If you want a degree, you have to give an affidavit that the dowry will not be bought or given

 

If you want a degree, you have to give an affidavit that the dowry will not be bought or given

 It is true that the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, the rules enacted in 1985 and the Domestic Violence Protection Act of 2005 have benefited to a very limited extent and the laws have often been in favor of the perpetrators. That is why Kozhikode, Kerala and MG Universities have decided to take affidavits from students. Dowry will not be bought, will not be given. Students may see it as a joke and sign it. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that the dowry will be abolished. Not only the youth but also parents should sign such an affidavit. In the institutions we approach for various purposes, we usually sign some affidavits without even looking at them. This may become one of them. It is also said that those who enter the job at the university have to undergo disciplinary action if they demand a dowry.

Is it enough just at university? Would it be beneficial to increase the number of cases in the courts in future? Why can't the government issue a notification applying it to all  higher education institutions in the public and private sector, and the people appointed in  all government jobs? Can't the State Legislature recommend to the Center to scrape the old law of 1961 and bring in a strong law in line with present day needs? Or if the Government of Kerala has the power to do so, why not make a strong law that sets an example for other states?

The Kerala Dowry Prohibition Rules of 2004 and the amendments introduced in 2021 are not effective. In addition to making it compulsory to register the marriage with the local authority, the inclusion of an affidavit giving details of gift given by the parents to the bride may also help in eliminating dowry disputes to some extent.

The Angel -A history based movie -review

 

The Angel –movie review

    The Angel is the real story of a double agent named Ashraf Marwan. Ashraf was the son-in-law  of Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser. The family, which included wife Mona and son, was in London. Ashraf was studying there. Nasser did not like Ashraf, who was addicted to alcohol and gambling. Nasser asked his daughter to divorce him ,but she disagreed. Ashraf, who knew  the internal secrets of the regime, planned to leak information to Israel for money and tried to contact the Israeli ambassador , but to no avail. Nasser was preparing for the Great War to reclaim the land occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War. Nasser publicly ridiculed Ashraf's suggestion to leave the Soviet friendship and make friends with the United States. Nasser died of a heart attack shortly afterwards.

Arriving in Cairo, Ashraf obtained some crucial documents related to the corruption of the military chief and aid-de-camp Sami Sharaf from Nasser's room. Vice President Anwar Sadat later became president. He gave the president documents that could imprison Sami Sharaf and his associates who did not approve of Sadat. With that, Ashraf had become Anwar Sadat's favorite. It was during this time that Mossad , Israeli spy agency, contacted Ashraf tracking the  phone call he made to the Israeli embassy years back. That was the big turning point in his life. Ashraf becomes a double agent for leaking secrets to Israel. His nickname was Angel.

He has to work with a Canadian-Israeli Mossad agent known as Alex. Ashraf had given information on Sadat's move to seize the  Sinai Peninsula, but Sadat withdrawn the move  on both times. Ashraf’s  continuous efforts succeeded in making  Sadat  closer to the United States. Since  Ashraf's  information  went wrong for 2 times, Israel lost faith in Ashraf.  The defensive moves  on both time caused huge losses to Israel. They did not heed the third message of war. The war took place on the day of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jews. Egypt made great strides in the Sinai province in an unexpected war. Many died. Eventually, with the intervention of the United States, both countries agreed for a peace treaty at Camp David . Then ,there were peace for long  40 years . Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin  received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.

 

Mona  believed that Ashraf had a secret affair with Diana, a British actress who had helped Ashraf in espionages. Hence,she divorced Ashraf.  But Ashraf was completely loyal to Mona. Ashraf died in 2007 after falling from his flat in London. Ashraf, who has been responsible for a long time peace, is revered as the national hero of Egypt and Israel.

Directed by Arel Vromen, the film is scripted by David Aratta and story  by Uri Bar Joseph. Marwan Kenzari (Ashraf), Maisa Elhadi (Mona), Waheed Zuaiter (Nassar), Sasson Gabai (Sadat) and Toby Kebbell) were the lead actors. No doubt, it’s worth to see as a history based film.  It  is available on Netflix.

The big change in Indian railways is welcome

 

The big change in Indian Railways is welcome

 Indian Railways, which was started during the British rule and still employs a large number of people , transports the largest number of passengers and freight, is undergoing a major transformation.This big change in Railways is welcome move . It  will definitely  improve financial and functional ability of Indian Railways.  The Railway will  close down some institutions and merge some  others. The Central Organization for Railway Electrification (CORE), the Central Organization for Modernization of Workshops (COFMOU), the Center for Railway Information System (CRIS) and the Indian Railways Organization for Alternative Fuel(IROAF) are the major firms to be winded up. The Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will now handle the operations of the Center for Railway Information System. Railtel, the largest fiber optic chain, will now be part of the IRCTC. Rail Vikas Nigam to be merged with Indian Railway Construction Limited (IRCON). Schools run by the railways will be handed over to the Kendriya Vidyalaya or the state governments. Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareilly, Diesel Locomotive Works in Chittaranjan, Diesel Loco Modernization Works in Patiala ,Rail Wheel units at  Bangalore Yalhaka and Bel,Bihar  will be merged into Central Public Sector Enterprises. The Central University will be started by merging the Central Training Institute and the National Training & Transportation Institute. The Railways also aims to develop 125 railway hospitals and 586 health units with private participation.Railways launched an innovative programme titled Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojna ,which will give training to 50,000 youth in the age group of 18 to 35 over three years in electrician,welder,machinist and fitter trades. The training would be provided free of cost . Hopefully these changes will  be beneficial for a healthy and prosperous Railways in India.