Hong Kong, China — Thankappan's son Gopi died in police custody in 1988. Gopi's body was found inside a police cell at the Cherthala Police Station in Kerala state of India. It took 10 years for his father to have the case investigated, and another 10 before the guilty officers were punished for the crime.

Hong Kong, China — June 26 is observed as the international day against the practice of torture, a practice that is condemned worldwide. Countries like India and China – which are allegedly gearing up to become the economic powerhouses of the new world order – cannot ignore this fact.

Hong Kong, China — “India has a long tradition of promoting and protecting human rights. It was privileged to be in the forefront of the struggle against apartheid since even before India's independence.” So reads India’s statement upon joining the U.N. Human Rights Council. But the reality today is different.

Hong Kong, China — The Supreme Court of India is known for using its constitutional mandate and authority to initiate actions of public interest. The court in the past has even taken note of newspaper reports to initiate suo motu actions against suspected breach of law and misuse of office by public servants. This earnestness and enthusiasm has not been thus far reflected in the Indian courts' approach against scrutinising the activities of the courts and its judges. On the contrary, the Indian courts have been very parochial in its approach in facing criticism.

Hong Kong, China — The government of Uttar Pradesh state in India has a clear mandate and vision to protect its children. With more than 100 projects commissioned by the state’s child development agency and a few million dollars spent each year, one would not expect children to die from malnutrition.

Hong Kong, China — The success of the BJP in the state Legislative Assembly election in the south Indian state of Karnataka is a lesson to other parties. The progressive, secular, communist and socialist parties all lost their seats to the Hindu fundamentalists. Why? It was a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Hong Kong, China — The Indian state of Kerala is referred to as “God’s own country;” but the name is a misfit. The latest problems involve state doctors threatening to abandon patients if not given a raise, and police protecting fake “holy men” with links to high officials. Corruption in public life is considered normal.

Hong Kong, China — The Supreme Court of India has been locked in battles with the Indian legislature off and on throughout its history. Now the two have locked horns over the transparency of the court itself and that of its judges. It seems that the court as an institution prefers a certain degree of secrecy.

Hong Kong, China — The government of the Indian state of Manipur has declared that it will provide arms, training and cash incentives for individuals to fight "terrorism." While the Supreme Court of India has yet to make a decision on a petition challenging this rationale, more states are resorting to this "dirty" tactic.

Hong Kong, China — In a recent interview Prachanda, the head of the Nepali Maoists, expressed his willingness to cooperate with the government of India to bring prosperity and longstanding peace to Nepal. He has made it clear that Nepal seeks to restructure itself as a secular, socialist and democratic state.

Hong Kong, China — A school is where a student learns various subjects as well as discipline. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea to locate a police station in a school. In India many schools are forced to house police stations, sometimes forcing the children to study outdoors or stay home.

Hong Kong, China — Yang Chunlin is a factory worker in China, sentenced to five years in prison for petitioning the government on behalf of poor farmers who lost their land. E. G. Raveendran is an Indian laborer assaulted by the Communist Party of India for applauding a rival party's speaker. Neither incident is rare.

Hong Kong, China — April 7 is celebrated as World Health Day. This year's theme adopted by the WHO is the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. However, this theme is of less importance to people in many developing countries than the basic rights to healthcare, adequate food and clean water.

Hong Kong, China — "Encounter killing specialist" is an often-heard term in India these days. It is used in conjunction with police officers to describe their acts of "eliminating" suspects, often in staged encounters. These murders are reported by the media as encounter killings.

Hong Kong, China — The head of a Hindu fundamentalist organization in India has come out with a statement in support of the Tibetans who have clashed with Chinese police in recent weeks, calling for international pressure on China. Yet the group itself has been instrumental in inciting violence against Muslims in India.

Geneva, Switzerland — "The right to freedom of expression and opinion is one of the essential foundations of a democratic society." It's a wonderful statement, but when uttered by India's delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Council session in Geneva, it is full of self-deceit. Many Indians are, in fact, denied this right.

