Toddler's Rape in Delhi

Instead of bad-mouthing Sheila Dixit and Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mr. Kejriwal should accost the mothers of the 2 boys and shame them in front of full public view.

Shaming parents of rapists (particularly mothers) and fast execution of justice are the only two things that with make potential rapists think twice before committing such heinous crimes. 

Happy Dussehra. Let's fight out problems like Lord Ram.

I wish all my readers a very happy Dussehra and many good times ahead.

Today was the day when Lord Ram killed Ravan, the ten headed demon! That is why, we also call this day Vijaydashmi.

Ravan, the king of Lanka, was a great scholar who fell to wicked ways. He abducted Sita, the virtuous wife of Lord Rama. This led to his death at the hands of Lord Ram.Even today, this day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor in India. The effigy of Ravan is erected and burnt. The burning of the effigy symbolizes, the triumph of Good over Evil and the beginning of good times.

There is a vast ground facing our housing complex. Like every year, this year too the effigy of Ravan was erected. There is was so much of hustle and bustle the whole day. Toy-sellers, balloon wallahs, bangle-sellers, ice-cream & sugar-candy vendors, the chat- wallahs and other small tradesmen came from distant places and occupied the best positions possible. Loudspeakers were put up at strategic points and music was played  the whole day. There was mirth and happiness in the air. Even if alone at home, I  enjoyed it all. Ravan was clearly visible from my window. I, however, missed my children!  How they loved sitting at the window and watch the fun! Why did they have to grow up and go away!

Around six o'clock, visitors started pouring in. In that milling crowd, I noticed many young parents who had come with their small kids.And when the effigy of Ravan was set on fire, several of these parents lifted their children in the air. Thus, making it possible for the children to get the rare glimpse. The burning of the effigy took place around 9 pm after the political leaders arrived on the scene.With the day stretched on, the vendors had a thriving business most certainly.  

Victory of Good over Evil! I suppose, this is what keeps India going? Watching the effigy burn, we derive a  nice feeling that someday we will win over terrorism, corruption, materialism and other problems facing us. But I guess, it's not so easy.  Lord Ram fought the mighty Ravan and we, too will have to fight the various dangers that are threatening us today. And so the parents who lift their children to show Ravan crumbling to death will need to do something more. They will also have to give lessons to their young ones about fighting out things like Lord Ram.

Sad Demise - Azmal & Ayazuddin

Truly very sad.The cricket world has suffered a great loss.
This is not what any parents deserve! I think we need to bring some social pressure on people in this regard. High speeding has to be discouraged.
We could start with lessons on hazards of reckless driving in schools. Also, ads positioned on speed and thrill should be called off or penalized. It would be desirable if manufacturing companies of these vehicles imprinted Statutory Warnings on Speedometers.
Really, high speeding & reckless driving need to be checked.

2010.Time to change for the better.

But for the fact that I failed to keep my promise of being regular and punctual, the year 2010 did seem to start on a positive note.

The rising of the Indian people against DGP Rathore is certainly a good and healthy indication. Kudos to Aradhana Gupta, a friend of late Ruchika who fought a relentless battle against the former DGP. The other day, when the legal expert Ram Jethmalani angrily remarked that neither the media nor the people were following any correct procedure. She was quick to reply that a common man does not understand the legal language which is often confusing. I could not help but marvel at the way she kept her cool. This, especially when she saw her friend Ruchika committing suicide because of lack of justice. Yes, here was a young woman in her early 30's who fought the ugly world without giving up.

Well truly, harassment, cruelty and sadism have to be dealt with strongly. Be it a man or a woman. Every human being on this earth has a right to live a life of dignity and happiness. And we don't need a UN to tell us this. We should realize it ourselves.

As I say these big talks, the death of more than 100 people in the recent cold wave in India is shocking. My husband happened to tell me this when I was laying the table for dinner. It was just bad! Afterwords when I sat reflecting on this all, the advice of my father in childhood came rushing to me yet again. "You know, your grandmother was not very learned in the true sense. Probably just First or Second class Pass. But when I picked up my first job she said one thing. Your salary is not yours entirely." Your family, neighbours and those around you have a certain share in it. And I have not forgotten these words!"My father concluded.

Certainly a very difficult thought to understand. I don't remember seeing my grandmother. It must have been somewhere in late 1940's or early 50's when she said this to my dad. But,I really don't think I ever comprehended the meaning. Till I think yesterday when I felt miserable. Somewhere I felt guilty too. Let's face it, I have not been a very good human being. I have been too busy in my own challenges and difficulties to pay attention to others. But maybe I can still help whenever possible? I can always try. For all I know in these deaths, we may have lost some good teacher, scientist, doctor...

