Hungry Children

I am Ashamed Are you?

Rajesh Chopra – Editor in Chief – LiveIndia.com
Generations have passed since Man first stepped on to the moon and evoked awe and admiration from humanity. Yet it is amazing to know that we haven’t yet taken those giant steps towards progress in the real sense of the term. Just at the moment when heads are being raised in pride as India launched their maiden moon mission, at the same time a father in a remote village was breathing his last before his son who watched him helplessly. The man died out of starvation as the family had no food. This is the stark reality that we Indians have long been avoiding and trying to run away from.

This is a common occurrence in some of the villages in Utter Pradesh, Bihar and many other states of India. So many people are dying every day out of starvation and hunger. These villages suffer from extreme poverty and hunger.

In villages like Palamu, Gadwa, Chatara people are dying every day while the entire nation is watching as mute spectators. It is already a well known fact that children in Bihar, Orissa, UP are dying every day after feeding themselves on a fistful of rice or one glass of dirty water. According to a recent survey, almost 20 people have died out of starvation and hunger in the last month and one can only imagine how many more are yet to die out of these extreme conditions. Such shocking occurrences are happening everyday in our own nation.
It is shameful to even think that such disgraceful and unfortunate occurrences are happening in a nation we are hailing as a Super Power currently. Indian Government is investing so much of resources and funds on building flyovers and tall skyscrapers but they are extremely insensitive to these alarming issues which are not being discussed and are being pushed under the carpet!

Indian Government is spending crores and crores of money on trivial matters, little realizing that, that money could be well utilized on feeding those poor farmers who go without food and starve for days on end. When would the government realize that poor people also feel hungry and share the same dreams of any other common man? Cant’ they spare the poor people a little bit of thought and show some sensitivity towards them at any given point of time? Is it really asking for too much?
It becomes almost impossible for any of us to go without food even for a day, whereas most of these poor people are compelled to go hungry not just for days, but months and years without end? A fistful of rice is almost a five star meal for the poor souls-contented with whatever little they are allotted. It is a mater of shame that we civilized human beings can turn a blind eye to their everyday plight and struggle for survival.

Our ministers chosen dutifully by us, leave no stone unturned to earn votes from us and we everyday fall into the trap. But little do we realize that our very own decisions would be reflected in our future. Ministers like Koda and others hardly spare a thought to these poor peasants and selfishly pile on money in their already over flowing bank balance. If leading a comfortable and financially stable life was on their minds, why did they choose to serve the poor and address their problems? This only goes on to prove how insensitive and unfeeling these politicians are.
However this is a pointless debate considering the fact that politicians would not change and would continue with their indifferent stance-numb and blind to the plight and sufferings of the poor and downtrodden. It is quite obvious that common man can almost abandon any hope of their sufferings being alleviated by our noble ministers. Is it impossible for these ministers to lead an austere life and dedicate themselves to the cause of these poor people?

How about a situation where the child is going hungry and the entire family is busy decorating the house? But in our Indian context, It is happening every day. While Our Indian Government has been sworn in to look after the Indian citizens, they are investing time and money on decorating our country and heaping themselves with wealth, little bothering about those poor people dying every day in deplorable conditions.
It is a matter of disgrace that we Indians have not been able to do anything to improve the situation. How many people would actually read this article? How many souls would stir after this? Not many…because our conscience has been completely killed. We are numb to everything going on around us.

It is time the educated class of Indians came forward to join hands for this cause and took up some action as the Indian Government would do nothing for this cause. With The 2010 Commonwealth Games round the corner, Delhi is gearing up for showing the world how we have shaped up as a power to reckon with. But little does one know that thousands are waking up every morning hungry, impoverished and almost in a state of dying? It is a matter of shame. It is difficult to forgive ourselves after witnessing and silently corroborating their deaths. When would the Indian Government take notice and do something that would alleviate their pain, sufferings and give them a chance to live like any one of us?
I am ashamed- are you?
Rajesh Chopra. LiveIndia.Com - rajeshchopra@aol.in 

http://www.liveindia.com/news/w.html

Is the fourth foot to our existing democracy called ‘media’ in turmoil today because of the neglect of one news channel? The entire media is being questioned today and has been forced to be answerable to the law. Is this commending step for our country’s future?

Indian media has played a critical role for stirring up the conscience of the people, and bringing forth evil in the society. Media has achieved great heights with the latest technology and it has become a cardinal part in the lives of everyone. Today the absence of media in our lives is something next to impossible. The presence of media in our society assures us of justice in every way. A common man can distrust government but not the media. And hence any finger raised over media puts a question over our democracy too.

