Same Sex Decriminalization

Do read- 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sulabha-dhavalikar-89199624/detail/recent-activity/posts/

But you have said "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" Mr. Owaisi

Oh Mr. Owaisi ! By saying you won't say " Bharat Mata KI Jai", you have only ended up saying it! And not only said it, you have said it with great force.

Good, Good, Good.

Bharat Mata KI Jai

Aamir Khan! India and Democracy ke Kya Kehne. Tolerance Zindabad!

When Virat Kohli's fan in Pakistan was sent to police custody for hoisting Indian flag, no one protested- either in the country or outside.

But in Democratic India, JNU students, enjoying Indian Nationality and all benefits that naturally come to Indian Citizens, shout anti-national slogans, they get full support from Rahul Gandhi and his likes. 

India and Democracy ke kya kehne! Tolerance Zindabad. What say Aamir Khan?

Nirbhaya. Asaram. And Defence Counsels.

http://insearch.yahoo.com
I have a serious feeling that our defence counsels have fallen prey to a fatal illness called "Retrogradation."
How else do you explain the defence counsel Mr. A.P. Singh's contention in Nirbhaya case wherein he blatantly commented, "I  would have burned my daughter alive had she moved around with her boyfriend in the night..."
Or for that matter, the ever controversial defence counsel in Asaram case, Mr. Ram Jethmalani saying with all impudence , "The girl has disease that draws her to men..."
Oh, come on! Being defence lawyers doesn't mean that you talk nonsense!
With such diseased sons of soil, I wonder if it is the same India that talks vociferously of Women's Rights & Education!

Let this Republic Day be Different!

Dear Indian Women,
It was on 26th January 1950 that India adopted the Constitution written by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The longest Constitution talked of the Rights & Duties of every Indian.
And now in the wake of 16th Dec.'12 gang rape, I think time has come for every Indian woman  to think of her Rights & Duties.
The 'Rights' being that no girl /woman of the country shall allow herself to be abused.
The 'Duties' being that no woman will allow an insensitive male member in the family to humiliate a woman or commit a heinous crime such as rape.
I think this will be the best way to pay tribute to the nation & also to Dr. Ambedkar.

  Happy Republic Day!

Gang Rape Friend's Interview

What is legally right or wrong - I seriously don't know. But one thing is certain that if the gang rape victim's friend/ fiance' had not spoken on Zee TV,  the public would not have come to know about the near-collapse of the  law & order in India. The police, being more engrossed in the debate as to which police station should register the case. The passers-by being too scared to help -scared at the sight of blood & also fearing problems. 
Hope, we all learn a lesson from this. Hope India improves in this regard.

Happy New Year 2013

In a few hours from now, it will be a new year!

In India, the year should not have ended this way. Given various names- Nirbhaya...Damini, the poor victim shouldn't have met with such an end. What wrong had she done! Only God can answer. But, of course! God doesn't answer. He creates a situation & makes us note the problem.
And the answer is, that we Indians are an indifferent lot. We live in our own world & believe that everything is hunky dory.
I think, this ailment was well captured in the movie, "Swades" by Ashutosh Gowarikar. We Indians still talk of the glorious past that none of us has seen.
Let's wake up now.  But before that, I sincerely pray that may Nirbhaya/Damini's soul rest in peace. May God give strength to her parents, brother & fiance'.
 Girls, please take more care of yourselves when the law & order is so bad. Don''t walk on the roads with earphones on.

 Happy New Year 2013.

PISA, India & Me!

Ever since, PISA (Program for International Students Assessment) hit the headlines, a lot has been discussed and said. As a Visiting Faculty for almost 12 years, I have something to say too.

First of all, I am really not surprised at the dismal performance of the students. There are several factors responsible.Government's decision of not failing anyone up to class 10th is one of them.Teachers going on election duty, no proper guidance at home, lack of discipline in general are other accompanying factors. And over that, we Indians are still living in our glorious cultural past that stops us from thinking that all is not well right now.

