Lingering memories

Life is full of memories, sometimes of those people who have ceased to be part of our existence. Sometimes we wish for the people from our past to return but many times time and distance makes it impossible. I still remember friend I had when I had just started school. We were five year olds and were very close. But our friendship didn't last long as her family relocated to Bombay. Time passed and I even forgot her name but still thirty years later, I still remember my friend who was with me for just a couple of weeks. I often wondered if I can find out something about her from the school records but I know that she wouldn't remember me. In the years that passed, I met many people and made many friends some that have been with me for decades now, but still somewhere in my heart, I feel a desire to meet my childhood friend who was also my first friend that my mind recalls.

Winter mornings and Sherlock Holmes

The cold winter mornings with snow outside mean one simple thing: one cannot go out. They mean sitting inside, eating, drinking and not doing much else. But two things make a good pastime during such cold dreary times: board games and books. While games of any kind require company, books do not. And I personally love to read detective stories during such time. Of all the works on crime fiction, the most interesting and befitting one seems to be the stories of Sherlock Holmes. There is something about the atmosphere in the stories that matches with that outside and one of the most interesting things seems to be curling up and devouring those words that describe the fantastic crimes, though easily solved by the great mind of the detective. I have read these stories innumerable times, yet don't feel exhausted at the thought of re-reading them, especially when it is all white and grey outside and the stories just reflect the same back.

Genetic engineering

Researchers in China have recently claimed that they have led to the birth of first genetically modified twin girls. They claim that the girls carry genome that has been modified to protect them from HIV infection. However, they have not published their work in any peer evaluated journal or even revealed the identities of the twins or their parents. The genetic modification of human embryos is highly regulated in all countries and genetically modified human embryos are not allowed to grow and be implanted. The long term effects of modifying the human genome are unknown and the potential risks of the same outweigh any advantage of the same. The ethics regarding the modification of human babies is enormous and the scientists avoid entering into it. There are issues regarding taking consent of the donors and also the potential harmful traits that can be transmitted to future generations of the genetically modified babies. The claims made by the Chinese researchers need to be assessed before anything can be said about the genetic modification of human foetuses for eradication of diseases.

Ethics of genetic engineering

Genetic engineering can be broadly understood as adding or removing a gene from the cell of an organism in order to either impart a desirable trait in it or remove an undesirable one. Humans have been genetically modifying crops and animals since time immemorial by cross breeding different varieties in order to get higher yielding crop varieties or better domestic animals. In the modern days, however, there is an issue with the production of genetically modified organisms. The difference between old times and new are; one that now the advances in technology have made it possible to insert the genes of plants into animals and vice versa or of entirely different species into each other, and second are the large scale productions as well as the costs involved. While till date there is no evidence of genetically modified foods being harmful for humans, the fact remains that no evidence cannot be called good evidence and that makes people reluctant to try them. The issues regarding genetic engineering revolve around the fact that the long term repercussion of genetically modifying organisms are unknown. Another issue that arises is in regards to genetically altering human genome with a potential of creating 'designer babies'. Human experimentation is a sensitive issue with issues regarding the rights of the donors, patients and also the embryos (where they are used for research). Human life has always been considered 'sacred' and with that any experiments dealing with human beings are not always welcomed by the general majority of people. Genetic engineering is used for the production of medicines, vaccines, better crops or for understanding and preventing diseases. However, since the long term effects of the same are unknown, it will always remain an ethical issue.

Saving energy

Sustainable living means using our natural resources diligently to ensure that the future generations also have access to them. It includes water conservation, using reusable, recyclables and biodegradable products instead of single use plastics, reducing pollution levels, increasing green spaces and having sustainable food production. Saving energy is another part of sustainable living. Various steps that can be taken to save energy are as follows:
(1) Using solar powered power banks/ recharging stations
(2) Using hybrid cars.
(3) Using light/ motion censored light fixtures.
(4) Converting footfall into energy, specially in busy places like malls, rail or bus stations, etc.
(5) Using insulation to maintain temperatures in buildings.
(6) Increasing green cover around buildings, having green roofs installed to prevent buildings from heating up.
(7) Solar carports.
(8) Using technology to create awareness about energy conservation.
(9) Changing mindsets of people and making them more environmentally conscious.
Sustainable living is the need of the day to protect our environment and is something that everyone can practice in his or her individual space. It is important to lead by example and inculcate the ethics of energy conservation in children so that they grow up as conscious citizens. 

