Mysuru reports 12 new COVID-19 positive cases, 15 discharges and 0 deaths today

The post Mysuru COVID-19 Update: July 1, 2022 appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysore/Mysuru: Amidst clear skies and bright sunshine, thousands of devotees thronged Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill this morning on the first Ashada Friday that fell on the first day of the Ashada month of July. The Hill temple was opened for devotees after a gap of two years owing to COVID pandemic, much to the delight of devotees who were seeking to have darshan of the deity in all eagerness.

The special pujas and rituals associated with Ashada Friday, began as early as 3 am, with the performance of Mahanyasapoorvaka Rudrabhisheka, Abhisheka, Archane, Mahamangalarathi etc. Though the devotees had lined up before the temple in the wee hours, they were allowed entry to the temple after 5.30 am after all the rituals were performed.

The entry to the temple was divided into three categories — Dharma Darshana (free entry), Rs. 50 and Rs. 300 tickets for special entry and there were separate lines for each category. The Police had made elaborate arrangements to prevent crowding before the temple, by barricading the entire area as a regulatory measure.

The devotees coming by road and hill steps, were asked to walk on the road behind the Hill Temple to reach Mahabaleshwara Temple, from where the lines were formed. The authorities had made necessary arrangements to ensure that all devotees get darshan in an orderly and organised manner.

The Police had installed CCTV cameras at vantage, strategic and other key points in order to keep a constant vigil on suspicious movements and to prevent crimes such as pick-pocketing, robbery, chain -snatching etc.

After having darshan of the deity, most of the devotees walked to the multi-level parking lot, where the City’s Chamundeshwari Seva Samithi had organised distribution of special Horlicks Mysore Pak as Prasadam and Annadana. The Samithi has been distributing Prasada to the devotees for the past 18 years. 

Free bus service

As all types of private vehicles were banned entry to the Hill on Ashada Friday, the KSRTC had deployed 50 buses to ferry devotees free from Lalitha Mahal Helipad grounds to the Hill temple.

The devotees, after arriving at the Helipad, were asked to park their vehicles at an 18-acre plot adjacent to the ground, where the authorities had marked separate parking lots for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers and other classes of vehicles.

Before boarding the waiting KSRTC buses, all the devotees were checked for two doses of COVID vaccination, which data is recorded in their respective cell phones.

Those who had not taken two doses, were asked to produce RT-PCR test negative report of less than 72 hours.

RT-PCR tests on the spot

The Health Department had set up booths  for conducting spot RT-PCR tests on devotees who failed to produce vaccine certificate or negative reports.

Many return disappointed

Many devotees, especially from rural areas who were either unaware of COVID vaccination check or failed to bring along their cell phones, had to return a disappointed lot.

Also, a good number of devotees did not turn up for the first Ashada Friday as false rumours on mandatory production of Aadhar card had spread among villagers.

Though thousands of devotees  took part, in general, the number of devotees for the first Ashada Friday was less than what the authorities had anticipated, according to sources.

A large posse of Policemen, including Mounted Police,  was deployed as a security measure all round the Hill temple.

MLAs S.A. Ramdas and G.T. Devegowda and MLC A.H. Vishwanath were among the elected representatives from the city who had darshan of the deity on this auspicious day today.

The second Ashada Friday falls on July 8, the third on July 15 and the fourth and last one on July 22. The Chamundeshwari Vardhanti will take place on July 20.

The post First Ashada Friday atop Chamundi Hill… Devotees line up to have darshan of Goddess Chamundeshwari appeared first on Star of Mysore.

No need to panic as intensity observed is low: KSNDMC Experts

Madikeri: Two earthquakes measuring 1.8 and 2.1 on the Richter Scale shook parts of Kodagu this morning. While the first quake was felt at 1.15 am, the second one was felt at 10.47 am, which have been recorded by Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).

According to the KSNDMC notes released this morning, the first quake had a magnitude of 1.8 and the epicentre is 5.2 km north-west of M. Chembu village, Paraje Gram Panchayat of Madikeri taluk.

