You want people who are self-confident and not afraid to express their views, but if the talk-tolisten ratio is anything north of 60%, you want to ask why. Is it because this person is self-important and not interested in learning from others — or just because he is nervous and rambling? Some people carry with them and spread a negative energy.
Some carry and share a positivity and optimism towards life. Energy-givers are compassionate, generous and the type of people you immediately want to spend time with…. Then, there is reading. Reading gives depth.
By striking down as unconstitutional a particular provision of the Representation of the People Act, which allows convicted parliamentarians and legislators three months to file their appeal with the objective of getting stayed their conviction and the sentence, the apex court has made it clear that its ruling will be with prospective effect. MPs and MLAs who have already moved appeals against criminal charges will be exempt from the action prescribed by the court. But those convicted by trial courts in the future will no longer be able to invoke Section 8(4) of the RP Act. The decision, therefore, is a scathing comment on Parliament, which the court described as having exceeded its powers in providing immunity to politicians with dubious records.
Over the years, there have been an increasing number of cases in which serious allegations ranging from criminal misuse of public office, corruption, impropriety and other noxious activities have been levelled against politicians of all hues. An estimated 76 of the 543 MPs elected in 2009 face serious criminal charges such as murder, rape and dacoity. Several of these cases do not reach their logical conclusion for a variety of reasons, including attempts to circumvent the law, witnesses turning hostile, untrustworthy law enforcement and, sometimes, undue pressure on the judiciary.