Water conservation

While the majority of the earth's surface is covered by water, only 3% of it is usable. Pollution of the usable resources is a major problem for the environment as it not only damages the water quality, it also puts marine life at danger. Further, the pollution of water bodies leads to the pollutants traveling up in the food chain and poisoning at various levels. Conserving water is thus an important aspect of preserving the environment. Some of the steps to conserve water at basic level are as follows:
> Using motion sensors or timed water taps to reduce water wastage.
> Using sanitisers.
> Using organic cleaning agents so that water can be treated in situ and diverted for watering gardens, crops, etc
> Changing mindsets and creating awareness about water conservation.
> Rainwater harvesting.
At a larger level, it is important to treat the industrial and factory wastes before releasing the water in water bodies. A more conscious approach for treatment in situ is important to prevent the large scale pollution of rivers and lakes. Preventing oil spills in ocean bodies is also important. Levying hefty fines for polluting water bodies will also act as  deterrent.
Taking steps at various levels is important for preventing water pollution and thus, saving the aquatic life and protecting the environment.

Zero waste

With the rising levels of pollution leading to climate change and extinction of species, it is important that steps are being taken to protect the environment. Protecting the environment means reducing pollution levels which can be attained by reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses and limiting wastes. The various steps towards reducing the amount of waste released in the environment are:

> Reduce and ultimately phase out single use plastics such as straws, bottles, disposable plates, cutlery.

> Minimise the amount of plastics in packaging of food items and other goods.

> Reduce the potion size in restaurants and cafeteria to cut down on food wastage.

> Use incentives like price cut for bringing own cups or plates to cafeterias, etc.

> Using organic plates, bowls, made of leaves, where needed, that are biodegradable.

> Create apps that tell about location of recycling bins, compost facilities especially in college campuses and shopping malls as well as beaches and tourist spots.

> Creating awareness about recycling, using social media as well as other platforms.

> Have plenty of dishwashing sinks on campuses to encourage the reusing of utensils.

> Reducing the amount of paper that is used for communications.

> Recycling garments into other useful items to prevent their being dumped into garbage holes.

By working towards reducing the amount of waste generated, one can have a positive impact towards curbing the pollution levels and helping the environment.

Sustainable development

The Earth is a unique planet in the sense that it supports life but at the same time it is effected by the activities of the living creatures. All animal and plant species are dependent on the environment for their survival, they cannot sustain in conditions that are too harsh for them. Man is different from other animals as he is capable of changing the environment according to his needs. Anthropogenic factors have changed the face of the earth and have lead to climate change which may be irreversible. Developments in the fields of industry and energy have had a far reaching effect and today, the world is facing global warming, rising sea levels, high levels of pollution and an overall climate change.
The concept of sustainable development means development that does not harm the environment but rather preserves it. The key elements of sustainable development are reducing the carbon footprint by minimising the use of fossil fuels and protecting the green belts and reducing pollution levels. Banning or reducing the use of plastics, building 'green' homes and offices, increasing the green cover, banning coal, using wind and solar energy are some of the key areas where sustainable development is active. Another aspect is the legal one, where the polluter is made to pay for the environmental damage that he has caused. He is levied hefty penalties to ensure that he is an example for others as well.
The concept of sustainable development is based on the principles that we are not the owners of this planet but rather the trustees for the future generations to come. It aims at protecting the natural climate for the future generations instead of consuming all the natural resources and harming the planet. Sustainable growth aims at advancing in science and tech7while at the same time being conscious of the well being of the planet that supports life.

