TIME TO OVERHAUL THE EXISTING JUVENILE LAWS.......

Crimes committed/perpetrated by juveniles certainly seem to be becoming more heinous/galling/horrifying/mortifying and inhuman with each passing day.........
In the latest crime reportedly committed by a juvenile; a 17 year old testosterone laden youth who could not control both his cojones as well as raging libido allegedly raped an 18 month old infant/very young female child on Tuesday evening in Bareilly's Sadar Kotwali area and then callously handed her back to her parents saying that the child had fallen asleep while he had taken her for a walk........
Little did the young girl's parents realise that their darling daughter was unconscious and not sleeping as stated by her tormentor; her sorry plight only came to light early on Wednesday morning when her disbelieving and aghast mother saw the child bleeding profusely from her private parts and duly informed the child's father..........
Though initially shocked and bewildered beyond belief; the father of the battered child somehow managed to regain his wits and sanity and ended up taking his grievously injured daughter to the nearby government hospital where the doctors treating her informed her crestfallen parents that their bundle of delight had been sexually ravaged........
A humble and nondescript rickshaw puller by profession; the hospitalised girl's father recalled that their immediate neighbour's son had taken their daughter away on the pretext of taking her for a walk and buying her chocolates on the previous evening and then handed her back saying that she had fallen asleep during the course of the said activity.........
Suspecting that the 17 year old absconding youth who had not been seen since handing over the rape survivor to her parents; the incredulous father filed a police complaint against the youth alleging that he had sexually exploited his fledgling daughter at a neighbouring police station.......
Swinging into action with remarkable agility and alacrity; the local police authorities made a beeline towards the youth's residence and recorded the statements of his parents who confirmed that they had not seen their son since the fateful Tuesday evening.........
Spreading their dragnet far and wide; the police personnel involved in this investigation successfully managed to nab the accused from an adjoining forest area at around 3 pm or so and duly produced him before a judicial magistrate who remanded him to two weeks of judicial custody in a state run juvenile home..........
A case has been filed/booked against the 17 year old accused under section 376 (B) of the SC/ST act as well as the relevant and applicable sections of the POCSO Act; further action as deemed fit by the courts will be initiated once his initial two week long remand period draws to a closure.........
More than cause enough to revisit the existing juvenile justice laws and thoroughly overhaul them methinks; I for one firmly believe that the punishment handed down to the culprit should be commensurate with the gravity/severity of the offence committed by the culprit and also that age cannot be a mitigating/condoning factor in the cases of youths who are in complete control of all their faculties and more than capable of realising the enormity of the offence committed by them...........

IS THIS THE MUCH PROMISED HEALTHCARE OUR WOMEN DESERVE..........

