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Parliamentary control
promotes good governance The President deserves the approbation of the public for deciding to follow the constitutional procedure for removal of the Commissioners of the Permanent Commission on Bribery and Corruption. We cannot forget how President J. R. Jayewardene used the introduction of a new constitution to get rid of over half the Supreme Court judges including eminent men like justice Tittawella. Only Justice Malcolm Perera refused to co-operate in this undemocratic and unfair action by refusing appointment. Such men are unfortunately not honoured by society. Instead politicians who spend public money on government projects have their names inscribed in plaster. Men who stand up for principles sacrificing their careers deserve recognition —they are the true heroes. The manner in which Chief Justice Samarakoon was dealt with was shabby indeed. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kuma-ratunga has in response to public opinion showed appreciation of the principle of independence of certain office-holders and their independence from the Executive. All too often, persons who were appointed to certain privileged posts have bowed to executive pressure and vacated their posts without a word to the public. The commissioners, whatever their faults and how they come off the proposed inquiry by the Select Committee of the House deserve appreciation of the public for upholding the principle of secure tenure guaranteed by law to them. Free or foul speech The opposition must accept the fact that the ruling party has been given a mandate to govern by the people for a fixed term. Their duty is not to bring down the government before the expiry of such term. Their duty is to offer constructive criticism of the bills, motions etc. brought before parliament. The government must for its part accept criticism gracefully and even adopt suggestions of the opposition whenever they are in the public interest. Democracy implies government by consensus and parliament is a forum for resolving differences and for promoting the welfare of the people. There may be bitterness during an election but once it is over there should be a responsive government and a responsible opposition. If there are bad eggs in parliament they have to be disciplined. Should they not be suspended for a short time if they don't conduct themselves properly? Haven't such suspensions been imposed in the past? It must be noted that under the proportional representation system the public voted for the political party and not for the candidates. The public have had no say in either the choice of candidate or his election. If undeserving candidates have been fielded by political parties, it is the party leaders who are to blame. Political party leaders should have selected candidates with clean records—not any with questionable antecedents. MPs who make a nuisance of themselves in the House should be disciplined by suspension with loss of emoluments. No act of unbecoming conduct whether by MPs of the governing party or the opposition should go unpunished, since discipline cannot be imposed on a selective basis. It is upto the party leaders and the Speaker to discipline MPs who flout parliamentary rules, and good conduct. Perks Politicians adopt lavish habits and styles of living when the people, their masters, are going through much hardship. They have been sent to parliament to solve the people's problems. What about the war and the ethnic problem? Have our politicians made any attempt to solve this most pressing problem? It is their duty to do so, whether they belong to be ruling party or the opposition. Should they be rewarded for failing in their duties to the people? Then there are allegations of unjust enrichment by politicians far beyond what Gunnar Myrdal visualised. India Our democratic institutions are in a moral crisis with top officials giving up their ethical sensitivity and falling in line with politicians. Democracy is much more than holding elections every five years. It requires the rule of law. It was George Orwell who said that all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.'' Our political animals want to be more equal than others. But as the Indian Supreme Court said: ''Be ye ever so high, the law is above you.'' Ministeral responsbility In our own constitutional history there have hardly been any such resignations although the late Gamani Jayasuriya resigned because he disagreed with the government decision on the Indo-Lanka Pact. Failure to fulfil their ministerial obligations has never been the subject of resignations. There have been several instances where departments under a particular minister have been faulted by parliament. But the particular minister never resigned. Good governance requires the accountability of ministers to parliament for the proper functioning of their departments. They also have to conduct themselves personally in a manner which does not flout moral, social and ethical values. We cannot expect conventions of the British parliament to be followed by our ministers. Nor have we built up any conventions. It is therefore necessary to pass a law setting out what constitutes misconduct or inefficiency in office of a minister. In the case of the British ministers who resigned, the Prime Minister acquiesced although sometimes reluctantly as in the case of Parkinson who was an extremely competent minister in the Thatcher cabinet. We need a law which will set out the duties and obligations of ministers and provide for their dismissal from office for specified acts of misconduct at least. The punishmement could be imposed by a Select Committee of Parliament after a public inquiry. Votes of no confidence on individual ministers have proved ineffective because voting is on party lines and as long as the ruling party has a majority it will be ineffective however errant the minister. So there is no accountability of ministers to parliament in practice although in theory they are supposed to be so accountable. This situation must be changed if there is to be good governance. Select Committee of parliament must play a more active role as in U.K. and U.S.A. Sittings of such committees should be in public and the committee should summon not only officials but ministers and deputy ministers as well. The performance of their departments would be examined. Attendance before a committee is of little effect unless accompanied by an obligation to answer questions. Chairman of select committees command high prestige in both the U.K. and the U.S.A. and in the former ministers are often drawn from their ranks. Impeachment proceedings When a Judge is brought before parliament, the inquiry and debate has a reference to the institution and the damage that judge has caused to the institution. Parliament is acting as a court to preserve the constitution and its value system. One hopes the proceedings will not degenerate to the level of the Air Lanka debate. Issuing a whip to regulate voting on impeachment may damage the functioning of the institution and also destroy its independence, which is very necessary to preserve the