Does 'Slumdog Millionaire' deserve Golden Globe??

SLUM DOG MILLIONAIRE is the movie that most of the people in India have waited to be released.The winner of four Golden Globe Award......But do you really think that this movie deserve such a great award???

i saw this movie and i couldnt find anything worth that it should deserve such awards.I am saying this because there are several other movie of Bollywood that has created much impact than this movie.I dont know why but i feel that this was already fix before. Just because all the crew members were from abroad???? Why A.R. Rehman was not given this award before inspite of the fact that he has composed some good music for the bollywood which was appraised not only in India but also in other countries.

What will India get after all this?? All the money will go to the producer and production houses which are not of India. This is not the only fact which i feel but i couldnt find anything interesting, not also the music.

Slum Dog Millionaire is nominated for the 11 Oscar awards.And i am sure that this movie will get atleast 2-3 awards.

SDM lovers please dont get offended. i said what i felt. However its a great honour to win such a great awards. I wish India to win Oscars too.

SUKET

What kind of patriots are we?

Men or women take birth in India, die in India, grow up in India, get education in India but do they ever think of serving people in India? Do they ever think of serving nationhood in India?

Today we were on our college assignment of collecting vox-pox of the people on the issue of ‘the extent of media coverage shown by media on the mumbai terror attack’. We took up this issue voluntary to know about the opinion of the masses as we ourselves felt curious about the variety of views we would be getting. Surprisingly to collect the vox-pox we went to India gate and we met people coming from various walks of life.
After talking to the military official (expired an retired), this thought pinched me a lot, that what kind of services are we offering to our country. We sit back at our homes and actually crib over the kind of things that are happening in our country. But do we ever make an effort to participate in this kind of effort. Forget about all other things but do we actually care about giving vote to the right candidate. We are very much aware which actress is playing a role in which particular movie but are we actually bothered about the martyrs who have sacrificed their life for the nation. Of course we don’t and we might be remembering a name or two. Don’t they deserve at least respect?

It is irony of the human mind that we hardly remember good things that we either do to ourselves or to others but bad memories always get retained in our mind. We remember our politicians and the work they do for us, but do we ever think of military soldiers that die fighting for us? It is hard to digest this fact but what I personally felt today after doing the assignment was that India is somehow giving a wrong message of a scared country rather than a generous and peace loving country. We really need to think again the way we had been serving the country.

(By Priyanka Mittal)

When a woman is beaten in public....

Ranking on the list of first-timers who had cast their vote in the recent Delhi elections, I was perhaps the only adult who had given her first vote at the age of 22. Although a big secret as officially I am just 19, thanks to the authorities for lessening my age. Had they increased my age, I would have ruined their days by taking repeated rounds of their office. Thankfully, this is not the case and I am not bothering anybody for showing me under-age.

The callous administrative system, poor security checks, party politics, election propaganda are certain issues that should be left with someone better to talk about, for I want to spare my thoughts on something unsightly that happened just outside the election venue.

After thinking hard on which party to choose and casting my vote in the favor of the same, I was merrily racing my way back to the car, when I found hordes of people standing before my car. Certainly, something was wrong, I feared it shouldn’t be my car hit this time, for there were so many cars parked neck-to neck on the busy road and traffic was continuously coming from both the directions thus creating a messed situation. And also my car is jinxed as fellow drivers always bang it in an attempt to drive their cars out of parking area. But, fortunately nothing happened to my car this time. On going little closer I found two girls sitting in a car, who were badly crying. While they were just raring to go, I discovered that the front glass of their car was poorly smashed as if somebody has deliberately broken the shield by throwing heavyweight stones. A few meters away from their car, I saw a group of men going while shouting, “hum congressi hain, congressi”. Still I couldn’t gather what all happened, people were trying to console those girls and I heard a man saying “mujhe pata hai ye gundagardi hai, magar abhi app jaao”.

While an old man just entered the scene scolding other people around for not taking any action, I asked a fellow standing there about what all happened. To my surprise, I found that while those girls were trying to take their car out of the parking, they just happened to hit a car parked nearby. Not much harm occurred, not even a single scratch found and owner started lashing out at those innocent girls, not just abusive words he started inflicting blows into her stomach and like usual, people around were passively watching. She pleaded, so did her family, only to find them in an ugly situation as he continued punching her. After finishing the job, while he was ecstatically walking away with his gang, people standing there started giving their advices, as if they were the ones who helped her pass through all this.

I am shocked to find this 21st century male who did not think twice before beating a lady, almost in front of the policemen. Powerful and wealthy, uncouth men (like him) grow large under the clout of power and paisa. They keep police in their pocket, law under their shoe and public in their fist.

At a time when men are advised to be “second” to a female, for now many laws are in the favor of them and even a false complaint could take them to imprisonment, that fellow didn’t fear at all. In fact, police was standing at an arm’s distance, had she called them, the case could have gone in her favor and he would have probably been behind bars. But, their presence was also of no avail, as she didn’t call them. The unexpected harrowing experience might have kept her away from taking a stern action, also when you see so many people witnessing your plight you tend to get discouraged.

