MENTAL HEALTH CARE BILL: A STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION

“Sound mind in a sound body” is often quoted phrase among sound people. But in today’s world, it is not only sound body but lot of other things are there which influence state of mind. Therefore mind is not only a biological entity but also a societal product. It is aptly said that man is social and society is mental.

Stress, tension, depression, anxiety, mood disorders are commonly seen among individuals today. India has a huge burden of mental illness mainly among women, homeless, poor and those living in urban areas. As a consequence, India has considered mental illness as a disability which later also recognized by World Health Organization. To address worrisome number of mental patients, India has taken a leap forward by formulating “The Mental health Care Bill, 2013” which is a right based approach to mental health care with citizens getting the right to access mental health care. It also asserts that such mental health care service should be affordable, of good quality and available without discrimination.

Being signatory of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is also an obligation for India to introduce legislations that protects the rights of disabled. Simultaneously, on international level, World Health Assembly has adopted ‘Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013- 2020’ which is a commitment by all 194 member states to take specified action to improve mental health and to contribute to the attainment of a set of agreed global targets.

            The drafted Bill has widened the definition of mental illness as “a disorder of mood, thought, perception, orientation and memory which causes significant distress to a person or impairs a person’s behaviour, judgement and ability to meet the demands of daily life and includes mental conditions associated with the use of alcohol and drugs but does not include mental retardation”

            As per the Bill, “Competence” or Competent to make a decision” means the person has ability to:

a) understand the information relevant to the decision and/or;

b) retain the information

c) use or weigh that information as part of the process of making the decision and;

d) communicate his or her decision by any means (by talking, using sign language or any other

    means).

            Every person has a right to make  an 'Advance Directive' in writing, specifying any or all of the following:

a) the way the person wishes to be cared for and treated for a mental illness and/or; 

b) the way the person wishes not to be so cared for and treated for a mental illness and/or; 

c) the individual or individuals, in order of precedence, the person wants appointed as their

    nominated representative; in the event of his or her having a mental illness in the future.

            The Bill exclusively mentions Rights of Persons with Mental illness which are as follows:

1.    Right to Access Mental Health Care

2.    Right to Community Living

3.    Right to Protection from Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment

4.    Right to Equality and Non-discrimination

5.    Right to Information

6.    Right to Confidentiality

7.    Access to Medical Records

8.    Right to Personal Contacts & Communication

9.    Right to Legal Aid

10. Right to make Complaints about Deficiencies in Provision of Services

Chapter III of the draft Bill mentions about the Duties of government which are in consonance with the four key objectives of Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013- 2020 like, promotion of mental health and preventive programs; creating awareness among public, reducing stigma associated with mental disability and strengthening community based rehabilitation; human resource training; strengthening information systems etc.

            The Bill provides for constitution of ‘Mental Health Review Commission’. The present day problems of mental health care facilities like lack of human resource, lack of infrastructure, poor hygienic conditions, over- crowding and very less number of mental health facility centres compared to the demand are also taken into consideration and the Bill tries to address these issues.

References: 1. Draft – Mental Health Care Act 

                  2. ‘Passion of mind’ – an article written by Arati Dhar in The Hindu of 16^th June 2013.

A never ending dispute

The river Cauvery originates from Talakaveri near Madikeri in Kodagu district of Karnataka and meets Bay of Bengal along with the waters of Hemavathi, Yagachi, Shimsha, Arkavathi, Lakshmanteertha, Kabani, Suvarnavati, Sanmukta, Noyil, Amravati rivers. Its flow is broken mainly at Krishnarajasagara reservoir near Mysuru which was built by Sir M Vishweshwarayya. He has contributed to the country in different fields like education, industry, irrigation, town plans and India’s 5 year planning through his work ‘Planned Economy for India’ in 1934, Billigundala dam, Stanley reservoir in Mettur, and Wellingdon and Kollidam towards the delta.

Without any discrimination the river flows majestically and maturely by forming meanders on its path. It resolves the thirst of people as well as plants of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Brindavana gardens near Krishnarajasagara dam, Ranganathittu bird sanctuary, Gagana chukki and Bhara chukki falls in Shivanasamudra, Hogenkal falls, Point Calimere, Vedaranniyam and Kodikkarai bird sanctuaries are the sites of attraction along the river course. Tiruchinapalli, Tanjavur and Thiruvarur are the major cities situated on the banks of the river.

This river had no reason to be embroiled in a controversy but the issue has remained unresolved for so many years. There was lack of maturity between both the states, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to fight for the water. Even though Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal was formed 23 years ago, an interim order was given in 1991 and Cauvery River Authority (CRA) and Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) which were formed to implement the interim order. The special leave petition filed by both the states in Supreme Court against the interim order prolonged the dispute further. The successive central governments failed to provide a solution due to political pressures all these years. February 2007 award of the Tribunal ought to have been notified in the gazette in 2007 but it was not present. Thus five more years passed away as tiff between both the states increased resulting into loss of lives of farmers who were made scapegoats by politicians with vested interest.

When two kids are fighting for the same chocolate and unwilling to compromise what can mother do? She will have to cut the chocolate into two halves and shut their mouth. Ultimately the long dispute has been halted by the Central government by giving a final order through Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal that Karnataka should release 192tmcft at Billigundala dam and out of this 192tmcft, Tamilnadu will have to provide 7tmcft for Puducherry. This is the final award and binding on both the states. With this order CRA and CMC will cease to exist and will be superseded by Cauvery Management Board (CMB) to regulate the supply of water and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee to assist CMB. First task of CMB would be to work out a formula for water sharing during the years of water scarcity.

