Food For Thought 1.0

Will the Abolishment of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes help curb black money in India? (For the topic)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation was a surprise, but the prevalence of counterfeit currency notes in India is not. Neither is thousands of crores stashed as black money. This move is very bold and decisive, which will tremendously impact the circulation of counterfeit notes in our economy. More importantly, the money stashed in the black economy will become redundant, thereby sealing the cavity through which billions of dollars were being siphoned off.

Although arguments persist that persons hoarding black money do not necessarily do so in the form of liquid cash, it has to be acknowledged that even in a corrupt system like ours, it is not very simple to convert ‘black’ money to ‘white’. This process becomes more difficult when the hoards of liquid cash suddenly become redundant, making it illegal tender.

The move announced by the Prime Minister targets another group of criminals- counterfeiters. The prevalence of counterfeit or ‘fake’ notes in our economy is mind boggling. Foreign interests that are inherently against Indian economic growth and development seek to use this mechanism to cause havoc in the Indian economy. Estimates suggest that for every 10 lakh notes, 250 are counterfeit. David Headely, the criminal behind the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai used counterfeit notes to procure weapons and carry out attacks on India. With the introduction of new series of notes, that too abruptly, will have a great positive impact on the counterfeit market. The fake notes already in circulation are, again, redundant.

Many arguments also point out to the stash of black money overseas, especially in Swiss Banks. After the steps announced by Mr. Modi, the conversion of Indian money into a foreign currency, so as to make it legal will also become complicated, if not impossible. Round-tripping of black money is another issue. Round-tripping refers to the process by which black money stashed abroad is disguised as foreign capital and sent back to India. This process will become difficult as the conversion of Indian currency overseas, mostly stashed as 500/ 1000 rupees notes will no longer be valid.

Finally, to make this move more effective, the parliament must pass legislations that will impose harsher penalties on persons hoarding black money. The concessions given to defaulters must be stopped immediately and the black money hoarded by them should be fully seized.

Following the above arguments, it can be concluded that this move will help curb black money in India and prevent counterfeiting. 

Game Of Words : View Vs Counter View 1.6

GENDER EQUALITY

Names: Munna Joshy 

Class: 1 BBA ‘A’

VIEW: Gender is the natural orientation that nature has provided mankind with it enables the continued existence of mankind and the preservation of our society in a civilized manner. Our very evolution has been dependent on it for centuries. If the women didn’t stay in the caves and if the men didn’t go out and gather food, the homosapiens would have disappeared and the world would be dominated by another species.

The argument that such roles don’t exist are to a certain extent futile and can be looked at as a phase of the modern era brought about largely due to the two world wars, when the world was at war and the women were called upon (especially in the USA) to become the workforce of the world. As the United States turned into the dominant power on earth, the rest of the world turned into mere US imitators of the trend spread all around the world. What can be understood from the above is that the erosion in the norms of differentiation among the genders is a relatively young phenomenon that is at the most a couple hundred years old. The world did exist till then without any major issues.

One of the most developed countries in the world Japan now suffers due to the fact that they eliminated gender roles from their society in the pursuit of economic benefits. The emotional factors that enrich life and society are all but completely alien to the people of that country and what is the result; a population that has a high standard of living but no life in it.

Thousands of years of history cannot be erased just because it is convenient to do so. The one fact that people all over the world forget when they talk about gender equality and how gender roles is a part of it is the casualties that occur along the way. When women decide to leave their homes and pursue their careers the children of today are being denied a complete childhood, deprived of the love and attention that is due to them.

Name: Romano Jose Jojo

Class: 1 BBA ‘A’

COUNTERVIEW: Just how different are man and woman? Everyone acknowledges that there are significant differences between male and female, even if they are only physical. Others see not only the physical but also the social, emotional, and intellectual differences between them. In early American culture it was common for a woman’s job to be a submissive homemaker in clear contrast to the men’s breadwinner role. The seventies marked the beginning of the Woman’s Movement and the end of the ideals we held on what it is to be a “man” and what it is to be a “woman”. Women are no longer like the stereotypical homemaker, always offering a hot meal for her family. No one disputes that the Woman’s Movement began but there is a disagreement on whether or not it should come to an end. 

 One of the Woman’s Movements primary goal was to invalidate gender roles in the sense that woman were secondary to men. The fact that gender roles exist is indisputable. Gender roles influence woman and men in virtually every area of the life including family and occupation. Early into childhood girls and boys are treated differently in their in families, schools and other institutions. Boys are played in a tough manner and told to “tough it out” when they get hurt. Girls are thought to be more passive and expressive in their feelings. Whether these gender roles are fair or not this is where the argument begins. Does the fact that we are treated differently because based on our sex prevent us from reaching equality are we treated differently because we are different in nature? The outdated, sexist gender roles that dehumanize woman are extinct; the ones that presently exist are the ones that are true.    

