Newsy Take

5 Reasons: Why NaMo aspire ambitious India?

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Wed, 28 May 2014 08:20:00 +0000

1. Common men slog all their lives to raise their ambitious children, to build a house of their own, and to accumulate some wealth to leave behind for their family. Many a times, they fail and die without leaving anything behind except some loans and hospitals bills to be paid off. Building a career from a poor background always seems like a Sisyphean task for common man in India. Narendra Modi has broken this myth. People know that he rose to the heights of Indian politics from a lower middle class family so they believe; Modi would understand their plights and would do something good to change their fate.

2. Modi is considered pro-business. NaMo as PM means that industries will grow. People in significant numbers believe in trickle-down theory. That means if the rich will become richer that means more job opportunities and the wealth will trickle down to the poor.

3. Gujarat Model of governance was a well-scripted ad campaign or a success story; it is to political pundits to decide. Whatever, it gave hope to the people of the poor states that Gujarat model of governance can change their lives for good. It is remarkable that BJP performed well in poor states like Bihar, UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh but Odisha.

4. The days of decisive politics are over. Modi did not raise any controversial issue during campaigning. His focus remained on development, economic revival, ending corruption, and job creation. Though, he let his lieutenant talk about Hindutava agenda of the BJP.

5. \Modi has established himself as a tough commander. He may take right or wrong decisions but he ensures people that the government would be decisive under Modi as it was not seen in Manmohan Singh’s government.

These reasons are good enough to make people believe that good days are ahead.

TEN REASONS WHY BJP WON

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 17 May 2014 12:29:00 +0000

By Abhishek Pandey

Price rise, series of scams, corruption in ministries and bureaucracy during UPA tenure, and lack of an appealing and visionary leader in the Congress party cost them this huge debacle in the general elections 2014. But no reason can take away the credit of Narendra Modi for this stupendous victory. He extensively campaign all over India and sold golden dreams to Indian electorates. And, it was well taken. Here are few other factors that helped BJP win—

1- Anti incumbency of 10 years worked against the UPA government. The government came to power promising a lot but could not deliver to the poor and the needy. Though, they were given chance twice by the Indian electorate. The UPA government formulated many welfare schemes and introduced right based acts but their benefits did not reach to the poor. The schemes were not implemented effectively or were allocated fewer funds than required.

2- Congress party has not developed state leaders over a period of time those could rise in need and woo voters. People were bored of Gandhi family and wanted a charismatic leader who could turn their dream of a better India into reality. Rahul Gandhi has always been reluctant to take any responsibility in the government and people lost faith in him. Very few top leaders in the congress party have direct people connect while BJP nurtured many such as Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan, Raman Singh, Manohar Parikkar, Vasundhara Raje and many others. While Congress lack big leaders in the state.

3- Polarization of votes in Uttar Pradesh helped the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). Samajwadi Party could not manage communal riots in Western and Central UP. Hindu votes consolidated and helped BJP to do it’s all time best in the most important political state of UP where the BJP won 71 seats that is bigger that the congress’s all India tally. The polarization of votes in the state also disturbed the caste politics in UP resulting in the party like BSP losing all seats. The party still claims that the election was fought on development plank. On the contrary, the party did not initiate any action against the leaders who spewed venom during campaigning. And, fielding Modi from Varanasi was a tactical move by the party for connecting with people in UP and adjoining Bihar. In both the states, the party performed really well and won 93 seats.

4- BJP had a great charismatic leader in Narendra Modi. He had a good track record of running a state government for last 12 years. The flamboyant Modi boasted of his achievements better that any one did. People believed that Gujarat model of development can change the face of the nation if replicated.

5- Use of technology in this election played a significant role. Narendra Modi who is 64 communicated with the young generation using social media on a regular basis. Neither Rahul nor Sonia use social media platform.

6- Series of corruption cases in the UPA I and II antagonize Indian voters. The anti-corruption movement and reluctance of the government to introduce an effective Lokpal Bill was accepted as the government lack political will to fight corruption.

7- It was an open secret that the PM office has a little role to play in running the government and people disapproved the Congress for bringing down the authority of the PM to such a low level. PM always looked toward 10 Jan Path for decisions. And, the PM Man Mohan Singh hardly communicated with the media.

8- Crumbling economy and shrinking job opportunities impelled people to find an alternative and decisive government that can bring jobs and weave a better future for a young India.

9- The disappearance of Rahul Gandhi during crucial times was not accepted by the country. Whether there was an upsurge against Delhi gang rape or calamity in Uttarakhand, Rahul was not available.

10- The last but not the lease. Congress helped BJP in making the Brand Modi. The Congress party indulged in fear mongering, communalism, the age-old talks of ‘secularism’ and pushed back the agenda of development. That was not well taken.

Manmohan Singh Finally Talks to God

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:38:00 +0000

By Abhishek Pandey

Recently Manmohan Singh went to God alone, without the permission of Sonia Gandhi. PMO denies it, but it has been reliably reported that the PM went up the top of the mountains to speak with God.

“God, God, why are you doing this to me?”

“Doing what, Manmohan?”

“The Coalgate, 2G scam, corruption charges, uncontrollable inflation, CBI investigations, now Lokpal. Why me, God?”

“Don’t blame me, Manmohan. I gave you my blessings to become the Prime Minister not once but twice in spite of knowing that you had not won Loksabha election. You have taken all this for granted.”

“God, I have done everything you told me to do. I introduced new legislations for the poor. I even introduced a new law to curb corruption; not because Anna Hazare asked for it but because I had promised you in the past.”

“Don’t lie. That was because of Kejriwal’s win in Delhi and Anna’s indefinite fast for the legislation in Ralegaon Sidhi. Anyway, I had warned you that you had sinful people working for you.”

“When, God?”

“Just after your meeting with Sonia to decide on the names of the cabinet ministers. When I saw you selected people to head up the ministries. I was shocked. We’ve got a long file on them up here.”

“Why dint you tell me, God.”

“I tried to, but PMO officials and Pankaj Pachauri would not let me talk to you on the phone. They said they would give you the message I called.”

“They never told me, God.”

“It figures. Then I sent you an e-mail saying it was urgent you contact me. I even commented on you Facebook post in which you congratulated Sonia for showing confidence in you and choosing you the PM.”

“The only e-mails I read during that period were those in which people supported my liberalization policies of 1991 and said that I had ability to make India a super power.”

“Finally, Manmohan, I made one last effort. I showed up at a press meeting one day at 10 Janpath, and after the meeting I came up to you and said there are men among you who would be reason of your fall. Do you know what you did, Manmohan? You did not react and introduced me to Digvijay Singh.”

“I dint know it was you, God. So many people show up at these meetings. You could be a BJP man. Is that why you are punishing me—because I snubbed you?”

“I am not punishing you, Manmohan. But even I could do just so much. I agree, you are an honest man, Manmohan. If it were merely a case of Coalgate, I could probably fix it. But your government is involved in corruption, shielding tainted leaders and corporate houses, gagging media, harassing honest officers, etc. Your ministers even tried to control social media and cane charged protesters at India Gate. The list of sins is endless."

“Good, God. Nobody is perfect! Is NaMo perfect?”

“Don’t change the topic.”

“Alright. Look, I have just got a few months in which to go down as the greatest Prime Ministers of India. I don’t want to go down in the pages of the history as the worst PM of India. Give me a break.”

“You have got to clean the house, Manmohan. Get rid of everyone who had any connection with any scandal.

Don’t spare anyone. You must make it perfectly clear you were hoodwinked by everyone on your staff. You must show the indian people that when it comes to the reputation of an honest PM, no one is too big to be sacrificed on the altar of expediency.”

“God, you are asking for a really big sacrifice. Can Congress survive it?”

“I am trying to help you, not Congress.”

“God, one minute, let me check with Madam over WhatsApp to get an idea what are her views.”

“Okay.”

