CSR: Conservation Of The Taj Mahal

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July 23, 2018

India is a vast country with a rich and varied heritage. It is blessed with number of monuments that are appreciated throughout the globe. Taj Mahal, the monument that represents undying love of Shah Jahan for his late wife has been named as one of the seven wonders of the world.

These monuments, that represent India’s culture, host thousands of tourists every year. However, these national treasures do not get the care and maintenance that they deserve.

Taj Mahal, one of the most celebrated monument in the world, draws about 70,000 visitors on a daily basis. The 17^th century monument has suffered a lot over the years because of pollution. Yamuna river that flows by the Taj, carries contaminated water and sewage from factories. The waters of Yamuna when touches the marble of Taj ends up polluting the monument as well. According to environment activists, the pollution around the river has attracted lot of insects. This has caused the marble of Taj covered with insect dung and change its colour from while to green.

The pollution caused because of factories and oil refineries around Taj has caused its colour to turn yellow and lose its lustre over the years. A beauty treatment in form of mud masks is applied on Taj once in every few years, to clean up the walls. However, too much scrubbing is also going to harm the monument in a longer run.

Other than these, the thousands of vandalizers in the country who end up carving quotes, names or even vulgar words on the walls of precious monuments are always there in India. When the foreign tourists see the Indians disrespecting the national monuments, they do not care to respect them either, leading them to participate in polluting the monuments.

The Chief Minister of the State where the Taj is situated, refused to allocate any funds for the maintenance of Taj stating that it does not represent India’s culture. The monument was excluded from the tourist booklet released by the government, that extolled all the tourist destinations of Uttar Pradesh.

Supreme Court of India, disappointed with lethargic way of State and Federal government’s methods of dealing with conservation of Taj, has asked to seek foreign help if necessary to protect the monument. However, things would be very difficult as long as we as citizens do not raise our voices and take action towards protection of our historical heritage.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

Regards,
The CSR Journal Team

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Parkinson’s Predicted To Be of Concern Among Elderly

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The CSR Journal

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July 23, 2018

Parkinson’s is set to become a nightmare in healthcare. Although India is touted as the youngest nation, the country is bound to age rapidly post 2020. In fact if United Nations estimates are to be believed, between 2015 and 2030, the number of older people is projected to grow by 64%. This does not bode well, especially when there is minimal focus on elderly population and their healthcare in the country.

Parkinson’s disease, which has higher incidence of onset after the age of 60 years, has low prevalence today, but is looming to become a major healthcare challenge tomorrow. Awareness and capabilities to manage patients with Parkinson’s disease is highly limited in the country, so to say even the symptoms are neither recognized nor known by public at large.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

“There is a serious lack of awareness about Parkinson’s disease or its management in India. Caused by progressive damage to parts of brain over many years, the disease shows symptoms of involuntary shaking of body parts of the body, slowing movement, and stiffness in muscles. People suffering from Parkinson’s disease also experience depression and anxiety, have the sense of losing balance, memory, and sleep. It remains the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and most common movement disorder, and its onset usually is on people older than 60 years of age” said Dr Bhushan Nilkanth Joshi, Consultant Neurologist, Columbia Asia Hospital, Pune.

As of 2015, India is home to 11.6 crore elderly, which stands to be 8.9% of total population. By 2030 and 2050, the share of elderly population will increase to be around 13% and 20%, respectively.As per the last census, with more than 1.11 crore people older than 60 years, 9.9% of the population of Maharashtra is elderly.

Parkinson’s disease treatment

“In comparison, there a limited number of specialized tertiary care providers in the state which can spread awareness around the management of disease. For example, the Centre of Excellence in Neurosciences at our hospital provides comprehensive, compassionate and timely treatment to the patients, with special capabilities in treating movement disorders as that of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s being a progressive disease worsens with age to a point when performing activities of daily living becomes increasingly difficult. As of now, a cure is non-existent. Through supportive therapies such as physiotherapy, medication, and surgery when necessary, family members and patients are trained to manage the disease,” said Dr Bhushan Nilkanth Joshi, Consultant Neurologist, Columbia Asia Hospital, Pune.

With no national registry, there is no clear visibility of the exact prevalence of the disease in the country, barring a few pocketed studies. Despite being a young population, India remains an aging nation, a fact which cannot be ignored. It is important that the country creates avenues and capacities to deal with the challenges of elderly.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

Regards,
The CSR Journal Team

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Sanitary Pads Exemption From GST – Yet Another Case of a Last-minute Fix

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Balbir Singh Aulakh

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July 22, 2018

In a judgement made by the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council, as part of its 28th Meeting, sanitary napkins were exempted from being taxed – after a year in protests, this is a welcome change, making the product cheaper compared to its current pricing. Though, various other materials that go into making the final product will be taxed.

