A Journey in General Compartment

We always learn lessons from the troubles faced by us in our lives. We can’t learn by watching somebody undergoing stress or reading about them. It is no longer a wonder why Mahatma Gandhi travelled all over India in general compartments of trains. Gandhiji’s intention was to know about the real India before leading the freedom struggle movement. I understand that he was definitely right in those days to commute in general compartments to learn about the troubles faced by common man in India. The common man has to undergo several hardships while commuting in general compartment of the Indian Railways. I am now a witness to the fact that how many lakhs of passengers are punished daily as they are common people.

I had to travel in a General Compartment of the Indian railways. As per the railway timetable my journey from Delhi to Mughal Sarai is only 12 hours. Since the waiting list position of my ticket was above 400 hence there was no chance of getting a confirmed ticket. So I thought I could undertake my journey in general compartment during day time. However, my journey exceeded beyond 20 hours which is close to spending an entire day in train. Now let me share my experiences while commuting in the train.

Whenever a person boards a general compartment on a busy route, his first dilemma is to enter the coach as early as possible. Later, he has to struggle to find a seat. If one is unable to get a seat, then he has to either climb up and sit on the luggage carrier or get ready to sit on the floor of the compartment. Co-passengers will also trouble him while moving around the coach. Normally in one seat (i.e. a berth length in sleeper coach) six to seven people sit. In other words, irrespective of different body masses, it is compulsory to fit. Luggage carriers are normally occupied by three to four people. Two persons share the single side-seats. Many people would sit on the passage and the place in between the seats. Thus large number of persons occupies a compartment which is actually meant to accommodate eight persons. Adjust, adjust and adjust… is the philosophy.

Since these compartments are isolated from sleeper coaches, they are deprived of food supply. Even when train halts at a station, no food stalls are available near to the coaches as they are on the rear end of the train. By the time sellers reach near these coaches, the train is already set for departure. Thus only few commuters sitting near the window are able to purchase food items. However, most of the passengers help their co-passengers by ordering food through windows.

The toilets in these coaches are unhygienic as they are seldom cleaned by coach attendants. There is lack of water supply too. If male commuters themselves find it difficult to use these toilets, then imagine the fate of female passengers. To add to the woes, one of the toilets is occupied by few commuters due to space crunch in the coach. The passengers can’t expect the fans in the compartments to function anyway. If the windows are opened, then those commuters seated near it feel cold and if it is shut, then the insiders feel suffocated. Thus once again, the only means to survive is to ‘adjust’.

This is how the general compartments function in our country. I had seen the pictures and videos of crowded trains. I had also noticed people sitting on the roof of the coaches. However, these incidents never made me realize the hardships faced by people while travelling in this manner. After a long journey spanning 20 hours, I was eagerly waiting for my station to arrive and alight from the coach as soon as possible. Once I got down at the station, I felt like a bird which was freed from the cage. I looked back at the coach. No one else got alighted, instead three commuters boarded it. Most of the passengers had to travel another 10 to 12 hours for reaching their destination. I sighed. Does Railways really bother to serve the poor people who mostly travel in these general compartments?

