Thursday, July 31, 2008

Sari Rules In The World

In India we have given enormous importance to our culture. And hey…Sari is the core part of it, which not only rules in India but also in the world.

Why??? Here are some of my observations:


It’s at the core of Indian Culture.

It has many practical uses.

It’s a logical choice looking at India's climate and geography.

It also makes economical sense.

It is simple clothing but at the same time it is also elegant & very beautiful to wear.

It suits and enhances the beauty of woman.

It personifies the shape of a woman.

It has sentimental as well emotional values attached to it.

It is also a symbol of India's Unity.

It is the oldest clothing known to human kind.

It is the biggest symbol of Indians to the world.

It has resisted all threads arising from westernisation & changes bought about by development.

Sari had the ability to move on with time & evolved accordingly.

It is considered elegant, cultured but at the same time sexy & glamorous.

Its popularity increased not only in Indian subcontinent but also in various corner of the world.

Sari’s popularity will rise looking at the recent trend.

Sari will continue to evolve & create more acceptance & appreciation to itself.

Sari is a welcome change in the world of ‘less cloths more skin’.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Life Is A Learning Experience

Journalism is considered to be among the most noble and respected professions in the world. And at the helm or the pinnacle of this noble profession sits the editor. The Editor is the guiding force, the inspiration and in some cases the face of this noble profession.

The Editor is the leader who not only is responsible for the content that goes into his publication or the broadcast medium that he heads, but is someone who is a motivator , a team player who is able to get the best out of the team that he is part of.

Having received the opportunity to be the Editor of the fifth edition of Friday has allowed me to gain a knowhow and an understanding of the ground realities and appreciate the many exciting challenges and testing opportunities that editor is faced with on a regular basis.

I also realise the editor is also good as team that is working with. The bond, working relationship and more importantly the coordination that, the editor has with the people, who are vital and instrumental in the final product are the key factors which influence the efficiency and quality of the output which I found out the hard way during the work of this edition.

Also, one of the most underestimated aspects of education is the indifference and apathy shown towards out-of-box thinking and the importance of practical learning. And, an essential component in practical learning is the contribution of internship and apprenticeship. The tenure as an intern prepares and increases the understanding of the career that the students have chosen and as a bonus allow them to meet and interact with some great people and thorough professionals. This is similar to a budding cricketer sharing the dressing room with sports legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Roger Federer, just imagine the possibilities.

But, I have been among the lucky students who have had such an opportunity, and I’m happy to say that have cherishing every minute. I hope many will have the same opportunity that I have had.

My edition and the opportunity to be an intern in a reputed publication have given me the ideal platform to taste life as a journalist and test my metal in the real world. Now, I am more prepared and ready than ever to take up journalist with vigour and passion; accepting the challenges that lie ahead and bracing myself to take them head on. Cheers!!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Is godliness lacking in Suburbs?

Over the years Suburbs have been renowned for many things. Its rich and diverse culture, its way of life, the spirit and zest of its people and it’s definitely no coincidence that is considered by many as the ideal place to call home.

But for the past some years, the face of Suburbs has undergone the most drastic change that it has witnessed in any other time in Suburbs recent history. There is construction activities visible all around, be it in the west or the east side of our beloved stations.

The population of Suburbs have only been increasing at a greater pace than ever, be it casual visitors or permanent settlers. It has taken a toll on the public amenities meant to ensure hygiene and sanitation for its people, what this has done is made us ignorant to the falling standard of cleanliness in Suburbs.

As many of us might have experienced already, it’s a really difficult task in itself to find a public loo when nature comes calling. You have to be lucky enough to be in a mall, if not in a really descent hotel to find some relief. In the end, you end up forcing yourself into any one of the two as a last resort. Even though this is what many of you might have done, but then there are those who, either intentionally or under compulsion are forced to go in public.

Toilets sound a bit unsophisticated but in actuality many have been victim of this shortfall in infrastructure but have not confessed openly. Some of the areas which urgently require public toilets are band stand, carter road, and the area surrounding Joggers Park.

