Capital Punishment vs Amnesty

Yes, this has been in the news lately. Whoever hasn't heard of the riots cropping up over the proposed execution of the infamous Afzal must have been on a trip to Mars! Now what could possibly be the reason that the entire hungama is being staged, you wonder? Well that's the Indian political arena for you.

India's take on capital punishment, and for that matter on most such sensitive topics, has always been non-committal and one of careful detachment. A lack of taking a strong ground on matters of significance is conservative at best and decidedly escapist at worst. It seems to me that a passive approach is an accepted phenomenon of sorts in our land.

Admittedly, there are always two sides to a coin. However, it is undeniable that the absence of any decisive ruling by the government only helps in making a pseudo-celebrity out of the likes of Dhananjoy Chatterjee (check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhananjoy_Chatterjee). To what extent will the government pose silent spectator and let people go berserk over the execution of traitors - Afzal Guru for example. The Centre seems to be buckling under pressure to issue clemency to Afzal for appalling reasons - possible negative effects on peace process in Kashmir, political pressure from the opposition and the parties in Kashmir and other such. Again, there is talk that the man in question seems to have been denied a fair trial. Why does the government not take matters into hands and ensure that the accused is proved guilty beyond any reasonable doubt rather than play political games over granting pardon?

Is amnesty a virtual joke in this nation? Explore this further. Post your inputs and opinions. You may certainly join the silent masses but the least you can do is voice your views. Afterall what else is a blog for?!!

See Also:
http://asiadeathpenalty.blogspot.com/
http://www.kmsnews.org/Kashmir%20News%20Archive/05/News051006-05.htm

Ignorance is Bliss

We all have heard of pharmaceutical research and clinical trials that build toward a new drug being released in the market. The miracle portions that tumble out of this multi-billion dollar industry is staggering. It is estimated that the cost for developing a new drug until release would be in the range of about 1 billion USD (this titbit is disputed however!).

The process of drug development may be essentially chemical (a chemical compound that is created for medicinal usage) or biological (extracted from living cells, e.g., antibiotics). Once a drug's efficacy is ascertained (technically speaking Lead Identification and Optimization procedures would be employed), safety and toxicology testing begins and the duration of each of these stages vary depending on the nature of the drug and understanding of the drug family, as well as its ultimate purpose and usefullness. Needless to say, the more the market value of the drug the more stringent the testing procedures, the more advanced the trials and the higher the quality standards adhered to. The conventional phases of pharmaceutical research in clinical trials include:

• Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, which examine the acute, dose-related toxicities of new drugs as well as the drug efficacy to an extent. While Phase I is usually conducted on healthy subjects Phase II is restricted to humans with specific diseases. However, Phase I clinical trials now increasingly include persons with specific diseases in whom all conventional therapy has failed (e.g., terminal cancer or AIDS); these would be termed as mixed PhaseI/II studies in this case.
• Phase III clinical trials primarily examine the pharmacological efficacy and the short-term toxicities—of new drugs to a degree.
• Once a regulatory agency approves a new drug (FDA - Food and Drug Administration - for drugs marketed in the U.S), pharmaceutical companies may conduct additional studies such as Phase IV clinical trials. These are post-approval surveillance studies on the long-term efficacy and toxicity of already-marketed drugs.

As we mull over all the information overload not to mention the statistics, we are faced with that usual question - exactly what is the role that 'ethics' plays in clinical research? Is it ethical to conduct Phase III trials and double-blind studies? Does this border on an unassuming patient being used as a laboratory guinea pig? Is one of the principal precepts of medicine - the concept of Primum non nocere - which means "First, do no harm" merely a myth? Do the biggies in the industry such as Pfizer and Merck consider the ethics in the issue of clinical research?

Perhaps ethics is an oft-discussed topic, especially owing to the controversy surrounding the issue. One can go to any extent quoting some authority on the area or reveal the extensive documentation on the studies conducted to support the reasoning of medical research. But the question remains unanswered. How much of the reality truly comes out in the open? How much is ethical and when is this border breached? is it a question of morals alone or one of survival?