The computers have contributed to it further. Sitting in the library and making notes is now a thing of  the past. There were 2-3 students in MBA class last semester who because of  shaky hand could barely write a word-be it Hindi or English.

In fact, I must say that a new language has emerged in our country. It's writing ... I mean, typing Hindi expressions in English- phonetic writing to be precise. All thanks to cell phones and computers. Naturally the students neither know Hindi or English. 

I have had enough of teaching.I am back working in the Ad agency. Basically because you can't teach reluctant students.The truth is - It's only when we touch rock bottom that we understand why we have to climb up.

So, next 50 years, I don't see India anywhere. Things may improve after that. Just that my generation will not be there to see the great change!

Bomb Blast. We Indians don't feel.

Yet another bomb blast in Mumbai. Looks as though we Indians have accepted terror attacks as a way of life! Quite a difference from how Americans behaved after 9/11 World Trade Center Terror attack in 2001. Every American grieved there. It's not so in India. There is so much of divide between North India & South India, Central India & Western India or Eastern India that nobody is really bothered about what is happening to Indians as a whole.
Naturally, we did not reach anywhere as regards 26/11 terror attack that took place in Mumbai in the year 2008. And I have my own doubts if we will reach anywhere  in our probe this time too.
Hope our younger generation turns out to be more patriotic. This is my sincere prayer.

Skirts Are Good. But Top- Seeded Players Should Have A Choice.

Skirts look good anywhere.They also form a part of the uniform in several schools in India and other countries. I have worn them myself on several occasions as also while playing throw ball, badminton, etc. And talking of skirts, I feel that divided-skirts look decent and comfortable. In fact, I have often wondered if I would look as comfortable in shorts as the lady players today! But then, to each his, sorry 'her' own!
In this regard, I am all in favour of the Badminton World Federation making skirts as the official dress code for girl players. However, it would be appropriate to apply this rule to the new entrants. The top- seeded players should be left to their own decisions as any such major change could affect their game. The psychology is the same as what is followed in other professions--" The winning tactics are seldom changed". And honouring the feelings and sensitivities of the top-seeded players is important.
Whatever, skirts and more so divided- skirts are plain and simple decent. And so as an answer to what I read in one of the newspapers- comparing this new dress code with IPL cheer leaders is just too far fetched!

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.

Woman. Scheming...intelligent...Helpless?

The molestation of a tribal girl by hundreds of men in W. Bengal, virtually sent me into a 'no-mood' zone for some days.
Me thinks, God must be brooding over his creation called 'woman'. It is really puzzling! There are some women who are scheming. They end up breaking homes. Some are beautiful & intelligent. They rise like Indira Gandhi, Kiran Bedi, Indra Nooyi and others. Some are very helpless. Those in this category get raped or sold in the brothels. How and why this happens. God only knows.
That's how how I feel when I read such news. As a layman I sit, brood, feel miserable and then hope for some miracle. But not this time. I suppose it was much to do with what I read recently. It so happened that I came across Aishwarya Rai's interview a month ago in which she remarked that when in school she had boys trailing her home. That made her responsible at an early age. The statement didn't exactly click immediately. But today, I think I understand what she meant. It's simple. She learned to take care of herself very early. More than that, she learned to gauge a problem.
Sure, the credit goes to Aishwarya Rai. But that's not all. I feel that the credit goes to her mother also. For, so much sensibility couldn't have come otherwise. Which is why today, I wish to appreciate and draw lessons from the lives of all great women. From Jhansi ki Rani to Kareena Kapoor, from Indra Nooyi to several other village girls who have grown up in this big, bad world unscathed. I also wish to salute the family elders who did not show cowardice in the face of any difficulty. In fact, they were alert and cautious.
I have all sympathies for the poor 17 year old tribal girl. I wish the family all strength to fight the system. I would also like them to bring the village surpanch to books who was conveniently not present that fateful day!. I also pray to God to help the girl rise so high that no one will be able to hurt her in future. But whatever! Such stories are hair raising. I wouldn't like to read them any time. Nor would I like anyone to ever suffer a similar fate.
I wish mothers would learn to be more alert, tactful and firm while bringing up their daughters? Being scheming is an evil, but being watchful as also explaining good and bad to their daughters could help? The girls, too, could learn to pay heed to the advice of their mothers? At least till law and order improves in our country?
I wonder if I am speaking in the right language and in the right media! Basically because most of these dreaded stripping incidents take place in villages.
And so back to square one I guess!