Oh God give me the strength and will to rise above myself and do something for my fellow brethren. Amen.

Indian Education System. A total mess!

The other day, my husband appeared gloomy and upset at the dinner table. I asked him why.
He answered, "I had been at the bank today." So, where was the problem, I asked. I saw the bank cancelling educational loan for some engineering students. "Why", I asked a trifle surprised. " Because, they flunked in their semester exams." He said. I felt sorry. He continued,"You know, they were just hanging around...I feel so sorry for them and the parents."I felt miserable too. We had our dinner in utter silence.

Later, it was my survival instinct that made me speak. " The college or the university should have given them grace marks." Finding no answer from my husband, I realized I was talking nonsense." May be they should have taken up some other course. Maybe..."At this my husband snapped, "Who will guide the parents? Often, they are poor and an ignorant lot. Besides, engineering is such a lucrative profession. A kind of gamble. After passing, one has a good job ..."
It was a messy situation. "What a way for the day to end!" I mumbled. "Banks should appoint some counsellors." Anyway, it didn't make sense. The evening was spoiled alright!


The next day,we woke up to read,"CBSE makes it tough to fail students in standard 9th and 10th. That sports and extra curricular marks will be taken into account. That, if a child does badly in writing, he will be tested orally! Well, who ever has thought of this 'brilliant idea' has not fathomed the extent of damage it is going to do. It means, more and more gullible parents and children are going to be left in the lurch. Because in the job field, the child will prove a total mess.


Finally, all these improvements in the education system is a big sham! A farce and a total mess. If we have to improve our lot, it is essential that we understand our goal and work systematically towards it. That,we all have to think. Regardless of the fact we are poor, uneducated, illiterate or whatever! I bow to Lata Mangeshkar, Rafi Saheb, and all the legends in film industry and elsewhere who relied on their talent and comfort level and did not think of doing anything just to show of. Nor did they look for short-cuts. Finally I think, there lies the true answer.

Not exactly arrogant. This younger Generation.

The week has ended with this sweet feeling that all is not wrong with the younger generation! They are an aggressive lot alright. But they do make efforts to understand people like me.

Remember, I had talked about this young executive in my last blog who had messed up in the college magazine? Well it was nice to see her put in extra effort this week. She continues to be a little distant. But then I have decided not to hold any grudges against her.

Talking about the college magazine, it was great fun working on it this week. There were articles on 'Mother', 'Childhood', and so on. Some guys in the agency got down to helping me get good images for the articles. The camaraderie shown was overwhelming to the core. The only problem being that they constantly came up with pictures of 'an ever-sacrificing mother' for the article on mother. And when it came to finding a suitable image for childhood, they only thought of infants in mothers' arms. And so I told them to look for pictures of children playing .

The college magazine contained the Hindi translation of Robert Frost poem,'The woods are lovely dark and deep..' Vikas, our photographer and Graphic Designer liked it so much that he took down the original poem from the internet. He also listened to me when I spoke of the poem 'Good fences make good neighbours' written by the same poet Robert Frost.

And so there was this 'Feel Good' factor through out the week making me forget issues like 'generation gap'. I think it is finally showing patience to one another.

Kudos to Yashpal Committee! Great Going.

The proposal to dissolve UGC, AICTE, MCI couldn't have been better timed. I salute the members of the Yashpal Committee. And I have a special salute reserved for Mr Kapil Sibal.

1) Indeed with countless engineering colleges coming up all over the country , the B.E degree has lost all the importance that it once had. It has been reported there are several engineering colleges in Chattisgarh, Bangalore and other places which are running in just one room. I really wonder how? No surprise, the engineering giants say that today's engineers are not worth employing!

2)In case of MCI, it is just the reverse! The officiating body is forever finding faults with all medical colleges . As a result, medical colleges are very few in number. This forces the students stay on in spite of severe ragging. This apart, there is always a fear of de-recognition from MCI. In Indore itself there is always a sword hanging on MGM Medical College for lack of PG doctors. From where will the P.G doctors come if just a few colleges run PG course?

Even otherwise, one needs to see the ratio of engineering and medical colleges. If engineering colleges are in lakhs, the medical colleges are barely a thousand something!