The IB ministry today is exercising ceaseless efforts to somehow apprehend control over the media. If these efforts are achieved then it will be a great setback for the society since the success of sting operations in disclosing the truth is indispensable. Sting operations can only check corruption. 

The sting operations revealed the truth about the corrupt politicians who are idols to people today. It even acquainted us regarding craving of big bureaucrats for more and more money. The truth about existing two facet policemen has been disclosed several times.

Along with this, I would even emphasize on the responsibility borne by the news channels. In Usha khuranas case, the argument given by the news channels that it was a mistake by their reporter is not justified.

Just a simple statement in no means ends the culpability of the news channel. News channels today try to make highlights out of clumsy happenings. A politician dancing in a party becomes a highlight. Is any politician deprived with such rights of dancing? Is it a crime? Similarly policemen watching bargirl’s dance is also brought into limelight. If on the contrary there had been film stars performing then would it be a crime? The dances in the reputed award functions are no less then these dances and the people from all societies are present there. When these functions have been accepted by the society then why do these small functions come into limelight to such an extent?

The media once needs to restructure itself the way it was because somewhere seeing the success of such operations it has itself come on a wrong track. The news channels should take the whole sole charge of eliminating corruption and regaining the trust of a common man in its working and effectiveness. And our duty lies in enforcing the independence of media in every possible way and to support media even in times of adversity.

Rajesh Chopra. LiveIndia.Com – rajeshchopra@aol.in

http://www.liveindia.com/news/w.html

Come February’ 2008, you open your eyes to the political misadventures of Raj Thackeray, who was beaked out running high and dry till two months back. But now at least he’s hogging the headlines, even if for the wrong reasons. His misadventures may have just begun, but may play a big spoil sport if gone unchecked. The rabble rousing utterances may spiral out and spread widely into a chain reaction of mammoth proportions if not dealt with. 

Next year’s elections are on cards and there is something which has to be done and done decisively. That’s what Raj Thackeray has concluded. When, Raj Thackeray launched MNS he had an agenda of inclusive politics which included Dalits, Muslims, Hindus and Maharashtarians alike. But last year’s elections across Maharashtra turned his political aspirations into a bitter experience. The much-hyped MNS was wiped out everywhere and won barely six seats.

Ever since Shiv Sena has tried to evolve out of the timid politics into a much more global and liberal identity, Raj has been on toes to do some thing desperate. To take such a big decision such as to segregate people on regional lines, he must be something himself. He’s unqualified behavior has left a lot to be desired. He might have been provoked by attempts by the Shiv Sena to reach out to north Indian voters in and around Mumbai, and the rise of Bal Thackeray’s son and successor at the Shiv Sena of “Mee Mumbaikar” fame. 

It makes little sense, that the violence that marred Mumbai is a desperate act of divisive politics and power. The low strata of society of its four million north Indian have born the brunt till now. But the poison gas has been unleashed and other casualties may soon follow, the biggest being the pride of Mumbai as the cosmopolitan global powerhouse. For now, it’s a boom time for Raj Thackeray, whose own political chances had become very bleak, when he was wiped out of last municipal elections. Ever since he has parted with the Shiv Sena’s founder leader Bal Thackeray, Raj has had no clues on where to go and what to do.  All he can do now is to fan the sectarian sentiment and instigate the policy of divide and rule, especially after seeing the Narender Modi’s rise out of such divisive politics. But politically Raj’s calculations have gone over board as he imagines that a clash between the north Indians and the Maharashtrians will polarize votes in his favor and affect the Shiv Sena badly.

But these provocation’s are plunging the whole nation into an abyss of darkness with such a low level of rotten politics which was never seen before. Imagine a robust social structure which was built and nurtured so carefully over the last sixty odd years, faces the wrath of some misguided mavericks. Imagine a nation which tomorrow faces the threat of being divided not only on regional lines but also on municipal lines. Imagine a situation where South Mumbaikars are up against North Mumbaikars or Delhi against Gurgaon. Unthinkable! Well not so much, if people like Raj Thackeray are left out open to have their way.

In a global economy when distances and nationalities become irrelevant, petty issues like cast, creed and now sectarianism are presenting a big impediment in India’s race to glory, which has only just begun. THE POLITICS is an art of impossible, but in a growing economy when India is marching towards globalization these kinds of instances make this growth impossible instead. Because growth is an art of the possible. It requires will, creativity, knowledge and entrepreneur ship. It transcends the parochial barriers of resistances and brings “the new” into existence.  But today everything hangs in the middle because some slimy perpetrators of divide and rule, want to take the nation to ransom. The likes of Raj Thackeray, who want arm-twist the nation with their own inimitable “goondagardi”.  The burning issues raised by the current situation resonate across the entire fabric of Indian society especially Mumbai and create a state of affairs which are unsettling and unprecedented.

