Since school we have been conditioned to regard the 15th of August as secondary only to our own birthday. But this assignment made me stop and think if it means any more than 'just another holiday' to me. At first, I was abashed to admit that it was indeed not more than a 'just a holiday' to me. A day to relax, to spend time with family, a day when I am not allowed to meet my friends because of the prevalent bomb scare around the country.
Why, has the most important day for our country reduced to nothing more than just another day for my generation? Why is it that we are hooked to our televisions when Mumbai is under siege, but the minute things get back to normal, the only memory of that incident is through Facebook appeals for protest marches, candle-light vigils, odes to the martyrs? Has our generation come to take things for granted, and forgotten the long years of struggle which are now limited to history textbooks?
Independence to me is choosing from all the available opportunities, the freedom to go out without having my parents worried about my safety, the freedom to express my thoughts and feelings without being judged. Independence of India, is the day I look back and thank all those who made such a life possible for me.
Till then, no 'Happy Independence Day' for me!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Safe drinking water for all by 2012
With reference to The Hindu, 25 August 2009
The Centre has announced plans of ensuring safe drinking water for all by the year 2012. The program includes rural India as a part of the ‘Total Sanitation Campaign’ by 2010.
This is welcome sign of optimism from the government, especially in the light of the current drought situation in India. The inconsistent monsoons have long plagued the country with droughts as well as floods, in different parts. Moreover, the growing population along with industrialisation and urbanisation remain the biggest problems faced by the Government in meeting the mounting need for potable water.
In view of these growing demands, the government plans to focus on conservation of surface and groundwater, which is becoming a fast depleting resource. Projects like the rainwater harvesting will be undertaken, along with techniques of flowing surplus water from floods to the drought prone areas. This would kill two birds with one stone, solving the problem of flooded areas, as well as drought-prone regions. With almost three-fourth of the country’s population dependent on agriculture, and who utilize water for irrigation purposes, it is a relief that management of water resources as a key to economic growth and poverty alleviation, is being taken seriously.
The Centre has announced plans of ensuring safe drinking water for all by the year 2012. The program includes rural India as a part of the ‘Total Sanitation Campaign’ by 2010.
This is welcome sign of optimism from the government, especially in the light of the current drought situation in India. The inconsistent monsoons have long plagued the country with droughts as well as floods, in different parts. Moreover, the growing population along with industrialisation and urbanisation remain the biggest problems faced by the Government in meeting the mounting need for potable water.
In view of these growing demands, the government plans to focus on conservation of surface and groundwater, which is becoming a fast depleting resource. Projects like the rainwater harvesting will be undertaken, along with techniques of flowing surplus water from floods to the drought prone areas. This would kill two birds with one stone, solving the problem of flooded areas, as well as drought-prone regions. With almost three-fourth of the country’s population dependent on agriculture, and who utilize water for irrigation purposes, it is a relief that management of water resources as a key to economic growth and poverty alleviation, is being taken seriously.
NCW condemns depiction of women in media
With reference to The Hindu, 25 August 2009
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recently placed certain suggestions for an amendment to the existing Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. And you just have to sit in front of the television for ten odd minutes to see how the points raised are indeed a major concern today.
Whether it is the daily soaps on every existing entertainment channel, or the advertisements with scantily dressed women for no reason, they are all equally “sensitive”. It is unbelievable how every soap there is, has female characters based on the same old stereotypes, in this age of so-called “women empowerment”.
A woman who takes her career seriously, is ambitious in life, and is probably not a big fan of the kitchen, is always the vamp! And the timid, homely, and God-abiding, or should I say “husband-abiding” woman, is the perfect example of the “Bharatiya Naari”. It is outrageous how the women in these serials are shown to be continually subjugated by the husband, to whom she is hardly anything more than a housemaid, with fringe benefits. And the woman doing well in her career, who is more in command of her life than most, has to be the husband-stealing, diabolic woman to be stayed away from.
All that for the high-rating TV serials of today. The advertisements are an ever more sordid story to tell. Fairness cream ads have long been a subject of discussion for anybody and everybody. But they are not all! An advertisement with a smartly-dressed woman holding a board meeting, while a thought bubble shows how she is actually worrying about clothes getting washed in the washing machine at her home, may look like an innocent ad for a particular brand of washing machines, but it inadvertently delivers a series of unwanted messages to the public. Such ads only reinforce the unfortunate stereotypes in the minds of the people. They make them believe over and over again, that the place of the woman is actually at home.
And we still talk about “women empowerment” in all its glory. I don’t say that it does not exist at all, but fact is that there is a long way to go. And a suitable control over the media telecasts is an absolute necessity. Here’s hoping that these amendments help bring about the much needed transformation!
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recently placed certain suggestions for an amendment to the existing Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. And you just have to sit in front of the television for ten odd minutes to see how the points raised are indeed a major concern today.
Whether it is the daily soaps on every existing entertainment channel, or the advertisements with scantily dressed women for no reason, they are all equally “sensitive”. It is unbelievable how every soap there is, has female characters based on the same old stereotypes, in this age of so-called “women empowerment”.
