Eunuch menace in Indore

We had a similar problem in Shagun Tower (Apna Sweets building) in Vijay Nagar. The eunuchs would frequent the place at the time of festivals and demand huge money. Now, our office is in BCM Heights and the problem has increased manifold. The eunuchs come in a group. They scare everybody with their untamed ways and demand huge sum. And so it happened on 29th March, Saturday when they barged in and demanded Rs.12000. The drama lasted for almost an hour and we had to endure their out of sync loud singing They left only after extracting and securing Rs. 5000 from our office. By no means a meager amount! One of them repeatedly threatened to undress before us all. So, by the time they left  we were all very tired and exhausted. I am sure they enacted the same drama in other offices too!
Really, in today's times when the medical world has made so much progress, can eunuchs not be treated and be rehabilitated into the world so as to enjoy a respectful life? Surely, this is no way of earning money.
Supposing they are the result of kidnapping or such ordeal, the country or state need to take note of this at the earliest. Unfortunately, it is believed that a eunuch's curse can bring great harm. And perhaps this is what prevents police, administration and others to take any strict action.
Whatever. It is sure a serious problem. And we all have to think of ways to have a good and healthy society where no such abnormality persists. And where no one will be a victim of threat and extraction any time.

Artificial Price Rise, Law & Order Breakdown... Can Emergency help?

The year was 1975. It was the second day of Emergency. My Higher Secondary Exams were over and I was free. That day I followed my father to the market. Just then he showed me a shop which was quite famous in Delhi. Pointing at the shelves he asked, "Before this, did you see the shops so well stocked?'' I replied in the negative. My father continued, "See, how hoarding has come under check!"
Well, that is how I remember Emergency. It brought all corruption and hoarding under check. And I miss it now. Particularly, when I see the artificial price rise of onions and other items. There is something terribly wrong. I fully agree with the senior FCI official who said on TV the other day that  the price of rice, wheat, etc. has not increased as it is reaching the common man through FCI distribution system. The problem is arising wherever there is a middleman.
The culprit has been  well identified. And culprits have been identified at other places also.There is massive corruption. If 5 ministers are good, we have 15 MPs & MLAs who either have nexus with the underworld or are themselves 'dons'. The startling example is that of  the Bahujan Samaj Party  MLA in the Uttar Pradesh Government, who is facing charges of raping a minor and then framing charges of theft against her.Will Mayawati or the Central Government be able to do anything? I really wonder! Mainly, because our laws have many loop holes.
Unfortunately, Emergency is remembered for all the wrong reasons in India. Yes, excesses were committed and that was bad. But now after learning lessons from the past, can't we sift away the bad points and make use of Emergency in the right manner? For a short time?
At the moment our Democracy is in total shambles.13 robberies take place in the Capital on one single day and the culprits don't get caught. Either they have political connections or they are seasoned robbers who had kept watch on the victims for several days. But, whatever the police is helpless. There seems to be a tremendous shortage of police. And so their day revolves around checking rapes, escorting VIPs and keeping a watchful eye on explosive materials anywhere around. Besides, not all policemen can be given a clean chit.
In such a grim situation, it is really sad that both government and the opposition have closed all options around them. Emergency is bad because of all the excesses that took place! But Democracy with all the excesses like meaningless price rise, massive corruption, law & order breakdown is good, very good!
Oh, come on! Leaders wake up now. It's a warlike situation in the country. Whether ruling or in the opposition please unite and think of a plausible solution fast, very fast.

Farewell Amrita Pancholi-IIM Indore Professor

The whole of Indore is shocked at the cruel murder of IIM Assistant Professor,Ms. Amrita Pancholi on Thursday,the 18th of Dec'09. Be it office, or a paan shop (beetle), the talks are only on this these days. Hazaar muh hazaar baten...Something beyond control and most unfair. After all, the death of a single woman aged 32, staying alone in the campus in one of the staff quarters is bound to make a spicy tale.

It is the work of an insider as per the police. And all evidences points to that. Everything will be clear in a day or two. All in all, it is a terrible thing to happen. A high- potential girl who could have contributed a lot towards the society is no more. The repercussions are going to be many. Particularly in a place like Indore where girls had just begun to dream big, this happening is going to scare them in a big way. The parents are also likely to put a halt to their daughters careers. Very much a case of,"One step forward, two steps backward".

This sure makes it imperative to look into the possible reasons for murder. As a working woman, I have often seen how unkindly people talk of single and slightly older women/girls. Students who come from various backgrounds are not to be excluded. There is, in fact, always a lot of curiosity, doubt, as also aspersions cast on working girls. If unchecked, they also take the form of overtures. It hurts to talk like this, but we have lost a precious life here. And something needs to be done fast. It cannot be ignored that in the case of Ms. Amrita, the age gap between her and the students was less. It is also not to be forgotten that students do at times pressurize teachers for marks. Ofcourse, the person does learn to handle it as he/she grows older. But, all these points do need to be taken into account.

Further, justice has to be imparted fast. We can't certainly have Taliban kind of system come into India. The best would be to have an Ombudsman, seperately for students and teachers. The students and staff will also have to be encouraged to go and speak to the Ombudsman once a while. So that any form of wrong behaviour will be nipped in the bud itself. This could help save a person from becoming a criminal and it could also save a person from falling a victim.

But, first in this case let's hope the culprit is caught at the earliest. We can't have a brave girl's story end this way.
Farewell Amrita!

Bhopal Gangrape. Several Unanswered Questions.

Morning of 19 June'09! Almost all newspapers-Local as well as national, carried this wretched news of a 25 yr old woman gangraped by 3 men in a speeding SUV car on the outskirts of Bhopal (M.P.), while the husband was held at gunpoint. Hardly a way to begin a day.It was just very,very bad. Making no sense whatsoever!There were several questions unanswered.

The couple had come from Mumbai to admit their 2 children to Asaram Bapu Ashram School, situated on the outskirts of Bhopal. A boarding school to be precise. Were Mumbai schools not worth considering?

Asaram Bapu Ashram School was in news last year for all the wrong reasons. 2-3 of their students had died under mysterious circumstances. The news was covered by all newspapers and channels. On what basis was this school chosen?

The couple had no one with them at the time of the incident. We don't normally put our children in boardings or hostels unless there is an acquaintance or relative staying. I think schools particularly ask for local guardians. Does it mean that they knew no one there?

The couple, it seems, left the ashram at 8.30 pm. Admission procedure, be it school or college, gets over by 2 or 3 pm. Fine, that the couple wanted to spend some more time with their children. But, were they the only parents around? Normally at such times, there is a buzz of parents and children.

The ashram is on the outskirts of the city and is at a forlon place. In the past few months there have been reports of rape and other such crimes in the particular area. How come no soul in the ashram thought of cautioning them? At such places you often come across some caring person! It is really difficult to believe this.

The ashram being situated at a secluded place must definitely be having a Guest House facility for parents. Or is there no such facility such as a Rest Room or Guest House at the ashram?

Hitching has always had its risks, be it India or anywhere. And taking a lift at night, that too at a place so isolated meant danger most certainly. How did the couple feel that it was all very safe?

Maybe things were to go wrong and that's why it all happened. But, I feel miserable for the young woman. Hope speedy justice is meted out to her. But somewhere I have this terrible feeling that the husband was somewhere involved. Of course I will be happy to be proved wrong. But there is one request I wish to make to all impulsive youngsters-'Please do not play with life'. Blaming police, law courts will not lead to turning back the clock. Rape is a living hell. It can destroy an entire household. Listening to parents and elders is sometimes a wise thing.