Is Indian Politics Getting A Shade Fairer?

The 61 female members in the 15th Lok Sabha were high on hope… And here we are..! With the highest majority of women MP’s since independence. A majority of these MPs - 23 – belong to Congress. The BJP has contributed 13 women to the House. Uttar Pradesh has sent more women to parliament – 13 – than any Indian state and West Bengal is in second place with seven women MPs.

With one-tenth of our Lok Sabha members now women, India is closely in the bracket of developed nations such as the UK (19.3%), US (16.3%), Italy (16.1%), Ireland (14.2%) and France (13.9%) but still the position of women in Indian society is drastically different from that in the West.

The number of women MPs may having reached the high mark for the first time it is high time and high expectations whether the pending women’s reservation bill will be passed..? what fruits will the overall change yield? Unlike their male counterparts taking their place in parliament, will they really do anything for women.

It shows a change in the mindset of the parties who are now giving more tickets to women MPs. Along with power, comes responsibility . There are high hopes of the new women parliamentarians. 

As was reported in a national daily paper,
Why? Are women MPs any different from men? Do they have a different agenda ? Of course, says 27-yearold Agatha Sangma, an MP from Tura in Meghalaya and one of the youngest members of the 15th Lok Sabha. She says that financial independence is the most important issue for Indian women and women MPs should get together to help enact gender-sensitive legislation.

The lowest percentage of women representations was in the sixth Lok Sabha (1977-80) when there were only 3.8 percent women MPs. The first Lok Sabha (1952-57) had 4.4 percent women MPs. In the 13th Lok Sabha (1999-2004), the figure was 9.2 percent, the research group said. But this time, women over 60 make a 13.80 percent, while it was a mere 9.8 percent in the 14th Lok Sabha.

The reservation bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of all legislature seats for women, was first introduced in parliament 13 years ago. With the continuous struggle to get through the desired wishes of the bill to be fulfilled, we the people await for the new women parliamentarians to focus on each and every issues that directly related to enhancing the lives of less privileged women in our country. Not only that there are many more tasks in general to be seen through. Hope for the best from the best…!

Indian Premier League (IPL) is Back On Track with Crazy Actions...!!

A family fight over what to watch on TV ended in a bout of violence after a father stabbed his 24-year-old son when the latter insisted on watching a match in the ongoing IPL cricket tournament while his father wanted to sleep. A craze to an extent that nothing can stop the country to sway in with the ongoing IPL…! The short format, Twenty20 version of Cricket has grabbed so much prominence. There are two things that Indians are passionate for, Bollywood and Cricket. The game is on its heights…! This tournament is the latest mania that has hit the country, and has left people bedazzled with illusion of what will be experienced over weeks of dance, music, and sport and sheer excitement.

IPL league is the new milestone in the field of sports. After the grand success of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008 last year, all in a new set of actions IPL 2009 is here again sprinkling new thrill and excitement.. Cricket, Cricket and only Cricket has dynamically changed the whole of sports arena and is the only factor that is driving the nation. It is not only a sport anymore, it is beyond that. People go crazy with it, it is entertainment, it is business and the most discussed topic..! A whole lot of marketing takes place around cricket.

It is a game of much dazzle and shine where the ownership is taken over by the infrastructure and private equity firms to film stars. The eight teams are sold in an amount beyond one’s imagination. In fact this game carries our country’s pride. The success itself is remarkable for the players. Of course there are players from all the countries who are brought in by our Corporate Giants.

Especially when we talk about our Indian players a whole package of perks and glamour is showered on the players considering them as national heroes. Someone is receiving Rs.1 Crore and a Porsche car, the other is getting a Mercedes Benz & Rs.50 lakhs. Players are gifted with apartments in the city of their choices. Various endorsements pour in like rain, free travel for all the players for the next 5 years and what not as their prizes and gifts !

With such craze the whole media economy booms up. With 90% television revenue the profits reaches its heights within a period of time. Initiatives are taken for television rights and franchise ownership because of the majority viewership during the matches. Big money is being spent to buy IPL players. At the time when the economy is under pressure there is still the zeal for the Cricket obsessed fans.

But the strange thing that can be noticed is that why in sports only Cricket is the King. There are other sports and sports players who have equally contributed to the glory of the ‘Country India’. Unlike Cricket fame they go unnoticed. Each game has its own stand and should be encouraged..! That is a different issue altogether and has its own depth and dearth to focus upon…

No matter what…! Along with the entertaining series, runs parallel news like the extreme ones in craze. Where the father while he was drunk happened to get furious over the issue of his son watching IPL despite his wishes which led to the attack and alas he lost his son may be in an unconscious mind but that turned out to be a sad doom. Every time such news comes as ‘breaking news’ flashing on our TV screens. The fact that these unpleasant incidents happening are the sheer enthusiastic mood along with other perspective occurrences that leads to the incidents like this. None can be blamed for or even should be blamed to. But yes conscious mind needs to be always in alert because after accidents take place its no point of blaming and repenting. Some say IPL is new form of slavery. Players are the slaves of owners, they are put to auctions but the craze towards this is really and equally astonishing and amazing..!!

