The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013- India

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 passed today in India does the following:

• Amends various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Indian Evidence Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

• States that an offender can be sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 20 years or more to life with a fine

• Defines stalking and voyeurism as non-bailable offences if repeated for a second time.

• Terms acid attack finally as a crime and perpetrators of acid attack will attract a 10-year jail. Plus the victim is granted right to self-defense!

• Also seeks to widen the definition of rape, broaden the ambit of aggravated rape and enhance the punishment for such crimes

• Also provides that all hospitals shall immediately provide first aid and/or medical treatment free of cost to the victims of acid attack or rape

• Also seeks to amend the Indian Evidence Act to allow a rape victim, if she is temporarily or permanently mentally or physically disabled, to record her statement before a judicial magistrate with the assistance of an interpreter or a special educator. It also has provisions to video-graph the proceedings.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pranab-mukherjee-assent-anti-rape-bill-sexual-harassment/1/260483.html

Doomsday

Doomsday came and went. Nothing happened, as expected. Then why did I still wake up yesterday feeling just a little dissappointed?

We, mankind can continue wrecking havoc on the environment, on animals, fellow humans and continue living so unchecked. Just a tad dissappointed that there is no end to all the nonsense and a new beginning after many centuries, if only doomsday had been true!

A Mom!

Wow is the only word that came to my mind when I read the below article.

http://news.yahoo.com/argentine-mom-rescues-hundreds-sex-slaves-221110530.html

Proves that a mom on a mission for her children cannot be stopped by anybody or anything. The system sounds so much similar to India with the same problems and support that such actions get from politicians and the police. So happy for the hundreds of women who have been saved by this lady and praying for the many more still not freed.

Would love more articles that motivate and make people think rather than useless celebrity news. Well done Susana!

Therapy animals

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/dog-who-teaches-kids-talk

How sweet! Animals, just like some kids and people can be slow. But see how that is a blessing instead of a curse. They ought to be cherished, encouraged and loved, just like children with disabilities. Wonderful article and our Dexy is just like the dog in the pic, with the exact same personality! Gotta love them :)

In the news Dec 5th, 2012

http://news.yahoo.com/women-leaders-less-corrupt-no-shake-things-050546963.html

Interesting article.
Even more interesting to note that Rwanda, generally considered to be one of the backward African countries has 50 % women in parliment. The country is also doing very well in reducing poverty and child mortality rates. Can we say this about most developing and developed countries?

Another interesting fact to note in the article is that women even if elected to administrative positions will not make much difference if they are dependent on their fathers or husbands financially. In India this is the biggest problem. In the first place the government has only so many seats 'reserved' for women. Of that percentage, the wives or other female relatives of corrupt politicians are elected to occupy a majority.

These surveys are helpful and serve as eye-openers, but what use are they of if we continue electing useless people to power? People who do not have the brains or concern to worry about the development of the country or people of the country!

My LG's first Diwali and first word!

My LG's first Diwali was this one on November 13th. The ever adoring grandma had sent her a pattu pavadai material. It arrived through my visiting cousin on Saturday November 10th! I took it and took the LG and ran (actually drove) to a tailor suggested by the said cousin's elder sis. The tailor looked at his subject and was instantly in a great mood. Apparently she was the youngest subject ever! He was so happy and delighted that he forgot to criticize me for dropping in with a material to be ready for Diwali in two days time! Benefits of having a cute little girl in hand :)

I leave a pic of the pavadai worn by the little subject for your viewing.

Btw LG also said her first word. She has said ammas during her cries, but never by itself just calling me. Once she said something that suspiciously sounded like appa and taken by her appa to have been just that.

But this word was clear. Loud and clear. It was "Bobby"!!! That is a wonder since we know no one called bobby! Oh well. It was her first word and we celebrate it thus. I am sure we will meet a bobby one day :)

Happy Deepavalli

Happy Deepavalli everyone. Hope you all have a fun filled, happy day. How about some charity on this special day instead of buying new clothes, bursting fireworks etc.,?

My favorite charities:

http://bluecrossofindia.org/donation.html
http://www.savethechildren.in/
http://www.humanesociety.org/
http://www.aspca.org/

Go on and add yours to the list if you want! Please donate any amount you can for these noble causes. Can you think of doing anything better on Deepavalli?