Tuesday 12 March 2024

REMEMBERING PROF. S. N. CHAKRABORTY BY HIS FOOT NOTES

 

 


Recently while going through my medical school class notes, I came across a very interesting lecture delivered by my late Guru and a wizard of Medicine, Prof. S.N. Chakraborty. He was a genius. He would walk inside a class early morning and ask “What do you want to study today?” and once we or his Medicine Senior Resident, Dr. Sumanta Chakraborty, who would take our attendance before his arrival, would express our choice of chapter, he would start extempore. No notes, no preparation Prof. Chakraborty was a walking talking encyclopedia of Medicine. We were mesmerized by his knowledge and were in love with his thunderous laughter.

On that day someone in our class asked him to teach us about diseases of the foot and in this blog I am trying to summarize his teachings from my lecture notes. The Professor said that although “my feet are killing me!” is one of the most overused exaggerations in the entire world, the truth is that the condition of your feet can say a lot about the overall state of your health, as well as indicate any underlying diseases you may have. Reflexologists and massage therapists have been proponents of manipulating points on the feet to improve the health of internal organs for a very long time. Although the evidence to prove this is somewhat scant, it's true that a person’s state of health can be expressed through their feet.

In addition to containing a quarter of the entire human body’s bones, the feet also bear its entire weight. There are no less than 33 joints, 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments in them, as well as countless nerves and blood vessels that link to the heart, spine and brain. Taking the above into account, it perhaps isn’t a surprise to know that if there is something wrong with someone’s feet, the likelihood is that their entire body will be affected as well. Let’s take a look at a few things about the human body that can be revealed by the condition of the feet:  


1. Foot Cramping and Spasms

If you happen to get cramps and spasms in your foot, it could be a sign of a deficiency in your body. Spasms can be caused by dehydration, which occurs as a result of the muscles not getting enough oxygen. Another reason for muscles spasms could be that there is a lack or imbalance of electrolytes or nutrients in your body. If you experience spasms specifically when walking, then this could indicate a circulatory problem. A further reason for spasms to occur is overexertion, or failing to stretch adequately prior to exercising. Last but not least, the type of shoe you’re wearing may be causing you discomfort. If you’re a lady who happens to enjoy wearing sky-high heels, for instance, you should look more closely at your choice of footwear to see if they’re to blame for the spasms.  


2. An Enlarged Big Toe

Gout is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis in men, and it can cause the big toe to become red, hot, swollen and extremely painful. Gout occurs as a result of too much uric acid building up in bodily tissues and fluids. Its normal blood level is between 3.5 to 7.2 mg%. It’s also to blame for an increased risk of developing kidney stones. This type of inflammatory arthritis usually manifests itself in the big toe because uric acid crystals tend to collect in the coolest part of the body. Overweight or obese people are more at risk of developing gout, as well as those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol and/or consume lots of meat. Furthermore, certain medication like diuretics can exacerbate the risk.


3. Cold Feet

 Do your feet to tend to be abnormally cold? If they do, it could indicate that you have poor circulation, diabetes, hypothyroidisim or anemia. In addition, if your feet change color from red, to white, to blue, it could be a sign of Raynaud’s disease, which is a narrowing of the blood vessels when nerves overreact to the cold. Primary Raynaud’s sufferers are advised to avoid the cold and smoking tobacco, however 20% of all cases stem from an underlying disease. These people tolerate the winter months poorly.


4. Swollen Feet (Pedal oedema)

Swollen feet can be indicative of numerous health problems. It could be simple nutritional deficiencies like hypo-proteinemia, anaemia and Beri-beri (Vitamin1 or Thiamine deficiency) or life-threatening like poor circulation and related heart failure, kidney or liver disease. It could also be because of deep vein thrombosis, filariasis,  a blood clot, lymphatic build-up and cellulitis, among others. Try raising your feet when sitting down, exercising your legs, reducing your salt intake and avoiding tight clothes, if you happen to have swollen feet. Investigations for the causative diseases are advisable. 


5. Spoon-Shaped Toenails

Concave-shaped toenails aren’t just unsightly – they could also be a sign of something underlying. The primary thing it’s associated with is nutritional deficiencies. They’re also associated with genetic disorders, circulatory problems, autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal conditions.


6. Colored Toenails

Conditions such as tuberculosis, jaundice due to liver problems, thyroid gland involvement and even sinusitis could all cause the toenails to yellow. Yellowed toenails can also be symptomatic of bronchiectasis, an infective lung condition that causes breathing problems. Different nail colors and textures could also indicate a whole range of various systemic problems.  Vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks.


