Racing: A Road to Perdition?

Now that the news of Mohd. Ayazuddin's (son of former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin) death is out, media in AP (print and broadcast) have crossed their limits in a race to provide their readers the juciest news regarding street racing in Hyderabad.
For those who are unaware of the incident, let me give you a brief background of what had happened. Ayazuddin (19) and his cousin, Ajmal-ur-Rahman (16) had gone for an early morning ride on the Outer Ring Road on Ayaz's Hayabusa, a superbike,  rammed into the divider at a high speed following which Ajmal who was a pillion rider died instantly while Ayaz sustained severe injuries. Both of them were then rushed to  Apollo Hospital by the police where Ajmal was declared brought dead and Ayaz was undergoing treatment. After a week's observation, Ayaz also succumbed to injuries.
While this happens to be incident, media in Andhra Pradesh had gone a step further by publishing or airing stories on the 'perilous' bike racing scene in Hyderabad. Stories on the technical details of the bike, escalating number of foreign or sports bikes in Hyderabad, Illegal bike and car racing in the city, betting on the races, condition of roads in the city and whether they are suitable to drive these bikes, security checks and presence of toll gates on roads like the Outer Ring Road (ORR), craze for expensive automobiles increasing among youngsters, legal bike racing scene in the city, protective gear to be worn by bikers and process to become a professional biker and be a part of the racing scene et all.
Though the media's effort to proceed in various directions and get different perspectives on the central point was laudable, they over did every single thing. Beginning with the story on how dangerous street racing is, the media had portrayed it in negative light, creating a stereotypical image that racing is bad. Instead, the media should've focussed on how bike racing is also chosen as a career and why many cannot opt for it in our country, given the fact that we enjoy the back-breaking rides on those bumpy roads. A better story would be on how roads in Hyderabad were not suitable for such bikes and how the government should have or has given permission to the "sports racing committee/body" for such roads to exist in this city.
Another thing that the media always highlights during such accidents is the security aspect. While the media highlighted the fact that there was no toll gate or security checks on the outer ring road and blamed the city's police for not being vigilant about such illegal races, it should remember that police bear the brunt of every single thing here.
While many of the rich kids in the city own these bikes, the media should've highlighted the fact that these bikes belong to those houses where the head of the family is either a "big-shot in the city" or a politician". Even the police cannot do anything in such cases, knowing the fact that these races are illegal, only because their job is at stake if they say anything to the "rich kids with big bikes". while everyone knows it, no one raises a voice. the media should've highlighted on how many such imported or foreign or sports bikes in the city are still unregistered, their process of registration and why they haven't been registered so far.
Even after Azay's death, Time of India carried stories of how Jwala Gutta spoke to them and expressed her condolence over Ayaz's death from China. I mean....the boy is dead and the story still continued to run in TOI just to get more readers to read the story?
Whatever has happened to Ayaz is inconsolable and it definitely proved to be a road to perdition for him. For all those who want to make their first in racing, a small advice for you. BEWARE!
Well, the "media in AP" can make money through everything under the sky. Even Death.

RIP: Ayaz.

That feeling of an athlete and more.....