rule of law. It may be necessary for the party leaders to agree on how to regulate the procedure to be followed in the matter of inquiry debate and voting. The opposition cannot look upon such proceedings purely from a political viewpoint and ignore the moral aspect. The temptation will be to capitalise the political aspects and use the occasion to berate the government. What is at issue is he incapacity of the Commissioners, and parliament must reach an impartial and objective decision. Let not the proceedings develop into a slanging match between the parties. Perhaps parliament should obtain guidance and assistance from independent professional men. Parliament is the ultimate forum for resolving differences in the national welfare. One hopes that parliament will not continue as a cockpit of warring individuals and groups as demonstrated in the Air Lanka debate. Nor should decisions on issues of this nature be taken on political party basis, ignoring the moral dimension. The idea that democracy implies rule by majority is a miseading of the essential spirit of democracy. Majority decision making is only an arithmetic convenience for avoiding interminable prolonged discussion. In a genuine democracy the rights of each one is sacred and cannot be violated with impunity. Morality and probity in public life are national issues, not issues for the ruling party alone. Corruption and the investigation of allegations of corruption should not and must not become political issues. The Permanent Commission on Bribery and Corruption set up as an institution to act impractically and independently and prevent any government coming in to office from indulging in vindictiveness character assassination or politically motivated investigations which are said to have taken place with the appointment of Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry. Commercial interests of MPs It goes on to say that a ''line has to be drawn between those who have legitimate outside interests and those who use their influence as MPs to enrich themselves.'' In practice the only way that distinction can be made is to require full disclosure of all outside financial interests. In Britain there is a register of members' interests maintained. Are MPs debarred from earning money as doctors, lawyers, or company directors? The public are confused and parliament should clarify the issue. The total emoluments of an MP over the entire term of office would perhaps be less than the expenditure incurred by him to be elected as an MP. In several countries finance for electoral campaigns is limited or met from the Public Exchequer. Given the high expenditure for election campaigning a MP has to either earn illegally and immorally or get his salary and allowances enhanced after becoming a MP which is nothing but a loot of the general treasury. If MPs start earning illegally how can corruption be stopped? If they get their salaries or allowances enhanced how can they preach to striking public servants and the general public to tighten their belts on account of the war? Nobody then would listen to the austerity sermons of the government. Hard work and auserity are essential for any developing country to make economic progress. We have, of course, added to our burdens by the continuing war. So it is better to promote representation in parliament as a part-time employment rather than a full-time career job. It will reduce the need to resort to corruption. Reducing the level of corruption is crucial not merely for attracting foreign investment and promoting economic growth, but also to preserve the quality of life for all. The quality of life is impaired by the presence of corruption at all levels of society. It is the ordinary citizen and the poor who suffer most from corrupt government officials. Why should only the corrupt grama sevaka the village school principal or the police constable be punished when the public perception is that there is massive large scale corruption at high levels of society? Corruption is also all-pervasive. Essential drugs in government hospitals are spirited away by hospital staff and the poor deprived of such drugs and forced to buy them from the private sector. Doctors are said to prescribe unnecessary tests and make patients go through unwanted operations in order to make money for themselves. Lawyers fleece clients charging fees without appearing in court or after postponing cases for their convenience. The degree of social insensitivity among the privileged is unbelievable. Changes It was the same with the Russian Revolution or the Chinese Cultural Revolution. We need reform — a new consciousness of morality to govern all aspects of social life—be it in political or economic decision-making. Parliament important Viagra may not work in South Asia! NEW DELHI, June 26: Here’s some news for those millions of men in India and other parts of South Asia who’ve been eagerly waiting to pop Viagra to improve their sex lives. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in the hot-selling anti-impotency pill, may not work in the subcontinent due to an unexplained genetic peculiarity: resistance to synthetic drugs. Drug-making companies do not advertise this. But, in the past, many promising synthetic drugs have flopped miserably in the Indian subcontinent after becoming enormously successful in the West. Well-informed analysts now say that genetic acceptability was an important reason why Pfizer did not launch Viagra in markets worldwide. A top clinical research scientist of Pfizer’s confided to a local newspaper that the fear of rejection by ethnic populations is the reason behind Viagra’s cautious release in global markets. He told "Business Standard": "India has a history of drug rejection and any release of Viagra will be preceded with extensive clinical trials." For instance, Indians’ genetic peculiarity is cited as the cause of the high rate of coronary heart disease (CHD) in this country. Popular western heart disease drugs cannot cure Indians suffering from heart problems. At least half a million Indians die of heart attacks every year. Right now, Viagra is left out of more than 80 per cent of the world market. Pfizer introduced the pill in the United States and three other countries, but chemists began selling it only after it was extensively "clinicked" and responses made certain. So far, medical science has not found out why one medicine shows different responses in different native groups. But the good news is that scientists are now hoping to crack this mystery of the human body through a worldwide project called the Human Genome Initiative (HGI). They plan to map the complete sequence of genes in a human body to obtain a variety of results, such as the cause of diseases, activity of drugs, the mysteries of ageing and so on. India has its own HGI project, undertaken by the Department of Biotechnology. The five-year project is being put in place and actual work will start by the year 2000 AD. Armed with the data from this, scientists can figure out at the touch of a keyboard the likely response of the human body to drugs and the probability of attracting illnesses like cancer, heart and mental diseases. DALER MEHNDI SIGNS BIGGEST CONTRACT