Previously, sanitary pads were taxed under the bracket of 12 per cent, which has now been cut down to zero. When asked about the changes in price reduction, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Railways, Coal, Finance & Corporate Affairs stated the calculations have provided that the input tax credit is about 3 to 4 per cent, with the Government ensuring a lower price for the end product.

“For instance, exempting sanitary napkins from GST – which are currently taxed at 12 percent – should reduce their cost. However, the reduction may not be the entire 12 percent as credit on inputs would not be available, and become a cost,” said Abhishek Jain, Partner, EY India. (via Bloomberg Quint)

The domain of health and sanitation is an important area of intervention and to deliberate meaningful steps to tackling major challenges, particularly in the context of menstruation. In terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending, it was reported in April 2018, according to data analysed by CII, that Health and Sanitation projects amount for 25.2 per cent of the spending a done by India Inc. (1,552 companies) in fiscal 2017.

While, there are no specific tax exemptions when it comes to CSR spending by corporate houses, existing areas in Schedule VII including “contributions to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, scientific research, rural development projects, skill development projects, agricultural extension projects, etc.” (via Ministry of Corporate Affairs) are exempted under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

The manner in which the decision on Tuesday by the GST Council took place continues to highlight our misconduct with understanding the household challenges, and that lies closer to the empowered women, we want to see as an inclusive society. In our vision and interests to create areas of greater female participation, why is it that such basics of life – to one’s health and sanitation requirements – need to see the courts, countless protests on streets, arguments and challenges that hardly justify the greater cause. This is another incident, and there is a long list, wherein we have failed to identify our core problems, much of which has to deal with an ongoing hardship with agendas and moral as well as social stigmas very much ingrained inside us.

It brings and raises the questions again about similar problems, we have now been so ‘accustomed’ to. The result is not the only matter in question here, because it is the process through which we have reached here that has brought us with a grave picture of our reality, making us closer and only accepting to choices we have made in coming this far.

While much has to be seen, in the coming time, in what ways will certain decisions made by the Government as well as private and non-government organisations can bring the desired implications to consumer products in a socially scalable manner, we deal with areas that are left out of discussions time and again. For example: Gender Budgeting.

In bringing ‘necessary products’ at affordable market prices to consumers, there are a host of challenges that brings greater implications for the manufacturer and end customer. While tackling this, the GST Council should be required to come up with solutions to problems that are not just long-overdue, but answers sustainable enough to fight the bigger battles present in the country’s social structure.

With inputs from The Wire, The Indian Express and Business Insider

More Single Women Adopting In India

By

Kasmin Fernandes

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July 21, 2018

Sushmita Sen with her adoptive daughters

Is it essential to be married in order to be a good parent? Does being single make a man or woman less capable of raising a child? These are pertinent questions to ask as we celebrate Parents Day on July 22. If the idea of a single person bringing up kids seems incongruous, consider the statistics.

Reports of the Indian Association for Promotion of Adoption and Child Welfare show that the number of single women who are adopting is steadily growing in India. Since the government announced its decision exactly a year ago to help single women to adopt, 314 single women above 40 years have been able to bring home a child, Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) Secretary Rakesh Shrivastava said.

A committee set up under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) had decided to give single women, who are above 40 years and financially stable, date seniority of six months once they register for adoption. The move was proposed by WCD minister Maneka Gandhi. Prospective parents have to wait for at least up to a year to get the child of their preference. The government’s decision effectively reduces the waiting period for them by half.

There were a total of 817 single women registered with the nodal adoption body, Child Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), last year. Of these, 457 were above 40 years, according to an RTI response sought by PTI.

The universal desire to have a family irrespective of a spouse, increasing financial stability and changing social mindsets are behind this progressive trend. Things weren’t always hunky dory for women wanting to adopt, however. When Bollywood personality and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen tried to adopt her eldest daughter Renee, the court didn’t allow it until two years later. Renee will turn 19 this September. “I was 24 years old, and I had been trying since I was 22 to become a mom by the process of adoption. It took me a while and I got the custody for my first baby,” said Sen in an interview.