A woman who takes her career seriously, is ambitious in life, and is probably not a big fan of the kitchen, is always the vamp! And the timid, homely, and God-abiding, or should I say “husband-abiding” woman, is the perfect example of the “Bharatiya Naari”. It is outrageous how the women in these serials are shown to be continually subjugated by the husband, to whom she is hardly anything more than a housemaid, with fringe benefits. And the woman doing well in her career, who is more in command of her life than most, has to be the husband-stealing, diabolic woman to be stayed away from.
All that for the high-rating TV serials of today. The advertisements are an ever more sordid story to tell. Fairness cream ads have long been a subject of discussion for anybody and everybody. But they are not all! An advertisement with a smartly-dressed woman holding a board meeting, while a thought bubble shows how she is actually worrying about clothes getting washed in the washing machine at her home, may look like an innocent ad for a particular brand of washing machines, but it inadvertently delivers a series of unwanted messages to the public. Such ads only reinforce the unfortunate stereotypes in the minds of the people. They make them believe over and over again, that the place of the woman is actually at home.
And we still talk about “women empowerment” in all its glory. I don’t say that it does not exist at all, but fact is that there is a long way to go. And a suitable control over the media telecasts is an absolute necessity. Here’s hoping that these amendments help bring about the much needed transformation!
Hospitality sector of Rajasthan shows the way
With reference to The Hindu, 25 August 2009
The hospitality sector in Rajasthan has reportedly vowed before the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, that they will steadfastly adopt techniques using alternative energy sources. This comes as excellent news, especially when the hospitality sector is a major chunk of Rajasthan’s economy, and shows signs of blooming even more in the future.
The hotel industry has realized the use of green energy as the need of the hour, and the sun-rich state is now going to show the way to all others. Alternative energy devices like solar water heater, solar air-conditioning, geo-thermal cooling and adaptation of wind energy devices are a part of the proposal. With water from the Indira Gandhi Canal now available in the city, solar panels can be easily used for heating water.
The proposal also talks about solar hot water systems to heat water for rooms, swimming pools, laundry, solar steam cooking systems and solar lighting systems. In a energy and water intensive industry like the hotel industry, such measures will certainly go a long way!
The hospitality sector in Rajasthan has reportedly vowed before the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, that they will steadfastly adopt techniques using alternative energy sources. This comes as excellent news, especially when the hospitality sector is a major chunk of Rajasthan’s economy, and shows signs of blooming even more in the future.
The hotel industry has realized the use of green energy as the need of the hour, and the sun-rich state is now going to show the way to all others. Alternative energy devices like solar water heater, solar air-conditioning, geo-thermal cooling and adaptation of wind energy devices are a part of the proposal. With water from the Indira Gandhi Canal now available in the city, solar panels can be easily used for heating water.
The proposal also talks about solar hot water systems to heat water for rooms, swimming pools, laundry, solar steam cooking systems and solar lighting systems. In a energy and water intensive industry like the hotel industry, such measures will certainly go a long way!
Plight of the Jhabua farmers
With reference to The Hindu, 25 August 2009
The report from Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, relates how the farmers of the Petlawad tehsil may soon reach the condition of the Vidarbha farmers in the past. As one of the 36 other drought-hit districts declared, the farmers would have nowhere to go if it does not rain in the coming week. It is pathetic that the vicious debt-cycle still prevails in the lives of our farmers.
Most of the farmers had opted for high input cash cropping systems like oilseed farming, in place of coarse grains and pulses, in light of the Government’s reforms on the sector. But the farmers are now facing the music as this transition, along with the buying of expensive varieties of seeds, pesticide and fertilizers, mostly on credit, is fast leading them towards bankruptcy. And the impending drought is helping their cause.
What is even more outrageous is the fact that the government officials are completely negating these issues as trivial and non-existent. They claim that the farmers do still grow food grains, and do not actually buy pesticides, etc on credit! Their argument being, that no one would give credit to the poor farmers as they are not even credit worthy. And that is all that they have to say in the matter!
As pointed out by a local activist fighting for the rights of these farmers, was the government’s job only to have training programs for improved farming? And no follow-up to look into the implementation of the programs?
The report from Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, relates how the farmers of the Petlawad tehsil may soon reach the condition of the Vidarbha farmers in the past. As one of the 36 other drought-hit districts declared, the farmers would have nowhere to go if it does not rain in the coming week. It is pathetic that the vicious debt-cycle still prevails in the lives of our farmers.
Most of the farmers had opted for high input cash cropping systems like oilseed farming, in place of coarse grains and pulses, in light of the Government’s reforms on the sector. But the farmers are now facing the music as this transition, along with the buying of expensive varieties of seeds, pesticide and fertilizers, mostly on credit, is fast leading them towards bankruptcy. And the impending drought is helping their cause.
What is even more outrageous is the fact that the government officials are completely negating these issues as trivial and non-existent. They claim that the farmers do still grow food grains, and do not actually buy pesticides, etc on credit! Their argument being, that no one would give credit to the poor farmers as they are not even credit worthy. And that is all that they have to say in the matter!
As pointed out by a local activist fighting for the rights of these farmers, was the government’s job only to have training programs for improved farming? And no follow-up to look into the implementation of the programs?
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