If both the states had understood that “sharing of food may not fill everyone’s stomach but will definitely solve the hunger and prevent starvation”, the enmity prevalent among people residing in border districts of the states could have been prevented. Better yield could have been reaped. At least now, the governments will have to develop a cordial relation and focus on the things like utilization of available water in a best possible way. Though Tamil Nadu government has brought compulsory water harvesting in every household there is a need for better measures like growing crops which do not consume much water and they will have to check the wastage of water. Karnataka is still lagging behind in the implementation of compulsory water harvesting in every household in major cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru etc. The state will also have to take measures towards economic utilization of water for increasing agricultural output. Both the states will have to think about utilization of grey water for toilet purposes or agricultural purposes so that drinking water is not wasted. It is also the time to learn and implement New Water technology from Singapore. Otherwise it is going to be tough time for all riparian states.

Mobilize international support to pressurise Pakistan

Some called India timid, some called lack of political will, some said India is extra patient, some more asked for 100 heads and few others abused the government and slept. Ultimately nothing promising has come out. Once we define our motto, we will have to keep our act align with it. Then only goals can be achieved and accomplished. Just because our neighbour throws garbage into our compound, we should not do the same in return. That doesn’t mean that we should keep quiet and wait for God to give punishment or to give him a sound mind which directs him not to throw garbage into other’s compound. Instead we should take the best action to stop the neighbour from resorting to lawless cowardly actions. Wisdom always says physical punishment is not long lasting but rebounding. Show of military strength has rarely deterred the opponents. Therefore, there is a need for considering some alternative through strategic deterrence. 

Economic and Strategic importance of India:

In the recent past, India is being treated as an important nation by the countries both in the east and the west of the globe. India has very good ties with most of the developed countries like USA, UK, Russia, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Ukraine and so on. There may be some conflict between the interest of India and these countries. But positive side weighs much more than the negative. Blooming pharmacy and IT industries have given a major thrust for India to have greater ties with these countries. India, being a major market for most of the goods produced in the manufacturing economies, has been befriended by them for their survival and betterment. In return they provided market for Indian goods too. Similar reasons along with common interests and common goals have made India a friend of many developing economies like Brazil, South Africa, Iran, Ghana etc. Other underdeveloped countries of the world seek India’s assistance for upward movement in various sectors like health, science and technology, defence, agriculture etc. 

It is not just economic interests which determine the importance of India among world countries but strategic interests too. In the recent past, the pivot has been shifted towards east with foreign policy of USA ‘Pivot towards Asia’ and ‘Trans Pacific Partnership’, Japan’s ‘Arch of Freedom and Prosperity’, China’s ‘String of Pearls’ and India’s ‘Pan Indian Ocean Network’. India being placed strategically in Indian Ocean, which is a major route where 50% of the world trade is carried out, has given an extra edge to us. USA, despite having differences in Iran issue, is improving very good relations with India in order to accomplish its interest in Myanmar. For Japan, India is an old friend tied with cultural connections, becomes important to counter the rise of China in Asia. India has gained importance in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with its aid to anti-terrorism initiatives in the Afghanistan region with the provision of Zaranj – Delaram road and Farkhor airbase in Tajikistan. India with its martial action plan has become a strategic partner of Afghanistan too. Considerably good relations have been maintained with Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives though there were some bitter moments with Sri Lanka with regard to unilateral sanction and with Maldives over Male’s Ibrahim Nasir airport contract for GMR. The increased role of China in Indian Ocean region has been a cause of concern for India. Though India has good relations with China with respect to economic relations, the border issues have caused bitterness in Indo-China relations. With special interest of our Prime Minister there has been increase in the ties with ASEAN very recently. This is definitely a positive step for India to achieve its naval doctrine ‘Blue Water Navy in Indian Ocean’. 

How to go about?

            Recently in 2012 India has entered into economic cooperation with Pakistan. It had granted Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan in 1996 itself though Pak granted MFN status to India in 2012 only. Other issues like Indus river water sharing, Sir Creek are partially resolved and Siachen glacier issue and terrorism have not been resolved yet. Pakistan was reluctant to act against terrorism even after repeated appeal of India after 26/11. There have been violations of cease fire at the Indo – Pak border. Since bilateral talks have not resulted in expected outcomes, India should appeal for the support of well wisher world countries to put a pressure on Pakistan to take strict action on terrorism and to oblige with the border decided according to the earlier treaties, it will have to agree. Except China, no major country is helping Pakistan. Ukraine had supplied defence equipments to Pakistan earlier but it can’t give importance to Pakistan vis-a-vis India. Earlier big brother was helping Pakistan but not any more. So Pakistan would be in a helpless situation if all other countries join together in favour of India. We must convert this situation into an opportunity by mobilizing an international pressure on Pakistan. This would be a better strategy of solving the problem instead having war with Pakistan to bring it into terms. As a well known proverb says, “In a War, Winner will lose and loser will die”. War is not a solution at all. It will hamper growth of both the countries and world as well. 