ASSAM the land of appreciation..!!

India is one of the oldest civilisations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. And in it is a part ASSAM, located at the central part of the North-East India, with all the major religions like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Animism, Buddhism with other countless communities and tribes, Assam is a land of blending cultural ethnicity. Wonderful people and their exquisite and commendable traditions especially the style of welcoming with a pair of areca nuts, betel leaves and a "Gamosa" in a Xorai shows so much of respect enduring the guests…! 

Extremely interesting with its geologic origin, geomorphic characteristics, climate, and rich biodiversity. Assam is endowed with petroleum, natural gas, coal, limestone and other minor minerals such as magnetic quartzite, kaolin, sillimanites, clay and feldspar along with being the 3rd largest producer of petroleum (crude) and natural gas in the country. And yes..!! How can we forget the discovery of ‘Camellia sinensis’ (the tea plant)? Sipping a cup of tea gives such refreshing feel! Assam is one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world. With number of tropical rainforests, greenery all around, the reserve forests is incredible. The Kaziranga and Manas are the two World Heritage Sites. Including river Brahmaputra, Manas, Dihing, Jia bharali etc..There are endless praises for the beautiful Assam…. 

How can anyone who has visited northeast forget about the cultural festivals held the year round? The merry making, the lovely and vibrant faces with so much of innocence, adore the beauty and take much pride to be born in Assam…! And this is how all the young aspirants who after completion of their studies have gone to outside world for higher studies, still have a thirst for their native land. I myself am staying far from my land of beauty and to tell u the fact I just long to go back when it is festival time like Bihu and such. It is a real enjoyment time with so much fun and frolic. But infact this too is true as goes a saying, “kuch pane ke liye kuch khona padta hai”…! 

But today technology has brought drastic changes in our lives. We all belonging from Assam stay connected through internet modules of communication. We create social networking sites dedicated to our own land and ask our friends to join if we belong to that particular land. How nice it is to communicate with people from the same place we ourselves belong to, same language, love for our place and moreover our thoughts which fly each time we meet someone from own native place…!

And yes to mention the fact the talent in these young bloods from Assam is amazing. They have set a niche in the mainstream media. The directors, producers and actors from Assam cinema Industry, all have made and contributed much to the fact. It is nice and a pride for us that Assam is entitled with such recognition…

Not to be forgotten there are also major encounters with communal clashes, attacks, blasts by certain group of disputed hands but in preponderance People are indeed exceptionally warmhearted and cultured. Assam is a peace loving state and needs to be maintaining so…

One can find communities, clubs and societies with the name ‘Assam Members Association’ or so in many places and cities. Various such organisations are formed and this is only to keep in contact with the people who are far away and miss their homes. They organise functions and parties in every occasion as celebrated in Assam…! Oh.. there such endless feelings in me which I just want to speak out… but that will be only a repetition of my introspective mind…I love and miss Assam…Soon after my exams I will definitely arrange my way back to my lovely land…

What change are we waiting for?

Here is the time we cast our votes for the better good. In hope that in times to come there will be some changes and we the people will be in affluence by our desired wishes… this 2009 Elections, I feel is the most complicated and dirtiest one. Did we hear accuses so nasty against candidates before? Every now and then while campaigning, a candidate throws tantrums on the other. Is that done to gain name and fame…where does respect for the people lie? Is this why politics is termed as the dirtiest or the dirty politics…! 

The ongoing fight against terrorism around the world, rising gas prices, the effects of global warming, access to quality and affordable healthcare, are just some of the real life problems we all face in this world and in our nation today. Every sector in India needs equal and immediate attention. Economically, socially, politically, governance, corruption, along with mentioning of poverty, sanitation, water, electricity and what not. There is a long list of unsolved miseries that still has to be attended for India’s well being. Yes we are among the fast developing nations but, why even then we can see black clouds hovering above us up in the sky..! 

But our leaders are more interested in personal benefits. There are records and facts about many politicians including personal assets and accuses against them. But still they rule with the power of syndicates behind them in hosting of high-tech campaigns for the so called deserved candidates but may not be…!

Yes ‘Change we can believe in’ was the message of Barack Obama’s US Presidential election campaign. And we are too are waiting for the type of change that President Obama meant can be seen and felt in India also…

What could our chosen leaders do will be known very soon. With the true leadership, and a change of attitude and focus on the Country’s intended policies. We, the people await the much hoped and expected changes that will lead to prosperity..!!! 

