Hurdle race for Clinical trials

Crazy ideas for obtaining informed consent

I just read an article in Economic times dated September 12, 2013 which says that obtaining an audio-visual informed consent of every patient who agrees for being part of a drug trial is proposed to be made mandatory.

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  Brief Excerpts from the article:

As India moves towards becoming one of the first countries to mandate that audio-visual consent has to be taken for patients enrolled in clinical trials, pharmaceutical companies and contract research organisations warn that maintaining heaps of confidential electronic data would emerge as a massive challenge.

“An audio-video of the informed consent process of individual subject, including the procedure of providing information to the subject and his understanding on such content, shall be maintained by the investigator for record,” said a recent draft notification of the health ministry. 

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What do you think of the above proposal?

Several questions crop up in my mind:

• Is it practical?
• Will the patients agree to be filmed?
• What will be the cost implications?
• How are all these audio-visual evidence going to be preserved and for how long?
• What happens to privacy issues?
• Can we be sure that the audio-visual evidence will not be misused or abused?
• Who will have access to the above evidence?
• Who is going to monitor the implementation of the proposal?

I guess that this is as crazy a proposal as I've ever heard.

The doctor readers of my blog ought to raise their voices against this proposal in the appropriate forum.

Regards,

N

Shameful instance of Discrimination

Modi's Gujarat: All is NOT well, apparently!

Came across a news item involving something that made me feel ashamed that such a thing is happening in my country:

• Shameful instance of Discrimination

Apparently, a shopping mall in Gujarat actually introduced an entry fee of Rs. 20/= on EID Day. You'll perhaps start saying that there's nothing wrong in it. But wait! This entry fee was applicable exclusively to MUSLIMS and not to any other person who wished to enter the mall!

First and foremost, I hope and pray that the above news item is completely false. That would make me guilty of spreading rumours. In which case, I will gladly admit my mistake and apologise.

However, if it happens to be true, it is certainly a new depth at unacceptable discrimination.

Will someone tell me as to whether any action is being contemplated to prevent such blatant acts of discrimination?

Regards,

N

National Food Security Bill

Food Security is Critical

No Ordinance Please!

At one plane, hunger and starvation deaths are a ground reality in India. 

At another plane, we're running a huge fiscal deficit. We certainly require laws to ensure right to life by providing Universal Food Security. 

At the same time, we can't let the fiscal deficit go out of hand. Any increase in fiscal deficit is a direct attack on the poor, because they are the ones who are most impacted by the bane of inflation.

Considering the complexities involved and the divergent opinions that are there regarding the modalities of achieving Universal Food Security across different political parties, it is certainly ridiculous that the Government is trying to push the National Food Security Bill through by way of an Ordinance. They must not do so. There must be an extensive debate in parliament with adequate time for obtaining the views and ideas of all political parties.

Obviously we must take this up on a priority basis, if required by having a special session of parliament, considering the urgency of the matter.

The delay of every single day in passing a Food Security bill results in additional loss of life of the poor.

Regards,

N

Dangers due to failing Governance!

Do we have a right to complain about

Failing Governance?

In the recent past, there have been an ever-increasing list of articles in newspapers and incidents covered by TV Channels pertaining to:

• Violence against women
• Farmer Suicides
• Naxal menace
• Virtually endless scams, scandals involving both governments and corporates
• Paralysis in Policy-making
• Problems with virtually EACH of our neighbouring nations
• Lack of cooperation between states, between states and the Centre on various issues

The common thread in all the above is the declining standards of Governance.