Today's children are citizens of tomorrow

There is a huge kiraalubogi (Hopea perviflora) tree in front of my house. It is a strong timber tree endemic to India. The tree has a majestic look of a chariot with its bottom twigs spread wide apart and they become shorter twigs at the upper part forming a tip at the top. Once a botanist had come to our home and he was very pleased to see that tree. He said “this tree never gets dried. It remains green throughout”. During that time, I was studying in fourth standard. I was very happy that the tree in front of my house stays green forever!! Next day my teacher took up the lesson on deciduous forests under environmental studies. While giving an introduction about the chapter, she said “Some trees shed their leaves during winter”. Suddenly I remembered about the tree in front of our house which never gets dried up. I told “madam, there is a tree in front of our house. It never gets dried up”.  Ma’am said, “Oh is it, what is its name?”
“Kiraalubogi. Its leaves never get dried up”.
“Leaves never get dried up? Who said? Leaves would definitely get dried up”
“No madam, that’s a special tree, as it never gets dried up. Yesterday my father’s friend who is a botanist had come, he spoke about this matter.”
Now the teacher got confused because the information was shared by a botanist! She paused for a while and said, “Oh is it. May be true. I don’t know. I will search about it and tell you tomorrow. Meanwhile give me your phone number. I will ask about that tree from your parents.” Well, I gave the number and I was so confident that I was right.
Later in the evening my father called me and asked if I argued with my teacher whether the Kiraalubogi tree in front of our house never gets dried up. I nodded yes with full confidence giving reference to his friend’s saying. Then he took me on his lap and explained, “My dear, if any tree doesn’t get dried up it doesn’t mean that its leaves never get dried up. But since all the leaves do not get dried up at the same time, the tree remains green throughout.” Then I realized that I had understood it was wrong! I gave a smile, said “Ok” and jumped out of my father’s lap and ran behind my mother.
Now I realise that the kid’s mind is naïve and elders should be careful while telling anything before them. They take verbal meaning of our words. Children at their tender age curiously observe the things happening around them. They possess high grasping power and normally are great absorbers of information. Therefore whatever elders speak in front of them should always be information in total. Otherwise there will be some lacunae in their knowledge. Yet they would believe that whatever they know is right which is called egocentrism in psychology. Parents must be patient enough to answer all the questions, irrespective of how hard it is, to satisfy their curiosity. Children do need lot of stimulations which would enhance their thinking power. In today’s busy world most of the parents do not have time to spend with their younger ones. But it is very essential that parents spend quality time with their kids. Today’s children are future of tomorrow. Build better tomorrow with well informed children.

ಈ ಯೋಚನೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಹೊಳೆಯಿತು?

ಸಣ್ಣವನಿರುವಾಗಿಂದಲೇ ಕಾಂಕ್ರೀಟು ಹಾಕುವಾಗ ಅದರ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಬ್ಬಿಣದ ಸರಳುಗಳನ್ನಿಡುವುದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಗೊತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಅದು ಯಾಕೆ ಅಂತ ಅಪ್ಪನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದಾಗ "ಅದು ಕಾಂಕ್ರೀಟಿಗೆ ಬಲ ಕೊಡುತ್ತದೆ" ಅಂತ ಉತ್ತರವೂ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತ್ತು. ಅದು ಹೇಗೆ ಬಲ ಕೊಡುತ್ತದೆ ಅನ್ನುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ಅನ್ವೇಷಿಸುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಯಾಕೆಂದರೆ ಉತ್ತರ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿಗೇ ನನ್ನ ಕುತೂಹಲ ತಣಿದಿತ್ತು. ದೊಡ್ಡವನಾದ ಮೇಲೂ ಈ ಸರಳು ಇಡುವ ಯೋಚನೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಹೊಳೆದಿರಬಹುದು ಅಂತ ನಾನು ಯೋಚಿಸುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಎಷ್ಟೆಷ್ಟೋ ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಕಬ್ಬಿಣವನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಅದರ ಮೂಲ ಹುಡುಕುವುದು ಕಷ್ಟ. ಅಥವಾ ಹುಡುಕಿ ನಾನು ಸಾಧಿಸುವಂಥದ್ದೇನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ! ಅಂತ ಬಿಟ್ಟುಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೆ.
ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ನಾಲ್ಕೈದು ಬಾಲವಾಡಿ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಗುಂಪೊಂದು ಮರಳಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಟವಾಡುವುದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಏನು ಆಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಅಂತ ನೋಡುವ ಕುತೂಹಲವಾಯಿತು. ನನ್ನ ಬಾಲ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ನಾನು ಮತ್ತು ಗೆಳೆಯರು ಸೇರಿಕೊಂಡು ಮರಳಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಕಾದಷ್ಟು ಆಟವಾಡಿದ್ದೆವು. ಮರಳನ್ನು ರಾಶಿ ಹಾಕಿ ಬೆಟ್ಟಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡುವುದು, ಅದರೊಳಗೆ ಸುರಂಗ ಕೊರೆಯುವುದು, ಆ ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಮೇಲೆ ಒಂದಷ್ಟು ಸಣ್ಣ ಕುರುಚಲು ಗಿಡಗಳನ್ನು ನೆಡುವುದು, ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಮೇಲೆ ರಸ್ತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡುವುದು ಹೀಗೇ ಸಮಯ ಹೋದದ್ದೇ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ಮಕ್ಕಳೂ ಅಂಥದ್ದೇ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರು. ಒಂದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಬೆಟ್ಟ ತಯಾರಾಗಿ ನಿಂತಿತ್ತು. ಅದನ್ನು ಶೃಂಗರಿಸುವ ಕಾರ‍್ಯ ಶುರುವಾಗಬೇಕಿತ್ತು. ಈಗಿನ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಬೆಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಬದಲಾವಣೆ ಆಗಿದೆ ನೋಡುವ ಅಂತ ಕುತೂಹಲದಿಂದ ಗಮನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ. ಒಬ್ಬ ಹುಡುಗನಿಗೆ ಅದರ ಮೇಲೆ ಗಿಡ ನೆಡುವ ಯೋಚನೆ ಬಂತು. ಹತ್ತಿರದಲ್ಲೇ ಒಂದು ಕುರುಚಲು ಸಸ್ಯ ಇತ್ತು. ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೀಳುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದ. ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆಚೆ ಈಚೆ ಹುಡುಕುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ತೊಡಗಿದ. ಏನು ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದಿ ಅಂತ ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಿದೆ. ಆಗ ಹೇಳಿದ "ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಸಣ್ಣ ಕಬ್ಬಿಣದ ಸರಳು ತಂದಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೆ!!" ಅಂತಂದ. ತನ್ನ ಹುಡುಕಾಟವನ್ನು ಮುಂದುವರೆಸಿದ. ಆಗ ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಮೇಲ್ಮೈಯನ್ನು ಸರಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಇನ್ನೊಬ್ಬ ತನ್ನಷ್ಟಕ್ಕೇ ಕಿರು ನಗೆ ಬೀರಿದ. ಅದನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿ "ನೀನ್ಯಾಕೆ ನಗುವುದು" ಅಂತ ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿದೆ. ಆಗ ಹೇಳಿದ "ಆ ಕಬ್ಬಿಣದ ಸರಳು ಇದರೊಳಗೆ ಉಂಟು" ಅಂತ ತಾನು ಸರಿಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಕಡೆ ಬೊಟ್ಟುಮಾಡಿದ. ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ತುದಿಯಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮರಳನ್ನು ಸರಿಸಿ ಸರಳಿನ ಒಂದು ತುದಿಯನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸಿದ. "ಅದ್ಯಾಕೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಇಟ್ಟದ್ದು?" ಅಂತ ಕೇಳಿದೆ. "ಅದೂ...... ಆಗ ಈ ಮರಳು ಗಟ್ಟಿ ನಿಲ್ಲುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಬೆಟ್ಟ ಮಾಡುವುದಕ್ಕೇ ಆಗುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಸರಳನ್ನಿಟ್ಟೆ. ಮತ್ತೆ ಸರಿಯಾಯಿತು" ಎಂದ. ದಂಗಾಯಿತು! ಇಷ್ಟು ಸಣ್ಣ ಹುಡುಗನಿಗೆ ಈ ಯೋಚನೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಹೊಳೆಯಿತು!!

