History awits for India as Unique ID Project kicks off.

India's

- Implications for Micropayment

One of the key policy issues that the Unique Identification Authority of India hopes to address with the envisioned UID is bringing Inclusion with Micropayments. The linked pdf is a working paper released by the Planning Commission and I suggest that the readers skim through it once. It starts off with a brief on the transformation that India has undergone from limited access to open access economy in the past twenty years. The report also gives financial exclusion levels in rural India and the lost economic opportunity that comes attached to it.

Some innovative policy initiatives undertaken to mitigate the problem of financial services in India are - no-frills account, branchless banking in the form of Business Correspondents (I have previously covered BCs here), liberalization of banking and ATM policies and the incorporation of National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) which provides a national infrastructure for payments and settlements in the country. Technological advancements have been providing a solid base to leverage all the initiatives.

All these policies, however, are not able to match up to the impact that is expected by the administration. One of the main reason for that is the lack of identity documentation among the rural populace which makes it difficult for them to prove their identity to the banks. This bottleneck has limited the leverage that the banking innovations can provide in terms of access to the financial services. Another limitation is the small amount levels that are usually transacted by the population at low income levels, referred commonly as micropayments. This leads to high per transaction costs which inhibits the banking infrastructure development in the rural parts.

The Unique Identification Number (UID), which identifies individuals uniquely on the basis of demographic information and biometrics will clearly give the means to the individuals to establish their identity to public and private agencies across the country. It provides a renewed approach towards financial inclusion by integrating various reforms addressing the core issue. This technology provides a very effective avenue in creating a payment system that works efficiently even with low amount transactions by stimulating higher volume of transactions. The implementation of UID will accelerate the process of financial inclusion by providing a micropayments platform, streamlining the allocation and delivery of the government benefits and providing an effective way of banking to whom who have been ignored till now.

It directly addresses the following issues which are the main culprits for the low levels of financial access in India today:

* KYC (Know Your Customer) Challenges- Banks follow customer identification procedures while opening new accounts to minify the risk of fraud and money laundering. UID with its authentication and KYR (Know Your Resident) standards will not only bring down the KYC costs for the banks but also reduce the documentation the poor are required to produce to open an account.
* Limited Accessibility & High Costs to Poor- Indian banks cater to only 5% of the villages. In this scenario, should an individual from a bankless village need to make a transation, he will need to pay the cost of this financial distance in terms of his travel expense and the loss of daily wages. UID's clear authentication will allow the banks to network with local BCs (Business Correspondents) through which customers will be able to make transactions. Technology for electronic transactions can be employed by the banks to remotely authenticate the customers thus reducing average cost per transaction. It will also decrease the customers' dependence on cash by allowing individual transactions with each other as well as with firms outside the village. Multiple local BCs will provide a choice to the customers.
* High costs to Banks- UID will mitigate the high customer acquisition costs, high transactions costs and other fixed costs that are faced in bringing financial services to the poor. This can be achieved through high volume low cost approach.

India, one of the fastest growing economies still lacks an effective strategic framework to directly tackle the high poverty levels. According to the World Bank figures, India reduced its poverty from 60% to 42% of population between 1981and 2005. The same time frame shows poverty reduction in China from 84% to 16%. This eminent contrast is brought by improper channelization of government benefits to the households that most deserve these policy benefits. Even though there is a drastic increase in government spending from 10.5% to 20% this fiscal year, the food, fuel and other subsidies need the infrastructure to make sure that they penetrate and target the aimed beneficiaries and to clear identify the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The complexity of beneficiary identification for a government policy reaches another extreme in a nation of 1.2 billion. This leads to improper identification of the vulnerable groups who need support. The limited quota of government ration cards, a form of poverty-assistance, entitles households to take advantages of government funded subsidies. But the allocation of these cards is skewed and more often than not leads to their subscription to well-off families. This Wall Street Journal article cites many cases advocating this skewness.

UID can provide a platform to address this problem by leveraging the crucial parameter in the whole poverty assistance process - Identity. The IDs of the households can have an authentic label making those households worthy of using the food and fuel subsidies. This model circumvents the limited ratio cards problem and provides all the BPL families their due benefits. Although the problem of poverty definition still persists with different frameworks employed by different institutions and countries to define it, but whatever be the final definition, UID project carries a huge scope in providing the appropriate identification measure.

UID project, if implemented in accordance will be the center to a ecosystem comprising of many addressed issues and enforced developmental applications. This project forms a concrete base supporting the infrastructure that directly addresses the needs of the worst 40% or so population of India.

I want to be the voice of voiceless Animals Look at my message & Not my assets. Healthcare Companies must also stop using Animals in Clinical Trials.

