Know your Tiranga, and how it evolved to be pride of the nation

 Like every free nation, India too has its own national flag. The septuagenarian Independent India is ready to hoist her symbol of freedom on 15th August this year as well, ushering in Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a celebration of independence. The National Flag of India was adopted in its present form on the 22 July, 1947, a few days before India’s independence from the British on 15 August, 1947.

The flag has evolved through years until the present one was chosen. Following are flags in vogue prior to the acceptance of the tricolour as national flag:

The first Indian National Flag consisted of three stripes of green, yellow and red. It is said to have been hoisted on 7 August, 1906 in the Parsee Bagan Square (Green Square) in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata).

The second flag was very similar to the first flag. It was hoisted in Paris by Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries in 1907. It was also exhibited at a socialist conference in Berlin.

Dr. Annie Besant and LokmanyaTilak hoisted the third flag during the Home Rule Movement in 1917. It had four green and five red horizontal stripes, with seven stars (denoting the Saptarishi). On the top left corner was the Union Jack and a white crescent and a star were on the other top corner.

In 1921, during the All India Congress Committee session at Bezwada (present day Vijayawada), an Andhra youth prepared a flag consisting of red and green colours, representing the Hindu and the Muslim religions respectively. Mahatma Gandhi suggested adding a white stripe for the remaining Indian communities and a spinning wheel to represent the progress of the nation.

In 1931, a resolution was passed adopting a tricolour as our national flag. It was very similar to the present day national flag. It only has an entire spinning wheel instead of the Dharma Chakra.

In 1921, the design of the Indian flag was first presented to Mahatma Gandhi. It was designed by Pingali Venkayya, a university lecturer. The two colours, saffron and green, were chosen to represent the Hindu and the Muslim faith, the two principle religions of the country. Mahatma Gandhi modified the flag by adding a white stripe in the centre for the other religious communities in India. On the suggestion of Lala Hans Raj Sondhi added the traditional spinning wheel at the centre of the flag. The wheel was associated with Gandhi’s crusade to make Indians self-reliant by fabricating their own clothing.
The Indian National Flag, also known as Tiranga (tri-colour), has two-three ratio width and length. The saffron at the top bears the inborn trait of the Indians to sacrifice as well as the strength and courage of the country. The white stands for purity and peace-loving nature of the children of Mother India while the green symbolises success, fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land. In the middle of the white stripe, there stands our Chakra (a navy blue wheel). Its diameter approximates to the width of the white stripe and has 24 spokes. Also, known as the Dharma Chakra, it depicts the “wheel of the law. Its design is the same as the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital made by the 3rd-century BC Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The wheel with 24 spokes, stands for progress would surely inspire the new slogan “Make in India”.

On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the countrymen to crown every house-top with the Tiranga. As per the existing custom, the National Flag is hoisted in educational institutions like schools and colleges to inspire the students to respect the National Flag. According to Section 2 of the new code all citizens have the right to fly the flag atop their private premises. This is going to be implemented and ensured through the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
Indians feel elated whenever the Tiranga flies with the braggadocio for the freedom fighters, yet with the most humble message for the country men. It is the pride of the nation. It is a symbol of honour, patriotism and freedom of our country. Irrespective of the differences of language, culture and religion in India, the Indian National Flag brings all the Indians together, representing the unity of the country.

Debanjana Banerjee

Source: The Statesman, 13/08/22

Internship: A complete guide for beginners

 In the modern world, finding a job is a difficult task. Prior to being placed in the desired job position, every company wants its applicant to have a certain amount of experience. But the million dollar question is - how can a fresher gain work experience? Internships can be the answer. A good internship can give you a down low on the career you choose, exposure to workplace practices, and of course an opportunity to show work experience as a fresher. Read on to know more about how to apply for an internship, the perks of one and where are the places to apply.

What is an internship?

Most college students, recent graduates, and sometimes even students in high school are eligible for an internship, which is a temporary employment position. Typically, interns are paid a fixed stipend which covers their basic expenses or is expected to work for academic credit. Students can learn more about the corporate culture and daily operations of the business industry through internships. A year is generally the maximum duration for an internship. Internships are also a great option for students who haven't decided on a career path yet - as it gives you real hands-on experience of the job circuit, without the commitment of actual employment.

How to get an internship?

One should begin applying for an internship early on in their undergraduate journey. This increases the scope of applying for more internships over the years, gaining the necessary skills and experience before finally applying for their first employment. Exploring numerous profiles also aids in determining your calling. In a lot of cases, an internship may also be just the stepping stone you need to join your dream company - because sometimes, really good interns are hired as permanent employees going forward.