"ನೀನೆಲ್ಯಾದರೂ ಮೊದಲು ಹೀಗೆ ಸರಳಿಡುವುದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ್ಯಾ?"  

"ಇಲ್ಲ...... ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡಿತ್ತಲ್ಲಾ....., ಹಾಗೆ ಅದನ್ನಿಡುವ, ಸರಿ ಆಗ್ಬೋದು ಅಂತ ಕಂಡಿತು"

"ಶಾಭಾಸ್" ಎಂದೆ.

ಪುಟ್ಟ ಪೋರ ಕಿರುನಗೆ ಬೀರಿ ಮತ್ತೆ ತನ್ನ ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಗ್ನನಾದ.

ಇಂತಹ ಕಲಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಮನೋವಿಜ್ಞಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ’ಇನ್‍ಸೈಟ್ ಲರ್ನಿಂಗ್’ (ಒಳದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಕಲಿಕೆ) ಅಂತ ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಕೊಹ್ಲರ್ ಎಂಬ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನಿಯು ತನ್ನ ಮಂಗನ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಪ್ರಯೋಗದಿಂದ ಕಂಡುಕೊಂಡಂತಹ ಕಲಿಕೆಯ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆ ಇದು. ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಬಾರಿ ನಾವು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಪರಿಹರಿಸುವಾಗ ಫಕ್ಕನೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿಲ್ಲದ ಯೋಚನೆ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಪರಿಹಾರ ಸುಲಭ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಬಹುಷಃ ಕಾಂಕ್ರೀಟಿನ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಬ್ಬಿಣವಿಡುವ ಯೋಚನೆ ಹೀಗೆಯೇ ಯಾರಿಗೋ ಬಂದದ್ದಿರಬೇಕು!! ಆಮೇಲೆ ಉಳಿದವರು ಅದೇ ಕ್ರಮವನ್ನು ಅನುಸರಿಸಿರಬೇಕು. ಅಲ್ಲವೇ?!!

My Matyayye

As usual, the room was silent. I was engrossed in my studies after drinking evening tea. Then came the call from my father and he told “matyayye (grand ma) is no more”!! Once for a while, it was unexpected at that point of time, but it was the reality. We had to accept it. Can anyone win death? Not at all. One can’t stop someone’s death rather postpone it. One or the other day, we too have to leave this world. Can I call death as, ‘an active component of this world becoming stagnant’?

I am in a distant place and can’t attend her last rites. But I am not worried about it. Because I believe that whatever the respect that one can give to a person should be given when he is alive. The respect after death is only ritualistic.

I don’t know whether there is an aatma which leaves the body but stays in this world. But I believe, the presence of aatma might be felt in the memory of people about the person who is no more.

Matyayye knew so many hymns, folk songs, Ramayana and Mahabharata in the form of songs, many marriage ceremony songs, stories, rituals etc. I used to listen to her songs and had recorded some too. But I didn’t make any effort to learn them. Even though they sounded interesting and I enjoyed listening them, ‘I didn’t have time to learn them’ (an adamant attitude among many youngsters and I am not an exception). She had taught me ‘Amarakosha’ when I was little kid. Then I didn’t know why was she teaching but it was a kind of time pass for me. Recently when I had asked her for the reason for teaching me Amarakosha, she said, “it has so many tongue twisters and by learning them one’s pronunciation becomes clear”. Now when my friend says that you pronounce the language very properly and clearly, should not I give the credit to my matyayye who made my tongue to twist as per the language’s requirement?! Well, I had given that credit to her when she was alive and she was happy about it. Still those happy smiling face are strongly bound in my memory.  