The whole incident was so demeaning that I started cursing myself for being a female. I still don’t know, what to do and how to correct the system and society, but I know one thing that we should certainly do something now, as it is now or never. Even after coming so far, if we find ourselves an object of disgust in this male dominated society, we actually stand nowhere.

If we will keep relying on the system-police, law and politicians to bestow us a respectable status, they might end up giving us a list of rights and duties, because they alone cannot change the mind of a common man. Men would continue to set us at naught until we clear haze on their misconceptions. We can only change the society, be it of putting an end to rapes, physical torture, child marriage or any other evil, because they don’t fear law, police or government. Evidently, women have proved themselves time and again and will continue doing so till life exists on earth. This is how our tradition is and the time has come when we should take reign in our hands and fight for our position.

May be our intelligence and abilities were not enough to show them what we are capable of, for now even if we have to come to blows with men, we should not hesitate and defeat them in their own way.

Shruti Kakkar

SUZUKI HAYABUSA IN INDIA NOW

In spite of the bad roads, high fuel price and growing traffic Suzuki Hayabusa (GSX 1300R) is going to be launched in India soon.
The Hayabusa has a 4 cylinder, 1300cc petrol engine which propels the bike to a restricted maximum speed of 299 kmph.I would seriously suggest undergoing a superbike riding course before buying this one and also exploring the road you would be riding on beforehand to make sure you know where those potholes are.
Suzuki knows that India is not yet ready for such a bike in terms of road infrastructure but it wants to showcase it's bike manufacturing capabilities and join Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki in the 'show off' game. Moreover since these superbikes have been available through the grey channel, bike manufacturers do not want to lose out on the additional revenue. Suzuki would also launch the smaller engined GXR and expects both bikes to sell about 150 units per annum

by SUKET

WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE IN GOD?

Most of you people will not like but i would like to share my thoughts with you people about so called GOD.
Most of what we do is governed by whether there's evidence or not to prove it's existence. We claim there are no unicorns because no one has proof of them.We know the world is not flat because there is a proof to prove otherwise, someone proved by sailing around the world.In the same way, there's no way to prove that God exists, the burden of proof is on those who believe in him. If he is here prove that he exists, otherwise he simply doesn't. There's no empirical evidence, without that God believers are just living in matrix.
In some form or another, every civilization that we have records of, have had all forms of different gods or god.they all believed in something that came after they died. That's all gods and religion really are, humans not wanting to believe that it will end. I'm not necessarily saying all religions are scammers or liars, except scientologists of course, just that they are natural humans giving in to natural human behavior.
I dont understand that if God created the universe, than the universe must be an artificial but there is no evidence for claim.
In bomb blast at Varanasi, 12 Pandits died when they were performing havan. Those Pandits who spent their entire life in the devotion of God died leaving behind their children and wives. Gulshan Kumar was shot dead at the temple, where was the god? In the recent case of Mumbai attack on 26 NOV 2008 about 250 people died.i think most of them who died believed in God then why did God let them die, why didnt God save their lives
God is all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful and yet he permits the suffering of innocence. God knowingly, willingly, and purposely allows the suffering of innocent children on a daily and global basis.
There is a famous quote by ALBERT EINSTEIN "A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be."
I have not written this blog to hurt someones feeling and beliefs but to share what i think. If there is a God and he makes people believe in him then why not he try on me.

by SUKET

Pallavi Aiyer- a good journalist and analyst

I am a Hindu reader! Personally I like the columns of Pallavi Aiyer, who is a regular writer in the Hindu newspaper. She is the analyst of the INDO-CHINA RELATIONS, an Indian journalist based in China. For more details about her visit her home page http://www.pallaviaiyar.com/ .
I shall be analyzing two of her writing of-
(1) Another rounds of talks begins
Which was published in the month of the November 2007.
(2) Sino India trade: growing concern.
Published in the month of the August 28, 2007.
The analyst is a great writer. It is said that newspapers acts as a best source of information and a great book. The analyst fulfills the purpose of the reading and collecting the information both. She is the person who gives and supports her statement with the facts and figures at large. She focuses on larger areas like economic impact of the policies and framework formed by the governments of both the countries and constantly keeps the writing updated. She is a balanced writer. Maintaining flow of the sentences in her write up, she also makes the point that sentence remain short, direct and crisp. Use of the less adjectives and flowery writing which makes her audiences have wide receptibility and larger coverage. The Pros and cons are stated on both the sides of coin. This requires a lot of research and inner depth of the issues. Professional, academicians and scholar’s views points are also considered and fully expressed. In the end she concludes her statement on a positive note but a warning or statutory remark can always be found as a part of the writing.

