Cuts-no cuts: A dilemma over CBFC's role

Latest evidence of Udta Punjab to innumerable movies got scissors pass over them by Central Board of Film Certification. It is the duty of CBFC to duly take care of anything inappropriate in the movies to be served to public. But the organisation has fallen into controversy over excessive cut offs done to many movies in recent times and Udta punjab the latest in that. How far CBFC is justified in excessive moral policing? That's a question to mull over.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)  is a Statutory body under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,  regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952. 

At present films are certified under 4 categories-

U- Unrestricted public exhibition.

UA- Unrestricted public exhibition but with a word of caution that parental discretion is required for children below 12 years.

A- Restricted to adults.

S- Restricted to any special class of persons.

Despite these categorisation heavy cut offs being made in movies. This has fired up a debate whether film making i.e. an art is getting requisite scope for expression. Indian government constituted two commission for considering this issue. First was Mukul Mudgal committee gave its report in 2013 but its recommendation were not considered worthy to thought over. And second was Shyam Benegal Committee 2016 of which much was expected but its report is also below par. Few important recommendations of Shyam Benegal Committee-

a) Focus shifted on certification in place of censorship.

b) Members of CBFC will be reduced to 9 from 25.

c) Two more categories will be increased i.e. one for minor and another for adults.

d) CBFC will no longer have power to suggest or make cuts in movies.

e) But CBFC will have absolute power in refusing to give certification to movies violating section 5B(1) of Cinematograph Act, 1952.

This report on one hand took power of making cuts from CBFC but at the very other hand brought this section 5B(1) to give absolute power to CBFC. What this section is? Lets have a look-

Section 5B(1) of Cinematograph Act, 1952 states ," A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with the foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence" will be denied of the certification.

This section comprises broad categories like morality, decency, public order, sovereignty and integrity of nation which can put any movie under shadow of violation of this section.

What will be adverse effects of it?

a) It is clear violation of article 19(2) of expression under Indian constitution.

b) Movie making (an art) will face hurdles in its unhindered presentation.

c) Movies are mirrors of society hence they represent contemporary and historical aspects of society. If they are controlled by this moral policing then public will not have access to naked reality of many harsh elements of our society.

d) Development of film industry will not be as par Hollywood. Which gives maximum freedom to film makers.

But it is also cannot be denied that some elements of movies are harmful for society and they cannot be presented to maximum public considering their adverse effects on mentality of public. But for that we have categories to restrict people on the basis of content to age parameters. Hence such provisions should be applied which do not compromise with the social environment and also give maximum freedom to producers to present their art to public.

Indian Priority NSG or APEC

India's bid to entrance into Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is burning topic in international relations. As Indian PM is on USA trip and US has promised to support Indian claims for entrance into NSG. India already has got affirmative stance from Switzerland and Mexico for support in NSG entrance. Now question arises, Do all these diplomatic tricks are fruitful? and Is Indian entrance into NSG that important? Shouldn't India focus more on APEC entrance? Lets have some insight into it.

NSG- Nuclear suppliers group was created after India did nuclear experiment in 1974 to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons. Isn't it ironical that USA is supporting India for inclusion into that same group which was created against it. Although US has done yes but consensus is required in this matter and China will never support. Even few other countries can be against India. And if somehow India gets entrance what could be outcome-
a) Indian prestige among international powers will increase.
b) India can stop Pakistan from entering into the NSG.
c) India (biggest contributor in UN peace forces) a peace angel can contribute in regulation of nuclear material.
But there are few question marks also on it.
a) Whoever joins NSG should be a signatory to Non proliferation treaty (NPT) which India unlikely to join.
b) China although a member of both NSG and NPT helping pakistan in establishing nuclear reactors undermining the regulations of NSG.
c) NSG itself has not been very effective in controlling proliferation of nuclear materials hence joining it not that fruitful for India as it is perceiving it.
Overall its a waste of time and energy to try for entrance into NSG. Over this India should invest its diplomatic moves for entrance into APEC (Asia-Pacific economic cooperation) group. Benefits to India on entering APEC--

--- Most of the APEC countries are good in economic growth and India can leverage in trade and commerce being in the group.
--- India belongs to the region as will be very active in engaging all the political and economic activities.
--- Indian presence in the group will be a check to the rising chinese influence in the region particular and South China Sea in specific.

Not only India but other countries will also have positive impacts of it...
--- An economically prosperous and regionally engaged India benefits the US' strategic goals on Asia.
--- Indian contemporary govt is trying to bring economic reforms to open Indian market (Make in India initiative) improve trade volume and facilitate its growing populations' need of employment. Hence will be immense opportunity for other member countries to invest in India.
--- Balance the power poles of the reason.
Hence India should focus more on APEC rather than NSG to get admission into.