IN INDIAN MUSIC HISTORY! Daler, now aged 30, has indeed come a long way since the day some 10 years ago when he wanted to commit suicide because he was getting nowhere, couldn’t afford a monthly rent of Rs 100 and was ready to sing just for a hundred rupees! Lady Luck smiled on him in 1995, when Magnasound’s Shashi Gopal picked him from a bunch of hopefuls for a signing amount of Rs 50,000. His very first album "Bol Ta Ra Ra Ra" sold a million copies, and he is now one of the best selling non-film artists in the country. Today, he owns much property and charges a million rupees for a live performance! Says Gopal: "It’s an astounding price, yes. But only to tell people that Indian artists are worth that much. If Latin American artists can take over the world, why not Indian musicians ?" Daler points out: "What Magnasound is giving me is a little of what they made from me and will make from me." AND NOW "WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP" OF TEST CRICKET! The championship is likely to be staged once every four years, just like the World Cup. Its first edition could span about four months and may be held in early 2000. No Test series or one-day tournament will be staged while the championship matches are on. The ICC Trophy champion will be added to the nine Test-playing nations as the tenth team. The ten teams will be divided into two groups. Each team will play four qualifying matches, two at home and two away. Each host cricket Board will nominate a maximum of four venues, from which the ICC will select two for the (two) home matches. In the qualifying (league) stage, the maximum points will be awarded for an innings victory. Besides, drawn matches will not see the sharing of points--unless the first innings of both teams are not completed. Instead, the team securing the first innings lead could collect five points, while the team conceding the lead may end up with only three. The top two teams from each group could meet in the semi- finals. Alternately, the group toppers will straightaway meet in the best-of-three finals. The ICC will have the final say in determining the venues. Besides, the championship will entirely be an ICC affair. It will have overall supervisory powers in the preparation of wickets, and also monitor infrastructural facilities. The ICC will offer guarantee money to all ten teams, on the lines of the World Cup. And the ICC will collect the event sponsorship revenue as well as earnings from worldwide TV rights. Ganesha - God of Wisdom and
Success Among the Puranic deities Ganesha occupies an exalted position. It appears that his worship which began about the 6th century AD rapidly gained prominence, and today he remains one of the most widely worshipped deities in the Hindu Pantheon. During the Vedic age the Ganapatya cult, which was later absorbed into Hinduism, believed that the OM or Pranava Mantram was embodied in the form of Ganesha. The worship of Ganesha spread from India, which was the cradle of Hinduism, to many neighbouring countries, and this could be attributed to the fact that he was venerated as the remover of obstacles. It has been surmised that in those early years when travel was hazardous, Indian merchants may have carried with them small icons of Ganesha on their journeys abroad. Since Indian immigrants settled in a number of Asian countries, it is not surprising that many sculptures and icons have been found, as is evidenced by artifacts and epigraphs discovered in various parts of Asia and the Far East. It is interesting to note that some figures of Ganesha found outside India show him carrying the symbols of Lord Shiva. In Nepal he was depicted with the snake, in Tibet and Mongolia he carried the trident, and in Indonesia he was shown with the skull ornaments. A marble figure attributed to the 6th century AD was found in Afghanistan, where the four arms were broken but he remains of a damaged tusk and a turning trunk could be identified. The most common forms of Ganesha in Nepal were his manifestations as the five headed Heramba Ganapati, and as Shakthi Ganapati, while the Nritya Ganapati form was popular in Mongolia. The earliest stone carvings and frescoes cut in rock faces which were found in China were attributed to the 6th century AD where he was known as Vinayaka and also as the Spirit King of Elephants. A number of images of this deity have been found in certain parts of Burma, Thailand, Borneo and Cambodia, which came under the influence of Hinduism during the Gupta period. In Indonesia, although there was no separate cult of Ganesha, his images have been found in most temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The worship of Ganesha was introduced to Japan by Kalso Daishi about the 9 the century AD where he became quite popular and was known as the King of Elephants. The 1934/35 excavations near Mihintale in Sri Lanka revealed an elephant headed dwarf among a row of ganas at the Kantaka Etinga stupa, and a beautiful image of a seated Ganapati is seen carved in a niche in a pillar at the Shiva temple at Polonnaruwa. In the early forms the deity is depicted with two arms and his trunk dipping into a bowl of modakam (a kind of sweetmeat) on his left. One of the earliest forms of Ganesha was found in Mathura in North India, and attributed to the 2nd century AD, while the rock cut images seen at Elephanta, Ellora, and Badami refer to the late Gupta and post Gupta periods. An extremely rare and unusual sculpture was found at the top of a column at Ghatiyala in Rajasthan dated 862 AD with an inscription in praise of Ganesha. Four images of the deity were placed back to back, and faced the four cardinal directions. A large 7th century AD statue was discovered in Kashmir where Ganapati was seen sitting on a throne supported by two crouching lions. The Puranas, the compilation of which is attributed to Sage Vyasa, are not meant for the scholar or the intellectual. They consist of legends and miths to convey the fundamental truths of Hinduism to children, the simple villager, and the illiterate. These truths leave a lasting and beneficial impression on their minds and mould their thinking. The origin of Lord Ganesha is seeped in legend, one of which describes him as the mind-born son of Lord Shiva, who made him the leader of the ganas or celestial hosts, from which he acquired the name of Ganapati. Parvati, the Consort of Lord Shiva, on seeing him decreed that no endeavour, human or divine, will succeed without a prayer first to Ganapati. However, a more popular myth as to his origin was his creation by Parvati. From the dust and oils of her body she fashioned a figure of a young boy and infused life into him. Then she bade him guard the entrance to her apartments while she went to bathe. Soon after Lord Shiva came to see his Consort and found his way blocked by a young boy. In the ensuing battle the boy's head got severed from his body. Parvati, in her grief, threatened to destroy the heavens and earth in her manifestations as Shakthi. Lord Shiva and the gods pacified her, and the former sent out his ganas to bring the head of the first living being facing