After becoming Renee’s mom, she planned to adopt another three-month old baby girl and fought a longer battle. “The second child was actually a bigger court fight than the first one, because in India, the rules said, you could not adopt a daughter after a daughter. You have to adopt a son,” she said. It took ten years, but she won the fight to adopt her second child Alisah.

What you need to know

– You can adopt a child from recognised private placement agencies, Shishu Grehas or State Adoption Cells

– The single parent should have additional family support.

– The adoptive parent has to be both medically fit and financially settled.

– A minimum age difference of 21 years between the single mother and the adopted child is required if it is a boy

– The single parent should be between 30 – 45 years in age if she wishes to adopt a child in the age group of 0-3 years. The upper limit for a child older than 3 years is 50.

– According to the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act of 1956, Indian citizens who are Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, or Buddhists are allowed to adopt not more than one child of a particular sex.

– For foreigners, NRIs and Indian nationals who are Muslims, Parsis, Christians or Jews, according to the Guardian and Wards Act of 1890, the parent only acts as a guardian till the child turns 18.

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मोदी हिट या राहुल हीरो?

By

Rahuldeo Sharma

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July 21, 2018

No Confidence Motion - Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi

अविश्वास प्रस्ताव को लेकर जैसी आशंका थी वैसा ही हुआ। विपक्ष का अविश्वास प्रस्ताव भारी मतों से खारिज हो गया। सरकार को 325 मत मिले, जो विपक्ष के खाते से लगभग तीन गुना थे। संसद में टीडीपी ने सरकार के खिलाफ अविश्वास प्रस्ताव रखा। प्रस्ताव पर 12 घंटे तक चर्चा हुई और मत विभाजन के बाद विपक्ष का को असफलता हाथ लगी। सदन में विपक्ष द्वारा लाया गया अविश्वाव प्रस्ताव 126 के मुकाबले 325 मतों से गिर गया। घंटों तक चले इस मैराथन चर्चा के बाद एनडीए सरकार ने विश्वास मत जीत लिया। सदन में 451 सदस्यों ने मत विभाजन में हिस्सा लिया, जिसमें से 126 वोट अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पर पड़े जबकि 325 मत इसके विरोध में, लेकिन इस अविश्वास प्रस्ताव के दौरान सदन में कुछ ऐसा हुआ, जिसकी चर्चा सालों-साल तक होती रहेगी। अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पर चर्चा के दौरान सदन में हाई वोल्टेज ड्रामा देखने को मिला। झप्पी, ठहाके, आँख मारने और हंगामे से फुल रहा ये अविश्वास प्रस्ताव। संसद में जब आरोप प्रत्यारोप लगा तो जमकर हंगामा हुआ, जब सदन में कुछ ऐसी बातें बोली गयी तो ठहाकों की गूंज पूरे सदन में सुनाई देने लगी, ड्रामा भी खूब देखने को मिला। इन सब के बीच राहुल गांधी ने सरकार को घेरा तो वही पीएम मोदी बचाव करते नज़र आये। राजनीतिकरण के बीच पक्ष और विपक्ष दोनों ही भूल रही है अपनी सिटीजन सोशल रिस्पांसिबिलिटी, इनपर सिर्फ वोट बैंक और राजनीती ही हावी है।

चर्चा में कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी आक्रामक रहे। सरकार की नाकामियों को जो गिनवाना शुरू किया कि आखिर में सरकार के ही गले मिल लिए, राहुल गांधी ने अपने भाषण के अंत में मोदी की सीट पर जाकर मोदी को झप्पी दे डाली। राफेल डील को लेकर राहुल ने तीखा आरोप भी लगाया और नाटकीय अंदाज में मोदी से गले मिलने की घटना भी हुई। तब से माना जा रहा था कि मोदी का जवाब भी बहुत तीखा होगा। जब वक्त आया तो नरेंद्र मोदी ने राहुल गांधी के आरोपों का एक एक कर जवाब दिया। राहुल ने मोदी को राफेल में ‘भागीदार’ ठहराया तो उन्होंने इसे हथियार बनाते हुए कहा कि वह चौकीदार भी हैं और देश के करोड़ों गरीबों, युवाओं, कामगारों के सपनों के भागीदार भी। राहुल ने उन्हें अपनी आखों में देखने की चुनौती दी तो उन्होंने ‘नामदार परिवार’ पर परोक्ष तंज करते हुए कह दिया कि एक कामदार उनसे कैसे आखें मिला सकता है। लगभग डेढ़ घंटे के उनके भाषण में अधिकांश हिस्सा कांग्रेस के अतीत, साथियों के लिए कांग्रेस के व्यवहार, तुष्टीकरण की कांग्रेस की राजनीति पर केंद्रित रहा। राहुल के आंख मारने वाली हरकत पर प्रधानमंत्री ने तंज किया, ‘आंख की बात करने वालों की हरकतों को आज पूरे देश ने देख लिया कि आप कैसे आंख चला रहे थे।इन सब के अलावा नरेंद्र मोदी ने कालाधन, जीएसटी, आयुष्मान भारत और रोजगार जैसे कई मुद्दों पर सरकार की उपलब्धियां गिनाईं। बैंकों के मुद्दों पर राहुल गांधी को करारा जवाब देते हुए मोदी ने कहा कि कांग्रेस ने 2009 से 2014 तक देश के बैंकों को खाली कर दिया। आजादी के 60 साल में देश के बैंकों ने 18 लाख करोड़ रुपये कर्ज दिए थे। लेकिन 2008 से 2014 तक छह साल में यह राशि 52 लाख करोड़ रुपये हो गई। कांग्रेस जब तक सत्ता में रही बैंकों को लूटती रही। अब हमने इसकी जांच शुरू की। 12 बड़े मामलों में तीन लाख करोड़ रुपये की राशि फंसी है। यह राशि कुल एनपीए का 25 फीसद है। तीन बड़े मामलों में 45 फीसद रिकवरी भी हो चुकी है।

