PM and HM understand that this talk of bonhomie and camaraderie is of no meaning if all the services are not given their right places and due. Hegemony of IAS over other services at the cost of their self respect and self esteem is doing no good for the overall bureaucracy. Widening gap in empanelment, not giving the posts to them despite qualification and eligibility and keeping them exclusively for IAS officers is detrimental to the effectiveness and efficiency of the civil services as an organic single identity. We need to act before it is too late.
Sudhir

Yes it is true, there may be some variation in the number of surplus IAS if we recruit a complete 6200 post of IAS. In fact after 1957 when central staffing scheme was implemented since then true spirit of All India Services has been diluted otherwise only AIS officers required to come on central deputation and due to this they have good number of post under CDR but after 1957 no thought was given on this and CDR remain intact but there no vacancy and officers from other services are equally eligible to come on central deputation under central staffing scheme.
Shauramya

The UP election is round the corner. TV channels are analyzing vote share of different groups Brahmins, various groups of OBC, Minorities etc. But nobody is specifically talking about Kayasthas who have a major presence in UP. Does this mean that Kayasthas have lost their relevance in the UP election?
Kumar
Bommai may be changed
Bommai may be changed. Performance is abysmally low. The public and contractors have to bear corruption of Vijayendra Yediyurrapaji and Bommai. Rumors are that they are supplying election funds to UP. Earlier contractors, guild had given a complaint. An infamous case of BITCOINS hack and transfer of black money abroad is haunting the Bommai CM, Kateel BJP state president, Ashok revenue minister, director sood , commr panth. Despite efforts to cover up , the watch dogs are ahead . As guessed in whispers, the CM and his 40 would be changed, if the PM has to prove his image.
Sanjay

The Appellant filed an RTI application seeking information on about the itinerary of PM Narendra Modi during a few days of February, 2019 and the details of his meeting with Bear Grylls, a renowned survival expert. Vide interim reply, the PIO at PMO intimated that the matter is being processed by the office and information will be sent as soon as possible. The FAA directed the PIO to expedite furnishing the response within 25 working days. Feeling aggrieved over non-compliance of the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the CIC. The CIC observed that an appropriate response in compliance with the FAA’s order has been provided to the Appellant, albeit a slight delay for which the PIO, PMO was cautioned.
Comments
Every PIO must ensure a timely reply to an application filed under the RTI Act failing which the CIC may pass a stricture or impose penalty.
Citation: Shri Goutham Ganesh M H v. PMO in Second Appeal No. CIC/PMOIN/A/2019/656741, Date of Decision: 31.12.2021
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

I beg to disagree with R Subramanian theory of entrance tests for IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT etc. Rather our whole entrance competitive examination system for every education institution. We must follow a single USA, UK etc which run through the whole year and each institution has a defined score, these scores accompanied by an essay and a write up why you wish to pursue this stream & why you want to join this institution or university from the student or applicant. Some scores are there for 12th grade Marks. The percentage of each three components is defined by each institution. If the system of lottery starts it will not be a fool proof one, going by jugad, corruption favouritism & political interference in each element, certainly this will be a compromise on the quality of Indian education especially IITs and many most reputed institutions which carry a repute globally. I am sure SC too will agree to this arrangement. This would be the best reform of education provided there is a political will to do so.
Harish Kumar