Hong Kong, China — The Indian Parliament is a joke. If you think this is merely the twaddle of a columnist who writes unpleasant facts about his country, you are wrong. The statement was made Monday by none other than Somnath Chatterjee, speaker of the lower house of the Indian Parliament.

Hong Kong, China — On Monday, lawyers in Thiruvanandapuram staged a protest demanding a High Court bench in the city, as the nearest High Court is more than 300 kilometers away. This demand is exclusively for the benefit of the lawyers, not the litigants. It's a far cry from the days when India's lawyers led the fight for the people's rights.

Hong Kong, China — The motor vehicles department in Hong Kong is planning to introduce black boxes in public local buses plying in the city. Yes, the similar kind of machine that one often hears about after an airplane accident. Any visitor from the South Asian countries visiting Hong Kong will be amazed by the relative discipline, drivers in Hong Kong keep, compared to their counterparts in South Asia. Those visitors from India to Hong Kong will be in for a definite shock.

Hong Kong, China — On Feb. 11 the Mumbai police registered a case against Raj Thackeray, head of the political party Navnirman Sena, for inciting violence through his speech and public statements. The speech resulted in damage to property and injury to individuals, but the case will never be prosecuted.

Hong Kong, China — In a surprise raid on the residences of 10 senior civil servants in India's Karnataka state, millions of dollars worth of undeclared assets were discovered. The 10 now face criminal charges under special prosecutors -- who will most likely ensure they do not go to jail.

Hong Kong, China — Can legality be attributed to an armed private militia known for its systematic violence against ordinary people? This is what the Supreme Court of India has been asked to decide in a case against a state government-supported militia called Salwa Judum.

Hong Kong, China — About 12 people were hospitalized with symptoms of poisoning on Dec. 26 in India's Kerala state. One person died, and the rest were treated in utmost secrecy. As it turned out, the deceased and his friends were police officers who became ill after consuming illicit alcohol.

Hong Kong, China — India has made international business headlines by introducing the world's cheapest car. The car named Nano is the realization of a promise to the average middle-class Indian. But when it comes to governance, all this success is washed down the drain.

Hong Kong, China — Yet another person fell victim to mob fury in India on Monday. The victim, a suspected petty thief, was beaten up, tied to the rear of a vehicle and dragged for two kilometers, then had acid poured into his eyes. This is what happens when people have no faith in the justice system.

Varanasi, India — Varanasi, also known as Banaras, a city in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is known for its Hindu as well as Buddhist pilgrim attractions. The least known side of Varanasi is its role in the global narcotics trade.

Varanasi, India — Nothing appeared wrong at first when Pawan Singh and his wedding party gathered at a hall in Varanasi, India, for his marriage ceremony on Nov. 26. But things went terribly wrong when his previous wife showed up and stirred up a brawl that involved journalists and armed guards.

Hong Kong, China — From Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh, Indians have been served by 17 prime ministers. All of them voiced concern for the nation's children; every year the country observes Nov.

Hong Kong, China — Last week, the All India Youth Federation -- the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) -- organized a protest against a big retail outlet in Trivandrum, in India's Kerala state. As is usual at such events, the protesters pelted buildings wi

Majuwara, India — Majuwara village, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is known for its forest-dwelling community, the Vanvasi. It is also infamous as a base for Naxalite insurgent activities within Uttar Pradesh and the neighboring state of Bihar.The Naxalites, broad

Hong Kong, China — Apate is the Greek goddess that personifies deceit and fraud. Her Roman equivalent was Fraus.

