Tamil Nadu is one of the examples of regional chauvinism in the category of such States in India. Regional chauvinism came into being there with the birth of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 1949 till then Indian National Congress was in the saddle for decades. Naturally a question arises. Why then a regional party mushroomed in the State of Tamil Nadu. We need not dig-deeper into the discovery of its reasons. When a State is constantly neglected, particularly when its citizens feel like an ignored lot, particularly when their immediate problems are not being attended to properly, its infrastructure too remains unattended, poverty, unemployment, malnourishment etc turning gigantic problems, the party ruling the State loses popular support. The people turn elsewhere for help and that help comes in handy from a party be it a regional entity or not, they flock under it and catapult that party into power. Such a thing happened in Tamil Nadu, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was formed under an able leader C.N.Annadurai.
Under the leadership of such a great man the party came into power easily and the govt formed under that party worked for the welfare and well-being of the poor.
Later after his tragic demise, DMK got divided into many Kazhagams like AIADMK, PMK, DMDK variety of them. When DMK failed to come to the expectations of people AIADMK under M G Ramachandran aka MGR came to power of course forming alliance with parties of lesser influence among regional parties. Even today Tamil Nadu is being ruled alternately with Congress holding only a marginal influence.
Of late the Grand Old Party cherishes the dream of winning more seats and by winning more seats it aspires for a partnership rule either with DMK and AIADMK.
Now that preparatory works are in full swing in Tamil Nadu as this is election times seat-sharing talks are too are in full swing. Each party’s demands are being discussed, adjustments also made, some parties stake claim for more seats, demands are agreed or not agreed upon depending upon the situation.
For instance Congress in its talks with its long term alliance partner of DMK this time it has struck a strident posture demanding 63 seats and in the case of the alliance winning power it demands to be a partner in the govt. DMK on the other hand is not willing to provide 60 seats to Congress, not any more and in the case of winning power Congress demand for a place in the Ministry is not at all possible.
Both are on a collision course as per the latest news streaming in with the DMK deciding to withdraw its six ministers from the Ministry and provide issue-based support to Central govt from outside. DMK’s pressure tactics do not seem to have worked this time since the Congress steadfastly stick to its position.
Samajwadi party of Mulayam Singh with 23 seats have come forward with the claim that UPA govt doesn’t suffer on account of DMK backing out it is certain that he too eyes plum posts in the govt at a critical moment like this.
Whether a last minute patch-up with DMK is possible or not is anybody’s guess, if so who will be making a climb-down, either Congress or DMK?
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
THE OMNIPRESENT
It never waits for
anyone’s convenience.
It’s omnipresent
It doesn’t have a coma,
semi-column or full-stop
unlike a river it never inundates
it never gushes forth, never dries-up.
It’s omnipresent
It neither has a past nor a present
or future
unlike we think it never
runs fast, never runs slow,
never stagnant,
it’s omnipresent
It is invisible, invincible.
Never can we hold it by force.
It is God. It is TIME.
anyone’s convenience.
It’s omnipresent
It doesn’t have a coma,
semi-column or full-stop
unlike a river it never inundates
it never gushes forth, never dries-up.
It’s omnipresent
It neither has a past nor a present
or future
unlike we think it never
runs fast, never runs slow,
never stagnant,
it’s omnipresent
It is invisible, invincible.
Never can we hold it by force.
It is God. It is TIME.
HIS EVOLUTION
The very day my friend
bought a measuring scale
he evolved into a
different person.
At the very outset
he tried to experiment
it on me
later on others.
I noticed his eyes
turning doubtful
as he became the proud
of the measuring scale.
But the distance between
us grew
as also the intensity of my
anger and hatred
toward him.
His next step might be
the purchase of a
weighing balance
I very much suspect.
The measuring scale
and weighing balance
do go hand in hand.
When would he start
forcing others to be
weighed in his balance?
Sans a measuring scale
and a weighing balance,
I can very well measure
and weigh the pros and
cons of our relationship.
bought a measuring scale
he evolved into a
different person.