Too many uncomfortable questions right? Yes, ignorance is truly bliss!

Is Criticism an Art?

This may be a topic widely spoken about and also something I have discussed on occasion. But I thought it would be useful to explore at length the finer aspects of this almost forgotten art - constructive criticism. Yeah, I realise this term is perhaps as clichéd as it gets but then you have to admit that this is perhaps the root cause of most misunderstandings - personal or professional. Don't agree? Ok, when was the last time your boss said that your work sucks (!), or well something just a bit more civilised? Or perhaps your spouse or parent gave you a piece of their mind and basically made you fret and fume all day long?! Has something on these lines ever happened to you and made you wish people knew how to critisise with more poise?

If you have reached this far I am assuming that I have your attention! A friend of mine talks about his rather nit-picking dad. I would not call him a nag per se - he seems the picture of perfection - the ever smiling, affectionate dad. Yeah, I have witnessed the dad in question reprimand his son for leaving bags lying around or something equally frivolous, but do stuff like this classify him as a nag? In any case, fact is that my friend is on frayed nerves around his dad!

The way I see it, I think people should really consider being more empathetic when pointing out another's follies. Afterall if you have to put your displeasure in words why be mean and scathing? Trust me, criticising nicely will not spoil the effect of the admonition! And giving virtual dressing downs will only earn one the reputation of a tyrant. So is criticism a key area to work on in building relationships? Absolutely!

Pluto Pluto Everywhere

'Pluto Stripped of Planet Status' screamed the headlines. Astronomers around the world set new standards implying that Pluto does not qualify as a planet owing to its size and the fact its orbit overlaps with that of Neptune. In a move to pacify the pluto lovers, astronomers tried declaring that Pluto would be a prototype for a new category of the so-called 'trans-Neptunian' objects. Big words those but when it comes to astronomy, it pays to trust the star gazers!
Pluto has been considered a planet since 1930 - the dwarf planet of the solar system in other words. The very classification of Pluto as the ninth planet was an oft-contested one and it seems to have been just a matter of time before the issue was resolved once and for all.

With its eccentric orbit highly inclined with respect to the other planets, it is placed closer to the Sun than Neptune during certain periods of its revolution. Smaller than several natural satellites or moons in our solar system, Pluto itself has a large moon named Charon.

In this context, a very interesting aspect seems to be rather explicit disappointment expressed by the toon-world! Apparently the seven dwarfs have extended an open invitation to Pluto (remember the Walt Disney character with those funny ears?!) to let him join 'em as the eighth dwarf. How cute you say? Hear hear! There is also talk that Pluto (the dog) is rather unconcerned about these developments, and as the gossip goes Pluto couldn't be bothered about the planetary motions except for an 'occassional howl toward the sky'!

For those with the astronomic streak:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto

Dreaded Sticklers!

Do you get frustrated when people are such sticklers to grammar and spelling? Do you groan when your boss gets all worked up over some punctuation missed out in an official mail? Do you feel like beating the living daylights of those who crib about little errors in the written language? Well then trust me you are not alone. Not alone in that there are others who would like to join you in your mission to wipe out this community of overzealous moralists - the Dreaded Stickers!!

Well, this topic came up as I and a friend were rambling about nothing in particular. And jokes apart, the truth is I am perhaps more inclined to call myself a stickler than being lenient to grave bloopers in writing! Of course I try not to overdo it knowing that it sounds condescending and terribly critical. I talked about a similar situation when someone who was obviously a stickler (or was pretending to be one!) ranted and raved about a post in a forum (here http://sowmyaravindran.blogspot.com/2006/07/when-rudeness-is-condoned.html).
I am opposed to making impolite remarks and terribly rude comments, and I realise that sticklers have this innate tendency to go overboard. Intentional or not, this is an unacceptable quirk - nit picking and patronising critique are definitely unseemly.

Perhaps you have something to say on this? Make the world know how you cannot stand people making a big hue and cry over practically invisible misspellings and forgivable flaws. Or would you rather talk about some blunders that left you reeling! My only request is let's keep it nice and without sarcasm. Be witty! Post your comments.