Gender equality must be embraced if we are to evolve culture and ourselves. It is not just a nice idea about a few women who can open their own doors. It is about Cultural Revolution. Imagine the possibilities in that- and how many people will begin to show up once this someday, some way, becomes the norm?

Game Of Words : View Vs Counter View 1.5

Must juveniles be tried and treated as adults in cases of heinous crimes?

Introduction

The subject of whether juveniles should be treated as adults in certain cases remains one of great debate. This is due to the fact that there are several arguments both for and against. We will attempt to shed light on them.

Views for the topic:

When juvenile convicts are let off with slaps on the wrists, it shows them that they are above the legal system. It allows them to think they will be let off easy when they commit future crimes. Juveniles must be treated as equal to adults when they commit heinous crimes because not only will it deter future crimes but it will also keep away potential dangers to the society.

When a criminal is sent away, it is not just to punish the criminal but also to protect society from dangers he/she might cause.

While juvenile’s brains aren’t as well developed as adults, they are taught from a young age about what is right and what is wrong. If they can commit crimes before they’ve even become adults, it is highly probable that the crimes will just increase in number and intensity. 
They might not be as mature but how much legal significance does a lack of maturity by just a year or two play when it comes to most cases? 
Proving hindrance to rationality might be easy but it must be proven to such an extent that it makes it non culpable for their actions.

Views Against:

When a juvenile is treated as an adult, it is done for a wide number of reasons. To send a message and prevent crimes of such nature and giving closure to the affected parties seems to be the most widely used reason. However, they are mainly used to douse public outrage.

Harsh laws and legislation may help as a crude tool to satiate public outrage by political parties and figures but they neither negate nor diminish the problem at hand. All they do is douse the seething public anger and help improve their public image. 

Every child who is in conflict with the law and those in need of help and security should be entitled to the required counseling, care, rehabilitation, and education. It is the State's duty to provide these children the aforementioned necessities.

By Kartik Sanade and Elwin Brian Menezes.

Game Of Words : View Vs Counter View 1.4

Effect of Brexit on English football

View

With the continued poor displays of England over the recent years, be it in the World Cup or the Euros, the Brexit can only stand as a symbol for development of English football.

The English team at its peak, consisted of players like David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Tony Adams, John Terry; a few among the many legends The very mention of such names would strike terror in the hearts of their international opponents. However, the English football team today is a mere shadow of its predecessor and has constantly struggled to reach higher stages at the international competitions. 

The sole reason for this is the lack of focus that has been given by English clubs to develop English talent. The easy availability of players from abroad is the main reason for this lack of concern. By just throwing in a few more Euros, the clubs in England can acquire talent overnight, rather than taking the longer route of developing English talent at the academy level. The richest of the clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have a constant habit of spending big on Non- English players and only a small chunk of their team compromises of British talent. The majority of the players of the England national team come from mid table teams like Liverpool, Stoke City, Tottenham, etc. It isn't a huge surprise then as to why the English teams perform poorly at the international level. When the players of a particular country do not play for the top clubs of their country, then they cannot in their wildest imagination hope to be on top with their nation.

With the exit of Britain from the EU however, players from abroad would become more expensive and the availability of work permits for them would become harder. The natural remedy for the English clubs then would be to turn to the homegrown English talent, and as a result give more opportunities for the players from England to improve their game. Constant playing at the first team level would logically improve their game and thus improve the quality of players that enter the English national team. 

Also work permits would be handed out only to the best of the foreign players that would want to play in England, thereby improving the overall quality of talent that plays in England.

Write up by Rajat Prabhu.

Counter View 

The exit of Britain from the European Union can only harm the prospect of developing an ecosystem of world class footballers. The Premier league which is the highest tier of English football is arguably the best league to play in. With global viewers exceeding 3 Billion as of 2016, the premier league generated an annual revenue of 4 billion euros in this financial year. This provides English clubs the leverage to attract the best talent by providing the prospect of top salaries. 

The exit of Britain from the EU however will severely impact the advertising industry that the Premier league draws most of its revenue from. Companies would now advertise themselves using the Spanish or the German leagues as platforms and provide clubs from there with the prior mentioned financial advantage. Thus, players are more likely to go and play in such leagues where they would get better salaries and better recognition.

While Britain was a part of the EU, the availability of a work permit to the players was a mere formality. The exit of Britain however would certainly complicate the approval. Players would most indefinitely move to countries where work permits are available without any complication.

These effects of the Brexit only come across as unnecessary hindrances to the wonderful game. The economy of Britain too would lose out on a lot of revenue that they earn from the Premier league once they have exited the EU.

Write up by Gaurav Parekh