The Asian Chronicle

Vol I, Issue II

16-30 April, 2016 Pages 08, Price Rs. 5/Faridabad (NCR)

www.theasianchronicle.com | email id: asianchronicleindia@gmail.com

Inside To be or not to be: AFSPA, Democracy & Sharmila

Irom Sharmila, a lady who wants the Legislature to repeal a law named The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958’(hereinafter, AFSPA) and has been on hunger strike for 16 years now, has been acquitted of the charges of attempt to suicide yet again.

The irony is while we disallow a person to take his/her own life or any other person’s life for that matter, we do at the same time provide blanket protection to the army personnel and allow them to “fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death” in the ‘Disturbed areas’ under AFSPA.The AFSPA is actually a state sponsored exigency,

Designer Sumona Parekh introduces Sheer Summer collection.

Declare Kollam temple fire tragedy as national calamity: Chandy

Why are there deadly protests in Kashmir?

Since Twelfth April 2016, four civilians, including a 21-year-old budding cricketer and a middleaged woman, have been killed.

Many parts of Srinagar are under severe police restrictions and a curfew is in place in the border towns of Kupwara and Handwara.

Three of the deaths took place in Handwara town, north of Srinagar, on Tuesday, after rumours that a teenage girl was allegedly molested by a soldier. The fourth victim - a teenage boy who was hit by a teargas shell in nearby Drugmula - died in hospital on Wednesday.

Once news of the alleged molestation spread, people, mostly youths, assembled, shouting slogans. Some of them were seen

TAC News: The Kerala government requested the Centre to immediately declare the Puttingal Devi temple tragedy that claimed 113 lives and left several injured as a national calamity.

“The Centre should take necessary steps to declare the tragedy as a national calamity without delay,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters after a cabinet meeting which reviewed steps taken so far in the aftermath of the April 10 tragedy.

The Chief Minister said the allparty meeting called on Thursday would try to arrive at a consensus on formulating a policy on bringing about restriction on fireworks.

Mr. Chandy said a section in society was not in favour of stop-

“

The Centre should take necessary steps to declare the tragedy as a national calamity without delay,”

Photo Credit: http://gpbnews.org

ping traditional practices and rituals based on faith.

However, another group felt ‘this kind’ of calamity should not happen in future, he said, adding government has to find a solution, taking into consideration the views of both.

The Chief Minister said DNA tests to identify bodies still in hospitals has begun and would be completed soon.

A total of 13 bodies are still to be identified.

Mr. Chandy said police had received complaints that 21 persons were missing after the tragedy in the area and quoted experts as having stated that there was a possibility that the entire body of a person would have been

charred, making even DNA testing difficult.

Government’s priority now was to provide the best possible treatment to the injured being treated in hospitals, he said.

Mr. Chandy said a Cabinet subcommittee of Ministers, comprising Adoor Prakesh, V S Sivakumar and Shibu Baby John, would visit the accident site on Thursday and take stock of the losses suffered in the area.

“A rehabilitation and compensation package would be decided, based on the committee’s report,” he said.

Flaying CPI (M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan for demanding resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala in

the wake of the tragedy, he said “some are trying to politicise the mishap. It is very unfortunate and not correct”.

He recalled the stampede at Sabarimala and Thekkady boat tragedy during the previous LDF rule and said UDF, then in the opposition, had not sought resignation of Mr. Balakrishnan, who was Home Minister.

“At a time like this, we all have to work unitedly to help the victims. Balakrishnan’s statement was very unfortunate,” Mr. Chandy said.

Asked about the delay in fixing responsibility for the mishap, he said a case has been registered and probe is on.

“It is not fair on my part to make

A rehabilitation and compensation package would be decided, based on the committee’s report

“

Vol-1, Issue-II, Published for the period 16-30 April, 2016. Printed & Published by Virender for and on behalf of Karamvir Kamal (Owner) from 2569, Street No. 2, Jawahar Colony, N.I.T, Faridabad, Haryana and printed at Joy Printers, 3G-142, N.I.T. Faridabad-121001, Haryana. Editor Karamvir Kamal* (responsible for selection of news under PRB Act 1867), Deputy Editor Erum Khan. Title Code: HARENG00915.

Executive Office: S-54/28, DLF Phase-III, Gurgaon-122002, Haryana. Contact +91 9212 46 0446, 9899 73 1532.

Lakhs stranded the neck cutting Ramdev's statement, Rohtak police registered a complaint

Oommen Chandy Chief Minister Kerala

a comment as the probe is on.”

However, Mr. Chandy made it clear that any person found guilty for the mishap would be brought before justice.

The CM declined to comment on Kollam District Collector’s report that District police had failed to prevent the fireworks display, despite a ban issued by the authorities.

"If successful, every month second round odd-even

Faridabad (NCR) | 16-30 April, 2016 www.theasianchronicle.com

nation After JNU,A copy of Manu Smriti now lit at DU

TAC News: New Delhi,Bhagat Singh and Constitution Producer Dr BR Ambedkar debate in the country in view of the All India Students Association (AISA) on Wednesday, Delhi University (DU), the equality, respect and justice held March.

Running across the country for a month, "Get up, my country" campaign held at the university at the end of the program, students burned a copy of the Art Faculty Manu Smriti out, moreover the revolutionary Youth Organization (Kewais) allegedly by Hans Raj College with a Dalit student protests against the unfair treatment "Arise My Country" campaign concerning AISA Delhi state chief of precious gems, particularly the youth, said the aim was to convey to the public that the Government and SanghParivarBhagat Singh and Dr. Ambedkar is the false picture.

The campaign ended on Wednesday March was not only on campus but also racist, AntiDalit Granth burned copy of Manu Smriti.

Erum Khan

In the nation's capital from 15 to 30 April next odd-even formula previously applied successfully for 15 days every month so the government is ready to implement.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday reiterated that in the first half of January in Delhi odd-even for the government to start an experiment.

At that time, the coopera-

Continuing disruption to Power Supplies, East Delhi

The disruption in power supply in various areas of East Delhi is expected to continue till April 25 as the Public Works Department has requested for extension of the shutdown of 220 KV Maharani Bagh-Gazipur Circuit I and II due to construction of Barapullah flyover Phase-III. To facilitate the construction, 220 KV Maharani BaghGazipur Circuit- 1 and 2 was first stated to be shut-down from April 2 to 16.

The Delhi Transco Limited said load shedding may be experienced in some areas of Delhi, including Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, Laxmi Nagar, Vivek Vihar, Dilshad Garden, Yamuna Vihar, PreetVihar and Geeta Colony.

However, officials said the load-shedding will be done only if necessary on a rotational basis and will not exceed one hour.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) said all possible efforts have been made to divert the load on alternate sources.

“However, in case of any exigency, the load shedding may occur in some areas on rotational basis for not more than one hour at an instance,” said Dr Rishi Raj Bhati, Public Relations Officer of Delhi Transco Limited.

