Law Against Rape:-

The Indian law prior to the Nirbhaya Incident took into account only acts of penile-vaginal intercourse within the definition of rape and forcible acts of penetration of vagina, mouth, urethra or anus through penis or an inanimate object did not fall within the definition of rape. Many rapists were not prosecuted because there was no law to punish such acts. In 2013, the definition was expanded to consider rape as any acts like penetration by penis, or any other object or any part of body to any extent, into the vagina, mouth, urethra or anus of a woman or making her to do so with another person or applying of mouth to sexual organs without the consent or will of the woman constitutes the offence of rape.

Section 53A of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Indian law lays down certain provisions for medical examination of the accused. Section 164A of the Code of Criminal Procedure deals with the medical examination of the victim.

The revised statutes of 2013 Indian law, in section 376A, mandates minimum punishment in certain cases. For instance, if the sexual assault inflicts an injury which causes death or causes the victim to be in a persistent vegetative state, then the convicted rapist must be sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of at least twenty years and up to the remainder of the natural life or with a death penalty. As well, in May 2013, the Supreme Court of India held that the two-finger test on a rape victim violates her right to privacy, and asked the Delhi government to provide better medical procedures to confirm sexual assault.

The Indian Penal Code, Section 377, is the only section that criminalizes all acts of non-consensual carnal intercourse, ncluding male-on-male rape. This section penalizes both consensual and forced sodomywith 10 years minimum to life imprisonment. The Delhi HC stated that Section 377 of Indian Penal Code will continue to govern non-consensual penile, non-vaginal sex and penile non-vaginal sex involving minors. The section can be evoked to punish sodomites, pedophiles and zoophiles.

The rape definition in Section 375 of Indian Penal Code does not include rape in which males are the victims. The Indian government in 2012 decided to change the definition of “rape” as forcible penetration to include male victims, but was criticized on the grounds that this would further harm the interests of female rape victims.

Prevention of Rape:-

On the Street

• Travel in well-lit, well-travelled areas.
• If possible, walk in pairs.
• Walk facing traffic.
• Plan your route ahead of time.
• Walk assertively and maintain a sharp awareness of your surroundings.
• If you sense you are being followed, immediately cross to the opposite side of the street and head for the nearest open business or occupied dwelling.

In a Social Situation

• When first meeting a new friend, exchange phone numbers, not addresses.
• Keep someone apprised of your whereabouts when dating a man for the first time.
• It is a good idea to refrain from going to bars and clubs alone. However, should you choose to do so, have your own transportation available, and use it.
• Don’t allow alcohol or drugs to cloud your common sense.
• If a man persists in asking for your phone number, and you feel it would cause a problem should you refuse, or give him a fake number.
• Know what your personal social standards are and stick to them. Don’t allow your judgment to be overruled by an aggressive pursuer.

Passive Self Defense

• Talking your way out of a situation.
• Telling the rapist you’re pregnant, menstruating, or afflicted with a communicable disease can be an effective ploy.
• Faking submission and waiting for an appropriate opportunity to make an escape.

Active Self Defense

• If you choose to fight, fight effectively. A half-hearted attempt at resistance could be worse than no resistance at all.
• Before initiating a physical defense, you should be aware of your capabilities – both physical and mental. If you cannot imagine yourself exerting whatever force necessary to ward off an attacker, then perhaps a more passive approach is more viable for you.
• Have some idea of what you intend to do should you be attacked. If you have given prior thought to the matter, you will be better prepared to avoid debilitating panic.
• Self-defense classes aimed at teaching everyday defensive maneuvers can help build confidence.
• Don’t underestimate the power of your voice as an effective defensive tool. If you feel your voice may fail you when you need it most, practice screaming.

today historical event occurred

17 July – World Day for International Justice
World Day for International Justice is observed annually on 17 July every year. It is also known as the Day of International Criminal Justice or International Justice Day. This day recognise the emerging system of international criminal justice.

17 July – World Emoji Day

World Emoji Day is observed on 17 July every year since 2014. The day is celebrated to represent an idea or an emotion through electronic means. 

People travelling ahead of time is not something that we get to come across daily. Well, maybe we do, but we just don’t know because they are ahead of their time, and are probably considered outrageous or maybe just stupid by us today.

One such person who was WAY ahead of his time was Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. Basheer was born in Thalayolaparambu near Vaikom in the Kottayam distrect of Kerala in 1908. He was a freedom fighter, writer, novelist, and short story writer. He has also written screenplays and dialogues for movies. He is well known for his down-to-earth and unconventional style of writing.

Basheer was also a follower of Gandhian ideologies, after he was introduced to them during the Vaikom Sathyagraha during which Mahatma Gandhi had visited Vaikom. This incident and the ideologies that formed afterwards became the content and inspiration behind a lot of Basheer’s works.