The quake occurred at 01.15 am and the seismic intensity map of the earthquake from the epicentre is observed as low. Tremors were felt up to a maximum radial distance of 20-30 km from the epicentre.

The second quake with 2.1 magnitude was felt at 10.47 am and the seismic intensity map of the earthquake from the epicentre is observed as low. Tremors were felt up to a maximum radial distance of 20-30 km from the epicentre.

“This type of earthquake does not create any harm to the local community, although there might be slight shaking observed locally. The epicentre falls in Seismic Zone III and the region is void of any structural discontinuities as per the Tectonic map. The community need not panic as the intensity observed is low,” both the KSNDMC notes said.

Five quakes jolt parts of Kodagu since June 23

It may be recalled that the first quake was reported on June 23 when an earthquake measuring 3.4 on the Richter Scale hit Hassan district and tremors were felt in Madikeri and Kushalnagar taluks.

The second quake was reported on June 26 and it measured 2.3 on the Richter Scale. Many areas of Madikeri taluk and Kodagu-Dakshina Kannada border areas experienced tremors.

The third quake was reported on June 28 and it measured 3.0 on the Richter Scale. Tremors were experienced in several places including Madikeri, Bhagamandala, Kakkabbe, Lakkunda Kadu, Napoklu, Karike, Sampaje, Kundacheri, Koynadu, Makkandur, Haleri, Galibeedu, Monnangeri, Udayagiri, Kaloor, Devastoor and parts of Sullia-Kodagu border.

The fourth quake was reported today (July 1) which measured 1.8 on the Richter Scale. Tremors were felt at 9.4 km N North-West of Karike Gram Panchayat and 11.5 km West of Sampaje hobli in Madikeri taluk and also at 11 km South-East of Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district.

The fifth quake was also reported today at 10.47 am and it measured 2.1 on the Richter Scale. Tremors were felt at 9.1 km N North-West of Karike Gram Panchayat and 11.6 km West of Sampaje hobli in Madikeri taluk and also at 11.3 km South-East of  Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district.

The post After 3 quakes since June 23, Two more quakes hit parts of Kodagu this morning appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysore/Mysuru: Mysore Open Forum has organised a talk on the topic ‘And Food Justice for All’ by Sunita Rao, Founder, Vanastree, Women Farmers’ Collective at 10.30 am on Saturday (July 2) at Kalpa Kshetra Auditorium, 581/1, Vijayanagar 4th Stage, 1st Phase, Mysuru.

Sunita Rao is an ecologist by training and has used her skills to work in the areas of conservation education and small-scale food systems for thirty years. She founded Vanastree, a small women farmers’ seed collective based in Sirsi in 2001.

The main focus of the group is endorsing women’s roles in tending forest home gardens thus ensuring access to highly diverse local foods, the preservation of traditional seeds and the cultural practice of seed saving and exchange.  She also works with Punarchith in Chamarajanagar district.

She will share her field experiences and highlight the work of local initiatives in Mysuru such as Prakriti Foods and Kracadawna Organic Farm that have steadfastly been working towards ensuring some level of food justice in our world.

There will be a display of organic, open pollinated seeds, organic produce and a sampling of food and medicinal plants that one can grow at home.

The talk is open to all. For details call Mob:94498-19536.

The post Mysore Open Forum to host talk on ‘And Food Justice for All’ appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysore/Mysuru: The Sugama Sangeetha Academy Trust, Mysuru, has organised ‘Geetha Vaividya’ programme at Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha on JLB Road in city tomorrow (July 2) at 6 pm.

Shubha Raghavendra and Pratham Bhat will present a vocal concert, accompanied by Koojalli Ganesh Bhat on piano, Raghunath on tabla and Vinay Rangadhol on rhythm pad.

Shubha Raghavendra is a versatile singer who can sing in various styles like Gamaka, Classical, Vachana, Bhajan etc. In her long career, she has been honoured with titles like ‘Gaana Kogile’, ‘Gayana Saraswathi’ and ‘Gamaka Vachana Chature’. She has performed in various programmes at Mysore Palace and Hampi Utsav. She has brought out her own music albums ‘Bidiru’ & ‘ Dadyam’.

