The gender biased and male dominating mind-set of the society refuses to acknowledge that males also get victimised from sexual harassment.

'Sexual Harassment', the term, by default, has always generally been associated with women.

On the other hand, the fact that men do also go through similar if not exact, form of harassment, has always been a concealed topic.

Men feel hesitant to come forward to talk about it, in the open public domain, as it is even more of a bigger social stigma for them than women because it is conceived as vulnerability or weakness and men do not want to associate them with such terms.

According to Kanishk Agarwal, founder of law firm CriTaxCorp, in India, according to a recent report by one of the top media house, in big metros like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune 19 percent men out of a sampling of 527 people said they have faced some form of sexual harassment at office.

The fact that the society refuses to accept this grave issue lies in the society's negligence towards this topic based on gender biased notions.

The gender biased and male dominating mind-set of the usual society refuses to acknowledge that males also get victimised from sexual harassment acts and the belief that only females can go through such harassment has led to ignorance of this issue. Such a mind-set doesn't necessarily mean that such incidents do not occur.

The issue is neglected to such an extent that even the Indian Legal System does not recognise the fact that even males can be harassed and existing law recognise only a female as a victim, as per Section 9 of Protection of Women against Sexual harassment (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 only an aggrieved woman can make a complaint under the Act and does not deal with sexual harassment of the male gender at workplace.

Laws should also be enacted to protect men from such an ordeal, in order to bring in a nature of equality. Sections 376, 354, 509 of the IPC deal with sexual assault, outraging a woman's modesty, eve teasing and rape and under all these sections only a woman can be a victim. Law presume that men cannot be at the victim's end of these crimes, Kanishk added.

In August 2015; everybody witnessed the in-famous 'Jasleen Kaur Case' in which Saravjeet Singh was accused of harassing Jasleen.

It later came to highlight in public that it was a defamation gimmick and publicity stunt.

But it is important to remember that it was not proved in any legal fraternity. Those media houses that had, without investigation, played the stories were fined and were asked to telecast an apologetic message dedicated to clean Saravjeet's name.

News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA)also said, "Broadcasters cannot condemn guilty person accused of having committed a crime or offence when the matter is still under investigation or where the court is yet to decided upon the guilt or otherwise of the accused."

Here's an example from a young working professional who shares his bad experience.

The 22-yr-old male professional who did not want to reveal his name in public said: 'She grabbed me for sexual pleasure; I wanted to slap her, but I couldn't because of my principle to respect women'. 

He recounts what really happened:

'I started working as a trainee manager in one of the top MNCs in Gurugram in 2010. In the initial phase itself I managed to gain respect from my mentors and colleagues with my dedication towards work.

'Salin (name changed) joined my firm in 2011. In her initial days, everyone knew she was the flirtatious type. Initially I took all the flirting in a humorous manner and she came across as a fun person but later, she started openly flirting with me.

'I had become her target in office and it was very embarrassing.

'One day when I was sitting in the common area to make a call to my family, she sat along with me on the sofa and started coming very close to me. She crossed her legs, leaned towards me and placed her hand on the safe near my neck. Her intentions were absolutely clear from her body language and her conduct.

'When she was started playing with my hair, I felt awkward and disconnected the call.

'I wanted to slap her at that moment but I couldn't because of my principle of respecting women.

'At the same time my senior and two other colleagues walked in and I was totally embarrassed.' 

'We as a part of society have a biased perception that it can only be a man who abuses his power and suppresses women. That a woman can only be a victim and not the oppressor.

'The society's collective mind-set should be projected towards the need of accepting gender neutral rights and instead abolish the biased gender rules that we follow.

'I was so shocked and stunned that I actually couldn't understand how to react.

'I never discussed it with anyone as no one would believe that a girl tried to seduce me and was harassing me.

'Going forward, I made sure that I kept distance from her and not be receptive about any kind of flirting.

'I feel the society and law should recognise the gender equality and the change in the culture of the society.