The affected areas include Gazirpur, KondliGharoli, Dallupura, MadhuVihar, Group Housing Societies, Pandav Nagar, Shakarpur, Ghonda, Seelampur, GT Road Shahdra, NandNagari, Karawal Nagar, Guru Angad Nagar, Kailash Nagar, Kanti Nagar and adjoining areas.

Gurgaon: The 6th annual Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme felicitated Nikhiya Shamsher, a class VIII student of Greenwood High School, Bangalore and Deeya Shroff, a class XI student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai with top honors in the Individual Category, for their extraordinary contribution to community service. They were selected from over

Delhi, formula is being implemented from April 15.Pollution implemented by the government was able to use it this time permanently, the scheme will apply to 15 days, and the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium scheme was organized by the Assembly resolution.

The stock of preparations, the Civil Defense Volunteer important responsibility and the responsibility for the first time in four hundred veterans was held to encourage the program to all districts in the DM, ADM and SDM were also present.

5,000 nominations received from school students across India. The winners were presented with Gold Medallions, Certificates of Excellence, a cash reward of Rs. 50,000 each, and a return trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2016. While in Washington, D.C., the winners will represent India in the global felicitation ceremonies for The Spirit of Community Award winners from eight participat-

Worldwide debate

tion with the public success, the public opinion back to

Chief Minister said that the people of Delhi government's decision to adopt such a success that it is being discussed.

Nearly 25 lakh of private car drivers 10-20 thousand car driver fined for violation the government is not to possible. The decision forced to take back, but during the day, only two to three hundred car drivers fined.

Maya took a dig at the BJP-Congress on Ambedkar Jayanti TAC News: 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, BSP Supremo Mayawati at Lucknow, BJP and Congress, he fiercely attacked the interests of Dalit votes in Congress, BJP are involved, and the Congress opposed the highest BSP. She questioned why Modi had not celebrated the birth anniversary of Ram in Sasaram, Noida missed five April Jagjivan Ram, Mayawati said the Congress had not given the Bharat Ratna to Ambedkar.

Babu Ram used to the Congress, She said that Congress had misused official machinery by the Congress in the Lok Sabha even Ambedkar did not go.

Attacking BJP, Mayawati said reservation tampered Modi movement, the center itself on the streets against the government.The BJP is a party of capitalists who are driving it, privatization will not be jobs for Dalits, Modi did nothing on the issue of the reservation, and the reservation is at stake statements like RSS. Modi is backtracked on reservation for political gain. There are programs to honor Dalit votes, the Congress and the BJP are racist mentality. BJP Dalit and backward class card playing, BJP, Congress went on Haj hundred rats eating.

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news corner

Delhi at 41 Degrees, Nearly 70 Dead In National Heat Wave

NEW DELHI: Nearly 70 people have died in the last week in Odisha and Telangana as a heat wave swept the country. It's the hottest April in five years, says the Met department, and predicts that it will get worse as the summer deepens.

HIGHLIGHTS mThe temperature in Delhi touched 41 degrees Celsius mHottest April in 5 years, it will only get worse, predicts Met department mWater storage in 91 major reservoirs at a 10-year low, says government.

Japan earthquake kills nine; more aftershocks expected

Tokyo (CNN)At least nine people died when an earthquake shook southwestern Japan's Kyushu island late Thursday, the Kumamoto Prefecture disaster management office said.

Search crews scrambled to dig through rubble looking for people trapped under collapsed buildings.

The magnitude-6.2 quake struck near Ueki, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Dozens of smaller aftershocks followed.

"The ground shook for about 20 seconds before the 6.2-magnitude quake stopped," witness Lim Ting Jie said.

Two deaths occurred in Mashiki, the Kumamoto Prefecture office said. One person died in a collapsed house, and the other died in a fire caused by the quake.

Journalist Mike Fern told CNN that scores of buildings had either collapsed or caught fire, while the tremors triggered landslides, tore up roads and in one case, derailed a bullet train.

Nearly 800 people were injured, 50 severely. The prefecture office said 44,449 people had evacuated.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament early Friday that he'd mobilized 3,000 members of Japan's Self Defense Force, police and fire service to join the rescue effort overnight. He said the government is "racing against the clock and will provide more personnel if necessary."

INDIA’S TOP TWO STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NAMED IN 6th ANNUAL PRAMERICA SPIRIT OF COMMUNITYAWARDS

ing countries across the world. The awards were presented to the gold medalists in the presence of Rahul Bose, film personality and social activist.

Nikhiya is the founder of two initiatives – ‘Bags, Books & Blessings’ and ‘Yearn to Learn’ that facilitate education facilities for underprivileged children. Through her initiative ‘Yearn To Learn’, she has set up 11 laboratories in three schools in Bangalore, which has benefitted over 2,250 students in the region. Deeya has impacted the lives of 1200+ individuals through her project ‘Jal Jeevan’ that she undertook in collaboration

with Eureka Forbes that provides clean and purified drinking water through water ATMs to 300 families in rural India.

The prestigious awards programme organized by DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (DPLI) is the India chapter of the Spirit of Community Awards, the largest youth recognition programme in the United States based exclusively on volunteer service.

The recipient of Gold Medallions in the Group Category are Vishamuhil S and her friends, class VIII students of P.U.M.S Kalachery West, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu.

They have taken the initiative

to spread awareness against suicides in their village. With the aid of street plays, rallies and one-on-one meetings, these children have tried to make parents aware of the need to think about their children’s future instead of taking a drastic step to end their lives if times are bad. The hard work and continued efforts of Vishamuhil S and her friends has shown very optimistic results. They started this campaign in November 2011 and in the past four years, there have been no suicide cases in their village.

Additionally, 14 other well deserving finalists in the Individual Category and seven

students in the Group Category received Certificates of Achievement and silver medallions for their outstanding community service. The winners were selected by an eminent jury panel comprising Padma Sri Kathak Guru Shovana Narayan, Ms. Romaine San Francesco, Project Head, Samarpan Foundation, Mr. Narayanan Madhavan, Senior Associate Editor, Hindustan Times, Prof. Manoj. K Jha, Head of the Department of Social Work, University of Delhi, Mr. Kapil Pandey, President and Co-Founder of Kutumb Foundation, and Mr. Ashwani Singla, Founding Managing Partner, Astrum.

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Faridabad (NCR) | 16-30 April, 2016 www.theasianchronicle.com

haryana

Lakhs stranded the neck cutting Ramdev's statement, Rohtak police registered a complaint

TAC News: Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev at Rohtak in Haryana police complaint was lodged against. Swami Ramdev 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai "slogan associated with the ongoing dispute between the cutting heads is charged with controversial statements.

The police will not listen, then the court will Batra

Former state minister and Congress leader Subhash Batra has complained to the SP.Police registered a case against him, if not, then we petition the court on Tuesday knocking.Rohtak police probe into complaint said.

Lakhs cutting head to India on offense

Bharat Mata Ki Jai 'slogans Swami Ramdev on Sunday amid the ongoing debate on a controversial statement.Without being name, the AIMIM Chief AsaduddinOwaisi, the aim was also the shuffle.Ramdev had said that their hands are tied by the law, or Bharat Mata will insult someone else so he would not have the courage to cut the head Lakhs.