Pratham Bhat is a runner-up in ETV Edhe Thumbi Haaduvenu reality show and has sung for albums composed by Sunitha Chandrakumar. He has also won several prizes at State-level competitions and is a B-grade artiste of AIR.

The post ‘Geetha Vaividya’ tomorrow appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysore/Mysuru: As part of Ashada Masa, special pujas and rituals will take place at Sri Adishakthi Sri Bandanthamma Sri Kaalamma temple on New Kantharaj Urs Road, K.G. Koppal, Kuvempunagar on all  Ashada Fridays.

July 1:  Kavade Alankara;  July 8:  Benne Alankara; July 15: Varna Alankara; July 22: Hathi Alankara.

Mahamangalaarathi will take place at 8 am and Prasada distribution at 5 pm on all these days. Devotees are appealed to take part in the rituals in large numbers, according to a press release. For more details, call Mob:63635-52809.

The post Ashada Masa pujas and rituals at Bandanthamma temple appeared first on Star of Mysore.

A month back Sujata Rajpal, writer and a home-maker who contributes articles and interviews of VIPs for Star of Mysore, gave me a book of modest size, in English of course, saying ‘read it and let me know.’ So here I am.

The book ‘The Life I Saw’ is an autobiography of a Punjabi lady Sharda Gulati, migrated to Indian side of divided Punjab from Pakistan side. And she was fortunate to be the daughter of an MLA of Sargodha of undivided Punjab. The advantage could be seen in the book where her crossing the border was safe and smooth compared to what I have read about the partition and the horrors of looting, rape and killings of millions of people — one may read the best-seller book ‘Freedom At Midnight’ by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre to learn about the biggest mass slaughter in the history of the world. Many books were written so also novels based on the partition like Khushwant Singh’s ‘Train to Pakistan.’

Another book that partly dealt with partition I read was ‘Beyond the Lines’, the autobiography of the famous journalist-columnist Kuldeep Nayyar. He writes about the difficulties and betrayal suffered by his family and friends following partition while crossing over to India from Pakistan side where they were living for centuries.

I did not find Sharda Gulati or her father facing that kind of danger, risk, betrayal or difficulties in crossing the border and thereafter. In fact,  her father became a Minister in the truncated Punjab. As such the autobiography makes a straightforward reading of a person’s life and career in Government service — a smooth family journey of schooling, Government job, marriage, raising children (three daughters including Sujata Rajpal), retirement, old age…life goes on for her. The life she saw was a good life as recorded in the book. There is not much for a reader to get sympathetic, emotional or ecstatic about events and situations the author narrates.

However, the book is a treasure house of information about what life was in undivided Punjab with Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians living peacefully individually or as a community.

Reading about this aspect of life described in the book I was wondering, ‘hell, if that was the good, harmonious life they were leading, what was the heavenly purpose of this division and migration on the basis of religion?’

The book opens with a chapter titled, ‘My Childhood’ and mentions of a ‘filmi drama’ following author’s birth. She had two sisters and those times having daughters was a curse for parents. Well, no different, in most families, even now. Let it be.

The author Sharda Gulati writes that her father’s best friend was Ram Piara Lal, an advocate who had a son. Incidentally when Sharda’s mother was expecting her arrival to the family, Ram Piara Lal’s wife too was expecting her second child. It happened that their delivery dates were just about 12 hours apart.

Advocate’s wife gave birth to a baby boy in the morning of March 3, 1935, their second son. In the same evening Sharda’s mother delivered her third daughter, that is Sharda. Advocate Lal takes his new-born son to his friend’s house and tries to exchange the babies. Naturally, Sharda’s father was shocked and protests. But his friend Lal says in hushed voice: ‘No one yet knows about  the birth of these babies. I already have a son and you have two daughters. You take my son                                                                     and I take your daughter. Tomorrow we will declare to everyone accordingly.’