Mental health

A healthy individual is one who is sound in all dimensions whether physical or mental. Mental health is something even more important than a person's physical well-being as it governs a person's overall personality. While the physical issues affect only one's body, mental issues can manifest from small obsessions to growing into depression, addictions or even suicidal tendencies. However, the main issue with mental well being comes with the fact that it is invisible to everyone except the individual himself and many a times, even he might be unaware of any underlying issues that he might be suffering from. Often, a person suffering from depression or other mental issues may avoid seeking out treatment. Loneliness can play a big role in elevating mental issues. Being surrounded by people who do not notice any mood changes or dismiss them can actually increase the chances of depression. Bullying at school or workplace or inability to cope with the workload can also take a toll on a person's well being. A good, healthy home atmosphere as well as a positive work attitude can play a big role in combating mental health issues. Mental issues are silent killers that attack from inside not giving the individual any recourse unless they are carefully monitored. It is important for institutes to make it mandatory to have counsellors present on campus and have mandatory sessions with all students or employees. Developing a good home environment and being open to each others problems and being supportive of them is what would go a long way in ensuring a positive outcome.

Loyalty as seen in Shakespeare's Hamlet

Introduction

The Tragedy of Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark is the longest play written by William Shakespeare. The tragic account runs strongly with the concept of loyalty between characters leading to both positive and negative impacts. While loyalty is a virtue much desired, in Hamlet, loyalty towards wrong ‘relationships’ led to much suffering and tragedy.

Loyalty to family

The central theme of the play revolves around avenging the fathers’ death. We see that Hamlet’s[1]loyalty to his father[2]leads him to feign madness in order to determine the truth about the murder of his father[3]and to seek revenge for it. He doesn’t shy away from showing disdain[4]for his mother’s hasty second marriage though he urges her to not sleep with Claudius. Ophelia, meanwhile, forsook her love for the sake of her father that ultimately led to her madness and untimely death. Similarly, Laertes blinded by his devotion to his sister and father and desirous of revenge, ended up being easily manipulated by Claudius[5]which gave way to the final sword fight and his death. Overall, the devotedness towards their respective fathers paved way to the tragic end of all three.

Loyalty to the Crown

Following behind loyalty towards family, loyalty towards the Crown or Claudius came with its own dire consequences. On one hand, we see Rosencrantz and Guildenstern[6]betraying their friend, Hamlet to spy for Claudius and consequently ending up being executed[7], at the same time, Polonius’s inability to be ‘true to his own self’[8]that made him spy on Hamlet for Claudius led him to be killed by accident[9]. We see that blindly following the royal command without searching for the true nature or intention led to their destruction and also the downfall in the play.

Loyalty to friend

While we see that loyalty resulted in much suffering, not every instance of loyalty was marked with doom. Horatio and Hamlet remained friends and faithful[10]to each other highlighting the only positive consequence of loyalty. Horatio advising Hamlet to be cautious while following the ghost[11]and later on to avoid fighting with Laertes were full of brotherly love and care. Finally, in the end, he even desired himself to be sacrificed for his friend which is a shining example of true friendship and brotherhood.

Conclusion

Even though loyalty plays a central role in the story, it is also the reason for heartbreak, death and tragedy. On its own, it is not a virtue. It is the combination with the right reason and the right person, that is highlighted as a virtue, otherwise it is a doom for all.

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[1]Hamlet is the central figure of the play who judges the character of people based upon their loyalty towards him and his father, the deceased King Hamlet.

[2]The feeling of vengeance is mirrored in Fortinbras, the Prince of Norway, who tries to avenge his father’s death by an attempted invasion of Denmark. Denmark, under King Hamlet, had defeated Norway resulting in the death of her king but did not pass under Denmark and had rather remained under the charge of Fortinbras’s uncle, thereby making an invasion of Denmark by Norway imminent.