Now that I work for a newspaper, supposedly a national newspaper, as a sub-editor, I haven't been doing a lot of what I thought I would be doing. And that is reporting, reading and exercising. Currently my life revolves only around my work where I edit copies which come from the moffusil centres in case of which the reporter assumes himself/herself to be the master of the copy and writes shit!!! Yes I mean shit.
People say I'm obsessed with work and office because I love it. But, the point is, everyday there's so much to learn that I find a new challenge at work which keeps me going. Unfazed by their criticism and appreciation, I carry on with my work. But the work is HECTIC (yes I capitalized it on purpose). Sometimes, I have nightmares where my editor scorns me for being careless while editing a copy and sometimes, I dream of reporting human interest stories which I though I would be doing as soon as I was done with my PG.
But, slowly and steadily I've been learning that I am supposed to learn a lot more than what I can see. Something beyond the obvious like my college's Vice-dean always says.
Now talking about reading and exercising. I had this great determination to begin reading books, assuming I would have a few free hours in my hand before and after work. But, laziness can be victorious many a times in my case! Every time I pick a book from the book shelf, I have this thing going in my mind like "oh! you can complete it in a week or two...start reading it!" But I realize that I have somehow lost the interest in reading books and wouldn't complete it in a week or two with that irregular sleeping routine. I'm struggling hard to regain that 'lost patience' waiting to turn every page of the book to know what happens next!  Similar thing happens when I think of exercising. Every time I wear my jogging shoes feeling like "Usain Bolt", thinking to jolt my parents by losing those extra pounds. But the very thought of exercising (which, once upon a time, used to give me a 'high') now bores me only because I'm not paying to exercise by visiting a gymnasium, which I had done for two years continuously, but exercising on a cross-trainer that I bought recently.
I have started exercising lately but I do not know how long this would continue and my forever-dream of losing weight would remain a bubble that would never burst. Though this cribbing doesn't stop, I need to get going and am waiting to see whether this exercise regime that I've created for myself continues or comes to a grinding halt. And, I hope the same with reading too, though its a different case for reporting, given my immense love for it. However, I would go nuts if my editor calls me to his cabin one fine day (in the near future) and asks me to shift to the reporting section of the office from the editorial section. And, I would definitely say "Shut Up!" to him in a similar fashion that Anne Hathaway said to her grandmother in the movie 'Princess Diaries' when she is asked to become the Princess of Genovia.

FAKE YOU!

"Are you a Chowdary? (one of the dominant castes in Andhra Pradesh) No, I have asked you because I heard that the caste you belong to doesn't go well with the one I come from" said miss "I Always speak to people of my caste only." This conversation lasted for about two minutes until I finally realized how caste and power/status/money/class are connected in this state where I live. The very question of hers shocked me to death making me realize how people are just FAKING everything and anything in the name of caste, money and status. As a firm believer in humanity and an individual who opposes caste system (though I belong to the so called upper caste in AP), I hate it when people talk to you based on your caste. Here, most film actors (Read MALE) are from a community called the Chowdaries or Kammas. Apart from these, the castes that are considered superior are Rajus, Reddys, Velmas, Kaapus, etc. I do not know why people are so obsessed with their caste.

My cousin was recently telling me how she hated the whole "caste-feeling" thing among her friend who comes from the Chowdary community and boasts of how everything runs on their "community's" name in the city. She told me how this friend of hers takes her out to various events in the Tollywood film industry and how she meets actors who are so self-obsessed with themselves and their caste that they do not strike a conversation with the other person unless he/she feels their status, property et all are either equal or higher than his/hers. I have observed this at almost every place I visit as a journalist and otherwise too. As looking for stories has become my habit, on the other side, I see people dying to attract attention and do all the things possible to stay in the limelight. This attention seeking disorder (as I call it) is making people lose their individuality. There is nothing unique about a person anymore. Everything is lost in being a person which the "society" demands. For example: I wouldn't care if a youngster smokes because it is his/her individual choice. But, looking at that person, his/her friend thinks it is cool, it is the "fucking latest fad", "I could impress girls/boys" and what not kind of an attitude, which makes this friend lose his/her individuality in trying to imitate his/her friend who knows what he/she is doing. 

While many of them think all that glitters is gold, most do not know how there is something fishy behind that glitter. The same is with every film industry and those in power. They appear as the most sober people on earth to you because cameras as tracking every move of theirs, but ask them if you could talk to them over the phone, they first ask their assistants if the person talking to him/her belongs to the which caste. Or he /she shuns you away from home. They do not even look at you thinking you do not have the same property or a class of theirs. Money matters to them if they have to be friends with someone, or have a chat with someone or grab the limelight or just turn a blind eye if you do not have the money to "show off". 

Another intriguing thing about caste/money/power/status-obsessed people is that every person in their house -  a maid, a car driver, gardener and all the assistants - belong to the same caste. Their cars have the same number plates with the so called "magic numbers". They do not need a reason to buy the latest car. Just because it is out in the market, "I need to show it off" is the primary cause of buying it. In reality, go check their houses, you will find cars lined up like dogs tied with a chain that they cannot drive (keeping in mind their status). After all, what is a car that you cannot drive and enjoy, after having bought it with crores on money?