Simultatneously, there continuse to exist a different world populated by upper middle class sophisticated urbanites and by High-networth-individuals. This group of the "Haves" continues to indulge in a quality life style, enjoying all kinds of goodies. While a small number of these may perhaps be actively corrupt individuals, the vast majority of this group is represented by:

• Hard working individuals cutting across all age groups and includes women and men in equal measure
• Professionals
• Successful entrepreneurs
• Educated individuals
• Financially successful organised sector employees

What is disappointing (in fact depressing), however, is that most of the above "Haves" actually don't give a damn about Governance related issues. They have a sharp focus on their own micro-lives. They get educated well, earn well, spend well, and live in a cucoon. Their homes are part of multi-block apartments deep inside reasonably well-protected colonies which often prove to be quasi-independent ecosystems with their own physical and social infrastructure. Like the kid Gautama Buddha, many of these folks don't even begin to see true poverty, the plight of the "Have-nots", the suffering of the vast majority.

Many of them (especially those under the age of, say, 20-25 years) have perhaps never:

• Stood in a queue in a ration shops to buy their groceries (it would indeed be surprising if they are consciously aware that ration shops still exist in cities)
• Understood the impact of not having more than 3-4 sets of clothing for young children of their drivers, servant maids, scavengers, peons, etc.
• Comprehended the plight of having to choose between medical care for an ailing dependent parent, education of a child and saving for retirement (Often, saving for retirement takes a beating, resulting in the creation of an entire generation of dependent ailing and/or aged parents in the future as well).
• Imagined that money spent by their family on a pleasant evening of a movie at a mall followed by a dinner would be sufficient to take care of the entire monthly expenditure of a whole family of 5-6 persons from an impoverished background.

Sadly, I can't even blame these youngsters from the family of "Haves". The blame squarely falls on their parents, teachers and the society at large.

To top it off, the "Haves" don't hesitate to use all their resources (legal and otherwise, ethical and unfair) at their disposal to further strengthen the prevailing disparity of income and wealth. To take a simple, mundane, day-to-day example, most of the "Haves" among the salaried classes get regular increments and promotions year after year. But when it comes to increasing the salary of their watchmen, servant maids, etc., they rarely do it automatically. Certainly not on an annual basis. Most certainly not sufficiently to cover inflation. In fact, any such revision happens only under dire threats of resignation (if the "Haves" have not planned for an alternative already).

Any person who has ever bought an apartment or got a driving licence or studied from an engineering or medical college or studied at a high-quality neighbourhood convent in any city would have directly or indirectly participated in the process of bribery and corruption. Having derived the benefits of such bribery, the very same "Haves" tend to sermonise and criticise their political masters for their corrupt practices. Taking it to ridiculous heights, many of the "Haves" refuse to participate in the political process as either candidates or campaigners or even voters, calling it "the ultimate gutter". And expect that positive changes will occur entirely on their own, almost as if by magic.

The "Haves" can't have the cake, eat it, preserve it for posterity and start a bakery. If they want to make India truly free of corruption, they need to jump into the fray and participate actively.

And this participation needs to be in numbers comparable to the crowds that one sees in an IPL match or a Rajnikant movie.

Then, and only then, will any meaningful change happen in our society.

Regards,

N

Demotion and ignominy first, Appointment as IRDA Chief next!

Demotion and ignominy first,

Appointment as IRDA Chief next!

This, then, is the perplexing story of TS Vijayan, ex-Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India, who has now been appointed as the chief of Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority, the regulator of the Insurance sector - Read this news item in Economic Times first, before moving on to my thoughts on the news:

• TS Vijayan, ex-LIC Boss appointed as IRDA Chief

 

I do not wish to go into the merits of whether or not TS Vijayan ought to have been demoted from the position of Chairman, LIC. Nor do I intend saying anything about his credentials to occupy the position of IRDA Chief.

However, I wish to emphasise that one of the above two decisions by the powers that be is blatantly wrong.

After all, when a person is demoted from the position of Chairman, LIC to the position of Managing Director, LIC, it is not a routine decision taken without due thought and due process. Obviously, the government of the day, after going through all the relevant acts of omission and commission, all the available data points, all the necessary questioning of concerned stakeholders, came to the conclusion that TS Vijayan ought to be demoted.

Let's call this Decision 1.

