Counterview

By Rajiv Shah
A public relations officer (PRO), even as maintaining anonymity, is supposed to “manage” reputation of his or her client, reflecting the client’s views in order to influence opinion and behaviour. A PRO is also known to use, the world over, media and communication to build, maintain, manage and plan publicity strategies and campaigns, even as dealing with enquiries from the public, particularly media, organising promotional events such as press conferences, open days, exhibitions, tours and visits. A PRO is also supposed to final touches to press statements for his or client.

By Our Representative
Taking serious note of “lack” of transparency, the Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices AK Sikri, S Abdul Nazeer and R Subhash Reddy, has directed the Government of India (GoI) to immediately ensure that information related to the selection of information commissioners, including the chief information commissioner, pending for quite some time, is uploaded on its website.

Counterview Desk
Well-known civil rights organizations, Right to Food Campaign and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, have sent a letter to the Union minister of human resource development, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, other concerned ministers and officials of the state expressing concerns regarding the mid-day meal (MDM) to school children, insisting, all contracts to the Akshay Patra for supply of MDM should be immediately terminated.

By Mike Ghouse* 
Is the Indian judiciary accountable? The people of India have never questioned the authority of India's judiciary. Indeed, they are the only branch of government, who have not been examined for their role in upholding the constitution and the rule of law. It is time one questions their lackadaisical attitude towards growing lawlessness in the nation and hold them accountable for their action.

By Sandeep Pandey*
First the Bhartiya Janata Party-led government in Delhi was very enthusiastic about conducting the National Register of Citizens exercise in Assam on the premise that this process will identify all the illegal migrants from Bangladesh who entered Assam after March 24, 1971, the date of creation on Bangladesh, who could then be sent back to Bangladesh. The assumption was that most of these illegal immigrants would be Muslims.

Counterview Desk
Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan (GBGBA), Mumbai-based civil rights organization, has alleged that the Maharashtra government is "erasing" names of protesters of Mumbai's toxic hell, Mahul, from the voters' list. Forcibly shifted to Mahul, their protests have entered 43rd day.

Counterview Desk
On December 12, hundreds of people protested against the proposed amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act in Delhi, demanding operationalisation of anti-corruption laws. People raised the slogan "RTI nahi toh vote nahi!", even as opposition party leaders, participating in the protest, pledged support to defeat RTI amendments.

By Nandini Oza*
Recently, I came across an article in the "Financial Times" titled “Seeds of a greener Kabul”, by Robin Lane Fox. Published on February 6, 2016, the following lines in the article drew my attention “...In Kabul the recently restored garden of Babur, the Bage [Garden] Babur, has just attracted its three millionth visitor since its restoration in 2008...Babur, the garden’s founder was a remarkable person, the most prolific garden king in history...”

By Hari Desai*
One has to be extra cautious while dealing with the history of towering personalities of the Indian freedom struggle, especially that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (October 31, 1875 - December 15, 1950). Present-day politicians prefer to "pronounce” on his life and quote him according to their convenience like a blind person describing an elephant.