Port Development and capacity building

India is dependent on road network for cargo transportation as water transport is just 3.5% of total cargo transportation and railways are suffering from inefficiency, loading delay, poor service etc. Hence through Make in India initiative Indian government want to boost cargo transportation through water mode. There are many benefits of this-

--- First of all cargo transportation through water mode is very cheap. Only 20 paisa per km is the cost over that road and railways cost around 1.5 and 1 rupee per km respectively.
--- increased cargo transportation through water will prompt port development and their capacity building which ultimately boost the economy and help in employment generation.
--- just port development and capacity building will the do the trick to uptick economy, but it will force us to improve connectivity of ports to hinterland through roads and railways to make it a successful affair.

Targets, initiatives and achievements of Indian government in this direction-

--- Indian government has already started to move in this direction as our port capacity has increased to 965.3 million tonnes from 800 million tonnes in last two years.
--- Over that our 11 out 13 major ports have witnessed capacity development in last 2 years.
--- Considering it the top priority of the govt it is targeted to achieve 1400 million tonnes to 3000 million tonnes of total port capacity by 2025.
--- Logistics cost has to be bring down. At present it is 18%. It is targeted to bring it down to 12%. As high costs leads to overall higher cost of products makes them nonviable for major section of society, unpopular among people and increase inflation. China has logistics cost at 8%.

It is right time as world economy is also recovering and few internal reforms on the parts of Indian government in manufacturing and infrastructure development can uptick our economy.

Chennai Deluge: Man Made

In last few days Chennai has been receiving all the blessings of Lord Indra. It's been pouring down continusouly there. All water reserviours like Puzhal Lake, Poondi Lake, Cooum River, Chembarambakkal lake, Adyar river are overflowing. Looking at this spectre we think nothing was in the hands of human beings and everything was nature's done. But it's only half picture. If we look at the role of man in making it severe we will come to know that it was mostly man made. So the reasons of roads becoming rivers and Chennai a water city are as follows:-

a) The main reason is mindless development of Chennai over last two decades.
b) Lowlands have been filled up and choking of stormwater drains and other exits for water were among the major role players in escalation of crisis.
c) Stormwater drains-the fundamental instrument of flood fightig-are supposed to be planned on the basis of topographical data and their linkage with water bodies was ignored by the city authorities.
d) Construction along the course of stormwater drains and design of roads have rarely been seen as part of a whole project of stormwater drains.
e) Construction was done without details on topography or flood character of sites. Even the water log data of last 10 years are often not considered. Contractors were hurry to complete works.
f) Illegal construction has been on such large scale that there are over 1.5 lakh illegal structures in the city according to the CMDA. 
g) High court orders to demolish these constructions has not been followed as business houses and individuals got it stayed from supreme court.
h) Due to these illegal constructions more than 300 water bodies have disappeared.
i) Areas like Mudichur, Velachery have come up on wetlands or river basins resultantly flooded now.
j) Nothing learnt from major flood of 2005, Chennai commissioned a project to prepare laser terain maps, scanning the entire city from a helicopter but this project remains unimplemented.

These all points prove that it was a more man made flood than nature's created similar to srinagar's flood last year.

Constitutional Immorality

Parliamentary system of government is most representative form of government. All the candidates are directly elected by people. With the time this form of government has evolved  few loopholes have emerged in it. 

When Indian constitution was completed on 26 November 1949 and implemented from 26 January 1950 it was thought that by inclusion of all the good and necessary features we have provided one of the best and certainly it is. But if we perceive Indian political system. We would find that our political representatives have able to manage a selfish safety valve through parliamentary proceedings. There used to be respectful, positive and nationally healthy debate held during early days of independence. But now everything is looked at with negative perspective inside the pious walls of parliament. It is not about any particular government or opposition. But negative attitude started to develop in whole political system as we started to left our moral responsibility behind.

Now it is clearly evident that the objective which Indian constitution had set for an opposition party has lost. An oppostion party is-
---"to question the government of the day and hold them accountable to the public".
---Opposition is also as much responsible in upholding the best interests of the public as ruling government.
---The role of opposition is basically to check the excesses and anti constitutional acts of ruling government so it shall not have absolutely unopposed ride.
In contemporary times what has been the role of opposition is to obstruct and oppose each and every policy and programme of ruling government whether that is good for people and country or not. Every act of ruling government should be tried with one stick.
And it is not about a particular party acting as opposition but each and every party or coalition of parties acting as opposition overlook the good points and acts of ruling government and try to defame and obstruct to put them in bad light in front of public to prove them incompetent hence they got disloged in next general elections.
Effects of this attitude of opposition:
a) Developmental polices get hampered and country derailed from growth track.
b) Puts bad image of country in front of world when to obstruct the proceedings of parliament chaos is created deliberately.
c) Its like a retaliation against public for selecting the particular government and devoid the public from positive results from the ruling govenment.
Opposition should be done but it should be positive opposition which stop and lead ruling government to right path not divert them from right path. It is high time that this constitutional immorality which is hampering the growth of country and polluting the environment of parliament which used to be amicable and cordial in early days after independence should be stopped and our respectable political leaders understand their responsibility keeping aside their personal gains.