A few months go by. The then Finance Minister goes on to become the President of India. A different person moves into the role of Finance Minister. And guess what happens? Another round of consultations. Another due process. Presumably another evaluation of multiple canidates for a key vacancy of IRDA Chief. And, finally, TS Vijayan is appointed as the big boss of IRDA.

Let's call this Decision 2.

To my limited understanding, if Decision 1 is a correct decision, Decision 2 is not merely an inappropriate decision, but an act of negligence which is sure to have an adverse impact on the confidence of stake holders in the Insurance Regulator. And vice versa.

Is this a desirable situation?

Regards,

N

Hindi Imposition through the Back-Door???

Hindi Imposition through the Back-Door???

I just came across an advertisement in the Hindu and Times of India - This was released by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. This advertisement is pertaining to the Readjustment of Representations of SC & ST in Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Bill, 2013:

• Rajya Sabha advertisement inviting suggestions

Interestingly, the advertisement invites suggestions to be sent in this connection but, surprisingly, insists that suggestions can be sent ONLY in either English or Hindi.

Coming as it does in the aftermath of the recent attempt to change the rules of UPSC Exams (for entry into IAS, IPS, etc.), this is truly shocking and a clear case of imposition of Hindi through the backdoor.

After all, how many people from interior rural areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, etc. would know enough of English or Hindi? There must be a provision to send such suggestions in all the major official languages of India such as Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Telugu, etc.

Let me make one thing abundantly clear: I am not trying to be a regional language chauvinist.

My only query: What happens to equity? If this goes on in a similar vein, I'm sure there will be a series of anti-Hindi agitations. India has enough problems of its own. Let the government not try and create more problems!

Regards,

N

Cheating due to "Under-weight LPG Cylinders"

Cheating due to "Under-weight LPG Cylinders"

In the past when there was a huge subsidy being given on ALL LPG cylinders, middle-class citizens were in a position to possibly turn a blind eye and ignore the problem of under-weight LPG cylinders.

However, "unlimited subsidy" is history now. Beyond 9 cylinders per annum, we are forced to pay market rates for our LPG cylinders. Considering this fact, lesser mortals like you and me can't afford to ignore the problem of under-weight LPG cylinders.

Hence, the following article from moneylife.com makes interesting reading - Read on:

• Cheating due to "Under-weight LPG Cylinders"

Regards,

N

Compensation for Rape Victims ... ... ...

Compensation for Rape Victims ... ... ...

From time to time, I've heard reports of compensation announced for the family of the Delhi gang-rape victim. A couple of examples are given below:

• Delhi Government announces 15 lakhs compensation, UP Government to give 20 lakhs to Delhi rape victim's family
  
  
• Government plans to allot DDA Flat for Delhi rape victim's family, college seat for victim's kin

Perhaps this is over and above any cost incurred towards her treatment at Delhi and at Singapore.

I have nothing to comment about what should be the right levels of compensation that would be appropriate for the family of the Delhi gang rape victim. Obviously, that is bound to be a subjective decision at the moment.

However, I certainly feel quite strongly about the need for identifying a basis for determining such compensation for victims of crimes against women succumb and die or survive and suffer.

Those who are from Chennai would have heard about the recent acid attack victims Vinodhini and Vidya who did not survive despite the best efforts of the doctors.

As progressive thinking individuals repeatedly point out, the figure of over 24000 cases of REPORTED rape every year across India is obviously unacceptable. However, the absence of a public furore over a specific instance or a major protest over another incident should not be the basis on which compensation figures are determined.

Will someone tell our law-makers and the media to look into this aspect of crimes against women?

As an aside, when a specific crime against a particular woman is proven to be blatantly false and it is found that it was based on a false complaint, is there any known case where the poor man (who was proven to be innocent after a long legal battle) has got any meaningful compensation either from the courts or the government?

Regards,

N

Why we are responsible for blasts in our cities ... ... ...

Why we are responsible for blasts in our cities ...

