This is about the latest column of India: Today & Tomorrow, titled ‘To make India democratic & politics de-criminalised allow election voting through SMS’ and written by Arindam Chaudhuri. Scratching your head, eh? Well, you can’t imagine my expression, after I went through it once. I sat there laughing out aloud. I was simply wondering how on earth such a man with such an incredible brain located within his head could think along such similar lines as I do! What is more astonishing – this is a topic that I had recently abandoned on grounds that I found my thoughts not to be full proof and practical. But, what beats them all is I find Prof. Chaudhuri having the stomach of letting it out of the bag even when the same loopholes are present in the analysis that troubled me.
A glass of water, please – I’m panting! Let me now point out the common origin of the idea. I, too, similarly as Prof. Chaudhuri writes, struck upon it influenced by the SMS voting process in the numerous talent hunt shows. I felt that it might be used to combat the adulteration of public opinion by “rigging”, use of “muscle power”, etc. Now to the application and applicability. At first, I would like to quote Prof. Chaudhuri’s proposals:
“… it struck me why shouldn’t we make our election process also SMS based. After all no one is allowed to vote without a Voter’s I-Card. All we need to do is to have another line out there where in voter’s can write their mobile numbers. And once that is computerized in a very basic process and fed into an electronic voting system, every Indian can sit at home and cast their votes – and a much larger proportion probably will – and in turn start changing the political landscape in India!! If they send from a different number it will be invalid and so will it be if they send it more than once. Those who don’t have a mobile number can go and vote normally – of course electronically – so that they can’t vote again from their mobiles …”
Same old scribbling, very, very coincidentally! So, I will now jot down the shortcomings that disappointed me:
I. The poorest people in the remotest areas, who cannot yet afford cellular communication, are the worst victims of rigging and exuberance of muscle power. What about them?
II. ID cards should not bear mobile numbers, because they are ever so temporary and the practice can pose a considerable threat to the protection of the secret identity of the voter. Plus, any other person can just grab the mobile of a particular voter and complete the formality, depriving the real voter of his discretion.
III. How can we ensure that a voter may not end up voting multiple times? I mean, he or she might at first vote normally and return to use the mobile or vice versa.
But you know what, I’m so thankful to Prof. Chaudhuri that he wrote about this. After the initial reaction, when I recollected myself, once again I did I explore the possibility, out of sheer belief that something just has to come out of this concept, something fit to be put into practice, just because even a person of Prof. Chaudhuri’s calibre is contemplating it! And this time round, the prospect seems better. Despite the fact that I couldn’t make both ends meet towards the first rat’s gnaw (because it’s totally an economic problem), there has been considerable progress on the technical and strategic side that may almost nullify the other two concerns. What I have to suggest is as follows:
Instead of coining mobile numbers on the Voter’s ID card, we can have two alternatives. Each time the Election Commission updates the voters’ list, new Voters’ ID cards bearing unique registration numbers may be issued with a scratch bar on it, which hides a secret code. What the voter will have to do is to obtain the code, send the code along with the registration number to a particular number in order to receive a password code. Else better still, if the voter can set up his or her own password code and feed it to the database. The second alternative, if issuing new cards at each update is inconvenient, presents before the Election Commission a choice to supply scratch cards a la mobile prepaid cards, which can be used in the same way as stated above. If more than one entry of code for a single registration number is made, it will be rendered invalid. Now, during the election season, all the voter has to do is to type in the registration number, password code and the choice of candidate and send it. Even here, more than one entry will be ignored. And if this service is made free, as Prof. Chaudhuri would like to be done, it will mean that even if you are not a cell holder, you can always use your neighbour’s mobile – vote and then definitely delete the SMS from the outbox – because here the registration number and password stands for your identity, not the mobile number. This puts to sleep the second tear in the net.
As for the last one, it can be taken care of by installing computers in all polling booths, all connected together on a network to a central database server. Each voter who comes along before going to the ballot will have to enter his or her registration number. Then it can be easily detected whether a particular voter is voting for more than once, either through mobile or the traditional way. In this way, we certainly can even do without the embarrassing ink stains on our fingers.
And now it seems to me that it might be possible to apply the same technique with some modification towards a structure for e-voting. It will be all the easier this way. All one would require is an online registered voter profile.
Well, what do you think? Any suggestion is always welcome.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Child Labour - Part 2
Early morning walk by the sea shore is a great way to start the day. Cool breeze, warm sunshine, sound of waves rushing to embrace the shore, aroma of roasted peanuts and corn welcome early morning walkers and joggers to the seashore. Peaceful mornings as this are the perfect time to exercise by the beach. As I sit down on a stone bench to rest my tired feet, another pair of small legs run up to me. Looking up, I see the thin and cheerful face of a young kid, waiting eagerly to take my order for a glass of tea. I watch his thin legs as he rushes around to collect orders, under the watchful eye of his employer. It hit me hard that thus toils this little labourer from dawn to dusk, earning three meals per day in return for all his sweat and slog. (Chk this link for the real life story: http://www.unicef.org/india/child_protection_1735.htm)
Sipping hot tea, I sit there pondering over this child's fate. Three girls run up to me with baskets of peanuts, tugging at my dress and asking me to buy peanuts from them. They compete with each other in lowering the price and raising their voice to woo customers. Childhood lost in toiling hard to feed their tiny stomach. I sit back, scanning the beach that I see everyday. But, for the first time today my mind becomes aware of the fate of children selling newspapers and magazines, girls in paavadai with baskets of peanuts, small boys selling flowers, kids in bajji shops and tea stalls rushing to serve their customers,... All I see are child labourers, working from dawn to dusk.
Child domestic labour, though visible every where in India, thrives as ever and is ignored by the educated mass. Children from economically lower strata of the society end up working as domestic helps with or without their consent. When a child turns 10, he/she is seen as a potential bread winner for it's poor family. Such children are either sold off to work as full time helps in small scale commercial establishments and houses or willingly give up school to work part time to help their poor family.
Many of these children end up working part time as domestic helps and helping with house work or tending to their siblings for the rest of the day. These facts are not new to us, but are something that we are trained to accept and ignore. Society does not see child labour as a crime, unless forced to do so. We, as a part of this society, do the same that everyone else does. The kind hearted people among us show our helpful nature by buying wares from these kids, hoping that it would be of help to them. Little do we realise that this money reaches the kid's employers, and is not of any use to the kid. It also sends out the information to their employers that employing children would improve their business.
If the kind hearted people among us can buy food for these kids, it would be a better way to help than buying their wares, which really helps their employer and not them. For those of us whose blood boils to see kids forced to work, there are helpline numbers and organisations that would welcome our calls. They can do more to break these kids free from their employers and send them back to their families. For those of us who would like to do more than this, many are the ways we can help in the rehabilitation of these kids, from providing them psychological support to funding their education.
Ways aplenty to help these kids, what lacks is the will to help them. Let us not be mere spectators. A small help can save the life of a kid. What then stops us from throwing away our blindness and doing small things now and then to brighten the life of a kid?
-- Sri Saranya.