Kavita Radheshyam answers the direct questions from Satya Brahma, Editor-In-Chief & Publisher of Indian Affairs & Pharmaleaders as to why the world will look at her skin message, An Indian Affairs Exclusive
Maharastra, Mumbai, Monday 20th June 2011. In a move that could give sleepless nights to policy makers & animal offenders & more importantly some of the leading Animal Activists who made their presence felt in a rather different way to express their concern for the animal brutality & exploitation. Bollywood model & Actress Kavita Radheshyam turned Social Activist took the world in storm when she stripped before camera & went nude to show her anger & expression against animals & hit headlines. Kavita is an upcoming actress & has received an outstanding Acting Degree in an Acting Institute situated in Mumbai. Many people discarded her theory of nudity as an expression of her feelings & raise her voice for voiceless animals as ‘cheap publicity stunt’ as she says that ‘if at all I wanted to show my skin I could have done so in any of the leading magazine covers to help them selling their copies’, says Kavita in a candid & frank interview to Satya Brahma, Chairman & Editor-In-Chief of Indian Affairs, India’s first pink magazine on current affairs, www.indianaffairs.in ) & Pharmaleaders Magazine, India’s voice of healthcare Industry ( www.pharmaledaers.co.in ). After that photo-shoot that hit internet & other news portals, Kavita is flooded with calls as to why she did it & what was the necessity of being bold & expression of anger by going nude, although she has said so many occasions that This is my protest in my own way to show my anger towards the cruelty on animals that takes place in India." Kavita elaborates the logic behind the photoshoot & the message behind this as she says “I intentionally did this to look like a porn & sleazy so as to raise everybody’s eyeballs by looking & my pictures a slutty & whory make-up to spread my message in the international to draw the attention of my cause”. Here is an Indian Affairs exclusive.
Those who know Kavita will also find out that she has been an out of box thinker who has always taken the world in a rather unconventional ways as she says…Animals deserve rights, regardless of how they taste or how convenient it is to experiment on them. Like humans, animals are capable of suffering and have an interest in leading their own lives. They are not ours to use for food, clothing, experimentation or entertainment. Are animals treated well in this country? Not really. Are animal rights given due importance? Not beyond paper presentations. The truth is that many of us feel strongly about any form of cruelty to animals. However, what can we do to stop this from happening? Here is a good way to start ‘find out who or which authority investigates the anti cruelty laws in your area. You can get in touch with local humane societies, animal shelters or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA's). You can also contact your area SHO for help, she adds…she further goes on to say that to Provide factual statements to the officer in writing. If possible, take pictures of the situation and mention the date and time of the incident. In case the earlier steps do not work, submit the documents with a local government official, say for instance, the local MLA. You can also report the matter at the local police station. Getting expert witnesses such as a veterinarian will make your case strong. If nothing works, approach the local newspaper or TV station to spread the story to masses. This will force the local officials to take an immediate action against the offender. She urges the citizens to report the matter to a police officer above the rank of a constable. If your request goes unheard on the pretext that there are many other serious problems to be dealt with, you can gently remind them that the PCA Act, 1960 is applicable to be enforced by them. Another alternative is to approach the police along with a group of animal rights activists & You can also inform the police over the phone by dialing 100 (Central Control Room), if there is an emergency you want to report about violation of animal rights. You can call as an anonymous if you do not wish to reveal your identity. She questions that we belong to a country where animals have been loved and even worshipped. Have we become so indifferent and greedy that we no longer care about protecting these animals from exploitation and neglect? Why people are silent on these issues & take –up these matters to various authorities.
It is pertinent here to note that The environment ministry has proposed a new rule that will require pet shops to have mandatory licenses for operations and carrying each species. This rule will also permit shops to sell only sterilized pets. However, an exception may be made with the permission of a veterinarian. Very soon a license may be mandatory to own pets as well. Also, the well-being of your pet will be examined by government officials at regular intervals. If your pet is found sick, government officials (animal welfare India) will be authorized to confiscate it.The license would be valid for one year. The pet owner can get the license directly from local authorities or with the help of pet sellers.However, the rules which prescribe the air- conditioned living of animals up for sale, still has to be implemented by municipal corporations and the Animal Welfare Board of India. The rules also state that the surrounding temperature for the animal should range from 25-30degC. The rule bars establishing a pet shop near a butcher shop. The rule also requires pet sellers to attach a label on the health conditions of the animals. Indian Affairs contacted the Ministry to find out the laws to curb these cruelty on animals, a noted bureaucrats attached with Ministry of Environment & Animal Welfare said, it is very much there as you can see that A draft Animal Welfare Act 2011, proposed by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), has listed out punishment for not looking after the animals used for medical experimentation purposes. These animals include monkeys, rabbits, mice, etc. According to the draft, the killing of a mouse or even injuring it could ask for a jail term of five years or/and a fine of 1 Lakh INR. The Scientific community associated with biomedical research is mulling about the new proposal as it could seriously hamper research activities in the country. In reaction, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has called all its scientists for an urgent meeting to discuss this matter. Surprisingly, under Section 304 A of the IPC, punishment for death of a person by accident invites for only a two year imprisonment. Does this mean that killing a rat for medical purposes is a more severe crime than killing a human being? The principle of ‘Animal Rights’ is also called as animal liberation. This has assumed a lot of significance as there are many international organizations working to protect animals. However, India still lags far behind in the context of implementing animal rights.