north, which happened to be that of an elephant. The head was placed on Ganapati's shoulders and life breathed into him. Another popular legend as to his origin describes Parvati, after much prayer and penance to obtain a child, found a new born babe in her chambers. The gods assembled at Mt Kailas to see this divine child. The nine planets also came, but of them Saturn refused to gaze upon the child. This was as a consequence of a curse by his wife that anyone who he viewed with admiration would be destroyed. Parvati, in her exuberance insisted that he look upon her son. When Saturn gazed upon the child his head got separated from his body and flew off into space. While the gods looked on helplessly, Lord Vishnu went in search of a head to replace the one the child lost and chose that of an elephant, placed it on the child's shoulders and infused life into him. Some of the Puranas mention that there are 32 forms of Ganesha, where his hands hold varied articles depending on his manifestation. Among these forms the well known ones are those of Shakthi Ganapati (the powerful one), Veera Ganapati (the valiant warrior), Maha Ganapati (the great one), Nritya Ganapati (the happy dancer), and Heramba Ganapati (the protector of the weak). The most common form of the Ganapati icon shows him with four arms, one hand holding the broken tusk, one holding the modakam, another holds aloft the elephant goad, and the fourth holds the noose. His elephant head with a single tusk has his trunk turned towards the left. In some rare sculptures the trunk is turned towards the right when he is known as Valampuri Ganapati, and considered auspicious by Hindus. He has a large abdomen and across his chest over the left shoulder the sacred thread. He is seen wearing a girdle in the form of a snake, while at his feet is the mouse or moashika, his vehicle. An interesting facet of the Ganesha icon is the symbolism attached to it. His large body is symbolic of the Universe which encompasses all living beings. The elephant head indicates auspiciousness, strength, and wisdom, while his large ears like winnows sift the good from the evil. The most interesting feature is his trunk which represents the symbol OM, the sound from which the world was created according to Vedic lore. His corpulent abdomen indicates the fact that he swallows the sorrows of the world and protects it, while his ungainly body is a spiritual lesson that outward form has no connection with inner beauty or spiritual perfection. The mouse at his feet which is constantly nibbling symbolises petty desires in man which hampers his spiritual elevation. One hand with the broken tusk indicates shedding of the ego, the modakam held in another depicts the sweetness of the realised inner self. The elephant goad in one hand is to prod man to the path of righteousness, and the noose held in his fourth hand indicates that desires and material attachments are a noose. Temple sculptures epitomise rich heritage in iconography which gave rise subsequently to bronze icons of unsurpassed beauty. A very unusual bronze icon of this deity was found in Nepal in his manifestation as the five headed Heramba Ganapati. He is ten armed and holds some of his and some of Lord Shiva's attributes. A five hooded cobra is seen above his head, while Shakthi stands beside him. Beneath his right foot is a lion, while below his left foot is a mouse. This rare icon is now housed at the Museum fur Volkerkunde in Munich. Among other icons discovered in Kathmandu, Nepal were two unusual ones, each depicting Ganesha with one head, a mouse under each foot, and Shakthi beside him. While one icon had four arms, the other had sixteen. A Hindu temple in Bangkok houses a bronze statue of Ganesha holding the broken tusk in his right hand, while on his left is a manuscript depicting him as the scribe in the Mahabharata. An icon of Ganapati was found in Bali, Indonesia, where he was seated on a throne surrounded by flames, and the soles of his feet touching, which was a common feature in most statues in that area. Ganesha is perhaps the most modern and contemporary figure among all Hindu deities, which could be attributed to the fact that his worship is not bound by any rigid code. This has made him adaptable to change, and the iconographer has been able to suit the modern era and new situation. Today, icons of Ganesha depicting him playing various musical instruments, and of him on a Pada Yatra walking with an umbrella and carrying a pot of water have found a wide appeal in the Western Hemisphere. There are numerous legends relating to Ganesha in the Puranas. Among them is one which revolves round the belief that worship of him by both divine and human beings should precede all action to ensure success. Lord Shiva set out in haste to destroy the demon Tripurasura. When he got into his chariot he found that a nail in the wheel was broken and the chariot could not be moved. He was perplexed as to how this should happen to him, and then realised that he had forgotten to pray to Ganesha. He invoked the name of this son and then set out to war and success. In his form as Bala Ganapati the child would play at the foot of Mt. Kailas, and one day he sucked the water from the ocean Nara where Lord Vishnu was reclining. In the ensuing commotion the Conch was found to be missing, and Lord Vishnu meditated on Lord Shiva in order to recover it. Lord Shiva advised him to pray to Valampuri Ganapati, and on doing so regained his Conch. Several legends are narrated as to the manner in which Ganapati broke a single tusk and thereby earned the name of Ekadanta. Parasurama, a devoted disciple of Lord Shiva, went to Mt Kailas to pay obeisance to his Master. His entrance was obstructed by Ganesha as his divine father was asleep. Parasurama tried to force his way in, and the two came to blows. Ganesha seized Parasurama in his trunk and twirled him round and made him senseless. On regaining consciousness Parasurama threw his axe, which he obtained from Lord Shiva through prayer and penance, at Ganapati. On recognising his father's axe, Gunesha in all humility took it upon one of his tusks. According to mythology he used the broken tusk as scribe to Sage Vyasa to write the Mahabharata. Ganesha agreed to write the epic on condition that the Sage would dictate without pause. Vyasa laid down his own condition that Ganesha should understand every word and its implications before writing it down, and thereby he gained the time necessary to compose that great epic. Wayside shrines to Ganapati are found everywhere in Tamil Nadu Ñ on thoroughfares, public parks, pavements, and hilltops. It is a common sight at these shrines to see devotees knock three times with clenched fists at their temples on the sides of their foreheads and offer prayer. Temples dedicated to Ganesha are found in many towns and villages and are based on local legends. Maharashtra in India has innumerable shrines to the elephant headed god who is greatly loved there. About 47 miles south of Trichy in Tamil Nadu at a village called Pillaiyar Patti is an ancient temple dedicated to Ganesha. The icon which has two arms indicating its antiquity is known as Katpaga