7. Deformed, infected and destroyed toe nails

Fungal infection of the toe nails or Onychomycosis, usually seen in diabetics are a common cause of deformed nails.  If the nails are peeling, brittle, or have vertical ridges, this may be vitamin D deficiency should be considered. Recurrent nail bed infections – paronechoea should always be investigated for diabetes. Brittle nail that chip and break easily is associated with iron deficiency anaemia. White spots on the nails - sometimes called Beau's lines - are one of the important signs of a zinc deficiency.


8. Pins and Needles Sensation

Circulatory problems, peripheral nervous system damage, a trapped nerve and a range of other ailments can lead to numbness or tingling in the feet. Diabetics who are exposed high blood glucose for an extended period can also experience nerve damage, which in turn leads to tingling in the feet, which is called Peripheral Neuritis. Pins and needles in the extremities can also be one of the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis.


9. Aching Toe Joints

Some 90% of people who have rheumatoid arthritis will experience aching toe joints. The disease makes the lining of the joints swollen and inflamed. As a result, the joints and supporting ligaments and tissues are damaged, which ultimately leads to decreased mobility. Antiinflammatory drugs relieve these symptoms, but have their own side effects like gastritis. Furthermore, shoe inserts can help minimize pressure and correct the shape of the foot. Some people also have braces that they wear on their feet. Gout too is a cause of painful and swollen great toe joints.  


10. Hallux valgus and Bunion

This condition is characterized by misalignment of the big toe. This leads to the big toe pushing and exerting pressure on the surrounding toes making the big toe MCP joint to stick out and point outward. Bunions at this projected site are more common in women who have diabetes and are overweight.  


11. Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the skin tries to protect itself against friction or pressure. They often form on feet and toes or hands and fingers. If you're healthy, you don't need treatment for corns and calluses unless they cause pain. Offloading footwear can help patients who are severely distresses. Corn caps, which have salicylic acid can be used for a long time to get rid of them. Offloading footwear can help patients who are severely distresses. 


12. Planter fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis can cause pain in the bottom of your heel or in the lower part of your middle foot. This happens when the plantar fascia becomes strained because of soft-soled footwear with poor arch support, frequent standing, long-distance running, weight gain, or other foot conditions. Stretching exercises, alternate hot and cold foot bath and corrective footwear can effectively treat this condition.


13. Foot Drop

If you have difficulty lifting the front part of your foot, this could be a sign that you have drop foot, which is normally indicative of an underlying muscular, neurological or anatomical problem. The resultant gait is called ‘steppage gait’. Foot drop can occur as a result of a leg injury, faulty plaster immobilization damaging the lateral popleteal nerve or Sciatic nerve damage during a hip operation. It can also be the result of a neurological disease such as polio, as well as a brain or spinal cord disorder. A brace or splint can be used to help maintain a normal foot position, whereas nerve stimulation can also alleviate drop foot to a certain extent. Surgery can also be undertaken to treat nerves, fuse bones or transfer tendons.


14. Persistent Sores

If you have diabetes, it’s possible that you have experience nerve damage to some extent. Nerve damage, or neuropathy, results in people being unable to feel or notice injuries such as blisters and decreased vascularity prevents early healing. Diabetics are prone to foot ulcers both because of loss of sensation and because of decreased blood flow. Nerve damage can also cause feet and toes to change shape – Charcot foot. Dry, cracked and peeling skin on the feet can also be a sign of diabetes, as can calluses and poor circulation.


15. Madura foot

Madura foot, or mycetoma, is a chronic granulomatous infection characterized by subcutaneous masses, draining sinuses, and the presence of grains or granules in exudates. This condition is caused by either fungi or aerobic filamentous bacteria.  Surgical debridement, followed by prolonged appropriate antibiotic and antifungal therapy for several months is required to save the foot.


16. Deformed foot

Deformities can be since birth like Club foot, Syndactyly of toes, Hemimelia or shortening of lower limb. Acquired deformities can be because of trauma or because of chronic diseases like diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Diabetes is the commonest cause of amputation of foot or its digits is you take trauma out of the consideration.

 

The Professor concluded with the advice that if you miss to examine the feet of your patients, you may miss the diagnosis! The feet warrant more attention than you imagined. If you are a diabetic then take care of your feet more than your face.


Friends, this was one of Prof. Chakraborty’s many extempore lectures which we have enjoyed in our college days. Always smiling, with a twinkle in his eyes he not only knew the subject thoroughly but could organize it into a captivating lecture and could convey his message almost effortlessly. With no notes, no power point presentations, the sagacious grand old man was effervescent with knowledge and his love for teaching could only be matched by his wisdom. Remembering him today with great reverence and respect!