She used to light ghee lamps whenever I had competitions or exams. She used to pray god for my success. She used to cheer when I got prizes and kept giving me her blessings. Last time when I met her at my home, as always, she wished, “let god give you all the success in all the endeavours”. I thanked her for that and gave her a big hug. I could feel the vibration in her body with happiness.

It is not to say that she was perfect. She too had her own limitations. But those limitations do not stop me to think about all the love and affection she used to shower on me. She was unique in her own way. I thank her for all that love and care she gave me and most importantly for giving me lovely father.

An encounter with anonymous

For easy  reading.............

I had boarded the train at Jaipur to travel to Jaisalmer at 11.45pm. I was really tired after visiting the places in Jaipur under that hot sun. In between, there were intruders with general tickets in the sleeper class! I was feeling so sleepy and was not in a position to ‘adjust’ my berth with the local passengers. But the arrogance of these local people was really horrible. They never had a sense of guilt for intruding into sleeper class though they were supposed to travel in ordinary class. Over and above that, they behaved as if occupying in sleeper class was their right. A person had already slept on my berth. I went and asked him politely that whether it was his berth. He said “yes”!! Then I asked him to show the ticket. Then he asked my name as if I was intruding into his berth. When I showed my ticket and raised my voice a bit, he woke up and wished (cursed) ‘araam se so jaavo’(sleep well)!!! “Are bhaai, itna paisa deke, mere berth me mei nahi so jaavoo kya?” I thought myself! Thank god, he didn’t wish “Rest in Peace” for me as in Bol Bachchan!!!

           
            I sighed.  Kept my bags below the berth and went to get refreshed. By the time I returned, I was surprised to see another person lying on my berth!! I was no more patient now! But still, quarrelling was not a good idea. So I asked him politely, “is this your berth?” “No” he said. Thank God, at least he accepted the truth! He woke up and said that his ticket was in waiting list and requested me to allow him to sit on my berth. I accepted for it as I felt happy that he was an honest person. He asked me “where was I going?” I said “Jaisalmer. and You?”. “Even I am going to Jaisalmer” he said. He cursed for his fate as he had to stay the night sitting! I But he was optimistic of getting a berth by the time train reached Jodhpur by early morning 5 o’clock. I spread my bed sheet on the berth and stretched myself to relax. Then I thought of getting an advice from localite about Jaisalmer from him. So I asked, “what are the places that are ‘must visit’ in Jaisalmer?” He said “I too don’t know, I am new to Jaisalmer”.

I continued the conversation,

“Oh! What are you doing in Jaisalmer?”

“I am in Border Security Force (BSF)”

“Wow!! Thats great!” I was overjoyed to meet a protector of our nation and to share my berth with him. I was curious to know about the military life indeed.

“How is your life in BSF? How many years have you been working in BSF?”

“Life is good, I am in service since 18 years”

“Where is your native?”

“Uttar Pradesh, near Meerut”

“How do you feel about your service?”

“It is good. We get many facilities.”

“How is your work schedule?”

“It varies. We work in shifts. Since our responsibility is to protect the border, there will be night shifts as well as day shifts”

“Do you feel it stressful?”

“No. Not at all.  We watch the border with no stress. I serve  either on night shift or day shift. Night shift means I have to leave the camp by 7pm towards the border where I am assigned a duty. There will be 3 jawans assigned to the same place. All three will go together in the vehicle. The duty of eight hours is divided into 4 parts. One soldier will do the duty for 2 hours and the other two sleeps during that time. Then he would awaken another and  would take rest. This goes in rotation until the third soldier in the group completes his two hour duty.  After that, all three would keep awake and protect the border for the remaining two hours. Then another team of jawaans would arrive to the place allowing us to return to camp. In this way we do our duty with no stress.”

“How about food?”

“Oh yes, we do get a very good quality food. Always we get food as per a fixed time-table.  We are given chicken once in a week. They measure the food in calories and provide it to us. So, no complaints on food. We keep healthy.

“Whether sweaters, jackets of good quality are provided for you? That too especially when you work in Kashmir, you will definitely need them!”

“yes yes, we are provided with very good quality warm clothes, sweaters and jackets.”

I felt happy as the jawaan is happy with his profession and conditions of existence. I shifted the topic to suicides.

“I have heard that India is doing good in reducing the number of suicides among soldiers by psychological intervention. What do you say about suicides by soldiers?”

“There is nothing like that. No specific relationship between military life and suicide. See, don’t the common people commit suicide in our society? Similarly, soldiers may have reasons in their own life to commit suicide. There is nothing to hype about this matter actually. I have never felt any feeling like that. Yes, monotony will be there and we will be away from our family for a longer duration of time. But that doesn’t become a matter for a soldier to commit suicide. So, I don’t agree that the situation in which we live makes us to commit suicide.”

“How much leave do you get in a year?”

“60 days leave is our rightful leave. Every soldier can enjoy this much leave. No one can stop him from it. If we save them in our initial years of service, we can use them at later years.  We have 15 casual leaves (CL) too.  It is granted based on situation.    In cases of emergencies, there is also a provision of leaves without pay”.

Good, these people can use their leaves as and when they want. I wanted to know further about the facilities they are provided with.

“Whether you get travel allowances properly?”

“Yes, as per the new rules, we can travel in 2 tier AC coaches in trains. Earlier it was sleeper class. But the problem is that, we fix our travel not much prior to the date of journey. Our tickets remain in waiting lists most of the times. So, even though we have the facility, we are not able to utilize it. But no regrets. We adjust with the situation”

This was a notable point. I felt that the railways will have to have quotas for military and paramilitary persons at least in the trains which travel in the lines where movement of them is higher.

Now I wanted to probe him more with critical questions!

