tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78369201305919523842023-12-27T11:15:37.729-08:00CommuniquéTejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-44779825502432723512014-02-03T09:02:00.001-08:002014-02-03T09:02:41.347-08:00Blog shifted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear readers,<br />
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I have now shifted to wordpress. Thank you for following my on blogger. Hope to see you at <a href="http://isolatedcogitationsoftejaswini.wordpress.com/">Wordpress here.</a> Ciao! :)</div>
Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-91781063025949427222013-12-20T02:06:00.001-08:002013-12-20T02:21:22.359-08:00Curious Case of Devyani Khobragade<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is interesting how, Indian deputy consul general to the US, Devyani Khobragade's detention on visa fraud has opened a can of worms. It points fingers at both India and the US. What has surprised the world, including Indians, is that a country that has been reluctant about commenting or making a statement or taking a stand on any international issue, has reacted vociferously to the diplomat's arrest.<br />
While there have been reports that Ms Khobragade was strip-searched and ill-treated during the interrogation process by the US Marshals, there is no clarity whether this is true. These are automatic, non-discriminatory and legal post-arrest procedures, yet they violate a person's dignity.<br />
The interrogating officials, on the other hand, say Ms Khobragade was allowed to keep her cellphone to make calls and was treated "in the right manner", in contrast to her claims of being arrested in front of her child.<br />
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According to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, a foreign diplomat enjoys full diplomatic immunity which forbids arrest of consular officials except for grave crimes. They are immune from prosecution in a host country even if they break the law.<br />
In a story BBC explains:<i> "It does not matter if you are working or off-duty (though back home you can be prosecuted). If you are a consul, however, you are only shielded if you break the law while you are working."</i><br />
One has to understand that diplomatic immunity is different from consular immunity. <i>"For that reason, Ms Khobragade, as deputy consul general, could be prosecuted for the crimes she has been accused of. If you are a consular general, you have consular immunity, rather than diplomatic immunity," BBC adds.</i><br />
Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), individuals are protected from a host country's laws only when the offences are related to their consular duties.<br />
There are different rules for ambassadors because of their responsibilities. A <b>consul general </b>helps people from their home country with visas, trade and other issues. Meanwhile, a <b>diplomat </b>works directly with people in the host country.<br />
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<b>Hiring a maid isn't a consular official's duty</b><br />
BBC further adds: "<i>According to federal-court documents, Ms Khobragade claimed on a visa application that she would pay a maid, Sangeeta Richard, $4,500 (£2,746) a month. That is the minimum required by labour laws."</i><br />
<i>"In fact, said US investigators, two contracts were drawn up. One paid Ms Richard $573 per month. Hiring a maid is not part of a deputy consul's job. Therefore, a consular general could be prosecuted for offences relating to the hiring of domestic staff. </i><i>Diplomats get immunity for everything - your maids, your murders. But if you're a consular general and you're off the clock..."</i><br />
Even after Indian officials have moved Ms Khobragade to the United Nations, there is no guarantee that she would get full immunity as consular immunity doesn't protect her completely. Also because, it has to be signed by the US state department officials.<br />
Following this, an angered central government withdrew certain privileges for United States diplomats based in India. While some of it is justified, as <i>The Hindu </i>editorial points out, this attitude also shows how Indian(s) politicians have always seen the West as superiors. For instance: Any White person is given utmost importance as if we are a less civilised society. (Though part of it is true). The point I'm trying to make here is, Indians always go the extra mile to appease the whites, forgetting or compromising on their own dignity. May be, a result of the colonial mindset inherent in this country.<br />
Interestingly, India seems to ignore serious fraud charges against the Indian consular official on accounts of inflating the domestic worker's (Sangita Richards who went missing from Devyani's residence in June this year) pay and underpaying her.<br />
This also points to a common trend where most Indians do not treat their domestic workers with respect and that the concept of dignity of labour is almost non-existent for them. Given that domestic workers fall under the unorganised sector in the country, there is no set payscale for them. In Devyani's case, the maid has alleged that she was compelled to overwork and yet was underpaid.<br />
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<b>Some of the observations are:</b><br />
1. Why is India spewing venom on the US only in this case? Known for shutting its mouth on a lot of internationally relevant issues including Edward Snowden's case, Internet censorship and others, one understands that this is yet another stunt ahead of the 2014 general elections.<br />
2. The West doesn't take India seriously. Aware of the internally weak political system and the bickering between political parties, they know India is country of words and not actions.<br />
3. Like a TOI editorial says stigmatisation of India in the West is still rampant. "Would the US react in same way so blithely if a Chinese or Brazilian rather than Indian diplomat had been involved. So what is it that differentiates China or Brazil from India? One, it's well known they are no pushovers and will retaliate measure for measure. And two, they are perceived as growing economies in which the West has a stake, and therefore, worth listening to."<br />
4. If India can take stock of the situation soon and stop the short-sighted aggression and, the US mend its ways in dealing with the issue, both countries will mutually benefit.<br />
Like the Hindu suggests: <i>"The government should take no steps that compromise the security of the U.S. Embassy in Delhi. It must be remembered that under the same Vienna Convention, the host state is under “a special duty” to protect embassy and consular premises."</i> <br />
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At least now the country should realize that it has to match the West at its game and take its people seriously. That requires a relentless focus on the economy, instead of mucking around with identity politics which in the end impoverishes all religions and castes.<br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-14130372159453785052013-12-19T07:50:00.002-08:002013-12-20T02:09:19.791-08:00Laadli Media Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello all,<br />
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Here's an update I thought I'd share with my readers. I won the Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitivity 2013 for the Southern Region for my story on child marriages and the contradictions in law. The story is published on the <a href="http://www.countercurrents.org/pagadala121112.htm">countercurrents.org</a><br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-90515090188131240372013-11-23T07:50:00.000-08:002013-11-23T07:59:48.834-08:00Media watchdogs, Look into thyself!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A lot of opinions, articles, blogposts and stories are doing rounds after the King of Sting (Tarun Tejpal) has been exposed for sexual assault on his colleague. This post on the <a href="http://www.thehoot.org/web/It-s-not-only-about-Tehelka/7159-1-1-10-true.html">Hoot by Kalpana Sharma</a> rightly says it is not only about <i>Tehelka, </i>but also puts all the media organisations in the spotlight.<br />
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Ms Sharma says: <i>"Tehelka is not an exception in its cavalier approach towards the crime of sexual harassment. We in the media point our fingers at every conceivable institution in this country and think it well within our rights to question and expose their shortcomings. Yet, how many media houses have complied with the Sexual Harassment Act and set up inquiry committees as required by this law? If a survey were to be conducted today, it is more than likely that less than a handful would have done so."</i><br />
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Case 1: Now that there's so much talk about setting up women's safety cells in media organisations too, I have always wondered about why there wasn't one in the first place ever since the guidelines came into existence. This takes me to another point where, I as a junior, (3 years of journalistic experience), did not know who to approach even if I had such questions pop up in my mind. The HRs come into picture (mostly) only when they recruit you or when you quit. Else, they're dormant. In media, accept it or not, there's always the senior and the junior and the bosses are not easily approachable. Almost always. The junior (until you have 5-6 years of experience, you're a JUNIOR) is looked down upon as someone who's not talented (even if you are), someone who lacks the knowledge (even if you do) and someone who has to be suppressed. Yes, the "juniors" have no voice, they cannot answer back even if they know they have been asked to do something they "dislike" and they have to bear with all the consequences. (And, yes, there are exceptions, everywhere!)<br />
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Case 2: Like in Tejpal's case, he mentioned to his colleague in the elevator "that was the best way to keep her at her place." These coercive tactics of controlling the "juniors" stem out of insecurity and the urge to dominate, often leading to harassment which is mostly overlooked. Being a "junior" in the media, I've had several instances of going through situations I've not liked working in. I've had some of my colleagues lech at me at umpteen occasions and had some stare at my boobs directly even while I observed them do that. (Even on occasions when my upper body was covered with a stole). And, as a reporter, I've had people grope me, stare at my cleavage shamelessly as if it was their right. Well, being a journalist myself, I don't say this profession is safe but on several occasions I've put my <i>Karate </i>to use to protect myself. I've had a lot of people tell me that I'm safe because of the power of PRESS. But, my parents are equally worried about my safety as every other girl's parents and I'm no exception to any pervert on the road.<br />
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Case 3: Let me make one thing clear, media is no different when it comes to women's safety or people's thinking (journalists are seen as people who are open-minded. Most are not, only few are). There are people who scan every inch of a girl's body and unnecessarily comment, though they come out to others as open-minded people. And, then there are people, who being part of editorial teams, come out with preposterous suggestions of having a separate bureau for women and one for men in a profession that screams for equality. Well Mr-sucker-with-the-ridiculous-suggestion, does a separate bureau for women guarantee women's safety?<br />
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Case 4: From my personal experiences, I have come across lecherous "father-like figures" and I bet there are a lot more girls/women falling prey to these predators in the garb of nice, friendly and open-minded journalists. And, for "juniors", if it is their bosses (like Tejpal), they know their job is at stake. So, a lot more pressure mounts for one to take all the crap and go on with your job. Unfortunately, most media houses do not have women's safety cells. Does this remind us that the power in large media houses still wrests in the hands of men (who still want to dominate)?<br />
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Case 5: Some media houses do have women bosses and there is this feeling of safety for other women in having a woman boss. But, don't these women bosses too go through or have gone through some sort of harassment?<br />
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Case 6: Recently, I've seen some of the senior women journalists campaign for the upcoming press club elections. I have been wanting to ask them, instead of asking people to support their candidature, wouldn't it have been better for them to come to every woman and tell they'd probably take a step in establishing a women's safety cell at every media house in the state, in the wake of Tejpal's expose?<br />
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So, as media organisations that point fingers at every other institution, as watchdogs and as the fourth estate of this country, isn't it high time we stop doing all the talk and see some action at our workplaces? Time for self-introspection. "Look into thyself, first?".<br />
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<b>NOTE: </b>The post is a personal opinion. It has nothing to do with the organisation I work for. This is a result of my experiences ever since I began my career as a freelance journalist and then got into mainstream journalism.</div>
Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-23758804663304193342013-11-17T10:32:00.001-08:002013-11-23T06:33:38.081-08:00Of assumptions and assault<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A satire depicting the causes of rapes in India<br />
Photo Credit: <a href="http://abhinavbhatt.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/possible-causes-of-rapes-in-india-and-how-to-avoid-them-version-2/">Abhinav Bhatt</a></div>
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This post is a result of a series of sexist comments and an assault, all on a single day.</div>
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Since it is <i>Karthika Pournami </i>today (a Hindu, Jain and Sikh holy festival, celebrated on the full moon day or the fifteenth lunar day of November), one of my colleagues expected me to perform <i>pooja </i>at home. (Yes, I work on a Sunday too). Well, assumptions are fine. But, what followed was irksome. "Because you are a girl, you are supposed to do it," he said. Further, "You will get a good husband if you do it. Now, you don't stand a chance." Though his lines don't mean anything to me, they sure point to the way most (not all) men look at or think about women.<br />
The second case was even more baffling. Walking to have dinner at the nearest eatery at around 8.30 pm, I encountered this man who slowed down his bike and called out to me loudly "darling.....daarlingg...". I ignored or rather chose not to look at him. (That's how Indian women generally pretend, to avoid such circumstances). He then brought his bike almost to a halt and grabbed my hand (before I could even realise it). I was shocked but at the same time, grabbed his hand with mine and eventually, he fell off his bike and had scratches all over his face. Though it gave me a sadistic pleasure to see him fall, people around me didn't quite help me, except for their judgmental gaze. Those gazes were full of "what is she doing here at this time?" "Why is she out?" "Doesn't she have a home somewhere?". And, not surprisingly, all those were men and some who I knew. Hyderabad is a safe city. I've grown up here all my life and walked home at 2am too. But, this was different. Why this barbaric mindset or view about women that it is their flesh that men want? Why not have a humane side and respect her as another human being?<br />
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I do know all men aren't like this and that men have been bearing the brunt of all the negative news coming their way in the wake of rape incidents. But the fact that it took a Nirbhaya incident to wake up a lot of people, however, remains true. But, why should someone die (after being raped so brutally) in this country for one to figure out that one needs to be a human? Have we stooped that low?<br />
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We still have quotes/ captions/ banners at anti-rape protests or elsewhere (pointing at the mother): "Teach your son about consent." Why can't that be told to a father too? Do we realise that the period the mother was raised was also a patriarchal one or rather a masochist/chauvinistic one? So, the mother, in this case, would obviously inculcate what she was taught during her time. And, why do we see parenting as something connected only with the mothers? Isn't it a father's responsibility too? (The case of a single mother/father is totally different though). <br />
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It is notions like these that still make sexist opinions prevail. Things are no different even in our daily lives. It is time we let go of such opinions and stop being a country full of hypocrites. </div>
Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-31060437371390349882013-10-06T06:08:00.004-07:002013-10-06T10:47:45.830-07:00Sex and the stigma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Note:</b> This post is based on a state-level discussion I have been part of. The topic was "age of consent for sex". Here are some excerpts from panelists (who I do not wish to name here). What will follow will be my thoughts on the topic. Please note that I'm no expert on this topic. But, will give my opinion as a listener and an observer. (Opinions are personal).<br />
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<b>Excerpts:</b><br />
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Psychologist: <i>"Before we look at this, we need to understand that biologically and mentally, the body only matures during the teenage, for some even earlier. Considering these factors, 12-13 seems to be the age for puberty. So, there is a need for schools (teachers) to give the right information. And, for parents, at home to impact sex education. When kids make informed choices, that becomes the right age. Whatever, whenever it is."</i><br />
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Child Welfare Committee Member 1:<i> "Sex is emotional. According to our Indian culture, we only have sex with the person we love. It is against our tradition to have casual sex. We will be destroyed emotionally and cannot think of having casual sex. It is not part of our culture. It is a bonding we developed with our partner. Given that Indian laws say 18 is the age when a girl and boy become major at 18 and 21, respectively, the age of consent should be just that."</i><br />
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Consultant: <i>"Given my experience of working in America and Europe, I have seen schoolkids become mothers due to unwanted pregnancies. These schools have day-care centres for the children of young moms. That is when I realise how India is in a safer position and that sex education at a later stage, say when the child turns 18, is right. So, age of consent as 18 is right." </i><br />
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My thoughts:</b><br />
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Why do we need to coin terms like "age of consent"? There shouldn't be any age of consent. Isn't sex an individual choice? I do agree with the psychologist's view on the biological development of body. But, is biological development in our country being linked to the mental/emotional development too? No.<br />
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For example: Most schools in India have lessons on human genitals starting in Class 8 or 9. But, aren't our kids already bombarded/ exposed to/with information on sex or pornography by then through various sources (such as peers, media, ads, billboards, hoardings, Internet,etc.) even before the school textbooks talk about them?<br />
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So, how do we control this? Or rather should we control this at all? Why can't we give the information at different ages in different ways, based on their understanding, so that we don't end up deciding an age where our kids can have sex. Obviously, your child is not going to tell you the first time he/she experiences sexual intercourse. <br />
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Isn't it imperative for us to first talk to them and tell them the difference between sex and sexuality education and give both to them, so they make informed choices and be responsible with their bodies. For example: One of the panelists was talking about how she enjoys watching romantic songs and cannot stop her kid from watching it. And, then went on to blame the cinema for it.<br />
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So, is it her fault or the child's or the cinema's? In this case, the parent can control her urge to watch the romantic song if she sees it as something harmful to her kid. Second, why is intimacy seen as something dirty? <br />
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It is these misconceptions and lack of understanding that make kids do what they are prohibited from doing. So, what is it that you shouldn't do as a parent when you kid comes up to you to ask the meaning of "intercourse" that he or she heard somewhere?<br />
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<li>Don't freak out or hesitate in uttering terms like Vagina or sex or penis.</li>
<li>Stop telling kids that sex is bad or dirty. You should realise that it is a human need. (Trust you babas and then, they'll exploit you sexually and call themselves abstaining from sex!)</li>