BLAMING THE NEIGHBOUR(Amended) (Indian Express: 30-11-2015)

When PM Modi took the post and toured Nepal it seemed like we are entering into a new era of cooperation and friendship. And why not India and Nepal has been more than a neighbour since India's independence. India kept its borders and jobs opened for nepalese people. But since new constitution of Nepal has passed this september India-Nepal relations took a sour turn.

What is the issue?

Nepal's new constitution divided whole country into 7 states and gave more representation to hill area tribes into legislature while populations of terai region inhabitants is more. Hence they agitated and started to demonstrate. India did not like this division as it should be based on proportional representation based on population. Due to this standoff passage for providing supplies are blocked by India according to nepal while India says that no man land is quite agitated land due to madhesi's opposition hence it is dangerous to open passage till all get silent. Hence India want nepal to give heed to terai inhabitant i.e. Madhesis's concern. And Nepal is considering it as interference by India.

India's Concerns
a) As terai region comprises most out of 1750 long Nepal border with India hence any sort of disturbance their will create security issues directly for India.
b) India could face deluge of refugees as many Madhesis have marital or economic relations with Indians.

Profit to China:- Because of this debacle in relationships between India and Nepal, China proposed and being accepted by Nepal has started to supply essential commodities to Nepal. China has opened two checkposts and ready to open more if required. This is a geographical and diplomatic victory for china as this friendly gesture will improve chinese penetration into Nepal's economy and political matters which hitherto was closed. Resultantly Indian effect will diminsh.

What India should do now?
India should look for peaceful talk with nepal not in big brotherly tone but as an equal neighbour and try to put its concern to Nepal regarding Madhesis and other constitutional matters. Any harsh and hurried decision could shift Nepal towards china and the long relationship not only geographically but culturally between India and Nepal can get serious hit.

What Nepal's stand should be now?
Nepal should know that India has been the sole mate of nepal throughout many decades and its population has all those rights in India which no other country has. And looking help from China can be an emergency measure but not permanent solution. As geographical barrier in the form of Himalaya makes Chinese help tough to reach to Nepal. Hence Nepal should also look to solve this situation by talking to India and pay heed to its concern as possible.

Going Solar ( Indian Express: 26-11-2015)

Indian Government has planned for setting up 100000 MW of solar generating capacity by 2022. To achieve this environment friendly ambitious target auctions are going, MOUs are being finalised to set up solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in various parts of the country. But one thing which government should give heed to is these PV power plants can work only during day i.e. they can produce electricity only for day not night. Hence Government is also planning to more than double its coal-fired power output by setting up 455 more coal-based power plants by 2030 to meet base load demand. It will nullify the positive impacts of PV power plants by polluting environment. And international community may also impose severe penalties or will not allow on such huge social cost of burning coal---severe air pollution, increased mortality, destruction of the environment and expropriation of the poor from coal-bearing lands.
What can be the solution or alternative to these coal-fired power plants for base load demand? Yes there is, Concentrated solar thermal power (CSP). The benefits of CSP are-
a) CSP plant can provide power day and night.
b) No or very less need of fossil fuel backup hence do not need to be paired up with conventional coal or nuclear power plants.
c) They can store sun's energy for long periods at very little cost, and with negligible loss. This is how they provide power at night too.
d) Another significant advantage is that CSP plants can produce steam at well above 593 degree celsius required for supercritical power stations and can, therefore, be used with the same ultramodern turbines that are being used in our ultra-mega power plants.
This is totally a viable propostion as already 61 operational solar thermal power plants are in the world with generating capacity of 4228 MW. This became possible when Gemasolar a 20 MW power plant established in spain in 2011. Specifications of Gemasolar are-
a) It can store 6500 hours of power a year i.e. 10% more than coal fired power plants generate in India.
b) Gemasolar stores 15 hours of extra heat during the daytime to run the turbines at night and in bad weather.
c) Because of extra storage it keeps only 15% backup of natural gas to guarantee power on demand, overall cheaper than PV.
But this does not mean that all solar power plants should be CSP as cheapness can be deceptive too. For example a place like thar desert most viable for solar energy production have two complications-
a) PV panels lose half a percent of their efficiency for every degree of temperature rise above ambient levels. This amounts to a 2% fall in delivered power for every extra degree of heat.
b) PV power also needs to be stepped up to grid voltages. This increases the cost of transimission by up to three times.
Hence this target of 100000 MW target needs to be divided into two sections to utilise the resources properly and provide power under the cost for both day and night-
a) reserves the bulk of the extra-capacity solar thermal power generaion
b) issues separte tenders for each part.