However, Sharda’s father laughed, refusing the offer and took back the child (Sharda) saying: ‘I highly appreciate your sacrifice but it does not matter to me if I have a son or a daughter. Both are equal.’

Sharda Gulali writes: ‘When I think of  Ram Piara Lal, I wonder how could anyone sacrifice his most beloved possession for the sake of a friend. ‘I guess, which is why the saying ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed.’

Be that as it may, Sharda’s family is not only educated but has also made sacrifices for the freedom of the country, going to jail, facing hardship and denials as a result. But it is sad that the land, for the freedom of which he and his family fought and suffered, was not theirs’ anymore when the freedom really came. It went to Pakistan.

The author does her MA and gets a government job in the Public Relations Department of Punjab government — as she writes, courtesy the then Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Partap Singh Kairon (Nehru’s favourite CM!). She joins as the District Publicity Supervisor. She never looks back and retires as DPRO (District Public Relations Officer). Her work experience here was similar to my friend K. Vijaykumar’s, who had retired as the Jt. Director of Information and Publicity, Government of Karnataka. Her journey, as I mentioned, continues with normal human problems along the way.

The book was compiled and edited by Sujata Rajpal, her daughter, a commendable effort. And then what is her message? Here it is at the end of the book:

“At 87, I feel the two most valued things in life are good health and strong family bonding. Both can’t be taken for granted, and need to be nurtured with patience, love and care.”

The book is a good read, specially to the Punjabi diaspora who have not seen, experienced or heard of what life and times were before and after Punjab’s division following independence.

e-mail: voice@starofmysore.com

The post Life in partitioned Punjab revisited appeared first on Star of Mysore.

By Dr. B.V. Rajagopal

Past National Vice-President of Indian Medical Association

National Doctors’ Day is observed in our country on 1st July every  year. This was introduced by Indian Medical Association (IMA) in the year 1991 to mark the birth and honour the contributions of  the renowned Physician and former West Bengal Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy (B.C. Roy)  and to recognise the services  being rendered by our medical community.

Bidhan  Chandra  Roy was born in the year 1882 at Patna.  His father Prakash Chandra Roy was an Excise Officer and mother  Aghorakamini was a social worker. He had two brothers and two sisters and Roy was the youngest. He completed his BA in Patna and later obtained Honours in Mathematics.

He then moved to Calcutta (now Kolkata)  and was selected to pursue Engineering as well as Medicine course. B.C. Roy opted for Medicine and joined Calcutta Medical College. At the entrance of the college he noticed a write up as follows: “Whatever thy hands find to do,  do it with thy might.”  This struck to his mind and he started following it diligently.

After completing his MBBS course in 1909, he managed to go to Britain by ship with hardly Rs. 200 in his hands. At Barthalomew Hospital in London, he applied for permission to take MRCP course but was denied permission.  But, his persistence was successful and he got the permission to appear for the examination and he passed both MRCP (as a physician) and FRCS (as a surgeon) examinations within two years. He returned to India in 1911.

In 1911, he joined Provincial Health Service in Bengal and worked hard for the improvement of the society. He was appointed as a teacher in Medical Colleges and  became a very efficient and most sought after teacher in three Medical Colleges — Calcutta Medical College, Campbell Medical College and Carmichael Medical College.

Dr. B.C. Roy contested for the post of Mayor in Calcutta Municipal Corporation and won. During his tenure as the Mayor, he was responsible for  starting Jadavpur TB Hospital, Victoria College and Hospital, Chittaranjandas Cancer Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for Women and Children, Kamala Nehru  Memorial Hospital and many small hospitals in mofussil areas.

He was selected as the Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University and during his regime, he was responsible for starting a few new colleges in the State including Pharmacy Colleges. 

In the year 1941, Dr. B. C. Roy was appointed as the Governor of Bengal State. He was in the office for one year and during that short period he brought in a number of improvements in the administrative levels.

Dr.  B.C. Roy start Indian Medical Association (IMA) in the year 1928 with a few of his colleagues for which he was the first President for three years. There were only 226 members then and today there are nearly four lakh members who are fully qualified in modern medicine.