After five minutes.

“God, I’ll do it. Will you take AK Antony, Jairam Ramesh and Jaipal Reddy?”

“What kind of sacrifice is that?”

“Sharad Pawar!”

“Go ahead.”

“Salman Khursheed and P. Chidambaram.”

“That’s more like it.”

“And, God if I sacrifice them, will you keep me out of this and help Rahul Jee become the next PM.”

“Manmohan, I don’t work miracles.”

Note: This is an ‘original parody’ of an article written by Art Buchwald on Richard Nixon in 1971.

# This article also appeared on Fakingnews.com. (http://my.fakingnews.firstpost.com/2014/01/18/manmohan-talks-to-god/)

Stop cynical criticism

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:07:00 +0000

By Abhishek Pandey

It’s not been even a week for Arvind Kejriwal at the helm of the affairs in Delhi and people have begun criticizing him and his policies. One person has even filed a PIL against him in Delhi High Court for making false promises in his manifesto. The person mentioned in his PIL that AK promised to pass Lok Pal Bill on December 29. It was quite funny because the person perhaps forgot that AK sworn in as the CM on December 28 only as he did not have enough numbers to form the government without any support either from the Congress of the BJP.

I am not a AAP supporter but I firmly believe that we must refrain from cynicism that prevents a wind of good change.

I support the AK for standing against the VIP culture by denying a lavish bungalow and security cover, for providing subsidy on water and electricity on the first two days of working at the office, for promising corruption-free governance and other pro-people policies. However, it is in the news that he has opted for a combined duplex house with total floor area of 9,000 square feet for his office and home. That’s not exactly an AAM Aadmi’s house. I am refraining to comment on the issue unless the reports are confirmed.

Media and others have criticized him that AK took the support from the Congress while he had categorically denied taking any support either from the Congress or the BJP during campaigning. I support AK for not being stubborn on his decision and asking people for their opinion whether AAP should form the government or not. A senior journalist known for his ‘stupendous’ journalistic skills Arnab Goswami asked him that he is out-sourcing the party’s decision. AK smartly replied to the journalist that he is not outsourcing the party’s decision from Pakistan. He is simply going to the people who elected him.

One must watch the speech of AK in Delhi assembly where he did not ask for the support for his government or the party. He has talk about fresh policies. He talked about corruption free society. He talks about a system where everyone gets their works done in a government office without paying any bribe. He has promised a lot and now it is time to show what can he do for the poor and Aam Aadmi.

Let us keep sharpening our words of criticism for a little later stage when AK fails on his promises or falls from the standards he set for an ideal politician or say Aam Aadmi. Until then I think we should stop cynical criticism or criticism just for the sake of it.

‘Rape flu’ needs high quality anti-biotic

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 20:35:00 +0000

Photo Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle

India needs a high quality anti-biotic to nip 'rape flu' in the bud but the government is using the humble ‘Paracetamol’ to deal with this deadly bug.

By Abhishek Pandey

Youngsters are fed up of being outraged. They took to the streets after Delhi Gang rape case. Seven months later, another ghastly gang-rape took place and this time in the financial capital--Mumbai. People are outraged again but this time with less intensity and valour. The reason is simple: they are tired of being outraged.

It is not that no rape case took place all these seven months but we have learned to become outraged when safe havens become hell. Mumbai was considered one of the safest cities for girls. It was the city that promised its women safety when they roamed around with friends after sunset, allowed them to sit at marine drive at mid night and travelled in the last local with a sense of safety. They felt safe in the city. They are now worried.

India is suffering from ‘rape-flu’ that is spreading fast. It has reached Mumbai from Delhi in less than seven months. The government is treating this flu with humble Paracetamol while the disease requires high quality anti-biotic. Perhaps, the government does not have any effective remedy and does not want to waste its time in inventing one. The reason is: this flue is not because of what Rupee is falling against dollar or it is not what will fetch votes for our politicians.

From December 7 in Delhi to August 22 in Mumbai, nothing has changed. Perverts still gawk at women at public places and undress them with their penetrating gaze. They not only intentionally touch their bodies but violate them whenever they get lucky in a crowded place. They still tell sexist jokes openly. May be an Indian could not explain but a Canadian girl who studied in India explained her ordeal in India. She was groped, masturbated at and assaulted many times.

Nothing has changed and if some drastic actions are not taken, nothing will change. You may call me a pessimist. Yes. I am. And, there is no reason that any Indian should not be. Rapes will continue to take place. This is the destiny of Indian women with which they will have to learn to live unless a superhero comes to save them. Period.

Why rape will not stop?

There is a basic problem in our preaching to girls to avoid being raped. They are told not to venture out alone, not to go to secluded places and most importantly, not to wear indecent clothes. We give this list to girls when they decide to go out for work or studies. Why nothing will work! Let us talk about the Mumbai and Delhi cases because every one of us is aware about the minute details of these horrid cases.

Girls should not go out alone.

In the Mumbai and Delhi gang rape cases, there is a similarity. Both the girls were not alone and were accompanied by a male friend. But it did not make any difference to their perpetrators. They were beaten and raped.

Don’t go to a secluded place.

What will they do if someone abducts them to a secluded place? Delhi girl was duped in a thick-curtained bus because no autowala in Delhi was ready to ferry her home at 9pm. Mumbai girl was tricked inside the mill campus while her male colleague was handcuffed with a leather belt outside. This suggestion too seems nonsensical.

Don’t wear indecent clothes.

This is the most stupid suggestion. Eight-year-old girl and seventy-year-old lady are too raped. Rapists do not discriminate against clothes, age, caste and religion. It is evident, they are not human so don’t care about this man-made rules.

Frankly speaking, I have no idea what would help our girls: harsh deterrent, safety on roads, stricter laws, chemical castration or what else. I don’t know.

I recall couplets of an Urdu poet Nawaz Deobandi.

He says:

Uske katal par mai bhi chup tha, mera number ab aaya.

Mere katal me aap bhi chup hai, agla number aapka hai.

(I was silent when he was killed, now I am being killed. You are silent on my killing, the next number is yours.)

Advani succumbs to NaMo-nia

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:21:00 +0000

LK Advani resigns from all the posts he held in the BJP. The news comes as a shocker for the BJP leaders and workers who were celebrating Modi elevation as the chief of poll committee. The decision taken at the Goa meet was being considered historic and many believed that it was the beginning of a new era. A day after ‘the historic decision’ an era ended in the history of the saffron party when LK Advani’s resignation reached the BJP headquarters.

Advani, who has been the part of the BJP since its inception, was member of the national executive, parliamentary board and the election committee. He, who had been instrumental in making the BJP powerful in the nineties, felt short off supporters within his own party and had no option left but to resign to avoid denting his image further.

In an emotional letter to the BJP chief Rajnath Singh, he said that he had been finding it difficult to reconcile either with the current functioning of the party, or the direction in which it is going. He complained that most leaders of the party are concerned just with their personal agendas. His resignation indicates that the BJP is party with differences and is unable to handle its affairs.

It is ironical that his resignation came a day after Modi was elevated. As political pundits are saying the resignation is his way of expressing dissent over the elevation of Narendra Modi. Modi met him first in 1975. Advani supported him climbed the political ladder in Gujarat. But he did not have a faint idea that Modi will become ‘indispensible’ for the party and party workers will choose Modi over him.

The resignation sends a message across clearly that Advani’s voice of dissent did not matter in the party. Advani, who always had major say in party affairs, even during the Vajpayee reign, felt his hold on the party affairs insignificant. He had never criticised the party functioning in open as he was the sole authority to take big decisions and he was whose voice always matter. His harsh words about the party affairs shows he became really upset and weak within the party.

