Today we see more commitment to protect nature, but the understanding of the real and long term risks to environment is still poor. Many 'celebrity activists' get hyper on issues with little or temporary impact like use of fire-crackers on Diwali but feign ignorance of dangers of deforestation for 'development' projects or widespread mining in green areas. There is no dearth of 'green campaigners' who cry hoarse over occasional offering of flowers and ash to holy rivers, but never utter a word against tonnes of hazardous industrial waste released daily into water bodies and air. Such selective approach will not help environment, on the contrary it will create doubts in the minds of people about the real intentions of the activists.

 

Right to Information (RTI) has come under scanner for various reasons. While some people have begun to misuse it to serve personal agenda or to blackmail & harass officials; many public servants feel overly burdened by fast increasing demands for irrelevant information which takes time to collect, compile and provide to the seekers. Naturally, it affects working of sincere govt employees who now avoid making any would-be-controversial noting on the official files. But all this can not dilute the contribution RTI has made in empowering the helpless citizens. Therefore, instead of diluting RTI, all information of public interest should be compulsorily made available on govt websites to avoid all the hassles to citizens and officials.

 

Globally there is consensus among responsible citizens that aggressive marketing of unhealthy food products and beverages endanger health of the next generation. Alarmed by spread of life-style diseases among young people, and the resultant socio-economic costs for the families and the nations, the developed countries have hesitantly begun to put restrictions on production and marketing of less healthy food products. But developing economies are failing to take concrete action out of fear of losing investments by global MNCs. Instead of targeting big companies selling packaged food detrimental to health in the long run, laws are being made to subjugate poor vendors providing fresh food items on the streets and to help expand business of big companies.

 

Government of India wants to give a unique ID number and a smart card, with biometric data in electronic chip, to every citizen. It aims to improve governance through increased usage of technology. Noble intention, indeed! But how to improve efficiency of people who collect, store and transmit this data into the card and secure databases? Don’t we know the blunders made in printing names, birth dates etc which appear on ration cards, voter cards and other ID proofs? Think about mixing & mis-match of biometric data like fingerprints and iris scan! Considering the sensitivity of electronic chips, and inability of poor farmers & labourers to keep it free of wear & tear, how effective & long lasting such smart cards would be if used regularly? And, in case of frequent replacements, who will bear the cost?