The Justice Hema Committee (HC) Report marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for gender equality within the Malayalam film industry. Commissioned by the Kerala government at the request of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), the report provides a detailed account of the numerous forms of exploitation faced by women in the industry. It brings to light the systemic issues embedded in the industry's patriarchal culture, underscoring the need for urgent reforms.

Key Findings of the Hema Committee Report:

• Comprehensive Documentation of Gender-Based Issues:
• The report goes beyond instances of sexual harassment, covering violations of constitutional, labor, and human rights.
• It identifies 17 distinct forms of exploitation across 30 different professional categories, offering a detailed account of the challenges women face in various roles within the industry.
• Women’s Everyday Struggles in the Film Industry:
• Women in the Malayalam film industry face power imbalances that undervalue their contributions and rights.
• Issues like lack of changing rooms and toilet facilities, especially during outdoor shoots, have led to health problems like urinary infections.
• Challenging Power Structures:
• The industry is dominated by a patriarchal culture that marginalizes women.
• There is no formal contract for many actors and technicians, which leads to exploitation such as denial of remuneration and excessive working hours.
• Male colleagues often assume that women performing intimate scenes onscreen are willing to do so off-screen, highlighting the unprofessional and unethical behavior that permeates the industry.
• Empowering Women’s Voices:
• The report provides a platform for women to speak about the discrimination and harassment they have endured, empowering their narratives and making their struggles visible to the public.
• Impact Beyond the Malayalam Film Industry:
• The findings of the report contribute to the broader discourse on gender equity in male-dominated industries, highlighting the universal issues of discrimination and inequality.

Recommendations of the Hema Committee:

• Civil Court-like Tribunal: The report recommends establishing a civil court-like tribunal to handle the serious issues women face in the industry. This would provide an institutional mechanism for addressing grievances and holding perpetrators accountable.

Challenges in Implementation:

• Apathy and Sensationalism: Despite the detailed and serious findings of the report, the response has been characterized by sensationalism and apathy. There has been little meaningful engagement with the report’s recommendations.
• Lack of Political Will: The Kerala government needs to demonstrate the political will to implement the necessary reforms. Without this commitment, the vision of a truly inclusive and equitable film industry will remain unfulfilled.

The Hema Committee report is a significant step toward gender justice in the Malayalam film industry, setting a precedent for addressing gender inequities in other sectors as well. It calls for the industry and the government to take urgent, tangible steps to create a safer and more equal workplace for women.

Recent Development:

• Return of Saroops: Two saroops (copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib were recently returned to the Indian embassy in Doha, Qatar. The saroops were confiscated by Qatari authorities from individuals accused of running an unauthorized religious establishment.

About Guru Granth Sahib:

• Saroop (Bir):
• Definition: A physical copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, also known as "Bir" in Punjabi. Each Bir contains 1,430 pages referred to as "Ang," with consistent verses across different copies.
• Significance: The saroop is considered the eternal physical and spiritual form of the ten Sikh Gurus.
• Historical Compilation:
• First Compilation: Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, compiled the first Bir of the Guru Granth Sahib in 1604. This was installed at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Baba Buddha was appointed as the first Granthi (caretaker) of the Golden Temple.
• Second Compilation: Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, added verses from Guru Tegh Bahadur (the ninth Guru and his father) and compiled the Bir for the second and final time. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the living Guru of the Sikhs.
• Content and Language:
• Hymns and Contributors: The Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of hymns written by six Sikh Gurus, 15 saints (including Bhagat Kabir, Bhagat Ravidas, Sheikh Farid, and Bhagat Namdev), 11 Bhatts (balladeers), and four Sikh contributors. The hymns are composed in 31 ragas (musical measures).
• Script: It is written in Gurmukhi, the script used for the Punjabi language.
• Ceremonial Practices:
• Sukh Asan Sthan (Sachkhand): Gurdwaras have a dedicated resting place for the saroop called ‘Sukh Asan Sthan’ or ‘Sachkhand’ where the Guru Granth Sahib is placed at night.
• Prakash and Paat: In the morning, the saroop is ceremoniously installed in a ritual known as ‘Prakash’ (the opening ceremony) and is read throughout the day. At the end of the day, the book is closed and rested during the ‘Sukh Asan’ ceremony.