Vinayaga. It is beautifully adorned on festive occasions and attracts a large number of pilgrims daily. This temple has been renovated and is well maintained by the Nattukottai Chettiars. A well known landmark atop the rock fort in Trichy is the Uchchi Pillaiyar temple which is accessible by rock hewn steps. This ancient shrine commands a panoramic view of the whole town and is clearly visible to all travellers. In Sri Lanka many towns and villages have a temple or shrine dedicated to Ganapati which many Buddhists too worship as "Ganadeviyo". One of the oldest shrines in the Northern Province is the Kailasa Pillaiyar temple at Nallur in Jaffna. This temple originally built in the 13th century AD was dedicated to Lord Shiva, and destroyed by the Portuguese in 1620 AD. The officiating priests fearing this calamity had removed the icons of Lord Shiva and his Consort for safekeeping. Subsequently the Dutch razed the temple buildings to the ground. The inhabitants who found a statue of Ganapati buried in a sand heap worshipped this icon which was placed under a vilva tree, and later Arumuga Navalar built a small shrine to house this deity. The early 20th century saw an expansion of this temple making it well known in the peninsula. The Manikka Pillaiyar temple at Sella Kataragama, which is situated about 4 miles from the main town stands on the banks of the Menik Ganga. Many pilgrims worship at this shrine before proceeding to the main temple of Lord Murugan. However, even at the main temple, a shrine to Ganapati occupies a prominent position where prayers are first offered. Travellers to and from Jaffna would halt at the shrine at Murugandi to break a coconut and pray for the completion of their journey in safety and free from obstacles. All temples in the Saiva tradition have a prominent shrine dedicated to Ganesha to enable devotees to offer their prayers to him, before worship of the presiding deity. Vinayaga Chaturthi, the main festival celebrated in honour of this deity, takes place in August/September each year and could extend upto nine days. In India, especially in Mumbai, the festival is celebrated in a grand manner with gaily painted statues made of clay or paper which are beautifully adorned. On the final day they are taken in procession and immersed in the sea to become one with the elements. During the period of the Ganesh Chaturthi devotees avoid looking at the moon. This custom arose from the legend that one night when the moon was bright, it caught sight of Ganesha's protruding stomach, and almost fell out of the sky with laughter. Ganapati was not amused, and cursed the moon stating that it would lose its brightness during certain days in the month and remain subdued in darkness, which explained the waxing and waning of the moon. Ganesha is a deity with a vast appeal for a large segment of Hindus, and his worship is not bound by any rigid form or tradition. This is indicated by the fact that an icon of this deity is not necessary to offer prayers. Quite often, a small pyramid of fresh cow dung or one of turmeric mixed with water will suffice. In prayers and devotional songs he is addressed by many names, among them Ganapati, Ganesha, Ekadanata, Vigneshwara, Sumukha, Vinayaga, and Aikaran. The Tamils have their own special name for him - Pillaiyar, meaning noble or revered son. Among Saivites a prayer to Ganapati precedes all worship and nothing auspicious can take place without invoking his name. Commencement of all rituals throughout the life of a Hindu Saivite is prayer to Ganesha who is the fount of all wisdom, the guarantor of success, and the remover of obstacles. Many Hindus believe that he provides knowledge to those who seek it, prosperity to those who ask for it, and enlightenment to those in search of spirituality. But by whatever name he is addressed all prayers begin with the words "Om Ganeshaya Namaha" to this most beloved of deities. Sexual misconduct in Buddhism Cattari thanani naro
pamatto (Four afflictions befall a person who, bereft of virtue, commits adultery, i.e., the propensity to acquire demerit, restlessness in sleep, scorn in this life and a state of woe having born in hell after death.) Buddha made this exhortation to a handsome youth who was in the habit of committing adultery in violation of the marriage bed. For his debased and disgraceful behaviour, he was often reprimanded by his parents for bringing the family to disrepute. The man was also imprisoned by the king, many a time, to reform him, in keeping with the law of the land and from indulging in the vice. When all efforts by the parents proved futile, his father took him to the Buddha, with the intention of reforming the son so that he would lead a virtuous life. Addressing the youth, the Buddha uttered the above exhortation. After having listened to the Buddha, the youth gave up the bad habit and did not venture after other women in seeking gratification of the flesh. The parents were happy over the change that their son had become a good man. Sex, in its manifold manifestations, is so strongly woven into the fabric of human life, that sexual misconduct is denounced as a social evil and a religious taboo in whatever manner it is done. Hence, it is not an outspoken subject nor discussed in detail either by parents, elders, teachers or even the Buddhist clergy, due to lack of verbiage to explain it in the decent way. "Kamesumiccacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami" (I pledge to observe the moral precept of self-abnegation from sexual misconduct) is the third precent of the 'pancaseela' (the five vows of morality), which every Buddhist is expected to observe in lay life. In fact, all religions insist on this taboo, for the welfare of mankind and to build a cultured society, since sex impulse is the most dynamic force in human nature. It is so far-reaching that some measure of self-control is essential to subdue it. Explaining the evils of sexual misconduct, the Buddha said "Sa pattha bahulo hoti sadacappati ittithi to ittiva pandako capi paradara rato naro" (Many a foe will be to him who commits adultery. Women will dislike him. After death, he will be born a 'pandaka' [hermaphrodite] or a female.) Buddhists believe that adulterers, after death, will be born in the hell 'Aviciya' to undergo the most rigorous forms of punishment which cannot be described in mundane terms. The Devaduta Sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya describes different kinds of hells taught in Buddhism, namely, Sanjivaya, Kalasutraya, Sanghataya, Rauravaya, Maha Rauravaya, Thapaya, Prathapaya and Aviciya. The hell 'Aviciya' is said to be similar to "Thamisra' of Hindu tradition and mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. Once king Pasenadi of Kosala, while fast asleep, was awakened by a fearful sound. In the morning, he told about it to his consort Mallikadevi. She advised him to go and see the Buddha and ascertain from him what it was all about. As suggested, the king went to see the Buddha and told him of the weird sounds he had heard the previous night. "There is nothing, O king, to worry over the sound. Neither the country nor are you in danger of any