Angel of Death, Human or Guinea Pigs!

 Whenever I think about this man, feeling is always same, awful and sickening. He was known as “Angel of Death”, a doctor who himself was sick and a devil in disguise.  Dr. Josef Mengele is the name, he was a physician in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz. Writing about him and his gruesome acts itself is strenuous.

Josef Mengele and His Ghastly Acts

Mengele took turns with the other SS physicians at Auschwitz in meeting incoming prisoners at the camp, where it was determined who would be retained for work and who would be sent to the gas chambers immediately. In one instance, he drew a line on the wall of the children's block, about 5 feet from the floor, and children whose heads could not reach the line were sent to the gas chambers. When it was reported that one block was infested with lice, Mengele ordered the 750 women that lived inside the dormitories to be gassed.

Mengele used Auschwitz as an opportunity to continue his research on heredity, using inmates for human experimentation. He was particularly interested in identical twins; they would be selected and placed in special barracks.

Mengele's experiments also included attempts to change eye colour by injecting chemicals into children's eyes, various amputations of limbs, and other surgeries. Rena Gelissen's account of her time in Auschwitz details certain experiments performed on female prisoners around October 1943. Mengele would experiment on the chosen girls, performing sterilization and shock treatments. Most of the victims died, because of either the experiments or later infections.

Once Mengele's assistant rounded up 14 pairs of Roma twins during the night. Mengele placed them on his polished marble dissection table and put them to sleep. He then injected chloroform into their hearts, killing them instantly. Mengele then began dissecting and meticulously noting each piece of the twins' bodies.

In my own Frontier

Nothing is changed with the time, only things are not that bad but things still happening around the world. In modern days, the doctors lost their all ethics and ready to bend their way for any purpose for big money. Most of them are not for the patients but guided by the big pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic centers and minting money from both. Following pieces are picked from some news articles and it happened not at Auschwitz but very much in India, the largest democratic country of the world.

In an outrageous act bound to dismay the medical ethics community, as many as 233 mentally ill patients in Indore were subjected to clinical trials to check the efficacy of various drugs, including 42 patients for Dapoxetine. The trials were conducted at private clinics by doctors of the mental hospital attached to the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Indore, between January 2008 and October 2010.  The question was raised in July this year but the reply given then was incomplete. The chief minister of Madhya Pradesh detailed reply came during the assembly's winter session that ended on December 3. Significantly, the doctors involved had taken the approval for the trials from independent ethics committees attached to private hospitals both within and outside the state, thus bypassing the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College's own institutional ethics committee.

The names of five mental hospital doctors involved in the trials - Ramgulam Rajdan, V S Pal, Ujwal Sardesai, Abhay Paliwal and Pali Rastogi. It also came to light that the clinics where the trials were conducted did not have the mandatory registration certificate from the district chief medical and health officer.

However, two doctors claimed they had done no wrong. "We did the trial in private clinics, so we took the approval from independent ethics committees," said Dr V S Pal. Asked why the MG Medical College's own institutional ethics committee was bypassed, he refused comment. Dr Abhay Paliwal, another doctor named, said, "We are allowed to conduct clinical trials at private clinics. We have followed all DCGI and ICMR norms." According to him, it was not necessary to go to the medical college's ethics committee as the trials were conducted at private clinics.

!!!The doctors in white coat, not always a saviour but an angel of death. !!!

Ignominious Fame!

Human nature, very strange and I am not an exception. I was more Indian while living away than living in India. The same theory can be applied to my state too, yes, I was more Bong during my thirty years when I stayed in different states than last few years while I am here. While away, I was always hungry to get a piece of news from my place and often travelled distances for a newspaper. Nevertheless, the sorry state of my city and state was and is in I never found a news or something that could have excited me. Whenever it made to the headline, it was for different wrong reasons and current one too not an exemption. Two horrible tragedies back to back brought Bengal on the limelight. First, it was there for fire at AMRI and then India’s worst hooch tragedy.

Most the private hospitals in Kolkata are here only for business and hardly do anything for the patients beyond there business interest. It is sad that the people goes to a hospital to ease out their pains and ends up dying there for some other reasons. The incident was occurred only for the negligence of the hospital administrations.