इस अविश्वास प्रस्ताव से मोदी सरकार को भले खतरा नहीं हुआ, लेकिन इस प्रस्ताव के जरिए विपक्ष और सरकार दोनों अपने मकसद में कामयाब जरूर हुए। राहुल ने राफेल डील का मामला उठाकर मोदी सरकार की भ्रष्टाचारमुक्त छवि को झटका दिया, वहीं विपक्ष के अन्य नेताओं ने नौकरियों से लेकर बैंक घोटाले के मुद्दे उठाकर मोदी सरकार पर हमले किए। भले ही विपक्ष ने मुद्दे अलग-अलग उठाए, लेकिन मकसद सरकार को घेरना ही था। यह विपक्ष की कामयाबी रही कि एनडीए की सबसे पुरानी सहयोगी शिवसेना भी सरकार का साथ देने के लिए लोकसभा में मौजूद नहीं रही। वही सरकार भी कामयाब रही क्योंकि सरकार ने आरोपों का खंडन करते हुए सरकार का महिमा मंडन किया। बहस को आम चुनाव से पहले रिहर्सल की तरह देखा गया। चर्चा के दौरान सभी दलों का रुख भी उसी के अनुरूप रहा। बहरहाल शुक्रवार को हुए अविश्वास प्रस्ताव के बाद अब बहस छिड़ गयी है कि मोदी हिट हुए या फिर राहुल हीरो। लेकिन सबके बीच बड़ी बात ये कि, 12 घंटों की बड़ी बहस के दरमियान सभी दलों की तरफ से मुद्दों की राजनीतिकरण ही देखने को मिली, सरकार और विपक्ष शायद नैतिकता का पाठ भूल रही है क्योंकि विपक्ष और सरकार मुद्दों को लेकर आपस में भिड़े लेकिन किसी ने सिटीजन सोशल रिस्पांसिबिलिटी की बात नहीं की जिससे समाज में बदलाव आता है।

Artists Collaborate To Work Towards Sustainable Development Goals

By

The CSR Journal

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July 20, 2018

The Great African Caravan’s pre-launch event took place on 18th July 2018, the Nelson Mandela Day, in partnership with UNESCO in New Delhi, India. The evening was blessed by the presence of Mr. Al-Amin Yusuph, Officer-in-Charge and Advisor for Communication and Information for South Asia, UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office, Rahul Ram the lead singer and activist from the band Indian Ocean, Augusto Anthonio Generoso, first secretary Mozambique, and other foreign dignitaries. accompanied by The Great African Caravan (GAC) artist Mr. Akram Feroze on stage and GAC African Coordinator Mr. Presidoe Okuguni.

Mr. Al-Amin spoke about the collaboration between GAC and UNESCO and how art is an important tool to bring about peace and promote sustainable development goals in various forms, he spoke about Mandela day and how important it is to walk on the path paved by him.

Next was screening of a short video by GAC team that explained the entire journey in a creative way. Akram Feroze thanked UNESCO for Hosting the Flag-off ceremony of the Great African Caravan, and about the 200 days journey across the 12 nations of Africa, the importance of artistic collaborations and working towards Sustainable Development Goals 2030 together as artists.

