By Harsh Mander
19 December, 2006
HindustanTimes.com
The police bullet pierced through his shoulder, stunning him with pain. If it had entered his body just a few inches lower, he would have died, like the forty other young men that the constables had bundled into the truck with him. They took him for dead, throwing him into the canal. Zulfikar was then 17 years old.
A few hours earlier, constables of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) had surrounded Hashimpura, a working class and predominantly Muslim colony of factory workers and weavers in Meerut. It was the evening of May 22, 1987, and the city was still smouldering with the fires of more than a month of embittered and brutal rioting, that had left many slain by police bullets and burning alive, hundreds of homes, factories, shops and vehicles gutted, and people of both communities convulsed with sullen hate and anger.
The PAC forced all the residents of Hashimpura out of their homes onto the road, and searched their homes, randomly smashing their furniture and valuables. It was the sacred month of Ramzan, and most were still observing the ritual fasting as they tensely cowered for hours outside their homes. Almost all the able-bodied men, totalling 324 according to official records, all Muslim, were arrested and crowded into police trucks. They were first driven to police lock-ups, where they were beaten with police batons. They were then shifted to jails, where they were attacked
by prisoners, leaving five dead.
In Hashimpura, after the strong able-bodied men were arrested and driven away, nearly 50 among the teenaged and old men who remained behind were then rounded up by the PAC constables into a yellow truck. Many of their loved ones wailed as they were driven away. Yet, none dreamed that this would be the last time that they would see most of them alive.
Zulfikar and others thought that they too would be driven to the police station. They panicked when the truck instead began to drive them out of the city; they shouted hopelessly but there were none to heed their cries in the shrouds of curfew. The truck rumbled to a halt more than an hour later near the banks of the Upper Ganga Canal in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad. By then, the sun had set. The terrified men packed in the truck still did not know what the men in khaki planned for them.
The man nearest the edge was first pulled down, and the sound of rifle-fire echoed through the uneasy silence; he fell, and his body was dragged to the canal and thrown in. A second man was then pulled down, and met the same fate. Zulfikar was the third. The bullet passed through his shoulder; he too collapsed, but was alive. He held his breath, and the constables took him for dead, and flung him also into the canal. He floated briefly, but soon found himself tangled in some weeds, which he grabbed and silently waited with intense foreboding, blood flowing from his bullet wound into the water.
By then, the men in the truck comprehended the terrible truth of what was happening, and they raised a great uproar. The constables panicked, and changed track. They mounted the truck and opened fire blindly, killing at least half the men there. They dragged out the bodies and threw them into the canal. The remaining men fell silent in cold terror, recalling their God and those they loved, certain now that they would not escape alive.
Zulfikar listened as the truck finally drove away. He came to know later that they then drove to the Hindon Canal, and completed the massacre of the remaining men. Of the nearly 50 men who the PAC picked up, only six survived. A policeman later testified to seeing the blood-stained PAC truck enter the premises of the camp of the PAC.
Zulkifar finally pulled himself out of the canal an hour later, and hid in a urinal. He had to continue his fast amid the stench of urine and his throbbing shoulder the next 24 hours, until he felt it was safe to slink to the home of a relative the next night. Days later, he took a bus to the home of Syed Shahabuddin, MP, in Delhi, and together they broke the story of the massacre in a press conference to a (briefly) outraged world.
Meanwhile, many bodies were found floating in the canal. The Superintendent of Police, Ghaziabad, VN Rai, insisted on filing police complaints, even though the top political and police leadership reportedly wanted to suppress the story for fear of a rebellion in the forces. In 1988, the state government directed the Crime Branch Central Investigation Department (CBCID) to investigate, but its report, submitted six years later in 1994, was never made public, and no charges were initially framed.
However, the survivors and members of the families of those killed moved the Supreme Court in 1995 to make the report public and to prosecute those indicted in it. The court refused to intervene, and instead asked the petitioners to approach the High Court. The case remains unresolved in the High Court, but the state government finally bowed to pressure in 1996 by
filing criminal chargesheets against 19 PAC personnel. Not a single senior official is included in the chargesheet. Even the 19 of the accused from the lower ranks of the PAC were not arrested, despite 23 non-bailable arrest warrants. They were in active service, but the government pleaded that they were 'absconding' throughout!
Ultimately, rights activist Iqbal Ansari and relatives of those slaughtered applied to the Supreme Court to transfer the case, in the interests of justice, from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi, which it ordered in September 2002. More years were allowed to pass over the wrangle of which government should appoint the special public prosecutor. The case continued to be adjourned on technical grounds, enabled by a reluctant public prosecutor appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government. Human rights lawyers Vrinda Grover and Rebecca John took up the reins as their advocates.
It was finally in May 2006, 19 years almost to the day after the massacre, that charges were finally framed against the accused. Three of the accused have died, the remaining 16 appear in every hearing in the cramped untidy Tis Hazari courtroom and listen tensely to the statements of the survivors - but continue in active service. A large number of residents of Hashimpura crowd the courtroom. All working class people, many widowed and aged, unsupported by any organisation, gather money from their own savings for travel for every court hearing, only to give wordless strength to each other as they speak out their harrowing truths in court.
Zulfikar, now 36, knows that the battle in the courts will be arduous. Yet, he still longs above all for justice. "Those who did this zulm must be punished. We do not want our children to see such a day again. It is for this that we fight." Some fear that they may still lose the case, but their lawyer Vrinda Grover counters, "The survivors and their families have already won. By their brave resolute epic fight. By bringing 16 PAC men to court every hearing. If the case is dismissed, it is the country that will lose. But not them. They have already won."
Harsh Mander is the convenor of Aman Biradari, a people's campaign for secularism, peace and justice.
http://www.countercurrents.org/comm-mander191206.htm
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Who cares ? - 1739 infants die unnoticed in katni
This was published in Dainik Jagran in Katni. As our endeavour to make it visible we have scanned it and publishing it at our blog.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Little fingers which used to pick rags from dustbin are learning to write
By Anil Gulati
25 October, 2006Countercurrents.org
Just a few months’ back Divya, Madhu and Asmita were strolling in the lanes of Bhopal searching for polybags from the city dustbins. It is like character of story on the lives of girls who live in the slums near Bhopal station. But fortunately today, all three are in school.
Divya, one of them is ten years old. She is studying in the first class of the primary school at Bajaria, a place near Bhopal railway station. Though, she and many like her call it as ‘Chotta habibya school’, in their own words. It is her first year at school; she never had been to school earlier. Thanks to the efforts of Renu, a social worker with a non governmental organisation, which runs the child welfare center for working (street) children who had motivated girls like Divya and her parents to send her to school.
Divya is eldest of her five brother and sisters. Few days back when her mother delivered her third sister she cried, probably it was her way of expressing. May be she did not wanted her sister to suffer as she did?. Divya is not alone, Madhu is her class mate. She used to pick rags and earn for her family. Both of them are in school today. School has admitted them in the lower class not as per their age but Renu, the social worker has better hopes. She optimistically shares that ‘We are working with them and both of them are doing well in studies, may be school will take them to higher classes soon’.
But Priya was not lucky as both of them. She was in school and was doing well in studies. She dropped out when her mother died, as had developed some complications during delivery. Since then she is at home and is taking care of her siblings. She loves to come to the centre as it gives her some enjoyment, and also can meet some of her old friends. There are many like hers who are either working or supporting their families and are taking care of their siblings while their parents work. Life is not at all easy. In the state of Madhya Pradesh in India, more than two lakhs girls are either out of school or have dropped out at elementary level. Though state is doing their bit which when complemented by the efforts of non governmental organizations can help many like Divya and Madhu to go to school which helps add some colour on to the canvass of their lives.
These efforts might be small and localized by one non governmental organisation in Bhopal. But it is not in Bhopal alone efforts of getting girls into school are being undertaken by many civil society organizations and states all over India. May be time has come to strengthen and replicate efforts, at a pace much faster then the present if we wish to accomplish the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) number two and three which state that we need to ensure that all girls and boys get a complete course of primary schooling by 2015 and eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015. These goals are part of the blue print agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions.
