Nirbhaya juvenile rapist

Lest you forget...

The juvenile rapist of Nirbhaya who was supposed to be the most brutal of all is still at large!!!

keep an eye out for the likes of him..

will ya!

Dangal

It may be a little late to write about the movie Dangal but i was so impressed watching it a few days back that i decided to write about it.

much has been written about the movie so i wont delve further on that.

the real mr phogat and daughters

I am amazed by the one man's dedication to give a medal to India and how he trained his daughters for that.  What is striking is - if one man can do that with meagre resources and only two girls to choose - why aren't our officials able to replicate that with crores of money, power, resources and plenty of girls to choose from.

It is probably the devotion and dedication and sans any internal politics. The single point of focus should be a medal and nothing else - as in the case of Mr phogat.

maybe it is time to link the promotions of the officials with the number of medals they produce.  I am sure every official can be tasked with producing one medallist in his life time!!!

in the mean time my heartfelt salute to mr phogat for his unflinching belief in his dream and making it come true!!

Rani Padmavathi row

"We have regressed as a Nation" thundered my favourite heroine.  I cringed hearing this on national TV, coming from a well read and respected lady. 

Everytime an issue is raised about our National identity or history, we are made to feel guilty with words like

-fringe groups

-intolerance

-regressive mind set

-they cannot subdue us

-it is our right

-artistic freedom etc etc

So Mr Bhansali can distort the history of Rani Padmavathi or Mr Sanal Kumar Sasidharan can name his movie as Sexy Durga (both in the name of artistic freedom or freedom of expression) but the common man supposedly  has no right to protest.  If he/she protests they will branded  as fringe elements or regressive.  but nobody wants to ask Mr Bhansali as to why he wants to distort the history of a popular hindu queen (whether real or mythical is irrelevant) whose story formed part of history textbooks in school(it was when we were in school, i dont know if it still is) or Mr Sanal Kumar Sasidharan as to why he named his movie Sexy Durga when the movie  is supposedly about the bad experience of two hitchhikers, a man and a woman, at the hands of two other men at night. 

In case you decide to ask - the whole media, bollywood fraternity etc etc will swoop on you, ridicule you and cleverly&incessantly insult you so badly that you start doubting your own leanings/intentions.

But why do they do it? Why did Mr Bhansali make the queen dance in less clothes or allegedly have a dream sequence with khilji (this is only alleged - but if there is one - then it is blasphemy) or Why did Mr Sanal Kumar Sasidharan name his movie Sexy Durga? I hope they are simple financial considerations  to monetise the popularity of the characters or the controversies generated (with no other sinister motives)!!!

So, should we continue to protest such movies? Yes we must. Because as time progresses, historical movies become the basis for history.  A decade down the line children would watch this movie (like we read about rani padmavathi in text books) and mistake it for history (conspiracy theories may suggest that is the purpose of the movie).   For example 'Passion of the Christ' made in 2004 is now in the list top 10 biblical reference movies of all time!!! There was a lot of controversy when the movie was released but with time people have forgotten about it and now the film is there in the reference list!!!! That is the danger of well made movies.  Once the controversies die down, because of their A list actors and the lavish budgets they remain popular and over time become reference movies!!! 

As one great man said - if you want to destroy a Nation, erase its history - if we have no great history to read - we would continue to think that we are a poor under developed Nation contrary to what we  were - a Nation of warriors (may be divided into several kingdoms) but still a Nation of warriors!!! 

Therefore, we as a Nation must not be cowed down by a bunch of educated celebrities who are just trying to make some quick money at the cost of our heritage and culture. The issue is not of artistic freedom or intolerance - the issue is about preserving our National heritage and history.

These heroes & heroines who are in it just for the money should also not be lecturing us on National or Societal values as films are one of the primary causes for the decline in moral &ethical values in the society.  Every single word of this statement can be proved but that is a different subject altogether.

So let us protest this attitude in the only way that every common man can do i.e don't watch  these movies or any other movies of the actors in these movies.  That is the only way to non-violently pinch these movie makers who think they can do anything/make anything and claim the cover of artistic freedom.

As regards my favourite heroine - she is off my list now!!! 

Jai Hind

lowering age for sexual consent

lowering age for sexual consent

hi all

 

there are various reports in the media that the law for lowering the age to 16 was already passed.  There is no clarity if it is indeed so. Its time to find out if that really is the case as this is a major shift in policy.... more on that once we get some confirmation

 

but what is the issue - my old article is reproduced below

Hope this post finds you in the pink of health and wealth! I am returning after a long hiatus as i had gone for the maha kumbh mela,  the highlights of which i will post shortly.

As i woke up from my bed today, I saw that the bill to lower the age for sexual consent was almost passed. As i understand, this was part of the recommendations of the honourable justice verma committee report.  Being a common man, i was confused. The honourable committee was setup to prevent rape and other attrocities against women but i could not understand how this reduction in age for consent fell in the ambit of that charter. How can reduction in the age reduce the number of rapes or the attrocities?