Kavita has reiterated her pursuance to come forward in a bigger way to protest the pharmaceutical companies who use animals in clinical trials to test the efficacy of drugs as she says that I am deeply disturbed by these developments & would like to call upon the companies to stop this cruelty on these voiceless animals who are being killed.
Listed here are statistics in the following categories: Animals Used as Food, Animal Agriculture and Environment, Animal Testing, Companion Animals, Animals in Human Entertainment, Fur, Wildlife, and Activism. Animals Used as Food… 10 Billion, 27 Million, and 19,000: Every year, 10 billion domesticated land animals are slaughtered for food in the United States — 27 million each day and 19,000 every minute. 50 Billion and 1,680: Worldwide, the yearly slaughter count is more than 50 billion. Every second, 1,680 animals are killed for food. Most farmed animals are killed when they are barely adolescents or even younger, such as the "broiler" chickens raised for meat who are slaughtered at only 6–7 weeks old. 250 Million Chicks: The U.S. egg industry suffocates, gases, or grinds up alive 250 million male chicks each year; they are not profitable because they will never produce eggs and are not bred to grow at an unnatural speed like broiler chickens. 5.5 Million Calves: The 4.5 million calves in Europe and 1 million calves in the United States annually destined to become veal are forcibly pulled away from their mothers — dairy cows — within hours, or at most 1–2 days, of birth. The milk produced naturally by the mother's body for her calf, who normally would suckle for 6 to 12 months, is to be taken for sale to humans, so the calf is fed nutritionally deficient formula. His movement is severely restricted, to give his flesh the texture and color desired by human consumers. 90 Percent of Soybeans and 80 Percent of Corn: More than 90 percent of soybean meal grown in the United States is used to feed animals being raised for human food; these animals also consume 80 percent of corn grown in the United States. Animal Agriculture and Environment. 70 Percent of Land: In the Amazon, 70 percent of once-forested land is now used for grazing cattle.18 Percent of Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions — more than all the planes, trains, ships, and automobiles in the world combined. Animal agriculture is responsible for an astonishing 65 percent of nitrous oxide emissions (a gas with a global warming potential [GWP] 296 times that of CO2), 37 percent of methane (GWP 23 times that of CO2), and 9 percent of CO2. 37 Percent of Pesticides and 50 Percent of Antibiotics: Animal agriculture uses 37 percent of all pesticides and 50 percent of antibiotics and contributes enormously to water pollution, endangering human and nonhuman animal health and life. Animal Testing: 25 to 100 Million Animals: More than 25 million vertebrate animals are used in testing in the United States each year — including monkeys, chimpanzees, beagles and other dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, birds, farm animals, and still other sentient beings. After the experiments conclude, essentially all of the animals who have survived the research are killed. When invertebrate animals are considered, the estimated number rises to as high as 100 million. 50 Drugs:Despite all this suffering in the name of determining safety for humans, as of 2002, more than 50 drugs tested on animals and approved by the FDA as safe had been taken off the market or relabeled because they had caused serious illnesses and death in humans. The FDA itself estimated in 2006 that 92 percent of drugs that pass animal testing fail in human clinical trials. Companion Animals. 6 to 8 Million Dogs and Cats: Every year, 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters, and 3 to 4 million shelter dogs and cats are killed. 80 Percent of Puppies:
Most pet store puppies (and 80 percent of the American Kennel Club's business) come from puppy mills, mass-breeding operations in which ill, suffering dogs are kept in deplorable conditions. They breed between 2 and 4 million puppies each year. Examples of Animals in Human Entertainment. 7,600 Puppies and 11,400 Young or Adult Dogs: In 2000 approximately 7,600 greyhound puppies deemed not fast enough to race were killed, as were an estimated 11,400 "retired" dogs. Retired greyhounds, who suffer greatly as racers, may also be sold to research labs or used to breed future litters. 100 Percent of Major Circuses: Every major circus featuring animals has been cited for violations of the minimal standards of care under the Animal Welfare Act. The very nature of traveling circuses means that beyond cruel, highly abusive training and fear-induced performances, the elephants and other animals must also endure countless hours and days confined in boxcars and trailers.Fur. 350,000 Baby Seals:
In 2006 more than 350,000 baby seals were killed, mostly by clubbing, in the annual Canadian seal hunt; 98 percent of the slaughtered harp seals were less than 3 months old. Forty-two percent of the seals in a 2001 study by veterinarians were found to be skinned while alive and conscious.30 Million: More than 30 million mink, foxes, chinchillas, and other animals are killed on fur farms each year, by such methods as electrocution and poisoning. Neither fur farms nor the methods by which trapped animals can be killed are regulated by any U.S. laws. 2 Million Dogs and Cats:
Some fur trims and clothes labeled as fake or as from another animal are actually made from dog and cat fur exported by China, where the more than 2 million dogs and cats per year killed for fur suffer unspeakable cruelties, including sometimes the documented horror of being skinned alive. Wildlife :3,000 Gorillas and 4,000 Chimpanzees: Each year, roughly 3,000 gorillas, 4,000 chimpanzees, and hundreds of bonobos are killed for bushmeat in Africa — a devastating practice enabled and encouraged by the logging industry. Orphaned young usually die as well. 2 Million Wild Animals: The federal Wildlife Services agency, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, kills 2 million wild animals per year (2.4 million in 2007), including endangered species, at the request of cattle ranchers, hunters, and municipalities and uses such tactics as poisoning, shooting, and even beheading and burning alive. The poisoning method in particular results in the indiscriminate killing of many "non-target" individuals and species. 300,000 Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises:
The global fishing industry's many problems include the devastating issue of bycatch: yearly, billions of ocean animals are caught unintentionally and thrown back, dead or dying, including 100 million sharks and rays; approximately 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises; 250,000 endangered turtles; and hundreds of thousands of birds. Shrimp fisheries are perhaps the worst offenders, with commonly more than 80 percent bycatch. Numerous species are facing extinction because of fishing and bycatch. Kavita vows to take-up this issue on a larger scale to bring about wide spread awareness on animal abuse.