Wednesday 6 March 2024

BEWARE OF SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS

 


 

I am sure you must have come across this recent species in the social media. They are called influencers. They are experts in everything. They know how to make quick money, how to cook the best dinner, which restaurant to go to, which foreign locale to visit, which property to rent or purchase, which dress will look best on you, which spectacle frame, lip shade and eyeliner will make you look like a wow, which stock to buy and even which man or woman to marry! I really envy their confidence, though not their knowledge. 

 

Facebook has stock market gurus growing all over it like rashes. The only problem is that they can be allergic rashes which can leave you poor and shattered if you go by their financial acumen to pick stocks. Why are they not getting rich themselves and so selflessly want me to get rich, I often wonder!

 

They get their traffic by identifying the most vulnerable soft spot of their target audience. Teenagers already suffering from body dysmorphia may fall deeper into Chiborg and other rabbit holes, becoming critically desperate to look a certain way. I don't mind a wonder cook advising how to cook the best Rajasthani Lal Mans, because the worst case scenario is even the street dogs will refuse your generous hospitality that day, but the guy who is peddling magic cure of diabetes or hypertension can wean you out of your physician's prescribed drugs and kill you!

 

Influencers can very easily indulge in disguised motivation for pitching a diet supplement or a real estate property or a stock and deprive you of both health and wealth. These fitfluencers and finfluencers if let loose on the society can create havoc and the government agencies must check their credentials and force them to undergo accreditation. They are not just a menace anymore, they are downright dangerous.

 

 

A positive impact

Genuine Social Media Influencers are individuals who have established credibility in a specific industry with access to a large audience and the power to persuade others to act based on their recommendations. They represent a new type of independent third-party endorser who shape audience attitudes through blogs, posts, tweets, and the use of other social media. I would be the first person to admit that Social media influencers are renowned for their quality and engaging content. Their positive impact is felt in areas such as mental health awareness, where they highlight its importance and offer people a platform to talk and vent their emotions. They also bring attention to the importance of sustainability, feminism, and animal welfare.

 

They have become incredibly popular in the last couple of years, and people have started looking up to them. Across categories such as fashion, tech, travel, food, or even parenting, they help people learn about the latest trends. They are also in a position to help people buy useful and effective products by posting authentic reviews and making smart choices. Moreover, influencers also support brands’ and small businesses’ grow by reaching out to a large audience, thus helping the country’s economy.

 

 

Who is a Social Media Influencer?

A Social Media Influencer may be anyone from a blogger to a celebrity to an online entrepreneur. Some of the top Social Media Influencers in India are celebrities such as Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Disha Patani, or sports personalities such Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni. Social Media Influencers may not necessarily be celebrities only. The list of Social Media Influencers also includes fashion bloggers such as Diipa Buller Khosla, Santoshi Shetty or food bloggers such as Richa Hingle, Saransh Goila or comedians such as Kanan Gill, Kenny Sebastian, etc. International Social Media Influencers who have a huge follower base include Hudda Kattan (make-up expert), Cameron Dallas (song reviews), Kylie Jenner (modelling), Cristiano Ronaldo (football star) etc.

 

 

Influencer marketing

This is the newest form of marketing, consists of companies or agencies reaching out to Social Media Influencers for their brand promotional purposes. Nowadays companies engage in such strategy by sending social media influencers products free-of-charge so that they can post reviews or share a photo, invite them to attend events where everything is taken care of by the company, or share a certain message with their audience. A travel blogger may be invited to a 5 star resort for a free on the house weekend in exchange of a good review. A food blogger may not only get a free dinner for two but an extra remuneration for a favourable review.

 

 

The darker side

People worship social media influencers, treat them as mega-celebrities, create fan pages for them, and even send them expensive gifts. This has risen to blind faith, which has its own challenges. The other issue is that it has created disparity among businesses. Brands with a big marketing budget are able to get their products promoted by collaborating with larger social media influencers. This makes it difficult for small businesses and start ups with low marketing budgets to beat the competition.

 

Some social media influencers are also often seen posting inauthentic reviews to get more brand deals and generate revenue. Their audience, in turn, purchases products on their recommendation, leading to unnecessary hoarding of products and immense competition among teenagers.

 

Lastly, a certain section of social media influencers promote a life of luxury and independence, dismissing the idea of working sincerely 9-5. Then, on the other extreme, some influencers promote constant hustle, how one needs to be productive all the time. This can negatively impact the minds of young people who have just started their careers, setting wrong precedents for them.