Rahul Ram, in his enthusiastic manner spoke about how excited he is about the project and how amazed he is about the thought and the journey. He shared his thoughts about how important it is to have a cultural exchange and how much the African artists and GAC team can learn from each other, on a road- trip like this, he also requested all the representatives from various Embassies to show as much support as they can to the GAC artists, saying “they would need it”.

It was followed by a musical performance by reggae musician: McWills Ime Phillips, and everybody was swinging to the tune of “One Love” by Bob Marley.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Yusuph and Rahul Ram in the company of representatives from the various African embassies that are on the road map of GAC. The opening was also attended by Veerendra Mishra, Executive Director NYKS (Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan) and Director NSS (National Service Scheme), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, Mrs. Sangeeta Gupta, Artist/Poet/Retd. Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi, and Mrs. Rashmi Malik, Principal Salwan Public School, Gurugram. Members of the media, art lovers and representatives from GAC partners graced the occasion.

The exhibition opening was followed by the Great African Caravan flag off by all the dignitaries who wished the entire GAC team their best wishes for their road trip and great adventures ahead.

The Great African Caravan

The Great African Caravan is a road travel project by Art Caravan to attain and promote Global Goals for Sustainable Development (aka Sustainable Development Goals or SDG). 12 Artists from Uganda, Netherlands,Argentina, England, India, Germany, and Kosovo have come together with artists, activists, civil societies, Govt. bodies, and international organizations across continents to integrate art as a tool to achieve SDGs.

The Caravan will travel for 200 days from Cape Town to Cairo. It will begin in South Africa on 15th August 2018 and move through Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and conclude in Egypt in March 2019.

Child Sexual Abuse, A Recurring Crime In India

By

Hency Thacker

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July 20, 2018

A minor girl gets raped by 17 men over several months in India. A minor boy commits suicide because he got raped by a neighbor. A girl’s father gets killed who fights for to get justice for his daughter who had gotten raped by an influential person. There has been a rise in number of rape cases reported in the country.

Earlier before 2012, the definition of rape was specifically forceful penetration. This way, if a victim has not been typically penetrated but molested otherwise, the case does not qualify as a rape case. According to the government data, after the declaration of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of November 2012, the number of reported cases of child rape rose by nearly 45% the next year.

According to a survey conducted by the ministry of women and child development in 2007, from 12,447 children, more than half had faced some form of sexual abuse. Of those victims, 53% were male children. According to some government officials, most cases of child sex abuse faced by young boys are not even reported because of the attached stigma around homosexuality.

There are 444.1 million children in India that constitute 36% of the total population. In fact, the country has largest child population in the world. However, between 2008-12, 0.452 million (4 lakh 52 thousand) cases of child trafficking for forced labour were registered. Of these, prosecution was launched in less than 6% cases and conviction awarded in less than 1% cases.

Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, has been at the forefront of the global movement to end child slavery and exploitative child labour. After rescuing over 80,000 child slaves, Mr Satyarthi has developed a successful model for their education and rehabilitation.

“If child labour, slavery, trafficking, and violence against children continues, we will fail to accomplish most of the development goals,” says Mr. Satyarthi.

India is a developing country with a ton of potential. The government, extremely vocal about its development goals is working towards achieving them too. However, how will the country ever succeed if children, who are the future of the country are not getting the proper care, resources and most importantly safety that they deserve. How can we ever dream to build a sound nation when today we, out of fake honour are hiding the hideous crimes, empowering the criminals to keep acting in the same manner and scarring the minor victims for life?

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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The CSR Journal Team

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अविश्वास प्रस्ताव से किसका फायदा किसका नुकसान? – बस जोर आजमाइश

