Third Plenum Of The Chinese CP: Political And Social Implications
Prof Kumar David
China’s new Air Defence Zone and the Japanese and South Korean Zones
Last week I discussed the economic restructuring programme adopted at theChinese Communist Party’s 18-th CC Plenum of November 2013. I held back my views as there will be plenty of time in the future for that, and focussed on giving readers an account of decisions and their implications with only marginal comments. This week I relax this style, move from economic to social and political matters and interject my views more frequently. This piece picks up first the relaxation of the one-child policy, and touches on corruption, the judicial system and worsening relations with Japan. Finally, I intervene in the perennial debate on authoritarianism and the discourse on the nature of the state in Twenty-first Century China.
The ‘one-child’ policy is to be relaxed and the share price of condom maker Humanwell Healthcare Group has plunged! Even previously, couples who where both only-children, were allowed a second child; rural residents too were allowed two if their first child was a girl or disabled; ethnic minorities were permitted three. Now, if even one parent is an only child, two children are permitted. As a result of previous policies 117 boys are born for every 100 girls as female foetuses were preferentially aborted. This sex imbalance ratio has given rise to many social problems. Read More
Kamalini Selvarajan – A Child Of A Lesser God!
By Sharmini Serasinghe -December 7, 2013 |
Sharmini Serasinghe
Kamalini
“Kamalini my dearest friend
your smile and the magic of the aura,
that radiates around your vibrant self
always lit up the darkest of times
Though in your new world of the unknown
you no longer know me
yet you greet me with that charming smile
you gave so freely to friends and foe
in better times
And so, it breaks my heart to know
you don’t know me, once your friend, anymore
in this strange new world
your God has made for you!”
Forgive me my friend
but understand your God
I do not
He took away your soul
and left me a living shell
Did he not find one
more worthy of his wrath?
(Sharmini)
Kamalini Selvarajan, my friend and colleague at Rupavahini- Sri Lanka’s national Television, has been diagnosed with Dementia!
Kamalini is an iconic TV personality and film star. She was, and is still loved by all, irrespective of caste, creed or race. Read More