Sipping hot tea, I sit there pondering over this child's fate. Three girls run up to me with baskets of peanuts, tugging at my dress and asking me to buy peanuts from them. They compete with each other in lowering the price and raising their voice to woo customers. Childhood lost in toiling hard to feed their tiny stomach. I sit back, scanning the beach that I see everyday. But, for the first time today my mind becomes aware of the fate of children selling newspapers and magazines, girls in paavadai with baskets of peanuts, small boys selling flowers, kids in bajji shops and tea stalls rushing to serve their customers,... All I see are child labourers, working from dawn to dusk.
Child domestic labour, though visible every where in India, thrives as ever and is ignored by the educated mass. Children from economically lower strata of the society end up working as domestic helps with or without their consent. When a child turns 10, he/she is seen as a potential bread winner for it's poor family. Such children are either sold off to work as full time helps in small scale commercial establishments and houses or willingly give up school to work part time to help their poor family.
Many of these children end up working part time as domestic helps and helping with house work or tending to their siblings for the rest of the day. These facts are not new to us, but are something that we are trained to accept and ignore. Society does not see child labour as a crime, unless forced to do so. We, as a part of this society, do the same that everyone else does. The kind hearted people among us show our helpful nature by buying wares from these kids, hoping that it would be of help to them. Little do we realise that this money reaches the kid's employers, and is not of any use to the kid. It also sends out the information to their employers that employing children would improve their business.
If the kind hearted people among us can buy food for these kids, it would be a better way to help than buying their wares, which really helps their employer and not them. For those of us whose blood boils to see kids forced to work, there are helpline numbers and organisations that would welcome our calls. They can do more to break these kids free from their employers and send them back to their families. For those of us who would like to do more than this, many are the ways we can help in the rehabilitation of these kids, from providing them psychological support to funding their education.
Ways aplenty to help these kids, what lacks is the will to help them. Let us not be mere spectators. A small help can save the life of a kid. What then stops us from throwing away our blindness and doing small things now and then to brighten the life of a kid?
-- Sri Saranya.
Friday, August 31, 2007
State and Democracy
None of the political movements or revolutions has succeeded in eliminating the State, or in the least, diminishing the overpowering inevitability of its necessity. Karl Marx would have been disappointed to death if he had lived to see the rise and fall of one of the most promising revolutions ever: the Bolshevik Revolution. In his theories, he had formulated the dissolution of this institution. On the contrary, the Communist revolutions have always glorified the power of the State. The spirit of democracy says that the aim of any State should be its gradual disappearance into the hands of a self-responsible people. But in reality, there have been no substantial efforts to make the people self-responsible. And the basic reason for this, as it stands in front of me, is that the taste of power tends to corrupt one and all. But to the mind of a theorist, only a question appeals; is it really possible to push forward towards a State-less nation? As far as now, I do believe, yes. And for that, I strongly feel that we should initiate some process of attaining a ‘party less’ democratic system. “But, how?”, remains the query. Please do post your ideas. Well, as things stand in India, the State is endeavouring quite hard for its own vanquishment, but into private hands!
Nationalism vaporizing
Today I am compelled to state that there is really no nationalist party in India, neither in dogma nor in policy. The Indian National Congress is bloody pacifist, Bharatiya Janata Party ticks around ‘Hindutva’, the Communist Parties are outwardly too dogmatic and would shed more tears if there is an attack on a ‘hapless’ country by NATO than they would when there’s any shattering explosion at home, and the less I say of the rest the better it will be – they are either too sectarian or regional in character. Why it seems that harbouring nationalistic feelings is a taboo – it is often taunted in the common public! This is a basic shortcoming in our education and upbringing, and all because we don’t have a State that can afford to be uncompromisingly nationalistic in its policies. This is still not a country where you can have the right to kill a person who disrespects the Mother!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO YOU ALL
But how much do I wish we may have been happier! 60 yrs have passed we have attained freedom - political freedom. 60 yrs have passed the State just seems to have changed hands from the British to our political jobbers, not to us. 60 yrs have passed we haven't had the oppurtunity and guts and conditions to participate in the development of We, The Nation. 60 yrs have passed we have been denied the real spirit of independence and democracy - economic freedom, without which political freedom is almost of no use. 60 yrs have the State which promised to annihilate itself into the hands of the people, who constitutionally hold the sovereignty, but is hell bent on its disappearance into private hands.
But how much do I wish we may have been happier! 60 yrs have passed we have attained freedom - political freedom. 60 yrs have passed the State just seems to have changed hands from the British to our political jobbers, not to us. 60 yrs have passed we haven't had the oppurtunity and guts and conditions to participate in the development of We, The Nation. 60 yrs have passed we have been denied the real spirit of independence and democracy - economic freedom, without which political freedom is almost of no use. 60 yrs have the State which promised to annihilate itself into the hands of the people, who constitutionally hold the sovereignty, but is hell bent on its disappearance into private hands.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Terrorism - A Philosophy
Terrorism is the gravest international problem in modern times. Many of us in India would like to believe that it is uniquely an Indian or American or British crisis. It is not so. There is hardly any country, which lacks this characteristic feature or is not affected by the global spread out of this epidemic.
Yes, I call this a disease. A communicable disease. A communicable disease caused by contamination of opinion and often carried by poverty and greed for wealth. Well, it’s always stated that prevention is better than cure. But in this case, I hold that prevention cannot be separated from cure.
There have been raids, there have been operations, and there have been wars to destroy terrorism. What’s the outcome? Absolutely nothing. Because we’re not caring about the roots of this phenomenon, which are spreading out like those of a tree with a severed trunk.
Now first let us analyse the reasons for terror – fanaticism, greed and compounded grievances unhealed over ages. Please mark that I’m not talking only about the so-called ‘Islamist’ terrorism. But I hold greed to be a minor cause. Why?
We are grounding many a militant, terrorizing terrorists, shedding blood for blood. We’re pushing them out on many fronts, but to no avail. What we’ve forgotten is that terrorism is nothing alien to any nationality; it’s always bred within a nation’s borders. The Americans blasted the Talibans, but they seem to be back with a bang. The Bangladesh government have hanged and handcuffed quite a few Mujaheedin fundamentalist heads, but there are reports of new uprisals. The less we talk of our country on this aspect, the better it will be. A huge number of militants may have been finished off, but we have failed to kill their philosophy! Yes, this is what I’m trying to say. It’s the thought that’s destructive.
Most “do not know what they do!” They have built in such a way that they believe emphatically in what they do. Have you seen the film “Main Hoon Na”? There you see that Raghavan’s followers blindly believe in and follow his views.
Now, what helps more is unattended and insulted personal wounds, and the deadliest of them are poverty and racial discrimination. Almost from the attainment of intellect, these are aggravated slowly into ulcers. Your anger comes up, but you can’t even protest lawfully. Here evolves the urge for revenge – the urge to teach the society a lesson (remember Cho?). And this is when the militant philosophy appeals to you.
Maybe you can understand a little more if I draw a reference from the very recent developments related to the bomb attacks in Glasgow. 8 medical professionals have been held. Now, to some interesting figures. According to a study made on 172 Al Qaida militants, 75% of them are from middle or upper class families, 75% are married, 66% are graduates, 66% are professionals like physicians, engineers, architects, lawyers or scientists and 66% have joined militant groups while living abroad. It also says that the average age for conversion to militancy is just 26.
