Phoenix Talks

Despite of being home to a vibrant chip design industry, India has lagged way behind in semiconductor ship manufacturing (aka: fab).  The first attempt to set up a semiconductor industry was done in 1999-2000, but was unsuccessful. A similar semi-hearted attempt was made in 2007, result was also similar. This time government plans to come up with a customized subsidy package in way of New Semiconductor Policy.  The opportunities and stakes are huge and so is the requirement.  Most of the chips in India (be in any electronic device – mobile, TV, computers, manufacturing equipment and so on and so forth numerous appliances) are supplied from China – and unfortunately even with the best available memory and analytical skill we do not find any reason to trust that the chips supplied from other side of the Himalayas will not be utilized for some other purpose (let’s say spying activities) – specially the locally made unbranded electronics.  The latter form a large ...

The recent case in Supreme Court which required nine judge bench to decide whether the right to privacy be deemed a fundamental right has raised several questions.  The government is questioned over its integrity and the compulsion posed on citizens to provide their biometric data and other such personal details.  The counsels for the petitioners include Gopal Subramanium, Soli Sorabjee and Shyam Divan.  These legal mammoths made a strong pitch in favour of privacy. Furthermore, in Menaka Gandhi vs Union of India case Justice K. Iyer stated that although Article 21 provides that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except in accordance with procedure established by law - but this does not mean that mere appearance of procedure followed will satisfy the said Article, the procedure should be just, fair and reasonable. The case also accepted “Right to Privacy” a part of Article 21. Similar expressions were repeated by Supreme Court in Govind v...