The divide that is being instilled in the hearts of the masses can reverse this progress and bring the eventual downfall of a nation unless it is dealt with an equally conscious and committed process of reasoned thought and reasoning. The nation as such is already divided, divided by class, divided by creeds, divided by religion, divided by states. And leaders are not fighting for their nation but fighting for their own cult. They are not fighting for national interests but fighting for their own vested ones.  It’s up to the people of Maharashtra, not to let one man tarnish the pride and image of the liberal Maharashtrian. Leaders like Raj Thackeray are just scavengers, rag pickers looking for whatever they can make the most out of.  This is not a fight for sanskriti(cultural identity), its rather a game of “power ki sanskriti’(culture of power) that is laying it’s roots surreptitiously.
So cut the trap! Cut the Crap!
Rajesh Chopra.  LiveIndia.Com

Who’s responsible for a sudden de-generation of long standing values you’ve always held so close. Who’s responsible for the inferiority complex which the old man has to deal with, first time in his life? Who’s responsible for lack of faith in the young aspirant, now plagued with apprehensions and misconceptions?

And these two gentlemen are not just exceptions. They represent an entire Diaspora of the Indian middle class caught in the mad rush. An entire generation spanning cities, religions, states, redefining their values. Or imitating values, rather. Not because they want to, because they have to.  The growth of nation economically has also had severe repercussions on the morality of a sensible man. It’s not only the rural India which has been inflicted with the evils of dowry, but the urban cities where it is more rampant and larger than life. The dowry has become the gift, and the gift has superseded all the rationales of a common man. The urban metro mindset which has taken dowry to the pedestal of an iconic ritual and a lifestyle statement which everyone has to follow. The Gift in the Garb, which has become part and parcel of any typical urban Indian marriage, The gift which is displayed to public as a branding exercise. The names have changed but this dowry or the gift, still dominates the mindsets of those ‘who have’ as well as those ‘who don’t’. And the ‘have nots’ will defy all odds to emulate and create what they see. Up against any thing they’ll create a marriage, which will be unforgettable and unsurpassable. Even if it means putting their every thing at stake. 

And this is another instance of the regression of morality of a progressive nation. Easy money can never be made straight. And those who’ve got it fast and furious also know how they’ve made it. The whole nexus of crime, politics and economics has made the progress of the nation available to few and far between, while the masses still lag behind. The nation has over the years nurtured and propagated the widely accepted principles of corruption and decadence. Today we only respect the rich and the famous, while the more deserving are suitably left out and forgotten. But why? And for how long? 

If every father wants to gift his daughter something. How far is this ostentatious display of gift justified? Is gift a public display item or a status symbol?  And is if it is a status symbol there will definitely others who’ll vie for it and aspire to attain it. The illusion would never end. Imagine this gift become a reason for someone else’s death or debacle. Isn’t dowry or gift, hogwash to cover your own insecurities? After all it can’t provide lifetime security to anyone’s’ daughter. Nor is it a guarantee for life time of happiness. So isn’t education the best gift after all. Education which will stand the test of time and support even when the chips are down. 

It’s surprising why a community so progressive in its treatment of the child regresses so profoundly when it comes to taking or giving dowry. If the girls are given the best education, they are allowed to pursue careers and take up jobs like the boys; there is no need for anything else. Let the gift, if any, be personal, not a stock price which gets listed every where. And when it comes to giving wealth, it’s ‘stree dhan’: the inalienable property given to a woman at the time of her marriage. It’s a share of property no one could touch, not even her husband. 
Rajesh Chopra.  LiveIndia.Com

Telecom Companies, NGO’s and everyone associated with this sector know that cell tower radiation is day-by-day becoming a trouble but still all are overlooking this crisis. The only motivation behind overlooking is Money. 

The riches game gets initiated right from the start wherever cell-towers are installed. Telecom company’s employees take bribe in advance before installation of tower from the owner of the property in form of six-month rent, that companies are supposed to pay to the owner. Whoever installs cell-tower on their property they instantly starts earning 20 to 25 thousand Rupees every month. Companies are constantly increasing their network and introducing new plans to the market and selling them. Government agencies and NGO’s are being showered with Money to keep their eyes closed and in return these cell towers are harming general public’s health. 