The process of looking for an internship is comparable to looking for a regular job. Here are the steps that might help you land your first internship:

• Find your interest

Look at potential job paths for the degree programme you're presently enrolled in. If you apply for an internship in a field that doesn't interest you, it is likely to be an unpleasant and demotivating experience. Speak with your seniors, read about internship experiences, attend seminars and conferences and conduct internet research to determine your interests. But remember to not let anything discourage you from applying. If you are not sure, apply for short internships instead of long ones.

• Make a list of companies

Create a list of companies that, in your opinion, would be advantageous to collaborate with based on their offerings, guiding principles, level of industry knowledge, or other motivating elements like specific stalwarts who you may have a chance to work under. Check the websites of these organisations to see whether they provide internships during the time period you need.

• Create a Resume

Resumes are pretty much the first impression you have - and so, resumes should be tailored to the job, in this case, internship, that you apply to. Be sure to include your abilities and traits after thoroughly reading the requirements given. Make sure to list prior experiences, such as having a position of responsibility in school or engaging in extracurricular or curricular activities that demonstrate your potential. Any skill-training programmes you have participated in should be specifically mentioned. Your writing must be clear and error-free while emphasising your academic accomplishments, abilities, project, and volunteer experience.

• Develop skills

Even if you lack specialised professional experience, remember that everyone has a set of basic, soft skills. Many of these are what we call transferable skills - as in they can take you a long way professionally without being specific to any domain. Some excellent examples of these are people skills, time management, organisation and even being good with numbers. Spend some time developing transferable and specific skills such as communication and computer knowledge so that you can put your best foot forward in your internship.

• Build your network

Start developing your network by following and interacting with the CEOs and founders of companies and startups on social media. Send them a message outlining your interest in their company and your desire to work there. Give a compelling explanation of why you would be a good fit for their company. Following them and their companies can also give you the eyes you need to spot any internship or trainee opportunities that they may float on their social media profiles.

Where should you apply for an internship?

Internships might be useful for your future endeavour to join a great company. However, with so many options available, finding an internship in India might be tough. Here are the top 3 finest internship sites in India for you to look up today.

• Internshala

Internshala is, without a doubt, one of the most popular internship websites in India. An incredibly versatile and user-friendly interface that allows people to get a thorough tour of the available options. The requirements can be tailored to the user's preferences. Internshala will then give a list of available internships. From MNCs to small enterprises, digital marketing to content creation, there is a wide range of companies available here. It also provides students with a variety of industries they may choose from.

• LinkedIn

In addition to being developed as a professional networking tool, LinkedIn is also one of the top internship websites in India. The internships that are available here draw students in and help them create a strong online presence to share with potential employers. Create a network and establish connections with potential mentors, managers and future colleagues using LinkedIn to score the best internships.

• LetsIntern

LetsIntern offers user-friendly internships with the bare minimum requirements and a decent stipend. This website is particularly popular among college students looking for internships in India. Its extensive reach inside small firms sets it apart from its competitors by bringing to the fore those important but often overlooked opportunities that can make all the difference when you are just starting on your professional journey.

Perks of an internship

Lately, getting that significant job offer no longer depends on just having a good degree. Nowadays, developing a successful career is as much about having relevant job experience as it is about having a degree and doing well in exams. In order to help students stand out, internships have thus become essential. Besides providing an employment opportunity, internships have other benefits which are as follows:

• Understanding of work environment

Internships are useful for students who are deciding on a profession. They may gain a better perspective on what it's like to work for a certain firm and have a better understanding of the sector by joining a team. The insights you gain will be invaluable when deciding on the job you want, and perhaps more importantly, the jobs you don’t want to do in the future.

• Exploring a future career path

Students can experience an industry or job for a short time through an internship. Even if they dislike the internship, they may still utilise the information to their advantage while looking for future jobs or deciding on their degree or profession.

• Building Networks

Internships are a useful method to widen your professional network. Professional connections you meet might be the most important link for your future employment. Demonstrating interest, excitement, and desire can help them recognise your potential.

• Job Experience

If you are joining the workforce for the first time after college or a vocational training programme, you most certainly lack the necessary experience. An internship is an excellent approach to bridging that gap. You may earn significant experience by participating in meetings and doing given duties in a real-world situation.

