A Back-breaking Burden ?

In its affidavit concerning NRC ( National Register for Citizens ) , Government has argued :

“ The procedure , which puts the onus on the person claiming to be a citizen to prove the fact, is just, fair and reasonable and has been held so by the courts.

There is a good and sound reason for placing the BURDEN of PROOF upon the person concerned who asserts to be a citizen of a particular country , it contended.

In order to establish citizenship, one may be required to give evidence of ,

Ø  His date of birth

Ø  Place of birth

Ø  Name of his parents

Ø  Their place of birth and citizenship

Sometimes the place of birth of his GRAND-PARENTS may also be relevant like under Section 6A ( 1 ) ( d ) of the Citizenship Act

All these facts would necessarily be within the personal knowledge of the person concerned and not of the authorities

After he has given evidence, the state authorities can verify the facts and rebut them if necessary

If state authorities dispute the claim of citizenship by a person, it will not only be difficult but almost impossible for them to first lead evidence on these points, the affidavit contended “

Without doubt,

“… the Centre was well within its powers to identify illegal migrants and deport them as per law … “

And,

"It is the responsibility of the Centre to detect illegal migrants and follow due process of law in deporting or expelling them “

And,

Such a power conferred by the Foreigners Act, 1946, is absolute and gives unfettered discretion to the government to expel foreigners from India “

 

[ source : NRC must to identify non-citizens: Govt to SC  ]

=========================================================

I suspect there are millions of citizen like me who know the names of their parents but have no clue as to their “ place of birth “ or even their birth-dates !

My parents passed away 48 years ago.

Do I have an option to write “ Do not Know “ against these fields ?

If I do not have such an option, I will be forced to supply FALSE data – which, government has no means to verify !

In fact , my 91 year old sister does not know her birth date !

I am afraid this “ Burden of Proof “ will break somebody’s back or turn India into a “ Nation of Liars “ !

======================================================

21  March  2020

hcp@RecruitGuru.com

Sankalp – Sanyanm – Shastra

In his address to the nation last evening, PM Shri Modiji urged the citizen to take following steps to conquer Covid-19 ,

Ø  Have a Sankalp      ( Resolve / Determination )

Ø  Observe Sanyam   ( Restraint / Self-control )

He outlined the steps to be taken by the public in both these areas , including the appeal to stay inside homes on Sunday, March 22 [ Janata Curfew ]

He briefly touched upon the fact that, as of now, there is no vaccine / medicine for preventing / curing  Covid-19 , although many countries are working on development of one

To Shri Modiji’s slogan ( Sankalp with Sanyam ) , I would like to add one more, viz:  Shastras ( Weapons )

If Covid-19 , is to be treated as World War – III, then we need “weapons “ which are much more sophisticated than the Atom Bomb dropped on Hiroshima ( Aug 06 , 1945 )  / Nagasaki ( Aug 09 )

Weapons which are tiny ( as compared to the Atom Bomb ) but capable of covering the land-mass of the entire World ( not just 2 cities )

Weapons which do not “ destroy “ the population but “ detect “ the enemy virus Covid hiding inside human bodies

Here are some of those Shastras for consideration by the Government :

----------------------------------------------------------

[ A ]…….. Remotely detecting every citizen running high body temperature

In my earlier blog [ Marriage of Technologies to contain Corona ? Yes ! ], I had suggested :

Ø  Thermal Imaging software embedded into roadside CCTV cameras  ( with Infrared Night Vision ) all over the cities / towns ( or embedded into cameras mounted on Drones ) + embedded Facial Recognition Software + Software to link each captured face with Aadhar Database ( photo + Biometric ) of all citizen

This combination of hardware and software, will instantly “ identify / detect “any citizen running a high temperature ( as soon as his face is visible on CCTV / Drone based camera ) and

 ,

#  Send him SMS on his mobile to go for VIRUS TEST at the nearest test lab ( giving

    address of that lab ). No need for any separate “authorization “ from anyone . And

    no payment of testing fees ( Govt to DBT to private labs , upon uploading of TEST

    RESULTS on Govt Health Portal )

#  Send SMS to the concerned lab , giving full details of the person

#  Send SMS to all other concerned Government Authorities / Health Portals

#  Repeated “ face image capture “ by different cameras at different times and

    different locations, will track the journey of such an individual . This path will show

    up on the Dashboard of the CENTRAL CONTROL CENTRE for COVID [ 4C ]

[ Ref : Govt talks to FB, Google, Whatsapp for Virus Info Blitz ]

Extract :

Ø  “ The government is exploring all possible TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS to deal with the contemporary challenge of Covid-19 “

=======================================================

[ B ]…….. Preventing persons running high temperature from entering Public Places

( Source :  Ramco Systems Announces Facial Recognition-Based Touchless Attendance System )

Extract :

Ø  RamcoGEEK’s facial recognition capabilities allow it to detect and authenticate the faces of staff members, noting their attendance as well as their temperature.