Looking at the density of Suburbs, the number of public toilets is grossly inept. This has increased the cases of defecation in public, and no matter how much we tried to avoid it, we have been subjected to this grotesque sight some time or the other. Apart from its many ills, the impact it has on the sensibilities of the public has often been overlooked.

Yet another issue that this throws up is the issue of making those in charge accountable, and introduction a system of audit based on fair check and balances.

Does development only mean how many malls, theatres and buildings once can construct with the most profit? Or does the satisfaction and general happiness of the public be the major yardstick? It is therefore said that development without proper vision and planning could only lead to chaos.

I
t is upon us as a responsible citizen, as a youth, and as the major stakeholder in the future of Suburbs to either sit back and rest on our laurels or adopt a more proactive approach in shaping our future. This could only happen if we all can take control of our present and take steps which can guarantee a better tomorrow.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Here Start Dirty Politics Again!

Everyone witnessed the recent Jaipur and Ahmedabad blast that killed 50 people and injured more than 100. Experts, professionals and almost every individual criticized this shameful act of terrorism, but do you know how our political leaders reacted on such a terrifying incident? Yes, you should aware of it.

The leaders of our two major political parties; the Congress and BJP started pointing fingers at each other rather than joining hands to fight terrorism.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj claimed that the blasts were a conspiracy hatched by the Congress to divert attention from the cash for trust vote allegations, and to bring back the Muslim votes in UPA’s kitty, while Congress reverted back by threatening to employ to seek legal course over the allegation.

No matter what major problem the county is facing today, these parties seem not to be unconcerned about it. They are too engrossed in their bloody old blame games and are only interested in deriving political points in every tragedy. They are just concentrating on gaining more and more votes in the upcoming 2009 elections.

Instead of analyzing the condition of our country and the people at present, they have started blaming each other which is really irrational and silly. I haven’t seen them trying to find a solution or remedy to this threat to Indian integrity and ensuring security for its people, instead, it looks like they are busy digging out each other’s mistakes, and use this episode for their own good.

But now, it’s time when they have to think beyond their political realm and step out of their dream and face reality. According to me, pointing fingers at each other for a particular act doesn’t lead them toward any solution. For that, they really have to be united (by keeping their so called ideologies and grudges aside) and converge all their effort toward this war against terror, as one.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

The Real Motives of Terrorism

Recent news of 17 blasts in Ahmedabad in 90 minutes was really terrifying. After this incident unknown terrorist organization came into the terrorist picture i.e. Indian Mujahideen. They have taken the responsibility of Ahmedabad blasts by sending a 14 page email to Indian news channels which explains why they carried out these blasts, and what are their next targets. They even claimed that these blasts are revenge against the state of Gujurat for their arrest and torture of their brothers, including in SIMI.

Through this mail, they have also threatened to make more strikes in MP, Maharashtra and other parts of India. I think their real motive behind this mail seem to create panic and hatred among people of different religion in the country. Nothing else!In past years, these organisations became successful in doing so and claimed that they had done these blasts for the benefits of certain communities. Now, the question is, are these terrorist organisations really concerned about these communities. If you think about it, the answer will be certainly No!

We all witnessed the 7/11 Mumbai blasts, which were done by Al Qaida. And if we remember the people who died in this act were not of any particular religion, but of every religion and castes.

If you consider all the bomb blasts which have taken place in Mumbai, Jaipur, Banglore or Ahmedabad, they are just mere act of terror.

Secondly, terrorism has no face, no boundary, no beliefs, no humanity and even no religion. But according to the perceptions in the major part of the world including India, Islam and Muslims have become synonymous with terrorism, which I think is very sad!As we know, the murder of a single man, not guilty of any heinous crime is akin to murdering the whole humanity. And people who are responsible for such crimes are Terrorists, who works only for money, for themselves, for the fulfillment of their desires at any cost.