It is for this reason such wide ideas and thoughts can be read in newspapers. I guess this is the reason why newspapers will not perish away but will continue to remain and bloom day by day. Newspapers have a research value and library usage both and that is why they are considered at large.

(Priyanka Mittal)

Efficient India - Are we really becoming real superpower?

INDIA, a new upcoming super power.Sorry! is that real.But somewhere we all see it as a dream.I condemn the statement because of the kind of the state of affairs we are in.Great round of applause for our Politicians who are really keen on projecting India a secular, democratic,republic, economic country on the international front.

As far as I remember, our constitutional framer-forefathers developed our country democratic structure on the three pillars of democracy-Executive, Legislature, Judiciary. Fourth one as unsaid -Media ,also holds the task of now projecting a magnificent picture among our "foreign friends".

Thanks but no thanks!

Executive,the very branch which has been given the task of executing all the programmes, policies,initiatives etc.are implementing laws and regulations formed by the legislature branch very efficiently. So efficiently that terrorists like Afzal Guru has not been sentenced till date even after Supreme court pronouncing him guilty.So efficiently that about 34% of India still lives in malnutrition.So efficiently that 80% of the educated India lives below Rs. 2700/- of earnings per month.So efficiently that in last 10 months India saw 83 bomb blast all over the country.

Legistature has always been working so efficiently that in last 20 years there has been no stringent laws made to deal with terrorism.Not even that there had been no provision made to get the Federal investigation done in such cases.So efficient that police reforms are still pending.Poor hawaldars! bechare! jab samne terrorist gun se fire kara hota hai toh aap lathi se uska samna karte hain.So efficient that there is no Uniform Civil Code of law for Secular India.So efficient that Women Reservation Bill, in, India for Equality is still pending.So efficient that out of some 536 MP's about 348 MP's are having bad name and criminal offenses charges registered against them. Sorry let me ask - politician sir do you need anything more than money, fame, power, girls,oil reserves, bank accounts? We Indian can provide you .We know it is hard to find "GREAT PATRIOTS" like you!


Judiciary our third foundation stone has also worked so efficiently to maintain the law and order in the country that about 14,000 cases are still pending in our courts.The names goes on increasing,the list goes on multiplying.For every law in our country there is way to break it out.Fast Track Courts were to be made in order to resolve cases fast in our country but they are also under the influence of the rich and the money class.So efficient are our lawyers like R.K.Sharma who were fighting for the rights of Nanda's,another money spoilt brat.So efficient that our judicial gurus are involved in the bribary cases.

These 3 pillars of our democracy on which our forefathers laid our constitution has begun to shamble.Politicians are involved everywherer and how now media has also forgotten its principles. No doubt, education in journalism and education/work experienced gained in the pofession, the duo cannot match anywhere. There is serious dearth of good journalists.Media has forgotten the ethics which are ATLEAST expected out of them to follow. But what the scenario now!

Our economy has become capitalists plus materialistic.
Elite class used to trust NDTV for its comprehensive and correct ethical reporting. But sorry after the Mumbai terror attack, the series of the unethical reporting done by media has led the hopes of the lay man/ common man down.So what do you think Should be done? Are we really to become a superpower? Thank you but this title suites US only or say upcoming global power China wherein atleast people have the faith in government.Contention of the fact that whom so ever they will choose to govern will prove beneficial to them and their country.

NOW WE CANT TOLERATE

Waking up on a burning image of Taj is something which I had never imagined in my rarest of rare dreams and is something which I will never forget in my life.The rescue operations are over and we are reeling under the effects of immature statements made by our politicians and immature of handling of situations by the CM of Mumbai.The city’s security and crisis management measures were put to test and they failed the test…miserably…in front of the whole world. What’s more, politicians made their own mark by showing up at the scene to display their ‘publicity skills’ to the whole world.
After the unforgettable attack in Mumbai there is a big question mark on the security.
How could terrorist manage to reach to the city? What was the security doing? I think now we cant rely on the country's security. Despite of the knowledge that Mumbai will be the target of the terrorist, why proper measures were not taken? Forget about the citizen safety, even the police officer are not provided with the good quality bullet proof jacket which resulted in the death of few officers. We cant rely on the government for the safety of our life. The whole system is corrupted and is weak.Mumbai Terrorist attack, It is a biggest attack on India. And Still Indian Politicians are sleeping they don’t care. Pakistan keep taking advantage of these and day by day terrorist attack is increasing.Evey month there is a attack some where in India.But what our politicians are doing? They are busy in their low class politics.Now Where is those party. Who were shouting “Marathi manus, go away from Mumbai you bhaiyas” where are they who was doing riots in Mumbai and wanted to divide country in little pieces.. Where are they??? where they hide when these attacked happened??? Why they don’t come forward to SAVE THEIR MUMBAI??? It is another example of LOW class politics.We have to open our eyes and see what is happening to India. I salute the policemen who gave their lives for us.

by SUKET

My first ever bus ride

Far sitting in a swank car, I used to often witness the plight of many fellow Indians racing their way to step in a Blueline bus...knowing full well these callous bus drivers may take them to a different world altogether, it never used to deter the spirit of a regular lower-class worker to reach the site in an overstuffed bus.