Ø  The door sensors can restrict access to individuals that register a temperature higher than normal, and the attendance tracking system can automatically register and apply a leave-of-absence for the employee based on their temperature results while communicating the information to management in real-time, Ramco says.

Ø  “We built this application to help better address a crisis through technology,” said Aggarwal, adding that “ robust containment through a robust attendance and access system “ with zero contact and temperature measurement can be key to avoid easy spread of the virus that may take place with biometric access system.”

Additional Read :

Ø  From BAD to MAD …………………………………………..  [ 01 June 2016 ]

=========================================================

[ C ]…. AI based remote monitoring system

( Source : Coronavirus pandemic | Hong Kong fights COVID-19 using device developed by

                IIT alumnus' startup  )

Extract :

Ø  Amid the coronavirus outbreak, Hong Kong is using artificial intelligence (AI)-based remote monitoring system to track the health of COVID-19 patients and detecting symptoms of disease in quarantined people

Ø  Everion, which includes biosensor, was developed five years ago to monitor heart failure patients. It is worn on the arm and can measure over 20 different biomarkers in real-time like oxygen levels, respiratory patterns, temperature and heart rate

Ø  The biosensor used in the device includes a companion smartphone app that asks questions to patients about their symptoms and a web dashboard that doctors use to observe patients, as per the report

=========================================================

[ D ]  …… Every Mobile phone sold in India must be pre-installed with ISRO’s NaVIC GPS

Ø  This will enable tracking of virus-affected citizen , 24x7

Ref :   Congrats , Shri Shivang Luthraji,                                         [ 22 Sept 2018 ]

 

=========================================================

[ E ] …… Every Mobile Phone to be pre-installed with location system of What3Words

Ø  For faster  EMERGENCY  response

Ø  For enabling  GOVERNMENT  to give everyone an address in record time

=====================================================

[ F ]  …. Urge Microsoft to enhance its mobile app SEEING AI , to be able to read / transmit

             body temperature of a person

Extract :

Ø  The app can….. recognize and describe people around you and their facial expressions….. Recognize and locate the faces of people you’re with, as well as facial characteristics, approximate age, emotion, and more.

=========================================================

The above-mentioned “ List of Technologies “ ( - nearly all , tried and tested ), is by no means comprehensive. 

I am sure, our technocrats will come up with many more

What I am not sure is :

“ Which of the following will evaluate – then make it “ It is My Job “ , to implement those found worthy ? “

Cabinet nod to setting up of 12-member technology group    [  20 Feb 2020  ]

Prime Minister’s Science Technology Innovation Advisory Council [ PM-STIAC ] (Aug 2018 )

“ New, Emerging and Strategic Technology “ [ NEST ] Division set up by External Affair Ministry [  03 Jan 2020  ]

Ref :  Troika of Technology ?

=====================================================

Dear Dr HarshVardhanji,

You are best placed to decide WHO and empowered to lay down target date , WHEN

In this “ Vaishwik Mahamari ( World War – III ) “, you are the GENERAL !

With regards,

Hemen parekh

====================================================

20 March 2020

hcp@RecruitGuru.com

How to convert Temporary into Permanent ?

Following are headlines from past few day’s news-papers . At this moment, these are just temporary measures aimed to contain the spread of Corona Virus.

Will we go back to our old ways ( of doing things / conducting our lives ) , as soon as the threat recedes ?

Do some of these ( temporary steps ) need urgent POLICY FRAMEWORKS, to convert them into long-term BEHAVIORAL / LIFE-STYLE /  ATTITUDINAL CHANGES , which will reduce Global Warming / Climate Changes /  Pollution ?

If YES , then WHAT policy frameworks ?

[ Of course, not each and every recent step, needs long-term policy ]

===============================================

Change  :  Boost  to  E-Commerce

Ø  Digital payments get a boost amidst virus scare

Ø  E-comm players, QSR chains step up the game for safe online deliveries

Policy Framework :

Missing the Woods for the Tree ?

===============================================

Change :  Work from Home  (  WFH  )

Ø  School teachers get a break, allowed to work from home

Ø  Corporate walk the extra mile on 50 % staff order

Ø  Private firms ready for work from home and shutdown : Health Minister

Ø  Teachers who do not have supervision duty can work from home : Circular

Ø  Haryana asks Cos in Gurgaon to let Staff work from home

Ø  25K Auto Employees to Work From Home

Ø  Will start checks at private companies in 2 days : BMC chief

Ø  Work from Home doesn’t work for manufacturing, services sector

Policy Framework :

Opportunity in Adversity ?