<li>If you do not know enough about sex or sexuality education, be willing to read. And, then impart whatever is necessary to your kids. </li>
<li>Give information to your child at various stages in life, depending on his/her understanding. To begin with, tell them what parts of the body are private to them (This doesn't mean other parts are a public property — tell them this too ). </li>
<li>If your kids come up to you with doubts or terms they heard somewhere, don't freak out and scold them. (Remember they heard it somewhere). In such cases, find out the source of information, tell them what is right and wrong. It doesn't end here,. Ask them about what they understood.</li>
<li>Don't ban them from watching TV. Let them watch what they like (it also depends on how you stop getting used to your daily dose of TV serials.) If they like cartoons, make a habit of watching it with them. </li>
<li>If your kid is throwing tantrums about not staying with a relative or at your friend's place. Don't dismiss it as bad behaviour. (Your friend or relative might be a child sex abuser). So, find out why the kid dislikes their company.</li>
<li>Give your kid the freedom to talk to you about anything under the sun. Even if it is to buy a condom. (If your kid is asking you about the condom, you obviously will be flummoxed but you can be proud that he is making an informed choice) </li>
<li>Finally, keep religion, culture, caste, race or other influences (you have), away from your kids when you are talking to him or her about sex. (Remember that you never thought of your religion or your culture or your colour when you were having sex with your partner. So, don't spread the disease).</li>
<li>Remember, sex education is biological and sexuality education is individual. </li>
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And, DON'T thrust the evil thought of "What the society thinks of you" on your kids. (Remember that you won't think of any of it while having sex, either for pleasure or to give birth to a baby!). At the end of the day, the point behind bringing up you kid is to make him or her a good. informed and a socially aware human being. <br />
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<b>Note: </b>IF YOU THINK I'M A LOOSE WOMAN OR I'M TALKING DIRTY, SORRY, I CAN'T <b>PLEASE </b>YOU BECAUSE YOUR MIND IS DIRTY!</div>
Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-41491837368505687592013-09-28T09:14:00.003-07:002013-09-28T09:30:57.067-07:00What Jagan's bail means for AP politics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Turning criminals into demigods</div>
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The release of Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy (son of late ex-chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy) from Chanchalguda jail after 16 months of imprisonment was celebrated with much pomp and joy by his supporters and such like. Even the media (hype) played its part in depicting the prime accused in the disproportionate assets case as people's leader. Despite all the drama, what Jagan's release means to the state of Andhra Pradesh has become a game of Chinese whispers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwXktHCf0yeMHv93-S61S4ORGxbRKzE5iUa_S0JPelr65QxKinxC_Ga63jQM2SMOiu1U1te4bibfdktzKI5FhIcT5bfIsjhyphenhyphenhyrcvYzfitMCUtm6mNqmF5kFj2SkDt3xa0KnCGFxzkmk/s1600/Jagan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwXktHCf0yeMHv93-S61S4ORGxbRKzE5iUa_S0JPelr65QxKinxC_Ga63jQM2SMOiu1U1te4bibfdktzKI5FhIcT5bfIsjhyphenhyphenhyrcvYzfitMCUtm6mNqmF5kFj2SkDt3xa0KnCGFxzkmk/s320/Jagan1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy </div>
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Here's what his release means to AP:</div>
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<li>YSRC Party which has, ever since May 2012 (when Jagan was arrested), lost its sense of direction will now regain its vision as its leader is out of jail. Despite Jagan's mother Vijayamma and sister Sharmila trying to keep the party going in all these months, their efforts couldn't replace Jagan's mass appeal and aura, except for the <i>padayatras</i>.</li>
<li>After the Congress announced <a href="http://behindthesehazeleyes-tejaswini.blogspot.in/2013/08/why-i-oppose-bifurcation-of-ap.html">the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh on July 30</a>, Jagan has been its only hope. </li>
<li>Why is that so? Though the party has 17 seats in the Telangana region and has managed to pacify those in Telangana with the announcement, it sure knows that it would lose a larger pie of 25 seats in the Coastal and Rayalseema regions. So, if the Congress released Jagan from languishing in jail, it could push him as a Samaikhyandhra supporter and make him win in the Seemandhra region. (Only to form an alliance with him at a later stage).</li>
<li>Where will this lead the Congress? Since Jagan propagates himself as a Samaikhyandhra supporter, he is likely to win a greater pie in the Seemandhra region where Congress has almost lost its foothold. This way, Jagan is also a threat to the Telugu Desam Party which could gain a few seats in the Seemandhra region. </li>
<li>As in the case of other political parties in the state, while it is clear that the Telugu Desam has no strength in the Telangana region except for one or two constituencies, TRS will definitely gain ground and greater support and MIM will support Jagan, BJP still has to figure out where it stands while the CPI still stays a neutral player.</li>
<li>Eventually, the Congress' game-plan is to make Jagan win the upcoming state elections to rule the Seemandhra region (where it is almost ousted) whereas in the Telangana region, it has vested the onus on the Telangana Rashtra Samithi lead by K. Chandrasekhar Rao (famously known as KCR). </li>
<li>Finally, the plan of the Congress is to form an alliance with YSRCP in the Seemandhra region and with the TRS in the Telangana region, therefore, retaining its foothold in both the regions despite the bifurcation.</li>
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If it wasn't for this gimmick, Jagan wouldn't have been out, neither would Mayawati nor would Lalu Prasad despite strong evidences with the CBI to prove them guilty. After all, we do have laws that the politicians make and break. And, we also have the Judiciary that remains a mere spectator!</div>
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-6524128940350094122013-09-23T08:47:00.003-07:002013-09-23T08:52:13.740-07:00Seeking new homes in Hyderabad <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">Living in a tiny brick-walled house painted in white at the corner of a street in Balapur area of Old City in Hyderabad is Mohammed Ayaz (*). The lanky 26-year-old, malnourished and unkempt at first sight, wears a crumpled, muddy kurta and pyjama that gives you the impression that he hasn't bathed in a while. There is something else that is unusual about him, although it takes a few moments to figure out what. Ask him why he looks so shabby and if hasn't taken a shower, his wan smile vanishes. "</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">Nahane ke liye, haath toh hona chahiye</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;"> (To bathe, one needs to have hands)," he reveals as the tears flow like a stream down his glistening cheeks.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">Ayaz is a physically challenged person who lost his hands in one of the bloodiest riots his community has seen. For his neighbours in the Old City, he is a refugee, a Rohingya Muslim (a religious and ethnic minority community numbering approximately one million) who fled Myanmar in the wake of continuing atrocities against them last year. Dreary eyes and drooping shoulders are telltale signs of the ordeal and hardships faced by members of the community in India.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">"In May 2012, a group of nearly 400-500 Rohingyas, including me, crossed over into India from Bangladesh," says a teary-eyed Ayaz, adding, "we had fled Myanmar fearing further attacks from the Buddhists in the violence that spread through Myanmar's Arakan region in the Rakhine state province, on the western coast of Myanmar."</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">Even before his flight, his hands had been chopped off in the violence that erupted in Mobedan of the Arakan region where Ayaz lived with his parents. "I was on my way to college around 9 am. Suddenly, a group of anti-Rohingyas attacked me, thrashed me with a stick and finally, chopped my hands off - just as a butcher does to a chicken," says Ayaz, in broken Hindi.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">The pain and trauma after his hands were cut off were extreme, says Ayaz even as people around him began running helter-skelter in the panic that followed. "It was chaotic. Everyone wanted to escape the thrashing." Ayaz even lost his parents during the violence. Recalling some of the horrific scenes from that day, he explains, "some were kicked in the stomach, some murdered brutally, some were cut into pieces and most, left homeless."</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;"><b>Who are Rohingya Muslims?</b></span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">The Rohingyas are a Muslim minority from the Arakan province of Myanmar, renamed Rakhine by the military-led government in 1989. Ethnically, they are related to the Bengali people living in Bangladesh's Chittagong District. About one million Rohingyas live in the north of Rakhine State in Myanmar, which borders Bangladesh and includes the townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung. The United Nations characterizes Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar as one of the world's most persecuted minorities.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">Without citizenship, a Rohingya cannot (legally) leave the townships of Rakhine State and, since 1994, they must request special permits to marry. Such permits also restrict Rohingya couples to having two children. Common-law couples are vulnerable to prosecution. The Burmese Army, during the country's 60-year military rule since 1962, committed rampant human rights violations, killing, raping and torturing members of the Rohingya Muslim population, culminating in a mass exodus - and a resulting chronic refugee crisis in neighbouring Bangladesh.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">The "statelessness" of the Rohingya Muslims worsens the humanitarian conditions that they are condemned to. This is because even as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to a nationality, the Burmese Citizenship Act, 1982 codifies the legal exclusion of the Rohingyas and denies them equal citizenship rights. The government includes Rohingyas in official family registries and provides them with temporary registration cards. But, these documents do not mention the place of birth which means that these documents aren't considered evidence of birth in Myanmar. Unfortunately, the Burmese President Thein Sein is still staunchly against amendments to the Burmese Citizenship Act.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">The rape of a Rakhine woman by a group of Muslim men and the violence that this led to between the ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya residents resulted in the displacement of nearly 75,000 Rohingyas from the state in June 2012. After a relative calm, violence resurged in October 2012 and spread to a larger area. This displaced an additional 35,000 Rohingyas. This adds to the figures of another estimated 2 lakh Rohingyas who fled during earlier riots, seeking refuge in Bangladesh, India and other countries where they are now seen as illegal migrants, says United Nations.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;"><b>Rohingyas in Hyderabad</b></span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">Ayaz was one of the 400-500 Rohingyas who ended up in Hyderabad while others moved to Delhi, Aligarh, Mathura, Kolkata and other places, says Malla Reddy, Joint Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, Hyderabad. Outside India, the Rohingyas migrated to Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia. The United Nations states that around 11,000 Rohingyas have moved to various parts of India in the aftermath of communal violence since June 2012.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">Like Ayaz, Azhar too (*) came to Hyderabad after he escaped the mob fury against Rohingyas in Rakhine state. "I was kicked badly in the stomach due to which my intestines have been damaged. It is difficult to gulp down food. Even digestion is a problem. It's like a living hell," laments the 25-year-old. The deep scars inflicted on his body bear testimony to the violence against the community.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">The influx of Rohingya Muslims into Hyderabad has been taking place over the past five to six years, explains Mazher Hussain, executive director of Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA), implementation partner of the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) in Hyderabad. "Since 2011, we have been witnessing a mass exodus from Myanmar to Hyderabad and close to 1500 to 2000 people have settled here in the last three years," informs Mr Hussain, adding that Hyderabad received around 100 refugees in 2010.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">According to data from COVA, from about 150 settlers in early 2011, the number of Rohingya Muslims currently residing in the city stands at 1400. Of the approximately 2000 who came in, some have been sent back to Myanmar by the UNHCR for being unable to prove that their life is under threat. Those who remain have settled in Hafizbabanagar, Balapur, Babanagar, Sainagar, Chandrayaangutta and Kishanbagh areas of the Old City.</span></div>
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<span class="contents2" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.5;">"Most of the refugees live in groups, with the highest number of them concentrated in Balapur," says Kiran Kumar, program officer at COVA, who looks after the welfare of these asylum seekers. To make a living, they work as daily-wage labourers. Some manage to get a security guard's job while others take up petty jobs, describes Lateef Mohammed Khan of Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee, an NGO that is trying to mobilise the local community to help these refugees make a living in the city.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Challenges for a 'homeless' people</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fleeing their home country hasn't made life any easier for Rohingyas. Food and shelter continue to be a problem, apart from the language barrier. "Age and language barriers pose a lot of problems," rues a 65-year-old Abdul Malik (*). Malik's son has managed to secure a job at a factory in Hyderabad and earns about Rs. 6000 a month. Rohingya Muslims speak a mix of Bengali and Mongoloid. Since some of them speak Urdu, they help out others who do not know the local language.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite the presence of 1400 Rohingyas Muslims, hardly 100-150 of them have got refugee cards, reveals the COVA executive director. "It is a long and tedious process. To obtain a refugee card, it takes about 2-3 years," he adds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recognition, Malik says, is the most important thing. "Our cries are heard but not acted upon. We were born to see bloodletting. Now, we have resigned ourselves to torture and persecution," he says as his eyes well up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The United Nations High Commission of Refugees gathers details of each asylum-seeker and registers the individual based on the area he has come from. The refugee then has to travel to Delhi where he has to undergo gruelling sessions of interviews to prove his identity and the purpose of migration. If the UNHCR is convinced, it would take another 3-6 months to process the application and give the asylum-seeker a temporary card. A Rohingya Muslim can only get a refugee card once he passes the temporary card stage. That again takes another two years, says Hussain, adding that the refugee card has to be renewed every five years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, there are instances where the UNHCR can reject an asylum-seeker's card or not permit a refugee shelter in India. For instance, if the refugee is from the eastern part of Myanmar where there is no disturbance, the UNHCR will reject his request for asylum and send him back to his country. But, the refugee is also given a chance for second appeal. If the UNHCR isn't convinced even then, the refugees have no choice but to return to Myanmar.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Community support</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To support their travel to and from Delhi as well as their stay here, COVA and Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee have sought donations from local people. The UNHCR had also set up the Burmese Refugees Relief and Rehabilitation Committee (BRRRC), where the displaced can seek help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Last year, during Ramadan, donations poured in. It was more like a Ramzan fad. Scores of people made donations to help them survive," informs Kiran, adding that donations have gone down this year. Even Iran had, last year, offered cash assistance to a group of Rohingya refugees in Hyderabad who had fled the ethnic violence in Rakhine state. The Iran Consul General in Hyderabad, Mahmoud Safari, handed over a cheque of Rs.65,000 to COVA, trying to help them get official status for the Rohingyas from the UN body's office in New Delhi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Resident locals sometimes fear differences cropping up in the larger community due to the presence of these refugees. "We are aware that there is no threat from asylum seekers. But, there are occasionally minor tensions that could scale to unsavoury proportions," explains Abdul Karim, a resident of the Old City. The city police, though initially unaware of the exodus from Myanmar, is now keeping a watch; Reddy says they are now keeping a vigil on the moments of Rohingyas Muslims. "They are unlikely to pose problems for anyone because they are refugees who fear for their own lives. Most are yet to get their cards too," he adds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite help from locals, the tribe unfortunately isn't sure about its continuation here. "They live in constant distress and fear of being attacked," points out Reddy.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Indian refugee laws</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">India's laxity in framing proper refugee laws only seems to have escalated the refugee quandary. Despite being asked to sign the Refugee Convention 1951 and Protocol 1967, and promulgate a legal framework for refugees, the Indian government has been lackadaisical. Interestingly, the UNHCR hails India for its record in supporting refugees. In a report, it says, "Overall, India offers safe asylum to refugees and asylum seekers. Even in the absence of a national legal framework for refugees, India has traditionally been hospitable towards refugees."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meanwhile, judicial intervention has done some good for refugees. In respect of Articles 21 and 14 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has declared that these (apart from other constitutional rights) are applicable to everyone residing in India, and not only to citizens of the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even as the whole world listens to the sordid tales and cries of Rohingya Muslims, local security forces in Myanmar continue to be complicit in the violence, taking part in the violence directly in some cases and standing by in others as Buddhist mobs attack the Rohingya people, says Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Asia division of Washington-based Human Rights Watch, in a report.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even as the state's cavalier attitude has caused so much pain for members of the community, some live in the hope that someday, Myanmar is going to accept them. "I hope to go back to where I originally belong - in Rakhine. I want to die in my home country," says 65-year-old Malik. Others are less hopeful. "Though I'm fortunate that Hyderabad has accepted me, I still rue the fact that my country has only sucked blood from our bodies, leaving us stateless and homeless," describes Ayaz. The only hope for him today is survival. "We cannot dream of living. Survival is our only tool and we will cling to it - even if we have to cross borders," he says. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* -- Names changed to protect the identity of the person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Note: </b>This story of mine was first published on </span><a href="http://www.indiatogether.org/2013/aug/hrt-rohingya.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">India Together. </a></div>
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-61736410838473231952013-08-03T10:50:00.004-07:002013-08-05T12:02:02.712-07:00Why I oppose the bifurcation of AP <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Disclaimer: Opinions are personal. Others' opinions/views are accepted.</i><br />
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<br />
<b>Telangana</b> it is! That's how the Congress Working Committee (CWC) reluctantly paved way to the creation of a separate Telangana state with 10 districts, re-defining internal boundaries of India by announcing the 29th state on July 30, 2013.<br />
Though the news brought tears of joy to pro-Telangana people, it was a disaster for those who wanted the state to remain united with all the three regions. Everyone is aware that the decision comes in the backdrop of General Elections in 2014 and is evident that this is Congress' poll gimmick.<br />