“Poor people” I used to think, resolving each time I would do all what it takes, but never travel in these shanty buses. Though, just a learner, such sights would feed my imagination of driving a Honda to my college. In fact repeated requests of my mother to get issued a student bus pass, were also of no use, as each day, I used to return home with a new excuse.

After all, I can afford sparing pretty penny on an auto, but traveling in a bus with sickly drivers and passengers alike was way beyond my status and persona. I am rich, I can pay for thousand autos, why would I be an art and part of this downmarket drama (on being incognizant of some monsters in ambush conspiring their hearts-out, to dump me in such class-less situation).

But, I remember that day; it was actually past 5 o’clock when I wasn’t getting a single auto. It seemed as if India has gone back to quondam times where think tanks were contemplating to start public conveniences. Not a creative person otherwise, it looked as if I was in rendezvous with the world’s biggest imaginative mindsets. With each passing car, my anxiety was heightening, whether I will get an auto or not, how will I go? To top it all, my transient imaginative power was scaling heights; anyone behind the wheels was sensed as a devil in disguise, bogging me down for not having a car. And, I for that matter was putting the best defense, explaining them I also have a car indeed better than yours, it just that I have not brought one this instant. Honestly, I was fighting my own fears. I could see my impending action, of traveling in a shabby bus, but just wasn’t able to muster courage to walk down to the nearest bus stop.

Anyways, in a constant brawl with my inner self, several thoughts were tumbling over one another, “shall I take a lift?”, no, “Shall I call dad?”, “he might be busy”. Then, what? Feeling of helplessness was cracking me. Those vexing stares and ogles were just enough to inflict mental torture.

The realization dawned and I learnt that money cannot buy everything and importantly, my favorite idiom “everyone has their price” lost its sheen.

Time was marching on and I was left with no other option, frail and unaided, I tramped down to the nearest bus stop. Standing amongst dingy crowd, I stood with my back towards the road, for none of my known should see me there. Finally, the wait was over and a blue line bus stopped for passengers to pour in. The haunting nightmares were now becoming a reality, with me being a part of this so-called under-my-dignity drama. Finally, I elbowed my way to the bus. Like several others, I also spared few bucks, one-fourth of my auto fare, to the conductor.

I rested myself on a seat and my roving eyes took notice of many fellow passengers, of which some were stinking of “desi tharra”, while others were chewing tacky "khaini". Given a chance, I would have definitely tossed them in a swimming pool, as all of them desperately needed a shower.

It was not only me who was observing them, they were also smitten by me. Ignoring all attention of shoddy people, who were gaping for nothing, I inadvertently had my eyes set on a nearby window, smeared by the traces of heave and retched food particles, as if this was the last thing to be seen on this earth. I shook my head to other direction but still couldn’t escape the foul smell of disgusting sight.

Having almost reached halfway, I was feeling contended. I knew I would reach home in next fifteen minutes. Amidst high hopes, there enters another man, this time a decent-looking gentle man who managed to take a seat next to me. When my destination was just few meters away, this man muttered, “ your beauty would be such a waste, if you don’t join my modeling agency”. Not again, I thought. What a sleazy pick-up line? Laughing it off, I thought if this dickhead is such a big shot, why is he traveling in a bus?

Anyways, it wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to reach my home as fast as I could. So, having turned a blind eye, I asked him to excuse me and jostled my way to front exit of the bus.

The moment I walked out of the bus, all apprehensions came to peace and a heavenly feeling floated through my body. After gagging all sprites, a casual thought popped out. I learnt yet another lesson, helplessness makes man do all what he never desired for, some things are not wished, they just come and change the way you are.

Just a positive outlook could have eased up my journey. Instead of flaking circumstances, had I taken everything for my best, I would have merrily raced my way to the home. A single testing moment is enough to change our perception for lifetime; hence optimism bloats us with courage to pass through a rough phase.


Oh! By the way did you ask how do I travel now? How long can a fish remain far from sea, I still go by auto and pray God that I get one each time. But now, I no longer wait for autowallas much and instantly board a bus, if they charge high.

Shruti Kakkar

Where animals hold judicial powers

INDIAN JUDGES may not mind picking up decades old pending cases from the dusty, shabby racks; but the general public detest being called to the witness box after several years. Even after condemning their procrastination act to the hilt, people are left with no choice than to hinge on the tardy Indian legal system.

However, here still reside few who had given up this arduous task of solving disputes completely to the will of god. It seems they sensed the load of impending work pressure looming on the judges way back some centuries and hence spelled out a bigot approach to solve their local disputes.