After the kidnapping of a minor Dalit girl raped

Drunken hungry lust in Hisar district, Haryana a minor girl was abducted from his house. The accused took the girl to a secluded spot. And gang rape were committed.

This embarrassing incident bass village in Baas. Living in the family of a Dalit minor girl studying in 12th grade. Friday night, some unknown people came and abducted the girl.

The accused took the girl from her home and brought to a secluded spot. There they raped her. The girl was pleading for mercy, but he ignored her.

During the incident the girl became unconscious. Saturday morning, the accused threw the unconscious girl out of her house away. If the day is near when the people saw him to complain to the police.

The girl's family members Hisar general hospital. The family's complaint was registered against unknown accused. Was also held at the girl's medical regain consciousness.

This incident has traumatized girl. He could not even make a statement to the police. Too many bruises on her body was found.

Police have started investigating the matter. Those around the victim is being questioned. So far the police have not received any information about the accused.

Supreme Court imposes Rs 1 crore fine on DDCA Supreme Court imposed the fine on DDCA for non-compliance of Delhi High Court order on a disputed structure at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

The Supreme Court has imposed a fine of Rs one crore DDCA. Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi High Court order on the disputed structure on non-compliance has been fined. The Court did not give any order on the disputed structure. This Court held that 'the loss of the country ".

A bench headed by Justice JS Kehar said, "People play cricket stadium. The stadium was demolished disputed structure, it would not be a solution. This will damage the country. " DDCA was not considered by the High Court directed The bench said, "DDCA in 2013 did not follow the instructions of the High Court.

Now in 2016, partially complied. You do not follow orders to pay a fine of Rs one crore. Then see that your petition has to do. "

Gurgaon will now be called Gurugram

metro

TAC News

The Haryana Government on last week decided to rename Gurgaon as Gurugram and its neighbouing district Mewat as Nuh. Announcing the decision, an official spokesman said the decision to change the name of Gurgaon had been taken on the basis of the representations received at several forums.

He said Haryana was a historic land mentioned in the Bhagwat Gita and Gurgaon had been a great centre of learning, where Guru Dronacharya used to provide education to the Pandavas and Kauras.

The town derived its name from Guru Dronacharya; the village was given as “gurudakshina” to him by his students, the Pandavas, and hence it came to be known as Gurugram.

Nigerian National held for Drug Racket, Sent to Jail

The town derived its name from Guru Dronacharya; the village was given as “gurudakshina” to him by his students, the Pandavas, and hence it came to be known as Gurugram.

This name in course of time got distorted to Gurgaon.

Therefore, the people of the area had been long demanding that Gurgaon be renamed as Gurugram.

The spokesperson said that Mewat, in fact is a geographical and cultural unit and not a town. It is spread beyond Haryana in the adjoining States of Uttar Pradesh and

Erum Khan | New Delhi: A 33-yearold Nigerian national was arrested on the alleged charges of running a drug racket since 2009 that used to supply high quality cocaine to national Capital’s pubs and bars. Delhi Police also recovered drugs worth Rs54 lakhs in the international market.

The accused identified as Fill alias Steve, who is now lodged in Tihar Jail, is serving imprisonment under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. “The Delhi Police with his arrest claims to burst a well-organised drug racket,” said a senior police official.

“Fill was arrested on April 2 from central Delhi’s Rajendra Nagar area.

He had gone to supply 54 grams of pure cocaine to one of his well-heeled clients,” added the officer. The drug was worth between Rs10 lakh and Rs50 lakh, depending on negotiation, and would have fetched at least Rs.54/- lakh in the international market.

Rajasthan. The headquarters of Mewat district is at Nuh town. The people of the area and the elected representatives had been demanding the name change of Mewat to Nuh. He said Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has approved the proposal to change the names.

However, the proposal would now be forwarded to the Government of India for

its approval and come into force only after a Gazette Notification.

A committee of councilors had also sent a proposal to the government in this regard.

The renaming, however, evoked mixed reactions.

While Deputy Commissioner T.L. Satyaprakash said it would not hamper the administrative work, some felt that it would entail unwarranted expenses and the city had already made a place for itself in the global map as Gurgaon.

Lt. Governor of Delhi government and the war reached the Supreme Court TAC News

New Delhi, Delhi Chief Minister's Office under the Office of Lieutenant Governor and the Supreme Court to limit mutual corrosion issues has to be ready for trial. The complaint reached the Supreme Court, High Court of Delhi government has given the court hearing on April 18th, 2016.

The Delhi High Court will decide on this before the large benches to hear what the two powers shall be heard separately on specific topics related to rights.

Recently, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung has been considerable controversy over the rights, in many cases, both were standing

face to face and Lieutenant Governor had rejected the Delhi government's decision.

Delhi Government, the High Court had reached eight cases.The petition was also well under the Constitution Article 239 AA of the decisions and recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor under the Cabinet should have the right to

work.

Delhi government wanted, first by a larger bench of the High Court that the government should be held and what are the rights of Lieutenant Governor, Do the same way to the Lieutenant Governor should be obliged to take a decision on the recommendations of the Cabinet or not in the way that other governments in parliamentary tradition.

The city government has also described the eight cases in which the conflict between the government and the Lt. Governor did show, the government is seeking to limit the rights when the first issues will pave the way for the controversial issues before different courts have different views.

Delhi: Cambridge will be Regal Building will be installed training for 90 principals of in Madam Tussauds Museum government schools

TAC News New delhi: Delhi's government schools, 90 principals will be trained for Cambridge University.

Cambridge officials in Delhi met the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. 10 days of principal leadership training to 90 government schools are being sent to the Cambridge.

102 crore has been allocated

Jaideep Prabhu of Cambridge University in this regard, two officers and deputy chief minister and education minister Sisodia Hrold Kyi on Monday met in Delhi Secretariat. The city government in this year's budget for the principal and teachers of the International Training has allocated Rs 102 crore.

10 days training program

As a first step in this regard will be sent to Cambridge in 90 principal three batches. It will be 10 days training and educational leadership program. Among teachers Oxford Cambridge, Harvard, will be sent to educational institutions such as IITs and IIMs. Cambridge officials said during a meeting with Deputy CM, going to training the principal will visit local schools and they will meet with teachers of government schools.

TAC News

Regal building in Connaught Place, the heart of the capital in the famous Madam Tussauds museum will be established. The museum including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, others will have a wax statue.

Sources said the Indian partner of the museum located in London and the decision of the building owners 'final' is given. Work on it will begin in the next two months.

The building was built in 1932 during the British period.

According to the source, "The purpose of the museum is to attract tourists to the city. So choose the venue of the people have been given access to. Work will begin in the next two months and will be completed in 2017, the Museum. “When contacted by the manager of the Regal Cinema

Museum in another part of the building can become, therefore, not necessarily have to give his place to his cinema.

As manager Ghai said, "Theater owner Vinay Mahajan. I do not think it will have to close. “In many cities around the world famous museum. Modi Museum recently announced the setting up of the statue was. The measure was taken by the Prime Minister for his team.

editorial Quote of this Fortnight

“If there is one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own.”