[3]While Hamlet decides to feign madness and plan a revenge on his uncle, he is also secretly unsure about the veracity of the ghost’s words and wants to confirm them. He was able to ascertain the guilt of Claudius using the play, ‘The Murder of Gonzago’.

[4]Hamlet complains that his mother remarried even before the sullenness of eyes had gone and the food for the funeral became the wedding feast. Gertrude’s marriage also made him doubt the female gender at large with him saying ‘Frailty, thy name is woman…’

[5]Claudius conspires with Laertes to use a poisoned sword during the duel so that Hamlet is killed. Laertes dies when the swords exchange hands and Hamlet attacks him with his own poisoned sword.

[6]The betrayal of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern was in sharp contrast to the devotedness of Horatio. While Hamlet initially welcomes them as his friends, upon discovering their true intentions and their treachery, he grows weary of them and pretends to be even madder.

[7]Hamlet manages to replace Claudius’s letter purporting to get him executed in England by a forgery that gets the two messengers executed.

[8]While Polonius advised his son Laertes to be ‘true to thine self’, he himself failed to practice what he preached.

[9]Polonius is killed by Hamlet in the closet scene where he was spying on the conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude and Hamlet mistakes him for Claudius. Upon discovering the true identity of the eavesdropper, Hamlet expresses his disgust for same, calling him a foolish knave.

[10]A similar example of faithfulness can be seen in the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio in ‘The Merchant of Venice’, where both friends are willing to risk everything for each other.

[11]Horatio asks Hamlet to be cautious stating that ‘what if the ghost leads him towards the flood’. He shows his utmost concern for his friend’s safety. Hamlet also trusts him completely and reveals his true intentions as well as the fact that his madness is fake only to Horatio.

A woman's worth

In the last couple of days, we have been bombarded with articles on destiny and also how the prior marital status of Ms Markle did not matter and she got married to a prince. On some points, these articles are aimed at giving hope to those women who have left behind unhappy relationships but they overall come out to mean that a woman's worth is determined by the man who decides to marry her.
A woman's worth is not determined by who she marries, rather it is determined by what life choices she makes. Her qualifications, her talents, the stand she takes on various social issues as well as in her own personal life are the determining factors. A woman is worth more than her wedding ring. She is an equal partner in a marriage. Her opinions and her preferences are equally important. She has equal rights and equal responsibilities in a relationship. It is not a fairytale where she is a damsel in distress needing knight to rescue her. She is the creator of her own destiny. So just demeaning her by saying that she got a 'good' husband irrespective of her past status is not the right approach. The right way to address is by saying she found an equal partner who acknowledged her worth. Because a woman is worth much more than her marital status.

Bullying

Ikea did an experiment with plants in a school where it asked school children to praise one plant and bully the other with both the plants being kept in identical conditions. At the end of the experiment, the praised plant was healthy while the bullied one was wilted. Though exactly how the words had an effect on the plant growth is uncertain, the experiment helped raised awareness about the effects of bullying on the well being of an individual. Whether its a child or an adult, nobody is immune from the effects of bullying on their mental well being which then translates into their academic or professional work. Bullying can have serious effect on the mental health of children with many growing up with low self esteem or failed careers and relationships and even ending up with mental ailments or even suicide. Raising awareness about bullying is very important especially in young children who learn by imitation. It's important to teach them to stand up against bullying and protect whoever is the victim. Raising awareness will not only help the victims but will also help the child who stands up in support.

Women's rights

With the growing number of crimes against women, the very freedom of women is endangered. A recent report shows that while there were about 30,000 rape cases in the year 2016 alone, only one in four offender got arrested. What is worse is the fact that even the law makers are guilty of crimes against women. The freedom of movement, freedom of work, freedom of right to life itself is endangered when a woman is subjected to sexual harassment and rape. While the country protests over fictitious characters, it fails to shoulder the responsibility when the safety and security of real women and girls is in question. And to add insult over injury, not only does the rape victim is denied justice, her family might be tortured or her character or life might even be questioned. As far as the women's rights are concerned, even the twenty first century cannot be said to be a very good time for being a woman.
A good news for women comes from Bangladesh, where the Supreme Court banned the two finger test on rape victims as well as banned the attorneys from asking questions during the trial which would affect the dignity of a rape survivor.