Call them maniacs or god-fearing people, the reality is India is still home to some lunatic fellows who sacrifice humanity to resolve criminal issues in favour of their so-called faith.

One such group of fanatics hails from Naggar, an age-old village in Kullu district. They negate the requirement of legal system, jurisdiction and lengthy litigation and indeed believe in instant judgment motivated by their unbound trust in the power of nature. Surprising enough, in Naggar, it is animal nodding that decides the culprit and the compensation of crime thereof.

The special courts there do not observe any particular type of architecture, their meetings are held at the heritage Jagatipatt temple, which is believed to be a meeting place of local idols and therefore perceived as a holy place to settle disputes.

The parties in question bring sheep or goats to the temple, leaving them untied, the priest starts chanting Vedic hymns and prayers. Whilst the holy process is coming to an end, priest takes the dust and heaves it on the animals, the one that trembles most is declared guilty. While the owner claims responsibility and accepts punishment, the animal is then sacrificed. For them, god is the ultimate judge and thus the judgment is his discretion. Animals are just messengers.

Besides solving such disputes, they often come to the aid of god whenever there is some natural calamity or they have to embark on a new project. An elder of the village, Kayasth suggests that the spirit of deity enters the body of Gur (link between god and people) and he pronounces the decision of god in the state of trance.

There is certainly no rhyme and a reason behind such heinous animal crimes, but for those practicing it, each drop of the animal’s blood is suggestive of divinity. Sometimes, it seems India should leave behind the critical issues of development and rather concentrates on such absurd practices, going on in interiors of the region. Evidently, going to moon is not bigger than these illogical beliefs, so people mistaking murders for loyalty and faith should be corrected at this hour.

Shruti Kakkar

SMS threat to english language

I LOVE taking shortcuts to reach home, learn for exams and perhaps to solve an issue, but shortcuts to convey a message apparently seem new to me. I mean, “wat does it tk 2 snd a msg”? Just mix numbers and alphabets and treat yourself with a refreshingly trendy lingo. And the easiest way to become a part of this happening culture is to observe people who were always bad with spellings. For those who want to master this art, the key is to wash away their English learning and take up the tricks of badly squashing words into their Lilliputian best. The viral of the crunchy language has strewn so far and so wide that people have even started mailing their bosses in the tightest sentences, so if next time you see something like “I wnt b abl 2 com 2mrw”, take it as a leave from your subordinate.

You may be a greenhorn in the discourse of SMS language, but you are popularly assumed as a maestro of crumpled words and therefore your friends won’t stop messaging you in the shortest best.

Paradoxically, foundation of the language that was built over years is now ruined in one go.Childhood lessons are forgotten, spelling tests have virtually lost their importance, since we all believe in compressing forms. Blame it on the speedy lifestyles or rising levels of impatience among youth, the reality is that we have lost to the medium and the language. But we certainly do not want the coming generation to know people by ’ppl’, like by ’lyk’ and when by ’wen’, we expect them to learn this in their pristine form.

Various studies suggest that children are the growing users of mobile phones and Internet, hence their exposure to such language makes them learn this faster than their conventional lessons in schools. Thus, the only way to keep them away from the eerie drift is by ostracizing the use of wrong language.

Metro life has already brought changes galore in the way we eat, dress and talk; let it not alter the way we write. The need of the hour is to backtrack ourselves to the sanctity of tongue. If the short language cult implicates literacy, I am better being illiterate.

Shruti Kakkar

The teen tattoo artist

There’s more to Kinley Tenzin than meets the eye. This shy law guy, hailing from Thimpu, Bhutan is a second year student of Delhi’s IP University. He enjoys what most regular students do – bunking classes, hanging out with friends- the usual.

So what makes him different?

It’s the fact that he is an extremely gifted artist. Not only does he draw on paper but on skin too. Kinley learnt the art of tattoo making from his friend some years back and felt a pull towards the art which set in motion the creation of his own apparatus.

“It wasn’t so difficult”, Kinley said. “I learnt how to make the instrument, bought the ink and started making tattoos.”

The technique Kinley uses is commonly called "stick and poke" and is used by green tattoo artists or ‘scratchers’. Here the tip of a sewing needle is attached to a motor which generates movement. The skin is pricked over and over by the needle, which is saturated with ink, and hence a design is created.

However, this talented teen wishes he had more time to indulge in his art. “Tattooing requires a lot of time and patience. It took me one whole night to make an intricate design (picture inserted) on a friend’s arm and I was exhausted by the end of it.”



And is his family aware of his talent? “No” comes the reply. “They know I enjoy sketching but they don’t know about the tattoos.” His friends on the other hand are a select few who know about his hobby and openly encourage him to take it up as a profession. Whether he does or not, one cannot deny that he is a gifted artist with raw potential.

Maasoom Dhillon

Muslims equal terrorists?