“What is your opinion about India – Pakistan relations?” People in external affairs ministry might talk for hours about this issue. They may explain the bilateral ties between the two countries better than anyone else. But I wanted to know the opinion of a person who strives at the border and not in the AC room.

“India – Pak? O.K. fine. Compared to earlier days it is going on better now. Yet, every night DIWALI is celebrated even now! In the morning we meet on adjacent border but in the night, firing takes place. But I assure you, India never  initiates firing but Pakis do. Of course, we retaliate and we never accept defeat. If they fire one bullet, we will fire two. In case if they kill one person from our side, we won’t rest before killing at least two soldiers from their side.”

“What if India – China war takes place in the present scenario?”

“Well, China is a powerful country. But we are not weak. We are equally powerful to defeat China. If war takes place, we have good chances of crushing them”.

This confidence in a soldier is really laudable. I felt proud of him. Seeing me in sleepy mood he asked me to take rest. Though we wished to see in the morning he was nowhere when I woke-up. He could have got berth in some other compartment.

I couldn’t locate him in nearby compartments. Even I had forgotten to ask his name!! Whatever may be his name, I felt, the information out of this conversation is worth sharing. He had broken the misconception among us about the difficulties of life in military and paramilitary forces. Now I feel that more and more youth of India may find a good placement in military. 

Light up lives and not crackers!

 

                Boys have already started bursting firecrackers on the streets as the zeal of festivity is increasing. Diwali is just round the corner and the festival reminds children of firecrackers!! I was no different in my childhood. My father used to purchase sparklers, ground chakkars, flower pots, twinkling star and a packet of crackers. But as I entered secondary school, he used to convince me to burst lesser firecrackers as they cause heavy air pollution. By the time I entered high school, we discontinued buying crackers. We used to celebrate Diwali by taking oil bath in the early morning as some sweets are prepared for noon as oils are lighted in the front of the house at evening.

What is the relevance of Diwali?

               Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana after completing 14 years of exile (vanavaasa) and killing of the demon king Raavana from Lanka. Ayodhya residents had welcomed their cherished prince by lighting diyas (ghee lamps).

             

               Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated one day before Diwali as the day Lord Krishna and Satyabhama’s victory over Narakaasura. Thus both days hold significance as two incarnations of Vishnu had achieved victory over demons. I don’t know when the use of fireworks had started!! But I was wondering how it might have come into practice to burst firecrackers during Deepavali? Someone told me that the purpose of bursting fireworks was to drive away evil spirits!! “Oh!! What an idea sir ji!! Pataaki jalaake (udaake) bhootonko bhagaa denge!!!”  But with our ‘extra’ enthusiasm to drive away evil spirits, “dev deviyaan bhi bhaag gaye to?” They have no answer to this question.

Should we use fireworks during Diwali?

                It is difficult to curtail the use of fireworks completely. But some initiative must be taken in this direction too as fireworks are hazardous to mind and body. Nature is, however, a victim anyway with air, water, soil and noise pollution!!

                It is quite common every year to hear reports about people losing their vision, hand or other vital organs on account of bursting of firecrackers. Accidents occur due to people’s carelessness or due to the usage of substandard fire crackers. But finally the result is miserable.

                Special care should be taken with infants and toddlers. There is a greater possibility of them getting scared due to huge sounds of fire crackers which may also pave way for mental stress. In severe cases, this effect of trauma may last long or may be for lifetime.

                 It is a well known fact that inhaling of smoke is harmful for health. Children in particular should not be exposed to such thick smoke which emanates from fire works that can easily cause some respiratory disorders.

                We should not forget the Sivakasi tragedy which took place just two months ago. Nearly 40 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured due to inadequate safety measures be undertaken in the factory building. Few years back, similar tragedy had taken place and people had lost their lives in the same place.

                I appeal to people to stop bursting fireworks as I am concerned about human lives. Many children and youths are not really careful while bursting fire crackers. For instance, a physically handicapped woman was walking in the bylanes. Some boys were bursting firecrackers in the vicinity. Suddenly they started screaming at the woman to go away from the place. Thankfully, she could move two steps away and the cracker blasted there! When she asked the children to be cautious while bursting crackers they turned a blind eye towards it. When I interfered, they calmly said, “It’s Diwali festival, so we are bursting crackers. She should have been careful!!” How adamant! They simply ignored my request. The women sighed that she could rescue herself! But the question which arises in my mind is can someone harm the other for the sake of having fun!

               It is time for the government to take immediate steps to curb the menace by allowing the sale of only sparklers, twinkling stars, flower pots or such burning fireworks in the open market so that children can have fun during Diwali. High decibel firecrackers should be banned to rescue people’s lives.

Rural development is vital for Nation's progress

For easy reading - 

Can we take a U-turn now, that is, from cities to villages? Of course, I call upon the classes, not the masses. If classes can do it, then masses will follow. So far migration to cities has been seen inevitable. But not any more.  We can turn the whole scenario if we wish take a new initiative.

The current process is that people go to towns in search of jobs. In fact in the recent past, we have seen urban migration in an unprecedented manner. Even now people who have studied professional courses like engineering, medical etc. find it necessary to go to metropolis to get good jobs. Many people have got jobs in multinational companies and have achieved higher positions in them, have got the opportunities to visit foreign countries and interact with people of other countries who are working in the same/similar domains and have gained lot of experience. All these things are surely the indicators of development. But very few of them have discovered their real potential to work from villages for the same firms or to establish a new firm of their own. Even those who have ventured to establish their companies they have done it in cities.