(All views expressed in this article are personal opinion of the contributor)
Contact anilgulati5@gmail.com
25 October, 2006Countercurrents.org
Just a few months’ back Divya, Madhu and Asmita were strolling in the lanes of Bhopal searching for polybags from the city dustbins. It is like character of story on the lives of girls who live in the slums near Bhopal station. But fortunately today, all three are in school.
Divya, one of them is ten years old. She is studying in the first class of the primary school at Bajaria, a place near Bhopal railway station. Though, she and many like her call it as ‘Chotta habibya school’, in their own words. It is her first year at school; she never had been to school earlier. Thanks to the efforts of Renu, a social worker with a non governmental organisation, which runs the child welfare center for working (street) children who had motivated girls like Divya and her parents to send her to school.
Divya is eldest of her five brother and sisters. Few days back when her mother delivered her third sister she cried, probably it was her way of expressing. May be she did not wanted her sister to suffer as she did?. Divya is not alone, Madhu is her class mate. She used to pick rags and earn for her family. Both of them are in school today. School has admitted them in the lower class not as per their age but Renu, the social worker has better hopes. She optimistically shares that ‘We are working with them and both of them are doing well in studies, may be school will take them to higher classes soon’.
But Priya was not lucky as both of them. She was in school and was doing well in studies. She dropped out when her mother died, as had developed some complications during delivery. Since then she is at home and is taking care of her siblings. She loves to come to the centre as it gives her some enjoyment, and also can meet some of her old friends. There are many like hers who are either working or supporting their families and are taking care of their siblings while their parents work. Life is not at all easy. In the state of Madhya Pradesh in India, more than two lakhs girls are either out of school or have dropped out at elementary level. Though state is doing their bit which when complemented by the efforts of non governmental organizations can help many like Divya and Madhu to go to school which helps add some colour on to the canvass of their lives.
These efforts might be small and localized by one non governmental organisation in Bhopal. But it is not in Bhopal alone efforts of getting girls into school are being undertaken by many civil society organizations and states all over India. May be time has come to strengthen and replicate efforts, at a pace much faster then the present if we wish to accomplish the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) number two and three which state that we need to ensure that all girls and boys get a complete course of primary schooling by 2015 and eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015. These goals are part of the blue print agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions.
(All views expressed in this article are personal opinion of the contributor)
Contact anilgulati5@gmail.com
Thursday, August 24, 2006
newswhichmatter
Madhya Pradesh forms youth network to combat AIDS
Bhopal, Aug 24: Madhya Pradesh is forming a network of youth, called the Red Ribbon Clubs, to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS.The networking process, started recently, is part of the state's strategy to overcome the deadly disease that has affected 1,806 people so far."Considering that 40 percent of AIDS patients in the state belong to the 21-30 age group, the government has decided to establish Red Ribbon Clubs to safeguard People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and curb the menace," said an official source.The launch of the first such club Aug 22 by the Madhya Pradesh AIDS Control Society (MPSACS) in partnership with the National Service Scheme (NSS) and Unicef is a first step in that direction, the official added. The red ribbon is the global symbol created in 1991 by Visual Aids in New York that stands for solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS. It is aimed at uniting the people in the common fight against the disease. "These clubs will go a long way in preventing the killer disease from assuming epidemic proportions since information is the key to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS," said Anil Gulati, Unicef communication officer for the state."We need to involve young people who can act as agents of change and help spread awareness on the issue," he added. Said Salina Singh, the MPSACS project director: "Similar Clubs would be a reality in all schools and colleges so that students can help spread awareness about the disease and its prevention."As many as 500 NSS cadets administered oath as members of the club would be trained to act as peer counsellors. The cadets would then form similar clubs in their respective colleges.
--- IANS
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Bhopal, Aug 24: Madhya Pradesh is forming a network of youth, called the Red Ribbon Clubs, to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS.The networking process, started recently, is part of the state's strategy to overcome the deadly disease that has affected 1,806 people so far."Considering that 40 percent of AIDS patients in the state belong to the 21-30 age group, the government has decided to establish Red Ribbon Clubs to safeguard People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and curb the menace," said an official source.The launch of the first such club Aug 22 by the Madhya Pradesh AIDS Control Society (MPSACS) in partnership with the National Service Scheme (NSS) and Unicef is a first step in that direction, the official added. The red ribbon is the global symbol created in 1991 by Visual Aids in New York that stands for solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS. It is aimed at uniting the people in the common fight against the disease. "These clubs will go a long way in preventing the killer disease from assuming epidemic proportions since information is the key to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS," said Anil Gulati, Unicef communication officer for the state."We need to involve young people who can act as agents of change and help spread awareness on the issue," he added. Said Salina Singh, the MPSACS project director: "Similar Clubs would be a reality in all schools and colleges so that students can help spread awareness about the disease and its prevention."As many as 500 NSS cadets administered oath as members of the club would be trained to act as peer counsellors. The cadets would then form similar clubs in their respective colleges.
--- IANS
Post your comment
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
SATI resurfaces in MP
Outlawed Hindu practice of `Sati' resurfaces in Madhya Pradesh village
Tulsipar (Madhya Pradesh), Aug.22: Madhya Pradesh Police on Tuesday confirmed that a village woman had committed `Sati', the ancient but outlawed Hindu practice of wife burning to death on her husband's funeral pyre. Police said that the incident took place in the village of Tulsipar in the state's Sagar District. They said that Janakrani, a woman in her 40s decided to jump onto her husband Prem Narayan's funeral pyre as it was lit. Villagers, they said, were caught off-guard by the step and added that no one had forced her to commit the act. Villagers said that Prem Narayan had died on Monday morning. His body was set alight by his family and villagers, after which people left for home. Thereafter, Janakrani left her house after returning from the cremation ground, telling people she had to attend to some work. When the villagers went looking for her, they discovered part of her flesh and bones on the pyre. The last incident of Sati, involving a 65-year-old woman, took place in Madhya Pradesh in 2002. The most high-profile sati incident was in Rajasthan in 1987, when 18-year-old Roop Kanwar was burned to death. The case sparked national and international outrage. Police charged Roop Kanwar's father-in-law and brother-in-law with forcing her to sit on the pyre with her husband's body, but the two men were acquitted by a court in October 1996. Sati, or the practice of a widow immolating herself on her husband's funeral pyre, is believed to have originated 700 years ago among the ruling class or Rajputs. It was then called Jauhar and involved royal Rajput women going below their palaces and burning themselves after receiving news of the defeat of their men in battle. This was done to avoid being taken captive by the victors. The custom was outlawed by British colonial rulers in 1829, following demands by Indian reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy. Although the practice of sati has been virtually non-existent elsewhere in India after the British banned it, about forty cases have taken place since India’s independence in 1947. Twenty-eight of these cases have occurred in Rajasthan, mainly around the Sikar district.
Tulsipar (Madhya Pradesh), Aug.22: Madhya Pradesh Police on Tuesday confirmed that a village woman had committed `Sati', the ancient but outlawed Hindu practice of wife burning to death on her husband's funeral pyre. Police said that the incident took place in the village of Tulsipar in the state's Sagar District. They said that Janakrani, a woman in her 40s decided to jump onto her husband Prem Narayan's funeral pyre as it was lit. Villagers, they said, were caught off-guard by the step and added that no one had forced her to commit the act. Villagers said that Prem Narayan had died on Monday morning. His body was set alight by his family and villagers, after which people left for home. Thereafter, Janakrani left her house after returning from the cremation ground, telling people she had to attend to some work. When the villagers went looking for her, they discovered part of her flesh and bones on the pyre. The last incident of Sati, involving a 65-year-old woman, took place in Madhya Pradesh in 2002. The most high-profile sati incident was in Rajasthan in 1987, when 18-year-old Roop Kanwar was burned to death. The case sparked national and international outrage. Police charged Roop Kanwar's father-in-law and brother-in-law with forcing her to sit on the pyre with her husband's body, but the two men were acquitted by a court in October 1996. Sati, or the practice of a widow immolating herself on her husband's funeral pyre, is believed to have originated 700 years ago among the ruling class or Rajputs. It was then called Jauhar and involved royal Rajput women going below their palaces and burning themselves after receiving news of the defeat of their men in battle. This was done to avoid being taken captive by the victors. The custom was outlawed by British colonial rulers in 1829, following demands by Indian reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy. Although the practice of sati has been virtually non-existent elsewhere in India after the British banned it, about forty cases have taken place since India’s independence in 1947. Twenty-eight of these cases have occurred in Rajasthan, mainly around the Sikar district.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
They waited as flood water receded....