He had always been the number two and he was hopeful that after the retirement of Atal Bihari Vajpayee he could become the number one in the party. Undoubtedly, he was the senior most and the powerful leader after Vajpayee. He tried his luck in 2009 elections but failed miserably. His resignation expresses that his hopes of becoming the PM or say number one in the BJP was dashed by the popularity of NaMo among party workers and others those are BJP fans.

Advani must have thought that he can be the prime minister of the NDA if the alliance wins enough seats to come to the power after 2014 general elections. He knew NDA allies would have never supported the nomination of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. His chances were bright but ‘the historic decision’ taken at the party meet in Goa humiliated him to the core. Perhaps, it was evident that NaMo would be elevated that’s why he preferred to stay away from the meet on health grounds.

However, his resignation letter has been rejected by the BJP chief Rajnath Singh and it is uncertain what would be the next move of the former deputy prime minister.

His resignation indicates that the BJP is party with differences and is unable to handle its affairs.

It is the high time that party get over its inner conflicts as it will not gain even if Congress loses at centre owing to incumbency factor, poor governance and failed economic policies. They should always keep in mind: people are watching.

Fire in the land of snow and peace

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:01:00 +0000

While reading Seminar, I learned that 104 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009 to protest against Chinese oppression and demand free Tibet. I was aware that people are immolating themselves for a free Tibet but the numbers shocked me. This is one of the most horrendous figures of human civilization! It is weird because it is happening in 21^st century and no one notices it. And those who notice ignore it as if nothing major happened.

People have taken another route to protest when other methods failed. When Tibetans protested on roads; they were killed and dumped by the People Liberation Army of China. They did not leave any trace of what happened.

Where are the United Nations and Human Rights Councils? To my understanding, they are quiet because the big brother (the USA) and European countries are not interested in taking any action because they have business interest in China.

Why media is not talking about it? Why any Arnab Goswami is not asking ‘nation needs an answer?’ No one, not even journalists, are allowed to enter in Tibet. A couple of CNN and BBC journalists were not allowed to enter Tibet and threatened that if they insist their visas will be cancelled.

Do we lack journalists who can dare and do a sting in Tibet? It is not true. Journalists have reported from troubled areas such as Taliban where the situation was as hostile as it is in Tibet today. It is perhaps media houses are not interested in reporting Tibet issue because it does not make some great news for front pages of newspapers or for prime time on TV.

Why is India that has given shelter to the Tibetan ‘parliament-in-exile’ keeping quiet? Indian silence is obvious. Indian government has failed miserably in their foreign policy. It did not act aggressively when Chinese army intruded and setup their camps 19-kilometre inside Indian Territory. So how can they raise voice against the oppression of Tibetans?

Would India have reacted the same way when human rights of Tamilians were violated in Sri Lanka? No. They told the Sri Lankan premiere to ensure Tamilians are safe and even took up issue on International platforms. India has not done so in the case of Tibet. However, it will face maximum problems by Chinese spoiling Tibetan ecosystem.

In the times when people resort to violence to demand anything Tibetans sticking to non-violence methods is admirable. If they fail to make a mark, it will be a failure of the principle of non-violence. It is bad sign for a civilized society. Think.

Female sexuality redefined

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:00 +0000

Males talk about their sexual desire and fantasies openly. And, no one raises a question. But when people hear females talking about their sexual desires; they looked down upon them. Savita Bhabhi—a pornographic comic character—became instantly popular among Internet generation when it was launched in 2008. A year later, it was banned by the government for serving sexually explicit content.

She was young, sexy, amorous and married. She talked about her sexual desires with men. She demanded whatever she wanted on bed. The comic character may or may not be characterized thinking about what goes on in the minds of Indian women of 21^st century. It made men to rethink about female sexuality and their desires.

The creator may want to utilize male libido and their desire to view and read explicit sexual content to make quick bucks. And, he/she hit the right chord. It was a huge hit and was almost seen by 60 million online users every month. In an interview with an Indian magazine Tehelka, the creators say that their website gets 70 per cent traffic from India.

Savita Bhabhi may have died an early death in the virtual world but she is ready to take rebirth and this time in a new avatar. Internet users can see her in action and talking. An animated porn movie of Savita Bhabhi is available online.

This time users have to pay $ 25 to see the movie. Porn cartoon videos are popular in other countries but this is the first time someone has come up with porn cartoon in Hindi.

The clear motive of its creators is to make money but they claim they want to talk about freedom of speech and teach men about female sexuality. It is viewers and the government to decide what is the intent of the creators.

The biography of an ‘untold’ word

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:52:00 +0000

A painting 'Rape of the Sabine women'

Original Text in Hindi by: Manisha Pandey

Translated in English by: Abhishek Pandey

When did I hear the word rape for the first time? When did I understand what does it really mean? I have no idea. I was just 12 years old when a young woman was gang raped in my city--Allahabad. The news was played up and it was above the fold on the front pages of all newspapers. If I remember correctly, this was the first time my mother instructed me how to behave and dress ‘decently’. That day, she got angry because I went on the terrace of my house without her permission. I asked for her permission to go to a friend’s house that evening. She bluntly said no. She even scolded me when I went to the market nearby to buy milk without wearing tippet.

We, me and my mother, had not discussed about the news published on the front pages of newspapers that day. But I had understood that the change in her attitude is because of that incident. I had understood that the girls who do not follow the instructions of their parents are raped. A girl should wear a tippet not to get raped. She should not roam around on roads after sundown. She should not go to a friend’s house alone.

Even after having all this precious pieces of information I didn’t know what was rape? I was growing up. When I was five-years-old I went to a friend’s house to call her. No one was at home. Taking the advantage of the situation her uncle undid his blue ‘lungi’. I got frightened and ran away. Was that rape?

A man lived in my colony with his wife and used to call me beta. One day he made me sit on his lap when his wife was not around. Whatever he did to me was disgusting and still fills me with filth. I dint tell anyone but began living in an unknown fear. Was that rape?

When the son of Marwari aunty held me by my shoulders for gyrating, he touched me between my legs in an awkward way. I got frightened. Was that rape?

When I was in class six and my mother send me to buy sugar from the general store next door. The shopkeeper touched my breasts. Was that rape?

In the Hindi belt of shining India, a girl growing up in the city like Allahabad faces similar incidents almost every day. I was frightened to speak up. Was that rape?

I was afraid of dark.

I was afraid of deserted lanes and by-lanes of my city.

I was afraid of men.

I was afraid of my own body.

Was that rape?

If it was rape, I dint tell anyone about this. I dint ask my mother what was it.

One day, there was another news item that hogged the headlines of newspapers. A bandit in the ravines of western Uttar Pradesh had killed 22 upper caste males because they had gangraped her. Perhaps she was not prosecuted and all the cases against her were withdrawn.

The incident raised many questions. Should girls shoot rapists? The only idea of such action made me feel great because I wanted to kill the uncle of my friend, that uncle next door, the son of Marwari aunty and the shopkeeper. Neither I had courage nor the idea what I wanted to do? My mother had told me that the bandit was Phoolan Devi and had killed 22 thakurs (upper caste). One of my distant relatives, Shukla Jee, was sad because she had killed 22 thakurs.

No one talked about the gangrape. No one showed any respect or love for Phoolan Devi. Even on my terrace that evening, people were sad about the killings of 22 thakurs but no one saluted Phoolan Devi for her courage or sympathized with her.

I understood one thing that day.

Rape is bad but shooting rapists is worse and killing thakurs is the worst.

Whatever that uncle, the neighbor, the son of Marwari aunty and the shopkeeper and several other males of Allahabad had done with me or the girls like me could be bad but telling this to anyone is worse and thinking about killing them is the worst.

I have stopped thinking about the ‘bad things.’

But the bad behavior of pervert males, eve teasing, molestation and such behavior has not stopped.

This does not happen only in Uttar Pradesh.