2010 Commonwealth Games

The ad by Sahara India's Subroto Roy today in the newspapers, seeking peace and harmony in the wake of the Commonwealth Games has come a trifle too late. A lot of damage has been done to the country's image. At first we had Mani Shankar Aiyer speaking maliciously and then the media talking of corruption as well as discussing the qualifications and salaries of the people handling the project.

What was the media doing when the preparation for the Games actually started? Why didn't they question then? Isn't it shameful that when the Commonwealth Games are round the corner, some people in power have got down to spoiling the image of the country! Can we imagine this happening in any other country? If there has been misuse of money or power, let the inquiry be conducted after the event. On my part, I am really not bothered if Kalmadi's team members are post- graduates or mere graduates. For, if they have the required expertise there seems no problem at all. I know of several reverend men and women who are not qualified enough and yet have left a mark in this world.

As an Indian I wish the Indian Government all success in the Commonwealth Games.

Naxalites-Gandhians with Guns?

Gandhians with Guns! The expression is as wrong as a mother calling her criminal son, 'a naughty child'.

In one of my earlier blogs written on 22.11.09 titled, 'A peaceful Village called Tale', I had talked of how the people had progressed there. The village situated in the interiors of Maharashtra in Kolaba now Raigarh District had faced the wrath of anti-social elements when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. As both my parents belonged to the same village, I remember the tales vividly.

It was a peaceful and happy village with people having a very positive attitude. There was just one school. Early morning, I used to see the women folk flocking to the wells to wash clothes and fill water. But never did I see them angry. The elder boys and girls were a curious lot and would often ask me questions about my city.

There was no college. These boys and girls were determined. Many of them went to Mumbai later to do their graduation. They stayed in Chawls and places wherever possible. Many of them are at very high positions today. Some have even gone abroad and settled. I salute these great people. For I know I could not have done it.

In case of Maoists or naxalites, we need to speak to the right people. The media and the Government should stop giving importance to Kishenji and the likes who are exploiting the tribals. The best would be to establish communication with true forest dwellers and win their trust.

In India, we also need to develop skills of knowing a criminal or violent mind This science needs to be developed. We must understand that human beings have come very far from what they were millions of years ago. And so, for every few brains that have contributed to the betterment of the society there have been some who have taken to newer forms of violence.

Overcoming Bad Days.

Even in the busiest hour sometimes, a gripping topic comes up that sets everyone talking at the workplace. This happened so in our agency, a couple of months ago.

The atmosphere had been gloomy even otherwise, and that day the talk shifted to 'Sade Saati' (seven and a half years of Saturn in a particular moon sign). That was when, one Director exclaimed that no one should have a luck like him. His parents died when he was just 6 months. Thanks to Sade Saati, he said. There was hush as panic gripped everyone. Even I felt a strange churning in my stomach. Soon everybody got busy discussing his/her moon sign.

I remembered what our very close family friend Cdr. I.C. Sharma, his wife and sweet little daughter Prachi told me on their visit home last year. The comforting words even today ring in my mind, in moments of despair. "Aunty, Shani Dev is not bad. He is the God of Justice. He only punishes when we do something wrong...." Prachi, the little girl, whom I had once held in my arms, told me so. Cdr. Sharma further added that Shani Dev always compensates or does something good when he leaves the house(sign) after seven and a half years.