 

 

Legal standpoint

This statement made by the Single Judge of the Bombay High Court brought into the limelight the impact and responsibilities of Social Media Influencers “Social Media Influencers, whether their audience is significant or small, impact the lives of everybody who watches their content. They do have a responsibility to ensure what they are publishing is not harmful or offensive.” 

 

A statement by a Social Media Influencer about a certain product may be construed as defamatory/disparaging by the brand. Then, the first test is to separate statements of fact from opinions. Opinions cannot form the legal basis of a defamation or disparagement lawsuit. Any person can have an opinion about a product/service, and freedom of speech allows him/her to express the same. However, if he/she were to state that a particular product can harm the user, then they are stating a fact. To establish defamation, in such cases, the burden would be on the company/brand to establish that the Social Media Influencer whom they were suing acted with “actual malice” i.e. the person acted recklessly, with full knowledge that their statement was false and with utter disregard for the truth.

 

A Social Media Influencer should never promote something that they don’t support or lie about a product to generate sales for the brand. This may harm their image and their trustworthiness, which in turn can erode their fan base. They cannot make up claims about a product that would require proof the advertiser does not have – such as scientific proof that a product can treat a health condition.

 

The Social Media Influencer ecosystem is all set to change soon. The government is thinking of releasing guidelines to bring more transparency and help protect consumer interests. This would mean a similar set of regulations, if not the same, will be in place to put sponsored influencer and digital creator posts on Instagram on the same page as regular advertising on digital platforms. A step towards regulation of such Social Media Influencers would be to follow the footsteps of many nations and adopt guidelines similar to the guidelines in those countries.

 

 

The creator economy, which comprises social media influencers, content curators, bloggers, and bloggers, is almost a decade old. The pandemic expedited the rise of social media influencers. In 2022, there were over 50 million social media influencers. Over 500k professional individual creators on Instagram have over 100k followers each. These people are considered active influencers. The number is only going to increase in the coming years, which means social media influencers’ impact on society will also grow. So, beware of them.

Wednesday 28 February 2024

THE SECRET OF CHARISMA

 



Charisma is an individual's ability to attract and influence other people. It is derived from a Greek word and it means "favor freely given" or "gift of grace". It is a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others. If the person comes with a history of some outstanding achievements in life like Narayan Murthy, Sharmila Tagore, Sachin Tendulkar or Birju Maharaj, then he/she has already done the hard miles to achieve that charismatic halo, but for lesser mortals they have to strive to achieve it.

 

What makes people charismatic?

  1. They are empathetic. They have the ability to connect and form relationships. Their Emotional Quotient (EQ) is very high.  Positive and negative empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and genuinely feel what they are feeling — either good or bad. The charismatic guys are genuinely good at this
  2. They are humble. They don’t wave awards in people’s faces. They don’t name-drop for the sake of sounding important. They don’t toot their own horns. They don’t act like they’re above any person or situation. They behave normally as one of us.
  3. They are vulnerable. They don’t seek approval from others and have no desire to come off as a perfectionist.  They are not afraid of putting themselves out there to risk embarrassment or judgment because they realize that those who do appear as perfect may actually be less likable.
  4. They have a sense of humor. People who are enjoyable to be around genuinely have a great sense of humor. Plus, to tie back to our last point, humor is also connected to vulnerability.
  5. They are present. They give you complete attention and are not distracted by phone calls and messages. This builds connection and improves likability.
  6. They are genuinely interested in everyone. They have no pretentions. Charisma is not so much getting people to like you as getting people to like themselves when you’re around.
  7. They avoid social narcissism.  A narcissist only talks about himself. A charismatic person never wants to talk about their stories, their problems, their successes, their complaints, their family and their friends.
  8. They are generous and altruistic. Being generous and compassionate is a sign of someone who’s likeable. These guys don’t expect anything in return but will help you anyway if they can.
  9. They reciprocate praise (and take the blame). When they’re recognized for a success, they shift the praise toward everyone else. They give praise and empower people without expecting anything in return. Conversely, they will be the first person to say “Sorry, my fault, I screwed up” and not blame the team.


So charisma can be cultivated…..right!

People often confuse charisma with physical attributes – beauty, tall, dark, handsome but truly all that and much more of that cannot make a person charismatic. This is not a mysterious quality that one either has or doesn't have. The skills of charismatic people can be learned and cultivated. It is not about how you look, but about how you make others feel about themselves.