For far too long we've been blaming everyone else for much of the mess in the country. Especially for terror strikes. Including the latest Hyderabad blasts on February 21, 2013.

It is obviously easy to blame:

• The "self-centred, short-termist" politicians - across all parties
  
  
• The "lazy" bureaucrats
  
  
• The "inefficient" police
  
  

I personally feel that each Indian citizen ought to shoulder at least part of the responsibility. I had written a post on this subject in 2011 with reference to the Mumbai blasts. In case you missed it, you can read it here:

• Why we are (and I am) responsible for the Mumbai Blasts?

Apparently, nobody did anything and nothing happened.

And the Hyderabad blasts have taken place earlier this evening (on February 21, 2013) at Hyderabad.

I was watching the various news channels.

One obvious thing that was highly visible was:

• Two LPG Cylinders, apparently meant for domestic use, which appear to have been located at the eatery at or near which the blasts happened.

Here are a few questions for you and me, the ordinary citizens of the country:

• Why were we using domestic cylinders for commercial purposes? (I'm sure that the managers and/or owners who run the eatery are people like you and me and I'm including them among the broad subset of "you and me")
  
  
• When we were eating at the eatery or working in the eatery as waiters or cashiers, we noticed these domestic cylinders - and stayed silent. Why?
  
  
• When we were checking the LPG connection, we would have found that it is being used for commercial use - Why did we keep quiet?
  
  
• When we delivered the cylinders every other week, we would have visibly seen that domestic cylinders were being used for commercial purposes. And we didn't bother. Why?
  
  

The single simple answer: Corruption.

It may be a case of monetary corruption by way of bribe-giving or bribe-taking. Or it may be the corruption of silently tolerating corruption.

Once you and I tolerate corruption in this manner, once you and I behave in such a corrupt manner, we

• Lose the right to crib about corruption - and more importantly,
  
  
• Lose the courage to go and approach a law-enforcement agency (like the police, for instance) to complain about any form of corruption

Therefore, you and I

• Will not go and tell the traffic constable about the suspicious man hanging around with an odd parcel in his hand.
  
  
• Will not volunteer to be a witness and volunteer information even after the blast
  
  

And if you and I still think that terror strikes will stop, you and I are living in a fool's paradise.

The time has come for you and I to own our share of responsibility. 

Once we become reasonably "proper, responsible citizens", then, and only then can we expect "them" to ensure that such terror strikes don't impact us!

Regards,

N

Independence Movement of Texas

Independence Movement of Texas

I've been reading with interest a whole lot of articles about the "not-so-recent" Independence Movement of Texas. Apparently, there is a growing wish on the part of Texans to secede from the United States of America.

Take a look at a couple of articles in this connection:

• "Texas Secession Movement Picks up Momentum" - Huffingtonpost.com
  
  
• "We want to be Alone, says Texas Nationlist Movement" - Independent.co.uk

For a variety of reasons, it may not necessarily be a bad idea to have smaller states in India - Stuff like administrative convenience, focus on local issues, decentralisation of power, genuine federalism, etc.

The very same reasons would, perhaps, make it worth asking: Should the world seriously considering the option of having a larger number of smaller nations by "dividing" the present-day large nations into smaller nations?

Will it not result in a more peaceful world? After all, such a situation will imply that no single nation will be as much of a super-power as, say, a present day United States or China, for instance.

Will it not result in a much greater focus on local and regional priorities?

A lot of experts keep telling us that "huge banks" can be a rather unacceptable systemic risk for the world of finance. They want the banks to "be cut down to size".

We have very strong "pro-competition regulators" to prevent the formation of monopolies.

These are just two quick examples from the field of commerce.

If such a relatively minor ecosystem such as the corporate world makes us look at "limiting the size of players", is it not logical that we should also be favourably inclined to look at the option of smaller nations?

Most importantly, considering the manner in which many "powerful nations" in general and the US in particular have been "interfering" in the internal affairs of a rather large number of developing countries, I feel that the time has come for the developing world to be on the look out for opportunities to strategically reciprocate.