One day, I was talking with twelve of my friends at Women Working Hostel in Mumbai. We had managed to get three bottles of wine and only those girls were present who had no issue with drinking and on whom we can trust that they will not leak the news. We were drinking wine in steel tumblers and were talking about things we do not discuss normally. After a few moments of fear, shame and hesitation, all the twelve girls in the room accepted that they had faced sexual abuse when they were young. Uncles in their neighborhoods, friends of their fathers were the ones who developed a sense of fear and hatred in their minds for their own bodies and for males.

Even at that moment I could not decide: was that rape?

Once, a hostel mate came back after night out with his boy friend and had black marks under her eyes and bruises on other body parts. She was molested by her boyfriend who had tried raping her. She did not complain to anyone. After ten day she went for outing with the same boy again.

Was that rape?

In Mumbai, a woman lawyer working for a social organization told that she had to sleep with her husband unwillingly many times. She said this as if it is acceptable in our society. Is this acceptable thing was rape?

The woman from Allahabad who says she had never took initiative on bed because she thinks that males think that such girls are sluts. Indian males have poor opinion of the girls who say yes to the proposal of making love before tying the nuptial knot. Males think they are characterless. The educated, modern, working girls fake their orgasm for making their husbands and boyfriends physically, sexually and mentally satisfied.

At time boyfriends do not wear condoms rather force their girl friends to swallow anti-abortion pills which cause vomiting and other health problems. They are the same who leave their girl friends alone and go out of town during their abortions if she forgets to take a pill in time and conceives a baby.

Can all these be called rape?

Male colleagues in offices call a girl slut if she smokes; wear skirts or talks to boys in a loud tone. If a girl had been in a relationship with more than one male then they say “anyone can sleep with her” and bet among each other that who can do it first. They think the girl is available if a girl chose to have a relationship with a male before getting married.

Is this rape?

My 35-year-old unmarried aunty never had relationship with a male fearing she will lose the tag of a ‘good woman’. She had her menopause at the age of 38 without sleeping with any man in her life and in return she got the tag of a ‘good woman’ from society. Was that rape?

I am unable to decide that what is rape? The sections of Indian Penal Code have failed in defining it. Indian judicial system has failed in deciding its definition. No one decided this because no one cared. No one felt the need because it was not affecting their life directly.

In a spine-chilling incident, a girl was brutally gangraped in the national capital by six monsters in a moving bus. They brutally assaulted the girl and her friend. They threw them on the road without clothes in the freezing cold of Delhi. The nation got outraged. Thousands of boys and girl took to the streets to demand capital punishment for the rapists.

What should be the punishment is a different topic of debate. This is for sure that this is a barbaric criminal act. This is one of the ugliest faces of crime against women. The death of the brave girl has shaken the conscience of the nation. The safety of women has become a prime concern in our patriarchal society.

Rapes were happening before the Delhi gangrape case. They were happening in homes and outside. Indian army was raping. Custodial rapes and marital rapes were happening. Known and strangers were raping girls. Father, uncle, tuition teacher, neighbor and strangers were raping but this never became a prime time question in mainstream media. People never came out on the streets to face water-canons, tear gas shells and lathi charge.

Since we have come out on the streets to talk about this issue we will talk about the history of rapes. We will talk about its culture. We will talk about the patriarchal norms of society. We will talk about religious texts. We will talk about the unfair laws. We will talk about the world which taught men to rape and instructed women to be raped and keep quite. We will talk about the world that makes a man sexual being and a woman a sex object. We will talk about the social norms which justified sexual needs of males and told woman to fulfill them.

We will talk about the society which tells women how not to get raped but never directed a male not to rape women. We will talk about the society that has not given rights to women to express their sexual desires. We will talk about the society that has made woman the property of her father, brother, husband and son. We will talk about the society that made women a machine that produces human beings. We will talk about the society that has justified the exploitation of women in religious texts and given their own descriptions of them to suppress women.

The society has restricted its daughters from roaming around on roads at night but let its sons out to rape them. The society taught girls to keep the sanctity of their bodies but opened brothels for fulfilling the sexual desires of males. The society tells girls that they were raped because they were scantily clad but never questioned boys for roaming around without shirts and peeing in full public view. The society calls a girl slut for having four boyfriends but praised a male who had sex with 100 women. The society justified violence against women and gave rights on her heart, body and soul to males.

Now we are questioning, discussing and debating on rape then we should not ignore these concerns boggling the minds of women for ages.

I have never reiterated the word ‘rape’ so many times in my life but have written this word many times in this article. And, this is for a reason: we have to take this issue forward to bring about a positive change in our society.

Baat Nikli Hai to Phir Door Talak Jayegi…

The original article was published on www.pratilipi.in.

Eve teasing: The shameful reality

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Ravinder Pal Singh, Assistant Inspector of Police, was shot dead in Amritsar (Punjab) when he was trying to save her daughter from an eve teaser. The culprit is Ranjit Singh Rana, a young Akali Dal leader. This is not the first case. A few days ago five miscreants had killed a youth who protested against lewd comments passed by miscreants to a girl living in his neighbourhood in a Mumbai suburb. It has been happening not only in Mumbai but also in Bangalore, Delhi and many other small cities such as Kanpur, Amritsar, Noida, etc.

What is happening to youngsters and why are they indulging in these kinds of activities? Do parents and teachers teach them well how to behave with girls? Should we blame all this to media? Should we blame their upbringing and the way their parents bring up them?

Do we need tougher laws?

Sections 509 and 294, 354 of Indian Penal Code deal with sexual harassment cases. Offenders can be sent to jail for one year or Rs. 12,000 fine or both. Activists believe that we can make stringent acts but they will remain post facto solutions. Political will and police action at the right time is required to handle these cases.

Why people are doing this?

Why does a boy feel like doing this? It has been observed by many that there is a male mindset that rape is a crime but eve teasing chalta hai. Should we blame Indian entertainment industry which has glorified eve teasing in some way or the other? They show lad clad in fashionable clothes pinch a girl and easily get away with it. We need to tell them that they should respect each and every girl. No one gives them license to eve tease a girl just because she is wearing skimpy clothes or goes to pubs or smokes cigarettes.

We need to change the mindset of the people and need to stand up with girls who decide to complaint against such harassment and take up these cases to police. These are the girls who are the torch bearers and will change the world for their fraternity. Cheers!!!

Gangnam style! What is this?

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 18:57:00 +0000

A still from the music video Gangnam Style

Gangnam Style, a music video by a South Korean singer Psy, went viral over the Internet. It has been seen millions of times since it was uploaded on the video sharing website YouTube. Why is it so popular? Is it an excellent piece of musical creativity? Do the lyrics of the song have deep meaning? Or is it out of the ordinary for some other creative reasons unknown to common people? How did it become the most liked video in YouTube history?

There are many such questions that boggle the minds of the people who have watched this video and even those who have not searched it on YouTube and only read about it in news reports. The strange thing is that ninety per cent people who do not understand Korean had not understood the lyrics of the music video if they would have not seen it with subtitles in their preferred languages. The phenomenon of liking a musical video in the language we don’t understand was seen in India when Kolaveri Di went viral. The song was as popular in Punjab and U.P. as it was in Tamil Nadu. It will not be wrong to say that Gangnam Style is more popular in other countries than in South Korea. It has fan following everywhere from Africa, West Indies to India and Sri Lanka.

But what is Gangnam Style? Wikipedia says that ‘Gangnam style’ depicts the lavish lifestyle associated with Gangnam district in Seoul (South Korea). The lyrics of the music video do not tell about Gangnam Style but the video does speak a little about it.

When I listen to this song for the first time I could not make head and tale of its meaning. I tried looking for the translated version of its lyrics and when I read the translated version I realized that I was better of without knowing what exactly it meant. There was nothing to understand. It was as senseless as Kolaveri Di. But the video has enough material to make you roll on the floor laughing (ROFL).

The translation of the lyrics of Gangnam Style in English is given here so that if you could make any sense of it then please explain.