There is nothing great about their money/class/caste unless people make them their demi-gods, which they cunningly take advantage of and pose/pretend to be one. They are the most FAKE people around. FAKE YOU! 

Note: The caste I have stated is just an example. I do not have anything against any caste. 

An Evening with Queer friends :):)

A man walks to me introduces himself and then we begin talking. He introduces me to his friend. Three of us begin talking about various things. We met with each other because we were supporting a single cause. Another friend who is almost an hour late, joins us. We talked, discussed, planned out things and finally ended up assigning duties to each other. They told me what they expect from me, how I could contribute to support the cause. And, the cause is 'queer'. We were discussing about LGBT rights in Hyderabad.  They have a lot to say and a lot to do. And, they had asked me if I was queer? And, I laughed. I loved the question. Actually I liked the way they put the question to me. I could see excitement in them when they had asked me that question. They thought I was. I had to disappoint them and say NO. They said "We thought you were".
What's best about them is they identify themselves as Queer Hyderabadis and are happy to be that way. They are open about their sexuality unlike most of us (who are confused). They are the most respectable people I've ever met in Hyderabad. They are gays.
I have always wanted to have friends who are homosexuals. I was curious to know about them, their life, what kind of challenges/criticism they face on a daily basis if they told someone they were queer. One of them told me he spoke to a writer recently who said "I can lift my skirt and sit and not be worried if the man opposite to me is looking at my legs, only because I know you are gay." I felt the same when I was with them. For the first time ever, I felt I was very safe with unknown men and even if my cleavage was seen, I wouldn't be worried because they wouldn't be provoked and blame it on me for "provoking" them. Knowing that I was listening to them, they spoke about what kind of guys they like hooking up with. What I loved the most was listening to their conversation. It was funny and they were like any girl who thinks of her "dream boy." They spoke about where one could  find HOT guys on weekends and told me there was a pub for gays in Hyderabad, which I have never heard of, staying in Hyderabad all my life
They told me how gays were open about their activities while lesbians in Hyderabad were very private about their lives. (I'm looking forward to meet my lesbian friends too, If I get a chance). During our conversation, I realized how queer people are more humane, more courteous and more sensible. They know how it feels to be discriminated in the society. They are aware of how people shun them away from their lives in the name of Religion, customs and traditions. They know a lot more than many of us do.
They celebrate when they listen to the news about gay marriages being legalized in New York. They celebrate, they rejoice. They know that these small steps would some day make it big for them to come out in the open without fearing the stigma associated with being queer.
It is FUNNY and stupid when people argue homosexuality is against nature. What the Hell! Every person has the right to live his or her life the way he or she wants to, irrespective of their sexual orientation. I'm sure most of them who are (Young Indians) are not aware of the difference between gender, sex and sexuality. This is either due to ignorance or may be they just think that this a world where only straight people have live in.
And, on the whole, I think everyone should have queer friends. They are funny and witty. I'm happy to be associated with them and glad to support them.
To end on a decent note, I'd like to quote my gay friend who says " Don't blame the homosexuals. Blame the heterosexuals for having GAY babies" :)

P.SS Every girl should have gay friends :):):)

Caste discrimination through language

Subversion of "lower" castes in India has been a result of the hierarchical caste system. I used the quotes when I mentioned the word 'lower' because how you say something differs from what it actually is. This brings us to something all of us (Indians) have been using or uttering for decades now. One of the directive principles of the Indian Constitution states that "provisions have to be made for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other  Backward Classes." In this context, the language matters.

Terming people from "backward" classes as BCs. Similarly using "Scheduled Castes", "Scheduled Tribes", "Dalits" or "Harijans" (Though it means servants of god, they are treated as "our" servants)  to describe a particular set of people, referring to their caste, is derogatory. For example: The use of the word "Nigger" or Negro" referring to African-Americans (who were racially disadvantaged people), is considered extremely disparaging and the most offensive word in English, which has given rise to a revolutionary movement in the world.