These are the worst concerns. A large number of intellectuals are associating themselves, and an innumerable number are misled into the unfortunate tunnels at an age when you just begin dreaming. Today, you cannot tell a terrorist from a normal person like you and me. Your nearest friend, highly placed and respected to a society, maybe one to have fallen pray. How many you’ll kill? Today one goes down, tomorrow ten more will come up, including his offspring. No defence system can vanquish militancy.
Better kill the thought. How? Irrationalism breeds extremism. Our education system has to be revolutionised – it has to be put in the budding years of a child, all and sundry; it’s as important as a polio vaccine. Secondly, neglect fires hatred. Spread love. Next time you go on to insult a hapless person, beware that he might be the one to blow up you and your family. Take care!
Yes, I call this a disease. A communicable disease. A communicable disease caused by contamination of opinion and often carried by poverty and greed for wealth. Well, it’s always stated that prevention is better than cure. But in this case, I hold that prevention cannot be separated from cure.
There have been raids, there have been operations, and there have been wars to destroy terrorism. What’s the outcome? Absolutely nothing. Because we’re not caring about the roots of this phenomenon, which are spreading out like those of a tree with a severed trunk.
Now first let us analyse the reasons for terror – fanaticism, greed and compounded grievances unhealed over ages. Please mark that I’m not talking only about the so-called ‘Islamist’ terrorism. But I hold greed to be a minor cause. Why?
We are grounding many a militant, terrorizing terrorists, shedding blood for blood. We’re pushing them out on many fronts, but to no avail. What we’ve forgotten is that terrorism is nothing alien to any nationality; it’s always bred within a nation’s borders. The Americans blasted the Talibans, but they seem to be back with a bang. The Bangladesh government have hanged and handcuffed quite a few Mujaheedin fundamentalist heads, but there are reports of new uprisals. The less we talk of our country on this aspect, the better it will be. A huge number of militants may have been finished off, but we have failed to kill their philosophy! Yes, this is what I’m trying to say. It’s the thought that’s destructive.
Most “do not know what they do!” They have built in such a way that they believe emphatically in what they do. Have you seen the film “Main Hoon Na”? There you see that Raghavan’s followers blindly believe in and follow his views.
Now, what helps more is unattended and insulted personal wounds, and the deadliest of them are poverty and racial discrimination. Almost from the attainment of intellect, these are aggravated slowly into ulcers. Your anger comes up, but you can’t even protest lawfully. Here evolves the urge for revenge – the urge to teach the society a lesson (remember Cho?). And this is when the militant philosophy appeals to you.
Maybe you can understand a little more if I draw a reference from the very recent developments related to the bomb attacks in Glasgow. 8 medical professionals have been held. Now, to some interesting figures. According to a study made on 172 Al Qaida militants, 75% of them are from middle or upper class families, 75% are married, 66% are graduates, 66% are professionals like physicians, engineers, architects, lawyers or scientists and 66% have joined militant groups while living abroad. It also says that the average age for conversion to militancy is just 26.
These are the worst concerns. A large number of intellectuals are associating themselves, and an innumerable number are misled into the unfortunate tunnels at an age when you just begin dreaming. Today, you cannot tell a terrorist from a normal person like you and me. Your nearest friend, highly placed and respected to a society, maybe one to have fallen pray. How many you’ll kill? Today one goes down, tomorrow ten more will come up, including his offspring. No defence system can vanquish militancy.
Better kill the thought. How? Irrationalism breeds extremism. Our education system has to be revolutionised – it has to be put in the budding years of a child, all and sundry; it’s as important as a polio vaccine. Secondly, neglect fires hatred. Spread love. Next time you go on to insult a hapless person, beware that he might be the one to blow up you and your family. Take care!
Industrialisation and Agriculture
I reside in West Bengal. While you all have been shouting about reservations, the greatest crisis here has been the civil war like situation in a village known as Nandigram. I am not sure if you have been following the events, so I will go into a brief history.
It seems to have started with the first experiment by the Left Front government on the Special Economic Zones policy in Singur. Despite a strong protest by the farmers, the State government handed over the plots to the Tata Group. Just within days after things quite settled down in Singur, news broke around that agricultural land in Nandigram were to be brought into private hands to bring up a chemical hub over there. Then we witnessed one of the stiffest resistances offered by the peasant fraternity in recent times (although it often appeared to be a conflict among the CPI(M) supporters, the Trinamool Congress activists and the police).
The government, at last, has yielded to the pressure, calling off the chemical hub project in Nandigram, and then in Haldia. Recently, they have announced a package for the landless peasants, promising them jobs in the Tata Motors factory coming up there and some compensation money.
The measures the government planned to encourage industrialisation in the State have received a big jolt. This has brought to the fore a host of potential problems for the whole country. These I shall put down in block letters:
1.INDIA IS AN AGRICULTURAL COUNTRY. BUT FOR THE ADVANCE OF OUR ECONOMY WE NEED INDUSTRIALISATION. WE MAY UNDERSTAND BETTER. WE ARE TODAY’S YOUTH. THE RISING DEGREES OF UNEMPLOYMENT CAN BE THRALLED ONLY BY INDUSTRIALISATION.
2.BUT, JUST LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN. THE SUPPLY OF CROPS IN THE MARKET IS FAR LESS THAN ENOUGH. THE PRODUCTIVITY OF CROPS IS TOO LESS FOR A COUNTRY LIKE INDIA. LAST SEASON, WE HAD TO IMPORT WHEAT FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES. IN SUCH A SITUATION, WE CAN HARDLY AFFORD TO GIVE AWAY AGRO-PLOTS FOR INDUSTRY.
3.THE GOVERNMENT HAS ASSURED SECTIONS OF THE PEASANTS OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE FACTORIES COMING UP. HERE TOO, THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS. FIRSTLY, THE FACTORIES WILL BE UNDER PRIVATE CONTROL, AND THE INVESTORS ARE NOT LIABLE TO ANY SUCH CONDITIONS. SECONDLY, INDUSTRIAL LABOUR IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO PEASANTRY. EVEN IF THE PEASANTS UNDERGO TRAINING, THEY WILL NOT BE AS EFFICIENT AS THE PROFESSIONAL LABOURERS.
4.THIS CRISIS HAS REFLECTED THE NEED OF FURTHER PLANNING FOR DISTRIBUTION OF LAND. ANALYSIS OF LAND POSSESSIONS SAYS THAT, MORE THAN 70% OF PEASANTS ARE EITHER LANDLESS OR POSSESS LAND OF AREA LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 2.5 ACRES. IN WEST BENGAL, THE FIGURE IS AROUND THE 75% MARK. AGAIN THE LANDLESS PEASANTS EITHER CULTIVATE LANDS ON LEASE OR ARE BONDED LABOURERS IN FIELDS. THIS MEANS THAT, TAKEOVER OF LAND TAKES PLACE FROM THE HOLDERS OF LARGE PIECES OF LAND, BUT ROBS A LARGE SECTION OF THE RURAL POPULATION FROM THE MEANS OF SURVIVAL.