By

Rahuldeo Sharma

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July 20, 2018

अविश्वास प्रस्ताव को लेकर लोकसभा में बहस शुरू है लेकिन इस बहस के पहले देश में एक बहस शुरू हो गई कि आखिरकार इस अविश्वास प्रस्ताव से फायदा किसका है और नुकसान किसका, देश भर में आज सबकी निगाहें अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पर टिकी है, सब जानते है कि नरेंद्र मोदी की संसद में क्या स्तिथि है बावजूद इसके इस रस्सा कस्सी के क्या मायने है। देश के प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने सुबह सुबह ट्वीट कर इसे और अहम बना दिया, अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पर बहस होने के पहले शुक्रवार सुबह प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने ट्विटर पर लिखा कि संसदीय लोकतंत्र के लिए आज का दिन अहम है जबपूरे देश की निगाहें संसद पर होंगी, उन्होंने ट्विटर पर लिखा, “आज संसदीय लोकतंत्र के लिए अहम दिन है, मुझे यकीन है कि मेरे साथी सासंद इस मौके पर सुनिश्चित करेंगे कि रचनात्मक, व्यापक और व्यावधान रहित बहस हो, सारे भारतवर्ष की हम पर करीबी निगाह होगी.” जाहिर है पक्ष और विपक्ष दोनों ही पार्टियों के लिए आज संसद में बहस ख़ास होगी। विपक्ष पहले भी सरकार के खिलाफ अविश्वास प्रस्ताव लेकर आई थी लेकिन उसे ख़ारिज कर दिया गया था, आख़िर तीन माह में ऐसा क्या हो गया कि नरेंद्र मोदी सरकार उस अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पर बहस को तैयार हो गई जो मार्च में ख़ारिज हो गई थी, और विपक्ष की रणनीति क्या है इस मुद्दे पर जबकि उसे मालूम है कि इस पर होने वाली वोटिंग के लिए नंबर उसके पक्ष में नहीं हैं।

सरकार और विपक्ष दोनों की कोशिश एक-दूसरे को घेरने की है। फिलहाल संसद में एक दूसरे की कमज़ोरियां गिनाकर संसदीय बहस में एक दूसरे को धवस्त करने की और अंत में उस संदेश को जनता के बीच पहुंचाने की कोशिश जारी है। मौजूदा बहस में नरेंद्र मोदी और उनके मंत्री अपने चार सालके काम-काज का लेखा-जोखा पेश कर रहे है वही कांग्रेस और विपक्ष सरकार को घेर रही है, इस बीच सदन में तीखी बहस भी जारी है। सरकार और विपक्ष के लिए एक बेहतर मौक़ा है, इसलिए क्योंकि ये याद रखने की ज़रूरत है कि आम चुनाव को क़रीब साल भर ही रह गया है साथ ही अगले कुछ महीनों में तीन बीजेपी शासित राज्यों – राजस्थान, मध्य प्रदेश और छत्तीसगढ़ में भी चुनाव होने हैं।

हम आपको बता दें कि मोदी सरकार के ख़िलाफ़ ये पहला अविश्वास प्रस्ताव है, तेलुगू देशम पार्टी ने लोकसभा में सरकार के ख़िलाफ़ अविश्वास प्रस्ताव का नोटिस दिया था, इसका कांग्रेस समेत अन्य विपक्षी दलों ने समर्थन किया था, बुधवार को मॉनसून सत्र के पहले दिन संसद में मॉब लिंचिंग और दूसरे मुद्दों पर ज़ोरदार हंगामा हुआ, इसी बीच लोकसभा में सत्तारूढ़ एनडीए सरकार के ख़िलाफ़ अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पर चर्चा का नोटिस स्वीकार कर लिया गया। अब सवाल यह उठता है कि क्या मोदी सरकार के पास इस अविश्वास प्रस्ताव को विफल करने के लिए पर्याप्त नंबर हैं? इस अविश्वास प्रस्ताव से केंद्र सरकारको कोई ख़तरा तो नहीं है? वर्तमान में लोकसभा की कुल सीटों की संख्या 543 है, इनमें से 9 सीटें अभी खाली हैं, यानी इस वक्त लोकसभा के कुल 534 सांसद हैं, इस लिहाज से लोकसभा में साधारण बहुमत का आंकड़ा 534 का आधा 267+1 यानी 268 होता है।

फ़िलहाल लोकसभा में बीजेपी सबसे बड़ी पार्टी है, अकेले बीजेपी के पास 272 + 1 (लोकसभा अध्यक्ष) सांसद हैं और सहयोगी दलों को मिलाकर एनडीए गठबंधन के पास 311 सांसद हैं, इनमें शिवसेना के सांसद (18), एलजेपी (6), अकाली दल (4), आरएलएसपी (3), जेडीयू (2), अपना दल (2), एनआरकांग्रेस (1), पीएमके (1) और एनपीपी (1) हैं, अगर सहयोगी दलों को छोड़ भी दें तो बीजेपी अकेले अपने दम पर सदन में विश्वास मत हासिल कर लेगी,ऐसे में तकनीकी तौर पर देखा जाए तो सरकार को पेश होने वाले अविश्वास प्रस्ताव से कोई ख़तरा नहीं है। फिर ये जोर आजमाइश आखिर क्यों है।

CSR Gives Shot in the Arm to India-Vietnam Relations

By

Kasmin Fernandes

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July 20, 2018

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to India from March 2-4, at the invitation of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is another encounter in the long-standing friendship and multi-faceted relationship of cooperation between the two countries.