The great American poet Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Your choice of words creates a brief impression that can lead to a long-lasting impression, long after the particulars have been forgotten. This is why the world’s most charismatic people tend to use the same phrases over and over again. Think about the power of these words. Consciously add them to your daily speech, and watch positive effects roll in.

Tell Me More

Have you come across somebody who held onto information like it was a scarce commodity? It can be annoying and frustrating trying to find out what’s going on with something that could affect your future. Those who share good information in this kind of situation, not rumors or bluster, become some of the most-liked people around.

Most of us like to talk about ourselves, but we also enjoy hearing that the things we’re contributing to are considered valuable and important. Therefore, you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to show that you’re listening to others, and that you appreciate their points of view. You can do this by explicitly asking them to share more than they already have.

People want to believe that their opinions matter, and that they can have an impact on the world around them. Therefore, if you become known as someone who legitimately wants to hear the opinions of others, you’re charisma will quickly increase.


What Can I Do to Help?

Insightful people know that nobody really does anything amazing without help from somebody else. Therefore, we’re all naturally wired to be grateful to people who offer legitimate help as we try to pursue our life goals. If you possess information, skills, or insights that’ll help others achieve their goals, others will appreciate you for offering them.


Please/Thank You

Manners cost absolutely nothing, but having them can pay big dividends. You can help yourself stand out from the crowd by remembering your manners and treating others as respected individuals. If you have starry airs……there goes your charisma! You give someone respect, you’ll get their respect back, often manifolds.


Let Me Find Out For You

Using this phrase shows that you’re willing to go out of your way in order to help somebody. If people know that you’ll do your utmost to help them, they’ll be drawn to you. As a surgeon and as an educator we are often asked questions for which we do not have ready answers or recent advances. The best response then is not brushing aside or bluffing but admitting ignorance and promising to get back.


I’d Like You to Meet…

Introduce people to each other, and become a connector. By giving your credibility and time, you will automatically make people grateful. If this connection turns out to be a positive one, they will always remember that it was you who made it happen. If it is recommending a junior colleague for specialized training under an expert, or introducing a friend to a government authority, these connections can transform their lives and one should never miss these opportunities.


I Believe You Can

We all face moments of self-doubt in life. Sometimes all it takes to overcome them is to hear that somebody else doesn’t doubt us. To add to this, people will always remember that you were the one who thought they could achieve their goals. In an educator and a team leader this is a cardinal quality. Words are very powerful, they can tear you down or build you up and so a charismatic leader always has words of encouragement.


I Think You Can Do a Lot Better

This phrase is very interesting. It’s criticism, but it’s criticism rooted in faith. Sure, you’re telling somebody that they have fallen short, but you’re also indicating to them that you have confidence in their ability to achieve more. This was Captain Saurav Ganguli’s pet phrase for Yuvraj and Sahwag and see what it did to them. A charismatic team leader identifies his/her match winners and then shepherds them towards excellence.


Let Me Be Up Front with You

Setting expectations, refusing to waste another person’s time, and being honest are all qualities of a charismatic leader. This simple phrase suggests the other person is not going to like what you’re about to tell them. However, it can achieve positive reactions because it at least shows that you want to treat the person with respect. Sometimes things don’t work as we had expected and a course correction involves some difficult conversation. This need not be unpleasant, disagree but without being disagreeable.


Charisma is the quality of being able to attract charm and influence those around them. It is that X factor which is hard to define but easy to appreciate. They are someone who has a presence in a room, has the ability to influence people, knows how to lead a group, makes people feel comfortable, smiles at people often, can get along with anyone and is ready to help selflessly.

.


Thursday 22 February 2024

THE DEATH OF ELECTORAL BONDS

 


 

Electoral bonds were interest-free bearer instruments that were essentially used to donate money anonymously to political parties. Introduced in 2018, they were issued by the State Bank of India (SBI) and are sold in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh (1 million), and Rs 1 crore (10 million). Since the introduction of the scheme, around 674,250 electoral bonds worth Rs 28,531.5 crore have been printed by the India Security Press, Nashik, between 2019 and 2022.

 

The Supreme Court's unanimous judgment declaring electoral bonds unconstitutional is hardly surprising. The voter has a right to know from where the political parties are getting their money to fight elections and how are they spending it. Though a brain child of the very learned and honest past finance minister Sri Arun Jetley, with the sole intention of protecting the identity of the corporate donors so that they could not be harassed and victimized by parties they did not contribute towards, he and the BJP messed up big time on this one. In 2017 four separate legislations were amended to create electoral bonds and both the Election Commission of India (EC) and the Reserve Bank of India were distinctly uncomfortable with this because the lack of transparency and distinct possibility of money laundering. 