69 per cent of all Indian children are victims of physical, mental or emotional abuse

An overwhelming number of India’s children face unwanted attention from sexual predators. After a brilliant 16-year-old New Delhi girl repeatedly complained last month that her mathematics teacher was “touching and fondling her private parts,” the upshot was a long way from what anybody bargained for. When the girl’s parents complained, the principal called them “regressive” and blamed them for damaging the school’s reputation. The girl now stays at home to help cook and clean, her school bag lying in a locked cupboard, her scholastic career over. The story of the girl, referred to only as Seema, is depressingly familiar, resonating across large parts of India, where abuse is a a startling everyday reality for as many as half of the country’s children, according to a just-released 13-state National Study on Child Sexual Abuse conducted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, UNICEF and Save The Children. It is a long-hidden issue that India is finally beginning to wrestle with. The government moved recently to establish a National Commission for Protection of Children's Rights and plans are afoot to present an Offences Against Children (Prevention) Bill in the Parliament. The proposed document has specific sections dealing with various crimes against children, including sale/transfer, sexual assault, sexual/physical/emotional abuse, commercial sexual exploitation, child pornography, grooming for sexual purpose, incest, corporal punishment, bullying and economic exploitation. The scale of abuse, according to the national study, is far worse than anybody had thought. It reports that

, with New Delhi’s children facing an astounding abuse rate of 83.12 percent.

The survey, which involved interviews with 12,447 children, also highlights that it is usually family members (89 percent) who perpetrate such crimes and that more boys face physical abuse (72.61) than girls (65 per cent). Overall, Indian children were found to be victims of a slew of sexual crimes -- rape, sodomy, exposure to pornographic material, fondling, forcible kissing and sexual advances, among others.

The study also notes that child sexual abuse in India begins as early as five, ratchets up dramatically during pre-pubescence and peaks at 12 to 16 years. Some 21 percent of respondents acknowledged experiencing severe sexual abuse like rape, sodomy, fondling or exposure to pornographic material. Ironically, 71 per cent of sexual assault cases in India go unreported.

Nor is the study an aberration. As long ago as the mid 1990s, Samvada, a non-governmental organization in Karnataka, surveyed girls aged 15 to 21 from 11 schools and reported that 47 percent of the respondents were molested or experienced sexual overtures, 15 percent of them under the age of 10. Another 15 percent said they had experienced serious forms of sexual abuse including rape – 31 percent of that group were under the age of 10 when the abuses took place.

India is home to more than 375 million children, comprising nearly 40 percent of the country’s population, the largest number of minors in any country in the world. Despite its ethos of non-violence, tolerance, spirituality and a new trillion-dollar economy, India hosts the world's largest number of sexually abused children, at a far higher rate than any other country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every four girls and one in every seven boys in the world are sexually abused, hardly encouraging, but still far below India’s totals.

Worse, child abuse is one of the least documented violations in the country, records author Grace Poore in the book, The Children We Sacrifice, which deals with the wide prevalence of child sexual abuse in India.