The relationship has become ever stronger since the two countries established a strategic partnership in 2007. In September 2016, the bilateral relationship was raised to the status of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past 46 years, the Vietnam-India time-honoured friendship and multi-faceted cooperation relationship, whose foundation was laid by their President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, has been continuously nurtured and strengthened by both countries’ successive generations of leaders and people. India actively supported Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and reunification in the past and continues to support Vietnam’s economic development today.

Cooperation mechanisms such as the Vietnam-India Intergovernmental Committee on Science, Technology, Culture, and Education and political consultations between the two foreign ministries are maintained in an effective manner.

Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bui Thanh Son, paid a working visit to India from June 21-22. He met Minister of Commerce and Industry, Suresh Prabhu, Minister of State for External Affairs, Vijay Kuma Singh, and Deputy National Security Advisor, Rajilder Khanna in New Delhi. Both sides reached a consensus on translating the agreements reached during the visits of Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to India earlier this year. Cooperation is also being promoted on education, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people to exchanges.

Corporates and non-profit groups are stepping in to further the friendship. Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group, has now facilitated a camp for 500 PWDs (persons with disabilities) in Vietnam along with Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahitya Samiti (BMVSS) and Embassy of India in Vietnam. In continuation to its legacy of social welfare drives, the artificial limb fitment camp is aimed to heal and treat more than 500 Persons with Disability in Vietnam, with certain limb disabilities during the 5 week span.

Her Excellency Nguyen Thi Hien, the first lady of Vietnam inaugurated the camp with His Excellency P Harish, Ambassador of India in Vietnam, along with technical and implementing partner of the camp Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahatya Samiti (BMVSS) which has provided the equipment and personnel to facilitate this camp.

The Artificial Limb Fitment Camp has been organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Embassy of India in Vietnam as part of the bilateral Development Partnership initiatives in Vietnam. BMVSS (Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahatya Samiti) has aided Spark Minda foundation to facilitate the camp in two provinces: Vinh Phuc and Phu tho in Vietnam.

Said Ashok Minda, Group CEO, “Our initiative has benefitted more than 7,000 amputees globally through our small means of giving back to society. Our collaboration with BMVSS aka Jaipur Foot has already made several milestones in India and Indonesia by benefitting people across various age groups.” The Lac Viet Friendship Hospital will monitor the patients after they are fitted artificial limbs. Vietnam is the first country to implement the Jaipur project.

Apart from medical care, India is enriching cultural ties with Vietnam. The Embassy of Socialist Republic of Vietnam in India and International Chamber of Media And Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) have jointly created a cultural forum, for the first time in the history of Indo Vietnam diplomatic relations, at Marwah Studios, Noida Film City.

Called the Indo Vietnam Film and Cultural Forum (IVFCF), it has planned film festivals, student exchange program, institutional tie ups, fashion, education and tourism promotion. Many delegates have already attended the different events of ICMEI supported by AAFT and Marwah Studios in last few years including a global film festival, Global Festival of Journalism, Global Literary Festival, Global Fashion Week, International Festival of Cellphone Cinema and other global summits.

Here’s to more friendship between the two Asian nations.

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The Gaps in Implemeting CSR in India

By

Amit Lahiri, Chief Sustainability Officer, O.P. Jindal Global University & Executive Director, CECRAS

-

July 19, 2018

India is one of the only countries in the world to regulate Corporate Social Responsbility (CSR) under the Companies Act, 2013. The law provides a framework to address various developmental challenges. Specifically, 11 areas are listed as eligible developmental activities where a company can spend its CSR money. Companies with a net worth of INR 500 crore or more, or a turnover of INR 1,000 crore or more or a net profit of INR 5 crore or more are required to spend 2% of their average net profit from the last three years towards CSR activities listed in Schedule VII of the Act.

Several different gaps in the implementation of the CSR policy in the country emerge from a detailed analysis of the existing literature on impact assessment. For example, lack of availability of reliable CSR reporting data in one central place, lack of collaborative partnerships between the government, private and civil society sectors across the spending areas, a general lacking in the infrastructure and ecosystem such as skilled professionals, standardisation of evaluation and impact assessment of CSR projects and a lacking of investment in developing effective collaborative platforms, research systems and capacity-building institutions.