AMRI Fire

How come a hospital of this stature could operated so long from a place like it is situated. Under any emergency situation, it has hardly any space to get in or out. It seems the accident was due for long so it happened. The hospital is co-founded by some big shot, the Emami & Shrachi Groups along with the West Bengal government in 1996. The hospital, once rated as amongst India's best, is located in the fairly upscale Dhakuria neighbourhood.

On December 9 , the pre-dawn fire broke out at 3.30 a.m., catching many in their sleep. While most nurses, doctors and other staffers were able to get away, many critically ill patients suffocated to death in their hospital beds. The tragedy unfolded over many hours. Some were suffocated, some were too infirm to escape the toxic fumes. The lucky few were brought down the side of the four-storey glass facade building using ropes and ladders, even as thousands watched in horror. In the worst fire tragedy in any hospital in India, 91 patients and staffers were killed  when a terrible blaze engulfed its annexe building early Friday, trapping dozens of helpless patients while doctors and  staffers fled to safety.

Hooch Tragedy

In less than a week after more than 91 women, men, and children died in a disastrous fire at the AMRI hospital in Kolkata, illicit brew has claimed the lives of about 171 people, at Sangrampur in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Preliminary reports indicate that the hooch was sold in sachets, priced between Rs.7 and Rs.20, virtually opposite a police post in the area. Starting with a couple of deaths early in the morning, the toll kept rising through the day and touched 80 by daybreak next day. Most of the victims complained of body pain, stomach cramps, vomitting, and a burning sensation. The health authorities diagnosed the early deaths as due to “cardio-respiratory failure” arising out of methyl poisoning. Evidently, licensed liquor sold through the legal retail system was out of the reach of the poor, who fell into the trap of the hooch trade. At last report, about a hundred victims were in hospital, most of them said to be recovering. So far 171 people have died.

So, loss of 262 lives for different section and for different reasons but both are man-made disasters. It is high time for Mamata Banerjee to stop blaming others and try to improve the infrastructure in West Bengal. Matter of fact Bengal lacks any sort of infrastructure. Only talking rubbish is not solution,  stop talking and try to do the justice and faith of the people who elected her.

Both incidents are two of kinds as poor died due to their addiction and others rather very helpless condition but surviving members of the families paid heavily.

!!!In death all are same, be it rich or poor, cannot value a life in two different scale.!!!

End of Golden Era, an Era of Romanticism! [Part II]

 This one is the concluding part of the times of Hindi movies that considered to be a Golden period.

Sunil Dutt

Sunil Dutt was born on 1929 in the Jhelum District of Punjab, in Pakistan. The Partition had a great toll on his family who had lost all their wealth and in fact, he was left begging in the streets of Delhi before he re-joined his family. Later he moved to Lucknow and then to fulfill his dreams he moved to Bombay. In Bombay, he joined Jai Hind College as an undergraduate and took up a job. Starting out in radio, Sunil Dutt was a hugely popular on the Hindi Service of Radio Ceylon. He moved to acting in Hindi films in the film ‘Railway Platform’. He retired from the film industry in the early 1990s to turn to politics. He died in 2005. Apart from many award he also conferred Dadasaheb PhalkeAward in 2005.

Filmography : Mother India, Sujata, Gumraah, Yaadein, Mera Saaya, Waqt, Reshma Aur Shera,  Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.

 

Rajendra Kumar

 

Rajendra Kumar made his debut in the 1950 film Jogan in which he starred opposite Dilip Kumar and Nargis. He then shot to fame in the film Mother India in 1957. There were times when he had six or seven films running in their silver jubilee weeks at the same time. He became known as "Jubilee Kumar".

 

Filmography : Dhool Ka Phool , Dil Ek Mandir, Sangam, Arzoo, Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee, Jhuk Gaya Aasman

 

Shammi Kapoor

 

Shammi Kapoor was born in Mumbai to theatre actor Prithviraj Kapoor. First he joined his father’s theatrical company Prithvi Theatres.  He made his debut in Bollywood in the year 1953, when the film Jeevan Jyoti was released. He has given many hit and was hit with then young generation for his dacing style. He died on 7 August 2011.

 

Filmography : Jeevan Jyoti, Dil Deke Dekho, Junglee, Professor, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, Teesri Manzil , Rockstar

 

Dev Anand

Dev Anand born in 1923  was an film actor, director and producer  known for his work in Hindi cinema. After graduating, he came to Bombay from Lahore.  He joined his older brother, Chetan, as a member of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). was offered a few roles starring as the male lead opposite singer-actress Suraiya. Often compared to the famous actor Gregory Peck the world over. The Government honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002 for his contribution to Indian cinema. His career spanned more than 65 years. Dev Anand died on 3 December 2011 in London.