Let's take the example of Texas. 

I feel that countries like India, South Africa, Brazil, members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, etc. should start making noises along the following lines:

• "The independence movement of Texas is an internal matter of the State of Texas and the United States of America and we will not take any steps to aggrevate the situation unnecessarily".
  
  
• "Independent think tanks will certainly be given liberty to hold seminars and discussions to discuss about the genuine aspirations of the people of Texas. That does not imply that the opinions expressed by the participants in such seminars represent the views of our Government"
  
  
• "People like Daniel Miller, the leader of the Texas Nationalist Movement (TNM), Larry Secede Kilgore, telecommunications consultant & pro-secession advocate, Peter Morrison, treasurer of the Hardin County Republican party, Alan Daves (who calls himself "The Texas Mob-Father"), etc. are thought leaders with a view different from the present official thought process. Without compromising our relationship with the USA, we will continue to engage with these important thought leaders by inviting them to address seminars and conferences in our cities, discuss their thoughts and ideas for the future of the global political equations, etc."
  
  

After all, if countries like the USA, UK, Canada etc. can "keep playing politics" by "silently supporting" secession movements in developing nations and by provoking various developing nations against each other to further their own "national interests", so can we!

Let's make a beginning by inviting Daniel Miller to New Delhi to address a few conferences at, say, the India Habitat Centre! Perhaps we can also invite people like the Dalai Lama, Robert Burns, the Scottish independence advocate, etc. for such conferences!

Regards,

N

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Patronising Attitudes - Cultural Racism???

Patronising Attitudes - Cultural Racism???

From time to time, I've come across instances of "studies", "Reports" by NGOs, "Surveys", etc. that complain about Indian problems of different kinds, such as:

• Caste based atrocities
• Crimes against Women
• Communal violence
• Child Labour
• Corruption

While most of these problems are very real and deserve to be addressed, analysed, solved, etc., I've also noticed something rather interesting in many of those studies, reports and surveys - "The Foreign Hand" - Often, the people who commission these surveys or reports belong to or are funded by foregin sources - especially from the Western World.

All of us would have heard about the so-called western influence in the protests against the Koodankulam Nuclear project.

I just came across another one very recently:

• Cross-regional brides deprived of rights! - The Hindu, Chennai 

Gist: Oppression and discrimination suffered by the low caste groups and Dalits at the hands of the dominant caste groups in Haryana and Rajasthan is reproduced within the families bringing in wives from other parts of India.

The findings are the result of a study apparently funded by Royal Norwegian Embassy

Frankly, I don't even have any major problems with foreigners looking at our real problems (including the above one) and coming up with useful reports with or without meaningful suggestions.

However, I'm tempted to wonder why someone from the Western World should be interested in such subjects which are obviously "irrelevant" to their own immediate society - After all, in what way will Norway benefit from such a study, for instance?

You will observe that the frequency of such studies, surveys, reports etc. are quite common about "atrocities" from Asian countries like China, India, etc. as well as about various African nations and the West Asian countries.

I suspect that there is a very strong undercurrent of a patronising attitude in all these efforts. I'll not be surprised if there is an "assumed superiority" of "their own" society, culture, practices, religions, etc. which form the basis for such studies. They even strive to make "us" believe in an unconscious manner that "they" are, in some manner, "superior".

I must admit that:

• I've got no firm data to prove my hypothesis.
• It is just a lurking suspicion based on my own hunch.

I would welcome comments about the above hypothesis.

More importantly, considering the manner in which countries like China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, etc. are becoming significant economic powers in their own right, I feel that the time has come for some of the High-networth-individuals from these countries as well as the government-backed entities from these countries should start sponsoring various studies, surveys, etc. about problems (real and imaginary) faced by the Western nations and come up with authoritative reports and publicise the findings extensively.