Hajj disability

The attempt to prevent the differently abled people from going for for hajj by the present government and the claim that they will go and beg in Saudi Arabia is discriminatory against such people as well as an insult on their disabled status. Preventing people from going for religious pilgrimage is violation of their rights of equality as well as the right to freedom of religion. As the government of Saudi Arabia does not ban the old and the disabled from completing their religious duties, rather it provides special provisions on them, such an action by any other government is malafide and does not merit any implementation.

An assessment not worth

There has been a proposal in UK to have an assessment of all four year old school going children during their first week in school to check their abilities in language and math. The aim of the assessment is to check how much impact the school really has on the overall development of the child. The results of the test would not be released to the teachers and would in no way be beneficial for the children. While the purpose of the assessment is to check the school quality, it will put unnecessary burden both on the children as well as their guardians. In order to have their wards pass the quality test, the guardians might end up putting them in special coaching classes so that they pass the test. Not passing the test might even put the child with the stigma of being below average and hence, put an extra pressure on the child in the very beginning of his childhood. A similar pattern of entrance tests in India has put tremendous pressure on the parents with children as young as three years of age going for special coaching classes just to pass the test. As there is no data to suggest that four year olds can be tested in tested reliably in their ability, the whole purpose of the assessment is illogical with resulting in no useful information.

Microplastic particles in water

The latest report by WHO states that almost 94% of all packaged water bottles contain micro plastic particles in them which maybe twice as high as those present in tap water. While it may not be sure what harm these particles cause to human health or to the aquatic life that consumes it, they are still a matter of concern. The biggest problem with pollution by micro plastic parts that they are too small to be seen by eyes or separated by any process. In December 2015, President Obama banned the use of plastic micro-beads in all products including body scrubs and toothpaste. The micro beads are used for exfoliating purpose but being made of plastic are non-biodegradable and form a large part of micro plastics present in water. As the plastic is building up in marine animals, humans are exposed to not as well. The toxicity of plastic wastes and their build up in the marine life is a matter of concern. So while the exact adverse affect of micro plastic particles may be unknown, in the long term, they may pose far greater problems.

Women's day

Every year we celebrate international women's day. It is good that we celebrate those women who have achieved something in the fields of science, business, sports or politics. We even talk about the empowerment of the weak and downtrodden women but in reality nothing really changes. Women are accountable for the majority of unpaid labour, they do not get equally paid for equal work, they are subjected to sexual abuse at workplace and domestic violence at home, they are more likely to dropout from school or leave job to take care of their family members. Women do not get equal opportunities for education, employment or even reproductive rights. They become child brides, often married off to their rapist. They may be harassed for dowry or abused physically, mentally or economically at home. They are subjected to body shaming or other comments. In USA, their reproductive rights are endangered, in India, harassment for dowry, in vast majority of developing countries, they do not have access to education, around the world, they are subjected to harassment. Female foeticide or the abandonment of new born girls is also uncontrollable. They walk miles to collect potable water facing hardships and dangers. Religious laws are used first to curb the freedom of women. Just celebrating women's day is not enough unless actual meaningful work is done to uplift the women. Not just the laws but their implementation is required. But more than law, a change in attitude towards girls and women in needed. Where the subject is demand for equality, just celebrating on one day is not enough. Real work, all 365 days of the year is required.

Curbing food wastage

While about 795 million or one in every nine people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy life, one-third of all food is wasted. In the developing nations, food is wasted at the production stage while in developed nations it is wasted at the stage of consumption. The French have passed a law in 2016 to control food wastage at the super markets. According to the law, groceries and super markets are required to donate all food new expiry date to charities. Grocery stores are banned from throwing away edible food and can be fined $4500 each time. A large amount of food is wasted at the grocery stores which throw away food which is still good but past its sell by date. The sell by dates are often confusing and are largely responsible for the food wastage at the consumption stage, as they do not indicate the state of food quality. The new law is a way of preventing food wastage at this point and can be a guide for other nations also looking for ways to control food wastage as well as combatting hunger at the same time.

