A BRIEF ENCOUNTER WITH P CHIDAMBARAM

In a recent interaction with our union home minister Mr P Chidambaram at our INDIA WOMEN'S PRESS CORPS. Chidambaram made it very clear that police & law -order is a state subject, central government can only help them to sort out the matter.He was pretty annoyed with some journalists because he feel some stories creat confusion & miss lead people.He further made his annoyance crytal clear by saying that few journalists ask question on the basis of some abstract information ,until & unless he has some solid information in his hand he can't say anything.
While encountering the question on keeping CRPF jawans at schools he said state government has provided that place for them so they have to stay there. Chidambaram further questioned that why any journalists have not yet done any story on "why 350 school has been bombbarded by maoists". In response to a querry on the lack of development in maoists affected area he said that the area is not under the control of the state government so no question of development arises. First let us take the control of that place then only state government can start development activities.
On fair representation of women in police he said that we can't apply women quota system in police but yet there are lots of women in police in CRPF,BSF,ITBP& other wings of police. But he also highlighted the point that there are some places like high altitude area where it will be difficult for women to operate.On question of how he keep himself cool , he said that he has no tension with a cheerful smile.
During the whole encounter with women journalists he was very cool,logical & very smartly answering.

CHANGING FACES OF ICAI

ICAI was very conservative institute in 90ies where you will be able to see quite conservative lots of girls & boys willing to join the profession unlike the macho lot in MBA. Boys & girls used to sit in separate seats just watching each other from distance. But now two decade later if anyone go to see ICAI ,the lot has improved a lot & the communication level between girls & boys has improved quite a lot.They seem quite friendly to each other unlike the conservative history of ICAI's students.
So this new generation of second decade of 21st century is going to change the face of ICAI.

President Barack Obama appointed Melanne Verveer as Ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Issues.Ms.Verveer visited IWPC on friday, 6th of nov, 2009 to discuss the agenda of women’s progress and development in all spheres of life. She had a heart to heart with women journalists on a variety of women matters.

Talking candidly with the women journalists at IWPC, Melanne strongly advocated economic independence of the women and recommended strictest punishment for those indulging in various crimes against women.

Ms Verveer also shared her experience of Mumbai with Bollywood actors & actresses on issues of human trafficking, greater awareness for domestic violence etc. In Mumbai, she visited SEVA, a reputed NGO. Besides, she also met Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women & Child Development and bureaucrat Mr. Kumar Shikri on the issues of hundred per cent literacy, education of girl child, special agenda in terms of women empowerment, global health proposal to reduce female
mortality rate, sexual exploitation and forced labour of women among other issues.

During interaction with IWPC members, she also underlined the fact that the government cannot finish this big task alone and it requires the participation of private sector, society, academicians, institutions et al. She spoke on the issues of development, food security, climate change, micro finance for women, small & mid-size women entrepreneurs.

Ms Veveer answered the question raised by one of IWPC member on the issue of rape in Afghanistan by the US Army. To this, she strongly advocated strict punishment for the culprits on being proven guilty. She praised a lot for Indian Women Police force for performing the wonderful task as Peace Keeping Force in Liberia. On the lighter side of conversation on the lifestyle of the First Family of US, she defended the vibrant lifestyle of the Obama family and said that they represent ‘Young Ideal American Society’.

When asked about women empowerment, she candidly replied that her Government just doesn't want to categorise this issue as one among the other ones but wants to deal with it as a separate and important issue focussed for the development of women and society at large.

Madhavi shree