Sitting in my classroom, I wondered and wondered…Why do I exist? Why have I been born? What is the reason for my existence? These questions torment me.
Lines from the ongoing Lead India series echo in my mind, ’tum chalo to Hindustan chale’.. I want to make my existence worthy. I am not here to preach anyone. I am no Asa Ram Bapu. I am a youngster like you who want’s to bring about a change, not even talking about a revolution . I am SELFISH and want to change things for my own good and not anyone else. My life will only become better. I am no SAINT. Instead of sitting and cribbing get up and make a difference guys. Remember,’ koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota, usse banana padta hai’. Each individual can make a difference. Remember each drop of water makes an ocean. I am sure adrenaline rushes in your body when you watch movies like Rang De Basanti. Channelise your energies in the right direction. All of us have a spark inside us it is just that it needs to be ignited and we are ready to torch things around us.
Let us start with a very easy task. All of us travel in auto’s (not all of us have the luxury of car’s). So the next time the auto driver does not turn on the meter, you turn on to your phone and dial 100 (by the way it is a toll free number so no balance problem…lol) and just register a complaint. I do not want to tell you the consequence. Just tell us your experience (come on you can do that much). Try ,it is fun. So all you autowalla’s BEWARE.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
BLOGGING
All of us keep on talking about blogging and writing blogs. So I thought writing on the blogs itself would be interesting. Till sometime back I used to come across the word ‘blogging’ in magazine and newspapers. It seemed alien to me. I felt so ignorant .But at the same time I realized that it was the ‘in’ thing. So I decided to do a net search on it and found that a blog is a website where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. Blogger is a person who engages in the art of blogging. It wasn’t something that fascinated me. So I forgot about it.
But now I seem to have become an active blogger. It is interesting to know that there are 40000 active blogger’s in our country and 10 times the number have registered themselves. As an active journalism student I decided to investigate as to what attracts people to this new medium of writing. Blogging is a new age phenomenon. It’s simplicity and easy accessibility is something that attracts people to it. Anyone and everyone can get connected to this. All you need is a PC with internet connection.It doesn’t matter who you are. It gives a medium for everyone to express their views. It also gives you a sense of high when people all over the world read your articles. To me it represents the ‘brave new world’. It truly gurantees us our Fundamental Right of equality.
It even assumes a greater role in countries which do not allow for freedom of press.As we have seen in countries like Mayanmar and Pakistan. The outside world doesn’t get to know of the atrocities being committed in such countries and in such a situation people use blogs as medium of communication. They come into picture when other mediums of communication fail. Also we get to meet new people and form common group. It is an important public forum in today’s time. People do not have any inhibitions about writing blogs. They can write on everything from personal to profession. It is a means of self affirmation
On of the advantage or as perceived by some as disadvantage is that there is no accountability. Blogs are not censored. People can write anything that they want which may hurt someone’s sentiments. Critics argue that there should be some kind of laws related to this. But can freedom be edited? This is the uniqueness of this medium. But sometimes it is also seen as a threat to mainstream media.
But whatever said and done this new medium is fast catching up with today’s laid back generation. It is empowering people and giving the public a platform to express their opinions. Most important of all it brings a psychological change among people.So go ahead and experience the joy’s of blogging
But now I seem to have become an active blogger. It is interesting to know that there are 40000 active blogger’s in our country and 10 times the number have registered themselves. As an active journalism student I decided to investigate as to what attracts people to this new medium of writing. Blogging is a new age phenomenon. It’s simplicity and easy accessibility is something that attracts people to it. Anyone and everyone can get connected to this. All you need is a PC with internet connection.It doesn’t matter who you are. It gives a medium for everyone to express their views. It also gives you a sense of high when people all over the world read your articles. To me it represents the ‘brave new world’. It truly gurantees us our Fundamental Right of equality.
It even assumes a greater role in countries which do not allow for freedom of press.As we have seen in countries like Mayanmar and Pakistan. The outside world doesn’t get to know of the atrocities being committed in such countries and in such a situation people use blogs as medium of communication. They come into picture when other mediums of communication fail. Also we get to meet new people and form common group. It is an important public forum in today’s time. People do not have any inhibitions about writing blogs. They can write on everything from personal to profession. It is a means of self affirmation
On of the advantage or as perceived by some as disadvantage is that there is no accountability. Blogs are not censored. People can write anything that they want which may hurt someone’s sentiments. Critics argue that there should be some kind of laws related to this. But can freedom be edited? This is the uniqueness of this medium. But sometimes it is also seen as a threat to mainstream media.