Some suggested topics for such studies could include:

• Debasement of the institution of marriage
• Neo-Nazi trends among the youth of Germany
• Irrational child-right beliefs leading to irresponsible parenting in Scandinavian nations
• Overdose of materialistic selfishness and the resultant inequalities in the Western Societies
• Artificial re-writing of history with a western bias
• Attitudes of German citizens about East European "free-riders"
• Hedonistic and lazy attitudes of Greeks
• Paranoia of the Americans about Muslims
• Power of Gun-manufacturing lobbies leading to violence in US society
• Conscious looting of natural resources from African nations by the Western Society
• Sexual abuse of children by Christian Missionaries
• Evergreening of patents by the "Big-Pharma" MNCs from the West

Let's join hands in showing "Them" as to how it feels when "others" poke their noses in "their holy cow subjects"

Regards,

N

Laws on Sexual Assault

Laws on Sexual Assault

Well, the gang-rape of a 23 year old girl, about which I had written a while ago (Death Penalty should be imposed for rapists or not ... ... ...) has apparently been a particularly gruesome crime. There have been multiple calls for suitable modifications in the laws pertaining to crimes against women. Justice Varma's report is due any time. Laws are likely to be made much stricter, and the entirely justified pressure from the public, the media, various political parties, etc. will ensure that the enforcement authorities also take crimes against women far more seriously.

However, we should not go overboard. Here's why:

• India has a population of around 1.25 billion, of which around 600 million are males. For argument purposes, let's assume that out of these, around 450 million males (after eliminating young boys below the age of 10 and men above 75) are capable of committing crimes against women.
• On an average, there are around 24000 reported cases of rape. Admittedly, far too many cases of rape go unreported. Let's assume that the claimed statistics (of 90% of rapes remaining unreported) about unreported cases is true, which results in 240,000 instances of actual rape. Let's further assume that there are an equal number of "attempted rapes" not resulting in actual rape. This translates into 480,000 culprits who deserve some sort of punishment. Let's round it off to 500,000 criminals.
• We must remember that even a SINGLE rape or attempted rape is certainly unjustified and ought to be punished. With the severity it deserves. The above statistics implies that we have 500,000 cases more than what is acceptable in a civilised society.
• It is equally important to remember the single-most important tenet of our judicial system: "Let a 1000 criminals go unpunished. Even a single innocent person should not be convicted."
• For the folly of 500,000 criminals, we should not, by mistake, punish even one of the remaining 449.5 million men. We're talking about 449,500,000 innocent men. Believe me, that's a very large number. If you wish to talk percentages, 99.95 percentage of the men are innocent as per this calculation.
• The vast majority of these 449,500,000 innocent men will routinely be
  • Using Public Transport (buses, share autos, trains, flights, etc.)
  • Periodically be having an interaction with a woman without the presence of any witness for completely routine transactions (Just look at the variety of human beings and you'll know what I mean: A farmer, a servant / servant maid, a plumber or electrician, a teacher or a student, a doctor or a patient, a lawyer, an actor, a grocer, a nurse, a sportsman, a media professional, a housewife, a pilot, an air hostess, a sales girl, a priest, a devotee, a politician, a corporate honcho, etc.) It is going to be physically impossible to prevent all these sources of interaction between men and women, even if some crazy people assume that such interaction is undesirable and is to be restricted.
  • There will be daily instances numbering several millions where there is physical contact between men and women during the course of such interaction. Well over 90% of the above will NOT be having any form of sexual undertones. Do we desire a situation where for the folly of .05% of men, 99.5% of men and 100% of women are living in a state of fear? I hope not.
• If we create a law with the potential to punish even a single innocent male or, worse still, create a law where there is a subtle shift in the burden of proof (from assuming innocence to assuming guilt), the consequences could be catastrophic. 

There happens to be a word called Perspective in the English language. Let's not forget that in the prevailing atmosphere which is baying for the blood of any person who is even accused of a crime against women.