These are the consequences of errors in the formative years of our nation. Now, the State is bent on imitating China, talking of Special Economic Zones; it would have been better had the predecessors thought about Special Agricultural Zones. We know that while a plot for industry is chosen, they always look for cheap transport routes for the raw material to reach there. Here I won’t comment on Nandigram, but would like to draw special mention on Singur. The land overtaken there was very, very fertile. It was quite an injustice, but I think it was the transport bit that influenced the Tatas. Now, had the pre-1990 governments been farsighted enough to plan special zones with cooperative farming, supplemented by a State controlled agro market, thus converting subsistence agriculture from a means of survival to a profession, we could have solved this problem, along with bonus benefits like increase in productivity and price control. Well, at this point of time, it seems a little too difficult to introduce such plans, because our economic and political system has got into a set pattern. But I warn you, if not dealt with, these problems will be dangerous for the nation.
It seems to have started with the first experiment by the Left Front government on the Special Economic Zones policy in Singur. Despite a strong protest by the farmers, the State government handed over the plots to the Tata Group. Just within days after things quite settled down in Singur, news broke around that agricultural land in Nandigram were to be brought into private hands to bring up a chemical hub over there. Then we witnessed one of the stiffest resistances offered by the peasant fraternity in recent times (although it often appeared to be a conflict among the CPI(M) supporters, the Trinamool Congress activists and the police).
The government, at last, has yielded to the pressure, calling off the chemical hub project in Nandigram, and then in Haldia. Recently, they have announced a package for the landless peasants, promising them jobs in the Tata Motors factory coming up there and some compensation money.
The measures the government planned to encourage industrialisation in the State have received a big jolt. This has brought to the fore a host of potential problems for the whole country. These I shall put down in block letters:
1.INDIA IS AN AGRICULTURAL COUNTRY. BUT FOR THE ADVANCE OF OUR ECONOMY WE NEED INDUSTRIALISATION. WE MAY UNDERSTAND BETTER. WE ARE TODAY’S YOUTH. THE RISING DEGREES OF UNEMPLOYMENT CAN BE THRALLED ONLY BY INDUSTRIALISATION.
2.BUT, JUST LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN. THE SUPPLY OF CROPS IN THE MARKET IS FAR LESS THAN ENOUGH. THE PRODUCTIVITY OF CROPS IS TOO LESS FOR A COUNTRY LIKE INDIA. LAST SEASON, WE HAD TO IMPORT WHEAT FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES. IN SUCH A SITUATION, WE CAN HARDLY AFFORD TO GIVE AWAY AGRO-PLOTS FOR INDUSTRY.
3.THE GOVERNMENT HAS ASSURED SECTIONS OF THE PEASANTS OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE FACTORIES COMING UP. HERE TOO, THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS. FIRSTLY, THE FACTORIES WILL BE UNDER PRIVATE CONTROL, AND THE INVESTORS ARE NOT LIABLE TO ANY SUCH CONDITIONS. SECONDLY, INDUSTRIAL LABOUR IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO PEASANTRY. EVEN IF THE PEASANTS UNDERGO TRAINING, THEY WILL NOT BE AS EFFICIENT AS THE PROFESSIONAL LABOURERS.
4.THIS CRISIS HAS REFLECTED THE NEED OF FURTHER PLANNING FOR DISTRIBUTION OF LAND. ANALYSIS OF LAND POSSESSIONS SAYS THAT, MORE THAN 70% OF PEASANTS ARE EITHER LANDLESS OR POSSESS LAND OF AREA LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 2.5 ACRES. IN WEST BENGAL, THE FIGURE IS AROUND THE 75% MARK. AGAIN THE LANDLESS PEASANTS EITHER CULTIVATE LANDS ON LEASE OR ARE BONDED LABOURERS IN FIELDS. THIS MEANS THAT, TAKEOVER OF LAND TAKES PLACE FROM THE HOLDERS OF LARGE PIECES OF LAND, BUT ROBS A LARGE SECTION OF THE RURAL POPULATION FROM THE MEANS OF SURVIVAL.
These are the consequences of errors in the formative years of our nation. Now, the State is bent on imitating China, talking of Special Economic Zones; it would have been better had the predecessors thought about Special Agricultural Zones. We know that while a plot for industry is chosen, they always look for cheap transport routes for the raw material to reach there. Here I won’t comment on Nandigram, but would like to draw special mention on Singur. The land overtaken there was very, very fertile. It was quite an injustice, but I think it was the transport bit that influenced the Tatas. Now, had the pre-1990 governments been farsighted enough to plan special zones with cooperative farming, supplemented by a State controlled agro market, thus converting subsistence agriculture from a means of survival to a profession, we could have solved this problem, along with bonus benefits like increase in productivity and price control. Well, at this point of time, it seems a little too difficult to introduce such plans, because our economic and political system has got into a set pattern. But I warn you, if not dealt with, these problems will be dangerous for the nation.
RELIGION AND SECULARISM Part II
Secularism-India view
What is secularism? The answer to this question seems very easy, but quite difficult to find out. Apparently, secularism is a view or belief stating that society's values and standards should not be influenced or controlled by religion. The meaning strikes much deeper if we care to dig in.
The term 'secularism' is very much related to the theory of a 'Secular State'. Literally, it is a State that patronizes no religion. We do understand the adjective 'secular' as an antonym to the word ' communal'. Speaking in detail, a Secular State does have communal features.
For example, let us take the case of our country, India. The State recognizes the existence of various 'religious communities' and even if, the caste system has been abolished, has prepared a list of Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes along hereditary grounds. The State has termed some of the numerically weaker 'religious communities' as 'minority communities'. These 'minorities' (in some cases) and the Scheduled Castes enjoy some special privileges. Now think of this little theory. Had men learnt not to discriminate among themselves on such artificial grounds, there would have been no such 'minorities' or 'under-privileged' classes. India has been defined as a 'Socialist Secular' State, paying equal respect to every so-called community. Then, how come a particular group claims to be a 'minority' or 'backward' group? Again, agreeing with the fact that the Scheduled Castes were the deprived sections of the society in the pre-Independence era, this feature of the Constitution also has its faults.
In today's world, resources do not come on such basis in all cases and the basic universal factor for development is always the extent of availability of resources. A person of a so-called Scheduled Caste may be a millionaire, but he still enjoys the privileges under this system. It is found in many cases that this system is the only remainder of the caste system in the young educated society. Still remains an ill will between the so-called higher castes and the Scheduled Castes. It presents a question of dignity, too. Imagine the pain inflicted when someone is abused on such grounds. In the rural areas, the conditions are far worse than it ever was in the apartheid stricken South Africa. But there have been no whole-hearted efforts to even prepare a Below Poverty Line list that would present a true outline of the underprivileged. The State needs to demarcate the weaker sections on the economic basis, which is the real scale for measuring development anywhere. Also, even when the Constitution declares equality of all before law, the State has differential legal provisions for different ‘religious sects’.