Do mere proclamations about spending hundreds of crores of rupees on overhauling the existing facilities in government hospital maternity wards and decreasing burgeoning population growth rates absolve the concerned state government of all blame when the doctors appointed to man these state run abattoirs keep turning away poor and hapless patients without batting an eyelid.........
In the latest such instance of callousness; ineptitude and criminal negligence reported from Jaipur; a hapless and defenceless 32 year old woman delivered a child in a running auto after being inhumanly turned away by the state's leading maternity care (Zenana Hospital Authorities) late on Wednesday evening........
32 year old Pinki experienced excruciatingly painful and unbearable abdominal pains and contractions at around 5 pm or so on Wednesday evening and her husband Jankilal rushed her to the state run Zenana hospital in an auto rickshaw without any further ado.........
They reached there a little after 6 pm on the fateful evening and Jankilal begun the now almost stereotyped ritual of pleading with the government doctors and other powers that be to admit his ailing wife without any further ado as her condition was deteriorating with every passing minute...........
To Jankilal's shock and utter consternation; the senior most doctor on duty at the time steadfastly refused to admit a swooning Pinki in the hospital as the records furnished by Jankilal showed her due delivery date to be around June 11,2015 or so and hence the doctor asked the couple to return in June and not waste his precious time with their theatrics and entreaties.........
A suitably admonished; chastened and crestfallen Jankilal almost resignedly bundled his semi-conscious wife in a passing auto rickshaw and asked the driver to proceed towards their modest dwelling in the city's Hasanpura locality........
Midway through the journey; Pinki delivered a prematurely born child and a disbelieving and incredulous Jankilal and the auto driver sped towards the very same Zenana hospital where the authorities condescended to admit Pinki this time around; but alas by then the prematurely born infant/child had already breathed it's last........
As soon as he realised that his first born was no more; an incensed; irate and infuriated Jankilal began remonstrating with the doctors and other hospital staff and loudly began wailing and calling them killers and murderers who had gotten rid of his first born on purpose.......
Seeing Jankilal's mental state and increasingly violent actions an alarmed hospital superintendent immediately summoned the local cops who made an immediate beeline towards the hospital and subdued Jankilal before he could really inflict any real damage on either the hospital equipment or staff on duty at the time.........
Despite Jankilal tearfully narrating his tale of woe to the senior most police official available and present at the time; the police authorities for reasons best known to them had steadfastly refused to take cognisance of Jankilal's numerous tirades against the hospital authorities and had not even begun the formalities of registering a FIR against the hospital authorities late until Wednesday night..........
And to think that all this and a lot more besides is happening in a state headed by a woman chief minister who wastes no opportunity in patting her own back and citing figures of hundreds of crores being spent on decreasing alarmingly growing infant and maternal mortality rates.........

SPREADING THE GOOD WORD.........

Taking it's first steps towards spreading it's tentacles throughout the length and breadth of the land of five rivers i.e. Punjab; the Aam Aadmi Party mad it's presence felt on the scene by starting a campaign against water pollution at Ludhiana's iconic Gill Bridge on Wednesday morning..........
Party leaders; volunteers and the assembled congregation of Aam Aadmi's and Aurats then pitched in to clean the festering Sidhwan Canal and subsequently spread the message of ridding our canals of pollution through a series of well intentioned and researched street plays........
Addressing the gathering; Colonel (retired) C.M. Lakhanpal; the state wide co-ordinator of the initiative/project apprised the gathering about the fact that this long overdue campaign would gradually be spread to the equally festering Buddha Nullah and Sutlej river as the two water bodies had been reduced to nothing more than carriers of the various forms of cancer that proliferate every nook and cranny of Ludhiana city thanks to the callousness and indifference of successive governments and civil administrations..........
"As the government and city's civil administration seems to have gone into hibernation; it is incumbent upon us to take the bull by the horns and show the government how things are done; yes it is indeed true that we are considerably hampered by a conspicuous lack of funds and much desired machinery; but we shall more than overcome these seemingly insurmountable obstacles by doubling our efforts and galvanising thousands of like minded people who are more than willing to be the change on the ground" the doughty Colonel quipped..........
In addition to spreading the message pertaining to the alleviation of water pollution; Aam Aadmi volunteers also spread themselves across the entire city and enrolled new members by the hundreds into the echelons of the party especially in the city's Rakh Bagh; Samrala Chowk; Shimlapuri and Gill Road areas..........
Good to know that someone out there is willing to walk that extra mile and make a difference where it is most required.........

ECCENTRIC AND HILARIOUS MERRY GO ROUND..........