Usage of such terms has to be stopped. Such terms, used intentionally or unintentionally or officially in texts, manuals, scripts, etc, cause harm or often, degrade people belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Having arrived at this point, it is necessary to replace such terms which publicize inequality, with words that do not perpetuate caste. However, this will not be a major contributor to abolish caste system, but will make a difference in eliminating caste system, at least in our daily lives.

While the Civil Rights Act of 1871 in the United States prohibits discrimination of African-Americans and protects them under the law,  our country needs a law or probably, rules or a nationally accepted or "politically correct" book with such words  (because, for a bill to become a LAW takes decades) which doesn't perpetuate caste and prevents the discrimination of socially disadvantaged groups, at least through the use of language.

First day jitters

I probably thought this post will be different from the others because I would be explaining how my first day at work was. But, it turned out to be dramatic and unexpectedly, sad. So, Here I go....
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I do not know if I had expected too much  on the very first day ( I mean work at office), but it was disastrous. I was asked to join around 11 a.m. But, because of my mom's superstitions or beliefs or whatever you call it (I don't blame her for it), she had advised me to join after 11 a.m. because of "auspicious time." And, expecting the "auspicious" time to be auspicious, I reached office by 11.20 a.m. and was asked by one of the assistants to finish the formalities of joining.

I had to meet the head of the personnel department and fill some form, which had questions almost like I was joining another institute. I finished the formalities and was about to meet the Resident Editor and then, then an incident happened. Probably the auspicious time was gone, I was stuck in the elevator for 20 minutes. It was quite funny. It was stuck in between two floors and the auspicious time was so "auspicious" that I couldn't escape at all. I cursed my luck for it. Whatever! I got out of it once the assistant saw me - expressionless, speechless and motionless. The trick was to switch off the main power and switch it on. I felt like the elevator was diseased. Finally, I met the resident editor and he smiled and asked me to come to office at 5.30 p.m.

To add to my misery, I had to go back home in the scorching sun and come back in the evening. I nodded my head cursing the resident editor and walked out. It was 5 p.m and my dad was sick of driving me to the office in the morning and had asked me to take a bus. I got to the office at around 5.45 p.m. I did not know anyone and therefore, one of my classmates from IIJNM came to my rescue, because she is also working in the same office.

I felt like I was in a land of aliens,. May be I was too nervous, scared and what not. I was shown my desk and a computer and then, the News Bureau Chief came and asked me to edit a story to check my editing skills.  It was worse that a moffusil copy because the language was not understandable. I had to understand what the reporter meant and  re-structure it well until the whole story made sense. I did it. But, another tragedy happened. After I finished, I refreshed the page assuming it was the "SAVE" option. Everything got deleted.
And then, I had to re-type everything and it took me an hour. I was tensed because I was taking a lot of time and then, the tragedy made my life worse. At that very moment, the News bureau chief walked up to me and asked why I was taking so long. He was not-so-humble or not-so-rude, but I was petrified at his arrival and somehow, took it negatively. (which I shouldn't have).

I spoilt my mood and my day. I was feeling scared, unworthy and flushed out completely. Probably, because I never expected this to happen on the first day. But , it did and I had to accept it. In that mood, I drank three cups of coffee, which ruined my night's sleep. I was drooped back home by a kind but irksome cab driver. I was not happy. My first day at work wasn't good at all. I was thinking about the same thing again and again and therefore, couldn't sleep too. My best friend came to my rescue and brought me out of it, just by texting. And I thank him for bringing me out of it because, if it were not him, my disaster management skills would be worse.

Today is my second day at work. Few faces look familiar because I met them yesterday. Still, a few look at me as if I'm standing NAKED in front of them. Anyways, hope to start loving this place and get to know a few more people.

Is Lokpal really of a few, by a few and for a few?

In the last three weeks , we have witnessed Anna Hazare and team campaign against corruption. The demand for much awaited Lokpal Bill, which has been in the making for 43 years, has brought the urban population (mostly middle class and upper-middle class) to the streets to voice out their opinion on the cacophony of corruption in India. While so many participated in the fight against corruption, many did not know who Anna Hazare was or what the Lokpal bill was.