Socialism is one of the goals stated in our Constitution. But the above stated ‘secular’ features are acting as a hindrance in the way of attainment of this goal. To reach socialism, we have to undertake programmes for the emancipation of the poor. Such programmes are carried out, but, frankly, are given less importance than those for the ‘upliftment’ of the so-called ‘minorities’ and ‘backward castes’.
One of the main tenets of Socialism is not to recognize the existence of any ‘religious sect’. And combining it with the definition of Secularism, we can clearly understand that the State has been playing with the twin ideals for low political causes.
A State has to proceed scientifically if it has to become a Secular State. Still do sentiments of ‘religious and caste differences’ exist in the society. Still there remains a prejudice about the rise of the so-called ‘other religious sections’. Still a person is termed as the first ‘Hindu’, or the first ‘Muslim’ or the first ‘Sikh’, etc. in any field. Still we experience communal riots. Still we have to notify our ‘religion’ in official matters. Still we bear ‘religion’ as an IDENTITY. We are still clutching on to the same mistakes committed by our foreparents that led to the partition of India in 1947. 60 years on, we don’t seem to have learnt anything.
How often do we hear people belonging to the so called ‘minority sects’ say that the ‘Hindus’ still ‘hold power? How often do we hear within our families, lamenting the ‘gradual transfer of power’ into the hands of ‘minorities’? And how often do we still chance upon matrimonial ads stating the ‘caste identities’? These are various symptoms of that very old conservative disease. It cannot be eradicated unless the State changes its stand. The State has to help spread scientific awareness and determine the futility and void ness of the theory of ‘sectarian differences’. The State has to shift to absolute equality on such questions. Only this can give rise to a Secular State.
So, after all the discussion, secularism can be defined as a view in which the society recognizes no distinctions of religion, caste, creed, colour, etc. and a Secular State should be one that does not encourage such artificialities.
Secularism is the indisposable need of the hour. This is the only ray of hope against communalism, radicalism, separatism and the danger of national disintegrity. We have to start somewhere, in dead earnest, and there is no better place to set an example before the world than India for this purpose. The secular idea will materialize in India or nowhere, as we are the only declared Secular nation (mind it, I’m not talking about Atheism).
Before signing off, a humble message:
Na tu Hindu hai
Na hai Mussalman
Na tu Sikh hai
Na hi Christian
Na bhi tu Bouddh hai
Nahin tu Jain
Koi parichay nahin tera
Sivay – Aulad-e-Insaan!
What is secularism? The answer to this question seems very easy, but quite difficult to find out. Apparently, secularism is a view or belief stating that society's values and standards should not be influenced or controlled by religion. The meaning strikes much deeper if we care to dig in.
The term 'secularism' is very much related to the theory of a 'Secular State'. Literally, it is a State that patronizes no religion. We do understand the adjective 'secular' as an antonym to the word ' communal'. Speaking in detail, a Secular State does have communal features.
For example, let us take the case of our country, India. The State recognizes the existence of various 'religious communities' and even if, the caste system has been abolished, has prepared a list of Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes along hereditary grounds. The State has termed some of the numerically weaker 'religious communities' as 'minority communities'. These 'minorities' (in some cases) and the Scheduled Castes enjoy some special privileges. Now think of this little theory. Had men learnt not to discriminate among themselves on such artificial grounds, there would have been no such 'minorities' or 'under-privileged' classes. India has been defined as a 'Socialist Secular' State, paying equal respect to every so-called community. Then, how come a particular group claims to be a 'minority' or 'backward' group? Again, agreeing with the fact that the Scheduled Castes were the deprived sections of the society in the pre-Independence era, this feature of the Constitution also has its faults.
In today's world, resources do not come on such basis in all cases and the basic universal factor for development is always the extent of availability of resources. A person of a so-called Scheduled Caste may be a millionaire, but he still enjoys the privileges under this system. It is found in many cases that this system is the only remainder of the caste system in the young educated society. Still remains an ill will between the so-called higher castes and the Scheduled Castes. It presents a question of dignity, too. Imagine the pain inflicted when someone is abused on such grounds. In the rural areas, the conditions are far worse than it ever was in the apartheid stricken South Africa. But there have been no whole-hearted efforts to even prepare a Below Poverty Line list that would present a true outline of the underprivileged. The State needs to demarcate the weaker sections on the economic basis, which is the real scale for measuring development anywhere. Also, even when the Constitution declares equality of all before law, the State has differential legal provisions for different ‘religious sects’.
Socialism is one of the goals stated in our Constitution. But the above stated ‘secular’ features are acting as a hindrance in the way of attainment of this goal. To reach socialism, we have to undertake programmes for the emancipation of the poor. Such programmes are carried out, but, frankly, are given less importance than those for the ‘upliftment’ of the so-called ‘minorities’ and ‘backward castes’.
One of the main tenets of Socialism is not to recognize the existence of any ‘religious sect’. And combining it with the definition of Secularism, we can clearly understand that the State has been playing with the twin ideals for low political causes.
A State has to proceed scientifically if it has to become a Secular State. Still do sentiments of ‘religious and caste differences’ exist in the society. Still there remains a prejudice about the rise of the so-called ‘other religious sections’. Still a person is termed as the first ‘Hindu’, or the first ‘Muslim’ or the first ‘Sikh’, etc. in any field. Still we experience communal riots. Still we have to notify our ‘religion’ in official matters. Still we bear ‘religion’ as an IDENTITY. We are still clutching on to the same mistakes committed by our foreparents that led to the partition of India in 1947. 60 years on, we don’t seem to have learnt anything.
How often do we hear people belonging to the so called ‘minority sects’ say that the ‘Hindus’ still ‘hold power? How often do we hear within our families, lamenting the ‘gradual transfer of power’ into the hands of ‘minorities’? And how often do we still chance upon matrimonial ads stating the ‘caste identities’? These are various symptoms of that very old conservative disease. It cannot be eradicated unless the State changes its stand. The State has to help spread scientific awareness and determine the futility and void ness of the theory of ‘sectarian differences’. The State has to shift to absolute equality on such questions. Only this can give rise to a Secular State.
So, after all the discussion, secularism can be defined as a view in which the society recognizes no distinctions of religion, caste, creed, colour, etc. and a Secular State should be one that does not encourage such artificialities.
Secularism is the indisposable need of the hour. This is the only ray of hope against communalism, radicalism, separatism and the danger of national disintegrity. We have to start somewhere, in dead earnest, and there is no better place to set an example before the world than India for this purpose. The secular idea will materialize in India or nowhere, as we are the only declared Secular nation (mind it, I’m not talking about Atheism).