ಬಳ್ಳೂರು ಡೈರಿ ಕೇರಾಫ್ ಸ್ತ್ರೀ

"ನಂದಿನಿ ಹಾಲಿನ ಪ್ಯಾಕೆಟ್‌ನ ಮೇಲೆ ದನದ ಚಿತ್ರ ಯಾಕಮ್ಮಾ?" ಖಾಲಿಯಾದ ಹಾಲಿನ ಪ್ಯಾಕೆಟ್‌ನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡ ಒಂದು ಪುಟ್ಟ ಮಗು ಕುತೂಹಲದಿಂದ ಅಮ್ಮನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಳಿದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಯಿದು. ಕಾರಣ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಹಾಲಿಗೂ ದನಕ್ಕೂ ಇರುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ನಗರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಿತ್ಯವೂ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಪ್ಯಾಕೆಟ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಖರೀದಿಸುವುದು ಅಭ್ಯಾಸ. ಬೆಲೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾದಾಗ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಗೊಣಗಿಕೊಂಡರೂ ಬೇರೆ ವಿಧಿಯಿಲ್ಲ. ನಿರ್ಧರಿತ ಬೆಲೆಯನ್ನು ತೆತ್ತು ತರಬೇಕು.  ಈ ಪ್ಯಾಕೆಟ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಗ್ರಹವಾಗಿ ಬರುವ ಹಾಲಿನ ಹಿಂದೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಕೆಲಸ ಇದೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ನಾವೆಂದಾದರೂ ಯೋಚನೆಗೆ ಹಚ್ಚಿದ್ದುಂಟೇ? ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಕಡೆಗಳಿಂದ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿ, ಸಂವರ್ಧಿಸಿ, ಶೀತಲೀಕರಿಸಿ ನಮಗೆ ’ನಂದಿನಿ’ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರಿನಿಂದ ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ತಲುಪಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಹಾಲು ಒಕ್ಕೂಟ (ಕೆ.ಎಮ್.ಎಫ಼್). ಈ ಒಕ್ಕೂಟದಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವಾರು ಸಂಘಗಳು ಹಾಲು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಣೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತವೆ. ಮೈಸೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಇಂತಹ ಹಲವಾರು ಸಂಘಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ಬಳ್ಳೂರು ಎಂಬ ಗ್ರಾಮದ ಸಂಘ ವಿಶೇಷವಾದದ್ದು. ಯಾಕೆಂದರೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಸಂಘವನ್ನು ನಡೆಸುವುದು ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು.
ಬಳ್ಳೂರು ಕೃಷ್ಣರಾಜ ನಗರ ತಾಲೂಕಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಒಂದು ಪುಟ್ಟ ಗ್ರಾಮ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕೃಷಿಯೇ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಕಾಯಕ. ಕೃಷಿಗೆ ಪೂರಕವಾಗಿ ಹಸು ಹಾಗೂ ಎಮ್ಮೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ಸಾಕಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಮನೆಯ ಬಳಕೆಗೆ ಬೇಕಷ್ಟನ್ನಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ೫ ಕಿಲೊಮೀಟರ್ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಪಕ್ಕದ ಗ್ರಾಮವಾದ ಸಾಲಿಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಡೈರಿಗೆ ಕೊಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ದಿನಕ್ಕೆರಡು ಬಾರಿ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟುಬರುವುದೇ ಒಂದು ಹೊರೆಯಾಗಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿತು. ದೂರದೂರಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಬರುವ ಬದಲು ನಮ್ಮೂರಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಡೈರಿಯನ್ನು ಯಾಕೆ ಆರಂಭಿಸಬಾರದು ಎಂಬ ಚಿಂತನೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಆರಂಭವಾದದ್ದೇ ಬಳ್ಳೂರಿನ ಡೈರಿ. ಈ ಚಿಂತನೆಯ ರೂವಾರಿ ರತ್ನ ಅಭ್ಯಂಕರ್ ಅವರು. ಜನರೇ ಅಪೇಕ್ಷಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಈಗಲೂ ಅವರೇ ಅದರ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿಯಾಗಿ ನಡೆಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆಡಳಿತ ಮಂಡಳಿಯನ್ನು ಮತದಾನದ ಮೂಲಕ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.  
ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಇದು ಯಾವುದೇ ಒಬ್ಬ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ಸೊತ್ತಲ್ಲ. ಇಡೀ ಊರೇ ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲುದಾರರು. ಸದಸ್ಯರಾಗುವವರು ಷೇರುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಬಂಡವಾಳದ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಣೆ. ಮೊದಮೊದಲು ಡೈರಿಯ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಯ ಕುರಿತು ಸಂಶಯ ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಜನರು ತಮ್ಮನ್ನು ತಾವು ತೊಡಗಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಂಜರಿದರು. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣ ಈ ಹಿಂದೆ ಡೈರಿ ಆರಂಭಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆಂದು ಹೊರಟ ಕೆಲವರು ಹಣ ನುಂಗಿದ ಅನುಭವ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹಸಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಆರಂಭದ ಅಡಚಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ದಾಟುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಷ್ಟಪಡಬೇಕಾದರೂ ೨೦೦೪ರಲ್ಲಿ ಡೈರಿ ಆರಂಭವಾದ ಮೇಲೆ ಜನರ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸವನ್ನು ಗೆದ್ದಿತು. ಬಹಳ ಕಷ್ಟದಿಂದ ೧೫೨ ಮಂದಿಯನ್ನು ಷೇರುದಾರರಾಗಿ ಒಟ್ಟುಗೂಡಿಸಿದ್ದ ಸಂಘಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಷೇರುಗಳು ಬರತೊಡಗಿದುವು ಮತ್ತು ಷೇರುಗಳ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಈಗ ೩೦೦ ತಲುಪಿದೆ. ದಿನಕ್ಕೆ ೬೦ ಲೀಟರುಗಳ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಣೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಆರಂಭವಾದ ಡೈರಿ ಈಗ ೨೦೦೦ಲೀಟರ್ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಊರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ಪಾದನೆಯಾಗುವ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿ ಹುಣಸೂರಿಗೆ ಕಳಿಸುವ ಒಂದು ಹಾಲು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಣಾ ಕೇಂದ್ರವಾಗಿ ’ಡೈರಿ’ ಅಂತ ಆರಭವಾದದ್ದು ೨೦೧೩ರ ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ಬಿ‌ಎಮ್‌ಸಿ (ಬಲ್ಕ್ ಮಿಲ್ಕ್ ಚಿಲ್ಲಿಂಗ್ ಸೆಂಟರ್ - ಸಗಟು ಹಾಲು ಶೀತಲೀಕರಣ ಘಟಕ) ಆಗಿ ಪರಿವರ್ತಿತವಾಗಿದೆ. ಬಳ್ಳೂರಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ಪಕ್ಕದ ೫ ಗ್ರಾಮಗಳಿಂದ ಹಾಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಶೇಖರಣೆಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಅತೀ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಹಾಲು ಉತ್ಪಾದಿಸುವ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸಂಘ ಅನ್ನುವ ಗೌರವಕ್ಕೂ ಪಾತ್ರವಾಗಿದೆ.  ವಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಮಾರು ೧೪ ಲಕ್ಷ ಹಾಗೂ ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಮಾರು ಒಂದು ಕೋಟಿ ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತೈದು ಲಕ್ಷ ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳಷ್ಟು ವ್ಯವಹಾರ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತದೆ.

ಡೈರಿ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಯಿಂದಾಗಿ ಬಳ್ಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಸುಧಾರಣೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಮನೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಟಿ.ವಿ., ಫ್ರಿಡ್ಜ್, ಸ್ಕೂಟಿ, ಬೈಕು ಹೀಗೆ ಹಲವಾರು ಉಪಕರಣಗಳು ಬಂದಿವೆ. ಊರ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ಸಬಲರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ತಮ್ಮ ಇತರ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕಿನಿಂದ ಅಥವಾ ಸಹಕಾರಿ ಸಂಘಗಳಿಂದ ಸಾಲವನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುವ ಮತ್ತು ಅದನ್ನು ಮರುಸಂದಾಯ ಮಾಡುವ ಧೈರ್ಯ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿದೆ. ಕೂಲಿ ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕರಾಗಿ ಹೊಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ದುಡಿಯುವವರೂ ಕೂಡಾ ತಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ದನಗಳನ್ನು ಸಾಕುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಅವರುಗಳಿಗೆ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೊಂದು ನಿರಂತರ ಆಧಾರವಾಗಿ ಡೈರಿ ಸಹಕರಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ವಾರಕ್ಕಿಂತಿಷ್ಟು ಅಂತ ನಿರ್ಧರಿತವಾಗಿ ಗಳಿಸುವ ಆದಾಯವು ಜನರಿಗೆ ಜೀವನ ಭದ್ರತೆಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದೆ.
ಕೃಷಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಹೈನುಗಾರಿಕೆ ಒಂದಕ್ಕೊಂದು ಪೂರಕವಾಗಿ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಕೃಷಿಗೆ ಬೇಕಾಗುವ ಆಳುಗಳ ಸಹಕಾರ ಹೈನುಗಾರಿಕೆಗೆ ಬೇಕಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಮನೆ ಮಂದಿಯೇ ದನಗಳ ಕೆಲಸಗಳನ್ನು ನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಬಹುದು. ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಜನ ಪರಾವಲಂಬಿತವಾದ ಕೃಷಿಯನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಹೈನುಗಾರಿಕೆಯನ್ನೇ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಕಸುಬನ್ನಾಗಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಡೈರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುವ ಆದಾಯವನ್ನು ಒಕ್ಕೂಟದ ’ಬೈಲಾ ಪುಸ್ತಕ’ದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿರುವ ಕಾನೂನು ಪ್ರಕಾರವೇ ವಿನಿಯೋಗಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದಾಯವನ್ನು ಜನರಿಗೆ ಬೋನಸ್ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಡುವ ಕ್ರಮವೂ ಇದೆ.
ಬಳ್ಳೂರಿನ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸಂಘವು ಹೀಗೆ ಕ್ಷೀರ ಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಮೂಲಕ ಊರಿನ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಗೆ ಕಾರಣವಾಗಿದೆ. ಪುರುಷ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಸಮಾಜದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಂದ ಇಂತಹ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಶ್ಲಾಘನೀಯ. ಮಹಿಳೆಯರ ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಊರಿನ ಪುರುಷರೂ ಸಹಕರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ತಮ್ಮ ಕೈಲಾದ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಮಹಿಳೆಯರ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಪೂರಕವಾಗಿದೆ. ಹೀಗೆಯೇ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ವಿವಿಧ ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿಸಿಕೊಡಾಗ ದೇಶದ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಸಾಧ್ಯ.

ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಸ್ತರಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಆಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆಗಳು - ಭರವಸೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಯೋಜನೆಗಳು

ಯಾವುದೇ ಸಮಾಜದಲ್ಲಿಯಾದರೂ ಶ್ರೇಣಿವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಅನ್ನುವುದು ಇದ್ದೇ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ. ಶ್ರೇಣೀಕೃತ ವಿಂಗಡಣೆಯ ಆಧಾರಗಳು ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಇರಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಇಂದಿನ ಆಧುನಿಕ ಯುಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಲಭವಾಗಿ ಗುರುತಿಸಲು ಸಿಗುವುದು ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಾಧಾರಿತ ವರ್ಗ ವಿಂಗಡಣೆ (class division). ವಿವಿಧ ವರ್ಗಗಳ ಜನರ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಗಳ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಬಹಳ ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸಗಳಿವೆ. ಕೆಳವರ್ಗದ ಜನರು ಇನ್ನೂ ಕೂಡಾ ಅಪೇಕ್ಷಿಸುವುದೇನೆಂದರೆ ಅನ್ನ, ನೀರು ಮತ್ತು ವಿದ್ಯುತ್.ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅದರಿಂದಾಚೆಗಿನ ಕುರಿತು ಯೋಚನೆಯೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಇದರ ಅರ್ಥ ಜನರಿನ್ನೂ ಚಿಂತಿಸುವ ರೀತಿಯನ್ನು ಬದಲಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದಲ್ಲ. ಬಡವರಿಗಾಗಿ ನಾವಿನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಾದದ್ದೇಷ್ಟಿದೆ ಎಂಬುದರ ಸಂಕೇತ. ಇನ್ನೂ ಕೂಡಾ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಸಿವಿನಿಂದ ಒಪ್ಪೊತ್ತಿನ ಊಟಕ್ಕೆ ಗತಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಬಿಡುವ ಮಂದಿ ಅನೇಕರಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇನ್ನೂ ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಸೌಕರ್ಯಗಳ ಪೂರೈಕೆಯ ಕೊರತೆ ಇದೆ. ಹಸಿವನ್ನು ನೀಗಿಸದ ಹೊರತು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಇನ್ನೇನನ್ನು ಯೋಚಿಸಬಲ್ಲ!? 

ಆದರೆ ಮಧ್ಯಮ ವರ್ಗದವರು ಬಯಸುವುದು ಉತ್ತಮ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ, ಉದ್ಯೋಗ, ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ, ಸಾರಿಗೆ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ, ಸುರಕ್ಷತೆ ಮುಂತಾದುವುಗಳನ್ನು. ವಿದೇಶೀ ನೀತಿ, ರಾಜಕೀಯ ನೀತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ನೀತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಇವರು ಗಮನಿಸುತ್ತಾರಾದರೂ ಅವರ ಆಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನದ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆಗಳನ್ನು (life chances) ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಮೇಲ್ಮಧ್ಯಮ ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರುವುದು ಅಥವಾ ಮೇಲ್ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರುವುದೇ ಆಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. 

ಮೇಲ್ವರ್ಗದವರಿಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಅಭಿಲಾಷೆ. ಆರ್ಥಿಕವಾಗಿ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಬಲಗೊಂಡು ಸುಖಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸುವ ಹಂಬಲ. ತಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸಗಳನ್ನು ಭ್ರಷ್ಟಾಚಾರದ ಮೂಲಕವಾದರೂ ಸರಿಯೇ, ಬೇಗನೇ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಆತುರ. 

ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ವೈಪರೀತ್ಯಗಳಿರುವಾಗ ಭರವಸೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಡುವುದು ಸುಲಭ, ಆದರೆ ಕಾಯಿದೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡುವುದು ಅಷ್ಟು ಸುಲಭವಲ್ಲ. ಯಾಕೆಂದರೆ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಗೆ ಆಧಾರ ನೀಡುವ ಮೂಲಸೌಕರ್ಯದ (infrastructure) ಕೊರತೆ ಇದೆ. ಒಂದು ವರ್ಗದ ಜನರ ಆಶಯಗಳನ್ನು ಪೂರೈಸ ಹೊರಟರ ಅದು ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಬಾರಿ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ವರ್ಗದ ಜನರ ಆಶಯಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಾರಕವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಪಕ್ಷಗಳು ನೈಜತೆಯನ್ನು ಅರ್ಥವಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು, ಅದರ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಿಜವಾಗಿಯೂ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿರುವಷ್ಟೇ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇವೆ ಎನ್ನುವ ನಿಜ ಭರವಸೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಡಬೇಕು. ಜನರೂ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯನ್ನು ಅರ್ಥೈಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಪ್ರೌಢತೆ ತೋರಿಸಬೇಕು. ಮತ್ತು ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಗೆ ಪೂರಕವಾಗುವ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಮ್ಮದ್ದಾದ ಕೊಡುಗೆಯನ್ನು ಕೊಡಬೇಕು. ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕವಾಗಿ ಹೊರಗಿಡಲ್ಪಟ್ಟವರ ಮತ್ತು ಹೊರಗಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡವರ ನಡುವಿನ ಅಂತರವನ್ನು ಕಡಮೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು ಅಷ್ಟೊಂದು ಸುಲಭದ ಮಾತಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ ಸರಕಾರಗಳು ಈ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಖಂಡಿತವಾಗಿಯೂ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಕೇವಲ ಭರವಸೆಗಳಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಅವುಗಳನ್ನು ಪೂರೈಸಲು ಬೇಕಾದ ಸಮಷ್ಟಿ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಕೋನದ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳಿರಬೇಕು. ಮತ್ತು ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಗತಗೊಳಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಒಮ್ಮತದಿಂದ ಕೆಲಸಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಅದನ್ನು ಸಾಕಾರಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಕಡೆಗೆ ವಿವಿಧ ಸ್ತರಗಳ ಜನರು ಜೊತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಗಿದರೆ ದೇಶದ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಸಾಧ್ಯ. 