<br />
Now that the inevitable announcement has been made, let's look at whether it was done for Telangana people who have been fighting for a separate state for over six decades or there were political interests involved.<br />
<br />
<b>History of Andhra Pradesh</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b><br /></b>
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Andhra Pradesh came into being on November 1, 1956, as a result of the formation of State Reorganisation Committee (SRC) in December, 1953 when the movement for linguistic states gained momentum in India under the Prime Ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru. A state with a mix of three distinct regions i.e. coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana.<br />
The state was constituted with the merger of the large and predominantly Telugu-speaking residuary part of the erstwhile state of Hyderabad with the state of Andhra that had come into existence earlier after its separation from the then Madras state. It was also the first state constituted on linguistic basis after India's independence.<br />
<br />
The SRC measured the pros and cons of the demand for Vishalandhra and Telangana and came up with the following conclusions: <b>(Source: <a href="http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2011/jan/d2011010502.pdf">Srikrisha Committeee Report</a>)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
1. The creation of <i>Vishalandhra</i> is an ideal to which numerous individuals and public bodies, both in Andhra and Telangana, have been passionately attached over a long period of time, and unless<br />
there are strong reasons to the contrary, this sentiment is entitled to consideration.<br />
2. Another advantage of <i>Vishalandhra</i> will be that the development of Krishna and Godavari rivers will thereby be brought under unified control. The Krishna and Godavari projects rank amongst the most<br />
ambitious in India. They have been formulated after prolonged period of inactivity,…. Since Telangana as part of Vishalandhra will benefit both directly and indirectly from this development, there is a<br />
great deal to be said for its amalgamation with the Andhra State.<br />
3. The case for <i>Vishalandhra</i> thus rests on arguments which are impressive. The considerations which have been urged in favour of a separate Telangana State are, however, not such as may be<br />
lightly brushed aside.<br />
<br />
Even after demands from pro-Telangana leaders in 1956 -- Telangana students be given priority in education, jobs, sale of land in Telangana area be controlled by the Regional Council, etc, of the Gentlemen's Agreement were agreed upon and signed by the Government of India, there were two clauses that weren't approved. Despite the tensions, finally the proposal to form a unified state was agreed upon and it was called "Andhra-Telangana". The name was then changed to "Andhra Pradesh" when a Joint Select Committee made amends to the draft Bill of SRC.<br />
<br />
However, in 1969, The "Jai Telangana" movement gained movement following agitations discontent in service and employment matters and further covering financial matters called “Telangana revenue surpluses”, quickly spread like wild fire all over Telangana area with devastating effect. And, the central government appointed a Regional Committee 1958, to have a legislative advisory role over the executive; albeit, it was restricted to Telangana related development issues.<br />
This was followed by "Jai Andhra" movement in 1972.<br />
<br />
<b>Development in three regions</b><br />
<br />
Despite Telangana people arguing that their region is a backward one, the Srikrishna Committee thought otherwise. It is foolish of us to ignore the report that has been put out after consultations with all types of stakeholders in the state. (Mind you, they're a bloody good team of intellectuals from all sectors).<br />
<br />
The 505-page report by Justice B.N. Srikrishna and his team said: "Telangana as a new state can sustain itself both with and without Hyderabad. The other combination of regions - coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema -- together can also sustain themselves as a state; in fact they can sustain themselves separately."<br />
<br />
Currently, AP is the fourth largest state in India in terms of area and fifth largest in population. It is ranked third in the size of gross domestic product (GDP) and 11th in the country in terms of per capita income. Gross state domestic product in 2011-12 was estimated at Rs 6,76,234 crore.<br />
<br />
Among the three regions, Coastal Andhra region recorded a per capita income of Rs36,496 followed by Telangana (including Hyderabad) with a per capita income of Rs36,082 (Rs33,771 excluding Hyderabad) and Rs33,056 in Rayalaseema at 2007-08 current prices.<br />
<br />
Interestingly, the Srikrishna report revealed that the GDP growth of Coastal Andhra remained constant ever since 2005 while Telangana (other than Hyderabad) and Hyderabad district have shown consistent increase in its share of GDP. For instance, the share of Telangana which was only 33% during 1993-94 has increased to 35% during 2007-08. Similarly, the share has increased from 5% to 8% in case of Hyderabad. Consequently, the share in coastal Andhra declined from 44% to 41% and from 18% to 16% in Rayalaseema region. It is important to note that the GDP growth in all regions excepting coastal Andhra.<br />
<br />
There is no denying that the fight has been for Hyderabad, the bone of contention for Telangana and Seemandhra, for being the highest revenue earner in the state. The city accounts for more than 50% of the state's tax revenues.<br />
<br />
In 2012-13, AP's tax revenues stood at Rs 69,146 crore. Of this, Rs36,400 crore came from Hyderabad and its surrounding Rangareddy district. The revenue from rest of Telangana was Rs11,207 crore, Andhra Rs 16,729 crore and Rayalaseema Rs4,810 crore.<br />
<br />
According to the Srikrishna Committee, Hyderabad accounts for 99% of the total of around Rs 55,000 crore IT and ITeS exports from the state. Of the 72 notified special economic zones (SEZs) in the state, 37 are located in Hyderabad and Rangareddy. In fact, Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts account for 44% of the registered manufacturing and 39% of the construction activity of the Telangana region.<br />
<br />
All this data only places Telangana (including Hyderabad) at a better spot compared to Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema (for being drought-hit almost throughout the year) where there has been minimal growth.<br />
<br />
<b>Justifying the demand for T?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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Though there has been a storm in the T cup, the Srikrishna Committee report clearly states that it did not find any real evidence of any major neglect by the state government in matters of overall economic development of Telangana.<br />
<br />
Despite the Telangana struggle resurfacing in the post -2000 period with the rationale virtually being the same as in the earlier movements for Telangana, (such as the partial implementation of the Gentlemen‟s Agreement, unsatisfactory implementation of Presidential Order of 1975 on employment issues, the gap in educational standards among the regions, the denial of fair share of water and irrigation resources, and<br />
perceived neglect in economic development of Telangana region) the report described that there more sentimental and emotional reasons and attachment to a long held desire for a separate state of Telangana rather than the fight for better representation.<br />
<br />
On the political front, the Telangana movement after P. Chidambaram's announcement in 2009, saw an upheaval in the Telangana region -- from Osmania University to school students, NGOs and members from other T forums literally setting themselves on fire in the fight for a separate statehood.<br />
<br />
All said and done, the movement soon disintegrated in minor factions which saw the rise of lackwits like Prof. Kodandaram, Swamy Goud who made the most of the "Telangana cause" from bribing to blackmailing. Even political parties had separate Telangana forums. Unfortunately, even the Tollywood industry bore the brunt of the movement.<br />
<br />
On the other side, some innocent students who fought for the cause from the bottom of their hearts, lost lives during the struggle. Fast-unto-death became the new normal and the state was on fire with agitations and <i>bandhs, </i>making everyone's life hell, the agitators included. <br />
<br />
There were reports of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), (formed in 2001 for Telangana statehood demand -- spearheaded by K. Chandrasekhar Rao), looting from people in the name of Telangana to warning insitutuions/corporates/companies of vandalising property. And, uncertainty loomed large over the status of Hyderabad as it happens to be the hub of bustling economic activity in the state.<br />
<br />
Hair-raising speeches, those full of anger, against Seemandhra people brought Telangana people together. One cannot ignore the fact that it was also because Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, is dominated by Seemandhra people. Almost 70-80 per cent of the capital is populated by settlers from Seema and Andhra regions.<br />
<br />
<b>Differences and similarities</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b><br /></b>
<br />
For this, one also has to look at the cultural differences between the three regions. Originally, because of the feudal system prevalent in Telangana, most worked a labourers under the landlords. This also tweaked the fear of being subverted by the Seemandhra people. Despite the advancement of the region, the colonial hangover still dogs Telangana. <br />
<br />
Historically. Telangana people have always been considered as those who preferred working where they belonged rather than migrate to other places for a living. In contrast, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra people always migrated for a living. This also explains why Hyderabad is dominated by Seemandhra people.<br />
<br />
Most businesses, educational institutions and other places are run and owned by the Seemandhra crowd in and around Hyderabad. Rayalaseema also has the history and the credit of producing some of the best politicians in the state of Andhra Pradesh. There is also another peculiar factor about Rayalaseema people -- they see Bangalore (Karnataka) as a better business destination because it is geographically closer and there is a culture-match. <br />
<br />
All these considered, even education and employment-wise the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions have been able to excel while Telangana districts still lag behind. Even those in the IITs, BITS and other top institutions are evidently from Andhra region.<br />
<br />
<b>How politicians, of all sizes and parties, worsened things</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b><br /></b>
<br />
Though the demand for Telangana created a buzz, it worsened with politicians' selfish motives. KCR, despite his hate speeches against Seemandhra people, has been able to unite people in the name of Telangana. That also marked the rise of his family members, his son, K.T Rama Rao, daughter Kavita and others like Harish Rao and actual believers like Narendra (who was instrumental in the formation of TRS party in AP) go into cocoon and later, resign from TRS.<br />
<br />
The central government too played its cards right in ruining the state of Andhra Pradesh after Chidambaram's announcement. AICC chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Azad, Digvijay Singh and the other top Congress ministers swayed to Miss Gandhi's tunes and successfully dragged the issue till 2013. Even parties like the Telugu Desam Party, the BJP, Praja Rajyam Party (now merged into Congress -- led by K. Chiranjeevi) and YSRC party that opposed Telangana's formation dug their own grave on the issue. This also led to a party-hopping trend among MLAs, MLCs and other politicians.<br />
<br />
Interestingly, Chidambaram was the one who paved way for the formation of the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee. Later, the Congress itself did not bother about the comprehensive report for which it has constituted a committee.<br />
<br />
Moreover. the decision of a separate state would have been respected if the Srikrishna Committee report on Telangana was discussed in the Parliament and the Centre arrived at a decision on T after the debate. However, the report was ignored despite its analysis and the Committee's 7 solutions fell on deaf ears as the Centre decided to go ahead without any basis for carving out a separate state after the CWC meeting.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, this is the first time that the central government has moved to create a new state in the face of such opposition from the "parent" state.<br />
<br />
<b>Pre-poll stunt</b><br />
<br />
On his blog, Parakala Prabhkar, a political commentator, said: "A careful reading of the Justice Srikrishna Committee Report and a mere glance at economic data, history, political developments and the cultural narrative of the state and the region would have shown that the claims and allegations of the agitation are unsupported."<br />
<br />
The decision of the Congress high command on T is unlikely to yield substantial electoral benefits in 2014 to the Congress. Telangana's electoral pie is small with 17 seats. The Congress will face stiff competition from several parties and end up with a small share of seats as TRS, YSRCP, CPI and TDP battle it out. In the Coastal and Rayalaseema regions, the electoral pie is larger with 25 seats. Here the party is likely to be routed because of its decision to divide the state where there is a strong demand for a unified state.<br />
<br />
While the gains for the Congress in Telangana are likely to be uncertain and small, the losses in the other two regions seem to be certain. It's decision to retain Hyderabad as a joint capital for the first 10 years may also lead to tension between Andhra and Rayalaseema regions for a new capital. This can also be supported by Seema MLAs coming up with demands for Greater Rayalaseema to include Nellore and Prakasam with four districts - Kurnool, Kadapa, Ananthapur and Chittoor.<br />
<br />
<b>What's in store?</b><br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
The Congress party's flawed understanding of the Telangana issue and its electoral miscalculation will guarantee the opening up a huge can of worms across the country.<br />
<br />
According to the Srikrishna Committee, the land locked region of Telangana may lose out on access and opportunities to eastern coastline, which has major ports. Similarly, Seemandhra could lose a major market inherent in the huge population, business and market concentration of the city of Hyderabad.<br />
<br />
Telangana - and the remainder of Andhra Pradesh - may also face the further challenge of sharing Hyderabad as a state capital. Hyderabad, which will remain a centre of economic activity, is physically located within the Telangana state but may itself be separately administered as a Union Territory.<br />
<br />
Even, the Muslims, who are an integral part of Hyderabad, could intensify their demand for a Nizam state through MIM party. This might create further tension within the state's capital.<br />
<br />
On the flipside, after statehood, the hard task of choosing new political leaders, building new administrative structures, raising revenues, and negotiating with the central government poses a challenge. With small states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand failing to set good examples of economic growth, Telangana's creation also raises similar doubts, given the backwardness of the region.<br />
<br />
As a result of carving out Telangana state, we already see a pervasive clamour for the creation of new states from several parts of the country like Bololand, Gorkhaland, Vidharbha, etc. These are only likely to increase in intensity and number, says Mr Prabhakar. <br />
<br />
Even as differences between people of different regions cannot be ignored, they can still be respected, had the cause not been twisted for political interests. The movement also puts the country in a self-introspection mode where its strength lies in its unity in diversity.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Forget not what the Preamble of the Constitution says: “WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation”<br />
<br />
But beyond the goal of statehood lie multiple interests and visions which will need to be accommodated and its effects are open to guesswork until elections in the State and the Centre next year.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-43609811522315734052013-08-03T10:29:00.002-07:002013-08-03T10:52:14.052-07:00 Events that led to Telangana's announcement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Picture credit: </b>Financial Express</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">TIMELINE:</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>1948: </b>The Indian Army annexed princely state of Hyderabad, which had different regions including Telangana.<br />
<br />
<b>1950: </b>Telangana became Hyderabad State with appointment of a senior administrator M.A. Vellodi as the chief minister.<br />
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<b>1952:</b> First elections were held in Hyderabad State. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao became the first elected chief minister.<br />
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<b>November 1, 1956: </b>Telangana was merged with Andhra State, which was carved out of Madras State, to form Andhra Pradesh, a united state for Telugu-speaking people.<br />
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<b>1969: </b>'Jai Telangana' movement for separate statehood to Telangana began. Over 300 people killed in police firing.<br />
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<b>1972: </b>'Jai Andhra' movement began in coastal Andhra for separate Andhra state.<br />
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<b>1975: </b>Presidential order issued to implement Six-Point Formula, providing some safeguards to Telangana.<br />
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<b>1997: </b>Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supported demand for Telangana state and in 1998 elections promised 'one vote two states'.<br />
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<b>2001: </b>K. Chandrasekhara Rao floated Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to revive the Telangana movement.<br />
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<b>2004: </b>TRS fought elections in alliance with the Congress, won 5 Lok Sabha and 26 assembly seats. The UPA included the issue in its common minimum programme and formed a three-member committee headed by Pranab Mukherjee.<br />
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<b>2008: </b>TDP announced support for Telangana demand.<br />
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<b>2009: </b>TRS contested elections in alliance with TDP but its tally came down to two Lok Sabha and 10 assembly seats.<br />
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<b>September 2, 2009: </b>Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy died in helicopter crash, triggering political uncertainty.<br />
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<b>October 2009: </b>K. Chandrasekhara Rao began fast-unto-death for separate Telangana state.<br />
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<b>December 9, 2009: </b>Centre announced its decision to initiate the process for formation of Telangana state.<br />
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<b>December 23, 2009: </b>Following protests in Rayalaseema and Andhra regions and en mass resignations of MPs and state legislators, the centre put the process on hold, citing need for consensus.<br />
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<b>February 3, 2010: </b>Centre set up five-member Srikrishna Committee to look into Telangana issue.<br />
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<b>December 2010: </b>Srikrishna Committee submitted its report, suggested six options.<br />
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<b>December 28, 2012: </b>Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde announced after an all-party meeting that a decision will be announced in a month.<br />
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<b>July 1, 2013: </b>Congress leader Digvijaya Singh announced that a decision on Telangana is in final stages.<br />
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<b>July 12, 2013: </b>Congress core group met on Telangana to discuss reports by the chief minister, deputy chief minister and state Congress chief.<br />
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<b>July 26, 2013: </b>Congress core group held another meeting, Digvijaya Singh said Congress Working Committee (CWC) and UPA will take a final decision.<br />
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<b>July 30, 2013: </b>UPA coordination panel and CWC met and decided to carve out Telangana state.<br />
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(<i>Source: IANS)</i><br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-51426885162906553172013-07-17T11:16:00.005-07:002013-09-13T10:20:00.265-07:00The Uncanny Goodness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>CAUTION:</b> Fiction writing is not my forte. This is an attempt. <br />
