While I was reading............

Sunday,17 February 2008

Guilt trodden, that I didn’t read newspaper since many days (A sin for a budding journalist) I sat down with the Sunday Times. It was very elaborate and a lengthy issue, but when you have a strong will, nothing matters.

As I read, many issues came to light:

• An accident at HCBS corridor (now known as Bus Rapid Transit corridor), Questioning its very existence. Same old unplanned ways of ‘improving’ traffic conditions in Delhi…..


• A special report on growing Maoist trouble in Indian states. Questioning the centre’s failed attempts to raise security and fill up security personnel posts.(As many as 7000 constable vacancies in Orissa alone)


• 1 shootout of a student (yet again) when he objected to eve teasing of his sister; A molestation case, victim yet another N-E girl. Questioning the Delhi Police and a slap on its face for the nth time.

But what really caught my attention is Shashi Tharoor’s article on the edit page. He writes about his visit to a school run by Bangalore charity Parikrma. Reading on, I find out how smartly this organization tackles the schooling business. Besides taking in kids from families earning less than Rs.750 a month. The organization goes on to make sure that other factors do not hinder their education. For example: They provide the kids with full breakfast on arrival, a solid lunch at mid-day & a snack before they leave for home. They also provide with bus passes and health care assistance to entire family during student’s years in school.

I recall that the most common stand poor parents take for not sending their children to school is- “It is useful only, If they reach till college level and later earn”

Now, interestingly, this organization is fully prepared to check this excuse also. They raise funds for full scholarships to send their graduating class to university.

Isn’t this brilliant?

When we think of charity in terms of education/literacy. We just think till a certain point. Like, opening a school for poor children. But this organization has gone a step ahead and has thought about all whereabouts that exist. They have checked all possible conditions that could hinder a child from getting education and have turned the negatives into positives intelligently.

Another thing, which came to my mind while reading today’s newspaper, was that there are so many issues surrounding us. Each needs equal attention, care, zeal. So, this leaves me confused. I want to do ‘something regarding everything’. But where do I start from? & how should I go about it?

Once in a while actions (Parikrma) rather than words answer my questions and leave me inspired……….

Mumbai-'I'tes

The Thackeray surname is synonymous with ‘Breaking news’ type comments,attacks,and sort of a goonda raj!only this time The ‘goonda’(alleged) were migrants in Maharashtra and the speaker-Raj Thackeray.

At a function at Dharavi, hitting out at north Indians, Raj in his statements criticised Amitabh Bacchan’s inclination towards his home state U.P.

Basically expressed his displeasure towards the migrants from U.P and Bihar who are diluting the ‘marathi’ culture and depriving the locals from facilities,job opportunities etc.

He went on to say a little too much to tolerate:

"You claim about India being a free country and every one has the right to move around the country. Even we agree, but the local population does have some rights of its own. You speak about feeding others at the cost of the native Maharashtrians, that cannot be tolerated. Maharashtrians have the first right to benefits accrued from this state and MNS stands for that"

“Many outsiders don’t even know how to speak Marathi. Go to states such as West Bengal, there people wouldn't even answer if you don't speak to them in Bengali. You don’t have problems with the Asom Gana Parishad but you have problems with MNS.Our basic demand is learn to respect Maharashtrians. The locals have to first right on this land.”

Earlier, the MNS leader had also opposed the north Indians’ Chhath Puja and Uttarayan (north India day) celebrations attended by Uddhav Thackeray.

"I am not against Chhath Puja. But what I oppose is that it is used as a means of show of strength," he said.

The whole incident invited attention from various sources:

"I heard that Raj Thackeray owns huge properties in Maharashtra...In Mumbai...Kohinoor Mills. If he is willing to donate land, we can start a school in the name of (Jaya's daughter-in-law) Aishwarya here," MP Jaya Bacchan said.

Lalu Prasad said it is better if people say "Jai Bharat".(instead of Jai Maharashtra)

Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh lodged a police complaint against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray after his party supporters disrupted his party's rally and attacked workers.

The MNS also resorted to violence, damaged taxis in Dadar, vandalised a theatre showing a Bhojpuri movie in Thane.Security had to be beefed up in sensitive areas.

If we look into the statistics-

In the 1960s, the share of out-of-state migrants in Mumbai’s population was over 36%. In 2001, it had dropped to 26%.

Mumbaikars now constitute over 57% of Mumbai's population compared to 34% in 1961

New migrants are mostly settling down in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan and Mira-Bhayander areas. They live in these areas, and if necessary, travel to the main city for work. Thus, the perception that they are putting an unsustainable load on the civic infrastructure is not completely true.Over 49% of male migrants coming to Mumbai do production-related jobs.

Experts say migrants, apart from working in industries, are involved in providing 48 types of services in the city — ranging from selling milk, vegetables and provisions to driving vehicles, working as security guards and so on.

While these are mostly low paying jobs, their contribution to maintaining the standard of life in this affluent city cannot be discounted.(TOI)

So what was all the hue and cry about?

Is Raj trying to make it to the headlines with an issue or two to promote his two-year-old party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, an offshoot of the Shiv Sena?

Is he trying to be the next Bal Thackeray? (Controversial statements, attacks by party men)

Is this a smart trick to attract votes from ‘Maharashtrians’,with elections round the corner?

The whole incident also indicates towards growing 'Regionalism' and dying 'Indianism' among Indians.A city like Mumbai,Delhi etc cannot be made single handedly,it requires efforts,hard work,perseverance from locals as well as migrants.We can't keep a place out of bounds for anyone.Opportunities cannot be for select few,and where 'culture' is concerned.I don't see any threat from anywhere!We have maintained our collective as well as selective culture since ages.There have been no disruptions/dilutions.