Aug 15, 2006 1700 hrs
Bhopal floods...
Neeraj was the lucky one, valiant efforts of the local people was able to save him from the water which flooded Bhopal, the capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh on the Sunday night, but his elder brother was not so lucky. His body was recovered by police from Mahamai Bagh in Bhopal today.
As the water recedes people in Bhopal were seen trying to come to terms with the loss of their beloved ones and the property. For thousands the unfortunate few hours when water gushed into their localities from the overflowing drains they had lost almost everything.
Rajgarh Colony in Bhopal is a low lying slum areas of ward no 16 of the city household materials like beddings etc. was lying cluttered and damp with water on the streets. Hundreds of women and children were found waiting for help. Nobody had visited them. ‘A mother of two’ in the area said it has been two days since they had anything to eat. Police had arrested their ‘men’ in these areas as they had taken to streets, to protest for the problems they were facing. Dead animals like rats were found in the stagnant flood water still seen on the streets. Many had expressed fears of spread of the some kind of epidemic. No bleaching powder spray has been done to prevent any kind of epidemic. Residents of these localities were drinking water which was available, which may not be safe !
In Gautam Nagar another area in Bhopal city, where water levels had touched 10 – 15 feet in height, people were trying to come back to terms with the loss but it may take days or weeks before the life gets back to normal. Similarly in Tila Jamal Pura, another low lying area of the city people had only lost their belongings but even the animals like goats, which were bread earners for few. Lot of them were awake all the night, some with fear and others were trying to recover their belongings from dirty flood waters. Some local volunteers here had gathered courage and collected some money and were found cooking ‘puris’ which they were distributing among people to help them to get some food, may be better then waiting for the district do something. Sitara B of the same locality was feeling frustrated and vented her anguish when local elected representatives and media visited the area. May be it helps bring some relief to the affected...
yours truly - anil
(these are personal opinions of the writer)
Bhopal floods...
Neeraj was the lucky one, valiant efforts of the local people was able to save him from the water which flooded Bhopal, the capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh on the Sunday night, but his elder brother was not so lucky. His body was recovered by police from Mahamai Bagh in Bhopal today.
As the water recedes people in Bhopal were seen trying to come to terms with the loss of their beloved ones and the property. For thousands the unfortunate few hours when water gushed into their localities from the overflowing drains they had lost almost everything.
Rajgarh Colony in Bhopal is a low lying slum areas of ward no 16 of the city household materials like beddings etc. was lying cluttered and damp with water on the streets. Hundreds of women and children were found waiting for help. Nobody had visited them. ‘A mother of two’ in the area said it has been two days since they had anything to eat. Police had arrested their ‘men’ in these areas as they had taken to streets, to protest for the problems they were facing. Dead animals like rats were found in the stagnant flood water still seen on the streets. Many had expressed fears of spread of the some kind of epidemic. No bleaching powder spray has been done to prevent any kind of epidemic. Residents of these localities were drinking water which was available, which may not be safe !
In Gautam Nagar another area in Bhopal city, where water levels had touched 10 – 15 feet in height, people were trying to come back to terms with the loss but it may take days or weeks before the life gets back to normal. Similarly in Tila Jamal Pura, another low lying area of the city people had only lost their belongings but even the animals like goats, which were bread earners for few. Lot of them were awake all the night, some with fear and others were trying to recover their belongings from dirty flood waters. Some local volunteers here had gathered courage and collected some money and were found cooking ‘puris’ which they were distributing among people to help them to get some food, may be better then waiting for the district do something. Sitara B of the same locality was feeling frustrated and vented her anguish when local elected representatives and media visited the area. May be it helps bring some relief to the affected...
yours truly - anil
(these are personal opinions of the writer)
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
floods update - madhya pradesh
FLODD UPADTE MADHYA PRADESH
69 dead due to floods in 18 districts of the state in last few days. Incessant rains had stuck the state and many rivers and drains in urban areas had overflown leading to losses worth 6950 crores. About 40,000 houses have bene affected and thousand of cattles have been lost due the floods in the state in last few days. 79 relief camps have been set up in various places in the state to support about 38 595 affected in the state. Bhopal reamins the worst affected with 16 dead in the capital.
69 dead due to floods in 18 districts of the state in last few days. Incessant rains had stuck the state and many rivers and drains in urban areas had overflown leading to losses worth 6950 crores. About 40,000 houses have bene affected and thousand of cattles have been lost due the floods in the state in last few days. 79 relief camps have been set up in various places in the state to support about 38 595 affected in the state. Bhopal reamins the worst affected with 16 dead in the capital.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
47 feared killed in Madhya Pradesh floods
47 feared killed in Madhya Pradesh floods
Incessant rains across Madhya Pradesh caused havoc Monday with 47 people feared dead, several areas submerged and major trains halted outside the city as army personnel were deployed in rescue operations. In Bhopal, 12 people were confirmed dead and 13 were missing as the state capital recorded 28 cm rainfall in the 24 hours to Monday evening - a record since 1973.The army had to be called in several areas under deluge, as many low-lying localities were inundated. A wall of the governor's residence caved in due to the heavy rains. After many years, the 12 gates of the Bhadbhada Dam here were opened Monday due to heavy inflow of water and neighbouring districts were alerted for a possible flood. Vehicular traffic from here to neighbouring areas also remained paralysed, as floodwater was flowing above bridges over many rivers and rivulets. Traffic was suspended on the Bhopal-Indore, Bhopal-Hoshangabad and Indore-Nagpur roads. Train traffic was disrupted as the engine of the Rapti Sagar Express derailed Sunday night near Midghat in the Bhopal division of the West-Central Railway. Over a dozen long-distance trains including the Rajdhani Express, Bhopal Express, Karnataka Express, GT Express and Kamayani Express were stopped outside the city. "The trains would be allowed to enter the Bhopal station only after the rainwater recedes. Many trains bound for south and western parts are plying behind the schedule," said a railway official. While almost all schools in the city declared holiday Monday, attendance in state and central government offices was thin. Irate residents in several localities protested the laxity of the administration in relief work and lack of drainage facilities.Elsewhere in the state, 15 people were killed in Badwani, five in Ujjain, four in Burhanpur, three each in Mandsor and Dewas, two in sagar and one in Jhabua, according to officials. Three villages in western Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district were partially flooded though the situation has improved in other parts with water levels receding.The met department forecast heavy rains in Sagar, Rewa and Jabalpur divisions.Ujjain sub-divisional commissioner Jaideep Govind said assessment of losses had begun and directions been given to disburse the relief amount. Heavy rains also affected normal life in Hoshangabad, Balaghat, Mandla Jabalpur, Chhindwara and Seoni districts. Seoni town has been cut off with water flowing four feet above the Seoni-Chhindwara road. At Hoshangabad, the Narmada river had crossed the danger mark. A few other rivers, including Parvati and Kalisindh, were in spate.