But whatever said and done this new medium is fast catching up with today’s laid back generation. It is empowering people and giving the public a platform to express their opinions. Most important of all it brings a psychological change among people.So go ahead and experience the joy’s of blogging
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
SMALL SHOULDER’S,BIG RESPONSIBILITY..
Bilawal Lawalib(Bilawal spelt backwards) would not have rung a bell into too many ears prior to the assasination of his mother,former Pakistan Prime Minister,Benazir Bhutto.But today he has become the centre of world attraction not as Benazir’s son but as Bilawal Bhutto Zaradari,chairman of PPP.He has become the most searched face on internet.
Bilawal’s rise has raised many questions.Critics argue that he is too young to handle this position.The decision to choose him was taken in a hurry keeping upcoming elections in mind.This is not the age to fight for democracy but to be ‘facebooking’.He is the teenage heir to that political dynasty facing a crisis unmatched by even its own standards.Conservative Islamic Radicals do not approve of him.They do not consider him a Pakistani and have even issued death threats to him.So do the other member’s of Benazir’s estranged family,especially wife and daughter of her slained brother Shahnawaz.Fatima Bhutto says that PPP is just not Benazir’s party but a Bhutto party.Many had vouched for the 25 year old Fatima who writes column’s for newspapers,to head PPP.Jemima Khan too supported Fatima. Pakistan is a country he barely knows.So is his father,Asif Ali Zardari,with whom he will have to work.Bilawal left Pakistan when he was barely 11.Since then he has grown up in London and Dubai,currently studying Political Science at Oxford’s prestigious Christ Church College.Though he speaks Urdu and Arabic,English his his first language.
People of PPP are sure that he will carry forward his mother’s legacy and is best suited for the job.They say that he was devoted to his mother and is no spoilt brat.He has always been a shy and studious boy.After all the say he is a ‘Bhutto’.
But I wonder did he have an option.Could he choose not to be associated with politics,a desire he expressed as a kid.May be not.He would have loved to live the life of a normal teenager,carefree.Even after reaching Oxford he requested media to respect his privacy.He would be under security 24X7.Which 19 year old would want that?He has a lot of expectation and hope attached to him.He is like the ‘ray of bright sunshine after day’s of darkness’. He has become the new name of democracy.Well parallel’s can be drawn again to the Gandhi family with reference to the issue of foreign upbringing.But it is yet to be seen whether he proves himself the way Gandhi’s did.
Well I just hope that he proves to be a worthy ‘Bhutto’ and his little shoulder’s carry such a heavy burden with ease and not droop.
Bilawal’s rise has raised many questions.Critics argue that he is too young to handle this position.The decision to choose him was taken in a hurry keeping upcoming elections in mind.This is not the age to fight for democracy but to be ‘facebooking’.He is the teenage heir to that political dynasty facing a crisis unmatched by even its own standards.Conservative Islamic Radicals do not approve of him.They do not consider him a Pakistani and have even issued death threats to him.So do the other member’s of Benazir’s estranged family,especially wife and daughter of her slained brother Shahnawaz.Fatima Bhutto says that PPP is just not Benazir’s party but a Bhutto party.Many had vouched for the 25 year old Fatima who writes column’s for newspapers,to head PPP.Jemima Khan too supported Fatima. Pakistan is a country he barely knows.So is his father,Asif Ali Zardari,with whom he will have to work.Bilawal left Pakistan when he was barely 11.Since then he has grown up in London and Dubai,currently studying Political Science at Oxford’s prestigious Christ Church College.Though he speaks Urdu and Arabic,English his his first language.
People of PPP are sure that he will carry forward his mother’s legacy and is best suited for the job.They say that he was devoted to his mother and is no spoilt brat.He has always been a shy and studious boy.After all the say he is a ‘Bhutto’.
But I wonder did he have an option.Could he choose not to be associated with politics,a desire he expressed as a kid.May be not.He would have loved to live the life of a normal teenager,carefree.Even after reaching Oxford he requested media to respect his privacy.He would be under security 24X7.Which 19 year old would want that?He has a lot of expectation and hope attached to him.He is like the ‘ray of bright sunshine after day’s of darkness’. He has become the new name of democracy.Well parallel’s can be drawn again to the Gandhi family with reference to the issue of foreign upbringing.But it is yet to be seen whether he proves himself the way Gandhi’s did.
Well I just hope that he proves to be a worthy ‘Bhutto’ and his little shoulder’s carry such a heavy burden with ease and not droop.