Oppa is Gangnam style
Gangnam style

A girl who is warm and humanle during the day
A classy girl who know how to enjoy the freedom of a cup of coffee
A girl whose heart gets hotter when night comes
A girl with that kind of twist

I’m a guy
A guy who is as warm as you during the day
A guy who one-shots his coffee before it even cools down
A guy whose heart bursts when night comes
That kind of guy

Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, hey, yes you, hey
Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, hey, yes you, hey

Now let’s go until the end

Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style
Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style
Oppa is Gangnam style

Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh

A girl who looks quiet but plays when she plays
A girl who puts her hair down when the right time comes
A girl who covers herself but is more sexy than a girl who bares it all
A sensable girl like that

I’m a guy
A guy who seems calm but plays when he plays
A guy who goes completely crazy when the right time comes
A guy who has bulging ideas rather than muscles

That kind of guy

Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, hey, yes you, hey
Beautiful, loveable

Yes you, hey, yes you, hey
Now let’s go until the end

Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style
Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style
Oppa is Gangnam style

Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh

On top of the running man is the flying man, baby baby
I’m a man who knows a thing or two
On top of the running man is the flying man, baby baby
I’m a man who knows a thing or two

You know what I’m saying
Oppa is Gangnam style

Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh

NO VIOLENT PROTESTS...PLEASE

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Abhishek Pandey

People are angry in India. They are fuming not only in New Delhi but almost in every part of the country. People in Kanpur and Mumbai are up in arms against the arrest of cartoonist Assem Trivedi. He is facing a charge of sedition for making a cartoon on national symbol. Congressmen are infuriated in Odisha against Biju Janta Dal (BJD) for doing nothing for the development of the state despite being at the helm of affairs for the last 12 years. One woman constable was allegedly pulled by her hair, molested and beaten up badly by the out-of-control mob.

People are on Jal Satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh against the BJP government for their demand to bring down the water level in Onkareswar Dam so that they need not to leave their land and settle elsewhere. Farmers are protesting in Uttar Pradesh against the State government; they are vandalizing public property to push their demand for increase in compensation given against their land. In Tamil Nadu people are protesting against Kudankulam nuclear plant and a 44-year old farmer had lost his life in police firing. Muslims are coming on streets in almost all parts of the country in solidarity with Muslim brethren against the violence against Muslim in Assam and other parts of world. Many policemen including pedestrians were injured; public property was destroyed.

Is India a country of intolerant people? Or it is just we have not learnt how to use our constitutional right to free speech and expression. India is a democratic nation and everyone has a right to express their opinions in words or in pictures or for that matter in cartoons too. But no one gives us a right to throw stones at police or public. Are these protests solving any of these problems? They may not be solving.

This is our constitutional right. We have right to protest what we don’t like but it is our duty not to disrupt public life. It is our duty not to give anyone a reason to protest. Many of protesters are inspired by Mahatma Gandhi but they have not learnt being responsible like him. Someone had rightly said, “my freedom to move my fist ends where your nose begins.”

Are girls safe on Indian roads?

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 05:32:00 +0000

Abhishek Pandey

The answer is no. And I have reasons to say this. The modesty of a girl was razed on one of the busiest roads of Guwahati on Monday night. More than 20 men molested her, dragged her on the road by her hair, groped her and ripped her clothes in full public view. She cried. She begged for mercy and help. But no one came forward. As usual, police came late. However the officials managed to save her from a bunch of jeering boys but failed to save her from the trauma that will haunt her all her life.

After the incident, the girl was in utter shock. She had no idea what has happened. What was her fault? Everything was fine before the incident. She had left her home a few hours before to attend a birthday party. She was going home after a brawl among her friends. The unfortunate act that went on for fifteen minutes or even more has left an indelible mark on her memory; life will never be the same for her.

Three days have gone, thirteen culprits have been identified and three have been arrested too. Police officials have done their job and hopefully, will arrest others soon. Law will take its course and the court will punish them. But have we learnt anything from this incident?

In my opinion, this particular incident does not raise any question on the functioning of police rather it question our existence as a society. It tells bluntly to our face that we have failed as a society. It shows that we are living in an era when people complain and cry about eve-teasing, molestation and violence against the fairer sex on Facebook and Twitter but do nothing in real life except being a mute spectator.

I am sure after seeing this incident on TV, all parents are worried and they should be. They will think twice before sending their daughters for coaching or shopping after the sun set. The incident will make the parents of girls think that we have not yet become civilized and there are people from barbaric age and roam on the roads with their libido.

Girls are not safe on Indian roads. And even the chief minister of Delhi accepts this when she says that girls should avoid going out at nights. I understand that she is not against women liberalization or something. She just wants girls to reach home safely and she said that out of her motherly love. I am not a great fan of congress not of Sheila Dixit. I appreciate her concern and any mother will suggest her child the same before going and eliminating all hooligans on the roads. It is different argument all together that she as the chief of the state should ensure that girls can roam around on the city roads without fear. I believe that the advice should be considered as a precaution till Delhi or say Indian roads become safer for girls.

Police may say that this is an isolated incident and it does not prove that our roads are not safe for girls to move out. The incident is disturbingly surprising because many people witnessed the incident but did not protest. Now it is high time for us to think what we learn from this incident? What will be our reaction if something like this happens in front of us? How will we react? THINK.

SAVE OUR TIGERS

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 06:47:00 +0000

Are we doing enough?

Our tigers are in danger. They are falling prey to poaching and man-tiger conflict. Inviolate spaces for tigers are shrinking. Villagers living near core and buffer areas of tiger reserves poison them in revenge for killing their cattle. The government agencies have failed miserably in relocating the reluctant villagers; as in the last 40 years they have been able to relocate only 105 villages out of 1700 in protected tiger reserves. Abhishek Pandey visited the Jim Corbett National Park in Nainital (Uttarakhand) as part of a media briefing workshop on ‘Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation’ organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and reports the present status of the national animal.

Jim Corbett Park (Uttarakhand): India had over 50,000 tigers in the beginning of the 20^th century and is now left with only 1,706. Habitats are shrinking because people living on the fringes of tiger reserves are dependent on forests for grazing and firewood. Poaching is rampant. Thousands of posts of forest guards are lying vacant across the country. Tigers are facing threats to their lives on many fronts.

Thankfully, the situation has improved slightly with the efforts of many NGOs and government agencies. According to the Environment Ministry, the estimated number of tigers at 1,706 is higher than the 1,411 tigers in 2007. India still has over 70 per cent of the total tiger population of the world.

Sunita Narain, Chairperson of Tiger Task Force (TTF) and Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, “Our forests are habitats of people and not wilderness areas. Millions of people depend on forests for their livelihood. We should keep in mind the interests of people too for sustainable tiger conservation. We should not develop hostile neighbours for tigers and should work on changing the conservation paradigm. We should work on providing employment and tourism benefits to villagers and also allow them to harvesting produce on a sustainable basis.”

However, one of the members of the task force, Valmik Thapar, had written in his note of dissent sent to the chairperson that human and tiger co-existence plans will not work because people will not relocate if the co-existence plan will improve their life 100 fold. He has written a book The Last Tiger and said that a miracle is required to save Indian tigers. He has said in an interview that lions don't co-exist with people in Africa, jaguars don't co-exist with people in South America and tigers and leopards have never co-existed with people in India.

The country has 41 tiger reserves in 17 states and out of which 25 reserves have notified buffer zones. Around 50 per cent of the tiger population lives outside the protected tiger reserves. They are vulnerable to poaching. Despite rigorous tiger conservation activities by government agencies and the forest department, the nation has lost 45 tigers in 2012 (till June 9, 2012). This year has been a terrible year for tigers.

RK Mishra, Director of the Jim Corbett National Park, claims that there have been no instances of poaching since 2001. The department arrested three poachers after finding four metal traps inside the park. Some wildlife activists have alleged that the park is a haven for poachers and that 15 tigers have been killed in 2012. However, this has not been confirmed yet.