Henry Ford

Women's rights in India

Erum Khan

Women in India for social protection and respect of laws which allow to live. See some of the important legal rights...

Father's property rights

India's law, a woman is entitled to his father's ancestral property. If the father is not a will of its own assets of the deposit, the property after his death, his brother and mother, the girl will get the part. Even after marriage, the right to remain intact.

Husband's property rights relating to

After the marriage, the husband's property but not owned by the woman's husband in the event of marital disputes by virtue of women should get alimony. According to his will after the death of either husband or wife will not be in a position to get a share of the property. The only condition is that the husband has earned its own property can only bequeath, not ancestral property.

The right to free legal help

If a woman is accused in a case the legal help is free for women. He requested the court to counsel at public expense can. It is not only the poor but also to any woman's economic status. Police arrest woman after contacts Legal Help Committee, which provides for giving free legal advice to women.

Both partners have not made

If neither spouse wants to stay with his wife and children under section 125 of CRPC seeking alimony can. Under the Domestic Violence Act can also be sought alimony. When you reach the point of divorce under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act and the compensation is fixed, and the husband's salary is based on the acquired assets.

Decisions relating to property

No woman had their share of parental property and do whatever you can own fortune earned. If the woman wants to sell him or her to name someone else wants to do and cannot interfere in it. Woman whether the property can also eject your children.

Protection from domestic violence

Ladies their father or husband's house to protect domestic violence law. Normally used only for the husband of the woman in the scope of this legislation can come on any home. Domestic violence means violence or harassment of any kind of Woman.

What is domestic violence?

Violence not only mental or financial abuse is equal to domestic violence. Taunting, abuse or crime to hurt someone else the woman's emotional. A woman to go out of the house, take away his salary or take possession of any documents related to the job harassment, against which the domestic violence case. This applies also in live-in relationships.

Involving police authority

The only female police searched a Woman can take. Woman after sunset and before sunrise in police custody cannot take. Woman being arrested without a warrant must immediately give reasons for the arrest and bail him should be informed of his rights. Close relatives of the arrested Woman is the sole responsibility of the police be informed immediately.

Faridabad (NCR) | 16-30 April, 2016 www.theasianchronicle.com

Triple talaq: India's Muslim women fight against instant divorce

issue

4

India is perhaps the only country in the world where a Muslim man can divorce his wife in a matter of minutes by just uttering the word talaq (divorce) three times. But this controversial practice of "triple talaq" is now facing a stiff challenge - the Supreme Court is considering whether to declare it unconstitutional, writes the BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi.

Geeta Pandey | BBC

Shayara Bano's world came crashing down in October.

The 35-year-old mother of two was visiting her parents' home in the northern state of Uttarakhand for medical treatment when she received her talaqnama - a letter from her husband telling her that he was divorcing her.

Her attempts to reach her husband of 15 years, who lives in the city of Allahabad, have been unsuccessful.

Shayara Bano has petitioned the Supreme Court to declare triple talaq unconstitutional

"He's switched off his phone, I have no way of getting in touch with him," she told the BBC over phone from her home in the northern state of Uttarakhand. "I'm worried sick about my children, their lives are getting ruined."

In February, a frustrated Shayara Bano filed a petition in the Supreme Court, demanding a total ban on triple talaq which, she says, allows Muslim men to treat their wives like "chattel".

Muslims are India's largest minority community with a population of 155 million and their marriages and divorces are governed by the Muslim personal law, ostensibly based on the sharia.

Even though it has been practised for decades now, the unilateral instant triple talaq is clearly an aberration - it finds no mention in sharia or the Koran.

Islamic scholars say the Koran clearly spells out how to issue a divorce - it has to be spread over three months which allows a couple time for reflection and reconciliation.

Activists are demanding a total ban on triple talaq

Activists say most Islamic countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, have banned triple talaq, but it thrives in India.

For years, Muslim women in India have also been demanding a ban on the reprehensible practice - in 2004, I wrote about a similar campaign to end triple talaq.

A dozen years later, the situation ap-

pears worse.

And modern technology has made it even easier for unscrupulous men to dump their wives - using text messages as well as post and the telephone to pronounce divorce. There have also been instances where men have used Skype, WhatsApp or Facebook for the purpose.

In November, the Mumbai-based Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA - Indian Muslim Women's Movement) released a report chronicling nearly 100 cases of triple talaq.

"Since 2007, we have come across thousands of cases of oral triple talaq, rendering women destitute with nowhere to go," says Professor Zakia Soman, social activist and BMMA founder.

In a majority of the cases compiled by the BMMA, the divorced women were from poor families and most said their husbands did not honour their obligations to pay maintenance, forcing them to return to their parental homes or fend for themselves.

Indian Muslims also follow Halala where a divorced woman has to marry another man and consummate her marriage in order to go back to her former husband.

Campaigners say Muslim women are denied their Koranic rights

"India is the only country in the world where these un-Koranic practices exist.

These are barbaric and totally unacceptable. There's a need for a comprehensive review of Muslim personal laws in India," Prof Soman told the BBC. In October, the BMMA wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding "reforms in Muslim divorce and polygamy laws". They also filed a petition in the Supreme Court.

Prof Soman says what makes matters worse for the women is that "this un-Islamic triple talaq is often sanctioned by the Muslim clergy - the qazis and maulvis".

Perhaps that is why the Supreme Court's decision to take up Shayara Bano's petition has been opposed by several influential Muslim groups, including the All India

Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).

Its working committee member Asma Zehra is quick to "condemn" the practice, describing it as "haraam" (forbidden), but insists that the divorce rate is still very low among Indian Muslims and that the issue is being blown out of proportion by forces inimical to Islam.

"Why is everyone after us, after our religion?" she asks.

Ms. Zehra says Muslims are struggling to survive under the present Indian government, led by Mr Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, adding that the focus on the issue of triple talaq is "basically because they want to interfere in our religion" with the aim of introducing a uniform civil code.

She says that even though triple talaq has no Koranic sanction, it is not in their power to ban it because AIMPLB is "just a moral body, we can only educate people".

Ms Zehra says they are doing plenty to educate people, but activists say much more needs to be done.

"Condemning it is not enough. These practices need to be declared illegal," says Prof Soman.

"It's important that the Muslim family law is properly codified. Koran gave us our rights, the patriarchal forces have taken it away from women," she adds.

Shayara Bano, in her village in the hills of Uttarakhand, is pinning her hopes on the Supreme Court.

"I want my husband to take me back.

I'm hoping to get justice from the court," she says.

Courtesy: BBC

art & culture Shree Umapati Group is organizing a 3 day theatre festival

Navratn Rangotsav

About the Play:

Maharathi: DRAMA MAHARATHI is a superbly crafted play written by Vibhanshu Vaibhav and inspired by the excerpts of the Mythological Epic ‘MAHABHARAT’. Based on the life of KARNA, the play explores the identity crisis faced by the protagonist when he is abandoned at birth, and brought up by Adhiratha a low caste person, Due to this fact, Karna is spurned by Draupadi at her ‘Swayamvara’, and is forced to take sides with the Kauravas against his own brothers, the Pandavas. The playwright throws up the issues of the Blind Commitments and True Logic. Krishna is portrayed for the first time as a political figure. Karna’s principled loyalty to the Kauravas and his deep anguish at his rejection by the Society is very well crafted in the meeting between the Mother and Son.

