Wednesday 24 September 2014

Blowing the cover of whistle blowers will harm democracy









Blowing the cover of whistleblowers will harm democracy

By C S Krishnamurthy, Sep 25, 2014 :


The recent suggestion of the Supreme Court asking the Centre for Public Litigation to reveal the identity of the source that provided the visitors' diary at the residence of CBI director Ranjit Sinha dilutes the purpose of The Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 enacted last year.

The recent suggestion of the Supreme Court asking the Centre for Public Litigation to reveal the identity of the source that provided the visitors’ diary at the residence of CBI director Ranjit Sinha dilutes the purpose of The Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 enacted last year. 


While anti-corruption activists campaigned long for its enactment, the government passed a resolution in 2004 under which the Central Vigilance Commission was empowered to protect the whistleblowers. As sources of information, whistleblowers often face serious consequences if their role is disclosed either through legal process or more commonly through internal investigations, which include termination or detriment in their jobs, prosecution under civil/criminal laws or even threats to their safety. 


A growing number of countries have adopted whistleblower protection laws. The right to protection of sources is well recognised in international law, more specifically by the United Nations, and it is an integral part of freedom of expression. The UN Commission for Human Rights resolution in 2005 stated that it was “stressing need to ensure greater protection...for journalistic sources”. The ‘sources’ may have data valuable to the public discourse, yet each may be willing to share only in confidence to whom s/he trusts, either due to excessive caution or fear of reprisals.

Journalists have defied court orders and have been jailed, rather than compromise their ethical duty. It is nothing new that government officials attempted to get journalists reveal their sources by obtaining subpoenas and compelling testimony. While every social communicator has the right to keep his/her source confidential, the fundamental free expression philosophy is that source protection is basic condition for press freedom in democratic society, else the vital watchdog role would be neutered and the public receive less information of news value. 


There is a symbiotic relationship between whistleblowers and journalists. Strong legal rights for whistleblowers enhance journalists’ ability to gather information by strengthening rights of anonymity, while sources will also be more willing to speak more publicly if they believe they are protected. Nevertheless, these legal and ethical protections are challenged in many jurisdictions by police, lawyers and judges who demand that journalists provide information to assist in investigations and proceedings. 


These disclosures are often the means for news feed. The quintessential case on protection of sources is the famous US Watergate affair, where the reporters exposed the abuses of power of US President Richard Nixon and his staff which led to his resignation and imprisonment of many officials. The most significant consequence of forcing to disclose the source is the effect it will have on the ability to obtain information. The sources will not trust them, as journalists’ reputation will be changed from that of an independent gatherer of information into that of an arm of authorities-that-be. Unfairness would go unremedied and misdeeds in the corridors of power – corporate or in government divisions – would never be known.


The potential source would choose between risking exposure by giving information or avoiding risk by remaining tight-lipped, while another facet is whether the regulations on protection of sources are a right or duty for the journalists. In Sweden, for instance, the law on freedom of press, a part of the Constitution, makes it a criminal offence for the journalists to disclose a confidential source. 


Battling dilemmas


The tension between protecting their sources and being able to defend their stories create basic dilemma for journalists, and they must often choose to either follow their ethical obligations or defend themselves from unjust law suits. The law that is meant to protect the whistleblowers, who reveal misdeeds, is supposed to keep truth-tellers from being punished for having spoken up. Libel and defamation laws can also be triggered to threaten to deter whistleblowers from making disclosures. 


Though whistleblowers tend to be viewed by their co-workers as traitors, when however conducted in a fair manner could save their organisations from an unfortunate predicament. When you suspect that your employer is skirting safety or environmental rules, cheating on taxes, violating government contracts, committing financial fraud or breaking the law, and if the boss is a crook, speaking up is never easy. 


While its time that those who harm or threaten to harm the interests of the whistleblowers faced sanctions, the media and NGOs should dish out a ‘how-to’ guide for whistleblowers to ‘blow’ right, which is vital for a country like India, given the backdrop of massive corruption, waste, fraud and abuse. In a world where corporate corruption is rampant and taxpayers are often left with enormous bills as a result, understanding and protection of ethical corporate whistle blowing should be an even more important education and policy issue. Though it is hard to manage subject matter, it gives a good sense of how invaluable whistleblowers are to the fundamental underpinnings of democracy itself. 