Dr. B.C. Roy started Medical Council of India (MCI) and was its President for five years. He brought in strict regulations to medical colleges. 

Dr. Roy became active in politics, succeeding Subhas Chandra Bose in 1931 as the Mayor of Calcutta. He joined Mahatma Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience Movement, soon becoming his friend and personal physician.

In May 1933, when Gandhiji  was undertaking a 21-day fast in Parnakutivin, Poona (now Pune), Roy was by his side and taking care of him.

Dr. B.C. Roy was a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi and had participated in the Dandi March. At one point Gandhiji was a bit indisposed and Dr. Roy tried to give him medicines but Gandhiji refused and told him: “I don’t want your medicines for free. Will you give free medicines to all our people in the country?” To which Dr. Roy replied: “Gandhiji, I am not treating you as Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi,  but as a person who represents forty million people of our country.” Then Gandhiji agreed to take medicines.

Chief Minister of West Bengal

At the instance of many persons in the Congress Working Committee and Gandhiji’s advice, Dr. B.C. Roy contested for the Chief Minister’s post in West Bengal and won the election. He served as the CM for 14 years.

When he took over as the CM, the whole State was in utter confusion and chaos. With dedication, devotion and exemplary planning, Dr. Roy brought the conditions under control stage by stage. Five new cities — Kalyani, Durgapur, Bidhan Nagar, Ashoknagar and Habra — were declared open by him. His concern for the poor and also women was greatest and he brought out many reformations.

On July 1, 1962, Dr. B. C. Roy, who was eighty years old, saw a few patients in the morning, came home and recited a few lines from his Brahmo Samaj book and retired. A few hours later he was no more. Dr. B.C. Roy was born was July 1, 1882 and he passed away on July 1, 1962.

In 1961, Dr. B.C. Roy was awarded with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country.

In 1976, ‘National Dr. B.C. Roy Award’ was instituted in his memory for work in the areas of Medicine, Politics, Science, Literature and Arts.

On this Doctors Day, let us all salute this legendary personality of our country.

The post NATIONAL DOCTORS DAY TODAY: A tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Sir,

Recently I read with interest a news about installation of cameras in Bengaluru which can read the name-plate of the vehicle from 100 mts distance itself for various traffic violations. This seems a good move by the Traffic cops to directly handle the traffic offenders and to clear traffic violation fines due earlier.

While there is a lot of debate going on in this regard, I would like to suggest the Government that whenever the vehicles are registered at the concerned RTO, their Aadhaar card is also required. Since this Aadhaar number is linked to the bank accounts also, a thinking may be done that whenever such traffic violations are committed by the offenders, immediately with the help of these cameras, after tracking the registration number of the vehicle, the antecedents of the owner can be ascertained and through a special software made, the traffic fine can be directly deducted from the respective bank account of the offender. 

This will certainly send a strong signal to such habitual offenders and also may avoid unnecessary stopping of vehicles by the Traffic Police and harassment to the travelling public. 

With the technology at its peak in many aspects, will someone think on these lines ?

– Vijay Hemmige, Vijayanagar Railway Layout, 28.6.2022

You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to voice@starofmysore.com

The post Traffic violations: Use technology appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysuru, June 30- Applications are invited by JSS Polytechnic for Women, Mysuru, for admission to first year Diploma Government seats in Engineering and Non- Engineering Branches.

Minimum eligibility for applying is 35% in SSLC or its equivalent. Interested candidates get direct admission on first-come first-serve basis  along with necessary original documents.  For more details contact P.S. Shivakumar on Mob:  94490-45391 or S.B. Subramanyam on Mob: 98458-09877.

The post Applications invited for first year  Diploma Government seats appeared first on Star of Mysore.

The Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC) has invited applications from eligible candidates for admission to Diploma courses for the year 2022-23. The admissions will be for limited seats vacant in courses like Tool and Die- making, Precession manufacturing.  Candidates who have a pass in ITI and PUC (PCMB) are eligible to apply. Applications received first will be given preference. Last date to apply is July 8. To apply visit website www.gttc.karnataka.gov.in. For details, call Helpline: 155267.