Jai Hind: DRAMA & PATRIOTIC This play revolves around the dirty tactics of ‘Infiltration and Terrorism’ followed by Pakistan. This play shows as to how Pakistan uses sensitive sections of our society like innocent students, poor farmers, illiterate and fanatic people to create internal disturbances. The sole objective is to weaken a tolerant and big hearted India. One of the most interesting parts of the play is the the dialogue between Indian and Pakistani Military Officers at the border. The fact that this sensitive subject has been handled very tactfully and in a comic way shows the talent of the writer-director. Jai Hind is an excellent combination of Dirty Diplomacy and Politics on one hand and Broad Minded Patriotism on the other hand. The comic presentation makes it wonderful.

Taj Mahal Ka Tender Taj Mahal ka Tender, a hilarious comedy, which revolves around what would have been the fate of Shahjahan's Taj Mahal, had the Emperor lived in the present times. This is the theme of this Hilarious Burlesque. The persistent Shahjahan, in no mood to accept the excuses for delays, sends the somnolent Government construction department into tizzy. The engineers and overseers get down

to the business of fulfilling the Emperors wish, as if they really could this. An outbreak of activities ensues but in a typical sarkari manner. Tenders are issued. Contractors are hired but, does the project actually sees the light of the day or if the Mogul Emperor, fast forwarded in present times, becomes a victim of the system himself? How his beloved Mumtaz reacts to all this? Whatever may happen to the wonder tomb, but the lofty laughter castles are guaranteed, as the curtain rises on Taj Mahal ka Tender.

Schedule for 17th April 2016

Maharathi

4:00PM, Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi Maharathi: Writer Vibhanshu Vaibhav & Directed by Krishna Kanth

Jai Hind

6:00PM, Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi Jai Hind (Azadi from Indian Pakistani League): Written & Directed by SP Singh Sengar

Taj Mahal

7:30PM, Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi Taj Mahal Ka Tender: Written by Ajay Shukla & Directed by SP Singh Sengar Tickets Rs.500/-, 300/-, 200/- available on www.bookmyshow.com

Faridabad (NCR) | 16-30 April, 2016 www.theasianchronicle.com

5

nation

To be or not to be: AFSPA, Democracy & Sharmila Deviant or sensible Sharmila?

Sparsh Upadhyay

Deviant or sensible Sharmila?

Irom Sharmila, a lady who wants the Legislature to repeal a law named The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958’(hereinafter, AFSPA) and has been on hunger strike for 16 years now, has been acquitted of the charges of attempt to suicide yet again.

The irony is while we disallow a person to take his/her own life or any other person’s life for that matter, we do at the same time provide blanket protection to the army personnel and allow them to “fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death” in the ‘Disturbed areas’ under AFSPA.The AFSPA is actually a state sponsored exigency, which mutilates the harmony which is actually sought to be maintained

by Government. There is clear arbitrariness in the provisions of this draconian Law and arguments in favour of its removal have been rising lately.

Sharmila’s voice is amongst those dissenting voices that demand that the Law be repealed but how does the state machinery deal with such voices is a matter of deep examination.

Our Constitution does give us the power to have a dissenting view but does this right to dissent has been empowered to that extent so that it could create an impact on its own? Irom Sharmila, the lady with bullets in her hand, is not just a woman who struggles for the cause of righteousness but has also proved out to be a hard hitting critique of the Negativity involved in the Positive Laws.Does Democracy, as practised in India, accommodate her voice? Or should it? The problem with Democracy, across the world, isn’t that it is ruled by majority but that it objectifies the Truth in many aspects (mostly through Laws) and nowadays gives least important to dissent.

The legitimacy of AFSPA and its provision therein have the back-

ing of Parliament’s will, and that too in a country which practices Parliamentary Democracy.

Morality and the Law The problem involved in Sharmila’s case is twofold, onewhere the Laws depart from being moral in their application and second where Democracy and dissent have taken a backseat.

Firstly, let us understand the expected relationship of Law and Morality, it is a fact that codified Laws are nothing but objective truths in black and white and they could, at times, prove out to be suffocating in their application. In such a situation it becomes indispensible that such crisis is mitigated only by incorporating the Morality in the Law. We must not be against the idea of having a codified law, but we must be against the practice of having the obstructionist attitude toward subjectifying truth in Law and broadening the scope of Morality in the Law. Some say, Judiciary does the task of seeing things in the Lawwith a broad perspective and examines themthrough the lenses of Morality but still we do come to the juncture where judgements like Suresh Kumar Kaushal vs. NazFoundationcome, which identified the Parliaments’ Willto be the law of land(while holding Section 377 of IPC intra vires of Constitution) and thus booked a back seat for itself. The Judiciary could have brought in social change by holding Section 377 of IPC unconstitutional and thereby indicating that even the Parliament could, at times, misunderstand the collective Will of the people. Clearly, two of state’s organs often deny the responsibility which they are expected to take up.

Democracy and Dissent Secondly, this very Parliament, elected through direct Democracy, functions in such a way that minority often form part of the unheard voices. In our case, Sharmila’s voice could have been a second chance for the legisla-

ture to mend its mistakes, but it stands too adamant to rectify it.Is it all okay to give voices but provide no receivers? Don’t we cast our vote to see a reflection of our will? Can’t Sharmila have her right to dissent? Can’t she oppose a law which clearly lacks Morality? The probable answer could be ‘Yes she can’, but does this dissent hold any power in present context? The question that must baffle us is why is Democracy only limited to electing a government? It seems this Dissent is only allowed when it is being voiced in the form of casting our vote and not beyond that (Remember, even this dissent must be collective in order that it becomes of some worth). If that is the case we must disallow Irom sharmila and alike to elect Lawmakers of their own choices from immediate effect. I believe that would be the better option, as there would be no expectation whatsoever from the elected Government then (After all Government exists for us and not vice versa). It seems it will be better to keep minority aside from the whole election process altogether and stop calling it the participative democracy and rather name it the Discriminatory Democracy, the type of Democracy which is Democratic at the start and Undemocratic thereafter in terms of accommodating dissent.The truth (I want my truth to be fairly subjectified by the readers but the essence must not be lost at any cost) is that we are in the state of running emergency, where the Dissent looks better in principles and in elite conferences and seminars but not in the voice of a common man. From Government’s point of view, dissent not only drops the hot oil in our so called Democratic Governments’ ears but also corrupts the politically forced

Jats demanding reservation in Central govt jobs plan rally at Jantar Mantar

TAC News

All India Jat Arakshn Sanghrash Samiti president Yashpal Malik Wednesday said Jats will hold a rally on May 10 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to demand that the Centre give reservation to Jat community in Central government jobs.

“We will hold a rally at Delhi on May 10 in which we will be request the Centre to give jobs to Jats in central government departments,” Malik said while addressing a rally here.