'Nowadays, when women of our society are standing tall and going toe to toe with the men of the society, treating women as suppressed gender who require protection, should be discontinued.

'Gender-neutral laws to protect people should be made.

'Women are at a powerful position as compared to men and one should respect that and not treat women as oppressed, vulnerable or weak.

'Also, the law of perjury should be strengthened so that a strict check be put on the rising false complaints. 

'Perjury under IPC is dealt under Section 191 to 201 that attracts imprisonment up to seven years. However, it is not being implemented rigorously.

'Judiciary should place fear in the minds of the people who register malicious/false complaints, to such an extent that if it is proved to be a false complaint then the malicious complainant can be put behind bars.

'Lastly, there is a difference between a false complaint and an unproven complaint and perjury gets enacted in the former part only.'

ANI-rediffmail.com-published in the interest of public

WHAT MAKES GREAT NATIONS-GREAT

Stand up and Make It Count

What makes great nations - Great? This question had troubled me for almost over 2 decades now. A careful analysis points to many factors but the one that actually stands out, is its people. People, who simply stand up and make it count.

Towards the end of the year 1997, many countries in South East Asia suffered from a massive financial crisis. Amongst those, South Korea was perhaps the most affected, where the Korean currency “Won" depreciated so much so rapidly, that it left a huge USD 50 Billion hole in the country’s economy. This rapid downfall collapsed and crushed the very backbone of South Korean economy, prompting the International Monetary Fund to extend billions of dollars of a tough bailout package.

Many banks and industrial houses had to close down and thousands of citizens lost jobs. And yet the way these very citizens responded to the national calling is probably a unique example in history. I distinctly remember watching this news on TV, sometime in the early part of 1998. The question that I ask myself is why do I remember it after almost 18 years?

In January 1998, South Korea started a campaign called “Collect Gold for Love of Korea” with the help of Samsung, Hyundai and Daewoo corporation. The government simply appealed to citizens to donate their gold voluntarily. And to the surprise of the entire world people gave away almost everything that was dear to them or had worked hard their entire life for. Housewives donated wedding rings, athletes donated medals, lucky keys, charms etc., and all this was done on the streets on Seoul where officials from these 3 companies would just roam the streets with huge bags, simply asking people to donate gold and people would simply reach out to their rings and put them in the bags, with eyes full of tears. No written accounts of who donated what, no promise or commitment that someday the country will repay it back to you. Nothing. And the outcome?

South Koreans collected almost USD 200 Million worth gold from its Citizens. Simply given away to the country. Obviously given the magnitude of the debt, this amount hardly made any dent but considering the population in 1997 was just over 45 Million, it was a “Herculean" effort.

During the same period the world was taken by storm by the movie, Titanic. But in entire South Korea, not one ticket was sold for the first two weeks. When international reporters interviewed people on the street, the answer was simple. “If we buy tickets in Won*, it would get converted to US Dollars and would leave South Korea. We cannot afford Dollars.”

The above two events have left a very deep and indelible impression on my mind. South Korea came out of the financial crisis quickly (by end of 1999) and today ranks amongst top 10 economies in the world. Years later, when a friend of ours, opened his office in Seoul, he asked Minh-Su (his country Manager, South Korea) about this and she verified it with a sense of national pride and moist eyes. Her face just said, “We made it Count”.

Today, we stand at a cusp of what can transform India into a great nation, and no one is asking for gold nor asking to give up all that we have legitimately accumulated through diligence and hard work. All that is expected from us is patience, faith, bit of hardship too; for about 3 months and additionally if we can manage, then some love for the country. That's all, and we will have an opportunity to carry that sense of pride on our chest and sleeves for generations to come and look in the eyes of our children and grandchildren and say to them, “We made it Count”.

Selflessness motivates me.

Immense national pride motivates me.

Optimism motivates me.