The reasons are manifold. In India, much like the rest of Asia, children are expected to respect and obey authority figures such as teachers, guidance counselors and principals and not question their actions. Rebellion is perceived as a sign of a bad upbringing. This sensibility perpetuates a culture of abuse by encouraging sexual predators.

Also, Indian adults often exercise a near-feudal hold over their children, demanding complete and unquestioned obedience. A culture of silence and shame also swirls around cases of sexual violence against children. Unsurprisingly, the notion of shame is the single largest culprit in perpetuating sexual violence against India’s children.

Ironically, despite the magnitude of the problem, Indian courts offer little panacea to victims. In fact the only legal recourse available to such victims is the extensions of “rape laws”, which apply to women and are stretched to apply to children as well.

But, as authorities point out, rape laws only recognize sexual crimes involving “penile penetration” and are totally dependent on medical evidence. Such evidence is difficult to procure as abuse is usually not one isolated case but a whole series of them. It may even involve episodes in which the offender doesn’t even touch the victim. Worse, the sexual molestation law covers all sexual offences “that outrage the victim’s modesty,” other than penetration. However, these two are bailable offences and only demand punishment of a maximum of two years in jail and/or a fine of few thousand rupees.

Though this law can be used in child sexual abuse cases, its reference to “unusual sexual offences” makes it difficult for child victims to use this option as a legal remedy. Since the definition of sexual abuse is nebulous, victims are largely at the mercy of the court’s discretion. On rare cases when abusers are booked after a cumbersome legal procedure, India’s conviction rate is so abysmal (despite the country’s sophisticated and complex set of laws), it seems like a Pyrrhic victory.

Apart from the legal dimension, child sexual abuse also has pronouncedly psychological and emotional elements. Worldwide surveys point out that such abuse negatively impacts a child’s physical, emotional and mental well-being, leading to severe behavioral and psychiatric disorders. Suicidal tendencies and drug abuse are common long-term effects.

A World Health Organization survey also points out that there is an unambiguous behavioral and emotional pattern in the abused. Usually the child hardly talks about the incident. And, even if he or she does, no one takes it seriously. That in turn triggers feelings of self doubt and guilt, exacerbating the child’s feeling that it is his or her fault. As the child matures, compulsive behavior reinforces this guilt. Small wonder that many adult sexual problems, according to psychoanalysts, trace their provenance to childhood abuse.

Charol Shakeshaft, a statistics professor in the School of Education and Allied Human Services at Hofstra University, New York, notes in her report, “Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature,” that “child sexual abusers, including educators and priests, use similar patterns of ‘grooming practices’ to break down a child's defenses. Often popular and well-regarded in their field, abusers engage in ‘systematic and premeditated grooming’ where they lavish special treatment on their intended victim buying presents or sharing secrets, for example and then advance to pornography.”

Where then, does the solution lie? Educating and enlightening kids about such issues, helping them distinguish between “good” and “bad” touch, is a partial answer, authorities say. Children also ought to be made aware of impulsive decisions they may make under pressure from peers, bullies and abusers. Sex education in schools is also productive. The Netherlands, a country where teenage pregnancy rates plummeted from 60 per cent to about 25 per cent through aggressive sex information campaigns in schools, is an example.

However, in India the issue of sexual abuse is still wedged between legal and policy commitments to children on the one hand, and the fallout of globalization on the other. A nationwide furor resulted after the government’s recent decision to introduce sex education in schools. The subject has divided opinion between camps who felt such a step would lead to unnecessary experimentation by curious teenagers and others who believed it would help whittle down cases of sexual abuse by creating widespread awareness.

In the meantime, with child sexual abuse attracting so much scrutiny and public debate, the government has the added impetus to adopt strong and unequivocal measures to contain such crimes. For a country with nearly 40 per cent of its populace comprised of children, such measures are overdue.

Indian Affairs set to bring a qualitative change in Media: INDIA OR CHINA – A Perspective

Indian Affairs set to bring a qualitative change in Media: INDIA OR CHINA – A Perspective: "INDIA OR CHINA – A Perspective China and India have emerged on the global economic landscape as prominent leaders. They have attracted lot ..."

INDIA OR CHINA – A Perspective

INDIA OR CHINA – A Perspective
China and India have emerged on the global economic landscape as prominent leaders. They have attracted lot of international recognition in the recent decade.
China has authoritarian governance which believes in imposing rules. China’s authoritarian p