• Gaining Confidence

Taking on an internship not only teaches you about the workplace but also about yourself. It will be much easier for you to identify your own strengths, weaknesses and preferences. Most importantly, the knowledge that you have practical experience can greatly increase your confidence while applying for jobs and in interviews.

Because it may provide you access to chances and new abilities that you wouldn't otherwise have, an internship is very important, especially in today’s world. In addition to teaching you the technical aspects of the business of their choice, an internship will also teach you how to communicate with other professionals in a work environment and hone crucial soft skills like time management, organisation, flexibility, problem-solving, and cooperation. So, use the abovementioned internship websites to search for the internship you like, and then apply right away!

Source: The Telegraph, 16/08/22

Take a fresh look:A data protection law must be people oriented

 There is a curious irony to the Government of India withdrawing the personal data protection bill in Parliament and stating instead that a “comprehensive legal framework” would be legislated shortly. When the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee was given the task of recommending a data protection law for India for the first time in 2017, the chairman and members of the Committee (I was a member) requested for a reasonable period of time for precisely the same reason — to recommend a framework that would take a holistic look at India’s digital economy, prevent regulatory overreach and protect privacy of citizens. That request was not heeded, not because time was of the essence but because in the governmental system, all deadlines are unthinkingly immediate, irrespective of the nature of the task.

As a result, the Committee, within the limited time offered to it, came up with a data protection legislation that promised a uniquely Indian approach to privacy and data protection — distinct from American way that protected individuals against the State but not as much against Big Tech, Chinese approaches which made individuals subservient to the State, as well as heavily regulatory European approaches like the General Data Protection Regulation, a goldmine for lawyers. Despite our best efforts, our recommended statute looked a bit like GDPR-lite, albeit with some uniquely Indian characteristics.

Over time, this version became heavy-handed, scarcely resembling the initial version that had been presented. The chief culprit of this was the Joint Parliamentary Committee that took two years to give its recommendations and presented a report that would imperil privacy, choke the digital economy and allow surveillance agencies wider latitude than they needed to do their job effectively. The demand that this matter go to the JPC was made by several groups which, perhaps a little too optimistically, felt that a bipartisan committee might better protect privacy than the government might. The JPC’s report, which includes in the long title of the bill the need for data protection “to ensure the interest and security of the state”, is a timely reminder to well-meaning activists and civil society groups that they must be careful what they wish for.

Handed such a befuddling report, confused in its concepts, vague in its recommendations, while at the same time voluminous in its opinions, the government appears justified in going back to the drawing board. Doing so gives it the opportunity of doing what might have been done five years back — consider the big picture of the digital universe in India. If that is indeed done, three distinct areas emerge for governmental action as part of a “comprehensive legal framework”.

First, there is an urgent need to protect children from online harm. It is unpardonable that with the withdrawal of the personal data protection bill, what technological companies can do with data of Indian children remains essentially unregulated. Children not only receive advertisements, but their behaviour can be tracked across websites and a detailed behavioural profile can be created. Further, plenty of inappropriate content is available on the internet for children without any warnings or restrictions. There is an urgent need to protect the personal data of Indian children from being mined for commercial gain.

Second, technology can play a critical role in promoting ease of living for citizens. While the government’s Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile record has been impressive, much more can be done to tap the potential of technology to improve lives. For example, despite JAM, property registration requires physical presence at the sub-registrar’s office together with the blackening of each of your fingers. The familiar rigmarole of providing physical photocopies of Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID card plays out at otherwise well-functioning passport offices, even when requesting something as simple as change of address. To stop this, there needs to be a legislative mandate to use paperless, presence-less mechanisms whenever they are available. The promise of technology is understood by all, but behavioural change needs a strong legislative push.

Such a push is also needed because large amounts of non-personal data today lie untapped in silos within the government and the private sector. Imagine the utility of traffic data in the city of Bangalore to prioritise where the metro needs to be extended to in order to decongest the city. Or the evidence of particular kinds of disease in the population to decide which kind of medical specialist to send to a particular primary healthcare centre. The benefits of responsible processing of non-personal data are immense in facilitating ease of living. But this won’t happen unless there is a clear vision and legislative mandate to implement it.

Finally, with time, deliberation and consultation, India can also get the ‘fourth way’ privacy statute that the Srikrishna committee had aspired for. Much of its constituent elements are present — but in order to serve as a model for the Global South, a new data protection legislation needs to think in Gandhian terms of the last person in the queue — the face of the poorest citizens of the Global South — and how a data protection statute can help them access and navigate the intimidating world of the internet in an effective and safe manner.  If that isn’t incentive enough, then perhaps consider this — globally, maximum data will flow to those countries whose legislative regimes are either considered ‘adequate’ by the European Union or countries that have specific bilateral data-sharing arrangements. Such arrangements will not happen without a dedicated data protection legislation.