The post Diploma Course appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Swami Jnanayoganandaji will deliver a talk on ‘Adyatma Ramayana’ at Sri Ramakrishna Ashram in Yadavagiri today (June 30) at 6 pm.

The post Spiritual Talk  appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Papers have been invited for an Interdisciplinary National Seminar on ‘Indian Independence at 75: Revisiting Indian National Movement’ to be held on Aug. 29 and 30 under the joint aegis of the Department of History, Teresian College, Mysuru, Social Science Departments, IQAC, Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage, Mysuru, TOUCAN Research and Development. Last date to submit abstract and registration is Aug. 16 and for full paper submission – Aug. 20. For details, contact Seminar Co-ordinator M. Niketan, Research Co-ordinator, TOUCAN Research & Development, Bengaluru, on Mob: 87694-85729.

The post Papers Invited appeared first on Star of Mysore.

15th Annual Fest Mahadasara – 2022, ‘Biathlon’ (combination of 5-km running and 10-km cycling) with the theme ‘Health & Happiness for All,’ University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, MLA L. Nagendra, DHO Dr. K.H. Prasad, DCP M.S. Geetha Prasanna (Crime & Traffic), Senior Heart Specialist and Clinical Director of Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysuru, Dr. M.N. Ravi, Principal of MITM, Dr. B.G. Naresh Kumar  and members of MET will be present during the inauguration of Biathlon, starting from entrance of Manasagangothri (Kuvempu Statue) to end at MITM, 7 am to 8.30 am. [Mob: 92410-32032 or 96202-28022]

The post Maharaja Institute of Technology Mysore (MITM) appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Prof. D.S. Achuta Rao Memorial Lecture, Dr. M. Jamuna, former History Professor, Bangalore University, delivers lecture on ‘Bangalore Cantonment: Patterns of Spatial Organisation,’ Prof. Anita Vimla Braggs, Principal, MCM, presides, Prof. T.V. Venkatachala Sastry, Eminent Scholar, releases the translated works of Prof. D.S. Achuta Rao — ‘Kri.Sha. 1800ra modalina Mysuru Itihasa’ and ‘Wodeyara Kalada Mysurina Adalita mattu Samajika Itihasa’ — Dr. K. Sadashiva, Head of History Department, Manasagangothri, UoM, speaks about the books, D.A. Prasanna, Convenor, D.S. Achuta Rao History Endowment, presents scholarships to meritorious graduates of MCM, Junior BA Hall, Maharaja’s College, 10.30 am.

The post Maharaja’s College, Mysuru (MCM) appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Vocal concert by Vidu. Madhuri Kowshik, accompanied by Vidu. C.V. Shruthi on violin, Vid. Kowshik Shridhar on mridanga and Vid. K. Srinidhi on ghata, Ganabharathi, Adichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar, 6 pm.

The post Ganabharathi appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Swami Jnanayoganandaji speaks on ‘Adyatma Ramayana,’ Ashram premises, Yadavagiri, 6 pm.

The post Sri Ramakrishna Ashram appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Golden Jubilee celebrations, PRIP Rtn. Kalyan Banerjee chief guest, DG Rtn. A.R. Ravindra Bhat, DGE Rtn. Prakash Karanth, DGN Rtn. H. R. Keshav, DGND Rtn. Vikram Dutta and AG Rtn. C.S. Ravishankar guests of honour, Golden Jubilee Committee Chairman  Rtn. Dr. B. Chandra, Co-Chairman Rtn. A. Ramesh and Secretary Rtn. Dr. S.A Mohan Krishna will be present, North Avenue (Mysore Union), Hebbal, 6.30 pm.

The post Rotary Club of Mysore West appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysuru reports 15 new COVID-19 positive cases, 13 discharges and 0 deaths today.