Sitting in my chair, in the office that afternoon, I recalled those words loud and clear to everyone present around. The golden words helped in checking the panic that had from nowhere seized the peace in the office. I then continued. I don't know much about death. I feel just as bad. I suppose only God and Destiny can answer that. But, I think we all can control our sufferings by being good and doing good.

The tension was gone. The next instant, the youngsters were back at work, happy and cheerful. Also, the gloom that had descended from nowhere took a hasty retreat. I suppose, in life we must all learn to conquer our fears and work steadfast(in all honesty) towards attaining our goals. While, of course taking care of our health as that would mean longer duration of success and happiness. If that's what God desires, so be it.

Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor. A rare combination of intelligent mind and a dashing personality. A regular writer for a national Indian Daily. Also a man who was India's candidate for UN Secretary General post. With all this and more, it is difficult to believe that his career took such a downhill turn. Or is it that something else is chalked out for him?

One thing is certain ! He let down his constituency. I am sure the people of Thiruvananthpuram must be feeling very bad. And that is what Shashi Tharoor should have thought of before coming to India. Me thinks, he finally lost interest and hence deliberately got entangled in one controversy or the other. It is really sad that a man so good, failed to contribute in the development of the country.

All intelligent men have a streak of eccentricity. And that, I think, is the only logical answer.

Good Parenting, First. Law and Order will follow.

Too many things have happened in the last one month!

• A 12 yr old girl raped by her own first cousin and his friends for 2 years in Mumbai. Her fault (if, any) was that her parents had divorced and remarried.

• An MBA girl from Nagpur raped in Pune.

• And just when my mind was beginning to come out of that strange numbness, there was the Maoists attack in Dantewada, Chattisgarh in which several jawans were killed.

• Today also the local Indore newspaper carried the news of suicide of a 10th class girl. The girl who resided in our area, was upset about not doing well in one of the papers.

• And then of course, reports of drunken driving resulting in accident and death.

Let's call it enough! The best would be to start giving time to our children soon after they are born. Apart from feeding them well and looking after their physical growth, let's start telling them good stories. And when they begin to read, let's give them small simple books containing stories of heroism, honesty and brother-sister relationship.

I know it is easier said than done. There is a lot of pressure on women to work. Further, all her life, she has to prove herself a good daughter-in-law, good wife, good neighbour, good socialite, etc. etc. But maybe, the time has come to chalk out our own priorities. The rest will definitely fall in place. I think, we mothers need to get tough there. And why mothers alone! Fathers should also understand their responsibilities.

I think my generation has proved to be a total failure there!

Women. Power. And Women's Bill.

Women's Bill! Every time the topic comes up, I am reminded of what a male candidate had once written in the entrance exam to Mass Communication Course," If people had wanted, the Bill would have passed long ago. The fact is nobody wants it." This was said about 5-6 years ago! And you bet, I gave him marks lavishly and made sure that he got selected. For he made a statement that would prove true for all times to come.

And imagine this controversial Bill finally got passed in the Rajya Sabha! The happy and jubilant faces of Sonia Gandhi, Sushma Swaraj and others was a sight to behold. I felt happy too even if slightly unsure. Frankly if we have to go by words, we must indeed have 33% reservation for women judging from the fact that 50% of India's population is women. And rightly so, Arun Jaitley's remark that at the moment we only have 10% women representation in the parliament certainly makes us agree. But the catch lies there. What kind of Women Representation do we want? Will these new entries be as dignified, intelligent, honest, sincere and committed as Sonia Gandhi, Renuka Choudhary, Sushma Swaraj, Brinda Karat or say Shabana Azmi? Or are we going to end up having women leaders like Mayawati? Have our great leaders thought of the consequences? I know I have asked too many questions. But then I was not born yesterday. I have seen women creating homes and have also seen women breaking homes. That brings us to the fact, that India is a Home for we Indians. Naturally, we have have to think of what kind of daughter-in-law we want.