One certainly has to draw inspiration from Hindi films and take one's life in one's own hands if one wants to get a singularly uninterested and strangely lackadaisical administration to cough up the much desired moolah.........
A 50 year old farmer from Sikar district's (Rajasthan) Dinapur VIllage has certainly done all of the above and a lot more besides by strategically positioning/perching himself atop a high tension line that passes some 200 odd feet above his cherished and venerated farmlands..........
This very farmer who has perched himself atop the said high tension line since 9 am on Monday morning is demanding the much delayed and promised compensation for allowing the National Power Grid Corporation (NPGC) to erect the same and being condescending enough to let the same pass over his farmlands..........
Not only this; but he is also demanding his share of the spoils from the Rajasthan government's compensation announced for farmers/cultivators like him whose standing crops came a cropper due to the devastating thunder/hail storms that swept the state some two weeks or so ago........
According to the local police bigwigs who have had more than their fair share of Gopal Chaudhary (the farmer in question) antics; he has been perching atop his precarious and life threatening post since the appointed hour on Monday morning citing indifference and callousness on part of both the state government as well as the NGPC officials..........
Making optimum use of the golden opportunity accorded to him when the NGPC officials shut down the power supply to the village and adjoining areas owing to some much required maintenance and restoration work; Chaudhary climbed atop the 200 odd foot tower line on Monday morning and has made that his temporary abode ever since........
Fearing for his life; limb and safety; the NGPC engineers have not restored to the power supply to Chaudhary's village and adjoining areas ever since causing a lot of unrest and consternation in the life and times of other denizens residing in the area who have started threatening them with violence and other such dire consequences.........
Listing out his list of growing grievances on a piece of paper handed over to the local Superintendent of Police Chaudhary alludes to the fact that he was promised a sum of Rs. 2 lakh by the NGPC officials when he more than willingly accorded his permission to raise towers in his farmlands and power lines above the same way back in 2011; but is yet to see a single rupee out of the promised sum till date; in addition to this amount; he is also claiming a compensation of Rs. 18 lakh from the state government as the standing crop on his 5 odd hectares of land was completely decimated by the unseasonal rain and hailstorms that swept through the entire state..........
On their part; the NGPC officials have grudgingly granted him a compensation of Rs. 75,000/- for the loss of crops/livelihood owing to the maintenance work carried out by them in his farmlands and in addition to this Rs. 75,000/-; they are also ready with a cheque for Rs. 1.85 lakh (being the sum payable to Chaudhary for allowing them to erect structures in his farmlands) but Chaudhary is refusing to budge unless he lays his hands on his desired sum of Rs. 20 lakh..........
As a conciliatory/negotiation measure he slithers down to a distance of some 20 feet or so above the ground but then wends his way back to his chosen perch before the fire/police officials and irate/incensed/infuriated fellow villagers can lay their hands on him........
All concerned except Chaudhary are at the end of their tethers; but a seemingly chirpy and boisterous Chaudhary is having his cake as well as eating it too while leading the state authorities in this eccentric and hilarious merry go round.........

SON FOLLOWS IN ILLUSTRIOUS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS........

Like father; like son; Akshay Hariharan; son/scion of legendary singer and composer Hariharan has become the latest entrant into the hallowed precincts of the Hindi film industry.........
Akshay who was fortunate to spend his entire 20 odd years of existence on planet earth learning from his illustrious father and imbibing the nuggets of wisdom passed onto/bequeathed to him by his revered father will soon be making his debut as a music composer/director in the forthcoming intense drama "Black Home".........
"Black Home" starring noted actors Achint Kaur and Ashutosh Rana is slated to be an intense; souls searching and no holds barred saga inspired by true life incidents recorded at various remand homes that dot the landscape of mother India.........
"As Akshay happens to belong to an illustrious and reputed musical family; he is earnest and committed about introducing an entirely fresh and innovative blend of sound/acoustics in the annals of the Hindi film industry"; Ashish Deo the director of the film gushes........
"What is even more remarkable is the fact that Akshay firstly heard the narration of the entire script and screenplay of this intense drama and then and only then set about the arduous task of composing/programming the tracks in the film that have been soulfully rendered by such legends like Asha Bhosle; Hariharan; and the up and coming Suraj Jagan and Mamta Sharma" Deo signs off..........
Produced by Vijay Kamble and starring Chitrashi Rawat; Achint Kaur as well as Ashutosh Rana in pivotal/instrumental roles; "Black Home" is slated to hit the screens in the last quarter of this year and I for one at least am going to my ears glued to this flick's soundtrack to find out whether or not Akshay is the new whiz kid on the block...........

