Punishment

Punishment
The recent incident where a child was punished for bed-wetting (http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article563512.ece) is unfortunate. An awareness about such problems and how they should be managed will help.

Random Thoughts

Suicide
The tragic incident in which a man jumped to death from the Vishveshwaraiah Towers (http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article559655.ece) once again demonstrates the need to strengthen security measures around high rise buildings.
Also an awareness amongst the general public about depression and suicide will lead to early intervention.
Could this have been an impulsive act? The deceased is said to have travelled by an Auto to the spot. It is not known if he had visited the spot before for any other purpose. Appears he was contemplating suicide for quite sometime.
Think of the agony his family members maybe going through, especially that his wife is carrying.
Then there was this news of a 14 years old girl committing suicide. The cause is not clear. Does life skills education in schools help under these circumstances?
Infidelity
News about an alcohol dependent person murdering his wife because he suspected her of EMR. Again there is a lack of awareness that alcohol dependence is commonly associated with delusion of infidelity and that could very well be treated (http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/02/25/stories/2007022500220600.htm).
CSA
News about a school teacher making videoes on his mobile of children attending nature call is apalling. Lack of adequate toilet facilities in many schools make it easy for such individuals to misbehave.
Does he have pedophilia? Will it be evaluated and specific treatment offered?
Western Ghats
The opposition to the "World heritage site" tag given to the western ghats is laughable (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3610313.ece).
Do we have to focus on development which provides short term gains, that too where vested interests are involved?
In a subsequent development the government has taken a decision not to oppose it (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Karnataka-defers-its-plans-to-oppose-World-Heritage-Site-tag-to-Western-Ghats/articleshow/14721082.cms). Such obfuscation cannot be carried out for long.
Fukushima
The report by an independent commission and the op-ed (http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article3610518.ece) regarding the nuclear accident makes interesting reading. Is this an effort to deflect attention from the issue at hand - that indiscriminate use of nuclear technology is fraught with perils.
Farmers' suicides
The Opinion Column in The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/sainath/article3595351.ece) talks of 'Data Massaging'.
When will we face up to the reality that the present unsustainable agricultural practices are the cause?
Fight for a cause
The news about the murder of a school teacher, Barun Biswas, who fought against the mafia in West Bengal (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Rape-village-up-in-arms-after-crusaders-killing/articleshow/14726923.cms) makes sad reading. One is reminded of Sathyendra Dubey, Shanmugham Manjunath and others who have laid down their lives for a cause. I was moved to tears when I read about Dubey's death in 2003. Some noise is made after this and everything is asusual later on.
Anna Hazare
A good write up about Anna Hazare can be found here.
It is unfortunate that an individual with such good intentions is not being allowed to protest in a peaceful manner at Jantar-Mantar.
'Sustained Growth'!
A good write up about sustainable development can be found here.
Are we ready to make the lifestyle changes that are necessary to make sustainable development possible?

Tolerance

A good piece on how our society is intolerant of individuals who are LGBTQ is at - http://newindianexpress.com/editorials/article559420.ece

corruption

is it not corruption to jump traffic signals? for the system to change, it has to start with the individual!

How are Dates processed?

Wet dates are delicious and nutritious also. But how are they processed? Are any animal products used during the process? This led to an internet search. Preliminary results are in the negative! Thank God! Or else a wonderful fruit would have become a no-no.

Acci-dent

Yesterday evening a rash driver bumped into my parked van and sped away. I had to claim insurance on it and forego the NCB. Even if he had paid a part of the repair bill I could have maintained a clean record with the insurers. Are people today more aware of how insurance could be mis-used?

Wireless Network

Setting up a wireless network with the new router was fun. Configuring the modem and router was a challenge, but there are good resources available on the Internet. Also positioning the router at the right place in our building to access the signal at all places required rewiring of telephone cables. Finally, happy that the whole thing is up and running.