 

History of Election Financing

The issue of corporates donating to political parties was discussed in Parliament way back in 1959 and though the ills of this option on both sides - government coercing the corporates to pay and corporates bribing the government to act in their favour, were discussed, a bill to this effect was passed in 1960. But nine years later in 1969 the government banned these donations for the very same reasons, which they chose to overlook in 1960! Thereafter financing of elections became really murky with cash filled suitcases, black money, drug money and hawala money all finding way to finance elections.

 

While the intention behind the electoral bonds was to solve this earlier problem of massive amount of cash and black money used to finance elections which resulted in politicians becoming the public face of the underworld and the corrupt, what it achieved was far from ideal. By keeping the information on donors secret it did not allow voters to deduce any quid pro quo between donations and policies of parties in power. Electoral bonds thus could succeed in creating a clique of corporate king makers who could unduly influence policy making. Thus they had the potential of surrendering the power of decision making to corporate donors, who then could manipulate the economy.

 

Bonds protected the political affiliation of the corporate

While information about the donor Corporeity’s political affiliation was protected by right to privacy, the question that was bothering us was that can this lack of transparency be allowed to infringe upon the voter's right to information? The donor corporate knows that they have paid for a particular party, the government through its State Bank of India knows which Corporate is paying how much to which party but the voter knows nothing about these transactions! The right to information of the citizen to the identity of donor may tell them if the Corporate is being unduly preferred and that in turn may affect their choice of voting.

 

These Electoral Bonds were not squeaky clean

This seemingly innocuous amendment to the Representation of the People Act of 1951 took away the element of probity, rectitude, transparency and independence from our elections. There are many more problems with these bonds because of this lack of transparency. The person purchasing these bonds could be funded directly or indirectly by other entities - from home or from overseas. Once purchased, these bonds could be traded, again secretly in anonymity. So trails of source of political funding could get real murky particularly with no less than 2,597 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPP) in India which can act as conduits for untraceable donations.

 

Once the political party encashed these electoral bonds, they need not use the money only for election purposes. How fair is that? When we have legal provisions limiting election expenditure why should there be no cap on receiving funding through these bonds?  What will this money be used if not for fighting elections? Will it be used for pre election buying vote for cash? Will it be used for post election horse trading?

 

The Supreme Court described the scheme as “unconstitutional”. It also directed the state-run State Bank of India (SBI) to halt issuing the bonds, furnish identity details of those who bought them, and provide information about bonds redeemed by each political party. The information will be made public on the website of the Election Commission of India. The SBI is the only organization authorized to issue the bonds under the scheme.

 

It is already known that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has received 1,294.14 crore (12,941.4 million) through electoral bonds in 2022-23, which was nearly 54% of its total income during the year, and seven times higher than that of its main rival, the Congress party which received only 171.02 crores (1,710.2 million) . In the last general election the victory of the ruling NDA has been of such landslide nature that these bonds may not have changed the results, but why should even an iota of opacity remain in the election funding process?

 

While I would be the first to admit that transparency alone cannot ensure free and fair elections it can surely dismiss ant linkages between donations and policy favours. But I dare say that this same transparency will perhaps not be able to protect corporates who fund parties that are not in power. Political vendetta against such corporates is already amply evident in the U.S where Donald Trump is threatening donors who are helping Nikki Haley. It won't take long to reach our shores and government agencies could start hounding corporates financing opposition parties.

 

 

Are we taking a wrong step backwards?

The demise of the electoral bonds may turn out to be a 'bad' decision if now political parties move to the old system, which allowed cash donations and the source of money was not known. Hawala operators, smugglers, extortionists all were all poll financers once upon a time in not so distant past and this decision can send the elections back in their laps. How will this practice of ‘suitcases of illicit cash’ bring transparency, which the Supreme Court feels is necessary? Did voters know who gave money earlier? And how do we know that this illicit cash is not drug money or illicit arms money. So have we once again opened to doors to both black money and red money in our elections? Jag Suraiya rightly wonders if the flip side of ‘crony capitalism’ is ‘pally politicization’!