Filmography : Baazi, House No. 44, Funtoosh, Kalapani, Kala Bazar, Taxi Driver, Munimji, C.I.D., Paying GuestHum Dono, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Asli-Naqli, Guide, Jewel Thief, Prem Pujari, Tere Mere Sapne, Haré Raama Haré Krishna, Jaaneman, Des Pardes, Chargesheet.

Dilip Kumar

Dilip Kumar was born as Muhammad Yusuf Khan in Peshawar. The family relocated to Bombay (now Mumbai) in the 1930s and in the early 1940s Yusuf Khan moved to Pune and started a canteen business and supplying dried fruits. In 1943, actress Devika Rani helped Khan's entry into the film industry with screen name Dilip Kumar. His first movie was Jwar Bhata. He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994. In 1998 he was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian award conferred by the government of Pakistan. He is the second Indian to receive the award. He is the sole surviver of that era and recently celebrated his 89 birthday. Wish him many many happy returns of the day.

Filmography : Jwar Bhata, Jugnu, Mela, Andaz, Deedar, Daag, Aan, Udan Khatola, Devdas, Azaad, Naya Daur, Musafir, Yahudi, Madhumati, Mughal-E-Azam, Gunga Jumna, Ram Aur Shyam, Aadmi,  Gopi, Dastaan, Sagina, Bairaag,Vidhaata, Shakti, Mazdoor,Mashaal, , Karma, Saudagar.

Listed movies in the filmography, are some of the hits but not all.

 

!!!Stars, today here and tomorrow there but they will always sparkle!!!

End of Golden Era, an Era of Romanticism! [Part I]

In the current situation, a realistic world is more desired than living in a hallucination. The constant use of internet also helped in this context. The virtual world is a virtue indeed, at least I consider so.  Today we are more practical than ever before but this pragmatic theory falls flat when it comes to the movies.  We still like to live in a dream world that was created by the unrealistic sequence. We Indians cannot think a movie without a half-dozen of songs and dance sequences. In this case, our preference is very far from the reality. How many people are there who remember Spencer Tracy in ‘old man and the sea’, rather will remember him in ‘Guess who’s coming for the dinner’. A realistic movie yet to strike the chord with the masses. Therefore, movie wise we are yet to accept a convenient thing. We still enjoy Julie Andrew’s  ‘Sound of Music’ than ‘10’ or Audrey Hepburn’s ‘Roman Holiday’ over ‘Blood Line’. Therefore, while living in a world where emotion has no value yet in heart we like to drive after an illusion. Living a couple of hour in a fantasy world is no harm, it is rather stress buster.

In Indian film industry, we have some unforgettable golden oldies and we still don’t get bored while spending time with it. Today, my page is a tribute to the stars of that golden era. With the sad demise of Dev Anand we are finally done with that golden period of romantic films. It also belongs to Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. Frankly speaking, with respect to acting, none of them excites me very much but they left some unmemorable films. Specially music in Dev Anand’s film that was mostly composed by S.D. Burman and later by R. D. Burman was a treat.  Of course, we cannot forget the natural actors like Ashok Kumar and Motilal.

Motilal

 In 1934 at the age of 24, Motilal  was offered the role of the hero. He considered being one of the best actors of Hindi cinema. He and died almost penniless in 1965. Here is a interesting comment of his regarding film - "Married a 100 times, died almost twice, never born but always brought down by a parachute".

Filmography :    Waqt, Leader, Anari, Jagte Raho, Devdas, Mr. Sampat.

Balraj Sahni

Balraj Sahni was undoubtedly one of the greatest actors ever to come on the Indian screen: a highly natural actor who reminded the audience of the actors like Motilal because of his simple persona and a sophisticated style of acting. He was looked up to as a role model as he was never involved in any scandal. His acting in Do Bigha Zameen and Garam Hawa were the highlights of his career. He believed in what is known as Neo-Realistic cinema.

Filmography :  Anuradha, Do Bigha Zamin, Garam Hawa , Ek Phool Do Mali, Garam Hawa 

Ashok Kumar

Ashok Kumar born as Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur. He started his career in Bombay (Mumbai), albeit accidentally, with the Bombay Talkies production He started his career in Bombay (Mumbai), albeit accidentally, with the Bombay Talkies production.  The Government of India honoured him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Padma Bhushan in 1998 for his contributions to Indian cinema. He also did playback singing for a few movies. He died on 10 December 2001.