ಈ ಲೇಖನವು ಕನ್ನಡ ಫೋರಮ್ (http://www.kannadaforum.net/)  ಎಂಬ ಜಾಲತಾಣವೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಕಟವಾಗಿದೆ. 

Mount Abu – hillocks on hills

Hill stations are the most desired touring spots for many. They may add to their list the Mount Abu as it is an enchanting hill station in Rajasthan. The fascinating fact is that it is not just one hill but a range of hills of Aravalis. December and January months are very good time to visit this place as one can enjoy the chilling cold weather. Though Sometimes the temperature goes down to –8°C the noon time is pleasant. Of course, wearing a jacket, monkey cap, having a cup of garam chaay (tea) and some pakoras (snacks) makes a perfect experience of a hill station!

The name Abu comes from the Arbuda devi the main goddess of the mountain. Arbuda became Abuda and further shortened to be called Abu. So is the name Mount Abu.

Arbuda Mahadev Temple:

 Normally a tour in India is blended with visits to temples. On Mount Abu the journey begins with the visit to Arbuda Mahadev temple for which we stop on the way to Arbudadevi temple. There is a Shivalinga of the size of nearly 11feet height and 8feet breadth. However, there are no special architectural or sculptural works here. 

Arbuda Devi Mandir:

            This temple is situated on the hill top of about 4,220 feet height located at around 2km north from the city. It is also called Adhar Devi mandir. One must be able to climb the steep steps that gives an enchanting experience to youngsters while it makes the elderly to mind their age.  The speciality of this temple is that the main temple is in a cave in a natural rock. Devotees have to bend and move in kneeling position to reach the garbhagriha that is sanctum sanctorum. Many people carry coconut, plantains and flowers for pooja to the mandir from the shops down the hills. The waiting langurs on the hill top suddenly jump and snatch the offerings. However, very few become successful to save it from them and reach to the temple.

            Marketing, photography, eatables and other avenues are waiting for the visitors. One of them is getting adorned in Rajasthani traditional dresses. There are shops down the hill to provide the dresses on rent to the tourists.   The tour guides find it an opportunity to make a small money by clicking the photographs in that traditional attire.

Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vidyalaya:

            It’s nearly 1km from Arbuda devi mandir. It is the headquarters of ‘Brahmakumaris’ spiritual organization which has branches all over the country and has presence in many other countries in the world. Universal Peace Hall or ‘Om Shanti Bhawan’ is there. Lots of tourists do visit here and there are volunteer guides to show the place and explain about the principles of the organization.

Guru Shikhara:

            It is the loftiest peak of Aravali hills with a height of 5,653 feet above sea level. It is around 18km from Abu. Temple of Swami Dattatreya is situated over here. It is a wonderful experience to visit the topmost point over here and look around! Here again the steep steps pose a challenge but there are paid services of carrying the devotees for those who are in need. A radar station is installed here for the surveillance purpose. On the way to Guru Shikhara, there is a vast level rock which the guides call Honeymoon point. It’s nothing but a stopover that helps the guides in increasing the number of places they show to the tourists.  

Anchalgarh:

            On the way back from Guru shikhara we visit a temple of Lord Shiva. In an adjoining farm there are three rock statues of buffaloes  representing three ‘rakshasas’(demons). One can also see a fort on the hilltop. Those who have sufficient time can climb up the hill and explore more.

Dilwara temples:

            It is the must visit place in Mount Abu. It is a Jain temple. The architectural richness in the carvings of marble stone just mesmerising. They cannot be explained in words! The clarity of sculptures reflects the artistic excellence of the sculptors of that time. They were built by Vastupal Tejpal kings during 11^th to 13^th century. Few hours are not sufficient to see this architectural majesty. Hoysala architecture in Beluru and Halebidu in Karnataka is a reflection of the peak of maturity in temple architecture in southern India which are made out of dark granite rocks. Here the Dilwara temples depict the excellence in temple architecture in the north which is made of marble stone.

            However, one gets surprised to see the Dilwara temples having flat roofs or dome shaped roofs and absence of ‘Shikharas’ which is a characteristic feature of Indian temple architecture. Dooms are the characteristic feature of Islamic architecture which we can see in Taj Mahal in Agra or Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur. Then why Jain temple has dome shape on the roof can be a matter of curiosity. The revelation is quite interesting. It was the strategy of the Rajaput rulers to save the temple from invaders. If they had made shikharas, then the temples would have been an easy target for the invaders as they could have located them easily. But if roof was flat then it could be camouflaged by the trees surrounding it or if domes were there, then they would be presumed to be a mosque and left untouched.

            In one of the temples in Dilwara, it is said that one of the sculpture of Jaina Tirthankara is made of 4000kgs of gold!

Nakki lake and Sunset point:

            Nakki lake is a vast lake in the heart of the city. It is at a height of 1200m above sea level. Boating in Nakki lake is a nice experience. Evenings are fine for a pleasant boat ride.  I was told by a localite that the lake gets frozen completely in the mid of January and people can walk over it! There are good number of restaurants, tea points and variety of textile and handloom shops nearby.

            Sunset point is nearly 2km from Nakki lake. There are horses and man –pulled carts to go for about 1km to reach sunset point. A horse ride is charged at Rs. 100 per head and carts are charged at Rs. 50 per head. There are small hillocks where people rush to watch the sunset. However, those who have watched the grandeur of sunset on the seashore may not find it interesting here!

            A tour package comprises these as the main places in Mount Abu. There may be many more unexplored but worth seeing places! One should have interest, time and energy to explore. Mother Nature is like that. It is never ending as we go on exploring it!

How to reach:                                                  

            Ahmedabad and Udaipur are the nearest airports. Train connectivity is there to ‘Abu road’ which is nearly 30km from Mount Abu. There are sufficient number of buses, jeeps and cabs from Abu road to Mount Abu. It takes nearly 45 minutes to 1hour to climb up the hills by vehicle.

Where to stay:

            There are good number of hotels in both Abu road and Mount Abu. Comparatively the hotels in Abu road are cheaper than Mount Abu. A normal hotel room would cost minimum around Rs. 750 – 800 in Abu Road and in Mount Abu minimum price may cross Rs. 1000.  