PS: Here's a popular link you might like to check out.
http://eatsshootsandleaves.com/eslex.html

When Rudeness is Condoned

Courtesy - a word that signifies politeness, respect and civilised behaviour is so commonly uncommon these days! Perhaps some would call me overly sensitive, but the truth is that most of us exhibit this 'learned behaviour' of condoning and acting rude in order to get things done. Let's start with how the boss treats his subordinates or how a teacher reprimands a misbehaving student. Granted, sometimes students seem to have asked for such treatment from those who seek to protect and guide them. But is this reason enough?

Looking back, I get the feeling that we are quite deep into the concept of being 'authoritative and commanding' in order to seem accomplished. We are so desensitised to bad manners that when the thin line of polite behaviour is breached we barely notice how easy it is to move to being openly harsh and cynical.

Perhaps this might help getting the point across. I came across this post in a forum I regularly visit, and I guess I should not be surprised by the crude and callous remarks made by one of the regulars there. But the point is not even that this obnoxious guy actually made a rude comment, but that the remark was intended at someone who had tried to help out a person with a query. Accoording to the strongly worded allegations of Mr. O (couldn't resist calling him that as a short form for obnoxious!), the person who tried to answer a question had neither the skills required nor the language expertise to post a reply in what Mr. O termed as 'amateurish'! And then this person also had the gall to rephrase the entire mail of the poor guy into a two-liner. Now, the original was atleast a page long and admittedly not a great work of literary credit! But did it deserve this kind of stinging critisism? I don't think so. In this case however the other members did vocalise their unhappiness with Mr. O's post.

Thank god for small mercies!!

Forgiveness?!

What does forgiveness mean to you? As the nasal voice of Brian Adams croons on the radio "...Please Forgive Me..." do you stop a moment to dwell on the topic? Thinking of a past when you wished with all your heart that a friend you hurt inadvertently, will suddenly be attacked by a selective amnesia and actually forgive you? Or perhaps fervently wish that you could just move past that little incident by forgiving the cruel words of a colleague?

Whatever the word 'forgiveness' may mean to you (I am fairly certain it means something to you!), the fact is that most of us have trouble admitting to having forgiven someone. "Why should I? He doesn't deserve it!" These are words I have spoken myself, and I realised that they really don't make me feel any better. So is revenge the key to the problem? Hardly.

Forgiveness a topic spoken about by some of the most powerful teachers - from Hindu seers and Sufi masters to Jesus and Buddha - is also perhaps the least employed. So is forgiveness the key to happiness. There is no way to know unless we try it! Learning to forgive is hard, but it is surprisingly healing. Forgive and move on. It works!

Have a Minute?

This is one beautiful message. So simple in content yet holds deep meaning - I just had to blog this!

What does it cost to have a Celebration ....
Jus Imagine...

A winter evening.
Four friends.
One barsaat.
Four glasses of chai.

Hundred bucks for petrol.
A rusty old bike.
And an open road.

Maggi noodles.
A hostel room.
4.25 a.m.

3 old friends.
3 separate cities.
3 coffee mugs.
1 internet messenger.

Rain on a hot tin roof.
Pakoras deep-frying.
Neighbours dropping in.
A party.

You and mom.
A summer night.
A bottle of coconut oil.
A head massage.
Gossiping about absent family members.

You can spend >hundreds on birthdays,
thousands on festivals,
lakhs on weddings,

But to celebrate all u have to spend is your Time.

So Would U?!

Interesting Blogs Out There

I seem to be making more post these days but fact is there are just too many interesting things out there you jus can't help writing about it. This one on plaigarism was so detailed and informative it had me hooked ... no less mind you. Check it out here:
http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2006/04/10/what-do-you-do-when-someone-steals-your-content

Its worth the read really...

Ans then this one is with a twist! It talks about an age old human emotion ... Told with the right tinge of femisnistic sarcasm! One helluva blog here:
http://www.guessaurus.com/2006/03/13/let%e2%80%99s-talk-about%e2%80%a6-sex/

Call it crude if you will; for me though it just nails it right on! Great going gal...

