A rapid shift towards the digital modes of service delivery has highlighted the urgency to protect the privacy and security of the citizens’ data. Through a critical examination of India’s fragmented state of data protection legislation, we advocate for centralising the citizens’ rights in all policies and legislations.
South Asian Governmentalities: Michel Foucault and the Question of Postcolonial Orderings edited by Stephen Legg and Deana Heath, New Delhi: Cambridge University Press, 2018; pp 269, ₹595.
Millets can play a role in providing nutrition security as they are rich in various macro and micronutrients, and can help to fight various non-communicable diseases. Hence, a suggestion was made to include them in the basket of goods provided through the public distribution system. The findings of this article suggest that, with the present level of production, millets can be provided in some states of India which have culturally grown as well as consumed them. However, scaling this policy to the national level may not be possible unless rigorous measures are undertaken to improve production as well as consumer acceptability.
Provisional Authority: Police, Order, and Security in India by Beatrice Jauregui, Chicago, London: Chicago University Press, 2016; pp ix+ 205, $35 /£24.50.
Issues of security have all too often focused on military aspects, emphasising elements of 'masculinisation'. But for long lasting solutions, it is necessary to involve groups that have remained 'marginal' so far - in particular the women's movements and action forums. A gender-based perspective could offer radical solutions, as women's viewpoints, attitudes and 'coping strategies' - as seen in Northern Ireland and South Africa, could bring in far-reaching, positive and provide durable security in the long run.
Tighter security and police/military methods alone will rarely end terrorism, whether in the US or in Kashmir. The possible targets are too many and the methods are varied and uncontrollable. The key is avoiding situations where a section of the people gets so alienated that it starts believing that terror and violence are the only means to get 'justice', or at least attention. Political solutions are a must.