In one of his interviews, Anna Hazare said that he had announced two months ago that he would be campaigning against corruption." I do not understand how it came as a surprise to people", he said.However, his fast-unto-death (the literal meaning of which has never been clear to anyone) brought the media's attention and it harped on to this issue, after Lelyveld's Great Soul controversy. The media brouhaha in this regard was appreciable, but what the media has overlooked is to probe whether the members of the drafting committee were really worth being in the committee.

It is said that " a collegium consisting of several different kinds of people – Bharat Ratna awardees, Nobel prize winners of Indian origin, Magasaysay award winners, Senior Judges of Supreme and High Courts, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the Chief Election Commissioner, and members of the outgoing Lokpal board and the Chairpersons of both houses of Parliament," should be members of the drafting committee. Does this mean people like V.S Naipaul (Bharat Ratna awardee) should be a member of the drafting committee? If this is what we are looking at, well, we need to think again!

A few critics pointed out that the movement was more a right-wing kind of one, with Baba Ramdev, Swami Agnivesh, Kanchi Swami and RSS members grabbed the limelight. Also, questions were raised whether the Anna Hazare campaign would remain apolitical.

As usual, (especially) the broadcast media kept repeating shots of people shouting slogans against corruption in all the major cities and towns in the country. Even if there were very few, the TV channels portrayed this as if millions were a part of this movement. What most of us haven't observed is:  people who are denied basic rights every time, the ones who are oppressed, the ones who are subjected to violence almost everyday were not a part of this so called "movement against corruption."

For example: The Times of India carried a headline on April 9, 2011 "India wins again" which is quite misleading. The headline was referring to Anna Hazare calling off his fast. but this portrayed it as if the Lokpal bill came into force. Because, the bill was proposed in 1968 when Indira Gandhi was the prime minister of India and had accepted for an institution like Lokpal be established. It was revived in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998 and 2001.But, each time it was proposed, a committee was set up and the matter ended there. As a result of series of scams in 2010, an alternative drat of the Jan Lokpal Bill has been proposed by activists from India against corruption, under the guidance of Karnataka Lokayukta Chief, Santosh Hegde and senior lawyer, Prasanth Bhushan.

In the entangled mess, accountability is a question. Who are the members of the drafting committee answerable to and how do you make sure that they are not corrupt or have no records or being corrupt? It is a good a step to bring out a provision to set up an institution like the Lokpal which protects the whistle-blowers and investigates cases of corruption. Having said this, will setting up another institution and another law, apart from outmoded laws India, bring any change in the system? How will the corrupt ones be punished when or if the members of the drafting committee themselves are corrupt? When institutions like CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and CVC (Central Vigilance Commission) are corrupt, how credible will Lokpal as an anti-corruption institution be?

Pilling on those pounds? Think twice!

“Three bites diet” of Victoria Beckham or Jennifer Aniston’s diet - green salad with nuts, kalku and cheese with lemon sauce on the lunch menu or planning to live only on juices? Which one of these would you prefer?

While the world seems to be obsessed with fitness routines, ostensibly-successful slimming treatments and crash diets, it is the time we do some reality check.

We have 100 people suggesting 100 different ways to stay fit and fine. We are flooded with suggestions from friends, relatives, boyfriends and sometimes enemies, too, that confuse us.

With umpteen weight-loss programs and treatments available for people to choose from, one wonders whether shedding few pounds by working out is worth it.

An advertisement board outside a slimming powder selling company says, “Lose weight now, ask me how!” and another says, “lose up to 10 kg for just Rs.10, 098.”  People are trapped by such superficial benefits the ads portray, which is not the case in reality. However, not many prefer physical activity or working out over these “cost-effective” slimming treatments.

Special discounts are offered to brides and grooms depending on the duration and the type of weight -loss treatment they choose. The moment they enter a weight-loss clinic their statistics are detected by a machine through radiations. Then they are advised to lose weight accordingly, depending on their height and weight.

Weight-loss programs have become an obsession among youngsters. Without realizing whether it is the right age to start working out, youngsters blindly opt for such treatments because it is a matter of self-image and beauty.