Basheer wrote his first works in his early 30s, and in order to sell those, he himself carried those in trains, sold them to interested people, waited till they finished reading it (which was possible because most novels by Basheer are pretty small, around 70-90 pages), and got it back to sell to the next customer.

Basheer’s writings cover an entire spectrum of genres, from comedy and satire to poignant stories, and love stories. But one common feature seen in the works of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer are the underlying social commentary. Basheer was very vocal in his criticisms of various religious and social aspects. He was never one to shy away from controversial topics. He believed what he wrote was his point of view, and no one else had a say in his beliefs. In fact, he was so vocal that he has even been sent to jail for the content he wrote.

Even though the social commentary can be seen in most of Basheer’s works, the one that stood out, among critics and avid readers is the 1947 novel Shabdangal (The Voices), in which he talked about orphanhood, war, hunger, disease and prostitution. The entire novel is set up as a conversation between a soldier who fought in the Second World War, and the author. The soldier was left at a four way junction as soon as he was born. He had never known the taste of breast milk, or the warmth of a mother’s hands. All he had done in life was kill people for other people. Once, he had to kill his friend, at the request of the same friend because he was injured during the war, and had no chance of survival. Basheer cleverly states the symptoms of PTSD, without citing the actual disease. The soldier cannot bear the sight of blood, and he is afraid to bathe as he considers water to be the blood of the earth. He is disgusted at the sight of “those dyed pieces of cloths” referring to flags. He claims that all flags do is create a divide among humans.

Upon returning from the war, he is curious about sex, and the female body, which leads him to his first sexual encounter, which turns out to be with a male prostitute dressed as a female. Following this he contracts gonorrhea and syphilis and becomes a homeless wanderer.  The insanity of the world and the futility of life pushed the soldier to attempt suicide. But he failed. He wished to confess about his life, which brought him to the doorstep of the author.

Mathilukal is just one of the many novels in which Basheer talks about the hypocrisy of mankind, and the divisive nature of the ones who govern the people. His protagonists were usually thieves, prostitutes, pickpockets, gamblers, etc. whom he portrayed to be naïve, pure, and to be victims of the system. The thoughts that Basheer exhibited in the novels weren’t welcome back in the day when it was written, but soon around 20 years after they were wriiten, people started seeing how it was a true masterpiece. Basheer wrote down thoughts in a manner that even the lowest sects of the society could understand them. Basheer had the rare talent to leave a long lasting impression in the mind of the readers, something that we don’t get to see daily!

Introduction

We take interviews to get the story behind a participant’s experiences. Before we decide to take up an interview, we must articulate to ourselves what problems or needs we should be addressing using the information to be gathered by the interviews. The interviewer can pursue in-depth information about a topic. The interview may be beneficial as a follow-up to respondents to questionnaires. e.g., to further investigate their responses. Usually, we ask open-ended questions during interviews which helps us keep a clear focus on the intent of each question.

The Role of the Interviewer

The interviewer is the “jack-of-all-trades” in survey research. The interviewer’s role is complex and multifaceted. It includes the following tasks:

• Locate and enlist the cooperation of respondents – the interviewer has to look for the respondent. There are times when the interviewer has to work at the least desirable time because that is when the respondents are available immediately. 
• Motivate respondents to do a good job – The interviewer should be motivated and transfer the same energy to the respondent. If the interviewer does not take the work seriously, why would the respondent? The interviewer has to convey the importance of the research.
• Clarify any confusion/concerns – The interviewer must be patient with the interviewees when they have to clear a doubt. Interviewers have to be able to think on their feet. The respondents may raise objections or concerns that are not anticipated. The interviewer has to be able to respond candidly and informatively.
• Observe the quality of responses – Only the interviewer can judge the quality of the information whether the interview is personal or over the phone. Even a verbatim transcript will not adequately convey how seriously the respondent took the assigned task, gestures, or other information.
• Conduct a good interview – Last, and certainly not least, the interviewer has to conduct good decorum! Every interview has a life of its own. Some respondents are motivated and attentive whereas others are distracted or disinterested. The interviewer also has good or bad days. Assuring a consistently high-quality interview is a challenge that requires constant effort.

Preparation for Interview

1. Choose a setting with little distraction – The interviewee is an asset for us. We have to make sure that they are comfortable. Avoid loud lights or noises, etc. Often, they may feel more comfortable at their places of work or homes.
2. Explain the purpose of the interview – The interviewee should be familiar with the purpose of the interview.
3. Address terms of confidentiality – Explain the terms of confidentiality to the interviewee beforehand. You have to be careful while doing this. You can rarely promise anything as the information might be accessible by certain officials or higher authorities. Explain who will get access to their answers and how they are analyzed. If you’re using their comments as quotes, get their permission beforehand.
4. Explain the format of the interview – Be clear with the type of interview you will be conducting and explain its nature to the interviewee. If you want them to ask questions, specify if they’re to do so as they have them or wait until the end of the interview.
5. Indicate how long the interview usually takes –  People do not want to waste their time. Give the interviewee an approx time that the interview might take.
6. Ask them if they have any questions – Before you start the interview and after you end the interview, make sure that the interviewee has no questions or confusion.
7. Don’t count on your memory to recall their answers – Ask their permission to record the interview or carry a notepad for pointers.