In my opinion the lowering of ageof sexual consent  is not a good option for young girls for the following reasons:

1.   Who benefits from this rule? it certainly cant be the little girls.  it would only legitimise the rich older men or the road side goons forcing themselves for sex by way of offering money or threats. As a father of a little girl myself i am not at all comfortable with the idea of  16 year olds having sex.

2.   At 16 what is their understanding of sex? and why should they have sex at 16? where is the tearing hurry? A girl at 16 would be in class x or xi by then. Are we as a nation willing to accept that girls in class x/xi  can have sex? If we cannot, then why this new rule?

3.  This will lead to an increase in teen pregnancies which even the most developed of western nations are grappling to resolve

4.   Medical complications would rise earlier in life due to abortions.

5.   Loss of innocence of children as they would be viewed as sexual objects much earlier especially at a age where they may not be able to handle themselves. (below is a shocking pic of a teenager)

6.    It may be much more difficult to prove the rape of the girls between 16 to 18 as the 'lack of consent' has to be first established.

7.     Will lead to trafficking of younger girls as it would be very difficult to make out between a healthy 14 year old and normal 16 year old.

Despite these obvious issues, there were several bogey's raised by several learned people that lowering the age will reduce HIV/STD/other diseases, harassment of young people etc.  These learned people including some women were actually batting for lowering the age.

The West had experimented with this free culture and they are feeling the effects now.  Unmarried mothers, many in teens, parents holed up in old age homes etc are just a few of those effects.  Many of the teen unmarried mothers informed that they were never aware of what they were getting into at that age and by the time they realised their folly, they were too pregnant or with a child already. It must be understood that at times it is difficult even to abort a baby which forces the girl to deliver the child.  Moreover how would an indian girl in class x or xi inform her parents that she is pregnant? Are we really ready for that sort of confrontation?

The West is in a turmoil today and they are looking at our sanatana dharma for peace and salvation.  At such a time we are trying to ape their flawed system.  A system so flawed that it is full of failed marriages and broken relations.  So, rather than aping the west it may be worth while, to lay emphasis on our culture and rediscover its wonderful teachings which form the foundations for rock solid indian families.  While we are doing that, we may educate our youth about 'respect for women' and bring about a generational change in this decade.

In the meantime, I can only pray that somebody puts a stop to this lowering of age and stem further decline in our social practices.

Single Girl child

A lot of Govts have offered some fantastic schemes for the single girl child.

1. Ladli Scheme of Delhi
2. Balri Rakshak Yojana in Punjab
3. Ladli Scheme of Haryana
4. Girl Child Protection Scheme in AP
5. Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Yojana-Bihar.... and so on

A list of popular schemes can be accessed here

SPECIAL FINANCIAL INCENTIVE SCHEMES FOR THE GIRL CHILD IN INDIA: A REVIEW OF SELECT SCHEMES

one or two

These schemes are truly commendable and offer a special incentive for bringing a girl child into this world and  stopping with just that one. 

But, it is rather surprising that no such incentives exist for parents with two daughters 

OK let me play the devil's advocate here and consider the reasons for someone to stop with a single girl child....

1.   They are happy with one - be it boy or girl

2.   Medical reasons do not permit them to have a second

3.   They are not sure that they can get a boy in the second attempt

4.   Financial condition does not permit having a second child after first girl child

5.   Lastly - a slightly disturbing reason - they may have aborted a second child after coming to know that it is a girl (one can argue that it is not possible due to govt regulations on the subject but clandestinely it is happening which is why some clinics are caught once in a while) and so on...

So, if we look at these impassionately we would realise that single girl child option in a large number of cases is not the natural option but one that was forced upon them due to any of the reasons above.

Now, consider the state of parents with two girl children - 

1. they braved the decison to go in for a second despite not being sure if they would get a boy

2.  many people go in for a second despite their medical condition

3. undergo tremendous financial strain in india due to marriage expenses, dowry etc  for the girl child

4. did not go for a sex determination test/ or even if they did went ahead with the baby.

The last option deserves applause as it would have been very easy to abort rather than go for a second girl child (I only mean financially for poor families).  Despite this noble step taken by them, they are not rewarded for the same. 

In reality, everyone would agree that a family with two girl children needs more financial incentives than the one with a single girl child.

To conclude, Daughters are a blessing for the love they give to their parents and one can surely say that one who does not have a daughter is missing something in life, but Govt also may consider offering financial incentives even for people with twice the blessings because they are the ones who actually need them more than the ones with single girl child.

 

Media - peddling unimportant news?

 As I read the story of wing commander MS Dhillon 

read the stroy of wing cdr dhillon here

- it suddenly struck me that this young man passed away in the line of duty while I was sipping my drink in my living room and watching one of the discussions on 'Wani' or 'separatists' or 'hardik patel' or some other similar issue.  For the next couple of days also there was no story of heroism of this young man who could have stayed back after rescuing 169 people which is a commendable feat by itself. He still went on another mission in the bad weather as more stranded people were there to be picked up.  He put the service to others ahead of his self and was martyred in the process.