RIGHT MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE.........

Accolades; plaudits; encomiums and hosannas continue pouring in for team India assistant coach Sanjay Bangar who recently garnered a lion's share of the credit for leading the Indian team to the semi final stages of the recently concluded World Cup.........
Marauding; intimidating and simply terrifying Aussie speedster Mitchell Johnson who has been plying his trade (in the IPL) with the King's XI Punjab franchise is the latest fawning fan to jump onto the bandwagon.......
Bangar has been in charge of the Preity Zinta/Ness Wadia co-owned franchise for quite some time now and achieved the rare and laudable distinction of leading it to the runner's up spot for the first time in seven attempts.........
Johnson who annexed 17 wickets during the last edition of India's premier domestic T 20 tournament exuded quiet confidence about the team's/franchises chances of doing one better in this edition of the IPL and also said that a large chunk of credit for this remarkable turn around in fortunes is primarily due to Sanjay Bangar..........
"Sanjay has his own trademark manner of going about doing things in a quiet; unobtrusive; nondescript and relaxed manner; he also has this uncanny ability of knowing when exactly you are down and out and need a quiet word in your ear to bolster your flagging and ebbing spirits" Johnson gushed..........
"He also is the right man to coach/mentor team India after Duncan Fletcher as he has already succeeded in establishing a great and convivial rapport with the blokes in the Indian team during his stint as the team's assistant coach and individual players and the team as a whole can only benefit and learn from his varied and telling experiences as both an international and domestic cricketer of some standing as well as steadily improve their lot with his profound and insightful insights into the game"; Johnson signed off..........
Here's Hoping that the powers that be are indeed paying due attention to Mitchell Johnson's sage advice and offer Bangar the job simply because he has the credentials; acumen and cricketing knowledge/know how/expertise to lead team India to the much coveted top spot.........

PUJARA HEADS OFF TO YORKSHIRE........

Once touted as team India's next "wall" and the man ideally suited to fill up the legend Rahul Sharad Dravid's mammoth boots; Cheteshwar Pujara today finds himself in the cricketing wilderness (what with him remaining unsold in this year's IPL auctions) and heading to Yorkshire for a two odd long month county stint..........
Candidly admitting that he did indeed change his stance before the Australian tour as he was guided to by an ex-cricketer he held in high esteem; Pujara said that the minor technical adjustments he made did not yield the desired fruits and if anything raised even more doubts in his mind about his very own ability to succeed in trying conditions against tough and unyielding opponents...........
Pujara whose place in the Indian test team is in doubt (thanks to the advent of a few young turks on the scene) set off for English shores for a two odd month long county stint with English county side Yorkshire and is more than optimistic about his chances of covering himself in glory once again with his batting exploits as he did a few months ago..........
"I can do precious little about the fact that none of the team owners or managements thought it worth their while and effort to include me in their team rosters and hence the decision to make the best possible use of this county stint that was offered to me on a plate by the powers that be within the Yorkshire County Cricket Club"..............
"Hopefully this tint should not only toughen me up mentally and help me overcome all my recently acquired doubts about my own abilities and technique; but also hone my technique and temperament to the much desired level so that I can once again go back and do what I know best; i.e. score runs by the truck full and conspicuously wear down the opposing bowlers with my broad and unswerving blade"; Pujara signed off..........
The fact remains that the Indian test team/side needs Pujara as much as he needs it as he is the bulwark or bedrock of the Indian batting line up that otherwise comprises of swashbuckling stroke makers who can overwhelm the opposition with the sheer effrontery and daring of their batsmanship but lack the temperament and technique to ground out to the opposition bowlers and occupy the crease for hours on end as is desirable in seemingly hostile or then somewhat alien conditions...........
Here's hoping that Pujara's county stint more than bears the desired fruits and helps him re-establish his much admired and envied status of being the new and seemingly impregnable "wall" in an eye catching Indian batting line up..........