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As she stepped out of her room, there were a lot of things running on her mind like rushes in a film -- the thoughts of him. Every emotion she experienced, had something to do with him. The way every part of her body responded clearly indicated that he was etched on her mind. She was too excited to say anything. Numb enough to feel anything.<br />
Her attractive eyes awaited the sight of him. Those eyes spotted him and heaved a sigh of relief. As he approached her amid the madding crowd and chaos, her ears fell deaf to the noise around.<br />
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She entered the dimly lit bar with him, unable to accept the added darkness to her life. She was impatient and felt unconnected. Amid smoke, the sight of him wasn't clear...<br />
The milee was charged up and the darkness made her sober. The food she loved the most felt tasteless around him. She felt the indescribable happiness. That night with him made her smile -- a smile that she thought was a rarity in her life, a smile that brought her to life after seven years.<br />
Goodness was something that was unusual for her. Every moment with him felt unusual because it was filled with goodness. Every single time he was good to her, she feared it. She felt the uneasiness, as if someone was insulting her, as if she was new to the existence of good people...<br />
Happily, both of them walked out of the bar, hand in hand.<br />
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Everything started fading out as she held his hand tight. The moment was close. She knew it. Everyone decided to be good to her that night, she thought. Mother nature smiled upon her, blew a flying kiss in the form of relieving breeze. The lights shone brighter, feeling happy for them -- walking hand in hand on the street. The barking dogs fell silent. The leaves swayed to the songs of the wind. The Earth smelled orgasmic.<br />
She started to fumble in her speech. Words failed her. He inched closer. Her heart was tense, racing like a marathon runner. His eyes shone in the moonlight. Startled she stood, searching for love in his eyes. As the seconds passed by, his piercing looks cut her open, compelling her to veil her emotions. She closed her eyes and felt his lips on hers. Every cell in her body screamed happiness, excitement and love. If there was one moment in life she wanted to immortalise, this was it, she thought. <br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-36421391027883193992013-05-03T06:24:00.002-07:002013-05-03T09:11:24.081-07:00Of Tollywood, Press Freedom & Depiction of Women<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While there has always been the conflict between whether media is a reflection of society or vice-versa, there is enough evidence that it is never going to stop commodifying women.<br />
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Even Tollywood contributes to this trend. The stars of Telugu film industry, on one side, take part in public rallies, participate in marches, candle-light vigils and make public speeches on protecting/respecting women, etc but fail to implement it in their movies. </div>
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For example: I recently happen to watch "Power Star's" <i>Gabbar Singh </i>that is supposedly a hit. Firstly, I failed to understand what made the movie successful because it lacked story. To keep Pawan Kalyan's "Power Star" image intact, the story revolves around him where it is acceptable for him to make condescending statements against anyone he dislikes in the movie. He can disrespect anyone he wants, beat up any one he wishes to and touch/boss over the female lead.<br />
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A still from item song <i>Kevvu Keka</i> in <i>Gabbar Singh</i></div>
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He falls for the girl in the movie (which is but obvious) and ever teases her (which is considered trivial), pesters her to marry him (which isn't an issue because it is Pawan Kalyan) despite her rejection. Eventually, she falls for him (or is made to) without which the story would fall through. </div>
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Not only this, but plenty of Telugu movies have a similar storyline where the motto of the (male) protagonist and the antagonist to "get" the girl. This depicition of women in media has been rampant despite hue and cry about censoring content, changing mindsets, etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAxuos6mrfB4u9fp22sWofacsLKmf6RnBtqOjiZMt7MTwQN1QnVu2OMkZa8aUlyo-0IVxkXbT_PH__KQ_0hiZHDjmkr5vQX0oLSixLVjGGNx7dVv3XM-Z7dwd6mK_vldo_jdIapXIO3M/s1600/nag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAxuos6mrfB4u9fp22sWofacsLKmf6RnBtqOjiZMt7MTwQN1QnVu2OMkZa8aUlyo-0IVxkXbT_PH__KQ_0hiZHDjmkr5vQX0oLSixLVjGGNx7dVv3XM-Z7dwd6mK_vldo_jdIapXIO3M/s400/nag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Greekuverdu</i> movie poster</div>
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Another example is that of Nargarjuna's latest film <i>Greekuveerudu. </i>The <i>yuva samarat (</i>title bestowed upon him by Telugu film industry) in the movie's poster stands with a few girls on two sides "doing justice" to the title. Though one might not find the movie poster objectionable dismissing it as "just a movie poster", it is an example of how we are making it acceptable for a man to play around with girls while the same is objectionable in case of woman.</div>
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These two examples also point to skewed representation, interpretation and coverage by media in Andhra Pradesh. That also brings us to the recent incident involving the spat between Nalsar students' and Telugu news channels.<br />
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For those unaware of the incident, this is what had happened. </div>
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When Nalsar University students were celebrating at a pub in Jubilee Hills, local TV channel reporters recorded some footage of the students through their mobile phone. When the girls who were being filmed in the video raised an objection, the mediapersons had a heated argument.<br />
To make matters worse, the entire spat was recorded while the girls were using cuss words. And, irritably, the TV channels blurred a girl's dress as if she was semi-nude. when that wasn't the case. This created the uproar among students when the TV channels (one after another) aired a program related to pub culture, showing videos of the students repeatedly.</div>
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It was an unpardonable case of skewed coverage by Telugu news channels. Though I'm part of the media myself, it is not acceptable to frame those girls and run a story on "Pub culture". Even the newspapers called it a "pub brawl" and such like without making an effort to know what exactly happened.</div>
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A TV grab of a program following the incident</div>
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<b>Points to ponder:</b></div>
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Point one: There was no need to shoot the footage outside pub. </div>
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Point two: Just because the journalist was desperate to do a story on "pub culture ruining India culture or (whatever)", he made the girls scapegoats.<br />
And, what's more? They were portrayed as drunk women when they actually weren't. </div>
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Point three: Girls raising their voice against the media person and using cuss words was not right. And, to add to this, they weren't wearing Indian clothes. Now, that was their biggest mistake — looking SEXY!) (Do you expect young girls to wear a cotton saree and full-sleeved blouse to a pub?)</div>
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Point four: No one (even if you are a journalist, it is always acceptable to ask) has the right to shoot anyone's video anywhere without his or her permission. </div>
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Point Five: Press freedom has limitations. No one is above law. Not even a journalist.</div>
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In another case of skewed coverage, a newspaper on Page 1 claimed that Foot over Bridges (FOBs) in Hyderabad were being a threat to girls/women. What is the news actually: It was a Lokayukta notice to ads makers who were covering up FOBs with ads, with the court said could be a potential threat to women.</div>
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On the other hand, there was another report where the police commissioner claimed there were no such cases booked so far. These are two contradicting reports in the same newspaper. </div>
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<b>Points to ponder:</b></div>
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Point one: If the newspaper's claims FOBs are a threat to women, it should have examples indicating such threats to women's security. </div>
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Point two: If the police commissioner is saying that there are no cases registered, then the story falls. </div>
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In a story on faulty weighing machines at gold shops, a TV channel was making people of how some gold traders cheat customers by using weighing machines that have been banned by the legal metrology department. The TV channel got some footage of gold shops and banks that it claimed were cheating customers. While running viewers through the list of gold shops and banks, the TV channel had footage of those shops that weren't part of the list but wrongly framed them as cheaters. The same was the case with banks. </div>
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<b>Points to ponder:</b></div>
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Point one: If you do a story, is it necessary to frame someone just for your footage?</div>
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Point two: Even some banks were wrongly framed in the story</div>
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Point three: The story fell through as they did not take the bites of those they claimed were cheating public. </div>
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Point four: Neither did they have the opinion of the legal metrology department.</div>
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While there has been outrage all over the country over the recent spate of crimes against women, these still show how the mindset, even in the media, hasn't changed. While media itself blows up an issue, makes or breaks stories, mediapersons also should introspect and examine themselves on what is right and what is wrong. They are NOT above the law. Period.</div>
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-8820731379870284222013-01-05T22:36:00.001-08:002013-01-06T03:01:31.254-08:00Why I walked the Midnight March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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“Wow! This seems like heaven. See. There are so many hot girls around,” screamed a guy from the crowd. No, this wasn’t a pub nor a restaurant or any other hang-out zone. It was a midnight march, a march that was held as a wake-up call for the government to take note of; for women to stand up for their rights and for men, not to take women for granted. Students, professors, parents, sex workers, activists, LGBTQ members, journalists, school kids and people from all walks of life participated. While some were enthralled at participating in a march for the first time, some were busy giving bytes to feed the news-hungry TV channels, some holding candles and shouting slogans that did not make sense and some just chose to protest silently.<br />
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“Most of them just get carried away not knowing what they utter,” said Usharani, a journalism professor from the University of Hyderabad who was present at the march. Apart from members and activists from women’s rights groups, there were sex workers who were part of the protest. “About 80 members from various districts across Andhra Pradesh have come here,” said Sunita* (name changed), HIV positive patient and a member of Mana Kosam, an NGO that works with HIV/ AIDS patients. When asked why she was at the midnight march, Sunita said: “<i>Naaku telvadu, memu andaramu ochinamu. Maa madam tiskochindi ikkadiki</i>! (I don’t know, we all came. My madam brought us here.” Obviously, Sunita had no clue why she was at the midnight march. Neither did she understand or even make an effort to look at the placard she was holding.<br />
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On the other hand, women’s rights activists were all charged up, demanding <i>azaadi</i> from patriarchy and running the show. While all this was happening on one side, about 100 police personnel were deployed to manage the crowd and traffic. “Our lives are like this. We’re supposed to be at any place where there there is a possibility of law and order disruption,” said M. Subba Rayudu, a constable. Of course, he had other reasons to worry about than think of women’s rights at that moment. His enthusiastic colleague, on the other hand, galloped to catch a glimpse of a local television star who was there, not for the cause but for attention. “Hey! She (the TV star) is here. Do you want to catch a glimpse of her or even stand closer to her? Come! Rush!,” said Subba Rayudu’s colleague.<br />
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As I looked to my right, a cameraman was taking low-angle shots of women, zooming in on their boobs and butts while they marched. Another was that of a group of intoxicated men, supposedly students, began shouting ridiculous slogans, bringing in the religious, regional sentiments, raking up unnecessary issues in a rather peaceful march. While this was unexpected and uncalled for, because they were in an inebriated state, they were falling on women walking in front of them. I was one among them. All the women who had similar experiences like I did, only feared being groped by this group of men. The irony of the situation was that the women were actually protesting to be fearless but they still feared these men. The cause of the march was thus, lost. What added fuel to the fire were the lewd comments and gestures by passersby who ogled, letched at women protestors and couldn’t control their erect penises.<br />
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Though such protests, marches and candle-light vigils bring people together for a cause, they also remind us that it is the mindset makes a perpetrator commit the act and that HAS TO change. Amidst all this, I chose to be a silent protestor, protesting against the perpetrator (from the family) who sexually abused me for four years.<br />
Of course, the march had people who thought it was “fashionable and cool” to protest; it had men who thought it was their best opportunity to eye-rape women or grab their boobs/ass; but it also had those who knew it wouldn’t help bring a change in the mindset, but create some sort of awareness.<br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-66582295889220859212012-08-14T11:35:00.000-07:002012-12-30T23:01:10.866-08:00How about Har Pet Mein Khana, first?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo credit: Google</span></div>
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The central government's Rs7,000 crore-scheme — <i>Har Haath Mein Phone</i> — to provide one mobile phone to every BPL family is preposterous. The Prime Minister is planning to give away phones to six million BPL households on August, 15.<br />
Now, if you try to understand the scheme, you will be surprised to know that the government is not "uplifting" these BPL families nor is it alleviating poverty, but is promoting telecom players in the market. What the scheme doesn't suggest is about the network? Let us assume that the government will boost BSNL's revenues and hence, choose the government-run telecom player to provide the network. But, has it thought about the signals? Will there be a proper coverage in every corner of the country? Who will pay these bills? Is subsidizing bills also on the government's cards? We do not know.<br />
For now, let us not get into the intricacies of whether people will be able to pay their bills or whether the phone is a necessity. Let us look at the scheme:<br />
The government will provide a mobile phone to a BPL household. Do we know what kind of phone this is? Given the life of a cellphone, it does not last for more than three years (best/minimum usage of the phone). So, will the government give new phones after these get spoilt? Even if they are considered to be working just fine, will they be able to charge these phones? (Given, that the electricity situation is worse in rural areas. And, not that the situation is great in urban areas). What about the language of the text that appears on the phone? What about those who are given phones and do not know how too read/write any language?<br />
Now, let us look at whether the phone is a necessity. Despite the government providing subsidies to BPL families, do all of them have food? We hear of millions dying every year due to lack of food. Even then we cannot provide food to every one, but can let the grains rot in godowns.<br />
A report in 2010 revealed that India has more cellphones than toilets. The report by Ontario-based UN University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health pointed out that while India had roughly 366 million people with access to improved sanitation in 2008, a far greater number, 545 million, had cell phones.<br />
"Today, nearly 74% of India’s population, over 880 million, own mobile phones. The latest figure for toilets is not available but all reports including those from the UN and other agencies indicate that India lags woefully behind in sanitation," points out a <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_why-india-has-more-cell-phones-than-toilets_1655351">DNA report</a>.<br />
While our sanitation and hunger levels remain worst, we also have the government promoting cash-rich telecom players and boosting their sales. Who is it helping here anyway? And then, we have politicians giving out/ bribing people with all the non-essential stuff to woo people, asking them to vote during elections.<br />
Even after all the hue and cry about the scheme, if the government thinks it will better the lives of BPL families, it needs to know that people need to food to survive not cellphones. So, how about<i> Har Pet Mein Khana,</i> first? How do we ensure that? <br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-22076397514701653302012-07-15T13:44:00.001-07:002012-12-30T23:02:35.178-08:00Born with a vagina?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you possess a vagina, you're fucked anyway. The vagina can never win over a penis. This is the perception of a majority in a patriarchal world that we live in. At birth or before death, you will be harassed, discriminated, beaten up and will have to go through all sorts of torture that will kill you anyway, if not physically, then mentally.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">At birth and even before!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before you even enter the world, parents want to know if it is a girl or a boy instead of waiting to be surprised, happily and otherwise too. Some, who do not want a girl, make their wives/ partners abort. Some, who are happy about the girl, welcome her into this world. And, some are happy to be surprised about the fact that it is a girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Either ways the birth of a girl is a curse. If not at her birth, she will be discriminated at other stages of life. Gender bias/discrimination can never be erased from India or say, Indians for a matter of fact. Why? We have religious customs/traditions/rituals where a girl child/ infant is killed after reciting rituals. So religion comes in way. And, we're all gungho about our religions and customs that we will not stop practising them even if it's a social evil or happens at the cost of taking someone's life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sex determination of a baby is a crime according to Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 which says:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">"The Act prohibits the medical personnel from conducting or helping anyone conduct sex-selection. All medical equipment regarding pregnancies shall be sold only to registered clinics. All pre-natal diagnostic techniques are banned except for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities, genetic metabolic diseases, haemoglobinopathies, sex-linked genetic diseases, congenital anomalies, any other abnormalities or diseases as may be specified by the Central Supervisory Board; only as long as there is a potential threat to the child. No person is allowed to divulge the sex of a child in any form of communication, no clinic or person is allowed to conduct sex determination tests, and no person shall commit the act or sex selection or aid in doing so."