--- IANS
Incessant rains across Madhya Pradesh caused havoc Monday with 47 people feared dead, several areas submerged and major trains halted outside the city as army personnel were deployed in rescue operations. In Bhopal, 12 people were confirmed dead and 13 were missing as the state capital recorded 28 cm rainfall in the 24 hours to Monday evening - a record since 1973.The army had to be called in several areas under deluge, as many low-lying localities were inundated. A wall of the governor's residence caved in due to the heavy rains. After many years, the 12 gates of the Bhadbhada Dam here were opened Monday due to heavy inflow of water and neighbouring districts were alerted for a possible flood. Vehicular traffic from here to neighbouring areas also remained paralysed, as floodwater was flowing above bridges over many rivers and rivulets. Traffic was suspended on the Bhopal-Indore, Bhopal-Hoshangabad and Indore-Nagpur roads. Train traffic was disrupted as the engine of the Rapti Sagar Express derailed Sunday night near Midghat in the Bhopal division of the West-Central Railway. Over a dozen long-distance trains including the Rajdhani Express, Bhopal Express, Karnataka Express, GT Express and Kamayani Express were stopped outside the city. "The trains would be allowed to enter the Bhopal station only after the rainwater recedes. Many trains bound for south and western parts are plying behind the schedule," said a railway official. While almost all schools in the city declared holiday Monday, attendance in state and central government offices was thin. Irate residents in several localities protested the laxity of the administration in relief work and lack of drainage facilities.Elsewhere in the state, 15 people were killed in Badwani, five in Ujjain, four in Burhanpur, three each in Mandsor and Dewas, two in sagar and one in Jhabua, according to officials. Three villages in western Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district were partially flooded though the situation has improved in other parts with water levels receding.The met department forecast heavy rains in Sagar, Rewa and Jabalpur divisions.Ujjain sub-divisional commissioner Jaideep Govind said assessment of losses had begun and directions been given to disburse the relief amount. Heavy rains also affected normal life in Hoshangabad, Balaghat, Mandla Jabalpur, Chhindwara and Seoni districts. Seoni town has been cut off with water flowing four feet above the Seoni-Chhindwara road. At Hoshangabad, the Narmada river had crossed the danger mark. A few other rivers, including Parvati and Kalisindh, were in spate.
--- IANS
Monday, August 14, 2006
Heavy rain lashes Bhopal and parts of Madhya Pradesh
1520 hrs, Bhopal, Aug 14, 2006.
Normal life was thrown out of gear in over two dozen low-lying localities in Bhopal the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, as incessant rains lashed the city since last night. Heavy downpour inundated vast areas and has caused extensive damage to houses, slum clusters and roads. About 11 people have been feared dead, three are said to be missing, while several areas have submerged. Water was as high as three to four feet in many low lying areas of Bhopal today morning. Major trains have halted outside the city as water flowed through the streets. Rains have stopped for a while now, while district administration is trying to pump water out of the low lying areas of Bhopal. It has set up eight relief camps in the city to help people who have been inundated by the water which has entered the residential areas.
Reports of heavy rains affecting normal life in Hoshangabad, Balaghat, Mandla Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Seoni and Vidisha districts have also been received. The town of Seoni has been cut off with water flowing four feet above the Seoni -Chhindwara road. Important rivers of the state are flowing above normal. According to the met department, heavy rains are expected in Sagar, Rewa and Jabalpur divisions over the next 24 hours.
- anil
Normal life was thrown out of gear in over two dozen low-lying localities in Bhopal the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, as incessant rains lashed the city since last night. Heavy downpour inundated vast areas and has caused extensive damage to houses, slum clusters and roads. About 11 people have been feared dead, three are said to be missing, while several areas have submerged. Water was as high as three to four feet in many low lying areas of Bhopal today morning. Major trains have halted outside the city as water flowed through the streets. Rains have stopped for a while now, while district administration is trying to pump water out of the low lying areas of Bhopal. It has set up eight relief camps in the city to help people who have been inundated by the water which has entered the residential areas.
Reports of heavy rains affecting normal life in Hoshangabad, Balaghat, Mandla Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Seoni and Vidisha districts have also been received. The town of Seoni has been cut off with water flowing four feet above the Seoni -Chhindwara road. Important rivers of the state are flowing above normal. According to the met department, heavy rains are expected in Sagar, Rewa and Jabalpur divisions over the next 24 hours.
- anil
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Tomato - Too red to handle !!!
Bittan Market, Bhopal. Thursday vegetable haat (market)- As usual it was a busy day, though numbers were less as compared to the weekned market. Still one could smell people sweating it out to buy the cheapest one.
Tomatao as usual were too red to handle !, twenty four rupees a kilogram !. Understand it was 36 per kilogram in Delhi. So we were cheaper than Delhi, may be we can have few more than Delhities. Well one thing to cheer Onions this time have given a run to tomato - just three rupees a kilogram. Well tomato was also four rupees a kilogram few months back !
Moral of story – store vegetables when they are cheap but for now enjoy onions, (but do brush your teeth after eating them), forget tomato for few days and wait for the prices to fall. Our FM says it will !. Or if you still wish to have them – don’t go out this weekend (save money !!)
- anil
Tomatao as usual were too red to handle !, twenty four rupees a kilogram !. Understand it was 36 per kilogram in Delhi. So we were cheaper than Delhi, may be we can have few more than Delhities. Well one thing to cheer Onions this time have given a run to tomato - just three rupees a kilogram. Well tomato was also four rupees a kilogram few months back !
Moral of story – store vegetables when they are cheap but for now enjoy onions, (but do brush your teeth after eating them), forget tomato for few days and wait for the prices to fall. Our FM says it will !. Or if you still wish to have them – don’t go out this weekend (save money !!)
- anil
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Tuvalu, small and remote island nation in Pacific Ocean
Have you heard of the word Tuvalu ?
It means ‘group of eight’ and interestingly is name of one of the remotest and world’ fourth smallest nation. It is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, just south of the equator between Fiji and the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati). Its name (Tuvalu meaning group of eight) refers to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands but in actual it has nine islands, the last one got inhabited in 1949. Tuvalu was first sighted by Europe in 1568. Tuvalu got independence on October 1, 1978 from British regime. It has population of approximately 11,000 people which also has got doubled after 1980’s.
Tuvalu is low lying country and is inhabited by Tuvaluans. Tuvaluans are basically Polynesian. Culturally Tuvalu has traditional community system wherein each family has its own task, or salanga, to perform for the community, such as fishing, house building or defence. The same skills of a family are passed on from father to son. The tuvaluan language is a major language which is spoken there. Though English is also an official language, but is not spoken in daily use. Climatically Tuvalu is tropical but the lands there have poor soil which does not support much agriculture. It almost has no potable water. The country has no known mineral resources. Subsistence farming and fishing (including exports) are the primary economic activities. It also depends on foreign aid. About a thousand tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Like .com, .in it too has an internet domain name ‘.tv’. Their official currency is Tuvaluan dollar which is coupled with Australian dollar.
As Tuvalu is low lying and is particularly vulnerable to any rise in the sea level from future climate change. In mid-February 2004, unusually high tides caused seepage that transformed much of the interior into a salty lake, harming root crops. This is a major issue, which threaten the country's underground water table and its existence. Increase in population, global green house gas emissions etc. are impacting the environment and their worry too as it impacts their existence.
I had read about 'Tuvalau' and compiled this piece on this interesting nation, thought share with you all on this vibrant blog - anil gulati
It means ‘group of eight’ and interestingly is name of one of the remotest and world’ fourth smallest nation. It is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, just south of the equator between Fiji and the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati). Its name (Tuvalu meaning group of eight) refers to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands but in actual it has nine islands, the last one got inhabited in 1949. Tuvalu was first sighted by Europe in 1568. Tuvalu got independence on October 1, 1978 from British regime. It has population of approximately 11,000 people which also has got doubled after 1980’s.
Tuvalu is low lying country and is inhabited by Tuvaluans. Tuvaluans are basically Polynesian. Culturally Tuvalu has traditional community system wherein each family has its own task, or salanga, to perform for the community, such as fishing, house building or defence. The same skills of a family are passed on from father to son. The tuvaluan language is a major language which is spoken there. Though English is also an official language, but is not spoken in daily use. Climatically Tuvalu is tropical but the lands there have poor soil which does not support much agriculture. It almost has no potable water. The country has no known mineral resources. Subsistence farming and fishing (including exports) are the primary economic activities. It also depends on foreign aid. About a thousand tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Like .com, .in it too has an internet domain name ‘.tv’. Their official currency is Tuvaluan dollar which is coupled with Australian dollar.
As Tuvalu is low lying and is particularly vulnerable to any rise in the sea level from future climate change. In mid-February 2004, unusually high tides caused seepage that transformed much of the interior into a salty lake, harming root crops. This is a major issue, which threaten the country's underground water table and its existence. Increase in population, global green house gas emissions etc. are impacting the environment and their worry too as it impacts their existence.