Hong Kong, China — What would happen, if a person publicly claimed knowledge of manufacturing crude bombs, even if that person were to be in police custody? That the police would question the person and investigate his claim would be the expected response from law enforceme

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — For those who are enthusiastic about firing a few rounds from an M16 or an AK47 or even throwing a few grenades for fun, the Kingdom of Cambodia has rolled out its carpet. Advertisements in hotel lobbies in the kingdom, particularly in Phnom Penh, lure vi

Hong Kong, China — India is hardly different from any of its neighbors. To the outside world, India is a democracy marching ahead with sustainable development.

Hong Kong, China — The anniversary of Mohandas K. Gandhi's birth, Oct.

Hong Kong, China — At least one state in India does not have a prison -- Arunachal Pradesh, the land of the rising sun. A land without prisons is a good concept.

Hong Kong, China — The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a landmark declaration last week outlining the rights of the world's estimated 370 million indigenous people and outlawing discrimination against them. The U.N.

Hong Kong, China — One could inherit several things in life, ranging from bloodlines to property and poverty. Inheriting litigation might however be unique to Indians.

Hong Kong, China — A few days ago a person was publicly assaulted by a mob in Bhagalpur in the Indian state of Bihar. The suspect, alleged to have been trying to snatch a chain from a woman, was caught and beaten by people nearby.

Hong Kong, China — India's huge population and British colonialism are often given as excuses to justify widespread poverty in India. But is India really so poor?

Hong Kong, China — What do Medecins Sans Frontiers, the international medical care organization, and Dr. Binayak Sen have in common?

Hong Kong, China — On Aug. 15, 1947, India embarked on a journey toward its independent destiny.

Hong Kong, China — Banaras, also known today as Varanasi, is described on the world map as a holy city for both Hindus and Buddhists. What is less known about Banaras is that the city is also a wholesale market for women.

Hong Kong, China — Want to buy a river? Welcome to the state of Chhattisgarh in India!

Varanasi, India — Reshma never knew what she was carrying. She was asked by a "friend" to go to Ajmer and hand over a small parcel, which was supposed to contain letters to the person waiting for her at the railway station.

Varanasi, India — Mulayam and Maya, both 5 years old, and Rema, 2, live in the Raitara Musahar ghetto in the village of Pindra in Varanasi District. Mulayam suffers from Grade III malnutrition and has already lost his vision in his left eye.

Hong Kong, China — The political parties that have formed governments in the Indian state of Kerala are known to play tricks on people. Whenever public opinion has increased pressure upon the administration regarding a particular issue, the government has pacified the peopl

Hong Kong, China — There is sometimes a fine difference between sense and nonsense, particularly when it comes to implementing legislation. But this fine distinction could make the difference between life and death.

Hong Kong, China — Approximately one year ago, an appointment was made to the office of the district government pleader and public prosecutor in one of Kerala's districts in India. It had taken around a year for the government to decide who would be appointed to the post.

Hong Kong, China — Indians take pride in their country for many reasons, ranging from democracy to unity in diversity. This "pride speech" is often heard from the middle class and neo-rich, who are sometimes completely disconnected from reality.

Hong Kong, China — According to Maximilian Weber, a state is an organization that has a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory. Organization includes the armed forces, bureaucracy, civil service, courts and police.

Hong Kong, China — India is estimated to have one million to two million non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, working on various types of human rights issues. For a population of 1.2 billion, this should be a fair division of work of about one human rights organization

Hong Kong, China — Several states in India are facing the threat of "armed rebellion." The cadres of this rebellion are better known as Naxalites.

Hong Kong, China — Hasna Mondal, a disabled woman, was taken to the Dhupguri police station in Jalpaiguri District on Feb. 27, 1997, where she was tortured by police officers.

Hong Kong, China — Two men were arrested in separate incidents in India on charges of involvement in human trafficking last month. Of the two, one is an elected representative, while the other is a notorious pimp.

Hong Kong, China — At a public function in India, an Indian actress was kissed by her Western colleague. Hundreds protested against the "open challenge" to India's culture.

Hong Kong, China — Principles of the rule of law are universal. The rule of law is a vision of equality.