I am staying in Indore for the last 12-13 years. Indore is in Madhya Pradesh-a state that's quite backward as compared to Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, etc. I am also reminded of an interesting incident where one our peons in the university was happy that his mother had won the Village Panchayat Elections. This meant that power would eventually come to the male members of the family. I had been left speechless then just as I have been left speechless now! For it certainly means out of the frying pan into the fire!

Mind you, Power is intoxicating. And power in the wrong hands could spell doom. Instead, let's start slowly. Let's make literacy compulsory up to 12th standard in villages particularly. And also make sure that the contestant's form is filled by the woman herself.

India needs women leaders like Kiran Bedi who stopped the vulgar Holi that was being played in Delhi way back in the 70's and 80's. We want women leaders who will do something for the safety of women and work towards the upliftment of the country. I am not amused by numbers. I would any time trust a man like Pranab Mukherji and other such dignified leaders than go in for Mayawati, Rabri Devi and others.

College Students and Job Seekers.

It's not easy teaching students of professional colleges, particularly the students of media. And, I say this every time I check the Test Papers.

Barring a handful who do exceptionally well, I find the rest confused, over-confident and lost in the maze of uncertainty. These are students who after a massive struggle of getting into the college feel that classes are no good. And, that theory classes are a big humbug. Thus, even if I and the rest of the faculty tell them that there must be a genuine reason for starting these courses by the university, it makes little difference. These students believe that teachers are mere degree holders with little or no sense and that the best knowledge can only be gained by men in the field. Well, right and wrong! For knowledge gained from an authentic person can certainly be helpful and there is no doubt about it. Conversely, knowledge gained from an unsystematic, slimy and unreliable person( particularly in the initial stages), can destroy a career graph altogether. Mainly because it is not easy to unlearn what you have learnt. But then, that's that!

No amount of forceful argument helps. These willful students spend the next few years of their college life in canteen, parking stand, etc. and in short doing nothing to improve knowledge or skills. Yes, they do go about meeting the media people but not with the genuine intention of learning but with all desire to show the teachers and friends down.

Thus, they never do the assignments, never work on Grammar and Spellings so very essential in the field. They never understand the difference between 'Its and It's' nor between 'lets and let's. Yes, they pick up a few heavy words like 'Positioning' and 'U.S.P.' without understanding them truly. Naturally, they are unable to apply them in their Resume or Bio-Data which therefore remain as vague as ever!

But that's not all. Even if by dint of luck, these students get a chance to work at a good place, they show their egos. They scorn every small job, little realizing that it is these small jobs which take you to big projects and eventually have you accepted by seniors in their team. It has to be remembered that a perpetual reluctant person gets sidetracked and sidelined. Such a person is just left with false egos and nothing else. For soon, he realizes that the very friends who praised him have left him far behind in the promotion ladder.

But then, it all depends on one's luck I guess! Anyway for all my complaints about paper checking, I wish my students all the very best with a lot of prudence in life. God Bless.

I wish all my Readers

A Very Happy and a Joyous Holi

Long Live SRK. Long Live Courage

My salute to you Shahrukh Khan! You have shown the way. It was not a battle of strength. It was a battle of Right and Wrong. And in spite of tremendous pressure such as -(1) the money incurred in making the film, (2) gambling with the feelings and hard work of everyone associated with the film, you stood and faced the 'bull-ism' of the highest order. The people of India are going to remember you for this.

There is one thing I am going to say, which has been troubling me for the past one month or so. I regret that Mangeshkar Sisters chose to keep quiet on the fanaticism of Bal Thackeray i.e. Shiv Sena. Even when he made disturbing remarks on Sachin Tendulkar-the great Indian Player! Lata Mangeshkar's voice would have sounded sweeter than even the nightingale, if she had checked Bal Thackeray that time. After all she is known to be fond of Sachin Tendulkar. I am sure Bal Thackeray would not have the guts to speak or stand against the great legend. Not just Mumbai, but the entire India and the world would have come down heavily on him then.