Let us stand up and be counted………

Leave these Bharat bandh jokers discounted

BY Navneet Singhal

What leads to corruption in India-Hard hitting article by BRIAN-NewZealand

Hard hitting article. The following message from New Zealand is forwarded as received. *Makes interesting reading*

A New Zealander's view on reason for corruption in India:

Indians are Hobbesian (Culture of self interest)

Corruption in India is a cultural aspect. Indians seem to think nothing peculiar about corruption. It is everywhere.

Indians tolerate corrupt individuals rather than correct them.

No race can be congenitally corrupt.

But can a race be corrupted by its culture?

To know why Indians are corrupt, look at their patterns and practices.

Firstly:

Religion is transactional in India.

Indians give God cash and anticipate an out-of-turn reward.

Such a plea acknowledges that favours are needed for the undeserving.

In the world outside the temple walls, such a transaction is named “bribe”.

A wealthy Indian gives not cash to temples/mosques/church, but gold crowns and such baubles.

His gifts can not feed the poor. His pay-off is for God. He thinks it will be wasted if it goes to a needy man.

In June 2009, The Hindu published a report of Karnataka minister G. Janardhan Reddy gifting a crown of gold and diamonds worth Rs 45 crore to Tirupati.

India’s temples/mosques/church etc collect so much that they don't know what to do with it. Billions are gathering dust in temple vaults.

When Europeans came to India they built schools. When Indians go to Europe & USA, they build temples.

Indians believe that if God accepts money for his favours, then nothing is wrong in doing the same thing. This is why Indians are so easily corruptible.

Indian culture accommodates such transaction

First: Morally. There is no real stigma. An utterly corrupt JayaLalita can make a comeback, just unthinkable in the West.

Secondly:

Indian moral ambiguity towards corruption is visible in its history. Indian history tells of the capture of cities and kingdoms after guards were paid off to open the gates, and commanders paid off to surrender.

This is unique to India.

Indians' corrupt nature has meant limited warfare on the subcontinent.

It is striking how little Indians have actually fought compared to ancient Greece and modern Europe.

The Turk's battles with Nadir Shah were vicious and fought to the finish.

In India fighting wasn't needed, bribing was enough to see off armies.

Any invader willing to spend cash could brush aside India’s kings, no matter how many tens of thousands soldiers were in their infantry.

Little resistance was given by the Indians at the “Battle” of Plassey.

Clive paid off Mir Jaffar and all of Bengal folded to an army of 3,000.

There was always a financial exchange to taking Indian forts. Golconda was captured in 1687 after the secret back door was left open.

Mughals vanquished Marathas and Rajputs with nothing but bribes.

The Raja of Srinagar gave up Dara Shikoh’s son Sulaiman to Aurangzeb after receiving a bribe.

There are many cases where Indians participated on a large scale in treason due to bribery.

Question is: Why Indians have a transactional culture while other 'civilized' nations don't?

Thirdly:

Indians do not believe in the theory that they all can rise if each of them behaves morally, because that is not the message of their faith.

Their caste system separates them.

They don't believe that all men are equal.

This resulted in their division and migration to other religions.

Many Hindus started their own faith like Sikh, Jain, Buddha and many converted to Christianity and Islam.

The result is that Indians don't trust one another.

There are no Indians in India, there are Hindus, Christians, Muslims and what not.

Indians forget that 1400 years ago they all belonged to one faith.

This division evolved an unhealthy culture. The inequality has resulted in a corrupt society, in India every one is thus against everyone else, except God ­and even he must be bribed.

*BRIAN from* 

*Godzone NEW ZEALAND*

Sadly....yes !

(Incidentally, New Zealand is one of the least corrupt nations in the world.) 💐

IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF DEMONETISATION IN INDIA

1.100 % Fake Currency out of circulation at once.

2.Hawala Sources (Money laundering) dried up for funding of Terrorist-Maoists-Naxalites-Jhihadis

3.Kashmir State is back to normal. Azadi (demand for freedom) forgotten,no further schools burnt and no stone pelters  (hired stone throwers on army and police) to be found.