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The government of India, in 1994, introduced this Act to prevent female foeticide.But, even today it is practised. Adding to this, doctors and medical practitioners are facilitating foetus destruction. Horrific as it sounds, the reason for aborting a female baby is because of shame that stems from the fact that the girl will not carry the family name further or because the girl is a "burden" to the family. The above reasons are well known to one and all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, even if the baby is born, she is not spared. Those who are poor, try to kill the baby (female infanticide), in the name of poverty and unable to take care of the child. Some again, try to sell her off for as low as Rs64. <a href="http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bihar-woman-sells-4monthold-son-for-rs-62/271452-3-232.html">Read this. </a>We have come across plenty of instances where a girl has been sold off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even after the baby (girl) is born, she is subjected to discrimination. A girl is looked at as a symbol of weakness at her birth. Power does not belong to her. Parents also accept it and treat the girl delicately. Sometimes, her marriage is fixed as soon as she is born. The "guy's" parents are apparently "happy" at the birth of the girl only to harass her later. And phrases like "don't cry like a girl" only increase the bias and make gender inequality thrive in a patriarchal society like ours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also marry them off early. This is happening in the other parts of the world too, apart from India. You can check a photo story on child marriages by the <i>Washington Post</i> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/specialreports/child-marriages/2012/07/08/gJQAUkG8YW_gallery.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Irrespective of whether the girl is physically and mentally mature, she is married off at the age of 4, 5 ,6 and so on. In such cases of child marriage, the man is almost and certainly elder than the girl. Even the age gap between the two is huge. In these cases, parents wait for the girl to "come of age" (menstruate) and then send her off to her in-laws place.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Before of after she begins menstruating</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our so called "Indian" customs make this a celebration. It is an indication of the girl becoming ready to bear a child. The onset of menstrual cycle is another natural curse. Parents begin fearing for the girl if she is with male friends from this age. What they don't understand is that the more you prevent, the more your child is attracted to something. This is also an age where there is a lot of mental disturbance, anxiety and the opposite sex becomes the opposite and not equal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amid this, the girl has to go through even teasing (by men/boys) for her appearance whether she is thin or fat (because of the weight-conscious world we live in). Then comes the colour compelxion, which, if the girl is dark, is frowned upon, is called names. Though all this is acceptable and makes the girl stronger in dealing with different problems at puberty, on the other side, it highlights the male control over her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While we know that is the age when the girl begins experimenting with her likes/dislikes and starts discovering herself, parents begin imposing restrictions. If the girl has too many male friends, it is a problem, if she doesn't, she is a good girl. But, the same parents, would leave the child alone with her male cousin or her brother at home and not believe their could sexually assault her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At a later stage, she begins getting attracted to men/women, which is but natural and begins exploring her sexuality. Though she doesn't realise it is infatuation, she'd like to explore it. Here, again, she is restricted. There are restrictions on timings. Why? Parents fear that the girl might be unsafe walking on the roads in the night. These are the same parents who cannot accept the fact that their daughter has been raped by the grandfather or the brother or any other male member. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And once she is in college, she gets in/out of relationships. Even then, she is not supposed to. It is a taboo. But at the same time, if there's a son who has fallen for a girl, his relationship is accepted. Why? Because he is a boy, he possesses penis, he has more power and cannot win over a vagina. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then comes sex. Sex, in India, is still a taboo. We're never ready to talk about it openly or even pronounce the word out in the open but want to watch porn and experiment under the sheets and RAPE women. Sex before marriage is still a blunder. It is still seen as the biggest mistake a woman can make in a country where a woman (Sita) walked into fire to prove her chastity/purity or that she was a virgin. Here also, if a girl has sex before marriage, she is a slut. If a boy has sex before marriage, he is a stud. He becomes "the MAN" for nailing the girl. But, the girl is seen as a slut, of lose character, one who sleeps with any man, etc.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Before and After marriage</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTj-4z48IY1Q2I2TOfLwX64yIMJC7ODbGB4PB41g8j2EQsoYwXFB1MHJV2jWL0aKETV4KV3iR2apMyXOmYZSlduoiyno1g_7a23h9E-B9wqMue1aoYV8Wc0OhfxeRaXVHg83Krr_F0TLA/s1600/chappal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTj-4z48IY1Q2I2TOfLwX64yIMJC7ODbGB4PB41g8j2EQsoYwXFB1MHJV2jWL0aKETV4KV3iR2apMyXOmYZSlduoiyno1g_7a23h9E-B9wqMue1aoYV8Wc0OhfxeRaXVHg83Krr_F0TLA/s320/chappal.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like sex, even love marriage is a big problem. With so many castes, sub-castes, religions, cultures etc, India is a democracy. But Indians can never be democractic. Love in India is gender-specific. If it is a boy who falls in love and wants to get married to the girl of his choice, he is given permission. If it is a girl, she is not allowed to.Why? The guys carry the family name, the caste they belong to, and more importantly, because he is a guy, he can do anything. And why not the girl? Because she cannot decide for herself, she gets manipulated easily and might end up in a bad marriage. What these parents forget is that, the girl, too, has a mind. She also can think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another issue is that of caste or religion. If the guy (who the girl loves) belongs to a lower caste according to the caste system's rankings, she is not allowed to. Why? The society will talk badly about the parents, their image goes for a toss and they can never live proudly. Sometimes, the boy and the girl are killed for belonging to two different castes and falling in love/ getting married (Khap Panchayat). Yes, these khap panchayats decide what your husband and you should do in our bedroom. And we happily allow that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So where is the point of gender equality when the girl is compelled to marry the one she is not interested in? And, even if the parents want to listen to the girl about her choice of the groom, they can come up with a 1000 reasons to prove that she should leave him. What they forget is that, the man of their choice might, in future, have sex with their daughter which would be "marital rape" because it was forced and not consensual. They also forget that caste doesn't play any role in the birth and death of a person but comes in between the two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In India, caste matters. Yes, it does. But till when? Until we give importance to it. Until we want to keep it alive. What parents don't think is whether their son(s)/daughter(s) would really identify themselves with the caste or disassociate from it. No one is born into a caste. It is thrust upon them. And, even in this case, the girl either has the father's name as pre-fix or suffix before marriage and husband's name (after marriage). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just before her marriage and after it is fixed, the system of dowry comes into picture. Though dowry in the olden days was meant for the girl to settle down in a house alien to her and that the little money and articles her parents give would help her. Now, marriage is no more a marriage. It has become a business. A bride buying business. Once the girl is sold off, she is taken for granted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She is expected to look after the house, the kids, bear with marital rape, listen to the in-laws, take all the beatings and still remain calm. She is expected to not have male friends else she is not a loyal housewife. And, if the husband helps her in the kitchen or respects her for what she is, the others think the wife is responsible for turning the man into a "powerless" human. Even after marriage, she has to sacrifice a lot of things for her kids, her husband, suppress all her likes and live like a lifeless human being and serve the husband.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then, there is female genital mutilation which is a consequence of man's insecurity that a woman will derive sexual pleasure if she possesses her genital organs and sleeps with other men and hence, her genitals are cut/mutilated. Even then, she has to go through the pain quietly and not complain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, a woman, irrespective of her age, undergoes discrimination at every stage of her life in this country. She dies many a time before death comes calling to her. Yet, she has to bear it all silently. Even when she is stripped naked in public, we stare at her but wouldn't help. I guess that's what our mythologies taught us (Mahabharata) and we strictly follow them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a shame that all these are deeds of our mind, how we perceive things. Even "caste" and "gender" are the things of the mind and existent in our blood or any part of the body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like the Cambodian civil rights group said : "It is not gender which is destroying our culture.... it is our interpretations of culture which has destroyed gender equality."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, here's a suggestion to parents/partners: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"DO NOT GIVE BIRTH TO KIDS IF YOU CAN'T RAISE THEM OR WANT TO KILL THEM. THINK BEFORE YOU LEAP. WEAR A CONDOM AND HAVE SEX. IT SAVES A LOT OF LIVES, INCLUDING YOURS."</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Note: This is not a generalised post. All the examples I have mentioned are just examples to highlight an issue. This post is not to cause harm/offend anyone. You are free to hold positive/negative) opinions and comment. </span></b></div>
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-83706709554004933132012-06-23T09:05:00.002-07:002012-12-30T23:04:26.447-08:00Dear GHMC Commissioner, would you like to surprise us?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear GHMC commissioner,<br />
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This is a letter from a girl who commutes to work through the back-breaking and dug-up roads, through clogged and overflowing drains, through garbage heaps breeding mosquitoes, in this beautiful city of Hyderabad. May I clarify that this is not to highlight the incapability of the local administration but to focus on these existing problems that are taking a toll on everyone.<br />
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You might have received a thousand letters, e-mails and other forms of communication regarding the problems. But, the point is, what have you done despite receiving these complaints? Let me give you an example of my every experience. I stay at Mayuri Marg in Begumpet where the overflowing and clogged drains flow through an Anganwadi school, where kids are likely to contract water-borne diseases. And, when vehicles pass through this road, the drain water splashes on people's clothes on their way to work. Now, not everyone owns a car or bike to not walk on the road and stay protected! The stench from this chokes me. No, I'm not exaggerating, it literally does.<br />
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During the rainy season, it is even worse, making our lives pathetic. The manholes are left open, there is no outlet for the rain water to pass off, almost inundating the road to your knee-level. Even vehicles do not pass through this lane during rainy season. I have had the privilege of walking through the sewage- mixed-water at 2am because of my work schedule and I was almost sunk. Now. my mother would not like to see me stinking like a skunk at 2am and bare with all the diseases in that week.<br />
Sometimes, to avoid this stinky experience, I take another road where the situation has even been worse. The road to Chikoti Gardens. Sewage mixed with water flows right in front of people's houses and no one's complaining. I do not know if they do not have a problem if the whole world's excreta is stocked in front of their houses, but I have a problem with kids of a school, situated beside it, fall sick for no fault of theirs, sooner or later.<br />
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Even if I emerge victorious after passing through these lanes and reach the main road, I'm even more unlucky. The road at Begumpet is dug up, battered and harrowing. The dust due to the ongoing works is causing a pain to every commuter, irrespective of who complains and who doesn't. I do not want to see people being killed and their bodies going up in the air like flying saucers. These roads are death traps.<br />
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As a consequence to the already existing hardships, traffic congestion adds to woes. I do appreciate the traffic police personnel for monitoring the traffic and ensuring vehicle movement at all times, but I’d hope the traffic police put a little more thinking into not removing a unipole during the daytime, bringing the vehicular movement to a complete standstill.<br />
Even the rain god shows no mercy at such times. To wreck things a little more and make life hell, rains, drains, roads and traffic are a curse to a common man.<br />
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Here, I have described what I have observed and gone through. If you don't consider it a blatant generalisation, I would be happy to inform you that this is the current scenario in the city (which you might be very well aware of). These problems stare you in the face. Even after complaining repeatedly to the local corporators about these problems, no action has been taken.<br />
When we, as citizens, are encouraged to work with the local administration to deal with such problems, what do we do if there's no response? I'm just one among the lakhs of people writing about this.<br />
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I do not hope to see a change, but would you consider an option of surprising us someday (with better roads and not-so-clogged drains)?<br />
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Yours faithfully,<br />
<i>A Hyderabadi</i><br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-70892229159606597942012-06-03T10:15:00.002-07:002012-12-30T23:05:06.880-08:00Why 'NOT' engineering or medicine!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQe2rTJ_iVkYY5KFvcTYRkoHsC5iqE7k_IZK_fdRuU3LpiFeU9SGVPi2Eo0WRE64aR7h-cH0uESVkWR5n1ooB9HHfUEMw41qPFKfXmfYhYzmC6Zg2Qdy5uNtfFDPwEGBE-8YV6YvGuLaI/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQe2rTJ_iVkYY5KFvcTYRkoHsC5iqE7k_IZK_fdRuU3LpiFeU9SGVPi2Eo0WRE64aR7h-cH0uESVkWR5n1ooB9HHfUEMw41qPFKfXmfYhYzmC6Zg2Qdy5uNtfFDPwEGBE-8YV6YvGuLaI/s400/book.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As far as I know, parents, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, have made Andhra people popular in the US. Why? Because, there is a trend that most here follow when it comes to education. It goes like this: Schooling at a corporate school (where timings for even kindergarten kids are more than eight hours - preparing them for the IITs and MBBS), Two years of Intermediate at a corporate college (which is standard 11 and 12th in ICSE and CBSE schools), run more or less by the same school owners and then an admission in an engineering or medical college. From there, MS in the US for engineering candidates and MD or whatever in another country for those pursuing MBBS.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Schools need not have a playground"</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This trend is followed by many in this state. Adding to this, the state government on April 24, 2011, had passed a Government Order (GO) 55 to cut down on Physical Education Teachers' posts in schools. It then went back on its decision and said: "Schools need not have playgrounds to secure recognition." Now, this has done more damage to kids who wanted to play than prepare for IIT exam to secure a seat in the so-called prestigious institution. However, it was an ego boost for parents who wanted their kids to slog to secure that 'prestigious' seat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the other hand, during the time when AP government passed GO:55, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka government were laying emphasis on Physical Education (PE) in schools. They were also mulling introducing a subject in the school curriculum.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Societal pressure</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, there has been a debate about the Indian education system, its pros and cons. The education system in Andhra Pradesh schools is turning out to be pathetic and its people, illogical. Kids have no choice in it. They are compelled to study because the parents think the kid is useless if he/she doesn't become a doctor or an engineer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me give you an example: The other day, my cousin was talking about how a mother promised to take the teachers (in that school) out for lunch, if her son (who is in Nursery) secured above 90 percent in his final examinations. When my cousin went to the school, the next day, to collect her son's report card, she asked one of the teachers why they looked all dressed. And the answer was: "We're going out for lunch (with that kid's mother). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, with changing lifestyles and professions, parents are okay with putting the child through rigorous study hours and 'total care' at school. Now, here we have two types of schools or even more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Corporate or Digital or Techno or whatever-you-call-it schools: These schools are generally run by the owners of corporate colleges like Narayana, Chaitanya, Vikas, etc. Their prospectus boasts of 100s of ranks, kids winning Olympiad (Maths and Science) and such competitions. But, they give least importance to communication skills, English, extra-curricular activities, sports and literary, painting competitions. They are of the view that these only waste a child's time, they do not help attain the knowledge the kids will have by studying Maths and Science.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. International Schools: The concept of international schools is a farce. No one understands why they call it an international school. Is it because kids learn accented. American English which you otherwise can't learn? Is it because they offer A/C buses to kids only to spoil them? Is it because they force the use of gadgets on kids to build peer pressure? I do agree that there are kids who do academically well, but the impact of such riches on kids is bad.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Parents' role</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most parents do not have time for their kids. They have jobs which consume most of their time. They come home exhausted. Even if the child is yearning to talk to both of them at once, he/she cannot. If the mother/father is at home (in most cases, the mother is), it is even more difficult. Some kids, do not see their parents for days or sometimes, even weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Even those who are not working have relatives, colleagues, friends inquire about which school the child is studying in. And, here's where the comparison begins. Even if the parents are dead-against their child studying in digital/techno/corporate schools, they might give it a shot or at least re-think their decision. It is true that parents are protective and care about their child's future. But you cannot make an Ambani out of your child when he/she is just three or four.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Child's psyche</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Understanding a child's psyche is very important. Be it a three-year-old kid or a 17-year-old boy/girl, the rule applies for all. The fact that kids cannot decide for themselves when they are three is right. But, why are you forcing someone to study in a school that will not even let your child fall and pick himself up and learn that it is OKAY and that he/she will become stronger? Why put your child in a school to show off your riches or maintain status?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For example: A parent might be earning good enough to put his child in an international school that charges a bomb. But, you drop him in your Maruti 800 car. Now, you have a car and you are proud of it. But, after you drop your child at school, there are kids who will see which car the kid's dad has. I have come across instances where the parents of five-yr-old kids tell them not to talk to those kids who don't have cars. And, the kids follow their parents and do not make friends with one and all. They will grow like that. Now, this kid will be asked by his friends: "How many cars do you have? Which car do you have? Do you have a play station at home?, etc". Now, the poor kid has no answer. He will be laughed at because his dad doesn't have five cars like the others' dads, he doesn't have a PS3 which others do and so on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This will have an impact on the child's psyche. He will go home and ask his parents. They might buy him a PS3, but what about five cars? Are they even bothered about their child and the peer pressure which is indirectly affecting them? In this case, the damage has been done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another example: My friend was telling me that he came across a father who had no clue of what Play Station was. But, the kid's stubbornness brought him to that shop. The father came to my male friend and asked: "Do you know what PS3 is and what's the cost of it"? My friend is into gaming and hence, knew about the intricacies of it. Now, the father only had Rs6,000 with him and the game that his kid wanted costed more than double the amount the father had.