There are several such stories of courage, helpfulness and sincerity in our country of 1.2 billion. Why aren't the media houses picking up such positive news?  Everyday we are bombarded with news of murder, rape, kidnap, molestation etc. Not that they are by any means small offences - but there is no positive news about our people or country!!

Maybe time to have a channel reporting only the good things in our country!! Even the Govt can have it - or even turn DD into "Good News' channel!!

Wing commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon

 

Original post by Ms Bandita Bose in facebook

The nation has the right to information too...

On the 4th of July we lost a very dear friend in a tragic helicopter crash during a flood rescue operation in Arunachal Pradesh. 

Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon. The reason I am posting this here... is because the media will report loss of a machine in the 5th page of some newspaper, in a ticker in some news channel, but the story of MS Dhillon must be told...

He was commanding the Helicopter Unit at Tezpur, and had over 18 years of flying experience in varied terrain, from icy mountains to the jungles of North East India.  With his death, not only has India lost a brave son but his family and friends have lost a true friend, gentleman and a buddy. Dhillon would always say things the way they should be told. His lazy nasal voice was signature to him. His warm smile would make you reflect it every-time you saw it. 

Never shying away from his core job, was always enthusiastic about his passion and profession. On 04 July 2017 before he went down for the final time, he had already made five sorties and had rescued 169 stranded people. During the return and the sixth sortie in adverse weather and difficult flying conditions, the helicopter crashed.

All of us who have known him in person are devastated and in shock to say the least. More strength to his family. 

Today, with the prevalent scenario while we are forever ready to pounce on our armed forces for the smallest thing, I just wanted to bring to the forefront, our sons, brothers, friends are continuing to lay their lives for the nation. Media will never tell us this... But the citizens have a right to know.

IAF adds - 

Mandeep belonged to Patiala and came from a defence background. A role model to a generation of younger officers and to the cadets of NDA, where he was once posted as an instructor. Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon was also a long distance runner who won almost every long distance race in which he ever participated. After completing his schooling from RIMC Dehradun, he was selected for NDA as an Air Force cadet and joined Foxtrot Sqn. He never liked being away from the flying duties and pursed his flying passion with sincerity. With his death, India has lost a dare devil officer, a thorough gentleman and a very kind soul.  May his soul rest in peace and may the God give the loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss. Survived by wife , and a young daughter and a son.

Mumbai Airport parking fees

Mumbai airport is a great piece of art. one of my well travelled friend was truly amazed at the grandeur of the airport from the departure terminal. The designers and the GVK group deserve applause for this. While the departure terminal is truly world class and can better many International airports, the arrival end is not very user friendly and falls short of the high expectations set from the departure end. Mumbai is probably one of the few airports in india where the pickup is far away from the arrival gate and a new person arriving at mumbai would be thoroughly confused!!!

Especially, the parking fee woes bewilder me. All domestic passengers (till recently) and  international passengers are paying a user development fee.  Should that not include provision of parking also? atleast free pickup?. It is amazing that even a pickup by private car is chargeable.  This is even more so amazing as the same is free in the domestic terminal (santacruz) for 5 min duration.  5-10 min is free at  many of the domestic airports not managed by corporates.  

Even the passengers walking down the road to avoid paying the parking fee (out of sheer principle) were charged for using the elevated access road i.e somehow they were being charged the parking fee.  Thanks to Shiv Sena Member of Legislative Council Anil Parab who protested against this practice and it was stopped temporarily.

And the taxi strike today again on parking woes - hope better sense prevails and all concerned resolve these issues in the best interests of air travellers.  Ultimately Mumbai has one of the best airports in the world - why mar the reputation for petty parking issues

  

 

Vladimir Putin standing in the rain

Great respect shown to soldiers not only by Mr Vladimir Putin but also many others in the assembly.  Well done!!

Nirbhaya judgement

The Sc judgement on the Nirbhaya case is at last relief and closure for the bereaved family and the full nation.  While this case became ill-famous for its barbaric nature, several more lesser incidents of rape were reported since the nirbhaya incident.  So much so that societies in some cities have started community policing.  it would be interesting to note that i suggested this as the way forward way back in janaury 2013. you can read that article here

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6343406740388235277#editor/target=post;postID=6569083789828707730;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=87;src=postname

This hanging does not take care of the juvenile though.  He is somewhere there amongst us - working as a cook!!! What is chilling is - he is just one psycho who had been caught (and let off) but there may be many more such people  quietly lurking in the alleys!!
We must be Aware and more importantly Arise to stop any such crimes happening in front of us.  No amount of poilicing will work as there are just not enough police - only on ground vigilantes can help (cure the disease).  

How to avoid the disease is an altogether different subject and requires a fundamental change in our mindset - that is my next post