 

An alternate method of funding elections

In one election cycle of 5 years, one Lok Sabha and around 30 Vidhan Sabha polls, total of 85,000-90,000 crore or 850 to 900 billion(estimate) is spent. We need to find a safe and transparent way of arranging this money. Instead of paying by electoral bonds to a particular party corporate can fund a common election fund, which then can be distributed among political parties depending upon their vote percentage. Donations could be given to political parties through cheques or electronic transfers (Section 80GGC Income Tax exemption), sale of coupons, crowd-funding and corporate donations. Alternatively, the government can budget for this amount by assigning a percentage of taxes collected for this fund. Electoral spending should be closely scrutinized and defaulters disqualified from the electoral process for a five year term. Political parties should develop a living database of political donations which should be available on their website for inspection by the EC as well as the public. The U.S does it and we can too.

 

The running budget for the EC is only . 300 crore (30 million), not enough to conduct elections and combat state interference and political pressures. More money will bring more autonomy. Like the Supreme Court, the CAG and the UPSC the E.C's expenditure should be changed to the consolidated fund of India. This will make the E.C more powerful and our elections more representative.

 

The battle ahead

Two issues that bother a very unfortunate minority of our country, the tax payers, needs urgent attention of the courts. Political parties should be designated as public authorities under RTI Act and politicians should be held accountable for squandering tax-payers' money. Freebies, free power, loan waivers and MSP for all crops irrespective of their quality and our need are all examples of government misuse of the most productive minority's resources and trust. When will the Supreme Court legislate on these maladies?

 

Exorbitant election expenditure prohibits qualified and meritorious candidates from fighting elections. Candidates in parliamentary elections can today spend up to 95 lacs (9.5 million) in large states and 75 lacs (7.5 million) in smaller states and Union Territories and the parties invariably end up spending many times more and lying to the Election Commission. These individuals and their political parties should have their election cancelled and they must be forced to go for a repeat and fairer election.  

Thursday 15 February 2024

PARIS ON A SHOE STRING

 


Paris is expensive. Just like any other Western European capital city London, Berlin, Bern, Copenhagen, and Stockholm you need to spend a lot of money to see what Paris and these beautiful cities have to offer. And if you plan to do it in a tourist bus with a guide you will only substantiate this belief. You cannot appreciate a city from the window of a moving bus, you have to walk on the roads, brush shoulder with the locals, smell the aroma of the eateries, admire the always happening sidewalks, taste the street food and listen to the buskers in the traffic intersections to appreciate the city and that too at a slash down price.


Have you noticed a stark difference between these cities and the cities which you far more frequently visit in India – Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi? There is something for everybody in these cities. They invariably suit every pocket. So, what makes you think that these Western European capitals don’t?  They also do and I realized very early in my life while staying in Australia. Cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, and Hobart all have pleasures and attractions that suit every pocket. From a 5 star hotel to a youth hostel and from a Michelin restaurant to a roadside café all you have to do is make a choice and never complain. The city attractions too are there for everyone and all you need is a little knowledge about the happenings of the city.


Paris is one of my most favourite cities. I have dedicated two blogs to the walking tour of this city and if you have not yet read them please click the following hyperlinks:

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2020/10/bonjour-parisarmchair-travel.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2020/10/bonjour-parisarmchair-travel-day-2.html

 

If you read my blogs you will realize that you don’t have to empty your wallet to absorb culture, admire monuments, or relax in Paris. Some of the city’s most enjoyable experiences won’t cost a cent and if you buy a Paris Pass many more attractions are free.

Views

You’ll pay €28.30 for a view from the Eiffel Tower, but the marvelous view of the Eiffel Tower itself from Palais de Chaillot is available to anyone. You can get a similar bird’s eye outlook over Paris for €7 from the dome of Sacre-Coeur basilica. However, take yourself to the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette department store on Boulevard Haussmann and you’ll save all your Paris panorama money for shopping.

 

Monuments

Occasional days are entry-free at top sights, typically on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December, so check websites. At the Arc de Triomphe you’ll save €13, while at the Pantheon (where famous French figures are interred) and Sainte-Chapelle (noted for its stained glass) you’ll save €11.50. The Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned, is free on the same days (except December) for another saving of €11.50.

The Notre Dame Cathedral


The Notre Dame Cathedral is being renovated after the accidental fire in in April 2019. It is a stunning gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité with huge stained glass windows, 10 large bells (check out the most famous, Emmanuel) and two tall towers. Set on the bank of the Seine it’s a perfect location if you’re looking to save some pennies and just take in the sights of Paris.

 

Scenic spots

You don’t have to cough up for lovely architecture or great vistas. Two top squares are beautiful 17th-century Place des Vosges and hidden gem Place Dauphine, where you can kick back on a bench and admire glorious surrounding buildings. Ponts des Arts, a pedestrian bridge over the Seine, has unbeatable views of monumental Paris including Notre-Dame and, as a bonus, you might be serenaded by students strumming guitars on the footpath.