olitical system can result in political and social unrest and can blow away all the gains achieved by them in single shot. India has democratic system of governance where people’s voice is respected and given due forum to exercise their rights. India on the other hand has better legal infrastructure though not without its flaws has been largely effective system. China lacks better legal system has seen in their suppression of trade union and labour rights.
China boasts of impressive infrastructure in terms of better roads, airports and trains. China’s impressive infrastructure comes at the cost of aggressive investment strategy. China invests more than half of its GDP in infrastructure development which can be detrimental to the economy in long run. India is working to improve upon its infrastructure but most of its projects are mired in corruption. India needs to build effective mechanism to monitor its investments in infrastructure.
China has good GDP rate at double digits and shows promise of sustaining the same. India on other hand has been struggling to keep up consistent GDP growth. Inspite of not being able to keep up impressive GDP rates, India has open and competitive economy. India fares better in terms of several macroeconomic factors like burgeoning middle class, abundance of raw materials, young population, better monetary control mechanisms and well regulated banking system.
India’s growth has been fuelled by liberalisation policies which have resulted in class of young entrepreneurs who have built several thriving businesses and world class ones too. India’s corporate elite boasts of knowledge and capabilities to take on the global elite. India has rich class of English speaking manpower who drive the IT and BPO companies. India has emerged as world leader in IT and shows signs of sustained growth in years ahead. China has rampant piracy which has resulted in Knowledge based industries shunning them and embracing India which is better equipped.
India’s young population gives good demographic dividends in long run. China on the other side has ageing population which can create huge expenditure towards pension and other health benefits.
India has largest gas hydrate deposits which can make it significant voice in energy production by reducing on carbon footprints.
India has country as better and stronger economy at the grassroots level and is well equipped to march ahead in years to come. India has to improve on several fronts like infrastructure, strengthening existing legal system and bringing down corruption. China appears to be short term bet but in terms of long term growth India offers to prosper. Raghav....prasadyrg@gmail.com

Aarushi's case: Closure report should not be the end

The closure report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Aarushi murder case should not be the end of the matter. Its admission of failure must trigger another set of actions. The least that the people of this country expect from its premier investigating agency is competence. Hopefully, the closure report will be made public when the Ghaziabad court opens after the year-end vacations, and people will get to know the pains that the CBI has taken, the leads it has followed, the events that plausibly happened on the night of May 16, 2008 when Aarushi and her manservant Hemraj were murdered, the most likely suspects and why the case has reached a dead end. This happened in the Jessica Lal case where the Delhi High Court ordered the Delhi Police to file a status report when main accused Manu Sharma was set free.

Ever since it took up the case the CBI has been leaking like a sieve. It has led on the journalists with all kinds of stories. At one time they even believed that it had "cracked" the case. Even after the closure report was filed, Ritu Sarin of the Indian Express reported that the CBI suspects 'inmates." Being a journalist of repute, Ms Sarin must have got her information on authority. According to her report, there were four inmates at the time of the crime, including the parents. Two are dead. The CBI's needle of suspicion has pointed to other actors as well. How about declaring those who are in the clear?

The murderers may go unpunished, but those that that allowed them to be free, by default or design, must not. From the television coverage of the incident it was clear that the Noida police had messed up the investigation. They did not cordon off the scene of crime; journalists and mourners had a free run. The police did not even make a proper survey. They discovered Hemraj's body on the terrace many hours later. So casual was Meerut Inspector General Gurdarshan Singh that he kept referring to Aarushi as Shruti during the press conference, seven days later. In the Jessica Lal case, the special investigation team charged the Delhi Police with criminal conspiracy (because forensic evidence was manipulated) and destruction of evidence. The Noida police who let the evidence get contaminated must be booked for dereliction of duty. There is such a thing as esprit de corps or professional pride. In Japan, a person in Mr Singh's position would have made a public apology and quit. In Uttar Pradesh, he gets posted to headquarters.

If a case that was in the eye of the nation was so terribly messed up, what of those that do not catch the headlines? It would be interesting to know how many heinous crime cases in Uttar Pradesh - and other states - have gone cold. The police have acquired a reputation for shaking people off their money. It is time to shake them up. The security apparatus was revamped after the 26/11 terror attacks. The Aarushi murder case is a call for overhauling the crime investigation setup.

Top 10 Films and Best Actors of 2010

As promised, here's the list of the top 10 movies of 2010 with brief reviews. Unfortunately I haven't seen 127 Hours yet, so it doesn't feature on the list.

Try and watch every film on this list, they truly deserve your time.

1)BLACK SWAN (Psychological Thriller/Drama)

The story of a ballet dancer 'Nina Sayers'(portman) who's given the lead part in the prestigious 'Swan lake' ballet, Sayer's has to tackle her insecurities and an overwhelming pressure to deliver the perfect performance, the one she's been waiting for all her life.

Sayer's is an underdog, a fighter, a psycho, a talent but most importantly she's YOU.

What really works for 'Black Swan' is the fact that no matter who you are, you will miraculously relate to 'Nina Sayers' and find a bit of yourself in her, as the director succeeds in creating the most beautiful multi-layered on-screen character this year.

Even though she races towards insanity with each proceeding frame, you sub-consciously cheer her on as the sadist inside you wants her to carry on and never stop.

