TUESDAY
TEASER
'No Indian proof : Tobacco causes cancer'
By Amba Charan Vashishth
One
great quality of democracy in India is the true freedom of opinion and
expression enjoyed by individuals. One latest example is the assertion by a
public representative that "there was no Indian study to confirm that use
of tobacco products leads to cancer". His
comments came "strongly" urging
the government to keep on hold its proposal to increase the size of pictorial
warnings on tobacco packets from 40 per cent to 85 per cent.
He certainly has a right to his opinion and
to express it. But we cannot ignore the fact that the allopathic treatment that
is given in India in government and private hospitals is also based on
experiments, studies and discoveries abroad. Similarly, the drugs and medicines
we consume in India for various ailments too are the product of foreign studies
even if many are now being produced within the country.
Those who are not inclined to studies made
by others are very well at liberty to undertake their own study and experiment.
They can start chewing tobacco and be chain smokers themselves. They can see
for themselves whether tobacco is harmful or not. Haath kangan ko aarsi kya?
Truth needs no proof. They can then enlighten the people.
'SAD' VADRA IS NOW "GLAD" AFTER
A DECADE
For more than a decade Congress President
and UPA chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra now stands
relieved of his 'sadness'. The UPA government granted him a very special
privilege of not being frisked at airports when he was to travel by air. This
had created a heart burning among many VIPs who did not enjoy this privilege. But
now that the present government has withdrawn this privilege from Vadra, he
reacted saying, "I am glad that this formality is going to be removed, as
this was created without my consent".
It certainly is wrong and a great injustice
on the part of the then Manmohan government to extend such a privilege without
the concerned person's "consent". It was so gracious on Vadra's part that he
continued to suffer "this formality" in silence for over a decade
without a grudge. Now that he is "glad", that means he was sad
because of this privilege 'forced' on him. Governments should refrain from
imposing privileges that render persons sad. Government's intention should be
to promote happiness and not sadness. This instance should also serve as a good
lesson for future governments.
Tailpiece
A teacher asked his pupil in the class:
"What is the full name of Bapu"?
"Asa Ram Bapu, sir" proudly
replied the so well-informed student.
(In
circulation in the social media)
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