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The above example clearly shows how parents want to go the extra mile, even if they don;t have the money, to please their kids. But, what about those the money to afford? Wouldn't this be a burden? On the other hand, the child starts rebelling, whatsoever. It is easier for them to hate someone than love them, because anyone who gives them something they ask for is good for them. So, even parents are vulnerable to becoming the BIG BAD BOYS here. This will increase the gap between parents and kids. They stop sharing, keep secrets and start doing things without telling their parents. This is a reason to worry, for their parents.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Similarly, curtailing their freedom will only want to them do something which the parents ban them from doing. If you ask them to stop watching cartoons, they will, but at their friend's place, somehow. Same applies to those who might take interest in sports but parents do not let them go. This might make him/her worse. Unknowingly, you are spoiling your child. They will stop studying. They will not perform well in their academics if they are forced to do something they dislike or even constant comparison with other kids might prove fatal. This way, kids do not grow emotionally, socially, physically and intellectually. Parents are responsible for STUNTING their kids' growth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Their physical and mental health is ignored. You do not let your child play. He will sit at home and start eating. You have no problem feeding him burgers, pizzas and french fries. But you keep worrying that he is putting on weight. But, you restrict him from playing out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Worried over his predicament, the kid over-eats. He will put on weight because of depression, has health problems and suffers mentally. This can become almost irrepairable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Teachers/School's role</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Setting up the above mentioned schools has become a fad and fetches good bucks. A visit to these schools makes you feel that the teachers are trained to lure parents into admitting their kids in such schools. They do not talk of physical education but maths and science and IITs and ranks. Even parents are touted into this and forget what they want, assuming this is THE school they've been looking for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Second, the money these schools/colleges spend on ads (print and broadcast) makes you want to envy them. The broadcast ads make an instant impression on a desperate parent's mind and draws him/her to their school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Third, these schools do not treat kids academically equal. There will always be kids who will not understand things easily, but might be talented in other subjects or areas. Such kids are ignored by these schools. They are separated from the rest of the "intelligent" kids who are given special training. Through this, they discriminate kids and make them feel they are unworthy. This also impacts a child's mental health.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fourth, crowded places. These kids look like prisoners who can go for a break only when the bell rings once during the eight-hour schedule. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What is happening to them?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, after their graduation, there is no productivity from these kids. Some of them do not reveal to their parents about what is happening in their lives and take to consuming alcohol, drugs, smoking, etc. Some go for higher studies and study MS, MD in foreign countries. Eventually, most of them are denied jobs. Why? Because they were not impressive enough for their employer to be hired. They return home and land up in a company. They manage to get a five-digit salary and think they're ruling the world. They talk of corruption, but do not step out of A/C or office. They talk of green environment and travel all alone in a car and so on. This only blinds them to the stark reality. They live in a world where the employer provides all the benefits and get "softwared" or begin getting fake certificates to become certified doctors or indulge in malpractices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please not that this is not the case with all, but most. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Alternatives</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are careers apart from Engineering and Medicine. The permissions for too many engineering and medical colleges in the state also has made it almost mandatory for parents to look at these as the only career options. There are very few takers for arts in the state. There are not many colleges that offer vocational courses and permissions for such colleges are not given. Why? Because they do not fetch good money like Engineering and Medical colleges. And, hardly any know of such courses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For Example: In a state where the broadcast media dominates the print, I work for the print. It is often shocking to see how people respond when I tell them I work for an English daily. They are astonished not because I work for English print media but because I'm a telugu girl who works for the print media. I'm often asked: "How are you working at a print media being a Telugu girl? You don't look like one also, so it is okay" are the replies I usually get. I make it a point to tell them that I've been lucky to have parents who never forced me to pursue engineering, though I was close to becoming a victim of it. I tell them my parents respect their kids' choices. However, they think, I'm a "very outspoken girl who doesn't listen/respect her elders and makes no sense and that I want to "get my ass kicked by being in this profession."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was also asked about my marriage prospects and I'm almost certainly sure, I will not find a Telugu guy ideal for a marriage, if only it ever happens. (Because of this mindset)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Therefore, I'd like to say that those who keep their eyes and ears open will find alternatives to Engineering and Medicine. There are a whole lot of career options in this state. Do not be ignorant of other options. Just have the patience to search for them and most importantly, identify the institutions that offer courses of their interest. Explain to your kids about how their career would be if they chose a particular course. Go the extra mile here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A word of advice</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Parents have to realise that their kids also have choices. Being overprotective, comparing them with other kids, putting them through stress (physical and mental) can be disastrous. It will only increase the gap between parents and kids. Do not make your kids dumb heads and averse to the world around them. Leave them. Let them explore and have their say in their lives, but be concerned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, that is why, NOT engineering or medicine, but, I have chosen to be different and opted for JOURNALISM, have gone to another state to pursue my PG. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P.S. <i>Andhraites (read Telugu people) do not go anywhere out of AP. IF they do, it will only be America and not any other state within India. :D :D</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-66238850655395633332012-05-17T10:50:00.004-07:002012-05-18T05:53:39.741-07:00Compromise, Sacrifice and all that jazz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The other day I was listening to a radio jingle that has
prompted me to write this post. It was about a complaining husband, who has
been compromising things ever since his marriage. And then there’s a voice
over: “<i>Har waqt compromise compromise compromise</i>.” Though I have no clue what
he was compromising on, it was clear that this was an indication of him not
leading a happy life because of his wife (who has made his life miserable).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We often come across such stereotypes in our society. The
most common one about marriage and men is what I have mentioned above. While (most)
men (think and) say that their freedom is threatened by an institution called
marriage, they forget that there is also another person involved in this. The
woman, his wife/partner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The advertisements, movies and every form of media portray married
men as losers who are wasting their lives. To add to this, they also make the
men look happy when their wives are out of station or away from home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is ignored in the process is that the woman and her
choices I’m not saying that all married women are subjected to
some sort of restrictions when it comes to career and freedom, but majority of
them have to ‘sacrifice.’ I deliberately use the word ‘sacrifice’ because of
our so called Indian way of defining the <i>‘sati-savitri-</i>sort-of-wife’. In a patriarchal society like ours, most women
have to, at some point of time, let go of their ambitions and end up taking
care of the family. What we don’t wish to see here or ignore is that the woman
(who has become the wife) loses her freedom as soon as she enters the man’s
territory. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While he thinks always about he losing freedom because of
his wife, he tends to conveniently ignore that this woman also is human and
also is born with freedom which is curtailed at the very beginning of their
relationship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, it is surprising to see how people react when they find
out that the husband is spending time with his wife or cooks or even goes
shopping with her. The common perception here is that, he has succumbed (to
her). Meaning, without boozing with his friends over a game of Cricket (which
according to his male friends is FREEDOM), this is seen as an act of ‘compromise.’
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Though the woman’s compromise/sacrifice here is ignored, the
man is still in the focus. What we ought to think is, how long are we going to
keep the man in focus even while he curtails the woman’s freedom? Doesn’t it
testify the gender inequality persistent in our society? Think….and leave a
message. You are free to oppose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here’s something to cheer you up: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They say: <b>“Behind every successful man, there is a woman”
But, the question is, “How many are successful?” :D</b></span></div>
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</div>Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-7739331930779423902012-05-06T23:54:00.000-07:002012-05-10T10:24:17.436-07:00An enigma called Sainath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I assumed I fell into a reverie
only to realize that I was about to meet this audacious person who became a
demigod for many budding journalists (including me) in the last few years. I
was worried over my predicament because I was completely unprepared for this
moment. I was meeting this man,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palagummi_Sainath">Palagummi Sainath</a>,
who likes to be called a ‘rural reporter’. He has covered issues on social
problems, rural affairs, poverty and other issues. He is the Rural Affairs Editor for the Hindu and also works for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.indiatogether.org/opinions/psainath/"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span>India together.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Having read his, book,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Everybody Loves a Good Drought</i>,
every word, every page and every chapter of the book kept resonating in my ears. I
was anxious, nervous about this journey with him. It seemed like an
invincible difficulty. While I was waiting for him, somehow, my attention was diverted to youngsters
queuing up outside the palatial hotel. Assuming that they learnt of this rural
reporter’s arrival, I jumped out of the car immediately to see if the man of
the hour was signing autographs. However, to my disappointment, the chaos
turned out to be for job interviews.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I took a deep breath. As I walked
into the bijou hotel waiting to receive him at the lobby, he walked out of the
elevator. I was speechless. “Did you have your breakfast, Tejaswini?” he asked
and continued “This hotel serves the best breakfast in Bangalore,” he beamed. I
was coy and quietly said “no.” As he walked to the car, I had forgotten the
questions I wanted to ask. Those deep, penetrating eyes and his speech made an impact.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">During our journey, he began the
conversation by asking me where I was working. Probably, he sensed the nervousness
in me and hence, thought the questions would help me warm up to him. He then
asked what he was expected to speak at the convocation (of the 2012 batch)
and added: “I do not want to speak to these enthusiastic budding
journalists about the sad, bad world.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I then asked where he was
coming from and he instantly said Chennai. “I wanted a break. I was there
because I was asked to deliver a key note at the meeting of Magasaysay award
winners. Ela Bhatt, Swaminathan and many others were present,” he said.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Talking about IIJNM, he said he had
met IIJNM’s dean in 2006 at a seminar. Having understood that the dean could
never say anything against the US, Mr. Sainath said: “Ohhh! That man was all
about ‘India Shining’ then. What an interesting man I say!” he said with a
tinge of sarcasm. I nodded my head, trying to be diplomatic to nobble the
Emperor of the hour.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">While I was wondering whether to
ask what he was currently working on, he said: “Do you have Bangalore Times
with you? I want to show you something interesting,” and smirked. After stopping by a shop and buying the newspaper, he pointed out at the
line below the mast head of The Bangalore Times (supplement of the Times of
India) and said: “Look. After there’s been a hue and cry about paid news, TIMES
has made this correction ‘ advertorial, entertainment promotional feature’,
agreeing that their news is paid for.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Immediately, I recollected an
article I read on the hoot about this exact topic and asked him whether he read
it. The answer was a “no”. But, he seemed impressed. Then, I mustered the
courage to ask him what he was currently working on. “Hmm…I’m working on a
story on the advertising of Bt Crops in newspapers (specially the Times and
Monsanto),” he explained, adding that Monsanto company staff was delaying the
response to his questions. “See, how they postpone things. They are scared. I
just asked them the media angle. The bosses don’t have to be there to give that
answer. An email reply would do,” he said. When he said “scared”, I was
thinking “who wouldn’t be scared of you Mr.Sainath. You have all the facts,
evidences and the courage to strip a company of its laurels with one article of
yours.” But I chose to keep my mouth shut.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then... I told him that the first
chapter from his book was etched in my head like an indelible scar. Giving the
context of how he wrote stories, he said: “You cannot be somewhere else and
write a rural story. Travel with people, know them, do what they do, eat what
they eat, live how they live and that is when you’ll know what to write and how
to do it.” I fell for those lines. “Damn! He is impressive. What a man!” I
thought. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Further, he
said: “See, Tejaswini. I never planned to write a book or some such thing. It
is just a collection of all my stories on deprivation. Currently, 35<sup>th</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>edition of the book is running,” he
said, raising his thick eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You know, I had the opportunity to
meet you and I couldn’t when you came for the screeining of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nero’s Guests (</i>a film on farmer suicides in India)” I said. He
replied: “I never watched <i>Nero’s Guests</i> until today. It was only some 15
minutes of the film during editing of the film when I was called to correct it,
that I watched it,” he said, adding “May be this was your opportunity,
Tejaswini. And that’s why you are here and you missed the earlier one.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As I was itching to ask questions
about the future of “development journalism”, he corrected me every single time
I said development journalism. “You know, the term is absurd. It might sound
like a fad, but say rural story or rural reporting. That makes sense and is
specific,” Mr Sainath said. His words transported me to the day where I argued
with the Deputy Resident Editor (DRE) of my previous company who expressed that
“development journalism was boring and was for sisters in the kitchen.” I
remember him asking me rudely why I wanted to do it and etc. I told him I was
passionate and he said “bullshit!” Though I would like to still believe that he did
not mean it, he actually did. Why? Because I put it to him in the lamest way
ever and he came across many girls telling him the same thing.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“When you tell your editor you have
a development story. He’ll not listen to it. He will give you an I-don’t-want-it
look. Sell it as a story. Tell him what’s interesting about it, what you have
in it and how it could benefit the newspaper. Now… that will click,” Sainath
said. It was at this moment that I realized that I have been foolish and unable
to sell my stories. I learnt my lesson.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Because he is the grandson of the
former President V.V. Giri, I was excited to ask him what had inspired him to
opt for such a profession where there are leaders/politicians. “To put it simply, during our time, freedom fighters
were journalists. Here, I’m fighting for the freedom of expression. That’s the
difference,” he told, adding “It happened to me very naturally. I love doing
what I do. Every day is fun.” “If you don’t enjoy something, Tejaswini…
Don’t do it,” he suggested.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Isn’t poverty immeasurable?,” I
asked. Well, I wouldn’t say that. If we give the specifics and define them
properly, it can be. The factors have to be well-defined, you see, he said. “So
is it the implementation that fails to happen?” I asked again. “Implementation can
happen only when you take people into consideration. In our country, that
doesn’t happen,” he said. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But, you know what? I always tell people not to call it poverty or
hunger. Call it “deprivation”. It makes more sense, Tejaswini. “Deprivation can
be of many forms,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">That was when these lines from his
book struck me. “Too often, poverty and hunger get covered as events. That is,
when some disaster strikes, when people die. Yet, poverty is about much more
than starvation deaths or near famine conditions,” an excerpt from<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Everybody Loves a Good Drought.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Later, I was expecting him to speak
to me in Telugu after he understood that it was my mother tongue (it is his
mother tongue too), I diverted the topic to something remotely close. Politics
in Andhra Pradesh. As soon as I took Chandrababu Naidu’s name, he said: “The
media portrayed him in a very wrong way during his tenure as the CM. It was
publicity not reporting,” he fretted.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Look what he has done to farmers in
the state. Look how they’re dying and see the current state of politics in the
state. It is in a state of quandary, he said. Naidu has lost it. He will not
come to power again, he said, adding that Jagan Mohan Reddy has become the
game-changer in AP politics and how he is ripping apart Congress votes by gaining
TRS’ support. “That’s what he did in the recent bypolls. And, as a tactic, YSR
Congress won the Kovvur seat which was but obvious,” he said. As I was also
aware of the background of this analysis, I contributed my part to the
discussion which lasted a few minutes.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It then dawned to him that he was
supposed to prepare a speech and began frantically penning down something which I
couldn’t see.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Not knowing whether I could
interrupt, I did it purposely. He did not react and in fact,replied. “I love this Mysore highway. I take this road to reach Wayanad. I come
across two forests (the Bandipur forest and the Kerala one) on my way. What a pleasure it
is to travel!” he said.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As the journey was nearing an end,
I knew I had to tell him I quote him in all my opinion pieces on rural issues.