Types of Interviews

1. Informal, conversational interview – There is no predetermined set of questions. We should remain as open and adaptable as possible to the interviewee’s nature and priorities. The interviewer should go with the flow.
2. General interview guide approach – This approach intends to ensure that the interviewer collects the same information from each interviewee. This approach is more focused than the conversational approach but still allows freedom and adaptability in getting information from the interviewee.
3. Standardized, open-ended interview – In this approach, the interviewee is free to answer the question in whatever way they want. (they don’t have to select yes or no or any numeric rating) This approach facilitates faster interviews that can be more easily analyzed and compared.
4. Closed, fixed-response interview – This approach tends to fix a set of questions that the interviewer asks all the interviewees. They have to choose answers from among the same set of alternatives. 

Types of Topics in Questions

Patton notes six kinds of questions. One can ask questions about:

1. Behaviors – Ask about what they are doing currently or what experience do they have from the past. 
2. Opinions/values – A person’s opinion describes them. Ask what they think about a topic.
3. Feelings – Look for the feelings of the interviewee. Make sure that the interviewee is giving their personal opinion and experience. 
4. Knowledge – Try to get facts about the relevant topic.
5. Sensory – Ask about their sensation towards the topic. About what people have seen, touched, heard, tasted, or smelled.
6. Background/demographics – Ask basic questions to know about the interviewee. (age, height, occupation)

Sequence of Questions

1. Involve the interviewee in the interview as soon as possible – Make the respondent comfortable quickly and cooperate during the interview.
2. Before asking about controversial matters (such as feelings and conclusions), first, ask about some facts – With this approach, respondents can more easily engage in the interview before warming up to more personal matters.
3. Intersperse fact-based questions throughout the interview – To avoid long lists of fact-based questions, which tends to leave respondents disengaged.
4. Ask questions about the present before questions about the past or future – Respondents are comfortable answering about their present than answering about their future. In the beginning, ask about their present and then get into asking about their future.
5. The last questions might allow respondents to provide any other information they prefer to add and their impressions of the interview – Give the respondent the liberty to add any extra information they want to.

Wording of Questions

1. The wording should be open-ended – Respondents should be able to choose their terms when answering questions.
2. Questions should be as neutral as possible – Avoid wording that might influence answers, e.g., evocative, judgmental.
3. One question at a time – The interviewer should not confuse the interviewee by asking too many questions at once.
4. Questions must be transparent – This includes knowing any terms particular to the program or the respondents’ culture. There must not be any two-faced questions in the set.
5. Be careful asking “why” questions – This type of question infers a cause-effect relationship that may not truly exist. These questions may also cause respondents to feel defensive, e.g., that they have to justify their response, which may inhibit their response to this and future question.

Conducting Interview

1. Occasionally verify the tape recorder (if used) is working – If you’re using a recorder make sure you check it beforehand because you can’t afford to lose the interview.
2. Ask one question at a time – when you ask too many questions at once, it will confuse the interviewee that eventually will lead the interview to go wrong.
3. Attempt to remain as neutral as possible – Try not to show emotions to the interviewee’s answers. Pretend that you have heard it all before.
4. Encourage responses – Be attentive and give occasional nods of the head, “uh-huh”s, etc.
5. Be careful about the appearance when note-taking –  That is, if you jump to take a note, it may appear as if you’re surprised or very pleased about an answer, which may influence the answer to the future question.
6. Don’t lose control of the interview – This can occur when respondents stray to another topic, take so long to answer a question that times begin to run out.

Immediately After Interview

1. Verify if the tape recorder, if used, worked throughout the interview.
2. Make any notes on your written notes – Clarify any scratchings, ensure to number the pages, fill out any pointers that don’t make sense, etc.
3. Write down any observations made during the interview – For example, where did the interview occur and when, was the respondent particularly nervous at any time? Were there any surprises during the interview? Did the tape recorder break?

Education is very important role on the our life this is a part of our life

It helps people become better citizens, get a better-paid job, shows the difference between good and bad. Education shows us the importance of hard work and, at the same time, helps us grow and develop. Thus, we are able to shape a better society to live in by knowing and respecting rights, laws, and regulations.