As the metro doors swished open, bringing with it the usual throng of jostling people, I singled out one man- a bearded Muslim -clad in white and carrying a black briefcase. A very inconspicuous briefcase and yet I couldn’t get my eyes off it and the man who it belonged to.

‘Terrorist’, I thought and then seconds later felt deeply ashamed of myself. Though ingrained in my mind that all Muslims are not terrorists, what were the chances of this man not being one? My thoughts tumbled over each other and refused to stop until finally at the next station the man in question got off the metro.

No blast took place. No bodies lay scattered. What remained was the sense of discomfiture I felt. I had just incriminated an innocent man because of his religion.

But am I entirely to be blamed for my thoughts? Haven’t Muslims become synonymous with terrorism? Newspapers and TV Channels carry stories of bomb blasts all over India by people who are incidentally Muslims. So if all Muslims are not terrorists how come all terrorists are Muslims?

The answer eludes me.

But what I realize now is that the average Muslim has more to worry about than I do. Not only are they subjected to prolonged security checks at metros and airports but a simple task of getting a visa seems more like an interrogation. However, they are not only incriminated as terrorists but also end up as casualties in terror attacks. Reason? Terrorism has no religion. What a paradox!

If I had put myself in the place of the man carrying the black briefcase I would have known exactly how it felt to have people shooting suspicious (maybe even hostile) looks at me. He, most likely, has to face many challenges everyday and overcome many fears-fear of being looked upon as a fanatic, fear of losing his job because of his faith, fear of becoming a casualty… the list is endless.

We in India consider ourselves to have a better understanding of the Islamic faith as we live in a culturally diverse country. But what about Muslims living in other countries? How do these countries treat their Islamic populace?

Take America for example: post September 11, there has been a considerable amount of prejudice against the Muslim community. Consequently, many American Muslims have denounced terrorism and have formed online forums and held rallies not only to make their voices heard but also to create awareness amongst those who see Islam as an evil.

People with limited understanding have severely tarnished the image of Islam all over the world. That Islam is a religion of violence – is a huge misconception. Even though Muslims are implicated for various terrorist plots, one must not judge all by the actions of a few. When terror strikes, everyone suffers regardless of religion.

Maasoom Dhillon

Why aren't we human?

A recent article in a newspaper shockingly found out as to why people are losing their temper and are not just giving their fellow citizens not only tongue lashings but also physical assault . It is a well known fact that temper ruins more things than fixes it. But we really care little about it. When a person is born, he often bangs into things that really irritate him and depending on the ability to hold on to the same; he sometimes ends up making things worse.

There was an article that was recently published in the newspaper that some unknown assailants stabbed a cook to death at a hotel as he had not served papaad. Then there was another article which said that a shop owner was set on fire over a Rs 100 phone recharge. There was one more story published in the newspaper which said 14-a year-old boy killed a nine-year-old girl for an I-pod in a West Bengal town. Besides these usual stories that have grabbed space in the newspaper, there are still many that we usually see all around like people fighting on streets if they accidentally bang into other person’s vehicle trying to reach office early.

It is really hard to understand as to why people have lost their patience over a period time. What is the ultimate thing that is actually making them do things that are not only morally unacceptable but also a crime? It is really hard to find what tensions actually helps things blow up. We cannot find things going the way we want them to and in this frustration we end up banging into people coming our way. Why can’t we just keep our frustrations aside instead of gifting them to people coming our way?

A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. It is really a pity that we fail to accept the common human error and instead of making things right we tend to blow them. It is like an infectious disease that is killing the very basic requirement of being a human. There is a steep decline in our social dispensation.

(Shikha Garg)

Humanity is the best religion for mankind

SINCE MOTHER Earth was created, she has seen herself being divided both naturally (into sub continents) and then selfishly (into countries). She must have never thought that a day would come one when she would be divided by her own children in the name of RELIGION. When a child is born, he has no conscious knowledge about himself or about the environment around him. He is an alien, an innocent soul. His body is made up of the same elements as that of Mother Nature. They have the same two hands, two legs; a heart to love and not to hate and even the colour of blood is the same. It is really hard to digest that people forget themselves as in the direct gift of the Creator and fight for land, for power and for little things that hardly matter in life. We all pray to Him to give us all these things. We forget the purpose of our life, for what we have been created.

Man cannot create a leaf or a fly, though he is free to tamper with God’s creation to the extent he wills. He cannot prevent himself from getting hungry and thirsty, he does not decide what time or country he will be born, he is not free to choose his parents nor physical structure, nor does he know when and where he will die. When so many things cannot be decided by him, he has no right to decide which religion is the best. There is no point in fighting with each other or in instilling fear in other people.

There is a lot of hue and cry in this world- people are starving, they are craving for love, they are molested for some or the other reason. It is high time we rise from the petty issues of religion, fighting over ‘my religion is better than others’. We need to understand that we have to rise above the boundaries of caste, colour, creed, nationality, the conventional religion. Though we are living in the 21st century with all the technical innovations on one side yet we are still fighting over religion. Every human being must be treated with respect.