4.Banks have started Mobile ATMs for Hospitals.

5.Jan dhan Accounts (Bank accounts opened by poor people in India for their financial inclusion with Zero Balance) are full with money.

6. 55 (Fifty five) lakhs money disputes settled in one day in Lok Adalat.

7.More than 3 Lakhs Crores already deposited in Banks.

8. Defaulters of Banks,Electricity,property tax an telecom bills are depositing their overdue bills.

9.Small Vendors have started using digital payment receipt systems Apps and Card swipe machines.

10.Fiscal deficit of India is set to reduce.

11.All businessman are depositing cash lying with them and also Advance Income Tax

12.All jewellers are being issued forms to declare their stocks on daily basis

13.Defaulters of all types of government dues are paying their dues.

14 Most important is that poor India representing 90 percent of India has united irrespective of any caste or religion against Corrupt and Black money keepers.

This is where we stand today, when it comes to norms around exchange of old currency, withdrawal of money from bank and ATMs.

Reproduced for Public knowledge as per article By Mr. Devansh Sharma in The Economic times dated 18 Nov 2016

1. You can get Rs 2,000 cash from select petrol pumps 

With a view to ease the rush at ATM's and banks, this move was initially suggested by the All India Petroleum Dealers Association. The provision allows you to swipe debit card at a petrol pump run by state owned oil companies and get cash worth the value of transaction (maximum Rs 2,000). The facility will initially be available at 2,500 petrol pumps across the country that have card swipe machines from State Bank of India  the country's largest bank. Over the next three days, the acility will be extended to 20,000 outlets that have card swipe machines from HDFC Bank, Citibank and ICICI Bank. 

2. Withdrawal limit from a 'current account' raised to Rs 50,000 per week 

Considering the needs and requirement of business community, small traders, the government has raised the withdrawal limit from 'current account' to Rs 50,000. 

3. Weekly withdrawal limit from savings account increased to Rs 24,000 

The weekly limit of Rs 20,000 for withdrawal from savings account has been increased to Rs 24,000. The maximum limit of Rs 10,000 per per day on such withdrawals has been waived, so you can now withdraw up to Rs 24000 in a single visit to the bank. 

4. ATM : Per day cash withdrawal limit raised to Rs 2,500 

The government has raised the cash withdrawal limit from Rs 2,000 per card, per day to Rs 2,500 per card, per day. This higher cash withdrawal limit is available only at recalibrated ATMs which will dispense one high security Rs 2,000 note and rest in the lower denomination. ATMs which have not been upgraded will continue to dispense Rs 2,000 per card. 

5. Cash deposits totalling Rs 2.5 lakh must carry PAN 

As per the latest government notification, till December 30, PAN card will be mandatory if combined cash deposits in an account exceed Rs 2.5 lakh. Previously, the limit for cash deposit without PAN was Rs 50,000 per transaction. A lot of people were depositing less than Rs 50,000 per day to escape the PAN provision. But later government issued a notification saying multiple deposits made between 9 Nov and 30 Dec 2016 will require a PAN if the combined sum exceeds Rs 2.5 lakh. This clarifies the misconception that one can deposit cash in multiple batches of less than Rs 50,000 each and escape mentioning the PAN. 

6. Exchange of old notes now only up to Rs 2,000 

Government has reduced counter exchange of old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes from Rs 4,500 to Rs 2000 starting from today. 

7. Advance salaries for central government employees up to Group C level for Rs 10,000 

Central government employees up to Group 'C' can draw salary advance up to Rs 10,000 in cash that'll be adjusted against their November salaries. 

8. Withdrawal limit of Rs 2,50,000 sanctioned for marriage purpose 

With a view to ease the hardships of those tying the nuptial knot, government has allowed up to Rs 2.5 lakh cash withdrawal from KYC compliant bank account of a bride or groom or their parents for a marriage during the ongoing wedding season. 

9. Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes valid for key utilities, hospitals & petrol pumps till November 24 

Government has extended the date of accepting old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 for certain categories till November 24. This includes: payments towards fees, charges, hospital bills, petrol pumps, taxes and penalties payable to the central and state governments including municipal and local bodies. Old currency notes will also be accepted for making payment of utility charges for water and electricity, etc. 

10. Farmers allowed to withdraw up to Rs 25,000 per week against crop loans 

Government has allowed farmers to withdraw up to 25,000 rupees per week against their crop loans. Besides, it has also extended the time limit to pay crop insurance premiums by 15 days. 

.. 

 .. 

Bold announcement by Indian Government under leadership of PM Mr.Modi to finish Black money once for all.

Summary of the important announcement :

1. Black money issue, 500 rupees and 1000 rupees banned from Midnight.

2. ATM's wouldn't wouldn't work on 9th and 10th November. Rather the withdrawal limit is Rs. 2000 only.

3. All Residents have option till 30th December 2016, to deposit their existing cash balance of 500 and 1000 rupees in their bank accounts.

4. ATM withdrawal is limited post 11th Nov to 10000 per day, but initial few days it would be 2000 Rs. Only.

5. Emergency periods like hospitals and chemist, train ticket booking and airline ticket booking, petrol pumps may accept the old notes to 11th November.

6. No changes in online, card, cheque or any other plastic money transactions.

7. 9th November, banks wouldn't be available for public banking services.

8. New notes of 500 rupees and 2000 rupees would bring in circulation, mostly from 31st March 2017.

GST site to open soon so filing won't tax you

 ET Bureau | Updated: Nov 04, 2016, 07.52 AM IST by Surabhi Agarwal

Much before the April deadline of the roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the online filing portal is ready to throw itself open to the public from next week, enabling tax payers to warm up to the new system before it finally launches in April of next year. On Thursday, the GST Council finalised a four-tier tax structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28% for the new tax regime, with lower rates for essential items and the highest for luxury and de-merits goods.

According to a government official, the GST portal will be hosted at the domain:www.gst.gov.in, which will be launched on November 8, even as the mobile app is currently being developed. "The proposal was discussed in the GST panel meeting today (Thursday) and the date has been finalised. There was no adverse reaction to it," said the official who requested anonymity. 

The portal will allow tax payers whose PAN numbers have been verified by the tax department to register themselves in advance and fill in their details and legacy data. "The idea is to avoid everyone trying to log-in at the same time before the roll-out in April," said the official adding that the government is looking at getting the tax payers to enter all the data about themselves in their system for it to work smoothly at the time of the launch without any "challenges". 

ET had reported earlier that India's second-largest software company Infosys has been mandated to develop and run the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) -the entity tasked with providing the information technology infrastructure for it -in a project worth Rs 1,380 crore. The portal itself will be a one-stop destination for filing and processing of all taxes for almost 65 to 70 lakh tax payers in the country and is being designed by a specialised design unit of Infosys.

The official added that GSTN has already generated the GST identification numbers for around 20 lakh tax payers in eight states and has sent the data to the states for further disbursal. The rest of the tax payers will be covered in batches over the coming weeks, said the official. "We are doing it right now for VAT which covers excise as well, since those paying excise are also registered for VAT. Registration for people paying service tax will begin in January

The entity is also in the process of developing a mobile app through which tax payers can also register themselves and at the same time allow them to file taxes or upload returns. "We are making the process really simple by allowing people to just take pictures from their phone cameras and then upload them," said the official, adding that the app is also expected to be ready over the next five to seven days

GST rate structure finalised, panel fixes rates at 5%, 12%, 18% & 28%

A 4-tier GST tax structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent, with lower rates for essential items and the highest for luxury and de-merits goods that would also attract an additional cess, was decided by the all- powerful GST Council today. 