Before signing off, a humble message:
Na tu Hindu hai
Na hai Mussalman
Na tu Sikh hai
Na hi Christian
Na bhi tu Bouddh hai
Nahin tu Jain
Koi parichay nahin tera
Sivay – Aulad-e-Insaan!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Child Labour ~ Part 1
The National Sample Survey 2000, reported 16.4 million Indian children aged 5-14 years were 'engaged in economic activities and domestic or non-remunerative work'. Another 46 million children of school-going age are unaccounted for, neither enrolled in school nor officially working. Giving India at least one reason to be #1 — home to the largest number of child labourers on the planet. (source : Indiatogether ezine - http://www.indiatogether.org/2006/aug/hrt-notify06.htm)
Poverty and illiteracy are the main reasons behind rampant exploitation of children. Depriving a child of it's education for the sake of daily wage jobs temporarily solves financial problems of many poor families. An extra hand to earn is always welcome. But the Rs.20 daily wage is all that the child is probably going to earn for the next 20 - 30 years, no matter how much inflation soars. Leave out college studies, school education alone will fetch the child at least a decent monthly salary job. But alas, majority of the poor families are still ignorant of the rewards of school education. Awareness and intellectual progress that education alone can offer is the usually unknown extra benefit. But, poor families whose major day to day problem is food for survival do not pause to think about long term benefits. Their grand parents could not afford to think about educating these children's parents, so these parents too are in poverty and cannot afford to think about educating their children.It would continue for generations if this vicious cycle is not broken.Thus the first step to increase literacy is to reach out to uneducated parents and make them aware of the benefits of education, it's power to bring their family out of poverty.
Awareness and encouragement are the much needed start up steps to make illiterate parents aware of the benefits of educating their children. Most of the children who manage to find their way to schools turn away from education due to lack of interest. Think of a government funded school where the average teacher to student ration is around 1: 40. And remember in most of the government schools, it is only one teacher who handles all subjects. Based on the fact that most of these students come from families that have minimal or no education, they need more attention and intensive coaching from primary school onwards. But the poor teacher to student ratio only shows that most of the poor students do not get the coaching and attention they need. When a child spends 5 to 8 hours in school without understanding most of the subjects taught, school ceases to be an interesting place. It becomes more of a burden to the kid. Nagging poverty at home is an additional factor contributing to the child's interest turning against education. Most of them picturise schools as punishment centers and teachers as frightful people. Changing this attitude is key to making them continue their education. Conducive family environment and playful learning methods are imperative to boost their interest in education. Government run schools have the largest student drop off numbers as they cater to the BPL families. Improving teacher to student ratio in all these public Govt funded schools is a must. Separating children in to groups depending on their capacity to learn quickly would help identify children who need intensive attention.
Now, is it necessary that only government can take these steps? Believing that only governments or influential NGOs can reduce illiteracy is an indication of our tendency to ignore our duty towards society. Any one irrespective of age, gender and status can contribute. The more willing we are to work for the society, the more are the ways in which we can help.
-- Sri Saranya.
Poverty and illiteracy are the main reasons behind rampant exploitation of children. Depriving a child of it's education for the sake of daily wage jobs temporarily solves financial problems of many poor families. An extra hand to earn is always welcome. But the Rs.20 daily wage is all that the child is probably going to earn for the next 20 - 30 years, no matter how much inflation soars. Leave out college studies, school education alone will fetch the child at least a decent monthly salary job. But alas, majority of the poor families are still ignorant of the rewards of school education. Awareness and intellectual progress that education alone can offer is the usually unknown extra benefit. But, poor families whose major day to day problem is food for survival do not pause to think about long term benefits. Their grand parents could not afford to think about educating these children's parents, so these parents too are in poverty and cannot afford to think about educating their children.It would continue for generations if this vicious cycle is not broken.Thus the first step to increase literacy is to reach out to uneducated parents and make them aware of the benefits of education, it's power to bring their family out of poverty.
Awareness and encouragement are the much needed start up steps to make illiterate parents aware of the benefits of educating their children. Most of the children who manage to find their way to schools turn away from education due to lack of interest. Think of a government funded school where the average teacher to student ration is around 1: 40. And remember in most of the government schools, it is only one teacher who handles all subjects. Based on the fact that most of these students come from families that have minimal or no education, they need more attention and intensive coaching from primary school onwards. But the poor teacher to student ratio only shows that most of the poor students do not get the coaching and attention they need. When a child spends 5 to 8 hours in school without understanding most of the subjects taught, school ceases to be an interesting place. It becomes more of a burden to the kid. Nagging poverty at home is an additional factor contributing to the child's interest turning against education. Most of them picturise schools as punishment centers and teachers as frightful people. Changing this attitude is key to making them continue their education. Conducive family environment and playful learning methods are imperative to boost their interest in education. Government run schools have the largest student drop off numbers as they cater to the BPL families. Improving teacher to student ratio in all these public Govt funded schools is a must. Separating children in to groups depending on their capacity to learn quickly would help identify children who need intensive attention.
Now, is it necessary that only government can take these steps? Believing that only governments or influential NGOs can reduce illiteracy is an indication of our tendency to ignore our duty towards society. Any one irrespective of age, gender and status can contribute. The more willing we are to work for the society, the more are the ways in which we can help.
-- Sri Saranya.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Little servant
Sparkling eyes radiating innocence,
marks of beauty on a child's face.
Happy mind and cheerful laughter,
every child's birthright.
Separated from the rest
here comes a little servant.
Dirty clothes piled on her hands
trudging to the river bank
to wash the heap of clothes,
first of her many chores.
Tender arms working without rest
sweeping, cleaning and washing.
Tiny legs busy rushing everwhere
obeying orders from her masster.
Pen and pencil have not the fortune
to be held by her dirty fingers.
Schools a forbidden place - engraved
in her mind as a fort that imprisons kids.
Sisters and brothers to tend and feed
infancy long lost in life's struggle.
Blind are those who see her
on streets, in temples and homes.
Stopping not to think twice,
rushing through life amassing wealth.
Misery and filth everwhere
ignoring it is not fair.
See the truth, feel the pain,
do what you can to stop this crime.
Child labour a shame to mankind,
stop it before it ruins the world.
-- Sri Saranya.
marks of beauty on a child's face.
Happy mind and cheerful laughter,
every child's birthright.
Separated from the rest
here comes a little servant.
Dirty clothes piled on her hands
trudging to the river bank
to wash the heap of clothes,
first of her many chores.
Tender arms working without rest
sweeping, cleaning and washing.
Tiny legs busy rushing everwhere
obeying orders from her masster.
Pen and pencil have not the fortune
to be held by her dirty fingers.
Schools a forbidden place - engraved
in her mind as a fort that imprisons kids.
Sisters and brothers to tend and feed
infancy long lost in life's struggle.
Blind are those who see her
on streets, in temples and homes.
Stopping not to think twice,
rushing through life amassing wealth.
Misery and filth everwhere
ignoring it is not fair.
See the truth, feel the pain,
do what you can to stop this crime.
Child labour a shame to mankind,
stop it before it ruins the world.