At the very outset
he tried to experiment
it on me
later on others.
I noticed his eyes
turning doubtful
as he became the proud
of the measuring scale.
But the distance between
us grew
as also the intensity of my
anger and hatred
toward him.
His next step might be
the purchase of a
weighing balance
I very much suspect.
The measuring scale
and weighing balance
do go hand in hand.
When would he start
forcing others to be
weighed in his balance?
Sans a measuring scale
and a weighing balance,
I can very well measure
and weigh the pros and
cons of our relationship.
INDIAN CHILDREN AT THE LOWER STRATA
‘Unfortunately, we are often confronted with a lack of sensitivity among adults about the rights of children. Children have never been regarded as an important constituency by the political system and society. They are seen only in a patronizing manner. We have to talk to people and tell them that children need to be treated with dignity and as equals. It is not enough that you give them love, it is equally important to give them dignity. The moment you start treating them as equal, you give them dinigty.’ – Santha Sinha, Chairperson NCPCR and Magsaysay Award winner (Courtesy : The HINDU)
My Mumbai life was replete with several experiences, both good and bad, some never to be forgotten because of the pleasure and pain involved, actually I do want to share with the readers, but here I am compelled to touch upon only one subject and that is everything to do with children. As a youth who was fortunate and unfortunate to live at different places, here I mean suburbs as a paying guest I could witness many instances of hardships and sufferings undergone by children and elders alike. Furthermore the chances to travel by local trains, buses, taxis and autorickshaws along with my friends or single-handedly provided me with much food for thought especially about the street children and their hapless parents. Lakhs and lakhs of slum dwellers, their children’s wayward living, their lack of opportunities even to join schools or kindergartens, no cloths worth wearing, no slates, books, pencils or pens, all made me ponder over their future. Many people even live in make-shift tents on the streets which could be blown away if a strong wind were to visit the city.
A govt basking in the glory of high growth trajectory (nice word) and the country with 667 millions of people with no sanitation facilities, an equal number of citizens without even roofs over their heads make pathetic as also wonderful reading.
As a man who did have the opportunity of living close to a place near Dharavi I `could witness elders and children living under pitiful conditions. With the elders leaving slums to faraway places for work the children are left with nobody to care these children often land in the hands of paedophiles, there are no dearth for them, some children getting involved in thefts and pick-pocketing sometimes caught in the act and beaten up mercilessly by people, they do not even get the luck to even visit the door-step of school or kindergartens. The girl children are the most exploited in such a tender age, mind you, ‘the save girl child’ advertisements and campaigns are seen on the TVs and heard on radios only. Platitudes abound, no visible action however not taken by the rulers. The elders who go to work reach their slums in inebriated conditions with no paise left to spend for the family, the entire responsibility falls upon the hapless, emaciated shoulders of the women members of the families.
These are the state of affairs of a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai. These are the predicaments of the children of Mumbai. Most people keep a mistaken notion that in the cities everything is fine, only in the interior parts of India only children lack educational facilities and other amenities.
I think in the remote interior parts of our nation, as far as the conditions of the children are concerned they are one step ahead.
Today I happened to read an interview with Santha Sinha, head of NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights), the Magsaysay award winner titled ‘Our living adds to the sufferings of poor children’.
She dwells upon many aspects of children’s education in the remote corners of the nation. The roles of Anganwadis in villages play a great role in the growth of children, like mid-day meal schemes etc.
She also dwells upon the corporal punishment being awarded to children by various institutions and as an instance she points towards a haunting fact that 98 children had to undergo corporal punishment in Tamil Nadu alone in the year 2008 and such punishments often lead the children to suicides. Instances of child abuses even by government and non-governmental organizations especially due to the apathy of the political parties. Girls, for the sake of their siblings sacrifice their education looking after household chores. Their parents too go to works leaving girl children alone at homes. Similarly, a number of issues she has pointed out as the Chairman of NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights) and a long list of remedial measures.