He further said Jat leaders will also demand release of Jat youths who have been “falsely” implicated in the cases during Jat agitation in February in Haryana.

“We will also raise the issue of release of innocent Jat youths who have been wrongly arrested by police and withdrawal of cases against them,” he said. “If our demands were not met, we shall

against resort to agitation,” he said. Malik alleged that the government has not fulfilled the promises made to Jat leaders for release of youths and there is great resentment in the community over the arrest of “innocent” jat youths.

Yashpal Malik and other jat leaders later met Deputy Commissioner N.K. Solanki and SP O.P. Narwal and demanded withdrawal of police cases against the arrested jat youths. On the assurance of DC and SP that no one will be arrested without proper probe, the protesting jats ended their nine-day-old dharna. The jat rally was addressed by Ram Bhagat Malik, Karnail Singh and Azad Singh Lakda.

calmness and harmony in the Society.

The way ahead Autocracy and dictatorship have had the history of being in perpetual fear of fall of power. The supremacy that was always tried to be imposed upon the people was not only for the purpose of glorifying the magnanimous body called king but was also an attempt to inculcate the fear of the Rulers amongst the masses. Politically, diminishing fear not only means fewer adherences to the laws but also a prospective fall of power. The fear has always been one fold, that which surrounded the limited people in power. But the democracy has outperformed its predecessorsin principles and now the fear has totally ended.

The norma is that wherever and whenever there is necessity, law (which already is the political will in disguise) must be tamed first and same has been done in the case of AFSPA. The AFSPA has not brought any laurels home and its objective was to maintain peace, it rather breaks it. An interesting situation did happen when in 2012 one of the Parliamentarians criticised this draconian Law, it was the then Finance Minister Mr.P. Chidambaram.

How can we keep the law

Miffed over arrest of youths, Jat Leader Threatens Stir Again

Chandigarh: All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) national president Yashpal Malik on Wednesday threatened the Haryana Government to launch another agitation in the State if the Government fails to release the innocent youths arrested in connection with violence during the Jat quota stir in February.

While addressing Jat Nyaya Rally at Fatehabad, Malik said that the BJP-led State Government has backed out of its earlier promise to release the arrested innocent youths and is forcing the Jats to launch another agitation.

These arrested youths have no connection with any damage done to the Government and private property during Jat agitation in Haryana, said Malik.

which often oversteps the limits of morality when even the authorities who happen to be the Lawmakers deny the legitimacy of this law? The questions put up are much deeper than what we think them to be and single thread answers aren’t sufficient to mitigate the threat which draconian Laws such as these pose to the society.Truly, Sharmila isn’t just the victim of inappropriateness of a law called AFSPA but also a traumatised patient in the ward of a failing Democracy where the core object of dissent has gone missing, thanks to the Government.

Sparsh Upadhyay - A student of Law at ILNU Ahmedabad and Student-Editor of 'Nirma University Law Journal" Email ID 13bal055@nirmauni.ac.in

Sumona Parekh intorduces Sheer Summer collection" Designer Sumona Parekh introduces Sheer Summer collection. The collection has been derived from the garden motifs in fresh sunny mood. This feeling is reflected in the wonder of the filigree work with its flower and leaf motif with curling tendrils. There is a distinct presence of her jewellery workmanship woven into the fabric of her clothes.

The luxury pret itself emphasizes the garden, flowers anhd leaf pattern with a layered 3- dimensional effect.

This collection is an assortment of cool summer fabrics in sheer textures like georgette, butterfly net and chiffon in subtle spring shades like custard yellow, baby pink, white, tangerine and peach. The silhouettes of the collection starts from short knee length canvas dresses to floor length elegant ensembles with dhoti pants, capes, palazzo, summer “throw “jackets.

Faridabad (NCR) | 16-30 April, 2016 www.theasianchronicle.com

The Real Estate Bill 2013 – Hope for home buyers! Despair for Builders?

business

The much awaited Real Estate Bill 2013 offers a uniform regulatory environment by protecting consumer interests, enabling speedy settlement of disputes and ensuring a healthy growth for the real estate sector.

Dheeraj Kale

The past decade saw the trust of numerous home buyers being shredded to pieces.

Thanks to the increasing malpractices in the Indian real estate business. Some of the most common ones being inordinate delay in possession, sale of land without mandatory approvals, no disparity between build up, carpet and saleable area, demand of additional money at the time of possession, amendments in floor plans and layouts without notification, etc. As a result, real estate lost its ground as a paying investment option; sales plummeted leading to a slump which has been lingering over the Indian Real Estate horizon for over half a decade now.

The Real Estate Regulatory Bill 2013 is being viewed as a panacea for this ailing sector.

The Bill passed in April 2015 in the Rajya Sabha, aims at regulating the real estate business by curbing unfair practices by errant builders, protecting consumer interests and ensuring timely execution of projects. Although, everything looks hunky-dory in black and white but only time will tell if implementation is given equal weightage. Some of the salient features of the bill are as follows.

One of the most significant features of the bill is it allows

establishment of ‘Real Estate Regulatory Authority’ which makes registration of Real Estate projects and real estate agents mandatory. This apex authority will act as a fast track dispute resolution mechanism through adjudication.

Real Estate Agents will have to register themselves with the respective Real Estate Regulatory Authority and will be able to sell only those projects, units or apartments registered with the authority. The agents must maintain and preserve books of accounts, records and documents, facilitate the possession of documents to allottees as entitled at the time of booking.

Another noteworthy feature of the bill binds the developer to open a separate escrow account for each project and deposit 70% of the buyers’ money received from project sales. This will ensure that atleast 70% of the capital is utilized for construction of that particular project only. In the current scenario, a builder stalls construction activity at a residential project site after the completion of brickwork. By this time 90% of the money has already been paid by the customer. The money received is diverted in other project launches, purchase of more land or construction of commercial projects which earns the builder lease money.

Earlier many builders managed to sell a lot of units dur-

6

headlines J&K: Advocate General resigns as Mehbooba forms new government

The government, however, requested Raina to continue till a decision on his resignation is taken by it, said an official spokesperson in Jammu.

West Bengal polls, Phase 1: CM Mamata Banerjee begins looking for returns on investment

The biggest plank of the Trinamool in this region is that the politics of bloodshed is almost entirely absent now.

Central Govt. employees asked to declare assets by April 15

The DoPT has already made it clear that there will be no extension in the last date of filing the returns.

Fadnavis clarifies on 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' controversy, says there is a limit to appeasement

The Maharashtra CM, however, said that they have an objection when someone says that they will not chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'.

IRCTC aims at 1 lakh meal order online per day

The online food order on trains and at stations is catching up as passengers are evincing interest in opting for e-catering during train journey, said a senior IRCTC official. ing the pre-launch of a project as the cost is less at that time.

Later buyers faced a lot of harassment due to delay in commencement of construction activity because approvals such as mining, fire, environment etc. are not in place. As per the approved Bill, the builders will not be able to book or offer the project for sale without registering the project. On registration, the promoter must upload details of the project including approval status from local authorities, site and layout plan and completion timeframe on regulator’s website.