The post Mysuru COVID-19 Update: June 30, 2022 appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Supreme Court Judge Justice A.S. Bopanna says without judicial review, democratic system would be a mere farce

Mysore/Mysuru: “The role of judicial activism cannot be negated or overlooked as it plays a significant role in providing justice to the underprivileged sections of the society like indigent individuals, socially and educationally backward classes, undertrial prisoners and manual labourers, opined Supreme Court Judge Justice A.S. Bopanna.

He was in the city this morning to inaugurate a day-long Convention JIGNYASA-2022 on the topic ‘Judicial Activism with Special Reference to Industrial Laws’ at JSS Pharmacy College Auditorium in Bannimantap.

The event was organised by Industrial Management Association, Mysuru. Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, former Lokayukta of Karnataka Justice N. Santhosh Hegde and President & Chief Operating Officer (COO), Meritor, Dr. N. Muthukumar were the guests of honour.

Interpretation of Article 21

Dwelling in detail about judicial activism, Justice Bopanna said that a Court indulging in judicial activism is far more efficient than a conservative court since it is only on such liberal interpretation of the laws a Court would be in a position to safeguard the citizens from legislative and executive tyranny.

“To make socio-economic rights judicially enforceable, the Judges are duty-bound to expand the interpretation of  Article 21 which guarantees right to life and right to equality,” he noted.

Although the provisions of civil and political rights guaranteed in the Constitution are accepted to be in the domain of the legislature and the executive, the High Courts and the Supreme Court are expected to assert the role of the judiciary in holding the Government accountable for implementing these rights, Justice Bopanna said.

Failure of the executive

“In the process, the Court highlights the failure of the executive to implement the projects for the well-being of the poor and ensure the implementation of provisions of food, healthcare or living wages. The State will therefore be held judicially  accountable for Constitutional violation of its role,” he said.

“In extraordinary circumstances, the Courts have stepped in which though considered judicial activism was ultimately for the benefit of the citizens. The intervention of the Court during COVID-19 on various aspects is a prime example,  the SC Judge noted.

On the issue of industrial laws, Justice Bopanna said that there are many examples where Courts have addressed the needs of vulnerable workers within the labour laws. “In a wave of Public Interest Litigations, the Courts had intervened and focused on the most vulnerable workers, bonded labour, child labour and rural labour whose rights were being  violated,” he added.

Composition without force

In the process of judicial review, it is inevitable that Courts should take into account the current surrounding scenario in arriving at the decision which may at times invite the criticism of indulging in judicial activism. “But it would be fair to say that without such judicial review, the democratic system would be a mere farce and the Constitution would be merely a composition without force,” Justice Bopanna noted.

“Since one universal decision cannot satisfy every individual who is concerned with its conclusion, to see the judicial review as a shield is one perspective but to see it as a weapon is another, which in my opinion does not depend on the philosophy of the judges alone but also the manner in which the citizen perceives it, which will always remain to be a subject of discussion but we cannot forget that the Judges are also bound by precedents and will have to tread the laid down path,”  he opined.

Social values and humanity

In his address, Justice Santhosh Hegde said that greed has dominated society and unless humanity is restored, there  is no future for India. Justice Hegde was speaking on “Fall in social values and its consequences.”

“It is our bounden duty to uphold social values and humanism. Values like contentment and humanity are declining day by day among humans and as a result, society is being ruined. Development will not happen where there is greed. Corruption has rooted deeply in the pillars of our Constitution like legislation and the executive,” he opined.

Justice Hegde said all three pillars of Democracy — Legislature, Executive and Judiciary — had become corrupt. “All are from the same society. Corruption is everywhere. People have to be aware and fight against it,” he said.

When society, in general, ignores humanism and being content, it tends to become greedy and corrupt which in turn leads to the failure of a society. Thus, to break the cycle of corruption one needs to awaken the youth towards the idea of a corruption-free society,  he added.

Industrial Management Association President A.C. Narendra, Secretary Jatin Achaiah  and others were present.

The post Judicial activism ensures justice to deprived sections appeared first on Star of Mysore.