The time for specious arguments of not regulating data protection to incentivise startups, comfort Big Tech and the BPO industry is over. If India is to become a data leader of the Global South, it needs a package of laws that deal with data protection, children’s data and technology-enabled ease of living for Indian citizens. By withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government has taken a good preliminary step. It must now follow up right.

Arghya Sengupta is Research Director, Vidhi Centre for Legal Polic

Source: The Telegraph, 17/08/22

Quote of the Day

 

“If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.”
Woody Allen

“यदि आप बार बार नहीं गिर रहे हैं तो इसका अर्थ है कि आप कुछ नया नहीं कर रहे हैं।”
वुडी एलन

Current Affairs-August 11, 2022

 INDIA

– Bihar: JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar takes oath as CM, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav appointed Deputy CM

– Justice Uday Umesh Lalit appointed 49th CJI, to take oath on Aug 27; will have a term till November 8

– Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches indigenous Lumpi-ProVac vaccine to protect livestock from Lumpy Skin disease

– Fisheries & Animal Husbandry Minister Parshottam Rupala launches ‘Fish and Seafood’ book; aim is to boost the domestic consumption of fish and seafood

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– RBI releases regulatory framework for digital lending; lending business can be carried out only by entities regulated by the central bank

– Centre releases 2 instalments of tax devolution to state govts amounting to Rs 1.16 lakh crore

– World Biofuel Day celebrated on August 10; PM inaugurates second generation (2G) ethanol plant in Panipat, Haryana

– Centre decides to remove fare cap on air tickets from August 31

– LIC consolidates its leadership position with 68.57% market share

WORLD

– China says exercises near Taiwan, conducted post Nancy Pelosi visit, have ended

– WHO decries increasing attacks on monkeys over fears of spread of monkeypox in Brazil

– World Lion Day celebrated on August 10

SPORTS

– India’s CA Bhavani Devi wins gold in Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2022 in London

– Serena Williams announces retirement from professional tennis; won 23 grand slam titles starting from US Open in 1999

Current Affairs-August 12, 2022

 INDIA

– J&K: 3 soldiers martyred & 2 terrorist gunned down in terror attack on army camp in Rajouri

– Gaganyaan project: ISRO successfully carries out test-firing of Low Altitude Escape Motor (LEM) of Crew Escape System, from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– Union Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) – Housing for All Mission up to 31st December 2024

– Income tax payers barred from enrolling in Atal Pension Yojana (APY) from October 1

– Subscribers of APY get a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month after attaining 60 years of age depending on their contributions

WORLD

– China and Nepal agree on building Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network

– China shields Pakistan based global terrorist – Abdul Rauf Azhar from UN sanctions

– Indian-American journalist, Fox News host Uma Pemmaraju dies at 64

– Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador proposes 3 men commission for world peace including PM Modi, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Pope Francis

A fond birthday wish for a land that was once home

 ndia has some of the wealthiest people in the world and many beauty queens. Indian food, movies, sitar music and yoga practices are well accepted all over the world.

When I was a kid in elementary school, all students had to sing a song written by Atulprasad Sen on Independence day and other patriotic occasions: “Bolo bolo bolo sabe, shata beena benu robe, bharat abar jagat shabhay shreshtha asan lobe” (Let us all say with the music of hundreds of veena and flute that India will once again take the best seat on the stage of the world). It was an uplifting song for sure, but no one really believed it. As soon as we stepped outside school we were hit by pollution in the air, sights of extreme poverty, huge numbers of people crowding mass transits, smell from trash and open drains, old rundown buildings, inadequate protection from severe weather and lack of sanitary facilities. The list went on. Our country did not look like being on its way to the best seat. My pessimism for my country was so intense that I emigrated to a prosperous country, the USA, after my graduation from college and for many years I was certain that I made the right decision.

Things started to change in recent decades for the better. Two most significant positive events have been the opening of the Indian market to international trade (the socalled “Economic Liberalisation”) and the global dominance of Indian engineers in Information technology. Both these developments resulted in significant improvements in living standards of the middle class and reduction of poverty. Modernisation of infrastructure followed. High rise buildings with residential “flats”, air-conditioned shopping malls, flyovers at major intersections, new international airports, and fast bypass highways through the outskirts of big cities were built, not to mention metro trainlines. The skyline of my hometown, Kolkata, started to look more like that of Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. I went back to visit India several times while my parents were alive, but the umbilical cord was cut after they passed away.