Today we all know that cell towers radiation is messing up our health, We should start thinking from now what effect will this have on our future generation, In what all ways will they be deformed and we should start intriguing initiatives accordingly. All the agencies that are issuing reports which states zero danger from these towers are carrying on research from funds provided by these telecom giants, thus these agencies are not to be trusted at all. 

It’s about time that we comprehend that Government agencies and NGO’s won’t be doing anything about this hazard, that’s why it’s high time, we public should take this grave matter in our hands. It is important to make this issue so huge that government is left with no option. 

Its government’s fault for spoiling these telecom giants and now these companies are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to playing with Law. Now they are not even bothered about law when it comes to installing these killer towers. 

These days I have seen at many places A building’s roof has up to two or three towers on first floor and these towers in some cases are directly facing second floor of adjoining building like at Suvidha Kunj, Pitampura, Delhi, where humans live. Thus companies showing no regard for Human life whatsoever. Isn’t this making fun of the law formed for public? Today it is very easy to see this kind of installation in many places. 

All cell towers should be removed from residential areas and placed where they don’t harm and are on proper height and if govt. fails to do this soon. 

We public should take the matter in our own hands.

Six months back home minister had himself said that our Indian coastal Territories is not secure, couldn’t it have been secured in six months? Even If it was not possible, he could have issued a statement in public. Why didn’t he issue a statement publicly, and why wasn’t this information passed on to PM house? Does Home Minister have anything to say on this now?

What is our intelligence? Is this the kind of intelligence agency that a nation like ours should have? After every terrorist attack they start investigating. Are they just to investigate these attacks, or to stop them?

It is said our country has one of the world’s finest forces. We all are appreciating the role of force in this operation, is this the way to carry out an operation of this order? 200 people died, hotels were ruined and we are referring to it as successful operation?

We should understand that behind all these terror attack global depression is also a reason. Today whatever financial crisis the world is going through, India is still a little better than the rest, because of its tourism industry. These fanatic activities are to disrupt our tourism income.

The fact that only and only Pakistan is behind these terror attacks is not a secret anymore. Even after knowing all this will our government sit idle and do nothing about Pakistan. After 9/11 America kept all the hue and cry aside and first taught a lesson to Afghanistan. Even we should do the same we should forget everything and first teach Pakistan a lesson. Teaching Pakistan a lesson is just a matter of day for us, only if our ministers had willpower. For the sake of our country Politics just for Votes should stop.

Whenever Terrorists strike they are all mentally prepared to die. They don’t carry any fear of death with them, and for that reasons we’ll have to slot in even a bigger fear in their minds and heart. We all know a Terrorist works only and only for money, and this money their family gets after they are dead. For this reason after identifying terrorists even their families should be subjected to interrogation.

Even the laws for human rights needs to be revised just for the use on these fanatics, because terrorists are not human. In 2000 when Indian Airlines plane IC814 was hijacked and taken to khandhar, terrorists were released for the hostages. Why weren’t the released terrorists poisoned? If they were given the type of poison, which kills after 10 to 15 days, those terrorists would have died then only.

We Indians should also change our thinking about Momdans, Indian Muslim is different from rest of the Muslim in whole world. It is very essential for us to understand and accept them and take them in our confidence. Riots like Gujrat’s should stop, all religious leaders should be banned. It’s only these leaders who divide the nation into religions and thus instigating a common man to become a terrorist on name of religion. 
Our leaders should give up politics for votes and the leader who would still do politics for votes shouldn’t be allowed to contest election and even if he does contest elections no one should vote him. Public should have the right to negative voting. A leader with most negative votes should be forced to leave politics.

Today terrorist’s attacks are taking place here and there; TV channels shouldn’t glamorize it much because that also is an aim of these terrorists.

Providing security to every citizen of nation is responsibility of the Government and there is no way they can shun it. If they cant provide us protection then they’ll have to leave for good.

Few Questions
–Where is Raj Thackeray – the self proclaimed “Marathi Maanus” thekedaar– when so many of innocent Mumbaikars have been shot at?

–Where is Shivraj Patil, our honorable home minister? Has been quarantined because every time he blabs his mouth off to the media, it becomes extremely embarrassing for party high command to face the aftermath? Why has his deputy Prakash Jaiswal been deputed to face the cameras?

–Why did National Security Guard (NSG) commandos reach the terror sites in the morning when the first strikes were reported a little after 10:00 pm the previous night? Why is our reaction time slow always?

Rajesh Chopra.  LiveIndia.Com