3) While restraining myself from saying much about UGC and NAAC, I shall just comment that awarding 3star and 5 star on the basis of one or two days survey makes no sense. UGC certainly lacks feedback system regarding the classes being conducted in departments and colleges particularly related to commerce and humanities. UGC cares two hoots for the payment of visiting faculty which is downright cruel. Further, there is a need to dig into the PhD's that are being done particularly in Humanities. The students and their research appear nowhere near the mark. It would indeed be nice if university examination papers are set outside i.e. by another university. That will truly decide the merit of the students and teachers alike. Partiality and nepotism will then end. I hope, the proposed 'Commission for Higher Studies and Research' go deep into this. This commission should have the facility called 'Ombudsman' to check the growing malpractices in various universities.

4) Regarding scrapping of 10th and 12th exams, the only thing I feel strongly is that students who pass out of school should at least write a few sentences without spelling mistakes. That, there should be either schools or coaching classes. This unnatural pressure that has come on the students and parents must end. This may also bring down the rates of suicides, I feel.

P.S.
As per the news report today, the Bhopal Gang Rape case was a concocted story. Things will get clear in a few days I am sure.

Brilliant ! Show this performance always Girls.

The 12th class results are out ! And my heartiest congratulations to all the girls who have done brilliantly well in the board exams.



Indeed it is a victorious moment for the society, the social workers - both past and present, the families and most importantly the girls themselves. Indeed there was a time when girls were only expected to do household work. My Salute to Maharshi Karve, Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekanand, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, and all the great social reformers.



The world suddenly seems to be at the feet of these girls. Doors to all careers appear wide open. It's truly a beautiful moment. If only this moment would not pass by! But, try as much there is a sinking feeling that is threatening to destroy my optimism and happiness. My experience of life tells me that now, these girls need to be more observant, decisive and careful. Remember, One swallow does not make a summer. So continued hard work is important. I realise that all these girls must be now 17-18 years. Which means, there is going to be a pressure of marriage after 3-4 years. Well, marriage is a good institution in itself. Provided one gets married to the right person. For, I strongly believe that nothing can be better than a good marriage. And nothing can be worse than a bad marriage.



And so, it would be better to first decide one's aim in a sensible way. By sensible way, I mean, being practical and level headed. Thus, once the career and aim is clear, it would also be possible to choose the right partner. It has to be remembered that once a person is in the right direction, all things fall in right place.



It would certainly be a 'harakiri' to come in merit at one time and then allow every Tom Dick and Harry to take decisions for oneself . This would mean taking a nosedive in life as well as career. It certainly does not help to play down in life- certainly not all one's life. Which means the life-partner has to be of the same wavelength as onself.



So girls, now is the time to sit and understand where you stand and where you want to go.

Let the deserving get the jobs.

Ours was a 3 yr higher secondary course ( i.e. 9th, 10th, & 11th). As we had to select subjects in class ninth, I had opted for Sanskrit which had always been my strong subject.

One such Sanskrit book that I studied in class eleventh was "Dootavakyam". Just for information, the word "Doot'" means ambassador or messenger and "vakyam" means the utterance. And so if you can guess, the small book only contains the conversation between Lord Krishna and Duryodhan before the commencement of the epic battle-Mahabharat.

As per the book, Lord Krishna, who is on the side Pandavas and later on also becomes the charioteer of Arjun, goes and speaks to "Suyodhan" ( That's how he always addressed him as!) and asks him to give a part of the kingdom to his cousins. Duryodhan rejects it outright.

Infact all throughout the book, Lord Krishna put forward what Pandavas have said, and Duryodhan turns down every request. Duryodhan does seem horrid, but what he finally says on the last page is truly important for he literally steals the show from the Pandavas- " Dear Messenger! You don't ask for kingdom. Nor do you give it just because somebody has asked for it. If my cousins want to rule, they should take up arms and fight with me. On my part, I will not give them any land! Not even equal to the size of the point of a needle. "

I remember having crammed the answer as per the Delhi Board expectations. But somewhere the lines made a strong impression on me. For, in my most difficult moments, these lines have always come to me and I have fought with all my might. My arms have always been hard work and sincerity. And yes, however difficult I have eventually always overcome the challenge.

I feel pained when students say agitatedly in classrooms and seminars," What's the use, we don't get jobs!" As is my job, I do check the answers they write in the exams. The spelling mistakes, and the grammatical errors are atrocious to say the least. As Madhya Pradesh is a Hindi Belt area and Indore falls in this state, I am often faced with loud protests when I teach in English. But while checking the papers I find their Hindi weak too- to the point of being pathetic.

At such times I feel utterly hopeless. Every job has its own demand. And the demand has to be met. It is absolutely sickening to see a graduate not writing a single sentence correctly. Or a D.T.P. operator not knowing the difference between an "exclamation mark" and a "question mark"!

