Idling under the Neem Tree

  By  Malini Shankar Digital Discourse Foundation In every society there is crime. Crimes differ in definition and nature of crime, but they occur nevertheless. The could be petty crime of stealing some garden implements or debris in the backyard; it could be breaking in to private property to steal contraptions like taps, or TV remote control devices, cellphone chargers pressure cookers / vessels …. Just anything they can get their hands on. Then there are crimes related to drug peddling and drug syndicates; sexual crimes like rape and molestation; child sexual abuse, or same sex sexual violence. Trafficking in women, children, destitute… Then there is poaching n smuggling of forest produce…protected and endangered fauna, and flora. Sociologists aver that only those who were abused themselves wreck revenge in adult life. Or those who were deprived of what they were deprived of in their growing years seek satisfaction in possessing what they are stealing. These kin...

  Designated areas for markets, shopping centres, Malls, buying and selling consumables and commerce   By Malini Shankar Digital Discourse Foundation By all accounts planning is critical for Smart City Governance. Planning provides for spaces to be designated for Central Business District – including shopping malls, markets, artisanal wares, perishables like milk, fish, vegetables, fruits, green leafy vegetables, educational and research institutions health care infrastructure and so on. Areas can then be centrally air-conditioned complementing essential, minimalist planned architectural provisions for natural air circulation, cross ventilation etc. In another designated area we can have wired back end server space, bandwidth for telecom products, electronic technology. Sensitive electronic wares also need air-conditioning – but it has to be climate change adapted and must sequester Carbon with a Green footprint. Furniture focussed outlets in another sprawling arena ...

                                Avenues trees and urban aviaries.   By Malini Shankar Digital Discourse Foundation Urban tree growth is of such critical significance today! Green belts need to be a factor in Climate Change Adaptation / mitigation by civic administration. Urban avenue trees or green lung spaces sequester Carbon emissions from the automobile and industrial landscapes. Each adult tree not just sequesters Carbon emissions, but also provides all our needs to breathe oxygen! That apart trees provide habitat for urban wildlife like birds, squirrels, reptiles and insects. Water features and geological formations like rocks or Sulphur springs and to the botanical wealth of an area. Urban lung spaces like botanical gardens are difficult to factor in for the Administration given the enormous demand on land as a resource for human development – schools, universities, resear...

  How to deal with corruption? By Malini Shankar Digital Discourse Foundation We often encounter situations in India when our work, our life depends on getting a service from the State. People in India and many other countries like Japan, Koreas, Israel face cooperation from state agencies for want of a bribe. Bribery and corruption have spread across different strata of society including legislators and the not for profit and education sectors too. But I refuse to bribe even if it means delay or loss of income for me. I have been chided by family and relatives for this uncompromising ethical snobbery and have been derided for being foolish. I mean isn’t it sad when educated erudite people occupying the top echelons of social status stoop low to bribe to get one’s work done? In today’s blog I deal with a personal perspective of beating corruption. Since my tolerance to corruption / bribery and speed money is zero, the option does not exist for me. And I am very happy to say...