SURAJKUND MELA, Celebrating the bond of traditional flavour

The transformation of local or regional trend into global ones is reaching to far more exquisite trends. The steady advancements in communication is making the world a smaller place to live in there is greater opportunities now-a-days communicate socially, economically and politically. The famous Suraj Kund Handicrafts Fair acts as a platform for displaying folk arts and crafts from all over the nation. It provides a unique opportunity for the talented artists, weavers, painters, sculptors and craftsmen from different regions of India, to display their skill. The whole preparation of the fair is done, keeping a particular state in mind. 

Every year a new state is chosen as the theme and the entire decoration is changed accordingly. Madhya Pradesh popularly known as “The Heart of Incredible India” was chosen as the Theme State for this year’s 23rd Surajkund Craft Fair. The commemorative structure for the Mela was a replica of Bhimbetka, an important landmark of the State. The Theme is expressed in the look of the entrance, the fair grounds, the setting and the characteristic colours, materials, architecture, furniture and decorations etc. to create a specific ambience of the particular state.

The Crafts Mela celebrates the finest handlooms and handicrafts traditions of country. This year over 400 award-winning craftsmen from different states of the country participated in this Mela displaying their rich crafts tradition of India in the typical setting of a rural Indian marketplace. Crafts like woodwork, metalwork, papier-mache, weaving, embroidery, sculpture, and bamboo and cane craft are exhibited.

While my special interest lies in Textiles and Garments, It was enchanting to see the variety of brilliancy. In embroidery, the Phulkari of Punjab, the 'Banjara' and 'Bunni' embroidery of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the 'Kantha' traditions from West Bengal and Tripura, lace and crochet from Goa, the 'Suzni' of Kashmir encasing embroidery, delicate lace work, shimmer of iridescent silks etc were striking. 

There were participants from Thailand displaying their finest designs on silk; Bhutan exhibiting Galpane, silk and cotton fabric; Kabul Neelam Silk, products ranging from 15000-17000. Ambala Embroidery and Kashmir Panshmina Shawls and fabrics were truly beautiful. Jammu & Kashmir’s woollen and cotton work Rafal was drawing customers to their profit. Rajasthani Baadshah Miya’s Tie & Die Laharia was especially colourful. Assam’s Apila Rabha’s deisgner textile like Kamblet, Khambang, Mufflers ranging from Rs.500 – Rs.700 were hand woven beautifully. 

Chattisgarh speciality Kosa dupatta made from Cocoon Silk ranging from Rs.100-Rs.13000 were really pretty. Beautiful Banarasi Sarees from Pilikoti were on display. The Sarees ranging from Rs.800-Rs.8000 and Salwars ranging Rs.10000-Rs.45000 were exquisite. The traditional Chikan work of Lucknow delight, Andhra Pradesh’s Cotton and Handloom, Himachal Pradesh’s Woollen Shawls had a high purchasing demand. The Mela was really fascinating. The Surajkund Crafts perfectly highlights the most superior handloom and handicraft ethnicity of the country.

A fair of this magnitude would naturally have supplementary interests. Therefore traditional variety of rural Indian cuisines along with several fast food stalls selling burgers pizza’s and chowmein were set up to cater people’s interests. Apart from that, there is the usual gamut of entertainment-rides and shows for kids, and daylong cultural events, including folk dance and music recitals, with stress on the state theme. 

This kind of exhibitions expose the richness of the traditional artwork of our country. Cultural programmes were also a part of this colourful fair. Participants from various parts of the country were invited to showcase their performance. The whole surrounding turned colourful with shiny and decorative lamps. For art-lovers, there can never be an end in this particular Mela where he can enjoy his most. I am looking forward for a second trip next year to enjoy the beauty of colourful India…!

Stop thinking morally start acting logically

India’s unique beauty is the culture itself but now when we talk about the cultural diversity, there always arises a question in our minds where are we heading. Has our cultural pride lost its nobility? India is a mixture of various cultural ethnicities. Culture has its own complex entities while holding together mores, traditions, sensibilities, sympathies, taboos, anxieties, aesthetic sense etc which are counteractive to the following up of the cultural ideologies. But today society is rapidly changing. The pub-culture debate arises questions about how our sense of self and society is constituted. Beating up of women in the name of tradition is not culture. And what culture are we following actually? 

The developments all around reaching the heights of international fame is the very fact that India is no longer confined to the past village traditions. We the Indians are now able to compete with countries like China and US. India is strengthening its ties overseas. But unfortunately some sections of people still are living in the past with their narrow mindsets. They are the ones who create fuss regarding the cultural ethics but unconsciously they are causing harm. Our democracy can function judiciously only if there is a bedrock of moral consensus on which society rests. And only if the so called moral policing do not continue to trouble in the name of preserving the tradition. They are actually misusing the power of cultural ethics through which society can shine. Motives are different so are the philosophy, beliefs and principles of every individual.
 