            The fact of the matter is that the development of infrastructure is quite less in the rural areas. When there are no infrastructure facilities how can that area grow? But now the situation is changing. We often see the government investing a lot for the rural development. The main concerns of the government have been providing drinking water, sanitation, education, health facilities, supply of electricity, transportation facilities, employment etc. In fact many programs of the government have given positive results. A recent news that ‘rural India has outpaced urban spending!’ (The Indian Express, 30 August 2012) is a proof for it. 

The paradox is that most of the Indian cities are ill equipped with insufficient infrastructure to receive immigrants from villages whether educated or uneducated. A good news is that our Union Finance Minster has allocated highest share of the budget to the infrastructure development.  But the million dollar question is who will grab the lion’s share out this fund? Who will get priority whether cities or villages? No doubt, there is an urgent necessity of developing infrastructure in the cities. But pessimistically speaking it is an unending process because, if infrastructures in cities are developed, then automatically more people will migrate towards cities as they will get better facilities and opportunities. The already congested cities will have to bear more human burden. Again the dearth of infrastructure continues, funds will flow to cities keeping the rural sector waiting.

            What is wrong in urban migration? Don’t the people have the right to live wherever they wish? But the basic question is, are they happy living in cities with polluted air, no space for children to play, chlorinated drinking water, small houses, no space to park their vehicle, sometimes quarrelling with neighbours for parking space, expensive vegetables and fruits covered with pesticides, congested roads and heavy traffic and so on. Only a few lucky might be happy as they can roam in the malls, eat junk foods, but many people get really frustrated with city dwelling! So discouraging the migration to cities is an essential step.

My interaction with educated youth, particularly engineers while travelling in city buses revealed that they have no option other than living in cities. They feel that their talent gets wasted if they stay back in their villages. Their point of view is absolutely true. No talent must be wasted or remain unnoticed. In fact, for India man power itself is the major source for its growth and development. Being a developing nation, it is necessary for it to utilize the potential of young talents to the maximum to become a leading power in this world.

Can villages accommodate?

            

            This is not just a wishful idea but it is possible. Go back to rural areas and find a place to work there. Just realise “once upon a time it was necessary to go to cities in search of jobs, but not any more!” The idea is simple. If we count the number of engineers who belong to rural region, on an average there might be around 100 to 150 per village. If these engineers join together, come back to their villages and open a company by investing their earnings, then capital formation will not be a big challenge at all to them. With the contacts they have gained during their service, they can get the projects. Or else, they may open extension offices of the companies where they worked earlier.  This will ensure the job and talent well utilised. Today many villages are already equipped with basic facilities required for software industry such as electricity, broadband, telephone etc. If engineers take initiative to settle in their own villages then, it becomes binding on the part of the government to ensure the power supply and uninterrupted internet connection. Power supply and telecommunication facilities can be provided even by private cooperation too with the help of giants like TATA, Reliance, Bharati Airtel, Aircel, Idea etc. who can contribute significantly to these initiatives. Then the small units can run easily. That will be a real social transformation.

What are the benefits?

            

            I am sure that this will lead India towards faster growth. As said by the Finance Minister recently, to enhance the growth rate of India which is at a dismal rate of 5.5%, domestic investment must be encouraged. We can’t expect huge Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) at this juncture because the world economy is not in a good shape. For India, IT industry is one of the major contributors to the GDP. Moreover, unlike manufacturing industry, software industry doesn’t need huge investments. The establishment of small IT units in rural areas would enhance the projects of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) like Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA), a concept given by former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and framed by Prof. Emerson. Automatically the infrastructure in rural areas would get much better. Transportation facilities would be improved. Rural budget and spending would grow much higher.

            Engineers shifted to villages may make their life lively. They may also spend some time to roam around in their agricultural fields, do some agricultural works and may develop some new technologies to improve the agricultural practices. After all India can’t sustain without agriculture. The active involvement of educated youth will make it stronger. The stress upon implementation of technology in agriculture is equally important to provide food for the growing population in actual numbers. Scientific management of food crops is the need to ensure no wastage. Today people are bound to spend huge amount of their earning on food which curtails their spending on other goods. When spending is less, it would affect Gross Domestic Product (GDP) negatively which would eventually result in lower growth.

Another beneficial consequence of inflow of engineers to rural areas is the improvement in education and healthcare facilities. The education has become extremely expensive in cities.  Parents have to spend enormously for the education of their children in private schools. With the craze for English education and prejudices against government schools, people tend to send their children to private schools even though they are unethically expensive. One of the reasons for these schools being expensive is limited seats and huge number of applicants. A simple principle of economics ‘demand and supply’ is applied by school authorities. Many people book the seats in schools soon after the child is born or sometimes even when it is in the womb (this is not exaggeration!). This problem is mainly faced because everyone wants to stay in cities to get improved amenities. If the engineers participate in rural education automatically there will be improved facilities in their native place itself. Then why would people migrate to cities where children cannot learn playfully?

            The other dissuading fact is that rural areas are lacking good medical practitioners. It is true but why? Because, a doctor earns less in rural areas as he gets very limited number of patients. In order to ensure his livelihood and plenty of money, he would prefer to migrate to cities where he will have a more practice and a better earning. By the very presence of engineers, there will be greater concentration of engineers who will need good health facilities creating sufficient demand for the health services. Moreover, this problem can be addressed by creating health hubs of nearby villages. A group of specialists can function there with well equipped facilities.

Optimism should be there at the root of any effort. Success comes to only those who dare and act. That is why I appeal to the educated people to take initiative to develop this country instead of cursing the State for everything. Practically this would help us to see a much better India than what it is now. Instead of feeling relative deprivation by looking at developed countries, let us rise to the level of developed countries! Let us be strong to realise the often mentioned phrase, “Strength respects strength” by our former President of India Prof. President Abdul Kalam. 