The film shocks you and stays with you long after you've left the theatre, cause Aronofsky helps you discover a weak, vulnerable side of your personality that is unabashed and determined to fulfill its lust at any cost.

I thought 'Requiem For A Dream' and 'The Wrestler' were average at best, over hyped really, but Black Swan deserves all the credit its been getting as it is most definitely the film of the year. This Darren Aronofsky is good.

Run Time : 01:48 Director : Darren Aronofsky

Starring : Natalie Portman , Mila Kunis , Vincent Cassel, Barabara Hershy and Winona Rider .

2) FOUR LIONS (Comedy - Black)

It's a shame that a film as effective and as well researched as Four Lions will not feature at any award ceremonies this year. May be it hasn't got the buzz going for it, maybe it's the reservation against comedies by juries world over but whatever it is, isn't fair.

To think of a done to death subject such as 'Jehad' and to totally spin it around to deliver a non-stop laugh riot should get director Christopher Morris all the accolades he hasn't been getting.

Four Lions is the story of four wannabe English 'Mujahids' - Waj, Barry, Omar and Faisal, who struggle with formulating the perfect strategy to carry out their 'Jehad'.

The film thrives on its brilliant script and near perfect performances by all the actors specially Nigel Lindsay as Barry.

About 50% of the film has been shot in a small room where the group schemes and plots on how to wage war on the 'kafirs' of the western world so the director has purposefully kept all sequences and dialogues fast paced and extremely engaging so much so that you feel like watching a live theatre play , being in the same room as the characters.

My favourite film of all time is Stanley Kubrick's black comedy Dr Strangleove. This film is now my second favourite black comedy of all time followed by Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and In The Loop, an extremely intelligent and hysterically funny film.

Run Time : 01:42 Director : Christopher Morris

Starring : Rizwan Ahmed, Arsher Ali, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak

3) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Drama-Comedy)

Back in 2006 I was rooting for 'Little Miss Sunshine' at the Oscars, it was my favourite film of the year. But the academy chose to disagree with me (as it always has) handing the trophy to Scorsese who finally won an Oscar for a film that he least deserved it for (The Departed).

Lias Chodolenko's 'The Kids Are All Right' is this year's Little Miss Sunshine.

The story of an abnormal family with two lesbian mothers - Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) with kids Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson).

As Joni turns 18 she decides to track the sperm donor who contributed to her existence. Enter Paul (Mark Ruffalo). What follows is heady mix of pure emotions which the director sometimes serves as a soothing cocktail and sometimes as raw country liquor served on the rocks, and you do feel the buzz after it hits.

It's the kind of film that doesn't necessarily force you to laugh out loud but makes you smile, with a little teardrop in your eye.

Annette Bening as Nic delivers the best performance of the year - male or female.

Run Time : 01:46mins Director : Lisa Cholodenko

Starring : Annette Bening, Julliane Moore, Mark Ruffalo

4) I LOVE YOU PHILIP MORRIS (True Story / Comedy)

The first of the 4 spell bounding true stories that we've seen this year, 'I Love you Philip Morris' is by far the most entertaining film of the year, but sadly again the awards will choose to stay light years away from the film.

Jim Carrey is an outstanding performer and as entertaining as he was in the Mask or Dumb And Dumber etc, no one took his goofiness seriously. He got critics talking about his 'acting' capabilities courtesy 'Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind' which didn't do much for me. This time good old madcap Jimmy is back, but there's a credibility to his over the top clown act because as they say in the beginning of the film - This really happened, it really did.

Ewan McGregor who plays Carrey's gay love interest in the film delivers a performance of a lifetime. Both Carrey and Mc Gregor take you on joyride through company frauds and prison escapes - some really weired yet amusing ones. Must, must watch.

Run Time: 1:42 mins, Directors : Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Starring: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor

5) THE SOCIAL NETWORK (True Story / Drama-Comedy)

No review here as everyone has already seen this one, but I will recommend you watch 'Pirates Of The Silicon Valley', the story of Microsoft (Bill Gates) and Apple (Steve Jobs). A far more enjoyable and eye opening film, the story is unbelievable. Damn these billionaires!

Duration : 2hr Director : David Fincher

Starring : Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer Jr.

6) THE KING'S SPEECH (True Story / Drama-Comedy)

I'm not quite sure how King George the 6th spoke but I'm quite sure it was like Colin Firth.

His struggle with stammering in 'The King's Speech' will pierce through the most unforgiving of viewers. Firth is wonderfully supported by Helena Boham carter (wife) and Geoffery Rush (speech therapist) - both of whom are also favorites to pick up best supporting actor trophies at most awards.

King George 6 is given an opportunity to become King as his brother abdicates the throne, struggling with a speech impediment. The King has to deliver his country a speech before Britain goes to war. Geoffery Rush and Colin Firth play a game of act and mouse as a hopeless King is pushed to the hilt by his unique Aussie teacher.