calamity. What you have actually heard was the agony of those suffering from punishments inflicted on them for sexual misconduct in their previous births. They are in the 'Lokumbu' hell, undergoing the ordeal for what they had done to satisfy their lustful longings, blindfolded by impulses which were sweet at first but painful later." The king, having listened to the Buddha, became aware of the seriousness of craving for undue sexual pleasure. According to the lexicon 'Jataka Atuva Getapada', the "Lokumbu' hell is said to have existed to the north of Savatti (modern Saheth-Maheth in the United Provinces of India), in the Kosala kingdom. Hence, the king is said to have heard the eerie sound of agonised pain and misery. Continuing, the Buddha said "There were four men who were very rich. They were living in Benares at the time of the previous Buddha Kasyapa. Because they were so rich, they spent lavishly on beautiful women, both married and unmarried, of very young age to satisfy their lust. These men, habitually, invited women to their mansions, had their passionate desires fulfilled, and sent them away after compensating them most liberally. "When these men died, they were born in the 'Lokumbu' hell to complete their cycle of retributive punishment." The king became aware of the painful consequences of sexual misconduct in whatever manner it is done. He realised that the human sexual urge must be controlled properly, or else, man will behave worse than animals when he is intoxicated with lust which is a natural instinct hard to subdue. Although perversion of the sexual force is not within the category, a perverted person invariably suffers from guilt. Needless to say that knowledge about sex is very deep-seated. It is cultivated by education and sanctified by religion which helps every one to control their sexual desires. The third precept of the 'pancaseela' is rigidly followed by the 'brahmacaris' (celibates), who completely abstain from sexual conduct, by not getting drawn into the net of libidinosity. Celibacy is one of the requirements for those who like to develop their spiritual development to perfection. However, it is not compulsory for any layman to observe complete celibacy in order to practise Buddhism. As a result of sex exploitation by the hidden persuaders of modern society, the youth of today have developed an attitude towards sex that is becoming a public nuisance. An innocent girl has no freedom to move anywhere without being disturbed or cajoled. On the other hand, females must dress in such a manner as not to arouse the hidden animal nature of sex. Buddhist clergy at the time of their ordination take the vow of complete celibacy, pledging to observe it strictly, until they remain in their robes. Under the "Vinaya' (rules of discipline), a bhikku becomes accused of 'parajika' if he were to cohabit with a woman, which warrants his removal from the robe. He becomes disqualified for his dishonesty in not keeping to the pledge at the time of ordination. Celibacy is part and parcel of the monastic order which the Buddha promulgated for the welfare of the Buddha Sasana. For twenty years from the establishment of the Sasana, Buddha did not take any initiative to make rules and discipline his disciples by establishing a code of conduct, but he was compelled to do so when one of his disciples, Bhikku Sudinna, had intercourse with his one-time wife, contrary to the vow taken to lead the life of a 'brahmacari.' This is how it happened. At the time when Buddha was residing at the Kutagarasala in Visala (now Vaisali),a man of high birth named Sudinna, living in the village Kalandaka, a few miles away from where the Buddha was resting, frequently went to see him and listened to his discourses which interested him. With the passage of time, and having satisfied with the doctrine of the Buddha, he expressed his wish to enter the order and become his disciple. Buddha having listened to Sudinna's request, told him that he could not be ordained without the prior consent of his parents. Downhearted and dejected, he went away hoping to return with the required consent from the parents, but he being the only child in the family, the request was turned down saying that he must remain a layman to look after the properties after their death as no one else could be entrusted with the task. Sudinma explained to his parents the futility of wealth and a life attached to worldliness, and the importance of renunciation. Finally, being unsuccessful in getting the consent, he threatened them saying that he would commit suicide by starving to death. There being no alternative, but to yield to their son's wish, the parents gave their consent and he was duly ordained into the Order of the Sangha. One day, bhikku Sudinna's mother went in search of her son and begged him to disrobe and return home to look after the properties. When he refused, his mother went and told his one-time wife that they both go and see bhikku Sudinna and appeal once again to return home. Accordingly, both went to see him at the hermitage with a new proposal quite different from what was suggested earlier. When they met him, his one-time wife said: "All right. If you can't come with me to go home, I should like to suggest one thing which you must fulfil positively." "What's that"? asked bhikku Sudinna. "I would like to have a son by you as the lawful heir to our wealth. I don't want any other person to look after our interests." As the Buddha had, by that time, not proclaimed the norms concerning sexual behaviour, and the disciples being unaware of its evil, bhikku Sudinna went with her into the forest and had her wish fulfilled. She became pregnant. However, the bhikku was guilty and his conscience always pricked him for what he had done, while in robe, against the view of celibacy which he knew as fundamental to renunciation, since all hermits, sages, ascetics etc., followed that principle. When Buddha became aware of what had happened, and to prevent a similar occurence, proclaimed the 'Methunadhamma parajika pattiya' (taboo on sexual behaviour among bhikkus), to be strictly observed by the bhikkus in keeping with the 'vinaya' (discipline). Any one who breaks the norm, cannot remain in the robe, but disrobe and become a layman and maintain the respect of the Sasana. Many societies try to enforce monogamous relationships. Thus a man with many failings can still be a moral man by adhering to the third precept of the 'pancaseela' which every Buddhist is expected to follow in his own interest and in the interests of the society at large. Sex should be given its due place in normal human life, as it is a nature's gift for procreation. It should neither be unhealthily repressed nor morbidly exaggerated. It should always be under the control of the will which most people fail to exercise, having become blindfolded with lust. Health The term micronutrient undernutrition refers to diseases caused by a dietary deficiency of vitamins and minerals. More than two billion people in the world may be affected today by micronutrient deficiency. Deficiencies of the minerals iron and iodine and of vitamin A are the most common forms of micronutrient