I had read about 'Tuvalau' and compiled this piece on this interesting nation, thought share with you all on this vibrant blog - anil gulati
Sunday, June 11, 2006
My Photo is missing !
Mr. Gupta is a Managing Director of a corporate house. The business is doing well and it could be categorized as middle Level Corporation. As business is expanding in order to give boost to their image they have recently set up a public relation department which is headed by a well versed and professional public relation professional Mr. Kapur. Mr. Kapur had recently retired from public relations department of a big enterprise. But he is man with contacts. He is hard working, respected in media and has had a successful career as public relation professionals before he retired. He in his new reincarnation has had a problem at hand. Mr. Gupta, the MD of the company does not understand the very role of public relations department, for him it is his own photograph in the newspaper or electronic media. Rather than communicating positive image of his organisation and the work they do he wishes to see his own photograph.
If a report appears in the print media highlighting their organisation, their good work, it is okay with him inspite of the fact good amount of hard work had gone behind the same and it had helped to generate good will in public for the organisation. But the mere fact that his photo was missing, he was not delighted!
Probably more than his organisation he wanted to see his own photograph makes the difference. This is one area where majority of public relation professionals have challenge in their hand when one works for an organisation which does not understand the role of the PR.
Rather than creating positive image for the organisation and showcasing the real work many a times, many PR professionals like Mr. Kapur may have to do ! land up to doing image make over for the owners, trouble shooting in media.
yours truly - Anil Gulati
PS- A always these are personal; opinion of the contributor !!
If a report appears in the print media highlighting their organisation, their good work, it is okay with him inspite of the fact good amount of hard work had gone behind the same and it had helped to generate good will in public for the organisation. But the mere fact that his photo was missing, he was not delighted!
Probably more than his organisation he wanted to see his own photograph makes the difference. This is one area where majority of public relation professionals have challenge in their hand when one works for an organisation which does not understand the role of the PR.
Rather than creating positive image for the organisation and showcasing the real work many a times, many PR professionals like Mr. Kapur may have to do ! land up to doing image make over for the owners, trouble shooting in media.
yours truly - Anil Gulati
PS- A always these are personal; opinion of the contributor !!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
The 8th habit - a reflection
Learn to do what you love and love what you do
Recently Stephen Covey a renowned writer and speaker on leadership was in Delhi and I was lucky one to attend to his one day seminar on his new book The Eight Habit. I was bit unsure before going but nevertheless it was an opportunity I did not wanted to miss, hence was on trip to Delhi. I must confess I was moved, probably that is the reason I am writing this feature for the blog and would like to acknowledge his book in this feature as text here is from his book, probably sharing what he wants to say to readers of this blog.
Let me start with his introduction, though many of us may know him, just to reiterate he is a world famous author of several acclaimed books, and has received numerous honors and awards, including being named one of Time magazine's twenty-five most influential Americans. One of his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was a real popular one and had crossed a figure of over fifteen million copies in its sales. I would like to share this opportunity to share few words on his new book, the eighth habit and the seminar.
He is his book takes us through the changes that has affected us in today’s new world. It says that this new world has turned from information and knowledge to wisdom. It is a vastly changed place. The challenges and complexity all of us face in our relationships, families, professional lives, and communities are of an entirely new order of magnitude.
Being effective as individuals and organizations is no longer merely an option -- survival in today's new world requires it. Stephan Covey adds that in this new Knowledge Worker Age, in order to thrive, innovate, excel, and lead we must build on and move beyond effectiveness. The call of this new era in human history is for greatness; it's for fulfillment, passionate execution, and significant contribution.
Accessing the higher levels of human genius and motivation in today's new reality requires a sea change in thinking: a new mind-set, a new skill-set, a new tool-set -- in short, a whole new habit. The crucial challenge of our world today is this: to find our voice and inspire others to find theirs. It is what Covey calls the 8th Habit.
The Eight Habit is not about ‘being effective’, but about fully expressing one’s own potential. It is in the real on being, not doing. The opposite of being fulfilled and fully expressing ourselves, is a feeling of psychological emptiness, the knowingness that ‘something’ is missing. We often try to fill that emptiness with things like being very busy, watching television, etc. The Eight Habit implies a fully conscious choice to live from our unknown potential rather than from our known past. It is also about, as a leader, a parent, a teacher, helping others to reach their full potential. In organizational life, it comes down to finding the entrepreneurial spirit in our associates, the same passion and urge to create, that is found in those who start companies and organisations.
He in his seminar of the books says that Information Age is going over into the Creation Age, the Consciousness Age. This change implies that we need to get access to something deeper and greater than just information i.e. our deeper being. Only there will we find wisdom.
We could call wisdom the child of integrity built on principles. Integrity implies being humble, humble enough to realise that we are part of something greater than our limited selves. Humility is the mother of wisdom and courage the father. To live a life of principles takes courage. It is not very common…
Accessing the higher levels of human genius and motivation in today's new reality requires a sea change in thinking: a new mind-set, a new skill-set, a new tool-set -- in short, a whole new habit. The crucial challenge of our world today is this: to find our voice and inspire others to find theirs. It is what Covey calls the 8th Habit. So many people feel frustrated, discouraged, unappreciated, and undervalued -- with little or no sense of voice or unique contribution.
The 8th Habit is the answer to the soul's yearning for greatness, the organization's imperative for significance and superior results, and humanity's search for its "voice." Profound, compelling, and stunningly timely, this groundbreaking new book of next-level thinking gives a clear way to finally tap the limitless value-creation promise of the Knowledge Worker Age. The 8th Habit book how to solve such common dilemmas as:
- People want peace of mind and good relationships, but also want to keep their lifestyle and habits.
- Relationships are built on trust, but most people think more in terms of "me" -- my wants, my needs, my rights.
- Management wants more for less; employees want more of "what's in it for me" for less time and effort.
- Businesses are run by the economic rules of the marketplace; organizations are run by the cultural rules of the workplace.
- Society operates by its dominant social values, but must live with the consequences of the inviolable operation of natural laws and principles.
Covey's new book is a real great effort on this direction and may help you to transform the ways we think about ourselves and our purpose in life, about our organizations, and about humankind. The seminar was basic introduction to that process.
- Anil Gulati
Recently Stephen Covey a renowned writer and speaker on leadership was in Delhi and I was lucky one to attend to his one day seminar on his new book The Eight Habit. I was bit unsure before going but nevertheless it was an opportunity I did not wanted to miss, hence was on trip to Delhi. I must confess I was moved, probably that is the reason I am writing this feature for the blog and would like to acknowledge his book in this feature as text here is from his book, probably sharing what he wants to say to readers of this blog.
Let me start with his introduction, though many of us may know him, just to reiterate he is a world famous author of several acclaimed books, and has received numerous honors and awards, including being named one of Time magazine's twenty-five most influential Americans. One of his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was a real popular one and had crossed a figure of over fifteen million copies in its sales. I would like to share this opportunity to share few words on his new book, the eighth habit and the seminar.
He is his book takes us through the changes that has affected us in today’s new world. It says that this new world has turned from information and knowledge to wisdom. It is a vastly changed place. The challenges and complexity all of us face in our relationships, families, professional lives, and communities are of an entirely new order of magnitude.
Being effective as individuals and organizations is no longer merely an option -- survival in today's new world requires it. Stephan Covey adds that in this new Knowledge Worker Age, in order to thrive, innovate, excel, and lead we must build on and move beyond effectiveness. The call of this new era in human history is for greatness; it's for fulfillment, passionate execution, and significant contribution.
Accessing the higher levels of human genius and motivation in today's new reality requires a sea change in thinking: a new mind-set, a new skill-set, a new tool-set -- in short, a whole new habit. The crucial challenge of our world today is this: to find our voice and inspire others to find theirs. It is what Covey calls the 8th Habit.
The Eight Habit is not about ‘being effective’, but about fully expressing one’s own potential. It is in the real on being, not doing. The opposite of being fulfilled and fully expressing ourselves, is a feeling of psychological emptiness, the knowingness that ‘something’ is missing. We often try to fill that emptiness with things like being very busy, watching television, etc. The Eight Habit implies a fully conscious choice to live from our unknown potential rather than from our known past. It is also about, as a leader, a parent, a teacher, helping others to reach their full potential. In organizational life, it comes down to finding the entrepreneurial spirit in our associates, the same passion and urge to create, that is found in those who start companies and organisations.