Individuals responsible for the clashes caused should be hold responsible and it should be set clear that the state will not tolerate vandalism and violence. It is not important that we respect every individual for what they think and act since thoughts differ. 
 
The continuous attack by group of activists on the dress codes, from wearing of burkhas to stop wearing jeans which is termed as a western attire etc. have always been a news. It is tough to denote the preferences. Society consists of age groups youths, adults etc. they have their own choices and want to live accordingly. The individual liberty is the main rights of every citizen. No one can snatch it. At the same time we as social beings are also accountable to objections and like behaviour like drinking and so on.
 
The recent controversies like ban in showcasing smoking in the movies, putting out hoardings against holding hands, kissing in public places, pointing out terms like zina and haraam etc.are totally absurd. Groups like those with saffron outfits or the other religious ideologies inflicting debatable type of thoughts and beliefs are strange. Is there any common sense in the minds of the people? Ironically, the self-styled moral brigade is all that is formulated in to act as per their wishes regardless what the constitutional laws actually state. 

Society has changed a lot. The advancements in economic, technological, socio-cultural and political force have made a great impact on people’s cultural status but to some extent has created collisions as well. They are swayed by high living standards and hi-tech enticements. India is on its way to reach the heights of development. Now there are lot of innovations and market expansions to cope up the global trend. 

But why only attacks are made against the liquors, there are certain other concerned issues like corruptions in every field socially, economically and politically. Why not deal the corrupted first and then take actions on those petty issues. There are challenging subjects in this country. Major concerns should be towards the people who are still facing acute poverty, hunger, unemployment etc. which is still worst affected than to raise an issue of moral policing.

Problems are not small. They are to be handled with strict actions and strict laws should to be followed. Else such nuisances will carry on in future as well. The prime concern of the nation is to eradicate the drawbacks in the sectors of health, sanitation, unemployment and many more hazardous issues that is making the nation weak should be taken as an alarm to strive for the betterment of the country. 

Education a means to money making

There is an unhealthy practice regarding administration of some educational institutions. And it happens to be a fact that the teachers do not have required qualification which adds to the drawbacks. They are rather supported by the political bureaucrats in getting their jobs fixed thereby posing a serious question to their credibility for sincere and truthful educational standards.

The commercialisation trends of modern times have had a tremendous impact on the field of education as well. Looking at our past, there was the traditional style of imparting education where there were self-governing scholars engaged in the disinterested pursuit of knowledge without any individual motives and interests. But now the scenario has changed drastically. Money matters and this particular evil is dragging this pure institution into a commercial practice transforming it into a market commodity. 

Now it is the basic tendency that the institution survives and grows with the funds collected in the name of security at the time of admissions. Educational institutions should be available to all irrespective of one's ability to pay. Some educational institutions hold unethical manners to work upon. For example, a number of private universities and schools, around the world, operate without any form of government assistance, they are funded by fees and remain free from any suggestion that they are acting unethically. Now getting admission to colleges is much easier as compared to nursery schools. And the root cause is money. 

Teaching should not be considered as a vocational or temporary profession. Because at times it is noticed that the teachers just choose the profession for utilizing the time temporarily till they find other jobs. Teachers are said to be the sole medium through which education flows thus guiding the children and making them capable for the challenges of human life. But now it is often noticed that the teachers just join an institute for a certain period of time for utilising their time on the other hand searching for other jobs side ways. The commitment is not found by the so called teachers. Moreover they point out differences adding to discrimination on attending to a particular child, also failing to hear their problems and queries. As said by James Baldwin, “A child cannot be taught by anyone who despises him. 

One of the drawbacks of the educational administrative system is that there is seen a very low level of pay scale in some institutions. This is creating troubles for the teachers concerned in ignorance to the amount of work pressures resulting to frustrations within oneself and punishing the students. Also this cannot be denied that students too have become very restless in terms of attentiveness and respect towards teachers. 

There are growing incidents of atrocities on students like, the news on a ten-year-old school student was sexually assaulted by his teacher. Another such case where a class 6 student was asked to stay back by the head master who then sodomised the student when all the students had left the school. Such immoral and ghastly acts terrify the parents to send their dear children to schools. Who is to be blamed for all these happenings? 

Viewing the overall management of the institution it can be understood that the educational standard is gradually deteriorating. There is a need for healthy plans to set up a clean form of teaching methodology free from the economic crunches. There has to be grievance cells to help in equitable coordination among the teachers and the students. Seminars should be held on psychological talks to help in understand the students’ mind. And also there should be a better mechanism to recruit teachers with periodic appraisals on their teaching methods to stop any negligence happening in future and thus striving for establishing befit and better education. And also the administrative authorities too cannot be left aside. The overall strong functioning will lead to a strong institution finally.