The transport to visitors:

            Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) has a day’s tour package which costs around Rs. 125 per day per head starting at 9am  from bus-stand at Mount Abu. Of course, private luxury buses are also available at a higher cost. The advantage for those who visit Abu for the first time, this bus trip will make it easy to visit the important places. The travelling between the places becomes quite easy since one need not bargain with auto drivers or other taxis. But if one doesn’t have time to spend whole day in Abu, then it is advisable to book a cab or a jeep to visit the touring spots. 

Bio–toilets to eliminate open defecation

It is a matter of pride to be Indian when India is praised for something. But it becomes a matter of great concern when foreign nations point fingers towards India due to poor hygiene. Open defecation is one such major problem the nation is facing. According to the report of WHO and UNICEF, India is the country with highest number of people practicing open defecation. It is not only an issue of human dignity but also nitrate contamination of ground water and increasing coliform count of surface water. It also leads to unhygienic environment and leads to malnutrition and other communicable diseases.

Who must be held responsible for open defecation? We tend to point fingers at the lower class of our society and the rural folks. But even middle class and upper class indulge in open defecation when they travel in Indian Railways. It is a well – known fact that Indian Railways is the single largest organisation responsible for open defecation. It has also resulted in rusting of railway tracks along with the other environmental and health hazards mentioned above. Is it not important to transform the stinking railway stations clean?

Many people feel that it is necessary to clean India. But they show helplessness in addressing this problem. However, the scientists of this country are not helpless. Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has already come up with a solution for eliminating open defecation in trains. It is not simply about constructing a toilet but a bio–toilet. Bio–toilets were developed for the soldiers protecting our country in Himalayas especially those posted in Siachen glaciers. These toilets are equipped with bio-digester tanks which are inoculated with bacteria which break down faecal matter into bio-gas and water. Ninety per cent of the solid waste is reduced on the dry weight basis. Pathogens are also reduced by 99 per cent. Thus it’s a one stop solution for open defecation and also is inexpensive. They are being installed in Indian Railways. Konkan Railway Corporation has decided to install bio–toilets not only in trains but also in railway stations.

My recent train journey made me to ask whether our people are aware about these toilets. Because, a bio–toilet installed in a 3 tier AC coach showed me that the notice boards on the doors and inside saying “This is bio-toilet system. Please do not throw paper waste, clothes, bottles, napkins, polythene bags into the toilet commode which may cause inconvenience. Please dispose them into dustbin”. However, people are ignoring this message as they throw all these items into the toilet commode.

Even when a good facility is provided with new technology to solve a burning issue, the people are only sabotaging the public property. They are unwilling to change their habits. They still show the same arrogance, negligence, insanity and continue to blame governments for lack of amenities. When I asked a safai karamchari about the problems faced by him while cleaning the bio–toilets, he showed me the arrangement made to clear off those blocking materials. I felt Indian scientists have practical intelligence. They don’t want their technology to fail on account of people’s bad habit.
When I asked about the attitude of people towards bio–toilets and ignoring the messages posted on notice boards, he replied “padhe likhe log hai, samajhdari nahi hai” (They are literate people but not educated).

Diwali Celebration :)

Happy Diwali to you all :) :)

Diwali, The Festival of Lights, is a very special festival in India. Different regions of the country celebrate it with slight differences even though the basic idea behind the festival remains the same. The methods of celebration has changed with time and with the introduction of new technologies especially LEDs, it has become more colourful. Firecrackers is one of the important part of this festival. Children enjoy bursting firecrackers. However, many environmental conservationists are propagating for crackersless Diwalis so that it will be safe and green :)


Here are some glimpses of how New Delhi celebrated Diwali :)

Whole street is lighted up on both sides!! 

Whole street is lighted up on both sides!! (with more light) 

In North India, during Diwali, giving gift to friends and relatives is a tradition. This has been commercialized. See the way gift boxes are kept here :)  Believe me, all those gift boxes do get sold out!!! 

Women selling bunches of flowers 

A boy engaged in his mobile while waiting for customers to sell handicraft works made of mud

The way houses are made to glow with lights 

Glowing houses with colourful lights! 

Glowing houses with colourful lights! 

Oil Lamps made of mud of different size and shape 

Here comes the LED show :) LED has brought a revolution in the world! (Notably, recently Noble Prize was awarded to inventors of  Blue LEDs. Producing Blue LEDs was a great difficult task two decades ago!! Now we can see them in large numbers!)  

Sculptures of Gods and Goddesses and other decorating materials 

Different varieties of garlands :) 

Children bursting firecrackers in front of their houses (on the roads!) 

Why India Needs To Have Strategic Relations With Sri Lanka For A Regional Stronghold

Published in YOUTH KI AWAAZ - http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2014/05/india-needs-strategic-relations-sri-lanka-regional-stronghold/

By Akshara Damle: 

May 16th was a remarkable day for India. The election results brought an end to the era of coalition government. As we have seen in the history of Indian politics, coalition governments cannot take decisions easily as every decision has to get the assent of different political parties with different ideologies. Regional parties exerted pressure and influenced the previous coalition governments on both domestic issues and foreign policies. As a result many decisions were withdrawn or kept pending. The new central government will not face such hurdles. However, it is the responsibility of the government to heed to other parties’ views and seek consensus.

Mr. Narendra Modi’s decision to invite the heads of the SAARC countries is well received and appreciated by foreign policy analysts as a step in redefining India’s foreign relations. Only the state government and leaders of regional parties in Tamil Nadu have criticised the invitation of the president of Sri Lanka. Their concern is legitimate with regard to the treatment of Tamil minorities in Northern and Eastern province in Sri Lanka. In fact, United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) has severely criticized Sri Lankan government’s governance deficit in the region and has also passed a resolution against it. It is also seeking a credible international inquiry into killing of Tamils, war crimes and human rights violations in the last leg of the civil war in Sri Lanka. The UNHRC is concerned about the continuing trend of attacks on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association; rising levels of religious intolerance; and continued militarisation in the Northern Province. The video clip released by British television broadcaster Channel 4 accusing the Sri Lankan armed forces of having an underlying culture of systematic brutality and sexual violence poured fuel to the fire. Though human rights violation must be condemned, Tamil Nadu’s demand to boycott Sri Lanka harms India’s national interest.

While there can’t be any justification for mass killing of innocent Tamil minorities or the still prevailing discrimination towards Tamil dominated areas, the problem cannot be solved by closing the doors to Sri Lanka or by stopping bilateral dialogues. Instead, India should enhance its bargaining power and get justice for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka by cultivating better relations.