Common man too often find his life and career turned topsy-turvy because he is honest enough to “commit the truth” after witnessing corruption in high levels. They are on last line of defence when those in power decide the rules need not apply to them. From threats to our food supply to 2G to 3G to healthcare fraud to corrupt politicians ....whistleblowers are the source of our learning. Though statistics are not available, their effort to report crimes, fraud and dangers to public health and safety have saved hundreds of lives and property. 


Whistleblowers, also known as, persons of conscience, are the people who alert the public of an impending disaster, substandard healthcare, unfair elections, banks going to meltdown.... Think of a world where Enron had been prevented, where FBI stopped 9/11, where the Challenger had not blown up... Prevention saves trillions. Few whistleblowers succeed in effecting change, fewer regarded as heroes or martyrs.

(The writer is a former banker and social researcher)

Thursday 11 September 2014

Visit to Human Brain Museum, a memorable experience


“Don’t you have brains?” “Use your brain before you talk”.  We have been frequented many times by such comments.  How does it feel when you hold the real human brain on your palm?  That’s precisely what you would experience when you visit the brain museum.

India’s only museum of its kind, dedicated to the “grey matter” - the Human Brain Museum, is located in the sprawling premises of National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans), Bangalore.  The museum showcases about 600 samples, brains acquired after the death of donors with the permission of family relatives,  for the cause of scientific research.


What is there inside the head, let’s take a look outside, too

When you enter the museum hall, you wonder that those “objects” displayed were once living and thinking, and currently become a subject for thinking. Whatever we think and do is directed by the brain, but how it operates is an unresolved mystery.  It is at this point Dr. S.K. Shankar, the  Head of Department of Neuropathology, Nimhans, comes to our rescue.  Even before you walk along the display where you would notice some samples marked with diseases, Dr. Shankar was all excitement to help us hold a real human brain in our hands and pose for the image, which can be cherished as a souvenir.    Simply point to the specimen, and Dr. Shankar is only too happy to share his insights.  Each brain has a story to share, be it tragic or fascinating. 

A sample shows how the brain was affected by head-injury, due to the person not wearing the helmet.  This would spread awareness about using helmets and seatbelts. While he explained the parts of the brain that affects memory, emotion, dreams …, he also warned how the habit of cleaning of one’s ears with pencil/long sharp object can produce boil in  the brain which is capable of killing a person.  An unhygienic swim can cause dangerous bacteria entering your brain through nose, which can ultimately damage vital parts of the central nervous system.   Another infected brain related to the tapeworm eggs found in coriander and raw vegetables  was depicted by small holes all around.  “This does not mean that you should not swim or eat chaat, but only ensure the pool is clean and the coriander is washed”, a reassuring Dr. Shankar said.

Specimens of brains infected due to various diseases like tuberculosis, meningitis, dementia, Alzhemeir’s, brain tumour ….had their own details. Though “schizophrenia” is a mental disorder often characterized by abnormal behavior pattern, the sample looked like a normal brain showing no external manifestation.

Brains apart, a selection of heart, kidneys, livers, intestines,  were also on display.  Brain specimen of rat, cat, duck and monkey also added to the variety.  About animal brains, Dr. Shankar says they too have emotions as humans, but the number of neurons and connections vary.  While a human adult has 8.6 b neurons, rats have 200 m and monkeys have 6,000. Monkey brain, curiously, looks similar to human brain, but has different interior connections.

Dr. Shankar not only educates about the complexities of the brain, but also relates that many of these conditions are preventable through early diagnosis.  The narration of how different organs are connected to the brains sans overlapping is not only amazing, but makes us regret how we abuse our body.