With a view to keeping inflation under check, essential items including food, which presently constitute roughly half of the consumer inflation basket, will be taxed at zero rate. 

The lowest rate of 5 per cent would be for common use items while there would be two standard rates of 12 and 18 per cent under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime targetted to be rolled out from April 1, 2017. 

Announcing the decisions arrived at the first day of the two-day GST Council meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said highest tax slab will be applicable to items which are currently taxed at 30-31 per cent (excise duty plus VAT).

 

Luxury cars, tobacco and aerated drinks would also be levied with an additional cess on top of the highest tax rate. 

The collection from this cess as well as that of the clean energy cess would create a revenue pool which would be used for compensating states for any loss of revenue during the first five years of implementation of GST. The cess, he said, would be lapsable after five years. While the Centre proposed to levy a 4 per cent GST on gold, a final decision was put off, Jaitley said. 

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/55225712.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

I love this - I hope you do too.

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water..

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my cracked pot sisters, brothers and friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

by Navneet Singhal

PROTECTION FOR HOME BUYERS FROM BUILDERS IN INDIA UNDER PROVISIONS OF REAL ESTATE (REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT) ACT 2016. . .

Are you among those hapless buyers waiting for that promised home delivery?

Is the builder making you run from pillar to post even after you have paid the required amount? At your wit's end but don't know who to approach?

There's help.

The new real estate bill, notified Monday, loads the playing field in the homebuyers' favour. The rules will be applicable for five Union territories — Andaman & Nicobar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh. The state governments of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat are in the process of formulating rules. Other states are likely to soon follow suit. 

As per the provisions of the RERA, 2016, the regulatory authorities will have to be put in place by April 30, 2017, a day before the full Act is brought into effect.

If you are a homebuyer, here's what you should know: 

►Buyers can demand refund or compensation at an interest rate of the SBI's marginal cost of lending rate (MCLR) plus 2% (effectively around 11%) 

► Builder will have to repay the amount within 45 days of a claim 

►Buyer will also have to pay the interest at the same rate (MCLR+ 2%) on any dues raised by developers, which is much lower than 15% to 18% interest rate charged by developers for delayed payments. 

► The builder can withdraw amount from a special account only in proportion to the percentage of completion of the project 

► No discrimination in sale of properties on any grounds 

► Faster resolution of complaints as adjudicating officers, real estate authorities and appellate tribunals will have to dispose of complaints within 60 days 

► RERA bring transparency as the builder will have to reveal information about everything related to project and company 

If you are a builder, this is how the RERA impacts you: 

► Builder will have to register the project with regulatory authority 

► Developer will have to take insurance for the project

► Will have to deposit 70% of the funds collected into a separate bank account within three months of applying for registration 

► Specify the scheduled completion date while registering the project 

► Declare size of the apartment based on carpet area even if it was earlier sold on any other basis 

► Declare information about number of open and closed parking areas 

► Upload all information on website regarding number and type of apartments or plots, garages booked, status of the project with photographs floor-wise, status of construction of internal infrastructure and common areas with photos 

► Provide information about status of approvals received and expected date of receipt, modifications in sanctioned plans and specifications approved by the competent authority within 15 days of expiry of each quarter 

► Provide information about status of approvals received and expected date of receipt, modifications in sanctioned plans and specifications approved by the competent authority within 15 days of expiry of each quarter 

► Promoters of the real estate firm will have to submit authenticated copy of PAN card, annual report comprising audited profit and loss account, balance sheet, cash flow statement and auditors report of the promoter for the three preceding years, authenticated copy of legal title deed, copy of collaboration agreement if the promoter is not the owner of the plot during registration of projects 

► As a relief, builders now don’t need to disclose income-tax returns as proposed earlier 

► Fee for registration of projects and real estate agents with regulatory authorities reduced by half 

Extracts from article By  Satyam Sharma , in The ECONOMICTIMES. 

Read more at:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/55179582.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

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