In fact, the relation between the two countries turned positive when India abstained from voting during the last resolution of UNHRC on March 26 this year. Sri Lankan leadership was delighted and welcomed India’s stand and ordered the release of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody. It is the responsibility of the new government to continue in the positive direction initiated by its predecessor. Earlier in 2013, Tamil Nadu government had successfully deterred the then Prime Minister of India from attending the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka, thereby putting regional interests above national interest for political mileage and this can never be justified.

Apart from the Tamil issue, India needs to consider other developments going on in Sri Lanka, which is a strategic location in the Indian Ocean. As the India-Sri Lanka relationship worsened, the presence of China in Sri Lanka increased significantly. Sri Lanka is one of the important countries with which China wants to enhance its partnership in infrastructure development and establishing free trade zones under the revival of Maritime Silk Route (MSR) policy. China has already built two ports, one in Colombo and another in Hambantota. China has thoughtfully kept India away from its new foreign policy, except for the mention of Bangladesh, Myanmar, India and China (BMIC) pipeline network, even though India is one of the largest markets for Chinese products. This shows the double standards between overt gesture and covert actions of China. China has also collaborated in satellite launching activities with SupremeSAT (Pvt.), Sri Lanka’s only satellite operator.

To counter China, good relations with Sri Lanka and other countries in the Indian Ocean region are very essential. Therefore, strengthening multilateral organizations like SAARC, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic cooperation) and IOR-ARC (Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation) is a necessity. Sri Lanka, being an important member of these organizations, can never be neglected or sidelined in the foreign policy. Both the countries will have to work together in order to check piracy in the Indian Ocean. Support of Sri Lanka is essential for India to emerge as a Blue water navy in the Indian Ocean and also to get permanent membership in United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Sri Lanka is a good market for India’s automobile industry and it supplies spices, rubber and other plantation crops for us. India has also emerged as a hub for medical tourism, many patients from Sri Lanka and other neighbouring countries come here to get medical treatment.

India must follow the policy of friendly relations with its neighbours guided by the Gujral doctrine. Therefore Mr. Modi’s decision is a good start in the right direction. The states must cooperate with the Centre to find the right balance between national interest and regional interests.

What do you think?

ENTRY AND EXIT OF FDI: A CASE OF DOCOMO

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an important aspect for a growing economy like India. Our nation has allowed FDI in different sectors like multi-brand retail, single brand retail, telecom, insurance, media, defence and so on. Presence of a foreign investor not only adds quality but also some glamour to the sector. The entry of foreign investors gives confidence to a country that it is investment friendly and their exit equally gives pain. The appearance of fault line in TATA DOCOMO resulting in TATA and NTT DOCOMO is a case in point.

TATA DOCOMO (TD) created a new trend of 1paisa (ps) per second, when it made a foray into the Indian telecom sector. Prior to the entry of Tata Docomo, other mobile service providers were offering a minute’s pulse rate. Whether a person spoke for 15 seconds or 1 minute 2 seconds, he had to pay the price for 1 minute and 2 minutes respectively. During that period, Tata Docomo’s offer asking customers to pay for what they use was a new thing for Indian telecom industry and was expected to create a boom! Some long talkers soon realised that they will end up paying more if they choose this service as already established service providers like Airtel, Idea, BSNL and Vodafone were providing 50ps/minute call rate. However, it was very useful for those who made many short duration calls!

But then change in the number was a problem for many at that point of time as Mobile Number Portability (MNP) option did not exist. This prevented many from shifting completely to TD and some people used it as an alternative number. The entry of dual sim phones in the Indian mobile market was a boon for such people. Unfortunately, for TD, the competitors never lagged behind in providing 1ps/second offers. In fact, service provider like Airtel which had very good penetration, a large customer base and was appreciated by customers for its signal strength provided an option for them to choose between minute pulse and second pulse. So long talkers continued their existing plans and short talkers changed their plans and not the service provider. This prohibited many customers from buying new TD sims which had limited network coverage and had only second pulse rate option and not minute pulse rate. To tackle this, TD introduced other offers like 1ps/2seconds, 3ps/4seconds and so on. But bringing similar offers was not a big deal for the competitors! Rather, it helped them in diversifying tariff plans. Due to poor network connectivity, other Value Added Services (VAS) of TD didn’t help in attracting more customers.

Later, it was the turn of ‘cost of sim’ game! At a time when customers had to pay an amount nearly Rs. 100 to obtain a new sim, TD started providing sims at as cheap as Rs. 2! For students like me, it was like buying chocolates! The expenditure to get our photo and ID cards was more than the cost of buying a sim! With such an offer, a single customer bought 5 to 6 sims at a time. I am no different. I too had bought four sims of TD at a cost of Rs. 8! To make the offer more interesting, the company had also provided a talktime of Rs. 40 in each of those sims! I myself didn’t know what to do with so many sims! But I purchased them. I and most of the customers like me thought that the one who bought maximum sims was more intelligent in grabbing such offers! There was an upper limit of eight sims in a person’s name! Otherwise, many people including me would have purchased 25 to 30 or even 50 sims! I used to call my parents everyday from different sims in order to keep them activated.

To be realistic, it was a dirty bomb by Tata Docomo! In fact, TD itself couldn’t keep a hold on mad rush for its sims! (rather ‘sins’). May be, the company was initially happy for its wittiness to increase its consumer base. But it turned to be a pseudo-consumer base! Sooner than later, the customers started getting call from the company to verify their ID proofs. The company had failed to manage the documents and it had ended up in a mess. Many customers had to re-submit their documents! This irked the consumers! Visiting a photocopy shop, again to get copies of photograph and then go to the simcard dealer, fill up the form and submit was really a tedious process. So people like me, who had bought sims only to ‘utilize’ the offer thought of finishing the talktime available in each of the sims and keep them somewhere safe so that they can be used for contact transfer when we change the phone!

In a way, the idea of increasing customer base had landed in a disaster! The reliability of quality of product for which TATA is popular for couldn’t really keep its stature in this game! Though at that point of time I didn’t think so much, but now when I think about it I feel, probably this low cost sim scheme might have been a boon for terrorists or anti-nationals. Even otherwise, they possess so many sims with them, and if it is available at a toffee rate, will they not utilize it!? Aren’t they ‘intelligent’!?

On a broader perspective, the entry of NTT Docomo, which is one of the best mobile operators in the World, was a very positive sign for India. As the TD website says, NTT Docomo provided cutting edge technology. Technologists at DOCOMO have defined industry benchmarks like 3G technology, as also products and services like i-Mode, e-wallet and a plethora of lifestyle-enhancing applications. Last year itself, while most of the rest of the industry were only beginning to talk of 4G technology and its possible applications, DOCOMO had already concluded conducting 4G trials in physical geographies, not just inside laboratories!

