NOW that both Houses of Parliament have cleared the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (Amendment) Bill (POCSO)2019, it should act as a deterrent to vile-minded perverts. Since the new Act is gender neutral it will be applicable in cases of sexual crimes against both girls and boys. Besides very serious punishment, the Act has provision for death penalty as well. This should be a deterrent enough to the perpetrators of sexual crimes against children. It is clear that the earlier law in this connection appeared to be inadequate to deal with offenses against children and hence a provision for even death penalty had become necessary. That shows how serious the Government is about protecting children from “sexual predators.” Apart from dealing with sexual offenders, it is also necessary to clamp down on child pornography that is aired on internet. This has become even more menacing for the future of children. This sexual perversion is a dreaded disease that threatens the future of children, about which the society should feel concerned.

ALMOST a year ago, when he encountered the biggest embarrassment of his life in Cape Town, Steve Smith was among the top three batters in the world. Coming back from the ignominy of ‘Sandpapergate’ and serving a soul-shattering ban, donning the whites after 15 months, Smith told the world that he was still in the top league. The first day of the Ashes witnessed a great spectacle -- of a beleaguered man, trapped under the burden of guilt, making a solid statement of intent. Smith is back, and how! His century to rescue Australia from blushes will go down in the annals of Tests as one of the best efforts under treacherous circumstances, on and off the field. On a day when the Birmingham crowd aped the English football fans and showered boos on Smith, the Australian confined himself to the company of his bat and a cool mind to serve a beauty that warmed the hearts of Test lovers. Australia has welcomed him back in the fold, it is time for cricket fans across the world to accommodate the genius of Steve Smith.