-- Sri Saranya.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Religion and Secularism PART I
1.Religion-World viewThe term ‘religion’ seems the funniest term approved by the entire world (by humans, of course). But, however funny it may be, it has brought the world to face a grave situation.What do we mean by ‘religion’? Simply, it means a belief in, or the worship of a god or gods. Now, almost all of the well-educated community around the world agree on one point-the existence of one Almighty Power, what we have termed as God. Still, they continue to recognize different ‘religious sects’. This is indeed the funniest thing occurring in the whole world today. The word ‘religion’ is a bluff in itself.Let me now ask a funny little question. What was the religion of the first human beings on earth? Please think scientifically and answer. Still do we quite foolishly ‘mark’ a newborn child of his or her ‘religion’? What ‘religion’ can a newborn child have? Let me make the question a little clearer. Suppose a child is born of a so-called ‘Hindu’ couple, but is orphaned or abandoned, and is brought up by so-called ‘Muslims’? What would you conclude of his or her ‘religion’? How do you find out his or her ‘original religion’?Here are some confessions for all of you to make. Were you born with any awareness about your religious entity? Which was the first realization about your identity in life: being a human being or being a ‘Hindu’ or a ‘Muslim’ or a ‘Christian’ or a ‘Buddhist’ or ……?Think, man, think. Use your reason and answer. Be honest and clear with yourself. The answer to the first question will always be ‘No’. The answer to the second question will always be: ‘Being a human being’. So what can we infer? These religious labels are thoroughly baseless, as they do not occur even in your genes.You may say- then why the whole world is recognizing the ‘religious divisions’? I would like to say that there are quite a few people around, who are termed as fools, who don’t. It is for people unlike these ‘fools’ that it is difficult to make the world realize and believe the greatest truth - a human being is a human being and he or she cannot have any bigger identity than being a human being. Shame on the people who are dead set on dividing mankind on such a foolish basis! Even the dogs don’t discriminate among themselves like this. But, alas human beings do!And amid all this childish chaos, the pious ness and virtue of mankind is fast vaporizing. The great persons, whom we regard as ‘religious preachers’, had no objective of creating new ‘religious sects’, but only have tried to open the eyes of the common people to the truth, using their own different methods and principles. They had always emphasized on the morality in life as the main tenet of their teachings. This morality is largely lacking in modern life. How can then people identify themselves with different ‘religious sects’ when the preachers have themselves damned the theory of ‘religious divisions’? A ‘religious’ fanatic holds people of other ‘religious beliefs’ as ‘sinners’. Has he or she ever thought that he/she himself/herself is a sinner? Every person who believes in the theory of ‘religious differences’ is a sinner. This kind of people never follow the teachings of those great philosophers and thinkers. Their teachings have often been misinterpreted over the ages. The essence of their teachings has never been truly exposed to all and sundry. These misinterpretations have, both intentionally and unintentionally, encouraged communalism and sectarian radicalism. Imagine! To think of the whole world in strife on grounds those never really exist!Many a time I have heard a question-“Why then they call different ‘gods’?” The answer to this question is-“Why do you call ‘water’ differently in different languages?” It is as simple as that. What’s the problem in accepting that ‘God’, ‘Allah’, ‘Ishwar’ are different names given to the same Almighty Power in different languages? Consequently, the theory that different religions have evolved out of and due to different racial cultures also becomes hugely believable.It’s just a question of different faiths and beliefs, which rose out of different countries in different times according to the need of the hour. Under this principle, we may even consider philosophies as Stoicism, Marxism and Gandhism as religious beliefs. We don’t. We don’t because these were all developed in the very recent past, after the world had started to bath in the light of rationalism.These are thoughts that all are expected to know, but few people understand and even fewer people do realize. Hope continues for a universally enlightened international society… Spare a thought. Dedicate a life. It’ll be enough.
India needs a new Vision
Our country is going through a deep crisis. Corruption, irresponsibility, sedition, terrorism, communal tension, population explosion, illiteracy, backwardness of masses and ultra-modernism of a few are injecting slow poison into the spirit of our motherland. This has led to confusing emotions and dissatisfaction in quite a good fraction of our people. Our system is failing. The world perceives India as rich from outside, but Bharat has remained poor. Ours is a country, which has been betrayed, ours is a rich country, which has remained poor. India, after 60 years of independence, is still a concept to be realized. A change is inevitable. But the later the change will be, the more dangerous and violent it will be. It’s better to have a Gandhi, than to have a Lenin or Hitler. We need a leader with a new vision. But before that, we need the vision and ideology, as our honourable President, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, bids us to develop. Let us endeavour to make India, the nation of our forefathers’ dreams, who fought for it!
This is what I think about reservation
Sectarian reservation is a boiling topic these days. Last year, we heard the Union government placing a bill on 27% reservation for OBCs. It evoked strong reaction among students in AIIMS and other medical institutes. The reservation issue has four areas of concern. Firstly, it does not respect merit. In a developing country like ours, we need the best among the best in every field of activity. The government promotes competition, yet it does not equip us with the mind to compete. Secondly, it does no good dissolving the communal tension, but can help to spring up new conflicts. Thirdly, existing reservations can lead to demands for reservations from other sections of our society. As is the case now, either you scrap the whole system of sectarian reservation or you award the reservations to OBCs. Fourthly, it is adding a new sphere of corruption. Many people are forging their family history to bring out certificates of SC, OBC etc, so as to make maximum utilization of the system.It was quite disappointing to read reports on communal sentiments harboured by students even in world class institutes like AIIMS, IITs and IIMs. I feel it’s high time that the intellectual class of the society should make their voice heard louder on the distribution of privileges issue. The different labels of ‘religious minorities’, ‘Scheduled Castes’, ‘Other Backward Classes’, etc are doing no better to the integrity of our country than just helping communal tension. Given the present state, we are busy determining the ‘category’ we fall in. How appropriate is it to demarcate the underprivileged on communal grounds? In today’s world, resources do not come on such basis in all cases and the basic universal factor for development is always the extent of availability of resources. Therefore, I feel the privileges should be distributed along economic grounds rather than sectarian grounds.India has been defined as a ‘Socialist Secular’ State, paying equal respect to every so-called community. Then, how come a particular group claims to be a ‘minority’ or ‘backward’ group? It puts a big question mark on the character of our composite society. It also presents a question of dignity – why should we look forward to somebody’s favour? It’s so similar to a beggar pretending to be lame having the limbs intact. Few days ago, Ms. Meira Kumar, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, said the Government is persuaded to forward reservations by the fact that even the common educated and ‘high-class’ people do patronize communalism. True, the matrimonial columns of newspapers are a burning proof in support of the statement. But the question arises, why are our leaders doing nothing but contributing fuel to the fire? Is it such that the ‘Divide and Rule’ policy still exists with our ‘rulers’ even after 60 years of freedom?I am not opposed to development of the masses, but it should not have communal flavour. The newly formed BSP government promises to bring forward reservations on economic lines. If reservation has to stay, this line of thought sounds more logical. What do you think?