According to me, the motives behind such acts are to kill people irrespective of any religion, to create panic and hatred among the people of different religion, not only by attacking them physically (killing people) but also psychologically (mental trauma, fear of terror), which is I think is more poisonous in any case. Now, the only way to defeat their dastardly plan is by, each and every one of us, as an individual and even the media standing together and handling this situation very maturely.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Bhutia’s Olympic Torch Controversy

Recently, the captain of India’s national football team refused to carry the Olympic torch in protest over China’s handling of recent unrest in Tibet. He became one of the first athletes in the world who had refused to carry the torch. His actions had won him praise from the Tibetan community and its supporters in India. But his action also came in for criticism from some sections of society.

Now the question is…should he have or shouldn’t he have declined to carry the torch? It is surely a difficult decision for Bhutia who is a Buddhist from the north-eastern state of Sikkim, which borders Tibet, so is very close to Tibetians, geographically, emotionally as well as culturally, due to which he chose not to carry the Olympic torch. But if you ask me whether I agree with his decision or not, then my answer will certainly be No!

According to me, he should have carried the torch, as he is one of the finest sportsmen of India, and he also should have taken into consideration that he was among the chosen few who were offered this unique honour to carry the torch by the Indian Olympic Association on behalf of India and not China. Other thing is that Olympic torch relay was organised by IOA, not by China, which was held in Delhi, so refusing it didn’t make any sense even though he justified his step by saying that this is his way of standing by the people of Tibet and their struggle.

And secondly, participating in the relay means you are representing the sports community of India and the country as a whole in the world. He should also have appreciated the fact that Olympic is the platform of conveying message to the masses. Keeping this in mind, rather than refusing it, he should have carried the torch to support Tibet cause alike Amir Khan, which could have helped him in giving positive message to its supporters and Tibetians.

Instead of refusing, if he could have chosen to wear a black attire or band, as a mark of protest against the Olympic being held in China, could have proved more effective measure in creating mass awareness against China, the country which is violating the Human rights of Tibetians. Also, by doing this, his stand could have definitely given a fillip to anti-Chinese protest that flared across Tibet.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Today, there are no ideologies in Politics


For the last few months, whatever has transpired in the Indian politics were quite shocking to all of us. The Left withdrew support from UPA, and went with the BJP, BSP is now leading a third front which they claim is targeted against nuclear deal, inflation and poverty.On paper, it sounds fair enough. But are they seriously concerned about the masses or are they just concerned about their own interest, or do they just want to extract some revenge on the UPA? These are the question that the people of this country is faced with.Whatever might be the reason, they have to answer to the aam janta who don’t have faith on any party after the trust vote drama in the parliament, which will stand out as a black day in Indian Political History.


As I know Political parties in India love to talk about ideology. Each political party is supposed to have an ideology. So, even if a political party does not have any ideology, it will never say so. If you were to ask probing questions about a party's ideology to a staunch loyalist of the party, they might decline, but I'm sorry to say that currently no party except may be for the Congress has any semblance of an ideology, if they do, it's tainted.


As Left withdraw support from UPA, as it is obvious, they are against the Indo-US nuclear deal for many years, and their ideology is different from Congress, and of course they despise the US. But when they supported BJP in the trust vote, I found it shocking as well as hilarious, as there is no connection between these two ideologies.One is a socialist relic, anti-US and pro-China, another is the Hindu ultra conservative party, forming the fundamentalist far right, if I’m not mistaken.


Other sad thing is that during the trust vote, they were proclaimed and were egging on Mayawati to the Prime minister chair. What was happened to the Left.It seemed like they have lost their senses and only had revenge on their mind. The real question is, how one party can forget their ideology just to keep UPA out of power. How unethical is that? This 123 agreement not only raised the issue of trust vote but also forced us to think about where Indian political parties are headed towards and they aim to lead us and the country. They keep changing their ideologies as per their own interest.It seems, all are just playing dirty politics and are keen in gaining only votes from the people. They are not at all loyal to their own ideologies, so the question is, will they be loyal with us, the public for long?


Today, our country without hope is in a danger zone, and cannot afford to remain in this zone for long. A new ideology and a new political party is the need of the hour. As the new principles and party takes shape, we can either curse our luck for living in this hour of crisis, where is void and chaos among ideology less parties and unethical parties or we can work for heralding a new sunrise.