Monday, January 14, 2008
LOST INNOCENCE
Sample this:A class viii th student shoots his class mate to death in a private school in Gurgaon.Same incident is repeated in a school in West Bengal.Is it not shocking?This is not it.Primary class students are seen abusing their classmates,teacher’s and parents .They resort to using ‘F’,’S’,’B’ letter words. All were victims of the impulse to instant gratification.
The mainstream media are churning out endless clichés like increased violence on the television, increased consumerism and the decline of general morality as causes for the violence in kids.Lack of parental guidance and time and stress related factors contribute to this.They do not understand the value of life.Everything is served to them on a silver platter.All their demands are met.They have become too materialistic.If they are not given what their friends have,they resort to violent tactics. Marital discord among parents, alcoholic fathers, domestic violence and lack of parental affection are just few factors aggravating these tendencies. "Most parents mistake aggression for assertiveness and end up encouraging violent behaviour Some are too laid back to address the issue, while working parents put up with tantrums owing to their own guilt of not being able to spend enough time with the child," says Vadodara-based psychiatrist Dr Gautam Amin.
If you shuddered reading about children shooting down their classmates on campuses in the US, don't be relieved that it’s their problem. Violence among kids is plaguing schools here too, forcing school managements to employ counsellors, for both parents and teachers. "It is common to find young children enact a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) scene, emulating the characters that appear on television. It is sadistic and extremely violent at times. And it is not just boys, even girls are getting aggressive," says Geeta Sikdar, counsellor at Navrachna School in Vadodara. "Most violent children are attention-seekers, who derive sadistic pleasure by troubling their peers. They rip apart books, scream without reason or poke their friends with sharp instruments. This behaviour reflects on lack of parental care," notes principal of Vadodara's Bright Day School's primary division Rajni Agarwal.
Tushar Panchal (7) of Vadodara was forced to change his school twice this year after regular and violent fights with schoolmates. He was diagnosed as suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD),which manifests itself in the form of aggressive behaviour.
Though the scenario is slowly changing,there is still a long way to go.Society is increasingly becoming aware of the problems that these children face.As seen in the recent hit,Tare Zameen Par.They are no criminals or in layman’s term,mad.All they need is a little care and affection and that is going to set them on the right path.They should not be shunned away.
It is good to see that school’s are increasingly taking the services of councellor’s and encouraging activities like laughter session to de stress them.
We should fast take preventive measures before it is too late.
The mainstream media are churning out endless clichés like increased violence on the television, increased consumerism and the decline of general morality as causes for the violence in kids.Lack of parental guidance and time and stress related factors contribute to this.They do not understand the value of life.Everything is served to them on a silver platter.All their demands are met.They have become too materialistic.If they are not given what their friends have,they resort to violent tactics. Marital discord among parents, alcoholic fathers, domestic violence and lack of parental affection are just few factors aggravating these tendencies. "Most parents mistake aggression for assertiveness and end up encouraging violent behaviour Some are too laid back to address the issue, while working parents put up with tantrums owing to their own guilt of not being able to spend enough time with the child," says Vadodara-based psychiatrist Dr Gautam Amin.
If you shuddered reading about children shooting down their classmates on campuses in the US, don't be relieved that it’s their problem. Violence among kids is plaguing schools here too, forcing school managements to employ counsellors, for both parents and teachers. "It is common to find young children enact a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) scene, emulating the characters that appear on television. It is sadistic and extremely violent at times. And it is not just boys, even girls are getting aggressive," says Geeta Sikdar, counsellor at Navrachna School in Vadodara. "Most violent children are attention-seekers, who derive sadistic pleasure by troubling their peers. They rip apart books, scream without reason or poke their friends with sharp instruments. This behaviour reflects on lack of parental care," notes principal of Vadodara's Bright Day School's primary division Rajni Agarwal.
Tushar Panchal (7) of Vadodara was forced to change his school twice this year after regular and violent fights with schoolmates. He was diagnosed as suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD),which manifests itself in the form of aggressive behaviour.
Though the scenario is slowly changing,there is still a long way to go.Society is increasingly becoming aware of the problems that these children face.As seen in the recent hit,Tare Zameen Par.They are no criminals or in layman’s term,mad.All they need is a little care and affection and that is going to set them on the right path.They should not be shunned away.
It is good to see that school’s are increasingly taking the services of councellor’s and encouraging activities like laughter session to de stress them.
We should fast take preventive measures before it is too late.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Who Am I?