We Indians have always been boasting of our ‘unity in diversity.’ But do we practise it or it has just turned into a phrase.? Each of us must ask ourselves this question.
People need to understand that when they will die, they will be reduced to something that will be de composed. Neither the power nor the money will remain with him. Humanity should be the biggest religion for each and everyone.

A society can be served in this way thus making earth a better place to live in. We have to remember that we are all children of nature and we cannot go on fighting with each other. We need to decide what we are going to give to our next generation- hatred or love- the choice is solely ours.

(Shikha Garg)

Say no to crackers on Diwali, save kids from misery

DIWALI IS round the corner and everyone is busy preparing a welcome for Goddess Lakshmi in their homes. They are cleaning up their homes, white-washing, painting, buying new clothes and of course, stocking deadly crackers. Crackers are like the spice of Diwali without which the our food would taste bland.

But have you ever thought where do these crackers come from or who makes them?
We all agree to this statement that no poor child chooses to work in firework factories or take up other horrifying work in coal mines by will but they are either forced by people or destiny itself. They work in congested, dusty and horrifying environment that severely impair their health. The young innocent children are considered as the source of cheap labour by their bosses. Children also give more output than input and that also without creating any fuss. They can be easily manipulated into overworking and paid less.

They work in difficult environment for long hours as compared to adults. They face both verbal and sexual abuse. We feel pity for them but after some time we move on in our lives.

It is really difficult to understand how people can be more sensitive to their own children and totally insensitive to other’s children. Just see your children in place of them and then you would realise how painful it gets.

Not only Goddess Lakshmi but do you think any God of any religion would be actually happy about this idea of celebration that involves misery for children.
Before buying crackers this year just think that we may be contributing to their exploitation by buying products and services, which actually involves young children. This is not the real picture of true India where the future of it is itself so brutally moulded.

I would like to salute the spirit of those people who voluntary don’t burn crackers and who would pledge not to burn crackers after reading this article. Children are like soon to be made earthen pots that will be moulded the way we want them to. We would surely not like to see India’s future moulded this way, as this way we are only teaching them to be slaves.

(Shikha Garg)

Safer UP Roadways now

Do you think twice before boarding a UP Roadways bus because of traffic accidents? If that comes under your worry list, then you should throw it out of your mind. UP state transport, authorities have finally decided to install speed governors in all state roadways buses. The speed governors will now monitor the speed limit in all buses. The speed limit on highways will be now 60km and in cities, it is limited to 40 km. The passenger safety will now improve. 50 per cent buses are already fitted with speed governors while remaining 50 per cent will be installed with this facility soon.
Every month on an average, around 50 buses of UP Roadways meet with accident on roads. Some of them are severe accidents causing severe damage to human property and lives. In a survey it was found that in most cases over speeding is responsible along with the drunk driving.
UP Roadways Authorities are planning to counsel these drivers on a regular basis and if found that their condition is not stable, their duty charge can be terminated for that particular day so that safety parameters are not violated. Stricter action will be taken by authorities against the violators.
Drivers are now being sent to Delhi and Kanpur so that they can hone their driving skills on latest buses. Apart from this they are learning the art of evading the accidents and minimizing the loss of life and property in accidental cases. They are also learning how to evade accidents and to minimize the result of the accidents causing loss of human life and damage to the buses.

Saurabh Das

Have you ever spent time in a police lockup?

Have you ever spent time in a police lock up? How was your experience? Was it scary? Well I had a unique and exciting experience of a police lockup. I was in my Graduation second year, pursuing Bachelors in Tourism Management from IITTM, Gwalior. I was 19 years old and had a very casual attitude towards life. I was staying with my friends Manuj, Ankit, Ankur, Anish and Ajit in a rented flat.My friend Ajit was very influential in my college. He made close contacts with some of our college officials and faculty members. We often used to get benefits for his contacts. My other room mates were also actively involved in college politics; as a result I was always in thick of action whatever the case maybe.

In September 2006, our college was instructed by the Ministry of Tourism to celebrate tourism week as a part of a global initiative taken by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO). Our college for that purpose constituted an organizing committee in which I was also included as a member. My role was to make available the required costumes, accessories, equipments for various cultural events to be performed by the students of my college throughout the week. One day I was watching a dress rehearsal of a group dance on ‘Vande Mataram’ by A.R.Rahman. Suddenly my friend Sumedha who was also a participant in that group dance, asked me to find a sword as they needed it. I lethargically started my search but a sword was not a very common object, so I was having a tough time searching it. I asked the local shopkeepers, my neighbors, my seniors, juniors and every one I knew but all of them were clueless. Now the day of performance was also approaching fast and I was notching my hair in complete despair. Then out of nowhere I came to know about a place called ‘Char Sahar Ka Naka’ near Gwalior fort where I could find the sword.