The bill also focuses upon Standardization of Definitions as builders modify common terms to their own benefit and convenience. The bill clearly introduces Definitions of terms like "Apartment",

"Common Area", "Carpet Area", "Advertisement", "Real Estate Project", "Prospectus" etc. For instance use of only "Carpet Area" for sale as a standard instead of using terms like "Built Up Area", "Super Built Up Area" etc.

Besides the above, the bill clearly delineates the duties and functions of the promoter and the rights and duties of allottees towards all relevant information pertaining to the project.

Even though the new real estate bill boasts of features galore favouring home buyers and regulating land developers and property dealers, however, only time will tell whether it will actually live up to the expectations of home buyers or will it become just another piece of Sarkari Kagaz tied in red tape.

HRD advises IITs to start Sanskrit courses

Govt move based on recommendations of an expert panel set up to prepare roadmap for promoting the language.

Christian priest ‘abducted’ by Islamic State is safe: Sushma Swaraj

The minister said that the “wild rumors being spread about any harm done” to the priest were “totally baseless”.

Dalit girl raped for two months in Kerala, 7 held

A group of youth brutally raped and repeatedly abused the minor Dalit girl for over two months by blackmailing the victim with visuals of the initial assault they had filmed.

Contact for Advertisement 08285981323 09212460446

Have you heard of Genetically Engineered (GE) mosquitoes? miscellaneous

Anjan Samal Imagine a company releasing millions of experimental, genetically engineered unnatural biting insects into a populated island environment illegally without any knowledge of thousands of people who live here. It sounds like the pre-planned plot to a new Jurassic Park-PART-IV, doesn't it?

Our environment should not be treated like a testing and breeding ground for experimental genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes. But if approved, millions of genetically engineered mosquitoes could be released into the Florida Keys, for the first time in the history of USA. A process of public comment period open right now for the above said engineered mosquitoes – take action to stop this approval before it's too late in regard to safeguard of humanity as the here the human lives and humanity is on stake.

Oxitec—the actual creator of particular the GE mosquitoes— claims that their GE mosquitoes might help to reduce the spread of diseases like zika and dengue by reducing mosquito populations.

Reducing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases is the concerned tension, but independent scientists have critiqued the GE mosquito as a potentially ineffective and risky attempt to address dengue. There are flaws in Oxitec's experimental logic; for example, there have been no dengue fever cases in the Florida Keys since 2009 and the Center for Disease Control notes that there is not data from any of Oxitec's other trials that show a reduction in diseases. Even a great reduction in these mosquitoes still leaves enough mosquitoes in peoples' homes and backyards to spread disease.

Oxitec, owned by synthetic biology giant Intrexon, which also owns the GE apple and GE

salmon, has proposed moving this experiment from the lab into the Florida Keys, without adequate understanding of the impacts. We need to tell FDA that it should not approve this risky experiment. We need independent environmental and health safety assessments and strong regulations to protect people and the environment before these, and other, GE insects are released into living ecosystems.

Scientists have significant concerns about how GE mosquitoes could impact the health of people and of critical ecosystems. Once released into the environment in the biosphere , this new, living

engineered organism cannot be "recalled" or "stopped"; GE mosquitoes could reproduce and cause unintended changes in the ecosystem. And this is the dangerous situation seems to introduce on our Planet Earth which is absolutely lethal and extremely dangerous.

A brand new type of invention with a new kind of risk, the U.S. has not created new rules and regulations for it till now. The FDA needs to be established strong, updated statutes before any GE mosquitoes swarm our environment.

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. If Oxitec is allowed to release its experimental GE mosquitoes without responsible oversight and understanding of impacts on human health and the environment, it will set a dangerous precedent for other GE insects in the pipeline, including moths and flies.

The environment, including our

homes, should not be a testing ground for risky new GE technologies. Neither only the USA government nor the Indian government, it is the reason for which all the concerned authorities around the globe fear to have a deadly future need to oppose this kind of scientific research, else a new born threat for the destruction of this universe will knock our hearts and souls like global warming or climate change.

We therefore must not rely on companies that would profit from genetically engineered organisms to decide what information the public and regulators should know. We must demand independent, transparent safety assessments, with it's deadly impacts to the environment and health as soon as possible before these GE mosquitoes get ready to sting to drink our blood and before the whole world captured under the deadly sting of zika mosquitoes.

Faridabad (NCR) | 16-30 April, 2016 www.theasianchronicle.com

7

issue

Why are there deadly protests in

Kashmir?

Shujaat Bukhari | Journalist BBC

Since Twelfth April 2016, four civilians, including a 21-year-old budding cricketer and a middle-aged woman, have been killed. Many parts of Srinagar are under severe police restrictions and a curfew is in place in the border towns of Kupwara and Handwara.

Three of the deaths took place in Handwara town, north of Srinagar, on Tuesday, after rumours that a teenage girl was allegedly molested by a soldier. The fourth victim - a teenage boy who was hit by a teargas shell in nearby Drugmula - died in hospital on Wednesday.

Once news of the alleged molestation spread, people, mostly youths, assembled, shouting slogans. Some of them were seen chasing (in a photograph posted on social media) a soldier.

Reports say local police initially tried to pacify the protesters, but the situation soon spiralled out of control as the number of people swelled.

Caught unawares

The protesters then targeted an Indian army bunker in the town.

The soldiers retaliated with a burst of fire that killed two young men - Mohammad

Indian-administered Kashmir has been witnessing protests for the past two days and large parts of the valley are shut. Srinagar-based journalist Shujaat Bukhari explains why the local people are angry.

Nayeem, 21, and Mohammad Iqbal, 22. A 54-year-old woman was also hit by a bullet and later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.

The town was soon on the boil and the government was caught unawares.

Soon, protests had reached the rest of the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley, with the separatists calling the incident an example of "state terrorism" and asking people to observe a strike.

Handwara was sealed with reinforcements, and the army was quick to express "regret" for the killings, promising an impartial probe.

Mehbooba Mufti, who took over as the chief minister of the "most difficult state in India" just 10 days ago, was in Delhi and,

according to officials, holding "scheduled meetings" with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and others.

She issued a statement expressing grief and assuring justice to the families of those killed.

But that has not calmed tempers.

With mistrust against Indian security forces running high in Kashmir, even small incidents involving the army, the paramilitary or the police often take a serious turn.

The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which gives security forces almost draconian powers, has contributed to this sentiment.

And now there's another twist to the story.

A viral video

A video has begun circulating showing a girl - purported to be the "victim" of the molestation - who is heard telling an unknown person that she was "hounded by two local boys" who "took objection to something" she did.

She does not directly deny an encounter with the army man, but that is the inference one can make.

The video went viral on social media, and later the army also gave it to journalists, though after blurring the girl's face.

This had led to severe criticism from civil society and local politicians, who are asking how the army could release the video of the "victim".

A senior army official said "it was important to release the video to counter the propaganda unleashed by some people to malign our image", but many are not con-

vinced.