When Techie is IN

Isn't it strange how in the midst of all that's happening around us, we seem to have lost along the way the little things that made us happy and the smallest joys? I know I am sounding nostalgic yeah yeah! But it's true you gotta admit. Well what made me think of writing this obvious fact now? No nothing more than that I was casually browsing around and I find that the effect of technology is practically everywhere. And far from feeling a sense of pride I felt hopelessly left out! You know sometimes how all this technological innovations and all can make you feel overwhelmed; but this was not about feeling like it was all too big to take: more like - now where did I miss that race to try out the little gadget myself.

Perhaps in all this rat race of keeping up with the latest fads and the striving to reach the Tech Guru stature, we have missed a few things here and there. My mom talks about how the little radio in the home she grew up in would suddenly conk off and then they would have to employ some outdated tactics to get it talking! How cute I say - but my mom responds 'nope it wasn't all that fun dear'! Yeah I guess not...But you know what - I wish I had had that kind of life you know so atleast all this technology would not have been so tiresome. I mean I was born when TV was a hosehold name and stereos weren't all that uncommon.

For many of us, Hi-Tech is what we grew up with. And I am glad I am part of it - Yes. But then sometimes you do wish things weren't moving all that fast - 'slow down a bit' you wanna scream. And no it's not like things have gone too far, you just want a break .... period. And that's exactly what I felt when I see websites that host some way too Hi-Fi stuff or people's blogs that scream - Technology! We have all talked about this ... but there is no escape. So what have I decided to do about it? Nothing! I am gonna move with the tide - Oh yes absolutely! Yup, I am gonna try that new phone and the new kid on the block - the iPod too! So to you Techie geeks - cheers! We are not bogged down by all that stuff; we want more - we would say that won't we?!

My First Blog

My First Blog. What do I write about? I am not quite sure. And with so many topics to write about, it is virtually impossible for me to decide really! Still I figured I might as well start somewhere. Though I do maintain a personal journal, blogging intrigued me for the freedom of access to the general viewer and provided exciting possibilities. As a writer by profession too it offers me plenty of scope to extend my repertoire to personal jouranalling online ... ok ok no word coinage ... blogging! So here goes ...

Like I was saying I wanted something of general interest to write about. And then it struck me that an incident reported a while ago was more than just interesting. I am talking about the so called 'student rampage' at a well known college turned 'Deemed University' near Chennai. And there have been other incidents reports from then on.

In fact the media's dismissive attitude of the arrested students and the lack of social support to those affected is absolutely enraging. Yet, the masses choose to be silent witnesses. A letter I wrote to the Editor of leading newspaper received no attention. So then I thought I might as well put it in my blog. Even if I choose to join the silent public, I can atleast show a degree of defiance.

Here is an excerpt from the letter that went unnoticed.

It is pretty unfortunate that students in this country are treated with utmost disrespect and disregard. The incident reported in the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University) seems to have taken a backburner under the more ‘front-page worthy news’ including the US President Mr. Bush’s arrival in the country and the Union Budget.

It’s even more unfortunate that an esteemed newspaper such as ‘The Hindu’ also took to this trend and chose to give second priority to news that could well decide the prospects of the so-called ‘future citizens’ of the country.

Isn’t it time someone seriously questioned why those ‘responsible’ individuals, who establish educational institutions in the name of imparting value-based instruction and technological excellence, are only in the business for accumulating wealth and influence? Is there going to be no voice against perpetrators who claim to be ‘moralistic’ while they go around assaulting the innocent and even do not cringe from refraining to murder all for the sake of monetary gains and political power?

It is newspapers and television that can act as effective media to act more responsibly, and substantiate claims and provide unbiased information and justice to the deserving. Albeit that there are reports of television crews affected by the incident, the media seems to have given it a lesser preference for coverage. Should the media not stand up in its own right and act as the rightful voice of people whose economic means do not allow them adequate defense and justice?

So much for the media's social role.

What is your opinion on this subject? Would you like to critique my blog? Post your comments!