Dr. Shankar’s sparkles during the chat
  • The standard adult brain weighs between 1.2 kg and 1.4 kg and weight has nothing to do with intelligence.  Intelligence is nothing but capacity to solve a problem.
  • Everyone in the world uses brain. Gender has nothing to do with the brain.   The brain never relaxes, and active from birth to death.  If the brain is silent, the person is dead.  Brain can be active without blood only for 15 seconds.  Brain never feels the pain, but only interprets pain.
  • All animals see only in black and white.  Dogs face severe ear pain when crackers are burst.
  • All our lungs are black in colour, thanks to pollution/smoke.
  • There is tremendous amount of competition between twins in the mother’s womb.  One steals more food from the other, and one kicks the other, because of which the psychological development of the twin-babies are not the same. 
  • Cancer doesn’t have permanent cure.
  • If the mobile is hot, switch it off.
  • Brain transplant is not a possibility, as there are billions of neuron connections.  Even if one connection goes wrong, it would be a major catastrophe.  Japan, however, continues its research work on some animals.
  • Gossip helps to stimulate the brain.
  • Grand parents should tell stories to grand-children, as it helps the former to "recall" the nitty-gritties of the story.
  • Omega-3 rich food – fish, almond, walnuts are recommended in the daily intake.


Thank you, Doctor

Dr. S.K. Shankar, the brain behind the Human Brain Museum, Bangalore

The interaction with Dr. Shankar reflected his unflinching passion for spreading the knowledge and intending to achieve social goal, his academic excitement intact.  The diverse collection of samples is a clear evidence to show scientists are convincing to encourage people to donate their brains for research purposes. I am grateful to  Dr. Shankar for taking us through the  stimulating brain journey.

Also, my thanks to Mr. R.G. Subramanyam and Mr. Surendar for arranging the appointment and extending transportation courtesy, respectively.



Thursday 4 September 2014

Happy Teachers' Day, Sir




In conjunction with Teacher’s Day, I dedicate this post to Mr. Narasimhan a.k.a Narasimha ”Vaadhiyar” of our primary School in Chennai. “Vaadhiyar” in Tamil is synonym for teacher. 

Rewind 1966/67, I don’t precisely remember the year.  I was in  the Fourth standard.  The morning school assembly was on.  Narasimha "Vaadhiyar" (NV), the powerful  “Sir”, more a terror,  always conducted the assembly.  Students and teachers were terrified of him, as he used  to mercilessly cane and won't spare even the tender children. I don't remember even parents  making any fuss about it.   Of course, there was a Headmistress, a holy cow. NV was making various announcements about exams and holidays.

Finally, as is the daily ritual, the students and teachers sang the National Anthem.  In the process, I was "humming" the musical version of the Anthem, without lyrics.  Our class teacher curiously observed it and dutifully reported to NV after the assembly, which I was not aware of. (By the way, “Teacher” then was a reference to feminine gender and “Sir” to the masculine counterpart).  After the National  Anthem was over, we moved in line towards our respective classrooms. 

The next day: the assembly, as usual started.  Announcements were made.  Before the National Anthem was sung, to my utter disbelief (and to the joy of many other students and teachers), NV throated a sarcastic reference about me, in his customary high-decibel pitch.  I thought for a moment that he was showering good words about me, which added to my confusion.  Finally, slowly but surely, he exploded that  I made “fun” of the National Anthem the previous day by singing the “musical version” sans lyrics.  True, I hummed but never in the least meant to make “fun”,  as screamed by the NV. And I was lifted aloft by him as if he held the “World Cup” in his hands, taken around the assembly arena twice to make sure that everybody gave a scornful look at me, and ensured I was sufficiently embarrassed. 

Aged nine then, even had I explained my position, I would have only been thrashed, probably for back-answering.  And I was never naughty, least of all at School (I know some of you finding it hard to digest it).  When I give a nostalgic rewind, apart from discarding the NV’s understanding of the whole issue as ignorance, I wish to know:  Is it wrong to play the National Anthem in musical version?  It is pleasant to hear the Anthem even on Guitar.  Is vocal rendition mandatory?  Playing of the National Anthem by way of musical instrument is not an offence.  The Indian Armed Forces Band have performed the Anthem in official musical version. 

All said and done, you are my teacher, nay, Sir. Teachers are role-models. I believe so.  To be so, it is a huge responsibility  There are no doctors, engineers, architects ...... without teachers. There is more to teaching than just impart the lessons of the curriculum, and the gap between a teacher and an educator is really, really massive.  We can't do away without teachers.  The best way to test is abolish education and see what happens in the next 10 years. 

"The mediocre teacher tells.  The good teacher explains.  The superior teacher demonstrates.  The great teacher inspires". - William Arthur Ward, Author

Happy Teacher’s Day, Sir, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh26zOjIh9I