An education can greatly improve your quality of life. Keeping your mind sharp with new and interesting information can potentially decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. … With a good education, you could also become well-informed about healthy living, making you more likely to live longer.

You gain knowledge, skills and experience to help you both in your career and in life in general. On top of that, by gaining additional skills in communication and problem solving and achieving your goals, you can also increase your confidence.

From exit of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, India may soon counter a condition in which it would have no presence in the country. Not even diplomatic presence. This is going to be the reversal of a long friendship. Afghanistan is vital to India’s strategic interest.

In 1947, right after independence, India concluded a Treaty of Friendship with Afghanistan which opened up diplomatic relations. During 1950s and 60s, India strengthen its diplomatic ties with Afghanistan. India’s first and most significant interest is to ensure that Pakistan does not gain anything from Afghanistan. If it happens, it will be disastrous to the regional security of India. Pakistan on the other hand, refuse the transit rights to India over Pakistan to reach Afghan. India has used alternative way from Chahbahar port in Iran to reach landlock Afghanistan.

India has built roads, dams, consulates, electricity transmission lines, schools and hospitals etc. Some of the projects by India in Afghaistan are-
1. Salma Dam: the 42MW dam in Herat province of Afghanistan. The hydropower and irrigation project inaugrated by PM modi in 2016. It is also known as the ‘Afghan-India Friendship Dam’.
2. Zaranj-Delaram Highway: 218 km long highway built by Border Roads Organisation, located close to the border with Iran. This highway is of strategic important to India as it provides an alternate route to Afghanistan via Iran.
3. Afghan Parliament: built in 2015, it was inaugrated by PM Modi in his visit to Afghanistan. Even one block in this building is dedicated to the former prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
4. Electricity Infrastructure: some projects by India in Afghan like 220kV DC transmission like in Baghlan province. Also some telecommunications infrastructure is restored by indian contractors and workers.
5. Health: India has reconstructed “Indira Gandhi Institute for Child Health in 1985, i.e. a children’s hospital. It has also built some clinics in different provinces of Afghanistan.
6. Other projects: Apart from the above mentioned projects, some other contributions from Indian side like, benches and desks to schools, solar panels in villages, sulabh toilet blocks, transportation buses etc.

Currently both the sides are working together on Shatoot Dam project in Kabul district, with an aim to provide safe drinking water to 2 million people. Some other projects are still going on. India has provided $3 billion estimated assistance to Afghanistan.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is an American sitcom that first aired in 2013. Since then, it has gained a huge fan-following, throughout the world. Everything from the characterization to the acting has caught the eye of followers, and rightfully so. The show has gone on to be considered as one of the best sitcoms ever made. But Brooklyn Nine-Nine is not just any mere sitcom. It deals with issues that plague the modern society, in a witty manner and with ease.

The show creators who also created other shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and The Good Place, have always made sure that their shows do not stick to just gag jokes, and clichés, and have worked in creating new ways to entertain people.

The show humanizes the characters by each of them having at least one character flaw, and them dealing with it, in their own capacities, rather than just making a single character the face of the show, and making that character a “perfect model”.

The show deals with problems like:

Racism

The show has been very vocal about racism, and have shown their take on it in multiple episodes. The captain of the 99^th precinct, Captain Holt often reminisces about the struggles he had to face in the police department in the 1980s for being an African American.

The same goes with Sergeant (and later Lieutenant) Terry Jeffords, where in one episode he is stopped by another police officer at night because of the colour of his skin. The entire episode revolves around whether Terry decides to sue the officer or not. This episode in particular highlights the issues that the African American community face in the US. But this is just one of the many episodes where the issue is highlighted.

Sexuality

The show also helps bring a positive change in the perspective of its audience towards the LGBTQ+ community. The Captain Raymond Holt is the first openly gay Captain of the NYPD. This made his life in the department all the more difficult as he was an openly gay, African-American officer in a very much prejudiced Police department. This is what makes his success story, and how he rose up the ranks all the more interesting.

Apart from Captain Holt, the audience also gets to find out that Detective Rosa Diaz is bisexual in Season 5. The episode where Captain Holt and Rosa Diaz talk about their sexuality has some memorable moments as well.

Masculinity

The show also raises the question of what could be considered masculine or macho. All the characters have some flaw that defines their character. The character Jake Peralta has parental issues, Charles Boyle is shown as vulnerable and insecure of his friendship with Jake, Lieutenant Terry is a protective father, and these are just few of the examples. The show breaks the idea of a stereotypical, macho character, who has to confine to norms set by the society. It shows that humans are essentially flawed, and that is what makes them more human.

What sets B99 apart is that it breaks the myth that there can’t be a joke without offending people. Brooklyn Nine-Nine shows how to create a show that is inclusive, has well-built characters, and still create a good time for people without offending a particular community.