She has noted that child labour is a perennial problem and stresses that there is a need to sensitize the plight of working children in the country. At the age of going to schools they are forced to work in textile factories, brick kilns, salt pans etc.
It is really a matter of pride for all of us Indians that a great lady of Santha Sinha’s stature has devoted her whole life for the better education of our children.
My Mumbai life was replete with several experiences, both good and bad, some never to be forgotten because of the pleasure and pain involved, actually I do want to share with the readers, but here I am compelled to touch upon only one subject and that is everything to do with children. As a youth who was fortunate and unfortunate to live at different places, here I mean suburbs as a paying guest I could witness many instances of hardships and sufferings undergone by children and elders alike. Furthermore the chances to travel by local trains, buses, taxis and autorickshaws along with my friends or single-handedly provided me with much food for thought especially about the street children and their hapless parents. Lakhs and lakhs of slum dwellers, their children’s wayward living, their lack of opportunities even to join schools or kindergartens, no cloths worth wearing, no slates, books, pencils or pens, all made me ponder over their future. Many people even live in make-shift tents on the streets which could be blown away if a strong wind were to visit the city.
A govt basking in the glory of high growth trajectory (nice word) and the country with 667 millions of people with no sanitation facilities, an equal number of citizens without even roofs over their heads make pathetic as also wonderful reading.
As a man who did have the opportunity of living close to a place near Dharavi I `could witness elders and children living under pitiful conditions. With the elders leaving slums to faraway places for work the children are left with nobody to care these children often land in the hands of paedophiles, there are no dearth for them, some children getting involved in thefts and pick-pocketing sometimes caught in the act and beaten up mercilessly by people, they do not even get the luck to even visit the door-step of school or kindergartens. The girl children are the most exploited in such a tender age, mind you, ‘the save girl child’ advertisements and campaigns are seen on the TVs and heard on radios only. Platitudes abound, no visible action however not taken by the rulers. The elders who go to work reach their slums in inebriated conditions with no paise left to spend for the family, the entire responsibility falls upon the hapless, emaciated shoulders of the women members of the families.
These are the state of affairs of a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai. These are the predicaments of the children of Mumbai. Most people keep a mistaken notion that in the cities everything is fine, only in the interior parts of India only children lack educational facilities and other amenities.
I think in the remote interior parts of our nation, as far as the conditions of the children are concerned they are one step ahead.
Today I happened to read an interview with Santha Sinha, head of NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights), the Magsaysay award winner titled ‘Our living adds to the sufferings of poor children’.
She dwells upon many aspects of children’s education in the remote corners of the nation. The roles of Anganwadis in villages play a great role in the growth of children, like mid-day meal schemes etc.
She also dwells upon the corporal punishment being awarded to children by various institutions and as an instance she points towards a haunting fact that 98 children had to undergo corporal punishment in Tamil Nadu alone in the year 2008 and such punishments often lead the children to suicides. Instances of child abuses even by government and non-governmental organizations especially due to the apathy of the political parties. Girls, for the sake of their siblings sacrifice their education looking after household chores. Their parents too go to works leaving girl children alone at homes. Similarly, a number of issues she has pointed out as the Chairman of NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights) and a long list of remedial measures.
She has noted that child labour is a perennial problem and stresses that there is a need to sensitize the plight of working children in the country. At the age of going to schools they are forced to work in textile factories, brick kilns, salt pans etc.
It is really a matter of pride for all of us Indians that a great lady of Santha Sinha’s stature has devoted her whole life for the better education of our children.
Friday, March 4, 2011
THE GLORY
As he walked
step by step to the
heights of knowledge
that led him to glory
the very last vestige of
ego in him melted away
and filled him with humility.
Think of a charlathan
who carries with him
an inflated ego, and
compare him with
the man with no ego or
arrogance.
step by step to the
heights of knowledge
that led him to glory
the very last vestige of
ego in him melted away
and filled him with humility.