Mishra, who hails from Odisha, added, “The forest department is trying to put a stop on retaliatory killing of tigers. Villagers poison tigers if the animal invades human habitats and kills cattle. We give immediate compensation to the villagers whenever a case is reported.” The Jim Corbett Park has over 200 tigers and there are over 40 tigers in Ram Nagar Forest range.

Odisha

Simlipal was one of the first nine tiger reserves which were declared in 1973. Besides Simlipal, Odisha has two other tiger reserves—Satkosia Tiger Reserve and Sunabeda Tiger Reserve. According to the state government, there are 192 tigers in Odisha, while the Wild Life Institute of India (WWI) states there are only 45.

Lala A.K. Singh, who is a wildlife expert and has worked in the Simlipal Tiger Reserve for more than two decades said that we can save tigers in Odisha only by minimizing human interference and creating inviolate space for the animals.

As Ravi Chellam, wildlife biologist and conservationist, puts it, “tigers are territory animals and they cannot live in apartments like humans. We have to create inviolate space to protect tigers.”

Nirmal Baba: a cheat or a saint?

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:13:00 +0000

‘The Third Eye of Nirmal Baba’ is one of the most seen religious programmes on TV. The show is telecast on 44 channels including three in the USA. Nirmaljeet Singh Narula aka Baba spends over Rs 4 crore a month for telecasting.

According to reports, he earns around Rs 70 lakh a day in his religious samagams. He charges Rs 2000 for attending his samagam and even a child above the age of two has to register. He charges extra money for personal meetings. He takes money for doing pooja on the behalf of devotees. All this makes his annual income around Rs 250 crore.

He claims to remove all the worries of his devotees; provided they do what he suggests. Nirmal Baba ‘peeps’ into the past of his devotees with his ‘magical’, or say, ‘divine’ powers and solves their problems. Some get promotion in jobs, some accumulate wealth in a few months time and families of a few devotees recover from serious diseases. But many in the media and those have been associated with him alleged that he gives money to junior TV actors for asking questions in his shows. He impresses people by telling their past and makes people believe that he helps his devotees a lot.

If you want to benefit his ‘powers’, you just need to deposit a few thousand rupees or if go by his suggestions a 10 percent of your total income for a Dasvand Puja in the account of Nirmal Baba and in return, he will shower his blessings on you.

‘Baba’ tells his devotees to keep a black purse—it must be an expansive and branded one, a packet of 10-rupee notes in their purse to receive the blessings of divine powers. He tells them to eat Golgappe, dye their hair black, plant a money-plant in a glass vase and keep in the house and several other amusing ways to get rid of problems and sufferings.

According to a newspaper report, he had married a girl Sushma from Jharkhand in 1964 and also owned a brick kiln for some time. He has two children—one son and one daughter. He has around Rs 110 crore in two bank accounts and also has a fixed deposit of Rs 25 crore.

There are many complaints for cheating pending against him; including one filed by two children from Lucknow at Gomti Nagar Police station.

The rise of Nirmaljeet Singh Narula aka Nirmal Baba has proved the statement of Barnum, the famous circus owner: “There is a sucker born every minute."

Politics up in UP

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:53:00 +0000

Akhilesh Yadav is a man in a hurry. He has more clout than any other politician in UttarPradesh. Akhilesh is the youngest chief minister of the most populated Indian state. He has emerged as the strong man of the Samajwadi Party. Unlike other politicians in his party, he has risen from the grass roots to a position of authority and therefore understands the political milieu better than the most.

He is the only person who can cut the Gordian knot of political problems that beset the part after the victory. Almost all the candidates he supported have won and he has emerged stronger. Akhilesh has brought about a change in the policies of the party. He has announced of introducing computers in schools and giving laptops and tablets to high school and intermediate students.

Akhilesh has emerged as the strongest contender for the crown of Yuvraj which has been associated with Rahul Gandhi, at least in UP. The Congress party had lost badly in the assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi is being criticised for the debacle and Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the party, has been defending him. Rahul is being lampooned by the media for his failed, much-hyped political canvassing and tactless distribution of tickets.

It is not in the Congress alone that faces such a problem, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is also ina similar problem. Though, the BJP has been successful in transforming its image from a communal party to a party that, in the changed climate, champions the interests of all communities. However, the party has lost ground among Hindus.

The biggest ever victory of the Samajwadi Party has warmed the cockles of party supporters. Today, in an abrupt turnaround of fortunes, the party has emerged as a major threat to all the parties in the forthcoming general elections due in 2014. The impact of this victory may be short-lived in the minds of the people; but the fear of losing the next election endures in the minds of all the bigwigs of the Congress, the BJP and the BSP.

The new Neta Jee

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 10:28:00 +0000

When Akhilesh Singh Yadav, 38, became the youngest chief minister of a State that has population of over 200 million, it was evident that it will spark a change in the State politics. He is young and thinks unlike his father Mulayam Singh Yadav on many issues concerning youth. He gives importance to computers and even has bought a smart phone for her daughter.

Following Obama style of campaigning in UPelections, he talked of a change. He neither spewed venom against any politicalparty nor individual nor tore any party’s manifesto in any public meeting. Hetalked of improving education and industrial sector, creating jobs, givingunemployment allowances to graduates and making the state safe and secure for its citizens. Akhilesh said that he will give importance to English withoutignoring Urdu and Hindi.

He convinced voters saying his party willnot support hooliganism and tried to correct the image ofthe party that is known for lawlessness bynot distributing tickets to tainted leaders. He did not give tickets to DPYadav, Atiq Ahmed and such others with serious criminal cases against them.

After coronation on the chief minister postthat has been offered by the Samajwadi Party stalwart Mulayam Singh Yadav for his son, thenew face of the Samajwadi Party leader carries a huge responsibility on his shoulders.

Peopleare looking forward for a change that will change the face of the State thathas given maximum numbers of prime ministers to the country.

People want Akhilesh to bring investmentand create job opportunities for youth.

People want Akhilesh to build a strong infrastructurein cities and villages—Road, Water and Electricity.

People want better health facilities evenin the remotest village of the State.

People have given clear mandate and haveshown trust to the new Samajwadi Party led by the youngest chief minister of India.

Raped and blamed

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:34:00 +0000

The 17-year-girl was raped in Noida. The UP Police, as usual, said that the girl willingly drunk alcohol with a male friend. She went with him and other four males in his friend’s car. They say that she was drunk that’s why she was raped. Did the girl ask the boy on whom she had trust or other strangers for the assault?

Police says, in spite of having thousands of extra policemen on elections duty in the city that is just a few kilometres from the national capital, cannot monitor each and every vehicle that’s why she was raped. Can they dare to say same sentence when a daughter of some affluent businessman or politician is treated the same way. NO, they won’t?

Police has arrested all the accused in the rape case. Good. They revealed the name of the girl and said she willingly drunk and that’s why she was raped. Bad. The situation would have been better for her and her parents, if the police would have not defamed the girl and, of course, would have not uttered that nonsense. Such statements by a chief of police department discourage girls in reporting such incidents taking place every day and shows insincere and amateur response to a sensitive problem.

Girls are blamed for getting raped. Sometimes police say they were wearing skimpy clothes. Sometimes they say the girl was drunk. Sometimes they say that the girl was not of good character. Sometimes they say that a girl ventured out at night that’s why she was victimised. Apparently, in all these cases, girls never welcome anyone to assault and never will. So it is wise on the part of police to stop using such offensive and insensitive language.

These are idiotic excuses by inefficient people those cannot perform their duties. These kinds of persons will blame the parents for negligence if a young girl of 6 years is raped at public place. I am not saying that girls or parents should not take preventive measures in bringing down the number of such incidents. But, no one neither police nor others have any right to blame the victims for such cases. It is not only insensitive but also gave others an excuse and a justification to assault a girl.