The investment by NTT Docomo was one of the biggest Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in India. It had not only brought the much needed dollars to the country but also technology and human resource. Despite this, the company incurred losses in India and has finally decided to sell its shares and exit. But this exit will mark a black spot for Indian economy. If such a technologically advanced company fails to make profit in a country like India which has seen drastic increase in the number of households having cellphones from 7 per cent in 2004 to 82 per cent in 2011 – 12, then the possibility of other FDIs coming into country also becomes dismal. Not only in FDI terms, but also in terms of bilateral relations, Tata – Docomo partnership had helped in enhancing India – Japan relations.
If this partnership had become successful, then it would have attracted many more Japanese firms to invest in India. Now it was the right time for India to grab maximum investments from Japan under the regime of a pro-Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe. Our neighbour China, though not in good terms with Japan due to Senkaku island issue, has presence of 10 times more number of Japanese companies than what India has. So, India should consider the exit of NTT Docomo seriously and address the issues to make the nation more investment friendly. Indian companies should devise right strategies to make collaborations successful.

Women Empowered!?

The International Women’s Day was celebrated on 8th March. The morning news paper reminded it to me. No celebration at home. My mother is busy doing her regular chores as usual. I wondered then this day is for whom? I thought of making a quick survey. I sent text messages to some 30 women in my contact list saying “Happy women’s day. Let women be more powerful”. I got only 3 replies! I wondered! What about others!? Aren’t they celebrating Women’s Day? Don’t they think that celebrating women’s day is necessary!? Or is it that they have no meaning to it since the celebration of women’s day never changes their lot. In fact, all the women whom I had sent messages are well educated. Still, there is no cheer in celebrating women’s day! Then what is the status with uneducated, illiterate women in our society?

            It is correctly said that “if you educate a woman it is like making the whole family   educated!” In fact, some results have shown that education of women has improved their health conditions, has improved their child care practices, it has improved their social mingling. The concept of Self Help Group has worked wonderfully and one of the best examples is SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association). We do see many women working in different fields, some of which were traditionally male dominated!

But the question remains that “whether education has changed the attitude of men towards women!?” The results seem to be dismal. The treatment of women in households has not really changed. The culinary works still remain the domain of women in the houses. Even in nuclear families where both husband and wife are working, women have to do domestic works and then have to go for office. Husbands still continue to pick up the newspaper in the morning and sit on a chair waiting for tea to arrive to their place. Sipping of tea and reading of newspaper goes on till it is the time to get ready to go for office! By then breakfast is expected. The shoes should be polished and they do not know where is their pant or shirt, leave alone belt, socks, watch and purse! The laptop should be kept inside the bag and tiffin should be ready (if lunch is not available in the office)! If these things are not done properly, these husbands start grumbling for the inefficiency of their wives to get the things done on time! The blame will be again on their wives if they miss the bus or if they get jammed in the traffic. There is no consideration at all for their wives who also have to get ready to go for office! On returning home in the evening, a cup of tea is expected to be ready! If wife is late to return from the office, she will have to see the kitchen in a bad shape where so many vessels being misplaced, unlided sugar and tea powder bottles, milk in the vessel kept open, some biscuit packets opened and kept here and there and some powder on the floor with no hint from where it fell! Generally she doesn’t dare to question this adventurous act. If she does, then the ready counter is “I didn’t find the vessel to prepare tea. I had to search so much to get it. Why don’t you keep it in some place where it is easily available!” She will think it would be wise to keep quiet as these arguments are never ending!     

The most expected thing from women still remains “the ability to cook”. Many educated men do consider it as one of the ‘most important’ thing to be asked while choosing a bride for them! I wonder how cooking has become so important criteria undermining educational qualification, work profile and so on, even though they are well educated!  

Glass ceiling effect is not a new phenomenon. Very few women have been able to break the glass! Recently Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund, told the assembled global elite at World Economic Forum that she had been opposed to quotas until a moment early in her career when she was told she would not progress because she was a woman. “I soon realised that unless we had targets, if not quotas, there was no way” to make headway, she said. This is a clear sign of educated men still considering women to be less capable of doing things!

It has become very common to see reports of rape incidents in newspapers. Many of us have become more desensitized to such reports. If we analyse these reports, it is quite prevalent to see that many of the rapes are by intimate partners! We get to see many well educated men who are in very good posts involved in such cases.

Right from Supreme court judges to journalists, professors, doctors have been alleged of sexual assault! Uneducated, illiterate men add to these numbers!  That means education has failed to bring attitudinal change in men. The overpowering nature of men still continues even though the structure of society is changing!

Unless there is attitudinal change, real women empowerment will not happen even if successive governments bring more and more legislations!

System down and anarchy up!

I completed my work in a hurry and looked at my watch as I was getting late. After lifting the heavy bag on my shoulder, I walked quickly towards the bus stand lest I miss the express bus. I had to reach my destination before night. On reaching the bus station I noticed that the bus was yet to arrive. I sighed a relief and looked around. The bus stand was crowded with passengers who were waiting for their buses. Luckily, my bus arrived after few minutes and it was parked at the platform. No sooner, I walked towards the door of the bus a queue of five to six persons was formed as commuters were waiting for passengers to alight from the vehicle. I also stood next to them.

Meanwhile, a group of young men arrived and threw their bags on the seats through windows and reserved seats for themselves. Few of them tampered in between the passengers who were alighting from the bus and reserved some more seats for their friends. Passengers standing in the queue shouted at them to form queues and follow the system. They never paid attention and went ahead! By the time we entered inside the bus no seats remained vacant! All of us complained to the conductor about this matter. He turned a deaf ear towards our demand!

I swiftly inquired with the co-passengers and learnt that no bus service was immediately available if I failed to board the bus which was scheduled to depart. Thus the only option left for me was to commute in the same bus. A fury ran through my nerves. I felt as if I was let down by the system. Nobody respected those passengers who were following the rules by standing in queue. On the contrary they mocked at us for our inability to grab the seats! I had to control my anger in silence!

It was not the difficulty to stand for three hours in bus which worried me but I was more bothered about the collapse of the system. Why are we not capable of getting things done as per rules? Why do we allow people to break the rules and enjoy unfair advantages? Why in democracy, might is allowed to be honoured? No answer except the ‘public mindset’ which accepts misrule as the procedure of the day. It has become a very casual aspect for us. In the present situation the personal agenda is to break the rule but be intelligent and get the things done! Because everyone is aware that nothing goes according to the rule!