He said “thank you” and smiled. And, then I was wondering whether I deserve to
ask him his contact number. Somehow I decided that I don’t deserve to ask him that
and hence, shifted to a safer option. His email Id.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The journey ended. It was a
memorable one. I loathed missing the opportunity of meeting him earlier. But, I guess, this was in store for me and I
couldn’t let go of it. The post might’ve looked exaggerated. But, for someone
who wants to make a career in “rural reporting”, this was a golden opportunity
which most envy and appreciate.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Well, I had a conversation with him
and learnt my lessons. And, special thanks to my professor who thought I
deserved this chance and chose me. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Here’s something for all
journalists: </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">“Sell your labour,
not soul” – P. Sainath</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-66056120779450453432012-04-23T05:46:00.003-07:002012-12-30T23:17:10.048-08:00Hindutva propagation the Swadeshi way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_BdtlrdmEDJRTgZGmzzfj-vIc2VLc6eE-xqOHBxiCOQ66N6esKP_tASwjRFZ9YAF4ukngvdOq-VsQSDxViOKAI0cMpr-FQJlU2QbnBD2MGf5qDzh7vxLozF_-TjMXM2NATxa3wYcaus/s1600/swadeshi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_BdtlrdmEDJRTgZGmzzfj-vIc2VLc6eE-xqOHBxiCOQ66N6esKP_tASwjRFZ9YAF4ukngvdOq-VsQSDxViOKAI0cMpr-FQJlU2QbnBD2MGf5qDzh7vxLozF_-TjMXM2NATxa3wYcaus/s320/swadeshi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Use country made products and shun the use of imported products from foreign countries,” said a yogi in a white dhoti who received tremendous applause from the audience for his statement. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a moment, you may think you have been transported to the era of freedom struggle where freedom fighters made aggressive speeches, persuading people to use ‘Swadeshi’ goods. But wait, this was no freedom fighter’s speech, though the set up and the people dressed in white ‘symbolising’ peace’ give you that impression.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was at the launch of products by Patanjali Ayurved Limited, run by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. From the green-coloured (sweet tasting) Amla juice being served to guests who were sceptical to accept it to the middle-aged women in pristine white cotton saree with golden border (Kerala saree) welcoming Swamiji with flowers, everything seemed more like a mini-spiritual meeting at an ashram.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The cacophony of mobile ringtones and mic disturbance assaulted people’s ears. While tiny tots, on one side, showered praises on their demi-god Acharya Balakrishna ji with their melodious songs, irky ringtones and random disturbance filled the air. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though members of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. managed to make the already ‘spiritually- hallucinated audience’ hate the West for entering the Indian markets, they were also entertained at the very sight of a Western product. The Flower Gun! They kept shooting flowers every time Acharya ji lit a lamp, smiled, moved or even adjusted his dhoti. Yes, we could see quite some hate for Western products there!</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And, this was being thoroughly enjoyed by media persons who shouted ‘replay’ for the Flower Gun’s thundering act that almost deafened them. Though every cell in their body was screaming to stage a walk-out, this flower gun’s held them back and cheered them up. However, some of them frantically flipped pages of their notepads to shoot questions while some began scorning the PR guy for taking up such “pathetic and sad” events. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What raised eyebrows the timid voice of a lady shouting “Bharat Mata Ki jai and Vande Mataram” during the launch while others, unhesitantly, followed suit. As if the patriotic feeling oozing out of everyone was not enough, Achraya began his speech with “Om”, only to be followed by “Bachna Ae Haseeno” song in the background.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meanwhile, children looked like mannequins dotting the hall, displaying Patanjali’s products while their moms were successful in making the photographers for spoiling every “beautiful” picture. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This apart, lunch was totally different from what was expected out of Baba’s followers. While everyone assumed green vegetables, Amla juice, Aloevera juice and herbs to rule the menu, the trademark Hyderabadi (veg) Dum biryani, hogged the limelight.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, we do not know if the products would be a hit among people. But what we do know is that the Yoga guru makes an event appealing even without his presence. Is that “Power Yoga” now?</span><br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-21417905377132033422012-03-25T11:04:00.000-07:002012-03-25T11:04:50.350-07:00What have we become!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAhlFPO81VNNQ5j-LFguPuckVyxTXdyPRfGgNBipIgY0JWTwCrGlufrzNBZiDtyp-1j1Kj6s_1H619dCN4i_1FWwMxIHm2kg9kStN4nk81fPdIrsmuf1pnC2kin-YCDqz3E8M1Gc0dxg/s1600/comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAhlFPO81VNNQ5j-LFguPuckVyxTXdyPRfGgNBipIgY0JWTwCrGlufrzNBZiDtyp-1j1Kj6s_1H619dCN4i_1FWwMxIHm2kg9kStN4nk81fPdIrsmuf1pnC2kin-YCDqz3E8M1Gc0dxg/s400/comp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The advent of social networking sites has made most of us sitting ducks in the real world. But, in the virtual world, each of us are active online, tweeting/facebooking about our daily chores, interests, posting pictures of a recent party we attended, posting pictures to ask friends whether the 'look' suits us, what we are reading and letting the world know what we are upto at every second in our life. SNSes have penetrated into our lives to a point where we are unable to stop it. The urge to constantly update about your activities has become common.<br />
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And, then, we have friends who wait for us to update our facebook/ twitter statuses and 'like' them just for the heck of it. If people like your pictures, you are seen as someone Mr/Ms Perfect. And, then we start judging people by looking at their pictures on Facebook. Under this category, there are yahoos who send friend requests to beautiful/attractive/pretty/good-looking girls and ask all sorts of weird questions like "wana do frndship with me/can we be friends/I want to talk to you/Hey, How are you?" And, there are some who POKE these girls. These poker faces who try to strike a conversation with the girl, just by reading her profile information. This is an attempt to act intelligent or act like he knows the subject she is dealing with or the college she belongs to or pretend to know people from her college or workplace. What they don't understand is that they are making a fool out of themselves and the girl is just being nice to them.<br />
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And, then there are girls who are even crazier and have a 'Holier than thou' feeling. they think the whole world is smitten by their pictures uploaded online. For them, their looks matter the most in life and impressing a guy is like the biggest achievement in their lives. They have (girl) friends who are exactly like them and then bitch about those same friends on their back to others. And among these, if a guy approaches a girl for something, say help or a favour, the friends (who cannot think straight) begin linking up this friend to the poor guy who is least interested in any of those schmucks.<br />
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Even marriages happen on Facebook nowadays. People put up all sorts of pictures of their partners, wanting the whole world to know that they are "happily" married, though 'happily' is very questionable in this case. And then. there are fights on Facebook, twitter.<br />
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And then there are SNS fanatics, who think their life is being fucked up big time, they have all the problems in the world and vent it out on social networking sites. In fact, they are the most depressing people on Earth. They vent out their anger on the government, they pick on everyone around them, they don't like their workplace and they crib 24X7. All this on a social networking site and once a person points a finger at them. These SNS fanatics indulge in verbal abuse online, forget their limits, invade one's privacy and scorn them in such a way that the poor person who posted a link/ status on the SNS regrets it. Mind you, in the process, this fanatic thinks he is on top of the world and rules it, when, on the other side, his life is fucked up big time and he cannot get out of virtual world which he assumes as his real world. <br />
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While these are some examples of what we are becoming because of the social networking sites, we have forgotten where to draw the line between our personal and virtual lives. Virtual behaviour also matters. It matters because you are under constant public scrutiny and therefore, have to watch what you reveal/say.<br />
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</div>Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-83865992572943725002012-03-07T09:03:00.000-08:002012-05-05T22:12:28.010-07:00My Bucket List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqcT024DFA8vge7tl7OmUyXAard_xIRNhl0QM39hM2qQ3_LFJcGoSwWn5V6JE5_Mu9Zqn4taUagd6aRJd57F7LOocxGi5NW4w2WRzJjWCLByIN_70eZVNIQhI9n-kfnA8g44EOm0nFx4/s1600/1258938489P0yYco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqcT024DFA8vge7tl7OmUyXAard_xIRNhl0QM39hM2qQ3_LFJcGoSwWn5V6JE5_Mu9Zqn4taUagd6aRJd57F7LOocxGi5NW4w2WRzJjWCLByIN_70eZVNIQhI9n-kfnA8g44EOm0nFx4/s320/1258938489P0yYco.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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1. To scream into the office secret camera and say "Gotcha!"</div>
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2. To go an adventure trip all by myself</div>
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3. To live in a village for two years or more</div>
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4. Teach kids in village</div>
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5. Adopt a girl child</div>
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6. Go to Australia</div>
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7. To slipper Rahul Gandhi and tell him "You Suck"</div>
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8. To walk in the jungle all alone</div>
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9. To write a book (non-fiction)</div>
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10. To have my own column in a newspaper or magazine dedicated to developmental issues </div>
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11. To read all the books I have (half of which I haven't touched)</div>
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12. To become thin (or at least look thin)</div>
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13. To try out clothes I have never tried before</div>
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14. To go out with a complete stranger</div>
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15. To punch someone in the stomach (This is to put 10 years of my Karata Training to use)</div>
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<strike>16. To get married to someone I've known for long enough (and not a stranger at all)</strike></div>
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17. To party in a pub, meet new gay friends</div>
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18. To meet Amartya Sen</div>
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19. To meet Chandrababu Naidu</div>
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20. To run a school for the orphans</div>
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21. To understand what Engineers do</div>
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22. To climb the Mount Everest</div>
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23. To walk on a beach where there are no people and dream (Just me)</div>
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24. To tell "pseudo journalists" not to ruin the profession anymore</div>
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25. To have a pet dog</div>
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26. To drive a Jeep and a truck</div>
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27. To be out of contact with everyone for a year</div>
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28. To disassociate myself with caste and religion</div>
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29. To see a caste-less India</div>
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30. To burn all the hooligans, who in the name of a <i>Bandh, </i>burn buses and create trouble</div>
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31. To fly an airplane</div>
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32. To see Hockey or Football take over Cricket's popularity in India</div>
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33. To travel in a Cruise to a foreign country</div>
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34. To do bungee jumping<br />
35. To go sky diving</div>
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36. To hold a snake </div>
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37. To become a Vendetta for a day (like "V" in the move <i>V for Vendetta</i>)</div>
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38. To study anything related to human rights/gender issues/child rights<br />
<strike>39. To stop thinking for a day</strike><br />
40. To write a Sports story<br />
41. To get on to a stage at a concert and sing like no one's watching<br />
42. To visit every state in India<br />
43. To watch the Olympic Games<br />
44. To have a house with my own farm in it<br />
45. To go Scuba Diving<br />
46. To Trend on Twitter<br />
47. To Take a tour of the White House and read the President's Book of Secrets, written by every American President to the next<br />
48. To learn to play a musical instrument<br />
49. To visit Antarctica<br />
50. To work at The Hindu and do development stories<br />
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there's more to come...the list is subject to change at any point of time<br />
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</div>Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-54017961666561246942012-02-27T23:17:00.001-08:002012-02-28T03:20:28.970-08:00Things fall apart for the King of Good Times<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6pfxHqGP8hyt2dgDYuCw4czI8pzesNpDhPyCrFsoYqdjpgXUd79QKAyVV0IseM9rtPY3eCYd9ZexPVI2-wkbBXfoct80K6_hX-3poDFQEibTDb3QrLd_1eWRXTPFCtkffQR5yfEunqA/s1600/KingFisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6pfxHqGP8hyt2dgDYuCw4czI8pzesNpDhPyCrFsoYqdjpgXUd79QKAyVV0IseM9rtPY3eCYd9ZexPVI2-wkbBXfoct80K6_hX-3poDFQEibTDb3QrLd_1eWRXTPFCtkffQR5yfEunqA/s400/KingFisher.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Whatever the situation, do not neglect alcohol. No other refreshment will do. Yes, alcohol kills brain cells but it's very selective. It only kills the brain cells that contain good sense, shame, embarrassment and restraint," wrote, author P.J.O'Rourke in his book, <i>The Bachelor Home Companion.</i> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This describes the paraphernalia of the situation the Indian liquor and airline baron, chairman of United Breweries Group (UB) and MP, Vijaya Mallya, often known as the King of Good Times (for whatever reasons), is in. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While Kingfisher (KF) Airlines appears to be in a state of quandary, the liquor baron has come out openly seeking the government to bail out his airline. Responding to the Airline's request, though reluctantly at first, the government gave a nod for it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, why should the government help a private airline (financially)? What is its motive behind this? Will other airlines follow suit if government offers a bail-out package to KF? are few of the many questions lingering in our heads.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But, there is more to the crisis than meets the eye. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The merger of Air India with Indian Airlines and that of Kingfisher prepared ground for the downfall of the Airline during 2007-08, unexpectedly. There was another merger of Kingfisher with Air Deccan, two humongous loss-makers, during the same time that contributed to further losses. The merger of KF and Deccan was hailed as a merger which would make KF Airline the largest player in the domestic aviation market and pave way for Mallya to fly his flights to overseas destinations.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cuckoo Paul, associate editor at <i>Forbes</i> India, in her <a href="http://forbesindia.com/blog/business-strategy/why-banks-should-force-kingfisher-to-merge-with-air-india/">article</a>, brings out the similarities between Deccan and KF Airlines: "The two are joined at the hip in many ways. Brand new planes combined with massive debt, cancelled flights, delayed salaries and frustrated lenders. All kinds of cookie-cutter solutions have been tried to revive them. Yet both remain on the flight path to perdition."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Similarly, in an <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_logic-faulty-in-kingfisher-deccan-merger_1140634">article </a>published in the <i>DNA</i> in 2007, an analyst from a foreign brokerage house said: "Mallya is taking delivery of the long haul Airbuses in 2008 and there is no way he would have allowed these high-cost assets to sit idle. With Deccan’s permits, Kingfisher will be able to commence international operations by mid-2008, as Deccan completes the mandatory five years of domestic service." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This has, however, taken a severe beating on KF's brand image which has been treading a dangerous territory for the past few years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>According to a PTI story on official statistics : </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The losses for the National Aviation Company of India Ltd (NACIL), which runs Air India, more than doubled from Rs 2,226.16 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 5,548 crore in 2008-09. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Similarly, Kingfisher’s losses rose almost four times from Rs 408.91 crore to Rs 1,602 crore during the same period, the figures have shown. The 2008-09 losses for liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s airline were recorded after its merger with low-cost carrier Air Deccan.</span></li>