Subtle yet classy, The King's Speech is a fulfilling experience.

Run Time : 01: 51mins Director : Tom Hooper

Starring : Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce

7) THE FIGHTER : (True Story / Drama-Sport-Comedy)

What is wrong with Christian Bale? Or is something right about him and wrong with rest of the actors? If you've seen 'The Machinist' (Bale lost almost 28kgs for the role) where he seems like a head fixed on certain ribs and American Psycho - where is in perfect shape ripped to the core, you wont believe he's the same actor.

Bale once again sheds weight to an unrecognizable extent for The Fighter as he plays has been boxer Dick Eklund. The role of 'The Fighter' or Irish Micky Ward played by Marky Mark, sorry Mark Wahlberg. Eklund is Ward's elder brother and coach, he is also a crack addict. Bale genuinely seems drugged throughout the film as he's put in a lot of effort getting those droopy eyes and a doped out diction. Eklund and Ward have 7 sisters and mom and dad as managers. Ward's quest for the championship belt is both painful and fascinating at the same time.

There's a perfect balance of sport and emotion in this 'Rocky' meets 'Trainspotting' flick.

Amy Adams stands her own amidst powerhouse performances by Bale and Mallisa Leo. Wish the in-ring boxing would be a little more authentic, but that's too much too ask I guess.

Duration : 01:54 mins Director : David O. Russell

Starring : Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo

8) TRUE GRIT (Western/Drama)

I thought Colin Firth deserved the best actor Oscar for 'A Single Man', Jeff Bridges won for 'A Crazy Heart'. Bridges once again delivers the second best performance of the year following Firth's King's Speech act, and I believe this time it will stay this way.

The real hero of this magical cross country western adventure is little Hailee Steinfield, her stern punch dialogue delivery takes you by surprise. Every scene that Mattie (Steinfield) so much as speaks in, is a treat .

Mattie hires Rooster Cogburn(Bridges) to hunt the muderer of her father - Tom Channey. Cogburn is a trigger friendly alcohol prone country marshall who is joined by Marshall LaBoeuf whose been following the same convict for the past 6 months. Evidently the partnership of the two marshals and the 14 year old girl is more by fate than by choice as mutual mistrust grows throughout the chase.

It is an extremely gripping, funny and intently watchable film. Matt Damon once again proves that he's the actor with most caliber in the current era as he matches Bridges frame for frame.

Watch it for Damon, Bridges and Steinfield, most of all - as a rule 'never miss a COEN BROTHER'S flick'. Get on this horseback watch that rope hurl in the air and catch the bull .

Duration : 01:50 mins Director : Joel & Ethan Coen

Starring : Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld

9) INCEPTION (Sci-Fi/Adventure)

Every now and then there comes a film that pushes the art of filmmaking further. Stanley Kubrick did it with 2001: A Space Odyssey, Steven Spielberg did it with Jurassic Park and Christopher Nolan has done it with Inception.

Everyone's seen this flick so no review again .

Duration : 2:28 mins Director : Christopher Nolan

Starring : Leonardo DiCaprio

10) ANIMAL KINGDOM / GET LOW / RABBIT HOLE

It's a tie for the tenth place as I feel all the three films deserve to be in the top 10 list.

Animal Kingdom is a gripping Australian crime drama with Jackie Weaver delivering the best - best supporting actress performance of the year.

Robert Duvall gives a flawless performance in 'Get Low' - as he throws his own funeral party with the help of funeral planner Bill Murray. They don't disappoint, as they never have.

Nicole Kidman has more than an outside chance at the best actress trophy courtesy her performance as 'Becca' in Rabbit Hole. She is supported by Aron Eckhart who plays her husband 'Howie'. The story revolves around the couple coming to terms with the loss of their only son, who dies in a car crash at the age of 4. A beautifully told story .

Finally, here's my pick for best actors in descending order, best supporting actress and moreover best director are the toughest ones to pick, very tight competition.

Best Actor: 1) Colin Firth (The King's Speech), 2) Jeff Bridges (True Grit), 3) Robert Duval (Get Low), 4) Christian Bale (The Fighter), 5) Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)

Best Actress: 1) Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right), 2) Natalie Portman (Black Swan), 3) Mattie Steinfield (True Grit), 4) Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)

Best Supporting Actor: 1) Nigel Lindsay (Four Lions), 2) Geoffery Rush (The King's Speech), 3) Ewan McGregor (I Love You Philip Morris), 4) Matt Damon (True Grit)

Best Supporting Actress: 1) Jackie Weaver (Animal Kingdom), 2) Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech), 3) Amy Adams (The Fighter), 4) Barbara Hershy (Black Swan), 5) Julianne Moore (The Kids Are All Right)

Best Director: 1) Christopher Nolan (Inception), 2) Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), 3) David Fincher (The Social Network), 4) Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), 5) Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right)