deficiency seen. Micronutrient deficiency is a major impediment to socio-economic development and contributes to a vicious circle of under-development, to the detriment of already under-privileged groups. It has long ranging effects on health, learning ability and productivity. Micronutrient deficiency leads to high social and public costs, reduced work capacity due to high rates of illness and disability, and loss of human potential, Controlling micronutrient deficiency is a pre-condition for ensuring rapid development, Among factors leading to micronutrient undernutrition are poverty, lack of access to a variety of foods, lack of knowledge of good dietary practices and a high incidence of infectious diseases. Policies and programmes must therefore be directed at poverty alleviation, at assuring the availability of and access to an adequate variety and quantity of safe, good-quality foods for all, at educating the general public to enable them to adhere to optimal dietary practices, at providing a sanitary environment for everyone, and at educating policy makers to enable them to examine all policy decisions for their impact on the nutritional status of the people. Vitamin A Deficiency It has been estimated that, every year, half a million children go permanently blind as a result of VAD, and two-thirds of these may die. The extent of the problem in Sri Lanka is not known. A country-wide survey was conducted recently by the MRI. Results have yet to be published. VAD could be prevented by regular consumption of animal products (milk, butter, egg, liver) which provide pre-formed vitamin A. Orange-and yellow-coloured fruits and vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables and palm oil are rich in the pro-vitamin, carotene which can be converted to vitamin A in the body. Iron Deficiency The only programme of the Ministry of Health to control iron deficiency is directed towards pregnant women, to whom iron supplements are distributed at clinics. Thriposha distributed to pre-schoolars contains adequate amounts of iron but the availability of this iron has not been assessed. There is no programme directed at other groups at risk, such as primary school children, adolescent girls and the elderly. Health education programmes advocate the consumption of iron-rich foods. Foods rich in iron that can be absorbed readily (available iron) are red muscle (of meat, fish and poultry). The iron in such foods is contained in a haem molecule which is absorbed as such. Haem iron is therefore highly available. Iron in cow milk is poorly absorbed, unlike iron in human milk which is very readily absorbed. Egg yolk is rich in iron but as this iron is firmly bound to a protein in egg yolk, only about 5% of it is absorbed. Green leafy vegetables and legume grain are rich in iron but availability is very low. Phosphates, phytates, oxalates and tannates in cereals and vegetables and tea inhibit absorption of this non-haem iron. Eating fruit after a meal will increase the percentage of non-haem iron absorbed. Vitamin C in fruit competes with the inhibitors in blood and significantly increase the percentage of iron absorbed. Due to the high cost of fruit, one 100 mg vitamin C tablet may be taken after every meal to ensure the absorption of adequate quantities of iron from a rice-pulse-vegetable diet. Vitamin C being an antioxidant has other very desirable effects, in addition to its effect on iron absorption. Iodine Deficiency It has been estimated that about 20 million people suffer mental impairments, resulting in significant reduction in 1Q, due to lodine deficiency early in life. IDD is the most common cause of preventable mental retardation. In severe deficiency, in addition to serious disorders such as cretinism and deaf mutism, there could be reproductive impairment, which results in increased rates of miscarriage, still birth and birth defects. A gazette notification, published a few years ago, makes it obligatory for those who market salt (sodium chloride) for human consumption to ensure that the salt is of the levels of purity and lodine content laid down in the gazette notice. About 300 different firms are packeting and marketing powdered salt with the label ''lodized salt.'' It is obligatory on the Ministry of Health to check on the lodine content of salt that is made available to households. A few packets tested at the Faculty of Medicine, Galle, were found to contain no iodine at all. Once the public are assured that all salt they purchase is iodized, it is necessary to impress on them that the requirement of iodine is extremely small and that using iodised salt in quantities usually added to food, will meet their requirements. There is the danger of people assuming that the more lodine that is ingested the better will be a child's physical and mental development. An increased intake of salt could have adverse effects. Comparison of results of studies on goitre prevalence carried out by the MRI in the early 1950s and by the Peradeniya Medical Faculty in the 1980s show that (1) the endemic area now extends towards Puttalam and Welimada and is not restricted to the wet zone, and (2) in some endemic areas goitre prevalence has increased during the 30 years. Other studies by the Peradeniya Faculty point to causes of goitre other than a simple lodine deficiency in the water supply. Whatever be the cause of endemic goitre, using iodized salt will reduce its prevalence. In countries such as Switzerland where goitre prevalence was about 70% early in this century, using lodized salt has reduced the prevalence to less than 10% in 80 years. It should be stressed that a mere increase in lodine intake will not reduce the size of a goitre or improve a child's performance at school. The effects of iodization will be noticed in generations to come. In fact, a few individuals might develop hyperthyroidism when they change from a very low intake of lodine to which they have adapted, to an adequate intake. This effect was noticed in Europe when universal iodization of salt was first introduced. However, such an effect becomes less in future generations who would have become accustomed to optimal levels of iodine intake from infancy. A problem in the present generation is one that has to be endured for the sake of future generations. ICN Plan of Action 1. Implement programmes to correct micronutrient deficiencies and prevent their occurrence, promoting the dissemination of nutrition information and giving priority to breast feeding and other sustainable food-based approaches that encourage dietary diversification through the production and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods. 2. Ensure sustainable food-based strategies are given first priority, particularly for populations deficient in vitamin A and iron, favouring locally available foods and taking into account local food habits. Supplementation of intakes with vitamin A, Iodine and iron may be required on a short-term basis, to reinforce dietary approaches in severely deficient populations. Supplementation should be progressively phased out, as soon as micronutrient-rich food-based strategies enable adequate consumption of micronutrients. Why Food-Based