P.S. Most rape cases are reported in Noida (UP) and Delhi. Ironically, both states have woman chief ministers.

The medium is the message

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:47:00 +0000

The growing use of digital media has changed the way we get news. Technology has not only made travelling of words, pictures and videos faster but also has provided us with multiple sources to get our daily dose of news. We read newspapers and magazines, listen to radio, see TV bulletins, access news websites and get information as updates or through social readers on social networking websites. Technology is making information available everywhere with ease. Information is just a tap way. You tap your smart home and it comes flowing.

Marshal McLuhan said: “The medium is the message.” He said that a "message" is "the change of scale or pace or pattern" that a new invention or innovation "introduces into human affairs." McLuhan was a Canadian media analyst. He predicted the invention of New Media in the 50’s, thirty years before Internet took a shape.
Fifty years ago, no one had thought of getting news when travelling in bus or train or sending information anywhere in the world from a remotest part of the country. It is possible now. We live in a ‘Global Village’ as referred by McLuhan and are always connected to the outside world.

On the 100^th birth anniversary of McLuhan, his theories which were rebuffed by media critics those days seem relevant today. Technology has bridged gaps between the informed and the ill-informed. I remember a real story in which children and youngsters of a village in Rajasthan got frightened when they saw rains for the first time. They were ill-informed about this phenomenon of nature. They had no exposure to the TV and newspapers. This incident draws a stark picture of the days when there were people who were unaware of certain things which we find obvious today.

The scenario has changed and people have access to information from multiple sources. News dissemination has become easier and quicker than the earlier times. We receive news at lightning speed. Even a secret mission of US Navy Seals was known to the world a few minutes after they stormed into a house in Abottabad to kill the deadliest terrorist Osama Bin Laden. A minutes after their raid a man in the neighbourhood update minute-by-minute update on the micro-blogging site Twitter.

The Internet hasn't become just another medium for news consumption; it is changing how people interact with news. We have seen people sharing news which interest them with others on social networking sites. Such updates on popular sites have brought revolution such as the Arab Spring. Everything has its flip side. Sometimes technology is used with bad intentions too. London riots are one of the few examples where the rioters used Blackberry Messenger (BBM) service for rioting. Anti-social elements use it to spread hatred and hoaxes while academicians use to share their knowledge with their students and colleagues. So, the medium has given its message but it is up to people how they interpret the message or it will be right to say how do they handle the New Media?

Pyaar Ka Punchnama

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:44:00 +0000

Statutory warning: Readers who are in love and have not seen the flip side of their relationships are advised not to read this article.

Abhishek Pandey

Love is about sacrifice. Is it? I have seen in the Bollywood movies of the late 60s and 70s actors profess that love is all about giving and not gaining. Their dialogues are only appropriate for reel life and not practical in real life.

I don’t believe that love is about sacrifice. I have not seen it around me—not in a crowded industrial city like Kanpur, nor in Delhi and nor in Bhubaneswar. I have not seen a single person who is in a relationship and does not expect anything from his/her partner.
I have seen them fighting over trivial issues such as the girl going out with boys make the boy jealous; the boy not giving time annoys the girl; the boy accede to the girls’ suggestions to speak to her parents in a particular manner irks the girl; and the girl wearing skimpy dresses and uploading pictures of herself in them on social networking sites makes the boy furious. There is a long list of complaints that both—the girls and the boys—have and find them enough to break the relationship. They love to play the blame game when they get bored with love.

Am I sounding like a frustrated jilted lover. May be. But I am sure there are many out there who will share my views. Boys who appreciated Pyaar Ka Punchnama and girls who broke up with Mr Wrong recently will agree with my point. I am not forcing my views on you guys but just trying to see things through my own spectacles.

Before writing this article, I asked a few persons who have been in a healthy relationship for couple of years. They accepted the charm of the relationship fades with the passage of time and does not remain always the same. Love for them vanishes in the process of exploring each other over a year or two.

Some are in a relationship because they have committed themselves and given their word and the whole world knows about it. There are people who want to break up with their partners but cannot do so because it will tarnish their image.

Others remain stuck for their vested interests. Some want emotional or financial security and some want the fulfillment of basic instincts. Live it as it comes to you or leave it. It is all a farce. Do one thing this Valentine’s Day. Observe people around you and try to find out why they remain hitched. You will find answers of your unanswered questions.

Many sayings about love have negative connotations such as Love is blind; people fall (not rise) in love; everything is fair in love and war. Here is a list of things you lose while trying to be in love and prove that you love someone special.

You lose your precious time (and many persons money too) trying to prove that your love worth attention. Your love is important till the time the person trusts it is important.

The relationship is a kind of a competition. In trying to win it, you lose a lot of things such as you stop giving time to yourself; you get hurt and do not get in return what you expect.

People act blind under the spell of love. They don’ want to see the reality. They realize it when their illusion gets over and find they are left with nothing. And there is only one panacea. It is that you should learn to live without expecting anything from life or for that matter from someone.

# # #

A stand-up comedian mocked the metamorphosis in the relationship between lovers. He joked: “In the olden times the song was hume tumse pyaar kitna ki hum nahi jaante, magar jee nahi sakte tumhare bina. This has changed in the present time to Hume tumse pyaar kitna, I don’t know. Whether it is more than Sheela or less than Julie.”

Express your love, but is it that simple?

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:07:00 +0000

No. It’s not. The three-word expression I Love You is perhaps the most difficult one to express. People may be headstrong but go weak at the knees when it comes to proposing to someone special. For one and all, the expression of love requires perfect timing, ideal setting and right approach.

Valentine’s Day is considered an important day in the lives of people in love. They may or may not be in a relationship but the day holds significance in their lives. People in relationships want to make it large by planning an outing with their partners or by giving special gifts. Others want to make it memorable by expressing their love to someone special. You need not break a bank to make Valentine’s Day special for someone. It just requires a decent attitude and a right approach.

Many of us fall in love with a friend or a colleague or someone in our neighbourhood or someone we see at a bus stop or in a market. And sometimes it is difficult to break the ice with a person we know than with strangers for several odd reasons. Here are a few tips on how to begin a conversation with someone special.

The most important factor to start an interaction is the consent of the other person. You should not make him/her uncomfortable. And the level of comfort varies from person to person; some will not like you interacting with them in public places like college canteens, libraries or at bus stops. You should consider other factors too like wheter the person is alone and you are in a group or you are meeting in a deserted area at night.

If any of these factors apply, be aware that the other person may feel a little unsafe or unsure of your approach. If you are not sure about their comfort in the interaction do ask them, “is it ok if I talk to you.” Make it clear that you mean no harm and leave them alone if they do not wish to talk.

Treat the person with respect. One should not become over-friendly in the first meeting. He or she should avoid commenting right away on their looks and attire. One should refrain from using endearing terms. A hello and a smile will rarely offend anyone and can open up the door for further conversation.

Getting rejected is surely not your desire. But you should not curse, insult or hurt a person who turns you down. Often people do not want to meet or even talk to someone in public places. There could be many reasons. They may be preoccupied or may be in a hurry. They may be already in a relationship. They may not be interested in any kind of relationship before getting into marriage.

If the person talks comfortably, you should not become overfriendly. You should behave decently and give enough time for the relationship to grow. Rome was not built in a day. Everything takes its own time. If you know the person for quite some time you can propose to him/her in right setting but the rules mentioned above still apply.

Expressing your feelings over phone or online is a safer option rather than saying those three words personally. But this is an impersonal approach and shows lack of confidence in yourself and lack of seriousness in your proposal. It is the worst thing to convey your expression through someone in his/her group or in your circle of friends because many a time your ‘someone special’ may not want to share his or her relationship with anyone else except you.

This article has been published in Yuva Sambad dated February 11, 2012.

