Talk to high net worth individuals (HNIs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs). They express tremendous anxiety over the provisions of the government’s new piece of legislation. This spells trouble for all of us, even if we are largely law-abiding, they grumble. At the same time, many wonder if the recently promulgated laws will succeed in unearthing black money. All eyes are on the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Bill, 2015, which received Presidential assent May 26 2015 and thus became an Act (commonly referred to as the “Black Money Act”).
WEEKEND EXCLUSIVE: The life stories of these workers betray an entrenched caste-based discrimination that shamefully persists in the Capital even now, preventing them from applying for any other job. The practice attracts imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of Rs 2,000 on individuals or organisations who hire such labour under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993. Twenty-three-year-old Ranjit’s job can land his employer behind bars. But that doesn’t dissuade people from entering his line of work, thanks to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
WEEKEND SPECIAL: With no state help and some philanthropic support, Delhi-based Syed Pasha has staged more than 10,000 shows worldwide with disabled dancers to critical acclaim, including on International Yoga Day in June. The Ability Unlimited Foundation works out of a little room in a dilapidated building in the bustling heart of old Delhi’s Patparganj. The room is crammed with steel trunks, stage props and more. The walls are covered with photographs and posters for dance shows.
The hanging of Yakub Memon gives us a good reason to start the debate over the death penalty. I would like to make out a case in favour of retaining the death penalty. The main arguments trotted out in favour of the abolition of capital punishment are these. First, we should not be party to taking precious human life. Second, sentencing someone to death when facts may later prove him or her innocent means irreparable injustice will be done. Third, death is never a deterrent. And, a fourth, that retribution should never be the aim of capital punishment. It is primitive and barbaric to seek death even for the worst crimes. Let me agree that none of these arguments are invalid in toto. But they are not as strong as they appear to be at first glance.
Tourists seeking to make voluntary work part of their holidays have helped build a sizeable industry which is now open to sharp criticism. It seems like the best of both worlds. People using their hard-earned vacation time to give something back to those worse off than themselves. At its finest, travel philanthropy is seen as a form of direct development assistance – a benign initiative flowing from the travel industry and travellers into conservation initiatives, community projects and philanthropic organisations.
What were Mumbai blast convict Yakub Memon's thoughts as the hangman’s noose was lowered around his neck in a Nagpur prison, a little before 7 am on July 30? Did Yakub die a stronger man? Did he die as a man who listened to his conscience 21 years ago and returned to his country to face trial? Or as a man who repented his role in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts that killed 257 innocent people? Or did he breathe his last as a man who felt betrayed by the investigating officials who had promised him leniency in exchange for his surrender?
Four years ago, it came as a big shock to Americans Greg Moran and David Back that India lacked any short-term car rental services. So in 2013, the two University of Pennsylvania graduates, who frequently used such services in the US, decided to fill that void. “For the first two or three months we were in disbelief,” Moran explained. “We knew that it would be a huge opportunity—whether we do it or someone else does.” Today, their startup Zoomcar is among the largest self-driven car rental companies in India.
Before his execution, certain gloating has accompanied the rejection of each appeal and every petition that lawyers and counsels for Yakub Memon put up before the Supreme Court over the last few days. And drastically faced 'rejections' to his pleas. From some members of parliament to journalists - leave alone the understandable anger of families of the 257 victims of the 1993 Mumbai blasts - a certain bloodthirstiness has taken over the national mood. Yakub Memon, actually, stood little chance. And got the bitter result of his goodness, advocacy and gentle behavior and a perfect cooperation with investigators and government.