Toddler tantrums

Kids love to play. Kids belong to their own world, have their carefree life where anything can be a toy and any place a playground. The internet got amused with the antics of Justin Trudeau's youngest kid but the most important thing was that he did what all kids his age love to do, they just don't care about rules and protocols. Most people with young kids have problem in public places as they are expected to keep their children under control. Whether in a flight or a public gathering, parents have a constant dread of what their child would do next. They are told to discipline their child, frowned upon or scorned if their child does not sit quietly. But you cannot expect a child to behave like a grown up. A child needs to play, to track, to question, to explore, to satisfy his curiosity. He is learning about many things. You cannot make a child sit quietly and not ask the many questions that are swarming in his head. Many a times, people forget what their kids are at young age or maybe they do not understand the different circumstances in which the children are. Parents are taunted that their kids are worse of the lot, that no other child behaved that way, but the truth is every single child behaves in just the same way. The only two times when a child is quiet are if he is unwell or he has been beaten up. A child is carefree, he jumps, he walks, he talks unmindful of where he is our who is with. That is the pure joy and innocence of childhood. That is the wonder of young age.

Postpartum depression: an overlooked tragedy

Motherhood is beautiful. Becoming a mother is an unique experience. But not everybody is prepared for the challenges that becoming a mother brings forth. The recent case of a young married woman who killed her 25 day old daughter in Delhi because the incessant crying of her baby drove her mad shook everybody. People labelled her evil and witch and everything else, demanding the strictest punishment for her. But the fact is that what she said might be what happened; the uncontrolled crying of her baby drove her mad, till she couldn't take it any more.
Postpartum depression is a very common phenomenon but sadly like most mental health issues, overlooked and neglected in the Indian society. Physical changes in the body, hormonal changes, low self esteem because of looks, lack of sleep, lack of support and help, household chores and an uncontrollable baby, there are many reasons that can drive a new mother to depression. Many a times, a new mother is completely unaware of what life would be after the baby comes and is left overwhelmed and confused. Inability to handle the child along with keeping up with the appearances, might drive her to frustration and a complete loss of balance. When I gave birth in the United States, my doctor asked me if I would like her to prescribe some medication for postpartum depression. Sadly, such is not a case in developing nations. In places like India, people tend to overlook the fact that the birth of a child may actually be a traumatic experience which may require medical help. One of the best advice that I got after delivery was to sleep whenever the baby slept. Lack of sleep because of nursing and diapering at odd hours can be a trigger towards frustration and depression in a young mother.
Postpartum depression is a reality, a fact that needs to be handled carefully. Living in nuclear family without any help or support, overburdened with work and life changing experience of giving birth can drive a mother towards depression. Having training classes during pregnancy, counselling sessions and support from family, friends and most importantly the partner can help in avoiding depression and any other mental imbalance.

Marriage and conversion

Every person has a right to marry and found a family with the person of their choice. Every person has a right to follow any religion of their liking or to not follow any religion at all. An adult woman has a right to marry a man whom she likes irrespective of his religion. If she studies about his religion and likes it enough to convert then there is nothing wrong with it. Conversion only for the purpose of marriage because of some loopholes like the permissibility of polygamy while not actually following it is not allowed but conversion for the purpose of following it and marriage being incidental to it is not wrong. No court can nullify the marriage of two consenting adults who have come together with their own free will. Mixing inter-religious marriages and conversions with human trafficking is wrong. Courts have a right to protect the victims of trafficking but they do not have a right to nullify the marriage of two adults. It is wrong to presume that every inter religious marriage is for the purpose of forced conversions. A third party interfering with the marriage of adults is not an acceptable thing.