AGE IS AN AGING PROBLEM

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:26:00 +0000

I received a Facebook update that reads: “In India, the Government is deciding the age of Army Chief. While in Pakistan, the Army chief is deciding the age of the Government.”

The update was amusing. Jack says, the Indian Army Chief is not behaving awkwardly; and for that matter not even the Pakistani Army Chief. They are behaving in a normal fashion. He snubs me when said that the Indian Army Chief has lowered the image of the sacrosanct institution of India. Jack told me off the record that the Army chief will get a hike of a few thousand rupees if he stays for one more year in the service and an extension of one year to the facilities he is using as the boss of the Indian Army. I believe it cannot be true and he must be kidding. The person of his stature can no go that low for a hike or extension of one year service.

Jack further explains, everyone wants to remain young forever. Haven’t you ever heard that a 40-year-old lady or may be older fighting with an innocent sales man in his twenties who dared to call her aunty. “How dare you call me aunty?” “Do I look like an aunty?” The fight goes on and on but if the salesman has learnt marketing tricks from some professor from the top institutes like IIMs then he will immediately correct himself saying, “Sorry Didi. It was just a slip of tongue.”

However, it may be the case the women in front of her is as old as her mother. But his correction and choose of words may help him in achieving his monthly target.

Micro-blogging: Share your thoughts, in short

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:30:00 +0000

Micro-blogging is all about posting small digital contents—text, pictures, video and links—on the Internet. In short, it is a combination of blogging and instant messaging. Micro-blogging websites allow users to share a message of 140 or less character, a video of 12 seconds or less duration, short links or individual images with online followers.

Twitter is the most famous micro-blogging website. It allows users to update their messages in 140 or less characters. The website is increasingly becoming popular because the list of celebrities joining the site is growing each day and everyone out there wants to know what these celebrities are doing. The site has been in news for many controversial tweets by famous personalities. A few tweets that grabbed headlines and caused a ripple effect include Shahsi Tharoor’s calling ‘Economy Class’ a ‘Cattle Class’, Lalit Modi’s tweet on Indian Premiere League (IPL) and many more. The tweet that made the biggest news of the last year was from a man from Pakistan. Sohaib Athar (@ReallyVirtual) live-tweeted the raid in which terrorist Osama bin Laden was killed.

There are certain things we should know about micro-blogging. There are a few must-know terms related to micro-blogging. One of them is hash tag (#). Tweeter users (generally called tweeple) must have seen the hash tag often in tweets. Hash tags allow an online community to easily stream a particular subject. It is a community-driven practice of tagging an individual tweet by using a hash in front of the tag such as putting #Indiancricket in a tweet about Indian Cricket. It also makes the tweet easily searchable online. Another term is re-tweet, it is used when you update someone else’s tweet on your page. ‘@’ is the sign used for specifying that a message is for a particular individual.

People using Tweeter has developed a terminology. They use tweeple for people using twitter, twaffic is used for users’ traffic on the site, twalking is used for tweeting while walking and twitticism is used for witticism used in tweet updates. There are several other terms and many are being added by its users.

The micro-blogging phenomenon is not limited to sharing text updates.12seconds.com is a micro-blogging video website. 12 Seconds limit the length of uploads to just 12 seconds. Making a video that’s interesting but is only 12 seconds can be a bit of challenge. Currently, they only offer integration with Facebook and Twitter. Some other websites such as Pluckr, Tumblr, Posterous, Plerb and Sweeter are also known among online users for their distinctive features. There are many sites such as twitpic, pikchur, twitgoo and others which allow users to share their pictures on Twitter.

There are many sites which provide an application through which you can shorten a Universal Resource Locator (URL)—you want to share with online pals. Some sites such as bit.ly, tinyurl, ow.ly and goo.gl provide an online tool for shortening URLs. These sites are useful because many URLs exceed the character limit.

Computing on a cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:14:00 +0000

Cloud computing is about accessing or sharing applications, software installed on a virtual server. It facilitates data storage solution to small companies. They need not to buy bulky and expensive servers. They can subscribe to cloud computing services and access their data anytime of the day provided there is no technical problem at host’s end and no Internet connection problem at company’s end.

Cloud computing service is useful not only for small companies but also for other online users. There are hundreds of websites which allow you to save your pictures, videos and other important documents on the Web. These websites provide 1GB to 50 GB free storage. Many websites provide the service for free and a few sites charge for premium service.

Sky Drive of Microsoft delivers online file storage and sharing solution in a free and easy to use way. Other websites providing similar services are esnips.com, hordit.com, gdisk.com, mediamaster and mp3tune (for storing music collection), Flicker and Picasa (for storing pictures and videos) and many more. People can not only save their data but also access several other features i.e. sharing files with friends and public, downloading data of your interest and upload data for public usage.

There are websites which allow you to use useful applications without installing them on your personal computer or laptop. For example: you want to play around with your pictures and you don’t have any photo correction software installed on your computer. You can visit aviary.com, phixr.com, graphita.com and many more similar websites those not only have photo correction tools but also provide image hosting services.

Some popular websites like Google and Microsoft has already launched ‘cloud service platforms’. Microsoft had started the Office Web Apps on ‘Sky Drive’ for users in select countries. The platform gives users the ability to view and edit Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote documents online via browsers. Microsoft had launched such cloud functionality to get an edge in the battle against Google Apps and similar Web-based productivity suites. Using Google Doc users can create documents, spreadsheets and presentations online and can share and collaborate in real time with others.

However, there is a problem with professional usage of cloud computing in India where Internet connection is slow and not reliable. In cloud computing, users cannot access their data when their internet connection is down or there is any technical problem at host’s end. This is a major drawback of cloud computing; particularly for the companies those deal with customers on 24x7 basis and cannot afford non-availability of their data even for a few minutes. Until Interne connection becomes faster and more reliable than what it is today; users can continue using cloud computing platform for personal purposes.

Note- After reading the article, I would like you to watch a funny video on 'Cloud Computing' (in Hindi) that spread like a viral on YouTube. In this video, an ex IT commissioner is trying to explain Cloud Computing on TV.

Piazza: teaching the tech way

noreply@blogger.com (Abhishek Pandey) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:56:00 +0000

Why is doing homework with friends better? Piazaa explains it in many ways. First, when you are at sea then someone who is stable can be a lifesaver. Second, when professors or teachers ask, there any doubts, students remain silent. Piazza, the website, helps you to connect with studious friends and tech-savvy instructors. They can help you out in virtual classrooms where you can reach out to back benchers like the ever intelligent Ranchodas Chanchad (Aamir Khan) of the movie Three Idiots.

Have you ever faced a query that stumped all your classmates including the most brilliant student in your group? Even Google Baba fails to come up with a solution. If you have ever faced such a situation, then Piazza is the answer for you.

Piazza is essentially a ‘question-and-answer platform’ for students and teachers. Students can post their questions and their peers or teachers can answer.

Pooja Nath

Piazza has been developed by a Computer Science student of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K), Pooja Nath who was annoyed as she struggled with the nuances of assignments and did not feel comfortable asking her male peers for help. She also felt that online tools, like Google and Wikipedia, were not specific enough to answer the questions that her assignments posed.

Keeping this in mind, Pooja developed a website called Piazza of which she is now the CEO. The website provides students who want to work alone an opportunity to ask questions. Piazza also allows teachers to understand the problems that students face and tailor the curriculum to their needs.

Pooja says, the platform is in the beta form and the Piazza team is making efforts to make it a helpful one.

Students can sign up on the website and create a virtual classroom. It allows only users with an official e-mail id of schools or institutions. The administrator of Piazza verifies the credentials of any new instructor or professor joining the virtual classroom. Students new to the website can understand the functioning of a virtual classroom through an online video on its home page.

The website is popular among tech-savvy students especially in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and other European countries. Many Indian students from different engineering colleges are also using the virtual classrooms for enhancing their knowledge of their subjects.