===============================================

Change :  Less Travel  /  Less Traffic

Ø  76 long distance trains cancelled

Ø  Ban on 3 nations, international flights nixed

Ø  Will have to stop trains if people don’t avoid travel : CM

Ø  Ask people to avoid travel, refund tickets

Ø  App taxi fares touch rock bottom as demand falls 50 %

Ø  55 % decline in international passengers CSMIA

Policy Framework :

Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ?

===============================================

Change :  Less Physical Shopping / Get Together / Temple Visits

Ø  Philippines shuts all markets

Ø  Close shops if you can : BMC to owners

Ø  Gurugram closes malls, lunges , bars

Ø  Weddings postponed ; Banquet owners told to limit crowds

Ø  Stores to be shut on alternate days

Ø  Will reduce number of devotees, not possible to shut down mosques

Ø  Consumers scramble to stock up food items

Policy Framework :

===============================================

Change :  More Testing

Ø  India must scale up testing : WHO official

Ø  UP warns of jail term for those who skip tests

Ø  India orders 1 million probes for testing from Germany

Ø  Utilizing testing capacity the key

Ø  ICMR says No Evidence of Community Transmission

Ø  BMC Chief : Increasing number of lab tests is biggest challenge

Ø  Centre scales up kits and labs, but not tests

Ø  54,000 under community surveillance in country : Vardhan

Ø  Undetected cases may fuel spread with many trying to flee screening

Ø  8 new testing facilities planned; 3 to start today

Ø  Handkerchiefs, cotton masks can’t protect you

Ø  Community transmission may have already started : Experts

Ø  Don’t wait for symptoms; just test : Public Health Foundation of India

Policy Framework :

Marriage of Technologies to contain Corona ? Yes !

Corona Virus Testing Capacity

===============================================

Change : Less Eating Out

Ø  City Pubs, bars closed, some eateries may shut

Ø  Restaurants across the Country may down shutters from today

Ø  Die another day : Restaurants down shutters

Policy Framework :

===============================================

Change  :   More e-Governance / State Surveillance

Ø  State Govt to run with minimum staff : CM

Ø  To track virus, Israel may tap secret phone data trove

Policy Framework :

E - Governance ?

AGENDA FOR REFORMS

 

===============================================

Change  :  Flexible HR Policy

Ø  Go-Air begins “leave without pay “for staff

Ø  Secretariat vacant as staff take leave as precaution

Ø  Companies plan Special Leave for Self-Quarantined

Ø  GoAir tells staff to take leave without pay

Ø  Companies introduce Special Leave to ensure isolated Staff get pay

Ø  India Inc heading for a 6-day week : study

Ø  Some job interviews go online, others put off

Ø  Corona virus outbreak could destroy up to 25 M jobs : ILO

Ø  With no contracts, casual workers may be worst hit

Policy Framework :

National Jobs Policy : Treasure Hunt

===============================================

Change  :  More communication through Social Media

Ø  Why you shouldn’t trust those viral remedies on social media

Ø  Prayers, discourse move online

Policy Framework :

===============================================

Change :  Greater urgency to reviving Economy

Ø  Trump seeks $ 850 billion more to boost virus-hit economy

Ø  France  ready to nationalize big firms in radical response to virus response

Ø  Govt : Economy vulnerable to coronavirus-led slowdown

Ø  Covid hits Highway Monetization plan

Ø  Draw up a new Economic Plan [ HT Editorial ]

Ø  Where is the vaccine for the economy ? [ HT- R Srinivasan ]

Policy Framework :

Foundation of Economy

===============================================

Change  :  More Online Education – Training - Skilling

Ø  Amid virus outbreak, edtech platforms set up special solutions for students

Ø  Army suspends war games, conferences and training

Policy Framework :

Organizing the Unorganized

 

=========================================================

Related Reading :

What urban India can do to offset risks of Covid - 19

[  Shri Amitabh Kant / Smt Richa Rashmi ]

Extract :

Ø  In today’s world, the growth of medical science and digital infrastructure can be leveraged to successfully fight the spread of Covid-19

Ø  City governments play a crucial role in…… safeguarding the ecosystem through more connected networks of digital and economic infrastructure

Ø  As part of an intensive drive, the Pathanamthitta district administration has come up with a system, with a GPS-supported system to track those quarantined in the district in order to restrict stray movement.

=========================================================

19  March  2020

hcp@RecruitGuru.com