On Facebook’s photo albums, comments like “OMG! Look at me…I’m luking so fat” or “Plz delete this picture, I look so ugly and fat” make us wonder whether there is a smoke screen that masks the real identity of people.

“Most of them opt for such programs to look slim and pretty. Very few of them know the importance of health and fitness,” says Rachna T.V., an engineering student. 

Another student, Akhila Neeraje, points out that most girls are offended when people tell them that they have put on weight. “Some lose weight to fit into smart and trendy clothes which they otherwise wouldn’t fit into.” 

The very appeal of the weight loss clinics and gymnasiums is attractive. People would kill to lose weight at such lavish places. Cost is another factor that allows a lot of people to experiment with these treatments. 

According to Savita Date Menon, a psychologist, there is lot more to it than just weight loss. People who obsess about their weight “slip into depression, panic, get dark circles, perspire at any time of the day, become restless and act cranky sometimes,” she says.

Talking about the constant need to prove that one looks better than the other, she says that peer pressure also plays a vital role in planting such thoughts in people’s minds. 

“What happens if you are fat? Is it a crime or a curse?” Menon asks.

“I spent Rs.1, 500 to lose 4 kilograms of weight in a month and it is quite affordable,” says Sowjanya J., a housewife.

 When we opt for such treatments, we ought to know whether these will keep us healthy or ruin our health. If one goes through procedures like liposuction et al, he or she has to maintain his or her physique or figure going forward. Otherwise, the treatment is equal to trash.

Explaining the significance of exercising, Deepa Ananth, a nutritionist residing in Bangalore says that there is no shortcut to lose weight. 

 “People should remember that they gained the extra weight over a period of time and they can’t burn it all up overnight. So, have patience and lose that extra weight over a period of time. Don’t take up crash diets, because you will definitely gain the lost weight back,” she says.

 The success rate of the weight loss treatments in comparison with physical exercises is much lesser. Such treatments lure people with glossy ads showing puffy guys turning into hot models.

 Sanjay Y., a software engineer enrolled for a four-month program that said “lose 15 kg in 3 months.” The next day, he got instructions stating that he should follow strict diet and should exercise for an hour every day.

 “The boys would put some massagers and magnetic strips all over your body and watch television. After three months, I did not lose even 3 kg and had to shell out Rs. 28,000 to realize that this was a moneymaking business,” says Sanjay.

 When Sanjay enquired about the staff’s training, he found out that they learn terms like fat, burn, kilos, cellulite, etc. to please the customers.

“This is a marketing strategy. Try discussing about a health ailment, they go topsy-turvy over it.” 

 Exercising or spending time on any physical activity should become part of your daily routine.

Anitha Ravi, a gym trainer at Hyderabad says that working out is not only about burning calories, but also increasing your stamina.

 “Any form of exercise keeps you active throughout the day. It also helps in proper blood circulation, which makes your skin glow,” Ravi says.

 Exercise increases basic metabolic rate (BMR) which keeps your digestive system active as your food is digested faster. (Generally, BMR is high as soon as you exercise and all that you eat after exercising doesn’t get converted into fat).  And, if you do not exercise, your BMR will remain low.  

According to Ravi, weight loss depends on the body type. There are three types of bodies: ectomorphic, endomorphic and mesomorphic.

An ectomorph may have long fingers, toes and neck. Ectomorphs do not put on weight easily but once they put on, it is very difficult for them to lose weight. 

 A mesomorph has well-defined muscles and large bones. Mesomorphs gain and lose weight easily. 

The body of an extreme endomorph is round and soft. Endomorphs put on weight faster than they lose weight.

 Another fitness trainer, Gavin Z., says that there is no particular routine that one can follow and it depends on how long one can work out. 

 

“But, if you want to maintain your figure or physique, burn 300 calories per day. If you consume about 1,200 to 1,400 calories per day, you need to burn at least half of it,” Gavin says.

Working out four or five times a week keeps you fit. If you are bored of your routines, change your schedule so that you do not lose interest in working out. If you are tired of walking on the treadmill, go for aerobics, yoga, cycling, swimming or kick-boxing. 