Significance:

• Spiritual Role: The Guru Granth Sahib is considered the eternal living Guru for Sikhs, embodying the spiritual teachings and guidance of the Sikh Gurus and saints.
• Preservation and Respect: The respectful handling and maintenance of the saroops reflect the deep reverence Sikhs have for their holy scripture.

Recent Controversy:

• Confiscation Issue: The confiscation of the saroops by Qatari authorities and their subsequent return has drawn attention to issues surrounding the handling of religious artifacts and the operation of religious establishments abroad.

The Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) 'GAURAV' was successfully tested by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from an Indian Air Force Su-30 MK-I aircraft off the coast of Odisha. This indigenous weapon system marks a significant advancement in India's precision-strike capabilities.

Key Features of GAURAV:

• Air-Launched Glide Bomb: Weighing 1,000 kg, GAURAV is an air-launched weapon that can hit targets at long distances after being released from a fighter aircraft.
• Navigation Systems: The bomb uses a highly accurate hybrid navigation system combining:
• Indian Navigation System (INS).
• Global Positioning System (GPS) for precision targeting.
• Indigenous Development: Designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, part of DRDO.

Test and Performance:

• The recent test, conducted from a Su-30 MK-I platform, demonstrated pinpoint accuracy, with tracking and telemetry systems capturing the bomb's precise trajectory and impact.

Significance:

• GAURAV enhances the IAF's long-range strike capabilities, allowing for precise, strategic strikes without needing to engage the target at close range.
• It strengthens India's defense self-reliance by being indigenously developed and reducing dependence on foreign systems for precision-guided munitions.

China plans to begin construction on the world’s first molten salt thorium reactor power plant in the Gobi Desert. This technology is set to revolutionize nuclear energy by offering a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional uranium-based reactors.

Key Features and Technology

• Thorium as Fuel:
• Fissile Conversion: Thorium is not inherently fissile, meaning it cannot sustain a nuclear chain reaction on its own. However, it can be converted into fissile uranium-233 within the reactor.
• Environmental Benefits: Thorium reactors produce less radioactive waste compared to uranium reactors and pose fewer risks of nuclear proliferation.
• India's Role: India has long promoted thorium as a fuel source and has plans for thorium-based reactors as part of its third stage nuclear power program, including Molten Salt Breeder Reactors (MSBR).
• Molten Salt Coolant:
• Improved Safety and Efficiency: Unlike conventional reactors that use water as a coolant, this reactor uses molten salt, allowing it to operate at higher temperatures and providing more efficient heat transfer.
• No High Pressure: Traditional nuclear reactors use pressurized water, which poses risks of explosions in case of malfunctions. Molten salt reactors operate at normal pressure, reducing the risk of leaks or explosions.
• Continuous Fuel Cycle:
• No Need for Refueling: The reactor's design allows it to continuously recycle fuel, unlike conventional reactors that need periodic refueling, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
• Higher Efficiency: Operating at higher temperatures improves the overall energy conversion efficiency, meaning more energy can be extracted from the same amount of fuel.
• Lower Risk of Accidents:
• Inherent Safety Features: Thorium molten salt reactors have a lower likelihood of catastrophic failures, such as meltdowns. They reduce the risk of accidents like those at Chernobyl or Fukushima, as the molten salt can solidify in case of a breach, trapping radioactive materials and preventing their release.

Global Implications

The success of this project could mark a significant shift toward sustainable nuclear energy. It represents a major step in addressing both energy needs and environmental concerns, as thorium reactors offer a cleaner, more abundant energy source with fewer risks of nuclear proliferation.