Strategies? A. Food-based strategies ii. are culturally acceptable and feasible to implement iii. promote self-reliance and community participation iv. take into account the crucial role of breast feeding and the special needs of infants during the weaning period v. foster the development of sustainable, environmentally sound food production systems vi. building alliances between government, consumer groups, the food industry and other relevant organizations, to achieve the goal of preventing micronutrient malnutrition B. Food fortification, one of the food-based strategies, has the potential for wide population coverage and can involve a combination of micronutrients. C. Nutrition education as a component of food-based strategies emphasizes prevention. Implementation Food-Based
Strategies Small-scale fruit and vegetable gardens can significantly increase the production of micronutrient-rich foods. Often what is produced in the home is marketed, not consumed. Gardening projects must therefore be linked to nutrition education programmes. Community participation and the involvement of women are important in building support and achieving behavioural change. Small animals poultry and fish provide excellent sources of micronutrients. Post-harvest losses are high in Sri Lanka. Improvements in marketing, grading, packing, transport and cold storage facilities can reduce such wastage. At the household level, practical food processing and preservation methods, such as solar drying, can be adopted to increase the year-round availability of seasonal micronutrient-rich foods. For example, mango slices and ripe jak, when sun dried will retain high levels of beta carotene activity for as long as 6 months. Food Fortification The Ministry of Plan Implementation with USAID assistance through OMNI (Opportunities for Micronutrient Intervention), is presently carrying out an efficiency trial of fortification of wheat flour with iron. The trial was preceded by a survey of hemoglobin levels of members of households selected for a national health and nutrition survey, which identified the groups at risk of being iron deficient. In Phase One of the project wheat consumption patterns in the country were identified. Wheat flour was fortified with seven different preparations of iron in order to ascertain the shelf-life of the flour and to evaluate foods made with each flour for consumer acceptance. Reports on studies included in Phase One of the project have been published in the Ceylon Journal of Medical Science, Volume 39, Number 1, 1996. For the Efficacy Trial six estates in Dickoya, managed by the Kelani Valley Plantations Ltd., have been selected, sufficiently isolated to ensure that all wheat flour and bread consumed by the population will be purchased from specified boutiques, cooperatives and bakeries. Three batches of flour are distributed, each to two of the estates, through the MPCS at Hatton. Two batches are fortified with elemental iron (one with hydrogen reduced iron and the other with electrolytic iron) at a concentration of 66 ppm by Prima Ceylon Ltd., at the mill at Trincomalee. These two flours and another batch of unfortified flour are packed in normal jute sacks and labelled 1, 2 and 3. The coding of the flours has been randomly assigned by Prima at the outset, and each estate will receive the same flour for a period of 12 months. During a baseline survey the following information has been recorded: Socio-economic information and household characteristics. mother/caretaker information flour distribution, food prices, quantity of tea plucked by women during a specified period of time blood examination-hemoglobin and erythrocyte protoporphyrin in the field and serum ferritin by RIA at the Nuclear Medicine Unit, University of Peradeniya, and a detailed 24-hour dietary recall The data will be collected a second time at the end of the 12 month period. The Primary Objectives of the Study are 1. To measuresthe impact of flour fortified with 66 mg/kg electrolytic iron and flour fortified with 66 mg/kg hydrogen-reduced iron, on the iron status of pre-school children, primary school children and women of reproductive age, the three groups most at risk of being anaemic. The assumption is that, if the iron status of these groups in the estate sector improves, it will also improve in other groups who are not iron replete and whose wheat consumption is lower. 2. To provide the relevant authorities with information on whether a. the use of one or both fortificants has a measurable and positive impact on iron status on one or more of the target groups. b. one of the fortified flours is more efficacious than the other, or whether both are equally efficacious in improving iron status. This information will be needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of the intervention and provide the basis for proposing national level wheat fortification with iron. The Secondary Objectives are 1. to determine the impact of improved iron status on growth of children between the ages of 9 and 71 months. 2. to determine whether deworming of women of reproductive age significantly enhances the efficaciousness of the iron fortification programme in reducing anaemia in women. 3. to determine whether worker productivity, reflected in an increased amount of tea plucked, increases with improved iron status of women. 4. to determine whether school absenteeism among primary school children is reduced with improved iron status. Excessive iron intakes may be harmful. For this reason the iron status of randomly selected iron-replete men, identified as consuming over 230 g flour/day in the baseline survey, is being monitored. Venipuncture blood samples are drawn at six-monthly intervals and, in addition to hemoglobin, erythrocyte protoporphyrin and serum ferritin measurements, assays will also be done for serum iron and total iron binding capacity. This sub-study is being carried out at the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. Control of iron Deficiency i. making an inventory of (a) fortified foods (b) micro-nutrient supplements available in the market and the feasibility of fortifying foods with iron, especially those fed to infants and pre-school children. ii. studying food regulations regarding fortified foods iii. drawing up regulations for quality assurance of fortified foods iv. analysing the cost-effectiveness of anaemia-related interventions v. studying the demand and supply of iron supplements, and the feasibility of distributing supplements to school children through the schools vi studying the feasibility of distributing supplements to women at their work places vii. reviewing the contribution of the ayurvedic sector towards the control of iron deficiency viii. assessing the role of IEC and training activities in the control of iron deficiency. The reports of the Consultants will be studied by a Steering Committee set up by the Ministry at a Workshop to be held early in July, 1998. It is hoped that the Final Report will form the basis of recommendations to be made to the Government for the Control of Iron Deficiency. |
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