Cardio workout and breathing exercises are a must because they enable overall functioning of the body and blood circulation. 

Also, before you start your workout, warm up your body to avoid muscle blocks or sprains. Do not get disappointed or feel inferior looking at someone leaner than you. Work out regularly and you will see the positive results.

 Do not expect results overnight and be disappointed with your trainer or your routine. Loving your body and having patience to see the results is very important.

Apart from your work out sessions, a balanced diet is very important. You can eat well without cutting down your favorite food. All you have to do is know what is good for you and what is not. Starving will not help because it might adversely affect your health and make you fat. 

 So, all you have to do is eat well, exercise regularly, love your body and feel confident. Stay healthy, stay safe.

Why are we chasing the nuclear power mirage?

With more and more nations taking to nuclear energy and accepting it as a cleaner and efficient source of energy, arguments against the use of nuclear power are building up at a greater pace.

The total nuclear power capacity in India is 1840 MWe against 346000 MWe in the world.

The Japan earthquake and tsunami has jolted the whole world and compelled everyone to re-think about the use of nuclear power. While Germany has planned to shut down a third of its nuclear reactors manufactured prior 1980, India is still reviewing its safety measures in this regard.

If we consider the economics of installation of nuclear power plants, the cost of nuclear power depends on the cost of electricity generated by the nuclear power plant compared to the cost of generation of electricity from coal from a thermal power plant.

Because the coal deposits are concentrated in Eastern India, setting up a thermal power plant in Western India would demand transportation of coal for long distances. In such cases nuclear power becomes favourable.

“The method for comparison such as single station cost and system cost also influence the feasibility of the coal vs. nuclear power plant. The comparison between coal and nuclear options on the basis of station cost method may give misleading results because single station method fails to take an analytical account of system interactions. This could result in the plant being pushed lower down in the operational merit order as it ages and as new; more advanced plants with lower marginal operating cost join the system,” says Prof. Alagah.

Like Prithviraj Chavan, chief minister of Maharashtra, says that in India nuclear power plants have been built at locations with the potential for earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or lower in the Richter scale, while in Japan and in the US, plants have been built where earthquakes of 4.0 or 5.0 in the Richter scale are possible.

But what happened in Japan shows how it was miscalculated and destroyed everything million times than what was predicted (magnitude of 9.0 compared to 5.0 on Richter scale).

Even scientists and engineers who have designed and worked at nuclear power plants warn about nuclear accidents because of uncontrollable nuclear fission chain reactions which result in the loss of coolant. Once the coolant is lost, the core starts melting which leads to disastrous consequences.

All the nuclear power plants in India are either on the coast or linked to rivers or water bodies. The 2004 tsunami brought into focus the vulnerability of nuclear power plants situated along the coast.

LV Krishnan, a veteran of the Department of Atomic Energy, who retired from the Kalpakkam plants, said that a tsunami was not taken into consideration when designing the plant. The official line has remained that the tsunami did not cause any radiation leak. It is very possible that our nuclear scientists have not taken the impact of climate change into consideration while designing their nuclear power plants. (Source)

According to the Prof. Yoginder K. Alagah who works for the ministry of power in India, “nuclear power is a genuine economic option in terms of Long Range Marginal Cost (LRMC) advantages for power supply at locations far remote from coal reserves, particularly if hydel sources are not available in these areas.”

The ones who argue for nuclear power say that it is necessary to develop nuclear power because:

·         There is a need to develop alternative energy systems

·         Utilizing Uranium resources and large amounts of Thorium deposits can sustain about 300,000 MWe of electricity generation capacity for about 300 years

·         Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases

·         Fossil fuels are a finite source of energy while nuclear energy, produced with the correct technology could become a renewable energy source

For example: The energy produced by 1 gram of uranium is equivalent to that produced by 3 tonnes of coal. As fission is not an oxidation process, there is no smoke or carbon waste (Source)

While the ones who support nuclear energy say it is a cleaner source of energy, but there are arguments against it too.

Disposal of nuclear waste remains a growing concern. Because nuclear waste is not bio-degradable, it causes many health hazards to anyone who comes into contact with the waste. . An average nuclear reactor produces 20-30 tonnes of highly radioactive spent fuel each year, which remains radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years.