This was how I started
(These were my ideas about 3 years ago when I was a 10th std. student)Intellectuals never had high opinions about the rulers. Anatole France says, every government is both foolish and selfish. Hayden says, the State is always repressive. Emerson feels, the State breeds corruption. And Paine holds that any government in its best forms is still a necessary hazard.But how would it have been if there was no provision for state or government? Man would have done anything – anything anyone wished! Result: anarchy. Therefore, there is need for government. Again anyone who becomes a ruler gets power in his hands. In modern times, democracy has replaced absolutism. Still the ruler has remained the ruler or “the master” in Arvind Kejriwal’s words. Yes, due to the presence of Constitution, maybe the government does not rule (or exploit) the people limitlessly. Let us now see this topic from our country’s viewpoint. Why is our country still in apathetic condition? Because, members of the ruling faction do take some unfair advantages of their positions and use their power for wrong causes. You will say, what new thing is this? Yes, this is nothing new and if King Canidot doesn’t sit on the throne, this will not stop. But can’t we make the Constitution stricter, restrict the rulers a little more and involve the masses a lot more? But who will bell the cat?Now let us discuss the decadence of modern democracy. Liberty has been let out of the bag in such extent and in such unscrupulous manner that, if we proceed a little further we will experience anarchy. And this is the age of privatization and decentralization! Freedom from the centre is leading to matters hanging detachedly. And quite a few more people are turning selfish. Now you will say that the centre has become such an idiot that the terms ‘central’ or ‘governmental’ belong to the ancient age. Then, apart from his aggressive foreign policy to an extent, how did Augustus Caesar control the whole of the Roman Empire? Yes, for effective central surveillance is needed an able ruler. There is a real lack of that able ruler. Why, the political market seems really hot! Then, is all in it made of second-class material? Come on, you know, politics means corruption. Seat on the chair and enjoy! How can an able ruler rise from this system? He will rise from proper education. This education is non-directional and goalless. Why? For proper education, we need an efficient educational system and curriculum, which is formulated by the government. Government is the gift of politics. Politics means corruption. It’s the same old story, all around.Let us return to personal liberty. Nowadays people have become too much self-centred. To feel one with our nation is a distant expectation, but we have even forgotten our fundamental duties towards the nation. We are only crying for rights, but are not ready to give away anything. Just think! If everyone acts the same, how can the people ever satisfactorily retain something for both their private and common public interest? Deprivation is causing man’s self-centredness add more fuel to corruption or arouse separatism, which is giving birth to terrorism. Getting shattered is our national integration. (Some sections of the society, again, on getting more and more, are even for so much more, that we can call it as ‘silent separatism’.) Evolving is the deprived man’s extremist communism. Solution? Personal liberty should be reasonably limited. People should be made conscious of their duties to the society. Their patriotism has to be woken up. For that, a national feeling has to be developed. To bring this, it is necessary to uproot political and social differences. And in this context, we need powerful central control. But who will realize this? What is going on is in favour of our ‘pilots’! So, the arrival of a leader like the ‘Fuehrer’ is very important, who can be an able ruler.History is witness – rise of leader, rise of the people. If the king is upright, the subjects follow the lesson of constancy too. The moral improvement of the Romans during the reign of Caesar Augustus is one of the best examples of this.But in the present situation, where to find an able leader? How can appropriate administration come into the picture? It can. With giving due respect to the Constitution makers, I say it is possible by amending the Constitution on a huge scale. But the power thirsty politicians will never do that.Then what to do? There is only one way. Revolution. Revolution? Isn’t it what the People’s War Group, MCC etc Maoist groups are doing? Please, it is not; I call this rebellion. Revolution does not always have to be violent. Then, what is revolution? Revolution is a big turnaround of the State and social system. Rebellion is the last stage of revolution. The result of years of efficient planning is called revolution. The awakening of a dormant nation is called revolution.But who will bring the revolution? The nation is dozing…I hope there are still quite a few real Indians residing here. They have to find out, recognize and realize themselves. They have to bond together. They will show the nation light, which will lead us to the path of a political and social revolution. Revolution is our only way out. Therefore, I feel like quoting Swami Vivekananda – “Arise, awake, countrymen…”
Monday, June 18, 2007
Social Musings
The first impression that comes to the mind when someone mentions “Social Service” is of a person wearing a khaddi kurta with a cholla hung over his one shoulder and teaching unprivileged children. Is that what involves “Social Service”?.....trust me…it is nothing of that sort. Doing some social service does not always mean that you are taking classes of kids in the slums or promoting condoms in the most remotest of places.
Social Service is a very broad term, involving any deed or action done to improve a person or the society as a whole. Or it could be bringing smiles on the children begging in streets, selling balloons at traffic signals, running around with tea glasses to sell. As I mentioned…any “deed or action” no matter how minuscule the effort is. It’s so easy to shoo away a kid asking for alms and badgering you for a long time. But, have you ever wondered, what that kid does the whole day? How does he spend his free time? Does he have any dreams? Any needs and desires? What is the aim of his life? What could be his future?....just ponder over these questions..
Coming back to social service…even if you visit a slum along with your friends for a Saturday rather than “checking out the crowd”, gather some kids there and play guitar/play dumb charades/sing songs…just for one single day in a week, month, year…..that is certainly social service. How would that help? You might take such things for granted but these little little nuances collapse the social barrier in the society..and smiles…the smiles that you will bring on their faces will be just like having a splash in water during summers.
As they say, “Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day”
Everyone cries against reservations…..i did too….leave aside the political will in the reservation policy……..but do you give a sweeper the status equal to yours?
I guess not…
Just muse over your social responsibilities, your love for India, your pay-back to the society and your actions towards a child beggars…..answers will flow.
I request all of you…yes all of you..”THE YOUTH” to step out and Initiate….
1. Spreading awareness about social issues is social service.
Social Service is a very broad term, involving any deed or action done to improve a person or the society as a whole. Or it could be bringing smiles on the children begging in streets, selling balloons at traffic signals, running around with tea glasses to sell. As I mentioned…any “deed or action” no matter how minuscule the effort is. It’s so easy to shoo away a kid asking for alms and badgering you for a long time. But, have you ever wondered, what that kid does the whole day? How does he spend his free time? Does he have any dreams? Any needs and desires? What is the aim of his life? What could be his future?....just ponder over these questions..
Coming back to social service…even if you visit a slum along with your friends for a Saturday rather than “checking out the crowd”, gather some kids there and play guitar/play dumb charades/sing songs…just for one single day in a week, month, year…..that is certainly social service. How would that help? You might take such things for granted but these little little nuances collapse the social barrier in the society..and smiles…the smiles that you will bring on their faces will be just like having a splash in water during summers.
As they say, “Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day”
Everyone cries against reservations…..i did too….leave aside the political will in the reservation policy……..but do you give a sweeper the status equal to yours?
I guess not…
Just muse over your social responsibilities, your love for India, your pay-back to the society and your actions towards a child beggars…..answers will flow.
I request all of you…yes all of you..”THE YOUTH” to step out and Initiate….
1. Spreading awareness about social issues is social service.
2. Portraying a better picture infront of the foreigners is social service.
3. Helping a slum kid with his homework is social service,
4. Taking a slum kid to a dinner with your friends on your birthdays, parties, or any get-together..is a social service,
5. Taking a child beggar/slum kid for a mini ride on your bike/car/scooter is social service,
6. Buying him/her a new set of chappals is social service.
7. Using dustbins for waste is social service,
8. Arranging a movie screening in some slum just for one day in an year is social service,
9. Clicking a snap on your mobile phone posing with an unprivileged child …..
10. Asking the name of an unprivileged child is social service*and last but not the least…. passing a smile to an unprivileged child is Social Service ………….
Keep Initiating!!!
Keep Initiating!!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)