Mandatory language in schools

Language is not just a means of communication, it embodies the culture and practices of a place and its people. It grows along with the practices of the people who speak it, evolves as their culture evolves. Language is an organic being which is very much dependent upon its speakers who are also its protectors.

The Karnataka government has recently made the teaching of Kannada language mandatory in schools. The government is also mulling over punishing those who do not follow this order by either imposing a fine of rupees two lakhs or withdrawing the recognition of such schools. This action of the government maybe a part of the vote bank politics but it is also an attempt to preserve a language from becoming endangered. At a time when majority of the spoken languages are at the verge of becoming endangered or extinct, any attempt to protect a language is not bad. The Constitution protects the linguistic minorities and gives them rights to protect their language. Any other attempt to protect and propagate a language should also be welcomed.

Every child alive

The birth of a child is a very special moment for his parent but the recent Unicef data suggest that 7000 newborn babies die every day. While the loss of a child is tormenting, the fact that majority die from preventable causes is even more disturbing. The data suggests that more than 80% of the newborn babies die due to complications during birth or prematurity or infections during birth. To tackle such instances, there is a need to have better hospital facilities, trained nurses and midwives, supply of medicines and awareness about the threats to the life of babies. The initial days of a baby's life are very crucial and the mothers should be provided with support both in the form of supplies and information to tackle the needs of the child and also to provide the child with the required medical attention. Allocating sufficient funds for medical facilities so that even women in remote areas can access proper medical help at the time of delivery and during the early days is an important step for the governments across the globe to tackle neonatal diseases and deaths.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse connotes a wide array of actions ranging from verbal to physical, from passing comments to harassment and rape. The year 2017 was quite active for many women came forward and spoke out about their abuser, the 'me too' movement online also helped to show how common and widespread the problem of sexual predation is. It also highlighted that the abuse transcends age, culture, nationality, religion or sex of the victim as well as that of the predator. It also made certain groups of men as well as enforcement agencies to come forward and stand with the victims and also to pledge support to them. Taking forward from where the last year had started it was but obvious that the world would try to protect its children and girls better but unfortunately the new year began with the horrific rape and murder of a 7 year old. We need to introspect into where we are wrong. It is not the victim who was calling for it. We have come beyond that. We know that victim blaming is the biggest reason why so many victims were silent till they got the anonymity of the internet, to speak out without being judged. Abuse happens everywhere. It is not the lack of rules because we have the laws to punish the perpetrator. What is lacking is the implementation along with the reporting of the crime. Sometimes the guilt on the part of the victim, the family honour, on the other times the coercion or the bribery on the part of the abuser is what it takes to stop a crime from being reported or the investigation agencies from completing the task. We need to speak up but most important, we need to teach our young children about the abuse. We need to teach them not only how to avoid a stranger but also how to stop the advances of a known one because the abuser might be sitting in one's own home. Being open with our children and building trust relationship is what is needed to prevent the abuse of children and teens. While dealing with the abuse of adults, we need to be more acceptable towards what a victim is saying. Combating sexual abuse is a collective duty of everyone. It cannot be done in single day, week or month but there is a definite need that the steps towards preventing it are continuing and not wavering.

Freedom of speech and whistleblowers

The whistleblowers play the role of finding out discrepancies in the functioning of public bodies and report them for the public good. From finding out about tax havens to frauds in democratic process to breach in data security, whistleblowers play the part of finding out the truth and placing it in public domain. Since, the whistleblowers are bringing out sensitive data in the public, they are given certain protections and immunities to ensure that they are able to perform their work without any fear.
The Unique Identification Authority of India filed a FIR against the reporter and the newspaper which was able to determine the loopholes in the data security. Such an act is injurious for the freedom of press and attacks anyone who is serving the public interest by finding out the loopholes in the system. Instead of working on its loopholes and fixing the breaches in its data security system, the authority has filed charges of impersonation, forgery, cheating, using forged documents and under the IT Act. Such an action is an attempt to intimidate anyone who tries to question the functioning of the authority and obstructs free, fair and independent journalism.