He in his seminar of the books says that Information Age is going over into the Creation Age, the Consciousness Age. This change implies that we need to get access to something deeper and greater than just information i.e. our deeper being. Only there will we find wisdom.
We could call wisdom the child of integrity built on principles. Integrity implies being humble, humble enough to realise that we are part of something greater than our limited selves. Humility is the mother of wisdom and courage the father. To live a life of principles takes courage. It is not very common…
Accessing the higher levels of human genius and motivation in today's new reality requires a sea change in thinking: a new mind-set, a new skill-set, a new tool-set -- in short, a whole new habit. The crucial challenge of our world today is this: to find our voice and inspire others to find theirs. It is what Covey calls the 8th Habit. So many people feel frustrated, discouraged, unappreciated, and undervalued -- with little or no sense of voice or unique contribution.
The 8th Habit is the answer to the soul's yearning for greatness, the organization's imperative for significance and superior results, and humanity's search for its "voice." Profound, compelling, and stunningly timely, this groundbreaking new book of next-level thinking gives a clear way to finally tap the limitless value-creation promise of the Knowledge Worker Age. The 8th Habit book how to solve such common dilemmas as:
- People want peace of mind and good relationships, but also want to keep their lifestyle and habits.
- Relationships are built on trust, but most people think more in terms of "me" -- my wants, my needs, my rights.
- Management wants more for less; employees want more of "what's in it for me" for less time and effort.
- Businesses are run by the economic rules of the marketplace; organizations are run by the cultural rules of the workplace.
- Society operates by its dominant social values, but must live with the consequences of the inviolable operation of natural laws and principles.
Covey's new book is a real great effort on this direction and may help you to transform the ways we think about ourselves and our purpose in life, about our organizations, and about humankind. The seminar was basic introduction to that process.
- Anil Gulati
Monday, June 05, 2006
Salman Khan on a wall clock !!
Recently I happen to be at a village namely Dharda Ganesh in Shivpuri district. I had an opportunity to meet Kirori Mal. Kirori Mal runs a barber shop. His shop is outside of the Gram Sabha hall at the entrance of the village. He seems to be a huge fan of bollywood actress and had photographs of almost all the actresses on the walls of his make shift kind of the shop. It was an added attraction to his shop for the clients to come to get either haircut or shaving done. He was self confessed fan of Salman Khan. But I bit puzzled as I could not see Salman Khan on the walls so was bit inquisitive. I dare ask him where is Salman Khan. He pointed towards his wall clock, on the side wall of shop. There was his Khan!! Moving in his wall clock! He had made a cut out of the Salman Khan and had replaced second’s needle on the wall clock. Quite an interesting way to use photograph of his idol - Salman Khan on the move that too every second!! So it was not only bollywood actress but even Salman Khan on the move which was attraction for his clients especially the young ones of the village which used to visit Kirori mal’s shop every now and then off course to get either hair cut or for a nice clean shave...
- personal views of anil gulati
- personal views of anil gulati
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Devipura gets a school
UNICEF’s make shift school, Panna, Madhya Pradesh, February 2, 2006 - We drove eight kilometers on the dry barren land to be at Devipura. It is here in the vast landscape stands a make shift school in UNICEF’s tent. Pranlal, who may be ten years old is one of the student (He does not remember his age, many of the students would say eight or ten as their age). He is visually challenged but studies and stays in this school. He likes it, and says it is the best. Education department had titled them as Shiksha Ghar or residential schools. UNICEF had provided these tents as a part of rehabilitation support to Panna district after it had been ravaged by floods in July of year 2005. UNICEF had provided forty four tents to education department for temporary schools for children which had been extensively damaged by floods. Presently they are more than a school. They are now residential seasonal hostel’s for children. It was all not that easy to set up these. Team members of Rajya Shiksha Kendra of Government of Madhya Pradesh had actually brought part of these tents on themselves to Devipura. People here say they did not have a school for years but this temporary school has given them more than that. Children not only study here, they eat here as well stay in the same tent. District administration has organized for their meals. It is not only in Devipura but also at other places where these tents have been converted as hostels. It has being a good start, but still drinking water and improving teaching quality and support District administration for construction of schools still remain as some challenges which one has to overcome to help them to return to their life.
- contributed by anil gulati
- contributed by anil gulati
Friday, April 28, 2006
The little dreams which are in their eyes only ?
(This was written by me quite some time back but still holds true hence thought share it with you all)
It was first Saturday of August of year 2004, time when Bhopal is at its best, with little drops drizzling on my body, cool breeze touching you and I was at Bittan market haat - a weekly vegetable market that caters to upper end clients from Arera colony and nearby areas for providing vegetables at comparatively competitive price. It had been raining on and off in Bhopal last week, so bittan market too had itsshare of water and filth within which was the buzz vegetable market. It was notan easy time to sell vegetable. Vegetables prices had shoot up; the market only had vegetables from nearby Bhopal that could make up there. It is here one meets Nadeem, whose is next to his father selling vegetables.Nadeem studies in class fifth (though he should be in much higher class but maybe joined school late) In the evening on haat days he is next to his father witha separate column on the haat lane. He gets an additional independent space,next to his father. Nadeem does not want to sell vegetables all his life hewants to grow up and work in office. He has his own ambition. He too wants toplay and enjoy like other kids do and not be in this place selling vegetables.But it is the lure of extra income to poor family plus ‘it is better ratherthan roaming around’ adds his father. In Bittan market one can find many children having separate space or column normally next to their parents. This not only works as an extra hand for parents, but an additional income for the family. Though an extra space means extra 23 rupees per day (Rs 15 for lights, Rs 4 for the corporation and few rupees for tea)additional income is what these poor parents look for. For some like Rohit,who is just four years old sitting next to her mother selling vegetable it isalso a matter for survival. His father had lost the job while her mother wasselling vegetables and feeding her one-year-old child and next to her was rohitwho was having simple chapati as his dinner and simultaneously selling veggies.In addition to Rohit, Nadeem there are young ones like Suraj who roam around and sell lemons in bittan.
In bittan market young boys, who even have mastered art ofnegotiations, mainly sell lemons. Suraj normally fetches about Rs 50 /60 eachtime haat is there, helps him get extra buck part of which also goes to hisfamily another part to his fulfill some of his own wishes. But problems comeswhen it rains they do not have shed, they either use a polybag or piece of bagto hide under it but have to sell vegetables, which are perishable in nature.One has to sell it off or else end of day end up making loss instead of profit. Rohit Nadeem and Suraj are still lucky ones from out of the lot but for Kanchanand Rajni whose parents do not have shop here but these children beg for money /vegetables and take home whatever they can. These little girls even do not study in school. It is at these markets they get to earn a bit.
Children like Rohit, Nadeem, Kanchan and Rajni do add to income of theirrespective families but they loose what other children get - time to be ontheir own, be in their own age, play and grow instead growing up fast and learnselling, and end up loosing what is said to be their own their own Bachpan -which once gone cannot come back in life… They have their own little dreams in their eyes, many of them may not want tosell vegetable but may have ambition to work in office but there is another bigquestion of an opportunity, an opportunity to study, opportunity to grow,opportunity to get jobs and the list is long one … or else they would end updoing what their parents are doing and will never be able to reach the dreamwhich these little eyes fantasize…
- anil gulati
(The views expressed in this article are personal opinions of the contributor)
It was first Saturday of August of year 2004, time when Bhopal is at its best, with little drops drizzling on my body, cool breeze touching you and I was at Bittan market haat - a weekly vegetable market that caters to upper end clients from Arera colony and nearby areas for providing vegetables at comparatively competitive price. It had been raining on and off in Bhopal last week, so bittan market too had itsshare of water and filth within which was the buzz vegetable market. It was notan easy time to sell vegetable. Vegetables prices had shoot up; the market only had vegetables from nearby Bhopal that could make up there. It is here one meets Nadeem, whose is next to his father selling vegetables.Nadeem studies in class fifth (though he should be in much higher class but maybe joined school late) In the evening on haat days he is next to his father witha separate column on the haat lane. He gets an additional independent space,next to his father. Nadeem does not want to sell vegetables all his life hewants to grow up and work in office. He has his own ambition. He too wants toplay and enjoy like other kids do and not be in this place selling vegetables.But it is the lure of extra income to poor family plus ‘it is better ratherthan roaming around’ adds his father. In Bittan market one can find many children having separate space or column normally next to their parents. This not only works as an extra hand for parents, but an additional income for the family. Though an extra space means extra 23 rupees per day (Rs 15 for lights, Rs 4 for the corporation and few rupees for tea)additional income is what these poor parents look for. For some like Rohit,who is just four years old sitting next to her mother selling vegetable it isalso a matter for survival. His father had lost the job while her mother wasselling vegetables and feeding her one-year-old child and next to her was rohitwho was having simple chapati as his dinner and simultaneously selling veggies.In addition to Rohit, Nadeem there are young ones like Suraj who roam around and sell lemons in bittan.