 

Cemeteries

Trust me, they are worth your time. The French capital’s largest and most prestigious cemetery is Pere Lachaise, where you get an eye-catching selection of funerary art in a leafy, park-like setting, and can pay your respects to eternally slumbering luminaries such as Chopin, Balzac, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison. Pick up a map in English at the entrance. Meanwhile Alexandre Dumas, Edgar Degas and actress Jeanne Moreau are among the dead famous at Montmartre Cemetery, which has garden-like prettiness.

Pere Lachaise

 

Museums

You’ll pay €17 for the Louvre, although entry is free on the first Friday evening of each month. Musee d’Orsay is €16 and free on the first Sunday of the month. But municipal museums are always free, such as the Museum of Fine Arts (mediaeval, Renaissance and 19th-century paintings) and Museum of Modern Art (20th-century works). Other excellent free museums are Musee Carnavalet for Paris history, Musee Cernuschi for Asian art, and Musee Cognacq for fine and decorative arts.

 

Walks

It only costs shoe sole to see Paris at its best. The walks that I mentioned in my two previous blogs (hyperlink posted above) were guided but still very economical. Seine River promenades, which have supplied a romantic background for artists and movie-makers, are wonderful, and you can cross a dozen bridges for more great vistas. Less well-known is Canal Saint-Martin in a district trendy with bars and street markets. Former elevated railway viaduct turned 4.7-kilometre Promenade Plantee and former sunken railway line turned 23-kilometre Petit Ceinture park are also worth strolling.

Seine River promenade


Music

Many of Paris’ churches have free regular organ recitals, choral music and concerts, such as every Sunday at Saint-Eustache Church, a 12-minute walk from the Louvre. Oratoire du Louvre and Saint-Roch Church are also conveniently located in the 1st arrondissement. Various music conservatories have regular classical-music events, as do town halls. For rock and pop, try La Bellevilloise in Menilmontant district. Summer sees many festivals which, although mostly ticketed, also provide some free events.

 

Window shopping

If you can keep your wallet closed then window shopping (or window licking, as the French call it) provides displays of contemporary French fashion and food. Among great covered passageways are Galerie Vivienne, Galerie Vero-Dodat and Passage Verdeau. Top streets include Rue du Commerce, Rue Bonaparte, uber-chic Rue Saint-Honore, Boulevard Haussmann and long Rue de Rivoli, whose eastern end is best. Top markets are the Flower Market and the enormous Saint-Ouen Flea Market, which has everything from vintage clothing to antiques.

Galerie Vivienne


Real shopping

Forget the Champs Elysees for your holiday outfit, indulge in Paris’ second hand scene and riffle through vintage boutiques that supply some of the most best-dressed in Paris. Bric-à-Brac Riquet is one of the most popular shops for vintage fans. Set up originally by an anti-poverty charity, run by unemployed people, now this Saturday market is a honey pot for those in need of a bargain or statement piece. 


Parks and gardens

Parks aren’t second-best free options but major sights. Hit the Luxembourg Gardens for glorious flowerbeds, statuary, rose gardens and an orangery. The historic Tuileries has a formal French layout and statues by 19th-century sculptor Auguste Rodin. Also providing a sense of history is Jardin des Plantes, founded as a royal herb garden and now France’s largest botanical garden. Not-so-well-known Parc de la Villette has free open-air movies in summer, screened in their original language.

 

Micro-districts

While Paris is divided into arrondissements, within those you can find tiny districts filled with little surprises away from beaten tourist trails. Picturesque Butte Bergeyre has attractive art deco villas, a vineyard and hilltop views towards Sacre-Coeur Basilica. Leandre has a bizarrely 1920s English atmosphere, and Butte Aux Cailles the feel of a cobbled village. The latter has its own micro-district, Cite Florale, where wisteria climbs the walls, balconies cascade geraniums, and gardens blossom with flowers. You can hire a car and drive, if you are confident of driving on the right side of the road in a car which has steering wheel on the left side!

Butte Bergeyre 

 

I will advise you to visit these two websites parisjetaime.com, and paris.fr before you plan a trip to Paris. Take a good pair of walking shoes and if you are going off season then insulate yourself adequately. From evening entertainment to retail therapy, there’s plenty to do on a shoestring budget. That’s not including the savings you can make with a Paris Pass too; so combined... the possibilities are endless. Paris is beautiful at any time of the year and whether it rains, shines or snows.