by K Sreedevi
(August 19, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Geetha Madhavan has a passion that not many share — tracking terror acts, not just the ones committed in India, but the world over. Her interest, though, centres not on techniques but legal aspects of the attacks.
That is precisely why the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, impelled the law graduate (who was then on a six-year break to look after her son) to pursue research on the legal implications of the sinister act. This helped her become the first woman to earn a doctorate in International Terrorism. This 40-plus Chennaiite is also the first Asian to win a scholarship for advanced research in International Terrorism at The Hague Academy of International Law.
But why terrorism? “For you can deal with terrorism only under law,” says the passionate lawyer who has also authored a few books on the subject. “Any issue that calls for a long-term solution must have a legal framework and, to counter terrorism, this is much more important.”
Geetha is also one of the founder members of a non-profit and non-commercial think tank called South Asia Analysis Group, which aims to work on issues of comprehensive security.
“Violence is part of our life. Hence we cannot do away with a law that puts a check on terrorism,” she says. Geetha advocates this theory in many global forums of which she is a part and also among city students with whom she interacts as a guest faculty. “I am in constant touch with the youth of the day who are both traditional and trendy,” she says.
With her father, a civil engineer with the defence services posted in various States, Geetha did most of her schooling in the north. She came back to Chennai to complete her BA in English Literature in Ethiraj College and went on to do her Masters in International Law from the Department of Legal Studies in Madras University. The Madras High Court precincts introduced her not only to the Indian legal system, but also to her future husband, Madhavan, another successful lawyer.
The courtship ended in marriage — much against all odds. The couple was soon blessed with a son. “I didn’t want to miss out on my son’s growing years,” says Geetha, explaining a six-year break she had taken before Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination got her back into the field. “I am very particular about being with the family and that is the reason why even today when my 20-year-old son returns from college, I want to be back home to welcome him.”
An avid traveller, this Piscean has visited about 15 countries. “Every country has something to offer, both interesting and disturbing,” she observes. A lover of books and dogs, she unwinds with her pet Daschund, Shelley, and books of various kinds. “I always do something if I have a passion to do it,” says this quiet mother.
Something that strikes us about her is her good looks. “I don’t drive nowadays. So there is no stress and this shows on my face,” says Geetha with a twinkle in her eye. Appalled at the total disregard for both traffic rules and other people’s lives by the motorists, Geetha, who learnt driving in her Morris Minor on the Chennai roads, has quit driving.
“Schools must teach children regard for rules and respect for other people’s lives Instead of teaching extra maths in moral science periods,” she feels. Sensitising people to social responsibilities is a basic step towards countering terrorism, she reiterates. A valid point.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
(August 19, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Geetha Madhavan has a passion that not many share — tracking terror acts, not just the ones committed in India, but the world over. Her interest, though, centres not on techniques but legal aspects of the attacks.
That is precisely why the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, impelled the law graduate (who was then on a six-year break to look after her son) to pursue research on the legal implications of the sinister act. This helped her become the first woman to earn a doctorate in International Terrorism. This 40-plus Chennaiite is also the first Asian to win a scholarship for advanced research in International Terrorism at The Hague Academy of International Law.
But why terrorism? “For you can deal with terrorism only under law,” says the passionate lawyer who has also authored a few books on the subject. “Any issue that calls for a long-term solution must have a legal framework and, to counter terrorism, this is much more important.”
Geetha is also one of the founder members of a non-profit and non-commercial think tank called South Asia Analysis Group, which aims to work on issues of comprehensive security.
“Violence is part of our life. Hence we cannot do away with a law that puts a check on terrorism,” she says. Geetha advocates this theory in many global forums of which she is a part and also among city students with whom she interacts as a guest faculty. “I am in constant touch with the youth of the day who are both traditional and trendy,” she says.
With her father, a civil engineer with the defence services posted in various States, Geetha did most of her schooling in the north. She came back to Chennai to complete her BA in English Literature in Ethiraj College and went on to do her Masters in International Law from the Department of Legal Studies in Madras University. The Madras High Court precincts introduced her not only to the Indian legal system, but also to her future husband, Madhavan, another successful lawyer.
The courtship ended in marriage — much against all odds. The couple was soon blessed with a son. “I didn’t want to miss out on my son’s growing years,” says Geetha, explaining a six-year break she had taken before Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination got her back into the field. “I am very particular about being with the family and that is the reason why even today when my 20-year-old son returns from college, I want to be back home to welcome him.”
An avid traveller, this Piscean has visited about 15 countries. “Every country has something to offer, both interesting and disturbing,” she observes. A lover of books and dogs, she unwinds with her pet Daschund, Shelley, and books of various kinds. “I always do something if I have a passion to do it,” says this quiet mother.
Something that strikes us about her is her good looks. “I don’t drive nowadays. So there is no stress and this shows on my face,” says Geetha with a twinkle in her eye. Appalled at the total disregard for both traffic rules and other people’s lives by the motorists, Geetha, who learnt driving in her Morris Minor on the Chennai roads, has quit driving.
“Schools must teach children regard for rules and respect for other people’s lives Instead of teaching extra maths in moral science periods,” she feels. Sensitising people to social responsibilities is a basic step towards countering terrorism, she reiterates. A valid point.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
 Geetha Madhavan has a passion that not many share — tracking terror acts, not just t...){kind=link}
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