I was sure that passengers will have to struggle to get a seat in the next bus too. A group of hooligans is always present while boarding the bus for creating trouble for commuters. If things continue to remain like this then how will the problems of common man be resolved? An old person who was standing beside me was suffering in silence while travelling in the bus. He meekly smiled at me and said, “I am a regular commuter of this bus. I usually travel as a standing passenger which is very common aspect. I am only able to occupy a seat on rare occasions. We need to adjust with the system! You can’t change the world, you need to change yourself!” I was surprised to notice that inspite of undergoing hardships daily this elderly person couldn’t learn the lesson to become unruly for grabbing a seat. He calmly replied, “I am a man of principles. I am sure, one day people will learn to follow the rules and become disciplined”. I smiled and said “hmmm”! However, I remained unconvinced by his statement and began thinking whether people will look towards such men and learn from them.

I thought I should raise this issue to change at least one person. So I tried to convince a youngster sitting beside us and said him that what he did was wrong. The youth should have followed the rules which would have made the lives of fellow commuters easier. He surprised me by saying that if everyone follows the rule then he too will follow. Refusing to vacate the seat for the elderly he told me, “Take it easy. Anyway we have boarded the bus and let’s avoid arguments.”

Unfortunately my mind would not stop thinking about the steps to be taken to reform the system? What would happen if I sit on the road observing a dharna in front of the bus and call it off until justice was attained? Then people would call me mad. Commuters might address me as an “educated idiot”! Many bystanders might comment that I didn’t have any other work to do! Even the media will label me as an ‘anarchist’! The incident would go down in history as someone had tried to challenge the deteriorated system in vain.

There are many people who criticise about the collapse of the system but they do not join hands to correct it. The reason why this is happening is that the society is fractured and the pieces do not forge into a unity to oppose the unruly elements. Each one has his own point of view for evaluating the injustice. For instance, take the example of transport system where categories of buses ranging from most luxurious to most ordinary exist. You are entitled to receive amenities as per your purchasing power. People select buses according to their purchasing power. Then who will fight for the common man’s rights? Only the anarchist!?

Role of legislative body in India

                    I began studying about the Indian constitution for the first time in 8th standard Social Studies textbook. I found the subject Civics least interesting and always struggled to understand it. Ultimately, I had to learn the subject by heart to clear the examination. However, my opinion about this subject has changed as I learnt that it deals with the issues pertaining to bread and butter of our citizens and several issues relating to the governance issues of our country!

                   As I continue to read Civics, I noticed several paradoxes. “While the protection of law is the responsibility of judiciary why formulation of law is in the hands of legislature even when its members may come from less educated sections?” “Why age and not educational qualifications remains the criteria to represent the people of this country?” “Even when the preamble says that Bharat is a secular country, why still we are witnessing communal violence?” These are some of the questions which are arising in my mind. Of course, India is a democratic country.

                  As Abraham Lincoln defined it “Democracy is by the people, of the people and for the people”. So is it the reason why legislative body frames the laws. Yes! Our democracy is based on the presumption that the representatives will be the voices of the people whom they represent and they will pass people friendly laws! Yet one cannot be optimistic as the hierarchical mind of Indians as said by Sudheer Kakkar keeps the representatives far above the common man.

                 In the process of policy formulations for good governance, three types of knowledge are used, namely, academic knowledge, bureaucratic knowledge as well as people’s knowledge. Academic knowledge can be obtained from the academicians and bureaucratic knowledge can be gained from the bureaucrats. But what about people’s will? Rousseau’s concept of ‘general will’ is very much relevant here. However, we can’t go on asking each and every citizen about their opinion regarding every policy. Hence, under a representative government the legislature plays a major role in formulating laws. It is assumed that all the representatives possess grass-root links and hence they are aware of what the people really want.

                 Apart from that, opinions of citizens are also sought by putting the policy in the public domain through websites of the ministries. But the fact is that very few are aware about this information and extremely few contribute towards it. Now the question arises whether our legislature is really representing people’s knowledge and whether it works towards fulfilling their aspirations or for the welfare of the representatives themselves?

                Senior MPs have commented that this year’s Monsoon Session was one of the least productive sessions in the annals of Indian Parliament. As per the statistics prepared by the Lok Sabha secretariat, only 1,157 hours of sittings took place until the 12th session of the 15th Lok Sabha. This is far behind the record of the 14th Lok Sabha, which had 1,736 hours and 55 minutes of sittings. In fact, the first Lok Sabha held 677 sittings of about 3,784 hours during its 14 sessions. The scenario is no different when it comes to Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament.

                 For the first time in its history, the Upper House returned the budget sans any discussion. This only shows the lackadaisical attitude of parliamentarians who are representatives of the people. Who will bear the loss of money as well as time? Diversity of ideas should result in formulation of a policy addressing various issues and not witnessing recurring parliamentary logjams. And if Supreme Court takes up the issue due to delay in parliamentary procedure, then MPs will waste time in criticizing the apex court for not taking any action pertaining to policy formulations.

                  When the Chief Information Commissioner passed an order that all major political parties like INC/AICC, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, NCP and BSP should come under the ambit of RTI, parliament was very quick to take action to revert this order. But when the issue is concerned with people, as in case of acid attacks issue, where Supreme Court issued guidelines about regulation of acid sale before parliament or the government nobody had any objection about it.

                  As per reports, an average asset owned by a MP is around Rs. 5.8 crore and the Planning Commission sets the poverty line at Rs. 33.3 and Rs. 27.2 per day in urban and rural areas respectively even though this amount is insufficient to even fulfil the minimum quantity of calorie requirement of an individual! 

                 Criminalization of politics is one of the major issues taken up by the recent Law Commission. The Supreme Court’s order on Section 8(4) was deeply debated among the scholars as well as common man. But our legislature was in no mood to take up the issue positively and work towards decriminalization of politics. The facts show that there are 162 MPs in Lok Sabha i.e. nearly 30% (out of them 75 (14%) are charged with cases of heinous crimes) who have declared that there are pending criminal cases against them in which they may be imprisoned for more than 2 years. Can we expect good governance from them? Why don’t the political parties themselves take an initiative to cleanse our democratic institutions?

                   In this year’s monsoon session Lok Sabha sat for 73.13 hours and productivity was 58% and Rajya Sabha had a better record, sitting for 99.65 hours and clocking 80% productivity and the parliament could pass 10 Bills! The 2014 election is not far away. Country is facing severe economic crisis. Border issues are also posing major challenges for India. At this juncture, the citizens of this country really deserve more responsible representatives who will work together for the betterment of the country by taking decisive actions and not divisive actions. Hoping to see a more productive winter session this time which is commencing from December 5th!