Nuclear power plants withdraw large amounts of water from nearby lakes, rivers, and oceans. In doing so, aquatic life is adversely affected. For instance: A 2005 study of impacts from 11 coastal power plants in Southern California estimated that the San Onofre nuclear plant impinged nearly 3.5 million fish in 2003 alone. (Source)

Nuclear waste can cause skin cancer and also alter the DNA in a person which can have a long-term impact on the descendants of that person.

Nuclear power plants raise the temperatures of a region resulting in the damage to the flora and fauna. For example: nuclear plants being shut down in Europe was because the outflow from the nuclear plants would have raised temperatures in the surrounding water.

Nuclear power generation routinely exposes occupational workers and the public to radiation and harmful isotopes for whose effects, including cancer and genetic damage, there’s no remedy. Radiation is unsafe in all doses.

The debate around Jaitapur nuclear plant is that it is located in a seismically active zone and is based on untested reactor design. Areva’s (French company) reactors haven’t been cleared by any nuclear regulatory authority and we (India) have planned to install six reactors.

Also, it will become the world’s largest nuclear power station generating 9,900 MW, or more than double India’s current nuclear capacity. Given its size, the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) will generate seven times more toxic iodine-129 than normal reactors, posing many problems. (Source)

Another problem with the Jaitapur plant is that the high temperature of the coolant water discharged into the sea will destroy mangroves, corals and numerous marine species, reducing oxygen availability.

While governments see compensation for land as the only issue that has to be addressed while permitting installation of nuclear power plants, it also has to consider the hazards related to it.

In China, a 10 metre high concrete protection is built for reactor at Hainan while India’s Koodankulam nuclear reactor has a 7.5 metre-high concrete protection against tsunami or flooding. Such measures should be taken into account.

While EPR’s are said to be missile-resistant and can prevent hydrogen accumulation, explosion of Fukushima reactor has invalidated its claim. Therefore, the alternatives to nuclear power are seen as wind energy and hydel power. So, we should stop chasing the nuclear power mirage and concentrate on alternative sources for power generation to avoid another Chernobyl-like disaster in India.

How the U.S woos us...

The India cables leaked by Wiki Leaks have given another reason for India to worry, apart from the series of scams it is plagued with. The cables confirmed what people already predicted. India's 'diplomatic' ties with the U.S, Pakistan, Bangladesh and every other country were exposed and are currently at stake because of the cables' startling revelations. 

While the confidential information was leaked by Bradley Manning, an American soldier and a whistle blower to Wikileaks, what one has to critically analyze is how our politicians and dignitaries put out extremely important information of Indian government to U.S Embassy officials through clandestine meetings. For example: One of the cables said M.K. Narayanan, former National Security Advisor (NSA) in 2009 revealed to Timothy Roemer of U.S Embassy that PM, Manmohan Singh and his advisors differed in policies regarding Pakistan. Not only did Narayanan scoff the PM but also disclosed crucial matters amounting to breach of national security.

An editorial on Hindustan Times said that Narayanan retorted to the PM: "You have a shared destiny; we don't." The editorial also quoted Roemer's cable which said: "Narayanan noted that all matters related to nuclear and space issues, defense and foreign policy, should be directed to him."

Our politicians and dignitaries lose their minds when they talk to U.S officials, still considering themselves as those from a subverted class. Congress member, Satish Sharma, showed the U.S official Rs.50 crore to 60 crore to explain how he was bribed to vote for the Congress government in order to win the confidence vote in the Parliament. In such conversations, they do not realize that they are letting out information crucial for India to maintain its relations with other countries and deriding the country.

However, the diversity also brings up differences in any way it can. And, this time, the cables have brought out how we (Indians) are easily wooed by Americans and what we do in order to impress them every single time we meet them. While Condoleezza Rice said " We (U.S) will make you (India) great," our politicians obliged to madame's powerful lines  and nodded their heads like a bunch of yahoos, but never thought that it was not possible.

Why is there a need to impress the superpower at the cost of the country's national security?