Filmography : Achhut Kanya, Kismet, Parineeta, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Hatey Bazarey, Aashirwad, Choti Si Baat, Mili, Khoobsurat, Khatta Meetha.

Raj Kapoor

Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar to Prithviraj Kapoor. He was the eldest of six children.  At the age of eleven, he appeared in films for the first time.  Raj Kapoor's big break came with the lead role in film opposite Madhubala in her first role as a leading lady. In 1948, at the age of twenty-four, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and became the youngest film director of his time making his directorial debut with the film Aag. It was marked the first of many films in which he and Nargis appeared together. He acted and directed some memorable movies.

Filmography : Barsaat, Aag, Aah, Awaara, Boot Polish, Shree 420, Chori Chori,  Jagte Raho , Anari, Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai, Sangam, Teesri Kasam, Sapnon Ka Saudagar, Mera Naam Joker.

!!An anomaly, that a star never know how to grow old with dignity!!!

To FDI or Not to FDI?

In India, every opposition party thinks that whatever decision taken by the ruling party is wrong but while they themselves were in the helm, whatever they did was right. Crores spent on each session of a parliament yet our MP’s always find a way to skip the session for one or other reasons. Current winter session also not an exception. Since it started, everyday there is something then other to stall the proceeding. First few days were for 2G Specterm and now it is for FDI. It is the decision that taken by the ruling government to allow FDI in retail. According to my knowledge once it was the idea of two timing BJP government too but as of now they are in the opposition so they decided to oppose it in a way so every MP can stay back to their respective place and enjoy the hospitality for free.

India enjoys a strong position as a global investment hub with the country registering high economic growth figures even during the peak of financial meltdown. As a result, overseas investors rested their confidence in the economy which eventually pushed foreign direct investments (FDI) in India.

All about FDI [Foreign Direct Investment] in retail – The pros and cons.

In India retail trade takes place through five types of outlets - local grocery shops, up market retail shops, departmental stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets. Local grocery shops are more popular with rural population as well as small towns as shop keepers known to the peoples and they often allow credit transactions. Goods available in most of these shops are unpacked and often quality wise below par. The fear expressed by some people is that allowing FDI in retail trade and the entry of international retailers could lead to a diminution of grocery shops and retail stores.

When we have near about a million such grocery shops when with our population of over 1 billion will be benefited with FDI in retail. It is obvious that the interests of the consumer should take priority over those of the retailer.

FDI will provide access to larger financial resources for investment in the retail sector and that can lead to several of the other advantages that follow. The larger supermarkets, which tend to become regional and national chains, can negotiate prices more aggressively with manufacturers of consumer goods and pass on the benefit to consumers. They can lay down better and tighter quality standards and ensure that manufacturers adhere to them. Many consumer goods manufacturers will find that supermarkets account for an increasing share of their sales and will be afraid of losing this valuable and reliable customer to competition. The fact that a well-known chain of supermarkets sources from a manufacturer becomes a stamp of quality. With the availability of finance, the supermarkets can invest in much better infrastructure facilities like parking lots, coffee shops, ATM machines, etc. All this will make shopping a pleasant experience. The supermarkets offer a wide range of products and services, so the consumer can enjoy single-point shopping.

Small-scale industries have not died. Instead, they have learnt to co-exist as suppliers to large-scale industries. In the case of retail trade, the grocery shops in large parts of the country will enjoy built-in protection from supermarkets because the latter can only exist in large cities. A possible outcome can be that Indian groups with strong local brand quality like the Tatas will collaborate with international supermarket chains like Sainsbury, to set up supermarket chains in India.

INDIA’s  TOP FIVE SECTOR WISE- FDI INFLOWS

FROM APRIL 2000 TO APRIL 2011

Sector	Amount of FDI Inflows (In US$ million)
SERVICES SECTOR	27,668.40
COMPUTER SOFTWARE & HARDWARE	10,821.18
TELECOMMUNICATIONS	10,610.77
HOUSING & REAL ESTATE	9,654.59
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES	9,490.96

!!!Development can take backseat where Mamata Banerjee, CPM and BJP exists!!!