Encouragingly, the CSR expenditure during the year 2016-17 has increased by 41% as compared to 2014-15. There is also a growing trend in companies’ interest to invest in unique flagship projects which can be also seen as a trigger for investment into innovative ways of tackling challenges of sustainable development. Schedule VII gives overall direction to corporations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could become the measurable outcomes from the CSR projects.

Aligning SDGs to CSR areas of Schedule VII

SDGs were adopted on the September 25 in 2015 in Paris where 193 countries, including India, ratified and signed the convention to accomplish the 17 goals with its 169 targets by 2030. The goals take a pragmatic approach to achieve sustainable growth at all levels of the social, economic and environmental dimensions of the planet making it probably one of the most holistic development models evolved. The SDGs have also evolved to provide flexibility to nations and organizations alike to develop action plans to achieve the set targets thus providing a roadmap for the next 12 years.

India has set itself ambitious targets for implementation of the SDGs by aligning it with the national development agenda including setting up a monitoring dashboard in its Niti Aayog. India almost considered as a poster child of the SDG community, needs to make large investments and the achievement of these goals may not be possible with government initiatives alone. Rather it needs a high level of collaboration between the government, private sector and the civil society. The accelerating pace of collaboration between the social and private sectors could be positively leveraged by using the SDG targets and indicators as measurement tools for outcomes and impact of the CSR spending.

Ensuring Environmental Sustainability

The best case for tagging CSR areas in Schedule VII to SDG goals and its targets and indicators is area number 4: Ensuring Environmental Sustainability, which as noted earlier receives less than 10 % of CSR money spent by its corporations. Environmental sustainability as specified in Schedule VII corresponds to the largest number of SDG goals as compared to other CSR areas (SDGs 2, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15).

This therefore corresponds to the largest number of targets and associated indicators and hence provides the most comprehensive way to cross-referencing CSR in India to SDGs. Hence, adopting the design thinking mode and a participatory approach to sustainable development, ensuring environmental sustainability might perhaps be the best way to correlate inputs to outputs to outcomes and finally to impact measurement. The area of Indian CSR which presently receives the least attention and funds compared to the top 5 areas may thus prove to be an exemplar of aligning CSR in India to the global SDGs.

Finally, to coordinate the alignment of multiple SDG goals, targets and indicators to ensure environmental sustainability in India via its CSR spending, revitalising global and local partnerships for sustainable development which is SDG number 17 could be the best instrument.

Amit Lahiri is the Chief Sustainability Officer at O.P. Jindal Global University. He has developed the flagship graduate certificate program in International Business Management, and also the first course in Corporate Social Responsibility. He has graduate degrees in both natural and social sciences, and a Masters degree in the Life Sciences from Bombay University and Environmental Studies from York University, Canada. He has also participated in an Ontario Ministry of Education & Training-sponsored research project on integrating immigrants in the Canadian economy.

Views of the author are personal and do not necessarily represent the website’s views.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

Regards,
The CSR Journal Team

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Is it essential to be married in order to be a good parent? Does being single make a man or woman less capable of raising a child? These are pertinent questions to ask as we celebrate Parents Day on July 22. If the idea of a single person bringing up kids seems incongruous, consider the statistics.

There were a total of 817 single women registered with the nodal adoption body, Child Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), last year. Of these, 457 were above 40 years, according to an RTI response sought by PTI.

What you need to know

– You can adopt a child from recognised private placement agencies, Shishu Grehas or State Adoption Cells

– The single parent should have additional family support.

– The adoptive parent has to be both medically fit and financially settled.

– A minimum age difference of 21 years between the single mother and the adopted child is required if it is a boy

– The single parent should be between 30 – 45 years in age if she wishes to adopt a child in the age group of 0-3 years. The upper limit for a child older than 3 years is 50.

– According to the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act of 1956, Indian citizens who are Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, or Buddhists are allowed to adopt not more than one child of a particular sex.

– For foreigners, NRIs and Indian nationals who are Muslims, Parsis, Christians or Jews, according to the Guardian and Wards Act of 1890, the parent only acts as a guardian till the child turns 18.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to India from March 2-4, at the invitation of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is another encounter in the long-standing friendship and multi-faceted relationship of cooperation between the two countries.

Cooperation mechanisms such as the Vietnam-India Intergovernmental Committee on Science, Technology, Culture, and Education and political consultations between the two foreign ministries are maintained in an effective manner.

Here’s to more friendship between the two Asian nations.

Hindi Manch

THECSRJOURNAL