Regards,

N

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Creating a law-abiding society - Part 2

Creating a law-abiding society - Part 2

As I mentioned earlier, I've decided to write a series of blog posts on this subject. If you missed the first instalment, you can read it here:

• Creating a law-abiding society - Part 1

In this post, I'll address some aspects of the perennial problems faced by the traffic police - Please remember that the violation of simple traffic norms, rules, regulations and laws by you and me results in the DEATH of a few thousand Indian citizens EACH YEAR. I read a recent report which suggests that in the city of Chennai (Madras) alone, over 500 people die on the railway tracks while trying to cross the railway tracks. Apparently, a vast majority of people believe that "Trains will hit other people - not me"!

• Shortage of Traffic Police
  
  
• Willingness of citizens to "take a chance", violate traffic rules, and, if they get caught, pay either a fine or a bribe and proceed with life. An important reason for this "devil-may-care" attitude of citizens is that they see everyone else violating traffic rules and they don't see enough of them getting caught. In fact there is a social acceptance of these traffic rule violations - People who will think a 100 times before robbing a bank or committing a murder are perfectly willing to jump a red signal, go down the wrong side of a one-way street, "forget" to wear a helmet or a seat belt, travel on the foot board of buses, violate speed limits, dig up public roads to "take care" of their personal problems, throw all kinds of rubbish on the roads, use public roads as private parking lots, etc.

We need to come up with a paradigm shift in our laws so as to handle the above two problems.

Here are a few suggestions in this endeavour:

• For the Traffic Police:

 

• Introduce a "variable pay / incentive" structure for traffic police which is linked to the number of cases that they book - Till the number of cases reduces drastically, this will be a sensible suggestion to enable the traffic police to book cases and get paid official incentives rather than to get tempted to accept bribes.

• Simultaneously, introduce a very strict mechanism for punishing "bribe-takers" - Any traffic police who is found to take a bribe in excess of Re 1/= (Yes, One rupee) should be summarily dismissed from service, in addition to which the normal law will take its own course for levying appropriate penalties, imposing imprisonment, etc. based on the gravity of the crime. After all, the "law-enforcers" should not be breaking the law. There's no reason to have anything other than "zero-tolerance" for "bribe-takers". This rule will straight-away eliminate all temptations to take petty bribes. Nobody will want to risk his /her job for the sake of a small percentage of one's monthly salary. (We'll think of suitable means to tackle "big-time bribe-takers" in due course).

• For the Traffic Rule Violators: Over and above any or all the punishments that are presently applicable to violators of traffic rules, the following additional rules should be imposed.

• For every person who violates any traffic rule, a graded system of mandatory community service with a minimum of 1 week's community service MUST be introduced. These individuals who are undergoing such "community service punishment" may be used to assist the traffic police in managing traffic. This will partially enable the traffic police to "manage" their problem of manpower shortage.

• Ideally, these individuals should be forced to wear an easily identifiable overcoat, for instance, which will PUBLICLY indicate that they are undergoing punishment for violating traffic rules. This will very quickly create a stigma and break their present willingness to violate traffic norms with impunity.

• When a driver of a chauffeur-driven car (or the driver of a lorry or a two-wheeler rider) violates any traffic rule, the driver as well as the owner of the car and the passengers of that car at the time of such a violation must be held liable to the limited extent of doing community service. All other forms of punishment such as fines or imprisonment would continue to be applicable for the driver alone.

• This punishment of "community service" will be applicable to all pedestrians who happen to be violating traffic rules by, for instance, crossing the road at a place where they are NOT supposed to cross the road.

• All repeat offenders will be imposed with ever-increasing durations of punishment by way of compulsory community service.

• The moment a vehicle is found to be involved in a traffic rule violation, the vehicle will be sent over to the nearest police station. The vehicle will be returned to the owner ONLY AFTER the "community service punishment" duration is completed.

I invite suggestions from all of you to make the judicial system quick, responsive and effective in providing justice.

Regards,

N