Impact of modernization on religious practices

I prefer not to miss my routine evening walk because it is not only good for my health but also it gives new experiences every day. Recently it turned into a very special learning occasion for me on Shree Krishna Janmashtami day. There was a festive mood all around. Families, friends and relatives were going to nearby temples in groups. Devotional songs were being played through loud speakers as a spiritual atmosphere prevailed in the place. A small Krishna Mandir is situated on my way. Since there was lesser crowd I thought of going in there.

Overwhelmed artificiality

The devotees had squattered on the floor. There was a singer singing with a key board with a tabla artist to accompany him.  Mikes were given full volume so that nothing else could be heard. All devotees were clapping with lifted hands to the tune of music. Everybody was busy in following the song that the main singer was singing. The idol of Lord Krishna was decorated wonderfully with so many silver and golden coloured foils and other shining artificial materials. They were glowing with LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs and focus lights. But no original oil lamp was seen anywhere!

Having my roots in village India my mind rolled back to the past. Traditionally people were decorating the idols of god with variety of original flowers. Many oil lamps were lit which brightened the decorated idol. Bhajans were sung by all in the group line by line as some one with good voice pronounced the lines loudly. But today in cities the life is overwhelmed with artificial things. As flowers became costly, the artificial flowers have replaced them. However, the concept of decorating the lord is still continued with a change in the material. So, whatever is the matter, Bhakti is important.

Biscuits and Chocolates

While the bhajans went on and the devotees were engrossed in bhakti there started the process of distribution of prasaadam. A lady started distributing small packets of Parle-G biscuits. Every one held their hands out to get them. Then came the coffee-bytes!!! The priest started throwing something from near the feet of the idol and to my surprise they were chocolates. People started jumping to get the flying chocolates. Instead of bhajans I heard the shrills “one for me”, “I didn’t get”, “throw one here” etc. I didn’t get any as I was sitting in the last row and no chocolates reached there. Now it was the turn of pens to fly!! A lady devotee had brought some pens and they were thrown towards the crowd. Same jubilant response from the devotees and same fate for me!!  No chocolates, no pens but no regrets. It was good to observe the new dimension of Krishna’s worship from the back of the crowd.

Later bananas and mosambis were distributed by the organizers. Then the most precious and auspicious prasaada followed! It was a mixture of dahi (curd), butter, crystal sugar and poha. It is believed that lord Krishna liked dahi, butter and poha very much. So it is very sacred for devotees of Krishna. It was really delicious. Then an old lady came distributing currency notes of Rs. 10 to everybody who was present there. My mind went down the lane of memory when I was a kid aged 5 or 6 years. I remembered the days when I was eager to take one rupee coin which was distributed during ritual functions like marriage ceremony etc. Giving cash in the name of ‘dakshine’ to all those who attended the function was a tradition. In those days one rupee coin was a great thing. Now, the time has passed and Rs. 10 note has replaced the Re. 1 coin. In fact, the tradition has continued with changed material value.

Continuity and change

In a sociological sense, all these things can be explained as continuity and change. The traditional beliefs and rituals are being continued. But the things are replaced by the available new materials. In the earlier times, lamps with oil were the only means of glowing the sculpture of the Lord. But with the availability of LEDs, halogens, the means of brightening the idol are changed. People feel it easy to glow LEDs by switching on the plug instead of struggling with the oil lamps which needs frequent tending of the flame. On a lighter note, we may say oil has become expensive than LEDs!!

Just a few decades back people used harmonium as accompanying instrument while singing bhajans. It has been now replaced by ‘key-board’ with the advancement of technology. Most innovative idea is the addition to the form of prasadam. Even the packed items like biscuits, chocolates and pens have been considered as prasaada and have got validated to get that sanctity!! Thus the process of distributing prasaada is continued though the form of prasaada is changed due to availability of the modern and ready made materials. One need not wonder if the ‘teertha’ (holy water) gets replaced in the future by coca-cola or pepsi due to their ready availability!!  

Social integration

            Mangalaarathi was over. Fortunately it was with original lamp and not with the LED aarathi which is available in the market! People started leaving the place and I too wore my footwear to continue walking. Mind started wandering with thoughts. Sociology refers to the concepts of continuity and change. Is this the same? Can this be evidence to it? Well, after all with such continuity of collective worship and changes in using modern materials, whether the purpose of festivals is really served? The main purpose of Tilak, the fighter for Swaraaj, who started the public ‘Ganeshotsava’ in Maharashtra was not to popularise religion but to bring social integration among the people and harmony in the society. But has it been achieved through collective worships is a curious question. In fact, here too, apparently I didn’t see the difference between poor or rich, high or low caste anywhere in the whole gathering. Everyone was the devotee of Lord Krishna and was sitting in the group.  But how long this sense of unity and equality will remain in their consciousness? Is it only till they come out of that mandir? Unfortunately yes. Soon after their exit from the shrine they adorn their class and caste differences. BMWs, Skodas, Toyotas etc. crawl down to pick the rich where as the poor continues to walk with torn slippers!! Still I would prefer to look at the event with positive perspective. I feel that people at least come out of their class and caste consciousness for some time at the place of worship. There were no separate rows for higher and lower castes or classes as it was found in the earlier times. Any one could sit anywhere and near any other. This is a small but significant change at the place of worship because the religion has sanctioned our social stratification. No doubt, at least temporarily they had pushed their class and caste differences to the subconscious mind.   It is really a positive change, though a very small step in achieving an egalitarian society. Social integration has to be attained through small changes like this leading to break the prejudices towards the people of poor and lower class and castes. 


Thank you Vaidehi akka, editor of Afternoonvoice http://afternoonvoice.com/