I immediately set out for that place and that too very enthusiastically. I found the store and hired a sword. Finally my problem was solved I was happy but I did not realize that very soon another unwanted problem would emerge out of nowhere. I safely stacked the sword in my bag and started my journey back to college in an auto. I was sitting like a gentle man from beginning to the end of the journey. As soon as I reached my college area, I paid the money to the auto driver and started walking towards my college. Suddenly I brought out the sword and started waving it as if I was fighting a battle. I was deeply immersed in my play, imagining myself as a Rajput prince killing all his enemies. My play was ended when a police jeep screeched to a halt besides me. A constable jumped out of it and in typically Jat accented Hindi said “Uthao saale ko”, and put me in that jeep. I was terrified by the fact that now I have to be in a police lockup because of my foolishness. I was presented in front of the SHO who asked “bta kis ko maar ne jaa raha tha” I was speechless. I had never dealt with a police man earlier in my life and I always feared them. Somehow I gathered courage and said “uncle do I look like a killer?”. He said, “ I don’t know but now you will spend the entire day in this lockup.” Shocked, I called my friend Manuj and was further shocked to get his reply “we have just opened a full bottle of Royal Stag so please don’t disturb us.”


I was in big trouble, my trusted friends were not coming to my aide, family leaves in Delhi and I had no local guardian in Gwalior. I wanted to call my dad but realized that if he came to know about it he will disown me completely .I laid on my back on the floor of that lockup and started wondering what would happen to me, my career or my reputation etc. I did not know when I dozed off. I woke up when I received a blow of a lathi on my back. I jumped being completely stunned. The same constable who caught me was staring madly at me and in typically Jat accented Hindi said “saale apne mama ka ghar mai aaya hai kay tu” and “nalayk kuch to sharam kar le” I was actually happy seeing his frustrated face. Then the SHO called me and instructed me to write 25 times on a paper that I will never wave a sword in open area. After this I was dropped in my college with the sword. When I entered my college auditorium I saw that all my friends were aware of my foolishness and I was the buzzword in entire college. I quickly moved to the green room, found Sumedha and gave her the sword. The performance was brilliant and I was called on stage as a part of the team and was given credit for my important role and was acknowledged for my troubles. Even today whenever I recalled the incident, I laugh at my foolishness but it also make me realize that police man are like us, human being so there is nothing to worry unless you don’t commit a crime.

Saurabh Das

Empathy for the four legged

While watching a street play performed by students of a university, a certain sight made me smile. Two small puppies were curiously watching the street play from a safe distance! Fascinated with the dramatic act unfolding before their eyes, they were inching closer to the performers.
A boy got up from where he was seated and slowly walked towards the puppies as unobtrusively as possible. I presumed he was going to shoo them away before they became a nuisance. He did but not in the way I had imagined.
The moment he reached the puppies, he kicked the closest one hard in the stomach with the tip of his shoe. The puppy howled loudly and scurried away as fast as it could, still bent over with the pain, while the other one just managed to get away.
It was appalling to see that the whole episode stirred mild interest only. The spectators simply turned back to the street play where the group was turning blue shouting out the inefficiency of the government in tackling the Mumbai terror and the violence committed by the terrorists.
Isn’t this violence too? Someone ruthlessly harms an innocent and walks off coolly.
The difference between humans and animals is only this: humans have a voice and can speak of the atrocities committed against them. They can blame, fight back, and complain (things they usually do) while animals can only lick their wounds and bear the brunt of what life has inflicted on them.
So who can these voiceless creatures turn to? Does anyone have an answer?

(Maasoom Dhillon)

Media loves unethical and rich !!

In a recently released research and analysed report of the BMW hit and run case and Shivani Bhatnagar murder case by the http://www.newswatch.in/research/1758 wherein the court verdict came out pronouncing respective cases accused as criminals. Print and online media unnecessarily hyped the accused and to some extend did the job of collecting the sympathy for the accused of the cases. Writing the points stating what Nanda (prime accused in the BMW hit and run case) wore to the court and R.K.Sharma (main culprit in the journalist Shivani Bhatnagar murder case) does in the jail, makes no point.

Hello! Is anyone interested in such frivolous issues, guess no? Media seems to work for the rich, gets operated by the rich and creates sympathy for the rich. No point talking about degrading standards of the media ethics, where in they repeatedly reported the name of the poor nun, rape victim of the Orrisa violence clashes. Talking, debating, analyzing media might be of some help but actually talking in numbers and cases media standard are going to hell.

One can always revert back to the report published by World Press Freedom Index 2008 of Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) where in India holds the position 118 in the list. The fact that monopolization of media has eaten away the ethics that are taught in the media schools giving way to lot of discrepancies in the practical scenarios.

Somebody please suggest some policy iniative to help these ‘media retail outlets’ to rise above their financial crisis and do some healthy work for the better future of our country.


Priyanka Mittal