In bittan market young boys, who even have mastered art ofnegotiations, mainly sell lemons. Suraj normally fetches about Rs 50 /60 eachtime haat is there, helps him get extra buck part of which also goes to hisfamily another part to his fulfill some of his own wishes. But problems comeswhen it rains they do not have shed, they either use a polybag or piece of bagto hide under it but have to sell vegetables, which are perishable in nature.One has to sell it off or else end of day end up making loss instead of profit. Rohit Nadeem and Suraj are still lucky ones from out of the lot but for Kanchanand Rajni whose parents do not have shop here but these children beg for money /vegetables and take home whatever they can. These little girls even do not study in school. It is at these markets they get to earn a bit.
Children like Rohit, Nadeem, Kanchan and Rajni do add to income of theirrespective families but they loose what other children get - time to be ontheir own, be in their own age, play and grow instead growing up fast and learnselling, and end up loosing what is said to be their own their own Bachpan -which once gone cannot come back in life… They have their own little dreams in their eyes, many of them may not want tosell vegetable but may have ambition to work in office but there is another bigquestion of an opportunity, an opportunity to study, opportunity to grow,opportunity to get jobs and the list is long one … or else they would end updoing what their parents are doing and will never be able to reach the dreamwhich these little eyes fantasize…
- anil gulati
(The views expressed in this article are personal opinions of the contributor)
newswhichmatter
The little dreams which are in their eyes only ?
(This was written by me quite some time back but still holds true hence thought share it with you all)
It was first Saturday of August of year 2004, time when Bhopal is at its best, with little drops drizzling on my body, cool breeze touching you and I was at Bittan market haat - a weekly vegetable market that caters to upper end clients from Arera colony and nearby areas for providing vegetables at comparatively competitive price. It had been raining on and off in Bhopal last week, so bittan market too had itsshare of water and filth within which was the buzz vegetable market. It was notan easy time to sell vegetable. Vegetables prices had shoot up; the market only had vegetables from nearby Bhopal that could make up there. It is here one meets Nadeem, whose is next to his father selling vegetables.Nadeem studies in class fifth (though he should be in much higher class but maybe joined school late) In the evening on haat days he is next to his father witha separate column on the haat lane. He gets an additional independent space,next to his father. Nadeem does not want to sell vegetables all his life hewants to grow up and work in office. He has his own ambition. He too wants toplay and enjoy like other kids do and not be in this place selling vegetables.But it is the lure of extra income to poor family plus ‘it is better ratherthan roaming around’ adds his father. In Bittan market one can find many children having separate space or column normally next to their parents. This not only works as an extra hand for parents, but an additional income for the family. Though an extra space means extra 23 rupees per day (Rs 15 for lights, Rs 4 for the corporation and few rupees for tea)additional income is what these poor parents look for. For some like Rohit,who is just four years old sitting next to her mother selling vegetable it isalso a matter for survival. His father had lost the job while her mother wasselling vegetables and feeding her one-year-old child and next to her was rohitwho was having simple chapati as his dinner and simultaneously selling veggies.In addition to Rohit, Nadeem there are young ones like Suraj who roam around and sell lemons in bittan.
In bittan market young boys, who even have mastered art ofnegotiations, mainly sell lemons. Suraj normally fetches about Rs 50 /60 eachtime haat is there, helps him get extra buck part of which also goes to hisfamily another part to his fulfill some of his own wishes. But problems comeswhen it rains they do not have shed, they either use a polybag or piece of bagto hide under it but have to sell vegetables, which are perishable in nature.One has to sell it off or else end of day end up making loss instead of profit. Rohit Nadeem and Suraj are still lucky ones from out of the lot but for Kanchanand Rajni whose parents do not have shop here but these children beg for money /vegetables and take home whatever they can. These little girls even do not study in school. It is at these markets they get to earn a bit.
Children like Rohit, Nadeem, Kanchan and Rajni do add to income of theirrespective families but they loose what other children get - time to be ontheir own, be in their own age, play and grow instead growing up fast and learnselling, and end up loosing what is said to be their own their own Bachpan -which once gone cannot come back in life… They have their own little dreams in their eyes, many of them may not want tosell vegetable but may have ambition to work in office but there is another bigquestion of an opportunity, an opportunity to study, opportunity to grow,opportunity to get jobs and the list is long one … or else they would end updoing what their parents are doing and will never be able to reach the dreamwhich these little eyes fantasize…
- anil gulati
(The views expressed in this article are personal opinions of the contributor)
(This was written by me quite some time back but still holds true hence thought share it with you all)
It was first Saturday of August of year 2004, time when Bhopal is at its best, with little drops drizzling on my body, cool breeze touching you and I was at Bittan market haat - a weekly vegetable market that caters to upper end clients from Arera colony and nearby areas for providing vegetables at comparatively competitive price. It had been raining on and off in Bhopal last week, so bittan market too had itsshare of water and filth within which was the buzz vegetable market. It was notan easy time to sell vegetable. Vegetables prices had shoot up; the market only had vegetables from nearby Bhopal that could make up there. It is here one meets Nadeem, whose is next to his father selling vegetables.Nadeem studies in class fifth (though he should be in much higher class but maybe joined school late) In the evening on haat days he is next to his father witha separate column on the haat lane. He gets an additional independent space,next to his father. Nadeem does not want to sell vegetables all his life hewants to grow up and work in office. He has his own ambition. He too wants toplay and enjoy like other kids do and not be in this place selling vegetables.But it is the lure of extra income to poor family plus ‘it is better ratherthan roaming around’ adds his father. In Bittan market one can find many children having separate space or column normally next to their parents. This not only works as an extra hand for parents, but an additional income for the family. Though an extra space means extra 23 rupees per day (Rs 15 for lights, Rs 4 for the corporation and few rupees for tea)additional income is what these poor parents look for. For some like Rohit,who is just four years old sitting next to her mother selling vegetable it isalso a matter for survival. His father had lost the job while her mother wasselling vegetables and feeding her one-year-old child and next to her was rohitwho was having simple chapati as his dinner and simultaneously selling veggies.In addition to Rohit, Nadeem there are young ones like Suraj who roam around and sell lemons in bittan.
In bittan market young boys, who even have mastered art ofnegotiations, mainly sell lemons. Suraj normally fetches about Rs 50 /60 eachtime haat is there, helps him get extra buck part of which also goes to hisfamily another part to his fulfill some of his own wishes. But problems comeswhen it rains they do not have shed, they either use a polybag or piece of bagto hide under it but have to sell vegetables, which are perishable in nature.One has to sell it off or else end of day end up making loss instead of profit. Rohit Nadeem and Suraj are still lucky ones from out of the lot but for Kanchanand Rajni whose parents do not have shop here but these children beg for money /vegetables and take home whatever they can. These little girls even do not study in school. It is at these markets they get to earn a bit.