Think of a charlathan
who carries with him
an inflated ego, and
compare him with
the man with no ego or
arrogance.
THE BLOOMS
In the garden of
her thoughts
there bloomed flowers
of different variety.
Each day little, little
little, little blooms
which in no time
grew bigger and bigger
prettier and prettier.
One day a group of
wanton boys stealthily
entered her garden
and mercilessly plucked
away the pretty flowers of
thoughts.
Disheartened not
she waited for new
blossoms of thoughts to grow
as she knew
as long as she existed
the process of flowering
would continue
a truth which everyone
would agree.
Garden of thoughts is
a sign of life
like a Pipal tree
with each leaf falling
down
a new leaf takes its
place
if the pipal tree is
a garden tree of life
so is the garden
of thoughts.
her thoughts
there bloomed flowers
of different variety.
Each day little, little
little, little blooms
which in no time
grew bigger and bigger
prettier and prettier.
One day a group of
wanton boys stealthily
entered her garden
and mercilessly plucked
away the pretty flowers of
thoughts.
Disheartened not
she waited for new
blossoms of thoughts to grow
as she knew
as long as she existed
the process of flowering
would continue
a truth which everyone
would agree.
Garden of thoughts is
a sign of life
like a Pipal tree
with each leaf falling
down
a new leaf takes its
place
if the pipal tree is
a garden tree of life
so is the garden
of thoughts.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A MERRY RIDE
How come you drive the
car?
How come you handle
the steering,
I mean, the ease with which
you drive?
Literally you make the car
fly over the road
your style, your speed
all surprising and breath-taking.
How come you learnt
driving,
you were an illiterate in
driving?
Unbelievable, incredible
wonderful, my dear.
How come you turned
so young and handsome,
any magic?
Me too!
What the hell are you speaking?
Kidding?
Cracking jokes were your
forte, I know.
I’ve turned old now my dear
see the snow white hair, wrinkles,
still you speak such nonsense!
Okay, agree, its not
easy to argue and
win over you
I’m cute, satisfied?
My lush dark flowing hair
soft skin….agree, agree
you in the shirts and
slacks look like a macho
so young
like an eligible bachelor
I’m not joking
remember the day you
and I first met
literally you felled me
with your smiling eyes
that mischievous smiling
like a magnet….
You looked asquint at me
I saw, I saw.
How far we have come,
Wow, wonderful
we have reached the
starting point!
the same spot.
Can’t believe it.
What you said?
Need water?
Okay I’ll bring it now
Oh my god, whither you
disappeared with the car?
Naughty you, as always.
- She came out of
her dreams and looked
around,
no one nearby
she closed her eyes
tears running thru the
corners of her eyes……
car?
How come you handle
the steering,
I mean, the ease with which
you drive?
Literally you make the car
fly over the road
your style, your speed
all surprising and breath-taking.
How come you learnt
driving,
you were an illiterate in
driving?
Unbelievable, incredible
wonderful, my dear.
How come you turned
so young and handsome,
any magic?
Me too!
What the hell are you speaking?
Kidding?
Cracking jokes were your
forte, I know.
I’ve turned old now my dear
see the snow white hair, wrinkles,
still you speak such nonsense!
Okay, agree, its not
easy to argue and
win over you
I’m cute, satisfied?
My lush dark flowing hair
soft skin….agree, agree
you in the shirts and
slacks look like a macho
so young
like an eligible bachelor
I’m not joking
remember the day you
and I first met
literally you felled me
with your smiling eyes
that mischievous smiling
like a magnet….
You looked asquint at me
I saw, I saw.
How far we have come,
Wow, wonderful
we have reached the
starting point!
the same spot.
Can’t believe it.
What you said?
Need water?
Okay I’ll bring it now
Oh my god, whither you
disappeared with the car?
Naughty you, as always.
- She came out of
her dreams and looked
around,
no one nearby
she closed her eyes
tears running thru the
corners of her eyes……
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