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</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Besides merger, very high fuel costs, the global economic downturn and comparatively low yields due to heightened competition also contributed to the rise in their losses. However, the government has defended its decision for merging the two State-owned carriers saying that the combining their critical mass or size would be a key factor in helping them survive and prosper amid a fierce global and domestic competition.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Aviation industry's vulnerability</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Despite incurring heavy losses, the government has offered to help the cash-strapped airline that is unable to pay its employees their pending salaries. Though most of them opine that the government's bail-out plan is not the right and the only solution (because it, ultimately, involves taxpayers' money), the government (read: politicians) which has benefited and basked in the glory of KF's success, once upon a time, has to repay the former in some way or the other, if not there is a dire threat to the country's economy. Also, politicians have misused their power by having control over the aviation industry, making it more vulnerable than ever. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The whole saga of Praful Patel, former aviation minister, exemplifies politicians' control over the industry. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Here's an <a href="http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=400811&catid=35">article</a> on the controversy). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For example: A politician telephones Mallya and asks him to book a flight for the guests attending his daughter's wedding. And, why wouldn't the <i>"King of Good Times"</i> do it when he does not have to pay the tax, which is offered as a bait as part of their deal.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Now, why the State Bank of India (SBI), a state-owned Corporation, has to dole out another Rs15,000-crore package to save the limping airline? </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">According to a report, despite the 19-bank consortium, of which SBI is a part, had serious misgivings over extending further credit to the sinking airline as their earlier loans have now been listed as non-performing assets, SBI had no option to to heed to KF's demands. As a result, SBI has suddenly broken ranks with the rest to push through the package on its own.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It also raises the question as to whether the norms have been followed by public sector banks in extending the fresh loan to Kingfisher which is on the verge of bankruptcy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Credit Appraisal Committee Norms Violated</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Proposals for such loans have to be vetted by the credit appraisal committee of the bank (a committee, before sanctioning a loan, looks into the company's repaying ability, its assets for security purposes and company's shares value in the market) and the Kingfisher case does not seem to be the type that ought to have easily passed muster. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In April last year, Mallya got the country's public sector banks, including SBI and Punjab National Bank, to come up with a restructuring package which had them convert their debt into equity.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These banks had to buy shares of the loss-making company at a premium and reduce interest rates on loans. In the process, the banks had to take a hair cut of Rs 500 crore when the value of Kingfisher shares plummeted to less than half the original value. <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/state-bank-of-india-bail-out-vijay-mallya-kingfisher-airline/1/174888.html">(Source)</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In both cases, SBI has clearly violated the committee's norms by offering a bail-out package.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After SBI offered the bail-out package, its shares plunged 8 per cent over KF's exposure concerns. Despite fall in shares and other woes associated in helping the Airline, the government is still shamelessly supporting it. This also brings to a point about where all the money is coming from. It is taxpayers' money. Here's a <a href="http://www.firstpost.com/business/the-curious-case-of-vijay-mallya-how-kingfisher-flew-high-on-taxpayer-money-218647.html">detailed analysis</a> by <i>Firstpost</i> on how Mallya flew high on taxpayers money. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Burden on SBI-affiliated branches</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That being said, there is also a side to the SBI which only its employees are aware of. On one side, this largest banking and financial services institution in the country offers a bail-out package to an ailing airline whose supremo is a billionaire and on the other, it pesters its employees even if there are Non-performing Assets (NPAs) worth Rs 40 to 50 crore (which they are not able to recover. The point, here, is not that it should let go off defaulters without repaying their loans, but to see where it is heading).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the process, the parent bank (SBI) is not affected, but sub-branches and rural banks affiliated to the SBI bear the brunt. Often, rural banks are blamed for the losses incurred by the parent bank while the latter is excused. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While the question about who will make up for the losses is open to guesswork, it is high time that Mallya realizes that sometimes "things fall apart" in life. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P.S: Here's an <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/progressive-interactions/browse_thread/thread/557a3b071361368e/73eff8a4a2502539?show_docid=73eff8a4a2502539&pli=1">article</a> that tells us something we did not know about Mallya. </span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div>Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-42953127577315729082012-02-27T20:16:00.000-08:002012-12-30T23:08:11.999-08:00Sex education not so sexy in India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the link to my <a href="http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2012/02/sex-education-not-so-sexy-in-india/">article</a> on <i>YouthkiAwaaz.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The ludicrous episode of three Karnataka ministers watching porn during the assembly session brings to the forefront a significant question of how sex is viewed in our society. Leaving beside how their attempts to justify their action proved futile, this (incident) is a classic example of how soft porn or sex, in our society, has crept from bedroom sheets to public places and other media too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">From Babas, (read: Nityananda Swami’s sex scandal) who are synonymous to Gods in India, to Babus who have left no stone unturned in exploring their sexual side at work, our country has it all. The increasing use of smart phones and Internet also gives a larger picture of how adult content has become all pervasive. Porn clips available for free online provide more reasons than one for people, including children, to watch them. That being said, screening online content is not possible as there is no control over the flow of information on internet. For example, the mini advertisements which appear online on a webpage woo people into buying a product and once the person clicks on the ad, unknowingly, he or she bumps into a porn site. This happens or has happened to all of us, at some point of time, while surfing the net</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Further, sleaze in films, a form of adult content, has become acceptable more than ever now. Songs like ‘Chikni Chameli, Munni Badnaam Hui, Sheela ki Jawaani, Bapuji zara dheere chalo’ with perverse meanings and actors dancing in skimpy clothes point to a burgeoning trend in movies normalising adult content. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">And, with some theatres screening only adult movies, we have already allowed soft porn into our lives. Adding to this, certification of movies with voyeuristic content, promiscuity and sleaze as U (Unrestricted Public Exhibition) or sometimes, UA (Unrestricted Public Exhibition but with parental discretion for children below 12 yrs. of age) also needs to be checked. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This sheer violation of some provisions under section 5A of Part II of Cinematographic Act of 1952, under which the Central Board of Film Certification falls, has made adult content acceptable in society and people are content seeing its proliferation in the new media, even among kids who discuss it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">A survey conducted by MTV and published in Mint, found that sexual awareness picks up somewhere in the late teens and that most youth are sexually active by the time they are 24 years of age. The survey also revealed the gender differences in their attitude towards sexual promiscuity. While one out of two males found sexual promiscuity to be a sign of coolness and sexual prowess for a single guy, the ratio was two for every five females. Similarly, on the issue of sexual promiscuity being a sign of loose morals for a girl, more than one out of two men believed so, while only two out five females thought so. A survey conducted by India Today on ‘sex life of youngsters’ in our country found that urbanisation in India has led to shaping of sexual identities, not only in the physical realm but also in the psychological space. </span></span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">This clearly marks a shift in attitudes towards the concept of sex, while sex and sexuality education still remains largely ignored.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>What is Sex and Sexuality Education?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Sex education includes the anatomy of organs, how they function, contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. But, sexuality education is something that involves sexual personality considering the personal, social, behavioural, emotional, psychological and inter-personal aspects.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The difference between sex and sexuality education is that sex education is biological but sexuality education is social construct and is about identity.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Most doctors, sexologists and psychologists opine that parents have to teach their children sexuality etiquette like they teach social etiquette because they can be the best supervisors than teachers in this matter. While sex education still remains a topic of debate, the age at which one should impart sex education to kids still varies from person to person. This apart, parents must also impart sexuality education as soon as the child recognizes himself or herself. This means, parents should teach their children about their biological attributes and their development. At the same it is also important to help the child regulate and guard his or her physicality. As a result, this can prevent a child from becoming a victim of child sex abuse.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Gender and Identity Issues as part of Sexuality Education</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Sexuality education is associated to gender and identity because it includes social, biological and more significantly, individual contribution. It is important to note that gender and sexual orientation can be different from person to person while the anatomy remains the same. So, discussing this makes it easier for children to understand that every person is different from the other individual irrespective of the fact that genital organs remain same. Sex education allows children to be confident and empowered to make choices that will affect not only their own lives but also lives of other people. This also empowers them to stand up to abuse, exploitation and unwanted pregnancies.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Myths about Sex Education</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The necessity to impart sex and sexuality education emerges from the fact that there are misconceptions regarding the same. People are either ignorant or know very less about it. Sometimes, they are afraid too. For example, very often one cannot talk about reproduction to a five-year-old child because it can be information overload. Instead, one can explain it from the point of view of contact and attention. Good contact and bad contact, acceptable and not-acceptable attention. Sex education has an impact on child’s psyche too. Depending on the child’s understanding of the subject, parents have to increase the degree of information based on child’s age and ability. A child definitely becomes curious to know what is happening to his or her body during puberty. At that time, instead of complicating the issue, parents have to explain to their kids that the physical changes are normal.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">A myth that imparting sex education escalates sexual activity in children also exists. According to the data obtained from Enfold Proactive Health Trust website, a survey of 35 sex education projects conducted by the World Health Organization found that sex education in schools did not encourage young people to have sex at an earlier age or more frequently. The survey pointed out that early sex education delays the start of sexual activity, reduces sexual activity among young people and encourages those already sexually active to have safer sex.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Enfold found a similar sentiment expressed by over 400 high school students surveyed after a course on human sexuality had been conducted for them. “An informed child is the one who knows how it works and therefore, knows whether it is safe to indulge in a sexual activity or not,” says, Dr. Sangeeta Saksena, founder of Enfold Proactive Health Trust. “If an uninformed child wants to indulge in any sexual activity, he or she has to pay the price for his or her choice,” she adds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Explaining Sexuality to Children</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">While most parents do not know how to unravel sex as a concept to their children, it is also important that they take cues from children and decided on the right time to talk to their children about sexuality. When children behave differently or throw tantrums to get rid of a relative or a family member, do not shun it away interpreting it as bad behaviour, say experts, who state that it signifies the child’s reluctance to be with that person.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>The Role of Teachers</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Though there is much hue and cry about introducing sex education into classrooms, the role of teachers in shaping sexuality of a child also matters. A sexuality education teacher should be prepared and comfortable to deal with the topic rather than sweat through a class.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">According to an www.justdotherightthing.org, an online course for teachers, a sex education teacher should use four methods – Information and fact-giving, discussion, various teaching techniques and peer education to teach teens about sex.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Books to Create Awareness</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Books also can help the parents to educate children on sex, sexuality and gender issues. Shobhna S. Kumar, director of Queer Ink, a website on gender and sexuality issues, sex education shapes a young person’s skills and knowledge to make informed choices about their behaviour and its consequences. “It is also wrong to use ‘Indian culture’ to hide behind an issue that is crucial in child development that will shape how responsibly or irresponsibly they will live their lives in future,” she said. She suggests some books which can be helpful for parents and teachers to teach sex and sexuality education to children. ‘Girlology: A Girl’s Guide to Stuff that Matters”, “But How’d I Get in There in the First Place?’, ‘The Orange Book – a workbook for teachers’ and ‘ Good Times for Everyone: Sexuality Questions, Feminist Answers’ are some of such books.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The irony is that despite the introduction of programs like Adolescent Education Programme by the Department of Education and the National AIDS Control Organisation in partnership with UNICEF, UNESCO and UNFPA, sex and sexuality education is not being addressed adequately in schools or by parents when there is a dire need for it in an evolving society like ours.</span></span><br />
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Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836920130591952384.post-113535764516302572012-02-12T09:54:00.000-08:002012-02-12T09:54:11.821-08:00Of Mediotic Creatures and Sensationalism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWDNG9h5KL88OjlBudBh3Y8BVxWm5c1RVxgHfUEOGsSltooy3OSJY1SyqHKlBH4OTLBQSY_rua83KLI3p4ryd8Vl-J9ghQQjHBOKVD2wsbBUYhPTHEz9GY7wpYqmL6CRQhb7ZmVdn_8g/s1600/dbnn202l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWDNG9h5KL88OjlBudBh3Y8BVxWm5c1RVxgHfUEOGsSltooy3OSJY1SyqHKlBH4OTLBQSY_rua83KLI3p4ryd8Vl-J9ghQQjHBOKVD2wsbBUYhPTHEz9GY7wpYqmL6CRQhb7ZmVdn_8g/s400/dbnn202l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Of late, I have been observing that every movie, book and article points out to the preposterous or 'mediotic' (media+idiotic) questions newsmen (especially broadcast) ask their sources (people/ officials, etc) in order to sensationalize even the smallest issue on this Earth.<br />
<div>According to the old adage: 'If a dog bites man, it is not news. But, if a man bites dog, that's news.' Nowadays, the former phrase in the proverb also has become News, irrespective of the subject in question. Adding to this, is the constant pressure on producers to hook the audience to the Television, assuming viewers are idiots watching animate objects move on the screen. </div><div>Well, if they want their TRPs, they should know that asking a person how he or she feels after suffering stab wounds, would not make it EXCLUSIVE but make people switch to another channel that doesn't boast of its "EXCLUSIVE" coverage. Why don't the morons understand that an exclusive story is something that a person/ the organization has done/ acquired or gathered on its own and doesn't appear everywhere, like it does here, on all the news channels. <br />
<div>Meanwhile, Telugu news channels make it even worse. Apart from conveniently making people hate them (news channels and newsmen), they attempt to switch from talking in Telugu to English even if it is not written in the script just to prove their 'journalistic abilities' which make them appear like inabilities instead. That said, speculation (about what's gonna happen in Chintu's house? Who is Chintu's neighbour and all that jazz) is something that (they assume) adds zest to their life and misery to ours. While all this drama exists on one side, ethics are gone to the dogs on the other. </div><div>Well, yes breaking a story gives a KICK to a journalist. But, that person must be aware of the good and bad sides of that story. Journalists, who call themselves that, think they are above law, can unleash their power over the government and unravel the mysteries by telling the truth to people? Excuse me! You are not given the right to pester people by asking them questions before dying. Asking them how they feel "what? before dying you mean?". You are not there to shoot a video allowing a man to immolate himself, when you can actually save his life instead of 'showing the truth to the world." You'd rather become a hero by throwing that camera in the trash can and rushing that man to the nearest hospital rather than comfortably shooting it like a lifeless object. </div><div>On the other hand, the crime shows on these news channels are some real fun (pun intended). If you are bored in life and do not know what to do, watch these shows. You can learn acting, voice modulation, how to give different expressions and most importantly, you can learn how to act like a ferocious creature with a motive to kill or stab someone. The anchors who narrate a crime story make a mockery of themselves. The narration goes somewhat like this: "Karan looked all tired and exhausted when he returned home. He threw his bag aside and sat on the couch (anchor's pitch rises suddenly). But, he was not aware of the fact that he was about to kiss hell's foot. (At this moment, viewers are like..."eh...hell's foot?? Where did that come from now?") His beautiful wife, Mallika, was standing behind him at that time. (at this moment, audiences keep wondering what the anchor is trying to say?). And, to know what happened next, come back soon after the BREAK." Well, yeah, viewers want to smash your head now! </div><div>These are some foolish ways to keep the viewers hooked to the television. Why would the viewers want to watch someone who looks like he'd jump out the TV screen and kill them right away? Obviously, viewers would prefer Robert Pattinson drinking their blood rather than some hooligan from some TV0 (or whatever number) eating their head. </div><div>Another instance of 'making a foll out of her/himself' moment' I came across was when this TV news anchor asked how Anirudh ('Kolaveri Di' song composer) was related to Dhanush when the latter had already mentioned that Dhanush was his cousin's (Aishwarya, Rajinikanth's daughter) husband. </div><div>Simply put, those who call themselves journalists should do a reality check and see what they want to do. And, it is not like you can appear before anyone and ask all sorts of ridiculous questions (make a fool out of yourself) when you haven't even read or done enough research on that person/ subject. It is like asking who 'Bapuji' in India without even reading or knowing Indian history or how India got independence. </div><div><br />
</div></div><div>P.S. All the Telugu news anchors, please talk in one language, either Telugu or English.</div><div><br />
</div><div></div></div>Tejaswini Pagadalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142101749449424539noreply@blogger.com2