Often people ask me the question of who I am ? I tell them that I am Mili. This doesn’t answer their question. It is not the reply they are looking for. I wonder why. What is wrong with the reply that I gave? Then I realize that I am being asked about my religion and nationality. I wonder, why does it matter?. I am like everybody else on this planet. To silence them I say that I am an Indian. This still does not satisfy them. They ask me whether I am a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, etc. I choose not to answer and slowly walk away.
It is important to add that unlike many other countries that classify themselves on the basis of their religion, for example Pakistan is an Islamic State, India is a secular one. Secularism basically implies that the State does not promote any religion and is tolerant to all religions. This after knowing the fact that 80% of the Indian population comprises of Hindus. We deserve a pat on our back for this! This embraces equality in our country. I am glad to say that religion is not even defined in our Constitution otherwsise unwanted elements would have taken undue advantage of that fact to promote their own interests. That does not mean that God is a ‘dirty’ word. It simply implies that the devout, agnostic and atheist are all equal.
But it is sad to know that religious violence has claimed more than 4000 lives in 20 years! We have seen riots in Gujarat post Godhra, anti-Sikh violence, Hindu-Muslims riots sparked by demolition of Babri Masjid and many more.We should not get influenced by the anti- social elements that thrive on petty issues. We should not let them spread like a virus through our social fabric. We should not let the strong foundation laid down by our forefathers to weaken.
So stand up everyone and rise above religion and be a citizen of the world. Trust god(or whoever/whatever) not to be angry with you. Service to mankind is service to a higher calling.
It is important to add that unlike many other countries that classify themselves on the basis of their religion, for example Pakistan is an Islamic State, India is a secular one. Secularism basically implies that the State does not promote any religion and is tolerant to all religions. This after knowing the fact that 80% of the Indian population comprises of Hindus. We deserve a pat on our back for this! This embraces equality in our country. I am glad to say that religion is not even defined in our Constitution otherwsise unwanted elements would have taken undue advantage of that fact to promote their own interests. That does not mean that God is a ‘dirty’ word. It simply implies that the devout, agnostic and atheist are all equal.
But it is sad to know that religious violence has claimed more than 4000 lives in 20 years! We have seen riots in Gujarat post Godhra, anti-Sikh violence, Hindu-Muslims riots sparked by demolition of Babri Masjid and many more.We should not get influenced by the anti- social elements that thrive on petty issues. We should not let them spread like a virus through our social fabric. We should not let the strong foundation laid down by our forefathers to weaken.
So stand up everyone and rise above religion and be a citizen of the world. Trust god(or whoever/whatever) not to be angry with you. Service to mankind is service to a higher calling.
Friday, January 11, 2008
MY FIRST BLOG...
Today,after a long wait I finally sit down to write my blog…my first blog..soo proud..(something I never imagined of doing ever!!!) But it feels good to write my first blog but the worst thing is that I will have to use my PC and I hate doing that(I know sounds strange,by the way I don’t even have accounts on orkut and FB!!)I think a pen is a writer’s sword but anyways I will try this machine gun also..lol..I am sooo technologically deprivied, had such a tough time creating a blogging account.Thanks to my friends I succeeded.The last two days I have been giving excuses to my teacher for not writing the blog so now I have to write 3 of them..We are supposed to write 5 blogs every week,,don’t you think it’s a bit toooo much??You can’t force someone to write,it has to come from within.Writing shoud be a pleasure and not a burden.So I have decided I am going to write whenever I feel like writing and not write for the sake of writing it.
Mam said that the first few ideas that come to your mind aren’t what we are supposed to write on but as of now nothing comes to my mind.To some this blogging business seems very interesting but to me it doesn’t.But being a journalism student I should be doing all this,writing is my job.But then why do I don’t wont to write.This is dangerous!!I should start developing interest in this.
But why are people afraid of writing??Some may not have a flair for writing and some may be too scared and shy.We shoudn’t underestimate ourselves and always remember THERE ARE NO BAD WRITERS BUT BAD WRITINGS.So don’t be afraid and explore this experience called blogging as I am.
Mam said that the first few ideas that come to your mind aren’t what we are supposed to write on but as of now nothing comes to my mind.To some this blogging business seems very interesting but to me it doesn’t.But being a journalism student I should be doing all this,writing is my job.But then why do I don’t wont to write.This is dangerous!!I should start developing interest in this.
But why are people afraid of writing??Some may not have a flair for writing and some may be too scared and shy.We shoudn’t underestimate ourselves and always remember THERE ARE NO BAD WRITERS BUT BAD WRITINGS.So don’t be afraid and explore this experience called blogging as I am.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
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