There was a thirtyyear gap between the time I attended the last rituals following my father’s death and a more recent trip. I returned with great anticipation to see all the improvements I had been hearing about for years; perhaps we were getting closer to that seat on the world stage, I thought. Yes, I was impressed to see the new Kolkata; things that I could not have even imagined while I lived there. I got glimpses of good life in Kolkata by visiting the “Vedic Village” complex, the South City Mall, the Calcutta Club, and some luxury modern flats belonging to friends. However, as I stayed longer, I realized that despite all these improvements, the attitudes and mindset of people had not changed much, especially as far as tolerance towards imperfection is concerned. Among all the signs of prosperity, three imperfections stood out. First was pollution/dirt.

As soon as I walked out of the airport terminal building upon my arrival in Kolkata that familiar smell from thirty years ago greeted me; a mixture of exhaust fumes from cars and buses, dust, and smoke from open flames. If I were taken blindfolded to all the cities in the world, I would be able to tell when I am in Kolkata just by that smell. When daylight broke the next morning, I could barely see distant buildings through a suffocating layer of smog. It did not bother anyone, but I felt that I would not be able to breathe for too long. Adding to pollution in the air was trash on the ground. Trash was everywhere in small piles, big piles, and scattered on the pavements; papers, left-over food, thrown away rags, miscellaneous small objects, plastic sheets, debris from unfinished construction projects and so on. Some had a strong stench. Then there was dust. Dust was on the streets, on the pavements, in the air. Dust enters homes through open windows and coats everything.

Rain during monsoon seasons does not wash away the dust from the roads into the river because of lack of proper drainage. The second imperfection was blatant corruption. I was told that it was an accepted part of living. Nothing gets done unless officials are bribed. We had corruption when I was living in India, but it has become more open and widespread. Typically, a financial transaction is involved, but it could be non-financial favour as well or some form of nepotism. If you need a good job, a house in a decent area, admission into a good school or treatment at a good hospital, you must know someone with influence there. “Corruption is everywhere” was the comment from one of my friends. The current WBSSC recruitment scandal is the latest example of such mega corruption. My third observation was that although lives of poor and lowerincome families had improved through a “trickle-down” economic principle, the improvements were not in the same proportion as those of rich and middle-class people.

The percentage of poor people compared to the total population seemed to have increased. Part of it is related to corruption; poor people cannot even pay bribes nor have the right connections to advance in life. I asked my cousin’s driver one day. “Did you finish high school? What motivated you to become a driver?”. He said with an embarrassed smile, “I went up to the ninth grade. I wanted to join the military which needed drivers. I learned how to drive, completed all the requirements and the training, but then I was asked to pay Rs. 40,000 in bribe before I could enroll. I did not have that kind of money. At least, I can now earn some money by driving for private people.” He was making about $12 per day even if he worked all day. He was married and his wife was expecting a baby. This was the snapshot of “have-nots” in Kolkata. India became a free country in 1947 and we are about to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Independence Day. My sincere birthday wish for mother India is that people who take care of her – the current and future governments – make it the highest priority to fix pollution and corruption and make her clean, literally and figuratively.

I further wish that India indeed does take that best seat on the world stage before she turns 100. It certainly sounds plausible, unlike the time when I was a kid. India is already projected to be the third largest economy in the world within the next two decades. There will soon be more Indians than any other nationality on this earth. India is the largest democracy with nuclear capabilities. Indians are highly successful in almost all aspects of society in many foreign countries. India has some of the wealthiest people in the world and many beauty queens. Indian food, movies, sitar music and yoga practices are well accepted all over the world.

Indians are thought to be smart, philosophical, peace-loving people with friendly personality and humility. India, with the dominating presence of three of the four largest religions in the world, is considered the place for any spiritual journey. When I was leaving India on my way back to the USA, many of my relatives and friends asked if I would ever consider returning for good. My answer to them was a sincere yes. “But if I come back, it would be to go to the Himalayas for my ultimate quest. I would be wandering the foothills with just a cane in search for that supreme power.” I indeed wish that I will reunite with my mother and complete my own spiritual journey. I can hear that song in my ears: “A ab laut chalen…tujhko pukare desh tera”.

BASAB DASGUPTA 

Source: The Statesman, 11/08/22