Children like Rohit, Nadeem, Kanchan and Rajni do add to income of theirrespective families but they loose what other children get - time to be ontheir own, be in their own age, play and grow instead growing up fast and learnselling, and end up loosing what is said to be their own their own Bachpan -which once gone cannot come back in life… They have their own little dreams in their eyes, many of them may not want tosell vegetable but may have ambition to work in office but there is another bigquestion of an opportunity, an opportunity to study, opportunity to grow,opportunity to get jobs and the list is long one … or else they would end updoing what their parents are doing and will never be able to reach the dreamwhich these little eyes fantasize…
- anil gulati
(The views expressed in this article are personal opinions of the contributor)
Friday, March 17, 2006
living for others
Guna is one of the first districts in Madhya Pradesh to set up a nutritional rehab centre. It's a 16-bed special children care ward, under the supervision of a paediatrician, to support severely malnourished children. The facility not only treats infection but also supports immediate dietary needs, using locally available material. This isn't a stand-alone venture but is attached to a district hospital with sufficient back-up. The district mobilised resources from possible donors. The most unusual contribution, to kick start the centre came from 81-year-old Brindawan who is no stranger to Guna or the district hospital. He is around to help people in distress and it's by choice as he enjoys doing it. During our interaction, he laments, "ultimatelyeverything will go to the fire (a reference to death). I'm 81 and have seen a lot. Let me do something which satisfies me." Brindawan hails from Sagar district, came to Guna in 1992 to attend a yagna (ritual) and stayed on. He eats at voluntary organisation that provides highly-subsidised food to relatives staying withpatients in the hospital. This is mainly run by contributions from individual donors. Brindawan is again one of them. He had donated Rs 10,000 to the kitty. He owns about 30 bigas of land in Sagardistrict (another district of the state of Madhya Pradesh). His family, including his son and grandchildren, stays at Sagar. The octogenarian's eyes reflect his experiences; he fondly remembers the early period of Independence and also the Raj.
He feels a lot has changed over the past five decades. Corruption is one thing that has eroded thesystem, there are plenty of opportunities, lots of schemes for people's benefit but real benefit is stillelusive. Brindawan isn't the only one, if you look around there may be many like him. For persons like him,what's important is the difference they make to others' lives. When you meet people like him, you feelencouraged and faith is rejuvenated. In disasters such as tsumani, earthquakes and floods, these people make an enormous contribution towards rescue and relief but that remains virtually unnoticed.
- anil gulati
(these are personal opinions of the writer)
He feels a lot has changed over the past five decades. Corruption is one thing that has eroded thesystem, there are plenty of opportunities, lots of schemes for people's benefit but real benefit is stillelusive. Brindawan isn't the only one, if you look around there may be many like him. For persons like him,what's important is the difference they make to others' lives. When you meet people like him, you feelencouraged and faith is rejuvenated. In disasters such as tsumani, earthquakes and floods, these people make an enormous contribution towards rescue and relief but that remains virtually unnoticed.
- anil gulati
(these are personal opinions of the writer)
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Tribal festival of elopement – Bhagoria haat
15 tie knot this year in tribal districts of Jhabua
Love was in air tribal parts of central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Cupid strikes in an unusual way - single boys and girls elope to find their life partners in a colourful festival of the Bhils and Bhilalas. This is particular in Jhabua district of the state.
This is actually of the nature of a ‘mass svayamvara’, or a marriage market, usually held on the various market days falling before the Holi festival in March. As the name of the festival indicates, (bhag, to run), after choosing their partners, the young people elope and are subsequently accepted as husband and wife by society through predetermined customs.
It is not always that boys and girls intending to marry each other meet in the festival for the first time. In a large number of cases the alliance is already made between the two, the festival provides the institutionalised framework for announcing the alliance publicly.
The tradition is that the boy applies gulal, red powder, on the face of the girl whom he selects as his wife. The girl, if willing, also applies gulal on the boy's face. This may not happen immediately but the boy may pursue her and succeed eventually. The Bhagoria haat also coincides with the completion of harvesting, adding to it the dimension of being an agricultural festival as well. If the crops have been good, the festival assumes an additional air of gaiety. In the life of the Bhils and Bhilalas, Bhagoria is not merely one festival but in fact a series of fairs held one by one at various villages on their specific market days, commencing eight days before Holi.
Earlier men, wearing turbans and jewellery with cummerbunds, go all out to woo the girls in their colourful skirts, blouses and scarves. But changing times may have caught up with this quaint festival. Today Bhil males wear shirts and trousers to the mela and women too apply lipstick and talc.
At the heart of the mela is the uninhibited mingling of men and women and they celebrate it by dancing to the beat of dhols and thalis and the sweet melody of the shehnai and bansuri (flutes). Bhagordev or the god of Dance is worshipped on this occasion. With drum beats and flute tunes filling the air, they scout for prospective partners. They dance, sing and being together on the fairs' rickety merry-go-rounds. Sex is not a taboo during the period.
This time round, the Government tried to make things simpler for these seven days of tribal valentine bliss (am not sure one should use words like valentine in this part of India !!! ). For the first time mariages were registered on-the-spot and certificates issued immediately. Many did not like this too as they felt it works against the tribal culture but some did not bother, were too busy in something else..
- anil gulati
(These are personal opinions of the writer)
Love was in air tribal parts of central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Cupid strikes in an unusual way - single boys and girls elope to find their life partners in a colourful festival of the Bhils and Bhilalas. This is particular in Jhabua district of the state.
This is actually of the nature of a ‘mass svayamvara’, or a marriage market, usually held on the various market days falling before the Holi festival in March. As the name of the festival indicates, (bhag, to run), after choosing their partners, the young people elope and are subsequently accepted as husband and wife by society through predetermined customs.
It is not always that boys and girls intending to marry each other meet in the festival for the first time. In a large number of cases the alliance is already made between the two, the festival provides the institutionalised framework for announcing the alliance publicly.
The tradition is that the boy applies gulal, red powder, on the face of the girl whom he selects as his wife. The girl, if willing, also applies gulal on the boy's face. This may not happen immediately but the boy may pursue her and succeed eventually. The Bhagoria haat also coincides with the completion of harvesting, adding to it the dimension of being an agricultural festival as well. If the crops have been good, the festival assumes an additional air of gaiety. In the life of the Bhils and Bhilalas, Bhagoria is not merely one festival but in fact a series of fairs held one by one at various villages on their specific market days, commencing eight days before Holi.
Earlier men, wearing turbans and jewellery with cummerbunds, go all out to woo the girls in their colourful skirts, blouses and scarves. But changing times may have caught up with this quaint festival. Today Bhil males wear shirts and trousers to the mela and women too apply lipstick and talc.
At the heart of the mela is the uninhibited mingling of men and women and they celebrate it by dancing to the beat of dhols and thalis and the sweet melody of the shehnai and bansuri (flutes). Bhagordev or the god of Dance is worshipped on this occasion. With drum beats and flute tunes filling the air, they scout for prospective partners. They dance, sing and being together on the fairs' rickety merry-go-rounds. Sex is not a taboo during the period.
This time round, the Government tried to make things simpler for these seven days of tribal valentine bliss (am not sure one should use words like valentine in this part of India !!! ). For the first time mariages were registered on-the-spot and certificates issued immediately. Many did not like this too as they felt it works against the tribal culture but some did not bother, were too busy in something else..
- anil gulati
(These are personal opinions of the writer)
Sunday, March 05, 2006
the real yaar
Yaar meaning buddy is the word which we often use now a days.. In American terms this is name of boy and is of Hebrew origin, meaning "forest”. Though Yaar is an very uncommon male first or surname in US. In Indian context we normally speak Arre Yaar, referring to our friends. But as of now more than friends it is being used to call your ones peers , people whom we met and many a times generally !
Though purists may say that language is a means of communicating thoughts and so long as it is able to perform this prime function, use of such words stands vindicated. Am not debating them here, but as I was speaking to my friend Pushpendar bhai (!!) on this one he mentioned that word may have come from word yarana meaning friendship. If you call someone as Yaar you mean that she or he as your friend, a friend in need not just a yaar, to smoke and drink together. The test of real yaar is one with whom you enjoy moments of life, but also is with when you need, when you want support, want to confine with someone not only to enjoy…..your real yaar would be with you life long not momentary yaar!
But the meaning of friendship has changed now. These days it is difficult to get real yaar. Interests are vested within itself. Even in friends there is competition, they are friends for merry only or timepass. It is hard to get real friend that is why everybody is just a yaar.
Yours only – anil gulati
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