"The police or the army cannot reveal the identity of a molestation victim, but unfortunately they have gone a step ahead by shooting her video and releasing it," lawyer Zaffar Shah said. "It is a serious offence."

Human rights activist Khurram Parvez asked if the army was trying to legitimise the civilian killings by releasing the video.

"Under which law did the army release the video of a teenage girl's questioning in police custody? This is not even admissible in a court of law."

Many Kashmiri people have also taken to social media to question the veracity of the video.

It is difficult to say whether the video is genuine or not, or about the role of the two boys the girl has mentioned there, but it is a reflection of the larger problem the government is facing in Kashmir.

Even if the video is genuine, the government's credibility is so low in the state that the average citizen is not ready to believe it.

Moreover, many are sceptical that the inquiries ordered by the army and the civil administration into the killings of the four people will have any results.

In the past, such inquiries have either been shelved or have exonerated the forces.

But Sajjad Lone, the local legislator, is confident that justice will be delivered.

"We will ensure justice to the families of those killed. It is an unfortunate situation that could have been avoided," he told the Courtesy: BBC BBC.

events

Derby Fashion Extravaganza 2016

Rohit Gupta with Wife Neha Gupta

Rohit and Neha Gupta, Owner of Rolli Stud farms hosted the most awaited Derby Fashion Extravaganza on Friday @ Delhi Race Course. It was a treat for Horse Lovers amidst all other sports. Horses from around the nation to participated at the race. The best among the all the horses, three were declared the Winner of race and they were Osculate, Red Apple and Miss Bullet.

The event was promoted by Daksh Malkit Singh with a guest Oberoi. The moderator for the afternoon was RJ Sachin from Red FM. It was all an entertaining show followed by high tea for the guests. The day was lit up like a carnival on wheels and anxiously awaited by many people.

India’s high end business fraternity and Bollywood celebrities like Arjun Bijlani (Lead actor in Naagin TV show), Radhika Madan(Tv Actress), Smriti Khanna (Tv Actress), Sajid Khan (Music Composer), Legendary Singer Malkit Singh, Event hosted

by RJ Sachin from red FM etc. were there to witness the extravaganza. The guests were delightful with the paintings displayed by Artist Rohee Ali Mann Dua with Friends khan.

Smriti Khanna

Kumsi Ubhi & Harmeet Ubhi

Radhika Madan

WAI's first conference of the newly formed India Chapter

Faridabad (NCR) | 16-30 April, 2016 www.theasianchronicle.com

event

TAC New Delhi: Ms. Radha Bhatia President Women In Aviation International (WAI), (India Chapter) hosted the first conference of the newly formed India chapter of the US based non profit organisation Women In Aviation. The panel discussion on THE INVISIBLE FORCE was held at Dusit D 2. The chief guest for the conference is be Hon. Minister of state for Skill development Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy. The Lighting ceremony was done by Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, H. E Mr. Jan Luyx, Radha Bhatia & Neelam Pratap Rudy.

The program was c o n -

vened by well-known media personality Sonia Singh and Fatima Karan. The panellists for the event were Ms. CJ Collins, FAA Senior Representative, South Asia and Dr Renu Parmar, IES, Senior Advisor, Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mr Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India Ltd, H. E Mr Jan Luyx, Ambassador of Belgium to India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal & Maldives, Dr Frank Fichert, Deputy Dean, University of Applied Science, Worms, Germany, Ms. Sally Jones, Chief Financial Officer, ExecuJet Aviation Group, Ms Fatima Subramanian, Director- Fuel Services and support, Skyplan services.

Radha Bhatia says, “We at Women in Aviation International (India Chapter) are very positive about the first conference. With the industry and a few stal-

warts support we will encourage young women to consider aviation as a viable career opportunity. By bringing the International chapter to India we will get the best talent and knowledge base to skill and empower the women of today.

Neelam Pratap Rudy, Vice President, Women in Aviation International (WAI) India Chapter says, “A Developing Nation has to employ and skill women for its growth. In India only 17% contributed to GDP according to world’s standard 37%.

Aviation and connectivity is the barometer of the economical health of a country and more doors can be opened to women empowerment through skill development to bridge the gender gap in India.”

Women in Aviation International, with over 13000 members worldwide are a non-profit organization dedicated to advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. The recently-launched India Chapter comprises a group of passionate women professionals from various sectors in aviation to include commercial and cargo airlines, ground handling, aviation law, government, regulatory affairs, airports, IAF medical inspectors, journalists and many more.

A primary aim of the Chapter is to create awareness and assist in development of skills in various aviation-related verticals including training and education.

The core objective of the Conference is to evaluate skill requirements and view best practices in skill development of the aviation industry.

Through this, we hope to create awareness on employment opportunities that will bridge existing gaps.

H. E Mr Jan Luyx, Ambassador of Belgium to India with Dr. Frank Fichert, Deputy Dean, University of Applied Science, Worms, Germany

Dr. Renu Parmar

Ashwani Lohani

Ankur Bhatia with Smriti Bhatia

NIkita Anand

Atul Wasan & Rajiv Makhni

Leena Singh Olive

Mriganka Dadwal

Ramola Bachchan & Ratti Dhodapkar

Sanjiv Bijli

Poonam Bhagat & Josh Goraya

8

Mohd Kaif & Dhruv Vaish

Neelam Pratap Rudy

Gaurav Bhatia & Megha Bhatia

as well as the nation, just like a Man. However, the harsh reality is a drastic increase in sexual abuse of the girl child, especially in the lowest strata of the society. Through this event, we are raising a concern towards this heinous crime among the worthy Men and seeking their support to sensitise the men around them, be it their driver, peon, guard, etc and tell them to “Be a Man”,” said Poonam Kumar, CEO, Priceless Possessions.

“We are happy to be associated with fashion in a way that it will bolster an earnest initiative to raise awareness against abuse of the girl child. We believe this initiative is a good step towards achieving equal respect & dignity for the girl child in the near future”, said Olive.

Designers Josh Goraya, Dhruv Vaish, Manish Bansal & French Brand CELIO presented their latest Summer collec-

City’s influential Men came together to raise awareness against Child abuse

TAC Priceless Possessions and Olive Bar and Kitchen organised a special evening of Fashion and Luxury to raise awareness against girl child sexual abuse, “Men n Fashion” at Olive Bar and Kitchen, Mehrauli, New Delhi with support from the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry, IFCCI & NGO SLAP. “All a Girl or a Woman wants is to be treated with equal respect & dignity. Given an equal opportunity and given a safe environment, a girl can grow up to be a strong and responsible woman who is an asset to her family, society

tion for Men while Mantra Vedic Spa & Salon presented latest hairstyles & Grooming.

The initiative was very well received with the presence of eminent personalities, the "Men of Substance", lending a hand including Cricketer Atul Wasan, Mohd. Kaif, Industrialist Sanjeev Bilji, Gadget Guru Rajiv Makhni, FDCI President Sunil Sethi & Sudhir Sobti, Delhi Tourism.

NGO SLAP (Street Level Awareness Program) which is committed to raising awareness towards gender based violence, addressed the issue of “how to raise abuse proof children”.