If that's not enough, we have ministers like Arjun Singh who have spoiled the situation even more by saying that spelling mistakes have to be ignored. Has he thought of the consequences? It is really sad that libraries remain unfrequented, and books /newspapers remain unread in an institution. The general attitude is, "Offence is the best form of defence." The worst part is that almost all political parties in a bid to win votes have said that they will ensure jobs to all if they come to power. I really don't know what will happen of the country!

Looking at the state of affairs, I sometimes wonder how many from the younger generation will be able to fill admission form or write leave application for their children! I am genuinely worried at that.

Death due to Ragging

My heart felt condolences to Aman Kachru's family. It is really sad that this19 year old boy died due to ragging, in a medical college in Himachal Pradesh.

I really don't have words. It's the person who faces the loss knows what it is. And so I only pray to God to do speedy justice.

There are so many dreams and aspirations when a baby is born. The dreams grow with the child. And if the same child were to get into medical, what better luck could one have! And then suddenly news of death?And all dreams coming crashing down. It is not fair! It is just not fair!

What were those senior boys trying to achieve? And what were all the witnesses (of several days) thinking? That they would relate the tales of ragging with much spice later on? How could the "future doctors " be so cruel and inhuman? I also wish to know how the accused boys secured admission to the medical college. What disturbs me most is how did this ragging last so long? As per me, ragging means a simple question-answer session, which sets a rapport between the seniors and juniors. A bit of song and dance, by which the talent is detected. And finally, this is something which is enjoyed by both the juniors as well as the seniors. And normally, this kind of interaction gets over with the Freshers' Night, i.e. in a month's time. But then, it is best to ban this harmless act also, if decency is going to be trespassed each time.

The academic year is coming to an end soon. At least, next year we should not have cases of ragging or brutality. One thing more. Every hosteler must have a Local Guardian. This should be made compulsory. Secondly, we must have more medical colleges so that students will be nearer their respective homes. How come engineering colleges are dime a dozen? And that, they also succeed in meeting the requirements of the AICTE i.e. All India Council For Technical Education? But the medical colleges invariably fail to meet the expectations of the Medical Council Of India? In fact, a sword always hangs on every medical college. I have seen this in Indore.

Besides this, there is a need for UGC to try and make other courses interesting too. For, there will always be some who will be interested in Chemistry, Economics, etc. The students need to be shown hope here. Besides, the world cannot just run on engineers and doctors. I am sure by working on this aspect, several students will be nearer their homes at the under-graduate level . Naturally, they will be happy, secure and relaxed.

We cannot afford to lose our younger generation this way.

On this note I end ."Happy Gudi Padwa"- Marathi New Year.

So Housewife! What Do You Do The Whole Day?

When My husband was in the services, this was this question often posed to me rather condescendingly at the parties " So Mrs. ... what do you do the whole day?" And, not just me! It was put to several like me who for some reason were not working.

I remember often saying to myself, "I am not a union leader, to remember every single work I do. But then, I must be doing something constructive, because of which my kids do not go for any tuition ? Surely, I must be doing something that my kids have developed the habit of reading good books and discussing things that are worthwhile? Surely, it is worth staying at home and not leaving children in the custody of unsafe people. And God forbid later crying in case of something terrible happening to the daughter?" But, try as much I could never ever come up with this retort. How I wish I had done it! How I hate myself for this! For, the people who looked down upon me or others were an insensitive lot! Those who never realised, how traumatic it is to find that one's daughter has been raped by the domestic servant or that the son has taken to wrong ways. Somehow, the party decorum always had its pressures.

But, today I want to say this loud and clear. Please allow mothers to bring up their children well. The decision to work or not to work incase of a mother/housewife, lies entirely with the family. And, no outsider has a right to ask questions there. For, we alone know the situation we are in. Really, no society or country can allow minor girls and boys with no sense of responsibility to bear children. It is ridiculous! Yes, I am referring to the news where an 8 year old boy in U.K. has fathered a girl baby. The mother, too, happens to be just 15 years. If that is not enough, 2 more boys have claimed that they are the 'actual father'. Ofcourse, I do respect their honesty. For in India, no boy would have owned this, I am sure! But, that's not all. What is shocking is that the young mother Chantelle, was sleeping with 8 teenaged boys! How come the children were not drawn to games and other hobbies that go with the age?

To blame the parents of the children, would be too hasty at the moment. May be a double income was a necessity at home?Or may be, the social pressures were heavy on the mother just as they are in my country? Clearly, there is much more than what meets the eye.

But, whatever, something needs to be done to improve the standards of the society and the people. I think the entire world needs good Thinkers now, Fast...Very Fast.